Category Archives: Government

Government, Kansas

KS Pesticide Law Is Updated

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KDA Celebrates Governor Kelly Signing Bill to Update State Pesticide Law

MANHATTAN, Kansas — Several legislators along with leadership from key Kansas agriculture organizations joined the Kansas Department of Agriculture on June 6 as Governor Laura Kelly signed House Bill 2607, a bill amending and updating the Kansas Pesticide Law.

The KDA pesticide and fertilizer program administers and enforces the laws applicable to pesticide use in Kansas, including the licensure, training, and certification of pesticide businesses, dealers, and applicators. HB 2607 made critical updates to the state’s pesticide law which will enable KDA to continue working with Kansas producers to ensure we have a safe, effective system to provide oversight of pesticide use in the state, emphasizing training and education.

“Legislators, state agencies, and industry stakeholders worked diligently together to achieve this all-encompassing piece of legislation addressing pesticide use and application for future years,” said Representative Lisa Moser, vice chair of the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The bill’s development incorporated input from stakeholders in the Kansas agriculture industry, legislators, and pesticide applicators. The bill makes necessary revisions to expand education, reduce barriers, and meet the standards required by the EPA to enable the program to continue its role in administering and enforcing the Kansas Pesticide Law.

“I appreciate how we were able to collaborate with KDA and others in the Kansas agriculture industry to make amendments in the House to address stakeholder concerns and make this bill work for Kansas,” said Representative Sydney Carlin, ranking minority leader of the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Following the signing of HB 2607, the KDA pesticide and fertilizer team will develop regulations to provide more guidance to the regulated community about how the statute will be applied to those who are licensed as pesticide businesses and applicators. In addition, KDA will work with K-State Research and Extension to develop training and testing materials as outlined in the bill.

For more information about the Kansas Pesticide Law, visit KDA’s website at www.agriculture.ks.gov/PestFert or call 785-564-6688.

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Area News, Bourbon County, Government, Kansas

Bourbon County Still in A Drought Watch

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Governor Kelly Updates Declaration of Drought Emergency, Warnings, and Watches for Kansas Counties

 

TOPEKA — Governor Laura Kelly has approved updated drought declarations for Kansas counties through proclamation.

“While drought conditions have improved in some areas of the state, many counties continue to be negatively impacted by the decline in water supply or strains on water resources,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “I strongly encourage all Kansans to continue to conserve water over the summer months.”

The drought declaration placed four counties into emergency status, 35 into warning status, and 66 into watch status. This action was recommended by Connie Owen, Director of the Kansas Water Office and Chair of the Governor’s Drought Response Team. While Eastern Kansas has seen significant relief from drought since March, central and western Kansas has declined rapidly into Severe and, in a few counties, Extreme Drought.

“The counties in a watch status are experiencing conditions that indicate the probability of a water shortage is rising. It is important to monitor these conditions and be mindful of water usage in these counties,” said Owen. “Summer has arrived, and with it, higher temperatures and a decrease in precipitation. The Governor’s Drought Response Team will continue to monitor the drought conditions across Kansas and make recommendations to Governor Kelly as conditions change.”

Through an interagency agreement between the Kansas Water Office, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, and the Kansas Division of Emergency Management, counties in the emergency stage are eligible for emergency water use from certain state fishing lakes and some federal reservoirs.

 

Individuals and communities must contact the Kansas Water Office for a water supply request before any withdrawals from lakes. These requests will, in turn, be referred to the appropriate office to obtain necessary permits to withdraw the requested water.

 

This proclamation shall remain in effect for those counties identified until rescinded by a proclamation ending the declaration or revising the drought stage status of the affected counties.

 

Effective immediately, the proclamation:

 

  • Declares a Drought Emergency, Warning, or Watch for the counties as identified below;
  • Authorizes and directs all agencies under the jurisdiction of the Governor to implement the appropriate watch, warning, or emergency-level drought response actions assigned in the Operations Plan of the Governor’s Drought Response Team.

 

The Governor’s Drought Response Team will continue to watch the situation closely and work to minimize the negative drought-induced effects on Kansans.

For more detailed information about current conditions, visit the Climate and Drought webpage on the Kansas Water Office website at kwo.ks.gov.

County Drought Stage Declarations:

Drought Emergency: Hodgeman, Ness, Pawnee, Rush.

 

Drought Warning: Barber, Barton, Clark,

Comanche, Edwards, Ellis, Ellsworth, Finney, Ford, Grant, Gray, Greeley, Hamilton, Harper, Harvey, Haskell, Kearny, Kingman, Kiowa, Lane, McPherson, Meade, Morton, Pratt, Reno, Rice, Russell, Scott, Sedgwick, Seward, Stafford, Stanton, Stevens, Sumner, Wichita.

Drought Watch: Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Bourbon, Brown, Butler, Chase, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Cheyenne, Clay, Cloud, Coffey, Cowley, Crawford, Decatur, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Elk, Franklin, Geary, Gove, Graham, Greenwood, Jackson, Jefferson, Jewell, Johnson, Labette, Leavenworth, Lincoln, Linn, Logan, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, Miami, Mitchell, Montgomery, Morris, Nemaha, Neosho, Norton, Osage, Osborne, Ottawa, Phillips, Pottawatomie, Rawlins, Republic, Riley, Rooks, Saline, Shawnee, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Thomas, Trego, Wabaunsee, Wallace, Washington, Wilson, Woodson, Wyandotte.

 

# # #

 

 

As the state’s water office, the Kansas Water Office conducts water planning, policy coordination and water marketing as well as facilitates public input throughout the state.

 

The agency prepares the KANSAS WATER PLAN, a plan for water resources conservation, management and development.

Bourbon County, Government

Agenda For The Bourbon County Commission on June 10

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Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

 

Bourbon County, Kansas

Brandon Whisenhunt

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

June 10, 2024 5:30 p.m.

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute
  • Approval of Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 6/3/2024
  1. Public Comments
  2. SEK Multi-County Health Department 2025 Budget Request
  3. Pike Lake Group
  • Sheriff Bill Martin-K-9 Retirement
  • Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk
    1. KDHE Public Notice
    2. Jarred, Gilmore, and Phillips Request
    3. Committee Letters Deadline
    4. Resolution 07-24 2024 Salaries for Elected Officials
  1. Action for NRP Refunds
  2. Commission Comments
  3. Adjourn Meeting

 

 

Executive Session Justifications:

 

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 the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting

would jeopardize such security measures.

 

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

U234 Board Agenda for June 10

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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

June 10, 2024 – 5:30 P.M.

NEWS RELEASE

1.0       Call Meeting to Order                  David Stewart, President

2.0       Flag Salute

3.0       Approval of the Official Agenda (Action Item)

4.0       Approval of the Consent Agenda (Action Item)

            4.1       Board Minutes

  1. 05/13/24 Board Minutes
  2. 06/03/24 Work Session Minutes

            4.2       Financials – Cash Flow Report

            4.3       Check Register

            4.4       Payroll – May 08, 2024 – $1,677,190.37

4.5       Activity Funds Accounts

4.6       USD 234 Gifts

4.7       Resolution 23-19 KMIP Signers

5.0       Recognitions (Information/Discussion Item)

6.0       Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion Item)

            6.1       Superintendent’s Report     

            6.2       Assistant Superintendent’s Report

            6.3       Special Education Director’s Report

            6.4       Finance Director’s Report                          

 

7.0       New Business

7.1       iReady Testing Quote (Action)

7.2       TCI Social Studies Resource Quote (Action)

7.3       2024-25 District Handbooks (Action)

7.4       Nissan Vehicle Bid (Action)

7.5       Resolution 23-20 – Hazard Mitigation Plan

7.6       Resolution 23-21 – Change Method of Election

 

8.0       Old Business

            8.1       District Cell Phone Policy (Discussion/Action)

9.0       Public Forum

10.0     Other Business –Negotiations

11.0     Other Business – Personnel Matters

 

12.0     Adjourn Meeting            David Stewart, President

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

Work Session Minutes For U 234 Board of Education

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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                                                                                                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

WORK SESSION MEETING

June 03, 2024

5:30 P.M.

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

 

The Board of Education of Unified School District 234, Fort Scott, Kansas, met for a work session at their offices at 424 S. Main at 5:30 p.m.

 

The Board collaborated with Administration on the vision, mission, & values of the USD 234 school district.

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Government

Agenda for Uniontown City Council on June 11

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The Uniontown City Council will meet at 7 p.m. on June 11 at City Hall.

CALL TO ORDER AT ________ by _____________________________

ROLL CALL: 

___ Jess Ervin ___ Danea Esslinger ___ Amber Kelly ___ Mary Pemberton ___ Bradley Stewart

2024 Financials –

2024 Financials – May(1)

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

Appoint City Clerk/Municipal Court Clerk, City Treasurer, Municipal Judge, Municipal Prosecutor

 

Designate official bank and newspaper

 

CITIZENS REQUESTS

 

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Charlene Bolinger – Financial reports

 

APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA

  1. Minutes of May 14, 2024 Special Council Meeting, May 14, 2024 Regular Council Meetings, and May 23 Special Council Meeting
  2. April & May Treasurers Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Codes Enforcement:  Doug Coyan

 

 

Superintendent:  Bobby Rich

 

 

Clerk Report:  Sally Johnson  

Copier Maintenance Agreement renewal – increase $25

 

 

COUNCIL & COMMITTEE REPORTS

Councilman Ervin –

Councilwoman Esslinger –

Councilman Kelly –

Councilwoman Pemberton –

Councilman Stewart–

Mayor Jurgensen –

 

OLD BUSINESS

Pickleball court project –

 

Warehouse refurbishing –

 

Streets –

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

 

ADJOURN Time ____________ Moved by ______________, 2nd ___________________, Approved ___________

Bourbon County, Government

May 23 Special Meeting Minutes of the Uniontown City Council

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The Special Council Meeting on May 23, 2024 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 6:02PM by Mayor Jurgensen.  Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Amber Kelly, Mary Pemberton, and Bradley Stewart.  Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting was City Clerk Sally Johnson.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to enter in to executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to discuss duties and benefits of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 6:30PM

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Pemberton, Approved 5-0 to extend executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to discuss duties and benefits of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 6:57PM

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to extend executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to discuss duties and benefits of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 7:20PM

 

Johnson called in at 6:58PM.  Open meeting resumed at 7:20PM.

 

Motion by Kelly, Second by Esslinger, Approved 5-0 to reject offer to negotiate terms of employment offer and rescind original offer of employment

 

Moved by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0, to adjourn at 7:22PM

Bourbon County, Government

Uniontown City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes of May 14

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The Special Council Meeting on May 14, 2024 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 6:17PM by Mayor Jurgensen.  Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Amber Kelly, Mary Pemberton, and Bradley Stewart.  Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting was Betty Hartman, Delci Allen, and City Clerk Sally Johnson.

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to enter in to executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to interview applicants for non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 7:29PM

Betty Hartman in at 6:30PM, out at 6:43 PM.

Delci Allen in at 6:56PM, out at 7:15PM

Open meeting resumed at 7:29PM.

Motion by Pemberton, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to hire Delci Allen to fill City Clerk positon, a full-time position eligible for all full-time benefits as stated in the Employee Policy Manual, to start on May 28, 2024

Moved by Ervin, Second by Pemberton, Approved 5-0, to adjourn at 7:30PM

Regular Council Meeting

The Regular Council Meeting on May 14, 2024 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 7:30PM by Mayor Jurgensen.  Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Amber Kelly, Mary Pemberton, and Bradley Stewart.  Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were Don George (KDWPT, Codes Officer Doug Coyan, City Treasurer Charlene Bolinger, City Superintendent Bobby Rich and City Clerk Sally Johnson.

 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

From left: Amber Kelly, Danae Esslinger, Larry Jurgensen, Jess Ervin, Don George, Brad Stewart and Mary Pemberton. George presented the Uniontown City Council with a check from the Kansas Dept. of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism for reimbursement on the Uniontown School Pond Improvement Project.  Submitted photo.

Don George, KDWPT, presented a check for CFAP grant reimbursement for Phase II Uniontown School Pond Improvement Project.  He asked if the City had any new projects in mind for the pond and explained the lack of funding for the CFAP lease program.  Lease payments will no longer be paid starting in 2025.  CFAP-1forms still need to be submitted for 2024 but not at all beginning in 2025.

 

 

CITIZENS REQUEST

None

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Due to an issue with the new software, bank reconciliation has not yet been completed; therefore, there were no financial reports presented.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 5-0 to amend Consent Agenda, remove Treasurer’s Report

 

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 5-0, to approve amended Consent Agenda:

  • Minutes of April 9, 2024 Regular Council Meeting and April 17, 2024 Special Council Meeting
  • Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

City Superintendent Rich reported the fence on south side of lagoon down due to flooding.  Clerk Johnson has contacted Bourbon County Emergency Management about the PA meeting for the declared disaster.  She will followup with them as there have also been reports of flooding in buildings and ditches/culverts overflowing during the disaster event.   Trail drainage work on southeast corner of trail is washing out to ditch on north side of 1st St inhibiting water flow.  Clerk Johnson will contact school about this.  Also reported that Rogers & Son has begun the work on filling in the scales.  He had to move the fuel tank.  He couldn’t get enough clearance to move very far.  Pemberton and Stewart will check into equipment to move to a new location.

 

Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan discussed various projects in progress around town.  He also discussed various locations with nuisance violations.  He will try to make personal contact with property owners/tenants before sending letters or posting “Mow Your Yard” signage.

 

Clerk Johnson informed the Council the storm siren maintenance agreement renewal increased 216%.  Council directed to solicit quotes from other electrical companies also.

Kansas Health and Environment Labs will begin moving into their new location in January 2025.  Nothing required of us at this time.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Pemberton, Approved 5-0 to enter in to executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to review applications of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 9:20PM

 

Open meeting resumed at 9:20PM.

 

Motion by Esslinger, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to hire Colby Herring as custodian/water sampler

 

COUNCIL REPORT

Councilman Ervin – nothing

Councilwoman Esslinger – nothing

Councilwoman Kelly – tornado shelters were not timely unlocked.  Mayor Jurgensen has talked to new fire chief about this and will request a copy of chain of command for sounding siren and unlocking doors and also ask for a point of contact.

Councilwoman Pemberton – nothing

Councilman Stewart – nothing

Mayor Jurgensen – nothing

 

OLD BUSINESS

Pickleball Court Placemaking Project – items for painting court have been acquired, just waiting on weather.

 

Warehouse project – Specs for the refurbishment of the warehouse was discussed in depth.  Resolution No 2024-0514-1 to sell 402 Sherman and allocate funds from sale to offset costs to refurbish warehouse into public works space.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to adopt Resolution No. 2024-0514-1 a resolution to sell city property and to allocate the proceeds from sale of city property for refurbishment of public works building

 

NEW BUSINESS

Streets – Mayor Jurgensen has spoken with Bettis again to remind him of the warranty work needed on work they completed last year.  He also discussed information on the KDOT Cost Share program.

 

Moved by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0, to adjourn at 9:53PM

Government, History, Kansas

80th Anniversary Day of American Victory in WWII Observed

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Governor Kelly Commemorates
80th Anniversary of D-Day at
Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum


ABILENE — Governor Laura Kelly today joined veterans of World War II, the Eisenhower Foundation, and local, state, and federal leaders at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum to observe the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

“As we commemorate the 80 years since D-Day, we pay tribute to the men and women who bravely fought in World War II,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “General Eisenhower’s leadership and expertise were invaluable in carrying out this successful operation, which laid the foundation for the peace he championed throughout his lifetime. May we never forget the sacrifices and stories of those who served.”

The D-Day operation brought together land, air, and sea armed forces on the beaches of Normandy in World War II. Under the leadership of Kansan and then-General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the operation resulted in France’s liberation and the Allied forces’ subsequent victory.

“Today, we honor those who served and those who gave their all to end the last World War,” said Meredith Sleichter, Executive Director of the Eisenhower Foundation. “As one of the first organizations formed to honor World War II veterans, the Eisenhower Foundation is honored to hold this event alongside the global commemoration of D-Day. We do this to ensure we do not forget the sacrifices made to ensure the freedoms we still hold dear today.”

The Eisenhower Foundation was formed in 1945 to honor President Eisenhower through programs and events that celebrate his legacy. The D-Day remembrance ceremony included a wreath-laying and certificates of honor for 21 World War II veterans.

Government, Kansas

Bourbon County Hwy.69 Will See Improvements

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KDOT announces approved May bids
The Kansas Department of Transportation announces approved bids for state highway construction and maintenance projects. The letting took place May 22, 2024, in Topeka. Some of the bids may include multiple projects that have been bundled based on proximity and type of work.

District One — Northeast

Brown ‑ 36‑7 KA‑6948‑01 – U.S. 36, bridge #041 on 12th Street over U.S. 36 highway and ramp located 1.01 miles west of U.S. 73, and bridge #043 over Linden Road located 0.51 mile west of U.S. 73, bridge repair, PCI Roads, LLC, Saint Michael, Minnesota, $334,004.35.

Doniphan ‑ 36‑22 KA‑6588‑02 – U.S. 36, beginning at the 4-lane/4-lane divide east to the Kansas/Missouri state line, guard fence, 4.3 miles, Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, Kansas, $526,527.25.

Jefferson ‑ 44 KA‑6734‑01 ‑ K‑900, bridge #048 over Perry Lake/Rock Creek at Perry Lake State Park, bridge repair, PCI Roads, LLC, Saint Michael, Minnesota, $265,547.46.

Osage ‑ 31‑70 KA‑7326‑01 ‑ K‑31, beginning 0.2 mile west of the K‑31/Melvern Lake Parkway junction (K‑31 off ramp) east and south to the K‑31/I‑35 junction, overlay, 7.2 miles, Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, Kansas, $1,982,004.90.

Shawnee ‑ 70‑89 KA‑6932‑01 ‑ I‑70, bridge #039 on California Avenue over I‑70 located at the California Avenue/I‑70 junction in Topeka, bridge repair, Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, Kansas, $332,976.37.

Shawnee ‑ 4‑89 KA‑6933‑01 ‑ K‑4, bridge #261 and #262 over U.S. 40 located at the U.S. 40/K‑4 east junction, bridge repair, Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, Kansas, $622,444.34.

Wyandotte ‑ 70‑105 KA‑6750‑01 ‑ I‑70, bridge #029 over the Union Pacific Railroad located 0.60 mile west of the Missouri state line, bridge repair, PCI Roads, LLC, Saint Michael, Minnesota, $277,270.95.

District Two — North Central

Statewide ‑ 106 KA‑6861‑01 – U.S. 50, K‑150 and K‑177 in Marion, Chase, Harvey, Morris and Butler counties, signing, Cooper Construction LLC, Emporia, Kansas, $266,649.22.

District Three — Northwest

Statewide ‑ 106 KA‑7328‑01 ‑ Various locations in Cheyenne, Sherman, Wallace, Gove, Norton, Rooks, Thomas, Ellis, Smith and Osborne counties, milling, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Kansas, $30,630.05.

District Four — Southeast

Bourbon ‑ 69‑6 KA‑6738‑03 – U.S. 69, northbound lanes beginning at the U.S. 69/U.S. 54 south junction north to the Bourbon/Linn county line, guard fence, 13.6 miles, Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, Kansas, $707,804.13.

Bourbon ‑ 69‑6 KA‑6738‑01 – U.S. 69, northbound lanes beginning at the U.S. 69/U.S. 54 south junction north to the Bourbon/Linn county line, overlay, 13.6 miles, Pearson Construction LLC, Wichita, Kansas, $9,286,974.65.

Cherokee ‑ 400‑11 KA‑2375‑10 – U.S. 400, from 4.2 miles east of the U.S. 400/K‑7 junction east 1.55 miles, grading and surfacing, 1.6 miles, Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, Kansas, $7,158,505.35.

Franklin ‑ 35‑30 KA‑6843‑01 ‑ I‑35, sign structure located on south side of Neosho Road bridge over median of I‑35; sign facing northbound traffic, signing, Phillips Southern Electric Company Inc., Wichita, Kansas, $174,027.44.

Linn ‑ 69‑54 KA‑6791‑03 – U.S. 69, northbound lanes beginning at the Bourbon/Linn county line north 12 miles, guard fence, 12.0 miles, Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, Kansas, $334,549.25.

Linn ‑ 69‑54 KA‑6791‑01 – U.S. 69, northbound lanes beginning at the Bourbon/Linn county line north 12 miles, overlay, 12.0 miles, Pearson Construction LLC, Wichita, Kansas, $8,289,921.98.

Montgomery ‑ 75‑63 KA‑5699‑01 ‑ U.S. 75, bridge #001 over Cheyenne Creek located 1.0 mile north of the U.S. 166/U.S. 75 south junction, bridge replacement, Bridges Inc., Newton, Kansas, $3,788,843.79.

District Five — South Central

Butler ‑ 177‑8 KA‑6940‑01 ‑ K‑177, bridge #125 over Durechen Creek located 7.75 miles north of U.S. 54, and bridge #126 over the BNSF Railroad located 8.17 miles north of U.S. 54, bridge repair, PCI Roads, LLC, Saint Michael, Minnesota, $1,550,203.38.

Comanche ‑ 1‑17 KA‑6603‑01 ‑ K‑1, bridge #14 over Salt Fork Arkansas River located 7.43 miles north of the Oklahoma/Kansas state line, and bridge #015 over Salt Fork Arkansas River drainage located 7.54 miles north of the Oklahoma/Kansas state line, bridge repair, Reece Construction Company, Inc., $1,994,813.50.

Cowley ‑ 77‑18 KA‑6766‑01 – U.S. 77, bridge #102 over BNSF Railroad/F Street located 0.42 mile north of the U.S. 77B/U.S. 77 south junction, bridge repair, PCI Roads, LLC, Saint Michael, Minnesota, $1,192,103.58.

Statewide ‑ 106 KA‑6261‑01 ‑ U.S. 400, U.S. 54, U.S. 77, K‑254, K‑196 and K‑177 in Butler, Sedgwick, Cowley, Greenwood, Harvey and Marion counties, signing, Cooper Construction LLC, Emporia, Kansas, $2,358,425.50.

District Six — Southwest

Statewide ‑ 106 KA‑6264‑01 ‑ K‑156, U.S. 83, U.S. 83B, U.S. 50 and U.S. 50B in Finney, Gray, Haskell and Scott counties, signing, Fulsom Brothers, Inc., Cedar Vale, Kansas, $1,590,013.36.

 

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Fort Scott Community College, Government, Jobs

FSCC Administrative Transition Has Challenges

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Sara Sutton from the Fort Scott Community College website.

The recent administration shifts at Fort Scott Community College have not been easy.

FSCC President Dr. Jason Kegler was put on paid administrative leave on May 20 and Sara Sutton was promoted to interim president. No reason was given by the college trustees for putting Kegler on leave.

To view a prior story:

FSCC Will Name Interim President: Dr. Kegler Placed on Administrative Leave

Sutton was selected by the FSCC Board of Trustees to be the interim president, on May 23.

At that same meeting, the trustees resolved to suspend men’s golf and women’s golf, e-sports, and flag football and will honor those student scholarships for the 2024-25 school year, they announced.

Sutton began duties as the new interim president on May 24.

Sutton has been an instructor at the college since 2018, then promoted to vice president in February 2024.

Sutton earned an Associate of Science degree from Fort Scott Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Kansas State University, a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Pittsburg State University,  and was appointed as the FSCC Vice President of Career and Technical Education and Workforce Development in February 2024. Sutton was to begin her official duties in the role on July 1, 2024, according to the college website.

Her duties have now shifted to leadership of the community college.

“This transition has had its challenges to navigate,” she said. “The change in leadership on Friday, May 24th not only brought about my Interim role but also a new athletic director.”

Liza Erwin is the newly appointed FSCC Athletic Director.

“With the board’s decision to suspend the three sports programs, the new athletic director had to properly inform the National Junior College Athletic Association of the changes and then gain access to the Letter of Intent (LOI) system,” she said. “That did not take place until early in the following week. Then, it was a series of approvals with all LOI’s released by Saturday, June 1st from FSCC.”

“The Athletic Director was in contact with coaches and personally contacted each student,” Sutton said. “While we wish this process was faster on our end, we were at the mercy of the challenges of the transition of a new Athletic Director and Interim President all in the same time frame. We tried our best to complete the release in a timely manner so students could move forward.”

“All students who were impacted by these changes have been given the opportunity to be on scholarship next school year,” she said. “Those who have paid any fees for the 2024-2025 school year and wish to not attend FSCC will be refunded.

“This decision was not taken lightly and the educational future of those impacted is important to Fort Scott Community College,” Sutton said.

 

Government

USDA Announces June 2024 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers

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WASHINGTON, June 3, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for June 2024, which are effective June 3, 2024. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.

“I encourage our lenders and borrowers alike to work with our local offices and our cooperators to capitalize fully on the existing flexibilities in these important programs,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux.

Operating, Ownership and Emergency Loans 
FSA offers farm ownership, operating and emergency loans with favorable interest rates and terms to help eligible agricultural producers, whether multi-generational, long-time, or new to the industry, obtain financing needed to start, expand or maintain a family agricultural operation. For many loan options, FSA sets aside funding for underserved producers, including, beginning, women, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and Hispanic farmers and ranchers.

Interest rates for Operating and Ownership loans for June 2024 are as follows:

FSA also offers guaranteed loans through commercial lenders at rates set by those lenders.  To access an interactive online, step-by-step guide through the farm loan process, visit the Loan Assistance Tool on farmers.gov.

Commodity and Storage Facility Loans
Additionally, FSA provides low-interest financing to producers to build or upgrade on-farm storage facilities and purchase handling equipment and loans that provide interim financing to help producers meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are low.  Funds for these loans are provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and are administered by FSA.

Farm Loan Program Process Improvement
FSA has a significant initiative underway to streamline and automate the Farm Loan Program customer-facing business process. For the over 26,000 producers who submit a direct loan application annually, FSA has made various improvements, including:

  • The Online Loan Application, an interactive, guided application that is paperless and provides helpful features, including an electronic signature option, the ability to attach supporting documents, such as tax returns, complete a balance sheet and build a farm operating plan.
  • The Loan Assistance Tool that provides customers with an interactive online, step-by-step guide to identifying the direct loan products that may be a fit for their business needs and to understanding the application process.
  • An online direct loan repayment feature that relieves borrowers from the necessity of calling, mailing, or visiting a local Service Center to pay a loan installment.
  • A simplified direct loan paper application, reduced from 29 pages to 13 pages.

More Information
Since the Inflation Reduction Act was signed by President Biden in August 2022, USDA’s Farm Service Agency has provided approximately $2.3 billion in immediate assistance to more than 42,000 distressed borrowers. The deadline to request assistance through the Inflation Reduction Act Assistance for Distressed Borrowers and Discrimination Financial Assistance Program has passed. Any applications submitted before the program deadlines are currently under review. Visit the related program webpages for more information.To learn more about FSA programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. Producers can also prepare maps for acreage reporting as well as manage farm loans and view other farm records data and customer information by logging into their farmers.gov account. If producers don’t have an account, they sign up today.

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.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.