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Category Archives: Kansas
Kansas Drought Update
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For Immediate Release:
October 11, 2024
Contact:
Kansas Water Office
Kristin Kaipust
(785) 296-3185, [email protected]
Governor Kelly Updates Declaration of Drought Emergency, Warnings, and Watches for Kansas Counties
TOPEKA — Governor Laura Kelly has signed a proclamation approving updated drought declarations for Kansas counties.
“Drought conditions have persisted across the state through the summer season, and Kansans are continuing to see the effects,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “With conditions expected to remain dry throughout the fall, Kansans should consider their water usage and take extra care to prevent wildfires.”
The drought declaration placed three counties into emergency status, 55 into warning status, and 47 into watch status. This action was recommended by Connie Owen, Director of the Kansas Water Office and Chair of the Governor’s Drought Response Team. Although recent rainfall provided widespread drought relief, this relief was short-term, with many areas experiencing below-average rainfall for several months. Forecasts indicate that drought will persist and expand across most of the state through October and into the winter.
“Many of our state’s large river basins are currently being supported by federal reservoirs, utilizing storage in those reservoirs to maintain streamflow,” said Owen. “If conditions persist, as predicted, the demand and stress on water resources may increase quickly. The Governor’s Drought Response Team will continue to monitor the drought conditions across Kansas and make recommendations to Governor Kelly as conditions change.”
Through an interagency agreement between the Kansas Water Office, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, and the Kansas Division of Emergency Management, counties in the emergency stage are eligible for emergency water use from certain state fishing lakes and some federal reservoirs.
Individuals and communities must contact the Kansas Water Office for a water supply request before withdrawing water from lakes. These requests will, in turn, be referred to the appropriate office to obtain the necessary permits to withdraw the requested water.
This proclamation shall remain in effect for those counties identified until rescinded by a proclamation ending the declaration or revising the drought stage status of the affected counties.
Effective immediately, the proclamation:
- Declares a Drought Emergency, Warning, or Watch for the counties as identified below;
- Authorizes and directs all agencies under the jurisdiction of the Governor to implement the appropriate watch, warning, or emergency-level drought response actions assigned in the Operations Plan of the Governor’s Drought Response Team.
The Governor’s Drought Response Team will continue to watch the situation closely and work to minimize the negative drought-induced effects on Kansans. Kansans are encouraged to report drought-related conditions and impacts in their region through the Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) system.
For more detailed information about current conditions, visit the Climate and Drought webpage on the Kansas Water Office website at kwo.ks.gov.
County Drought Stage Declarations:
Drought Emergency: Harvey, Reno, Sedgwick.
Drought Warning: Barton, Bourbon, Brown, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Cheyenne, Clay, Cloud, Cowley, Crawford, Decatur, Elk, Ellis, Ellsworth, Graham, Hamilton, Harper, Jewell, Johnson, Kingman, Labette, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marshall, Miami, Mitchell, Montgomery, Morton, Nemaha, Neosho, Norton, Osborne, Ottawa, Phillips, Pottawatomie, Rawlins, Republic, Riley, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Scott, Shawnee, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Stafford, Stanton, Sumner, Thomas, Wabaunsee, Wallace, Washington, Wyandotte.
Drought Watch: Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Barber, Butler, Chase, Clark, Coffey, Comanche, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Edwards, Finney, Ford, Franklin, Geary, Gove, Grant, Gray, Greeley, Greenwood, Haskell, Hodgeman, Jackson, Jefferson, Kearny, Kiowa, Leavenworth, Logan, Lyon, Marion, McPherson, Meade, Morris, Ness, Osage, Pawnee, Pratt, Rice, Saline, Seward, Stevens, Trego, Wichita, Wilson, Woodson.
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Virtual meeting launched as part of water local consult outreach
A virtual, on-demand meeting is now available for Kansans wanting to provide input on water issues in the state. The virtual meeting is part of a second round of local consult meetings to gather input on strategies to implement the 2022 Kansas Water Plan. The virtual meeting mirrors the content from the eight in-person meetings held across the state in September. The recent in-person and new virtual meeting build on the first round of local consult meetings held this summer, as well as Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) meetings.
The virtual meeting is available at: https://burnsmcd.mysocialpinpoint.com/kansas-water-planning. The content is offered on demand, so people can participate at any time they’d like.
Through the virtual meeting, Kansans will have the opportunity to provide feedback on:
- Updated investment scenarios based on feedback heard in round one;
- What criteria are most important as investment strategies are evaluated to achieve the Plan’s long-term goals around aquifers, reservoirs and water quality;
- Setting objectives and identifying what Kansans think are reasonable actions to achieve them; and
- Preferred revenue sources to meet the objectives.
Interim results of the survey, along with a summary of input gathered at the in-person meetings in September, will be shared with the Kansas Water Authority on October 16. The survey will remain open until November 8 and then a final summary of results will be developed and shared.
More information about the Water Plan implementation effort and materials from both the first and second rounds of local consult meetings are available online at: https://www.kwo.ks.gov/news-events/kwa-strategic-planning.
The local consult meetings are being held by the Kansas Water Office, Kansas Department of Agriculture, and Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Questions can be emailed to: [email protected].
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Respiratory Season Increase in Fall and Winter
KDHE Reminds Kansans to be Aware as Respiratory Virus Season Approaches
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) would like to remind Kansans as we approach the respiratory virus season to remain aware of symptoms, preventative measures and when to seek medical treatment.
Every year, respiratory viruses such as influenza (flu), COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and pneumococcal disease cause hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths during the fall and winter virus season.
“We know the risk of contracting and spreading respiratory viruses will increase as we move into the fall and winter months,” KDHE Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dereck Totten said. “It is imperative that people follow common-sense preventative measures and consider getting a vaccine, especially if they fall into a high-risk category.”
Getting an immunization is an important preventative measure against respiratory viruses. Vaccines are available for all three major fall and winter respiratory diseases – flu, COVID-19, and RSV (for groups eligible for RSV immunization). In addition, pneumococcal vaccines are recommended for children younger than five years, adults, 65 years and older, and individuals at an increased risk for pneumococcal disease.
Kansas will receive approximately $780,000 from the federal government this year to cover about 9,380 COVID-19 doses for uninsured and underinsured adults. These doses will be equitably distributed across Kansas to Local Health Departments, Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Clinics, and other vaccination locations to help provide vaccine coverage to uninsured and underinsured adults in Kansas.
While anyone can become sick from common respiratory viruses like COVID-19, flu, RSV, and pneumococcal disease, some individuals have risk factors that can increase their chances of getting a severe illness.
Groups of people at a higher risk for respiratory illnesses
- Older adults
- Young children
- People with weakened immune systems
- People with disabilities
- Pregnant and recently pregnant individuals
If you believe you may have a respiratory virus (if you feel sick or tested positive for one) and you have risk factors for severe illness, seek health care right away for testing and/or treatment.
If you test positive for the flu or COVID-19, treatment may be an option to make your symptoms less severe and shorten the time you are sick. Treatment should be started within a few days of when your symptoms begin.
Examples of respiratory virus symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny or stuffy nose, decrease in appetite, sore throat, vomiting, new loss of taste or smell, headache, muscle or body aches, diarrhea, and/or weakness.
Keep in mind:
- Washing hands and improving airflow in the places where people live and work are important to lowering risk from respiratory viruses.
- Effective treatments are available for those who get flu or COVID-19 and are recommended for those at higher risk for severe illness. Treatment can reduce severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
- You should seek emergency care if you have an emergency warning sign (like trouble breathing or chest pain), seek emergency medical care immediately.
- Everyday actions like masking and physical distancing can provide an additional layer of protection and can protect their family, friends, and coworkers.
- Tests are available that can quickly detect these respiratory viruses.
For more information on respiratory viruses from KDHE read here.
Read here for more information on respiratory viruses from the CDC.
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KS Internet Initiative Applications Announced
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KS Child Care Licensing, Background Check Fees Are Waived Through 2025
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KS Supreme Court Will Hold Special Evening Meeting For the Public in Louisburg
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City of Bronson Awarded Placemaking/Recreation Grant From KS Rural Champions Program
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KDOT employees celebrate service anniversaries
The Kansas Department of Transportation expresses its appreciation for employees celebrating state service anniversaries in October. KDOT is proud to acknowledge them for the long-term dedication they have provided to the state of Kansas.
Those celebrating 35 years:
- Lora Kowach, CIT Program Manager, Longford
Those celebrating 30 years:
- Kevin Hennes, Public Service Executive II , Topeka
- David Schwartz, Special Projects Engineer, Topeka
Those celebrating 25 years:
- Brian Briggs, Database Administration Supervisor, Topeka
- John Cukjati, Engineering Technician Specialist, Hutchinson
- Perry Huffman, Highway Maintenance Supervisor, Oakley
Those celebrating 20 years:
- Dominic Harrington, Highway Maintenance Superintendent, Hoyt
- Michael Hernandez, Network Service Technician III, Topeka
- Roy Whitcomb, Highway Maintenance Supervisor, Kincaid
Those celebrating 15 years:
- Leah Ogden, Public Service Administrator I, Topeka
Those celebrating 10 years:
- Jaylon Ashburn, Equipment Operator Specialist, Troy
- Jennifer Cavanaugh, ROW Property Appraiser II , Topeka
- Kevin Diers, Equipment Operator, Osage City
- Mark Massey, Applications Developer II, Topeka
- Chelsea Milner, Engineering Technician Senior, Burrton
- Lisa Mussman, Public Information Officer I, Phillipsburg
- Brian Varnadore, Equipment Operator, Alma
- Karen Williams, Equipment Operator Senior, Mapleton
Virtual Statewide Job Fair Highlights Booming Opportunities for Jobseekers
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Over 200 Will Receive Citizenship in Fort Scott on Friday September 20
Fort Scott National Historic Site is hosting the U.S. Federal Court proceeding by the U.S. District Court, Kansas District, and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Friday, September 20 at 10:30 a.m.
“The park hosts the proceedings by providing the venue, and, working with the community and state, offers added value to the new citizens, their families, and the community,” said Carl Brenner, Program Manager for Interpretation and Resource Management
Fort Scott National Historic Site (www.nps.gov/fosc.)
Fort Scott National Historic Site.
“This includes snacks for the naturalizing citizens before the ceremony, a beautiful and historic setting for the event, information about the community and its businesses, and the opportunity to fulfill the civic duty by registering to vote.” he said. “There are also a series of clubs, organizations, and state and local groups helping to make this happen (it takes a village). The Kansas Secretary of State’s office will have a representative here to register voters, new citizens or otherwise.”
What does one have to do to become a citizen?
“Section 312 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) requires naturalization applicants to demonstrate an understanding of the English language, including an ability to read, write, and speak words in ordinary usage in the English language, and demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government (civics). To meet the requirements of Section 312 of the INA, applicants must pass a naturalization test to become U.S. citizens. The naturalization test consists of two components: an English language and a civics component. The English language component tests applicants on their ability to speak, read, write, and understand the English language. Applicants who fail one or both test components will have a second opportunity to pass both portions of the test, called a re-exam. More info at www.uscis.gov/citizenship We have been running some of the questions on our Facebook page this week.”
Today’s questions on its Facebook page:
Wednesday’s Questions:
Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
What is one reason colonists came to America?
If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
www.instagram.com/FortScottNPS
http://twitter.com/FortScottNPS
The Ceremony
“Check-in begins at 9 a.m., and the ceremony begins at 10:30. Fort Scott VFW Post 1165, Olson-Frary-Burkhart Post, will be the Color Guard. Musical performances from the Fort Scott High School Orchestra, with welcoming remarks by Fort Scott National Historic Site Superintendent Jill Jaworski and Fort Scott City Manager Brad Matkin. A keynote address will be made by Angela Bates, founder, past president, and current executive director of the Nicodemus Historical Society and Museum,” he said.
“We are looking at 201 naturalized citizens from 57 different countries. One of the largest ceremonies in the National Park Service,” he said.
Countries represented are Algeria, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burma, Cameroon, Canada, China, Colombia, Congo (Kinshasa), Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sudan, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, United Kingdom, and Vietnam.
New Round of SEED Grants Available for Rural Quality-of-Life Initiatives
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