Category Archives: Fort Scott

Fort Scott, Health Care

City of Fort Scott On Health Care Transitions

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The emergency room operations have been assumed by Ascension Via Christi.

The City of Fort Scott has been anxiously awaiting an announcement regarding the Emergency Room.

We are fortunate to have Ascension Via Christi provide Emergency Room services in our community.

In October of 2018, a task force was quickly pulled together to work on three priorities:   1) Primary Care to maintain our medical staff with no disruption of service; 2) Ambulance Service, and 3) Emergency Room.

The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas will be assuming operations of Mercy Convenient Care Friday, February 1. The most noticeable change will be a new sign reading CHC/SEK Walk-In Care. Hours of operation will remain the same – 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. Telephone numbers remain the same; the majority of the original staff have been retained. Patients still should enter through the main hospital door. The pharmacy will continue to operate as usual.

The main clinic located within the hospital building will be closed Friday, February 1, to change out phone and computer systems and will reopen Monday, February 4 at 8 a.m. Hours of operation are expanding with the clinic open Monday through Thursday until 6 p.m. Friday hours will remain the same which are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

CHC/SEK will also be providing Mammography Services beginning in mid-February following completion of all licensure requirements.

Specialty clinics will continue and expand to add specialists from Kansas City, Joplin, Pittsburg and Iola. Previously located in Mercy’s building on Horton Street, these are being moved into the main clinic to make it more convenient for patients. A full listing of all visiting physicians will be published next week. The VA Clinic will remain in the Horton Street Building.

CHC/SEK has also initiated discussions with potential oncology providers to reopen the Cancer Center as soon as possible.

As with any transition, some glitches should be expected and appreciate everyone’s patience during this period.

As a reminder, the current EMS contract with Mercy remains in place through the end of March.  The City/County EMS partnership will begin April 1st.  The current EMS staff has been preparing for this provider transition for several months.  The EMS service remains fully operational during the transition.

City Manager, Dave Martin, has maintained a close relationship with executives from Via Christi and Mercy to ensure the future of healthcare services in our community.  Martin heard from Randy Cason, President of Ascension Via Christi and discussed future healthcare opportunities earlier today.  Cason said he looks forward to a new partnership and providing services to Fort Scott.

 “Fort Scott has a chance to be a role model for the future of rural healthcare,” said Martin.  He added, “The task force will begin establishing a relationship with Via Christi and continue to partner with CHC/SEK to provide the best solution for future healthcare in our community.”

  As always, the City of Fort Scott remains committed to the needs of the citizens and will continue to monitor healthcare throughout these exciting changes.

Fort Scott, Health Care

Via Christi To Operate Fort Scott Emergency Room

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Ascension Via Christi will Operate Fort Scott Emergency Room

January 29, 2019

PITTSBURG, Kansas – Ascension Via Christi has an agreement to operate Fort Scott’s emergency room, diagnostic imaging and laboratory services, as soon as it can get regulatory approval to do so.

As planned, Mercy Hospital will close the emergency room in Fort Scott at midnight on Jan. 31. Therefore, there will be a gap in service while regulatory inspections to operate under new management are obtained.

During that time, ambulance service will continue to be available to respond to 911 emergency calls. EMS’ well-trained staff is aware of all options for treatment and will have two crews available to respond to calls and transport, as may be necessary to the four hospitals located within an hour drive, including Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg.

Under the agreement, Ascension Via Christi will lease approximately 16,000-square feet of clinical space from Mercy and Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg will manage the emergency and outpatient services in Fort Scott.

Mercy announced the closure of its Fort Scott hospital in October, along with plans to pursue opportunities to transfer certain services to other area providers. Under the agreement, Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg will manage emergency and outpatient services at the Fort Scott hospital location.

“We have worked diligently to retain the staff working at Mercy Fort Scott and are in the process of recruiting and onboarding the clinical and non-clinical associates we’ll need to staff services in Fort Scott,” said Randy Cason, president of Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, adding that having an emergency room is critical for the residents of Fort Scott and surrounding communities.

“Taking on emergency room and outpatient diagnostics responsibilities is a continuation of our mission to care for the residents of Southeast Kansas,” Cason said. “Mercy has agreed to transfer its emergency, laboratory and radiology equipment on-site to allow for a smooth transition of services.”

 

Fort Scott

Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 Scuttlebutt

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Post Service Officer Myra Jowers will no longer hold office hours on Tuesdays at Memorial Hall. She will meet with anyone, by appointment, who has questions about filing VA claims, who need a second set of eyes to review their claims or help understand VA documents they have received in the mail. Her service is free and is for anyone, Veteran or family member, who wish to file a claim or appeal a denied claim. She can be reached at [email protected] or 620.215.1286 to schedule an appointment.

 

Our Post 25 American Legion Oratorical competition was Saturday, January 26, 2019. Madison Toth, 11th grade student at Fort Scott High School, was our Post winner. She will represent Post at the District Oratorical competition at American Legion Post 153 in Olathe on February 16th at 10 am. All Post members are encouraged to attend and support our candidate.

 

The first shuttle run for the Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center is Tuesday, February 5. Any area Vet needing a ride for a medical appointment should call 785-925-0261 for more information or to reserve a seat. All Vets riding the shuttle must have medical appointments between 9 am and 1 pm. The deadline for scheduling a seat is 5 pm, Monday, February 4.

 

KOAM News also did a feature on the Shuttle program. It was a short-fused request for interviews, but fortunately I was able to pull together three drivers for the interview. The TV feature game additional exposure for this free Fort Scott – Topeka Veterans Shuttle Service.

 

The KOAM article can be found at https://www.koamnewsnow.com/news/veterans-shuttle-service-coming-to-fort-scott/988134458?fbclid=IwAR0p_SFiR6ZEJ-24S-zKkGtWoqUZcFBr7oZpiiXkwywWNBnjcktE_eU-3wU.

I am pleased to announce that once again Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 leads the Department of Kansas in membership this week. Our 2019 goal was 51 members. Our current membership is at 131% and 67 members. We are 16 members over our goal. By way of comparison, Grainfield Post 301 in District 6, is in 2nd place for membership at 115%. Thanks to all members who have made Fort Scott Post 25 a highly visible and active Legion Post in the Department of Kansas.

 

Nominations for Post 25 Officers for the 2019 – 2020 Legion year will begin at our March meeting. Any Post 25 Legionnaire in good standing can be nominated for any office. “In good standing” is a Legion phrase that means that your dues are current.

 

Legion merchandise can be ordered through Emblem Sales: https://emblem.legion.org/.  Contact me if ordering a Legion cap to insure your cap has the correct lettering.

 

 Upcoming Events

 

January 31. Post 25 Executive Committee meets in Memorial Hall at 6 pm. Post 25 is member driven. Please make Post 25 Executive Committee members aware of any suggestions or thoughts you may have about improving Post 25.

February 1-3. The Mid-Winter Forum is open to all Legionnaires and offers every member, especially Post leaders and chairmen, the opportunity to learn more about The American Legion, its programs and the direction each program is expected to take if there are any changes being considered, including changes directed by National Headquarters.  In addition, the Forum provides information about how and why The American Legion functions in the manner we do as an organization. More information about the forum is available at https://ksamlegion.org/view/document/sunflower2019q1.pdf.

 

February 4. Post 25 meet and greet at 6:30 pm. Come and enjoy the fellowship of other Veterans. Bring an eligible Veteran to visit our Post.

 

February 4. Post 25 general membership meeting at 7 pm in Memorial Hall. Our membership meetings are open to all. SAL members are strongly encouraged to attend.

 

February 5. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 615 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

 

February 11. Shuttle drivers meeting at 6 pm to discuss program details and select driving days.

 

February 14. Post 25 Color Guard meets at 7 pm in Memorial Hall. All Post members including SAL members are invited to join our growing Color Guard.

 

February 12. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 615 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

 

February 19. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 615 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

 

February 26. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 615 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

 

March 4. Post 25 meet and greet at 6:30 pm in Memorial Hall. Come and enjoy the fellowship of other Veterans. Bring an eligible Veteran to visit our Post.

 

March 4. Post 25 general membership meeting at 7 pm in Memorial Hall. Our membership meetings are open to all. SAL members are strongly encouraged to attend.

 

April 1. Post 25 meet and greet at 6:30 pm in Memorial Hall. Come and enjoy the fellowship of other Veterans. Bring an eligible Veteran to visit our Post.

 

April 1. Post 25 general membership meeting at 7 pm in Memorial Hall. Our membership meetings are open to all. SAL members are strongly encouraged to attend.

 

Remember to check out Post 25 on Facebook. It contains current information of interest to Veterans and their families.

 

Carl Jowers. Commander

Fort Scott American Legion Post 25

Telephone: 620.215.1688

Email: [email protected]

Business, Fort Scott, Housing

Former Western Insurance Building Renamed: Fort Scott Lofts

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Image may contain: living room, table and indoor
A one bedroom apartment in The Fort Scott Lofts. Courtesy photo.

A renovated downtown apartment complex has been renamed and had some age restrictions lifted as of January 1, 2019.

The building that used to house the Western Insurance Company, between National Avenue and Main Street in downtown Fort Scott, is now called The Fort Scott Lofts.

“They wanted to rebrand it,” said Rachel Wheeler, leasing agent and onsite manager at The Fort Scott Lofts. “Many thought it was a senior citizen building. I think it confused a bunch of people.”

Under the former name of the apartments, Western Senior Living, 80 percent of the residents had to be 55 years old, Wagner said, and 20 percent under 55.

Western Senior Living opened in December 2016 following a major renovation of the building.

“My bosses went through the proper channels and got it  (the name and restrictions)changed,” she said. “Now if a person makes this amount of money, they pay this amount.”

Monthly rent starts at $370 for a one bedroom apartment and up to $625 for a two bedroom one, depending on income, she said.

Wagner can be reached at 620-223-1718 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The apartments are not furnished, except for stove, refrigerator, microwave and dishwasher.

Currently, out of 35, 11 apartments are available, Wheeler said.

Some of the amenities are 120 channel Direct TV, water and trash are paid, Wheeler said. There is also an onsite laundry facility and off-street parking.

“We have a fitness room with a couple of exercise bikes and treadmills,” she said. “Pets are allowed. There is a one-time pet addendum of $200 (in the contract for pet lovers).”

“We have caring people that live here,” she said. “A group meets for coffee in the morning and another meets in the evening for wine and talking about the day.”

There are perks for living downtown.

A coffee shop, restaurants, and shops all within a few blocks.

Residents get a front row seat for the parades that Fort Scott celebrates events with, and also for Good Ol Days, the annual community event.

There are free local-artist outdoor music concerts just across the street in the summer, as well.

The owners of the building are Flint Hills Management, LLC.

A sister property, across First Street, will soon begin renovation of the old Union Building and will be called Union Lofts, she said.

“I’ll be managing it, too,” Wheeler said.

The Fort Scott Lofts, formerly Western Senior Living, 8 East First.
Fort Scott, Housing

Need Help? GNAT Is Taking Applications

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This property on South National Avenue was one of the projects that the Good Neighbor Action Team helped with. The house is owned by the Youth Activity Team, who is remodeling it as a fundraiser. GNAT has put in around 40 man hours on the project so far, Craig Campbell said.

For over a decade the Good Neighbor Action Team has been helping Fort Scottians with painting, helping rid yards of debris, building handicap ramps and other needed projects.

The team provides help for those who are not able to do the job themselves.

“A lot of times, people need a truck or chainsaw to get debris off their property,” Craig Campbell, a member of GNAT, said.

The volunteer group does all kinds of work, but GNAT doesn’t do roofs.

“We don’t put volunteers on roofs,” Campbell said. “There are grants available with no payback through USDA, also there are low-interest loans for different income levels and ages. We can put tradespeople together (for jobs like that), it requires expertise.”

“If people can’t provide materials or funds to help, we can help with that,” he said.

“Funds come from donations from social clubs, for example, Pioneer Kiwanis, who is a constant donor to our cause,” he said.

“When a group takes on a project,  a church, for example, will help fill in the funding gap on the project they are working on,” Campbell said.

“I need to work with churches,” Campbell said. “They are a good source for locating people who could use GNAT help.”

Additionally, churches are a reliable source for providing volunteer workers for projects.

“We get a lot of volunteers from churches,” he said.

The volunteers are asked to give three hours of work per project.

“We think in terms of a three-hour time slot (for the project),” Campbell said. “From 9 a.m. to noon on a Saturday. For a volunteer to do that is wonderful.”

GNAT has tried to handle the project workloads using the model of Habitat For Humanity, he said.

Work project recipients are asked to provide family and friends to assist GNAT workers.

“We bring five people, you bring five people,” Campbell said.

In addition,  proof of income is required with one of the following: income tax return, pays stubs from the last two paychecks, a Vision card or Healthwave card.

“We are getting started thinking about the season (for projects) which is from March to October,” he said. “There will be an emphasis on painting this year.”

Applications can be picked up at the Beacon, 525 E. Sixth; the Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall, or city hall, 123 S. Main.

“You can return the application to the place you picked it up, or to Jara Martin at 824 S. Main,” Campbell said.

Completion of an application, doesn’t guarantee acceptance of a project request.

 

 

 

Fort Scott

Madison Toth Wins Oratorical Competition

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Madison Toth receives an award from Post Commander Carl Jower Saturday.

Congratulations to Madison Toth, winner of the Fort Scott Oratorical competition on Jan. 26. Madison received a $100 gift card and certificate of participation from American Legion Post 25  Commander Carl Jowers and will represent Post 25 at the District Oratorical competition in Olathe next month.

The volunteers who helped with the  American Legion Oratorical Competition. Not pictured is Skyler McDaniel.

 

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

2019 SEK Day on the Hill Jan. 31

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2019 SEK Day on the Hill
Join us for breakfast and networking with Chambers across SEK, State Legislators, SEK Businesses, and State Officials
2019 SEK Day on the Hill is coming! Join us in Topeka, KS on Thursday, January 31st for breakfast and networking with Chambers across SEK, State Legislators, SEK businesses, and State Officials.
We will enjoy a great breakfast at The Celtic Fox (118 SW 8th Ave., #202), learn about the SEK legislative priorities, and hear from several of our area Legislators and State Officials on what to expect this Legislative Session.
Afterward, we’ll cross the street to the Capitol to meet with your individual legislators, attend the House and Senate Chamber sessions, or attend a Committee meeting. Our goal is to ensure that our region has a strong unified voice in Topeka!
Click hereto register for this event. The cost, which includes breakfast, is $10 for Chamber members, $15 for Non-Chamber members.
Also, plan to attend the free networking event at 7pm, Wednesday, January 30, at The Downtown Ramada Hotel (420 SE 6th Ave., Topeka). We have reserved a block of rooms for SEK Inc. The phone number is (785) 234-5400 if you would like to reserve a room for that night.
For more information, contact Trisha Purdon (Montgomery County Action Council) at
(620) 331-3830 or email: [email protected]
Fort Scott

Oratorical Competition Jan. 26

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The Post 25 American Legion Oratorical Competition is Saturday, January 26 at 9 am. This year’s competition will be held at the First Southern Baptist Church at  1818 S. Main St.
The competition is open to the public. The winner of the Post 25 oratorical competition will compete against other 2nd District Post oratorical winners  on February 16 in Olathe.
 
Please come and support your Post and the students who have spent considerable time and effort preparing for this competition.
Business, Fort Scott

City State Bank Reno Completed

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City State Bank, 202 Scott Avenue, has an updated look. Submitted photo.

A business that has been in downtown Fort Scott for over 60  years has received an update in the form of a remodel.

The original City State Bank downtown building was constructed in 1957.

It needed an update, said John Hill, president and CEO of the bank.

“The new drive-thru and ATM allow us to better serve our customers who drive larger vehicles.,” Hill said. “The remodel reflects the type of service we are trying to give our existing and new customers in Fort Scott. It also shows our commitment to downtown.”

There will be a Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting and grand reopening on Feb. 7 at 5 p.m.

The bank is located at 202 Scott Avenue.

“The inside is completely remodeled with a new layout that includes new flooring, teller desk, furniture, lighting and décor,” Hill said.

Submitted photo. The interior of City State Bank, January 2019.

The outside facelift includes new stone, stucco, drive-thru canopy, a new island ATM, sidewalks and lighting.

The backside of City State Bank following renovation.

The remodel started in August 2018 and was completed by January 2019.

LaForge and Budd Construction Company, Inc of Parsons, Kansas was the general contractor.

In addition, “We used many local vendors and contractors,” working of the project, Hill said.

The bank can be reached at 223-2419 for the downtown branch, or 223-1600 at the 1012 Hwy. 69 branch.

 

 

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee at Sharkey’s Jan. 24

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WEEKLY CHAMBER COFFEE REMINDER
Join us for Chamber Coffee
 
Hosted by:

Sharky’s Pub & Grub
 
Location:

16 N. National Ave., Fort Scott
Thursday, January 24, 2019


Click here for Sharky’s Facebook page.


Chamber members and guests are encouraged to attend for networking, community announcements, and to learn about the hosting business or organization.
Members may pay $1 to make an announcement about an upcoming event, special/sale/discount, or news of any kind.
Upcoming Coffees:
January 31 – Southwind Extension District
February 7 – City State Bank
February 14 – Visage Skin Care
February 21 – Cancer Center of Kansas