The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Feb. 1
KDOT Asks For Pedestrian and Bicycle Public Transportation Projects
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Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson
January 28, 2022
The journey of a bill After a bill is introduced. it is assigned to a committee so that the legislation can be properly vetted. The chairman can schedule a hearing, allowing people, conferees, to testify. Legislators can ask questions of conferees, evaluate and propose changes to legislation. If a majority of committee members vote to advance the legislation, it will then be assigned to the Committee of the Whole. Committee of the Whole is all of the members of that chamber. The Majority Leader schedules debate for the Committee of the Whole. After debate and possible amendments, the Committee of the Whole votes whether to pass the legislation and advance it to final action. If a bill passes a final action vote, it will advance to the other chamber or it goes to the Governor if it has passed both chambers. At that point the Governor can sign the bill into law, veto the bill, or do nothing and after 10 days the bill becomes law.
The Senate Tax Committee had hearings on two bills where the conferee was a Kansas resident who would like to have sales tax removed on manufacture coupons, Senate Bill (SB) 354, and sales tax removed on delivery charges, shipping and postage, SB 327. Most people are not aware they pay sales tax on these items.
SB 347 is on the fast track to who knows where. There was a major rush to pass SB 347 out of the Senate Commerce Committee and across the Senate floor. SB 347 would allow the Secretary of Commerce to give sales, income, and property tax incentives, estimated to be over $1 billion to entice a company, very possibly a foreign company, to come to Kansas. Proponents say it will bring 4,000 jobs to Kansas. Good, but what company and what Kansas industries will be impacted by the “new” jobs. When Kansas was trying to entice NASCAR to come to Kansas everything was up front, legislators knew the business and made the decision eyes-wide-open. With SB 347, only a few legislators know what company the Governor and Secretary of Commerce are willing to give over $1 billion of taxpayer money. I was able to get an amendment on that would at least stop the company from getting back more income tax than they paid to the state of Kansas. I could not support this legislation. With SB 347, the Secretary of Commerce has the authority to give away billions of dollars and there are no caps or restrictions on the number of companies to receive the tax incentives in the bill. Disappointingly, the bill passed the Senate 32 to 7. The House will push the bill through the process in an attempt to put it on the Governor’s desk the first week in February. Hopefully, the House will be able to kill the current bill or make major changes so that it will be a win for Kansas taxpayers.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
Chamber Coffee this Week: Lyons Realty Group
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Fort Scott Parks Board Committee Opening
Please see the following Board opening:
This is for the Fort Scott Parks Board Committee:
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One opening (City resident)
The function of the Fort Scott Parks Board Committee is to provide suggestions to the City Manager and Governing Body regarding all the parks within the City of Fort Scott.
If you have a desire to serve on this board and meet the above requirements, please submit a letter of interest to the City Clerk, Diane Clay, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. The names will be submitted for consideration to the City Commission. All of the boards and commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated. If you would like more information on this board, please contact Diane Clay, City Clerk at 620-223-0550 or [email protected]. Please submit your letter of interest by February 18th, 2022.
City Board Vacancy: Golf Course Advisory Board
City Board Vacancy
Please see below the above opening for the Golf Course Advisory Board:
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One opening (One City resident) on the Golf Course Advisory Board
The function of the Golf Course Advisory Board is to advise the City Commission in all matters referred to them regarding the Woodland Hills Golf Course. They will also independently evaluate all aspects of the operation of the Golf Course and make recommendations to the City Commission and City Manager. They meet on an “as needed” basis.
If you have a desire to serve on this Board and meet the above requirements, please submit a letter of interest to the City Clerk, Diane Clay, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. She will then submit your letter of interest for consideration by the City Commission. All of the boards and commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated. If you would like more information on any of these boards, please contact Diane Clay, City Clerk at 620-223-0550 or [email protected]. Please submit your letter of interest by February 18th, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.
USD 234 School District Seeks Community Input
On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act was signed into law. The ARP ESSER III funding from the ARP Act provides support for K-12 schools to help safely open and sustain the safe operations of schools and address the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation’s students. The ARP Act also allocates funds to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Although the ARP ESSER III uses of funds are similar to those for ESSER I and II, there are important distinctions between ARP ESSER III, ESSER II, and ESSER programs, including the period of funds availability, equitable services to non-public schools, maintenance of effort, and a report on efforts to measure and address learning loss.
USD 234 Fort Scott will receive $4,080,503 in ESSER III funding. We are seeking input from our community to help us identify needs for our district and community. Together we can accomplish great things for our kids and future.
Thursday, February 10th – 5:30 PM – Fort Scott Preschool Center
Wednesday, February 16th – 5:30 PM – Winfield Scott Elementary
Saturday, February 19th – 8:00 AM – Fort Scott Middle School Community Space
Monday, March 7th – 5:30 PM – Fort Scott Middle School Commons (regularly scheduled board meeting)
Tuesday, March 8th – 5:30 – 8 PM – Fort Scott High School Auditorium – same night as parent/teacher conferences
We also encourage our community to take our community feedback survey to provide insight:
More information can be found at our website,
Big Kansas Road Trip coming to Fort Scott
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Noble Health Announces Reopening a Hospital in Fort Scott
Fort Scott will get a new hospital.
The Fort Scott City Commission and the Bourbon County Commission signed a contract in July 2021 to facilitate Noble Health Corp’s feasibility study of reopening the former Mercy Hospital building as an acute care hospital.
Today, the decision was announced by Noble Health Corp. to move forward with the project.
Bourbon County, the City of Fort Scott, and other government officials and members of the community gathered in the McAuley Center at the former Mercy Hospital this morning to hear the announcement.
Rob Harrington, Bourbon County Rural Economic Development; Drew Solomon, Noble Health Corp.; Clifton Beth, Bourbon County Commissioner; Fort Scott Mayor Kevin Allen; Merrill Atwater, Noble Health; Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt; U.S. Senator Jerry Moran; and U.S. House of Representative Jake LaTurner all spoke at the event.
The facility will reopen as Noble Health Bourbon County Community Hospital.
Harrington said that approximately 100 jobs will be available in the new hospital and that a Request for Quote will go out in a couple of weeks for the first phase of the construction process.
The whole process could take a year to complete, he said.
The building is located at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. on Fort Scott’s south side, just west of Hwy.69.
Mercy Hospital closed its doors in December 2018, following declining patient numbers and shrinking reimbursement for services.
The building currently houses the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas clinic and the Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department. Fort Scott Community College has used the patient rooms on the west side of the facility for student housing for the last few years. On the ground level is I Am Rehab Physical Therapy and Fitness and a hair salon, Diamonds in the Marketplace.
“Ascension Via Christi will be staying for a longer period and is currently working out the details of a long-term lease with Noble,” Harrington said in a later email. “CHC’s lease will be expiring at their current location (December 2022), however, they will be continuing services at their new location at the old Price Chopper building after build-out. Also, CHC has been told that they have as long as they need to stay at their current location if the build-out takes longer than expected.”
Background of the Project
Noble Health Corp., Kansas City, announced on June 25, 2021, the contract for the study.
To view the Noble Health Corp. announcement:
Reopening An Acute Care Hospital In Fort Scott Being Explored by Noble Health
The city contributed $200,000, the county contributed $800,000 towards the feasibility study, according to the contract. The local government entities used American Rescue Plan money from the federal government for the project, according to Bourbon County Commissioner Clifton Beth.
The American Rescue Plan Act 2021 can be viewed at ARP Act SxS – as of 02.22.21.pdf (house.gov)
The feasibility study investigated the condition of title to the development property, the physical condition of the property, the zoning, the economic feasibility, and all matters relevant to the acquisition, usage, operation, valuation, and marketability of the property and the project, as the developer deemed appropriate
The county government agreed to contribute at least $2,000,000 to finance certain costs and expenses related to and associated with the project, according to the contract.
Continue reading Noble Health Announces Reopening a Hospital in Fort Scott
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Jan. 31
Talking, Walking, and Chewing Gum by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom
We’ve heard the colloquial expression, “She can’t walk and chew gum at the same time.“ There’s some truth to that because we’re not supposed to talk on the phone and drive at the same time. Blabbing is a huge distraction from whatever I’m trying to do. That’s why I don’t really want anyone in the kitchen while I’m fixing a meal — “I can’t think what I’m doing.” One time I was talking on the phone while walking briskly in my pasture (killing two birds with one stone). After the conversation ended, I walked to the house and suddenly realized my legs had turned to rubber and were completely worn out. I hadn’t the foggiest idea I‘d talked and walked for an hour!
We don’t know much about Enoch in the Old Testament, but his brief biography always inspires me. He was the great grandfather of Noah, and a prophet who preached to the unbelievers of his day about God‘s judgment to come. “Enoch lived 365 years, walking in close fellowship with God. Then one day he disappeared, because God took him” (Genesis 5:23,24 NLT). This particular Bible translation specifically mentions how Enoch lived — which was walking in “close fellowship with God.”
Enoch’s departure was a fading away, a ceasing to be here. Can you imagine the possibility of God saying: “You know what, Enoch, we‘ve walked so far today that we‘re closer to My house than yours. Why don‘t you just come home with Me?” Enoch was translated into God’s presence without experiencing death. He simply walked his race right through the pearly gates. I wonder what Enoch’s family thought when he didn’t come home for supper after his daily walk.
In 1963, J. S. Eastman composed the lyrics and music to the song, “I’m Nearer Home (Than I was Yesterday)” as recorded by the Happy Goodman Family. I wonder if Enoch‘s life could have inspired these words: “I’m nearer home than I was yesterday. I’m closer to God along the way. Each step I take, each prayer I pray, I’m nearer home than I was yesterday.” Enoch had persevering attention for God and was an excellent model of what it meant to draw close to God. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8 NKJV).
The New Testament records Enoch as a great example of faith: “It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying — ‘he disappeared, because God took him.‘ For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God‘” (Hebrews 11:5 NLT).
I’m grateful that God continues to work with me as I walk with Him. “I am confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in me will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6 NKJV). It’s comforting to know I’m a work in progress until my last breath. If believers keep walking in close fellowship with God, we’ll keep coming up higher and higher in our trust and obedience. And one amazing day we’ll find ourselves in the splendors of heaven with all the other heroes of faith.
The Key: Keep walking and talking with God and, when all is said and done, He’ll take you Home.