|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Monthly Archives: March 2023
Fort Scott Livestock Market: Online Sales As An Option
Fort Scott Livestock Market has been a Martin family business since 1994, and marketed over 104,000 animals a year for Kansas and Missouri producers. They are the third largest agricultural auction in Kansas.
Located at 2131 Maple Road, the auction service sells agricultural livestock each weekend.
The auction features clear, fast-talking auctioneers, and includes multiple televisions throughout the facility for participants to keep an eye on the action in the ring.
Jim Martin, 89, one of the owners, still is an auctioneer.
The auction is often a family event for the buyers and sellers as well.
“Cattle buyers and sellers are often joined by a spouse, child or grandchild who enjoy a clear view of each animal coming through the ring,” according to the press release.
For those people who want home raised beef for their family freezer, the auction will have five butcher steers that start selling today, March 24, according to their Facebook page.
The business also sell paddles and flag whips for working with cattle on farms and also have apparel for sale: tee shirts, hoodies and vests.
Sale Times and Options
They start receiving cattle on Thursdays, according to their website,http://www.fslivestock.com/
The Friday sale is for cows, pairs, baby calves and big bulls, the Saturday sale, which starts at 10 a.m., starts with feeder and stocker calves and ends with cows and big bulls that came to the sale later.
Their cattle buyers are in person, or send a representative to help get “top-dollar” for the sellers livestock, according to a press release from FSLM.
In February 2023 they have added online purchasing of cattle on Fridays to the list of services. Fridays at 10 a.m.the sale features cows and bulls and Saturdays at 10 a.m. feature mostly calves, but also some cows and bulls. In 2012, the Saturday sale was put online.
Saturdays are the biggest sales.
“We are now broadcasting our sales real-time, the cattle auction is live on the internet …at WWW.DVAUCTION.COM,” according to the press release. “You must be registered through DV Auction and be approved through our office to bid. If you have not been approved through our office, please have your DV Auction # ready when you call us. 620-223-4600.”
For the latest information go to Facebook, at Fort Scott Livestock Market.
Family Owned
The market is owned and operated by four generations of the Martin family.
“Whether you’re selling one cow or a trailer load, they strive to give you the same quality enjoyable experience,” according to a press release. “Jim, Larry, Kyle and Tyler Martin are happy to discuss your cattle with you. Their phones light up all day, every day and each call gets a response.”
The fourth generation of Martins works as yard help.
Jim, Larry’s dad, Larry Martin, along with Tyler and Kyle, Larry’s sons, are the owners and managers of the business.
They regularly give back to various community clubs and organizations through various county fairs, FFA organizations, the Hepler Rodeo, the Vernon County Cattleman’s Association and various schools, churches and clubs.
The business employs over one hundred “hard-working individuals, from check-in to load-out, it’s a hands on, one-on-one experience,” according to the press release. “Behind the scenes there is a quality crew, in the front and back that are experts at sorting the cattle, joined by cowboys on horses penning the animals.”
The cafe at the livestock market is also a multi-generational family business. Bobbi Miller and her daughter Thabena Bower run the cafe.
“With fresh mouthwatering Friday and Saturday specials and homemade blue-ribbon quality pies,” it is a great place to eat, according to the press release.
They regularly give back to various community clubs and organizations through county fairs, FFA organizations, the Hepler Rodeo, the Vernon County Cattleman’s Association, schools, churches and clubs.
Another Story on Noble Health Corp Following Hospital Closures In Rural Missouri
Editors Note: This story from Kaiser Health News features a story on Noble Health that the Fort Scott City Commission and the Bourbon County Commission signed a contract with in July 2021 to facilitate Noble Health Corp’s feasibility study of reopening the former Mercy Hospital building as an acute care hospital.
To view the prior story: Noble Health Announces Reopening a Hospital in Fort Scott
In June 2022, Journalist Sarah Jane Tribble wrote an article on Noble Health:
Noble Health: History of Failed Health Care For Patients
Noble Health did not reopen the hospital in Fort Scott and the Bourbon Country Commission transferred ownership of the former Mercy Hospital Building at 401 Woodland Hills on November 17, 2022 to Legacy Health Foundation.
To view that contract:
View the Bourbon County/ Legacy Health Foundation Agreement
Yesterday, Tribble published another article on Noble Health failure aftermath and here it is.
Legal Questions, Inquiries Intensify Around Noble Health’s Rural Missouri Hospital Closures
A year after private equity-backed Noble Health shuttered two rural Missouri hospitals, patients and former employees grapple with a broken local health system or missing out on millions in unpaid wages and benefits.
The hospitals in Audrain and Callaway counties remain closed as a slew of lawsuits and state and federal investigations grind forward.
In March, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey confirmed a civil investigation. He had previously told local talk radio that there was an “ongoing” investigation into “the hospital issue.”
Bailey’s comment came weeks after the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration notified executives tied to Noble Health, a startup, that they had violated federal laws and asked them to pay $5.4 million to cover unpaid employee health insurance claims, according to a 13-page letter detailing “interim findings” that was obtained by KHN.
The January letter confirms KHN’s previous reporting, which was informed by employees and patients who described missing paychecks; receiving unexpected, high-dollar medical bills; and going without care, including cancer treatment. According to the letter from federal investigators, the Noble hospitals and their corporate owners collected employee contributions for medical, dental, and vision insurance in 2021 and 2022 but then failed to fund the insurance plans.
The owners and executives were “aware of the harm to participants and, in some cases, were attempting to resolve individual participant complaints,” the letter states, adding that “despite the volume and gravity of complaints and bills received,” they failed to respond.
‘Tomfoolery’ and Doing ‘Everybody Dirty’
Marissa Hagedorn, who worked as a hospital laboratory technician, has spent much of the past year starting a new job, caring for her 2-year-old son who was born with spina bifida, and haggling over unpaid medical bills. She told KHN the family owes at least $8,000 for son Ryder’s specialty care in St. Louis, with $6,000 of that in collections. As a Noble employee, Hagedorn said, she was told repeatedly that her employee health insurance would cover Ryder’s care. It didn’t.
Noble has “done everybody dirty,” she said. “We just would like for some responsibility to be taken by this company that didn’t feel the need to get their act together.” Hagedorn’s story of unpaid bills, which was first reported by the local newspaper, the Mexico Ledger, is common among former Noble employees a year after the hospitals closed.
A former employee of the Fulton hospital has filed a class-action lawsuit intended to represent hundreds of employees from both hospitals.
The Jan. 13 letter from federal officials called for responses by Jan. 27 from Noble corporate and hospital executives as well as Platinum Neighbors, which last April bought the hospitals and assumed all liabilities. The letter instructs executives to contact the agency “to discuss how you intend to correct these violations, fund participant claims, and achieve compliance.”
Former employees say their claims have not yet been paid. A Labor Department spokesperson, Grant Vaught, said the agency could not comment on an ongoing investigation.
Separately, the Kansas Department of Labor is reviewing Noble and Platinum’s failure to pay wages and severance to corporate employees. Agency spokesperson Becky Shaffer confirmed that hearings took place in early February on a half-dozen cases totaling more than $1 million in claims for unpaid wages and severance.
Dave Kitchens was among those who filed claims against Noble Health. Kitchens worked briefly as a contract employee and then was hired in October 2021 as a corporate controller, an accounting role in which he was responsible for financial reporting and data analytics. Kitchens provided an audio recording of his hearing to KHN and hopes to eventually get paid more than $90,000 in lost wages, benefits, and severance pay. During the hearing, Kitchens told the administrative judge: “I would just like to be paid what I’m owed.”
Kitchens, who is also named as a fiduciary on the federal investigation, said he was not on Noble’s executive team. When asked by Kansas Administrative Law Judge James Ward whether he expected Noble or the secondary buyer Platinum to pay his wages, Kitchens responded he had “no idea who was in charge.”
“I believe there was some tomfoolery,” Kitchens said.
A ‘Rabbit Hole’ of Responsibility
Noble launched in December 2019 with executives who had never run a hospital, including Donald R. Peterson, a co-founder who prior to joining Noble had been accused of Medicare fraud. Peterson settled that case without admitting wrongdoing and in August 2019 agreed to be excluded for five years from Medicare, Medicaid, and all other taxpayer-funded federal health programs, according to the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.
By March 2022, the hospitals had closed and Noble offered explanations on social media, including “a technology issue” and a need to “restructure their operations” to keep the hospitals financially viable. In April, Texas-based Platinum Neighbors paid $2 for the properties and all liabilities, according to the stock purchase agreement.
Despite receiving approval for nearly $20 million in federal covid-19 relief money before it closed the hospitals — funds whose use is still not fully accounted for — Noble had stopped paying its bills, according to court records. Contractors, including nursing agencies, a lab that ran covid tests and landscapers, have filed lawsuits seeking millions.
In Audrain County, where community members still hope to reopen the hospital or build a new one, county leaders filed suit for the repayment of a $1.8 million loan they made to Noble. Former Missouri state senator Jay Wasson also filed suit in September, asking for repayment of a $500,000 loan.
Two Noble Health real estate entities filed bankruptcy petitions this year. One Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing names the Fulton hospital property in Callaway County as an asset and lists nearly $4.9 million in liabilities. A third bankruptcy filing by FMC Clinic includes Noble Health as a codebtor.
In the U.S. District Court of Kansas, Central Bank of the Midwest is suing Nueterra Capital over a $9.6 million loan Noble used to buy the Audrain hospital. The bank alleges Nueterra, a private equity and venture capital firm that in 2022 included Noble as part of its portfolio, signed off as the guarantor of the loan.
Federal investigators listed nearly a dozen people or entities connected to Noble Health as fiduciaries who they say are personally responsible for paying back millions in unpaid medical claims. The letter also detailed Noble Health’s ownership for the first time. The owners included William A. Solomon with a 16.82% share, Thomas W. Carter with a 16.82% share, The Peterson Trust with a 19.63%, and NC Holdings Inc. with 46.72%.
NC Holdings is also listed on the stock sale agreement with Platinum along with several signatures including Jeremy Tasset, chief executive of Nueterra Capital.
Tasset did not respond to a request for comment for this article. In an email to KHN in March 2022, the Nueterra Capital CEO wrote, “We are a minority investor in the real estate and have nothing to do with the operations of the hospitals.” In May 2022, Tasset wrote in an email to KHN that “everything was sold (real estate included) to Platinum Neighbors, a subsidiary of Platinum Team Management.”
It is unclear who owns and controls The Peterson Trust, which federal investigators identified. Peterson, who is listed on Noble’s state registration papers as a director and in other roles, didn’t respond to requests for comment for this article. He previously told KHN that his involvement in Noble didn’t violate his exclusion, in his reading of the law.
He said he owned 3% of the company, citing guidance from the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Federal regulators may exclude companies if someone who is banned has ownership of 5% or more.
In March 2022, Peterson created Noble Health Services, which federal investigators note in their letter was “established to restructure the ownership of multiple Noble entities.” Peterson dissolved that company in July 2022, according to a Missouri business filing.
In September, Peterson posted on LinkedIn that he was “sitting in the Emirates Air lounge in Dubai” to finish up due diligence on “launching a new business.”
A 2013 OIG advisory states that “an excluded individual may not serve in an executive or leadership role” and “may not provide other types of administrative and management services … unless wholly unrelated to federal health care programs.”
KHN examined the federal system meant to stop health care business owners and executives from repeatedly bilking government health programs and found that it failed to do so.
The OIG keeps a public list of people and businesses it has banned from all federal health care programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid. KHN’s review found a system devoid of oversight and rife with legal gray areas.
In the wake of KHN’s reporting, Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat who is the chair of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, said “it’s imperative that federal watchdogs can ensure bad actors are kept out of Medicare.” Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said the government needs to do more and “it’s also up to private-sector entities to do a better job checking against the exclusions list.”
“We can’t just depend on one or the other to do everything,” Grassley said.
In recent months, the Missouri hospitals appear to have been sold twice more, according to public records. Oregon-based Saint Pio of Pietrelcina notified state officials of a change of ownership in December and requested an extension of the hospital licenses, which was denied. In January, Audrain County officials, in its lawsuit, revealed another owner named Pasture Medical, which registered as a Wyoming company on Dec. 27, 2022.
“We haven’t come out of the rabbit hole on this one,” said Steve Bollin, director of the division of regulation and licensure for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Bollin’s agency, which conducts inspections and approves hospital changes in ownership, said he would support his agency doing financial reviews.
“It’s probably not a bad idea that someone takes a little bit deeper dive. We don’t have that many changes of ownership, but we would need appropriate staffing to do that, including some really good CPAs [certified public accountants].”
National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week: Marijuana
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports March 24
Letter to the Editor: Deb McCoy
We do have a Comprehensive Plan!
I have asked numerous times if the City had a 5 year or 10 years Comprehensive Plan for the City of Fort Scott. I never received an answer from any City Official, City employee, or City Manager stating YES WE DO! While researching the Fort Scott City Commissioners Agendas and Minutes of the Meetings I came across a City of Fort Scott Comprehensive Plan with survey results that was put together by the Planning Commission Board and presented on March 20th, 2018 at the City Commissioners Meeting. In reviewing the meeting agendas after that meeting, this comprehensive plan was never discussed or implemented. Look at the amount of tax dollars that we have spent on surveys and studies over the past 5 years when we had a comprehensive plan that was completed and introduced by the Planning Commission Board in 2018. Why was this Comprehensive Plan not implemented?
Let me share some of the characteristics of this Plan:
- It is a physical plan that reflects social and economic values and is a guide for the physical development of the community. It translates values into a scheme that describes how, why, when, and where to build, rebuild, or preserve the community.
- It has a long range design, covering a period greater than one year to 5 years that expresses current policies that will shape the future rather than show a rigid image of the future itself.
- It is comprehensive and covers the entire city geographically, not merely one or more sections, and it covers areas outside of the City, referred to as the Growth Area.
- The plan is a state of policy covering community desires as quantity, character, location and rate of growth and how these desires can be achieved.
- Finally the plan is a guide to decision making by the Planning Commission, the City Governing body, City Manager and City Staff.
The Chapters in the Comprehensive Plan Include:
- Introduction
- Community Character
- Housing
- Economic Development
- Recreation and Natural & Historical Resources
- Infrastructure and Transportation
- Downtown and Fort Scott National Historic Site
- Code Enforcement
- Land Use/Growth Management
– A quote from Chapter 4 states – “Without funding for economic development initiatives, without the ability to actively recruit business to Fort Scott, and without the means to extend the infrastructures necessary to accommodate new business growth, the community is vulnerable to economic stagnation and decline.” We also need to ensure that the City’s zoning and related regulations that promote good site design and protect business and commercial development from inappropriate development on neighboring properties. A long term goal would be to attract new industries that complement Fort Scott’s economy and utilize its labor force. This would also include the need to plan for future employment growth by having sites “shovel ready” to develop.
– One of the goals mentioned was to work with Fort Scott Community College to develop trade and labor apprenticeship programs that include heating/air, plumbing, electrical, carpenter and building trades, street and infrastructure maintenance, etc. that would provide qualified employees for local positions. Having a job to sustain a household, and affordable housing to accommodate the employee is another important factor.
– Another Goal from Chapter 4 states – that retaining existing businesses and industries and supporting their expansion is the foundation of our economy and is the source of the greatest percentage of jobs grown in the community. This means we need to develop the means to identify when a local company may be considering relocating or closing, and provide services to address the firm’s business needs and keep it in Fort Scott. Think about the loss of businesses over the past 5 years. Winery, Beaux Art Center, Peerless expanded their production to Iola and Nevada, Mercy Hospital, Dialysis Center, Price Choppers, Shoe Department, and Goody’s, just to name a few.
– Chapter 8 covers Code Enforcement, “which is the City’s use of its legal authority, often referred to as the “police power” to help ensure that the health and safety of residents is not adversely affected by property conditions. This includes poor yard maintenance, storage of items that can be hazardous, and lack of care resulting in property deterioration which directly impacts quality of life in a community. Property values as well as community self image are affected by blight and lack of maintenance. ‘Property Rights’ implies responsibility. No property should be used or maintained in a manner which downgrades its or another’s value, use, enjoyment or safety. This coupled with lack of investment in infrastructure such as improved streets or sidewalks, breeds, an aura of negativism which impeded a desirable ‘community spirit’”
It makes me wonder why this Comprehensive Plan was never implemented. It is obvious that a lot of time and effort was made in putting this plan together. The Plan was built on the past to create the vision for the future and could have easily been implemented into an active plan that would certainly be applicable today.
Why do we keep spending money on all of these studies when we had the Blueprint to a Comprehensive Plan presented 5 years ago just sitting in our files waiting to be implemented? Isn’t it about time we took some action towards a plan well thought out, well written and community oriented so that we as citizens could also participate in?
To get a copy of this Comprehensive Plan to the Fort Scott City website under Government and click on Agenda & Minutes. Pull up the March 20th, 2018 Commissioner Meeting notes. Go to page 57 thru 126.
Sincerely,
Deb McCoy
3/23/23
Bourbon County Commission Minutes of March 20
March 20, 2023 Monday 9:00 a.m.
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners and the County Clerk present.
Alan Drake, Lori Collier, Jeff Collier, David Klein, Larry Howard, and Malinda Bailey were present for some or all of the meeting.
Jim Harris opened the meeting at 9:00 with a flag salute.
Clifton Beth made a motion to amend the agenda to move the executive session after the road work session so that County Counselor Meeks could attend. Nelson Blythe seconded and all approved.
Jim Harris welcomed all the citizens and thanked them for coming to the 2023 Road Work Session. Jim stated Public Works is doing a great job and that we have come a long way in 10 years, but we still have a long way to go. Dustin Hall handed out the proposed road plan to the citizens attending the meeting. Eric Bailey, Public Works Director, introduced Dustin Hall who is the Assistant Public Works Director and Chad Brown who is the Public Works Foreman. Eric started by stating the proposed road plan is broken down by district but there is no set order on how the roads are listed within each district.
The roads in District 1 were discussed with Eric stating a section of Maple Road needs to be finished in order for Public Works to chip and seal Maple Road. Eric said he has spoken to contractors for a second opinion on Yale Road and they have recommended milling up the road as well. The sub-base has failed and the road from the west side of the Hidden Valley Lake to Mapleton needs to be milled and gravel brought in to compact and build a good base. Dustin said they will try to do an extra mile next year on Yale Road since it is four miles to the lake. Jim said he wants to make sure that before the extra mile is done on Yale Road that the focus is on a road that has been milled for 5 years.
The roads in District 2 were discussed next with Eric saying Jayhawk Road from 69 Highway to Liberty Bell Road needs overlay work done. KDOT is currently checking to see if that section of road has been turned over to the county yet. Eric said if the road has not been signed over to the county then KDOT will have to have the road in an acceptable condition before the county will agree to take the road over. Jewel Road, 230th Street, and 232nd Terrace, which make up Marco Estates, were discussed next with Eric saying they tried to get to those roads last year but ran out of funding. Eagle Road from Garland to 267th Street is on the plan, and it was stated Eagle Road is in dire need of help. The last area discussed was 227th Street from Kansas Road to the city limits. Eric said it would cost $37,306.17 to produce the asphalt and he thinks the city should pay half of that. Jim said he has talked to the City of Fort Scott and they have it on their agenda for approval.
District 3 has more roads listed on the plan than the other two districts, but Eric pointed out that the other two districts have taken precedence the last two years and District 3 has not had much asphalt work done. Eric said they want to do something a little different than they have in the past and start now with a one-inch overlay then come back in July or August and chip and seal the roads. Eric has spoken to contractors and KDOT and this will save money. The roads discussed for this technique are Soldier from 215th to 245th Street, 245th Street between Soldier Road and Valley Road, and Valley Road between 245th Street and 267th Street. They plan to chip and seal 215th Street from Native Road to Yellowstone Road. Jim wanted to make sure that everybody knew Clifton allowed roads in other districts that were dangerous to get priority the past two years so that is why he is getting so much more this year.
There were many roads that were listed under an extra heading that Eric would like to try to get to this year if the funding is available. Eric said he would like to get started right away and lay four inches of asphalt on Eagle Road from 69 Highway to 230th Street, but he needs to get a budget report, so he knows how much carryover he has from last year. Jim stated since it is almost April, he hopes that the end of year will get closed out soon so that Eric can know how much money he has to work with. Jayhawk Road from Liberty Bell Road to 245th Street was also listed under the extra’s section and Jim said it is in need of chip and seal since it was such a dry year last year the pavement moved and cracked. Eric commended Dustin on all the hours he had worked to create the plan. Dustin said that asphalt oil is down about $100.00 per ton and fuel is down about $1.00 per gallon so that will help make our limited funding stretch farther. The laydown machine has a new engine in it, and they are working out a few bugs but hope to have it running soon. Jim said if sales tax continues to be up he is confident we can do one mile on Eagle Road. It was discussed if sales tax is up doing one mile of Yale Road, and Dustin said the traffic really needs to compact the road for a year to get a good base before any asphalt is laid. Dustin said that a lot of the asphalt roads are in better shape now and that they plan to chip and seal which will make the asphalt last another 5 to 7 years.
Alan Drake spoke about the roads in Marco Estates stating they have deteriorated over the last several years and they need help. Alan said that the last work done to the roads was chip and seal several years ago, but recently all that has been done is patching. Mr. Drake said he appreciates all the work that the road crews and Commissioners do. Larry Howard asked about sales tax and when we find out how much we will receive. Jim explained that we do projections for the year based upon the first sales tax payment we receive in the year, but that sales tax has been up the past few years. Nelson questioned if Yale Road was milled how soon it would be before the work was started, and Eric said it could be the beginning of April. Clifton said the only way to fix the road is to mill the road and that it is a safety issue. Eric assured Nelson that they will not do any milling on Yale Road without notifying him and getting the word out to the citizens as well. Eric said that he will bring the asphalt plan back on Thursday for approval.
Jim asked for a short break, and the meeting started back in session at 9:37.
Justin Meeks, County Counselor, asked for a 12-minute executive session to discuss security measures. Nelson made a motion for an executive session under KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures to include all three Commissioners and Justin Meeks for 12 minutes returning at 9:53. Clifton seconded the motion, and all approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session with no action at 9:53. Nelson seconded the motion, and all approved.
Clifton made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:51. Nelson seconded the motion, and all approved.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
___________________, Chairman
___________________, Commissioner
___________________, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Jennifer Hawkins, Bourbon County Clerk
_______________, Approved Date
The Bourbon County Commission Minutes of March 9
March 9, 2023, Thursday 9:00 am
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners and the Deputy County Clerk present.
Michael Hoyt, Tiana McElroy, CJ Robinson, Patty Ropp, Deb McCoy, Jason Silvers, Lora Holdridge, and Clint Walker were present for some or all of the meeting.
Jim Harris opened the meeting with the flag salute, followed by a prayer by Mark McCoy.
Clifton Beth made a motion to approve the minutes from last week’s meeting. Nelson Blythe seconded, and all approved.
Clifton made a motion to approve accounts payable totaling $160,243.72 and payroll totaling $208,645.33. Nelson seconded, and all approved.
Eric Bailey, Public Works Director, presented the monthly fuel report. Jim asked if the Sheriff’s department was still getting fuel from the county barn. Eric stated they quit around January 1st or the 4th, but that EMS is still getting fuel as well as all other departments. There was a delay getting the card system installed, but Eric made some phone calls last week and they are moving forward. The sidewalk and concrete have been completed, but there is some painting that still needs to be finished up. There are four or five more stalls than before, we had 15-16 open previously and now there are 20 parking spaces available. Eric spoke about citizens having problems with nails or metal pieces in the roads and he has done some research and visited with other counties. He said Crawford County uses magnets that are attached to the back of their graders. Eric said they ordered 6 magnets to be installed on the back of our graders and will see how that works out for the issue. He also stated that he knows there has been a lot of flat tires from picking up nails and other things in our dump trucks, so we will see about the outcome and if the magnets will work for us as well. The cost for all 6 magnets was $3,000. Jim said this was a great idea and thanked Eric. The soybean paperwork was finalized with ADM, and they will be transporting 100% of the bean dumpsters to our landfill to make compost along with their pod dumpsters, which will be coming to Bourbon County twice a week. Jim asked if Eric if they had found a good used compost machine and Eric replied they have possibly found a compost turning machine because you have to add different mixtures, then you have to turn it so often, and sometimes add moisture. They have found a used one that they are keeping an eye on, and they are going to look at it in about a week. Jim said the compost could be sold, given away, or use it as C and D cover. Eric responded with absolutely, as well as fill in some holes and other things as needed. Jim thanked Eric and said he appreciated all the work he has done. Eric said they have had a few road projects this week with one at 230th and Hackberry where there were multiple potholes that have been milled and leveled out. East of the intersection of 250th & Fern there was a really soft spot, the road is getting a lot of traffic from gravel trucks hauling to Missouri. The area has been torn up, filled in, compacted, and the road is up and going again. 40 MPH speed limit signs are installed on Eagle Road from 69 Highway to 250th street. Eric said he had a meeting with Troy Howard from KDOT yesterday and that the meeting went very well. They met for about an hour and a half and went over various topics such as asphalt, chip and seal, rights-of-way, and equipment. They also talked about grants coming up and Eric said Troy is going to have an individual get back in touch with us that is more familiar with grants. Jim asked if he was our area engineer, and Eric said yes, he is our area engineer, and he is out of Iola. Last week Eric received his yearly order of culverts, and now they will be working on getting crossroad tubes put in and replacing some entry tubes as well. A total of $53,000 was order and they also received some larger culverts; and that they have bigger projects they need to address. Eric said they have the demolition permit in hand for the house at 201 Crawford and have made contact with the utility companies and as soon as the utilities are removed, they will proceed with tearing the house down. Eric reminded everyone that March 20th at 9:00 a.m. there is a work session for hard surface roads. Nelson asked Jim what was the name of the gentleman that was at the commission meeting last week who spoke about Maple Road, and Jim replied with Mr. Arnold. Nelson asked Eric where we were on that situation. Eric stated he looked it up in the MUTCD, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, and that Jim was correct with his statement you shall have striping anything over 6,000 vehicles. Anything less is dependent on whether the Commissioners would like to make a policy or not. Eric looked at the average flow through KDOT, and the average daily traffic count was approximately 768. Nelson stated that Mr. Arnold said it was west of town, but where does he live exactly and what hill is he talking about? Nelson stated that 185th is the cell tower, and asked where would it be in relation to that. Eric stated it would be a mile back East. Nelson then stated what would it look like following rules to put some striping to make Mr. Arnold happy and make it a little safer. Eric said if you’re setting a policy, there you are going to have other requests, it’s completely up to you, the Commissioners, whether you want to start. Nelson said we could deal with the request as they come. Jim stated his thought is if we do one hill we should consider doing all hills, because there’s no difference. He said he sees the attorney standing there who will say well you striped that hill and my client got hurt on this hill why didn’t you stripe it, and we will have no excuse. Jim doesn’t have a problem if they want to go that direction, but he thinks that it is all or none. Nelson stated on Eric’s point, he thinks it’s the one that people complain about the most often would take priority. Jim said he would think it should, but it shouldn’t tell us what the law says as far as us setting policy. Nelson asked what’s all the hills on pavement? Eric said you’re talking about a lot, it’s going to be very expensive, because we do not have the material or the equipment to be able to paint that. So, we would have to either buy equipment, or contract out with someone. Jim said he certainly didn’t want to sound negative on safety, because he does support it 100%, but he thinks before anything gets passed, they need more information from Eric on what it might cost us to do all the hills. Then it is just a domino effect from other things, such as the white passing lines, or no passing zones. Jim would like all the information on how the project would be performed, he told Eric he knows it may take a month or two, but he wants all information before he can make a decision. Nelson said if he is really concerned about that hill then an easier and cheaper solution would for that section to be decreased from 45 to 30. Eric said we can decrease the speed limit all we want, but it doesn’t control people. Clifton said as far as he is concerned, it is all or none. Eric said he will work on getting pricing for the Commission.
Clifton made a motion to amend the agenda to add Teri Hulsey, EMS Director, to demonstrate the LUCAS 3 equipment. Nelson seconded, and all approved.
Clifton said he saw the LUCAS a few days ago, and asked Teri to come and explain and demonstrate this phenomenal piece of equipment that will save lives in Bourbon County. Teri Hulsey, along with Chris Rosenblad and Taylor Morrison spoke and gave a demonstration of the new device. The LUCAS device is an automated CPR device that delivers non-stop, completely perfect, CPR every time. Without this device it takes two people to perform CPR, one to do compressions and one for ventilation. A board is placed behind the patient’s back, the device is strapped over their chest, you attach their hands to the device, you press a few buttons, and the machine does perfect CPR every time. Chris said these are a huge benefit and you are very lucky if you work in a truck that has one because he has seen ER’s that don’t even have them. Teri said the great thing about the device is it is connected to the patient, so they can move the patient, carry them downstairs even all the while it is performing CPR. Without this device when you are trying to move someone, especially in older Victorian homes with the winding staircases where you are having to try to turn and maneuver a backboard down the stairs, you are not giving good quality CPR. Clifton said this is an unbelievable piece of equipment, and it is his goal to get at least two more to put one in each ambulance and one in the ambulance housed at the fire station and he has received commitment from Legacy Health to help purchase one device. Clifton said he is going to reach out to other entities, organizations, and foundations in our community to help purchase the devices, which are $18,500 each. Clifton said they also are needing to get new Hamilton ventilators in each of the ambulances which are $16,500 each. Teri said the first time they used the LUCAS device it saved the life of a Bourbon County resident. Clifton commended Teri, Chris, and Taylor; stating that Teri is now fully staffed and has a paramedic on each ambulance in her service. Clifton said the quality of service is unbelievable and Teri said they are probably the only ones in a 200-mile radius that is staffed that way. Teri said she spoke with Jon, who came from Mercy, and he said it has probably been six years since they were fully staffed. Jim said thank you to Teri and to Clifton for going out and trying to get funding for these devices. Teri handed out a form showing manual CPR vs CPR with the LUCAS device. Chris stated that they work in 2-to-3-minute shifts performing CPR and you can visibly see the difference on the monitors when a new person starts CPR as their compressions are stronger: but with the LUCAS device the compressions are always consistent. Clifton made a motion to allow Teri to go out to bid for a new ambulance. The Commission approved a re-mount two years ago, before Teri was EMS Director, but it didn’t get ordered. Nelson seconded the motion, and all approved. The Commissioners thanked Teri, Chris, and Taylor for coming and demonstrating the new device.
Clifton presented Resolution 09-23 which creates an ambulance equipment reserve fund to move additional funds from the end of the year to a separate fund that will be used to cover the cost of ambulance replacement. Clifton made a motion to approve Resolution 09-23, Nelson seconded, and all approved.
Clifton said people should realize how lucky we are to have what we have in regard to EMS. Jim said he was very impressed with what he just saw.
Clifton made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:34. Nelson seconded the motion, and all approved.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
___________________, Chairman
___________________, Commissioner
___________________, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Jennifer Hawkins, Bourbon County Clerk
_______________, Approved Date
Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic Services Now at Nevada
Nevada Regional Medical Center recently announced the opening of an Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic aimed at giving patients more options in seeking help with mental health problems. Dr. Mark Stewart will begin seeing patients on Tuesday, March 28th. Hospital CEO Jason Anglin said, “We felt it was important to expand the services available to our patients looking for treatment options for behavioral health.”
Currently, NRMC offers the following services in the field of mental health. A structured adult inpatient unit which serves those over the age of 18 and a senior unit for adults over the age of 55. Additionally, one-on-one counseling appointments can be made at the Primary Care Clinic where Dr. Candice Moore, Child Psychiatrist; Jama Bogart, PMHNP; and Susie Platt, LCSW each have counseling practices.
The outpatient clinic will initially focus on patients 18 years of age and older and offer appointment times on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. Some common conditions treated in an outpatient setting include anxiety disorders, depression, chemical dependency, personality disorders, self-harming behaviors and mental health problems related to sleep disorders.
The clinic will be located on the second floor of the hospital’s south tower in the Specialty Clinic. Appointments can be made by calling 417-448-2121.
About Nevada Regional Medical Center
Serving a six-county area since 1937, Nevada Regional Medical Center is a 71-bed acute, intensive and skilled care hospital. Nevada Regional Medical Center has earned recognition as a respected regional medical center for its comprehensive health care services, skilled and caring employees and state-of-the-art medical technology. Staff represent more than a dozen medical specialties, including family practice, women’s services, neurology, urology, psychiatry, wound care services, and general, vascular, thoracic and oncological surgery. Additionally, consultation clinics are held regularly by specialists in pulmonology, podiatry, ear, nose, and throat and cardiology.
Caleb Bell Promoted in Fort Scott Police Department
Caleb Bell, 33, was promoted to Patrol Lieutenant in the Fort Scott Police Department on February 28.
“My former job status was a Patrol Sergeant,” Bell said.
Lieutenant position duties consist of directing general operations of the Police Department.
Lieutenants supervise, assign duties, and review work performance of the persons assigned to a specific division. The position requires continuous study of changing criminal and related laws, methods, and procedures related to law enforcement. A Lieutenant may be called upon to command the department, divisions, or units temporarily, or permanently, as department needs arise.
“I have been assigned to command the patrol division and will perform the aforementioned duties regarding patrol,” he said.
Bell has been a law enforcement officer with the Fort Scott Police Department since December 2010.
He enjoys many aspects of this career.
“It has allowed me to positively impact people,” he said. “This career has allowed me to develop lifelong friendships. It has provided me with the opportunity to protect my community and serve those in need. This job is difficult, but it’s worth it.”
Even though he enjoys the job, there are challenges.
” A current challenge we face is finding good, quality candidates to join us in our efforts,” Bell said. “So, if you’re an individual who meets the city’s law enforcement criteria, come see us.”
National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week
Starlite FCE March 2023 Minutes
The Starlite FCE held it’s March meeting at the Yeager Building on the Fairgrounds. President Glenda Miller called the meeting to order. Joyce Allen led the club in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the Club Collect. Eleven members were in attendance and reported that they had volunteered for thirty-four hours and had recycled three hundred and ten pounds.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. Doris Ericson gave the treasurer’s report. Karen Peery presented the Council report. She announced that the Area Recognition Day will be April 18th in Humboldt, the Aging with Attitude will be April 28th in Parsons, and the Spring Social will be May 4th.
Glenda recognized Ida Ford and Claudia Wheeler for their birthdays. It was also announced that the Program “Herbs, Plant to the Plate” will be held April 6th at 12:00 at Buck Run Community Center, presented by Krista Harding, and Clara Wicoff.
Old business consisted of putting together the Easter eggs for Tri-Valley and the gift basket for Jack Jackson. Glenda announced that Jack would be presenting the lesson on men’s heath to the Uniontown Ruritan Club.
New business consisted of putting together a team for Walk Kansas which will start March 26th and run through May 20th. Our team consists of Glenda Miller, Letha Johnson, Karen Peery, LeAnna Taylor and Brian and Terri Williams. A motion was made by Deb Lust for Starlite to donate $50 to open class as Fair premiums. Joyce Allen seconded the motion, motion carried. Letha Johnson moved that we donate $40 to 4-H for Fair premiums, Joyce Allen seconded the motion, motion carried. Betty Johnson moved that Starlite make a Scarecrow and a hay bale for the fair, Deb Lust seconded the motion, motion carried.
Doris Ericson moved that the meeting be adjourned, Karen Peery seconded the motion, meeting adjourned. After the meeting Deb Lust presented the lesson on Container Gardening.
Refreshments of a Lime dessert, mints, nuts and water was provided by Doris Ericson and Deb Lust and enjoyed by all.
Prepared by
Terri Williams