Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda For Oct. 5

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

 

Date: October 5, 2021

1st District-Lynne Oharah                                                                Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jim Harris                                                                      Corrected: _______________________

3rd District-Clifton Beth                                                                              Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Ashley Shelton

 

   

MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM

 

Call to Order

 

    • Flag Salute
    • Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
    • Eric Bailey – Road and Bridge Report
    • Open Property, Liability and Work Company Insurance Bids
    • KCAMP – Insurance Proposal
    • Will Wallas – EMPG Grant
    • Anne Dare – Audit
    • Lora Holdridge – Road Closing State of Kansas
    • Approval of District Court Budget for submission to State
    • County Counselor Comment
    • Susan Bancroft, Finance Director Comment
    • Public Comment
    • Elected Officials Comment
  • Commission Comment

Justifications for Executive Session:

          KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy

          KSA 75-4319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

          KSA 75-4319(b)(3) To discuss matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency

          KSA 75-4319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships

          KSA 75-4319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property

          KSA 75-4319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.

Government, Kansas

KS Tax Receipts Grows

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Governor Laura Kelly Announces Kansas’ September Tax Receipts

~ Kansas’ Total Tax Collections Grow $147.6 Million Compared to Same Time Last Year~

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced Kansas’ September total tax receipts were $876.5 million. Those collections are $162.2 million, or 22.7% more than the estimate and a growth of 20.2%, or $147.6 million, from last September.

“Our tax collection numbers continue to show promising growth,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “In the months ahead, we must maintain fiscally-responsible policies to strengthen our growing economy.”

Individual income tax collections were up $51.8 million, or 14.6%, for the month with $406.8 million collected. That is $48.2 million, or 13.4%, more than the same month of 2020. September corporate income tax receipts, which are comprised primarily of estimated tax payments, have continued to trend upward. Corporate income tax collections were $85.3 million, or 142.1%, more than the estimate with $145.3 million collected. That is a growth of $55.6 million, or 62.0%, from the same month of last year. September 2021 corporate income tax collections were also 46.8% more than September 2019 actual receipts.

“After three quarters, these higher-than-expected estimated payments are a strong indication that corporations anticipate improved profit margins in 2021,” Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart said.

Retail sales tax collections were $225.2 million which is $15.2 million, or 7.2%, more than the estimate. Those collections are 15.1%, or $29.6 million, more than last September. Compensating use tax collections were $60.7 million which is $6.7 million, or 12.5%, more than the estimate. That is also $15.1 million, or 33.2%, more than September 2020.

To view the entire report, click here.

Government, Kansas

KS Half-Staff Flags Honors Fallen Firefighters

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Governor Laura Kelly Directs Flags be Flown at Half-staff to Honor National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day

TOPEKA – In accordance with Executive Order 20-30, and in recognition of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day on Sunday, October 3, 2021, Governor Laura Kelly has ordered flags throughout the State of Kansas to be flown at half-staff from sunup to sundown on October 3.

“This year, we lost three brave firefighters dedicated to protecting their communities from harm,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “On National Fallen Firefighters Memorial day, it is our responsibility to remember their lives and sacrifice and pay our respects to their families and loved ones.”

The honor is extended for all fallen firefighters – including firefighter Johnny Ivison Jr. of Easton, Kansas, who died in November 2020 responding to a house fire in Leavenworth County; Joshua Schwindt, who passed away in August 2021 after being electrocuted while responding to the scene of an accident; and Michael Baker, the Assistant Fire Chief in the 190th Air Refueling Wing in the Air National Guard, who died in September 2021 from complications caused by COVID-19.

“Johnny Ivison Jr., Joshua Schwindt, and Michael Baker paid the ultimate price in service to their communities. They will not be forgotten,” said Governor Laura Kelly.

To receive email alerts when the governor orders flags to half-staff, please visit: https://governor.kansas.gov/newsroom/kansas-flag-honor.

Obituary

Obituary of Olys William Lawrence

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Olys William “Bill” Lawrence, age 92, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Thursday, September 30, 2021, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas.

He was born February 11, 1929, in Picher, Oklahoma, the son of Eulys Lawrence and Annie May Simmons Lawrence.

Bill later moved to the Ft. Scott area where he was employed by the Western and later American States Insurance Company.  He worked in the printing department and later in the computer department.

Following retirement from American States, Bill worked part-time for Cheney Witt Chapel for many years.

He enjoyed reading, walking and playing the piano.

He was a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his daughter, Yvonne Jones (Bill) of Fayetteville, Arkansas, his daughter-in-law, Brenda Lawrence and two grandsons, Gary Lawrence and Keith Lawrence all of Ft. Scott and several great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son, Jack Lawrence and five sisters, Blanch, May, Lena, Vonda and Veta and a special friend, Mary Jo Pellett.

 

Rev. Jim Brackett will conduct funeral services at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, October 5th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the St. John’s United Methodist Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Area News, Bourbon County, Business

Evergy Warns Customers Regarding Recent Utility Scam Attempts

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Imposters asking for immediate payment

KANSAS CITY, Mo., – Oct. 1, 2021 – Evergy has received customer reports today of individuals placing phone calls to customers and claiming to be Evergy representatives. The individuals are asking customers for immediate payment to avoid service disconnection. These representatives are not employees of Evergy. For past-due accounts, calls from Evergy requesting payment are never made the same day as the disconnection.

 

Several customers have contacted us after receiving suspicious calls. In most cases, the caller claims to be an Evergy customer service representative and asks the customer to provide credit card information or other personal information, telling the customer a check has bounced or he or she has a past-due bill. Imposters will often ask customers to use a pre-paid card for payment. Evergy will never ask a customer to purchase a pre-paid debit card to pay for service.

Customers may verify an individual is from Evergy by asking to see company identification or by calling the Customer Contact Center before giving any information such as your Evergy account number or banking information. If you can’t verify that you’re speaking with an Evergy employee, do not give them this information.  Evergy Missouri and Evergy Kansas Metro customers may reach customer service toll-free at 1-888-471-5275. Evergy Kansas Central customers may call 1-800-383-1183. Customers can also review their account status online by visiting www.evergy.com.

 

Evergy wants its customers to know how to identify Evergy representatives. Employees will carry Evergy employee identification. For a service appointment, they may be driving an Evergy vehicle or wearing Evergy branded clothing. Evergy does not perform door-to-door sales. Evergy employees rarely need to enter a customer’s home.

 

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, scammers have increased calls, texts, emails, and in-person tactics and are contacting utility customers asking for immediate payment to avoid service disconnection. As a reminder, Evergy will never ask customers to make payments with a pre-paid debit card, gift card, any form of cryptocurrency, or third-party digital payment mobile applications. If you feel you have been a victim of a scam, please work with your local law enforcement agency to report the crime.

 

Kansas, Schools

Tracking COVID-19 Cases in Kansas School Districts

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Governor Laura Kelly Announces New Dashboard Tracking COVID-19 Cases in Kansas School Districts

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced a new public dashboard tracking rates of COVID-19 disease and vaccinations in Kansas school districts on the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) COVID-19 Resource Center.

“This dashboard will provide transparent, frequently updated information to help local health officials and school districts make informed, data-driven decisions to control the spread of COVID-19 among our students,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “My administration will continue working with our local partners and encouraging vaccinations among all eligible Kansans to beat this virus once and for all.”

This dashboard includes all cases of COVID-19 among school-aged children (ages 5-17 years) during the last 14 days and does not necessarily indicate where a student was exposed or that transmission occurred in the school setting.

The dashboard also tracks the cumulative COVID-19 vaccination rates among school-aged children (ages 5-17) by school district. Cases and vaccinations among school-aged children are aggregated to school district boundaries by the home address of individual cases. The data does not reflect exceptions for students who do not attend their assigned school district.

“Sharing this information in an easy-to-understand format will help parents and families understand the risks for COVID-19 in their own school district, empowering them to make the best choices to keep their kids safe in school by wearing a mask, getting tested regularly, and getting vaccinated if eligible,” said Dr. Stephanie Kuhlmann, the Safer Classrooms Workgroup co-chair.

“With so much misinformation being shared about COVID-19, this school dashboard provides a simple tool to help school districts keep track of what is happening locally and across the state,” said Dr. Jennifer Bacani-McKenney, co-chair of the Safer Classrooms Workgroup. “We will continue supporting our teachers and School Boards by providing timely, fact-based data so they can set strong policies to protect their kids, teachers, and staff.”

Data will be updated on the dashboard every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Data displayed represents the last 14 days.

To view the new dashboard, please click here.

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Dan the Junk Man Will Haul Off Your Junk

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An entrepreneur is seen as a source of a new service. One who sees a community need and works to satisfy that need.

Dan Turney is one of those people.

He started his business, Dan the Junk Man, this week and so far word of mouth publicity have kept him busy he said.

Turney saw the old washing machines or other discarded machines sitting in yards or on porches in Bourbon County and decided to provide a service to remove the unsightly items, for free.

“I thought I would start a business to help,” Turney said.

After he picks them up, he takes them to a small acreage and sorts through the metal, wires, copper, etc., and takes them to a recycler or the dump when finished, he said.

Things like old dryers, air conditioners, washing machines, rims of old tires, he will pick up for free.

Currently, he has no employees and does all the work himself, he said.

He is retired from the State of Indiana Highway Department and is currently living with relatives on a small acreage near Fort Scott, he said.

 

Turney can be reached at 620.215.3543.

 

Government, Kansas

KDOT Receives National Recognition

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Governor Laura Kelly Congratulates KDOT for Receiving National Recognition

~Turner Diagonal Project named Top 12 finalist in the 2021 America’s Transportation Awards competition~

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly congratulated the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) for receiving national recognition for the Turner Diagonal project in Wyandotte County. The Turner Diagonal project was recently named a Top 12 finalist in the 2021 America’s Transportation Awards (ATA) competition.

“Congratulations to everyone at KDOT for receiving this well-deserved recognition for the Turner Diagonal project,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “Since day one, my administration has used transportation dollars for what they are meant for – improving our roads, bridges, and highways to create jobs, grow our economy, and improve quality of life for all Kansans. This recognition is proof that our efforts are working.”

The $30.3 million Turner Diagonal project in Kansas City reconfigured the interchange on I-70, allowing the release of nearly 50 acres of right-of-way and opened 300 acres of land for economic development and job creation. Using alternative delivery methods, the project was completed ahead of schedule, opening in less than a year from ground-breaking.

“From the start, the Turner Diagonal project embodied so much of our new IKE transportation program, building on the foundational elements of partnerships, options and problem solving,” said Kansas Department of Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz. “With this project, we have delivered with public sector principles and private sector urgency.”

The Turner Diagonal project made use of public funds from the Unified Government of Wyandotte County, KDOT and a USDOT Build grant, as well as private-sector support. The Kansas Turnpike Authority donated right of way. Completing the project 20 months faster than traditional delivery months helped create 2,000 new jobs at Turner Logistics Park. Truck staging areas improved truck travel times in the area. Pedestrian paths and sidewalks provided a more sustainable, usable community asset.

The finalists – whittled down from 80 nominees from 35 state DOTs – now compete for the ATA Grand Prize and for the People’s Choice Award. Both prizes come with a $10,000 cash award, for a charity or transportation-related scholarship of the winners’ choosing.

The ATA People’s Choice award winner is selected through online voting. KDOT and Governor Kelly are encouraging Kansans to show their support by voting once a day for the Turner Diagonal project here. Voting is underway and continues until Oct. 25. Transportation industry experts will select the Grand Prize winner.

The national ATA winners will be announced at the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) annual meeting at the end of October.

Area News

Want to Restore Natural Gas in Your Home? Special Payment Plan Now Available!

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Customers without service can take advantage of special payment plan in October

Overland Park, Kan. – Oct. 1, 2021 – Colder temperatures are on the horizon, and Kansas Gas
Service urges customers with inactive service to sign-up for a special offering. During October,
customers who have exhausted standard payment arrangement opportunities can make a down
payment to restore their service.
“We understand many customers continue to navigate through the challenges of the pandemic,
and we don’t want any of them to go without their natural gas service,” said Abbey Frye, director
of Customer Service for Kansas Gas Service. “By taking advantage of this special offer to
re-establish service now, those customers can also avoid the winter rush that brings longer wait
times.”
How to sign up for the payment plan:
• CALL – Call the Kansas Gas Service Customer Contact Center at 800-794-4780.
• PAY – Pay one-fourth of the total account balance. The company will bill the remaining
balance in six monthly installments.
• SCHEDULE – Schedule service restoration. Customer Service Representatives are
available to assist Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Customers who are experiencing financial hardships may qualify for assistance through several
programs and community agencies. Visit the KansasGasService.com/Cares for energy assistance
resources.

About Kansas Gas Service

Kansas Gas Service provides a reliable and affordable energy choice to more than 640,000 customers in Kansas and
is the largest natural gas distributor in the state, in terms of customers.
Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas Gas Service is a division of ONE Gas, Inc. (NYSE: OGS), a 100-percent
regulated natural gas utility that trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “OGS.” ONE Gas is
included in the S&P MidCap 400 Index and is one of the largest natural gas utilities in the United States.
For more information and the latest news about Kansas Gas Service, visit kansasgasservice.com and follow its social
channels: @KansasGas, Facebook, Nextdoor, LinkedIn and YouTube.
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Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening in Fort Scott Oct. 1

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What’s Happening in Fort Scott!
October 1st Weekly Newsletter
Join us for the 65th Anniversary
Pioneer Harvest Fiesta
UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS
________________
TROLLEY TOURS!
Every Friday & Saturday!
50-minute narrated Trolley Tour
of Historic Fort Scott. Every hour on the hour. Departs from the Fort Scott
Chamber at 231 E. Wall St.
Friday hours: 11 am until 3 pm
Saturday hours: 10 am until 3 pm
$6 adults & $4 for 12 yrs. & under
THE FORT SCOTT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE OFFERS DAILY GUIDED TOURS AT 10 AM & 1 PM, 7 DAYS/WEEK – FREE!
10/1 thru 10/3 ~ PIONEER HARVEST FIESTA. Bourbon County Fairgrounds all weekend, click here or see flyer below for info.
10/1 ~ FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT FEATURING Steven Moses AT HERITAGE PARK PAVILION 7-8 PM. Clickherefor info.
10/1 thru 10/7 ~ FORT CINEMA:
Venom there will be Carnage, The Addams Family, Cry Macho. Check out what is coming to theatres, clickhere.
10/1 ~ BOILER ROOM BREWHAUS: Open Mic Night, clickherefor more info.
10/1 ~ FRIDAY EVENING OF FUN AT THE MUSEUM OF CREATIVITY – Open play session and crafts 3:30-7:30 pm, Game Night 8:30-11:30 pm, only $1 admission! Visit and Like their Facebook pagefor more info.
10/2 ~ FSCC MINI CHEER & DANCE CLINIC: Registration 8:30-9am, clinic 9-10am, $20, click here for info.
10/2 ~ CARE TO SHARE/SHARING BUCKET FALL FESTIVAL: 15th Annual and THE LAST ONE! Come out and enjoy! Click here for more information.
10/2 & 10/3 ~ MIDWEST NATIONAL BASEBALL TOURNAMENT AT LAROCHE BASEBALL COMPLEX.
10/2 & 10/3~ FORT SCOTT LIVESTOCK SALE. Click herefor info.
10/2 ~ FARMERS’ MARKET ~ 8 am to noon, Skubitz Plaza in front of the Fort.
10/2 ~ THE BOILER ROOM BREWHAUS PRESENTS “THE PROSPECTORS” LIVE MUSIC ~ Saturday, October 2nd from 7 – 9 pm. NO COVER
10/6 ~ DARE TO DREAM WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP SERIES.Click here for info.
10/6 ~ BIKE NIGHT AT HOLMTOWN PUB. Click herefor more information.
NEXT WEEKEND:
OCTOBER 7th ~ Chamber Coffee, Grand Opening, Ribbon Cutting of the new Learning Tree sign trail hosted by Gordon Parks Museum – will be held at Gunn Park Shelter #1
OCTOBER 7th thru 10th ~ Gordon Parks 17th & 18th Annual Celebration:Click here for the schedule.
OCTOBER 8th ~ Friday Night with Jazz & Violinist “Dominique Hammons” live at the River Room
OCTOBER 8th ~ Friday Night Concert in the Park featuring The Sunflower Prairie Strings:Heritage Park Pavilion, 1st & Main St., bring a lawn- chair from
7-8pm.
OCTOBER 8th ~ CLARK STREET HAUNTED HOUSE BEGINS:See flyer below for dates/times
SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!
Downtown Fort Scott is booming!
Click here for Chamber member
specialty shopping & other retail in
Downtown & other areas of the community.
Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue
Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.
FITNESS FOR EVERYONE IN FS!
Many fitness options are available…
SPIN classesnow offered bySmallville Athletics, every Mon & Wed at 5:15 pm, and Tu & Thurs at 6 pm. $5/class or $50/mo. unlimited.
Total Body Fitness ~ M & W Karen Reinbolt at BRCC@
8:15 am $20/8 week session.
Zumba~ M,W, F @ 6pm Monalynn Decker at BRCC $40 for a 12-week session.
Indoor Fitness/Gyms at
I AM Rehab + Fitness, Smallville Athletics, and Buck Run!
THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER BOOSTER MEMBERS!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
231 E. Wall Street
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
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Fort Scott, Schools

FSHS Homecoming Candidates Announced

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Fort Scott High School Homecoming is scheduled for next Friday, October 8.  The coronation will be at 6:30 p.m. prior to the game against the Chanute Blue Comets.
Candidates are (middle row) Mckinzie Bohrer, Karlie Chipman, Emma Daly, Addisyn Fowler, Lindsay Majors, (back row) Parker Allen, Grant Feagins, Gibson Fess, Elijah Self, and Scott Tome.  Little People are Bishop Glades and Blakely Graham (front row).

Elections, Government, Kansas

Kansas Expands Voter Registration

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Governor Laura Kelly Announces Expanded Voter Registration Opportunities for Kansans

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that, through an agreement between a coalition of civil rights agencies and the State of Kansas, Kansans statewide will now have expanded opportunities to register to vote or update voter registration.

Under the agreement, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Department for Children and Families will expand opportunities for voter registration, in compliance with the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Statewide, the agencies have committed to providing additional resources to help people receiving public benefits who want to register to vote.

“Every lawfully eligible Kansans deserves an equal opportunity to cast his or her ballot in every election,” Governor Kelly said. “By sharing resources and expanding opportunities to get registered to vote, we will encourage more voices to be heard at the polls and more Kansans to exercise this important right.”

Governor Kelly’s office worked closely with Kansas voting rights advocacy non-profit Loud Light, who was represented by think tank Demos, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kansas, and the ACLU’s national Voting Rights Project.

“The most important takeaway is that we’re opening up opportunities to register to vote. Voter participation is always our biggest priority,” said Davis Hammet, Executive Director of Loud Light.

In November 2019 the parties met to discuss deficiencies in state agencies’ compliance under the NVRA. The NRVA, passed in 1993, set certain requirements for state agencies providing public assistance benefits regarding voter registration assistance. Although KDHE and KDCF may have been in compliance previously, previous administrations allowed the agencies to abandon the obligations under this law, according to the coalition.

The written agreements between the State and the advocacy groups successfully allowed the parties to avoid litigation. The agreements establish milestones to get the state back in compliance.

Requirements include:

  • Updating the agencies’ policies,
  • Incorporating voter registration information into benefits material,
  • And providing registration information and applications at agency offices and on the agencies’ websites and online application portals.

The effects of this agreement have already started, with KDCF and KDHE sending over 277,000 voter registrations through remedial mailings prior to the November 2020 general election.

“It’s unfortunate and, frankly, unacceptable that Kansas fell out of compliance previously, but we appreciate the current leadership’s cooperation to remedy our concerns and take concrete steps towards fulfilling their obligations to help Kansans register to vote,” says Sharon Brett, Legal Director for the ACLU of Kansas.

The agreement’s provisions will be in effect until June 30, 2025, although the state will still be expected to comply with NVRA regulations afterwards.

“This agreement to bring the state of Kansas back into compliance with the National Voter Registration Act is a win for the residents of Kansas, who will now have more access to voter registration and greater opportunity to vote and enjoy full participation in the democratic process,” said Brenda Wright, Interim Director of Legal Strategies at Demos. “We will continue to work with the state to maintain a seamless registration process for its residents.”

Bourbon County Local News