TOPEKA – Governor Jeff Colyer is pleased to announce a new initiative to increase child support collections for Kansas families and children.
On Thursday, Gov. Colyer, along with Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel and others unveiled the Child Support Evaders webpage. The webpage features nearly a dozen individuals who owe back child support in excess of $5,000 each.
“Child support is a key component to a families’ economic stability,” said Governor Colyer. “Far too many families in our state are left to rely on public assistance when the other parent should be supporting their children financially and emotionally. I am hopeful that this program encourages those who are behind on child support payments to work with us and take advantage of the services we offer to help them meet their commitments, including fatherhood grants, arrears programs, electronic payments and access to GED and career training.”
The evader webpage is housed on the DCF website, where the public can view the photos of some evaders, along with the number of children for whom support is court ordered, and the total amount of back child support owed per evader. Evaders listed will be updated on a quarterly basis. Kansas joins other states such as Texas and Arizona in implementing child support evader initiatives.
“We are here to help Kansas families obtain the child support that is owed them,” said DCF Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel. “We are also here to encourage non-custodial parents to get involved, because we know that parents who support their children financially are also more involved in their children’s lives in other ways, leading to better outcomes.”
DCF’s Child Support Services (CSS) is charged with establishing and enforcing child support obligations for 140,000 cases. Over the last decade, the caseload has increased by 7 percent. Last federal fiscal year, CSS collected $205.7 million. However, in that same time period, $840 million remained owed to Kansas families. For every $1 spent on the child support program, $5.90 is collected for child support.
To report the whereabouts of a child support evader, log onto www.CSSEvaders.dcf.ks.gov. You can also call 1-888-7-KS-CHILD (1-888-757-2445). Tips can be submitted unanimously.
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Managing diabetes can be a challenge, so having a health care provider near home who has an in-depth knowledge of the condition and specialized training is comforting.
Patty Ryan, Mercy RN, is also now a certified diabetes educator. With her guidance and expertise, patients at Mercy Hospital Fort Scott are better able to control diabetes – and that makes for a more active lifestyle with fewer visits to the doctor’s office.
“Throughout my career as a nurse, I have encountered so many people who were struggling with diabetes as well as with the long-term complications that are a risk of diabetes,” Ryan said. “I became a believer in the more you know, the better you can manage this condition.
“In my own family there are people affected by Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes,” added Ryan. “After an immediate family member was diagnosed, I found I wanted to pursue working in diabetes education. I feel that the greatest rewards are giving someone the ability to help themselves and live a healthier life.”
“In my role as a certified diabetic educator, I aim to educate and support those at risk for or diagnosed with diabetes.”
A certified diabetes educator is knowledgeable in prevention, prediabetes and diabetes management. To obtain this certification, a person must complete 1,000 hours of providing diabetes-related education, complete 15 continuing education hours, and apply to take and pass the CDE exam as well as having worked 2 years in a qualifying position. Re-certification is required every 5 years.
Ryan hosts a bi-monthly diabetes support group on Monday at 6 p.m. in McAuley Room C at Mercy Hospital Fort Scott located at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. The group is open to the public. No reservation or pre-registration is required.
For more information about the diabetes support group, call Patty Ryan at 620-223-8412.
Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2017 and 2016 by Truven, an IBM Watson Health company, serves millions annually. Mercy includes more than 40 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, 800 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 44,000 co-workers and 2,100 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In addition, Mercy’s IT division, Mercy Technology Services, supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.
John Wesley Rankin, age 56, a lifetime resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Monday, April 9, 2018, at his home.
He was born February 22, 1962, in Ft. Scott, the son of Marvin and Marilee Wiley Rankin. He graduated from Ft. Scott High School. John enjoyed playing computer games, collecting model cars, shooting pool, and spending time with his dog Matilda.
Surviving is his sister, Jane Rankin, Ft. Scott. He was preceded in death by his parents.
There was cremation.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 Tuesday afternoon, April 17, at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott.
Private burial will take place in the West Liberty Cemetery. Donations are suggested to the John Rankin Memorial Fund and may be left in the 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.
The Fort Scott Cosmetology School participated in a community service project this past Saturday.
In conjunction with the FSMS VIPs, the parent group at Fort Scott Middle School, eight student stylists donated their afternoon to style the hair of middle school students. This was the fifth year of the event, scheduled to coincide with the annual TWIRP dance.
This event benefits both the middle schoolers and the cosmetology students, as the middle schoolers get “dolled up” before the big dance and the college students get to practice creating different hairstyles.
“We are so appreciative of the cosmetology school for continuing to volunteer their time each year,” said FSMS VIP President Stephanie George. “We had twenty-two students sign up for the event this year. Everyone really enjoyed themselves and they all looked fantastic! We look forward to this project every year.”
The cosmetology school is located on the college campus in Fort Scott. They are looking into expanding their hours so that they can take appointments in the evenings and Saturdays.To make an appointment, call 620-223-2700.
The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 5 to 7 P.M. at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
TOPEKA—License plates for newly registered cars in Kansas are undergoing a makeover.
The new plates will carry the same designs currently offered but will be flat instead of embossed. Additionally, new plates will be delivered directly to the vehicle owner in the updated process.
“This project completely modernizes the way the State of Kansas produces and delivers license plates,” Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. said. “The old process has been in place since the first license plate was created by the state in 1913, so it is long overdue for streamlining. My administration is prioritizing providing more effective service for Kansans at the best price.”
The transition to the new process will be complete on August 1.
To prepare for that date, the Department of Revenue will stop accepting new orders for personalized plates effective April 27. Personalized plate service will resume under the new process on August 1 with faster, on-site approval of the requested personalized combination.
Under the new process, any customer purchasing a new plate will place an order at the county motor vehicle office. The customer will leave the office with a 30-day temporary license tag and their registration sticker. Meanwhile, the permanent plate will be “printed” on demand by KDOR’s vendor, Center Industries. The permanent plate will arrive at the customer’s home in 10-14 business days, at which time the customer will affix the registration sticker received at the office to the new plate and attach it to the car.
“This new process will eliminate the millions of dollars’ worth of license plate inventory that sits in county offices across the state and often goes unused,” Revenue Secretary Sam Williams said. “Plus, personalized plate customers will no longer have to go back into the office to pick up their new plate when it’s produced. The new system offers more convenience for customers.”
Customers will have the chance to provide an email address or mobile phone to receive alerts when their plate is ordered and shipped. The shipment notice will include a link to track the status of the package to know when to expect it at home.
The process will only apply to new orders for plates. There is no need for current plate holders to order a replacement because of the updated system. Typically, new plates are ordered after a car is purchased and there is no plate to transfer when a plate is lost, damaged, or stolen, or if the customer orders a personalized combination.
Other states with flat plates include Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Texas.
Currently, there is an opening to serve on the Fort Scott Housing Authority Board.
The function of the Housing Authority is to provide leadership, oversight and participate in board meetings.
The Housing Authority Board is the legal and financially responsible governing body of the public housing authority and the first line of accountability for their performance.
This board meets on a monthly basis.
If you have a desire to serve on this Board and meet the above requirements, please submit a letter of interest to the City Clerk, Diane Clay, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. She will then submit your letter of interest for consideration by the City Commission.
All of the boards and commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated.
If you would like more information on this board, please contact Diane Clay, City Clerk at 620-223-0550 or [email protected]. Please submit your letter of interest by April 27, 2018.
Over 1,300 high school students, from 90 schools, converged on Fort Scott Community College Aggie Day April 6, according to Ryan Edgecomb, an agriculture instructor at the school.
Former FSCC Agriculture Instructor Gary Harvey started the event in the mid-1970s, said Edgecomb.
“This is my 15th Aggie Day,” Edgecomb said. “The Ag Department hosts the event. Blake Davis is my teaching partner and livestock coach.”
Students competed in a variety of areas, including agronomy, entomology, farm management, floriculture, food science, livestock, meat evaluation, milk quality and products, nursery/landscape, poultry, speech, veterinary science, and reasonings.
Those from Bourbon County schools who ranked in the top ten in the contests:
In the Intermediate Live contest, Clay Brillhart, Uniontown, received 2nd place; Zach Snyder, Uniontown received a 10th place.
In the Junior Live contest, Tate Crystal, Uniontown, received the 3rd place.
In Senior Questions Live, Graham Hathaway, Uniontown, received the 2nd place; Kolby Shoemaker, Fort Scott, received a 10th place.
In Senior Reasons Live, Kolby Seested, Uniontown, received the 3rd place.
In the Veterinary Science contest, Maddie Ard, Uniontown, received 2nd place; Aubry O’Neal, Uniontown, received the 8th place.
In the Junior Speech contest, Hannah Beerbower, Uniontown, received the 4th place.
To see the full results: http://www.fortscott.edu/AggieDay/Results
The event is sponsored by Purina and Purina Mills Honor Show Chow, which also includes an ag teacher brunch.
“We are honored to have Purina and Honor Show Chow back as our sponsors for a third straight year, and we’re grateful for their support,” Edgecomb said.
Edgecomb said the event has multiple purposes.
“It’s a recruiting tool for FSCC, allowing students to see and showcase our school,” he said.
In addition, the event is “an educational contest to help schools prepare for district and state events,” Edgecomb said.
Over 100 support people are employed to help with Aggie Day: faculty, staff, students and former students, Edgecomb said.
Some highlights of the days activities in photos:
