Category Archives: Kansas

Government, Kansas

Broadband Test Results In Kansas: Challenging The FCC

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Governor’s Office Challenges FCC Mobility Fund Phase II Eligibility Map


Test Results Could Mean More Funding for LTE Service Buildout in Kansas

 

Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. announced that his office has successfully challenged the Federal Communication Commission’s Mobility Fund Phase II (MF-II) Eligibility Map, which the Commission will soon use to determine areas that will be eligible for funding for mobile LTE broadband service buildout in unserved areas.  Unlike surrounding states, Kansas was originally slated to receive almost no funding from the MF-II program unless the initial eligibility map could be challenged.  The map below indicates the areas that were initially deemed eligible for MF-II support (shaded in blue), based on coverage data reported by the nation’s mobile service providers.

Thanks to a $225,000 grant from the Information Network of Kansas (“INK”) Board of Directors, the Governor’s Office was able to partner with non-profit Connected Nation to conduct professional drive testing of mobile network coverage across the state.  Between the months of June and September, Connected Nation staff covered 15,620 road miles to conduct tests across parts of 56 Kansas counties (Allen, Anderson, Barber, Barton, Bourbon, Brown, Butler, Chase, Clark, Comanche, Crawford, Decatur, Ellsworth, Ford, Geary, Graham, Grant, Greeley, Hamilton, Harper, Jackson, Jewell, Johnson, Kearny, Kingman, Kiowa, Linn, Logan, Marion, Marshall, McPherson, Mitchell, Morton, Nemaha, Neosho, Norton, Osborne, Phillips, Pottawatomie, Pratt, Rawlins, Republic, Riley, Rooks, Russell, Saline, Seward, Shawnee, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Stanton, Stevens, Thomas, Wallace, and Wichita).  The areas tested were chosen based on analysis of areas that were reported to be served by no more than two mobile carriers—areas deemed most likely to be unserved.

 

Of the 187,397 tests that were conducted, 119,994 failed (64.03%)—meaning that the tests indicated less than 5 Mbps of mobile data service, or no service at all, in areas that the carriers had reported to be served.  The Governor’s Office was then able to use the testing data to challenge 13,158.63 square kilometers of the MF-II Eligibility Map—or 5,080.58 square miles—an area slightly smaller than the state of Connecticut.  While the challenge data submitted is still subject to review and adjudication by the FCC, it is now possible that a significant portion of the state of Kansas will be opened up for MF-II funding support—meaning many rural Kansans could finally see their mobile services improve.

 

The map below shows individual speed tests conducted in Jewell County. Red dots indicate failed tests, while green dots show passing tests.

“Mobile broadband service has become an essential tool in the daily lives of all Kansans, regardless of where they live, and it is quickly becoming a necessary resource for agriculture as well,” said Governor Colyer.  “I have driven all across this state, and I know how poor mobile coverage can be in some areas.  That’s why I was shocked to see that the FCC’s Mobility Fund Phase II eligibility map showed almost zero eligibility for funding in Kansas.  I knew we had to do something.  With support from the INK Board and our partners at Connected Nation, we did—and now there is a great chance that we’ll see large swaths of service buildout in rural parts of the state.”

 

The map below indicates all of the one square kilometer grid cells that were challenged within Kansas:

 

 

 

It is important to note that the Governor’s Office’s MF-II challenge will be supplemented by testing conducted by Kansas Farm Bureau, which received a waiver from the FCC to file its own challenge.  Kansas Farm Bureau has been working aggressively over the same period in collaboration with its membership to conduct thousands of mobile speed tests across the state—the results of which will be announced later this month.  To participate, or to learn more about Kansas Farm Bureau’s efforts, visit www.kfb.org/connectingkansas.  All MF-II challenge data must be submitted no later than November 26.

Government, Kansas

November is National Adoption Month

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Adopted Teen Shares Her Story at Adoption Celebration

 

TOPEKA – Kimberly Allen-Thompson spent most of her life in foster care, aging out of the system. But, that wasn’t the end of Kimberly’s story because at age 18, she was adopted by her forever family, the Thompson’s.

The Thompson’s had adopted Kimberly’s younger siblings, and while she was already legally an adult, she chose to become adopted and have a family to turn to, no matter what.

Kimberly and the Thompson’s were present at the 42nd Annual Governor’s Conference in Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention, Adoption Month Reception on Nov. 8, to share their story about adoption and kick-off National Adoption Month with Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) and Kansas Children Service League (KCSL) staff.

Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D., signed a proclamation on Monday, Oct. 22, designating November as Adoption Month. Throughout the month, DCF, and its contractors and community partners are taking part in a series of events to call attention to the need for more adoptive and foster families. Currently, there are approximately 500 children available for adoption in Kansas. Of those 500 youth available, 125 are 15 years or older. In FY 2018, 766 children were adopted from foster care.

Helping youth achieve timely permanency has been a focus for DCF Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel. Recently, DCF met internally and with contractors to identify and remove policies that were serving as a barrier to timely permanency. DCF also reviewed all cases where a youth was awaiting adoption and created working plans to safely finalize as many adoptions as possible in 30, 60 and 90 days. As a result of the many initiatives to streamline the adoption process, DCF anticipates finalizing approximately 1,500 adoptions in FY 19, double the number of adoptions from the previous fiscal year.

“When I arrived at the agency, remedying the adoption process was one of my top initiatives because timely permanency is vitally important for the child and the family. In my 25 plus years in child welfare, I have seen thousands of adoptions finalized, and each story and each family is unique,” said Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel. “But at the end of the day, each adoption finalized means a youth found their forever family.”

DCF’s contracted service providers and several courts around the state will celebrate National Adoption Day on Nov. 17, when many adoptions across the state will be finalized. As the final step of the adoption process, these events are often emotional culminations of months of effort. Media are invited to the following adoption finalizations:

  • Saturday, Nov. 17: Shawnee County Courthouse, Topeka, 8:30 a.m. – Approximately 35 children’s adoptions will be finalized, KVC Kansas
  • Saturday, Nov. 17: Johnson County Courthouse, Olathe, 9 a.m. – Approximately 19 children’s adoptions will be finalized, KVC Kansas

DCF also encouraged faith organizations to educate their members about adoption on Adoption Sunday, Nov.12.

To learn more about children who are currently available for adoption, visit www.adoptkskids.org or call 877-457-5430. On the website, you can view photos and read profiles of each child available for adoption.

 

Left (left to right): Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel listens as Kimberly Allen-Thompson shares her adoption story and talks about her journey through the foster care system.

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Kansas

Safeguard Antibiotics

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State of Kansas Asks Residents to Help Safeguard Antibiotics

Kansas ranked among the highest nationally, total number of antibiotic prescriptions

 

TOPEKA – Since 2013, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recognized a threat to antibiotic resistance and has begun working with many partners across the state and nation to safeguard the effectiveness of antibiotics. In an effort to promote awareness of this important initiative, Governor Jeff Colyer has designated Nov. 12-18 Use Antibiotics Wisely Week.

 

Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Chief Health Officer, Dr. Greg Lakin, says health professionals, patients and their loved ones need to be informed and only prescribe or use antibiotics when appropriate.

 

“The general public, health care providers, health care facility administrators, veterinarians, food producers and policy makers can all play a part in ensuring that antibiotics are only used when truly needed and likely to be effective,” Dr. Lakin said.

 

In Kansas, a broad range of individuals, professionals and organizations are working together to adopt best practices to help stem the inappropriate use of antibiotics. A statewide advisory group is assisting KDHE in spearheading this effort.

 

According to data from the CDC, the total number of antibiotic prescriptions written in Kansas ranked among the highest nationally. In 2015, more than 900 antibiotic prescriptions were written per 1,000 individuals statewide.

 

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

 

Since the 1940s, antibiotics have been used to treat patients who have bacterial infections, greatly 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 infectious organisms the antibiotics are designed to kill have adapted to them, making the drugs less effective, according to the CDC.

 

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

 

Especially during the cold and flu season when viruses are prevalent, the public can do its part by recognizing that antibiotics are likely not the right medicine. Antibiotics can fight infections and save lives when used to fight the right germ, at the right time and for the right duration.

 

More than two million people in the United States get infections that are resistant to antibiotics, and each year, at least 23,000 people die as a result. If drug-resistant germs keep growing, and if we lose the effectiveness of antibiotics, we may also lose our ability to treat patients who need them.

 

Here are ways you can help:

  • Do not request that your doctor prescribe antibiotics.
  • Antibiotics may have side effects. When your doctor says that 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 directed. 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 http://UseAntibioticsWisely.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business, Kansas

Nominations Accepted For Exporter of the Year

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Department of Commerce Accepting Nominations for 2019 Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award

 

Kansas businesses are a global force, with goods and services being sought from Kansas internationally.  The annual Kansas Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award proudly celebrates the outstanding Kansas companies that excel in exporting and building relationships with companies around the world. We encourage you to nominate a successful Kansas business for the year 2019’s awards program.

 

Qualifications considered include:

  • Number and/or percentage increase in jobs due to international activities
  • Innovations in global marketing
  • Number of export destinations
  • Effective use of international distributors
  • Long-term international strategies and prospects for future growth
  • Commitment to the state and local community
  • Foreign language promotional material and general promotional activities
  • Trade shows and/or international expositions

 

Benefits of this award include: 

  • All finalists will be invited to attend the Team Kansas Awards Banquet where top businesses from across the state are recognized and the award winning company will receive the trophy
  • The Governor will make a site visit to the award winning company to honor its management and workforce team
  • The award-winning company will receive a membership in Kansas International Trade Coordinating Council (KITCC) that selects the award finalists and winner
  • Recognition of export achievement which can be incorporated into marketing/advertising campaigns
  • Extended networking opportunities

 

The Nomination Process: 

Any Kansas company engaged in exporting is eligible to be nominated for the 2019 Kansas Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award. Please visit http://kansascommerce.gov/GovernorsExporteroftheYear to nominate a business. Self-nomination is also welcomed. All nominations must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 25, 2019.

 

Nominations can be emailed to April Chiang at [email protected]

 

Bourbon County, Kansas

KDOT announces approved October bids For State Highways

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The Kansas Department of Transportation announces approved bids for state highway construction and maintenance projects in Kansas. The letting took place Oct. 17 in Topeka. Some of the bids may include multiple projects that have been bundled based on proximity and type of work.

Bourbon County was approved bids for highway maintenance from the Crawford/Bourbon county line north to the south U.S. 69/U.S. 54/K‑7, there will be an overlay of 16.3 miles. APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Ks. will be doing the work with a  $837,415.29 bid on the project.

 

District One — Northeast

 

Johnson ‑ 35‑46 KA‑4878‑01 ‑ Bridge #325 on I‑35 located 1.5 miles southwest of the Johnson county line, bridge deck, Comanche Construction Inc., Shawnee Mission, Ks., $179,909.55

 

Marshall ‑ 36‑58 KA‑5008‑01 – U.S. 36, beginning at the end of the 4-lane divided section east to the U.S. 36/K‑87 junction (excludes Marysville from 4th Street to 20th Street), milling and overlay, 18.4 miles, Hall Brothers Inc., Marysville, Ks., $2,345,467.50.

 

Riley ‑ 18‑81 KA‑4325‑01 ‑ K‑18, bridges #056 and #057 located 6.9 miles north of the K‑57/K‑18 junction, bridge repair, Louis-Company LLC, Lees Summit, Mo., $216,950.00.

 

District Two — North Central

 

Cloud ‑ 15 C‑4875‑01 – Bridge over West Creek, located on Republic Road located 1.0 mile west and 1.5 miles north of Hollis, bridge replacement, 0.2 mile, L & M Contractors Inc., Great Bend, Ks., $363,909.15.

 

Geary ‑ 70‑31 KA‑5143‑01 ‑ Pavement marking on I‑70, pavement marking, 26.5 miles, Innovative Marking Systems Inc., Bluffdale, Ut., $659,183.71.

 

Marion ‑ 168‑57 KA‑5064‑01 ‑ K‑168, from the U.S. 56/K‑168 junction north to the south city limits of Lehigh, milling and overlay, 0.5 mile, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Ks., $82,706.71.

 

Marion ‑ 56‑57 KA‑5070‑01 – U.S. 56, from 0.15 mile south of the U.S. 56/340th Street intersection north to 264 feet south of the Marion/Dickinson county line, concrete pavement, 3.1 miles, Emery Sapp & Sons Inc And Subsidiaries, Columbia, Mo., $3,883,355.95.

 

Marion ‑ 56‑57 KA‑5142‑01 ‑ Pavement marking on U.S. 56, pavement marking, 14.1 miles, Cillessen And Sons Inc., Kechi, Ks., $151,262.60.

 

McPherson ‑ 61‑59 KA‑5030‑01 ‑ K‑61, from the junction of the concrete pavement and asphalt pavement west of the south K‑153/K‑61 junction east to the K‑61/U.S. 81B junction, ultra thin bonded asphalt surfacing, 0.4 mile, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Ks., $86,834.53.

 

McPherson ‑ 81B1‑59 KA‑5031‑01 ‑ US‑81B, from the K‑61/U.S. 81B junction north to the U.S. 81B/I‑135 junction, ultra thin bonded asphalt surfacing, 2.6 miles, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Ks., $613,831.55.

 

McPherson – 81B1‑59 KA‑5032‑01 – U.S. 81B, from the K‑61/U.S. 81B junction north to the south city limits of McPherson, milling and overlay, 1.4 miles, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Ks., $143,992.96.

 

McPherson – 153S‑59 KA‑5062‑01 ‑ K‑153 Spur, from the K‑153S/K‑61 junction north to the north K‑153S/K‑153 junction, milling and overlay, 1.1 miles, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Ks., $141,493.14.

 

McPherson ‑ 260‑59 KA‑5063‑01 ‑ K‑260, from the south I‑135/K‑260 junction west to the north to the north I‑135/K‑260 junction, milling and overlay, 3.6 miles, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Ks., $347,245.60.

 

McPherson ‑ 153‑59 KA‑5065‑01 ‑ K‑153, from the K‑153/K‑61 north to the south city limits of McPherson, milling and overlay, 1.9 miles, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Ks., $232,264.10.

 

McPherson ‑ 56‑59 KA‑5066‑01 ‑ U.S. 56, from the U.S. 56/RS 319 junction east to the McPherson/Marion county line, milling and overlay, 13.1 miles, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Ks., $1,944,154.46.

 

Morris ‑ 56‑64 KA‑5101‑01 ‑ U.S. 56, from the east city limits of Council Grove east to 50 feet east of the Morris/Lyon county line, sealing, 6.5 miles, Circle C Paving and Construction LLC, Goddard, Ks., $211,267.91.

 

District Three — Northwest

 

Decatur ‑ 83‑20 KA‑4981‑01 ‑ U.S. 83, from approximately 148 feet north of the U.S. 36/U.S. 83 junction (north end of the Portland Cement Concrete Pavement at the U.S. 36/U.S. 83 junction) north 12.4 miles to the Kansas/Nebraska state line, recycle and overlay, 12.4 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $2,539,965.73.

 

Graham ‑ 24‑33 KA‑5018‑01 ‑ U.S. 24, from the Sheridan/Graham county line east to the east city limits of Hill City, sealing, 17.5 miles, Heft and Sons LLC, Greensburg, Ks., $618,791.40.

 

Graham ‑ 84‑33 KA‑5019‑01 ‑ K‑84, along the entire route, sealing, 0.9 mile, Heft and Sons LLC, Greensburg, Ks., $24,200.50.

 

Graham ‑ 85‑33 KA‑5020‑01 ‑ K‑85, along entire route, sealing, 0.8 mile, Heft and Sons LLC, Greensburg, Ks., $21,943.80.

 

Graham ‑ 18‑33 KA‑5024‑01 ‑ K‑18, from the U.S. 24/K‑18 junction southeast to the Rooks/Graham county line, milling and overlay, 6.0 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $739,627.68.

 

Rooks ‑ 183‑82 KA‑5021‑01 – U.S. 183, from 12th Street in Stockton north to the Rooks/Phillips county line, milling and overlay, 10.0 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $1,076,946.99.

 

Rooks ‑ 18‑82 KA‑5025‑01 ‑ K‑18, from the Rooks/Graham county line east to the U.S. 183/K‑18 junction, milling and overlay, 21.0 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $1,820,478.38.

 

Rooks ‑ 183‑82 KA‑5081‑01 ‑ U.S. 183, from the south city limits of Plainville north to County Road S, overlay, 5.7 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $619,727.13.

 

Rooks ‑ 18‑82 M‑0062‑01 ‑ K‑18, from the Rooks/Graham county line east to the U.S. 183/K‑18 junction, stockpile bituminous material, 21.0 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $5,200.00.

 

Thomas ‑ 70‑97 KA‑5120‑01 ‑ I‑70, from 0.473 mile west of K‑25 east to 0.377 mile east of Exit 62, milling and overlay, 9.8 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $5,431,048.91.

 

Thomas ‑ 70‑97 M‑0066‑01 ‑ I‑70, from 0.5 mile west of the I-70/K‑25 junction east to 0.4 mile east of Exit 62, stockpile bituminous material, 9.8 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $5,500.00.

 

Trego ‑ 70‑98 KA‑5121‑01 ‑ I‑70, from the Gove/Trego county line east to the west edge of the wearing surface at Exit 127, milling and overlay, 14.0 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $5,673,914.20.

 

District Four — Southeast

 

Bourbon ‑ 07‑6 KA‑5067‑01 ‑ K‑7, from the Crawford/Bourbon county line north to the south U.S. 69/U.S. 54/K‑7, overlay, 16.3 miles, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Ks., $837,415.29.

 

Cherokee ‑ 11 C‑4882‑01 ‑ Bridge over Center Creek on SW 100th Street, located 0.4 mile north of Faulkner, bridge replacement, 0.1 mile, Mission Construction Co. Inc., St Paul, Ks., $298,044.00.

 

Crawford ‑ 07‑19 KA‑5068‑01 ‑ K‑7, from the north city limits of Girard north to the Crawford/Bourbon county line, overlay, 11.0 miles, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Ks., $693,962.80.

 

Wilson ‑ 400‑103 KA‑5048‑01 ‑ U.S. 400, Wilson/Greenwood county line east to the K‑47 junction, pavement patching, 12.0 miles, R A Knapp Construction Inc., Lenexa, Ks., $1,044,373.58.

 

District Five — South Central

 

Cowley ‑ 166‑18 KA‑3106‑01 ‑ U.S. 166, Bridge #037 (over Arkansas River) on U.S. 166, located 4.9 miles east of the Cowley/Sumner county line, bridge replacement, A M Cohron & Son Inc., Atlantic, Ia., $6,368,389.77.

 

Harper ‑ 39 C‑4886‑01 ‑ Bridge over Spring Creek on Southwest 10th Road, located 1.0 mile south and 0.8 mile west of Anthony, bridge replacement, 0.2 mile, L & M Contractors Inc., Great Bend, Ks., $508,956.00.

 

Harper ‑ 179‑39 KA‑5049‑01 ‑ K‑179, from the Oklahoma/Kansas state line north to the south city limits of Anthony, milling and overlay, 11.1 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $988,669.50.

 

Harper ‑ 14‑39 KA‑5071‑01 ‑ K‑14, from the U.S. 160/K‑14 junction beginning at the west city limits of Harper north to the Kingman/Harper county line, milling     and overlay, 7.5 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $772,619.30.

 

Kingman ‑ 14‑48 KA‑5072‑01 ‑ K‑14, from the Kingman/Harper county line north to the K‑42/K‑14 junction, milling and overlay, 5.1 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $481,389.04.

 

Reno ‑ 61‑78 KA‑5033‑01 ‑ K‑61, beginning approximately 502 feet south of bridge #148 east to the west U.S. 50/K‑61 junction, milling and overlay, 9.2 miles, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, Ks., $1,734,694.28.

 

Sedgwick ‑ 235‑87 KA‑4954‑01 ‑ I-235, Overhead Sign Truss (Serial # 087S0254) on southbound I‑235 located between East Mac Arthur Road and South Broadway Avenue in Wichita, signing, Collins & Hermann Inc., Saint Louis, Mo., $117,328.18.

 

Sedgwick ‑ 15‑87 KA‑5144‑01 ‑ K-15, pavement marking on K‑15, pavement marking, 5.5 miles, Roadsafe Traffic Systems Inc., El Dorado, Ks., $256,734.83

 

Sumner ‑ 81‑96 KA‑4530‑02 ‑ U.S. 81, west bank of the Ninnescah River, adjacent to U.S. 81 located 1.4 miles north of the U.S. 81/K‑55 junction, special maintenance. Dondlinger & Sons Construction Co. Inc., Wichita, Ks., $879,046.25.

 

Sumner ‑ 81‑96 KA‑5069‑01 ‑ U.S. 81, from the Oklahoma/ Kansas state line north to mile marker 25 located approximately 2.5 miles north of RS-645, milling and overlay, 25.0 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $2,719,559.00.

 

District Six — Southwest

 

Finney ‑ 50‑28 KA‑5050‑01 ‑ U.S. 50, from the Finney/Kearny county line east approximately 4.9 miles, milling and overlay, 4.9 miles, Shilling Construction Co. Inc., Manhattan, Ks., $718,941.25.

 

Ford ‑ 283‑29 KA‑5051‑01 ‑ U.S. 283, from the U.S. 283/U.S. 50 junction north to the Hodgeman/Ford county line, milling and overlay, 9.4 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $1,509,191.09.

 

Ford ‑ 50‑29 KA‑5053‑01 ‑ U.S. 50, beginning at the end of the concrete just east of the west U.S. 56/U.S. 50/U.S. 283 junction east approximately 12.7 miles to existing header just east of Spearville, milling and overlay, 12.7 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $2,599,043.00.

 

Haskell ‑ 190‑41 KA‑5135‑01 ‑ K‑190, from the east city limits of Satanta east to the Haskell/Seward county line, heater scarification (no overlay), 3.8 miles, Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, Ks., $287,446.94.

 

Seward ‑ 190‑88 KA‑5134‑01 ‑ K‑190, from the Haskell/Seward county line east to the U.S. 83/K‑190 junction, heater scarification (no overlay), 7.0 miles, Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, Ks., $532,243.38.

Government, Kansas

Drivers License Office In New Location

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Driver’s License Office, 108 W. Second. October 2018.

The Fort Scott Kansas Driver’s License Office recently moved from the Bourbon County Courthouse to 108 W. Second.

The new office is directly behind the courthouse at 2nd and Judson Streets.

This follows the reconfiguration of the courthouse to allow for easier public access to the Bourbon County Commission Room, the Bourbon County Treasurer’s Office, and the Bourbon County Clerk’s Office. These offices were moved to the north wing of the courthouse, following the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office and Correctional Facility to move to its new building at 293 E. 20th.

Hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Testing must be completed by 11 a.m. in the morning and 2:45 p.m. in the afternoon.

The phone number is 620-223-6319.

Formerly the hours were Thursday and Friday only from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The hours are posted in the lobby of the office at 108 W. Second.
This sign is posted on the door of the new Driver’s License Office at 108 W. Second.
Government, Kansas

DCF Announces New Child Welfare Providers

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TOPEKA – Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel is pleased to announce the new child welfare grantees. The new Case Management grant was divided into eight catchment areas, whereas in the current structure, there are only four catchment areas. The new Case Management providers are:

  • Catchment Area 1—Saint Francis Ministries (previously known as Saint Francis Community Services)
  • Catchment Area 2—Saint Francis Ministries
  • Catchment Area 3—KVC Kansas
  • Catchment Area 4—TFI
  • Catchment Area 5—Cornerstones of Care
  • Catchment Area 6—KVC Kansas
  • Catchment Area 7—Saint Francis Ministries
  • Catchment Area 8—TFI

 

The Family Preservation grant catchment areas will continue to align with the four DCF Regions—West, Wichita, Kansas City and East. The new Family Preservation providers are:

  • West Region—Eckerd Connects
  • Wichita Region—Eckerd Connects
  • East Region—Eckerd Connects
  • Kansas City Region—Cornerstones of Care

 

Currently, there are two providers providing both Case Management and Family Preservation services to the entire state. Moving forward, there will be four Case Management providers and two Family Preservation providers.

DCF posted the child welfare RFP’s May 31, which included substantial changes from the current child welfare contracts. DCF developed the improved child welfare grants to address known issues within the Kansas foster care system after receiving input from the public, legislators and stakeholders.

“The new child welfare grants include substantial changes—we are putting Kansas children and families first and emphasizing contractor accountability and oversight,” DCF Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel said. “We carefully designed the new grants to positively change the landscape of child welfare in Kansas, and just as purposefully, we chose providers we believed would best serve the needs of children and families.”

DCF awarded the new child welfare grants following an extensive and robust review process. Two internal DCF teams, consisting of DCF staff from across the state, analyzed and blind-scored each bid submission offsite for three days at the end of August. The agency then entered negotiations with bidders in September, and continued internal discussions into October.

As part of the bid process, each applicant was required to submit a six-month transition plan in order to establish a seamless changeover and continuity of services for Kansas children and families. In addition, DCF has formed internal oversight teams to help support the current and future providers as they transition. The agency is also seeking feedback, both internally and externally, from those who have experienced a contract change before to ensure a smooth transition. To share suggestions, concerns or thoughts, visit http://www.dcf.ks.gov/Agency/pubcomments/Pages/Child-Welfare-Grant-Transition.aspx.

“I am confident that services to Kansas children and families will improve with the new child welfare grants because we have removed conflicts of interest and increased competition, bringing more providers to the table to provide quality, timely services,” Governor Jeff Colyer said. “These new grants will serve as the foundation for enacting true reform in Kansas child welfare.”

Transitions will start January 2019 and the new providers will begin serving Kansas children and families July 1, 2019.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Government, Kansas

Future Of Water In Kansas Nov. 13-14

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Governor’s Water Conference Deadline Fast Approaching

The Conference Agenda Has Been Posted on the Kansas Water Office Website

 

The Governor’s Conference on the Future of Water in Kansas will be Tuesday, November 13 and Wednesday, November 14, at the Hilton Garden Inn Conference Center in Manhattan, Kansas. Registration price increases after November 1.

 

This is the seventh year for the conference and building off last year’s success, there will be keynotes in the morning on Day 1 including Tom Kula, Executive Director of North Texas Municipal Water District, Tim Hardman, World Wildlife Fund and breakout sessions in the afternoon.

 

The conference topics include:

  • Reservoir Management to Meet Growing Demands
  • Market Forces That Influence Conservation and Management Practices
  • Infrastructure for the Future
  • Water Technology Farms and Ogallala Aquifer Impacts
  • Kansas Water Vision Implementation
  • Why Does Navigation Matter to Kansas

 

The fourth Water Legacy Award will be presented at the conference Tuesday morning and ‘Be the Vision’ nominees will be recognized as well.

 

To view the brochure for a current list of speakers and panelists visit: www.kwo.ks.gov

 

Day two will build on the water policy, funding and vision implementation discussions from the previous day with technical presentation talks and posters. Graduate and undergraduate students will also present their research.

 

Anyone who has an interest in our state’s water resources, legislators, water managers, state, federal, city and county officials as well as scientists, organizations and agricultural producers are all welcome and encouraged to attend.

 

Registration is available online at www.kwo.ks.gov. The deadline for regular pricing is November 1! Conference details, brochure, speakers, sponsors and hotel information can be found online as well.

 

The Governor’s Conference on the Future of Water in Kansas is hosted by the KWO, K-State /Kansas Water Resource Institute. Major sponsors for the event include Black & Veatch, Burns & McDonnell and Great Lakes Dredge & Dock.

 

If accommodations are needed for persons with disabilities, please notify the KWO, (785) 296-3185, at least five working days prior to the meeting.

Government, Kansas

Latest Kansas Revenue Report

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Fiscal year tax collections exceed previous year by $183.49 million

 

 

TOPEKA—Fiscal year tax collections have exceeded previous year’s totals by $183.49 million according to data from the latest revenue report released Thursday.

 

Fiscal year 2019 tax collections so far total $2.20 billion, exceeding estimates by $105.60 million.

 

October tax collections were up $10.71 million, or 2.14 percent over last year. October’s tax collections exceeded expectations for the month by $6.99 million.

 

Individual income tax collections in October totaled $242.29 million which is $12.88 million or 5.61 percent above the same time last year. October sales tax collections fell short of last October’s collections by $3.88 million.

 

Government, Kansas

Mobile Driver’s License Renewals Launch

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Governor Colyer highlights the successful launch of KanLicense, mobile driver’s license renewals

 

TOPEKA—Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. on Wednesday congratulated the Department of Revenue and its partners on the extraordinarily smooth rollout of two new interfaces to serve Kansas driver’s license and ID holders.

 

Kansas is now the first and only state in the country to offer driver’s license renewals through a mobile application. Mobile renewals join other already existing services like vehicle registration renewal and vital statistics on the iKan application available for iOS and Android.

 

“My vision for Kansas is to make as many services accessible through phones and computers and this is a huge addition. Most everyone has to renew their license and now many of them can do it without ever stepping foot in an office,” Governor Colyer said. “Congratulations to KDOR and its partner PayIt on getting this fantastic service out the door and ready for use.”

 

The availability of mobile renewals was made possible by the launch of a different system, KanLicense, the new secure interface used by driver’s license examiners to issue licenses and IDs.

 

“This launch was incredibly smooth with minimal interruption to service for Kansans,” Governor Colyer said. “The modernized system now in place empowers faster customer service, plus ease of use for examiners—two critically important factors for a better experience for Kansas drivers at the office.”

 

Web access to iKan services like mobile renewal, vehicle registration and more is at ikan.ks.gov.

 

This week, the hours of operation for most driver’s license offices statewide changed to 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday, which brings the addition of a full day of service every week.

Government, Kansas

Flags At Half-Staff For Shooting Victims

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Governor Jeff Colyer Orders Flags to be Flown at Half-Staff for Victims of Pennsylvania Shooting

 

Topeka – In accordance with Executive Order 10-12, and following the proclamation of President Donald J. Trump, Governor Jeff Colyer has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff from now until sunset, October 31, 2018, as a mark of solemn respect for the victims of the terrible act of violence perpetrated at The Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

 

“We express our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones in this terrible tragedy,” said Governor Colyer. “This was a terrible act of violence perpetrated against innocent victims with every right to peaceably observe their religious beliefs. We grieve for those suffering as a result of this crime, and pray they will find peace and comfort in the days ahead.”

To receive email alerts when the Governor orders flags to half-staff, please visit http://governor.ks.gov/subscribe-to-flag-honors.