Case Ongoing On Credit Card Skimmer at Pete’s Conoco

Fort Scott Police Officer Brian Thurston. Submitted photo.

A Fort Scott Police Department case that began last summer at a local gas station is ongoing.

 

At the Pete’s Convenience Store on East Wall in August 2020, staff noticed that a lock on the pump door had been tampered with.

 

The store’s maintenance employee called the FSPD immediately.

 

An investigation was started by retrieving the skimmer and calling other local and nearby towns to tell them of the illegal activity at the gas pump.

Skimmers are illegal card readers attached to payment terminals. These card readers grab data off a credit or debit card’s magnetic stripe without your knowledge,  according to https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/08/watch-out-card-skimming-gas-pump Criminals sell the stolen data or use it to buy things online.

 

 

FSPD Detective Sargeant Brian Thurston mailed the skimmer to the U.S. Secret Service.

 

“They have the technology to get information off of the device to try to identify the perpetrator,” he said.

 

“The device is Blue Tooth,” he said. “The bad guy can come back and get info off of it.”

 

The FSPD received information back from the Secret Service on Feb. 16, 2021.

 

Forty-five people had their information on the skimmer, Thurston said. He has made contact with them.

“We don’t believe any info was retrieved by the suspect,” he said.

His next step is to contact the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and get assistance “to identify the device, then attach someone to that device, to identify a suspect,” he said.

 

Back in August, the FSPD called local gas stations and also area ones, to tell them of the skimmer.

“In Louisburg a skimmer was at an ATM inside of a store,” Thurston said.

 

Pete’s Convenience Store has since replaced all the locks on the gas pumps.

The 45 people who were listed on the skimmer are being notified to change their credit card, as a safety precaution, he said.

The Secret Service has sent Thurston information on the device that was connected to that skimmer.

The investigation is ongoing, he said.

 

How to protect oneself from skimming.

“There is a security seal on the door of the gas pump,” Thurston said. “They are different colors, that I’ve seen, green, yellow, red, blue. If that seal is broken or torn, notify the  gas station attendant.”

 

Here are a few tips to help you avoid a skimmer when you gas up, from the https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/08/watch-out-card-skimming-gas-pump

  • Make sure the gas pump panel is closed and doesn’t show signs of tampering. Many stations now put security seals over the cabinet panel. If the pump panel is opened, the label will read “void.”

Photo credit: National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) and Conexxus

  • Look at the card reader itself. Does it look different than other readers at the station? For example, the card reader on the left has a skimmer attached; the reader on the right doesn’t.

http://www.kamloopsbcnow.com/files/files/images/skimmer%20compared.jpg

Photo credit: Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Kamloops, Canada

Try to wiggle the card reader before you put in your card. If it moves, report it to the attendant. Then use a different pump.

  • If you use a debit card at the pump, run it as a credit card instead of entering a PIN. That way, the PIN is safe and the money isn’t deducted immediately from your account.
  • If you’re really concerned about skimmers, pay inside rather than at the pump.
  • Monitor your credit card and bank accounts regularly to spot unauthorized charges.

If your credit card has been compromised, report it to your bank or card issuer. Federal law limits your liability if your credit, ATM, or debit card is lost or stolen, but your liability may depend on how quickly you report the loss or theft. For more information, read Lost or Stolen Credit, ATM, and Debit Cards.

 

 

 

 

UHS BASKETBALL GAME 15 RESULTS vs. MARMATON VALLEY

Adelay Martin. Submitted photo.

Thursday night, February 11, the Eagles played the Marmaton Valley Wildcats in a game that had been rescheduled multiple times since the beginning of the season. Both Varsity teams and girls’ JV won. There was no boys’ JV.

The Lady Eagles defeated the Wildcats 49-35. Danielle Howard scored 23 points and had 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals. Freshman Rylee Coulter had 5 steals and 3 assists. Sammie Hampton scored 11 points during the game. Karleigh Schoenberger and Gwenyth Fry each had 3 rebounds.

“Coach Walker and I are proud of our team’s effort, attitude, and toughness tonight,” says Coach Miller. “Circumstances have kept us from being together as a team since last Friday, but they finished the night with a couple of league wins. Our celebration will be short-lived as we will be taking on the Southeast Lancers tomorrow night for our Winter Homecoming.”

The boys’ Varsity team also beat the Wildcats, the score being 67-32. Scoring was pretty well distributed among the players; Jake Harvey scored 12 points, Luke Perry scored 10, Cade Goodridge with 9, and Korbin Miller and Dawson Dreisbach each scored 8. Dreisbach also had 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Harvey had 4 steals and Drew Perry had 4 assists.

Coach Hays said, “I thought we came out and played with good energy against Marmaton Valley. We were able to apply some pressure and get out in transition. It was a very balanced scoring night for us. It was fun seeing everyone compete tonight.”

-Adelay Martin, UHS Sports Media Reporter

Taxpayer Assistance Center Opens Online Scheduling

Kansas Department of Revenue Opens Online Scheduling for In-person Taxpayer Assistance Center Visits

TOPEKA – With the 2021 income tax filing season underway, the Kansas Department of Revenue’s Taxpayer Assistance Center now provides an online scheduling option for in-person appointments. This past November KDOR announced that all in-person appointments to its Taxpayer Assistance Centers require an appointment.

Kansas Taxpayer Assistance Centers aid taxpayers with personal and business tax questions regarding their specific Kansas tax accounts or general tax questions. TAC locations are closed on state holidays.

All appointments are required to be made a minimum of 24-hours ahead of a scheduled visit.

To make an appointment, customers are asked to go to https://www.kdor.ks.gov/Apps/AppointmentScheduler/ApptSchedule/Times?locType=TAX.

If a customer does not have access to the internet, they can contact TAC offices using the below information:

Topeka Overland Park

Scott State Office Building
120 SE 10th Avenue
Topeka, KS 66612-1103

Phone: 785-368-8222

Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Rosana Shopping Center
7600 W. 119th Street, Suite A
Overland Park, KS 66213

Phone: 913-942-3150

Mondays and Wednesdays
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Phone and email assistance continues to be available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Taxpayer Assistance: 785-368-8222
Past-Due Account Assistance: 785-296-6121

General tax-related questions can also be sent by email to [email protected].

Chamber Coffee Canceled For Tomorrow

Chamber Coffee
for tomorrow, February 18th
has been CANCELED due to weather precautions.
The Coffee was to be hosted by the Chamber Board @ the Chamber and that will be postponed to March 4th.
– – –
The Chamber encourages members to mark your calendars for next Thursday…
February 25th for a Drive-thru Coffee from 8 to 9am
hosted by
Ascension Via Christi
at the Emergency Department located at
401 Woodland Hills Blvd.
south side of the building near the helipad.
Ascension Via Christi will be celebrating their two-year anniversary proving emergency services in Fort Scott and would like to thank the community for their support by offering a complimentary mug, coffee and donut during the drive-thru event.
Upcoming Chamber Coffee Schedule:
2/25 ~ Ascension Via Christi Drive-thru Coffee
3/4 ~ Chamber Board of Directors @ the Chamber
3/11 ~ Chamber Coffee “OPEN”, Call to schedule!
3/18 ~ Briggs of Fort Scott – Birthday Week
3/25~ Nevada Regional Medical Center – Location TBA

Remote Learning Grant Extended

Governor Laura Kelly Announces Remote Learning Grant Program Extended through Spring

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that programs that received funding for remote learning are eligible to apply for extensions to support the continuation of online education through Spring 2021. The Remote Learning Grant program will continue to help address learning and supervision needs of school-age children who are not able to attend in-person school due to the pandemic.

“Our top priority is working to safely return our kids and teachers back to in-person learning,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “But until then, these Remote Learning Grants have made and will continue to make a huge difference for families juggling work and virtual school by supporting programs and facilities that provide safe, secure settings for remote learners. I am pleased they will continue into the spring, and I encourage all programs and facilities that qualify to apply.”

During the Fall 2020 school term, 77 organizations across Kansas supported the remote learning needs of school-age children, funded with more than $8,493,000 from the Remote Learning Grants program. In-home child care providers, day care programs, child and youth serving organizations, and even community attractions such as a museum and a zoo, came forward to help.

“The positive impact of families and communities has also been substantial,” said Melissa Rooker, Executive Director of The Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund. “Remote Learning Grants have focused on support for low-income families and those where one or both parents are first responders, such as nurses, EMTs, police officers, and staff for essential services such as grocery workers. We are pleased to provide to help provide safe, supervised learning environments for our Kansas students.”

“The Remote Learning Grant has enabled Boys & Girls Clubs to close the digital divide and support families in need,” said Romero Brown, the State Director of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “Children and teens now have the opportunity to learn virtually, cultivate critical social skills and receive guidance from caring adult leaders in a positive, safe environment.”

The Boys & Girls Clubs is just one of many recipients of the Remote Learning Grant program.

“The extension of the Remote Learning Grant program will help the Y support more than 1,400 kids from more than seven school districts in the Kansas City area this spring, plus many other kids in Wichita, southwest and central Kansas,” said John Mikos, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Kansas City. “Thanks to the grant, the Y can offer programs to working families and ensure that the cost isn’t a barrier to them, so parents can go to work relieved their children have the learning support they need in a safe space with caring adults.”

New applications for funding are also available to:

  • All KDHE-licensed early care and youth programs/facilities serving school-aged children
  • Local programs with demonstrated experience and success developing and delivering quality, safe, out-of-home care and education services/programs for school-age children, such as schools, Boys and Girls Clubs, Parks and Recreation, 21st CCLCs, and faith-based organizations
  • Other community programs that demonstrate the capacity and ability to establish or expand programs for school-age children

The Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund will continue to be responsible for administering the funds, and applications will be evaluated on a weekly basis. All funding must be awarded, and spent by grantees, by May 28, 2021.

Applications are available at https://kschildrenscabinet.org/remote-learning-support/

100th Kiwanis Pancake Feed Feb. 23

Addisyn Fowler, Fort Scott HIgh School Key Club member, left, along with Fort Scott Kiwanis Club members Bob Eckles and Clyde Stepps serve pancakes on Feb. 25,2020..

Fort Scott Kiwanis Club had to do a little rearranging of days for their annual pancake feed.

Because of the frigid weather, the fundraising meal was switched from Feb. 16, Fat Tuesday, to Feb. 23.

“The Kiwanis 100th Pancake Feed hasn’t missed serving the community one year in a hundred,” Mark McCoy, spokesman, said.

For many years, pancakes were served at the Scottish Rite Temple in downtown Fort Scott, then at Buck Run Community Center.

This year, it will be a drive-thru only at the First Methodist Church at Third Street and National Avenue, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m and then from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

“It’s a drive-through only in the front of the church on National,” McCoy said.

“The driveway entrance is on Fourth Street, at the front of the church,” he said.

The cost for pancakes and sausage is $5 a plate.

“Come out and enjoy the pancakes,” McCoy said.”And support a good cause.”

Kiwanis International is a global community of clubs, members and partners dedicated to improving the lives of children one community at a time, according to its website. There are more than 550,000 members from K-Kids to Key Club to Kiwanis and many ages in between in 80 countries and geographic areas.

Each community has different needs, and Kiwanis empowers members to pursue creative ways to serve the needs of children, such as fighting hunger, improving literacy, and offering guidance.

 

Following is a list of supporters of the Fort Scott Kiwanis Club Pancake Feed event.

2021 PANCAKE FEED CORPORATE SPONSORS
Atkins Insurance
Billiard Hammer Hartman Insurance
Briggs Auto
Cheney Witt Funeral Chapel
City of Fort Scott
City State Bank
Crain Insurance Agency
Diehl Banwart Bolton, CPAs, PA
Extrusions, Inc.
Edward Jones – Jamie Armstrong
Edward Jones – Richard Goldston
5 Corners Mini Mart
Fort Scott Broadcasting
G & W Foods
Graphic Resources Corp
H & H Realty
Heidrick’s True Value
Kansas Teachers Community
Credit Union
Key Industries
Klip Joint
Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home
Liberty Savings Association, FSA
Labconco
Landmark Bank
McDonald’s
Max Patterson, DDS
Mid-Continental Restoration Co.
Mike Carnes Family
Norris Heating and Air
Conditioning
Nuss & Farmer, PA
Reynolds Law Firm
R & R Equipment
Security 1st Title
SEK Financial, LLC
Sekan Printing Company, Inc.
Sonic Drive-In
Union State Bank
Valu Merchandisers
Ward-Kraft, Inc.
RICHARD GOLDSTON
G & W FOODS
McDONALD’S
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
SONIC DRIVE-IN
WARD-KRAFT, INC.
A VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO THESE SPONSORS
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.

Obituary of Anthony Wicks

Anthony Eugene “Tony” Wicks, age 62, a resident of Nevada, Missouri, passed away Friday, February 12, 2021, at his home in Nevada following a lengthy illness. He was born May 10, 1958, in Henderson, Kentucky, the son of Thomas Wicks and Kathryn Craddock Wicks. Tony married Barbara Barker Fugatt on March 1, 1990, in Kansas City, Kansas. In earlier years, he had worked as a groundskeeper in Kansas City. He enjoyed fishing and watching Gunsmoke on tv. Tony attended the Nevada Church of the Nazarene.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara, of the home; two step-daughters, Linda Fugatt of Lawrence, Kansas and Deanna Jones of Winter Haven, Florida and four step-grandchildren, Tracy, Eddie, Andrew and Derrick. Also surviving are his sisters-in-law, Pat Wallace (Archie), of Ft. Scott, Kansas and Betty Jo Gardner of Hutchinson, Kansas and a brother, James Barker, also of Hutchinson.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother.

Following cremation, a private graveside service will be held at a later date at the Prescott Cemetery, Prescott, Kansas. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society or the American Diabetes Association 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.

Senator Jerry Moran Weekly Newsletter


 

 

Concluding the Senate Impeachment Trial

The violence at the United States Capitol on January 6 was an attempt to subvert democracy, and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms. Rioters and extremists sought to prevent Members of Congress and Vice President Pence from performing their constitutional obligation to affirm the results of an election, and President Trump was wrong to continue to spread allegations of widespread fraud and not immediately discourage the reprehensible and unpatriotic behavior.

The Constitution does not clearly state whether a former president can be tried for impeachment by the Senate, but I believe the impeachment process is intended to be used for considering whether or not “The President” should be removed from office. Because former President Trump is no longer in office, I voted to acquit. Establishing the precedent that the Senate has jurisdiction to convict a former president would cause extreme damage to our country and the future of the presidency.

 

Celebrating Black History

February is a month to reflect on Black history, to both understand its struggle throughout American history and celebrate the lives and contributions of Black Americans. This past week, I’ve introduced two pieces of legislation that aim to highlight, uplift and preserve our collective knowledge of Black history.

Expanding the Brown v. Board of Education Sites
This week, I joined my Senate colleagues in introducing legislation to honor and commemorate the historic sites that contributed to the 1954 landmark Supreme Court decision, Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka.

As one of the cornerstones of the civil rights movement, Kansan Linda Brown and her parents took their case all the way to the Supreme Court, leading to the unanimous overturning of the “separate but equal” doctrine which was established in 1896’s Plessy v. Ferguson that discriminated against school children because of their skin color. This legislation will expand and preserve the historic sites in Kansas and around the country connected to this case. Kansas has played a key role in the civil rights movement, and we must seek to preserve this legacy that calls on all Americans to uphold the self-evident truth that all men and women are created equal.

 

Honoring the Women of the “Six-Triple-Eight”
Additionally, I introduced legislation to honor the brave women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. Seventy-six years ago, the women of “Six-Triple-Eight,” the only all-female, all-black battalion to serve overseas during World War II, arrived in the European Theater of Operations on February 12th, 1945. Upon arrival, they were faced with warehouses full of millions of pieces of backlogged mail. This unit did the essential work of sorting and directing mail for the 7 million Americans that worked or served in Europe during the war. They cleared that backlog in just three months, making certain that troop morale remained high at a pivotal point in the war, so that troops on the front lines were able to receive mail from home, strengthening their resolve to remain in the fight.

I have had the opportunity to recognize the brave service and sacrifice of these women on multiple occasions in the past, and it is my honor to advocate for this final award. In 2018, I helped lead the effort to place a monument commemorating the women of the Six-Triple-Eight in Buffalo Soldier Memorial Park at Fort Leavenworth (pictured below). I then championed an effort to award the unit the Army Meritorious Unit Commendation: this was the first unit award the 6888 ever received and was well overdue.

Their contributions to the war effort cannot be overstated and my “Six-Triple-Eight” Congressional Gold Medal Act further recognizes their tremendous service and sacrifice.

 

 

Remembering Ike this President’s Day

On President’s Day, we recognize the contributions our American presidents have made to our freedom and to the greatness of our nation. Yesterday, I was thinking of Abilene native, President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Ike, a five-star general in the United States Army and the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe, represents the best of our country. His name, adorned on schools, memorials and hospitals across our nation and abroad, lives in our memory, and we are inspired by his selfless service and sacrifice to our nation.

 

I encourage all Kansans to visit Abilene’s Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum (pictured below) to learn more about the incredible life and legacy of Kansas’ favorite son.

 

 

 

Combatting Global Hunger

Joining CARE’s U.S. Leadership Forum
This week, I joined CARE’s Global Hunger and U.S. Leadership Forum to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on global food systems. This forum highlighted opportunities where Americans can work to meet the challenge of ending global hunger. I believe that fighting hunger is not only the morally right thing to do, it is also the smart thing to do.

International food aid programs provide a valuable market for Kansas agricultural producers, as well as strengthen America’s national security by promoting greater stability in the world. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and co-chair of the Senate Hunger Caucus, I work to prioritize funding for our international food aid programs, including Food for Peace and Dole-McGovern Food for Education. The Food for Peace law was signed into law by President Eisenhower and Dole-McGovern was established by Senator Dole, and I am proud to carry on the strong Kansas tradition of fighting against global hunger.

 

Urging Replenishment of the International Fund for Agricultural Development
As co-chair of the Senate Hunger Caucus, I led a group of senators this week in urging Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to pledge support from the United States for the 12th replenishment of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to help reduce global hunger. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated global food insecurity and poverty, which had been made worse in recent years due to widespread incidences of conflict and economic disruption. In order for the United States to continue to demonstrate strong leadership, I urged Secretary Yellen to make a robust pledge to IFAD at the pledging conference on February 16, 2021. Taking such action will benefit and enable the world’s most vulnerable populations to generate more income and improve nutrition and food security.

 

Billions of Dollars in COVID-19 Relief Still Left to be Spent

Last year, Congress spent $4 trillion on bipartisan COVID-19 relief packages to support Americans as our country faced the challenges of this pandemic. The latest COVID-19 relief package provided $900 billion in additional resources and was signed into law on December 27, 2020. Much of that assistance is only now being disbursed.

Federal funds that remain unspent as of late January include $14 billion for COVID-19 testing, $11 billion for the Department of Veteran Affairs, $64 billion for K-12 schools and over $200 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Before authorizing additional funding, Congress must make certain these existing resources are being used efficiently to combat the ongoing effects of this pandemic.

 

Discussing Rural Health Care with Kansas Medical Students

This week, I met virtually with a group of Kansas medical students who want to serve rural communities after completing their doctorate degrees.

During our meeting, we discussed COVID-19 relief for hospitals through the Provider Relief Fund and allocating 20% for rural hospitals; ensuring pharmaceutical manufacturers do not undermine the role of contract pharmacies in the 340B Drug Pricing Program; and the staffing recruitment difficulties rural hospitals continue to face, especially throughout the pandemic. Ensuring rural communities have access to quality medical care has never been more important, and I thank these students for their commitment to providing medical care in hard-to-reach places. I was pleased to see these students promise they will come back to serve Kansas communities following graduation.

Thank you to Landon Fulmer for organizing this meeting.

 

 

 

Ensuring Veterans Have Access to COVID-19 Vaccines

As the top Republican on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I have worked with my colleagues in Congress and in the administration to make certain that veterans in Kansas have access to the best COVID-19 care possible. This included providing PPE and ventilators to health care workers and hospitals during the onset of the pandemic and has now transitioned to efficiently administering vaccines across our state. I was with the leadership of the Dole VA Medical Center in Wichita when they received their first shipment of vaccines in December, and I am encouraged that we are able to vaccinate vulnerable veterans. More than 23,000 veterans have been vaccinated between the Kansas City, Topeka, Leavenworth and Wichita VA Medical Centers and their associated Community-Based Outpatient Clinics.

Currently, veterans who have existing health risks or are over 75 years of age are eligible to receive the vaccine. The VA is reaching out to those individuals personally to notify them of their eligibility and coordinate their vaccines. If you are a veteran, you can click here for more information about the VA’s COVID-19 testing and treatment resources. You can also sign up for updates about vaccine availability here.

As ranking member of the Senate VA Committee, there is no group of individuals whom I hold in higher regard than those who served in uniform. My work in Congress will continue to ensure that veterans are able to access these vaccines.

 

Meeting with National Sorghum Producers

I met virtually with members of National Sorghum Producers this week to discuss a number of issues facing farmers. We discussed the negative impact the Biden administration’s proposed changes to step up basis rules and capital gains tax rates would have on family farms; the role sorghum and agriculture will play in carbon sequestration in the future; resource conservation and sustainability; and the importance of trade for the success of Kansas farms. Kansas leads the nation in sorghum production, and exporting the crops we grow to consumers around the world is vital for the success of our farmers. It was great to hear from sorghum producers both in Kansas and throughout the nation as I work to advocate on behalf of farmers and ranchers.

 

 

 

Hearing from Kansas Independent College Leaders

This week, I was grateful for the opportunity to hear from several of our Kansas independent college presidents, including Sterling College, Tabor College, University of St. Mary, Central Christian College and Friends University. The funding provided by the CARES Act and other coronavirus relief measures passed by Congress has allowed Kansas higher education institutions to safely reopen for in-person learning.

In addition to providing a strong college experience in the midst of a pandemic, these institutions and their students are helping retain a low unemployment rate in their institutions’ towns. The educators at Kansas’ independent colleges, like the rest of our state, will benefit from an accelerated vaccine distribution process, and I remain committed to securing the necessary funding and resources to get more shots in more arms. Thank you to these leaders for your dedication to Kansas students despite the many challenges you are currently facing.

 

Honored to Serve You in Washington
It is an honor to serve you in Washington, D.C. Thank you to the many Kansans who have been calling and writing in to share their thoughts and opinions on the issues our state and country face. I appreciate the words of Kansans, whether in the form of a form of letter, a Facebook comment or a phone call, who wish to make their voice heard.

 

Please let me know how I can be of assistance. You can contact me by email by clicking here. You can also click here to contact me through one of my Kansas offices or my Washington, D.C. office.

 

Very truly yours,
Jerry

Statewide Rental Assistance Announced

Governor Kelly Announces $200 Million In Statewide Rental Assistance

~ Funding provides housing support to prevent evictions and homelessness ~

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Kelly and the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation announced $200 million in statewide rental assistance. The initiative, funded through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021, provides the state of Kansas with $200 million to support housing stability and prevent evictions and homelessness.

“COVID-19 has created unprecedented challenges for Kansans, and it is more important than ever to keep our families safe in their homes,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “The $200 million funding for rental assistance will go a long way to prevent evictions and homelessness, and ensure Kansans can stay sheltered and secure while we continue to fight this virus.”

Kansans struggling to cover rent and utility payments due to COVID may qualify for up to 12 months of emergency assistance thanks to new federal relief. Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) and the City of Wichita will administer the funds.

“Home has never been more important,” said Ryan Vincent, KHRC Executive Director. “Home has always been a place of shelter, but in the midst of the pandemic it’s also become our virtual workplace, classroom, and gathering space. Rental assistance protects Kansans’ access to home when they need it most.”

Tenants may qualify for assistance if they earn no more than 80 percent of their area’s median income, are experiencing documented financial hardship as a result of the COVID pandemic and may be at risk of housing instability or homelessness without assistance.

“In unprecedented times of hardship, it’s imperative that we step up to provide security to those in need,” said Sally Stang, Director of Housing and Community Services for the City of Wichita. “Everyone needs a little help now and then, and we want to ensure that families and individuals who need help to stay in their homes receive it.”

Wichita residents may apply through the Wichita Emergency Rental Assistance Program (WERAP) administered by the city’s Housing and Community Services division. The city’s online application will open on Monday, February 22, 2021.

Kansans living outside the Wichita city limits may apply through the Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance (KERA) program administered by KHRC. The online KERA application will open on Monday, March 15, 2021.

The KERA and WERAP programs follow the 2020 Kansas Eviction Prevention Program (KEPP), a $20 million assistance initiative administered by KHRC with federal CARES Act funding. In the roughly 60 days that the program was in statewide operation, KHRC received 10,138 applications for more than $25 million requested in assistance, representing 27,200 Kansans financially impacted by COVID.

About the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC)

The Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) is a public corporation committed to helping Kansans access the safe, affordable housing they need and the dignity they deserve. KHRC serves as the state’s housing finance agency (HFA), administering housing and community programs to serve Kansans. This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number ERA0032 awarded to Kansas Housing Resources Corporation by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Bourbon County Local News