Bourbon County, Government, Kansas

U.S. 69 expansion in Bourbon County celebrated June 24

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A ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the U.S. 69 expansion in Bourbon County will take place at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 24, at the Cherry Grove Baptist Church south of Fort Scott. The church is on the east side of the U.S. 69 and Cavalry Road intersection.

 

Governor Laura Kelly, Secretary of Transportation Julie Lorenz and Highway 69 Association President Ken Brock will speak prior to the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Blake Benson of the Highway 69 Association is master of ceremonies.

 

Construction on U.S. 69 began in the spring of 2017. The project, part of the T-WORKS transportation program, expanded six miles of the highway to a four-lane upgradable expressway from south of Fort Scott to the Bourbon-Crawford county line.

 

The event is open to the public.

Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening In Fort Scott June 21

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2019 Chamber Golf Classic 4-Person Scramble – Woodland Hills Golf Course, 2414 S. Horton, July 26th, Registration: 11am, Tee-Off 12pm

For more information or to register, click HERE
Kids Eat Free Lunch At The Keyhole, noon to 1pm, Mon.-Fri., now through July 26th!! 10th & Main St., across from the Fort Scott High School

Sack lunches will be provided to those under 18. Children check in, no need to give names, and then pick up a lunch of shelf-stable meals. Open to all kids, regardless of income; no need to reside in Fort Scott
Hedgehog.INK is now open on Sundays from 1:00-5:00pm!  Make sure to check out the gardening books on the sale rack in the front of the store – These books are FREE, for a donation to Fort Scott High School Thespians. Funds raised will help send students to the international competition in late June
Benefit Bass Fishing Tournaments & Raffles for Class of ’91 Grad Chad Elmer – Entry fees will go toward’s Chad’s upcoming expenses and prize money. Raffles include fishing and outdoor gear, ammo, an AR15 gun, and more! (See flyer below for complete details)
Horticulture Services in Fort Scott – Krista Harding, Horticulture Agent for the Southwind Extension District, has office hours at the Extension office inside the Bourbon County Courthouse every Thursday. In an effort to better serve residents of Fort Scott and the surrounding communities, Krista is there weekly to answer questions and offer advice on lawn and gardens, trees and shrubs, flowers and insect. Bring your spotted leaves, strange looking insects or wilted flowers and let her help you! This a free service and is available to all community members. Questions? Call
620-223-3720.
21-22
Weekly Livestock Sale at Fort Scott Livestock Market. Starting at 10am on both Fridays & Saturdays
Fridays:  Cows, Pairs, Big Bulls
Saturdays:  Stocker & Feeder Cattle, followed by any cows & bulls that come in late Friday & Saturday. Cafe open both sale days. You don’t have to be a buyer, just to come watch the sale and visit the cafe!
21-23 Midwest Nationals Baseball Tournament – LaRoche Complex, Dave Regan Stadium

For complete details, visit: https://www.tourneymachine.com/Public/Results/Tournament.aspx?IDTournament=h201811050447401285d27edd5b27742
21
Red Cross Blood Drive hosted by Community Christian Church – 1919
S. Horton, 9am-1pm

Please call 620-223-5946 to schedule an appointment (see flyer below)
21 Art Walk hosted by the Bourbon County Arts Council – Liberty Theatre Patio,
113 S. Main St., 5-8pm

Join us for an Art Walk hosted by the Bourbon County Arts Council!

If interested in being a vendor contact Debbie Anderson
Email:  [email protected] or phone:  620-224-8650

Visit the BCAC Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Bourbon-County-Arts-Council-501555123229545/
21 Friday Night Concert in the Park – This week’s concert will be moved to the First Southern Baptist Church at 1818 S. Main St.

The International Music Day 2019 is a day celebrating music all over the world. Celebrated yearly on this day, it is a time to enjoy music of all kinds and a chance for community to come together with a common love for music.  This is our 1st annual International Music Day Concert event. Featured musicians are: The Hemphill Family Band, The Prairie Sunflower Strings,  and Ryan & Amber Goodbody

The concerts are organized by Ralph Carlson. If you or someone you know is interested in performing, contact Ralph at [email protected]

Bring your lawn chair as seating is limited
21
Flicks on the Bricks – sponsored by FS Fire Department & FS Police Department – Skubitz Plaza, 100 Old Fort Blvd., movie starts at sundown

This month’s flick: Planes: Fire & Rescue
22
Farmer’s Market – Skubitz Plaza (in front of the historic fort)

Saturday Mornings, 8:00am – 12:00pm

Fort Scott Farmers’ Market is a farmer driven and run market. The farmers work hard to produce the very finest produce available. We also provide a great venue for community organizations to promote their mission and raise funds

We are focused on fresh locally produce farm products
22 Children’s Miracle Network Kids Carnival – Walmart parking lot, 10am-2pm
(See flyer below for more info)
22
Fresh peaches coming to Tractor Supply Company – 2420 S. Main St., 11:30am-1pm

Peaches are $27 for a 1/4 bushel box (approx. 12.5 lb.) or $45 for a 1/2 bushel box (approx. 25 lb.).

Reserve your fruit at https://freshfarmsusa.com/ or purchase at the truck! (There is a $4 fee to purchase at the truck)
22 Fort Games at Smallville CrossFit – 13 S. National Ave., 1-4 pm

2019 Fort Games is back for the 3rd year! Fort Games is a same-sex partner fitness competition

For full details, visit Smallville’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/330767534234517/
22
Cinema Saturdays at the Gordon Parks Museum – FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center, 2108 S. Horton, 12-2pm

The Gordon Parks Museum will show the films of Gordon Parks on Saturdays this summer starting on June 8 at 12:00 p.m. in the museum on the FSCC campus.  This free event will feature Mr. Parks’ films and one of Kevin Willmott’s films
22 Wade Brown performs live at Boiler Room Brewhaus – 2 S. National Ave., 7-9pm

Tickets are $10, available at the Brewery, 10 S. National, or the Visitors Center/Chamber, 231 E. Wall St. (See flyer below)

Visit Boiler Room’s website: http://www.boilerroombrewhaus.com
22 BCAC Concert on the Patio: Whiskey Raccoons – Liberty Theatre Patio,
113 S. Main St., 8-10pm

Bourbon County Arts Council presents WHISKEY RACCOONS; part of the BCAC Concert Series on the Patio (See flyer below)

Tickets $10 BCAC members, $15 non-members. Contact Teri Floyd at
620-224-7221

Watch a Whiskey Raccoons video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=12&v=F7cQtDXYoeo
23 Team Trivia at the Boiler Room Brewhaus – 10 S. National, 3-5pm

Exciting, fun and challenging team trivia. Put your team together (maximum of 8 teams, maximum of 5 members on a team)

$5 per person. Cash prizes for winning team. Pre-register at the tap room
24 Summer Reading Alien Parties – FS Public Library, 201 S. National,
2:30-4pm
25-26
Summer Reading Program: Space Travel & Engineering – FS Public Library,
201 S. National, 10am-12pm

With guest Professor Heather Davis
25 T.O.P.S Meeting – Buck Run Community Center, 3-4pm
25 Fort Scott Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 2108 S. Horton, 12-1pm
25 Trinity Lutheran Church VBS – 2824 S. Horton, 1-3:30pm

Join us at Trinity Lutheran for a 2 day VBS!!! June 25 & 27, 1:00-3:30. Snack provided.

VBS Fellowship June 30 following 9:00am service; VBS offerering goes to Care To Share. Please call 620-223-3596 to register. Limited to 50 kids
25 Farmer’s Market – Skubitz Plaza (in front of the historic fort)

Tuesday evenings, 8:00am – 12:00pm

Fort Scott Farmers’ Market is a farmer driven and run market. The farmers work hard to produce the very finest produce available. We also provide a great venue for community organizations to promote their mission and raise funds

We are focused on fresh locally produce farm products
25
Author Talk and Book-Signing at Hedgehog.INK!

Meet and greet author Ronda Hassig. She will be discussing her book titled “The Greatest Test of Courage”, which follows Edward Mack during World War II. Stationed in the Philippines, his life changed forever on December 7, 1941. Learn about Edward Mack’s story and how his ring found in California in 2007, prompted the writing of his story

There will be an author talk, Q & A and book-signing in her home at 512
S. Judson (former home of Ken and Charlotte Lunt) (See flyer below)
26 Breakfast Bingo at Buck Run Community Center, 2nd & 4th Wednesday of every month – 735 Scott Ave.

Come drink some coffee and play some bingo at Buck Run.  Staff will provide the bingo cards, the caller, and coffee.  Prizes provided by the Fort Scott Recreation Commission. (Free)
26 Rotary Meeting – Presbyterian Church,  308 S. Crawford St., 12-1pm
26
Adult Coloring Program – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National Ave.,
2-4pm
Join us in the library events room for a relaxing afternoon of coloring and conversation. Library provides coloring pages, pens and pencils, and snacks. Bring your own beverage of choice (no alcohol, please)
26
Summer Reading Program for Middle & High School Students – FS Public Library, 201 S. National, 4-6pm – Book Club
27
Join us for the weekly Chamber Coffee of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at 8am. This week’s Chamber Coffee will be hosted by Integrity Home Health & Hospice, co-hosted by Integrity’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s Team
For more on the Walk to End Alzheimer’s event, click HERE
There will be a bake sale during the Chamber Coffee
Location: 902 S. Horton
27
Krista Harding provides horticulture services at the Bourbon County Courthouse every Thursday – 210 S. National, 9am-3:30pm

Krista Harding, Horticulture Agent for the Southwind Extension District, has office hours at the Extension office inside the Bourbon County Courthouse every Thursday. In an effort to better serve residents of Fort Scott and the surrounding communities, Krista is there weekly to answer questions and offer advice on lawn and gardens, trees and shrubs, flowers and insect. Bring your spotted leaves, strange looking insects or wilted flowers and let her help you! This a free service and is available to all community members. Questions? Call 620-223-3720 (See flyer below)
27 Pioneer Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 12pm-1pm
27
Trinity Lutheran Church VBS – 2824 S. Horton, 1-3:30pm

Join us at Trinity Lutheran for a 2 day VBS!!! June 25 & 27, 1:00-3:30. Snack provided.

VBS Fellowship June 30 following 9:00am service; VBS offerering goes to Care To Share. Please call 620-223-3596 to register. Limited to 50 kids
27 Thursday Card Players – Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Ave.,
6-9pm

Free weekly event to anyone that wants to play cards, drink coffee, eat snacks, and socialize
27 A Star is Born, or Died – Boiler Room Brewhaus, 2 S. National Ave., 7-9pm

Join Boiler Room Brewhaus on Thursday evenings from
7-9pm for karaoke fun. Cheer on your favorite local star
27
Fort Scott Chamber Music Series, sponsored by BB County Arts Council and Key Charitable Trust – Fort Scott High School, 1005 S. Main St., 7-9pm

This concert will showcase the restoration of the Steinway Grand Piano, played by competition winning pianist, Baolong Zhang

Featured Musicians:
Baolong Zhang – Piano; Raul Munguia – Violin; Christine Grossman – Viola;  Matt Sinno – Viola; Ben Clinesmith – Cello; Kathleen Clinesmith – Bass
28-29
Weekly Livestock Sale at Fort Scott Livestock Market. Starting at 10am on both Fridays & Saturdays
Fridays:  Cows, Pairs, Big Bulls
Saturdays:  Stocker & Feeder Cattle, followed by any cows & bulls that come in late Friday & Saturday. Cafe open both sale days. You don’t have to be a buyer, just to come watch the sale and visit the cafe!
28-30 Midwest Nationals Baseball Tournament – La Roche Complex,
4805 Campbell Dr.
28 Friday Night Concert in the Park – Heritage Park Pavillion, 1st & Main St.,
7-8pm

The concerts are organized by Ralph Carlson. If you or someone you know is interested in performing, contact Ralph at [email protected]

Bring your lawn chair as seating is limited
29
Farmer’s Market – Skubitz Plaza (in front of the historic fort)

Saturday Mornings, 8:00am – 12:00pm

Fort Scott Farmers’ Market is a farmer driven and run market. The farmers work hard to produce the very finest produce available. We also provide a great venue for community organizations to promote their mission and raise funds

We are focused on fresh locally produce farm products
29
Cinema Saturdays at the Gordon Parks Museum – FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center, 2108 S. Horton, 12-2pm

The Gordon Parks Museum will show the films of Gordon Parks on Saturdays this summer starting on June 8 at 12:00 p.m. in the museum on the FSCC campus.  This free event will feature Mr. Parks’ films and one of Kevin Willmott’s films
29 Paint and Sip at Boiler Room Brewhaus – 2 S. National Ave., 2-4pm

Class size is limited to 30 painters – Reserve your seat by going to the Brewhaus and paying Barbara $25, or go to Brewhaus’ Facebook page, post your RSVP, and a PayPal request will be sent to you for $25
29 80’s Party at Holmtown Pub – 206 N. National Ave., 8-11pm

DJ RAY RAY will be on the Patio playing your favorite 80’s music. Dress to impress, there will be a prize for the most authentic outfit. Ladies get your hairspray, men find your parachute pants and “Miami Vice” jackets. Some of your 80’s favorite cocktails; B-52’s, Slippery Nipples, Alabama Slammer’s and Blue Lagoons will be served all night long. The party starts at 8pm, June 29th , on the Holmtown Pub Patio!
30 Team Trivia at the Boiler Room Brewhaus – 10 S. National, 3-5pm

Exciting, fun and challenging team trivia. Put your team together (maximum of 8 teams, maximum of 5 members on a team)

$5 per person. Cash prizes for winning team. Pre-register at the tap room
30 Bronson Independence Day Celebration – Bronson Baseball Park,
7:30-10:00pm

Starting at 7:30 pm there will be free ice cream & cake, with the fireworks starting at dark. Bring your lawn chairs!

Donations appreciated but not required
July 2 Quarterly Downtown Meet & Greet, hosted by the Chamber – La Hacienda Restaurant, 24 N. Main St.

The Chamber of Commerce hosts Quarterly Downtown Meet & Greets at a different location for Downtown business owners or representatives, or anyone in the community with an interest in Downtown to attend and share thoughts and ideas related to Downtown, and to stay current on new happenings
2 T.O.P.S Meeting – Buck Run Community Center, 3-4pm
2 Fort Scott Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 2108 S. Horton, 12-1pm
2 Farmer’s Market – Skubitz Plaza (in front of the historic fort)

Tuesday evenings, 8:00am – 12:00pm

Fort Scott Farmers’ Market is a farmer driven and run market. The farmers work hard to produce the very finest produce available. We also provide a great venue for community organizations to promote their mission and raise funds

We are focused on fresh locally produce farm products
2 City Commission Meeting – City Hall, 123 S. Main, 6-7pm
3 Summer Reading Performer: Juggler Brian Wendling – FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center, 2108 S. Horton, 10-11am
3 Rotary Meeting – Presbyterian Church,  308 S. Crawford St., 12-1pm
3 Monthly Grief Support Luncheon hosted by Cheney Witt Chapel – at The Carriage House, 301 S. Main, 12-1pm

Anyone dealing with a loss is encouraged to come and bring a friend.Cheney Witt Chapel will provide lunch at the Carriage House,
301 S. Main.Call 620-223-1186 for more info
3 Bourbon County Coalition Monthly Meeting (public welcome) – located in the basement of the First Baptist Church, 123 Scott Ave., 12-1pm
3
Adult Coloring Program – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National Ave.,
2-4pm
Join us in the library events room for a relaxing afternoon of coloring and conversation. Library provides coloring pages, pens and pencils, and snacks. Bring your own beverage of choice (no alcohol, please)
3 Summer Reading Program for Middle & High School Students – FS Public Library, 201 S. National, 4-6pm – Community Service
3 Uniontown’s 14th Annual Independence Day Celebration – Union State Bank in Uniontown, 204 Sherman St., 6-9:30pm

Union State Bank is hosting the 14th Annual Independence Day Celebration at Uniontown City Park on the 3rd of July! Hot dogs, chips, and water will be served, starting at 7:00. Jump houses, selfie bar, and entertainment will make for an enjoyable evening with friends and family. Fireworks will start at dark. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the evening!
4 No Chamber Coffee in observance of the 4th of July holiday
4 Horticultural services at the Bourbon County Courthouse every Thursday – 210 S. National, 9am-3:30pm

Krista Harding, Horticulture Agent for the Southwind Extension District, has office hours at the Extension office inside the Bourbon County Courthouse every Thursday. In an effort to better serve residents of Fort Scott and the surrounding communities, Krista is there weekly to answer questions and offer advice on lawn and gardens, trees and shrubs, flowers and insect. Bring your spotted leaves, strange looking insects or wilted flowers and let her help you! This a free service and is available to all community members. Questions? Call 620-223-3720
4 37th Annual Burke Street Parade – Starts at 10th & Burke St., 10-11am
4 Pioneer Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 12pm-1pm
4 Thursday Card Players – Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Ave.,
6-9pm

Free weekly event to anyone that wants to play cards, drink coffee, eat snacks, and socialize
4 A Star is Born, or Died – Boiler Room Brewhaus, 2 S. National Ave., 7-9pm

Join Boiler Room Brewhaus on Thursday evenings from
7-9pm for karaoke fun. Cheer on your favorite local star!
Save the Date:
– July 5 – Patriots Classic Baseball Tournament hosted by FSHS
– July 5 – YPL First Friday Luncheon (Young Professional’s League
– July 5 – Friday Night Concert in the Park
– July 6 – Farmers’ Market
– July 6 – Cinema Saturdays at Gordon Parks Museum
– July 7 – Team Trivia at Boiler Room Brewhaus
– July 7 – Fort Scott Chamber Music Series Concert
Click here for full events listing on our website.
Business, Fort Scott, Housing

Stout Building-Going, Union Block Building-New Apartments

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Flexbuild has demolition containers in front of the Union Block Building on North Main Street in Fort Scott’s Historic District.

There will be lots of activity at the corner of First and Main Streets in the next few weeks, according to Paul Wagner, Co-Founder of Flexbuild, Merriam. Flexbuild is the general contractor for the demolition of the Stout Building and the renewing of the Union Block Building in downtown historic Fort Scott.

The Union Block building, three storefronts at 18, 20 and 22 South Main are in the “build-back” phase, now, following demolition phase, Wagner said. The project is slated for completion for the end of 2019, he said.

“The buildings have been gutted by Skitch’s Hauling, Excavation, and Demolition,” Wagner said. “He has done a great job.”

These buildings will be transformed into 25 market-rate apartments ranging from 750 to 1,100 square feet in size. In addition, there will be a community room, exercise room, and an office area.

“The community rooms will be in the front, where the glass is,” Wagner said. “Everything else will be apartments. These are nice accommodations. In the back of the north building, there will be a courtyard for residents.”

“Just recently we got the building permit (from the city),” Wagner said. “Westar (Energy) is moving the electrical lines out of the way, to keep us safe. And  we got the state fire marshall approval, which is a big step.”

Flexbuild is moving from demolition to reconstructing on the Union Block Building and is currently working with a local quarry to fill the crawlspace under the buildings, he said.

Tony Kresnich, Flint Hills Holdings, holds the contract for the project, Wagner said. Neil Sommers, Louisburg, is the architect.

“We are trying to do as many local subs as possible,” he said. “Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, concrete, masonry, painting and carpentry. Between subs and my workers, there will be 15-20 workers.”

The Stout Building, National Avenue and First Street will be demolished in the next two weeks, according to the general contractor for the project.

The Stout Building, at National Avenue and First Street, will be completely demolished and a parking lot/park rebuilt on the spot, Wagner said.

The Union Block buildings were built in the 1880-90s, Wagner was told.

 

 

 

Art, Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Art Walk: Downtown This Evening

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Please join the
Bourbon County Arts Council
for an
ART WALK
THIS EVENING, June 21st
from 5pm-8pm!
The Bourbon County Arts Council
is hosting an
ART WALK
on the Liberty Theatre Patio,
113 S. Main St.,
THIS EVENING, June 21st from 5pm to 8pm.
For more information, contact Terri Floyd by email: [email protected]
or by phone: 620-224-7221
OR
Deb Halsey by email:
or by phone: 620-224-0684
Business, Fort Scott Community College, Government

Congressman Holds Roundtable At FSCC

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Marshall holds a discussion with Bourbon County and Allen County leaders.

On June 14, U.S. Congressman Roger Marshall held a business roundtable at Fort Scott Community College with leaders of the Bourbon and Allen county communities to hear about the concerns, issues and opportunities of both counties.

 

Many of those in attendance cited a lack of skilled workforce and people qualified to fill the jobs available but praised both Fort Scott and Allen County Community Colleges for working together and striving to offer programs that provide training to fill jobs in the region. 

 

The closure of the century-old Fort Scott hospital in 2018 sparked conversation of healthcare in Bourbon County and access to care for residents in the community.

 

Following the roundtable, the Congressman participated in a tour of ReproLogix and learned about the company’s industry-leading work in livestock reproduction. 

Marshall tours ReproLogix.

 

Area News, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Fort Scott Actors In Pittsburg Community Theater This Evening

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The Fort Scott community is  invited to experience “We Are Monsters” at 6 pm  and 8 pm this evening  at Pittsburg Memorial Auditorium and Convention Center.
“I am the music director of this 2-week summer theater camp and we have several Fort Scott kidlets performing, including Abel Chaplin, Mila Newman, Chrislen Newman, Analeise Rupprecht, and Emma Bin,” Mary Jo Harper, said. “Our kids are rocking it!”

 

“Each summer for many years, PCT has supported Jr. Starz, an intensive, two-week children’s theatre workshop that culminates in a free performance for the community,” according to the Pittsburg Community Theatre Facebook page.

The workshop dates were June 10-21 and the show date: June 21

Session 1 – 8 a.m. to noon (show is June 21 at 6 p.m.)
Session 2 – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (show is June 21 at 8 p.m.)

Government, Kansas

Governor announces Council on Tax Reform co-chairs

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Honoring her promise to pursue commonsense, bipartisan reform of the Kansas tax code, Governor Laura Kelly today announced the appointment of two former state senators to serve as co-chairs of the new Governor’s Council on Tax Reform.

 

Kelly selected Steve Morris of Hugoton and Janis Lee of Kensington to lead the Governor’s Council on Tax Reform, charged with thorough review of the state’s tax code and recommendations for a more fiscally responsible and fair tax structure.

 

Morris, a moderate Republican, served 20 years in the Kansas Senate, including eight years as Senate president. During Lee’s 22 years in the state Senate, she was a longtime ranking Democrat on the Senate Tax Committee. She also is a former chief hearing officer for the Kansas Court of Tax Appeals.

 

Kelly served with Morris and Lee in the state Senate, and said their experience and bipartisan approach would be instrumental as the new Council on Tax Reform moves forward in pursuit of sound tax policy.

 

“The people of Kansas elected me to bring fiscally conservative and responsible principles back to our government,” Kelly said. “To that end, I expect the Council on Tax Reform to thoughtfully evaluate tax policy and recommend prudent, sustainable changes for the future.

 

“I know Steve and Janis share my desire to keep the state tax burden as low as possible. They also understand how important it is to ensure that our tax code supports public investment in areas such as education, public safety and infrastructure needed to help Kansas prosper.

 

“While it’s necessary to proceed with caution due to economic uncertainty, it’s also time to begin the conversation on tax reform that’s beneficial for families and businesses alike,” the governor said.  “We can and should build a sensible tax system that benefits Kansans who need it most, and ultimately all Kansans.”

 

Kelly plans to issue an executive order establishing and announcing the full membership of the Governor’s Council on Tax Reform, and detailing the full scope of work involved in the coming weeks.

Opinion

Transgender Teacher by Patty LaRoche

11 Comments
Patty LaRoche

The transgender issue has created a new set of challenges, as politicians, religious leaders and school administrators scratch their befuddled heads over what needs to be done. As soon as one mole is whacked (i.e., the use of public restrooms), another rears its non-gendered head and decisions have to be made. The most recent mole involves Mix Steel, as “they” wish to be called.

Stay with me.

Mix Vica Steel, formerly Mr. Vince Busenbark, a science teacher at Allis Elementary School in Wisconsin, received permission from his principal to show a video of him “coming out” (transitioning from male to female) to every K-5th-grade child. Only after children came home from school upset did parents learn about this incident.

In the video, Busenbark reads to the children They Call Me Fix, a book which includes dialogue like this: “BOY or GIRL? Are you a boy or a girl? How can you be both? Some days I am both. Some days I am neither. Most days I am everything in between.” At the video’s conclusion, Busenbark said, “And now, let me introduce myself anew. I am going to take my wife, Stella Steel’s, last name, and I am going to use not mister, not miss, but ‘mix.’ So, you can call me ‘Mix Steel.’ And for my pronouns, you can call me ‘they,’ ‘them,’ and ‘their.’”

“They” then suggested that people who disagree with “their” transgenderism are motivated by “fear” and “hate” and depicted those folks as ghostlike, scary people. On Busenbark’s Facebook page, “they” said the purpose of showing every student the video was so that “all [the children] can know who I am and who I am becoming.”

Liberty Counsel, a religious liberty law firm, claims the teacher violated district policy and the constitutional prohibition against schools enforcing any kind of “orthodoxy.” “It is outrageous that school administrators would allow a male science teacher to expose children to propaganda that promotes confusion about basic biology and to instruct students to address him by a false name, title and pronouns,” Liberty Counsel founder Mat Staver said. Liberty Counsel is demanding all public records be made available so they can find out why parents were not alerted and refers to this as “inappropriate activism in the classroom.” In an interview, Staver’s question “How do you unring that bell?” was, in my opinion, well-founded.

Immediately, an article appeared defending Mix Steel’s video and claiming that since no sex-ed was involved, no parental reply was necessary. “I happen to think that the teacher showed excellent judgment in her explanation. It reflects the real-life struggle of trans folks… Furthermore, the kids are learning a valuable lesson about tolerance and diversity which applies to the child with a physical deformity or the student with a learning disability or the kid with mixed-race parents or the kid with gay parents.”

Ummm, seriously? Comparing disabled children who did not choose that path to someone who opted to transgender is preposterous. Also, disabled people, mixed-race or gay parents do not have days in which they are “in between.” Nor do they show personal videos, claiming those who have issues with them are motivated by fear and hate. Could one not say the same of Mix Steel who offers those who disagree no respect? Where is “their” concern for the rights of malleable children when “they” force the children to call “them” by a neutered name? (Trust me, I’m driving myself nuts here.)

In response, one involved parent wrote on Facebook, “I’ve had to sit down with my kids and explain that what they heard is flat-out wrong and incorrect. We will be kind to others, but we WILL NOT be involved in adult games of make-believe. Shame on those that support this!” Pay attention, Readers. It’s just a matter of time before our communities are going to have to choose which mole we want to whack.

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Walmart Starts Curbside Pickup of Groceries

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The word Pickup can be seen on the south section of Walmart, 2500 S. Main Street.

Walmart Fort Scott started grocery curbside service June 19.

Here is a simple how-to on the process of using the service:

One can order at walmart.com, after creating an account and setting up payment by credit card. The pickup service costs nothing.

After the order is complete, pickup time is scheduled, then when the customer arrives, there is a designated area on the south of the store with 10 orange parking spaces.

The door the Walmart employees use to bring the groceries to the customer curbside is located on the south side of the building.
Designated parking spaces for pickup, with the phone number to call when arriving.

On the sign in the designated parking spaces is a phone number to call when arriving. Workers come out with a cart and will put the groceries in the customer’s vehicle.

Walmart employees check the order to see if it is the correct one.

Being the first day, there were a few glitches to work out, but this reporter had groceries in the trunk in 10 minutes.

Counting approximately 15 minutes to order online, the service is a time saver and is free.

Bourbon County Local News