Category Archives: Area News

Area News, Fort Scott, Submitted

“New Faces, New Neighbors” Textile Art Display

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Fort Scott National Historic Site located off North Main Street, downtown.

 Do you like art and history?

Come to Fort Scott National Historic Site (NHS) and learn the history of the site as told by art that was created by youth from across the United States and throughout the world.

The art exhibit, titled “New Faces, New Neighbors”, will consist of 60 different pieces of textiles.

The exhibit will be on display from Thursday, February 1 through Saturday, March 31, 2018.  It will be located on the second floor of the Infantry Barracks Museum in the hallway next to the theater.

“New Faces, New Neighbors” is a theme that has resonated throughout the history of Fort Scott.  Soldiers and American Indians found themselves as new neighbors and had to face many challenges and adaptions along the way.  During the Bleeding Kansas era, conflict evolved among neighbors, as the topic of slavery became an issue that divided the town of Fort Scott and Kansas Territory.  During the Civil War, Fort Scott saw new faces as American Indians and African Americans enlisted to fight for the Union Army.  In addition, Fort Scott became a place of refuge for many people of diverse backgrounds.  Caring for these refugees provided an opportunity for the town’s residents to work together for a common cause.  After the Civil War, more new neighbors came to Fort Scott with the railroads as the town transformed into a regional trade center.  This story of settlement and resettlement, promises made and broken, dreams built and shattered, and facing challenges with new neighbors can all be seen through the creative minds of youth in the “New Faces, New Neighbors” art exhibit.  We welcome you to come join us and explore this amazing story of Fort Scott.

In order to create this wonderful art exhibit, Fort Scott NHS has collaborated with the International Fiber Collaborative (IFC), INC. based out of Topeka, KS.  The IFC is a nonprofit organization that works to create deeper learning experiences through art and cross-curricular themed-based programs.  The IFC also promotes programs designed to link arts to science, math, engineering, and the humanities.  For information, a schedule of events and other projects associated with the IFC can be found at https://ifcprojects.com.

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 417 National Park Service areas and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.

Area News, Submitted

Governor Sam Brownback Announces Plans To Stop KanCare 2.0

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Governor Sam Brownback and Lt. Governor Jeff Colyer on Wednesday announced plans to stop KanCare 2.0 and address concerns raised by legislators and other stakeholders regarding increased costs and the State’s ability to absorb those costs in future budgets.

As a result, they will be seeking to make improvements to the current KanCare program by either extending the contracts of the current three managed care companies for a period of three years or evaluating proposals received in response to the current bid solicitation without the cost increase drivers which have raised these concerns.  The Administration will work with the Kansas Legislature to determine the best path forward and provide certainty and improvements to the current program.

In either scenario, the State will seek to implement budget neutral improvements to KanCare such as work requirements, an IMD exclusion waiver, foster care pilots, behavioral health and primary care integration and improved work opportunities.

Additionally, the new Secretary of KDHE, Jeff Andersen will renew the agency’s focus on addressing problems with the program’s eligibility process.  A backlog of applications had slowed down the approval process for participants and reimbursement for providers.  The state is in the process of issuing a letter of noncompliance to the contractor in charge of the eligibility clearinghouse where applications are processed.

The plan would call for continued meetings and involvement by the KanCare Process Improvement Working Group.  The group will hold quarterly meetings with KDHE where participants and providers can discuss improvements and provide feedback.

“Keeping Kansans healthy continues to be a top priority,” said Governor Brownback, “We’re going to continue to work hard to make sure we have a program that works for Kansas.”

“With improvements to the current system of KanCare I feel we can continue serving Kansans by helping improve their health and well-being. We will continue to listen to participants and providers and work with the legislature to ensure we are increasing the quality of care and outcomes under KanCare,” said Lt. Governor Colyer.

 

Area News, Submitted

Kansas Creative Arts Accepting Grant Applications

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Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission now accepting applications for grant programs

TOPEKA — The Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission is now accepting applications for its two main grant categories, The Strategic Investment Program and The Arts Integration Program.

The Strategic Investment Program recognizes the important role creative organizations play in building and sustaining cultural and economic vibrancy in Kansas. By funding a variety of professional and organizational development opportunities that impact cultural programming, these grants support initiatives that use the arts to enhance community vitality, revitalize neighborhoods, generate local business, create and preserve job opportunities and impact tourism.

The Arts Integration Programs support the role the arts play in all levels of education, community service, and workforce development. This program provides funding for educational institutions, arts organizations, and community service non-profits to use the arts to increase student success, foster creative thinking, develop critical job skills, and enhance community development.

The deadline for application submission is March 30, 2018, with review dates in early-mid April 2018. The main grant period is from May 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019, however, projects with an end date prior to June 30, 2018 may have a start date of Jan. 1, 2018. This will be the final round of the fiscal year.

STRATEGIC INVESTMENT PROGRAM

Strategic Investment Program grants are awarded in three categories:

  • Organizational Development:This category provides funding for professional development opportunities for Kansas based arts organizations that help strengthen business practices, increase organizational viability and promote long-term sustainability.
  • New and Expanded Works:This program provides funding for new or significantly expanded productions, exhibitions, programs or events by Kansas-based nonprofit arts organizations. Projects should either be an entirely new type of program for the organization designed to diversify its services or an expansion of an existing program designed to significantly enhance the quality of current offerings.
  • Equipment and Technology: This program provides funding to purchase equipment, materials, and/or technology upgrades to expand or improve an applicant’s organization.

Applicants for a grant under the Strategic Investment Program must make a compelling case as to why this particular self-identified activity or opportunity was selected, how it will have a substantial impact on their work and community, and how it will enhance the national reputation of Kansas.

Guidelines and additional information can be found here:
http://kansascommerce.gov/707/Strategic-Investment-Program

 

ARTS INTEGRATION PROGRAM

Arts Integration Programs are awarded in three categories:

  • Visiting Artists:This category provides funding for eligible organizations to engage and deepen the impact of arts programming on local and underserved audiences through exposure to and interaction with professional visiting arts. Presenters may book artists in any discipline, not just in performing arts. Projects should strive to integrate an arts discipline into non-arts content areas; help interpret an exhibition, performance, or presentation; and support community development goals and objectives. Booking artists on the Kansas Touring Roster allow for a $1,000 credit for the applicant organization: http://www.kansascommerce.gov/705/KS-Roster
  • Note: KCAIC will review applications for roster inclusion in early March. Please check the website at that time for an expanded list and encourage qualified artists to apply. In addition, Visiting Artists grants featuring roster artists will be accepted and reviewed year round up to 30 days prior to proposed activities.
  • Integrated Arts Education:This category supports new or expanded educational programming that integrates arts learning into the non-arts curriculum and content areas to address emerging technologies, areas of skills shortages, STEM curricula, workforce readiness, and increase student performance.
  • Innovative Partnerships:This category supports innovative programming between arts organizations and non-arts organizations to impact a variety of community and/or economic development goals. Arts organizations are encouraged to partner with other community entities (hospitals, prisons, etc.) to develop arts-centered programs that address community needs such as public health, transportation, tourism, unemployment, aging, corrections, etc.

 

Guidelines and additional information can be found at http://kansascommerce.gov/666/Arts-Integration-Program

 

To review the application process, as well as program and category specific policies and guidelines visit KansasCommerce.gov/CAIC. Applications can be submitted online at https://kansascaic.submittable.com .

 

Grants will be reviewed by peer panel and awarded at the quarterly commission meeting in April.

 

All grants are made possible through a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and are subject to KCAIC and NEA standards and regulations.

 

For more on the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission go to KansasCommerce.gov/caic.

###

 

Contact:

Peter Jasso

(785) 296-2178

[email protected]

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Submitted

FSCC Auctions Cabins

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FSCC Construction Trades cabins are for sale.

Fort Scott Community College (FSCC) is accepting bids for the sale of four cabins built by the FSCC Construction Trades program in LaHarpe, Kan.

Cabins are available to be viewed at the former Diebolt Lumber location at 2665 Nebraska Rd. in LaHarpe.

Bids are being accepted online at our Cabin Auction Form. Only those bids submitted on-line through this link will be accepted, all others will be considered null and void.

The minimum bit is $2,500. Highest bidder and dollar amount will be updated once daily each business day by 10 a.m. on the website. Bidding will end Friday, February 9 at 10 a.m. at which time the bidder will be notified by the FSCC business office and arrangements made for payment.  Payment is expected in full by 5 p.m., Friday,  February 16. The bidding forms can be found at fortscott.edu/auction.

No removal of property is allowed until payment has been made in full. Purchaser is responsible for removal and any equipment needed to remove cabin.

FSCC reserves the right to refuse any and all bids.    Removal to be completed by purchaser by February 28. For more information, please contact Julie Eichenberger at 620.223.2700 ext. 5130 or [email protected].

 

Area News, Bourbon County

Agenda For Today’s Bourbon County Commission

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The agenda for today’s Bourbon County Commission meeting at 9 a.m. at the courthouse, 210 S. National is below.

9:00-9:45-Jim Harris

9:45-10:15- Commissioners consider and take action on any and all question regarding the law enforcement project

11:00-11:15-Justin Meeks

11:15-1:30-Jail Update Meeting in Commissioners Room

1:30-Jail Project balance

2:30-Employee Handbook

 Justifications for Executive Session:

          Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel

          Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

          Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency

          Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

          Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property

          Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system

1st District Commissioner  is Lynne Oharah; 2nd District-Jeff Fischer; 3rd District-Nick Ruhl; County Clerk-Kendell Mason

 

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Presbyterian Village Talent Show Entertains Community

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Jeff Elliot plays a rendition of “Jesus Loves Me” on the piano during the Presbyterian Village Talent Show.

Presbyterian Village, an assisted living facility, hosted a talent show Friday afternoon.

Members of the community were invited to showcase their talent, along with some employees and residents of the facility.

A crowd filled the dining room of Presbyterian Village to enjoy the entertainment.

The following are photos from the event.

Chip Pridey sings a solo.
Jack Clark plays “Maple Leaf Rag”.
Fred Hixon left, the master of ceremony for the show introduces Marilyn  Adcock who sang several songs and played the autoharp, accompanied by her husband Lyle, on the tambourine.
Shirley Carey sings and plays the piano.
Melissa Wright sings “Pontoon”.
Adriel Koller prepares to sing “Follow Me”.
Avis Stradley reads a poem entitled “The Dinner”.  She stated she first recited it for her high school class in 1944.
Lorna Smith plays “Sweet By and By” and “Tennesee Waltz” on the accordion.
Christy Roberts entertains the Presbyterian Village guests Friday afternoon at the talent show.
Annie Brock, 14 years old, plays the piano during the talent show.
Trula Finley plays several songs on the piano.
Greg Turner sings a solo.
Rhonda Allen plays “Glowworm”.
Presbyterian Village Life Enrichment Director Anicia Robinson serves refreshments following the talent show.
Area News, Submitted

Westar, KCP&L: Kansans to Benefit from Federal Tax Cuts

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Kansas Lt. Governor Jeff Colyer

TOPEKA – On Tuesday, Lt. Governor Colyer urged Kansas utility companies to pass the savings they receive from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on to consumers, so that Kansans may feel the full benefit of the tax decrease. In response to Lt. Gov. Colyer’s calls for relief, KCP&L President Terry Basham and Westar President Mark Ruelle sent letters (attached) agreeing to pass 100 percent of the benefit from the tax cut on to their customers.

In December, Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. In addition to reducing the burden for the majority of taxpayers, the legislation also lowers the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent.  Since utility companies benefit directly from this rate decrease, Colyer wrote to Kansas utility companies requesting they provide relief to Kansas utility consumers by sharing the savings.

“The cost of utilities affects every Kansan. Ensuring that the reduction in corporate federal tax rate is fully recognized in utility rates is an important benefit to Kansas and businesses in communities throughout Kansas,” said Colyer. “This action will make a significant difference to the bottom lines of budgets across our state—particularly to families and small businesses that are just trying to make ends meet.”

In his response to Lt. Governor Colyer, KCP&L President Terry Basham said, “We […] look forward to working with regulators and other stakeholders to get these benefits to our customers as soon as possible.”

Mark Ruelle, President of Westar, responded, “We share an interest in keeping electricity reliable and affordable for Kansans. Supporting the latter goal, we look forward to making sure our customers receive the full benefit of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.”

Lt. Governor Colyer remains committed to ensuring Kansas utility companies pass along the benefits of our nation’s new tax cuts to all Kansans.

Here are the responses from the utilities:

Bassham Colyer Response 1172018

Lt Gov Colyer_Westar_Jan 2018

 

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Submitted

FSCC Meats Judging Team Takes 2nd Place

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Submitted.

From left to right President Alysia Johnston, Kaylyn Crystal, Hannah McGarth, Payton Strahm, Wil Green, Matt Robinson.

Fort Scott Community College’s Meats Judging team took 2nd place overall at the AMSA National Western Intercollegiate Meat Contest on January 14, 2018. The team traveled to Denver to take on other eager teams and didn’t leave there without a trophy!

The team was led by Alysia Johnston, FSCC President, who was said she was very excited to see the team in action.

Freshman, Kaylyn Crystal quotes, “Overall, we are very pleased with this outcome. We are a young team and this was our first contest at the college level. I have a good feeling about how our team will continue to grow, and the progress we will make.”

The individual rankings are found below.

FSCC congratulations the Meats Team.

Kaylyn Crystal

2nd High Individual Overall

2nd High Individual in Overall Beef

2nd High Individual in Beef Grading

3rd High Individual in Beef Judging

3rd High Individual in Questions

4th  High Individual in Pork Judging

Matt Robinson

3rd High Individual in Lamb Judging

4th High Individual in Beef Judging

5th High Individual in Lamb Judging

William Green

3rd High Individual in Overall Placing’s (3-way tie for 1st)

5th  Overall

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Chanute to Host Regional Farmers’ Market Vendor Workshop

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The Fort Scott Farmers Market is located on Skubitz Plaza from spring until fall.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture, K-State Research and Extension and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment will host a regional workshop in Chanute on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018. This is one of five regional workshops which are being held this year to assist farmers’ market vendors and managers.

Kansas farmers’ markets not only provide a fresh food source but also stimulate the local economy. In 2017, 85 farmers’ markets were registered with KDA’s Central Registration of Farmers’ Markets.

“Farmers’ markets provide growers a chance to tell their farm’s story, with face-to-face interaction with consumers, but there are also legal, safety and financial parameters that farmers need to understand before choosing to sell at a farmers’ market,” said Londa Nwadike, consumer food safety specialist with K-State Research and Extension and the University of Missouri.

Workshop topics will include:

Marketing and Pricing Tips
Growing in High Tunnels 101
Regulations on Selling Meat, Eggs and Poultry Direct to Consumer
Double Up Food Bucks and Sales Tax for Vendors
Vendor Marketing and Communications
Morel Mushroom Identification Certification
Kansas Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Certified Farmer Training

KDA’s weights and measures program will also offer free scale testing and certification at the workshop for attendees.

The workshop will be held at Mid-West Fertilizer at the Chanute Agronomy Center, 3030 W. Santa Fe Ave. in Chanute. Onsite registration will open at 8:30 a.m. and the workshop will begin at 9:00 a.m. and conclude by 3:00 p.m.

Registration for this workshop is now open and is $20 per participant. Registration includes lunch; however, lunch will only be guaranteed to those participants who register by February 1.

Registration forms can be found at FromtheLandofKansas.com/FMWorkshop or at your local extension offices.

For more information, please contact Kathy McEwan, Southwind Extension, at 620-365-2242 or [email protected], or Krista Harding at 620-244-3826 or [email protected].

KDA is committed to providing an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth of the agriculture industry and the Kansas economy. These workshops will provide support and assistance to help make Kansas businesses more successful.

Kathy S. McEwan, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, Foods & Nutrition, SNAP-Ed Coordinator, Southwind Extension District – Iola Office, P.O. Box 845, Iola KS 66749,  telephone 620-365-2242 or email: [email protected].

 

Area News, Fort Scott

Cold Or Flu?

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Cold vs. Flu

Can you tell the difference?

 A runny nose. Muscle aches. Fever. Is it a cold or the flu?

Dr. Katrina Burke, family medicine physician at Mercy Clinic Fort Scott offers these tips to help you distinguish the difference between a cold and the flu.

“Flu is usually a sudden onset,” Burke explains. “Headaches, muscle aches, tiredness/weakness and exhaustion are common and often severe with the flu.”

“A fever is possible with both colds and the flu, but a temperature of 102 or above in children and adults that last 3 to 4 days is common with the flu,” she adds.

“A cold typically worsens over a day or two. Adults seldom have a fever with a cold. Infants and young children may have a fever with a cold but the fever usually subsides within a couple days.”

The best way to prevent the flu is good hand hygiene and getting the flu vaccine. If you become sick, stay at home, use over-the-counter medication for a fever and drink lots of water.

If you have questions visit your Mercy provider or Mercy Convenient Care located at 1624 S. National in Fort Scott.