Category Archives: Area News

Area News, Bourbon County, Health Care

Highly Pathogenic Bird Flu: Check Your Flocks

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Photos by Gary Palmer.

Highly pathogenic bird influenza has come to Kansas and families who have backyard birds should examine their flocks, according to both state and federal press releases.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Franklin, Dickenson, and Sedgwick Counties recently according to recent press releases https://agriculture.ks.gov/news-events/news-releases/2022/03/12/usda-confirms-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-in-backyard-flock-in-kansas.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a contagious viral disease that can infect chickens, turkeys, and other birds.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture officials have quarantined the affected areas, and birds on the property are destroyed to prevent the spread of the disease.

All who are involved- from a small backyard chicken flock to a large commercial producer- should look at their flocks for signs of the flu.

“Coughing, sneezing, discharge around the eyes, lack of energy, not moving around, not making noise,” are some of the signs, Heather Lansdowne, Kansas Dept. of Agriculture Director of Communications said.

Other signs are decreased egg production and/or soft-shelled, misshapen eggs; incoordination; and diarrhea, according to the KDA press release. Avian influenza can also cause sudden death in birds even if they aren’t showing other symptoms.

If these symptoms are observed in your birds, immediately contact your veterinarian, according to a press release. If you don’t have a regular veterinarian, contact KDA’s Division of Animal Health office toll-free at 833-765-2006.

There are procedures intended to protect humans or animals against disease or harmful biological agents, which are called biosecurity measures that can be done to help stop the spread of the flu.

Find guidance on biosecurity on the KDA Division of Animal Health webpage at agriculture.ks.gov/AvianInfluenza. More biosecurity resources as well as updates on the current HPAI status nationwide can be found on the APHIS website at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/2022-hpai.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the recent HPAI detections do not present an immediate public health concern. No human cases of these avian influenza viruses have been detected in the United States.

Proper handling and cooking of all poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 ˚F are recommended as a general food safety precaution.

For more information about HPAI, including the current status of the confirmed cases in other states as well as more information about biosecurity for flocks, go to KDA’s avian influenza webpage at agriculture.ks.gov/AvianInfluenza or call KDA at 833-765-2006.

 https://www.agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/division-of-animal-health/animal-diseases/avian-influenza

Basic Facts of HPAI

What is avian influenza?
• Avian influenza is a rapidly spreading viral disease that mainly affects birds.

Is it contagious, who is susceptible and how is it transmitted?
• Yes, it is contagious.
• Although rare, humans and other mammals can be vulnerable to the disease.
• The disease may spread through contact with infected birds or ingestion of infected food or water.
• Birds are the most susceptible animal.
• Exists naturally in wild birds.

What are the symptoms?
• Cough
• Sneezing
• Respiratory distress
• Decrease in egg production
• Sudden death

How do I avoid it or stop it from spreading?
• Notify veterinarian of any suspected disease.
• Stay informed about the health of neighboring birds.
• Do not move animals from farm to farm.
• Keep flock away from wild birds.
• Be sure your birds have no contact with contaminated birds.
• Isolate new birds.
• Restrict unauthorized people and vehicles from the farm
• Disinfect tires, equipment, and clothing going on and off the farm
• Quarantine contaminated areas and birds immediately
• Dispose of all dead birds properly

How is it treated?
• At this time there is no known treatment

Are there public health risks?
• Although rare, humans and other mammals can be vulnerable to the disease. If you have come in
contact with the disease and are showing symptoms, report it to your physician immediately
• There have been no reported cases due to consumption of infected, cooked meat.

Area News

How to Save Money at the Gas Pump

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Union Station at Uniontown has gas today at $3.79, the same price as Fort Scott gas stations.
Drivers are getting a lesson in how events around the nation and the world can have an impact on what they pay at the gas pump. Today’s  U.S. national average cost per gallon is $4.30, in Fort Scott, it is $3.79 according to American Automobile Association (AAA) https://cluballiance.aaa.com/public-affairs/fuel-price-finder
According to the AAA fuel price finder above, in the Fort Scott gas station locations of 5 Corners, Pete’s and Casey’s all have gas today for $3.79 as well as Union Station in Uniontown.

Those who would like to save money at the pump have some vehicle driving tips to help them reach that goal.

A call to AAA, Topeka, resulted in the following tips from Shawn Martin, AAA Retail Sales Associate with additional tips from Consumer Reports:

Drive the speed limit.         “Your driving habits can play a significant role in fuel economy, according to a Consumer Reports story https://www.consumerreports.org/fuel-economy-efficiency/10-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-a-tank-of-gas-a2642110189/.  Consumer Reports measured gas mileage while driving at a steady 55, 65, and 75 mph in a Nissan Altima and Toyota RAV4. They found that reducing speed from 65 mph to 55 mph improved fuel economy by 6 mpg in the Altima and 8 mpg in the RAV4. The penalty of cruising at 75 mph, rather than 65 mph, was almost 7 mpg in the Altima and 6 mpg in the RAV4. Higher speeds exact a toll on fuel consumption. Another way to look at it: Speeding up from 55 to 75 mph is like moving from a compact car to a large SUV. Beyond fuel concerns, speeding is, of course, a safety risk.

No sudden acceleration.        “Avoid hard acceleration and braking whenever possible. In our tests, frequent bursts of acceleration and braking reduced an older Toyota Camry’s mileage by 2 to 3 mpg. Once up to speed, maintain a steady pace, according to the web article. “The harder you accelerate, the more fuel you use. Unnecessary braking wastes the fuel you used to get up to speed. Drive smoothly and anticipate the movement of traffic. Smooth acceleration, cornering, and braking also extend the life of the engine, transmission, brakes, and tires.”

 Download an app that tells of the best prices for gas near your location.
Apps and websites such as https://www.gasbuddy.com/home  or check out the AAA gas prices page online or use the AAA Mobile app if a member.
Additional fuel economy tips from Consumer Reports:
 Keep at least a half-tank of fuel during cold winter months, and when there is a risk of shortages, say, due to a lack of gasoline delivery drivers to meet travel demands, or when a major storm is imminent. This tip also goes for holiday road trips, when roads can be congested and slow-moving. Having plenty of gas onboard can ease stress and give you more flexibility with when and where you fill up, according to Consumer Reports.
If you can minimize or combine errands or other activities, you will preserve the gas that you purchased and reduce overall consumption for the region, helping in some small way to reduce the gas scarcity. 
Pay attention to aerodynamics. Remove roof racks when they are not being used. At highway speeds, more than 50 percent of engine power goes to overcoming aerodynamic drag.

Check your tire pressure. Tires lose about 1 psi a month. Having tires with lower pressure than what is recommended on the doorjamb sticker can affect performance, tire longevity, and fuel economy. 

Using air conditioning does consume gas. In mild weather, if you can get by without it, even if you open the windows, it will give incremental savings. But once it gets hot, having AC on to cool the cabin and lower humidity is a wise investment in your comfort and ability to stay alert while driving.

According to Consumer Reports, if in the market for a more fuel-efficient car, HERE are Consumer Reports vehicles with the best MPG.

  • 2022 Honda Insight
  • 2022 Toyota Prius
  • 2022 Hyundai Ioniq
  • 2022 Hyundai Elantra
  • 2022 Toyota Corolla
  • 2022 Honda Accord
  • 2022 Toyota Camry
  • 2022 Hyundai Sonata
  • 2022 Kia Niro
  • 2022 Toyota Avalon”

 

Area News

Free Grant Writing Training Offered April 19 In Pittsburg

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The Foundry is located in Block 22, Pittsburg, Ks. from its Facebook page.

The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) is offering a grant writing training workshop to SEK area non-profits which include 501 3c organizations as well as government, religious and educational institutions.

The training event will take place on Tuesday, April 19 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at The Foundry meeting room, located in Block 22,  402 N. Broadway in Pittsburg.

CFSEK is partnering with The Center of Community Supports at Greenbush Education Service Center to offer this workshop at no cost to the SEK community, according to a press release from the community foundation.

Sherri Stephens is the CFSEK Program Director. Submitted photo.

“Grant writing is one of the services of our foundation,” Sherri Stephens, CFSEK Program Coordinator, said. “We hope this training of writing a grant proposal will make it easier.”

Monica Murnan, Greenbush Director of Community Support Services, will share information on organizational readiness, proposal development, needs assessments, budgeting, and managing funded projects.

Monica Murnan. Photo credit: KLC Journal.

Murnan has a 25-year history of successful grant writing and management in the areas of community-based services, health care access, collaborative early childhood projects, and education-based programs for kids and families, according to the press release.

CFSEK staff will share some CFSEK grant-specific information as well.

Learn some “must do” and “please don’t” strategies along with some organizational tips for gaining funds for your organization/entity’s work, according to the press release.

To register     https://southeastkansas.org/grant-writing-april-2022/?fbclid=IwAR1nRJ918afK5BCocJYga6k4ELsY49xko2XGG_t1BMhFUBqaWOGFdkCBlmY

Email [email protected] with any questions.

Area News, Business

KS Gas Service Allowed to Recover Last Winter’s Gas Costs

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KCC approves settlement agreement allowing Kansas Gas Service to recover last winter’s gas costs from third-party marketers and certain large transportation customers

TOPEKA – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) has approved a settlement agreement outlining how Kansas Gas Service (KGS) will recover costs incurred to meet the demand of the company’s transportation customers during last February’s winter storm. Unlike sales customers, who contract directly with KGS for gas, transportation customers purchase gas from gas producers or through a gas marketer. The purchased gas is then provided to KGS and delivered through KGS pipelines to transportation customers. Examples of transportation customers include some municipal utilities, businesses, schools, and churches.

What is normally a straightforward transaction was complicated by the high demand and limited supplies during the winter storm. Some gas marketers did not provide adequate gas to KGS in order to ensure uninterrupted service to transportation customers threatening the integrity of KGS’s entire system. Under an emergency order from the KCC designed to protect the health and safety of Kansans, KGS was obligated to make up the difference to ensure gas was available to all customers, including transportation customers.

Under the settlement agreement, KGS will recover approximately $52 million of the $58 million of calculated supply shortfalls in the negotiated gas cost penalty payments from marketers and transportation customers. Due to the extraordinary costs from the winter storm, KGS also requested a waiver from a provision in its tariff that would have allowed a multiplier penalty to be applied to the amount owed. The Commission granted the waiver.  In the absence of the waiver, penalties could have been as much as $888 million, potentially sending many entities into bankruptcy and resulting in great harm to the State’s economy.

Had KGS been unable to recover costs from marketers and transportation customers, those costs would have fallen to residential and small commercial customers. The settlement also avoids costly litigation and further delays.

Today’s order makes clear that the Commission’s decision to waive penalties is not to be viewed as precedential and not to assume penalties will be waived again if a similar situation occurs in the future. In addition, the order states that any proceeds received by KGS from ongoing federal or state investigations into market manipulation, price gouging or civil suits will be passed on to customers.

Today’s order is available at:  http://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx?Id=6378bf46-4736-4fc7-bbfb-47a48bba916d

A recording of today’s Business Meeting featuring comments by Commissioners on this order, is available on the KCC YouTube channel.

 

Area News

Summer Camp Registration Open

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Rock Springs Ranch, a camp located on 735 acres of prairie in the Kansas Flint Hills, is opening Summer Camp for the first time to youth ages 8-18 who are not currently involved with a 4-H Club. They believe all youth deserve a 4-H experience!
The benefits of attending camp an American Camp Association accredited program like Rock Springs Ranch include:
  • Social Skills Development
  • Self-Respect & Character Building
  • Community Living/Service Skills
Registration for camp this summer is now open featuring their new flexible camp session opportunities. RSR offers 4-H Camp for 3rd through 12th rising grades, Leaders in Training (LIT) for rising 11th graders and Counselors In Training (CIT) for rising 12th graders. Dates and pricing can be found online here.
The Rock Springs Ranch team will be providing transportation to and from camp from nine hubs across the state of Kansas including Olathe, Lawrence, Topeka, Emporia, Wichita, Great Bend, Hays, Dodge City and Colby.
Rock Springs Ranch is also currently hiring for internships, seasonal and year-round positions. Open seasonal positions/internships include:
  • General Counselors
  • Conservation, Challenge, Shooting Sports, Aquatics, Equine, Crafts & Retail Specialists
  • Program Area Coordinator
  • and more!

Those pursuing degrees in education, nursing, hospitality, wildfire management, biology or recreation can benefit from the soft skills developed while working at camp that employers are looking for such as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication.

Submitted by Jenna Black
Senior Account Executive
Parris Communications
620-952-2944
Area News, Government, Health Care

Flint Hills Burning Season Starts

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Health Advisory, Safety Tips Issued During Flint Hills Burning Season
Smoke Modeling Tool to be activated on March 1

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) reminds Kansans that March and April are the months when large areas of the state’s Flint Hills rangeland are burned. These burns help preserve the tallgrass prairie, control invasive species, reduce woody encroachment from species such as Eastern Red Cedar and Sumac and provide better forage for cattle. Prescribed burning minimizes risk of wildfires and is effective in managing rangeland resources. Smoke from the burns can influence the air quality of downwind areas. The use of smoke management techniques is vital to reduce air quality and health impacts.

KDHE will activate the Kansas smoke modeling tool on March 1, prior to widespread burning in the Flint Hills. The computer models use fire data and current weather conditions to predict the potential contribution of smoke to downwind air quality problems. There are approximately 2.2 million acres burned on average in the Flint Hills of Kansas and Oklahoma each year.

“For the twelfth-consecutive year, we are proud to have the opportunity to provide this important tool for the prescribed fire community,” said Douglas Watson, meteorologist at the KDHE Bureau of Air. “We continue to encourage ranchers and land managers to take advantage of this smoke modeling resource to spread out their burns more effectively and mitigate potential air quality impacts.”

Prescribed burns release large amounts of particulate matter and other pollutants that can form ozone. Particulate matter and ozone can cause health problems, even in healthy individuals. Common health problems include burning eyes, runny nose, coughing and illnesses such as bronchitis. Individuals with respiratory issues, pre-existing heart or lung diseases, children and elderly are more vulnerable to experience symptoms.

Steps to protect your health on days when smoke is present in your community include:

  • Healthy people should limit or avoid strenuous outdoor
  • More vulnerable people should remain
  • Help keep indoor air clean by closing doors and windows and running air conditioners with air
  • Stay hydrated by drinking lots of
  • Contact your doctor if you have symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath or severe

For more information about the burning in the Flint Hills, the Flint Hills Smoke Management Plan, the April burn restrictions and the smoke modeling tool, please visit http://www.ksfire.org.

Area News, Bourbon County, Church news, Entertainment, Fort Scott

The Prairie Troubadour: A Catholic Gathering This Weekend

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Luther’s BBQ restaurant is located at the corner of Oak Street and National Avenue on Fort Scott’s northside. The River Room Event Center is located on the second floor.

The 6th Annual Prairie Troubadour starts tomorrow Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the River Room Event Center, 3 W. Oak.

The event is “to bring Catholics together to enjoy things we enjoy culturally,” Michael Pokorny, a house father at St. Martin’s Academy said. “To help our friends and neighbors understand our faith and how we live it with joy.”

The Prairie Troubadour is named in memoriam of poet, songwriter, and man of the Kansas prairie, Gerald Francis Kerr, the father of St. Martin’s Academy founder, Daniel Kerr.

The theme of this year’s event is Feasts, Fasts, and the Seasons.

Tickets to the event must be purchased before the event and can be ordered on the website: Feasts, Fasts and the Seasons: the Art of Living Liturgically Tickets, Fri, Feb 25, 2022, at 6:30 PM | Eventbrite

Tickets start at $85 for the weekend’s events.

The schedule:

Feb. 25 is registration at 6:30 a.m. followed at 7 p.m. by Baylor University Professor Dr. Michael Foley who will be speaking on “How to Drink Like a Saint.”

8 p.m. Dale Alquist, president of The Chesterton Society, will speak on “Feasting and Surprisingly Fasting with G.K. Chesterton.”

9 p.m. There will be an afterglow session.

Saturday, Feb. 26

9:30 a.m. Daniel Kerr, headmaster/founder of St. Martin’s Academy will welcome guests, followed at 9:45 a.m. by Father Joshua Moore, sub-prior at Clear Creek Abbey, Oklahoma, who will speak on “Fasting: Or Why Officers Eat Last.”

10:45 a.m. Brandon Sheard, owner/operator of Farmstead Meatsmith, Tulsa, OK will speak on “The Virtue of Pig Killing.”

At noon, lunch will be on your own, Luther’s Restuarant, directly under the River Room Event Center, is recommended.

At 1:15 p.m. Dr. John Cuddeback, a professor of philosophy at Christendom College, Front Royal, Virginia will speak on “Animating Your Home with Leisure.”

At 2:15 p.m. Dr. William Fahey, president of Thomas Moore College of Liberal Arts, Merrimac, NH, will speak on “My Little Horse Must Think It Queer and Other Musings on the Natural Order of Liturgical Living.”

There will be a break at 3:15 p.m. and a break-out with vendors.

A question and answer session with the speakers will happen at 4:30 p.m. and the symposium closes at 5:30 p.m.

At 7 p.m. there will be a whiskey and cigar soiree with the speakers and musical entertainment by the St. Martin’s Academy students and others. This event is for VIP Pass Holders only.

 

 

Area News

Kansas Youth Community Change Conference April 2-3

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Kansas Youth Community Change Conference  (KYC3) is back and in person at

Rock Springs Ranch Saturday, April 2nd and Sunday, April 3rd, 2022.

 

Please, share with your schools, networks, coalitions, churches, community members,

anyone connected with middle or high school youth!

 

(KYC3) is a FREE, action-packed event open to all middle and high school aged youth.

Through interactive sessions and high energy activities, you’ll expand your leadership skills,

engage with other youth across the state and take action to promote positive change in your community!

Groups need at least one adult sponsor and one youth to register to attend.

 

Meals and accommodations will be provided! Registration is limited; the deadline to register is Monday, February 28th!

 

Here’s the link to register: https://www.dccca.org/events/kansas-youth-community-change-conference-kyc3-2022-building-blocks/ 

 

Here are additional details you can share with them if you need to:

  • Groups need at least 1 adult sponsor and 1 youth to attend. We want to encourage them to find adults who are involved with the school or community coalition to sponsor the youth attendees
  • The cost is free. They’ll get 3 meals, snacks, a swag bag with goodies, sleeping accommodations, and all the conference materials at no cost to them. They’ll just need transportation to get there and back.
  • The first 50 youth to register will be entered to win a pair of Air Pods
  • There will be sessions on substance misuse prevention, suicide prevention, youth mental health, leadership, and more.
  • Youth will be co-presenting with organizations like Kansas Leadership Center, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, DCCCA, KSPHQ, and WSU-CEI

 

Let me know if you have any questions. After, the isolation our youth have experienced, we appreciate you sharing this opportunity!

 

Prevention is better together

and together we are stronger!

 

Dena Kemp, MSW, CPP

Southeast Kansas Community Support Specialist

Community Based Services Division

104 ½ W 9th Street, Suite 424

Winfield, KS 67156

620.670.2814 (Office)

620.218.2878 (Cell)

www.DCCCA.org

Area News

American Pickers Show is Coming to Kansas

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AMERICAN PICKERS
from The History Channel,
is coming to Kansas this April!!!
The History Channel’s hit show American Pickers is coming to Kansas this April! Locals with private collections will have the opportunity to represent the rich history of Fort Scott to the rest of the nation!
Producers are asking for individuals in the area that are in possession of large, private collections of antiques and other items with interesting histories. NO stores, flea markets, museums, or other public collections.
Collectors interested in being considered for the show should reach out by phone at
(646) 493-2184
or email at [email protected]
Include your full name, city/state, contact information, and a short description of your collection.
Please apply by Friday, March 4th!
Click here to go to their Facebook page.
Area News

Gently Used Dresses For Sale For Prom

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Submitted photo.

Note corrected date.

Because proms are coming in a few months, a 4-H group in Nevada is having a special-date dress sale event of gently worn dresses on Feb. 19.
Beginning at 10 a.m. on Feb. 19, area young women can look over an anticipated 100 dresses for their special prom night.
The location of the sale is the Vernon County Fairgrounds Diner Building,1488 E. Ashland, Nevada MO.
Seller registration for the event is from 8 a.m. to 9:20 a.m.
“Hustler 4-H out of Vernon County Missouri is hosting the event as a fundraiser for their club,” said Tonya Cliffman, whose niece is in the club.  “It is open for all communities to participate and not limited to Vernon County or Missourians.  We have dress owners from Fort Scott and Pleasanton taking advantage of this organized event so Kansas is invited.”
“This event allows both seller and buyer the opportunity to come together and move amazing dresses into new closets,” she said.  “It allows these dresses to be more than one-time use and is pocketbook-friendly.”
The cost is $5 per dress to have it on display.  Shoes and jewelry can also be displayed for $3 each.
“Prom Dress Event allows young ladies wanting to purchase a dress for this year’s formal events at a reasonably discounted price,” she said.  ” This will be a cash-only event.  While some sellers may have electronic payment options of Venmo/Paypal, this is not guaranteed and you should be prepared to pay in cash.”
“A local seamstress will be on hand to offer expertise on whether a dress can be altered or fitted to the buyer,” she said.  “However,  alterations will not be completed on-site the day of the event.
All sales are between sellers and buyers and are NOT the responsibility of the Hustler 4H Club.
To view the event Facebook page:
Area News, Ascension Via Christi, Health Care

Ascension Via Christi Cancer Center in Pittsburg Completes Renovations

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The renovation of the Ascension Via Christi Cancer Center is now complete, giving Pittsburg-area patients who are battling cancer close-to-home access to advanced technology in a patient- and family-friendly environment.

The outpatient cancer center opened 26 years ago, funded entirely by donations to the Mount Carmel Foundation’s “Legacy of Hope” campaign.

The $1 million renovation also was funded entirely by
community donations, this time to the “Legacy of Hope II” campaign led by Johnna Norton, the foundation’s executive director.

“I am so proud to live and serve in such a giving community and with a team that throughout the pandemic has continued to provide exceptional care to our patients,” said Charlotte Russell, director of
operations for the Ascension Via Christi Cancer Center and Ascension Medical Group Via Christi physician practices in Pittsburg.

Through the community’s generosity, the chemotherapy area now has seven private treatment suites and the entire cancer center was updated to create a brighter and more welcoming environment. The patient and family resource room was also refurbished, providing a comfortable space for the patient and family education, nutritional counseling and spiritual and emotional support services.

Ascension Via Christi Hospital also made a significant investment in the cancer center, spending $1.5 million to acquire a new state-of-the-art TrueBeam linear accelerator, allowing patients to receive highly precise radiation therapy in a shorter period of time.
In January, the hospital added medical oncologists James Moore, MD, and Michael Cannon, MD, to its medical staff. Drs. Moore and Cannon, both with Cancer Center of Kansas, join medical oncologist Mickey Xun, MD, with Ascension Medical Group Via Christi, and radiation oncologist Duane Myers, MD, with Radiation Oncology Associates, in providing southeast Kansas residents ready access to comprehensive cancer care.

“We now have a beautiful space, an outstanding team of physicians and the advanced technology we need to continue our legacy as the community’s cancer care partner,” said Drew Talbott, president of
Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg. “Like Charlotte, I am tremendously grateful and proud of our community and staff.”
For more information about Ascension Via Christi in Pittsburg, visit ascension.org/PittsburgKS.

Via Christi Cancer Center Chemotherapy Bays. Submitted photo

About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly
6,400 associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community
benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years,
Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized
care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the
leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care –
including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of
Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org.
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Area News, Schools

Student Scholarship Opportunity

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Students invited to apply for leadership opportunities and scholarship

Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative’s strong tradition of promoting youth leadership will continue with $500 scholarships and entry into an exclusive in-person leadership conference this summer.

Two current high school sophomores or juniors who live in households served by Heartland will take part in an all-expenses-paid trip to the Kansas Electric Youth (KEY) Leadership Conference and will receive $500 scholarships to further their education.

The KEY Leadership Conference will be held in Topeka in early June and will provide leadership learning opportunities, engaging speakers, and team-building activities. Student-leaders from across the state will tour the Kansas State Capitol and other local attractions. Those selected for this experience also can apply for the Kansas seat on a national youth leadership council.

If you know of a student with strong leadership potential who is ready for new experiences, would like to network with other student leaders, and is willing to learn more about themselves and their communities, encourage them to apply for this incredible leadership opportunity.

The application form can be found at www.heartland-rec.com and must be completed and returned by Friday, Feb. 11.

For more information, contact Doug Graham at [email protected] or (620) 724-5526.