When disasters strike, strike back as a Red Cross volunteer! Join our Disaster Team and do something great by supporting one of our most vital volunteer roles.
Shelter Support |
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Healthcare Professionals
Are you a licensed health care professional? If so, you can join the cadre of healthcare professionals who have served as the core of the Red Cross since the very beginning of the organization. Provide quality care in disaster shelters to help assess people’s health and provide hands-on care in alignment with your professional licensure in our RN-led model. Duties include assisting clients with activities of daily living, providing health education and helping to replace medications, durable medical equipment or consumable medical supplies. Daily observation and health screening for COVID-19-like illness among shelter residents may also be required. If you are an RN, LPN, LVN, APRN, NP, EMT, paramedic, MD/DO or PA with a current and unencumbered license, please consider volunteering. You’re one step closer to making the world a better place! |
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Your help is priceless — sign up today!
Sincerely, Your Red Cross Volunteer Services Team |
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Category Archives: Area News
SEK Foundation Announces New Director
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas is Pleased to Announce Devin Gorman as New Executive DirectorFollowing the recent retirement of Kit Parks, the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas is pleased to announce the hiring of Devin Gorman as the new Executive Director, effective August 16, 2021. Devin comes to the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK), and affiliates Fort Scott Area Community Foundation and Girard Area Community Foundation, with a wealth of experience and a unique skill set. As a southeast Kansas native, Devin earned both Bachelor and Master of Business Administration degrees from Pittsburg State University. The majority of Devin’s career has been in nonprofit work in the southeast Kansas area. Most recently he held the position of Executive Director of the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Devin has shown he is engaged and committed to SEK through a variety of volunteer roles and positions locally, regionally, and at the state level. He has served as president of Pittsburg Area Young Professionals, president of the Pittsburg Public Library Board of Trustees, treasurer for the Mount Carmel Foundation, vice-president of the SEK Tourism Region, and spent six years on the Mosaic Foundation’s National Board of Directors. When asked about his new position, Devin stated “The CFSEK has a tremendous legacy of supporting our community, and I truly appreciate the board for providing me with the opportunity to lead such a great organization and team. I am excited to build upon that legacy and to grow the resources the Community Foundation provides back to the citizens of southeast Kansas. I look forward to collaborating with so many great individuals and organizations that work each day to enhance our community.” The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas is a local public charitable foundation which awarded $1.9 million in grants from all foundation funds in 2020 and has facilitated $16.9 million in grants since its inception in 2001. The Community Foundation serves the region by providing donors with a wide variety of charitable interests and encouraging charitable giving which addresses present and future needs in our area, and recently surpassed $53 million in fund assets. Connie Kays, CFSEK Board of Trustees President, shared this statement “The Foundation Board of Directors and staff are pleased to welcome Devin Gorman to the CFSEK team. He comes to the Executive Director position with the education, experience, skills, and passion to do the work of ‘benefiting the common good and quality of life’ in SEK. We have no doubt Devin is a great fit to assist CFSEK in our mission to serve our community.” Devin will join Community Foundation staff Kim Lynch, Office Administrator, Joshua McCloud, Donor Relations & Community Outreach, and Sherri Stephens, Program Coordinator. Devin resides in Pittsburg with his wife Misty and son, Finn. |
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SEK Library Newsletter August 2021
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Choose Life License Plate Available in Kansas After January 2022
Christians for Life, Inc. is pleased to announce that we no longer need to collect prepaid applications for Choose Life Plates. We thank you for all your assistance in getting the word out to Kansans across the state.
We have turned over the applicant’s information to KDOR and the money collected. After January 1, 2022, KDOR Inventory Manager will send certificates to take to treasurers where applicants will receive their long awaited Choose Life license plate.
If anyone has a question the number to call at KDOR is 785-296-2228.
Christians for Life, Inc. would like to thank Chris Martin of L&M Solutions for helping with the printing of the brochures. Russ Amberling, National Choose Life organization based in Florida was so very helpful. Concerned Women for America of Kansas certainly did their share in helping with the collection of funds the first year. Of course, we thank Representative Trevor Jacobs for actually getting the bill passed and getting the amount needed to print the plates reduced.
Publicity was well handled by Lee Hartman, C5 Alive and the Metro Voice. BOTT Radio and Phil Anderson, Topeka Capital-Journal also did spots on the station and an article in the paper.
Kansans for Life, Kansas GOP, Culture Shield and their patrons were so helpful. We received many orders from people on your mailing lists.
We are so humbled by your responses and appreciate it from the bottom of our hearts.
Best Regards,
Barbara Saldivar, Founder & Director of Christians for Life and CFL Board Members
Gary Roten, President
Scott McBurney, Vice President
Nancy Leon, Treasurer
Eryka Benteman, Secretary
Evergy Kansas Metro solar customers will move to two-part rate design
TOPEKA – Residential distributed generation (DG) customers served by Evergy Kansas Metro will soon have a new monthly electric rate that does not include a demand charge. This morning, the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) issued an order that will move DG customers from a three-part rate design to a standard two-part residential rate. In addition, customers will receive refunds within 60 days for any difference in the amounts paid between the two rates. Evergy Kansas Metro provides power to customers previously served by Kansas City Power & Light (KCPL) prior to the 2018 merger between KCPL and Westar to form Evergy Inc.
Earlier this year, the same rate design change was approved for customers in Evergy’s Kansas Central region (formerly Westar) after a Kansas Supreme Court opinion called the three-part rate design price discriminatory and sent the matter back to the KCC for further proceedings. The three-part rate design was originally implemented following separate rate cases filed by Westar and KCPL prior to the merger, but only the Westar DG rate was challenged.
Today’s order resulted from a proposal by KCC Staff, Evergy, and the Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board to make the rate for DG customers consistent across both service areas. The Commission agreed there is potential for confusion and frustration over the disparate treatment of residential DG customers between Evergy’s two Kansas service territories and that it is in the public interest to treat Evergy’s residential DG customers consistently in this regard throughout both of its service territories.
Today’s order can be viewed at: https://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx/20210824102815.pdf?Id=48078ebc-832d-4c1d-8089-d2765363c076
Pittsburg Youth Chorale Fall Enrollment Open
Area singers in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade are invited to join Pittsburg Youth Chorale, directed by MJ Harper.
The purpose of this vocal ensemble is to further grow vocal abilities, musical knowledge, and choral repertoire.
Performers will prepare music for community events and music festivals. COVID guidelines will be observed.
Rehearsals are Tuesdays from 6-7PM at First United Methodist Church, 415 N. Pine, Pittsburg, KS and begin September 14.
There is a fee of $25 per semester (Sept-Dec/Feb-May) to cover the cost of music.
Scholarships are available.
To enroll, visit this website: https://bit.ly/3km8ErH, contact MJ Harper at 620-719-6633, or email
[email protected], deadline September 14.
KGS Days of Giveaways
Kansas Gas Service is hosting an “11 Days of
Giveaways” contest on Facebook to celebrate Safe Digging Day and promote awareness about calling 811.
Beginning Aug. 1, the company starts challenging customers’ knowledge about safe digging and natural gas safety with daily prizes.
The contest will run through Aug. 11, 811 Day.
In support of National 811 Day (Wednesday, Aug.11), Kansas Gas Service reminds customers and contractors to call 811 before any digging project to have underground utility lines marked.
Digging without calling can result in damage to underground utility lines, harm to yourself and others, and unnecessary disruption of service in your neighborhood.
According to national industry statistics, every six minutes an underground line is damaged due to someone deciding to dig without calling 811 first.
“We hope that the 8/11 date on the calendar will serve as a natural reminder to put safety first by using the free 811 services before digging,” said Trey Pool, manager of Public Awareness
and Damage Prevention for Kansas Gas Service. “It’s the safest way to know where utilities are buried in your area before breaking ground.”
No matter how large or small, every digging project warrants a call to 811 at least two full working days before digging begins.
Underground utility lines may be found in yards or below sidewalks, driveways or streets.
When you call before you dig, the Kansas One-Call System notifies Kansas Gas Service and other operators of underground facilities to mark their buried assets within two full working days of the request.
The lines will be marked with flags or nonpermanent spray paint to let you know to stay clear of that area when digging. It’s important to keep these markers in place until all digging is complete.
Visit BeADigHeroKansas.com for more information about 811 and safe digging practices.
About Kansas Gas Service
Kansas Gas Service provides a reliable and affordable energy choice to more than 645,000 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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Bryce Eck: World Champion In Junior Rodeo Bareback Riding
Bryce Eck, 17, comes from a family of bucking horse riders.
“My Dad (Andy) rode bucking horses when he was younger,” Eck said. “My older brother, Colt (19 years old) rides as well.”
All that practice, and talent, paid off for Bryce when he won the 2021 World Championship Junior Rodeo in the bareback riding event, this year held in Guthrie, OK from July 29-31.
“The top eight (contenders) make it back to finals on the third day,” Eck said. “The winner rides on Thursday, Friday, Saturday at noon then that evening.”
“You have to be under 19 years old to go to this rodeo, (and) you have to make it back each round with your score and how well you rode,” he said.
“A good ride is to have the horse bucking and the rider spurring the ride,” Eck said. “You have to stay on for eight seconds.”
At home on the Eck farm, Bryce pitches in.
During the interview yesterday, he was hauling hay for his dad on their cattle farm, near Redfield.
The hay will be for winter feed for the animals on the Eck farm.
“We raise cattle and we have a colt training business,” Eck said. “We train the horses to be ridden.”
Kansas Is A Leader in Wind and Solar Energy Development
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Kansas Inmate Captured
Minimum-custody Inmate Eljay Reinhardt Who Walk Away from Wichita Work Release Facility Apprehended
TOPEKA, Kansas. – Minimum-custody resident Eljay Allen Reinhardt #124800 has been apprehended.
Reinhardt was taken into custody Saturday evening, July 31, 2021, by officials from the Kansas Department of Corrections, Enforcement, Apprehensions & Investigations (EAI) Unit, the Wichita Police Department, and the Kansas Highway Patrol.
Reinhardt had been placed on escape status after he walked away from Wichita Work Release Facility (WWRF) at approximately 11:45 p.m. Friday, July 30, 2021 after he did not report for work.
At this time no other details are being released as the investigation is ongoing.
The Wichita Work Release Facility, a satellite unit of the Winfield Correctional Facility, is an all-male, minimum-custody state facility with a population of 79.
Inmate Escape in Wichita
Minimum-custody Inmate Eljay Reinhardt Walked Away from Wichita Work Release Facility
TOPEKA, Kansas. – Minimum-custody inmate Eljay Reinhardt #124800 has been placed on escape status after he walked away from Wichita Work Release Facility (WWRF) at approximately 11:45 p.m. Friday.
Reinhart, a 40-year-old Male, was reported missing when the offender did not report for work. Reinhart was last seen wearing blue jeans, a red shirt and a tan cap.
Reinhart is currently serving a 28-month sentence for a 2020 Sedgwick County conviction for drug possession.
Reinhardt is 5 feet 11 inches tall, 225 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair.
Anyone with information on Reinhardt can call the Wichita Work Release Facility at (316) 265-5211, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463 or local law enforcement at 911.
The walk-away is currently being investigated. New information will be released as it becomes available.
The Wichita Work Release Facility, a satellite unit of the Winfield Correctional Facility, is an all-male, minimum-custody state facility with a population of 79.
Kids Count Data Book
2021 Kids Count Data Book has been released, to view: