Keith E. Gibson, age 89, a resident of rural Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Saturday, February 10, 2024, at his home. He was born March 31, 1934, in Mount Ayir, Iowa, the son of George Gibson and Violet Rowena Newman Gibson.
Keith served with the United States Navy from 1952 to 1956. Following his military service, he married Barbara Stuckey on September 29, 1957, at Porterville, California. He had worked for several years in the roofing business. Keith will be remembered as a quiet man who could fix almost anything. He especially enjoyed motorcycles and dune buggies, watching football and reading western novels.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara, of the home; two sons, Randy Gibson and wife Julie, of Alpine, California and Russ Gibson and wife, Jill of Gentry, Arkansas; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Also surviving are three brothers and a sister.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers.
There was cremation and no services are planned at this time.
Memorials are suggested to the charity of the donor’s choice and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg earns High 5 for Mom & Baby recognition
Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg has continued its commitment to infant and maternal health by once again earning High 5 for Mom & Baby recognition from the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, a program developed by the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates in Kansas.
“Our OB team takes pride in caring for their patients and has continued to set the bar high,” says Janelle Wade, director of Inpatient Services, which includes Women’s Health. “I am so proud of their commitment to helping the approximately 600 babies born at our hospital each year get the healthiest possible start in life.”
Ascension Via Christi in Pittsburg first received High 5 recognition in 2018 and has maintained it each year since that time.
High 5 for Mom & Baby provides resources and a framework to help Kansas hospitals implement 10 evidence-based practices proven to support successful breastfeeding, improve maternal and infant health outcomes and reduce racial and ethnic health disparities.
To obtain this recognition, each facility is asked to complete a voluntary and self-reported evaluation and must follow five of its 10 evidence-based practices:
Have a written maternity care and infant feeding policy that addresses all 10 High 5 for Mom & Baby practices supporting breastfeeding
Maintain staff competency in lactation support
Provide all expectant mothers with information and instruction on breastfeeding
Assure immediate and sustained skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby after birth
Provide all families individualized infant feeding counseling
Give no food or drink to newborns other than breastmilk unless medically indicated
Allow mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day
Encourage feeding whenever the baby exhibits feeding cues, regardless of feeding methods
Give no pacifiers or artificial nipples to breastfeeding infants
Provide mothers with information about community resources for breastfeeding support following their discharge from the hospital
These steps are designed to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates in the state of Kansas. Factors that influence how long or if a baby is breastfed include hospital practices, education and encouragement, policies or support in the workplace, and access to community support.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, six out of 10 mothers stopped breastfeeding sooner than they had planned.
“We aim to provide the support that mothers and babies need to be successful through delivery and then breastfeeding, for as long as they desire to do so,” says Miranda Caskey, RN, the certified lactation consultant who led the hospital’s High 5 Mom & Baby efforts. “By empowering them to have better breastfeeding outcomes, we’re uplifting the health of our community.”
That support is critical, particularly during a pandemic, which is why Ascension Via Christi converted its lactation and childbirth education classes to virtual offerings led by a registered nurse and offered them at no cost to parents. Breastfeeding mothers also can schedule in-person follow-up appointments and weight checks with Caskey to help ensure a successful breastfeeding experience.
Earlier this year, Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg also earned designation from Blue Cross Blue Shield as a Blue Distinction Center+ for Maternity Care, showing it demonstrates expertise and a commitment to cost-efficient quality care for vaginal and cesarean section deliveries and have better overall patient satisfaction.
To learn more about Labor and Delivery at Ascension Via Christi, visit viachristibaby.com.
Brenda Sue Hathaway, age 66, a resident of rural Fulton, Kansas, passed away Friday, February 9, 2024, at her home. She was born July 8, 1957, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Frank Leon Moore and Donna Hall Moore.
Brenda married David Hathaway on May 26, 1984, at Mapleton, Kansas. Brenda never knew a stranger and loved meeting new people. She worked in food service for both USD #234 in Ft. Scott as well as Country View Nursing Home in Prescott. Her outgoing personality also led to a career in sales. Brenda worked in the cell phone industry for several years. Her success in this business gave her the opportunity to take numerous trips throughout the United States.
Brenda loved her family and wanted us all to remember, “When you have someone you love in Heaven, you have a little bit of Heaven in your home.”
Survivors include her husband, David, of the home; her children, Kyle Hathaway (Shannon), Rhonda Cole (Ben), Rachel Thompson, and Angela Carpenter (Jeff) all of Ft. Scott; seven grandchildren, Kyler Clampitt, Kaylyn Hathaway, Blaine Hathaway, Laryn Schnichels (Kyle), Hayden Cole (Madison), Nicolette Carpenter and Dalton Carpenter; six great-grandchildren, Cason, Colbi, Jace, Addy, Cohen and Spencer. Also surviving are sisters-in-law, Patty Hathaway of Ft. Scott and Bertha Valdivia of Topeka, Kansas and several nieces and nephews.
Brenda was preceded in death by two sons, Kenny and Clinton Clampitt, her parents, Frank and Donna Moore, two brothers, David and Lonnie Moore, mother-in-law, Helen Hathaway, and brother-in-law, William Hathaway.
There was cremation.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 P.M. Wednesday, February 14th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Private burial will take place at a later date in the Barnesville Cemetery east of Fulton, Kansas.
Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Photos from the Core Community weekly meetings. Submitted.
Submitted by Cherri Cable Walrod – Community Liaison
Core Community is a program that aims to end poverty in Bourbon County, Kansas. Core Community is unique in its approach because it involves those who are currently experiencing poverty to be a part of finding a solution. At heart, it creates a safe place of unconditional love and non-judgment where relationships are formed with the participants, allowing Core to assist them with the tools and resources needed to move up and out of poverty for good. Within the safety of the community, all who come to the table are changed forever.
A community-wide effort occurred to raise funds so Core Community could begin without delay in Bourbon County. The Bourbon County Commissioners realized that Core Community is a good investment for economic growth for Bourbon County. They provided the initial investment of funds in June of 2023. Then the USD #234 School Board and the Fort Scott City Commission also invested financially towards the fundraising efforts. Several area churches, businesses, individuals, advisory board members, and civic groups all worked together, pooling their resources to generate the development funds to launch Core Community in Bourbon County in November 2023 officially.
Several Fort Scott churches have been involved in helping to launch the program, providing meals, volunteers, providing meeting space and financial donations. Bourbon County businesses, community leaders and individuals have also given their time and finances to launch the program.
Core Community volunteers enjoy a card game with teens who attend each week as part of our children’s program. Submitted photo.
Core community launched its first weekly class on Monday, November 13, 2023. Meetings are held every Monday at 5:30 PM at the United Methodist Church, Fort Scott. Each week Core Community provides a family style meal which is provided by local churches, small groups or civic groups.
At 6:15 PM, the adults head to class and the children are cared for in a fun, safe and loving environment run by Angie Trim.
This is Angie Trim the Core Community childcare program director working with one of the children who attends the weekly program. Submitted.
The adult program participants are called “Core Leaders”. They are called Core Leaders because they are the most qualified to lead themselves out of poverty. Core Community Bourbon County currently has fifteen adult individuals participating in this first 20-week commitment class. They represent eleven individual households.
During Phase One, the class participants studied a curriculum book called, “Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin’ By World” by the author, Philip E. DeVol for 20 weeks. Participants become investigators of their lives, and then learn new ways of thinking about their situation and how to change the trajectory of their lives. They begin to shift their mindset about poverty.
There are several ways in which the Core Community model is set apart from other programs that have been tried in Bourbon County. Core Community Bourbon County is a chapter affiliate of Youth Core Ministries. YCM is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit which provides leadership, guidance, and infrastructure for Core. YCM has implemented fifteen successful Core Community programs throughout rural Kansas counties and tracked the statistics for the program.
Y YCM estimates that 72 % of all participants have stabilized their lives. The process can take many years to overcome the grip and mindset of generational poverty. Core Community offers a full spectrum of wrap-around support for participants who are willing to work towards a better future.
Core Community program raises funds from within its county of operation for an annual operating budget. These funds stay in the county and help to cover operational expenses, including three part-time paid staff positions. It is necessary to have paid staff, not just volunteers, to achieve the best possible outcomes with the participants.
Much of the success of Core Community is due to the Community Coach. Janice Lamb is the Community Coach for Bourbon County. Janice is a “life coach” of sorts and has five to ten interactions a week with participants. Interactions range in scope from minor questions about the availability of resources to helping them with more complex issues. Janice has done many one-on-one visits with participants who seek to build personal confidence to overcome trauma so they can be more successful in the workforce. She helped a participant obtain a reliable and affordable vehicle from Bourbon County Cars so she did not miss work when hers was no longer drivable after an accident.
Core Community outperforms similar programs because of the longevity that the participants are in the program. Phase Two is for the graduates of the initial 20-week “Getting Ahead” class, or Phase One. In Phase Two, the participants continue to come to weekly Monday meetings. These participants decide what will help them overcome barriers that may be holding them back from rising above poverty. They know better than anyone else what they need next as they forge their way towards a better life. Phase Two participants are matched with a local middle-class community member, called a Core Friend. Other Core Community Programs throughout Kansas see Phase Two participants stay in the program for two to five years.
Core Community Bourbon County is scheduled to graduate its first class of Core Leaders (program participants) from Phase One in April 2024. These brave participants overcame fear, many obstacles and beat the odds to build a better life for themselves and their families.
“Core community has been nothing but an amazing program to be a part of. I was hesitant at first but was immediately greeted with nothing but kindness and love, it was an instant relief that I knew I was supposed to be there. It has brought my family closer together than we have ever been. Monday nights are our favorite night of the week. We can’t wait to see what changes our family can grow from not just class but building relationships with people we would have never met otherwise. Our family is forever grateful for everyone who helps out.” Brittany, Bourbon County Core Leader.
Another Core Leader in Bourbon County says, “I look forward to Core Community each week. I used to feel so alone and isolated in my life. Now I know that I am not alone. I now have hope and the support I need to help me get ahead.”
Core Community Bourbon County Advisory Board Members include Bill Michaud-Chairman, Jennifer Michaud, David Shepherd, Amy Harper, Carie Fess, Josh Jones, David Goodyear, David Gillen, Destry Brown, Rachel Carpenter, Jodi Davis, Shelby Reichard, Janice Lamb, Cherri Walrod, Angie Trim.
Core Community Volunteers from left to right: Kerry Wunderly, Kenny Wunderly, Mike Trim, David Goodyear Submitted photo.
Cherri Cable Walrod is the Community Liaison for Core Community Bourbon County. If you are interested in learning more, Cherri is available to speak to individuals, groups, churches, civic organizations, etc. Cherri’s contact email is [email protected].
Core Community is about healing lives, solving poverty, and empowering communities for greatness through relationships. You are invited to join the movement to end poverty for all!
TOPEKA – The 2024 Kansas KidWind Challenge kicks off this week with more teams expected to participate than ever before. The annual event has grown from one regional challenge with 14 teams in 2016 to six regional events with an anticipated total of 95 teams from 48 schools competing this year.
The first regional challenge will be held in Hutchinson on Tuesday, February 13 with 11 schools participating. Five more regional events will be held in Manhattan, Burlington, Dodge City, Colby and Overland Park. All events are open to the public. Times and locations are available here.
Student teams work together to design, build and test a wind turbine using the materials of their choice. We’ve seen turbine blades made with everything from soda cans to vinyl records – no two look alike. Each team’s turbine will be put to the test in a 48″ × 48″ wind tunnel at a wind speed of approximately 3.0 meters/second (6.7 miles/hour).
Students compete by age categories: 4th – 8th grade or 9th – 12th grade. Scoring is based on turbine performance, a knowledge quiz, a presentation to judges where the team explains its design process, and an instant challenge. The winning teams at regional events advance to the state finals on April 13 in Salina. State winners are invited to the national competition in Minneapolis, MN. Last year two Kansas teams earned national titles.
“KidWind is a fantastic hands-on opportunity that allows students to tinker and experiment with wind turbine designs. They experience the thrill of scientific discovery as their designs are validated through performance testing, and they hone their public-speaking skills as they present their turbine design to a panel of judges,” explained David Carter, Director of the Kansas Energy Program at K-State Engineering Extension.
Kansas KidWind is an energy-related STEM education event from the Kansas Corporation Commission and K-State Engineering Extension made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.
New screen for X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) added.
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s (KDHE) Kansas Newborn Screening Program (KS-NBS) began screening for X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) at the start of the month. The move aligns with the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel, which is the national guideline for newborn screening.
“We are very excited to be able to add testing for X-ALD to our screening process,” Janet Stanek, KDHE Secretary, said. “This will have a direct and positive impact on the health and future of our youngest Kansans.”
Nearly 35,000 Kansas babies receive the newborn screening shortly after birth each year. With one small blood sample, 33 metabolic and genetic conditions can be detected. Early diagnosis and entry into treatment has demonstrated evidence of better health outcomes for children. Many of the conditions on the screening panel are not detectable at birth or during routine follow-up visits.
According to multiple sources, it is estimated that one out of every 15,000 newborns is diagnosed with X-ALD. X-ALD is a disease that affects the nervous system and the adrenal cortex. If untreated, X-ALD can impact learning and behavior in boys, with onset typically occurring between the ages of 4 and 10.
The KS-NBS strives to protect and improve the health of all newborns in Kansas. Visit kdhe.ks.gov/NewbornScreening to learn more about the program. More information on tests included in newborn screenings can be found at Babys First Test. For specific information on X-ALD, visit ALD Parents Guide.
KDOT’s Cost Share Program applications being accepted
The Kansas Department of Transportation is now accepting applications for the spring 2024 round of the agency’s Cost Share Program. Nearly $140 million has been given to Kansas communities since the Cost Share Program began in 2019.
The Cost Share Program provides financial assistance to local entities for construction projects that improve safety, leverage state funds to increase total transportation investment and help both rural and urban areas of the state improve the transportation system. This is the 10th round of projects to receive funding.
“Cost Share funding benefits communities of all sizes by helping needed transportation projects become reality,” said Michelle Needham, KDOT Economic Development Programs Manager. “This program provides urban and rural areas with numerous ways to improve transportation, generate economic growth and create job opportunities.”
An informational webinar on the program will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 10 a.m. The application process will be discussed, and attendees can ask questions. To register for the webinar, go to: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wrPjPSOcQzSMRF4cRYXtvw.
All transportation projects are eligible, including roadway (on and off the state system), rail, airport, bicycle/pedestrian and public transit. Candidate projects should include investments that provide transportation benefits and are not eligible for other KDOT programs. This round of grant funding has an overall budget of $9 million, with a maximum awarded amount of $1 million per project.
The deadline for applications is March 21. Information and the application link are on KDOT’s website – http://www.ksdot.org/CostShare/CostShareProgram.asp. Applications must be completed online, and a sample PDF application will be available for preview.
Bourbon County Democrats kick off 2024 with their first general meeting on Sunday, February 18th, 2024.
The meeting will be held at Fort Scott Community College in The Ellis Building meeting rooms.
The meeting time is 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
They will welcome a well-known Kansas Legislator to this first meeting: Representative Vic Miller, House Minority Leader. Miller is leaving the House to run for Kansas Senate this year and will be discussing “Cracking the Super Majority,” along with other issues relevant to Bourbon County and the State.
Please join BBcoDems to welcome Representative Miller.
We are also holding a special drawing (which involves customized engraving).
For more information, call or text 620 215 1505. Please add your name to the message.
