Category Archives: Government

June 19 is Declared a Kansas Holiday

Governor Kelly Announces Juneteenth to be Observed as a State Holiday

~~Kansas Joins 28 Other States Including Texas, Missouri, and Nebraska~~

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced that Kansas will designate Juneteenth as a state holiday, joining 28 other states and the District of Columbia.

“Juneteenth marks a significant point our nation’s history and has long been celebrated in Kansas and across the United States,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Establishing Juneteenth as a state holiday provides Kansans an opportunity to celebrate our state’s diversity and honor the ongoing struggles for racial equality.”

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day the last enslaved Americans received word that President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation to abolish slavery more than 2 years after the end of the Civil War. Governor Kelly has issued proclamations recognizing Juneteenth every year since 2020.

“I am thrilled that Juneteenth will be a state holiday,” said Stacey Knoell, Executive Director of the Kansas African American Affairs Commission. “This day is a perfect example of the importance of learning the full picture of history, not to cast blame but to find reasons for acknowledging resilience. I hope this day can become one where Kansans can unite in celebration.”

In 2021, Juneteenth became the first federal holiday created in more than 40 years. Since then, Kansas’ neighboring states of Nebraska, Missouri, and Colorado have also established Juneteenth as a state holiday. The holiday will apply to Executive Branch employees under Governor Kelly’s jurisdiction.

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Amended Bourbon County Commission Agenda for This Evening

 

Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Kansas

Nelson Blythe

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

October 10, 2023 5:30 p.m.

 

 

A special meeting of the Board of Bourbon County Commissioners

 

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute Followed by Prayer
  • Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(4)
  1. Discussion of Healthcare
  2. Public Comments
  3. Commission Comments
  • Adjourn Meeting

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Session Justifications:

 

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 the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting

would jeopardize such security measures.

 

FS City Commission Agenda for Special Meeting On Oct. 10

NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR SPECIAl
MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM – 123 SOUTH MAIN ST.
October 10, 2023 – 7:00 P.M.
I. Roll Call:
T. VanHoecke K. Harrington E. Woellhof M. Guns M. Wells
II. Pledge of Allegiance
III. New Business:
A. Consideration of Bids for Demolition of 10 S. National
(4) Bids received – Heck & Wicker $166,457.10; Industrial Salvage
$138,100.00; Skitch’s Hauling & Excavation $98,494.00 and Dave’s Demo
$80,000.00.
IV. Executive Session:
A. Healthcare pursuant to the attorney client privilege exception in K.S.A. 75-
4319(b)(2) the financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations.
XII. Adjournment:

Agenda for Fort Scott City Commission Special Meeting on Oct. 10

NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR SPECIA
MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM – 123 SOUTH MAIN ST.
October 10, 2023 – 7:00 P.M.
I. Roll Call:
T. VanHoecke K. Harrington E. Woellhof M. Guns M. Wells
II. Pledge of Allegiance
III. New Business:
A. Consideration of Bids for Demolition of 10 S. National
(4) Bids received – Heck & Wicker $166,457.10; Industrial Salvage
$138,100.00; Skitch’s Hauling & Excavation $98,494.00 and Dave’s Demo
$80,000.00.
IV. Executive Session:
A. Healthcare pursuant to the attorney client privilege exception in K.S.A. 75-
4319(b)(2) the financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations.
XII. Adjournment:

U234 Board of Education Meets Oct. 9

Unified School District 234

424 South Main

Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697

www.usd234.org

620-223-0800   Fax 620-223-2760

 

DESTRY BROWN                                                                                                                                                        

Superintendent                                                                                                                                             

 

 

 

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING

October 9, 2023 – 5:30 P.M.

PUBLIC AGENDA

 

1.0       Call Meeting to Order            David Stewart, President

2.0       Flag Salute

3.0       Approval of the Official Agenda (Action Item)

4.0       Approval of the Consent Agenda (Action Item)

4.1       Board Minutes

  1. 09/11/2023 Regular Meeting

            4.2       Financials-Cash Flow Report

            4.3       Check Register

            4.4       Payroll – September 20, 2023 – $1,638,198.05

            4.5       Activity Fund accounts

4.6       USD 234 Gifts

4.7       FSHS Extended Trip Applications

4.8       FSHS Fundraising Applications

4.9       Ratification of Investments

4.10     USD 234 Substitute Pay Schedule Adjustment

5.0       Recognitions (Information/Discussion Item)

5.1 Student Recognition

5.2 Employee Recognition

6.0       Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion Item)

            6.1       Superintendent’s Report

            6.2       Assistant Superintendent’s Report

            6.3       Special Education Director’s Report

7.0       Old Business

  • 1 Roof Payment (Action Item)
  • 2 Open Enrollment Policy (Information/Discussion)

 

8.0       New Business

8.1       Acceptance of Appreciated Stock (Action Item)

8.2       District Health Insurance Recommendation (Action Item)

9.0       Public Forum

 

10.0     Other Business – Personnel Matters

10.1     Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)

 

10.2     Exit Executive Session

10.3     Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)

11.0     Adjourn Meeting                        David Stewart, President

 

Special Bo Co Commission Meeting on Oct. 10: Discussion of Healthcare

 

Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Kansas

Nelson Blythe

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

October 10, 2023 5:30 p.m.

 

 

A special meeting of the Board of Bourbon County Commissioners

 

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute Followed by Prayer
  • Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(4)
  1. Discussion of Healthcare
  2. Commission Comments
  3. Adjourn Meeting

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Session Justifications:

 

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 the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting

would jeopardize such security measures.

 

The Agenda for the City of Uniontown Council on Oct. 10

The Uniontown City Council Agenda for Oct. 10 at 7 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER AT ________ by _____________________________

ROLL CALL: 

___ Jess Ervin ___ Danea Esslinger ___ Josh Hartman ___ Amber Kelly ___ Bradley Stewart

 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

Region H Multi-Hazard, Multi-Jurisdictional Mitigation Plan –

 

Motion by __________, Second by ___________, Approved _____, to enter into executive session pursuant to data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of second parties matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(4), in order to discuss economic development that pertains to private financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

 

CITIZENS REQUESTS

 

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Charlene Bolinger – Financial reports

 

APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA

  1. Minutes of September 12, 2023 Regular Council Meeting
  2. Treasurers Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Superintendent:  Bobby Rich

 

Codes Enforcement:  Doug Coyan

 

Clerk Report:  Sally Johnson  

LCRR LSLI webinar update

 

COUNCIL & COMMITTEE REPORTS

Councilman Ervin –

Councilwoman Esslinger –

Councilman Hartman –

Councilwoman Kelly –

Councilman Stewart–

Mayor Jurgensen –

 

OLD BUSINESS

Electrical in Park – What are we going to charge for the 30AMP outlets?

 

Street project –

 

Mural Grant –

 

Placemaking Project –

 

Pond Project –

 

NEW BUSINESS

Messaging System –

 

ADJOURN

 

 

Attachments:

2023 Financials – October

10-23 Informational Items

Unapproved Minutes of the City of Uniontown Council for Sept. 12

The Regular Council Meeting on September 12, 2023 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 6:48PM by Mayor Jurgensen.  Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger (7:00), Josh Hartman, Amber Kelly, and Bradley Stewart.  Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were Tom Decker, Jonathon O’Dell, Don George (Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism), Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan, City Superintendent Bobby Rich, City Treasurer Charlene Bolinger, and City Clerk Sally Johnson.

 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

2024 Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing – hearing was opened; no patrons were present.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 4-0 to adopt Resolution No. 2023-0912-1 to levy a property tax rate exceeding the revenue neutral rate

 

Roll Call Vote – Jess Ervin – Yes, Danea Esslinger – No Vote (absent), Josh Hartman – Yes, Amber Kelly – Yes, Bradley Stewart – Yes

 

Hearing closed.

 

2024 Budget Hearing – hearing was opened.  There were no patrons present.  Clerk Johnson asked the Council to consider paying off the Gas Utility Loan that was incurred due to 2021 Winter Storm Uri at the end of 2023 as there is no way to know how much more the interest rates will go up in 2024, 2025 and 2026.  The customers that opted to make monthly payments would continue to make monthly payments at the current interest rate as this is the rate paid when we pay off the debt.  This would change the published proposed budget for the Gas Utility but would not require a budget amendment for 2023.  Also heard today that we were awarded the KDWPT grant to finish riprapping the School Pond.  On General Fund, change 2024 expenditures for salaries/wages to $60,000, and parks and recreation to $20,500.  This will not change spending authority.

 

Motion by Kelly, Second by Hartman, Approved 4-0 to pay off gas utility loan on 12/31/2023 and adopt the 2024 budget as amended

 

Hearing closed.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0 to enter into executive session pursuant to data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of second parties matters exception, KSA 4319-(b)(4), in order to discuss economic development that pertains to private financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships, the open meeting to resume at 7:22, include Sally Johnson.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0 to extend executive session pursuant to data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of second parties matters exception, KSA 4319-(b)(4), in order to discuss economic development that pertains to private financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships, the open meeting to resume at 7:42, include Tom Decker and Sally Johnson.

 

Sally Johnson out at 7:30.  Open meeting resumed at 7:42PM.  No action taken.

 

Phase II of Uniontown School Pond Improvement Project – Don George informed the Council that the grant application was awarded and had two copies of the contract to be signed.  He also gave out information on invasive species.  Council appreciates all his efforts to get this funded.

 

Motion by Esslinger, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to accept the grant award and sign the contract

 

Dangerous and Unfit Structure Hearing for 404 Washington St – Jonathon O’Dell was here to present evidence to repair, not remove, the structure.  He presented a bid he had received from a contractor to do the repairs and stated that the outside of the structure could be completed in 60 days.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0 to adopt Resolution 2023-0912-2 directing that the structure at 404 Washington St be repaired and the premises made safe and secure by completely repair and secure the exterior of the structure commencing no later than September 27, 2023 and completed no later than December 1, 2023

 

Clerk Johnson will publish the resolution one time in The Fort Scott Tribune and mail by certified mail-restricted delivery, return receipt to all parties of interest.

 

CITIZENS REQUEST

None

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Treasurer Bolinger present the August 2023 Treasurer’s Report.  Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds was $407,054.53, Receipts $32,491.88, Transfers Out $12,776.00, Expenditures $41,716.92, Checking Account Closing Balance $385,053.49. Bank Statement Balance $393,891.88, including Checking Account Interest of $85.60, Outstanding Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $8,838.39, Reconciled Balance $385,053.49.  Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $33,412.16, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $19,939.88, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $33,689.81, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $472,095.34. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $630.95, and Utility CDs $640.87 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $1,271.82.  Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for the month of August 2023, Beginning Balance $0, Receipts $4,300.00, Expenditures $4,300.00, Ending Balance $0.  August Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00. to Capital Improvement-Streets $250.00; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,624.00, to Capital Improvement-Streets $750.00; from Gas Utility Fund to Capital Improvement-Streets $6,250.00; from General Fund to Capital Improvement-Streets $2,500.00; from Capital Improvement-Chlorinator to Capital Improvement-Warehouse $10,000.00; for Total Transfers of $12,776.00.  Net Loss for the month of August $22,001.04, Year-to-Date Net Income $41,501.52.  Budget vs Actual Water Fund YTD Revenue $79,144.95 (64.8%), Expenditures $76,803.25 (47.9%); Sewer Fund YTD Revenue $25,223.16 (68.4%), Expenditures $20,924.4 (50.8%); Gas Fund YTD Revenue $99,843.35 (63.7%), Expenditures $85,528.98 (38.0%); General Fund YTD Revenue $130,027.96 (86.8%), Expenditures $110,471.20 (59.6%); and Special Highway YTD Revenue $6,100.03 (81.8%), Expenditures $0 (0%).  The September 2023 estimated payables in the amount of $27,482.63 were presented; however, Clerk Johnson did sate that a late bill came in and to add $1,300.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 5-0, to approve Consent Agenda as amended:

  • Minutes of August 8, 2023 Regular Council Meeting
  • Treasurer’s Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

City Superintendent Rich reported that there were no leaks found on the gas system again this year.  Council thanked him for all his work to prepare the City for Old Settlers Picnic.

 

Codes Enforcement Officer Coyan reported that 505 Wall St has started their project to build a shed next to the carport and they will be moving the junk vehicle out of town.  It was reported that 405 Clay St has a lot of brush piles.

 

Clerk Johnson reported that she forgot to get Citywide Yard Sales on the agenda before the last cleanup.  Consensus was to not designate a Citywide Yard Sale date this year.

She has registered to attend the KMU Regional Meeting on October 25, 1:30-3:30, Iola.

KDHE has implemented a new reporting portal and all water/wastewater reporting is to be done online beginning 2024.

She will be attending the KMEA/KMGA Fall Conference, October 19-20, Wichita.

 

COUNCIL REPORT

Councilman Ervin – City of Fort Scott has implemented water conservation efforts and initiated a citywide burn ban.  Do we have a plan to get notice to customers if C2 issues a water restriction? Yes, it would be posted to webpage and a letter would be mailed to all customers.  He also asked if we could consider a text messaging system for notifying customers/citizens.  Clerk Johnson will do some research.  Also noted that City of Fort Scott is raising their water rates 3%.  We will need to add a possible increase for our water rates, if we get a rate increase letter from C2.  Also reported that the metal pile during citywide cleanup was taken before the City could recycle it.  Council may consider adding something to the flyer about the City recycling the metal, that it is not for the taking.

Councilwoman Esslinger – nothing

Councilman Hartman – nothing

Councilwoman Kelly – Thanked staff for getting US flags replaced.

Councilman Stewart – nothing

Mayor Jurgensen – nothing

 

OLD BUSINESS

Electrical in Park – Five 30AMP outlets were installed the Friday before Labor Day.  Electrician also installed switches for the light and fan for the ceiling fan in the gazebo.

 

Street project – contract has been received and reviewed by legal.  Start time per the bid we accepted is October 2023 with 0-5 days duration of project.  USD 235 thanked the City for patching the pot hole in the drive to the stadium and medical clinic.

 

Mural Grant – bills have been paid; however, we have not received the remaining 25% of the grant from Office of Rural Prosperity.

 

Placemaking Project – estimated cost of concrete only, no site prep, is $17,150.  Need to prepare a budget for the project, then send out invitations to bid.

 

NEW BUSINESS

None

 

Moved by Kelly, Second by Ervin, Approved 5-0, to adjourn at 9:07PM

KS Three-Year Research Project of Bald Eagles Has Ended

KDWP Expands Three-year Research Study of Bald Eagles in Kansas

PRATT – In the spring of 2021, a research study on the ecology of Kansas-hatched bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) began with just 13 birds and plans of field work lasting three years. This year – thanks to voluntary contributions made to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Park’s nongame species donation program, Chickadee Checkoff – that research project has been extended; and, the total number of birds studied has increased to nearly 30 bald eagles.

KDWP and a team of partners from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Conservation Science Global, Evergy, and private landowners are confident data derived from the study will help wildlife managers and developers better address potential conflicts between bald eagles and development infrastructure, as well as further the scientific community’s understanding of bald eagle ecology in the central Great Plains.

Background
Research on Kansas bald eagle populations began in 1989 with the first contemporary documentation of an active bald eagle nest at Clinton Reservoir in Douglas County. Since then, approximately 299 nesting territories have been reported to the USFWS and Kansas Biological Survey. And, new nesting territories are reported each winter and spring, indicating good population prospects for the species in Kansas.

“For 34 years, conservationists have done outstanding work documenting breeding activity and population expansion across the state,” said KDWP terrestrial ecologist Zac Eddy. “Having said that, little-to-no research has been completed on the ecology of the species. So, we still know very little about eaglet survival, seasonal range size, landscape and airspace use, and response to anthropogenic development or man-made structures in our state. With this research study, we aim to change that.”

Current Day
Most recently, researchers affixed identification bands and GPS telemetry backpacks on an additional 15 bald eagle nestlings hatched this year in Barton, Stafford, Kingman, Reno, Chase, Morris, Geary, and Pottawatomie counties. The process to complete this field work includes:

  • Identifying successful nests, which will have eaglets aged 7 to 9 weeks old at the time of capture. Nests are accessed by experienced tree climbers or by use of bucket trucks.
  • Capturing the eaglets in their nests and lowering them to the ground.
  • Taking morphometric measurements – or measurements of the bird’s size, shape, and length – to estimate age and sex of the birds
  • Attaching identifying leg bands to each leg
  • Obtaining blood and feather samples for genetic and environmental contaminant testing
  • And, fitting GPS telemetry backpacks to each bird before returning them to their nests.

The GPS telemetry units – powered by onboard solar panels and lithium-ion batteries – began collecting data as soon as the nestlings left their natal nests.

“The units collect timestamped data points documenting location, altitude, heading, and speed at intervals of 3-5 seconds in flight and 15 minutes at roost,” added Eddy.

Continued data collection will offer researchers a robust assessment of juvenile eagles’ seasonal ranges and airspace use in the context of topography, weather, land cover, and energy infrastructure, while potentially allowing conservationists to document their movements from the time of fledging through establishing nesting territories of their own.

For information on how you can support Chickadee Checkoff and research projects like this, visit chickadeecheckoff.com.

For more on other protected species in Kansas, visit ksoutdoors.com/Wildlife-Habitats/Wildlife-Conservation.

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Kansas child deaths hit record low in 2021

Kansas child deaths hit record low in 2021, annual report shows

 

TOPEKA – (Oct. 3, 2023) -– Child deaths hit a record low in 2021, despite an increase in the number of child homicides and fentanyl overdoses, according to a report released today by the State Child Death Review Board of Kansas.

The board’s annual report analyzed the deaths of Kansas children (birth through 17years old) that occurred in calendar year 2021, the most recent year for which data is available.

“Within the three decades that the State Child Death Review Board has been in in existence, more than 12,000 deaths of Kansas children have been examined. The data provided in this report is critical to our understanding of why children are dying,” said Sara Hortenstine, the board’s executive director.  “We know that behind each of these statistics are the stories of children who lost their lives too soon, families who are still grieving, and communities that will be impacted forever. We must learn from these difficult circumstances and take action to prevent future deaths of Kansas children.”

Overall, the report showed Kansas had 349 child fatalities in 2021, compared with 365 in 2020. The overall child death rate in 2021 was 49.6 deaths per 100,000 population, both the lowest number and rate of death since the board was created in 1994.

The rate of deaths due to natural causes declined in the last five years, the report revealed. In 2021, 100-plus fewer children died of natural causes compared to 2018. Despite the overall decreasing number of child deaths in Kansas, homicides, weapon-related deaths, and drug-related deaths in children has shown an alarming increase.

Thirty-two children died from homicide in 2021 compared to only 22 child homicides in 2020, a 45% increase. The report also indicates drug-related deaths increased significantly in the past two years. While no children died in 2017, 2018, and 2019 from fentanyl, 20 kids died from fentanyl overdoses in 2020 and 2021.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported nearly 500,000 people of all ages died from overdoses involving both illicit and prescribed use of opioids from 1999-2019. In recent years, both nationally and in Kansas, the data has shown an increase in the use of synthetic opioids like fentanyl. While fentanyl is a prescription drug, it is also manufactured illegally. Frequently it is incorporated into illicitly manufactured pressed pills and mixed with other substances without the knowledge of the end user.

“My office is committed to preventing every preventable death of a child. This report shows a dramatic increase in fentanyl deaths in 2020 and 2021 as compared with previous years. We are using every tool at our disposal to deal with this threat,” Kobach said.

In addition to policy recommendations, the report includes prevention points that families can use to decrease the likelihood of a child’s death.

The board is a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency volunteer board organized by law within the attorney general’s office to examine trends and patterns that identify risk factors in the deaths of children, from birth through 17 years of age. The report is available on the attorney general’s website at https://ag.ks.gov/scdrb.

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