Joy Miller, K-State Research and Extension Southwind District Family and Consumer Science, 620-223-3720 or [email protected]
Replacing Your Social Security Card Just Got Easier in Kansas
Your Social Security card should be kept in a safe place with your other important papers and avoid giving it out unnecessarily. Even with best intentions, it may get misplaced. Keep in mind you may not need a replacement, sometimes simply knowing your Social Security number is enough.
If you do need a replacement, the state of Kansas has made it easier. Kansas residents now have the ability to request a Social Security card replacement online, allowing you to skip the in-person appointment process. Replacing your card is quick, secure, and free.
To replace your card online, first you will need to log in or create your My Social Security account. Your personal information is protected by using identity verification and other security features. To set up an account go to https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/.
To replace your card online, you must also meet certain criteria. This includes being a U.S. Citizen age 18 or older with a U.S. mailing address, cannot be requesting a name change or any other change to your card, and must have a driver’s license or state-issued identification card from one of the states participating in this program.
My Social Security is an online service provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows you to review your earnings history, check current or future benefits, and access other Social Security services. You can also use your My Social Security account to:
Check applications.
Set up direct deposit for your benefit payment.
Change your address or phone number.
Request a benefit verification letter.
Request a replacement of tax forms SSA-1099 or SSA 1042S.
Check the status of a pending claim or appeal of disability.
The Friday Night Free Concert at Heritage Park this week will feature the Cherry Jammers music ensemble from the Cherry Grove Baptist Church.
It is held at 7 p.m. at the corner of Main and First Street in downtown Fort Scott.
“This group is one of our favorites who have performed for us for many years,” Ralph Carlson, event organizer for the Chamber of Commerce, said. “The group sings hymns and gospel classics. The group combines vocal and various musical instruments.”
Come early and bring a lawn chair as seating is limited.
In the event of bad weather the event will move to The Common Grounds Coffee Shop on Main Street.
In a significant legislative victory for The American Legion, President Trump signed a bill July 30 that declares the United States has been in a state of war since Dec. 7, 1941.
The American Legion sought the declaration as a way to honor approximately 1,600 U.S. service members who were killed or wounded during previously undeclared periods of war.
The LEGION Act (Let Everyone Get Involved In Opportunities for National Service Act) also opens the door for approximately 6 million veterans to access American Legion programs and benefits for which they previously had not been eligible.
“Recognizing the service of these wartime veterans is the right thing do and it is long overdue,” National Commander Brett Reistad said. “The families of those who were killed or wounded during these wartime acts should take pride in knowing that we recognize their sacrifice and service. Moreover, we are proud to welcome any of the six million living veterans from the previously unrecognized periods into our organization and call them ‘Legionnaires.’”
Now that the legislation has been signed, The American Legion’s eligibility criteria immediately changes from seven war eras to two: April 6, 1917, to Nov. 11, 1918, and Dec. 7, 1941 to a time later determined by the federal government. No other restrictions to American Legion membership are changed.
The law’s journey began on Feb. 14 when Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., introduced S. 504, along with Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C. A companion measure, H.R. 1641, was introduced in the House by Reps. Lou Correa, D-Calif., and Ben Cline, R-Va.
Reistad expressed gratitude to the bipartisan members of Congress for passing the legislation.
“We are grateful that President Trump fully acknowledges the importance of The American Legion by signing the LEGION Act in the White House today – just one week after it passed the House of Representatives,” Reistad said. “In an era of partisan gridlock, Republicans and Democrats in Congress overwhelmingly recognized the importance of allowing thousands of honorable but previously ineligible veterans the right to join the largest and most influential veterans organization in the country.”
Reistad pointed out that existing American Legion membership applications are in the process of being updated but can still be used. “In the meantime, I recommend that prospective Legionnaires and recruiters write ‘LEGION Act’ in the eligibility date section of American Legion membership applications if they fall outside the previous war eras,” Reistad said. “The larger pool of veterans now eligible for The American Legion will also open their family members to eligibility in the Sons of the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary as well.”
Any Veteran who has served one day on active duty and was honorably discharged can now join the American Legion.
We have quite a few Bourbon County Veterans who can now join the Fort Scott American Legion. I already have four area Veterans ready to join our Post. Reach out to Veterans you know and ask them to join us.
Contact me for membership applications OR invite them to our next meeting on Monday, August 5 at 7 pm. All they need in order to join our Post is proof of honorable service and their first year’s dues of $40
The public hearing that was scheduled for Tuesday, August 6th, 2019 regarding the rate increase for Lake Fort Scott sewer customers has been cancelled. It will be rescheduled with the next City sewer rate increase.
Hay bales, wheat, soybeans, and corn, those are the normal scenes in rural Kansas during the summertime.
But a new alternative crop is possible in the summer of 2019.
Hemp production has come to Kansas following Former Governor John Colyer’s enactment of the Alternative Crop Research Act in April 2018.
Bourbon County Counselor Justin Meeks, of the Bourbon County Commission, was asked to provide information to the commission on hemp.
“Hemp is not marijuana,” Meeks said. “The size is different, the hemp plant is much bigger. And you can’t get high from hemp.”
There are three people, called licensees, legally planting hemp in Bourbon County, according to Jason Walker, Public Relations Director for the Kansas Department of Agriculture.
Regulations and procedures for planting hemp in Kansas are quite rigorous, Meeks stated.
None the less, there are those who have started planting.
“As of July 22, 2019, the Kansas Department of Agriculture has received the notification, through required planting reports, that roughly 1170 acres of industrial hemp have been planted in Kansas,” Walker said. He noted that 65 acres are licensed (potential) acres in Bourbon County.
Joe Bisogno, Jr. started growing hemp on eight acres on a small acreage in Bourbon County this month, he said.
He prefers not to give the location of the area where he is growing the hemp “So people won’t try to come to look at it,” he said.
“When you license to grow hemp, you can’t have anybody in the designated area, they can’t come on the property,” Bisogno said.
“The application process involves each person that touches the field (where hemp is produced) has to get a background check,” Meeks said.
Bisogno said he traveled the country to see how to plant, process and harvest the plant first hand, before taking the plunge into growing hemp.
“Joe Bisogno Jr. and Joe Bisogno Sr. have done a lot of work at the legislative level for hemp production,” Meeks said. “They deserve credit for that.”
The recent planting on Joe Jr.’s small acreage is for research purposes, he said.
“I’m doing research on the hemp,” he said. “I plan to compare how hemp grows in two different soil types.”
Bisogno is planting the hemp for economic reasons.
“You can make money on a small acreage,” he said.
“It’s easily a billion-dollar industry,” Meeks, said. “There are thousands of articles that can be made from hemp, such as flooring and clothing.”
Here is the history of how Kansans came to grow hemp, provided by Kansas government links.
Then-Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. signed Senate Bill 263 ( K.S.A. 2-3901 et seq.) in April 2018, which enacted the Alternative Crop Research Act allowing the Kansas Department of Agriculture to oversee the cultivation of industrial hemp in a research program, according to the website https://www.agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/plant-protect-weed-control/industrial-hemp
“The KDA legal staff and plant protection and weed control program staff quickly began the process of developing regulations and other administrative documents and procedures to guide the Alternative Crop Research Act, according to the website.
“Since that time, KDA staff participated in more than 14 public outreach events across the state, which began with an open dialogue and information exchange at a public forum May 11 and included a public hearing prior to publishing the regulations.
“The regulations were approved by the Department of Administration and the Attorney General and reviewed by the Legislative Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and Regulations before final regulations were published in the Kansas Register on Jan. 24, 2019. They became effective on Feb. 8, 2019, 15 days following their publication.
“The Industrial Hemp Research Program became possible because the 2014 Farm Bill included a section to allow for universities and state departments of agriculture to begin cultivating industrial hemp for purposes of research, provided that the growing and cultivating of industrial hemp is allowed under state law.
“Industrial hemp is defined by SB 263 as all parts and varieties of the plant cannabis sativa L that contain a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of no more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.
“The recent passage of the 2018 Farm Bill removed federal restrictions on the establishment of commercial hemp programs and allows individual states to develop a plan to license the commercial production of hemp and further directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop a plan for states that do not do so.
“In order to establish a program for the commercial production of industrial hemp, Kansas must develop a plan through KDA, in consultation with the Governor and Attorney General. Any such plan must be submitted to USDA for approval.
“The opportunity to grow a new specialty oilseed crop in Kansas offers potential for diversification for Kansas farmers looking for an alternative crop, or for new farming enterprises interested in cultivating industrial hemp.
“The Kansas agriculture industry has developed a statewide strategic growth plan in recent years, and is committed to pursuing new and innovative opportunities to grow agriculture.
“The research generated by participants of this new industrial hemp program will be valuable data in identifying the growth potential offered in this sector.”
1:00-1:20-Executive Session-Attorney-Client Privilege-20 min.
1:20-4:00-Commissioners to work on 2020 Budgets
4:00-5:30-Commissioner gone for dinner
5:30-6:30-Jody Hoener-Community Input for Strategic Plan
6:30-7:30-Jim Harris
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
Beacon Director Gary Murrell with Receptionist Patty Mowen. Photo by Carol MacArthur.
The Beacon, a local helping agency, recently received a grant for an equipment upgrade for the frozen meat products it distributes to qualified clientele.
The $2,300 dollar grant was received from the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas for another cooler for the agency, said Board Chairwoman Carol MacArthur.
The grant is for freezer space to serve existing and expanding clientele because more space is needed, she said.
“The products come from Kansas Food Bank, Feeding America, and many generous donations by Bourbon County citizens and organizations,” Director Gary Murrell said.
“More freezer space is needed so that when opportunities arise to buy larger amounts more cheaply, we can do that,” Foord Service Manager Dave Gillen said. “Too, when we alert Kansas Food Bank that we have more freezer space, they will consider that in allocating larger amounts to the Beacon.”
The Beacon is open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, with two exceptions: the second and fourth Tuesdays when the agency is open 4:30-7 p.m. and not in the daytime.
The Beacon provides food services and financial assistance, which could include assistance with prescriptions, travel to work or to a medical facility, rent, utilities, and much more.
Murrell is the director, Gillen is the foodservice manager and receptionist is Patty Mowen.
“The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas hosts individual charitable funds, created by donors who have a passion for giving back to their community. Grants from the funds assist people throughout Southeast Kansas and many charities beyond Kansas. Call the Foundation, 620 231 8897 with questions about the Community Foundation and its many services available for donors.”
Dave Gillen is the food service director for the Beacon. Photo by Carol MacArthur.
Tarpoff says water is just one part of the equation
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Compared to recent years, Kansas’ weather has been mostly nice to the state’s cattle producers this summer. That has recently changed this summer.
Kansas State University beef veterinarian A.J. Tarpoff is sounding the bells for livestock producers to take some extra measures to protect their herds during a stretch of days in which temperatures are forecast to tbe very hot across the state.
“Water, water and lots of water,” said Tarpoff, who noted that the beef industry loses an estimated $369 million each year due to the effects of heat stress. “Whenever we have a heat stress event, that is the most essential nutrient for animals, times five.
“I say, ‘times five’ because the question always comes up about how much water do cattle need, and the answer is that they need five times the amount of water that they are taking up in dry matter.”
For a cow that is consuming 30 pounds of dry matter, that comes out to about 20 gallons per day. Multiply that by the number of cattle in an operation, and the need for water grows exponentially.
Tarpoff said cows try to cool themselves by panting heavily (evaporative cooling), and somewhat by sweating – though they are inefficient sweaters compared to humans. Cows accumulate a heat load during the day and rely on cooler, nighttime temperatures for relief.
Producers can aid in cooling not only by providing more water, but also by changing some of their management strategies during the hottest days.
For example, Tarpoff notes, producers should consider providing most of the cattle’s feed later in the day, as much as 70 percent. Doing so will help to reduce digestive heat, or the heat that accumulates when cattle eat.
“This time of year, we may be providing that ration at 6 or 6:30 in the evening so we can push back that digestive heat load into the cooler hours of the night,” Tarpoff said. “That can make a big impact on how much these animals deal with during the heat of the day.”
Producers should also try to avoid lower quality straw hay or other foods that are fibrous, which create more heat in the animal’s rumen. Feedlot rations and lush green grass are better options for helping animals control digestive heat, Tarpoff said.
In feedlots or other confined settings, producers should provide plenty of water and shade (if available), and use sprinklers to cool pen floors. Tarpoff said they also should minimize handling of animals because the more they have to move, the more heat they produce.
The Kansas Mesonet Network at Kansas State University maintains a Cattle Comfort Index that combines the effect of temperature, humidity, wind and solar radiation. Tarpoff said it’s an excellent online source for producers to monitor when making plans for heat and potential nighttime cooling.
On July 20, 2019 at 6:45 p.m. Fort Scott Police Officers with the assistance of Bourbon County Sheriff’s Officers arrived at 2217 Poplar Road to serve a narcotics-related search warrant.
The warrant stemmed from a traffic stop earlier in the day by the FSPD.
While on the scene, officers discovered suspected marijuana growing both indoors and outdoors, along with stashes of processed marijuana plants.
Officers seized approximately 135 pounds of processed marijuana and pulled 434 suspected marijuana plants.
This is an ongoing investigation and all suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The “vote here” sign sits in front of the north wing of the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National.
“In-person advance voting began on July 22nd, it will end at noon on August 5,” Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk said today. “As of right now we have had 107 voters.”
“The Courthouse is the only location to cast an in-person advance ballot,” she said. Courthouse hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The Primary Election on August 6 will narrow the candidates down to two times the number of positions open.
Bourbon County will have a Primary Election for the following offices
CITY OF BRONSON-CITY COUNCIL (3 COUNCIL POSITIONS)
JAMES E. OLSON
DANIELLE MINOR
MICHAEL STEWART
CITY OF FORT SCOTT-CITY COMMISSION (3 COMMISSION POSITIONS)
CHERYL L. ADAMSON
HAROLD (PETE) ALLEN
KEVIN “SKITCH” ALLEN
CYNTHIA BARTELSMEYER
CASEY BOLDEN
TRACY DANCER
BOBBY DUNCAN
BOB FARMER
JOSH JONES
DEB MCCOY
DIANA MORRISS
JEANIE PARKER
LINDSEY WATTS
MATTHEW WELLS
CITY OF FULTON (1 MAYOR & 5 COUNCIL POSITIONS)
NO CANDIDATES FILED
CITY OF MAPLETON (3 COUNCIL POSITIONS)
NO CANDIDATES FILED
CITY OF REDFIELD-CITY COUNCIL (3 COUNCIL POSITIONS)
WILMA K. GRAHAM
JIMMIE JACKSON
L.D. MORRISON
ANGELA HIXON
CITY OF UNIONTOWN-CITY COUNCIL (3 COUNCIL POSITIONS)
Fort Scott Presbyterian Village artists among
Art is Ageless® masterpiece level winners
FORT SCOTT, Kan. — Three winning artists in Fort Scott Presbyterian Village’s annual Art is Ageless® juried competition will be featured in the 2020 Art is Ageless calendar produced by PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America).
“Carpenters Bluff Bridge,” a photograph by Paul Milks; “Church on the Mountain Side,” a painting by Glenda Stevicks; and “Nature,” a sculpture/3-D entry by Tony Fornelli, will appear in the calendar when it is released this fall. “Bright Journey,” a fiber arts entry by Carolyn Munsell, will be featured on the new pull-out postcards included in the 2020 calendar.
In addition, “His Name is Jesus,” a needlework by Charlotte Kite, will be featured on the Art is Ageless greeting cards.
Works by local winners are automatically entered into a masterpiece level competition with winning art from 16 other PMMA communities. More than 190 entries were received for this year’s masterpiece competition. The winners are featured in the Art is Ageless calendar with pull-out postcards and greeting cards.
Art is Ageless, open exclusively to people age 65 and older, is a copyrighted program of PMMA. For the competition, works must have been completed in the past five years.
PMMA’s Art is Ageless program encourages Fort Scott Presbyterian Village residents and other area seniors to express their creativity through its annual competition, as well as art classes, musical and dramatic events, educational opportunities and current events discussions throughout the year.
Started in 1980, Art is Ageless is an extension of PMMA’s wellness programs, which focus on mental, physical, social and spiritual health. Residents and friends of PMMA’s Art is Ageless program are proving that art, in any form, is an ageless ambition.
For more information about Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, contact Becky Kellum, marketing director, at 620-223-5550 or [email protected]. For more on Art is Ageless, visit ArtIsAgeless.org.
High Risk of West Nile Virus Activity in Three Kansas Regions
and Positive Mosquito Pools Identified
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a high risk warning for West Nile virus infections (WNV) for northwest, south central and southeast Kansas. North central, northeast, and southwest Kansas are at moderate risk for WNV infections. In addition, mosquitoes collected in Sedgwick County have tested positive for WNV and St. Louis Encephalitis virus (SLEV).
WNV can be spread to people through mosquito bites, but it is not spread from person to person. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. About 1 out of 150 infected people develop a severe illness leading to swelling of the brain or brain tissue that can result in death. There are no vaccines or medications to treat WNV. People who have had WNV before are considered immune.
SLEV is transmitted by the same type of mosquito that spreads WNV. While most people who are infected with SLEV have no symptoms or only mild non-specific flu-like illness, some individuals can experience serious neuroinvasive illness. Symptoms often include fever, headache, stiff neck, disorientation, and altered level of consciousness. Coma, convulsions, and paralysis may also occur. SLEV has a similar incubation period as WNV, 5-15 days.
KDHE recommends knowing your risk of WNV and take action to prevent mosquito bites and protect yourself against WNV and SLEV:
When you are outdoors, use insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient on skin and clothing, including DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535. Follow the directions on the package.
Many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Be sure to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants at these times or consider staying indoors during these hours.
The elderly or those with a weakened immune system should consider limiting their exposure outside during dusk and dawn when the Culex species mosquitos are most active.
Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out. Keep children’s wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren’t being used.
Horses can also be infected with WNV. Talk with your veterinarian about vaccinating your horse to protect them against WNV.
Most WNV infections occur in the late summer and early fall. Although there have been no cases of WNV reported to KDHE in 2019, there have been over 300 cases of the most severe form of WNV and 30 deaths in Kansas from 1999-2018. The last known case of SLEV in Kansas occurred in 2004.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides this web page with additional information about West Nile virus and preventing mosquito bites: http://www.cdc.gov/features/StopMosquitoes/. More information on SLEV can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/sle/index.html .For questions about West Nile virus or other Arboviral diseases contact the KDHE Epidemiology hotline at 877-427-7317.
