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Category Archives: Area News
KCC Investigates High Gas Prices During February 2021
KCC approves AG’s request to join winter weather gas cost dockets
TOPEKA – This morning the Kansas Corporation Commission approved Attorney General Derek Schmidt’s request to participate in three dockets investigating unusually high natural gas prices during the February winter weather event and how gas utilities plan to recoup the charges. The three dockets involve costs incurred by Kansas Gas Service, Atmos Energy and Black Hills Energy and their respective customer payment plan proposals.
“While our jurisdictional responsibilities are distinct, the KCC and Attorney General have a good track record of working together on behalf of Kansas customers. I welcome the AG’s participation in these proceedings to support its ongoing investigations,” said Commission Chair Andrew French.
On February 15, the Commission instructed all jurisdictional utilities to do everything necessary to ensure continued service to Kansas customers. The costs were deferred and each utility was required to file a proposal for recouping those charges, which must be approved by the Commission.
Around the same time, the Attorney General’s office announced an investigation to determine whether the unprecedented gas prices violated state consumer protection laws. That investigation continues.
On July 19, the Attorney General’s office filed a petition to intervene in the KCC cases citing the authority to enforce the Kansas Consumer Protection Act and protect consumers from suppliers who commit deceptive practices.
As an intervenor in the KCC cases, the Attorney General will have access to all documents filed, have the ability to file testimony, question witnesses and participate in any scheduled proceedings.
Resurfacing to begin on U.S. 69 in August
Monday, Aug. 2, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) expects to begin a resurfacing project on U.S. 69 and U.S. 69B in Crawford County. Project activity includes a mill and overlay on U.S. 69 between U.S. 400 and K-47, excluding the section within the Pittsburg city limits. U.S. 69B is being resurfaced through the communities of Franklin and Arma.
Work will start on U.S. 69B and then proceed south on U.S. 69 from the K-47 junction. Flaggers and a pilot car will direct one-lane traffic through the work zone; expect delays of 15 minutes or less.
Weather permitting, the project should be finished by early September. KDOT awarded the construction contract of $2.3 million to Heckert Construction, Pittsburg. Persons with questions may contact KDOT Construction Engineer Kyler Farmer, (620) 308-7617, or Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen, (620) 902-6433.
Free Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training Aug. 24-27
KSAPS (Kansas Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training) is Free
(This training provides the steps for the Strategic Prevention Framework model used in prevention efforts.) It truly helps to guide efforts that are data driven and will make a difference in prevention efforts.
Survey and Registration
August 24-27, 2021
Courtyard by Marriott
Salina, KS
PLEASE NOTE: We are asking that everyone planning to attend respond by 12:00pm (noon) on August 13, 2021, and respond to these few questions.
Registration Link: https://wichitastate.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0pUnrj7v6qHfXpk
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)
LISA LUSKER CHOSEN CRAWFORD COUNTY CLERK
Lisa Lusker, was selected by the Crawford County Democratic Central Committee on Sunday, July 18th to succeed Don Pyle as Crawford County Clerk. Mr. Pyle announced his retirement on June 29th to be effective on December 31, 2021.
Pyle addressed the assembled precinct committee men and women, thanking them for their support and encouragement over his years of service.
The Certification of Election of Lusker has been submitted to Governor Laura Kelly for appointment. Ms. Lusker will assume the duties of County Clerk on January 1, 2022 and will serve until following January after the General Election in 2022.
Lisa Lusker resides in Frontenac with her husband, Adam, and three children.
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KDOT resurfacing K-7 section in Linn County
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has started a resurfacing project on K-7 in Linn County, from K-52 north to K-152. Project activity includes a mill and overlay. Flaggers and a pilot car will guide one-lane traffic through the work zone; expect delays of 15 minutes or less on days when the project is active. KDOT awarded the construction contract of $1.8 million to Shilling Construction, Manhattan. Weather permitting, the project should be finished by late August. Persons with questions may contact Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen, (620) 902-6433.
Domestic Violence in Child Welfare
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Evergy schedules conference call to discuss 2nd quarter results
Kansas City, MO – July 15, 2021 – Evergy, Inc. (NYSE: EVRG) announced today it will release its 2021 second quarter earnings Thursday, August 5, 2021, before market open. The company plans to host its quarterly conference call and audio webcast to discuss the results Thursday, August 5, 2021.
Event: Evergy Q2 2021 Conference Call and Webcast
Date: August 5, 2021
Time: 8:00 a.m. Eastern (7:00 a.m. Central)
Location: 1) Phone conference call at (888) 353-7071, conference ID 3065454, or
2) Log on to the webcast at investors.evergy.com
In conjunction with the earnings release and conference call, the company plans to post on its website supplemental financial information related to second quarter 2021 performance. The materials will be available under Supplemental Materials in the Investors section of the company website at investors.evergy.com.
A replay of the conference call will be available from about 1 p.m. Eastern, August 5, through August 12, 2021, at (855) 859-2056, conference ID 3065454.The replay will be available on the Evergy website at investors.evergy.com.
About Evergy, Inc.
Evergy, Inc. (NYSE: EVRG), provides clean, safe and reliable energy to 1.6 million customers in Kansas and Missouri. The 2018 combination of KCP&L and Westar Energy to form Evergy created a leading energy company that provides value to shareholders and a stronger company for customers.
Evergy’s mission is to empower a better future. Today, half the power supplied to homes and businesses by Evergy comes from emission-free sources, creating more reliable energy with less impact to the environment. We will continue to innovate and adopt new technologies that give our customers better ways to manage their energy use.
For more information about Evergy, Inc., visit us at www.evergy.com.
Johnson County U.S. 69 Hwy. Expansion/Modernization Announced
Governor Laura Kelly Announces U.S. 69 Expansion and Modernization Project in Johnson County
~Kelly Administration’s Bipartisan Transportation Plan to Improve Accessibility, Safety, and Spur New Business Growth~
OVERLAND PARK – Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced in Overland Park that the region’s number one priority, the U.S. 69 Expansion and Modernization project – totaling a $300 million investment – has been committed to construction as part of the Kelly Administration’s bipartisan transportation plan.
“This project will enhance accessibility, address long-term safety concerns, and relieve congestion to recruit new businesses and families to Johnson County,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Since day one, we’ve honored our commitment to ending the practice of using infrastructure dollars for projects they were never meant for – and instead use these dollars to directly fix our roads, bridges, and expand broadband access. Today’s announcement is further proof that our commitment to good stewardship of these funds is benefitting our communities, taxpayers, and businesses.”
Express toll lanes (ETLs) are a new-to-the-region strategy for managing congestion along busy highway corridors like U.S. 69. While the two existing lanes will remain free for drivers to use, the project will add a new, third tolled lane in each direction from 151st and 103rd streets, replace 50-year-old pavement and reconfigure interchanges at Blue Valley Parkway and I-435.
“This project improves traffic flow for all drivers on U.S. 69,” said Secretary Julie Lorenz. “The Overland Park Council voted to use this approach to manage congestion and provide their local contribution through tolls. The Kelly Administration’s transportation program is built on partnerships. Communities across the state are providing a local funding contribution or phasing projects so their projects can be constructed sooner.”
“I’m glad to join Governor Kelly, Secretary Lorenz, and Overland Park City Councilmembers as they take the next step on this project to expand US 69—a project that has been a longtime priority for our community. It’s a team effort, and with the recent passage of the bipartisan INVEST in America Act through Congress, we are one step closer to bringing home additional federal funds for the US 69/167th Street interchange,” said Rep. Sharice Davids. “I look forward to continuing my work in Congress to secure smart, sustainable infrastructure investments that create good-paying jobs here in the Third District.”
“Commuters on U.S. 69 corridor are frustrated with increasing congestion and travel times,” said Overland Park Mayor Carl Gerlach. “We must address these issues to keep the Overland Park community and economy growing.”
Moving this project to the construction phase will take place as soon as preliminary engineering and right of way acquisition is complete. The U.S. 69 project is scheduled to be let for construction in fiscal year 2022 and open to traffic in 2025.
KDOT will turn to informing the public on what to use ETLs between now and when the project opens to traffic.
For more information, visit www.69Express.org or follow @69ExpressKS on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Nextdoor. Social media posts can be tagged with #69Express.
The below photos of today’s event are available for media use:
https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/OP_KDOT8.jpg
https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/OP_KDOT4.jpg
https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/OP_KDOT1.jpg
https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/OP_KDOT7.jpg
Tri-Valley Raffled Truck Winner: Gary Thomas
Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation Announces Winner of 21st Annual Raffle Truck Drawing
The Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation is proud to announce the winner of the 21st Annual Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation Truck Raffle Drawing: Gary Thomas.
Mr. Thomas’ ticket was drawn from 1,894 entries on Friday, June 25th at 1:30 pm by TVDS CEO Bill Fiscus. Mr. Thomas was notified immediately and was both surprised and excited to hear that he had won the raffle drawing. Mr. Thomas is now the proud owner of a 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 Long Horn Edition Truck, purchased from Shields Motor Company in Chanute, KS.
Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s raffle drawing.
This year’s raffle drawing raised $29,600 which will go to provide quality and affordable housing as well as aid in the delivery of services for our neighbors with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD).
Since 2001, the Foundation has built six houses as well as acquired six houses and one duplex. These thirteen houses are home to 62 individuals with I/DD that reside in the SE Kansas counties of Allen, Bourbon, Chautauqua, Elk, Greenwood, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson. The Friends of Tri-Valley is licensed through the State of Kansas for this raffle (RAF000005).
Unvaccinated Individuals Comprise 90% of New COVID Cases In The Region
CHC/SEK requests patients to wear masks in clinics
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas clinics are seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases and is reminding all patients to wear a mask during their clinic visits. Masks are also available for patients who need them.
COVID-19 testing is also available at all locations, and patients are asked to call ahead to their local clinic and request a test, and to remain in their cars for testing.
Unvaccinated individuals have comprised about 90% of the new cases, 95% of hospitalizations, and 98% of virus-related deaths in our region, according to CHC/SEK Chief Medical Officer Linda Bean D.O.
“Vaccination against COVID-19 continues to be the best way to protect yourself and others from serious or long-term effects of the virus,” Bean says. “CHC/SEK has now given over 40,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine which has shown to be safe and effective protection from the virus.”
COVID-19 vaccinations are available at all CHC/SEK clinics for anyone age 12 and older. People can walk-in or can request an appointment by calling their local CHC/SEK clinic or by going online at https://chcsek.org/getmyshot/
At this time the current vaccines appear to be effective against the variant Delta strains of COVID-19 which is more transmissible and can cause more significant illness in younger patients.
51 Ventilated COVID Patients Last Week in Crawford County
Local health professionals encourage people to celebrate safely
Crawford County Covid-19 cases are increasing, as well as throughout the region and they are already affecting local and regional hospitals, according to Dr. Tim Stebbins, Crawford County Health Officer and Director at Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department.
With the July 4 holiday approaching, Stebbins is concerned that traditional celebrations, including family and community gatherings, will increase the risk for transmission of Covid-19 and cause possible serious medical impact, especially on those who are not vaccinated against the disease.
Since the initial wave of the Coronavirus pandemic, Via-Christi Hospital in Pittsburg has gone from single digits of Covid-19 patients weekly back up into the 20s, and last week to 51 including ventilated patients with admissions on track for similar numbers this week.
Stebbins says nationally, 80-90% of new infections are in the unvaccinated/nonimmune group, with more than 90% of hospitalizations in the same group. Over the last few months, 98% or more of the deaths from Covid-19 are in the unvaccinated/nonimmune group.
Health officials have confirmed some of the new infections in Crawford County are the Delta variant of Covid-19.
As of mid-June 2021, the CDC estimates the Delta variant is accounting for 20% of new cases in the United States. The delta variant is challenging because it is highly transmissible and affects the younger age groups.
In milder cases, infected individuals may mistake the symptoms for a bad cold and not realize they need to isolate. Common symptoms reported have been headaches, sore throat, a runny nose, or fever.
Testing for COVID-19 is an essential part of containing the disease, and the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas has rapid testing available seven days a week. The Crawford County Health Department can also provide rapid testing.
For most vaccinated people, the current COVID-19 vaccines effectively prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death from all current strains of the virus. Previous illness with Covid-19 also seems to provide some immunity from the disease.
“Everyone should consider their own risk when celebrating, including their own current health and vaccination or immune status,” Stebbins says. “If you have any immune compromising disease or illness, such as cancer, you should carefully weigh the risks and consider mitigation.”
Strategies to help prevent Covid-19 infection include handwashing, social distancing, and wearing a mask. It is especially important that all individuals, regardless of immune status, stay home if they think they might be ill.
The single greatest protection against COVID-19 for individuals age 12 and up is vaccination. Crawford County has a robust vaccination capability and vaccinations can be found through nearly all local pharmacies, SEK Urgent Care, PSU Health, Community Health Centers of Southeast Kansas, and the Crawford County Health Department. Three different vaccines are available in the County and vaccination is available to anyone 12 or older.
It is possible for all of us to celebrate this holiday safely and to minimize the risk of harm to our family and friends, Stebbins says. “Everyone should consider their own risk when celebrating including their current health and vaccination or immune status. We must all be smart in what we do, consider the risks, mitigate if appropriate, and seriously consider vaccination to prevent further spread and impact of this disease.”