Monthly Archives: December 2020
Zoom Calls by Patty LaRoche
This was a hard week. Two ZOOM Bible studies brought news no one wants to hear. Monday night’s group has prayed for Adam, a thirty-two-year-old husband and father, for months. Today, Karen, his mother and ZOOM member, forwarded the email he sent her: The tumor in my colon did not shrink nearly as well as the surgeon had hoped. So there will be no reconnection after my colon is removed. Additionally, the lesion is right up against my prostate, meaning my surgeon is unsure if just removing the colon will be enough, and potentially the prostate will need to come out as well, and if that’s the case, there is the potential that they may need to remove my bladder too. Finally, the liver will need to be addressed after all of this takes place.
Again, my surgeon said that she is going to do her best, and if the Lord wills it, I am more than willing to sacrifice my “quality of life” to spend more time with my wife and children.
“If you all could be praying for me and my family. This looks to be a very deep valley that we are currently walking through, but we know that God is good through it all.
Our current prayer is for nothing short of a miracle, as we move closer to surgery. At the very least, we are praying that the cancer can be clearly removed without touching the prostate/bladder, and that God halts the cancers growth and spread in the liver. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support of my family as we continue to walk with God through this. Praying that He blesses you all for the blessing you have been to us. We love you all.
Please pray for Adam and his family.
Tuesday’s ZOOM call had its own share of tough news. My dear friend’s beloved father passed away that morning. When she found out he did not have much time left, she booked her flight to Switzerland, only to be told that because of Covid, she would need to be quarantined for two weeks before visiting him, and if she stayed with her mother, her mother would not be able to visit her father. She canceled her flight and will have to settle for visiting her dad’s gravesite at a future date.
The same day, a text shared a Pet Scan revealing a friend’s esophageal cancer has spread.
We all have our stories, and through our tears, we cry out to God, the One who knows our beginning and our end, the One who can make a difference, imploring Him to fix things. Sometimes we see the miracle; sometimes not. Still, we know that Jesus lacks nothing in the miracle department. The book of John gives seven signs demonstrating Christ’s vast powers:
1. Water changed into wine—Jesus’ power over quality
2. The nobleman’s son healed—Jesus’ power over distance
3. The impotent man healed—Jesus’ power over time
4. The five thousand fed—Jesus’ power over quantity
5. Walking on the water—Jesus’ power over natural law
6. The blind man healed—Jesus’ power over helplessness
7. Lazarus raised from the dead—Jesus’ power over death
Of course, the fact that Jesus can does not mean he will. Our job is not to second-guess but to know that—for all of us– the end-game of this life on earth is death. Unless we are raptured, it is a certainty we cannot deny. We. Will. Die. The key for all of us is to be prepared. All three of the men mentioned above made Jesus the Lord of their lives, and because of that, they will spend eternity with him. I pray you do the same.
Wind and Solar Energy Benefits
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Kansas Court of Appeals Vacancy
Court of Appeals Nominating Commission Announces Application Deadline for Court of Appeals Vacancy
TOPEKA –The Court of Appeals Nominating Commission today announced the application deadline for individuals interested in applying for the impending vacancy to be created by the Supreme Court appointment of Melissa Taylor Standridge.
Applications will be due by 3:00 PM Wednesday, December 23. Individuals should contact [email protected] for application materials.
The interview days and schedule will be announced at a later date. All updates may be found at https://governor.kansas.gov/newsroom/press-releases/.
Governor Laura Kelly signed Executive Order 20-01 on January 28, 2020, establishing the Court of Appeals Nominating Commission. Under Kansas law, the Governor appoints judges to the Court of Appeals subject to confirmation by the Senate. The Commission will review each applicant’s background and qualifications, conduct interviews, and then submit three nominees for the Governor to consider.
Conference Call With Elected Officials Dec. 4
Governor Kelly Convening Weekly Conference Call Friday with Elected Officials
TOPEKA –Governor Laura Kelly will be convening a biweekly conference call, Friday, December 4, 2020, with county commissioners, emergency managers, public health officers, legislators, and other community leaders for a COVID-19 update and Q&A with state response leaders, Major General Weishaar, the Adjutant General of Kansas, and Dr. Sam Antonios, the Chief Medical Officer for Ascension Via Christi.
Who: Governor Laura Kelly, Major General David Weishaar, Dr. Sam Antonios
What: COVID-19 Biweekly Update Conference Call
When: 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 4, 2020
Where: To listen to the meeting, RSVP to Lauren Fitzgerald at [email protected]
To view the meeting’s agenda, click here.
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“Stop the Spread. It’s Up to Us, Kansas”
Governor Laura Kelly Launches COVID-19 Public Health Campaign “Stop the Spread. It’s Up to Us, Kansas”
~Creative campaign aims to help stop the spread and increase free testing statewide~
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly and the State of Kansas today launched the “Stop the Spread. It’s Up to Us, Kansas” campaign to share the importance of getting tested, wearing masks and to encourage social distancing this holiday season to stop the further spread of COVID-19.
The campaign includes the launch of a new testing website, GoGetTested.com/Kansas, to quickly identify free testing locations throughout the state. It will run on television, radio, social media, print, outdoor and digital advertising starting today and throughout the month of December. GoGetTested.com/Kansas lists seven testing site locations, more locations will be added on a rolling basis to meet the needs of communities across the state.
“We are at a critical point of time in our fight against COVID-19 and our response requires the most urgent and creative solutions,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This campaign aims to reach every corner of our state with critical public health messages infused with some humor and holiday spirit to bring a smile and rally our strength.”
The campaign includes information on the COVID-19 unified testing strategy that aims to rapidly increase the state’s ability to provide COVID-19 diagnostic and screening tests to Kansans free of charge. The overall goal is to double the amount of testing in Kansas by the end of 2020. To date, approximately 812,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in the state.
“When testing supplies were limited, we only recommended that those with symptoms or risk of exposure get tested,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Now that testing is more widely available, we are urging everyone to get tested so we can better control the spread of the virus throughout our communities, which ultimately will help us keep businesses, schools and the economy open.”
The campaign is part of a broader, all-of-the-above strategy to encourage Kansans to follow the best practices, encourage voluntary testing, avoid mass gatherings, and use face-coverings. The approach includes partnerships with the Kansas Hospital Association, Kansas Chamber of Commerce, Kansas Farm Bureau, the Kansas Leadership Center, and other stakeholders.
Additional information on testing is included below. For more information on testing sites in Kansas, please visit GoGetTested.com/Kansas.
Additional Testing Information
In addition to testing, there are several things which need to be implemented to successfully reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Kansas. This includes isolating positive individuals, investigating positive cases, quarantining those exposed, and implementing prevention protocols.
- ISOLATING. When an individual tests positive for COVID-19, they are instructed to isolate from others for up to 10 days, depending upon their symptoms. Because the person may be infectious during this time, it is essential for them to follow this. This is also essential for those who are asymptomatic to follow as well, as they still may be infectious despite not having symptoms. Further guidance and instructions can be found on KDHE’s COVID-19 website.
- QUARANTINE. Everyone who has been exposed to someone who tests positive is at risk of getting the virus. Public health seeks to locate those who have been close contacts of the infected person, and to advise those individuals to stay at home and away from others for two weeks. Since symptoms may take between 2-14 days after exposure to develop, it is essential for exposed individuals to stay at home away from others. This is referred to as quarantine.
- CASE INVESTIGATION: After a positive case is identified, public health contacts the individual to determine where the individual may have become infected.
- OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION: An outbreak is defined as two or more cases connected to one known exposure. When an outbreak occurs, public health works with the location to identify and test those potentially exposed and /or ill. Additional infection protocols will be implemented in congregate settings.
- PREVENTION MEASURES: Until a vaccine is widely available, the best way to avoid COVID-19 is through prevention measures. This includes things such as social distancing, wearing masks, staying home if ill and avoiding large groups. In congregate settings, this includes things such as wearing and using the appropriate PPE and infection protocols.
FS City Board Vacancies
City Board Vacancies
Please see below the above openings for City of Fort Scott Boards:
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Five openings (Three County residents – Two City resident) on the Fort Scott Planning Commission.
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One opening on the Board of Zoning Appeals (City resident)
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Four openings on the Airport Advisory Board
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Two openings on the Design Review Board (City residents)
The function of the Planning Commission is to review and adopt (as well as update) the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Fort Scott, to establish zoning districts and allowable uses, to review zoning regulations within the City and to review requests for special permits or conditional uses within certain zoning districts in the City. Also reviews site plans for planned areas and is responsible for zoning within the 3-mile limit of the City of Fort Scott. Their recommendations are given to the City Commission for final approval. They meet on an “as needed” basis.
The function of the Board of Zoning Appeals is to review requests for variances in zoning ordinance such as building setback requirements, building sizes, etc. They meet on an “as needed” basis.
The function of the Airport Advisory Board is to advise the City Manager and City Commissioners on matters pertaining to the continued growth and improvement of the airport. Their recommendations are given to the City Commission for final approval.
The function of the Design Review Board is to review requests for Certificate of Appropriateness in the historic district of our downtown. They meet on an “as needed” basis.
If you have a desire to serve on any of these Boards and meet the above requirements, please submit a letter of interest to the City Clerk, Diane Clay, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. She will then submit your letter of interest for consideration by the City Commission. All of the boards and commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated. If you would like more information on any of these boards, please contact Diane Clay, City Clerk at 620-223-0550 or [email protected]. Please submit your letter of interest by December 11th, 2020.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Report Dec. 3
Josh Jones Chosen For FS City Commission
Josh Jones, 39, was sworn in this week to serve on the Fort Scott City Commission, replacing Jolynne Mitchel, who resigned.
Jones was born and raised in Fort Scott and has several businesses in the community.
“I have rental houses and I run Bourbon County Cars,” he said. “I also work part-time as a bus driver for USD 234 and FSCC
Jones believes it’s a cumulation of life lessons learned that give him the experience and qualities to serve on the commission.
“I have made many mistakes in life but find a way to learn and grow with each mistake,” Jones said. ” My favorite quote is ‘Show me a man who never made a mistake and I will show you one who never tried anything.’”
“We have to understand we will make mistakes but how you learn and grow from those mistakes is what we need to focus on,” he said.
“I have always told my children if you want to come to me to complain about something, then you better follow it up with a solution to try,” he said. “I feel like Fort Scott is in a period where we need some new ideas to continue to move forward and I felt like I wanted to help any way I could and felt like being a commissioner was a good way to bring solutions or ideas to concerns I had.”
“My duty as a commissioner is to serve the citizens of Fort Scott the best way I think is possible,” Jones said. “Every decision we make comes back to one thing. Citizens.”
Jones said he has ideas about the future of Fort Scott.
“However I am one of five commissioners and I feel like it’s not about my ideas but rather about the ideas of the five of us as a whole,” he said. “I look forward to getting into the mentality that the five of us are a team and the new things on the horizons will be a collaborative effort from all of us.”
FS Commission Work Session Is Dec. 8
The Fort Scott City Commission will meet on Tuesday, December 8th, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Commission Meeting Room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas to hold a work session to discuss Charter Ordinance No. 31 and the upcoming sales tax ballot vote. This meeting is open to the public, but no action will be taken.
The work session will also be available on the City’s YouTube channel.
FS Design Review Board Meets Dec. 8
The Design Review Board will meet on Tuesday, December 8th, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. in the City Hall Commission Meeting room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting will be held to discuss a Certificate of Appropriateness for signage at 17 S. Main Street, and any others matters to be brought before the Board. This meeting is open to the public.
This meeting will be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.
Rural Preservation Grants Available
Governor Laura Kelly Announces Rural Preservation Grant Applications Now Available
TOPEKA –Governor Laura Kelly today announced that applications are now available for the Kansas Historical Society’s Kansas Rural Preservation grant program through the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. Earlier this year, the Kansas Historical Society received a $500,000 grant from the National Park Service’s Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants Program. Those funds are now being offered through this subgrant program to the owners of historic properties for repair and rehabilitation projects.
A complete program description, application information, and application link are available online at kshs.org/20430. The application deadline is midnight on March 1, 2021. Applications must be submitted online via the weblink above.
“The Kansas Historical Society has been actively working to preserve and share Kansas history for nearly 150 years,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The Paul Bruhn grants will go a long way in ensuring historic properties across the state can get the upkeep and treatment they need, so we can continue to celebrate and learn about our rich history for generations to come.”
Applicants must own a property listed in the National Register of Historic Places individually or as a contributing property in a National Register-listed historic district or have their property determined eligible for listing before the grant application is submitted. Properties determined eligible must be listed officially to the National Register during the grant period. The property must be within a community with a population of less than 30,000 according to the 2010 U.S. Census and applicants must provide justification of their rural location as part of the application. Property owners may not be the State or federal governments.
Grantees can receive between $5,000 and $50,000. The grant reimburses 90 percent of eligible project activities up to the award amount and grant recipients shall provide 10 percent of the cost of eligible project activities as match.
All rehabilitation work must comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards & Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation. Eligible activities include professional services (architect and engineering fees) and projects involving the preservation, rehabilitation, or restoration of an eligible property. Repairs involving building components such as walls, doors, windows, chimneys, roofing, and foundations are eligible activities. Projects involving the preservation or restoration of non-building properties such as archeological sites, parks, cemeteries, bridges, and monuments are also eligible. Because this grant is supported by funding administered by the National Park Service, projects must follow federal project requirements including competitive selection of contractors and consultants. In addition, an easement will be placed on the property following the project completion.
Kansas Historical Society staff members will offer a free webinar with specifics for this program at 1 p.m. Thursday, December 17, 2020. Staff members will discuss the application process, approaches to writing the application, and answer questions about the program. Contact the Historic Preservation Office at 785-272-8681, ext. 240; or [email protected] to register for this workshop or to request additional information.