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Kansas

Kansas’ Own Little Jerusalem Badlands Park

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America’s State Parks Directors Honor The Nature Conservancy of Kansas

 

TOPEKA – The National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD) recently honored The Nature Conservancy of Kansas (TNC) with its 2018 President’s Award.

 

In 2016, TNC bought a 330-acre tract of land in Logan County that encompasses 250 acres of Niobrara chalk formations. The property adjoins the Smoky Valley Ranch which is owned by TNC.

 

In 2018, the Kansas Legislature formally designated the chalk formations as Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park. The park is projected to be opened by summer 2019.

 

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) and TNC are collaborating to design access to the park and build trails to protect the fragile formations and unique ecology of the area.

 

The Niobrara chalk formation is a layer of rock deposited about 85 million years ago. It is composed of a chalk-like sediment that settled at the bottom of an inland ocean called the Western Interior Seaway which covered most of central North America roughly 140 to 70 million years ago. The rock was exposed and eroded over time, creating the tall pillars and rugged canyons that characterize the Little Jerusalem badlands.

 

In addition to breathtaking views, Little Jerusalem is also home to wildlife – from bats and ferruginous hawks to snakes, toads and lizards – and plants found nowhere else in the world.

 

“Without the help of the Conservancy staff, Kansas would not have this beautiful landscape as a part of its state park system,” said Linda Lanterman, NASPD president and Kansas state parks director. “TNC and KDWPT are committed to making this property accessible to visitors, while ensuring that the fragile terrain is protected.”

 

Prominent members of The Nature Conservancy of Kansas who have worked especially diligently to protect and make the Little Jerusalem badlands accessible include Rob Manes, Kris Knight and Matt Bain.

 

Kansas

Life Expectancy Estimates Available by Neighborhood in Kansas

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Census Tract-Level Data can help leaders, advocates, residents create healthier communities

 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s (KDHE) Office of Vital Statistics, Bureau of Epidemiology and Public Health Informatics, has partnered with the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) to produce life expectancy estimates in each census tract in the United States. Six years of data was used, through 2015, for the calculations of this indicator. Kansas-specific geographic health statistics.

 

“These census tract-level life expectancy estimates—based on state death records and population estimates from the U.S. Bureau of the Census—have previously been unavailable nationwide,” said Lou Saadi, Ph.D., State Registrar and Director of the KDHE Bureau of Epidemiology and Public Health Informatics. “Access to estimates like these helps public health experts quantify how people living just a few miles apart can have vastly different opportunities for a long life. With this kind of information, community leaders can examine the factors that may be influencing differences in longevity—such as access to health care, safe and affordable housing, educational opportunities and other factors that impact the health of community members—and target solutions more effectively.”

 

In Kansas, the dataset includes “life expectancy at birth” estimates for 723 Kansas Census Tracts. Life expectancy at birth ranges from 62.5 years in Census Tract 041800 (in Wyandotte County) to 89.7 years in Census Tract 962600 (in Gray County).

 

Although county-, city-, and ZIP code-level data have provided similar information, they often don’t tell the full story as neighborhoods right next to each other—located within the same ZIP code, city or county—can provide drastically different opportunities for health and well-being. Census tract-level data offer information on a much smaller and targeted group of people making it easier to create a more complete picture of health at a local level. Census tracts cover an average of 4,000 people who typically have similar characteristics, such as social and economic status. Data available at this very granular level can help to more effectively target efforts to remove the barriers standing in the way of health and opportunity.

 

Hospitals, for example, can use the data to help create community health assessment plans that will identify areas most in need. Community development financial institutions can use these data to help decide which neighborhoods most need their investment dollars to fund health clinics, schools and other projects. Community members can use the data to guide conversations about what is causing life expectancy disparities in their neighborhood and what changes they want to address those challenges, such as better public transportation, access to healthy food or job training opportunities.

 

For more information on the United States Small-Area Life Expectancy Project (USALEEP) and to access life expectancy estimates for your neighborhood, please visit www.naphsis.org/usaleep and http://kic.kdheks.gov/LifeExptncy.html#top.The County Health Rankings’ What Works for Health is a searchable tool that provides evidence-informed policies, programs, systems and environmental changes that can make a difference locally. CDC’s Division of Community Health website also provides examples of communities taking action to improve the health of their residents.

Obituary

Obituary of Danny Ernest Hall

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Daniel Ernest Hall, age 45 of Fort Scott, Kansas passed away on Saturday, September 8, 2018, at Mercy Hospital, following a battle with cancer.

 Danny was born in Fort Scott on April 29, 1973, to Ernest Hall and Patricia Goltra Hall. He married Amanda Cowen on November 30, 2002, at Community Christian Church in Fort Scott.  

He graduated from Bolivar High School in 1991 then received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and education from Pittsburg State University.  He began teaching biology and coaching in Bolivar in 1995. He then taught and coached 4 years in Frontenac High School.  Danny thoroughly enjoyed coaching football.

 Leaving education, he pursued his first dream in the medical field.  Danny began as an EMT for the Linn County Ambulance Service.  Danny received his paramedic licensure from Johnson County Community College. In 2015, He was awarded the White Stars of Life from the American Ambulance Association in Washington D.C. for ambulance professionals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in service to their community. Danny most recently served as the EMS manager for Mercy Hospital of Fort Scott.

 Danny was an active member of Community Christian Church where he attended for 16 years.

 His hobbies were deer and turkey hunting, carpentry, golfing, target shooting, archery, KU basketball, and watching the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs.

Danny enjoyed spending time with family and friends during special holidays and events. Christmas was Danny’s favorite holiday. 

Surviving are his wife, Amanda, and two sons, Cole and Caleb, five sisters Denise Patton (John) of Osage Beach, Missouri; Christie Hilton (John) of Manassas, Virginia; Stephanie Myers (Jake) of Morrisville, Missouri; Laura Hall of Bolivar, Missouri; Erin Hall of Springfield, Missouri.

Preceding him in death were his mother, Patricia Goltra Hall, and his father, Ernest (Ernie) Hall, grandparents Robert J. Goltra Sr., Ernest Bernard and Eileen J. Hall.

Rev. Dusty Drake and Rev. Mike Armstrong will conduct funeral services at 10:00 AM Thursday, September 13th, at the Community Christian Church, 1919 S. Horton, Fort Scott

. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Scott.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM Wednesday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Cole and Caleb Scholarship Fund and may be left in the 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.

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening in Fort Scott?

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Submitted by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

7-8
 Livestock Sale – Fort Scott Livestock Market, 2131 Maple Rd., 10am-5pm
7-8
50-min. narrated Trolley Tours of Historic Fort Scott on the hour from 11am-4pm leaving from the Convention & Visitors Bureau at 231 E. Wall St., $6 adults, $4 children 12 and under, last tour leaves at 3pm.
7
Employees of Walmart are hosting a Pulled Pork Sandwich Dinner at Buck Run Community Center to benefit Children’s Miracle Network, goes until 8pm!
7
Friday Night Concert in the Park featuring the Takin’ Notes Band – Heritage Pavilion, 1st & Main St., downtown, 7-8pm, rain location is Common Ground Coffee Co.
8
 KS Rocks Recreation Park Adopt-A-Trail work day. AAT groups take a day to show pride in their park and help with some trail maintenance.
8
Farmers’ Market – Skubitz Plaza, downtown, 8am-12pm
 8
Equipment Consignment Auction at 10am. There will be a preview day September 7th from 10am-5pm. Independence Auction Co. is accepting consignments as in tractors, combines, hay equipment, planters, seeders, trailers, backhoes, and loaders. For more information, you may visit iauctionco.com or call 417-313-0221
8
Downtown Ladies’ Night, Papa Don’s Pizza is pairing up with The Boiler Room to experience a local evening out with your bestie! Meet at Papa Don’s in the Celebration Room no later than 5 pm and then YOU get to create your own pizza. As the pies are cooking walk over to BRB and enjoy one glass of wine, beer, or a soda pop. Dinner will be served at 6 pm and cost is $10.00.  Call Papa Don’s at 620-223-4171 with questions or more info.
10
USD 234 Board of Education Meeting – Board of Education, 424 S. Main St, 5:30-6:30pm
11 Story Time – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National Ave., 10-11am
11 Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 2108 Horton St., 12-1pm
11
T.O.P Meeting – Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Ave., 4-5pm
11
Farmers’ Market – Skubitz Plaza in downtown Fort Scott, 4-6pm
11 Historic Preservation Association of Bourbon County Meeting – Old Congregational Church, 7-8pm
11 Breakfast Bingo at Buck Run Community Center – 735 Scott Ave., 9-10am
12 Story Time – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National Ave., 10-11am
12 Rotary Meeting – Presbyterian Church, 308 S. Crawford St., 12-1pm
12
Understanding and Responding to Challenging Behaviors – Remote Learning Series on the education of Alzheimer’s, Mercy Hospital, 402 Woodland Hills Blvd., 12:30-1:30
12 Adult Coloring Program – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National Ave., 2-4pm
12 TAG – Teen Advisory Group – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National Ave., 4-5pm
13 Chamber Coffee – City of Fort Scott Municipal Airport, 932 187th Terrace, 8am
13
Kiwanis Pioneer Club – FSCC Heritage Room, 12-1pm
13
Thursday Card Players – Buck Run Community Center, 6-9pm
Fort Scott National
Historic
Site
PROUDLY SHOW YOUR PATRIOTISM: FLY THE FLAG EFFORTLESSLY! The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site Inc. announce a new project to benefit programming at Fort Scott National Historic Site that also honors our country and beautifies our city. The Friend’s U.S. Flag Project provides homeowners and businesses, within the city limits of Fort Scott, the opportunity to fly the Stars and Stripes on five different flag holidays without the hassle of purchasing, erecting, and storing a flag and pole. You don’t even have to remember the holiday!
For $35 annually, the Friends will install a 3’x5′ flag on a 10 foot staff at your home or business on each of the following Flag Holidays in 2019:
Memorial Day, May 27th
Flag Day, June 14th
Fourth of July, July 4th
Labor Day, September 2nd
Veteran’s Day, November 11th
Sign up by October 1, 2019 and you will also get Veteran’s Day 2018 included in the offer–SIX DAYS for the price of FIVE!!! Agreements can be obtained at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce or can be downloaded from the Friends website. Contact Kelley Collins at 417-684-2484 or Martha Scott at 620-224-9924 for further information. All proceeds support programs at Fort Scott National Historic Site. These include: Symbols of Sacrifice, a Citizenship Ceremony, Candlelight Tour, Youth Engagement, and many others.
Show your patriotism and help our local National Park by lining the streets of Fort Scott with our nation’s symbol! The U.S. Flag Project is a yearly project sponsored by the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site. Once signed up, you will receive the option to renew annually.
14-15
Livestock Sale – Fort Scott Livestock Market, 2131 Maple Rd., 10am-5pm
14-15
50-min. narrated Trolley Tours of Historic Fort Scott on the hour from 11am-4pm leaving from the Convention & Visitors Bureau at 231 E. Wall St., $6 adults, $4 children 12 and under, last tour leaves at 3pm.
14
Art Walk hosted by the Bourbon Co. Arts Council – Liberty Theatre Patio, 113 S. Main St., 5-8pm
If you are interested in being a vendor contact Debbie Anderson at [email protected] or call 620-224-8650
14
Friday Night Concert in the Park – Heritage Park Pavilion, 1st & Main St., downtown Fort Scott, 7-8pm
Bring your lawn chair and enjoy this free live event!
15 Farmers’ Market – Skubitz Plaza, downtown, 8am-12pm
15 Special Olympics Fundraiser Scramble – Woodlands Hills Golf Course, 8am registration, 9am shotgun start
15 Art in the Yard hosted by Bobbi Kemna – 1366 215th St. just north of Fort Scott, 10am

Will feature all forms of Art (no crafts) – Paintings, Pottery, Jewelry, Art, Fabric Art; Live music by Matt Harper of Nevada, MO; BBQ from KC; FSHS Thespians selling beverages; dessert table; and kettle corn
16 Fairy Garden Workshop at Redbud Farms and Nurseries – Use your imagination to create a whimsical, miniature garden for your fairy friends! Container, soil, plants, top dressing, and materials to construct fairly furniture will be provided, along with face-painting and a snack! Boys and girls, along with adults are sure to enjoy this magical afternoon! Pre-registration is required at 620-215-1811 or [email protected]. This is a $25 fee.
17 Chamber Board Meeting – Papa Don’s, 12-1pm
17 FSCC Board of Trustees Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 5:30-6:30pm
17 Book Club – The book: A River in Darkness: One Man’s Escape from North Korea by Masaji Ishikawa and Risa Kobayashi, 7-8pm
18
Story Time – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National Ave., 10-11am
18 Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 2108 Horton St., 12-1pm
18 Community Bingo at Country Place Senior Living located at 820 S. Horton St., 2-4pm
18
T.O.P Meeting – Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Ave., 4-5pm
18
Farmers’ Market – Skubitz Plaza in downtown Fort Scott, 4-6pm
18 City Commission Meeting – City Hall, 6-7pm
19 Rotary Meeting – Presbyterian Church, 308 S. Crawford St., 12-1pm
19 Adult Coloring Program – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National Ave., 2-4pm
19 TAG – Teen Advisory Group – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National Ave., 4-5pm
20
Chamber Coffee – American Legion, downstairs of Memorial Hall, enter from National Ave, 8am
20 Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 2108 Horton St., 12-1pm
20
Thursday Card Players – Buck Run Community Center, 6-9pm
Save the Date:
September 21 – Welcome Seniority Club of Seymour Bank to Fort Scott for a Daytrip
September 22 – Paizlee Crumby Motorcycle Ride Benefit & More
September 24 – Get your flu shot at Buck Run Community Center
September 29th – Dough Hazelbaker Memorial Breakaway
Click here for full events listing on our website.
Fort Scott Community College

Board of Nursing Public Forum Will Be at FSCC Sept. 25-27

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The Kansas State Board of Nursing (KSBN) will be visiting Fort Scott Community College (FSCC) on September 25th through the 27th to evaluate the FSCC Nursing program.

On September 26th, there will be a public forum open to the community from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at the Burke Street Campus, Room 101. All are welcome to attend for questions and comments.

For more information about the forum, please contact Jordan Howard at 620.768.2908 or email at [email protected].

Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee at Milken Center Sept. 6

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WEEKLY CHAMBER COFFEE REMINDER
Join us for the weekly Chamber Coffee!

coffee_table.jpg

Hosted by:

 
 Location: 1 S. Main St.
 
Thursday, September 6th, 8am


Click  here for Lowell Milken Center’s website.
Click here for Lowell Milken Center Facebook’s page.
Chamber members and guests are encouraged to attend for networking, community announcements, and to learn about the hosting business or organization.
Members may pay $1 to make an announcement about an upcoming event, special/sale/discount, or news of any kind.
Upcoming Coffees:
September 13th – Fort Scott Municipal Airport
September 20th – American Legion
September 27th – Fort Scott Family Dental