Road Improvements Start Today on 215th Street, Jayhawk Road
Bourbon County Public Works will be performing chip and seal operations on various roads in Bourbon County. The areas include 215th Street from US 54 Highway to the Linn County line, along with Jayhawk Road from the Railroad Tracks to 245th Street.
Construction will begin Wednesday, August 30, 2023, and will continue through the month of September. One lane of traffic will remain open at all times; however, motorists may encounter lane restrictions, reduced speeds, and flagging operations throughout the work zones. Please follow all traffic control devices when traveling through the work zones.
For additional information, call 620-223-3800 ext. 193
Submitted by
Becky Robertson
Bourbon County Public Works
Labors and Leisure on the Frontier: Labor Day Weekend at Fort Scott National Historic Site
Fort Scott Kan. – Saturday, September 2 through Monday, September 4, 2022, Fort Scott National Historic Site will take you on an exploration of the labors and leisure on an 1840s frontier post. Throughout Labor Day weekend enjoy live music, historic yard games, and a variety of living history demonstrations, and interpretive programs. Visit with soldiers, officer’s wives, laundresses, the post Sutler and find out about the labors of the fort and some of the leisure activities. All programs are free and open to the public. And enjoy ice cream, while it lasts, on Saturday at 11:30 am courtesy of the Friends of Fort Scott NHS, Inc.
On Saturday and Sunday, volunteer Katelyn Dancer will be playing the violin on Officer’s Row and volunteer Mathew Wells will be playing the guitar on the porch of the Dragoon’s Barracks. Monday September 4 at 11:00 am, the Prairie Sunflower Strings will be presenting a concert of folk music out on the parade ground.
Guided Fort Tours will be offered daily at 10 am and 1 pm. Ranger Charles will be presenting a program about Native American storytelling at 11 am on Saturday and Sunday.
Fort Scott National Historic Site’s, a unit of the National Park Service, exhibit areas and visitor center are open daily from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The park grounds are open daily from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.
-NPS-
NPS Photos credit: C. Brenner
1.66 Percent Increase Justified to Provide Electricity to Evergy Central Customers.
Kansas Corporation Commission Utilities Staff responds to
Evergy’s rate increase proposal in testimony filed this afternoon
TOPEKA – Kansas Corporation Commission Staff has weighed in on Evergy’s request for a rate increase in both of its’ Kansas service areas. In testimony filed with the Commission this afternoon, Staff’s detailed financial audit of the company’s income and expenses determined that an increase of 1.66 percent or $34,706,527 was all that could be justified at this time to provide service to Evergy Central customers. Staff’s position is in contrast to Evergy’s request for a net revenue increase of $204,152,629 or 9.77 percent.
KCC Staff’s detailed financial audit of Evergy Kansas Metro’s income and expenses determined that a 7.32 percent rate decrease totaling $53,194,189 is appropriate. This is in contrast to Evergy’s proposed rate increase of 1.95 percent or $14,152,521.
While an important part in the process, these results are far from final at this stage. Today is the due date for direct testimony to be filed by KCC Staff and all other intervenors in the rate case. The next steps in the process include cross answering testimony, rebuttal testimony from Evergy, a settlement conference to determine if the parties can agree on a resolution to submit for Commission approval, followed by either a settlement hearing or evidentiary hearing before the Commission. KCC Commissioners will issue a final order in the docket in late December or early January.
Evergy Kansas Central serves 736,000 customers in Topeka, Lawrence, Olathe, Leavenworth, Atchison, Manhattan, Salina, Hutchinson, Emporia, Parsons, Wichita, Arkansas City, El Dorado, Newton, Fort Scott, Pittsburg and Independence, among other towns and rural areas. Evergy Kansas Metro serves approximately 273,000 customers in Lenexa, Overland Park and other communities near the Kansas City metro area.
Testimony filed today is available on the KCC’s website, along with other documents in the rate case.
The Commission is accepting public comments regarding the rate increase request through 5 p.m., September 29, 2023, on its website, by mail to the Commission’s Office at 1500 SW Arrowhead Rd, Topeka, KS 66604-4027 or by calling the KCC’s Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at 785-271-3140 or 800-662-0027.
Mixed-use Development Project Begins in Johnson County
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2023 Specialty Crop Block Grants Awarded
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Sacred Rock Returned to the Kaw Nation
Governor Kelly Celebrates the Return of the Sacred Red Rock to the Kaw Nation
LAWRENCE—Today, Governor Laura Kelly joined Kaw Nation leaders, City of Lawrence officials, and Haskell Indian Nations University and University of Kansas representatives to commemorate the return of the Iⁿ‘zhúje‘waxóbe, or Sacred Red Rock, to the people of the Kaw Nation.
“The Sacred Red Rock has long been part of Kansas’ history, and I am honored to participate in its return to its rightful stewards,” Governor Kelly said. “This event marks a significant step forward in ensuring we respect and honor Indigenous peoples, cultures, and traditions.”
Several hundred thousand years ago, a glacier took the rock from an area in what is now southwestern Minnesota to the Kansas River Valley, where it became an important part the Kaw Nation’s spiritual life.
“I am delighted to see our city’s leaders collectively honor the sovereign rights of Tribal Nations by partnering in the return of the Iⁿ‘zhúje‘waxóbe Sacred Red Rock,” said Jancita Warrington, Executive Director, Kansas Native American Affairs, Office of the Governor. “Chancellor Girod, Mayor Larsen and the Lawrence City Commissioners have shown both compassion and respect for the Kaw Nation by honoring their request to return this grandfather rock to its cultural and spiritual stewards. This is a great example of a productive partnership between leaders, and I am excited to see what will transpire from this continued relationship moving forward.”
In 1929, the Sacred Red Rock was transported to Lawrence. It currently resides in Buford M. Watson Jr. Park. Iⁿ‘zhúje‘waxóbe will now be returned to Kaw Nation land at Allegawaho Memorial Heritage Park near Council Grove.
“As an Indigenous person, I am extremely honored and humbled to be a part of this project and this historic event,” said Sydney Purcell, Co-Principal Investigator, Sacred Red Rock Project and Curator for Public Practice at Spencer Museum of Art. “I am in awe that Governor Kelly, Mayor Larson, and the Lawrence City Commission are present to support this effort. It is my hope that the relationships established throughout this project and further concretized with the ceremonious Return of the Rock event will continue long into the future, so that Kaw Nation’s presence is strengthened in the state that bears its name.”
Chamber Coffee at HBCAT Office on August 31
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Obituary of Clinton Clampitt
Clinton Ray Clampitt, age 42, a resident of rural Fulton, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly, Monday, August 28, 2023, at his home. He was born March 25, 1981, in Ft. Scott. Clinton attended school in Ft. Scott. He had worked in the receiving department at Wal-Mart in Ft. Scott. In earlier years, he enjoyed spending time outdoors and fishing. He also was a talented artist who enjoyed drawing and sketching. Five years ago, Clinton suffered a major debilitating stroke and has primarily been home bound ever since. Since his stroke, he enjoyed watching movies, playing video games and keeping up with his friends and family on Facebook.
Survivors include his parents, David and Brenda Hathaway of the home in Fulton and his son, Kyler Clampitt of Walnut, Kansas. Also surviving are a brother, Kyle Hathaway (Shannon) of Ft. Scott and three sisters, Angela Carpenter (Jeff), Rhonda Cole (Ben) and Rachel Thompson all of Ft. Scott, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends including his caregiver, Melissa Springston. Clinton was preceded in death by his brother, Kenny Clampitt.
There was cremation. A memorial visitation will be held from 5 to 7 P.M. Friday, September 1st at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Clinton Clampitt 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
HBCAT Grant: Bee Better Health Club
This is part of a series featuring the grant recipients of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team’s Center For Economic Growth in their latest grant cycle.
This grant cycle, they awarded grants to nine area businesses.
The Heathly Bourbon County Action Team Grant Program is funded by the Patterson Family Foundation and is a collaborative effort through partnerships with the Kansas Small Business Development Center at Pittsburg State and Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.
The BEE Better Health Club owner, Wesley DeHaven started his business on June 19, 2023.
“I started a health club because I recognized how much diet and exercise can benefit one’s life in a positive manner,” DeHaven said.
“I provide group fitness classes for all ranging from 1st graders all the way up to seniors within the community, nutrition coaching, and affordable personal training services.”
He is currently in the process of getting multiple certificates from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
He currently has the club at 2542 Hackberry Rd. Fort Scott, with plans to build closer to town in the future.
“The grant money will used to install electrical, plumbing, and bracing in the walls for various types of equipment,” he said.
Contact info:
Facebook: @The BEE Better Health Club Instagram: @beebetter.hc
Email: [email protected]
Phone #: (620) 644-8150
Special U234 Board Meetings Last Evening
Unified School District 234
424 South Main
Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697
620-223-0800 Fax 620-223-2760
DESTRY BROWN Superintendent
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
NEWS RELEASE
Monday, August 28, 2023
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. on Monday, August 28, 2023, for two special board meetings at the board office.
Vice-President James Wood opened the 5:30 p.m. meeting.
The board opened the Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing. Superintendent Destry Brown reviewed the code 99 and discussed the mill levy. There were no comments from patrons. The board closed the Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing.
The board approved the following item and then adjourned the meeting:
- Resolution 23-06: Exceeding the Revenue Neutral Tax Rate for financing the annual budget for 2023-24 by roll call vote.
President David Stewart opened the 5:45 p.m. meeting. The board opened the Budget Hearing. Assistant Superintendent Dalaina Smith reviewed the Needs Assessment with the board. Mrs. Smith noted information shared with the board on State Assessments. There were no comments from patrons. The board closed the Budget Hearing.
The board approved the following items:
- Resolution 23-07: Make a Local Option Percentage in an amount of 31.6 percent for the 2023-24 school year.
- Approval of the 2023-24 Budget with consideration of the Needs Assessment and State Assessments which were provided to the USD 234 Board of Education, evaluated by the Board, and were used as a part of the budget approval process. It was noted that the board adopted by roll call vote Resolution 23-06 to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate by roll call vote.
- Personnel Report following
The board went into executive sessions for personnel matters.
President Stewart adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT
August 28, 2023
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
- Weaver, Mark – Resignation – Fort Scott High School Special Education Teacher
TRANSFERS/REASSIGNMENTS/LEAVE OF ABSENCE:
For the 2023-24 school year:
Classified:
- Pitts, Belinda – from Fort Scott High School Paraprofessional to Mental Health Intervention Team Liaison- effective 09/05/23
- O’Bryan, Carolina – Leave of Absence
EMPLOYMENT:
Certified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:
- Reichard, Elizabeth (Betsy) – Fort Scott High School Special Education Teacher
Classified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:
- Beyer, Amy – Eugene Ware Elementary Paraprofessional
- Bratton, Ashley – Fort Scott Middle School Paraprofessional
- Brown, Tina – Eugene Ware Elementary Paraprofessional
- Lord, McKenna – Eugene Ware Elementary Paraprofessional
- Ogle, Kathryn – Fort Scott High School Paraprofessional
Supplemental Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:
- Magathan-Krone, Jane – Eugene Ware Elementary Guiding Coalition
- Laubenstein, Michelle – Fort Scott High School Newspaper
- ASCC Recommendations
- FSHS AP Teachers