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FSHS Boys Swim Team Competes at Winfield

The Fort Scott High School Boys Swim Team competed at Southwestern College in Winfield,  on Thursday.

Oliver Witt brought home two second-place medals in both the 200 Free and 100 Fly with a best time in the 100 Fly.

Bobby Kemmerer brought home two  third-place medals in both the 50 Free and 100 Breast.

Sam Mix took 7th in the 50 Free and 9th in the 100 Breast taking 2 seconds off his previous time for a personal best.

The Swimming Tigers will head to Osawatomie on January 20 to continue to work towards state qualifying times.

Submitted by Angie Kemmerer

Governor’s Council On Tax Reform Report

Governor’s Council on Tax Reform Releases Second Interim Report

TOPEKA – A second interim report by the Governor’s Council on Tax Reform is issued in the wake of the last legislative session being cut short by the COVID-19 global pandemic. The report for consideration by the Kansas Legislature includes additional research of possible economic implications to the state caused by the pandemic.

Governor Laura Kelly established the bipartisan Governor’s Council on Tax Reform through Executive Order No. 19-11, which has since extended its formation.

The Council was tasked with conducting an in-depth assessment of the state’s tax structure, to explore strategies that increase both effectiveness and fairness, and receive input from stakeholders across the state.

The governor continues to recommend returning to the “three-legged stool” approach that relies on a sensible balance of income, sales, and property tax revenue.

The Council will continue to review aspects of state and local finances and how best to respond to federal tax law changes, the taxation of groceries as part of sales tax revenue, and how to best provide targeted property tax relief. The Council also is charged with determining how much room will be available in future budget projections for tax relief.

“I am pleased with the extensive work the Council has performed for the sound recommendations that will return the state to a balanced approach of sales, income and property taxes,” Governor Laura Kelly said.

View the Council’s report here.

SNAP Food Assistance Increases

Kansas Households Receiving Food Assistance Will Receive Added Benefit

Beneficiaries to see 15 percent increase starting in January

 

Kansas Department for Children and Families Secretary Laura Howard announced today that benefits through the food assistance program, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), will increase temporarily.

The maximum allotments for food assistance will increase 15 percent for each household in January and will continue through June 2021. For the six-month period, the maximum allowable allotment for a family of four has been temporarily increased to $782.

“The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 allows states to provide this additional assistance,” Howard said. “These added funds are imperative to ensure Kansas families have access to food in these uncertain times of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Those that already receive food assistance don’t have to take any action to receive the increased benefit.

In January, funds will come in three issuances: The regular benefit was issued between Jan. 1 – 10 ; the 15 percent temporary increase will be available to each household as a supplement on Jan. 21; and the emergency food assistance allotment will be issued Jan. 22 – 30.

The February through June temporary maximum benefit will be issued on the regular issuance dates of the 1st through 10th of the month. In July, benefits will return to the regular benefit amount.

 

The temporary increase in maximum allotments are:

 

Household Size January 2021 – June 2021 Maximum Benefits
1 $234
2 $430
3 $616
4 $782
5 $929
6 $1114
7 $1232
8 $1408
Each additional person + $176

 

 

The temporary minimum allotment for household size 1 to 2 is $19.

All food assistance benefits are based on household size, household income and allowable deductions.

Those interested in applying for food assistance can visit the DCF website at www.dcf.ks.gov or contact their local service center.

 

American Legion Fort Scott Post 25 Update

 

 

Thursday. January 14. American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25 meets at 6 PM in Memorial Hall.

Thursday. January 14. American Legion Post 25 Color Guard meets at 7:15 PM in Memorial Hall.

Saturday. January 30. American Legion Riders Chapter 25 meets at 10 AM in Memorial Hall.

 

I have attached the current National American Legion Membership Impact Report and the State Adjutant’s Letter. Both articles have items of interest to the Kansas American Legion family.

Kansas Legion Sunflower Jan – Mar 2021 American Legion December 2020 Impact Report

 

Anyone interested in joining the Fort Scott American Legion Family should contact Post 25 Commander Carl Jowers at 620-215-1688. Our mission is supporting Veterans and their families.

Submitted by

Carl Jowers

Post 25 Commander

 

Adult Basic Education Offered at FSCC

Fort Scott Community College offers adult education classes to assist students in GED preparation, basic math and reading skills, employment skills, and college preparation and transition. Individuals who have completed the adult education classes will have the opportunity to earn a GED, Basic Computer Skills certificate, and the Kansas Work Ready certificate.

Adult education classes are open to students ages 16 and older. Students who are under 18 must have a Parental Waiver for Compulsory Attendance to attend class; the form can be obtained from the last school district the student attended.

Attendance is mandatory all days of orientation. Class times are Monday through Thursday from 9 am – 12 pm, 1 – 4 pm, and 4 – 7 pm. The adult education center is located in the Student Success Center in Bailey Hall.

Based on the results of your assessment during orientation, staff members will develop an individualized plan to help you achieve your goals. In order to be eligible to take the GED examination, you must have completed all of the adult education class requirements, passed all required exams, and have a valid government issued photo identification card.

The cost for the class is $30 and includes the ACCUPLACER college entrance exam, Northstar Digital Literacy Certification, WorkKeys Employment Skills Test, TABE assessment, and one GED Ready Practice Test. GED testing fees are not included in the class fee.  The GED test fees are $33 per subject (Math, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Science, Social Studies) which can be taken and paid for separately; due when you register for the test.

Upon successful completion of the examination, the student will be issued a diploma by the Kansas State Department of Education.

I am currently trying to build back my face-to-face classroom but I also offer online classes.  These classes could be for students lacking a diploma OR for anyone needing to review their basic reading and/or math skills.  I have had students take my class to prepare better for college entrance, to qualify for a program such as KansasWorks, or to even just learn how to use a computer and brush up on technology skills.  Students CAN enroll in the ABE class if they lack basic skills, even if they have a HS diploma or GED.

I am accepting students that are ready to learn.  They would just need to contact me to schedule an appointment to fill out paperwork and take the TABE pre-assessment.  I will be accepting new students for 2-3 weeks.  If students are not ready to start right away, our next orientation will be in March.  If you know someone that is interested, please send them my way.

 

Submitted by:

Aubrey Duft

ABE/GED Instructor at FSCC

FS City Commission Meets at 4 p.m. Jan. 14

The City Commission will meet for a special meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 14th, 2021 at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room at 123 South Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. The City Commission will meet to consider financial transfers and to consider a Bourbon County contract. Also added to the special meeting is an Executive Session to discuss non-elected personnel.

This meeting will be broadcast on the City’s You tube channel. This meeting is open to the public.

UHS BASKETBALL RESULTS vs. NORTHEAST ARMA 1/12/2021

Adelay Martin. Submitted photo.

The Eagles came back from winter break with three wins against Northeast Arma. The JV girls fought hard, but lost 15-18. The JV boys won with a score of 39-28.

The Varsity girls beat the Vikings 50-34 on Tuesday. The team was 100% from the free throw line, with Danielle Howard, Karleigh Schoenberger, and Sammie Hampton each making all of their free throws. They also lead the team in points, scoring 12, 15, and 11 respectively. Howard and Schoenberger also led in rebounds, with 6 and 5. Howard also had 6 assists and 4 steals. Gwenyth Fry and Schoenberger each had 3 assists.

“It was good to get back to competing tonight,” said Coach Miller. “We were a little slow getting started, but the girls earned another league win. We hope to continue this trend as we travel to Altoona Midway on Friday for another league game.”

The Varsity boys also defeated Arma 57-30. Clay Sutterby lead the team in points, scoring 16, followed closely by Luke Perry and Cade Goodridge, who scored 11 and 10. Sutterby and Goodridge also had 6 and 7 rebounds, respectively, and Sutterby had 4 blocks. Luke and Drew Perry had 3 assists, and Drew also had 4 steals and took a charge. Freshman Byron Fry also took a charge in the last minutes of the game.

Coach Hays said about the game, “It felt great getting back on the court tonight after about a month off. Our JV got the night started off right with a win, and that carried over into the Varsity game. I thought we played with great energy and shared the ball well tonight. We were able to get the ball inside the paint and finish around the basket. Defensively, our help defense needs to improve, but overall I felt like we gave good effort on that end. We have to get ready for a scrappy Altoona team on Friday.”

-Adelay Martin, UHS Sports Media reporter

Chamber Coffee/Ribbon Cutting Jan. 14 at Luther’s BBQ

Weekly Chamber Coffee
Celebrating Luther’s BBQ One-year Anniversary with a Ribbon Cutting
Thursday, January 14th!
Attention Chamber Members!
Join us on January 14, 2021 for a
Chamber Coffee with a Ribbon Cutting
to celebrate the one-year anniversary
of Luther’s BBQ in Downtown Fort Scott!
The event starts at 8am, with announcements
& remarks at approximately 8:20am,
followed by a ribbon cutting.
3 W. Oak St. (corner of Oak & National Ave.)
(620) 644-9880
Come for light refreshments, door prizes,
and learn more about the hosting business.
A ribbon cutting was never held to celebrate their grand opening with the pandemic starting shortly after their opening, so we will celebrate their first anniversary!
Masks are strongly encouraged and masks will be available for those that need one.
Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting
Luther’s BBQ!
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee and Ribbon Cutting ceremony this Thursday, January 14th at 8 a.m. to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Luther’s BBQ in the Downtown Historic District at 3 W. Oak St. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served.
Owners Dave Lipe and Luther Saulsberry established the restaurant in December 2019 offering dine-in, carry-out, and full-service catering. The business has adapted to the pandemic through curbside ordering, pickup, and enhanced outdoor dining. The River Room Event Center, in the same building upstairs from Luther’s BBQ, is able to accommodate events up to 600 in occupancy. Although the year 2020 hasn’t been the optimum first year for opening a business, they are looking forward to 2021 for the restaurant and event center and welcome private parties and corporate events.
Contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
for more information at (620) 223-3566 or visit fortscott.com.
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701