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Kansas Adopts CDC’s Guidance on Mask-Wearing, Physical Distance
TOPEKA – The following statement can be attributed to Governor Laura Kelly regarding the CDC’s latest guidance for fully-vaccinated individuals:
“Effective immediately, Kansas will adopt the CDC’s latest guidance that fully-vaccinated Kansans are no longer required to wear masks indoors or outdoors or physically distance, except in circumstances such as those required by businesses, public transportation, or health care facilities. Should fully-vaccinated Kansans feel more comfortable wearing a mask, they are welcome to continue doing so.”
“This announcement is welcome news, and a testament to the sacrifices Kansans have made over the last year. I can think of no better reason for all Kansans to get vaccinated. The sooner we are vaccinated – the sooner we get back to normal.”
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New Venture For the Shead Family: Organic Homestead Festival
Larry and Vickie Shead are opening their farm next week for the community to view the organic homestead they have created.
All the Sheads will be helping on the day of the Organic Homestead Festival, including themselves, their adult children and their spouses, along with their 20 grandchildren.
The Organic Homestead Festival has several purposes.
“To share our family farm’s story-touring the farm, which will be laced with the history….to show our gardens, orchards, high tunnel, animals, bees and others, to supply ideas and information from what we learned in 43 years, to stir up interest in sustainable organic lifestyle, to sell products: produce, plants, kittens and poultry, to serve lunch for hungry people, to strengthen the community with other like-minded people and to sign-up for future classes,” Vickie said.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with single tickets-$5 or a family, $20.
A walking taco meal will be available for an additional $5.
To view a Shead YouTube on spring planting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dk-j18Ox5Y
There will be a SheadStead Market Store with fresh produce picked that day, veggie powders-which add nutrients to any meal, Guatemala sun hats, egg-gathering aprons, and herbal salves.
In addition, they will be selling some of their animals: peacocks, turkeys, chicks, ducklings, and kittens.
“We have always been a farm where people would come to learn and help,” she said. “Now, we have seen an increase in people asking us for information on how to grow their own organic fruits and vegetables.”
“Gardening and homestead-type living off the land are becoming very appealing to many because of the uncertainty of our future and the number of chemicals farmers are using,” Vickie said. “Many are asking if we will teach them…to plant, harvest and preserve, which includes canning, dehydrating, and freezing, as well as have one’s own meat and eggs.”
“There will be lots of fun for the whole family,” she said. “Questions and answers session on sustainable organic lifestyle..for adults.”
“In the children’s areas, they can…milk a cow and learn how to churn cream into butter, pet the animals in the petting yard, take pictures in photo cut-outs, hear a story about working on a farm, gather eggs…play educational games and meet Kernal Corn himself!” Vickie said.
The Shead farm is located at 2468 Cavalry, Garland, south of Fort Scott.
For more information:http://sheadfarm.com or 620.224.4149.
Two local FSCC Rodeo athletes head to Nationals
Fort Scott, KS – Fort Scott Community College (FSCC) Rodeo will be sending two local individuals to the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in Casper, Wyoming on June 11th – 19th. Trey Holston of Fort Scott, KS and Karson Harris of Hepler, KS qualified for nationals last year, but due to COVID, they were unable to attend.
Trey will be competing in bull riding, while Karson will be competing in bare back riding. Both are in the top 3 in each event of all the colleges in Kansas and Oklahoma.
“I am very proud of both these young men for their achievements, but even more pleased with what fine young men they are. The team, school and community should be very proud”, says Head Rodeo Coach, Chad Cross.
You can follow all the action in real-time by going to www.cnfr.com or follow the FSCC Rodeo Team on social media.
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The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports May 12
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports May 13
Timken Job Fair Friday and Saturday
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Flags Half-Staff For Peace Officers On May 15
Governor Laura Kelly Directs Flags be Flown at Half-staff for Peace Officers Memorial Day
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly has directed that flags be lowered to half-staff throughout the state effective from sunrise to sundown on Saturday, May 15, 2021 to honor Peace Officers Memorial Day. Peace Officers Memorial Day pays tribute to local, state, and federal peace officers who have died, or been disabled, in the line of duty.
“Kansas peace officers put their lives on the line to protect their communities,” said Governor Kelly. “Their many sacrifices to keep us safe do not go unnoticed. On May 15th, and every day, we honor their service.”
To receive email alerts when the governor orders flags to half-staff, please visit: https://governor.kansas.gov/newsroom/kansas-flag-honor.
Center for Economic Growth: Focus on Health and Economic Stability
The group that set up an office on the second floor, above the Star Emporium Downtown General Store, 17 S. Main, has changed the name, but not services.
“The partners that made up the Bourbon County Workforce and Entrepreneur Resource Center (BWERC) have decided to name ourselves The Center for Economic Growth,” Jody Hoener, director of the center, said. “We have the same space, model, operations, and services that were provided before.” The one exception is the Bourbon County Commission is not a part of the partnership, she said.
“Our mission is to increase access to physical activity and healthy food, promote tobacco cessation, enhance the quality of life and encourage economic growth,” she said. “We wanted our program and name to tie directly to our mission.”
“The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Board and our partners re-branded our collaborative efforts,” Hoener said. “Our work to build healthy communities and address the social determinants continues, with health and economic stability as the focus of the center.”
“Specifically, we are working with community members and our partners on economic stability,” she said.
“Priority is given to those businesses owned by low-income, minority, female, or veteran,” she said. “Pittsburg State University Small Business Development Center uses the U.S. Small Business Administration small business definition…typically 500 employees or less with less than $5m in profit in a two-year period.”
“Poverty and low income are drivers of poor health,” Hoener said. ” Bourbon County is a rural community… with higher rates of poverty. Our community has seen low investment and low upward mobility in employment. We are working to create economic opportunities to generate wealth and income for Bourbon County residents.”
The partner organizations are the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Fort Scott Community College, Kansas Works, Pittsburg State University’s Small Business Development Center, and BAJA Investments.
Hoener’s work as the Bourbon County Economic Director ended in March
Continue reading Center for Economic Growth: Focus on Health and Economic Stability
Hands-On Learning for Summer
Summer Break Offers New Opportunities for Hands-On Learning, Offline Time for Children
With a Difficult School Year in the Rear-View Mirror, NRMC Expert Offers Families Tips for Skill-Building at Home This Better Hearing & Speech Month
After a challenging year of virtual, hybrid, and modified in-person learning, Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) speech-language pathologist Andrea Wydick is offering advice and encouragement to families on low-stress ways they can support their children’s language, literacy, and learning skills at home this summer. Her message is a timely one, as May is celebrated nationally as Better Hearing & Speech Month (BHSM).
“Many parents have been understandably concerned about their child’s academic progress this school year, given all of the changes necessitated by the pandemic,” explained Wydick. “This may be especially so for families whose children receive support services in schools, such as speech and language therapy. These services may have looked a little different this year than they typically do, and they may to some degree next year as well. I want to encourage families to use the summer season as a much-needed reset—and to rest assured that there are many ways you can support your child’s learning at home, without workbooks, learning apps, and other programs and purchases that add to the family’s stress level.”
Wydick is providing advice on what most children—especially those with speech, language and social communication disorders—need more of this summer. She notes that so-called “down time” is actually time well spent when it comes to building communication and learning skills. This is true for children of all ages.
Activities Children Need More of This Summer
Wydick encourages families to prioritize these activities:
- Reading. Use this time to nurture the joy of reading. Let kids be in the driver’s seat when it comes to choosing what they read so it doesn’t feel like work. While independent reading is always valuable, children of all ages also benefit from nightly reading together with an adult. Many libraries that were closed due to COVID-19 are reopening or offering curbside book pickups and returns.
- Outdoor Play. Hands-on activities, no matter a child’s age, are the best way to learn new skills, build vocabularies, and boost learning through the senses. Try taking a nature walk and discussing the sights, smells, and sounds. Plant a garden—outside or in containers. Start by researching your options, and then shop for materials, do your planting, and care for your garden daily. Plan a picnic—discuss your menu, where you’ll go, and what you hope to see.
- Quality time. Many families have spent more time together than ever this year, but the quantity of this time has not always translated to quality. Focus on one or two daily opportunities for uninterrupted conversation and bonding. A morning or evening walk together, a device-free meal each day, or a nightly board game are some ideas.
Wydick is also providing some recommendations for activities to take a break from, including these:
- Screen time. For many children, it’s been a year of exponentially more screen time—as much of daily life moved online. Kids also have been exposed to a constant barrage of negative news about the pandemic and other issues on TV, with many experiencing online fatigue and stress. When school is out, consider revisiting boundaries around daily technology use. Talk to kids about the effects of too much screen time, how they feel after being online for a long time, and other activities they can do in place of screen use.
- Formal work, workbooks, and “educational” programs/apps. Families may feel pressure to work with children over the summer by ordering workbooks or subscribing to online programs. However, everyday real-world activities and interactions are generally most effective. Play is one of the main ways that children learn, with direct benefits on cognitive skills, math, language, literacy, and much more.
- Academic pressure and expectations. This school year, even the youngest of children had to deal with stress in the academic environment—from technological challenges to limited engagement with adults and peers. Although you as parents are understandably invested in their child’s development and academic success, try to remain positive about where your children are after one very tough year.
If you’d like to learn more, contact NRMC Performance Therapy at 417-448-3790.
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About Nevada Regional Medical Center
Serving a six-county area since 1937, Nevada Regional Medical Center is a 71-bed acute, intensive and skilled care hospital. Nevada Regional Medical Center has earned recognition as a respected regional medical center for its comprehensive health care services, skilled and caring employees and state-of-the-art medical technology. Staff represent more than a dozen medical specialties, including family practice, women’s services, neurology, urology, psychiatry, orthopedics, wound care services, and general, vascular, thoracic and oncological surgery. Additionally, consultation clinics are held regularly by specialists in oncology, pulmonology, podiatry, ear, nose, and throat and cardiology.
Kansas State Agency Reopening Guidance
Governor Laura Kelly Announces State Agency Reopening Guidance
~State of Kansas agencies to resume normal operations June 13, 2021 with additional COVID guidance~
TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced that State of Kansas offices will return to normal operations effective with the pay period beginning on June 13, 2021.
By the end of May, all state employees will have had the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccination at no cost. Due to vaccinations, the widespread availability of rapid testing, and substantially reduced numbers of new positive cases being reported in the state, the State of Kansas has determined it is safe to return to normal operations with additional guidance* detailed below.
- Masks or other facial coverings will continue to be required for all State of Kansas employees and visitors to any State of Kansas facilities under the jurisdiction of the Governor. Notice of this requirement will continue to be posted at entrances to all State of Kansas buildings.
- Agencies should take all necessary steps to ensure that at least six feet of space can be maintained between employee workstations and other seating arrangements. Signs and floor markings will continue to be used throughout State of Kansas buildings to reinforce the importance of physical distancing.
- Agencies should reinforce the need for proper handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Where this is not available, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% of alcohol may be used.
- Agencies may continue to allow employees to work remotely in situations where adequate social distancing cannot be maintained in the office or as otherwise approved by the agency head, provided there is no disruption to agency operations.
- Employees should continue to self-monitor and conduct self-screening activities before appearing for in-person work. Passive temperature check stations and posting of screening questions will continue to be in place in all State of Kansas buildings under the jurisdiction of the Governor.
Full guidance for State of Kansas agencies and employees can be found here.
*Guidance developed in consultation with KDHE.