Monthly Archives: April 2020

Business, Government, Kansas

Commercial Hemp Program Plan

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With USDA Approval, Kansas Moves One Step Closer

to Commercial Hemp Program

 

MANHATTAN, Kan. —   The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced today that it has approved the plan submitted in January by the Kansas Department of Agriculture to regulate a Commercial Industrial Hemp Program in Kansas. This approval is a critical formal step in the process to establishing the new commercial hemp program; however, the program will not be active in Kansas until completion of the process for adoption of rules and regulations.

 

“This is great news for Kansas, as it moves us one step closer to establishing a commercial program for industrial hemp,” said Jeff Ochampaugh, who serves as chair of the Industrial Hemp Advisory Board. “It’s important for Kansans to understand, though, that our program won’t be active until the regulations are adopted.”

 

The formal adoption process for the Commercial Industrial Hemp Program regulations is underway, as they are being reviewed by several state entities including the Division of Budget, the Department of Administration, the Attorney General, and the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and Regulations. Once the regulations have been reviewed by those bodies, they will be subject to a public hearing which must be announced in the Kansas Register 60 days prior to the hearing.

 

Given the timeline of the formal adoption process, it is anticipated the Commercial Industrial Hemp Program will be finalized no earlier than early fall 2020. At this time, the industrial hemp industry in Kansas continues to function under the Industrial Hemp Research Program regulations.

 

For more information about the industrial hemp program in Kansas, go to agriculture.ks.gov/industrialhemp.

 
Government, Kansas

Search For Unclaimed Property

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While Kansans are Staying Home, State Treasurer Jake LaTurner Encourages them to Claim their Cash

Topeka— Across the state Kansas are staying home to help slow the spread of the COVID-19.  Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner is reminding Kansans that it is a perfect time to find out if any of the over $350-million in the State Treasury’s “Lost and found” belongs to them.

“If you have never taken the opportunity to search for unclaimed property for yourself or a family member, there is no better time than now. We would really love the chance to return the millions in unclaimed cash that does not belong to the state and put it back into the hands of Kansans where it can do the most good. Kansans need this money more than ever,” said Treasurer LaTurner.

The Kansas State Treasurer’s Office is open for business, with employees working securely from home processing claims. Most claims can be processed quickly and easily online and paid via direct deposit.

Online searches are always free and can be done at kansascash.ks.gov. As a reminder, anyone asking you to pay to search for your unclaimed property is not associated in any way with the State Treasurer’s office.

Obituary

Obituary of Leona Toliver

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Leona Mae Toliver, age 95 formerly of Arizona, passed away Monday, April 13, 2020 at the family home in Maryville, TN. 

Leona was a dedicated member of 1st Country Church of Surprise, Arizona and along with her husband helped plant, build, and repair several churches throughout her life. She loved to cook for her family, friends, and church camps. She was retired as a cafeteria manager in the school system after many years of service.

Leona was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt who will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William E. Toliver; daughter, Roseanna Jo Toliver; and six brothers and sisters. 

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, William A. and Mary Toliver of Cottonwood, AZ; daughters and son-in-law, Janie and Walt Souder of Maryville, Frances Toliver of Maryville, and Dorothy Toliver of Phoenix, AZ; Grandchildren, Diana Delorenzo, Angel Toliver, Ethan and Laura Souder, Jeannine and Alex Brown, and Caleb Souder; nine great-grandchildren; several great-great grandchildren; sister, Lorene McKinney of Bartlesville, OK; and many nieces, nephews and other family members.

A celebration of Leona’s life will be held at a later date.

Private burial will be in U. S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott, KS.

Memorial donations may be made in Leona’s name to the Annie Armstrong Missions Program c/o Forest Hill Baptist Church, 1850 Forest Hill Rd., Maryville, TN 37803. Local arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Fort Scott Public Library Story Time April 21 Online

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Next week’s Fort Scott Public Library Story Time schedule will run as follows:
April 21
10 am Silly Storytime on Zoom (the meeting will be recorded and made available after it ends, when possible).
 11 am  Silly Storytime on Facebook Live ( may post the video on the library’s YouTube channel as well).
Details: 
Join Miss Val online for virtual storytime! This week’s story: “The Book with No Pictures” by comedian B. J. Novak!
For the 10 am storytime,the Zoom platform will once again be used. If you participated last week, you already have the correct link.
If you did not, you may receive the link that will be used by one of two methods:
Message Fort Scott Public Library through Facebook or email Miss Val at [email protected] before the start (10 am Tuesday) of storytime, and they will send you the link.
Zoom can be fully accessed on any pc with a camera and headset, smartphone, or tablet with online access. The full application will allow families to see and interact with one another, in addition to being a part of storytime. This storytime will be recorded and posted afterwards for anyone who misses part or all of the meeting to view later, whenever possible. You will have the option of turning your video and audio on and off anytime during the meeting.This week’s craft: Silly Letters

Materials Needed:

Papers, regular or stick glue, pencil or crayon, and assorted items to glue to the paper (anything fun you have on hand – especially colorful items, such as pom-poms, colored dry pasta, rice, dry beans, drinking straw pieces, yarn, tissue paper, feathers, etc.). Have the materials ready if you would like to join us in making the craft, or just watch Miss Val make the craft and do yours after storytime.

This week’s snack: Silly Edible Letters

Bring a small plate and dry snack foods such as raisins, cereal, mixed nuts, dried fruit, pretzel sticks, or small crackers. We will spell a letter or two with our food before eating it, so be ready to wipe hands as well.For activity suggestions and more see the Storytime Pinterest board: https://www.pinterest.com/fortscottpublic/story-time/.

Read digital books related to the theme at http://sunflowerelibrary.overdrive.com or https://www.hoopladigital.com/ (seknfind.org account required) or https://kslib.info/963/eBooks-for-Kids (for residents of Kansas only).

#fsplstorytime

Bourbon County, Schools

Learning During the Stay-At-Home Orders: A USD235 Parents Story

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Casen and Caden Martin participate in USD 235 Music Teacher Rhonda Allen’s music class at home. Submitted photos.

Life is different since the COVID 19 Pandemic has gripped the world.

People are staying home to prevent the spread of the virus, some businesses have closed, and parents are helping teachers with student’s learning at home.

One such parent is Christal Martin of Uniontown.

Christal and her husband, Seth,  have two sons, Caden, 5, and Casen, 4.

Caden attended West Bourbon Elementary School and is in Rose Gauthier’s kindergarten class.

He and little brother Casen are learning from the USD 235 Continuous Learning Plan.

“I have been really impressed with USD 235 and Mrs. Gauthier,” Martin said. “Getting technology in the kids’ hands, giving technical support and also getting food to our kid’s communities.”

The boys celebrate USD 235 Spirit Week at home while doing classwork. Submitted photos.

For her, the best part of the continuous learning plan that the school district USD 235 has is “Being able to have hands-on in Caden’s education. I have really enjoyed it, once we’ve gotten into a routine,” Martin said.

A challenge for her is learning all the different applications that are available online for the continuous education plan.

Her solution?

“In the evening, I play on the app so I’ll be ready to go the next day,” she said.

Caden received an IPad from the school district for use at home.

On Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Caden has a Zoom call at 9:30 a.m. from Mrs. Gauthier.

Casen and Caden interact with Caden’s kindergarten classmates on Zoom. Submitted photos.

On Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. Physical Education Teacher Jackie Hall and Music Teacher Rhonda Allen give lessons.

Art Teacher Chris Woods prerecords a video of art projects then posts it as an assignment in Google Classroom for students to do.

Caden works on an art lesson by USD 235 Art Teacher Chris Woods. Submitted photos.

“The Zoom call is 30 minutes,” Martin said. “We’ve read books, done science lessons, interviewed another student in their class and afterward in a journal they will describe the student.”

 

Other resources are used throughout the day with reading and math the main focus,” Martin said.

 

“We spend about three and a half to four hours each day,” Martin said. “The state recommends 45 minutes a day. I don’t want him to get behind. We do a lot of extras. We want to keep them learning and not have them stall, in my opinion.”

 

“It’s been a learning curve,” Martin said. “It’s adjusting to take care of both of their learning. I’ve been homeschooling Casen, too.

 

Bourbon County, Government, Health Care

County Health Update April 16

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SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

April 16, 2020

Allen County

Current Positive Cases 0
Current Recovered Cases 0
Total Positives Since Testing 0
Deaths 0

Anderson County

Current Positive Cases 0
Current Recovered Cases 0
Total Positives Since Testing 0
Deaths 0

Bourbon County

Current Positive Cases 0
Current Recovered Cases 6
Total Positives Since Testing 7
Deaths 1

Woodson County

Current Positive Cases 2
Current Recovered Cases 2
Total Positives Since Testing 4
Deaths 0

Recovered cases are based on dates of onset of symptoms, not on day testing results are received.

Government, Kansas

Governor Extends Renewal Deadlines For Adult Care Homes and Suspends Non-Essential Fire Inspections

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Today Governor Laura Kelly signed Executive Order #20-23 as part of her administration’s ongoing, comprehensive response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The order brings Kansas adult-care homes in line with other occupational licensing exemptions the Governor has issued in recent days. All state agencies working or collaborating with the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services shall extend renewal deadlines for any occupational or professional license, certificate or registrations as needed.

 

“This order is critical to ensure adult care-home workers can continue to do their jobs during this pandemic,” Kelly said.

 

Additionally, the order temporarily suspends non-essential fire inspections for new or renewal of KDADS-licensed facilities during the State of Disaster Emergency. The suspension will remain valid until 90 days after the State of Disaster Emergency is terminated, and all fees are suspended until that time.

 

KDADS Secretary Laura Howard thanked the Governor for signing the order.

 

“This order will give nursing facilities the latitude to create alternate care sites or designated units to ensure safe care for all residents and support adherence to infection control measures,” Howard said. “Our agency is committed to continuing our work with community partners and local health officials to stem the tide of this pandemic in the state’s nursing facilities.”

 

Executive Order #20-23 can be found here.

Obituary

Obituary of Lorna Smith

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Lorna May Smith, 79, of Redfield, Kansas, passed away suddenly on Monday, April 13, 2020, at Freeman Hospital West in Joplin, Missouri. Lorna was born August 23, 1940, the daughter of Albert Johnston and Mona (Shoemaker) Johnston in Tulare, California.

Lorna is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Glenn Smith of the home, daughter Glenna Hendrickson (Kevin) of Osceola, Missouri and son Craig Smith (Cathy) of Leavenworth, Kansas; siblings Earl Johnston (Sharon) of Ellsworth, Kansas, and Sharon (Lonnie) Horner of El Cajon, California; 5 nieces and 5 nephews.

Upon Lorna’s graduation from Fort Scott High School in 1958, she received her Associates of Arts Degree from Fort Scott Community College in 1960 before graduating from Pittsburg State University in 1962 with a BSED in secondary education and in 1991 with MSED in school counseling. Lorna also received her library science and journalism certifications while attending PSU.

Lorna put her education degrees to use by spending over 53 years in the field of education. Lorna taught for 2 years at Fort Scott Junior High, 35 years at Uniontown High School, and 19 years as an adjunct teacher at Fort Scott Community College. During her teaching career, Lorna taught English, speech, journalism, general business, psychology, and world geography along with being the school librarian and facilitator for the Interactive Distance Learning Center. As a coach, Lorna began the very successful volleyball program at Uniontown High School in 1969. Lorna was also the cheerleader coach, pom pom coach, Pep Club sponsor, student council sponsor, school newspaper sponsor, and play director. Lorna also assisted students in preparing for various contests in band, music, choir, FFA, and numerous other activities. Lorna has received numerous awards and honors during her educational and coaching careers. Lorna was also a member of numerous educational, coaching, professional, and community organizations.

Lorna has been a very active member of the Cherry Grove Baptist Church for the majority of her life. She has been the church organist and pianist for over 50 years. She participated in the Cherry Jammers musical group while performing throughout the community. Lorna used her musical talents in a variety of ways. She played for many weddings and funerals, accompanied many 4-H members and college students preparing for local, state, and national music contests. Lorna also spent 12 years playing for rodeos throughout the mid-west.

During her spare time, Lorna enjoyed spending time with her family, doing crafts, and traveling. She also enjoyed spending time with Glenn while he participated in sporting events, rodeos, team roping events, Corriente shows, and church.

The family will hold a private inurnment in Memory Gardens Cemetery.

A public memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Lorna’s name to Cherry Grove Baptist Church in Garland, Kansas, and may be left in care of Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.