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The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports May 26
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Obituary of Michael Johnson
Michael Louis “Pookie” Johnson, age 69, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Friday, May 22, 2020, at his home.
He was born October 18, 1950, in Kansas City, Kansas, the son of Donald Leroy Walker and Mary Louise Johnson.
He graduated from the Ft. Scott High School. He then attended Ft. Scott Community College and later attended Baker University on a football scholarship. He had worked for several years for Bourbon County. Pookie loved spending time with his family and playing cards with his friends.
Survivors include three sisters, Joyce Johnson, Glenda Kimani, and Diana Johnson, all of Ft. Scott and a special cousin, Cadillac McNack, also of Ft. Scott. Also surviving is a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Janice Ray and Barbara Wilburn and two infant brothers.
Private burial will take place on Friday, May 29th at the U. S. National Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Michael Johnson 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.
Resident Death at El Dorado Correctional Facility
TOPEKA, Kansas. – El Dorado Correctional Facility resident Bobby Edwards died on Sunday, May 24, 2020, at the correctional facility.
Edwards, 44, was pronounced dead by facility staff at approximately 2:15 a.m. The cause of death is pending an autopsy but is not believed to be COVID-19 related.
Per protocol when a resident dies in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC), the death is under investigation by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
Edwards was serving a 247-month sentence for a 2011 Sedgwick County conviction for Aggravated Robbery.
Bobby Edwards’ KDOC identification number is # 63488
The 1,955 bed El Dorado Correctional Facility opened in 1991 and was expanded in 1995 and 2001. The facility is designed for maximum- and medium-custody inmates and to serve as the Reception and Diagnostic Unit (RDU) for all adult males sentenced to KDOC. In RDU, residents receive orientation and are assigned to a custody classification, appropriate programs and a permanent housing assignment.
Reopen Kansas Framework Changes to Recommendations Tomorrow
As Governor Kelly’s Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas framework changes to a recommended guidance document tomorrow, the Local Health Officer of Allen, Anderson, Bourbon and Woodson Counties continues to recommend residents and businesses of these counties follow this guidance document through its entirety. The guidelines that were issued by SEK Multi-County Health Departments will be taken down tomorrow, as it took us through the first phase and now there are less restrictive guidelines in place, as well as other guidance now issued by multiple state boards, KDHE, CDC, etc.
The Local Health Officer urges the public to continue to take appropriate actions, by taking responsibility for themselves and their loved ones. Individuals should continue to practice social distancing, clean/disinfect any high touched surfaces, wash their hands with soap and water routinely, use hand sanitizer if soap and water is not available and avoid touching your face (especially eyes, nose & mouth).
Please remember if you have the symptoms to:
Call before going to a Clinic, Hospital, ER, or Health Department
Close contact means: 6 foot or less for 10 minutes or more, with a positive case.
If you are experiencing life threatening symptoms, PLEASE CALL 911.
For more information you may call the SEK Multi-County Health Department: Allen: (620)365-2191 Monday-Thursday 7:00am-5:30pm; Anderson: (785)448-6559 Monday-Thursday 7:00am-5:30pm ; Bourbon: (620)223-4464 Monday-Thursday 7:00am-5:30pm; Woodson (620)625-2484 Monday-Thursday 8:00am-5:00pm OR the COVID-19 Hotline: (866)534-3463.You may also visit the
COVID-19 Resource Center at: https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/OR Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Departments on Facebook for local updates.
Governor signs disaster declaration, calls for special session, warns of grave consequences to state without legislative action
Encourages Legislature to do what’s right to protect Kansans
TOPEKA – Today Governor Laura Kelly announced a series of actions her administration is taking to respond to the emergency situation COVID-19 currently presents to the economy and to public safety.
- After careful review, Kelly has vetoed House Bill 2054. This sweeping, hastily crafted legislation pushed through the Kansas Legislature last week includes provisions that will damage Kansas’ ability to respond to COVID-19 and all future disasters. The bill also weakens local county health officer authorities and adds unnecessary layers of bureaucracy to their emergency response efforts.
- Kelly has signed a new state disaster declaration to ensure that Kansas can effectively respond to the current emergency situation, which includes an unprecedented economic emergency and the imminent threat of new outbreaks of COVID-19, specifically regarding food supply. This will also ensure the state can continue its coordinated response with federal and state partners.
- Kelly has called a special session starting June 3. She has asked the Legislature to put politics aside, work with her, and deliver an emergency management bill that has been vetted, debated, is transparent and addresses the need to keep Kansans safe and healthy.
“As I’ve said from day one, the safety and well-being of Kansans is my number one priority. What the Legislature sent to my desk does not protect Kansans. It does not help Kansans. It puts their lives at risk,” Kelly said. “I’m calling on the Legislature to come back and put a carefully crafted, bipartisan bill on my desk that will provide the resources Kansans need, in a timely manner. We must stop putting Kansans at risk.”
The new state disaster declaration addressing the current emergency enables Kansas to provide the following services through the Kansas Division of Emergency Management, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Kansas National Guard and the federal government:
- Allows National Guard members supporting numerous field missions throughout the state to serve communities in response to the disaster and threat. To date, a total of 678 National Guard personnel are supporting these missions.
- Allows KDEM and National Guard to provide vital food support to communities and protect against threat of food supply shortages. Guard members have packed more than two million meals which are being distributed to food banks across Kansas.
- Allows KDEM and National Guard to swiftly provide medical and non-medical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to hospitals, first responders and many more to combat the imminent threat of COVID-19 surges. To date, over 7,000 cases of PPE have been delivered across the state, which includes 3.2 million individual pieces of PPE. More will be needed to address the imminent threat of new outbreaks.
- Allows KDEM to assist the Kansas Department of Corrections to provide support personnel – including medical and food preparation personnel.
- Allows KDEM to make deliveries of Remdesivir to counties across Kansas. So far, KDEM, along with their state agency partners which include the Kansas National Guard, Kansas Highway Patrol and Civil Air Patrol, have made 26 deliveries of Remdesivir to 10 counties. Remdesivir is delivered to hospitals to treat critical patients, and this service is potentially life-saving for those patients. KDEM makes these deliveries immediately when needed for patients throughout the state.
- Allows KDEM to continue providing non-congregate shelter for positive and exposed persons who are essential workers. There are currently 50 contracts related to non-congregate sheltering needed for the present disaster. Continuing to provide this support will mitigate the threat to the food supply and the threat of surges in COVID-19 infections.
- Allows medical workers and first responders to rely on the Battelle Critical Care Decontamination System to decontaminate their PPE. This system is provided by FEMA and continuing to provide this service will mitigate the threat of surges in COVID-19 infections.
- Allows KDEM to manage donations and warehouse space necessary to store PPE. This storage is necessary due to the threat of new COVID-19 outbreaks as statewide restrictions are lifted and the economy reopens.
- Allows KDHE to provide community-based testing under the State Emergency Response Plan. Increased testing will help the state mitigate the threat of, or respond to, future outbreaks and allows businesses, employees, and customers to resume economic activity with increased confident that outbreaks will be prevented or mitigated.
- Allows KDEM to continue transporting testing samples. KDEM has transported over 1,000 samples to state labs since April 29, 2020. By transporting the tests via KDEM couriers, the tests arrive at the lab the same date they are collected, and results are provided the following day. Without this same-day service, the results of the tests will be delayed and the ability to contact-trace will be severely limited, risking additional illness and death as well as economic insecurity.
- Allows KDEM to provide translation support. Currently, KDEM is providing 16 translators to support contact-tracing operations to mitigate the current and imminent threat of a new COVID-19 outbreak.
- Allows the Civil Air Patrol to continue to provide needed emergency transportation.
If the state disaster declaration is not extended by the Legislature within 15 days, the following significant problems will likely occur:
- Possible closure of meat processing plants;
- Inability to assist hog farmers with the euthanasia and disposal of excess hogs;
- The loss of unemployment benefits;
- Significant delay and possible frustration entirely of the economic recovery of the State;
- Reduced PPE inventory for healthcare workers and first responders;
- KDEM would be unable to receive, sort, package, and transport PPE and other commodities to health care workers and first responders;
- Food shortage and an inability of state agencies to provide the various food programs needed to assist Kansans;
- Reduced testing and a lack of timely test results;
- Inability to conduct contact-tracing missions;
- Increased outbreaks of COVID-19 in the prison population;
- Increased outbreaks of COVID-19 in nursing homes;
- Inability to service or transport ventilators or anesthesia machines;
- Inability to coordinate mission assignments or take emergency actions necessary to deal with issues related to the current disaster;
- No immunity for state employees or volunteers providing vital services;
- Inability to initiate and maintain the Kansas Response Plan; and
- Increased costs to the State of Kansas as a result of losing federal funding.
Under the new disaster declaration, the operative provisions of the following Executive Orders will be reissued:
- 20-08: Temporarily expanding telemedicine and addressing certain licensing requirements to combat the effects of COVID-19
- 20-12: Driver’s license and vehicle registration and regulation during public health emergency
- 20-13: Allowing certain deferred tax deadlines and payments during the COVID-19 pandemic
- 20-17: Temporary relief from certain unemployment insurance requirements in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
- 20-19: Extending professional and occupational licenses during the COVID-19 pandemic
- 20-20: Temporarily allowing notaries and witnesses to act via audio-video communication technology
- 20-23: Licensure, Certification, and Registration for persons and Licensure of “Adult Care Homes” during public health emergency
- 20-27: Temporarily suspending certain rules relating to sale of alcoholic beverages
- 20-32: Temporary relief from certain restrictions concerning shared work programs
- 20-33: Extending conditional and temporary relief from certain motor carrier rules and regulations in response to COVID-19
Milken Center Reopens June 4
Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes Scheduled to Re-Open June 4th.
The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes plans to re-open for tours on Thursday, June 4th. We will be following the State of Kansas guidelines for our re-opening. Until then we can be reached at 620-223-1312, [email protected], as well as through social media.
Our work continues and we invite you to follow us on social media for daily inspirational stories of Unsung Heroes.
We also invite you to take our virtual tour, read about Unsung Hero projects, learn how to enter our Discovery Award and ArtEffect Project competitions, and utilize our lesson plans and Unsung Hero curriculum.
Our work as a non-profit organization depends on donors like you. Your donations are important to us as we remain committed to providing educational resources which empower students to create positive change in their communities. Thank you for your support.
We look forward to re-opening and seeing you at the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes soon!
About the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes:
The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes works with students and educators across diverse academic disciplines to develop history projects that highlight role models who demonstrate courage, compassion and respect. Through our unique project-based learning approach, students discover, develop and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes who have made a profound and positive impact on the course of history. By championing these Unsung Heroes, students, educators and communities discover their own power and responsibility to effect positive change in the world. Visit www.lowellmilkencenter.org to learn more.
Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson
May 22, 2020
Session 2020 Ends May 21. A majority of the legislation remaining during the long layoff was stuffed into this last day of session. The session gaveled in at 8AM and ended 23 hours later. It seemed like there were 165 legislators with differing views as leadership was determining how to proceed.
As Senate tax chair I worked hard for over a year putting together a property tax bill that would stop the ever-increasing property appraisal values from automatically increasing your property taxes. It’s called property tax transparency, but it is more than that. Your property taxes can still be raised, but Conference Committee Report (CCR 2702) requires a vote by the governing body to do so. No more automatic property tax increases. I carried this important bill on the floor. It not only contained the property tax transparency, but the bill also removed penalties and interest on property and income taxes during the pandemic, and allows county treasurers the option to setup property tax payment plans.
While I was carrying the first bill of the day on the floor, the ranking from the minority party on the Senate Tax Committee introduced an amendment to freeze property taxes for low income seniors and disabled veterans, sometimes referred to as the Golden Years. This is good legislation as I amended the Golden Years into a bill that passed the Senate in 2019, but it was dead in the House. No matter how good the amendment, to add it would kill this important bill. We had just this one day to thread the needle of what would pass the Senate, the House, and the Governor. The ranking democrat just wanted what he called a postcard vote; a vote to send out postcards against legislators who voted no. He denied it on the floor but he is recorded before the debate saying he had amendments for ‘postcards’. The final bill passed the Senate 35 Yes to 2 No votes; the House 89 Yes and 28 No. It passed by super majority in both chambers. Now we wait to see what the Governor does; sign it to become law, allow it to become law without her signature, or veto?
Liability and Government Control CCR 2054 was a measured response to your concerns on government overreach, especially during the pandemic. The Governor ordered a second emergency declaration. The Attorney General’s position is that the Governor does not have legal authority for the second emergency declaration.
CCR 2054 would clarify the Governor’s authority, establishing that the Governor can issue another state-of-emergency with the support of six of eight legislative leaders on the State Finance Council (the Governor is a member with legislative leadership). CCR 2054 also gives county commissioners the authority to set their own parameters. They may decide if more or less stringent orders need to be issued and provide oversight to local county health officers. CCR 2054 establishes a process to get the $1.2 billion federal money where it is needed. It establishes liability protection from frivolous COVID-19 lawsuits, codifies the Governor’s orders on tele-health, licensing, and other helpful provisions during the shutdown. There will be an interim committee to study the need for all of these items long term, since the legislation expires in 2021. It passed with 27 Yes votes and 11 No in the Senate. I voted Yes.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
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Obituary of Susan Schnichels
Susan Kay Schnichels, age 68, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Saturday, May 23, 2020, at Yates Center Health and Rehab in Yates Center, KS.
She was born on September 18, 1951, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Donald and Betty Powell Wiggans.
She married Paul Morris, Sr. in 1974. They later divorced. She married Mark Schnichels on January 4, 1980. He preceded her in death on February 6, 2007.
Susan worked for Tri-Valley Developmental Center for 10 years. She loved spending time with her grandchildren.
Survivors include a son, Paul Morris, Jr., Ft. Scott; 3 daughters, Brandi Johnson, Yates Center; Kayla Schnichels, Ft. Scott, and Kara Schnichels, Pittsburg, KS; a step son, Mark Schnichels, Ft. Scott; 3 step daughers, Annette Blevins, Colorado, Frankie Kimmel, Iowa, and Sara Schnichels, Ft. Scott; her mother, Betty Wiggans, Ft. Scott; a sister, Carla Fowler and husband Mike, Ft. Scott; one brother, William Wiggans and wife Amy, Ft. Scott; 17 grandchildren; 13 step grandchildren; and 1 great grandchild.
She was preceded in death by a son, Richard Wiggans; 2 sisters, Mary Sampson and Dawnie Sharp; a granddaughter, Mia Johnson; and her father.
Graveside services will be held at 11:30 Tuesday, June 2nd, in the Clarksburg Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Care to Share 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.
Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting for Old Fort Auto June 4
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SEK COVID 19 Update
SEK Multi-County Health Departments
Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Allen County
| Current Positive Cases | 1 |
| Current Recovered Cases | 0 |
| Total Positives Since Testing | 1 |
| Deaths | 0 |
Anderson County
| Current Positive Cases | 0 |
| Current Recovered Cases | 1 |
| Total Positives Since Testing | 1 |
| Deaths | 0 |
Bourbon County
| Current Positive Cases | 1 |
| Current Recovered Cases | 5 |
| Total Positives Since Testing | 7 |
| Deaths | 1 |
Woodson County
| Current Positive Cases | 0 |
| Current Recovered Cases | 6 |
| Total Positives Since Testing | 6 |
| Deaths | 0 |
Recovered cases are based on dates of onset of symptoms, not on day testing results are received.
Quarantine If You Traveled to Lake of the Ozarks
KDHE recommends self-quarantine for Kansans who traveled to Lake of the Ozarks
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is recommending voluntary 14-day self-quarantine for those Kansans who traveled to Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, over the Memorial Day weekend and did not use protective measures, such as social distancing and face masks.
Over the holiday weekend, large crowds were reported at the Lake of the Ozarks with no protective practices being followed.
“The reckless behavior displayed during this weekend risks setting our community back substantially for the progress we’ve already made in slowing the spread of COVID-19,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary, said. “If you traveled to Lake of the Ozarks over the weekend, we urge you to act responsibly and self-quarantine to protect your neighbors, co-workers and family.”
While Lake of the Ozarks is not currently on the mandated travel list, KDHE urges those who traveled over the Memorial Day weekend to self-quarantine for 14 days upon return to Kansas.
A list of states on the mandated travel advisory is available at www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus.