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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Feb. 14
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Newsletter
The Kansas City Chiefs are Super Bowl LVII Champions!
After a hard-fought victory last night, the Kansas City Chiefs are once again Super Bowl Champions! For the second time in four seasons, the Vince Lombardi Trophy is headed to Kansas City. What an incredible season and well-deserved win for the Kansas City Chiefs. Congratulations to the entire team, Coach Andy Reid, the Hunt family and all of Chiefs Kingdom.
The Chiefs Kingdom Champions Parade will be held this Wednesday, February 15, starting at 12:00 p.m. CT. Following the parade, there will be a victory rally at Union Station at 1:45 p.m. CT. You can stay up-to-date on all the details at ChiefsParade.com.
I want to thank all of our law enforcement officials for their tireless work to keep everyone safe during this exciting time for Chiefs Kingdom. Let us all remember to be respectful of those in uniform during our celebrations throughout the week. Go Chiefs!
Kansas KidWind Challenge kicks off
Kansas KidWind Challenge kicks off this
week with a record number of teams
TOPEKA – Just as the amount of wind energy being produced in the state is growing, so are the number of students participating in the Kansas KidWind Challenge. The annual event has grown from one regional challenge in 2016 to six regional events in 2022. This year’s competition promises to be bigger than ever with 96 teams from 55 schools competing compared to 56 teams from 26 schools last year.
The 2023 KidWind Challenge begins this week with two regional competitions in western Kansas. The first will be held in Dodge City on Tuesday at USD 443 Dodge City Public Schools and the second in Oakley on Thursday at the Northwest Kansas Educational Service Center. Both events begin at 9 a.m.
Four more regional events will be held in Overland Park, Hutchinson, Manhattan and Burlington before the top two teams in each age group advance to the state finals scheduled for March 25 in Topeka. The state winners will then advance to the national competition to be held May 14-17 in Boulder, Colorado. Three Kansas teams earned national titles at the 2022 national event. A complete schedule of KidWind events is available on the KCC website at https://kcc.ks.gov/energy-
To participate in the KidWind Challenge, student teams work together to design, build and test a wind turbine using the materials of their choice. Each team’s turbine is put to the test in a wind tunnel. Scoring is based on turbine performance, a knowledge quiz, a presentation to judges where the team explains its design process, and an instant challenge. Students in grades 4-12 are eligible to participate.
KidWind is an Energy Education Event from the Kansas Corporation Commission and K-State Engineering Extension made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Media note: Members of the media are invited to attend any of the KidWind events. Please let us know if we can help with participant information or to set-up interviews with students or coaches.
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Mowing Proposals For City of Fort Scott Requested
The City of Fort Scott is accepting proposals for mowing and trimming of public and private properties for both one (1) year and three (3) year contracts. The sites will generally be locations that have been cited for violation of the City’s vegetation nuisance ordinances. Services will be on an “as needed” basis and will have to be completed five (5) days from notification. Successful applicants will be required to provide certification of a minimum of $100,000 in commercial liability insurance, provide proof of Workers Compensation coverage or sign a waiver, and be at least 18 years old.
Applicants can submit bids for each of the following:
–Small residential or commercial jobs requiring mowers less than 48” and trimming based on approximately 6,000 square feet or less. All overgrowth over one inch (1”) thick must be cut down also. Pick up limbs, debris, and trash before mowing and remove them from property. Please note that before and after photos will need to be taken before payment is received.
–Large residential or commercial jobs requiring tractor and brush hog mower, trimming based on 6,000 square feet or per acre, per job. Pick up limbs, debris, and trash before mowing and remove them from property. Please note that before and after photos will need to be taken before payment is received.
Submit sealed bid proposals in writing no later than 4:00PM Friday, March 17th, 2023, to Lisa A. Lewis, City Clerk, City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Call 620-223-0550 with questions. The City reserves the right as a judge of all values of selection and to use more than one of the bidders if necessary to manage the workload.
PLEASE SUBMIT EACH BID SEPARATELY.
Downtown Revitalization Grants Announced
$850,000 Funding Announced for
Downtown Building Revitalization
TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced $850,000 has been made available to fund a new round of Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants. The HEAL program, which is funded by the Department of Commerce and the Patterson Family Foundation, provides grants to small communities across the state to revitalize downtown buildings.
The HEAL program is designed to bring downtown buildings back into productive use as spaces for:
- New or expanding businesses
- Housing
- Arts and culture
- Civic engagement
- Childcare
- Entrepreneurship
“Downtowns throughout Kansas are already making dramatic and visible improvements because of this popular program,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Our partnership with the Patterson Family Foundation is creating even more opportunities for communities to bring their historic buildings back to life and strengthen their local economies.”
HEAL is intended to close financial gaps in restoring underutilized properties and making downtown districts throughout the state more economically vibrant. Applicants must show that submitted projects have potential to become economic drivers in the community.
Eligible applicants must be organizations applying on behalf of building owners and may include designated Kansas Main Street programs, economic development organizations, cities, counties, 501c3 or 501c6 organizations, and local community foundations.
Private building owners should contact their local organization to work in partnership on the application and to identify buildings that are strong candidates for the HEAL program. The buildings should be underutilized, valuable to the historic fabric of the downtown district and have a feasible plan for adaptive re-use.
“Contributing to the HEAL program alongside the Department of Commerce is a natural fit for our foundation’s mission,” said Lindsey Patterson Smith, President of the Patterson Family Foundation. “Downtown areas are often the heart of communities of all sizes, and we believe rural downtown spaces especially will benefit from improvements to their beauty, safety, and greater accessibility.”
HEAL matching grants will be awarded for either façade or building construction projects. Communities that received a previous HEAL grant are not eligible to apply in this round.
Proof of matching funds from the building owner will be required at the time of application. The application window opens February 13 and closes March 31 with award notifications at the end of May.
Information about the HEAL grant program and the online application can be viewed at www.kansascommerce.
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 Site Selection Magazine’s Governor’s Cup award, Area Development Magazine’s Gold Shovel award for two years in a row and was named Site Selection Magazine’s Best Business Climate in the West North Central region of the United States. Find the Department’s strategic plan for economic growth here: Kansas Framework for Growth.
Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson
February 10, 2023
Committee Work continues to be the major focus. The Senate Tax Committee that I chair, passed out several bills. Some of the bills that passed included exempting Social Security from income tax, increasing income tax standard deductions, and repealing the 1.5 mil of property taxes the state keeps and funding the 1.5 mil using State General Funds (SGF). The bills still need to pass the Senate and the House before the Governor must decide to veto or let become law.
Tax cut on Premium Taxes, a “sales” tax that insurers pay on premiums that they receive from their policy holders, passed the Senate unanimously. SB 25 would cut the premium tax from 6 percent to 4. It was reported that Kansas has one of highest premium tax rates in the nation. The cut will bring the tax rate more in line with other states.
Premium Taxes are due 90 days after the fiscal year end. However, SB 19 would change that so that premium taxes would be due 90 days after calendar year end. The bill passed the Senate unanimously.
Budgets are being worked in committees. It is frustrating as the information reported is minimal and legislators get a short timeframe to review the information. During a Commerce Committee hearing on the Department of Commerce budget, it was troubling to listen to the ways they are giving away taxpayer dollars. Especially since I hear from Kansans who are struggling to make ends meet because of taxes and the increased cost of necessities. Legislators have attempted to improve the budget process, but it is a battle against people who want to grow government and have control of the books. I am working with a few others on solutions and will keep you posted.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
Bourbon County Commission Minutes of Jan. 31
Cassidy Lutz is a New Southwind District Family and Consumer Science Agent
Cassidy Lutz
K-State Research and Extension
Family and Consumer Science Agent
Southwind District
211 W. Butler
Yates Center, KS 66783
620-625-8620
Cassidy Lutz is a new Southwind District Family and Consumer Sciences Agent. She started January 23, 2023.
Her primary office location is in Yates Center.
“As an extension agent, I provide leadership for the development and implementation of research-based educational programming related to families and community systems,” Lutz said. “By offering programs and being involved with community partners and organizations, I help residents throughout Allen, Bourbon, Neosho, and Woodson Counties gain knowledge and skills to better their lives. My primary focus will be Family and Child Development.”
“I travel to Fort Scott on an as needed basis, so I don’t have set days,” she said.
” I am part of a virtual learning series that is offered statewide,” Lutz said. “It is called Living Well Wednesday’s and will be held from 12:15 – 1 p.m. on the following dates. All sessions are recorded so if someone has an interest and can’t watch the live viewing, the recordings can be viewed on the website at a later date. Registration information is on that website as well.”
February 8 – Hypertension Awareness, Prevention and Management
February 22 – Mental Health
March 8 – Stretching Your Food Dollar
March 22 – Positive Parenting
Lutz’s hometown is Garnett.
She has a bachelor’s degree in food science from Kansas State University.
“I was most recently the Family and Community Wellness and 4-H Youth Development Agent for Greenwood County K-State Research in Extension,” she said. “Prior to that, I served as a program assistant for the Southwind Extension District upon graduating from K-State.”
Her family includes her mother, Teena Tracy-McNett from Yates father, Gerald Lutz from Garnett. Her grandparents are Gail and Ross Thornbrugh from Yates Center and Clint and Gail Tracy from Toronto.
“I am thrilled to be working in Yates Center again and will take advantage of the opportunities to be involved in the community,” she said. “As a former Southwind employee, I loved getting to work with all the families in the Southwind District and am excited to get back to that. I hope to be involved in many organizations and give support to our wonderful communities by providing knowledge and skills all residents can use to thrive! ”
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Feb. 13
The Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Feb. 14
Bourbon County Dems Meet Feb. 19
Bourbon County Democrats will hold their first general meeting of 2023 on Sunday, February 19th, at 2:00 p.m.
They will be meeting in a new location on Fort Scott Community Campus: Room H121 in the Ellis Center.
Kansas Representative Christina Haswood will be their speaker.
Please call or text 620 215 1505 (Carol MacArthur) for a ride to the meeting or for more information.
Submitted by
Carol MacArthur\
Chair, Bourbon Co. Democrats
620 215 1505
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