Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, 403 Woodland Hills Blvd.
New buildings/expansions are on the horizon for the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas.
CHC is working on the purchase plan for moving from its’ Fort Scott present site to the former Price Chopper building on Main Street at 23rd Street.
The present site is the former Mercy Hospital building at 401 Woodland Hills.
“We are… closing on our purchase of the 40,000 sq. ft. Price Chopper Building in Fort Scott on April 9,” Postai said. “The plan is to combine our walk-in care and main clinic together. The renovation will start as soon as possible, with a goal of completion prior to the expiration of our current lease with Mercy in December 2022.”
Krista Postai. Submitted photo.
There is also a new CHC building in Pittsburg.
“We have scheduled our groundbreaking for our new Medical Education Building in Pittsburg which will be home to all the students we are/will be training,” Postai said.
The groundbreaking will be May 3 at 12:30 p.m. at the John Parolo Education Building, south of the CHC/SEK System Office.
“About $5.6 million in donations have been raised to cover the full cost of the building and its furnishings scheduled for completion in the summer of 2022,” she said. “In the meantime, work continues on the establishment of a family practice residency program in Pittsburg in collaboration with Kansas University Medical Center and Via Christi/Ascension; the application for accreditation has been submitted with a ‘virtual’ survey planned this fall.”
CHC is planning a clinic in Chanute in the near future.
“We also bought 10 acres of land in Chanute on which to build a clinic in Neosho County,” she said. “Given all our other projects, it will probably take us 3-5 years to get this done.”
There will be a USD 234 Preschool Center Roundup on May 7, 2021, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. If your child will be four years old on or before August 31, 2021, and if you can answer “YES” to any of the following questions, your child may be eligible to attend.
Does your child qualify for the free lunch program?
Are you a single parent family?
Have you been referred to us through DCF?
When your child was born, was either parent a teen?
Is either parent lacking a high school diploma or GED?
Is the main language spoken in your home NOT English?
We also have very limited three-year old slots available for those who qualify.
Contact Tammy Catron at 620-223-8965 or by email at [email protected] by May 1, 2021, to schedule an appointment.
You will need to allow 30 to 45 minutes to complete the application process. Parents will need to bring the following documents to the appointment:
Fort Scott High School’s Family and Consumer Science Program receives $10,000 Cash for Classrooms Grant from Casey’s to help fund new program needs.
March 2021
Fort Scott High School’s Family and Consumer Science Program is a 2021 Casey’s Cash for Classrooms grant recipient.
The school will receive $10,000.
This project will help fund equipment to engage students in real-life, hands-on experiences.
“I feel honored to have been accepted for this Cash for Classrooms grant that will improve my students’ ability to learn and grow! I really appreciate what Casey’s has done for my program. My students are going to be thrilled about the new enhancements to their classes,” said school representative, Carissa Bowman, Family and Consumer Science educator.
“The past year has been unlike any other for schools, and our Cash for Classrooms grants will help schools through this difficult time as well as to improve the learning environment for the future. Casey’s is here for good and that means supporting students, teachers and families in our local communities,” said Katie Petru, Director of Community at Casey’s.
Carissa Bowman heads three Career and Technical Education state approved pathways and includes a student-led Career and Technical Organization called “Family Career and Community Leaders of America” (FCCLA). Classes included within the pathways include; Nutrition and Wellness, Culinary, Teaching as a Career, and Human Growth and Development to name a few.
For more information on Casey’s Cash for Classrooms grant program, visit:
From left: Carley Horton, Emma Scott. Submitted photo.
FCCLA (Family Career and Community Leaders of America) officers Emma Scott and Carley Horton competed in the annual District H STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition) Event competitions on February 24th. Students from across southeast Kansas came together virtually to be recognized for their hard work and accomplishments this school year.
Emma Scott competed in the Career Investigation Event and received Gold! Her project covered an extensive research project that encouraged her to explore a career in education. Scott says, “I learned a lot researching elementary education. I have found that I am also interested in Family and Consumer Science education. I can see myself pursuing either career.”
Carley Horton competed in the Nutrition and Wellness Event and received Silver! She researched healthy lifestyle choices and created a nutrition and wellness plan based on her personal needs. “I learned communication skills,” Horton says.
About FCCLA
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps young men and women become leaders and address important personal, family, work, and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education. FCCLA has more than 182,000 members and 5,253 chapters from 48 state associations, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
About STAR Events
STAR Events are competitive events in which members are recognized for their proficiency and achievement in chapter and individual projects, leadership skills, and career preparation. STAR Events allow students to compete individually or as a team. There are more than 30 STAR Events students can choose to compete in, all which recognize participants who demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities to actively identify an issue concerning families, careers, or communities, research the topic, and develop and implement a project to advocate for positive change.
Chamber Coffee Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting to be hosted by Old 54 Cycles
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guest to a Chamber Coffee and Ribbon Cutting ceremony this Thursday, April 1st at 8 a.m. to celebrate the grand opening of New Chamber member Old 54 Cycles. The event will be held at 223 N. National Ave.
Coffee and donuts will be served, and attendees may register to win special drawing from Old 54 Cycles and meet Jesse Hazen, the owner. Also, Old 54 Cycles will be hosting a car and bike show, Saturday, April 3rd from 12pm until 2 pm to celebrate their community grand opening.
Attendees are strongly encouraged wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines.
Chamber members and guests are invited to Chamber Coffee events each Thursday at 8 a.m. to network, make announcements, hear about happenings in the community as well as learn about the host business or organization.
Chamber Announces SIDEWALK CHALK ART CONTEST WINNERS!
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces the Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest Winners from the Downtown Lollipop Hop that took place Friday, March 19th through Sunday, March 21st.
All ages were encouraged to take part in the Chalk Art Contest by making a display in the Downtown Historic District or at another participating store and post the art creation to the Chamber Facebook page “Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce” with the hashtag #fortscottshopart to be included in judging.
The Chamber and local retailers selected an adult winner and a child winner. The chalk drawing from the adult winner was Jessica Applegate and she was presented with a $25 Chamber Bucks Certificate and the child winner was Keri Crisler and she was presented with a surprise gift bucket made up from items from The Rainbow Unicorn, a new downtown gift shop.
Two downtown businesses also awarded their own prizes and the winner selected by Iron Star for a $20 gift certificate to Jorden Burns and the winner selected by Lyons Realty Group for a child’s surprise gift basket was Ty Shelton.
We want to thank all the retailers that participated in the Lollipop Hop & Shop Event including: Angie Dawn’s Boutique, Barbed Wire and Roses Vintage Market, Bids & Dibs, Hedgehog.INK, Iron Star Antiques & Such, Laree + Co, Star Emporium Downtown General Store, Sunshine Boutique, The Rainbow Unicorn and Treasure Hunt Flea Market.
Contact the Chamber for more information at 620-223-3566.
Bob Farmer has returned as the Fort Scott City Attorney.
He previously served for 45 years in the position and started again on March 23, 2021.
“Since joining our office Mr. Farmer has been extremely accessible and responsive,” Fort Scott City Manager Jeremy Frazier said. “I feel that our relationship will strengthen over time as we work on behalf of the community and I look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with Mr. Farmer.”
“The city attorney is a position by statute,” Farmer said. “The position is an officer, you have to sign an oath because it’s additional obligations above and beyond an employee. The general responsibilities are to give advice and protect the city in that capacity.”
In the agreement between Farmer and the city manager provided by the city, it states that “the city attorney will represent the city in civil actions, prosecute violations of the city ordinances, give legal advice to city officials and employees on city matters, prepare ordinances, legal papers, and documents, assist with public improvement proceedings and assist the governing body and other city agencies in the conduct of city meetings.”
“For service in addition to normal duties, the city will pay the attorney his hourly billing rate on a per hour basis, plus all out of pocket expenses incurred…in areas such as litigation, economic development, claims filed with the city as an adjunct to litigation and out-of-city services,” according to the agreement.
The agreement is for one year, at $4,000 per month.
His office, the firm of Nuss and Farmer PA, is located at 323 Judson in the Security Professional Building and he can be reached at 620-223-0150.
Bob Farmer.
City Manager Frazier, who came to the position in February 2021, said he had the pleasure of meeting Farmer prior to the commission approving his contract, at Crooner’s Restaurant by chance, while at dinner one evening.
“He struck me as someone who cared about the community and offered, if ever I needed, to assist me with anything that would help me be more successful on behalf of the community,” Frazier said. “I walked away from our initial encounter with a positive impression of Bob. Again, at this time, I had no idea that he would soon become our new city attorney, but I am glad that he submitted his name for consideration and was selected by the council.”
“It was undoubtedly a difficult decision by the council as there were many great candidates to consider,” Frazier said. “However, Bob is very knowledgeable and has held the city attorney position before, so I consider myself lucky to have his legal guidance. For a new city manager, it is great to have a city attorney of his caliber to lean on as we strive to move the city forward.”
In the community, Farmer has served previously in Fort Scott Kiwanis, as United Way Chairman, and the Fort Scott Planning Commission.
Farmer earned his Juris Doctorate in 1972 from the University of Kansas.
Farmer takes over from Jeffrey Deane, Lauber Municipal Law, LLC, Lee’s Summit, MO.
“Mr. Deane has assisted in the transition,” Farmer said. “He has been very courteous and professional.”
Deane served from 2019 to 2021 as the Fort Scott City Attorney.
Maker Kit Videos are offered on YouTube at the Fort Scott Public Library. Submittted photo.
Youth Services & Programs Provided by Fort Scott Public Library
In the interest of serving the needs of our community whilst making every effort to ensure the safety of our patrons, FSPL is offering the following programs and services through either curbside pickup, virtual programming, or a combination of both. Please call the library at (620)223-2882 or email Miss Val at [email protected]for more information or to sign up.
Storytime: Miss Val films and uploads a pre-recorded video of herself reading two – four books, along with singing a welcome song and demonstrating a craft, each week for a themed storytime. Virtual storytime videos designed for kids of all ages are made available on YouTube (unlisted – email [email protected] for the link) or within the private Facebook group for local Storytime families. The library provides a weekly snack and craft (available through curbside pickup) to go along with each storytime, and one – two months’ worth of kits are created at a time for the convenience of storytime families. Upcoming themes are: Easter, Spring Babies, Gardens, Rain, and Butterflies & Caterpillars. Email Miss Val to sign up.
Spring babies is one of the subjects of the program for little ones. Submitted photo.
Program for 6th – 12th Graders: The Dragon’s Nest Library Teen & Tween Group meets virtually, weekly on Wednesdays, from 4:20 – 5 pm. Miss Val hosts the meetings and provides participants with snacks, including both food and beverages, along with any supplies they’ll need for each week’s meeting, through curbside pickup. Activities include: Virtual games such as Pictionary or trivia, book discussions, crafts (such as painting canvases, clay pots, and pumpkins; decorating coffee mugs, or weaving hats with jumbo yarn), parties, and solving virtual escape rooms. Upcoming activities are: Game Night, Making Marshmallow Catapults, Virtual Escape Rooms, Making Ever-Spinning Tops, and playing Codenames & Catchphrase. To sign up for the program and receive the secure meeting link, email Miss Val at [email protected] or call and ask to speak with Miss Val.
Book Bags: Miss Val compiles book bags on popular topics for easy curbside checkout. Each bag contains ten books, plus some stickers and/or a bookmark. The drawstring bag, bookmarks, and stickers are free for the patron to keep, while books check out for three weeks. You must be a card-holder in SeknFind with an unrestricted account in order to check out a book bag. There is no limit on how many bags you may check out at one time. Current topics are as follows
For ages Birth – 1st Grade: Boys’ General Interest, Girls’ General Interest, Careers & Local Heroes, Character Building, Construction, Cozy Books, Early Readers Level 1, Early Readers Level 2, Fantasy, LEGO, Preschool Science, Princesses & Queens, Real Heroes, Silly Stories, Space, Spring, and World Travel.
For Grades 2nd – 5th: Early Readers Level 3, Fantasy, Real Heroes, Space, Tech & Games, and World Travel. Call to order yours!
Maker kits are offered by the Fort Scott Public Library. Submitted photo.
Maker Kits: Make something cool with Miss Val.
To order & participate:
1. Choose which maker kit you’d like. Currently you may select from:
Kit #1: Paper Weaving (Easy/Preschool)
Kit #2: Yarn Bowls (Intermediate/Elementary)
Kit #3: Paper Cup Towers (Easy STEM)
Kit #4: Straw Structures (Intermediate STEM)
Kit #5: Pipe Cleaner Challenge (Intermediate STEM)
Kit #6: Garden in a Cup (Easy/Preschool)
2. Contact the library to order yours by calling (620) 223-2882 or email [email protected].
3. You may order 1 kit PER CHILD at a time. Once you have finished with the kit, order the same one again or a different one. Available while supplies last. Caution: Some kit items are not safe for young children. Parental supervision is strongly advised for children ages 3 and under.
4. Go to the Maker Kits Playlist on YouTubeto watch the accompanying video so your child can use the items in their kits right along with Miss Val.
The City Commission will meet for a special meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 30th, 2021 at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room at 123 South Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. The City Commission will meet to interview engineering firms.
3/26 & – Karaoke Friday Nights at The Boiler Room Brewhaus! Experience or beginners, it does not matter! Let’s have some fun with music & drinks! Click here for their FB page.
Fort Scott Cinema Showtimes 3/26 thru 4/1 Now Raya and the Last Dragon, Tom & Jerry, Chaos Walking. Click here to view showtimes.
3/22 thru 4/2- Art is Ageless Exhibit Fort Scott Presbyterian Village showing!
Seniors of the Fort Scott Community 65 + submitted art to be on display. Artists compete in nine categories, including painting, drawing, photography, quilting, and sculpture, and maybe designated as amateur or professional. Questions on viewing call 620.223.5550 and talk to Megan Brillhart. Located at 2401 S. Horton
3/26 & 3/27- Livestock Sale at the Fort Scott Livestock Market, both Friday & Saturday, click here for their FB page.
3/26 ~ FSCC Aggie Days sponsored by ReproLogixNo Class on Campus
3/26 ~ Bourbon County Senior Citizens FOOD BANK, 9 am-Noon for Seniors, Low-Income Families are from 12 – 3 pm. Click here for more information.
3/27 ~ Care to Share Garage Sale 8 am-Noon 106 S. Washington St., Fort Scott. Garage doors open in the back alley. Misc. Items from Donnie & Barbara Marsh to donate to Care to Share. Click here for details
3/27 ~ Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Gunn Park
10 am by the Kiwanis Club. Click here for details.
3/27 ~ Eggstravaganza Crafts at Buck Run Community Center ~ 9 – 10:30 am. Click here.
4/1- Chamber Coffee hosted by New Chamber Member Old 54 Cycles at 223 N. National Ave. 8 am
4/2 – Three Chord Justice Live Music at The Boiler Room Brewhaus! Let’s have some fun with music & drinks! Click here for their FB page.
4/3 – Car & Bike Show hosted by Old 54 Cycles Noon until 2 pm. No registration or entry fee. Call Jessee Hazen (928) 230-0642 or Click here for their FB page.
4/3- Pickleball tournament to benefit the FSHS Swim Team, click here for registration form.
4/3 – Kansas Conceal Carry Course, 8am-4pm, click here for FB event with details.
4/3 & 4/4 – Hollister Shooting Range, Open the 1st & 3rd weekends of the month, Sat 1-4pm, Sun Noon-5pm.
4/3 – Mark Nutsch Bottle Signing & Horse Soldier Bourbon Tasting, Hole in the Wall Liquor Store, 4 to 5pm, click here for FB event.
4/4 – Happy Easter!
SAVE THE DATE!
“FORT GAMES” 2-Day Event at Smallville Athletics ~ April 9th & 10th!
Timken 2-Day Job Fair! April 9th from 1 – 5 pm & April 10th from 10 am until 3 pm.
Care to Share Rummage Sale at Buck Run Community Center April 10th – Open spots for more sales, call 620.224.8070 (donations accepted as well for the Sharing Bucket)
