Area News, Bourbon County, Business

Heartland Awards:$615k for Electric Grid Resilience Project

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Taken from the Heartland Rural Electric Website.

Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative members in Linn County and surrounding areas will soon benefit from enhancements to  electric power grid resilience thanks to state and federal awards totaling more than $615,000, according to a press release from HREC.

“The project was designed to address some challenges in Linn County, where we have had problems with the power supply from the transmission lines,” said Doug Graham,  Communication Specialist for Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. .
“What happens at our substations is that we tap into the transmission lines and get the power we need to distribute to our members,” he said. “What this project will do is link 10 of our substations together and make new paths for electricity to flow — paths that we can control remotely.”
“The idea is that if we lose power to one of our Linn County substations because there is a problem with the transmission line in that area, but we still have access to power through a transmission line that’s connected to a different substation, we will be able to remotely reroute power from that other substation and get the Linn County people back online.”
“But the reverse could also be true,” he said. “There could be situations where we have lost power at, say, our Devon substation in Bourbon County, but we still have access to power at our Linn County substations. Thanks to the improvements this project will make, we would then be able to quickly and remotely reroute power to the members who are usually served by that Devon substation and keep them on until the power supply issue is resolved.”
“For that reason, this project will benefit folks in the counties around Linn as well,” he said.

 

Heartland’s Project RESTORE (Resiliency Enhancements to Strategically Transfer Optimized Reliable Energy) involves the installation of 10 remote-controlled reclosers to allow for speedy rerouting of power along existing lines to bring Linn County members back online within minutes rather than hours in the event of a substation outage, according to the press release.

 

By replacing hydraulic reclosers with remotely operated electronic reclosers, Heartland staff will be able to reroute power much more quickly, greatly reducing the time consumer members are out of power due to power supply interruptions. The project will allow Heartland staff to remotely reroute power between a total of 10 substations.

 

Heartland will receive $414,627 in federal funding for the project through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Resilience Grant Program, and an additional $200,403 from the Build Kansas Fund, which was established by the Kansas Legislature to help Kansas organizations meet the matching fund requirements for federal infrastructure grants, according to the press release.

 

While the project was designed to address needs specific to Linn County, members in adjoining counties served by the affected substations will also benefit from these grid enhancements.

 

Heartland Chief Executive Officer Mark Scheibe said few electric distribution utilities serving rural areas would consider this type of project because of the cost and the technical knowledge required to make it work. As a result, already underserved areas miss out on technology that could substantially reduce outages.

 

“Our goal is for Project RESTORE to serve as a model for other rural providers to follow as they work toward improving grid resilience,” Scheibe said.

 

Project RESTORE was one of 11 projects selected for a total of nearly $17 million in funding through the DOE grid resilience program and the Build Kansas Fund.

About Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. powers rural lifestyles throughout more than 11,000 locations in eastern Kansas. Heartland’s service area includes consumer-members in 12 counties, including Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Cherokee, Coffey, Crawford, Labette, Linn, Miami, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson.

Heartland REC traces its roots back to three original rural electric cooperatives: Cooperative Electric Power & Light Company, Sugar Valley Electric Cooperative Association, and Sekan Electric Cooperative Association. Cooperative Electric Power & Light Company joined with Sugar Valley in 1975 to form United Electric Cooperative; United Electric Cooperative joined with Sekan Electric Cooperative Association in 1996 to form Heartland.

 

Opinion

The Wedding That Matters by Patty LaRoche

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Patty LaRoche. 2023.
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)

Recently, my granddaughter Britney was married to Gage, a young man she met when visiting Fort Scott last year.  Britney is from the Las Vegas area but has been finishing up her paramedic credentials in Utah.  The wedding was held at my son and his wife’s ranch.  Britney had three flower girls and Gage had three ring bearer attendants, each gender with two two-year-olds and one four-year-old. You get where I’m going.

The guests were to sit on stained boards that rested atop hay bales, bales that would be delivered the morning of the wedding.  For spacing purposes, the boards were placed on the ground.  To the rug-rats, these boards were perfect gymnastics balance beans for jumping over.  Or on.  Or around.

We all watched, astonished, as they giggled, chased each other down the aisle, attempted to vault over the wooden boards and tackled each other.  Things weren’t much better for the “let’s try that again” attempt…you know, after each parent—most in the bridal party– took their child aside and bribed them with everything but a live pony.

We expected the worst.  Preparations for this wedding had taken months. Both sets of parents and family members had worked to make everything perfect, and Britney’s mother had spent most of September in Fort Scott, away from her family, to work with Gage’s parents on the smallest of details.  And now, six little ones were going to cause havoc.

On the wedding day, these kiddies, now dressed alike with hair slicked or curled, shocked us all when they walked slowly down the aisle in single file, taking their “jobs” seriously.  Flower petals were methodically dropped to the ground, and this time, the chief ring bearer actually handed off the case with the wedding rings in it instead of practicing his quarterback pass with it. No one escaped and ran towards the pond, and they even sat quietly with their assigned adult during the ceremony.  Surely they were A.I. imposters, switched out for some well-behaved youngsters.

Both the wedding and the reception were lovely, months of planning paying off.  The Bible uses a metaphor of a wedding in which our time of “planning” for it also will pay off.  In Ephesians 5, we read that Jesus Christ has sacrificially chosen the church to be his bride, and just as in Bible times there was a betrothal period in which the bride and groom were separated until the wedding, so it is with us and Christ.  We faithfully wait with great anticipation for his return when we will be united with him.  Sometimes we act foolishly, immaturely, selfishly, childishly.  Other times, we face the importance of what we are doing and take our future wedding seriously.

The “details” of our waiting makes a difference.  Should we fail to take our decision to allow Christ in our lives with the seriousness it deserves and continue to act in whatever way we choose, there will be no wedding.  We must ask ourselves what matters most and behave accordingly because at that point, not even a pony will be enough.

Government, Kansas

Be a Super Reader with BARD

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Kansas Talking Books Launches NovemBARD:

Be a Super Reader with BARD


TOPEKA – This November, Kansas Talking Books invites all eligible Kansans to discover BARD, the free Braille and Audio Reading Download service, and “Be Super Readers.” “NovemBARD” introduces Kansans who cannot read standard print due to visual, physical or reading disabilities to the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled’s (NLS) collection where they will find a variety of books, magazines and music scores, all instantly available with BARD.

With BARD, patrons select from over 150,000 titles in audio and braille formats, allowing them to read or listen anytime and anywhere. BARD can be accessed in multiple ways by Kansans with print disabilities: through the BARD mobile app, BARD Express program for Windows-based computers, or with a web browser to use materials on a digital player provided by Kansas Talking Books.

“The NovemBARD campaign is about empowering our patrons and ensuring they have the tools to explore the limitless world of books,” said Michael Lang, Director of Kansas Talking Books. “BARD provides the freedom to download and access thousands of titles, opening doors to new stories, adventures, and learning. It’s your reading superpower.”

If you are eligible for Kansas Talking Books and want to learn more about BARD, visit library.ks.gov/talking-books/bard or contact the Talking Books team for assistance with setup by phone, 800-362-0699, or email, [email protected]. Kansas Talking Books is committed to ensuring everyone has the chance to enjoy reading without barriers.

Join us for NovemBARD and discover how BARD can make you a Super Reader!

Kansas Talking Books, a division of the State Library of Kansas, is a free, statewide library service providing books in accessible formats to eligible persons. Kansas Talking Books is a Regional Network Library of NLS, which is part of the Library of Congress. Learn more about Kansas Talking Books at library.ks.gov/talking-books.

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Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas

CHC/SEK family resource specialist recognized for home visits

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FORT SCOTT –– When little Rowdy was four months old, his mother connected with a Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas family resource specialist to help her navigate through the early days of parenthood.

That specialist is Rene Hibdon, and she was recently selected as the Universal Home Visitor of the Year award by the Kansas Maternal and Child Health. Hibdon makes home visits and has helped over 200 parents and babies get a good start.

The CHC/SEK utilizes the Universal Home Visiting program which is a product of the Kansas Maternal and Child Health (MCH) program, through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The primary goals of the program are to support healthy pregnancies, improve birth outcomes, and promote healthy infant development.

MCH Home Visiting is available to all without eligibility requirements. According to MCH the program follows a strengths-based approach which concentrates on the inherent strengths of individuals, families, and groups to aid recovery and empowerment. Services are intended to positively impact behaviors by increasing the number of people accessing early and comprehensive health care and services before, during, and after pregnancy.

In addition to providing education on health, safety, parenting, and infant development, MCH Home Visitors screen for risk factors, link families to other community resources, and help them navigate systems of care. A critical responsibility of the home visitor is to have a broad knowledge of available local services.

“Rene makes an impact in the lives of parents and their children,” CHC/SEK Patient Education and Support Manager Julie Laverack said. “We are proud to have her on our team of family resource specialists.”

Rowdy’s mother, Brooke, started working with Hibdon when she was in addiction recovery. With a compassionate approach, she supported the new mother with advice, connecting her to resources, and helped her set goals.

One goal they worked on was working independently on scheduling appointments and follow through with connections for resources. Hibdon showed her how and also went to appointments with her.

“Now she has the confidence to attend appointments without support,” she says, adding she has now set a new goal focusing on saving and using money to provide transportation and housing for her family. “Mom has shown great growth in all aspects of her life. She has stayed in her recovery program, she has great self-confidence, and she is thriving to be a better person and mother each day. She is not only accomplishing these goals for her family, but she is also accomplishing these goals for herself.”

Hibdon and the home visiting program has made an undeniable impact on families.

“When I need you, you’re there for me and my family,” the Brooke shared with Hibdon. “It doesn’t matter what the situation is, you are always willing to assist me. If I need help getting resources, you always look into it and point me in the right direction. If I need to get some things off my chest, you’re a great listener and if I need advice, you give it.”

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Bourbon County, Entertainment

Core Fall Fest This Saturday Oct. 19: Fall Fun For the Family

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Fall Farm Fest is days away to raise funds for Core Community.
“It is all coming together,” said Deana Betts, the community liaison with Core Community, a local helping organization that has a mission to engage the community to lift families out of poverty.
“We have had a great response from the community! We have Camren Lamb performing (guitar and singing) at noon, the Fort Scott High School Orchestra playing from 1-2  p.m. and Michael Lundine will play from 2 -5 p.m.,” Betts said.
“We will have face painting, horse rides, a corn pit, lots of animals and games to play, a food court, a pumpkin patch, paint a pumpkin, pumpkin art, and lots of vendors will be set up throughout the day,” she said.

Larry and Vickie Shead agreed to open the Shead Farm on Saturday, October 19 for a fundraiser for the Core Community organization. The farm has an annual community spring festival that has grown larger each year.

Vickie and Larry Shead, 2020, from her Facebook page.

 

The event is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the farm located at 2468 Calvalry Road, Garland, south of Fort Scott.

The cost is $5 per person, for families with over five members it’s $25 and there will be food, vendors, games, and raffles to entertain the family.

To learn more about Core Community or the Fall Fest, contact Betts at [email protected] or 785.488. 8411.

 

Art, Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, Youth

2025 Student Competition: Arteffect

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2025 Student Art Competition

Interested in participating in the ARTEFFECT annual student art competition? Follow the step-by-step guide. Students in grades 6-12 worldwide are invited to participate. Bring the competition into your classroom!
Steps to Participate
  1. Choose an individual from the pre-approved list of LMC Unsung Heroes.
  2. Read the competition rules and guidelines for eligibility and submission information. View the judging rubric for insights on scoring.
  3. Artworks in multiple 2D & 3D mediums are accepted. There are new 2025 Spotlight Prizes for 3D and large format. Follow the Impact Statement Outline for structuring the accompanying essay (500-1000 words).
  4. Submit your project through the online portal by April 27, 2025.

More Resources:
Visit ARTEFFECT Competition
2025 Spotlight Prize – Unsung Hero

Introducing
Paleontologist Mary Anning
Mary Anning overcame both poverty and sexism to emerge as a trailblazer in 19th-century science. Born in 1799, Anning grew up along the Jurassic Coast in Lyme Regis, Great Britain where she faced hardship early in life when her father passed away, leaving her family impoverished. At the age of eleven, her brother’s discovery of a mysterious skull sparked her lifelong passion for fossil hunting. Anning supported her family by selling fossils at her shop, Anning’s Fossil Depot, and went on to revolutionize paleontology. She unearthed groundbreaking discoveries, including the first complete ichthyosaur, plesiosaur, and pterosaur skeletons, as well as numerous other marine fossils. Despite her pivotal contributions, Anning was barred from joining the Geological Society of London and did not receive due recognition for her work. Today, her legacy endures, with many of her fossils housed in the Natural History Museum in London.

ARTEFFECT projects submitted to the competition that interpret the life and legacy of Mary Anning are eligible for the Spotlight Prize category. Learn more about Mary Anning’s story below:
Learn more about Mary Anning
Stay connected with ARTEFFECT through our expanding social media channels on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
Join a growing network of art educators at the
For inquiries, contact: [email protected]
ARTEFFECT Facebook
ARTEFFECT Instagram
LMC ARTEFFECT
ARTEFFECT YouTube
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Government, Kansas

Kansas Shows Growth in Economic Health and Labor Market

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Governor Kelly Announces 2024 Kansas Economic Report, Highlighting Key Points of Growth

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that the 2024 Kansas Economic Report shows growth in the state’s labor workforce, continued low unemployment, and record exports. The report, produced by the Labor Market Information Services division of the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL), comprehensively analyzes the state’s economic health and labor market trends.

The annual publication highlights critical data on employment, unemployment, labor force participation, job growth, personal income, and more, providing an essential resource for businesses, policymakers, and job seekers.

  • Labor Force Growth: In 2023, Kansas saw a 0.6% increase in its labor force, adding 8,385 individuals and bringing the total labor force to over 1.51 million. The number of employed Kansans reached a record high of 1.47 million, reflecting the state’s resilience and ongoing recovery.
  • Unemployment Rates: Kansas maintained a low unemployment rate, rising slightly to 2.7% in 2023, still well below the national average of 3.6%. Despite the modest increase, Kansas continues to outperform the national labor market.
  • Job Market Rebounds: Kansas’ nonfarm jobs surpassed pre-pandemic levels, with a total of 1.44 million jobs in 2023. Private sector employment led this growth, adding 23,800 jobs, while the government sector added 3,700 jobs.
  • Industry and Occupational Projections: Health care, transportation, and computer-related occupations are expected to grow significantly through 2032. Occupations typically requiring a bachelor’s degree are expected to add the most jobs from 2022 to 2032.
  • Export Growth: Kansas’ export market hit a record of $14.1 billion in sales, driven by growth in the transportation equipment and processed foods sectors. However, exports to Kansas’ top trade partners—Mexico, Canada, and Japan—have declined over the year.

“The growth we are seeing is encouraging and shows the progress made in revitalizing our state’s economy,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This report reinforces my administration’s commitment to making Kansas the best state to live, work, and raise a family.”

“Kansas continues to show resilience in its economic recovery, as demonstrated by rising employment numbers and strong job growth in key sectors,” Kansas Secretary of Labor Amber Shultz said. “However, demographic challenges such as a shrinking younger population highlight the need for careful attention to workforce development as we plan for the future.”

The report also discusses long-term demographic trends, citing concerns about the state’s aging population and declining numbers of younger workers, which could pose challenges to future labor force sustainability.

To address those issues, the Kansas Department of Commerce has been working with businesses to attract new talent. It recently launched its Love, Kansas campaign to bring those who left the state back to their roots in Kansas.

“It’s simple: we need more humans in Kansas to keep up with the phenomenal economic growth our state is experiencing,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The best way to do that is to first approach Kansans who left the state for economic opportunities elsewhere and invite them to build a life in a place they know and have connections to, whether in their hometown or elsewhere in the state.  And with the Love, Kansas campaign, we aren’t just extending an invitation to those who once called Kansas home to come back–we’re also inviting families from around the country to build their lives in the Sunflower State.”

KDOL’s full report is available here.

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Stay Connected with Kansas Office of the Governor:
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Business, Food, Fort Scott

Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting at Outpost 13 West Today at 5:15 p.m.

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Join us for a Ribbon Cutting

Thursday, October 17th!
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Chamber After-hours Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting to celebrate Outpost 13 West, Thursday, October 17th, from 5:15 to 6:30pm. The new restaurant is located in the Downtown Historic District at 13 W. Oak St. where the celebratory remarks and cutting of the ribbon will take place at 5:30pm.

The Bowman family is deeply rooted in Downtown and the restaurant business, owning NuGrille and Brickstreet BBQ, and is excited to present the new Outpost 13 West featuring Southwest cuisine where you design your own tacos, burrito, nacho, salad, or bowl. The business officially opened on September 23rd and this Ribbon Cutting event will officially celebrate the opening with the community.

John and Cindy Bowman purchased the building for Outpost 13 West in 2021 and started refurbishing the property. The building dates back to 1862 and was originally a livery and feed stable. The Bowman’s son Alex and his wife Carissa are part owners in the restaurant along with John and Cindy. The Bowman’s feel the new restaurant has been well received in the community and people have seemed to really enjoy the food and experience. For more information and updates on Outpost 13 West, follow their Facebook page and other social media.

Click here for their Facebook Page!

Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information. Visit the Events Calendar and category of Chamber Coffees on fortscott.com for upcoming locations.

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 
Church news, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Ernie Couch and Revival at 1st Methodist Church on Oct. 26

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Join First United Methodist Church as they host Ernie Couch and Revival!
Saturday October 26th @ 6pm

First United Methodist, 301 S. National St., will host Ernie Couch and Revival.

The concert is a freewill offering Gospel Concert.

“From its inception, EC&R has produced high energy, emotionally colorful music reflective of the diverse musical heritage that has made their Music City home of Nashville internationally famous. The group’s unique blend of traditional, country, and contemporary gospel music speaks to people of all ages and all walks of life.”
Also, mark your calendars and join First United Methodist for:

a FRIENDSHIP SOUP LUNCHEON – Friday, October 25th  – freewill donation fundraiser to support for the mission and ministries of our church  – join us from 11:30am to 1pm for potato and vegetable soups and chili, with desert!

4th Annual Trunk or Treat Thursday, Oct. 31st

5:30pm until dusk! Free! Bring the kids or grandkids by to show off their costumes!

Make sure to click here to follow their Facebook page for future events and details!

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
Facebook  Twitter  Pinterest
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
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