Business, COVID-19, Fort Scott

COVID 19 Help Fort Scott Businesses Starts June 14, With Eligibility Requirements

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A grant application to help Fort Scott businesses suffering from the results of the shut down for the  COVID 19  Pandemic opens tomorrow , June 24 at 8 AM, according to Allyson Turvey, Tourism and Community Development Manager for the City of Fort Scott.

The City of Fort Scott will begin accepting applications for the Community Development Block Grant – CV (CDBG-CV) grant program.

Details will be made available at http://fscity.org/353/CDBG-CV

Who Is Eligible

  • Businesses located within the City limits
  • The business must have no more than 50 employees and can be as small as one employee
  • Sole proprietors/self-employed with a valid Tax ID/EIN
  • No less than 51% of the jobs impacted must meet Low to Moderate Income Levels
  • Grants are for COVID 19 related hardship only

Who is not eligible?

  • Farmers/Ranchers
  • New Businesses or Services (Opened after March 1, 2020)
  • Businesses with any local, state, or federal tax liability
  • Sales Consultants (i.e. Mary Kay Sales Consultant, Tupperware Sales Consultant, etc.)
  • Government, government employee households
  • Non-profits

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted by the City of Fort Scott.

 

The City of Fort Scott was recently awarded $132,000 in CDBG-CV funding which will be granted to local businesses facing financial hardships due to COVID-19. Qualifying businesses may receive a maximum of $10,000 in grant funding, award allocation will be based on the number of jobs retained.

Businesses located within city limits, and with fewer than 50 employees, and as small as one employee may be eligible to apply. Awards will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. An application will only be considered once it is fully completed with all requested documentation required to support the requested funding.

As sole proprietors and self-employed individuals did not qualify for the previous round of CDBG Emergency Funding, they will be given priority for this program. These individuals must submit their completed application before July 23rd, 2020 to receive precedence in application processing. Other businesses may still submit applications during this time frame, these applications will be held until July 24th before processing. All completed applications will be time-stamped and logged upon receipt to ensure they are processed in order of submission.

Grants may be considered for working capital expenses for 60 days.

Funds can only be used for qualified expenses incurred after March 1, 2020.

There may be no duplication of benefits. For instance, if a business has already received funds from the Payroll Protection Program (PPP), they may still qualify. However, funds cannot be used for the same need as was utilized under the PPP program.

City employees will review applications and make recommendations to the City Commission. The City Commission will approve/decline/adjust requests at a regularly scheduled public meeting.

Application forms and additional eligibility requirements may be found online at http://fscity.org/353/CDBG-CV. Hard copy applications, along with program parameters will also be available at City Hall, 123 S. Main St.

Questions regarding the application process, and eligibility guidelines should be directed to Allyson Turvey, via email at [email protected], or by phone at (620) 223-0550.

 

Church news, Fort Scott

Family Life Center Moving Forward At Southern Baptist Church

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The new Family Life Center at First Southern Baptist Church has a  completed shell.

The new multi-purpose room addition of the First Southern Baptist Church of Fort Scott has the shell completed.

The 125 member church is located at 1818 S. Main (Hwy. 69).

The 95-foot by 75-foot Family Life Center will have an occupancy of 299 people when fully usable.

“We went big after looking at nearby churches,” Vera Norris, a church member said.

The large building is a multi-purpose room and classrooms and restrooms will be added as funds come in.

In addition to a multi-purpose room, the building will house classrooms and restrooms.

“It will be for community events such as a possible homeschool group, seminars,” Brian Williams, a church board member said. “Our AWANA kids will be able to play games in here and we’ll have youth activities.”

“Awana is a world-wide nonprofit ministry focused on providing Bible-based evangelism and discipleship solutions for ages 2-18, according to its’ websitehttps://www.awana.org/about/  Awana gives children the opportunity to know, love and serve Jesus, no matter their background.”

 

“The building is a work in progress,” Pastor James Collins said.

“We are working on fundraising so we can compete our classrooms and restrooms (that will be housed in the building), Williams said.

Arck Construction, Pittsburg began construction in May 2019, the steel beams were erected and the outside shell was completed by September 2019, Williams said.

“The air conditioning and heating are working now,” Williams said.  “We recently held a church rummage sale in the facility.”

The old church kitchen is being reconfigured and will serve the Family LIfe Center activities.

 

 

The old kitchen is being reconfigured.
Obituary

Funeral Service Notice For Jackie Kountz

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Service Notice

Jackie Lee Kountz, age 70, resident of Lamar, MO, died Monday, June 22, 2020, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, MO.  Graveside services will be held Friday in the U.S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott, KS.  Memorials are suggested to the Jackie Kountz Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Bourbon County, Business, COVID-19, Government

Bourbon County Emergency Funding Is Accepting Applications

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Bourbon County Economic Director Jody Hoener announces the Bourbon County CDBG-CV program is now officially open to accept applications.

To be eligible, your business must be located within Bourbon County but outside the city limits of City of Fort Scott.

You can view other eligibility criteria and program parameters online here: https://www.bourboncountyks.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Bourbon-County-CDBG-CV-Plan.pdf.

 

Submit your online application today here: https://www.bourboncountyks.org/emergency-funding-application/ and we will follow up with an email for supporting documentation.

 

Also, feel free to pick up a paper application packet in the County Clerk’s office and return to me in paper form or electronically.

COVID-19, Government, Health Care, Kansas

Osawatomie State Hospital Has One Staff Positive for COVID 19

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COVID-19 Case at Osawatomie State Hospital; Kansas Neurological Institute Reports 12 Cases

TOPEKA – Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Secretary Laura Howard announced today that one staff member at Osawatomie State Hospital (OSH) has tested positive for COVID-19. This is the first positive case at OSH in either residents or staff. Howard also announced the Kansas Neurological Institute (KNI) has 12 new positives cases in five staff members and seven residents.

To protect the identity of staff and residents at each hospital, no further information will be released.

Friday, June 19, an employee at OSH reported a positive test result to the hospital’s infection control nurse. In coordination with the Miami County Health Department, all 11 residents on the unit who were in close contact with the positive employee will be tested as a priority. A testing strategy that reaches beyond those working or living on the unit is currently being discussed and several steps have been taken to further maximize safety precautions already in place to minimize risk of further exposure:

  • Any employee with direct, close contact with the positive employee has been contacted and begun a 14-day quarantine as instructed by the Miami County Health Department.
  • Any patients directly exposed to the positive employee are strongly encouraged to isolate in their room and wear a facemask anytime they leave their room. Patients on the unit where the employee worked will remain on the unit and are being closely monitored for any change in status. COVID-19 testing will be implemented at the appropriate time according to time of exposure.
  • At this time, there will be no admissions to the affected unit. All staff working on the affected unit are required to wear full personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times, to include nurses, other professionals, security and housekeeping.
  • Separate entrances and exits have been established on the affected unit to minimize exposure to staff and patients on other units.
  • The frequently touched surfaces in the affected unit are now being disinfected three times per shift.

“This is an extremely stressful time for patients, their loved ones and our staff members,” OSH Superintendent Kristin Feeback said. “We recognize that communication with patients, families and staff is critically important, especially after a confirmed COVID-19 case. I appreciate our staff being so responsive and adaptive to the instructions given by local health officials to make sure we do all we can to prevent the spread of the virus as effectively as possible.”

Thursday, June 18, KNI reported one staff member and one resident in the same home on campus tested positive for COVID-19 and at least one more staff member was symptomatic. Officials at KNI worked in collaboration with the Kansas Department for Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Shawnee County Health Department to administer more than 80 tests to all staff working in the affected home as well as all residents in the building where that home is located. At the time of this release, those tests have resulted in positive cases in five staff members and seven residents in three living units covering two campus buildings. Three of the 12 positive cases at KNI are symptomatic, but zero currently require hospitalization.

KDHE and KNI and local health department officials are expanding testing on campus in the coming days to include all staff in potentially affected areas with a goal of an additional 200 staff tested by end of day today. Residents in all three affected living units have already been tested. KNI continues to follow similar PPE practices to those implemented at OSH.

“We are thankful to the health officials at the state and local level for their quick and effective communication and response,” KNI Superintendent Brent Widick said. “Our residents are like family and we work very hard to keep them safe, so this kind of news takes a real emotional toll on our staff.”

KNI reported its first two cases of staff members on April 17 this year. Both of those cases have been cleared.

For current information on COVID-19 in Kansas, and to sign up for updates, go to the KDHE COVID-19 Resource Center at kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus.

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Golf Classic Registration

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JOIN US FOR THE 26TH ANNUAL
CHAMBER GOLF CLASSIC
We are currently accepting
sponsors and teams!
Please see information below
for more details!
Click here for printed form.
Click here to register online.
Or, feel free to give us a call or drop by the Chamber to register a team or sponsorship!
620-223-3566
Always a great day of
business promotion, networking & fun!
Special thanks to 2020 Tournament Chair & Board Member:
David Ben Lipe – Sharky’s Pub & Grub, Luther’s BBQ
2020 Chamber Board Chairman:
Bill Michaud – Sleep Inn & Suites, Empress Event Center
Bourbon County, COVID-19, Government

Three More COVID 19 Cases In Bourbon County Today, June 22

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SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Bourbon County, Kansas

PRESS RELEASE:

NOVEL CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19

June 22, 2020;

“Governor Kelly and her officials recommend that we stay in phase 3 for 2 more weeks (July 6th at the earliest),” Rebecca Johnson, with the multi-county health department, said. ” I, as the SEK Health Officer, recommend Allen, Anderson, Bourbon and Woodson Counties stay in phase 3 until July 6th. See covid.ks.gov for the Ad Astra plan.”

Bourbon County, KS has had 3 more positive COVID-19 tests confirmed today. This makes total positive tests for Bourbon County 14. The testing was confirmed through a reference laboratory that was used. The individual’s symptoms range from minimal to moderate. They are isolated in their home and their family is in quarantine. The cases are travel-related, with travel out of county and out of state. The Bourbon County Public Health Department is diligently working to complete the investigation at this time.

The Bourbon County Public Health Department urges the public to continue to take appropriate actions. Individuals should continue to practice social distancing, clean/disinfect any high touched surfaces, wash their hands with soap and water routinely, use hand sanitizer if soap and water is not available and avoid touching your face (especially eyes, nose & mouth).

Please remember if you have the symptoms to:

Call before going to a Clinic, Hospital, ER, or Health Department

Close contact means: 6 foot or less for 10 minutes or more, with a positive case.

STAY HOME IF SICK!

If you are experiencing life threatening symptoms, PLEASE CALL 911.

For more information you may call the SEK Multi-County Health Department: Bourbon: (620)223-4464 Monday-Thursday 7:00am-5:30pm OR the COVID-19 Hotline: (866)534-3463.You may also visit the COVID-19 Resource Center at: https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/OR Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Departments on Facebook or our website: www.sekmchd.com for local updates.

Government, Kansas

KS Is NOT Phasing Out of Phase 3, Due To Increase in COVID 19

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Governor Laura Kelly Recommends Kansas Stay in Phase 3 of “Ad Astra” Plan

 

TOPEKA — Governor Laura Kelly announced that her administration, as well as officials with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, recommend that communities do not move into Phase Out of “Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas,” which was originally planned to begin June 22, and instead stay in Phase 3 for at least two more weeks.

 

“Though many Kansans and communities have been social distancing, wearing masks, and working hard over the past few weeks to mitigate the spread of the virus, we have unfortunately seen an increase in disease spread,” Governor Kelly said. “After consulting with Secretary Norman’s team at KDHE, I have decided that our state is not ready to move into the final phase of the ‘Ad Astra’ plan until July 6, 2020, at the earliest.”

 

The emergency disaster declaration issued by the Governor on May 26 transfers reopening decisions back to local officials, which means counties continuing with Phase 3 of the plan is only a recommendation. However, the State continues to monitor health metrics daily, and remains committed to supporting local communities in a safe, gradual transition.

 

“My administration is dedicated to getting Kansans back to work and back to school, in the safest way possible. We can’t do that if every person and community does not follow the Phase 3 guidelines,” Governor Kelly said. “Please wear a mask, socially distance, and wash your hands often. Our state’s economic recovery depends on it.”

 

Key Phase 3 highlights for communities:

 

  • Mass gatherings of more than 45 individuals are not recommended;

 

  • All education, activities, venues and establishments may operate and are recommended to follow all public health guidelines;

 

  • On-site staffing has no recommended restrictions;

 

 

As always, Kansans should continue to adhere to hygiene and social distancing protocols, including:

 

  • Washing hands frequently, while avoiding contact with one’s face;

 

  • Remaining home when sick or running a fever;

 

  • Following isolation and quarantine orders issued by state or local health officers;

 

  • Wearing a cloth face mask when in public;

 

“Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas,” is available in full at covid.ks.gov, in addition to industry-specific guidance for Kansas businesses.

 

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for June 23

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: June 23, 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 THE COMMISSION ROOM. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.

9:00 – 9:45 JT Heckman

9:45 – 10:00 Jody Hoener, Adopt CDBG Application Process

10:00 – 10:15 Kendell Mason, 2021 Budget Review

10:15 – 10:25 Justin Meeks, Exec Session, Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel

10:25 – 10:45 Justin Meeks, Exec Session, Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

10:45 – 10:55 Justin Meeks, Exec Session, Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency

which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

10:55 – 11:15 Justin Meeks, Exec Session, Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system

11:15 – 11:30 Bobby Reed, Exec Session, Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel

Justifications for Executive Session:

          Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel

          Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

          Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency

          Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

          Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property

          Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system

Bourbon County Local News