Monthly Archives: April 2018

Area News, Submitted

FSCC’s Annual Women’s Appreciation Luncheon April 25

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Fort Scott Community College (FSCC) is hosting the annual Women’s Appreciation Luncheon on Wednesday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Ellis Fine Arts Center.

Tickets are available at the FSCC Dick Hedges Administration Building receptionist’s desk for $6 and reservations are appreciated. Those who pre-purchase five tickets will get one free. To reserve by phone call 223-2700, ext. 0.

“The luncheon is an annual event to honor the women in our community,” said committee chair and Director of Human Resources, Juley McDaniel. “Each year gets better and better. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate Administrative Professionals Day and to see how hard women in our community work. With all the different vendors, great food, and door prizes, this year will be just as good as the last.”

For more information contact Juley McDaniel at [email protected] or 620-223-2700 ext. 5201.

Government, Kansas, Submitted

Broadband Expansion Task Force

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Governor Jeff Colyer Signs Senate Substitute for HB 2701 into Law Creating Broadband Expansion Task Force

Salina – Governor Jeff Colyer signed Senate Substitute for HB 2701 into law today during a ceremony held at Cox Solutions in Salina, KS. This bill establishes the Statewide Broadband Expansion Planning Task Force. The Task Force will advise and make recommendations regarding broadband issues and accessibility across Kansas.

“The issue of broadband accessibility has been discussed for many years and now it is time to take action,” said Governor Colyer.

The mission of the Task Force is to work collaboratively to develop an approach that includes the creation of a statewide map for evaluating broadband needs of Kansas citizens, business, industries, institutions, and organizations.  Once those needs are identified, the task force should identify and document risks, issues, and constraints associated with a statewide broadband expansion and develop criteria for prioritizing the expansion of broadband services across Kansas.

The Task Force will be composed of 17 individuals including House and Senate members, representatives from counties, municipalities, phone and telecommunications associations, various carriers, Electric Co-Ops, and others.

“We can and must do everything in our power to continue providing Kansas citizens access to technological advancements,” said Gov. Colyer, “As the world continues to change and advance, we want Kansas to be able to lead the way.”

The Governor has now signed 65 bills into law this session. By law, the Kansas governor has 10 calendar days to sign bills into law, veto bills or allow bills to become law without his signature.

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Submitted

Mercy Leads For Third Year In Care and Safety

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Mercy Named In Top Five Health Care System in the U.S.

Mercy in the lead for the third year for quality of care and patient safety

FORT SCOTT, Kan (April 24, 2018) – Shorter hospital stays, fewer complications and better patient results are just a few metrics used to rank Mercy as one of the top five large health systems in the nation, alongside Mayo Clinic. The 2018 Watson Health 15 Top Health Systems study recognizes five large, five medium and five small systems from 338 health systems and 2,422 hospitals across the U.S. Click here for listings.

“I’m proud of Mercy Hospital Fort Scott’s outstanding quality and safety measures such as zero hospital-acquired infections and an extremely low re-admission rate which position us to be a solid contributor towards this accomplishment,” said President Reta Baker. “Our physicians and co-workers are dedicated to providing excellent care close to home for patients in our community.”

The focus on health-care-associated infections is a new metric in the study this year due to its impact on patient care – including reducing deaths – as well as lowering the cost of care. Mercy’s efforts tied to C-diff reduction have led to significantly higher prevention and earlier detection, and have resulted in avoiding more than $5 million in health care costs from 2016 to the present.

Watson Health, an IBM company and formerly known as Truven Health, produces the only study of its kind to combine rigorous analysis of individual hospital performance metrics into system-level data, identifying the best health systems in the nation. This annual, quantitative scorecard uses objective, independent research, and public data sources. Health systems do not apply for consideration, and winners do not pay to market their award.

Mercy outperformed peers in the following ways:

  • Saved more lives and caused fewer patient complications
  • Lower cost of care
  • Readmitted patients less frequently
  • Shorter wait times in emergency departments
  • Shorter hospital stays
  • Better patient safety
  • Higher patient satisfaction

Some of the keys to improving the quality of patient care have included efforts made possible because of Mercy’s dedicated team, leading technology, and best practices:

  • Mercy was among the first healthcare organizations in the U.S. to have an integrated electronic health record (EHR) connecting all points of care. With a finely-tuned EHR, clinical best practices can be hard-wired into the system, resulting in triggers that warn of possible complications at very early stages, as well as data that can help reduce variation and improve compliance.
  • With more than 2,000 integrated physicians – one of the largest medical groups in the nation – Mercy brings primary care and specialty doctors together to implement proven, clinical-based best practices to improve patient care.
  • Specialty councils made up of physicians, nurses and clinicians, representing more than 40 areas of medicine, providing best practices for everything from heart surgery to the delivery of babies.

“This speaks volumes about Mercy’s relentless efforts to provide quality care and ensure patient safety across Mercy,” said Dr. Keith Starke, senior vice president and top quality officer for Mercy across four states. “This ranking measures the quality of patient care, including the ability to reduce errors, infections and accidents that can harm patients.”

Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2018, 2017 and 2016 by Watson Health, an IBM company, serves millions annually. Mercy includes more than 40 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, 800 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 44,000 co-workers and 2,100 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In addition, Mercy’s IT division, Mercy Technology Services, supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.

Obituary

Obituary Of Nora Jean O’Dell

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Nora Jean O’Dell, aged 94, wife of Merlin O’Dell, born March 27, 1924, the fifth of six children of Roy and Ruth McKinnis, of Uniontown, Kansas, died late Saturday morning, April 21, 2018. 
 She was lovingly lifted to the waiting arms of her Savior by children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, a sister-in-law, neighbors, friends, church members, her pastor, the members of Mercy Hospice, and the dedicated and empathetic staff of Guest Home Estates. 
 
The following were beneficiaries of her mothering:  Jerry and Mike Smith formerly of Uniontown, Kansas, Regina and Tom Woodworth of Iola, Kansas, John and Roberta O’Dell of Fort Scott, Kansas, and Nick and Cathy O’Dell of Fort Scott, Kansas.
She was the last survivor of her six siblings and was predeceased by her parents, Roy and Ruth McKinnis, her husband, Merlin O’Dell, and a son, Mike Smith.
 
A service of celebration conducted by Pastor Marty DeWitt assisted by Hospice Chaplin Melissa George will be held at the Uniontown Baptist church at 2 o’clock on Sunday, April 29th.
  In place of flowers, any memorials are suggested to Mercy Hospice and may be left in the 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.
Area News, Jobs

Come For An Interview Today Until 2 p.m.

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Job seekers may talk to individual employers during the job fair going on until 2 p.m. today.

The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Job Fair is continuing until 2 p.m. today at the Ellis Fine Arts Center at Fort Scott Community College.

Fifteen area employers will many jobs to fill are available to talk to possible employees. There are full and part-time positions available.

A Phi Theta Kappa representative is available to help with resumes, interview skills, and social media usage to secure a job.
Potential employees filling out application forms for the jobs available today at the job fair.
Applications can be picked up, filled out and returned to 15 employers today at the job fair at Fort Scott Community College, until 2 p.m.
Susie Arvidson is the Phi Theta Kappa sponsor at FSCC. She is available today until 2 p.m. to help with interviewing skills, resume preparation and other skills needed to secure a job. Arvidson is the library director at FSCC and can help people during the library hours  8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Potential employees talk with Niece Equipment representatives during today’s job fair at FSCC.
Area News

Salute To Combat Warriors Wednesday

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Montana, Adam, Jennifer and Drake LaRoche. Submitted photo.

E3 Foundation, founded by Adam and Jennifer LaRoche, is partnering with Combat Warriors Inc. to host a turkey hunt for military heroes.

The community is rallying behind the event to honor the combat veterans.

On  Wednesday, April 25 at approximately 1:30 p.m. the veterans will land at Fort Scott Airport then head to the LaRoche Ranch.

Fort Scottians will be lining the route to show the vets honor for their service.

Beginning at 1 pm this Wednesday, the Fort Scott Regional Tourism Center at 231 E. Wall will distribute 500 American Flags to wave while these heroes pass by.

“The Fort Scott Community College, Fort Scott High School, Winfield Scott Elementary, Eugene Ware Elementary, and St. Mary’s Catholic school are all coming out to wave, hold flags and signs to say ‘Thank you’ to the soldiers for there service and sacrifice,” Jennifer LaRoche said. “Businesses, along the convoy route, are allowing their employees to step out during the work day to show their support as well. The estimated convoy time is 1:30 pm but that could be sooner or later due to flight times so we will post on the E3 Foundation Facebook page the most current convoy departure time. So people need to be checking that throughout the morning and early afternoon.”

The route of the convoy of veterans:

These military service people will travel through Fort Scott following a route of east on Indian Road (AKA Lake Fort Scott Road), north on HWY. 69, then turn north onto National Avenue to Wall Street, and then Wall  Street, east out of town.

The Mission Statement of the E3 Foundation:
The family of the E3 Foundation is committed to putting God’s love into action as we use our gifts to be good stewards, to serve, to help those in need and to ultimately introduce others to Christ.

 

Following is the post on the E3Foundation Facebook page:

Obituary

Obituary of EARL V. “VIC” JADLOW, JR.

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Vic Jadlow left Earth for his heavenly home on Saturday, April 21, 2018.

He was born in Nevada, MO, on October 30, 1940, to Earl and Marge Jadlow. He graduated high school in Ft. Scott, KS, with the class of 1958. He married Sally Margaret Freeman in June of 1962 in Ft. Scott.

Vic owned and operated Jadlow Dental Laboratory in Prairie Village, KS, for 47 years. His favorite pastimes included farming as well as acquiring and restoring antique tractors. He was active in many area tractor organizations including the Midwest Ford Fordson Collectors Association.

Survivors include Sally, his wife of nearly 56 years; and four children, Jennifer Karr, Trey Jadlow, Sara Nissen and husband Scott, and Joshua Jadlow. Grandchildren include Jordan Karr and wife MacKinzie, Brooke Karr, Gunnar Karr, Victor Jadlow IV, Louis Jadlow, Keilah Jadlow, Kristen Jadlow, Katarina Jadlow, Tony Jadlow, Kate Nissen, Sam Nissen, Abe Nissen, Caroline Nissen, and Clare Nissen. Also, surviving is one brother, Tom Jadlow and wife Mary Lynne of Salina, KS; and one sister, Karen Smith and husband Doug of Pleasanton, KS.

Services will be held at Colonial Presbyterian Church, 137th, and Rosehill, Overland Park, KS, on Friday, April 27, 2018.

Visitation will be at 9:30 AM with services following at 10:30 AM. Burial will be in the Newton Cemetery, Nevada, MO, following lunch at the church. The family requests no flowers and suggests contributions to either Colonial Presbyterian Church or Kansas City Hospice which may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Fort Scott, Schools, Submitted

Kansas History Day: Fort Scott Middle School Takes First

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First place at Kansas History Day competition left to right: Boden Kiwan, Trent Toth and Katelyn Dancer.
From Left to Right: Hannah Peck Trent Toth, Kaitlin Hardwick, Boden Kiwan, Katelyn Dzncer, Addelyn Nolan, and Kaitlyn Leavell. FSMS students that participated at the State competition. 

Fort Scott Middle School students competed April 21 at Kansas History Day competition in Topeka.

The junior group performance titled: The Walker School Walkout of 1948-The Untold Story of Corinthian Nutter took first place.

This qualified the team of Trent Toth, Katelyn Dancer and Boden Kiwan for the national competition held in College Park, Maryland this June.

 

Government, Submitted

DCF: Child Welfare Improvements and Budget Needs

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DCF Announces RFI, Discusses Child Welfare Improvements and Budget Needs

TOPEKA – Today, Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel announced a Request for Information (RFI) surrounding the child welfare contracts, which are set to expire June 30, 2019. The RFI is to gather valued input from interested parties, stakeholders, community and contracted partners, families, foster parents, staff and the general public.

The public will have two options to share their thoughts about the contracts. Individuals will have the option to submit suggestions online until 5 p.m., April 27, at www.childwelfarecontractfeedback.dcf.ks.gov. A public comment meeting is also planned, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, April 24, at the DCF Administration Building, 555 S. Kansas Ave., Topeka. At the public meeting, attendees will have the opportunity to talk for two minutes each and share their input about general child welfare contract needs. No information regarding any specific child, case or judgment will be allowed in this Request for Information (RFI) process.

All feedback and information will be compiled, responded to and will be posted at a later date on the DCF website, without identifying information. This is the first RFI in regard to child welfare contracts in recent years, if ever.

“Since starting at the agency on Dec. 1, I have actively sought input from all interested parties and concerned citizens. I realize that I cannot strengthen and improve the child welfare system without first listening to those involved,” Secretary Meier-Hummel said. “This RFI process will allow us to listen and gather helpful suggestions to improve how we serve the children and families of Kansas.”

 

In addition to announcing the RFI, Secretary Meier-Hummel also announced a new effort to address social worker vacancies, DCF will create a new classification of staff—unlicensed child protection specialists. They will be required to have a four-year degree in a related field, such as psychology, sociology, etc., but they will not have to be licensed as social workers. They will, however, have to pass the same background checks and be required to complete the same training.

 

A Governor’s Budget Amendment will be introduced later this week to create a 5-percent pay differential for current staff performing child and adult protection service work. Additionally, the Governor’s Budget Amendment requests a three-year raise proposal for licensed protective service staff and supervisors.

 

“The agency is experiencing a critical shortage of social workers and has been actively working to address this issue for years, with little to no success. We are working to hire for competency and critical thinking, and this change is consistent with how this work is done across the country, according to national child welfare consultants,” Secretary Meier-Hummel said. “This is not my ideal situation, but the reality is the work we do is too important and we don’t have enough people doing this work and simply can’t recruit enough—we have tried.”

 

In January, Governor Jeff Colyer requested an additional $16.5 million to supplement DCF’s child welfare budget to address critical needs. An additional $24.3 million budget amendment is now being requested over the next three fiscal years, of which $5.4 million is for staff differential pay and raises over the next three years. The remainder pertains to proposed IT projects that are currently being considered by the State Office of Information Technology Services.

“I support Secretary Meier-Hummel as she works diligently to improve our child welfare system,” said Governor Colyer. “The changes she is making combined with this additional investment to bolster our child welfare staff will go a long way to help DCF accomplish its mission. These are our kids, we have to get this right because they deserve it. I am committed, as I know Secretary Meier-Hummel is, to improve the lives of Kansas children and families, and this will help us do just that.”

During today’s news conference, Secretary Meier-Hummel provided an update on the number children sleeping in offices, missing and runaway youth and current DCF efforts to end these practices. Additionally, she emphasized the need for additional resources to make necessary changes to the system.

“I want to thank and acknowledge all of our staff from every division. These public servants do fantastic work and make a difference in the lives of thousands of Kansas,” Secretary Meier-Hummel said. “As we wait for the legislature to weigh in on the budget enhancements and amendments, we will continue to move forward to improve the way we carry out child welfare services to the extent we can without additional resources. However, we believe these additional resources are critical to real reform.”