MEETING FOR TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2021 IS CANCELLED AND WILL BE RESCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021. AGENDA FOR THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021 MEETING WILL BE SENT OUT LATER TODAY.
The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes is located a 1 S. Main, Fort Scott.
On July 28, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes began a new exhibit entitled”Fort Scott’s Frontline Workers”, highlighting groups of local COVID-19 workers.
Hours at the center, located on Main Street at Wall Street in downtown Fort Scott are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The exhibition is pictorial with text that honors first responders from four local agencies, health care workers from five local agencies, and educators in five local public and private schools.
Lowell Milken Center’s Frontline Workers Exhibit, July 2021. Submitted photo.
“Contacts were made to all the different agencies, we received input from several administrators and staff,” Cathy Werling, spokesperson for LMC said.
Cathy Werling is a children’s book author at the Lowell Milken Center For Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, who has published several books depicting unsung heroes at a young child’s level of understanding.
This new exhibit has been made possible with funds received from a Fort Scott Area Community Foundation grant, according to an LMC press release.
“Work began on plans for the project in October of 2020 after we knew we received the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation grant,” Werling said. “Contacting and interviewing all of the various frontline worker’s staff began in January of 2021.”
“The Lowell Milken Center’s Fort Scott’s Frontline Heroes project highlights frontline professions within our community who have been directly dealing with pandemic issues in order to provide safe and direct action for our citizens,” according to the press release.
Law enforcement photo from the exhibit.
The following are recognized: firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical services workers, health care workers from Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department, Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department, and long-term care facilities, assisted/independent living facilities, and local teachers/administrators at schools.
Educators. Photo from the exhibit.
“The LMC believes these groups of workers are truly Fort Scott’s unsung heroes, as they have given so much of themselves to our community’s citizens during the pandemic and continue to do so,” according to the press release. “We encourage all Fort Scott area citizens to support these heroes by viewing the new exhibits at the Lowell Milken Center, sharing words of gratitude and support in the LMC guest book and through the LMC’s social media pages on Facebook – www.facebook.com/LowellMilkenCenter, Twitter – https://twitter.com/LowellMilkenCtr, and Instagram – www.instagram.com/LowellMilkenCtr.”
Emergency Medical Services workers. Photo from the exhibit.
COVID-19 is having a resurgence nationwide that includes Bourbon County.
The Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department is located between 6th and Lowman Streets and 6th and Horton Streets.
“At this time, I would recommend that if Bourbon County residents vaccinated or unvaccinated cannot socially distance themselves from others in public settings, that they wear a mask,” said Rebecca Johnson, Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department Administrator said. “When I left work yesterday evening our active COVID-19 case count was up to 97.”
“This surge compares closest with the surge we had around Thanksgiving time last year,” she said.
“There have been breakthrough cases where fully vaccinated people have contracted COVID-19,” she said. “We have had several cases of the Delta variant, but according to KDHE’s last report, have not had any from the tests they’ve received, in the last three weeks.”
“The Delta variant is a highly contagious strain of the COVID-19 virus that has been detected in the states that surround us as well as many counties that surround Bourbon,” Johnson said.
“I also recommend getting vaccinated if you are able. Bourbon County has four COVID-19 providers: Bourbon County Health Department, Walmart, CHC-SEK, and Walgreens. Practice social distancing, use good hygiene, and stay home when sick!” she said.
Mondays are walk-in days, call for an appointment (620)223-4464.
CHC
Bourbon County COVID statistics provided by CHC/SEK.
Since July 1, 2021, the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas has tested 530 Bourbon County residents for COVID-19, Robert Poole, Communication and Marketing Director at CHC/SEK said.
“Of those, 167 tested positive for COVID-19,” he said. “The average age of a COVID-19 positive patient in Bourbon County, for the current month, is currently 34 years old.”
“These are CHC/SEK internal tracking numbers, and do not include the efforts and statistics of the Bourbon County Health Department, Via Christi ER, or other testers in Bourbon County,” Poole said.
According to information provided by CHC/SEK, if one tests positive for COVID-19, they should talk to their healthcare provider about monoclonal antibody treatment, which has been granted emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for patients with mild or moderate COVID-19, who are at high risk of developing severe symptoms. This treatment may reduce COVID-19 hospitalizations if given from 10 days from the onset of symptoms.
It is given by infusion at an infusion site with a provider’s order.
This treatment is for those who test positive for the disease, are 12 years and older, and within 10 days of onset of symptoms.
It is also for those over 65 years old, are obese/overweight based on CDC charts, pregnant, have chronic kidney disease, diabetes, immunosuppressive disease, chronic lung disease, Sickle Cell disease, neurodevelopmental disorders or have medical-related technology dependence: tracheostomy, gastrostomy, positive pressure ventilation, not related to COVID-19.
To get tested or get a vaccine contact CHC at 620-231-9873.
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, 401 Woodland Hills Blvd.
Girard Medical Center of Uniontown Clinic also has rapid testing of COVID-19 available and can schedule a vaccine as well. The clinic phone number is 620-756-4111.
Lori Reith, left, medical assistant, and Stephanie Hallacy, nurse practitioner, stand in front of the newly opened Girard Medical Center Uniontown Clinic.
CDC
The following is information taken from the Center of Disease Control website.
The Star Emporium Downtown General Store, 17 S. Main, January 2021.
A remodeled downtown building is being sold on August 10 to the highest bidder.
“The Bourbon County Commission took the (Kress) building over… Tuesday, July 13, and on July 19, during a special meeting, the county approved to publicize the sale of the Kress building at 17 S. Main, through a sealed bidding process,” Commissioner Lynne Oharah said.
“At this time BAJA Investments is still the owner of the building,” said Bourbon County Economic Director Rob Harrington. “However they are working with the county at this time to find a new owner of the building.”
“It (the bidding process for the building)) will appear in the paper (The Fort Scott Tribune) three consecutive weeks with the bids being opened on August 10,” Oharah said. “Two scenarios are being advertised. The bids can be for the property and contents or bids can be for the property only.”
Those interested in the property at 17 S. Main should send sealed bids addressed to the Bourbon County Clerk, 210 S National, Fort Scott, KS, 66701 clearly marking the envelope, Oharah said.
The building housed the Star Emporium Downtown General Store from January to May 2021, which was owned by BAJA Investments.
BAJA Investments was granted funds from the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas program for $450,000 for the project. SPARK grants were a part of the monies given to Kansas from the federal government to help with the ongoing effects of COVID-19, according to a prior interview.
Lowell Milken Center Announces New Banner Exhibits Honoring Fort Scott’s Frontline Workers
The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes invites all community members to visit the Center beginning Wednesday, July 28, 2021, to see its newest exhibit, “Fort Scott’s Frontline Heroes.” Three new banners will be part of the exhibit, highlighting three groups of frontline workers – First Responders, Health Care Workers, and Educators. This new exhibit has been made possible with funds received from a Fort Scott Area Community Foundation grant.
The Lowell Milken Center’s “Fort Scott’s Frontline Heroes” project highlights frontline professions within our community who have been directly dealing with pandemic issues in order to provide safe and direct action for our citizens. The following three groups have been recognized in the new banner exhibits: FIRST RESPONDERS (Firefighters, Law Enforcement Officers, EMS Workers), HEALTH CARE WORKERS (CHCSEK, Ascension/Via Christi ER, Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department, Long Term Care Facilities, Assisted/Independent Living Facilities), and EDUCATORS (Public and Private Schools).
The LMC believes these groups of workers are truly Fort Scott’s “unsung heroes,” as they have given so much of themselves to our community’s citizens during the pandemic and continue to do so. We encourage all Fort Scott area citizens to support these heroes by viewing the new exhibits at the Lowell Milken Center, sharing words of gratitude and support in the LMC guest book and through the LMC’s social media pages on Facebook – www.facebook.com/LowellMilkenCenter, Twitter – https://twitter.com/LowellMilkenCtr, and Instagram – www.instagram.com/LowellMilkenCtr.
The west end of the former Mercy Hospital, located on South Horton Street at Jayhawk Road.
The Fort Scott City Commission and the Bourbon County Commission signed a contract last week to facilitate Noble Health Corp’s feasibility study of the former Mercy Hospital building.
Mercy Hospital closed its doors in December 2018, following declining patient numbers and shrinking reimbursement.
The building is located just off Hwy. 69 on Fort Scott’s south side at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd.
It currently houses the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas clinic and the Via Christi Emergency Department. Their leases are ending in 2022.
Noble Health Corp., Kansas City, announced on June 25, 2021, that it will explore the possibility of reopening an acute care hospital facility in Fort Scott, Kansas.
The city will contribute $200,000, the county $800,000 towards the feasibility study, according to the contract. The local government entities will be using American Rescue Plan money from the federal government for the project, according to Bourbon County Commissioner Clifton Beth.
The feasibility study will investigate the condition of title to the development property, the physical condition of the property, the zoning, the economic feasibility, and all matters relevant to the acquisition, usage, operation, valuation, and marketability of the property and the project, as the developer deems appropriate
Should the project prove feasible, the county agrees to contribute at least $2,000,000 to finance certain costs and expenses related to and associated with the project, according to the contract.
The following is the agreement that the Fort Scott City Commission and the Bourbon County Commissioners signed with Access Medical Advisors LLC and Noble Health Corp. on July 21, 2021.
Matt Quick – Resolution to Appointment an Interim Appraiser
Lynne Oharah – KCAMP
Michael Braim – Lynn Oharah’s Outburst at Anne Dare at the Last Meeting
Tiana McElroy – Personnel
Elected Officials Comment
County Counselor Comment
Susan Bancroft, Finance Director Comment
Public Comment
Commission Comment
1:00pm 2022 Budget Work Session
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
“It is my understanding that we will have two this year, one is supposed to be in August and another in December,” said Bourbon County Treasurer Patty Love. “( Bourbon County Counselor)Justin (Meeks) has filed around 80 properties with the District Court, these are the ones that will be on the first sale.”
“For this tax sale we will be selling properties with delinquent taxes 2016 and prior,” she said. “As soon as Justin gets me a list of the properties on the tax sale and a date set for the tax sale, they will be published in the Fort Scott Tribune and posted on the Bourbon County website @bourboncountyks.org. “
“The tax sale will be at 10:00 a.m. on the designated date,” she said. “Property owners can redeem their properties up until 4 p.m. the day prior to the tax sale by paying all delinquent taxes and the $200. court filing fee. The tax sale will start with a minimum bid (yet to be determined) and will be sold to the highest bidder. “
“In order to bid on the properties, you will need to complete a form in the Treasurer’s office stating that you are not related to or buying the property for the current owner,” Love said. “We will also check to make sure that the bidder has no unpaid Bourbon County property tax in order to get the bid number.”
“The benefit of the tax sale is that it allows us to take properties that are over three years delinquent and sell them. getting them back on the tax roll and bringing in money,” she said.
From left: Chasi Pickert, Kenna Smith, John Alley and Christy Montogo man the Beech Street Eats food trailer at the Bourbon County Fair.
A new restaurant on wheels started on Memorial Day 2021 by Wesley and Kenna Smith, called Beech Street Eats.
“My parents, Kenneth and Calen Alley, owned the Riverside Cafe in Belltown for 15 years,” Kenna Smith said. “We kids worked there.”
“I managed the Best Western OFF Club and restaurant from 1986 to ’89,” Smith said.
Her brother John Alley works as the cook in the new food trailer venture.
“John was grill cook at Mercy Hospital for 20 years,” she said. “My dad was a cook in the navy. We’ve always done food. We are a family of cooks.”
“We decided on a 30-foot food trailer, so we can travel,” she said.
The 30-foot food trailer is a restaurant on wheels.
When they first started at the end of May, they were asked to do weddings and graduation parties, and even the Good ‘Ol Days Festival, but wanted to get a little experience in the food trailer business first, she said
They park their food trailer on the east side of Lockwoods Motor Supply, located at 1523 S. National Avenue, Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
“But we might switch that up in the future,” Smith said.
The employees are herself, her brother, John, her daughter Chasi Pickert and Cristy Montogo.
Mark Brillhart, a Bourbon County Fair Board member, asked the Smiths to provide food during the fair last week.
They had a steady stream of customers.
On the horizon for the business is providing food for special events and festivals, she said.
Beech Street Eats Food Trailer menu.
Some of their crowd favorite offerings are street burritos, Philly sandwiches, and quesadillas, she said.
“The street burrito is a 14-inch shell filled with steak, chicken, cheese, guac, homemade pico, salsa with steak fries,” Smith said. “It’s one of our best sellers.”
“For the quesadilla, we make our own pico, fresh every day,” she said. “We try to get our tomatoes and onions from the Fort Scott Farmer’s Market.”
For those craving a sweet dessert, they include homemade cherry cheesecake and homemade peanut butter pie to finish out a meal.
For more information or to phone an order: 620-224-8005.
Chasi Pickert and her mother Kenna Smith wait on customers, Lisa and Dale Griffiths, at the Bourbon County Fair on Wednesday. Griffiths is a member of the fair board.
