All posts by Loretta George

Government, Kansas

LaTurner Seeks to Recover U.S. Savings Bonds

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State Treasurer Jake LaTurner Continues Fight in Washington, D.C. to Recover United States Savings Bonds

Washington, D.C. — Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner and attorneys representing his office will appear before the U.S. Court of Federal Appeals located at 717 Madison Place NW in Washington, D.C. at 10:00 a.m. (EST) Thursday, February 7th to continue his fight to recover the proceeds of lost, abandoned, unclaimed, and/or stolen United States Savings Bonds for Kansas citizens.

“The men and women of the Greatest Generation purchased these bonds during a time when people put trust in their government’s pursuit of the greater good. Their sacrifices helped finance the war against Hitler, build the interstate highway system, and put a man on the moon,” said LaTurner. “Now it is time for that same government to honor its commitments and repay its debt to those who built it.”

The Court of Federal Claims, in a strongly worded opinion, ruled on August 8, 2017 that Kansas was entitled to the information from the United States Treasury on the bonds sold in Kansas. This information would give the State Treasurer’s Office the tools they need for researching the rightful owners of these bonds and connecting them with their unclaimed money. The United States Treasury has appealed that ruling. The ruling was a first of its kind with respect to U.S. savings bonds and a positive first step in the fight to return the bonds proceeds to Kansas and other states as well.

It is estimated that there are $26-billion in matured but unclaimed bonds nation-wide with more than $200-million belonging to Kansans. In many cases, bonds remain unclaimed because the rightful owners or heirs are unaware they exist. J. Brett Milbourn, lead attorney on the Kansas State Treasurer’s appeal of this case believes the best vehicle for returning this money exists at the state, rather than the federal level.

“State Treasurers around the country already have a number of resources at their disposal to reunite citizens with their missing or unclaimed property,” said Milbourn. “Although the U.S. Department of the Treasury has a responsibility to notify and pay these mature bonds, the government has no plan – nor any real incentive — for keeping the promises it made when these patriots loaned it the money.”

In addition to Kansas, South Dakota, Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Indiana, Arkansas and Florida have cases pending in the Court of Federal Claims seeking the same relief. A total of 20 states have followed Kansas’ lead and passed laws to allow the Unclaimed Property Administrator of the state to seek recovery of lost, stolen, or abandoned bonds.

On September 7, 2018, 20 senators, including Senators Jerry Moran and Pat Roberts sent a bipartisan letter to Secretary Steven Mnuchin urging him to work with Kansas and other states to resolve their claims and help the states reunite original bond owners with their proceeds of unclaimed U.S. Savings Bonds.

Government, Kansas

This Week In the Kansas Legislature

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From Senator Richard Hilderbrand’s weekly newsletter, here is what is happening in the Kansas Legislature:

Monday –

  • Presentation on: Concurrent Enrollment: Kansas Department of Education, Kansas Board of Regents, Kansas Association of Community College Trustees – [Senate Education Committee; February 4 at 1:30 pm]

Tuesday –

  • Hearing on: SB 27, removing a restriction, for purposes of employment security law, on leasing of certain employees by client lessees of lessor employing units – [Senate Commerce Committee; February 5 at 8:30 am]
  • Hearing on SB 40, removing expired warning provision for approach of an emergency vehicle traffic violation – [Senate Transportation Committee; February 5 at 8:30 am]
  • Hearing on SB 41, clarifying that a violation of the statute requiring seat belt use is a traffic infraction – [Senate Transportation Committee; February 5 at 8:30 am]
  • Presentation by: Roger Werholtz, Kansas Department of Corrections – [Senate Judiciary Committee; February 5 at 10:30 am]

Wednesday –

  • Hearing on: SB 15, amending the definition of “service-connected” in the Kansas police and firemen’s retirement system – [Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee; February 6 at 9:30 am]
  • Hearing on: SB 45, enhancing penalties for offenses causing death or serious bodily injury to public sector employees – [Senate Judiciary Committee; February 6 at 10:30 am]
  • Hearing on: SB 44, appropriations for the department of education for FY 2019, 2020, and 2021; increasing BASE aid for certain school years; continuing 20 mill statewide levy for schools and exempting certain portion of property used for residential purposes from such levy – [Senate Select Committee on Education Finance; February 6 at 1:30 pm]

Thursday –

  • Briefing on: Property taxes by the Kansas Department of Revenue – [Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee; February 7 at 9:30 am]
  • Hearing on: SB 16, authorizing school districts to expand at-risk education funds on evidence-based learning programs – [Senate Education Committee; February 7 at 1:30 pm]
Obituary

Obituary of Jerrold Clifford Patterson

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Jerrold Clifford (Cliff) Patterson, age 79, of Fort Scott, KS, passed away on Saturday, February 2, 2019, at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, KS. He was born on September 21, 1939, in Kirksville, MO, the son of Reece Jerrold and Ruth Margaret (Reynolds) Patterson. Cliff married Nancy Jo Smith on December 13, 1958, in her parents’ home in Lawrence, KS. He worked for Hallmark Cards, Ennis Business Forms and Ward-Kraft as well as being an owner/ operator of the Otasco store in Ava, MO. Cliff enjoyed flying, sailing, fishing, woodworking and riding his motorcycle. He was active in the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary and the ROMEO Riders motorcycle club until pulmonary fibrosis ended these involvements. At the time of his passing, Cliff attended Diamond Community Church in rural Fort Scott.

Cliff is survived by his wife, Nancy of the home; four daughters, Sharon McGaughey of Pollock Pines, CA; Brenda DeKeno (Don) of Pea Ridge, AR; Deborah Allen (Tim) of Fort Scott, KS; and Laura Soliday of Kansas City, MO. He was the proud grandpa of twelve grandchildren; and the beloved “GGpa” to ten great-grandchildren. Cliff is also survived by a sister, Darlene Radke of Ferndale, WA; and a sister-in-law, Rozann Patterson of Prosser, WA. He was also the much loved uncle of four nephews and one niece. Cliff was proceeded in death by his daughter, Sandy Patterson of Bella Vista, AR; his parents; his brother, Claude Patterson of Kissimmee, FL; his brothers-in-law Robert E. Smith of Kansas City, MO and Elmer Radke of Ferndale, WA.; his nephew, Doug Radke of Bellingham, WA.

Pastor Trevor Jacobs will conduct funeral services at 2:00 PM Sunday, February 10th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will take place at 1:00 PM Monday, February 11th, in the Evergreen Cemetery. Family and friends may meet at the Cheney Witt Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery at 12:45 PM on Monday. Memorials are suggested to CrossPower Agape ministries and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Bourbon County Sheriff's Office

Sheriff’s Office: Inmate Arrest Photos On Facebook Page

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BCSO Major Bobby Reed in his office at the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center.

Personnel at the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office have been making available the Daily Intake Roster, including photos of those arrested at the jail.

This public service has been available on the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page since moving into the new jail facility in June 2018. They had provided the service a short time before moving to the jail, in fact.

But it was too time-consuming,  said Major Bobby Reed.

“It took one and one-half days of time, so we discontinued,” Reed said.

With the help of the Labette County Sheriff’s Office, BCSO built a system that allows quicker delivery of the information to the public.

In recent days, they have been catching up posting the information from the arrests of October until January.

The Daily Intake Roster includes a photo of the inmate, their name and age, their offenses and bond amount and type.

“We did October, November, December and January (arrests) online in about 45 minutes,” Reed said.

“We’ve had a lot of requests from the community of ‘when is it going to be back up?’,” he said.

“It gets the word out,” Reed said. “The public can like our (Facebook) page and when someone comes in, they can see it.”

“We are only doing them by months, we just ran January 2019, so the next one will come out at the end of February.

On February 1, there were 72 inmates in the BCSO, with 15 Linn County inmates included in that total, Reed said.

Bourbon County

Focus On Tobacco Session: Counseling and Medication

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Jody Hoenor, Bourbon County Economic Director,and also a member of a member of the  Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT

Tobacco addiction is being addressed locally.

 

 

“Right now Bourbon County has the 4th worst ranking for tobacco use in the state.  Tobacco users cost employers $5, 816 in annual excess cost than non-tobacco users (Berman et al, 2014).  What strategies have shown to make the largest impact?  Counseling and Medication,” according to Jody Hoener.  “Thank you to everyone who has signed up for the Tobacco Cessation Specialist Training, all free spots are filled, but you are still welcome to register to attend and we can invoice you the cost, $950.   Other research and resources can be found through the Partners in Quitting Program and KANQUIT!”

“Based on last week’s Workwell KS Workshop on Tobacco Cessation, held at the Empress Event Center, we will see two more worksites implementing tobacco-free policies in addition to Peerless and FSCC.  Please let me know if you are interested in making this policy change and we can send you a template and work with you through the process.”

Graphic provided by Hoener.

The following is a press release from Hoener.

In 2018, The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT) conducted a survey to examine the perceptions of Bourbon County community members about the issues of healthy eating, active living, and tobacco cessation.

The survey was a part of the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant that was received by the HBCAT in coordination with Mercy Hospital and the City of Fort Scott.

Pathways is a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas initiative.

HBCAT thanks the 244 community members who took the time to complete the survey. Here are a few key findings from the survey results.

Tobacco Free Policies: Most survey respondents support tobacco-free policies in local parks, school grounds, and worksites.

Action being taken: Research shows the two most important factors to tobacco cessation is medication and counseling. The HBCAT will work with worksites, local healthcare, schools, and community policy to encourage evidence-based solutions and promote healthy environments.

Finding #2: Almost 80 percent of respondents didn’t think that our community had adequate street lighting for walking at night.

Action being taken: Through our schools, worksites, and community policy pathways we are working to improve access to outdoor recreation. Formal assessments have been completed, and planning is in place to apply for funding to implement strategies at several locations throughout the community to encourage safe non-motorized transportation and physical activity.

Finding #3: Almost 80 percent of respondents are familiar with the U.S. recommendations for adult fruit and vegetable consumption but less than half of them reported meeting those guidelines.

Action being taken: The HBCAT spearheaded the inception of the Bourbon County Food Alliance and that alliance is instrumental in our work, “The Bourbon County Food Alliance is focusing on supporting the Farmers Market and looking for opportunities to increase patrons and vendors,” Robert Uhler, City of Fort Scott Community Development Director.

For more information about the survey or the Pathways initiative, contact: Jody Hoener, (620)215-5725 or at [email protected] Find us on Facebook or Twitter at @Healthybbco 0

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Dances With Our Stars Benefits The Community

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The 9th Annual Dancing With Our Stars is at 7 p.m. on Feb. 9 at the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.

Proceeds from the annual Dancing With Our Stars will this year benefit Bourbon County 4-H, Communities in Schools, Lee’s Paws and Claws, the Fort Scott High School Pantry and Closet, Friends of the Fort, Fort Scott High School Thespians and Care to Share.

The theme this year is Totally 80s.

Proceeds from the ticket sales fund the charities. VIP Tickets are $15, regular tickets are $10. Tickets can be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce office,  231 E. Wall.

The entertainment is dancing, of course. and members of the audience vote during intermission on teams comprised of Southwind Extension District members, Fort Scott High School students, Fort Scott Police Department members, Smallville Crossfit members, and volunteers from Fort Scott National Historic Site.

There will be other performers who are not a part of the competition: Abby Albright and Jackson Muckala and Kenna Miles.

Gary Palmer and Hunter Adamson will be the emcees of the event.

The event is sponsored by the Rotary Club.

Members of the DWOS Committee are Betty Boyko, Janet Braun, Kathy Dancer, Rhonda Dunn, Lynnette Emmerson, Lindsay Madison, Shirley Palmer and Melissa Wise.

Government, Kansas

2019-2020 Kansas Transportation Maps Available

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Map cover photo: Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park near Scott City.

Whether you want to find the closest airport, discover new places of interest or travel along a Scenic Byway, the new 2019-2020 Kansas Official State Transportation Map has it all.

 

The map, published by the Kansas Department of Transportation, highlights numerous tourist and scenic locations, including state parks and lakes, as well as the recreation areas across the state.

 

City/county indexes and a distance map allow motorists to pick the best route to their destination. Visitor resources, helpful phone numbers/websites and locations of museums and hospitals are also provided.

 

On the back of the map are inset maps of Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka and 13 other cities. There is also road condition information and details on how to get roadside assistance.

 

Maps will be available at various travel information centers, attractions and other locations across the state. They can also be requested on the KDOT website at http://www.ksdot.org/maps.asp.

Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott Community College

Kirk Sharp: New Gordon Parks Museum Director

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Kirk Sharp was recently selected to be the new Gordon Parks Museum Executive Director. He is pictured just outside the museum against a wall depicting some life moments of Gordon Parks. The museum is located in the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College.

Kirk Sharp started his duties as the new Gordon Parks Museum Executive Director on Jan. 7.

But Sharp is no stranger to the museum. He has been serving behind the scenes since 2004.

“I always had an interest and encouraged the activities and helped with activities and special events when I could,” Sharp said. He also served on the Gordon Parks Museum Foundation Board for four years.

Sharp is a 1985 graduate of Fort Scott High School, and has worked at FSCC before.

“I worked here in FSCC admissions from 2007 to 2010,” Sharp said. “Then Mercy Hospital where I managed Health For Life, occupational and sports medicine until the hospital closed (In 2018).”

“I feel blessed for this exciting opportunity to be with the Gordon Parks Museum and also being back with FSCC,” Sharp said.

“Kirk was the best choice,” said Kassie Feugate-Cate, FSCC’s Director of Strategic Communication. “He is a great asset to the program. We are grateful  and look forward to seeing what he can do with the museum, moving forward.”

The mission of the Gordon Parks Museum is to honor the life and work of Gordon Parks, internationally-known photographer, filmmaker, writer, and musician; and to use his remarkable life story to teach about artistic creativity, cultural awareness, and the role of diversity in our lives.

Gordon Parks Museum on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.

“I want to continue the mission of the Gordon Parks Museum towards cultural diversity, through special events and programs, not just here in the community, but nationwide,” Sharp said. “Trying to look to the future by becoming more interactive, maybe kiosks or tablets for our digital generation.”

February is designated Black History Month and there will be several learning experiences offered at the museum.

On Feb. 15, there will be a presentation of “Slave to Soldier” during a “Lunch and Learn” at the museum, from 11 a.m. to noon. The public is invited to bring a lunch and hear the history lesson.

This is a Buffalo Soldier history presentation, featuring the Alexander/Madison Chapter-Greater Kansas City/Leavenworth Area, 9th and 10th Cavalry Association. These many generations of negro soldiers served their county from 1866 to 1944 in the military.

“We are also going to show a Kevin Willmott film, “The Jayhawkers” in the month of February. Kansas University Professor Willmott is a past recipient of  a Gordon Parks Award and this year is in the running for an Oscar for his film “BlacKkKlansMan.”

History of the museum:

“After Gordon Parks attended the first ever Gordon Parks Celebration in 2004, he gifted the Gordon Parks Center with 30 of his photographs. This spectacular group includes many of his iconic works such as American Gothic, Tuskegee Airmen, Flavio, Ali Sweating, Ingrid Bergman on Stromboli and many others,” according  to the Visit Fort Scott website: https://visitfortscott.com/see-and-do/gordon-parks-museum/

Kirk Sharp stands in front of a giant photo of Gordon Parks in the museum.

 

“In 2006, after his death, his personal effects and other memorabilia, per Gordon’s wishes, were given to the Museum. This valuable collection included many of his awards and medals, personal photos, paintings and drawings of Gordon, plaques, certificates, diplomas and honorary doctorates, selected books and articles, clothing, record player, tennis racquet, magazine articles, his collection of Life magazines and much more,” according to the  Vist Fort Scott website.

The museum is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information see The Gordon Parks Museum Facebook page.

Sharp is married to Sis Sharp and has two children, Jolee, 26 and Trey, 24.

Ascension Via Christi, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Health Care, Mercy Hospital

Fort Scott Emergency Room Gap In Service: Area ER’s Will Be Utilized

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Mercy Hospital Fort Scott signed an agreement with Ascension Via Christi to provide equipment and furnishings for emergency room services.

Mercy Hospital’s President Reta Baker signed an agreement with Ascension Via Christi on Jan. 27 to provide emergency room services at the hospital that ends for Mercy today, Jan. 31.

“It is an agreement that Mercy will provide lease space and provide the necessary equipment and furnishings to provide the services of an emergency room,” Baker said.

The Mercy Emergency Room waiting area, January 2019.

One issue: there is a gap between the Mercy closing date and when Via Christi will get regulatory approval to provide emergency room services.

“Before Via Christi can operate ER services in this setting and building, they have to have a license from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment,” Baker said. “It takes time. It has steps…I think all the parties engaged will work as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

She is estimating a few weeks, but it could be more, she said.

Baker said the ambulance service will take patients to area emergency rooms in the meantime.

“If they call 911, they will take the patient to the closest appropriate ER,” Baker said. “Or if a person wants to take themselves, they could choose which ER they can go to. Pittsburg, Girard, Nevada, Iola, Olathe, Overland Park…all the ER’s are aware of the need.”

The Mercy ambulance service continues under Mercy operation until April 1, then Bourbon County will become the owners, she said.

Reta Baker. Courtesy photo.

Baker also addressed the following questions:

What about the hospital pharmacy?

“The pharmacy will continue to operate under Mercy until April 1, then operate under the Community Health Center.”

Mammography?

“Mammography is under CHC.”

Radiology?

“Radiology will be available under Via Christi.”

The administration wing of the hospital will be a Mercy hub work-site, Baker said. “There will be 15 employees working out of the building. (They will have)An assortment of responsibilities to support the business functions of Mercy Regional .”

The patient room wing of the hospital has been partitioned off to prevent the public from entering the area, she said.

Even though it is a sad time, it is an exciting one, she said.

“It’s an exciting new opportunity,” Baker said. “And a new model of care for the community.

 

Fort Scott

Gas Service Is Working to Restore Service at Burke and Osbun

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Kansas Gas Service is working to restore natural gas service to customers impacted by a natural gas outage in the 900 block of Burke and Osbun in Fort Scott.

The outage is a result of a third-party damage that caused water to enter a natural gas main in the area, causing freezing conditions around regulators.

“The third-party contractor was not doing work on our behalf,” said Dawn Tripp, Kansas Gas Service Manager of Public Relations.

Reports of outages began on Wednesday, January 30, and services are being restored.

Technicians are on site monitoring and working. Customers should call 888-482-4950 if they are experiencing issues with their natural gas service.

“We’re working as safely and quickly as possible,” Tripp said.

As a reminder, if any customer suspects a natural gas leak, they should leave the area immediately, then call 911 and the Kansas Gas Service emergency line at 888-482-4950.

 
Government, Kansas

Senator Hilderbrand’s Weekly Newsletter

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State senator Richard Hilderbrand 13th district

communications from the state capitol

January 25, 2019∙ Week Two

HARD FACTS:

  • Aviation in Kansas has a $20.6 billion economic impact and is responsible for 91,300 jobs (Topeka Capital-Journal).
  • Governor Kelly’s plan to re-amortize KPERS would free up $160 million for spending now, but would cost taxpayers more than $7 billion over the next 30 years (Topeka Capital-Journal).
  • According to the Kansas Department of Labor, Kansas’ December unemployment rate was 3.3% compared to the 3.9% national rate (Department of Labor).

Kansas Day – January 29               

On January 29, 1861, Kansas became the 34th state.  Explore the state’s early history with the Kansas History database from the State Library, which covers the Territorial period through the Civil War.  Find a wide variety of personal narratives, letters, maps, speeches, and photos. Use Browse to scroll through the topics, Search, or click on one of five broad categories for an overview of the early Kansas years.  Educators: each of the five categories includes an essay with corresponding primary source documents.

https://kslib.info/kshistory

If the page above asks for a Kansas Library eCard number, you may get one at any library in Kansas.  Most people will be automatically recognized as being in Kansas and will not need this step.   Questions: [email protected] or 785-296-3296.

$115 MILLION KPERS TRANSFER

On Tuesday, the Senate Ways & Means Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 9, which would transfer $115 million from the state general fund (SGF) to the Kansas public employee retirement system (KPERS). One hundred percent of the payment would be applied to the public-school group, a group that carries the largest unfunded liability. Ways & Means heard from Executive Director of KPERS, Alan Conroy, who explained to the committee that not making the payment, would cause an increase of $630,000 to the unfunded liability/interest expense monthly. Making the payment would result in meeting the actuarial required payment for the first time in 25 years.

In 2018, the Legislature opted to postpone the payment, to see what future revenues produced. Kansas revenues ended FY18 with $317 million more than expected. This left the approved ending balance at $905 million. I am proud to be one of eighteen Republican senators who have signed on to sponsor SB 9.

KANSAS MARCH FOR LIFE

Despite the freezing rain, hundreds of people gathered at the Statehouse Tuesday to participate in the annual Kansas March for Life. Many gathered due to the anticipated ruling by the Kansas Supreme Court that would say the constitution provides a right to an abortion.

Following the march there was a rally on the first floor of the Statehouse that was attended by marchers, activists, and pro-life legislators. Senate President Susan Wagle (R-Wichita) spoke at Tuesday’s rally. “We have a strong pro-life majority in both the House and the Senate,” Wagle said. “We do have an activist Supreme Court. They are highly likely to come down with a decision that is anti-life.”

Tuesday’s march and rally took place on the 46th anniversary of the Roe V. Wade decision.

NEXT WEEK

Monday –

  • Update on: Transportation Task Force – [Senate Ways sand Means Committee; January 28 at 10:30 am]
  • Presentation on: Education by the Numbers, Kansas Board of Regents, Kansas Technical Colleges, Kansas Independent College Association, Kansas Association of Community College Trustees – [Senate Education Committee; January 28 at 1:30 pm]

Tuesday –

  • Presentation on: “The Kansas Outlook” by Jeremy Hill, Director, Center for Economic Development and Business Research, Wichita State University – [Senate Commerce Committee; January 29 at 8:30 am]
  • Hearing on: SB 17 – Requiring class M driver’s license when operating a motorcycle registered under a temporary permit – [Senate Transportation Committee; January 29 at 8:30 am]
  • Briefing on: 2018 Elections by the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office – [Senate Ethics, Elections, and Local Government Committee; January 29 at 9:30 am]
  • Hearing on: SB 22 – Kansas itemized deductions, election, providing for deferred foreign income, global intangible low-taxed income, business interest, capital contributions and FDIC premiums income tax modifications.

Wednesday –

  • Hearing on: SB 29 – Providing for fully-insured association health plans – [Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee; January 30 at 9:30 am]
  • Hearing on: SB 19 – Authorizing certain entities to access a criminal defendant’s presentence investigation report – [Senate Judiciary Committee; January 30 at 10:30 am]

Thursday –

  • Hearing on: SB 26 – Income tax credit for certain purchases of goods and services by a taxpayer from qualified vendors that provide employment to individuals who are blind or disabled – [Senate Commerce Committee; January 30 at 8:30 am]

Thank You for Engaging

Thank you for all your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. Constituent correspondence helps inform my decision-making process and is taken into great consideration when I cast my vote in the Kansas Senate. I hope you’ll continue to engage with me on the issues that matter most to you, your family, and our community. If you are on Twitter or Facebook, I encourage you to follow along with the #ksleg hashtag for real-time updates on legislative happenings in Topeka.

Please know that I am fully committed to addressing the current issues in our state, and I am proud to be your voice in the Kansas Senate.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas

Mercy Transitions to Community Health Center This Friday, Feb. 1

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The new Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas sign is scheduled to be installed on Friday, Feb. 1, 2109, the day the health care in Fort Scott transitions from Mercy Hospital to CHC/SEK, according to Krista Postai,  CHS/SEK President and  Chief Executive Officer.

“The hours of operation will remain the same with the exception the main clinic will now be open until 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday – which is an hour longer than before – Friday it will close at 5 p.m. as in the past,” Postai said.

CHC/SEK is only using the (hospital) clinic space, she said.

“For the most part, everyone is in the space they used previously….doctors all kept the same offices,” Postai said.

The Fort Scott CHC/SEK health care providers are Dr. Burke, Dr. Seals, APRN Amanda Stice, Dr. Self, APRN Kristine O’Dell, APRN Pam Moyers, Dr. Gugnani and APRN Mary Beth Newkirk.  O’Dell is working in Convenient Care; the others are at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd., at the main clinic in Fort Scott. Not pictured are APRN Bobbi Jo Thornton and APRN Emily Bolinger who will be working at Convenient Care. Submitted photo.

” At some point, we will do an open house and invite the community in,” she said. “But at this point, our priority is to get everyone transitioned over as smoothly as possible. That includes everyone learning a new medical record (system) and getting almost 10,000 records entered into that new medical record (system) which is a mammoth task.”

Each of 17 CHC/SEK clinics has a practice manager to provide daily support and oversight of operations, Postai said.

Amy Budy is the Fort Scott CHC/SEK Practice Manager.

“There may be support staff that works for administration (e.g. medical records) who will office in Ft. Scott, or work from home, because they live there and it saves travel,” she said.

“Leadership will be there often, as needed, but we’re confident that this clinic will run as smoothly as our others with the support of our practice manager,” Postai said.

“All of CHC/SEK Leadership is composed of only six people…who have spent hundreds of hours in Fort Scott – along with at least 30 of our great staff – putting the pieces together to make this (transition) work,” she said. “We expect to put in hundreds of  hours more before everything is completely settled and functional.”

The administration is comprised of  Postai, Senior Vice President Jason Wesco, Chief Financial Officer Douglas Stuckey, Chief Clinical Officer Linda Bean, Vice President/Human Resources Megan Fry and General Counsel Daniel Creitz who work out of the  CHS/SEK System Office at 3015 N. Michigan, according to a prior fortscott.biz interview.

Other management staff includes a Director of School Health, Director of Operations, Pharmacy Director, Dental Director, Director of Behavioral Health, IT Director, Billing Director, and others who provide support for all of clinics and staff, according to the prior interview.

They are located at various sites throughout the area and travel from clinic to clinic to oversee programs.

 

To view the original announcement:

Community Health Center of SEK New Owner of Mercy’s Clinic

To learn more:

Mercy Health Foundation Donates $300,000 To Community Health Center

Update On Health Care In Fort Scott By Krista Postai