Kansas Hits 10 Straight Months of Record-Low Unemployment
TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly celebrated that for the past ten months, Kansas’ unemployment rate has been below 2.9% — the previous historic low last reached in August 1978. For each of those months, Kansas’ unemployment rate was over a full percentage point below the nation’s unemployment rate.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Kansas has the 8th lowest unemployment rate in the country.
“We have been tireless about prioritizing job creation, business investment, and workforce development – and it’s clear our efforts are paying off,” said Governor Kelly. “For ten straight months, Kansas has far outstripped the nation as a whole when it comes to ensuring people have the high-quality employment they need to provide for their families and contribute to their communities.”
This month, Governor Kelly announced that Kansas has surpassed 50,000 jobs created and retained since the start of her administration.
Kansas began keeping records of monthly unemployment rates in January 1976.
Legislative Update By State Senator Caryn Tyson
Sept 19, 2022
Even though the Legislature is not in session, there have been some interim committee meetings and several people have asked that I write an update.
COVID Money
Last week, a Legislative Post-Audit (LPA) report on federal COVID-19 money distributions and spending was presented. Kansas governments (state, counties, cities, schools…) received over $34 billion of the $5.2 trillion from six major federal COVID relief programs in 2020 and 2021. The $34 billion doesn’t include federal money sent directly to Kansas non-profits, businesses, and individuals through other programs, like the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Keep in mind state spending in 2014 (before the two massive tax increases that I did not support) was under $6 billion State General Funds and $15 billion All Funds. In 2022 it is estimated to be $8.5 billion and $22.3 billion, so the federal government dumped more money on Kansas governments than the state spends in one year. With the federal government handing out this amount of money it is no wonder we are experiencing inflation.
Out of the $34 billion, LPA reviewed a sampling of 78 CARES Act purchases, projects, and grants totaling just under $18 million. Approximately $4.3 million of the $18 million reviewed had possible issues and a portion “appeared to be wasteful or of concern”. “For example, one county spent almost $225,000 to add showers to a community emergency shelter… [another community] spent $20,000 to help put on a local festival… another county spent funds on donuts, pastries, and coffee for meetings”. The report is posted online at https://www.kslpa.org/audit-report-library/covid-relief-funding-distribution/. Such waste in the $18 million makes one question how much of the $34 billion was wasted? And what the total waste was of the trillions of dollars given away by the federal government?
Unemployment Fraud
The Unemployment Council also met to review an independent audit. The audit estimated over $400 million was paid out in fraudulent unemployment claims and over 200 security vulnerabilities were found within the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) unemployment system. The $400 million is a considerable drop from estimates of over $700 million presented by LPA earlier this year. Neither number is good news. To put it into perspective, our neighbors to the west, Colorado with a population of almost double Kansas, reported $73 million in fraudulent payments.
On a positive note, many property taxpayers will not see as high of increases because of the Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) transparency. Several counties and other local governments, including a school district in Leavenworth County, chose not to increase property taxes this year.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
Gordon Parks Museum open during annual celebration
Fort Scott, KS – Staffers are moving most of the Gordon Parks Museum’s artifact collections into the meeting
room and lobby area of the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center to accommodate public viewing
during the annual celebration Oct. 6–8 at Fort Scott Community College.
Continued supply–chain issues delaying the repair of the museum’s air–conditioning unit are the cause for the
change, said museum director Kirk Sharp.
“The date when repairs can be completed is still unknown at this time,” said Sharp. “We want to thank
everyone for their support and patience.”
Museum visits and tours can be scheduled for a later date by calling (620) 223–2700, ext. 5850, or by sending
an email to [email protected]
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Chamber Coffee hosted by SEK VETERINARY CENTER
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee hosted by SEK Veterinary Center, Thursday, September 22nd at 8 a.m. at 1251 240th St. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served, and attendees may register to win a special drawing.
Dr. Russ Baxley and his team provide comprehensive care of pets and livestock. They have up-to-date digital imaging, digital ultrasound, in-house blood work as well as access to the Zoetis Reference Laboratory for specialized blood work with next day results. For livestock they have a hydraulic tilt chute with safe and efficient alleys and pens. They also have equine stocks. Dr. Baxley is from Southeast Kansas and has extensive experience in many areas of veterinary medicine including Small and Large animal medicine and surgery, emergency medicine, and Working K9s/service dogs.
Chamber members and guests are invited to Chamber Coffee events each Thursday at 8 a.m. to network, make announcements, hear about happenings in the community as well as learn about the host business or organization.
Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information. Visit the Events Calendar and category of Chamber Coffees on fortscott.com for upcoming locations.
Starlite FCA September Minutes
The September meeting of the Starlite FCE was held at the Yeager building on the Bourbon County Fairgrounds. President Glenda Miller called the meeting to order and Deb Lust lead the members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the club collect. Eight members and one quest were in attendance and reported that they had volunteered for twenty-six hours and had recycled seventy-five pounds since their last meeting.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. Deb Lust presented the treasurer’s report in Doris’s absence. Karen Peery gave the Council report. She announced that Fall Follies will be November 1st at the Moran Senior Center and will start at 3:30p.m. The program this year will be on Aprons followed by a soup supper. November 3rd will be the area meeting in Parson.
September birthdays in attendance were Letha Johnson and Helen Carson.
It was announced that the Goodie bags had been delivered to the emergence response personnel and that Doris Ericson and Karen Peery are going to attend the State FCE convention. Doris will be recognized as the State winner of the Heart of FCE award.
Before the meeting members signed cards to be presented to the area veterans along with snacks in November. Deb Lust announced that there will be a poppy distribution this year but the weekend has not been determined at this time.
New business consisted of passing out the membership form for the next year and filling them out. The address list was passed around and updated. Glenda Miller requested that members bring extra Christmas cards next months. We will be sending them to the VA hospital in December.
Deb Lust moved that the meeting be adjourned, Helen Carson seconded the motion, meeting adjourned. After the meeting Helen Carson presented the lesson on “Destination Oregon.” Helen shared pictures and information on her travels there as well.
Refreshment of Salmon patties, Blackberry pie, Tillamook cheese ball and crackers were provided the Helen Carson and Doris Ericson and enjoyed by all.
Prepared by
Terri Williams
Senior Food Bank, Commodities Distribution Moved to Saturday, Sept. 24
The Bourbon County Senior Citizens are try to get the word out about the Commodities and Sr. Food Bank Distribution. We have had to change the distribution date from Friday, Sept. 23 to Sat. Sept 24. The time of the distribution will be from 9:oo To Noon at Bourbon County Senior Citizens building is at 26 N. Main.
If you have any questions you can contact Jackie Sellers at (620)364-6524.
Submitted by
Jackie Sellers
FSHS Organization to Sponsor Job Fair
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working to ensure America has a skilled workforce. The Fort Scott High School Chapter of SkillsUSA is hosting a job fair on Wednesday, April 25, 2023 from 8 a.m. to noon in the high school auxiliary gym.
The purpose is to acquaint students with career opportunities available in the region. Michelle Laubenstein is the advisor for the group and can be reached at [email protected] or call 620.223.0600.
The FSHS SkillsUSA club is one of 23 Fort Scott High School student organizations, here is a list of the rest.
Storytime at Local Bookstore: Oct. 1
Obituary of Elda Roark
Elda May Beerbower Roark, age 76, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away early Sunday, September 18, 2022, at the Guest Home Estates in Ft. Scott.
She was born May 25, 1946, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Jesse Clyde Newman and Juanita May Workman Newman. Elda first married Cecil Allen Beerbower on October 21, 1961, at Ft. Scott. He preceded her in death on November 14, 1986. She later married Tommy C. Roark, Sr. on May 26, 1990. He also preceded her in death on June 3, 2010.
Elda’s life was one of service to others. She had worked at all Ft. Scott nursing homes either as an aide or in the dietary department. Elda had a keen eye for finding garage sales or thrift stores and was always ready to find a bargain or a hidden treasure. Elda also enjoyed Ft. Scott’s annual Good Ol’ Days celebrations.
Survivors include her five children, Cecil Beerbower of Manhattan, Kansas, Jesse Beerbower, of Ft. Scott, Liz Beerbower also of Ft. Scott, Jeff Beerbower (Anna) of Redfield, Kansas and Nathan Beerbower (Ginger) of Ft. Scott. Also surviving are several grandchildren and a brother, Jerald Newman of Ft. Scott.
In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Loretta Lynn Beerbower; two grandsons, Blake Beerbower and Timothy Paul Bybee, a great-grandson, Austin Cole Lukenbill, and two sisters, Georgia Endicott and Mary Catherine Newman.
Rev. Marty DeWitt will conduct services at 2:00 P.M. Friday, September 23rd at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Elda Roark Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Ann Stark Retires After 43 Years at Atkins Insurance
After 43 years at a downtown Fort Scott business, Ann Stark has retired.
“My last day was May 27,” Stark said. “The co-workers had a retirement party for me on August 19.”
Stark has worked at Atkins Insurance Agency since 1979.
“I was hired by Ron Dodson in February 1979,” she said. “My first position was clerical, customer service.”
“I liked the small office and meeting clients one-on-one,” Stark said.
She then earned a license in property, casualty, life and health insurance in 1980.
After Ron Dodson died she and Patty West purchased the business from his widow.
“We kept the same phone number and same customer service,” she said. “It was working, why change it?”
Through the years she took classes to improve her service to the customers.
“The laws and policies change and you are required to take continuing education classes every two years,” she said.
And this year marked her 43rd year with the business.
Stark says she does miss the interaction with her clients, since her retirement.
“You know their kids and grand kids,” she said. “I also miss working with Patty West and Chrystal Cowan, they are mother and daughter.”
But Stark said she is enjoying spending more time outside and being able to go see her grand kids more frequently, with her husband, who is also retired.
Obituary of Floyd Minor
Floyd Earl Minor, age 58, of Fort Scott, Kansas passed away Friday, September 16, 2022, surrounded by family at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas. Floyd was born in Fort Scott on October 9, 1963, to Robert Marion Minor and Marilyn Sue (Brooker) Minor. Floyd married Carole Goltra on February 26, 1988, at the Fort Scott Brethren Church.
He graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1982. Floyd started a career in law enforcement working for the Fort Scott Police Department, Bourbon County Sheriff Department, and was a DARE officer. He spent many hours in classrooms educating kids about drug abuse. While working for the sheriff’s department Floyd also started preaching part time, and eventually started full time ministry. He became an ordained pastor through Ashland Theological Seminary located in Ashland, Ohio. At one point he also served on the Board of Directors for Ashland University, in Ashland, Ohio. Floyd preached the Word of God for over 25 years as a pastor. It was always his mission to help as many people as he could to hear the message of salvation, have a personal relationship with the Lord, and ensure their entry into the gates of heaven someday.
Floyd had a love for guns, history, and the ability to questionably know and be able to use every word in the dictionary. One of Floyd’s greatest gifts was making everyone feel welcome, he never knew a stranger, and according to him, he also never lost a game of Trivial Pursuit. Floyd loved his family with an unwavering love. He enjoyed time together, holidays together, and at family meals he especially loved passing on and teaching his kids and grandkids his culinary skills. Family was his greatest joy.
Survivors include his wife Carole, two daughters Brittani Rodrigues (Christopher) of South Carolina, Angela Grado (Chris) of Fort Scott, one son Brian Lee (Darcy) of Uniontown, KS, and his brother Robert Minor (Linda) of Fulton. Also surviving are the grandchildren he was so proud of and loved so much; Kaitlyn Grado, Madison Hudiburg (Josh), Jenna Grado, Rylan Lee, Adalynn Lee, Anistyn Rodrigues, Asher Rodrigues, Camryn Rodrigues, Colin Rodrigues, Cay Cay Rodrigues, and Kristian Rodrigues. Great grandchildren Kingston Grado, Hendrix Grado, Ramsey and Slater Hudiburg, and Rory Christian, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved sister Amy.
Funeral services will be held Friday, September 23, 2022, at 10:30am at the Cheney Witt Funeral Chapel with Rev. Dr. G Emery Hurd officiating.
Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 22, 2022, from 5-7pm at Cheney Witt Funeral Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Floyd Minor Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.