Monthly Archives: December 2020
Weekly COVID-19 Vaccine Update
KDHE announces that a weekly vaccine update will be published on its website every Wednesday by 5 p.m. in English and Spanish.
This week’s copy can be found at: www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1664/COVID-19-Vaccine-Updates-1292020-.
The Spanish version is accessible at www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1665/%C3%9Altimas-Noticias-Sobre-COVID-19-12-9-20.
COVID-19 Testing In Kansas Care Homes
Governor Laura Kelly Issues Executive Order Requiring COVID-19 Testing in Adult Care Homes
TOPEKA –Governor Laura Kelly today announced she has signed Executive Order #20-69, requiring COVID-19 testing in certain adult care homes, to enhance efforts to keep COVID-19 from entering and spreading through nursing homes.
“By implementing uniform testing guidelines for nursing facilities statewide, we create clarity on the testing practices that will protect adult care home workers, residents, and communities from the spread of COVID-19,” Governor Laura Kelly said.
The order will require facilities to test residents and staff based on parameters and a frequency set forth by the executive order. The order requires testing of staff and residents in state-licensed facilities that are classified as adult care homes under K.S.A. 39-923(a). The order does not apply to facilities that are regulated by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services because those facilities are already subject to similar testing requirements.
The Executive Order outlines the routine testing requirements for adult care home staff based upon county positivity rates, monitoring and adjusting every other week, reported by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The minimum testing interval based on the county positivity rates are as follows:
- Low (<5% positive test result rate) or Green – Once a month
- Medium (5% – 10% positive test result rate) or Yellow – Once a week
- High (>10% positive test result rate) or Red – Twice a Week
The guidance above represents the minimum testing expected. Facilities may consider other factors, such as the positivity rate in an adjacent county to test at a higher frequency than required.
“We thank Governor Kelly for her continued support via this executive order to prioritize adult care home staff and residents in the state’s COVID-19 testing strategy,” KDADS Secretary Laura Howard said. “This action gives us an opportunity to ensure our most vulnerable citizens and the staff critical to their hands-on care are afforded every protection needed to slow down or stop the entrance of this virus into our facilities.”
Facilities can meet the testing requirements by using rapid point-of-care (POC) diagnostic testing devices or through an arrangement with an offsite laboratory. For a facility to conduct these tests with their own staff and equipment (including POC devices provided by the Department of Health and Human Services), the facility must have a CLIA Certificate of Waiver.
Facilities without the ability to conduct COVID-19 POC testing should have arrangements with a laboratory to conduct tests to meet these requirements. Laboratories that can quickly process large numbers of tests with rapid reporting of results should be selected to rapidly inform infection prevention initiatives to prevent and limit transmission. Facilities have access to laboratories contracted with the State of Kansas through the “It’s Up to Us, Kansas” testing strategy. This access is established through December 30, 2020.
The order states that, regardless of the frequency of testing being performed or the facility’s COVID-19 status, the facility should continue to regularly screen all staff, each resident, and all persons entering the facility, such as vendors, volunteers, and visitors, for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
The Executive Order further outlines guidelines for testing staff and residents with COVID-19 symptoms or signs, responding to an outbreak, refusal of testing, conducting tests, and reporting and documenting results.
Executive Order #20-69 becomes effective on Monday, December 14, 2020, and remains in force until rescinded or until the statewide State of Disaster Emergency expires, whichever is earlier.
UHS Basketball Results
UNIONTOWN HS BASKETBALL 2020-21 RESULTS GAME 1
The 2020-21 Uniontown Eagles’ basketball season kicked off at Humboldt with the first game of the Humboldt Tournament. Both Varsity teams played the Humboldt Cubs.
The final score of the first tournament game was 55-38, Uniontown. Danielle Howard was 5/5 on free throws and scored a total of 29 points. She made four three-pointers and had 4 assists, 6 deflections, and 5 steals. Alie Fuhrman had 4 rebounds, and Sammie Hampton had 3 rebounds. Karleigh Schoenberger scored 18 points with 2 three-pointers and had 4 steals, as well as 2 assists.
“We are blessed to be able to get back on the court and compete,” said Coach Miller. “We are grateful for everyone that made this possible. Our first game was a little rough, but we know how to fix it and we will. Looking forward to getting back in the gym to get better.”
The boys’ game, which ended after one overtime, was lost 55-59. Jake Harvey scored 23 points and had 7 rebounds and 3 steals. Clay Sutterby scored 13 points and had 5 rebounds. Cade Goodridge had 6 rebounds and Drew Holt had 4.
Coach Hays said, “I thought the boys competed hard against Humboldt. They have a really good basketball program and are well-coached. It was nice to see our boys play hard and fight back to take them to overtime. We have some things we need to improve on. We need to rebound the ball better and hit our free throws. We also need to do a better job of attacking the rim when our shots aren’t falling. We will continue to work hard in practice and prepare for Erie.”
The tournament will resume on Thursday, December 10 at Humboldt, where both teams will play Erie. Friday’s game will also be at Humboldt, where the teams will face Crest.
-Adelay Martin, UHS Sports Media Reporter
FS City Commission Special Meeting Dec. 14
The City Commission will meet for a special meeting at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, December 14th, 2020 at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room at 123 South Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. It is anticipated the City Commission will recess into Executive Session to review the submitted applications for City Manager.
This meeting will be broadcast on the City’s You tube channel. This meeting is open to the public.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Make Safety a Tradition This Holiday Season
Safe Kids Kansas and the Office of the State Fire Marshal offer tips for holiday home safety
TOPEKA – The holidays are a time when many families deck the halls with lights and special decorations. But the winter holiday season also brings an increased risk of home fires and other injuries. Safe Kids Kansas and the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) remind families to take a few extra precautions and make safety a tradition when decorating for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and other winter festivities.
December is the peak month for home fires, and holiday decorations contribute to this risk. Candles, live Christmas trees, lights, fireplaces and cooking should all be handled carefully. In addition, heat sources, like space heaters, can also ignite a fire.
“Prevention is the most effective way to avoid a home fire,” Doug Jorgensen, State Fire Marshal, said. “The winter months and the holiday season create many unintended fire hazards that can have devastating consequences. We want to ensure that Kansans stay safe this season by providing some easy tips to follow.”
Keep your family safe with these tips:
- Consider using flameless candles, which look like real candles but will keep children safe from burns.
- When cooking, keep your counter space free from anything that can catch fire, set a timer and check your cooking and baking regularly, and create a “kid-free zone” at least three feet around the stove.
- Inspect Christmas lights for exposed or frayed wires, loose connections and broken sockets.
- Make sure a natural/live tree is fresh and kept watered and keep tree at least three feet away from fireplace, space heater, radiator or heat vent.
- Supervise children around fireplaces or use a fireplace screen or gate to keep children away.
- Position space heaters with care. Place them level on the floor at least three feet from anything flammable, and never leave them on unattended.
- Have furnaces inspected annually.
- Install and regularly test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home and in every sleeping area. Create and practice your home fire escape plan and determine a safe meeting place outside.
“Despite efforts to prevent fires and burns, if you have an emergency it’s important for first responders to quickly find your location,” said Cherie Sage, Safe Kids Kansas. “Make sure your house numbers are clearly visible from the street, on your house, mailbox or curb.”
For more holiday and winter home fire safety tips, visit: www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Seasonal-fire-causes/Winter-holidays.
Obituary of Ronald Riley
Dr. Ronald Ray Riley, age 81, passed away Monday, December 7, 2020, at his home in Kansas City, MO.
He was born on October 16, 1939, in Ft. Scott, KS, the son of Raymond C. Riley and Fern Kerr Riley.
In 1964, he married the former Sandra Bevis of Kansas City, MO, and they enjoyed 56 years of marriage.
Two children were born, Shawn Ray Riley and Deborah E. Hulsey, and both have grown to be responsible citizens. He was blessed with 6 grandchildren of which he was very proud. He was greatly loved and will be missed by all.
Dr. Riley practiced general dentistry at first and later the specialty of endodontics in Wichita, KS, for a total of 38 years. He practiced in every conceivable practice arrangement and gained his specialty degree and American Board Certification without benefit of a formal graduate program. History will remember Dr. Riley as the first Board Certified Endodontist to practice in the State of Kansas.
Following retirement from practice in 2002, he began a second career at the University of Missouri School of Dentistry as a dental educator (Clinical Associate Professor) in endodontics. He served UMKC for 16+ years. He also served Indian Health Service for 13 years as an endodontist. He also taught Dental Hygiene at Wichita State university for 15 years and was responsible with Mrs. Riley and others in 1968 for starting The Wichita School of Dental Assisting which is still going strong.
He graduated from Wichita East High School in 1956 at the age of 16 and received his A.B. degree at Wichita State University at the age of 20 and graduated from UMKC School of Dentistry four years later. Dr. Riley served in the US Air Force as a general dentist at the rank of Captain following graduation and prior to establishing private practice.
Some of his professional activities included life membership in The Wichita Dental Society, The Greater Kansas City Dental Society, Kansas and Missouri Dental Associations, American Dental Association, Diplomate, American Association of Endodontists, American Board of Endodontists, College of Diplomates, Omicron Kappa Upsilon and a Life Fellow and Missouri State Chair of the Pierre Fauchard Academy. Dr. Riley selected for membership in the Sunflower Dental Study Group and he qualified for Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry. He was inducted as a Fellow in both the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists. Dr. Riley has served as consultant to USAF, Veteran’s Association, Indian Health Service, and the Kansas Board of Dental Examiners. He was the recipient of many scholastic and academic honors including the prestigious David A. Moore Excellence in Teaching Award at UMKC School of Dentistry and was selected as the instructor of the year by his students. He was recognized as a Distinguished Teacher every year of his teaching career. He helped to train over 2000 students in endodontics.
Dr. Riley published research and clinical articles related to endodontics and contributed to dental texts and journals. He presented numerous continuing education courses and lectures throughout his career.
Dr. Riley was a member of Country Club Christian Church in Kansas City, Hillside Christian Church in Wichita, and First Christian Church in Ft. Scott.
Survivors include his wife Sandra; children Shawn and Deborah; and all his grandchildren.
Private family graveside services will be held in the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott, KS. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Rinehart Fund (Undergraduate endodontics) at UMKC – School of Dentistry and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701, or by calling (816) 235-2060. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Obituary of Ryan Robison
Ryan Jackson Robison, age 36, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away early Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at his home.
He was born January 26, 1984, in Ft. Scott, the son of Charles “Chuck” Hurd and Pamela Robison. Ryan graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 2002.
He began working for Twister Trailer in 2009 as a welder/fabricator and is currently employed as shop manager.
He enjoyed fishing and hunting and spending time with his family and friends.
He is survived by Alicia, of the home and two daughters, Kinleigh and Hadleigh. Also surviving are his mother, Pam Hurd, of Ft. Scott; a brother, Charlie Robison and wife, C. J. and
a sister Jayden Robison, all of Ft. Scott and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ryan was preceded in death by his son, Benjamin and his father Chuck Hurd.
Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct graveside services at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, December 12th at the Barnesville Cemetery east of Fulton, Kansas.
Family and friends may meet at the Cheney Witt Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Friday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to Care to Share or the Robison Twins Scholarship 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.
Via Christi Receives SPARK Funds For COVID-19 Staff and Drugs
Recently over 100 Bourbon County businesses, organizations, school districts, churches and other categories of entities received SPARk Grants to help with COVID-19 expenses.
The see the whole list of recipients, click below:
https://fortscott.biz/news/spark-projects-in-bourbon-county
The Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) taskforce plan is to lead Kansas forward in recovery from the far-reaching effects of COVID-19, according to its’ website,https://covid.ks.gov/spark-recovery-office/
SPARK is responsible for the statewide distribution of the U.S. Coronavirus Relief Fund.
The total amount of grants disbursed in Bourbon County were
$2,835,212.86, according to information provided by Bourbon County Economic Director Jody Hoener.
Ascension Via Christi Pittsburg Inc. received $203,150 for its’ emergency department in Bourbon County in October 2020.
The vast majority of the funding we received allowed us to provide additional staffing for the Covid-19 patient surge and the increased utilization of targeted pharmaceuticals for Covid treatment,” said Michelle Kennedy, Ascension Via Christi Senior Specialist for
Marketing and Communications.
Marketing and Communications.
Bourbon County Attorney Faces Discipline Hearing
Kansas prosecutor faces hearing for alleged misconduct
Story by the Associated Press, taken from its website.
https://apnews.com/article/kansas-topeka-courts-fc7e12e48e937d6465c34a21422805f3
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A former Shawnee County prosecutor faces a disciplinary hearing this week over allegations that she lied in court and crossed other ethical boundaries to obtain convictions.
A three-member panel of the Kansas Board for Discipline of Attorneys is presiding over the weeklong hearing that started Monday to determine if Jacqie Spradling’s conduct merits formal discipline, the Topeka Capital-Journal reported.
Spradling is now the Bourbon County attorney and an assistant county attorney in Allen County. Neither she nor her lawyer immediately replied to messages seeking comment.
Spradling is accused of showing a lack of competence, candor and fairness in two cases she prosecuted.
The first was a 2012 case against Dana Chandler, who was convicted of murder in the 2002 deaths of her ex-husband, Mike Sisco, and his fiancée, Karen Harkness.
Spradling is accused of misleading a jury to believe Chandler had violated a protection order, despite there being no evidence that such an order existed. No physical evidence connected Chandler, who lived in Denver at the time of the killings, to the crime scene.
Chandler appealed her convictions and the Kansas Supreme Court overturned them in 2018 and sent the case back to Shawnee County District Court, where she is scheduled to stand trial for the killings again next year.
In its ruling, the Supreme Court said Chandler’s prosecution “unfortunately illustrates how a desire to win can eclipse the state’s responsibility to safeguard the fundamental constitutional right to a fair trial owed to any defendant facing criminal prosecution in a Kansas courtroom.”
In the second case, Spradling served as a special prosecutor in the case of Jacob Ewing, a Holton man who was convicted of sexually assaulting two women. The Kansas Court of Appeals overturned those convictions, finding that Spradling made a half-dozen errors and misled the jury by making assertions during her closing argument that were unsupported by the evidence.
Spradling claimed without evidence that Ewing had abused someone with autism — a claim that the appeals court said “improperly inflamed the passions and prejudices of the jury by painting Ewing as a bad person who preyed on especially vulnerable women.”
Ewing’s case was remanded to the district court, where he is set to stand trial again on the charges.
If the panel of three lawyers determines that Spradling engaged in prosecutorial misconduct and error, it could simply admonish her. If it finds that the conduct was more serious, it could recommend to the state Supreme Court hat she be disciplined. The high court would then decide on a punishment ranging from public censure to disbarment.
Obituary of Gary Wayne Roberts
Gary Wayne Roberts, age 60, passed away on December 8, 2020, at his home in Fort Scott, Kansas. Gary was born May 29, 1960, in Osceola, MO, the son of Dorn and Mary (Edwards) Roberts.
Gary lived his life to the fullest doing what he loved. He was a mechanic for many years. He was also a local truck driver for the Pittsburg, KS, area.
He spent a lot of his time living either in Kansas or Arizona due to having family in both places. He just recently settled in Fort Scott to be closer to his siblings.
Gary was a prankster and loved to play pranks on anyone he could get to fall for them.
His laughter was one of a kind that anyone who knew him will never forget.
He also had a love for muscle cars and step side trucks.
Although he never had any biological children, he was like a dad to many.
His love for kids was insurmountable. Gary also had his own nicknames for all those kids and for most of his friends. If you had a nickname you knew you were loved by him.
Gary was proceeded in death by both parents, a brother, Timothy Roberts, a nephew, Harvey and a great niece, Sandra Ann. He is survived by two young ladies that he considered his daughters, Stacey Day and her daughters Taylor and Madison from Pittsburg, KS, and Tiffany Gottschall and her daughter Addison from Arizona. He is also survived by two brothers, Loren (Susan) Roberts, Garland, KS, Ronnie Roberts, Fort Scott, KS, three Sisters, Sherry (Dan Neff), Centerville, KS, Joyce (Dan) Henderson, Louisburg, KS, and Melinda Shepherd, Arma, KS.
There was cremation. Private family burial will take place later. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Direct to Customer Meat Marketing Webinars
KDA Offers Direct-to-Consumer Meat Marketing and Consumer Webinars
MANHATTAN, Kansas — Now more than ever, consumers are looking to build relationships and buy their food direct from the source. The Kansas Department of Agriculture will host a series of informational webinars in early January 2021 to provide information about direct-to-consumer meat sales. “Adding direct-to-consumer sales can be an option to diversify farm income,” said Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam. “We are pleased to provide innovative programing and educational opportunities to help Kansas’ farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses grow and expand market options and continue to serve as economic engines in their communities.”
During the week of January 4, KDA will be offering a webinar series designed to provide more insight in the direct-to-consumer business model. This five-part webinar series will be held daily, January 4–8, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., and will feature meat marketing and regulatory experts. This series is designed for those who wish to sell direct-to-consumer. In addition, KDA will host a second one-part webinar which will be focused on information for consumers and will address their questions about direct purchases of meat products. It will be held on Wednesday, January 6, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Throughout the first webinar series, Kansas Meat Marketing Basics: Putting you a Cut Above, participants will learn the basics of starting a farm to fork business, including discussions about naming your business, product selection, pricing, social media marketing, regulatory considerations and more. The series will feature presentations by Rachel Cutrer, Ranch House Designs, Inc. and B.R. Cutrer, Inc.; Danette Amstein and Myasia Burns, Midan Marketing; and Dr. Liz Boyle with Kansas State University’s value-added meats program.
At the second webinar, Clearing the Confusion: Meat Marketing Consumer Basics, participants will learn about basic meat science and meat processing and will receive recipes and resources for consumers to utilize cuts of beef. Guest speakers will include Collette Kaster, American Meat Science Association; Chad Bontrager, Yoder Meats, Bowser Meat Processing and Heartland Meat Market; and a representative from the Kansas Beef Council.
Registration is now open for both the webinar series and the consumer webinar, and there is no cost to participate. You can participate in one or more of the webinars, as the speakers and content will be different for each session. Find detailed agendas and register at: www.agriculture.ks.gov/BusinessDevelopment.
It is the mission of KDA to support all facets of agriculture, including lending support to those who wish to market and sell their products off the farm. For more information, contact KDA compliance education coordinator Dana Ladner at [email protected] 785-564-6660.