Category Archives: Government

Government, Kansas

KDHE, KU Study COVID-19 Detection in Wastewater

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TOPEKA –The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) recently teamed up with the University of Kansas School of Engineering (KU) to determine if genetic remnants of COVID-19 can be detected in wastewater.

 

The concept originally tested in Massachusetts and the Netherlands, and now throughout the United States, is that people infected with the virus shed it through their urine and feces. The genetic material can be extracted from wastewater and matched against genetic markers keyed to COVID-19. The virus itself does not survive in wastewater, and therefore wastewater is not a significant means of disease transmission.

 

Detecting the genetic material in wastewater is indicative of COVID-19 being present and may give local health officials knowledge of how widespread it is in their community, allowing them to take proactive measures to mitigate its spread. While drinking water is not part of this ongoing study, it’s important to note disinfection by all Kansas public water suppliers inactivates the virus and drinking water remains safe for consumption.

 

The Kansas project is still in its preliminary stages. KU collected samples from 12 wastewater plants in Kansas in late April. Some indication of the genetic material was found in the wastewater in 10 of those plants. Results are too variable and uncertain to make actual estimates of the extent of infection in those communities. The results were communicated to officials in cities that participated in the study.

 

“The initial results do show genetic indications from COVID-19 in wastewater; however, at best, we are at the presence/absence stage of evaluation process,” Tom Stiles, KDHE’s Bureau of Water director, said. “There is much more we need to refine in the methodology to assure quality control and that will start with further testing of samples. We don’t know how quantitative this approach can be, but we are hoping it gives us a means to corroborate our COVID testing of individuals, particularly in counties where positive cases have been low. Additionally, we may employ it as early warning surveillance should the virus come back in the fall or winter to give us a chance to get ahead of it.”

 

Samples were taken from a large city and a small town, each in five northeast Kansas counties with multiple wastewater facilities and sampled in Lawrence and Topeka. KDHE and KU are still evaluating the results and formulating plans for next steps in using the detection techniques.

Bourbon County, Business, COVID-19, Government

Help For Small Businesses in the County With Inventory and Capital

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CDBG-CV

Bourbon County businesses with under 50 employees may soon apply for grant funds because of the financial effects of the pandemic.

These grants will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Rural small businesses should contact the county economic development director, who will apply for the grant.

“We are exploring business needs, outside of Fort Scott City limits, for the CDBG-CV grant opportunity, Hoenor said.  “The goal of the grant is job retention.  We are looking for all business in the county, outside of Fort Scott city limits, with 1 to 50 employees who have been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic.  Funding can be used for inventory or working capital needed to reopen or help keep a business operating. “
“The City of Fort Scott will have the opportunity to apply for funding if they have used all their current funding,” she said.

Contact  Hoener at   jhoener@bourboncounty.org  to get a  business included in the grant application.

Under the Corona Virus Aid and Economic Security Act (CARES), Kansas will receive an additional $9 million in Community Development Block Grant funds to be used exclusively to support projects related to combating the impact of COVID-19, according to a press release from Hoenor.

 

Hoenor received notice of a public hearing yesterday and attended online.

 

The following is an email interview with Hoenor regarding the grants for small businesses in the county.

Who is the target for the grant?
There are four proposed activities with this specific grant.  At this point, we are focusing on businesses with fewer than 50 employees.
What benefits will the grant give the applicant?
 Applicants can use the grant funding for inventory or working capital needs.
What is the application process?
 The county will apply for grant funds, identifying a general number of businesses we intend to help in our grant application.
Grant means no payback, right?
We have not seen the specific requirements but grants typically mean they do not have to pay it back unless the recipient does not fulfill the obligations the grant was intended for.
What is the timeline?
We were told the applications process will be online and hope to have available next week.  It will be first come first serve.
Jody Hoenor, Bourbon County Economic Development Director. Submitted photo.

 

Government, Kansas

Flags At Half-Staff For Fallen Officer Mosher

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Governor Laura Kelly to order flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Overland Park Officer Mike Mosher

 

Governor Laura Kelly today announced she will order flags throughout the State of Kansas to be flown at half-staff in honor of Mike Mosher, Overland Park Police Officer who lost his life while on duty Sunday.

 

Flags will be flown at half-staff on the day of Officer Mosher’s memorial service. The flag order will be distributed once the date is announced.

 

“I was deeply saddened to learn of Officer Mike Mosher’s death,” Kelly said. “When our officers sign up to protect and serve our communities, they are putting their lives on the line for us. The sacrifices he and his family have made will certainly not be forgotten. Officer Mosher was an outstanding officer, and I offer my sincere condolences to his family during this difficult time.”

 

Overland Park Police Department: Officer Mosher was a 14-year veteran of the department, a field training officer and a community policing officer. Officer Mosher was involved in an ambush shooting in 2018 and received a Metropolitan Chiefs and Sheriffs Association Officer of the Year award for his actions during that incident. He was also the president of the Overland Park Fraternal Order of Police.

 

In addition to ordering the flags to be flown at half-staff for Officer Mosher, Governor Kelly today signed Executive Order #20-30, which amends a previous order to add first responders to the list of those who are to be officially recognized through this posthumous honor. The new Executive Order replaces Executive Order #10-12, which was originally signed under Governor Mark Parkinson. The original order did not provide guidance for first responders who are killed in the line of duty. The new order covers members of the law enforcement, fire and emergency response communities.

 

To view EO #20-30, click here.

 

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

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

Governor Kelly announces recovery team leadership

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As part of her continued commitment to protecting the health and safety of Kansans and the state’s economy, Governor Laura Kelly today announced the appointment of two individuals who will head the team charged with leading Kansas forward in recovery from the far-reaching effects of COVID-19. 

 

Kelly selected Cheryl Harrison-Lee as the Recovery Office’s executive director and Lyle Butler as the chair.

 

Harrison-Lee has more than 30 years of experience in strategic leadership positions in a variety of corporate, entrepreneurial, private and public environments. Previously, she served in leadership roles for several cities to include Gardner, Kansas and Orlando and Daytona Beach, Florida.

 

Last year, Governor Kelly appointed Harrison-Lee to serve on the Kansas Board of Regents.

 

“Cheryl has a robust, national reputation as an extraordinary manager,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “She made an instant positive impact in her new role on the Kansas Board of Regents, and I have every confidence that she will provide big-picture insight during the recovery effort, while also paying necessary attention to detail.”

 

“I am honored to support Governor Kelly and the citizens of Kansas as we recover from unprecedented challenging times,” Harrison-Lee said. “I look forward to developing a strategy to help us regain and enhance our future and long-term economic sustainability.”

 

Butler recently retired from his position as the President and CEO of the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, a position he held since July 2000. He has also served as the Chamber President and CEO in Dodge City, Kansas, and Greeley, Colorado.

 

“Lyle is a proven coalition builder who will be a strong contributor as we move forward in the recovery from COVID-19,” Kelly said. “He brings years of experience working with the business community and in economic development. We are going to need Lyle’s expertise as we move into the recovery phase of the pandemic.

 

“In these unprecedented times with numerous challenges facing the citizens of Kansas, I look forward to working with Governor Kelly and her leadership team to provide assistance and guidance to help get Kansas moving forward,” Butler said.

 

“Both Lyle and Cheryl have a keen understanding of the needs of local communities in Kansas, which will be paramount during the recovery effort and in the statewide distribution of CARES Act funding,” the Governor said.

 

Kelly will soon announce the remaining members of the recovery team, which will include involvement from members of the Kansas Legislature.

Bourbon County, Business, Government

County Seeking Businesses That Need Funding Due to COVID 19 For Grant

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Bourbon County Economic Director Jody Hoenor is exploring business needs, outside of Fort Scott City limits, for the CDBG-CV grant opportunity. The goal of the grant is job retention.
” We are looking for all business in the county, outside of Fort Scott city limits, with 1 to 50 employees who have been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic.  Funding can be used for inventory or working capital needed to reopen or help keep a business operating.”
“The City of Fort Scott will have opportunity to apply for funding if they have used all their current funding.”  she said  in a press release.
Please share and reach out to Jody Hoener, jhoener@bourboncountyks.gov
“So we can be sure to get your business included in our grant application,” she said.
Bourbon County, COVID-19, Government, Health Care

SEK Health Department COVID 19 Update

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SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

May 6, 2020

Allen County

Current Positive Cases 0
Current Recovered Cases 0
Total Positives Since Testing 0
Deaths 0

Anderson County

Current Positive Cases 0
Current Recovered Cases 0
Total Positives Since Testing 0
Deaths 0

Bourbon County

Current Positive Cases 0
Current Recovered Cases 5
Total Positives Since Testing 6
Deaths 1

Woodson County

Current Positive Cases 1
Current Recovered Cases 5
Total Positives Since Testing 6
Deaths 0

Recovered cases are based on dates of onset of symptoms, not on day testing results are received.

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

Kansas Farmer Honored For Mask to New York Disaster

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Farmer honored by Gov. Kelly. Submitted photo.

Governor Kelly, K-State President Myers confer degree upon Kansas farmer who sent N95 mask to New York

Ruhnke shows the best in humanity, encapsulates what it means to be Kansan

Editor’s note: Please take time to view the video from the presentation. I think you will find it inspiring.

A video of the presentation can be found here.

 

Governor Laura Kelly today joined Kansas State University President Richard Myers to confer a bachelor’s degree upon Dennis Ruhnke, of Troy, Kansas.

 

Ruhnke recently garnered national attention when he sent a letter to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, in which he enclosed an N-95 mask to give to a nurse or doctor in New York.

 

Ruhnke wrote to Governor Cuomo: “I am a retired farmer hunkered down in Northeast Kansas with my wife who has but one lung and occasional problems with her remaining lung. She also has diabetes. We are in our 70s now and frankly, I am afraid for her.

 

“Enclosed find a solitary N-95 mask left over from my farming days. It has never been used. If you could, would you please give this mask to a nurse or doctor in your city. I have kept four masks for my immediate family. Please keep on doing what you do so well, which is to lead.”

 

“Dennis’ donation, at the height of our country’s protective gear shortage, showed us the best in humanity when we needed it the most,” Governor Kelly said. “I would like to thank Dennis for the example he’s set on how to serve – and how to be thoughtful and generous in an extraordinary way.”

 

In 1971, Ruhnke was studying agriculture at Kansas State University when his father passed away. At that time, he was two credits away from earning his degree, but chose to leave school to take care of his mother and the family farm.

 

“After speaking with President Myers, we both agreed that Dennis perfectly encapsulates K-State’s democratic mandate to be of service to people,” Governor Kelly said. “Which is why I am very honored that I was able to help present Dennis with his well-deserved bachelor’s degree in agriculture.”

 

“Along with his fantastic demonstration of kindness and generosity, Mr. Ruhnke’s academic work at K-State in his chosen field of agriculture qualifies him to receive his degree,” President Richard Myers said. “Kansas State University is proud to officially recognize Mr. Ruhnke as an alumus and valued member of the Wildcat family.” 

 

. A video of the presentation can be found here.

Government

FSA Reminds Producers of Ongoing Disaster Assistance Program Signup

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Payments Have Started for Producers Impacted by Drought, Excess Moisture

WASHINGTON, May 1, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has started making payments through the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program – Plus (WHIP+) to agricultural producers who suffered eligible losses because of drought or excess moisture in 2018 and 2019. Signup for these causes of loss opened March 23, and producers who suffered losses from drought (in counties designated D3 or above), excess moisture, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, typhoons, volcanic activity, snowstorms or wildfires can still apply for assistance through WHIP+.

“To date, FSA has received more than 33,000 WHIP+ applications,” said Richard Fordyce, Administrator of USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). “We want to remind producers that we are still accepting applications for WHIP+, and we encourage producers to call our offices for next steps on how to apply.”

To be eligible for WHIP+, producers must have suffered losses of certain crops, trees, bushes or vines in counties with a Presidential Emergency Disaster Declaration or a Secretarial Disaster Designation (primary counties only) for qualifying natural disaster events that occurred in calendar years 2018 or 2019. Also, losses located in a county not designated by the Secretary as a primary county may be eligible if a producer provides documentation showing that the loss was due to a qualifying natural disaster event.

For losses due to drought, a producer is eligible if any area of the county in which the loss occurred was rated D3, or extreme drought, or higher on the U.S. Drought Monitor during calendar years 2018 or 2019. Producers who suffered losses should contact their FSA county office.

In addition to the recently added eligible losses of drought and excess moisture, FSA will implement a WHIP+ provision for crop quality loss that resulted in price deductions or penalties when marketing crops damaged by eligible disaster events. To ensure an effective program for all impacted farmers, the Agency is currently gathering information on the extent of quality loss from producers and stakeholder organizations.

USDA Service Centers, including FSA county offices, are open for business by phone only, and field work will continue with appropriate social distancing. While program delivery staff will continue to come into the office, they will be working with producers by phone and using online tools whenever possible. All Service Center visitors wishing to conduct business with the FSA, Natural Resources Conservation Service or any other Service Center agency are required to call their Service Center to schedule a phone appointment. More information on Service Centers can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus, and more information on WHIP+ can be found at farmers.gov/whip-plus.

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

Government

USDA Reports Record Enrollment in Key Farm Safety-Net Programs

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WASHINGTON, April 21, 2020 – Producers signed a record 1.77 million contracts for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2019 crop year, which is more than 107 percent of the total contracts signed compared with a 5-year average. USDA also reminds producers that June 30 is the deadline to enroll in ARC and PLC for the 2020 crop year.

“Producers for several years have experienced low commodity prices, a volatile trade environment and catastrophic natural disasters,” said Richard Fordyce, Administrator of USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). “Farmers looking to mitigate these risks recognize that ARC and PLC provide the financial protections they need to weather substantial drops in crop prices or revenues.”

Producers interested in enrolling for 2020 should contact their FSA county office. Producers must enroll by June 30 and make their one-time update to PLC payment yields by September 30.

FSA attributes the significant participation in the 2019 crop year ARC and PLC programs to increased producer interest in the programs under the 2018 Farm Bill and to an increase in eligible farms because of the selling and buying of farms and new opportunities for beginning farmers and military veterans with farms having 10 or fewer base acres. Enrollment for 2019 ended March 16.

USDA Service Centers, including FSA county offices, are open for business by phone only, and field work will continue with appropriate social distancing. While program delivery staff will continue to come into the office, they will be working with producers by phone and using online tools whenever possible. All Service Center visitors wishing to conduct business with the FSA, Natural Resources Conservation Service or any other Service Center agency are required to call their Service Center to schedule a phone appointment. More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.

For more information on ARC and PLC, download the program fact sheet or the 2014-2018 farm bills comparison fact sheet. Online ARC and PLC election decision tools are available at www.fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc. To locate the nearest USDA Service Center, visit farmers.gov/service-center-locator.

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

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

Utility Disconnects Suspended Until May 31

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KCC extends emergency order suspending utility disconnects until May 31

 

This morning, the Kansas Corporation Commission approved extending its emergency order suspending utility disconnects for nonpayment until May 31.   The action, taken during a Commission business meeting, will offer continued relief to those experiencing hardship from the COVID-19 virus. The directive covers all electrical, natural gas, water and telecommunications utilities under the KCC’s jurisdiction.

 

The Commission’s original suspension order was issued on March 16 to expire on April 15. On April 14, Commissioners extended the order to May 15. Today’s order runs concurrently with Executive Order 20-28 issued last week by Governor Laura Kelly. The Governor’s order prohibits utilities, not under the jurisdiction of the KCC, from disconnecting customers until May 31.

 

“Even as the state begins the phased reopening process, Kansans continue to deal with the financial challenges brought about by COVID-19.  Maintaining utility services is critical to ensure public health and safety as the state works toward recovery,” said Commission Chair Susan Duffy.

 

The Commission may elect to extend the suspension order in a subsequent order if conditions warrant.

 

Today’s order can be viewed at: http://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx?Id=b6d84c9c-e3f3-487a-bbd2-95eec6d895fe