Kansas shifts from emergency pandemic response to new normal
Governor Laura Kelly Announces Transition to COVID-19 Endemic Response
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) today announced their continued efforts to shift to the next chapter of the COVID-19 response, pivoting from emergency pandemic response to endemic normalcy. On April 1, KDHE will make changes to continue the transition from emergency response to our ‘new normal,’ which includes life with COVID-19—similar to how we deal with other recurring diseases like the flu. Using the lessons learned over the past two years, KDHE will continue to ensure the State is prepared for potential surges or other needs that might arise in the future.
“Kansas is continuing the transition to a new phase of understanding and living with COVID-19,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “We know the pandemic is not over, however we now have the tools and knowledge obtained over the past two years to prevent or reduce the spread of the virus. We are normalizing our COVID-19 response and incorporating these lessons into our larger efforts at improving health outcomes for all Kansans, which includes work on multiple diseases and an awareness of differing risk factors.”
This decision comes as current COVID-19 metrics are moving in the right direction. Over the last two years, KDHE has made significant progress in keeping Kansas communities safe with the help of partners throughout the State: over 7 million tests have been given, over 4 million vaccines have been administered, and over 78% of eligible Kansans have received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine.
“In our new normal, we will continue to ensure that Kansans have equitable access to life-saving vaccines, tests, and treatments. This shift does not mean that COVID is over, but rather we are working to manage the disease in a way that allows us to maintain a more normal life that is once again filled with friends, families and other loved ones,” said KDHE Secretary Janet Stanek.
Working with Local Health Departments (LHDs) and stakeholders, KDHE’s endemic plan addresses six key areas that are designed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all Kansans:
- Intervention: KDHE will continue to provide comprehensive guidance, while continuing to offer additional assistance to underserved and/or vulnerable populations.
- Vaccination: KDHE will focus on making sure vulnerable populations have access to the COVID-19 vaccine while existing vaccine providers, including health care providers, pharmacists, hospitals, and LHDs, will continue to serve the broader population.
- Treatment: KDHE will continue to ensure Kansans will be able to receive COVID-19 treatment across the State, as treatment distribution shifts away from public health entities and back to local health care providers.
- Testing: KDHE will continue to support access to free testing across the state through community testing sites, LHDs, and K-12 schools as long as federal funding is available. In addition, the federal government provides direct testing support to Federally Qualified Health Centers and pharmacies around the state. To find a free testing location near you, go to knowbeforeyougoKS.com. KDHE testing support for Long Term Care Facilities will be phased out on May 15, 2022, and testing support for employers ends on June 30, 2022.
- Monitoring: KDHE will continue to monitor data as reported by organizations and facilities across the state to understand the status of COVID-19 and proactively identify at-risk groups. Public reporting will be reduced to once a week.
- Communications: KDHE will continue to provide essential and accessible COVID information to keep Kansans safe and aware of any subsequent changes to COVID-19 response efforts.
Across each of the above areas, KDHE will remain prepared to ramp up capacity to quickly respond to a surge and keep Kansans safe should the need arise.
Minutes of the Bourbon County Commission for March15
March 15, 2022 Tuesday 9:00 am
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with two Commissioners, Jim Harris and Lynne Oharah, and the County Clerk present.
Matt Crystal, Don Coffman, Bill Martin, Bobby Reed, Troy Arnold, Clint Walker and Jason Silvers were present for some or all of the meeting.
Lynne made a motion to approve the previous meetings minutes, Jim seconded, all approved.
Eric Bailey reported no permits this week. We made it through another winter storm.
We are starting today on extending the culvert at 240th & the tracks. MSHAW was here last week and some areas of concern they want us to address and they will be
back in a couple of weeks. We will report back to the commission when we get the final report. Eric requested a budget report. Eric reminded everyone of work session today at 1:00pm. Windmills update: still working on final punch list and may have
that completed this week. Lynne asked that they patch some potholes in front of the Fire Station in Devon. Lynne also reported that there is a need for gravel north of the convenience store in Uniontown. Also, a ditch on Range Rd needing cleaned out. Eric
stated they are in the process of moving equipment to Thomas quarry.
Resolution for Liquor Sales – tabled as Clerk’s office is working on it.
Bobby Reed requested a resolution to allow his office to bill at the maximum billable
amount by State. The charge is for parolees arrested in Bourbon County. Jim made a
motion to adopt resolution 09-22 to allow Corrections to bill for parolees at the
maximum billable amount by State. Lynne seconded. All approved.
Justin Meeks stated he wanted to have an executive session to finish up some
discussion regarding healthcare contract. He suggested waiting until Clifton Beth was
present. Justin stated that he continues to work on the tax sale.
Susan Bancroft stated that there needs to be someone appointed for the Lake
Advisory Board. Susan stated Mark McCoy stated he would be willing to serve on the
board. Jim made a motion to appoint Mark McCoy as a Bourbon County representative
to the Lake Advisory Board. Lynne seconded. All approved.
Public Comment: Clint Walker stated that Public Works is doing a good job putting in
whistles where requested.
Elected Official Comment: No Comment
Jim made a motion to amend the agenda to allow Eric to present a culvert permit for
Troy & Jennifer Arnold at 1170 250th St to add a couple of culverts and maybe an extension or two. Lynne made a motion to accept the request for culvert/extension
by Troy & Jennifer Arnold at 1170 250th St. Jim seconded. All approved.
Commission Comment: Lynne issued a reminder that the Commission meeting for
March 22, 2022 will be at 6pm at the City Hall in Uniontown. Jim reminded everyone
of the work session today at 1:00pm. Open to the public. Don Coffman asked if we
test our rock. Jim stated that each quarry has been tested. Don stated we need to
have traffic counts, etc. to prioritize the roads due to increase in price. Jim stated
that they go by traffic count and condition of the road. Jim stated the grid they use
is put out by the University of Wisconsin rated from 1 – 10. Don asked if the property
where the old landfill used to be, be put to walk-in hunting? Jim said he didn’t think
it was ever discussed. Jim stated that we do hay it. Jim stated he would look into it.
Lynne made a motion to adjourn at 9:33am. Jim seconded. All approved.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
(ss) Jim Harris, Chairman
(ss) Lynne Oharah, Commissioner
(ss) Clifton Beth, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Ashley Shelton, Bourbon Cou
Obituary of Nola Smith
Nola J. Smith, age 67, a resident of Redfield, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, March 30, 2022.
She was born September 25, 1954, in Ft Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Calvin L. Pitts and Grace Wiggans Pitts. Nola married Richard Alan Smith on March 27, 1971, at the United Methodist Church in Uniontown, Kansas.
In earlier years, Nola worked for the Western Insurance Company and then for Key Work Clothes. She later accepted a secretarial position for the Fort Scott Community College and then worked in claims and data entry for Great West/Cigna. Nola’s last job was working as a carhop for Sonic which she considered quite an accomplishment for someone of her age.
Nola was happiest when she was surrounded by her family. They have many memories of her preparing meals, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas. She also enjoyed taking the occasional trip to the casino or spending a little time antiquing or going to an auction. Quiet times at home were spent doing jigsaw puzzles. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Survivors include her son, Christopher Smith (Darla) of Wamego, Kansas and Kimberly Smith (Allen Beerbower) of Redfield, Kansas and two grandchildren, Glenn Arron Smith and Hailey Beerbower. Also surviving are two brothers, Carl Hall of Pittsburg, Kansas and Ed Pitts (Luanne) of Redfield.
Nola was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, on October 6, 2018 and also by her parents.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, April 6th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Uniontown Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Tuesday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in 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.
Free Developmental Screenings For Children 3-5 at Uniontown April 4
Developmental screenings will be available for children ages 3-5 who may need special education and related services on Monday, April 4, 2022 at West Bourbon Elementary, Uniontown, KS.
Vision, hearing, speech, and developmental screenings can be conducted for children ages 3-5 at no cost. This free screening is sponsored by the Southeast Kansas Interlocal #637 and USD 235.
Appointments are necessary and can be arranged by contacting Jennifer Vaughn at (620) 704-6549.
Free Seminar Targets Women Starting/Growing Their Business
Healthy Bourbon County Action Team staff have organized a fourth seminar targeting women who are seeking information on starting/growing a business.
The event is Wednesday, April 6 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the HBCAT office, 104 N. National Avenue.
“This will help local women entrepreneurs know their resources and learn from local women leaders on how to create a sustainable business,” said Rachel Carpenter, program director. “This is an opportunity for women to network and create relationships to help their businesses take the next professional step.”
For this Dare to Dream seminar, the time has been scheduled for table-talk discussion with past keynote speakers and panelists.
“This is the fourth part of the Dare to Dream series,” Carpenter said. “We will have some of the past keynote speakers and panelists available for table discussion. This will be a time for any questions to be answered from the audience.”
“Any questions you may have you will be able to ask some of the women leaders of Bourbon County. We want you to be SUCCESSFUL! There will be more time for social networking and building relationships,” according to its Facebook page.
Past speakers who will be available for a round table open discussion are Erin Vann, Hwy. 3; Dacia Clark, PSU Small Business Development Center; Katie Casper, Union State Bank; Angela Simon, Bids and Dibs; Rebecca Williams, The Butcher Block; Kelly Perry, Perry’s Pork Rinds; Lindsay Madison, The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce and Rachel Carpenter and Jody Hoener of the HBCAT.
Please note there is one registration per person to help us with registration.
Melissa Wise, the keynote speaker, is the owner of Wise Tax and Accounting and has over 20 years of experience with accounting, payroll, and taxes.
Registration is required for childcare.
There will be a taco bar catered by La Hacienda, and Margaritas available for purchase.
Dinner and networking from 5-5:30 p.m. with the program starting at 5:30 p.m.
Funding for this event is being provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas as part of Bourbon County Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant and the USDA Rural Business Development Grant, according to its Facebook page.
“Through this grant, we are partnered with Pittsburg State University Small Business Development Center to organize this event,” she said.
“We will be giving away a PSU gift basket and a tablet as door prizes,” Carpenter said.
Area Churches come together to pack food for people in Ukraine
Seven area churches partnered together with IDES (International Disaster Emergency Services) to put meals together for people in Ukraine.
Those seven churches were Rinehart Christian Church, Walker Christian Church, Rich Hill Christian Church, Hume Christian Church, 1st Christian out of Nevada, and Community Christian out of Nevada, and Sheldon Christian Church.
“It was a great time of coming together with other believers in Jesus and working on a common goal/project,” said Kevin Moyers, Pastor at Rinehart Christian Church.
Friday evening, March 25th, a truck arrived at the Rinehart Church from Indianapolis and about 30 people helped unload the truck of all the food supplies. “We set up 10 lines (2 tables in each line) from which the food would be handled the next morning and put into bags,” Moyers said.
On Saturday, March 26th, approximately 120 people from those 7 churches gathered at 9 a.m. and for the next three hours were busy, packaging 53,280 meals.
“It’s hard to imagine how that is possible, but you would have had to see it to imagine it,” Moyers said. “The system that IDES has in place for this kind of service project is very efficient. And of course, it takes people who are willing to ‘stay at it.’ Older folks, younger folks, kids…everyone working together to the glory of God. This was actually a fun project to do!”
The food bags consisted of rice, soy, dried vegetables, and a bag of 21 essential vitamins and nutrients. When full, the bags were six servings, therefore six meals per bag. The recipient of the bag of food will add the contents to 1.5-2 liters of boiling water, and after cooking for 20 minutes there is enough food that will fill to overflowing a 2 qt. crockpot. IDES figures the cost of each meal at twenty-five cents. Figure the total cost of this project: $13,320. The seven churches partnered in coming up with that money.
“It was a really great event to be a part of,” Pastor Moyers said. “IDES has committed 1,000,000 meals to Ukraine, and we were so happy to be a part of that relief effort. We weren’t sure at first where the food was going to go, as this event has been in the planning stage for about nine months. IDES is a crisis relief ministry and they send help all over the world. When we were told on Saturday this shipment of food was going to Ukraine it was very exciting to our people.”
Fort Scott Project On Hwy.69 Gets Bids Approved
|
|
The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports March 30
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports March 31
FS Spring Town-Wide Garage Sale Is May 6-7
Mark your calendars for the Spring Town-wide Garage Sale on Friday and Saturday, May 6th and 7th. Now is the time to get your garage sale on the map.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce encourages residents to do your spring cleaning and make room for something new. Garage sales may be registered through the Chamber by 1 p.m., Monday, May 2nd for only $12. The registration fee lists your sale on the official garage sale map, receive two colorful balloons and enables the Chamber to advertise the sale throughout the region on the radio, newspaper, social media, and the Chamber website.
In addition to garage sale listings, businesses are encouraged to advertise on the map, which will be distributed to shoppers the week of the Town-wide Garage Sale. The maps will be distributed from several local stores, the Chamber, social media, and fortscott.com. The cost to place a business ad or coupon is $25 for small ad and $35 for larger ad.
Garage sales may be registered in person at the Chamber office at 231 E. Wall St., 8am-5pm Monday through Friday, online at fortscott.com, or over the phone using debit or credit card by calling (620) 223-3566.
COVID-19 Second Booster Available
KDHE Supports FDA and CDC Recommendation for Second Dose of COVID-19 Booster for Certain Individuals
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has authorized the over 2,000 COVID-19 vaccine providers across Kansas to begin offering a second dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for individuals aged 50 and over and certain immunocompromised individuals following authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition, CDC recommends adults who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months ago may now receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
These updated recommendations acknowledge the increased risk of severe disease in certain populations, including those who are over the age of 50 with multiple underlying conditions, along with the currently available data on vaccine and booster effectiveness.
The following updates were made to booster shot eligibility.
- A second booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered to individuals 50 years of age and older at least 4 months after receipt of a first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine.
- A second booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered to individuals 12 years of age and older with certain kinds of immunocompromise at least 4 months after receipt of a first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine. These are people who have undergone solid organ transplantation, or who are living with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise.
- A second booster dose of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered at least 4 months after the first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine to individuals 18 years of age and older with the same certain kinds of immunocompromise.
Vaccines remain the best tool to protect people from COVID-19, slow transmission and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging. The authorized COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing serious illness, hospitalizations, and death. COVID-19 booster shots are authorized for all people ages 12 and over. To find a vaccine near you, visit Vaccines.gov.
###