Category Archives: COVID-19

Bourbon County, Business, COVID-19

Farm Loans For Farmers

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USDA Offers Farm Loans for Farmers Facing Covid-19 Related Challenges
 

Manhattan, Kansas, May 14, 2020 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds producers that FSA offers farm ownership and farm operating loans to agricultural producers who may not find success obtaining loans from their traditional financial institutions because of COVID-19. Farmers who cannot obtain commercial credit from a bank can apply for FSA direct or guaranteed loans.

“Farming and ranching is a capital-intensive business and FSA is committed to helping producers maintain their agricultural operations during this time of crisis,” said David Schemm, FSA State Executive Director in Kansas. “FSA loans are designed to assist beginning and historically underserved farmers and ranchers, as well as those who have suffered financial setbacks from natural disasters or economic downturns. Producers may find that an FSA loan is the best option for them if they cannot qualify for a loan with their traditional financial institutions or other financial institutions because of COVID-19.”

USDA offers a variety of loans to meet different production needs. Direct loans are made to applicants by FSA. Guaranteed loans are made by lending institutions who arrange for FSA to guarantee the loan. FSA can guarantee up to 95 percent of the loss of principal and interest on a loan. The FSA guarantee allows lenders to make agricultural credit available to producers who do not meet the lender’s normal underwriting criteria.

The direct and guaranteed loan program offers two types of loans: farm ownership loans and farm operating loans.

Farm ownership loan funds may be used to purchase or enlarge a farm or ranch; purchase easements or rights of way needed in the farm’s operation; build or improve buildings such as a dwelling or barn; promote soil and water conservation and development; and pay closing costs.

Farm operating loan funds may be used to purchase livestock, poultry, farm equipment, fertilizer, and other materials necessary to operate a farm. Operating loan funds can also be used for family living expenses; refinancing debts under certain conditions; paying salaries for hired farm laborers; installing or improving water systems for home, livestock or irrigation use; and other similar improvements.

Repayment terms for direct operating loans are scheduled from one to seven years. Financing for direct farm ownership loans cannot exceed 40 years. Interest rates for direct loans are set periodically according to the government’s cost of borrowing. Guaranteed loan terms and interest rates are set by the lender.

For more information on FSA’s farm loan programs, please contact your local FSA office or visit farmers.gov.

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

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

New Executive Order From Gov. Kelly

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Governor Kelly signs new Executive Order as part of ongoing COVID-19 response effort

 

Governor Laura Kelly yesterday signed Executive Order #20-32 as part of her administrations comprehensive, ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The order provides temporary relief from certain restrictions concerning shared work programs.

 

Shared Work is an alternative for employers faced with a reduction in workforce and allows an employer to divide the available work or hours of work among a specified group of affected employees in lieu of a layoff. Shared Work allows the employees to receive a portion of their unemployment insurance benefits while working reduced hours for their employers.

 

Executive Order #20-32 expands flexibility for Kansas employers, so they can take advantage of the existing federal programs.

 

“We want Kansas employers to be able to keep as many people on payroll as they can, and decrease the need for unemployment.,” Kelly said. “This is all about providing further support to people facing financial hardship and employers dealing with tough decisions right now.”

 

The order waives a provision in the law that prohibited a contributing negative account employer (an employer that has paid more in unemployment benefits to its employees than it has contributed to its unemployment insurance account with the state) to participate in a shared work plan.

 

Under the federal “CARES” Act, the federal government will reimburse 100% of any state unemployment insurance benefits paid through a “short-time” or “shared work” unemployment program, through the end of 2020.

 

Executive Order #20-32 can be found here.

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

Governor Kelly adds new phase to “Ad Astra” plan

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Kelly: COVID-19 metrics indicate progress, but caution still needed

 

This afternoon, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed Executive Order 20-32, which establishes a new phase to the “Ad Astra: Plan to Reopen Kansas.” The new “1.5” Phase, effective May 18, 2020, continues reopening efforts while preserving some data-driven restrictions necessary to prevent community transmission of COVID-19.

 

“The good news is that hospitalizations and COVID-related deaths continue to decline, enabling us to move forward with our efforts to safely reopen Kansas,” said Kelly. “Unfortunately, the daily rate of disease spread has not shown the downward trajectory necessary to move fully into Phase 2. I said from the beginning that public safety must remain the top priority, which means that our reopening efforts must be driven by data, not dates. Phase 1.5 will continue our transition, but with necessary caution.”

 

Key Phase 1.5 highlights:

 

  • Mass gatherings of more than 10 individuals continue to be prohibited;
  • Nail salons, barber shops, hair salons, tanning salons, tattoo parlors and other personal service businesses where close contact cannot be avoided may open, but only for pre-scheduled appointments or online check-in;
  • Fitness centers and health clubs may open, but in-person group classes may not occur and locker rooms must be closed except as necessary to use restroom facilities.
  • In-person commencement or graduation ceremonies may occur with no more than 10 individuals in a room, gymnasium, or facility at one time as long as 6-foot social distancing is maintained. Outdoor drive-through graduation ceremonies during which no more than 10 individuals are in the same area outside of their vehicles at a time (i.e. school administration, graduate, family members, etc.) are allowed.

Under Phase 1.5, the following, unless they are repurposed for use in an essential function under the Kansas Essential Function Framework, shall remain closed to the public:

  • Bars and night clubs, excluding already operating curbside and carryout services;
  • Non-tribal Casinos;
  • Theaters, museums, and other indoor leisure spaces (trampoline parks, arcades, etc.);
  • Community centers;
  • Outdoor and indoor large entertainment venues with capacity of 2,000 or more;
  • Fairs, festivals, carnivals, parades;
  • Swimming pools (other than backyard pools);

 

  • Organized sports facilities, sports tournaments, sports games, and sports practices; and
  • Summer camps.

 

The Governor will evaluate the state’s disease spread, testing rates, death rates, hospitalizations, ability of state and local public health authorities to contain outbreaks and conduct contact tracing, and personal protective equipment availability when determining if the state should move to the next “Phase.” Regardless of phase, the State Health Officer retains the authority to impose additional public health interventions in any area that contains an emergent and significant public health risk.

 

Throughout all phases, Kansans should continue to adhere to hygiene and social distancing protocols, including:

 

  • Washing hands frequently, while avoiding contact with one’s face;
  • Remaining home when sick or running a fever;
  • Following isolation and quarantine orders issued by state or local health officers;
  • Wearing a cloth face mask when in public;
  • Working remotely, if possible.

Kelly’s “Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas,” is available in full at covid.ks.gov, in addition to industry-specific guidance for Kansas businesses.

COVID-19, Fort Scott, Schools

FSHS Senior Serves on Kansas Learning Plan Commission

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Elizabeth Ngatia. Submitted photo.

USD 234 Superintendent Ted Hessong nominated Fort Scott High School Senior Elizabeth Ngatia to serve on the Kansas Learning Plan Commission, started by the Kansas State Department of Education.

The KSDE asked all school districts to nominate one senior from the graduating class of 2020 to be on the task force to assist other seniors across the State of Kansas in dealing with the pandemic of COVID-19.

“I felt so honored, thankful to have a superintendent who believed in me so much,” she said. “The nomination was to represent the USD 234 school district and our seniors.”

Hessong was impressed with Ngatia as a student at FSHS, he said.  “After hearing some of her speeches, I was moved by the passion she had for topics she was conveying to the listener. I was not aware of Elizabeth’s personal story at the time of the nomination, but when she shared her story with me I knew she was the right choice to nominate for her to represent USD 234.”

Once nominated, Ngatia wtote a bibliography about herself and  waited to see if she was selected to be a part of the 50 students selected.

“After the meeting with the 50 students, a few weeks passed and KSDE contacted me about being a part of an even smaller group to help have a more focused conversation that can benefit students,” she said.

The group met online for discussion beginning May 1.

The following is an email interview with Ngatia.

What do you do on the commission?

“I discuss my thoughts, ideas, and concerns about my struggles as well as other seniors and their struggles through this trying time with fellow seniors in Kansas, and the staff of the KSDE.”

How do you meet?

“We meet every few weeks on Zoom calls as a group.”

Elizabeth Ngatia,  top middle , in a Zoom meeting with others on the Kansas Learning Plan Commission. Submitted photos.

 

What is the commission all about?

“The commission is all about… the leaders of the Kansas education system, getting to hear from students about how we are coping with everything. They are able to have an insight on what ways they may be able to help with such a drastic change. However, the commission goes beyond Covid-19 and the burden it has been. We discuss how and what educators can do to help address some of the barriers seniors face. What they can do to create, and improve, some of the high school learning experiences for future graduates.”

Has anything good come out of the experience of the pandemic that shut down the country, for you?

“I think for me I took the time to grieve and be heartbroken about the situation. I took the time to remember all the things that would no longer be accessible to me, once I got past that grieving stage, I reminded myself that this is the way that it has to be, that although it has affected many important areas of my life, I must look at the positives. I quickly recognized how lucky and blessed I am to have a home life where I feel safe, cared for, and can easily focus on my online studies well. At the end of the day, you must take the bad situations and make them good, I am happy to have gotten this extra time with my family, this extra to also re-evaluate and discover more about myself before moving on to a new chapter of my life.”

What challenges have there been?

“For me, asides from the common missing being with friends and extended family, it was navigating post-secondary education plans without the help of teachers and especially the counselors.”

What are you looking forward to in your education?

“I am really looking forward to being in the leadership community at Washburn University and being around such a family-like atmosphere. I am also really looking forward to studying pre-law (political science) in the capital city where I will hopefully get to work with some of our state lawmakers and see everything in action, hopefully, pick up a few skills!”

“Elizabeth has a bright future in front of her and I know by her participating in this task force, others will be able to learn and relate to her story and she will help her fellow seniors across the State of Kansas in dealing with COVID-19 in a positive manner,” Hessong said.

 

Ngatia shared a little of her life journey with fortscott.biz:

She was born and raised in Mombasa, Kenya, and her parents worked hard to support the family.

  “At the age of seven, my family immigrated to America,” Ngatia said. “My parents picked up jobs at local fast-food restaurants to support us.”

The culture in Kenya and the U.S. were immensely different, she said and she felt like she was out of place due to her strong accent, financial issues and other cultural differences.

Her family became her source of motivation.

Her parents told her the American Dream was meant for her and her sister.

  “They pushed us to be successful because this is an opportunity not many have in Kenya,” she said.  

The faith and support of her parents helped her realize the opportunities she has before her, and she looked for ways to change the status quo, by getting involved in many school activities to fulfill the goals she had, she said.

 

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Health Care

COVID-19 RECOVERY DRIVE

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SEK Multi-County Health Department would like to announce we will be having a COVID-19 Recovery Drive, where we will be handing out care packages, which include a variety of basic necessities and food items, to Bourbon County residents that are in need. Donations will be handed out to the first 100 cars to come through.

Location: Bourbon County Health Department 524 S. Lowman St. Ft. Scott (Corner of 6th and Horton)

Date: May 14th

Time: 1-5PM

Residents will remain in their car during pickup. We ask that you enter through our east drive and exit through the west drive to keep things moving smoothly.

We would like to thank the Kansas Health Foundation, Valu Merchandisers, Fort Scott Fire Department, G&W Foods, Walmart, and community members for their assistance in making all of this drive possible.

Bourbon County, COVID-19

Disaster Food Distribution May 14 For Western Bourbon County

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture will have another food distribution in May for those affected by the COVID 19 pandemic.

“We will have Disaster Household Distribution (DHD)food for the area again on May 14th,” Becky Shinn, coordinator of the West Bourbon County distribution, said.  “Here in Uniontown, it will be May 14th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Uniontown Baptist Church.”

People are asked to stay in their cars and those distributing will come to each car to get information on how many in the family.

COVID-19, Government

Grants To Support Community Responses To COVID 19 in Eco Devo and Meal Programs Offered

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Governor Kelly Announces $9 Million in Grants to
Support Community Responses to Coronavirus

Topeka, Kan. – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that more than $9 million in federal funding will be made available to the state’s Community Development Block Grant program to support community responses to the COVID-19 crisis.

The Kansas Department of Commerce will administer the Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Response Supplement (CDBG-CV), which is part of the state’s allocation from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

“The Community Development Block Grant program has been a powerful tool in developing communities and expanding economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income Kansans,” Kelly said. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to expand our support to these communities in this time of crisis.”

Grants are available to communities in two categories.

Economic Development
Economic development grants provide communities with funding to help local businesses retain jobs for low-to-moderate income people. Grant funds can be used for expenses such as working capital (e.g., wages, utilities, rent) or to purchase up to 60 days of inventory needed to reopen, once allowed to reopen.

Meal Programs
Meal program grants provide communities with funds for various programs that provide access to nutritious foods during the COVID-19 crisis. Grant funds can be directed toward organizations such as Meals on Wheels, local food banks or to support organizations providing meals for children affected by the loss of school meal programs.

“It’s our intent that by infusing an additional $9 million into communities to support urgent needs, we can help alleviate some of the stress caused by the COVID-19 crisis and allow Kansas to return to business as usual as quickly as possible,” Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “What’s great about the CDBG-CV program is that it allows decision making to happen at the local level by the people who know their communities – and their needs – best.”

Kansas cities and counties can find further details and apply for CDBG-CV grants by visiting kansascommerce.gov/cdbg-cv.

Applications for CDBG-CV open Tuesday, May 12. Funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds have been disbursed.

For current information on COVID-19 in Kansas go to covid.ks.gov.

COVID-19, Fort Scott

Library Offering Curbside Pickup Starting May 12

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Fort Scott Public Library is offering curbside pickup of library materials. We encourage patrons to log in to their accounts and place holds. Patrons who prefer may call us at (620)223-2882 or email either [email protected] or [email protected]. We will limit holds placed by phone to 5 items. Patrons may also borrow newspapers and magazines. Email or call with the titles and dates needed.

The only items available to check out are those physically in our library. Eventually the service that moves library items from place to place will be working again, but for at least the next couple of weeks, we’re limited to what we have here. If you log in to your account at www.seknfind.org, your choices will automatically be set to items located at Fort Scott Public.

Are you unsure of what books to get for your child, or just don’t have the time to browse the catalog? Miss Val is here to help! Every week, she will compile collections of ten books on specific topics for you to check out. See the library website or Facebook page for a list of current topics available, and feel free to contact Miss Val at [email protected] to make suggestions for future topics. Collections are compiled by both topics and age ranges of birth to 6 years or 2nd to 5th grade. When calling or emailing the library to reserve a collection, just ask for the book collection listed online, or request a list of current topics. If one you want has already been taken, we will tell you what topics remain. You may even find a few goodies from Miss Val in your bag!

Emails and texts are automatically generated when we scan holds. The items won’t be available to check out until we have scheduled a time with you. We will call patrons to schedule a time to pick up their items. We encourage everyone to log in to their accounts and verify that their contact information is correct. If you need assistance logging in, please email us at either [email protected] or [email protected]. Include your account number (library card number) in your email.

You can find instructions about how to log in to your account and place holds by looking in the “how to” section on our website: fortscott.mykansaslibrary.org.

We will have a table outside the library where we will place items to be picked up. Patrons should call the library when they arrive and give us their library card number. We will put the items on the table to be picked up. We ask that people stay away from the table while library staff are outside.

We will place your items in bags before putting them on the table. If you prefer to use your own bags, let us know when we schedule your pick up time. When you arrive, call us to let us know you’re here, place your bag on the table, and move away from the table. Library employees will put your items in your bag and return to the building.

People who need us to put the items in their vehicles should let us know when we are scheduling their pick up times. Please open your trunk and remain in your vehicle when you let us know that you’re here for your holds. Library staff will place your items in your trunk.

In the event of inclement weather, items to pick up will be placed on the counter inside the Second Street entrance. Please wait until staff have re-entered the main building before entering to pick up your items.

We will have an area outside the building in which we are offering free books. Please limit browsing to one person at a time. We will refill the selection of free books as needed. Please remain an appropriate distance away from library employees refilling the free books boxes.

We are quarantining all returned items for several days.

Please maintain appropriate social distancing while library employees are outside the building.

Please stay home if you are sick.

We are not accepting donations of any materials at this time.

A note to our wi-fi users: In order for us to keep the wi-fi available while we are offering curbside circulation, we ask that you please not occupy the parking or sidewalk area on the north (Second Street) side of the library.

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

Long Term Care Supports and Services Liaison Announced by Governor

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KDADS Announces Hiring of COVID-19 Long-Term Supports and Services Liaison

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly and Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Secretary Laura Howard today announced the agency will contract with Kathy Greenlee, former Assistant Secretary for Aging at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and former Secretary of the Kansas Department on Aging.

Ms. Greenlee will work on a half-time basis as the Kansas COVID-19 Long-Term Supports and Services (LTSS) Liaison as part of the administration’s continued focus on nursing facilities and LTSS.

“It’s important to highlight that Ms. Greenlee’s role will not be to do the things that are currently being done today in our state agencies related to long-term care, but to lend her expertise and utilize her national connections to enhance our work here in Kansas,” Kelly said.

Since leaving her seven-year tenure with HHS in Washington, D.C., Ms. Greenlee has continued her work at the national and regional levels as President and Chief Executive Officer of Greenlee Global, LLC. She served as Secretary of the Kansas Department on Aging from 2006-2009.

The role of the LTSS Liaison is designed to be a cross-agency partnership with KDADS, the Kansas Division of Emergency Management (KDEM) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). The proposed scope of work will include, but not be limited to:

  • LTSS technical assistance for local public health and emergency management, including education on the characteristics and needs of LTSS providers like facility and community-based providers
  • Facilitating cross-agency partnership between state and local organizations, including review and reporting at the state level on best practices
  • Identifying future priority issues and preparedness needs for LTSS consumers and providers
  • Serving as an additional channel of communication between state and local officials and stakeholders

“Kathy Greenlee brings an extensive experience advancing reforms aimed at improving the lives of seniors and individuals with disabilities,” Howard said. “That experience will serve all three agencies very well.  We look forward to the wealth of knowledge she can immediately offer to further our efforts and advance best practices across our facilities and community-based providers.

In Kansas, there are currently 22 COVID-19 clusters in long-term care facilities. These have resulted in 540 positive cases, including 85 deaths.

“Preparedness of long-term care facilities is critical in responding to infectious disease pandemics like COVID-19. Ms. Greenlee’s extensive background and expertise will serve us well as we work to protect the health of Kansans,” KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman said.

Creation of this COVID-19 Long-term Supports and Services Liaison position is the latest effort in Kansas’ focus on vulnerable populations such as those Kansans residing in long-term care facilities.  Long- term care facilities are an essential component of America’s healthcare delivery system. These facilities are unique, as they serve as both healthcare providers and as full-time homes for some of Kansas’ most vulnerable citizens. The state has prioritized efforts towards these facilities, including:

  • In an effort to minimize the impact of outbreaks in these facilities, once a case is detected in either a resident or staff, KDHE and the state laboratory provide resources to test all asymptomatic and symptomatic residents and staff and work with facilities and local health departments on plans to cohort positive cases and staff. This quick detection of any cases, even in asymptomatic people, in combination of proper cohorting reduces the spread of illness within the facility.

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