Monthly Archives: April 2020

Government, Kansas

Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson

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Caryn Tyson

 

April 3, 2020

 

The legislature adjourned about two weeks early this year.  The session has been suspended and we do not know if or when we will be back, even though we are scheduled to return April 27.  Almost all have been impacted by COVID-19 and the legislature is no exception.  There is still important work to be completed but nothing that the law requires.  The only topic the legislature is required to deal with is the budget and unfortunately the one that passed is a huge increase in spending that does not address the pandemic.

 

It was reported the state government is tracking people by using cell phone data.  More accurately, the Secretary of Kansas Health and Environment (KDHE) is using data from the company Unacast.  The Governor has stated they are not paying for your cell phone data and that this data is anonymous to the state government.  The Senate President has made an open records request to assure the data is anonymous.  Google has announced they will also be providing anonymous data to the government.  You know the data is not anonymous to the collectors.  If they happen to release raw data, well you can see how this would be a problem.

 

The federal government and many companies are tracking you, buying and selling your personal information.  This raises privacy concerns and it should.  However, most people give access to their information without being aware they did it.  During session, I was reading the fine print of a common software application (known as an app) to a friend.  In order to use the free app, you had to agree for all access to your phone, including but not limited to contacts, camera, pictures, web pages you accessed, and your location.  If you check the box to use the app, you signed over access to all of that information.  It’s time that we work on legislation to protect your privacy.

 

With all of the uncertainty and people out of work, financial obligations are daunting.  Many will face property tax payments due May 10.  Currently, there is no way to lower the amount due for this obligation other than an Executive Order (EO) by the Governor.  Local governments and schools can lower mil levies in order to lower property taxes but that will not address the amount due this May 10.

 

As we spend Holy Week reflecting, I’m reminded of a prayer we would say before volleyball games, so let’s remember you have been given this and every day to use as you will.  “What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it.”  For Christians this is a very important week.  May you have a blessed Easter.

 

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.

Caryn

…

K-State Extension

K-State Survey For Local Needs

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Government, Kansas

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans

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Department of Commerce introduces Live Chat to help businesses
applying for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans

 

Topeka, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Commerce launched a Live Chat feature on its COVID-19 Response webpage today specifically to provide support to Kansas businesses and nonprofits applying for Economic Injury Disaster Loans through the U.S. Small Business Association.

The SBA approved Governor Laura Kelly’s disaster declaration request for all 105 Kansas counties, making low-interest, long-term loans available for Kansas businesses to fund fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the impact of COVID-19. The interest rate is 3.75 percent for small businesses and 2.75 percent for nonprofit organizations.

“The Department of Commerce doesn’t administer the SBA disaster loans, but we can help our business partners across the state navigate the application process,” Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “We know this is a challenging time for Kansas companies, and we are moving swiftly and aggressively to get them the support they need.”

The Department’s team of regional project managers attended training provided by the SBA and various lenders, which prepared them to provide guidance to Kansas businesses applying for SBA loan funding. “We fast tracked the training with our partners to ensure we could provide immediate support to the businesses who need it right now,” Toland said.

Businesses can apply for SBA loans at https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance. Commerce representatives will be available via the Live Chat function from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday at https://kansascommerce.gov/covid-19-response.

For current information on COVID-19 in Kansas and to sign up for updates, go to the KDHE COVID-19 Resource Center at kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus.

Government, Kansas

KDHE adds state to travel quarantine list: Connecticut

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TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has added one state to the quarantine list: Connecticut. This is effective for persons returning today, April 6, and moving forward.

 

A comprehensive list of those individuals in Kansas needing to quarantine for 14 days includes those who have:

 

  • Traveled to Connecticut on or after April 6.
  • Traveled to Louisiana or anywhere in Colorado on or after March 27.
  • Traveled to Illinois or New Jersey on or after March 23.
  • Traveled to a state with known widespread community transmission (California, Florida, New York and Washington state) on or after March 15.
  • Visited Eagle, Summit, Pitkin and Gunnison counties in Colorado in the week of March 8 or after.
  • Traveled on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15.
    • People who have previously been told by Public Health to quarantine because of their cruise ship travel should finish out their quarantine.
  • Traveled internationally on or after March 15.
    • People who have previously been told by Public Health to quarantine because of their international travel to China, South Korea, Japan, Italy and Iran should finish out their quarantine.
  • Received notification from public health officials (state or local) that you are a close contact of a laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19. You should quarantine at home for 14 days since your last contact with the case.  (A close contact is defined as someone who has been closer than 6 feet for more than 10 minutes while the patient is symptomatic.)

Important Note: These mandates do not apply to critical infrastructure sectors needed to continue operations during this pandemic. Public health, including hospitals, clinics, etc. need to have the staffing resources to continue serving Kansans. While KDHE strongly recommends these quarantine restrictions for everyone, we do recognize that medical care needs to continue and no healthcare facility should ever be to a point where it would need to close due to staff being quarantined. We ask facilities to ensure they have updated their Emergency Preparedness Plans and implement protocols to ensure that no employee comes to work symptomatic. Other examples of critical infrastructures include pharmaceutical and food supply, along with others defined by the Department of Homeland Security.

For more information, please visit the KDHE website at www.kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus.

Bourbon County, Government

No Bourbon County Commission April 7

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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: April 7, 2020

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

There will not be a regular Commission meeting on April 7, 2020.

Justifications for Executive Session:

          Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel

          Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

          Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency

          Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

          Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property

          Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system

Fort Scott

Cub Scouts Meet Digitally

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Submitted by Cynthia Goebel

Asst. Leader William Gooderl, James Gooderl, Cameron Lamb, Leah Pommier, and Leader Melanie Lamb. Submitted photo. This photo was taken at the Blue and Gold Dinner on March 2. It was their last meeting.

 

I am thankful to be part of such a great pack of Cub Scouts and I enjoy watching them grow in character, skill and compassion.

They have worked hard this year and continue to work hard as we meet digitally from our homes.

Cub Scout parents and families are active in their Scout’s development and are currently meeting through group text messaging to complete team scout, team family and individual requirements for advancement.

This week our Tiger Scouts (1st grade) read about teams in our community that serve and protect us.

We would like to send out a thank you to all health care workers, pastors, police and sheriff officers, firefighters, teachers, food service workers and everyone else who is working together to keep us all safe and healthy.

Along with committing to chores within their family teams, our Tiger Scouts have also taken responsibility as part of our team community to research and share information that could be helpful for people in our community at this time.

Here are the results of that research:

  • Churches are available to help meet physical and spiritual needs
  • Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries can help with utility assistance, hygiene supplies and other emergency needs. Call 620-223-2212
  • Any child 1 year of age to 18 years of age can receive a free meal from 10-11 am Monday through Friday by driving through at any of the 4 public school buildings. The child must be present. Also, buses will be delivering meals. Please see Facebook USD 234 for delivery routes.
  • Meals on Wheels delivers meals to seniors over 60. Call 620-223-0750
  • The Beacon provides food and other items. Call 620-223-6869
  • Fort Scott Washateria is open regular hours. Curbside drop off is available at no extra charge. You can stay in your car while they wash your laundry. 620-644-9834
  • Many local restaurants, farmers and producers are still providing food and services but have new procedures so call ahead or look them up on Facebook.
  • Be prepared by making an emergency plan with your family. www.ready.gov/plan has steps and forms to help you make an emergency preparedness plan.
  • Be prepared by making a home emergency kit. www.ready.gov/kit tells what you should put in a home emergency kit.
  • Stay calm by being prepared and following the plan. Including a Bible or children’s book in your emergency kit can also help the family stay calm.
  • Work together, even if by distance, and think of others. We are stronger together. Ration what you can and share if you have excess. Fresh air, sunshine and exercise are still good for boosting health and there is no rule against going out in our yards.

I am so proud of each of our Cub Scouts and of all the people in our community who have sacrificed and worked for the good of others. I pray that we will continue to stand strong together in patience, humility, reverence and in the hope of God’s grace and mercy.

Research compiled by Leah Pommier and Camren Lamb
Obituary

Obituary of George Colgin

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George E. Colgin, age 72, a resident of rural Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Saturday, April 4, 2020, at the Medicalodge of Ft. Scott following a battle with brain cancer.

He was born June 10, 1947, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the son of George W. Colgin and Margaret J. Stewart Colgin.  George graduated from Chaminade High School in Hollywood, Florida with the Class of 1966.

He later moved to Ft. Scott, Kansas where he played football for the Fort Scott Community College.  He graduated from FSCC in 1968 and later received his teaching degree from Pittsburg State University.

He went on to receive his Masters Degree in Law Enforcement from Wichita State University.

George married Betty Morehead on August 29, 1970, at Ft. Scott, Kansas.  He taught school for a few years at Pleasanton High School.

He later began a career with the Ft. Scott Police Department in 1969.  George went through the ranks with the police department and retired in 1997 after serving for several years as Chief of Police.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church.

 

Survivors include his wife, Betty, of the home; his three daughters, Jenice Mead and her husband, Chris, of Ft. Scott, Breanne Colgin also of Ft. Scott and Marlena Stafford and her husband, Dale, of Shawnee, Kansas; and four grandchildren, Ben Morris, Nathan Mead, and Logan and Avery Stafford.  Also surviving is a sister, Patricia Colgin, of Daytona Beach, Florida.

The family would like to say a special thank you to the staff at Medicalodge for their care, Dee Covey for the meals and Brian Viel for the visits; you are all very appreciated.

 

There was cremation.

Private burial will take place at the Maple Grove Cemetery northeast of Ft. Scott.

Memorials are suggested to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Government, Kansas

LaTurner Asks Congress To Include Savings Bonds In Stimulus Package

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Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner asks Congressional Delegation to include $26-billion in savings bonds in next stimulus package

 

Topeka- Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner today sent an open letter to the Kansas Congressional Delegation strongly encouraging them to push for the U.S. Savings Bond Act to be included in any future stimulus package that is brought forward in Congress.

 

On background: The Federal Government now has an estimated $26 billion of matured and unclaimed US Savings Bonds that are no longer paying interest and need to be re-united with the people of the United States, and it is estimated that over $157 million of that belongs to Kansans.

 

A large majority of the bonds were issued before 1974 and many were issued in support of the war efforts during World War II. Unfortunately, the rightful owners or heirs to these bonds are often only able to claim their money if they have the actual bond serial number.

 

After an unsuccessful battle in the U.S. Court of Appeals asking the U.S. Treasury to release the data that would allow the states to identify owners of these bonds and reunite them or their heirs with their money, the Kansas federal delegation, led by Congressman Ron Estes, have taken this matter to Congress to get it settled.

 

Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner believes the best method for settling the matter would be to include it in an upcoming stimulus package. He sent the following letter urging this action:

 

Dear Kansas Congressional Delegation;

 

As Treasurer of the State of Kansas, I would like to personally thank former Kansas Treasurer and Congressman, Ron Estes, Congressman Roger Marshall and Senators Moran and Roberts, for your leadership and support to bring an end to the long, hard-fought battle to return the $26-billion in U.S. Savings Bond money to the people of this country. As you know, Kansas has been the leader in challenging the U.S. Treasury through the courts, asking them to turn over the U.S. Saving Bond data to the states, enabling state treasurers throughout the country to reunite unclaimed U.S. Treasury Bonds with their rightful owners.

 

The purpose for my letter today is to strongly encourage you all to push for the U.S. Savings Bond Act to be included in any stimulus packages that are brought forward in Congress. If Congress is going to continue to find ways to put money in American’s hands they should start with the $26-billion that the U.S. Government already owes them. The U.S. Treasury has held on to this money long enough. So many people in our country are currently dealing with severe financial hardship. Now is the time to return this money to the dedicated American citizens who invested in their country years ago during its time of need.

 

I assure you that we have the systems in place in Kansas to receive these records and begin working right away to return this money to its rightful owners or heirs. This will be a great help to so many in our state who are trying to provide for themselves and their families during these uncertain times.

 

Thank you again for your work to get this matter settled.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jake LaTurner

Kansas State Treasurer

 

Additional links to background articles on the U.S. Savings Bond case can be found in the news section of the Kansas State Treasurer’s website: https://www.kansasstatetreasurer.com/news.html

 

Feel free to email [email protected] with the Kansas State Treasurer’s office with additional questions.

 

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Health Care

The Public Is Asked to Wear Masks

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Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, 403 Woodland Hills Blvd.

 

Homemade masks are being advised now for the general public

 

Robert Poole, Communication and Marketing Director for CHC sent  this information directly from National Public Radios’s web page:

The CDC is now recommending people consider wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain,  because there is increasing evidence that the virus can be spread by presymptomatic and asymptomatic carriers.

 

To view the way to make homemade face masks from household items,  click below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPx1yqvJgf4&feature=emb_title

 

These new policies come with the vital plea that people don’t use the medical-grade masks that are in short supply in hospitals right now.

 

On Community Health Center’s  Facebook page recently, a patient who was a woodworker donated his n95 respirators to CHC for medical personnel.

 

Poole also responded to the following questions:

 

What other occupations would have the medical-grade masks?

Poole said he took the following information directly from National Public Radio’s story on masks from their web page.

Construction businesses and contractors

– Woodworking shops

– Manufacturing plants and factories

– Landscapers

– Auto shops/body shops

– Painters: The masks do not protect against paint fumes, but are used as dust masks during sanding.

– Nail salons: The masks do not protect against chemical vapors, but protect against acrylic powder or dust from filing artificial nails.

– Hardware stores and tool retailers: Harbor Freight is donating its entire supply of personal protective equipment.

– Mold remediation companies

– Cleaning companies: However, many cleaning companies are facing intense demand for sanitation services because of the coronavirus crisis and may need their masks to protect their own vulnerable workers.

 

 

Where can people take donations if they have them? 

“Any CHC/SEK location will gladly accept donations of N95 masks.”

 

What about the homemade masks people are making for medical personnel, are they effective?  

” In order to reserve our supplies of medical masks, we have instituted the use of homemade masks in non-patient care areas,” Poole said.

 

Poole provided the following from the NPR wedsite:

Can public face-coverings prevent the spread of the virus?

The primary benefit of covering your nose and mouth is that you protect others. While there is still much to be learned about the novel coronavirus, it appears that many people who are infected are shedding the virus – through coughs, sneezes and other respiratory droplets – for 48 hours before they start feeling sick. And others who have the virus – up to 25%, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield — may never feel symptoms but may still play a role in transmitting it. That’s why wearing a mask even if you don’t feel sick can be a good idea.

 

If you cough or sneeze, the mask can catch those respiratory droplets so they don’t land on other people or surfaces. “So it’s not going to protect you, but it is going to protect your neighbor,” says Dr. Daniel Griffin at Columbia University, an expert on infectious diseases. “If your neighbor is wearing a mask and the same thing happens, they’re going to protect you. So masks worn properly have the potential to benefit people.”

 

If I’m wearing a mask and someone sneezes on me, would the mask offer some protection?

Yes. But only if you use the mask properly and don’t touch it with your hands afterward. Those droplets from a cough or sneeze would hit your mask instead of your mouth and nose — good news. But the next step is to take the mask off by the ear bands and either wash or discard it — without touching the front of it. If you touch the front of the mask, whatever that person coughed or sneezed on it is now on your hands.

One other thing: Ideally you would have eye protection, too, to keep that stranger’s sneeze from getting in. Glasses and sunglasses aren’t perfect but can help.

What about homemade masks?

Some research has shown that cotton T-shirt material and tea towels might help block respiratory droplets emitting from sick people — though it’s not clear how much protection they provide.

 

How often do I need to wash it?

Griffin says to think of a mask as like underwear: It needs to be washed after each use.  “You don’t take this dirty mask off, put it in your purse and then stick it back on your face,” he says. “It’s something that once you put on, is potentially either touching your coughs, sneezes or the spray of your speech, or protecting you from the coughs, spray, speech of other people. And now it’s dirty. It needs to basically be either discarded or washed.”