Kansas Opens New Park Oct. 12

Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park to Open October 12

 

Topeka, KS – The wait is finally over. The Nature Conservancy and Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks & Tourism (KDWPT) announce the much-anticipated Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park will open on Saturday, October 12. Located in southern Logan County, Little Jerusalem is easily accessed from Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 83.  A grand opening celebration with speeches and a ribbon cutting will take place at 10:00 a.m. The two permanent trails will open after the ceremony and close at sundown, approximately 7:00 p.m. Free snacks and water will be available.

 

Grand opening activities include free, guided tours departing from the parking lot on Saturday at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. Space for the guided tours is limited and advance registration at nature.org/littlejerusalem is required. All visitors may hike the two permanent trails at Little Jerusalem at their own pace. The Overlook Trail extends one-quarter mile along a crushed rock surface to a scenic viewpoint. The Life on the Rocks Trail winds 1.5 miles along the rim of the formations from which visitors can enjoy a variety of views and two scenic overlooks. Visitors are not allowed off-trail unless accompanied by park staff on a guided tour.

The 332-acre area encompasses 220 acres of dramatic chalk rock formations and is owned by The Nature Conservancy, a global non-profit conservation organization. Beyond the impressive scenic views, the area serves as nesting habitat for ferruginous hawks and is home to rare plants. Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park was established by the Kansas Legislature in 2018 after The Nature Conservancy partnered with KDWPT to have the area designated as a state park. Together, the organizations developed two trails, parking and additional infrastructure at the park. A long-term agreement allows KDWPT to manage outdoor recreational activities in a manner that protects the fragile rocks while The Nature Conservancy continues to own the land and manage the natural resources.

 

“The Nature Conservancy’s chief purposes for Little Jerusalem are, first, to protect the pristine natural features and, second, to provide opportunities for people to enjoy the natural beauty of the area,” said Conservancy director Rob Manes. “Striking that balance took time and we are confident that the partnership between The Nature Conservancy and KDWPT provides the public with the best possible experience. We can’t wait to share Little Jerusalem with everyone next month.”

 

“From the start, we’ve envisioned this property as a special kind of state park, where natural resource conservation is the highest priority,” agrees Linda Lanterman, KDWPT state parks director. “That means that public interaction with the landscape will necessarily be limited to only activities that have the least impact. We’ve struck a great balance with the trails that allow visitors to experience a diversity of views.”

After the grand opening, Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park will be open to visitors from sunrise to sunset daily, all year round. Visitors will be required to purchase a daily vehicle permit, currently $5, at the park or have an annual Kansas state parks vehicle pass. Guided tours provided by KDWPT staff will be available by appointment.

 

For more information, please visit nature.org/littlejerusalem and KSOutdoors.com/Little-Jerusalem.

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The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. Working in 72 countries, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter. In Kansas, the Conservancy has protected 140,000 acres of the state’s most ecologically important lands and waters. To learn more, visit www.nature.org/kansas.

 

The mission of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) is to conserve and enhance Kansas’ natural heritage, its wildlife and its habitats to assure future generations the benefits of the state’s diverse, living resources. The Department also strives to provide opportunities to use and appreciate the state’s natural resources. The Department provides opportunities to promote diverse communities, natural assets, and the State of Kansas as a tourism destination. It is a cabinet-level agency with a Secretary appointed by the Governor of Kansas. A seven-member, bipartisan commission, also appointed by the Governor, advises the Secretary and approves regulations governing outdoor recreation and fish and wildlife resources in Kansas. Visit KSOutdoors.com or TravelKS.com for more information.

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Chamber Coffee: Lowell Milken Center to Celebrate 20 Years Of Sendler Project

Please join the Lowell Milken Center and the Chamber for the
20 year celebration of
“Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project”
following the Chamber Coffee on Thursday, Sept. 19th at 8am
The Lowell Milken Center For Unsung Heroes will be celebrating 20 years of
“Life in a Jar:
the Irena Sendler Project”
and hosting the Chamber Coffee on Thursday, Sept. 19th following the Chamber Coffee at 8am. (1 S. Main St.)
Irena Sendler was a Polish Catholic social worker who risked her own life to rescue a significant number of Jewish children during WWII. Her story was unknown for 60 years until high school students from Uniontown, Kansas uncovered its details in September of 1999, and shared Irena’s story with the world. The students wrote a performance that has now been presented more than
375 times across the United States, Canada and Poland. Their goal to bring Irena Sendler’s story to the world continues.
Visit the Lowell Milken Center website by clicking HERE

Fall Activities of Buck Run Community Center

735 Scott Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Phone: 620.223.0386
Fax: 620-768-0487

BRCC Hours: M-F 5AM-9PM
Sat: 8 am- 5 pm October thru April
Sun: 12noon-5 pm
Recreation Office Hours: 8am – 5pm

Fall Schedule:

September 19                         Corporate Challenge Meeting

September 19                         Tiger Kids Practices Begin

September 21                         Fall Soccer & Flag Football Begins

September 24                         Youth Volleyball Begins

October 3                                Corporate Challenge Begin

October 11                              Deadline for Youth Basketball

October 11                              Tiger Kids Performance—Football

October 15                              Adult Dance Lessons Begin

October 18                              Deadline for Adult Volleyball

October 25                              Youth Kick ball @ BRCC

October 26                              Creepy, Crawly Crafts

October 29                              Pumpkin Carving Contest & Games

November 4                             Adult Volleyball Leagues Begin

November 24                           Turkey Shoot

Aaron Judy: Exterior/Interior Painter

Aaron Judy paints a local home.

Aaron Judy began his business, H2 Painting LLC, earlier this year.

“I started working in 8th grade at Max’s Way Station (Restaurant) washing dishes, and I’ve had a job ever since,” Judy said. ” I’ve spent my whole adult life working for someone. After five years at Timken (Company), my family and I decided that Friday was my last day of making money for someone else and putting my own business to the side… I decided to finally take the leap and become fully self-employed! I look forward to embracing it and working just as hard as I was for customers!”

“I began painting in the last few years, but officially began my business as H2 Painting in early 2019,” Judy said.

“I saw a need for painting in this area, and an opportunity for me to go ahead and start my business officially,” he said.  “It’s fulfilling to see people enjoy their home or business again, or maybe more than they ever have after they see it repainted.”

“I provide interior and exterior painting in residential or commercial settings,” Judy said.

Aaron Judy paints a sign in Fort Scott

He also provides metal building or barn painting, power washing and soft washing services, along with parking lot lining.

“I have done quite a few residential and commercial repaints,” he said. “I am currently getting more involved in new construction and commercial painting job settings and expanding our range and business rapidly.”

“I try to provide a quality job with an affordable price for my customers,” he said.

Judy is the owner and operator, who hires part-time time employees when necessary, depending on the job.

Contact info: 620-605-2769 or [email protected]

Air Ambulances?

The following is part of a series that National Public Radio is doing on the closure of Mercy Hospital in December 2018.
Sarah Jane Tribble shared a link to the group: No Mercy: What Happens When A Rural Hospital Closes?

The latest out of Fort Scott and the No Mercy series. Big thanks to Dawn Swisher-Anderson, who allowed me to interview her wise and well-spoken kids. Both Susan Glossip and Dawn told me last week that they did not buy a membership.

Drones Used in KDOT Airport Inspections

KDOT leads airport inspections utilizing UAS

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Division of Aviation has received authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) test flights at Wichita’s Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) beginning today.

Planned inspection missions include obstruction analysis, foreign object detection, wildlife hazard management and airfield emergency response. FAA authorization was received through partnership with the Wichita Airport Authority, Kansas State University’s Polytechnic Campus and George Butler Associates (GBA).

Operations will focus on UAS integration to increase Kansas airport efficiency by condensing the process time in half and improving accuracy. The authorization also includes a precedent-setting FAA waiver to conduct night operations at the airport and allows KDOT to provide the FAA much-needed data on UAS integration in complex airspace.

The operations are part of the FAA’s UAS Integration Pilot Program (IPP).

“We identified KDOT’s involvement with IPP as a prime opportunity to investigate the effectiveness and operations procedures necessary to implement safe UAS operations at ICT,” said Victor White, Executive Director of Airports for the Wichita Airport Authority.

“This FAA approval will significantly improve airport efficiency and safety,” said KDOT Director of Aviation Bob Brock. “We look forward to expanding Kansas airport inspection capabilities across the state and developing new capabilities to drive industry growth.”

K-State Polytechnic and GBA are part of a joint operations crew to establish procedures and operating methodology for the airport operations personnel.

“Incorporating UAS into a range of airport lines of business, such as detecting foreign object debris on runways, defective airfield markings and the integrity of the security infrastructure may be done more effectively and efficiently than current methodologies,” said Kurt Carraway, UAS Executive Director of the Applied Aviation Research Center at K-State Polytechnic. “We look forward to exploring these use cases to further enhance safe airport operations.”

“This authorization will allow us to provide data-driven operations in real-world operating environments,” said Ben Linder, GBA’s Advanced Robotics and Remote Sensing Group Leader.

IPP involves nine regional efforts to conduct advanced UAS operations to yield sufficient data for rule making that will result in access to new technologies for the nation.

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Friday Night Free Concert: The Christian Strings

This Friday night, September 20th, the Christian Strings from Mound City will perform at the downtown Heritage Park Pavilion.

The concert will include old gospel pieces as well as a few
old American bluegrass and patriotic sings.

The group includes 10 or 11 women who play dulcimers and a couple of women playing guitars.

This is definitely one you don’t want to miss.

Since space is limited, please bring a lawn chair.

FS Commission Minutes of Sept. 3

The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held September 3rd, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Room, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas.

ROLL CALL:

Commissioners Adamson, Bartelsmeyer, Mitchell and Nichols were present with Mayor Parker presiding.

INVOCATION: Pastor Ian Johnson, Community Christian Church, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.

AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Robert Uhler, Rachel Pruitt, Traci Reed, Lindsay Watts, Deb McCoy, Clayton Miller, Travis Shelton, Deb Needleman, Dave Bruner, Janet Davis, Dana Davis, Geoff Clark, Sky Clark, Nancy Van Etten, Kate Sweetser, Jerald Mitchell, Rhonda Dunn, John Bartelsmeyer, Patrick Wood, Colleen Murrin, Jean Reeves, Ian Johnson, Carson Felt, Carla Felt, Pete Allen, Kevin Allen, Max Fanning, Chip Moore, Kevin Russell, and representing the press, Jason Silvers of the Fort Scott Tribune.

PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND APPROPRIATIONS/CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of August 20th, 2019.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1245-A totaling $178,037.95.

Mitchell moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA.

APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: None

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute

limit per citizen) – Nancy Van Etten – She passed out information to the Commission regarding Lake Fort Scott. She said she was a lake property owner. They had a lake meeting in August with about 90 people there. That’s a lot of involvement in our community with City and County people both there. Some of the issues are being addressed regarding safety on the lake and the road condition issues. I think tonight you will be voting on the formation of a Lake Advisory Committee. Those are good steps. The biggest concern is the proposed condominiums on 195th Street. Most people are not in agreement with this development. People started asking where the zoning ordinances are. Becky Howard was here recently and visited with the Commission. She has been doing research and attending County Commission meetings and she has also been keeping Robert (Uhler) updated. She handed them an ordinance that specifically deals with Lake Fort Scott. This ordinance sounds like the City is responsible for zoning at the lake. She thinks the ordinance is still in effect.

Mayor Parker thanked her for her comments.

  1. PUBLIC HEARINGS:

Bartelsmeyer moved to open the Budget Public Hearing at 6:07 p.m. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

OPENED PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:07 P.M.

6:00 p.m. – 2020 Budget Hearing – Adoption of 2020 Budget – Rhonda Dunn, Finance Director, informed the Commission that the budget for 2020 is before them for final approval.

There were no comments from the audience.

Nichols moved to approve the 2020 budget. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED 2020 BUDGET.

Bartelsmeyer moved to close the Budget Public Hearing at 6:08 p.m. Mitchell seconded. All voted aye.

CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:08 P.M.

Mitchell moved to open the Public Hearing at 6:17 p.m. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

OPENED PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:17 P.M.

6:15 p.m. – Resolution 16-2019 Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 505 S. Ransom Street – Robert Uhler, Community Development Director, informed the Commission that the home owner is actually demolishing this structure by himself. It is taking him quite a while to do this. He asked for permission to give him 30 days to either finish demolishing the house or for the City to demolish it.

Bartelsmeyer moved to approve to give the home owner 30 days to either finish demolishing the structure or the City will take bids to demolish it. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 16-2019 DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE LOCATED AT 505 S. RANSOM STREET. STRUCTURE MUST BE BROUGHT UP TO 2012 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE BY OCTOBER 11TH, 2019 OR DEMOLITION PROCEEDINGS WILL BEGIN.

6:15 p.m. – Resolution 17-2019 Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 1012 S. Crawford Street – Robert Uhler, Community Development Director, informed the Commission that the City has been working on this structure to have improvements made on it since 2008. There is no one living there. He asked for 30 days for the property owner to either repair or remove the structure.

Tommy More said that he is the owner of the house. He is working with a group out of Kansas City to repair or remove this structure. He has had some family issues with his inlaws passing away so that has slowed the repairs down.

Mitchell moved to give the property owner 30 days to either finish repairing the structure or demolish it. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 17-2019 DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE LOCATED AT 1012 S. CRAWFORD STREET. STRUCTURE MUST BE BROUGHT UP TO 2012 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE BY OCTOBER 11TH, 2019 OR DEMOLITION PROCEEDINGS WILL BEGIN.

6:15 p.m. – Resolution 18-2019 Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 517 S. Clark Street – Robert Uhler, Community Development Director, informed the Commission that this structure is in bad need of repair. He has had no contact from the property owner regarding this structure. He asked for 30 days for the property owner to either repair or remove this structure.

Nichols moved to give the property owner 30 days to either repair or remove this structure and accessory structure. Mitchell seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 18-2019 DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AND ACCESSORY STRUCTURE LOCATED AT 517 S. CLARK STREET. STRUCTURE MUST BE BROUGHT UP TO 2012 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE BY OCTOBER 11TH, 2019 OR DEMOLITION PROCEEDINGS WILL BEGIN.

6:15 p.m. – Resolution 19-2019 Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 706 S. Clark Street – Robert Uhler, Community Development Director, informed the Commission that this structure is in bad need of repair. He has had no contact from the property owner regarding this structure. He asked for 30 days for the property owner to either repair or remove this structure.

Mitchell moved to give the property owner 30 days to either repair or remove this structure and accessory structure. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 19-2019 DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE LOCATED AT 706 S. CLARK STREET. STRUCTURE MUST BE BROUGHT UP TO 2012 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE BY OCTOBER 11TH, 2019 OR DEMOLITION PROCEEDINGS WILL BEGIN.

Bartelsmeyer moved to close the Public Hearing at 6:26 p.m. Mitchell seconded. All voted aye.

CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:26 P.M.

Update on 15 S. Crawford – Robert Uhler, Community Development Director, informed the Commission that this house has been before them before and the owners were present and asked for time to repair the structure. The structure has not had much progress done on it. His recommendation is to proceed with the demolition of this structure.

Mitchell moved to close the Public Hearing at 6:57 p.m. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

City Manager said that we will visit with our attorney also about this before the demolition is awarded.

CONSIDERATION:

  1. Selection of Voting and Alternate Delegates for League of Kansas Municipalities Annual Voting Meeting – 3 voting – 3 alternate – Diane Clay, City Clerk, informed the Commissioners of the staff that would be attending the League Annual Meeting. She said that voting and alternate delegates for the Annual League of Kansas Municipalities meeting need to be selected:

Voting Alternate

Dave Martin Rachel Pruitt

Diane Clay Robert Uhler

Deb Needleman Travis Shelton

Bartelsmeyer moved to approve the voting and alternate delegates. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED VOTING AND ALTERNATE DELEGATES FOR THE ANNUAL LEAGUE OF KANSAS MUNICIPALITIES MEETING TO BE HELD OCTOBER 13-14, 2019.

  1. Lake Fort Scott Advisory Board Committee – Creation of Ordinance No. 3550 – City Manager informed the Commission that this ordinance is for the formation of a Lake Fort Scott Advisory Board Committee. One suggestion made by Robert Uhler is that one of the five members who are residents of Lake Fort Scott be that each type of lake owner be represented – full time resident and a part time resident and one resident on each side of the lake. He and Robert have a conference call set up with another city that has a lake with some of the same issues. This will hopefully get everyone to the same table and discuss issues. Letters of interest will be taken for this committee and be brought back before the Commission.

Nichols moved to approve Ordinance No. 3550. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED ORDINANCE NO 3550 ESTABLISHING A LAKE FORT SCOTT ADVISORY BOARD, PROVIDING FOR THE APPOINTMENT AND TERMS OF THE MEMBERS THEREOF, AND DEFINING THEIR DUTIES.

COMMISSION/STAFF:

  1. Director Updates: Rachel Pruitt – Rachel informed the Board that she is presenting a draft of a program she has presented to the County. This is a Lease to Purchase Property Tax Relief Program. The mission of the project is to help business owners transition into paying the full amount of property taxes. This will be presented to USD 234, Fort Scott Community College, and again to Bourbon County. This program was developed with instead of zero abatement of property taxes, it would start at year one with 10% of the property owner paying the property taxes and then year two it would be 20% and so forth. The City of Parsons has a similar program in effect. This program would be only for commercial or industrial property and not residential. It would be to assist businesses wanting to expand. More information will be forthcoming. This is just for City businesses.

  1. City Commission:

Bartelsmeyer Nothing to report.

Mitchell Thanked Nancy for her research and comments tonight and said she is glad to serve on the Lake Advisory Committee as the City’s representative.

Nichols Remarked that despite all of various opinions in the community, we should look beyond that and look at the various communities with the mass shootings and the hurricane in the Bahamas, and that puts our community in a good place. It is a very good place to live. We should assist them and keep them in our prayers.

Adamson – Nothing to report.

Parker – Remarked that even though there are issues going on in our town, we do not have any major catastrophes going on. We are truly blessed.

  1. City Manager:

  1. Parks in Historic District – City Manager said that there has been some problems with our City parks in the historic district with loitering and littering. He had an ordinance drafted which will prohibit the Heritage Park at 1st and Main and Riverfront Park to both be alcohol free and smoke free. When an event occurs there and alcohol is requested, it can be waived for that event. Riverfront Park has also requested this be in place. This will come before them for consideration at the next meeting.

  1. Resignation of Finance Director – City Manager said that Rhonda Dunn has given her resignation as Finance Director. She will be going to work for E3 and be their accountant. The City wishes her the best. She will continue to work through the month of September for the City.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mitchell moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:42 p.m. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

ADJOURNED MEETING AT 6:42 P.M.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is to be held on September 17th, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.

RECORDED BY:

DIANE K. CLAY

CITY CLERK

FS City Commission Agenda for Sept. 17

AGENDA

FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

FORT SCOTT CITY HALL

COMMISSION ROOM

123 SOUTH MAIN

SEPTEMBER 17, 2019

6:00 P.M.

I. ROLL CALL:

ADAMSON BARTELSMEYER MITCHELL NICHOLS PARKER

II. FLAG SALUTE:

III. INVOCATION: Pastor Virgil Peck, First Church of the Nazarene

IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: Laura Ingalls Wilder Proclamation

V. CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of September 3rd, 2019.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1246-A totaling $260,336.14.

  1. Certificate of Appropriateness – Sign at 120 E. Wall – Stutesman Action Realty

VII. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: Tom Havron, Fort Scott Community College – Request to close 1000 block of Main Street – September 21st, 2019 in conjunction with 100th Anniversary of FSCC

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit per citizen)

C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS: None

VIII. CONSIDERATION:

  1. Consideration of 4 way stop at 6th & Margrave

IX. COMMENTS:

  1. Director Updates:
  1. Commission:
  1. City Manager:

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

I MOVE THAT THE CITY COMMISSION RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE

SESSION FOR ________________________________ IN ORDER TO

(see below justification)

DISCUSS ______________________________________. THE

EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE ___________ MINUTES AND THE OPEN

MEETING TO RESUME AT ________________.

Justifications for Executive Sessions:

  • Personnel matters of 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 or representatives 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

X. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL

Bourbon County Local News