Ft. Scott Lighthouse Encouraging Unity
Ft. Scott Lighthouse Encouraging Unity
Fort Scott Lighthouse welcomes Rachel French, the leader of a local interdenominational Christian women’s group, IF: Fort Scott. IF: Fort Scott promotes unity throughout the Body of Christ in Fort Scott and surrounding areas.
They host weekly Bible studies and two large gatherings throughout the year. The studies and events are focused on unity, discipleship, and community.
IF will be hosting their next Gathering on Saturday, October 22. Tickets for the event go on sale Saturday, September 10, and can be purchased at https://iffortscott.wixsite.com.
Rachel is a Jesus Follower, wife to Daniel plus a mom to two teen girls, Grace and Sophie, an advocate for unity within the Body of Christ, a member of Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church and a believer in local community stewardship.
Guests are welcome Thursday, Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m. This is an interdenominational ministry opportunity for men, women, and youth. The goal of Aglow International is: Every nation touched, every heart changed.
Fort Scott Aglow Lighthouse meets the second Thursday of each month at the conference room of Fort Scott Inn, 101 State Street.
Energy Transmission Line To Pass Through Bourbon County
KCC grants NextEra public utility status to build a 94-mile Wolf
Creek to Blackberry transmission line, but with added conditions
TOPEKA – In a special business meeting August 29, the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) granted a certificate of convenience and necessity (CCN) to NextEra Energy Transmission Southwest, LLC, enabling the company to do business as a transmission only public utility in the State. The company filed an application for the certificate in February in order to construct a 94-mile, 345 kV transmission line from Wolf Creek to the Blackberry Substation, less than one mile over the state line in Southwest Missouri. The proposed line runs through five Kansas counties: Coffey, Anderson, Allen, Bourbon and Crawford. The final route has not yet been approved by the Commission.
The Wolf Creek to Blackberry project was identified by the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) as a necessary economic project to increase the transmission capability and relieve congestion from western Kansas east to SPP load centers. SPP is a regional transmission organization (RTO) mandated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to ensure reliable supplies of power, adequate transmission infrastructure, and competitive wholesale prices on behalf of its members. SPP serves 17 states, including Kansas.
In issuing today’s order, Commissioners agreed the project provides benefits for Kansans.
“Based on the testimony received, the Commission finds that the Transmission Project will have a beneficial effect on customers by lowering overall energy costs, removing inefficiency, relieving transmission congestion and improving the reliability of the transmission system.”
Justin Grady, KCC Chief of Revenue Requirements, Cost of Service and Finance testified that Kansas customers could see an increase of $0.04 to $0.05 per month to cover the cost of the line beginning in 2025, but when the benefits of the project are considered, they should see a reduction of $4 to $7 for every dollar spent on the line over its 40 year operating life.
Grady also addressed misconceptions about the financing and purpose of the transmission line. He said the cost of the line will be allocated equally across the entire 14 state SPP region based on transmission customer load share. Kansas is paying 16.5% of the cost.
As for concerns that the line will be shipping nuclear or wind power out of Kansas to states outside of the SPP footprint, Grady said there is no evidence to support that.
While granting the certificate, the Commission imposed additional requirements and conditions on NextEra designed to protect ratepayers and to explore ways to minimize the impact of landowners along the proposed route. One of the conditions calls for NextEra to evaluate the feasibility of double circuiting the line with an existing 25-mile Evergy 161 kV transmission line and report back before a line siting application can be filed with the Commission. A double circuit line has two independent circuits on the same structure eliminating the need for an additional easement and reduces structure costs.
“The public interest of Kansans, especially including the landowners that would be affected along this portion of the preliminary route of the line, will not be served if this issue is not comprehensively reviewed by all parties before NEET Southwest files its line siting request with the Commission. To reiterate, failure to earnestly and completely review the double circuit option may result in a proposed route that the Commission cannot approve as reasonable, which the Commission wishes to avoid.”
Today’s order can be viewed here.
A recording of today’s Business Meeting featuring Commissioner comments on the order, is available on the KCC YouTube channel.
CHC/SEK now has Novavax protein-based COVID-19 vaccine available
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) clinics has received the recently authorized Novavax vaccine as the latest tool in the fight against COVID-19. To date, the Baxter Springs, Coffeyville, Columbus, Fort Scott, Iola, Parsons, Pittsburg, and Pittsburg South clinics have received doses. Vaccinations are available on a walk-in basis, or by appointment. There is no out-of-pocket cost to receive the vaccine at CHC/SEK.
The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is the latest authorized and recommended vaccine to prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death caused by the virus. Novavax is manufactured using a familiar type of protein-based vaccine technology that has been used for more than 30 years in shots that help prevent diseases like shingles, hepatitis B, the flu and other illnesses.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine on July 13 for the prevention of COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in individuals 12 years of age and older who have not received a primary series of a COVID-19 vaccine previously.
Access to multiple types of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines authorized by the FDA and recommended by the CDC gives people more options and flexibility to choose their vaccine.
The Novavax vaccine is given in a two-dose primary series, with a second dose administered between three-to-eight weeks after the first.
Neither a booster nor a third dose is authorized at this time.
“We now have another tool to manage COVID-19,” said Linda Bean, D.O., FAAFP, Chief Clinical Officer at CHC/SEK. “Novavax provides another option for a safe, effective and free vaccine. With the BA.5 variant continuing to spread, now is the best time to get a vaccine if you haven’t already.”
For more information about COVID-19 vaccines, testing and treatments, visit https://www.cdc.gov/
Drought and Heat Stress Continues to Affect Trees and Shrubs
District Extension Agent, Horticulture
Southwind Extension District
111 S. Butler
Erie, KS 66733
Office: 620-244-3826
Cell: 620-496-8786
Rainfall across the Southwind District has been spotty at best for several weeks now. The US Drought Monitor was recently updated on August 25th. It now has most of the area in a D2 intensity – classified as a severe drought. Unfortunately, the long-range projection doesn’t show the drought breaking anytime soon. As Kansans, however, we all know that could change and we could go from a drought to a flood in the matter of a few days! I’m not hoping for rainfall like that, but several inches in the up-coming weeks would be welcome.
Heat and drought stress has taken a toll on newly planted trees and shrubs this year. Any time we plant a new tree, it will go through a period of “transplant shock.” Just like the name implies, this is a period of stress on the new plant as it tries to adapt to its new environment. Many times, new trees will drop almost all of their leaves the first year planted. Due to the heat and lack of rainfall this year, it has been more severe. Obviously, this is quite concerning to homeowners. The good news is that in most instances, the newly planted tree will be fine and leaf out the following spring.
However, as we continue to remain in a drought situation, careful attention needs to be paid to any new trees or shrubs that were planted this spring. Here are watering recommendations:
- Water should be retained around the base of the newly planted trees by building a low berm just outside the planting hole.
- Soak soil weekly – applying approximately 10 gallons of water
- For every inch of trunk diameter greater than two inches, an additional ten gallon should be applied.
- Monitor trees even into the winter as supplemental watering will still be needed if drought remains
As for shrubs, since they are smaller, they will require less water. Water enough to thoroughly moisten the entire rootball, down to a depth of 8 inches – about once a week.
To reduce the stress on our older, mature trees, concentrate on good watering – not just a quick shot here and there. As long as we remain in a drought, water older trees to a depth of at least 10 inches. Make certain to water out beyond the drip line. Avoid watering at the base of the trunk as the absorbing roots are farther out. Check the watering depth by pushing a screwdriver or metal rod into the soil. It will stop when it reaches dry soil.
If you have concerns about the health of a tree or shrub, please feel free to contact me. I am available to make home visits if needed.
Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Agricultural agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Uniontown’s Old Settler’s Picnic and UHS Class Reunion This Weekend
The annual Old Settler’s Picnic committee is gearing up for this weekend’s activities, with events for people of all ages. In addition, the Uniontown High School Alumni Association has planned events for Saturday.
On Labor Day, Sept. 5, “There will be new food trucks and vendor booths”, Becky Shinn, Secretary-Treasurer of the committee said. The vendors will be scattered around the town square of the town of less than 300 people. The town doubles and sometimes triples in size for this annual event.
Also in the park on Labor Day will be the picnic offerings. In addition to the food trucks, the Uniontown High School FFA will be serving BBQ food, and the Methodist Church, a chicken dinner.
The announcer for this year’s event is Adelay Martin.
The children’s parade will line up starting at 9:50 a.m. on Sept. 5 on the east side of the town square and prizes will be awarded for best theme, decorated bike, child costume, pet and battery operated toy. No gas powered vehicles are allowed in the children’s parade, which will start at 10:15 a.m.
The theme of the parade this year is “Back to the Old School Days”, and entries are invited to decorate their vehicles and hay wagons to showcase their organizations. There are prizes for best church float, best theme oriented float, school floats, All Terrain Vehicles (they must be clean and decorated), antique tractors and cars.
Horses are always welcome in the parade, but riders are asked to unload them at the rodeo arena, west of town on Hwy. 3.
Throughout the day there will be raffles with drawings for cash prizes.
The Dale Jackson Memorial Car Show will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the square.
For further info, click below.
Dale Jackson Memorial Car Show Sept. 5 in Uniontown
There is no baby contest this year.
For the kids is the traditional turtle race at 11:30 a.m., so be on the look out for a fast turtle! An egg toss competition, along with foot races and water races are planned for people from pre-kindergarten age to 100 years old on the south side of the square.
As is the tradition, there will be a recognition of the oldest man, oldest woman, longest married couple, former resident that traveled the farthest distance, and the resident who has had a Uniontown address the longest time.
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights at the Hwy. 3 arena, west of town, there will be rodeos to entertain. See the flyer above for more information.
At 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 4, coffee, milk and donuts will start the fellowship time of the Community Church Service at 10:30 a.m., this year presented by the Uniontown Methodist Church. Please bring lawn chairs for the service.
As part of the family game night on Sunday evening, the UHS Cheerleaders will be hosting a 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament as a fundraiser. Additionally, there will be a bubble gum chewing contest, watermelon eating contest and cornhole contest, with events starting at 5:30 p.m.
High School Reunion
This year the Uniontown High School alumni are having their reunion on Saturday, Sept. 3, in conjunction with Old Settler’s Picnic weekend celebration.
A “Welcome Back” Reception at the UHS Commons area at the high school is scheduled from 3-5 p.m. Cookies and drinks are provided as well as an opportunity to tour the school. All alumni, and current and retired faculty and staff are invited to attend.
All-School Reunion Alumni will host a party at Uniontown City Park from 6 p.m. to midnight, with a Disk Jockey presenting music and a food truck. Coolers of beverages are welcome, but no glass containers.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports August 29
No Friday Night Free Concert This Week
The Friday Night Concert is canceled for September 2, due to the Labor Day weekend.
Performers for September 9 will be announced at a later date.
GED Orientation Sept. 6 at FSCC
Fort Scott Community College offers adult education classes to assist students in General Educational Development (GED) preparation, basic math and reading skills, employment skills, and college preparation and transition. Individuals who have completed the adult education classes will have the opportunity to earn a GED, Basic Computer Skills certificate, and the Kansas Work Ready certificate.
Adult education classes are open to students ages 16 and older. Students who are under 18 must have a Parental Waiver for Compulsory Attendance to attend class; the form can be obtained from the last school district the student attended.
Attendance is mandatory all days of orientation. Class times are Monday through Thursday from 9 am – 12 pm, 1 – 4 pm, and 4 – 7 pm. The adult education center is located in the Library in Bailey Hall.
Based on the results of your assessment during orientation, staff members will develop an individualized plan to help you achieve your goals. In order to be eligible to take the GED examination, you must have completed all of the adult education class requirements, passed all required exams, and have a valid government issued photo identification card.
The cost for the class is $35 and includes the ACCUPLACER college entrance exam, Northstar Digital Literacy Certification, WorkKeys Employment Skills Test, TABE assessment, and one GED Ready Practice Test. GED testing fees are not included in the class fee. The GED test fees are $33 per subject (Math, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Science, Social Studies) which can be taken and paid for separately; due when you register for the test.
Upon successful completion of the examination, the student will be issued a diploma by the Kansas State Department of Education.
These classes could be for students lacking a diploma OR for anyone needing to review their basic reading and/or math skills. I have had students take my class to prepare better for college entrance, to qualify for a program such as KansasWorks, or to even just learn how to use a computer and brush up on technology skills. Students CAN enroll in the ABE class if they lack basic skills, even if they have a HS diploma or GED.
I am accepting students that are ready to learn. They would just need to contact me to schedule an appointment to fill out paperwork and take the TABE pre-assessment. If students are not ready to start right away, our next orientation will be September 6th. If you know someone that is interested, please send them my way.
Aubrey Duft
ABE/GED Instructor at FSCC
(620)223-2700 Ext. 4400
Drinking From the Dipper by Carolyn Tucker
I’ve cherished a heartwarming memory about family and well water since I was about six years old. My Aunt Pauline and Uncle John lived in the country and had a well just outside their house. (Where I come from, water from a deep life-giving well that never ran dry was always preferred over other resources.) An elongated well-draw bucket was used to fetch the water. Then the water was released into a clean aluminum dishpan, and that’s where my cousins and I would get a refreshing drink when we were thirsty. Everyone (oldest to youngest) drank from the same dipper because we were all family. However, should anyone stop by, he/she could have a drink from the dipper too. Anyone thirsty and needing to wet their whistle was welcome, accepted, and loved.
The biblical story of the woman at the well depicts a powerful life-changing encounter with Jesus. He and His followers were traveling through Samaria and, while the disciples were in town buying something to eat, Jesus wearily sat down on the edge of Jacob’s well to rest. Around noon, a Samaritan woman came to draw water from the well. Since Jews traditionally despised the Samaritans, she was surprised that Jesus would strike up a conversation with her. But her nationality made no difference to this caring Stranger. In fact, Jesus kindly said to her, “Please give me a drink.“
The woman said to Jesus, “’You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?’ Jesus replied, ’If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask Me, and I would give you living water’” (John 4:9,10 NLT). He explains that anyone who drinks water from the well will soon get thirsty again. “But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life“ (John 4:14 NLT).
The two of them talked about the unseemly aspects of her broken life. As Jesus showed His love and acceptance while teaching about salvation, her spirit was opened to receive the truth. She said, “I know the Messiah is coming — the One who is called Christ. When He comes, He will explain everything to us. Then Jesus told her, ‘I AM the Messiah!’” (John 4:25,26 NLT). The woman was thirsting for answers and Jesus spoke of more than she had hoped for! Excitedly, she left her water jar and ran lickety-split back to the village, telling everyone, “’Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could He possibly be the Messiah?’ So the people came streaming from the village to see Him” (John 4:29,30 NLT). While she was passionately sharing her testimony with others, she became the first New Testament evangelist to win a village to Christ.
Statistics show that 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. I don’t know what percentage of Americans are genuine believers. But I do know there’s a large percentage of people wandering around in a spiritual desert, chronically dehydrated, looking for living water. Christians need to realize we’re a walking testimony. The water jar we carry is on the inside of us and it’s full of fresh living water that’s supposed to bubble over onto the thirsty people around us. God wants to use us to compassionately tell others that Jesus knows everything they’ve ever done and loves them anyway. Now that’s Good News!
The Key: Come see this Man; He knows you thirst, He knows you hurt, and He understands.
Money Flow by Gregg Motley
Money Flow
In my last column, I compared the total business payrolls of Bourbon County to that of two of the most relatable counties in Southeast Kansas: Allen and Neosho. While payrolls are a strong indication of the vitality of business activity in a jurisdiction, one can also look at the flow of money into a community to gauge the strength of that activity and future prospects. As the saying goes, “It takes money to make money.” While that it is not an absolute, it certainly holds true much of the time. Accordingly, let us take a look at the flow of money into these three counties over the last few years.
One way to understand how much money is being created in a community is to look at the lending activity to small businesses; almost all of our Southeast Kansas businesses fit that definition. Here is a chart of total small business loans outstanding in each county and the average loan size at origination:
2015 2019
| County | # Loans | Ave. Loan Size | # Loans | Ave. Loan Size | 2020 Pop. |
| Allen | 144 | $44,785 | 129 | $34,264 | 12,526 |
| Bourbon | 100 | $27,452 | 133 | $41,571 | 14,360 |
| Neosho | 121 | $13,661 | 128 | $19,828 | 15,904 |
As you can see, over the five years considered, Bourbon County has grown their small business community when measured by lending activity. Each of these loans puts additional money in circulation in a community and helps fuel future economic activity.
How has that translated into the money supply in our community? One way to evaluate that is to look at total deposits in the county financial institutions. Here is how the banks in the three counties compare in recent years:
2019 2020
| County | Institutions | Deposits | Institutions | Deposits |
| Allen | 5 | $292 million | 5 | $357 million |
| Bourbon | 6 | $254 million | 6 | $277 million |
| Neosho | 7 | $394 million | 7 | $453 million |
Allen and Neosho lending institutions and investors have millions of dollars more to place in future business activity than Bourbon County, and their deposits grew by 22% and 15%, respectively, compared to 9% for Bourbon County. Part of the explanation of the dramatic one-year growth in all three counties are government programs rolled out during the pandemic, such as the Payroll Protection Program, which injected millions of dollars into small businesses across the country. The real question is whether these businesses invested in payroll and business activity, or paid off bank loans and stuck the rest into their deposit accounts. Considering our increase in lending activity and smaller deposit growth, it looks as if more of this kind of government money went to work in Bourbon County small businesses than that of the other two counties.
All indications are that the small businesses in Bourbon County are holding their own, and increasing their economic activity relative to our two similar neighbors. Bourbon County REDI encourages you to support your local small businesses by shopping local and paying your sales tax in Bourbon County. Let us all help the vitality of our small business community when possible.
SOUTHWIND 4-H MEMBERS WIN 2 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
4-H members from the Southwind Extension District excelled at the annual Kansas 4-H Livestock Sweepstakes event on August 20-21 in Kansas State University’s Weber Hall. Participants from the Southwind Extension District were Leah Mueller, Emery Yoho, Byron Fry, Kristy Beene, Carly Dreher, Tate Crystal, Kyser Nemecek, Aidan Yoho, Haleigh O’Brien, Gwen Fry and Brady Hurt. The Southwind District is especially proud that 4-H members represented 4-H Clubs from Allen, Bourbon, Neosho and Woodson Counties.
4-H members learned gained new knowledge and worked on livestock skills in order to be competitive in the Sweepstakes event which consisted blending scores in four contests. Southwind Extension District completed the weekend by being named the 2022 Champion and 6th Overall Kansas State 4-H Sweepstakes Teams. Top ten individual Sweepstakes winners for Southwind were Aidan Yoho, 3rd and Tate Crystal 10th after excelling in all contests.
The Livestock Quiz Bowl started with a qualifying exam. The twelve teams with the highest average scores advanced to the quiz bowl competition. Southwind #2 (A. Yoho, Crystal, Dreher, Nemecek) was seated second after the test and was later named the Reserve Champion Quiz Bowl Team. Southwind #1 (O’Brien, E. Yoho, G. Fry, Mueller) earned 3rd best team.
The Livestock Judging contest consisted of nine judging classes and four sets of reasons with 228 contestants and 43 teams from across Kansas. Southwind #2 (A. Yoho, Dreher, Crystal, Nemecek) was 4th in Sheep; 2nd in Hogs; 1st in Cattle and 1st in Reasons and named Third Team Overall. Southwind #1 (E. Yoho, O’Brien, Hurt, Mueller) was 3rd in Sheep; 3rd in Hogs; 5th in Cattle; 5th in Reasons and named Fifth High Team Overall. Individual livestock judging results are as follows:
- Haleigh O’Brien – 8th Sheep
- Carly Dreher – 7th Sheep; 8th Hogs; 5th Reasons; 7th Overall
- Brady Hurt – 3rd Sheep; 9th Hogs; 8th Overall
- Kyser Nemecek – 7th Hogs; 4th Beef; 2nd Reasons; 6th Overall
- Tate Crystal – 6th Hogs
- Leah Mueller – 4th Hogs
- Aidan Yoho – 19th Overall
The Meats Judging contest was based on identification of thirty retail cuts, six placings classes and three sets of reasons. Southwind #2 (Crystal, B. Fry, G. Fry, A Yoho) was 1st in Placings, 9th in Reasons, 2nd in Retail ID and Third Team Overall. Individual meats judging results are as follows:
- Byron Fry – 5th Placings
- Aidan Yoho – 7th Identification; 10th Overall
- Gwen Fry – 8th Placings; 10th Identification; 8th Overall
- Carly Dreher – 9th Placings
In the Livestock Skillathon, 4-H members rotated individually through stations that addressed six areas of animal science. Those included feedstuffs, breed identification, equipment identification, meat identification, wool evaluation and a written test. There was also a team component where members worked together on evaluating quality assurance protocols, and judging wool. Southwind #2 (Crystal, Dreher, O’Brien, A. Yoho) was 2nd in Exam, 1st in ID; and Champion Team Overall. Individual Skillathon results are as follows:
- Aidan Yoho – 1st Identification; 10th Exam; High Individual Overall
- Tate Crystal – 3rd Identification; 3rd Overall
- Haleigh O’Brien – 9th Overall; 7th Exam
This group worked hard and studied a great deal of material to prepare for four state contests. To be named the Champion Skillathon Team, Reserve Champion Quiz Bowl Team, 3rd & 5th Overall Livestock Judging Teams, and Overall Champion Sweepstakes Team at the state contests shows how hard these 4-H members pushed each other to “Make the Best Better.” The Southwind District is proud of their accomplishments and look forward to future growth and learning.