|
|
|
|
|
|
March 26, 2020 Public Update COVID-19
For more information: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus
2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Kansas Test Results
Updated 3/26/20 at 11 a.m.
Total Positive Cases
168
Private Labs
111
Kansas Health and Environmental Lab (KHEL)
57
Deaths (included in above numbers)
3
Out-of-State Resident Positive Cases*
(not counted in Kansas numbers)
2
Total Negative Cases for Kansans
2,869
Positive Case Information
County Number
Bourbon
1
Mitchell
2
Butler
3
Morris
2
Cherokee
2
Neosho
1
Crawford
3**
Pottawatomie
1
Doniphan
1
Reno
4
Douglas
13*
Riley
1
Franklin
1
Sedgwick
16
Jackson
1
Shawnee
4
Johnson
59
Sumner
1
Leavenworth
12
Woodson
1
Linn
4
Wyandotte
34
Lyon
3
*Ford and Miami Counties reported positive cases in out-of-state residents.
**1 case in Douglas and 2 cases in Crawford are presumptive positive at a reference lab, but were not confirmed through the KDHE lab, so are included in the county numbers, but not in the overall state total or demographics at this time.
Demographics
Gender
Female
78
Male
90
Age Range
Age range on patients is 7 to 90 years of age, with a median age of 54.
Connecting Communities
Do you belong to a committee, board, club or other organization who needs to discuss important issues while trying to respect social distancing guidelines? Until groups of 10 or more can meet face-to-face, the Southwind Extension District can help you by remotely connecting individuals who need to plan and discuss issues important to our communities.
This is an on-demand service, so please call the Southwind Extension District at 620-365-2242 or email [email protected] to establish the details for your meeting, and we will be happy to assist you. This technology is available to anyone who utilizes a computer, smart phone or land-line phone and wants to connect for community purposes. Best of all, there is no cost to utilize this service!
The Extension mission continues, and the Southwind Extension District is committed to being innovative to connect you with research-based resources and education. We appreciate your patience as we all encounter the challenges, and we look forward to assisting you with research-based information and services that will help you navigate these unprecedented times.
For more information, you can find the Southwind Extension District on Facebook, and on our website at www.southwind.ksu.edu for information important to Allen, Bourbon, Neosho and Woodson Counties.
Carla Nemecek
Southwind Extension District
Director & Agent
[email protected]
620-365-2242
1 North Washington, Iola, KS 66749
Official Statement from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism
Public Visitation
The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 Coronavirus crisis and remains vigilant in implementing appropriate safety protocols to ensure public use areas remain safe and open to the public.
In counties with local Stay At Home mandates, KDWPT will work with local officials regarding any other restrictions. State parks, state fishing lakes and wildlife areas remain open.
License Fees
KDWPT is not currently considering waiving fishing license fees. KDWPT is funded solely from the sale of licenses and permits, and that funding is crucial to keeping gates and facilities open and law enforcement in place.
“During this time of unprecedented changes, there is value in those things that can stay consistent,” said Secretary Brad Loveless. “We’re committed to keeping Kansas’ state parks, state fishing lakes and wildlife areas open so that Kansans can continue to safely enjoy the outdoors. To achieve this, we must keep game wardens, public land managers, and park staff working in the field.”
KDHE and KDA recommend voluntary reduction in burning
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic currently impacting all states, including Kansas, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Department of Agriculture strongly encourage all land owners and managers to voluntarily reduce the number of acres that they intend to burn this spring.
“With the potential for this pandemic overwhelming the state’s medical facilities, any additional respiratory concerns that could be produced from breathing smoke from prescribed fire need to be mitigated,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary, said.
Common health problems related to smoke can include burning eyes, runny nose, coughing and illnesses such as bronchitis. Individuals with respiratory issues, including COVID-19, pre-existing heart or lung diseases, children and the elderly may experience worse symptoms.
With resources of the county emergency response staff already being taxed with COVID-19 response, it is important to minimize responses that would come with prescribed fire activity.
It is critical that land managers in areas included in the Smoke Model available online at ksfire.org consult the model if they do choose to burn. The model indicates the level at which a burn would contribute to urban area air quality problems. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam urges land managers to refrain from burning, especially if your area is predicted in the large (red) contribution range.
“Prescribed burning is a valuable land management tool in the efforts to fight invasive species and maximize land productivity, and this request should not be interpreted as an indictment of the practice of burning,” Beam said. “However, the circumstances surrounding the coronavirus pandemic have created a situation that calls for reducing burned acres this spring.”
For the latest information related to COVID-19, and to sign up for daily updates sent to your email inbox, visit the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s COVID-19 Resource Center at www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus.
###
Karen Mix Retires From West Bourbon Elementary School
This is part of a series highlighting educators who will retire this school year.
In spite of the world crisis, life goes on, and FortScott.Biz will continue to feature stories of local interest.
Karen Mix, 61, 30-year kindergarten teacher at West Bourbon Elementary School is retiring.
“I have been blessed to work at the USD 235 district,” Mix said.
She substituted in the district for three years, taught fifth-grade for one year, then began her career in kindergarten.
“There is so much satisfaction in teaching kindergarten,” Mix said. “It is amazing what these little ones can achieve in a year. The gains they make in knowledge, self-confidence, and social skills…I have gone to work to do a job that I love to do! I have been able to sing, dance, laugh and have snacks every day! Plus, I have actually gotten paid to do it! I can only hope that I have touched my students’ lives in as many ways as they have mine.”
” I felt it was important to teach kindness and respect for each other,” she said. ” We said the Golden Rule every day, I always told them that it was not just a 5-year-olds rule but a rule for all your life!
I think sometimes a kindergarten teacher’s role in a child’s life is not always understood by many people. Many times I have been the first role model they have met since leaving their parents. I have so many roles in class…drying tears, hugging fears away, fixing girls hair, zipping, tying shoes, teaching them to look, listen, learn and have fun. It has been a crazy ride and I have loved every minute of it!!!
Mix received her education from Fort Scott High School, Fort Scott Community College, then Pittsburg State University and finally Walden University where she earned her Masters Degree in Reading.
Her second-grade teacher who became her aunt, Hazel Ploeger, inspired her to teach, she said.
Her hometown is Independence, Mo. but she moved to Fort Scott, when 17 years old.
Mix married her husband, Mike, at 19 years old and they bought the farm they have lived on since.
“We have two sons, Evan married to Marci, one grandson, and twins due in April. And our youngest son, Matthew.”
Mix has been involved in her community as a member of the Fulton United Methodist Church.
One of the greatest challenges in teaching for Mix was keeping up with the many changes that the state requires of schools, she said.
Retirement?
“I am looking forward to spending more time with my husband and my grandchildren,” she said.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports March 26
KOMB Streaming Now
Governor announces appointments to the Kansas Agricultural Remediation Board
Governor Laura Kelly appointed Jodi Guetterman, Kevin Dieckmann and reappointed Kamyar Nikoomanesh to the Kansas Agricultural Remediation Board.
The Board administers the Kansas Agricultural Remediation Fund and the remediation reimbursement program.
“Remediation is an important tool for production agriculture, public health, and environmental stewardship,” Kelly said. “The Board serves the important purpose of reimbursing Kansas farmers for these expenses, and I know that these appointees will work diligently to do so.”
Guetterman, Bucyrus, has been appointed to the seat reserved for agricultural producers.
Dieckmann, Olathe, has been appointed to the specialty chemical distributor seat.
Nikoomanesh, Lenexa, has been reappointed to the seat reserved for agricultural processors, and was also appointed as Chair of the board.
Governor announces appointments to the Kansas State Fair Board
Governor Laura Kelly appointed John Bottenberg to the Kansas State Fair Board, and reappointed Harmon Bliss, Nick Ketzner and Robert Atkisson.
The purpose of the Board is to promote and showcase Kansas agriculture, industry and culture; to create opportunity for commercial activity; and to provide an educational and entertaining experience that is the pride of all Kansans.
“The Fair provides tremendous opportunities for commerce, entertainment and education in Kansas each year,” Kelly said. “I feel confident that these appointees will ensure the success of the Fair through their service on the Board.”
Bottenberg, Topeka, served on the board previously and was appointed to an at-large seat. He is a former state representative.
Bliss, Jetmore, is the current Board president and was reappointed to the seat reserved for a representative from the southwest agriculture extension district.
Ketzner, Bird City, was reappointed to the northwest agriculture extension district seat.
Atkisson, Stockton, was reappointed to the seat reserved for a representative from the Kansas Fairs Association.
March 25, 2020 Public Update COVID-19
For more information: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus
2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Kansas Test Results
Updated 3/25/20 at 11 a.m.
Total Positive Cases
126
Private Labs
77
Kansas Health and Environmental Lab (KHEL)
49
Deaths (included in above numbers)
3
Out-of-State Resident Positive Cases*
(not counted in Kansas numbers)
2
Total Negative Cases for Kansans
2,360
Positive Case Information
County Number
Bourbon
1
Linn
2
Butler
3
Lyon
2
Cherokee
2
Mitchell
2
Crawford
1
Morris
2
Doniphan
1
Neosho
1
Douglas
10
Pottawatomie
1
Franklin
1
Reno
2
Jackson
1
Sedgwick
11
Johnson
44
Woodson
1
Leavenworth
11
Wyandotte
27
*Ford and Miami Counties reported positive cases in out-of-state residents.
Demographics
Gender
Female
54
Male
72
Age Range
Age range on patients is 7 to 90 years of age, with a median age of 51.
Obituary of Judith Brandt
\Judith Ann Brandt, 75 of Centerton, Arkansas, passed away Monday evening, March 23, 2020 at her home. She was born on March 9, 1945 in Wichita, Kansas the daughter of Paul Stewart and Lillie Ann Sivey Elliott. She married Larry Kenneth Brandt on June 24, 1978 in Wichita, Kansas, he survives of the home.
Judy was a member of the Fort Scott High School Class of 1963. She was a transcriptionist for the Ozark Guidance Center for over 20 years. She loved gardening and restoring dolls to give to underprivileged children.
In addition to her husband, Larry, she is survived by a son, Justin Brandt and wife, Cheryl of Anderson, Missouri, a daughter, Jill Brandt Allen and husband, Stephen of Castle Rock, Colorado, a brother, Larry Elliott and wife, Pam of Fort White, Florida and a step-sister, Kathy Voyles of Jefferson City, Missouri, and two granddaughters, Skyler Brandt and Elizabeth Allen.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a daughter, Jesse Brandt.
Rev. Don Elliott will officiate graveside services for Judith Ann Brandt at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 27, 2020 at the Pleasant View (Large) Cemetery, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Aaron K. Stern Foundation, donations may be sent to, or left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, P.O. Box 309, 15 W. Wall St., Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Condolences to the family may be sent to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.