This week’s Friday Night Concert will be presented by the Neosho River Boys, a traditional bluegrass band based out of Chanute, Kansas. Ron Oliphant plays banjo and fiddle, Dale Steinman keeps the rhythm on the upright bass, and Scott Sexton sings and plays guitar.
“The band performs much in the style of the earliest bluegrass performers. Their music is heartfelt and real,” concert series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “Come out and join us for a special treat to see friends and hear some great pickin’ and grinnin’. These musicians are no stranger to the stage and are a delight to hear. We are pleased to welcome the Neosho River Boys to our downtown park pavilion.“
The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Park Pavilion at First and Main streets. The shows, sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, are free and open to the public. Dave Oas of Parsons serves as sound technician each week. Due to limited seating, attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall Street.
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has started a resurfacing project on K-65 in Bourbon County, from K-3 east to K-31. Project activity includes a mill and overlay. Flaggers and a pilot car will guide one-lane traffic through the work zone; expect daytime delays of 15 minutes or less. Shilling Construction of Manhattan, Kansas, is the primary contractor on the project. Check KDOT’s updated traveler information website, www.Kandrive.org, for more road condition and construction details. Persons with questions may contact Area Engineer Troy Howard, (620) 901-6557, or Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen, (620) 902-6433.
TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland today announced a series of upcoming training sessions for the Kansas Certified Sites program.
These three virtual trainings will provide an opportunity to learn more about the process of getting shovel-ready sites in Kansas certified for development.
“The Certified Sites program is a major game changer in the race to attract new businesses and bring more jobs and more dollars to Kansas,” Lt. Governor/Secretary Toland said. “Spreading the word and helping more site owners get certified will show developers the incredible amount of shovel-ready space Kansas has to offer. Join us and learn how to get your site certified.”
In addition to general information on the program, attendees will be invited to ask questions about their specific applications. A step-by-step guide to complete the certification process also will be provided.
All training sessions will be virtual and take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration for each date can be completed at the following links:
The window to register for each session closes five (5) business days before the date of the event.
“This program exists to help site owners get developments started quickly,” Certified Sites Program Manager Jonathan Clayton said. “These training sessions have been designed to make the process as easy as possible. We want to get your site developed now – and we’ve got the tools you need to get it done.”
About the Kansas Department of Commerce
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas in 2021 was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award and was named Site Selection Magazine’sBest Business Climate in the West North Central region of the United States.
Kansans Can Success tour coming to 50 locations & Fort Scott is on the list!
Everyone, including educators, parents, legislators, members of the business community, and members of the media are invited to attend!
MONDAY, AUGUST 16TH!
Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson and Deputy Commissioner Dr. Brad Neuenswander are conducting 50 community conversations.
The Kansas State Board of Education’s outcomes for measuring progress toward achieving that vision were also derived from information gathered during the tour. Outcomes include social-emotional growth, kindergarten readiness, Individual Plan of Study, graduation, postsecondary success, and civic engagement.
Watson and Neuenswander will share success stories, as well as challenges, discuss the Kansans Can School Redesign Project, answer questions, and gather information during the tours.
Gregg Motley. President of the Regional Economic Development, Inc. Submitted photo.
Business in Bourbon County
I mentioned in a previous column that Bourbon County lags behind our peers in generating retail sales, but how have we done in attracting and maintaining businesses over the years? As it turns out, we are the best in SEK, and it is not even close. Consider the following chart using the latest state data from 2012:
SEK County
Business Sales
Sales per Person
Allen
$ 846,438,000
$63,613
Anderson
$ 335,710,000
$42,393
Bourbon
$1,113,497,000
$74,842
Cherokee
$1,257,327,000
$59,330
Crawford
$2,322,300,000
$59,056
Franklin
$1,575,638,000
$61,012
Labette
$ 880,183,000
$41,591
Linn
$ 286,748,000
$30,332
Miami
$1,019,492,000
$31,207
Neosho
$1,058,673,000
$64,475
Woodson
$ 84,879,000
$25,923
Surprised? Did you know that Bourbon County businesses generate more than $1.1 billion in annual sales? Would you have guessed that we generate more sales per person than Crawford County or Miami County? Would you have conceived that we generate more sales per person than our closest SEK competitor by a whopping 16%?
Need further evidence? Bourbon County is also number one in SEK at attracting workers from outside the county. In fact, we are tied for 15th statewide out of 105 counties in recruiting employees from other jurisdictions to commute here to work. Additionally, we trail only Miami County from the list above in income per person in the county.
Obviously, we have a robust business community in Bourbon County, which is why we attract commuters from all around the region. We have invested in an industrial park, we have spent money on economic development and tourism, and our local governments have been business-friendly. Our communities had the foresight to start BEDCO (now BC REDI) in 1992 to encourage economic development and manage the industrial park. The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce is considered a model for rural Kansas.
Now is not the time to rest on our laurels and coast. We need to continue to make investments in our business community, understanding that it has paid off for us all.
Barbara Stockebrand. K-State Extension Agent. Submitted photo.
Everyone feels tired now and then. However, after a good night’s sleep, most will feel refreshed and ready to face a new day. It can be a little more challenging to feel refreshed during the dog days of Summer. Those days represent some of the most oppressive days of the season.
During this time of the year, as we plan our day, we are likely considering where our stops can be made at various cool spots. While we may not be expending a lot of energy throughout the day, due to the heat, our bodies are still working hard to keep us cool. Often, we are not hydrating enough to avoid feeling fatigued.
When should we be concerned about fatigue? We may have spells over a few days where we are feeling more tired than normal. During those times, our bodies may be trying to catch up from over exertion, or maybe something else is going on we cannot see. However, if the tiredness or lack of energy continues for several weeks, and it keeps you from doing the things you enjoy, it may be time to do some investigating.
Sometimes, fatigue can be the first sign that something is wrong within your body. Chronic disease and treatments for disease can contribute to fatigue. Certain medications, infections, untreated pain, anemia, and sleep disorders are other factors that can cause fatigue.
Emotional stresses can create fatigue. Are you fearful about the future? Do you worry about your health? Conditions that include anxiety, depression, grief from the loss of a family member, and feeling that you have no control over your life, are additional conditions that contribute to fatigue.
Not getting enough sleep can be a factor with fatigue. Regular physical activity can improve sleep. It may also help reduce feelings of depression and stress while improving your mood and overall well-being.
Day-to-day factors that could be adding to fatigue can include staying up too late, having too much caffeine, drinking too much alcohol, and eating empty calorie foods, such as fried foods and sweets. Choosing nutritious foods will better generate energy needed to do the activities you enjoy.
Did you know that boredom can cause fatigue? Boredom in and of itself can make you feel tired. If you have been busy in the past–especially during your working years–and now you have long days before you with nothing planned, you may be feeling lost about how to spend your time.
Some lifestyle changes may help in feeling less tired. Suggestions include regular exercise, avoiding naps longer than 30 minutes, stop smoking, asking for help if feeling overwhelmed, and keeping a fatigue diary. Keeping the diary may help discover patterns throughout the day when you feel more or less tired.
If you have been tired for several weeks with no relief, it may be time to visit with your healthcare provider. He or she may ask questions about your sleep patterns, daily activities, appetite, and exercise. A physical exam and ordered lab tests may be the next steps in the investigative process.
Treatment will be based on your history and the results of your exam and lab tests. Medications to target an underlying health condition may be in order. Following your health care providers recommendations could make the difference in your energy levels on a long-term basis.
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Additional Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine Now Authorized for Immunocompromised People
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced that effective immediately Kansas providers may now administer an additional dose of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised and have already been fully vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines. This follows Thursday’s expansion of the emergency use authorization (EUA) by the Food and Drug Administration for these mRNA vaccines, today’s recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and acceptance by the CDC Director. This EUA does not apply to those who received the Janssen/J&J vaccine as there is currently not enough data to determine if an additional dose of Janssen/J&J vaccine will improve immune response in people who are immunocompromised.
“The data shows us that the vaccine efficacy in some people who are immunocompromised is significantly lower than in people who are not immunocompromised,” said Lee Norman, M.D., Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. “Additionally, people who are immunocompromised make up to 44% of hospitalized breakthrough cases in the United States. This additional dose may enhance the immunity for those who need extra protection from COVID-19.”
This additional dose is recommended for people who are moderately and severely immunocompromised due to a health condition or medical treatment. This includes
Active treatment for solid tumor and hematologic malignancies
Receipt of solid-organ transplant and taking immunosuppressive therapy
Receipt of CAR-T-Cell or hematopoietic stem cell transplant
Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency
Advanced or untreated HIV infection
Active treatments with high-dose corticosteroids, alkylating agents, antimetabolites, transplant-related immunosuppressive drugs, cancer chemotherapeutic agents classified as severely immunosuppressive, TNF blockers and other biologic agents that are immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory
KDHE continues to urge people who are immunocompromised, including those who receive an additional dose of mRNA vaccine, to continue to follow prevention measures including
Wear a mask
Stay six feet apart from others they don’t live with
Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces
Close contacts of immunocompromised people are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announces that its Vital Statistics Office lobby will close to walk-in services due to COVID-19 effective Monday, Aug. 16. Those needing vital records can visit the KDHE website at www.kdheks.gov/vital to order via online, phone or mobile app.
To order certificates eligible for Will Call pickup, visit our website www.kdheks.gov/vital. Select the type of certificate and then complete the ordering process under the Will Call section. You will be notified by email when your certificate is ready to be picked up. Those customers using Will Call pickup should wear a mask when entering Vital Statistics.
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announces that its Vital Statistics Office lobby will close to walk-in services due to COVID-19 effective Monday, Aug. 16. Those needing vital records can visit the KDHE website at www.kdheks.gov/vital to order via online, phone or mobile app.
To order certificates eligible for Will Call pickup, visit our website www.kdheks.gov/vital. Select the type of certificate and then complete the ordering process under the Will Call section. You will be notified by email when your certificate is ready to be picked up. Those customers using Will Call pickup should wear a mask when entering Vital Statistics.
