Government, Kansas

March 18, 2020 Public Update COVID-19

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Situation Overview
KDHE continues to closely monitor an outbreak of a respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19). The outbreak first started in Wuhan, China, but cases have been identified around the world including in the United States. The first case in the United States was announced January 21, 2020. Five new cases announced today.
Please visit our website, www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus, for more information and answers to your FAQs. New information is added daily.

For more information: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus

2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Kansas Test Results
Updated 3/18/20 at 10 a.m.

Total Positive Cases
21
Private Labs
2
Kansas Health and Environmental Lab
19
Deaths (included in above numbers)
1
Out-of-State Resident Positive Cases
(not counted in Kansas numbers)
2

Positive Case Information
County Number
Butler County
1
Douglas County
1
Franklin County
1
Johnson County
11
Leavenworth County
2
Wyandotte County
5
* Ford and Miami Counties reported positive cases in out-of-state residents. Numbers included in cases home states.
2

Government, Health Care, Kansas

State Hospital Restrictions

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KDADS Announces Restrictions for Visitors to State Hospitals in Response to COVID-19
Many State Hospital Activities Also Suspended or Restricted

Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Secretary Laura Howard today announced that visitation at all four state hospitals has been restricted effective immediately as a measure of precaution to reduce exposure of COVID-19 to residents and staff.

“Restrictions on visitors at state hospitals are a difficult but necessary step in our mission to encourage social distancing and limit exposure to the virus not only for our residents, who are some of the most vulnerable Kansans we serve, but our staff as well,” Secretary Howard said. “To date, there have been no cases of COVID-19 in any of our state hospital facilities and we are making vigilant efforts to continue to provide a safe, healthy environment.”

Consistent with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ guidance recently released for nursing facilities, new restrictions on visitors and non-essential individuals entering the Kansas Neurological Institute, Parsons State Hospital and Training Center, Osawatomie State Hospital and Larned State Hospital are in place:

  • Restricts all visitors, effective immediately, with exceptions for compassionate care, such as end-of-life situations;
    • No one showing signs or symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat is allowed on campus.
    • No one having been in contact with a person with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 is allowed on campus.
    • No one having traveled to countries with sustained community transmission within the last 14 days is allowed on campus. Currently those countries include Italy, Iran, China and South Korea. An updated listing of these countries can be found at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/after-travel-precautions.html.
  • Restricts all volunteers and nonessential health care personnel and other personnel (i.e. barbers);
  • Restricts internal and public group activities or appointments;
  • Implements active screening of residents and health care personnel for fever and respiratory symptoms;
  • Suspends the Foster Grandparent Program (unique to KNI) and volunteer programs;
  • Redirects vendors and deliveries to alternate sites on campuses; and
  • Closes facilities on state hospital campuses to the public.

Parents and guardians of residents at state hospitals are being asked not to come to campuses and instead check with hospital administration about alternative ways to communicate with their loved ones. Each hospital will work to accommodate visitors via telephone or video if possible.

In end-of-life cases, visitors will be equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) like masks, and the visit will be limited to a specific room only.

“The populations we serve in our state hospitals are in many cases more vulnerable to COVID-19 than others. That, coupled with the rapid spread of COVID-19 in people who are in close proximity to each other on an ongoing basis, make it necessary to restrict, or in some cases suspend, normal day-today activities,” Deputy Secretary of Hospitals and Facilities Scott Brunner said.

For more information on COVID-19 visit the Kansas Department for Health and Environment’s Resource Center at: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus.

You also can call 1-866-534-3463 (1-866-KDHEINF).

Bourbon County, Elections, Government

Filings for the November 2020 Election in the County

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John Horn votes during a 2017 election at the Bourbon County Courthouse.

The election process has begun and  this year the general election date is November 3,

“Filing deadline is noon, June 1st, 2020,” Bourbon County Clerk Kendell Mason said. “Anyone wanting to run for a local office can pick up the filing paperwork from my office.”

 

The county clerk’s office is located on the first floor of the north wing of the Bourbon County courthouse, 210 S. National Ave.

 

Since the interview, the courthouse has temporarily closed due to COVID 19 prevention measures.

 

“I am checking my emails on a regular basis,” Mason said on March 17. “if someone needs a packet they can email me with their mailing information and we will mail them a packet.  My email address is [email protected].”

 

 

At the county level, there have been some filings for Bourbon County Sheriff and two commission positions, Mason said.

 

So far this year, three men have applied to run for Bourbon County Sheriff:  Derick Burke, Bill Martin and Craig A. Rice

Fort Scott Police Department Officer Derick Burke. File photo. Burke is running for sheriff.

 

Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin. Submitted photo. Martin is running for sheriff.

 

Craig Rice. Courtesy photo by Merle Humphrey. Rice is running for sheriff.

 

 

Two Bourbon County Commission seats are up for election:

For Commission District #2 – Jeffrey Fischer and Jim Harris

For Commission District #3 – LeRoy “Nick” Ruhl

Jeff Fischer, District 2 Bourbon County Commissioner. He is running for his current position.
Jim Harris, Bourbon County Public Works Director. Harris is running for District 2 Commissioner.
Nick Ruhl, District 3 Bourbon County Commissioner. He is running for his current position.

 

 

“Elections in even years are in August and November,” Mason said. “A  law changed the odd-year elections from spring to fall.

 

As of last week, there are no amendments received to be put on the ballot,  Mason said.

 

The following is from the Bourbon County website:

Not sure if you’re registered to vote or where to vote?

You may register to vote online, through the Kansas Secretary of State’s website.

Check your voter registration status, the location of your polling place and view a sample ballot at VoterView by the Secretary of State.

Advance Voting is available prior to each election.  You may advance vote in one of two ways:  By mail, by filing an application for a ballot to be mailed to you   OR   in-person, beginning at least one week prior to any election.

 

Government, Housing, Kansas

Governor: Temporary Eviction/Foreclosure Prohibitions

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Governor Kelly announces Executive Order to ­temporarily prohibit evictions and foreclosures

                                                                                                                                                                      

Governor Kelly on Tuesday announced Executive Order #20-06 to temporarily prohibit evictions and foreclosures across the state in an effort to mitigate the impact of COVID-19.

 

Due to negative economic impacts of COVID-19, Governor Kelly and her administration decided to take steps to support Kansans who may miss mortgage or rent payments as a result of lost wages and other income.

 

“We understand that this pandemic is creating unprecedented challenges for people across the state,” Kelly said. “Kansas families need our support, and my administration is committed to doing everything it can to make sure Kansans can stay in their homes and businesses. It’s a necessary step to further protect Kansans’ health and safety.”

 

The Executive Order temporarily prohibits all financial institutions operating in Kansas from initiating any mortgage foreclosure efforts or judicial proceedings, and any commercial or residential eviction efforts or judicial proceedings until May 1, 2020.

  

This order comes after a State of Disaster Emergency for the State of Kansas was proclaimed by Kelly on March 12, 2020.

 

Please find Executive Order #20-06 attached.

Government, Kansas

Continuity of Kansas Ag Industry Remains a Priority

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MANHATTAN, Kan. —   With Tuesday’s announcement by Governor Laura Kelly that state agencies will reduce their offices to essential services for a limited time beginning Monday, March 23, 2020, the Kansas Department of Agriculture assures the Kansas agriculture industry that we will continue to provide support across the state for critical services in agriculture. The farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses of Kansas are an integral part of the economic backbone of the state. KDA works on a daily basis to support these stakeholders and this will continue during the upcoming break, while we also take steps to protect the health of KDA employees.

 

While some components of KDA’s programs will cut back their daily routines, the essential services which ensure a safe food supply, protect natural resources, promote public health and safety, protect animal health, and provide consumer protection will continue from this agency. Many of our program areas are well equipped to work from home and will do so as needed to assist in the continuity of the Kansas agriculture industry.

 

KDA will continue to make every effort possible to communicate with our stakeholders in a clear manner throughout this time period. Information about the state’s response to this emergency event can be found the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s COVID-19 Resource Center at www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus.

 
Government, Kansas

Governor Announces Measures

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Governor Kelly announces proactive measures to mitigate spread of COVID-19 pandemic in Kansas

 

This afternoon Governor Laura Kelly announced two additional measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and better position Kansas to combat this unprecedented emergency in the months to come.

 

First, in consultation with the Kansas State Department of Education, the Kansas Board of Education, the Kansas Association of School Boards, the Kansas School Superintendents Association, United School Administrators of Kansas and Kansas National Education Association, Kelly officially extended the closure of K-12 schools for the duration of the 2019-2020 school year by Executive Order # 20-07 (attached).

EO 20-07 Executed

 

“This was not an easy decision to make,” Kelly said. “It came after close consultation with the education professionals who represent local school boards, school administrators and local teachers. These unprecedented circumstances threaten the safety of our students and the professionals who work with them every day and we must respond accordingly.”

 

Kelly emphasized the need for students to continue to receive high-quality education during this closure. On Sunday, March 15, Governor Kelly tasked the Department of Education to convene a group of experts to develop a comprehensive education plan for students for the remainder of the year.

 

Additionally, effective Monday, March 23, Kelly directed state employees to stay home on administrative leave to minimize additional risk of exposure to the virus for two weeks. The break will allow agencies to assess their essential functions to ensure that they can safely continue to serve the core needs of Kansans. This directive only applies to executive branch agencies under jurisdiction of the governor. This does not include agencies such as the Office of the Attorney General, the Insurance Department the State Treasurer or the Secretary of State’s office. Additionally, the order does not apply to legislative or judicial branch employees. Those branches will issue their own, separate, guidance to employees.

 

Kelly has directed Cabinet agencies, boards and commissions to develop an internal plan that will ensure a seamless transition. They will each identify which employees can work remotely, which will need to be placed on administrative leave, and how to best ramp operations back up at the appropriate time.

 

“The steps we are announcing today will create the space we need at the state level to develop a more strategic, resilient infrastructure so that we can get ahead of this threat and limit its long-term impact to Kansans,” Kelly said.

Uncategorized

FSCC Spring Commencement Cancelled

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Submitted by Kassie Fugate-Cate on March 17, 2020 – 1:19pm

picture of a graduation cap on top of books with glasses sitting next to it. COVID 19 update and march 17, 2020 written in the middle and the FSCC centennial logo in the bottom left corner.

Date: March 17, 2020
Time: 1:00 P.M.
RE: FSCC novel coronavirus, COVID-19 update

 

Graduation

Spring Commencement scheduled for May 15, 2020 is cancelled. Students planning to graduate in May still need to complete the ‘Petition to Graduate Form’ via the link below (students who submitted the form to the Registrar’s office already, do not need to resubmit). Graduate assessment testing (ETS Proficiency Profile and WorkKeys) is cancelled for this semester.
Petition to Graduate Form: http://fortscott.edu/graduate/form

 

Dorms

The NJCAA has canceled the spring athletic season. Students participating in spring sports (baseball, softball, track, golf, e-sports and rodeo) should check out of the dorms prior to March 20th.

 

Athletics

 

Following the recent release of a statement from the NJCAA, FSCC will adhere to the ruling that all athletic events be canceled through the remainder of the semester.
 

Please visit the FSCC website for updates and continue to stay safe.

 

Alysia Johnston

Business, Government

Serving Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

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USDA Stands Up New Team to Better Serve Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

WASHINGTON, March 16, 2020 ─The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is standing up a new team of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) staff that will lead a department-wide effort focused on serving beginning farmers and ranchers. 

 

“More than a quarter of producers are beginning farmers,” said USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky. “We need to support the next generation of agricultural producers who we will soon rely upon to grow our nation’s food and fiber.”

 

To institutionalize support for beginning farmers and ranchers and to build upon prior agency work, the 2018 Farm Bill directed USDA to create a national coordinator position in the agency and state-level coordinators for four of its agencies – Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Risk Management Agency (RMA), and Rural Development (RD).

 

Sarah Campbell was selected as the national coordinator to lead USDA’s efforts. A beginning farmer herself, Campbell held previous positions with USDA and has a wealth of experience working on issues impacting beginning farmers and ranchers. She recently served as acting director of customer experience for the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center, where she led the piloting of innovative, customer-centric initiatives. 

 

In her new role, she will work closely with the state coordinators to develop goals and create plans to increase beginning farmer participation and access to programs while coordinating nationwide efforts on beginning farmers and ranchers.

 

“We know starting a new farm business is extremely challenging, and we know our customers value and benefit from being able to work directly with our field employees, especially beginning farmers,” Campbell said. “These new coordinators will be a key resource at the local level and will help beginning farmers get the support they need. I look forward to working with them.”

 

Each state coordinator will receive training and develop tailored beginning farmer outreach plans for their state. Coordinators will help field employees better reach and serve beginning farmers and ranchers and will also be available to assist beginning farmers who need help navigating the variety of resources USDA has to offer. 

 

More on Beginning Farmers

 

Twenty seven percent of farmers were categorized as new and beginning producers, with 10 years or less of experience in agriculture, according to the 2017 Census of Agriculture.

 

USDA offers a variety of farm loan, risk management, disaster assistance, and conservation programs to support farmers, including beginning farmers and ranchers. Additionally, a number of these programs have provisions specifically for beginning farmers, including targeted funding for loans and conservation programs as well as waivers and exemptions.

 

More Information 

Learn more about USDA’s resources for beginning farmers as well as more information on the national and state-level coordinators at newfarmers.usda.gov and farmers.gov. For more information on available programs in your area, contact your local USDA service center.

#

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Government, Kansas

March 17, 2020 Public Update COVID-19

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Situation Overview

KDHE continues to closely monitor an outbreak of a respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19). The outbreak first started in Wuhan, China, but cases have been identified around the world including in the United States. The first case in the United States was announced January 21, 2020. Five new cases announced today. (Please note: Residents of other states tested in Kansas are counted in their resident state’s numbers by the CDC and are not included in Kansas numbers. Those are 1 positive from Oregon and 1 from Missouri, testing positive in Ford and Miami Counties.)

KDHE Response Activities
• On March 15, KDHE released new guidance on quarantine recommendations for those who have traveled. Please review this on our website at www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus.
• KDHE has created a toolkit of Kansas-specific guidance to help local public health departments engage with their community partners on COVID-19 planning. It can be found on the KDHE website: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus. New information is added daily.
• KDHE has a phone-bank operation staffed Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. The phone number is 1-866-534-3463 (1-866-KDHEINF). KDHE also has an email address for general inquiries, [email protected]. These are for general questions and cannot provide you with medical evaluations. If you are feeling ill, please stay home and call your healthcare provider.

For more information: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus
2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Kansas Test Results
Updated 3/17/20 at 2:30 p.m.

Positive (confirmed)
16
(1 death included)
Negative
417

Positive Case Information
County Number

Butler County
1
Douglas County
1
Franklin County
1
Johnson County
10
Wyandotte County
3

Bourbon County, Business

Dollar General Dedicates First Shopping Hour to Senior Citizens Starting March 17

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The freezer and cooler section were expanded in the recent Dollar General remodel.

Dollar General Corporation announced plans to dedicate the first hour of each shopping day to senior shoppers, as well as amend store operating hours beginning March 17, 2020.

Senior Hour Encouragement
“Dollar General is strongly encouraging that the first hour of operations each day be dedicated solely for the shopping needs of senior customers, who are one of the groups most vulnerable to the COVID-19 coronavirus. In keeping with the Company’s mission of Serving Others,”  according to its’ website. “Dollar General wants to provide these at-risk customers with the ability to purchase the items they need and want at the beginning of each day to avoid busier and more crowded shopping periods.”

Fort Scott Dollar General  Manager LaDonna Sandstoe said today that the “plan came through from headquarters,” and “there was a “conference call this morning.”
“It didn’t work too well this morning,” Sandstoe said. “We had teenagers coming through here with the seniors.”
“But 8 to 9 a.m. is designated for the elderly,” she said.
Hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sandstoe said.
The following is from the Dollar General website;

“Other customers are encouraged to plan their shopping trips around this window of time to allow the most susceptible customers in our communities the ability to shop during the first hour that stores are open.

Store Hour Adjustments
Additionally, all stores plan to close one hour earlier than current close times to allow employees to clean and re-stock store shelves, as well as for their health and wellbeing.  Stores will continue to maintain current opening hours. Normal operating hours by individual store locations are available here.

Dollar General remains committed to providing customers and employees with a safe, clean and pleasant shopping environment at all stores and seeks for customers to feel confident when shopping its stores.

Quote from Todd Vasos, CEO
“In keeping with our mission and our ongoing commitment to serve our communities, we are dedicating the first hour of each day to seniors.  We appreciate our customers’ understanding of our decision and request they visit our stores later in the morning to allow at-risk populations the ability to purchase the items they need at affordable prices,” said Todd Vasos, Dollar General’s CEO. “During these unprecedented times, Dollar General is diligently working to meet the ongoing needs of our customers and communities. We are proud to live our mission and provide customers with everyday low prices on the household essentials that are used and replenished most often.”

About Dollar General Corporation
Dollar General Corporation has been delivering value to shoppers for more than 80 years. Dollar General helps shoppers Save time. Save money. Every day!® by offering products that are frequently used and replenished, such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, housewares and seasonal items at everyday low prices in convenient neighborhood locations. Dollar General operated 16,278 stores in 44 states as of January 31, 2020. In addition to high-quality private brands, Dollar General sells products from America’s most-trusted manufacturers such as Clorox, Energizer, Procter & Gamble, Hanes, Coca-Cola, Mars, Unilever, Nestle, Kimberly-Clark, Kellogg’s, General Mills, and PepsiCo. Learn more about Dollar General at www.dollargeneral.com.”

Bourbon County Local News