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KDOT requesting comment on draft 2025 STIP
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Several Bourbon County Entities Awarded CFSK Grants
CFSEK Awards $170,000 to SEK Nonprofits
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) is excited to announce General Funds grants totaling $170,000 have been awarded to 65 nonprofit organizations across 23 counties in Southeast Kansas.
The areas of Basic Human Needs, Youth Activities, and Arts & Culture are the focus of the CFSEK General Funds competitive grant process. Proposals for projects in these focus areas were accepted during the month of June. Submissions were reviewed, and selections for funding were completed late last month.
“We are continually inspired by the commitment of our nonprofit partners in Southeast Kansas, and we take pride in supporting their impactful work,” said Devin Gorman, CFSEK Executive Director. “These organizations deliver a diverse range of programs, services, and activities that significantly enhance our community. We know these grants will truly benefit Southeast Kansas as a whole.”
Since 2004, competitive granting from funds directly managed by CFSEK have provided over $1.8 million to organizations throughout Southeast Kansas. Competitive granting differs from other granting provided by CFSEK, such as donor-advised grants, designated grants, field of interest grants, and others. Since its inception in 2001, CFSEK has provided over $22 million in total grant funding throughout Southeast Kansas.
The following organizations and projects were awarded funds from the 2024 General Funds grant process:
Arts & Culture – $5,200
- Big Brutus, Inc. – Brutus Fest 2025
- Family Resource Center, Inc. – Children’s Art Gala
- Howard City Library – Culture Experience
- Josiah Fletcher Foundation – Scholarships for Jazz Camp
- Spring River Mental Health and Wellness – Pathfinders
- USD 404 Riverton – Elementary Cafeteria
Basic Human Needs – $71,800
- Care Cupboard Hygiene Pantry – This Is How We Roll
- Catholic Charities, Inc. – Housing and Homeless Services
- Catholic Diocese of Wichita – The Lord’s Diner-Pittsburg – Weekend Nutrition Matters
- CLASS LTD – AED Access for Individuals with IDD
- Coffey Health System – Commitment to Excellence, Baby Approved
- Community Food Pantry Fund – Milk Money
- Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas – Southeast Kansas Diaper Stock
- Cornerstones of Care – Stopping the Spiral
- Crosstimbers Food Pantry Association – Feeding the Need
- DBLO Association – Beds for Children in Need
- Dream Center of the 4 States – Help and Hope
- Families and Children Together, Inc. – Starting with the Basics
- First Baptist Church Riverton – Share with Love Food Pantry
- First United Methodist Church Wesley House – Food for Families
- Fort Scott Community College – Greyhound Pantry Upgrade
- Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries – Family Empowerment and Stability
- Happy Kids Daycare & Preschool, Inc. – Safety First
- Homer Cole Community Center Inc – Ensuring Guest Safety and Keepin’ Up Appearances
- Howard City Library – Drinking Water Availability
- Safehouse Crisis Center, Inc. – Welcome Home
- Humanity House Foundation – Feeding Allen County 2024
- Integrated Behavioral Technologies, Inc. – Individual ABA Start-up Kits for Children in Autism Program
- Labette County Emergency Assistance Center – Emergency Funds for Labette County Families
- McCune Lions Club – Restroom Addition to Pavilion
- Mosaic – Ensuring Safety, Security and Well Being
- Sacred Heart Parish – Enhancing Client Access to Quality Frozen Meat
- SEK-CAP – Safe Homes
- Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging – TC Fund All Counties
- Southwind Extension Education Foundation Inc – Kitchen Restore
- The Beacon Inc. – Maintaining Food Assistance
- The Salvation Army – Pittsburg Home Goods Pantry and Personal Hygiene Items
Youth Activities – $93,000
- Altamont Public Library – Youth Activity Area
- Caney Valley Agape Network, Inc. – Grandfamilies and Youth Support
- Chanute Public Library – Literacy4Littles
- Cherry Street Youth Center, Inc. – Garden Improvements
- City of Galena – City Park Splashpad Shade
- City of Girard – Diving into Summer with New Diving Boards
- City of Mulberry – Mulberry Ball Park Improvements
- Columbus Area Community Foundation – Youth Activities Granting
- Columbus USD 493- Park Elementary – Sensory/Focus Room
- Crawford County Fair Association – Show Arena and Livestock Barn Paint Upgrade
- Curious Minds Discovery Zone, Inc. – Backyard Exhibit Landscaping
- Eden Early Learning Academy – Sensory Play in Safe Spaces
- Families and Children Together Inc. – Here Comes the Sun
- First United Methodist Church Wesley House – The Cozy Kids, Coats for Kids Program
- Fort Scott Area Community Foundation – Youth Activities Granting
- Fostering Connections – Sleep in Safety Program
- Friends of Crawford State Park via Kansas Wildscape Foundation – Outdoor Education at the Lake
- Girard Area Community Foundation – Youth Activities Granting
- Girard FFA Chapter – Sand Blasting
- Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland – Tables for Girl Scout Outdoor Activities
- Howard City Library – Reading Incentive Program
- Learning Tree Institute at Greenbush – Aligning the Stars
- Miners Hall Museum Foundation – MHM/Franklin Community Park Continued Improvements
- Our Lady of Lourdes Parish/St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic Schools – Resurfacing the Track
- Ozark Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America – Hooked On Scouting Recruitment Campaign
- Southeast Kansas Baptist Association – A Threefold Cord-Faith, Friendship and Fun
- Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center – It’s More Than A Snack
- Special Olympics Kansas – Sports Equipment
- Patrick Catholic School – Students Learning Through Technology
- TFI Family Services – Helping SE Kansas Teens in Care Become Adults
- The Foster Closet, Inc. – Family Enrichment Events
- University of Kansas Medical Center Area Health Education Center – Journeys & Destinations – Girard, KS
- Victory Life Church – Back2School Event 24
The CFSEK Board of Trustees and staff congratulate all the 2024 grant recipients!
For additional information related to CFSEK’s competitive granting opportunities, visit www.SoutheastKansas.org or call 620-231-8897.
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition General Membership Meeting Minutes
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Minutes
August 7, 2024
- Welcome: Fifteen members representing eleven agencies attended. Billie Jo will be finalizing pool pass numbers with Kathi Hall and will give a final report in September. We do have a vacancy on the Coalition Board; we could use a volunteer!
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Lea Kay Karleskint, K-State Research: She will have news quite soon on SNAP and the Farmer’s Market – wait patiently. Create Better Health class will be beginning in Fulton at the Community Center September 3 on Tuesdays and Thursdays for six weeks; the flyer will be forwarded to the membership.
- Shelby Moore, Families Together: Shelby coordinates the FAST (Family Advocacy, Support, & Training) program. If parents have concerns about their ability to care for their child’s needs, education, and access to community support, they should contact Shelby at 785-233-4777 or [email protected] .
- Janelle Tate, Early Childhood Block Grant, Greenbush: Janelle is now serving on the board for the Keyhole; she would welcome ideas on how to increase participation and use of the facility.
- Rachel Carpenter, HBCAT: Rachel will be sending a flyer outlining the latest project for HBCAT.
- Amy Sawyer, Small Business Development Center: Her office is located at HBCAT; she will help with questions and processes involved in a small business.
- Cherri Walrod, K-State Extension: Cherri is now the K-State community health worker; she will help families navigate health care and social services.
- Megan Rogers, Safehouse Crisis Center in Pittsburg: She works with shelter groups as the children’s advocate. Safehouse shelters people and helps them get the services they need.
- Lacey Morando, Spark Wheel: Lacy makes connections in the community to ensure children get the proper resources. She will be involved with the Pittsburg, Fort Scott, Uniontown, and Parsons school districts. In USD 234, Spark Wheel has been working at FSHS and FSMS for several years. Lacey works with the site coordinators in each location.
- Teresa Amershek, Safehouse Crisis Center: Teresa is the Director of Child Exchange and Visitation. Due to various factors such as number of visitations, space, etc., visits are limited to one hour at the present time.
- Tammy Alcantor, Crawford County Health Department: Tammy continues to offer classes for Teen Pregnancy and Baby and Me Tobacco Free. She is excited to announce that she will now be able to do prenatal classes in Bourbon County starting August 19 through Zoom!
- April Jackson, SEK Recovery Resources through Thrive Allen County: April’s program is now covering nine counties. Since its inception, 35 men have been served through the Recovery House in Iola. The initial grant will end this month; they now will partner with Drug Endangered Children. The program is focused on anything to prevent substance abuse; the goal is to get resources before they are needed. Congratulations to April who is now a certified community health worker!
- Lora Wilson, CHC: Lora helps with resources and is in charge of the Tobacco Cessation program for CHC.
- Clayton Cook, CHC: Clayton shared that Mount Carmel Hospice provides services in Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Cherokee, Crawford, Labette, Linn, Miami, and Neosho counties. Their team will address the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of both their patients and their families at the end of life by providing care in the patient’s home. For more information, call 620-264-6550.
- Program: Rachel Carpenter and Lisa Robertson shared updates at HBCAT and with the COPE program. Rachel shared that the COPE grant has been extended for one additional year; Lisa will continue in that leadership role. Rachel leads the Local Health Equity Action Team (LHEAT) which has a vision to create lasting solutions to improve the quality of life in Bourbon County. LHEAT has been able to implement a county wide transportation program, offer free laundry services, and assist 137 individuals find safe housing. Lisa provides services by starting wherever the client is to help with health care, housing, transportation, food assistance, insurance, mental health, utility assistance, and anything else that will help that client. COPE now works with 157 partners to provide these services. In the two short years the program has been in existence, they have served over 400 clients!
- Open Forum: Janelle Tate reminded members that the Nazarene Church has a “Celebrate Recovery” program that meets on Mondays from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
- Adjournment: The next General Membership meeting will be September 4, 2024.
Janelle Tate has volunteered to fill the vacant spot on our board and has also secured our September program. The program will be presented by Judy, the board chairman for the Keyhole. Please note: We will hold our September (September only) meeting at the Keyhole. I will send the exact address later but the Keyhole is located at the corner of Main and 10th. Streets – across from the south end of the Fort Scott High School. Plan to be at the Keyhole on September 4.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports August 7
Chamber Coffee Hosted by FSCC John Deere Tech
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Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg President Drew Talbott to retire
Pittsburg, Kan. — August 6, 2024 — After 30 years of exemplary service, Drew Talbott, president of Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg for the past four years, will retire as of August 30, 2024.
Talbott joined Via Christi in 1996 and became the hospital’s interim president in November 2020. His interim title was removed two months later. Before becoming hospital president, he served for 13 years as the hospital’s chief operating officer and for 11 years as its director of Information Systems.
“Drew has spent thirty years serving the hospital in Pittsburg, long before it was a part of the Via Christi system,” said Kevin Strecker, Via Christi’s Market Ministry CEO. “He’s been a dedicated servant leader and I can’t thank him enough for his service.”
Under Talbott’s leadership, Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg has received countless awards for high-quality care, including:
- “A” Hospital Safety Grades from The Leapfrog Group
- Get With The Guidelines, Stroke Gold Plus Award from American Heart Association
- Infant and Maternal Health from the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund
- Gold Environmental Excellence award from Stryker
“I have enjoyed three decades of watching talent develop, families grow, patients heal, and yes, mourn the loss of those whom we’ve loved and who continue to inspire us,” Talbott said in an email to hospital associates. “While there is no such thing as perfect timing to wind down my very special time in Pittsburg, I am replete knowing our hospital has a sustainable future with a tremendous talent pool, and an enthusiastic new sponsor in Mercy Health System.”
Talbott’s final day as president comes one day before Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg transitions to be under the sponsorship of Mercy Health System on September 1, 2024.
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About Via Christi
Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Via Christi is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. In Kansas, Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 134 other sites of care and employs more than 6,400 associates. Via Christi is sponsored by Ascension, a national health system that operates more than 2,600 sites of care – including 139 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states. Ascension includes more than 134,000 associates and 35,000 aligned providers. In FY2023, Ascension provided $2.2 billion in care of persons living in poverty and support for community benefit programs. Visit www.ascension.org.
Learn About Bats At Fort Scott Library August 7
Book Signing Event for Local Author on Sept. 14
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports August 6
FSCC Business Expo Is August 20
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National 811 Day (Aug. 11): Separating Fact from Fiction About Safe Digging Practices
Aug. 5, 2024 – Kansas Gas Service is addressing common myths about the 811 service to raise awareness about the importance of safe digging.
“Contacting 811 is one of the most important things that customers and workers who dig can do,” said Sean Postlethwait, Kansas Gas Service vice president of Operations. “Safety is our top priority, and taking the easy step to contact 811 is the best way to protect yourself and your neighbors.”
Digging into the Facts About 811:
- Is contacting 811 a complicated process?
Fact: One easy phone call to 811 or submitting a locate request online at Kansas811.com will alert owners of registered pipelines, telecommunication cables, underground power lines, etc., to mark their buried facilities. There’s no charge to you for this service.
- Do small digging projects require an 811 notification?
Fact: Every digging project, whether small or large, such as planting a tree, installing a fence or major construction, requires contacting 811 at least two full working days in advance.
- Is there a need to contact 811 if you’ve dug in the same spot before?
Fact: Even if you think you know where underground lines are located, it’s important to contact 811 every dig, every time. There may be unexpected lines or changes since your last project.
- Is it necessary to contact 811 in rural areas where there are no utilities?
Fact: Even in rural areas, there can be buried facilities, and their locations can be surprising. Always contact 811 before digging.
On 811 Day, and every day of the year, Kansas Gas Service encourages you to put safety first when undertaking any digging project — no matter the scale.
Essential tips for safe digging:
- If you hire a contractor, make sure they contact 811 before digging.
- Respect the tolerance zone, which is 24 inches on either side of the underground facility. Within this zone, you should exercise reasonable care using hand or soft digging techniques to avoid any contact or damage to the facility. Soft digging includes any excavation with tools and equipment that uses air or water pressure to break up soil and rock. All damages or disturbances to a utility must be reported to the facility owner or operator and 811.
- Smell Gas, Act Fast!If you smell natural gas while digging or damage a natural gas line, leave the area immediately then call 911, 811 and Kansas Gas Service at 888-482-4950.
For more information about safe digging practices and the importance of 811, visit beadigherokansas.com or scan the QR code below.
About Kansas Gas Service
Kansas Gas Service provides a reliable and affordable energy choice to more than 648,000 customers in Kansas and is the largest natural gas distributor in the state, in terms of customers.
Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas Gas Service is a division of ONE Gas, Inc. (NYSE: OGS), a 100-percent regulated natural gas utility that trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “OGS.” ONE Gas is included in the S&PMidCap400 Index and is one of the largest natural gas utilities in the United States. For more information and the latest news about Kansas Gas Service, visit kansasgasservice.com and follow its social channels: @KansasGas, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.