Category Archives: Bourbon County

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Youth

Outdoor Rink Attracts 365 Skaters During Opening Weekend

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The rink named Glide is located at the Gathering Pavilion on North National Avenue.
The new outdoor skating rink in Fort Scott had approximately 365 people skate the opening weekend during the Christmas on the Bricks Festival on December 6-8.
The Glide is a synthetic ice skating rink that is located at the Gathering Pavilion on North National Avenue.
“Everyone that has visited the rink seems to be enjoying it,” Diane Striler, the event organizer said. “One of the best things we overheard was a little girl who told her mom that now they don’t have to go up to Kansas City to skate.”
Diane Striler and her husband Dean at last year’s Christmas on the Bricks. Submitted photo.
Free tickets to skate now available
“We have three groups that have purchased tickets so kids can skate for free.
1. anonymous donor – 100 tickets
2. Farmer Philanthropy/Carla Farmer – 100 tickets
3. Fort Scott Kiwanis – 50 tickets
    Kiwanis Pioneers- 50 tickets
“Skate aides are available for $2 per skater-free for those with disabilities,” Striler said.
Tickets can be picked up at the Fort Scott Chamber – 231 E Wall St- 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“All workers at the rink are coordinated through The Fort Scott Area Chamber Foundation,” she said.
Appreciation For Those Who Helped Bring Rink To Fruition
 “We would like to recognize the donors of the rink,” said Striler. “We especially wanted to thank Al  and Luanna Niece for their amazing contribution of $25,000.”
Skating rink donors are listed on the skate storage/payment room at the rink site.
“The ones below the Nieces donated  $5,000 and down to $500,” Striler said.
“The graphic (below) is all the individuals that donated their time  toward the contruction for the rink and set up,” she said.
The list of those who helped with getting the set up completed at the skating rink.
Donors graphic submitted.
“The list (above) includes everyone that monetarily donated at all levels toward the rink, helped with fundraisers and we also wanted to thank the bakers that helped with the Pumpkin Roll Fundraiser – Taira Williams, Jamie Beckham, Joyce Davenport and Jolynne Mitchell and Fort Scott Broadcasting for helping us get out all the information.  We want to thank these people and everyone that contributed in any way,” Striler said.
Bourbon County, Youth

CASA Benefit is Dec. 13

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Change a Child’s Story…

You are cordially invited to a Christmas Celebration

to benefit Bourbon County CASA.

Friday, December 13th 2024

7:00-9:00 pm

Heavy hors d’oeuvres & full bar provided

Gary & Sally Cullor

810 195th Street

Fort Scott, Kansas

RSVP: Friday, December 6th

Call 620-215-2769 or email [email protected]

Click HERE for the Bourbon County CASA Facebook page!
Giving Levels

*Payable with your reservation response card

Sponsors:

$25 per person

$50 per couple

Guardian:

$50 per person

$100 per couple

Guardian Angel:

$75 per person

$150 per couple

Friend:

$125 per person

$250 per couple

Defender:

$500 per person

$1000 per couple

Benefactor:

$1000 per person and over

A special thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
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Bourbon County, Government

Minutes from the Dec. 5 Bourbon County Commission Meeting

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December 5, 2024                                                                                                            Thursday 9:00 a.m.

 

 

 

The Board of Bourbon County Commissioners met in open session with all three Commissioners and the County Clerk present.

 

 

Anne Dare, Teri Hulsey, Jean Tucker, Shanda Stewart, Mark McCoy, Jason Silvers, Mike Wunderly, Tim Emerson, and Debra Shepard were present for some or all of the meeting.

 

Jim opened the meeting with the flag salute.

 

Clifton made a motion to approve the consent agenda which includes approval of minutes from 11/21/2024, approval of accounts payable totaling $350,068.23, approval of payroll totaling $315,166.08, and approval of October financials. Brandon seconded the motion and all approved.

 

Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk, stated the caterer was available for a holiday dinner on December 17th and asked that we close the courthouse as we have done in the past to allow all employees to attend. Clifton made a motion to close the courthouse on December 17th from 11:00-1:00 for employees to attend a holiday dinner and that more than one Commissioner may be present, however; no county business will be conducted. Brandon seconded the motion and all approved.

 

Teri Hulsey, EMS Director, stated they received grants from The Patterson Foundation, The Wal-Mart Foundation, and The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation, as well as local donations from Labconco, Neice, Peerless Products, and Mid-Continental and are now able to purchase the PowerLoad cot system for the EMS 1 truck. Jim thanked Teri for all her hard work. Clifton said he received a call from a citizen who is concerned about where they can dispose of their sharps since Walgreens is closing. Clifton asked Teri what we do with ours and if we can accept them from citizens. Teri asked Clifton to let her confirm that they are able to do that she said they had partnered with the police department in the past and had a big box that they were dropped in.

 

Mark McCoy, with Bourbon County REDI, said he has been here three times requesting funding and he is respectfully requesting funding in the amount of $75,000 for services rendered. Mr. McCoy said this is well under the $130,000 that was originally set aside. Jim said he is not sure that we did set aside funds for REDI in 2024 and that he would have to ask the CFO. Jim asked if anybody from REDI is knocking on business doors trying to help businesses and sell properties? Mark said no they are not physically knocking on doors but Rob has showed 2 buildings and that the Valu-Merchandiser’s building is hard to sell as the seller is staying firm. Jim said his next meeting will be on the 19th and asked Mark or Rob to do a presentation of what they have accomplished the last several years. Mark said that they will be here to do that.

 

Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk, said KCAMP has a Risk Avoidance Grant in the amount of $2000 that they county can apply for. The Sheriff’s Department was able to use $800 earlier this year to purchase fire extinguishers for their vehicles and Jennifer asked permission to work with the courthouse, public works, and EMS to determine who has purchased items that would qualify and to apply for the remaining amount of the Risk Avoidance Grant. The Commissioners agreed to let Jennifer work with other departments and apply for the remaining funds.

 

Clifton made a motion to amend the agenda to pass out the Emergency Department funding agreement. Brandon seconded the motion and all approved.

 

Clifton handed out the agreement and said it was basically the same with a few changes including the name has been changed to Freeman Fort Scott Hospital, Inc., the date has been changed from October 1 to December 5th, and that payment will be due within 10 days of signing the agreement. Clifton said the City of Fort Scott will still contribute $600,000 and Bourbon County will contribute $500,000. Clifton said there is a clawback stating in the event that the emergency department is not open or operational by 6-1-2025 Freeman will have to pay back the money in monthly payments. Clifton said the agreements states that Bourbon County will let Freeman use the equipment commencing 6-1-2025. Jim asked if part B item 3 should state 6-1-2025 instead of 4-1-2025 and Clifton said yes, and to change it on the agreement he has. The Commission accepted questions from the audience while Brandon read the agreement. Anne Dare asked Clifton to reread the section of the agreement and questioned why the date was changed from 4-1-2025 to 6-1-2025. Clifton said there was no reason given. Pete Owenby asked how much money is wrapped up in the hospital building now. Clifton said 2.5 million dollars plus the building and the land. Jim said you have to look at the building as we only had “x” amount of dollars to keep up the building and that the $2,000,000 came from federal funds and the funds given by Mercy. Clifton said the money was spent on the building and you can look through their expenditures. Jim said some people who originally wanted to tear the building down are happy that we did not because of all the work KRI has done. Clifton said Legacy is the reason KRI is here. Pete asked if we could have put the building up for bid. Clifton said we tried to give the building away to Freeman, KU Med, Saint Lukes, and even Mercy and they didn’t want it. Jim said he was contacted by KRI and he asked Justin Meeks to call Legacy. Clifton said that wasn’t true that he is the one that contacted Legacy and he was shown emails between Legacy and KRI. Shanda Stewart said that people are concerned with the time it has taken to try to close on the deal. Clifton made a motion to accept the emergency department funding agreement and to allow Chairman Harris to sign it. Brandon said it is a good contract that covers Bourbon County. Brandon seconded the motion and all approved.

 

Jim asked to amend the agenda to discuss the moratorium because the vote wasn’t recorded. Clifton seconded and all approved. Jim said he thought we voted on it but there was a lot of noise in the room and it was not recorded. Jim stated the County Counselor said we can rescind and back date to 10-31-2024. Jim made a motion to sign a resolution rescinding the moratorium on solar projects in Bourbon County and termination of prior agreements with Hinton Creek as so voted on 10-31-2024 and the counselor says we can redate this resolution to 10-31-2024. Clifton seconded the motion. Brandon opposed. The vote passed 2-1.

 

Clifton made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:27. Brandon seconded the motion and all approved.

 

 

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

___________________, Chairman

___________________,Commissioner

ATTEST:                                                                                                  ___________________,Commissioner

                                                                       

Jennifer Hawkins, Bourbon County Clerk

12-12-2024                    Approved Date

 

 

Bourbon County, History

Veteran’s Graves Will Be Decorated On December 13 at Uniontown Cemetery

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Uniontown Cemetery is east of the town on Maple Road.

At 1 p.m. Friday, December 13 a holiday wreath presentation ceremony will take place at the Uniontown Cemetery, east of the town on Maple Road, to honor the veterans buried there.

The Uniontown Ruritan has organized the ceremony, which will include a speaker and patriotic songs by the Uniontown High Band and the Uniontown High School Choir.

The names of every veteran buried in this cemetery will be read while the wreaths are placed on the graves.

“This is not affiliated with the Wreaths Across America program,” Mary Pemberton, Ruritan member said. “Because Uniontown Cemetery is not a national cemetery, we do not receive a price break on wreaths like the Fort Scott National Cemetery does. In consideration of citizen donations and cost-effectiveness, we decided to purchase decorated manufactured wreaths that can be reused for several years, rather than purchasing through the WAA program, which are live, one-time-use wreaths.”

“Matt Crystal from the Veterans of Foreign Wars will be the speaker,” said Mark Warren, a Ruritan member who is organizing the event. “The UHS band, choir, basketball, and National Honor Society will be assisting the Uniontown Ruritan in doing this.”

The public is invited.

 

Bourbon County

The Beacon Still Has 31 Families to Provide Christmas For: Help Is Needed

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The Beacon, a local helping agency in Bourbon County, is still in need of people to adopt a family for Christmas buying.

“We had 112 families needing to be adopted this year and have 31 remaining,”Ashley Heathman, assistant director of the Beacon said. “These are all Beacon clients with children still in school.”

“The families I have remaining are three families with four children,
four families with three children, seven families with two children, and seventeen families with one child,”she said.

“A majority of the remaining children to be adopted are teenagers mixed in with a couple of younger children,” she said. “Those who would like to adopt would need to come into The Beacon between 9 am and 1 pm this week by Friday at close to adopt the families. The presents drop-off is on Dec. 18th and 19th at Community Christian Church between 9 am and 1 pm. The minimum spending limit per child is $40.00. Gifts need to be wrapped and tagged with the child’s name and family number provided on the papers given during the adoption process.”

“The Adopt-A-Family program is a project that The Beacon takes great pride in,” said Heathman in a prior interview. “We help local Bourbon County families bring Christmas to their homes. After the application is filled out, we make the families available for the public and organizations to come in and ‘adopt’.  They then purchase gifts for the children and The Beacon puts together a rather large holiday meal package for the family. The children’s Christmas gifts are purchased, wrapped, and tagged with the family number and dropped off at Community Christian Church, where we sort into the proper family group.”

Those who want to adopt a family can come to The Beacon, 525 E. Sixth, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Friday from 9  a.m. to 1 p.m. to pick the family they want to adopt or call 620-223-6869.

To view the prior feature:

The Beacon Sees An Increase In Local Families In Need

Bourbon County, Government, Schools

USD 235 Passes Resolution to Hold School Bond Election

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PRESS RELEASE from Vance Eden, superintendent of USD235, Uniontown School District.

 

The USD 235 Board of Education approved a resolution Monday night to place a $1,250,000 bond election before voters during a special election held Tuesday, March 4.  The board of education went back to the drawing board after voters rejected two propositions in the November 2023 election.  This time around, the board of education reduced the scope of work and bond amount by 86 percent.

Following the election, the district surveyed its constituents to better understand its perspectives and priorities.  In that feedback we heard that the cost of the previous bond question was too high, and many patrons felt the scope of work included items that were not truly a need.  With that in mind, we have reduced the work to only include the three most pressing needs.  In doing so, the district is able to present a bond issue to the public that would have a no mill increase to taxpayers.

The scope of work will include 3 projects.  The largest expense will be for the replacement of the two modulars at West Bourbon Elementary School with one permanent structure that will house the preschool and small offices for school psychology and speech therapy services.  The bond will also include the replacement of the antiquated fire alarm system at the high school and will renovate the main entrance at WBE to be ADA accessible, as well as more secure.

The following bond proposal below will appear on the ballot.

Shall the following be adopted?

 

Shall Unified School District No. 235, Bourbon County, Kansas (Uniontown), issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $1,250,000 to pay the costs to construct, furnish and equip:  (a) replacement of the District’s Pre-K facility; (b) ADA and secure entry improvements at West Bourbon Elementary School; (c) fire alarm system improvements at the Uniontown Junior/Senior High School; and (d) all other necessary improvements related thereto (collectively the “Project”); and (e) to pay costs of issuance and interest on said general obligation bonds during construction of the Project; all pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 10‑101 et seq., K.S.A. 25‑2018(f), K.S.A. 72‑5457, and K.S.A. 72‑5458 et seq.?

 

The special election will take place on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.

Bourbon County, Health Care

County Commissioners vote to sign agreement for Emergency Room

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Bourbon County Commission Meeting Dec. 5, 2024

(Due to technical difficulties with the meeting recording, the first 6 minutes of this meeting had no sound. Whatever was said at the beginning of that meeting is not in this article.)

The Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National Avenue.

Six citizens in attendance asked several questions about the future of the hospital building and the agreement that the county is making with Freeman to get an emergency room back in Fort Scott.

The commissioner read the agreement for emergency facility aloud in the meeting.

The agreement includes a deadline of opening a fully operational emergency room by June 1, 2025. If Freeman fails to meet the requirements of the agreement without “good cause,” all funds will be returned to the appropriate parties. The deadline for completion may be extended up to six month “for good cause,” but no further.

The commissioner state that the agreement keeps Bourbon County’s taxpayer dollars in Bourbon County.

He also mentioned that there is a separate agreement regarding sales tax that “comes later.”

Citizen asked why date changed from April 1 to June 1. No specific reason was given.

Another citizen asked how much money the county has invested in this. The commissioner responded: $2.5 million plus the building and land.

Other county commissioner acknowledged the discussion that has surrounded the county’s actions regarding the hospital, “was it the right decision, or a bad decision?” As a commissioner, his perspective was that we have “so many dollars in the hopper” and the county wasn’t collecting any rent and was paying all the expenses out of said hopper. He projected it would take about 30 months to use up the money in the hopper at the current rate. This would have led to the choice to either tearing the building down or “go after a lot of taxpayer dollars to keep it open.”

“Now that $2 million came from the federal government and Mercy Hospital.” he said. None of it was county tax dollars and there is documented accounting for all of it.

“It was a gamble,” admits commissioner, referring to the relationship with KRI Freeman, “but it worked. We got very fortunate.”

“Legacy is the reason KRI is here,” said another commissioner. “Let’s not forget everybody involved.”

When a citizen asked if the county could not have just sold the building, the commissioner responded, “we tried to give the building away, and no one would take it.” He listed several organizations and groups that the building was offered to before Legacy took over, including KU Medical, St. Luke’s, Freeman, and Mercy, as well as various developers.

“Legacy will fulfill what they said they would, and we’ll have an emergency room,” was his summarizing of the current situation.

In response to rumors that Legacy is holding up the sale of the old hospital building, the commissioner explained his conversation with the lawyer for Legacy in which the lawyer stated that Legacy has been in talks with KRI’s CFO for 2 months and that, “it seems to me everybody is doing everything they can to get that building transferred.”

Motion to accept agreement was unanimously accepted pending discussed changes.

Commissioners also reaffirmed a vote that had not been properly recorded in the Oct. 31 meeting to the effect of signing a resolution rescinding the moratorium on solar projects in Bourbon County and termination of prior agreements with Creek Solar (?) with an effective date of Oct. 31, 2024

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Dec. 12

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Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Kansas

Brandon Whisenhunt

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

December 12, 2024 9:00 a.m.

 

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute
  • Approval of Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 12/5/2024
  1. Public Comments
  2. Pam and John Speer Sr.- Road Issue
  3. Department Updates
    1. Public Works
  • Pinnacle Broadband Letter of Support
  • Real Property Relief Application-494 263rd Terrace
  1. Consideration of Moving Meetings to Mondays
  2. Commission Comments
  3. Adjourn Meeting

 

 

Executive Session Justifications:

 

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 the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting

would jeopardize such security measures.

 

Bourbon County, Schools, Youth

The Uniontown Science Olympiad teams have kicked off the 24-25 season.

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B Division Team – 1st row: Ely Swink, Scout Eden, Ash Sporleder, Ty Shelton, Lexi Irsik, Autstin Maycomber 2nd row: Blake Ervin, Mathew Knight ( Mentor), Makiah Woods, Marley Sutton and McKinley Sutton

Science Olympiad competitions are like academic track meets, consisting of a series of 23 team events in each division (Division B is middle school; Division C is high school), according to information provided by Uniontown Science Teacher Carrie Sutcliffe.

Each year, a portion of the events are rotated to reflect the ever-changing nature of genetics, earth science, chemistry, anatomy, physics, geology, mechanical engineering and technology. By combining events from all disciplines, Science Olympiad encourages a wide cross-section of students to get involved. Emphasis is placed on active, hands-on group participation. Through Science Olympiad, students, teachers, parents, principals and business leaders bond together and work toward a shared goal.

 

 

Lexi Irsik and Scout Eden. Submitted photo.
Austin Maycomber.
Ash Sporleder and Scout Eden
4 C Division Team – 1st row – Abbi Brown, Jewel Endicott, Jiyah Middelton, Jordan Wolf, Blakely Cox
2nd row – Anthony Weyant, Bailey Cox, Austin Vincent, Maria Cibrin, Matthew Knight
3rd row – Dylon Diebert, Dreyden Marlow, Hunter Johnson, Paityn Hueston, Camilla Cagle.
Bourbon County

Starlite FCE minutes November 2024

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Starlite FCE minutes
November 2024
The November meeting of Starlite Family and Consumer Education was held at the Presbyterian Village meeting room.  President Glenda Miller called the meeting to order and vice president Joyce Allen led the members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the Club Collect.  Thirteen members were in attendance and reported that they had volunteered forty-five hours and had recycled forty-five pounds.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.  Doris Ericson presented the Treasurer’s report.
Old business consisted of announcing that Jackie Warren had been selected as the Heart of FCE for Southeast Kansas.  Glenda Miller also reported on the Fall Follies that were held in Humboldt and announced that next years State Convention will be in Dodge City.  It was also announced that Taylor Bailey had won the Gorden Parks Poetry contest.
New Business of assigning 2025 lessons and hostesses was completed.  The Club also voted to decorate a Christmas Tree in the Christmas Tree decorating contest at Presbyterian Village.  Claudia Wheeler, Joyce Allen, Betty Johnson, Letha Johnson, Taylor Bailey and Glenda Miller volunteered to decorate the tree. The date of the December meeting was set for December 9th at the Yeager Building to start at 10:30. The members signed up to bring items to go in the gift bags for Tri-Valley clients as well as dishes to bring for their dinner.  It was motioned by Doris Ericson to donate money to Preferred Living in leu of exchanging Christmas presents, Deb Ericson seconded the motion, motion carried.  Claudia Wheeler moved that the meeting be adjourned, La Anna Taylor seconded the motion, meeting adjourned.
The Lesson on exotic vegetables was present by Joyce Allen.  Refreshments of Pecan Cobbler, nuts and mints were provided by Glenda Miller and Terri Williams.
Prepared by
Terri Williams
Art, Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Government, History

Tourism Grants Awarded to The Artificers and The Lowell Milken Center Today

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Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Director Lindsay Madison takes a photo of Kate and Trent Freeman accepting an award from Kansas Tourism on December 9. Taken from the Chamber’s Facebook page.

Kansas Tourism Department Director Bridgett Jobe handed over two grants today in Fort Scott.

“You can see that Fort Scott is going through a renaissance,” Jobe told attendees at the Artificers reception for the award presentation.

The Artificers

Kate and Trent Freeman were awarded the $25,000 grant designed to help local businesses develop new attractions.

“They have had an instrumental role in rehabilitating our downtown area….with an innovative approach to enhance the beauty of this community for years to come,” Bourbon County Economic Development Director Rob Harrington said.

Jobe told reception attendees that the Freeman’s “passion for the community really came through.”

 

Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

Taken from the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Facebook page. Kansas Tourism presented the LMC with a check to expand attractions.

The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes also received a $6,300 check from Kansas Tourism Director Bridgett Jobe today.

The grant is to help expand attractions that draw tourists to the community.

The center will use the funds to create a new history panel on an unsung hero in Ukraine who saved 100’s of children from starvation in her Ukrainian town, said Ronda Hassig, spokesperson for LMC.

“The Lowell Milken Center is a treasure,” Jobe, said. “Coming here inspires me to be a better person. It inspires me that it’s here in Kansas.”

 

 

Bourbon County

Bourbon County Coalition Minutes of Dec. 4

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Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition

General Membership Meeting Minutes

 

December 4, 2024

 

 

  1.  Welcome:  Eighteen members representing thirteen agencies attended the meeting held at the Scottview Apartments Conference Room.

 

 

  1.  Member Introductions and Announcements:
  • Michelle Stevenson- Home visiting program prenatal-6 years old. Keep families updated on developmental progress and activities to encourage growth.
  • Kellie Mengarelli & Janelle Tate – Early Childhood Block Grant – Winter assessments are underway. ECBG supports early childhood programs in 9 counties in Southeast Kansas.
  • Norman & Brenda Hunter – New Core Community coaches in Bourbon County. Core Community assists families in getting out of poverty.
  • Heather Shepherd – CHW USD 234/CHC – Chase Program works with students at risk of not finishing school. Chase will be in Fort Scott next Friday.  They are seeking presents for children in Fort Scott.  Students involved with Chase will help organize and wrap the presents.  See the attached flyers for more information.
  • Craig Campbell – Good Neighbor Action Team – Keeping busy, especially building wheelchair ramps. Have a person in need of a wheelchair-accessible van, let Craig know if you have any resources or contacts that might be able to help with this need.  GNAT is working with the city to provide free firewood to those in need. They are also helping with gas and water lines breaking during freezing weather.  SEKAAA has helped with grants.  GNAT also works with the Codes Dept. to help property owners who don’t have the finances/ability to bring their property into compliance.
  • Stephanie Breckenridge – Family Response Advocate in Bourbon County – Stephanie works with families to keep kids safe at home.
  • Lauren – Angels Homecare – Lauren educates community members about available services to keep patients out of the hospital.
  • Angela Handly – Salvation Army/Compassionate Ministries-Salvation Army is desperate for bell ringers. The bell ringers schedule is available online.  Funds raised will keep the Salvation Army going for the next year. The goal is $15,000 this year.  Individuals and groups are encouraged to help by taking a shift ringing bells at WalMart.
  • Lea Kay Karleskint -K-State Research & Extension SNAP Educator- Fresh Conversations program takes place on the third Tuesday of each month at 1:00 in the Scottview Conference Room.  The program is geared toward seniors and includes cooking demonstrations and healthy living conversations.  Walk With Ease program will be starting January 6th at BRCC, also geared toward seniors.
  • Holly Fritter- SEK Multi-County Health Dept. MCH/Breast feeding peer counselor- Community baby shower focused on safe sleep will be on June 3, 2025. Looking for a location to host the event.  More details will be available closer to the date.
  • Tammy Alcantar- Crawford County Health Dept -Just completed second hybrid prenatal class. Baby and Me Tobacco Free and Teen Pregnancy services are available for Bourbon County residents.
  • Lora Wilson CHCSEK Community Health Worker supervisor
  • Shanna Willey – CHCSEK – Shanna assists clients with resource applications. Currently working on LIEP.  Also can help with SNAP, Kancare, marketplace enrollments.
  • Christine Abbott – SEKANSASWORKS -Staff are here on Tuesdays right now 9-4. Send anyone looking for employment, training, resume, or interview help.  Christine works with youth 16-24.  She islways looking for referrals.
  • Patty Simpson – Housing Authority – Pick up applications for anyone needing housing assistance. Currently have a short waiting list, anywhere from 10 days to two months, but will have openings coming up soon.

 

 

 

  1.  Program:  Abigail Striler, Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center

SEKMHC and Ashley Clinic provide a variety of services to residents in Southeast Kansas.  Some of these services include:

  • Therapy and Counseling – Outpatient and teletherapy for adults and kids, includes individuals, couples, and family counseling. SEKMHC currently employs 45 licensed clinical therapist.
  • Public education and workshops- Professional training courses, community consultation, and personal growth/parenting workshops are available.
  • School based- SEKMHC has partnered with 15 different school districts to keep kids in school while receiving mental health services. SEKMHC currently employs 130 children’s providers.
  • Substance use and addiction-Chemical abuse treatment and gambling treatment services are available.
  • Crisis Intervention-Emergency services are available 24/7. Call a local SEKMHC office or 1-866-976-2241
  • Psychiatric/Medication Management-Psychiatric providers prescribe, monitor, and oversee psychotropic medications.
  • Community Support & Groups-
    • SEKA after school/summer, teen group. Doubled in size from 2015 to now.
    • Case Management services, attendant care, psycho-social groups,
    • Respite care
    • Parent support.
  • Open access is available in Garnett, Humbolt, Iola, and Yates Center.
  • Ashley Clinic has locations in Chanute and Humbolt. Services include: family medicine, pharmacy, walk-in clinic.
  • New services
    • Parent-child interaction therapy for children 2-7 years old. Helps caregivers improve their child’s behavior.
    • Medication-assisted treatment to treat substance abuse.
    • Botox and Spravato available at Ashley Clinic.

 

  1.  Open Forum:  Nothing further came before the membership.

 

 

  1.  Adjournment:  The next General Membership meeting will be February 5, 2025.