News

For more information on these topics, we encourage you to visit our website, www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus. Quarantines Do I need to quarantine? You should home-quarantine for at least 14 days after return from travel from the following locations: • Travel to one of the following states on or after March 15: California, New York, Washington state and Florida...

During a work session held prior to the Fort Scott City Commission’s regular meeting Tuesday, Director of Finance Susan Bancroft talked to commissioners and other city staff about recommended changes to the 2020 budget due to uncertainties about revenues moving forward amid the COVID-19 pandemic...

Fort Scott City Commissioners discussed some policies for moving the city forward during the COVID-19 crisis during their regular Tuesday meeting. Commissioners considered a resolution that would declare a local state of emergency and would temporarily expand the authority of the city manager “to act on behalf of the city; and ratifying previous decisions regarding the COVID-19 emergency,” the resolution states. ...

TOPEKA – Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt and U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister on April 1 announced a state-federal partnership to investigate and prosecute scammers attempting to prey on Kansans during the COVID-19 outbreak. The two offices agree coordinating information and manpower will allow the agencies to more quickly verify allegations and prosecute those who are profiteering off the crisis...

Topeka — On April 2, Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt put out a warning to Kansas consumers and investors about potential scams in the insurance and securities industry related to COVID-19. “Scammers don’t take breaks,” Commissioner Vicki Schmidt said. “While Kansans are adjusting to their new everyday lives, scammers are out there looking to take advantage of the situation.”...

USD 235 Superintendent Bret Howard issued an update Thursday on the district’s Continuous Learning Plan. The following is Howard’s post on the district’s website, www.uniontown235.org. What has USD 235 staff been doing this week? • Staff began development of quality learning activities that not only re-emphasize the skills that have been previously taught, but also skills that will prepare students for the upcoming year...

USD 234 officials have updated the district’s food service routes for the week of April 6. The district will conduct three distributions next week. Children will receive the same amount of meals for the week but will pick them up over three days. Each child will receive two meals on Monday, four meals on Tuesday and four meals on Wednesday...

Adversity is no stranger to CHC/SEK. We have always relied on creativity, innovation, and adaption to meet the needs of the communities we serve. In this time of uncertainty with COVID-19, we remain committed to deliver quality healthcare, the way it should be...

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has updated the number of COVID-19 cases in Kansas as of 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 1. According to information from KDHE, there have been updates to the COVID-19 map, which is available at www.kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus. The map contains new data sets and more information...

The city of Fort Scott issued a notice on Wednesday for the purpose of considering applications to be submitted under the CDBG Local Revolving Loan Emergency Response for the effects of COVID-19 on local businesses. The funds will be used for working capital such as salaries, wages, inventory, utilities, rent, insurance payments, etc., and must retain LMI (low-to-moderate income) jobs. The estimated fund amounts available will be more than $265,000...

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has updated the number of COVID-19 cases in Kansas as of Tuesday, March 31.

Shortly after Bourbon County’s stay-at-home order went into effect, on Saturday, Gov. Laura Kelly issued a statewide stay-at-home order. The order, which went into effect at midnight Monday, supersedes the countywide stay-at-home order issued Thursday, March 26. The county order went into effect at 11:59 p.m. Friday, March 27...

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, high school students are facing challenges that are impacting their daily lives. With school closings and limitations on travel and businesses, students are adjusting to a new world in which their jobs, social lives, and school lives are affected. ...

The Kansas Department of Health and Environmental Services has updated number of COVID-19 cases in Kansas as of Sunday, March 29.

USD 234 officials made some changes in meal distribution this week as they evaluate food service while schools are closed. According to district information, the district will be conducting two distributions this week. On Monday, each child was to receive four meals, while on Wednesday, each child will receive a total of six meals. Youth will receive the same amount of meals for the week but will pick them up over two days...

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has added two new states to the quarantine list: Louisiana and Colorado. Previously, just certain counties in Colorado were included. This is effective for persons returning March 27, and moving forward...

The following information was released at 1:10 p.m. by the Kansas Department of Health and Environmental Services.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic currently impacting all states, including Kansas, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Department of Agriculture strongly encourage all land owners and managers to voluntarily reduce the numbe r of acres that they intend to burn this spring...

The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas issued a news release Friday regarding requests CHC/SEK has received from employers and individuals to clear workers as virus free. “Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas is committed to developing systems at our all of our clinics to address this outbreak of Coronavirus,” Linda Bean, CHC/SEK Chief Clinical Officer, said in a letter to employers. ...

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration took action to help increase the supply of ventilators, ventilator tubing connectors, and ventilator accessories, as well as filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) due to shortages during COVID-19, as part of our commitment to ease burdens on the health care system during this pandemic...

TOPEKA – (March 27, 2020) – More than 100 complaints alleging price gouging have been filed since the state’s anti-profiteering law was triggered by the governor’s declaration of a state of emergency related to COVID-19, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said today...

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is working to be as flexible as possible to get food out to the people who need it during the COVID-19 National Emergency. On Wednesday, March 18, President Donald J. Trump signed into law the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which includes billions of dollars in nutrition assistance for children and families. ...

Two Bourbon County, KS positive COVID-19 tests were confirmed this afternoon, making Bourbon County’s total number of cases 3. The testing has been confirmed through the KDHE laboratory in Topeka, KS. Both individuals are and have been in quarantine. The Bourbon County Public Health Department is working diligently to investigate, identify and contact individuals who have been exposed...

The following information was released by the Kansas Department of Health and Environmental Services.

EMERGENCY ORDER OF LOCAL HEALTH OFFICER TO STAY AT HOME Emergency Public Health Order issued on this 26th day of March, 2020, to mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic in Bourbon County, Kansas, pursuant to the authority provided in K.S.A. 65-119, K.S.A. 65-129b and K.S.A 65-202 and other applicable laws or regulations...

USD 235 Superintendent Bret Howard posted information regarding meal distribution Thursday on the district’s website, www.uniontown235.org. “Uniontown USD 235 is committed to making sure that all children in our community are fed as we are facing the current school closing,” Howard said in the update. ...

The USD 234 Board of Education will conduct a special meeting at 2 p.m. Friday at the Board of Education office, 424 S. Main St. The purpose of the meeting is to consider an application to waive 2019-20 attendance requirements; to consider a resolution for suspending board policy IHF graduation requirements; to consider a resolution regarding wage payments during school closings; to consider limiting staff and students in the buildings for learning purposes; a food service update; an executive session to discuss personnel matters for non-elected personnel; and to consider employment, the board notice states.. ...

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has released the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Kansas, as of 11 a.m. Wednesday.

USD 234 officials have made a change in the meal distribution schedule this week. “As we maintain our continued commitment to the safety of our kids, staff and community, we will be doing Thursday and Friday’s distribution on one day — Thursday, March 26,” according to district information released Wednesday. “Kids will receive a total of four meals on Thursday. Distribution spots will remain the same.”...

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment Services has released the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Kansas.

Bourbon County Public Health Officer Becky Johnson issued an order Sunday night restricting or prohibiting businesses activities in Bourbon Cunty for all non-essential businesses and making recommendatinos for essential business functions. Essential Businesses...

Bourbon County Health Department officials reported Sunday evening a Bourbon County, resident has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). The testing was confirmed Sunday afternoon through the Kansas Department Health and Environment laboratory in Topeka...

As she discussed during a press conference Monday, Governor Laura Kelly on Tuesday issued Executive Order #20-14 limiting mass gatherings in Kansas to 10 persons, which replaced the previous order limiting mass gatherings to 50 persons. The decision was based on updated guidance from the White House Coronavirus Task Force, and modeling from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) that projected cases of COVID-19 in Kansas could sharply rise to a range of 300 to 900 by the end of the month.. ...

Bourbon County Commissioners met Tuesday morning to amend the pay schedule for employees when an emergency declaration is issued. During a special meeting Monday, commissioners voted to keep the courthouse closed to the public until April 5. The courthouse was closed to the public beginning March 17 in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic...

The COVID-19 situation is challenging each of us in different ways. For the staff at Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, “business as usual” has always meant constantly trying to improve and find new and better ways to care for our patients...

USD 235 Superintendent Bret Howard on Monday updated district patrons on the district’s plans moving forward during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. Due to a recent confirmed positive test result for COVID-19 in Bourbon County, Howard said, “At this time, we have no immediate plans to bring students back into our buildings in small group settings.”...

The VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System, which includes the Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center, the Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center and its eight rural community-based clinics, has implemented increased precautions and procedures to protect veteran patient population, staff, and visitors...

Ascension Via Christi's hospitals continue to receive calls from individuals and companies wanting to donate unused personal protection equipment by temporarily closed companies wanting to put items to good use. "The generosity and supportive nature of those who live in our community is amazing," Randy Cason, president of Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, said. "We are extremely grateful for our community’s kindness and for everyone else stepping up to help."...

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kansas WIC program will continue to operate. WIC is the nutrition program for low-income pregnant women, infants, and children from birth to age five, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). All current Kansas WIC participants will continue to receive benefits, and new applicants will be assessed, certified and issued benefits. ...

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reports as of 3 p.m. Monday, March 23, there are 82 positive, confirmed cases of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Kansas. That number includes one death each in Johnson and Wyandotte counties. In addition, there were two positive cases of out-of-state residents reported, each in Ford and Miami counties...

March 22, 2020; 8:00 PM The following actions are officially implemented by the Bourbon County Public Health Officer and shall be in official force and effect at 8:00 PM on Sunday, March 22, 2020. This order shall remain in effect until modified or rescinded by the Public Health Officer. ...

A Bourbon County, KS positive COVID-19 test was confirmed this afternoon. The testing has been confirmed through the KDHE laboratory in Topeka. The Bourbon County Public Health Department is working diligently to investigate, identify and contact individuals who have been exposed. Updates to follow...

Due to the threat of COVID-19, several agencies are closing their doors to the public and several events have been cancelled or postponed. Most restaurants are providing curb, carry-out or drive-through service. As the week progresses, many other events and agencies may close to the public as well. This is a compilation of press releases the Tribune has received as of 4:30 p.m. Monday...

Ascension Via Christi's hospitals continue to receive calls from individuals and companies wanting to donate unused personal protection equipment by temporarily closed companies wanting to put items to good use. "The generosity and supportive nature of those who live in our community is amazing," Randy Cason, president of Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, said. "We are extremely grateful for our community’s kindness and for everyone else stepping up to help."...

As of noon Monday, Ascension Via Christi Hospital will enact additional visitation restrictions designed to protect patients and staff as COVID-19 has reached Southeast Kansas and a growing number of surrounding counties. This includes the emergency department in Fort Scott, which is also no longer allowing visitors. Exceptions for the following units, where one visitor will be allowed in:...

The Bourbon County Courthouse will remain closed to the public at least until April 5. The decision was made during a special Bourbon County Commission meeting held via teleconference Monday morning. The courthouse was closed last week due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic...

The VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System, which includes the Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center, the Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center and its eight rural community-based clinics, has implemented increased precautions and procedures to protect veteran patient population, staff, and visitors...

Bourbon County Health Department officials announced Sunday Bourbon County has its first confirmed case of COVID-19. According to one county official, the individual who has tested positive is a 74-year-old male living within Bourbon County. The official was unsure what town the individual uses as a physical address...

The City of Fort Scott will closed to the public until further notice. This is due to the CoronaVirus pandemic. City staff will still be working and feel free to call City Hall at 223-0550 with any concerns you may have. You can pay your utility bill or Municipal Court fine online at www.fscity.org and click on the Online Bill Pay button. There is also a drop box in the alley behind City Hall...