Business, COVID-19, Entertainment, Government, Health Care

COVID 19 Relief Legislation Passed

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Marshall Issues Statement on COVID Relief Legislation Passed on Dec. 21

WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Roger Marshall, M.D. issued the following statement and details on the new COVID relief legislation.

“Millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses are being distributed and administered, bringing the hope and possibility of widespread immunity by mid-March. However, our nation still needs a bridge to help us to the spring. With that in mind, I’m supporting the $900 billion COVID relief bill. Since the summer, Republicans have called for a targeted relief package that prioritizes refunding the Paycheck Protection Program, funding for vaccine distribution, additional support for unemployed Americans and resources to allow our children to safely return to the classroom. This relief legislation delivers on all of those priorities and leaves out the unnecessary funding for cities and states and socialist priorities of the left.

 

This bill repurposes more than $500 billion in unused CARES Act funds to help hardworking Kansans make it through these next winter months. By reopening the highly successful Paycheck Protection Program, which saved more than 500,000 Kansas jobs this year, we will ensure that assistance is again available to struggling small businesses and improvement are made to address issues raised by lenders and business owners.

 

Families will receive another stimulus check, and federal unemployment benefits have been extended for both full-time and contract workers. Finally, this legislation includes essential funding for the continued manufacturing and distribution of the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. This package not only will help families, small businesses, and communities still struggling with the impacts of COVID-19, but it also gives us the tools we need to defeat this virus.”

 

The COVID Relief bill does the following:

  • Adds $280 billion to the Paycheck Protection Program to support small and mid-size businesses impacted by COVID-19, allowing them to retain employees and keep their door open
    • Gives businesses with 300 employees or less experiencing severe revenue reductions an opportunity to apply for a second PPP loan
    • Includes 501(c)(6) organizations but excludes unions from PPP eligibility
    • $15 billion in funding for entertainment venues, movie theaters, and museums that are experiencing significant revenue loss  
    • Codifies federal rules that ensure churches and faith-based organizations are eligible for PPP loans
    • Makes expenses businesses covered with funds from the Paycheck Protection Program tax deductible
  • Provides $68 billion to ensure continued manufacturing and distribution of safe, effective COVID-19 doses to all Americans, regardless of their ability to pay
  • Delivers $600 in direct payments to both adults and children, with reduced payments for high-earning families
  • Provides $300 per week federal unemployment benefits until March 14, 2021, to help those still struggling to reenter the workforce
    • Extends and phases-out Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, which is a temporary federal program covering self-employed and gig workers, to March 14 (after which no new applicants) through April 5, 2021
  • Sets aside $13 billion for the USDA to continue support of farmers, ranchers and the biofuels industry
  • Provides $82 billion in funding for schools and universities to assist with reopening for in-person learning that also includes $2.75 billion in designated funds for private K through 12 education
  • Extends the deadlines for states and cities to use CARES Act funds by one year  
  • Provides $25 billion in temporary and targeted rental assistance for individuals who lost their source of income during the pandemic
    • Extends the eviction moratorium until January 31, 2021
  • Allocates $7 billion in broadband funding that includes funding to build out rural networks and telehealth

 

“As a physician I often tried to share a message of hope to patients facing a tough diagnosis,” said Rep. Marshall “Over the past 11 months, I’ve learned even more about how important hope is to all of us.  With the vaccines being distributed and given, and now this next phase of COVID relief, I believe hope is visibly there for all Kansans. This Christmas season, I encourage those of us with more than enough to reach out to our neighbors who might benefit from some encouragement and a message of hope.”

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Bourbon County, Government

No Bourbon County Commission Meeting on Dec. 29

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: December 29, 2020

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

 

MEETING WILL BE HELD IN COMMISSION ROOM. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.

NO MEETING

Area News, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Health Care

Freeman Donates to CHC/SEK

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Freeman Health System donates to CHC/SEK’s new John Parolo Education Center

PITTSBURG – On Tuesday, Freeman Health System invested in the next generation of rural healthcare professionals through a $1,000,000 donation to the new John Parolo Education Center building at Community at Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Pittsburg.

The building project, set to break ground in May, expects to grow the number of primary care physicians in the region as well as other healthcare disciplines. By 2025, Kansas is projected to need an additional 290 primary care physicians just to meet current needs; many rural counties no longer have a dentist. Kansas is experiencing a major exodus of its under-30 population seeking professional opportunities elsewhere.

“The overwhelming support and generosity of Freeman Health System most certainly demonstrates their true commitment to the future of healthcare in southeast Kansas,” said Krista Postai, CHC/SEK President and CEO. “This is an investment not only in health education, but in the lives of hundreds of our young people who will now have the opportunity to train locally and then serve the communities in which there were raised.”

Since inception, CHC/SEK has served as a medical training site for healthcare students from all disciplines. It has affiliation agreements with 50 different organizations dedicated to healthcare education and more than 400 students receive training annually within its walls. 

Southeast Kansas is critically underserved in all areas of healthcare and, like all of rural Kansas, is seeing its health resources erode and is challenged to recruit health professionals who typically practice within 75 miles of where they have trained. Studies show that only 2 percent of new doctors want to practice in town with less than 25,000 residents. 

To bring training opportunities to southeast Kansas, CHC/SEK is building a state-of-the-art $5 million, 16,000 sq. ft. facility which will include learning laboratories, classroom and conference rooms designed to support medical and dental residents.

There will be a rural medicine training program for physicians and physician assistants, and post-graduate clinical training for licensure of multiple professionals including pharmacists, social workers and psychologists among others. 

“This is indeed a dream come true and we are honored that Freeman CEO Paula Baker – who grew up just a few blocks from where this health education center will be built – shares our vision of training health professionals that are fully committed to the people they serve,” Postai said. “We are extremely appreciative for their willingness – especially in the midst of a worldwide pandemic – to look beyond today to a better, healthier tomorrow.”

About Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) is a non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center dedicated to providing affordable, high quality medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services to everyone, regardless of income or insurance status. For more information, visit www.chcsek.org.

About Freeman Health System 

Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. For more information, visit www.freemanhealth.com

Area News, Government

Charles Baker retires from KDOT

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Charles Baker has retired from the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) following 41 years of service to the agency.

 

Baker was hired in 1979 as an Equipment Operator at Erie. He was promoted to Equipment Operator Specialist in 2002 and became Highway Maintenance Supervisor in 2006. As the supervisor at Erie, Baker directed a maintenance crew that worked on state highways throughout the area.

 

In retirement, Baker said he was planning to put family first and then work on his hobbies. He and his wife, Janice, live in Hepler. They have two children and four grandchildren.

Obituary

Obituary of Bobby Dennis

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Bobby John Dennis, age 89, a former resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas and more recently of Blue Ridge, Texas, passed away Thursday, December 17, 2020, at his home in Texas.

He was born March 21, 1931, in Mapleton, Kansas, the son of Hollie J. Dennis and Ella Blodgett Dennis.

He married Raylene Hall on August 5, 1951, in Ft. Scott.

Because of his service with the United States Air Force, Bob and Raylene made their home at various bases throughout the United States.  He later worked as an inventory specialist for the Civil Service for forty years.

He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

 

Survivors include his children Michael Dennis and John Dennis, both of McKinney, Texas, Mary Johnson of Hurricane, Utah and Holly Dennis, of Blue Ridge, Texas.

Bob’s wife, Raylene, preceded him in death on May 28, 2014.  He was also preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, H. L. “Kid” Dennis and David Dennis and three sisters, Fern Shipley, Hazel Stoughton and Erma Clayton.

 

Private burial will take place in the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott, Kansas.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Government, Kansas

Driver’s License Deadline Extends

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Governor Laura Kelly Extends Deadline for Expiring Driver’s Licenses and Identification Cards

~ Kansas Department of Revenue removes service fees from online renewals. ~

TOPEKA –Today Governor Laura Kelly signed Executive Order 20-70 extending the deadline for renewal of driver’s licenses to June 30, 2021.

With this order, Governor Kelly extends a previous provision that allows Kansans 21 to 64 years of age to renew online. By statute, the restriction is 21 to 54 years old.

“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, it is clear that we must extend this provision to continue protecting Kansans’ health and safety,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I encourage all Kansans eligible to take advantage of the opportunity for online license renewal to protect themselves and their communities from the spread of the virus.”

In addition to Executive Order 20-70, the Kansas Department of Revenue is removing service fees for all Kansans who use iKan to renew their license. These fees are generated to keep the online renewal system running but will be covered by COVID-19 funding to encourage the use of online renewals. This, in turn, assists in combatting community spread of the disease.

“By waiving the service fees, we hope Kansas drivers see this as an opportunity to experience a safe alternative to visiting our offices in person,” Kansas Department of Revenue Secretary Mark Burghart said. “This helps our customers not see delays in service and our staff to continue regular operations in a health-conscious manner.”

The iKan program can be utilized by downloading the app from Apple App or Google Play stores on mobile devices or by visiting iKan.ks.gov. Even with the temporary removal of some restrictions, by statute, other restrictions apply.

View E.O. #20-70 here.

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Obituary

Obituary of Bob Sipe

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Bob D. Sipe, age 87, a resident of rural Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, December 20, 2020, at the Medicalodge in Ft. Scott.  He was born March 10, 1933, in Ft. Scott, the son of Harold Gano Sipe and Harriett Thelma Fitzgerald Sipe.

Bob married Joyce Beckford on December 3, 1950, at the Devon United Methodist Church

.  In earlier years, Bob helped his dad do carpentry work.  He later took a job with the Hercules Powder Company in DeSoto, Kansas where he worked for several years.  In 1973, Bob moved back to Ft. Scott where he worked for a short time for Bruce Marble and Granite Works and then for Mercy Hospital where he served as boiler operator for twenty-four years.  In addition to working at Mercy, Bob also operated his own farm.

Bob was a good man; he was always willing to help a friend or family member in need.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting and going to auctions, but above all, he enjoyed spending quality time with his grandchildren.  They have many wonderful memories of Grandpa Bob telling stories, singing silly songs and exploring the family farm and the banks of Mill Creek on the jeep.  Bob was a member of the Devon United Methodist Church, the Masonic Lodge and the Eastern Star.

 

Survivors include his wife, Joyce, and their three children, Jeff Sipe (Candy), of Linwood, Kansas, Cheryl Ross, also of Linwood and Chana Marshall (Shawn), of Ft. Scott; seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.  Also surviving are a brother, John Sipe (Marilyn), of Ft. Scott and a sister, Patsy Vaughn of Nevada, Missouri as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Shirley Loubier and his son-in-law, Mark Ross.

 

There was cremation.

A private family memorial service will be held at a later date.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary

Obituary of Michael R. Conroy

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Michael Richard Conroy, 71, of Fort Scott, went to be with the Lord on Saturday morning, December 19, 2020. He was born in Ottawa, Kansas, to Clarence Richard Conroy, Jr. and Mary Ann Welton Conroy. He moved to Fort Scott when he was ten years old.

He married his high school sweetheart Connie Sue Magee on July 19, 1969, in Fort Scott, Kansas, and she survives of the home. They are the proud parents to three sons, Brian (Jamie), Brent Michael (Crystal), and Matthew (Krista). They were blessed with eight grandchildren: Austin (Saundra), Patrick, Grace, Evan, Anna, Bailey, Jake, and Hunter.

Mike was a 1967 graduate of Fort Scott High School. He graduated from Fort Scott Community College in 1970. He attended two years at Pittsburg State in automotive technology. His first job was plant manager for Henkle Bottling Company. He worked several years for Norris Heating and Air Conditioning. He served on Fort Scott Rural Fire before joining the Fort Scott Fire Department in 1977. He worked there fifteen years and excelled at his job as a firefighter. He then was employed at Fort Scott U-234 on the maintenance staff at the high school for eleven years.

Mike was an avid sportsman all his life. He taught his sons and many of their friends the enjoyment of fishing and hunting. He was a friend to many and enjoyed helping others. He was a member of the First Baptist Church. He attained his Eagle Scout at age fourteen, and was a member of Ducks Unlimited.

He is survived by his wife Connie and his three sons, their wives, and eight grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two infant sisters.

Rev. Ken Ansell will conduct graveside services at 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 28, 2020, at Memory Gardens under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, Care to Share, or charity of donor’s choice and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Business, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, COVID-19, Government, Health Care

CHC/SEK Collaborates With Ft. Scott Business and State

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Krista Postai. Submitted photo.

President and CEO of Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas Krista Postai gave an update on some recent collaborations.

Food Storage With New Ft. Scott Grocery Store

One collaboration is with the Star Emporium Downtown General Store, owned by Bill Michaud of BAJA Investments.

Michaud reached an agreement with the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas to provide food storage space to expand the food distribution and delivery programs CHC/SEK is currently offering in Crawford County into Fort Scott, with services beginning in January, he said. The store will provide the food storage piece.

To learn more about this new downtown venture:

Star Emporium Downtown General Store To Open Early Next Year

“With the pandemic, we’re finding more and more people are struggling and challenged to find food, so we’re going to be adding food distribution to our list of services,” Postai said.  “The folks in Ft. Scott are providing our freezer and refrigerator space within the basement of the grocery store for any donated food or purchased food from Kansas Food Bank or other local partners.”

“This will not be used as a distribution point for community members, just a place for us to store it,” she said. “Our long-term plan is to create a Food Rx program for chronically ill and food-insecure patients and to offer grocery delivery to homebound patients throughout our region. It’s always great to find partners willing to help and this is a great example.”

 

Part of Kansas Distribution Plan For COVID-19 Vaccine

“We are part of the state’s overall plan for (COVID-19 vaccine) distribution and are anxiously awaiting its arrival,” Postai said.  “We just learned that we may be receiving one of the ‘super’ freezers from the state which would make the vaccine more accessible. Once available, we will be following state guidelines on priority immunizations which I believe will be front-line medical personnel first. For the latest information on the state’s plan, go to https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/284/COVID-19-Vaccine.”

Bourbon County Local News