![](https://fortscott.biz/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/bourbon-county-chaplain-badge.jpg)
![](https://fortscott.biz/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/bob-jackson-with-bill-martin-e1599745285334-300x250.jpg)
Rinehart Christian Church will be offering their Corn Maze event again this year the first four Saturdays of October (3, 10, 17, & 24) from 11 AM-4 PM. This is an event for the whole family to enjoy together with activities including the maze, hayrides, a corn pit, lawn games, pumpkin painting, duck races, and fire pits. Admission to this event is completely free, with a hot dog lunch included from 11 AM- 1 PM.
We have a heart for families, and that is what drives this event. We want to provide an opportunity for families in our community to enjoy time together. We believe serving families is one of the best ways we can serve God.
To make this event as safe as possible, we have moved every event outside this year.
Rinehart Christian Church is located at 9443 S 900 Rd in Richards, MO.
Here are directions from Fort Scott: Take 69 Hwy. north to the Hammond exit. Then go east two miles on Soldier Rd. The road turns to the north; follow the blacktop (245th St.) to the stop sign (Valley Road); then go east. This becomes Hwy. D in Missouri. Continue on Hwy. D through Stotesbury to 900 Rd. Go South 0.5 miles to the church.
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) has been serving the citizens of Fort Scott and surrounding towns since early 2019.
Hoping to improve the overall health of Bourbon County, the organization met with treatment providers, community leaders, and the citizens of Bourbon County, according to Eric Thomason, who is the director of CHC/SEK Behavioral Health and Addiction Treatment Services.
“The message was clear, there was an increased need for behavioral health and addiction treatment services,” said Thomason.
“We are proud to announce that in October of 2020 we will begin offering in-person addiction treatment services,” Thomason said. “As a part of our current addiction treatment services we offer Medication Assisted Therapy for the treatment of substance use disorders. CHC/SEK has a designated addiction treatment nurse, Mitzi Clarkson RN, who is available for patient and provider consultation.”
In October of 2019 CHC/SEK launched psychiatry services to the Fort Scott clinic, primarily utilizing telehealth services.
“In March of 2020, we increased our psychiatry availability to include face to face services,” Thomason said. ” Psychiatry is offered by Tien Nguyen, PMHNP. Tien is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He offers treatment for depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders primarily utilizing medication.”
As part of the CHC COVID-19 response, they increased access to behavioral health and addiction treatment therapy staff via telehealth and e-visit appointments.
“Due to the overwhelming utilization these alternative service platforms will remain in place,” Thomason said.
CHC/SEK works to meet the needs of the community regardless of a person’s ability to pay for service, he said.
“We will continue to strive to make ‘healthcare the way it should be,'” Thomason said.
Any person interested in enrolling in mental health or addiction care, contact 620.223.8040, or talk with your CHC health care provider about a referral.
Residents who use the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas for health care in Fort Scott, will see a reconfiguration of the spaces in the future.
CHC/SEK is located at 405 Woodland Hills, in the former Mercy Hospital building.
“We will be adding retail pharmacy space where the gift shop was (near the east entrance of the facility),” CHC/SEK President and CEO Krista Postai, said. “X-ray will be to the right as you walk in the clinic. We’ll also be adding new x-ray equipment into the main clinic…(There will also be) a break room and small meeting room created for staff. We will be creating a ‘women’s center’ within the clinic and moving the mammography equipment into the clinic to save women the long walk down the former Diagnostic Imaging Hallway. ”
The move is designed to be more convenient for patients, she said.
“We’re still involved in several other construction projects right now, but are working on final designs and talking with plumbers, electricians, etc. about the renovation,” Postai said.
“This is the new layout for our clinic only,” she said. “I have not seen a floor plan for the entire medical mall.”
The timeline for the reno will be made in the next few weeks, Postai said.
Also currently at the former Mercy building is the Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department, located on the south side.
This fall, Fort Scott Community College leased 30 rooms at the west end of the building for student housing, as part of their plan during the COVID-19 Pandemic. They have made rooms for students at the main campus at 2108 S. Horton, should students need to be quarantined.
On the north side of the building is I Am Rehab LLC a physical therapy clinic.
|
Your story is not my story. (And yes, I sense you celebrating.) Like the picture shows, “We all go through the same stuff differently.” Soooo true!
Example: One friend stresses when her fingernail polish chips. I am thrilled when I exit the manicurist and make it home without red streaks dotting my steering wheel. A mere chip for me is a reason to rejoice. Still, nail polish or not, I enjoy hanging with my gal-pal because she is ultra-patriotic, loves to laugh, is transparent and doesn’t hold a grudge.
Another friend, while visiting her daughter’s orphanage in Haiti, was held at gunpoint, taken to an abandoned area and calmly prayed her way out of danger. Calmly? CALMLY? Not in my top 100 reactions. And even though one of us, I admit, is more excitable than the other, we appreciate girl-gabs where we share our faith and love for Jesus as she demonstrates how to have peace in the storms of life.
I have friends who are chronically late, who are perfectionists, who are hypochondriacs, who are emotionally insecure, who are inconsiderate drivers, who can’t admit their mistakes and who never invite me to their houses, but they all overlook my issues that surely drive them crazy (although, for the life of me, I can’t imagine what they are).
So, let me repeat: We go through stuff differently. We all have unique wirings/ personality quirks, and for those matters we must give others the right to be different. Paul wrote to the Romans, suggesting how the Jews and the Gentiles should handle their differences. His advice is as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago. In Ch. 14, he writes to encourage Jesus’ followers to live in unity, respecting the different backgrounds with which they came to know Jesus. They weren’t to argue over what foods they were to eat or the necessity of circumcision. Disagreements were to be avoided…unless there were eternal consequences.
We all can learn from Paul and from each other, even if all we learn is to keep our opinions to ourselves. Recently, someone shared that when her baby died, a friend told her she should get a dog. Two years had gone by, and it was “time” she moved on. Perhaps that would have been good counsel for the insensitive friend (although I doubt it), but clearly, the friend did not give the bereaved mother the latitude to go through her tragic “stuff” differently.
Let’s be clear. Accepting others “stuff” does not mean that we avoid conversations about eternal issues. (“If you want to go to Hell, that’s your business.”) “Millie” is a Mazatlán friend with whom it has been difficult to find commonalities. She hates (truly, hates) President Trump, does not believe in God and is married to an egotist who treats her unkindly. Still, we hang out, discuss philanthropic opportunities and play a semblance of tennis. From her, I’ve learned that quiet generosity is the best kind, and from me, she recognizes the importance of my faith.
So, what are we to do with others’ stuff, the stuff that can drive us bonko? We should major on the majors and not on the minors. Friendships are taxing when we do otherwise. We must accept that God created each of us with our own DNA and not as clones. By accepting others individuality, we have a much better chance of drawing others to Him… not to mention, making and keeping friends.
A group of concerned citizens has formed a committee to provide awareness to the community about the importance of wearing a mask in public during the COVID-19 Pandemic, according to Kayla Stewart, a spokesman. And they are starting a campaign to purchase masks for students and staff at the Bourbon County school districts.
The name of the group is Bourbon County Strong. It is comprised of Stewart, Gina Shelton, Stephanie Witt, Kelley Barrows, Jody Hoener, Lindsey Madison, Jackie Hall, and several others from USD 234 and USD 235, she said.
“Many people do not believe in the virus or do not think that it will affect anyone in their area, so they have decided not to wear masks,” Stewart, Ascension Via Christ’s Emergency Department RN Coordinator, said. “If the community members do not wear masks, then children will follow in their footsteps. The campaign will provide awareness to all community members about the importance of wearing their masks in public, social distance, and have good hand hygiene.”
Bourbon County Strong is beginning to raise funds to provide masks to the school systems in Bourbon County.
The group’s goal is to raise enough money to provide all students and staff members of the Fort Scott and Uniontown School Districts with enough masks that will last them until the end of the school year, she said.
“We live in a community where we have a high poverty level, and many families can’t afford to provide their children with masks,” Stewart said.
“We want to give students masks that fit appropriately and provide the best protection possible,” Stewart said.
Experts are still learning about the virus.
“Many people are not worried about their children getting COVID, but they need to be concerned about who they bring the virus home to,” Stewart said. “The statistics currently show that the virus is not as severe on younger children, but children are carriers of viruses and bring it home to your loved ones. These older loved ones have comorbidities or have weakened immune systems due to cancer or an autoimmune disease, and they are more likely to get the virus.”
“Being an emergency room nurse, I have taken care of the critically ill, and this virus is nothing to mess with,” Stewart said. ” We are still learning about what the virus is, what damage it is causing to our bodies, and what the long term effects will be.”
Stewart shared two personal stories of the virus.
“I have a close friend that had the virus a couple of months ago and is still recovering. They have long-term shortness of breath, where any activity that they do causes them to become short of air. This issue did not occur before they obtained the virus,” she said.
“Also, my uncle has the coronavirus,” Stewart said. “He has been on the vent for over four weeks. Last week, they put a trach in because of the endotracheal tube’s long-term use. They have tried to wean him off the vent, but every time they try to wean him, his blood pressure tanks, and he becomes unstable. It is hard seeing someone you love suffer from the virus, and people in the community don’t think it is real.”
The group has a desire to positively impact the community and help prevent the spreading of COVID through education and providing reliable sources about the coronavirus, she said.
When was the group started?
The beginning of August.
“We discussed the idea with (USD 234 Superintendent)Ted Hessong and (USD 235 Superintendent)Bret Howard,” she said.
Once approved, the idea went to the school boards, and got final approval.
“Once the campaign was approved, we started designing our plans.,” Steward said. “It has taken a lot of hard work from all committee members, plus USD 234 and USD 235 staff. We will be kicking the campaign off on Sept. 8, 2020 with our t-shirt sale, that will run through September 30th. Throughout September and October, businesses around town will have our posters, flyers, and table toppers posted about the campaign. These flyers will not only provide information about the campaign, but will also have information about mask-wearing.”
A Bourbon County Strong Golf Tournament on
October 10th, to register: bourboncountystrong.com
Operation Mask Up T-Shirt Sale starts September 8th-September 30th.
T-shirts can be purchased at bourboncountystrong.com
Donations can be made at bourboncountystrong.com or
https://usd234.revtrak.net/donations-and-gifts/#/v/mask-campaign
Other ways to keep abreast of the group:
Facebook page: Bourbon County Strong (@bourboncountystrong)
Instagram: @bourboncountystrong
Email: [email protected]
COVID-19 Update
The last update that was provided by SEK Multi-County Health Department: 11 active COVID cases, 14 presumptive cases, and 97 current recovered cases in Bourbon County.
Crawford County Health Department’s last update: last week there are a total of 599 positive COVID cases. Two hundred sixty-five individuals that are in isolation, and 970 individuals that are quarantined, Stewart said.
A recent publication of Bourbon County Delinquent Taxes prompted a citizen’s inquiry to fortscott.biz.
An update from the Bourbon County Treasurer: “Liberty Savings was listed with a delinquent tax. They had been mortgage holder on that property but they no longer hold the mortgage so are not responsible for those taxes.”
The question was why the total amount due on properties isn’t listed with all years the taxes haven’t been paid by an owner. The citizen noted a large amount of money not being collected that could benefit county revenues.
Bourbon County Treasurer Patty Love responded with a PDF of a list of delinquent taxes that goes back for approximately eight years.
Love also answered the following questions:
How could the county have property eight years delinquent if there is a tax sale every three years?
“If they do not sell at the tax sale, the county retains the property and they go on the next tax sale, or if there is a lien of some kind against the property we cannot sell it so it stays on this list. Also, (Bourbon Commissioner)Lynne Oharah and (Bourbon County Legal Counselor)Justin Meeks met with Sugar Valley Lakes on the Hidden Valley properties and were going to work with them about getting them paid… a lot of the small ones are part of that plan, so were not put on the tax sale. I think that plan has fallen through.”
When is the next sale?
“I want to have a tax sale the first part of next year, selling all properties that are eligible to sell. Due to the large amount, we will probably sell everything 2015 and older in the first tax sale (this is to keep from overwhelming the title search company) and I hope to have one later in the year for the 2016 taxes.”
“The tax sales are the only recourse we have to get people to pay their taxes so I feel we need to get caught up then go back to a tax sale every year.”
Despite many months of planning, the Old Settler’s Picnic event is a no-go.
Late last month the planning committee met to discuss the plans for the annual event that has happened every year since 1905.
Uniontown, with a population of 300 people in western Bourbon County, usually sees a large crowd visit the event each year.
Traditionally, it is a weekend of rodeos, a fishing derby, a community church service, a baby contest, craft and food vendors, parades, family picnics, and games in the town park.
“We decided we couldn’t go ahead with our plans because of Gov. Kelly’s COVID-19 restrictions,” said Becky Shinn, secretary/treasurer of the planning committee said.
“The committee was unsure what we could and couldn’t do,” she said. “If she declared only 45 people could be in an area, we couldn’t do it.”
Many of the key people were not comfortable coming to the event which is normally held on Labor Day weekend, the first weekend in September, Shinn said.
The grand marshalls of the parade, the car show organizer and in addition, the Uniontown High School student organizations would not be there.
“The FFA students were not going to be able to do their BBQ dinner, the band wasn’t going to be able to be 6 feet apart in marching, and the Methodist Church wasn’t sure they were going to (supply their chicken dinners),” Shinn said.
“Only one or two food trucks were coming,” she said.
The final decision was because of the lack of these key components for the weekend activities.
The committee is comprised of Shayla and Kyle Knight, Hope Workman, Tammy Davidson, Rhonda DeWitt, Nancy Holt and Shinn.
Rodeo Events Still On
There are still rodeo events this weekend at the Uniontown Rodeo Stadium, west of town on Hwy. 3.
A team roping event is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4; a co-ed ranch rodeo at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5, and the 53rd Annual Old Settlers Youth Rodeo which starts at 6 p.m. on Sunday.
NRMC Clinics Welcome Erwin, DNP
Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) is pleased to welcome family nurse practitioner, Katelyn (Triplett) Erwin to Primary Care Center, located at 627 S. Ash in Nevada and at NowCare Clinic at 345 S. Barrett as needed.
A graduate of Nevada High School, Erwin earned her Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Nursing at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Ks. In May of this year, she completed her Doctorate, also from PSU. For the past four years Erwin has worked part-time on the Medical/Surgical and Intensive Care Units at NRMC. Much of her clinical education hours were spent at NRMC alongside Dr. Amanda Turner, Dr. Jacqueline Youtsos, Sonja Albright, DNP, and Dr. Dan Barnes.
“In primary care you see people through the lifespan,” says Erwin. “That’s what I like – that there’s a little bit of everything. I’ll be seeing OB patients prior to delivery and then their babies for their well-child visits, helping manage chronic conditions and making sure my patients stay healthy and out of the hospital.”
Recently married, Katelyn is a new stepmother to three children. She enjoys spending time with her family, including traveling and outdoor activities. Her favorite hobbies include refinishing old furniture as well and reading, although she laughingly says, she would prefer it not be a textbook.
“Katelyn is a welcome addition to our clinics,” says Steve Branstetter, Chief Executive Officer at NRMC. “Having the extra health provider opens up possibilities for extending clinic hours which we know would benefit our community.”
To become an FNP, one must first pass the NCLEX-RN to become a licensed RN. During years spent as an RN, crucial experience is gained. From there, most FNP hopefuls will work toward a Master’s Degree in Nursing (MSN) with a concentration in family practice, a post graduate degree specific to FNP preparation, or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) as Erwin did.
FNPs have advanced clinical training and possess a graduate-level education, qualifying them to diagnose and treat complex health conditions. They can perform a wide variety of duties that include but are not limited to development of treatment plans, education, and guidance for disease prevention and healthy living, health examinations, performing diagnostic tests and screenings, and prescribing medicine.
To schedule an appointment with Katelyn Erwin, call Nevada Regional Primary Care Center at (417) 448-3600 or visit the Patient Portal at www.nrmchealth.com.
# # #
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, orthopedics, wound care services, and general, vascular, thoracic and oncological surgery. Additionally, consultation clinics are held regularly by specialists in oncology, pulmonology, podiatry, ear, nose, and throat and cardiology.
SEK Multi-County Health Departments
Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
August 31, 2020
Allen County
Current Active Cases | 3 |
Presumptive Cases | 3 |
Positive Out of State-Staying in Allen County | 3 |
Total Hospitalizations | 2-0 remaining in hospital |
Current Recovered Cases | 30 (recovered positives + recovered presumptives ) |
Total Positives Since Testing | 33 (Allen County + out of state) |
Deaths | 0 |
Anderson County
Current Active Cases | 6 |
Total Hospitalizations | 1 |
Current Recovered Cases | 31 |
Total Positives Since Testing | 37 |
Deaths | 0 |
Bourbon County
Current Active Cases | 11 |
Presumptive Cases | 14 |
Positive Out of State/County-staying in Bourbon | 14 |
Total Hospitalizations | 9-0 remaining in hospital |
Current Recovered Cases | 97 (recovered positives + recovered presumptives) |
Total Positives Since Testing | 96 (Bourbon County + out of state/county) |
Deaths | 2 |
Woodson County
Current Active Cases | 0 |
Total Hospitalizations | 1-0 remaining in hospital |
Current Recovered Cases | 12 |
Total Positives Since Testing | 12 |
Deaths | 0 |
Fort Scott High School Senior Ella Beth began a school project in her sophomore year that will benefit the school for years to come: a redesign of the high school’s courtyard.
The long-term project provided real-life business experience as well.
Fort Scott High School Courtyard Is Transformed
“I walked by the courtyard every day of my freshman year and was upset to learn that the space… was now used for nothing,” Beth said. “I decided that I wanted to bring the courtyard back to its former glory because I saw it as bursting with potential to be a place that promoted Tiger Pride and an opportunity for students to learn or relax outdoors.”
The courtyard is an open space enclosed by the high school academic classrooms.
It has been used for pep rallies, activity meetings and outdoor classes.
Project Because of Her Design Interest
The project idea came because Beth is interested in interior design.
She and a classmate, Dawna Hudiberg, wanted to design some project and then implement their ideas.
” We brainstormed and came up with the idea of renovating the courtyard,” Beth said. “Dawna eventually decided to take on another project, but I really wanted to have an area that allowed for some outdoor time and a possible way to promote Tiger Pride and unity in our school. Mrs. Kemmerer then helped me to get started on the project my sophomore year.”
Beth began in the spring of 2018 to design the project, her new deadline is May 2021, before she graduates.
Real-World Experience
” I encouraged Ella to develop a project plan with her ideas as a way for her to gain real-world experience in an area that she was interested in,” Kemmerer said. “She wanted to do something that would benefit others. When she first asked me about the possibility of remodeling the courtyard, my response was ‘why not’? She did her research, developed a plan, created a budget, identified community resources, wrote grants, networked, created community buy-in, discovered the importance of sweat equity and stepped outside of her comfort zone. She learned that things don’t always go the way you plan, but where there is a will there is away.”
“She started raising money, mostly through writing grants, and contacting local alumni-owned businesses to help with different parts of the project last year,” Kemmerer said. “She has networked with different FSHS programs to help with specific areas of her redesign plan and is currently trying to raise funds to finish the project.”
A Collaborative Effort
The project has been a collaborative effort.
Donations Information
Checks can be made to USD234 with “courtyard project” in the memo, or send to Ella Beth at the high school, or her gofundme link: https://gf.me/u/yvikqm