A work session for the County Commissioners with the City Commissioners will be held at the Empress Event Center on
February 6, 2025, at 5:30 PM. This meeting is open to the public.
Obituary of Tammy Marie Gode
Tammy Marie Gode, age 49, a resident of Fulton, Kansas, passed away early Tuesday morning, January 21, 2025, at her home. She was better known by Kansas relatives as Marie, to California relatives as Tammy, and to her grandchildren as Grandi.
Marie was born on July 23, 1975, in California and is the daughter of Paula Snavely (nee Adams). Paula and her daughter Marie moved to Fort Scott, Kansas, in the early 90’s, where Marie became a mother several years later at age 23, to her daughter Danielle.
She is survived by her mother, daughter, her grandchildren, her spouse, two younger siblings – a brother and sister, and several nephews and a niece. Marie was preceded in death by her grandparents, and several other beloved family members.
Following cremation, friends, family, and community members are invited to a Celebration of Life service at 1:00 p.m. on March 1, 2025, at Gunn Park, Shelter House No. 6. A private burial will take place at a later date at the Oak Grove Cemetery. Services are under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Friends and family may sign the online guest book and share memories at www.konantzcheney.com.
Applications Open for Kansas Arts Commission Funding Opportunitie
TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced applications are being accepted for four Kansas Arts Commission (KAC) grant programs that support a wide range of arts and cultural activities across the state.
The grant programs, which are designed to foster community pride, economic growth and cultural heritage, include:
- General Operating Support Grant: Provides funding for day-to-day operations of established arts organizations
- Arts Everywhere Grant: Supports specific projects and initiatives and is open to both arts and non-arts organizations
- Public Art & Murals Grant: Funds permanent and semi-permanent public art installations
- Visiting Artists Grant: Helps bring professional artists from across the nation to Kansas communities
“Providing targeted financial support for the arts is vital in revitalizing and supporting our communities and organizations of all sizes,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Groups are using these grants to help make important, impactful and meaningful work happen, boosting local economies and connecting residents to the creative talent found throughout the Sunflower State.”
The KAC grants are available to support arts and cultural activities that are taking place starting on July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Supported activities include arts education projects, music, dance, visual arts, professional and community theater, media arts, creative writing, murals, poetry, the operations of museums and other creative disciplines.
Eligible applicants include Kansas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, units of local government (e.g., schools, universities, libraries, art agencies, etc.) and federally recognized tribal communities. All applicants must have at least one fiscal year of completed arts programming.
“Our funding opportunities are open to any and all Kansas organizations, and the application can be completed without specializing in grant writing,” Kansas Arts Commission Director Curtis Young said. “We encourage all interested applicants to take advantage of the resources we have available to help navigate the process.”
To access relevant KAC application webinars, click here.
The deadline for all four KAC grant applications is 5:00 p.m. February 28. For more details, guidelines and eligibility, click here.
Visiting Touring Roster Artists grants also are available to bring artists on the Kansas Touring Roster to communities across the state. The program accepts applications on a rolling basis but must be made at least 60 days in advance of the proposed activity. More details can be found here.
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.
About the Kansas Arts Commission (KAC):
The Kansas Arts Commission stewards the state’s investment in the arts by empowering creativity, fostering innovation, and strengthening the economy to enhance the vitality of every Kansas community. The Kansas Arts Commission is a division of the Kansas Department of Commerce. To learn more about KAC, click here or contact Ben Stanton at [email protected] or (785) 213-5959.
###
Obituary of Linda Defebaugh
Linda Caroline Defebaugh, age 80, resident of Nevada, MO died Monday, February 3, 2025, at the Nevada Regional Medical Center. She was born June 28, 1944, in Fort Scott, KS the daughter of Wilbur and Hattie Frances Leonard. Linda married the love of her life, Glen A. Defebaugh, on September 3, 1961, in Fort Scott. He preceded her in death on January 17, 2019. She lovingly supported Glen through his college studies to become a chiropractor. Upon establishing his practice in Fort Scott, they worked together for 35 years until retirement.
Linda was always supporting her kids and grandkids with all their activities. She loved cooking for them, especially her meatballs and pies.
She enjoyed playing cards, mowing the grass, driving to destinations and the casino on occasion. Linda always had a project going, especially when Glen was away on a fishing trip. She would constantly give items away if someone expressed a need.
Survivors include her five children, Teresa Ivey (John), Wichita, KS, Cheryl Eason (Curt), Eldorado Springs, MO, Brian Defebaugh (Shelby), Nevada, MO, David Defebaugh (Michelle), Fort Scott, KS, and Doug Defebaugh (Tonya), Fort Scott, KS; 3 sisters, Frances Brown, Shawnee, KS, Wanda Leonard, Pittsburg, KS, and Jeannie Wild, Broken Arrow, OK; 16 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by 4 brothers, Warren, Hubert, Edwin, and Larry Leonard; 4 sisters, infant Mary Leonard, Bernice Clame, Nadene Wurtz, and Wanita Monroe; and her parents.
Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct memorial services at 11:00 AM Saturday, February 8th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Interment will follow in the Deerfield Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until service time at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to either St. Jude’s Hospital or Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.
Chamber Coffee Hosted by Riggs Chiropractic on Feb. 6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Feb. 4
Obituary of Lisa Jayne Coyan
Lisa Jayne Coyan, age 55, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri. She was born January 2, 1970, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Gerald Beerbower and Jo Ann McCracken. Lisa married Timothy L. Coyan on August 3, 2011, at Ft. Scott.
Lisa had worked as a cook at various restaurants and had also worked in housekeeping at the Ft. Scott Inn. Lisa enjoyed art and graphic design. She was also an avid fan of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Survivors include her husband, Tim, of Ft. Scott; three sons, Kenny Withers, William Hubbard and Jason Hubbard and special neighbors, Aaron and Andy Cowlishaw. Also surviving are five brothers, Scott Beerbower, Christopher Thurston, Dearl Stufflebeam, Flint Roufs and Aaron Roufs and two sisters, Chanel Thrush and Jeanette Sisseck.
Lisa was preceded in death by her parents, Gerald Beerbower and Jo Ann Roufs.
Following cremation, a memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Lisa Coyan Memorial 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.
KS Tax Collections $942.8 Million In January
Governor Kelly Announces January
Total Tax Collections Surpass Estimate by
Nearly $16M
TOPEKA – The State of Kansas ends January 2025 with total tax collections at $942.8 million. That is $15.9 million, or 1.7%, above the estimate. Total tax collections are up 1.5% from January 2024.
“While current revenues are in line with the estimates, it is important that we continue to focus on fiscal responsibility to ensure long term financial health in Kansas,” Governor Laura Kelly said.
Individual income tax collections were $500.1 million, $25.1 million or 5.3% above the estimate, and up 5.1% from January 2024. Corporate income tax collections were $73.0 million, $20.0 million or 21.5% below the estimate, and down 18.7% from January 2024.
“But for a tax system deployment on Friday, January 31, which delayed that day’s individual income tax refunds to today, total taxes collected would have been extremely close to the forecasted amount for the month of January,” said Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart.
Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $348.8 million, $11.8 million or 3.5% above the estimate, and up $4.5 million or 1.3% from January 2024.
Click here to view the January 2025 revenue numbers.
###
KDOT to host open houses on U.S. 69 design options in Crawford County
The Kansas Department of Transportation will host four in-person open houses and one virtual open house to allow the public to review design options for the U.S. 69 project in Crawford County in February.
All the open houses will share the same information, and the public will be able to provide input at each meeting. Project team members will be available to answer questions about the design options that were developed based on feedback from previous open houses and insights gained from data collected along the study area.
Participants are encouraged to drop by at any time during the in-person open houses, as there will be no formal presentations. The virtual open house will be recorded and start at the designated time and include a walk-through of the design options with a question-and-answer session.
In-person open houses times and locations:
Pittsburg State University, Overman Student Center, Ballroom C
302 E. Cleveland Ave., in Pittsburg.
Wednesday, Feb. 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 26, from 4 to 6 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Fellowship Hall
100 S. Cherokee St., in Frontenac.
Thursday, Feb. 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Northeast High School
1003 E. South St., in Arma.
Thursday, Feb. 27, from 4 to 6 p.m.
Virtual open house time and link:
Friday, Feb. 28, 11 a.m. to noon (sign-in starts at 10:30 a.m.).
Link: https://shorturl.at/xXhjc
Information presented at the open houses will also be available online by Feb. 26 at: ksdot.gov/us69-highway-study.
Anyone who requires language translation, special assistance or accommodation to attend the meeting should contact Alicea Thompson at [email protected] or call (785) 817-0864 at least five days before the meeting date.
Kansas Legislative Update by Caryn Tyson
Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson
January 31, 2025
Thoughts and Prayers As we come to grips with the heart-wrenching drowning of two youth in Linn County, the D.C. and Philadelphia plane crashes last week, and the devasting fires in California, we are reminded how fragile life is. It is also a reminder of the hundreds of emergency responders who swiftly and often put themselves in harm’s way. Prayers are with all who have been touched by these emergencies and the unimaginable sorrow.
Week three of the 2025 session proved to be productive for the Senate.
Illegal immigration was debated on the Senate floor January 29th instead of on the 28th. Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 1602 requests that the Governor fully cooperate with federal enforcement of immigration laws. It passed overwhelming 31 to 9 and was sent to the House for consideration. The Senate sent a strong message to the Governor that we want federal immigration laws to be upheld. I voted Yes.
Property Tax legislation overwhelmingly passed the Senate. Senate Bill (SB) 35 would repeal the 1.5 mill property tax the state collects for maintenance on regent’s buildings and some state buildings. State General Funds (mainly income and sales taxes) will be used to make up the difference if SB 35 becomes law. The bill passed the Senate 38 to 2. I voted Yes to lower your property taxes.
SB 10 was requested by the Kansas County Appraiser Association (KCAA) and would exempt several personal property items, such as ATVs, electric wheelchairs, golf carts, watercraft and electric bicycles. We heard testimony that for many of these items it costs more to collect the taxes than what is paid. I had the opportunity to visit with several of the county appraisers while they were in Topeka. They gave several examples of why this legislation is needed. Some are arguing this bill helps the rich. The appraisers reassured us that it is best these items come off the tax rolls. It passed 37 to 3.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
The 2025 KidWind Challenge competitions begin this week
TOPEKA – The 2025 Kansas KidWind Challenge kicks off this week. The annual competition has grown significantly from one regional challenge with 14 teams in 2016 to six regional events with a total of 94 teams from 48 schools this year.
The first regional challenge will be held in Hutchinson on Wednesday, Feb. 5. Five more regional events are scheduled throughout the month in Colby (Feb. 11), Dodge City (Feb. 13), Overland Park (Feb. 19), Manhattan (Feb. 25), and Burlington (Feb. 28). All events are open to the public. The 2025 KidWind Event Guide, complete with times and locations, is available here.
Student teams work together to design, build and test a wind turbine using the materials of their choice – no two look alike. Each team’s turbine will be put to the test in a 48″ × 48″ wind tunnel at a wind speed of approximately 3.5-5 m/s (meters per second). Scoring is based on turbine performance, a knowledge quiz, a presentation to judges where the team explains its design process, and an instant challenge.
Students compete by age categories: 4th – 5th grade, 6th – 8th grade and 9th – 12th grade. The winning teams at regional events advance to the state finals on April 5 in Salina. State winners are invited to participate in the World KidWind Challenge in Phoenix, AZ planned for May 18-21.
“KidWind is a fantastic hands-on opportunity that allows students to tinker and experiment with wind turbine designs. They experience the thrill of scientific discovery as their designs are validated through performance testing, and they hone their public-speaking skills as they present their turbine design to a panel of judges,” explained David Carter, Director of the Kansas Energy Program at K-State Engineering Extension.
Kansas KidWind is an energy-related STEM education event from the Kansas Corporation Commission and K-State Engineering Extension made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.
More information about KidWind is available at https://www.kcc.ks.gov/energy-
###
Kansas Follows No Tax On Tips Initiative
|
|
|