The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) plans to begin work on a K-3 resurfacing project on Monday, April 19. The project starts at the west K-3/K-39 junction and continues north to U.S. 54.
Project activity includes a one-inch surface recycle, followed by a chip seal. KDOT awarded the $868,508 construction contract to Dustrol Inc. of Towanda. Flaggers and a pilot car will direct one-lane traffic through the work zone; expect delays of 15 minutes or less. A 10-foot driving lane width restriction will also be in effect.
The road work should be completed in one month, weather permitting. Persons with questions may contact Iola Area Engineer Troy Howard, (620) 901-6557, or Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen, (620) 902-6433.
Check KDOT’s updated traveler information website, www.Kandrive.org, for more road condition and construction details. KDOT urges all motorists to be alert and obey the warning signs when approaching and driving through a work zone.
Kerry and Kenny Wunderly are owners of 1553 Plants & Produce. Submitted photo.
Kenny and Kerry Wunderly saw a need in the community and have started a business to meet that need.
Their business is about helping people with their garden needs.
“With the whole process of lockdown over the past year due to COVID, people seem to be more aware of where their food comes from,” Kerry said. “Originally, we wanted to be the link for folks who have space and the desire to grow their own (garden) but didn’t know where to start. It’s very frustrating to have great goals, plant a garden, have everything come up and then quickly go downhill.”
The problems of weeds, insects, improper site preparation, improper plant selection, or the need for soil amendments can ruin the best intentions for many, she said.
Submitted photos. 1553 Plants & Produce.
“Kenny’s degrees from Kansas State (University) in agribusiness and agronomy have given a wealth of knowledge that we want to share so everyone can be successful and avoid those frustrations,” Kerry said.
The Wunderly farm business name is 1553 Plants & Produce, and it’s located at 1553 205th Street a few miles northwest of Fort Scott. To get there go west on Hwy. 54 and go north on 205th Street almost two miles.
The stand at the Wunderley farm. Submitted photos.
This is the business’s first year, although in the past they have been part of Community Supported Agriculture, she said.
“Community Supported Agriculture consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community’s farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production,” according to https://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/community-supported-agriculture
Kenny works full-time on the farm, and Kerry works full-time as a hospice nurse in Fort Scott.
In addition, Kerry provides all the marketing via social media as well as bookkeeping.
Kenny provides most of the labor and agricultural expertise.
Future Plans
” We have big plans for development,” Kerry said. “Some of the things we are hoping to do this year are garden tours with discussions on appropriate up-to-date topics…(and) date night dinners with meat and produce from our farm with firepit and all.”
“A couple of years down the road we hope to be able to expand our community garden program to accommodate more local growers, expand our own garden site to be able to partner with local food banks and restaurants, and the addition of an on-site greenhouse,” she said.
The 1553 Plants & Produce stand. Submitted photos.
Not just plants and produce are sold by the Wunderly’s.
Here is a list of the other business offerings:
“1. Custom built raised beds to fit size, shape, location and budgets.
2. Garden consults- we visit your site and provide input for the best possible outcomes. The first visit is always free of charge!
3. Started plants- vegetables, herbs, wildflowers, decorative grasses.
4. Fresh vegetables and herbs in season available at our self-serve plant stand. We also have a you-pick section in the garden if you want to pick your own.
5. Rejuvenation of flower or vegetable beds that a grower already has in place.
6. Raised bed rentals through our community garden program.
7. Lawn mowing, maintenance, and clean-up.
8. Custom raised meat chickens on request. We will raise and either deliver live birds to you or to the processor for butchering.”
Contact the business by phone at 785-422-5770
They also have a Facebook page where you can get the latest news:
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announces that Kansas will pause administration of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine following an announcement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this morning. There are reports of six recipients in the United States who developed a rare disorder involving blood clots within about two weeks of vaccination. No known cases have been reported in Kansas to date.
“Just as important as getting vaccines into arms — is making sure those vaccines are safe,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “While this appears to have affected six people in the nearly seven million doses administered, out of an abundance of caution, Kansas will suspend Johnson and Johnson until the CDC and FDA clear it for use again. In the meantime, we anticipate our shipments of Pfizer and Moderna to continue and we will build on the one-third of Kansans who have already received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.”
The federal government will further study links between the vaccine and the rare blood clotting disorder. An emergency meeting of the CDC’s advisory committee has been scheduled for Wednesday.
KDHE asks providers with Johnson & Johnson vaccine to pause administration of the vaccine immediately and to place the supply into storage while material is reviewed. After KDHE has reviewed the findings from the federal government, further guidance will be given to providers on next steps.
Those who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should contact their health care provider if they have any symptoms and report any illness to the VAERS Reporting System, https://vaers.hhs.gov.
The week of April 19th, Kansas is anticipated to receive the following doses:
As of April 12, more than 6.8 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine have been administered in the U.S. CDC and FDA are reviewing data involving six reported U.S. cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals after receiving the J&J vaccine. In these cases, a type of blood clot called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) was seen in combination with low levels of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia). All six cases occurred among women between the ages of 18 and 48, and symptoms occurred 6 to 13 days after vaccination. Treatment of this specific type of blood clot is different from the treatment that might typically be administered. Usually, an anticoagulant drug called heparin is used to treat blood clots. In this setting, administration of heparin may be dangerous, and alternative treatments need to be given.
CDC will convene a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) on Wednesday to further review these cases and assess their potential significance. FDA will review that analysis as it also investigates these cases. Until that process is complete, we are recommending a pause in the use of this vaccine out of an abundance of caution. This is important, in part, to ensure that the health care provider community is aware of the potential for these adverse events and can plan for proper recognition and management due to the unique treatment required with this type of blood clot.
Right now, these adverse events appear to be extremely rare. COVID-19 vaccine safety is a top priority for the federal government, and we take all reports of health problems following COVID-19 vaccination very seriously. People who have received the J&J vaccine who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider. Health care providers are asked to report adverse events to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System at https://vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.htmlexternal icon.
CDC and FDA will provide additional information and answer questions later today at a media briefing. A recording of that media call will be available on the FDA’s YouTube channel.
Overland Park, Kan. – April 13, 2021 – Kansas Gas Service is reminding customers who need
assistance with paying their natural gas bills that payment options and financial help is available.
The company is notifying customers with past due balances through mail, recorded calls and
email.
“We want customers to know that if they’re unable to make a payment, we are here to help,” said
Abbey Frye, Kansas Gas Service director of customer service. “In normal times, you may not
need or qualify for assistance, but this year has been challenging. Fortunately, due to federal
funding, there are resources available.”
Frye also encourages customers to pay what they can now to avoid building up a large balance
that will be harder to pay off later.
Energy Assistance Available to Customers
The company has a dedicated webpage at KansasGasService.com/Cares that identifies numerous
programs and agencies in specific cities that provide utility assistance. Among the programs
available to help eligible customers:
• Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) is a federally funded program that
helps households pay a portion of their home energy costs by providing a one-time per
year benefit.
• Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance (KERA) serves Kansans outside of Wichita who
have had difficulty paying or collecting rent, utility or internet payments due to the
COVID-19 pandemic.
• Wichita Emergency Rental Assistance Program (WERAP)
provides assistance on past due and/or future rent and utility bills for Wichita residents
impacted by COVID-19.
• Operation COVID-19 Basic Needs Assistance Program is administered by the
Community Resources Council to provide mortgage, rent, internet and utilities assistance
to households in Topeka that have been affected by COVID-19.
• Share The Warmth is a partnership between Kansas Gas Service and The Salvation
Army that provides energy assistance to those whose immediate financial resources
simply cannot cover their home-heating expenses.
Kansas Gas Service suspended disconnects for nonpayment for several months and plans to
resume normal collection activities this month. In addition to regular past due notifications,
customers with accounts subject to disconnection and who have opted into text messages will
also receive an alert with a link to the Kansas Gas Service website for easy payment access to
prevent discontinuation of service.
The company reminds customers to be aware of potential scams. A legitimate call from Kansas
Gas Service will never include a demand for immediate payment.
Customers can call Kansas Gas Service at 800-794-4780, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., to
speak to a representative about payment options. Customers with eligible accounts may log in to
their online account, click on Make a payment arrangement under the Make Payment button.
Click here for a brief instructional video.
About Kansas Gas Service
Kansas Gas Service provides a reliable and affordable energy choice to more than 645,000 customers in Kansas and
is the largest natural gas distributor in the state, in terms of customers.
Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas Gas Service is a division of ONE Gas, Inc. (NYSE: OGS), a 100-percent
regulated natural gas utility that trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “OGS.” ONE Gas is
included in the S&P MidCap 400 Index and is one of the largest natural gas utilities in the United States.
For more information and the latest news about Kansas Gas Service, visit kansasgasservice.com and follow its social
channels: @KansasGas, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.
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Resources
To find further resources on how to protect you and your family, visit coronavirus.gov or the Kansas Department of Health and Environment website here .
Vaccines in Kansas
Visit kansasvaccine.gov for information regarding COVID-19 vaccinations in Kansas, including availability and FAQs.
To find providers offering COVID-19 vaccinations, use KDHE’s Find My Vaccine map tool. Enter your zip code or address to find the providers nearest you.
Assistance
If you are a Kansas resident and you or your family needs assistance with matters related to COVID-19, please click here .
If your employment situation has been impacted by COVID-19, including reduced work hours, please refer to these resources from the Kansas Department of Labor:
Please visit the Kansas Department of Health and Environment here .
U.S. Small Business Administration Resources
For information regarding the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), including second draw loans, please visit the U.S. Small Business Administration’s website by clicking here .
For information regarding Economic Injury Disaster loans, please click here .
Veteran Resources
For information on veteran and VA related topics, resources and contact information, please click here .
———–
Phone Calls to Kansans
Chancellor Doug Girod, University of Kansas, Lawrence
Senator Roger Marshall of Great Bend
Michael McGrew, McGrew Real Estate, Lawrence
Congressman Jake LaTurner of Topeka
Michael Barrett, Concerned Veterans of America, Wichita
Jim Brown, ABC Rentals, Wichita
Dr. Elizabeth & Don King, King Construction Company, Wichita
Andy Schlapp, Wichita State University, Wichita
Dr. Wayne & Dr. Tracey Gilmore, Eyecare Associates, Parsons
Dr. John & Katie Tomblin, Wichita State University
Honorable Sam & Mary Brownback of Topeka
President Dick & Mary Jo Meyers, Kansas State University, Manhattan
Regent Mark Hutton, Hutton Construction, Wichita
Regent Jon & Lauren Rolph, Sasnak, Wichita
Gary Shorman, Eagle Communications, Hays
Congressman Tracey Mann of Salina
Gary Plumber, Wichita Metro Chamber, Wichita
Director Shelly Hansel, Harper County Development, Anthony
Regent Helen Van Etten of Topeka
Hello,
Welcome to “Kansas Common Sense.” Thanks for your continued interest in receiving my weekly newsletter. Please feel free to forward it on to your family and friends if it would interest them.
Hosting the VA Secretary in Kansas
Beginning at the Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center in Leavenworth
As the lead Republican on Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I hosted VA Secretary Denis McDonough in Kansas for two days last week to meet with veterans and VA leaders across the state. On Thursday morning, we started at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Leavenworth VA Medical Center to tour the facility, visit with patients and employees, and talk with veterans and members of VSOs.
On the tour, we viewed the emergency and surgical areas and walked through the Women’s Health Center. This clinic provides a dedicated space for the fastest-growing group of veterans to schedule and receive care and has also served as a meeting point for women veterans to gather and support one another.
At the conclusion of the tour, we hosted a roundtable where we discussed the delivery of care to veterans by the VA Eastern Kansas Healthcare System as well as some of the challenges facing veterans in rural parts of the state. I emphasized my commitment that veterans have access to quality care and the Secretary committed to looking at new ways the VA can improve billing processes and better provide timely care to veterans in rural areas and those facing mental health challenges.
Thank you to Congressman Jake LaTurner, Kansas Rep. Pat Proctor of Leavenworth, Col. (Ret.) Lynn Rolf Jr. of the Kansas Veterans of Foreign Wars of Leavenworth, Kansas American Legion National Executive Committeeman Dan Wiley of Leavenworth, American Legion Kansas Department Commander Marri Krupco of Blue Mound, Daniel Brazzel of Team Fidelis of Overland Park and County Coordinator Kathy Shepard of Independence for joining the discussion.
It was an honor to join the Secretary for a commemorative coin presentation ceremony recognizing VA medical center staff for their exemplary service during the pandemic. Coins were awarded to CBOC Manager Jackie Garcia, VA Police Officer Derek Ursuy, Amanda Krauss, RN, Kerry McDowell, LPN, and Dr. Courtney Hahn, and I appreciated the opportunity to thank them in person for caring for Kansas veterans. Thank you also to Director Rudy Klopfer for the tour and to Dr. William Patterson, Damian Mcgee and Joseph Burks for their time.
Discussing the SAVE LIVES Actat the Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center
Following Leavenworth, Secretary McDonough accompanied me to Topeka, where we visited the Colmery-O’Neil Topeka VA Medical Center.
During our tour of the facility, we discussed the successful vaccine rollout and learned more about the outpatient care the center provides. Several weeks ago during my visit here, I learned of a reluctance from veterans to be vaccinated through the VA if their spouses were not eligible. Because of this, I introduced legislation – the SAVE LIVES Act – to allow veteran spouses and caregivers to be eligible for vaccines through the VA, and it was quickly signed into law. I’m pleased to announce that over the last two weeks, 18,000 individuals have been vaccinated under the new law, including 1,625 in the VISN 15 Heartland region. I also expressed my gratitude to the Colmery-O’Neil medical staff for their tireless work to care for veterans throughout this pandemic and appreciate that they are setting an example for their communities – 85% of VISN employees are receiving the vaccine. Additionally, we presented recognition coins to the staff that cares for Kansas veterans for their dedicated service during the pandemic: Hilton McLamb, Dane O’Hara, Michelle Ralston, Mindy Mulford and Colon Colbert.
I want to thank Director Rudy Klopfer for the tour and Dr. Thomas Klobucar and Dr. William Patterson for joining us. Thank you also to VAEK’s Associate Director Lisa Curnes, Chief of Staff Dr. Michael Lesson, Assistant Director Alfred J. Mooney, Dr. Stephanie Davis, Dr. TJ McCombs, Heather Jones, Ruby Wood and Joe Burks for their time.
Visiting the Lieutenant General Richard J. Seitz Community Based Outpatient Clinic
After Topeka, Secretary McDonough visited the Lieutenant General Richard J. Seitz Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Junction City, where he learned more about how this clinic is able to coordinate care for women veterans, even in instances where care would need to take place outside of the clinic. Currently, the clinic has been working hard to coordinate mental telehealth services as the pandemic has exacerbated the mental strain many veterans experience as a result of their service. This clinic also helps coordinate the HUD-VASH program for veterans in the area experiencing homelessness, especially homelessness caused by transition issues.
Focusing on Community Care Options for Veterans in Emporia
On Friday morning Secretary McDonough and I stopped by Emporia’s Newman Regional Health Medical Center to meet with staff and patients. Newman has consistently been recognized as one of the most clinically capable facilities in Kansas, and I was pleased to showcase their care and services extend to Lyon, Chase, Coffey, Greenwood, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties to provide top-notch care for much of east-central Kansas.
The medical staff at Newman brought the secretary and me up to speed on how their community hospital has filled in the health care gap since the closure of the VA Eastern Kansas HCS Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). We also had a chance to discuss the MISSION Act, legislation that allows the VA to establish a more highly integrated health care network, including providing greater access to community care programs and telemedicine services, as well as providing much-needed support to rural community hospitals. During our conversation, Dr. Heitman shared with Secretary McDonough and me the difficulties veterans face in the authorization process as they schedule needed procedures and his desire to care for his veteran patients though these hurdles. Secretary McDonough shared his thanks for providing feedback that will help the veteran community at large.
I want to extend my thanks to Newman CEO Bob Wright, CFO Holly French, COO Julia Pyle, Dr. Bryce Heitman, Supervisor of Care Coordination Lucas Markowitz, Board Trustee Rob Gilligan, Executive Assistant Lynn Redecker and Chief Quality Officer Cathy Pimple for their time. Thanks also to Congressman Tracey Mann, Eastern Kansas VA Director Rudy Klopfer, Eastern Kansas VA Community Care Director Brock Wedman and Kansas Hospital Association Vice President for Reimbursements Tish Hollingsworth for joining us.
Visiting with Veterans at the Dole VAMC Community Living Center
On Friday afternoon, Secretary McDonough and I visited Wichita’s Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center and were pleased to have Congressman Ron Estes join us. I last visited the Dole VA facility just before Christmas as medical staff began to administer Dole VA’s first vaccines to the beginning of what would become many veterans. It was great to see the progress the facility has made in just a few short months as we continue to get back to normal.
During our tour of the facility, we discussed the wait times veterans are experiencing for compensation and pension exams, known as C&P exams, with the Veterans Benefits Administration Regional Office Director Ms. Donna Meyer-Hickel and my efforts to increase the National Personnel Records Center response times to fulfill veteran requests for records related to their service benefits. We also met with union representatives from the American Federation of Government Employees, including President Kip Chappell.
The highlight of the tour was when we visited the Community Living Center and met with veteran residents. They haven’t been able to have visitors throughout the past year due to the pandemic, so we were pleased to spend some time with them. Here, we also were able to present recognition coins to the staff that has cared for Kansas veterans throughout the pandemic: Nikki Lind, Vince Hodgdon, Jacklyn Bantam, Dr. Christopher Fox, Kimberly Gillette, Misty Lester, Curt Rodriguez, Clint Bass and Brandi Tolbert.
Thank you to Dole Director Candace Ifabiyi for leading the tour, and to Dr. Tom Klobucar and Dr. William Patterson for joining us as we heard more from Dole leadership and staff.
Continuing the Legacy of Aviation Excellence at Wichita State University
On Thursday afternoon, I was honored to attend the dedication of the Wichita State University’s (WSU) newest National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) lab, the Jerry Moran Center for Advanced Virtual Engineering and Testing. The new facility located in WSU’s innovation campus houses crash dynamics, virtual engineering, virtual flight testing and building blocks laboratory programs where students will learn and research.
I have worked closely with WSU’s NIAR Executive Director Dr. John Tomblin to bring federal officials and business leaders to campus so that they can recognize the amazing resources, faculty and students at WSU. Once leaders get on the campus, the university sells itself. Ultimately, WSU and its students are changing the world and preserving Wichita as the Air Capital of the World. While I was there, I was also pleased to announce a new grant from the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts program for $2 million that will go toward the study of a neutrino-detecting mission concept, or tools to better understand the inside of stars.
Thank you to the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) for this honor and Dr. Tomblin for his exceptional leadership of NIAR and his continued partnership as we work to grow WSU, Wichita, our state and our nation. I also want to thank interim President of WSU Richard Muma, KBOR Regent Jon Rolph and Spirit AeroSystems CEO Tom Gentile for their kind remarks during the ceremony. I also appreciated the attendance of KBOR President Blake Flanders and Regents Helen Van Etten and Mark Hutton. I extend my thanks to everyone who took time out of their day to attend the event.
To read about the dedication in the Hutchinson News, click here .
In February, I announced a $2.6 million CARES Act Recovery grant to Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center (NMRMC) from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to fund a new Southeast Kansas Impact Center for Wellness, Education, and Business.
On Tuesday, I was pleased to join them as they broke ground on this project that will impact the community well into the future. Thank you to the individuals involved in this grant and for their initiative in undertaking this project that will have a big regional impact. The new facility will include conference space for the community, as well as a clinic and telehealth facility.
This event brought the community together, and I appreciated the remarks from NMRMC CEO Dennis Franks, NMRMC Foundation President Phil Jarred, Chanute Mayor Jacob LaRue, Neosho County Commission Chair Nic Galemore and Lt. Governor David Toland. Thank you to NMRMC for the invitation and their staff for all they do to care for their fellow Kansans.
Stopping in Fort Scott for Labconco’s Vaccination Event
While in southeast Kansas on Tuesday, I visited Labconco Corporation, a company that manufacturers laboratory equipment in Fort Scott, as the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHCSEK) administered the second vaccine dose to their employees. It was helpful to hear both from Labconco about their operation during the pandemic to produce lab hoods to help with COVID-19 testing, as well as receive an update from the CHCSEK about their successful vaccination clinics for local businesses and the general public.
Thank you to Labconco CEO Laura McConnell Perin and CHCSEK Director of Development Dawn McNay for helping coordinate my visit, as well as City Manager Jeremy Frazier and City Commissioners Kevin Allen and Dr. Randy Nichols for joining us. And thank you to the staff of the CHCSEK, including Lori Rexwhinkle, Kimberly Whitaker, Jeannie Napier and Stephanie Potter, for the update and all the work they are doing to get more vaccine shots in the arms of Kansans.
Thanking Health Care Workers at Pittsburg’s Hospital
I also visited Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg to thank their health care workers for all they have done during the pandemic. They choose to care for others every day and truly make a difference in the Pittsburg and southeastern Kansas community. I also had the opportunity to speak with several Pitt State Nursing students and thank them for choosing a profession where they put others first.
While at the Hospital I met with CEO Drew Talbott, Chief Nursing Officer Tawny Sandifer and ER Department Chief and Crawford County Health Officer Dr. Tim Stebbins to discuss their partnerships with the Community Healthcare Center of Southeast Kansas to serve surrounding rural areas. Access to health care is important for rural areas, and I appreciate their leadership in working towards a financially viable model to provide care to Kansans. Read more here .
Congratulating Joseph Lee on Admission to the U.S. Naval Academy
It was an honor to congratulate Joseph Lee on his acceptance into the U.S. Naval Academy while in Pittsburg. We are fortunate to have intelligent, hard-working, humble and patriotic students like Joseph in our country who are willing to serve at the highest level in our Armed Forces. I was pleased to nominate Joseph, and I know that the Pittsburg community and all of Kansas is very proud of you!
Read more about Joseph here in the Pittsburg Morning Sun by clicking here .
Visiting Miller’s Professional Imaging
I also stopped by Miller’s Professional Imaging in Pittsburg to learn more about their operation as one of the largest photography printing labs in the country. The tour, led by David Doria, highlighted how they have expanded and adapted over the years to offer more services in the digital market and how they increased their production efficiency during the pandemic. I enjoyed viewing all the different printing options they offer and learning about their digital consumer base through their MPIX platform.
Also on the tour was Richard Miller – the owner of Miller’s – President Todd Coleman and Joe Dellasega. I appreciated hearing about their programs to support and incentivize employees, as well as their philanthropic efforts around the Pittsburg community. Hometown businesses are invested in their community and often play a large part in its wellbeing. I appreciated hearing about Miller’s impact from local Chamber of Commerce President Blake Benson and Deputy City Manager Jay Byers.
Speaking to Manhattan’s Military Relation Committee
On Wednesday, I spoke to the Manhattan Military Relations Committee, an entity of the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, to give a federal update about efforts to support the military community. With the close proximity of Fort Riley, cities like Manhattan and Junction City play an important role in making our military feel welcome, supporting Big Red One soldiers, as well as helping to retain brigades.
I was able to report that because of new legislation signed into law last year, Big Red One soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice during Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn will now have their names added to the First Division Monument located on White House grounds.
I also discussed my work on the SAVE LIVES Act, which now allows veteran spouses and caregivers to be vaccinated through the Veterans Health Administration, and our efforts to address veteran mental health and suicide prevention.
Special thanks to Janet Nichols for the invitation, as well as Lt. Gen. Perry Wiggins, the Governor’s Military Council Executive Director, for his keynote. Read more here in the Manhattan Mercury.
Meeting with Kansas Community Colleges
I was pleased to join the Kansas Community College Council of Presidents for their quarterly meeting this week. During the meeting we discussed ways to improve workforce development, the importance of Pell grants in providing educational opportunities to low-income individuals, protecting student veterans from reductions in GI Bill benefits as a result of COVID-19 and the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act . I sincerely value the insight that each of our state’s community college presidents offer and appreciated hearing from them on issues facing their institutions. As a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, I look forward to continuing working closely with our Kansas community colleges to make certain their efforts to provide quality higher education are supported at the federal level.
Discussing Kansas City Southern’s Recent Merger
On Monday, I met with Kansas City Southern’s President Pat Ottensmeyer and Executive Vice President Administration & Corporate Affairs Warren Erdman regarding their recent merger with the Canadian Pacific Railway. Once combined, they will create the first rail network linking the U.S., Mexico and Canada, which will help support Kansas exports with improved efficiency and reduced transit times. I appreciated the update and thank them both for the meeting.
Visiting with Paul DeBruce of the DeBruce Foundation
This week, I visited with Paul DeBruce, founder of the DeBruce Foundation and former president of DeBruce Grain, Inc. The DeBruce Foundation, located in Kansas City, helps individuals expand their pathways to economic growth and opportunity and changes the way they pursue their careers. The foundation’s mission looks to widen peoples’ understandings of what makes a successful professional career and helps open up new career possibilities and opportunities through their initiatives and strategic partnerships. The company’s initiative to help these individuals secure success is valuable, especially as they look to enter the workforce or begin a new career path. I appreciated the ability to hear all that this foundation does to serve its community. Thank you to Mr. DeBruce for meeting with me.
Meeting with McCownGordon Construction
I also met with the leadership team at McCownGordon Construction this week. I appreciated learning more about how their employee stock ownership plan, allowing their company to be 100% employee owned and how their early adaptation of drone technology has benefited their company. Thank you to CEO Ramin Cherafat, Chief People Officer Nancy Whitworth, Vice President Todd Knight and Director Pat Contreras for the helpful meeting.
Recognizing Gold Star Spouses Day
On Gold Star Spouses Day on Monday, we paused to honor the men and women who have lost a spouse or loved one who died while defending our country. Military service is family service, and we recognize their sacrifice and their resilience.
Recognizing Holocaust Remembrance Day
Thursday was Holocaust Remembrance Day or Yom Hashoah, a day on which humanity reflects on the atrocities of the Holocaust and remembers the lives of the six million Jews who perished. The undying courage of all victims and survivors must never be forgotten.
H onored 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
Every vote is important. “Voting is the most precious right of every citizen, and we have a moral obligation to ensure the integrity of our voting process.” Hilary Clinton. So why are so many Democrats in Kansas trying to block legislation to protect our elections? Even worse, the U.S. House passed legislation that will destroy the integrity of our state elections (H.R.1, For the People Act of 2021). Hopefully, HR-1 dies in the U.S. Senate. The Kansas legislature passed HCR 5015 rejecting H.R.1 and S.1 (the senate version of H.R.1).
Kansas didn’t have the problems that other states had in the November 2020 elections but there is room for improvement. Elections are too important and we need 100% accuracy. The legislature passed Conference Committee Report (CCR) 2183 and CCR 2332.
CCR 2183 will limit ballot harvesting, make it unlawful to alter postmarks on mailed ballots, and require signature verification on mailed ballots. It would also make it a crime to act like or try to appear to be a county clerk or Secretary Of State (SOS). In November 2020, there were advance ballot applications and websites that appeared to be official. They were not and just confused voters. The bill would also require the SOS to post registered voter data and stop county clerks from accepting money from 3rd parties for elections – an example would be the Zuckerberg money that some clerks applied for and received in Kansas. The CCR passed the Senate 27 to 11.
The legislature also passed CCR 2332 that would require residential and mailing addresses to be maintained and strengthen requirements for advance ballot applications, including signature verification. The CCR passed 27 to 11.
I was able to strengthen election legislation with amendments through the chairman in committee and on the senate floor. Some Senators argued these CCRs and the HCR promote voter suppression and that they are not needed. That is not even true. They help protect the integrity of our elections. To paraphrase a friend, “What voter integrity checks would they ever support? When will they opine that banks don’t need safeguards since bank robbery is so rare?”
Hopefully, the Governor will not veto these important bills.
Women’s Sports
CCR 55, the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, would stop anyone who is not a biological female from participating in sports designated for females, women, or girls. The CCR passed the House and Senate. I was one of 26 who voted yes in the Senate. There were 11 no votes. We’ll see what the Governor does with the bill.
Legislature Break
While the legislature is on break for the next few weeks, I will continue to update you on topics covered during session. All of the legislation is posted online at www.kslegislature.org.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Sending you a Friendly Reminder to Join us tomorrow morning for the Quarterly Downtown Meet & Greet
Would love to see a great turnout!
Join Us for our Downtown Meet & Greet
hosted by Common Ground Coffee Co.
Tuesday, April 13th, 2021
8:30 am to 9:30 am
Thank you to Common Ground Coffee Company for hosting the Fort Scott Chamber Downtown Meet & Greet on Tuesday, April 13th.
Guest join us in the Loading Dock Room from 8:30 am until 9:30 am and enjoy coffee and light refreshments.
These informal, quarterly meetings are hosted by the Chamber for downtown business owners, representatives, and community members to network and share ideas on events, promotions, and anything related to downtown. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served.
THE FORT SCOTT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 620.223.3566 | WWW.FORTSCOTT.COM
There may be a majority of City Commissioners present at the USD #234 School Board meeting held on April 12th, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. at the Middle School, but no City business will be conducted.
Clint and Angela Johnson, Bronson, are the owners of Root 54.
Their business, in layman’s terms, produces worm poop.
“Everything a worm eats gets digested and comes out as a worm casting,” said business owner Clint Johnson. “Worm castings are packed with minerals that are essential for plant growth, such as concentrated nitrates, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and calcium. It also contains manganese, copper, zinc, cobalt, borax, iron, carbon, and nitrogen.”
“However, the best of all is that these minerals are immediately available to the plant, without the risk of ever burning the plant,” he said. “Remember that chemical fertilizers have to be broken down in the soil before the plant can absorb them.”
Interest started over 10 years ago when Clint read a book called ‘Worms eat my Garbage’, he said.
“I personally wanted to raise some worms because it looked like a fun hobby and wanted to use a better, more natural fertilizer for my garden,” he said.
Johnson made two eight-foot by three-foot worm beds in an old tin shed in his backyard.
He then got an idea.
” I casually posted a few ads on some social media platforms and within a short amount of time people were coming to buy our castings,” he said. ” We eventually could not keep up with demand, so after much thought, research, collaboration, and scientific testing we decided to partner with a few large worm farms we know very well.”
They have secured the rights to exclusively market their castings to make it their brand “Super Poop.”
“We sell 100% worm castings and compost,” Johnson said. “Super Poop can be purchased in 20-pound bags at any one of our nine dealer locations across Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. You can also purchase large bulk amounts off of our lots here in Bronson.”
Submitted photos.
The back of a “Super Poop” bag. Submitted photos.
“Our business is a family business, and we get a tremendous amount of support from our immediate family that lives in the area,” he said.
The Johnson family, from left Angela, Alison, Hunter, Clint, and in front, Jett. Submitted photo. The family works together on their business, Root 54.
Root 54 LLC, the Johnson business, was officially established on July 15, 2020.
“We had been selling worm castings out of our back yard for several years before opening the company,” Johnson said.
A couple of hands full of “Super Poop.” Submitted photos.
The Johnson’s grew up in the Bronson community.
“Our vision is to see it thrive for many more years,” he said. “We are always seeking ways to use the resources God has blessed us with, in the Bronson community, by lending a helping hand. Occasionally, you will see our skid steer clearing driveways when it snows or helping our neighbors with heavy lifting and other tasks that are made easy with a machine.”
“There are several other small businesses in Bronson right now and all of them do a great job of being involved in our little town,” Johnson said. “One of our goals here at Root 54, is to help create a better place for our children to grow up, and help out our small community the best way we can.”
The Johnson’s are looking at ways to expand and grow their brand, he said.
“First and foremost, we intend to add a bagged compost for our customers for the 2022 growing season, and have already started the process of designing a bag for it,” he said. ” The name of the compost will be kept in our back pocket until we unveil it later in 2021.”
“Our future plans include adding super soil mixes and other high-quality soils to become a regionally/nationally recognized company,” Clint said. “We are thankful for our loyal customers and the support the community has shown us, and look forward to serving them for many years to come.”
The Design Review Board will meet on Wednesday, April 14th, 2021 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 consider the painting of crosswalks in the downtown area and any other matters that may come up before the Board.
This meeting will be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.
