New safety signage along U.S. 69 aims to reduce crashes
Road users traveling U.S. 69 in Crawford County will see newly installed yellow “Safety Corridor – Increased Enforcement” signage. These warning signs bring attention to heightened law enforcement efforts as part of a Safety Corridor Pilot Program launched in Summer 2023. The Safety Corridor Pilot Program is a five-year initiative aimed at reducing fatal and serious injury crashes on four selected highway corridors in Kansas. The Program entails a comprehensive set of strategies in enforcement, education, engineering, and emergency response.
The U.S. 69 Safety Corridor extends from the U.S. 400 junction north through Frontenac and Pittsburg to the U.S. 160 junction. Crash reports indicate 98 total crashes occurred along the U.S. 69 corridor route over a five-year timeframe (2016-2021), including 4 fatalities and 19 serious injuries. The Kansas Department of Transportation installed signage to alert motorists of increased enforcement of risky driving behaviors associated with crash risk.
“U.S. 69 was selected for this pilot safety initiative based on a history of fatal and serious injury crashes and crash reports noting a reoccurring pattern of risky driving behaviors,” said Southeast District Engineer Wayne Gudmonson. “The goal is to help travelers get home safely by bringing attention to the importance of obeying traffic laws, wearing seat belts and advancing a culture of safe driving behaviors.”
The Safety Corridor Pilot Program will run until 2028. Secondary educational messages in schools and businesses along the four corridors will be distributed beginning this month. For more information on the Safety Corridor Pilot Program, visit the program website at https://www.ksdot.gov/bureaus/burTrafficSaf/safetycorridor.asp.
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FS City Commission To Consider Applying For the Certified Local Government Program
Friday, August 11 at 5 p.m at city hall, the Fort Scott City Commission will discuss the idea of Fort Scott considering the option of applying to the Certified Local Government Program as presented to the Design Review Board and the City Commission by Mayor Matthew Wells.
The Certified Local government (CLG) program is designed to promote the preservation of prehistoric and historic sites and districts by establishing a partnership between the local government on behalf of the State of Kansas and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), a division of the Kansas Historical Society.
Katrina Ringler, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, and Director of Cultural Resources Division of the Kansas Historical Society will be present at the meeting to answer questions.
Please share with anyone who might be interested in learning more about this program and participate in the discussion of this proposal for the City.
Further information that was presented at the City Commission meeting can be found at http://www.fscity.org/AgendaCenter
An announcement will be posted on Facebook as well.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports August 4
Host Families For International Students Are Needed in Bourbon County
School is just around the corner, and I have an opportunity to make this year EXTRA SPECIAL for your family. FLAG International is seeking host families for international exchange students in Fort Scott and the surrounding area.
Ask me for more information! You can email me at [email protected] or call or text 620-215-5494.
New USD 234 Teachers: Woellhof, Fugate-Cate, Setina
This is part of a series featuring the 20 new teachers in the Fort Scott School District.
School starts August 18.
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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports August 3
Carpenters for Christ Youth Carpentry Workshop
Carpenters for Christ Youth Carpentry
Workshop
Location: First Southern Baptist Church
1818 S Main St
August 7 th , 8 th & 9 th
10am till 11:30am
Ages: 6 th thru 8 th Grade (Boys & Girls)
Enrollment Limited to 15 youth
(Call 620-223-2986 to reserve a spot)
Workshop will include: Snacks, a Bible Lesson, and a Carpentry
Training Session
*Youth that attend at least 2 sessions will receive a free t-shirt
(t-shirts will be ordered after the end of the 2 nd workshop)
Healthy Bo Co Action Team Tackles Public Transportation
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team’s coalition Local Health Equity Action Team (LHEAT) has been making efforts to bring affordable public transportation through SEK-CAP that is also wheelchair accessible to Bourbon County. As have right now this program will run 3-days a week. We are planning on launching this program at the end of August. We wanted community members to share input on what the weekly schedule should look like and provide feedback. Please fill out this short survey and share with others!
BBCO Public Transportation Survey (google.com)
Submitted by
Rachel Carpenter
Director
The Center for Economic Growth
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team
PH: 620-215-2562
104 N National
Governor Kelly Invites Public Input on Broadband Infrastructure Plan
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Initial Proposal Volume 1 is available for public viewing and comment. The BEAD 5-Year Action Plan, along with Volume 1 and Volume 2, will identify served, unserved, and underserved locations across the state and map out a plan to expand access to high-speed internet.
The BEAD program, established by the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, has allocated more than $451 million to Kansas for the development of broadband networks.
“Universal internet access is essential, and BEAD is a catalyst to a more connected and prosperous Kansas,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “From remote work to telehealth and other critical services, my administration is committed to ensuring every Kansan has the opportunity to thrive in the digital economy.”
Residents, community organizations, businesses, and local authorities from across the state are encouraged to participate in the public comment period for Volume 1 of the Initial Proposal. The document adheres to National Telecommunications Information and Administration (NTIA) guidelines and includes a description of each requirement and attachments.
Volume 1 includes:
- Existing broadband efforts
- Identification of unserved and underserved Kansans
- List of community anchor institutions
“It’s essential to have opportunities for meaningful public comment and connection with the Office of Broadband Development if we are to achieve the goal of universal service,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Kansas is on the path to a more digitally accessible future, and participation in the public comment period will play a crucial role in shaping the success of the BEAD program.”
These strategic planning documents aim to bring robust broadband connectivity to every corner of Kansas, bolstering economic growth, education, health care, and public safety.
“This historic investment will make bold strides toward closing the digital divide and empowering Kansas communities,” said Jade Piros de Carvalho, Director of the Kansas Office of Broadband Development. “Input from Kansans is needed to ensure everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy enhanced broadband access, creating greater opportunities for all residents.”
Public comments on Volume 1 can be submitted online here until August 30.
Learn more about the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Plan here.
New K-State Agent and Newly Created Position: Amanda Clasen
Amanda Clasen, 35, is a new K-State Research and Extension- Southwind District agent. She is serving Neosho, Woodson, Bourbon and Allen Counties. They have offices in Erie, Yates Center, Iola and Fort Scott.
Hers is a newly created position, that started June 12, 2023.
“I am the Community Vitality Agent, helping local communities grow by helping identify local needs and highlight the bright spots within the community, as well as working with local collation groups to identify health, childcare and housing needs within our counties,” she said. “I can help local groups find grants for project funding as well as help in assisting with the writing of those grants. We are still expanding on programming for this position as it is a new position, so I am looking into possibly adding Youth Entrepreneurship similar to what Fort Scott currently offers to our other counties in the future.”
“I am housed out of the Erie Office, but travel to each office at least once a week,” she said.
Her contact info: email: [email protected] or phone 620.244.3826
Clasen earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education- Pittsburg State University in 2011, and a Master’s Degree in Adaptive Special Education from P.S.U. in 2015.
“I was a special education preschool teacher for 11 years before taking this position,” she said. “Along side of my teaching duties I served as a Family Engagement Coordinator for three years, helping write grants to provide events within the school to promote stronger parent/family relationships as well as including outside agencies opportunities to share information with parents.”
She was born and raised in Linn, KS, a small rural town in north central Kansas, and currently lives in Erie with husband Mac and three sons, 10 years, 8 years and 3 years-old.
She has been involved in her community through XI Delta PSI.
So far in this job, she is enjoying “Getting to network with local communities and members and see what fun and exciting projects that they have already completed and working towards,” she said. “There are so many hidden ‘gems’ in our small towns and I’m excited to continue to uncover them with getting to know community members.”
With any new job, the beginning can be challenging.
“With this being a new position, there is not currently not an established programming plan, so deciding what communities need or want for programming has been a struggle, but I’m excited to learn!” she said.