Category Archives: Area News

Area News, Fort Scott National Historic Site, History

A Deeper Look at Native Americans and the Civil War

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Chief Opothleyahola, Credit Photo as: National Archives Photo

 

Fort Scott National Historic Site concludes the first year of Native American Experience programming with two chapters from the Civil War in Kansas.

The first presentation, “A Shield Against the World”: Opothleyahola and the Trail of Blood on Ice Campaign in the Civil War, is by Dr. Michelle M. Martin on Saturday, November 18th, at 1 pm.

The second presentation, “Allies and Adversaries”: The role of American Indians in the Civil War west of the Mississippi River, is by Arnold W. Schofield on Sunday, November 19th, at 2 pm.

Both programs will be held in the park’s Theater on the second floor of the western Infantry Barracks.

 

“A Shield Against the World”: During the American Civil War the Five Southeastern Nations in the Indian Territory were divided. Pro‐Union, Pro‐Confederate, and Neutral factions developed within the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Mvskoke, and Seminole Nations. Wishing to remain neutral, Mvskoke leader Opothleyahola provided shelter to men, women, and children who wanted to stay out of the war. In the fall of 1861 Opothleyahola’s followers neared 10,000 and he led them on a desperate flight north to the safety of Union Kansas. Dr. Michelle M. Martin, an Assistant Professor of History/Coordinator of the Public History Certificate in the Department of History at Northeastern State University, will share this incredible and often misunderstood event in Native American history.

 

“Allies and Adversaries”: The program will be presented by retired NPS Historian Arnold W. Schofield, and its primary focus will be on the organization, recruitment and combat history of the Three Regiments of Indian Home Guards from Kansas. The program will close on an unknown aspect of the Civil War in Kansas, the Indian uprising by the plains tribes in 1864.

 

 

Dr. Michelle M. Martin is a Michigan native who made her way west after completing her BA and MA degrees in history at Western Michigan University. From 1997-2015 she lived in Fort Scott, Kansas and Bartlesville, Oklahoma where she taught history at the community college and university levels and worked as a museum professional and historical consultant to the television and film industries. While living in Kansas and Oklahoma Martin volunteered her time to various national, state, and local historic sites including Fort Scott NHS, Fort Larned NHS, Constitution Hall, Mine Creek Battlefield, and Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield. She earned her doctorate in history (and a minor in museum studies) at the University of New Mexico in 2022 with highest honors. Her dissertation was selected for the Linda Williams Reese Award from the Oklahoma Historical Society as the Outstanding Dissertation on Oklahoma History in March 2023. In August 2023 she joined the faculty in the Department of History at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Her areas of interest include Native American history, the U.S. West from 1800-1925, Kansas history from 1854-1865, interracial marriage and family in North America, and Public History. Her current project explores interracial marriage in the Mvskoke Nation during the Indian Territorial period.

 

Arnold W. Schofield is a retired NPS Historian who spent much of his civilian career at Fort Scott National Historic Site. He is currently a researcher, public speaker, and traveling lecturer around the region.

 

Fort Scott National Historic Site’s, a unit of the National Park Service, exhibit areas and visitor center are open daily from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The park grounds are open daily from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset.

 

-NPS-

 

 

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Area News, Government, Kansas

2024 KS State Parks Permits/Campsite Reservations Will Go On Sale in December

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Annual Permits, 2024 Campsite Reservations for Kansas State Parks Coming Soon

SHAWNEE – Whether you’ve had your eye on a waterfront cabin, are slowly working through a state park “bucket list,” or simply want to break in that new tent you got as a birthday present – there are three important dates coming up that Kansas State Park visitors won’t want to miss!

Beginning December 1, 2023, the following annual permits for Kansas State Parks will go on sale online, at state park offices and at license vendor locations:

  • Annual Vehicle Permit – $25
  • Annual Vehicle Permit (Senior/Disabled Kansas Resident) – $13.75
  • Unconventional Vehicle Permit – $52.50 (Purchase at state park offices.)
  • Annual Camping Permit – $202.50 (If purchased prior to April 1 or after September 30. $252.50 if purchased between April 1 and September 30. Discount permit, a $10/night discount on camping for the calendar year.)
  • 14-day Camping Permit – $112.50 (Discount permit, a $10/night discount on camping for up to 14 nights; nights do not have to be consecutive.)

Beginning December 8, 2023, at 12 p.m. (NOON) CST, campsite reservations for the prime season (April 1 thru October 31) will open for the following Kansas State Parks:

  • Cedar Bluff, Cheney, Kanopolis, Meade, Milford, Perry, Pomona, Prairie Dog, Sandhills, Tuttle Creek), and (Note: Tuttle Creek River Pond and Riley campground may be reserved online from April 1 thru November 30.)

Beginning December 15, 2023, at 12 p.m. (NOON) CST, campsite reservations for the prime season (April 1 thru October 31) will open for the remaining Kansas State Parks:

  • Clinton, Crawford, Cross Timbers, Eisenhower, El Dorado, Elk City, Fall River, Glen Elder, Hillsdale, Historic Lake Scott, Lovewell, and Wilson.

Parkgoers who want to have the best chances possible of being able to reserve a campsite for a desired date(s) during prime season should:

  1. Familiarize themselves with CampItKS.com or ReserveAmerica.com
  2. Ensure they have a seamless login with an existing complete profile or create a new account for customers brand new to either website.
  3. Download the CampItKS mobile app for access on-the-go
  4. And, mark down the aforementioned launch dates for permit sales and 2024 reservations.

To view a complete list of state parks in Kansas – including maps and lists of amenities – visit ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks.

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Area News, Ascension Via Christi, Health Care

Ascension Via Christi Hospital Earns National Distinction

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Ascension Via Christi, Pittsburg, Ks. Submitted photo.

Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg earns Leapfrog ‘A’ for safety

 

Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg has received an “A” Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for fall 2023, a national distinction that recognizes hospitals’ achievements in protecting patients from preventable harm and error.

 

“Receiving this recognition is truly a testament to the professionalism, dedication to safe patient care and the skills of our nurses, techs, medical staff and associates in our support staff,” says Drew Talbott, hospital president.

 

The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on more than 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm.

 

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harms to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated annually in the fall and spring.

 

“I appreciate every single one of our associates and medical staff and am thankful for the collaboration and teamwork that led us to achieve such an impactful recognition,” says Talbott.

 

To see details of Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg’s grade and access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org.

 

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About Ascension Via Christi

In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and nearly 80 other sites of care and employs approximately 6,200 associates. In FY2023, Ascension Via Christi provided more than $65 million in community benefit programs. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states. Visit www.ascension.org.

Area News, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Health Care

CHC/SEK Nurse Practitioner becomes HIV Specialist

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CHC/SEK Nurse Practitioner Crystal Garcia, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, AAHIVS, listens to a patient’s heart at the CHC/SEK Coffeyville clinic. Submitted photo.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas Nurse Practitioner Crystal Garcia, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, AAHIVS, joins CHC/SEK’s Family Physician Julie Stewart, MD, as the second HIV
Specialist at CHC/SEK.

Garcia recently completed her certification through the American
Academy of HIV Medicine.

“I’m so excited to have another HIV Specialist on our CHC/SEK Infectious Disease team,” Stewart said. “Crystal has a heart for the patients and the knowledge to care for them with
excellence. We are blessed to have her expertise on our growing team as we reach more and more patients each day.”

Prior to the inception of CHC/SEK’s Infectious Disease team, people living with HIV had to travel up to three hours to see their HIV Specialist in Wichita or Kansas City or wait up to 12
weeks for an HIV Specialist to come to them in Pittsburg. Now, between Garcia and Stewart, they can stay in their hometowns and get care five days a week.

Garcia also just entered into a year-long training through the Midwest AIDS Training and Education Center’s (MATEC) Clinical Scholar Program with the University of Kansas School of
Medicine.

The program pairs participants with a mentor, provides access to clinical consultations with otherHIV providers, and there are many opportunities to advance their knowledge through live and
virtual meetings and sessions. Garcia’s mentor is Donna E. Sweet, MD, AAHIVS, MACP, a Professor of Medicine from the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita. Sweet has been at the front of fighting HIV and AIDS in Kansas for 30 years. Garcia has monthly meetings with Sweet and will have the opportunity to shadow her in the clinic several times this fall.

“This program offers so many resources and education that I will be able to pass on to patientsthat we serve to improve their retention in care and their overall health,” Garcia said.
HIV specialists provide and have access to wrap around care that includes evidenced based practice knowledge to help those diagnosed with HIV. This increases engagement in treatment,
retention in care and decreases the effects this virus can have if not adequately controlled, Garcia said.

HIV specialists not only diagnose and treat individuals with HIV, but they also work to prevent others from acquiring it, Garcia said, adding that the treatment of HIV has come so far in the 40 years that individuals with HIV when engaged in care with an HIV specialist, can have a very positive prognosis.

“By being able to care for individuals diagnosed with HIV, we often are a ray of hope in someone’s life that they may not have seen on their own,” Garcia said. “This diagnosis can come
with so many negative thoughts and feelings that often individuals are ashamed and would rather not come into care due to fear and the unknown.

“It is beyond rewarding to be able to help people diagnosed with HIV understand their diagnosis and how it is very manageable throughout their lifespan. As a provider for people living with
HIV, there is a very unique connection that occurs and sometimes the person just needs acceptance and to be heard to see their life is not over and their future can look very parallel to what they planned prior to their diagnosis.”

 

Garcia is also nearing completion of an Internal Medicine fellowship with Stewart, a 12-month program designed to be an internal medicine/infectious disease fellowship within CHC/SEK. She
spent the first three months side-by-side with Stewart for every patient she interacted with, before seeing patients independently at the CHC/SEK Baxter Springs, Columbus, Coffeyville,
Fort Scott, Iola, and Pleasanton clinics.

She also regularly has appointments via Telehealth to
Independence and Parsons. Occasionally, on an emergency basis, she will Telehealth into other clinics, such as CHC/OK in Miami.

“I believe Dr. Stewart and I have built a very solid professional relationship that only adds to
each patient’s care,” Garcia said. “Our patients are aware we are a team and very much operate under this mindset to provide each patient with what they need and want from their healthcare.
“This last year has been a steep learning curve that has forced me to dive deep into myself and hustle for a goal that I truly believe benefits each patient. This fellowship is a huge building
block that enhances my professional ability to improve my practice.”

Area News, Government, Kansas

Wild Game and Foraged Food Cooking Competition on Nov. 19 in Lawrence

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KDWP to Host Cooking Competition Featuring Wild Game, Foraged Foods

SHAWNEE – Whether grilled, smoked, poached, canned or dehydrated – wild foods procured from the Kansas outdoors will be on showcase at the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks’ first-ever cooking competition in Lawrence on Sunday, November 19, 2023. Whether you’re new to the culinary world, a seasoned home cook or a classically-trained chef, KDWP invites you to compete at this free community partnership event hosted by KDWP, Baker University Wetlands Discovery Center, Native Lands Restoration Collaborative, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Haskell University.

The competition will be held at Baker University Wetlands Discovery Center, 1365 N 1250 Rd, in Lawrence from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Competitors may submit entries in any of the following categories: Wild game, wild fish, wild plants, wild mushrooms, wild sweets (fruit, berries, dessert, etc.) and wild invasive/nuisance species. Entries will be judged by a panel of local expert foragers, with prizes awarded to the top entrant in each category, as well as a special prize for the “Community Favorite” entry.

Interested parties may register for the competition HERE or by visiting programs.ksoutdoors.com/Wild-Foods-Cook-Off.

In addition to the wild foods cook-off, the day’s activities will also include mini workshops on native lands habitat restoration, foraging, and plant and insect identification. A formal land acknowledgement, and presentation on Baker Wetlands history, will also be provided before cook-off winners are formally announced. The day’s events, including the cooking competition, are offered at no cost to the public; and, attendees do not need to register a dish in order to taste entries and/or participate in the day’s workshops.

For questions, contact event organizer and KDWP Education specialist Amy Bousman at [email protected].

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Area News, History

Cato Kids’ Day

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The annual Cato Kids’ Day will be presented to 4th and 5th graders from local elementary schools by the Cato Historical Preservation Association on Thursday October19th from 9 a.m. to2 p.m. 

 

Cato, Kansas – The annual Cato Kids’ Day will be held on Thursday October 19th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Cato, Kansas.  Fourth and Fifth graders from local elementary schools will be bused to Cato to see presentations on life in the 1800s and Cato history.  The presentations will include the one-room school house, pioneer kids’ games, covered wagons, blacksmithing, 1800’s weaponry, cowboys, native Americans, drovers, and the Gettysburg Address.  Schools participating include Mettles, Meadowlark, Lakeside and Westside (Pittsburg), Bronaugh, Liberal, Uniontown, Frontenac, Northeast, St. Mary’s (Fort Scott) and Girard.  Approximately 650 students are expected to attend.

A separate event, Cato Days, will be held for the general public on Saturday October 21st from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Cato is located between Pittsburg and Fort Scott. Take Hwy 69 to 720 road and follow the signs.

The Cato Historical Preservation Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the buildings and past of Cato and surrounding areas.

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Area News

Kansas Legal Services Secures Justice for Local Resident in Case of Fraud

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Kansas Legal Services – A History of Pro Bono Advocacy
Kansas Legal Services (KLS), a statewide non-profit corporation, is devoted to helping low-income Kansans meet their basic needs through the provision of important legal and mediation services. Last year, KLS served more than 18,500 persons in all 105 counties
through two mediation offices and 11 legal services offices across the state.

KLS has served Pittsburg and the surrounding area for over 30 years. The office serves nine counties — Allen, Bourbon, Cherokee, Crawford, Labette, Montgomery, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson. Between 2020 and 2022, KLS attorneys and paralegals served
1,623 clients in matters pertaining to housing, collections, income maintenance, child support, and protection from domestic violence.
KLS attorneys assist people who live in households with annual incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines – $14,713 for an individual; $30,313 for a family of four. Clients represent diverse ethnicities and age groups, residing in rural, suburban, and urban locales.
Clients include the working poor, veterans, homeowners and renters, families with children, farmers, people with disabilities, and the elderly. Women account for 70% of clients.

Case particulars
The client was a 60-year-old woman who lives in senior housing in Montgomery County. She owns a home in her community that she is unable to live in due to its condition. She really needed to sell it before it deteriorated further. In 2021, she was approached by an
individual who she thought was going to help her sell her home. He had her sign what she believed to be a listing agreement. The document was never retained. After signing, the client was paid $20.
The individual then filed an Affidavit and Memorandum of Real Estate Purchase Agreement with the Mongomery County Register of Deeds. The filed affidavit stated that a Wyoming LLC now had a contractual interest in the client’s real estate and that the
cloud on client’s house title could not be cleared without a release from the Wyoming LLC. The affidavit also said that copies of all the various agreements could be obtained by contacting the Wyoming LLC. The Wyoming LLC was in good standing in Wyoming
but was not registered as an out of state business with the Kansas Secretary of State.
The client had heard nothing in two years despite her efforts. She contacted a local realtor who told her he could not help her sell her house until problems caused by the filing of  the affidavit had been released.
It was at this point when she contacted KLS in late summer of 2023. Senior Attorney Dennis Depew became involved.
After talking with the client, Depew went to the Montgomery County Register of Deeds, where he obtained a copy of the affidavit that had been filed regarding the client’s house.
The Register of Deeds reported that there had been other such affidavits filed connected with the Wyoming LLC.
Once Depew had the affidavit, he had enough information to contact the Wyoming LLC
and investigate further. The LLC manager responded quickly and offered immediately to release the LLC’s interest in the real estate. Depew also sought out the individual who had filed the affidavit and, after considerable effort, they signed the release and the matter
was resolved.
To say that this situation raises red flags for property owners in Southeast Kansas is an understatement. The client thought she was signing a listing agreement, but instead
signed a sales contract to the individual for the sum of $20, who then assigned an interest in the sales contract to the Wyoming LLC, who isn’t licensed to do business in Kansas.
The entire situation has SCAM written all over it. How many other Kansans are unaware that the title to their homes is or could be clouded by schemes like this?
If you suspect that you could have been a victim of a similar scheme, please call thePittsburg KLS office at 620-232-1330. Other helpful information may be obtained by going to the Kansas Real Estate Commission website at krec.ks.gov and/or the Consumer
Protection Division of the Kansas Attorney General’s website at ag.ks.gov/in-your- corner-kansas.

Area News, Entertainment, History

CATO’S PIONEER PAST COMES ALIVE

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The annual Cato Days will be presented by the Cato Historical Preservation Association on Saturday October 21st from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Admission is free.

 

 

The annual Cato Days will be held on Saturday October 21st from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Cato, Kansas.  This free event is presented by the Cato Historical Preservation Association to promote Cato’s pioneer history.

Cato Days starts with registration at 9 a.m. followed at 9:30 by old time hymns performed by Ralph Carlson and Friends in the historic Cato Christian Church.  Ann Rawlins will talk about the history of the church.  At 10:45, in the Old Stone School, Anna Portwood Swank, Elizabeth Portwood Thompson and Jamie Thompson will talk about the school and Jerry Lomshek will discuss Cato’s early history and its involvement in Bleeding Kansas and the Civil War.  Musical entertainment will be presented outdoors at 11:45, where drinks and ham‘n beans cooked by Bob “Buck” Rowland of Arma will be available.  At 12:30 there will be a raffle for a beautiful quilt donated by Sue James of Texas.  All proceeds go to the preservation of Cato’s historic buildings.  The highlight of the event will be the hayrack wagon ride to various local sites of historical interest at 1 p.m.

Fourth and Fifth graders from local schools will have their own Cato Day on Thursday, October 19th.

Cato is in the northern part of Crawford County off Hwy 69.  From Hwy 69, turn west on 720th avenue and follow the signs to Cato.  Directions can be found at http://catoschool.com/ .  Cato is an open-air museum and its buildings are only open to the public a few times a year so don’t miss this unique opportunity to spend an afternoon of entertainment and enlightenment in historic Cato.  The Cato Historical Preservation Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the buildings and history of Cato and the surrounding areas.

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Area News

Discuss Regional Transportation Priorities Oct. 12 at Iola

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KDOT’s 2023 Local Consult meetings scheduled across Kansas in October

The Kansas Department of Transportation is hosting nine meetings across the state in October as part of the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE) Local Consult process. KDOT holds Local Consult meetings every two years to discuss regional transportation project priorities with Kansans.

Attendees will have an opportunity to share their region’s transportation priorities, hear about investments being made in transportation in their area and learn about various grant funding programs available through KDOT.

These meetings are an important step in collecting public input for the IKE program – the state’s current 10-year transportation improvement program. They are open to all Kansans.

Local Consult locations, dates and times:

  • Northeast Region (KDOT District 1) – Tuesday, Oct. 3, 9 a.m. – noon, Four Points by Sheraton in Manhattan.
  • Southwest Region (KDOT District 6) – Wednesday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m. – noon, Clarion Inn in Garden City.
  • South Central Region (KDOT District 5) – Thursday, Oct. 5., 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Merdian Center in Newton.
  • Northwest Region (KDOT District 3) – Tuesday, Oct. 10, 9 a.m. – noon, Hilton Garden Inn in Hays.
  • North Central Region (KDOT District 2) – Wednesday, Oct. 11, 9 a.m. – noon, Hilton Garden Inn in Salina.
  • Southeast Region (KDOT District 4) – Thursday, Oct. 12, 9 a.m. – noon, Bowlus Fine Arts Center in Iola.
  • KC Metro – Tuesday, Oct. 17, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., Lenexa Hyatt Place Kansas City/Lenexa City Center in Lenexa.
  • Wichita Metro – Wednesday, Oct. 18, 9 a.m. – noon, WSU Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex in Wichita.
  • Virtual Meeting – Tuesday, Oct. 24, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. For those unable to attend an in-person meeting, they may attend a virtual meeting on Zoom. Please register here  https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMvf-uppjMsHdaOpjIXnRlJQV-xQrcEpb1A

More information about the Local Consult process is available online at: ike.ksdot.gov/local-consult-process.

 

Area News, Fort Scott

Results from the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation 4th Annual Fort Scott Golf Classic

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1st place A Flight Team of Jake Scott, Michael Hatcher, Jan Remington, and Wally Maples. Submitted photos.

Saturday, September 16th was a perfect day for the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation to hold their 4th Annual Fort Scott Golf Classic at the beautiful Woodland Hills Golf Course. It was fantastic golfing
weather; the day started in the 60’s and stayed cool throughout the morning and early afternoon. Play began at 9 am with 17 teams.

Prizes were given out to 1st and 2nd places in A, B, and C Flights. The winners were: A Flight 1st Place – the team of Wally Maples, Michael Hatcher, Jake Scott, Jan Remington; A Flight 2nd Place – the team of Larry Alexander, Marcus Alexander, Michael Alexander, and Bill Fiscus; B Flight 1st Place – the team of Amanda Fly, Dustin Fly, Matthew McDaniel, and Rodd Nelson; and B Flight 2nd Place – the team of Allen Bukowski, Cody Clayton, Kenny Allen, and Less Russell; C Flight 1st Place – the team from the Lowell
Milken Center of Norm Conard, Donna Bowman, Ty Covey, and Laney Covey; and C Flight 2nd place – the team of Greg Gauss, Jeremy Chambers, Kyle Day, and Justin Dempsey.

Along with the three flights, prizes were handed out for Closest to the Pin and Longest Drive. Melvin Prince won Closest to the Pin. Longest Drive prizes were awarded to Jake Scott and Randy Thurston.

Woodland Hills Golf Course sponsored one of the Closest to the Pin contests. Players had the chance to play a few hole games on the course such as Paul Bunyon; Hole-in-One Trouble Game; and Betcha Can’t Get on the Green.
At the end of the tournament, door prizes were given out to several lucky golfers. The door prizes included: garden decor and candles from Heidrick’s True Value; a grill set courtesy of Kale Nelson State
Farm; Igloo Coolers and Umbrella courtesy of SEK Financial; T-shirts and patches courtesy of Fort Scott Munitions; pens and bags courtesy of Stewart Realty; Gift Certificates to Miller Feed, La Hacienda, Papa Don’s Pizza, Brickstreet Barbecue, and Common Ground Coffee; and tickets to Grand Country Music Hall
in Branson courtesy of Fort Scott Broadcasting.

1st place B Flight Team of Dustin Fly, Amanda Fly, Matthew McDaniel, and Rodd Nelson

Along with the door prizes, a raffle drawing was held for a fire pit which was donated by Niece Products of Fort Scott. The winner of the raffle was Laney Covey.
The tournament’s corporate sponsors were: Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes; Heartland HomeCare; and Kansas Communications. The tournament hole sponsors were: Care to Share Cancer Support Group; Cheney Witt Chapel; Cobalt Boats; Don’s Spirits and Wines, LLC; Diehl, Banwart, &
Bolton; Heidrick True Value; Holmtown Pub; Konantz-Cheney Chapel; Labconco; Medicalodge of Fort Scott; Stewart Realty Co; and Wise Accounting. G & W Foods of Fort Scott, SEK Financial, and
Medicalodge of Fort Scott were goodie bag sponsors.

All money raised from the event goes toward the Foundation’s mission of providing quality and affordable homes for our neighbors with intellectual/developmental disabilities in the eight counties of
Allen, Bourbon, Chautauqua, Elk, Greenwood, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson. Since 2001, the Foundation has built six houses and acquired eight houses and a duplex. Four of these homes are
located in Fort Scott and are home to 24 of our neighbors with intellectual/developmental disabilities.

“Without the generosity of our communities, this fun event could not have been held. Thank you to all the golfers who participated as well as to our event sponsors: corporate, hole, and in-kind. This
tournament would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors. It is friends like you that allow us to provide services to our neighbors with I/DD and to help them achieve the quality of life they seek. Thank you” stated Special Projects Coordinator, Tricia Campbell.

Lowell Milken team of Norm Conard, Donna Bowman, Ty Covey and Laney Covey. Submitted photos.
Area News, Fair, K-State Extension, Kansas, Youth

Southwind’s 4-H Crops/Weeds Id Participants Move Up at State Fair

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Southwind District 4-H’ers participate in the Kansas State Fair State 4-H Crops/Weeds ID Contest on September 9, 2023, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Three of the four team members moved up from the Intermediate Division to the Senior Division to form a full Senior Team. Results were 3rd Place Team, Carly Kramer 8th Individual, Camryn Wille 15th Individual, Kason Botts 16th Individual, and Henry Kramer 18th Individual.

Pictured are (left to right; front to back): Kason Botts, Henry Kramer, Casey Diver (coach), Carly Kramer, and Camryn Wille.

Area News, Government

Increased Patrol on Hwy. 69 Starts Today

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Expect increased traffic enforcement on Safety Corridors

Drivers will notice increased activity by local law enforcement agencies and the Kansas Highway Patrol along four designated Kansas Safety Corridors beginning in mid-September. The increase is part of the continuing efforts being implemented to reduce fatalities and serious injuries along the corridors.

These agencies are working to save lives by deterring dangerous driving behaviors including speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving as well as occupant protection violations.

The four corridors under the Safety Corridor Pilot Program include:

  • I-135: Sedgwick and Harvey counties, from 53rd Street in Park City to Exit 34 in North Newton.
  • U.S. 24: Pottawatomie County, from St. Marys west to Manhattan.
  • U.S. 83/50: Finney County, from Plymell north through Garden City and west to the Holcomb exit.
  • U.S. 69: Crawford County, from the U.S. 400 junction north through Frontenac and Pittsburg to the U.S. 160 junction.

The five-year Safety Corridor Pilot Program is a strategic initiative of the Drive To Zero (DTZ) Coalition, which is a partnership comprised of state and professional organizations whose mission is to have zero traffic fatalities. The Safety Corridors were selected based on a history of fatal and serious injury crashes, availability of additional law enforcement and input from local transportation safety partners.

From 2016 to 2021, over 500 crashes occurred on these corridors resulting in 35 deaths and 68 serious injuries. For more information, visit the corridor website at https://www.ksdot.gov/bureaus/burTrafficSaf/safetycorridor.asp.

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