Category Archives: Government

Bourbon County, Government

Redfield Receives USDA Grant for Community Center

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United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Acting State Director for Rural Development Kansas Dan Fischer today announced that USDA is investing $803,700 toward 11 community facility projects, serving 29,333 Kansans.

 

The Kansas projects are:

  • The City of Laharpe will receive a $46,400 grant to purchase and install a heating and air conditioning system for the city hall, library and community center. The current system is old, unreliable and has many service calls for repairs. At times, those repairs have caused the cancellation of activities.

 

  • The City of Redfield will receive a $38,700 grant to renovate and improve the city hall/community center. The building’s age, along with deferred maintenance, has resulted in a need for significant upgrades. Upgrades to the restroom, water heater, heating and cooling system, and doors and windows will improve energy efficiency and lower operational costs.

 

  • The Unified School District #220, Ashland, will receive a $100,500 grant to renovate Ashland High School restrooms making them Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant.

 

  • The City of Winfield will receive a $125,400 grant to purchase two ambulances for the city’s emergency services. Two of the city’s five ambulances are no longer serviceable due to high mileage and repair costs.

 

  • The City of Girard will receive a $13,400 grant toward the purchase of a law enforcement vehicle and firefighting equipment. The new vehicle will replace an older vehicle with high mileage. The fire equipment is a positive pressure vent fan, a rescue saw, and a ventilation chain saw.

 

  • The City of Goessel will receive a $34,000 grant toward the purchase of a backhoe. Increased repairs to the old backhoe are expected to exceed replacement costs. This equipment is used in maintaining streets, repairing water leaks, sewer leaks and used at the city’s tree dump.

 

  • The Unified School District #380 will receive a $243,000 grant to renovate school buildings and upgrade technology within the communities of Centralia, Frankfort and Vermillion. Renovations will include window replacements, classroom and bathroom remodels, and replacement of an outdated boiler heating system with heating/air conditioning units. Funds will also be used to purchase security cameras, magnetic door holders, a new school bus, and 240 laptops to replace outdated computer equipment.

 

  • The City of Osawatomie will receive a $46,000 grant to purchase radios for the police and fire departments. The current radios are outdated and do not meet mandates by the Federal Communication Commission. The new radios will assist the departments in working side by side with other agencies throughout the state for emergencies or natural disasters.

 

  • The City of Cherryvale will receive a $37,400 grant to purchase a vehicle and equipment for the Fire-Rescue Department’s Code Enforcement within the city. The new vehicle will be designated for Code Enforcement use.

 

  • The Historic Preservation Corporation will receive a $85,800 grant to renovate the interior of the Art and History Center located in Council Grove. The renovations will include the installation of heating and air conditioning, restroom renovations, flooring, custom stage, chair lift, and shelving for displays.

 

  • The City of Kingman will receive a $33,100 grant to purchase and install equipment and update landscaping in Broadway Park. This project will provide handicapped accessible equipment and parking along with other equipment, park benches, lighting, landscaping, and fencing.

 

Government, Kansas

Staffing shortages could impact KDOT winter operations in southeast Kansas

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Kansas Department of Transportation offices in southeast Kansas are committed to keeping the highways cleared whenever inclement weather occurs.

In line with workforce shortages across the nation, KDOT does not have enough equipment operators – the agency’s primary snowplow operators – in a number of areas across Kansas. These shortages create the potential for highways to not be cleared of snow and ice as quickly as in the past.

The agency has dealt with reduced staffing in the past, but the shortages are greater this year. Southeast KDOT offices are about 22% short of snowplow operators needed to be fully staffed, with a 30% shortage of needed equipment operators statewide.

“KDOT is facing significant staffing shortages in some areas and will work proactively to clear Kansas highways by shifting crews to affected areas and pretreating highways and bridges whenever possible,” said Secretary Julie Lorenz. “Our snowplow operators work 12-hour shifts and do their best to keep the roads open and the public moving.”

To help address the shortage, the agency will deploy all employees who have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to plow snow and hire seasonal workers. For people interested in working at KDOT, go to the state’s employment website at http://jobs.ks.gov/  KDOT will assist selected applicants in obtaining a CDL upon hiring, including paying for training.

“It will be more of a challenge for our crews in north-central Kansas to keep that same level of service this winter,” said District Engineer Wayne Gudmonson. “We encourage motorists to be aware before and during winter storms and possibly alter or delay travel plans if necessary.”

Before traveling, motorists can check www.KanDrive.org, KDOT’s road/weather condition website. It is updated 24/7 for highway conditions, overall weather information, short-term closures and general alerts.

 

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

KDHE Encourages COVID-19 Safe Holiday Celebrations 

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TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) encourages Kansans to celebrate the upcoming holidays safely. Whether you are celebrating with family or friends, it is important to know what COVID-19 precautions you can take to protect yourself and others this holiday season.

In order to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends taking the following precautions:

  • Get vaccinated. The best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is to get fully vaccinated. Getting vaccinated also helps protect others around you, including those not yet eligible for vaccination, such as young children.
  • Get tested. Even if someone is not showing symptoms, they can still spread the virus. Protect your loved ones by getting tested for COVID-19 before spending the holidays with friends and family.
  • Wear a mask. If you are not fully vaccinated, it is recommended that you wear a well-fitting mask over your nose and mouth in public indoor settings. In communities with substantial to high transmission rates, wearing a mask is recommended in public indoor settings even if you are fully vaccinated. If you or someone you are celebrating with has a weakened immune system, is at an increased risk for severe disease or is unvaccinated, you may choose to wear a mask while gathering as an added precaution.
  • Take travel precautions. It is recommended to delay travel until you are fully vaccinated, but whether you are fully vaccinated or not, it is important to know the travel recommendations and restrictions before your trip. For information about domestic and international travel guidance for fully vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, visit the CDC’s Travel page.

“With the holidays fast approaching, we want to encourage all Kansans to prioritize their health and safety this season,” said Lee Norman, M.D., Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. “It is important to take the steps that we can and do our part to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. During the upcoming holidays, we hope you can create new, happy memories while protecting yourselves and your loved ones.”

Help keep our communities stay safe by getting tested regularly. To find a free testing location near you, visit knowbeforeyougoKS.com.

To learn more about the vaccines, who is eligible to get vaccinated (or receive a booster shot), and schedule a vaccination appointment, visit kansasvaccine.gov.

Have a happy and safe holiday season!

Government, Kansas

Get A Big Game Hunting Permit

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Application Period Open for Coveted KDWP Commission Big Game Permits

PRATT – Local chapters of nonprofit organizations based or operating in Kansas – that actively promote wildlife conservation and the hunting and fishing heritage – have a special opportunity waiting for them with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) Commission. The Commission Big Game Permit program allows eligible organizations a chance to draw one of seven special big game permits, which can then be sold to raise funding for conservation-based projects. The official drawing will take place at the Commission’s January 13, 2022 public meeting. Applications, which can be obtained from Commission secretary Sheila Kemmis at [email protected], must be submitted no later than January 1, 2022. Organizations are not eligible to receive a Commission Big Game Permit more than once in a three-year period.

One elk, one antelope or up to seven deer permits are issued each year, depending on applicant preference. Deer permits are either-species/either-sex and are valid statewide during any season with legal equipment for that season; and, they do not count against other big game permits the license holder is eligible for.

Once the permit is sold, the cost of the permit, plus 15 percent of the total sale price, is subtracted and kept by the organization, while the remainder is remitted to KDWP with a proposal for a conservation project. When the project is approved, the money is returned to the organization to complete the project. An exception to this procedure would occur if Kansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry (KHFH) is drawn. In that case, KHFH keeps 85 percent of the funds to help pay for processing donated deer.

For more information, contact Kemmis at [email protected] or (620) 672-0702.

Government, Health Care, Kansas

Use Antibiotics Wisely

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Governor Kelly and KDHE Ask Kansans to Use Antibiotics Wisely

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly proclaimed Nov. 18–24 as Use Antibiotics Wisely Week in Kansas. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is asking health care providers and Kansans to use antibiotics wisely to help protect from the threat of growing resistance. This one-week observance led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) promotes awareness of antibiotic resistance (AR) and the importance of appropriate antibiotic prescribing and use across the United States.

“It will take everyone to do their part in ensuring the proper use of antibiotics,” said Secretary Lee Norman, M.D., Kansas Department of Health and Environment. “Utilizing antibiotics only when appropriate will help decrease the amount of antibiotic resistance infections across the state, further protecting all Kansans.”

Antibiotic awareness does not mean stopping the use of antibiotics; it means improving the way antibiotics are prescribed and used – when necessary and appropriate.

Since the 1940s, antibiotics have been used to treat patients with bacterial infections, significantly reducing the number of related illnesses and deaths. But now, more than 75 years later, antibiotics have been overused and misused to the point that the bacteria the antibiotics are designed to kill have adapted to them, making the drugs less effective, according to the CDC. In fact, some organisms have become so resistant that there are almost no medications that can successfully treat the infections.

The CDC finds that more than one-third of all antibiotics prescribed or otherwise used in the U. S. are either not needed or the antibiotic does not match the germ. Antibiotics are not effective for viruses, such as colds, most sore throats and many sinus infections.

Antibiotic resistance is an ongoing major threat to public health, creating limitations on available treatments for bacterial infections and jeopardizing the ability of healthcare professionals to fight infectious diseases. Additionally, AR increases 4-fold or more when antibiotics are misused for viral infections such as COVID-19 giving this pandemic the potential to kill many more Kansans indirectly by driving antibiotic resistant infections.

Each year, more than 2.8 million people in the United States contract AR infections and more than 35,000 of those people die. Kansas is the 8th highest antibiotic prescribing state with 904 antibiotic prescriptions per 1,000 population, and in the bottom three states in the nation for implementing antibiotic stewardship programs in our healthcare facilities. Antibiotic stewardship (AS) is the effort to improve prescription and use of antibiotics. It is critical that not only health care providers include AS in their practice, but also that all of become stewards of appropriate use.

Here are ways Kansans can help:

  • Do not request that your doctor prescribe antibiotics.
  • Antibiotics may have side effects. When your doctor says you do not need an antibiotic, taking one may do more harm than good.
  • Only take antibiotics that are prescribed for you and take the whole course as described. Do not share or use leftover antibiotics. Antibiotics treat specific types of infections. Taking the wrong medicine may delay correct treatment and allow bacteria to multiply.

To learn more about antibiotic resistance, visit UseAntibioticsWisely.com.

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

COVID-19 Booster Shots Available

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Governor Laura Kelly Announces COVID-19 Booster Shots Available to All Fully Vaccinated Adults

~All fully vaccinated Kansans over the age of 18 who are 6 months past Pfizer or Moderna vaccination, or two months past Johnson & Johnson vaccination, are now eligible for COVID-19 booster shot ~

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced all fully vaccinated Kansans over the age of 18 are now eligible for COVID-19 booster shots.

“The COVID-19 vaccine is free, safe, effective, and the best way to keep our communities protected from this virus,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “Expanding access to booster shots will help us put an end to this deadly pandemic. Whether you are considering your first shot or signing up for a booster, I urge everyone to get the facts and get vaccinated.”

All Kansans who meet the below criteria are now eligible and encouraged to receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine:

  • The patient is at least 18 years old and has met the 6-month time period following the primary vaccination series for the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, or it has been at least 2 months since their Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
  • The patient’s assessment of risk exposure may include, but is not limited to, those who work with the public or live with someone who works with the public, live or work with someone at high risk of severe impact of COVID, live in geographic areas that have been heavily impacted by COVID, reside in high transmission areas, live in congregate setting, experience social inequity or other risk conditions as assessed by the individual. Currently, there is a high risk of community transmission in all Kansas counties. Vaccine providers should allow patients to self-determine their risk of exposure.

“As we move into the winter months, Kansans will increasingly be indoors, putting themselves at greater risk of contracting the virus,” said Secretary Lee Norman, M.D., Kansas Department of Health and Environment. “Allowing Kansans to self-determine their risk of exposure to COVID-19 ensures that every tool is available to protect themselves and reduce the possibility of a winter COVID-19 surge.”

Available data right now show that all three of the COVID-19 vaccines approved or authorized in the United States continue to be highly effective in reducing risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, even against the Delta variant. Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and reduce the spread of the virus and help prevent new variants from emerging. To find a COVID-19 vaccine clinic visit Vaccines.gov.

Government, Kansas

Kansas Economic Outlook Continues to Improve

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State of Kansas Pays Off Long-Standing Debt Two Years Ahead of Schedule

 

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced the State of Kansas has paid off the long-standing Pooled Money Investment Board (PMIB) “Bridge Loan.” In 2017 the Legislature took out this loan to fill budget holes due to poor fiscal management of the previous administration.

“Government, just like every Kansan, has to balance its checkbook,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Thanks to three years of fiscal responsibility, we’ve paid off this debt, continue to fund our schools and roads, and we can afford good policy – like axing the state’s food tax – to provide tax relief to Kansas families.”

The Pooled Money Investment Board (PMIB) is a state board that manages and invests the money available from the State General Fund (SGF) and the hundreds of other state and local funds deposited with the State Treasurer.

In 2017, as a result of poor fiscal policy from the previous administration, the state was forced to borrow a “bridge loan” – a loan of over $300 million from the Pooled Money Investment Board to fill budget holes. The budget had to meet cash flow requirements per state law.

“Because of Governor Kelly’s leadership and due to her prudent fiscal decisions, the budget has not only stabilized – but reenergized the economy,” Budget Director Adam Proffitt said. “Kansas is now in a position to pay off the loan two years ahead of its original schedule – and that’s no small task, especially during uncertain economic times.”

Even with paying off the loan two years ahead of schedule, Governor Kelly has been able to:

  • Fully fund Kansas’ schools 3 years in a row;
  • Create over 30,000 jobs;
  • Bring in over $7 billion business dollars invested in Kansas;
  • Implement a statewide bipartisan infrastructure program that created more than 130 infrastructure projects to improve our roads, bridges, and broadband accessibility.
Government, Kansas

Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson

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Caryn Tyson

 

November 12, 2021

 

2021 Off-Session

Usually, there is not much to write about when the legislature is not in session.  That is not the case this year.  For the first time in Kansas history, 2/3 of the legislators signed a petition to force the Governor to call a special session.  There have been 24 special sessions called in the past, but they were all called by the Governor without a petition from legislators.  The special session beginning November 22, 2021 is a result of 29 (27 was required) senators and 84 representatives requesting the Governor call a special session.  All Kansas Republican legislators petitioned the Governor for a special session.  The first special session was called in 1874.

 

Any topic can be discussed during a special session.  However, all indication is the session will deal with the federal government’s overreach on COVID-19 vaccine mandates.  A Special Committee on Government Overreach and the Impact of COVID-19 Mandates is working to put together legislation for the special session.  The Committee had informational hearings on two bill drafts.  One bill draft would make it clear that a person who loses their job because they refuse to comply with the Biden Administration’s unconstitutional mandates may receive unemployment.  The other bill draft would strengthen the language in Kansas law regarding religious and medical exemptions so that these exemptions would be granted to Kansans who seek them.

 

Contact Tracing

Last year KDHE put rules and regulations (regs) in place for contact tracing.  The contact tracing rules and regs sunset on May 1, 2021.  However, KDHE wants to continue to invade your privacy and a majority of legislators allowed it by extending KDHE’s contact tracing program to June 30, 2022 in a budget bill (CCR 159 – I voted no).  It may not seem like a big deal, but when you look at all of the government overreach from the federal government, it could be a big deal that the current Administration is collecting medical information, individual movement, and other data.  The data is being stored online at Saleforce.com.  It is your option to deny providing the information, but you may not be told it is optional if it is a not a KDHE person calling.  Contact tracing is collecting data on a person who may have been in contact with an infected person.  KDHE said that they had 20 contact tracers and increased the number of tracers to 140 and are now at 129 tracers.  Wow, 129 people (some out-state contractors) tracing Kansans movement.  Keep in mind, KDHE is the department that was tracking Kansans by their cell phone movement last year.  I requested that this language be repealed in the legislation that will be considered during the special session.

 

Unemployment Oversight Council

The legislature formed an Oversight Council comprised of legislators and people from the industry who could be considered experts on unemployment.  The Council has made recommendations for a company to audit the unemployment system and the millions of dollars that were stolen using fraudulent unemployment claims.  This report should be complete in 2022.  After the Council studied the companies that applied to implement a new unemployment system, the Council recommended to the Legislative Coordinating Council (LCC) that the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) re-open the Request For Proposal (RFP) process.  The original RFP was so poorly written that only 4 companies responded to the RFP.  Two of the four companies that responded did such poor jobs implementing new systems in other states, the states would not hire them back.  It doesn’t instill confidence moving forward with a new unemployment system which the state needs.

 

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.

Caryn

Fort Scott, Government

FS City Commission Holds Special Meeting To Interview City Manager Candidates

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The City Commission will meet for a special meeting at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 20th, 2021 at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room at 123 South Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. The City Commission will meet to interview candidates for the City Manager position. The City Commission will recess into Executive Session for these interviews.

This meeting is open to the public, but the Executive Session is not.

Government, Kansas

Ks Legislature Special Session on November 22

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Governor Laura Kelly Announces Special Session of the Kansas Legislature

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced she will use her constitutional power under Article 1, Section 5 of the Kansas Constitution to reconvene the Kansas Legislature for a special session on November 22, 2021.

“Today, the legislature delivered a successful petition to my office; I take my constitutional obligations as Governor seriously, and am announcing a special session accordingly,” said Governor Laura Kelly.

This action follows the Legislature filing a legislative petition consisting of signatures of 86 members of the Kansas House of Representatives and 29 members of the Kansas Senate – surpassing the two-thirds majority needed for a legislative petition. The special session will take place beginning at 10:00 AM CT on November 22, 2021.

A copy of the proclamation can be viewed here.

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda For November 16

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

 

Date: November 16, 2021

1st District-Lynne Oharah                                                                Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jim Harris                                                                      Corrected: _______________________

3rd District-Clifton Beth                                                                              Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Ashley Shelton

 

   

MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM

 

Call to Order

 

    • Flag Salute
    • Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
    • Eric Bailey – Road and Bridge Report
    • Susan Bancroft – Sewer Service Agreement
    • Anne Dare, Deb Martin, Sparky Schroeder, Donna Banwart-30 X 30 Land Grab
    • County Counselor Comment
    • Susan Bancroft, Finance Director Comment
    • Public Comment
    • Elected Officials Comment
  • Commission Comment
  • 12:00 Noon – Executive Session – KSA 75-4319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships (To be held offsite at 200 S Main, Suite 2)
  • Noble Health

Justifications for Executive Session:

          KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy

          KSA 75-4319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

          KSA 75-4319(b)(3) To discuss matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency

          KSA 75-4319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships

          KSA 75-4319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property

          KSA 75-4319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of suc