Click below:
Older Worker, Disabilities/Discouraged, Ex Offenders Job Focus Groups April 24: Get $ To Attend
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Riverfront Park: Lighting Is Coming
The east side of the Belltown Walking Trail in Riverfront Park is a shady place to enjoy a walk, but at times it is too dark.
“We’ve had some ladies that said at dusk, it gets pretty dark,” Jerry Witt, president of the Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority Board, said. “So we purchased 14 poles and downlights and bases.”
“The lighting will be installed in the next few weeks on the east side of the walking trail, where it is darker, it’s close to the lookout,” Witt said. “We would like for (the lighting) to go over to the Mercy Hospice Memorial part. We will add more lights later, this is what we can afford now.”
The lights will be LED downlights, he said, “that will shine on the trail.”
An electrician will install them, with the City of Fort Scott providing the concrete bases for the lights.
There was grant money left following the building of the pavilion and the overlook boardwalk which were completed last year, Witt said. This leftover grant money will fund the lighting segment.
2018 Was a Busy Year For Improvements in Riverfront Park
Two projects in the park were completed last year.
The pavilion was built near the park entrance and has electricity, with a parking lot nearby.
For more information, click below:
Riverfront Park Pavilion Nearly Ready For The Public
The wooden overlook boardwalk was built near the confluence of the Marmaton River and Mill Creek and has seating along the perimeter.
For more information, click below:
Overlook of the Marmaton River in Place at Riverfront Park
The long-range plan is a walking bridge across the river and trails south of the Marmaton River on River Road, he said.
Additionally, signage was installed in the park and other parts throughout Bourbon County. Click below for more information.
“When we can receive money to do it, we will do it,” Witt said.
The Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority Board meets whenever Witt calls a meeting, “Once a month or every six weeks.” he said.
On the board in addition to Witt are Betty Boyko, Penny Pollack Barnes, Bob Love, Danny McGee, Arnold Scholfield, Jeff Sweetser and Allen Warren.
2020 Census is Important
Governor Kelly highlights importance of accurate 2020 Census
Creates Kansas Complete Count Committee, appoints co-chairs
This morning, through Executive Order 19-07, Governor Laura Kelly launched an initiative to make every Kansan count. She established the Kansas Complete Count Committee (CCC) to ensure that every Kansan is represented in the 2020 Census.
A CCC is a volunteer committee established by tribal, state and local governments and community leaders or organizations to increase awareness and motivate residents to respond to the 2020 Census.
“As Governor, I’m committed to ensuring the data we collect is as accurate as possible,” Kelly said. “The data collected in the Census informs how the federal government distributes funds to our state – through 55 different federal programs. And it’s these funds that help to pay for roads, schools, hospitals, emergency services and much more.”
Getting an accurate count in the Census is paramount. Census population totals determine the number of seats each state has in the United States House of Representatives. State totals are also used to redraw legislative and school districts.
For every person not counted in the Census, Kansas stands to lose $1,539 in federal funds per year for 10 years.
“The Census matters because it impacts everything from school lunches to libraries to wastewater systems,” Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “It’s vital to Kansas businesses and communities that we have a full and accurate count in 2020, and Commerce is honored to work hand in hand with the Committee and local partners to make sure that happens.”
Brian McClendon of Lawrence and Joyce Warshaw of Dodge City will serve as co-chairs of the Kansas Complete Count Committee. McClendon is a professor at the University of Kansas and the former Vice President of Google and Uber. Warshaw serves on the Board of Directors for the Kansas League of Municipalities and is a Dodge City Commissioner.
CCCs already are operating in Sedgwick, Johnson, and Wyandotte counties, with others being formed across Kansas. Additional members of the Kansas CCC will be announced at a later date.
“Next year, on April 1, I encourage Kansans to respond to the Census, and be sure to count everyone living in your household,” Kelly said. “That includes children and newborn babies. Everyone needs to be counted.”
For more information, go to kansascommerce.gov/census.
Minority/Women Business Workshop May 15
New Minority/Women Business Development Workshop Aims to Help Businesses Grow
Topeka, Kan. – The Minority and Women Business Development Office of the Kansas Department of Commerce will host a Workshop for Minority, Woman and/or Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Certification Programs on May 15. Those interested in DBE/MBE/WBE Certification will be able to hear more about the application process and potential benefits of certification at the workshop.
DBE/MBE/WBE Certification Workshop
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
10:00am – 12:00pm
Kansas Department of Commerce
1000 SW Jackson, Ste. 100
Topeka, KS 66605
(Curtis State Office Building)
Attendance is FREE, but registration is REQUIRED. Space is limited so sign up early!
Click on the following link to register.
(Deadline is Friday, Monday May 10, 2019)
Ryan Brinker
Public Information Officer
Kansas Department of Commerce
1000 SW Jackson St. Ste. 100
Topeka, KS 66612-1354
Phone: 785-296-4931
Cell: 785-276-9723
Charles Baker celebrates 40-year milestone at KDOT
Charles Baker has worked on the state highways in all kinds of adverse weather events, including tornadoes and snowstorms. He and his crew at the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Erie subarea shop have also dealt with heavy rains and major flooding – including a flood that destroyed the office, which was subsequently rebuilt – during Baker’s years with the agency.
Baker, who is supervisor at the Erie office, has achieved a career milestone and is celebrating 40 years of service to KDOT in May 2019. Beginning work as an equipment operator at Erie in May 1979, he was promoted to supervisor in 2006. The seven-member Erie shop performs operations such as fixing potholes, repairing signs and guardrail, mowing right-of-way, and blading shoulders on the state highway system in the area.
During winter months the removal of snow and ice from the highways is a high priority. “After a snowstorm there is the joy and gratitude you feel that no one got hurt,” said Baker. “We got the job done and there were no accidents.”
Baker lives in Hepler with his wife Janice. On April 28 the couple will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. They have two children and four grandchildren.
Christian Heights Country Store May 4
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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports April 23
American Legion Post 25 Reminder of Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
April 23. Bloodmobile will be at Buck Run Community Center from 1 – 7 pm. Blood donation is a national Legion program. Call 620-223-5946 to schedule an appointment.
April 24. Bloodmobile will be at Buck Run Community Center from 9 am – 1 pm. Blood donation is a national Legion program. Call 620-223-5946 to schedule an appointment.
April 27. Women’s Self-Defense class from 10 am – 12 pm at Fort Scott Middle School. Signup online at takedefense.org or by calling 620-223-1440. Ages 12 – 90. No males allowed.
April 27 – April 28. Fort Scott Civil War Encampment. Starts at 9 am both days.
April 27. American Legion Baseball Information Session for players ages 16 to 19. Players must be a student or recent graduate of Fort Scott High School or Uniontown High School. Starts at 10 am. Fort Scott Memorial Hall (Corner of National Ave. and 3rd Street) 1 E 3rd St, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Bourbon County students who meet the age requirements but attend a private school or are homeschooled may be eligible to play.
Email Post 25 Baseball Chair Earl Adams at [email protected] with any questions or for more information.
DATE CHANGE.
May 2. American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25 rechartering has been changed to May 2, 2019 at 7 pm. This milestone event will take place in Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall.
Any female who has an ancestor who served in the United States military is eligible for the American Legion Auxiliary. Additionally, female family members of Veterans and active duty military may also be eligible for the American Legion Auxiliary. Email [email protected] for more details on joining the Auxiliary.
Volunteers Needed
Ralph Carlson is seeking volunteers to help with minor home repairs for low income area residents. Volunteers with carpentry, plumbing and electrical skills. All projects are short term and can be accomplished based upon the volunteer’s availability. Some of Ralph’s most recent projects were wheelchair ramps for two disabled Veterans and repairing a kitchen floor for a senior citizen. Call Ralph at 620-644-8162 to volunteer or more for information about his program.
The Fort Scott Cancer Treatment Center relocated to Chanute. Drivers are needed to take Fort Scott patients to Chanute for chemotherapy. Drivers will use their own vehicle and there is a small stipend for gas, if requested. A driver will take the chemo patient to their appointment in Chanute and wait for treatment to be completed and bring the patient back to Fort Scott. The driver may have only a half hour wait for the patient or two – three hours. Call Donna Bauer at 620-224-7075 for more information or to volunteer.
You do not have to be a Veteran to step up for one of the volunteer opportunities. Just someone who will step up and offer a helping hand to our neighbors.
Some Changes for Good Ol’ Days 2019
Good Ol’ Days, the annual Fort Scott town-wide event, begins on Thursday, May 30 and runs through Saturday, June 1, this year.
There have been a few changes in venue for some of the events.
Rhonda Dunn, a member of the Good Ol’ Days Steering Committee, answered the following questions posed to her from fortscott.biz.
Why change of venue for the dances, from outside to inside?
“The committee wanted to move away from the street dance format because they haven’t been well attended in recent years. We did a survey after last year’s festival and people wanted it to stay downtown so we were looking for a solution. The cost of a concert quality stage was very expensive so we opted to utilize Memorial Hall so we can have great concerts without the worry of rain.”
Why the change of venue for the carnival?
“The carnival is a very popular part of the Good Old Days but has been limited by the space we can provide. By moving them to the parking lot at 3rd and Main, we can give them more space which we hope results in more rides and bigger rides.”
Anything else new?
“We are collaborating with Velocity’s Customer Appreciation event and the trolley will shuttle people between the two events making it one great festival. They are planning a BIG car show and motorcycle show and are even giving away a Harley Davidson motorcycle!
The Friday and Saturday night concerts are a big change for the festival and we hope it becomes a fixture of the festival for years to come. Friday night’s concert is the 90’s country band, Restless Heart. Saturday night will be a Beach Party in Memorial Hall with the #1 Beach Boys Tribute Band in the US, Still Surfin.”
Who is on the committee?
“The (Good Ol’ Days) Steering Committee is Shawn Obrien, Charlotte Thompson, Janet Braun, Leah Bowman, Carl Brenner, Melissa Wise, Allyson Turvey. Many other people work with the committee to make all these events happen. We are looking for volunteers to help not only with this year’s festival but work throughout the year to plan for the next year too. Volunteers can contact me by text or call at 620-224-1186.
How many vendors are expected?
“The target of booths is 150.”
Applying Fertilizers to Transplants
District Extension Agent, Horticulture
Southwind Extension District
111 S. Butler
Erie, KS 66733
Office: 620-244-3826
Cell: 620-496-8786
Thank goodness spring has finally sprung!
Everyone I talk to seems to have been more than ready for winter to leave. I know many gardeners have been out working the soil and getting plants in the ground. If you have been or are getting ready to be in the garden, think about adding some transplant solutions (fertilizer) to give your plants a jump start.
Transplant solutions are mild fertilizer solutions that are applied to newly transplanted vegetables and flowers. Transplant solutions are also called starter solutions or root stimulators. Plants not given a transplant solution often develop a purplish tinge to the leaves caused by phosphorus deficiency.
The soil may actually have plenty of phosphorus in it, but plants have difficulty taking up nutrients in cool soils. A starter solution places soluble nutrients near the roots so the plants get off to a good, strong start.
Transplant solutions are available for sale but it is also possible to make your own. You will need to use a fertilizer that contains more phosphorus than nitrogen or potassium such as a 5-10-5 or 10-20-10. Mix 2 to 3 tablespoons of one of the previously mentioned fertilizers in a gallon of water several hours before use. The fertilizer won’t completely dissolve but enough will go into solution to get the plants off to a good start. Use about 1 cup of transplant solution for each transplant.
Sidedressing is the term used to describe fertilization done after the plants are established. A fertilizer containing primarily nitrogen is used to keep plants growing and productive.
Nitrate of soda (16-0-0) is often used at the rate of 2 pounds fertilizer per 100 feet of row. More commonly available lawn fertilizers such as 30-3-3, 29-5-4 or something similar can also be used but cut the rate in half. Caution – do not use any lawn fertilizer that contains weed preventers or weed killers.
The Extension office has a sidedressing sheet available that lists crops, rate of fertilizer application and time of application(s) for many common vegetables as well as annual flowers.
If you would like to visit with me in person, I am once again doing an office rotation through the growing season.
You can find me in the Erie office on Monday and Friday; the Iola office on Tuesday; Fort Scott on Thursday; Yates Center on Wednesday morning and the Chanute Recreation Center on Wednesday afternoon.