State Treasurer Jake LaTurner to Give Away $50,000 in Scholarships to 50 Nurses in the State of Kansas
Topeka— In honor of National Nurse’s Week and in recognition of all those in Kansas who continue to serve the people of our state by working in the field of nursing, Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner with the support of the Kansas State Board of Nursing will be giving away fifty, $1000 scholarships to Kansas residents with a current nursing license as defined by the Kansas Nurse Practice Act (https://ksbn.kansas.gov/npa/).
“You certainly don’t have to look very far to find someone you know that is serving in the nursing field in Kansas. These are hard-working individuals who spend many hours on their feet caring for people in some of their most trying times, physically and mentally. If you know someone you’d like to thank for the work that they do, now is your opportunity to nominate them for one of these scholarships,” said Treasurer LaTurner.
“Nurses time after time have proven how dedicated and passionate they are about helping others. They have been heroes on the frontline in providing care during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is an excellent way to show them how appreciated they are. Please nominate a nurse for one of these scholarships, in honor of National Nurse’s Week, as a way to say, “Thank You” for your dedication to the nursing profession!” said Executive Administrator for the Kansas State Board of Nursing Carol Moreland, MSN, RN.
The full contest rules can be found at https://kansasstatetreasurer.com/nan.html. The scholarship money will be placed into a Kansas LearningQuest 529 account, which can be used to pay off student loans, pay for continuing education at a qualified higher education institution, or may be saved for the future educational costs of a loved one. Nominations will be accepted through midnight May 12, 2020. All completed entries will be considered and winners will be notified by May 19, 2020.
No taxpayer funds are being used to fund these scholarships.
Topeka, Kan. – Kansas is once again a national leader in wind-generated renewable energy, according to the American Wind Energy Association’s (AWEA) Annual Market Report.
Kansas ranks No. 2 in the nation for wind energy production as a share of total electricity generation, joining Iowa as one of only two states with more than 40 percent of the state’s total electricity produced by wind power in 2019.
Governor Laura Kelly noted the increase in wind energy production in the state.
“Wind energy is now the state’s largest source of electricity, which translates into savings for electricity customers – residences and businesses – across Kansas,” the Governor said.
Key metrics and rankings highlight the success of Kansas’ continued investment in wind energy.
Wind energy as a percentage of total energy production: 41.40%, No. 2 in the nation
Installed wind capacity: 6,128 MW, No. 4 in the nation
Number of wind turbines: 3,160, No. 5 in the nation
Direct wind industry jobs in 2019: 5,000-plus
Capital investment in wind projects through 2019: $11.4 billion
“Not only is Kansas wind energy production good for the environment, it’s also good for business,” Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The wind energy sector employs thousands of Kansans and contributes billions of dollars in capital investment to our state each year.”
AWEA’s annual reports provide an in-depth look at U.S. wind energy each year. Wind is now the largest source of renewable energy in the U.S., reliably supplying more than seven percent of the country’s electricity.
We continue to assess, respond, and comply with guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 for the benefit of our campus community. With this in mind, we have decided to move the June 2020 summer school session from face-to-face classes to an online format, with the exception of our John Deere Technician Training program. John Deere Technician Training students will meet face-to face at the John Deere Tech building for summer 2020. Every precaution will be taken, including; social distancing, hand sanitizing, etc., to mitigate the possible spread of COVID-19. If you have questions concerning summer school, your schedule, or would like to schedule an appointment to enroll please contact [email protected]
Fort Scott Community College students who are currently enrolled for the Spring 2020 semester may qualify for COVID-19 emergency relief funds. The Federal CARES Act may provide students with emergency financial aid grants to help cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations and ensure students are able to continue their education. To apply for FSCC Emergency Relief funds please submit the application at: FSCC COVID-19 Student Emergency Relief Grant Application
If you have any questions regarding the FSCC COVID-19 Student Emergency Relief Grant, please contact us at [email protected].
Below are several items we would like everyone to be aware of:
June Summer school classes will be moved from face-to-face to an online format (with the exception of John Deere Technician Training)
The last day for withdrawals has moved from May 1 to May 8.
Enrollment is open. Please encourage students to contact advising to schedule an appointment to enroll [email protected]
Online tutoring will be available for students via Zoom or email. Please contact Susan Benson at [email protected] for any tutoring needs.
Students desiring to setup a payment plan for an outstanding balance, need to access their Gizmo account and click the link located in the “Account Balance Information” section.
We are developing a plan to recognize graduates from this spring at a special fall commencement ceremony. More information regarding this will be released at a later date.
Craw-Kan is providing free wi-fi to locations in our region. Here is a link to the map https://ckt.net/hotspots/
All Courses Online
ALL FSCC courses will be online for the remainder of the semester. This includes all technical courses/programs taught at CTEC, Construction Trades at La Harpe, Fort Scott John Deere/Welding, Harley-Davidson in Frontenac, Allied Health/Nursing at Burke Street, and Welding, Construction Trades, Criminal Justice, and Allied Health/Nursing in Miami County. All courses (including general education) will resume in the online format beginning March 30th.
Internet
For students without readily available internet access, please contact your local area internet service and cellular service providers. Many companies are working with students during this time to ensure access to internet services. If this is unsuccessful, please contact Janet Fancher ([email protected]) or Adam Borth ([email protected]).
Updated Closures
The Bookstore, Library, Computer Labs, and Student Success Center will be closed until at least April 26, 2020 when the stay-at-home order is lifted.
Advising and Enrollment:
Fall enrollment will open March 30, and advising will be assisting students via phone appointments and email. To schedule an appointment please contact via email:
You may call 620.223.2700, ext. 3630 and leave a detailed message, including name, student ID (if applicable), and contact information.
We want to make sure everyone stays safe and healthy! We will continue to comply with local and state guidelines/orders. We will also continue to keep everyone updated on any changes we have to scheduling, campus access, etc.
Lance Tyler Haley, Jr. age 11, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Saturday, April 18, 2020.
He was born January 12, 2009, in Ft. Scott, the son of Lance T. Haley and Kayla Woodall Haley. He was born the oldest twin to brother, Mason at six months gestation. They were little miracle babies, not expected to survive, but against all odds, both boys pulled through.
Lance’s journey was a little more difficult than his brother’s, but his will to survive kept him here with us for eleven wonderful years. Lance loved to be outside. He loved being around people. He loved noises, dinosaurs and water.
He had the most precious smile and the best laugh that would light up the world around him. He was a very determined little boy. If he wanted to do something, he would do it. Little Lance had a spirit filled with innocence, joy and laughter. He touched many hearts and was a blessing to many. He will be forever missed.
Survivors include his parents, Lance and Kayla Haley; his brothers, Mason and Blaise Haley and his sister, Natalie Haley and his grandparents, John and Kimberly Woodall and Bill and Pamala Haley and his great-grandparents, Sylvia Woodall and Vernon and Linda Nordyke as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Larry Coleman, David Woodall, Maynard Coyle, Karrie Caruthers, Mary Nordyke, Beatrice Salters and Janice Younce.
Private burial will take place in the Evergreen Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Lance Haley Memorial Fund 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.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Lance Tyler Haley, Jr., please visit our Tribute Store. Or, if you would like to donate to the family, please visit Lance Tyler Haley, Jr. Tribute Fund.
Hubert Lee Adams, 82 of Westland, Michigan, formerly of Arma, Kansas and Rossville, Kansas, passed away Saturday, April 18, 2020 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Livonia, Michigan.
He was born December 19, 1937 on the Nord Family Farm in Bronaugh, Missouri the son of Clarence Kermit and Viola Lea (Mahan) Adams. He was the oldest of eight children.
He married Elizabeth Darlene Mentola June 20, 1964, she preceded him in death on October 25, 2017.
Hurb graduated from Nevada High School in 1955 and then received his Bachelor’s degree from Missouri School of Mines in Rolla, Missouri in 1959 and then, his Master’s degree from Wayne State University in Detroit Michigan. He served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as an Officer in 1961 and 1962 at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He was a Chemical Engineer for various chemical companies in his civilian career.
Hurb, being a man of faith, deeply believed in Heaven and lived his life accordingly.
Also, he was a Citizen of the Potawatomi Nation and was proud of his heritage.
He was a member of the American Legion of Lamar, Missouri.
He is survived by a son, Mark Adams and wife, Kathy of Westland, Michigan, a daughter, Michelle Miclea and husband, Christopher of Fairhaven, Michigan, 3 brothers, Paul Leroy Adams of Kansas City, Missouri, Joe Adams and wife, Ardy of Maryville, Tennessee, and Don Adams and wife, Terri of Nevada, Missouri, 4 sisters, Lois Dianne Richardson and husband, Don of Lebanon, Missouri, Barbara Jean Pierce and husband, Glenn of Tucson, Arizona, Viola Mae Wilson and husband, Aaron of Las Cruces, New Mexico and Sharon Schaeffer and husband, Jim of Glen Carbon, Illinois, and 5 grandchildren, Kayla, Christopher, Cristina, Joshua and Brandon.
In addition to his wife, Darlene, he was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters-in-law, Marge Shields Adams and Donna Galbraith Adams.
He will be interred with his wife, Elizabeth Darlene at the U.S. National Cemetery #1 in Fort Scott, Kansas in a private ceremony under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.
Memorials may be given to the New Hope United Methodist Church Food Bank of Allen Park, Michigan, donations may be sent to or left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, P.O. Box 309, 15 W. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
“The reason the number of cases went from 7 to 6 is because one of the positive cases was living in Bourbon County, but was actually a resident of Woodson County, KS. So, now Woodson County has 5, where they had 4 cases,” according to Rebecca Johnson, administrator of Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department.
Lauren Walker, a student in Mrs. Gauthier’s kindergarten class, works on an experiment at home. Submitted photos.
Uniontown’s school district began a continuous learning plan to allow students to learn from home during the nationwide closure of schools, due to the COVID 19 pandemic.
Last week, a parent’s story of how the learning plan was working was published on FortScott.Biz.
This feature is from a teacher’s view.
Rose Gauthier teaches kindergarten at West Bourbon Elementary School.
A.J. Vincent looks at her science experiment, following a lesson from WBE Kindergarten Teacher Rose Gauthier. Submitted photos.
Following is an interview by email from Gauthier.
When did the USD235 Continuous Learning Plan begin?
“We began Thursday, April 2nd with a practice run with the parents and students to work out kinks. We started our remote learning officially on Monday, April 6th. We will finish on Tuesday, May 19th.”
How much daily planning do you have for the classes?
“A lot. A teacher’s job has never been a 9:00 to 5:00 job, but even more so with this new way of teaching. It is hard to put a certain time frame on all the work the teachers, administration, and staff have put into it. From getting devices into student’s hands, the tech department working out tech issues for teachers and parents, and teachers creating different ways to teach their students with this new way of learning.”
Did you get together as a group of teachers and decide what the most important things to teach are?
“Yes. The school began with many “Zoom” meetings that included administration and teachers, with guidance from KSDE, to determine the best way to reach the kids.”
(Zoom provides users with a cloud (internet) platform for video and audio conferencing, collaboration, chat, and webinars across mobile devices, desktops, telephones, and room systems, according to the Zoom website).
“I create a meeting on Zoom and send the parents an invite.,” she said. “The students click on a link and have a password to log in.”
Rose Gauthier’s kindergarten class can view each other during lesson time. Submitted photo. Gauthier is shown on the top row, second from left.
“Our focus, as for many schools, is primarily the social and emotional spirit of the kids. This is a difficult and confusing time for them and many of the kids do not understand what is going on, especially at the primary levels. Letting them know that we are here for them, we miss and love them. Academically we are focusing on maintaining what the kids have already learned and limited new material to the essential outcomes that were agreed upon as a team”
Do you teach from home or do you go to school?
“Both, the less I need from my classroom the more I teach from home. I go in once or twice a week.”
Have you seen any good come out of this difficult situation of not having the students in a classroom?
“Out of every bad situation, something good always comes out of it. Nothing will replace the social and emotional aspects of being together in the learning environment. The hugs, the high fives, being right beside them to guide them in their learning.”
“This situation has given us the appreciation of each other, the parents an opportunity to be a bigger part of the learning experience, and for all of us to step back and remember what is really important in life. And mostly, we get reminded of what a great community we have. We couldn’t do this without the support of great parents.”
What are some of the challenges?
“The biggest challenge is not seeing the kids every day. Adjusting to remote learning and tech issues are some other challenges, which gets easier as we go along. Also, reaching those kids without internet access is a challenge.”
How do you grade the kindergartners in this new plan?
“In Kindergarten we don’t give a traditional letter grade. We use checklists to provide feedback to parents about where the students are academically. During this time, we will still focus on those checklist skills while understanding that we will need to be prepared to provide the needed remediation to students at the beginning of the 2020-21 school year.”
“The district has worked together to provide a similar learning experience for all students, but obviously this looks slightly different based on the grade, content, teaching style, etc.”
Outdoor art by Kinnis Shepard, from Rose Gauthier’s kindergarten class. Submitted photos.
Krista Harding District Extension Agent, Horticulture Southwind Extension District 111 S. Butler Erie, KS 66733 Office: 620-244-3826 Cell: 620-496-8786
Just like many of you, I’m having difficulty wrapping my mind around how quickly our lives have changed in a very short period of time. Seeing the panic and chaos that’s happening around us can be concerning. Now more than ever, it might be the time for folks to think about becoming more self-sufficient and grow some of their own food.
I have been in contact with a couple of our local suppliers and have seen social media posts that they are stocked with garden seed and supplies. Like many other local retailers, I know they are willing to work with you if you do not feel comfortable going inside the business. Just give them a call and arrange for outside pick-up.
If you are reading this and thinking to yourself that you have never grown anything in your life and just don’t think it’s possible, let me assure you that it is possible. Even for the most novice! You might be thinking that you don’t have space for a garden, or maybe you don’t have a tiller or other equipment. Don’t let that stop you because almost all vegetables can be grown in containers.
The containers don’t have to be anything fancy. Literally, anything that can hold soil and have drain holes drilled in the bottom can be used. Containers that are 16 to 24 inches in diameter work well. Containers less that 12 inches are probably too small – except for lettuces. The most important component of growing vegetables in a container is getting the right potting media. Potting mixes are ideal (instead of soil from your yard). The components are lightweight and hold water and oxygen much better. Make certain that you don’t forget to drill some drainage holes into the bottom of the container.
Fertilizer should be added at planting time and mixed into the soil. If you want to go the organic route, mix blood meal or bone meal into the soil before planting. If you use a synthetic fertilizer, add a slow-release type when preparing the container.
Another benefit to growing vegetables in containers – you don’t have to fight the weather quite as much. Right now, traditional garden soils are way too wet to even think about planting. But with the container system, you can keep them dry inside a garage until you are ready to plant.
Early spring is the ideal time to plant cool season vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, radish, onions, carrots and potatoes. All can be easily grown in containers, even potatoes!
Gardening is a great stress reliever. It also allows for good social distancing. If you have kids at home, gardening is the perfect activity to get them outside to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine, all while learning at the same time!
Here’s where I come in. I have lots of resource material to help you. In addition, I’m always available by phone, e-mail or social media to answer your questions. Don’t be afraid to ask! In Extension, we say there are no “dumb” questions! I am here to help you in any way that I can. The Extension mission continues. We are committed to being innovative to connect you with research-based resources and education. We appreciate your patience as we all navigate the challenges associated with this time.
Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Agricultural agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
TOPEKA – In an effort to help Kansans who put their health and lives on the line during the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Laura Kelly is directing the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) to evaluate all of its processes and procedures for handling workers compensation claims filed by law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical service providers and health care workers that are reasonably related to the pandemic.
KDOL will draft and submit a temporary regulation and develop or prepare potential legislation designed to create workers compensation coverage for our first responders and healthcare workers who contract COVID-19 while assisting in the State’s response to the pandemic. The regulation and proposed legislation will create a presumption that first responders and healthcare workers who contract COVID-19 contracted the disease arising out of, and in the course of their employment. The legislation will be reviewed or developed in time for consideration by the Kansas Legislature at the next possible opportunity, special or regular session, whichever occurs first.
Should any law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical service providers or health care workers who contract COVID-19 while assisting in the State’s response to the pandemic be found not covered by workers compensation, the Governor’s office will request that the Legislature establish a special fund to satisfy claims incurred during the emergency.
“It is imperative that we stand behind emergency responders, healthcare workers and the many other steadfast Kansans who serve the public each and every day, at risk to their own personal health and safety,” the Governor said.
“KDOL stands ready to assist in this expansion of workers compensation coverage for our healthcare workers and emergency responders,” Secretary Delía García said. “We are working on the regulation and reviewing Kansas’ current work comp statutes now.”
