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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports March 16
City Encourages Water Customers To Pay Online Or By Check
CITY OF FORT SCOTT NEWS RELEASE
March 16, 2020
The City of Fort Scott is encouraging Fort Scott water utility customers to use the following services to pay utility bills:
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Visit www.fscity.org and Click on “Online Bill Pay”, then click on Water Department tab and pay online;
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Call 1-833-269-5988 and press “1” to make a payment over the phone on the City’s 24/7 automated system;
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If you prefer to pay with a check, there is a drop box in the alley behind City Hall at 123 S. Main Street;
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If you prefer to mail your payment, you can send it to P. O. Box 151, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701;
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To talk to a Water Utility Clerk about your bill, please call 620-223-8133 or 620-223-0550.
Buck Run Community Center is closed to the public March 16th through March 18th, 2020 due to precautions with the Coronavirus.
For up-to-date information about COVID-19, go to the following websites:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/
Kansas Department of Health and Environment: http://www.kdheks.gov/
FSCC Extends Spring Break: Will Transition to Online from March 30
Fort Scott Community College has been following Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) guideline for closing schools.
There are no specific guidelines for community colleges in Kansas, as we are locally governed.
We have students travel to campus from a wide geographical area which exposes our campus community, and makes FSCC more vulnerable to the possible spread of infection.
With this in mind, we have decided to immediately begin spring break from March 16, 2020 through March 27, 2020.
Beginning on March 30, we will transition to online instruction delivered through the college’s learning management system, Blackboard, for all general education courses.
ALL COURSES (even those beginning the semester online) will observe the two week break in classes.
No instruction, exams, quizzes, attendance, or material will be required of the students during this two week period.
Please adjust schedules accordingly, and do not make exceptions to this guidance.
Technical Instruction
All technical instruction at CTEC, Allied Health courses specific to high school students, Welding and Construction Trades at Miami County, Construction Trades at La Harpe, Agricultural Technology (John Deere)/Welding at Fort Scott, Allied Health courses specific to high schools at Burke Street, and Harley-Davidson will continue face to face instruction beginning March 30, 2020 (a specific link of courses meeting face to face beginning March 30 will be posted prior to 12:00 p.m. on Monday, March 16th).
We will evaluate the situation through consultation with state and local agencies to determine a timeline for the resumption of on-campus classes.
Schedule of Operations
- March 16 – March 27: Spring Break (No classes or Instruction)
- March 16 – March 20: Employees report to campus, as scheduled (please see guidance below regarding working remotely)
- March 30:
- Online instruction begins for all general education courses
- Face to face technical program instruction for the courses/programs listed above resumes
- Standard employee hours resume
- We will remain with online instruction for general education courses for the remainder of the semester.
Students
Please be prepared to log into your Blackboard account beginning March 30 to continue your coursework.
Regularly monitor your student email accounts for communication from your instructors.
Utilize this link if you need assistance logging into your account: http://fortscott.edu/blackboardinfo.
If you have any additional questions, or need assistance, please contact the instruction office at 620.223.2700, ext. 3400.
Students working within the Federal Work Study program will continue to be paid for typical hours worked.
Paychecks will be mailed to the address on file, please email [email protected] or [email protected] with the mailing address you would like your checks to be sent.
FACULTY
Faculty will be expected to remain on campus March 16 – 20 for the implementation of online course delivery.
Susie Arvidson, in conjunction with the instruction office will be offering workshops and providing resources to faculty as you prepare to transition your classes to an online modality.
Workshops will be held in A-139 for faculty needing assistance transitioning to online courses at the following times:
- Tuesday, March 17
- 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 18
- 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Panopto Training)
- 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Thursday, March 19
- 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
- 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Panopto Training)
We ask faculty that are already teaching remotely or online be available with guidance and instruction for faculty who are not currently engaged in distance learning.
Employees who the CDC indicates are at-risk due to age, or medical necessity may contact their direct supervisor to request workplace modifications or leave time.
Employees who feel they are unable to attend work due to family or personal circumstances should notify their supervisor.
The leave time will not be deducted from accrued sick or vacation days.
Additional information for faculty and staff will be delivered through email.
STAFF
Administration is working with human resources to determine a plan and staffing requirements that will accommodate student needs on campus and to support our operations during this time.
The campus is open and staff are expected to report to work at their usual time.
Employees who the CDC indicates are at-risk due to age, or medical necessity may contact their direct supervisor to request workplace modifications or leave time. Employees who feel they are unable to attend work due to family or personal circumstances should notify their supervisor. The leave time will not be deducted from accrued sick or vacation days. Additional information for faculty and staff will be delivered through email.
Campus Events & Community Meetings
Citing recommendations by the CDC as well as state and local health organizations, all on-campus events will be canceled or postponed until further notice.
This includes campus tours (including those scheduled with admissions or athletics), college recruitment events, and events hosted by outside organizations within campus facilities.
While we greatly appreciate and encourage community engagement, for the safety of all involved, this will include meetings and/or lunches hosted on campus by local civic organizations.
Dorms
Those students who are currently living in the dorms, who have no other place to reside, will be allowed to remain in the dorms.
Students are allowed to stay in the dorms until March 20, but, encouraged to checkout permanently for the semester during this timeframe.
Students must check out with Marci Myers. Students in a spring sport, or enrolled in John Deere or Welding need to contact Tom Havron ([email protected]) to make arrangements for March 30, 2020 through the end of the semester.
Athletics
Following the recent release of a statement from the NJCAA, FSCC will adhere to the ruling that all athletic events be canceled through April 3, 2020. We will monitor both the NJCAA and KJCCC regarding the resumption and timeline of athletic competitions and do all we can to assist our student-athletes impacted by regular-season cancellations.
Facilities
At FSCC we are making decisions based on thoughtful review of available information, and working in conjunction with the Bourbon County Health Department, Emergency Management, and also State/Federal Agencies.
The continuous monitoring of critical information and a phased approach in our response concerning campus events, athletic events, and alternative methods of instruction allows us the opportunity to be flexible in our approach to a rapidly evolving public health issue.
The decisions being made prioritize the safety and health of all faculty, staff, students, and community.
These decisions are aimed at minimizing the impact of this public health issue.
This situation is continually evolving and future guidance will be provided as new information becomes available.
Please visit the FSCC website for updates and continue to stay safe.
Alysia Johnston, president of FSCC.
Please check the FSCC website for any future notifications regarding COVID-19.
http://www.fortscott.edu/node/2399
Kansas Schools Close To Implement Strategic Plan For COVID 19
Governor Kelly Recommends the Kansas State Department of Education Temporarily Close Schools to implement comprehensive education plan amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
Governor Laura Kelly today announced her recommendation to close all public schools for the upcoming week to allow administrators and teachers to develop a strategic plan moving forward. At the direction of the Governor, the Kansas State Board of Education formed a team tasked with addressing key concerns.
“We take this pandemic and our preparedness seriously,” Kelly said. “One of these areas of particular concern is our K-12 schools, where our children, parents and staff come together in one place. Our schools form the cornerstones of our communities. It is because of this that we need to ensure that schools are prepared to face the COVID-19 challenge.
“When classes resume, parents can be assured their children will continue to receive the same high-quality, world-class education Kansas is known for,” Kelly said.
The Kansas State Board of Education has formed a team of experts, many of whom are former Teachers of the Year, to build a comprehensive plan to address the challenges that schools are facing in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among the specific topics this team will address are:
- How schools can move education online, if necessary, so students can progress toward the end of semester.
- How schools can assist students who do not have access to online tools to finish out the semester, especially those who are set to graduate in May.
- How schools can provide for at-risk students and those who have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
- How schools will ensure a continuity of school-based mental health services.
- How schools can assist in providing meals for students who need them.
- What role schools can play in assisting with childcare for essential local and state healthcare workers, first responders and other essential workers who live in their counties.
- How schools will assist in efforts to keep children from congregating in community spaces and keep them quarantined in their own homes.
- And educating parents on ways they can help the continuity of education for their children.
Governor Kelly continues to work closely with the Kansas State Department of Education and Kansas Department of Health and Environment, along with local and federal partners to develop sensible steps that can protect every Kansan.
“Let me remind Kansans once again: while everyone needs to be mindful of what they can do to avoid spreading the virus — namely thorough hand washing, social distancing and avoiding crowds — this is not a time to panic,” Kelly said. “It is a time to be aware of the need to be very careful. It is a time to be respectful of others who are vulnerable. And, it is a time to use common sense safety measures. This remains the best defense against COVID-19.”
For the most up-to-date information and resources regarding the status of COVID-19 in Kansas, please visit the Kansas Department of Health and Environment website: kdheks.gov
The Beacon Implements New Procedure For Food Boxes
We are working together with Feeding America, our sister food banks and state and local health authorities to understand and manage our response to the Covid-19 virus.
PLEASE BE ADVISED EFFECTIVE MARCH 16 UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE…
There is a new procedure for obtaining food box if one is eligible.
Please call the Beacon with name and when you would like to pick up your order. It will then be filled between normal business hours.
Orders will be picked up off the back deck of the agency.
To see the Beacon Director for any reason please feel free to call and visit with him at 620-223-6869.
Thank you for understanding we are just trying to protect our clients and staff. We feel social distancing is the best approach.
The Beacon Staff
FSCC Trustees Meeting Cancelled
Due to cancellations associated with COVID-19, the Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees’ meeting previously scheduled for Monday, March 16 has been cancelled.
March 15, 2020 Public Update COVID-19
Situation Overview
KDHE continues to closely monitor an outbreak of a respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19). The outbreak first started in Wuhan, China, but cases have been identified around the world including in the United States. The first case in the United States was announced January 21, 2020.
KDHE Response Activities
• Other labs in the state are beginning to test for COVID-19. These labs are asked to send all results to KDHE. KDHE will continue reporting/announcing results from these labs for Kansas cases.
• KDHE will update its website with the case information daily by 5 p.m.
• KDHE has created a toolkit of Kansas-specific guidance to help local public health departments engage with their community partners on COVID-19 planning. It can be found on the KDHE website: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus. New information is added daily.
• KDHE has a phone-bank operation that is staffed during regular business hours. The phone number is 1-866-534-3463 (1-866-KDHEINF). KDHE also has an email address for general inquiries, [email protected]. Please note these contact numbers are for general questions and cannot provide you with medical evaluations. If you are feeling ill, please stay home and call your healthcare provider.
For more information: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus
2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Kansas Test Results
Updated 3/15/20 at 3 p.m.
Positive (confirmed)
8
(1 death included)
Negative
166
Positive Case Information
County Number
Johnson County
5
Wyandotte County
1
Butler County
1
Franklin County
1
Pastor Jimmy Tucker: God is the Way Maker
The Bottom Line
by Pastor Jimmy Tucker
God is the Way Maker
I know of two great songs with the same title, one written by Don Moen and the other by Janet Paschal. The title is simply “God Will Make a Way.” Many times we’ve heard the phrase, “God has a good plan for your life.” We nod our heads in agreement, and then stress out with what’s going on in our life.
God’s promise of victory is recorded in the following passage: “I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland” (Isaiah 43:19 NLT). You might think, “Well, that was then and this is now.” But scripture reveals that God never changes. “I am the Lord, and I do not change…” (Malachi 3:6 NLT). “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NLT). “If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny who He is” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT).
In a world that changes from day to day, we can trust God to remain faithful to His Word. Janet Paschal writes: “God will make a way when there seems to be no way. Forever He is faithful. He will make a road when you bear a heavy load. I know God will make a way.” And we can add a portion from Don Moen’s lyrics: “By a roadway in the wilderness, He’ll lead me. And rivers in the desert will I see. Heaven and earth will fade, but His Word will still remain. He will do something new today.”
If you’ve got a mountain in front of you, or a wilderness surrounding you, take heart. Have hope. You’re not alone. God is waiting for you to call on Him. No matter what circumstances you’re dealing with, God has the solution. He will make a way and will go through it with you. Not only will He be there for you, if you call on Him, He will use the situation to strengthen your faith and patience.
The Old Testament account of Ruth and Naomi is one of the best examples of God making a way in a dire situation. Naomi, her husband and two sons had left Israel during a drought. Later, her husband and both sons died, leaving Naomi and her two daughters in-law without support. Naomi and Ruth went back to Israel together. God helped them and Ruth married Boaz. She became the great-grandmother of King David and an ancestor of Jesus.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28 NKJV). When you’re in a challenging situation and your faith is weak, it’s hard to trust in God’s promises. But God is able to meet your every need if you’ll trust Him and obey His voice. If help fails to come, it‘s not God’s fault because He never fails. The fault must be somewhere on our part. In God’s kingdom everything works by faith, and faith works by love.
The Bottom Line: Don’t know which way to go? Just follow the Way Maker — He’ll get you through.
Pastor Jimmy Tucker
Diamond Community Church
Worship 10:45 a.m.
March 14, 2020 Public Update COVID-19 Situation Overview
March 14, 2020 Public Update
COVID-19
Situation Overview
KDHE continues to closely monitor an outbreak of a respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19). The outbreak first started in Wuhan, China, but cases have been identified around the world including in the United States. The first case in the United States was announced January 21, 2020. Two positives, one in a Johnson County woman and one in a Franklin County man, are announced today.
KDHE Response Activities
• Other labs in the state are beginning to test for COVID-19. These labs are asked to send all results to KDHE. KDHE will continue reporting/announcing results from these labs for Kansas cases.
• KDHE will update its website with the case information daily, Monday — Friday by 5 p.m.
• KDHE has created a toolkit of Kansas-specific guidance to help local public health departments engage with their community partners on COVID-19 planning. It can be found on the KDHE website: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus. New information is added daily.
• KDHE has a phone-bank operation that is staffed during regular business hours. The phone number is 1-866-534-3463 (1-866-KDHEINF). KDHE also has an email address for general inquiries, [email protected]. Please note these contact numbers are for general questions and cannot provide you with medical evaluations. If you are feeling ill, please stay home and call your healthcare provider.
For more information: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus
2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Kansas Test Results
Updated 3/14/20 at noon.
Positive (confirmed)
8
Negative
135
Positive Case Information
County
Number
Johnson County
5
Wyandotte County
1
Butler County
1
Franklin County
1
What, Me Worry? By Pastor James Collins
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10
The stock market is crashing, and the world is on the verge of a pandemic. People are refusing to leave their homes over fear of the coronavirus. The stores are out of hand sanitizer and toilet paper. If you turn on the news, an “expert” will tell you how this plague is spreading and will soon infect you. I received a letter this week from a woman who was genuinely concerned about the coronavirus. She asked me for some advice on what she should do in this time of worldwide panic. Since this virus has so many people worried, I decided to address it here.
First, I personally am not at all concerned about the collapse of the stock market. I have been preparing for Wall Street to bottom out by having no money in the market. In fact, I have no money at all. My wife, Amanda, has all of it. I’m not sure what she does with it. But she doesn’t give any to me, and she doesn’t give to a stockbroker. So, I’m not worried about the exchange.
Second, I refuse to lock myself away and not interact with people. I had a meeting with my church deacons on Tuesday. I shook hands with everyone. Since they are all men, you know they weren’t all washed hands. Besides, the odds are greater that I will catch a cold, the flu, scabies, or rabies from one of my deacons than the coronavirus.
Third, I am not going to hoard supplies. Nobody has been able to make me understand how having ten cases of toilet paper is going to help your immunity to the coronavirus. I suppose that people are concerned about running out of toilet paper. Well, if that were to happen, I still have that box of Joel Osteen books that my sister-in-law gave me for Christmas… I also saw that people are asking $75.00 per bottle for hand sanitizer on Amazon and eBay. I don’t know about you, but elephants will roost in trees before I pay that kind of money for hand sanitizer. I will just stick to soap and water.
Fourth, I refuse to listen to the doom and gloom coming from the “experts.” They are the same bunch that said that all the computers were going to blow up at Y2K. In 2004, they told us that SARS would destroy the world. In 2008, it was the bird flu. The swine flu was going to kill us all in 2010. Zika was the bad bug in 2016. I’m beginning to think the “experts” are only experts at getting things wrong.
Now understand that it is not my intention to make fun of an epidemic. Thirty-one people have died in the United States from the coronavirus, and I am saddened for their families. But I am even more heartbroken over the 1.6 million lives that were lost to abortion last year. However, I don’t hear any outrage from any “expert” over the murder of 1.6 million babies.
It seems to me that people’s reactions to the coronavirus are based totally in fear. Over and over in the Bible, God says, “Fear not.” Additionally, God also says hundreds of times, “…for I am with you.”
The point is: As Christians, we fear not, for Jesus is with us. I don’t know about you, but I refuse to live in fear. Instead, I will live in happiness, security, and with a peace that passes all understanding. None of these are possible without the one thing that is the opposite of fear… FAITH.
What about you? Are you facing each day with fear? If so, know that the Lord Jesus Christ is with you and He will strengthen you.
Have faith instead of fear.
James Collins is the pastor of First Southern Baptist Church. He can be reached through the website www.fortscottfsbc.com or by phone at (620) 223-2986.
KDHE Public Update March 13
March 13, 2020 Public Update
COVID-19
Situation Overview
KDHE continues to closely monitor an outbreak of a respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19). The outbreak first started in Wuhan, China, but cases have been
identified around the world including in the United States. The first case in the United States was announced January 21, 2020.
KDHE Response Activities
• Other labs in the state are beginning to test for COVID-19. These labs are asked to send all results to KDHE. KDHE will continue reporting/announcing results from these labs for Kansas cases.
• KDHE will update its website with the case information daily, Monday — Friday by 5 p.m.
• KDHE has created a toolkit of Kansas-specific guidance to help local public health departments engage with their community partners on COVID-19 planning. It can be found on the KDHE website:
www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus. New information is added daily.
• KDHE has a phone-bank operation that is staffed during regular business hours through March 13.
The phone number is 1-866-534-3463 (1-866-KDHEINF). KDHE also has an email address for general inquiries, [email protected]. Please note this line cannot provide you medical evaluations. If you are feeling ill, please stay home and call your healthcare provider.
For more information: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus
2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Kansas Test Results
Updated 3/13/20 at 10 a.m.
Positive (confirmed) 6
Negative 93
Positive Case Information
County Number
Johnson County 4
Wyandotte County 1
Butler County 1