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Government, Kansas

Kansas Gains In Tax Collections FY2020

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Kansas Sees Substantial Gains in Total Tax Collections Over Projections for June and Close of FY 2020

Tax collections down less than 5.0% compared to June FY 2019 and down less than 6.0% from close of last fiscal year

 

TOPEKA –The State of Kansas saw a better-than-predicted close to Fiscal Year 2020. In June, the state’s total tax collections were up by $135.6 million or 22.3% more than estimated with $744.4 million collected. Compared to the same month last fiscal year, June tax collections were down by 4.8%. For FY 2020, total tax collections were up by $163.7 million or 2.4% more than estimated with collections of $7.0 billion; a 5.7% decrease from last year.

 

“Kansans have faced many challenges since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak – emotionally, physically, and financially,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “While these numbers are encouraging, we must continue to make decisions that will keep our state on sound economic footing as we enter the next fiscal year.”

 

The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic began to be seen in April as the state was entering its fourth quarter. In addition, tax extensions were announced in March which moves money from FY 2020 to the next fiscal year. Approximately 300,000 individual income tax returns are still to be filed and paid by the July 15, 2020 deadline.

 

Individual income taxes were 13.2% or $41.1 million more than projected with $353.1 million collected. Those numbers are down 9.0% compared to the same month last year. Corporate income tax collections in June were $54.7 million; $33.7 million or 160.4% more than projected. These collections are down 19.4% compared to June of last fiscal year.

 

Retail sales and compensating use tax collections were both more than projected for the month and more than June of last fiscal year. Retail sales tax collections in June were $203.0 million; 21.5% or $36.0 million more than estimated. That’s an increase of 1.9% over last June. Compensating use taxes were $43.4 million; $10.4 million or 31.6% more than projected and an increase of 6.5% over last June. For FY 2020, retail sales tax collections performed 2.3% higher than expected with $2.4 billion collected; an increase of 0.7% over last fiscal year. Compensating use taxes for the fiscal year also performed 4.1% higher than expected with $479.1 million collected; a 10.9% increase from FY 2019.

 

Details found here.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Health Care

Presbyterian Village Earns Zero-Deficiency Rating

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Fort Scott Presbyterian Village earns zero-deficiency rating
for assisted living focused infection control survey

FORT SCOTT, Kan. — Fort Scott Presbyterian Village earned a zero-deficiency survey for a focused infection control survey conducted by the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) in June.

Senior living communities are surveyed annually by their licensing agency for compliance of regulations established by KDADS. These regulations are designed to ensure a standard of care is met. By meeting this standard, senior living communities are able to renew their licenses and continue to provide care.

The Kansas Legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly directed KDADS to complete focused infection control surveys for all adult care homes in Kansas by September 30, 2020. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) directed states to perform focused infection control surveys in all skilled nursing facilities by July 31, 2020.

“Every day I see our mission to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values unfold as our employees go above and beyond in the care they provide,” said Ginger Nance, executive director. “At this time, we have had no residents or employees test positive for COVID-19. Our employee screening processes and infection control practices are working to keep COVID-19 out of our campus.”

The focused infection control surveys hone in on an adult care home’s adherence Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance for infection control practices to prevent disease at the community. Communities are assessed on staff and resident education on hand hygiene and coughing/sneezing etiquette, cleaning, screening of employees and residents, effective transmission-based precautions, proper use/discarding of personal protective equipment and signage at entrances and resident rooms. It also examines the facility’s policies and emergency preparedness related to a pandemic or outbreak.

“This recognition is tangible proof of our commitment to providing quality senior care and services based on Christian values. This survey recognizes the hard work this team has put in throughout the COVID-19 crisis,” Nance said. “We will continue to be vigilant as we work with the Bourbon County Health Department on our reopening plan.”

Fort Scott Presbyterian Village is an assisted living community, which means it is licensed by KDADS. Residents have their own private apartments, one or two bedrooms complete with all appliances, and may receive some assistance with activities of daily living.

“Although the restrictions on visitors has been difficult, we have been offering many ways for residents and their family members and friends to stay connected,” Nance said, citing drive-through parades, outdoor fishing and walking paths, and exercise classes offered throughout the pandemic.

For more information about Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, contact Becky Kellum, marketing director, at 620-223-5550 or [email protected].

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Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, a Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America community, has been offering independent and assisted living apartments for seniors from southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri since 1994. Learn more at FortScottPresbyterianVillage.org. Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization with 16 locations and 2 hospices in Kansas and Missouri. Learn more at PMMA.org.

Government, Kansas

Crisis Counseling Funding

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Governor Laura Kelly Announces Federal Approval of Crisis Counseling Funding under Kansas’s Major Disaster Declaration

Funding for Mental Health Program Benefiting Individuals Impacted by COVID-19

is an Add-On to the State’s Major Disaster Declaration

 

TOPEKA— Governor Laura Kelly has announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved a Kansas plan for crisis counseling under the individual assistance category of the Stafford Act.

 

Funding is provided by FEMA’s Crisis Counseling Program Immediate Services Program (ISP). ISP is a program supported by a grant that provides disaster relief assistance offered through specially trained providers and other supports for up to 60 days after a major disaster declaration. Funding was secured through partnership with Kansas Division of Emergency Management, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services and Kansas Department of Agriculture.

 

“Kansans have faced challenges and uncertainty since the beginning of this unprecedented health crisis,” Kelly said. “We are developing a program with both virtual and person-to-person support offered with social distancing and preventing the spread of COVID-19 in mind. It is imperative to provide options for support during this time to let people know they are not alone, and help is available for those who need it.”

 

The first round of training was held on June 19 and 22 for providers to help support mental health initiatives designed to benefit Kansans affected by the pandemic. The initial Core Content Training is a two-day training developed by The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that covers basic crisis counseling skills and services, data collection and stress management techniques. Over 40 individuals were trained during this session. This opportunity positions Kansas to address the complexities of COVID-19. Collaborating agencies are establishing an approach to provide outreach and services by telephone, virtually and through social media. The program will focus on providing crisis counseling and disaster recovery options, promoting the use or development of healthy coping strategies, connecting survivors with appropriate people and agencies that can assist them, and completing referrals to other disaster recovery programs or mental health providers.

 

Hotlines through this program with trained crisis counseling staff and online support and resources are available now.

 

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), provides free 24/7, confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. A chat option is also available online at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.

 

Additional support is available for citizens through the following resources:

 

The Kansas Ag Stress Resources website offers a variety of resources geared toward those involved in agriculture including a 24/7 hotline at 1-800-447-1985. This is a service through the Kansas Department of Agriculture found at www.KansasAgStress.org.

 

SAMHSA offers the Disaster Distress Helpline, 1-800-985-5990. The Helpline is a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week and free resource that responds to people who need crisis counseling and support in dealing with the traumatic effects of a natural or human-caused disaster.

 

With Kansas: Stronger Together as a program motto and brand, this program will also provide toolkits with educational materials and general outreach information for citizens, businesses and providers. Materials are available for the public and encouraged to be used as needed and shared in locations such as grocery stores, churches, businesses, funeral homes, social media, medical clinics or other places where individuals may gather. Some topics addressed include grief and loss, financial stress, coping mechanisms, children and coping, anxiety related to COVID-19, possible suicidal ideation, general resource information, agriculture hardship and other topics.  Information can be found online via Facebook at Kansas: Stronger Together.

 

“As we continue to find ways to proactively battle the ongoing mental health and social effects of this pandemic, I think it’s important we recognize the impact puts us in uncharted territory in that it reaches every corner of our state,” KDADS Secretary Laura Howard said. “This funding allows us to implement a program that can also reach every corner of our state and is designed to link those in need to crisis counseling and community supports as well as other resources, strategies and comforts as we face this together.”

 

Kansas will be requesting ongoing crisis counseling assistance from FEMA with a request to extend crisis counseling services to Kansans through the Crisis Counseling Program Regular Services Program. The Regular Services Program (RSP) is a CCP grant program that provides disaster relief assistance for ongoing counseling services and support for up to nine months after a major disaster declaration. A website is currently being developed.

 

For additional resources visit the Kansas: Stronger Together Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Kansas-Stronger-Together). Kansas residents can also dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-CHILDREN to learn about programs and services.

Obituary

Obituary of Grace Myers

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Grace Earlene Myers, age 96, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Wednesday, July 01, 2020, at Guest Home Estates in Ft. Scott.

She was born January 15, 1924, in Sprague, MO, the daughter of Rev. Earl R. Bingham and Susan Pickford Bingham.

She graduated from Fulton, KS High School in 1942 and attended Fort Scott Junior College. She taught school for several years in Bourbon and Linn counties.

On June 1, 1949, she was married to Oscar Otto Myers of Niangue, MO, at the home of her parents near Devon, KS. They lived in the Bourbon county area until 1950 when they moved to Marysville, KS, where Grace went to work for Selective Service.

They later moved to Emporia, and then to Olathe, KS, in 1961 and lived there until they retired in 1970.

After retirement they moved back to their farm near Devon.

Oscar and Grace celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 1, 1999. Oscar passed away on June 26, 1999.

Grace and Oscar enjoyed their retirement years on their farm where they cared for their cattle, pets, and garden.

Grace was a long time member of the Mapleton Christian Church . She received her 75 year membership pin from Violet Chapter No. 200, Fulton Order of the Eastern Star.

Survivors include two sisters-in-law; a nephew and several nieces, cousins, grand nieces and grandnephews.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; a cousin who was raised in her parents’ home from an infant, Earl Inman; and another close cousin, Hazel Beck.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 PM Tuesday, July 7th in the Good Spring Cemetery, near Niangua, MO.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the charity of donor’s choice and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

Masks Mandated by Kansas Governor

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Governor Laura Kelly Signs Executive Order Mandating Masks in Public Spaces

Simple, Proactive Way to Keep Kansans safe, and Keep Kansas Businesses Open

 

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today issued Executive Order #20-52 requiring that most Kansans must wear a mask while in public spaces, and in places where individuals are unable to maintain social distancing of six feet.

 

Executive Order #20-52 takes effect beginning 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 3, and will remain in place until rescinded or until the current statewide State of Disaster Emergency expires – whichever is earlier.

 

“The last few months have presented many new challenges for Kansans, and all of us want to return to our normal lives and routines,” Governor Kelly said. “Unfortunately, we have seen a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths across our state and our country. We must act.”

Viruses don’t stop at county lines. This order doesn’t change where you can go or what you can do. But wearing a mask is a simple and effective way to keep Kansans healthy and keep Kansas open for business.”

 

Under the order, Kansans are required to wear masks when inside any public space – including their workplace – or in situations where social distancing of 6 feet cannot be maintained. Guidance regarding specific places or situations in which masks are required is outlined within the order.

 

Kansans under five years of age, those with medical conditions, and others specifically outlined in the order are exempt from these requirements.

 

To view EO #20-52, click here.

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

Governor Kelly Announces Executive Orders

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TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today signed Executive Orders #20-49, #20-50, and #20-51. #20-49 reissues the orders listed below, and #20-50 updates and extends Executive Order 20-38, which provides temporary relief from certain unemployment insurance requirements during the state of disaster emergency. Executive Order #20-51 extends the term of the 2020 Kansas Complete Count Committee until November 1, 2020. Executive Orders #20-49 and #20-50 will remain in force until September 15, 2020, or until the statewide State of Disaster Emergency expires.

 

  • 20-36 – Drivers’ license and vehicle registration and regulation during state of disaster emergency

 

  • 20-37 – Allowing certain deferred tax deadlines and payments during state of disaster emergency

 

  • 20-39 – Extending professional and occupational licenses during state of disaster emergency

 

  • 20-40 – Temporarily allowing notaries and witnesses to act via audio-video communication technology during state of disaster emergency

 

  • 20-41 – Licensure, Certification, and Registration for persons and Licensure of “Adult Care Homes” during state of disaster emergency

 

  • 20-42 – Temporarily suspending certain rules relating to the sale of alcoholic beverages during state of disaster emergency

 

  • 20-43 – Temporary relief from certain restrictions concerning shared work programs during state of disaster emergency

 

Executive Order #20-50 allows a temporary change to Kansas employment security law, stating, “The requirement that Kansans receiving unemployment benefits actively seek work each week is temporarily waived for all claimants to allow Kansans to continue the necessary social distancing practices.”

 

“The ongoing threat of COVID-19 has impacted our way of life and created many new challenges for Kansans and their families,” Governor Kelly said. “As cases continue to rise both in Kansas and across the county, reissuing these orders is a necessary step to keep Kansans healthy while also keeping the state open for business.”

 

Executive Order #20-49 can be found here.

 

Executive Order #20-50 can be found here.

 

Executive Order #20-51 can be found here.

 

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Fort Scott Public Library Youth Summer Reading News

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Summer reading is in full-swing, but if you have not signed up for it yet, there’s still time! Just register here and call 620-223-2882 or email Miss Val to arrange pick up of your welcome packet. Specify how many children or teens and what grades you need packets for, when you call or email. 
 
The library hands out packets filled with prizes (earned by reading or completing challenges), along with crafts and activities (for all participants), weekly. Participants should call or email the library every week to schedule a Friday pickup. This week, due to the Independence Day holiday weekend, the library will begin Friday pickups early, starting Thursday, July 2, at 9 am. Call 620-223-2882 or email Miss Val to schedule your pickups. If you need to catch up from past weeks, be sure to let the library staff know.
 
Letters to the Elderly
The library is partnering with Medicalodges, Fort Scott, in a project designed to connect summer reading families with elderly residents in care at Medicalodge. The library will send out letter stationery, envelopes, and instructions in this week’s craft and activity packets, and will collect the letters throughout the month of July. After quarantining the letters, Miss Val will deliver them to Medicalodges, Fort Scott, for distribution to their residents. Letters should be returned to the library by August 1, and Miss Val hopes to deliver them by August 3. It is the wish of library staff that the project provides comfort, entertainment, and a measure of joy to the residents, and that some of them will write back to the families, perhaps even establishing a connection that will outlast the project.
 
Free Books & Prizes
The library allows patrons to browse its tubs full of free books, placed on the library lawn outside the north entrance, during curbside pickup hours on days with a clear weather forecast. Youth summer reading participants may also earn books, both pre-owned and new, as prizes for completing weekly reading goals. Other prizes include toys, coupons or gift cards for free food or drinks, craft kits, snacks, dress up accessories, and summer items. The library has already distributed gift cards (as prizes for meeting weekly reading goals) purchased by the library, as well as gift cards and/or coupons donated by the following local business sponsors: Casey’s General Stores, Daylight Donuts, Domino’s Pizza, G & W Cash Saver, Marsha’s Great Plains Deli, Sonic Drive-In, Taco Bell, and Wendy’s. Pete’s Convenience Stores has also pledged a donation, which is expected to arrive soon.
 
Storyteller Will Stuck
From 8 am, July 18 through late night, July 23, Fort Scott Public Library will offer two video performances by Storyteller Will Stuck, provided as a part of the library’s summer reading program. Will Stuck has created one performance for preschoolers and another for elementary-aged children, inspired by this year’s summer reading theme. You may access the videos through the library’s Facebook page, showing on this playlist from July 18 – 23.
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Community Members Read & Craft for Summer Reading
On this playlist, you will find local retired and current teachers, parents, librarians, and other professionals, who have already read stories or demonstrated crafts for this year’s summer reading program. The videos will remain online through the last day of summer reading, August 5. 
 
Upcoming Programs:
July 7 – 10 am: Mixed-Up Tales Preschool Stories with educator Alexandra VanSickle (Zoom)
11 am: Mythological Villains Elementary Stories with educator Alexandra VanSickle (Zoom)
2 pm – Pre-recorded Preschool stories; 2:15 pm – Pre-recorded Elementary stories on Facebook & YouTube
3 pm – Pre-recorded craft demonstrations with FSCC Librarian Susie Arvidson on Facebook & YouTube
July 8 – 4 pm: Virtual Teen Summer Reading: Magnets & Book Club (Zoom) 4:45 pm: Teen Games on the House Party App
To access Zoom meetings, message the library or email Miss Val for the password and use the link embedded above. 
July 14 – 10 am: Legendary Humanoids Preschool Stories with Stacy Picht (Zoom)
11 am: Mythological Villains Elementary Stories with Stacy Picht (Zoom)
2 pm – Pre-recorded Preschool stories; 2:15 pm – Pre-recorded Elementary stories on Facebook & YouTube
3 pm – Pre-recorded craft demonstrations with Vicki Wright on Facebook & YouTube
July 15 – 4 pm: Virtual Teen Summer Reading (Zoom)
July 21 – 10 am: Flying Creatures Preschool Stories with educator Beckie Woellhof (Zoom)
11 am: Flying Creatures Elementary Stories with educator Beckie Woellhof (Zoom)
2 pm – Pre-recorded Preschool stories; 2:15 pm – Pre-recorded Elementary stories on Facebook & YouTube
3 pm – Pre-recorded craft demonstrations with Melinda Seaver on Facebook & YouTube
July 22 – 4 pm: Virtual Teen Summer Reading (Zoom)
July 28 – 10 am: Swimming Creatures Preschool Stories with Mona Keippel (Zoom)
11 am: Swimming Creatures Elementary Stories with Alison Leach (Zoom)
2 pm – Pre-recorded Preschool stories; 2:15 pm – Pre-recorded Elementary stories on Facebook & YouTube
3 pm – Pre-recorded craft demonstrations with Breann Eden on Facebook & YouTube
July 29 – 4 pm: Virtual Teen Summer Reading (Zoom)
August 4 – 10 am: Be a Storyteller Preschool Stories with educator Jeff Pommier (Zoom)
11 am: Imagine Your Own Stories Elementary Stories with educator Angie Bin (Zoom)
2 pm – Pre-recorded Preschool stories; 2:15 pm – Pre-recorded Elementary stories on Facebook & YouTube
3 pm – Pre-recorded craft demonstrations with Ciera Smith on Facebook & YouTube
August 5 – 4 pm: Virtual Teen Summer Reading (Zoom)
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Book Bags
In addition to regular programs, the library also offers curated grab bags filled with children’s books as part of its curbside pickup service. In order to get one, patrons must have an active library card with a non-restricted account in the Southeast Kansas Library system, or with Fort Scott. Miss Val is also creating book bags that go with the summer reading weekly themes. Each book bag features 10 books chosen by Miss Val, along with a few special goodies such as stickers or bookmarks. Bags are arranged both by topic and age group, from Birth – 1st Grade or 2nd – 5th Grades. Current topics are:  Boys’ or Girls’ General Interest, Classics, Community Helpers, Dinosaurs, Disney Stories, Fairy Tale Villains, Fantasy, Fantasy Creatures, Farm, Giants & Tiny People, Independence Day, LEGO, Silly Stories, Sports, Star Wars, Summer, Superheroes, Swimming, Unicorns, Vehicles, and Zoo Animals. To order a book bag, call 223-2882 or message the library or email Miss Val. There is no limit on how many bags you may order at one time.
COVID-19, Government, Kansas

Have a Safe, Healthy Independence Day

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Governor Kelly Encourages Kansans to Have a Safe Independence Day Weekend

 

As Kansans prepare for the July 4th weekend, KDHE has put together the following guide to help you have a safe, healthy Independence Day.

 

“The COVID-19 virus is still very much in our communities and taking basic public health steps will help keep Kansans safe and Kansas open for business,” Governor Kelly said.

 

The guidance below comes from Governor Laura Kelly’s Ad Astra Reopening Plan and reflects the state’s current recommendation to counties to remain in Phase 3 of the plan. Local units of government have full discretion to impose additional or less stringent requirements on activities, businesses, and venues. Individuals should always consult with their local units of government for any additional questions and comply with local restrictions.

 

Independence Day and the Ad Astra COVID-19 Reopening Plan

 

July 4th recommendations from the Ad Astra Plan:
 

Wear a mask, especially when 6-foot social distancing cannot be maintained.

 

Limit gatherings in your home with 45 or fewer individuals, not including those you live with. Stick to outdoor events whenever possible.

 

Sharing isn’t caring. Disinfect surfaces and use disposable or single serve items as much as possible.

 

Maintain mass gathering limits and social distancing at pool parties, restaurants, parks or other social venues.

 

If you are sick, stay home and contact your doctor.

 

For travel, follow KDHE travel and quarantine guidelines and avoid high-risk travel areas. See KDHE’s website for more details.

 

 

Public Health Guidance for Individuals and Families Celebrating Independence Day

  • General Health Tips
    • If you are sick, stay home and contact your doctor.
    • Continue social distancing whenever possible. The best way to protect yourself and others is to keep 6 feet from others (except for those you live with) especially if you have a medical condition that puts you in a high-risk category.
    • Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water is not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
    • Cover coughs and sneezes into an elbow or tissue. Throw the used tissue away and immediately wash your hands.
    • Masks are strongly encouraged, especially in places where social distancing is difficult to maintain.
    • If you or a loved one is considered high-risk, stay home and avoid parties or gatherings.

 

  • Tips for parties, gatherings, and get-togethers:
    • Socially distance whenever you can. Avoid any instances in which groups of 45 or more people are gathered together and can’t maintain 6 feet.
    • Given that social distancing is still practiced, outdoor activities are strongly encouraged over indoor activities. If engaging in indoor activities, practice strict social distancing and maintain ventilation throughout your home by opening doors or windows.
    • Make sure you have soap, paper towels, disinfecting supplies, and other important cleaning materials ready.
    • Clean high-touch surfaces like tables, door knobs, faucets, etc.
    • Have paper towels, hand sanitizer, and other cleaning items ready in your bathroom for use.
    • To protect their health, high-risk individuals should not attend social gatherings in-person. If the gathering is occurring in a home with a high-risk individual, those individuals should not interact face-to-face with guests. They should join via video chat or other virtual means.
    • Make sure that anyone who is handling food wears gloves. Friends and family should be consistently washing hands.
    • Food and Drink Tips
      • Avoid punchbowls or other communal drink stations. Use individual packaged drinks and chips.
      • Use disposable plates and utensils if unable to constantly clean dishes.
      • Avoid buffets or other self-service food stations. Have individuals with gloves and masks serve food.
      • If guests are bringing dishes, request that they bring them covered.
      • Avoid single source drink containers, like kegs or pitchers.
      • Avoid single source food spreads like, chips and dip.

 

  • Heat Safety Tips
      • Avoid extreme temperature changes.
      • Stay hydrated, drink plenty of fluids. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors as they absorb the sun’s rays.
      • Slow down, stay indoors. Avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day. Postpone outdoor games and activities.
      • Never leave children or pets in your vehicle. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees.

 

  • Fireworks Tips
    • The Kansas Office of the Fire Marshal has provided the following fireworks tips for families:
      • Always ignite outdoors
      • Have an adult supervise all fireworks activities
      • Have a water supply nearby
      • Light from a solid, flat and stable platform
      • Light only one firework at a time
      • Make sure fireworks debris is cooled off completely before disposing
      • Never re-ignite malfunctioning fireworks
      • Store fireworks in a cool, dry place
      • Use a long-handled lighter
    • Bottle rockets and M80s are illegal in Kansas and extremely dangerous. The use or sale of these banned fireworks is considered a crime under Kansas law. It is also illegal in Kansas to shoot fireworks on or under any vehicle, on any public roadway, within 50 feet of a fireworks stand or where fireworks are stored, and at gas stations or any place liquid gas – including propane – is stored.
    • Always refer to the local ordinances as to whether fireworks are allowed in your area as well as what types. Some cities or counties have restricted dates/times or types of fireworks that may be sold or discharged.

 

  • Travel Guidance:
    • Currently, KDHE does not consider travel within Kansas as a criterion for travel-related quarantine. A local health officer may choose to include this as a criteria so you should be aware of your local isolation and quarantine criteria.
    • However, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) does issue regular mandates on travel-related quarantines for international, domestic travel to other states, and cruise-related travel. People in Kansas are asked to quarantine for a period of 14 days starting from the day they arrive in Kansas after visiting a high-risk location.
    • As of 6/29 KDHE is mandating a 14-day home quarantine for Kansans if you have done any of the following:
      • Traveled to:
        • South Carolina and Florida on or after June 29.
        • Alabama, Arizona, or Arkansas on or after June 17.
        • Been on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15.
        • International travel on or after March 15.
      • Others needing to continue quarantining:
        • Received notification from public health officials (state or local) that you are a close contact of a laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19.

 

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

COVID-19, Government

Farmer/Rancher Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

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USDA Adds Digital Options for Farmers and Ranchers to Apply for Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

Online portal, e-signature tool enable producers to apply from anywhere

WASHINGTON, June 25, 2020 – USDA’s Farm Service Agency will now accept applications for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) through an online portal, expanding the options available to producers to apply for this program, which helps offset price declines and additional marketing costs because of the coronavirus pandemic. FSA is also leveraging commercial document storage and e-signature solutions to enable producers to work with local service center staff to complete their applications from home.

 

“We are doing everything we can to serve our customers and make sure agricultural producers impacted by the pandemic can quickly and securely apply for this relief program,” said FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce. “In addition to working with FSA staff through the phone, email and scheduled in-person appointments, we can now also take applications through the farmers.gov portal, which saves producers and our staff time.”

 

Through the portal, producers with secure USDA login credentials—known as eAuthentication—can certify eligible commodities online, digitally sign applications and submit directly to the local USDA Service Center. Producers who do not have an eAuthentication account can learn more and begin the enrollment process at farmers.gov/sign-in. Currently, the digital application is only available to sole proprietors or single-member business entities.

 

USDA Service Centers can also work with producers to complete and securely transmit digitally signed applications through two commercially available tools: Box and OneSpan. Producers who are interested in digitally signing their applications should notify their local service centers when calling to discuss the CFAP application process. You can learn more about these solutions at farmers.gov/mydocs.

 

USDA has several other options for producers to complete and submit their CFAP applications. These include:

  1. Downloading the AD-3114 application form from farmers.gov/cfap and manually completing the form to submit to the local USDA Service Center by mail, electronically or by hand delivery to an office drop box. In some limited cases, the office may be open for in-person business by appointment. Visit farmers.gov/coronavirus/service-center-status to check the status of your local office.
  2. Completing the application form using our CFAP Application Generator and Payment Calculator found at farmers.gov/cfap. This Excel workbook allows customers to input information specific to their operation to determine estimated payments and populate the application form, which can be printed, and then signed and submitted to their local USDA Service Center. 

 

Getting Help from FSA

New customers seeking one-on-one support with the CFAP application process can call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to offer general assistance. This is a recommended first step before a producer engages the team at the FSA county office at their local USDA Service Center.

 

All other eligibility forms, such as those related to adjusted gross income and payment information, can be downloaded from farmers.gov/cfap. For existing FSA customers, these documents are likely already on file.

 

Producers self-certify their records when applying for CFAP, and that documentation is not submitted with the application. However, producers may be asked for their documentation to support the certification of eligible commodities, so they should retain the information used to complete their application.

 

More Information

To find the latest information on CFAP, visit farmers.gov/cfap or call 877-508-8364.

 

All USDA Service Centers are open for business, including some that are open to visitors to conduct business in person by appointment only. All Service Center visitors wishing to conduct business with FSA, Natural Resources Conservation Service or any other Service Center agency should call ahead and schedule an appointment. Service Centers that are open for appointments will pre-screen visitors based on health concerns or recent travel and visitors must adhere to social distancing guidelines. Visitors may also be required to wear a face covering during their appointment. Field work will continue with appropriate social distancing. Our program delivery staff will be in the office, and they will be working with our producers in office, by phone and using online tools. More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.  

 

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Government

Dairy Safety Net Program Begins

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USDA Dairy Safety-Net Program Signup to Begin October 12

for the 2021 Coverage Period

Income-over-feed margin for April triggers second payment for 2020

WASHINGTON, June 18, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announces that Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) safety-net signup for 2021 coverage will begin October 12 and will run through December 11, 2020. DMC has already triggered payments for two months for producers who signed up for 2020 coverage.

“If we’ve learned anything in the past six months, it’s to expect the unexpected,” said FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce. “Nobody would have imagined the significant impact that current, unforeseen circumstances have had on an already fragile dairy market.  It’s during unprecedented times like these that the importance of offering agricultural producers support through the delivery of Farm Bill safety-net programs such as DMC becomes indisputably apparent.”

The April 2020 income over feed cost margin was $6.03 per hundredweight (cwt.), triggering the second payment of 2020 for dairy producers who purchased the appropriate level of coverage under the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program. The April margin reflects a more than a $3 drop from the March $9.15 cwt. income over feed cost margin.

As of June 15, FSA has issued more than $100 million in much-needed program benefits to dairy producers who purchased DMC coverage for 2020. 

Authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill, DMC is a voluntary risk management program that offers protection to dairy producers when the difference between the all-milk price and the average feed price (the margin) falls below a certain dollar amount selected by the producer. Over 13,000 operations enrolled in the program for the 2020 calendar year.

All USDA Service Centers are open for business, including some that are open to visitors to conduct business in person by appointment only. All Service Center visitors wishing to conduct business with the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or any other Service Center agency should call ahead and schedule an appointment. Service Centers that are open for appointments will pre-screen visitors based on health concerns or recent travel and visitors must adhere to social distancing guidelines. Visitors may also be required to wear a face covering during their appointment. Field work will continue with appropriate social distancing. Our program delivery staff will be in the office, and they will be working with our producers in office, by phone, and using online tools. More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.  

For more information, visit farmers.gov DMC webpage or contact your local USDA service center. To locate your local FSA office, visit farmers.gov/service-center-locator.

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