“We are working behind closed doors. Access is limited for all outside visitors. For your safety and the safety of our staff, we are taking extra precautions.
PLEASE PHONE US IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE.
620-223-8655. Extensions 54751 or 54762.”
I could not get a clear understanding about what local health care services are available for our area Veterans. When I requested an email detailing what local services are still available, I was referred to VA Public Relations in Topeka. I have contacted the VA Public Relations Departemnt and left a voicemail asking for information on what local health care services available for our Veterans.
Also, the VA shuttle service to Topeka and KC has been suspended for the indefinite future.
As more information becomes available, I will share it with you.
Remember to check Post 25 Facebook for updates as well.
Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson County, Kansas
PRESS RELEASE:
NOVEL CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19
UPDATED: 3/21/20, 5:00PM
March 21, 2020
Our offices currently are and have been monitoring the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). At this time there are NO confirmed cases reported in Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, or Woodson County. The SEK Multi-County Health Departments have been preparing for outbreaks and will continue working closely with local, state and federal partners to monitor, respond and inform the public of any potential threat.
On 3/18/2020 The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) issued new mandates surrounding COVID-19, including travelers, close contacts of confirmed cases and those being tested.
Our Public Health OfficerMANDATES a 14 day quarantine IF YOU HAVE TRAVELED TO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING AREAS ON OR AFTER MARCH 15:
California, Florida, New York and Washington state
Eagle, Summit, Pitkin and Gunnison counties in Colorado in the week prior to March 15 or after.
Traveled on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15.
Traveled internationally
Received notification from public health officials (state or local) that you are a close contact of a laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19. You should quarantine at home for 14 days since your last contact with the case. (A close contact is defined as someone who has been closer than 6 feet for more than 10 minutes while the patient is symptomatic.)
Our Public Health Officer STRONGLY RECOMMENDS a 14 day quarantine IF YOU HAVE TRAVELED TO: JOHNSON COUNTY, KANSAS OR ANY CITY WITHIN ITS BORDERS
The Public Health Officer is continuing to recommend that essential businesses remain open and non-essential businesses close if you are able, and/or practice social distancing.
If you are able to stay home from work, the Public Health Officer recommends you do so. Everyone, especially school aged children, should limit contact with others and use their best judgement.
SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19:
Fever
Cough
Shortness of Breath
DO NOT go to a Clinic, Hospital, ER, or Health Department without calling prior to arrival
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO COVID-19 OR HAVE RETURNED FROM AN AREA WITH KNOWN CASES:
Remain at home
Call your local clinic/family physician’s office for questions regarding testing or your County Health Department.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SYMPTOMS OR ARE IN RESPIRATORY DISTRESS:
Call your local clinic/family physician’s office OR 911, where you will receive further instructions.
Tips:
Stay away from people who are ill
If you have a compromised immune system or are considered a vulnerable population avoid face to face time and practice social distancing
Stay home if sick
Practice personal hygiene habits including handwashing, covering your cough, and avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth
For more information you may call the SEK Multi-County Health Department: Allen County: (620)365-2191 Monday-Thursday 7:00am-5:30pm; Anderson County: (785)448-6559 Monday-Thursday 7:00am-5:30pm; Bourbon: (620)223-4464 Monday-Thursday 7:00am-5:30pm ; Woodson County: (620)625-2484 Monday-Thursday 8:00am-5:00pm OR COVID-19 Hotline: (866)534-3463
DCF prioritizes abuse/neglect cases and safety net services
At the direction of Governor Laura Kelly, all Department for Children and Families service centers will close to the public, until further notice, beginning Monday, March 23. While the public won’t be able to access buildings, the agency’s core services will continue.
“Our mission is to protect children and strengthen families,” DCF Secretary Laura Howard said. “Our essential staff will continue the important work of investigating abuse and neglect allegations and processing applications for vital assistance programs.”
Core services continuing during the shutdown include:
The Kansas Protection Report Center (KPRC) will continue taking reports of abuse/neglect
Both child and adult protection workers will continue to receive and respond to abuse reports
Foster care operations
Eligibility workers will continue to process food, cash, LIEAP and child care assistance applications
Disability Determination Services continue; and
Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing will continue operations.
“We are taking prudent measures to make sure our employees are safe during this time,” Howard said. “While it might take us a bit longer to process an application, we do not anticipate any major interruptions or delays in our core services.
Additionally, we are committed to receiving and responding to reports of abuse/neglect. We may do some of those investigations virtually when possible, but be assured, we’ll work with our law enforcement partners to ensure children and vulnerable adults are safe.”
Kansans also can expect no interruption in child support operations. While DCF child support workers will be on administrative leave, agency contractors will continue their work.
There are several ways for Kansans to connect with DCF during the next two weeks. If someone suspects abuse or neglect, they should call the KPRC at 1-800-922-5330. They also can report allegations online at http://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/PPS/Pages/KIPS/KIPSWebIntake.aspx.
Those needing to apply for services like food, cash or child care assistance can apply online at www.dcf.ks.gov. Paper applications also will be available outside each DCF service center across the state. Completed applications can be left in drop boxes outside each service center or mailed to local service center.
Kansans who need to report a change or need to provide information about their case can email or mail their local DCF service center. They also can see if their benefits have been processed by going to ebtEDGE at www.ebtedge.com.
Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. March 31, 2020. Each DCF region also will have a dedicated emergency service phone number.
In the Wichita region call 316-337-7222.
In the Kansas City region call 1-888-369-4777.
In the East Region call 785-296-2500.
In the West Region call 785-462-6760 ext. 206.
DCF encourages Kansans to monitor the agency’s Facebook and Twitter pages for the latest information about office access and services.
Wind turbines just off Kansas Hwy. 59 in Allen County.
The controversial wind energy business is coming to Bourbon County.
Following a request to Apex Clean Energy, the wind energy company from Charlottesville, Virginia for specifics on the project, the following statement was provided.
Apex Clean Energy entered into five agreements with the Bourbon County Commission last Friday, March 13, according to Helen Humphreys, public engagement manager for Apex.
“In addition to setting out how Jayhawk Wind (Jayhawk) will operate in the community, the agreements also empower the county to enforce the provisions and ensure residents’ concerns are addressed both during the construction process and once the project is operational,” according to the press release provided FortScott.Biz.
Julianna Pianelli, Apex Project Development Manager, said, “We appreciate the Bourbon County commissioners for their careful, objective review of the Jayhawk Wind agreements. We know that economic opportunity has been a priority for the county, and we are proud that Jayhawk will provide a new source of revenue, new jobs, and new customers for local businesses.”
The agreements with Bourbon County Commissioners are unique No other entity or individuals are similarly restricted in the use of county roads and given that Bourbon County does not have zoning restrictions, several of these agreements are entirely voluntary and reflect Apex’s commitment to community engagement, according to information provided by Humpherys.
Standing at the bottom of a wind turbine looking up at the clear Kansas sky.
The following was sent from Humphreys regarding the agreements with the Bourbon County Commission.
“Decommissioning Agreement
Decommissioning agreements are common in the wind industry and ensure that financial resources are available to remove the turbines and related facilities at the end of a project’s lifespan. The Jayhawk Decommissioning Agreement:
Specifies that the turbines, and related equipment, will be removed by the project owner when the project is complete; and
Requires that, on the 10th anniversary of the completion of construction, Jayhawk Wind will place a performance bond, letter of credit, or other security acceptable to the county to cover the net removal cost in an amount determined by an engineer selected by the county.
The Contribution Agreement details the financial donation Jayhawk will make to Bourbon County if the project enters construction. Kansas law exempts renewable energy projects like Jayhawk from property taxes for the first ten years of operation, just as it does with a property such as farm equipment and other sources of energy production. In place of these taxes, wind developers often propose to donate funds to a county through a voluntary contribution agreement because we believe it is important that a project directly benefits its community.
In the Bourbon agreements, Jayhawk committed to making an initial payment of $407,812.50 to Bourbon County upon receiving notice to proceed with construction. This payment will be followed by nine annual payments of $365,625, and a final annual payment of $182,813.
After 10 years of operation, the tax exemption will expire, and Jayhawk will pay property taxes to the municipalities and school districts in which the project is located. According to the Jayhawk Wind Economic Impact Analysis:
Bourbon County will receive annual revenues of $586,380 and a total of $11.4 million over the projected 25-year life of the project;
Uniontown Unified School District will receive $387,000 annually beginning in year 11 and a total of $5.8 million;
Girard Unified School District will receive $203,000 annually beginning in year 11 and a total of $3 million; and
Erie Unified School District will receive $38,00 annually beginning in year 11 and a total of $572,000.
The Road Use Agreement (RUA) clearly outlines Jayhawk’s obligation to maintain or improve the county roadways it will use. According to the agreement, the county will prepare a pre-construction road survey and establish an inventory of the roads before construction. These tools will be used to both mitigate project impacts on local traffic during construction and to determine what repairs and improvements will be needed to return the roads to pre-construction condition.
Also, vehicles with a combined weight of 80,000 pounds or more will be required to stay on approved transportation routes.
Jayhawk Wind agrees to return the roads it uses during construction to a condition that is “as good or better” to that existing before construction. Also, Jayhawk will be obligated to make repairs to any roads damaged during construction that create a hazard to the traveling public.
The RUA ensures Bourbon County has the resources needed to oversee the project and details how Jayhawk Wind will coordinate with county officials, by providing:
$50,000 for the County to hire outside engineering or added employee costs;
$250,000 security provided by Jayhawk before construction begins to guarantee its obligations under the RUA;
Proof that Jayhawk shall maintain $3,000,000 in insurance; and
That even after Jayhawk becomes operational, larger projects for which Jayhawk must use county roads will require Jayhawk to purchase a bond and ensure damage resulting from its road use is repaired.
Jayhawk agreed to a complaint resolution process that ensures members of the public who make a complaint can have confidence that their concerns will be addressed. Moreover, it empowers the county to order a review of unresolved complaints by an independent engineer. The Development Agreement requires Jayhawk to:
Establish a “24/7” single point of contact to take claims or issues and respond to complaints within five business days;
Maintain a record of complaints received and resolve any deemed to violate the Development Agreement; and
Be bound by the decision of a third-party engineer during dispute resolution between the county and the project.”
“Cumulatively, these agreements enable the continued development of Jayhawk while providing certainty for Bourbon County that all residents will benefit either directly or indirectly from the project,” according to the information provided by Humphreys.
The Jayhawk Wind project is expected to be operational in 2021.according to the information from Humphreys. It will produce enough power to supply 70,000 average U.S. homes and will also provide significant economic benefits for the local economy, according to the information. This includes the creation of more than 115 construction jobs and seven long-term operations positions.
HOUSTON (March 18, 2020) – The safety and health of our guests, associates and store communities are our top priority.
To better support our associates, serve our customers and slow the spread of COVID-19, Stage Stores and our family of brands (Gordmans, Bealls, Goodys, Palais Royal, Peebles, and Stage) have adjusted our store operating hours. Until further notice, our reduced store hours are as follows:
Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm
Sunday 12pm-6pm
Additionally, in compliance with local government orders to shut down all non-essential businesses, as well as other location-based factors, select stores are temporarily closed and will not re-open until circumstances improve.
Our new store openings continued as planned yesterday, March 17, however new store openings planned for March 31 have been postponed. Events planned in conjunction with store openings, such as ribbon-cutting ceremonies, have been canceled.
In addition to our new store hours, we are taking the following actions to help keep our guests and associates healthy:
Increasing the frequency of store cleanings, paying special attention to frequently touched objects and surfaces such as register counters, shopping carts, door handles, restrooms, etc.;
Reminding our associates of their training on illness prevention;
Advising all employees to stay home if they are not feeling well, or if circumstances might advise them to do so, to seek medical attention if they have symptoms.
We also encourage our guests everywhere to take the extra precautions necessary to safeguard their health and the health of others. We will continue to monitor the situation closely, and work with public health authorities as required. We will keep you informed if our approach changes and will continue to post updates on stage.com and gordmans.com. We look forward to serving guests in our stores.
John Horn votes during a 2017 election at the Bourbon County Courthouse.
The election process has begun and this year the general election date is November 3,
“Filing deadline is noon, June 1st, 2020,” Bourbon County Clerk Kendell Mason said. “Anyone wanting to run for a local office can pick up the filing paperwork from my office.”
The county clerk’s office is located on the first floor of the north wing of the Bourbon County courthouse, 210 S. National Ave.
Since the interview, the courthouse has temporarily closed due to COVID 19 prevention measures.
“I am checking my emails on a regular basis,” Mason said on March 17. “if someone needs a packet they can email me with their mailing information and we will mail them a packet. My email address is [email protected].”
At the county level, there have been some filings for Bourbon County Sheriff and two commission positions, Mason said.
So far this year, three men have applied to run for Bourbon County Sheriff: Derick Burke, Bill Martin and Craig A. Rice
Fort Scott Police Department Officer Derick Burke. File photo. Burke is running for sheriff.
Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin. Submitted photo. Martin is running for sheriff.
Craig Rice. Courtesy photo by Merle Humphrey. Rice is running for sheriff.
Two Bourbon County Commission seats are up for election:
For Commission District #2 – Jeffrey Fischer and Jim Harris
For Commission District #3 – LeRoy “Nick” Ruhl
Jeff Fischer, District 2 Bourbon County Commissioner. He is running for his current position.Jim Harris, Bourbon County Public Works Director. Harris is running for District 2 Commissioner.Nick Ruhl, District 3 Bourbon County Commissioner. He is running for his current position.
“Elections in even years are in August and November,” Mason said. “A law changed the odd-year elections from spring to fall.
As of last week, there are no amendments received to be put on the ballot, Mason said.
You may register to vote online, through the Kansas Secretary of State’s website.
Check your voter registration status, the location of your polling place and view a sample ballot at VoterView by the Secretary of State.
Advance Voting is available prior to each election. You may advance vote in one of two ways: By mail, by filing an application for a ballot to be mailed to you OR in-person, beginning at least one week prior to any election.
The freezer and cooler section were expanded in the recent Dollar General remodel.
Dollar General Corporation announced plans to dedicate the first hour of each shopping day to senior shoppers, as well as amend store operating hours beginning March 17, 2020.
Senior Hour Encouragement
“Dollar General is strongly encouraging that the first hour of operations each day be dedicated solely for the shopping needs of senior customers, who are one of the groups most vulnerable to the COVID-19 coronavirus. In keeping with the Company’s mission of Serving Others,” according to its’ website. “Dollar General wants to provide these at-risk customers with the ability to purchase the items they need and want at the beginning of each day to avoid busier and more crowded shopping periods.”
Fort Scott Dollar General Manager LaDonna Sandstoe said today that the “plan came through from headquarters,” and “there was a “conference call this morning.”
“It didn’t work too well this morning,” Sandstoe said. “We had teenagers coming through here with the seniors.”
“But 8 to 9 a.m. is designated for the elderly,” she said.
Hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sandstoe said.
The following is from the Dollar General website;
“Other customers are encouraged to plan their shopping trips around this window of time to allow the most susceptible customers in our communities the ability to shop during the first hour that stores are open.
Store Hour Adjustments
Additionally, all stores plan to close one hour earlier than current close times to allow employees to clean and re-stock store shelves, as well as for their health and wellbeing. Stores will continue to maintain current opening hours. Normal operating hours by individual store locations are available here.
Dollar General remains committed to providing customers and employees with a safe, clean and pleasant shopping environment at all stores and seeks for customers to feel confident when shopping its stores.
Quote from Todd Vasos, CEO
“In keeping with our mission and our ongoing commitment to serve our communities, we are dedicating the first hour of each day to seniors. We appreciate our customers’ understanding of our decision and request they visit our stores later in the morning to allow at-risk populations the ability to purchase the items they need at affordable prices,” said Todd Vasos, Dollar General’s CEO. “During these unprecedented times, Dollar General is diligently working to meet the ongoing needs of our customers and communities. We are proud to live our mission and provide customers with everyday low prices on the household essentials that are used and replenished most often.”
About Dollar General Corporation
Dollar General Corporation has been delivering value to shoppers for more than 80 years. Dollar General helps shoppers Save time. Save money. Every day!® by offering products that are frequently used and replenished, such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, housewares and seasonal items at everyday low prices in convenient neighborhood locations. Dollar General operated 16,278 stores in 44 states as of January 31, 2020. In addition to high-quality private brands, Dollar General sells products from America’s most-trusted manufacturers such as Clorox, Energizer, Procter & Gamble, Hanes, Coca-Cola, Mars, Unilever, Nestle, Kimberly-Clark, Kellogg’s, General Mills, and PepsiCo. Learn more about Dollar General at www.dollargeneral.com.”
