Category Archives: Area News

Area News

Safehouse Crisis Center Available For Victims

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Safehouse Crisis Center is continuing to accept victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking and Human Trafficking into our shelter.

If you are working with or know anyone in need of shelter, please contact 620-231-8251.

If you are working with or know anyone who does not want shelter but would like outreach services, please contact 620-231-8692.

Some of our outreach services include protection order assistance, Court accompaniment, safety planning, support groups, individual counseling, therapy, information on victim rights/victimization, helping navigate through the systems, etc.

If you have any questions about our services or would like more information, call our office number at 620-231-8692.

All of our services are completely free, and  are ready to assist anyone 24/7.

—

Submitted by Megan Rogers

Victim Advocate

Safehouse Crisis Center

1-620-231-8692

Area News, COVID-19, Health Care

COVID-19 Health Challenges Persist For Many

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Cognition and Swallowing Among the Common Challenges Persisting for Many Americans After COVID-19

Speech-Language Pathologists Can Help Patients Regain Health and Quality of Life, NRMC Expert Stresses During Better Hearing & Speech Month

With an estimated 10 to 30% of COVID-19 survivors experiencing “long-haul” symptoms including brain fog and swallowing difficulties, Nevada Regional Medical Center speech-language pathologist Andrea Wydick is encouraging the public to seek care from qualified experts who can help them regain their functioning and quality of life. Wydick is sharing this message in recognition of May being national Better Hearing & Speech Month (BHSM).

“The pandemic has posed so many challenges to us all as a society, but one of the persisting and most vexing ones right now is the daunting set of difficulties many people are having for months after contracting COVID-19,” said Wydick. “From brain fog, to difficulty eating and drinking, to speech and language problems, these can affect return to work, the ability to take care of one’s family, and overall recovery. Many people don’t know about the services of speech-language pathologists—professionals trained in these areas who can make a huge difference for these people. This is an important time for us to spread the word: Help is available.”

How They Help

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) can help people with, or recovering from, COVID-19 who are having short- and longer-term difficulties in the following areas:

• Cognition

Many COVID-19 “long-haulers” are reporting persistent brain fog as a debilitating symptom after their bout with the virus. This can prevent a return to work and impact their ability to tend to family responsibilities. SLPs can work with individuals to improve their memory, attention, organization and planning, problem solving, learning, and social communication—such as re-learning conversational rules or understanding the intent behind a message or behind nonverbal cues. The focus is on the person’s specific challenges as well as regaining the skills that are most important to their daily life and priorities.

• Swallowing

People diagnosed with COVID-19 may experience swallowing problems that can put them at risk for choking or aspirating, which is when food goes into the lungs instead of the stomach. This may be the result of time spent on a ventilator, or it may be another side effect of the virus. SLPs use different types of tests to determine what happens when a person swallows and how the related muscles are working—helping a patient’s medical team, including the SLP, decide on the best course of action with the patient and their family. SLPs may recommend modified textures of food and drink for patients; therapy exercises to strengthen the tongue, lips, and muscles in the mouth and throat; and strategies to make eating and drinking safer, such as modifying the pace of chewing/eating, size of food, and more.

• Communication

People diagnosed with COVID-19 are also experiencing speech and language difficulties. Some, such as those who spent a significant amount of time on a ventilator or experienced low oxygen to the brain, may have muscle weakness or reduced coordination in the muscles of the face, lips, tongue, and throat—making it difficult to talk. Others, particularly those who experienced a COVID-related stroke, may experience a language disorder called aphasia—which makes it hard for someone to understand, speak, read, or write. SLPs work with patients through targeted therapy to improve their communication and understanding.

People who have severe speech and/or language difficulties may need to find other ways to answer questions or tell people what they want, such as through gesturing with their hands, pointing to letters or pictures on a paper or board, or using a computer. These are all forms of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). SLPs help find the appropriate AAC method to meet an individual’s needs.

Where to Find Care

SLPs work in settings that include hospitals, long- and short-term care facilities, private practices, and patients’ homes. Many SLPs are also providing their services via telehealth at this time. If you or a loved one are experiencing communication challenges, Wydick recommends letting your doctor know.

For more information, Vernon County and area residents can contact NRMC Performance Therapy at 417-448-3790, or visit www.asha.org/public.

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About Nevada Regional Medical Center
Serving a six-county area since 1937, Nevada Regional Medical Center is a 71-bed acute, intensive and skilled care hospital. Nevada Regional Medical Center has earned recognition as a respected regional medical center for its comprehensive health care services, skilled and caring employees and state-of-the-art medical technology. Staff represent more than a dozen medical specialties, including family practice, women’s services, neurology, urology, psychiatry, orthopedics, wound care services, and general, vascular, thoracic and oncological surgery. Additionally, consultation clinics are held regularly by specialists in oncology, pulmonology, podiatry, ear, nose, and throat and cardiology.

Area News

Protect Kids From Heatstroke

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I’ll just run in for a minute.”

 

“I thought you were picking her up.”

 

“I only let him play outside for a minute.”

 

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and other safety advocates recognize the safety threat heatstroke poses for children left unattended in hot cars.

 

Heatstroke is the leading cause of non-traffic, non-crash-related fatalities for children 14 and younger:

·     In 2020, 24 children died due to vehicular heatstroke. In 2019, 53 children died in vehicular heatstroke incidents. The significantly lower number of deaths in 2020 is likely due to more families being at home.

·     From 1998-2020, a total of 882 children died due to vehicular heatstroke.

 

Of the 882 deaths:

·     52.9%: Forgotten by caregiver (467 children)

·     25.6%: Gained access on their own (227)

·     19.7%: Knowingly left by caregiver (173)

·     1.7 %: Unknown (15)

 

How this happens:

Most of these tragedies happen when a child is forgotten by a parent or caregiver and left in a hot car. In approximately half of these “forgotten” deaths, the child was being taken to childcare/preschool. A busy parent or caregiver may unintentionally forget that a quiet or sleeping child, one who may also be facing the back of the car, is in the back of the vehicle. This generally occurs with children under one year of age. Always remember to look before you lock. You could save a life.

 

Toddlers or mobile young children are also at risk.

Some children gain access into a vehicle without the knowledge of an adult and may be unable to get out of the car, especially if child locks are activated. It is essential to teach children that it is dangerous to play in or around the car.

 

Sometimes, children are left intentionally by parents who do not understand the dangers of a hot vehicle, or who may not understand how quickly a vehicle can heat up to dangerous temperatures. It cannot be overstated: Never leave your child in a vehicle alone, not even for a minute.

 

High body temperature can cause permanent injury or even death:

Heatstroke begins when the core body temperature reaches approximately 104 degrees and the thermoregulatory system is overwhelmed. A core temperature of approximately 107 degrees is lethal.

 

Children are at a higher risk than adults of dying from heatstroke in a hot vehicle, especially when they are too young to alert others for help. A child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s.

 

In 10 minutes, a car can heat up by 20 degrees. Rolling down a window does little to keep a vehicle cool. Heatstroke fatalities have occurred even in vehicles parked in shaded areas and when the outside air temperatures were 80 degrees Fahrenheit or less.

 

Summertime is the peak season for these tragic incidents, but heatstroke can occur in outdoor temperatures as low as 57 degrees.

 

 

The warning signs of heatstroke vary, but may include:

·     Red, hot, and moist or dry skin

·     Absent sweating, even though the child is warm

·     Strong rapid pulse or a slow weak pulse

·     Throbbing headache

·     Dizziness

·     Nausea

·     Confusion

·     Grouchiness or strange behavior

 

It can happen to anyone:

·     In 52.6% of cases, the child was forgotten by the caregiver.

·     In 25.9% of cases, children got into the vehicles on their own.

·     The children most at-risk are those under 1 year, making up 31% of heatstroke deaths.

 

Remember these three things:

·     NEVER leave a child in a vehicle unattended.

·     Make it a habit to look in the back seat EVERY time you exit the car.

·     ALWAYS lock the car and put the keys out of reach.

 

Find More Information Here

 
Area News, Government

USDA Invests $615,000 in four Kansas towns to Increase American Biofuel Availability

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TOPEKA, Kan., Apr. 22, 2021 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Acting State Director for Kansas Dan Fischer today announced that USDA is investing $615,000 through a grant to increase American ethanol and biodiesel availability. These funds were made available through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP).

“Investments made through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program help both our agriculture and energy sectors,” said Fischer. “Today’s investments help to expand infrastructure that will encourage the use of biofuels – increasing the possibility of energy security for years to come. Investments in higher blends infrastructure also helps provide stability for rural feedstock producers. USDA is dedicated to the economic prosperity of rural America; because when rural America prospers, all of America prospers.”

Background:

USDA is investing $18.4 million in 20 states through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) to build infrastructure to help expand the availability of higher-blend renewable fuels. The HBIIP program helps give consumers more environmentally-friendly fuel choices when they fill-up at the pump.

This specific USDA grant will be used to create infrastructure to expand the sales and use of renewable fuels. This project will add and replace 33 dispensers and 4 storage tanks at four Triplett fueling stations located in Colby, Russell, Hays, and Goodland. This project will increase the amount of ethanol sold by over 7 million gallons per year. The purpose of this funding program is to assist owners of transportation fueling and fuel distribution facilities to expand the sales and use of ethanol and biofuel.

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page. Follow us on Twitter at @RurDev_Kansas.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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Area News, COVID-19

CHC/SEK to host Pfizer vaccine clinic on April 25

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People aged 16 and older can now receive the Pfizer vaccine with parental consent through Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas.
CHC/SEK will host a Pfizer vaccine clinic from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 25, at the 924 N Broadway. The clinic will be by appointment only. This is a two-dose vaccine that is given 21 days apart.
Individuals can request a vaccine appointment on the CHC/SEK website chcsek.org. Click the COVID Vaccine Request button. After selecting the “first dose” button, there is an option to select the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. CHC/SEK representatives will contact the recipients to schedule a date for the vaccine.
For those without web access, the health center has a toll-free number, 866-888-8650 and a second number for Spanish-speakers 620-240-8940 to make vaccination appointments.

As with all COVID-19 vaccines, there is no out-of-pocket costs to vaccine recipients.

Area News

Drug Take-Back Day April 24

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Drug take-back day designed to counter pill abuse, environmental contamination 

[Bourbon County, Kansas] – Local agencies are partnering with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration April 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., for the 20th annual Drug Take Back Day. The event is designed to prevent pill abuse and environmental contamination by ridding homes of expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. 

 

Prescription drug abuse and disposal are both a public and environmental health threat. Improper disposal of medications via sewers or landfills leads to surface water contamination. Returning unused or unwanted medications to a pharmacy, or bringing them to a law enforcement agency are reliable methods for keeping these substances from entering the water supply.

 

Bourbon County residents are encouraged to bring unwanted drugs to these area locations for disposal:

 

Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy

421 W Main St, Chanute, KS 66720

 

Nevada Police Department

120 South Ash St., Nevada, MO  64772

 

Pittsburg Police Department

201 N. Pine St., Pittsburg, KS  66762

 

Sites cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps, only pills or patches. The service is free and anonymous with no questions asked. Collection sites will follow local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations.

 

With funding from the USDA, the K-State Pollution Prevention Institute (PPI) is offering education and outreach sessions to various communities in Kansas and Missouri with a focus on rural access to safe drug and sharps disposal. If your organization or community would like to learn more about safe disposal as a way to prevent drug abuse and keep toxic waste out of landfills, contact PPI by calling 800-578-8898.

 

For more information about proper disposal of prescription drugs or the Take Back Day event, visit www.sbeap.org/safe-disposal.

 

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Area News, Kansas

Kansas Youth Community Change Conference June 1-15

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Registration for the Kansas Youth Community Change Conference (KYC3) is now open! KYC3 is a FREE action-packed virtual event open to all middle and high school aged youth. Through youth-led interactive sessions and high energy activities, youth will expand their leadership skills, engage with other youth across the state, and take action to promote positive change in their schools and communities! Sessions will take place in the evening June 1st – 15th.

 

NEW THIS YEAR: There is a session for parents on June 9th at 8:00 PM. Parents must register in advance to attend the session!

 

To register, check out the prize packs, and view FAQs visit: https://www.dccca.org/events/2021-kyc3/

To view the agenda, visit: https://www.dccca.org/2021-kyc3-agenda/

To learn more about the youth planning team, check out: https://www.dccca.org/kyc3-youth-planning-team/

Area News

2021 Cruise Night Online Auction

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Tri-Valley’s signature event, Cruise Night, is an annual fundraiser for our organization. The event includes dinner, drinks, music, and silent and live auctions.  For 2021, we are holding an online event.  Please join us April 12th – April 15th as we hold our first online auction.  Come back often to check your bids!

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CN Website Photo.jpg
CRUISE NIGHT 2021 Online Auction

DATE: April 12th  – 15th, 2021

LOCATION: Online Auction

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DETAILS:

Due to Covid-19, we have decided to switch things up for 2021.  Instead of an in-person event, we are holding an online auction.  In 2022, we return to our normal fun-filled in-person event.

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“Cruise Night ” is a fun filled evening that includes dinner, music, door prizes, and both live and silent auctions.  All money raised from the evening goes toward our mission of providing quality and affordable homes as well as aid in the delivery of services to our neighbors with intellectual/developmental disabilities in the counties of Allen, Bourbon, Chautauqua, Elk, Greenwood, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson in Southeast Kansas.

BUY TICKETS
Questions?

With state funding dwindling, fundraising events like Cruise Night are essential to keeping our services and clients thriving. We hope to raise more than $25,000 each year through this event and the proceeds will be used to provide quality and affordable housing for our neighbors with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Through fundraising efforts, the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation has been able to build six homes, acquire three homes and a duplex, as well as renovate properties as the needs arise in Allen, Bourbon, Neosho and Woodson counites.  In January 2020, the Foundation expanded services into Chautauqua, Elk, Greenwood, and Wilson counties.  .  Our thirteen houses are now “home” to 61 of our neighbors with I/DD. Please join us for the 2020 event and help us further our mission of belonging!

CONTACT US

A Few Auction Items

 – Unique photos of Fort Scott Historical Site

 –  Autographed NCIS New Orleans Script

 – Wine Connoisseur Baskets

–  plus many, many more unique items.

2021 CRUISE NIGHT SPONSORS
Area News

Kansas Gas Service Raises Awareness of Financial Assistance for Customers

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Overland Park, Kan. – April 13, 2021 – Kansas Gas Service is reminding customers who need
assistance with paying their natural gas bills that payment options and financial help is available.
The company is notifying customers with past due balances through mail, recorded calls and
email.
“We want customers to know that if they’re unable to make a payment, we are here to help,” said
Abbey Frye, Kansas Gas Service director of customer service. “In normal times, you may not
need or qualify for assistance, but this year has been challenging. Fortunately, due to federal
funding, there are resources available.”
Frye also encourages customers to pay what they can now to avoid building up a large balance
that will be harder to pay off later.
Energy Assistance Available to Customers
The company has a dedicated webpage at KansasGasService.com/Cares that identifies numerous
programs and agencies in specific cities that provide utility assistance. Among the programs
available to help eligible customers:
• Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) is a federally funded program that
helps households pay a portion of their home energy costs by providing a one-time per
year benefit.
• Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance (KERA) serves Kansans outside of Wichita who
have had difficulty paying or collecting rent, utility or internet payments due to the
COVID-19 pandemic.
• Wichita Emergency Rental Assistance Program (WERAP)
provides assistance on past due and/or future rent and utility bills for Wichita residents
impacted by COVID-19.
• Operation COVID-19 Basic Needs Assistance Program is administered by the
Community Resources Council to provide mortgage, rent, internet and utilities assistance
to households in Topeka that have been affected by COVID-19.
• Share The Warmth is a partnership between Kansas Gas Service and The Salvation
Army that provides energy assistance to those whose immediate financial resources
simply cannot cover their home-heating expenses.
Kansas Gas Service suspended disconnects for nonpayment for several months and plans to
resume normal collection activities this month. In addition to regular past due notifications,
customers with accounts subject to disconnection and who have opted into text messages will
also receive an alert with a link to the Kansas Gas Service website for easy payment access to
prevent discontinuation of service.
The company reminds customers to be aware of potential scams. A legitimate call from Kansas
Gas Service will never include a demand for immediate payment.
Customers can call Kansas Gas Service at 800-794-4780, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., to
speak to a representative about payment options. Customers with eligible accounts may log in to
their online account, click on Make a payment arrangement under the Make Payment button.
Click here for a brief instructional video.
About Kansas Gas Service
Kansas Gas Service provides a reliable and affordable energy choice to more than 645,000 customers in Kansas and
is the largest natural gas distributor in the state, in terms of customers.
Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas Gas Service is a division of ONE Gas, Inc. (NYSE: OGS), a 100-percent
regulated natural gas utility that trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “OGS.” ONE Gas is
included in the S&P MidCap 400 Index and is one of the largest natural gas utilities in the United States.
For more information and the latest news about Kansas Gas Service, visit kansasgasservice.com and follow its social
channels: @KansasGas, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.
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Area News

Ten-digit Dialing Starts April 24 For Area Code 620

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Ten-digit dialing begins soon in Kansas area codes 785 and 620

 

TOPEKA – Kansans that live in area codes 785 or 620 will soon be required to use 10-digit dialing when making local calls. This change will make it easier for persons in crisis to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

 

Last July, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved 988 as the new abbreviated number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. As a result, any area code that uses the 988 prefix in telephone numbers is mandated by the FCC to adopt 10-digit dialing.  That includes Kansas area codes 785 and 620, which cover the majority of the state. In total, 82 area codes in 36 states will make the change.

 

It will take time to get in the habit of using 10-digit dialing (example: 785-XXX-XXXX), so a practice period has been established.  Callers are encouraged to begin using 10-digit calling on April 24, 2021. Any calls dialed with 7-digits will still go through during this practice period.

 

Beginning October 24, 2021, callers in 785 and 620 area codes must use 10-digit dialing or the call will not go through. The only exceptions are any three digit abbreviated numbers available in the community, such as 911. Callers will still dial 1 + the area code and telephone number for all long distance calls.

 

Beginning July 16, 2022, callers can reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 988. Until then, callers will continue to dial 1-800-273-8255 (TALK).

 

More information about the change to 10-digit dialing is included in the attached flyer “Ten things to know about 10-digit dialing”. Information is also available on the KCC’s website https://kcc.ks.gov/ and from telephone providers.

 

Area News

Cold Weather Rule to End March 31  

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TOPEKA – The Kansas Cold Weather Rule ends on Wednesday, March 31. That means Kansans who are behind on electric and natural gas utility bills may be subject to disconnection of service unless they contact their utility company to make payment arrangements.  A variety of payment options are available and will vary by utility, as well as the date disconnections will resume.

Utility customers experiencing difficulty keeping up with their bills are encouraged to call their utility no later than Wednesday to be eligible for the Cold Weather Rule 12-month payment plan to catch up on overdue accounts. Under the plan, the customer must make an initial payment of 1/12 of the overdue amount, 1/12 of the bill for current service, the full amount of any disconnection or reconnection fees if any, plus any applicable deposit owed to the utility. The balance is billed in equal payments over the next 11 months, in addition to the regular monthly bill.

On December 15, 2020, the Commission extended an earlier order related to COIVD-19 that requires utilities under its jurisdiction to offer 12-month payment plans and waive late fees through the official end of the pandemic.  That order is still in effect, but customers who have two previous broken pay agreements may not qualify. That is why it is important to make arrangements before the Cold Weather Rule ends.

To find out more about utility assistance programs in your area, please contact your utility or the KCC Consumer Protection Office at 800-662-0027 or 785-271-3140. Utility assistance program information is also posted on the KCC’s website.