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Category Archives: Area News
Southeast Kansas Library Newsletter April 2021
USDA Invests $615,000 in four Kansas towns to Increase American Biofuel Availability
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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CHC/SEK to host Pfizer vaccine clinic on April 25
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.
Drug Take-Back Day April 24
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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Kansas Youth Community Change Conference June 1-15
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/
2021 Cruise Night Online Auction
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!
CRUISE NIGHT 2021 Online Auction
DATE: April 12th – 15th, 2021
LOCATION: Online Auction
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.
“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.
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!
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
Kansas Gas Service Raises Awareness of Financial Assistance for Customers
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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Ten-digit Dialing Starts April 24 For Area Code 620
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.
Cold Weather Rule to End March 31
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.
Red Cross Offers Virtual Children’s Preparedness Lessons
Get Prepared Today!
The American Red Cross is offering FREE, interactive virtual preparedness presentations to Kansas and Oklahoma Children! March forward with us into preparedness by inviting the children in your family and their friends to join one of our interactive learning sessions in 30 March – 29 April 2021.
The Presentations being offered are:
Prepare with Pedro: Kindergarten-2nd grade students
In this 30-minute presentation, a Red Cross presenter will read students a storybook about Pedro the Penguin who learns how to prepare and respond safely to home fires. Students will learn about smoke alarms, evacuating a home safely, and reuniting at a designated meeting location outside their home. This virtual storybook presentation is interactive and engaging to students.
The Pillowcase Project: 3rd-5th grade students
In this 60-minute presentation as part of The Pillowcase Project, students will learn what the American Red Cross does in their communities, and how to prepare for local hazards (tornados, home fires, and general emergency preparedness). Students will also learn emotional coping skills to help them become more resilient and navigate stressful situations. This virtual presentation is interactive and engaging to students, incorporating core curriculum standards.
Attached is a list of the dates/times and platforms that are being offered. If you are interested in any of the presentations, please send an email to [email protected] and we will send you a link to the presentation.
Come and learn to be safe with us! Hope to see you soon! (virtually, of course)
Barbara Martin
Youth Preparedness Program Volunteer Coordinator
American Red Cross I Kansas and Oklahoma Region
Chamber Coffee at Common Ground Coffee Hosted by NRMC
Chamber Coffee to be hosted by Nevada Regional Medical Center
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces that this week’s Chamber Coffee will be hosted by Chamber member Nevada Regional Medical Center. The event will be held at 8am in the Loading Dock area of Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall St.
Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served, and attendees may register to win special drawing from NRMC.
Attendees are strongly encouraged wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines.
Chamber members and guests are invited to Chamber Coffee events each Thursday at 8 a.m. to network, make announcements, hear about happenings in the community as well as learn about the host business or organization.
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