Chamber Coffee Feb. 20 at Ascension Via Christi

The Chamber Coffee will be hosted by
Ascension Via Christi of Fort Scott!
February 20th at 8 am!
401 Woodland Hills Blvd. Fort Scott
The coffee will be held in the McAuley conference room.
Celebrating one year of the ER, Lab & Radiology services at Fort Scott
Chamber Members & Guests are
welcome to attend and pay $1 to make any announcement about their business or organization including events, new products, promotions and more!
Upcoming Chamber Coffee Schedule:
* Fort Scott Community College – 2/27
* Bourbon County Arts Council Fine Arts Exhibit – 3/5
* Tri-Valley of Fort Scott – 3/12
* Briggs Auto Fort Scott – 3/19
* Smallville CrossFit- 3/26

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Feb. 20

Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: February 20, 2020

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

10:30 Executive Session, Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship (Lynne Oharah, Jeff Fischer, Nick Ruhl and Justin Meeks)

Uniontown Collaboration: New Health Clinic Coming

Mark Warren, Uniontown Ruritan member, opens the door of the proposed medical clinic just south of the football field.

A community collaboration of Uniontown Ruritan, Girard Hospital, USD 235 School District, Bourbon County Commission, and the City of Uniontown have been working to get a health clinic in the small town in western Bourbon County.

It’s been a long time coming.

Uniontown Mayor Larry Jurgensen had tried to get a medical clinic here several years ago, Mark Warren said.  Warren is a Ruritan Governor and member of Uniontown Ruritan.

Mark Warren, Uniontown Ruritan Member and initiator of the most recent medical clinic idea sits at a table in the proposed clinic on Feb. 18, during an interview with fortscott.biz..

“Mercy Hospital had no interest at that point,” Warren said.

Even before Mercy Hospital Fort Scott closed in Dec. 2018, Warren had been thinking about initiating a medical clinic in Uniontown, but when the hospital closed, “I thought this is bad, no hospital, nor a clinic,” he said.

Someone mentioned to Warren that Uniontown resident Holly Koch is the Chief Financial Officer of Girard Hospital and about 1.5 years ago he visited with Koch about the issue. Koch said she would visit with the CEO Ruth Duling and a meeting was set up.

Girard Hospital is 31 miles from Uniontown.

Uniontown is 19 miles from Fort Scott, 25 miles from Iola, both sites of  the nearest health care clinics. The clinic would serve western Bourbon County, eastern Allen County, northeastern Neosho County and northern Crawford County rural residents, Warren said.

“They came and we presented some statistics,” Warren said. Since then there have been approximately eight meetings with various Girard Hospital staff and local entities to talk through the idea.

Locally, Warren, Jurgensen, U235 Superintendent Brett Howard, Uniontown Council President Jess Ervin, Uniontown City Clerk who is also U235 Board of Education Member Sally Johnson, Bourbon County Economic Director Jody Hoenor and Bourbon County Commissioner Lynne Oharah have been in the collaboration.

Warren, Jurgensen and Jurgensen’s wife, Judy, along with  Bourbon County  Commissioner Lynne Oharah, recently went before the Girard Hospital board to give a history of how the idea for a clinic came about.

The board was favorable to the idea, Warren said.

The proposed building for the medical clinic is south of the Uniontown High School Football Field.

On Feb. 17, members of the collaborative group met at the proposed site on the campus of Uniontown High School, just south of the football field. Originally, the superintendents office, of late the building has housed the office of the school’s kitchen manager.

“They came, had the blueprints,” Warren said.

The hospital engineering staff will work on the design reconfigurement of the building into a medical clinic, Ruth Duling, Girard Hospital CEO, said.

Next will be getting materials, estimating the costs and raising funds to make the building into a medical clinic, Warren said.

There is no timeline for opening the clinic, Duling said.

Local volunteers will be helping with the labor of the building reconfiguration.

As soon as everything is in place, the hospital will begin the certification process to become a rural health clinic, Duling said.

Staff at the clinic will include a nurse practitioner and one other staff member, serving as both nurse and receptionist, Duling said.

Initially the clinic will be open 2-3 days a week.

“You don’t know until you do it,” if it will be feasible, Duling said. “It will be dependent on people to use the clinic and make it viable.”

One positive for the community:

“There are a lot of passionate people that want to see this come to fruition,” Duling said.

 

 

Homecoming Victories for Eagles Basketball Teams

by Adelay Martin, UHS Student Sports Media Reporter

The Uniontown Eagles faced the Pleasanton Blu-Jays on February 14 for our Homecoming basketball game. Both Varsity teams won, and so did both JV teams.

The Varsity girls beat the Blu-Jays 55 to 35. Scoring for this game was very even, all the Varsity starters and subs scoring at least one basket. Danielle Howard lead in points, scoring 23 over the course of the game. Howard also had 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 7 steals. Karleigh Schoenberger had 8 points and 4 rebounds. Gwenyth Fry and Breleigh Harris each scored 6 points and had 3 steals; Fry also had 5 rebounds. Sammie Hampton had 5 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 steals. Coach Miller said, “It was another good night for the Lady Eagles. Glad to see some different girls step up tonight and impact the game. Our next contest will be Monday, February 17, when we face Southern Coffey County at home.” The game on the 17th will be our last home game for the season.

The boys’ Varsity also won against Pleasanton, with a score of 60 to 46. Jake Harvey scored 21 points and had 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals. Clay Sutterby had 15 points and 6 rebounds, as well as 2 assists. Hunter Schaaf had 7 rebounds and 11 points. Luke George had 3 steals, 12 rebounds, and 10 points. “The 1st half was a little rough,” said Coach Hays. “We missed some layups and free throws, but our defense kept us in the game. We came out at half and got into a rhythm. I thought we did a much better job of sharing the ball, which opened up some good shots. I’m proud of boys and their resiliency.”

Foster Care Needs Of Bourbon County: What You Can Do

TFI Family Services of Kansas which has an office in Fort Scott at 710 W. 8th, Suite 203, provides child welfare services to Bourbon County.

There are several current needs of families involved with TFI, Crystal Walker, permanency support worker, said.

“We are looking for good quality foster homes,” Walker said. “Also full-time drivers to transfer kids to court, visitation with families, etc. and furniture for those who may have just found a house and don’t have furniture, some need clothing. It’s on a case by case  basis.”

To contact Walker, phone 620-371-8011 or email [email protected].

TFI partners with the State of Kansas to provide an array of services, Taylor Forrest, marketing specialist, said.

Besides foster care, adoption services are offered.

This includes recruitment, training and support of the homes.

Family preservation is there “If a family that needs extra help with parenting skills, we work with them to get them on the right track,” Forrest said.

There is a new program called Grow Nurturing Families that is offered, which is a parent-child interaction therapy, Forrest said.

It also offers the Family First Prevention Services Act services, Forrest said.

The following is from an interview with Forrest:

What does TFI stand for, the initials?

The Family Initiative  

 

What services do you provide the community?

TFI Family Services provides an array of services to the community including foster and kinship care, family preservation, domestic and international adoption, counseling support and education, TIPS-MAPP training and visitation and exchange centers.

 

Where located?

TFI Family Services has locations across the entire State of Kansas, but our CEO office is in Topeka, KS.

 

What are the needs currently?

The biggest need TFI has is for more foster parents. In Kansas, there are more than 7,600 children placed into out of home care.  There are approximately 2,000 foster homes in Kansas.  This disparity means that children from your community are being placed outside of their home community, or in shelters. Foster parents are one of our essential partners in providing quality services to children and families.

 

Additionally, families we serve have many needs, to learn more about how you can support kids, visit www.tfikidsfund.org.

 

Contact information?

If you are interested in making a difference in the life of a child by becoming a foster parent, please call us at 833-7FOSTER or visiting us online at www.tfifamily.org.

 

Statistics on number of children in foster care placement and those needing placement in Bourbon County?

The State of Kansas provides detailed reports of children in foster care, broken down by each county. In January 2020, there were 75 youth in out of home placement in Bourbon County. Here is a link to that report: http://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/PPS/Documents/FY2020DataReports/FCAD_Summary/PlacementbyCountyFY20.pdf

 

What does being a foster family entail?

All individuals interested in becoming foster parents are required to take TIPS-MAPP training. TFI walks alongside and supports all our foster parents so they can best care for the children in their homes. To learn more about foster parent requirements, visit www.tfifamily.org/start-here/

 

TFI Fort Scott Employees, from left to right: Stormi Rosete, Permanency Support Worker,; Crystal Walker, Permanency Support Worker; Jordan Flauding, Case Manager; Taya Drake, Case Manager; and Jordan Johnson, Case Manager. Submitted photo.

 

To learn more:

https://tfifamily.org/

Walk Kansas is back!

K-State Research and Extension Southwind District

Family Consumer Science

Joy Miller

620-223-3720 or [email protected]

 

 

March 15-May 9, 2020

Once again…it’s time for Walk Kansas! K-State Research and Extension has been offering this health initiative since 2001. Walk Kansas is a team-based program, designed to inspire you to lead a healthier life by being more active, make better nutrition choices, and learn positive ways to deal with stress.

New features for Walk Kansas 2020 include a Walk Kansas app. The app is being piloted in iOS format for iPhone and iPad and is free through the App Store. The app allows tracking activity and may be synced with a fitness tracker.

Newsletters and activities will focus on the Blue Zones nine lifestyle characteristics. Blue Zones are the places across the world where people live measurably longer and healthier lives. Physical activity, walking in particular, is the heart of Walk Kansas, participants will be introduced to the Mediterranean eating style, developing social connections that support healthy living, share ways to lower personal stress, focus on your sense of purpose, and more!

The last feature being introduced this year is badges that can be earned for logging your progress, checking online resources, and using the online system in several ways. The badges will appear on the account dashboard when earned.

How does Walk Kansas work? Walk Kansas is an eight-week team-based program. A group, up to six people, form a team with one serving as the captain. Teams can be family, coworkers, friends, community organization members, neighbors, or part of a faith-based community. Team members do not have to live in the same town, county, state or country.

Each team selects a goal, or challenge, they will collectively work towards. Beginning March 15th, log minutes of physical activity and amount of fruits/vegetables eaten each week. Participants also receive a weekly newsletter and motivational messages.

Take the first step, register for Walk Kansas. Online registration is available February 19 through March 15 at walkkansasonline.org. Paper form registration is available at your local extension office or download at southwind.k-state.edu/walk-kansas. If you do not have a team and would like to join one, register as an individual. You will be connected with a team that has similar goals. Cost is $10 per participant, youth K-12 are free.

For more information or resources, visit walkkansas.org or contact me at 620-223-3720 or [email protected].

Court of Appeals Interviews Feb. 24-25

Court of Appeals Nominating Commission to interview applicants February 24 and 25

The Court of Appeals Nominating Commission will convene February 24 and 25 to interview 19 applicants to fill the upcoming vacancy on the Kansas Court of Appeals created by the April 3, 2020 retirement of Judge G. Joseph Pierron Jr.

Interviews will be in a meeting room in the Kansas Judicial Center, 301 SW 10th Ave., Topeka. The Commission will convene at 8:30 a.m. Monday, February 24, and interviews will start at 9 a.m. Interviews will continue at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 25.

 

Interview Schedule

Monday, February 24, 2020

 

8:30 am Meeting Convenes
9:00 am Daniel Cahill
9:30 am Kristafer R. Ailslieger
10:00 am Lesley A. Isherwood
10:30 am Break/Exec. Session
10:50 am Angela D. Coble
11:20 am Randall L. Hodgkinson
11:50 am Diane H. Sorensen
12:20 pm Lunch break for Commission [Exec. Session]
1:30 pm Steven J. Obermeier
2:00 pm Suzanne Valdez
2:30 pm Amy Cline
3:00 pm Break/Exec. Session
3:20 pm Dennis D. Depew
3:50 pm Russell J. Keller
4:20 pm Break/Exec. Session
4:40 pm Adjourn for the day

 

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

 

8:45 am Meeting Convenes
9:00 am Sarah J. Loquist-Berry
9:30 am Marcia A. Wood
10:00 am David J. Rempel
10:30 am Break/Exec. Session
10:50 am Carl A. Folsom, III
11:20 am Natalie A. Chalmers
11:50 am Lunch break for Commission [Exec. Session]
1:10 pm Kristen D. Wheeler
1:40 pm Michael P. Joyce
2:10 pm Stephen O. Phillips
2:40 pm Break/Exec. Session
3:10 pm Reconvene for deliberations/voting
4:00 pm Adjourn for the day

 

The nominating commission will conduct its work in accordance with the Kansas Open Meetings Act and Executive Order 18-08. Additional details can be found in the Guidelines for Interviews. (attached as PDF)

Governor Laura Kelly signed Executive Order 20-01 on Tuesday, January 28 establishing the Court of Appeals Nominating Commission. Under Kansas law, the Governor appoints judges to the Court of Appeals subject to confirmation by the Senate. The Commission will review each applicant’s background and qualifications, conduct interviews and then submit three nominees for the Governor to consider.

 

What, No Clothing Stores on the Frontier?    

Learn how to make clothes by hand

 

Fort Scott Kan. – Fort Scott National Historic Site is celebrating Women’s History Month in March with two living history clothing workshops focusing on mid-19th century women.

The Bonnet Workshop is Saturday, March 7, from 9 am to 1 pm and the Petticoat Workshop is Saturday, March 14, from 9:30 am to 3 pm. Please call or text Kelley Collins at 417-684-2484 to reserve a spot.

Bonnet Workshop: During this bonnet workshop, you will learn the popular styles of the time period and create a straw bonnet for yourself or the fort’s “magic room” clothing closet. Knowledge of basic hand sewing skills is recommended. Please call or text Kelley Collins at 417-684-2484 by Friday, February 21 if you plan to attend. You will receive a materials list upon registration if you are making a bonnet for yourself. This includes a source for ordering the straw bonnet form you will need for the workshop. Supplies for individuals making bonnets for the magic room will be furnished.

Petticoat Workshop: Learn about mid-19th century skirt supports and create a corded petticoat for yourself or the fort’s “magic room” clothing closet.   Basic sewing skills are required. A sewing machine is desirable but not mandatory as the fort has two machines available. Please call or text Kelley Collins at 417-684-2484 by March 7 if you plan to attend. A materials list is available for those creating their own petticoat.  Fabric and other supplies are available to those making petticoats for the magic room.