Bourbon County Emergency Medical Services is, as of today, April 1, the new ambulance service for the community.
For emergency situations, you still dial 911.
“For emergencies, you can dial 911,” Bruner said. “For all non-emergency calls, the public can contact me at 620-223-2140.” Bruner is the Fort Scott Deputy Fire Chief.
Bruner is a representative of the City of Fort Scott on a task force that was given the job of transitioning the services, there were also representatives from Bourbon County and Mercy Hospital.
“The transition has been a learning process with all the licensing and credentialing that takes place,” Bruner said. “We are very appreciative to Mercy with the assistance they have provided to make this transition into Bourbon County EMS.”
“Currently, we will remain stationed at Mercy Hospital and the Fort Scott Fire Department Station 1 (located on National Avenue),” Bruner said.
The city will operate the ambulance, the county will bill the insurance and receive the revenue and then reimburse the city. The majority of this budget is wages, taxes and benefits, according to the Fort Scott City Commission March 19 minutes.
“We currently have six ambulances,” Bruner said. “Three of those are staffed 24/7.”
Currently, there are 11 full-time emergency medical services staff members, according to Bruner.
“Of those, four are paramedics, 1 paramedic/registered nurse and six emergency medical technicians,” Bruner said. “In addition to the full-time staff, we have 15 PRN staff. Of those four are paramedics, four are AEMT’s and seven are EMT’s.”
“Other than the logo change on the uniforms and the decals on the trucks, the service remains the same,” Bruner said.
Insurance
“We now have most, if not all, of the enrollment completed with all identified insurance carriers,” Bourbon County Commissioner Lynne Oharah said. “But it’s early in the insurance reimbursement process and we will be able to obtain a clearer picture of our monthly insurance reimbursements going forward. We are hopeful that reimbursements will cover expenses.”
Building Donated By Mercy
A building on the campus of the former Mercy Hospital is being remodeled for Bourbon County EMS.
“Renovations are still being completed at the new EMS headquarters located on the northeast corner of the Mercy Campus,” Bruner said.
“Mercy has graciously offered the donation of the EMS building,” Jody Hoenor, a member of the task force, said. “We are only waiting on the finalization of some of this paperwork.”
County jail work-release prisoners have worked on the renovation of the building, with work slated for completion by April 15, Hoenor said.
New EMS Director Being Sought
Christi Keating is the current EMS Director but is resigning, according to the city minutes.
“They have been interviewing candidates and we will be announcing the new hire soon,” Hoenor said.
History
Mercy Hospital closed in December 2018.
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas now operates the medical clinic at the site, while Ascension Via Christi operates the emergency services department.
Each Kansas county must provide ambulance services to its residents, according to state statute, Commissioner Oharah said.
The Fort Scott VA Shuttle service is now providing weekly service to Veterans in the Southeast Kansas area on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays as follows:
Mondays and Tuesdays: Fort Scott to Topeka VA Medical Center.
Wednesdays: Fort Scott to Kansas City VA Medical Center.
Veterans must have an appointment scheduled between 9 am and 1 pm on the day they ride the shuttle.
Veterans living along Highway 69 or near Louisburg and Ottawa can also schedule a ride to the VA by following the below process. Veterans scheduling rides must be at one of our predetermined stops to ride the shuttle. This is a shuttle service, not a taxi service.
The VA shuttle holds five passengers and riders must preregister for a seat. Seats on the shuttle are open to any area Veteran on a first come, first served basis.
The shuttle service is free to any Veteran who needs transportation to the VA for their medical appointments.
The shuttle will depart from the Fort Scott’s Pete’s 66 service station on Main Street and will return to Fort Scott after the last Veteran has completed their appointment. The departure time is based upon the time of the first appointment of the day at the VA Medical Center day. Riders will be notified of the shuttle departure time the evening before their ride.
The shuttle does not accommodate wheelchairs or pets. Only certified service dogs are permitted on the shuttle. Oxygen tanks are not permitted on the shuttle. Oxygen concentrators are allowed.
Family members may not ride with the Veteran on the shuttle. Those Veterans who need a caregiver to accompany them must have a signed note from their doctor attesting that the Veteran requires a caregiver to accompany them to and from their appointment.
To register for a shuttle seat, the Veteran must
·Have an appointment at a VA Medical Center between 9 am and 1 pm for the day they schedule their shuttle seat.
·Call 785-925-0261 or email [email protected] to schedule their seat. All seat reservations must be scheduled by 5 pm, the day prior to their appointment.
Please don’t hesitate to call or email me with any questions you might have.
Submitted by Carl Jowers, Fort Scott Shuttle Coordinator.
Kim Schwab, Roger Kemp, and Bill Martin visit with Jacqui Spradling following the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee Thursday.
The tragic murder of his daughter spurred Roger Kemp and his wife to action.
Ali Kemp was 19 years old in 2004 when she was raped and murdered in Leawood, a Kansas City suburb.
“That’s why we do this program,” Kemp said. “We don’t want it to happen to anybody else.”
The Kemps helped facilitate the creation of a self-defense program for females from middle-school age to “a 90-year-old grandmother,” he said.
The Ali Kemp Education Foundation, T.A.K.E., is coming to Fort Scott Middle School on Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Jill and Bob Leiker are the chief instructors for the class.
“Bob was formerly in law enforcement,” Kemp said. “Bob has been into prisons and interviewed several predators to find out what they look for.”
Since its inception, the T.A.K.E. program has seen 68,000 people go through the self-defense class nationwide, Kemp said.
Kim Schwab, an administrative assistant at the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center, is currently taking registrations for the class.
She can be reached at the jail by calling 620-223-1440 or stopping by the center, located at 293 E. 20th in Fort Scott, for an application. Alternatively, one can access the application on the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center Facebook page.
“Sheriff Bill Martin directed me to the T.A.K.E. class,” Schwab said. “It is one-hour of education and the second-hour to learn the moves you need to get away (from an attacker).”
A donation of $12 is requested, but not required.
Sponsors for the class are being sought by the Sheriff’s office.
THE ANNUAL CIVIL WAR ENCAMPMENT ON THE GROUNDS OF FORT SCOTT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE WILL BE HELD SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, APRIL TWENTY-SEVENTH AND TWENTY EIGHTH.
IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS EVENT, THE FRIENDS OF FORT SCOTT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE WILL BE HOSTING THE SECOND ANNUAL CIVIL WAR CAMP DANCE.
Submitted photo.
LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN FORT SCOTT, HISTORIC MEMORIAL HALL WILL BE FILLED WITH THE SOUND OF MUSIC FROM THE EIGHTEEN HUNDREDS ALONG WITH WHOOPING AND HOLLERING AND DANCING FEET AT THE CIVIL WAR CAMP DANCE THE EVENING OF SATURDAY, APRIL TWENTY-SEVENTH.
PERIOD DANCES AND MUSIC ARE SURE TO ENTERTAIN PARTICIPANTS AS THEY BRING HISTORY TO LIFE.
THE CAMP DANCE IS HELD TO COINCIDE WITH THE CIVIL WAR ENCAMPMENT WEEKEND AT FORT SCOTT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE.
IT GIVES THE VOLUNTEERS ATTENDING THE ENCAMPMENT AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET TOGETHER, HAVE A GOOD TIME, AND BRING HISTORY ALIVE IN A SOCIAL ATMOSPHERE.
THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO COME AND JOIN IN THE DANCING OR JUST TO WATCH.
WE ENCOURAGE, BUT DON’T REQUIRE, THOSE WHO ATTEND TO COME DRESSED IN 1860S CIVIL WAR ATTIRE, OR DRESSED AS1800S WESTERN PIONEERS. IT SETS THE TONE FOR THE EVENING.
ALL AGES ARE WELCOME. COME JOIN US AS WE LEARN 1800S DANCES TO 1800S MUSIC.
THE DOORS OPEN AT SIX-THIRTY AND DANCING BEGINS AT 7:00 PM.
THE COST OF FIVE DOLLARS PER PERSON COLLECTED AT THE DOOR GOES TO THE FRIENDS OF FORT SCOTT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE.
FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO FACEBOOK AT FORT SCOTT KANSAS EIGHTEEN HUNDREDS DANCING.
Chamber members take advantage of the tour of the second-floor office of the Bourbon County Attorney following the Chamber of Commerce coffee.
A large number of people crowded into the hallway of the Bourbon County Courthouse Thursday morning to attend the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee.
Many of the county’s departments were represented at the coffee.
Community announcements were given, with each announcer paying $1 to the Fort Scott Trolley Car transportation fund.
This week’s coffee was hosted by the Bourbon County Commission, with First District Commissioner Lynne Oharah telling of the events coming up in the county.
First District Bourbon County Commissioner Lynne Oharah.Nick Ruhl, District 3 Bourbon County Commissioner.Jeff Fischer, District 2 Bourbon County Commissioner.
Oharah invited the attendees to tour the facility on the first floor that houses the Bourbon County Clerk, Treasurer, County Commission Room, Economic Director and Counselor.
Also open for viewing was the second-floor Bourbon County Attorney Office space, which has been in use since October.
Bourbon County Attorney Jacqui Spradling.
Oharah said the commission is “looking to renew a one-cent sales tax for maintaining or new hard-surfaced roads in the county.”
On another subject, he also noted that “the county is totally responsible for the ambulance service as of April 1.”
This following the closing of Mercy Hospitali n October and the transitioning to the county’s responsibility for the ambulance.
Economic Director Jody Hoenor said the transition was a “team approach” between the county, Mercy and the City of Fort Scott.
Hoenor advised people to contact their insurance provider directly to see if the ambulance service will be covered in their policy.
Hoenor also said she is working on a strategic plan for the county which focuses on “increasing our population to spread the tax base over many shoulders.”
Angel Wilson, victim witness coordinator and office administration; Judy Hood, senior legal secretary and juvenile victim witness coordinator; and Staci Haynes, diversion and senior legal secretary at the Bourbon County Attorney’s Office.Jim Harris, Bourbon County Public Works Director.J.T. Heckman, Bourbon County Public Works Supervisor.
Tri-Valley Developmental Services, 4305 Campbell Drive, located in Fort Scott’s Industrial Park.
The long winter is almost over. Gardeners are getting antsy to get their hands in the dirt in their gardens.
“It’s winter time,” Barb McCord, Tri-Valley Developmental Services (TVDS) Horticultural Therapist, said. “I know a lot of gardeners are excited about getting started.”
The 7th Annual Gardeners Christmas Auction, Saturday, March 30, will help assist them to get started.
Barb McCord tells about some of the plants grown in the greenhouse at Tri-Valley Developmental Services.
The silent auction along with the plant and garden decor sale is from 10 a.m. to noon at the TVDS, located in Fort Scott’s Industrial Park at 4305 Campbell Drive.
Barb McCord shows a butterfly house for sale at the silent auction.
“I tell people it’s down the hill from Key Industries,” McCord said.
Coleus grown covers will be for sale.
The sale benefits the horticulture therapy program at TVDS.
“It’s been a successful addition to our client’s lives and provides a quality product to our community,” McCord said.
Ferns will be for sale.
The clients do science experiments, work on fine motor skills, work on following directions and learn to work as a team, among others, she said.
There will be a “compost bin”, with gently used gardening items and other items donated by the community at the sale.
“Hoses, tools, an exercise bike, a leaf shredder, a birdcage and stand, supports for plants and gardening books, McCord said.
The following will be for sale at the Gardener’s Christmas Auction:
Lots of herbs, veggies, flowers, hanging basket items and other plants will be for sale.A handmade table will be for sale: a cedar post inlaid in concrete.A table top planting unit is for sale.A spring decor item for sale.A conceal carry purse will be for sale.Jewelry for sale at the auction.
The next grief support luncheon will be Wednesday, April 3rd, at noon. Anyone dealing with a loss is encouraged to come and bring a friend. Pastor Jeff Dillow will be speaking. Cheney Witt Chapel will provide lunch at the Carriage House, 301 S. Main. Call us at 223-1186 if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you!
Alan Shinn has been a math teacher for 50 years at Uniontown High School, getting to his math room by 6 or 7 a.m. daily to prepare for class and be available for students with math questions.
UHS Math Teacher Alan Shinn looks over a lesson for class.
As of May 17, he is retiring.
His long tenure began with an interest in math as a youth.
As a freshman at Iola High School, Shinn was challenged by his algebra teacher, Mr. Jewell.
“He would answer every question with a question,” Shinn said. “I know that frustrated fellow students. But it made me attempt to do the problem. I decided my freshman year I wanted to be a math teacher.”
Shinn attended Allen County Community College, then Kansas State Teachers College at Emporia, getting a degree in mathematics.
He was the first person in his family to attend college.
Shinn started his first year of teaching math at Uniontown High School in 1969, with a $19,000 contract.
He found out about the UHS math vacancy from his uncle Don Nichols, who was the math teacher at the school for seven years.
His first year of teaching was a learning curve.
“The first year, my wife and I would go to Kansas City (to visit Don Nichols) a half-dozen times to get advice and answer questions I had about teaching,” Shinn said.
“I owe a lot to those two gentlemen: my freshman teacher and my uncle,” he said.
There was another motivation.
“My Dad worked at the cement plant,” Shinn said. “I got to work there for two summers. It was hot and dirty and I didn’t want to do that for the rest of my life.”
During his first year of teaching at UHS, Shinn was offered a scholarship from the National Science Foundation (NSF) through Pittsburg State University to get his masters degree in math.
At that time in history, science and mathematics were being strongly encouraged in the U. S. education system due to the space technology challenge from the Russians.
“They (NFS) paid for the master’s degree,” Shinn said.
“I think they need to do that again,” he said. “There is a shortage of math teachers.”
In his 50 years of teaching at UHS Shinn has coached math students into more than one hundred first-place victories in competitions with from three to 30 schools. Additionally, he has coached students to 46 second-place school awards and 24 third-place overall school achievements.
Some of Shinn’s math students’ awards line the wall in his room at UHS.
“I have had more than 20 students who are now math teachers,” Shinn said. “Two more are going to college right now to become math teachers.”
Additionally, a current UHS senior and sophomore have a desire to become math teachers, he said.
“I have always been known for giving lots of homework,” Shinn said. “I don’t think you can learn math and do one-half dozen problems per night.”
The best part of teaching for Shinn is doing the best he can to get his students to “be able to go to college (math) and get through it.”
