Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Plan Announced
Kansas Submits Five-Year, $451M Action Plan to Expand High-Speed Internet
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that the Kansas Office of Broadband Development has submitted the state’s comprehensive Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Five-Year Action Plan (FYAP) to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The required action plan details how universal connection will happen in Kansas, and the planned use of the $451 million NTIA has allocated to the state.
The plan underscores Governor Kelly’s commitment to ensuring every Kansan has access to reliable and affordable high-speed internet and the skills necessary to thrive in a digitally-driven society.
“Access to reliable high-speed internet is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity for education, health care, economic growth, and overall quality of life,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This plan moves us toward achieving universal broadband availability in Kansas, ensuring everyone from business owners to students can succeed in today’s digital age.”
Submitting the FYAP is a crucial step in securing federal funding for the state’s broadband initiatives. The plan outlines the path to making high-speed internet available to all Kansans, with a focus on unserved and underserved areas.
The BEAD FYAP consists of a comprehensive strategy that includes the Kansas Office of Broadband Development’s (KOBD) vision to provide universal access to quality broadband, with specific goals and objectives aimed at broadband coverage, adoption rates, and economic growth. This plan also identifies existing programs and assets to reduce overlap and to leverage resources.
“The BEAD FYAP outlines a strategic approach to leverage existing programs, partnerships, and resources toward the goal of universal broadband access,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “By combining public and private efforts, we can maximize the impact of our investments and create a robust broadband infrastructure that supports economic growth and innovation for decades to come.”
The plan identifies challenges such as supply chain constraints, labor shortages, digital skill gaps, and how to overcome these obstacles. Presenting a projected timeline, costs and strategies to close gaps in broadband service and ways to ensure fair digital access, the FYAP aligns with state agencies and partners, including NTIA, the federal funding agency.
“Our team has worked tirelessly to draft a comprehensive plan that aligns with the NTIA’s guidelines while addressing our state’s unique challenges and opportunities,” KOBD Director Jade Piros de Carvalho said. “This plan is a roadmap to providing high-speed connectivity to areas that have historically been left behind and bringing affordable broadband access to every corner of Kansas.”
The plan’s alignment with NTIA guidelines, its inclusive approach, and its strategies to address challenges reflect the state’s commitment to empowering Kansans with essential connectivity.
For more information about the Five-Year Action Plan, click here.
###
2023 College Board National Recognition Awardee: Katelyn Dancer
Congratulations to Fort Scott High School Senior Katelyn Dancer on being named a 2023 College Board National Recognition Program Awardee!
Katelyn earned this academic honor because of her GPA of 3.5 or higher and outstanding performance on the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and/or AP Exams. She is being recognized as part of the National Rural/Small Town Recognition Program. Award winners are given the opportunity to include this academic honor on their college applications, and many colleges intentionally recruit awardees through College Board’s Student Search Service.
Congratulations Katelyn and keep up the good work!
— Submitted by
Jeff DeLaTorre
Athletic/Activities Director
Fort Scott High School
Amended Bo Co Commission Agenda for August 24
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
Nelson Blythe
1st District Commissioner
Jim Harris, Chairman
2nd District Commissioner
Clifton Beth
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
August 24, 2023 5:30 p.m.
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute followed by Prayer
- Budget Discussion
- Commission Comments
- Adjourn Meeting
Executive Session Justifications:
KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the
attorney-client relationship.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the
representative(s) of the body or agency.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting
would jeopardize such security measures.
New FS Educators: Self and Forkner
This is part of a series featuring the new teachers at Fort Scott’s School District.
There are 20 new teachers this year.
Karen Self, 56, is a new English teacher at Fort Scott High School.
“As a child we had a basement that had a chalkboard and desks that we purchased from the three-room grade school that had closed its doors in our rural neighborhood,” she said. “Mrs. Green…. my 5th grade teacher, let me choose anything I wanted from the pile of going-to-be-thrown-away textbooks. I took those books home and devoured them. I played teacher…for hours at a time, reading and exploring these old textbooks and trying to get my siblings to play along. Today, I am taking that next step into my childhood dream.
Creating an atmosphere of safety and peace when chaos abounds, like so many incredible educators did for me throughout my school years, is a passion for me.”
“I have substituted in USD 234 in the last few years, but most of my experience comes from raising, nurturing and advocating for my children,” Self said. “I also volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children in foster care for 6 years.”
For her education she attended Missouri Southern State University, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Butler County Community College, and finished her secondary education degree taking night classes at Newman University, Wichita.
She has 10 children ranging from 16-35 years of age and 6 grandchildren, 6 months to 13 years of age.
In her spare time she loves to read and write, among other interests.
“I am fascinated by British TV, British accents and London,” she said. “For the last decade I have explored writing and hope to one day write a book about the beautiful life lived by my lovely daughter, P.J., who succumbed to the ravages of muscular dystrophy and left this earth in 2011. My favorite pastime of all time is spending time with my children and grandchildren.”
“I love that moment when the look of confusion or frustration on a student’s face is replaced with the ‘aha’ delight of catching the inspiration of learning something for the first time,” she said.
Julie Forkner, is a new Fort Scott Preschool Interventionist.
She earned a BS in Elementary Education and Early Childhood and has taught for 38 years.
“I enjoy small children and building relationships with families and helping shape the future and making a positive difference in kid’s life’s!” she said. She also enjoys getting to know other teachers, too.
A challenge for her will be starting in a new district and a new environment and learning how things work, she said.
She has two children: a daughter, Mandy married to Steven, is a Kindergarten teacher in Exeter, MO. She has two grandchildren: Kaylor, 5-years-old and Kruz, 1 1/2. Her son Austin is a professional motocross racer in Murrieta CA. and will get married in October to Rylee.
In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her grandkids, traveling, watching her son race.
Her hometown is Moundville, MO.
Amended Agenda for the Bo Co Commission Meeting Today at 5:30 p.m.
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
Nelson Blythe
1st District Commissioner
Jim Harris, Chairman
2nd District Commissioner
Clifton Beth
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
August 24, 2023 5:30 p.m.
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute followed by Prayer
- Budget Discussion
- Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(4)
- Commission Comments
- Adjourn Meeting
Executive Session Justifications:
KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the
attorney-client relationship.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the
representative(s) of the body or agency.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting
would jeopardize such security measures.
Gordon Parks Museum Receives Arts and Culture Grant by the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas
Fort Scott, Kan. Aug.24, 2023 – An Arts and Culture grant through the Community Foundation of
Southeast Kansas helped support the 20th Annual Gordon Parks Celebration. The annual celebration
will be held October 5 -7, 2023 in Fort Scott, Kansas.
“We are very thankful to be part of this grant. This is our 20th year of the Annual Gordon Parks
Celebration and we are excited to celebrate the upcoming three days full of wonderful events
with everyone. The celebration is a great way to honor Gordon Parks legacy.” said Kirk Sharp,
Executive Director of the Gordon Parks Museum. “
The celebration is in honor Fort Scott native Gordon Parks, noted photographer, writer, musician, and
filmmaker. The celebration will feature several events to include presentations, special events, tours,
music performance, barbeque and a celebration tribute dinner for the presentation of The Choice of
Weapons Award established in Parks’ honor to be given annually at the celebration. The schedule of
events is available at the Gordon Parks Museum or online at gordonparkscenter.org and on our
facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/fsccGPmuseum/. This event is for everyone and open to
the public.
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas hosts individual charitable funds created by donors
who have a passion for giving back to their community. Grants from these funds assist people
throughout Southeast Kansas and beyond. Call the Foundation at 620-231-8897 with questions about
the Community Foundation. www.southeastkansas.org.
###
Contact Name: Kirk Sharp FOR IMMEDIATE
Phone: 620-223-2700, ext. 5850 RELEASE
Email: [email protected]
Website: gordonparkscenter.org
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports August 24
Obituary of Delbert Ray Fluty
Delbert Ray Fluty, age 90, passed away on August 19, 2023, following a short hospital stay. Delbert was born to Marshall (Ray) and Edith Fluty on December 8th, 1932, in Butler, MO. Delbert spent his younger years in Fort Scott, KS, where he played football in high school and Junior College, met the love of his life, and was inducted into the United States Army, during the Korean Conflict. Delbert was a very proud and patriotic veteran of the Army’s Tenth Mountain Division. When thanked for his military service, he would always respond with, “It was an honor and a privilege.”
While fulfilling his Army responsibilities, Delbert married Marilyn Darlene Jones on October 27th, 1953. The love they shared during their nearly seventy years of marriage was held in awe by so many who knew them. They were truly living examples of the vows they promised to honor. Following marriage, Delbert attended Pittsburg State University, where he completed his undergraduate and Masters degrees in Automotive Technology. Delbert taught in El Dorado, KS, for four years. In 1962, his young family moved to Overland Park, KS, to open the new Shawnee Mission West High School. There he taught Automotive Technology and Small Engine Repair until his retirement in 1995.
Delbert accepted Jesus Christ into his heart on Easter Sunday, 1962, following services at Fort Scott’s Grace Baptist Tabernacle. His life was forever changed. Soon after, he and his family began attending Overland Park Baptist. There he spent countless nights and weekends helping to build the church from its first groundbreaking. Delbert also humbly served as a deacon for many terms, as the Missions treasurer for fifty years, and he assisted his wife in her fifty years of teaching the ages Four and Five Sunday School Class.
Delbert was devoted to his family, and a sterling example to his sons, Steven and Phillip. Delbert never told his sons how to be good and honorable men. Instead, he showed them how a good and honorable man lives his life. Delbert is survived by his wife, Marilyn, his sons, Steven and Phillip, his brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Leah Jones, and his nephew, Matt Jones.
Delbert was preceded in death by his father, Ray Fluty, his mother, Edith Fluty, his sister Eilene Fluty, and a very large contingent of aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Larry Jones and Pastor Tracy Roby will conduct funeral services at 11:00 AM Tuesday, August 29th, at the Overland Park Baptist Church, 11648 Antioch Road, Overland Park, KS.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until service time at the church.
Burial will follow at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, August 30th, at the U. S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott, KS.
Memorials are suggested to the Overland Park Baptist Missions Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Obituary of C. Charley Johnston Jr.
C. Charley Johnston, Jr., age 82, resident of Fort Scott, KS, passed away on August 22, 2023, at the Kansas University Medical Center following a brief illness.
He was born February 25, 1941, in Fort Scott, the son of Charley and Rose Hines Johnston. He married Ann McCurley on April 9, 1961, in Fort Scott. Charley was a 1959 graduate of Fort Scott High School.
He obtained his bachelor’s degree and his master’s degree in business education from Pittsburg State University. After teaching business classes at Hiawatha High School, Hiawatha, KS, he returned to Fort Scott and worked several years as a business instructor and administrator at Fort Scott Community College.
Following this employment, he worked 15 years as a vocational rehabilitation counselor with the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services, retiring in 2005. Charley was a proud veteran. He served two years in the U. S. Army, followed by 40 years with the Kansas National Guard, retiring as Command Sergeant Major.
Charley was a loving husband, father, and grandpa. He cherished his family and his grandchildren. His grandchildren were his greatest joy. He was an avid fan of the KC Royals, KC Chiefs, and K-State football. He also enjoyed playing golf with his family and friends.
Charley is survived by his wife Ann; his sister, Rita Emmerson, Fort Scott; his sons, Vince Johnston (Leigh), Pittsburg, KS, and Brian Johnston (Deborah), Springfield, MO; his grandchildren, Jessica Dreiling (Grant), Kyle Johnston, Chase Johnston, Nicole Johnston; his great grandson, Kip Dreiling; sisters-in-law, Bernie Simmons, and Kathy McCurley; and brother-in-law, Doug Ropp (Patty); as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters-in-law Lucille Langdon and Elaine Ropp; his brothers-in-law, Joe Langdon, Ronnie Simmons, Jim Emmerson, Doug McCurley, and Cedric McCurley; and his niece, Cindy Emmerson.
Following cremation, a private burial will take place at a later date at the Fort Scott National Cemetery. The family requests memorials to Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
FS Seeks Volunteers For Advisory Boards
The City of Fort Scott is currently seeking to fill vacancies on the following advisory boards:
1 position for the Land Bank Board of Trustees
2 positions for the Streets Advisory Board
1 position for the Parks Advisory Board
The functions of the Fort Scott Advisory Board Committees are to provide suggestions to the City Manager and City Commission regarding the specific areas as indicated: Land Bank, Streets and Parks within the City of Fort Scott.
All boards and commissions of Fort Scott serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated.
If you have a desire to serve on this board, please submit a Letter of Interest to the City Clerk, Lisa Lewis, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701 or [email protected]. The names and letters will be submitted for consideration first to the advisory board and then to the City Commission.
FSHS Performing Arts: Finalist For Excellence Award
Congratulations to the Fort Scott High School Performing Arts Program on being named a Finalist for the KSHSAA Performing Arts School of Excellence Award for the 2022-23 school year!
A total of 18 Kansas High Schools will receive recognition by the Kansas State High School Activities Association for outstanding performing arts programs. Schools were selected from a committee formed from the following associations: Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA), Kansas Speech Communication Association (KSCA), and the Kansas Thespians (Theater). Schools selected were chosen for scoring exceptionally high in Debate, Speech, Music, and Theater during the 2022-23 school year.
DeSoto High School was selected as the Award winner. Fort Scott High School was named a finalist along with Lansing, Lawrence-Free State, Pittsburg, Shawnee Mission South, and Sterling. Schools commended include Emporia, Maize, McPherson, Blue Valley West, Paola, Pretty Prairie, Rock Creek, Bishop Miege, Sylvan-Lucas, Washburn Rural, and Wichita Collegiate.
Special congratulations to our FSHS Performing Arts coaches and sponsors:
Band – Justin Robinson
Choir – Whitley Chesney
Orchestra – Carson Felt
Debate/Forensics – Tyler Slinkard
Theater/Drama – Angie Bin
Fort Scott High School was named a finalist for this award one previous time, following the 2018-19 school. We were also on the commended list for the 2020-21 school year.
Congratulations again to our sponsors and all of our students involved in these programs! Outstanding job!
— Submitted by
Jeff DeLaTorre
Athletic/Activities Director
Fort Scott High School