Governor Laura Kelly on Monday announced the launch of a new and comprehensive State of Kansas website for resources regarding COVID-19.
The site, covid.ks.gov, is a centralized place for Kansans seeking resources and up-to-date information, as the state responds to, and recovers from damage done by the COVID-19 pandemic. The site is ADA compliant, mobile optimized and will be available in Spanish.
“This comprehensive website will help Kansans connect with vital information as the state moves into reopening and recovery, and still offer guidance on ways to stay healthy and stop the spread of the virus,” the Governor said.
The site includes the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) daily case rates, what to do if you experience COVID-19 symptoms, how to protect yourself and more updated information on state resources in place to help Kansans.
Kansans also can learn about volunteer efforts taking place statewide.
The KDHE site, kdheks.gov, will continue to be updated with COVID-19 related health information. As the state begins to expand beyond the medical portion of the pandemic, the new, more comprehensive covid.ks.gov site will provide additional resources related to the state’s recovery efforts.
The new website also features acts of kindness from across the state.
“Seeing the many ways Kansans help one another – especially during this difficult time – is truly inspirational,” Kelly said. “I’m thankful every day for those kind gestures, and we want to do more to celebrate them.”
Norma Jean Wiley, 87, of Fort Scott, passed away Monday evening, April 27, 2020 at the St. Luke’s Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri. She was born April 18, 1933 in Fort Scott, Kansas the daughter of Steve L. and Louise Eunice (Shelton) Mudd. At an early age, her mother married Burton Allen and he and her mom raised her.
She married Lloyd Wiley on May 17, 1953 in Fort Scott, Kansas, he survives of the home.
She graduated from Fort Scott High School with the Class of 1951. She spent most of her life being a Bookkeeper for various businesses and entities including the Bourbon County Clerk, Ray Shepherd Motors and the sale barn.
She is survived by her husband, Lloyd of the home, a son, Pete Wiley of Fort Scott, a sister, Pat Price of Fort Scott, a daughter-in-law, Cindy Wiley of St. Francis, Kansas, three grandchildren, Dustin Wiley and his wife, Randi, Darin Wiley and his girlfriend, Taylor Armstrong and Cheyenne Von Krosigk, and her husband, Randall and one great-grandson, Weston Lyn Wiley.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a son, Lyn Eugene Wiley, her daughter-in-law, E. Jeanie Wiley.
Services will be private with burial at the Memory Gardens of Bourbon County Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.
The family suggests memorials to “Care to Share”, donations may be sent to, or left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
Timberlynn “Kedrin” Quinlan, 67, of Fort Scott, KS passed away at 7:19 a.m. on Monday, April 27, 2020 at her home surrounded by her family, following a long battle with MS. She was full of love, she was stubborn, she was fierce, and she was the Queen of sarcastic humor. She was a wife, mom, and Grammy who filled our souls with her love and spirit.
She was born February 26, 1953 in Kansas City, MO to Robert and Doris Julian. She grew up in Independence, MO. and attended high school at Fort Osage, MO.
She was united in marriage to Dr. Gregory H. Quinlan on February 16, 1976.
She was a graduate from Kansas City School of Nursing and worked in Pediatrics at Lakeside Hospital and University of Health Sciences in Kansas City, MO. She was the Administrator at her husbands’ ophthalmology practice in Dodge City and then at Quinlan Eye Center in Fort Scott until her health declined. She was a member of ASCRS and ASOA and an active member of Mary Queen of Angels Church in Fort Scott, KS.
She is survived by her husband of the home, her son and daughter -in- law Sean and Jessica Quinlan, Ft. Scott, daughter and son-in-law Kellie and Mitch Patterson of Eudora, along with two grandchildren Cail and Kierra Patterson of Eudora, KS.
Graveside services will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery, near Topeka, KS on Thursday, April 30, 2020.
Memorials are suggested to the National MS Society 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.
Jessie (Endicott) Wiggins, age 94, a resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away Saturday, April 25, 2020, at the Guest Home Estates in Ft. Scott.
She was born November 19, 1925, at Garland, Kansas the daughter of William Oscar Endicott and Josie May (Birdsell) Endicott. She grew up around the Cherry Grove Church area and was a member. Jessie attended Gish school graduating with the class of 1942.
Jessie worked for Key Industries for over 46 years and retired on December 28, 1990.
Jessie married Junior Terrel in 1946 and later divorced.
She then married the love of her life, Charles Russell Wiggans. They were married on December 28, 1954. Charles preceded her in death on April 6, 1998.
She enjoyed going on trips after retiring to some of the places her mother enjoyed visiting.
She also bowled in National tournaments in both St. Louis and Las Vegas. She was the President of the Fort Scott Women’s Bowling Association.
She and Charles enjoyed camping with the Noble Mobile Unit, and Mirza Nobelles. Jessie held offices with #13 Eastern Star, Olive Chapter, Daughters of the Nile, Pittsburg Chapter, Daughter of the Nile, Fort Scott Chapter, and she was a life member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.
Survivors include a daughter, Rosella Jeanette Rock, of Fort Scott whom Jessie formally adopted on April 26, 2012. She thanks God for Rosella who was Charles’ daughter from a previous marriage.
Survivors include five grandchildren; Charles Rock of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Gene Parker, Travis Parker and wife Dawn, Shelle Goans and husband Shawn, and Christopher Parker all of Fort Scott; thirteen great-grandchildren, twelve great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Besides Charles, she was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, two brothers and one great-grandson, and one great-great-granddaughter.
Private burial will take place on Thursday at the Large Cemetery.
A memorial service for family and friends will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Shrine Transportation Fund 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.
I’m not the best one to start talking about technology. Believe me, I am learning with everyone new ways to communicate and reach others at a distance through technology. Covid-19 has forced us to learn new communication strategies.
Some of our older adults may have felt some sort of isolation prior to the social distancing recommendations we have received lately. Living in rural areas can contribute to isolation. Others of us may enjoy that extra space. However, when family, friends, and neighbors pass on or move away, those feelings of isolation can be amplified for those feeling left behind.
Let’s look at some ways that we might use the time we have with this stay-at-home order to keep connected and strengthen distance relationships.
Start using or learn new technology. If we have a smartphone, a computer, or an iPad, we might already have access to some video technology, such as Skype, Zoom, or Facetime. A live video conversation is the next best thing to being there in person. If you’re like me, you may need the assistance of someone from a younger generation to talk you through the steps of doing the process, but after a time or two of doing it, you’ll get the hang of it. It can be very rewarding to connect through a video conversation.
If technology isn’t your thing, then pick up the phone and catch up the old-fashioned way. A quick text or email are great ways to stay in touch between conversations.
Engage Family and Friends. Encourage members of your social group, faith group, or volunteer group to support each other or reach out to those who are socially isolated. Just a quick check-in with them can mean a lot. Involve kids by having them create artwork that can be shared with grandparents, older neighbors, or other isolated individuals you may know. You never know how important it may be to someone to know that they were thought of that day.
If you want to step it up a notch, consider hosting a digital dinner with family or friends. Everyone joins online from their respective homes and eats together with family discussions. Some of our best discussions take place over the dinner table.
If you don’t relish the idea of watching each other eat, try playing games over video or read books to young ones. To encourage staying active, create an online exercise group where all meet at the same time by a video process. Research shows we are more accountable to our exercise program when we exercise as a group rather than individually.
Quality relationships that have developed with close family, friends, and neighbors help provide ongoing joy, excitement, support, and purpose. Maintaining meaningful relationships take a conscious effort. While we may not be able to carry on some of those relationships in person, now, more than ever, it’s important to follow through in sustaining those connections.
Whatever you do, check in on the well-being of family and neighbors who are more isolated at this time. Hopefully, they are sticking close to home as directed. A check-in call or running a quick errand for them could be what it takes to lift spirits right now.
For more information on overcoming feelings of isolation, contact the Yates Center Southwind Extension District Office at 620-625-8620.
Today Governor Laura Kelly announced her administration had reached an agreement to resolve a challenge to actions she took to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the State of Kansas.
“My highest priority has been, and will continue to be, keeping Kansans safe during this pandemic,” Kelly said. “While I am confident that we have the law on our side, the agreement with these two churches will allow us to move forward and focus our efforts on mitigating the spread of the disease and working to restart the economy.”
The settlement comes less than a week before Governor Kelly is expected to make a decision on whether to open the state back up or keep in place the mass gathering and disease mitigation restrictions. Under the agreement, the two churches agree to comply with safety protocols put in place by the court.
“Since this case was filed on April 16, Ford County has seen a spike in COVID-19 cases going from 51 positives to 419,” Kelly said. “I know this is a difficult time for everyone, but I want to take a moment and thank all of the first responders and medical staff for their sacrifice. They are on the front lines of this disease and they are true heroes.
“Our job is to not make theirs harder. And, our advice to all Kansans remains the same – stay home and stay safe. We are bending the curve, but we must continue to be vigilant in our mitigation efforts.”
Online grocery shopping and pickup has proved to be a blessing at our house. “Thank you” to Walmart, G&W Foods, Dollar General, and all the businesses that are stepping up to the challenges we now face. Due to fear and panic, it has become necessary to put a limit on the number of food and supply items that people purchase.
In times like these, we look to Jesus for hope. So even though a few items may not be available in the stores, we can be thankful there are no limits on God’s supply of grace. There is no end or limit to His goodness toward us. He is inexhaustible, immeasurable, unfailing, everlasting, infinite, and supreme. His supply never runs low. He provided everything we would ever need before we were born. Let’s look at seven encouraging scriptures to remind us of how God is not restricted in supplying the needs of believers:
There’s overflowing hope for you: “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 NLT).
God’s love for you is unconditional. “I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow — not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love“ (Romans 8:38 NLT). God’s love will never leave you.
There’s abundant mercy for you. “For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You” (Psalm 86:5 NKJV).
There’s incredible grace for us. “…So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of His grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all He has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7 NLT). We are rich in God’s grace.
He satisfies the longing soul with goodness. “Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness“ (Psalm 107:8,9 NKJV).
God’s power working in us is able to accomplish infinitely more than we think. “Now all glory to God, Who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20 NLT). Believe that God’s power is at work in your life.
Rest assured that God‘s arms are big enough to hold you safe and steady. “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him” (Nahum 1:7 NKJV).
The Bottom Line: Take as much as you need from God’s storehouse!
TOPEKA – Kansas Secretary of Labor Delía García confirmed today that the Spanish language feature of the GetKansasBenefits.gov website officially launched this week.
Unemployed Kansans can file their weekly claims, check the status of their claims and view FAQs all in Spanish just by clicking the Español button at the top of the page. The first stage of the launch was late last week followed by additional translated content earlier this week. KDOL will continue to update the site to provide more Spanish language resources as they are developed.
“When I joined the Kansas Department of Labor as the new secretary last year, I wanted to increase availability of materials in Spanish,” García said. “With the launch of the Spanish language website, we should be able to help more Kansans get questions answered and apply for benefits online. That is even more important during this crisis when call volumes are at unprecedented levels.”
For more information, or to apply for unemployment benefits, go to GetKansasBenefits.gov.
