Two area food vendors are planning an event on March 27 at the Tractor Supply parking lot, on South Main Street in Fort Scott.
The Blue Spoon, Pittsburg, and Perry’s Pork Rinds, Bronson, are partnering for a second annual Spring Pop Up Event.
Blue Spoon
Christina Oberle and Brenda Davis are the owners of The Blue Spoon Food Truck. Submitted photo.From left are Christina Oberle and Brenda Davis. Submitted photo.
The Blue Spoon is a food truck whose specialty is a variety of macaroni and cheese dishes and was created in Pittsburg, by Brenda Davis.
Davis began her food truck venture in July 2017. Christina Oberle is a partner in the business.
“It became very well-liked and instead of a hobby it became a success,” Oberle said.
“The name (The Blue Spoon) just came to us… we thought and thought and thought,” Oberle said. “Brenda wanted to create a memory and have our customers walking away remembering who we are. With that, the Blue Spoon was formed and the logo created,” Oberle said. “Every dish is served with a blue spoon… if the dish needs a fork, well it’ll be white.”
“We specialize in mac ‘n cheese (dishes)… all varieties,” Oberle said. “Plain to Chicken Mac, to Chops and Cheese, which is a grilled pork chop in a bowl of mac ‘ cheese, and soon to be released, Lobster Mac.”
The Lobster Mac and Cheese bowl. Submitted photo.
“We have a great variety, eleven flavors, at big events,” she said. “We also serve fresh-cut fries, nachos, and funnel cakes. All with varieties… nothing plain Jane here, we even put it on a sandwich!”
Oberle lived a few years in Fort Scott, working at Lifetouch and Woods Grocery.
“I came to know a lot of people there and wanted to share our awesome food with Fort Scott,” Oberle said. “A few years ago we got into the Good ‘Ol Days and last year we were able to do the wonderful pop-up with Perry’s Pork Rinds! They are wonderful people and through this journey, we have had the great honor of meeting many entrepreneurs like them!”
The food truck is currently part-time, Oberle said.
“You just never know when this can become a full-time gig,” she said.
Perry’s Pork Rinds
Kelly and Thaddeus Perry are the owners of Perry’s Pork Rinds. Submitted photo.
Perry’s Pork Rinds is a family-owned business, with the husband and wife team of Thaddeus and Kelly Perry.
Perry’s Pork Rinds sold their rinds last year at the pop-up event. Submitted photo.
They make small-batch pork rinds in the following flavors:
They recently expanded their business with a new product: fudge.
Chocolate walnut fudge. Submitted photo.
They can make up to 350 flavors but they feature chocolate walnut, chocolate fudge, birthday cake, and peanut butter.
Birthday cake fudge. Submitted photo.
“We use real cream and butter to make our fudge,” Kelly Perry said. “We pour them directly into containers and ship them nationwide and take them into the fairs and festivals.”
The cost for both rinds and fudge is $8 for 8 oz.
Fudge is poured into individual containers to sell to customers. Submitted photo.
“The company that we actually bought into is the same company that is selling inside of Bass Pro shops and Ozark Land,” Kelly Perry said. “We had to pay a hefty price for a custom kettle, as much as a small car!”
Christopher Paul Osborn was born June 26, 1991. He passed away March 15, 2021, at his home at the age of 29 ¾ years.
To his paintball friends, he was better known as “Ducky”. He was loved by many and will be sorely missed by his friends from paintball, Wasted Youth Car Club and by his co-workers from Wal-Mart and McDonalds, and by his many other family and friends.
Chris donated his body to the University of Kansas Medical Center for research purposes as he died from a rare form of sarcoma known as ASPS.
He touched many lives, was a hard worker, an avid environmentalist, a paintball ambassador and an avid reader. Chris loved to restore old tractors, raise bunnies, rescue turtles and take care of his mom and dad.
Survivors include his parents, Paul Osborn and Elaine Gray Osborn. He is also survived by his three sisters, Dyalah Gadberry (James), Amelia Black (Stephen) and Meghan Ford (Davey) and a brother, Franklin Osborn (Erin) and six nephews and one niece.
He was preceded in death by a nephew, Aiden.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Care to Share, Integrity Hospice or the charity of the donor’s choice 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.
Jim Spencer “Sandy” Mertz, age 68, a resident of rural Ft. Scott, Kansas passed away Monday, March 15, 2021, at the Via Christi Emergency Room in Ft. Scott. He was born August 20, 1952, in Ft. Scott, the son of Jim I. Mertz and Maybelle L. Spencer Mertz. Sandy graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1971. He had served with the Kansas Army National Guard. Sandy was a cattleman and maintained his own cow/calf operation and also owned his own lime hauling company. In addition, he also kept a sizeable heard of donkeys. Sandy was always willing to help others and volunteered his time for several area organizations including the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta, the Cato Historical Preservation Association and the Bourbon County Fair Association. Sandy often sponsored youth softball and baseball teams. He liked watching the Food Network and enjoyed recreating the cuisine. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his mother, Maybelle Mertz, of Ft. Scott; his sister, Melessa Demo and husband, Brad, of Kansas City, Missouri, a nephew, Jim “J.T.” Symons and wife, Angie, a niece, Mandy Symons and a great-nephew, Hunter Symons. Also surviving are extended family, Richard and Deanna Cullison and Sydney Cullison who have helped and cared for Sandy in innumerable ways.
Sandy was preceded in death by his father, Jim Mertz.
Rev. Steve Cole will conduct funeral services at 11:00 A.M Friday, March 19th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Thursday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Cato HPA 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.
Governor Laura Kelly Announces Statewide Rental, Utility Assistance for Families Affected by COVID-19
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) launched the Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance (KERA) program on Monday, March 15, providing rent, utility, and internet assistance to individuals and families financially impacted by COVID-19.
“Keeping Kansans in their homes and businesses – and ensuring they have access to the high-speed internet needed for telehealth, telework, and virtual school – has been a top priority for my administration since day one,” Governor Kelly said. “This program will be critical in ensuring Kansans can stay secure in their homes, stay warm, and maintain access to the internet.”
The program offers tenants up to 12 months of assistance with current or past due rent and past due utility and internet bills, including electric, gas, water, sewer, trash removal, and home energy services. Renters can apply for assistance with all, some, or any one of the services offered.
Both tenant and landlord must apply online. If the applicant meets the eligibility criteria, KHRC will make payments on the tenant’s behalf directly to the landlord or service provider(s).
Last year KHRC administered the Kansas Eviction Prevention Program (KEPP), a nearly $20 million rental assistance initiative to support Kansans financially impacted by COVID. In the roughly 60 days that the program was in statewide operation, it received applications from more than 10,000 tenants and more than 4000 landlords, ultimately serving more than 21,000 Kansans.
“Home has always been a place of shelter, but during the pandemic it’s become so much more,” Ryan Vincent, KHRC’s Executive Director, said. “The outpouring of interest we saw in the KEPP program demonstrated the tremendous need COVID has created across our state. We’re so pleased to offer not just rent, but also utility and internet assistance so we can keep Kansans safely housed and connected when they need it most.”
The KERA program will initially serve Kansans across the state, except those living within the Wichita city limits. Wichita residents may apply for assistance through the Wichita Emergency Rental Assistance Program (WERAP).
To learn more and apply for KERA assistance, visit the KHRC website.
About KHRC:
Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) is a self-supporting, nonprofit, public corporation committed to helping Kansans access the safe, affordable housing they need and the dignity they deserve. KHRC serves as the state’s housing finance agency (HFA), administering essential housing and community programs to serve Kansans.
Governor Laura Kelly Announces Expanded Visitation Rules for Nursing Homes During COVID-19
~ KDADS working quickly to ensure Kansas facilities follow expanded CMS guidelines ~
TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly and Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Secretary Laura Howard announced revised recommendations for nursing facilities to expand visitation in response to significant reductions in COVID-19 infections and transmission resulting from ongoing infection control practices, and high vaccination rates in the nursing home population.
“This updated guidance is great news for Kansans with loved ones in long-term care facilities and proof that our efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 are working,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “While this is another step towards our return to normalcy, I encourage all Kansans to follow the guidance, continue to mask up, and receive the vaccine when it is their turn.”
According to Memorandum QSO-20-39-NH-Revised issued March 10, 2021 by the Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and effective immediately, “… vaccines have received Emergency Use Authorization from the Food and Drug Administration. Millions of vaccinations have since been administered to nursing home residents and staff, and these vaccines have been shown to help prevent symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection (i.e., COVID-19). Therefore, CMS, in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is updating its visitation guidance accordingly, but emphasizing the importance of maintaining infection prevention practices, given the continued risk of COVID-19 transmission.”
CMS directs that visitation can be conducted through different means based on a facility’s structure and residents’ needs, such as in resident rooms, dedicated visitation spaces, outdoors, and for circumstances beyond compassionate care situations. Regardless of how visits are conducted, QSO-20-39-NH-Revised outlines certain core principles and best practices consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for nursing homes that reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission and should still be adhered to at all times.
“Our Survey, Certification and Credentialing Commission has been acutely aware of the need to keep residents and workers in faculties healthy and safe during this pandemic by conducting inspections and investigations and at the same time they have worked very hard to offer and help implement programs that have allowed residents and their loved ones to communicate during the visitation restrictions using technology and other alternative methods,” KDADS Secretary Laura Howard said. “This new guidance is welcome news because we all recognize the emotional and physical toll being separated has on our seniors.”
Key revisions outlined in the new CMS memorandum include, but are not limited to:
Outdoor visitation:
While taking a person-centered approach and adhering to the core principles of COVID-19 infection prevention, outdoor visitation is preferred even when the resident and visitor are fully vaccinated* against COVID-19. Outdoor visits generally pose a lower risk of transmission due to increased space and airflow. *Fully vaccinated refers to a person who is ≥2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2-dose series, or ≥2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine, per the CDC’s Public Health Recommendations for Vaccinated Persons.
Indoor visitation:
Facilities should allow indoor visitation at all times and for all residents (regardless of vaccination status), except for a few circumstances when visitation should be limited due to a high risk of COVID-19 transmission (note: compassionate care visits should be permitted at all times). These scenarios include limiting indoor visitation for:
Unvaccinated residents, if the nursing home’s COVID-19 county positivity rate is >10% and <70% of residents in the facility are fully vaccinated
Residents with confirmed COVID-19 infection, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated until they have met the criteria to discontinue Transmission-Based Precautions; or
Residents in quarantine, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, until they have met criteria for release from quarantine.
We encourage visitors to become vaccinated when they have the opportunity. While visitor testing and vaccination can help prevent the spread of COVID-19, visitors should not be required to be tested or vaccinated (or show proof of such) as a condition of visitation. This also applies to representatives of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman and protection and advocacy systems.
Compassionate care visits:
Compassionate care visits, and visits required under federal disability rights law, should be allowed at all times, regardless of a resident’s vaccination status, the county’s COVID-19 positivity rate, or an outbreak.
If the resident is fully vaccinated, they can choose to have close contact (including touch) with their visitor while wearing a well-fitting face mask and performing hand-hygiene before and after. Regardless, visitors should physically distance from other residents and staff in the facility.
KDADS recognizes there are other long-term care settings in Kansas not subject to the guidance issued by CMS for certified nursing facilities. Using federal guidelines as a road map, KDADS has issued its Visitation Guidance for Long Term Care Settings for those facilities throughout the state.
To view a graphic detailing updated CMS guidance, please click here.
Ashtyn Dowell left, and Kelly Perry, are the new co-owners of Hound Nutrition. Submitted photo.
Hound Nutrition, 116 S. Main, is under new ownership.
Kelly Perry and Ashton Dowell have purchased the shop from former owner Haven Kelly, who is a Fort Scott Community College student and catcher on the school’s softball team. Haven Kelly became the tenant of the shop in August 2020, following the move of the Common Ground Coffee Shop to a different location.
“With the softball season starting, Haven was unable to give it the extra care it needed,” Dowell said.
Ashtyn Dowell, a 2020 Fort Scott High School graduate is one of the co-owners of Hound Nutrition. Submitted photo.
“We have a 50% investor from Oklahoma and Ashtyn represents his 50% of the business and works the retail side of the business,” Perry said.” I am another 50% owner in the business. All of us have some skin in the game so to speak.”
Kelly Perry is a new co-owner of Hound Nutrition. She also is the owner of The Protein Place in Iola and co-owner of Perry’s Pork Rinds in Bronson. Submitted photo.
The business sells meal replacement shakes, energizing teas, and protein coffee.
Submitted photos.
Customers can contact the business on Hound Nutrition Facebook page or Instagram, or coming soon, their new call-in line.
“We are selling the same products, but some new flavors are coming,” Dowell said.
There are some new services.
“The new service we provide is our delivery,” Perry said.
In addition, they are planning some upcoming events that will be hosted at the facility including: songwriter nights, joining the Chamber of Commerce, and tea parties “where we give informational meetings to anyone looking to start a program,” Perry said. “We break down each of the products one-by-one and educate customers on what the products do for their health. We sample a few of the products and for those who want to purchase the programs they can, or they can continue to pay for retail via our nutrition club.”
Herbalife Nutrition is the brand of product sold at the shop.
“Herbalife Nutrition is a multi-level marketing group we are #2 in the nation behind Amway,” Kelly said. “And the #1 nutrition company worldwide that has been in business for 40 years.”
“Anyone working behind the counter is an Herbalife Distributor that can sell any of our products,” Perry said. “Our nutrition clubs are a hub for people to come to try products, narrow down their wants and then purchase healthy products.”
“The customer receives one-on-one coaching and guidance from their independent distributor,” Perry said.
“Our hope is to pick up retail sales before the end of our lease in four months so the business can continue to grow and run in Ft Scott,” Perry said.
“All of the independent distributors are highly motivated self-driven and want to see a change in the community for the better,” Perry said.
“This is the second store that I have opened since January 18,” Perry said. “My husband is not involved (in this venture), he is fully invested into the pork rind business which is going full steam ahead.”
“We will soon be offering protein pretzel bites, protein waffles, and protein donuts in this location,” Kelly said.
Employees, who at this shop are called distributors, include Reaghn Dowell, Kelsey DeMott both of Fort Scott, and Chris Ames of Bronson.
Reaghn Dowell left, is in training at Hound Nutrition as a distributor. Training her is her elder sister, Ashtyn Dowell, center. Customer Kaelani Bryan, right, is purchasing a meal replacement shake and a tea on March 15.
Kelly Perry is also the owner of The Protein Place in Iola and co-owner of Perry’s Pork Rinds of Bronson, with her husband, Thaddeus.
Dowell said they will be focusing on setting up meetings for Herbalife, the supplier of their products, and those interested in say, a weight loss program.
“We can help them along their journey,” Dowell said.
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Speaking in Opposition of H.R. 1
This week, I spoke on the Senate floor in opposition of H.R. 1, the partisan For the People Act, to highlight the drastic impact this legislation would have on federalizing elections, restricting free speech and further dividing the country along party lines.
H.R. 1 is an affront to the United States Constitution. Americans did not vote to give one party free rein to implement an unprecedented power grab, to nationalize elections and strip power from states and localities from now into perpetuity. As a conservative, I believe in individual liberties and in a federal government that exercises restraint, and that state and local units of government are inherently more responsive to the wishes of the citizenry. My adherence to the Constitution instructs deference to state governments to oversee their own elections, and I hope all Americans, including my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, take the time to read and understand H.R. 1 for what it truly is.
Listen to my full remarks by clicking here or below.
Meeting with Kansas Health Officials Regarding Vaccination Efforts Across the State
Visiting the Sedgwick County Vaccination Center
On Monday, I visited the Sedgwick County COVID-19 Vaccination Center where more than 1,500 people received their shots throughout the day. During my visit, many Kansans made a point of telling me how well organized the center is and how pleased they are to receive the vaccine. My time at the center was a personal reminder that the goal of getting vaccinated is to keep people healthy so that they feel comfortable at work, comfortable hugging their grandkids and have the opportunity to go to church in person again—all the things that make up normal Kansas life.
I want to thank the many health care professionals and volunteers who continue to work to ensure the center is run efficiently and the vaccination process is smooth. Thank you to Sedgwick County Commissioners David Dennis, Jim Howell and Pete Meitzner, as well as Sedgwick County Health Director Adrienne Byrne for joining me on the tour.
Learning More about Johnson County’s Vaccine Distribution
On Tuesday, I visited the Johnson County COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic and was pleased to hear reports that no vaccines are going unused. Dr. Sanmi Areola, Director of Johnson County’s Department of Health and Environment, updated me on their vaccination efforts across the Kansas City area. Currently 117,000 residents of Johnson County have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
I also enjoyed speaking with all the Kansans at the clinic who got their vaccine to hear firsthand about their experience. Thank you to Dr. Areola, Johnson County Chairman Ed Eilert, Johnson County Commissioner Mike Ashcraft and Assistant County Manager Joe Connor for joining me on the tour. The efficiency of Johnson County’s distribution is a testament to its leadership, and I again want to reiterate my thanks to all of the health care professionals and volunteers working at this clinic, and across our state, to get shots in the arms of Kansans so we can continue on this path back towards normal.
Expanding the VA’s Vaccination Efforts to Spouses and Caregivers
This week, I introduced the Strengthening and Amplifying Vaccination Efforts to Locally Immunize All Veterans and Every Spouse (SAVE LIVES) Act with my colleagues on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. This legislation would expand VA’s COVID-19 vaccination authority, enable the VA to vaccinate more veterans than currently allowed and offer vaccines to individuals within a veteran’s circle of care.
Currently, the VA is only able to vaccinate active VA Health Care System enrollees. While the VA will continue to prioritize vaccinating VHA enrolled veterans with its allocation of COVID-19 vaccines, this legislation enables the VA to vaccinate non-enrolled veterans, veteran spouses, caregivers, overseas veterans and others with excess COVID-19 vaccine supply.
Military service is family service. It impacts not only our servicemembers but their spouses, families and support networks, and it is why the VA and this committee aim to care for both veterans and their families. More shots in more arms is our best option for ending this pandemic and returning to normal; expanding the VA’s ability to vaccinate veterans as well as those within their support network further reduces COVID-19 risk to veterans and the general public.
If you are a veteran, you can click here for more information about the VA’s COVID-19 testing and treatment resources. You can also sign up for updates about vaccine availability here.
Improving Care for Veterans Exposed to Toxic Substances During Service
This week, during a Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) hearing, I called for a framework to improve care for veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service. The committee heard testimonies from two wounded warriors who shed a harsh light on their experiences, dealing with health consequences from toxic exposures to substances such as Agent Orange and burn pits, as well as the often frustrating process to get care and service from the VA. For too long, veterans who have been exposed to toxic substances during the course of their military service have faced overwhelming barriers to get the VA care and service they deserve—the burden of proof is challenging for veterans, and we must find a way to bridge the gap.
I was encouraged by bipartisan legislation passed out of this committee last Congress to address this issue. As a result of our work, we now have several new laws on the books directing research and covering more of our Vietnam and Korean War veterans. As the lead Republican on SVAC, I will continue to build on that progress this Congress and listen to the needs of veterans to provide them with the care they require.
Restoring Jobs in Kansas City
This week, I was pleased to learn that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will restore 500 positions at USCIS facilities in the Greater Kansas City Metro Area that had been eliminated due to financial constraints and the COVID-19 pandemic. Restoring these critical jobs at the National Benefits Center in the Kansas City region will help support the local economy and the nation, as these employees work to process immigration applications. Because of the dedication and the invaluable contributions of these employees, the Kansas City Metro Area boasts a diverse business community that has brought countless economic advantages to the region. I’m thankful for the work they do and will continue to work with my Congressional colleagues to get our USICS workforce back to operating at pre-pandemic levels.
Recognizing Women’s History Month
Remembering the Efforts of the “Hello Girls”
March is Women’s History Month, and I was proud to celebrate it this week by introducing legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the women who served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War I (WWI), also known as the “Hello Girls.” These brave, trail-blazing women are considered some of our nation’s first women veterans.
In 1917, General John Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force in Europe during WWI knew that the U.S. had thousands of experienced women telephone operators back home, so he directed the Army to recruit female wire experts who were fluent in English and French to deploy to France to run the telephone equipment on the front lines. Connecting more than 150,000 calls per day, and doing so six times faster than their male counterparts, these female switchboard operators played a crucial role in WWI. Despite their service, it took decades for them to receive veteran status and therefore be recognized as some of our nation’s first women veterans. This Congressional Gold Medal will serve as way to honor the trailblazing Hello Girls and recognize their important contributions to our history.
Supporting Women in the Aviation Workforce
I also I introduced and the Senate passed a bipartisan resolution supporting women in the aviation industry, committing to help increase aviation and STEM job opportunities for women and designating March 8 through March 14, 2021, as “Women of the Aviation Workforce Week.”
The most famous woman in aviation—Amelia Earhart—grew up in Atchison, Kansas. She set flight records, broke barriers and led the way for thousands of women to pursue careers in aviation as engineers, flight crew members, air traffic controllers and pilots. However, women still make up less than eight percent of our pilots and a small percentage of aeronautical engineers in the U.S. To address this disparity, I, along with my colleague Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), established an advisory board at the FAA that aims to support women in aviation and better meet the growing demand for workers in the industry. As more women pursue careers in aviation, I’m proud to join my colleagues in sponsoring this resolution to recognize Women of the Aviation Workforce Week.
Reauthorizing the USADA in Preparation for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles
This week, I introduced legislation to reauthorize the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) in preparation for the 2028 Summer Olympics along with my colleague Senator Blumenthal (D-Conn.). As a member of the Commerce Subcommittee with jurisdiction over the health and safety of amateur athletes, Sen. Blumenthal and I have previously worked to make certain our nation’s athletes are able to pursue the sports they love in a safe and fair manner.
In 2001, Congress recognized USADA as the official anti-doping agency for the Olympics, Paralympics, Pan American and Parapan Games to help combat the use of performance-enhancing drugs and create a fair and level playing field for our athletes. USADA is a non-profit organization and manages the most comprehensive anti-doping program in the country while setting the standard for all other national anti-doping programs abroad. The program consists of in-competition and out-of-competition drug testing, results management processes, drug reference resources and athlete education in order to prevent athlete doping practices.
Since its inception, USADA has modeled integrity and fair competition for the international athletic community and anti-doping agencies around the world. As the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles approaches, I remain committed to making certain USADA has the tools and resources it needs to ensure all American athletes are competing in fair trials leading up to the Games.
Addressing the Trucking Industry’s Driver Shortage with The DRIVE-Safe Act
This week, I introduced the Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy (DRIVE-Safe) Act with my colleagues to address the driver shortage in the trucking and logistics industry and enhance safety training and job opportunities for young truckers.
Though 49 states and the District of Columbia allow individuals to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) at age 18, federal law currently prohibits those operators from moving goods from state to state until they are 21.
As we saw during this pandemic, a shortage of truck drivers impacts our ability to move goods across roads and highways to support our economy, including transporting Kansas products. The DRIVE-Safe Act allows young CDL holders that meet rigorous safety standards and performance benchmarks to move goods from state to state, addressing the driver shortage while continuing to deliver commodities across Kansas and the country. Read more about this legislation by clicking here.
Protecting Aviation across Kansas
Securing $8.9 Million in Grants to Support Kansas Airports
This week, I announced $8,903,293 in Department of Transportation grants for 23 Kansas airports to help with expenses related to COVID-19. The grants were made available by the Federal Aviation Administration as part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act.
Local airports, whether in small towns or big cities, help bring economic opportunities and critical resources to communities across Kansas. Since the onset of this pandemic, our airports have worked hard to create safe flying opportunities for passengers and crew, and these grants will help Kansas airports with associated costs related to the pandemic, including sanitization services, to continue to ensure a safe experience as folks are passing through.
This week, I visited with leaders from Spirit AeroSystems for a factory tour and discussion on how the company continues to navigate the ongoing challenges caused by the pandemic. My legislation, the Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Act was recently signed into law, and it will create a public-private partnership between the federal government and aviation manufacturers, like Spirit, to protect the aviation manufacturing industry, workforce and supply chain that have been impacted by COVID-19. Kansas’ leading aviation manufacturing industry plays a critical role in commercial and general aviation and within our defense community, and this legislation will help to support this invaluable sector from future workforce reductions and ensure this talented workforce remains intact when demand returns. I would like to thank Tom Gentile and Duane Hawkins for their input throughout the tour.
Visiting with the United States Senate Youth Program
This week I had the opportunity to meet virtually with Sean-Patrick Hurst of Iola and Seth Jarvis of Burlington. These two young men were chosen to represent Kansas as delegates of the 59th annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP). Established in 1962, two individuals are selected to represent their state during their time in Washington, D.C.
The mission of the USSYP program is to help instill within each class of USSYP student delegates a more comprehensive understanding of the American political process and a lifelong commitment to public service. In addition to the program week, The Hearst Foundation provides each of the 104 student delegates with a $10,000 college scholarship with encouragement to continue coursework in government, history and public affairs during their undergraduate studies. I commend the achievements of these engaged young Kansans. Together, we talked about qualities that create community leaders, and the remarkable leadership that Kansans have shown in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sean-Patrick and Seth demonstrated a strong commitment to public service that will serve them and their communities well.
Expanding Access to Allergy Testing
This week, I introduced my bipartisanAllergy Testing Access Act of 2021. This legislation would expand access to allergy testing and ensure proper diagnoses of allergies for patients, including the elderly, young children and individuals in rural communities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the United States and carry an annual cost of $18 billion. Over 50 million Americans suffer from allergies each year, with symptoms ranging from mild to life-threatening.
This legislation will remove barriers which inhibit patient access to safe and accurate allergy tests, thereby empowering patients with personal health care information that can help them live healthy, productive lives. Regardless of age or location, people ought to have equal access to allergy testing to ensure a proper diagnosis and treatment to avoid a potentially life-threatening situation. Allergies can pose a significant threat to one’s health and this sensible legislation creates fairness in coverage and improved accessibility of testing.
Introducing the The Global Trade Accountability Act
I joined two of my Senate colleagues this week in introducing the Global Trade Accountability Act, a bill that would subject unilateral actions by the president to increase trade barriers for congressional approval. The Kansas economy depends on sound trade policies, and imposing undue tariffs or other trade restrictions could have serious ramifications on Kansas agriculture and manufacturing.
The Global Trade Accountability Act would require both chambers of Congress to affirmatively approve of any “unilateral trade actions” by the President before they could take effect, which are defined in this legislation as “any increases in tariffs or duties, tightening of tariff-rate quotas or quantitative restrictions on imports, and other restrictions or prohibitions on imports.” For too long, administrations have been making trade decisions without appropriate input from the legislative branch, and this legislation would reinstate Congress’ constitutional authority over commerce with foreign countries.
Welcoming Millennium Corporation to Wichita
On Friday, I was pleased to announce that Millennium Corporation, a defense contractor and cybersecurity company, will establish a regional Wichita office. Millennium currently supports the cybersecurity needs of the Department of Defense, McConnell Air Force Base’s 177th Squadron “Red Team” and other federal agencies. As a thought leader in the cyberspace and security industry, Millennium is a welcome addition to Wichita’s growing cybersecurity community. Regional businesses continue to be reliable and growing partners for our military through Department of Defense contracts, and with Millennium’s expertise and credentials, it will be a great asset in providing cybersecurity services for our nation.
Honored to Serve You in Washington It is an honor to serve you in Washington, D.C. Thank you to the many Kansans who have been calling and writing in to share their thoughts and opinions on the issues our state and country face. I appreciate the words of Kansans, whether in the form of a form of letter, a Facebook comment or a phone call, who wish to make their voice heard.
Please let me know how I can be of assistance. You can contact me by email by clicking here. You can also click here to contact me through one of my Kansas offices or my Washington, D.C. office.
Very truly yours,
Jerry
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Hays
1200 Main St.,
Suite 402
P.O. Box 249
Hays, KS 67601
Phone: (785) 628-6401
Governor Laura Kelly Announces Kansas Will Move To Phase 3 and 4 of COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
~ State to begin vaccinating Kansans who qualify in Phase 3 and Phase 4 on March 22, 2021~
TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced the state will move to Phase 3 and 4 of Kansas’ COVID-19 vaccination plan on March 22, 2021. With this move, individuals between ages 16 and 64 with a preexisting medical condition and other non-healthcare workers in critical infrastructure will be eligible for vaccination.
“Thanks to an increased supply in vaccine, Kansas will begin vaccinating individuals who qualify in either Phase 3 or Phase 4 on March 22,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “This expedited timeline will allow Kansans to get back to work, back to school, and back to a more normal way of life. I urge all Kansans to do their part by getting vaccinated when it is their turn and continuing to follow the public health guidance, so we can return back to normal.”
Kansans now eligible to be vaccinated include:
• Those aged 16 through 64 with conditions that increase the risk for severe illness from COVID-19, including:
o Cancer;
o Down Syndrome;
o Certain heart conditions;
o Type 1 & 2 diabetes;
o Pregnancy;
o Asthma;
o Cystic fibrosis;
o Liver disease;
o Neurological conditions like dementia;
o And other medical risks.
• And other non-health care workers in critical infrastructure who cannot work remotely, including:
o Agricultural and food workers not included in previous phases;
o Workers performing in-person activities indoors;
o Utility workers;
o Social service and government workers not included in previous phases;
o Logistics workers, such as truck transportation workers and couriers;
o Water and wastewater workers;
o Shelter, housing, and finance workers;
o And information technology and communication workers.
This announcement made one week ahead of time, will give counties with vaccination events planned an opportunity to finish vaccinating Kansans in Phases 1 and 2 and will ensure providers have enough time to prepare and notify Kansans who will be eligible in the newly combined Phase 3 and 4. Under this expedited timeline, Kansas is expected to move into the final phase of vaccinations by no later than May 1, 2021.
Additionally, Governor Kelly announced the state will activate more providers to complete vaccinations, including safety-net clinics, pharmacies, hospitals, and medical practices. Kansas will also partner with the federal government to set up mass vaccination sites in Kansas to increase the number of vaccinations possible per day.
Kansans who need help identifying if they are eligible should contact their local health department. Kansans can also utilize the “Find My Vaccine” mapping tool at KansasVaccine.Gov to locate a provider near them with vaccines available.
To view the updated COVID-19 Vaccine Prioritization plan, click here.
To view the updated COVID-19 Vaccine Prioritization plan in Spanish, click here.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces that this week’s Chamber Coffee will be hosted by Briggs Auto of Fort Scott. The Coffee will take place in the Ford building of Briggs, located at 1819 S. Main St., and the event will be celebrating their five-year anniversary of the Fort Scott location.
Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served, and attendees may enter into a drawing.
Attendees are strongly encouraged wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines.
Chamber members and guests are invited to Chamber Coffee events each Thursday at 8 a.m. to network, make announcements, hear about happenings in the community as well as learn about the host business or organization.
