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Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for May 12

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: May 12, 2020

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

MEETING HELD IN THE EOC WITH NO PUBLIC ATTENDANCE (PUBLIC ATTENDANCE VIA FACEBOOK LIVE)

9:00 – 9:15 Justin Meeks – Executive Session – Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel

9:15 – 9:30 Jim Harris

9:45 – 10:00 Clint Anderson – Valuation of Valu Merchandisers

10:00 – 10:15 Lora Holdridge, Surveyors by appointment (access to enter building)

11:00 – 11:30 Via Christi, Randy Cason, Update on lease agreement for Hospital building

COVID-19, Fort Scott

Library Offering Curbside Pickup Starting May 12

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Fort Scott Public Library is offering curbside pickup of library materials. We encourage patrons to log in to their accounts and place holds. Patrons who prefer may call us at (620)223-2882 or email either [email protected] or [email protected]. We will limit holds placed by phone to 5 items. Patrons may also borrow newspapers and magazines. Email or call with the titles and dates needed.

The only items available to check out are those physically in our library. Eventually the service that moves library items from place to place will be working again, but for at least the next couple of weeks, we’re limited to what we have here. If you log in to your account at www.seknfind.org, your choices will automatically be set to items located at Fort Scott Public.

Are you unsure of what books to get for your child, or just don’t have the time to browse the catalog? Miss Val is here to help! Every week, she will compile collections of ten books on specific topics for you to check out. See the library website or Facebook page for a list of current topics available, and feel free to contact Miss Val at [email protected] to make suggestions for future topics. Collections are compiled by both topics and age ranges of birth to 6 years or 2nd to 5th grade. When calling or emailing the library to reserve a collection, just ask for the book collection listed online, or request a list of current topics. If one you want has already been taken, we will tell you what topics remain. You may even find a few goodies from Miss Val in your bag!

Emails and texts are automatically generated when we scan holds. The items won’t be available to check out until we have scheduled a time with you. We will call patrons to schedule a time to pick up their items. We encourage everyone to log in to their accounts and verify that their contact information is correct. If you need assistance logging in, please email us at either [email protected] or [email protected]. Include your account number (library card number) in your email.

You can find instructions about how to log in to your account and place holds by looking in the “how to” section on our website: fortscott.mykansaslibrary.org.

We will have a table outside the library where we will place items to be picked up. Patrons should call the library when they arrive and give us their library card number. We will put the items on the table to be picked up. We ask that people stay away from the table while library staff are outside.

We will place your items in bags before putting them on the table. If you prefer to use your own bags, let us know when we schedule your pick up time. When you arrive, call us to let us know you’re here, place your bag on the table, and move away from the table. Library employees will put your items in your bag and return to the building.

People who need us to put the items in their vehicles should let us know when we are scheduling their pick up times. Please open your trunk and remain in your vehicle when you let us know that you’re here for your holds. Library staff will place your items in your trunk.

In the event of inclement weather, items to pick up will be placed on the counter inside the Second Street entrance. Please wait until staff have re-entered the main building before entering to pick up your items.

We will have an area outside the building in which we are offering free books. Please limit browsing to one person at a time. We will refill the selection of free books as needed. Please remain an appropriate distance away from library employees refilling the free books boxes.

We are quarantining all returned items for several days.

Please maintain appropriate social distancing while library employees are outside the building.

Please stay home if you are sick.

We are not accepting donations of any materials at this time.

A note to our wi-fi users: In order for us to keep the wi-fi available while we are offering curbside circulation, we ask that you please not occupy the parking or sidewalk area on the north (Second Street) side of the library.

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

Long Term Care Supports and Services Liaison Announced by Governor

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KDADS Announces Hiring of COVID-19 Long-Term Supports and Services Liaison

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly and Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Secretary Laura Howard today announced the agency will contract with Kathy Greenlee, former Assistant Secretary for Aging at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and former Secretary of the Kansas Department on Aging.

Ms. Greenlee will work on a half-time basis as the Kansas COVID-19 Long-Term Supports and Services (LTSS) Liaison as part of the administration’s continued focus on nursing facilities and LTSS.

“It’s important to highlight that Ms. Greenlee’s role will not be to do the things that are currently being done today in our state agencies related to long-term care, but to lend her expertise and utilize her national connections to enhance our work here in Kansas,” Kelly said.

Since leaving her seven-year tenure with HHS in Washington, D.C., Ms. Greenlee has continued her work at the national and regional levels as President and Chief Executive Officer of Greenlee Global, LLC. She served as Secretary of the Kansas Department on Aging from 2006-2009.

The role of the LTSS Liaison is designed to be a cross-agency partnership with KDADS, the Kansas Division of Emergency Management (KDEM) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). The proposed scope of work will include, but not be limited to:

  • LTSS technical assistance for local public health and emergency management, including education on the characteristics and needs of LTSS providers like facility and community-based providers
  • Facilitating cross-agency partnership between state and local organizations, including review and reporting at the state level on best practices
  • Identifying future priority issues and preparedness needs for LTSS consumers and providers
  • Serving as an additional channel of communication between state and local officials and stakeholders

“Kathy Greenlee brings an extensive experience advancing reforms aimed at improving the lives of seniors and individuals with disabilities,” Howard said. “That experience will serve all three agencies very well.  We look forward to the wealth of knowledge she can immediately offer to further our efforts and advance best practices across our facilities and community-based providers.

In Kansas, there are currently 22 COVID-19 clusters in long-term care facilities. These have resulted in 540 positive cases, including 85 deaths.

“Preparedness of long-term care facilities is critical in responding to infectious disease pandemics like COVID-19. Ms. Greenlee’s extensive background and expertise will serve us well as we work to protect the health of Kansans,” KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman said.

Creation of this COVID-19 Long-term Supports and Services Liaison position is the latest effort in Kansas’ focus on vulnerable populations such as those Kansans residing in long-term care facilities.  Long- term care facilities are an essential component of America’s healthcare delivery system. These facilities are unique, as they serve as both healthcare providers and as full-time homes for some of Kansas’ most vulnerable citizens. The state has prioritized efforts towards these facilities, including:

  • In an effort to minimize the impact of outbreaks in these facilities, once a case is detected in either a resident or staff, KDHE and the state laboratory provide resources to test all asymptomatic and symptomatic residents and staff and work with facilities and local health departments on plans to cohort positive cases and staff. This quick detection of any cases, even in asymptomatic people, in combination of proper cohorting reduces the spread of illness within the facility.

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Bourbon County, COVID-19

COVID-19 RECOVERY DRIVE

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SEK Multi-County Health Department would like to announce we will be having a COVID-19 Recovery Drive, where we will be handing out care packages, which include a variety of basic necessities and food items, to Bourbon County residents that are in need. Donations will be handed out to the first 100 cars to come through.

Location: Bourbon County Health Department 524 S. Lowman St. Ft. Scott (Corner of 6th and Horton)

Date: May 14th

Time: 1-5PM

Residents will remain in their car during pickup. We ask that you enter through our east drive and exit through the west drive to keep things moving smoothly.

We would like to thank the Kansas Health Foundation, Valu Merchandisers, Fort Scott Fire Department, G&W Foods, Walmart, and community members for their assistance in making all of this drive possible.

Bourbon County, COVID-19

County Health Department Update May 11

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SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

May 11, 2020

Allen County

Current Positive Cases 0
Current Recovered Cases 0
Total Positives Since Testing 0
Deaths 0

Anderson County

Current Positive Cases 1
Current Recovered Cases 0
Total Positives Since Testing 1
Deaths 0

Bourbon County

Current Positive Cases 0
Current Recovered Cases 5
Total Positives Since Testing 6
Deaths 1

Woodson County

Current Positive Cases 0
Current Recovered Cases 6
Total Positives Since Testing 6
Deaths 0

Recovered cases are based on dates of onset of symptoms, not on day testing results are received.

Bourbon County

American Legion Post 25 Impact Report

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The American Legion’s success depends entirely on active membership, participation and volunteerism. The following monthly reports provide a summary of membership, participation and volunteerism making an impact in the lives of veterans, families and communities.American Legion Posts can share the many ways Legionnaires are making a difference in their communities.  To view the impact American Legion posts made throughout the year, please read the attached March 2020 membership impact report.

Submitted by Carl Jowers. Post 25 Commander.

Click below for the report:

April_Impact_Report

Obituary

Obituary of Wanda Larsen

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Wanda Audine (Smith) Larsen, 89, formerly of Fort Scott, KS, passed away Thursday evening, May 7, 2020 at the Ozark Nursing and Care Center in Ozark, MO. Wanda was born August 3, 1930 in (a farmhouse near Dry Ridge) Blue Mound, KS, the daughter of Artie Douglas and Charlotte Opal (Bray) Smith.

She graduated from Uniontown High School with the class of 1948.  She was a member of the Richards Christian Church in Richards, MO.  She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  She loved all children and “adopted” many friends of her children and grandchildren as well as students from Fort Scott Community College as her own.  Many remember her fondly as Grandma Wanda.  Before her health declined, she was very active and enjoyed walks, long drives and shopping. She had a big heart and managed to find friends everywhere she went.  She loved her family, church, cooking, sewing, gardening and playing cards with friends. She often reminisced about her time working at The Western Insurance Company, The Bourbon County Court House, The Red Barn Restaurant and Fort Scott Community College.

She is survived by two sons, Steve (Joyce) Larsen, Willard, MO and Brad (Sharon) Larsen, Winfield KS and two daughters, Beverly Larsen, Ozark, MO and Belinda (Joe) Tucker, Fort Scott, KS.  She is also survived by eleven grandchildren, Dustin (Stacey) Larsen, Springfield MO; Nicole Adams, Nevada, MO; Noelle (Shane) Fast, Eldorado Springs, MO; Ty Larsen, Springfield, MO; Travis (Beth) Larsen, Springfield, MO; Caylin (Jesse) Overfield, Waunakee, WI; Kyle Larsen, Winfield, KS; Anne (Tom) Colvin, Ozark, MO; Joely (Scott) Womeldorff, Kansas City, MO; Miles (Emmah) Dikeman, Fort Scott, KS; and Monica (Jared) Snyder, Fulton, KS, and twenty great-grandchildren, Elsie and Kinley Larsen, Caleb Kettner, Carli Bouray, Monroe Adams, Hailey and Madi Fast, Mason Shy and Maggie Larsen, Amaya Campbell, Adilyn and Paxton Overfield; Christian and Sophia Colvin, Talon, Tannyn, Truett and Tesher Womeldorff, Korbin and Kinsley Snyder with a baby girl on the way.  She is also survived by a sister, Mary Luker of Holton, KS; a sister-in-law, Ida Mae Smith of Overland Park, KS and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Billy, Richard and Dale Smith, a sister-in-law, Betty Smith, brother-in-law, Kenny Luker, two sons, Mike and Richard (Dick) Larsen, and her great-granddaughter Gabriella Campbell. 

Services will be private with burial at Evergreen Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. The family suggests memorials to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or Autism Speaks.  Donations may be sent to, or left in the care of, the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com. 

Opinion

Momma’s Cookie Jar

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“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15

My mother died on Mother’s Day. I was only a child when she died. It’s been over forty years now, but I still miss her. I suppose that as long as I am on this earth, I always will.

When I think back on that time, which I inevitably do every year around Mother’s Day, one thing sticks out in my mind. I remember on the day my mother died, family members came to our home and divided up her things. Everybody wanted a family heirloom following Momma’s death. Since I was just a child, I was left out. Nothing of my mother’s was given to me. There was, however, one item that I really wanted – Momma’s cookie jar.

The cookie jar was nothing special. It wasn’t an antique. It wasn’t valuable. But, like a treasure chest, so many of my most precious childhood memories were locked away inside the cookie jar. Momma always kept my favorite treats inside – Nutter Butters, Nilla Wafers, Nabisco Famous Cookies, Keebler Cremes, and my all-time favorite – Momma’s Homemade Snickerdoodles. We didn’t have much money and times were tough when I was a kid, but there were always delicious goodies in Momma’s cookie jar.

I watched as an aunt walked out the door with the cookie jar. I thought, “That should be mine. I hate her for taking it.” As time passed, those feelings grew, and I resented her. So, I avoided my aunt. One of the few family ties in my life was broken over a cookie jar.

Years later, I was in the kitchen with my wife, Amanda. She said, “I want to get a cookie jar for the kitchen counter.” When she said that, I told her about Momma’s cookie jar and what it meant to me. Amanda lovingly asked, “Why don’t we try to find one just like it?” I thought that was a great idea. So, we logged on to eBay and ordered a cookie jar identical to Momma’s.

A few months went by and my cousin came to visit. She noticed the cookie jar and asked about it. I said, “It’s a replacement for the one Momma had when I was growing up.” I didn’t know it, but my cousin had the original at her house. Not long after, she gave it to me.

The Lord Jesus Christ once said, “But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:15). For years, I refused to forgive a relative for something as silly as a cookie jar. Besides, my aunt didn’t even know that I wanted it in the first place. Looking back now, I realize how childish I was to be so angry and upset. Too many years were wasted being out of fellowship with God and family. Too many years were wasted living in a state of bitterness and unforgiveness.

How many “cookie jars” are there in our lives? How many things, as insignificant as a ceramic cookie jar, in light of eternity, separate us from fellowship with God? How much does a lack of forgiveness keep us from fellowship with other people?

The point is: Let go of your “cookie jar.” I can tell you it’s not worth hanging on to. Forgive and find forgiveness.

It’s what your mom would want you to do.

James Collins is the senior pastor of First Southern Baptist Church. Sunday Service starts tomorrow at 11 am. For more information, go www.fortscottfsbc.com.