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Category Archives: Government
Governor Kelly Celebrates Completion of 69Express Project in Overland Park
Governor Kelly Celebrates Completion of 69Express Project in Overland Park
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly was joined by Representative Sharice Davids (KS-03), the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), local leaders, and state and local officials today in Overland Park to cut a ceremonial ribbon marking the opening of Kansas’ first express lanes on the U.S. 69 Express corridor. The project was among the first selected for funding under the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE), a 10-year bipartisan initiative to modernize and expand Kansas’ transportation infrastructure.
KDOT’s $572 million design-build project, known as 69Express, included reconstruction of U.S. 69 in Overland Park, widening the highway with added express lanes – one northbound and one southbound between 103rd and 151st Streets – and interchange improvements at U.S. 69/167th Street.
The express lanes are scheduled to open to traffic on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at 8:00 a.m.
“The launch of Kansas’ first express lanes is a huge win for infrastructure
More than 80,000 vehicles use the 69Express corridor each day, with traffic volume expecting to increase by more than 30% by 2050. The express lanes will allow KDOT to manage congestion using tolls that vary based on traffic levels and time of day to keep express lane trips congestion-free. When drivers choose to pay the toll and move into the express lanes, traffic is then reduced in the non-tolled general-purpose lanes as well.
“This is a big day for our community,” said
Drivers will be able to enter and exit the express lanes at three points along U.S. 69: 103rd Street, Blue Valley Pkwy, and 151st Street. Dynamic messaging signs at these entry points will show the current toll rate to the driver’s destination. The rates shown on the sign are for drivers with two-axle vehicles and a KTAG or compatible transponder. These drivers will pay the lowest toll rate on 69Express – 50% lower than vehicles without a KTAG.
“69Express is the result of successful collaboration
The Kansas Turnpike Authority is KDOT’s tolling partner for 69Express. Drivers are encouraged to visit DriveKS.com, Kansas’ toll payment system, to set up their accounts and order a free KTAG for use on 69Express and all other Kansas toll facilities, as well as on compatible systems in Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, and Florida.
69Express was funded by federal, state, and local sources and completed as part of Kansas’ IKE Program.
Capitol Update Over Coffee Saturday Feb. 28 at KRI
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U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Newsletter
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Legislative Update by Ks State Senator Caryn Tyson
February 13, 2026
School Funding has been a long-standing important issue, and with the current formula set to expire, it will remain a key topic for this session and next. One issue that would be addressed by SB 387 is requiring income verification for the at-risk program that uses free or reduced lunch counts to calculate funding amounts. It addresses concerns raised in a nonpartisan Legislative Post Audit, which found that the free or reduced lunch count is overstating the poverty counts and funding. SB 387 would require income verification, with districts being reimbursed for accurate verification of costs. Parents not willing to answer income verification may not be eligible for reduced costs. Families already verified through programs like SNAP would be eligible without additional verification. The Legislative Post Audit (https://kslegislature.
Victim Protection from convicted felons who committed serious crimes would increase if SB 358 is passed into law. SB 358 would require those felons be held in jail without bond until they are sentenced. The bill passed the Senate unanimously and was sent to the House.
K‑TRACS is Kansas’s prescription‑monitoring database. Under current law, only a narrowly defined group of users may access it, helping protect your prescription information. The Kansas Board of Pharmacy, however, is granted authority to broaden that access through the rules and regulations process. SB 322, introduced at the request of the Joint Committee on Rules and Regulations after hearing proposed expansion by the board, would strip the Board of that authority, keeping K‑TRACS limited to its present user class. The bill sailed through the Senate unanimously and awaits consideration in the House.
Golf Carts could be allowed on city sidewalks if SB 367 would become law and if local governments approve. There was debate about requiring carts only to go to and from a golf course, but it just makes sense to let the locals decide. They may want to allow people to drive a golf cart on a sidewalk to go to the store, church, or elsewhere in town. Current state law prohibits golf carts from being driven on sidewalks. It passed unanimously and was sent to the House.
Director of the Office of Early Childhood, lives in Missouri and has indicated she does not plan to relocate to Kansas while serving in the role. She was confirmed by a narrow vote, 21 to 19. Elected officials are required to reside in the district they represent, but apparently this appointment does not have to live in Kansas. It raises several concerns. This Director will shape policies that impact Kansans, so what happens when a personal, business, or financial conflict arises? Where will her primary allegiance be to Kansas or to her home state of Missouri? To top it off, some senators – who have expressed frustration over the lack of appointments from their regions – nonetheless defended this nomination and voted to confirm a Missouri resident. I voted no.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
Masterson: Senate Will Stand for Truth
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Governor Kelly Vetoes Poorly Drafted Legislation
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Kansas Launches Community Empowerment Program
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FSCC Trustees Meeting Agenda for Feb. 16
FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING
ELLIS FINE ARTS BUILDING
FEBRUARY 16, 2026 – 5:30 P.M.
AGENDA SUMMARY WITH COMMENTARY
1.0 CALL MEETING TO ORDER – CHAIR DOUG ROPP
1.1 Roll Call of Trustees by the Clerk
___Bailey___Brown___Cosens___Hoyt___McKinnis___Ropp
2.0 FLAG SALUTE & INVOCATION
3.0 APPROVAL OF OFFICIAL AGENDA (ACTION)
4.0 APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA (ACTION)
4.1 Minutes
4.2 Financials – Cash Flow Report
4.3 Check Register – $483,321.50
4.4 Payroll – January 15, 2026 – $660,869.98
4.5 Contract Ratification
5.0 COMMUNITY, EMPLOYEE, AND STUDENT RECOGNITION (INFORMATION)
- CDL Program Review
- Recognition: New Coaches
6.0 LEADERSHIP REPORTS & UPDATES (INFORMATION)
6.1 Academics
- Vice President of Academic Affairs – Dr. Larry Guerrero
6.2 Advancement
- Dean of Advancement – Lindsay Hill
- Gordon Parks Museum
6.3 Athletics
- Athletic Director – Dave Wiemers
6.4 Finance
- CFO – Vice President of Finance & Operations – Gina Shelton
- Business Office Update
- Maintenance Update
6.5 Student Services
- Vice President of Student Affairs – Vanessa Poyner
6.6 Administrative Committees
6.7 Presidential Update
- President Dr. Jack Welch
7.0 OLD BUSINESS
7.1 Scholarship Proposals 2026-2027 (ACTION)
7.2 State of the College address will be:
- May 21st at 12 pm in the Ellis Fine Arts building (INFORMATION)
7.3 Board Selection of Honorary Associate Degree (ACTION)
8.0 NEW BUSINESS
8.1 Acceptance of Deed of Land for FRAME Grant (ACTION)
8.2 RFP – FRAME Grant – Contractor RFP (INFORMATION)
9.0 PUBLIC FORUM
FSCC Trustee Board Special Meeting: Feb. 13 at Noon
FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES SPECIAL MEETING – BOARD WORKSHOP
ELLIS FINE ARTS BUILDING
FEBRUARY 13, 2026 – 12:00 P.M.
PUBLIC AGENDA
1.0 CALL MEETING TO ORDER – CHAIR DOUG ROPP
1.1 Roll Call of Trustees by the Clerk
___Bailey___Brown___Cosens___Hoyt___McKinnis___Ropp
2.0 FLAG SALUTE & INVOCATION
3.0 LEADERSHIP REPORTS & UPDATES (INFORMATION)
3.1 Academics
- Vice President of Academic Affairs – Dr. Larry Guerrero
3.2 Advancement
- Dean of Advancement – Lindsay Hill
- Gordon Parks Museum Update
3.3 Athletics
- Athletic Director – Dave Wiemers
- Athletic Update
3.4 Finance
- CFO – Vice President of Finance & Operations – Gina Shelton
3.5 Student Services
- Vice President of Student Affairs – Vanessa Poyner
3.6 Administrative Committees
3.7 Presidential Update
- President Dr. Jack Welch
4.0 REVIEW FEBRUARY 16, 2026, AGENDA ITEMS (INFORMATION)
4.1 CONSENT AGENDA
- Minutes
- Financials – Cash Flow Report
- Check Register – $483,321.50
- Payroll – January 15, 2026 – $660,869.98
- Contract Ratification
4.2 COMMUNITY, EMPLOYEE, AND STUDENT RECOGNITION REVIEW
- CDL Program Review
- Recognition of New Coaches
4.3 OLD BUSINESS
- Scholarship Proposals 2026-2027
- State of the College address will be:
- May 21st at 12 pm in the Ellis Fine Arts building
- Board Selection of Honorary Associate Degree
4.4 NEW BUSINESS
- Acceptance of Deed of Land for FRAME Grant
- FRAME Grant – Contractor RFP Approval
4.5 PUBLIC FORUM
4.6 OTHER BUSINESS – EMPLOYMENT OF NON-ELECTED PERSONNEL MATTERS
4.7 BOARD COMMENTS
5.0 ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION – PERSONNEL MATTERS (ACTION)
6.0 EXIT EXECUTIVE SESSION – RETURN TO OPEN SESSION (INFORMATION)
7.0 BOARD MEMBER TRAINING – GOAL SETTING (INFORMATION)
8.0 ACCREDITATION COMMITTEE (INFORMATION)
9.0 ADJOURN (INFORMATION
Startups and Entrepreneurs Accelerate Kansas Innovations: March 10 Event
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Minutes of the USD234 Board of Education Meeting on Feb. 9
Unified School District 234 424 South Main
Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697
www.usd234.org
620-223-0800 Fax 620-223-2760
DESTRY BROWN
Superintendent
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
NEWS RELEASE
Monday, February 9, 2026
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, February 9, 2026, for
their regular monthly meeting at 900 E 3rd St.
President David Stewart opened the meeting.
The board approved the official agenda, and the consent agenda as follows:
Board Minutes
01-12-26
Financials – Cash Flow Report
Check Register
Payroll – January 20, 2026 – $1,801,674.26
Activity Funds Accounts
USD 234 Gifts
Key Club Fundraising Form
Students from Eugene Ware presented to the Board. Working with Mrs. Keating the students cover
announcements and help make the parent weekly newsletter. They have been able to participate in
leadership training at Greenbush and do several fun fundraisers during this school year. Mrs.
Query, Eugene Ware’s Principal, had a presentation that highlighted a few amazing things
happening in the building. She ended explaining how staff morale has been great thanks to
Secretaries Jessica Johnson and Kenda Schmidt and their entertaining projects that include
everyone.
Superintendent Destry Brown informed the Board on great things happening at Tiger Academy and
has appreciated all the support that they have been given.
Assistant Superintendent Terry Mayfield provided a shared document. Mr. Mayfield reviewed
budget projections and insurance renewals. He also updated on Preschool Building project with
the playground being installed soon.
Assistant Superintendent Zach Johnson updated the Board on winter iReady scores showing
positive growth throughout the district. Later this week a few staff will be traveling to PSU to
participate in Teacher Interviews with graduation students.
Special Education Director Tonya Barnes shared an update on reports that are coming due soon.
She also invited all to Special Olympics Basketball at Fort Scott High School on February 18.
The Board approved the following:
● Resolution 25-16 Healthy Kansas Farm to School Program
The Board received an informational overview of Fort Scott USD 234’s five-year long-range
financial outlook for FY25–FY30. This review examines enrollment trends, revenue assumptions,
and projected expenditure growth to provide a forward-looking view of the district’s financial
trajectory. No board action was requested.
The Board went into an executive session for property acquisition.
There were none present for public forum.
The Board went into an executive session for attorney-client privilege.
The Board went into an executive session for personnel matters.
President David Stewart adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED
February 9, 2026
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
Barr, Lynn – Supplemental Resignation – Head Girls/Boys Tennis Coach – High School
Campbell, Erin – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
Hudiburg, Kenny – Supplemental Resignation – Assistant Girls Tennis Coach
Rogers, Jamie – Supplemental Resignation – Girls Basketball Coach – Middle School
Leave of Absence:
Barrager, Terry – Custodian – Eugene Ware
TRANSFER:
Clayton, Emily – Paraprofessional to OT Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
Durossette, Jake – Business Teacher to Math Teacher – High School – 2026-27
Weber, Betty – Paraprofessional – KRI to Winfield Scott
EMPLOYMENT:
Certified Recommendations for 2026-27 School year:
Hendricks, Caleb – Assistant Principal – Winfield Scott
Martin, Jared – Athletic Director – High School
Classified Recommendations for 2025-26 School year:
Carson, Jessica – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
Cooper, Tyler – Custodian – Middle School
Davenport, Sam – Paraprofessional – Middle School
Hodges, Julius – Paraprofessional – KRI
Ruggero, Frankie – Custodian – Middle School
Supplemental Recommendations for the 2025-26 school year:
Carney, Drew – Supplemental – Assistant Track Coach – High School
Chipman, Karlie – Supplemental – Assistant Boys Golf Coach – High School
Sponsor Recommendations for the 2025-26 school year:
Cook, Gary – Head Sponsor – Archery
Whitehead, Trisha – Assistant Sponsor – Archery