All posts by Loretta George

Business, Fort Scott, Health Care, Mercy Hospital

Pharmacist Craig Campbell Retires

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Craig Campbell at his desk. His office has been housed in a wing at the Community Health Center since the closing of the former Mercy Hospital.

Craig Campbell is retiring from his 39-year career as a pharmacist on June 30.

A chance conversation with a relative changed the course of his life when deciding on a career.

“By chance, I was visiting with my great uncle who was a pharmacist,” he said. ” Willard Higbee, he was the brother of my grandma, Bernice Campbell.”

“I confided in him that I was working on a chemical engineering degree but did not think I could get through the math requirements,” Campbell said. “He said I would love pharmacy, so I visited with Ken Asher and Bob Tuchscherer, local pharmacists at the time, and they agreed that pharmacy was a wonderful profession.”

Technology advancement has changed his job as a pharmacist.

“Technology has advanced so much with the electronic medical record,” Campbell said.  “It brings into view so much more information that lets you know more about the patient, not just in the present moment but what has gone on before.”

“Prescriptions are so much safer now that we do not have to figure out the doctor’s handwriting,” he said.  “Sorry doctor friends. Pharmacists are an integral part of the patient care team now, since when I started in the fall of 1982.”

He has most recently been Mercy Health System’s Director of Pharmacy Performance, St. Louis, since November 2014. But his office is located in a wing of the former Mercy Hospital, although during the COVID-19 pandemic, he has worked mostly from home, he said.

From 1999-2018  Campbell served as Mercy Hospital Fort Scott’s Pharmacy Director, before that from ’92-’99, was a staff pharmacist at Mt. Carmel  Hospital (now Ascension Via Christi) in Pittsburg.

Campbell worked from1983-1992  for four pharmacy’s starting with his first job in Texas.

Campbell completed a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK, and an associate of arts degree in pre-pharmacy from Fort Scott Community College.

For Campbell,  the best part of his career was being a part of patient care teams, which come up with the best plan to improve patient health, he said.

“That has been rewarding,” Campbell said. “While at Mercy Fort Scott…my hometown, I was able to care for a lot of friends and family.”

“I once went into the room of an elderly teacher I had in the seventh or eighth grade,” he said. “The patient taught math. The patient said I must have been a student, but could not recall my name. I told who I was. The patient asked what I did for a living and  I said I was a pharmacist. The patient smiled and said, ‘I must have been a pretty good teacher.’ Yes, the patient was a good teacher.”

The COVID-19 Pandemic has been the biggest challenge of his career.

“In the six years I have worked for Mercy at the system level, the main responsibility is to make sure each hospital has the medications they need when they need them,” Campbell said. “COVID was the most difficult time as we were competing with every hospital in the country to have enough meds to treat patients, especially those on ventilators. There were many 20 hour days in April and May 2020.”

What is on the horizon for you?

My wife (Jane) says I am trading one OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) for another,” he said. “I would really like to help the city and county improve the overall quality of life through organizing volunteer groups to help our neighbors with whatever they need.”

Campbell is chairman of the Good Neighbor Action Team, which helps people with work on yards, house painting, etc.

“The community has three big events coming up next year with Big Kansas Road Trip in May, Good Ole Days, and the Fort Scott High School all-class reunion next June. We really have an opportunity to show off our great town and county.”

“We will also travel some and see more of the grandkids’ activities,” he said.

Campbel has four children: Ryan (who is deceased); Brett and wife, Kayla,  Pittsburg; Trevor and wife, Jami, Overland Park; and Jenna  Campbell and her fiance Devin,  Fort Scott. His grandkids are Mackenize Campbell,  Spokane, WA; Brecken and Landry Campbell,  Pittsburg and  Kennadie, Rush, Austyn,  and Larkin Campbell,  Overland Park.

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Minutes of June 8

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June 8, 2021                                       Tuesday 9:00 am

 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners, the County Counselor and the County Clerk present.

 

Also present were the following: (some were present for a portion of the meeting and some were present for the entire meeting), Susan Bancroft, Mr. & Mrs. Clint Walker, Mark McCoy, Angel Wilson, Anne Dare, Donnie Coffman, Ryan Coon, Robert Coon and John Coon.

 

Justin Meeks asked the Commissioners to amend the agenda for a 20 minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel to discuss a new hire.  Clifton made a motion to amend the agenda to have a 20 minute executive session, Jim seconded and all approved.  Clifton made a motion to have a 20 minute executive session to discuss KSA 75-4319(b) (1) to discuss personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel to protect their privacy (job performance), the Commissioners will meet in another location and reconvene in the Commission room at 9:23 am, Jim seconded and all approved.   At 9:23, Clifton made a motion to resume the meeting and said no action, Jim seconded and all approved.

 

Clifton made a motion to approve last week’s minutes, Jim seconded and all approved.

 

Eric Bailey presented a culvert application for 2485 Locust Road; Lynne made a motion to approve the culvert permit, Jim seconded and all approved.

 

Eric said he had a few individuals approach him requesting dust control, he said they filled out the permit that is posted on the County website (which states there is a fee), but said they said they hadn’t been charged for the dust control previously.  The fee is $1.50/linear foot.  Jim Harris said they would have been charged, but said they didn’t charge for dust control on roads approaching or near quarries.  The Commissioners said people wanting dust control needed to fill out the permit and that Eric should proceed with charging for the dust control.

 

Eric said they needed to build the road salt inventory; the Commissioners were ok with this.

 

Eric said the new miner training had been completed (MSHAW training).

 

Eric said the pilot light had gone out on the oil burner for the asphalt; he said they have called an electrician to fix this and will then do work in Hiattville and then on 250th.

 

Eric said they would be going to Arkansas on Wednesday to pick up the truck they had recently purchased.

 

Windfarm update: Eric said Jayhawk Wind is still working on private access roads.  He said he had received a text message recently regarding rock spilled on Highway 3, he said the truck driver had turned and lost about 3 five-gallon buckets of rock; he said within 10 minutes Jayhawk Wind had swept the rock from the road.  Eric said that Jayhawk Wind didn’t know if they would have excess dirt until towards the end of the project.

 

Lynne said he would report to Eric of an individual that wants gravel and tree trimming done on a dead-end road.

 

Justin Meeks asked that a road closure from KDOT for Highway 7 & 180th street be placed on next Tuesday’s agenda.

 

Lynne made a motion to approve the 2021 firework permits in Fort Scott for the following locations: Jake’s Fireworks @ Wall and Goodlander, Jake’s Fireworks at 2221 S. Main St., Jubilee Fireworks, LLC @ 2420 S. Main and Hale Fireworks, LLC @ 2409 S. Main, Clifton seconded and all approved and Lynne signed the permits.

 

Emergency Manager William Wallis met with the Commissioners to present his 2022 budget requests; for the Emergency Management Performance grant he received $17,814 in 2021 and budgeted to receive $18,000 in 2022.  For Emergency Preparedness he requested $59,739 in 2022, compared to the $57,739 he received in 2021; he said the requested increase is due to training exercises, traveling and supplies.

 

Michael Braim met with the Commissioners regarding Bourbon County Attorney, Jacqie Spradling; he said that Jacqie is liability to our County and said when prosecutors create misconduct and lets criminals walk free it is a liability for our safety and our town.  He said there is no insurance policy to cover when these lawsuits happen, but said it comes out of taxpayer’s dollars.  He said he had consulted lawyers; one of which directed him to the Beatrice 5, in Beatrice, Nebraska.  He said there was prosecutor misconduct which caused 5 people to get off and they sued which cost Beatrice $23 million.  He said that every case that comes through here now while she is prosecuting is suspect.  He said she is an elected official and there isn’t a lot the Commissioners can do.  He asked the Commissioners to have a vote of no confidence.  He said they can ask for a resignation.  He questioned why we are paying her a lot of money to possibly screw this up, he said they could possibly reduce her pay to encourage this to move along. He said there is a lot of public out-cry for this woman to be gone.  He said she was first appointed to this position and then ran unopposed the next time.  He asked why she is hiring special prosecutors.  He said she resigned in Allen County.  He questioned her picking James Braun, (Justin said they couldn’t discuss non-elected personnel.  Mr. Braim said we can’t afford this and hoped the Commissioners did the right thing.  Justin said he was instructed yesterday to follow up on this; he said there are 54 jury trials pending in Bourbon County, he said there should be some comfort that they haven’t happened yet.  Justin suggested that the Commissioners pend any action for a week.  The Commissioners asked that this be scheduled again on the June 15th agenda.  Justin warned the Commissioners to not string meeting (talking to more than one Commissioner in private about the same issue).  Justin said that if Jacqie were to no longer be the County Attorney the Republican party would select her replacement to fill the unexpired term.  Justin said an elected official can run their department as they see fit.  Anne Dare questioned her position being salaried and only being in Bourbon County a few times a month; Justin said the Bourbon County Attorney makes $51,000 yearly and the average salary for an attorney is $65-$70/hour, he said the Bourbon County Attorney is paid well under the average.  Anne Dare said when you look at the court docket the Assistant County Attorney is listed more often than the County Attorney for coming to court.  Justin said there is a high probability that we will have a new County Attorney in the future.  Mr. Walker said that Kansas Statute doesn’t require the County Attorney to be resident of the County they are elected in.  Mr. Braim questioned the cost to have a recall election, but others felt it would be better to just ride this out.  Justin said that Jacqie still has a license to practice law in Kansas.  Robert Coon said the panel has given the opinion of misconduct.  Clifton said the Commissioners hands are tied.  The Commissioners were reluctant to do anything and said by doing anything this could add more liability.

 

Lynne made a motion to sign the sewer bond documents, (tax certificate & Exhibit B -receipt for purchase price), Jim Seconded and all approved.  Jim made a motion to allow Lynne to sign the documents, Clifton seconded and all approved and Lynne signed the documents.

 

County Counselor Comment: Justin said they have stopped filing any new tax sale cases, he said there would be 100 cases for the first tax sale.  Justin said social media can be a problem when it comes to getting the truth of a matter, he said that opinions are great, but suggested maybe having someone as a fact checker on Facebook to say what has happened; the Commissioners asked that this be placed on the agenda next week for discussion.

 

Jim Harris asked Justin if they were making progress with the tower, Justin said they were going to use trucks to get the dishes off the tower to use the tower for internet.

 

Justin said he was meeting with Mr. Farmer this week regarding KDOT road issues south of town, he said they would also be talking about the sewer district.

 

Justin said he is dealing with the Secretary of State’s office regarding petition signatures required on a petition.

 

Justin said he has a cemetery issue he is working on and is dealing with old law, he said there are questions on how the boards are set up and how the budgets are done.  He said Susan Bancroft had volunteered to help with this cemetery issue.

 

Clifton made a motion to allow Jim to help Eric with soybean issues at the Landfill, Lynne seconded and all approved.

 

Justin said since they had an executive session, he will be talking with the chairman to make sure he has everything he needs.

 

Public Comment: Denise Duncan met with the Commissioners.  She presented a farm winery permit for the Kansas Department of Revenue Alcoholic Beverage Control for Vinedo del Alamo at 2304 Poplar Road.  She asked that the Commissioners approve Kendell Mason to sign the permit.  They have had a permit, but have expanded the winery plan to the next barn.  She said they first planted the vines in 2011 and opened in 2015.  She discussed the traffic in the area and said that Poplar Road is the only feeder road that isn’t a paved road, and said she thought it would be a good road to pave.  Lynne made a motion to allow Kendell to sign the permit, Clifton seconded and all approved.

 

Susan Bancroft met with the Commissioners: she said Clifton had asked for a wage schedule, so she provided this.

 

Lynne said that Eric Bailey was losing some key employees and said they had discussions over having progressive wages, Lynne said Eric was willing to give up a position to do this.  Justin gave the Commissioners salary comparisons from other Counties (from 2017) and gave them data on the declining population.  He said the valuation is going up.

 

Justin complimented KDOT on their road project (Highway 69).

 

There was a brief discussion regarding the County budget timeline and the new RNR enacted.

 

Commissioner Comment: Regarding the budget and mill levy- Clifton said they had talked about having townhall meetings to find out what people want and what they want to fund and said they need to start this process.  Susan volunteered to be a facilitator for these meetings and will get the meetings set up.

 

At 10:44, Clifton made a motion to adjourn, Jim seconded and all approved.

 

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman

(ss) Jim Harris, Commissioner

(ss) Clifton Beth, Commissioner

ATTEST:

Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk

June 15, 2021, Approved Date

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Bourbon County Commission Minutes of June 1

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June 1, 2021                                                                    Tuesday 9:00 am

 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners, the County Counselor and the County Clerk present.

 

Also present were the following, (some were present for a portion of the meeting and some were present for the entire meeting), Susan Bancroft, Bill Martin, Ben Cole, Mr. & Mrs. Clint Walker and Mark McCoy.

 

Clifton made a motion to approve the minutes from the May 25th & May 27th Commission meeting, Jim seconded and all approved and signed the minutes.

 

Road & Bridge supervisor Eric Bailey met with the Commissioners, he reported they did some ditching and opened the tubes at 195th & Hackberry.

 

Eric reminded the Commissioners of the MSHAW training from Wednesday – Friday this week.

 

Eric said they pulled the shoulders near 250th & Arrowhead.

 

Eric said the F750 truck they are purchasing is ready and they will be picking it up next week.

 

Eric said the a/c is out of the Mack truck, but is still under warranty.  The Freightliner is at Inland for repairs for the bushings.  Eric said all the tractors are operating and mowing the sides of the roads.

 

Eric said he and Susan Bancroft had met with Don George and the paperwork had been sent off regarding the CFAP grant for possible dam repairs at Elm Creek Lake.  Lynne said they can use the Federal money for the matching portion of the grant to fix the dam.

 

Jayhawk Wind update:  Eric said they are battling moisture due the recent rains.  They ditched an area at 60th & Birch where water had been standing.  Weather permitting, Jayhawk Wind will be trenching this week on private property.  Jim Harris said it might be possible for Jayhawk Wind to put excess dirt north of the Laroche Ballpark.

 

Rebecca Johnson with SEK Multi County Health Department met with the Commissioners to present the 2022 budget; she requested $90,750 (the same amount as was granted for the 2021 budget).  Along with their normal duties, they have been dealing with COVID-19 issues, such as case investigations, contact tracing, COVID phone calls, quarantine letters, provided COVID public guidance, provided COVID recovery, mask education & distribution, distributed hand sanitizer, assisted with long term care and school reopening, provided COVID vaccines, as well as much more.

 

Bourbon County Clerk & Election Officer, Kendell Mason met with the Commissioners to present her 2022 budget requests; $111,917 was requested for the Clerk’s office and $86,900 for the Election office, both are the same as was granted for the 2021 budget.

 

Lynne made a motion to amend the agenda to hold an executive session for non-elected personnel, Clifton seconded and all approved.

 

Lynne made a motion to have a 7-minute executive session for KSA 75-4319(b) (1) to discuss personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel to protect their privacy regarding three specific employees, their titles and their job functions, the Commissioners will hold the session in the Commission room and will return to open session in the Commission room at 9:24, Clifton seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Justin Meeks and Susan Bancroft).  At 9:26, Lynne made a motion to come out of executive session, Jim seconded and all approved.

 

Elected official Comments:  Bill Martin and Ben Cole met with the Commissioners, Bill said last week the US Marshalls, KBI, Homeland Security, the Sheriff’s department, Police department and the Correctional Center did a sweep of registered sexual offenders.  The US Marshall will be paying for the overtime for the Sheriff and Police department, they will offset expenses for supplies and the Sheriffs office was able to buy a computer, scanner, printer and camera and the US Marshall will reimburse the County for these items.  Bill said this was a successful event.  The met with 58 sex offenders to make sure they were in compliance.  Ben said they needed approval from the Commissioners to pay the overtime rate which will be reimbursed, Lynne said that payroll needed the information from the Sheriffs office for the hours.

 

Justin Meeks discussed the tax sale; he said anything received back by the end of this week will be part of the 1st tax sale which might be in August and there will be a second sale in December.  Justin said he had a couple of meetings regarding Windfarm issues and will bring those issues to the Commissioners at a later date.  Justin briefly discussed the KDOT road (near the Laroche Ballpark), Justin said he assumed that if the County takes over this road, then the County would take care of this road (maintenance) in the future.  Justin said he and Susan Bancroft would be working on EMS issues.

 

Susan Bancroft had nothing to report to the Commissioners.

 

Public Comment:  Mark McCoy (regarding the Highway 69 Corridor Plan) said he believed eventually there would be four lanes from KC to I44.  Mark said he had read Facebook comments regarding the BEDCO funds and the grant process for these funds; he said when Rob Herrington met with the Commissioners, he said those funds would be used throughout the County.  The applications for requested funds will be turned into Rob and said the Commissioners discussed doing a 50/50 grant.  He said there was a comment about the Marmaton Massacre event at Gunn Park being moved to a later date, Mark said this was moved to September due to the heat.  Mark said what is on the radio and in the newspaper may not be 100% accurate and said Facebook and Twitter is opinion.  Mark suggested anyone with questions or concerns or wanting clarification on what the funds could be used for regarding the BEDCO grant listen to the Commission meeting when Rob Herrington met with the Commissioners.  Mark said he felt that sharing services with all the cities and BEDCO is the right thing to do.  Mark discussed the new activities/businesses in or coming to this area, such as roller skating, ax throwing and the new barbershop.  Lynne said Uniontown had two new businesses and said the Bronson Meat Locker was talking about expanding.

 

Clint Walker asked if the PILOT money from the Windfarm had been received and asked how much the County is scheduled to receive; Lynne said the County has received $405,000 for this year and will receive $365,000 for the next 9 years.

 

At 9:45, Clifton made a motion to adjourn, Jim seconded and all approved.

 

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman

(ss) Jim Harris, Commissioner

(ss) Clifton Beth, Commissioner

 

ATTEST:

Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk

June 8, 2021, Approved Date

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Lavender Festival IV Tomorrow

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The Lavender Patch Farm. Submitted photos.

The Lavender Patch Farm,  2376 Locust, Fort Scott, was started in 2010  by Betsy and Davin Reichard, and this year marks the fourth time they have invited the community to a festival in summer.

Lavender Festival IV, which celebrates all things lavender, will be happening Saturday, June 19 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

“The Lavender Festival celebrates the beginning of the lavender harvest and invites guests to enjoy the beauty of the lavender fields, surrounding wildflowers and prairie grasses, and other special activities of the day,” Betsy said.  “Admission is $5 for 13 and up and includes great music, games, and children’s activities around the Lavender Patch. ”

“Festival activities include you-pick lavender and wildflower bundles ($5), enjoying time with family and friends while listening to music, playing some games, watching demonstrations, going on a lavender tour, a hands-on children’s fairy garden, partaking of lavender foods that will be for sale – ice cream, lavenderade, or a pulled pork sandwich with lavender seasoning for lunch,” she said.

The Lavender Patch Festival 2019. Submitted photos.

“There will be lavender distilling (for essential oil) demonstrations throughout the day,” Betsy said.  “The lavender gift shop will be open to take home memories and lavender creations.”

“Remember to bring your camera and take as many photos as you like,” she said.

The couple’s loyal staff and many volunteers make the festival a fun event, Betsy said. They also staff other days the farm is open, most weekends in June and July.

“As a Kansas agritourism farm, guests can visit our working lavender farm when we are open,” Betsy said.  “Come pick a bundle and smell the lavender; relax and reconnect with friends and the outdoors.  Enjoy our lavender fields, surrounded by wildflowers and prairie grasses, then take home some lavender memories from our gift shop.”

Clumps of lavender plants on the Lavender Patch Farm, 2019. Submitted photos.

Check the website www.thelavenderpatchfarm.com for details.

For more information:

See their Facebook page

Or

The Lavender Patch Farm, 2376 Locust Road, Fort Scott, KS 66701

Or

[email protected]

Or

(620) 223-1364

Bourbon County, Government

Spradling Resigns as Bourbon County Attorney

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Bourbon County Attorney Jacqie Spradling.

Bourbon County Attorney Jacqie Spradling sent the following letter to Mark McCoy, Bourbon County Republican Chairman, on June 16.

“It has been my honor and privilege to have served Bourbon County as the Bourbon County Attorney for the last three years.

“I am retiring and tendering this resignation effective Wednesday, June 30, 2021.”

The process has begun for an interim Bourbon County Attorney, McCoy said.

“In this case, the Bourbon County Republican Party will convene a meeting with officers and committee persons, approximately 40 people,” McCoy said. “We have 14-21 days to convene a caucus, to select a candidate for Bourbon County Attorney to submit to Governor Kelly, to fill the position temporarily. I understand in 2022 that person will run for the position. Spradling had two years remaining, she was elected in  November 2020.”

“The date of the caucus is to be determined,” McCoy said. “Further notification will be coming out. This meeting is not open to the public.” Editor’s note: the caucus is scheduled tentatively for Thursday, July 1 at  6 p.m. at the Empress Event Center, 7. N. Main, according to McCoy on June 18, it is not open to the public.

“We will put out a notice to all interested parties (in the county attorney position) to submit a resume to me, Mark McCoy, 2138 Jayhawk Road, Fort Scott, KS 66701, applications will need to be submitted by June 28,” he said.

Brandon Cameron and Chad Taylor are the assistant county attorneys in Bourbon County, according to the Bourbon County Clerk’s office.

Spradling was selected as Bourbon County Attorney in 2018.

An attorney panel unanimously recommended the Kansas Supreme Court disbar Spradling for knowingly making false statements to juries during two high-profile trials and for misleading claims about her prosecutorial misconduct to justices of the state’s highest court, according to a story by Tim Carpenter of the Kansas Reflector news service this month.

To view the story:

KS Supreme Court Will Issue Decision on Bourbon County Attorney Jacquie Spradling

 

 

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

FS Community Closet Give-Away This Saturday

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Carol Oakleaf, left, and Lori Lovelace show the donation can for clothing to the Fort Scott Community Closet which is located in the Fort Scott Washateria.

The Washateria, 501 S. National, is having a clothes give-away this Saturday.

“We are having our June 2021 Community Day on Saturday, June 19, 2021,” Lori Lovelace, owner, said.  “It will be open 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and we will have all of our sorted clothing out for anyone to come by and find something.”

“Fort Scott Community Closet is a clothing charity supported by all of Fort Scott,” she said.  “We serve Fort Scott and surrounding communities providing clothing, bedding, coats etc. to people in need.”

“We have no qualifying criteria,” Lovelace said. ” if you need clothing you can come to the Community Day or call us at 620-644-9834 and we can sort out what you need.”

“We also have men’s suits and business attire as well as women’s business attire.”

Fort Scott Washateria is in the 500 block of South National Avenue. This photo was taken just before its’ opening in August 2019.

 

 

Ascension Via Christi, Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Government, Health Care, Mercy Hospital

Bourbon County Government to Receive Former Mercy Building

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The Bourbon County Commission room in the courthouse, September 2018.

The Bourbon County Commission will be receiving the former Mercy Hospital building at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. and $600,000 from Mercy as a donation to the county, Rob Harrington, Bourbon County Economic Development Director said in an email.

Robert Harrington. Submitted photo.

Mercy Hospital Fort Scott closed in October 2018.

The Sisters of Mercy had served the community since 1886.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas has had a clinic at the building since Mercy closed, but is moving when its’ lease is up at the end of 2022.

They have purchased the former Price Chopper store, 2322 Main Street, for their new facility.

The emergency department at the former hospital building also has a lease that will be up in 2022.

The county commission has been working on a solution to keep the building viable, as opposed to tearing the two-decades-old building down.

“Today is the beginning of a process, “Bourbon County Commissioner Clifton Beth said. “The attorneys will be going through the process of accepting the donation and the $600,000.”

Clifton Beth represents District 3. Photo from Facebook.

“We are in conversation with different entities that could potentially have use for that building,” Beth said.

The Bourbon County Commission is comprised of Beth, Lynne Oharah and Jim Harris.

First District Bourbon County Commissioner Lynne Oharah.
Jim Harris, Bourbon County Commissioner, District 2.

Beth said credit needs to go to Harrington who has been working to find entities that are interested.

“A lot of behind-the-scenes work is going on,” Beth said.

“We are trying to save the building,” Beth said. “My main priority is to have an Emergency Room in Bourbon County.”

“At the end of the day, the end users for that building, if they can use it, great,” Beth said. “If not, we’ll look at other options.”

“My goal is to be sure we have an ER,” Beth said. “Ascension Via Christi has one-and-one-half years left on their (current) lease. In conversations with them, they are planning to stay.”

Ascension Via Christi operates the emergency department at the former Mercy Hospital building.

To see more info on Ascension Via Christi:

Via Christi To Operate Fort Scott Emergency Room

Ascension Via Christi/Fort Scott Celebrates Opening of Emergency Department

Business, Food, Fort Scott

Penny’s Diner: Open 24/7, Even Holidays

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Penny’s Diner is located in the lobby of Travelodge Hotel, 2505 S. Main.

At the Travel Lodge Hotel in Fort Scott, meals are available to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“Even Christmas, Thanksgiving, the 4th of July,” said Rhonda Walker, general manager of the hotel.

“We have a full menu, all day, every day,” she said. “If you want a hamburger at 3 a.m. you can get it, if you want breakfast at 2 p.m. you can get it. We get some late-nighters.”

A malt made in Penny’s Diner. The diner has a 50s motif.

 

Penny’s Diner is located in the lobby of the hotel at 2505 S. Main and has been there for six years.

The whiteboard in the diner tells of the special meals of the day.

“People can order online and pay there, or can call in an order, or can come in,” Walker said. “Go to http://pennysdiner.com/  and it will bring up the menu.”

One can also use the barcode at Penny’s Diner to order.

“We’ve got some really good cooks,” she said.

 

Cindy Sue McDowell, cook and front desk agent at Penny’s Diner.
There is a room for a small group at Penny’s Diner.

 

Penny’s Diner is located in the lobby of Travelodge Hotel, 2505 S. Main.

“Our hotel is a BNSF Railroad Hotel, and we also house regular guests,” Walker said. “We have 70 rooms, with nine of them extended stay.”

 

 

Bourbon County

Evergy and Heartland Rural Electric June 11 Weather Event Update

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The Uniontown area had several utility poles down in a storm on June 11. Pictured is one on the main street of Uniontown.

Bourbon County suffered damage from high winds in a storm that rolled through the area on the evening of June 11.

Two electric companies serve this area.

HRC Update

Heartland Rural Electric’s first outage report was around 5:30 p.m., according to Doug Graham,  communications specialist. “At that time six of our substations were off due to transmission line outages from our power supplier.”
At the peak of the outage, around 4,500 Heartland members were out of power, he said.
“Crews worked through the night on Friday to restore power,” Graham said. “By Saturday morning, the number of outages had been reduced to around 800. By the end of Saturday, we were down to around 50.”
“Most of the damage to Heartland’s system was caused by high winds, trees, and debris,” he said. “In total, we had around 20 pole breaks and 25 line breaks. Some lightning damage was evident as well. Our heaviest damage was concentrated in rural Bourbon County around Devon, Uniontown, and Bronson.”
“Heartland dispatched every available line worker to address the outages, and called in mutual aid from Twin Valley Electric Cooperative in Altamont in order to restore power as quickly as possible,” Graham said.

To be ready for a power outage, Graham recommended the following link:

“I would also mention that Heartland has a number of preventive programs in place to minimize the damage from storms such as the one we experienced on Friday,” Graham said.  “For example, we have a pole inspection program wherein we identify poles with rot or structural weakness and replace them as needed, and we have an extensive vegetation management program to keep trees from getting too close to lines. Without these preventive measures, the damage could have been much worse.”

Evergy’s Update

Evergy reported that around 7:30 PM on Friday evening is when they received notice the power went out in the area.

“It is difficult to give an exact time on when the last outages were restored because they all came back on at different times in those areas,” Andrew Baker,  Evergy Senior Communications Manager, said.

 

“Our crews were working widespread to make sure the power came back on as quickly and safely as possible for our customers,” he said.

 

About 2,000 customers were affected between Pittsburg, Ft. Scott and Humboldt, Baker said.

 

“The cause of most of the outages in the area was due to severe storms, wind, lightning, hail and heavy rain,” he said.

“We had around 50 crew members working in the area along with multiple contract crews as well,” Baker said. “We also had multiple personnel in the Wichita, Leavenworth, Atchison, and Hiawatha.”

 

“You want to make sure that your cell phone is fully charged and you have a battery-operated radio ready to go to check for weather updates,” Baker said. “You also want to make sure to create a communications plan in the event of a storm.  Have a family plan that includes an emergency meeting space and related information. This way you can make sure your friends and family members are accounted for if severe weather should occur.”

 

 

 

 

 

Church news, Fort Scott

New Pastor at First Southern Baptist: Kenneth Epperson

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First Southern Baptist Church, 1818 S. Main.

On June 1, Kenneth Epperson assumed the pastorate of the  Fort Scott First Southern Baptist Church.

Epperson has over 20 years of experience, following his education at Slidell Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisiana.

“That includes camps, evangelism work, and a singing ministry,” he said. “This is the closest I have been to my hometown, Butler, MO.’

The best part of pastoring is getting to encourage and give people hope, he said.

“Everybody needs encouragement,” he said. “We work hard at that. That’s my joy. God loves them and they will make it.”

When asked what one of the biggest challenges for a pastor is, he responded “Bringing people together. Bringing a people into unity and moving them forward in the kingdom.”

 

Tracy and Kenneth Epperson. Submitted photo.

Epperson and his wife, Tracy, have two married sons, two grandsons, with “one on the way,” he said.

Epperson said God called him at 14 years old to be a pastor.

“We had a guest speaker at our church,” he said. “I remember where I was sitting, when I heard the Lord say ‘You are going to do that someday.'”

“When I was ordained, my Mom told me when she was rocking me when I was young, she felt that I was going to be a pastor one day,” Epperson said. “That was powerful to me.”

The church, located at 1818 S. Main has Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. and worship at 10:50 a.m.

An upcoming event at the church is Vacation Bible School, which is August 4-8 from 9 a.m.to noon at the church.

For more information contact the church at 620.223.2986.

 

Bourbon County, Business, Health Care

Pain Management Massage Therapy Moves To Uniontown

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Pictured is the Bodyworks and Wellness ribbon cutting on May 27, facilitated by Uniontown Ruritan Club.
From left Ruritan Members  Mark Warren, Kevin Gleason, Raymond George, Joe George, Mauriel Whisenhunt-the owner, Henry Homan, and Mike Mason, stand in front of the business at 104 Sherman, Uniontown.

Mauriel Whisenhunt helped her grandfather, Clyde Brooker, when he was homebound and had edema.

“I would massage his feet, arms, and back,” she said. “He was the first who said God has given me a gift.”

This prompted her to begin a career in massage therapy.

Whisenhunt’s massage therapy is pain management, she said.

“I do pain management,” she said. “Everybody is different, I work to accommodate what the body may need.”

Whisenhunt said she is grateful for her clients.

She said many in the business don’t make it.

“Longevity in massage is five years,” she said. “It’s hard work.”

“I have so much gratitude for the personal relationships with people, watching client’s kids grow up, working in hospice,” she said. ” I have so much overwhelming gratitude. Every place I have been, it’s God’s timing.”

She is constantly learning, even after 20 years.

Her diploma from White River School of Massage.

“There is so much new coming out about science and massage,” she said.

Her constant challenge is trying to help people get out of pain and helping them with pain management, she said.

 

Mauriel Whisenhunt stands in front of her continuing education certificates at her business, Bodyworks And Wellness.

 

Whisenhunt has been a massage therapist for 20 years.

Last year, she moved her business,  Bodyworks and Wellness, to Uniontown, where she lives.

“COVID (the pandemic of the last year) prompted me to open shop in Uniontown,” Whisenhunt said. “I think all small businesses had to reshape their business plan.”

“We were told by the (Kansas) governor that we couldn’t work,” she said. “I was quarantined five times, two weeks each time from different places of contact.”

“When you can’t work, you have no income,” she said.

She and her husband, Rick, live in Uniontown and in addition, own a large building there.

“We revamped a small portion of his hobby space,” she said.

The building is located at 104 Sherman, just off Uniontown square. For an appointment call 620-224-7251.

 

 

Bourbon County, Business, Jayhawk Wind

Jayhawk Wind Update: laydown yard, access roads and excavation

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Jayhawk Wind project staging area is located at the intersection of Hwy. 39 and Hwy.3, southwest of Fort Scott.

The Jayhawk Wind power project is progressing in Bourbon County.

The following is an update from Julianna Pianelli, development manager for Apex Clean Energy, based in Charlottesville, VA.

 

Q: Will you give an update on the progress of the wind power farm in Bourbon County, KS?

A: “Construction is underway; we are currently installing access roads and recently completed the laydown yard (located off Highway 39, west of Highway 3), where our core project staff and job trailers will be located. We are now beginning to excavate the foundations for the wind turbines.”

 

The laydown yard of the Jayhawk Wind farm project is located at the Hwy. 3 and Hwy. 39 in southwestern Bourbon County.

 

Q: Who is the contact on the ground here in Bourbon County?

A: “The construction site manager for Apex is Tharon Anderson.”

 

Q: Are there still jobs available and what is the contact?

A:  “IEA, the project’s contractor, would have information about job openings and other construction-related information. Please come to the construction office at the laydown yard located near the Highway 39 and Highway 3 junction for more information.”

 

Q: When will we start to see them going up?

A: “The turbine components will begin arriving on-site at the end of July, and the erection will begin shortly after that.”

 

Q: When will it be completed?

A: “ The anticipated completion date is in Q4 (fall) 2021.”

This graphic pinpoints the turbine placement. Submitted graphic.