Category Archives: Government

Government, Kansas

Message from KDOT: You drink. You drive. YOU LOSE.

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Kansas is committed to keeping our roads safe this Labor Day holiday travel period

 

 

TOPEKA – The Labor Day holiday is a time of celebration and marks the achievements of the labor movement and the unofficial end of summer. It’s traditionally celebrated with barbecues, outdoor recreation and road trips. But all too often, this travel brings tragedy for those involved in traffic crashes.

 

Law enforcement agencies across the state will be combining resources beginning Friday, Aug. 21, through Monday, Sept. 7, to detect and remove impaired drivers.

 

Impaired driving is not just alcohol; it is anything that impairs your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Impaired driving not only puts your life and the lives of others in danger, but the monetary costs of driving under the influence can have a devastating financial impact.

 

Those driving impaired can expect the average DUI costs to exceed $10,000 with legal fees, court fines and higher insurance rates, along with jail time, DUI classes, ignition interlock fees and license suspensions.

 

“Holidays are particularly challenging times on the road.  As Labor Day approaches, I would like to remind everyone to look out for others as you travel,” said Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz. “Safety is everyone’s responsibility.  We all have a role to play in making our roads as safe as possible.”

 

“Impaired driving crashes can lead to increased emergency room visits,” said Chris Bortz, KDOT Traffic Safety Program Manager. “We need to ensure everyone does their part to let our health care workers and first responders focus on those directly impacted by COVID. If you are impaired, text a sober friend, call a cab, use a ride share service, but don’t get behind the wheel.”

 

The safety campaign is funded by a federal grant administered by KDOT. The enforcement campaign runs concurrently with a media schedule reminding motorists to never drink and drive. KDOT wants all Kansans to make it home safely this holiday weekend. For more information about traveling safely this Labor Day holiday, please visit KTSRO.org.

 

Fort Scott, Government

FS Design Review Board Meets Aug. 25

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The Design Review Board will meet on Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. at the City Hall Commission Meeting room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting will be held to discuss a Certificate of Appropriateness for a sign at 19 S. National, a Certificate of Appropriateness for signage in the downtown area for the walking trail, and a Certificate of Appropriateness for signage at 124 E. Wall and any others matters to be brought before the Board. This meeting is open to the public.

This meeting will be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.

Fort Scott, Government

FS Planning Commission Meets Aug. 24

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The Fort Scott Planning Commission will meet on Monday, August 24th, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting will be held to consider a Conditional Use Permit for a telecommunications tower to be located north of the Water Treatment Plant located at 910 Burke Street.

This meeting is open to the public. This meeting will be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.

Government, Kansas

EBT Online Purchasing Now Available

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Kansas Benefits Card can be used to purchase groceries online at Amazon and Walmart

 

The Kansas Department for Children and Families announced today that EBT Online has been fully implemented, and Kansas food assistance recipients now have the option of purchasing groceries online using a Kansas Benefits Card, also known as an EBT card, at Amazon and Walmart.

 

“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, this new online purchasing program offers a contactless, safe, and secure way for Kansans to get their groceries,” said DCF Secretary Laura Howard.

 

Governor Laura Kelly announced in June 2020 that the United States Department of Agriculture approved the DCF proposal to offer EBT Online to Kansans.

 

When using the EBT card to purchase groceries online, the card will function like a debit card, and the same guidelines will apply. SNAP recipients should note that while they can now use their EBT card to pay for groceries online, they cannot use their card to cover the cost of grocery delivery.

 

Kansas food assistance, or SNAP, provides monthly food benefits that help individuals and families buy healthy, nutritious food. Even if temporary, individuals and families who have experienced a change in their circumstances and need additional help may apply for food assistance benefits.

 

Kansas currently has more than 208,000 individuals who receive food assistance benefits totaling $291 million annually.

 

Kansans can visit https://cssp.kees.ks.gov/apspssp/sspNonMed.portal to apply for food assistance or call 1-888- 369-4777. You can also find your local office at http://www.dcf.ks.gov.

 

Learn more about EBT Online at http://www.dcf.ks.gov/pages/ebt-online.aspx.

Fort Scott, Government

Public Servant Profile: Firefighter Grant Moberly

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FSFD Firefighter Grant Moberly. Submitted photo.
This is part of a series of City of Fort Scott and Bourbon County public servant profiles. If you would like to nominate a person to be featured, please send their email address to [email protected].
 Grant Moberly, 21, is a firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician for the Fort Scott Fire Department.
He graduated from Mill Valley High School and is pursuing an associate’s degree in fire science from Johnson County Community College, having obtained his EMT from JCCC.
Moberly is a  first-year firefighter, who works from Station 2.
What are your duties?
“Fire suppression, EMS assist, vehicle and station maintenance, fire prevention training, rescue calls.”
Community involvement, interests or hobbies:

Hunting and fishing, gardening and mini-tree farming.

 

Why did you pursue your career?
“To make a difference in the community.”

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott National Historic Site, Government

FSNHS Increasing Access

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Photo submitted by Carl Brenner, NPS

Fort Scott National Historic Site is beginning to increase recreational access to Historic Buildings

 

Fort Scott Kan. – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Fort Scott National Historic Site is increasing recreational access and programming. The National Park Service (NPS) is working service-wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.

 

Beginning Wednesday, August 19, Fort Scott National Historic Site will reopen access to:

  • All public buildings for self-guided visitation.
  • Resume park guided tours at 10 am and 1 pm.

 

In addition, the following spaces continue to be available:

  • All trails, walkways, sidewalks, grounds, and the tallgrass prairie.

 

With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed at this time:

  • The Western National Parks Association store and information desk.

 

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continue to be paramount. At Fort Scott National Historic Site, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.

 

While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding, and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.

 

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19, and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.

 

We have amazing virtual tours of Fort Scott National Historic Site, all of the time, so for people who are still homeschooling or not traveling at this time check out www.nps.gov/fosc/learn/photosmultimedia/virtualtour.htm.

 

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website www.nps.gov/fosc and social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.

 

From April 1-October 31, Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, will be open for its summer hours of operation.  The site exhibit areas are open daily from 8:00 am-5:00 pm. The park grounds are open daily from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or learn more at www.nps.gov/fosc.

 

-NPS-

 

COVID-19, Government, Housing, Kansas

Relief For Evictions, Foreclosures and Motor Carriers

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Governor Kelly Announces Executive Orders Temporarily Prohibiting Evictions and Foreclosures, Extending Motor Carrier Relief 

 

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today signed Executive Orders #20-61 and #20-62 as part of her administration’s commitment to protecting Kansans’ health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Executive Order #20-61 temporarily prohibits initiating any mortgage foreclosure or judicial proceedings, and any commercial or residential eviction efforts or judicial proceedings due to financial hardship resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic until September 15, 2020.

 

“COVID-19 remains a threat in our communities and is creating challenges for businesses and employees alike,” Governor Kelly said. “Kansas families who miss mortgage or rent payments due to lost wages will need our support until the Senate extends unemployment assistance. I will continue to do everything I can to make sure the people in our state can stay in their homes and protect their businesses.”

 

Executive Order #20-62 extends temporary relief for motor carriers from certain rules and regulations until rescinded, until September 14, 2020, or until the statewide State of Disaster Emergency expires, whichever is earlier. It is an extension of measures put in place by Executive Order #20-57.

 

“This order will allow our motor carriers to continue delivering much-needed supplies to Kansans who need them, and ease the burden on those who have a critical role in our state’s response to COVID-19,” Governor Kelly said.

 

The order lifts certain weight restrictions and permitting requirements to allow needed medical supplies, food shipments and other items to move through Kansas as quickly as possible. These exceptions apply only to motor carriers actively participating in COVID-19 response effort. 

 

To view E.O. #20-61, click here.

 

To view E.O. #20-62, click here.

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Government

SEK Multi-County Health Departments COVID 19

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SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

August 17, 2020

Allen County

Current Active Cases 8
Presumptive Cases 3
Positive Out of State-Staying in Allen County 3
Total Hospitalizations 2-1 remaining in hospital
Current Recovered Cases 18 (recovered positives + recovered presumptives )
Total Positives Since Testing 23 (Allen County + out of state)
Deaths 0

Anderson County

Current Active Cases 2
Total Hospitalizations 0
Current Recovered Cases 30
Total Positives Since Testing 32
Deaths 0

Bourbon County

Current Active Cases 6
Presumptive Cases 13
Positive Out of State/County-staying in Bourbon 11
Total Hospitalizations 8-0 remaining in hospital
Current Recovered Cases 87 (recovered positives + recovered presumptives)
Total Positives Since Testing 82 (Bourbon County + out of state/county)
Deaths 2

Woodson County

Current Active Cases 1
Total Hospitalizations 1-0 remaining in hospital
Current Recovered Cases 11
Total Positives Since Testing 12
Deaths 0
Government, Kansas

Survey on K-7 in Crawford County begins this week

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A close up of a map Description automatically generated

 

 

The week of Aug. 17 the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) started a survey for a proposed shoulder widening project on K-7 in Crawford County. The survey is on the existing highway alignment, beginning at the north city limits of Girard and continuing north for 11 miles to the Crawford-Bourbon county line.

 

KDOT expects the survey to be completed by December. Activities include the use of survey instruments on the ground to determine locations of existing features within the corridor. A member of the survey crew will contact property owners or tenants for permission to enter private property.

 

Craig Chaney of RIC will manage this survey for KDOT. Persons with questions may contact KDOT Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen, (620) 902-6433.

 

Fort Scott, Government

Public Servant Profile: Firefighter Mewhinney

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Travis Mewhinney. Submitted photo.
This is part of a public servant profile series featuring the City of Fort Scott and Bourbon County employees. If you would like to nominate a person to be featured, please send their email address to [email protected].
 Travis Mewhinney, 33, is a Fort Scott Fire Department Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician.
He is a Fort Scott High School graduate, attended Fort Scott Community College for college classes and EMT classes; Hutchison Community College for fire science classes and  Kansas University Fire Rescue training certifications.
Mehinney has five years of experience and works from both Station 1 and 2.
What are your duties?
“Driver operator, fire suppression, EMS and rescue, vehicle maintenance, hydrant maintenance and records.
He and his wife Becky,  have two sons: LT, 10 years old, and  Jaxon, 4 years.
His community involvement, interests or hobbies:
Avid car collector, diesel mechanic, sign and antique collector.
Why did you pursue your career?
“I enjoy helping others in times of need and serving my community.”