Entertainment, Fort Scott

Splash into Summer at the Family Summer Reading Kickoff Party

Leave a comment

This year, the Fort Scott Public Library’s summer reading program will begin on June 1 at 10 a.m. with a family kickoff party at Gunn Park, shelter house #3. The party will run from 10 – 11:30.

Partygoers will play games, create crafts, eat delicious treats provided by donors, drink cold water provided by G & W Cash Saver (with ice donated by 5 Corners Mini Mart), earn prizes, read a temporary story stroll, and play on the park equipment located beside the shelter house. This summer’s theme is “Oceans of Possibilities” and the program will explore oceans, water, fishing, boats, pirates, mermaids, sharks, and other related themes through stories, crafts, and other activities from June 1 to August 10.

Attendees should plan for limited parking at the party site by carpooling or parking in nearby lots and walking when possible. Sunscreen, old clothes, and towels are recommended, as attendees will likely get wet. Seating will be limited, so families that need extra seating may want to bring lawn chairs. Bathroom facilities are also scarce near the party site, so please plan accordingly.

The library will be collecting summer care items for families in need, with a donation box available at the party. Please bring unused swim diapers, sunscreen, feminine sanitary products, etc. to donate. Clothing and food donations will not be accepted. Donated items will be available for anyone to take as needed in the library’s downstairs computer room throughout the summer (while supplies last). The library will also have a donation box for children’s books available at the party. Donated books will be offered as prizes at future summer reading program events.

Families may register for summer reading at the party, or receive an extra prize ticket for each child and teen by pre-registering by May 30 at this link: Online SR Registration Form. They may also register via a paper form available at the library, Buck Run Community Center, Hedgehog.INK!, Rusty Spur Energy and Nutrition, Kansas Teachers Community Credit Union, and Billiard Hammer Hartman Insurance Agency. Patrons may turn in completed registration forms at any library desk, by mail, or by placing them in the after-hours book return, located on the north side of the library.

This party is made possible by the City of Fort Scott, which has waived the rental fee for hosting the event. All library programs are free and open to the public.

 

 

Area News

KCC approves agreement lowering rates for Empire Electric customers

Leave a comment

 

 

TOPEKA – Empire Electric customers will soon see a reduction in their monthly bills. A settlement agreement approved today by the Kansas Corporation Commission calls for a 3.8% rate decrease effective July 1, 2022.  This amounts to a bill reduction of $2.95 per month for residential customers with average usage.

The company, which serves 9688 customers in southeast Kansas, filed an application for a rate increase last May to recover costs related to building three new wind farms, retiring the Asbury coal plant and updating accumulated depreciation and deferred costs. The application called for an increase in rates totaling about $5.00 per month for residential customers.

The settlement, negotiated by KCC Staff, the Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board (CURB) and the company addressed all matters raised in the application except recovery of the wind farm costs. Questions were raised at the evidentiary hearing, held in March, regarding the need for the wind facilities and the cost. On May 6, Empire filed a motion to withdraw its request to recover the wind project costs in rates, with the option to seek recovery in a future general rate case. The Commission approved that motion as part of today’s order.

In issuing today’s order, the Commission found the agreement was supported by substantial competent evidence, will result in just and reasonable rates, and is in the public interest.

The order can be viewed here.

A recording of today’s Business Meeting featuring comments by Commissioners on this order is available on the KCC YouTube channel.

Bourbon County, Food

New Farmers Market at Uniontown

Leave a comment
Extra cars on the east side of Union Station let passers-by know of the farmer’s market on May 19.

On Thursday evenings at Union Station Convenience Store near Uniontown, you might notice more cars than usual.

A farmers market started May 5 there, just west of Uniontown on Hwy. 3. It meets every Thursday from 4-8 p.m. but may expand a day in the future if the community responds.

Vendors set up for customers at the farmers market near Uniontown.

“Union Station is allowing vendors to set up on the east side of the convenience store parking lot, in the trees,” Schotze Griffiths, store manager said.

Currently, there are four vendors who have set up, but “I have more people coming when their garden starts to produce,” Griffiths said. “This is an opportunity to buy fresh food locally.”

There is no cost to the vendor, and anyone that would like to set up a table, may.

“It’s a work in progress,” she said. “So don’t give up on us. If it is real hot in the summer it might get sparse, but it will be here as long as people want to come. There might be less vendors this week because of prior commitments.”

Saturday mornings are a possibility in the future she said.

“Especially when we have rodeos that come,” Griffiths said.

Union Station is directly across the street from the Uniontown Rodeo Grounds on Hwy. 3.

Current Vendors

The four vendors currently coming are MMM Flavor Shop, Prairie Rose Farmstead, 9 Acre Farm and Mama Mary.

Addi Foster tells of her wares to a customer on May 19.

MMM Flavor Shop is owned by Addi Foster and her sister, Emelia Whiteaker, who are selling spices. Addi’s daughter, Mayla also has crafts, eggs, peacock feathers and poultry grown on the family farm to sell. The mother-daughter duo are part of Foster Dairy, from the Hiattville area. Contact info is 620.224.8442 or 620.224.9411.

 

Dale and Lisa Griffiths set up a vendor booth for their wares on May 19.

9 Acre Farm is owned by Dale and Lisa Griffiths, Bronson, and sells fresh eggs, pickled items and candles at their booth. They will bring produce later as it starts producing on their farm. Interested parties can watch them on YouTube. For more information contact them at 620.215.3101.

 

Jessi Hall displays her wares with a customer on May 19.

Prairie Rose Farmstead is owned by Sage and Jessi Hall, Uniontown.They offer goat milk products including soap, lotion, salve and lip balm. In addition they sell raw milk, pastured poultry and grass fed beef. Contact them at 316.821.0309 or [email protected].

 

Mary Ridge sells homemade food items at her booth, Mama Mary.

Mama Mary, Mary Ridge of the Zenia area, sells pies, take and bake meals and canned goods. Her homemade food items are also sold at the Bronson Locker in Bronson. Her contact info: 620.939.4977.

 

 

 

 

 

Government

Public Service: Phone Numbers of Kansas U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives

Leave a comment
The U.S. Capital Building, Washington, D.C. from visitthecapital.gov

Those wishing to make their views on any current events known to their elected officials may contact them via their websites or by phone;

For U.S. House of Representatives for Kansas:

Sharice Davids at 202.225.2865

Ron Estes at 202.225.6216

Jake LaTurner at 202.225.6601

Tracy Mann at 202.225.2715

 

For U.S. Senators For Kansas:

Roger Marshall at 202.224.4774

Jerry Moran at 202.224.6521

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee at FSHS Commons Area on May 26

Leave a comment
Join us for this week’s Chamber Coffee!
Hosted by Fort Scott USD 234
Thursday, May 26th, 8am
1005 S. Main St.
FSHS Commons Area – Enter through the main doors on the West side
Join us for a Fort Scott School District Update!
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to the Chamber Coffee this Thursday, May 26th at 8am. This week’s coffee will be hosted by Fort Scott USD 234, located at 1005 S. Main St. in the common area. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served.
Visit Fort Scott USD 234’s Facebook page HERE!
Visit Fort Scott USD 234’s website HERE!
Area News

Forum For Professional Financial Advisors On June 23

Leave a comment


Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas to Host Forum for Professional Advisors


The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) will host the 2022 Estate Planning Forum at Crestwood Country Club in Pittsburg starting at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 23.


The full-day Forum, hosted annually in partnership with Foulston Siefkin LLP of Wichita, is open to Southeast Kansas attorneys, CPAs, insurance professionals, and financial advisors.


Attendees will learn about new developments in the field of estate planning, earn up to six hours of continuing-education credit, and enjoy a free lunch courtesy of CFSEK.


This year’s Forum includes sessions on legal ethics; estate planning for clients with health concerns or disabilities; strategies for asset protection and to reduce income taxes; and an update on recent legislative, judicial, and regulatory developments at the state and federal levels. Sessions will be taught by Kathleen J. Selzler Lippert, JD, of the Office of the Disciplinary Administrator; and Foulston Siefkin’s Tim O’Sullivan, JD, LLM, and Corey Moomaw, JD, LLM.


The Forum has been approved for 6 hours of CLE credit (including one hour of ethics credit) and 5 hours of insurance CE credit. It also offers a recommended 5 hours of CPE credit for
accountants and 5 hours of PACE credit for qualifying financial advisors.


Space will be limited, so professional advisors who want to attend the 2022 Estate Planning Forum must register by completing the online form at SoutheastKansas.org/forum2022/,
emailing [email protected], or calling (620) 231-8897.
***

Bourbon County Local News