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Flags Placed at National Cemetery and The Fort May 24: Help Needed
Sumbitted by Carl Jowers, American Legion Commander
If you are able to help with flag placement tomorrow:
The National Cemetery flag placement starts at 8:30 am. I believe they have about 7,000 miniature flags to place.
The Fort NHS flag placement starts at 9 am.I believe they have about 4,000 miniature flags to place.
My understanding is that the flags will be placed unless there is lightning in the area or tornados.
I hope to see you at one of these events tomorrow. Invite family and friends to help in this community event.
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Rains, Flooding Affect Some State Parks
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) reported today that frequent heavy rains are impacting some state parks in eastern Kansas. High water levels at many reservoirs have flooded campgrounds, overtopped roads, closed boat ramps and beaches and dampened visitors’ enthusiasm for any outdoor activities. Most state parks in western Kansas have been largely unaffected.
In eastern Kansas, Elk City State Park is closed, all campgrounds and day-use areas at Fall River State Park are closed and Perry State Park remains open but with very limited services. Most other state parks in eastern Kansas are reporting various degrees of flooding issues.
Typically, Memorial Day marks the beginning of the busy season for Kansas state parks. The four months of the summer season – May through August – account for more than half of annual state park revenues.
“State park staffers are doing their best to accommodate visitors’ needs,” Secretary of KDWPT Brad Loveless said. “At affected parks, staff are happy to work with visitors to change their reservations to a dry campsite if available, arrange for another date in the future, provide a gift card good for a future stay or issue a refund. We remind visitors, for their own safety, to avoid flood waters and never move or drive around barricades”
Visitors can go to kshuntfishcamp.com to check on campsite and cabin availability and make reservations. For information about conditions at individual parks, go to https://ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks/State-Park-Alerts or visit KSOutdoors.com and click on State Parks for other information.
Kansas state parks do not receive any State General Fund monies and are almost entirely fee-funded. Revenues drop significantly when bad weather hits. Once the flood waters recede, the damage they leave behind can take months to repair, further limiting park hours and revenues during the summer months.
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Here are the latest updates for each state park:
El Dorado: 5-23-19 – The park is open. In the Walnut River area, all campgrounds, cabins, shelter, trails and day use areas are open. Campsites and cabins are all reserved for the holiday weekend. The Shady Creek Area has non-utility sites available in several campgrounds. Shady Creek Area 1 boat ramp is the only usable ramp on the lake. Bluestem Point campgrounds 1, 2, 3 and 4 are closed. Utility Campgrounds 5, 6 and 7 have about 50% of their campsites open and usable. All usable sites are reserved for the weekend. Bemis Creek campground has 12 usable utility campsites but they are all reserved. The
archery and firearms ranges are both open.
Glen Elder: 5-22-19 – The park is open. Lake is 3.5 ft. above conservation level, inflow at 1900 cfs. and outflow at 50 cfs. Osage Road is closed, and a few primitive sites are affected. The courtesy dock has been pulled at Kanza boat ramp, and a portion of the parking lot is closed. No other facilities are affected at this time.
Webster: 5-22-19 – The park is open. Lake is 2 ft. above conservation level. Inflow 607 cfs., and outflow is being shut down. Three sites are closed in Rock Point Campground, and those reservations have been transferred to Hill Top. No primitive site or other facilities are affected at this time.
Lovewell: 5-22-19 – The park is open. Lake is 1 ft. above conservation. Inflow at 141 cfs. and outflow 0 cfs. No facilities are affected at this time.
Historic Lake Scott: 5-22-19 – The park is open. Lake is .05 ft. above conservation level. No facilities are affected at this time.
Cedar Bluff: 5-22-19 – The park is open. Lake is 16.33 ft. below conservation level. No facilities are affected at this time.
Prairie Dog (Keith Sebelius Reservior): 5-22-19 – The park is open. Lake is 7.3 ft. below conservation level. No facilities are affected at this time.
Meade: 5-22-19 – The park is open. Lake is at conservation level. No facilities are affected at this time.
Eisenhower (Melvern Reservoir): 5-22-19 – The park is open. The lake is 16.01 ft. above conservation level, and outflow is 20 cfs. minimum. The lake is projected to be 18.8 ft. above conservation level by 5-30-19. Park staff is shutting down all the electrical in Blackjack Campground and Abilene Campground. Almost all primitive sites are underwater, and the beach and beach restroom are closed.
Pomona: 5-22-19 – The park is open. Lake is 23.26 ft above conservation level, and outflow is 15 cfs. minimum. The lake is about 9 ft. from going over the spillway. The lake is projected to 26 ft. above conservation level by 5-31-19. The marina will be moving all the house boats off the water on 5-22-19, and they also shut down all electrical service to the marina area. Big Bear Campground is closed. The Kansas shower building is closed. Staff is closing six sites on the marina side of Kansa Campground as well as all the Kansa primitive sites. The park road to east side of the park is closed; the back gate is open on the county road.
Wilson: 5-23-19 – The park is open. The lake is 4.8 ft. above conservation level. All utility sites are full. Many walk-in primitive sites available, but some will be impacted by rising water. All cabins are full. Goldenrod Campground road is closed. Otto swim beach road is closed. There is plenty of day-use available park-wide. Boating access is available, but courtesy docks are being pulled from the water. All trails are open.
Hillsdale: 5-22-19 – The park is open. The lake is 9.78 ft above conservation level and outflow is 24 cfs. minimum. The beach, beach area and beach house are closed. Closed campgrounds – Scott Creek, Pintail Point, Crappie Cove, Quail Run. Rabbit Ridge Primitive Campground is partly closed. All boats ramps are closed except Jayhawk and Marysville, and Jayhawk ramp is nearing the point where it will have to be closed.
Clinton: 5-22-19 – The park is open – All campsites and cabins are OK. The lake is 13.72 ft above conservation level and outflow is 21 cfs. minimum. All boat ramps are closed. The marina is closed. The beach is closed. Blue Trail and Red Trail are closed.
Tuttle Creek: 5-23-19 – The park is open. The lake level is 52.06 ft. above conservation level. Forty-two sites now open in River Pond / Rocky Ford, and no flooding impacts are expected for Memorial Weekend. All primitive sites are open in River Pond. Cedar Ridge primitive sites are open. All cabins are full. Randolph has two utility sites open; there are no issues for flooding. Plenty of day-use opportunities available at River Pond. Boating access will be difficult.
Perry: 5-23-19 – The park is open but is mostly flooded and has very limited services. The office is closed. The lake is 25.21 ft. above conservation level. Several sites are available however, utility company may have to shut off all power. If this happens, there will be no bathhouse facilities or dump-stations available. If power is lost, utility sites may be used for primitive camping. Generators will be allowed park-wide. The cabins are shut-down. There are very limited day-use activities; patrons should use caution. There is no boat access.
Kanopolis: 5-23-19 – The park is open. The lake is 20 ft. above conservation level. Very limited utility sites are available. Sites that are open will be utilized for customers being moved from flooded areas. Many primitive walk-in sites are available. Generators will be allowed in areas impacted by the flooding. All cabins are full. Some park roads may be impacted over the weekend, if the water continues to rise. Trail access is closed to many areas, and there are limited day-use opportunities.
Boating access is available at Langley Point, but boaters should use caution.
Milford: 5-23-19 – The park is open. The lake is 21.14 ft. above conservation level. There are very limited utility sites available park-wide. Two to three utility sites may be available in Woodland Hills. Many primitive walk-in sites are available at Woodland Hills and Cedar Point. Generators will be allowed at Woodland Hills and Cedar Point Primitive campgrounds. There are six-seven primitive walk-in sites at Sunset Ridge. All Cabins are full. There are limited day-use opportunities. The marina and Walnut Grove boat ramps are accessible, but boaters should use caution.
Crawford: 5-23-19 – The entire park is open. Campgrounds, trails, day use areas and cabins are all open. All campsites are currently reserved for the Memorial weekend except a very few non-utility sites.
Sand Hills: 5-23-19 – The entire park is open and usable. There are still several utility sites available for this holiday weekend.
Elk City: 5-23-19 – The entire park is closed due to flooding. The park is unreachable through the county road system. Park is without power and phones. Staff will be stationed at Crawford State Park until they are able to enter Elk City again. If visitors have questions they can call Crawford State Park at 620-362-3671.
Fall River: 5-23-19 – All campgrounds and day use areas are closed. Cabins are usable but reserved for the weekend.
Cross Timbers: (On Toronto Lake): 5-23-19 – The park is open. Non-utility sites are available at Mann’s Cove and Sandstone campgrounds. Utility sites are available at Osage Plains Campground. Currently Black Jack utility campground is open until water rises again. Cabins can’t be reached. No boat ramps are available.
Cheney: 5-23-19 – The park is open. East Shore and Lakeview campgrounds and the marina are open. Lake View sites are filled. Remainder of that area is closed. In the West Shore Area, Harding Hill and Geifer Hill non–utility sites are open and available. Half of Smarsh Creek utility sites are open. Remainder of that area is closed.
El Dorado: 5-23-19 – The park is open. In the Walnut River area, all campgrounds, cabins, shelter, trails and day use areas are open. Campsites and cabins are all reserved for the holiday weekend.
The Shady Creek Area has non-utility sites available in several campgrounds. In the Shady Creek Area, one boat ramp is the only usable ramp on the lake. Bluestem Point campgrounds 1, 2, 3 and 4 are closed. Utility Campgrounds 5, 6 and 7 have about 50% of their campsites open and usable. All usable sites are reserved for the weekend. Bemis Creek campground has 12 usable utility campsites but they are all reserved. The archery and firearms ranges are open.
Prairie Spirit Trail: 5-23-19 – The Prairie Spirit Trail is open and usable from Ottawa to Iola. There are some rough spots caused by recent heavy rains and erosion, and continued rain could leave the trail surface soft to the point that narrow bike tires may cause ruts, but the surface is currently solid. Visitors should always be aware to changing trail conditions as some locations may receive more rainfall than others.
Flint Hills Trail: 5-23-19 – The Flint Hills Trail is open, and the surface is firm in most locations, however, due to the varied development and surface construction some locations are in better shape than others, and there are some known points that are difficult to pass through or impassable. There are several locations between Ottawa and Osawatomie that have water at the edge of the trail, as well as over the trail making through travel between those points impossible. We also have several trees reported down on the trail in that section. There is a section of the trail by Quenemo that has trail surface damage from flooding and water backing up onto the trail, however, it is passable now by walking a bike over the dry rough surface which is about 100 yards in length. The trail between Vassar and Osage city is very muddy and travel is discouraged in this area. There may be other isolated wet spots and with more wind or rain conditions can change. Visitors should always be aware to changing trail conditions as some locations may receive more rainfall than others.
Ron Kaufman
Director of Information Services
Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism
1020 S. Kansas Ave., 2nd Fl
Topeka, KS 66612
785-296-2870
Note my new email address – [email protected]
Governor Encourages Vigilance During Severe Weather, Flooding
Kelly: Make safety a priority ahead of Memorial Day weekend
Speaking to media at the Kansas State Emergency Operations Center today, Governor Laura Kelly outlined the state’s largescale coordinated response to flooding and severe weather and encouraged Kansans to remain vigilant as severe weather continues to impact the state through Memorial Day weekend.
“Memorial Day Weekend is a time many Kansans head outside or go to the lake. In many areas, conditions are not safe,” Kelly said. “Please, put the safety of yourself and your family first. Check the weather before you venture out. If there is severe weather or tornados, seek shelter in a secure location. Check your road routes before traveling – remember conditions can change very fast. And stay away from flood water.”
Heavy rainfall, tornados and severe thunderstorms have been impacting Kansas communities for several weeks. Earlier this month, the governor signed a disaster declaration. Since then, the declaration has expanded almost daily, and the current declaration includes 42 Kansas counties. More rain and severe storms are forecast through early next week. Widespread flooding will likely cause additional road and park closures in the coming days.
“Please do not play, swim or walk in flood water. It is full of debris, hidden objects and worse. The current can sweep people away,” Kelly said. “Follow all safety warnings and signs. If local officials advise you to evacuate, heed their advice. They are trying to help keep you safe.”
On May 20, Kansas activated the State Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the response to multi-hazard events including flooding, tornados and severe thunderstorms. This coordinated effort is led the Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli who also serves as the director of the Kansas Division of Emergency Management. It also includes many state and federal agency partners working together to assist local communities.
Road Closures:
To obtain information about current road closures in your local area, visit: www.kandrive.org
Kansans are encouraged to avoid flooded roads. Tafanelli stressed the importance of not underestimating the force and power of water.
“It only takes about a foot of water to float a car,” said Tafanelli. “Two feet of rushing water can carry away most SUVs and pick-up trucks. Flood waters move swiftly and can quite easily knock you off your feet and sweep you away. So, please, heed all warning signs and safety barriers. Don’t try to wade or drive through flooded areas. Turn around, don’t drown.”
State Park Closures:
As Kansas approaches one of the busiest weekends for its state parks, safety must be the top priority. For flood alerts in State Parks, visit: https://ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks/State-Park-Alerts
* Conditions are changing frequently. Please, contact your local parks directly for updates on park conditions.
According to Tafanelli, Kansans should not swim, walk, or play in flooded streams or lakes.
“There may be dangerous floating debris, hidden underwater obstacles, and treacherous currents,” Tafanelli said. “Don’t try to launch a boat or swim in the water. Even fishing or walking along the bank can be dangerous because the bank may be slippery or easily collapse. Flood waters demand our utmost respect.”
Weather Updates:
Visit www.weather.gov for the weather impacting your area. Also monitor local media outlets for weather alerts and safety warnings in your area.
Local assistance:
In the event of an emergency, call 911. For non-emergency assistance, contact local law enforcement and first responders. The Kansas Division of Emergency Management works directly with them. All requests for local assistance should be initiated through the county emergency manager.
Fulton Culinary Kids
Southwind Extension District is sponsoring FREE cooking classes for youth to learn more about kitchen self-care skills. The classes are for youth that have completed the third through eighth grade. Younger or older children will not be allowed.
Since this is a ‘hands-on’ experience, we limit the size of each class depending on the size of the facility. If you have questions please call Kathy McEwan at 620-365-2242 or email [email protected].
Instructors for the classes will be Nutrition Assistants Malynda Payne and/or Mary Daniels.
Email address *
Child’s Full Name *
Child’s Mailing Address *
Grade Just Completed *
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
Child’s Age *
Child’s Gender
Male
Female
Primary Emergency Contact Number *
Secondary Emergency Contact Number *
Health Information (any known allergies) *
Parent’s Name *
Parent’s Email *
Parent’s Home/Cell Number/Work *
Name of Child’s Doctor *
By electronically submitting this registration form, I (parent/guardian) understand participants will be supervised and that if a serious illness or injury develops, medical and/or hospital care will be given. I hereby give permission to the attending physician to hospitalize and/or secure proper treatment for my child. I hear-by release K-State Research & Extension, the State of Kansas and their agents, officers and employees, from all claims, demands and causes of action of any kind, including claims of negligence, which may arise from participation of my minor child in “Kids In the Kitchen” classes. I also authorize K-State Research & Extension or their assignees to record and photograph my child’s image and/or voice for use in research, educational and promotional programs.
*
YES
Send me a copy of my responses.
Never submit pass
New State Hospital Commission Leadership Appointed
Secretary Howard Appoints Leadership Team for Newly Established State Hospital Commission;
Larned State Hospital Acting Superintendent Takes on Permanent Role
TOPEKA – Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Secretary Laura Howard announced today she has appointed several leadership positions to serve on the agency’s newly established State Hospital Commission.
Kimberly Lynch, currently Chief Counsel for KDADS, has been named State Hospital Commissioner. Lynch began her more than 10 years of state service in 2009 with the Kansas Attorney General’s Civil Litigation Division. She joined KDADS in 2012 and was promoted to Chief Litigation Attorney, then Senior Counsel, before being named Chief Counsel in 2017. Lynch holds a Juris Doctorate from Washburn University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washburn University, where she majored in Psychology. She recently earned a certification in Health Care Compliance from the Health Care Compliance Association. Throughout her tenure at KDADS, Lynch has represented the state hospitals and provided guidance and counsel to the superintendents and staff.
Dr. Mike Dixon has been named Deputy Commissioner of the new commission. Dr. Dixon, who was named Superintendent at Parsons State Hospital and Training Center (PSHTC) in 2017, will continue to serve as Superintendent while taking on the additional role of State Hospital Deputy Commissioner. In addition, he has served as Chief Forensic Psychologist and Program/Clinical Director for the Sexual Predator Treatment Program at Larned State Hospital (LSH). Dr. Dixon holds a Ph.D. in Community Clinical Psychology from Wichita State University and is a licensed psychologist.
KDADS’ current budget director Georgianna Correll, has also been named State Hospital Commission Deputy Commissioner. Correll joined KDADS in 2016 as the Facilities Reimbursement Manager and was promoted to Budget Director in 2017, where she has worked closely with hospital superintendents and provided guidance to the hospitals’ chief financial officers. Correll has held a variety of positions within the public sector as well, such as Director of Business Development and Client Relations, Business Analytics Manager and Sales Manager. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Friends University.
Secretary Howard announced the creation of a new state hospital commission in February this year as part of a strategic plan to develop a cohesive approach to supporting and empowering the Kansans it serves. The new commission also affords the agency the opportunity to improve communication and collaboration between state hospitals, commissions and stakeholders.
Additionally, Secretary Howard announced Acting Superintendent of LSH Lesia Dipman has accepted the permanent superintendent position and will continue to serve and bring continuity to the hospital staff and the Larned community. Dipman has served the State of Kansas for 34 years, starting her career at LSH in 1984 where she has worked in various positions, including Administrative Program Director of the State Security Program. Dipman attended Fort Hays State and Kansas State University (KSU) and earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from KSU in 1994. In 2005, she was promoted to Director of Social earned a master’s degree in social work from Newman University in Wichita.
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Cara Sloan
Public Information Officer / Website Administrator
Office of the Secretary
Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services
503 S. Kansas Ave
Topeka, KS 66603
Office: (785) 296-0807
Cell: (785) 249-6234
Visit our website at: www.kdads.ks.gov
Fort Scott City Commission and Bourbon County Commission Meet Together May 28
There will be a Special Meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission held together with the Bourbon County Commission on Tuesday, May 28th, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. This meeting will be held in the Bourbon County Commission Meeting Room at 210 S. National. It is anticipated that they will adjourn into an executive session to discuss personal matters of non-elected personnel.
Senator Tyson’s Legislative Update
Legislative Update By State Senator Caryn Tyson
May 17, 2019
2019 Session End is May 29th, known as sine-die. Every session is unique and seems to take on a personality of its own. This year was no different. The unique people involved and the different issues being worked, combine to create the ‘personality’ of the session. It can be a difficult environment and a messy process. However, during debate on a judicial appointment, we were reminded of how blessed we are to have our government process and a government “of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
Judicial Appointment: A few years ago the legislature changed the appointment process for Appellate Court Judges by adding Senate approval. Recently, the Governor submitted a nomination for Senate approval. That nominee was voted down on a vote of 0 Yes to 38 No. Some people cried foul when the appointment process was changed. However, if it would not have changed, the nominee who did not receive one Yes vote would have become an Appellate Court Judge. This scenario is an example of why the process for appointing Kansas Supreme Court Justices needs to be changed. Senate approval would be one way of giving the people a voice in naming justices.
Taxes and Expenditures: For years, there has been misinformation about the 2012 tax cuts, referred to as the “failed tax experiment”. For the record, after the 2012 tax cuts there were more cuts. In 2013 sales tax was cut from 6.3% to 6.15% and the bottom bracket of the state income tax was cut from 3.5% to 3.0% and the top bracket was cut from 6.25% to 4.9%. In 2014 the bottom bracket was cut from 3% to 2.7% and the top bracket was cut from 4.9% to 4.8%. In 2015 the top bracket was cut to 4.6%. In 2016 the bottom bracket was cut to 2.4% and the top bracket was cut to 4.6%. Tax cuts are usually good for stimulating the economy and that grows businesses and provides jobs. A good example is the unintended revenue increase the State is receiving from the Federal tax cuts. These cuts should be good for Kansas taxpayers but for this to happen the government has to be well disciplined on regulating spending. Unlike the Federal government, our State government is not supposed to go into debt. That’s in our State Constitution. But unfortunately, we are finding ways to circumvent our State’s fundamental principles.
So, when you hear about failed 2012 tax cuts, remember we also cut income taxes in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016, and then President Trump cut Federal taxes in 2017. The tax cuts now are not the problem, runaway spending is the problem. Kansas tax laws were in tandem with federal tax laws before the 2017 Federal tax cuts. In an attempt to re-align Federal and State tax law, the legislature passed Senate Bill (SB) 22 and then House Bill (HB) 2033. Both were vetoed by the Governor. The argument was used that it would, “decimate the state’s ability to pay our bills and invest in our people.” That is absurd. The out-of-control spending is going to “decimate the state’s ability to pay bills”. How about this, the Governor submitted her increased budget to the legislature and the legislature decided She was not spending enough so they appropriated millions more money in the budget then what was requested. I was one of the few who didn’t vote for the Budget.
In summary, according to Kansas Legislative Research, the State will be in-the-red in two years with current law. And after all the increases this budget puts the State on a path to be approximately $1.4 billion in-the-red in four years. That doesn’t take into account any increased spending in those four years. So then what? Once again, the Governor will probably pull money from KDOT and delay payments to KPERS or even raise taxes.
We need to change our laws to address the budget process and create a fair and level tax code for Kansans. I am hopeful that with due-diligence, we can still achieve this end.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
Obituary of Patricia Pool
Patricia Alaine “Patty” Pool, age 68, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas.
She was born March 31, 1951, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Henry Eugene “Gene” Floyd and Maxine Monroe Floyd. Patty graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1969. She married Michael L. Pool on November 11, 1970, at Nevada, Missouri.
In earlier years, Patty worked at several area banks. She later worked in the Bourbon County Vehicle Registration Office for over twenty-years. Patty enjoyed playing the violin and spending time with her grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband, Mike, of the home; and two sons, Brian Pool (Jana) and Brent Pool (Tawny), all of Ft. Scott and five grandchildren; Laura, Ashleigh, Nash, Kellen and Evan. Also surviving are two brothers, Earl Floyd, of Overland Park, Kansas and Steve Floyd of Ft. Scott and two sisters, Lynette Jackson, of Ft. Scott and Bonnie George of Concordia, Kansas.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, May 29th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Bronson Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Tuesday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the National Kidney Foundation 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.
The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports May 22
Click below:
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports May 23
American Legion Post 25 Update
Post 25 Update
May 23. Thursday. 6:00 pm. Legion Women’s Auxiliary meet and greet in Memorial Hall. Open to female family members of Veterans. This meet and greet will continue the process of reestablishing the Fort Scott Auxiliary Unit 25.
May 25. Saturday. 4:00 pm. Enjoy patriotic music at The Fort National Historic Site.
May 26. Sunday. 2:30 pm. Dedication of the U.S. Navy Memorial at Fort Scott National Cemetery.
May 27. Monday. 9:30 am. Prayer at the Courthouse steps in Honor of all American War Veterans.
May 27. Monday. 10:30 am. Memorial Day services at the Fort Scott National Cemetery. This event will be moved to Memorial Hall in the event of inclement weather.
May 27. Monday. 3:00 pm. A “moment of silence” at The Fort National Historic Site.
May 31. Friday. 6 pm. Good Old Days Parade. All Post members and their families are invited to walk or ride as part of the Legion family.
June 3. Monday. 6:30 pm. Post 25 meet and greet at 6:30 pm in Memorial Hall. Come and enjoy the fellowship of other Veterans. Bring an eligible Veteran to visit our Post.
June 3. Monday. 7:00 pm. Post 25 general membership meeting at 7 pm in Memorial Hall. Our membership meetings are open to all. SAL members are strongly encouraged to attend. Bring an eligible Veteran to visit or join our Post.
June 6. Thursday. Skipper Higgins, the oldest living grandson of Andrew Jackson Higgins, will be at the Milken Center throughout the day and available for visiting. At 3:00 pm will be a special Q and A time with him and Jerry Meyer. All veterans in attendance will receive a very special gift from the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes. See attached flyer.
June 9. Sunday. Aspen Dental is offering free dental services to veterans from fillings, extractions, to even denture repair. Veterans can call 844-277-3646 now to locate the nearest Aspen Dental office and make an appointment for free dental services.
June 14. Friday 7:00 pm. Flag retirement ceremony at The Fort National Historic Site. This event is open to the public and anyone with torn, tattered or unserviceable flags can bring them to The Fort for a dignified retirement.
VA Shuttle Service
The shuttle service is free to any Veteran who needs transportation to the VA for their medical appointments.
Mondays: Fort Scott to Topeka VA Medical Center. Stops in Pleasanton, Louisburg and Ottawa.
Tuesdays: Fort Scott to Topeka VA Medical Center. Stops in Pleasanton, Louisburg and Ottawa.
Wednesdays: Fort Scott to Kansas City VA Medical Center. Stops in Pleasanton and Louisburg.
Veterans must have an appointment scheduled between 9 am and 1 pm on the day they ride the shuttle.
The shuttle will depart from the Fort Scott’s Pete’s 66 service station on Main Street and will return to Fort Scott after the last Veteran has completed their appointment. The departure time is based upon the time of the first appointment of the day at the VA Medical Center day. Riders will be notified of the shuttle departure time the evening before their ride.
Veterans living along Highway 69 or near Louisburg and Ottawa can also schedule a ride to the VA by following the below process. Veterans scheduling rides must be at one of our predetermined stops to ride the shuttle. This is a shuttle service, not a taxi service.
The VA shuttle holds five passengers and riders must preregister for a seat. Seats on the shuttle are open to any area Veteran on a first come, first served basis.
The shuttle does not accommodate wheelchairs or pets. Only certified service dogs are permitted on the shuttle. Oxygen tanks are not permitted on the shuttle. Oxygen concentrators are allowed.
Family members may not ride with the Veteran on the shuttle. However, those Veterans who need a caregiver to accompany them must have a signed note from their doctor attesting that the Veteran requires a caregiver to accompany them to and from their appointment.
To register for a shuttle seat, the Veteran must
· Have an appointment at a VA Medical Center between 9 am and 1 pm for the day they schedule their shuttle seat.
· Call 785-925-0261 or email [email protected] to schedule their seat. All seat reservations must be scheduled by 5 pm, the day prior to their appointment.
Please don’t hesitate to call or email me with any questions you might have.
Carl Jowers. Commander
Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25