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February 1, 2023
Gentiva was formerly known as Avalon Hospice. Melanie’s job is to educate what hospice really is because hospice is underutilized. Hospice is not a place, but a philosophy of care where the focus is the patient and family – not the disease.
Medicare adopted hospice services in 1980; therefore, there is no cost for the service. Hospice is not just treating physical systems; they have a whole team approach. A physician must refer for hospice.
Hospice care allows patients and families to focus on the things that matter the most – time with loved ones and sharing conversations with family and friends.
Hospice is about treating the whole person – mind, body, and spirit, and bringing comfort, compassion and closure for patients and their families. It is a plan of care that brings comfort, compassion, and closure for the patient and the family. Gentiva specializes in honoring life and offering dignity to those who are facing a life-limiting illness.
Contact information for Gentiva Hospice: 2307 South Tucker, Pittsburg, KS 66762, 620-231-8000, gentivahs.com.

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Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Date: January 31, 2023
1st District–Nelson Blythe Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District–Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District–Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk–Ashley Shelton
MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM BEGINNING AT 9:00AM
Call to Order
• Flag Salute
• Approval of Minutes
• Signatures for Accounts Payable
• Eric Bailey – Road & Bridge Report
• Eric Bailey – Executive Session KSA 75–4319(b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property
• Kathy – Executive Director of Area Agency on Aging
• Jeremiah Hill – County Roads
• Bill Martin – Vehicle Bids/Loans
• Coroner Cost–Sharing Agreement
• SEKRPC – Renewal
• Public Comment
• Commission Comment
Justifications for Executive Session:
KSA 75–4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
KSA 75–4319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney–client relationship
KSA 75–4319(b)(3) To discuss matters relating to employer–employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
KSA 75–4319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships
KSA 75–4319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property
KSA 75–4319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.
Attachment:
Jennifer Hawkins, 34, was selected from a field of three persons to become the next Bourbon County Clerk last evening at a Republican Party Convention.
“We had three individuals contact the (Republican) party,” Mark McCoy, chairman, said.
He will forward Hawkins name to be approved to Governor Kelly today. Outgoing Bourbon County Clerk Ashley Shelton’s last day in February 3. Shelton resigned last week.
Today Hawkins is being sworn in as Bourbon County Deputy Clerk, then her first day as clerk is Feb. 6, she said.

Hawkins has worked for the county government for almost a decade.
“I have worked as the lead motor vehicle clerk in the treasurer’s office for five years, and as the office manager of the public works department for 4.5 years,” she said.
She has helped with accounts payable and payroll in the county clerks office as well.
“I have a working relationship with all the county offices and feel I can help move the county forward,” Hawkins said. “I want to do my part to see Bourbon County and Fort Scott succeed.”
With the loss of the two other office staff in the clerk’s office besides Shelton, “It will be rough until I can get some additional help hired,” she said
“I will be hiring two full time office staff, one will be deputy county clerk (who will also be the) accounts payable clerk,” she said. “One will be a front office clerk to assist Bourbon County residents by manning the switchboard and helping with licensing and hunting licenses.”
The staff will have to absorb a part time position, Hawkins said.
Hawkins said the county has “wonderful benefits to offer” including retirement, health insurance (including dental and vision), vacation and sick leave.
Hawkins was born and raised in Fort Scott, attending Fort Scott High School and Fort Scott Community College.
She has a 15- year-old daughter who attends Fort Scott High School and whose activities keep her “pretty busy with her school functions.”
Tim Shellenburger New Kansas Senator Representing Bourbon County

Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting will be Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. in the conference room at Scottview Apartments, 315 S. Scott, Fort Scott.
Agenda
Welcome:
Member Introductions and Announcements:
Program: Melanie Wiles, Gentiva Hospice
Open Forum:
Adjournment: Next General Members
meeting will be March 1, at 1:00 p.m.
The following letter was presented at the Jan. 17 Bourbon County Commission meeting, detailing changes in some county positions.
To view the minutes:
The Bourbon County Arts Council announces its 31st Annual Fine Arts Competition and Exhibit, to be held at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, Thursday, March 2nd, through Saturday, March 11th.
The mixed media competition is open to artists of age 16 and older. Categories include Ceramics, Drawing and Graphics (Pencil, Pen, Ink), Fiber Art, Glasswork, Jewelry, Mixed Media, Painting (Oil & Acrylic), Pastel, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Watercolor.
A new themed category has been included; the theme this year is “DOORWAYS & WINDOWS”. An artist may create a piece in any of the above media categories, as it relates to the theme.
Entry fees are $7.50 per piece for Bourbon County Arts Council members and $10.00 per piece for non-members. Artists may enter up to five pieces, but only three in any one category. Entry deadline and payment are due by February 24th, 2023.
Cash awards totaling greater than $3500.00 will be made, for Best of Show in 2D and 3D, First and Second Place winners in each category, and a Popular Vote winner.
Entry forms may be requested by calling Deb Anderson at 620-224-8650, Deb Halsey at (620)224-0684, or e-mailing [email protected].
PLEASE NOTE: We are no longer accepting pieces shipped to BCAC for entry into the exhibit.
The schedule for this year’s Exhibit is as follows: Entry forms and payment, as stated above, are due by February 24th. No late entries will be accepted.
Artwork will be accepted at the Ellis Fine Arts Center on February 26th, between 1 and 4 pm.
Juror critique of the artwork will occur on March 1st; this is closed to artists and the public.
The BCAC will host a Chamber Coffee Thursday March 2nd at 8:00 am at the Ellis Center.
A reception, open to the public, will be held for participating artists and the Juror on Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00pm.
The Exhibit will be open for public viewing on Thursday, March 2nd through Friday March 10th, from 12:00 pm until 7:00 pm, and on Saturday, March 11th, from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm.
The Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center is located at 2108 Horton St., Fort Scott, Kansas.

A couple with young children has taken on facilitating a youth livestock show. This spring is their third show.
Adam and Hannah Montee hosted a youth livestock show in the spring of 2021 at the Crawford County Fairgrounds to offer kids an opportunity to showcase their animals.
This was because so many livestock shows had been shut down due the COVID 19 Pandemic.
“We have 3 kids who are in 4-H now and show lambs, goats and calves, plus a 2-year old who can’t wait to show,” Hannah said.
At that 2021 show, 100 calves were shown by 60 exhibitors from six states, and $1,000 in cash and prizes were given away, according to Hannah.
“Our goal the first year was to raise $2,000 for updates to wash racks at the Crawford County Fairgrounds,” she said. “With help from sponsors, we are hopeful the project will be completed soon.”
In 2022, the Montees changed venues for the show to Fort Scott and had over 70 kids showing 150 animals.
“We also needed full use of the fairgrounds – exhibitors able to stall in the barns, inside space, etc. and we did not have access to that at the Crawford County fairgrounds,” she said.
This year they are adding lambs to the livestock show: a prospect and possibly a progress lamb show on Friday night, March 17.
The Montees are looking for more business sponsors for this year’s show. There are different level of sponsorships from $100 to $500.
“Any sponsorship money goes directly to prizes for the kids,” she said.
Contact her at 620.704.4196 or email [email protected]
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Date: January 24, 2023
1st District–Nelson Blythe Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District–Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District–Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk–Ashley Shelton
MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM BEGINNING AT 9:00AM
Call to Order
• Flag Salute
• Approval of Minutes
• Approval for Accounts Payable
• Eric Bailey – Road & Bridge Report
• Susan Bancroft – Chief Financial Officer
• Shane Walker – Chief Operating Officer
• Justin Meeks – County Counselor
• Bill Martin – Discussion of Investigation by County Attorney
• Public Comment
• Commission Comment
Justifications for Executive Session:
KSA 75–4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
KSA 75–4319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney–client relationship
KSA 75–4319(b)(3) To discuss matters relating to employer–employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
KSA 75–4319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships
KSA 75–4319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property
KSA 75–4319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.