Category Archives: Government

Bourbon County, Government

KDOT: Bourbon County To Receive New Light Towers

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KDOT announces approved August bids
The Kansas Department of Transportation announces approved bids for state highway construction and maintenance projects. The letting took place Aug. 23, 2023, in Topeka. Some of the bids may include multiple projects that have been bundled based on proximity and type of work.

District One — Northeast

Doniphan – 238-22 KA-7101-01 – K-238, from the U.S. 36/K-238 junction north to the Kansas/Nebraska state line, milling and overlay, 1.4 miles, Herzog Contracting Corp., Saint Joseph, Missouri, $582,608.70.

Douglas – 10-23 KA-6977-01 – K-10, slopes at the intersection of Peach Orchard Road (1900 Road) and K-10, slide repair, Kings Construction Co. Inc., Oskaloosa, Kansas, $1,999,379.65.

Jackson – 214-42 KA-7099-01 – K-214, from the U.S. 75/K-214 south junction north to U.S. 75/K-214 north junction, sealing, 2.0 miles, Vance Brothers Inc. And Subsidiary, Kansas City, Missouri, $101,564.47.

Jefferson – 16-44 KA-7042-01 – K-16, from the U.S. 59/K-16 south junction east to the west city limits of McLouth, milling and overlay, 5.6 miles, Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, Kansas, $1,876,751.08.

Lyon – 35-56 KA-7142-01 – I-35, from 0.09 mile north of the I-35/KTA junction north to the I-35/U.S. 50 east junction, pavement marking, 5.8 miles, Roadsafe Traffic Systems Inc., Chicago, Illinois, $370,537.54.

Nemaha – 36-66 KA-3880-01 – U.S. 36, bridge #001 over the North Fork Black Vermillion River located 1.06 miles east of the Nemaha/Marshall county line, bridge replacement, Reece Construction Company, Inc., Salina, Kansas, $4,205,908.88.

Riley – 18-81 KA-5469-01 – K-18, beginning at the K-18/K-177 west junction, east to 0.10 mile east of the K-18/K-177 east junction, pavement reconstruction, 0.7 mile, Wildcat Construction Co. Inc. & Subsidiaries, Wichita, Kansas, $3,807,986.55.

District Two — North Central

Ellsworth – 156-27 KA-7103-01 – K-156, from the north city limits of Ellsworth northeast to I-70/K-156 junction, milling and overlay, 10.7 miles, APAC-Kansas Inc Shears Division, Hutchinson, Kansas, $3,644,938.47.

Lincoln – 53-C 5120-01 – Lincoln County, all paved major collectors, minor collectors and local roads, pavement marking, 25.7 miles, Roadsafe Traffic Systems Inc., Chicago, Illinois, $158,791.52.

McPherson – 135-59 KA-6752-01 – I-135, bridge #032 and bridge #033 over the KO Railroad located 0.76 mile north of U.S. 56 (northbound and southbound), bridge repair, Wildcat Construction Co. Inc. & Subsidiaries, Wichita, Kansas, $918,781.50.

District Three — Northwest

Ellis – 255-26 KA-7104-01 – K-255, from the beginning of route north to I-70/K-255 junction, milling and overlay, 1.2 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Kansas, $414,150.60.

Graham – 283-33 KA-7105-01 – U.S. 283, from 2.7 miles north of the Graham/Trego county line north to the U.S. 24/U.S. 283 junction, sealing, 13.7 miles, Dustrol Inc., Towanda, Kansas, $2,160,215.17.

Phillips – 74-C 5130-01 – Phillips County, all major collectors, minor collectors and local roads west of U.S. 183, signing, 156 miles, KOMO Construction LLC / DBA A&H Co., $481,817.00.

District Four — Southeast

Bourbon – 54-6 KA-6884-01 – U.S. 54, light tower #1: 006L0002 located east of U.S. 69 approximately 500 feet south of U.S. 54; light tower #2: 006L0003 located west of U.S. 69 approximately 750 feet north of U.S. 54; light tower #3: 006L0001 located south of U.S. 54 approximately 500 feet west of U.S. 69, lighting, 0.5 mile, Phillips Southern Electric Company Inc., Wichita, Kansas, $396,512.00.

Cherokee – 11-C 5153-01 – Bridge, 0.5 mile south and 0.8 mile east of Columbus over Brush Creek, bridge replacement, 0.1 mile, B & B Bridge Company, LLC, St. Paul, Kansas, $888,661.00.

 Coffey – 75-16 KA-7090-01 – U.S. 75, from the Woodson/Coffey county line north to the south edge wearing surface of bridge #056 over North Big Creek located north of the K-58 north junction, milling and overlay, 4.0 miles, Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, Kansas, $774,736.20.

Coffey – 35-16 KA-6901-01 – I-35, bridge #013 over U.S. 75 located 12.32 miles east of the Lyon County line, bridge repair, PCI Roads, LLC, Saint Michael, Minnesota, $83,609.00.

Montgomery – 63-C 5128-01 – County Road 4700 (portions of RS 1673 and RS 507), from 126 feet south of CR 1450 to Coffeyville south city limit, grading and surfacing, 1.1 miles, B & B Bridge Company, LLC, St. Paul, Kansas, $1,596,962.40.

Wilson – 75-103 KA-7098-01 – U.S. 75, from the east city limits of Neodesha north to the Wilson/Woodson county line, sealing, 23.9 miles, Circle C Paving And Construction LLC, Goddard, Kansas, $682,520.56.

Woodson – 75-104 KA-7089-01 – U.S. 75, from the north city limits of Yates Center north to the Woodson/Coffey county line, milling and overlay, 10.5 miles, Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, Kansas, $2,013,277.16.

Statewide ‑ 106 TE-0402-07 – Flint Hills Trail, Iowa Road to Louisiana Terrace west of the city of Ottawa in Franklin County, special, 2.3 miles, Dondlinger & Sons Construction Co. Inc., Wichita, Kansas, $4,942,584.51.

District Five — South Central

Butler – 8-KA 7044-01 – U.S. 54, bridge #005 over Whitewater River located 0.7 mile east of Southwest River Valley Road; K-254, bridge #165 over Whitewater River located 0.7 mile east of Southwest River Valley Road, bridge repair, PCI Roads, LLC, Saint Michael, Minnesota, $38,730.00.

Cowley – 166-18 KA-7092-01 – U.S. 166, from the Sumner/Cowley county line east to the west city limits of Arkansas City, milling and overlay, 5.0 miles, Pearson Construction LLC, Wichita, $1,546,167.80.

Harvey – 50-40 KA-6938-01 – Culvert #532 over Sand Creek drainage, culvert repair, 0.01 mile, Reece Construction Company, Inc., Salina, Kansas, $151,919.14.

Kiowa – 54-49 KA-5783-01 – U.S. 54, from 6.8 miles east of the U.S. 54/U.S. 183 junction east for 0.43 mile (westerly extension) and 8.4 miles east of the U.S. 54/U.S. 183 junction east for 0.76 mile (easterly extension), including widening of bridge #519, grading and surfacing, 1.2 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Kansas, $5,979,645.50.

Kiowa – 54-49 KA-5785-01 – U.S. 54, from 1 mile east of the Ford/Kiowa county line east for 1.95 miles, grading and surfacing, 2.0 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Kansas, $7,817,984.09.

Pawnee – 19-73 KA-7093-01 – K-19 Spur, from the K-19/K-19 Spur junction north to the U.S. 56/K-19 Spur junction; K-19, from the K-19/K-19 Spur junction east to the Pawnee/Stafford county line, milling and overlay, 10.6 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Kansas, $1,901,207.10.

Rice – 14-80 KA-7041-01 – K-14, from 0.26 mile north of Avenue U north to the south city limits of Lyons, milling and overlay, 7.1 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Kansas, $1,857,293.70.

Stafford – 19-93 KA-7094-01 – K-19, from the Pawnee/Stafford county line east to U.S. 281/K-19 junction, milling and overlay, 9.0 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Kansas, $1,538,241.00.

Sumner – 166-96 KA-7091-01 – U.S. 166, from mile marker 9 east to the Sumner/Cowley county line, milling and overlay, 5.0 miles, Pearson Construction LLC, Wichita, Kansas, $1,450,129.50.

District Six — Southwest

Meade – 54-60 KA-5782 01 – U.S. 54, from 3.4 miles east of the east U.S. 54/U.S. 160 junction east for 2.7 miles, grading and surfacing, 2.7 miles, J & R Sand Company Inc., Liberal, Kansas, $8,418,824.59.

Meade – 54-60 KA-5781-01 – U.S. 54, from the Meade/Seward county line east for 1.8 miles, grading and surfacing, 1.8 miles, J & R Sand Company Inc., Liberal, Kansas, $6,544,945.65.

 

The following projects were approved from the July 19, 2023, letting.

Johnson ‑ 46 N‑0703‑01 ‑ City of Gardner, South Center Street bridge over BNSF and west side of North Center Street from West Shawnee Street to West McKinley Street, pedestrian and bicycle paths, 0.3 mile, Primetime Contracting Corp., Riverside, Missouri, $199,634.00

Rawlins – 77 C 5134-01 – Major collector routes, east of K-25 in Rawlins County, signing, 121.9 miles, Signs Up LTD Haren’s Trees and Critters, Webster City, Iowa, $498,471.48

Montgomery ‑ 169‑63 KA‑5989‑01 ‑ U.S. 169, from 0.3 mile south of 15th Street north 0.2 mile, pavement reconstruction, 0.2 mile, J Graham Construction Inc., Coffeyville, Kansas, $1,241,166.00

Wichita ‑ 25‑102 KA‑6444‑01 ‑ K‑25, from 0.03 mile north of K‑96 to I Street, pavement reconstruction, 0.1 mile, Morgan Brothers Construction, Inc., La Crosse, Kansas, $472,692.02.

Greeley ‑ 96‑36 KA‑6994‑01 ‑ K‑96, from the K‑27/K‑96 junction east to the Greeley/Wichita county line, sealing, 10.2 miles, Heft and Sons LLC, Greensburg, Kansas, $725,761.44.

Hodgeman ‑ 156‑42 KA‑7003‑01 ‑ K‑156, from the Finney/Hodgeman county line, east to Road 214, sealing, 14.6 miles, Heft and Sons LLC, Greensburg, Kansas, $689,668.00.

Scott ‑ 95‑86 KA‑6996‑01 ‑ K‑95, from the U.S. 83/K‑95 south junction north to the U.S 83/K‑95 north junction, sealing, 6.6 miles, Heft and Sons LLC, Greensburg, Kansas, $383,363.69.

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This information can be made available in alternative accessible formats upon request. For information about obtaining an alternative format, contact the KDOT Division of Communications, 700 SW Harrison St., 2nd Fl West, Topeka, KS 66603-3745 or phone 785-296-3585 (Voice)/Hearing Impaired – 711.
Government

KS Senators Urge Fed to Adjust Electricity Transmission Costs

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Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. and Jerry Moran (R-KS) wrote a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) urging the commission to adjust their electricity transmission costs that are disproportionately hurting Kansas consumers. 

Currently, Kansans are paying an absurd amount to transport wind energy generated in Kansas to other states. In fact, Kansans are paying for 67% of the transmission costs for the energy but only need to use about 30% of it.

Last October, the FERC issued a ruling that would have fixed this unfair cost allocation but recently reversed that decision. In the letter, the senators call on the FERC to immediately reinstate the original ruling and ensure Kansas energy consumers are not subsidizing neighboring states energy usage. 

“Kansas ratepayers are being penalized by bureaucrats in Washington for providing critical energy resources across the country,” Senator Marshall said. “At a time when Kansans are paying more by double digits for just about everything due to inflation, FERC’s recent waiver reversal just rubs salt in the wound for Kansas consumers. The current framework is unfair; Kansans should not have to subsidize energy costs for neighboring states, it’s that simple.” 

“Kansas is home to an abundance of energy production, but families and businesses have been paying inflated transmission costs as a result of FERC procedure,” Senator Moran said. “It is FERC’s statutory obligation to make sure costs are allocated in a manner that is roughly commensurate with the benefits received. I urge the commission to work with stakeholders to create a reasonable cost allocation plan that does not overburden Kansas ratepayers.”

 

Highlights from the letter include:

“I write to urge the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to reinstate its order accepting the Southwest Power Pool, Inc.’s (SPP) tariff filing that was issued in this proceeding on October 28, 2022… SPP’s filing created a process to resolve the unreasonable allocation of costs for transmission facilities in geographic portions of the SPP region that have experienced rapid expansion of new wind generation resources,” the Senators wrote.  

“FERC’s recent reversal of its order accepting SPP’s filing means that Kansans alone will continue to pay unreasonably high transmission rates for facilities that benefit the entire SPP region,” the Senators continued. 

“In recent years, Kansas has been in the top five states in the country in terms of both the level of wind energy supplying electricity generation in Kansas and the annual growth of wind capacity in Kansas. However, as discussed below, the overwhelming majority of the wind generation in the Sunflower Zone is not affiliated with any customer in the Zone and is instead exported to the SPP region,” the Senators said.

“As you are also aware, the excessive level of transmission costs allocated to the Sunflower Zone as a result of the influx of wind generation in the State of Kansas is a consequence of SPP’s “Highway/Byway” (HWBW) cost allocation methodology. Under the HWBW methodology, the costs for reliability and economic upgrades that are identified in SPP’s transmission planning process are allocated among individual SPP Zones and the entire SPP region based on the voltage level and location of transmission facilities,” the Senators wrote.

You may click HERE to read the full letter.

Government, Jobs, Kansas

Apprenticeships Increase in Kansas

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Governor Kelly Celebrates Nearly 40% Increase in Apprentices Since Creation of Office of Registered Apprenticeship One Year Ago

TOPEKA – Today marks one year since Governor Laura Kelly established the Office of Registered Apprenticeship through Executive Order 22-07. The Office was created to strengthen workforce development and grow the economy by modernizing and expanding apprenticeship opportunities and by building partnerships with educational institutions.

Since Governor Kelly’s executive order, Kansas has made great strides in expanding apprenticeship opportunities: There has been a 37.9% increase in Kansans participating in apprenticeships since September 2022, with nearly 4,400 apprentices in Kansas today. In addition, the Office has expanded the type of occupations in which Kansans can gain experience: 49 new job titles have been added, resulting in a total of 107 occupations in the apprenticeship pipeline.

“Through the Office of Registered Apprenticeship, we are helping Kansans gain the skills they need to get jobs that don’t require a college degree – and we’re developing the workforce needed to attract new businesses to the state,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Because of our efforts, Kansas continues to lead the nation as the state with the most business investment per capita.”

All Registered Apprenticeship programs must have five core components to be recognized for certification, including on-the-job training, related technical instruction, mentorship, wage progression, and industry-recognized credentials. However, the driving force must be a business or industry willing to support an apprentice to “earn and learn” a career.

“Registered apprenticeship is an increasingly central component of our efforts to build up the Kansas workforce,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Our purposeful economic development is creating thousands of new opportunities for hard-working Kansans across the state.”

Since the creation of this office, there has been a 38.8% increase in the completion of apprenticeship programs – from 129 program completers in 2022 to 179 in 2023.

“We are executing a targeted plan to expand high-quality registered apprenticeships, and we are showing results across the entire state of Kansas,” said Shonda Anderson, Director of the Kansas Office of Apprenticeship. “Most importantly, we are bridging partnerships with our labor unions, business and industry, local workforce boards, non-profits, higher education, and even cross-departmental partnerships.”

Governor Kelly has also taken other actions to support apprenticeships, including:

  • Governor Kelly signed the Kansas Apprenticeship Act to promote and expand apprenticeships for the most in-demand industries in Kansas through tax credits and grants.
  • U.S. Department of Labor awarded Kansas $6.3 million to “Lead Apprenticeship Results in Kansas.” With this, the Office of Registered Apprenticeships will work with stakeholders to grow teacher educator apprenticeships, inside and outside justice involved apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and other programs in Kansas’ most in-demand industries.
  • Kansas was selected to participate in the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) Policy Academy to Advance Youth Apprenticeship. Through the Policy Academy, Kansas will develop a strategy to expand apprenticeship opportunities to youth ages 16 and older to help them build the skills needed for the modern workforce.
  • The Office of Registered Apprenticeship launched a statewide Teacher Educator Apprenticeship Program, making Kansas home to one of the most innovative teacher-educator apprenticeship programs, allowing para-educators to obtain their bachelor’s degree and gain a Kansas Teaching certificate while being paid to teach in the classroom from day one.
  • The Office is using $4.7 million in grants to expand registered apprenticeships in the care economy, IT sectors, construction, and more.

More information on Kansas Registered Apprenticeships can be found on the Kansas Department of Commerce website.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Government

City Works to Replenish Water to Marmaton River From Lake Fort Scott

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Bourbon County is part of the section of the state of Kansas in emergency drought status. Submitted graphic.
The City of Fort Scott staff opened the Lake Fort Scott valve four turns today to help replenish some of the water lost in Rock Creek, according to Brad Matkin, the city manager.
The city gets its water supply from the Marmaton River, as do many outlying areas. The 50-acre Rock Creek Lake is an integral part of the city and rural water reserve systems.
“The Marmaton River is down to 8.3′ and we need it to be 9.5′-10′,” he said. “We will monitor this for the next several days. Still in Water Warning stage #1. There is a video on the City of Fort Scott’s Facebook page.”
Bourbon County was declared by Governor Kelly that it is in a drought emergency in mid-August.
Government, Kansas

Funding to Create New Child Care/High Speed Internet Awarded Kansas

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Governor Kelly Announces Kansas Awarded $40M to Build Community Multi-Purpose Facilities, Expand Access to Child Care

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund announced today that Kansas has been awarded $40 million from the U.S. Department of Treasury for a new program, the Capital Projects Fund Accelerator (CPF Accelerator). The program will provide local communities with funding to build or renovate multi-purpose facilities that create new licensed child care slots and provide Kansans access to high-speed internet for digital work, health, and education supports.  

“The Capital Projects Fund Accelerator Grant program is another example of how my administration is finding new ways to expand access to affordable, quality child care and other essential community services,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This grant opportunity will enable more communities to work with local businesses to meet a pressing need for Kansas families.”

In June 2023, the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund’s Child Care Capacity Accelerator awarded more than $43 million to 52 organizations and partnerships across Kansas. The new CPF Accelerator grant opportunity builds on that momentum by providing prospective grantees a new funding source for the construction, renovation, or rehabilitation of community facilities and other capital improvement for community-driven projects and programs. This funding is the latest effort to support the state’s rapidly growing work in early childhood and boost communities in scaling up their facilities to serve families and children.

“The Capital Projects Fund Accelerator is another exciting chance to invest in the infrastructure needed to increase access to affordable, high-quality childcare as well as a full range of programs and services to help families meet basic needs,” said Melissa Rooker, Executive Director of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund. “The Kansas Children’s Cabinet is proud to continue our work to champion community-driven solutions to the multi-faceted challenges facing families with young children today.”

The RFP is available here, with two submission deadline options. The first-round application deadline is Oct. 2, 2023, and the second-round deadline is Dec. 18, 2023. The Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund encourages applicants to decide which deadline is appropriate for their project as there is no advantage or consequence in applying by either deadline. Applications will be submitted online via the Kansas CommonApp portal.

Kansas was previously awarded $83.5 million from the Capital Projects Fund to build reliable broadband infrastructure and extend high-speed internet to more than 24,500 homes, businesses, schools, health care facilities, and other public institutions in underserved counties across the state. A portion of Kansas’ $40 million award for the CPF Accelerator will be used to assist in the administration of the program. Combined with the Child Care Capacity Accelerator Grant programs, these two funding opportunities will infuse more than $83 million into Kansas’ early childhood care and education sector.

Click here to learn more about the Capital Projects Fund Accelerator.

Government

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Newsletter

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Wishing Kansans a Happy Labor Day
Kansas is home to hard workers and major industries that support agriculture, aviation, health, science and more across our nation and the world. Thank you to all who contribute to make Kansas a great state to work, live and raise a family.

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Miles Across Kansas
While traveling across Kansas during the August Work Period, I added almost 6600 miles to my truck. Thank you to all the Kansans I met with during my time back home.

Continue reading U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Newsletter →

Government, Kansas

KS Tourism Grants Available

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Governor Kelly Announces $1M Available for Tourism Attraction Development Grants

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that $1 million in Attraction Development Grants is available from Kansas Tourism, a division of the Kansas Department of Commerce. Attraction Development Grants are designed to assist in the development of sustainable tourism experiences that influence travel decisions and create economic impact, including new jobs, capital investment, revenue, and increased visitation.

“Kansas tourism is an economic driver that highlights the many reasons why our state is the best place in the nation to live, work, and raise a family,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “By investing in our tourism industry, we strengthen our economic growth and Kansas’ placement as a destination state for tourists from around the world.”

A first round of applications is now open with a deadline of October 1, 2023. A second round will open on February 1, 2024. $500,000 will be awarded in each round. Successful grant applications must have an accountable tie to the tourism industry, with funds being used to develop new or enhance existing tourism attractions.

“Investing in the growth and development of our destination-based assets contributes to economic prosperity in communities of all sizes across Kansas,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Tourism empowers local communities by creating job opportunities and strengthening the overall business landscape.”

Tourism has a total economic impact of $11.2 billion on the state, which includes $7 billion in direct visitor spending on lodging, dining, transportation, and entertainment. Eligible projects for this grant program include new attraction construction, enhancements to an existing attraction, and new or enhanced exhibits that will improve a visitor’s experience.

“By strategically fostering new tourism development, we are inspiring quality vacation experiences for our visitors,” Kansas Tourism Director Bridgette Jobe said. “Visitors spend dollars while in our state, and those dollars provide increased tax revenue, new jobs, and a better quality of life for all.”

For more information on the Attraction Development Grant Program, click here or email Kansas Tourism Grant Program Manager Carrie Doud here.

Funding for Kansas Tourism grants, including the Tourism Marketing Grant, is provided by the Economic Development Initiatives Fund (EDIF) from state lottery proceeds.

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Art, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Gordon Parks Museum, Government, History

Skubitz Plaza Mural Completed

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Ist Kansas Colored Infantry Regiment mural. August,2023.

The local historic depiction of the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry Regiment is completed.

The mural faces the Fort Scott National Historic Site, the place of the mustering of the regiment during the American Civil War.

St. Louis artist Cbabi Bayoc worked on the mural for a week in August with temperatures over 100 degrees.

The new mural was created by Cbabi Bayoc, pictured here in a submitted photo.

“The project took six days to complete,” Bayoc said in an interview. “I started spray painting the sketch on Monday and made final touches on it Saturday afternoon. The only long day was Wednesday which was crucial in getting it done on schedule.”

He worked from afternoon to evening because of the location of the mural on the north side of the building. That week of August 2023 the community experienced over 100 degrees daily.

“The heat was a definite factor,” Bayoc said. “It cut my days shorter than I am used to spending on murals of this scale. Also the rail and the steps made for some interesting body maneuvering to get the soldier on the left and the banner bottom middle done.”

Bayoc describes his work and its meaning.

“I chose the soldier with the flag because black folks always hoped going to battle for the country would gain their rights and respect as citizens,” he said. “The ad (To Arms! To Arms!) was crucial because putting guns in the hands of black soldiers was crucial to the (Civil War/slavery) times and foreshadowed their being the first regiment to see battle. I like the line created by the rifle and what it adds to the design. Their name and regiment number flank the left side and of course, elements from the battalion flag provide the backdrop.”

 Fort Scott left a good impression on the artist from St. Louis.

“The folks we interacted with were warm and inviting,” he said. “My wife and I thought the downtown was gorgeous. We look forward to returning in October.”
The revealing and acknowledging of the mural will be during the annual Gordon Parks Museum Celebration the first weekend in October.
To learn more about that event:
 

The public is invited to join the “Free To Serve” mural unveiling on Friday, October 6 from 4 to 4:30 p.m.

This is in honor and tribute to the regiment’s sacrifice and willingness to serve during the Civil War.
The mural is located at the north downtown building at 9 South Main St, near Skubitz Plaza, facing the Fort.

“We will veil the mural before out-of-town guests arrive for the Gordon Parks celebration for a more grand reveal, but until then the mural is available to be photographed,” Rachel French, coordinator of the project for the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Downtown Division said.

 

The Kansas Department of Commerce Office of Rural Prosperity awarded funding for the project, along with several local benefactors.

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

FSHS Tiger Newsletter

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A message from Pam Hutchison:
Thank you for your support of FSHS! GO TIGERS!

Tiger Cheer!

Front Row, sitting, from left: Ava Johnson; Katlyn Parker; Julia Maloun; Kinley Dillow; Jerri Smith

Middle Row, kneeling, from left: Camrie Hunziker; Sadie Claypool; Emilly Moore; Jaidyn Crumby; Anna Farrington; Molly Claypool

Back Row, from left: Elsa Bishop; Maddi Cook; Jocelyn Fess; Carsen Allen; Mesa Casper; Cadence Hunziker; Emersyn Logue; Gabbi Majors
Varsity Lady Tiger Volleyball!

Front Row, kneeling from left: Eden Haught; Hadlee Tuck; Hadley Forester; Raveyn Kegler; Avery Stewart

Back Row: Head Coach Terra Kegler; Dakota Hazelbaker; Keegan Yarick; Kylee Comstock; Sydney Pruitt; Brylie Shaub; Assistant Coach Kevin Flanner
Junior Varsity Lady Tiger Volleyball!

Front row, kneeling from left: Anna Farrington; Jillian Belcher; Kynlee Hampton; Mallorie Hall; Molly Hoyt; Gracin Pitts; Raylee Cowan

Back row, standing from left: Rhyla Lewis; Jacee Rogers; Makayna Woody; Tuesday Glessner; Kinsey Simons; Aubrey Yarick; Simran Caldwell; Sadie Claypool; JV Coach Selena Alvarado
Tiger Cross Country!

Front Row, seated from left: Jessie Harper; Alyssa Popp; Sofeea Anderson; Jocelyn Fess; Kodi Casper

Middle Row, kneeling from left: Mason Mumbower; Josh Woellhof; Gavin Catalano; Jaxson Schafer; Landon McDaniel

Back Row, standing: Abigail Eastwood, manager; Mesa Casper; Cody Geiger; Ben Davenport; Hunter Harrington; Trevin Worthing; Carsen Allen; Hannah Peck, manager
Lady Tiger Golf!

Front Row, from left: Emma Martin; Riley Findley

Middle, from left: Luci Dunkeson; Lillian Jackson; Alyssa Hunt

Standing in the back: Head Coach Julie Heatherly and Assistant Coach Jon Barnes
Government, Kansas

KS August Tax Collections Are Below Estimate

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August total tax collections at $640.1 million; 3.7% below the estimate

TOPEKA – The State of Kansas closed August with total tax collections at $640.1 million. That is $24.5 million, or 3.7%, below the estimate. Total tax collections are down 1.9% from August 2022.

Individual income tax collections were $299.3 million. That is $25.7 million, or 7.9% below the estimate, and down 2.6% from August 2022. Corporate income tax collections were $25.1 million, or 25.5%, higher than the estimate and up 62.3% from August 2022.

Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $292.4 million, which is $5.6 million, or 1.9%, below the estimate and down $10.5 million, or 3.5%, from August 2022.

Click here to view the August 2023 revenue numbers.

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Government, Kansas

Help For Saving Energy and Lowering Monthly Bills

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KCC approves energy efficiency programs for Evergy customers

 

TOPEKA – In a 2 to 1 vote this morning, the Kansas Corporation Commission approved a settlement agreement pertaining to Evergy’s application for a Demand-Side Management (DSM) Portfolio featuring nine energy efficiency programs aimed at helping customers save energy and lower their monthly bills. Today’s decision is not related to Evergy’s pending rate case, which is a separate docket.

Discussions on the Energy Efficiency program application have been ongoing between Evergy, Commission Staff, and other stakeholders since the application was filed in December 2021. Agreement on the program offerings came relatively quickly. However, determining the best way to measure and fund the programs resulted in differing opinions.  Due to KCC staff concerns regarding potential cost, the Commission was presented with two proposals — a full slate of nine programs including PAYS® or a modified, lower cost option featuring only five programs.

The original nine-program offering was approved today with conditions attached to help ensure accurate performance measurements and fiscal accountability while avoiding duplication of funding available under the Inflation Reduction Act.  The approved settlement agreement is expected to have a total bill impact of less than 1-2% to implement and maintain the energy efficiency programs, while producing lower overall costs for customers in the long run. These costs will not appear on customer bills until mid-2025 at the earliest.

Commissioner Dwight Keen filed a dissenting opinion (included in the docket with today’s order) explaining his preference for a cost effective alternative DSM Energy Efficiency proposal that he believes provides substantial benefits to Evergy ratepayers at a significantly lesser cost, and more directly addresses his concerns regarding a possible duplication of incentives contained in the Federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

Today’s order states:

“The Commission’s view of “just and reasonable rates” and “the public interest” is broader than immediate bill impacts. The Commission must evaluate not just the cost of programs, but also what customers are receiving for that cost. Here, customers are gaining access to programs that allow them to better control their energy usage and their bills. The Commission received very positive feedback from the public that they want access to these types of programs.

“While there is ample evidence that the system as a whole will benefit from the KEEIA portfolio, the Commission is also compelled to provide opportunities for low and fixed income customers to control their bills. In the Commission’s view, programs serving these communities make rates more just and reasonable for all. The continued absence of energy efficiency tools for these communities contributes to less just and reasonable rates.”

The order also references the Kansas Energy Efficiency Investment Act (KEEIA) K.S.A. 66-1183, previously passed by the Kansas Legislature.

“Nearly ten years ago, the Kansas Legislature and Governor set State policy promoting the establishment of cost-effective energy efficiency programs. At that time, it became the policy of this State to help utility customers use energy more efficiently and in a manner that sustains or enhances those customers’ incentives to use energy more efficiently. The intent of this Order is to implement the goals of our State’s highest policymakers and ensure those Kansas residents and businesses with the greatest need to control their bills have options available to do so.”

The nine programs approved today include the following:

1) Whole Home Efficiency Program: Provides rebates, discounts, and on-bill financing for HVAC and building envelope measures in single and multifamily residences. It will also provide no cost energy assessments and discounted energy savings kits.

2) Home Energy Education Program: Helps rural and low-income customers use energy more efficiently through marketing, outreach, and education.

3) Home Demand Response Program: Helps customers reduce their energy use during peak demand periods. It also provides opportunities for customers to receive free thermostats and water heater controllers.

4) Hard-to-Reach Homes Program: Provides enhanced incentives, no-cost home upgrades, and no-cost energy assessments and savings kits for low-income and rural customers.

5) Whole Business Efficiency Program: Provides both variable and fixed incentives to help business customers install efficient equipment and building envelope improvements.

6) Business Energy Education Program: Provides tools, resources, and guidance for businesses interested in saving money on energy. The program focuses on small businesses.

7) Business Demand Response Program: Helps business customers decrease their energy usage during periods of peak demand.

8) Hard-to-Reach Businesses Program: Offers enhanced incentives to small businesses and non-profits.

9) Pilot Incubator Program: Creates a pathway to identify and evaluate new DSM program concepts to meet changing customer needs and integrate evolving technologies.

More details and the timeline for implementation will be shared as the programs are developed.

Today’s order is available here. A recording of today’s Business Meeting featuring comments by Commissioners, is available on the KCC YouTube channel.

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