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Monthly Archives: October 2020
Tiger Spirit Decorating Contest
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The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports Oct. 12-13
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Letter to Editor: Michael Hoyt on Charter Ordinance
Submitted by Michael J. Hoyt
The petition to place the City of Fort Scott Charter Ordinance 31 was successful in placing the issue on the ballot sometime in 2021.
Please DO NOT confuse this issue with the sales tax question that WILL be on the ballot November 3, 2020, in all of Bourbon County.
Thank you to everyone who supported the petition; the result will be the suspension of transfers of City funds collected for the purpose of supporting the sewer and storm-water infrastructure until the VOTERS decide the right thing to do.
The ballot question will most likely be polled during an election later next year.
Personal Protection Equipment For Adult Care Homes
KDADS Launches Online Portal for Adult Care Homes to Order Personal Protective Equipment
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly and Secretary Laura Howard announced today that the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services has partnered with a Minnesota-based supply company to launch an online order portal available to adult care homes across the state to procure personal protective equipment (PPE) and infection control supplies during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
“Our state’s adult care homes have been working diligently throughout the pandemic to control the spread of COVID-19 and keep residents and caregivers safe, but these safety measures become more difficult to implement without the proper protective equipment,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I want to thank the SPARK Taskforce and the State Finance Council for making this new partnership possible, and for assisting my administration’s commitment to distributing critical resources to the facilities across Kansas that need them most.”
“We have heard from many facilities over the last eight months that finding the necessary PPE supplies to operate safely and efficiently has been one of the ongoing challenges during the pandemic,” Secretary Howard said. “The funds allocated to us from Governor Kelly’s SPARK committee allowed us to take what we hope will be a giant step forward in alleviating this challenge for our dedicated Kansas caregivers.”
KDADS received $10 million on October 1 from the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Committee and approved by the State Finance Council to help provide PPE and infection control supplies to adult care homes that are not federally regulated for participation in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Title 18 or Title 19 program. Adult care homes in Kansas that qualify for this earmarked SPARK funding include:
- Adult Day Care (ADC)
- Assisted Living (ALF)
- Boarding Care Home (BCH)
- Home Plus (HP)
- Intermediate Care Facility / Intellectually and Developmentally Disabled (ICF/IDD)
- Residential Health Care Facilities
- Nursing Facilities who do not participate in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Title 18 or Title 19 program
KDADS entered an agreement with SOURCE 309 Powered by American Solutions for Business, to connect adult care homes with suppliers of PPE through a dedicated KDADS portal focused on critical supplies and rapid fulfillment of orders to adult care homes. SOURCE 309 assembled a list of selected PPE supplies that meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) safety recommendations. The products available can be found at https://online.fliphtml5.com/hldlw/axug/.
KDADS has assigned a budget of approximately $575 per qualified bed per facility to each adult care home with qualifying beds. Facilities can use the budget to purchase PPE supplies through the portal and do not need to provide any additional funds. KDADS will review incoming orders and may make changes to orders to fit within a facility’s budget and to ensure SPARK funds are allocated to purchase PPE.
SOURCE 309 will combine group incoming orders to drive down prices and make individual orders cost effective for members of this program. The target is to ship individual PPE orders 7 to 20 business days after an order has been submitted. Due to demand and market volatility, some items in an order may arrive faster than others and, if market conditions change, some hard-to-get items like nitrile gloves and N95 masks could see extended delivery dates. PPE supplies in the portal may also change based on availability.
If a facility has an emergency need for supplies, they should continue to reach out to their local emergency management officials.
KDADS’ expectation is that adult care homes will also be able to use the State of Kansas master contract (state use contract) to purchase PPE and other COVID-19 related supplies using their own resources. Approved vendors can be found at https://admin.ks.gov/offices/procurement-and-contracts/additional-files-for-procurement-contracts/personalprotectiveequipmentrelatedsuppliescontracts.
These two mechanisms help KDADS meet the requirement in HB 2016 passed by the 2020 Legislature to “provide personal protective equipment to adult care homes in Kansas.” KDADS was authorized $38.4 million for Skilled Nursing Facilities from SPARK and approved by the State Finance Council. In all, 309 Nursing Facilities have agreed to accountability mechanisms for SPARK funding and $33.8 million has been sent to nursing facilities. Facilities can use those resources to meet COVID-19 needs and expenses, including acquiring PPE or other supplies from their suppliers or the Department of Administration website. The $10 million related to qualifying facilities for PPE purchases are in addition to the other resources nursing facilities have received to help with costs related to COVID-19.
If facilities have problems or questions regarding the KDADS process for ordering PPE, contact [email protected].
UHS VB and FB WEEK 6 RESULTS
Submitted by Adelay Martin, UHS Student Sports Reporter
The Uniontown Lady Eagles Volleyball team faced the Marmaton Valley Wildcats in the first home game of the season on Tuesday, October 6. Both JV and Varsity teams defeated the Wildcats.
The JV defeated Moran 25-9 and 26-24. Alexis Herring scored 12 points.
The Varsity Lady Eagles defeated Moran 25-18, 25-18, and 25-11. Bri Stokes scored 11 points, and Paige Mason scored 10 points and had 2 solo blocks. Danielle Howard was 24/25 on attacks with 13 kills and 6 solo blocks. Karleigh Schoenberger was 17/19 on attacks with 4 kills. Libby Schaaf was 15/16 on attacks with 2 kills. Gwenyth Fry was 12/12 on attacks with 3 kills and 2 solo blocks.
“The gym was ROCKIN’!!” said Coach Hall. The student section was indeed, rockin’. “Great atmosphere and it paid off…both teams were victorious!”
The UHS football team lost 28-8 against Riverton on Friday. Treden Buckman had 8 rushes for 27 yards, Hunter Schaaf had 9 rushes for 34 yards with one touchdown, and Drew Perry had 20 rushes for 97 yards. Jake Harvey had 3 pass receptions for 33 yards. Drew Perry completed 5/5 passes for 69 yards. As far as tackling went, Jake Harvey and Drew Perry each had 4 unassisted tackles, and Caleb Davis had 3 unassisted tackles. Joey Marlow had 2 fumble recoveries.
Bourbon County: 55 Active COVID-19 Cases
SEK Multi-County Health Departments
Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
October 13, 2020
Please call your local health department if you would like a further breakdown of cases.
Allen County
| Current Active Cases | 15 |
| Total Hospitalizations | 5-0 in hospital |
| Current Recovered Cases | 88 |
| Total Cases Since Testing | 104 |
| Deaths | 1 |
Anderson County
| Current Active Cases | 15 |
| Total Hospitalizations | 3-1 in hospital |
| Current Recovered Cases | 98 |
| Total Cases Since Testing | 113 |
| Deaths | 0 |
Bourbon County
| Current Active Cases | 55 |
| Total Hospitalizations | 12- 1 in hospital |
| Current Recovered Cases | 206 |
| Total Cases Since Testing | 264 |
| Deaths | 3 |
Woodson County
| Current Active Cases | 1 |
| Total Hospitalizations | 2-0 in hospital |
| Current Recovered Cases | 25 |
| Total Cases Since Testing | 26 |
| Deaths | 0 |
Obituary of Christie Belcher
Christie Elaine Belcher, age 62, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday, October 12, 2020, at the Via Christi Emergency Room in Pittsburg, Kansas.
She was born May 9, 1958, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Donald Glen Hunziker and Maxine Christy Hunziker.
Christie graduated from the Ft. Scott High School. She married Dwight Belcher on April 21, 1983, in Nevada, Missouri.
In earlier years, Christie worked in the business offices of both Heartland Hospital in Nevada and Mercy Hospital in Ft. Scott.
In 1992, Christi and Dwight opened their restaurant, Max’s Way Station located on the north end of Ft. Scott. Christie loved working at Max’s and keeping up with all of her customers.
She enjoyed helping others, being outside and spending time with her grandchildren. She attended the Faith Church.
Survivors include her husband, Dwight, of the home; three children, Christie “Dawn” (Anthony) Wolfe, of Nevada, Missouri; Cassie Sauls, Ft. Scott and Dustin (Jordan) Belcher also of Ft. Scott and grandchildren, Jaiden, Donovan, Corbyn, Nakyah, Gabrielle, Christopher, Jill, Allie, Bella and Addie and three step-children, Shelly Claypool and David Belcher, both of Nevada and Dwight “JR” Belcher, of Texas as well as several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her mother, Maxine Hunziker and two brothers, Doug (Carol) Hunziker and David Hunziker, all of Ft. Scott.
She was preceded in death by her father, Don Hunziker and a granddaughter, Noel.
Rev. Matthew Hunt will conduct graveside services at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, October 17th at the Memory Gardens Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Friday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Faith Church and may be left in are 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.
U234 Board Meeting Press Release Oct. 12
NEWS RELEASE Monday, October 12, 2020
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at the Fort Scott Middle School Commons on Monday, October 12, for their regular monthly meeting.
President David Stewart opened the meeting. The board approved the official agenda. The board also approved the consent agenda as follows:
A. Minutes
B. Bills and Claims
C. Payroll – September 18, 2020 – $1,391,092.25
D. Financial Report
E. Activity Fund Accounts
There were two comments during the public forum. Following the public forum, it was
approved (4 yes; 3 no) to add an item to the agenda.
It was moved and approved (4 yes; 3 no) that a close mask-wearing contact of a symptomatic, confirmed COVID-19 student or staff member does not have to go into quarantine from school.
Board members heard reports from the following:
· Brenda Hill, KNEA President
· All building principals
· Dalaina Smith, Director of Academics
· Ted Hessong, Superintendent
· Gina Shelton, Business Manager/Board Clerk
Board members approved the following:
· Roof payment
· Roof Reinspection Agreement
· Agreement of Cooperation and Partnership between USD 234 and No Limits Rehabilitation, Inc.
· Memorandum of Understanding between USD 234 and the Bourbon County Health Department
In addition, the board reviewed the September 21, 2020, Enrollment Count Report.
Board members shared comments and then went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel and returned to open meeting
The board approved the following employment matters:
A. Resignation of Lisa Mathew, high school paraprofessional, effective October 2, 2020
B. Resignation of Glenda Cooper, Winfield Scott cook, effective September 17, 2020
C. Employment of Heather Geiger as a high school paraprofessional for the 2020-21 school year
D. Leave of absence for Lindsay Knopp, Winfield Scott second grade teacher
E. Leave of absence for Codee Weddle, Winfield Scott paraprofessional
F. Employment of Mary Jo Harper as high school Choral Club sponsor for the 2020-21 school year
G. Employment of Brooke Senkevech as a middle school first session intramurals coach for the 2020-21 school year
The board adjourned.
Obituary of Della Raguse
On October 12, 2020, Della Mae Raguse, loving wife and mother of three children, left this earth for her heavenly home at the age of 94, joyful to be reunited with so many she loved.
Della Mae was born on November 5th, 1925 to Emma and Christopher Voss at their home on a farm near Holyrood, Kansas. She lived her entire childhood on the farm with her parents, two sisters, and one brother.
Raised in a Christian family, Della Mae lived a life that was shaped and guided by her faith. She graduated from high school at the age of 16, and at a time when needed, answered the call to become a teacher, the vocation of service that would prove very important in the lives of both her and her family.
On May 27, 1951, she married Carl Raguse, a Lutheran school teacher she got to know through church events and gatherings at the local skating rink. Together they raised one daughter and two sons, all of whom went on to become teachers and meet their spouses at Concordia Teachers College, Seward, NE.
Though she continued to teach for a time after the marriage, she transitioned to the career of homemaker for several years to raise her children. She then began working as a secretary at the local community college and later at a Lutheran elementary school, both additional connections to education which she treasured.
Through these stages of life, Della Mae and Carl made their home in various locations including Nebraska, Illinois, Kansas, and Iowa. Retirement led them to Fort Scott, Kansas in 1996, to live near their daughter and family.
Throughout both her working years and retirement, Della Mae always found ways to keep her faith and family as her highest priorities. Serving her church in many capacities, making her home a loving and comforting place to be, and spending time with family and friends were of utmost importance to her.
Della Mae is now joyfully reunited with her parents, her husband Carl, her sister and brother-in-law, LaVina and Al Juergensen, her brother Wilber, and an infant granddaughter.
She is survived by her sister, Marian (Charles) McKay, her sister-in-law Sandra Voss, her daughter, Cathy (Rick) Werling, her sons, Dan (Maggie) Raguse and Darin (Janet) Raguse, 5 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Della Mae’s earthly life was filled with the love of family and friends, and faith in Jesus was her path to eternal life. All who knew her were blessed to have her in their lives.
Due to concerns around the current pandemic, the funeral will be limited to family members.
The memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 17th, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Fort Scott, Kansas. Private burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery.
The family knows that all who loved Della Mae will be present in thought and spirit. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com. Memorials are suggested to either Trinity Lutheran Church or Fort Scott Presbyterian Village and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701.
New Grant Will Help Local Businesses With Internet Presence: Application Deadline Oct. 31
A local business resource center was brought to fruition because of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
“The idea of a business resource center being needed became abundantly clear around March or April,” Jody Hoener, Bourbon County Economic Director said. “Businesses were scrambling, trying to maintain or adapt as required, trying to keep their heads above water, all while attempting to navigate the very complex financial relief offered by the (U.S.)Small Business Administration and others. Just raising awareness of the opportunities and making critical connections to financial institutions for relief became a full-time job, let alone helping owners fill out applications.”
B-WERC Formed
The local program, called the Bourbon County Workforce and Entrepreneur Resource Center (B-WERC), was funded through Kansas’ Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas program, which was from money dispursed through the U.S. Cares Act Relief, all of these COVID-19 related measures by the layers of government.
Its purpose is to address current and immediate COVID-19 Pandemic related needs to assist business, encourage economic activity, and address unemployment, according to Hoener.
“I realized that the solution of throwing money at the problem was a very short term fix,” Hoener said. ” Businesses need customers for long term sustainability. The value in an increased online presence was highlighted more than ever during this pandemic. Restaurants were developing online solutions for curbside or delivery services as they were forced to close down. Other retailers were developing online solutions to get their products in the hands of customers. Distance learning, telework, or telehealth became a forced reality.”
Partnerships
“Other partnerships and resources are available through the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce and the Fort Scott Community College,” she said. “The chamber will assist the county in coordinating and promoting. Fort Scott Community College will be offering community classes in B-WERC on social media and other skills. Classes will be hands-on with available laptops for each participant. Telework and distance learning stations will be available for community members who need access to high-speed internet.”
“We will provide 20 qualified businesses free website building with expert assistance in value propositions and messaging critical to branding,” Hoener said.
A partnership with the Small Business Development Center at Pittsburg State University will assist businesses to obtain needed capital and provide business planning assistance for sustainability, Hoener said.
“These incredibly valuable services, in addition to marketing or industry reports, will be readily available,” she said. “This unique assistance will give businesses the needed help to build sustainable models.”
Entrepreneurs
“Many times communities who experience high unemployment rate will in turn see high entrepreneurship rates,” Hoener said. “For those (who are) unemployed and have great ideas to start their own business, this will give them the tools and know-how to move forward successfully.”
Job-Seeking
“A job seeking service will also be available onsite through another partner, KansasWorks, two times a week,” she said.
Childcare, An Important Component
“Childcare centers and daycares have high standards to maintain licensures. One requirement is to meet continuing education requirements. Although continued education for staff is clearly a need, it can create a burden on the facilities in scheduling, costs, and human resources. It is estimated there are approximately 15 illegal daycare providers in our county. Through our partner KansasWorks, B-WERC will be implementing a program that will offer to work with the childcare centers and daycares to meet credentialing requirements of continuing education hours. A program will be implemented to incentivize illegal care to become legal. Childcare is critical to keep our workforce working.” Hoener said.
The B-WERC office will be located on the second floor of the old Kress building at 17 S. Main in downtown Fort Scott. The office is expected to be open Nov. 2, according to Hoener.
The street-level floor of the building will house a grocery store.
The store owner, BAJA Investments, LLC, was also a recipient of the SPARK grant program. To see the story on that, click below:
New Grocery Store In Downtown Fort Scott Is Coming
Bourbon County Website Building and Marketing Grants Program Parameters
The grants will be scored and consequently awarded on a first come first serve basis to those that are eligible, according to Hoener. Applications will remain open until October 31, 2020. The grant will be awarded until 20 qualified businesses have been awarded.
Who Is Eligible
- For businesses located within Bourbon County, priority will be given to those businesses with a physical location.
- The business must currently have minimal (basic) to no online or website presence.
- Grants are for businesses who have experienced business disruptions as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic and will benefit from an increased online presence through any or all of the following:
- Increased foot traffic
- Encouraging tourism activities
- Enhance or enable online scheduling (i.e. curbside, delivery, hair appointments)
- Enhance or enable online sales
- Raise awareness of critical structures in the community (i.e. Food Access, Child Care, etc.)
- The applicant must be willing to spend a minimum of 5-10 hours over the next several months working with The Bureau of Small Projects staff.
- Non-profits are not eligible under this program
- The County reserves the right to request additional documentation
How to Apply
Applications are online at Bourboncountyks.org/spark
Contact info:
Jody Hoener, Economic Development Director
620-215-5725
210 South National
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Once an application is submitted, Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce President, Lindsay Madison, and Bourbon County Economic Development Director will review, Hoener said. The application will be scored to determine if the application meets minimum standards to qualify. A follow-up email will be sent to the applicant’s business.
An application will only be considered once it is fully completed with all requested documentation required to support the requested funding.
Parameters
- Grants applications will be open until October 31st.
- Grants are awarded on a first come first serve basis to those who are eligible.
- Grant Scoring Algorithm:
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Grant Purpose: Website Building and Marketing Services for Business Impacted by the COVID 19 Pandemic |
Points |
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Current Online Presence |
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Facebook Only |
5 |
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No Facebook or Website |
5 |
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A basic, static, webpage only |
5 |
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A dynamic web page currently exists |
0 |
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How Would an Online Presence Benefit the Applicant? (Check all that apply) |
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Increased foot traffic |
5 |
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Encourage tourism activities |
5 |
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Enhance or enable online scheduling |
5 |
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Enhance or enable online sales |
5 |
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Raise awareness of a public need such as food or childcare |
5 |
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Business Activities and Impact (Check all the Apply) |
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The business is a childcare center or daycare |
5 |
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Business sales a product that can be legally sold online |
5 |
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The business provides a service that scheduling can be done online |
5 |
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The business is located in Downtown Historic District |
5 |
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The Business encourages overnight stays |
5 |
| ***Minimum score of 5 from each of the three categories is required to be determined eligible |
Process
- A complete application must be submitted online.
- Additional Information may be requested for clarification.
- Economic Development Director and Chamber President will score the application and make the final determination of eligibility.
- Economic Development Director will send congratulatory and introductory emails to The Bureau of Small Projects and the business contact.
Funeral Services For Goldie Schnichels
Funeral services for Goldie Schnichels will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, October 16th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Goldie Schnichels Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
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