Public Health Advisories for Kansas Lake Due to Blue-Green Algae

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has issued several public health advisories for Kansas lakes due to blue-green algae.

Active Advisories

Warning

Herington Reservoir (New City Lake), Dickinson County

Gathering Pond at Milford, Geary County

Milford Lake Zone C, Geary County

Harvey County East Lake, Harvey County (upgraded 7/15)

Altamont City Lake “Idle Hour” Main Lake, Labette County (upgraded 7/15)

Big Hill Lake, Labette County

Marion Reservoir, Marion County

Webster Reservoir, Rooks County

Jerry Ivey Pond, Saline County

Big Eleven Lake, Wyandotte County

 

Watch

Brown State Fishing Lake, Brown County (downgraded 7/15)

Mission Lake Horton, Brown County

Herington City Lake (Old Lake), Dickinson County

Geary State Fishing Lake, Geary County (new)

Milford Lake Zones A and B, Geary County

Horsethief Reservoir, Hodgeman County

South Lake, Johnson County

Altamont City Lake “Idle Hour” North Lake, Labette County (new)

Linn Valley Lake, Linn County

Marion County Lake, Marion County

Melvern Outlet Pond, Osage County

Overbook City Lake, Osage County

Agra City Lake, Phillips County

Atwood Township Lake, Rawlins County

River Pond below Tuttle Reservoir, Riley County (new)

 

 

Advisories Lifted 7/15/21

Atchison County State Fishing Lake, Atchison County

 

When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

• Lake water is not safe to drink for pets or livestock.
• Lake water, regardless of blue-green algae status, should never be consumed by humans.
• Water contact should be avoided.
• Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water and only the fillet portion is consumed, while all other parts are discarded.
• Do not allow pets to eat dried algae.
• If lake water contacts skin, wash with clean water as soon as possible.
• Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation.

 

A watch means that blue-green algae have been detected and a harmful algal bloom is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water.

 

During the watch status, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

• Signage will be posted at all public access locations.
• Water may be unsafe for humans/animals.
• Avoid areas of algae accumulation and do not let people/pets eat dried algae or drink contaminated water.
• Swimming, wading, skiing and jet skiing are discouraged near visible blooms.
• Boating and fishing are safe. However, inhalation of the spray may affect some individuals. Avoid

direct contact with water, and wash with clean water after any contact.

• Clean fish well with potable water and eat fillet portion only.

 

KDHE investigates publicly-accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on credible field observation and sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.

Signs of a possible bloom include if there is scum, a paint-like surface or the water is bright green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.

For information on blue-green algae and reporting potential harmful algal blooms, please visit www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/index.htm.

                                           

 

MANHATTAN, Kansas — At last summer’s Ag Growth Summit, the Kansas Department of Agriculture kicked off a new recognition program to honor outstanding Kansans: Kansas Ag Heroes. Nominations are now open for the second year of the program, and KDA anticipates new stories of outstanding service from across the Kansas agriculture community.

Kansas Ag Heroes was established as a way to recognize those in the agriculture industry who went above and beyond to serve others and better their community when it was needed most. KDA encourages Kansans to nominate any individual, family, or business in Kansas agriculture which you feel provided a notable contribution to the agriculture industry or their community as a whole this year. Nominations will be accepted through August 13. The nomination instructions can be found at www.agriculture.ks.gov/AgHeroes.

KDA leadership will review each nomination and will recognize a select number of agriculture heroes during the Kansas Governor’s Summit on Agricultural Growth in Manhattan on August 26.

For questions about the Kansas Agricultural Heroes Program nomination process, please contact Brittney Grother at 785-564-6797 or [email protected].

###

KDA Seeks Nominations for 2021 Kansas Ag Heroes.pdf

State Officials Release Annual Survey Results

 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has released the results from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS).

“The overall goal of the BRFSS is to provide Kansas-specific data that are used for monitoring the leading contributors to morbidity and premature death, tracking health status and assessing trends, measuring public knowledge, attitudes and opinions, public health program planning and evaluation as well as policy development,” said Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary.

Results of the 2019 survey show the rate of obesity in Kansas is over 35 percent, and higher among those with diabetes or living with a disability. Over 27 percent of Kansans did not take part in any leisure-time physical activity. Also, more than 16 percent of Kansans smoke cigarettes, with much higher rates of smoking among those with an annual household income of $15,000 or less. Obesity and smoking are significant contributors to chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease. Behavioral changes to reduce obesity and smoking can reduce the burden of such chronic diseases.

Additional highlights from the 2019 BRFSS data include:

• 6% have health care coverage
• 2% with a personal doctor
• 9% were ever diagnosed with depression.
• 6% consumed fruit at least once per day.
• 1% consumed vegetables at least once per day.
• 8% were diagnosed with diabetes
• 6% were diagnosed with some form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus or fibromyalgia.
• 5% were diagnosed with hypertension.
• 9% were tested and diagnosed with high cholesterol.

“BRFSS gives us an in-depth look into many health behaviors,” Julie Sergeant, PhD, Bureau of Health Promotion, Director of the Kansas BRFSS program, said. “Having data to use helps us shape the efforts of many state health programs and to partner with Kansans to improve their health.”

The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), which is coordinated and partially funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is the largest continuously conducted telephone survey in the world. It is conducted in every state, the District of Columbia, and several United States territories. Conducted in 2019-2020, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) completed its 29th BRFSS Survey to guide the state’s health activities. The survey is conducted year-round.

Answers to commonly asked questions can be found on our website www.kdheks.gov/bhp/HealthRiskStudies/ksbrf/index.htm  or call toll free at 1-866-445-1429. The complete 2019 Health Risk Behaviors of Kansans Report is available for download at www.kdheks.gov/brfss/PDF/2019_Kansas_BRFSS_Report.pdf.

Governor Laura Kelly Creates Bipartisan Cybersecurity Task Force to Protect Kansas’ Digital Infrastructure TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today created the Governor’s Cybersecurity Task Force to protect Kansas’ digital infrastructure from increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks. The bipartisan task force is charged with developing a comprehensive plan to address potential cybercrime, and protect essential services that Kansans and businesses depend on. “As cyber-attacks become more sophisticated, it’s critical that we prevent disruptions in essential public services, and protect Kansans’ privacy, economic activity, and public safety,” Governor Kelly said. “Through this bipartisan, collaborative effort, with partners from both the private and public sectors, we will develop a plan to protect our digital infrastructure and improve cybersecurity statewide.” The Task Force’s specific duties are as follows: Facilitate cross-industry and cross-government collaboration to share best practices and mitigate cybersecurity risks related to critical infrastructure and protected systems; Identify opportunities to improve the overall cyber security posture across all levels of government within Kansas; Identify partnerships and avenues to maximize and leverage existing cybersecurity resources within the state; Develop a framework for coordinated information sharing, response, simulation, testing, and mutual assistance between the government and private sectors; Develop a coordinated and collaborative State of Kansas Cyber Response Plan; Recommend appropriate and cost-effective safeguards to reduce, eliminate, or recover from identified threats to data; Recommend resources and possible methods to accomplish the recommendations identified above. The group must submit an initial report to the Governor within the next 90 days, detailing recommendations and proposals for the Task Force’s work. A comprehensive report and recommendations are due to the Governor by December 5, 2021. The members of the Cybersecurity Task Force are: State Chief Information Technology Officer or designee (ex-officio): Secretary Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace State Chief Information Security Officer or designee (ex-officio): Jeff Maxon, Topeka The Adjutant General of the Kansas National Guard or designee (ex-officio): Col. David Hewlett, Wichita The Attorney General or designee (ex-officio): Jay Emler, Lindsborg The Secretary of State or designee (ex-officio): Kevin Comstock, Topeka Representative from the Kansas Department of Emergency Management: Jonathan York, Topeka Director of Kansas Criminal Justice Information System (ex-officio): David Marshall, Topeka Director of the Kansas Intelligence Fusion Center (ex-officio): William (Bill) Glynn, Topeka Representative from a municipal governments: Mike Mayta, Wichita Representative from the Regents institution: John Godfrey, Shawnee Representative from critical infrastructure: Charles King, Overland Park Representative from critical infrastructure: John Berghuis, Salina Representative from the joint committee on Information Technology: Representative Kyle Hoffman, Coldwater Representative from the joint committee on Information Technology: Senator Jeff Pittman, Leavenworth Representative of county governments: Doug Peters, (Garden City, Finney County) View E.O. #21-25 here. ###

WEEK OF July 5, 2021

READ THE PRESS RELEASE 

“Expanding and modernizing our highways will enhance accessibility and road safety to recruit new businesses and families to every Kansas community. Since day one, we’ve honored our commitment to ending the practice of using infrastructure dollars for projects they were never meant for – instead using these dollars to fix our roads, bridges, and expand broadband access. These 24 projects are further proof that good stewardship of these funds is benefitting our communities, taxpayers, and businesses.”

Press:

• Governor Kelly announces major highway projects for eastern Kansas
  KSNT
• Governor Laura Kelly Announces Nine Highway Improvement Projects in Western Kansas
  KSCB
• $129M in improvement coming to Sedgwick County’s worst bottleneck, other traffic tangles
  The Wichita Eagle
• Gov. Laura Kelly announces investment of $280M to expand U.S. 69 in Overland Park
  KSHB

Governor Laura Kelly Expands Parental Leave Policy for State of Kansas Employees

READ THE PRESS RELEASE

“Supporting working parents in our workforce is not only the right thing to do – it’s good for our economy. We’re committed to recruiting and keeping talented Kansans in our state and creating a supportive environment for our families.”

Press:

• Kansas governor expands parental leave for state employees
  AP
• Kansas state employees can take longer paid parental leave after new order from Kelly
  The Wichita Eagle
• Kansas state workers now have expanded parental leave benefits
  KSHB

Governor Laura Kelly Announces New Business Recruitment Partnership to Strengthen Kansas’ Growing Economy

READ THE PRESS RELEASE

“Showing developers the surplus of shovel-ready sites in Kansas is another strategic tool we can use to attract new businesses, new investments, and new jobs to our state. My administration is pleased to partner with Sunflower Electric to draw in new business investment and maintain our state’s record-breaking economic success.”

Press:

• Gov. Laura Kelly announces new business recruitment partnership with the State of Kansas
  The Garden City Telegram
• New partnership makes it easier for developers to find attractive building sites in Kansas
  WIBW

Governor Laura Kelly Announces $4 Million in Grants to Support Kansas Small Businesses

Public Health Advisories for Kansas Lake Due to Blue-Green Algae

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has issued several public health advisories for Kansas lakes due to blue-green algae.

 

Active Advisories

Warning

Atchison County State Fishing Lake, Atchison County

Brown State Fishing Lake, Brown County

Herington Reservoir (New City Lake), Dickinson County

Gathering Pond at Milford, Geary County

Milford Lake Zone C, Geary County

Big Hill Lake, Labette County (upgrade 7/9)

Marion Reservoir, Marion County

Webster Reservoir, Rooks County

Jerry Ivey Pond, Saline County

Big Eleven Lake, Wyandotte County

 

Watch

Mission Lake Horton, Brown County

Herington City Lake (Old Lake), Dickinson County

Milford Lake Zones A and B, Geary County

Harvey County East Lake, Harvey County (new)

Horsethief Reservoir, Hodgeman County

South Lake, Johnson County

Altamont City Lake “Idle Hour”, Labette County (new)

Linn Valley Lake, Linn County (new)

Marion County Lake, Marion County

Melvern Outlet Pond, Osage County

Overbook City Lake, Osage County

Agra City Lake, Phillips County (downgrade 7/9)

Atwood Township Lake, Rawlins County

 

Advisories Lifted 7/9/21

Perry Zone C, Jefferson County

Pomona Reservoir, Osage County

 

When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

• Lake water is not safe to drink for pets or livestock.
• Lake water, regardless of blue-green algae status, should never be consumed by humans.
• Water contact should be avoided.
• Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water and only the fillet portion is consumed, while all other parts are discarded.
• Do not allow pets to eat dried algae.
• If lake water contacts skin, wash with clean water as soon as possible.
• Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation.

 

A watch means that blue-green algae have been detected and a harmful algal bloom is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water.

 

During the watch status, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

• Signage will be posted at all public access locations.
• Water may be unsafe for humans/animals.
• Avoid areas of algae accumulation and do not let people/pets eat dried algae or drink contaminated water.
• Swimming, wading, skiing and jet skiing are discouraged near visible blooms.
• Boating and fishing are safe. However, inhalation of the spray may affect some individuals. Avoid

direct contact with water, and wash with clean water after any contact.

• Clean fish well with potable water and eat fillet portion only.

 

KDHE investigates publicly-accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on credible field observation and sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.

 

Signs of a possible bloom include if there is scum, a paint-like surface or the water is bright green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.

 

For information on blue-green algae and reporting potential harmful algal blooms, please visit www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/index.htm.

                                           

 

Kansas Department of Labor Urges Claimants to Participate in the My Reemployment Plan Program

~Claimants who do not participate in the program may have their benefits suspended under the new state law~

TOPEKA – On May 13, 2021, the Kansas Legislature passed House Bill 2196, which includes an enhanced My Reemployment Plan (MRP) program designed to help unemployed Kansans reenter the workforce.

Claimants who do not participate in the program may have their benefits suspended under the new state law. The Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) encourages individuals who received notice of their participation in the program to complete the requirements immediately in order to prevent a disruption in their benefits.

The program, developed in collaboration with the Kansas Department of Commerce (KDC), KDOL and KANSASWORKS Workforce System, connects unemployment recipients with workforce service professionals in their area.

The program began June 1, 2021 and requires claimants who have received three (3) continuous weeks of unemployment to complete the following actions:

• Upload/build a resume at KANSAScom or provide work history
• Complete the online job search (including the O*Net Interest Profiler) attached to the email/included with the mailed information.
• Complete the Job Search Plan and email completed form to the Kansas Department of Commerce at [email protected]

KDC has notified a group of claimants included in MRP and will continue to notify additional claimants as they become eligible. Failure to complete all items within seven (7) days of receiving KDC’s instructions may result in denial of unemployment insurance benefits. Claimants who do not comply may have their benefits continued or reinstated upon showing compliance to KDC or good cause to KDOL.

To assist claimants who are receiving benefits the following services will be provided from KANSASWORKS, free of charge, personalized job search assistance, including:

• Creation of a personalized My Reemployment Plan that focuses on goals and accountability.
• Skills assessment to match interests and skills with occupations.
• Resume, interview and networking assistance.
• Labor market information highlighting current in-demand jobs.

Any questions regarding this program should be directed to the KANSASWORKS.com Live Chat.  For additional support, contact your local Workforce Center at 877-509-6757.

Governor Laura Kelly Expands Parental Leave Policy for State Employees

~~Encourages other employers to develop similar models to strengthen Kansas’ workforce~~

TOPEKA – As part of her ongoing commitment to supporting State of Kansas employees, Governor Laura Kelly today issued Executive Order 21-24, which expands parental leave benefits to primary caregivers, secondary caregivers, and foster parents.

“Supporting working parents in our workforce is not only the right thing to do – it’s good for our economy,” Governor Kelly said. “We’re committed to recruiting and keeping talented Kansans in our state and creating a supportive environment for our families.”

Under the new policy, primary and secondary caregivers, along with foster parents, receive the additional leave. The new policy is as follows:

• Primary caregivers receive eight weeks of leave (an increase of two weeks from the original policy);
• Secondary caregivers receive four weeks of leave (an increase of one week from the original policy);
• Foster parents are now eligible for parental leave, with primary caregivers receiving eight weeks of leave and secondary caregivers receiving four weeks of leave;
• Parental leave can now be used thirty days in advance of the birth date, adoption, or fostering of a child or children per calendar year;
• New State employees become eligible after 180 days of employment. Current employees will not be subjected to this requirement.

“Paid family leave is a win-win for both families and employers,” said Wendy Doyle, President & CEO, United WE. “Policies like this that expand these benefits to women and their families bolster economies, improve health and education outcomes and strengthens business through a stronger employee workforce. We applaud Governor Kelly’s action today and urge other states without paid family leave policies to consider the research-backed benefits of strong economic policies that support employees and their families.”

Effective immediately, the Kansas Department of Administration’s Office of Personnel Services will implement the new policy and provide information to State of Kansas agencies and employees.

View the EO here.