Category Archives: Fort Scott

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Government

The Process of Cleaning Water

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Jason McReynolds releases water from a hydrant on 2nd Street Wednesday, which is part of the process of cleaning the water system. The flushing gets the chlorine into the system faster and farther, Scott Flater said.

The Marmaton River is the source of drinking water for almost all of Bourbon County, except for the most extreme western portion, which has a private reservoir.

Scott Flater is the superintendent of the City of Fort Scott Water Production Department, who is tasked with providing clean, safe water from the Marmaton River to all of Fort Scott and Consolidated Rural Water District # 2 residents.

“We make water for the city,” Flater said. “But our number one customer is Rural Water #2.”

Over two million gallons of water a day is processed and sent out to the city and the county, he said.

“Everything comes through this building,” Flater said. “We have a river intake on 5th and Short Streets.”

The rural water district then sells and distributes the water from Fort Scott to the small towns in Bourbon County.

The city’s water production employees are in the middle of a cleanout process.  It’s called burn out/flushing, and it’s an annual event.

“The water is safe during the rest of the year or during this burnout (cleaning out), it’s safe,” Flater said. “We are sending it out to our family and our community. It’s the highest quality.”

The cleaning out of the system is a maintenance practice for the distribution system, Flater said.

They started July 16, and if all goes as planned the water cleaning process should be completed by the end of next week, Flater said.

“The burnout won’t reach outside of Fort Scott until today (July 20),” Flater said.

Flater commended a small town in Bourbon County for being far-thinking in their water supply.

Flater said Uniontown, in the western part of the county, has been “pro-active to rebuild their water infrastructure” in the last few years. “They’ve done a great job.”

This computer screen is set up in the office of the water treatment plant at Ninth and Burke streets and shows the outline of the water cleaning process, so the plant operators can see what is going on in the plant.
Scott Flater shows the water samples that are tested: from left is water directly from the river, the middle is water that has been mixed with chemicals and the right is the water that has been fully processed and is ready to drink. This is so plant operators can do “right now” testing on the water, he said.
Brandon Russell, one of four plant operators, does comparative water testing in the water treatment plant Thursday.
The turquoise and blue pipe in the center of the photo is located in the lower level of the city’s water plant. The 24-inch pipe is where all the Marmaton River water is piped into the plant. It is then processed in a mixer with chemicals. The water is then transported to a settling basin. Following this step, chlorine is added to the water. It is then run through a filter and goes into a clear well from where the water proceeds to water towers then to the water distribution system.
Fort Scott, Police

Trees in Roadway, Power Lines Down as Result of Storm

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Workers clear away a tree from a yard at 12th St. and National Avenue Friday morning, following a storm Thursday evening.

Bourbon County wide the Fort Scott Police Department had approximately 25 calls for service that were storm related, according to Cpt. Shaun T. West, Fort Scott Police Department.

Most of the calls were for trees in the roadway, power lines down or alarms due to power issues, he said.

“We did have one non injury vehicle accident in the county which may have been weather related, but I don’t enough information on it as it was worked by Kansas Highway Patrol,” West said.

“There was one accident reported,” Sheriff Bill Martin said. ” That occurred on south 69 Highway at Birch Road. The Kansas Highway Patrol worked that.”

Martin noted there were power outages in the Uniontown area.

The majority of Bourbon County was never issued a severe thunderstorm warning,  William Wallis,  Bourbon County Emergency Management Director, said.

“This was due to the fact that we didn’t meet one or both of the required criteria that enables the National Weather service to issue a Severe Thunderstorm Warning,” Wallis said. ” When the National Weather Service issues a warning it is sent to CodeRed who then issues a warning to the exact location within our county, per the address that the individual signs up with. That is the reason why no one received a CodeRed especially in the Fort Scott area.”

 

 

 

 

 

Fort Scott, Mercy Hospital

Dr. Parris Reception July 28

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The public is invited to a retirement reception for David Parris, M.D., from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 28, in the Mercy Hospital cafeteria.

Dr. Parris earned this medical degree from University of Missouri – Columbia and completed his family medicine residency at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. He specializes in family medicine and emergency medicine. Dr. Parris is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.

In May, Dr. Parris was awarded the coveted 5-Star Award by ranking in PRC’s top 10 percent nationally for “excellent” responses in patient satisfaction surveys. He is also a fabulous vocalist and has performed in many musicals.

Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2018, 2017 and 2016 by IBM Watson Health, serves millions annually. Mercy includes more than 40 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, 800 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 44,000 co-workers and 2,100 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In addition, Mercy’s IT division, Mercy Technology Services, supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.
supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.
The public is invited to a retirement reception for David Parris, M.D., from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 28, in the Mercy Hospital cafeteria.

Dr. Parris earned this medical degree from University of Missouri – Columbia and completed his family medicine residency at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. He specializes in family medicine and emergency medicine. Dr. Parris is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.

In May, Dr. Parris was awarded the coveted 5-Star Award by ranking in PRC’s top 10 percent nationally for “excellent” responses in patient satisfaction surveys. He is also a fabulous vocalist and has performed in many musicals.

Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2018, 2017 and 2016 by IBM Watson Health, serves millions annually. Mercy includes more than 40 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, 800 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 44,000 co-workers and 2,100 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In addition, Mercy’s IT division, Mercy Technology Services, supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.
supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.

Fort Scott, Government

City’s Organizational Meeting of Land Bank July 25

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There will be a meeting of the Fort Scott Land Bank held on Wednesday, July 25th, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. in the City Commission meeting room at 123 S. Main Street.

This meeting will be held to organize the Land Bank Board and any other items deemed necessary for the formation of this board.

There will be a majority of the City Commissioners present, but no City Commission business will be conducted.

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Golf Classic July 27

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Join us for the 2018

Chamber Golf Classic
as either a team, sponsor, or both!

Click here for printable flyer.
Click here for printable team/sponsor registration form.
Fort Scott Area Chamber Golf Classic
Tournament Chairman:  Mark Lewis, Liberty Savings Association
Lead Sponsors:  Briggs Auto and Mercy Hospital
Lunch Sponsors:  5 Corners Mini-Mart & McDonald’s
Hole in One Contest sponsored by Briggs!
New this year!  Games by Dixon Golf
DATE: Friday, July 27, 2018
TIME: Registration, Lunch & Putting Contest starts at 11 am, Tee-off 12 pm
LOCATION: Woodland Hills Golf Course, a top-10 Kansas course!
MORE: Teams & hole sponsors may contact the Chamber
at 620-223-3566 or email information@fortscott.com

Press Release – 2018 Chamber Golf Classic

Fort Scott

The Beacon Seeks New Director

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The Beacon, a local helping agency, is seeking a new director.

Sue Emmons, who has been the director for approximately 18 months resigned a few weeks ago, for personal reasons, Carol MacArthur, Beacon Board member said.

The resignation is effective July 31.

The board is currently searching for a new director with a deadline for applications set for July 23.

“We are looking for someone who cares and who wants to work with people who are struggling,” MacArthur said.

For more information, or to apply contact MacArthur at carolmacarthur46@gmail.com or 620-215-1505.

The position is for 20 hours per week, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and pays approximately $11.50 per hour.

The Beacon ministry provides food and clothing to those struggling and in need, as well as occasional assistance with other basic needs; i.e., rent, utilities, and prescriptions, MacArthur said. It also refers individuals to other agencies who may help them with specific needs.

The job is perfect for a retiree, MacArthur said.

“A teacher would be a good fit,” she said. “We need someone who is organized, a good listener and a communicator. It’s managing the building and two other people who are paid, and representing The Beacon.”

 

 

Fort Scott, Mercy Hospital

Mercy’s New Home Health and Hospice Partnership

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Mercy and Integrity to join forces to coordinate home care and hospice across the region

 Not all healthcare happens in a hospital or a doctor’s office. Patients who head home after a surgery or serious illness often require some time to continue healing at home, and chronically-ill patients must manage their conditions at home daily.

For patients in either situation, having quality health care in their home can be the key to living their best life.

To provide that crucial service, Mercy and Integrity Home Care + Hospice are joining forces to more closely monitor and assist patients and their families throughout their healthcare journey.

“Integrity serves many patients throughout the region,” said Jon Swope, president of Mercy Springfield Communities and president of Mercy’s central region. “We plan to integrate Integrity with our electronic health record, so our doctors and clinical teams will be able to monitor and respond to even more home care patients’ conditions. That kind of coordinated care will reduce unnecessary emergency room visits and hospital readmissions because we can intervene more quickly.”

To create this fully integrated home care system, Integrity will merge Mercy Home Health & Hospice into its operations throughout southwest Missouri and southeastern Kansas. As a partner, Mercy will become a shareholder of Integrity and a member of the board of directors. While the company’s name will remain Integrity Home Care + Hospice, the logo will include information about its partnership with Mercy. Together, the two systems will become an even stronger home care and hospice team to serve the region.

“We help patients and their families navigate the challenging path of chronic illness, aging and end of life care in their homes, with an emphasis on their quality of life,” said Cliff Stepp, president of Integrity Home Care + Hospice. “Our goals include keeping chronically ill patients out of the hospital by monitoring their overall health and intervening before changes become serious. With skilled care, integrated medication management, and personal care services provided by an outstanding team of clinicians and caregivers, we’ll also closely support patients who choose us after they’re discharged from Mercy to home.”

As part of this new partnership, Mercy Home Health & Hospice co-workers in southwest Missouri and southeast Kansas will become a part of the larger Integrity team. Integrity Home Care + Hospice is headquartered in Springfield with offices in Joplin, Lebanon, Kansas City, Columbia, and St. Louis.

“This partnership makes great sense,” Swope said. “Along with their great quality scores, Integrity shares our faith-based mission and core values and puts patients at the center of making decisions about their own care. Our caregivers do the same and I know they will be valuable members of this new organization.”

A transition team is in place, with plans to complete the work this fall.

Mercy, which services millions annually, and was named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2018, 2017 and 2016 by IBM Watson Health. Mercy includes more than 40 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, 800 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 44,000 co-workers and 2,100 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In addition, Mercy’s IT division, Mercy Technology Services, supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Author of Life In A Jar at Liberty Theater July 28

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Lowell Milken Center to present Life in a Jar with author Jack Mayer at Liberty Theatre Event Free to the Public

The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes will host the award-winning Life in a Jar: the Irena Sendler Project author Jack Mayer on Saturday, July 28 in the Liberty Theatre at 10 AM for a presentation followed by a performance of Life in a Jar at 2 PM.

These events happen in conjunction with the 2018 Poland Reunion and are free to the public.

Visitors from around the country and abroad will be in attendance to reconnect with those who traveled to Poland in 2017 to explore the story of Holocaust hero Irena Sendler, brought to light
by Kansas teens as part of a History Day Project.

The cornerstone project of the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, Life in a Jar has gained worldwide attention with over 350 presentations of the play, international media coverage, Hallmark Hall of Fame motion pictures, and award-winning book.

The public is invited to join in the following events:

10 AM – Life in a Jar: the Irena Sendler Project author Jack Mayer speaking at Liberty Theatre.

Q&A to follow.

2 PM – Life in a Jar performance at Liberty Theatre

5 PM – Wine and cheese social at the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

For more information regarding these events please call the Lowell Milken Center at 620-223-1312 or email Norm Conard (nconard@terraworld.net).

About the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes:
The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes works with students and educators across diverse academic disciplines to develop history projects that highlight role models who demonstrate
courage, compassion, and respect. Through our unique project-based learning approach, students discover, develop and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes who have made a profound and positive impact on the course of history. By championing these Unsung Heroes, students, educators, and communities discover their own power and responsibility

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Magician Taylor Hughes Comes To FSCC August 3

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Taylor Hughes is a full-time entertainer with over 20 years of performance experience. He is one of the only people to have performed in all three showrooms at the World Famous Magic Castle before the age of 21.

He is a featured act on the television series “Masters of Illusion” and was recently presented the awards for “Best Illusion” “Best Comedy Magic” and “Best Showmanship” by the Society of American Magicians in Los Angeles. 

A popular entertainer, Taylor has performed for multiple organizations including Home Depot, AT&T, and The American Heart Association.

MagicShowPoster

Business, Fort Scott

Dr. Crawford Set To Move Downtown

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Dr. Tim Crawford, the owner of Fort Scott Family Dental, 1115 S. Main, has a contract pending on his current building in preparation for the move of the dental office to Wall and Main streets.

In two to three months, Dr. Tim Crawford, a local dentist, hopes to be in the renovated building he has been working on this past year.

“We have no firm timeline,” Crawford said. “The end of summer or beginning of fall. We are super excited to see this come to fruition.”

The historic three-story building at the corner of Wall and Main streets, Fort Scott, known as the Marble Building; has at points in time been a theater, bank, retail store, tanning bed business and will be the dentist’s office when completed.

“You can still see the dome for the chandelier in the attic space,” referring to its’ grand past, Crawford said.

The lobby is being restored, including the stained glass windows, the rest will be new construction.

The top floor is six apartments that have recently been renovated, Crawford said.

“The middle level needs some remodeling,” Crawford said. MCM Restoration occupies most of the second floor.

The main floor of the building he purchased, where his office will be, is also the office of Crain Insurance on the Wall Street side.

The move from 1115 S. Main to the new location for the dentist office will increase the size of the office almost four times.

“We are looking at over 5,000 square feet, and right now (at the current location) we have 1,300 to 1,400 square feet,” Crawford said.

Currently, Crawford has two receptionists, one hygienist, and two dental assistants, he said.

“We’ll probably have to add one more employee,” following the move to the new office, Crawford said.

JT Contracting, RL Construction and Peerless Products, all local businesses have been involved in the reno process, Crawford said.

Jayce Simons and Nick Leighty, with JT Contracting, Fort Scott, work on the masonry front door of the building at Wall and Main streets.
An old dental chair sits next to a commercial vacuum cleaner in the lobby area of the new Fort Scott Family Dental office. The office is being renovated, including some original stained glass windows.
The operating rooms are new construction in the new Fort Scott Family Dentist office, at Wall and Main streets.