Melvin Earl Endicott, a resident of Fort Scott, KS, died Friday, June 22, 2018, in Joplin, MO, at Mercy Hospital.
He was born June 20, 1929, the son of Earl Leonard Endicott and Melva Mae (Koppa) Endicott near Savonburg, KS. He graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1947, from Fort Scott Junior College in 1948, and from Kansas State University in 1955, as a civil engineer.
He married Betty (Beadell) Endicott September 17, 1950. Melvin served in the U.S. Army, the U.S. Army National Guard, the U.S. Air National Guard and the U.S. Air Force from which he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He worked as a civil engineer for the Missouri Highway Department and the Texas Highway Department. He enjoyed flying his Paper Apache, researching genealogy, and collecting classic cars.
Melvin was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Survivors include his wife Betty Endicott, his children Gary Endicott and wife, Diana, of Bronson KS, and Alicia Dye and husband, Charles, of Claremore OK; grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Also surviving are two sisters.
Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct graveside services at 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 2, in the U. S. National Cemetery.
Military honors will be conducted by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard. Friends and family will meet at the cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott KS. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
11:00-11:20 Justin Meeks- Executive Session privileged in the attorney/client relationship
11:20-11:22 Justin Meeks- Walking trail
11:22-11:27 Justin Meeks- Update on NRP
11:27-11:32 Justin Meeks- Handbook
12:00-1:30 Commissioners gone to Lunch
1:30-1:45 SEKMH 2019 Budget
2:00-2:30 State Health Plan- Conference call
2:45-3:00 Mary Pemberton- KORA 224-9654
3:00-3:15 Will Wallis- 2019 Emergency Management Budget
Justifications for Executive Session:
Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel
Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships
Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property
Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system
The pharmacy at Mercy Fort Scott will close at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 27 for inventory. Regular hours will resume at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 28.
“We want to make all our patients aware of the temporary change in hours on June 27 so they can plan ahead and not have any interruption in their medication,” said Jennifer Dunshee, RPh. “We thank our patients in advance for their cooperation during our annual inventory process.”
Shorty before the end of every fiscal year, the pharmacy staff takes inventory of drug and supplies.
Mercy’s fiscal year ends June 30.
Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2017 by Truven, an IBM Watson Health company, serves millions annually. Mercy includes 44 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, more than 700 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 40,000 co-workers and more than 2,000 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Mercy also has outreach ministries in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.
Judith Ann Rodgers, age 74, a resident of Louisburg, KS, died Wednesday, June 20, 2018, at the Olathe Medical Center.
She was born June 14, 1944, in Ft. Scott, KS, the daughter of Julian and Leona Callahan Cochran. She graduated from Ft. Scott high school and Pittsburg State University with a teaching degree.
She moved to California and taught school for one year. There she met her husband to be and married Richard Rodgers on January 28, 1967. They moved back to Ft. Scott while Judy taught school in Pleasanton, KS, for four years. They then moved to Omaha, NE, for ten years. They then returned to Ft. Scott for five years before moving to Louisburg.
She began working for the Western Insurance Company in the bond department. After the change to American States Insurance, she started working in the legal department. This career continued through Safeco, then Liberty Mutual Insurance Companies until her retirement.
Judy was a Campfire Leader during her time in Ft. Scott. She was an avid reader and a wonderful cook, especially holiday sweets.
Survivors include her husband, Richard of the home; a daughter, Katie Schack and husband August, Minnesota; and two cousins, Pat and Tim Henry. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, June 28th, in the U. S. National Cemetery, Ft. Scott.
Memorials are suggested to Alzheimer’s Association and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
1:30- 1:50 Justin Meeks- meeting about old jail/ Data Center
1:50-2:20 Justin Meeks- update on NRP/Meeting times/Resolution
2:30 Employee Handbook
Justifications for Executive Session:
Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel
Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships
Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property
Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system
K-State Extension will offer cooking classes this week for area children 2nd through 5th grade.
During each class, all students will prepare and then consume the different dishes.
Ft. Scott Cooking Classes
Summer Cooking Classes by K-State Research and Extension will begin on June 26 and continue through June 28 at the First United Methodist Church basement, in Fort Scott. The classes will include students that have completed 2nd-5th graders and are full with 24 enrolled students. The classes will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 11:30 a.m.
Bronson Cooking Classes
The Bronson cooking classes will begin on June 26 and continue through June 28 at the Bronson Community Center. Classes will be from 2-4: 30 p.m.
Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Agricultural agent assigned to Southwind District.
Nineteen years – that’s how long I have been a K-State Extension agent and it has been a very good career for me! I thoroughly enjoy visiting with people and helping whenever I can.
When I began as an agent, I was amazed by the fact that not everyone knew what the Extension service was. I always heard the phrase “Extension is the best-kept secret” and I thought to myself….I’m going to change that!
Unfortunately, nineteen years later, I still frequently visit with folks that have absolutely no idea of the services the Extension office can provide. So many services in fact, it’s too numerous to list. But one of those that I want to draw your attention to is our horticulture services.
Anyone that has a lawn or landscape can benefit from the local Extension office. The weeds you try to keep from growing in your lawn, or the tree that has holes in the trunk, or the spots on your tomato leaves are all areas the Extension office can help you.
We offer you that one-on-one personal service that you cannot get from Google.
From the Extension office, you can obtain information on trees, turf, flowers, insects, gardens, soils and other related topics specific to Kansas. The key point here is – specific to KANSAS.
It is so easy to just turn to the internet to find information. However, many times the information you find is from another state and it is not relevant to our area. Or worse, it is inaccurate.
The Extension office can assist you with any specific plant or insect problem you may encounter – free of charge. Home visits are also available.
There are never any dumb questions when you call the Extension office. My job is to help the public with whatever question or issue they may have and to try to educate them. I may not always have the answer they are looking for immediately, but 99% of the time I can find an answer. We also have access to K-State specialists and laboratory diagnostic services.
This summer, there are three demonstration gardens in the Southwind District for people to view and take notes of plant performance.
Pepper plants are being trialed at the Elm Creek Community Garden in Iola, tomato plants at the Cherry Street Youth Center and squash at the community garden in Fort Scott. The plots are labeled so feel free to stop by and take a look.
I am most excited about the tomato trials at Cherry Street. This is a great learning opportunity for the youth! They are working under the direction of Denise Hastings who is an Extension Master Gardener. The youth will record data and make careful observations of the varieties. At the end of the season, results will be reported to K-State and combined with other data from other trials across the state. All of this data will be used to help update the list of K-State recommended vegetable cultivars.
During the growing season, I am in the Erie office Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; Iola on Tuesday and Fort Scott on Thursday.
However, you can always reach me by e-mailing [email protected] or call 620-244-3826.
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Carla Nemecek is Southwind District Director and agent.
Please join the Southwind Extension District next Thursday, July 28 as we host an Open House to welcome Woodson County to Southwind Family.
Effective July 1, 2018, Woodson County Extension will join the Southwind Extension District. We will celebrate this important merger with refreshments and fellowship on Thursday, July 28 at a come-and-go reception in the Yates Center Office, 211 W. Butler from 2pm-6pm.
Staff and board members will be present at the Extension Office to answer your questions about the District and explain what K-State Research & Extension can do to better serve the residents of Woodson County.
Currently, the Extension programs in Neosho, Bourbon, Allen and Woodson Counties consists of 4 Office Professionals and 8 Agents with specialized expertise in 4-H & Youth Development, Food & Nutrition, Adult Development & Aging, Financial Management, Horticulture, Community Leadership, Livestock Production, and Forage Management.
For more information, please contact Carla Nemecek, Southwind District Director at 620-365-2242.
State of Kansas Awards Medicaid Contracts to Three Managed Care Companies
Aetna welcomed as new KanCare MCO, Sunflower and United continue service
TOPEKA – Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Secretary Jeff Andersen and State Medicaid Director Jon Hamdorf are pleased to announce the selection of three managed care organizations (MCOs) that will serve the Kansas Medicaid program, known as KanCare. The contracts include one new organization and two current KanCare companies.
The companies include:
Sunflower State Health Plan, Inc.
United Healthcare, Midwest Inc.
Aetna Better Health of Kansas, Inc.
The MCOs were selected from a pool of six candidates, which submitted bids during a Request for Proposal (RFP) process that concluded yesterday, June 21, when the winning bidders signed their contracts with the State of Kansas, through the Kansas Department of Administration.
“We appreciate the tremendous feedback we have received every step of the way as the contract language was developed,” Secretary Andersen said. “We took into consideration the concerns we received from KanCare consumers, advocacy groups, legislators and other stakeholders. We strive to provide Kansans with a cost-effective and dependable Medicaid program that serves their needs, and the new contracts will further that objective.”
Some of the key improvements in the new contracts include:
Greater oversight and accountability
Improved response to consumer needs
Enhanced care coordination
Supported employment pilot for persons with disabilities and behavioral health needs
New value-added benefits
Adult dental services will continue.
A multi-step process preceded the 17-member review committee’s evaluation of the six RFP bids. Committee members consisted of KDHE and Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) staff members with experience and knowledge working with the Kansas Medicaid system. The evaluations considered cost and technical capabilities to perform the work outlined. A recommendation was then made to Secretary Andersen, who approved and then forwarded the recommendation to the procurement negotiating committee (PNC) and the Department of Administration for review and approval. Based on that process, the PNC then awarded the contracts.
“KanCare has proven an effective and efficient delivery model for Medicaid in Kansas,” said Governor Jeff Colyer. “We have achieved cost savings, but more importantly, we’ve seen greater preventative care access to improve health outcomes for Kansans.”
Consumers currently enrolled in Amerigroup will have the opportunity to select a new MCO during the open enrollment period, beginning in October. Amerigroup will continue to serve as a KanCare MCO through the duration of the existing contract, which is set to expire on Dec. 31.
“These new KanCare contracts will provide Medicaid waiver consumers with enhanced, comprehensive care and services,” said KDADS Secretary Tim Keck. “We are looking forward to offering them improved care coordination and more work opportunities that will encourage them to grow and thrive while living in their home communities.”
