The City of Fort Scott is pleased to announce a new Dollar Tree store will be opening in late summer of 2020.
Dollar Tree will be conveniently located on the Highway 69 Corridor with ground breaking expected in the first quarter.
The City is actively working to increase sales tax revenue in 2020 and expects additional opportunities to be announced in January.
Governor’s Council on Education presents policy recommendations to Governor Kelly
The sixth and final meeting of the year for the Governor’s Council on Education concluded this afternoon, with a set of recommendations focused on greater collaboration between businesses, workforce training programs and educators, along with enhanced access to a high-quality education for Kansans of all ages.
The bipartisan group of stakeholders in the education, child welfare, labor, advocacy and the business communities have been working to develop plans to improve Kansas education outcomes from early childhood through postsecondary attainment; enhance workforce development; and stimulate economic growth in Kansas.
“Quality education is vital to the success and well-being of Kansans, and essential to the economy in creating a highly trained workforce,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The policy recommendations are an important step toward development of a more effective relationship between educational institutions and businesses. I’m grateful for the work that has been done by this Council over the past months.”
During the meeting, the Early Childhood Team at the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) delivered its recommendations to the Council. Following evaluation and deliberation, the Council made its recommendations to the Governor:
Final meeting for the Governor’s Council on Medicaid Expansion concludes
The final meeting for the Governor’s Council on Medicaid Expansion concluded this afternoon. The group studied Medicaid expansion strategies from the 36 other states that have already expanded to determine the best version for Kansas. The Council is composed of a bipartisan group of legislators, policy experts, advocates and stakeholders.
Today the Council participated in discussion regarding potential guideposts or goals for responsible, sustainable expansion in Kansas for the Legislature to consider in the upcoming session. The Council’s guideposts will supplement the legislative work that is already underway.
“I appreciate the Council’s thorough study of other states’ Medicaid expansion practices and its commitment to engaging in a thoughtful, bipartisan discussion this fall,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Today’s discussion reflects my vision for a form of Medicaid expansion that works for Kansas.”
During today’s discussion, there was widespread agreement among Council members that Medicaid expansion is necessary for Kansas. Members also agreed that the months-long study of other states’ expansion practices – covering topics from coverage to efficiency – offered valuable insight as to the best model for Kansas as a final plan takes shape.
Official guideposts or goals will be outlined in the Council’s final report, which will be submitted to Governor Kelly in early January.
For more on Governor Kelly’s executive order establishing the Council, its membership and presentation materials:
https://governor.kansas.gov/council-on-medicaid-expansion/
| MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Kansas Department of Agriculture and K-State Research and Extension will host six regional workshops in February 2020 to assist farmers’ market vendors and managers. Kansas farmers’ markets not only provide a fresh food source, but also stimulate the local economy. In 2019, 57 farmers’ markets were registered with KDA’s Central Registration of Farmers’ Markets.
“Farmers’ markets provide growers a wonderful opportunity to have real interaction with consumers, and a chance to tell their farm’s story,” said Londa Nwadike, consumer food safety specialist with K-State Research and Extension and the University of Missouri. “It’s also important for farmers to understand certain legal, safety and financial parameters before choosing to sell at a farmers’ market.”
Workshop topics will vary slightly by location. Main topics include:
KDA’s weights and measures program will also offer free scale certification at the workshops for attendees.
Dates and locations for the Farmers’ Market events are as follows: Saturday, Feb. 1 — Iola: Allen Community College Saturday, Feb. 8 — Wichita: Sedgwick County Extension Office Friday, Feb. 21 — Olathe: KSU Olathe Saturday, Feb. 22 — Hiawatha: Fisher Center Friday, Feb. 28 — Beloit: Beloit First Christian Church Saturday, Feb. 29 — Leoti: Wichita County Community Building
Registration for the February workshops is now open. The cost is $20 per participant to cover the cost of lunch. Lunch will only be guaranteed to those participants who register prior to the respective workshop date. Registration for the workshops can be found at FromtheLandofKansas.com/FMworkshop or at local extension offices. Onsite registration for the workshops will open at 8:30 a.m. and the workshops will begin at 9:00 a.m. and conclude by 3:00 p.m. The Wichita workshop will begin onsite registration at 8:15 a.m. and the workshop begins at 8:45 a.m., concluding at 4:30 p.m. For more information, contact Robin Blume, KDA’s education and events coordinator, at 785-564-6756 or [email protected]. The workshops are funded by the Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Crops, the Kansas Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, and the Kansas Department of Agriculture.
KDA is committed to providing an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth of the agriculture industry and the Kansas economy. The Kansas Ag Growth Strategy has identified training for small companies via workshops as a key growth outcome for the specialty crop sector. The farmers’ market workshops will provide education through partnerships to help make Kansas farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses more successful.
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The Golf Course Advisory Board will meet on Thursday, December 12th, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Woodland Hills Golf Course, 2414 S. Horton. The meeting will take place in the clubhouse. This meeting is open to the public.
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met on Monday, December 9, 2019, at the
Board of Education office for their regular monthly meeting.
President David Stewart opened the meeting. The board approved the official agenda.
The board also approved the consent agenda as follows:
A. Minutes
B. Bills and Claims
C. Payroll – November 20, 2019 – $1,415,992.14
D. Financial Report
E. Bond Proceeds Reconciliation
F. Activity Fund Accounts
There were comments from three patrons in the public forum section.
Stephanie George, KNEA President, presented a report to the board. In addition,
administrators from each building shared information with board members.
Superintendent Ted Hessong reported on the Early Childhood Roadshow in Pittsburg,
Martin Luther King Day Committee, the district website, legislative update, and the service of
board members who were leaving the board.
Gina Shelton, Business Manager, gave an update on roof projects, open enrollment, and
the substitute software program.
Board members reconsidered and approved the purchase of high school gym bleachers
due to bid changes. In addition, the board approved the following:
o Roof payment to JB Turner and Sons Roofing
o Benchmark payment
o High School gym equipment bids
o Workers Compensation insurance renewal o Resolution 19-07 – Bank Account Signers
r Cooperative agreement for high school girls to participate with the Parsons High School
girls’ swim team for the 2019-20 spring season
The board tabled action on reorganization of health insurance language.
Mr. Hessong recognized the following retiring board members: Janet Braun, Jordan
Witt, and Michelle Hudiburg and thanked them for their years of service to the school district.
Board members shared comments and then went into executive session to discuss
personnel matters for nonelected personnel and returned to open meeting. The board then went
into executive session to discuss matters relating to employer-employee negotiations. The board
returned to open meeting and approved the following employment items:
A. Resignation of Ashley Rodriguez, high school teacher aide (ISS), effective November
26,20t9
B . Leave of absence request from Vicki Kruger, middle school paraprofessional
C. Compensation for Michelle Brittain, Nicole Pellett, Patty Giltner, and Lisa Chaplin
for planning time lost due to a redesign in the middle school schedule
D. Addition of a high school wrestling coach position for the 2019-20 school year
E. Employment of Eugene Ware team leaders for the 2019-20 school year
F. Employment of Winfield Scott team leaders for the 2019-20 school year
G. Resignation of Nicki Traul, Assistant Superintendent, effective December 31, 2019
The board adjourned.
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: December 10, 2019
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
9:00-9:45 – Jim Harris
10:00-10:15 – Vivian Moore/Enid Large – 35% increase in taxes
11:00-11:45 – Justin Meeks
Last week the City of Fort Scott announced a city-wide infrastructure project to look at energy savings, growth in facilities, building, parks, and downtown redevelopment, through a multi-national company called Schneider Electric.
FortScott.Biz contacted the company to get a clearer view of the project.
“Schneider Electric’s team of engineers and construction experts audited every facility, park, and infrastructure owned or operated by the City of Fort Scott, “Brian Puffer, Regional Marketing Manager of
Energy and Sustainability Services for Schneider Electric said.
Puffer’s office is in Franklin, TN but the headquarters are located near Paris, France.
Reducing energy consumption and future operation and capital burdens
“The goal was to identify opportunities to help reduce energy, operational and future capital burdens facing the city,” he said. “Our team worked with city administration to focus the scope of the project on those items that create the biggest impact and will be funded through the reduction of energy and operational expenses.”
The following facilities will be impacted:
“Our team creates detailed energy models based on the current equipment and operational parameters of each facility,” Puffer said. “This allows us to determine what changes and impact a specific scope item (lights, HVAC, envelope, etc.) will have across a specific building or the entire city as a whole.”
Creating New Revenue
“The goal is to take what was generally viewed as an expense in energy and maintenance costs and redirect those dollars into capital investments,” he said. “So, when referring to a new revenue stream, we are really tapping into what is lost to a utility from an operational expense and reinvesting those dollars into a capital need.”
For the original Schneider Electric press release, click below:
City-Wide Infrastructure Project Begins
KansasAgStress.org offers resources and support for Kansas agriculture community
| MANHATTAN, Kan. — Agriculture producers have faced significant challenges in recent years, including market uncertainties, natural disasters, ongoing trade wars and other setbacks. These stressful situations have led to heightened focus on mental health issues in the agricultural community. In response, the Kansas Department of Agriculture, along with several Kansas ag partners, have unveiled a new website to provide resources and support to those dealing with ag-related stress. The website can be found at KansasAgStress.org.
“The increase in suicide rates among farmers and ranchers is alarming,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “We must do everything in our power to curb this trend. The website provides additional resources and support to individuals and their loved ones. We must provide our farmers and ranchers alternatives to suicide. We must be there for them.”
The new website addresses the challenges that Kansas farmers, ranchers and their families face in today’s ag industry. Recent natural disasters, depressed commodity prices and other issues weigh heavily on farm families and can take a toll that leads to mental and emotional distress, substance abuse, anxiety, depression and even suicide. Visitors to the website will be able to find local and national resources for those issues, as well as support in areas ranging from stress management to financial and legal challenges.
“This website is intended to be a collaborative effort to support the emotional and financial health challenges for Kansans, especially those involved in agriculture,” Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam said. “Many people were involved in the development of the website. Our hope is that it will be a positive resource for people struggling during difficult times.”
KansasAgStress.org features resources and support for every member of the family, from teens to aging adults. Unique resources are also available to assist our farmer veterans, who face the issues that come with farming, along with the possible challenges of being a military veteran.
“The purpose of this website is to help care for and assist Kansas farmers and ranchers in their well-being,” Beam said. “As more tools are developed and come available, this website will be updated and serve as a hub of current information and resources.”
The Kansas Department of Agriculture and the State of Kansas is committed to serving Kansas farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses and the customers they serve. Together with our partners, we have made it a priority to provide support and assistance to Kansans battling ag-related stress and mental health struggles.
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Our history is a part of our culture.
And one of the gems of Fort Scott is the national historic site at the end of Main Street that tells of the beginning of the city as an army outpost.
This weekend the 38th Fort Scott National Historic Site’s Candlelight Tour will help participants understand the life of military life in the 1840s.
Tours start at dusk Friday and Saturday night Dec. 6 and 7 and last approximately 45 minutes. Tickets must be purchased prior to the tour.
Call the Fort at 620-223-0310 (with a major credit card) or stop by the Visitor Center on Old Fort Blvd.
Participants are advised to please dress for the weather and the terrain, as they will be outside and on sidewalks.
“It’s a way to share and celebrate the holiday with the community,” Carl Brenner, Cheif of Interpretation and Resource Management said.
“The public (tour-goers) will be a dragoon soldier and get an enlistment card, each will be a different soldier,” Brenner told the weekly Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee attendees Thursday morning.
“The persona of each soldier will be giving tours of each scene,” he said.
There are six different scenes.
Approximately 100 volunteers help with the annual Candlelight Tour, Brenner said.
Every year the tour is different.
“We want people to learn and have new experiences telling different stories,” Brenner said.
The Fort Scott High School Drama Department will be a part of the storytelling.
“They do such a great job, we wanted to get them involved,” he said. “They will be showing a scene of what payday was like (for a dragoon.)”
Fort Scott High School Drama Teacher Angie Bin’s advanced theatre students, in their third or fourth year of taking drama class, were given guidelines and information from the FSNHS to guide them in writing a scene that takes place in the 1840s on a payday.
“I had two classes that each wrote a script and then Barak Geertsen, at the fort, consolidated the two scripts into one final draft. We have five students who are acting in that scene. We also have a student acting as a sergeant in another scene.”
Many other students will act as tour followers during the tour, she said.
Most of the tours are filled so an 8:30 p.m. tour was added.
The cost of the tour is $8 for those 6 years of age and up.
“We are asking that people show up 10 minutes early to find a parking spot and make their way to the visitors center, Brenner said.
The Friends of FSNHS will provide refreshments at the end of the tour, one of their many supportive rolls for the fort.
Governor Laura Kelly joined a bipartisan group of governors in sending a letter to President Donald Trump to express her willingness to continue allowing refugees into Kansas communities.
The correspondence came in response to President Trump’s Executive Order 13888, “On Enhancing State and Local Involvement in Refugee Resettlement.” The order directs the federal government to resettle refugees only in jurisdictions in which both the state and local governments have consented to receive them.
“Kansas has a long and proud history of welcoming the world’s refugees into our state,” Kelly said. “As Governor of Kansas, I not only consent to the initial refugee resettlement in Kansas as per the terms of the Executive Order, I also welcome them into our state.”
Kelly said that her administration is committed to working with President Trump’s administration to ensure that refugees are properly vetted and arrive in Kansas in a safe, orderly manner.
“Kansans are among the most welcoming, openhearted people in the nation,” Kelly said in the letter. “I know they’ll continue to accept these peaceful refugees into their communities, just as so many other states have done.”
Communities in Kansas already have, or are preparing to issue similar letters of support for refugees to be resettled locally.
A full copy of Governor Kelly’s letter to President Trump is attached.
Working with global energy leader, Schneider Electric, improvements will help the city sustain growth and economic development.
Fort Scott is excited to announce a city-wide infrastructure project with Schneider Electric, that will drive economic development and enhance city buildings. Through this project, Schneider Electric has helped identify energy savings measures and growth within the city’s wastewater and water treatment facilities, buildings, parks and downtown redevelopment that will exceed $52,000 a year for the next 20 years. With a goal of anticipating and mitigating future needs, this strategic initiative also plans to reduce annual operating and maintenance costs by an additional $25,000 and create new revenue streams through improved city services and infrastructure. Over the next 20 years, The city of Fort Scott can expect at least $2.1 million in savings, which will completely offset the cost of the $1.5 million project.
By adopting new technology and replacing existing equipment, Fort Scott will be providing enhanced city services and upgraded facilities through an innovative design-build construction model. The impact of reinvesting energy and operational dollars back into capital needs of the city, provides an opportunity to leverage current capital dollars in other areas of need. Additionally, the targeted improvements in this initial phase will greatly improve the overall environments for city staff and visitors to the City of Fort Scott’s municipal facilities.
For more information on Schneider Electric, please visit www.enable.schneider-electric.com.
About Schneider Electric
At Schneider, we believe access to energy and digital is a basic human right. We empower all to do more with less, ensuring Life Is On everywhere, for everyone, at every moment. We provide energy and automation digital solutions for efficiency and sustainability. We combine world-leading energy technologies, real-time automation, software and services into integrated solutions for Homes, Buildings, Data Centers, Infrastructure and Industries. We are committed to unleash the infinite possibilities of an open, global, innovative community that is passionate with our Meaningful Purpose, Inclusive and Empowered values. www.se.com
