Area News, Government, Kansas

Survey to begin on K-52

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Survey to begin on K-52

 

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) plans to start a survey at the Little Sugar Creek drainage culvert on K-52 in Linn County the week of Oct. 17. The culvert is approximately 1 mile west of the K-7/K-52 junction (see map).

 

The survey area of 2,500 feet is based on the existing alignment. Survey crew members will gather information for a future culvert replacement project. KDOT expects the survey to be complete by Dec. 30.

 

Activities include the use of survey instruments on the ground to determine locations of existing features within the corridor. A member of the survey crew will contact property owners or tenants for permission to enter private property. John Lilak of Bartlett & West will manage the survey for KDOT. Persons with questions may contact KDOT Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen, (620) 902-6433.

Opinion

Letter to The Editor: Bill Martin

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Submitted by Bourbon County Sheriff Wm K. Martin,

Preservation Amendment


This fall, a proposed amendment to Article 9 of the Kansas Constitution will be on the ballot.


Voters will be asked to decide a measure which requires the county sheriff to be elected in all Kansas counties with the exception of Riley County who consolidated law enforcement services
in 1974.

Further, this amendment identifies the Kansas Attorney General as having the sole authority to initiate ouster proceedings of a sitting sheriff.

Currently, this authority is shared with each county attorney and has shown to be partisan and subject to personal animus. This change is supported by the Kansas County & District Attorneys Association.

Finally, the voter recall process is not eliminated or changed in any manner.


Following a survey by the National Sheriff’s Association of states who have sheriffs, it was learned all but fifteen recognize the office in their state constitutions. These fifteen states, mostly in the
midwest, have the office created by an act of legislature. This means the office of sheriff can be abolished by an act of legislation or through a charter commission.


The premise of this amendment will preserve the office of sheriff in the Great State of Kansas while protecting the ability of a qualified electorate to choose this individual by popular vote every four years.

This decision belongs to the voters and should not be relegated to a group of elected or appointed individuals.

Please note, this vote is not about the individual holding the office of sheriff, rather it is about preserving your right to actively participate in choosing who holds that office.


Why is this important?

The sheriff is the only elected law enforcement official in Kansas. As such, he or she (sheriff) is directly accountable to the public they serve and are not filtered through an elected body or appointed official. The actions of the sheriff should be predicated upon the US Constitution, the Constitution of the State of Kansas and lawful statutes. He or she is responsible for their actions and those in their employ and subject to remedy grievances directly to the populace and not at the direction of administrative oversight.


In recent years, attempts to abolish the office of sheriff in some Kansas counties have failed.


Counties such as Phillips, Lyon, Bourbon, Reno, Shawnee, Sedgwick and Johnson County have entertained this notion. These efforts have failed due in large part to opposition from the populace; however, the threat remains to all Kansas counties which elect their sheriff.


In 2000, Johnson County established a Home Rule Charter and soon after abolished the elected offices of County Clerk, County Treasurer and Register of Deeds. These positions are now
appointees of the county administrator.

Although the office of sheriff and county attorney were initially preserved, every ten years the charter commission is required to revisit this issue.

Earlier this year, the commission met and initially supported abolishing the office of sheriff only to change course and preserve it until the next review period.

The citizens of Johnson County, with a population in excess of 600,000, came dangerously close to losing their ability to cast votes for who they wanted as the chief law enforcement officer of the county.

Unless and until the office of sheriff is preserved in the Kansas Constitution, the voice of 104 Kansas counties remain in
jeopardy of being usurped.


A yes vote in support of this amendment is non–partisan and will help to preserve not only your participation in deciding who has the privilege of serving Bourbon County as elected sheriff, it
will preserve the office of sheriff itself.

Art, Gordon Parks Museum

Gordon Parks Photo Contest Winners Named

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2022 Gordon Parks Celebration

Photo Contest Winners Named

 

FORT SCOTT — Winners of the Gordon Parks Celebration “I Am Driven By” photo contest, sponsored by Merl Humphrey Photography, have been chosen. Fifty entries were received and the winner of First Place was Kenneth E. Washington (Washington, DC) with the photo titled “Mother & Son.” Second Place was Lucas Clark with the photo “Kansas peace.”

 

“Mother and Son”  by Kenneth E. Washington (Washington, DC) is the first place winner. Submitted photos.
Second Place was Lucas Clark with the photo “Kansas peace.”
Third Place was Jeni Elder with her photo, “My Mother & Daughter.”

 

There were five Honorable Mentions named: “Hard Worker.” by (Yasser Alaa Mobarak,( Alexandria, Egypt.); “Endless Knowledge.” by Bariegh Farrell (Fort Scott, KS); “Life’s Curiosities.” by Anna Laubenstien (Fort Scott); “The Way of Music.” by Bariegh Farrell (Fort Scott, KS);“2 Village Girls” by Kenneth E. Washington (Washington, DC).

First, Second, and Third place winners received cash prizes of $100, $75, and $50 respectively.

The contest was open to any non-professional photographer and was inspired by a quote from Gordon Parks and his incredible drive.

“Driven by an insatiable hunger, I still search for those things that

inspire me—beautiful imagery, music, and literature.”—Gordon Parks

 

Gordon Parks, who started his career in fashion photography and chose a camera to fight against racism, discrimination, and poverty.

 

Judges for the photo contest was professional photographer, Veretta Cobler and established make-up artist and hair stylist, Donna Fumoso based in New York City. The photo exhibit is on display on the Gordon Parks Museum facebook page facebook.com/fsccgpmuseum/ and the museum’s website gordonparkscenter.org.

 

 

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Business, Fort Scott

Want to Be A Book Writer? There’s a Seminar For That Oct. 15

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For those of you who have ever wanted to write a book, there is encouragement coming this weekend.
This Saturday, Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to noon, Hedgehog INK a bookstore  will  have a workshop for aspiring book writers.
It’s a two-part writing seminar with publishing and marketing tips for writers in the morning and then meeting  local authors in the afternoon.
Publishing and Marketing a Book
The morning seminar presenter, R.J. Thesman, will speak on best practices for publishing a book and the action steps for effective marketing of a book.

Thesman is a certified writing coach, editor, and author of 20 books and 800+articles in various publications, according to a Hedgehog.INK press release. Thesman’s work is included in 14 anthologies, and she is listed in the Who’s Who of Professional Women. A popular speaker and teacher for numerous writers conferences, Thesman loves to help her clients birth new words and publish their books.

The event is sponsored by the Bourbon County Arts Council,
the Wednesday Writers Group, and Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore.


Location for the morning event is at the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team office at 104 N. National, Fort Scott, KS.

A 2018 photo of the office of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, 104 N. National, from its Facebook page.


 The office is located north of Luther’s restaurant, with public parking available on the east side of National Avenue. Lunch is on your own, with several restaurants within walking distance.


 Registration is $40,  and junior high, high school and college students are free, but registration is required.

Registration forms are available at:
Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore
16 S Main, Fort Scott, KS
620–670–2752
[email protected]

Author Book Signing

Local authors will sign and make available their books for sale, which might be a great idea for your Christmas list, according to information from the press release.

In the afternoon there will be multi–author
book signing at the Hedgehog.INK bookstore at 16 S. Main from 1:30 to 3 p.m. with featured authors:
Brian Allen, Rhonda Hassig, Sally Jadlow, Joyce Love,
Rogene McPherson, R.J. Thesman, Jane Tucker and
Marti Wells–Smith.

Hedgehog.INK, located at 16 S. Main, in historic downtown Fort Scott.
Government, Kansas

KanDrive App now available on cell phones

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TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Transportation’s KanDrive website is now also available to download as an App on Android and iOS (iPhone Operating System) cell phones. KanDrive provides travelers across the state timely details on maintenance and construction activities, winter highway conditions, flooded roadways, incidents and crashes affecting traffic.

The new App includes all account features on the KanDrive website but also includes a hands-free/eye-free feature that announces upcoming traffic events while traveling. Just tap the Tell Me sound icon in the top right corner to get announcements of upcoming events (feature requires location sharing).

“It’s important for motorists to have quick, accurate and up-to-date information on highway conditions in Kansas,” said Kevin Hennes, KDOT Administrator for KanDrive. “Having the new KanDrive App with your choices set up in advance is a convenient option to help you travel safely and stay informed.”

All account features available on the KanDrive website are included on the App. It also offers real time, high-quality streaming of camera views across the state. The truckers’ mode for commercial vehicle operators is still an option and now announces rest stop parking availability.

The Kansas 511 phone system also has been updated and simplified for people who prefer to receive real-time highway condition information by calling 511. The voice quality and speech recognition features have been improved, and motorists can ask for reports on a specific route, in a city or between two cities.

For more information on all KanDrive services, go to the website at www.KanDrive.org.
Fort Scott, Government, Schools

U234 Board of Education Minutes of Oct. 10

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Monday, October 10, 2022

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, October 10, 2022, for their regular monthly meeting at the board office.

 

President Danny Brown opened the meeting.

 

The board approved the official agenda, and the consent agenda as follows:

 

  • Minutes from September 12, 2022, Board of Education meeting
  • Corrected minutes to reflect an August 1st date versus August 15th date
  • Financials – Cash Flow Report
  • Check Register
  • Payroll – September 20, 2022 – $1,517,827.10
  • Activity Fund accounts
  • FSHS Choir Fundraiser, FSHS Orchestra Fundraiser
  • FSHS Orchestra Extended Trip

 

Assistant Superintendent Dalaina Smith updated the board on building consistency among processes in the district, thanked the community and parents for their support of PLCs, and provided an update on curriculum.

 

Finance Director Gina Shelton reported on the September 20th count day, the ESSER III application to include expansion of the preschool, health insurance renewal, and sanitation devices received.

 

The board approved the following items:

  • Approval of quote for student computer cases
  • Personnel Report – following

 

The board went into an executive session for personnel matters and the superintendent evaluation process.

 

President Danny Brown adjourned the meeting.

 

PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT

RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:

  • Gordon Harris – Resignation as Eugene Ware/FSPC Custodian, effective Sept. 19, 2022
  • Stuart Troutman – Resignation as district technology help desk, effective Oct. 14, 2022
  • Lyle Brittain – Termination as FSMS paraprofessional, effective Sept. 10, 2022
  • Megan Webb, FSPC teacher, leave of absence

EMPLOYMENT/REASSIGNMENTS – FOR THE 2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR

  • Michelle Laubenstein – FSHS CTE Coordinator
  • Leah Carter – FSMS After-School Coordinator
  • Brent Cavin FSMS assistant basketball coach
  • Paul Martin – FSMS assistant girls basketball coach
  • Abby Stepps – Eugene Ware Leadership Club
  • Trisha Whitehead – Eugene Ware After-School Coordinator
  • Rachel Patton – Eugene Ware paraprofessional
  • Andrew Ables – FSHS assistant debate/forensics coach
  • Jon Barnes – FSHS assistant Scholars Bowl

Adam Clements – FSMS assistant boys basketball

Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Friday Night Free Concert: Gospel, Praise and Worship and Hymns

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Ralph Carlson introduces the Friday Night Concert musicians May 2019.

This week’s Friday Night Concert will be presented by the First Southern Baptist Church worship team. The quintet is comprised of John Poag, music director, Irene Bradbury, Madison Crippen, Bonnie Freels, and Andrea Poag. The program will feature gospel, praise and worship, and traditional hymns.

 

“John Poag and his wife moved here from Jacksonville, Florida,” concert-series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “John sings and plays acoustic guitar and leads the worship at church.  We appreciate the quintet sharing their love of music with the community. Invite a friend and join us for an evening under the stars.”

 

The one-hour concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Park Pavilion at First and Main streets. The event is free and open to the public. Dave Oas and Jim Butler provide the sound 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 Loading Dock at  Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall Street.

Government, K-State Extension

Tips to Keep Unwanted Pests Out

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Krista Harding
District Extension Agent, Horticulture
Southwind Extension District
111 S. Butler
Erie, KS 66733
Office: 620-244-3826
Cell: 620-496-8786

Tips to Keep Unwanted Pests Out

 

As the weather cools, it is inevitable that certain outdoor pests are going to try to find their way inside homes. One of the best ways to limit unwanted intrusions of insects or rodents is to deny them entry. It is often easier to prevent entry into a home or building than trying to control them once they are inside.

 

Here are seven useful tips for pest proofing.

 

  1. At the base of all exterior doors, install door sweeps or thresholds. Gaps of 1/16 inch will permit entry of insects and spiders; ¼ inch wide gaps are large enough for entry of mice. The bottom corner of doors is often where rodents and insects enter.

 

Applying calk along the bottom outside edge and sides of door thresholds will exclude ant and small insect entry. Garage doors should also be checked for bottom seals. A rubber seal is best as vinyl seals poorly in cold weather.

 

  1. Utility openings should also be sealed. This includes areas where pipes and wires enter the foundation and siding, around outdoor faucets, receptacles, gas meters, clothes dryer vents and telephone/cable TV wires. Plug holes with caulk, cement, expandable foam, steel wool or other suitable sealant.

 

  1. Use a good quality silicone or acrylic latex caulk to caulk around windows, doors and fascia boards. Use a high quality caulking gun. A gun that has a back-off trigger to halt the flow of caulk is best.

 

  1. Repair gaps and tears in window and door screens. Doing so will help reduce entry of flies, gnats, lady beetles and other overwintering pests in the fall. However, there are some insects such as hackberry psyllids that are small enough to fit through mesh window screens. The only way to prevent entry of these tiny insects is to keep windows closed.

 

  1. Attic, roof and crawl space vents should be covered with ¼ inch wire mesh to prevent entry of birds, bats, squirrels, rodents and other wildlife.

 

  1. An exterior (barrier) insecticide treatment can also be applied. Sealing is by far the most permanent way to exclude pests. However, it can be labor intensive and sometimes impractical.  For situations like that, an exterior insecticide treatment may be best. You will get the most for your efforts by applying a longer lasting liquid formulation containing synthetic pyrethroids. Read and follow label directions before using any pesticide.

 

Barrier insecticide treatments should be applied to the base of all exterior doors, garage and crawl space entrances, around foundation vents and utility openings and up underneath siding.

  1. Pests such as lady beetles are often best controlled with a little manual labor by using a vacuum cleaner or broom to sweep them up.

 

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.

 

 

Government, Kansas

Governor Kelly in Fort Scott at KDOT on Oct. 12

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The KDOT building located on  south Hwy. 69 in Fort Scott.

Governor Laura Kelly to Announce Transportation Project Funding in Fort Scott on Wednesday

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly will join the Kansas Department of Transportation in Fort Scott on Wednesday to announce funding for multiple transportation projects happening throughout the state.

Who:      Governor Laura Kelly, Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz

What:     Transportation Grant Announcement

When:    11:00 a.m.; Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Bourbon County Local News