From front to back are Jaylisha Montanez, Giancarlo Montanez, and Jose Montanez, the three new barbers in Fort Scott. Mayra Montez stands beside her husband, Jose. In the barber seat is Jose Montanez Jr.A view of the inside of Fort Scott Barbershop, 118 E. Wall.
The Montanez family will soon open their new barbershop at 118 E. Wall.
They are waiting on a few items to complete the shop and plan on opening in the next few weeks.
Jose Montanez is father to the other barbers: his daughter, Jaylisha Montanez, and son, Giancarlo Montanez. Jose’s wife, Mayra does bookkeeping for the business “and everything else,” Jose said.
For 20 years the family has had a barbershop in Overland Park, operating six shops altogether, Mayra said.
“Jose won an award for best barbershop in the midwest and the Trailblazer Award of Kansas City,” she said. “Jose started training other barbers. We specialize in straight razors. It gives a clean, direct shave to the face, that started getting people’s attention.”
Razor cuts are what the Montanez family is known for in Overland Park.Jose Montanez demonstrates a razor cut on his son Giancarlo.
“It is an old fashion barbershop with hot towels and hot lather for our VIP treatment,” Mayra said. “But also all the trending hairstyles.”
The cost for a haircut is $20 and $30 for the VIP Treatment, which includes a beard cut with a hot towel and hot lather, Jose said.
There are posters of 180 men’s hairstyles on the wall of the barbershop, Jose said. “But we can also do custom hairstyles.”
“If you bring your kid in for a first haircut, they get a certificate with a piece of the hair and their name, date, and the signature of the barber,” Mayra said.
Their hours will be Tuesday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Their first day of business, instead of a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, will be a day of free haircuts for City of Fort Scott personnel: which includes police officers, firemen, city office, EMTs.
“Following the honoring of Fort Scott employees, the shop will be open to the public,” Mayra said.
“We are making vouchers, so if the city employees can’t come on that day, they can still come and get the VIP treatment,” she said.
“Being Puerto Rican…we know how to work with all hair,” Mayra said. “That has helped us be so diversified in the city. Anybody can come and get a great haircut experience.”
Fort Scott City Manager Jeremy Frazier was in the shop on May 3 to welcome the new business.
Fort Scott City Manager Jeremy Frazier, right, welcomed Joses Montanez, to Fort Scott on May 3 outside the new barbershop.
When people are looking for a new town to reside in, they look for the basics: housing, transportation, schools, health care… but also personal care, such as barbers, Frazier said. “I feel like this shop will help add diversity and offer people with different kinds of hair a place for a haircut.”
The Montanez family purchased the storefront at 118 E. Wall from Dean and Marlene Gettler.
Former building owners Dean and Marlene Gettler stop in the Fort Scott Barbershop on May 3 to view the building remodel.
The Gettler’s would often have coffee and people-watch from the storefront, they were told by their realtor, Barbara Albright.
Realtor Barb Albright, left talks with Mayra Montanez on May 3 at the new barbershop.
So the Montanez’s have installed a coffee station in the shop, with free coffee, and a table to sit and have the coffee.
“We started a coffee station, with Puerto Rico, Brazilian and American coffee, so the Gettlers can come for coffee, along with patrons, and can have a free cup of coffee,” Mayra said.
Jose and Mayra have purchased a home on Judson, Jaylisha a home on Main Street and Giancarlo is looking to purchase a home in Fort Scott, as well.
~April receipts show $91.3 million more than estimated~
TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced Kansas saw a $91.3 million, or 10.2%, growth over the estimated tax receipt with $982.4 million in total tax collections during the month of April. That is $404.3 million, or 69.9%, better than last year. This increase is due, in part, to businesses having opened back up compared to the same month last year.
“Our April tax collection numbers are encouraging, but we must maintain fiscally-responsible policies as we continue to recover from COVID-19 to ensure our continued growth,” said Governor Laura Kelly.
With federal stimulus money, federal tax refunds, and state tax refunds getting into the pockets of Kansans, retail sales and compensating use tax collections were more than the estimate. Retail sales tax collections were $236.5 million; a 9.5%, or $20.5 million, growth from the estimate. Compensating use tax collections were $59.2 million; up $13.3 million, or 29.0%, for the month.
In addition to changing consumer purchasing patterns, another contributing factor to the increase in compensating use tax collections is the fact that more out-of-state businesses are registering with the state to collect and remit taxes that are due and owing.
Individual income tax collections are $26.5 million, or 5.8%, more than the estimate with $487.3 million collected. Corporate income tax collections were $152.8 million; a 23.9%, or $29.4 million growth from the estimate.
To view a complete breakdown of April tax receipts, click here.
Cognition and Swallowing Among the Common Challenges Persisting for Many Americans After COVID-19
Speech-Language Pathologists Can Help Patients Regain Health and Quality of Life, NRMC Expert Stresses During Better Hearing & Speech Month
With an estimated 10 to 30% of COVID-19 survivors experiencing “long-haul” symptoms including brain fog and swallowing difficulties, Nevada Regional Medical Center speech-language pathologist Andrea Wydick is encouraging the public to seek care from qualified experts who can help them regain their functioning and quality of life. Wydick is sharing this message in recognition of May being national Better Hearing & Speech Month (BHSM).
“The pandemic has posed so many challenges to us all as a society, but one of the persisting and most vexing ones right now is the daunting set of difficulties many people are having for months after contracting COVID-19,” said Wydick. “From brain fog, to difficulty eating and drinking, to speech and language problems, these can affect return to work, the ability to take care of one’s family, and overall recovery. Many people don’t know about the services of speech-language pathologists—professionals trained in these areas who can make a huge difference for these people. This is an important time for us to spread the word: Help is available.”
How They Help
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) can help people with, or recovering from, COVID-19 who are having short- and longer-term difficulties in the following areas:
• Cognition
Many COVID-19 “long-haulers” are reporting persistent brain fog as a debilitating symptom after their bout with the virus. This can prevent a return to work and impact their ability to tend to family responsibilities. SLPs can work with individuals to improve their memory, attention, organization and planning, problem solving, learning, and social communication—such as re-learning conversational rules or understanding the intent behind a message or behind nonverbal cues. The focus is on the person’s specific challenges as well as regaining the skills that are most important to their daily life and priorities.
• Swallowing
People diagnosed with COVID-19 may experience swallowing problems that can put them at risk for choking or aspirating, which is when food goes into the lungs instead of the stomach. This may be the result of time spent on a ventilator, or it may be another side effect of the virus. SLPs use different types of tests to determine what happens when a person swallows and how the related muscles are working—helping a patient’s medical team, including the SLP, decide on the best course of action with the patient and their family. SLPs may recommend modified textures of food and drink for patients; therapy exercises to strengthen the tongue, lips, and muscles in the mouth and throat; and strategies to make eating and drinking safer, such as modifying the pace of chewing/eating, size of food, and more.
• Communication
People diagnosed with COVID-19 are also experiencing speech and language difficulties. Some, such as those who spent a significant amount of time on a ventilator or experienced low oxygen to the brain, may have muscle weakness or reduced coordination in the muscles of the face, lips, tongue, and throat—making it difficult to talk. Others, particularly those who experienced a COVID-related stroke, may experience a language disorder called aphasia—which makes it hard for someone to understand, speak, read, or write. SLPs work with patients through targeted therapy to improve their communication and understanding.
People who have severe speech and/or language difficulties may need to find other ways to answer questions or tell people what they want, such as through gesturing with their hands, pointing to letters or pictures on a paper or board, or using a computer. These are all forms of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). SLPs help find the appropriate AAC method to meet an individual’s needs.
Where to Find Care
SLPs work in settings that include hospitals, long- and short-term care facilities, private practices, and patients’ homes. Many SLPs are also providing their services via telehealth at this time. If you or a loved one are experiencing communication challenges, Wydick recommends letting your doctor know.
For more information, Vernon County and area residents can contact NRMC Performance Therapy at 417-448-3790, or visit www.asha.org/public.
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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.
Governor Laura Kelly Encourages Kansas Restaurants Apply for Restaurant Revitalization Fund Grants
~Revitalization Fund Grants will boost hospitality industry and aid continued economic recovery~
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today urged Kansas restaurants and eligible businesses in the hospitality industry to apply for federal funding through the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). Registration for the RRF began on Friday, April 30, 2021, at 8 AM CT and applications will open on Monday, May 3, 2021, at 11 AM CT.
“These RRF grants will boost our hospitality industry and aid our continued economic recovery as we get our state back to normal,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “I strongly encourage all eligible businesses to apply for this program and thank the SBA for their partnership to provide relief for Kansas businesses.”
The SBA will be co-hosting a webinar for Kansas businesses with the Governor’s Office of Recovery, the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Kansas Department of Agriculture on Wednesday, May 5 at 9 AM CT. Learn more about the webinar at https://covid.ks.gov/rrf/.
“Restaurants are vital to our state’s hospitality sector, and this program exists solely to help them,” Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “Hospitality businesses have been incredibly resilient through this historic and unprecedented challenge, and restaurants have had to be creative to get through the storm. This program is a lifeline for them, and I would encourage all Kansas restaurant owners who need help to take full advantage.”
The American Rescue Plan Act established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to provide funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open. This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss, up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023.
Entities eligible for the RRF include:
Restaurants;
Food stands, food trucks, food carts;
Caterers;
Bars, saloons, lounges, taverns;
Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars;
Additional entities if onsite food or beverage sales are at least 33% of gross receipts (e.g. Bakeries, brewpubs, tasting rooms, taprooms, breweries and/or microbreweries, Wineries and distilleries, Inns).
“Restaurants and the food service industry are critical to the economic wellbeing of our communities,” said Michael Barrera, District Director, SBA-KC District. “Restaurants are gathering places for our cities and towns and are where many milestones and everyday conversations take place in our lives. The RRF will help keep these ‘centers of influence’ going and we here at the SBA look forward to working with our Kansas partners to make this program a Kansas success!”
“The RRF provides critical support to restaurants, food trucks, small caterers, coffee shops and other food service companies hit hard by the pandemic,” saidWayne Bell, District Director, SBA-Wichita District. “We want Kansas small businesses to be fully prepared for this opportunity.”
“As we look toward the future, it is crucial that we support the restaurant industry in every way we can,” said Ryan Wills, Kansas Department of Commerce Hospitality Industry Liaison. “Food service organizations provide nourishment to our community not just through food, but also through fellowship. They are essential to our economic vitality, and the Department of Commerce is looking forward to the RRF providing much needed relief to businesses across our great state.”
Chamber Coffee hosted by Nu Grille announcing celebrating 15 year anniversary!
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee hosted by Nu Grille, Thursday, May 6th at 8 a.m. located at 24 N. National Ave. to announce their 15 year Anniversary at their current location.
John and Cindy Bowman want to invite everyone to join them to celebrate their family business that has been running strong for 75 years, and 15 years of that is at the location they are now serving the community and travelers. Coffee, biscuits and gravy and cinnamon rolls, will be served and a drawing.
Chamber members and guests are invited to Chamber Coffee events each Thursday at 8 a.m. to network, make announcements, hear about happenings in the community as well as learn about the host business or organization.
To find further resources on how to protect you and your family, visit coronavirus.gov or the Kansas Department of Health and Environment website here.
Vaccines in Kansas
Visit kansasvaccine.gov for information regarding COVID-19 vaccinations in Kansas, including availability and FAQs.
To find providers offering COVID-19 vaccinations, use KDHE’s Find My Vaccine map tool. Enter your zip code or address to find the providers nearest you.
Assistance
If you are a Kansas resident and you or your family needs assistance with matters related to COVID-19, please click here.
If your employment situation has been impacted by COVID-19, including reduced work hours, please refer to these resources from the Kansas Department of Labor:
Please visit the Kansas Department of Health and Environment here.
U.S. Small Business Administration Resources
For information regarding the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), including second draw loans, please visit the U.S. Small Business Administration’s website by clicking here.
For information regarding Economic Injury Disaster loans, please click here.
Veteran Resources
For information on veteran and VA related topics, resources and contact information, please click here.
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Phone Calls to Kansans
Shane Bangerter, Bangerter Law, Dodge City
Bill Feuerborn, Kansas Board of Regents, Garnett
Hon. Allen Schmidt, Developmental Services of NW Kansas, Hays
Cheryl Harrison Lee, Kansas Board of Regents, Overland Park
Ann Brandau-Murguia of Kansas City
Caden Nicholson, Shawnee Mission East High School, Prairie Village
Will & Liz Ruder, Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City, Overland Park
Daniel & Melissa Knight, Bible Baptist Church, Coffeyville
Dr. Paul Fallon, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Overland Park
Ryan Click, AMI Metals, Wichita
Duane Hawkins, Spirit AeroSystems, Wichita
Teresa Dimitt, DJ Engineering, Augusta
Brian Moroney, TW Metals, Wichita
Dr. Darrell & Barbara Werth of Hays
Ken & Mary McCauley, KM Farms, White Cloud
Stephon Alcorn of Gardner
Rob McKnight of Overland Park
Doris Riley of Overland Park
Dr. Dan & Karen Sanchez, Rooks County Health Center, Plainville
Nate Spriggs, Koch Industries, Wichita
Rob McKnight of Overland Park
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Welcome to “Kansas Common Sense.” Thanks for your continued interest in receiving my weekly newsletter. Please feel free to forward it on to your family and friends if it would interest them.
Senate Passes My Legislation to Honor Women of the Six Triple Eight
On Thursday, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed my legislation to honor the brave women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion by awarding them the Congressional Gold Medal. The Six Triple Eight was the only all-black, all-female battalion to serve overseas during World War II, and they were responsible for clearing out an overwhelming backlog of mail, making certain American troops received letters from home to boost their morale. The women of the Six Triple Eight deserve to hold a special place in history for their service to our country, and I appreciate the Senate passing this legislation and will work to advance it in the House of Representatives. Learn more about their service during WWII by clicking here or by watching the video below.
Pledges for Unity Mean Nothing Without Compromise
After President Biden’s address to a Joint Session of Congress on Wednesday evening, I released the following statement:
Unity, bipartisanship, working together – I agree with President Biden that these are all things that should and can represent the federal government, but we are falling far short. Pledges for unity mean nothing without listening to those with opposing points of view, finding common ground with them and agreeing to compromises. The President demonstrated he was unwilling to work with Republicans by forcing his partisan $1.9 trillion relief package through Congress without a single Republican vote. Overreaching, partisan legislation that costs trillions of taxpayer dollars isn’t the right path forward.
While I am eager to work with the President and my colleagues on improving America’s infrastructure, the President’s $2.3 trillion proposal isn’t affordable, and it isn’t infrastructure. I also agree that we should focus on supporting families and education, but these things are achieved through creating jobs and opportunities, not by adding an additional $1.8 trillion spending package.
Even amidst this divisive political climate, I’ve seen through my work on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee that we are capable of working together to get things done, especially on behalf of our nations’ veterans. I am committed to working with the President to continue serving our veterans by further implementing the MISSION Act, improving care for veterans suffering from toxic exposure and improving VA accessibility for minority and women veterans.
Discussing Ongoing Vaccination Efforts with CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky
On Monday, I spoke with Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Dr. Rochelle Walensky to follow up on our previous discussion at a Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing in March.
During our conversation, we discussed the vaccine rollout and opportunities that would continue to encourage Kansans to receive the vaccine. We also spoke of the assistance the United States will be sending to India and other nations who are battling high COVID-19 mortality rates, as India’s COVID surge is a tragedy that America must help address to save lives and stymie new variants. Additionally, as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I assured Dr. Walensky of my longtime support for adequate funding of the CDC and National Institutes of Health (NIH) to retain America’s position at the forefront of biomedical research. I’m grateful to Dr. Walensky for her time, and I look forward to continuing to work together during her tenure as Director of the CDC.
Introducing Data Privacy Legislation and Discussing Big Tech
Giving Americans Authority Over their Personal Data
More and more Americans are recognizing the need for a clear federal standard for data privacy that guarantees them the ability to determine how their personal data is used. This week, I introduced the Consumer Data Privacy and Security Act to strengthen the laws that govern consumers’ personal data and create clear standards and regulations for American businesses that collect, process and use consumers’ personally identifiable data.
Americans need to be able to count on strong baseline responsibilities that businesses must uphold when collecting, processing and protecting their personally identifiable information. Without action from Congress, consumers will continue to be vulnerable to future threats against their personal data, and innovators and job creators will be plagued with regulatory uncertainty resulting from a growing patchwork of state laws. It is clear that Congress needs to act, and I encourage my colleagues to support the Consumer Data Privacy and Security Act as the federal standard for comprehensive privacy legislation.
The Fort Scott Hurricanes Swim Team will be having their pre-season parents meeting and registration on Wednesday, May 5th at 6:00 pm at Buck Run Community Center.
The Hurricanes are a competitive summer swim team for kids ages 6U-18.
Swimmers need to be able to swim one length of the pool , 25 yards, of any stroke unassisted in order to participate.
The Hurricanes practice in the mornings, Monday through Friday starting June 1st-August 6th.
Swim meets are on Wednesday nights and on the weekend.
Please attend the meeting to learn more and to register your swimmers.
If you are unable to attend you can contact team President April Stock though the Fort Scott Hurricanes Swim Team Facebook page
