Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Events Postponed/Canceled Until March 31

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The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces that the following Chamber hosted events will be Postponed or Canceled until further notice up till March 31st, 2020.
  • Chamber Coffee 3/19 Cancel – Briggs
  • Chamber Coffee 3/26 Cancel – Smallville CrossFit
Chamber Annual Dinner & Award Celebration originally scheduled on 3/26 – POSTPONEDuntil further notice.
The CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next eight weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.
Your health and safety will always be our priority!
The Offices of the Fort Scott Chamber & Visitor’s Center will be closed until further notice. Please call the Chamber to speak to Lindsay Madison, Executive Director or Rita Schroeder, Administrative Assistant at 620.223.3566 in regards to Chamber Events or visit our website to view
Community Event cancellations.
We appreciate everyone’s understanding and support!
Fort Scott

FS Public Library Will Close March 17 For Undetermined Time

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Fort Scott Public Library will be closed Tuesday, March 17 and will remain closed for an undetermined amount of time in response to the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus).

After reviewing information from local, state, and federal agencies, we believe that temporarily closing the library and preventing the spread of infection may be the best way to serve our community.

We encourage you to keep library materials until the library reopens. If you wish to return materials, please place them in the library’s drop box.

We will renew items as they become due so that you won’t receive overdue notices or lose access to your account. If you do receive an overdue notice, please let us know by email at either [email protected] or [email protected], and we will renew the items.

All library events through April 1st have been cancelled.

We are not accepting book donations at this time.

Library staff encourage patrons to make the most of available online resources. The Library offers free options to download, stream, and learn on your device. See our website: fortscott.mykansaslibrary.org for more information.

We look forward to seeing you soon. Thank you for your continued support of our community and our library.

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Fiber Optic Coming to Uniontown, Continuing In Fort Scott

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Conduit for the Craw-Kan Fiber Optic project sits on Uniontown City property on March 7.

Hi-speed internet is coming to Uniontown.

Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative, Girard, received a broadband internet loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and has been stockpiling conduit and cable in Uniontown since late February 2020.

 

The new high-speed internet service will be provided to the 350 customers in Uniontown, Craig Wilbert, general manager of Craw-Kan said.

Craig Wilbert, general manager of Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative.

“There will be no rate change,” Wilbert said.

 

Craw-Kan crews will be replacing copper lines, then connect to computers, phone, and cable TV, giving access to up to  1,000 gigabits per second.

 

A landline may be required as a prerequisite for internet service based on geographic location, call the cooperative at  620-724-8235 to check.

 

The benefits of the new project: getting the fastest available internet in the county, at an affordable rate, Wilbert said.

 

” Great for students and also makes working from home a reality,” Wilbert said.

 

The internet service will only be for Craw-Kan Cooperative members.

 

The Uniontown project will start late spring 2020. “when the weather dries out a bit” and won’t be complete until mid to late 2021, Wilbert said.

 

 

The cooperative received a Rural Utilities Services loan which requires contractors to be certified by an engineering company that has demonstrated the ability to complete a project this large.  Any contractor meeting this condition can bid on the job, Wilbert said.

To learn about Craw-Kan prices:

https://ckt.net/service/internet/

 

Materials are ready for the Uniontown Fiber Optic project.

 

Fort Scott Fiber Optic Project

Craw-Kan has also been replacing internet copper lines in Fort Scott, in preparation for service there.

Uniontown will all be done at the same time as the Fort Scott project and will be cut over to be in service at the same time, Wilbert said.

 

 

“The Fort Scott project is about one-half done,” Wilbert said. “There is a central office on National Avenue where our equipment is.

 

“The west side of Ft. Scott is nearly complete,” he said.” I anticipate about 12 more months for the rest of the city to be completed.  We do it in sections so services will be available in chunks of territories as they are completed.”

 

Why does a project like this take so long?

 

” Mainly it is a matter of cost,” Wilbert said.  “Ft. Scott will end up being a several million dollar project and the Cooperative simply does not have the financial means to complete a city the size of Ft. Scott in one year.  The second reason is the scope of the project.  It is similar to replacing every water or electric line in town.  We are passing every home and business within the city limits.  That’s a lot of fiber to bury!  Definitely worth the wait.”

 

The life expectancy of fiber optic lines is 40 years, Wilbert said.

 

Spools of optical cable.

 

Craw-Kan Expanding Business Customers

The projects are the result of declining populations in rural areas nationwide, he said. This was affecting the Craw-Kan business negatively.

 

“We needed to find new business,” Wilbert said. “We decided to find non-members of the coop, they are strictly customers.”

 

They received requests from Mound City, St.Paul, Pittsburg and Fort Scott and those projects are completed, he said.

 

 

Workers from Bob Hull, Inc., Frankfurt, KS unload fiber optic cable in Uniontown on Feb. 29.

 

Business

Jody Hoener attends fab lab maker space boot camp

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In an effort to explore innovative opportunities for business retention, growth and development, Jody Hoener, Economic Development, recently joined a group of her peers at a “fab lab boot camp” in Independence, Kansas.

Hosted by Fab Lab ICC on the campus of Independence Community College March 3-5, “Maker Space Boot Camp: How to Build A Fab Lab from Ground Zero,” offered insights into the challenges and successes experienced by the organization, as well as its impact on the local economy and community culture since opening in 2014. Named with the abbreviated term for “fabrication laboratory,” Fab Lab ICC is a creative maker-space facility offering tools, technology and education to budding entrepreneurs, students, hobbyists, small business owners and innovators of all ages. The Independence facility emphasizes the integration of entrepreneurial mindset education with the hands-on creative process.

The boot camp attracted economic development professionals and community leaders from across Kansas and Missouri and included presentations by local entrepreneurs and business leaders; facility tours; and interactive “making” sessions allowing participants to experiment with the lab’s production equipment. The group also toured the fab lab’s recently opened expansion building, a 6,400-square-foot-facility offering space for maker equipment, work stations and entrepreneur collaboration.

The maker space boot camp event was facilitated by Fab Lab ICC Director Jim Correll, a longtime entrepreneur coach, and Fab Lab Manager and ICC instructor Tim Haynes.

“The boot camp was an eye-opening experience that solidified the hypothesis that a fab lab can unlock unlimited potential for creativity and entrepreneurial development,” Hoener said. “Moreover, as the Independence community has realized, such a facility ultimately can achieve a positive, sustainable and significant impact on the local economy. The possibilities really are limitless.”

More information on the Fab Lab ICC community boot camp experience and future offerings is available by contacting Correll at 620-252-5349/[email protected].

# # #

About Fab Lab ICC

Fab Lab ICC opened in October 2014 on the campus of Independence Community College in Independence, Kansas. It is a creative “maker” space where students and community members find tools and resources to bring their ideas to life through hands-on production and entrepreneurial education. Fab Lab ICC is a member of the International Fab Lab Network.

Fort Scott, Government

No Municipal Court March 19

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CITY OF FORT SCOTT NEWS RELEASE

March 16, 2020

Due to COVID-19, Municipal Court, which was to be held on Thursday, March 19th, 2020, will be cancelled and rescheduled. If you are scheduled for court this Thursday, a letter will be mailed to you giving you a new court date. If you have questions, please call 620-223-0550 and ask for the Municipal Court Clerk, Diane Clay.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please call City Hall if you have questions.

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Shape Your Future: 2020 Census 

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K-State Research and Extension Southwind District 

Family Consumer Science News Column 

Joy Miller 

620-223-3720 or [email protected] 

 

Census Day is April 1, 2020, the formal beginning of the 2020 U.S. Census.  All Kansas households will receive an invitation with instructions by mail between March 12th-20th. Data collection continues through July 2020. 

The U.S. government uses the population data to help determine how billions of dollars in federal funding flow into states, counties, and communities for ten years.  Participation in the 2020 Census ensures your community is represented fairly and receives their share annually.  This could mean more funding for your schools, roads and highways, public health, affordable housing programs, and so much more. 

Who Should Respond to the Census? EVERYONE! Your participation is important, essential, major, meaningful.  How do I respond to the census? The Census Bureau will offer the census form in four ways: 

  1. Online: 2020 marks the first year you will have the opportunity to respond to the census online using a computer or smartphone. Online census responses are secure and cost-effective. Not only that, but a user-friendly interface offers help screens and the chance to review your responses before submitting. 
  1. Over the telephone: All invitations will provide a toll-free phone number so you may choose to respond to the census from the convenience of your phone. 
  1. Using a paper form: You may also wait (until mid-April) to receive a hard copy of your 2020 Census questionnaire. If you choose to respond using the paper form, fill out your questionnaire and drop it off at your mailbox or post office. 
  1. By responding to a census enumerator: Census enumerators, also referred to as census takers, conduct non-response follow-ups in an effort to ensure an accurate count. Households that do not respond via online, phone, or mail will be contacted at their residential door by census enumerators for in-person interviews.  

The Census Bureau will NOT call or email you. 

What questions will be asked on the 2020 Census? The survey is ten questions and takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. 

  • Name 
  • Relationship to householder 
  • Phone number 
  • Household tenure (own/rent) 
  • Age 
  • Number of people in household 
  • Sex 
  • Usual place of residence 
  • Race 
  • Hispanic origin 

For more information and insights into the 2020 Census, visit census.gov. Follow us on Facebook (Southwind Extension) and join us Tuesday, March 31st for Facebook Live to learn more about the Census, how it is used, and the potential impact on your community.  

Fort Scott, Government

City Encourages Water Customers To Pay Online Or By Check

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CITY OF FORT SCOTT NEWS RELEASE

March 16, 2020

The City of Fort Scott is encouraging Fort Scott water utility customers to use the following services to pay utility bills:

  • Visit www.fscity.org and Click on “Online Bill Pay”, then click on Water Department tab and pay online;

  • Call 1-833-269-5988 and press “1” to make a payment over the phone on the City’s 24/7 automated system;

  • If you prefer to pay with a check, there is a drop box in the alley behind City Hall at 123 S. Main Street;

  • If you prefer to mail your payment, you can send it to P. O. Box 151, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701;

  • To talk to a Water Utility Clerk about your bill, please call 620-223-8133 or 620-223-0550.

Buck Run Community Center is closed to the public March 16th through March 18th, 2020 due to precautions with the Coronavirus.

For up-to-date information about COVID-19, go to the following websites:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/


Kansas Department of Health and Environment: http://www.kdheks.gov/

Government, Kansas

KDHE:Quarantine and Isolation of Travelers

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KDHE issues new recommendations for quarantine and isolation of travelers,

close contacts and those being tested

 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is issuing new guidance today surrounding COVID-19, including travelers, close contacts of confirmed cases and those being tested.

KDHE is now recommending 14-day home quarantine for Kansans who have:

  • Traveled to a state with known widespread community transmission (currently California, New York and Washington state) on or after March 15.
  • Visited Eagle, Summit, Pitkin and Gunnison counties in Colorado within the past week.
  • Traveled on a cruise ship on or after March 15.
    • People who have previously been told by Public Health to quarantine because of their cruise ship travel should finish out their quarantine.
  • Traveled internationally on or after March 15.
    • People who have previously been told by Public Health to quarantine because of their international travel should finish out their quarantine.
  • Received notification from public health officials (state or local) that you are a close contact of a laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19. You should quarantine at home for 14 days since your last contact with the case.  (A close contact is defined as someone who has been closer than 6 feet for more than 10 minutes while the patient is symptomatic.)

 

“We know there are a lot of questions and concerns from people,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary, said. “One thing we want to stress is that having contact with someone who may have been exposed to someone who may be a COVID-19 case is not a reason to worry or quarantine yourself. Public health officials will notify you if you are a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19.”

There is no need for returning travelers to notify KDHE about their return. Information on COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and states with community transmission can be found at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

Home Quarantine Guidelines

Those who are under home quarantine should not attend school, work or any other setting where they are not able to maintain at about a 6-foot distance from other people.

If a person under quarantine develops symptoms of COVID-19 during their 14-day quarantine period, including a measured fever of 100.4 (F) or higher and lower respiratory symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath, they should contact their healthcare provider and tell them about their recent travel or other COVID-19 exposure.

Testing for COVID-19

Healthcare providers should evaluate exposure history and symptoms and call KDHE if COVID-19 is suspected. KDHE only approves COVID-19 testing requests from healthcare providers and local health departments.

People who are currently being tested for COVID-19 should remain in home isolation, or hospital isolation if symptoms are severe enough to be hospitalized, until test results are available. If the test result is negative, isolation is no longer required. If test results are positive for COVID-19, the person must remain in isolation until released by public health.

Prevention

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid spreading the virus and to avoid being exposed to the virus. The virus is thought to spread between people who are within about 6 feet of each other for at least 10 minutes through droplets from coughing and sneezing.

 

To reduce risk, everyone should:

  • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Stay home if you are sick.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces daily.

For more information, please visit the KDHE website at www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus. KDHE has a phone bank that is staffed Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. The phone number is 1-866-534-3463 (1-866-KDHEINF). KDHE also has an email address for general inquiries, [email protected].  Please note these contacts are for general questions and cannot provide you with medical evaluations. If you are feeling ill, please stay home and call your healthcare provider.

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Fort Scott Community College

FSCC Extends Spring Break: Will Transition to Online from March 30

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Fort Scott Community College has been following Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) guideline for closing schools.

There are no specific guidelines for community colleges in Kansas, as we are locally governed.

We have students travel to campus from a wide geographical area which exposes our campus community, and makes FSCC more vulnerable to the possible spread of infection.

With this in mind, we have decided to immediately begin spring break from March 16, 2020 through March 27, 2020.

Beginning on March 30, we will transition to online instruction delivered through the college’s learning management system, Blackboard, for all general education courses.

ALL COURSES (even those beginning the semester online) will observe the two week break in classes.

No instruction, exams, quizzes, attendance, or material will be required of the students during this two week period.

Please adjust schedules accordingly, and do not make exceptions to this guidance.

 

Technical Instruction

All technical instruction at CTEC, Allied Health courses specific to high school students, Welding and Construction Trades at Miami County, Construction Trades at La Harpe, Agricultural Technology (John Deere)/Welding at Fort Scott, Allied Health courses specific to high schools at Burke Street, and Harley-Davidson will continue face to face instruction beginning March 30, 2020 (a specific link of courses meeting face to face beginning March 30 will be posted prior to 12:00 p.m. on Monday, March 16th).

We will evaluate the situation through consultation with state and local agencies to determine a timeline for the resumption of on-campus classes.

Schedule of Operations

  • March 16 – March 27: Spring Break (No classes or Instruction)
  • March 16 – March 20: Employees report to campus, as scheduled (please see guidance below regarding working remotely)
  • March 30:
  • Online instruction begins for all general education courses
  • Face to face technical program instruction for the courses/programs listed above resumes
  • Standard employee hours resume
  • We will remain with online instruction for general education courses for the remainder of the semester.

Students

Please be prepared to log into your Blackboard account beginning March 30 to continue your coursework.

Regularly monitor your student email accounts for communication from your instructors.

Utilize this link if you need assistance logging into your account: http://fortscott.edu/blackboardinfo.

If you have any additional questions, or need assistance, please contact the instruction office at 620.223.2700, ext. 3400.

Students working within the Federal Work Study program will continue to be paid for typical hours worked.

Paychecks will be mailed to the address on file, please email [email protected] or [email protected] with the mailing address you would like your checks to be sent.

FACULTY

Faculty will be expected to remain on campus March 16 – 20 for the implementation of online course delivery.

Susie Arvidson, in conjunction with the instruction office will be offering workshops and providing resources to faculty as you prepare to transition your classes to an online modality.

Workshops will be held in A-139 for faculty needing assistance transitioning to online courses at the following times:

  • Tuesday, March 17
  • 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  • 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday,  March 18
  • 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  • 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Panopto Training)
  • 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, March 19
  • 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
  • 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Panopto Training)

We ask faculty that are already teaching remotely or online be available with guidance and instruction for faculty who are not currently engaged in distance learning.

Employees who the CDC indicates are at-risk due to age, or medical necessity may contact their direct supervisor to request workplace modifications or leave time.

Employees who feel they are unable to attend work due to family or personal circumstances should notify their supervisor.

The leave time will not be deducted from accrued sick or vacation days.

Additional information for faculty and staff will be delivered through email.

STAFF

Administration is working with human resources to determine a plan and staffing requirements that will accommodate student needs on campus and to support our operations during this time.

The campus is open and staff are expected to report to work at their usual time.

Employees who the CDC indicates are at-risk due to age, or medical necessity may contact their direct supervisor to request workplace modifications or leave time. Employees who feel they are unable to attend work due to family or personal circumstances should notify their supervisor. The leave time will not be deducted from accrued sick or vacation days. Additional information for faculty and staff will be delivered through email.

Campus Events & Community Meetings

Citing recommendations by the CDC as well as state and local health organizations, all on-campus events will be canceled or postponed until further notice.

This includes campus tours (including those scheduled with admissions or athletics), college recruitment events, and events hosted by outside organizations within campus facilities.

While we greatly appreciate and encourage community engagement, for the safety of all involved, this will include meetings and/or lunches hosted on campus by local civic organizations.

Dorms

Those students who are currently living in the dorms, who have no other place to reside, will be allowed to remain in the dorms.

Students are allowed to stay in the dorms until March 20, but, encouraged to checkout permanently for the semester during this timeframe.

Students must check out with Marci Myers. Students in a spring sport, or enrolled in John Deere or Welding need to contact Tom Havron ([email protected]) to make arrangements for March 30, 2020 through the end of the semester.

Athletics

Following the recent release of a statement from the NJCAA, FSCC will adhere to the ruling that all athletic events be canceled through April 3, 2020. We will monitor both the NJCAA and KJCCC regarding the resumption and timeline of athletic competitions and do all we can to assist our student-athletes impacted by regular-season cancellations.

 Facilities

At FSCC we are making decisions based on thoughtful review of available information, and working in conjunction with the Bourbon County Health Department, Emergency Management, and also State/Federal Agencies.

The continuous monitoring of critical information and a phased approach in our response concerning campus events, athletic events, and alternative methods of instruction allows us the opportunity to be flexible in our approach to a rapidly evolving public health issue.

The decisions being made prioritize the safety and health of all faculty, staff, students, and community.

These decisions are aimed at minimizing the impact of this public health issue.

This situation is continually evolving and future guidance will be provided as new information becomes available.

Please visit the FSCC website for updates and continue to stay safe.

Alysia Johnston, president of FSCC.

Please check the FSCC website for any future notifications regarding COVID-19.

http://www.fortscott.edu/node/2399

 

Government, Kansas, Schools

Kansas Schools Close To Implement Strategic Plan For COVID 19

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Governor Kelly Recommends the Kansas State Department of Education Temporarily Close Schools to implement comprehensive education plan amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

 

Governor Laura Kelly today announced her recommendation to close all public schools for the upcoming week to allow administrators and teachers to develop a strategic plan moving forward. At the direction of the Governor, the Kansas State Board of Education formed a team tasked with addressing key concerns.

 

“We take this pandemic and our preparedness seriously,” Kelly said. “One of these areas of particular concern is our K-12 schools, where our children, parents and staff come together in one place. Our schools form the cornerstones of our communities. It is because of this that we need to ensure that schools are prepared to face the COVID-19 challenge.

 

“When classes resume, parents can be assured their children will continue to receive the same high-quality, world-class education Kansas is known for,” Kelly said.

 

The Kansas State Board of Education has formed a team of experts, many of whom are former Teachers of the Year, to build a comprehensive plan to address the challenges that schools are facing in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Among the specific topics this team will address are:

  • How schools can move education online, if necessary, so students can progress toward the end of semester.
  • How schools can assist students who do not have access to online tools to finish out the semester, especially those who are set to graduate in May.
  • How schools can provide for at-risk students and those who have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
  • How schools will ensure a continuity of school-based mental health services.
  • How schools can assist in providing meals for students who need them.
  • What role schools can play in assisting with childcare for essential local and state healthcare workers, first responders and other essential workers who live in their counties.
  • How schools will assist in efforts to keep children from congregating in community spaces and keep them quarantined in their own homes.
  • And educating parents on ways they can help the continuity of education for their children.

Governor Kelly continues to work closely with the Kansas State Department of Education and Kansas Department of Health and Environment, along with local and federal partners to develop sensible steps that can protect every Kansan.

 

“Let me remind Kansans once again: while everyone needs to be mindful of what they can do to avoid spreading the virus — namely thorough hand washing, social distancing and avoiding crowds — this is not a time to panic,” Kelly said. “It is a time to be aware of the need to be very careful. It is a time to be respectful of others who are vulnerable. And, it is a time to use common sense safety measures. This remains the best defense against COVID-19.”

 

For the most up-to-date information and resources regarding the status of COVID-19 in Kansas, please visit the Kansas Department of Health and Environment website: kdheks.gov

Bourbon County Local News