TOPEKA – Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel is pleased to announce a significant decrease in the number of youth who have run away from their foster care placement. On August 31, 2017, there were 86 missing or runaway youth. Comparatively, on August 31, 2018, there were 63, representing a 26.7 percent decrease in the number of missing and runaway youth.
“It is exciting to see a decrease in the number of youth missing or running away from placement, as this was one of my primary focuses when I started at the agency,” Secretary Meier-Hummel said. “I am extremely proud of the work of our Missing and Runaway Youth Investigator unit. We will continue to actively look for these youth because even one child missing from placement is one too many. Ensuring their safety is of the utmost importance.”
While the number of youth who have run away from placement continues to fluctuate on a daily basis, DCF has consistently seen lower numbers, as a result of recent agency initiatives.
Since Secretary Meier-Hummel’s arrival at the agency, DCF has emphasized locating missing and runaway youth. DCF has a team of investigators dedicated to actively looking for these youth and ensuring their safety. On a regular basis, these investigators partner with contract staff and local law enforcement to locate these youth. Secretary Meier-Hummel receives a daily report on youth who are missing or have run away from placement.
Another initiative DCF has recently launched is Missing and Runaway sweeps. During these sweeps, our missing and runaway youth investigators partner with contract staff and local law enforcement to target specific locations to find youth. The agency has conducted these sweeps in Wichita and Kansas City—two of the most populated areas in the state. To date, there have been 880 recovery events.
“On a daily basis, we are working with contacts across the state to search for and locate these youth. Youth that are missing or have run away from placement are at a higher risk of becoming victims of human trafficking, among other issues and that is why the work we do is so vital. We want to help these youth and keep them safe,” Missing and Runaway Youth Investigator Kody Johnson said.
DCF has also recently partnered with the Youth Advocate Program (YAP). YAP comes alongside case managers to be advocates for families. Once in care, a youth is assigned an advocate through YAP that sticks with them regardless of where they go in the state or where they are placed. It is a trust-based relationship between the advocate and the youth. In our partnership with YAP, we will assign every youth that runs away from placement an advocate that can support them, help identify why they run and help prevent them running in the future. With this partnership, we are giving youth that run away from placement a level of safety, security and support through establishing meaningful relationships with their YAP advocate.
TOPEKA—Many Kansas drivers will have the option to renew their license online starting October 23, just one customer service improvement in a list that includes new Monday hours and faster customer processing time, the Division of Vehicles announced Thursday.
The option for some drivers to renew using the iKan mobile application comes alongside the launch of KanLicense, a software program that updates the interface used by driver’s license examiners from an outdated mainframe system to a cloud based application. The modernized software prorgam should decrease customer processing time.
“We are so pleased to jumpstart improved customer service with these new applications,” Director of Vehicles David Harper said. “The combination of these two new platforms set the stage for the long-term reinvention of the process of obtaining or renewing a license or ID across Kansas.”
Starting October 29, the new schedule for most driver’s license offices will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The addition of Monday service, plus the option for mobile renewals and faster counter service should ease pressure and wait times during the week. Opening for service on Saturdays will remain an option during peak times such as spring break.
“We are signifcantly expanding our capacity to serve our customers,” Director Harper said. “We will be open normal business hours everyone is accustomed to, but also offer 24/7 access for renewals on the iKan mobile application.”
Director Harper noted that high demand will remain as Kansans come into the office to upgrade to a Real ID credential ahead of the October 1, 2020 federal implementation date.
“We are modernizing the credential process for the long-term, but many people will still have to come in to get their Real ID before the one-time federal implementation event,” Director Harper said. “We continue to encourage our customers to make sure they have all the documents they need before getting to the office.”
Driver’s and ID holders can use a Real ID checklist at ksrevenue.org/realid to ensure they have the necessary documents.
Driver’s license offices statewide will be closed Saturday, October 20 to prepare for the launch of the KanLicense system.
The ribbon cutting of the new USD 235 fitness center was led by Jake Steinfeld, Thursday morning, Oct. 11.
Jake Steinfeld, Chairman of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils, along with students and local dignitaries cut the ribbon on Uniontown’s new $100,000 DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center, during a ceremony in the West Bourbon Elementary School gym.
Fitness ambassador students get a run-through before the ribbon cutting with Don Payne, Equipment Director for TuffStuff Fitness Int.Four students from each grade, 4th through 12th, were randomly selected to be student fitness ambassadors. They were given prior training in the weeks leading up to the official ribbon cutting.
During the opening speech before the students, teachers, and guests, Steinfeld said that exercise helps students stay focused and therefore improves student learning.
He encouraged the students to stay active their whole lives.
“When you have your health and you have hope, that’s what I believe the American dream is all about,” Steinfeld said.
The opening of the new USD 235 Fitness Center created excitement at the West Bourbon Elementary School Thursday morning, not only for students but the Uniontown community.
The reason: Community members will be using the equipment in the future, as well as students.
Last month USD 235 Superintendent Brett Howard was uncertain if the community would be able to use the equipment in addition to the students as originally planned, due to liability insurance issues.
The insurance issues were resolved at the board meeting this week, WBE Principal Vance Eden, said in an interview.
In a later email to fortscott.biz, Eden said community members will need to come to the office of WBE to pay and get their card for the fitness center from him.
The details of the public use of the fitness center will be worked on this week, and it will be open to the public next week, according to Howard in an interview.
The ceremony moved from the elementary school gym to the site of the new fitness center across the road at the junior high school, where the ribbon cutting took place. The center is housed in the former library of the school.
The Uniontown High School former library, pictured here, is the site of the new center.
Uniontown High School 2018
The USD 235 students starting at 4th grade will begin using the facility next week, Physical Education Teacher Jackie Hall said.
“We are so excited for our kids to have this opportunity,” she said.
This is part of a series of responses from candidates for the Nov. 6, 2018 election. There are two people running for 2nd District Representative.
State Representative, 2nd District (vote for one)
Adam J. Lusker Sr. 452 S. 210th St. Frontenac 66763 Democratic
Kenneth Collins 102 E. 1st Street Mulberry 66756 Republican
These are Ken Collins responses:
Ken Collins.
Name: Ken Collins
Age:55
Candidate for the position of: Second District Kansas State Representative
Place of residence: Mulberry, Kansas
Current occupation: Retired from AT&T and working to establish a convenience store business.
Community involvement: Adjutant of American Legion Post 176 in Mulberry.
Party affiliation: Republican
1) What is the biggest issue, if elected, and how do you plan to address it?
An important issue for me is economic growth in Southeast Kansas. I plan to advocate for continuing improvements on US Highway 69 and to look for ways to reduce taxes including sales, gasoline property and income taxes. We are in competition with neighboring states in several ways so we need to keep our tax rates as low as possible.
2)Give your views on food sales tax:
We need to try to find a way to lower sales tax, especially on groceries. Many states have reduced sales tax rates for food. A large percentage of Kansans live in close proximity to Missouri so we are losing business when consumers choose to cross the state line to shop. Missouri’s sales tax rate for groceries is 1.23% as compared to our basic rate of 6.5%. on all items including food.
3) Give your views on legalizing marijuana:
I haven’t seen any reliable information yet on how legalization has had an effect on states like Colorado so I haven’t come to a decision.
4) Give your views on health care for our state, including Medicaid:
We need to find some new ways to provide health care in rural areas. It is shocking news to everyone that Mercy Hospital of Fort Scott will soon be closing but hopefully solutions can be found to fill the gaps in service that will result. I’m generally leery of Medicaid Expansion, although the program would be federally subsidized it would still cost the Kansas taxpayers.
5) Give views on abortion and Planned Parenthood:
I am strongly pro-life and if elected I will vote in a manner to protect the unborn. I would not support any taxpayer subsidization of Planned Parenthood.
The 6th Annual Tri-Yak-A-Thon, at Gunn Park Trails, has been postponed due to river flooding. Organizers have tentatively rescheduled for October 20.
The Gunn Park Trails volunteers would like to invite everyone to enjoy the fall weather and join us for the 6th annual Tri-yak-a-thon. This year’s proceeds will benefit our new bike share program. The event will take place October 20 at 10:00 AM in Gunn Park. The Tri-yak-a-thon is a race where participants run on Gunn Park’s beautiful trails, kayak up and down the Marmaton River, and then tackle the trails again on a bike. The goal of the event is to have fun and raise money to support the bike share program. The trail run is approximately 4 miles, the kayak portion is 2.5 miles, and the final portion is a 7-mile mountain bike ride. Participate as a relay team, or if you are tough enough you can do the entire race as a solo participant. You must bring your own kayak, life jacket, helmet, and mountain bike. Riders must wear a helmet.
Onsite registration and packet pickup will be from 8:00 to 9:45 AM at Shelter House 6. You can register online at https://www.trireg.com/tri-yak-a-thon. The race will begin at 10:00 AM. Whether you enter the race or just come and cheer, please join us and support our park, our trails, and our bike share program.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to attend the Hole In The Wall’s Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting! Please join us for samples, snacks, giveaways and more!!
To visit Hole In The Wall’s website, Click here. To visit their Facebook page, Click here.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Celebration for Hole in the Wall Liquor Store in their new location of 124 E. Wall St. in Downtown Fort Scott. The event will take place Friday, October 12th from 5:30 to 7pm with the Ribbon Cutting & Remarks at 6pm. There will be samples, snacks, and door prize giveaways.
Owners Roy & Jody Hoener sought a new location for their liquor store in Fort Scott’s Downtown Historic District and after receiving a CDBG Grant (Community Development Block Grant) renovated the delapidated building at the corner of Wall and Scott streets. Hole in the Wall Liquor Store originally opened on Oak Street in the mid-1980’s by Roy’s mother Connie Hoener and her father Roy Louderman. Roy Hoener has since taken ownership of the business and he and Jody look to a successful future with the new location and loyal customers.
The Hoener’s would like to recognize those who completed the building redevelopment including: Exterior: Hofer & Hofer & Associates, Inc., Ag Engineering, R II Concrete, Casper Enterprises, LLC, Peerless Products, Tanner Beckham & Dennis Speer, Murphy Roofing; Interior: Great Expectations, Geiger Plumbing, KTK Electric, Miles Woodworking, Ruddick’s Furniture, Terry Kirby, Perry Cannon.
For more information please contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566.
This is part of a series of responses from candidates for the Nov. 6, 2018 election. There are three people on the ballot for Kansas Secretary of State:
Secretary of State (vote for one)
Brian “BAM” McClendon1200 Oread Avenue #703 Lawrence 66044 Democratic
Scott Schwab 14953 W 140th Terr. Olathe 66062 Republican
Rob Hodgkinson 7111 W 151st St #104 Overland Park 66223 Libertarian
Here are Brian McClendon’s responses:
Brian McClendon
Name: Brian “BAM” McClendon
Age: 54
Candidate for the position of Kansas Secretary of State
Place of residence: Lawrence, KS
Current occupation: Research professor, University of Kansas
Party affiliation: Democrat
Community involvement:
● Helped found non-profit KSvotes to encourage non-partisan civic
engagement in Kansas and led the team that developed an online/mobile voter registration tool for Kansas
● With Beth Ellyn McClendon, established the McClendon Engineering Scholarship at the University of Kansas
● Pro bono STEM presentations at Kansas elementary, middle and high schools, colleges, and universities; and companies and organizations
● The University of Kansas Endowment, Trustee
● Member of Portola Valley Cable Committee for 8 years. Brought
broadband to small-town cable system against all odds
● Member, Consumer Technology Association Advisory Board (CES)
● Member, National Academy of Engineering
● University of Kansas School of Engineering Advisory Board
● University of Kansas EECS Advisory Board
● National Academy of Engineering
● United Nations “Champions of the Earth Laureate” award (the UN’s top environmental prize) for “harnessing the power of technology to support conservation and green economic development,” Entrepreneurial Vision 2013
1) What is the biggest issue, if elected, and how do you plan to address it?
The focus of the Secretary of State is and should be on supporting elections and voting, business registration and support, and government transparency. Protecting our elections from foreign interference, protecting the private data of Kansas citizens, protecting the fundamental right of every eligible citizen to vote,
and increasing voter engagement are critical challenges that the Kansas Secretary of State should prioritize.
As a businessman, a former executive with Google, and an innovator, I have the skills to accomplish these goals.
My first tasks will be:
● To use my technology expertise to monitor the state’s voting systems in order to help ensure that every vote is counted and to guard against any outside interference. Additionally, I’ll continue to promote voter registration and advance ballots. Registering to vote and requesting advance ballots should be as easy for eligible voters as using Google Maps.
● The voter registration system at the Kansas Department of Motor Vehicle driver’s license bureaus needs immediate attention. There are reports that some new voter registrations through the DMV are not being recorded at the county level. As a result, voters who believed they were registered to vote are discovering they are not. This needs to be investigated and fixed.
● I will return non-partisan public service to the Secretary of State’s office. I will modernize the Secretary of State’s website by updating the technology, especially search and navigation, to make the site easier to use for all citizens and businesses. The Secretary of State’s website is the front door for Kansas businesses and the front door for citizens. I will make sure that the door is open.
● As a businessman, I’ve started companies, built companies and built teams that delivered products that met stringent requirements for security, efficiency, and ease of use. At Google, I lead a team that grew from 29 to 2000. I can make the Secretary of State’s office accessible, secure and efficient.
● As the administrator of the Crosscheck database, Kansas absorbs the cost and liability of securing data for citizens in multiple other states, but it’s riddled with problems including tens of thousands of false results creating hundreds of hours of work lost chasing down false matches. Crosscheck’s security protocols have also been widely criticized, and some personal data of Kansans has already been leaked. Viable options exist. Crosscheck must be reviewed and then fixed or replaced.
2)Give your views on food sales tax:
The Secretary of State is an administrative position, not legislative. The office has no direct engagement with or influence upon tax policy. The focus of the Secretary of State is and should be on supporting elections and voting, business registration and support, and government transparency.
That said, food sales is a regressive tax placing a disproportionate burden for financially supporting shared public services upon working and middle-class families. Over-relying on a food sales tax means the state is not fairly or effectively distributing the responsibility to fund shared public services.
3) Give your views on legalizing marijuana:
The Secretary of State is an administrative position, not legislative. The office has no direct engagement with or influence upon substance legalization or related policy. The focus of the Secretary of State is and should be on supporting elections and voting, business registration and support, and government transparency.
4) Give your views on health care for our state, including Medicaid:
The Secretary of State is an administrative position, not legislative. The office has no direct engagement with or influence upon public health policy. The focus of the Secretary of State is and should be on supporting elections and voting, business registration and support, and government transparency.
That said, Bourbon County has just experienced a hospital closure that is largely a result of conservative Kansas leaders refusing to expand Medicare/Medicaid coverage in our state. The partisan opposition to expanding those services, and the resulting negative impact upon health care access to rural and smaller communities, are clearly not working in the best interests of all Kansans.
5) Give views on abortion and Planned Parenthood:
The Secretary of State is an administrative position, not legislative. The office has no direct engagement with or influence upon women’s health policy. The focus of the Secretary of State is and should be on supporting elections and voting, business registration and support, and government transparency.
Storytime continues on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m., at Fort Scott Public Library, with the notable exception of NO storytime on November 6 due to Miss Val’s training meeting that day in Iola.
Teen Advisory Group has the following upcoming events:
October 10 at 4:15 p.m.: Teen Craft Night (pumpkin painting)
October 17 at 4 – 6 p.m.: Teen Games & Snacks Night (with a fall & Halloween twist)
October 24 at 4:15 p.m.: American Idiots Teen Book Club at Common Ground Coffee Co.
October 31 at 4:15 p.m.: Teen Halloween Party (come in costume if desired)
November 7 at 4:15 p.m.: Teen Community Service
November 14 at 4:15 p.m.: Teen Craft Night
November 20 (due to Thanksgiving) from 4 – 6 p.m.: Teen Game Night
November 28 at 4:15 p.m.: American Idiots Teen Book Club at Common Ground Coffee Co.
Maker Monday: At our second Maker Monday on October 15, 4 – 5 p.m., we will make seasonal crafts using pinecones, faux leaves, pumpkins, and various other craft supplies (attendees are welcome to bring their own snacks and drinks as well), and add stickers to our sticker mosaic poster. All ages are welcome to attend, but children 2nd grade and below must have an adult with them at all times.
Marvelous Monday is a family program for all ages, with the primary goal of serving local homeschool families by offering educational activities, special guest speakers, and collaborative projects. The second meetingwill be held on October 22, 2 – 3 p.m. in the library event room. The theme will be a Field Trips and Scavenger Hunts with special guest speaker, retired educator Vickie Shead speaking to adults on field trip ideas and the group taking a scavenger hunt nature walk together. Scavenger hunts will vary in difficulty based on age. Snacks will be served.
Join millions of readers worldwide in reading the book Maybe Something Beautiful by F. Isabel Campoy as part of Jumpstart’s Read for the Record program on October 25 at 10 a.m.with Miss Val! We will take photos of the group to share the event with fellow readers on social media. Like the child in the story, we will create beautiful artwork and then enjoy a colorful treat. According to Jumpstart’s website, “Read for the Record brings much-needed attention to inequities in early childhood education, inspires adults to read with children, spurs policymakers and organizations to take action towards transformative change in early education, and puts books in the hands of children across the country.” Since its inception 13 years ago, more than 19 million people have participated in the program. Go here to learn more: https://www.jstart.org/read-for-the-record
Library programs are offered free of charge. If you would like to volunteer or donate snacks or supplies, please contact Miss Val at [email protected], call 223-2882, or visit the library. Follow Fort Scott Public Library on Facebook or visit our website at fortscott.mykansaslibrary.org to view upcoming events.
Famed Fitness Icon Jake (Body by Jake) Steinfeld and Uniontown 235 Students to Cut Ribbon on their Newly Gifted DON’T QUIT!TM Fitness Center
WHAT: Jake Steinfeld, Chairman of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils, dignitaries and students will cut the ribbon on Uniontown USD 235 School’s new DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center at 8:30 a..m. on Thursday, October 11, 2018. Uniontown was one of three Kansas schools selected as a DON’T QUIT! Fitness Champion earlier this year for demonstrating new and innovative ways of promoting student physical activity and wellness. The other two winning schools were Lincoln Elementary in Fredonia and Jardine Middle School in Topeka.
Governor Colyer signed a proclamation declaring October as “DON’T QUIT! Fitness Month.” During DON’T QUIT! Fitness Month, families and communities are encouraged to renew their commitment to making physical activity and healthy eating part of our children’s daily lives.
The National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils program has now rolled out in twenty-four states and will be putting fitness centers in all 50 states. Each fitness center is financed through public/private partnerships with companies like The Coca-Cola Company, Amerigroup Foundation, Wheels Up and Nike, and does not rely on taxpayer dollars or state funding. TuffStuff Fitness International provides all of the fitness equipment, which is manufactured right here in the United States. The Foundation’s goal is to build a nation of the fittest, healthiest kids in the world.
WHO: Jake Steinfeld, Chairman of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils
Lynne Oharah, County Commissioner
Bret Howard, Superintendent
Vance Eden, Principal
VISUAL: 500 excited students
DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center – Students will use the equipment for the first time!
Proclamation presentation
WHEN: Thursday, October 11, 2018
8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: Uniontown 235
602 5th Street
Uniontown, KS 66779
WBE Gymnasium
WHY: Physical activity and exercise have been shown to help prevent and treat more than 40 chronic diseases, enhance individual health and quality of life and reduce health care costs. In schools, physical activity and exercise have been shown to improve academic achievement, increase confidence and self-esteem, reduce discipline problems, cut absenteeism and foster better interpersonal relationships.
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For more information about the National Foundation, visit www.natgovfit.org.
About The National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils The National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils (NFGFC) seeks to encourage and reward innovation in the field of youth fitness by awarding fitness centers to schools that use new and unique methods to promote student physical activity and wellness. The NFGFC envisions a fitness center in every school in the U.S., helping to build a nation that—through innovation and a “DON’T QUIT!” attitude—boasts the fittest kids in the world. Since 2012, the NFGFC has delivered fitness centers in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., Georgia, New Jersey, Delaware, West Virginia, California, New Mexico, Connecticut, Virginia, Illinois, Arkansas, Florida, Texas, Ohio, Washington, Wisconsin, Arizona, Maryland, Louisiana, Oregon and Colorado. In 2018, we will gift fitness centers to four more states including Kansas, South Carolina, Tennessee and Utah.
