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Public Health Advisories for Kansas Lakes Due to Blue-Green Algae
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), has revised its list of public health advisories for Kansas lakes due to blue-green algae. Since Thursday’s update, Milford Lake Zone A has moved to a warning, while Milford Lake Zones B and C have been downgraded to a watch. Additionally, Agra Lake in Phillips County has been added to the watch list.
Warning
Milford Lake Zone A, Geary County (upgraded)
Gathering Pond, Geary County
Lovewell Reservoir, Jewell County
Watch
Brown State Fishing Lake, Brown County
Mission Lake, Brown County
Ford State Fishing Lake, Ford County
Milford Lake Zone B, C, Geary County (downgraded)
South Lake, Johnson County
Unit G Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area, Linn County
Marion County Lake, Marion County
Marion Reservoir, Marion County
Overbrook City Lake, Osage County
Agra Lake, Phillips County (new)
Cheney Reservoir, Reno/Kingman/Sedgwick Counties
Plainville Township Lake, Rooks County
Webster Reservoir, Rooks County
Warning Protocols
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.
Watch Protocols
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:
- 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.
Kansans should be aware that blooms are unpredictable. They can develop rapidly and may float around the lake, requiring visitors to exercise their best judgment. 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. KDHE updates the listings of advisories every Thursday but may update more frequently if needed.
Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Aug. 10
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: August 11, 2020
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
MEETING WILL BE HELD IN COMMISSION ROOM. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.
9:00 – 12:00 Spark Findings & Greenbush
1:30 – until end of day 2021 Budget Review
FSCC Trustees Minutes of July 27
FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Minutes of the Board of Trustees Training
July 27, 2020
PRESENT: Jim Fewins, Dave Elliott, Kirk Hart, and Robert Nelson
ALSO PRESENT: Alysia Johnston, President, Juley McDaniel, Board Clerk, faculty, staff, and community members.
Acting Chairman Robert Nelson called the meeting to order at 5:37 pm. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR: Acting Chairman Nelson said that it is good to see the community provide goods for our students. Nelson congratulated Chad Cross for being the Central Plains Region Coach of the Year.
He also congratulated the administration and faculty for their diligence, perseverance, and hard work through the COVID pandemic.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 2020-21:
A motion was made by Fewins, seconded by Elliott, and carried by
unanimous vote to elect John Bartelsmeyer as Chairman of the Board. A motion was made by Fewins, seconded by
Hart, and carried by unanimous vote to elect Robert Nelson as Vice-Chairman of the Board.
APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS/POSITIONS FOR 2020-21:
A motion was made by Elliott, seconded by
Fewins, and carried by unanimous vote to appoint Julie Eichenberger, Information officer; Juley McDaniel, Clerk of
the Board; Marianne Culbertson, Treasurer; Juley McDaniel, KPERS Representative; Bill Meyer and Kirk Hart,
KACCT Representative and Council of Presidents Representative; and John Bartelsmeyer, Greenbush
Representative.
APPOINTMENT OF OFFICIALS AND MEETING DATES/TIMES: A motion was made by Elliott, seconded
by Fewins, and carried by unanimous vote to appoint Landmark National Bank as the designated bank for general
fund, Zackery Reynolds as the designated attorney, The Fort Scott Tribune as the official newspaper.
CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Fewins, seconded by Hart, and carried by unanimous vote to
approve the consent agenda and addendum provided.
ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:
A. The Board reviewed the agenda for fall in-service.
B. A motion was made by Hart, seconded by Elliott, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the sale of the
2000 Thomas bus on Purple Wave and funds be used for college fleet needs.
C. A motion was made by Elliott, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous vote to accept the athletic
insurance quote of $182,183 and catastrophic injury/accident coverage quote of $16,500 from
Borden/Perlman.
D. A motion was made by Fewins, seconded by Hart, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the renewal
of property insurance with a premium of $139,874.
E. A motion was made by Elliott, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the updated
project amount with IA DOE for a total of $861,819.19.
F. A motion was made by Hart, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous vote to approve payment for
the professional services of Diehl, Banwart, Bolton, CPAs, PA to audit financial statements for June 30,
2020 in an amount not to exceed $19,135 plus an additional fee of approximately $550 to audit COVID-19
aid.
7
G. A motion was made by Elliott, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the SPARK
Memorandum of Understanding.
H. A motion was made by Fewins, seconded by Hart, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the Culinary
Memorandum of Understanding between Greenbush and FSCC.
I. A motion was made by Fewins, seconded by Elliott, and carried by unanimous vote to approve August 10,
2020 at 5:30 pm in Cleaver-Boileau-Burris Hall for the budget hearing, and that proper notice be submitted
to the Fort Scott Tribune for publication within the specified time limits in accordance with K.S.A. 79-
2929.
J. A motion was made by Elliott, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the 2020-21
Negotiated Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding for the 2020-21 academic year.
K. President Johnston provided information regarding a pending lease with Mercy Hospital for FSCC’s use of
15,883 square feet of the vacated Fort Scott Mercy Hospital for student housing.
ITEMS FOR REVIEW: The Board reviewed letters of appreciation/correspondence.
REPORTS:
A. ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES: The Board reviewed and heard reports from Student Affairs,
Instruction, Finance and Operations, Student Services, and the President.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Trustees, a motion to adjourn was made at
7:00 p.m. by Fewins, seconded by Hart, and carried by unanimous vote.
FSCC Trustees Agenda For Aug.10
The Board of Trustees of Fort Scott Community College will meet in regular session on Monday, August 10, 2020. The meeting will be held in the Heritage Room at Fort Scott Community
College.
5:00 p.m. Dinner in the Heritage Room at 5:00 p.m. followed by budget hearing and regular board meeting at 5:30 p.m.
THE AGENDA
5:00 DINNER
5:30 ROLL CALL, 3
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CALL TO ORDER, 4
A. Comments from the Chair, 4
BUDGET HEARING, 5
A. Comments from the Chair, 5
B. Open Comments from the Board, 5
C. Review and Adoption of 2020/2021 Year Budget, 5
CONSENT AGENDA, 6
A. Approval of Agenda, 6
B. Approval of Minutes of previous Regular Board Meeting conducted on July 27, 2020, 7
C. Approval of Treasurer’s Report, Bills, and Claims, 9
ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS, 32
A. Consideration of Gordon Parks Museum Policies, 32
REPORTS, 78
A. Administrative Updates, 78
EXECUTIVE SESSION, 80
ADJOURNMENT, 81
CONSENT AGENDA
A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
1) Attached are the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting conducted on July 27,
2020.
C. APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT, BILLS and CLAIMS
Attached are the Treasurer’s Report and the Bills and Claims Report.
To see the full packet, with financials:
Area COVID-19 Testing Options
There is a current surge of COVID-19 in the world and in Bourbon County. Those who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms have several options to choose from for testing for the disease.
Fortscott.biz contacted five area medical agencies to look at their requirements and costs for testing.
Requirements are very similar, and most costs are covered by insurance, the government CARES Act or other means.
The return time to receive the results back varies in each facility.
Here are the results:
SEK Urgent Care, Pittsburg
From Angie Andrew, administrative assistant for Dr. Brent Cosens and PA Michele Cosens.
Requirements: call the Bourbon County Health Department
Cost: $125
How long for results?
One-half hour
Girard Medical Center
From Girard Medical Center’s CEO Ruth Duling:
Requirements:
* a physician’s order to be tested for COVID-19.
*a call to their laboratory for an appointment.
How long for results?
* within 24 hours.
Cost?
* most health plans cover the COVID-19 test.
“We will make every concession possible for an uninsured patient,” Duling said.
Community Health Center
From Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas Communications and Marketing Manager Robert Poole:
Requirements:
* individuals experiencing COVID-19 symptoms,
*those who have had close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19.
“A close contact is defined as any individual who was within six feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from two days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, two days prior to positive specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated,” Poole said. “It is recommended for persons with close contact exposure to wait five to seven days following their exposure to be tested, for improved test accuracy.”
Poole submitted the Kansas testing strategy link: https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1294/Kansas-Lab-Testing-Strategy-Priorities—6-10-20
Cost?
* $140, however, the cost of patient testing is being covered by the CARES act, currently.
How long for results?
* 14 days, “with the number now decreasing.”
On the horizon for CHC:
“In another two weeks, we expect to be doing in-house molecular testing using Abbott ID Now testing equipment which delivers results in 30 minutes or less, with a capacity of up to 1000 tests per week, system-wide. We ordered this equipment very early in the pandemic and have been waiting since for it to arrive.”
Why do results take a while?
“Across the country, the very high demand for Covid-19 tests exhausted many lab’s physical capacity, (manpower, equipment, logistics) as well as their abilities to obtain raw testing supplies,” according to the CHC press release. “That issue continues, see the latest from Quest Diagnostics, who has processed more than 100 million tests to date. https://newsroom.questdiagnostics.com/COVIDTestingUpdates”
“General tips:
For people with medical conditions and older adults
Older adults and people of any age with medical conditions like lung disease, heart disease, or diabetes are at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 and should seek care as soon as symptoms start.
Separate yourself from other people in your home.
Stay in a specific room away from others and use a separate bathroom if you can. Do not share personal household items. Wear a mask and maintain 6ft. distance if you need to interact with others.
Stay home except to get medical care.
People who are mildly ill are able to isolate at home. Rest, stay hydrated andmonitor your symptoms carefully. If your symptoms get worse, seek medical care. Call before you go to prevent others from being exposed.
Wash your hands often & avoid touching your face.
Wash frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, and before eating or preparing food. If soap and water aren’t available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your face.
Designate someone to clean high-touch surfaces every day.
Clean counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, phones, keyboards and bedside tables. Use diluted bleach solutions (4 teaspoons per quart of water), alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol or most common EPA-registered household disinfectants.”
Nevada Regional Medical Center
Holly Bush, Chief Quality Officer, Quality and Compliance at NRMC, Nevada MO provided the following:
Requirements:
* a doctor’s order sent to NRMC lab or
*participate in workplace screening if workplace has made the decision to screen.
Cost?
*”No cost…insurance or if uninsured, through…. recent legislative acts.”
How long for results?
* 3-5 days, in a few instances up to 8 days.
“Right now … within 48 hours but there is not a guarantee of this. If you sign up for the patient portal, you will get your results at the moment we have them.”
How long are the results good for?
“That is a good question with a long answer.
The CDC states if you test negative for COVID 19 by a viral test, you probably were not infected at the time your sample was collected.
However, that does not mean you will not get sick.
The test result only means that you did not have COVID-19 at the time of testing.
You might test negative if the sample was collected early in your infection and test positive later during your illness.
You could also be exposed to COVID-19 after the test and get infected then.
Technically a negative test ONLY means you aren’t actively shedding virus at the time you were swabbed. It’s possible you were infected but not far enough into the infection to be shedding virus, which is why guidelines for asymptomatic patients call for waiting at least 72 hours after known exposures before testing.
And of course, any exposure after being tested means you could be infected.”
From Kayla Stewart, RN, Manager of Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department in Fort Scott.
Requirements:
* a physician’s order
Testing dates and times are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10-11 a.m. The order for testing must be received before 9:30 a.m. to get tested the same day.
Cost?
*insurance
How long before test results?
* 24-72 hours. “Most of ours have been coming back within a day.”
While waiting for the results what are people to do?
“POST EXPOSURE to COVID-19 TESTING
If you have been tested for COVID-19 because you were directly exposed to someone with COVID-19 you will need to continue to quarantine for the 14 days from last exposure even if your initial test is negative. (Definition to Quarantine is below) Those with symptoms and are tested, they should isolate for 10 days from the onset of their symptoms and fever free for 72 hours without fever-reducing medication even if their test is negative.
COVID-19 TESTING NO KNOWN EXPOSURE
If you have not been exposed and have not traveled to an area that is a high risk according to CDC.gov and you are negative you will not need to continue to quarantine. This however does not mean you cannot get COVID-19 and you will still need to take precautions against this illness. See cdc.gov for how to prevent COVID-19. Those with symptoms and are tested, they should isolate for 10 days from the onset of their symptoms and fever free for 72 hours without fever-reducing medication even if their test is negative
COVID-19 TESTING POST TRAVEL EXPOSURE
If you travel to an area that is a high risk for COVID-19 per cdc.gov listing and you are an essential employee, you may go to work only per your workplace regulation and with a mask on and monitoring symptoms per KDHE recommendations. (these recommendations are subject to change) If you are not an essential employee a 14-day quarantine after a return is required by KDHE. Those with symptoms and are tested, they should isolate for 10 days from the onset of their symptoms and fever free for 72 hours without fever-reducing medication even if their test is negative.
PRE-SURGICAL TESTING
If you were tested for COVID-19 Pre-op you will Quarantine up to your surgery day to prepare for surgery and limit the risk of exposure to COVID prior to surgery. If you are positive you will be notified, and all non-emergent surgeries may be postponed until COVID-19 is cleared. Those with symptoms and are tested, they should isolate for 10 days from the onset of their symptoms and fever free for 72 hours without fever-reducing medication even if their test is negative and let your provider know.
Testing can take up to 2-3 days for completion or longer depending on lab volumes.”
For more informationon how to care at home and clean:
https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/246/Individual-Family-Care
Rebecca Johnson, administrator of Bourbon County Health Department sent the following info.
To clarify terms:
- Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.
- Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.
“WHEN SHOULD I STAY HOME?
- After you have been tested for COVID-19, until told otherwise by the County Health Department
- If you have been in close contact with a confirmed positive COVID-19 case, until told otherwise by the County Health Department
- If you are feeling sick
- If your Doctor or the County Health Department has instructed you to do so
WHEN SHOULD I GO BACK OUT IN PUBLIC AFTER ISOLATION OR QUARANTINE?
- When you have been instructed to do so by your County Health Department
HOW LONG COULD MY ISOLATION OR QUARANTINE LAST?
- If you are in isolation because you were tested POSITIVE for COVID-19, your isolation time is a minimum of 10 days after onset of symptoms or testing date (if onset unclear or asymptomatic). You can be released from isolation after fever free and asymptomatic for at least 72 hours. Release from isolation is up to the County Health Department.
- If you are a household contact of a positive COVID-19 case, you must quarantine for a minimum of 24 days. Release from quarantine is up to the County Health Department.
- If you are a non-household contact of a positive COVID-19 case, you must quarantine for 14 days from the date of last contact with the positive case. Release from quarantine is up to the County Health Department.
You may contact your County Health Department by calling:
Bourbon County: (620)223-4464
Obituary of Kathleen Hunsucker
Kathleen Grace Hunsucker, age 66, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, August 4, 2020, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas.
She was born July 8, 1954, the daughter of John Hunsucker and Patricia Lamb Hunsucker.
Kathleen was a social butterfly at Tri-Valley. She was known for her happy-go-lucky attitude and took an interest in the people around her. She enjoyed doing jobs in the Work Center and participating in activities, especially puzzle time.
Survivors include her father, John Hunsucker, of Winfield, Kansas and eight brothers and sisters, Claude Hunsucker, of Wichita, Kansas; Linda Bakken, of Independence, Kansas; Debbie Pollett, of Burden, Kansas;Tom Hunsucker, of Wichita, Kansas; Connie Streit, also of Wichita; John Hunsucker, of Douglas, Kansas; Peggy White, of Chanute, Kansas and Mary Enderud, of Oxford, Kansas.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Patricia Hunsucker and three brothers, Ronnie, Bobby and Chris Hunsucker.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, August 13 at the Elk Falls Cemetery in Elk Falls, Kansas. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Cellphones by Patty LaRoche
When cellphones first came out, I vowed never to own such a contraption. For one, they were the size of a toaster and had antennas that could double as plungers, and two, I couldn’t imagine spending my time away from a phone on a phone. Besides, that’s what gas stations were for.
Times changed, I gave in, and now my cellphone is a constant companion. Even watering the yard, I am not absent this multi-tasking device. Yesterday, however, when Dave and I were headed to Kansas City and I realized that I had left it at home, there was a sense of relief, probably because I knew I could live without it.
Or could I?
Well, let’s just say it was hard. The list of calls I planned to make while my husband drove, the graduation and birthday gifts I would order on line, and the texts that needed answering all would have to wait.
Dave and I decided to eat sushi from our favorite restaurant in Overland Park. Recently sold, its name and menu had changed. I would call ahead to see what kind of service it offered, in light of the Covid-19 regulations. No problem, except the new name and our choice of favorite rolls were in the notes of my phone. Plan B, a hamburger place, would have to do.
Costco was next, but that was a problem. My extensive grocery list was in my notes, as were the lists of two of my girlfriends who needed us to pick up a few items. Pictures on my cell phone showed a shrimp dish our neighbor recommended, and surely, I just knew, my friends were texting, adding other items as the afternoon progressed. (They were.)
Dave dropped me off at Costco’s front door and left to put gas in our car. The plan was for him to return, have his glasses checked in the optical department and meet me when he was finished. Since I had to cover each aisle three times, knowing I had forgotten something, surely I would run into him somewhere. I didn’t. Was he outside, waiting in the car? Or were we just missing each other, he in the generator aisle and me searching for ripe avocados? Perhaps I should hang in the tool section. No, bad idea. He would be looking for me in produce. And we all know what happens the more we look. Items that were not on my list now became irresistible. This was turning into an expensive expedition.
And to think, a simple cellphone would have resolved all of this.
Ultimately, I caught up with Dave in the optical department, after, he said, he had searched high and low for me on every aisle. From then on, I clung to him like Saran Wrap.
Let’s face it. Cell phones can be life-lines. After all, they double as flashlights, tape measures, music collections, step-counters, shopping centers, communication systems, photo albums, game-players, Amber alerts, weather-watchers, research guides, and calorie-counters (to name a few). All of those come in mighty handy when the need arises, so yes, I was frustrated without my gadget.
The next morning, as I was reading my Bible, I began to wonder if I would be equally as devastated if I lost the ability to connect with Jesus. Could I go a day without his spiritual truths that comfort me and bring me peace? Would I be vulnerable without my God-connection that reminds me of what I need and warns me of dangers ahead? Is it really the “food” I require to survive and the navigation I need to keep my priorities straight? When I had managed to go days without opening my Bible, did I fret over that as much as I did my few hours without my cell phone?
Let’s just say, I’m not proud of that answer.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Aug. 7
Torrie Singmaster: New Winfield Scott First-Grade Teacher
Torrie Singmaster, 24, is a new first-grade teacher at Winfield Scott Elementary School.
She earned her Bachelor of Art in Elementary Education from Ottawa University.
She has bee a paraprofessional educator and substitute teacher for USD 234 for three years.
Singmaster’s hometown is Fort Scott.
Her family includes her husband, Dakota, and two sons, William, 3, and Tyson, 1.
In her free time, Singmaster likes going on vacation to Branson, golfing, and taking their boys new places.
“I also coach girls basketball at Fort Scott Middle School,” she said.
How did you become an educator?
“I started subbing at Winfield Scott and fell in love with the school and students. I completed my degree this past May thru Ottawa University while working for the school district as a paraprofessional and coach.”
Is there someone who inspired you to teach?
“I honestly can say the students I started working with inspired me to teach. I always loved school and had many great teachers that I can look up to. I also wanted a career that I could make a difference in children’s lives and be able to be there for my little family.”
What is the best part of teaching for you?
“I love being able to make connections with students. I have worked with many different ages over the last three years. Elementary-aged students are so full of life and joy. Seeing them so excited about learning makes me excited every day to walk into my classroom. I can’t wait to see each student get to the point where they are growing in their confidence as a student and as a person.”
What are the greatest challenges?
“The greatest challenge as a first-year teacher this year is definitely the unknowns. Being a first-year teacher during a pandemic is not something you learn during college. I am so blessed to have the support from my family and my school family. The staff at Winfield Scott and USD 234 are amazing and I cannot wait to start and continue my journey as an educator in Fort Scott.”
The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports Aug. 5
Click below: