Category Archives: Government

Flags At Half Mast for COVID 19 Deaths in Kansas

Governor Kelly Directs Flags be Flown at Half-staff to Honor 1,007 Kansans Who Lost their Lives to COVID-19

TOPEKA – Kansas surpassed 1,000 Kansas deaths due to COVID-19. In honor of the lives lost and the families they left behind, Governor Laura Kelly has directed that flags be lowered to half-staff throughout the state effective immediately to sundown, Friday, October 30, 2020.

“It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of 1,007 Kansans who lost their lives to COVID-19,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “One of the many terrible impacts of this virus has been that families are unable to hold in-person services to mourn the passing of their loved ones. Each one of these Kansans was someone’s child, parent, or grandparent. They were part of a community. Today, I’m directing that flags be lowered to half-staff, so that we may honor and remember them.”

To receive email alerts when the governor orders flags to half-staff, please visit https://governor.kansas.gov/newsroom/kansas-flag-honors.

City Of Bronson Receives SPARK Grant

Bronson City Hall. Submitted photo.

The City of Bronson received grant funds to better serve its’ community safely during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In mid-October, City Clerk Ellen Harper received a SPARK Grant in the amount of $1,200 for providing help to safely serve the town, located in western Bourbon County.

The Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) program is charged with leading Kansas forward in recovery from the far-reaching effects of COVID-19, according to its’ website.https://covid.ks.gov/spark-recovery-office/

SPARK Committees are distributing money from the U.S. Coronavirus Relief Fund.

The City of Bronson will use it to provide masks, sanitizers and cleaning products to mitigate the spread of the virus at city hall.

“We put a shield up in our office for when we interact with customers,” Harper said.  “And we sanitize.”

In addition, the city is recommending wearing masks and social distancing as part of the plan.

“This is for employees, city council members, or anybody that comes in and wants to use it for council meetings,” Harper said.

As in the rest of America, the way meetings are organized, or if held at all, have changed.

Bronson has already cancelled its annual town-wide event, Bronson Day, because of the virus and will probably cancell the annual Christmas fundraiser as well, Harper said.

Resident Death at Hutchinson Correction Facility

 

TOPEKA, Kansas – A Hutchinson Correctional Facility resident who died Tuesday, Oct. 27 had tested positive for COVID-19. This is the seventh resident death related to COVID-19.

The resident tested positive for the virus on Oct. 13 and was transferred to the hospital on Oct. 16.  The resident’s family has asked that his name not be released. He was a 66-year old while male with underlying medical concerns that contributed to his condition.

 

The resident was serving an indeterminate life sentence for aggravated sodomy. He had been imprisoned with the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) since August 1988.

 

The Hutchinson Correctional Facility is Kansas’ second-oldest prison and houses 1,884 men.  Formerly known as the Kansas State Industrial Reformatory, the facility has three buildings including the Central (all custody levels), East (low-medium custody) and South (minimum) units.

For current information on COVID-19 in Kansas, and to sign up for updates, go to the KDHE COVID-19 Resource Center at kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus. For information on the KDOC’s response to COVID-19, visit https://www.doc.ks.gov/kdoc-coronavirus-updates.

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Oct. 28

Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: October 28, 2020

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

 

MEETING WILL BE HELD VIA PHONE. PUBLIC MAY ACCESS MEETING BY CALLING

620-724-9910 USING CODE 677638. LIMITED ACCESS.

 

9:00 AM – Bill Martin, COVID19 Leave Pay

Bourbon County Ballot For Nov. 3

COUNTY CLERK’S NOTICE OF CANDIDATES TO BE VOTED ON

AT THE GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 3, 2020

 

State of Kansas County of Bourbon

 

In compliance with K.S.A. 25-105, and the General Election Laws of the State of Kansas, I submit herewith the list of National, State and District Candidates certified to me by the Secretary of State, and the list of those filed as candidates in Bourbon County in the forthcoming General Election to be held, Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

 

And, I hereby give further notice that the election will be held in the voting places listed below in Bourbon County, Kansas, and that the polls will be opened and closed at the regular time specified by law for the conduct of elections.  All precincts in the county will open at 7:00 am and will close at 7:00 pm.

 

Sales Tax Question on the ballot:

 

To vote in favor of any question

submitted upon the ballot, darken

the oval to the left of the word

“YES”;

to vote against it, darken

the oval to the left of the word

“NO”.

 

Shall the following be adopted?

Shall Bourbon County, Kansas,

levy (renew) a one percent

countywide retailers’ sales tax to

take effect on July 1, 2021, and

expire on June 30, 2031, with the

allocated shares pursuant to

K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 12-192 to be

used as follows: (1) to Bourbon

County, for the purpose of

maintenance and construction of

hard surface roads, and (2) to

each city located in Bourbon

County, for the purpose of

providing funding for public

services?

 

Residents living in the City of Fort Scott vote at the following locations:

1st Ward       Community Christian Church – 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott

2nd Ward       Grace Baptist Church – 502 S Margrave, Fort Scott

3rd Ward       Grace Baptist Church – 502 S Margrave, Fort Scott

4th Ward       Community Christian Church – 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott

5th Ward       Community Christian Church – 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott

6th Ward       Community Christian Church – 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott

7th Ward       Grace Baptist Church – 502 S Margrave, Fort Scott

 

Residents living out in the county vote at the following locations:

Drywood       Grace Baptist Church – 502 S Margrave, Fort Scott

Franklin        Mapleton Community Building – 565 Eldora, Mapleton, KS

Freedom      Fulton Community Building – 408 West Osage, Fulton, KS

East Marion  Uniontown City Hall – 206 Sherman Street, Uniontown, KS

West Marion Bronson Community Building – 504 Clay Street, Bronson, KS

Marmaton     Redfield City Hall – 312 N Pine, Redfield, KS

Millcreek       Redfield City Hall – 312 N Pine, Redfield, KS

Osage          Fulton Community Building – 408 West Osage, Fulton, KS

Pawnee       Redfield City Hall – 312 N Pine, Redfield, KS

North Scott   Community Christian Church – 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott

South Scott  Grace Baptist Church – 502 S Margrave, Fort Scott

Timberhill      Mapleton Community Building – 565 Eldora, Mapleton, KS

Walnut         Uniontown City Hall – 206 Sherman Street, Uniontown, KS

 

NATIONAL AND STATE OFFICES
For President and Vice-President of the United States
Joseph R. Biden / Kamala D. Harris 1209 Barley Mill Road

Wilmington, DE 19807

Democratic
Donald J. Trump / Michael R. Pence                     1100 S. Ocean Blvd.

Palm Beach, FL 33480

Republican
Jo Jorgensen / Jeremy “Spike” Cohen Greenville, SC Libertarian
For United States Senate
  Barbara Bollier 6910 Overhill Road

Mission Hills, KS 66208

Democratic
  Roger Marshall PO Box 1588

Great Bend, KS 67530

Republican
  Jason Buckley 8828 Marty Ln

Overland Park, KS 66212

Libertarian
For US House of Representatives – District 2
Michelle De La Isla 3250 SW Briarwood Dr

Topeka, KS 66611

Democratic
Jake LaTurner 2329 SW Ashworth Pl

Topeka, KS 66614

Republican
Robert Garrard 2287 N 300 Rd

Edgerton, KS 66021

Libertarian
Kansas Senate, District 12
Mike Bruner 1002 Pecan St.

Humboldt, KS 66748

Democratic
Caryn Tyson PO Box 191

Parker, KS 66072

Republican
Kansas Senate, District 13
Nancy J. Ingle 511 E. 21st

Pittsburg, KS 66762

Democratic
Richard Hilderbrand 240 Cleveland Ave

Baxter Springs, KS 66713

Republican
 Kansas House of Representatives, District 2
  Lynn D. Grant 202 S. Appleton

Frontenac, KS 66763

Democratic
  Kenneth Collins 102 E First Street

Mulberry, KS 66756

Republican
Kansas House of Representatives, District 4
  Bill Meyer 14 Golfview Drive

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Democratic
  Trevor Jacobs 1927 Locust Road

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Republican
For County Commissioner – District 2
  Jim Harris 2302 Jayhawk Rd

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Republican
For County Commissioner – District 3
  Clifton Beth 2236 215th,

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Republican
  Phillip G. Hoyt 2422 242nd Terrace

Fulton, KS 66738

Democratic
For County Clerk
  Kendell Dawn Mason 2 S Eddy

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Republican
For County Treasurer
  Patty Love 901 Shepherd St

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Republican
For Register of Deeds
  Lora Holdridge 1814 Richards Rd

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Republican
For County Attorney
  Jacqie Spradling PO Box 576

Spring Hill, KS 66083

Republican
For County Sheriff
  Mike Feagins 1964 Justice Rd

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Democratic
  Bill Martin 502 Meadow Ln

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Republican
TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE
Drywood Richard Cullison, Jr. 506 260th

Garland, KS 66741

Republican
Franklin Tony Bradbury 631 Soldier Rd.

Bronson, KS 66716

Republican
Freedom Janice Seested 2330 215th St.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Republican
Marion Steve Geiger 1121 Hwy 3

Uniontown, KS 66779

Republican
Marmaton David Duffey 1201 Locust Rd

Redfield, KS 66769

Republican
Millcreek Yvonne Beck 1821 159th Street

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Republican
Osage Brian Wade 2618 Soldier Rd.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Democratic
Pawnee Karen A. Endicott-Coyan 1635 Fern Rd

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Republican
Scott Jim Sackett 2019 Maple Rd

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Republican
Timberhill Dan Laughlin 2275 105th St.

Mapleton, KS 66754

Republican
Walnut No Republican or Democratic Candidates filed
TOWNSHIP TREASURER
Drywood No Republican or Democratic Candidates filed
Franklin No Republican or Democratic Candidates filed
Freedom Karen A. Paddock 608 W Cedar St.

Fulton, KS 66738

Republican
Marion Rex Wilson 905 Clay St.

Bronson, KS 66716

Republican
Marmaton Wilma K. Graham 102 W 4th

Redfield, KS 66769

Democratic
Millcreek Betty L. Graham 1458 Tomahawk Rd

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Democratic
Osage Kathleen Valentine 2638 Tomahawk Rd

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Republican
Pawnee Sharon Middleton 1374 Eagle Rd

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Democratic
Scott Harold Rogers 2189 Ironwood Rd

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Republican
Timberhill David Scharenberg 1045 Yale Rd

Mapleton, KS 66754

Republican
Walnut No Republican or Democratic Candidates filed
 
STATE OF KANSAS OFFICIAL JUDICIAL BALLOT
Supreme Court Justice, Court of Appeals Judges, District Court Judges and District Magistrate Judge
Question #1, Shall the following Supreme Court Justice be retained in office?
Eric S. Rosen 1928 S.W. Indian Woods Ln.

Topeka, KS 66611

Position 4
Question #2, Shall the following Court of Appeals Judges be retained in office?
Sarah E. Warner Kansas Judicial Center

301 SW 10th Ave

Topeka, KS 66612

Position 4
David E. Bruns Olathe Position 6
G. Gordon Atcheson 301 SW 10th Ave

Topeka, KS 66612

Position 8
Karen M. Arnold-Burger 301 SW 10th Ave

Topeka, KS 66612

Position 9
Kathryn Gardner 301 SW 10th Ave

Topeka, KS 66612

Position 14
 
Question #3, Shall the following Judges of the District Court be retained in office?
  Terri L Johnson PO Box 311

Pleasanton, KS 66075

District 6, Division 2
  Mark A. Ward 829 190th St

Fort Scott, KS 66701

District 6, Division 3

 

  Steven C. Montgomery 22404 S. Roosevelt St.

Spring Hill, KS 66083

District 6, Division 4
 
Question #4, Shall the following Judge of the District Magistrate be retained in office?
  Valorie R. Leblanc 210 S. National

Fort Scott, KS 66701

District 6
Shall the following be adopted?

Shall Bourbon County, Kansas,

levy (renew) a one percent

countywide retailers’ sales tax to

take effect on July 1, 2021, and

expire on June 30, 2031, with the

allocated shares pursuant to

K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 12-192 to be

used as follows: (1) to Bourbon

county, for the purpose of

maintenance and construction of

hard surface roads, and (2) to

each city located in Bourbon

county, for the purpose of

providing funding for public services?

Kendell Mason, County Clerk &

(SEAL)                                                              Bourbon County Election Officer

All In for Kansas Kids 🌟 Weekly Update!

Update | October 24, 2020

Hello Early Childhood Partners,

New support is available for Kansas renters and landlords via the Kansas Eviction Protection Program. Find out more, including how to apply, in the email update below. And with Halloween one week away, please take a minute to share this Halloween COVID guidance from the Department of Health and Environment with your families to help them stay safe and have fun.

Stay safe and be well. 

NEW – Kansas Eviction Prevention Program!

Home has never been more important.

Our homes have always provided shelter, but in the midst of the COVID pandemic, home has become so much more. The economic impact of the pandemic has left many Kansans unemployed or underemployed, uncertain how they will pay rent. While moratoriums provide temporary protection from eviction, rent continues to accrue each month, leaving tenants unsure how they will pay arrears, and leaving landlords without monthly income to pay bills and manage maintenance and upkeep.

Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) has worked closely with the Kelly administration, the Office of Recovery, and the Department of Children and Families to create the Kansas Eviction Prevention Program (KEPP). KEPP is designed to decrease evictions and increase housing stability by assisting landlords and tenants experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID pandemic.

Through the KEPP program:

  • Landlords and tenants apply for up to $5000 per household to pay delinquent rental payments dating as far back as April 1, 2020.
  • Payments will be made directly to the landlord, who must agree not to evict the household for nonpayment of rent for the months of KEPP assistance received.
  • Landlords must also agree to waive any late fees accrued during the months for which assistance is received.

Follow the step-by-step application guide or visit the KEPP web page for more information!

Congratulations LaToya Mothershed – Early Childhood Champion!

Congratulations to LaToya Mothershed for receiving the Kansas Children’s Champion Award at the Region VII Head Start virtual conference this week!

LaToya is the first Head Start parent to be receive this award.

This is the most recent in a long line of early childhood accomplishments for Latoya that includes: parent leader, KSHA board president-elect, and keynote speaker. The entire early childhood system is better because of the investment and energy of this amazing, trailblazing woman. Latoya, we are grateful and appreciative of your generosity and commitment to the children and families of Kansas. What a great wrap up to Head Start Awareness Month!

Register by THIS FRIDAY for the Kindergarten Readiness Summit

The Kansas Kindergarten Readiness Transition Summit will expand and support the implementation of the Head Start – public school collaboration work! The goal is to bring together teams of school districts and Head Start programs from at least 10 school districts in Kansas. This collaboration will help to sustain and improve gains children make during Head Start through building strong, effective relationships between Head Start and receiving schools.

CARES Act Funding for Technology and Remote Learning
Still Available!

Remote Learning Support – CARES Act funding is available to support programs addressing the current need for alternative care and education for families adversely impacted by remote learning situations (schools in hybrid or remote learning modes).
Click HERE for more information and to apply.

Applications are now open with proposals accepted on a rolling basis. Grants must be awarded AND expended by December 30, 2020. Find out more information about all funding available through the CARES Act for early childhood by visiting http://allinforkansaskids.org/.

Technology for Families Program – CARES Act funding to support connectivity, equipment, and devices to support virtual access for families receiving home visiting services. If you partner with a state agency to deliver one of  seven home visiting models  – you are eligible!

Click HERE to apply before October 30th! 

If you have already received funding, and have enrolled new families with need since your initial award, you are eligible to submit an additional request. If you have any questions, technical assistance is available at [email protected]

Grants and Consulting Help for Child Care Providers

Child Care Aware of Kansas is teaming up with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to offer Child Care Health Consultants (CCHC). These consultants are available to help child care programs analyze the results of a Self-Assessment and identify ways to reduce the spread of illnesses within the program. Participating child care programs may then be eligible for a health and safety grant. Check out the Child Care Health Consultation Pathway for an overview of the program.
Eligibility: Child care programs who are licensed by and in good standing with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to participate in the Child Care Health Consultant Network.

To get started, follow these steps:

  • Step One: Child Care Programs are asked to complete, to the extent possible, a Self-Assessment before scheduling a consultation with a Child Care Health Consultant.
  • Step Two: To schedule a coaching consultation, call or send an email to CCAKS.
  • Step Three: Child care programs that complete a Self-Assessment and receive a coaching consultation from a Child Care Health Consultant are eligible to apply for a health & safety grant.
  • Step Four: You will receive notification of grant decision from CCAKS.
For more information, please visit the Child Care Health Consultant Network website.

Early Childhood Resources 

Farm to Child Nutrition Program Sub Grants Available
Bringing the bounty of America’s farms into Child Nutrition Programs as a part of breakfast and lunch is one of the best ways we can ensure children are receiving nutritious and delicious meals at school or child care! 2020-2021 Farm to Child Nutrition Program Sub-Grant Applications are at www.kn-eat.org, Farm to School, What’s New.  Child Nutrition sponsors can apply now to improve access to local foods in Child Nutrition Programs and increase agricultural education opportunities.  Sub Grant applications are due on or before December 1, 2020.  Contact Barb Depew at [email protected] or 786-296-0062 if you have questions.

#Test4Lead
Childhood lead poisoning prevention is a priority for KDHE. Even at low levels, lead can cause irreversible damage to hearing, growth and development. View resources in Spanish and English on the KDHE website.

2021-2022 AmeriCorps Kansas funding
AmeriCorps Kansas assists programs to recruit, train and supervise AmeriCorps members meeting critical community needs. Grant applicants must design service activities for a team of members serving full- or part-time throughout the year or during the summer. Initial grant applications are due on December 4, 2020, and final applications are due on January 29, 2021. Visit https://kanserve.org/Grants-and-Funding/Apply-for-AmeriCorps-State-Grant for more information.

Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition
90% of Kansas families choose to breastfeed. The KBC has helped many child care providers achieve the “Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Provider” designation from Child Care Aware of Kansas. For evidence-based breastfeeding resources, visit the KBC’s Child Care page. For local help, click HERE for a directory of local breastfeeding coalitions. For general assistance, including grant ideas, budgets, data and more, contact Brenda Bandy, IBCLC.

Join us for our next Kansas Early Childhood
Systems-Building Webinar on Wednesday, November 4th, at 12pm.
Click to Register

No Bourbon County Commission Meeting on Oct. 27

Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: October 27, 2020

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

 

MEETING WILL BE HELD IN COMMISSION ROOM. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.

 

NO MEETING

FS Airport Advisory Board Seeks Members

City Board Vacancy

There are two (2) openings on the Airport Advisory Board.

The function of the Airport Advisory Board is to advise the City Manager and City Commissioners on matters pertaining to the continued growth and improvement of the airport. Their recommendations are given to the City Commission for final approval.

If you have a desire to serve on this Board, please submit a letter of interest to the City Clerk, Diane Clay, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. She will then submit your letter of interest for consideration by the City Commission. All of the boards and commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated. If you would like more information on any of these boards, please contact Diane Clay, City Clerk at 620-223-0550 or [email protected]. Please submit your letter of interest by November 6th, 2020.

Health Department Halts Weekly COVID 19 Updates

Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department will no longer be sending out a weekly update, but will be referring those interested in COVID-19 case counts to: https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas

 

If you are interested in the active case count for your county, you can always call your local health department for those details. We are open Monday-Thursday.

 

We will be updating our Facebook page and website within the next month or so. So, be looking for changes there regarding COVID-19 and other updates.

 

Thank you,

 

 

Rebecca Johnson

SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Administrator

SEK-CAP ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR KANSAS EVICTION PREVENTION PROGRAM

Girard, KS –The Southeast Kansas Community Action Program (SEK-CAP), is now assisting landlords and tenants in filling out applications for the Kansas Eviction Prevention Program (KEPP). This program is available for a limited time only.
The KEPP program will serve tenants and landlords who have missed paying or collecting at least one rent payment since April 1, 2020, due to the COVID pandemic.
Landlords and tenants are required to apply via a joint online process. Approved applicants will be eligible for a maximum of 9 months of assistance, not exceeding $5,000 per household. SEK-CAP staff are available to assist in the online application process.
The Kansas Eviction Prevention Program is funded through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES). It was authorized by Governor Kelly’s Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce and is administered by Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC). SEK-CAP is a partner agency helping to assist in the online application process.
For more information about this program, please call (620)724-8204.
###
___________
The Southeast Kansas Community Action Program is a 501 (c) (3) private, non-profit organization serving twelve southeast Kansas counties. SEK-CAP is headquartered in Girard and was created in 1966 to combat poverty. The organizational mission is to unite staff, individuals, families, and community partners to provide quality, comprehensive services through compassionate, respectful relationships. Programs include Head Start, Early Head Start, Housing, Community Engagement, General Public Transportation and Avenues to Success. Contact the SEK-CAP central office at 401 N. Sinnet or by dialing 620.724.8204. Visit the website at www.sek-cap.com or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SEKCAPINC.
401 N. Sinnet
P. O. Box 128
Girard, KS 66743
Phone: 620-724-8204
Fax: 620-724-4471
www.sek-cap.com