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Government, Health Care

One Kansan Dead in Vaping Outbreak

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Health Officials Report Death in Vaping Related Lung Disease

 

Kansas health officials have confirmed the first death in the state associated with an outbreak of serious lung disease related to vaping or using e-cigarettes.

The recent death was a Kansas resident over the age of 50. According to Kansas State Epidemiologist Dr. Farah Ahmed, the patient had a history of underlying health issues and was hospitalized with symptoms that progressed rapidly.

The national investigation has not identified any specific vaping or e-cigarette products linked to all cases. Many patients report using vaping or e-cigarette products with liquids that contain cannabinoid products, such as tetrahydrocannabinol.

Kansas does not have detailed information on what types of products were used by the deceased.

“Our sympathies go out to the family of the person who died,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Health officials are working hard to determine a cause and share information to prevent additional injuries. As that work continues, I urge Kansans to be careful. Don’t put yourself in harm’s way, and please follow the recommendations of public health officials.”

Kansas State Health Officer and Secretary for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Dr. Lee Norman said health officials nationwide continue to work aggressively to gather information and determine what has caused these lung injuries.

“It is time to stop vaping.” Secretary Norman said. “If you or a loved one is vaping, please stop. The recent deaths across our country, combined with hundreds of reported lung injury cases continue to intensify. I’m extremely alarmed for the health and safety of Kansans who are using vaping products and urge them to stop until we can determine the cause of vaping related lung injuries and death.”

To date, Kansas has six reports associated with the outbreak. Three patients have been classified as confirmed or probable cases and three cases are still under investigation. State investigators determine if cases are confirmed or probable after examining the medical records of suspected cases and consulting with the clinical care team to exclude other possible cases.

To protect patient confidentiality, no further information will be provided regarding each of these cases.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with the addition of the Kansas report, is reporting 6 deaths and more than 450 possible cases of severe lung injury in 33 states and one jurisdiction.

While investigations into these cases continue, CDC is recommending people avoid vaping or using e-cigarettes.

Also, people with a history of vaping who are experiencing lung injury symptoms should seek medical care.

Nationally, symptoms among cases included shortness of breath, fever, cough, and vomiting and diarrhea. Other symptoms reported by some patients included headache, dizziness and chest pain.

For individuals wanting more information on how to quit tobacco products, please call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

Click below for more information:

http://www.kdheks.gov/vaping/index.htm.

 

Business, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Government

Federal Reserve Needs Distribution Partners

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The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City is looking for partners to help to distribute the National Small Business
Credit Survey
The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City is looking for small business and economic development organizations that will partner with us to help distribute the National Small Business Credit Survey. This survey is an important survey that assesses the credit and financing needs of the small businesses in the seven states we serve.
Organizations like yours have used this survey to determine the needs of the small businesses that they serve as well as an information resource for fundraising and grant writing.
The time commitment is minimal, requiring only your distribution of a survey link, specific to your organization, to small businesses in your network. All survey responses are anonymous.
Each organization that receives fifty responses from business owners will receive a specialized report exclusive to their organization.
The survey’s official launch date is September 10 and it will be open for responses through December 2.
The Federal Reserve System has recently moved to a centralized partner system to streamline the process.
If you are interested in partnering, please click here to fill out a response form.
If you are interested in learning more about small business research and analysis by the 12 Reserve Banks of the Federal Reserve System,
click hereto visit our
Federal Reserve System page
that houses all the past reports, data, and other information on the survey.
Thank you in advance for your partnership on this important survey.
Dell Gines
Senior Community Development Advisor
Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
Omaha Branch
Government, Health Care, Kansas

Kansas Youth Suicide Prevention

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State Agencies Join Together to Create Youth Suicide Prevention Resource

 

TOPEKA – In support of September as Suicide Prevention Month and National Suicide Prevention Week September 8-14, state agencies, along with the Kansas Attorney General’s Office, are releasing a unified resource that outlines actions that all Kansans can take to protect and empower youth.

 

“Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Kansans age 15 to 24 and it is the third leading cause of death for youth ages 5 to 14 – this is unacceptable,” said Dr. Lee Norman, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). “Every one of us has a role to play, whether you’re a friend, parent, community member or school employee. We need to come together to help our youth.”

The resources, which can be found online, identify actions that everyone can take. The agencies involved in its creation include: KDHE, the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, the Kansas Department for Children and Families, Kansas State Department of Education and the Kansas Attorney General’s Office, in collaboration with the Kansas Suicide Prevention Resource Center.

“As we mark National Suicide Prevention Week, I want to commend the work of all the agencies involved in creating the tip sheets as resources for Kansans and look forward to working closely together as we lead a collaborative effort to strengthen the overall Kansas response to youth suicide,” said Gina Meier-Hummel, Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator for the Kansas Attorney General’s Office.

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

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Resource Link: http://kdheks.gov/media/download/Suicide_Prevention_Tip_Sheet_2.0.pdf

 

Elections, Government, Kansas

Mann Runs For Congress

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Former Lt. Governor Tracey Mann Announces Candidacy for Congress
Mann announces his campaign to bring conservative values
and a voice for Kansas agriculture to Washington 

(SALINA, KS) – Former Lt. Governor and fifth generation Kansan, Tracey Mann, today announced his candidacy for Kansas’ First Congressional District.

“America faces urgent threats to our freedom. While President Trump is doing his best to right the ship, too many Washington politicians want to redefine our founding values and ideals. Socialism is on the rise. Efforts to impose government-run health care, increase taxes, restrict religious freedom and erode the Second Amendment are part of the same agenda. America needs leaders who will stand up to meet this challenge and fight to protect our founding beliefs,” Mann said.

“I was raised by wonderful parents on our family farm where I learned the values of hard work, perseverance and service. I recognize that to whom much is given much is required. When I served as Jerry Moran’s first intern I never imagined I would be the 50th Lt. Governor of Kansas. I believe that every generation of Americans has a responsibility to leave our country better off and stronger than how we found it. This is our moment to step up and serve,” Mann said.

Tracey Mann plans to run on a platform of bringing Kansas values and a voice for Kansas agriculture to Washington. The father of four beautiful children, Tracey is strongly pro-life and pro-Second Amendment. Raised on a family farm in Quinter, Kansas, Tracey learned first-hand the value of hard work and how important it is that Washington stays out of the way of Kansas producers. Tracey supports President Trump’s efforts to build the wall and curb illegal immigration.

“I will fight to restore fiscal discipline in Congress and will support sound agricultural policy. My experience in agriculture and business has taught me that politicians don’t create jobs; risk-takers and entrepreneurs create jobs. In Congress, I will do everything in my power to help job creators succeed. But above all, I will put Kansans and our Kansas values first.”

Tracey Mann served as the 50th Lt. Governor of the great state of Kansas. A fifth generation Kansan, he was born and raised on his family farm just south of Quinter.

He attended Kansas State University where he studied Agricultural Economics and was elected Student Body President. After college, Tracey started a career in commercial real estate.

Tracey has served on the Board of Directors of many Kansas organizations including: Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership (KARL), Kansas Chamber of Commerce, and The City Teen Center in Salina.

Tracey and his wife Audrey live in Salina with their 4 children (Quincy, Austin, Whitney and Elise).

Government, Kansas

Tax Reform Executive Order

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Governor Kelly issues Executive Order launching Governor’s Council on Tax Reform

 

 

Governor Laura Kelly today signaled the start of a comprehensive overview of state and local taxes by issuing Executive Order 19-11, which outlines her vision for establishment of a fiscally responsible, fair and sustainable tax structure.

 

The Governor’s Council on Tax Reform will conduct an 18-month, in-depth study, and make specific statutory recommendations to state lawmakers.

 

The first meeting of the full Council is set for Sept. 24-25 at the Statehouse.

 

“While Kansas continues to recover from the tax experiment of the prior administration, there’s a need for tax reform designed with adequacy, equity and stability in mind,” Governor Kelly said. “I expect the bipartisan Council to deliver sound strategies and reforms that reflect my desire to keep the state tax burden as low as possible, benefiting all Kansans.”

 

The governor recommends a return to the “three-legged stool” approach that relies on a sensible balance of income, sales and property tax revenue.

 

The Council will review aspects of state and local finances discussed in the 2019 legislative session as they relate to issues such as: how best to respond to federal tax law changes; the taxation of groceries as part of sales tax revenue; and how to best provide targeted property tax relief. The Council also is charged with determining how much room will be available in future budget projections for tax relief.

 

The governor selected a pair of former legislators she served with in the Kansas Senate to be co-chairs for her bipartisan Council on Tax Reform; Steve Morris, Republican from Hugoton, and Janis Lee, Democrat from Kensington. Morris served 20 years in the Senate, including eight as Senate president. Lee logged 22 years in the Senate, served as ranking Democrat on the Senate’s tax committee and later was a hearing officer for the Kansas Court of Tax Appeals.

 

“Steve and Janis understand how important it is to ensure that our tax code supports public investment in areas such as education, public safety and infrastructure needed to help Kansas prosper,” Kelly said.

 

Other members of the Council appointed by the governor include representatives of the business community, agriculture, economic development and governmental entities.

 

Also invited to participate were the following legislative leaders: Republicans Susan Wagle, Senate president, and Ron Ryckman, House speaker; and Democrats Anthony Hensley, Senate minority leader, and Tom Sawyer, House minority leader.

 

Following the first meeting of the Council Sept. 24-25, subsequent meetings in 2019 are set for Oct. 15-16, Nov. 14 and Dec. 3-4.

 

An interim report by the Council is planned for December 2019, in advance of the 2020 legislative session. A final report is due in December 2020, in advance of the 2021 legislative session.

 

COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP

 

Kansas County Treasurers Association: Joe Grisolano, Pittsburg; Crawford County treasurer, former county appraiser and school board member.

 

Kansas Association of School Boards: Shannon Kimball, Lawrence; school board member and president of the Kansas Association of School Boards.

 

Kansas Association of Counties: Anthony Swartzendruber, Hesston, Harvey County administrator

 

Kansas League of Municipalities: Susan Sherman, Olathe, assistant city manager of Olathe.

 

Business, Economic Development or Agricultural Communities (4):

  • Dennis Hays, Kansas City, Kan., former county administrator for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/KCK, currently principal at Hays and Associates, LLC.
  • Larry Weians, Lenexa, vice president of finance for Sprint
  • Lon Frahm, Colby, CEO of Frahm Farmland, Inc.
  • Carl Brewer, Wichita, retired operations manager at Spirit AeroSystems, former mayor of Wichita

 

Additional members:

  • Duane Goossen, Topeka, former state budget director, secretary of administration, member of the Kansas House
  • Audrey Langworthy, Prairie Village, former state senator who served as chair of the Senate Tax Committee.
  • John Wilson, Lawrence, Kansas Action for Children vice president of advocacy and former Kansas House of Representatives member

 

Agencies (all ex-officio members):

  • Mark Burghart or designee — Secretary of Revenue
  • David Toland or designee — Secretary of Commerce
  • Larry Campbell or designee — state budget director
  • Julie Lorenz or designee — Secretary of Transportation

 

Legislative leaders (invited):

  • Susan Wagle, Wichita, Senate president
  • Ron Ryckman, Olathe, House speaker
  • Anthony Hensley, Topeka, Senate minority leader
  • Tom Sawyer, Wichita, House minority leader

 

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Fort Scott Sidewalk Sale Sept. 14

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MERCHANT MADNESS SIDEWALK SALE

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Merchant Madness Sidewalk Sale will take place Saturday, September 14th. From 9 am to 5 pm, eleven downtown retailers will have sales set up in front of their stores with deals and special drawings.

Participating merchants include Bids & Dibs, Books & Grannies (inside), Country Cupboard, Hedgehog.INK, Iron Star Antiques & Such, J & W Sports Shop, Main St. Gallery & Gifts, Mayco Ace Hardware, Sunshine Boutique, Trader Dave’s, and Treasure Hunt Flea Market.

The Merchant Madness Sidewalk Sale will take place in conjunction with other Fort Scott events this weekend including the Fall Town-wide Garage Sale and the Art in the Yard Festival. More information on all community events may be found on fortscott.com/events or by contacting the Chamber at 620-223-3566.

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Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Steps for Improving Fescue Lawn Quality

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Krista Harding
District Extension Agent, Horticulture
Southwind Extension District
111 S. Butler
Erie, KS 66733
Office: 620-244-3826
Cell: 620-496-8786

 

Above normal rainfall this year meant one thing – the lawn mowers have never stopped running! Our fescue lawns did not go dormant this year and the crabgrass hasn’t slowed down either. You might be surprised at how much of your lawn is actually crabgrass and not fescue. If you are thinking about renovating your lawn, September is the time to do it. Renovating doesn’t have to be done by plowing under the current turf and starting from scratch. Instead, lawns can be thickened up by overseeding.

To start the overseeding process, mow the grass short (1-1.5 inches) and remove the clippings. This will make it easier to get good seed-soil contact and increase the amount of light that will reach the young seedlings. The success of overseeding is dependant on good seed-soil contact. Thatch can prevent the seed from reaching the soil and germinating. If the thatch layer is ¾ inch or more, use a sod cutter to remove it. A power rake can also be used to reduce a thatch layer.

Next, the soil should be prepared for the seed. Holes must be made into the soil for the seeds to fall into. A verticut machine can be used. It has solid vertical blades that can be set to cut furrows into the soil. Another option is to use a core aerator. This machine will punch holes into the soil and deposit the cores on the surface of the ground. Each hole will produce an excellent environment for seed germination and growth. Machines to do such work can often be rented, so check around.

Fertilizer should then be applied at the rate suggested by a soil test or a starter fertilizer should be used at the rate suggested on the bag.

Seeding is the next step. For overseeding, use half the amount needed compared to seeding bare ground. For tall fescue, the normal rate for bare seeding is 6 to 8 pounds per 1000 square feet so the overseeding rate would be 3 to 4 pounds per 1000 square feet. You don’t necessarily have to overseed with the same variety you planted before. The quality of a lawn by can be raised by overseeding with a fescue variety that has better growth habits. Many stores carry blends of several newer high-quality tall fescues.

Finally, water everything in and then keep the seedbed constantly moist to insure rapid germination. Frequent light waterings are better than deeper, infrequent watering as the seedlings become established.

Fertilize with a high nitrogen fertilizer again 4 to 6 weeks after seeding to keep plants growing well and to build up food reserves.

On a side note, many homeowners often want to overseed bare spots under trees, but have minimal luck. The turf will sprout as fall progresses and will get established by winter. It continues to look good going into spring. However, the next summer it begins to die out again – despite any care it is given.

In many cases, this is due to too much shade or the type of turf planted isn’t a good fit for the location. Tall fescue is the only widely used lawn turf in Kansas that can survive some shade. All other cool and warm season turfs need more sunlight.

Instead of establishing grass under trees, consider underplanting the tree with shade tolerant ornamental plants. Examples include ground covers such as vinca minor vines, Boston ivy or liriope, or plants such as hostas or hardy ferns.

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Obituary

Obituary of Lorna L. Carlton

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Lorna Lucy Carlton

Lorna L. Carlton, age 103, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died early Friday, September 6, 2019, at Guest Home Estates in Ft. Scott.

She was born January 14, 1916, in Osborne, KS, the daughter of Laurence Edward Heywood and Annie Stephens Heywood, both born and raised in England.

She married Homer Mix in 1938. They divorced after 20 years. She married Hubert Carlton in June of 1982 and moved to Ft. Scott. He preceded her in death in August of 1989.

She worked for Western Insurance Co. for 17 years. Lorna transferred her membership in the Bronson United Methodist Church to First United Methodist Church in Ft. Scott. Over the years she played the piano, sang, taught Sunday school, provided food and much more. She played piano for Senior Swingers Band for 19 years, helped with congregate meals, and was a member of Marmaton Valley Fiddlers and Pickers. Lorna was a member of Eastern Star and Pioneer Harvest Fiesta.

Survivors include a sister, Coral Face, Dewey, AZ;  four grandchildren, Alisa, Curtis, Ron and Matt; several great-grandchildren; and a nephew, Jim Gardner.

She was preceded in death by a son, Curtis Roy Mix; a daughter, Cristine Deer; and four sisters, Norma Cheney, Jessie Gardner, Daisy Heywood, and Lily Knight.

There was cremation. Rev. Steve Cole will conduct memorial services at 11:00 AM Saturday, September 14th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Eastern Star services will be provided.

Private family burial will take place at a later date in the Bronson Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Pioneer Harvest Fiesta 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.