Entertainment, Fort Scott

FS Public Library Opening June 1

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Fort Scott Public Library will be opening to the public on June 1st. Our hours will be 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturdays.

Masks are not required, but patrons are encouraged to follow the current CDC recommendations. We will have hand sanitizer and a supply of disposable masks available for those who need them.

Patrons are asked to limit browsing the stacks to thirty minutes. Newspapers and magazines may be checked out for reading at home. We will not have a seating area for reading in the library.

We will continue to have our “curbside” service for those who prefer it.

We realize this service has been popular, as we’ve had 3,730 scheduled pickups of over 13,000 materials. We are renaming it NextDayGrab&Go. If you wish to use this service, place holds on items or let us know what items you need, then arrange with library staff as to what date and time you plan to come pick up your items. We will have them checked out and ready for you to pick up at the downstairs circulation desk. Just tell us your account number when you come in. If you prefer, we can place them in the entryway where we’ve been placing items for patrons to pick up.

Also we will still have our themed book bags available to check out. These include 10 books on a topic either for kids Birth – 1st Grade or for kids 2nd – 5th Grades.

We keep a list at the circulation desks of the topics currently available. You can arrange to check out book bags when you’re here to browse the stacks by letting us know a day ahead of time, or you can schedule NextDayGrab&Go, and we’ll have the book bags ready for you to pick up. The books need to be returned. The bag, and any goodies in it, are for the child to keep.

For a few weeks, we will still be calling everyone with holds available to check out at the library. Unless you tell us otherwise, we will assume you are coming in person to check out items, and they will be located at the upstairs circulation desk. If you haven’t already set your account to receive email or text notifications about holds, staff can assist you. Sadly, T-Mobile and Sprint cannot send library text notifications, so you’ll need to arrange for notifications by email if you have those providers. We will continue to call anyone who doesn’t set their account to receive emails or texts, so don’t worry if you prefer to hear our voices.

Items can be returned in the book drop or inside the library at either circulation desk. If you have items that belong to Fort Scott Public Library that have already been processed as unreturned and are still in good condition, you can return them until June 30th , and we will remove the charges from your account. If you have items that belong to other libraries that have already been processed as unreturned, we have already paid the owning library for the items, and your account won’t be reinstated until you reimburse Fort Scott Public Library.

We have set up several temporary stations downstairs for wifi use in the library. These stations and the public computers are limited to one hour’s use per day. We will be adding software soon that will make it easier for patrons to remember if they’ve already used the library computers by logging in with their library cards.

Our public restrooms and drinking fountain are available for use. We still are not accepting donations of any materials. Weather permitting, we will continue to place free books on the north lawn.

Library programming continues to be virtual. Follow us on Facebook or check our website fortscott.mykansaslibrary.org to see our program schedule. We are beginning some new programming on the library’s Discord Server, including coloring for all ages, online jigsaw puzzles, and many teen programs. You can sign up for our Discord Server through our Facebook or website.

Coming soon, we will have wifi hotspots for patrons to check out. These devices will allow you to connect devices to wifi from home or anywhere that can find a cell tower.

The library will close at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 4th and will be closed on Saturday, June 5th for Good Ol’ Days.

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Evergy: Renewable Energy Goal

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Evergy Files Kansas Integrated Resource Plan

Inaugural Kansas filing mirrors Missouri as energy company
moves toward goal of net-zero carbon emissions.

KANSAS CITY, Mo., May 28, 2021 – Today, Evergy filed its first Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) with the Kansas Corporation Commission. The plan prioritizes sustainability, reliability and cost competitiveness with retirement of 1,200 megawatts of coal-based fossil generation and the addition of 3,200 MW of renewable generation in the next 10 years.

 

“We’re on a journey to a cleaner energy future, while balancing the highest priorities of reliability and affordability for our customers,” said David Campbell, president and chief executive officer. “Our coal-fired fossil plants are now more flexible than ever and frequently operate as a backup to renewable generation sources. This flexibility allows us to adapt to real-time needs – running fossil plants more when renewable availability is low or customer demand is high. This measured transition toward more sustainable resource options maintains the reliability our customers need.”

 

The filing includes the same forecasted generation additions and retirements announced in April when Evergy filed its IRP with the Missouri Public Service Commission. The transition toward more sustainable energy sources advances Evergy’s goal to reduce carbon emissions 70 percent by 2030 (relative to 2005 levels) and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2045, assuming technology, regulatory, and legislative enablers have advanced to facilitate this goal. Within the next three years, the company will retire its Lawrence (KS) Energy Center and add 700 MW of solar energy.

 

Continuing recent trends, Evergy expects its coal plants will run fewer hours as their energy is increasingly displaced by lower cost renewable resources. At the same time, the reliability challenges driven by the extreme weather of February 2021 demonstrated the value of dispatchable generation with fuel on the ground. The phased transition approach in the IRP provides Evergy the ability to adjust planned additions and retirements based on evolving market, technology, and policy dynamics. As the company’s older fossil-fueled plants near the end of their useful lives, Evergy will continue to responsibly manage these assets for the benefit of customers while allowing advancing and emerging technology to develop. Evergy will also continue its focus on people, offering opportunities for employees at retiring generation facilities to learn new skills and fill different roles at the company.

 

Today’s IRP is a triennial filing that establishes a clear implementation plan through the next triennial filing in 2024 and describes expectations for meeting longer-term customer energy needs through 2040. The Plan was developed through an extensive regulatory stakeholder process to meet the diverse needs of the company’s customers and communities. The IRP is central to Evergy’s Sustainability Transformation Plan (STP), the company’s strategic plan guiding decisions through 2024, and continues the company’s transition toward a more sustainable energy company. Click here to read Evergy’s 2021 IRP Overview and here to learn more about Evergy’s energy mix.

 

 

 

About Evergy, Inc.

Evergy, Inc. (NYSE: EVRG) serves approximately 1.6 million customers in Kansas and Missouri. We generate nearly half the power we provide to homes and businesses with emission-free sources. We support our local communities where we live and work and strive to meet the needs of customers through energy savings and innovative solutions.

Continue reading Evergy: Renewable Energy Goal →

Health Care, Kansas

Youth Suicide Prevention Art Contest

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TOPEKA – The Kansas Partners in Empowering Youth for Suicide Prevention believes that every young person deserves to be safe from suicide and that the best way to reach youth in Kansas is to provide opportunities for them to reach out to their peers, thus the Youth Suicide Prevention Art Contest was created. The contest, which ended April 5, 2021, was open to Kansas youth in grades 6 through 12 and 28 youth from across the state dedicated their time and talents to developing messages to reach other youth with their submissions.

“We are pleased with the incredible quality of submissions for the contest. Every person who entered clearly put great thought and effort into their submission,” Steve Devore, President/CEO of Kansas Suicide Prevention HQ said. “We look forward to sharing them across the state to raise awareness of the possibility of hope and healing while working to provide enough support to Kansas youth so that no one ever walks alone in crisis. We anticipate all entries will resonate with youth but there were top prizes awarded for the three grade categories by youth judges.”

To view submissions to the Youth Suicide Prevention Art Contest, visit the online gallery at www.ksphq.org/artcontestgallery/.

The agencies involved in the Kansas Partners in Empowering Youth for Suicide Prevention include the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, the Kansas Department for Children and Families, Kansas State Department of Education and the Kansas Attorney General’s Office, in collaboration with the Kansas Suicide Prevention Resource Center.

There is something each of us can do, follow these tips to help prevent youth suicide.

If I am a teen, I can…

  • Encourage friends that getting help for life’s ups and downs is okay.
  • Share stories about times getting help has worked.
  • Talk to my doctor during my annual well visit.
  • Break the stigma by encouraging discussion of mental wellness.
  • Be an example of kindness and connection to those around me.

If I am a parent, I can…

  • Be willing to listen without judgement.
  • Be the one to help my child seek mental and physical care when needed.
  • Store my firearms and prescription/over-the-counter medications safely at home to reduce the likelihood they will be used in a suicide crisis.

If I am a school employee, I can…

  • Be willing to listen without judgement.
  • Download the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale screener tool and champion protocol changes for successful implementation within my school or district.
  • Recognize social emotional learning initiatives that focus on building social skills especially problem-solving skills are effective upstream efforts to reduce suicide and other risky behaviors in students.
  • Implement evidence-based screening for depression and suicide for the entire student body.

If I am a community member, I can…

  • Be willing to listen without judgement.
  • Make resources for safe storage or disposal of means for suicide available (e.g. trigger locks, prescription take back initiatives).
  • Enroll in training like Mental Health First Aid or Applied Suicide Intervention Skills.
  • Participate in training like (ASIST) or Question. Persuade. Refer (QPR) to be able to better identify when youth are struggling with thoughts of suicide.
  • Practice good self-care; share my coping mechanisms with those around me, tell stories of seeking help and gaining recovery.

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please text KANSAS to 741741 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Kansas

Child Abuse Prevention Training Offered

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Kansas Children’s Service League has several child abuse prevention training topics scheduled. These trainings are free and open for anyone to attend.

For a current schedule and descriptions, and to register, please find the listing at https://www.kcsl.org/training_events.aspx.

 

Upcoming Trainings (just a few of the available offerings… see the link above for a full listing for trainings through July):

 

  • Darkness to Light Stewards of Children (child sexual abuse prevention training)

 

 

  • Preventing Infant Abuse with the Period of PURPLE Crying (recommended for anyone working with parents with a new baby)

 

  • Child Abuse and Neglect Recognition and Reporting (Mandated Reporter Training)

 

 

 

These trainings are all KDHE approved for child care licensing hours, and all participants will receive certificates of attendance. Please email Rachelle Soden at [email protected] with any questions, or to schedule a training for your specific group/date/time.

Government, Kansas

Grant To Reduce Substance Abuse Available

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TOPEKA — The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) announces a grant funding opportunity for communities through a request for application (RFA) process for the Kansas Prevention Collaborative-Community Initiative (KPCCI) to reduce and prevent substance abuse in identified communities and enrich prevention efforts across the state through the implementation and sustainability of effective, culturally competent prevention strategies.

Grantees will use these funds to create a comprehensive, community-based strategic plan to address the problems of underage drinking, youth marijuana use, or ATOD (Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs), shared risk and protective factors, and produce sustainable systems change in their communities. Communities will utilize the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) model designed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to assess their local needs, build capacity and create an implementation plan.

“Community-driven grants are an important piece of our statewide prevention system,” said KDADS Secretary Laura Howard. “KDADS’ Behavioral Health Services Commission works directly with community partners who apply for and receive these funds to provide essential training and support. We encourage communities to apply for this grant opportunity and become part of the statewide team working to prevent substance use in Kansas.”

The KPCCI grant is funded by SAMHSA “to prevent and reduce substance abuse in identified communities and enrich prevention efforts across the state through the implementation and sustainability of effective, culturally competent prevention strategies. Through the advancement of technological supports, learning processes, technical assistance, direct consultation and other resources, grantees will be supported through each of the five steps of the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF).”

The RFA is directed at newly established coalitions in existence for the past six months ready to incorporate the SPF’s sustainable guidance and evidence-based strategies:

  • The planning phase: determining what works to address prevention needs and how to do it well based on data;
  • The implementation phase: delivering evidence-based intervention as intended, supported by KDADS and its partners in the Kansas Prevention Collaborative (KPC).

Communities ready to start the process or who have already started the planning stage and are ready to progress to the implementation phase are eligible to apply for funding. KDADS strongly encourages those eligible to apply.

“The KDADS prevention team continues to support positive community outcomes with this grant. For many years the communities involved in this meaningful work have played a pivotal role in the state’s prevention efforts,” said KDADS Children’s Services Director Gary Henault. “Our grantees and community partners committed to serving others continue to have a positive impact on the communities they serve.”

About the Kansas Prevention Collaborative:

The Kansas Prevention Collaborative was created in 2015 to integrate and innovate behavioral health prevention efforts. A partnership of several different state, educational and provider agencies, the KPC’s goal is to expand prevention efforts to be more inclusive of mental health promotion, suicide prevention and problem gambling education and awareness, as well as to increase the availability of resources to adequately fund local-level prevention and promotion strategic plans. For more information, see https://www.kdads.ks.gov/commissions/behavioral-health/kpc.

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda For June 1

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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: June 1, 2021 

1st District-Lynne Oharah                                                                Minutes: Approved: _______________ 

2nd District–Jim Harris                                                                      Corrected: _______________________ 

3rd District-Clifton Beth                                                                              Adjourned at: _______________ 

County Clerk-Kendell Mason 

 

 

MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM. 

 

 

Call to Order 

 

  • Flag Salute 
  • Approval of Minutes from previous meeting 
  • Eric Bailey – Road and Bridge Report 
  • SEK Multi-County Health Dept – 2022 Budget Request 
  • Kendall Mason – Clerk/Election – 2022 Budget Request 
  • Elected Officials Comment 
  • County Counselor Comment 
  • Susan Bancroft, Finance Director 
  • Public 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 me

Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening in Fort Scott! May 28th Weekly Newsletter

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2021
Merchant Madness
Sidewalk Sale! Friday, May 28th &
Saturday, May 29th
UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS
________________
5/27 & 5/28 – 6A State Baseball Tournament @ LaRoche Baseball Complex, click here for bracket.
5/28 thru 5/31- Fort Scott National Historic Site Honor the Fallen, Memorial Weekend “Symbols of Sacrifice”, Click here to join the FSHS in placing the flags for the Field of Honor Friday morning at 9 am & learn more about this event.
5/28 – WW II Sailor Returns Home, William Barnett. Graveside service at 1:30 p.m. open to the community & visitors, park outside the National Cemetary gates and walk/be escorted to service.
5/28 – Museum of Creativity Open Play Session Click hereto view all the crafts, games, exhibits we will be having from 10 am -2 pm & 4 ~ 8 pm. 209.275.2372
5/28 & 5/29 2021 Merchant Madness Sidewalk Sales Downtown & around Fort Scott!. Clickhere to see all the participating retailers. Two or more stores will also be doing an in-store drawing for a special gift.
5/28 & 5/29 Trolley Tours depart from The Fort Scott Chamber, 231 E. Wall St. 50-minute narrated tour of Historic Fort Scott, leaving from the Chamber & Visitor Center Fridays (11 am, 12 pm 1 pm and 2 pm) & Saturdays (10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm) throughout the summer. $6 adults, $4 children.
5/28 & 5/29 FSHS Tiger Drama Camp Performs “The Legend of Mulan” Friday at 7 pm, and again on Sat. at 2 pm. Click Here to read the full details of showtimes, location, and fees.
5/28 – 7 pm Friday Night Concerts at Heritage Park Pavilion ~ Rick Hite on the Guitar & Vocalist. Click here to see more details on this event.
5/28 & 5/29- Livestock Sale at the Fort Scott Livestock Market, both Friday & Saturday, click here for their FB page
5/28 – Friday Night Karaoke at The Boiler Room! 7 PM. The Boiler Room Brewhaus.2 S. National Ave.
5/28 | 6/3 – Fort Scott Cinema Showtimes
Now showing: A Quite Place2, Cruella & Those Who Wish Me Dead. Click here to view showtimes.
5/29 – Farmers’ Market, 8 am to noon, Skubitz Plaza in front of the Fort.
5/29 thru 5/30 – Dave Regan Memorial 14 U Baseball Tournament @ LaRoche Baseball Complex. So, give a welcome to baseball players & families! Click here for 14U bracket.
5/29 – Woodland Hills Memorial Weekend, 4-Person Scramble. See the full schedule here.
5/29 – Kansas Rocks Recreation Park Memorial day all weekend! Visit www.ksrockspark.com for more info.
5/31 – American Legion Post 25 Memorial Day Services. Click here for the event schedule.
5/31 – Memorial Day @ 4 pm at The Fort Scott National Historic Site. Patriotic music by Pat & Steve Harry, followed by the final flag retreat for the weekend.
Looking Forward to a week of upcoming events!
6/2 – Chamber After Hours Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting to Celebrate Lyons Realty Group at 5:15 pm. Everyone welcome! Clickherefor details of this event.
6/3 – Chamber Coffee hosted by Good Ol’ Days Committee at 8 am, Skubitz Plaza.
6/3 thru 6/6 – Midwest Showcase Tournament I @ LaRoche Baseball Complex. Clickhere to see more details about this event.
6/4 – Extrusions/Win-Vent Customer/Employee Appreciation Golf Outing @ Woodland Hills Golf Course. See the full schedule here.
6/3 – Good Ol’ Days Talent Show |6 pm at Memorial Hall. Tickets $6. Purchase at the door or in advance at The Fort Scott Chamber.
6/4 – Good Ol’ Days Chicken Dinner |4:30~6 pm. Tickets $8 at The Fort Scott Chamber.
6/4 – Good Ol’ Days Parade celebrating 40 Years of Family, Friends & Fun @ 6 pm. The deadline to register (free) in Parade is 6/3 at 1 pm. Click here to apply online or forms are available at The Fort Scott Chamber.
6/4 & 6/5 – Good Ol’Days Parade celebrating 40 Years of Family, Friends & Fun! Click here to see details on vendors and festivities.
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!
…

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Fort Scott, Schools, Sports

Tiger Track Team Send Off Today at 1 p.m.

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FSHS Tiger Track
Sendoff to State!
Join along the route!
Wave & cheer to the qualifiers!
See information below.
Sendoff Details
TODAY
Thursday, May 27th, 1pm
Celebrate the successful season and wish the
Tiger Track team good luck at the State Meet!
FSPD and the Fire Dept. will lead,
leaving the High School at 1pm.
Line National Ave. from 7th Street
going north to the end of National.
Go Tigers!
Ella Beth in the 800 (middle)
Kenzi Hardesty in the 1600 (left)
Kenzi and Mesa Casper (right) in the 3200.
4×100 Relay team Nate Adams, Donald Harper, Scott Tome, and Jamar Franks
Noah Martin, Disk Thrower
Bobby Kemmerer, High Jump – Missing pic of Chase Hyer, also High Jump

Bourbon County Local News