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Department of Commerce launches COVID jobs website
Topeka, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Commerce today launched a new jobs website, connecting job seekers with Kansas businesses hiring to fill urgent needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 jobs site, kansasworks.com/coronavirus, allows employers from essential industries to quickly and easily post critical positions that need to be filled to support activities related to helping individuals and businesses during the COVID-19 crisis. The site, which is available at no cost to employers or job seekers, will be updated continuously as businesses add new jobs to the system.
Job seekers can visit the site to find companies hiring for COVID-19-related positions and quickly access company hiring portals.
“While the COVID-19 crisis has led to many Kansans losing their jobs, it’s also driven demand and opportunity for some functions in critical industries such as food and grocery, shipping and logistics and healthcare,” Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The COVID-19 jobs website allows us to quickly connect individuals looking for work with companies that have urgent hiring needs, particularly those related to support needed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.”
To access the COVID jobs website, visit kansasworks.com/coronavirus.
For current information on COVID-19 in Kansas and to sign up for updates, go to the KDHE COVID-19 Resource Center at kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus. To access resources available to businesses, please visit kansascommerce.gov/covid-19-response.
April 1, 2020 Public Update COVID-19
For more information: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus
2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Kansas Test Results
Updated 4/1/20 at 10 a.m.
Total Positive Cases
482
Private Labs
361
Kansas Health and Environmental Lab (KHEL)
121
Deaths (included in above numbers)
KDHE does not release locations of deaths.
10
Out-of-State Resident Positive Cases* (not counted in KS #s)
2
Total Negative Cases for Kansans
Note: Update on 3/29 should have read 4,194 negative
5,411
Positive Case Information
County Number
Atchison
1
Finney
1
Lyon
12
Reno
8
Barton
2
Franklin
7
McPherson
5
Riley
4
Bourbon
3
Gove
1
Mitchell
2
Saline
1
Butler
5
Harvey
2
Montgomery
6
Sedgwick
64
Chautauqua
1
Jackson
1
Morris
2
Shawnee
18
Cherokee
3
Jefferson
1
Neosho
1
Stafford
1
Clay
1
Johnson
143
Osage
3
Stevens
1
Coffey
16
Labette
1
Ottawa
1
Sumner
1
Crawford
5**
Leavenworth
25
Pottawatomie
2
Woodson
3
Doniphan
1
Linn
5
Pratt
1
Wyandotte
93
Douglas
31**
*Ford and Miami Counties reported positive cases in out-of-state residents.
**1 case in Douglas and 2 cases in Crawford are presumptive positive at a reference lab, but were not confirmed through the KDHE lab, so are included in the county numbers, but not in the overall state total or demographics at this time.
Demographics
Gender
Female
242
Male
240
Age Range
Age range on patients is 0 to 95 years of age, with a median age of 55.
Hospitalized
114 hospitalizations to date reported*
* this is a cumulative number, based on 354 cases where information is available.
March total tax collections at $523.4 million; 1.6% below the estimate
TOPEKA – The State of Kansas closed March with total tax collections at $523.4 million; 1.6% or $8.6 million below the estimate. That is 0.3% or $1.4 million more than March of Fiscal Year 2019.
Individual income tax collections were $247.3 million; $4.3 million more than the estimate and 7.1% more than last March. Corporate income tax collections were $18.4 million; $8.6 million below estimate and 24.5% below March FY 2019.
Retail sales tax collections were $179.4 million; $3.4 million more than the estimate. That’s an increase of $2.9 million compared to the same month last fiscal year. Compensating use tax collections were $34.7 million; 8.5% or $2.7 million more than the estimate and 8.7% more than last March.
“We expect the uncertain business and employment landscape to negatively affect withholding and estimated income taxes,” Secretary Mark Burghart said.
“As consumer spending patterns change, retail sales tax and compensating use tax collections could experience a major decline in the months to come.”
“While seeing a slight increase in total tax collection revenues compared to last fiscal year, we must continue to be cautious as we evaluate the financial impact of COVID-19,” Governor Laura Kelly said.
“Later this month, we should see a clearer picture moving forward as the Consensus Revenue Estimating group evaluates fall projections.”
The Consensus Revenue Estimating Group, comprised of the Department of Revenue, Division of Budget, Legislative Research Department, and economists from the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, and Wichita State University, will meet on April 20. The group will review the fall estimate and make any revisions it may consider necessary.
Fort Scott Presbyterian Village announces Art is Ageless® winners
Fort Scott, KS. — Fort Scott Presbyterian Village recently hosted a reception for the winning artists in the annual Art is Ageless® juried competition.
“We are honored to exhibit artwork by seniors,” said Becky Kellum, marketing director. “Art is Ageless is unique in featuring only the works of artists age 65 and older. Our artists prove that art, in any form, is an ageless ambition.”
Winners in the Fort Scott Presbyterian Village Art is Ageless juried competition were:
Best of Show (professional): John Bartlesmeyer, “Druzy & Diamonds”
Best of Show (amateur): Thyra Babcok, “Round of Robins”
Judges Choice (professional): Tony Fornelli, “His Word”
Judges Choice (amateur): Earline Foster, “Clover Valley”
People’s Choice (professional): Tony Fornelli, “Wilderness Knife”
People’s Choice (amateur): Carolyn Eastwood, “My Flower Garden”
Christmas (professional): Carolyn Crystal, “Christmas Stocking”
Christmas (amateur): Linda Thompson, “Thompson Farm”
Fiber Arts (amateur): Jean Strader, “Star of Bethlehem”
Mixed Media/Crafts (professional): Tony Fornelli, “Wilderness Knife”
Mixed Media/Crafts (amateur): Barbara Gibson, “Joy in Motion”
Needlework (professional): Carolyn Crystal, “Flower Bag”
Needlework (amateur): Charlotte Kite, “Floral Bouquet”
Painting (professional): Carolyn Munsell, “Gossip”
Painting (amateur): Glenda Stevicks, “The Cottage”
Photography (professional): Paul Milks, “Sunrise at Fort Scott National Cemetery”
Quilting (professional): Carolyn Crystal, “American Flag”
Quilting (amateur): Earline Foster, “Clover Valley”
Sculpture 3/D (professional): Bobbi Kemna, “Forever”
Sculpture 3/D (amateur): Gerald Elliott, “G.E. Lives Here!”
Local competition winners will join winners from 16 other Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America communities to be judged at the masterpiece level. Winning entries at the masterpiece level are selected for publication in PMMA’s annual Art is Ageless calendar and note cards. The 2021 calendar marks the 40th anniversary for the Art is Ageless program.
Art is Ageless is a copyrighted program of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America. For the competition, works must have been completed in the past five years. Started in 1980, Art is Ageless is an extension of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s wellness programs, which focus on mental, physical, social and spiritual health.
Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s Art is Ageless program encourages Fort Scott Presbyterian Village residents and other area seniors to express their creativity through its annual competition, as well as art classes, musical and dramatic events, educational opportunities and current events discussions throughout the year.
For more information about Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, 2401 S. Horton, Fort Scott, contact Becky Kellum at 620-223-5550, or [email protected].
Public Hearing Notice Economic Development Applications
The City of Fort Scott is posting this notice for the purpose of considering
applications to be submitted under the CDBG Local Revolving Loan Emergency Response for the effects of COVID 19 on local businesses.
The funds will be used for working capital such as: salaries, wages, inventory, utilities, rent, insurance payments, etc., and must retain LMI (low to moderate income) jobs. The estimated fund amounts available will be over $265,000.
Program and application information may be found at fscity.org. Contact Rachel Pruitt for additional details at [email protected]
Surprise A Senior Scholarships For 20 Kansas High School Seniors
State Treasurer Jake LaTurner to Give Away $50,000 in Scholarships to 20 High School Seniors
Topeka—In response to the disappointing loss for Kansas high school seniors of the concluding quarter of their senior year, Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner today announced the Surprise a Senior scholarship contest, which will award scholarships of $2,500 each to 20 lucky high school seniors.
“It’s impossible to look around and find many aspects of life that have not been altered by the disruptions from COVID-19. While we can’t bring back the end of their senior year for our Kansas high schoolers, we wanted to find a way to ease the disappointment a bit and surprise a few of our hard-working seniors with a little extra money to help them get going toward their educational goals after graduation,” said Treasurer LaTurner.
Twenty scholarships of $2,500 each will be awarded to high school seniors obtaining their diploma in the 2019-2020 school year. Five scholarships will be given out in each of the four Kansas congressional districts. The winner will be selected via random drawing and the $2500 will be deposited into a new or existing LearningQuest® 529 Education Savings account for the student to use for qualified educational expenses. Entry rules can be found on the Kansas State Treasurer’s website at www.kansasstatetreasurer.com/sas.html. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited.
Entries will be accepted online through midnight April 30, 2020. All completed entries will be considered and winners will be notified by May 6, 2020.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports April 1
Tips for improving learning
K-State Research and Extension Southwind District
Family Consumer Science News Column
Joy Miller
620-223-3720 or [email protected]
Release: March 27, 2020
Reading with children builds social, mental skills more rapidly
What we have discovered through COVID-19 situation, social distancing, stay at home spring break, and the announcement of schools closing is there are many learning opportunities and organizations like zoos are creating educational content.
Bradford Wiles, a K-State Research and Extension specialist in early childhood development, says children’s education happens right at home every time they read a book with their parents. “Reading with a child involves thoughtful and active listening to assess and assist the child’s knowledge,’ Wiles said.
Wiles has written a publication that outlines six ways in which parents can build their child’s cognitive and social-emotional skills while reading with them:
1) Ask questions in a mindful way that help you assess your child’s thinking, such as “Do you know what color that is?” or “Do you know what this is called?” Challenge your child to really think about what they are experiencing.
2) Provide explanation or instruction to build on what children already know. Sometimes children need just a single piece of information to fully understand something they were not previously aware of.
3) Model learning. When reading with a child, sound out words so that your children learn how to look at the print and determine how a word sounds. You can also mimic what you see – flap your arms to imitate how a bird flies.
4) Provide feedback. Comment on your child’s performance by saying “You did a good job. You used to struggle with that” or “That’s better than you did the last time.” Provide the “because” to explain why the child did well.
5) Help your child maintain focus. Young minds may wander quickly. When reading, offer choices such as a finishing a page before doing something else, stopping now, or skipping ahead to help your child stay engaged.
6) Structure the activity. Explain to your child that you are going to read and think about the story together. This helps the child develop a shared focus in the story.
For more information or tips check out Emergent Literacy: Helping Young Children’s Development Through Reading, available free online through the K-State Research and Extension bookstore. (https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3161.pdf)
K-State Research and Extension has compiled numerous publications and other information to help people take care of themselves and others during times of crisis. Visit the Southwind website (southwind.k-state.edu) for a list of resources with relevant information relating to COVID-19 and food safety. You can also follow us on Facebook @southwindextensiondistrict or Instagram Southwind_ext
April 3 Online Session for Small Businesses
Kansas officials to provide information to small businesses via First Friday online session April 3
Heads of agencies will take part in K-State monthly program in light of COVID-19
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Officials of two lead Kansas agencies responding to the COVID-19 outbreak will provide information for small businesses online Friday, April 3 at 9:30 am, as part of K-State Research and Extension’s First Friday monthly webinar series. The call will be recorded and archived.
The session, to be conducted via Zoom, is free and open to anyone interested in resources available to the public, particularly small businesses and employees in Kansas affected by the global pandemic.
Speakers include:
- David Toland, Kansas Secretary of Commerce
- Delia Garcia, Kansas Secretary of Labor
- Laurel Klein Searles, Kansas Director of Unemployment Services
“Kansas has responded quickly to the concerns of small businesses and employees who have lost their livelihoods because of COVID-19,” said Nancy Knopp Daniels, community vitality specialist with K-State Research and Extension. “This call occurs every month in support of small business, but this month we have a special edition to highlight these response programs.”
She noted that a record 3.3 million Americans filed unemployment claims in the past week, which eclipsed the old record of 695,000 new claims in 1982.
To participate, go to https://ksu.zoom.us/j/2636377104; or One-Tap Mobile, + 13462487799,,2636377104#.
More information about First Friday e-Calls is available online or by contacting Daniels at 785-410-6352 or [email protected].
Governor: Help For Unemployed Workers
Governor Kelly issues Executive Order to help meet surging demand for unemployment benefits for workers affected by COVID-19
Executive Order 20-17 will draw down millions in federal stimulus dollars to cope with record demand
Today Governor Laura Kelly signed Executive Order 20-17 to ensure Kansas can draw down millions in federal dollars under the federal CARES Act.
The federal stimulus will expand unemployment insurance to include self-employed, 1099-independent contractors, gig and low-wage workers who can no longer work because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The agreement also increases weekly benefits for all unemployed workers by $600 a week for up to four months.
“Certain provisions of Kansas employment security law will impede Kansas’ ability to draw down millions in federal funds for unemployment insurance programs,” Kelly said. “This order will allow flexibility to ensure Kansas workers and small business owners can secure the safety and protection that unemployment insurance is designed to provide at times of crisis.”
Executive Order 20-17 makes three, temporary changes to Kansas employment security law:
- The waiting week requirement for unemployment benefits is temporarily waived for all claimants;
- 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;
- All Kansas employers, as required by the federal Department of Labor, must notify separated employees if they qualify for unemployment insurance.
“This flexibility will ensure that our Department of Labor can keep up with the surge of unemployment claims our state is experiencing and that Kansas workers and small business owners can secure the safety and protection that unemployment insurance is designed to provide at times of crisis,” Kelly said.
Kelly also addressed the unprecedented volume of calls coming into the Kansas Department of Labor. Just yesterday, the agency received over 877,000 calls to their unemployment line. Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, the agency received an average of 1,100 calls per week.
“Labor Secretary Delia Garcia and her team are working quickly to expand capacity at the call centers,” Kelly said. “They have added phone lines, hired additional employees and are working with employers to speed up the benefit process. The website remains the fastest and most efficient way to file for benefits, but if you must call in, please be patient. This is an incredibly stressful time for everybody, and the Department of Labor is working hard to get applications processed and benefits distributed.”
The executive order can be viewed here: https://governor.kansas.gov/newsroom/executive-orders/
Please visit kdheks.gov/coronavirus for additional virus-related information. Due to the high call volume, Kansans seeking to file for Unemployment Insurance benefits are encouraged to file online at getkansasbenefits.gov.
Exposure and Symptom Information for Church Conference
TOPEKA – People who attended the Kansas East Jurisdiction’s 2020 Ministers and Workers Conference at the Miracle Temple Church of God in Christ located at 2106 Quindaro Blvd, Kansas City, KS, 66104 from March 16-22, may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This event has been identified as a place of exposure for multiple people in Kansas who have since become ill and tested positive for COVID-19.
Symptoms for COVID-19 appear 2-14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Other rarer symptoms that may develop include malaise, sore throat and diarrhea.
If you develop any of these symptoms, but are not ill enough to seek medical care, you must stay home for at least 7 days after symptom started or for 72 hours after fever is gone (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and with a significant improvement in symptoms, whichever is longer. If you develop these symptoms and need to seek medical care, call your healthcare provider beforehand to inform them that you may have been exposed to COVID-19 and require medical attention.
If you attended this event and develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 between 2 and 14 days later, please call your local health department as they will conduct a confidential investigation to prevent further transmission of COVID-19.
For more information about COVID-19 in Kansas, please visit www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus. For questions regarding isolation and quarantine for COVID-19, please contact your local health department or KDHE’s Epidemiology Hotline at 877-427-7317.