New version of electric rate study filed in response to Kansas Corporation Commission order requesting transparency
TOPEKA – A new electric rate study has been submitted to the Kansas Corporation Commission replacing a heavily redacted version filed with the agency in July. After AECOM, the company hired by the Legislature to complete Part 2 of the rate study, submitted a heavily redacted report, the KCC ordered AECOM to remove the redactions or provide legitimate justifications for the confidential designations.
The rate study was commissioned by the 2019 Legislature in Substitute for Senate Bill 69 to assist future legislative and regulatory efforts in developing energy policy. However, the large volume of confidential designations in the first version of the Part 2 study prevented the Legislature from fully viewing the study. The replacement report contains minimal redactions to protect sensitive data, such as customer and pricing information.
“It was imperative that a meaningful, publicly available report was provided,” said Commission Chair Susan Duffy. “The findings outlined in the rate study will help guide important energy policy discussions that are sure to take place in the upcoming legislative session and with the Commission.”
The utilities subject to the study included electric public utilities, electric cooperative public utilities, and the three largest municipally-owned or operated electric utilities by customer count.
Catherine Shackelford, 95, of Fort Scott, passed away Monday morning September 28, 2020, at Via Christi Ascension in Pittsburg, Kansas.
She was born August 24, 1925, in Enid, Oklahoma, the daughter of John and Dora C. (Goeller) Ivan.
She married Robert Everett Shackelford in Colton, California and he preceded her in death August 29, 2001.
Catherine and her husband Robert owned and operated restaurants in California where they lived for a number of years. She was a member of Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church.
Catherine is survived by her children, Gaylord Oberst and wife Deb, of Fort Scott, Glenn Oberst, also of Fort Scott, Carol Arner of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Rose Workman and husband Scott, of Lawrence, Kansas; eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, Robert, Catherine was also preceded in death by her parents, and all of her siblings, having been the last surviving member of her family.
Father Yancey Burgess will officiate graveside services at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, October 1, 2020, at the Fort Scott National Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church and left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
MEETING WILL BE HELD IN COMMISSION ROOM. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.
Governor Kelly to Deliver COVID-19 Update, Announce New Unified Testing Strategy
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly will hold a press conference at 4 p.m. today, Monday, September 28, to give an update regarding COVID-19 in Kansas, and announce a new unified testing strategy.
As COVID-19 mass gathering restrictions allow gatherings of 45 people or fewer, all media outlets are invited to attend provided all follow proper social distancing protocol and wear masks.
“We did not receive enough registrations to have the Tri-Yak-A-Thon,” said Penny Pollack-Barnes. “The race has been cancelled.”
The multi-sport annual event had a registration cut off for Sept. 26 for the Oct. 10 event at Gunn Park.
“In these uncertain times, we decided to hold the event if we have enough interest in the event,” Barnes said. If they had 40 registered participants by September 26 it would have continued. They did not.
Elmer Junior Judy, age 90, a resident of rural Ft. Scott, Kansas, peacefully went to be with Jesus Friday, April 3, 2020, at his home.
A memorial for Elmer Judy will be October 10 at 2 p.m. at the Parkway Church of God, 1111 State Street in Fort Scott.
He was born March 9, 1930, at the family’s rock house southwest of Ft. Scott, the son of Elmer Lewis Judy and Eliza Elizabeth Sanders Judy. Elmer graduated from the Ft. Scott High School. He married Lee Ella Gates on April 15, 1949, at Ft. Scott. In earlier years, Elmer worked at a variety of jobs, but for the majority of his life, he owned and operated Judy’s Iron and Metal in Ft. Scott. Elmer remained active with his business until three weeks prior to his death. He was a lover of God, his family, his church, Christian education, missions and good hard work. Even though he had great influence, he remained humble. Elmer had an enthusiasm and optimism for everything he did. He faithfully attended the Parkway Church of God (Holiness). He served for many years on the Parkway Church Board, the Ft. Scott Christian Heights School Board and the Iron Quill Board of Directors he was also a board member for Haiti Missions.
Survivors include his son, Mike Judy and wife, Carma, of Omaha, Arkansas and his two daughters, Gwen Chance and husband, Terry and Jan Beltram and husband, Larry, all of Ft. Scott and four grandchildren, Brent Chance and wife, Angela, of Harrisonville, Missouri, Brandon Beltram and wife, Amber, of Wichita, Kansas, Lynden Judy and wife, Katie, of Omaha, Arkansas and Kristi Harbit and husband, Justin, of Ft. Scott, Kansas and ten great-grandchildren, Alec, Nate, Kole and Alena Chance, Mikah and Emma Beltram and Tally, Claire, Jhett and Jessa Judy. Also surviving is his brother, Richard Judy, of Emmett, Idaho. Elmer’s wife, Lee Ella, preceded him in death on March 8, 2018. He was also preceded in death by a son, Les Judy, a grandson, Dustin Chance, a brother, Clarence Judy and a sister, Marie Peterson.
Private burial took place in the Evergreen Cemetery at Ft. Scott, Kansas.
Memorials are suggested to Ft. Scott Christian Heights and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Joy Miller, RD, LD Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent Adult Development and Aging Family Resource Management K-State Research and Extension Southwind Extension District 210 S. National Fort Scott, KS 66701 Office: 620-223-3720 Fax: 620-223-0332 [email protected]
Your home may be your new office or a classroom this year. No matter how much time you spend at home, it is recommended to test for Radon and know what level your home is at.
Radon is known to be the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer in smokers.
Radon occurs naturally in the soil. Kansas soils generate significant amounts of radon leading to the potential for homes to have elevated concentrations of this naturally-occurring class A carcinogen. Radon seeps into homes and other buildings through joints or cracks in the foundation.
One in four homes in Kansas will test at or above the EPA’s radon action level. Test kits are available at each Southwind Extension Office for $7, this includes lab analysis and return postage. Instructions are included, following them is important so the results will reveal the potential for elevated concentrations in the lowest lived-in level of the home.
If your results are low, consider repeating the test every two or three years or whenever there is a significant change in the home’s foundation, heating system or air tightness from weatherization efforts.
If radon is present above the recommended ceiling (4.0 pCiL/Pico Curies per liter), a confirmatory test should be conducted. If you want to know the radon concentration in other areas of your home, conduct the desired number of tests at the same time. When high results are confirmed, consult a radon professional for mitigation system installation.
More information about radon, including testing and mitigation, is available at Kansas Radon Program at kansasradonprogram.org and by phone, toll-free: 1-800-693-5343. The Environmental Protection Agency’s National Radon Program Services is housed in the Engineering Extension Department at K-State.
Follow us on Facebook @southwindextensiondistrict or Instagram @southwind_ext. For more information, contact Joy Miller at [email protected] or by calling 620-223-3720.
When my Dad brought “me and Mom” home from that California hospital in February 1958, my parents understood that I was a newborn baby and couldn’t do anything for myself. They didn’t have grandiose expectations that I could keep my room clean, set the table, or read a book. They were just happy they had a baby to love and nurture. At the appropriate time, I eventually developed the ability to do what was expected.
You and Jesus have a lot of work to do together. You should be thankful you don’t have to “white-knuckle” it by yourself to get through everyday life. The work I’m referring to is “working out your own salvation.“ Only God has the unique blueprint for your life, so be careful if some well-meaning Christian comes to you with their instructions as to what you should do and how you should act.
“…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12 NKJV). In order to mature in our Christian walk, we must renew our hearts and minds in the Word of God and come into His presence with an attitude of reverence. This scripture is not indicating that you can gain salvation through works (doing good deeds). It means once you become a believer in Christ Jesus, you don’t just sit on a stump while waiting to die and go to heaven. If you want to grow up spiritually, you’ll have to listen and obey God‘s voice.
In 1972, there was a popular song written and recorded by Tom T. Hall. I haven’t heard it for many years, but it impressed me in my high school days. “Me and Jesus” hit the country charts with a tremendous gospel message. Some of the lyrics are: “Me and Jesus got our own thing goin’…Me and Jesus got it all worked out.” The pastor, bishop, or priest can’t make you holy or get you to heaven. It all boils down to the fact that accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior is when you really begin to live a life of purpose. His love for you will gently and precisely guide you in all your ways (see Proverbs 3:5,6).
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV). God is love, and love is what makes the changes in your new life in Christ. God loves you, and you love God and you want to please him in every area. Here’s the first verse to Mr. Hall’s song: “I know a man who once was a sinner. I know a man who once was a drunk. I know a man who once was a loser; He went out one day and made an altar out of a stump.”
When God fills you with His love and His Spirit, you begin walking together to become holy. I once heard someone say that no one is holy but God. That sounds nice, but it’s not true. “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ’Be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15,16 NKJV). God never tells you to do something you can’t do. By trusting Jesus as your helper, becoming holy is part of your spiritual maturity. Christians should know and believe that with Jesus all things are possible.
In John 15:5 NLT, Jesus says: “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.“ I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be a do-nothing. I’m going to stick to the Vine and allow God’s love to make the needed changes in my life.
The Key: Work (cooperate) with Jesus so you’ll mature and become what you ought to be.
