Category Archives: Fort Scott
Grief Support Luncheon Feb. 6
Cheney Witt Chapel’s next scheduled grief support luncheon will be Wednesday, February 6, at noon.
Anyone dealing with a loss is encouraged to come and bring a friend. Cheney
Witt Chapel will provide lunch at the Carriage House, 301 S. Main.
Call us at 223-1186 if questions.
We look forward to seeing you!
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Gas Service Is Working to Restore Service at Burke and Osbun
Kansas Gas Service is working to restore natural gas service to customers impacted by a natural gas outage in the 900 block of Burke and Osbun in Fort Scott.
The outage is a result of a third-party damage that caused water to enter a natural gas main in the area, causing freezing conditions around regulators.
“The third-party contractor was not doing work on our behalf,” said Dawn Tripp, Kansas Gas Service Manager of Public Relations.
Reports of outages began on Wednesday, January 30, and services are being restored.
Technicians are on site monitoring and working. Customers should call 888-482-4950 if they are experiencing issues with their natural gas service.
“We’re working as safely and quickly as possible,” Tripp said.
As a reminder, if any customer suspects a natural gas leak, they should leave the area immediately, then call 911 and the Kansas Gas Service emergency line at 888-482-4950.
Chamber Coffee At Courthouse Jan. 31
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WEEKLY CHAMBER COFFEE REMINDER
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Hosted by:
Southwind Extension District
Location:
Courthouse Lobby, 210 S. National Ave.
Thursday, January 31, 2019
Click here for Southwind Extension District web 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:
February 7 – City State Bank
February 14 – Visage Skin Care
February 21 – Fort Scott Lofts
February 28 – Hole in the Wall Liquor Store/Adventures in Mission
Workers Trying To Restore Gas Service
City of Fort Scott On Health Care Transitions
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.
Via Christi To Operate Fort Scott Emergency Room
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 American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 Scuttlebutt
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]
Former Western Insurance Building Renamed: Fort Scott Lofts
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 Police Department Daily Reports Jan. 28
Click below:
Need Help? GNAT Is Taking Applications
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.
Madison Toth Wins Oratorical Competition
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.