Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas is moving forward with the renovation of the former Price Chopper building on South Main.
“We are still in the design phase, but still on schedule for a December 2022 occupancy,” CHC/SEK CEO Krista Postai said.
Krista Postai. Submitted photo.
The lease with Bourbon County, the owners of the former Mercy Hospital building, ends in December of 2022.
“The COVID Pandemic is most certainly impacting the availability of almost everything so we have already ordered,” Postai said. “This includes many of the larger pieces of equipment, including a CT Scanner and the bone density equipment.”
CHC/SEK has started recruitment for additional staff including a pediatrician and a dentist, she said.
And additionally, CHC has assumed operations of another medical clinic.
“We will be assuming operations of the medical clinic in LaCygne – formerly operated by Olathe Health- and will ultimately be doubling the staff,” she said. LaCygne is in Linn County, north of Bourbon County.
About CHC/SEK
“CHC/SEK opened its doors in 1997 on the second floor of a 90-year-old elementary school building in Pittsburg as a community outreach of Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center, the hospital Mother Sheridan founded in 1903,” according to its’ website.
“Our purpose was to ensure that all children were “ready to learn” by providing physicals and immunizations, no matter their parents’ ability to pay. It was a mission of love in an area of critical need – a community that continues to have some of the highest rates of childhood poverty in Kansas.
“We quickly realized these children’s parents and grandparents needed care too. We expanded our services and facility to provide quality, affordable healthcare to patients of all ages. By 2003, we had become an independent organization with 11 employees that cared for 3,300 patients.
“Today, more than 600 employees care for more than 70,000 patients every year, providing medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, and support services across southeast Kansas – still regardless of the ability.”
Skubitz Plaza is located north of Main Street in downtown Fort Scott, just across from Fort Scott National Historic Site.
T-Mobile is an American wireless network operator, who is working to have a presence in Fort Scott.
On Sept. 23, T-Mobile awarded a Hometown Grant to Fort Scott for creating a downtown greenspace with a pavilion and walkway on Skubitz Plaza, just off the northern section of downtown.
“The initial phase of this project is an addition of an entrance pavilion and walkway to the Lunette Blair Block House,” according to information provided by the City of Fort Scott.
Phase one will be completed within nine months of the grant award, according to the information provided by the city.
This grant is one of the many initiatives underscoring T-Mobile’s commitment to rural America, according to a press release from T-Mobile. More than just bringing wireless, T-Mobile wants to be part of the community and help small towns thrive.
The T-Mobile Grant presentation will be at the site near the Lunette Blair Blockhouse, across from the Fort Scott National Historic Site on October 5th at 5 P.M., according to information provided by City of Fort Scott Finance Director Susan Bancroft.
New Retail Location Coming
In addition to the grant for the city, T-Mobile has plans to open a new retail location in Fort Scott slated for late November, the spokesperson said. The location is near South Main and West 23rd Street.
Background of T-Mobile’s grants
On Sept. 23, T-Mobile announced 25 small towns winning Hometown Grants to jumpstart vital community development projects to re-energize these towns and build upon what makes them unique, according to the press release.
Hometown Grants are part of T-Mobiles’ massive commitment to bring 5G to rural America, according to the press release.
Over the next five years, T-Mobile plans to hire 7,500 new employees in small towns and rural communities and provide $25 million in grants for community development projects.
Earlier this month the company unveiled the FIRST Hometown Techover winner, Woodstock, Ill. which will receive a prize package worth $3M and become the crown jewel of 5G for small towns across America.
And on Sept. 23, 25 additional well-deserving small towns were awarded a grant to improve their communities.
In Bourbon County, there were 2,307 cases of COVID-19 reported since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, and 72 hospitalizations, with the death data not reported for the county on the KDHE website https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas .
Nationwide 658,754 Americans have died from COVID-19 as of Sept 15, 2021. “In at least 90 percent of the deaths, COVID-19 is listed as the underlying cause,” according to information from the U.S. Center For Disease Control https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/covid19/mortality-overview.htm “The remaining COVID-19 deaths, it was listed as the contributing cause of death.”
As of Sept. 22, 2021, in Kansas, there have been over 400,000 COVID-19 cases, 13,500 hospitalizations, and 5,919 deaths.
The vaccines to prevent the disease are readily available in the county.
SEK Muliti-County Health Department, located at 6th and Lowman Streets, Fort Scott.
“The following are the COVID-19 vaccines our health departments are able to administer at this time: Moderna for individuals 18 years and older,” said Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department Director Rebecca Johnson. “We are now carrying Pfizer, which is FDA approved for individuals 12 years and older. We are also are able to give an additional dose of Moderna or Pfizer to those individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised. We have a limited supply of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for those individuals 18 years and older.”
Rebecca Johnson, SEKMCHD Director.
“The other COVID-19 vaccine providers in Bourbon County are Walmart, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, and Walgreens,” said Johnson.
For the local health department, calling ahead is advised.
“Mondays are walk-in days and Tuesday-Thursday one would need an appointment,” Johnson said. “We are also starting to do flu clinics so will be out of the office some in the coming weeks. It would probably be best to call before someone comes in, to make sure there is someone here to administer the shot. Also, the COVID-19 vaccine may be given at the same time as a flu shot.”
Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, chills, headache, loss of taste and smell, and extreme fatigue; in the Delta variant, these symptoms are more severe.
“They seem to be similar to the original version of COVID-19 but people are getting sick more quickly,” Johnson said. “Studies have shown individuals with Delta variant will start showing symptoms by day 4.”
MIS-C Cases
Multi-system Inflammatory Symptoms in children are also associated with COVD-19, where the internal organs are inflamed. It is characterized by persistent fever and abdominal symptoms. Respiratory symptoms were not present in all cases of MIS-C.
Prevention measures
Wearing masks, hand washing frequently, staying home when sick, social distancing, and the vaccines are recommended to fight against the pandemic.
“I would recommend keeping your children home from school and daycare and getting tested if have started showing symptoms,” Johnson said. “We’ve run into several cases that just thought their child had allergies, to begin with.”
The annual Old Settler’s Co-Ed Ranch Rodeo was postponed from Labor Day to Sept. 13 because of the weather.
On that date, 15 teams of cowboys and cowgirls competed at the Uniontown Arena, just west of the town on Hwy. 3.
“We provide and promote horse-related events for the community,” Wayne Hall, president of the club said. “An each year we give a Warren McKinnis Scholarship to high school students. These are rural kids involved with agriculture.”
The club was established in 1967 as a family-oriented club that provides a large arena that hosts horse shows, rodeos, and roping practices, according to its’ Facebook page.
The 2021 the winners are:
Cutter Stevens, Fredonia, was the winner of the Uniontown Saddle Club Ranch Rodeo Top Youth award. Submitted photos.Tristan Hensen, Lamar, MO, was the winner of the Uniontown Saddle Club Top Female Participant award. Submitted photos.Trenton Umphenour, Pleasonton, is the winner of the Uniontown Saddle Club Top Male Participant award. Submitted photos.
In the team competitions:
Big Creek, comprised of Michell LaRue, Trent Eck, Cassidy Furhman, and Will Harding earned first place. Wayne Hall is on the right. Taken from Uniontown Saddle Club Facebook page
Second place winners: Brock Hall, Julia Hall, Karlee Boots, Trenton Umphenour, with Kactus K Trucking. Wayne Hall is on the right. Taken from the Facebook page.
Third place winners: Diamond S Cattle comprised of Kolby Boo, Britt Michaleis, Colby Brownrigg, and Mindi Holloway.
All prizes were purchased with sponsorship from the community.
Jody Hoener, CEO of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team.
The Healthy Bourbon Action Team has created a community health needs survey to provide future grants to entities such as local governments, businesses, and schools.
The data needed for the grants must come from the community they serve.
“We need you to inform our work,” said Jody Hoenor, CEO of the team. “Take the community health needs survey today and earn $10 to spend at Fort Scott Farmers’ Market or Uniontown’s Union Station!”
“The survey is part of a bigger community health needs assessment. With this survey, we are getting information straight from our community member’s mouths on our health and wellness needs. As the saying goes, ‘Straight from the horse’s mouth.’ This information tells us where we need to focus our time, efforts, and financial resources. To put it bluntly: Where should we direct our money?”
How long will it take to do the survey?
“The survey can take up to 20 minutes to complete. We realize this can be a long survey. We are giving $10 vouchers to Farmers Market or Uniontown’s Union Station for responding to the survey because we understand there is some time spent on it.”
How will this survey benefit the community?
“This survey will provide the primary data for grant requests. We help write grants for local governments, businesses, schools, — the whole community. Because of the last community health needs assessment in 2016, we were awarded the BCBS Pathways to Healthy Kansas Grant. Since then we have brought in close to $2 million. This money is directed to projects throughout the entire county.”
The following are provided by Hoener as examples of previous grants :
“In Uniontown: Union Station Gas Station and Convenience Store was awarded grant funds around 2017 for promoting locally produced food.
Uniontown City Council drafted a plan for sidewalks and biking.
“Uniontown’s School District USD 235 was awarded funds for the flashing crosswalk, water bottle filling stations, healthy vending machine, brand new gym equipment, and money for the locker room/shower
Other examples:
“Worksites throughout the county received $12,500 for worksite wellness equipment
“16 Local grocery stores and restaurants were awarded grant dollars to encourage healthier environments and promote local food.
“Bike share was started with the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce.
“Fort Scott’s School District .USD 234 was awarded funds for exercise equipment, the FSHS courtyard, and water bottle filling stations.
“Financial support for events like the Maramaton Massacre (a bike race event), Farm to Table events, and others that boost community morale and encourage healthy behaviors.
“Water bottle stations (still yet to come, grant funds have been given to the City of Fort Scott to purchase) throughout the community parks in Bronson, Uniontown, and Fort Scott.
“Lights for safe walking at trails like Riverfront Park and the Fort Scott Community College walking trail.
“FSCC received grant funding for the 24-hour access employee gym.
“The Bourbon County Courthouse has an entire workout room with weights, treadmill, and more.
“Trail equipment purchased to build and maintain walking or biking trails.
“The Nazarene Church was awarded $16,000 to start a truck farm and a program to mentor and help those on the outskirts of society (led by David Goodyear).
“Funds granted to Chamber of Commerce’s LEAD program to put together a Downtown Walking Trail that will have historical markers and education along the route in Downtown Fort Scott.”
“Plus lots more. We are constantly seeking grant funding to help our Bourbon County community members. We want to use our resources where the community tells us it is needed.”
What is the expected outcome?
“Many other community law enforcement agencies, governments, school districts, and non-profit organizations use these assessments and surveys to apply for outside funding. It will help every local entity with needed financial support for operations, programs, and projects.”
Who is collaborating with the survey?
“We are working with the University of Kansas on the community health needs assessment. They are paid through our Blue Cross Blue Shield KansasPathways Grant to help us with this process. The survey responses go directly to KU and are 100% anonymous. We are also collaborating locally with Ascension Via Christi and Community Health Centers of South East Kansas.”
Where can interested people get a hold of the survey?
“We are seeking 60% of all households to complete a survey. The survey link is on our website at HBCAT.org. Tablets and stands to fill out surveys are available at Via Christi Emergency Room and Primary Care Office (Dr. Burke), Uniontown’s Union Station, and soon to be placed at Community Health Centers of Southeast Kansas primary care in Fort Scott. Anyone is free to reach out to me at [email protected] for a paper survey.”
Bourbon County wages for their employees is less than other counties, according to a study presented at a recent commission meeting.
Bourbon County employees are paid on average $15 per hour compared to other counties at $20 per hour, Sheriff Bill Martin said in an email to fortscott.biz.
Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin. Submitted photo.
On August 31, Martin went to the commission meeting to discuss salaries for county employees.
Martin, Bourbon County Undersheriff Ben Cole and Beth Tatarko, Vice-President of the Austin Peters Group, Overland Park https://austinpeters.com ( who was present by telephone), met with the commissioners to discuss a salary study that the Austin Peters Group had developed, according to the commission minutes.
“I wanted it done to see if our wages were competitive with other deputies’ salaries of equal or same size as us,” Martin said. “The (study) funding was split between the sheriff’s office and the county attorney’s office. Mine came out of the VIN inspection account.”
The salary study compared other counties and cities and a few private employers and reported that the average pay was $20.32 for those entities as compared to $15.56 for non-elected Bourbon County employees.
Tatarko said it would cost an estimated $322,122 to bring the hourly employee’s wages to the average, which didn’t include benefits.
Elected officials, except for the attorney, are less than average as well, according to the minutes.
She said Bourbon County doesn’t have a scale for pay wages and all employees will eventually make the same amount if they do the same job.
Tatarko said Bourbon County does have a more generous benefit package and leave time than others, according to the minutes.
All three county commissioners asked Martin what his recommendations are.
Martin answered that the commission planned to reduce the mill levy by 2.5 mills, and he suggested leaving the mill levy the same and setting money aside for wages, according to the minutes. However, the commission decided to stay with the reduction of the mill levy.
Commissioner Lynne Oharah suggested having Bourbon County Financial Director Susan Bancroft review the study and give the commission recommendations.
At the Sept. 2 commission meeting, Bancroft stated she did include a 10-year recap for each Bourbon County department in this year’s budget proposal.
There were major sheriff’s office changes from the time when the jail was built, according to the Sept. 2 minutes. Commodities and contractual items both stayed about the same but there was a shift in personnel services.
The jail was completed in 2017.
Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center, October 2017
“Contractual items include meals, health and records management, etc.,” Sheriff Martin said. “Commodities: fuel, office supplies jail repairs/maintenance and outside medical. ”
Bancroft said that contractual for corrections has gone up in 2020 due to the food services industry and having a lot of inmates; depending on how many inmates there are, will determine that cost.
As of last Friday’s tally, the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center jail is holding 45 inmates, with five from other counties.
Lynne Oharah
Following a Bourbon County Commission executive session on August 31, Commissioner Clifton Beth said the commission knows this is a problem, and yet, Commissioner Jim Harris said, they hear from business owners that Bourbon County taxes are too high, according to the minutes.
Clifton Beth from Facebook.
Harris said the county needs to grow and if that happens, maybe the commission could take some of those funds from growth to use for the employee’s wages.
An area church is gearing up for a family-oriented event that they are offering the community, for free.
A corn maze and other family activities are offered at Rinehart Christian Church, just over the state line in Missouri, 9443 S. 900 Road, Richards, MO.
Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays starting Sept. 25.
poster
“Our purpose behind the corn maze is to provide a service to our community that is fun and unique,” Elijah Pierson, Youth Minister at Rinehart Christian Church, said.
“In particular, we care about families so we want to offer an event that the whole family can enjoy together,” he said. “This year we are also excited about adding special events each weekend which include a dog herding show on Sept. 25, a petting zoo on Oct. 2, a corn hole tournament on Oct. 9, and axe throwing on Oct. 16.
Also for the family to enjoy: hayrides, yard games, a hot dog lunch, pumpkin painting, corn pits, a tiny train, and grain bin basketball.
“It has been a joy the last few years to watch how our church has stepped up to make this event possible for our community,” Pierson said. “It takes a large number of people giving of their time and resources to host this event, and our members have been more than willing to give both because they want the community to know they care about them.”
2021 Corn Maze at Rinehart Christian Church. Submitted photo.
Kasi, 23, and Aung Kyaw-Gates, 29, are working to open a hibachi/sushi restaurant in downtown Fort Scott at 17 S. Main.
They have named it Samurai Hibachi and Sushi and hope to be open in October following renovation and hiring of employees, Kasi said.
Sushi is raw meat with seaweed rice on the outside, rolled into a roll then cut into eight pieces, she said.
“We have salmon, shrimp tempura, eel, veggie, spicy tuna, and a crab salad,” Kasi said.
Hibachi is rice or noodles with meat, grilled on a flat top grill with a sauce, she said.
The couple ran a food truck on East Wall street earlier this year, but closed down when a partner left the business for a larger town, Kasi said.
Kasi and Aung Gates with Robert Coon, inside the former Kress Building. Submitted photo.
“We waited until we could find a place to open a restaurant and Robert Coon got a hold of us,” she said.
Coon is the owner of Coon Rentals LLC and recently bought 17 S. Main at a Bourbon County Commission auction.
“My husband has always wanted to open his own restaurant…and had worked in many restaurants and food places. He knows everything needed to open and succeed,” Kasi said.
Gates provided the following menus for the restaurant:
Kasi is a 2017 graduate of Uniontown High School and a 2019 graduate of Fort Scott Community College with a general science degree, she said.
Her husband, originally from Myanmar (Burma) has been in the U.S. for five years, ending up in Pittsburg, KS, where they met.
They were married in November 2019.
Aung is currently working in Pittsburg at a hibachi/sushi restaurant and Kasi owns the Third Fairy shop at 1 E. Wall Street.
“I sell incense, herbs, tarot cards, chrystals, and pagan and Wiccan items,” she said.
Kress Building, 17 S. Main, August 2020.
Coon said the first floor of the building will be divided, with the restaurant on the current kitchen side. He said an attorney has expressed interest in renting the other side.
A Biden Administration tax plan proposal will ask banks to give information on the unreported income of their bank customers to U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
Two local bankers sent information to help the public understand the proposed requirements.
“Congress is expected to begin considering a new tax reporting requirement that would require banks to report information on account flows to the Internal Revenue Service,” according to a press release from Gregg Motley, Southeast Kansas Regional Manager of Landmark National Bank.
“Specifically, we would be required to report on all customers with gross inflows (credits) and outflows (debits) above $600 in an effort to crackdown on tax avoidance,” Motley said. “The proposal is concerning because it would likely increase tax preparation costs, particularly for our small business/sole proprietor customers, and could undermine public trust in banks. The proposal presents a significant reporting burden for the bank and customer privacy and data security challenge for our customers.”
It is still a proposal under consideration, and customers are encouraged to contact their congressman/congresswoman to share their concerns, according to the press release from Motley.
“The independent community bankers of America (ICBA) has put together the most information on this rule,” Bryan Holt, Union State Bank President said.
The following is a link to the organization’s website:
“We wanted to establish more business,” Kaur said. “People would come from this area to our store near Hammond for Opie’s Pizza that we serve. We thought we would come here to provide it.”
Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
For more information or to order a pizza, call 620-644-9867.
K.C. Mart, 946 S. Highway 69, across from the LaRoche Baseball Stadium.
In front is Seraphine, with Jackson, Marty, Carrie, and Caleb Elton. Submitted photo.
A new family to Fort Scott has purchased the two former Lyon’s Mansions on National Avenue.
Marty and Carrie Elton moved their family into the north mansion on June 1.
The south mansion’s main floor, formerly known as Nate’s Place, will be a restaurant called Dry Wood Creek Cafe, Carrie Elton said.
The Elton’s will be offering delicious food, and a comfortable space to enjoy it, Carrie said.
“Marty has been in the restaurant business his entire life,” she said. “He has been both in the back of the house and the front of the house. He is past president of the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association and most recently the owner and operator of a successful catering company.”
Marty Elton. Submitted photo.
Carrie grew up north of Buffalo, NY among “amazing bakers and cooks” and desires to bring those flavors to the people of Fort Scott, she said.
The Eltons were looking for opportunities to move to a small town, she said.
“We found this property and immediately fell in love with it,” she said. “A perfect confluence of events made this dream a reality for us.”
“We are currently living in the former bed and breakfast with our three children and two dogs,” Carrie said. “Once the children are grown we may look at reopening the north mansion as a bed and breakfast.”
They have been preparing to open the restaurant soon, possibly next week if staffing and licensing issues are resolved.
There is office space available on the second floor that they “look forward to partnering with someone as they begin their journey,” she said.
The third floor is a two-bedroom apartment that is currently a vacation rental on Vacation Rentals By Owner, VRBO, she said.
The restaurant is slated to have hours of operation: Tuesday through Sunday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Contact information for Marty or Carrie is 620.224.2970. Like the restaurant on their Facebook page, Dry Creek Cafe.
“We look forward to holding special events a couple of times a month, at night,” she said. “More information will be available on these once we get up and running.”
Next weekend, two annual sports events will be combined: the Marmaton Massacre with the Tri-Yak-A-Thon and additionally a separate golf disc tournament.
Local businessman and bike enthusiast, Frank Halsey is the organizer of the bike race called the Marmaton Massacre and the kayak-run-bike contest called the Tri-Yak-A-Thon.
The Marmaton Massacre is still seeking participants, according to the Gunn Park Trails Facebook page.
The deadline to register is this Sunday, September 12, at midnight.
Frank Halsey, the event organizer, hugs his grandson following a first-place win in the kids’ race in July 2018.
“The Gunn Park Trail Volunteers (the sponsors of the events)are super excited! It’s going to be a very busy weekend in beautiful Gunn Park,” Halsey said.
“We’ve combined our annual Marmaton Massacre Festival and The annual Tri-Yak-A-Thon into a really fun-packed weekend, September 18th & 19th,” Halsey said. “In addition, Danny Craig is hosting a disc golf tournament on Saturday, the 18th.
“We kick off the activities with the Tri-Yak-A-Thon, at 9 a.m. Saturday,” Halsey said. “This is our 8th year for this charitable fundraiser of running a 5k on the trails, kayaking a 5k on the Marmaton River, and finishing with a 10k ride on the trails.”
Participants may go solo, or as a relay team.
“Solo is for those hard-core athletes, while the relay team is not easy, it’s definitely easier,” he said. “I don’t run any longer, so my daughter, Libby, and I will be a team. Proceeds of the Tri-Yak-A-Thon are donated to proceeds go to Fort Scott Paws and Claws Animal Shelter.”
“At 1 p.m. the Massacre officially starts with the marathon race,” Halsey said. “This is a 3-hour race, where participants complete as many laps as possible on our trails.”
To participate in the events see the Gunn Park Trails Facebook page, registrations must be sent by Sunday, Sept. 12.
The whole community is invited to watch.
“While most of the events are not really spectator-friendly, we’d love to have the locals show up for the Saturday evening festivities,” he said. “These start about 5:30 p.m. with the always fun Kid’s Bike Race. We create an open course, through the park, so not on the trails, for kids 10 years old and under. This is a hoot watching these kids, and everybody cheering.”
At 6:30 p.m. a father and son, Ed and Exander Schilling, St. Joe, MO will give a demonstration on bike skills.
Halsey describes the two as “extremely talented.” “Ed can do things on a bike that most can’t do on their feet, and Exander likes to get big air,” he said.
“Around 7:30 pm we have live music with DJ Brown & The Bourbon County Revival performing until about 9 or 9:30 p.m.,” he said. “They are a local band, that plays a little bit of everything.”
“The Beech Street Eats food truck will be onsite for refreshments,” Halsey said.
“This is a great family atmosphere, and we hope the people of Fort Scott, and the surrounding area, will bring their lawn chairs, kid’s bikes, enjoy the evening in beautiful Gunn Park,” he said.
“We could not do this without our volunteers and our generous sponsors, including:
Big Creek, comprised of Michell LaRue, Trent Eck, Cassidy Furhman, and Will Harding earned first place. Wayne Hall is on the right. Taken from Uniontown Saddle Club Facebook page
