Monthly Archives: June 2020

Entertainment, Government, Kansas

“To The Stars” From KWPT

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Division of Tourism Launches New Tagline Celebrating Spirit of Kansas

 

TOPEKA – The Tourism Division of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism introduced its new tourism marketing tagline and campaign last week, which honors and celebrates the perseverance that defines what it means to be a Kansan.

 

The new tagline – To The Stars – builds upon the state’s motto, Ad Astra Per Aspera, meaning “to the stars through difficulty.”

 

“‘To The Stars’ reminds us who we are and shows us where to go,” said Kansas Tourism director Bridgette Jobe. “It’s a salute to the free-spirited. To the rowdy. To the wide-eyed wanderers. To the dreamers. To the stars.”

 

The coming year will continue with stories and features on the Kansas Tourism website, TravelKS.com, that build on and further develop To The Stars.

 

Travelers are encouraged to learn about the perseverance that embodies To The Stars displayed by Free Staters in the war against slavery, dust bowl farmers, Santa Fe Trail pioneers, Amelia Earhart, Nicodemus settlers, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, astronomer Clyde Tombaugh, plaintiffs in the Brown v Board of Education landmark case, Greensburg residents, and many other notable Kansans who charged ahead despite adversity. More information about these historical figures, including places to visit to learn about them, can be found on the Kansas Tourism Blog and at TravelKS.com.

 

“Like many of us, the travel industry in our state and nation is experiencing unprecedented challenges amidst the global pandemic,” Jobe said. “‘To The Stars’ is as relevant as ever for Kansas, and now we have a chance to learn more about, and take hold of, the fortitude that has forged our state by visiting sites that commemorate them.”

 

The Division of Tourism is encouraging #SafeTravels which includes physical distancing while exploring Kansas’ wide spaces and unspoiled beauty.

 

“Everyone is looking for what they can do with their family this summer, and fantastic experiences are waiting just down the road in Kansas,” Jobe said. “Take a road trip to find a new adventure – whether that’s a visit to the Fort Scott National Historic Site to learn more about Bleeding Kansas, a hike at our newest state park Little Jerusalem Badlands, or traveling to buy local beef from a producer and seeing Kansas along the way.”

 

T-shirts and other merchandise featuring new To The Stars and Kansas designs are available at the Kansas Gear Store on TravelKS.com.

Government, Kansas

Governor Laura Kelly Announces the Phase-In of Drive Tests

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Dept. of Revenue takes precautions against COVID-19 while keeping safety and health top-of-mind

 

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly directed the Kansas Department of Revenue to begin phasing in the availability of drive tests. To start administering these tests, steps had to be taken to ensure the health and well-being of all who interact with the Kansas Department of Revenue offices.

 

“A significant part of getting Kansans back to work and back to school, is getting them back on the road,” Governor Kelly said. “By phasing in our drive tests statewide, with the proper health and safety protocol in mind, we make sure Kansans can travel to work, school, or to the grocery store.”

 

Examiners will be outfitted with face masks and gloves. Additional protective equipment may be worn when administering these tests. All people inside a vehicle in which a driving test is being administered are required to wear a face mask. If an applicant declines to wear a mask, a test can be rescheduled for a later time once circumstances call for mask use to subside.

 

This is in addition to continuing the implementation of social distancing guidelines and requiring appointments and screenings upon entering offices.

 

“The operational processes we have implemented will help us continue our services in a healthy manner while also ensuring Kansans get back on the road safely,” said David Harper, Director of the Division of Vehicles.

 

To see if an office is offering the drive test and instructions on making an appointment, customers are asked to visit www.ksrevenue.org/reopening.html.

 

The following offices will make drive tests available beginning June 22, 2020.

County Office Address
Allen 1 N. Washington, Iola
Barton 1400 Main St., Room 207, Great Bend
Bourbon 108 W. 2nd, Fort Scott
Butler 640 N. Andover Rd., Andover
Cherokee 1101 E. St., Baxter Springs
Cloud 811 Washington, Suite B, Concordia
Cowley 320 E. 9th St., Winfield
Crawford 202 E. Centennial Dr., Suite C11A, Pittsburg
Douglas 1035 N. 3rd St., Suite 119, Lawrence
Ellis 1222 Canterbury Dr., Hays
Finney 2506 N. John St., Garden City
Ford 2601 Central Ave., Dodge City
Franklin 225 S. Walnut St., Ottawa
Johnson 6507 Johnson Dr., Mission
Johnson 13507 S. MurLen Suite #137 Olathe
Johnson 7600 W. 119th St., Suite D, Overland Park
McPherson 322 N. Main St., Suite 205, McPherson
Montgomery 404 N. 14th St., Independence
Nemaha 203 N. 8th St., Suite 2, Seneca
Neosho 301 West 14th St., Chanute
Phillips 520 S. 7th St., Phillipsburg
Pratt 300 S. Ninnescah St., Pratt
Reno 125 W. 2nd St., Suite A, Hutchinson
Riley 8200 S. Port Dr., Suite 105, Manhattan
Saline 2910 Arnold, Salina
Scott 303 Court St., #6, Scott City
Sedgwick 620 N. Rock Rd., Suite 300, Derby
Sedgwick 1873 W. 21st N, Wichita Twin Lakes
Seward 615 N. Kansas Ave. B, Liberal
Shawnee 300 SW 29th St., Topeka
Thomas 990 S. Range St., #3, Colby
Wyandotte 155 S. 18th St., Kansas City

 

The Division of Vehicles continues to encourage Kansans to renew their driver’s licenses online by using iKan, the state’s official app for online driver’s license and vehicle registration renewals. The app can be accessed by going to www.ikan.ks.gov, or by searching iKan and downloading from the Apple App or Google Play mobile stores.

Business, COVID-19, Fort Scott, Health Care

Common Grounds Customers On Certain Dates Should Quarantine For Symptoms of COVID 19

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SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Bourbon County, Kansas

PRESS RELEASE:

NOVEL CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19

June 23, 2020;

It is the recommendation of the Bourbon County Health Officer, that if you were served at Common Ground Coffee Company (12 E. Wall, Fort Scott, KS) on the dates of June 16th (between 3:00-9:30pm) and June 17th (between 6:30am-2:30pm), to please quarantine yourself in your home and monitor for symptoms of COVID-19, through July 1st.

Symptoms are:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. This list does not include all possible symptoms.

For more information you may call the SEK Multi-County Health Department: Bourbon: (620)223-4464 Monday-Thursday 7:00am-5:30pm OR the COVID-19 Hotline: (866)534-3463.You may also visit the COVID-19 Resource Center at: https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/OR Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Departments on Facebook or our website: www.sekmchd.com for local updates.

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Government, Health Care

Bourbon County Has Another COVID 19 Case

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SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Bourbon County, Kansas

PRESS RELEASE:

NOVEL CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19

June 23, 2020;

A Bourbon County, KS positive COVID-19 test was confirmed this afternoon. The testing was confirmed through a reference laboratory that was used. This case is a contact of a positive case that was confirmed yesterday. The Bourbon County Public Health Department is diligently working to complete the investigation at this time.

The Bourbon County Public Health Department urges the public to continue to take appropriate actions. Individuals should continue to practice social distancing, clean/disinfect any high touched surfaces, wash their hands with soap and water routinely, use hand sanitizer if soap and water is not available and avoid touching your face (especially eyes, nose & mouth).

Please remember if you have the symptoms to:

Call before going to a Clinic, Hospital, ER, or Health Department

Close contact means: 6 foot or less for 10 minutes or more, with a positive case.

STAY HOME IF SICK!

If you are experiencing life threatening symptoms, PLEASE CALL 911.

For more information you may call the SEK Multi-County Health Department: Bourbon: (620)223-4464 Monday-Thursday 7:00am-5:30pm OR the COVID-19 Hotline: (866)534-3463.You may also visit the COVID-19 Resource Center at: https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/OR Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Departments on Facebook or our website: www.sekmchd.com for local updates.

Obituary

Obituary of Mary Janet Elliott

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Mary Janet Elliott, age 79, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Tuesday, June 23, 2020, at Via Christi Hospital, Pittsburg, KS.

She was born on July 7, 1940, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Edward William Ogle and Cleda Medrienne Davis Ogle.

She married Charles E. Elliott, Sr. on January 7, 1957, in Ft. Scott. He preceded her in death on December 30, 1994.

Mary provided daycare for children for over 40 years. She enjoyed crocheting and working in the yard. She loved spending time with her grandchildren. She attended the First Southern Baptist Church.

Survivors include 2 sons, Charles Elliott, Jr., Ft. Scott and William Elliott and wife Sue, Henderson, TN; a daughter, Marlean Roberts, Ft. Scott; 2 brothers, Edward Ogle, Jr., Topeka, KS, and Dale Ogle, Ft. Scott; 4 sisters, Carol Ayers, Ft. Scott, Roberta Wilson, Chanute, KS, Kathy Ogle, Ft. Scott, and Brenda Ogle, Ft. Scott; 7 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Kenna Elliott; a son-in-law, Weldon Roberts; and her parents.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Friday, June 26th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main.

Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Business, COVID-19, Fort Scott

COVID 19 Help Fort Scott Businesses Starts June 14, With Eligibility Requirements

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A grant application to help Fort Scott businesses suffering from the results of the shut down for the  COVID 19  Pandemic opens tomorrow , June 24 at 8 AM, according to Allyson Turvey, Tourism and Community Development Manager for the City of Fort Scott.

The City of Fort Scott will begin accepting applications for the Community Development Block Grant – CV (CDBG-CV) grant program.

Details will be made available at http://fscity.org/353/CDBG-CV

Who Is Eligible

  • Businesses located within the City limits
  • The business must have no more than 50 employees and can be as small as one employee
  • Sole proprietors/self-employed with a valid Tax ID/EIN
  • No less than 51% of the jobs impacted must meet Low to Moderate Income Levels
  • Grants are for COVID 19 related hardship only

Who is not eligible?

  • Farmers/Ranchers
  • New Businesses or Services (Opened after March 1, 2020)
  • Businesses with any local, state, or federal tax liability
  • Sales Consultants (i.e. Mary Kay Sales Consultant, Tupperware Sales Consultant, etc.)
  • Government, government employee households
  • Non-profits

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted by the City of Fort Scott.

 

The City of Fort Scott was recently awarded $132,000 in CDBG-CV funding which will be granted to local businesses facing financial hardships due to COVID-19. Qualifying businesses may receive a maximum of $10,000 in grant funding, award allocation will be based on the number of jobs retained.

Businesses located within city limits, and with fewer than 50 employees, and as small as one employee may be eligible to apply. Awards will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. An application will only be considered once it is fully completed with all requested documentation required to support the requested funding.

As sole proprietors and self-employed individuals did not qualify for the previous round of CDBG Emergency Funding, they will be given priority for this program. These individuals must submit their completed application before July 23rd, 2020 to receive precedence in application processing. Other businesses may still submit applications during this time frame, these applications will be held until July 24th before processing. All completed applications will be time-stamped and logged upon receipt to ensure they are processed in order of submission.

Grants may be considered for working capital expenses for 60 days.

Funds can only be used for qualified expenses incurred after March 1, 2020.

There may be no duplication of benefits. For instance, if a business has already received funds from the Payroll Protection Program (PPP), they may still qualify. However, funds cannot be used for the same need as was utilized under the PPP program.

City employees will review applications and make recommendations to the City Commission. The City Commission will approve/decline/adjust requests at a regularly scheduled public meeting.

Application forms and additional eligibility requirements may be found online at http://fscity.org/353/CDBG-CV. Hard copy applications, along with program parameters will also be available at City Hall, 123 S. Main St.

Questions regarding the application process, and eligibility guidelines should be directed to Allyson Turvey, via email at [email protected], or by phone at (620) 223-0550.

 

Church news, Fort Scott

Family Life Center Moving Forward At Southern Baptist Church

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The new Family Life Center at First Southern Baptist Church has a  completed shell.

The new multi-purpose room addition of the First Southern Baptist Church of Fort Scott has the shell completed.

The 125 member church is located at 1818 S. Main (Hwy. 69).

The 95-foot by 75-foot Family Life Center will have an occupancy of 299 people when fully usable.

“We went big after looking at nearby churches,” Vera Norris, a church member said.

The large building is a multi-purpose room and classrooms and restrooms will be added as funds come in.

In addition to a multi-purpose room, the building will house classrooms and restrooms.

“It will be for community events such as a possible homeschool group, seminars,” Brian Williams, a church board member said. “Our AWANA kids will be able to play games in here and we’ll have youth activities.”

“Awana is a world-wide nonprofit ministry focused on providing Bible-based evangelism and discipleship solutions for ages 2-18, according to its’ websitehttps://www.awana.org/about/  Awana gives children the opportunity to know, love and serve Jesus, no matter their background.”

 

“The building is a work in progress,” Pastor James Collins said.

“We are working on fundraising so we can compete our classrooms and restrooms (that will be housed in the building), Williams said.

Arck Construction, Pittsburg began construction in May 2019, the steel beams were erected and the outside shell was completed by September 2019, Williams said.

“The air conditioning and heating are working now,” Williams said.  “We recently held a church rummage sale in the facility.”

The old church kitchen is being reconfigured and will serve the Family LIfe Center activities.

 

 

The old kitchen is being reconfigured.
Obituary

Funeral Service Notice For Jackie Kountz

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Service Notice

Jackie Lee Kountz, age 70, resident of Lamar, MO, died Monday, June 22, 2020, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, MO.  Graveside services will be held Friday in the U.S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott, KS.  Memorials are suggested to the Jackie Kountz Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Bourbon County, Business, COVID-19, Government

Bourbon County Emergency Funding Is Accepting Applications

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Bourbon County Economic Director Jody Hoener announces the Bourbon County CDBG-CV program is now officially open to accept applications.

To be eligible, your business must be located within Bourbon County but outside the city limits of City of Fort Scott.

You can view other eligibility criteria and program parameters online here: https://www.bourboncountyks.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Bourbon-County-CDBG-CV-Plan.pdf.

 

Submit your online application today here: https://www.bourboncountyks.org/emergency-funding-application/ and we will follow up with an email for supporting documentation.

 

Also, feel free to pick up a paper application packet in the County Clerk’s office and return to me in paper form or electronically.

COVID-19, Government, Health Care, Kansas

Osawatomie State Hospital Has One Staff Positive for COVID 19

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COVID-19 Case at Osawatomie State Hospital; Kansas Neurological Institute Reports 12 Cases

TOPEKA – Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Secretary Laura Howard announced today that one staff member at Osawatomie State Hospital (OSH) has tested positive for COVID-19. This is the first positive case at OSH in either residents or staff. Howard also announced the Kansas Neurological Institute (KNI) has 12 new positives cases in five staff members and seven residents.

To protect the identity of staff and residents at each hospital, no further information will be released.

Friday, June 19, an employee at OSH reported a positive test result to the hospital’s infection control nurse. In coordination with the Miami County Health Department, all 11 residents on the unit who were in close contact with the positive employee will be tested as a priority. A testing strategy that reaches beyond those working or living on the unit is currently being discussed and several steps have been taken to further maximize safety precautions already in place to minimize risk of further exposure:

  • Any employee with direct, close contact with the positive employee has been contacted and begun a 14-day quarantine as instructed by the Miami County Health Department.
  • Any patients directly exposed to the positive employee are strongly encouraged to isolate in their room and wear a facemask anytime they leave their room. Patients on the unit where the employee worked will remain on the unit and are being closely monitored for any change in status. COVID-19 testing will be implemented at the appropriate time according to time of exposure.
  • At this time, there will be no admissions to the affected unit. All staff working on the affected unit are required to wear full personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times, to include nurses, other professionals, security and housekeeping.
  • Separate entrances and exits have been established on the affected unit to minimize exposure to staff and patients on other units.
  • The frequently touched surfaces in the affected unit are now being disinfected three times per shift.

“This is an extremely stressful time for patients, their loved ones and our staff members,” OSH Superintendent Kristin Feeback said. “We recognize that communication with patients, families and staff is critically important, especially after a confirmed COVID-19 case. I appreciate our staff being so responsive and adaptive to the instructions given by local health officials to make sure we do all we can to prevent the spread of the virus as effectively as possible.”

Thursday, June 18, KNI reported one staff member and one resident in the same home on campus tested positive for COVID-19 and at least one more staff member was symptomatic. Officials at KNI worked in collaboration with the Kansas Department for Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Shawnee County Health Department to administer more than 80 tests to all staff working in the affected home as well as all residents in the building where that home is located. At the time of this release, those tests have resulted in positive cases in five staff members and seven residents in three living units covering two campus buildings. Three of the 12 positive cases at KNI are symptomatic, but zero currently require hospitalization.

KDHE and KNI and local health department officials are expanding testing on campus in the coming days to include all staff in potentially affected areas with a goal of an additional 200 staff tested by end of day today. Residents in all three affected living units have already been tested. KNI continues to follow similar PPE practices to those implemented at OSH.

“We are thankful to the health officials at the state and local level for their quick and effective communication and response,” KNI Superintendent Brent Widick said. “Our residents are like family and we work very hard to keep them safe, so this kind of news takes a real emotional toll on our staff.”

KNI reported its first two cases of staff members on April 17 this year. Both of those cases have been cleared.

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.