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Monthly Archives: January 2023
Avian Influenza “Bird Flu” in Kansas
Note from the Local Health Officer Rebecca Johnson BSN, RN
SEK Multi-County Health Department
524 S. Lowman, Ft. Scott, KS 66701
P(620)223-4464 F(620)223-1686
Avian Influenza “Bird Flu”
1/13/2023
As egg prices are skyrocketing and it may be costing you more to eat out, you may be asking yourself why all of this is happening, if you haven’t turned on the news much lately. Well, Avian Influenza is much of the cause, or otherwise known as the “bird flu”. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has continued to be detected in new locations nationwide, including new counties in Kansas.
This viral disease appears to be spread by the migration of wild birds which puts Kansas’ domestic birds at risk. HPAI causes severe disease and high mortality in infected poultry and is a concern for the possibility of being transmitted to humans who are exposed.
Infected birds shed the bird flu virus through their saliva, mucous and feces. Though rare, human infections with bird flu viruses can happen when “enough” virus gets into a person’s eyes, nose, mouth, or is inhaled. Transmission can happen through air (droplets, dust) and in inhaled, or when a person touches something that has the virus on it then touches their mouth, eyes, or nose. Most human infections with bird flu have occurred after unprotected contact with infected birds or surfaces contaminated with bird flu viruses.
I am probably getting an eyeroll right now from any hunters that might be reading this, but the CDC recommends whenever possible, avoiding contact with wild birds because they may not appear to be sick. You should avoid unprotected contact with domestic birds (poultry) that are sick or who’ve died. Do not touch surfaces contaminated with saliva, mucous or feces from wild/domestic birds. If you do or you must encounter birds (such as occupational exposure, hunters, bird owners, hobby flocks) take these precautions to prevent infection:
- Wear protective equipment such as gloves, respirators, -or well-fitting masks, and eye protection.
- Avoid touching your face!
- Wash your hands with soap and water after touching birds and surfaces birds inhabit or frequent.
I recommend the seasonal flu shot as well, though it will not prevent infection with bird flu viruses, it can help reduce the risk of getting sick with human and bird flu viruses at the same time. It’s not too late to get a flu shot. We have them available at any of our 4 offices. Allen County: (620)365-2191, Anderson County: (785)448-6559, Bourbon County: (620)223-4464, or Woodson County: (620)625-2484.
See these helpful links for more information:
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/index.htm
Thank you,
Rebecca Johnson BSN, RN
SEKMCHD Administrator/SEK Local Health Officer
Reference: Centers for Disease Control, Kansas Department of Agriculture
Mill Creek Veterinary Clinic Opens Jan. 16
Dr. Amanda Brown opens her Mill Creek Veterinary Clinic on Jan. 16 after months of preparing a new building and also having a baby.
Hours of operation are Monday-Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, 8 a.m. to noon, Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are closed for lunch daily from noon to 1.
She and her husband, Eric, welcomed a third child into their family in December, following her purchase of the building earlier in the year at 6 East 13th. (13th and National Avenue).
The business has a primary focus of wellness and medicine for small animals, she said.
“We have an in-house lab, digital x-ray and ultra sound,” Dr. Brown said. “We have the ability to hospitalize pets.”
“My true passion is client education and managing chronic pain,” she said.
Ever since she was child she has had a desire to help animals get better, she said.
Employees of the clinic are Loren Carmine, registered veterinary technician; Wendi Jensvold, assistant and Jacki Lape, receptionist.
Brown is a 2008 Fort Scott High School graduate with a bachelors degree from Kansas State University in 2013. She earned her doctorate from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2015.
“I worked at Animal Care Center here in Fort Scott right after graduation for over five years and I worked at a busy, fast paced clinic in Webb City for two years after that,” she said in a prior interview. “I have over seven years combined as a veterinarian and almost 20 years in the veterinary field.”
To view the prior feature:
Mill Creek Veterinary Clinic to Open January 2023
To contact the clinic: 620.224-2840 for the office. 620.215-1778 for the clinic cell phone or email [email protected]
Deloney Promoted to President at Mid-Continental Restoration
Matt Deloney Promoted to President by Mid-Continental Restoration Co. Inc.
January 13th – Mid-Continental Restoration Co. Inc., a leading provider of building restoration and preservation services, is proud to announce the promotion of Matt Deloney to the position of President and Chairman of the Board. In this new capacity, Deloney plans to utilize his experience along with that of their strong leadership team, to continue the growth of the organization, ultimately benefiting the employee-owners of the company.
Since first joining Mid-Continental Restoration back in 1990, Deloney has filled many roles, from work in the field, as a craftsman, to most recently serving as our Vice President and managing the Central Region. Since 2007, Deloney has worked to expand the company’s footprint opening offices in Kansas City and Tulsa to meet customer demand and grow the company.
This promotion is part of a strategic succession plan developed over the past several years. “We are excited about this change, and Matt has definitely earned the opportunity to lead our great team,” says outgoing President Frank Halsey, who will move into a semi-retired role while assisting with business development and marketing. “We fully expect Matt will continue to develop the culture that employee owners deserve and expect, while maintaining the professional service our customers deserve and expect.”
“I am thrilled to be taking on this new role with the management team at Mid-Continental Restoration,” says Matt Deloney. “I get the benefit of being able to step into a role that has had strong leadership for many years allowing me to focus on continual growth and delivering stronger experiences for our staff and customers.”
Boldness by Patty LaRoche
In route to visit my son Andy and his wife Kristen, I phoned my husband and asked him to book me a motel about an hour away from where I was on the freeway. He chose one with excellent reviews and, of course, a cheap price.
Dave hit the jackpot. The owners had hung a scriptural plaque beside every exterior door, and the lobby was filled with signs of faith. When I checked in, I noticed 2016, 2017 and 2018 “Platinum” awards had been given. I questioned the receptionist about them, and she said that for those years, not one complaint had been lodged against their motel. She proudly shared that one of its perks was coffee “’round the clock.” Not exactly a spa or pool or cucumbered water, I told myself, but then again, I’ve never seen Scriptures hanging at a Hyatt.
The owners’ hearts for God were obvious. They did not hide their faith, and I began to wonder what would happen if we all were infused with a little more boldness in our love for Jesus…not in a Bible-thumping sort of way, but in a way that left everyone we meet knowing there was something special about us.
A few years ago, my son Adam and his wife Jenn were invited to a dinner hosted by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The topic of faith came up, and Mr. Pompeo shared that when he was invited to speak for a large gathering of Muslims in the Mideast, he added a conclusion that spoke of his Christian faith. The speechwriters removed his addition. He deleted their deletion.
When he finished speaking, he told Adam and Jenn, he was shocked at the number of Muslims who approached him to say that, although they did not agree with his faith, they applauded his boldness in professing it. Granted, probably none of us will have an opportunity to address a Mideast conference (I can only dream), but there are other, more common ways we can demonstrate boldness in the ways we represent Christ-likeness:
- Walk away from an argument. (Emily Dickinson: “Saying nothing sometimes says the most.”)
- Honor our family first. (Desmond Tutu: “You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.”)
- Work with excellence, even when no one is watching. (Jimmy Johnson: “The difference between ordinary and extra-ordinary is that little extra.”)
- Don’t fudge on our taxes. (Richelle E. Goodrich: “A liar deceives himself more than anyone, for he believes he can remain a person of good character when he cannot.”)
- Choose purity in language and appearance. (Mandy Hale: “Refuse to lower your standards to accommodate those who refuse to raise theirs.”)
Every day we are given choices to exude boldness in our faith. I know I need to do better and remember that I’m not alone in this. God has my back.
Of course, what He wants is my heart. That’s the jackpot that really counts.
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Events
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service: Food Drive at Gordon Parks Museum
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Jan. 13
What’s Happening in Fort Scott
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Governor Kelly Announces Fiscal Year 2024 Budget
~~Budget Is Balanced, Responsibly Cuts Taxes, Fully Funds Schools~~
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced her annual budget, outlining her common-sense, fiscally responsible plan to provide tax relief for Kansans, fully fund schools for the fifth year in a row, and make one-time investments that will pay off debts and expand healthcare.
“My budget reflects my plan to responsibly cut taxes, continue growing our economy, fully fund education, and strengthen our infrastructure and workforce,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “We’re building a better Kansas for working families and retirees — all while maintaining a balanced budget.”
The budget:
- Provides responsible tax relief: Governor Kelly’s “Axing Your Taxes” plan will save Kansans more than $500 million in tax cuts over the next three years. The plan includes a proposal to completely axe the state sales tax on groceries, diapers, and feminine hygiene products by April 1, 2023. The second proposal adds a four-day back-to-school sales tax holiday, and the third increases the exemption on Social Security income tax to provide tax relief for retirees.
“Let’s pass tax cuts that we can afford and help working families and seniors – while allowing us to continue the progress we’ve made on education,” said Governor Kelly.
- Fully funds schools for the fifth year in a row: The Governor’s budget fully funds K-12 schools for the fifth consecutive year and puts Kansas on the path to fully fund special education. The budget also invests nearly $110 million in higher education, allowing schools to continue the recent trend of low-to-no tuition increases and expand financial aid.
“The special education funding gap impacts every student because schools end up diverting funds away from other areas to provide these services,” said Governor Kelly. “I fully recognize that Congress hasn’t done its part to deliver the federal funding it promised for special education services, and I’ll continue to work with our congressional delegation to push the federal government to hold up it is end of the bargain. But in the meantime, Kansas families need solutions.”
- Prepares Kansas for the future: The Governor’s budget adds $500 million to the Rainy Day Fund, putting the balance at $1.5 billion. When Governor Kelly first came into office, the Rainy Day Fund was empty. Now Kansas is in a much better position to weather future storms.
- Invests in stronger infrastructure: The Governor’s Budget keeps the ‘Bank of KDOT’ closed for the second year in a row and adds $220 million to the state’s “Infrastructure Leveraging Fund” so that local communities can have the state and local matching funds they need to access federal funding for transportation, broadband, and water infrastructure upgrades.
- Saves taxpayers money by paying off debt: By paying off the remaining $53 million for reservoir debts at Milford and Perry Lakes, Governor Kelly’s budget will save taxpayers nearly $30 million in future interest payments. The budget also pays in cash for the state’s share of the proposed new veterans home in Topeka – saving close to $10 million in interest.
- Invests in Kansas workers: The Governor’s budget ramps up funding for the recently formed Office of Registered Apprenticeship and invests in a college internship program to encourage the next generation of Kansans to stay in the state post-graduation.
“As Kansas aims to continue shattering economic records, there’s one thing in our way: There aren’t enough skilled workers for all the jobs we’re creating. Our labor shortages are driving up prices and stunting our economic growth,” said Governor Kelly. “These investments will help create a strong pipeline of talent that has abundant educational and economic opportunities right here at home.”
- Continues to repair Kansas’ foster care system: The Governor’s budget invests over $5 million to increase placement rates for foster homes and support foster kids transitioning to adulthood.
- Expands mental and physical healthcare and saves Kansas hospitals: The Governor’s budget directs over $12 million to the current KanCare program to eliminate disparities in service for KanCare program recipients, enhances the ability to secure providers, and expands network capacity. The budget also shows why Kansas must expand Medicaid. Kansas will receive an estimated $370-$450 million in additional federal funding over the next two years when we expand Medicaid – which would cover the state’s share of expansion for eight years.
“By far, the most impactful thing we could do to improve Kansans’ health, keep our healthcare workers, and save rural hospitals is expand Medicaid and draw down billions of dollars – our own tax dollars – waiting for us in Washington, D.C.,” said Governor Kelly.
- Increases state employee pay by 5%: The Governor’s budget works to recruit and retain state workers by increasing pay and maintaining the Career Progression Plan for Kansas Highway Patrol officers that was provided in last year’s budget.
- Makes investments in housing and childcare: The Governor’s budget invests in early childhood education and care, giving local communities the ability to implement solutions tailored to their needs. It also provides $20 million to the Housing Revolving Loan Program to help expand housing stock across the state, especially in rural Kansas.
- Invests in IT infrastructure and cybersecurity: The Governor’s budget works to modernize and protect IT systems across state government and provide additional IT support and cybersecurity measures at state agencies.
View the Governor’s full budget recommendations here.
Local Producers Featured at Makers Market This Saturday
The first Makers Market, hosted by Mmm Flavor Shop owners Emelia Whiteaker and Addi Foster is this Saturday, January 14th from 10 am to 3 pm. The event is in the Cloverleaf Event Center at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds on South Horton Street.
“This is for people who produce and make things local” to showcase and sell their products, Foster said.
They are hosting these events because they are hoping to establish a spice store and don’t have a business space, Foster said.
In addition they are sponsoring a fundraiser for a new dog agility club.
“Lunch will also be available for purchase with the proceeds going to help purchase dog agility equipment for the newly created Momentum Dog Club,” Whiteaker said. “Those youth interested in joining the Momentum Dog Club can stop by and get more information. They must be at least 7 years of age to join, and no experience is needed.”
The two sisters are planning a market each second Saturday of each month, until May. “Different vendors will be participating each month,” Whiteaker said. “There will be a variety of locally made products for sale including food, soaps, lotions, knitted items, sewed items, and starters for indoor plants.”
“The menu that will be available is chicken and noodles made with locally raised chicken from Freedom Farms in Bourbon County, Mixed Bean Soup with Grains, Butternut Squash Soup, Mediterranean Vegetable Stew with Couscous,” Whiteaker said. “For dessert offered is Citrus Olive Oil Cake with Orange Chocolate Glaze, and Carob Brownies made two ways.”
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Starts Today
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