Category Archives: Area News

New Ambulance Needed By Mercy Hospital

Christi Keating, executive director of patient care services at Mercy Hospital, speaks at the weekly Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce coffee August 30.

A new ambulance is needed at Mercy Hospital.

“It will be replacing a 2013 model with over 210,000 miles,” Christi Keating, Mercy’s Chief Nursing Officer, said.

Mercy Hospital hosted the weekly Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce coffee August 30 which gave Mercy a chance to tell the crowd about the need.

The new ambulance will be an inter-facility transport, Keating said.

The ambulance will ensure a commitment to the health and safety of this community and surrounding counties, according to information provided. It will improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of patient care in emergency situations. And it is a pro-active move to meet the needs of patients and their families.

There is match challenge currently underway to fund the $97,310 ambulance.

Almost $40,000 is currently needed with the hope of an order date of Sept. 10 for a fall delivery of the ambulance.

The match is 1:1 until the goal is reached, Tina Rockhold, Fort Scott Mercy’s Community Relations Manager, said.

To donate, call Rockhold at 620-223-8094 or go online to mercy.net/donate

Mercy Hospital Fort Scott CEO Reta Baker said the Mercy Health Foundation takes a project each year.

In the recent past, the foundation raised $100,000 for new ultrasound equipment.

“This year, the new ambulance is the project,” Baker said.

She told the Chamber weekly coffee attendees that the foundation is comprised of “younger people than most communities, who are more innovative than most communities.”

The foundation board is made of up of: Jared Leek – Chairman, Chris Petty – Vice Chairman, Darcy Smith – Secretary, Bryan Holt – Treasurer, Alysia Johnston, Mark McCoy, Bill Michaud, JoLynne Mitchell, Colleen Quick, Becky Tourtillott, and Reta Baker.

Baker said she is “excited about the future of Mercy.”

Below are photos of a poster that was part of the presentation given at the weekly coffee.

Flag Project to benefit the Fort

PROUDLY SHOW YOUR PATRIOTISM:

FLY THE FLAG EFFORTLESSLY

The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site Inc. announce a new project to benefit programming at Fort Scott National Historic Site that also honors our country and beautifies our city. The Friend’s U.S. Flag Project provides homeowners and businesses, within the city limits of Fort Scott, the opportunity to fly the Stars and Stripes on five different flag holidays without the hassle of purchasing, erecting, and storing a flag and pole. You don’t even have to remember the holiday!

For $35 annually, the Friends will install a 3’x5′ flag on a 10-foot staff at your home or business on each of the following Flag Holidays in 2019:

Memorial Day, May 27th

Flag Day, June 14th

Fourth of July, July 4th

Labor Day, September 2nd

Veteran’s Day, November 11th

Sign up by October 1, 2019, and you will also get Veteran’s Day 2018 included in the offer–SIX DAYS for the price of FIVE!!!

Agreements can be obtained at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce or can be downloaded from the Friends website. Contact Kelley Collins at 417-684-2484 or Martha Scott at 620-224-9924 for further information.

All proceeds support programs at Fort Scott National Historic Site. These include Symbols of Sacrifice, a Citizenship Ceremony, Candlelight Tour, Youth Engagement, and many others.

Show your patriotism and help our local National Park by lining the streets of Fort Scott with our nation’s symbol!

The U.S. Flag Project is a yearly project sponsored by the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site. Once signed up, you will receive the option to renew annually.

Bumps and Bruises Clinic Offered on Saturday Mornings

Orthopedic nurse practitioner Greg King will evaluate student athlete injuries at Mercy’s Free Bumps and Bruises Clinic on Saturday mornings.

Beginning Saturday, Sept. 1 at 7 a.m., Mercy Fort Scott Sports Medicine will offer free evaluations of student athlete injuries at the Bumps and Bruises Clinic. The location of the clinic is in the Health For Life area, in the lower level of the hospital.

 

 

Teen Activities At The Library

The Fort Scott Public LibraryTeen Advisory Group will continue meeting on Wednesdays, and each week is different but on a rotating monthly schedule.
For the upcoming two months, this is the current lineup:
September 5 at 4:15 p.m.Teen Community Service Night
September 12 at 4:15 p.m.: Teen Craft Night
September 19 at 4 – 6 p.m.Teen Games & Snacks Night
September 26 at 4:15 p.m.: American Idiots Teen Book Club at Common Ground Coffee Co.
October 3 at 4:15 p.m.: Teen Community Service Night
October 10 at 4:15 p.m.: Teen Craft Night
October 17 at 4 – 6 p.m.Teen Games & Snacks Night
October 24 at 4:15 p.m.: American Idiots Teen Book Club at Common Ground Coffee Co.
October 31 at 4:15 p.m.: Teen Halloween Party

Library Puts in Motion Fall Activities

Beginning in September, Fort Scott Public Library will offer two new monthly programs to local families: Marvelous Mondays and Maker Mondays.
Marvelous Monday is a family program for all ages, with the primary goal of serving local homeschool families by offering educational activities, special guest speakers, and collaborative projects. The first meeting will be held on September 10, 2 – 3 p.m. in the library event room. The theme will be a Back to Homeschool party with special guest speakers, retired educator Yvonne Holloway and local author Cathy Werling. Attendees will be invited to join a chat group and to offer their ideas and suggestions for future program themes.
Maker Monday is a S.T.E.A.M. program, focused on offering school-aged children opportunities to unleash their creativity, make unique projects, and learn new skills. All ages are welcome to attend, but children 2nd grade and below must have an adult with them at all times. At our first Maker Monday on September 24, 4 – 5 p.m., we will create book art from the pages of old books, enjoy snacks and bottled water (attendees are welcome to bring their own snacks and drinks as well), add stickers to our sticker mosaic poster, and discuss ideas for future programs.
Library programs are offered free of charge. If you would like to volunteer or donate snacks or supplies, please contact Miss Val at [email protected], call 223-2882, or visit the library. Follow Fort Scott Public Library on Facebook or visit our website at fortscott.mykansaslibrary.org to view upcoming events.”

Flags at Half-Staff For Senator John McCain

Governor Jeff Colyer orders flags flown at half-staff

Monday, August 27 in honor of Senator John McCain

 

Topeka – In accordance with Executive Order 10-12, Governor Jeff Colyer has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff from sun up to sun down Monday, August 27th. in honor of United States Senator John McCain, who passed away Saturday, August 25th.

 

“Senator McCain will long be remembered for his years of dedicated service to our nation,” said Gov. Colyer, “He displayed great courage and strength in the way he lived his life. We are grateful to him for his devotion to this country and send our deepest condolences to his family as they grieve his passing.”

To receive email alerts when the Governor orders flags to half-staff, please visit http://governor.ks.gov/subscribe-to-flag-honors.

 

Mary Jo Harper Directs Youth Chorale: Invites Local 4-6th Graders

Pittsburg Youth Chorale Fall Enrollment Open

Area singers in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade are invited to join Pittsburg Youth Chorale through Pittsburg Memorial Auditorium and Convention Center. Participants do not need to be enrolled in USD 250 to belong to this ensemble.

Pittsburg Youth Chorale is under the direction of Mary Jp Harper, Music Teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary in Fort Scott, KS. The purpose of this vocal ensemble is to further grow vocal abilities, musical knowledge, and choral repertoire. Participants will have the opportunity to perform at community events as well as on the Memorial stage.

Rehearsals are Tuesdays from 5PM-6PM at Pittsburg Memorial Auditorium and Convention Center, 503 N. Pine, Pittsburg, KS. Rehearsals begin September 4th. There is a fee of $60 per session (Sept 4-Dec 11). To enroll, visit Pittsburg Memorial Auditorium and Convention Center between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, or call 620-231-7827, deadline September 4th.

FSCC Expo Showcases Local Businesses By Briana Blandamer

FSCC students Ally McKenzie and Kristen Davis receive a handout from Pizza Hut employee, Krista Johnson.

On Wednesday, August 22,  Fort Scott Community College hosted a Business Expo showcasing local Fort Scott businesses, giving the students a look at what this town has to offer.

The businesses included this year were Pizza Hut, Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene, US Cellular, KKOW Radio, Mercy Hospital, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, The Shirt Shack, The Tannery, Safehouse, KOMB Radio, Family Video, Advanced America, Medicalodge, Paparazzi, Common Ground Coffee Shop, Hartman Chiropractic, the U.S. Army, Community Christian Church, Briggs Automall, and Trinity Lutheran Church.

The students were given a slip of paper to collect ten signatures from ten different booths to be entered into a drawing for a free laptop and a set of Bluetooth headphones, which were provided by the college.

The winner of the laptop was Samantha Stumfoll and the headphones were awarded to Audrey Whetzell.

During this expo, FortScott.Biz Intern Briana Blandamer interviewed 2008 Fort Scott High School graduate, Dr. Grant Hartman, owner of Hartman Spine & Joint.

Dr. Hartman has been running his clinic in Fort Scott for three years, offering general chiropractic services as well as tending to sports injuries and offering rehabilitation services. Some of the other services he offers include acupuncture and soft tissue therapy.

Dr. Hartman in front of his booth at FSCC Business Expo.

The Tannery also had a booth during the FSCC business expo, ran by Jenna Kakas. The Tannery has a student discount offering a Buy 2 Tans, Get the 3rd for $1.

Jenna said, “Come to see me at The Tannery, Monday through Friday 11 a.m. -6 p.m. to get your glow on!”

Jenna Kakas with The Tannery booth giving away Chapstick and entering students into a drawing for goodie baskets.
FSCC President Alysia Johnston is pictured with Shirt Shack owner, Billy Webster.
The TRIO program gave out the student-business signature papers, entered students into the drawing and also had signups to Escape the Fort! Trenton Allison helped run this booth.

 

Briana Blandamer is the FortScott.Biz intern whose focus is Fort Scott Community College. To give news ideas send to [email protected].