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Government, Kansas

Search For Unclaimed Property

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While Kansans are Staying Home, State Treasurer Jake LaTurner Encourages them to Claim their Cash

Topeka— Across the state Kansas are staying home to help slow the spread of the COVID-19.  Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner is reminding Kansans that it is a perfect time to find out if any of the over $350-million in the State Treasury’s “Lost and found” belongs to them.

“If you have never taken the opportunity to search for unclaimed property for yourself or a family member, there is no better time than now. We would really love the chance to return the millions in unclaimed cash that does not belong to the state and put it back into the hands of Kansans where it can do the most good. Kansans need this money more than ever,” said Treasurer LaTurner.

The Kansas State Treasurer’s Office is open for business, with employees working securely from home processing claims. Most claims can be processed quickly and easily online and paid via direct deposit.

Online searches are always free and can be done at kansascash.ks.gov. As a reminder, anyone asking you to pay to search for your unclaimed property is not associated in any way with the State Treasurer’s office.

Obituary

Obituary of Leona Toliver

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Leona Mae Toliver, age 95 formerly of Arizona, passed away Monday, April 13, 2020 at the family home in Maryville, TN. 

Leona was a dedicated member of 1st Country Church of Surprise, Arizona and along with her husband helped plant, build, and repair several churches throughout her life. She loved to cook for her family, friends, and church camps. She was retired as a cafeteria manager in the school system after many years of service.

Leona was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt who will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William E. Toliver; daughter, Roseanna Jo Toliver; and six brothers and sisters. 

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, William A. and Mary Toliver of Cottonwood, AZ; daughters and son-in-law, Janie and Walt Souder of Maryville, Frances Toliver of Maryville, and Dorothy Toliver of Phoenix, AZ; Grandchildren, Diana Delorenzo, Angel Toliver, Ethan and Laura Souder, Jeannine and Alex Brown, and Caleb Souder; nine great-grandchildren; several great-great grandchildren; sister, Lorene McKinney of Bartlesville, OK; and many nieces, nephews and other family members.

A celebration of Leona’s life will be held at a later date.

Private burial will be in U. S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott, KS.

Memorial donations may be made in Leona’s name to the Annie Armstrong Missions Program c/o Forest Hill Baptist Church, 1850 Forest Hill Rd., Maryville, TN 37803. Local arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Fort Scott Public Library Story Time April 21 Online

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Next week’s Fort Scott Public Library Story Time schedule will run as follows:
April 21
10 am Silly Storytime on Zoom (the meeting will be recorded and made available after it ends, when possible).
 11 am  Silly Storytime on Facebook Live ( may post the video on the library’s YouTube channel as well).
Details: 
Join Miss Val online for virtual storytime! This week’s story: “The Book with No Pictures” by comedian B. J. Novak!
For the 10 am storytime,the Zoom platform will once again be used. If you participated last week, you already have the correct link.
If you did not, you may receive the link that will be used by one of two methods:
Message Fort Scott Public Library through Facebook or email Miss Val at [email protected] before the start (10 am Tuesday) of storytime, and they will send you the link.
Zoom can be fully accessed on any pc with a camera and headset, smartphone, or tablet with online access. The full application will allow families to see and interact with one another, in addition to being a part of storytime. This storytime will be recorded and posted afterwards for anyone who misses part or all of the meeting to view later, whenever possible. You will have the option of turning your video and audio on and off anytime during the meeting.This week’s craft: Silly Letters

Materials Needed:

Papers, regular or stick glue, pencil or crayon, and assorted items to glue to the paper (anything fun you have on hand – especially colorful items, such as pom-poms, colored dry pasta, rice, dry beans, drinking straw pieces, yarn, tissue paper, feathers, etc.). Have the materials ready if you would like to join us in making the craft, or just watch Miss Val make the craft and do yours after storytime.

This week’s snack: Silly Edible Letters

Bring a small plate and dry snack foods such as raisins, cereal, mixed nuts, dried fruit, pretzel sticks, or small crackers. We will spell a letter or two with our food before eating it, so be ready to wipe hands as well.For activity suggestions and more see the Storytime Pinterest board: https://www.pinterest.com/fortscottpublic/story-time/.

Read digital books related to the theme at http://sunflowerelibrary.overdrive.com or https://www.hoopladigital.com/ (seknfind.org account required) or https://kslib.info/963/eBooks-for-Kids (for residents of Kansas only).

#fsplstorytime

Bourbon County, Government, Health Care

County Health Update April 16

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SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

April 16, 2020

Allen County

Current Positive Cases 0
Current Recovered Cases 0
Total Positives Since Testing 0
Deaths 0

Anderson County

Current Positive Cases 0
Current Recovered Cases 0
Total Positives Since Testing 0
Deaths 0

Bourbon County

Current Positive Cases 0
Current Recovered Cases 6
Total Positives Since Testing 7
Deaths 1

Woodson County

Current Positive Cases 2
Current Recovered Cases 2
Total Positives Since Testing 4
Deaths 0

Recovered cases are based on dates of onset of symptoms, not on day testing results are received.

Government, Kansas

Governor Extends Renewal Deadlines For Adult Care Homes and Suspends Non-Essential Fire Inspections

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Today Governor Laura Kelly signed Executive Order #20-23 as part of her administration’s ongoing, comprehensive response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The order brings Kansas adult-care homes in line with other occupational licensing exemptions the Governor has issued in recent days. All state agencies working or collaborating with the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services shall extend renewal deadlines for any occupational or professional license, certificate or registrations as needed.

 

“This order is critical to ensure adult care-home workers can continue to do their jobs during this pandemic,” Kelly said.

 

Additionally, the order temporarily suspends non-essential fire inspections for new or renewal of KDADS-licensed facilities during the State of Disaster Emergency. The suspension will remain valid until 90 days after the State of Disaster Emergency is terminated, and all fees are suspended until that time.

 

KDADS Secretary Laura Howard thanked the Governor for signing the order.

 

“This order will give nursing facilities the latitude to create alternate care sites or designated units to ensure safe care for all residents and support adherence to infection control measures,” Howard said. “Our agency is committed to continuing our work with community partners and local health officials to stem the tide of this pandemic in the state’s nursing facilities.”

 

Executive Order #20-23 can be found here.

Obituary

Obituary of Lorna Smith

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Lorna May Smith, 79, of Redfield, Kansas, passed away suddenly on Monday, April 13, 2020, at Freeman Hospital West in Joplin, Missouri. Lorna was born August 23, 1940, the daughter of Albert Johnston and Mona (Shoemaker) Johnston in Tulare, California.

Lorna is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Glenn Smith of the home, daughter Glenna Hendrickson (Kevin) of Osceola, Missouri and son Craig Smith (Cathy) of Leavenworth, Kansas; siblings Earl Johnston (Sharon) of Ellsworth, Kansas, and Sharon (Lonnie) Horner of El Cajon, California; 5 nieces and 5 nephews.

Upon Lorna’s graduation from Fort Scott High School in 1958, she received her Associates of Arts Degree from Fort Scott Community College in 1960 before graduating from Pittsburg State University in 1962 with a BSED in secondary education and in 1991 with MSED in school counseling. Lorna also received her library science and journalism certifications while attending PSU.

Lorna put her education degrees to use by spending over 53 years in the field of education. Lorna taught for 2 years at Fort Scott Junior High, 35 years at Uniontown High School, and 19 years as an adjunct teacher at Fort Scott Community College. During her teaching career, Lorna taught English, speech, journalism, general business, psychology, and world geography along with being the school librarian and facilitator for the Interactive Distance Learning Center. As a coach, Lorna began the very successful volleyball program at Uniontown High School in 1969. Lorna was also the cheerleader coach, pom pom coach, Pep Club sponsor, student council sponsor, school newspaper sponsor, and play director. Lorna also assisted students in preparing for various contests in band, music, choir, FFA, and numerous other activities. Lorna has received numerous awards and honors during her educational and coaching careers. Lorna was also a member of numerous educational, coaching, professional, and community organizations.

Lorna has been a very active member of the Cherry Grove Baptist Church for the majority of her life. She has been the church organist and pianist for over 50 years. She participated in the Cherry Jammers musical group while performing throughout the community. Lorna used her musical talents in a variety of ways. She played for many weddings and funerals, accompanied many 4-H members and college students preparing for local, state, and national music contests. Lorna also spent 12 years playing for rodeos throughout the mid-west.

During her spare time, Lorna enjoyed spending time with her family, doing crafts, and traveling. She also enjoyed spending time with Glenn while he participated in sporting events, rodeos, team roping events, Corriente shows, and church.

The family will hold a private inurnment in Memory Gardens Cemetery.

A public memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Lorna’s name to Cherry Grove Baptist Church in Garland, Kansas, and may be left in care of Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Government, Kansas

DCF to Distribute Emergency Food Assistance Benefit

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Kansans to receive maximum benefit

 

Governor Laura Kelly and Department for Children and Families Secretary Laura Howard today announced the agency will begin issuing an emergency food assistance benefit to current program households. The emergency allotment increases a household’s monthly benefit to the maximum allowed for the size of the family. The maximum monthly benefit for a family of four is $646.

 

“The federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act allows states to provide this emergency assistance,” Howard said. “We know these additional funds will allow families to purchase more essential groceries for their family while also reducing their visits to grocery stores during this time of social distancing.”

 

“At a time when we are seeing long lines at food distribution sites these additional funds are necessary to keep Kansans fed,” Kelly said. “I also want to thank all of the eligibility workers who are making sure this money gets to families quickly.”

 

No application is necessary to receive the emergency funds. Families should start to see their March emergency benefit on their EBT card beginning April 15. The distribution will follow the standard alphabetical schedule. DCF will distribute April emergency benefits in mid to late May.

 

Households that already receive the maximum monthly allotment are not eligible for emergency assistance. The allotment is for March and April only.

 

Those interested in applying for food assistance can visit the DCF website at www.dcf.ks.gov.

For more information on COVID-19 visit: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus.

Government, Health Care, Kansas

VA: Temporary Job Opportunities

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VA Collaborates with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on

Temporary Job Opportunities to Fight COVID-19

 

 

The Trump Administration has called for a whole-of-government approach toward fighting the Coronavirus.  For the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), this means an extensive outreach and social media campaign to Federal retirees with a deep sense of public service duty to return to Government and join the fight.  The whole-of-government approach also includes partnership with OPM.  OPM is helping VA communicate temporary COVID-19 job opportunities to the public on USAJobs at:  https://www.usajobs.gov/.  OPM has also established a portal in response to COVID-19 where VA can post reimbursable and non-reimbursable details and temporary opportunities to the Federal workforce.

 

The COVID-19 Surge Response Program is designed for Federal employees to have an opportunity to support the overall response to COVID-19.  The COVID-19 Surge Response Program uses Open Opportunities as a central location for Federal agencies to post details and/or temporary assignments.  VA is especially looking for nurses and other health care providers, including physicians, pharmacists, social workers, technicians, housekeeping aides, and food service workers.

 

VA needs current Federal employees with applicable skills to join us in the national effort to combat COVID-19.  To apply, Federal employees must have supervisory approval, in writing, and need not be in a similar or related position to qualify for the detail and/or temporary rotational assignment.  The supervisory approval may be in the form of an email message from the supervisor.

 

Employees may follow these steps to learn more about the program and how to apply:

 

1.      Visit the COVID-19 Surge Response Program on Open Opportunities.

 

2.    Read about the details and/or temporary assignments.

 

3.    Apply to a detail and/or temporary assignment:

 

    1. You will need to create a user profile account on OpenOpportunities.gov in order to apply to a detail and/or temporary assignment.

 

·         To apply, Federal employees must have supervisor approval in writing to include email.

 

4.    Federal Agencies review applications and select individual(s) for the detail and/or temporary rotational assignment.

 

5.    Prior to starting the detail and/or temporary rotational assignment, a Memorandum of Understanding will be completed between the host agency and the home agency (or component, where individual rotates within their home agency).

 

Thank you for supporting the Federal response to COVID-19.

 

by

Veteran Administration Secretary  Robert L. Wilkie