Monthly Archives: April 2020

Government, Kansas

Confirmed COVID-19 case at Topeka Correctional Facility

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TOPEKA, Kan. – Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Secretary Jeff Zmuda announced today that one staff member at Topeka Correctional Facility (TCF) tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday, April 20. This is the third KDOC facility with a confirmed case, with the first cases reported at the Lansing Correction Facility and Wichita Work Release Facility.

 

The staff member at TCF is a male over the age of 20. In order to protect the identity of the person, no other information will be released.

 

The KDOC has been in consultation with officials from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on next steps to address these circumstances. As a result of that consultation with KDHE, the following steps were implemented:

 

  • KDHE conducted contact tracing to determine who among our staff and residents have been in close contact with this individual
  • The Shawnee County Health Department conducted contact tracing to identify anyone outside of TCF who may have been in close contact with this individual and will notify those persons
  • KDOC will remain diligent in monitoring other staff and residents for symptoms

 

“Our corrections staff are committed to their work of preparing our residents for a successful return to their communities,” Zmuda said. “Our staff take that responsibility very seriously and we will continue to work with KDHE to ensure that we are conducting ourselves in a way that ensures the health and safety of everyone.”

 

The Topeka Correctional Facility is Kansas’ only all-female prison with a capacity of 948. The facility houses minimum, medium, special management and maximum custody residents.

 

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.
 

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Fort Scott Community College, Government

FSCC Will Livestream Tonights Meeting

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To access a livestream of tonight’s regular monthly Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees meeting, follow the youtube link currently posted at the top of the Board of Trustees page on FSCC’s website found here http://fortscott.edu/trustees.

The youtube link will provide a live feed of the meeting.

Once the meeting is adjourned tonight, Zoom will process the cloud-based storage and provide a link that will provide a replay version of the meeting.  The replay link will be posted to the same place on FSCC’s website by noon tomorrow.

Provided by Juley McDaniel, Clerk of the board.

 

Fort Scott, Government

Fort Scott Commission Agenda April 21

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AGENDA

FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

FORT SCOTT CITY HALL

COMMISSION ROOM

123 SOUTH MAIN

APRIL 21, 2020

6:00 P.M.

I. ROLL CALL:

K. ALLEN P. ALLEN NICHOLS WATTS MITCHELL

II. FLAG SALUTE

III. INVOCATION:

IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week – April 12-18, 2020

V. CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of April 7th, 2020.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1261-A totaling $495,579.32.

  1. Resolution No. 10-2020 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 10 N. National Street – Public Hearing Date – June 2nd, 2020 – 6:15 p.m.

  1. Request to Pay #8 – Crossland Heavy Contractors – $297,929.28 – River Intake Project

  1. Change Request Proposal #11 – Crossland Heavy Contractors – $37,859.00 – River Intake Project – Pump #3 Rebuild

  1. Approval of 3RK – Certificate of Pay Request #4 – MIH Housing Grant – $11,557.87.

  1. March financials

VI. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: None

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 5 minute limit per citizen) Comments will not be taken during this meeting. If you have a topic to discuss not listed on the agenda, please contact a City Commissioner or send a written request to [email protected].

C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS: 6:00 p.m. De-annexation of property located at 1121 207th Street – Approval of Ordinance No. 3560

VII. CONSIDERATION:

  1. Consideration to Hire a City Engineer

  1. Consideration of Request to send out Request for Qualifications for City Engineer

  1. Consideration of Approval of Salary Ordinance Number 3561

  1. Consideration to repeal Ordinance No. 3556 and approve Ordinance No. 3562 establishing a Street Advisory Board

  1. Consideration of appointments to Street Advisory Board (Six (6) City residents – One (1) County resident within 3 mile limit)

  1. Consideration to reject bids – Machine Shed – Airport

  1. Consideration to apply for 2020 CARES Act for Airport runway improvements funding

  1. Consideration of approval of charter ordinance to fill a vacancy on the City Commission

VIII. COMMENTS:

  1. Director Updates:
  1. Commission:
  1. City Manager:

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

I MOVE THAT THE CITY COMMISSION RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE

SESSION FOR ________________________________ IN ORDER TO

(see below justification)

DISCUSS ______________________________________. THE

EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE ___________ MINUTES AND THE OPEN

MEETING TO RESUME AT ________________.

Justifications for Executive Sessions:

  • Personnel matters of 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 or representatives 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

IX. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL

Government, Kansas

Close calls in highway work zones occur all too often

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Amelia Earhart Bridge is lit in orange during a past National Work Zone Awareness Week safety campaign. Submitted photo.

 

Highway construction projects are continuing across the state with modified work practices. And as always, work zone safety is a top priority for the Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas Turnpike Authority and partner organizations. Unfortunately, there are oftentimes close calls in work zones.


KDOT Equipment Operator Specialist Kent Portenier, from the Phillipsburg office, realized a vehicle traveling through a work zone did not see him.

 

“I took off towards the ditch just as the driver hit the corner of the stopped pickup,” Portenier said. “The driver also swerved into the ditch and fortunately missed hitting me as I was running to safety.”

 

KTA Structures Worker Caleb Provo, from the Wichita office, was in a dump truck during a striping operation when he saw a semi traveling in the wrong lane.

 

“There was no way the driver could stop in time, and he tried to – unsuccessfully – squeeze between me and the barrier wall to avoid a collision,” Provo said. “Ultimately, the semi driver ended up crashing into the back end of my attenuator.”

 

Portenier, Provo and others are sharing their stories this week as part of a blog series to help illustrate the importance of work zone safety. Read all the blogs here –www.kansastransportation.blogspot.com.

 

“Close calls are all too common for highway workers, law enforcement and emergency responders who are serving the public,” said KDOT State Transportation Engineer Burt Morey. “It’s imperative that all drivers make paying attention and focusing on the road their main priorities every time they get in a vehicle.”

 

National Work Zone Awareness Week, which is April 20-24, raises awareness of the dangers highway workers and motorists face in work zones. Last year in Kansas, 1,420 work zone crashes occurred in which 437 people were injured and seven people were killed. A few locations around the state will be lit in orange to highway work zone safety, such as the Amelia Earhart Memorial bridge in Atchison.

 

For more information about work zone safety in Kansas, go to KDOT’s website, www.ksdot.org, and click on the work zone safety slide.

Bourbon County, Government, Health Care, Kansas

Kansas COVID 19 Update April 20

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Bourbon County has six cases.

Corrected:

“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.

 

https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/912/4-20-20-update-numbers

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Government, Kansas

The Census Is Important For Future Funding And More

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“The census affects many aspects of funding, legislative apportionment, and our official population count for the next 10 years ~ it’s important to get as many people to respond as possible,” Lindsay Madison, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director said.   “Your help is appreciated!”
Lindsay Madison is the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.

Why participate in completing the census?

According to the census website: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/2020-census/about/why.html

Here are the reasons:

Federal funds, grants and support to states, counties and communities are based on population totals and breakdowns by sex, age, race and other factors. Your community benefits the most when the census counts everyone. When you respond to the census, you help your community gets its fair share of the more than $675 billion per year in federal funds spent on schools, hospitals, roads, public works and other vital programs.

A post from the Kansas Dept. of Commerce explains some more detail of why it is important for rural areas to send back the census forms:

Taken from the Kansas Dept. of Commerce Facebook page.

The current census response rates compared to the state and national average and Bourbon County were pulled together by  Madison.

The response rates:

National- 48.6%
State- 53.3%
Bourbon County- 45%
City of Fort Scott- 46.8%

“Becki Roberts is our local ‘on the ground’ contact for the census leading the local census takers, etc.,” Madison said.

Online, phone and mailed self-responses will continue throughout the data collection process, according to information provided by Madison.

In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the U.S. Census Bureau is adjusting 2020 Census operations in order to:

  • Protect the health and safety of the American public and Census Bureau employees.
  • Implement the guidance from Federal, State, and local authorities regarding COVID-19.
  • Ensure a complete and accurate count of all communities.

Under the adjusted 2020 Census operational plan, field activities would resume after June 1, 2020, as Area Census Offices begin returning to full staff capacity.

Extended Time To Collect Data

Due to health and safety concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic, this will be the first-ever decennial census that has been delayed, according to  Steve Hale, Sr. Partnership Specialist (Kansas) with the U.S. Census Bureau / 2020 Census, in the information provided by Madison.

 

For more info: 2020census.gov

 The U.S. Commerce Department officially is seeking statutory relief from Congress for 120 additional calendar days to deliver final apportionment counts, according to the info provided by Madison.
Under this plan, which must receive congressional approval, field data collection and self-response will be extended from the original July 31 date until October 31, 2020. Apportionment counts would then be delivered to the President on April 30, 2021, and the redistricting data to be delivered to the states by July 31, 2021.
Here’s a quick link to those Operational changes:
Delivery of 2020 Census Paper Questionnaires
Also of note is those households that have not yet responded online or by phone to the initial 2020 Census mailings are now receiving a paper questionnaire.
While more than half of Kansas households have already responded online, some may prefer the paper-and-mail option.
Phone Response Wait Times
Persons using the phone to respond to the Census are experiencing increased call wait times. This is primarily due to social distancing measures. There’s a link in the Infogram
explaining a call-back option and the Census Bureau making more employees available to respond to requests.
Response Map
The public is encouraged to go to the 2020 Census response rate map to see how its community is responding by county or city or census tract. The map is updated daily.
Obituary

Obituary of Angela (Madison) Handke

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Angela Kristin (Madison) Handke, 49, of Leavenworth, Kansas, passed away suddenly on Thursday, April 16, 2020, as the result of an automobile accident near Lansing in Leavenworth County. Angela was born August 30, 1970, the daughter of William “Bill” Madison and Margie (Peterson) Madison in Fort Scott, Kansas.

Angela’s family lived in Adrian, Missouri, during her early childhood, prior to moving to Columbus, Kansas, before moving to Fort Scott in 1980. She then attended Fort Scott schools and was in the FSHS graduating class of 1988. In high school, Angela was active in various sports and clubs. She earned her Associate of Science degree at Fort Scott Community College in 1990. She married Robert James Handke of Atchison on June 10, 2000. She met Robert on a blind date in Wichita, which was setup through their mutual friend Denise.

While living in Atchison, Angela worked for Blish Mize, Independent Living Center of Atchison, and K&L Greenhouse, she loved working at the greenhouse. Angela went back to college in 2004 and earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management from the University of Kansas in 2006. After graduation she worked for Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center in Kansas City as their Medical Records Manager until they moved to Lawrence in 2009.

Angela worked as a Practice Consultant for the Kansas Foundation for Medical Care, while Robert was attending the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy. Robert and Angela purchased a home in rural Leavenworth in 2016 and began their present careers with the U.S. Army at Fort Leavenworth, he as a Staff Pharmacist and her as a Voucher Examiner. Angela loved to travel and explore and lived in India for several months prior to marriage. Her favorite place was Hawaii where she and Robert took several long vacations during their years together. She was a fantastic cook and could grow anything, just ask Robert’s classmates and co-workers. She was known to have a contagious smile, funny personality, huge heart, and kind soul. She will be missed so much!

Angela is survived by her husband of twenty years come June, Robert Handke; her mother Margie Madison; brother Tom (Tally) Madison; two nieces she adored, Kendall and Lauren Madison, and their mother Lindsay; and, several pets special to her. In addition, she is survived by in-laws Robert and Frances Handke, brother-in-law’s Gary (Kathy) Handke, Wayne (Terri) Handke, Glen (Jennifer) Handke, Phillip (Robin) Handke; sister-in-law’s Peggy (Ron) Lutz, and Karen (Nelson) Birkinsha. Also surviving are aunts and uncles of the Madison family, Nora Karleskint, Norma Kramer, Warren Madison, Cathy (Pat) Thomas, Frank (Deb) Madison, Claude Madison; aunts and uncles of the Peterson Family Harry “Sonny” (Edith) Peterson, Mary Lou Schafer, Frank Peterson, Von (Susan) Peterson, Verna May “Sissy” (Jay) Mall and many cousins and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her father, Bill Madison, aunts Carol (Madison) Lefever, Joyce Peterson and Uncles Pat Peterson, Bill Peterson, Ben Karleskint and Bill Kramer.

Following cremation, memorial services will be announced for a later date by the Cheney Witt Chapel.

In Lieu of Flowers, Memorials may be made to Fort Scott Paws & Claws Animal Shelter or the Bill Madison Scholarship Fund and may be left in care of the 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.

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

Kansas receives additional PPE supplies, expands COVID-19 testing in Kansas

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Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced Kansas has received additional supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) to expand COVID-19 testing in Finney, Ford, Lyon and Seward counties.

 

“I want to thank our federal partners for their ongoing efforts to help our state response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Kelly said. “I particularly appreciate the assistance from Senator Pat Roberts and Senator Jerry Moran.”

 

Kansas Department of Health and Environment is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to test and contain recent clusters of positive coronavirus cases in Kansas counties centered around food and meat processing plants.

 

“In order to fight this pandemic, collaboration at the state, local and federal level is paramount,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary, said. “Expanded testing and additional supplies from the federal level will equip and inform our state and local health officials as they work to protect the health of Kansans.”

 

The plants in southwest Kansas account for 25 to 30% of the country’s beef processing. “Agriculture is a facet of our state’s most critical infrastructure – Kansas doesn’t just feed the state, we feed the world,” Kelly said. “This is particularly true of our frontline workers in meatpacking plants across the state who process a significant portion of the nation’s supply.”

 

Since the start of this crisis, the Governor and members of her administration have been in communication with those plants and representatives of their employees.

 

The facilities have modified several production and shipping systems and have taken proactive measures including temperature and health screenings, enhanced sanitation and social distancing.

 

In recent weeks, Kansas has struggled to obtain the necessary supplies needed to test and treat coronavirus patients. The State received their allocation of the Strategic National Stockpile in late March. PPE received from the SNS was quickly distributed to counties throughout the state based on population.

 

Kansas is pleased to be able to deploy this collaborative effort between local, state and federal partners to proactively address these clusters in a strategic response to protect the nation’s food supply and the health of our essential food workers.

Fort Scott

Fort Scott Thompson-Harkey American Legion Post 25 Update

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At yesterday’s Second District Convention, held by telephone conference call, Post 25’s own Myra Jowers was elected Second District Commander for the 2020-21 Legion Year. Also elected to Second District leadership positions were Post 25 Commander Carl Jowers as Second District Adjutant and Post 25 Adjutant Leslie Montee as the Third Year Second District Committeewoman.

Myra’s eligibility for Legion membership is as a Vietnam Era Air Force Veteran. She was also elected three times as a Post Commander in Florida’s 5th District.  Carl’s eligibility for Legion membership is as a Vietnam Navy Veteran. Leslie’s eligibility for Legion membership is as a Global War on Terror Air Force Veteran.

As a reminder, Post 25 has grown to 100 members since May 2017. We have more than doubled our membership since our, Carl and Myra’s, arrival in Fort Scott a few short years ago. Many of this year’s Legion programs were canceled due to Coronavirus outbreak and the need for social distancing. We had delegates lined up for Boys State and the Cadet Law programs.  Plus, through no fault of the Post, we were unable to host the local or district oratorical competitions.  As we say after our favorite sports teams didn’t win the brass ring, “There’s always next year.” Post 25 stands ready to offer Legion programs to our area children and youth next year.

As Post Commander, one of advantages of the office, is to select the Post 25 Legionnaire of the Year.  I have selected Darrell Spencer as Post 25 Legionnaire of the Year for the 2019 – 20 Legion year. Darrell has stepped up and has done an impressive job as Post Finance Officer. He also answered the call when elected as the Color Guard Captain. I have received numerous compliments on how crisp and professional our Post 25 looks when they present colors at various ceremonies. Plus, Darrell is a Charter Member of the American Legion Riders Chapter 25. He willingly accepted the role as Chapter 25 treasurer and has participated in funeral escorts as a Rider.  I salute Darrell for his selfless service to Post 25 and the Bourbon County/Fort Scott community.

If you are aware of a local Veteran in need during these stay at home times, please let me know. Myra and I stand ready to help them as we can. As we move forward in the new Legion year, let us stay positive and continue to work together to improve our community.

Carl Jowers. Post 25 Commander.

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

4-H Wildlife

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AgentJennifer K. Terrell
District Extension Agent
4-H Youth Development
Southwind District – Erie Office
620-244-3826

 

Kansas wildlife is a large part of our state ranging from buffalo to birds to fish to deer and more. In this project youth will learn about wildlife behavior, habitat requirements, how wildlife species fit into nature’s scheme, how they are managed, and how they relate to humans.

To learn more about the 4-H wildlife project there is 4-H Curriculum that can be purchased. Here is a breakdown of what youth can learn at ages and stages:

Ages 7-8:

  • Characteristics of reptiles and amphibians

  • What is habitat

  • Unique features of birds

Ages 9-11:

  • Characteristics of reptiles and amphibians

  • What is habitat

  • Unique features of birds

Ages 12-14:

  • Characteristics of mammals, carnivores and omnivores

  • Significance of wetlands

  • Protective coloring of wildlife

Ages 15-18:

  • How wildlife adapt to urban environments

  • Effect of humans on wildlife habitat

  • Learn about the prairie as an ecosystem

In addition to the curriculum, youth are also encouraged to reach out to professionals within the wildlife industry to learn more. Each year, youth are able to demonstrate their hard work locally at the county fair and depending on age and placing, the Kansas State Fair.

The wildlife project is a great opportunity for youth to learn important life skills. For more information about this project, contact Jennifer K. Terrell, 4-H Youth Development for K-State Research and Extension – Southwind District at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.