Click below:
Veterans Shuttle On Mondays and Tuesdays Starting March 4
The Fort Scott – Topeka VA Shuttle service is now providing weekly service to area Veterans on Mondays and Tuesdays. The new schedule starts Monday, March 4, 2019.
There is no cost to the Veteran to ride the shuttle. The shuttle service is for any Veteran who needs transportation to Topeka for their medical appointment.
The VA shuttle holds five passengers and riders must preregister for a seat. Seats on the shuttle are open to any area Veteran on a first come, first served basis.
The shuttle will depart from Pete’s 66 service station on Main Street at 6:15 am and will return to Fort Scott after the last rider has completed their appointment in Topeka.
The rider must be at the designated departure point by 6:10 am. This is not a pickup or taxi service. The Veteran is responsible for being at Pete’s by the departure time.
The shuttle does not accommodate wheelchairs or pets. Only certified service dogs are permitted on the shuttle. Oxygen tanks are not permitted on the shuttle. Oxygen concentrators are allowed.
Family members may not ride with the Veteran on the shuttle. Those Veterans who need a caregiver to accompany them must have a signed note from their doctor attesting that the Veteran requires a caregiver to accompany them to and from their appointment.
To register for a shuttle seat, the Veteran must
· Have an appointment at the Topeka VA Medical Center between 9 am and 1 pm for the day they schedule their shuttle seat.
· Call 785-925-0261 to schedule their seat. All seat reservations must be scheduled by 5 pm, the day prior to their appointment in Topeka.
Contact Carl Jowers, Fort Scott Shuttle Coordinator, at 785-925-0261 with any questions you may have about the shuttle service or for information on becoming a shuttle driver.
Obituary of Jerry Dean Payne
Jerry Dean Payne, age 78, a resident of Erie, Kansas, passed away Saturday, February 9, 2019, at his home. He was born September 4, 1940, in Ft. Scott, Kansas.
He was raised by his mother, Alice May Brady Ashley and his step-father, William L. Ashley. Jerry graduated from the Herington High School. He married Wilma Winters on July 5, 1997, in Ft. Scott. Jerry worked in law enforcement for thirty-three years. He retired as Chief of Police for Erie, Kansas.
Survivors include his wife, Wilma, of the home in Erie; a daughter, Jessie Lou Wiley Payne, also of the home; two sons, Terry Lee Payne, of Abilene, Kansas and Monty Ray Payne and his wife, Patti, of Holyrood, Kansas; three step-sons, Ernest Wiley (Rubortia), Jeff Wiley and Paul Wiley. Also surviving are three grandchildren, Kelby, Kaylene and Holli Payne; two step-grandchildren, Destiny and Joanna Wiley; two great-grandchildren, Kyler and Hazley.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Larry Lynn Payne; two sons, Bobby Joe Payne and Larry Dennis Payne a step-son, Larry Dean Wiley and his former wife, Lesa Payne.
Pastor Danny Flippo will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, February 16th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Mapleton Cemetery at Mapleton, Kansas. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Friday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Jessie Payne Scholarship Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Bourbon County Commission Agenda Feb.12
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: February 12th, 2019
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
9:00-9:45-Jim Harris
10:00-10:30-Bill Martin-Budgets
10:30-11:00-Jody Hoener-Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property
11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks
12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch
1:00-ABC Trails Meeting
2:00-2:15-Matt Godinez-SEK Regional Planning Committee
3:30-4:00-David Neville-Generator Discussion
Obituary of Anna Margaret Gibson
Anna Margaret Gibson, resident of Carthage, MO, formerly of Ft. Scott, KS, passed away on February 10, 2019, into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at Joplin Gardens, Joplin, MO.
She was born May 15, 1928, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Ralph, Sr. and Julia Karleskint Sluder. Anna attended Liberty school where she graduated and received her certificate of education from the State of Kansas.
She married the love of her life, Samuel Gibson on September 10, 1945. They were married for 63 years, until Samuel preceded her in death on April 12, 2008.
Anna worked for Key Industries for 38 years and was plant supervisor at the time of her retirement in 1993.
Anna attended the Community Christian Church in Ft. Scott. She was a remarkable woman.
She had a green thumb and enjoyed working in her flower gardens, cooking for family and friends, and singing, especially hymns.
She was most passionate about being a witness for her Savior, Jesus Christ. Anna was a devoted mother and grandmother. She enjoyed spending time with her family and was fondly known as “Granny Bird”. She will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Survivors include her two daughters, Kimberly Brillhart, Jasper, MO, and Julie Howard and husband John, Joplin, MO; Also surviving are four granddaughters, Brooke Campbell and husband John, Kate Sears and husband Matthew, Ashley Osborne and Samantha Burk and husband Stephen; great-grandchildren Maddie and Lucas Campbell, Blake and Joey Jean Sears, Ian and Jasper Osborne, and Samuel and Anna Burk; one sister, Erma Knight and husband Warren, Ft. Scott; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and a very special friend, Ralph Stapp.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by four brothers, William, Ralph, Jr., Charles and Joseph Sluder; 3 sisters, Marcelia Cox, Mary Moore, and Ruth Helen Sluder; and her parents.
Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct graveside services at 11:00 AM Thursday, February 14th, in the U. S. National Cemetery, Ft. Scott.
Memorials are suggested to the Pediatric Cancer Unit of Children’s Mercy Hospital Kansas City and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Senator Hilderband’s Weekly Newsletter Feb. 8
State senatorRichard Hilderbrand13th district
communications from the state capitol
February 8, 2019∙ Week Four
HARD FACTS:
· U.S. employers added 304,000 jobs in January, soaring past Wall Street’s expectations for an increase of 165,000 jobs (Fox Business).
· University of Kansas officials say crime reported on the Lawrence campus in 2018 dropped to the lowest level in 10 years (AP News).
Getting ready to apply for college? Improving your test scores just got easier with LearningExpress Library, available from the State Library of Kansas. LearningExpress Library is an easy to use online resource that includes practice tests and tutorials for PSAT, ACT and SAT as well as AP. There is no charge to use LearningExpress and no limit to the number of times you can take the practice tests. Becoming familiar with and comfortable with the testing format and the types of questions helps to improve test scores. Go to https://kslib.info/LearningExpress click on College Preparation Center.
Easy registration and self-supplied password is necessary and helps you save your practice tests and tutorials. If the page above asks for a Kansas Library eCard number, you may get one at any library in Kansas. Most people will be automatically recognized as being in Kansas and will not need this step. Questions: [email protected] or 785-296-3296.
FLOOR ACTION
KPERS $115 MILLION TRANSFER(SB 9): Senate Bill 9, transfers $115.0 million from the State General Fund to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement Fund. The payment in its’ entirety will be paid to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS)-School group. This bill passed the Senate 40-0. I voted in favor of this bill
Stopping the tax increase (SB 22): Senate Bill 22, was introduced in response to the federal windfall Kansas is expected to receive as a result of Congress passing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017. Senate Bill 22 addresses both individual and corporate income taxes by decoupling from certain federal tax provisions. This will allow individuals the ability to itemize when using the federal standard deduction on their tax return.
Senate Bill 22 will provide Kansans the right to deduct interest on their mortgage, property taxes, and health care expenses. The legislation also provides incentives for businesses to invest and create jobs in Kansas by protecting Kansas companies from an unintended tax increase. This bill passed the Senate 26-14. I voted in favor of this bill
GOVERNOR KELLY’S EDUCATION FUNDING PLAN
The Senate Select Committee on Education Finance began hearings for Senate Bill 44, Governor Laura Kelly’s education plan. The bill would add $92 million per year to the $949.4 million the Legislature has already promised K-12 through the year 2023. The $92 million is an inflation figure, which is factored at a flat rate. The Senate Education Committee will continue hearings for Senate Bill 44 on Tuesday, February 12th at 1:30 pm.
KANSAS FARM BUREAU 100TH ANNIVERSARY
On Thursday, members of the Kansas Farm Bureau gathered at the statehouse to celebrate the bureau’s 100th anniversary.In 1919, the Kansas Farm Bureau was established as a grassroots organization to strengthen and correlate the work of county Farm Bureaus to promote the development of the most profitable and permanent system of agriculture; the most wholesome and satisfactory living conditions; the highest ideals in home and community life, and a general interest in the farm business and rural life. The Kansas Farm Bureau has advocated and served Kansas farmers and ranchers through a wide range of programs, including agriculture education, leadership development, legal defense, rural development, and international trade. Through its work, the Bureau has played a critical role as the Voice of Agriculture in Kansas.
JAG-K DAY AT THE STATEHOUSE
Thursday, February 7th, was JAG-K advocacy day at the Kansas Statehouse. Jobs for America’s Graduates, Kansas is a non-profit organization that partners with students facing multiple barriers to success. The curriculum emphasizes graduating from high school and preparing students for post-secondary education or entering the workforce directly. The JAG-K program had a 97% graduation rate in school year 2016-2017.
Students, educators, and program directors presented an overview of the program in front of the Senate Education Committee on Thursday before being recognized on the Senate floor during session.
The above chart shows data from the 2017-2018 school year.
NEXT WEEK
Monday –
· Informational hearing on Medicaid: Amerigroup, Frank Clepper – [Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee; February 11 at 9:30 am]
· Discussion on: School Safety Drills by Office of the State Fire Marshal, Doug Jorgensen and Kansas State Department of Education, Dale Dennis – [Senate Education Committee; February 11 at 1:30 pm]
Tuesday –
· Hearing on: Senate Bill 42, amending the meaning of the terms “rebate” and “interest” as used in the real estate brokers’ and salespersons’ license act – [Senate Commerce Committee; February 12 at 8:30 am]
· Hearing on: Senate Bill 82, updating the state banking code – [Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee; February 12 at 9:30 am]
· Informational briefing on Vaping/E-Cigarettes, Dodi Wellshear, KS Academy of Family Physicians – [Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee; February 12 at 9:30 am]
· Hearing on Senate Bill 77, requiring the department for children and families to offer services to children with problem sexual behavior and to such child’s family – [Senate Judiciary Committee; February 12 at 10:30 am]
· Hearing continuation on: Senate Bill 44, appropriations for the department of education for FY 2019, 2020, and 2021; increasing BASE aid for certain portion of property used for residential purposes from such levy – [Senate Select Committee on Education Finance; February 12 at 1:30 pm]
Wednesday –
· Hearing on: Senate Bill 90, extending the tax credit under the center for entrepreneurship act to financial institutions and increasing the annual tax credit limit for all contributors – [Senate Commerce Committee; February 13 at 8:30 am]
· Hearing on: Senate Bill 67, establishing the unclaimed life insurance benefits act – [Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee; February 13 at 9:30 am]
· Hearing on: Senate Bill 70, allowing for temporary permits for the selling and serving of alcoholic liquor – [Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee; February 13 at 10:30 am]
Thursday –
· Hearing on: Senate Bill 60, amending Kansas real estate commission licensing provisions for brokers and sales persons – [Senate Commerce Committee; February 14 at 8:30 am]
· Hearing on: Senate Bill 91, establishing the golden years homestead property tax freeze act providing refund for certain increases in residential property taxes and allowing homestead property tax refund for renters – [Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee; February 14 at 9:30 am]
· Informational briefing on Foster Care: Interim Secretary Laura Howard – Department for Children and Families, Rachel Marsh – St. Francis Community Services – [Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee; February 14 at 9:30 am]
· Presentation and Update on: Southwest Power Pool; Mike Ross, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs and Public Relations – [Senate Utilities Committee; February 14 at 1:30 pm]
Thank You for Engaging
Thank you for all your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. Constituent correspondence helps inform my decision-making process and is taken into great consideration when I cast my vote in the Kansas Senate. I hope you’ll continue to engage with me on the issues that matter most to you, your family, and our community. If you are on Twitter or Facebook, I encourage you to follow along with the #ksleg hashtag for real-time updates on legislative happenings in Topeka.
Please know that I am fully committed to addressing the current issues in our state, and I am proud to be your voice in the Kansas Senate.
New EMS Vehicles Dedicated Feb. 12 At Timken
There will be a Mercy Health Foundation dedication ceremony to add to the local Emergency Medical Services transportation fleet, 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12 at the Timken Company, 4505 Campbell Drive.
The community is invited to attend this special presentation and may contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at 620-223-3566 or [email protected] with questions
or for more information.
The Timken Foundation, Canton, Ohio, donated $25,000 which helped purchase an EMS vehicle.
The purpose of the Timken Foundation is to support entities such as hospitals, recreational, educational, cultural, social, and other charitable institutions, according to information provided by Rachel Pruitt, City of Fort Scott Economic Development Director.
An EMS transport vehicle costs approximately $100,000, according to Mercy Foundation President Jared Leek.
Additional funds were raised by fundraising events and private donations.
The new transport ambulance will be owned by Bourbon County and managed by the City of Fort Scott, according to a link provided by Dave Bruner, City of Fort Scott.
A transport ambulance looks more like a van than a traditional ambulance but has better longevity, fuel economy, easier service and maintenance than a traditional ambulance but comes with all of the same equipment, according to the link.
On April 1, the operation of the local EMS will transition from Mercy Hospital to Bourbon County EMS. Mercy Hospital closed in December 2018.
” We currently have four ambulances staffed 24-7 during the period that the emergency room is closed,” Bruner said.
Currently, there are eight full time and 16 part-time employees in the EMS, according to Bruner.
This includes paramedics, who have two years of schooling and have advanced life support certification. There are also Emergency Medical Technicians, who have six months of school, then must pass national certification, EMT Clint Lawrence said.
“We have to have a minimum of two people for each vehicle on duty,” Lawrence said. “Right now we have four vehicles because each of our patients has to go out of town to another hospital.”
FSNHS Is Recruiting For A Park Guide Starting Today, Feb. 11
Seasonal Park Guide Position Available at Fort Scott National Historic Site
Fort Scott KS – Fort Scott National Historic Site is recruiting for a GS-04 Park Guide temporary position starting Monday, February 11th for the summer of 2019. Application information can be found at: www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/523844900. Additional park positions will be announced later this spring.
The Park Guide is responsible for daily visitor center operations, including providing visitors with accurate information on park resources and cultural history, as well as safety and information for the surrounding area. The incumbent serves as a front-line representative providing informal interpretive opportunities and formal interpretive programs such as walks, talks, multimedia, demonstrations, and children’s programs. They will also participate in living history programs, education programs, and work closely with park staff on critical special initiatives including website development, social media, and special events.
The GS-04 Park Guides generally work a full-time 40-hour week and is entitled to paid holidays. Holiday, evening, and weekend work is required. A driver’s license is recommended.
This position is expected to start in April and end in September. The advertisement closes on Friday, February 15, 2019.
For more information about the park in general, contact Fort Scott NHS at (620) 223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.
City of Fort Scott Closed For President’s Day
The City of Fort Scott City Administrative Offices will be closed on Monday, February 18th, 2019 in observance of the President’s Day holiday. The offices will reopen on Tuesday, February 19th, 2019.
The City’s tree and brush dump site located on North Hill will also be closed on Saturday, February 16th, 2019 for the President’s Day holiday. It will be open again on Tuesday, February 19th, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Feb. 11
The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports Feb. 7-10
From Linderhof’s Kitchen . . .By Martha Scott
Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil
I grew up in the midwest but Mother would buy shrimp every once in a while which she always served boiled. We didn’t do a traditional coastal shrimp boil, however, just boiled shrimp as the entree. Served with her shrimp sauce — half mayo and half ketchup. Sheet pan dinners are a fad now and they certainly are easy. You dump everything on a sheet pan, put it in the oven and voila, you have a one pan dinner! This sheet pan shrimp boil made the icy weather go away — it’s simple and delicious!
Preheat oven to 425
1 pound baby potatoes (if they’re big, quarter them)
1 ½ pounds medium raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 ears of corn, cut crosswise into 4 pieces each
2 Andouille sausage links, thinly sliced
2 lemons, sliced
1 t. Garlic powder
1 T. Old Bay seasoning
2 T. melted butter
2 T. olive oil
Salt and pepper
OLD BAY MAYO
½ c. mayonnaise
2 T. finely chopped chives
1 t. Old Bay
1 t. Dijon mustard
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook potatoes until just tender. About 10 minutes. Drain.
In a large bowl, combine cooked potatoes, shrimp, corn, sausage, lemons. In a smaller bowl, combine garlic powder, Old Bay, melted butter and olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Pour butter mixture over potatoes and shrimp mixture. Toss to combine, then divide between two sheet pans. Bake until shrimp is cooked through and corn is tender, 13 to 15 minutes.
Old Bay Mayo:
In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, chives, Old Bay seasoning, Dijon, lemon juice and zest.
