The Beacon announces the Adopt-A-Child and Elk Christmas Baskets sign up it Nov. 5, 6, 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Beacon, 525 E. 6th St. Ft. Scott, Ks.
Also, Tuesday, November 12, 2019, from 5 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
Bring your Beacon Card to sign up.
If you don’t have a Beacon Card
*We will need Picture ID for all adults in the household.
*Social Security card for all in household
*Proof of Bourbon Co. residency
*Proof of Income
* If you receive any service from DCF must sign a release for verification
Kansas Department of Corrections inmates arrive safely in Arizona
A group of inmates being relocated to provide relief for the Kansas prison system arrived safely in Arizona, the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) announced today.
The group of 120 medium- and maximum-custody inmates were transported to the Saguaro Correctional Center in Eloy, Ariz., by secure air transport, paid for by CoreCivic under the terms of a contract with the State.
Specific details about the transportation of inmates to Arizona will not be disclosed due to security and safety concerns.
“The KDOC has sought to relocate offenders who will be successful and most likely to benefit from the programmatic opportunities available through Saguaro Correctional Center”, said KDOC Deputy Secretary of Facilities Management Joel Hrabe.
KDOC used a screening process that identified offenders who have at least 24 months until release, low frequency of visitation, a need for education/vocational programming, and are medically able.
The KDOC has also posted information for family members athttps://www.doc.ks.gov/facilities/out-of-state-inmates which includes specifics on visitation, mail and other essential information. A staff member in KDOC Central Office has also been designated as a resource for families who have questions about their family member or processes.
The KDOC Office of Victim Services (OVS) has also notified registered victims of those transferred.
“The plan we announced on August 9, 2019 was to move inmates sooner, and in larger numbers,” said KDOC Secretary Jeff Zmuda. “We have been exploring all available options to avoid sending anyone out of state, but ultimately concluded this is the appropriate course. It is my hope that this will be a short-term solution and that we will not have to move additional inmates.”
On October 17, 2019, the KDOC had an inmate population of 9,027 male offenders, which the Kansas Sentencing Commission projects will increase to 10,399 by the end of state fiscal year 2029.
The following is a press release by Tom Havron, Fort Scott Community College Vice President of Student Affairs addressing a recent complaint on the eligibility of a football student athlete.
On October 15, 2019, Fort Scott Community College (FSCC) was contacted by the national office at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) regarding a formal complaint from a non-conference school that had been filed regarding the eligibility of a student-athlete on the FSCC football team.
Further investigation confirmed that FSCC had obtained a release and a transfer tracking form for the student, but was lacking a transfer waiver form which results in a violation of NJCAA by-laws.
On October 18th, FSCC obtained the signed form and the student will be eligible to play for the remainder of the season.
The ruling from the NJCAA is in the appeal process, and the college has no further information.
This was an honest, administrative error that the coaches and player had no knowledge. There was no malicious intent to violate NJCAA by-laws, and there was no benefit for the team to not acquiring the form. FSCC is committed to refining the eligibility process to ensure that this type of event never occurs again.
FSCC will not have a final ruling on whether some games will be forfeited until the appeal is completed, everything is still under review, according to Kassie Fugate-Cate, FSCC Director of Strategic Communications and Student Activities.
Advance voting begins today at the Bourbon County Courthouse.
A general election will take place on November 5, 2019, to vote for representation on school boards, city councils, and the Kansas State Southwind Extension District.
Also on the ballot is a constitutional amendment question.
“The amendment question seeks to do away with a census count specifically for college students and military personnel to be counted where they come from and not where they are at the time of their vote,” according to a report on KSN TV, Wichita, Oct. 14, 2019. For the whole report click below:
Advance voting will begin today, Oct. 23and continues through Nov. 4 at noon., at the courthouse only, 210 S. National. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
All of the following polling places will be open from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Nov. 5. The polling places in Bourbon County are as follows:
Residents living in the City of Fort Scott vote at the following locations:
1st Ward Community Christian Church
2nd Ward Grace Baptist Church
3rd Ward Grace Baptist Church
4th Ward Community Christian Church
5th Ward Community Christian Church
6th Ward Community Christian Church
7th Ward Grace Baptist Church
Residents living out in the County vote at the following locations:
Governor Kelly appointed Dr. Stephanie Davis, Lawrence, to the Governor’s Military Council.
The goal of the Council is to pursue initiatives to enhance the quality of life for our servicemen and servicewomen, veterans and their families. Council members help develop outreach opportunities for individuals discharging or retiring from military service to use their talents and skills as members of the Kansas workforce, and promote Kansas as a desired location for all Department of Defense retirees and separating servicemembers.
The Council also looks to optimize the military presence in Kansas. This includes efforts to recruit and retain new missions and force structure, and actively foster close, effective cooperation among the installations and public and private sectors throughout the State.
“Dr. Davis is highly qualified for this position,” Kelly said. “Her experience working in the Veterans Administration and her expertise working with veterans and their families will be an asset as the Council pursues initiatives moving forward. We are fortunate to have her on the team.”
Davis currently works as the Suicide Prevention Coordinator for VA Eastern Kansas. Previously, she worked as a psychologist for VA Eastern Kansas and for Christian Psychological Services. Davis received a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of Kansas and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Iowa. She is a licensed psychologist by the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board. Davis also is the VA Liaison for the Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans and their Families.
The governor’s appointments to the Council are not subject to Kansas Senate confirmation.
Secretary of Commerce David Toland to Participate in Kansas Economic Development Policy Conference
The Kansas Economic Development Policy Conference begins at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 24, at the KU Memorial Union at the University of Kansas. Secretary Toland’s keynote address, titled, “Growing Kansas: A Look at Kansas Economic Development,” will begin at approximately 9:15 a.m.
At 1:00 p.m., Secretary Toland will be participating in a panel titled, “Conversation: Can Policies Spur Economic Development?” along with Rep. Jason Probst, Rep. Don Hineman and Sen. Julia Lynn.
What: Kansas Economic Development Policy Conference
