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Government

Shape Your Future. Start Here.

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The Census Counts Everyone Living in the United States

What is the U.S. Census?

Since 1790, every 10 years, we count everyone who lives in the country, as required by the U.S. Constitution. We collect basic information, such as age, sex, and race, for every person in every household. Starting in the spring of 2020, everyone will be asked to complete the 2020 Census online, by phone, or by mail.

Why is the 2020 Census important for you?

The 2020 Census is much more than just a head count. It also gives you an opportunity to shape the future for yourself, your family, and your community

. Data collected through the census:
Provides a picture of our nation and its communities and helps determine where to build new schools, hospitals, and businesses.
Informs the allocation of more than $675 billion in federal funding to states and communities each year for programs that support education, housing, health facilities, transportation, emergency services, food assistance, and more.

Determines how many representatives
each state will have in Congress.

Census responses also help your community in other ways. For example, the information can be used to help protect civil rights laws and determine when services should be provided in other languages. The information can also attract businesses that cater to communities with diverse populations. It can help employers better understand the local talent pool and provide new job opportunities.

Who is counted in the 2020 Census?

The 2020 Census counts every person living in the United States on April 1—no matter where they are from, why they are here in the United States, and whether or not they are documented. This includes temporary workers, international students, and workers on assignment from overseas.

Will my information be kept safe?

Yes. The U.S. Census Bureau is bound by law to protect the privacy and confidentiality of everyone who responds to the census. These protections ensure the personal information you provide cannot be used against you in any way.

The Census Bureau combines your responses with other responses to produce statistical summaries. It is against the law for the Census Bureau to disclose or publish any identifiable information about an individual or household. The penalty for violating this law is severe: a fine of up to $250,000, imprisonment for up to 5 years,
or both.

By law, your personal information cannot be used against you or against anyone else by any government agency or court—and it can’t be accessed by the police department, DHS, ICE, FBI, or CIA.

The Census Bureau encrypts all responses submitted online and stored in its computers.

Shape your future by completing the 2020 Census.
For more information, visit:
2020CENSUS.GOV

Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee at Heritage Park Pavilion June 18

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The Chamber Coffee will be hosted by
Bourbon County Garden Club
Held at Heritage Park Pavilion
Corner of 1st & Main St.
Downtown Historic District
Thursday, June 18, 2020
8am
VISIT THE GARDEN CLUB FACEBOOK!
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:
6/25 – Old Fort Auto
7/2 – Open – Call us to reserve @ 620-223-3566!
7/9 – A Ward/Kraft company, TBA
7/16 – Bourbon County Fair
7/23 – City State Bank
7/30 – Open – Call us to reserve @ 620-223-3566!
COVID-19, Government, Kansas

 COVID-19 Relief Funding for Kansas Counties, Agencies 

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State Finance Council Approves COVID-19 Relief Funding for Kansas Counties, Agencies 

 

TOPEKA – The State Finance Council today approved the distribution of $400 million in funding from the Coronavirus Relief Fund to local Kansas governments to help combat the health and economic challenges COVID-19 has brought on their communities, and to help prepare for possible future outbreaks of the disease.  

 

“This first round of coronavirus aid will be critical as we work to get Kansans back to work and school, in the safest way possible,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I’m pleased that the State Finance Council acted quickly, and in the best interest of Kansans. We must continue to provide our communities with the resources needed to mitigate the spread of the virus and revitalize our state’s economy.”  

 

The initial funding proposal came from Governor Kelly’s Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce Executive Committee, which is charged with distributing over a billion dollars in federal funds Kansas received under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.  

 
“The funds approved today are a great first step in helping our communities recover from the unique health and economic challenges created by COVID-19,” said Cheryl Harrison-Lee, Executive Director of the Recovery Office. “We will continue to consult with community members as well as experts from the public and private sectors so that our local governments can access funding that fulfills their individual recovery and preparedness needs.”   

 

Under the first round of funding, each county will receive resources based on their population, case rates and unemployment rates. Funds will be provided to counties for both reimbursement and direct aid for eligible expenditures under the CARES Act. 

 

The State Finance Council today also approved reimbursement for COVID-19-related costs for state agencies totaling $16.7 million, as well as FY 2020 expenditures for the Office of Recovery. 

 

“These reimbursements will help offset the unexpected expenses caused by COVID-19 so that Kansans can continue to receive agency support,” Governor Kelly said. “Now more than ever, our state agencies must be ready to offer their quality, much-needed services to the people of Kansas.”

 

Other actions taken by the State Finance Council in relation to COVID-19 relief:  

 

·         Approved allocation of the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER) to the Kansas Board of Regents;  

·         Approved expenditures from other agency federal funds that receive grants for the purpose of federal coronavirus relief.  

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Government

New COVID 19 Case: Bourbon County June 16

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SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Bourbon County, Kansas

PRESS RELEASE:

NOVEL CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19

June 16, 2020;

A Bourbon County, KS positive COVID-19 test was confirmed this afternoon. The testing was confirmed through an out of state reference laboratory that was used on the symptomatic individual. This individual and family have been out of state near two weeks and will remain out of state until their isolation and quarantine time is complete. For this reason, we believe there is low risk of exposure for Bourbon County residents. The Bourbon County Public Health Department is working diligently to complete the investigation.

The Bourbon County Public Health Department urges the public to continue to take appropriate actions. Individuals should continue to practice social distancing, clean/disinfect any high touched surfaces, wash their hands with soap and water routinely, use hand sanitizer if soap and water is not available and avoid touching your face (especially eyes, nose & mouth).

Please remember if you have the symptoms to:

Call before going to a Clinic, Hospital, ER, or Health Department

Close contact means: 6 foot or less for 10 minutes or more, with a positive case.

STAY HOME IF SICK!

If you are experiencing life threatening symptoms, PLEASE CALL 911.

For more information you may call the SEK Multi-County Health Department: Bourbon: (620)223-4464 Monday-Thursday 7:00am-5:30pm OR the COVID-19 Hotline: (866)534-3463.You may also visit the COVID-19 Resource Center at: https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/OR Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Departments on Facebook for local updates.

Government, Kansas

Political signs not allowed on highway right of way

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It’s a sign of the season – campaigning to support your favorite political candidate. However, if your plans involve placing a political sign, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) reminds you to make sure it’s not located on highway right of way.

 

By law, all right of way on state highways is to be used exclusively for public highway purposes. Only regulatory, guide signs and warning signs are allowed on the state highway system. KDOT has jurisdiction over all interstate, Kansas and U.S. routes on the state’s 9,500-mile system.

 

The public should be aware that all political campaign signs or billboards are prohibited on the state right of way.

 

When KDOT maintenance crews find political or business advertising on state right of way, the signs will be removed immediately without notice. All such signs will then be taken to the closest KDOT subarea office where they can be picked up by the owner with the agreement they will not be placed on state right of way again. All political campaign signs not picked up will be disposed of after the election.

 

Political campaign advertising is allowed on private property bordering state right of way. However, people erecting signs on private property must first obtain permission from the property owner.

Obituary

Obituary of Kevin Stancer

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Kevin Earl Stancer, age 71, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday, June 15, 2020, at his home.

He was born January 2, 1949, in Centralia, Washington, the son of Earl E. Stancer and Lorest P. LaBrue Stancer.

Kevin graduated from the Ft. Scott High School.

He later served with the United States Army during the Vietnam War.  He later transferred to the Kansas Army National Guard 1st/127th FA Unit based out of Pleasanton, Kansas where he served as Staff Sargent for Communications.

Kevin married Carolyn Jean Cash on August 24, 1974, in Ft. Scott.

Kevin worked for several years doing highway maintenance for the Kansas Department of Transportation.

He was a faithful member of the Community of Christ Church.

A special thank you is extended to all the healthcare workers, family and friends who have helped with Kevin’s care over the years.

 

Survivors include his son, Terry Tarter, of Ft. Scott.

Kevin’s wife, Carolyn, preceded him in death on May 27, 2020.  He was also preceded in death by his parents.

 

Robert Clark will conduct a private graveside service on Friday, June 19th at the U. S. National Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Community of Christ Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Bourbon County, Schools

Graduation For FSCH Was June 5

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Submitted photos. Fort Scott Christian Heights 2020 graduates.

On Friday, June 5, the Class of 2020 graduated from Fort Scott Christian Heights.

The ceremony was held with immediate families of the graduates.

The five students in the graduating class were Kendra Bahr, Drake Garcia, Jessica Lancaster, Seth Lowery, and Marissa Meanor.

Kendra Bahr was the valedictorian; Drake Garcia, the salutatorian. Kendra Bahr was awarded Outstanding Senior.

Prayer was offered by Mr. Jeremy Budy.

Principal Terry Chance speaks at the Fort Scott Christian Heights 2020 Graduation. Submitted photo.

Principal Terry Chance delivered the address, and the graduation was finished in 19 minutes. This graduation also concluded Mr. Chance’s 32 years as principal of Fort Scott Christian Heights.

Government, Kansas

Caryn Tyson: Legislative Update Special Session June 2020

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A Senator commented to me, “I don’t know how you do it.  You keep working and working.”  I didn’t have to think twice about my response.  You, my constituents, are the reason I do it.

 

Legislators were called back to Topeka by the Governor for a special session because she vetoed the COVID-19 bill that passed by super majority in the House and Senate.  There wasn’t a chance for a veto override because the bill passed the last day of the 2020 session.  Everything starts over for a special session, including all the bills.  This special session was over before it began.

 

The Governor met with some House and Senate leaders to cut a deal for a COVID-19 bill.  It resulted in House Bill (HB) 2016.  The bill was fast-tracked to the point of shutting down debate in the Senate.  After passing the House and the Senate Judiciary Committee, the bill should have gone to the Senate Committee of the Whole for debate, when motions to amend would have been in order.  However, after the Majority Leader made a motion to send the bill directly to a final vote, he made another procedural motion to Call the Question.  If the Call the Question motion passes, it cuts off all debate and any opportunity to amend the bill.  The Call the Question is rarely used and considered a nuclear option.  The Call the Question motion passed on a vote of 19 Yes to 17 No.  I voted No because there should have been debate and an opportunity to amend the bill.  It was disappointing that a majority of senators would vote to shutdown debate.  It was also disappointing that the Governor threatened to veto the bill if there were any amendments. A handful of Senators from both parties rejected the threat in an attempt to get better legislation.  HB 2016 passed on a vote of 26 Yes to 12 No.  I voted No.

 

COVID-19 legislation, HB 2016 had some good and some not so good legislation.  Unfortunately, senators didn’t have an opportunity to amend the bill on the Senate floor.  HB 2016 gives protection to some from frivolous COVID-19 lawsuits, while others do not get the same protection.  For example, hospitals will have greater protection than nursing homes; universities will have greater protection than community colleges.  The bill gives the State School Board authority to decide if schools open but not the local school boards.  There are some counties that never had a case of COVID-19.  Why wouldn’t we let the local school boards decide?  The bill appears to protect privacy and restrict contact tracing, but then allows contact tracing by the Secretary of Kansas Health and Environment (KDHE) and local health officers.  Many of you have been concerned about the Governor’s overreach in shutting down churches or how businesses and activities were selected for ‘essential’. HB 2016 would extend the Governor’s authority to September 15, allowing for winners and losers to be picked.  Why September 15?  When this question was asked, there wasn’t an answer.  After September 15, the bill allows six of the State Finance Council members to extend the Governor’s authority until Jan 26th 2021.  Why not put this check in before Sept 15?  These are a few examples of items that could have been addressed.

 

Membership of the State Finance Council is defined in statute consisting of nine members: (1) the governor, (2) the president of the senate, (3) the speaker of the house, (4) the majority leader of the senate, (5) the minority leader of the senate, (6) the chairperson of the senate committee on ways and means, (7) the majority leader of the house, (8) the minority leader of the house, and (9) the chairperson of the house committee on appropriations. The governor shall be the chairperson and the secretary of administration shall be the secretary of the council but shall not be a voting member.

As you know, these are unique times.  Kansans are facing hardships and uncertainty.  The news is intense, unrelenting, and at times inconsistent.  Check your sources and lead by example because these are the times that define us.  It reminds me of a Dale Evens quote, “It’s the way you ride the trail that counts.”  Stay safe and Godspeed.

 

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.

Caryn