Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Government, Kansas

Day on the Hill Feb. 4

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2020 SEK Day on the Hill
Join us for breakfast and networking with Chambers across SEK, State Legislators, SEK Businesses, and State Officials
2020 SEK Day on the Hill is coming!
All are welcome!
Click here to RSVP to the
Fort Scott Area Chamber.
Breakfast with Legislators
Tuesday, February 4th, 7:30-9:30am
Celtic Fox restaurant
118 SW 8th Ave., #202
Topeka, Kansas
$10 Chamber Members, $15 Others
Network with Chambers across SEK,
State Legislators, SEK Businesses,
and State Officials.
Learn about SEK legislative priorities,
hear from several of our area Legislators
and State Officials on what to expect this Legislative Session.
If you have any current legislative issues you would like to be considered for
addressing at SEK Day on the Hill
please click here to email the Chamber.
Guests can expect to hear from
Lt. Governor Lynn Rogers,
Secretary of Transportation Julie Lorenz, and Secretary of Commerce David Toland.
Afterward, you are welcome to cross the street to the Capitol to meet individually with legislators, attend the House and Senate Chamber sessions, or attend a Committee meeting. The goal of SEK Inc. and the Chambers of SEK is to ensure that our region
has a strong unified voice in Topeka!
Those attending from SEK usually also gather
the evening before for networking and dinner. If you do RSVP for SEK Day on the Hill,
the Chamber will update you on plans for Monday evening.
For more information, contact the
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566 or by email.
Government, Kansas

Kansas Has Potential Exposure to Chinese Virus

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Message from KDHE Secretary Lee Norman, MD

January 28, 2020

 

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), in conjunction with our community health partners, is investigating a Person Under Investigation for potential exposure to the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in a Douglas County Kansas resident. Specimens will be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for testing today and KDHE expects to receive results later this week.

 

The patient is not severely ill and is currently in isolation at a hospital as a precaution. The patient returned to the U.S. within the last two weeks after traveling from Wuhan City, China, where an outbreak of 2019-nCoV has been underway since December 2019. The patient became symptomatic in recent days and sought healthcare Monday.

 

While we have not confirmed this as a case of the 2019 novel coronavirus, we believe it is important to keep the public informed and educated on this new virus. Please know that there are a number of details we are unable to share to keep this individual’s privacy.

 

KDHE is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), LMH Health and the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department to identify and contact all of those who may have come into contact with the individual so that we can begin monitoring them for fever and respiratory symptoms, should this be a confirmed case.

 

The 2019 novel coronavirus spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms are thought to appear within two to 14 days after exposure and consist of fever, cough, runny nose and difficulty breathing. Those considered at risk for contracting the virus are individuals with travel to Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, or individuals in close contact with a person infected with the 2019 novel coronavirus.

We are also advising residents that flu and other respiratory diseases are circulating in our state and are recommending everyone get a flu shot and follow basic prevention guidelines.

Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and staying home when sick.

 

The best ways to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses are to:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then immediately throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

If you have recently traveled to Wuhan, China and have developed fever with respiratory symptoms within 14 days of your travel or have had contact with someone who is suspected to have 2019 Novel Coronavirus, stay home and call your healthcare provider. You may also call the KDHE Epidemiology Hotline at 1-877-427-7317 if you believe you may have been affected.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott Community College

Black History Month Lunch and Learn Feb. 5

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The Gordon Parks Museum will celebrate Black History Month on Wednesday, February 5th at 11:00 a.m. with a “Lunch and Learn” presentation.

Guest speaker will be Frank Clay, Jr., author and a member of The National Speaker’s Association. The presentation titled “Find the Right Weapons and Success is Yours” will be held in the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and participants are encouraged to bring their lunch and drinks with them. Some dessert will be provided.

“Find the Right Weapons and Success is Yours” is a presentation reflecting on lessons learned from Gordon Parks and how Gordon chose the right weapons to bring about change in his life and the world.

Clay will also speak on how Gordon’s book The Choice of Weapons, helped to inspire others such as Frank to find the right weapons in life.

Frank Clay, Jr. is also a U.S. Army Veteran, business coach, entrepreneur, and the founder and principal of 2020 Solutions Inc. He is also a speaker and executive coach who holds a bachelor’s in business administration and a master’s in business management.

 

For more information about “Find the Right Weapons and Success is Your” presentation at the Gordon Parks Museum call 223-2700, ext. 5850 or email [email protected].
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Government, Kansas

Gov. Reorganizes Energy Office

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Governor Kelly Announces Reorganization of Energy Office

Division to be moved out of the Kansas Corporation Commission

 

Governor Laura Kelly today announced her intent to submit an executive reorganization order (ERO) to the Kansas Legislature, moving the Energy Office out of the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) and into a separate, independent entity. This reorganization will preserve the Energy Office’s existing programs in the KCC, while expanding its scope to include energy planning, policy development and stakeholder outreach.

 

“The first step toward a comprehensive state energy plan is building an infrastructure for energy policy discussions. That means building an independent Energy Office that is focused on implementing an inclusive, data-driven vision for the energy future of our State,” Kelly said. “I am excited to announce this important step in building an energy market that is affordable, efficient and meets the needs of our businesses and communities.”

 

Governor Kelly is committed to unlocking the potential of Kansas’ diverse energy landscape. This reorganization order will build on Kansas’ nation-leading successes in renewable energy development and energy efficiency, while charting the path for a sustainable and balanced energy future.

 

Governor Kelly’s office will release more details on the Energy Office in the coming months.

 

Governor Kelly will submit the ERO to the Legislature within the first 30 days of session. The ERO will become effective on July 1, following its transmittal to the Legislature, unless either the Senate or the House take action on the ERO within 60 calendar days of submission.

 

Government, Kansas

Newsletter of Senator Richard Hilderbrand

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January 24, 2020 ∙ Week Two
HARD FACTS
Value Them Both suggested language:
·      The Value Them Both Constitutional Amendment was introduced by a coalition of several pro-life organizations including the Family Policy Alliance of Kansas, the Kansas Catholic Conference, Concerned Women for America of Kansas and Kansans for Life.
·      Value Them Both was crafted to restore to the people of Kansas, through their elected officials, the ability to halt what could soon be an unlimited abortion industry.
·      Value Them Both lets the people regulate abortion through their elected officials. It is not a ban.
·      Because of a 2019 Kansas Supreme Court ruling, broadly supported regulations like late-term abortion and taxpayer funded abortion, parental notification requirements and clinic safety standards could be struck down.
·      Unlimited and unregulated abortion hurt women and babies.
·      Value Them Both respects laws already adopted by Kansans such as a ban on late-term dismemberment abortions and informed consent. Every woman has a right to basic health and safety standards.
Industrial Hemp
·      The state of Kansas issued 213 grower licenses for industrial hemp in growing season 2019. Of those growers, 190 were active growers and actually attempted to grow and harvest hemp.
o  Seed availability, seedling availability, and adverse weather conditions prevented some growers from carrying out their research projects.
·      68 Kansas counties had growers authorized to participate in the research phase of the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s industrial hemp plan.
·      For growing season 2020, the KDA has received 276 grower license applications.
o  Of those applications, 40% came from growers who did not participate in the program last growing season.
Rural Prosperity
·      There are 8 state agencies and 4 federal agencies that deal with housing in Kansas.
·      According to Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers, the nationwide demand for new homes is about 1.5 million per year, yet only about 1.25 million new homes are built each year.
o  This number of new homes being built is substantially smaller in rural areas.
Next week we celebrate Kansas Day. On January 29, 1861, Kansas became the 34th state. Explore the state’s early history with the Kansas History, 1854-1865 database from the State Library, which covers the Territorial period through the Civil War. Find a wide variety of personal narratives, letters, maps, speeches, and photos. Use Browse A-Z to scroll through the topics or click on one of five broad categories for an overview of the early Kansas years. Educators: each of the five categories includes an essay and ends with corresponding primary source documents. View this resource at https://kslib.info/kshistory .
FLOOR ACTION
(SB 45) PASSED THE SENATE (Vote 36-1) January 23, 2020(I voted in favor of this bill): INCREASED PENALTIES FOR SERIOUS OFFENSES TO PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEES:
Senate bill 45 would raise the criminal severity level for involuntary manslaughter to level 2 penalty when the victim is a public safety sector employee. It would also raise the criminal severity level for aggravated battery to a level 3 penalty when the victim is a public safety sector employee. The severity levels were also increased for knowingly and purposefully causing great bodily harm or disfigurement via the following: by driving under the influence, by use of a deadly weapon, or by committing a DUI offense where the bodily harm can result in disfigurement or death.
The bill defines “Public Safety Sector Employee” as any individual employed by or volunteering for any law enforcement office, sheriff’s department, municipal fire department, volunteer and non-volunteer fire protection association, emergency management, EMS, or public works department while engaged in official duties.
KANSAS SUPREME COURT DISMISSES LAWSUIT FILED BY JUDGES
This week the Kansas Supreme Court dismissed the lawsuit over funding and pay raises for the state’s court system filed by six trial-court judges. Here is a link to Chief Justice Marla Luckert’s written decision. (If you can not access the link, copy and paste this address into your browser: http://www.kscourts.org/Kansas-Courts/General-Information/2020-News-Releases/012220b.pdf)
Legislators last year approved a $149 million annual budget for the court system, but the Supreme Court is pushing for an increase of $18 million, or 12%.
Attorney General Derek Schmidt issued a statement to the press saying, “The court should no more decide the size of its own budget than the Legislature should decide the constitutionality of the laws it enacts.”
The district judges named on the lawsuit included Robert Frederick of Finney County in southwest Kansas; Steven Hornbaker of Geary County in northeast Kansas; Michael Powers in Marion County in central Kansas; and Merlin Wheeler of Lyon County in eastern Kansas. Frederick, Powers and Wheeler are the chief administrative judges in their judicial districts. Two other judges involved in the lawsuit were identified only as John Doe #1 and John Doe #2.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO PROTECT LIFE
The Value Them Both Amendment to the Constitution was introduced in both the House and Senate on Thursday, January 16th. Both SCR 1613 and HCR 5019 have been passed out of their respective committees as of January 22nd, Fed and State Affairs in the House and Judiciary in the Senate. Floor debate is set to begin in earnest next week, with both the Senate and House seeking to pass the measure quickly.
Senate testimony in support of the amendment underlined the importance of rolling back a supposed right to abortion and its accompanying strict scrutiny requirement in order to protect reasonable regulation of the abortion industry, especially laws protecting parental consent, clinical cleanliness and licensing standards as well as informed consent for every patient.
Opponents of the amendment essentially argued this amendment was a prelude to a full ban, seeking to incite public outcry because the Amendment does not allow Kansas to over-rule federal law.
Passage of this amendment through the Senate will reinstate the right role of the Legislature to regulate this industry like any other. The Value Them Both Amendment seeks to protect both mother and child and it takes the question of who should represent them back to the people.
RALLY FOR LIFE
This year’s annual Rally for Life came at a perfect time to promote the proposed Value Them Both Constitutional Amendment.  The rally has taken place every year since the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision was made 47 years ago on January 22nd, which granted women the right to an abortion. On Wednesday, pro-life groups made their voices heard in opposition.
It brings together pro-life Kansas lawmakers and groups from across the state to discuss what they can do to impact the current laws on abortion. Representatives Susan Humphries and Susan Concannon took to the podium along with Senate President Susan Wagle who said, “We’re here to protect life at the beginning of life, at the end of life, when life is vulnerable, when a person is disabled. We go out of our way to care for others because they are created in the image of God.”
Jeanne Gawden, from Kansans for Life, read breaking news from President Trump who declared January 22nd ‘National Sanctity of Human Life Day.’
MEDICAID EXPANSION
The Public Health and Welfare Committee began hearing testimony on SB 252. Those in favor of expanding Medicaid argued the bill should pass, as is, without work requirements or conscientious objections provisions. Under the Denning-Kelly plan, Kansans in the coverage gap ages 19-64 who earn up to 138% of the federal poverty level would be eligible for Medicaid, which is now only available to the elderly, children, and those who are disabled and don’t have the option to work.
In his testimony in favor of SB 252, Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning explained the Pathway to Work provision that was also a provision in the draft rs1873 bill presented in the Senate Select Committee on Healthcare Access. The federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) law prohibits any work requirement provisions that can impact enrollment up to 138% of the federal poverty level. That means it is illegal to modify enrollment to exclude any Kansan between the ages of 19-64 with income up to 138% of FPL when expanding Medicaid. It is known that many states are proposing a work requirement, however, right now there is not a single state that has a functioning work requirement for Medicaid eligibility. Either the work requirement has been denied by CMS, struck down by the courts, and/or has been deemed too expensive by states to implement. This is why the Senate Select Committee proposed and believed a pathway to employment was the best approach at this time over a hard count work requirement.
Senator Gene Suellentrop chairs the committee which also heard from the Kansas budget director, Larry Campbell, who testified that the new estimated costs of expansion would be $40.32 million in the first full year of implementation and $37.1 million in the second year. That includes a $35 million cost each year for a newly proposed “reinsurance” program which would subsidize rates in the private health insurance marketplace and add an estimated 120 new employees to The Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Senator Molly Baumgardner questioned the Kansas Hospital Association’s CEO, Tom Bell, about the finances of struggling hospitals which, expansion supporters say, need the influx of state and federal dollars to survive. Baumgardner asked Bell how expansion can help hospitals which only treat one or two patients per day. While Bell admitted he never promised Medicaid expansion alone would save rural hospitals, Senator Baumgardner reminded the group that claim has been a large part of the pro-expansion conversation and was a well-publicized element of Laura Kelly’s gubernatorial campaign.
Testimony continues next week. Chairman Suellentrop said he didn’t know when the committee will take action on the bill but that it will not happen next week.
2019 REPORT ON RURAL PROSPERITY
Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers gave a report to the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on the findings of his Rural Prosperity Listening Tour this week. The tour took the Lt. Governor to 44 towns in 23 counties, where he spoke with Kansans at 16 manufacturers, 12 farms and agricultural facilities, 9 hospitals or healthcare facilities and more than 130 other meetings and events.
Lt. Governor Rogers reported that the newly created Office of Rural Prosperity will begin focusing on three primary areas of improvement based on the findings during the Listening Tour: Housing, Childcare, and Workforce Recruitment, Retention and Education. Other priorities identified by Kansans include removing roadblocks to prosperity such as lack of quality roads and bridges, state rules and regulations, lack of quality, affordable broadband and taxes in general (particularly property taxes).
INDUSTRIAL HEMP REPORT
Jeff Vogel, Kansas Department of Agriculture, briefed the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on the progress being made by farmers and growers in the state who have decided to produce industrial hemp. These growers are allowed to do so through the passage of Senate Substitute for HB2167 during the 2019 legislative session.
Vogel reports that the first year of the industrial hemp program’s research phase was a positive one overall, with 190 active growers in the state, 20 active distributors, 35 active processors, and 9 universities participating in the program. Vogel expects the KDA to have the state’s commercial program rules and regulations prepared for submission to the U.S. Department of Agriculture as early as next week.
Once the rules and regulations are approved by the USDA, the state will begin accepting licensure applications for a commercial industrial hemp program, which means growers could begin planting industrial hemp as early as the 2020 growing season. However, Vogel cautioned that the USDA approval process can often be slow and cumbersome, so growers should not get their hopes up in terms of being able to participate in a commercial program this growing season.
2020 PASSENGER RAIL MEETING
Senator McGinn hosted a packed meeting Wednesday regarding Kansas’s need to invest in passenger rail. The meeting included Kansas legislators, out-of-state officials with interest in rail, an Amtrak official and a Kansas Department of Transportation official.
This is the third meeting Senator McGinn has hosted, and the meetings seem to grow every year. Senator McGinn explained, “People nowadays want to be working on their computers. They want to be doing their business while they’re traveling, so this gives them an opportunity to do that.”
One proposal suggested bringing a passenger rail station to Wichita. Currently, the closest passenger rail station is in Newton. Officials hope to connect two of the Midwest’s largest cities, Wichita and Oklahoma City, by building a new station in Wichita.
When KDOT releases its next ten-year transportation plan, supporters are hoping passenger rail gets a greater focus than in years past.
AT RISK FUNDING REPORT
This week the Senate Education committee heard from Legislative Post Audit regarding the use of at-risk student funding. This hearing drew attention to the fact that the vast majority of “at-risk” funding was used to pay teacher salaries, not on targeted programs that address needs of at-risk populations above and beyond regular classroom learning. It also became apparent that school districts had a somewhat uncritical approach to evaluating the legal requirement that this special funding be funneled into “evidence-based” approaches.
As the Legislature has now met court-mandated levels of funding, the assurances set in place for the effective use of these at-risk funds seems to have failed in their intended purpose. The Education committee plans to continue digging deeper into these new findings.
SUMMARY:
Summary:
Medicaid Expansion and the Value Them Both Amendment should continue to lead the news this week.
Monday, January 27
Ø Hearing: SB258 — Removing the requirement that certain entities submit certain reports to the division of post audit (10:30, Ways and Means, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB244 — Administrative rules and regulations shall sunset five years after adoption unless extension is approved by the legislature (10:30, Ways and Means, 548-S)
Ø Briefing: Kansas Universities and Colleges by the Numbers (1:30, Education, 144-S)
Tuesday, January 28
Ø Hearing continuation: SB252 — Expanding medical assistance eligibility and implementing a health insurance plan reinsurance program (9:30, Public Health and Welfare, 118-N)
Ø Hearing: SB256 — Repealing certain statutes regarding elections that pertain to the presidential preference primary; certain election-related contributions by corporations (9:30, Ethics, Elections and Local Government, 142-S)
Ø Hearing: SB257 — Amending and repealing reapportionment census data laws to conform with 2019 amendments to the Kansas constitution, and to remove certain obsolete provisions (9:30, Ethics, Elections and Local Government, 142-S)
Ø Hearing: SB250 — Amending the definition of “race” in the Kansas act against discrimination to include traits historically associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles (10:30, Federal and State Affairs, 144-S)
Ø Hearing: SB269 — Increasing the mandatory retirement age for judges to 80 years of age (10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: SB126 — Exemption from income tax for certain public utilities (1:30, Utilities, 548-S)
Wednesday, January 29 (Happy Kansas Day!)
Ø Hearing continuation: SB252 — Expanding medical assistance eligibility and implementing a health insurance plan reinsurance program (9:30, Public Health and Welfare, 118-N)
Ø Hearing: SB149 — Facilitating voter registration by providing certificates of birth for applicants to evidence citizenship upon their consent (9:30, Ethics, Elections and Local Government, 142-S)
Ø Hearing: SB283 — Authorizing sports wagering under the Kansas expanded lottery act (10:30, Federal and State Affairs, 144-S)
Thursday, January 30
Ø Hearing continuation: SB252 — Expanding medical assistance eligibility and implementing a health insurance plan reinsurance program (9:30, Public Health and Welfare, 118-N)
Ø Hearing: SB254 — Concerning requirements of publication of certain documents by the secretary of state; relating to session laws, the Kansas register, proposed amendments to the constitution of the state of Kansas, and Kansas administrative rules and regulations and guidance documents (10:30, Federal and State Affairs, 144-S)
Ø Hearing: SB253 — Amending requirements for service of process on nonresident drivers and clarifying service of process on certain business entities (10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: SB293 — Transferring duties concerning registration for charitable organizations and the address confidentiality program (safe at home) from the secretary of state to the attorney general and removing the authority of the secretary of state to prosecute election crimes (10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: SB255 — Appropriations to the University of Kansas Medical Center; creating the Cancer Research and Public Information Trust Fund (10:30, Ways and Means, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SCR1601 — Constitutional amendment eliminating transfers from the state highway fund (10:30, Ways and Means, 548-S)
Friday, January 31 (Pro Forma)
Ø GOP State Convention begins (2 pm, Embassy Suites by Hilton Kansas City Olathe)
Thank You for Engaging
Thank you for all your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. Constituent correspondence helps inform my decision-making process and is taken into great consideration when I cast my vote in the Kansas Senate. I hope you’ll continue to engage with me on the issues that matter most to you, your family, and our community. If you are on Twitter or Facebook, I encourage you to follow along with the #ksleg hashtag for real-time updates on legislative happenings in Topeka.
Please know that I am fully committed to addressing the current issues in our state, and I am proud to be your voice in the Kansas Senate.
Business, Fort Scott

Structure by Margo Coming Soon

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Margo Davis stands in front of the building that is being renovated into a beauty salon for her, named Structure by Margo. The business will tentatively open in late February.
Hairstylist Margo Davis is opening a new salon at 19 S. National in late February.
The storefront and interior of the former Bids and Dibs Consignment Store are being transformed into the salon.
She is renting the building from Amy and Kent Boyd.
Structure By Margo which will offer haircuts, color services, chemical services (including perms/relaxers), waxing, special occasion (updos), shampoos and sets.
“Eventually, a nail tech will be added,” Davis said. “I would also like to have a make-up artist and someone who does lash extensions.”
When the business is up and going there will be five stylists, she said.
Davis is planning to hire students just starting their cosmetology careers, she said.  She has already hired one.
“I want to be a mentor,” Davis said. “There will be a job opportunity for them.”
Davis taught cosmetology classes at Fort Scott Community College from 1989 to 2016.
“The students were my focus,” she said. “I will be a stepping stone to a cosmetologist having their own salon or getting extra training.”
 
To contact Davis, call  316-323-0977 
Hours will be  Monday-Thursday 10 am to 6 pm, Friday 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday 10 am to 2 pm,  and will be closed on Sundays.
“Opening date is estimated to be in four weeks. Currently, the shop is being renovated,” Davis said.
JDQ Construction, Joshua Query, is the contractor for the renovation of 19 S. National. Pictured is the work in progress on Jan. 27.
Davis said  Bourbon County Economic Director Jody Hoenor gave step-by-step guidance during the process of applying for an eCommunity loan to start her business.
“The BEDCO (Bourbon County Economic Development Council) committee gave me the grant to help with my rent while I’m working alone until  I can find more stylists and for whatever I may need in the business,” she said. The City of Fort Scott Economic Director Rachel Pruitt was instrumental in this grant, she said.
“Everybody has been so helpful,” Davis said. She said her husband, Wendall Davis, has been providing additional help to her in the process.
Bourbon County, K-State Extension

New Vegetables and Flowers to Try in 2020

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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

Each year, the All-America Selections (AAS) tests and introduces new flowers and vegetables to home gardeners. These plants have proven themselves to do well in trials across North America. The AAS winner label is like a stamp of approval. This year, there were ten vegetables winners, of which seven were tomatoes, and four flower winners.
The vegetable descriptions were taken from All-America Selections material.
Cucumber Green Light F1 – this is an excellent mini cucumber that can be grown on stakes or poles. It will yield 40 or more spineless fruits per plant. Fun fact: This cucumber is parthenocarpic – meaning the flowers are all females and the fruits are seedless without needing to be pollinated.
Pumpkin Blue Prince F1 – vigorous trailing vines produce 7-9 pound beautiful blue flattened pumpkins with non-stringy, deep orange flesh with savory sweetness. These pumpkins are as pretty as they are delicious. Of all the varieties trialed, Blue Prince was first to flower and fruit which is beneficial for gardeners with a shorter growing season.
Watermelon Mambo F1 – these are perfectly round melons with a beautiful dark green rind and deep red flesh. The sweet crisp flesh is extremely tasty and holds well if you can’t harvest them right away. Each 9” fruit will weigh about 11 pounds at maturity. With a smaller seed cavity, they almost have the look of a seedless melon but with the superior taste of a seeded melon. The judges said this was one of the easiest watermelons they have grown because of high seed germination and vigorously healthy vines.
Coleus Main Street Beale Street – this is the first-ever coleus to be named an AAS winner. This is an outstanding variety that exhibits deep red foliage and holds the color extremely well in the garden. The rich color does not fade, bleach or get spotty as the season moves into late summer. This lush, bushy plant grows uniformly and does not flower until very late in the season. It can be grown in full sun or full shade – making it an ideal foliage for anywhere in the garden.
Echinacea Sombrero Baja Burgundy – this plant will add a bold accent to sunny gardens with its vibrant, deep violet-red blossoms. After being trialed over three tough winters, AAS judges noted this plant for its standout hardiness, sturdy branching, and floriferous blooming habit. Birds and pollinators will certainly flock to this deer-resistant beauty making it a dual purpose plant.
Nasturtium Tip Top Rose – a strong yet compact nasturtium with unique and showy rose-colored flowers. Judges described the color as a “warm, bright rose with less of the black undertones typical in nasturtium flowers.”
Rudbeckia x American Gold Rush – bright, golden-yellow flowered perennial with black centers. This compact, upright domed-shaped beauty has narrow 2-inch wide hairy foliage and
has resistance to Septoria leaf spot. It showed no signs of the fungus even in wet, humid conditions. It is incredibly easy to grow and pollinators love it. It is destined to be the new rudbeckia staple for gardens and landscapes!
For a complete description of the 2020 All America Selections, including the seven tomato varieties, visit www.all-americaselections.org
Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Agricultural agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at [email protected] or by calling 620-244-3826.
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Fort Scott National Historic Site

PROUDLY SHOW YOUR PATRIOTISM: FLY THE FLAG EFFORTLESSLY

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The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site Inc. is taking new subscriptions and renewals for their Fly the Flag Project. The project provides homeowners and businesses, within the city limits of Fort Scott, the opportunity to fly the Stars and Stripes on five different flag holidays during 2020 without the hassle of purchasing, erecting, and storing a flag and pole. You don’t even have to remember the holiday!

For $35 annually, the Friends will install a 3’x5′ flag on a 12 foot staff at your home or business on each of the following Flag Holidays :

Memorial Day, May 25th

Flag Day, June 14th

Fourth of July, July 4th

Labor Day, September 7th

Veteran’s Day, November 11th

Agreements for new subscriptions can be obtained at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce or can be requested by phone or text by calling Kelley Collins at 417-684-2484. Renewals notices have been mailed/emailed to 2019 subscribers. Questions can be directed to Kelley or Martha Scott at 620-224-9924.

New agreements must be returned by March 2, 2020 to allow time for acquisition of supplies and placement of in ground flag holders.

All proceeds support programs at Fort Scott National Historic Site. These include: Symbols of Sacrifice, a Citizenship Ceremony, Candlelight Tour, Youth Engagement, and many others.

Show your patriotism and help our local National Park by lining the streets of Fort Scott with our nation’s symbol!

The Fly the Flag Project is a yearly project sponsored by the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site. Once signed up, you will receive the option to renew annually.

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Government, Kansas

Governor’s Council on Tax Reform releases interim report

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The Governor’s Council on Tax Reform has released its interim report for consideration by the Kansas Legislature, following months of meetings by the Council.

 

Last year, Governor Laura Kelly issued Executive Order No. 19-11 establishing the bipartisan Governor’s Council on Tax Reform.

 

Governor Kelly directed the Council to assess the state’s tax system, explore strategies to increase both effectiveness and fairness, receive input from stakeholders across the state, and submit an initial report with assessments and recommendations.

 

The Council submitted its recommendations in December and has now released the full interim report, which includes details on those proposals.  

 

Among notable recommendations are a food sales tax rebate targeted toward Kansans who need it most, and a return to implementation of the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund (LAVTRF) as a way to help local governments keep their property taxes low.

 

“I tasked the Council with an in-depth study of our tax structure,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I am pleased with the diligent work the Council has done to research the current tax and budget situation in Kansas, and make sound recommendations that would return the state to a balanced approach of sales, income and property taxes. There’s a need for tax reform designed with adequacy, equity and stability in mind, and I welcome the Legislature’s consideration of the Council’s recommendations.”

 

The Council will continue working throughout 2020 and submit its final report prior to the start of the 2021 legislative session.

 

To access the full report, please visit: https://governor.kansas.gov/governors-council-on-tax-reform-report/

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Red Cross Recruiting Volunteers

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The American Red Cross would like to welcome you to become a Volunteer in the Fort Scott Community!
Volunteering is rewarding and meaningful. It is a chance for people to make a difference in their community by using their skills, knowledge and experiences, while developing new skills, knowledge and experiences. To visit with a volunteer recruiter, to start your Red Cross story, contact us by phone at 402-441-6397 or email us at [email protected] or to find the right opportunity yourself, visit redcross.org/volunteer. All Red Cross volunteers receive an orientation and training after the application process.
Volunteer Opportunities – Click HERE!

Bourbon County Local News