Area News

Salute To Combat Warriors Wednesday

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Montana, Adam, Jennifer and Drake LaRoche. Submitted photo.

E3 Foundation, founded by Adam and Jennifer LaRoche, is partnering with Combat Warriors Inc. to host a turkey hunt for military heroes.

The community is rallying behind the event to honor the combat veterans.

On  Wednesday, April 25 at approximately 1:30 p.m. the veterans will land at Fort Scott Airport then head to the LaRoche Ranch.

Fort Scottians will be lining the route to show the vets honor for their service.

Beginning at 1 pm this Wednesday, the Fort Scott Regional Tourism Center at 231 E. Wall will distribute 500 American Flags to wave while these heroes pass by.

“The Fort Scott Community College, Fort Scott High School, Winfield Scott Elementary, Eugene Ware Elementary, and St. Mary’s Catholic school are all coming out to wave, hold flags and signs to say ‘Thank you’ to the soldiers for there service and sacrifice,” Jennifer LaRoche said. “Businesses, along the convoy route, are allowing their employees to step out during the work day to show their support as well. The estimated convoy time is 1:30 pm but that could be sooner or later due to flight times so we will post on the E3 Foundation Facebook page the most current convoy departure time. So people need to be checking that throughout the morning and early afternoon.”

The route of the convoy of veterans:

These military service people will travel through Fort Scott following a route of east on Indian Road (AKA Lake Fort Scott Road), north on HWY. 69, then turn north onto National Avenue to Wall Street, and then Wall  Street, east out of town.

The Mission Statement of the E3 Foundation:
The family of the E3 Foundation is committed to putting God’s love into action as we use our gifts to be good stewards, to serve, to help those in need and to ultimately introduce others to Christ.

 

Following is the post on the E3Foundation Facebook page:

Obituary

Obituary of EARL V. “VIC” JADLOW, JR.

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Vic Jadlow left Earth for his heavenly home on Saturday, April 21, 2018.

He was born in Nevada, MO, on October 30, 1940, to Earl and Marge Jadlow. He graduated high school in Ft. Scott, KS, with the class of 1958. He married Sally Margaret Freeman in June of 1962 in Ft. Scott.

Vic owned and operated Jadlow Dental Laboratory in Prairie Village, KS, for 47 years. His favorite pastimes included farming as well as acquiring and restoring antique tractors. He was active in many area tractor organizations including the Midwest Ford Fordson Collectors Association.

Survivors include Sally, his wife of nearly 56 years; and four children, Jennifer Karr, Trey Jadlow, Sara Nissen and husband Scott, and Joshua Jadlow. Grandchildren include Jordan Karr and wife MacKinzie, Brooke Karr, Gunnar Karr, Victor Jadlow IV, Louis Jadlow, Keilah Jadlow, Kristen Jadlow, Katarina Jadlow, Tony Jadlow, Kate Nissen, Sam Nissen, Abe Nissen, Caroline Nissen, and Clare Nissen. Also, surviving is one brother, Tom Jadlow and wife Mary Lynne of Salina, KS; and one sister, Karen Smith and husband Doug of Pleasanton, KS.

Services will be held at Colonial Presbyterian Church, 137th, and Rosehill, Overland Park, KS, on Friday, April 27, 2018.

Visitation will be at 9:30 AM with services following at 10:30 AM. Burial will be in the Newton Cemetery, Nevada, MO, following lunch at the church. The family requests no flowers and suggests contributions to either Colonial Presbyterian Church or Kansas City Hospice which may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Fort Scott, Schools, Submitted

Kansas History Day: Fort Scott Middle School Takes First

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First place at Kansas History Day competition left to right: Boden Kiwan, Trent Toth and Katelyn Dancer.
From Left to Right: Hannah Peck Trent Toth, Kaitlin Hardwick, Boden Kiwan, Katelyn Dzncer, Addelyn Nolan, and Kaitlyn Leavell. FSMS students that participated at the State competition. 

Fort Scott Middle School students competed April 21 at Kansas History Day competition in Topeka.

The junior group performance titled: The Walker School Walkout of 1948-The Untold Story of Corinthian Nutter took first place.

This qualified the team of Trent Toth, Katelyn Dancer and Boden Kiwan for the national competition held in College Park, Maryland this June.

 

Government, Submitted

DCF: Child Welfare Improvements and Budget Needs

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DCF Announces RFI, Discusses Child Welfare Improvements and Budget Needs

TOPEKA – Today, Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel announced a Request for Information (RFI) surrounding the child welfare contracts, which are set to expire June 30, 2019. The RFI is to gather valued input from interested parties, stakeholders, community and contracted partners, families, foster parents, staff and the general public.

The public will have two options to share their thoughts about the contracts. Individuals will have the option to submit suggestions online until 5 p.m., April 27, at www.childwelfarecontractfeedback.dcf.ks.gov. A public comment meeting is also planned, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, April 24, at the DCF Administration Building, 555 S. Kansas Ave., Topeka. At the public meeting, attendees will have the opportunity to talk for two minutes each and share their input about general child welfare contract needs. No information regarding any specific child, case or judgment will be allowed in this Request for Information (RFI) process.

All feedback and information will be compiled, responded to and will be posted at a later date on the DCF website, without identifying information. This is the first RFI in regard to child welfare contracts in recent years, if ever.

“Since starting at the agency on Dec. 1, I have actively sought input from all interested parties and concerned citizens. I realize that I cannot strengthen and improve the child welfare system without first listening to those involved,” Secretary Meier-Hummel said. “This RFI process will allow us to listen and gather helpful suggestions to improve how we serve the children and families of Kansas.”

 

In addition to announcing the RFI, Secretary Meier-Hummel also announced a new effort to address social worker vacancies, DCF will create a new classification of staff—unlicensed child protection specialists. They will be required to have a four-year degree in a related field, such as psychology, sociology, etc., but they will not have to be licensed as social workers. They will, however, have to pass the same background checks and be required to complete the same training.

 

A Governor’s Budget Amendment will be introduced later this week to create a 5-percent pay differential for current staff performing child and adult protection service work. Additionally, the Governor’s Budget Amendment requests a three-year raise proposal for licensed protective service staff and supervisors.

 

“The agency is experiencing a critical shortage of social workers and has been actively working to address this issue for years, with little to no success. We are working to hire for competency and critical thinking, and this change is consistent with how this work is done across the country, according to national child welfare consultants,” Secretary Meier-Hummel said. “This is not my ideal situation, but the reality is the work we do is too important and we don’t have enough people doing this work and simply can’t recruit enough—we have tried.”

 

In January, Governor Jeff Colyer requested an additional $16.5 million to supplement DCF’s child welfare budget to address critical needs. An additional $24.3 million budget amendment is now being requested over the next three fiscal years, of which $5.4 million is for staff differential pay and raises over the next three years. The remainder pertains to proposed IT projects that are currently being considered by the State Office of Information Technology Services.

“I support Secretary Meier-Hummel as she works diligently to improve our child welfare system,” said Governor Colyer. “The changes she is making combined with this additional investment to bolster our child welfare staff will go a long way to help DCF accomplish its mission. These are our kids, we have to get this right because they deserve it. I am committed, as I know Secretary Meier-Hummel is, to improve the lives of Kansas children and families, and this will help us do just that.”

During today’s news conference, Secretary Meier-Hummel provided an update on the number children sleeping in offices, missing and runaway youth and current DCF efforts to end these practices. Additionally, she emphasized the need for additional resources to make necessary changes to the system.

“I want to thank and acknowledge all of our staff from every division. These public servants do fantastic work and make a difference in the lives of thousands of Kansas,” Secretary Meier-Hummel said. “As we wait for the legislature to weigh in on the budget enhancements and amendments, we will continue to move forward to improve the way we carry out child welfare services to the extent we can without additional resources. However, we believe these additional resources are critical to real reform.”

 

 

Government, Submitted

Scott Ranes Celebrates KDOT Service Anniversay

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The Kansas Department of Transportation expresses its appreciation for employees celebrating state years-of-service anniversaries in May. KDOT is proud to acknowledge them for the long-term dedication they have provided to the state of Kansas.

Those celebrating 40 years:

  • Larry Thompson, Director of Operations, Topeka

Those celebrating 30 years:

  • Robyn Daniels, Engineering Technician Specialist, Independence
  • Tammi Lower, Applications Developer III, Topeka
  • Robert Schremmer, Equipment Operator, Russell

Those celebrating 20 years:

  • Brad Almond, Engineering Technician Senior, Chanute
  • David Choitz, Equipment Operator Senior, Ellsworth
  • Robert Dressman, Security Analyst II, Topeka
  • William Johnson, Engineering Technician Specialist, Salina
  • John Maddox, Research Analyst V, Topeka
  • Jennifer Meyer, Administrative Specialist, Topeka
  • Scott Ranes, Equipment Operator Senior, Mapleton
  • Robert Rickstrew, Equipment Operator Senior, Wamego
  • Kelly Spiva, Engineering Technician Senior, Chanute

Those celebrating 10 years:

  • Bruce Badders, Equipment Operator Trainee, Osawatomie
  • Kathy Carrico, Senior Administrative Assistant, Severy
  • Kent Davis, Welder, Hutchinson
  • DaVonna Moore, Assistant Bureau Chief, Kansas City
  • Zandra Myrick, Management Analyst II, Topeka
  • Joel Ramsdell, Engineering Technician Senior, Carbondale
  • Michael Thompson, Equipment Operator, McPherson

 

Bourbon County, Government, Submitted

Bourbon County Commission Agenda April 24

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

2nd Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: April 24th, 2018

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-Consideration of permit for access entrance culvert at 1282 135th Consideration of listing 1989 Ford Model 7600 Tractor to sale on Purple Wave

Executive Session-Justin Meeks-Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of a corporation

Solid Waste Plan

10:00-10:15-Wage Resolution

10:15-11:00-Bill Martin-Utility payments

11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks

Contract with CrawKan

Update about ROZ program

NRP Review/Meeting updates/data

Executive Session-Attorney/Client relationship

12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch

1:30-Clint Anderson

2:00-2:15-Cathy Cooper-6th Judicial Districts grants

2:15-2:30-Deferred Comp. Resolution

2:30-Employee Handbook

3:00-Pre-Planning to discuss possible repurpose of old sheriff and correctional administration offices

Justifications for Executive Session:

          Personnel matters of individual 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(s) 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

          Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system

Business, Fort Scott

City State Bank To Be Remodeled

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City State Bank, downtown Fort Scott is slated for a remodel.
An artist’s depiction of the future facade of City State Bank, following the remodel.

City State Bank is remodeling its downtown branch at 202 Scott Ave.

“The building was built in 1957,” John Hill, bank president said.”We are sticking with mid-century design.”

The canopy over the drive-in window will be replaced and a new ATM island will be installed in the drive-through, Hill said.

“It will be wider for easier access for automobile traffic,” he said.

This canopy will be replaced and the drive-through made wider, in addition, the ATM will be more accessible.

The remodel includes a new metal fascia system, new fabric awning, new wrap around awning, new stone entrance, new stone veneer and wall in the front of the building. Additionally, there will be a new sign.

Fifty-percent of drive-through transactions occur at the downtown branch, Hill said.

From 1957 to 2001, the downtown branch was the main facility.

Then a new facility was built at 1012 Hwy. 69, just south of Walmart.

“We’ve been here 18 years,” Hill said from his office at the Hwy. 69 address.

Work on the remodel will begin within 90 days and construction will take about 90 days.

“It should be completed by September 30,” he said.

Area News, K-State Extension, Submitted

Topping Trees: Bad Choice

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Tree Topping is a Bad Choice

You may have heard the practice of tree topping referred to as “heading,” “stubbing,” or “dehorning,” but regardless of what it is called, it is always a bad choice. Unfortunately, many uninformed homeowners are often talked into this pruning practice. Topping a tree is not a beneficial or proper pruning practice. It’s a bad decision for any tree.

Tree topping is the drastic removal or cutting back of large mature limbs – back to stubs. Many homeowners have a misconception that having trees topped will reduce the tree height and in turn decrease the chance of it falling due to wind or ice. This is simply not true.

Purdue University Forestry and Natural Resources sites eight reasons why trees should not be topped:

  1. Starvation – Trees need leaves to make food. Topping removes so much of the leafy crown that a tree may be unable to provide food to the roots and the tree starves. Good pruning practices rarely remove more than one-quarter to one-third of the leafy crown.
  2. Shock – The tree canopy acts like an umbrella – shading the bark from the direct sunlight of summer. The sudden removal of the leafy protective layer exposes the bark to sunscald. Neighboring plants relying on shady conditions will suffer as well.
  3. Insects and disease – Large wounds resulting from tree topping have difficulty closing. This will attract insects and disease. If decay is already present in the limb, cutting will only spread it even more.
  4. Weak limbs – The new limb growth that appears after a tree is topped is weakly attached to the remaining branches. The limbs actually attach to the larger branch with layers of wood that overlap year after year. This results in minimal attachment of the wood to the main branch.
  5. Rapid new growth – The thought that topping will control the height of the tree is false. Actually, the opposite happens. Trees respond rapidly to the injury by producing many long, weak sprouts. The result – trees quickly regain the height it once had and becomes bushier.
  6. Tree death – some species of trees do not tolerate topping. All previously mentioned factors are just too much for the tree and it dies.
  7. Ugliness – A topped tree is an ugly tree. Even with regrowth, it never regains the grace and beauty it once had.
  8. Cost – A chainsaw and a bucket truck are not all that is needed to properly prune a tree. Topping might seem like a bargain deal when compared to other recommended practices, but in the long run, it will actually cost you more! Topping reduces property values, increases replacement cost when a tree dies, increases the risk of losing nearby trees and shrubs, increases the risk of liability from weaken branches and increases future pruning costs.

Prune trees properly and regularly. Don’t be talked into topping by someone just looking to come in and make random cuts. Hire a certified arborist. They will know how and where to make cuts to reduce the canopy and yet maintain a strong, beautiful tree.

When planting a new tree keep in mind its mature height. The Extension office has a publication on recommended trees for Kansas. This publication also details the mature height that you can expect. Check growth habits before you plant to ensure that the tree won’t outgrow the space!

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Agricultural agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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Ward Kraft Job Openings

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Ad: Ward/Kraft, Inc, located in Fort Scott (KS), is currently looking for the following:

  • Production Member
  • Web Developer

(Scroll down for details of each position.)

“WE HIRE THE PERSON NOT THE POSITION”

Ward/Kraft, Inc, located in Fort Scott (KS), is currently looking for a Production Member. Ward Kraft is an industry leader while being one of the most innovative print manufacturers in the Print Industry.

Ward/Kraft is a family owned company that started over 40 years ago with customer service and good business values as a number one priority.

Ward/Kraft offers a competitive salary and a substantial benefit package to their members

Ward/Kraft want members to believe working at WK is a career and not “just a job”; this is shown with over 35% of current members having 10 or more years of service within the company.

If you have an interest any of these positions, please contact Brad Matkin, Director of Corporate Recruiting, at 1-877-281-2485 Applicants may apply online at www.wardkraft.com under the employment tab or in person at our campus located at 2401 Cooper Street in Fort Scott, Kansas.

Job Posting: Web Developer

Position Summary: Ward/Kraft is seeking a person who is highly motivated, energetic, and who is career focused to work as our companies Web Developer.

Job Responsibilities:

  • Write code to generate web pages, access databases, and business logic servers
  • Work with designers and content writers
  • Test and document software for web sites
  • Write, modify, and debug software for web sites

Key Qualifications:

  • Detail Oriented
  • Ability to work in a fast paced multi-project environment
  • Dependable, ambitious, energetic, and enthusiastic
  • Works well in a team environment
  • Minimum of two years experience with CSS Framework would be a plus (Bootstrap, Foundation, Materialize)
  • Minimum of two years experience with Source Control System would be a plus (GIT, Subversion, Mercurial)
  • JavaScript, jQuery, Perl, HTML, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Web design security
  • Problem solver and good communicator

Schedule and Compensation:

  • Weekdays 8am to 5pm (some weekday meetings at 7:30am)
  • Some overtime hours (before/after hours and weekend work)
  • Six month performance reviews (90 day probation period)

Job Posting: Production Member

Position Summary

Ward/Kraft is seeking a person who is highly motivated, energetic, and who is career focused to work on our production teams. This position is responsible for operating production machinery, producing superior quality products, and performing routine machine maintenance. This position is also responsible for maintaining quality standards, facilitating turn times and achieving top production goals.

Key Qualifications:

  • Good mechanical ability
  • Superior trouble shooting skills
  • Quick learner-Problem solver
  • Self starter
  • Detail Oriented
  • Basic math skills needed (decimals, fractions, addition, subtraction, measurements)
  • Ability to work in a fast paced environment
  • Dependable, ambitious, energetic, and enthusiastic
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential
  • Printing knowledge is a plus but will train the right candidate

Schedule and Compensation:

  • Three rotating shifts – every four weeks (shift premium is paid for “off-shift” workers)
  • Possible Saturday overtime
  • Six month performance reviews (90 day probation period)
Uncategorized
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Mercy Hospital Auxiliary will host the Flash Sale (formerly known as Books are Fun Sale) on Thursday, April 26 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Friday, April 27 from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Mercy Hospital main lobby.

The sale is the perfect opportunity to purchase gifts for special occasions, holidays and even graduation.

The two-day fundraising event will feature hundreds of books for all ages at exceptional savings. Softback, hardback, and even coffee table books are available for purchase. Also for sale are stationary, music, home décor and items for the kitchen. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express are accepted. Mercy co-workers have a payroll deduction option, too.

The Mercy Hospital Auxiliary is a volunteer organization that raises money to benefit the hospital and provides scholarships for a nursing student at Fort Scott Community College.

Over the years, Mercy Auxiliary has donated over $900,000 to Mercy Hospital for state-of-the-art equipment, supplies and upgrading of services for the patients’ benefit through vending machine sales, proceeds of sales in the Mercy Market Place gift shop, and other specialty sales. Collectively, auxiliary members volunteer the equivalent of almost 6 full-time co-workers in hours of service each year to the hospital.

Bourbon County Local News