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Flags At Half-Staff For Fallen Officer Mosher
Governor Laura Kelly to order flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Overland Park Officer Mike Mosher
Governor Laura Kelly today announced she will order flags throughout the State of Kansas to be flown at half-staff in honor of Mike Mosher, Overland Park Police Officer who lost his life while on duty Sunday.
Flags will be flown at half-staff on the day of Officer Mosher’s memorial service. The flag order will be distributed once the date is announced.
“I was deeply saddened to learn of Officer Mike Mosher’s death,” Kelly said. “When our officers sign up to protect and serve our communities, they are putting their lives on the line for us. The sacrifices he and his family have made will certainly not be forgotten. Officer Mosher was an outstanding officer, and I offer my sincere condolences to his family during this difficult time.”
Overland Park Police Department: Officer Mosher was a 14-year veteran of the department, a field training officer and a community policing officer. Officer Mosher was involved in an ambush shooting in 2018 and received a Metropolitan Chiefs and Sheriffs Association Officer of the Year award for his actions during that incident. He was also the president of the Overland Park Fraternal Order of Police.
In addition to ordering the flags to be flown at half-staff for Officer Mosher, Governor Kelly today signed Executive Order #20-30, which amends a previous order to add first responders to the list of those who are to be officially recognized through this posthumous honor. The new Executive Order replaces Executive Order #10-12, which was originally signed under Governor Mark Parkinson. The original order did not provide guidance for first responders who are killed in the line of duty. The new order covers members of the law enforcement, fire and emergency response communities.
To view EO #20-30, click here.
To receive email alerts when the governor orders flags to half-staff, please visit https://governor.kansas.gov/newsroom/kansas-flag-honors.
FSHS Speech and Debate: 11 Qualified For Nationals
Submitted by Angella Curran, FSHS teacher
This year Fort Scott High School qualified 11 students to nationals!!
While we won’t be traveling this year, we will still be competing through an online competition.
FSHS also received the Leading Chapter Award, which is only awarded to 110 schools in the nation each year.
Despite the hardships, we have all been facing I am very pleased to announce that these amazing students will be representing our school!
Congratulations to the 2020 National Speech and Debate Association National Qualifiers:
Madison Toth (sr): Program Oral Interpretation
Elizabeth Ngatia (sr): Program Oral Interp and DUO (will compete in DUO)
Zoe Self (sr): Foreign Extemp and DUO (Will compete in DUO)
Mark Adams (sr): Congress House and Lincoln Douglas Debate (Will compete in Lincoln Douglas)
Shekhar Gugnani (soph): Public Forum Debate and Congress House (Will compete in Congress)
Neil Gugnani (soph): Public Forum Debate and United States Extemp (Will compete in US Extemp)
Ivy Bailey (jr): Congess Senate
Jonie Antonio (sr): Congress House
Hannah Vann (sr): Congress Senate and World Schools team(Will be competing in World Schools)
Kinsley Davis (fr): World Schools team
Lillian Collins (fr): World Schools team
Governor Kelly announces recovery team leadership
As part of her continued commitment to protecting the health and safety of Kansans and the state’s economy, Governor Laura Kelly today announced the appointment of two individuals who will head the team charged with leading Kansas forward in recovery from the far-reaching effects of COVID-19.
Kelly selected Cheryl Harrison-Lee as the Recovery Office’s executive director and Lyle Butler as the chair.
Harrison-Lee has more than 30 years of experience in strategic leadership positions in a variety of corporate, entrepreneurial, private and public environments. Previously, she served in leadership roles for several cities to include Gardner, Kansas and Orlando and Daytona Beach, Florida.
Last year, Governor Kelly appointed Harrison-Lee to serve on the Kansas Board of Regents.
“Cheryl has a robust, national reputation as an extraordinary manager,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “She made an instant positive impact in her new role on the Kansas Board of Regents, and I have every confidence that she will provide big-picture insight during the recovery effort, while also paying necessary attention to detail.”
“I am honored to support Governor Kelly and the citizens of Kansas as we recover from unprecedented challenging times,” Harrison-Lee said. “I look forward to developing a strategy to help us regain and enhance our future and long-term economic sustainability.”
Butler recently retired from his position as the President and CEO of the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, a position he held since July 2000. He has also served as the Chamber President and CEO in Dodge City, Kansas, and Greeley, Colorado.
“Lyle is a proven coalition builder who will be a strong contributor as we move forward in the recovery from COVID-19,” Kelly said. “He brings years of experience working with the business community and in economic development. We are going to need Lyle’s expertise as we move into the recovery phase of the pandemic.
“In these unprecedented times with numerous challenges facing the citizens of Kansas, I look forward to working with Governor Kelly and her leadership team to provide assistance and guidance to help get Kansas moving forward,” Butler said.
“Both Lyle and Cheryl have a keen understanding of the needs of local communities in Kansas, which will be paramount during the recovery effort and in the statewide distribution of CARES Act funding,” the Governor said.
Kelly will soon announce the remaining members of the recovery team, which will include involvement from members of the Kansas Legislature.
Kansas COVID 19 Update
County Seeking Businesses That Need Funding Due to COVID 19 For Grant
Bourbon County Economic Director Jody Hoenor is exploring business needs, outside of Fort Scott City limits, for the CDBG-CV grant opportunity. The goal of the grant is job retention.
” We are looking for all business in the county, outside of Fort Scott city limits, with 1 to 50 employees who have been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. Funding can be used for inventory or working capital needed to reopen or help keep a business operating.”
“The City of Fort Scott will have opportunity to apply for funding if they have used all their current funding.” she said in a press release.
Please share and reach out to Jody Hoener, [email protected]
“So we can be sure to get your business included in our grant application,” she said.
SEK Health Department COVID 19 Update
SEK Multi-County Health Departments
Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
May 6, 2020
Allen County
| Current Positive Cases | 0 |
| Current Recovered Cases | 0 |
| Total Positives Since Testing | 0 |
| Deaths | 0 |
Anderson County
| Current Positive Cases | 0 |
| Current Recovered Cases | 0 |
| Total Positives Since Testing | 0 |
| Deaths | 0 |
Bourbon County
| Current Positive Cases | 0 |
| Current Recovered Cases | 5 |
| Total Positives Since Testing | 6 |
| Deaths | 1 |
Woodson County
| Current Positive Cases | 1 |
| Current Recovered Cases | 5 |
| Total Positives Since Testing | 6 |
| Deaths | 0 |
Recovered cases are based on dates of onset of symptoms, not on day testing results are received.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports May 6
The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports May 4-5
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Kansas Farmer Honored For Mask to New York Disaster
Governor Kelly, K-State President Myers confer degree upon Kansas farmer who sent N95 mask to New York
Ruhnke shows the best in humanity, encapsulates what it means to be Kansan
Editor’s note: Please take time to view the video from the presentation. I think you will find it inspiring.
A video of the presentation can be found here.
Governor Laura Kelly today joined Kansas State University President Richard Myers to confer a bachelor’s degree upon Dennis Ruhnke, of Troy, Kansas.
Ruhnke recently garnered national attention when he sent a letter to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, in which he enclosed an N-95 mask to give to a nurse or doctor in New York.
Ruhnke wrote to Governor Cuomo: “I am a retired farmer hunkered down in Northeast Kansas with my wife who has but one lung and occasional problems with her remaining lung. She also has diabetes. We are in our 70s now and frankly, I am afraid for her.
“Enclosed find a solitary N-95 mask left over from my farming days. It has never been used. If you could, would you please give this mask to a nurse or doctor in your city. I have kept four masks for my immediate family. Please keep on doing what you do so well, which is to lead.”
“Dennis’ donation, at the height of our country’s protective gear shortage, showed us the best in humanity when we needed it the most,” Governor Kelly said. “I would like to thank Dennis for the example he’s set on how to serve – and how to be thoughtful and generous in an extraordinary way.”
In 1971, Ruhnke was studying agriculture at Kansas State University when his father passed away. At that time, he was two credits away from earning his degree, but chose to leave school to take care of his mother and the family farm.
“After speaking with President Myers, we both agreed that Dennis perfectly encapsulates K-State’s democratic mandate to be of service to people,” Governor Kelly said. “Which is why I am very honored that I was able to help present Dennis with his well-deserved bachelor’s degree in agriculture.”
“Along with his fantastic demonstration of kindness and generosity, Mr. Ruhnke’s academic work at K-State in his chosen field of agriculture qualifies him to receive his degree,” President Richard Myers said. “Kansas State University is proud to officially recognize Mr. Ruhnke as an alumus and valued member of the Wildcat family.”
. A video of the presentation can be found here.
USDA Reports Record Enrollment in Key Farm Safety-Net Programs
WASHINGTON, April 21, 2020 – Producers signed a record 1.77 million contracts for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2019 crop year, which is more than 107 percent of the total contracts signed compared with a 5-year average. USDA also reminds producers that June 30 is the deadline to enroll in ARC and PLC for the 2020 crop year.
“Producers for several years have experienced low commodity prices, a volatile trade environment and catastrophic natural disasters,” said Richard Fordyce, Administrator of USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). “Farmers looking to mitigate these risks recognize that ARC and PLC provide the financial protections they need to weather substantial drops in crop prices or revenues.”
Producers interested in enrolling for 2020 should contact their FSA county office. Producers must enroll by June 30 and make their one-time update to PLC payment yields by September 30.
FSA attributes the significant participation in the 2019 crop year ARC and PLC programs to increased producer interest in the programs under the 2018 Farm Bill and to an increase in eligible farms because of the selling and buying of farms and new opportunities for beginning farmers and military veterans with farms having 10 or fewer base acres. Enrollment for 2019 ended March 16.
USDA Service Centers, including FSA county offices, are open for business by phone only, and field work will continue with appropriate social distancing. While program delivery staff will continue to come into the office, they will be working with producers by phone and using online tools whenever possible. All Service Center visitors wishing to conduct business with the FSA, Natural Resources Conservation Service or any other Service Center agency are required to call their Service Center to schedule a phone appointment. More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.
For more information on ARC and PLC, download the program fact sheet or the 2014-2018 farm bills comparison fact sheet. Online ARC and PLC election decision tools are available at www.fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc. To locate the nearest USDA Service Center, visit farmers.gov/service-center-locator.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Utility Disconnects Suspended Until May 31
KCC extends emergency order suspending utility disconnects until May 31
This morning, the Kansas Corporation Commission approved extending its emergency order suspending utility disconnects for nonpayment until May 31. The action, taken during a Commission business meeting, will offer continued relief to those experiencing hardship from the COVID-19 virus. The directive covers all electrical, natural gas, water and telecommunications utilities under the KCC’s jurisdiction.
The Commission’s original suspension order was issued on March 16 to expire on April 15. On April 14, Commissioners extended the order to May 15. Today’s order runs concurrently with Executive Order 20-28 issued last week by Governor Laura Kelly. The Governor’s order prohibits utilities, not under the jurisdiction of the KCC, from disconnecting customers until May 31.
“Even as the state begins the phased reopening process, Kansans continue to deal with the financial challenges brought about by COVID-19. Maintaining utility services is critical to ensure public health and safety as the state works toward recovery,” said Commission Chair Susan Duffy.
The Commission may elect to extend the suspension order in a subsequent order if conditions warrant.
Today’s order can be viewed at: http://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx?Id=b6d84c9c-e3f3-487a-bbd2-95eec6d895fe