The Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees will meet for a work/planning session at 4 p.m. on March 21. This is the day of the regular monthly meeting, so the work/planning session will take place prior to the meeting. The session is open to the public, but no official business will be conducted during this time.
Submitted by Juley McDaniel
Director of Human Resources
Fort Scott Community College
Sen. Moran Applauds Passage of Postal Reform Legislation
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today applauded the passage of H.R. 3076, the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 to help improve and sustain the United States Postal Service (USPS).
“Throughout my time representing Kansans in Washington, D.C., I have advocated for the preservation of rural post offices and sensible reforms that ensure the Postal Service’s stability,” said Sen. Moran. “When a post office closes, it creates problems for businesses and the community and can cause significant harm to the local economy. For rural Kansans and older residents, the Postal Service is the glue that keeps them connected to the rest of the country. The Postal Service is an indispensable piece of infrastructure that can reach nearly every address in America, and I am pleased we are one step closer to getting this critical reform across the finish line.”
Sen. Moran has been a long-time supporter of preserving and reforming the USPS. This legislation included several provisions from Sen. Moran’s legislation the Postal Service Reform Act of 2018.
Click HERE or Below for Sen. Moran’s Full Remarks
Sen. Moran’s Provisions Included in H.R. 3076, the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022:
Sen. Moran’s Work on Postal Reform:
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WASHINGTON, March 8, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will host the first public meeting of the inaugural Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production on March 23-24, 2022. The public – including urban producers– is encouraged to attend.
“I look forward to working with this new urban agriculture federal advisory committee,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The committee’s valuable insights and expertise will provide critical guidance to help us better serve urban agricultural producers, strengthen local food systems, and increase equity and access to healthy, local food.”
The new federal advisory committee is part of USDA’s efforts to support urban agriculture, creating a network for feedback. Members were announced last month, and include agricultural producers, and representatives from the areas of higher education or extension programs, non-profits, business and economic development, supply chains and financing.
About the Meeting
USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production is coordinating the meeting, which runs from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET on March 23 and 24, 2022. To attend, register by March 18, 2022.
At the meeting, committee members will discuss administrative matters and consult on the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Urban, Indoor and Emerging Agriculture grants.
Members of the public who wish to submit comments or questions related to urban agriculture may submit them via www.regulations.gov.
Comments must be submitted by March 18, 2022.
For special accommodations, please contact Leslie Glover at (602) 395-9536 or [email protected].
Additional details are available in the March 8, 2022 Federal Register notice and online at farmers.gov/urban or on the committee’s webpage.
USDA and Urban Agriculture
The Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production is part of a broad USDA investment in urban agriculture. Other efforts include:
The Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production was established through the 2018 Farm Bill. It is led by NRCS and works in partnership with numerous USDA agencies that support urban agriculture. Its mission is to encourage and promote urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural practices, including community composting and food waste reduction.
More information is available at farmers.gov/urban and the new Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production website at www.usda.gov/partnerships/advisory-committee-urban-ag-innovative-production.
Additional resources that may be of interest to urban agriculture entities include grants from USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture as well as FSA loans.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
March 04, 2022
The 2022 legislative session is quickly coming to a close. Last week was turnaround, considered the halfway point of session. However, it is not the same amount of time to complete the “second half” of session. The first half is about 1.5 months, while the second half is less than 4 week. We have about two weeks for committee meetings and then a few full days on the floor to work bills.
There are still some major issues to tackle – redistricting maps, a budget, election security, health freedom, and hopefully tax cuts, including sales tax on food. With so many important issues to be finished, the next few weeks will be extremely busy.
There were a few bills debated on the floor, but no final action was taken during the week.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that applications are currently being accepted for the Community Service Tax Credit Program (CSP). CSP provides an opportunity for private, non-profit organizations and public health care entities to improve their ability to undertake major capital campaigns for projects involving children and family services, non-governmental crime prevention, youth apprenticeship and youth technical training and health care.
“The Community Service Tax Credit program is an incredible opportunity for nonprofit organizations to create lasting, meaningful changes for people across Kansas,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “These tax credits will foster local solutions to local challenges, and they will help improve the quality of life for Kansans now and into the future.”
Under this program, the state authorizes nonprofit organizations to offer tax credits to donors making contributions towards approved projects. Proposed projects should be unique or one-time in nature and create a lasting value for charitable organizations. For example, projects might include a capital campaign, major equipment purchase, major renovation, capacity building, etc.
Since 2019, CSP has earmarked $1 million for childcare and early childhood development projects for services to those under the age of 5.
“These tax credits help local nonprofit and healthcare organizations streamline their fundraising efforts, to more effectively improve the health and economic wellbeing of Kansas communities,” Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “We’re asking Kansans to tell us about their initiatives, and if they are a good fit for the CSP program, we will provide a significant resource to help bring these projects to fruition across Kansas.”
Applicants may request up to $200,000 in tax credits. Applicant organizations in rural areas (less than 15,000 population) are eligible for a 70 percent credit. Applicant organizations in non-rural areas are eligible for a 50 percent credit. The application window is open through April 30, 2022 at kansascommerce.gov/csp.
CSP is administered by the Community Development Division of the Department of Commerce. More information on the program, guidelines, and application process may be found online here.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas in 2021 was awarded Site Selection Magazine’s Governor’s Cup award, Area Development Magazine’s Gold Shovel award and was named Site Selection Magazine’s Best Business Climate in the West North Central region of the United States. Find the Department’s strategic plan for economic growth here: Kansas Framework for Growth.
Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site
June 3-18, 2022
TOPEKA— The Kansas Historical Society and the Kansas Anthropological Association announced that registration is now open for the Kansas Archeology Training Program (KATP), which will be held at Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site, in Topeka, June 3-18, 2022. The public can register online through kshs.org through May 31, 2022. Participation is limited per day and will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
The annual field school will partner with the park and the National Park Service’s Midwest Archeological Center (MWAC). The park includes the Monroe Elementary School and commemorates the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to end the nation’s legal segregation. This landmark victory for civil rights in America helped inspire the American Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s. Monroe Elementary School was built in 1927; the previous Monroe School was built in 1874. Both were intended as segregated schools for Black children, which provide a broader historical context to the location prior to the 1954 court decision.
The goal of this year’s field school is to expand knowledge of the school property from the early years when it was purchased by John Ritchie in 1855 and later when the current Monroe Elementary School was built. This will be an opportunity to explore structures buried on the property that once stood near the earlier Monroe School. Little is known regarding the preservation of these structures. Through archeology better understanding can be gained about those who lived in the school neighborhood. This project will help tell of the crucial time between the Civil War and the Civil Rights era, which profoundly impacted people’s lives throughout the nation. Research goals will be shaped by input from the National Park Service to assist in telling this story and gaining more understanding about the surrounding community.
The annual field school is an opportunity for the public to work alongside professional and avocational archeologists in finding and excavating archeological sites and processing the resulting artifacts. This year’s artifacts found at the site will be processed in the Kansas Historical Society’s archeology laboratory. No experience is necessary—just a desire to learn. Volunteers can attend a few days or the entire field school. Participants must be at least 12 years old, and children aged 12-17 must be accompanied by a parent or sponsor.
The registration fee for members of the Kansas Historical Society and the Kansas Anthropological Association is $35 for standard participants, $25 for participants 65 or older, and $15 for all students currently enrolled at a middle school, high school, or college. For individuals that are not members of either organization, the fee is $90.
A full schedule of evening programs will be held in Topeka; a tentative schedule will be posted online. Admission to the programs is free and open to the public. Please note, the field school is closed on Mondays (June 6 and June 13), which is a great opportunity for participants to explore the area. There is potential for other scheduled programming on these days.
For more information contact Nikki Klarmann, [email protected]; 785-272-8681, ext. 266; kshs.org/katp.
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Sens. Moran, Marshall Call for Vladimir Putin to Be Held Accountable for War Crimes
WASHINGTON – Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall, M.D. joined Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and 16 of their Senate colleagues in introducing a Senate resolution calling for Vladimir Putin and members of his regime to be held accountable for the numerous acts of war, aggression and human rights abuses that have been conducted under his command.
“The appalling attacks on civilians in Ukraine are the latest in a long line of Vladimir Putin’s unjustifiable orders,” said Sen. Moran. “From indiscriminate bombings in Chechnya and Syria to targeted assassinations in London and Berlin, Vladimir Putin and those who obey his commands are not just thugs, they are war criminals. The United States and international community should hold them accountable.”
“Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has caused widespread destruction and substantial loss of life,” said Sen. Marshall. “The United States must stand with the people of Ukraine and hold Vladimir Putin accountable for his war crimes against innocent civilians.”
The Senate resolution:
The resolution is also cosponsored by Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Angus King (I-Maine), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).
Full text of the resolution can be found HERE.
There will be a meeting of the Fort Scott Land Bank held on Wednesday, March 9th, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. in the City Commission Meeting Room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting is open to the public.
This meeting will be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: March 8, 2022
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District-Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Ashley Shelton
MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM
Call to Order
• Flag Salute
• Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
• Eric Bailey – Road and Bridge Report
• 2022 Noxious Weed Management Plan
• 2022 Annual Noxious Weed Eradication Progress Report
• Mowing & Snow Removal Bids
• Discussion of Liquor Sales in the County
• Lora Holdridge – Discussion of 17 County Meeting (Date to be determined)
• County Counselor Comment
• Susan Bancroft, Finance Director Comment
• Public Comment
• Elected Officials Comment
• Commission Comment
Justifications for Executive Session: KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy KSA 75-4319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship KSA 75-4319(b)(3) To discuss matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency KSA 75-4319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships KSA 75-4319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property KSA 75-4319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas has begun the renovation of the old Price Chopper store at 2322 S. Main, which will be fully operational by December 31, 2022.
“We have completed the interior design of our new clinic in the Price Chopper building and renovation started,” CHC/SEK Cheif Executive Officer Krista Postai, said.
Postai sent a graphic on the reconfigured building and explained the color designations.
In the above graphic the entrance is shaded pink, with the CHC Walk-In Care area in the space where the Price Chopper Donut Shop was, she said. Walk-In Care has its own entrance and waiting area.
Behind the walk-in area is the Wellness Center, which will have offices for staff including a chiropractor.
“That space will also have a shower,” Postai said. “Walk-In staff will also be able to exit the building for drive-in testing and vaccinations with dedicated parking for this purpose, should it still be needed in the future.”
“The main entrance will remain where it currently is with a spacious waiting area with a receptionist and check-in area,” Postai said. “The lab (blue shaded area on the graphic) is immediately inside next to the entrance for those coming in just for lab work.”
“The yellow space will be dedicated to the imaging ( department), including our new 64-slice CT Scanner, 3-D mammography, ultrasound and x-ray,” Postai said. “Our bone density unit will also be housed here. Centrally located it will be easily accessible from Walk-In Care, as well as the main medical clinic, which is the lighter purple shaded area in the graphic. This portion is laid out in pods with exam rooms plus a nursing station for each. There is space for current staff, plus extra pods have been created for the recruitment of additional medical providers.”
The pharmacy (at the bottom) – will have a large space for over-the-counter items and a drive-through. It will be accessible from the lobby and from an exterior entrance.
“The green area off the lobby will be dedicated to behavioral health services and the blue area behind that for telemedicine/specialty services.”
“To the far right (in light blue) is the back of the building which includes the staff entrance, break room, administrative offices, conference and classrooms, which will be available to Fort Scott Community College Nursing Students, and storage space,” she said.
“While this is our design, it may be modified as we go if we encounter something unexpected which almost always happens during renovation,” Postai said.
The renovation of the building is still on schedule and is expected to be fully operational by December 31, 2022, she said.
“The estimated cost of the project is $8 million, including the building, which CHC/SEK is funding itself,” Postai said. “A portion of the equipment has been purchased with American Rescue Act funds which CHC/SEK received in 2021. This is the single largest investment in our history which we feel is critical to adequately handle the needs of our Bourbon County patients.”
The new clinic will be in the former Price Chopper building that left the building empty after a year’s business in Fort Scott failed to produce the income needed to sustain it.
FORT SCOTT PRICE CHOPPER TO CLOSE DOORS
On Feb. 23 there were several work crews inside the building at 2322 S. Main.
Jason Nutter, president of Nutter Electric, one of the crews, said his workers were “doing some demo work. Some electric stuff is being disconnected in preparation for walls being built.”
He said his crew will be there for approximately two weeks.
Others working simultaneously are framers, plumber and heating/ventilation/airconditioning crews, he said.
All together Nutter estimated about 16 people were working inside the building that day.
Wound Care Clinic Will Open In March
“The Wound Care Clinic is opening later this month in Ft. Scott,” Postai said. “We are pleased we could bring this service back.”
About CHC/SEK Fort Scott
CHC/SEK Fort Scott provides healthcare to anyone, regardless of their insurance or financial circumstance, according to information received from CHC.
In 2021 they had 71,000 patient visits in their Fort Scott clinics, have provided 1,400 mammograms, filled 57,700 prescriptions, given 8,769 COVID-19 tests and 7,972 COVID-19 vaccines.
They are investing $8 million dollars to create a modern clinic for everyone in Fort Scott.
More than 100 people are employed who live and work in Bourbon County, and have invested $6.3 million in the community in 2021.
