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Algae Advisory For Kansas Lakes
Public Health Advisories for Kansas Lake Due to Blue-Green Algae
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has issued several public health advisories for Kansas lakes due to blue-green algae.
Active Advisories
Warning
Herington Reservoir (New City Lake), Dickinson County
Gathering Pond at Milford, Geary County
Milford Lake Zone C, Geary County
Harvey County East Lake, Harvey County (upgraded 7/15)
Altamont City Lake “Idle Hour” Main Lake, Labette County (upgraded 7/15)
Big Hill Lake, Labette County
Marion Reservoir, Marion County
Webster Reservoir, Rooks County
Jerry Ivey Pond, Saline County
Big Eleven Lake, Wyandotte County
Watch
Brown State Fishing Lake, Brown County (downgraded 7/15)
Mission Lake Horton, Brown County
Herington City Lake (Old Lake), Dickinson County
Geary State Fishing Lake, Geary County (new)
Milford Lake Zones A and B, Geary County
Horsethief Reservoir, Hodgeman County
South Lake, Johnson County
Altamont City Lake “Idle Hour” North Lake, Labette County (new)
Linn Valley Lake, Linn County
Marion County Lake, Marion County
Melvern Outlet Pond, Osage County
Overbook City Lake, Osage County
Agra City Lake, Phillips County
Atwood Township Lake, Rawlins County
River Pond below Tuttle Reservoir, Riley County (new)
Advisories Lifted 7/15/21
Atchison County State Fishing Lake, Atchison County
When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:
- Lake water is not safe to drink for pets or livestock.
- Lake water, regardless of blue-green algae status, should never be consumed by humans.
- Water contact should be avoided.
- Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water and only the fillet portion is consumed, while all other parts are discarded.
- Do not allow pets to eat dried algae.
- If lake water contacts skin, wash with clean water as soon as possible.
- Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation.
A watch means that blue-green algae have been detected and a harmful algal bloom is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water.
During the watch status, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:
- Signage will be posted at all public access locations.
- Water may be unsafe for humans/animals.
- Avoid areas of algae accumulation and do not let people/pets eat dried algae or drink contaminated water.
- Swimming, wading, skiing and jet skiing are discouraged near visible blooms.
- Boating and fishing are safe. However, inhalation of the spray may affect some individuals. Avoid
direct contact with water, and wash with clean water after any contact.
- Clean fish well with potable water and eat fillet portion only.
KDHE investigates publicly-accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on credible field observation and sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.
Signs of a possible bloom include if there is scum, a paint-like surface or the water is bright green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.
For information on blue-green algae and reporting potential harmful algal blooms, please visit www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/index.htm.
Evergy schedules conference call to discuss 2nd quarter results
Kansas City, MO – July 15, 2021 – Evergy, Inc. (NYSE: EVRG) announced today it will release its 2021 second quarter earnings Thursday, August 5, 2021, before market open. The company plans to host its quarterly conference call and audio webcast to discuss the results Thursday, August 5, 2021.
Event: Evergy Q2 2021 Conference Call and Webcast
Date: August 5, 2021
Time: 8:00 a.m. Eastern (7:00 a.m. Central)
Location: 1) Phone conference call at (888) 353-7071, conference ID 3065454, or
2) Log on to the webcast at investors.evergy.com
In conjunction with the earnings release and conference call, the company plans to post on its website supplemental financial information related to second quarter 2021 performance. The materials will be available under Supplemental Materials in the Investors section of the company website at investors.evergy.com.
A replay of the conference call will be available from about 1 p.m. Eastern, August 5, through August 12, 2021, at (855) 859-2056, conference ID 3065454.The replay will be available on the Evergy website at investors.evergy.com.
About Evergy, Inc.
Evergy, Inc. (NYSE: EVRG), provides clean, safe and reliable energy to 1.6 million customers in Kansas and Missouri. The 2018 combination of KCP&L and Westar Energy to form Evergy created a leading energy company that provides value to shareholders and a stronger company for customers.
Evergy’s mission is to empower a better future. Today, half the power supplied to homes and businesses by Evergy comes from emission-free sources, creating more reliable energy with less impact to the environment. We will continue to innovate and adopt new technologies that give our customers better ways to manage their energy use.
For more information about Evergy, Inc., visit us at www.evergy.com.
Increased COVID-19 Cases; Increased Demand For COVID-19 Testing
7/15/2021
With an increased demand for COVID-19 testing, CHC/SEK would like to remind patients to call ahead for an appointment to their local clinic before arriving for testing.
In most cases, patients should remain in their car unless instructed otherwise. Most tests will be conducted at a designated parking space at the clinic.
CHC/SEK is seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases across southeast Kansas and its Miami, OK Clinic. With the rise in positive cases, hospitalizations are on the increase, and Crawford County has seen COVID deaths in the past 2 weeks.
This increase in viral activity is attributed to the delta variant, making its way across the country and almost exclusively affecting unvaccinated individuals.
While many of the current COVID cases display the classic symptoms of COVID-19, other patients are experiencing “sinus complaints” and body aches or mild upper respiratory complaints.
CHC/SEK recommends anyone with symptoms get tested.
To protect other patients and staff members, patients experiencing COVID-related symptoms are asked wear a mask upon entering the clinic.
COVID-19 symptoms can include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea.
About 80-90% of new cases, 95% of hospitalizations, and 98% of deaths are in unvaccinated (or not fully vaccinated) individuals, according to Dr. Linda Bean, Chief Medical Officer at CHC/SEK.
“The threat of COVID is still as real as it was last year, but the difference this year is that it is preventable, she says. “Vaccines are readily available, and there is still time to have our school-age students twelve years and older vaccinated by the start of school.”
All CHC/SEK clinics have COVID-19 vaccines available, and there is never a cost for the recipient. Vaccinations are available on a walk-in basis or by appointment.
Dr. Bean noted that it is still possible (though less likely) to get COVID even if you have been vaccinated and this does not mean that the vaccine has failed.
“The primary goal of the vaccine is to reduce transmission, serious illness, and death – to date, the vaccines are very effective, even against the current variants,” she says.
There are a lot of myths and misconceptions circulating regarding the COVID-19 vaccines, Bean says. “We encourage anyone who has questions to call us. We have very knowledgeable people who would be would be happy to address those concerns.”
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KDHE amends COVID travel quarantine list
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Obituary of Stephen Riley
Stephen Kent Riley, age 79, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at St. Luke’s South Hospital, Overland Park, KS. He was born May 17, 1942, in Ft. Scott, the son of Harlan Lindsey Riley and Thelma Marie Ruby Riley.
He married Sue Ellen Hicks on May 9, 1979, in Ft. Scott. Steve worked as a tuck pointer by trade for 61 years until retirement.
He loved to fish, hunt, and be outdoors.
He was a member of the Rinehart Christian Church.
Survivors include his wife Sue of the home; five daughters, Sheila Hudson, Nevada, MO; Christina Strickland (Jerome), Carthage, MO; Jamie Lynn Riley (Anthony), Nevada, MO; Dawn Solko (Barry) Mesa, AZ; and Stephanie Harrison, Nevada, MO; a sister, Tina Lane (Darrel), Leavenworth, KS; nine grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Nancy Hess; and a brother, Gus Rohnke.
Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct funeral services at 10:00 AM Saturday, July 17th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Steve Riley Memorial Fund 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.
Beat The Heat Shopping July 16-17
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Obituary of Mae Mowen
Mae Mowen, age 97, a former resident of Shawnee, Kansas and Ft. Scott, Kansas, and more recently of Loveland, Colorado, passed away Monday, July 12, 2021, at her home in Colorado.
She was born May 14, 1924, in Beaver, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Harry Steffler and Pauline Bell Jamison Steffler. She married Wilbur Eugene Mowen on July 22, 1944, at Monaca, Pennsylvania.
Following her husband’s military service, the couple settled in the Kansas City area. Both Mae and Wilbur were employed for over thirty years with the Nazarene Publishing House. Mae’s official job was receptionist, but she performed various duties and filled many roles while at the publishing house. She was a longtime member of the Shawnee Church of the Nazarene. Mae shared her musical talents with the church in various ways. She enjoyed crocheting and made several elaborate pieces that her family will treasure.
Survivors include her three children, Jeanne Lynch (Jim), of Loveland, Colorado, Wilbur Mowen, Jr. (Patricia), of Ft. Scott, Kansas and Richard Mowen (Leta), of Shawnee, Kansas and nine grandchildren, Janice, Julie, James, Andrew, Jessica, Brent, Jeff, David and Sally and a host of great and great-great-grandchildren.
Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbur E. Mowen, Sr. on November 18, 2020. She was also preceded by an infant son, Ned Mowen, her parents and six brothers and sisters.
Rev. Jaren Rowell will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, July 20th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to Halcyon Hospice 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.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports July 15
FS Commission Budget Work Session July 15 at 6 p.m.
The Fort Scott City Commission will meet tonight, Thursday, July 15, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Commission Meeting Room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas to hold a work session to discuss the 2022 budget.
This meeting is open to the public, but no action will be taken.
KDA Seeks Nominations for Kansas Ag Heroes
MANHATTAN, Kansas — At last summer’s Ag Growth Summit, the Kansas Department of Agriculture kicked off a new recognition program to honor outstanding Kansans: Kansas Ag Heroes. Nominations are now open for the second year of the program, and KDA anticipates new stories of outstanding service from across the Kansas agriculture community.
Kansas Ag Heroes was established as a way to recognize those in the agriculture industry who went above and beyond to serve others and better their community when it was needed most. KDA encourages Kansans to nominate any individual, family, or business in Kansas agriculture which you feel provided a notable contribution to the agriculture industry or their community as a whole this year. Nominations will be accepted through August 13. The nomination instructions can be found at www.agriculture.ks.gov/AgHeroes.
KDA leadership will review each nomination and will recognize a select number of agriculture heroes during the Kansas Governor’s Summit on Agricultural Growth in Manhattan on August 26.
For questions about the Kansas Agricultural Heroes Program nomination process, please contact Brittney Grother at 785-564-6797 or Brittney.Grother@ks.gov.
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KDA Seeks Nominations for 2021 Kansas Ag Heroes.pdf
2019 Kansas Health Risk Behaviors Report Published
State Officials Release Annual Survey Results
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has released the results from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS).
“The overall goal of the BRFSS is to provide Kansas-specific data that are used for monitoring the leading contributors to morbidity and premature death, tracking health status and assessing trends, measuring public knowledge, attitudes and opinions, public health program planning and evaluation as well as policy development,” said Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary.
Results of the 2019 survey show the rate of obesity in Kansas is over 35 percent, and higher among those with diabetes or living with a disability. Over 27 percent of Kansans did not take part in any leisure-time physical activity. Also, more than 16 percent of Kansans smoke cigarettes, with much higher rates of smoking among those with an annual household income of $15,000 or less. Obesity and smoking are significant contributors to chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease. Behavioral changes to reduce obesity and smoking can reduce the burden of such chronic diseases.
Additional highlights from the 2019 BRFSS data include:
- 6% have health care coverage
- 2% with a personal doctor
- 9% were ever diagnosed with depression.
- 6% consumed fruit at least once per day.
- 1% consumed vegetables at least once per day.
- 8% were diagnosed with diabetes
- 6% were diagnosed with some form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus or fibromyalgia.
- 5% were diagnosed with hypertension.
- 9% were tested and diagnosed with high cholesterol.
“BRFSS gives us an in-depth look into many health behaviors,” Julie Sergeant, PhD, Bureau of Health Promotion, Director of the Kansas BRFSS program, said. “Having data to use helps us shape the efforts of many state health programs and to partner with Kansans to improve their health.”
The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), which is coordinated and partially funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is the largest continuously conducted telephone survey in the world. It is conducted in every state, the District of Columbia, and several United States territories. Conducted in 2019-2020, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) completed its 29th BRFSS Survey to guide the state’s health activities. The survey is conducted year-round.
Answers to commonly asked questions can be found on our website www.kdheks.gov/bhp/HealthRiskStudies/ksbrf/index.htm or call toll free at 1-866-445-1429. The complete 2019 Health Risk Behaviors of Kansans Report is available for download at www.kdheks.gov/brfss/PDF/2019_Kansas_BRFSS_Report.pdf.