Government, Kansas

2022 Kansas Birding Big Year Results, 2023 Contest

Leave a comment

PRATT – The 2023 Kansas Birding Big Year Contest, hosted by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP), is officially underway! Participation is simple; record the number of unique bird species you see in Kansas from Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2023 and submit your findings. You just might end up a 2023 Kansas Birding Big Year winner!

Participants of all skill levels are invited to compete in one of three age groups: Youth (age 17 and younger), adult (ages 18-64), or senior (age 65 and older). The winners from each category will receive prizes to be awarded in January 2024.

Participation Guidelines

  1. Participants must register online at ksoutdoors.com/Services/Wildlife-Diversity/2023-Kansas-Birding-Big-Year on or before April 1 to participate in the 2023 contest.
  2. Participants must read and abide by the set of rules governing the competition. These rules are adapted from the American Birding Association Recording Rules and Interpretations and include the Code of Birding Ethics. Breaking, or disregard for, these rules will result in disqualification.
  3. Participants must log their data into the online service, eBird, available on the Cornell University website, ebird.org. Each participant must create an individual profile, sign-in and password to begin submitting sightings.
  4. Participants must submit a running total list of observed species quarterly to the program coordinator to track progress and provide quality control. The program coordinator and competition committee have final say on list totals. Quarterly submission dates for the 2023 contest are: June 30, September 30 and December 31.

Winners will be recognized, and prizes awarded, in mid-January of the following calendar year. Award categories are as follows: Youth, Adult Novice, Adult Intermediate, Adult Advanced, and Senior.

The 2022 Kansas Birding Big Year Contest wrapped up in December 2022, with youth participant Franklin Miller claiming the title of “Kansas’ Top Birder” after identifying 322 unique bird species in the state last year.

The top winners from 2022 in each category are listed below.

Adult, Advanced

  1. Malcolm Gold – 315*
  2. Mark Nolen – 304*
  3. Jeff Calhoun – 250*
  4. Dan Broers – 246
  5. Chad Gardner – 228

Adult, Intermediate

  1. Seth Miller – 290*
  2. Juan Avena – 275*
  3. Corey Entriken – 267*
  4. Melissa Bruce – 265*
  5. Kelli Egbert – 219

Adult, Novice

  1. Ann Tanner – 183
  2. Krystal Sarcone – 83
  3. Timothy Tarkelly – 79

Youth

  1. Franklin Miller – 322*
  2. Hezekiah Swihart – 192
  3. Michaela Gold – 166
  4. Danielle Gold – 143

Senior 

  1. Henry Armknecht – 289*
  2. Sue Newland – 270*
  3. Dan Larson – 215
  4. Marie Plinsky – 206
  5. William Simon – 140

An asterisk (*) denotes a Top 10 Overall score.

Sponsors of the 2022 Kansas Big Birding Year contest include: City of Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau, The Kansas Wetlands Education Center, Acorn Naturalists, The Kansas Ornithological Society, Dr. Robert Penner, and KDWP.

For more on the Kansas Birding Big Year, visit ksoutdoors.com/services/Wildlife-Diversity/2023-Kansas-Birding-Big-Year.

Health Care

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

Leave a comment

f Someone Won’t Get a Pap Test for Themselves, They Should Get One for their Family

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly proclaims January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Through a partnership with Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Kansans are urged to get pap tests for cervical cancer to reduce long-term cancer risks. Free or low-cost screening test through the KDHE Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program is available for eligible women at average risk who also do not have health insurance and meet income guidelines.

There are many things a person can do for the ones they love; and they should make screening and preventing cervical cancer one of them. On average, 100 women in Kansas are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, and half of those are diagnosed as late stage. If caught early, cervical cancers are treatable.

Anne Zajic is a mother of three active little girls and a loving wife. “I remember feeling as though the room was spinning when I learned I had cervical cancer,” says Zajic. “I have been cancer free for more than five years and encourage others to get the HPV vaccine and tests regularly because cervical cancer is a very preventable illness and one that I hope my daughters won’t have to experience.”

Newly released data shows that 83.9% of women are up to date in cervical cancer screening. But screening must begin at 21 and follow the schedule recommended by a health care provider. The goal in Kansas is that 90% of women will be up to date in cervical cancer screening by 2027.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for cervical cancer:

  • Every 3 years with cervical cytology for women aged 21 to 65, or
  • Every 5 years with primary HPV testing (an HPV test that is done by itself for screening) or HPV-Pap co-testing for women aged 30 to 65.

Recommended screening beginning at age 21 is the most effective way to prevent cervical cancer. For more information about cervical cancer, visit kdhe.ks.gov/816.

Housing, Kansas

Homeowners In Need of Assistance: Help Is Available

Leave a comment
Kansas Homeowner Assistance Fund closing soon

Homeowners in need of assistance encouraged to apply now

TOPEKA – The Kansas Homeowner Assistance Fund (KHAF), a federally funded, temporary emergency program to support homeowners experiencing hardship during the COVID pandemic, has disbursed nearly all program funds and will close soon. The program has entered Final Funding stage, the first of three closure phases. Homeowners in need of assistance are encouraged to apply now, while funding is still available.

 

“The economic impact of the pandemic continues to be felt by families and communities across the state,” said Ryan Vincent, Executive Director of Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC), which administers the KHAF program. “This assistance has provided housing stability and preserved the dream of homeownership for more than 3000 Kansas families in need.”

 

KHAF was established with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to help qualifying Kansas homeowners get current on their mortgage payments and avoid foreclosure. Eligible homeowners at least 30 days past-due on mortgage and/or property taxes can receive payment assistance for mortgages, utility bills, property taxes, and other charges associated with delinquency. Since the program launched in April 2022, KHAF has provided $39,886,389 to 3,549 households.

 

The closure process will follow three phases. Here’s what this means for Kansas homeowners in need of assistance:

1. Final Funding Phase: Homeowners seeking KHAF support should apply as soon as possible to be considered for final funding.

2. Hold Phase: Once the program receives enough applications to fully expend all KHAF funds, approval of new applications and recertifications will be subject to availability of remaining funds. Applications submitted during Hold Phase will be placed on hold and will not be reviewed or processed unless sufficient program funds are available.

3. Closure Phase: When all program funds are exhausted the program will close and will stop accepting new applications.

The KHAF program is now in Final Funding Phase. The length and dates of each phase will be subject to a variety of factors, including application volume and amount of assistance requested. Each program closure phase will be announced on the KHAF webpage.

 

For more questions, applicants can reach KHAF customer service at 855-307-KHAF (5423), or review the KHAF closure FAQs. KHRC’s ongoing housing programs will continue to serve Kansans beyond the closure of the KHAF program.

###

The KHAF program is administered by Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC), a self-supporting, nonprofit, 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, administering essential housing and community programs to serve Kansans.

 

Kansas Housing Resources Corporation

611 S Kansas Ave., Suite 300 | Topeka, KS 66603

[email protected]
Facebook
Government, Kansas

Early Childhood Grant Awarded to Kansas

Leave a comment

Governor Kelly Announces $4 Million Planning Grant to Advance Statewide
Early Childhood System

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund has been awarded a $4 million 2023 Preschool Development Birth through Five Planning Grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families. The grant will support the state’s ongoing efforts to bolster the early childhood workforce, support the physical and emotional well-being of our children, and ensure we design an early childhood system that meets the needs of all Kansas families.

“We know that a child’s development from birth to five years of age is vital to their trajectory in education and in life,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This funding will allow us to plan and build upon initiatives that strengthen our integrated early childhood system, with a special focus on ensuring our most vulnerable children are prepared for kindergarten.”

The grant will support:

  • A study on how to better coordinate the state’s delivery of early childhood services to create a more streamlined system that is easy for all families to navigate, especially low-income and vulnerable populations.
  • Exploration of a service delivery model that empowers families to be part of designing a responsive early childhood care and education system and holding the system accountable.
  • Strengthening the early childhood sector’s workforce recruitment and growth.
  • Exploration of a compensation reform plan based on the true cost of care, market conditions, and the economic growth Kansas is experiencing.

“As a recipient of federal funding in 2018 and a three-year renewal grant in 2020, Kansas has amplified and expanded a continuum of services and supports to better meet the needs of Kansas children and their families,” Melissa Rooker, Executive Director of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet, said. “We are excited to receive this new award which will allow us to take stock of our progress and design a future that ensures all Kansas children can thrive,”

To learn more about the progress of Kansas initiatives supported by this grant, visit kschildrenscabinet.org.

Government, Kansas

Legislative Update By State Senator Caryn Tyson

Leave a comment
Caryn Tyson

 

January 27, 2023

 

Committee Work continues in the third week of session.  It appears that session is off to a slow start, however, there are reports and hearings being conducted in committees.  Bills, schedules, and recordings of the meetings can be found at http://www.kslegislature.org/li/.

 

Government Picking Winners and Losers  Last week I talked about a Legislative Post Audit report on tax incentive programs being used to promote business in Kansas.  The report pointed out 37% of businesses questioned would have expanded or completed the project without the tax incentives.  The report also pointed out the programs do not generate enough tax dollars to pay for the ‘giveaways’.

 

This week another presentation on government picking winners was presented in the Commerce Committee.  Universities are allowing companies who “pay to play” to have access to students and research.  Not all businesses have access to these students or research.  It used to be that students would intern for companies, but now, some companies have locations on campus.

 

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.

Caryn

 

Church news, Food, Fort Scott

Ground (Hog) Feed on Feb. 4 at First Southern Baptist Church

Leave a comment

      

The First Southern Baptist Church, 1818 S. Main.

    

JOIN US FOR OUR 4TH ANNUAL

ALL YOU CAN EAT PANCAKES

WITH A SERVING OF GROUND(HOG)

DINE IN OR CARRY OUT

ALSO SILENT AUCTION,

 VALENTINE GIFTS & BAKE SALE

February 4, 2023, 8 A.M.- 2 P.M.

at First Southern Baptist Church

1818 South Main, Fort Scott, KS

Children 7 and under FREE

8 to Adult $5.00 in advance

or

$6.00 at the door

for advanced tickets Contact

Ida Ford 417-262-3948,

Terri Williams 620-215-3202, or

Fort Scott Chamber

 

 

**All proceeds go to the building fund

Ft Scott First Southern Baptist Church

TAKING ORDERS – Pick up 02/04/23

Individually wrapped

homemade sausage rolls

(jalapeno/cheddar

and cheddar)

$2.00 each

Great from Freezer to Microwave,

Ready in minutes

To Order contact

Terri Williams 620-223-3202

Ida Ford 417-262-3948

 

       

** All proceeds to Church Building Fund

           

 

Opinion

Love is an Uphill Climb by Carolyn Tucker

Leave a comment

Keys to the Kingdom

In 1992, I became close friends with Shardel and Misty through a mothers’ group when all three of our little boys were two years old. Later in the mid-90s, both families moved away from Fort Scott. Last summer I had the joy of hosting a weekend reunion at my home with these dear and treasured girlfriends. Even though we had lived apart many years, our souls were still knit together. As we visited, laughed, cried, ate scratch brownie batter, and simply picked up where we left off, I said something like, ”I’m not who I used to be; I’ve changed. My heart is softer and I’m not so judgmental and opinionated.” During those 27 years of separation, I learned (am still learning) what it means to love others like Jesus does. What a difference choosing a mindset of love has made in my life!

 

Practicing love is not based on a feeling, but rather a decision to humbly obey God’s Word. When Jesus’ crucifixion was near, He shared many directives to His disciples. “Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for Me, but you can’t come where I am going. So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples” (John 13:33-35 NLT). Jesus’ command requires believers to take the necessary steps to love others. We simply put one foot in front of the other and begin hoofing the uphill climb.

 

To walk in love requires effort on our part — we have to work at it. Being a doer of  love costs something, whether it’s our time, money, pride, or opinions. A good question to ask ourselves is: “Are my wounded feelings and stubborn opinions more important than the person and my relationship with him/her?” Speaking from emotions in the heat of the moment can undo a lifetime of closeness. “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace” (Ephesians 4:2-3 NLT). Being right is highly overrated, and having peaceful relationships  is highly underrated. Peace is like a soothing essential oil for the soul.

 

Loving others is a daily decision that’s practiced on purpose — and it’s not always easy. Sometimes the stepping stones to love are a little too far apart and it’s a stretch for us. But let’s think past the upsetting circumstance and ask ourselves: “Am I loving others in a way that I‘ll have no regrets later on?” We must live in the light of Jesus as we climb every mountain in love. “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ” (Ephesians 5:1-2 NLT).

 

Because Christ lives in believers, we are more than able to do what is required of us. “…Dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other“ (Colossians 3:12-15 MSG).

 

The Key: Love is an uphill climb one step at a time.

K-State Extension

Alternative Forage Options for Spring 2023

Leave a comment
Chad Guthrie
District Extension Agent, Crop production and Forage Management
Southwind District
210 S. National
Fort Scott, Kansas 66701
Office: 620-223-3720
Cell: 308-991-8415
[email protected]

Much of Southeast Kansas experienced drought through the late summer and fall months of 2022. This has affected pasture health, forage yields, and hay prices, causing some producers to worry if they will have enough forage to maintain their herd numbers. In this article we will lay out a few forage options that producers may not be utilizing.

Many tall fescue pastures in SEK went into dormancy early last summer, and never seemed to come out, leaving producers to worry if the fescue is dead. While it is difficult to tell how much will recover, we know that stand health will be poor this spring. In some cases, spring oats can be drilled into fescue stands to provide additional forage. Using low seeding rates and a no-till drill, oats make a great companion crop allowing the fescue to rest.

Winter wheat can be used as a dual-purpose crop, where producers graze the stand early in the spring, and then pull cattle off to have a harvestable wheat crop. Winter wheat can be grazed until the first hallow stem stage without impacting yield potential. Research has shown a 0% yield impact from grazing prior to the first hallow stem stage, and then a 2% yield loss each day the wheat is grazed after the first hallow stem stage. The first hallow stem stage can be identified by splitting the main tiller on the wheat plant and finding the developing wheat head. The first hallow stem stage begins when the developing wheat head is approximately 1.5 centimeters above ground, roughly the diameter of a dime.

Winter wheat can also be used solely as a forage crop with the ability to rotate to a summer crop. In this system, wheat can be grazed until planting time. Wheat can be terminated via tillage or herbicides.

For producers who did not plant winter wheat in the fall there are a number of spring- planted cereal crops that make excellent grazing options.

Cereal rye is a cold-hardy, fast growing cereal crop that will produce a large amount of forage quickly. Cereal rye is most often planted in the fall, but in SEK, late winter plantings can also achieve adequate stands. Rye is best served as a silage crop because it matures quickly, but it will also give producers the earliest grazing option.

Spring oats is the next earliest forage option. Spring oats can be planted as early as February 15 in a warm and dry winter, or as late as March 10 in a cold and wet winter. Oats will freeze kill, so plan to plant after the last threat of a freeze.

Spring oats will not produce tillers, so yield potential will not be as high as other cereal crops. Grazing should begin when plants reach 6-8 inches tall and then grazing should end when plants reach 2-3 inches tall to maintain regrowth.

For producers looking to get more forage from their spring crop, spring triticale can be a great option. Spring triticale will mature later in the season than cereal rye and spring oats, so it is not recommended if producers want to rotate to corn in that field. Double-cropped soybeans would be an option in SEK.

Spring triticale has many hybrids that are designed for different forage types, meaning it can have good grazing potential, but triticale is best served as a hay/silage crop.

With a glim outlook on spring pasture health, producers may need to look beyond their typical spring grazing options. Cereal crops can be an inexpensive and high-quality forage to fill a need while tall fescue pastures recover from last year’s drought. For more information on using alternative forages, contact Chad Guthrie, crop production and forage management agent, at any Southwind Extension District office.

Business, Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening in Fort Scott

Leave a comment

What’s Happening in Fort Scott!

January 27th Weekly Newsletter

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

________________

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Daily Tours: 10am & 1pm

Click this link: The Artificers

Upcoming pottery class/workshop

schedule, something for all ages!

January Special at Hedgehog.INK! Buy 2 Get 1 Free on any action, detective, mystery, Christian, or fiction. See flyer below for more info!

February Special at Hedgehog.INK! Buy 2 Get 1 Free Romance Books!

1/27 ~ FSHS Basketball at Home vs. Independence – Homecoming Game, V/JV/F games start at 4:30pm

1/28 ~ Paint & Pizza at Papa Don’s, 11am, $25, click here for info.

1/28 ~ Commercial Real Estate Auction, 10 S. National Ave, live & on-line bidding available, starting at 1pm. Click here for more info.

1/28 ~ Author Talk and Book Signing at Hedgehog.INK!, 1:30-2:30pm see flyer below for more info!

1/28 ~ The Beauty Lounge 1-year Anniversary Event & New Location, 1-5pm, click here for FB event.

1/28 ~ FSCC Women’s & Men’s Basketball at Home, Women’s 2pm, Men’s 4pm

1/28 ~ Grand Opening Gala at The Artificers, Ribbon Cutting 5:30pm, Gala 6-9pm.

1/28 ~ Live music at Pizza Republic by Bourbon County Revival, 8pm, click here.

1/26 ~ FSHS V/JV/G Wrestling Home Dual vs. Burlington, 6pm

2/1 ~ FSCC Women’s & Men’s Basketball at Home, Women’s 5:30pm, Men’s 7:30pm

2/2 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Communities in Schools @ FSMS, 1105 E 12th St, 8am (enter through south doors & Coffee will be held in the Community Room)

2/2 ~ Community Involvement Fair hosted by Fort Scott Forward, 5-6:30pm, Ellis Fine Arts Center Lobby.

2/3 ~ FSHS Basketball at Home vs. Parsons, V/JV/F games start at 4:30pm

2/3 ~ First Saturday Story Time @ Hedgehog.INK! Book Store, 10:30am.

2/4-5 ~ FS Youth Basketball Tourn, 3rd-6th grade boys and girls. Contact 620-423-6656 to sign up.

2/6-7 ~ SEK Day on the Hill-Breakfast with Legislators, click here for more info.

2/3 ~ FSHS Basketball at Home vs. Chanute, V/JV/F games start at 4:30pm

2/8 ~ Dare to Dream Women’s Entrepreneurship event, Unique Challenges of a Small Business, 5-7pm, HBCAT office, FREE but click here to RSVP.

2/9 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Lyons Realty Group, 8 E. Wall St., 8am

2/9 ~ Gorilla Gathering Bourbon County, 6pm, registration is required, click here for more info.

2/10-11 ~ Love Local Chocolate Crawl, Downtown & Around, Shopping & Tasting Event.

2/10 ~ Common Ground Live Music Event featuring Stephan Moses,7-8pm,

click here for more info.

2/11 ~ The Beauty Lounge Paint & Sip Galentine’s Event, 2:30pm, click here for FB event.

2/11 ~ Cupid’s Corner at Buck Run Community Center, pre-school thru 5th grade, $1.00 for each participant. Click here for more info.

2/16 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Kiwanis, 8am

Save the Date!

2/17-18 ~ Prairie Troubadour Symposium, most events held at The River Room, click here.

2/17 ~ Daddy Daughter Dance Battle at Buck Run Community Center, $5/pre-registration for couple, $2.50 per additional child, $8/at the door for couple, $4 per additional child.

Click here for more info.

2/18 ~ VFW Post 1165 – 8 Ball Pool Tournament, 12-3pm, click here for more info.

2/21 ~ Kiwanis Drive-thru Pancake Feed, tickets are $5, 11am-1:30pm and 4-6:30pm at the First United Methodist Church.

2/25 ~ Kansas Rocks Recreation Park Annual Frostbite Event, ksrockspark.com.

_________

SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!

Boutiques-Antiques-Flea Markets & more!

Click here for Chamber member

specialty shopping & other retail in

Downtown & other areas of the community.
Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue

Calendar of Events

Special Event Features

THANK YOU Chamber Champion members!!
Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.

January Special at Hedgehog.INK! Book Store, Downtown Fort Scott

Save the Date for The Artificers Grand Opening

Ribbon Cutting & Gala Event!

The Chamber is now taking registrations for the 2023 class of LEAD Bourbon County! Click here for the registration form.

Dare to Dream Women’s Entrepreneurship event!

Upcoming Movie Schedule @ Fort Cinema
THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER CHAMPION MEMBERS!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
231 E. Wall Street
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Facebook Share This Email
Twitter Share This Email
LinkedIn Share This Email
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Jan. 31

Leave a comment

Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Date: January 31, 2023
1st District–Nelson Blythe Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District–Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District–Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk–Ashley Shelton


MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM BEGINNING AT 9:00AM


Call to Order
• Flag Salute
• Approval of Minutes
• Signatures for Accounts Payable
• Eric Bailey – Road & Bridge Report
• Eric Bailey – Executive Session KSA 75–4319(b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property
• Kathy – Executive Director of Area Agency on Aging
• Jeremiah Hill – County Roads
• Bill Martin – Vehicle Bids/Loans
• Coroner Cost–Sharing Agreement
• SEKRPC – Renewal
• Public Comment
• Commission Comment
Justifications for Executive Session:


KSA 75–4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
KSA 75–4319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney–client relationship
KSA 75–4319(b)(3) To discuss matters relating to employer–employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
KSA 75–4319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships
KSA 75–4319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property
KSA 75–4319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.

Attachment:

Business, Food, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Announces Love Local & Chocolate Crawl Shopping Event

Leave a comment

 

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Love Local Chocolate Crawl shopping event which will take place on Friday, February 10th and Saturday, February 11th.  Most stores in the Downtown Historic District and several additional locations will be participating in the fun.

 

Customers are invited to shop local retailers while sampling a variety of chocolate treats along the way, and many will also be offering drawings and promotions.  Locations included in the event will have a Chocolate Crawl poster and red and white balloons displayed at their entrance.

 

Each retailer will have a Love Local Bingo card that customers can fill out for a chance to win $100 Chamber Bucks!

 

The Chamber encourages the community to shop local, love local and join the Chocolate Crawl on February 10th and 11th to celebrate Valentine’s Day. “You can’t buy love, but you can buy local!”

Contact the Chamber for more information at 620-223-3566.

Submitted by:
Lindsay Madison, Executive Director, [email protected]

Emily Clayton, Communications & Events Coordinator, [email protected]

 

Area News, Health Care

Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg becomes Dispensary of Hope site

Leave a comment

 

Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg soon will become a Dispensary of Hope site, a pharmaceutical program that delivers critical medicine, at little to no cost, to the people who need it the most but can’t afford it.

 

“America’s most vulnerable are in the greatest need of healthcare solutions and typically lack access to a consistent and reliable source of medication,” says Chris Okeke, director of Pharmacy Services. “Our local community hospital will now be able to provide solutions to that problem.”

 

Since 2007, Dispensary of Hope has been providing eligible patients with medications and supplies needed to treat a wide range of chronic diseases and conditions. The program offers participants ordering and free weekly shipping.

 

“We are blessed to be able to provide these essential medicines to those in the community who may not have been able to receive them otherwise,” says Drew Talbott, hospital president. “This addition to our hospital aligns perfectly with our Mission of providing compassionate care, close to home.”

 

Those who are looking to benefit from the program will need to talk with their provider to get started.

 

To learn more about services offered at Ascension Via Christi, go to ascension.org/pittsburgKS.

 

###

About Ascension Via Christi

 

In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400 associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org.

Fort Scott News