Business, Fort Scott

New Downtown Business: Barbed Wire and Roses Vintage Market

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Rosemary Harris is the owner of the new business on Main Street. Submitted photo.

Rosemary Harris, 52, is the owner of a new downtown business at 18 N. Main, Suite A, Barbed Wire, and Roses Vintage Market.

 

Barbed Wire and Roses Vintage Market is located in the northern storefront of what used to be a part of Country Cupboard Store, a decades-long mainstay of downtown Fort Scott.
The store hours are currently Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

She began her business journey helping a friend that owned a store, then opened her own flea market on January 30, 2021, she said.

 

“We have a variety of items ranging from vintage to antique to customized and repurposed,” Harris said.   “Our vendors bring their own unique style to the store and each booth has its own special charm.”

“We have unique furniture pieces, vintage items, and collectibles.  We love to help you find items you are looking for in your collections.  We also will be looking to buy estates soon.”

 

“I started this business because I love seeing vintage and antique items find new life and purpose,” she said.   “I enjoy the stories and pictures people share of their collections and why they started collecting.   I’m so glad to be a part of the downtown business district.”

Rosemary Harris in her flea market on Main Street. Submitted photo.

Harris can be contacted at 620-224-7764 or find the business on Facebook.

 

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee the 231 E. Wall on March 4

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Join us for this week’s
Chamber Coffee
Thursday, March 4th
will be hosted by the
2021 Newly Appointed Chamber Board
231 E.Wall St.
Click herefor the Fort Scott Chamber’s website.
Clickherefor the Fort Scott Chamber’s
Facebook website.
Chamber Members & Guests are
Welcome to attend and pay $1 to make an announcement about their business or organization including events, new products, promotions, or
anything else to share!
Upcoming Chamber Coffee Schedule:
3/11 ~ Chamber Coffee “OPEN”, Call to schedule!
3/18 ~ Briggs of Fort Scott – Birthday Week
3/25~ Nevada Regional Medical Center – Location TBA
Bourbon County, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, COVID-19, Fort Scott

Schedule An Appointment With CHC For COVID-19 Vaccine

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Vaccine has arrived! Please note the time, date and location of vaccine clinics. 

Reminder: people must schedule an appointment for the vaccine.

COVID-19 vaccinations clinics open Wednesday, Saturday

A shipment of 4,000 doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine has arrived at Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas clinics as part of a national effort to ensure underserved communities are equitably vaccinated.    

CHC/SEK continues to focus on vaccinating people age 65 and older however, the health center has expanded to the remaining categories within Phase 2 of the Kansas Vaccination Prioritization Plan. Any individual from Phase 1 that still needs a vaccine may also call.

Phase 2 includes people aged 65 and up, high-contact critical workers and congregate settings. High-contact critical workers include: higher education staff; first responders; judicial/court system participants; childcare workers; food processing including meat processing; grocery stores; food service to include restaurants; transportation organizations/suppliers; city/county public works; Dept. Motor Vehicles; U.S. Postal Service, home care providers, and supplier of critical infrastructure service/supplies.

 

Vaccines are already going into arms. On Wednesday, vaccines will be distributed from 1 to 4 PM at 924 N. Broadway, Pittsburg.  

CHC/SEK-Fort Scott will be hosting a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at 9 AM- 3 PM on Saturday, March 6 at the clinic located at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd, Fort Scott. 
The vaccine appointment telephone number to call is 866-888-8650, which will be answered 7 AM -7 PM seven days a week. There is an additional line for Spanish speakers, available at 620-240-8940, answered from 7 AM – 5 PM, Monday through Friday.
Anyone listed under Phase 2 of the Kansas Vaccine Prioritization Plan is eligible to participate. Those guidelines are available at https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/Faq.aspx?QID=111.
There is no out-of-pocket cost to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccine recipients will not be restricted by county residency, nor do they have to be a patient of CHC/SEK.
Fort Scott, Government, Schools

USD 234 Press Release

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NEWS RELEASE

 

Monday, March 1, 2021

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at the Fort Scott Middle School Commons on Monday, March 1, 2021, for their regular monthly meeting.

President David Stewart opened the meeting.  The board approved the official agenda.  The board also approved the consent agenda as follows:

 

A.    Minutes

B.    Bills and Claims

C.    Payroll – February 19, 2021 – $1,478,744.66

D.    Financial Report

E.     Activity Fund accounts

 

Robin Webb, Winfield Scott first grade teacher, led students in a Ready! Set! Read!

presentation.

Reports were given by the following:

 

·       Brenda Hill, KNEA President

·       Dalaina Smith, Academic Director

·       Ted Hessong, Superintendent

·       Gina Shelton, Business Manager/Board Clerk

 

Board members approved the following:

 

·       Addition of high school courses for the 2021-22 school year

·       Addition of a high school physical education teacher for the 2021-22 school year

·       Addition of a middle school teacher/course for the 2021-22 school year

·       Resolution 20-09 – Intent to nonrenew the contract of an administrator with two or more years employment as administrator in the district

·       Purchase of two buses

 

Board members shared comments and then went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel and returned to open meeting.

The board approved the following employment matters:

 

A.    Resignation of Amanda Johnson, Winfield Scott music teacher, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year

B.    Resignation of Dane Cummings, high school vocational agriculture teacher, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year

C.    Resignation of Brad Cowen, Winfield Scott custodian, effective March 9, 2021

D.    Resignation of Sara Schnichels, preschool paraprofessional, effective March 5, 2021

E.     Transfer of Angie Kemmerer, high school/Eugene Ware gifted teacher, to middle school seventh grade social science teacher for the 2021-22 school year

F.     Transfer of Kayla Pulliam, Eugene Ware fifth grade teacher, to Eugene Ware fourth grade teacher for the 2021-22 school year

G.    Transfer of Elizabeth Rose, middle school paraprofessional, to preschool paraprofessional for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year

H.    Transfer of Susan Weddle, Eugene Ware teacher aide, to Winfield Scott teacher aide for the 2021-22 school year

I.      Leave of absence for Jeff Armstrong, high school math teacher, for the 2021-22 school year

J.      Leave of absence for Dixie Jackson, high school paraprofessional

K.    Leave of absence for Joie Moore, high school ticket clerk

L.     Adjustment in the work agreement for Angela Mix, Winfield Scott paraprofessional, from 4 hours per day to 7.5 hours per day for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year

M.   Employment of Sydney Cullison as a high school agriculture teacher for the 2021-22 school year

N.    Employment of Jessica Steury as a middle school 8th grade math teacher for the 2021-22 school year

O.    Employment of Laura Howard as a middle school 7th/8th  grade English/Language Arts teacher for the 2021-22 school year

P.     Employment of Tara Wilbert as a middle school 7th grade English/Language Arts teacher for the 2021-22 school year

Q.    Employment of Stephanie Flanner as an elementary behavior specialist for the 2021-22 school year

R.    Employment of Emily Giffin as a Winfield Scott special education teacher for the 2021-22 school year

S.     Employment of Sydney Griffetts as a Eugene Ware third grade teacher for the 2021-22 school year

T.     Employment of Annyssa Davenport as a high school paraprofessional for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year

U.    Employment of Dillon Duffy as a four-hour middle school paraprofessional for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year

V.    Employment of Sabrina Cady as a regular route van driver for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year

W.  Employment of Kennedy Meyer and Dane Cummings as high school assistant softball coaches for the 2020-21 school year

 

The board adjourned.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, COVID-19, Government, Health Care

CHC/SEK: COVID-19 Vaccines Will Increase

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Krista Postai. Submitted photo.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas was one of 250 health centers, out of 1,400 health centers in America, that was selected to receive the COVID-19 Vaccine directly from the federal government, according to Krista Postai, President and CEO of CHC/SEK said.

 

“They have a million doses to distribute weekly, so we expect to receive – for the whole 10-county region we serve  – up to 4,000 doses per week,” she said “Which means – I am excited to say – that we should have enough vaccine – along with what the counties are receiving —  to take care of everyone in southeast Kansas over the next few months. We are required to still follow state guidelines on priority groups, but counties do have some flexibility.”

 

CHC staff spent last week building the infrastructure needed to set up a toll-free phone line and appointment schedule.

 

“We have already started calling our patients ( more than 7,500 people) who are 65 and older and getting them an appointment as early as Thursday,” Postai said.

 

“Companies who have been notified by the State of Kansas that their employees are now eligible to be vaccinated should email Dawn McNay at [email protected] with their contact information, employee count and a copy of the letter. She will be working with our outreach teams to take the vaccine to the companies,” Postai said.

 

 

Advertisements, Jobs, K-State Extension

K-State Extension Agent Needed For Southwind District: Crop, Forage Management

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K-State Extension has a Crop, and Forage Management career opportunity in Southwind District.

The primary office location is negotiable between Iola, Erie, Fort Scott and Yates Center.

See https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/jobs/current_openings/index.html   for responsibilities, qualifications and application procedure.

The application deadline is March 17, 2021.

K-State Research Extension is an EOE of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

A background check is required.

From the website:

The Southwind District is comprised of Allen, Bourbon, Neosho and Woodson Counties in southeast Kansas.  There are 2,314 farms and more than 112 million acres of pasture and crops growing primarily soybeans, corn, wheat, and a diverse selection of native and introduced forages.  The population of the district is 46,048. The district is home to Neosho County Community College, Allen Community College, and Fort Scott Community College, as well as ten public school systems. Southwind staff are housed in four office locations and include eight agents, four specialized office professionals, and one 4-H program assistant.

Extension agents are community-based faculty of Kansas State University who make a difference by connecting community needs with university resources. Agents are administratively responsible to the local extension director and the local extension board.

This position will provide primary leadership for the development and implementation of research-based educational programs related to production, management, and marketing issues involved in crop production, especially forages.  Programs will include but are not limited to tillage, planting, and variety selection; irrigation; weed, disease, and pest control; soil testing and fertilization; harvesting and post-harvest handling.

Extension agents are professional educators who serve as a link between Kansas State University and communities across Kansas. Agents are administratively responsible to the Director of K-State Research and Extension (represented by a designated administrator) and the local extension board.

  • Provide primary leadership for the development and implementation of research-based educational programs related to production, management and marketing issues involved in crop production, especially forages.  Programs will include but are not limited to tillage, planting, and variety selection; irrigation; weed, disease, and pest control; soil testing and fertilization; harvesting and post-harvest handling.
  • Share responsibility for seasonal county fair management.
  • Programming will include these steps:
    • Identify local needs and emerging issues related to K-State Research and Extension’s five Grand Challenges (water, community vitality, health, developing tomorrow’s leaders and global food systems) by engaging with program development committees and other community organizations and professionals.
    • Design appropriate educational strategies to engage clientele. These strategies might include delivering educational programming in a community-based setting, coordinating events and activities that provide experiential learning opportunities, using innovative technologies, providing individual educational consultations and facilitating groups seeking similar educational outcomes. Some overnight travel and evening and weekend work will be required.
    • Develop and implement strategies to expand the reach of educational programming to under-served audiences and to make certain K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider of educational programming.
    • Collect and communicate evidence of educational program impact.
    • Develop specialized knowledge and skills by engaging as a member of the Crop Production Program Focus Team.
  • Secure external funding such as grants, gifts and cost recovery to supplement local tax revenue to support and expand educational programming.
  • Serve as a member of the Southwind District team cooperating in the planning and delivery of district-wide programming and related events.
What You’ll Need to Succeed: Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Academic coursework and/or professional employment related to the position responsibilities
  • Evidence of strong academic and/or professional performance as documented by college transcripts, acceptance into a graduate program or documented success in increasingly responsible professional positions.
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with individuals, groups and through mass media.
  • Leadership skills as evidenced by working with individuals, groups and co-workers.
  • Access to a personal vehicle and the ability to obtain/maintain a valid driver’s license.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master’s Degree
  • Experience working with adults and youth from various ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.
  • Commitment to personal professional development.
  • Ability to utilize electronic communication and computer applications to fulfill programming responsibilities.
  • Self-motivation and ability to work with a minimum of supervision, balancing multiple projects.
  • Ability to design, promote, implement and evaluate educational programs.
  • Skills in group facilitation.
  • Knowledge of adult and youth teaching/learning processes.
  • Experience in seeking and administering external grant funding.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with both English and Spanish learners

Other Requirements:

  • Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment
Salary, Benefits, and Professional Development:
  • Salary commensurate with professional experience and available funding as negotiated by the regional extension director, the local extension board and the applicant. The base starting salary is $41,500 for a BS degree with no professional experience and $45,500 for a MS degree with no professional experience.
  • Extension agents are Kansas State University educators and have the Board of Regents retirement plan, health and life insurance and vacation and sick leave. Depending on the date of hire there is a minimum of 30-day waiting period for health insurance. For a complete list of benefits see: http://www.k-state.edu/hcs/benefits/overview/
  • Reimbursement for travel related to achieving program objectives.
  • New agents are provided approximately 15 days of new agent professional development on the K-State campus or online during the first six to nine months. These 15 days are spread out in four different weeks. In addition, new agents spend at least three weeks with a mentor agent during the first year.
How to Apply: Please submit the following documents:

  • Cover Letter (detailing experiences related to responsibilities and qualifications)
  • Resume
  • Contact Information and Email addresses for three (3) professional references (include on application). References will be requested upon submission of application.
  • Copy of academic transcripts showing degree(s) received. (For applicants still in college, a list of courses from the college/university website is acceptable.
Screening of Applications Begins: Applications will be accepted until March 17, 2021
Equal Employment Opportunity: Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans and actively seeks diversity among its employees.
Background Screening Statement: In connection with your application for employment, Kansas State University will procure a Background Screen on you as part of the process of considering your candidacy as an employee.

Bourbon County, Business

Jayhawk Wind Sold to WEC Energy Group

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Apex Sells Jayhawk Wind, with Facebook PPA, to WEC Energy Group and Invenergy

Contact: Cat Strumlauf | Director, Corporate Communications
office: 434-227-4196 | email: [email protected]
 

PPA for Full Capacity Represents Facebook’s Fourth Power Purchase from Apex

 

Apex Clean Energy today announced that WEC Energy Group (NYSE: WEC) and Invenergy purchased the Jayhawk Wind project, including a renewable power purchase agreement with Facebook. The more than 190 MW project, located in Crawford and Bourbon Counties, Kansas, will help support the tech company’s operations in the region.

 

“Establishing and growing strong relationships with the nation’s pre-eminent clean energy investors and power purchasers is fundamental to Apex’s core mission and to our ability to bring best-in-class renewable energy assets like Jayhawk Wind to life,” said Mark Goodwin, Apex Clean Energy president and CEO. “Because of these agreements with Facebook—a valued Apex customer—and new partners WEC Energy Group and Invenergy, Jayhawk Wind will advance the new energy economy in Kansas and generate significant long-term economic benefits for the local community.”

 

The deal marks Apex’s fourth renewable transaction with Facebook, following a 61.6 MW PPA with Altavista Solar; a 200 MW PPA with Aviator Wind East, part of the largest single-phase, single-site wind project in the United States; and, most recently, a 175 MW PPA with Lincoln Land Wind in Illinois.

 

“We are excited to help bring this new wind project—our first in Kansas—to the grid in support of our operations in the region,” said Urvi Parekh, head of renewable energy at Facebook. “At Facebook, we are committed to supporting our global operations with 100% renewable energy and helping accelerate the transition to renewable energy around the world.”

 

Jayhawk Wind will help Facebook meet its goal to support its operations in the region with 100% renewable energy and reach net-zero carbon emissions. The tech company stepped in as the project’s offtaker after a previous power purchase agreement was mutually dissolved.

 

The purchase of the Jayhawk Wind project is part of WEC Energy Group’s $16 billion ESG Progress Plan—the largest five-year capital plan in the company’s history.

 

“Our commitment to the Jayhawk project is the next step forward in our comprehensive plan to build a bright, sustainable future, serve strong vibrant customers, and continue to grow earnings from our portfolio of renewable energy assets,” said Gale Klappa, WEC Energy Group executive chairman.

 

The Jayhawk facility, which breaks ground this week and is expected to be operational later this year, will consist of 70 GE wind turbines totaling an installed capacity of more than 190 MW. The project will provide significant economic benefits for the local and state economies—including the creation of more than 115 construction jobs and 7 long-term operations positions—and will generate over $20 million in landowner payments and $27.2 million in tax revenue.

 

 

About Apex Clean Energy
Apex Clean Energy develops, constructs, and operates utility-scale wind and solar power facilities across North America. Our mission-driven team of more than 200 renewable energy experts uses a data-focused approach and an unrivaled portfolio of projects to create solutions for the world’s most innovative and forward-thinking customers. For more information on how Apex is leading the transition to a clean energy future, visit apexcleanenergy.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.About WEC Energy Group
WEC Energy Group (NYSE: WEC), based in Milwaukee, is one of the nation’s premier energy companies, serving 4.6 million customers in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota.The company’s principal utilities are We Energies, Wisconsin Public Service, Peoples Gas, North Shore Gas, Michigan Gas Utilities, Minnesota Energy Resources and Upper Michigan Energy Resources. Another major subsidiary, We Power, designs, builds and owns electric generating plants. In addition, WEC Infrastructure LLC owns a growing fleet of renewable generation facilities in the Midwest.

WEC Energy Group is a Fortune 500 company and a component of the S&P 500. The company has approximately 42,000 stockholders of record, 7,300 employees and $37 billion of assets.

 

Bourbon County Local News