News

Mosaic looks to expand at-home caregiver program

ROBERT PIERCE

• Leader & Times

Officials with Mosaic in Southwest Kansas continue to promote the Mosaic at Home program that allows clients to live in homes in the Liberal and Garden City communities.

Agency leaders recently took some time out of their holiday schedule to educate people in the Garden City program, and Mosaic Independent Contract Program Manager Stephanie Releford said the event was combined with the organization’s Thanksgiving celebration.

“We wanted to inform our members more about our program and when ask them if they would like to be a part of our program to know for sure we’re giving them all of the information so they can be aware of what we’re asking if they want to be a part of it,” she said. “We also awarded our members certificates for the amount of time they’ve lived in Mosaic at Home, and on top of that, we chose to celebrate our home provider for their hard work and dedication as well.”

Governor Kelly announces additional $10M to advance whole-person care in Kansas

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

The debate around healthcare continues, and recently, the State of Kansas announced some action to help with just that.

Monday, Gov. Laura Kelly announced the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) has been awarded an additional $10 million in federal funding to enhance the state’s efforts in integrating primary and behavioral health care, according to a release from the State of Kansas.

Kansas confirms avian influenza in two counties

Kansas Ag Connection

The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in two game bird operations in Doniphan and Rooks counties.

This marks the first commercial operations with HPAI in Kansas since early spring 2024, although the virus has been detected in wild birds and some backyard poultry operations across the state this fall.

District approves incentives for long-term employees

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

Entities throughout town are wrapping up their 2024 work, and that includes the USD 480 school board with a quick special meeting Tuesday afternoon.

Up first for the board was discussion of a stipend for Classified and administrative staff.

“Per the agenda, for classified and administrative staff not covered by the negotiated agreement, we propose a one-time longevity and retention incentive to be paid to eligible full-time staff who have been here five years or more during the 2024-25 school year on Dec. 22,” Superintendent Stephen Linkous said.

Inspectors believe stands were made out of lightweight material

ROBERT PIERCE

• Leader & Times

The bleacher installation project at the rodeo arena at the Seward County Fairgrounds has been temporarily stalled.

After workers were thought to have completed the project, officials with the county’s Planning and Zoning department were called to do an inspection of the bleachers, and Administrator April Warden said upon that inspection, county commissioners received a packet of pictures of the erected bleachers showing materials used for the project were lightweight.