Category Archives: Government

Government, Kansas

Mobile Driver’s License Renewals Launch

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Governor Colyer highlights the successful launch of KanLicense, mobile driver’s license renewals

 

TOPEKA—Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. on Wednesday congratulated the Department of Revenue and its partners on the extraordinarily smooth rollout of two new interfaces to serve Kansas driver’s license and ID holders.

 

Kansas is now the first and only state in the country to offer driver’s license renewals through a mobile application. Mobile renewals join other already existing services like vehicle registration renewal and vital statistics on the iKan application available for iOS and Android.

 

“My vision for Kansas is to make as many services accessible through phones and computers and this is a huge addition. Most everyone has to renew their license and now many of them can do it without ever stepping foot in an office,” Governor Colyer said. “Congratulations to KDOR and its partner PayIt on getting this fantastic service out the door and ready for use.”

 

The availability of mobile renewals was made possible by the launch of a different system, KanLicense, the new secure interface used by driver’s license examiners to issue licenses and IDs.

 

“This launch was incredibly smooth with minimal interruption to service for Kansans,” Governor Colyer said. “The modernized system now in place empowers faster customer service, plus ease of use for examiners—two critically important factors for a better experience for Kansas drivers at the office.”

 

Web access to iKan services like mobile renewal, vehicle registration and more is at ikan.ks.gov.

 

This week, the hours of operation for most driver’s license offices statewide changed to 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday, which brings the addition of a full day of service every week.

Airport, Fort Scott, Government

Seth Simpson Hired As New Airport Manager

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Seth Simpson, Fort Scott City Airport Manager, as of Dec. 2018.

Seth Simpson has been hired as the Fort Scott Airport Airfield Operation Flight Manager.

His hiring was announced at the airport Monday afternoon.

The Fort Scott Airport entrance at 187th and Indian Road.

A 2002 Fort Scott graduate, Simpson, 35, has worked at Elgin Air Force Base, Florida for six years as an Air Force Air Traffic Controller.

He then entered the Air National Guard and served in Stillwell, OK; Manhattan, KS; Montgomery, AL; Biloxi, MS, and most recently St. Joe, MO.

Simpson is married to the former Amy Cozens and his parents are Scott and Becky Simpson, Fort Scott. They have three children: Lydia, Maylie, and Alex.

“Five people applied,” said Kenny Howard, the current airport director, who will be retiring in  December 2018.

“We selected Seth because of his experience in aviation, plus he was a local boy,” Howard said.

“He will be training one day, every other week, until December 21,” when Simpson will become fulltime and Howard will step down, Howard said.

“I will be in charge of air traffic control, airfield operations, and landing systems maintenance,” Simpson said.

Simpson will continue in the Air National Guard one weekend a month, two times a year, he said.

 

 

Bourbon County, Government

The Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Oct. 30

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: October 30th, 2018

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

9:00-9:10-Justin Meeks-Executive Session-Personnel matters of non-elected personnel

9:10-9:55-Jim Harris

10:00-Patty Love-Executive Session

11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks

11:00-11:30-Executive Session-Privileged in the attorney-client relationship

11:30-12:00-Tables for Taste of Fort Scott

Tax Sale

Excess property from moves

Property Evaluations

12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch

1:30-1:45-Future of Bourbon County Health Care Update/Ambulance Update

1:45-2:15-NRP

2:15-2:25-Executive Session-Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of a individual proprietorship

2:30-3:00-Business Accelerator

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

Government, Kansas

Flags At Half-Staff For Shooting Victims

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Governor Jeff Colyer Orders Flags to be Flown at Half-Staff for Victims of Pennsylvania Shooting

 

Topeka – In accordance with Executive Order 10-12, and following the proclamation of President Donald J. Trump, Governor Jeff Colyer has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff from now until sunset, October 31, 2018, as a mark of solemn respect for the victims of the terrible act of violence perpetrated at The Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

 

“We express our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones in this terrible tragedy,” said Governor Colyer. “This was a terrible act of violence perpetrated against innocent victims with every right to peaceably observe their religious beliefs. We grieve for those suffering as a result of this crime, and pray they will find peace and comfort in the days ahead.”

To receive email alerts when the Governor orders flags to half-staff, please visit http://governor.ks.gov/subscribe-to-flag-honors.

Area News, Government

Hwy. 69 Expansion Pushed Into December

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These signs mark the closed Eagle Road, Oct. 25. Workers were busy all along Hwy. 69 on the expansion project.

The 69 Hwy. expansion project from Fort Scott to Arma doesn’t have a November completion date anymore, according to Priscilla Petersen, with the Kansas Department of Transportation.

In an interview, Petersen said the November completion date of the U.S. 69 expansion has been pushed back.

“We plan to have this project open to four-lane unrestricted traffic by Dec. 21, 2018,” she said.

All work on the active U.S. 69 expansion in Bourbon County will be completed in April 2019. ”

“The active Bourbon County expansion project is approximately six miles long, starting south of Fort Scott and ending at the Bourbon-Crawford county line,” Peterson said.

“The Crawford County expansion project has not been let. The tentative letting date is the fall of 2020.”
 

It seems KDOT ran into more extensive excavation of the stretch of highway than originally thought.

“During the grading phase of the expansion our contractor encountered a lengthy section of the old highway that had not been previously removed,” Petersen said. “The removal of the old mainline and bridges required extensive excavation. In addition, the discovery of the old roadway greatly reduced the amount of dirt available for the earthwork. We found it necessary to add a second borrow-waste area to supply the material.”

A KDOT crew work on a section of Hwy. 69 Thursday morning near the Garland exit.

“Current project activity includes concrete paving on the mainline and guardrail installation on the bridges,” Petersen said.

Government, Kansas

Water Technology Farms

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Water Technology Farm Interest for 2019 Growing Season

Initial Notice of Interest for Water Technology Farm Needed by December 1

 

Water Technology Farms are an action item of the Long-Term Vision for the Future of Water Supply in Kansas to help address Kansas water issues. The program began three years ago with three farms and currently there are 10 farms on more than 30 fields.

The Kansas Water Office plans to add a limited number of new technology farms and is currently accepting initial notice of interest for the 2019 growing season. The deadline for initial interest is December 1.

 

These three-year pilot public-private partnerships demonstrate irrigation technology, research and management techniques. They have been valuable in expanding the conversation and education of producers and decision makers on water conservation in areas overlying the depleting Ogallala Aquifer and water quality protection in the Equus Beds Aquifer region.

 

Water Technology Farms are eligible statewide. Farms in a Water Conservation Area or a Local Enhanced Management Area as well as other documented conservation programs will be prioritized for consideration. Access to land as well as data records are required as part of this effort.

 

Those interested or wanting more information, please contact Armando Zarco at [email protected] or 620-276-2901. To learn about the existing farms, visit www.kwo.ks.gov

Elections, Government

KDOR reminds voters of free ID services

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TOPEKA—Kansans who need a photo ID before the November 6th election can visit any driver’s license office, jump to the front of the line, and get one for free.

 

To ensure the ID is free, Kansans should specifically state they need it for voting. The cost for ID cards normally is $22.

 

“This service is always available and it’s important for us to remind voters that it’s an option ahead of the November 6th general election,” Director of Vehicles David Harper said.

 

For a list of driver’s license office locations and hours visit https://www.ksrevenue.org/dovstations.html.

Fort Scott, Government

City Planning Commission Meets Oct. 29

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The Fort Scott Planning Commission will meet on Monday, October 29th, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting will be held to consider a change in zoning from Mixed Use District to Central Business District for the property at 19 S. Hill Street.

At 5:00 p.m. there will be a public hearing on the proposed Comprehensive Plan for Fort Scott.

These meetings are open to the public.

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda Oct. 23

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: October 23rd, 2018

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

10:00-10:30-Terry Sercer-Audit letter and 2018 budget balances

10:15-Budget Discussions

10:30-10:45-Bill Martin-Executive Session

10:45-Discussion about Fencing

11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks

Executive Session-Privileged in the attorney-client relationship-30 min.

Executive Session-Personnel matters of non-elected personnel-30 min.

12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch

2:30-2:40-Future of Bourbon County Health Care Updates

Updates of Meetings

2:45-3:15-NRP

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

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Meeting Oct. 18

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Regular meetings are Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: October 18th, 2018

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

10:00-10:30-Jacqie Spradling

10:45-11:00-Christi Keating-Mercy EMS and Mercy closing

11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks

Executive Session-Privileged in the attorney-client relationship-30 min.

Executive Session-Personnel matters of non-elected personnel-30 min.

12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch

1:30-2:00-Joe and Barbara Peine-Memorial for Harold Coleman

2:00-2:15-Bill Martin-purchase of fence

2:15-2:25-Future of Bourbon County Health Care Update

2:25-2:40-Executive Session-Preliminary discussion relating to the acquisition of real property

2:40-3:00-Executive Session-Data relating to the financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts, and individual proprietorship

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