The owners of the Courtland Hotel and Spa have worked to make the place a destination.
Frank and Cheryl Adamson own the 117 year old hotel at 121 E. First in Fort Scott’s Historic Downtown District.
Frank and Cheryl Adamson from her Facebook page.
“We are a destination for couples because we have the ability to provide multiple services at a given time, that sets us apart,” said Cheryl, who is a massage therapist at the hotel/spa.
Since the COVID-19 Pandemic ended, she has hired another massage therapist and two nail designers to make this service accessibility possible.
“We offer massages, manicures, pedicures for married couples, mother/daughters, girlfriends, etc.” she said. “It’s a destination to come and relax and enjoy the charm and history of Fort Scott.”
“We are the place to be and the place to stay because we are in the middle of everything,” she said. “Fort Scott restaurants and shopping are all within walking distance.”
The Courtland Spa door is west of the main door of the hotel at 121 E. First.
Adamson has been a massage therapist for 26 years.
Bobbie Brown tells about the Cryoskin Therapy in her massage therapy space at the Courtland Hotel. Pictured is the Cryoskin machine.This is the pricing sheet for Cryoskin Therapy.
The Adamson’s added massage therapist Bobbie Brown in 2020. Brown offers Cryoskin, a therapy with massage that reduces fat and tightens skin.
Brown said she offers pain management, sports injuries, facials, and deep tissue massage as part of her therapies menu.
She received her education from Colorado University through U.S. Careers in 2019, and also training from the National Laser Institute in Dallas.
Her hours are Monday-Saturday by appointment. Text for an appointment to 620-704-4256.
Joy Kuns gives a client a pedicure on July 26. Submitted photo.
Joy Kuns, 23, started at the Courtland Spa in June 2023 as a nail artist.
One of Joy Kuns nail design. Submitted photo.
She graduated from Fort Scott School of Cosmetology School and has four years experience as a nail artist.
Kuns hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Wednesdays off.
To schedule an appointment with Kuns, call 620.215.6831.
The following graphic is the list of services and their costs, that both Kuns and Townsend offer.
Pricing for nail design services at the Courtland Spa.Sandy Townsend works on a pedicure for a customer on July 26.
Sandy Townsend, 43, is a nail artist at the Courtland Spa, since May 2023.
She has 14 years cosmetology experience, and four years as a nail artist. She graduated from the B Street Design School of Cosmetology, Manhattan, KS.
Townsend is available for nail services Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 5 on Saturdays.
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, August 7, 2023, for a special board meeting at the board office.
Vice-President James Wood opened the meeting.
Tonya Barnes, Special Education Director, presented an updated contract with No Limits Rehabilitation Inc., for physical therapy services. The board heard from building administrators regarding school handbooks.
Superintendent Destry Brown and Gina Shelton, Finance Director, presented the 2023-24 budget. Dalaina Smith, Assistant Superintendent, presented the Building Needs Assessment as part of the budget process.
The board approved the following items:
Contract with No Limits Rehabilitation Inc. for the 2023-24 school year
School and Activity Handbooks for the 2023-24 school year
Personnel Report as follows
The board did not accept the resignation of Caitlin Shrewsbury – Eugene Ware Elementary 3rd Grade Teacher
The board went into two executive sessions for personnel matters.
Vice-President Wood adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT
August 7, 2023
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
Abati, Sarah – Resignation – Fort Scott High School Assistant Cheer Coach
Reinbolt, Katren – Fort Scott High School Assistant Track Coach and Assistant Cross Country Coach
TRANSFERS/REASSIGNMENTS:
For the 2023-24 school year:
Certified:
Anderson, Anna – Transfer from Eugene Ware Focus Room Teacher to Eugene Ware Special Education Teacher
EMPLOYMENT:
Certified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:
Garzone, Laura – Fort Scott Middle School English Teacher – through first semester
Self, Karen – Fort Scott High School English Teacher
Classified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:
Estes, Thomas – Fort Scott Middle School Custodian – starting 08/07/23
Guss, Jordan – Eugene Ware Elementary Paraprofessional
Hardwick, Lauren – Fort Scott High School Paraprofessional
Haynes, Tonya – Eugene Ware Elementary Paraprofessional
Large, Lahanna – Winfield Scott Elementary Paraprofessional
Michael, Dariane – Eugene Ware Elementary Paraprofessional
O’Bryan, Carolina – Fort Scott Middle School Paraprofessional
Palmer, Lana – Preschool Van Driver – 5.5 hours
Thurston, Erin – Eugene Ware Elementary Paraprofessional
Supplemental Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:
Farrington, Jannah – DLM Coordinator
Feagins, Adam – Fort Scott Middle School Detention
Feeback, Brennen – Fort Scott High School Assistant Track Coach
Gorman, Krista – Fort Scott Middle School Testing Coordinator
Gorman, Krista – Fort Scott High School Testing Coordinator
Gulager, Lindsey – Winfield Scott PDC
Harney, Joel – Fort Scott Middle School Assistant Boys and Girls Basketball Coach
Laubenstein, Michelle – CTE Coordinator
Martin, Paul – Fort Scott Middle School Boys Basketball Coach
Nita Habbena, age 97, of Carl Junction, Missouri, passed away peacefully on August 5th at her daughter’s home surrounded by her family who loved her dearly.
Nita grew up in the small community of Rockwell City, Iowa, where she met and married her husband, Carl, in 1947. During their marriage they lived and raised their 4 children in Manson, Iowa. When the nest was empty, they moved to Yankton, South Dakota, then Leawood, Kansas, with their final move to Carl Junction where they lived for over 30 years.
Her pride and joy was her grandson Ryan. Nita also enjoyed playing golf, her gardens, flowers, and a good glass of wine. She was a dog lover and enjoyed companion pets throughout her entire life. She also loved the KC Royals and Chiefs, and there was nothing she enjoyed more than watching a good game on television.
She had a zest for life and was a fiercely independent spirit. Having fun was always the goal. During her final years that spirit was a blessing but also became a challenge to her caregivers who were honored to be part of her final journey. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl, in 2003, her parents, and 2 sisters. She is survived by her daughters, Carleen Shatto, Paula Habbena, Pat Habbena, son Doug Habbena, grandson Ryan Habbena and sister Pegge Hudgins.
A special thank you must be extended to Good Shepherd Hospice for their exceptional care. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Good Shepard Hospice, Olathe, Kansas, or New Beginnings Dog Rescue in Overland Park, Kansas.
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners and the County Clerk present.
Jason Silvers, Michael Hoyt, Mark McCoy, Tayton Majors, Clint Walker, and Rachel Walker were present for some or all of the meeting.
Jim Harris opened the meeting with the flag salute followed by a prayer led by Mark McCoy.
Nelson Blythe made a motion to approve the consent agenda which includes approval of minutes from 7/24/23, approval of payroll totaling $130,054.08, and approval of accounts payable totaling $1,099,433.01. Clifton Beth seconded the motion and all approved.
There were no public comments.
Eric Bailey, Public Works Director, said there were several trees down with the last storm that went through, but the guys did a great job getting them out of the roads. The asphalting on Soldier Road is complete on the east side of the railroad tracks. Eric stated that after harvest is over, they will go back to Hammond and pave Soldier Road west of the railroad tracks to 215th Street. There has been a lot of traffic at the grain elevator and Eric didn’t want to disrupt their business by having the road closed at this time, and wanted to ensure that residents knew they would be back to finish the project. The asphalt crew is moving on to pave behind Ellis Park this week. The first lane of dust control was sprayed on Friday and they plan on finishing tomorrow after the roads dry out after the rain. Jim asked if a lot of people were participating this year, and Eric said there were around eight residents. The bridge at 160th Fern that we have the grant for will be let for construction on September 20th. There were three mowers out today and will have the fourth out as soon as it is fixed. Jim thanked Eric for mowing and said the roads in his district look good. Eric brought the aerial maps out to show Nelson a road he had inquired about. A resident had questioned Nelson if Wagon Road west of Highway 3 is a maintained road as he said it is the only road into his property. Jim asked Eric if he had a chance to visit with Lora about the road, and Eric said he did when this was brought up previously but will visit with her again. Jim said he drove several of the roads in his district on Sunday and they looked very good. Clifton said he had heard several comments about the pavement on Soldier Road.
Matt Quick, County Appraiser, said the Neighborhood Revitalization Program interlocal agreements are ready and need the Chairman’s signature. Clifton made a motion to allow Chairman Harris to sign the updated NRP agreements. Nelson seconded the motion, and all approved.
Mark McCoy with Bourbon County REDI said they are here working with and for Bourbon County. Tayton Majors presented a Business Retention and Expansion findings study and spoke about several of the highlights throughout the study. The major businesses that were questioned for the study employee thousands of the county’s residents. 100% of employers interviewed stressed the necessity of moderate-income housing. The loss of the hospital was a huge loss for the county and REDI has been working with many healthcare providers and have already relocated a few into the old Mercy building. REDI is focusing on creative solutions for childcare because adequate childcare was another need that employers stressed. REDI has brought in several industry leading individuals in workforce management to give insight to business and educators in community and to try to help facilitate the transition between school into the workforce. The businesses that were interviews said although the workforce pool is small, they rank their employees at 8 out of 10. Mr. Majors said this is a positive thing when trying to get other businesses to expand into our community. Looking forward REDI plans to expand their focus into Agribusiness, infrastructure, and many more things. Mr. Majors said with your continued financial support REDI will continue to persist in the pursuit of excellence, will further mold their processes, build on successes, and implement new initiatives ensuring that our communities’ needs are met in a way that is efficient and impactful. Jim thanked Tayton and said there was a lot of good information presented. Mark McCoy said they are willing to come back at any time.
Justin said two of the executive sessions requested were on the same topic and suggested combining them.
Clifton made a motion to go into a 15-minute executive session under KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy. The executive session will include all three Commissioners and Justin Meeks and they will return at 6:08. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 6:08 with no action. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.
Clifton made a motion to strike his executive session from the agenda. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.
Justin Meeks asked for a 15-minute executive session to discuss proprietary information and three contracts.
Clifton made a motion to go into a 15-minute executive session under KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship. The executive session will include all three Commissioners and Justin Meeks and they will return at 6:25. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Nelson made a motion to resume normal session at 6:25 with action. Clifton seconded the motion and all approved.
Nelson made a motion to allow Clifton Beth to negotiate contracts for future development. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.
Nelson questioned why the budget discussion was removed from the agenda and Jim explained it was due to Susan being unable to attend the meeting.
Jim said he had residents complain about the railroad tracks being blocked at Jayhawk Road and said they had sent out an RFQ for a feasibility study for an overpass south of town that would help emergency personnel and residents access the east side of the county when there is a train sitting. Jim said this won’t happen tomorrow and that it may take years, but they have to start somewhere.
Nelson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:28. Clifton seconded the motion and all approved.
Visiting with Kansans
This week I had the opportunity to spend time away from Washington, D.C. and meet and listen to Kansans across our beautiful state. Personally visiting with Kansans reinforces my long-held belief in the strength and spirit of our communities and the values that make Kansas a great place to live, work and raise a family. I believe our state will continue to thrive thanks to the work ethic, concern and kindness of its people – but it’s vital that Congress to be an ally of the people, not an adversary.
I truly appreciate the input I get from you during my Listening Tour stops and Community Visits. Please continue to give me your questions, complaints and marching orders. I will work to make certain policymakers in our nation’s capital understand them as well.
Listening Tour Stop in Cheyenne
Saturday I was able to participate in the Cheyenne County Fair Parade, in Saint Francis. I appreciated the opportunity to ride in the parade and celebrate the end of the Cheyenne County Fair with the community. A special thanks to veteran and local VFW post commander Bob Ogdon for driving me during the parade. After the parade, I walked downtown St. Francis and visited with members of the community. We discussed matters important to Cheyenne County and Northwest Kansas as well as the state of our country.
I want to thank Rodney Shay for taking time to visit with me as he was getting gas before leaving town.
On my way out of St. Francis, I stopped in Wheeler at the American Implement Dealership and visited with staff about the state of the crops in the area and the recent hail storms and severe weather that had damaged corn in some parts of the county.
Visiting McCarty Family Farms
This week I toured McCarty Family Farms in Rexford. The McCarty Family operates a state-of-the-art dairy and milk processing facility that provides specialized milk products to meet the needs of current consumer trends. The McCarty’s decided to invest in Northwest Kansas over 20 years ago and they continue to expand and upgrade their operations for the future providing new employment opportunities and economic development for the region.
The dairy industry in Kansas is growing and with that growth the needs of the industry will continue to grow as well. Dairies like McCarty Family Farms require a workforce that is technically trained to operate and maintain mechanized and robotic machinery that is found in modern day dairies as well as a reliable and efficient supply chain for milking and milk processing equipment. Thank you to brothers Ken and Dave for providing me a tour of their operation and I look forward to working with them to support the growing dairy industry in Kansas.
Attending Greeley County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting
On Tuesday I was in Tribune and joined the Greeley County Farm Bureau for their annual meeting. Before the meeting I was able to visit with members of the county board as they were preparing the meal for the meeting as well as the student agricultural ambassadors of the Greeley County Farm Bureau. It is the role of these students to help educate their fellow classmates on agriculture and the food system. I enjoyed visiting with the students about their future plans and their projects in the upcoming Greeley County Fair.
During the meeting I visited with Farm Bureau members about their operations and the fortunate change of drought conditions in the area and thanks to rain this summer. Special thanks to all the Farm Bureau members for speaking with me and for being strong advocates for farming.
Brewster Community Visit
This week, I stopped in Brewster to visit businesses and to hear from members of the community. While in Brewster Grocery I had the opportunity to visit with the employees of the store and patrons. I was pleased to see the success of Brewster Grocery and learn about how they source local fresh produce from 4B Farms in Grinnell.
I also was able to visit with Kansans at Farmers Bank & Trust to talk about banking in the Brewster area. I also spoke with staff at Frontier Ag where we discussed the recent wheat harvest. While at S&T Telephone I had the opportunity to talk about rural broadband access and how important internet connectivity is for rural businesses and education. Thank you to Heather McDonald and Bonnie Holm for taking time out of their day to visit with me. Thank you to all the Kansans I visited with while in Brewster for allowing me to take a break from the heat in their air conditioning.
Belleville Community Visit
On Monday, I travelled to Belleville and made several stops across town to hear from Kansans about what was new in town and across Republic County. While walking downtown I stopped in at Gottschalk & Company CPAs to talk with the staff about their business and issues with the tax system. At the Republic County Court House I appreciated the opportunity to speak with fellow public servants in the Register of Deeds office and the County Treasurer and Clerk’s offices. We spoke about the issues they are facing as they serve the communities in Republic County and what ways the federal government could better provide assistance. At City Hall I spoke with the City Clerk’s office and had similar conversations on public service and heard more about issues specific to the City of Belleville. I also stopped by the Chamber of Commerce and Mainstreet Program office. While there I learned about the work the Chamber is doing to support businesses in Belleville and to keep main street a thriving center for business and commerce.
This week was fair week across many Kansas communities, including Republic County. Before leaving town I made sure to stop by the United Methodist Church Food Court for a piece of Apple Pie!
Touring Flame Engineering
In the 1950’s Ralph and Mike Pivonka began using homemade torches for weed control on their family farm. Interest in their products grew and they decided to establish Flame Engineering. Today, Flame Engineering’s products can be found on shelves in retailers across the United States and Canada. I appreciated the opportunity to tour their factory floor and learn more about their business and culture of safety. For over 21 years, Flame Engineering has not had a lost time work accident. Thank you to Mike, Jason, and Tyson Pivonka and Linda Miller for their time and willingness to share their experience with me.
Visit to U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Rocky Mountain Field Division This week, I had the opportunity to meet with the hard-working Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, assigned to the Rocky Mountain Field Division. The agents took the time to brief me on fentanyl precursor chemicals from China, which are regularly shipped through the US Postal System. It is also difficult to track Transnational Criminal Organizations because they often utilize cash to crypto currency.
As the lead Republican on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies I have oversight of the DEA and visits like this are important as we work to make certain the DEA has the right resources to better protect our communities and nation.
Visiting with Kansas Bankers Association
This week, the Kansas Bankers Association (KBA) held their annual leadership meeting. Throughout the conference we discussed right-sizing federal regulation for Kansas banks to best serve their customers and limiting federal efforts to increase the cost of credit which would harm their ability to service the needs of their communities.
This week’s gathering was an opportunity for me to hear directly from Kansas lenders about the issues they are experiencing. Banks are critical to growing communities both large and small, and we discussed how to continue improving the regulatory environment to satisfy their customers’ needs. The Access to Credit for Rural Economies (ACRE) Act, a bill I introduced with Sen. King (I-ME), would help community banks lower interest rates for ag real estate and mortgages in rural towns. I’m grateful for the opportunity to attend the KBA’s annual meeting and look forward to continuing the dialogue with Kansas lenders.
Radio Interviews Across Kansas KMAN in Manhattan
This week, I was on KMAN radio in Manhattan, where I had the opportunity to discuss the recent passing of the NDAA and the resources it will have for our servicemembers and for Fort Riley. I worked with my colleagues to ensure that Fort Riley has the resources to construct an aircraft maintenance hangar, air traffic control tower and has new investments to the power generation and micro grid. It also includes resources for the Bob Dole railyard to transport our military equipment rapidly in times of deployment.
KXXX in Colby On Tuesday, I spoke on KXXX 790 in Colby about my visit to McCarty Farms and my plans for touring the state during the month of August. It was great to talk with Joel about the dairy industry and expected growth in the future as national dairy companies look to Kansas to utilize its resources.
As large businesses and government agencies are moving from cities to the Midwest, we discussed the need for more affordable housing and childcare options as job opportunities increase in the state. Both federal and state programs are working to provide entry-level housing development and renovations so that families and individuals can afford buying a home.
Creating a Fair Organ Donation System
The Senate recently passed legislation to give the Human Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) statutory authority to break up the monopoly contract currently held by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) to manage the nation’s Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN). The bill already passed the House of Representatives and is now on the President’s desk to be signed into law.
I introduced the Securing the U.S. OPTN Act with Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) to improve the management of our organ procurement and transplantation system by allowing HRSA to divide the OPTN contract and increase competition for those contracts through an open, transparent bidding process. UNOS’ over 30-year hold on the sole OPTN contact has resulted in everything from damaged organs to discriminatory organ donation policies. It has long been clear that UNOS should no longer be the sole contractor for the organ donation system.
I have worked for years to shed light on the mismanagement of the organ donation system and have consistently called for the contract to be divided. Congress has now given HRSA the authorities needed for the agency to bring in new contractors and we will continue urging HRSA to review the unfair policies and regulations put in place under UNOS’ direction. Once signed into law, this legislation will help provide greater transparency to the organ donation system and change how the contract is divided. Every organ counts, and now the system will be overhauled to help save lives.
Improving the VA & Holding Bad Actors Accountable I recently introduced the Leadership, Engagement, Accountability and Development (LEAD) Act of 2023 to improve oversight and whistleblower protection at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in order to enhance the quality of service provided to our veterans. My colleagues, Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) joined me in introducing this legislation. This effort will help in building a comprehensive package, complementing another bipartisan bill I recently introduced, the Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act, that would provide VA with the authority to discipline bad employees in a more timely, fair, manner to help foster a healthy workplace and more importantly, put our veterans first.
In my role as the Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I’ve seen far too often – across the nation and in our state of Kansas – instances of a few bad employees disrupting the culture and service at the VA, and negatively impacting veterans. That is unacceptable. Department leaders at all levels need to take more proactive measures to root out bad actors and empower rank-and-file employees to hold leadership accountable. Bills like the LEAD Act and the Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act would help prevent wrongdoing and leadership failures while also increasing patient safety and the quality of services, care, and benefits at VA facilities across the country. While I know the vast majority of VA employees are upstanding employees and wholeheartedly believe in VA’s mission, we need to ensure that the Department has the tools it needs to hold the few bad apples to account. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass both bills in the Senate.
Introducing Legislation to Remove Hidden Hotel Fees
High prices are forcing Kansans to account for all their expenses, and they should not need to guess how much they will end up paying for a hotel room. I introduced the Hotel Fees Transparency Act with Senator Klobuchar (D-Minn.) to improve transparency for consumers by requiring anyone advertising a hotel room or short-term rental to clearly show up front the final price a customer will pay to book lodging. This commonsense legislation requires hotels and other short-term lodging providers to display and advertise the total price of their room, so Kansans can be certain that the listed price is what they will pay at check out. I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to pass this important legislation.
Introducing the Farmer to Farm Education Act I also recently introduced the Farmer to Farmer Education Act, allowing Kansas farmers and ranchers to leverage and expand their networks to address conservation challenges, including weather events, drought, floods, wind erosion and general best practices. The legislation authorizes the USDA-National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to enter into cooperative agreements with community-agricultural groups in Kansas to establish and develop conservation peer networks. Farmers and ranchers in Kansas are the original conservationists and we should give them all the necessary tools available so they can continue to produce high-quality food and fiber.
Now Accepting 2023 Service Academy Applications
Applications are now open for students to apply to a United States Service Academy for the Class of 2028. One of my favorite duties as a U.S. Senator is appointing Kansans to the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York; the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York.
For the list of requirements and to apply, you can visit my website here. All application materials are due to my Olathe office by Friday, September 1, 2023. After applications have been reviewed, applicants will be notified of interviews with my Service Academy Selection Board.
Honored to Serve You in Washington It is an honor to serve you in Washington, D.C. Thank you to the many Kansans who have been calling and writing in to share their thoughts and opinions on the issues our state and country face. I appreciate the words of Kansans, whether in the form of a form of letter, a Facebook comment or a phone call, who wish to make their voice heard.
Please let me know how I can be of assistance. You can contact me by email by clicking here. You can also click here to contact me through one of my Kansas offices or my Washington, D.C., office.
Very truly yours,
Jerry
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Hays
1200 Main St.,
Suite 402
P.O. Box 249
Hays, KS 67601
Phone: (785) 628-6401
Welcome: 21 members representing 15 agencies attended. Billie Jo noted that she would forward messages from Megan Rogers, Safehouse Crisis Center, and Sandy Haggard, RSVP, who were not able to attend. Sandy is needing volunteers to help with the August 17 and 18 Red Cross Blood Drive to be held at Buck Run Community Center; contact her at 620-432-0422 or [email protected].
Member Introductions and Announcements:
Rachel Carpenter, LHEAT: The transportation program through SEK CAP will launch in Fort Scott/Bourbon County on August 28 on a three day per week schedule. Please complete the online survey to ensure hours that will provide for the greatest needs. HBCAT will have a children’s business fair on September 30 at the Farmers’ Market.
Tammy Alcantar, Crawford County Health Department: Prenatal classes will be starting on Monday, August 7, at the Crawford County Health Center, 410 East Atkissson, Pittsburg.
Elizabeth Schafer, CASA and Pioneer Kiwanis: These organizations are always in need of volunteers.
Megan Rogers, Safehouse: Megan was not able to attend, but sent her information through email. Members can also access www.safehousesek.org.
Stephanie Herring, Family Resource Center: Stephanie works with families in their homes to help them find the resources they need.
Heather Shepherd, CHC SEK Community Health Worker: Heather will be working in USD 234 spending two half days in each building. In cooperation with SparkWheel, she is conducting a clothing and backpack drive from August 2 through August 16 to help provide essential items to schools. For more information contact Heather at 620-704-8109.
Amy Hagan, CHC SEK Community Health Worker: Amy conducts home visits to help with resources and applications.
Lea Kay Karleskint, K-State Snap Education: She is the liaison between the food program at CHC and K-State. The “Families Eating Smart and Saving Money” class will be held in Chanute beginning next week. September’s program will be “Food Equals Health” which stresses that anyone can improve himself by eating better; this class requires a referral from a PCP.
Lindsey McNeil, COPE: Lindsey primarily works with the homeless. At present in Fort Scott, we have seven homeless people living on the street and ten others who are couch surfing.
DeeDee LeFever, Greenbush Community Liaison: DeeDee matches needs with resources. At present, autism testing in most places is several months away.
Megan Smith, CHC Family Resource specialist: Megan works mostly with pregnant individuals.
Shanna Willey, CHC: Shanna provides in-clinic help finding resources and completing various applications, etc.
Patty Simpson, FSHA: – Still taking applications but the waiting list for all size units is 3-6 months.
Tori Lewis, Mental Health Center: Tori works with the homeless and those about to be homeless. The Center is working toward having a housing specialist in Bourbon County.
Kathy Romero, Angels Care Home Health: At present they have 180 patients; 40 are in in Bourbon County. A strength of their program is the Behavioral Health program.
Travis Wilcoxsin, Angels Care Home Health: Reminded members that they cannot take patients that have Medicaid as their primary insurance.
Program: We were privileged to have two excellent programs. First, Cynthia Tucker with Loving Grace explained that Loving Grace is a home that aims to embrace every woman with the love of Christ to educate them with the tools they need to succeed and live an empowered life. Loving Grace is located at 1408 Euclid Avenue, Joplin, MO 64801. The facility works with 18-24 year old women and has the capacity for eight young women. The program lasts from 18 to 21 months and provides save housing, educational assistance, career guidance, personal coaching, professional counseling, case management and meals. For more information call 417-218-8255 or peruse the website at https://lovingrace.org.
April Jackson, Addition Prevention & Recovery Resources Director with Thrive Allen County, gave a brief overview of the SEK Substance Misuse Prevention Coalition. The coalition’s mission is to provide leadership and share expertise in reducing morbidity and mortality associated with SUD/OUD in our communities by strengthening the capacity of collaboration for prevention, treatment, and recovery resources.
Since September, 2021, the Coalition has served 14 residents at the SEK Recovery House. The Recovery House is only for males and has only five beds, but the Coalition is working on purchasing property to expand the program.
The Coalition will be offering the newly grant funded six-week class, “Smart Recovery,” beginning in September. April also encouraged members to attend the conference in Kansas City which will include author Trish Luna who wrote “Lambi Learns About Addiction. For more information on these things contact April at [email protected] or call 620-380-6823.
April then described how to tell if a person is suffering from a drug overdose and distributed and demonstrated how to administer Naloxone for overdose prevention. Naloxone is certainly needed due to the amount of Fentinol on the streets and is now approved for OTC distribution. April is available to give the full Naloxone training to those who wish to complete the course and obtain certification.
Open Forum: Nothing further came before the membership; when the September program is confirmed, it will be announced.
Adjournment: The next General Membership meeting will be September 6.
Unearthing Safety: 811 Day (Aug. 11) Promotes Safe Digging
and Preventing Costly Mistakes Kansas Gas Service provides 5 helpful tips to prevent digging accidents
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Aug. 7, 2023 – Aug. 11, National 811 Day, is almost here!
This date, 8/11, serves as a valuable reminder about the importance of safe digging practices and
preventing damage to underground facilities.
“On Aug. 11 and throughout the year, we remind homeowners and professional contractors alike
to use the free 811 service before digging to reduce the risk of accidentally hitting an
underground facility,” said Sean Postlethwait, Kansas Gas Service vice president of Operations.
“Our highest priority is safety, and the best way to prevent injuries or disrupting service in your
neighborhood and community is by contacting 811.”
How 811 Works
Contacting 811 connects you to the local one-call center, which notifies utility companies of
your digging plans. These utilities may include natural gas, electric, water, sewer, cable and
telecommunications. Professional locators are then sent to the requested digging site to mark the
approximate locations of underground lines using flags, spray paint or both.
It’s a free service that only takes a few minutes and helps keep your community safe.
Kansas Gas Service encourages everyone to put safety first when undertaking any digging
project – whether large or small.
For a safer digging experience, here are 5 helpful tips to follow:
1. Contact 811. Call 811 or submit an online request at Kansas811.com at least two full
working days before you start your digging project. (If you hire a contractor, make sure
they have contacted 811.)
2. Verify the Marks Are Fresh and Complete. Verify that all utilities have marked their
facilities and wait for confirmation that the markings are complete by reviewing your
ticket with 811. Ensure the markings are not from a previous project.
3. Respect the Tolerance Zone. The tolerance zone is the area located 24 inches on either
side of the underground facility. Always hand dig within this area to avoid contact or
damage.
4. Only Dig within the Project Area. By contacting 811, the project area can be defined
and helps ensure digging occurs within that area.
5. Smell Gas, Act Fast! If you smell gas while digging or damage a natural gas line, leave
the area immediately then call 911 and Kansas Gas Service at 888-482-4950.
To learn more about safe digging, visit BeADigHeroKansas.com.
About Kansas Gas Service
Kansas Gas Service provides a reliable and affordable energy choice to more than 642,000 customers in
Kansas and is the largest natural gas distributor in the state, in terms of customers.
Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas Gas Service is a division of ONE Gas, Inc. (NYSE: OGS), a 100-
percent regulated natural gas utility that trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “OGS.”
ONE Gas is included in the S&PMidCap400 Index and is one of the largest natural gas utilities in the
United States.
For more information and the latest news about Kansas Gas Service, visit
kansasgasservice.com and follow its social channels: @KansasGas, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube
The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation (FSACF) is now accepting applications for the 2023 General Funds Grant program. Applications will be accepted through August 31, 2023.
The mission of FSACF is to serve the region by encouraging charitable giving benefiting the common good and improving the quality of life. The Foundation is committed to making a making a meaningful contribution in the areas of civic improvements, arts and humanities, health, education, human and social services, and the conservation and preservation of cultural and environmental resources.
Grant funds are available to local 501(c)(3) public charities, schools, government agencies, and religious institutions. The Foundation considers proposals based on how they improve the quality of life for residents, and is particularly interested in projects that are sustainable in the future. Collaborative projects are strongly encouraged.
In 2022, the Foundation awarded $53,536 to 26 non-profit recipients through its General Funds Grant cycle. Projects in Fort Scott, Mapleton and Uniontown received funding. A history of funded projects can be viewed at https://fsacf.com.
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