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Government, Kansas

Kansas Newborn Screening Program Expands

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New screen for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) added

 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s (KDHE) Kansas Newborn Screening Program (KS-NBS) began screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) on February 1. The Kansas Newborn Screening Program (KS-NBS) strives to protect and improve the health of all newborn Kansans. With one small blood sample, more than 30 life-altering and life-threatening disorders will be detected. These are completely undetectable at birth without this screening. Nearly 35,000 Kansas babies receive the newborn screen shortly after birth each year.

 

“We are very excited to be able to add SMA to our screening process and directly impact the health and future of our youngest Kansans,” said Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary.

 

SMA is a disease affecting the motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem. By limiting infant’s physical strength, SMA can take away the ability to walk, eat or breathe. Approximately 1 out of every 11,000 newborns is diagnosed with SMA. About 1 in every 50 Americans is a genetic carrier for SMA.   SMA was added to the federal Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP) for newborn screening in 2018. Evidence shows that early diagnosis and treatment leads to better outcomes.

 

“Since 2016, we have safe, effective and FDA-approved treatments that are dramatically changing the natural history of this disease,” says Dr. Britton Zuccarelli, a pediatric neurologist in Salina and a member of the Advisory Council for Newborn Screening. “Affected children are achieving motor and other milestones we never would have anticipated based on the severity type and are living to ages without invasive respiratory support that are unprecedented in this condition.  With over a dozen other investigational drugs in the SMA pipeline, our options for treatment for this rare neurological condition are only going to continue to grow, and early recognition is paramount.  With 1/40 to 1/60 of us Kansans being carriers of this disease, newborn state screening is important and will change the lives of babies, children, adults and families across Kansas.”

 

For more information on Kansas’s Newborn Screening Program, visit: www.kdheks.gov/newborn_screening/index.html.

Government, Kansas

Tax Collections Above Estimates

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January’s compensating use tax collections come in 26.9% higher than January FY 2019

 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Revenue begins the FY 2020 third quarter with total tax receipts above estimates and above the same month of last fiscal year. Total tax collections came in at $725.5 million, $59.7 million or 9.0% more than estimated. This is $79.3 million or 12.3% more than January of FY 2019.

 

Retail sales tax collections were $220.8 million; $8.8 million or 4.2% more than estimated. Compensating use tax collections saw a 26.9% increase compared to the same month last fiscal year with $52.6 million in collections. This is $7.6 million or 16.8% more than estimated.

 

This increase can be attributed to online shopping trends and the increase in the number of remote retailers registering to collect and remit the compensating use tax that is due and owed to the state.

 

Individual income tax collections were $408.7 million; $38.7 million or 10.5% more than estimated. Those collections are $56.9 million more than the same month last fiscal year. Corporate income tax collections were $21.3 million; $3.3 million or 18.6% more than estimated.

Bourbon County, Business, Government

Bourbon County Commission Meets Feb. 4 and Feb. 11

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The Bourbon County Commissioners will have a meeting on February 11th at FSCC in the Ellis auditorium from 6– 7:30 pm for a wind farm discussion.

Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: February 4, 2020

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

9:00-9:45 – Jim Harris

9:45-10:15 – City of Fort Scott (Robert Uhler & Susan Bancroft), Executive Session-Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

11:00-11:15 – Justin Meeks, EMS

11:15-11:30 – Justin Meeks, Executive Session-Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

1:30-1:45 – Jeff Fischer, Windfarm impact on BBCO property tax goals

2:00-2:15 – Tim Emerson, Windfarm

2:15-2:30 – Kim Simons, Windfarm

Bourbon County, Schools, Sports

UHS Basketball Teams Sweep Jayhawk-Linn

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by Adelay Martin, UHS Student Sports Media Reporter

The Uniontown Eagles and the Jayhawk-Linn Jayhawks played at Uniontown Tuesday, January 28. Both Varsity teams won against them, as did the JV teams.

The girls’ Varsity beat the Jayhawks 52 to 35. Danielle Howard and Karleigh Schoenberger once more lead in points, earning the team 16 and 22 points respectively. Howard also had 6 assists and 8 steals. Sammie Hampton garnered 8 points and 4 rebounds. Breleigh Harris had 3 steals. Coach Miller said, “Proud of these girls in their effort in winning all 4 quarters of this ball game. We will get back to work tomorrow and prepare for another home game this Friday against Crest.”

The boys also beat Jayhawk tonight with a score of 43 to 38. Jake Harvey scored 13 points and made 3 of his 6 three-point shots. He also had 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 6 steals. Luke George scored 11 points and Luke Perry scored 9 points. Hunter Schaaf had 7 rebounds and 2 assists. “I thought we played well defensively against Jayhawk,” Coach Hays said. “Our defense kept us in the game the first half. We were able to come out in the second half and make a few shots which helped us build a lead. We need to continue to work hard and improve because we have some big league games coming up.” Korbin Miller, who usually plays for the JV team, commented, “They played really well on defense, and our shots started falling toward the end of the game.”

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda Feb. 3

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: February 3, 2020

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

10:30 – (Commissioners, Justin Meeks & Jayhawk Wind) Executive Session – Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

Government, Health Care

 Tests Negative for 2019 Novel Coronavirus Patient

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TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is reporting that a Person Under Investigation (PUI) from Douglas County who was being tested for the novel (new) 2019 coronavirus is not infected with the virus. Negative results were received today after testing was performed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

“We are pleased that test results were negative and that the patient remains in good health. He had been released from LMH Health and was in a monitored, isolated living space following CDC guidelines,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary, said. “He will now be able to resume his normal routine, and there is no risk to the public.”

KDHE continues to work with CDC and local partners to detect and respond to any possible cases that might occur in Kansas in the future. In this instance, Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department played a key role in assisting the state.

“Local, state and federal public health partners plan, prepare and drill for these types of events,” Dr. Farah Ahmed, KDHE State Epidemiologist, said. “Our healthcare and public health infrastructure works hard every day to protect the public from infectious and contagious diseases, and we learn from these responses so we can continue to improve.”  

Coronavirus infections initially were diagnosed in Wuhan City, China, and have since been reported in travelers from this city to other locations in China and other countries including the United States. No cases have been confirmed in Kansas.

At this time of year, respiratory illnesses are most likely due to infection with influenza or other viruses that cause the common cold. It’s important to take precautions to be protected from these infections, including washing your hands, avoiding touching your face and getting an annual flu shot.

If you recently traveled to Hubei Province, China, and developed fever with respiratory symptoms within 14 days of your travel, or have had contact with someone who is suspected to have 2019 novel coronavirus, stay home and call your healthcare provider. For additional information on the 2019 novel coronavirus, you may visit our website at http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/index.htm or you may call the KDHE phone bank at 1-866-534-3463 (1-866-KDHEINF) on Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m.

For more information about 2019 novel coronavirus, visit CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html.

Obituary

Obituary of Ashley Kline

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Ashley Jodel Kline, age 36, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly Friday, January 31, 2020, at her home. 

She was born September 17, 1983, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Thomas Applegate and Debby Lee Applegate. 

She married Robert Kline on October 9, 2010, at Miami, Oklahoma.  In earlier years, Ashley had worked for Tri-Valley, but above all, she was a devoted mother to her two daughters.  In addition to spending time with her family, she enjoyed shopping and watching the Food Network.  She was a fan of the Pioneer Woman and had recently made a trip to visit her place in Oklahoma.  

Survivors include her husband, Robert, and her two daughters, Rylee and Payton.  Also surviving are two brothers, Keith Applegate and wife, Trish, of Chanute, Kansas and Mark King and wife, Michelle, of Moscow, Tennessee and a sister, Marie Lemmon and husband, Mike, of Branson, Missouri and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Ellen Larsen, of Ft. Scott and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Debby Applegate and two brothers, David and Mason Unruh.  

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, February 5th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

  Following services, there will be cremation. 

Memorials are suggested to the Ashley Kline 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.

Opinion

The Fall by Pastor James Collins

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“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:24

I am blessed that the Lord moved me to Fort Scott. I love the people, the beauty, the history, and the excitement of building a church for the Lord Jesus Christ. I love Southeast Kansas. But I don’t like the weather. It tends to get cold here. Very cold.

This past week, it was so cold, the local politicians had their hands in their own pockets.

It was so cold, I had to wave a blowtorch in front of my nose so I could sneeze.

It was so cold, we had to chop up the piano for firewood, but we only got two chords.

Because of all the ice and snow, schools were closed Wednesday. Our church was also closed. However, instead of working from home, I decided to go to my office at the church. My old truck has 4-wheel-drive. So, I didn’t have too much trouble getting to work. However, when I stepped out onto the church parking lot, my feet went flying out from under me, and I landed full force on my back.

The sensation was strange. I had no air. I needed air, but I couldn’t breathe. Finally, after long moments of laying on my back gasping, I was able to inhale.

Why does that happen when you get the wind knocked out of you? It would seem that the body would immediately desire to fill the vacuum, but it takes long, agonizing moments before you can breathe normally.

The same thing could be said about Holy Air. When you take a spiritual fall and force the Holy Spirit’s fullness from your life, it would seem that your spiritual being would immediately move to invite Him back. Unfortunately, many times, a long agonizing period goes by before you surrender to His filling you afresh.

Last Sunday, I fell. Oh, I didn’t physically fall like I did on Wednesday. Instead, I had a spiritual fall. A man raised his voice at me after church because he was upset over something trivial. When he raised his voice, I reacted badly. I got mad. I screamed at him and walked away. I have been mad ever since. I am not mad at him. I am mad at myself. I should have handled the situation differently. I should have controlled my temper.

The other day, I went to visit a patient in an assisted care facility. She was wearing a bright yellow bracelet on her wrist. The bracelet read: FALL RISK. The words on her bracelet meant: Watch this person carefully. She may be unsteady on her feet. Help her get from place to place.

I suppose that I should also wear a bracelet that says, “FALL RISK.” I haven’t lost my temper for years, but I did last Sunday. Even though I am saved by the blood of Jesus, I still fell.

I appear to be in good company. The Apostle Paul considered himself to be a “FALL RISK.” Paul was one of the greatest Christians to ever live, but he said he was the “chief” of all sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). He called himself a “wretched man” (Romans 7:24). Even though he had a strong relationship with Jesus Christ, Paul knew that he still had within him a sin nature.

As followers of Jesus, we sometimes get knocked off our feet. However, it’s one thing to fall; it’s another to give up. If we get up again and ask the Lord for forgiveness, He will fill us like a breath of fresh air.

The point is: When you get knocked down, look up. Jesus is there. He understands and cares. He will help you get back on your feet again.

James Collins is the senior pastor at Fort Scott’s First Southern Baptist Church. Find out more about his ministry at the website www.fortscottfsbc.com.