|
| Stay Connected with Kansas Office of the Governor: |
 |
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that for the first time ever, debt issued by the Kansas Department of Transportation has been paid off early, resulting in a savings of $22.2 million in interest payments. The Kelly Administration was able to pay off the debt due to strong state revenues and its work to close the Bank of KDOT.
“Kansas taxpayers continue to see the benefits of our fiscal responsibility,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “By closing the Bank of KDOT and balancing the state budget, my administration has saved taxpayers millions of dollars – all without compromising the quality of our state infrastructure.”
The now-retired C Series bonds issued to KDOT in 2012 initially had a principal of $200 million. This summer, KDOT was able to pay off the remaining $97.8 million in principal of the 20-year bond, thus saving $22.2 million in interest. The bond was retired with current cash flow and without negatively impacting existing programs or construction projects as part of the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE). Under the Kelly Administration, KDOT has increased construction lettings by 300 percent across the state.
From 2014 through 2018, under the Brownback Administration, the state transferred more than $1.7 billion from KDOT to other parts of the state budget – a practice known as raiding the “Bank of KDOT.” The state budget for fiscal year 2023, as approved by the Kansas Legislature and signed by Governor Kelly last April, did not include a transfer out of the agency and effectively closed the Bank of KDOT.
“We are always mindful that this not KDOT’s money; it’s the taxpayers’ money and we have responsibility to manage it in a way that generates the most benefit for Kansans now and in the future,” said Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz. “Saving Kansans $22 million and delivering IKE projects as promised is testament of that and I want to thank all our KDOT workers who worked hard to make this happen.”
KDOT has had the authority to issue debt to ensure necessary cash flow since 1992. On a 20-year bond, refinancing or full payment can take place at the 10-year mark. This was the first time the agency was able to pay off a highway bond early. To date, KDOT has not issued bonds during the IKE program.
“KDOT focuses on making sound financial and investment decisions that allow the agency to be good stewards of state resources,” said Pam Anderson, Interim Director of Fiscal and Asset Management. “Saving money and spending wisely go hand in hand to make every dollar count.”
###
On Friday night, September 30th at 7:00 PM, the Chamber of Commerce Concert in the Park series continues with the performance of the Hemphill Family Band. Members of the band include Jack Hemphill on keyboard and vocals, Sandy on fiddle and keyboard, Brad on guitar and vocals, and Kristen Hemphill Weeks on drum. Floyd Feezell will be singing songs of Ray Price with the band.
The Fort Scott Planning Commission will meet on Monday, October 3rd, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting will be held to consider the following:
A change of zoning from R-1 (Residential) to C-3 (Commercial) and consideration of a Conditional Use Permit to allow an animal kennel for the property located at 205 Arthur Street.
This meeting is open to the public. This meeting will be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.
Diane Clay’s first job with the City of Fort Scott was as Administrative Assistant to the City Manager Richard U. Nienstedt in March 1998.
Her last day on the job is October 1, 2022.
“I have been employed for 24 years…with the City of Fort Scott,” she said. “I have been City Clerk 23 of those years.”
For many, Clay was the first contact with the city that citizens had.
And for this reporter, she was always helpful and timely in her responses to questions.
The best part of the job for Clay has been helping citizens and working for the city commissioners, she said.
No job is without challenges, and for her, “Changes are a challenge and there has been lots of them.”
Indeed, there have been five new city managers in the last two years, and a high turnover rate of city commissioners.
Clay said her duties as city clerk included:
Besides the city clerk, Clay has been the Municipal Court Clerk for the city, whose duties include:
Clay became a Certified Municipal Clerk in November 2003 and a Master Municipal Clerk in June 2008, through Wichita State University.
In 2018, Clay was named Outstanding Court Clerk for the State of Kansas.
Plans for retirement?
“Travel and relax!” she said. “My husband and I have a daughter and son-in-law and a precious 4-year-old grandson that live in Joplin Missouri. We will spend more time with them I’m sure.”
In addition to her family, Clay has been a constant at her church.
” I have taught Sunday School at Grace Baptist Tabernacle for 49 years!” she said. “I have sung in the choir for probably 49 years also, and been very involved in the church and will continue to do so.”
Lisa Lewis will assume the Fort Scott City Clerk position on Oct.1 and has been training for the job from Clay for three months.
AXELL HODGES RECLAIMS FREERIDE VICTORY ON THE LARGEST FREERIDE COURSE IN THE WORLD AT RED BULL IMAGINATION
Tyler Bereman and Julien Vanstippen Complete the Podium in Second and Third Place Respectively
Viewers can Watch the Competition Highlights on ESPN2, ESPN+ or Red Bull TV
KANSAS, Sept. 25, 2022 – Every so often a unique and exceptional phenomenon comes along leaving almost every person in its presence speechless – the third year of Red Bull Imagination was kind of like that. Event visionary Tyler Bereman proved that there were plenty of ideas left in the tank, as he and Jason Baker of Dream Traxx brought forth a course so large and dense that it set a new standard for the already watershed event. To put it to use, ten of the world’s top freeriders journeyed to Fort Scott, Kansas for a week of remarkable action and progression, taking the sport to new heights, figuratively (and almost literally as well). As freeriding is not all about competition, a three-day “expression session” preserved the integrity of the sport before the final event day that saw Axell Hodges claim a victory with Bereman and Julien Vanstippen earning second and third place, respectively.
The terms “art” and “dirt bikes” aren’t usually used in the same sentence to describe anything, let alone freeride motocross, but there are few words to translate the visual impact of this year’s course. Rookie and returning riders, judges, and spectators were stunned at first sight of it, with some describing it as “an art installation in its purest form,” and others’ just shaking their head in disbelief. The bespoke playground spans twelve square acres and contains more than 120 confirmed jumps (an increase from 94 jumps in 2021). The smallest jump was an estimated 65 feet long and the largest jump reached more than 160 feet. Once the initial shock wore off, the riders took to this “art installation” and used their dirt bikes like paint brushes to bring it to life.
The complete lineup of riders at Red Bull Imagination 2022 included:
The top of the week started with the riders steadying their nerves and feeling out the course for the first time. But what started with hesitation quickly turned into enthusiasm, and it didn’t take long before everyone was feeding off each other’s energy, navigating the jumps, finessing the technicality, and truly pushing each other to try more and more. Riders brought their A-game in every way possible, often hitting a line so creative others might not have envisioned it before. And because everything was taller, bigger, steeper, and more technical, the anticipation, camaraderie and downright fun persevered all week long. By Thursday’s final session, the skills on display were astounding, and the vibe was unmatched.
Some of the expression session highlights included:
On competition day, the riders had two three-minute windows to ‘wow’ the judges and showcase their most artistic line they had dreamt up all week. The riders were scored on magnitude, creativity, execution, and the overall line they carved on the competition day with only the best single score run counted. The panel of legendary judges included Robbie Maddison, ‘Twitch,’ Steve Haughelstine, and Ronnie Faisst, observed the competition from a tower overlooking the entire course.
Australian Woods opened the competition, giving the first-time spectators a rich taste of what the next several hours of riding would bring. Denney was next, and in true Denney fashion, the vibe of his button-down shirt was all party as he led off his run with a backflip nac nac on the big air zone. Navas, Vanstippen, Parsons, Dresser and Hill maximized creativity through their lines, hitting massive whips, flipping the “moon booter,” and throwing no footers over the “dumb and dumber” double jumps. Bereman and Hodges followed suit, giving the crowd an absolute show, and arguably spending more time in the air than on the ground. Despite Bereman’s impressive “big dawg” jump and huge air over the Fasthouse on-course feature, Hodges wowed the judges with a run that tricked nearly every jump including clearing the 180-foot jump with a no-footed can can, a massive backflip over the road, catching big air in K-Dubs Kingdom and playing to the crowd throughout. Hodges, Bereman and Vanstippen led 1-2-3 after the first round with 98, 96 and 92 points respectively.
The winds were higher than desired heading into round two and many riders weighed risk and reward, ultimately making the tough decision to sit out and end the day pleased with their first round’s score. But Dresser and Navas weren’t quite done yet, as both took a second run on the course and further displayed their inventiveness by hitting tricks and new lines not seen from them before. Dresser’s score increased from 82 to 85 and Navas’ score increased from 85 to 88, moving him up to fifth place.
As for Hodges and Bereman, they put their second pass at a competition run aside and paired up to show the crowd exactly what the sport is all about. In the spirit of freeride, the two hit their final line together. It’s hard to overstate how important this moment was for freeride motocross. Two competitors, setting aside the competition to simply vibe. Parallel lines, tandem hits, culminating in both riders revving their engines atop the Fasthouse feature at the center of the course. Hodges and Bereman embraced each other amid the smoke of their rear tires. It was a joyful moment, a celebration of sport, and the purest expression of Bereman’s imagination.
The final scores for the event were as follows:
Coming off a compound fractured wrist with a 12-week mandatory recovery period, Bereman was only cleared to ride the week of Red Bull Imagination. “There is something to be said about facing your fears and overcoming them,” said by Bereman. “We [Bereman and Baker] are just scratching the surface of what’s possible at Red Bull Imagination.”
Continue reading Freeride Motocross Fort Scott Course Results
The Bourbon County Health Department (524 S. Lowman, Fort Scott) will be the location where WIC (Women, Infants, Children) Program will be held at in Bourbon County from here on out. It is every Wednesday, starting October 5th. If anyone has questions, we’d be happy to help and our number is 223-4464.
We do have flu shots available now as well as the new COVID-19 Bivalent Booster shots.
Submitted by Becky Johnson
Administrator/SEK Local Health Officer
SEK Multi-County Health Department
Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker
Underage and No Headlights
I like to drive and I get that honest from my Dad (whose life was as colorful as a big box of crayons.) More than once, Dad told me about his childhood experience of driving in California in the 1930s. Just a kid, he would sneak (push) his parents’ car out of the garage and go for joy rides by himself. He was so little, he had to sit on a pillow to drive. The cops were getting used to seeing him drive around; once in awhile they’d pull him over and talk to him, but they’d just let him go (times were different back then). One time he stayed out longer than he planned and it was dark when he got back home. So a little distance from the house, he killed the engine and turned off the lights so he could coast the car into the garage. Well, he couldn’t see and he ran into the side of the garage door with a big bang! The only option was to start it up, turn on the lights, back up, and then properly park it in the garage. Feeling terrible, he walked into the house and handed the keys over to his father. Neither one said a word. And that was the end of the joy rides.
The fact Dad couldn’t see in the dark is what abruptly concluded his driving excursions. It‘s not that he was a bad driver, he just needed to use his headlights. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 NKJV). I’ve memorized this scripture and it comes out of my mouth almost daily. Actually, I was stumped as to why believers would need a lamp for our feet and a light on our path. I began to think of driving instead of walking. The lamp could be compared to headlights on a vehicle and the light could be compared to street lights. Living in a world of chaos and darkness, we need all the help we can get. The headlights are great, but when streetlights are added, it’s even better.
God has equipped believers with everything we need to live victoriously in a dark world surrounded by silliness and sin. God’s Word lights our path and we have access to this Light, but we have to make the effort to use this power. If your only Bible has an on/off switch, then that’s just sad. And if your Bible sits on the coffee table with dust on it, that’s sad too. It’s like starving to death with a pantry full of food because we’re too busy to eat it.
“God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the Light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the Light; he was simply a witness to tell about the Light. The One who is the true Light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He came into the very world He created, but the world didn’t recognize Him. …But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:6-10,12 NLT).
When Jesus began his ministry, He fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah: “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined” (Matthew 4:16 NLT). When I sleep in the dark, my physical body is restored and rejuvenated. But I don’t want to live in the dark. I want Jesus to light my world, to guide me and teach me. “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life’” (John 8:12 NLT).
The Key: As a child of God, you have the right to turn on all the light switches.
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Date: September 27, 2022
1st District–Nelson Blythe Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District–Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District–Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk–Ashley Shelton
MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM BEGINNING at 9:00AM.
Call to Order
• Flag Salute
• Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
• Eric Bailey – Road & Bridge Report
• Eric Bailey – Executive Session KSA 75–4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual
nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
• Delwin Mumbower – Burn Ban Update
• Bill Martin – Fuel Request – Road & Bridge
• Clifton Beth – Benefits Committee
• Ashley Shelton – SEK Area Agency on Aging – Board Opening
o Gas Price Lock In
• Jim Harris – Executive Session 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
• Justin Meeks – County Counselor Comment
• Susan Bancroft – Chief Financial Officer Comment
o Budget Documents
o Years of Service Recognition– Donald Gene Bailey
• Shane Walker – Chief Information Officer Comment
• Tiana McElroy – County Attorney Position
• Public Comment
• Commission Comment
Justifications for Executive Session:
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 security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.
Mark your calendars for Pioneer Harvest Fiesta. The 66th Anniversary Show will soon be here! The Pioneer Harvest Fiesta is one of the oldest tractor and gas engine show in the area.
Plans are made for this to be a great event this year. The downtown parade on September 29 will be the kickoff for the show. Friday, September 30 will begin the 3 day show with lots of exhibits and vendors on the Bourbon County Fairgrounds. Come and see how things were done in the “olden days”. Purchasing a $5 show button will give you entry to all 3 days plus a bean feed on Friday evening.
In addition to the flea market and tractor and gas engine exhibits, you can watch the sawmill operation, oat threshing, hay baling tractor pull and more. Ralph Carlson’s entertainment tent will present talented musicians for you to enjoy. The Sunday morning Church service will be in the entertainment tent also. All are welcome. Be sure and stop by the Information tent. There will be 2022 T-Shirts and caps and other items for you to purchase.
In addition to the Friday evening bean feed, biscuits and gravy will be available in the mornings, also old fashion sorghum cookies. Pulled pork sandwiches, chicken noodle dinners, sloppy joes, hot dogs. nachos and more will be served by food vendors.
Don’t forget the quilt show in the Myers Building. Quilts can be entered Thursday, September 29, 10am – Noon. The quilt show will be open Friday and Saturday, 9am – 4pm. Sunday will be open noon to 3pm. Contact Jackie Warren for more information, 620-224-8161.
There is an additional event on the fairgrounds the evening of October 1 in the arena. There will be a Mutton Bustin’ event with bull riding afterwards. Sign up for the Mutton Bustin’ is 6:30pm.
If anyone would like to volunteer to help with any of the exhibits or perhaps help at the quilt show, we would be happy to have you. Please contact a member or call one of the numbers listed.
Thank you goes out to all our corporate sponsors. Without these sponsors there would not be a Pioneer Harvest Fiesta. If you have not received a flyer in the mail or picked one up at a local business, contact a member and we will make one available for you. Craig Shikles, 417-425-4552, is our president with Larry Richard, 620-724-6501, as vice-president.
