Governor Kelly Signs Bipartisan Bill Expanding Move-Over Protections for all Highway Drivers
“Thanks to this commonsense bill, all drivers will now be required to move over or slow down if there is a vehicle on the side of the road with flashing lights,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This bill will improve safety and will make it easier to educate the driving public.” Senate Bill 8 works to protect both drivers of disabled vehicles displaying hazard warning signal lights and other drivers on the road. The bill requires drivers on the road to proceed with caution and change lanes away from the disabled vehicle if it is possible and safe to do so. “Eighty-two crashes occurred from 2018-2023 with someone in a vehicle while on the side of the road,” said State Representative for the 125th District Shannon Francis. “This bill will improve driver behavior by creating consistency with other move-over bills for law enforcement, first responders, and utility vehicles, among others.” Historically, move-over protections had been limited to emergency personnel. Over time, these protections included road service vehicles, utility, and tow trucks. This year, move-over protections will apply to all highway vehicles. “Senate Bill 8 is a commonsense safety measure that will enhance protections for all travelers on Kansas roadways,” said Senator for District 7 Ethan Corson “With its enactment, we’re taking meaningful steps to look out for drivers and passengers.” In addition to Senate Bill 8, Governor Kelly also signed the following bipartisan bills: Senate Bill 2: Validates the election results for the bond issuance question submitted by the board of education of USD 200, Greeley County, at a special election held on May 21, 2024. Senate Bill 7: Increases the statutory limits on bonds issued by a township based on township population and purpose of the bond issuance, increasing townships’ ability to access resources for infrastructure and facility improvements. Senate Bill 88: Ensures the state long-term care ombudsman and regional ombudsman receive memory care training to better serve Kansans with dementia and other memory illnesses. Senate Bill 175: Modernizes the definition of athletic trainer and provides an exemption for trainers licensed in other states or countries to practice in Kansas. House Bill 2261: Resolves ambiguity surrounding the classification of Kansas Highway Patrol majors. ### |
FSMS Student Luci Miles Wins Folk Wrestling State Championship
Folkstyle Wrestling is a combative sport where one wrestler tries to physically control the opponent against their will without injuring them, according tohttps://www.indeewrestling.com/folkstyle-wrestling-rules/
When two wrestlers wrestle each other, both wrestlers must weigh within one weight class of each other. You win a match by pinning your opponent, by scoring more match points than your opponent, or by disqualification if your opponent breaks certain rules. according to the website.
According to her dad, Mike Miles, Luci Miles, a 6th grader at Fort Scott Middle School, folk wrestles for Paola Panthers Wrestling Club, a kids’ youth wrestling club. She has been wrestling since she was five years old.
She was coached by Brett Martin, Darvin Willard, and Travis Allen.
Kids Folkstyle Wrestling season is from late October to March. They compete on weekends throughout those months at various tournaments in the states of Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, according to https://usawrestlingevents.com/event/2500013602
The Kids State Wrestling competition is always a couple of weeks after Kansas High School State contests, with a tournament every year in Topeka.
“You have to qualify from your district and place top four to make it to the state tournament,” Miles said. “Luci has won District 1 five times in a row. She has been in the state finals for the past five years. She has been runner-up for the past 4 years. This year she finally broke through and won the under 90 lb. girls division.”
The 2025 Kansas Kids Folkstyle Wrestling State Championship Tournament was March 14-16 in Topeka.
The tournament features wrestlers in four age divisions, boys and girls: 8 and under (8U), 10 and under (10U), 12 and under (12U), and 14 and under (14U). This tournament aims to provide a platform for showcasing boys and girls in age groups wrestling talents. As young wrestlers from around the country gather, they will compete with the top competition around the country with hopes to becoming National Champions, according to the website.
Human Resource Roundtable Offered By The Chamber on March 25
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Opinion: Win or lose, commissioners suing county is a loss for citizens
Bourbon County finds itself in the singular position of having every county commissioner joined with a few landowners as plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the county commissioners. Like most people in Bourbon County, I want to see more industries come to the county. Also, like most people, I want my county representatives to be fully engaged in carefully understanding any potential side effects, finding ways to address concerns, balancing risks, and working hard to facilitate healthy growth without throwing up unnecessary roadblocks.
The lawsuit creates an extraordinary state of affairs that has made me question whether the concerns of people like me were being represented fairly. I reached out to my commissioner, asking how he felt they could fairly represent all their constituents as a whole while actively joining a few citizens in a lawsuit against the county. I explained that this seemed like a pretty significant conflict of interest, but I wanted to have an open mind and hear what he had to say before fully forming an opinion.
I’d encourage you to ask your commissioner the same question. After carefully reading my commissioner’s position and re-reading the lawsuit a few times, I now have no doubt that the commissioners have positioned themselves such that it is impossible for them to make decisions for the best of the county as a whole—especially when it comes to working with solar companies. Whether the commissioners win or lose in their lawsuit against the county, the citizens lose by being deprived of commissioners who can ethically execute their duties.
I recognize that in their capacity as individuals on the lawsuit, they think they are doing something good for the county, but they are no longer merely private individuals. Their activities that may have started as individuals ruin their ability to function as commissioners for the county in this matter. Citizens should want commissioners who are sympathetic and will listen to the claims of the landowners who want to bar their neighbors from renting land to solar companies. However, remaining party to a lawsuit suing the county creates conflicts that prevent them from fairly executing their duties.
As plaintiffs in the lawsuit, the commissioners are making a bet that they can sue themselves to undo their predecessors’ decisions. Should they succeed as plaintiffs, it would catastrophically undermine the ability of this and future commissions to make agreements with any business that wants to expand into the county. It would likely expose the county and taxpayers to much larger lawsuits from landowners who have signed contracts to lease their land. It is hard to imagine any way for the commissioners to work with their defense lawyer and try to bring the lawsuit to an end to preserve taxpayers’ money while simultaneously funding and participating in the lawsuit as plaintiffs who are trying to take the lawsuit all the way to trial. Even for people who oppose industrial solar in any form, a win for the plaintiffs could hardly be seen as a net positive once the collateral damage is accounted for.
It appears to me that the most likely outcome is for the county to win the defense against the lawsuit, even with the commissioners’ best efforts as plaintiffs to make the county lose. In the scenario where the county wins the lawsuit, the commissioners will have squandered their ability to work with solar companies to address citizens’ concerns during the time that those concerns have the best chance of being addressed.
This isn’t hypothetical. Advance Power tried to have a meeting with the public on March 19th. This is precisely the sort of meeting that constituents would want the commissioners to attend. They could hear citizens’ concerns along with the solar company’s responses and information. However, the commissioners let everyone know they were refusing to attend, saying, “With everything that’s going on and things that we’re working on, we’re not going to associate ourselves with them at this point in time.”
Their response makes perfect sense from the standpoint of an individual who is suing both the solar companies and the county commissioners, but it is the exact opposite of the type of leadership we need from our commissioners. The commissioners are spending their personal money to sue the county and spending your taxpayer money to defend against their lawsuit.
As citizens of the county, we all have a vested interest in seeing our county commissioners remove themselves from this lawsuit as soon as possible so they can fully function in their capacity as our elected representatives, free of the ethical conflicts with which they are currently encumbered.
Based on all of this, I have asked my commissioner to drop himself from the lawsuit so he can function as a representative of all his constituents. I would encourage you to do the same.
Mark Shead
Note: FortScott.biz publishes opinion pieces with a variety of perspectives. If you would like to share your opinion, please send a letter to [email protected].
Gamechangers and Champions Event
Kansas Innovation Partners Gather for Gamechangers and Champions Event
TOPEKA – The Kansas Office of Innovation served as a convening partner last week for the Gamechangers and Champions event, held in Wichita, which brought together a diverse set of partners to support entrepreneurship and innovative startup development in Kansas. The 2025 Gamechangers and Champions was co-presented by NXTUS, a Wichita-based catalyst for the startup ecosystem.
“By bringing together startups, angel investors and ecosystem champions from across Kansas, we are creating a space where groundbreaking ideas can take root, partnerships can spark, and the future of our state’s innovation ecosystem can be shaped,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “This collaboration with NXTUS reflects our enduring commitment to empowering local startups, cultivating collaboration and fostering a culture of innovation that drives economic growth and opportunity for all Kansans.”
In addition to professional development and networking, Kansas startups competed in the Bracket Bash for Innovators and Angels — a startup pitch competition — where entrepreneurs had the opportunity to showcase their businesses, gain exposure to investors, and compete for funding that could propel their ventures forward. A $20,000 grand prize was delivered to pitch competition winner, Andrew Marquez with VU Scholarships of Roeland Park. And, selected by a vote of the more than 200 attendees, Matt Williams with Noonan brought home the “Fan’s Choice” award, which carried a $2,500 prize.
“Most Kansans have no idea the breadth and quality of entrepreneurs who are building tomorrow’s great businesses right here in Kansas,” President and CEO of NXTUS Mary Beth Jarvis said. “We’re changing that, thanks to the support from the Kansas Department of Commerce, Barton School of Business at WSU and the dozens of other sponsors. For the first time ever, we’ll collide state-wide innovators – these gamechangers for our economy – with their champions – the investors and supporters who are lifting them up as they build companies around breakthroughs in every industry.”
In addition to the pitch competition that initially included 74 companies, Gamechangers and Champions 2025 featured a variety of engaging activities, including:
- Opening Networking Session with Startup Grind and WIBA, sponsored by IMA
- Startup Grind Fireside Chat with Graham Krizek, CEO of Voltage Cloud, presented by the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Expert-led breakout tracks – Focused educational sessions for both startups and investors, supported by the Greater Wichita Partnership, Lange Capital and Kansas State University
- Business & Basketball Lounge – Thanks to Network Kansas’ eGrowth Ventures, attendees had access to networking sessions, complimentary headshots, and the NCAA Tournament games
- Keynote remarks, sponsored by Koch, from Kevin Lockett – Former K-State and Kansas City Chiefs player and longtime entrepreneur, who now manages the investment firm Fulcrum Global Capital
The event successfully created a space for innovation, collaboration and the celebration of Kansas’ growing startup ecosystem.
“The Gamechangers and Champions event was a true celebration of the diverse innovators building disruptive startups right here in Kansas,” Commerce Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer Romaine Redman said. “Congratulations to Andrew Marquez and VU Scholarships on winning this year’s pitch competition as they march on toward many future successes. We’re incredibly grateful to our sponsors for making this celebration possible and to the city of Wichita for warmly welcoming innovators, investors and ecosystem partners from across the state.”
About NXTUS:
NXTUS Inc. helps entrepreneurs grow companies of significance. The organization works to connect startup founders with community resources, capital and customers. NXTUS manages NXTSTAGE programs, which are aimed at connecting startups to mature businesses and regional partners looking to become customers for their innovations and to help accelerate the pace of innovation and startup growth in the region, as well as Accelerate Venture Partners, a fast-growing regional angel investor syndicate.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports March 24
Rumble Sticks Are Lifesavers by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom
By Carolyn Tucker
Rumble Strips are Lifesavers
The implementation of highway centerline and shoulder-line rumble strips have proven to be an excellent idea. This road-safety feature helps prevent drivers from running off the road and reduces head-on accidents. I’ve occasionally been annoyed by rumble strips while digging in my purse for my lip balm but, honestly, I’m very thankful for them. The loud noise and vibration alerts inattentive drivers of lane drifting. The rumble strips were partly designed for distracted drivers guilty of looking at a flock of wild turkeys, a herd of cattle, a tractor for sale, or a big field of soybeans.
During one winter late afternoon, a dear couple invited me to go with them to supper. I asked them if they were sure about driving out of town since it was starting to spit snow. The husband, John, assured me we could go anywhere since he drove a 4×4 truck. His wife, Chick, agreed that we should go out for a nice meal together. So, I donned my knee-high leather boots and long down coat and away we went. The further we drove, the heavier it snowed. But no worries. We arrived at the restaurant safe and sound, enjoyed the good food and good company, and then loaded into the truck and headed west.
The sky was as black as an ace of spades and 54 Highway was totally covered in several inches of fast-falling snow. Unless we were meeting a vehicle and could benefit from its headlights, it was impossible to determine where the road was. Since John couldn’t see where the centerline was, he would drive closer to the shoulder line and hit those rumble strips. Well, Chick didn’t want to linger too long too close to the ditch, so every few minutes she would say, “To the left. Go to the left.” This scenario was repeated over and over until we hit the city limits of Fort Scott. Being a widow, I found this husband-wife interaction to be very normal and quite entertaining. Neither one lost their cool, and it took both of them working together as a team to get us home in one piece.
Those shoulder-line rumble strips warned us of impending danger. It reminds me of how God tenderly warns mankind of danger. God doesn’t want anyone to go down a wrong and precarious dark road. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 NKJV).
Jesus taught that the lives of Christ followers actually light up the world. “Your lives light up the world. Let others see your light from a distance, for how can you hide a city that stands on a hilltop? And who would light a lamp and then hide it in an obscure place? Instead, it’s placed where everyone in the house can benefit from its light. So don’t hide your light! Let it shine brightly before others…” (Matthew 5:14-16 TPT). If God impresses you to do so, don’t be afraid to shine some light on family or friends when you see them beginning to wander off the shoulder.
Believers can serve as human rumble strips for those we love. And, hopefully, should we ever be headed toward the ditch someone will love us enough to gently bring us back to the center line. It works both ways — and must always be done in love.
The Key: Love others, shine your light, and be ready to rumble!
Derek Schmidt, U.S. House Representative Newsletter
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Obituary of Alice Walker
Alice A. Walker – After living a full and adventurous life of ninety-six years, Alice Walker of rural Blue Mound passed away on Thursday, March 20, 2025.
Alice Amy Frazier was born in Kingston, NY, on September 3, 1928, to Olen and Eleanor (Griffes) Frazier. She first began her lifelong learning in New York City, where her leadership and feisty nature showed early. Home for Alice, though, was growing up in New Paltz, NY, where her father was a university professor and the mountains were at her backdoor. There, she became an accomplished pianist and flutist, earned the highest award possible in Girl Scouts, and was an active member of the Dutch Reformed Church. Her love of travel developed from family vacations throughout the East and summers spent in Kansas with her grandparents.
Alice began college at Texas Women’s University before graduating from Emporia State University with a Library Science degree as well as a double major in English and Social Science in Secondary Education. She later acquired an elementary degree as well, so she could teach PK-12. She was an honor student, played in the orchestra, marched with the band, and worked at the university library. Alice began her career as a librarian in Missouri. Her love of reading and books led to her being a Governor’s Appointee to the Southeast Kansas Regional Library Board and serving on the William Allen White Book Selection Committee, on the Kansas State Reading Circle Selection Committee, and as the DAR State Librarian. Although she never intended to teach, she actually taught a total of thirty-two years at Centerville, Kincaid High School, and Crest Unified School District.
A life of surprises awaited her when the city girl from New York met her future husband, Howard, a Kansas farmer, on the steps of a church one summer. They were married on February 5, 1950, and celebrated fifty-six years of happiness. They truly approached life as a team. Together they raised their two children through college, bought three farms, designed and built a house themselves, operated an income tax business for forty-five years, were 4-H Club and project leaders, hosted foreign-exchange students, and were active members of the Blue Mound Federated Church and then, later, Ordained Elders of the Presbyterian Church in Garnett until it closed. One of the greatest gifts that they gave John and Alicia, their children, was traveling to all the forty-eight continental states as well as Canada and Mexico during the summers.
Alice became a superb seamstress, a grand champion recipe winner in national contests, a test cook for Betty Crocker for thirteen years and Farm Journal for six years, 4-H County Day judge, church pianist and organist, author of three genealogical books on family history, contributing writer for Heritage Quest, and a dedicated regent of the Four Winds DAR Chapter in Garnett. With DAR, Alice also served as President of the Kansas State Officers Club and President of the National State Vice Regents Club.
She loved to cook for others and do historical research. Because of her wealth of knowledge, she was an early version of the internet for anyone who sought her help or advice. Three of Alice’s biggest joys were serving as the 35th State Regent of Kansas DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), being inducted into the Kansas Teachers’ Hall of Fame at Dodge City, and earning the title of Fellow of the American College of Genealogists as a certified genealogist.
Alice was able to live on the farm alone until ninety-five with the company of her dog, Honey B, the help of her farm renters – Kevin Whitcomb and Melvin Holloman, and the faithful Centerville Community Church that she had come to value so much. After a bad fall, her final year was spent at Moran Manor, where she was treated like family.
Alice was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Steve Frazier; son-in-law, Dale Jackson; daughter-in-law, Peggy Walker; and grandson by marriage, Zachery Wisely; but the most profound loss was when Howard, her true love and soulmate, died in 2006.
She leaves behind a legacy with two children, John H. Walker of McFarland and Alicia A. Jackson of Uniontown, along with their families, including six grandchildren – Mary (Brad) Finney of Eskridge; Julie (Kenny) Ten Eyk of McFarland; Jubal (Wendy) Walker of Edmond, OK; Gretchen Magee of Gravette, AR, Meaghan (Matt) Russell of Redfield, and Caitlin (Clayton) Nading of Fort Scott. She was Grandma-Great to twelve: Virginia and Jonathon Walker; Candace (Chris) Davis; Amiee (Ryan) Runyon; Tyler Ten Eyk; Keagan, Layton, Preston, and Jocelyn Magee, and Brayden, Kohlton, and Aubrynn Russell. Her great-great grandchildren are Reever and Rook Davis as well as Luna and Damon Runyon.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Garnett, Kansas. Burial will follow in the Garnett Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Howard & Alice Walker Scholarship at Emporia State University and left in care of the funeral home.
Good Mental Health is Ageless
You are not alone if you have ever had more than ‘just the blues’ sometime in your life. According to Mental Health America, one-in-five American Adults have one or more mental health conditions, with 50% meeting the criteria of a condition sometime in their life. Mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being. So much of what we do physically impacts us mentally –it’s important to pay attention to both.
Let’s focus on how a healthy lifestyle will help prevent the onset or worsening of mental health conditions, as well as heart disease, diabetes, obesity and other chronic health problems! Eating healthy foods, managing stress, exercising, and getting enough sleep can go a long way in making you both physically and mentally healthy. To find the right balance to benefit both the mind and body, let’s tackle the sensational ‘S’ items from this list: Sleep and managing Stress.
Quality Slumber
Sleep plays a role in all aspects of our life and overall health. Getting a good night’s sleep is important to take on daily responsibilities. Adults should have 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Here are just a few tips for a good night’s sleep:
- Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day—including weekends.
- Get outside! Getting natural sunlight during the day helps to maintain your body’s sleep-wake cycle.
- Limit caffeine to the morning. The effects of caffeine can take 8 hours to wear off.
- If you can’t fall asleep for more than 20 minutes after going to bed, get up and do something calming until you feel sleepy.
- Get rid of anything in your bedroom that might distract you from sleep, like noises or bright lights. The light from screens can confuse your body’s internal clock.
Reduce the Impact of Stress
Stress can make even day-to-day life difficult. Research shows that stress is closely linked to high blood pressure, heart disease and obesity. It also shows that people who feel depressed or chronically stressed may have a greater risk of physical illnesses.
- Be realistic: You may be taking on more responsibility than you can or should handle for yourself or your family.
- No one is perfect: Shed the “superman/superwoman” urge for yourself and others.
- One thing at a time: For people under tension or stress, day-to-day workload can sometimes seem unbearable. Multi-tasking actually often leads to more stress.
- Exercise: Regular exercise is a popular way to relieve stress.
- Explore a hobby: Take a break from your worries by doing something you enjoy. Whether it’s gardening, painting, doing puzzles or playing games, schedule time to indulge your interests.
No matter where you happen to be on our own personal journey to health and wellness, looking at your overall health every day – both physically and mentally – can go a long way in ensuring that you focus on your fitness and future!
Southwind Extension District can help, have your heard about our OWL (Older Wiser Livelier) Hour? Full details https://bit.ly/4iHKR27. For more information contact Tara Solomon-Smith, [email protected], 620-244-3826.
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Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
Ten Cases of Measles In Kansas Are Reported
Per the Kansas Dept. Of Health & Environment: “As of March 21, 2025, Kansas is reporting 10 measles cases in Grant, Morton, and Stevens counties, with no hospitalizations or deaths reported. The CDC is also reporting increases in measles with 378 cases nationwide across 15 jurisdictions. Due to measles’ highly contagious nature, additional cases are expected, especially among unvaccinated individuals in Kansas and nearby areas. The KDHE advises healthcare providers to promptly report suspected cases and to submit specimens to the Kansas Health and Environment Laboratory for testing. KDHE is providing new vaccine recommendations for those in outbreak-affected areas.”
If you live in or near the counties listed and have questions about your measles immunity, please contact your local health department.
There are no known cases of measles in Allen, Anderson, Bourbon or Woodson Counties at this time.
Submitted from Becky Johnson, Administrator/Southeast Kansas Local Health Officer
Filling the District 3 Commissioner Seat
A letter of resignation was submitted to Bourbon County by Leroy Kruger on Tuesday, March 18, and forwarded to the Kansas Governor’s Office.
According to Jennifer Hawkins, Bourbon County Deputy Clerk, the Bourbon County Republican Party has 21 days from the day they receive the notice of vacancy from the Governor’s Office to appoint someone to the seat. The Republican Party will post notice of the vacancy and hold a special meeting where interested individuals will attend, and an appointment will be made. The Republican Party will certify their appointment with the Governor’s Office who will then approve the appointment and issue a certificate of office to the new appointee.
“I am still notifying precinct men and women and waiting on official notice from the secretary of state’s office,” said Kaety Bowers, chair of the Bourbon County Republican party.
She expects to receive that notice early next week. Once notice is received, the party will release an official statement that the position is open. A convention will follow with open interviews to ask questions of any interested candidates. Then the Republican precinct men and women will vote for their candidate of choice.
“The Republican party men and women are ready and confident in our ability to do so,” said Bower.
The individual appointed will not be able to conduct business as a County Commissioner until they receive their certificate from the Governor’s Office.
Hawkins has been keeping a file of resignations for the past two years, and remembers other resignations of commissioners during her 11 years of working for the county. Most recently, Nelson Blythe, 1st District Commissioner, resigned 4-1-2024 and Brandon Whisenhunt was appointed to fill the vacant seat.
Lynne Oharah, 1st District Commissioner, resigned 7-13-2022 and Nelson Blythe was appointed to fill the vacant seat. Nick Ruhl, 3rd District Commissioner, resigned 8-26-2020 and Clifton Beth was appointed to fill his vacant seat.