Area News

Evergy Kansas Metro solar customers will move to two-part rate design

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TOPEKA – Residential distributed generation (DG) customers served by Evergy Kansas Metro will soon have a new monthly electric rate that does not include a demand charge. This morning, the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) issued an order that will move DG customers from a three-part rate design to a standard two-part residential rate. In addition, customers will receive refunds within 60 days for any difference in the amounts paid between the two rates. Evergy Kansas Metro provides power to customers previously served by Kansas City Power & Light (KCPL) prior to the 2018 merger between KCPL and Westar to form Evergy Inc.

Earlier this year, the same rate design change was approved for customers in Evergy’s Kansas Central region (formerly Westar) after a Kansas Supreme Court opinion called the three-part rate design price discriminatory and sent the matter back to the KCC for further proceedings. The three-part rate design was originally implemented following separate rate cases filed by Westar and KCPL prior to the merger, but only the Westar DG rate was challenged.

Today’s order resulted from a proposal by KCC Staff, Evergy, and the Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board to make the rate for DG customers consistent across both service areas.  The Commission agreed there is potential for confusion and frustration over the disparate treatment of residential DG customers between Evergy’s two Kansas service territories and that it is in the public interest to treat Evergy’s residential DG customers consistently in this regard throughout both of its service territories.

Today’s order can be viewed at:   https://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx/20210824102815.pdf?Id=48078ebc-832d-4c1d-8089-d2765363c076

 

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

Keep Kids Safe In School

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For Immediate Release:    
August 24, 2021

Contact:    
Reeves Oyster, Press Secretary
[email protected]

Governor Laura Kelly Launches New Ad Campaign on How to Keep Kids Safe from COVID-19 at School

~As kids head back to school and the Delta variant spreads, Kelly asks Kansans to get vaccinated, wear masks, and get tested ~

TOPEKA – As the Delta variant continues to rapidly spread and recent federal data shows a record-high number of children are hospitalized because of COVID-19, Governor Laura Kelly this week released two new ads encouraging students and their families to use public health practices as they head back to school this fall.

“Record numbers of children are catching the virus and being hospitalized from COVID-19,” Governor Kelly said. “As we head back to school, it’s critical that all Kansas students, teachers, and staff wear masks, get tested regularly and, if you’re 12 or older, get vaccinated. That’s how we keep our kids safe and in the classroom.”

The first ad, “Kids Spread Germs,” talks about just how contagious and serious the Delta variant is and urges parents to follow the three core steps to keep kids safe: getting a free and safe vaccine if you’re 12 and older, wearing masks in public (including in school), and getting tested regularly for the virus.

The second ad, “Your Decision,” urges college students who are over the age of 18 to get the information they need and make the decision to get a free and safe vaccine. View the ad here.

Both ads come as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for people 16 years of age and older. The vaccine continues to be available for people 12-15 years of age and for the administration of a third dose in moderately or severely immunocompromised people through emergency use authorization.

Current data make clear that those who are not vaccinated are at the greatest risk right now. 99% of COVID deaths and over 97% of COVID hospitalizations nationally have been among people who were not vaccinated. The vaccine is safe, free, and can help save lives.

Governor Kelly encourages anyone who has questions about the vaccine to visit GetVaccineAnswers.org.

Testing, like the vaccine, is free, even if you have been tested before. For more information on where you can be tested for COVID-19, visit: KnowBeforeYouGoKS.com.
Area News

Pittsburg Youth Chorale Fall Enrollment Open

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Area singers in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade are invited to join Pittsburg Youth Chorale, directed by MJ Harper.

The purpose of this vocal ensemble is to further grow vocal abilities, musical knowledge, and choral repertoire.

Performers will prepare music for community events and music festivals. COVID guidelines will be observed.

Rehearsals are Tuesdays from 6-7PM at First United Methodist Church, 415 N. Pine, Pittsburg, KS and begin September 14.

There is a fee of $25 per semester (Sept-Dec/Feb-May) to cover the cost of music.

Scholarships are available.

To enroll, visit this website: https://bit.ly/3km8ErH, contact MJ Harper at 620-719-6633, or email
[email protected], deadline September 14.

COVID-19

Vaccine Fully Aprroved

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FDA Gives Full Approval to Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine

Governor Kelly Encourages All Kansans to Receive the COVID-19 Vaccine

TOPEKA – Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for people 16 years of age and older. The vaccine continues to be available for people 12-15 years of age and for the administration of a third dose in moderately or severely immunocompromised people through emergency use authorization.

“The vaccine is safe, effective against severe illness and death, and our best tool to beat this virus,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “Today’s announcement from the FDA is good news. I urge all Kansans to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect themselves, their neighbors, our frontline workers, and our economy.”

Moderna began the application for full FDA approval in June, nearly a month after Pfizer/BioNTech. Full approval is anticipated in several weeks. Johnson & Johnson has stated they will begin the approval process later this year.

As of August 23, 2021, 51.4% of Kansans have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

“Millions of people have already received the COVID-19 vaccine and this approval should instill a high-level of confidence in all Kansans that the vaccine has met the high standards for safety, effectiveness and manufacturing set by the FDA,” said Lee Norman, M.D., Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. “Our state is seeing high numbers of people diagnosed with the Delta variant. The best way to fight this disease, especially the variant, is to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. For those that were waiting on full approval and more data, it’s happened today. Everyone who is eligible should schedule their appointment today to get the vaccine.”

The vast majority of new COVID-19 cases in the State of Kansas are the Delta variant. This variant continues to cause the number of cases to rise at the level that was seen in November 2020.

The Delta variant is highly contagious, more than twice as contagious as previous variants. The greatest concern is for those who are unvaccinated. Data shows that this variant causes more severe illness in people who are unvaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccines reduce a person’s risk of contracting the virus, including this variant. Additionally, it has been shown to prevent severe disease and death.

KDHE urges all eligible Kansans to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Find a free COVID-19 vaccine near you at: Vaccines.gov.

Entertainment, Fort Scott, Gordon Parks Museum

Parks Celebration to feature Contemporary Jazz and R&B Violinist

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The 2021 Gordon Parks Celebration to feature Contemporary Jazz and R&B Violinist, Dominique Hammons.

Fort Scott-The Gordon Parks Celebration, scheduled for October 7 – 9, 2021, at Fort Scott Community College, will feature Contemporary Jazz and R&B violinist, Dominique Hammons in a music performance at 7:30 p.m. at the River Room in Fort Scott, KS on Friday, October 8th. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and a cash bar will be available.

This performance event was supported in part by Peerless Products, INC. in Fort Scott, KS.

“We are very excited that we were able to bring Dominique Hammons back to Fort Scott once again for another electrifying performance.” This provides another great opportunity for anyone that was not able to attend Dominique’s last performance here to a packed house at the Liberty Theater.” said Kirk Sharp, Gordon Parks Museum Director.

Dominique Hammons is a young, energetic, Contemporary/Jazz and R&B Violinist from Houston, TX and started playing classical violin at the age of eight.

Hammons attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston and was a member of the school orchestra program for four years.  After high school, Dominique attended the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma, and graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Performance with an emphasis in Jazz.

During the early part of middle and high school years, Hammons performed for four years with the Houston Youth Symphony Orchestra, receiving high accolades for excellence. Dominique also performed with other orchestra and chamber groups such as Virtuosi of Houston and TMEA All-State Orchestra. He was also chosen to study and perform with the Diaz Music Institute’s Youth Latin Jazz group, “Caliente”.

According from his biography, his ‘God given’ talent has been recognized with many awards and among them, the Houston Symphony’s “Young Artist Competition”, where he won the opportunity to play a solo on stage with the Houston Symphony. He also competed and won medals and recognitions while participating in NAACP “Actso” competitions.

Since graduation, Dominique has gravitated to teaching classical violin lessons to the youth who desire to follow in his footsteps; and continues to perform in the Houston and surrounding cities as a solo artist. His popularity has risen in high demand to perform at many venues and performs various genres of music such as classical, pop, gospel, jazz, hip hop and R&B.  His unique blend of music and style has granted him to perform across the nation such as Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, and Washington State.*(2020)

Hammon’s Musical career has led him to perform at the following events:

  • Selected to play the National Anthem during the pre-game show at the Houston Rockets game in November of 2018.

  • He was selected to audition for the ‘2019 America’s Got Talent’ competition.

  • Opening act for Johnathan Butler at the 2018 Martini Blue Jazz Festival. (Which Dominique received a standing ovation of a crowd of (3,000.)

  • Headliner for City of College Park & 7Flavors of Smooth Jazz Festival, Atlanta, GA.

Tickets are $30 each or $35 at the door. Tickets will be available at the Gordon Parks Museum located on the campus at Fort Scott Community College or over the phone (620)-223-2700 ext. 5850.

For more information about the Celebration, see the website at gordonparkscenter.org or email [email protected] or by phone call 223-2700, ext. 5850.

Business, Fort Scott, Government

Coon Rentals Purchases 17 S. Main

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17 S. Main, January 2021.

The building known for years as the Kress Building has been sold to Coon Rentals LLC.

History

The building at 17 S. Main most recently housed a grocery store that had been a recipient of SPARK money, which was federal money given to the state who gave the money to local governments to help businesses during the pandemic.

BAJA Investments had purchased the building, remodeled it, purchased supplies and equipment, and opened a grocery store called The  Star Emporium Downtown General Store in January 2021 and closed in May 2021, citing not enough business.

BAJA Investments had received a $450,000 grant from SPARK to provide a downtown grocery store.

To learn more about the SPARK program: https://covid.ks.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/SPARK-Overview-06.16.20.pdf

“They (BAJA) did give it an effort,” he said. “And if the traffic would have been there…but it wasn’t. He had all the receipts, there was accountability for this.”

Coon Rentals LLC paid $158,000 for the building in an auction last week.

“When that business failed, the county had two options,” Bourbon County Commissioner Lynne Oharah said. “Let the business go into bankruptcy, which would have taken over a year. Or sell the property and it goes back on the county tax rolls.”

“We are in the process of closing on the property,” he said.

To see prior stories on the business:

Star Emporium Downtown General Store to Open Next Week

Star Emporium Closes in Downtown Fort Scott

Robert and Kimberly Coon. Submitted photo.

New Owners

“Coon Rentals LLC will manage and maintain the building for its new tenants, soon to come,” Robert Coon said. Coon who with his wife, Kimberly, owns the business.

“There have been so many negative vibes regarding the grant the previous business there had, but I don’t think anyone thought of the greatness of it: federal money came to Kansas, to Bourbon County,” Coon said. “Then the grant was used partly to revitalize a building. In the process, lots of small local businesses received some of those funds to work on the building. That’s economic development at its finest.”

“I also think the current (Bourbon County) commissioners should be applauded for salvaging the situation with the building,” Coon said. “Commissioners had a decision to make regarding acquiring the building and redistribution to avoid lots of issues.”

A1 Towing and Moving, Fort Scott, move shelving into the new grocery store, at 17  S. Main on November 4, 2020.

“We have three businesses, A1 Towing, A1 Bill Bonds, and Coon Rentals LLC, ” Coon said. “None require a storefront.”

“We are going to lease that building to a business,” He said. “That agreement is in process. They will operate in the whole downstairs portion of the building.”

“We are going to remodel the upstairs and have more professional businesses there,” he said.

 

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Fort Scott Town-Wide Garage Sale Sept. 10-11

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Mark your calendars for the Fall Town-wide Garage Sale on Friday and Saturday, September 10th and 11th. Now is the time to get your garage sale on the map.

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce encourages residents in Fort Scott to do your Fall cleaning and make room for something new. Garage sales may be registered through the Chamber by 1 pm, Tuesday, September 7th for only $10. The registration fee lists your sale on the official garage sale map, two colorful balloons and enables the Chamber to advertise the sale throughout the region on the radio, newspaper, social media and the Chamber website.

Businesses are encouraged to advertise on the official garage sale map, which will be distributed to shoppers the week of the Town-wide Garage Sale. The maps will be distributed from local stores and the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. The cost to place a business ad or coupon is $25 for small ad and $35 for larger ad. The garage sale maps will be available and printed on Thursday, September 9th by 1 pm at 5-Corners Mini-Mart, Bids & Dibs, Casey’s, Don’s Smoke Shop, all Pete’s locations, and The Fort Scott Chamber.

Garage sales may be registered in person at the Chamber office, 8am-5pm Mon-Fri, located at 231 E. Wall Street or by phone using debit or credit card by calling (620) 223-3566.

Bourbon County, Government, Kansas

K-31 section closed west of Fulton on Wednesday

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Wednesday, Aug. 25, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) plans to close K-31 west of Fulton to replace a crossroad pipe. The closure is between reference points 131 and 132 and will be in effect from 7:15 a.m. until 6 p.m.

 

Traffic should use alternate routes. Check KDOT’s updated traveler information website, www.Kandrive.org, for more road condition and construction details. Persons with questions may call KDOT Area Superintendent Derrick Shannon at (620) 901-6550 or Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen at (620) 902-6433.

 

Bourbon County Local News