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COVID-19, Government, Kansas

Rental, utility assistance available when eviction moratorium expires

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Statewide program granting Kansas tenants, landlords $3 million per week
TOPEKA, Kan.— Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC), the state’s housing finance agency, has provided $21,670,326.79 in emergency rental and utility assistance to 4,054 Kansas households experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID pandemic. The funds, made available through the Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance (KERA)program, were allocated to the state through the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) previously issued a temporary nationwide halt in residential evictions to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. That moratorium is set to expire on July 31, 2021. Kansans who may be facing eviction due to financial hardship incurred as a result of the COVID pandemic are encouraged to apply for KERA assistance.
“It’s so gratifying to know our team is getting these funds out the door and into our communities where they are so desperately needed,” said Ryan Vincent, KHRC’s Executive Director. “We recognize that the need is vast, and we look forward to providing this crucial assistance to Kansas tenants, landlords, and service providers as the program continues.”
KERA funds helped Gary Evert and his wife Sheryl, a couple in their 70s, remain in their Olathe home. “To anyone else out there who has applied for KERA I would say, ‘Don’t get discouraged. We’re all nervous, but when a customer service representative can calm you down and give you a sense of hope, it’s quite comforting,’” Evert said.
The KERA program previously served Kansans across the state except Wichita residents, who were served by the city’s rental assistance program. Recognizing the importance of serving tenants and landlords in our state’s most populous city, Wichita residents are now eligible to apply for the KERA program, though duplication of benefits is prohibited.
To be eligible to receive KERA assistance, tenants must rent their homes and must have experienced a documented financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Examples of hardship may include qualifying for unemployment benefits, experiencing a reduction of household income, or incurring significant costs due to the pandemic. Additionally, the tenant’s household’s income may not exceed 80 percent of the area median income.
Nyrica Hall of Topeka was facing eviction when she applied for KERA assistance. Her request resulted in funding for rental and utility assistance, as well as a $600 lump sum payment to cover internet service. “When the customer service manager called me back to say my application had been approved, I cried,” Hall said.
KERA applicants must provide the following documentation:
  • Past-due utility bill or overdue rent or eviction notice from April 2020 to the present
  • Signed lease identifying the residential unit and the rental payment amount
  • 2020 Federal Income Tax Return as filed with the IRS (if tenant hasn’t filed 2020 federal income taxes, their W-2 wage statement and all IRS 1099 forms are acceptable)
  • Proof of identification, including a current state-issued photo ID, court filing notice, or mail from a federal, state, county, or city agency displaying the rental unit address
Approved KERA applicants are eligible to receive a maximum of 12 months of rental and utility assistance, in addition to reasonable fees and security deposits. Qualified applicants are also eligible to receive a lump sum of $600 in credit to their internet providers to cover past-due or future internet costs, at a rate of $50 per month for 12 months. Tenants may apply for three months of prospective assistance at a time. Program guidelines require tenants and landlords to apply jointly, with payments made directly to the landlord or service provider.
The KERA program builds on KHRC’s success administering the Kansas Eviction Prevention Program, a statewide rental assistance initiative funded by the federal CARES Act in 2020. In the roughly 60 days that program was in statewide operation, KHRC processed 10,138 applications for more than $25.8 million in requested funding, ultimately serving 27,200 Kansans with $17,007,614 in rental assistance.
To learn more, to locate a community partner to assist with the application process, and to apply, visit kshousingcorp.org/emergency-rental-assistance.
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Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) is a self-supporting, nonprofit, public corporation committed to helping Kansans access the safe, affordable housing they need and the dignity they deserve. KHRC serves as the state’s housing finance agency (HFA), administering essential housing and community programs to serve Kansans.
Questions? Contact us at [email protected].
Obituary

Obituary of Sondra Dell’Antonia

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Sondra Elaine Dell’Antonia, age 81, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at her home.

She was born September 12, 1939, in Mulberry, Kansas, the daughter of Vincent Fornaciari and Gertrude Hall Fornaciari.

Sondra’s grandparents immigrated from Italy to Crawford County (Foxtown) where they owned and operated a meatpacking and general store known as The White Star. Her parents later converted the facility into a Private Club known as The Country Cove.  When Sondra was a teenager, her mother passed away and her Aunt Lena became a mother figure in her life. Her Aunt Lena held a special place in her heart and holidays spent at Aunt Lena’s house will be remembered by the entire family.

Sondra attended Frontenac public schools and graduated with the Class of 1958.

Sondra married Angelo Dell’Antonia on June 24, 1961, in Frontenac, Kansas, and recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

Sondra was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.  She took great pride in her family and went above and beyond to meet her family’s needs and will be missed by many.

Survivors include her husband, Angelo, of the home; a daughter, Melissa Dell’Antonia Renard (Jim), of Dallas, Texas, and a son, Jody Dell’Antonia (Rachael), of Ft. Scott and a granddaughter, Lily Dell’Antonia also of Ft. Scott. Also surviving is a sister, Terry Ives Meinke, of Dallas, Texas, a cousin, Richard Coleman (Faith), of Pittsburg, KS, and two grand dogs, Zeta and Cletus.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Reverend Rhonda Dunn will conduct graveside services at 11:00 A.M. Monday, August 2nd at the U. S. National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Monday at the Cheney Witt Chapel from 9:30 A.M. until leaving for the cemetery at 10:45 A.M.

Memorials are suggested to Fort Scott Area Community Foundation or Fort Scott Paws and Claws and may be left in the 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.

Obituary

Obituary of Gail Bryant

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Gail Sue Bryant

Gail Sue Bryant, age 66, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at the Via Christi Village in Pittsburg, Kansas. She was born May 16, 1955, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the daughter of Leo Stephen Edwards and Marjorie Lorane Lowry Edwards. Gail operated her own daycare business out of her home. She enjoyed sewing, quilting and working in her garden. She also liked doing various crafts.

Survivors include her children, Stephanie Laver (Shawn), of Redfield, Kansas, Michael Bryant (Dawn), of Ft. Scott, Kansas and Andrea Bryant also of Ft. Scott; eight grandchildren, Bryant, Brittany, Draven, Andy, Aubrey, Mia, Sterrett and Gavin and five great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a brother, Robert Compton and a sister, Lora Kopp, both of Yukon, Oklahoma.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a granddaughter, Cheyenne.

There was cremation and no services are planned at this time.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary

Obituary of Leanne Pollreis

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Leanne Denise Pollreis, age 53, resident of Walnut, KS, died Monday, July 26, 2021, at the Ascension Via Christy Hospital in Pittsburg, KS. She was born on January 13, 1968, in Lakeland, FL. The daughter of Donald Voss and Joyce Gilland Voss.

She graduated from Silom Springs high school with the class of 1986.

She married Randy Pollreis in June of 1994.

Leanne graduated from Pittsburg State University with a Master’s Degree in Education. She enjoyed crocheting, gardening, and being a teacher. Her favorite times were spent with her family.

Survivors include her husband, Randy of the home; four sons, Gavin Pollries, Dominic Pollreis, Coby Pollreis, and Arthur Pollreis, all of the home; her mother, Joyce Voss; one brother Kurt Voss, of Zuni, New Mexico, one sister, Leslie Lafoy, and husband David, of Peabody, KS.; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her, dad Donald Voss.

There was cremation. Rev. Marty DeWitt will conduct a memorial service at 10:30 AM Saturday, August 7, 2021, at the First Missionary Baptist Church in Uniontown.

Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

No Chamber Coffee This Week

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Just a Friendly Reminder, There will not be a Chamber Coffee this week, July 29th.
Join us next Thursday,
August 5th for the Chamber Cofee hosted by Niece Products of Kansas celebrating their 9th Year in Fort Scott!
See below….Open Chamber Coffee dates are available!
UPCOMING CHAMBER COFFEE’S
8/5 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Niece Products of Kansas
8/12 ~ OPEN! Call the Chamber to Schedule
8/19 ~ OPEN! Call the Chamber to Schedule
8/26 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted The Rainbow Unicorn Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening.
9/2 ~ OPEN! Call the Chamber to Schedule
9/9 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Bids & Dibs
9/16 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by The Beacon Food Pantry
9/23 ~ OPEN! Call the Chamber to Schedule
9/30 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Pioneer Harvest Fiesta
Fort Scott, Government

City Invites Bids For Alley Modification Between First and Wall Streets

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INVITATION TO BID
CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS
BLOCK 89 ALLEY MODIFICATIONS

Project 21-02

You are invited to bid on a contract for alley modifications of Block 89 located between 1st street on the south and wall street on the north in Fort Scott, Kansas.

Work shall consist of stripping and removal of undesirable materials from the route, proof rolling and compaction of the subgrade to acceptable standards as discussed in the technical specifications, grading of subgrade to the lines and grades shown on the plans, and construction of concrete paving and curbing as shown on the plans.

Along with alley construction, adjustment of manholes along the paved route, installation of an underground storm drain along 1st street, with inlet and outlet construction, and street and sidewalk construction along 1st street with ADA accessibility ramps.

The City of Fort Scott, Kansas will receive bids until 2:00 PM on August 12, 2021, at the Office of the City Clerk.

The scope of work may be examined at:
Fort Scott City Hall Agricultural Engineering Associates
Office of the City Clerk OR Frank Young ([email protected])
123 S. Main Street (620) 756-1000
Fort Scott, KS 66701

Copies of the proposed work may be obtained electronically by sending an email to: [email protected]

General Liability, Workers Compensation, and Automobile Liability will be required for this job as well as a performance bond.
The owner reserves the right to reject any or all bids.
CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS
Susan E. Bancroft, Acting City Clerk

Obituary

Obituary of Elsie Birdene Kelly

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Elsie Birdene Kelly, age 61, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at the Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.

She was born March 9, 1960, in Nevada, Missouri.  Throughout the years, Elsie had made her home in Ft. Scott as well as Ottawa and Quenemo, Kansas.  Elsie was a Registered Nurse and worked primarily at the Osage Nursing Center.  Elsie loved her family and was a devoted mother to her children.

 

Survivors include her five children, Janelsa Orozco (Rafael), of Sulphur Springs, Texas, Shannen Price, of Ottawa, Kansas, Michael Prock (Leodiaz), of Dallas, Texas, Matthew Prock (Belynda) of Ft. Scott, Kansas and Crystal Thurston (Jeremy), also of Ft. Scott.  Also surviving are her parents, several brothers and sisters as well as grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Anthony Kelly and her son, Gregory Price.

 

Following cremation, a memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, July 30th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Elsie Kelly Memorial 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.

Attachments area
COVID-19, Government, Kansas

CDC’s Updated Mask Guidance

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Governor Laura Kelly’s Statement Addressing the Updated CDC Guidance

TOPEKA – The following can be attributed to Governor Laura Kelly regarding the CDC’s updated mask guidance: 

“While we are still reviewing the new guidance and what it means for Kansas, this administration has consistently followed the recommendations from the experts at the CDC – and we don’t intend to stop. Right now Kansas is at a crossroads. The new Delta variant has caused COVID-19 to surge in our communities and some of our hospitals are moving towards capacity. The bad news is that parts of our state fall into the “hot spot” category for new cases, the good news is we have a vaccine to protect us from the virus that is safe, effective against severe illness, hospitalization and death, and free. I strongly urge every Kansan who isn’t vaccinated to get one right away. That is the best way to stop the spread of COVID in our state. For those who are vaccinated, I ask that you speak with your friends, neighbors, and loved ones who are unvaccinated and encourage them to get vaccinated to protect themselves and our state.”

Bourbon County Local News