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The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports Dec. 30
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FS Planning Commission Meets Jan. 6
The Fort Scott Planning Commission will meet on Monday, January 6th, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting will be held to consider the subdivision of a plat at the property at 401 Woodland Hills Boulevard.
This meeting is open to the public.
Home Energy Cost Assistance Available Jan. 16
The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) is a Federally funded program that helps eligible households pay a portion of their home energy costs by providing a one-time per year benefit.
Locally, at Community Christian Church, January 16th from 10 a.m. -2 p.m. Evergy will have a representative onsite to help answer questions and assist people in signing up for this program.
LIEAP Frequently Asked Questions.
The 2020 LIEAP application period is from Thursday, January 2, 2020, through Tuesday, March 31, 2020. Applications must be received prior to 5:00 PM, March 31, 2020.
- Print application available December 16, 2019.
- Online application available January 2, 2020.
The following summary describes basic LIEAP eligibility provisions. Additional information may be obtained by calling 1-800-432-0043.
Persons Eligible
In order to qualify, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- An adult living at the address must be personally responsible for paying the heating costs incurred at the current residence, payable either to the landlord or the fuel vendor.
- Applicants must demonstrate a recent history of payments toward purchase of the primary heating energy.
The combined gross income (before deductions) of all persons living at the address may not exceed 130% of the federal poverty level according to the guidelines listed below:
2020 Income Eligibility Guidelines
| Persons Living at the Address | Maximum Gross Monthly Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $1,354.00 |
| 2 | $1,832.00 |
| 3 | $2,311.00 |
| 4 | $2,790.00 |
| 5 | $3,269.00 |
| 6 | $3,748.00 |
| 7 | $4,227.00 |
| 8 | $4,705.00 |
| 9 | $5,184.00 |
| 10 | $5,663.00 |
| 11 | $6,142.00 |
| 12 | $6,621.00 |
| +1 $479.00 for each additional person | |
| | |
Benefits
Benefit levels vary according to the following factors:
- Household income
- Number of persons living at the address
- Type of dwelling
- Type of heating fuel
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Controversy Rises on Wind Farm Possibility In Bourbon County
The proposed wind turbine project in southwest Bourbon County has long term consequences for the economy of the area.
Jayhawk Wind, the wind energy company proposing the project, is looking to use 28,000 acres of land in the county to produce electricity in the region, including Bourbon and Crawford counties.
The Jayhawk Wind project is being developed by Apex Clean Energy.
Apex Clean Energy develops, constructs, and operates utility-scale wind and solar power facilities across North America. Their team of more than 200 renewable energy experts uses a data-focused approach, according to its website. Apex Clean Energy, Inc. is located at 310 4th St. NE, Suite 300, Charlottesville, VA 22902
To see the Bourbon and Crawford County’s project analysis and a Jayhawk Wind press release which was published recently on FortScott.Biz, click below:
Jayhawk Wind – Economic Development Report Final November 2019(2)
Jayhawk Eco impact report 12 2019(1)
Wind farm production in Kansas has helped to lower CO2 emissions, according to a National Public Radio (NPR) article.
Kansas’ lower emissions is largely due to the rapid adoption of wind energy and a slow move away from coal-powered electricity.
“With the fast growth of cheap wind-generated electricity in Kansas, it’s become less profitable to run coal plants,” according to the article.
Click below to view:
Controversy
There is a local controversy building about the proposed wind energy project.
A meeting of opponents to Jayhawk Wind project is planned for Bourbon and Crawford county residents, according to a press release.
The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, January 9, at Rodeway Inn, Ft. Scott, Ks.
On the agenda will be the organization of a formal opposition group, assistance from successful opponents of previous wind farms, and a discussion of potential and political avenues to stop the Jayhawk development.
Dane Hicks and Kim Simons will be speaking, according to Anne Dare, one of the concerned citizens who will be attending.
The meeting is open to the public.
Anyone concerned about the impact on home values and damage to the community’s natural rural vista by the project is asked to attend.
Contact: Kim Simons, 620-224-1215, [email protected]
Noise level and other issues have been questions the public has asked about the project.
Noise level is 50 dBa
Apex Clean Energy, says the noise is minimal.
“The majority of the sound produced from modern dynamic windmills will be limited to 50 decibels, quieter than a refrigerator as measured at a nearby house,” according to Helen Humphries, Public Engagement Manager for Apex Clean Energy, Inc.
Other issues
To see community opinions on noise levels and other related issues at another wind farm site, view this Youtube from an Arkwright, NY wind turbine project controversy:
There are benefits
Some of the financial benefits go to landowners, schools and government entities, which are facing a decline in population and finances. The project will also provide some jobs: construction, operation, supply chain, and induced jobs.
Jobs
“Construction jobs only last during the construction of the wind farm,” Dr. David Loomis, professor of economics at Illinois State University and co-founder of Center for Renewable Energy said in an interview with FortScott.Biz. Loomis is the author of the analysis. “Construction jobs last six months to a year, 318 jobs for the year (estimated). All estimates are full-time equivalency.”,
“Operational jobs…They last the life of the project,” Loomis said. “On-site wind turbine technicians, a site supervisor, some administrative support.”
“There will be supply chain jobs due to expenditures in the local economy…truck fuel, gravel, supplies, and other items.”
“The final category is induced jobs…spending, shopping, eating out, entertainment because of all other jobs created because people have more money to spend for that,” Loomis said.
“Induced long term jobs include landowners leasing their land, tax revenue going into the local economy, schools, county, so forth,” Loomis said.
Rural areas are hard hit economically.
“The agriculture sector has been hit hard over the last two cycles,” he said. “2005 was a great time to be on a corn or soybean farm, but they’ve gotten squeezed because of the rising costs of equipment and fertilization. Oversupply caused a downturn.”
“Rural economies are hurting, individual farms are feeling this punch. This lease payment will take little land out of production but can help stabilize family farms. It’s a fixed payment to them.”
Currently, Jayhawk Wind is leasing land from landowners in the area of southwest Bourbon County and northwest Crawford County, Humphries said.
School District Benefits
“There is no revenue until 2032 due to the property tax exemption.,” Loomis notes in the analysis reports. “Starting in 2032, USD 235 will receive over $161 thousand annually for the general fund, over $225 thousand for the ‘Other’ Fund which totals to over $2.4 million and over $3.3 million respectively.”
Renewable energy facilities are exempt from property taxes for 10-12 years.
“Kansas recently changed the way that it taxes wind energy projects,” according to Humphries.” Before 2016, renewable energy generating facilities such as wind farms were exempt from property taxes according to K.S.A. 79-201. Since 2016, renewable energy generators are exempt from property taxes for only twelve years if owned by an independent power producer and ten years if constructed by a regulated public utility per K.S.A. 79-259. After this exemption period, the wind energy project will pay property taxes to all the taxing jurisdictions.”
Bourbon County Government Benefits
“Typically, wind developers in Kansas enter into a contribution agreement to voluntarily support the county during the 10 or 12 year exemption period, as we expect Jayhawk Wind to do,” Humphries said. “Once the initial 10 or 12 year period as defined by state law concludes, the wind power project will increase the property tax base and create a new revenue source for education and other local government services, such as road maintenance, libraries, and cemeteries.”
To see other views on the school and local government issues, click below:
https://www.flatlandkc.org/farm-field/winded/
Bourbon County Commission Agenda Dec. 31
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: December 31, 2019
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
10:00-10:30 – 2019 Budget Amendment Hearing
The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports Dec. 27-29
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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Dec. 30
New Year’s Resolutions, How to Develop Fitness Goals into Good Ones
K-State Research and Extension Southwind District Agent Joy Miller
620-223-3720 or [email protected]
Just rattle off how many pounds you want to lose, what pant size you want to wear, how much weight you want to squat, or the date you need to look photo-ready and you are on your way. That is how most people set goals. Typical resolutions and goals often lead to feeling lost, confused, overwhelmed, and crushed by ‘should’. Continue reading for tips on how to create your 2020 blue print to build the skills you need to reach your goal this year.
When someone is asked about their fitness goals, most people start with the outcome(s) they want: lose 20 pounds, six pack abs, binge less often, bench press a certain amount of weight. Outcome goals describe how we want things to be at the end of the process. There is nothing wrong with starting with the end in mind but we may not have control on how things turn out.
Set a behavior goal to focus on the things you do have control over. They represent your commitment to practice a particular set of actions or tasks every day, as consistently and regularly as possible. Examples: Lose weight (outcome), eat until satisfied instead of stuffed at each meal (behavior). Squat more weight (outcome), squat 3 times a week at various intensities (behavior). Want a better relationship with a partner (outcome), have a date night once a week (behavior).
Both outcome and behavior goals are trackable. Behavior goals are usually more effective because they give you something to do and track each day.
Avoidance goals, you know the ones-stop drinking soda, absolutely no sugar, stop smoking. Avoid goals are nice and straightforward, seems logical they would push you away from something bad or something that threatens what you want to achieve. This type of goal is a lot of psychological work, taking up mental and emotional real estate and energy. All you think about is what you are not doing or shouldn’t do but really want to do.
Turn avoidance goals into approach goals. Approach goals pull you toward something desirable, focus on feeling good or about doing good for ourselves. Revisiting the stop drinking soda (avoid) an approach solution could be drink a glass of water with meals each day, the benefit may be headaches are gone.
Performance goals are similar to outcome goals and usually associated with external validation such as wanting to get good grades or win a competition. Performance goals can be fun for a while, pushing yourself to be your best. It can also be demotivating if they don’t work out. Just like outcome goals, performance goals are often limited by factors outside your control. Performance goals also put our happiness and satisfaction in the hands of someone or something else. This may be pleasing a coach or parent, beating a competitor, social media likes, etc.
Instead of setting performance goals, create mastery goals that emphasize the process of getting a little bit better each day at a particular skill. Mastery is gratifying because no matter what others think or do, you can still feel good about your own personal progression. Mastery goals involve words like ‘work on’, ‘build’, and ‘practice’.
To help with your health and fitness goals this year, visit Southwind.k-state.edu for upcoming programs such as Stay Strong Stay Health and Walk Kansas. The Southwind District has other upcoming events and resources to help you work toward your goals of health, finance, and overall well-being.
Use Me by Pastor James Collins
Use Me
“…but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.” 1 Samuel 9:27b
I am lonely for your company. For the past few years, you have promised to spend time with me. This year was no different. Why do you let others take your attention away from me?
Most resent being used, but I don’t. I want you to use me.
Use me and I will be many things to you.
When you are weary, I will be your strong staff.
When you sit in darkness, I will be your glorious light.
When you are hurting, I will ease your pain.
Use me.
When you are discouraged, I will whisper messages of hope.
When you are carrying a burden, I will give you rest.
When you are confused, I will offer clear advice.
Use me.
When the storms of life rage around you, I will be your anchor.
When you are alone, I will be your friend.
When you need knowledge, I will be your teacher.
Use me.
When you are afraid, I will calm your soul.
When you are lost, I will help you find your way.
Take hold of me, I will keep you from stumbling.
Use me.
Use me. I am crying out for you to use me. Use me and I will change your life. Use me and I will change the lives of those around you. Use me and I can change the world.
I am the Bible. Long ago, you put me away. Over and over, you have said that you were going to bring me back into your life. Around the beginning of each year, you come back to me. But in no time, something else has your focus and you neglect me. A day becomes a week. A week becomes a month. A month becomes a year. Until I am no longer really a part of your life.
The point is: I want you to use me. I’m only asking for a few minutes of your time each day. Start now. I am right where you left me.
Pick me up.
Open me.
Use me.
James Collins is the pastor of Fort Scott’s First Southern Baptist Church. You are invited to join him and read through the Bible in a year. For more information visit the website fortscottfsbc.com.
For Sale By Owner: Small House In Nice Neighborhood
This house at 801 Meadow Lane is near the golf course in a quiet neighborhood.
At 1,200 square feet it packs in two bedrooms, one bath, living-dining combination, utility room with an attached single garage.
There is a walk-in shower in the bathroom.
On the northwest corner of the house is a 13-foot by 13-foot deck.
There is all new carpet, and new not water heater with a new roof on the deck.
The Lennox air con/heat is fairly new.
The taxes are $1,600 a year.
$88,000 is the asking price for the small house in a great neighborhood. The sellers are asking for an offer.
Contact Leo or Arla Hartman at 620-223-9981 or 620-224-6897.