KDHE amends travel quarantine list

 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has amended its travel quarantine list to add several states and countries – Connecticut and Pennsylvania and the countries of Andorra, Bermuda, Curacao, Poland, Serbia and Uruguay. Two countries, Czechia and Montenegro are removed.

A comprehensive list of those individuals needing to quarantine includes visitors and Kansans who have:

  • Traveled on or after April 8 to Connecticut or Pennsylvania
  • Traveled on or after April 8 to Andorra, Bermuda, Curacao, Poland, Serbia or Uruguay
  • Traveled on or after March 26 to Delaware, Michigan or Rhode Island
  • Traveled on or after March 26 to Hungary or Jordan
  • Traveled on or after March 12 to New Jersey or New York
  • Traveled on or after March 12 to State of Palestine or Estonia
  • Traveled on or after Feb. 26 to San Marino
  • Traveled between Feb. 26 – April 8 to Czechia or Montenegro.
  • Attendance at any out-of-state mass gatherings of 500 or more where individuals do not socially distance (6 feet) and wear a mask.
  • Been on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15, 2020.

The travel quarantine period is seven days with a negative test result or 10 days without testing, with release from quarantine on Day 8 and Day 11, respectively. Further information on quarantine periods can be found on KDHE’s website.

For those traveling internationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is requiring testing within three days of flights into the U.S. For further information on this and other requirements, visit their website.

For those who are fully vaccinated (meaning it has been greater than two weeks since they completed their vaccinations) they are not required to quarantine regarding travel if they meet all of the following criteria:

  • Are fully vaccinated (i.e., ≥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)
  • Are within 6 months following receipt of the last dose in the series
  • Have remained asymptomatic since the travel

Persons who do not meet all three of the above criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance for travel.

Additionally, people with previous COVID-19 disease are not required to quarantine following travel if they meet all of the following criteria:

  • Have evidence of a previous infection supported by a positive PCR or antigen test
  • Are within 6 months following infection. If an investigation was done documenting the date that symptoms resolved, or the date isolation measures were discontinued for asymptomatic patients, then the 6-month period can start from that end date. If those dates are not available, then the period will start from the date of the positive laboratory test. A serology or antibody test may not be substituted for a laboratory report of a viral diagnostic test.
  • Have remained asymptomatic since the travel

Persons who do not meet all three of the above criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance for travel.

The travel quarantine list is determined using a formula to evaluate new cases over a two-week period, then adjusted for population size to provide a case rate per 100,000 population. This provides a number that can then be compared to the rate in Kansas. Locations with significantly higher rates — approximately 3x higher — are added to the list.

For more information on COVID-19, please visit the KDHE website at www.kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus.

KCC approves refunds for solar customers who paid demand charges

 

 

TOPEKA – Today the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) ruled on two petitions for reconsideration related to a February order directing Evergy to put its residential distributed generation (DG) customers back on a two-part standard rate design eliminating a controversial demand charge.

In a two-part petition for reconsideration, Vote Solar, Climate & Energy Project, and the Sierra Club requested the Commission reconsider its earlier decision of not requiring Evergy to refund customers for charges collected under the previous three-part rate. Upon further review, the Commission determined refunds are appropriate and granted the request today.

Secondly, solar advocates sought reconsideration of the Commission’s decision to maintain the separate residential DG classification, stating it would deny DG customers an opportunity to participate in alternative rate offerings.  In response, Evergy agreed to make optional rates, minus the Time of Use pilot, available to DG customers. The Commission found that was an acceptable solution.

A group of Electric Companies (Evergy, Southern Pioneer, Liberty-Empire and the KEC Group) filed their own petition for reconsideration seeking clarification of the previous order. The group asked if they could propose rates to cover the costs of different or additional services provided to DG customers. The Commission clarified that the order does not prevent a utility from identifying other distinct services received by residential DG customers that may justify an added charge to offset any subsidy received by DG customers in a non-discriminatory way.

Today’s order can be viewed at http://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx?Id=3fa461ee-5481-4195-8d8c-9a3ff6b37881 .

A recording of today’s Commission Meeting can be viewed on the agency’s YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10bSVa8nZ48&list=UU-uTcucl0oyHJr-_iOheuuw&index=1

 

Earles Engineering Hired By City of Fort Scott

Peter Earles is the CEO of Earles Engineering. Photo was taken from Earle Engineering Facebook page.

Earles Engineering and Inspection, headquartered in McPherson, KS, was hired on April 1 to assume the positions of project manager and public works director for the City of Fort Scott.

“They were approved last night ( at the April 6 city commission meeting),” Fort Scott City Manager Jeremy Frazier, said. “We are going to be doing some good things. They will be helping us prepare, by having shovel-ready projects.”

“They have 30 employees,” Frazier said. “We feel like we are in good hands, and will move the city forward.”

As a project manager, the scope of work will be working with the city on various projects, according to the contract with the engineering firm, provided by the city.

They will meet with city staff once a week, a maximum of four hours, to review active maintenance projects, review future maintenance projects, answer questions and look at long-term projects, according to the contract.

Dave Blessant will be the lead project manager, with Jason Dickman available for engineering questions. Fees for this will be $85 an hour, billed on a monthly basis.

Rates will increase 3% automatically, beginning January 2022, according to the contract.

All services will be from Earles Engineering office in Pittsburg and therefore will be no travel charges.

The contract period is for one year from April 6, and will automatically be renewed unless notice to terminate is provided.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Berta LIdia Rodriguez-Sanchez

Berta Lidia Rodriguez-Sanchez, age 71, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Saturday, April 3, 2021, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas.

She was born April 28, 1949, in Morazan, El Salvador, the daughter of Elijio Rodriguez and Antonia Sanchez.

Berta immigrated to the United States in 1983. She lived in Georgia and worked in the area’s poultry processing facilities.

In 2010, she moved to Ft. Scott, Kansas to be near her family who own and operate La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant.

Berta was a woman of faith and a devout Catholic.

She enjoyed playing cards and dominos. She also enjoyed watching the news and keeping up with world events as well as watching soccer games.

Survivors include her daughter, Mirna Santana and husband, Jose and her son Melvin Castillo, and two grandsons, Roger and Allen Rodriguez, all of Ft. Scott.

Also surviving are three brothers and five sisters.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a son, Ramon Rodriguez.

Funeral services and burial will take place at a later date in Gainesville, Georgia.

Local arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary for Ivan “Big Ivan” Gary Folsom Sr.

Ivan "Big Ivan" Gary Folsom Sr.

Ivan “Big Ivan” Gary Folsom Sr., of Deerfield, Mo passed April 2, 2021. Ivan was born on June 7, 1946, the son of Isom and Viola Folsom.
Big Ivan was a family man that enjoyed spending time out in the wilderness.
He was in the West Gate Lodge No. 438 as a Worshipful Master.
He is preceded in death by both his parents, Isom and Viola Folsom; six brothers; one sister and grandson Nate D. Folsom.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Becky Folsom; daughters Tammy (Brian) Miller, Samantha (Carl) Bebee and Christine (Richard) Folsom-Fleig Sr.; son Ivan Gary (Stacey) Folsom Jr.; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one foster grandchild, two brothers and one sister.
There will be a Visitation Saturday, April 10 from 9-10 AM, with a funeral service starting at 10 AM at Maple Hill Funeral Home, Kansas City, KS. Burial will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery.

Johnson & Johnson vaccine available at all CHC/SEK clinics by appointment  

The one-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is now available and at all Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas locations.
Currently, the vaccine is recommended for people age 18 and older. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine offers two unique advantages. It is a single dose rather than the currently required two doses for Pfizer and Moderna. The single dose requires less of a time commitment and inconvenience than a two-dose regimen, and also eliminates the logistical difficulties of scheduling second doses.
To schedule a Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, go to the website chcsek.org, click the COVID Vaccination Form button and complete the form. After selecting the “first dose” button, there is an option to select Johnson & Johnson or Moderna. CHC/SEK representatives will contact the recipients to schedule a date for the vaccine.
For those without web access, the health center has a toll-free number, 866-888-8650 and a second number for Spanish-speakers 620-240-8940 to make vaccination appointments.
Various CHC/SEK Johnson & Johnson pop-up clinics will also be posted on the CHC/SEK Facebook page.

As with all COVID-19 vaccines, there is no out-of-pocket costs to vaccine recipients.

Chamber Coffee Is Hosted by FSCC at 14 S. Hill on April 8

Join us for this weeks Chamber Coffee hosted by FSCC
THE HOUND POUND
14/16 S. Hill St.
8am
The new/future athletic training center
for Fort Scott Community College.
Chamber Members & Guests are welcome
to make any announcement for $1 to the Chamber about their business or organization including events, new products, promotions, or any other specials!
You may wear a mask at your own discretion.
Social distancing is encouraged.
Upcoming Chamber Coffee Schedule:
4/15 Coffee hosted by Fort Scott Christian Heights
4/22 Coffee hosted by Bourbon County Conservation District
4/29 Coffee hosted by Papa Don’s – Celebrating 10 Years on
May 2nd for being in this location.
5/6 ~ OPEN – CALL THE CHAMBER TO SCHEDULE
5/13 ~ Billard, Hammer, Hartman Insurance Agency
5/20 ~ KOMB FM 103.9 & 98.3
5/27 ~ Sharky’s Pub & Grub, celebrating 10 years!