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Government, Kansas

Algae Advisory For Kansas Lakes

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Public Health Advisories for Kansas Lake Due to Blue-Green Algae

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has issued several public health advisories for Kansas lakes due to blue-green algae.

Active Advisories

Warning

Herington Reservoir (New City Lake), Dickinson County

Gathering Pond at Milford, Geary County

Milford Lake Zone C, Geary County

Harvey County East Lake, Harvey County (upgraded 7/15)

Altamont City Lake “Idle Hour” Main Lake, Labette County (upgraded 7/15)

Big Hill Lake, Labette County

Marion Reservoir, Marion County

Webster Reservoir, Rooks County

Jerry Ivey Pond, Saline County

Big Eleven Lake, Wyandotte County

 

Watch

Brown State Fishing Lake, Brown County (downgraded 7/15)

Mission Lake Horton, Brown County

Herington City Lake (Old Lake), Dickinson County

Geary State Fishing Lake, Geary County (new)

Milford Lake Zones A and B, Geary County

Horsethief Reservoir, Hodgeman County

South Lake, Johnson County

Altamont City Lake “Idle Hour” North Lake, Labette County (new)

Linn Valley Lake, Linn County

Marion County Lake, Marion County

Melvern Outlet Pond, Osage County

Overbook City Lake, Osage County

Agra City Lake, Phillips County

Atwood Township Lake, Rawlins County

River Pond below Tuttle Reservoir, Riley County (new)

 

 

Advisories Lifted 7/15/21

Atchison County State Fishing Lake, Atchison County

 

When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

  • Lake water is not safe to drink for pets or livestock.
  • Lake water, regardless of blue-green algae status, should never be consumed by humans.
  • Water contact should be avoided.
  • Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water and only the fillet portion is consumed, while all other parts are discarded.
  • Do not allow pets to eat dried algae.
  • If lake water contacts skin, wash with clean water as soon as possible.
  • Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation.

 

A watch means that blue-green algae have been detected and a harmful algal bloom is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water.

 

During the watch status, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

  • Signage will be posted at all public access locations.
  • Water may be unsafe for humans/animals.
  • Avoid areas of algae accumulation and do not let people/pets eat dried algae or drink contaminated water.
  • Swimming, wading, skiing and jet skiing are discouraged near visible blooms.
  • Boating and fishing are safe. However, inhalation of the spray may affect some individuals. Avoid

direct contact with water, and wash with clean water after any contact.

  • Clean fish well with potable water and eat fillet portion only.

 

KDHE investigates publicly-accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on credible field observation and sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.

Signs of a possible bloom include if there is scum, a paint-like surface or the water is bright green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.

For information on blue-green algae and reporting potential harmful algal blooms, please visit www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/index.htm.

                                           

 

Area News

Evergy schedules conference call to discuss 2nd quarter results

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Kansas City, MO – July 15, 2021 – Evergy, Inc. (NYSE: EVRG) announced today it will release its 2021 second quarter earnings Thursday, August 5, 2021, before market open.  The company plans to host its quarterly conference call and audio webcast to discuss the results Thursday, August 5, 2021.

 

Event:              Evergy Q2 2021 Conference Call and Webcast

 

            Date:                August 5, 2021

 

            Time:               8:00 a.m. Eastern (7:00 a.m. Central)

 

            Location:         1) Phone conference call at (888) 353-7071, conference ID 3065454, or

2) Log on to the webcast at investors.evergy.com  

 

In conjunction with the earnings release and conference call, the company plans to post on its website supplemental financial information related to second quarter 2021 performance. The materials will be available under Supplemental Materials in the Investors section of the company website at investors.evergy.com.

 

A replay of the conference call will be available from about 1 p.m. Eastern, August 5, through August 12, 2021, at (855) 859-2056, conference ID 3065454.The replay will be available on the Evergy website at investors.evergy.com.

 

 

About Evergy, Inc.

 

Evergy, Inc. (NYSE: EVRG), provides clean, safe and reliable energy to 1.6 million customers in Kansas and Missouri. The 2018 combination of KCP&L and Westar Energy to form Evergy created a leading energy company that provides value to shareholders and a stronger company for customers.

 

Evergy’s mission is to empower a better future. Today, half the power supplied to homes and businesses by Evergy comes from emission-free sources, creating more reliable energy with less impact to the environment. We will continue to innovate and adopt new technologies that give our customers better ways to manage their energy use.

 

For more information about Evergy, Inc., visit us at www.evergy.com.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, COVID-19, Health Care

Increased COVID-19 Cases; Increased Demand For COVID-19 Testing

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7/15/2021
With an increased demand for COVID-19 testing, CHC/SEK would like to remind patients to call ahead for an appointment to their local clinic before arriving for testing.

In most cases, patients should remain in their car unless instructed otherwise. Most tests will be conducted at a designated parking space at the clinic.

CHC/SEK is seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases across southeast Kansas and its Miami, OK Clinic. With the rise in positive cases, hospitalizations are on the increase, and Crawford County has seen COVID deaths in the past 2 weeks.

This increase in viral activity is attributed to the delta variant, making its way across the country and almost exclusively affecting unvaccinated individuals.

While many of the current COVID cases display the classic symptoms of COVID-19, other patients are experiencing “sinus complaints” and body aches or mild upper respiratory complaints.

CHC/SEK recommends anyone with symptoms get tested.

To protect other patients and staff members, patients experiencing COVID-related symptoms are asked wear a mask upon entering the clinic.

COVID-19 symptoms can include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea.

About 80-90% of new cases, 95% of hospitalizations, and 98% of deaths are in unvaccinated (or not fully vaccinated) individuals, according to Dr. Linda Bean, Chief Medical Officer at CHC/SEK.

“The threat of COVID is still as real as it was last year, but the difference this year is that it is preventable, she says. “Vaccines are readily available, and there is still time to have our school-age students twelve years and older vaccinated by the start of school.”

All CHC/SEK clinics have COVID-19 vaccines available, and there is never a cost for the recipient. Vaccinations are available on a walk-in basis or by appointment.

Dr. Bean noted that it is still possible (though less likely) to get COVID even if you have been vaccinated and this does not mean that the vaccine has failed.

“The primary goal of the vaccine is to reduce transmission, serious illness, and death – to date, the vaccines are very effective, even against the current variants,” she says.

There are a lot of myths and misconceptions circulating regarding the COVID-19 vaccines, Bean says. “We encourage anyone who has questions to call us. We have very knowledgeable people who would be would be happy to address those concerns.”
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Government, Kansas

KDHE amends COVID travel quarantine list

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KDHE amends travel quarantine list

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has amended its travel quarantine list to include the countries of the British Virgin Islands, Cyprus, Fiji, Jersey, The United Kingdom and Tunisia. The countries of Brazil, Costa Rica, French Guiana, Maldives, Oman, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Suriname and Uruguay have been removed. These changes are effective today, July 15.

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

  • Traveled on or after July 15 to British Virgin Islands, Cyprus, Fiji, Jersey, The United Kingdom or Tunisia.
  • Traveled on or after July 1 to Namibia.
  • Traveled on or after June 17 to Kuwait or Mongolia.
  • Traveled on or after June 3 to
  • Traveled on or after May 6 to Seychelles.
  • Traveled on or after April 22 to Argentina.
  • Traveled between July 1 and July 15 to Brazil, Oman or Saint Kitts and Nevis.
  • Traveled between June 3 and July 15 to Suriname.
  • Traveled between May 20 and July 15 to Costa Rica or French Guiana.
  • Traveled between May 6 and July 15 to Maldives.
  • Traveled between April 8 and July 15 to Uruguay.
  • 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).
  • Have remained asymptomatic since the travel.

Persons who do not meet 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.

 

Obituary

Obituary of Stephen Riley

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Stephen Kent Riley, age 79, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at St. Luke’s South Hospital, Overland Park, KS.  He was born May 17, 1942, in Ft. Scott, the son of Harlan Lindsey Riley and Thelma Marie Ruby Riley.

He married Sue Ellen Hicks on May 9, 1979, in Ft. Scott.  Steve worked as a tuck pointer by trade for 61 years until retirement.

He loved to fish, hunt, and be outdoors.

He was a member of the Rinehart Christian Church.

 

Survivors include his wife Sue of the home; five daughters, Sheila Hudson, Nevada, MO; Christina Strickland (Jerome), Carthage, MO; Jamie Lynn Riley (Anthony), Nevada, MO; Dawn Solko (Barry) Mesa, AZ; and Stephanie Harrison, Nevada, MO; a sister, Tina Lane (Darrel), Leavenworth, KS; nine grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Nancy Hess; and a brother, Gus Rohnke.

 

Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct funeral services at 10:00 AM Saturday, July 17th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Steve Riley Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Beat The Heat Shopping July 16-17

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The Fort Scott Chamber is welcomes everyone to come out, support local & enjoy the fun!
“BEAT THE HEAT”
SHOPPING EVENT
THIS FRIDAY & SATURDAY
July 16th & 17th
12 stores in the Downtown Historic District and additional locations will be participating in the fun serving cold refreshments while you shop and find hot deals in the cool stores! See list of participating stores below!
On Saturday, to add to the event, there will be a snow cone vendor in front of Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore and Offshore Tropix Boujee Softserve will be set up in front of Bids & Dibs with a delicious, sweet treat that is vegan and dairy-free, serving pineapple and strawberry flavors with toppings available. Also, a Puppet Show & Open House at Museum of Creativity!
There are plenty of benches downtown and around while you shop or taking in the historic sites, restaurants, and museums.
Participating retailers will be offering complimentary popsicles or some cold refreshments as you shop or at checkout and those stores will be designated with a Beat the Heat poster and a pink flamingo in the spirit of the shopping event.

Obituary

Obituary of Mae Mowen

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Mae Mowen, age 97, a former resident of Shawnee, Kansas and Ft. Scott, Kansas, and more recently of Loveland, Colorado, passed away Monday, July 12, 2021, at her home in Colorado.

She was born May 14, 1924, in Beaver, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Harry Steffler and Pauline Bell Jamison Steffler.  She married Wilbur Eugene Mowen on July 22, 1944, at Monaca, Pennsylvania.

Following her husband’s military service, the couple settled in the Kansas City area.  Both Mae and Wilbur were employed for over thirty years with the Nazarene Publishing House.  Mae’s official job was receptionist, but she performed various duties and filled many roles while at the publishing house.  She was a longtime member of the Shawnee Church of the Nazarene.  Mae shared her musical talents with the church in various ways.  She enjoyed crocheting and made several elaborate pieces that her family will treasure.

 

Survivors include her three children, Jeanne Lynch (Jim), of Loveland, Colorado, Wilbur Mowen, Jr. (Patricia), of Ft. Scott, Kansas and Richard Mowen (Leta), of Shawnee, Kansas and nine grandchildren, Janice, Julie, James, Andrew, Jessica, Brent, Jeff, David and Sally and a host of great and great-great-grandchildren.

Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbur E. Mowen, Sr. on November 18, 2020.  She was also preceded by an infant son, Ned Mowen, her parents and six brothers and sisters.

 

Rev. Jaren Rowell will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, July 20th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Halcyon Hospice 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.

 

Government, Kansas

KDA Seeks Nominations for Kansas Ag Heroes 

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MANHATTAN, Kansas — At last summer’s Ag Growth Summit, the Kansas Department of Agriculture kicked off a new recognition program to honor outstanding Kansans: Kansas Ag Heroes. Nominations are now open for the second year of the program, and KDA anticipates new stories of outstanding service from across the Kansas agriculture community.

Kansas Ag Heroes was established as a way to recognize those in the agriculture industry who went above and beyond to serve others and better their community when it was needed most. KDA encourages Kansans to nominate any individual, family, or business in Kansas agriculture which you feel provided a notable contribution to the agriculture industry or their community as a whole this year. Nominations will be accepted through August 13. The nomination instructions can be found at www.agriculture.ks.gov/AgHeroes.

KDA leadership will review each nomination and will recognize a select number of agriculture heroes during the Kansas Governor’s Summit on Agricultural Growth in Manhattan on August 26.

For questions about the Kansas Agricultural Heroes Program nomination process, please contact Brittney Grother at 785-564-6797 or [email protected].

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KDA Seeks Nominations for 2021 Kansas Ag Heroes.pdf

Government, Kansas

2019 Kansas Health Risk Behaviors Report Published 

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State Officials Release Annual Survey Results

 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has released the results from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS).

“The overall goal of the BRFSS is to provide Kansas-specific data that are used for monitoring the leading contributors to morbidity and premature death, tracking health status and assessing trends, measuring public knowledge, attitudes and opinions, public health program planning and evaluation as well as policy development,” said Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary.

Results of the 2019 survey show the rate of obesity in Kansas is over 35 percent, and higher among those with diabetes or living with a disability. Over 27 percent of Kansans did not take part in any leisure-time physical activity. Also, more than 16 percent of Kansans smoke cigarettes, with much higher rates of smoking among those with an annual household income of $15,000 or less. Obesity and smoking are significant contributors to chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease. Behavioral changes to reduce obesity and smoking can reduce the burden of such chronic diseases.

Additional highlights from the 2019 BRFSS data include:

  • 6% have health care coverage
  • 2% with a personal doctor
  • 9% were ever diagnosed with depression.
  • 6% consumed fruit at least once per day.
  • 1% consumed vegetables at least once per day.
  • 8% were diagnosed with diabetes
  • 6% were diagnosed with some form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus or fibromyalgia.
  • 5% were diagnosed with hypertension.
  • 9% were tested and diagnosed with high cholesterol.

“BRFSS gives us an in-depth look into many health behaviors,” Julie Sergeant, PhD, Bureau of Health Promotion, Director of the Kansas BRFSS program, said. “Having data to use helps us shape the efforts of many state health programs and to partner with Kansans to improve their health.”

The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), which is coordinated and partially funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is the largest continuously conducted telephone survey in the world. It is conducted in every state, the District of Columbia, and several United States territories. Conducted in 2019-2020, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) completed its 29th BRFSS Survey to guide the state’s health activities. The survey is conducted year-round.

Answers to commonly asked questions can be found on our website www.kdheks.gov/bhp/HealthRiskStudies/ksbrf/index.htm  or call toll free at 1-866-445-1429. The complete 2019 Health Risk Behaviors of Kansans Report is available for download at www.kdheks.gov/brfss/PDF/2019_Kansas_BRFSS_Report.pdf.

Obituary

Obituary of James R. Farmer

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James Randall Farmer, born June 1, 1962, passed away Monday, July 5, 2021 in Chicago, doing what he loved most on a golf course.

Jim or “Jimmy” as he was affectionately known by friends and family, was starting his 21st year at Butler National Golf Course. He lived a life full of travel, golf, and time spent with friends and family. Jim was known for his avid story telling ability and his wicked sense of humor. He loved to golf, fish, cook and all things KU.

Jim never married, which left time for his travels and working at golf courses all over the world including Royal Poinciana as well as Old Florida, Naples, Florida. He also held positions at Heritage Golf Club in Pensacola, Innisbrook in Tampa and ran the golf operations at a club in Germany, close to the Alps for over 8 years. After spending summers in Germany, he would return to Naples for the winter months. He had a loyal following of German golfers who would travel to Naples and seek him out as an instructor as he had mastered the German language.

Even though he traveled he remained an avid Chiefs fan.

He was closely tied to his nephews Tucker, Hudson, Sutton, Dexter, Jax on, and Alex as he regaled them with his many stories.

Jim had a kind heart and he loved children and animals, often taking care of stray animals even in the middle of a cold night.

As much as he loved golf, his favorite recreational time for himself was fishing. Many of the golf courses he worked at had access to water and in the evenings, he would be seen with his fishing pole on one of the water sources making sure there were no extra fish.

Jim was preceded in death by his father Robert and mother Norma Jean Farmer.

Survivors include brother Robert Farmer, sister Carmen Palmer, nephews Ryan Farmer and Travis Palmer, niece Christa Horn and numerous great-nephews.

His remains will be returned to Kansas and a private family ceremony will be announced at a future date.

Based on Jim’s love for children, suggested memorials can be given to Bourbon County CASA, PO Box 146, Fort Scott, KS 66701 or to the Fort Scott High School Golf Team