Category Archives: Bourbon County

Bourbon County, Fort Scott Community College, Health Care

FSCC Nursing Program donates medical supplies

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Fort Scott Community College (FSCC) Department of Nursing has been fortunate enough to be able to give back to people of Fort Scott and the surrounding communities during this time of uncertainty. The FSCC Department of Nursing was able to donate the following to Ascension Via Christi in Fort Scott:

  • 20,000 gloves of various sizes
  • 1,100 ear-loop masks
  • 250 pairs of shoe covers
  • 100+ N95 masks
  • 100+ isolation gowns
  • 7 face shields
  • 12 disposable stethoscopes.

“It is a true honor to be in the position that we are able to donate these supplies to those healthcare superheroes so they are adequately able to care for our community,” says Jordan Howard, Director of FSCC.

All of FSCC’s classes have recently moved to an online base learning including the Nursing Program for the remainder of the semester. The technical/hands-on classes such as FSCC Nursing, John Deere, Welding, etc. do have the ability to do simulations online that mimic real-life scenarios. Because of that, the FSCC Nursing Department wanted to put their unused medical supplies to good use.

“We definitely want to help keep our frontline ER personnel safe and are more than happy to support our local healthcare needs with the supplies,” says Alysia Johnston, FSCC President.

To view FSCC’s COVID-19 EAP and any other updates, please visit fortscott.edu.

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Bourbon County, Fort Scott

American Legion Update

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Saturday’s Motorcycle Basic Skills Class has been postponed.
Boys State, Cadet Law and the American Legion College have all been cancelled for this year.
Our Post 25 general membership meeting for Monday, April 6 is cancelled.
The American Legion is pushing “Buddy Check” during this Corona Virus outbreak. Several Post Officers are reaching out to our members who do not use email and are checking on them.
If you are aware of a neighbor in need, let me know. I’ll see how the Fort Scott American Legion can assist them.
Two Positive Notes:
Post 25 welcomes Richard Marshall, WW2 Veteran, as new Post 25 member. With Legionnaire Marshall joining our Post, Post 25 now has 100 members. A milestone by any standard.
Legionnaires and Riders Chapter 25 members Darrell Spencer, Jake Campbell, Myra Jowers and Carl Jowers participated today in an American Legion Riders escort for a deceased Veteran from Mound City to Bronson. Paola American Legion Riders Chapter 153 was the host Riders Chapter for the escort.
Stay safe.
Carl Jowers. Post 25 Commander
Bourbon County, Schools

Karen Mix Retires From West Bourbon Elementary School

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Karen Mix. Submitted photo.

This is part of a series highlighting educators who will retire this school year.

In spite of the world crisis, life goes on, and FortScott.Biz will continue to  feature stories of local interest.

 

Karen Mix, 61, 30-year kindergarten teacher at West Bourbon Elementary School is retiring.

“I have been blessed to work at the USD 235 district,” Mix said.

She substituted in the district for three years, taught fifth-grade for one year, then began her career in kindergarten.

“There is so much satisfaction in teaching kindergarten,” Mix said. “It is amazing what these little ones can achieve in a year. The gains they make in knowledge, self-confidence, and social skills…I have gone to work to do a job that I love to do!  I have been able to sing, dance, laugh and have snacks every day!  Plus, I have actually gotten paid to do it!  I can only hope that I have touched my students’ lives in as many ways as they have mine.”

” I felt it was important to teach kindness and respect for each other,” she said. ” We said the Golden Rule every day, I always told them that it was not just a 5-year-olds rule but a rule for all your life!
I think sometimes a kindergarten teacher’s role in a child’s life is not always understood by many people. Many times I have been the first role model they have met since leaving their parents. I have so many roles in class…drying tears, hugging fears away, fixing girls hair, zipping, tying shoes, teaching them to look, listen, learn and have fun. It has been a crazy ride and I have loved every minute of it!!!

Mix received her education from Fort Scott High School, Fort Scott Community College, then Pittsburg State University and finally Walden University where she earned her Masters Degree in Reading.

Her second-grade teacher who became her aunt, Hazel Ploeger, inspired her to teach, she said.

Her hometown is  Independence, Mo.  but she moved to Fort Scott, when 17 years old.

Mix married her husband,  Mike, at 19 years old and they bought the farm they have lived on since.

“We have two sons, Evan married to Marci,  one grandson, and twins due in April. And our youngest son, Matthew.”

Mix has been involved in her community as a member of the Fulton United Methodist Church.

One of the greatest challenges in teaching for Mix was keeping up with the many changes that the state requires of schools, she said.

Retirement?

“I am looking forward to spending more time with my husband and my grandchildren,” she said.

Bourbon County, Government, Health Care

Where The Bo Co Resident With COVID 19 Frequented

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SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Bourbon County, Kansas

PRESS RELEASE:

NOVEL CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19

March 24, 2020;

The Bourbon County, Kansas resident who tested positive for COVID-19, on 3/22/20, had recently frequented Fort Scott’s Walmart store and a local bank. These locations have been notified and are taking precautions to prevent any spread of COVID-19.They also visited the Kansas City, Kansas area and Independence, Kansas, within the last 2 weeks.

This is all the information that will be released on the resident, unless other areas of contact are identified.

The Bourbon County Health Department is continuing to monitor the COVID-19 situation and will continue to update the public with current information.

As on previous notices, please continue to follow COVID-19 precautions with social distancing (greater than 6 feet for less than 10 minutes) and proper hygiene practices.

Please contact the Bourbon County Health Department for questions or concerns (620)223-4464. You can also look for updates on the Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Dept. Facebook page, the Bourbon County Corona Virus Updates Facebook page. Or you may also contact the COVID-19 hotline at (866)534-3463.

SEK Multi-County Health Department Administrator

Bourbon County Public Health Officer

Bourbon County, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Health Care

CHC/SEK Responds to COVID 19

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UPDATE 03/24/20

CHC/SEK IS RESPONDING TO COVID-19 The COVID-19 situation is challenging each of us in different ways. For the staff at CHC/SEK, “business as usual” has always meant constantly trying to improve and find new and better ways to care for our patients.

This week we made several procedural changes in response to the virus. You will see tents in front of some of our clinics, and a screening nurse will greet you at all locations.

Nurses will ask you a few questions, and possibly take your temperature before you enter the clinic. The reason is to identify any potential COVID-19 patients before they enter, so we can properly treat them with minimum exposure to other patients and our clinical staff. In some cases, COVID-19 testing may take place in the patient’s vehicle rather than inside the clinic.

Public Health Officials are emphasizing that not everyone can, or needs, to be tested. Potential COVID-19 patients must meet specific guidelines that include specific symptoms and risk actors as directed by the CDC and state health departments. Our Nurse-staffed information line is now open 24-hours a day to answer health questions and screen patients concerned about exposure to the virus. The toll-free number is 866.888.8650.

We also understand that as the virus pandemic continues, we must continue to provide our “normal” health care services with as little interruption as possible.

We are now seeing some patients through eVisits. Patients can be “seen” by their health care provider from home via a smartphone or other device using an internet or data connection. E-visits are a convenient option for patients who are generally in good health, and more routine visits. Call us at your regular clinic number to ask about eVisits.

We’re also shifting appointment times in some locations, with “well” or routine visits in the mornings (or afternoons), and ill, or symptomatic patients on the opposite schedule with the idea of minimalizing exposure risks.

In Pittsburg, we will soon be diverting well-child visits with our pediatricians to our mobile clinic, called the KidCare Connection. We want to keep your healthy child’s examinations and vaccinations on schedule in the safest environment possible. The bus will be parked at 3011 N. Michigan, on the north side of our clinic.

Finally, Apothecare pharmacies at the Pleasanton, Fort Scott, and Pittsburg locations are providing free same-day delivery by vehicle or delivery by mail for prescriptions. CHC/SEK will continue to provide updates as they unfold.
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Bourbon County, Sports

American Legion Baseball

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The American Legion Department of Kansas has notified me that plans are still on for this summer’s baseball season..

American Legion Baseball is about sportsmanship, character development and Americanism. Fort Scott was a powerhouse in Legion Baseball for many years and can be so again.

Fort Scott American Legion Post 25 is recruiting baseball players for the 2020 summer season. Male students from Fort Scott High School or St Martin’s Academy who are between 13-19 as of January 1, and does not turn 20 this calendar year are eligible to play Legion baseball.

Team size will be limited to no more than 18 players.

Because of the current group meetings restriction, an orientation meeting will not be held.  A team meeting will be held in the future.

If you are interested in playing on this year’s Fort Scott American Legion baseball team, please contact Post 25 Legionnaire Bryan Smith at bryan9274@yahoo.com or call 360-720-1569 for more information.

Submitted by Carl Jowers. Post 25 Commander.

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda March 24

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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: March 24, 2020

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

Special Meeting

11:00 am – The Commissioners are going to meet. A portion of this meeting will be in executive session (regarding non-elected personnel). – This meeting will take place via a phone conference. The meeting can be viewed on the Bourbon County Facebook page.

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Need a family project?

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Jennifer Terrell, K-State Extension Agent

 

In this time of pandemic, many families are trying to find something to do as a family or specifically for their children. I would like to encourage your family to consider being a part of Southwind and Kansas 4-H.

 

4-H is a great organization to pair with homeschooling and the social distancing we are being asked to do. There are so many great things you may do as a family in 4-H and over 35 projects the family can learn more about together. One of those projects is Environmental Sciences.

 

This project provides opportunities for youth to engage in learning about environmental science through hands-on, experiential learning experiences in the natural sciences and technology. There’s No New Water! is a water conservation and water quality curriculum grounded in the concept that water is a finite natural resource whose quantity and quality must be responsibly preserved, protected, used and reused.

 

There is 4-H Curriculum that can be purchased for anyone interested in the Environmental Sciences project. Here is a breakdown of what youth can learn at different levels:

 

Earth’s Capacity (Ages 11-13)

  • Analyze your environment for abundance and scarcity
  • Determine carrying capacity for a specific area
  • Study global climate change
  • Figure your ecological footprint

 

Ecosystem Services (ages 11-13)

  • Study where your water comes from
  • Learn how soil is formed
  • Study the energy required to produce food
  • Evaluate recreation and ecotourism

 

There’s No New Water (ages 14-18)

  • Explore natural water cycle
  • Study human interventions that affect water quality and quantity
  • Analyze rural to urban interventions in water cycle
  • Identify and implement service – learning projects that address local water issues

 

In addition to the curriculum, youth are also encouraged to utilize the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States website at epa.gov/students to find materials for all ages. Each year, youth are able to demonstrate their hard work locally at the county fair in the Miscellaneous Division.

 

The Environmental Sciences project is a great opportunity for youth to learn important life skills. For more information about this project, contact Jennifer K. Terrell, 4-H Youth Development for K-State Research and Extension – Southwind District at jkterrell@ksu.edu or 620-244-3826.

 

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Special Meeting March 25

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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: March 25, 2020

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

Special Meeting

9:00 the Commissioners are scheduled to meet for employee matters

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Health Care

Ascension Via Christi no longer allowing visitation with few exceptions

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As of noon today, Ascension Via Christi Hospital will be enacting additional visitation restrictions designed to protect patients and staff as COVID-19 has reached Southeast Kansas and a growing number of surrounding counties.

This includes our Emergency Department in Fort Scott, which is also no longer allowing visitors. Exceptions for the following units, where one visitor will be allowed in:
● Labor and Delivery
● Pediatrics
● Pre- and Post-operative Care

These visitors must meet the screening criteria being employed at the entry points, which for visitors are limited to the main lobby, ER and, at St. Francis, second-floor entrance from the parking garage.

End-of-life visitation needs will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Everyone else is encouraged to lend their support through the use of virtual platforms, such as Facebook or Skype.

“We appreciate the role family plays in the healing process and the importance of the presence of loved ones during family milestones,” said Randy Cason, President of Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg. “However, our first priority continues to be protecting our patients and staff and helping slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community.”

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About Ascension Via Christi

In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs more than 6,000 associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided more than $33.6 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2019. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is one of the leading non-profit and Catholic health systems in the U.S., operating 2,600 sites of care – including 150 hospitals and more than 50 senior living facilities – in 20 states and the District of Columbia. Visit
www.ascension.org.