Monthly Archives: October 2022

Obituary

Obituary of Milton Yazel

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Milton “Junior” Yazel, 93, of Columbus, Kansas, passed away October 14, 2022, in Oswego, Kansas. He was born February 24, 1929, in Freeman, Missouri, the son of George Algon and Naomi (Wigginton) Yazel. He married Lily Mae Irvin, and she preceded him in death March 1, 1987.

 

Junior served in the US Army, and worked for many years as a machinist for 3M in Nevada, Missouri.

 

Junior is survived by his sister, Helen Wood, of Walker, Missouri; a grandson, Seth Allen Turner, of Raleigh, North Carolina; a nephew, Troy Wood, and close friend, Dave Turner of Columbus, Kansas.

 

Following cremation, graveside services will be held at a later date at the Fort Scott National Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

 

Bourbon County, Business, Health Care

Walmart Grants $3,500 to Bourbon County EMS

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Walmart Provides $3,500 Grant to Bourbon County EMS to address the need for workout equipment for employees.

 

Grant Presented to Bourbon County EMS During a Check Presentation Ceremony at 405 Woodland Hills Blvd, Fort Scott, KS 66701

Fort Scott, KS October 18, 2022– Walmart announced today a $3,500 grant to Bourbon County Emergency Medical Services to address the need for workout equipment for employees. The grant was presented to Paramedic Supervisor Jon Lowery and EMS Director Teri Hulsey at a check presentation ceremony at Bourbon County EMS, 405 Woodland Hills Blvd, Fort Scott, KS 66701.  The grant was facilitated by Bourbon County Regional Economic Development, Inc.

 

Each year, Walmart U.S. stores and clubs award local cash grants ranging from $250 to $5,000.  These local grants are designed to address the unique needs of the communities where they operate.  For Walmart of Fort Scott, it’s about making sure our local EMS has access to the tools and equipment needed to keep our community members safe, including Walmart employees and shoppers.  The mission of Bourbon County EMS is to provide a 24-hour operation to reduce the loss of life and property and to protect the environment.  The highest priority is to protect Bourbon County residents from all hazards by providing and coordinating resources, expertise, leadership and advocacy through a comprehensive, risk-based emergency preparedness program of mitigation, management, response and recovery.

 

Through the grant, EMS will purchase a weight bench, barbells and plates, a dumbbell set, a squat cage, a bike and a treadmill.  Having this grant allows equipment to be purchased without using funds from Bourbon County or Fort Scott.

 

Supervisor Jon Lowery states that EMS is a physically demanding job, and it is imperative that employees have access to equipment that allows them to be in top physical shape.  Staying in top physical condition reduces injuries that could be sustained by crew or patients while moving or lifting patients, stretchers, equipment or other activities that could present in crisis situations such as fire or car accidents.

 

Bourbon County EMS has responded to 1,927 calls so far this year.  These calls range from 911, transfers and dry runs.

 

 

 

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About Philanthropy at Walmart

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are committed to helping people live better through philanthropic efforts that draw on the strengths of Walmart in the arenas of sustainability, economic opportunity, and community. As part of our commitment to creating a more sustainable food system worldwide, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are leading the fight against hunger in the United States. They recently exceeded a $2 billion goal to fight hunger one year ahead of schedule and have donated more than 1.5 billion pounds of food to those in need across the country. To learn more about Walmart’s giving, visit www.foundation.walmart.com.

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Health Care

Dr. Burke: Same Location, Different Medical Group Starting Nov. 21

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Dr. Katrina Burke opened her medical practice with Ascension Via Christi on Jan. 13, 2020. The office is located at 109 S. Main. As of November 21, 2022, she will be under the auspices of Girard Medical Center at the same office space.

On November 21, Dr. Katrina Burke will be under the auspices of Girard Medical Center of Fort Scott and will begin seeing patients at the same office in downtown Fort Scott where she has been located for two years.

Dr. Katrina Burke. Submitted photo.

“All of Dr. Burke’s staff will be staying on, including nurse practitioner, Kristi Harbit,” said Ruth Duling, Chief Executive Officer of Girard Medical Center.

Kristi Harbit. Submitted photo.

“We really want to emphasize that the clinic is in the same location!” she said. ” Dr. Burke is not leaving the Fort Scott medical community.  She loves her patient population there and she and her staff will continue to provide the same great service they always have.”

Ruth Duling, CEO of Girard Medical Center. Submitted photo.

“There will be a few days between the last day for Ascension Via Christi and the first day for us, as we will need a few days to reset and get computers in place, etc,” Duling said.

“Patients can call the office to ask that their records be transferred from the Via Christi Clinic to the GMC Clinic,” she said.  “It’s just a matter of getting their records from the Via Christi electronic health record system to ours, but patients do have to request for that transfer to be made.”

The office number is 620-223-7008.

Hours of operation will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and  8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Friday.

“We are extremely happy to have the opportunity to bring Dr. Burke and her staff into the Girard Medical Center family,” Duling said.  “It’s no secret that Dr. Burke is well respected by her patients, her colleagues, and the medical community.”

“Girard Medical Center is fortunate to have family practice clinics in Girard, Frontenac, Arma, Cherokee, and in another Bourbon County community, Uniontown,” she said.  “We do family practice well!  We’re excited to have a physical presence in Fort Scott and we’re equally excited to have Dr Burke’s patients become more familiar with Girard Medical Center.”

“Rest assured, we are doing everything we can to make a smooth transition and to ensure that Dr. Burke, Kristi and the staff are able to continue to provide the same great service they always have and it’s an added plus to be in the exact same location,” Duling said.

 

 

Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Sponsors Sought For Annual Downtown Trick or Treat Parade

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The Fort Scott Chamber announces the Annual Downtown Trick-or-Treat Parade!
SPONSORS NEEDED!
The past couple of years the attendance has been growing for the Downtown Trick-or-Treat parade with 600+ kids in attendance! At the end of the parade, we serve a hotdog, chips, and drink to each child who is in costume. We have been very thankful for the gracious donations from you all in the past! Last years generous donations were made by the following:
BRIGGS AUTO
NIECE PRODUCTS
FORT SCOTT FAMILY DENTAL
EMPRESS EVENT CENTER
VALU MERCHANDISERS
FORT SCOTT INN
CRAIN INSURANCE
WALGREENS
SHARKY’S PUB & GRUB
LOWELL MILKEN CENTER
KTTCU
3-D ALTERNATOR
SECURITY 1ST TITLE
WALMART
DON’S SPIRITS & WINES + SMOKE SHOP
TREASURE HUNT FLEA MARKET
If your business is interested in making a donation, please contact us! Click here to email us or call the
Chamber at 620-223-3566.
We will accept monetary donations or other items such as hot dogs, buns, individually packaged chips, or drinks.
Saturday, October 29, 2022 @ 11:00 AM
10-11am:Walgreens will be taking pictures with a Halloween Backdrop & providing a free 4 x 6 print. The backdrop will also be available throughout the event for pictures with your own camera.
Face painting will be offered by the Fort Scott High School Pride and Thespian Clubs!
11am: Parade will start at La Hacienda, down the west side of Main Street to 2nd, then back down the east side of Main Street to Skubitz Plaza.
Following parade: Hotdog, chips & drink will be served to the kids in costume provided through the generous donation of local businesses!
__________
***Businesses along Main Street will be handing out candy during the parade, and businesses not on Main Street as well as any community organizations are welcome to set up a table along Main to pass out candy, coupons, promo items, etc.
Please emailthe Chamber if your business or organization will be passing out candy so we
can plan accordingly.
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Three positions open at Southwind Extension

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  • There are three positions open at the K-State Extension Southwind District.
  • Southwind District Extension Program Assistant (we are looking to hire two) – Here is the job description and here is the application which must be submitted with a cover letter and resume to Krista Harding ([email protected]) by October 21st. Please share to help us find great people to fill these two positions! You can learn more about the Southwind Extension District at our website: https://www.southwind.k-state.edu/.
  • Southeast Area SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator, based in Fort Scott, KS – This position is newly created and will report to the Southeast Area SNAP-Ed Regional Specialist Chuckie Hessong. You can find more information about this position here. Contact Chuckie with questions at [email protected]. Screening for this position will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. This work is fulfilling for someone who has a service heart, loves to cook and teach others to live a healthy lifestyle. This position will work with low resource families and individuals–youth, adults and seniors! K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity employer and provider. Again, please share this information to help us find great applicants in the Fort Scott area!

 

Submitted by Clara Wicoff, MSc

 

Extension Agent

Nutrition, Food and Health

Southwind District

K-State Research and Extension

1006 N. State St.

Iola, KS 66749

620-365-2242

[email protected]

 

Government, Kansas

KDOT New Online Tool for Planning

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KDOT, Kansas Association of Counties’

new online tool improves planning

OVERLAND PARK – Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz today announced the release of an online interactive tool to enable Kansas counties to analyze county-owned roads and bridges and help determine priorities to meet the future needs of local road systems.

Referred to as “KLIP,” the Kansas Local Infrastructure Planning Tool leverages counties’ existing road and bridge data and provides insights on local infrastructure conditions through an interactive viewer. County officials will be better able to prioritize and plan investments, including for critical connections among agricultural, rural and urban communities across Kansas.

Secretary Lorenz announced the release of the KLIP Tool at the 47th Annual Kansas Association of Counties (KAC) Conference. The online tool was developed by the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Local Projects in coordination with the KAC and the Kansas County Highway Association (KCHA).

“The timing for this new tool is perfect,” said Secretary Lorenz. “While our county roads and bridges are aging and construction and maintenance costs are rising, we also have great opportunities. KDOT is fully funded for the first time in more than a decade and there are significant federal funding opportunities available to local governments.”

Secretary Lorenz said the KLIP tool enables counties to test a range of spending and funding scenarios to determine priorities and meet the needs of local road systems in the future.

“I’m very proud of the collaboration that went into developing this tool,” she said.

The KLIP Tool maps all bridges in the county, as well as a providing a historic look at investments in road and bridge maintenance and construction for each county. Using information based on such factors as number of bridges, miles of roadway or per capita, the user can use KLIP to project future funding needs. Plans can be based on user inputs of costs for various activities, mill levy increases, inflation rates and possible changes to the size of the transportation system in that county.

The KLIP Tool and user manual are located at https://klip.ksdot.gov/.

The KLIP Tool was developed with input from a Project Advisory Committee that included representation from KDOT, KAC, Saline County and Stafford County. Pilot versions of the program were tested by staff at Atchison, Crawford and Montgomery counties.
Obituary

Obituary of Christy McHenry

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Christy Dawn McHenry, age 43, a resident of Fulton, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly Friday, October 14, 2022, at her home.  She was born May 29, 1979, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Vern McHenry and Debbie Ballou.

Christy graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the class of 1997 and went on to attend Ft. Scott Community College.

Christy had worked in customer service for the majority of her life.  She was last employed by Power Sales in Lenexa, Kansas.  Christy enjoyed going to concerts and tending her flower beds.  She will also be remembered as an avid fan of the Kansas City Royals.

 

Christy will be lovingly missed by her son, Dalton Womeldorff (Kaylin) of Joplin, Missouri, her mother, Debbie Ballou of Fulton, Kansas and her father, Vern McHenry (Kim) of Gardner, Kansas; her sister, Kelly McHenry (Jordan Stewart) and her brother, Keith McHenry (Kristen) all of Ft. Scott.  Also surviving are nieces and nephews, Declan, Konnor, Madalyn, and Greyson as well as many aunts and uncles and close friends and her beloved basset hound, Charlie.

Christy was preceded in death by grandparents, Virginia McHenry and David Ballou.

 

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, October 20th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Wednesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the American Stroke Association and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 666701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Business, Fort Scott

Glessner: Oct. 17-22 Earnings go to Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center

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Tanya Glessner. Submitted photo.

Tanya Glessner, owner and stylist of Upper Cut Salon, 408 Jefferson St. has a passion to help those with mental illness.

Upper Cut Salon. Submitted photo.

“This subject is close to my heart,” she said. “I believe many people struggle with this in silence. It takes a great deal of courage to ask for help. It’s important for people to share their experiences so others know they’re not alone and we need to do our part in letting our community know what their resources are so they feel comfortable in reaching out. I also believe many addictions stem from mental health issues due to people attempting to self medicate. So it’s important to take prevention measures before things cycle out of control.”

She has chosen to donate 100 percent of what she earns this week for haircuts to benefit the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center.

“This is in honor of mental health awareness month benefiting SEKMHC and the services they provide,” she said. “The fundraiser is October 17th-23rd. 100% of money made from haircuts this week will be donated. I will be taking all donations to Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center on the 24th.”

Glessner’s haircuts are $12 regularly.

“I always run a haircut special on Tuesdays for $10,” she said. “And all veterans and first responders, including police, firefighters, always get $10 haircuts.”

Glessner can be contacted at 620.224.6704.

The shop is open Monday through Saturday by appointment with flexible hours.

“People may also donate NEW shoes, clothing and food items,” Glessner said. “Families that receive services there (SEKMHC) are always in need of shoes, clothing and food. Many of them are low income or special needs.”

K-State Extension

Tips for Dealing with Food Price Inflation

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By Clara Wicoff

Southwind Extension District

 

If you’ve been shocked by food prices this year, you aren’t alone. Try these tips for dealing with food price inflation. Not every idea will work for you, so pick the ones that best fit you and your lifestyle!

 

Start by making a list before grocery shopping. Stick to that list and avoid shopping on an empty stomach to prevent impulse purchases. When possible, also try to shop when you are well-rested because you will make better decisions. Consider eliminating high-cost “junk food” snacks and beverages that provide empty calories with little or no beneficial nutrients. Take advantage of coupons (but only on products you already use). Look up and down when selecting a product, since eye-level products can be more expensive. When purchasing produce, plan to purchase produce which is in season and less expensive.

 

If you are concerned about maintaining a nutrient-rich diet amid high food prices, consider choosing canned fruits and vegetables. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, these can be just as nutrition as fresh and frozen foods. There are some steps you can take to ensure you are choosing a nutritious option. Pick fruits canned in water or 100% fruit juice versus those packed in syrup. When it comes to canned vegetables, choose ones labeled “no salt added” or “low sodium.”

 

If you are eating out at a restaurant, rethink your drink and make the switch from soda to water. You can also investigate if local restaurants have specials like “kids eat free” nights. If you have leftovers, bring them home to eat for another meal. For food safety purposes, leftovers should be refrigerated or frozen within two hours of eating or preparation. Place the leftovers in a prominent spot in your refrigerator to remind yourself to consume them promptly.

 

Another important way to cut down on food costs is to reduce food waste and eat everything you buy. The average family of four loses $1,500 each year on wasted food. Some of the tips listed above will help you reduce food waste, including shopping from a list. Proper food storage is also key. Use thermometers in your refrigerator and freezer to ensure food is kept at a safe temperature (40°F or less for the refrigerator and 0°F or less for the freezer). Implement the “first in, first out” storage method to ensure the food you buy first is used first. For more food storage tips, check out the USDA FoodKeeper app at bit.ly/AppFoodKeeper.

 

Please contact Clara Wicoff, Nutrition, Food and Health Extension Agent, for more information at [email protected] or 620-365-2242.