Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, 401 Woodland Hills Blvd.
The past month has been busy for the new Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas staff’s move to the former Mercy Hospital Clinic.
“As expected, we had a few glitches with technology but believe we have internet and phone systems now working well…so thanks to everyone for their patience,” said Krista Postai, CEO for CHC/SEK.
The east entrance to the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas states that the center provides services regardless of ability to pay. Sliding fee discounts and financial assistance is available to eligible patients.
“Patients have been great about getting us signed consents to transfer records – so great, in fact, that we are backlogged….but working through the stack as fast as possible.”
“We also have been very appreciate for all the kindness we’ve been shown…many folks have gone above and beyond.”
“We did get mammography back up and running and are now working at restoring wound care services.”
“We’ve also approached three organizations about the possibility of offering cancer care in Fort Scott to replace the Cancer Center of Kansas who closed their clinic with minimal notice. We’ve had some interest but no commitments.”
“As in the past, we are providing comprehensive primary care including obstetrics. Dr. Burke is now on staff at Via Christi and doing deliveries; Dr. Seals is also doing deliveries at Via Christi and Nevada Medical Center.”
“With the addition of the new clinics, CHC/SEK now employs about 420 – about 40 of these are in the Ft. Scott clinics and about 30 staff are in Arma, Pleasanton and Mound City. We still have openings to fill in registration and nursing, as well as behavioral health where we are looking for a LSCSW or a psychologist (PHD),” Postai said.
“Convenient Care – now Walk-In Care – transitioned Feb. 1; the main clinic on Feb. 4.
“The pharmacy will formally transfer to our ownership April 1. In the interim, Mercy continues to operate it and have contracted with us for the 340B drug discount program which makes it possible for us to provide medications at very low cost for those who are uninsured or have limited finances.
“As we’ve mentioned in the past, our lease in the hospital building is for two years so we continue to explore long-range options. We will need about 20,000 sq. ft. which will allow us to offer more services including dental and behavioral health. Expect to have a decision on the direction we’ll take by May 1.”
“We are working to recruit a pediatrician to Ft. Scott and have interviewed one candidate; also interviewed a dentist with an interest in returning to the area.”
“Phone numbers remain the same. Hours of operation have expanded at the main clinic to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday.”
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas east entrance door states the hours of operation and the phone number of the medical provider on call.
Introducing the Chief Executive Officer of CHC/SEK:
Krista Postai. Submitted photo.
Postai, an original founder and former board member of CHC/SEK. She serves as Chief Executive Officer, according to the CHC/SEK website.
Prior to joining the organization in November 2004, she was vice president of planning and development at Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center. During her 23 years with Mt. Carmel, she was instrumental in the development of several key programs including the regional cancer center, the $17.5 million outpatient expansion completed in 2004, the creation of a physician recruitment and retention program and several mission-directed services including CareVan (a transportation service), Congregational Health Ministry, and the Wesley House Dental Clinic. She served as secretary to the Mount Carmel Foundation and as liaison to the Mt. Carmel Auxiliary.
She attended Pittsburg State University and is a graduate of Kansas University in Lawrence with a Bachelor’s of Science.
A thoughtful and funny performance will intrigue audiences at the Fort Scott High School spring play. Performances are this Friday, March 15 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 16 and 2 and 7 p.m. at the high school auditorium, 1005 S. Main.
From left: Karina Kantilal, Dominic Cannon, Addy Labbe, Kaden Kiwan, Mesa Jones, Daniela Belcuore, Mary Gladbach, Sage Hill, Jo Goodbody, Hunter Adamson attempt to find the culprit who stole the Savage money bonds in this scene.
The comedy, “The Curious Savage” by John Patrick, has kept the thespians practicing lines for the last six weeks, according to FSHS teacher and play director Angela Bin.
“An ensemble cast of eleven students have worked for the past six weeks to embody the interesting characters in this show,” she said. “They include senior Mary Gladbach playing the lead role of Mrs. Savage who is left ten million dollars by her late husband; and junior Dominic Cannon as Titus Savage, senior Daniela Belcuore as Lily Belle Savage, and senior Kaden Kiwan as Samuel Savage, the greedy children who when their mother won’t spoil them with the inheritance, decide to commit her to a group home.”
The Savage siblings have put their step-mother in a home, called The Cloisters. In this scene, Savage is talking to Dr. Emmett of the home.
“In the Cloisters group home, we find characters with a multitude of different personality disorders including senior Hunter Adamson as Fairy May, and juniors Jo Goodbody as Hannibal, Mesa Jones as Florence, and Addy Labbe as Mrs. Paddy; and sophomore Sage Hill as Jeffrey. Dr. Emmett, played by senior Karina Kantilal and Miss Wilhelmina played by senior Alyx Brooks are part of the caring staff who run the Cloisters group home.”
Residents of The Cloisters befriend Savage when she is placed in the home.
Mike Mulrey, superintendent for JRJ Construction, Texas, watches on Monday morning as plumbers install a drain in preparation for the coolers that will be installed in Walmart for new beer coolers. A hole was dug in the floor of the area for the plumbers to install the pipes for the drain.
Customers may have noticed some bare grocery shelves at a local store.
Walmart at 2500 S. Main is reconfiguring the grocery section to “make it flow better,” said Steve, the assistant manager.
Beer Sales
A recent law has precipitated changes in the beer/liquor section of the store.
“The state law changed and effective April 1, we will carry up to six-percent beer,” Steve said. “Hopefully in the future liquor will be added.”
Former Gov. Sam Brownback signed a law in 2017 allowing the sale of higher percentage alcohol beer in grocery and convenience stores to start in 2019, according to a Wichita Eagle newspaper feature story on April 18, 2017.
It’s a significant shift in the way the state regulates alcoholic beverages, according to the Eagle story. The bill was proposed as a compromise between big stores and liquor stores in response to changes in alcohol laws in neighboring Colorado and Oklahoma.
Online Grocery Shopping
“Part of the remodel is for our online grocery that will start,” Steve said. “I don’t have an exact date right now. There is pre-work going on.”
Approximately six more employees will be hired to work in that new section, he said.
The new service will target young customers, Steve said.
“You can order groceries then when you arrive we bring it out to your vehicle. We do the shopping,” he said.
Fort Scott Walmart Employees 160-plus People
Currently, there are 160 employees at Walmart in Fort Scott.
That doesn’t include the pharmacy.
“Pharmacy is a separate entity,” Steve said. “Eyewear is staffed by the pharmacy. That’s why if somebody needs help, we can’t just send someone from the store to help.”
Competitive online gaming is coming to Fort Scott Community College as an extra curricular activity.
eSports is competitive tournaments of video games, especially among professional gamers, according to dictionary.com.
“Competitors from different leagues or teams face off in the same games that are popular with at-home gamers: Fortnight, League of Legends, Counter-Strike, Call of Duty, Overwatch and Madden NFL, to name a few,” according to the FSCC website. “These gamers are watched and followed by millions of fans all over the world, who attend live events or tune in on TV or online. Streaming services like Twitch allow viewers to watch as their favorite gamers play in real time, and this is typically where popular gamers build up their fandoms” (Willingham, A. 2018).”
“Esports is considered a varsity sport, similar to our other athletic teams,” said Tom Havron, FSCC Vice President of Students and Athletic Director. “Our students will be developing valuable traits during their time with the team, but there is not a specific major that the students must strive for. One person might want to be a nursing major, while another student might want to look into a John Deere technician major. Esports will not limit them to what they want to do professionally, but will give them an avenue to better experience college through connecting them with other students that have similar interest and providing them a path to be a part of something special.”
Students will be required to retain a 2.0 GPA during their time in the extra curricular activity, Havron said. Additional requirements may be added by the coach as they deem necessary in the recruitment of students.
“FSCC will be offering the following to students who are interested in becoming a Gaming Greyhound,” according to its website:
Books and Tuition scholarship for 15 credit hours
Private gaming area for practicing and competing
Travel for competitions
Networking with other gamers, spectators, and possible sponsors
A coach to lead them to victory
FSCC will be competing in the games League of Legends and Overwatch, with the possibility for more games in the near future.”
Attracting students to FSCC and possible scholarship opportunities are the motivation behind the addition to the college.
“We believe that eSports is going to be a very popular activity for us on-campus,” Havron said. “Our hope is that we will attract students to attend FSCC that may not have thought of us as a destination before we had eSports.”
“In addition to adding new students, we believe that having this sport will help us provide something new on campus that will further diversify our student body.”
“Finally, we have already been contacted by four-year institutions that also have eSports that are looking for new students. We believe that the program is going to open up new scholarship opportunities to our students that they would not have had before.”
A coach will be needed for eSports and FSCC will be recruiting one in the coming days.
” We currently have admissions and the VP of Students recruiting the team as we search for someone to lead the program,” Havron said.
“As with any activity, practice is going to help the students become better at their craft,” he said. ” In this case, more hands-on time with the game is going to improve their skill level.
The coach will also be responsible for:
recruiting and retaining students for the eSports program
coordinating off-season, practice and competition schedules
assisting with team travel when necessary
running camps, clinics, and promotional events
pursuing sponsorship opportunities within the eSports business world
ensuring team compliance with all league, conference, and institutional rules and regulations
continuously ensuring personal behavior and program reputation are in alignment with the institution values and brand.”
Many high schools in the region are adding eSports, Havron said. “Being a casual gamer is also an option. There are many competitions that can be seen on the internet, and students should find the game that they are most interested in and try to advance their skills. If prospective students have any questions, they are more than welcome to reach out to me at [email protected] and I will be able to assist.”
Bourbon County Arts Council Members present at the Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee on Thursday morning: Steve Floyd, Elaine Buerge, Deb Anderson and Danny Magee.
For the 27th year, the Bourbon County Arts Council has sponsored a fine art exhibit and sale for the community. The venue once again is the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.
Members of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce had the opportunity to view the exhibit during its weekly coffee on Thursday morning at the Ellis Center.
BCAC member Danny Magee tells the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee attendees about the art exhibition.Beth Nuss enjoys a photograph in the BCAC Exhibit on Thursday morning at the Ellis Fine Arts Center.Ally Turvey looks over the watercolor artwork of Debbie Reed, entitled Feeling Crabby.Angie Simon views exhibits at the Bourbon County Arts Council Arts Exhibition and Sale.
The free event continues today through 7 p.m. and again tomorrow, Saturday, March 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Much of the art is for sale.
The BCAC continues the annual show with the help of the following who provided corporate prizes this year: In Memory of E.C. Gordon, Buerge Art Studio, Landmark Bank, Citizens Bank, McDonald’s Restaurant, Union State Bank, H & R Block, H & H Realty, Fort Scott Broadcasting, Bernita Hill, Ward Kraft and City State Bank.
The BCAC also helps fund art walks, concerts, Bad Art By Good People, music programs at area schools, scholarships, opportunities for Fort Scott students to experience a production in Kansas City, and recently contributed to the Steinway piano repair for use by the USD 234 music programs.
This Saturday, March 9 the BCAC will help sponsor the Blues and BBQ Concert at the Liberty Theater, featuring Missy Andersen and Her One Man Band.
Upcoming Patio Concerts: Charlie Barrale/PDA on May 4 and Whiskey Raccoons on June 22 at the Liberty Theater.
Members of the BCAC are Deb Anderson, president, Elaine Buerge, Deb Halsey, Breann Martin, Terri Floyd, Steve Floyd, Tedena Tucker, Danny Magee, Ray Streeter, Laura Meeks and Chris Woods.
View the Bourbon County FINE ART EXHIBIT AWARD Winners for 2019 in their categories below:
CERAMICS
1ST PLACE, DARIA CLAIBORNE, Joplin, Mo., SPRINGTIME TEA SET with an monetary award of $150**.
** Denotes the artist who won in more than one category in the exhition.
BEST OF SHOW 3D, DARIA CLAIBORNE, SPRINGTIME TEA SET, $200**
2ND PLACE, AL LETNER of Pittsburg, Ks., RAKU POT WHEEL THROWN, $75**
DRAWING & GRAPHICS
1ST PLACE, ROBERT SCHYLER, Rich Hill, Mo., EVAN, $150**
2ND PLACE, JEZERIAH SIMPSON of Fort Scott, MULLET, SWEATER, & SADNESS, $75
FAMILY THEME
1ST PLACE, DEBBIE REED of Fort Scott, THE SISTER, $150**
2ND PLACE, STEVE FLOYD of Fort Scott, RUDY, MY SON IN A FUR COAT, $75.
FIBER ART
1ST PLACE, GLENDA FLANAGAN of Louisburg, IRISES, $150.
2ND PLACE, CAROLINE DAY of Pittsburg, SUNRISE MOONRISE, $75.
JEWELRY
1ST PLACE, CHARLES A AULT of Pittsburg, WHITE BUFFALO BRACELET, $150**.
2ND PLACE, BARBARA GIBSON of Fort Scott, NECKLACE, $75.
MIXED MEDIA
1ST PLACE, RIPP HARRISON of Lawrence, THE RECONNECTION OF GUS, $150.
2ND PLACE, DEE HUTCHERSON of Neodesha, KIMONO, $75.
PAINTING
1ST PLACE, ROBERT SCHYLER, EVENING IN PARIS, $150**.
2ND PLACE, IRENE SCHOMACKER of Spring Hill, SNOWSTORM BUFFALO, $75.
PASTEL
1ST PLACE, SKIP KREIBACH of Derby, BIG GUY ON CAMPUS, $150.
2ND PLACE, DANIELLE YOUNG of Bronson, BETTER TOGETHER, $75.
PHOTOGRAPHY
1ST PLACE, LINDA TEETER of Carl Junction, Mo., SEATTLE COFFEE HOUSE, $150.
2ND PLACE, CURT HEIDE of LaCygne, LAZY RIVER, $75.
SCULPTURE
1ST PLACE, CHARLES A AULT, STARS IN MOTION, $150**.
2ND PLACE, AL LETNER, PORTAL 46, $75**.
WATERCOLOR
1ST PLACE, DEBBIE REED of Joplin, Mo., FEELING CRABBY, $150**.
BEST OF SHOW 2D, DEBBIE REED, FEELING CRABBY, $200**
2ND PLACE, ANITA WILSON of Thayer, HILL SONG, $75.
The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes can be a place for local clubs, classes and organizations to get a facility tour and have their scheduled meetings.
“Groups can schedule tours at the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes and also use our conference room if they need to have a meeting as well,” Joyce Davenport, administrative assistant, said. “In addition, there is a kitchenette available so refreshments can be served during their meetings in the conference room. There is also a large screen that can be used for media.”
It can accommodate up to 45 people, Davenport said.
The LMC needs clubs/classes/organizations to schedule two weeks prior, so as not to conflict with previously scheduled events.
The room is huge, with a glass-faced southern view of the greenspace next door to the building.
Contact the LMC at 620-223-1312 between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
One group that has used the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes is the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce seen here at a weekly coffee event. The conference room is adjacent to the unsung heroes exhibition space.
Denise Duncan saw a need for a Yoga class in Fort Scott and is filling that need.
“Since the Shiney Yoga Studio shut down, I saw a great need,” she said. “There is one with private classes but I wanted a place where everyone could come do yoga.”
Duncan has secured a Yoga instructor, Rachel Henderson of Iola.
“I met this couple from Iola and she was teaching (Yoga) and I asked if she would teach a class in Fort Scott,” Duncan said.
Duncan is the owner of the Beaux Art Center and is using a part of the building for the Yoga class.
“We meet at our loft apartment upstairs, 102 S. National Ave,” she said.
Beaux Art Cente, 102 S. National Avenue.
The classes are held on Tuesdays at 6 p.m.
The cost is $10 per class.
“It is for young/old, chubby/skinny, beginner/pro,” Duncan said. “You can go at your own pace.”
Participants should wear loose clothing or yoga pants, and bring their own Yoga/exerecise mat, she said.
Over the past 12 years, Tiffiny Durham has worked many different jobs, in many different locations throughout the United States.
These jobs range from a retreat hostess for Outlaw Ranch in South Dakota, a convenience store clerk in Nebraska, a construction worker in Nebraska, a pine beetle tree marker in the Blackhills of South Dakota among others.
“One might call me a wanderer, as I move from place to place,” Durham said. “It is in these places though, that God has used me to provide a smile for someone having a rough day, or to be that ray of sunshine in a darkening and desperate world.”
Because of her current job, she often works on Sundays, so attending church is difficult.
But Durham has been involved in Family Life Assembly of God in Pittsburg, who have a small group Bible study in Fort Scott on Thursday evenings.
She serves on Wednesday evenings at that church, teaching Bible lessons to the children, she said.
Recently Durham feels God has provided her an opportunity for Christian mission work.
“Within this past year, my heart has begun to really change and I am being pulled in a completely different direction: ministry,” she said.
An important scripture verse for her is Proverbs 3: 5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understandings. In all your ways acknowledge and he will make your path straight.”
“That scripture is my life verse,” she said. “God gave it to me in college as I got to know Him and have a personal relationship with Him.”
“God has placed me in places where I have been the only believer (in Jesus),” Durham said. “Wherever he puts me, he gave me that verse to let me know I can trust Him, no matter what situation I’m in.”
Trusting in God, she believes God has given her the next adventure; The World Race through Adventures in Missions.
To learn more about Adventures in Missions, click below:
“Starting in June of 2019, God will be using my gifts to provide hope and a ray of sunshine in some of the darkest, poorest parts of the world,” she said. “This program is unique because it is not only a mission trip but a chance to allow God to work through me and help me to grow deeper in my walk with God.”
She will travel with a team to Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Morocco, Ethiopia, Djibouti, India, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, and Indonesia.
“We will work in churches and ministries within local communities to preach the Gospel, plant God’s word, minister to women and children trapped in the cycle of prostitution and human trafficking, working in orphanages, and provide help where needed,” she said.
Durham is fundraising for this mission trip and she asks for prayer support.
Durham is having a family game night at the First Presbyterian Church on March 22 from 6 to 8 p.m.
“It will be a fun family evening,” she said. “Bring and stay with your kids. You have 15 minutes to try a family game, then a buzzer will ring and you move to the next game.”
There will be a silent auction which will be the fundraiser for Durham.
On Feb. 25, 2019, Shawn Michael Keating, date of birth Sept. 6, 1980, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for two counts of attempted murder in the first degree, two counts of aggravated assault, one count aggravated burglary, one count of criminal discharge of a weapon into an occupied dwelling.
The warrant for Keating’s arrest was the result of an investigation by the Fort Scott Police Department following an incident on Feb. 9, 2019, in the 1100 block of East Oak Street in Fort Scott.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Kale Nelson and staff of the State Farm Insurance Agency. From left Chalia Swank, licensed representative; Nelson, agent, and Rebecca Ballou, receptionist. Not pictured is Sharon Campbell who works part-time as a customer service representative.
State Farm Insurance Agent Kale Nelson has moved to a more easily accessed location.
“It’s one of the best locations in Fort Scott, being at the intersection of 69 Hwy. and South National Avenue,” Nelson said.
“There is a tremendous amount of traffic, he said.
The new address is 1805 S. National, in a building that is still in the process of being totally renovated.
Today, the parking lot of the property was being graveled for customers, and they are still in the process of settling in the building, Nelson said.
Demolition of the interior of the building started last summer and Nelson and his staff moved on February 19, he said.
“I’m thrilled with the way it turned out,” Nelson said. “There is a little more work to do.”
Besides purchasing his own business property, investing in the community was a goal Nelson had in the renovation.
“It was important to make an investment in a historical building,” Nelson said.
“We’ve had a lot of people share stories about the property (and its many transformations),” he said.
Nelson has been a State Farm Agent since 2005.
Working with people drives him, he said.
“I really enjoy helping people put their protection plans in place….life, some health, home, auto, business, bank… a large range of offerings. Help them overcome what deficiencies they have with the best value for their dollar,” he said.
Hours of operation for the business is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday and evenings by appointment.
“The Saturday morning hours are for people who can’t get in during the week,” Nelson said
Attorney Justin Meeks will also have an office on the property when his section of the building is completed.
The new State Farm Insurance office is located at 1805 S. National, this photo was taken a few weeks ago. The building is located at the intersection of 69 Hwy. and South National Avenue.
Clara Ylander, from Sweden, left, stayed with Jim and Janice Fewins; Rachele Tarpinelli,right, from Italy, stayed with Jay and Sara Jackman last year and attended Uniontown High School.
Learning a foreign language,enjoying the advancement of educational and cultural opportunities, supporing volunteerism, enriching someone’s life while enriching your own, these are all the benefits of hosting an international student, according to Janice Rake, coordinator for Greenheart Exchange Program.
Greenheart Exchange Program students seeking host families for the next school year are beginning to apply now, Rake said.
“The students are happy to live in any type of family scenario: family with or without children, empty nesters, retired couple, single person…..it does not matter,” said Rake. “They are just excited to come to America and have the opportunity. Most want to come for the entire school year but some come for only one semester.”
Host families complete an application process which includes a home visit, references and background checks.
“My goal is always to find a good family/student match so it is a positive experience for all involved,” she said.
“The host family provides a bed and place to study, three meals a day and needed transportation as the students are not allowed to drive,” Rake said.
The students bring spending money for personal spending, shopping and entertainment. Greenheart Exchange secures the VISA, arranges the arrival and departures flights, provides health insurance and monitors throughout the year. The student agrees to follow the guidelines of the program. Greenheart requires each student to fulfill some volunteer or community service work and expects high academic and personal standards.
Rake checks in and monitors the students progress throughout the school year, she said.
Included below are several of the students that have applied so far.
Olga, 16, from Poland, is an “A” student, who will come the first semester, enjoys reading, scouting, volunteering with a children’s group, drama, art, sports, nature, and travel. She has a fear of dogs until she gets to know them. She loves philosophy. Olga attends church sometimes.
Hannes, 16, from Germany, is an “A” student. He loves camping and motocross. His favorite classes are math, physics and PE. He likes sports but also enjoys baking. He works in a local grocery. Hannes attends church sometimes.
Alexandra, 16, from Germany, loves music, sings in choir, plays piano, likes archery, Taikwondo, biking and reading. She has a “B” average. She has a mild allergy to fur but this does not restrict her. She has a cat. She is a bit shy but sweet, friendly and open-minded. She attends church sometimes.
Oliver, 15, from the Czech Republic, is a “B” student. He plays piano and enjoys running, movies and music. He attends church sometimes.
Rebecca, 16, from Switzerland, is a “B+” student. She volunteers with a children’s group, plays guitar, enjoys swimming, reading and cooking. Her favorite subjects are Latin, French, geography and math.
Nicolas, 15, from Spain, is a”B+” student. He enjoys writing, movies,video games, cooking, He loves dogs but is allergic to cats. He wants to study journalism and be a writer. His religion is Catholic and would attend church sometimes.
If interested in hosting or want more information, please contact Janice Rake, Greenheart Coordinator, [email protected] or call 620-473-0646. Information can be found at the website greenheartexchange.org.
Janice Rake is a former teacher and retired postmaster who returned to education when she retired and moved to Redfield.
She was a substitute teacher at Uniontown where she hosted a high school exchange student, Carol, from Brazil.
“I fell in love with Carol and the Greenheart student exchange program,” Rake said.
Since then she has hosted and placed 18 students at various area high schools.
“Every one has been a joy,” she said.
They have come from Italy, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Poland, Albania, Vietnam, Thailand, and Hong Kong.
“The students have varied interests: sports, camping, scouts, art, photography, theater, writing, literature, robotics, music, cooking, travel, history, volunteerism, animal lovers,” she said. “They are mature, independent and enthusiastic about experiencing American school and culture and love sharing their culture. They offer diversity and expose our local students to a world outside their own.”
Rafaela Lima, from Brazil, stayed with Janice Rake last year and graduated from Lawrence High School.
