Monthly Archives: July 2020
Bourbon County Team Selected for Healthy Kansas Program
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Selects The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team for Pathways to a Healthy Kansas Program in Bourbon County
TOPEKA, Kan. (July 20, 2020) — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) announces it has selected the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team in Bourbon County, along with 23 other communities in Kansas as grantees for its second phase of Pathways to a Healthy Kansas initiative. This includes 12 returning communities that were selected in the initiative’s first phase of grants.
Pathways to a Healthy Kansas is the largest community grant program ever funded by BCBSKS. Since the initiative began in 2016, BCBSKS has donated more than $11.7 million in grants and assistance to communities throughout Kansas. The Pathways program was created to inspire long-lasting, community-wide health and wellness in communities across Kansas.
“We are excited to recognize our second cohort of Pathways grantees,” said Matt All, president and CEO of BCBSKS. “We have been rooted in Kansas for over 75 years and have a commitment to our neighbors to strengthen the health of all Kansans. Through our Pathways initiative, we are making strides toward this goal by helping remove barriers to accessing healthy foods, increasing physical activity and preventing commercial tobacco use. We are thrilled to continue this program with our new Pathways grantees.”
The grant funding includes a coordination grant of $200,000 for each community.
In addition, Bourbon County community will have the opportunity to apply for non-competitive implementation grants amounting to $200,000, for a total of up to $400,000.
“The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team has seen measurable success with resources from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways to Healthy Kansas Grant in the past four years. We look
forward to the next four years, working to make the healthy choice the default choice.” Jody Hoener, Coordinator Healthy Bourbon County Action Team.
The Pathways grant addresses the three behaviors of focus – physical activity, commercial
tobacco prevention, and healthy eating – that reduce the risk for serious health conditions though
six areas or work, or pathways.
The pathways include Community & Social Context,
Neighborhood & Physical Environment, Food, Healthcare, Education, and Economic Stability,
and strive to improve conditions that are the drivers of health in a community.
About The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team was created to coordinate community efforts and improve upon the health outcomes of Bourbon County. The Action Team consists of a cross-sector of members with a shared vision to improve the quality of life of Bourbon County residents, foster economic growth, and remove barriers to living healthy lifestyles. For more information, visit
http://www.bourboncountyks.org/healthy-bourbon-county-action-team/.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas
For more than 75 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas has built a reputation of trust with its members and contracting providers by providing outstanding customer service while
quickly and accurately processing claims; fairly administering benefit plans and contracts; offering programs, services and tools to help members improve or maintain their health; and
operating under the highest ethical standards while being good stewards of premium dollars.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and is the state’s largest insurer, serving all Kansas counties except Johnson and
Wyandotte. For more information, visit bcbsks.com.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports July 21
Governor Delays Schools Opening
Governor Kelly Signs Executive Orders Delaying Schools, Implementing Mitigation Procedures
Ensures Kansans Kelly will do everything to protect health and safety of Kansas children, teachers
TOPEKA—Governor Laura Kelly today signed Executive Order #20-59 and shared the details for Executive Order #20-58. Executive Order #20-58 can only be signed if the Kansas Board of Education votes to approve her order. Executive Order #20-58 delays schools from beginning any student instruction from August through September 8. Executive Order #20-59 outlines mitigation procedures schools must take to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Kansas students and teachers.
“I will continue to use every resource and tool available to this administration to protect Kansans and keep our economy open for business, regardless of the political pushback,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The additional three weeks will provide schools time to work with their counties to get the necessary mitigation supplies like masks, thermometers, and hand sanitizer, while providing local districts time to thoroughly review the curriculum options from the State Board of Education to figure out what strategy is best for their district.”
“Putting nearly half a million kids and faculty in daily, large gatherings is the exact opposite of what health experts have urged us to do.”
Executive Order #20-58 will also include athletics and all other extracurricular activities.
Exceptions will be made for:
- Students enrolled concurrently to receive college credit;
- Enrollment of students for the 2020-2021 school year may occur in K-12 schools;
- Screenings and evaluations of students to determine accommodations and placement needs for the 2020-2021 school year.
Executive Order #20-59 will mandate face coverings for all students, faculty, staff, vendors, and other visitors to public or private K-12 school buildings or facilities.
Exceptions will be made for:
- Eating;
- Activities that cannot be safely conducted with a mask or other face covering;
- Children who are not students and are 5 years of age or under;
- Persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a face covering;
- Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing or communicating with a person who is deaf or hard of hearing, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication;
- Persons for whom wearing a face covering would create a risk to the person related to their work.
The Executive Order will mandate six feet social distancing, except for in-person instruction in classrooms when masks or other face coverings are worn.
The order will also require hand sanitizer in all classrooms, and that all students and faculty must sanitize their hands no less than once every hour.
Finally, all individuals entering must have their temperatures checked before entering the building.
To view E.O. #20-58, click here.
To view E.O. #20-59, click here.
CHC/SEK CLINICS IMPLEMENT MASK AND SINGLE-VISITOR POLICIES
As more is learned about COVID-19 and its transmission, CHC/SEK clinics are changing visitor policies to provide the safest care to their patients while protecting their caregivers.
In alignment with the CDC’s guidelines to wear cloth masks in public settings where social distancing measures are challenging to maintain, CHC/SEK requests that all individuals, including patients, caregivers, vendors, and visitors wear a mask while in the clinics.
Those without will be offered a disposable facemask to wear while on the premises.
Masks enhance cough etiquette, prevent people from touching their faces, and are a visual reminder to practice social distancing.
Additionally, CHC/SEK asks patients to limit the number of persons accompanying them to one companion, friend, or family member who is involved in the patient’s care.
Clinic physicians feel it is important to limit the number of non-essential and “well” persons inside the facilities to prevent coronavirus’s potential spread by asymptomatic carriers.
Patients and visitors are also being screened for symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g., fever, sore throat, runny nose, and cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, or diarrhea) and temperature checked before entering the clinic.
CHC/SEK understands in some cases patients may not be able to limit those accompanying them to one person. Alternative visits using virtual technology are available for some types of patient visits, eliminating the need for the patient to travel to a clinic setting.
A virtual visit is a two-way, live, one-on-one video-based appointment between a patient and her/his healthcare provider.
Patients can connect with CHC/SEK using their Android phone or tablet, iPhone or iPad, or desktop computer for a visit.
Patients are encouraged to call their local clinic and inquire if a virtual appointment is appropriate for their situation.
CHC/SEK will continue evaluating its procedures. Protecting the safety of its caregivers and patients during the ever-changing COVID-19 pandemic remains a top priority.
###
Death Notice of Wesley Gress
Wesley Allan Gress, 68, of Fort Scott, passed away late Sunday night July 19, 2020, at Via Christi Ascension in Fort Scott, Kansas. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.
Obituary of Claudia Maberry
Claudia Marie Maberry, a former resident of Fort Scott, died July 17, 2020 (one day after her 96th birthday) in Vaiden Community Living Center, Vaiden, Mississippi).
She was born July 16, 1924, the daughter of Roy Francis Kennedy and Anna Maria Fagerberg Kennedy, in Fort Scott. She attended Fort Scott schools, graduating with the senior class of 1941. She then attended Fort Scott Junior College briefly.
She married Oscar C. Maberry of Garland, Kansas on April 5, 1946. They would have celebrated their 58th anniversary six days after Oscar’s death on March 30, 2004.
Claudia’s first job was at the local ice cream parlor. She then opened and managed Elmer Pargen’s first restaurant before going to work as a seamstress for Key Work Clothes for several years.
Claudia’s most important and valued positions in life were that of devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. She was an active, member of the now-closed First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, for 58 years. She was, also, a member of the Builder’s Class, Anna Bender Guild, and served as a board member and deaconess and could be found frequently working in the kitchen preparing meals for various church events. Claudia was proud to be a charter member of Starlite FCE and continued her membership throughout her life.
Claudia moved to Madison, MS in December 2016, to live with her daughter and son-in-law.
Claudia was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, one brother, Earl R. Kennedy, and one sister, Elizabeth (Betty) Lee Clinkenbeard.
Survivors include her daughter, Cheryl Blacklidge and husband Robert of Madison, MS, one grandson, Brandon Blacklidge of Madison, MS., and a much loved niece, Shirley Marie Freeman of Kansas City, Kansas and her children Kenny Wilson, and family, and Kimberlee McCannon, and family. Other survivors include a niece, Amy Kennedy, and family, of Portland, Oregon, and two nephews, Jeff Kennedy, and family of Portland, Oregon, and David Kennedy, and family, of Salem, Oregon. She is also survived by one first cousin, Ron Wood and wife Barbara of Fort Scott.
Rev. Reed Hartford will officiate graveside services 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 25, 2020, at Evergreen Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Evergreen Cemetery. Contributions may be mailed or dropped off at Evergreen Cemetery 914 215th St., Fort Scott, Kansas 666701, or Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home 15 West Wall St. Fort Scott, Kansas. 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guest book at konantz-cheney.com.
Shaunn Pytlowany: Candidate for Bourbon County Treasurer, Candidate Forum Is TODAY
This is part of a series of features on the candidates running for offices in Bourbon County. The Bourbon County Primary Election will be held, Tuesday, August 4, 2020.
Today, July 20, is the candidate forum at Ellis Fine Arts Center, on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for a meet and greet with candidates. The forum starts at 6 p.m. in the order of federal, state, then local candidates.
Shaunn Pytlowany, 49, is a candidate for Bourbon County Treasurer.
He graduated from LaVista High School, Fullerton CA. He was a graduate and graduate assistant of Dale Carnegie training, a General Motors Mark of Excellence award winner, business management and financial training through Toyota, Ford, General Motors, Dodge.
” Professionally I have over 19 years experience in leadership and team building,” Pytlowany said. ” I’ve been a successful local business owner since 2006. Also, being that I’ve lived and have been active in the community for 26 years it’s given me the opportunity to develop strong working relationships with city and county officials.”
” If elected my past experience in the automotive industry along with operating a business would be a benefit,” he said. “From inventory control, building and developing teams, and expense management.”
What would be your day one priority if elected?
“Analyze the current structure in the office,” he said. “Are the correct people in the correct positions? Develop a plan to increase the amount of daily transactions that are currently processed during the pandemic. Keep the office on budget by reducing the amount of times an outside auditor is needed in turn saving the taxpayers money.”
The following is information provided on the Bourbon County Kansas website.
Not sure if you’re registered to vote or where to vote?
You may register to vote online, through the Kansas Secretary of State’s website.
Check your voter registration status, the location of your polling place and view a sample ballot at VoterView by the Secretary of State.
Advance Voting is available prior to each election. You may advance vote in one of two ways: By mail, by filing an application for a ballot to be mailed to you OR in-person, beginning at least one week prior to any election.
Breann Eden: New Winfield Scott Elementary Art Teacher
Breann Eden, 33, is the new Winfield Scott Elementary School art teacher.
Eden has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Teaching with an emphasis in Art Education, and four years teaching experience.
“This will be my fifth-year teaching,” she said. “I started my teaching career with Nevada R-5 School District in Nevada, Missouri. I was the art teacher at the elementary level(K-2) for two years and secondary level(6-8) for two years.”
She is a Fort Scott native, the oldest daughter of David and Jara Martin, and is married to a Jon Eden, who has a daughter, Kenlee Eden.
“Jon and I are awaiting the arrival of our first child together, due July 27th,” she said.
Eden has been involved with several organizations in Fort Scott.
“I am involved in the Bourbon County Arts Council and 2nd Story Arts Festival and I attend Community Christian Church,” Eden said.
“In my free time, you will find me spending time with my family, working on my house with my husband or creating art.”
How did you become an educator?
“After graduating from college, I worked for a non-profit that offered support to families with teenagers. From there I began my master of arts in teaching and worked as a social worker. With these experiences, I fell in love with working with children, so I became an art teacher.”
Is there someone who inspired you to teach?
“The children I worked with in my past employment experiences have inspired me to become a teacher.”
What is the best part of teaching for you?
“The best part of teaching art is providing opportunities for children to explore their creativity and think critically. I have enjoyed watching students develop their own ideas and then execute them through problem-solving and planning.”
What are the greatest challenges?
“My greatest challenge is finding time to be creative and to do all the things with my students and for my students that I want to do!”
Bourbon County Has 59 COVID 19 Cases
SEK Multi-County Health Departments
Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
July 20, 2020
Allen County
| Current Positive Cases | 5 |
| Total Hospitalizations | 2 |
| Current Recovered Cases | 5 |
| Total Positives Since Testing | 10-1 removed-out of state and to remain there |
| Deaths | 0 |
Anderson County
| Current Positive Cases | 6 |
| Total Hospitalizations | 0 |
| Current Recovered Cases | 18 |
| Total Positives Since Testing | 24 |
| Deaths | 0 |
Bourbon County
Woodson County
| Current Positive Cases | 1 |
| Total Hospitalizations | 1-0 remaining in hospital |
| Current Recovered Cases | 10 |
| Total Positives Since Testing | 11 |
| Deaths | 0 |
Recovered cases are based on dates of onset of symptoms, not on day testing results are received.