Bourbon County Economic Director Jody Hoener is working on a strategic plan.
“The overall economic development goal is to increase the tax base and lower taxes,” Hoener said. “I’ve been looking at ways to increase the population, looking at strategic activities and programs.”
“I’ve been putting together a strategic plan for the county,” she said. “It’s a process though. I’ve had talks with business and community members.”
“We will partner with the Chamber of Commerce to complete a business retention and expansion survey,” she said.
She hopes to be able to engage and fit small, medium and large businesses in the strategic plan.
Bourbon County Collaboration To Replace Ambulance Service
Bourbon County residents were stunned when Mercy Hospital Fort Scott announced that they would be closing Dec. 31.
Since then Hoenor, along with other county and city officials, have been collaborating on the retention of an ambulance service to fill the void following the closure of the hospital.
The Bourbon County Emergency Medical Services ambulances will be stationed where they currently are: one station at the Fort Scott Fire Department downtown and one station at the Mercy location south of town, Hoenor said. Mercy donated four ambulance trucks.
“The idea is and the current understanding is that the current employees (will keep their job),” she said.
Mercy will be running the EMS until April 1, when the branding and signage will change, Hoener said.
“It’s been pretty fast, everybody understands the strong urgency to it,” she said.
Hoener’s office is located in the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National Avenue and she can be reached at 620-223-3800 or mobile 620-215-5725 or www.bourboncountyks.org
Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin gave the attendees of the Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee an update on the 2018 happenings in the city on Dec. 20.
“We got a lot accomplished in 2018,” Martin said. “We had some things thrown at us, but I think we stepped up to the plate.”
The following, provided by Martin, are the completed projects that were a high priority:
Tourism:
The city welcomed more than 5,500 visitors to the new tourism office at the office shared with the Chamber of Commerce, 445 visitor tours on Dolly the Trolley since July, a new lavender festival event, a new Boos and Brews Event, a new Veteran’s Weekend Celebration, the assumption of operations at the La Roche Complex and a Division 1 World Series proposal, the county law change on 30 percent food requirements allowed for the local microbrewery business.
Emergency services:
The city installed the Nex Gen Att and Hosted ITI at the police and fire department, signed a contract with the county to collaborate on Emergency Medical Services and will provide the Human Resource assistance with the services, and added a police K-9 unit with no impact to the budget.
Human Resources:
As of December 2018, there are 97 full-time and 29 part-time employees of the City of Fort Scott. There are monthly KMU training sessions and continued education for all departments. The city is working with Craw-Kan Telephone on a phased upgrade to the IT infrastructure. The city provided a physical activity initiative for its employees and also updated the employee handbook. The city provided an FSA vendor administration transition.
There are four city personnel retirements: Jon Garrison on Sept. 9, Kenny Howard on Dec. 28, Johnny Keating on Jan. 3. 2019, and Shaun West on Dec. 20. There will be a reception for Howard on Dec. 28 at 2 p.m. at city hall and reception for Keating on Jan 3 at 2 p.m. at the fire station.
Promotions this year: Rhonda Dunn to Director of Finance, Jerry Morgan to Streets Supervisor, Jason Pickert to Police Captain, Jacob May and Clint Roberts to Fire Dept. Captain, Alex Schafer, and Clint Lawrence to FSFD Lieutenant Reserves to full-time.
Dav Mohler and Cody McGehee graduated from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center.
New employees are Robert Uhler, Director of Community Development; Seth Simpson, airport manager; Bill Rost, WWC maintenance.
Those who have taken the Certified Public Manager designation, a program to prepare managers for careers in government: 2001-Dave Martin, 2014-Paul Ballou, 2015-Travis Shelton, 2016-Dave Bruner, and Traci Reed, 2017-Jason Pickert, 2018-Chad Brown and Larry Gazaway, 2019-Robert Uhler and Michael Mix.
Streets and streets:
The city spent $200,000 on streets in 2018.
The 2018 Sidewalk, Curb and Gutter Program approved six grants in the amount of $12,000 with owner investment of $24,595.
Water utility:
The city maintained 220 miles of water and sewer lines, including 3,100 water connections, rebuilt pump no. 1 and the Fort Scott Community College booster update, added pickleball court lighting, generator load bank, and valve leash, PACP Certification, Vactor training from Key Equipment, added GIS map update, announced refusal to accept grease loads, and provided multiple repairs to the sanitary sewer system.
Community Amenities:
There was a new public golf cart shed constructed, expansion of Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative fiber network and updates at Lake Fort Scott.
Finance/Codes:
There were 309 building permits issued for revenue of $8,340.
The number of codes cases resulting in a letter or ticket was 473. There were 27 demolition projects: nine were torn down by the city at a cost of $31,043; ten were torn down by the owner which saved $35,000; four were owner repaired; four are in process.
The three officers and director have achieved Kansas Certified Code Enforcement Officer status.
Community Development:
A Fort Scott Landbank was established.
A new direction is being taken by the Food Alliance, with the possibility of a community food bank.
A healthcare task force was formed between the city and Bourbon County.
Economic Development:
Business assistance for relocation, expansion and new businesses was provided by Bourbon County Economic Develpment Council.
A City of Fort Scott Five-Year Comprehensive Plan was approved.
The city reapplied for Kansas Housing Tax Credits to support redevelopment of the Union Building, downtown. This project will add much-needed housing for the workforce.
The city approved nine Downtown Building Improvement Grants totaling $38,904 with an owner investment of $54,898.
The airport revenue increased 75-percent in jet fuel sales from 2017 to 2018. The airport received $286,522 in Kansas Dept. of Transportation Aviation Grants from the Ks. Airport Improvement Program. Grants were completed for future airport expansion.
CHC/SEK Welcomes Fort Scott Medical Providers Dr. Katrina Burke, Dr. Larry Seals, Amanda Stice APRN, Dr. Maxwell Self, Kristine O’Dell APRN, Pamela Moyers APRN and Dr. Pankaj Gugnani. (Not pictured are Hannah Born APRN and Amber Hunziker APRN)
(Pittsburg, KS) – The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) is preparing for a very busy new year as it will assume operations of five clinics in Bourbon, Linn and Crawford counties beginning January 1.
Following the news that Mercy Health System would be closing the hospital in Fort Scott, it was announced that CHC/SEK would take over operations of Mercy’s primary care clinics in Fort Scott, Pleasanton and Arma.
“Mercy recognized the impact that closing the hospital would have and approached us about preserving access to care in Bourbon and Linn counties,” said CHC/SEK CEO Krista Postai adding that CHC/SEK also recognized the need. “We immediately began working with them on a transition plan.”
CHC/SEK will officially assume operations of the Mercy clinics at 601 East Washington in Arma and 11155 Tucker Road in Pleasanton on January 1. CHC/SEK will also transition the Mound City Family Care clinic — which is owned by the Mound City Medical Foundation and currently under the management of the Olathe Health System — on January 1.
Postai said transition of the Fort Scott clinics will begin on February 1 with Convenient Care at 1624 South National changing its name to CHC/SEK Walk-In Care.
“The hours and services will stay the same,” said Postai. “For most people, the only change they will notice will be the name on the building.”
The main clinic located inside the hospital at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. will be managed by Mercy until January 31. It will then be closed until February 4 when it reopens as part of CHC/SEK. Postai said the clinic will have the same hours and offer the same services.
“We will continue to provide primary medical care along with obstetrics, lab, x-ray and immunizations,” she said. “We also plan to continue to offer mammograms and provide space for specialists including the Cancer Center of Kansas.”
Postai added that CHC/SEK will also operate the retail pharmacy next to the main clinic. “The only difference patients should notice is lower costs for their prescriptions,” she said. “It will have the same hours and you will see the same faces as before.”
Postai said the question she hears most often has to do with staff, particularly which medical providers will be staying with the organization.
“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Katrina Burke, Dr. Larry Seals, Dr. Maxwell Self and Dr. Pankaj Gugnani from Fort Scott as well as Dr. Jay Allen from Mound City to our medical staff,” said Postai. “Dr. Seals and Dr. Burke will also provide delivery services at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg.”
CHC/SEK Welcomes Rhonda Kellstadt APRN, Brad Young APRN and Kristyn Milburn APRN in PleasantonCHC/SEK Welcomes Kim Burns APRN in Arma
Postai added that several nurse practitioners will also make the transition including Amanda Stice, Pamela Moyers, Kristine O’Dell, Hannah Born, Amber Hunziker, Brad Young, Kristyn Milburn, Rhonda Kellstadt, Kim Burns and Kelsey Welch.
CHC/SEK Welcomes Dr. Jay Allen and Kelsey Welch APRN in Mound City
“We have also hired local Practice Managers who will be on-site to oversee the daily operations,” said Postai. “Amy Budy will oversee the Bourbon County clinics and Tesia Coffey will be in charge of the clinics in Linn County.”
Postai went on to say the addition of five clinics along with a combined total of more than 15,000 patients and approximately 75 staff members represents an estimated 35 percent growth for CHC/SEK.
“This is not only the largest undertaking in our 15-year history,” she said. “It is quite possibly the most significant.”
In the meantime, Postai said one of the biggest tasks CHC/SEK is working on right now is transferring all of the electronic medical records which can be very time consuming. “Every patient needs to sign a release form in order for us to do that.”
Postai encouraged all current patients of the Mercy clinics or Mound City Family Care to complete the forms which are available on CHC/SEK’s website at www.chcsek.org/medicalrecords.
About Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas. Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) is a non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center dedicated to providing affordable, high quality medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and out
Pictured (front, L-R): Colleen Quick, Mercy Health Foundation board member; Krista Postai, CEO of CHC/SEK; and Daniel Creitz, CHC/SEK general counsel; (back, L-R) Bryan Holt, Mercy Health Foundation treasurer; Chris Petty, Mercy Health Foundation vice chair; and Jason Wesco, CHC/SEK executive vice president.
Access to numerous health care services will remain intact following the closure of Mercy Hospital due in part to a substantial donation from Mercy Health Foundation Fort Scott. The foundation board agreed to donate $300,000 to Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas to ensure the continuation of essential health care services in Fort Scott and Bourbon County.
Mercy Health Foundation board members presented the check for $300,000 to CHC/SEK leadership on Tuesday, December 18.
Many services currently offered by Mercy will transition to CHC/SEK in Fort Scott effective February 1. The services include:
A primary care clinic consisting of Dr. Katrina Burke, Dr. P.K. Gugnani, Dr. Maxwell Self, and numerous nurse practitioners.
Convenient Care located at 1624 S. National will also transition to CHC/SEK effective February 1. Hours of the convenient care clinic will remain the same.
Pre-natal care will continue to be offered with Dr. Larry Seals and Dr. Katrina Burke.
Lab, x-ray, and mammograms.
Future expansion of services by CHC/SEK which will likely include dental care, behavioral health and transportation services.
Funds donated by Mercy Health Foundation will assist CHC/SEK with start-up costs associated to support a new electronic health record and documentation system, computers, phones, printers and other business-related devices necessary to manage a clinic.
Mercy Health Foundation—Fort Scott, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, raises money and community awareness for Mercy Hospital. It is dependent on the support of individuals, corporations and foundations to help Mercy meet community health care needs. Mercy Health Foundation invests its philanthropic support in facilities and the advancement of technologies and programs to enhance Mercy’s ability to provide excellence in health care. For more information, visit mercy.net/giving.
Emelia Whiteaker, owner and trainer of Momentum Indoor Training. Submitted photo.
Momentum Indoor Training, 2420 S. Main, Suite 900, is offering a free day to use the new facility during Christmas break.
The athletic performance trainer and owner of the business, Emelia Whiteaker, recently opened the training facility, which is located behind Tractor Supply Company.
“I am doing the free day as something for parents to do to get their kids active during the winter break,” said Whitaker. “Anyone can come try the pitching machines or throwing lanes for the day.
The event will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, December 28.
“The batting tunnels will be open for use at no charge. All participants must have a signed waiver by a parent/legal guardian,” Whiteaker said. “Anyone 13 years of age or younger must be accompanied by an adult. Call or e-mail to reserve your time or send us a Facebook message: @mitrainingfs.”
Helping The Beacon, a local food pantry and helping agency, just got a little easier.
For those who shop at Amazon.com, if one goes to smile.amazon.com and names The Beacon as the organization to help, the agency will receive a percentage of the cost of the order.
“Amazon sent a letter to The Beacon inviting the organization to register to receive five percent of a customer’s order,” Carol MacArthur, Beacon Board President said. “It’s a small way to generate funds, but we are happy to be registered.”
From the AmazonSmile website:
“AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice.
Every item available for purchase on www.amazon.com is also available on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com) at the same price. You will see eligible products marked “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” on their product detail pages.
If you represent a charitable organization and you would like to learn more about registering your organization to receive AmazonSmile donations, go to org.amazon.com .
Work has begun on a new hub for Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative on South Judson Street.
Excavation work can be seen at the property just south of the Family Video Store on South National Avenue.
“Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative is putting in a small office (at the site),” Bob Guilfoyle, Craw-Kan Plant Manager, said. “It will be an office, the main hub, for our electronics. It will be unmanned.”
“It is mainly for the internet (service), but we offer cable TV and telephone also.”
The building will be approximately 800 square feet facing Judson Street, he said.
The footprint of the Craw-Kan office is pictured here, behind the pile of chat.
“Ken Clary is doing the dirt work and Luke Thomas the concrete,” Guilfoyle said. “We hope to have the building done by the middle of January.”
From National Avenue looking west, the spot is across 18th Street to the east of the Fort Scott Cinema.
Currently, there is a “node” or spot for internal traffic for the surrounding service area located in the Bourbon County Courthouse in the old jail section, he said.
“There will be three nodes total,” Guilfoyle said. “One on the east side of town, one at the golf course and one at the jail. The main core will be at the 1729 S. Judson, the new location.”
Goody’s Clothing Store, 2400 S. Main, is selling all current merchandise and transitioning to the name of Gordman’s.
The timeline is to sell the merchandise by late winter, then there will be a grand re-opening, Melinda Goff, manager of the Fort Scott Goody’s, said.
Goody’s will close March 9 and re-open as Gordman’s on March 21, according to Bria Lundy, Public Relations Director with Stage Stores, the parent company of Goody’s. “We will open 37 Gordman’s stores in March 2019, Fort Scott will be one of them.”
“We will still have the same staff,” Goff said. “Currently, twelve staff, two full time.”
“All current employees have been offered a job there,” Lundy said.
There will be a job fair at the store on Feb. 19, 2019 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Lundy said.
“GORDMANS VISION STATEMENT:
Thrill every guest with fun finds and exciting deals.
Corporate Headquarters located in Houston, Texas
In 42 states across the US with approximately 800 specialty BEALLS, GOODY’S, PALAIS ROYAL, PEEBLES and STAGE specialty department stores and 68 GORDMANS off-price stores
Average specialty department store size is 18,200 selling square feet and average off-price store is 55,000
Fiscal
Year 2016 sales of $1.4 Billion
Approximately 14,500 employees
Refreshed over 200 of our top volume stores in 2015 and 2016″
McDonald’s Fort Scott is open once again for business, following a hiatus from November 13 to December 8, when the drive-through service only was available.
The restaurant is located at Main and 23rd Street, 2224 S. Main.
“McDonald’s Corporation wants to refresh and re-image McDonald’s nationwide,” Michael Durbin, general manager at the Fort Scott McDonald’s said.
Following the renovation, there are some new features.
A station called a kiosk, where customers can self-order and pay at the kiosk with a debit/credit card or pay at the counter has been installed.
Michael Durbin, general manager of Fort Scott’s McDonalds, demonstrates how to use the ordering kiosk at the restaurant, a new feature.
USB ports have been installed throughout the restaurant for cell phone and computer use.
New decor in grey and yellow has been installed.
Also new: no more McCafe HappyHour.
The grand-reopening of the store is Friday, Dec. 14 at 8 a.m., when the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce will have a ribbon-cutting event.
A new food menu item is a mushroom swiss burger or chicken sandwich, Durbin said.
There will be food specials throughout the next week, including on Dec. 14 there will be 69 cent cheeseburgers from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
A list of the foods that will be discounted until Dec. 22.
Mark McCoy is the owner and there are currently 60 employees.
Workers pause for a consult on U.S. Highway 69, south of Fort Scott on Dec. 11.
Even though traffic is now running head-to-head on the new U.S. 69 corridor in Bourbon County, the section will not be completed until next year.
“We’re giving the contractor a time extension on this project because of extensive deterioration on the existing lanes,” Priscilla Petersen, Public Affairs Manager for the Southeast Office of the Kansas Department of Transportation, said.
“The deteriorated sections are to the point where additional concrete patching is necessary,” she said. “The contractor plans to begin removing the old pavement this month, but weather conditions won’t allow for placement of new concrete until next March. This extra patching extends the completion of the project until late spring/early summer of 2019.”
“A reduced speed limit of 55 mph is posted on the new lanes, with four crossovers posted at 45 mph. After the entire project is open to four-lane traffic the speed limit will again be increased to 65 mph.”
The Crawford County section will be next in the expansion to a four-lane highway from a two-lane highway.
“There are two connecting expansion projects planned for U.S. 69 in Crawford County,” Petersen said. “The first is the Arma Connection U.S. 69 expressway. The Arma Connection is six miles long. It will start at the U.S. 69/K-47 junction north of Pittsburg and continue north, ending three miles north of the Arma city limits. Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in early 2020.”
“The U.S. 69 Crawford County expansion is five miles long. It will begin three miles north of the Arma city limits and end at the Crawford-Bourbon county line. Construction is tentatively scheduled to start in early 2021.”
“I can’t give an exact date for completion of these projects since the plans are still being developed,” Petersen said. “Both projects would likely require two construction seasons. We’ll have more details moving forward.”
