Tag Archives: featured

Business, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, COVID-19, Government, Health Care

CHC/SEK Collaborates With Ft. Scott Business and State

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Krista Postai. Submitted photo.

President and CEO of Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas Krista Postai gave an update on some recent collaborations.

Food Storage With New Ft. Scott Grocery Store

One collaboration is with the Star Emporium Downtown General Store, owned by Bill Michaud of BAJA Investments.

Michaud reached an agreement with the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas to provide food storage space to expand the food distribution and delivery programs CHC/SEK is currently offering in Crawford County into Fort Scott, with services beginning in January, he said. The store will provide the food storage piece.

To learn more about this new downtown venture:

Star Emporium Downtown General Store To Open Early Next Year

“With the pandemic, we’re finding more and more people are struggling and challenged to find food, so we’re going to be adding food distribution to our list of services,” Postai said.  “The folks in Ft. Scott are providing our freezer and refrigerator space within the basement of the grocery store for any donated food or purchased food from Kansas Food Bank or other local partners.”

“This will not be used as a distribution point for community members, just a place for us to store it,” she said. “Our long-term plan is to create a Food Rx program for chronically ill and food-insecure patients and to offer grocery delivery to homebound patients throughout our region. It’s always great to find partners willing to help and this is a great example.”

 

Part of Kansas Distribution Plan For COVID-19 Vaccine

“We are part of the state’s overall plan for (COVID-19 vaccine) distribution and are anxiously awaiting its arrival,” Postai said.  “We just learned that we may be receiving one of the ‘super’ freezers from the state which would make the vaccine more accessible. Once available, we will be following state guidelines on priority immunizations which I believe will be front-line medical personnel first. For the latest information on the state’s plan, go to https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/284/COVID-19-Vaccine.”

Elections, Fort Scott, Government

FS Commission Discusses Charter Ordinance This Evening

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Susan Bancroft is the Fort Scott Finance Director. Submitted photo.

The Fort Scott City Commission is discussing a charter ordinance that will be voted on in a special election on Jan. 5, 2021.

“The purpose of Charter Ordinance 31 is to clean up language to our local ordinance that is in direct conflict with Kansas Law and to prevent property tax increases during difficult budget years,” Susan Bancroft, Fort Scott’s Financial Director.
Also to discuss is the issue that money transfers are an accounting mechanism to reimburse other funds or departments for work performed on behalf of a utility, she said.

The Fort Scott City Commission will meet at 6 p.m. today, Monday, December 21, in the City Hall Commission Meeting Room at 123 S. Main Street, to discuss Charter Ordinance No. 31 and in addition, some insurance issues: Supplemental Extended Reporting Law Enforcement Liability, Public Officials Liability, and Employee Benefits Liability coverage for the city, according to a city press release.

This meeting is open to the public, but no action will be taken.

The work session will also be available on the city’s YouTube channel.https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6DcVf4t2fxjdKCwa0Ufzjw

 

“Early in the year, Commissioner Pete Allen pointed out that past administrations had been illegally making transfers to the General Fund based on City Ordinance 2842 adopted in 1982,” Bancroft said.

 

Bancroft followed up during a regular commission meeting agreeing that the local ordinance essentially states all funds ‘shall’ stay in the sewer fund. Research done also showed that transfers from the sewer fund to the general fund had been made dating back to 1980 according to audited financial statements, she said.

 

“Prior to 1978, the City of Fort Scott had a combined ‘water and sewage system’  under K.S.A. 12-856,” Bancroft said.  “Ordinary Home Rule Ordinance 2692 of May 1978 separated these systems and created various utility funds for each utility. The city now has separate funds for water, sewer, and stormwater.”

 

“Precedence of the law is as follows: 1. the  Federal Constitution and laws, 2.the  Kansas Constitution, including valid charter ordinances, 3. state statutes, and 4. local ordinances and laws,” she said.

 

Bancroft gives a history of the precedence:

 

“In 1973, K.S.A. 12-631p passed which governs sewer reserve funds,” Bancroft said. “The statute allows cities to deposit funds in a reserve fund or funds for ‘construction, reconstruction, expansion, operation and maintenance’  of municipal sewer systems. The statute also allows transfers from these reserve funds back to the originating fund. K.S.A. 12-852d amended in 1977 give certain powers to cities that own waterworks. Cities may use monies ‘derived from the sale and consumption of water’ for the purposes set out in K.S.A. 12-825d. Sewer monies are derived from the sale and consumption of water. The statute later also allows the governing body ‘in judgment’ to authorize transfers to other funds. K.S.A. 12-631p gave all cities powers and limitations and later K.S.A. 12-852d allows governing bodies additional power.”

 

“In 1982, the city passed ordinance 2842 that conflicts with K.S.A. 12-825d,” she said. “Because this is an ordinary home rule ordinance, not a charter ordinance, the favor would be given to K.S.A. 12-825d. Because the current state law is in conflict as well as our own ordinary ordinance, charter ordinance 31 was presented to make the language clear, giving the governing body the ability ‘in judgment’, to authorize transfers.”

 

“During the August 18, 2020 commission meeting, the commission voted 4-1 to approve Charter Ordinance 31 which would allow for transfers to other funds,” Bancroft said. “A petition was filed on October 5th with the County Clerk to call an election so that the voters can decide whether the ordinance shall take effect. The commission had 30 days (November 5th) to decide whether to have an election or rescind the ordinance. The commission chose to move forward with the election. The election is required to be held within 90 days of October 5th and is scheduled for January 5, 2021.”

 

The following are questions that Bancroft answered regarding the ordinance:

“Why was Charter Ordinance 31 presented?

  • “Currently, the governing body has the cash available to transfer $200-400K each year into the sewer reserve fund. The ability to sell wastewater to a commercial industry allows the utility to generate additional revenue on top of regular service fees.
  • “Over time as the utility improves infrastructure, systems will improve and should become more efficient and reduce operational costs which will keep rates stable and possibly generate excess funds.
  • “No transfers are scheduled in the sewer fund for 2020 or 2021 with the budget changes presented to the commission on October 20, 2020. These changes required a 10-13% reduction in the general fund budget across all departments which results in $300,000 less to operate. The budget is tight, and any emergency or annual inflation costs could affect quality of life amenities or public safety services.
  • “”The funds being transferred are not property tax dollars but could prevent a property tax increase.
  • “Charter Ordinance 31 was an option presented to allow the governing body the ability to make financial decisions when appropriate or during times of need. Good financial practice would be to limit the amount of funds that can be transferred and noted in the governing body’s financial policies. The suggested maximum amount of transfer would be 5% of gross revenues which is similar to normal utility franchise fees for the use of right of way and street oversight, maintenance, street cuts etc.
  • “The movement of funds allows for reimbursement of costs incurred when the utility is making infrastructure changes in the cities right of way. Furthermore, it covers the cost of permitting, inspections, equipment, and material for the utility cuts made and legal fees.
  • “Transfers are an accounting mechanism to improve efficiencies in all departments to not have to track each detailed expenditure supported by General Fund departments.

How is the city ensuring sewer infrastructure is being addressed?

“City administration continues to develop plans on how, when, and where to rehabilitate the city’s sewer system. Inspections of the condition of the city’s sewer infrastructure, rating the condition, and then mapping these findings through GIS will ensure customers that plans are developed methodically. In addition, through a five-year capital plan, the utility resources will be managed prudently.

Are city sewer rates sufficient to support the failing infrastructure?

“City administration will be seeking governing body approval in 2021 to pursue a professional rate analysis to see if any changes are needed to the current declining rate structure.”

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Government

Bourbon County Treasurer’s Office Closed Until Dec. 28

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Patty Love. Submitted photo.
The Bourbon County Treasurer’s Office in the courthouse closed Monday afternoon  Dec. 14, because employees were COVID-19  quarantined.
The office will remain closed until Monday, Dec. 28.
Residents who need to do business with the office have some options.
Taxes
“We cannot extend the due date for taxes, they are still due Dec. 21 which is Monday,” Bourbon County Treasurer Patty Love said.   “People can pay online by going to the bourboncountyks.org clicking on government, then treasurers, there is a link on that page.”
Another option is bringing the taxes to the courthouse entrance.
“There is a dropbox that people can put payment in, on the right wall by the double glass doors coming into the courthouse entrance,” she said.
They can also be mailed but time is of the essence.

 

“They can also mail them in, we are accepting postmark of December 21, 2020 to process them as on time,” Love said.
Vehicle Tag Renewals
“Renewals for tags can be dropped in the same dropbox along with payment and proof of insurance and we will mail out the sticker,” Love said.  “
“If you need to register and title a vehicle we have a title-work-by- mail-form that is in a box next to our dropbox they can fill it out and put it in dropbox along with their paperwork, title and proof of insurance,” Love said.  “We will call them when we get a total.  Once we receive payment we will mail the tag to them. “
“They can also call our office at 223-3800 x 803 and we will email or mail forms to them,” she said.
“We realize this couldn’t happen at a worse time for our office,” Love said.  “We appreciate everyone’s patience and are sorry for the inconvenience.”
Area News, Bourbon County, Business

Heartland Electric Adds Solar Project

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The Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative Service area is in the white. From its’ website, https://www.heartland-rec.com/content/service-area.  It serves the western half of  Bourbon County.

Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative is adding solar power to its business.

 

“All of Heartland’s consumer-members will benefit from the two solar arrays that we are building,” Ron Graber, Heartland’s Director of Member Service andCommunication said.

 

The electric cooperative is joining with 11 other Kansas rural electric cooperatives to invest in 20 Megawatts of solar power to be built across the state, and power 80,000 homes across rural Kansas, according to a press release from Heartland.

 

“Even though the solar arrays will directly feed only two of our 17 substations, the arrays will provide affordable power that helps us keep power costs low for everyone,” Graber said.  “In addition, the arrays are being designed to produce power during peak hours late in the day. That peak usage plays a big part in the price the co-op pays for power. So lowering that peak use will help us manage overall power costs for everyone.”

 

The solar panels will reduce the business’s amount of greenhouse gases and specifically carbon dioxide emitted.

 

“Because solar power is renewable and carbon-free, building these two arrays helps us reduce our carbon footprint, and that helps everyone,” Graber said.

 

Heartland’s portion of the project consists of two solar arrays of 1 Megawatt each, according to the press release. Preliminary work has already begun on the two tracts of land purchased by Heartland for the project. Groundbreaking was held on Tuesday, December 8. Construction should be completed by June of 2021.

 

One Heartland 1-MW array will be located in Crawford County, just west of Girard near Greenbush along Highway 47, according to the press release. The second Heartland 1-MW solar array will be built in Neosho County between Erie and Chanute along 160th Road (Shaw Road.)

 

The two Heartland solar arrays, and the 18 other arrays in Kansas, will all be built and owned by Today’s Power Inc, a North Little Rock-based company established by rural electric cooperatives in Arkansas, according to the press release. Today’s Power Inc. has successfully installed more than 25 solar projects totaling more than 40 Megawatts over the last five years in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Tennessee. Heartland has signed a purchased-power-agreement with Today’s Power Inc. to buy the solar energy produced by the two arrays for the next 25 years.

 

This opportunity began when the wholesale power contract between all participating cooperatives and their forward-thinking generation and transmission cooperative, Kansas Electric Power Cooperative, was recently modified to provide Kansas electric cooperatives with the ability to self-procure up to 15 percent of peak demand – with 5 percent of that amount specifically allowing for the addition of solar, according to the press release.

 

By joining together in the Kansas Cooperative Sun Power Program, all of the participating Kansas rural electric cooperatives were able to negotiate very competitive long-term pricing, according to the press release.  In addition, the solar arrays will be customized in the design process to maximize output during the cooperative’s peak demand hours, when power is most expensive. These factors will all help Heartland control power costs and keep power affordable for those served at the cooperative’s 11,200 service locations.

 

Heartland currently has more than 60 members with almost 700KW of solar panels installed on their own property, according to the press release.

 

Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative provides power to more than 11,000 locations in Southeast and Central Eastern Kansas, according to the press release. Heartland’s service area includes consumer-members in 12 counties, including Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Cherokee, Coffey, Crawford, Labette, Linn, Miami, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson counties. Heartland REC traces its roots back to three original rural electric cooperatives, Cooperative Electric Power & Light Company, Sugar Valley Electric Cooperative Association, (which came together to form United Electric Cooperative in 1975) and Sekan Electric Cooperative Association (which combined to become Heartland in 1996.)

 

 

Bourbon County, Business, COVID-19

Imagination Station Receives SPARK Grant For New Flooring

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New flooring was installed at Imagination Station Daycare with SPARK funds. Submitted photo.

Childcare during the COVID-19 Pandemic has been essential for working parents.

 

Imagination Station Daycare, 678 Maple Rd., has received  SPARK funds to update the daycare’s worn flooring, which helps with cleaning and keeping the daycare healthier, Marla Oharah, owner and operator said.

 

Oharah was one of over one-hundred Bourbon County businesses who applied for the SPARKS grant in July 2020.

 

” I applied for $25,000 and was awarded $17,500,” she said.  “Two projects were identified on the application that would qualify for helping reduce the effects of COVID along with some administrative cost.”

New flooring for the daycare. Submitted photo.

“Receiving only part of the requested grant, I was only able to complete one project,” she said.  “I chose to replace the extremely worn floor covering in my 3,400 square-foot facility to help with keeping the daycare’s environment clean and virus free. The grant was awarded in September. The floor covering was purchased in mid-September and installed in mid-November. At the same time, I also replaced a worn water heater that wasn’t working properly and purchased/replaced a new carpet cleaner at my own expense.”

The water heater at the daycare was replaced with SPARK funds. Submitted photo.

 

“The grant was very much needed and appreciated,” Oharah said.  “The kids at the daycare love the new carpet and I appreciate the new carpet and hard vinyl plank floor covering for the ease of keeping the center environment cleaner and healthier.”

 

Marla and her husband, Lynne,  purchased the daycare business in 2006 and have operated the facility as a Kansas State Licensed Child Care Center since.

 

“Child care is a business that is in demand and does fill a need of parents needing a quality place to have their children cared for,” she said.  “I fill the need to provide safe, loving and learning service to the community.”

 

“We were closed for a very short time when COVID19 first was declared a pandemic and most of our clients had to honor the stay at home order,” Marla said. “Even though our numbers were greatly reduced I reopened in hopes that the children would return.”

 

About SPARK

The Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce is charged with leading Kansas forward in recovery from the far-reaching effects of COVID-19 and is responsible for the statewide distribution of the federal coronavirus relief fund, according to its website.

 

 

 

 

Business, Food, Fort Scott

Star Emporium Downtown General Store To Open Early Next Year

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A1 Towing and Moving, Fort Scott, move shelving into the new grocery store in November 2020. The store will be located in the Old Kress Building, at 17 S. Main.

The new grocery store in downtown Fort Scott is progressing.

 

“Lots of things have fallen into place really well and a few things have been a struggle due to long lead times due to COVID-related manufacturing delays,” said Bill Michaud, of BAJA Investment, the owner.  “The most significant delays have been the mechanical components for the refrigerators and freezers. The final pieces of the equipment order won’t be arriving until January 4th.”

 

This sets the opening back a little.

 

“Before this delay, we had anticipated opening Dec 29th but because of this delay we now expect to open either January 8 or 11,” Michaud said. “The final decision on the actual opening date will be made as we get closer.”

Store hours will be 8 am – 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 am – 6 pm on Sunday.

 

“We will offer online ordering,” he said. ” Our website is still under development, but we will be activating our Facebook page in the next day or two.”

 

The store has a name and it was inspired by a downtown mural.

 

“The store name will be the Star Emporium Downtown General Store,” Michaud said.

 

This name was inspired by a mural on Skubitz Plaza on the north side of a building facing the Fort Scott National Historic Site.

 

“While we know that the original Star Emporium was a clothing store, the mural boasts that the Star Emporium was ‘the most unique shop in the land of oz’,” Michaud said. “We believe this store will be unique and serve a broad base of community needs.”

 

Products at the store will evolve, he said. Currently, they range from budget-conscious to specialty label food items.

 

“We will offer a very broad range of products ranging from budget-focused brands all the way to very high-quality specialty and private label products that people can’t get anywhere other than our store,” Michaud said. ” We understand people need to stretch their food dollar in these tough times so we are going to be very value-conscious in our pricing. We recognize that our product offering is going to evolve to suit the needs of our customers.”

 

Local producers and suppliers will feed into the store.

 

“In addition to recognized branded products we are also working with a variety of small local producers and suppliers including Bourbon County beef from Bronson Locker, several local produce growers, Good Natured Family Farms. We hope to continue to develop additional partnerships as we go along and continually adapt to the needs of our customer base.”

 

“In addition to our produce co-op and grocery options the store will also feature a large salad bar and deli which will also utilize as many fresh local ingredients as are available,” he said. ” The deli menu will be seasonal and offer 5 – 6 rotational feature sandwiches, wraps, and specialty items.”

 

Food insecurity is addressed in the venture.

 

“While the grocery store and deli will provide sustainability for our operation, one of the driving factors behind the community need for the store was the food insecurity and need for community-based food distribution programs,” Michaud said. ” We have reached an agreement with the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas to provide food storage space to expand the food distribution and delivery programs they currently offer in Crawford County into Fort Scott. These services will also begin in January.”

 

BAJA Investments was granted SPARK funds for $450.000 for the project. SPARK grants were a part of the monies given Kansas from the federal government to help with the on-going effects of COVID-19.

Kress Building, 17 S. Main, August 2020.

The second floor of the building houses the offices of B-WERC.

B-WERC is a multi-partner collaboration of the Bourbon County Commission, the Kansas Small Business Development Center, Southeast KANSASWORKS, Fort Scott Community College, the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, and BAJA Investments. The center focuses on growing and sustaining businesses, connecting jobs, and serving people.

The B-WERC program is funded through the Federal Cares Act Relief, dispersed to the county from the state in SPARK Phase 1, to address current and immediate COVID related needs. These include assisting businesses, encouraging economic activity, and addressing unemployment, according to Jody Hoener, spokesperson for the program in Bourbon County.

 

 

Fort Scott

Ellis Park Playhouse Vandalized This Past Weekend

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The playhouse at Ellis Park was vandalized this past weekend. Submitted photo.

Vandalism occurred at an Ellis Park playhouse for children sometime between Dec. 11 and 12.

 

“I discovered it on Saturday afternoon. I went there to get measurements to make roof repairs,” said Seth Needham, an organizer of the Citizens for Park Improvement group.  “We assumed the original damage to the roof was wind damage.”

 

However, Needham heard from multiple people that some kids were bragging to their friends about tearing up the roof several weeks ago.

 

“Friday night they just finished what they started,” he said.  “It also sounds like they may be responsible for the damage to the picnic tables, but there is no way to verify that because it’s hearsay.”

 

Needham also just recently became a member of the newly formed Fort Scott Park Advisory Board, organized by the city commission.

 

As a volunteer worker, he went to Ellis Park on Saturday to get measurements for some minor repairs, and discovered the damage, he said.
“I contacted Mike Braim, because he had been gathering materials to make repairs,” Needham said. “We met down there to survey the damage and see if it could be saved.”
“I posted a video of the aftermath to Facebook to try to get support for materials,” Needham said. “Shortly after that, I received a message with the video of the boys tearing it up. A parent of another teen who was not involved saw the video on her son’s Snapchat, and thankfully decided to save it.”
The Fort Scott Public Works Director was sent the video of the youth vandalizing the playhouse, as well as two Fort Scott City Commissioners, he said.

The FS Public Works Director Chad Brown did not want to comment on this particular case at Ellis Park since it is still being investigated, he said.

 

“But vandalism is a problem in our world, not just in Fort Scott but everywhere,” Brown said. ” Vandalism costs the taxpayers on so many levels you often have to wonder if the cost of having or re-building these things is worth it. Here in Fort Scott, we do not have much to begin with, so we as a community need to make sure that we are trying to take care of the amenities that we do have.”

 

Brown said the city is working to add security to the parks.

 

“In the future, we will be installing security cameras at various locations across the parks and other areas to make sure we can keep these things in as good a shape as we can and hopefully prevent this type of activity in the future,” Brown said.

 

“I would also like to see cameras installed at our parks, so if this happens again, people can be held responsible,”Needham said.  “Cameras are something we did discuss at the last parks advisory board meeting. Vandalism has been a huge issue in our parks this year.”
The vandals tore off the roof, siding, and trim, Needham said. “They were on video destroying the floor for the second story. They broke the steps inside. They tore up the gables and ripped off 90% of the exterior trim.”
The picnic table that was vandalized at Ellis Park. Submitted photo.
“We decided to try and rally community support to save it, because the damage was so widespread the material list was more than we could afford ourselves,” Needham said.
After an assessment to repair the damaged playhouse, Needham said the following work is needed.
  • New roof, including rafters, shingles, sheathing.
  • New floor joists and sheathing for the second story floor.
  • New stairs to the second story.
  • Exterior trim on corners and gables
  • Window trim.
  • Siding
“The plan is to move it to Gunn Park where it can be watched over and better maintained,” Needham said.
The following photos were submitted by Needham of the playhouse at Ellis Park.

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Business

BEDCO: Consolidating Services In The County

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Gregg Motley. Submitted photo.

A local non-profit group was reorganized this fall and is seeking ways to consolidate public services in the county to save money.

The Bourbon County Economic Development Council, BEDCO, has been around for 28 years. But recently the 501c-3 non-profit organization has been “reconstituted”, according to Gregg Motley, president of the group.

Incorporated towns in the county, and entities such as school districts were asked to provide a representative to the council.

They had their first meeting as a new council on Oct. 22.

“At that first meeting, several communities hadn’t finalized their choice of representation,” Motley said.

They met again in November, then last week.

Motley was chosen as the president of BEDCO on Dec. 3. At that time Jim Fewins was selected as vice president and Mary Pemberton as treasurer.

“No one as yet has taken the secretary position, I am doing double duty,” Motley said.

Following the Dec. 3 meeting, “Assignments were given,” Motley said. “We won’t meet again until January. There is a lot of work behind the scenes in those assignments to be completed.”

 

BEDCO in the past

 

Representing the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Motley was a member of the group before it was “reconstituted”, along with current members Fort Scott City Commissioner Randy Nichols and Bourbon County Commissioner Lynn Oharah.

 

“The focus had narrowed,” Motley said. “We wanted broader representation and focus in the county.  They had become focused on the industrial park in Fort Scott.”

 

BEDCO in the future

 

A committee was formed earlier in the year, led by Mark McCoy.

 

“What was left of BEDCO considered consolidating services in the county and they formed a committee to look into it,” Motley said.

 

“We discovered a lot of distrust between the rural and city populations,” Motley said. “Our conclusion was it’s not possible to look at consolidating government, but could look at consolidating services.”

 

“We talked to people around the county who observed there was a duplication of economic development directors,” he said. “The City of Fort Scott and Bourbon County Commission both had economic directors. Our committee suggested we start there, to serve all the county.”

 

Consolidation of the economic development directors would include sharing of costs and reducing overall investment, he said.

 

“More effort, less money,” Motley said.

 

“Economic development would be consolidated into one position and employed by BEDCO,” he said. “We would hire that person and there would be an office. We are going to take our time. We are close to having a job description and a human resource routine for that position.”

 

Not all on board

 

The Bourbon County Commissioners agreed to buy-in on the idea by appropriating money to a future position and eliminating their economic director’s position when that happens, Motley said.

 

“The City of Fort Scott has not taken up the issue,” Motley said. “It did not appear they had any interest in giving up their economic director position. My hope is they will get behind this effort.”

 

 

Following is a list of the current BEDCO members:

Lynne Oharah, Randy Nichols, Jess Ervin,  Mike Blevins,  Michael Stewart,  Mary Pemberton, Misty Adams,  Ted Hessong,  Bret Howard, Jim Fewins,  Gregg Motley, Mark McCoy,  and Heather Davis.

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Local Optometrist Dr. Holloway Retires

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Dr. Randall Holloway taken from Facebook.
Randall R Holloway, 65, retired from his optometric practice after 38 years, on Sept. 12, 2020.
His office was located at 4 S. National, just in the back of the Boiler Room  Brewhaus.
Holloway’s first day on the job was July 22, 1982, he said.
Holloway sold his practice to Kannarr Eye Care and it’s now known by that name.
Paula Brewer and Lisa Peck, former employees of Holloway, now work for Kannarr Eye Care.
The phone number remains 223-0850.
Hours of the office are 8 a.m to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office is closed from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch.
“Their main office is in Pittsburg Kansas,” Holloway said.  “The  doctors coming to the Fort Scott location are Dr. Shane Kannarr, Dr. Chris Jacquinot, and Dr. Katie Painter.”
“Some employees come from the Pittsburg office,” Lisa Peck said.
Since retiring in a pandemic, Holloway said he is trying to stay healthy.
“Currently, my time is taken up by golf, exercise, and trying to stay healthy,” he said.  “Next year we will be getting the Covid-19 vaccination as soon as possible, which will allow us to travel to Shoreline, Washington to visit our grandchildren.”
Ascension Via Christi, Bourbon County, COVID-19, Health Care

Via Christi Receives SPARK Funds For COVID-19 Staff and Drugs

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Via Christi’s Emergency Department in Fort Scott.

Recently over 100  Bourbon County businesses, organizations, school districts, churches and other categories of entities received  SPARk Grants to help with COVID-19 expenses.

The see the whole list of recipients, click below:

https://fortscott.biz/news/spark-projects-in-bourbon-county

 

The Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) taskforce plan is to lead Kansas forward in recovery from the far-reaching effects of COVID-19, according to its’ website,https://covid.ks.gov/spark-recovery-office/

SPARK is responsible for the statewide distribution of the U.S. Coronavirus Relief Fund.

The total amount of grants disbursed in Bourbon County were
$2,835,212.86, according to information provided by Bourbon County Economic Director Jody Hoener.

 

Ascension Via Christi Pittsburg Inc. received $203,150 for its’ emergency department in Bourbon County in October 2020.

 The vast majority of the funding we received allowed us to provide additional staffing for the Covid-19  patient surge and the increased utilization of targeted pharmaceuticals for Covid treatment,” said Michelle Kennedy, Ascension Via Christi Senior Specialist for
Marketing and  Communications.

Ascension Via Christi Hospital, Pittsburg, Ks. Submitted photo.
Bourbon County, Government

New Third District County Commissioner: Clifton Beth

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Clifton Beth from Facebook.
Clifton Beth, 47, is the new  Third District Bourbon County Commissioner, replacing Nick Ruhl, who resigned on August 26.
Beth received his associate’s degree in nursing from Fort Scott Community College and is a lifelong resident of Bourbon County.
He farmed for 25 years,  and has been a Registered Nurse for nine years, and additionally is a past small business owner.
“I currently have three businesses in development, but with COVID-19, we have slowed progress on those,” Beth said.
The following are responses to questions posed to Beth.
Why did you desire to become a county commissioner?
“In an environment where health care is changing on a daily basis, I would like to see a stable Emergency Room and a resemblance of health care in Bourbon County. I would like to see a community where my children could call home if they so choose.”
What are the duties of your job? 
“To oversee the management of the county, representing county interests at the state and federal level, participating in long-range planning, and managing the county budget and finances.”
Anything new on the horizon?
“I look forward to working with the new incoming commission this coming January.”
Area News, Business, COVID-19

Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center Receives SPARK Funds For COVID-19

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Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center 212 State St., Fort Scott.

Mental health has become an issue in the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center has received $122, 488 for Bourbon County needs from SPARK funds distributed from the U.S. Coronavirus Fund. SPARK is a Kansas program that is moving Kansas forward in recovery from the effects of COVID-19.

” We are unfortunately seeing the mental health needs of our community increase,” said Holly Jerome, Director of Human  Resources with Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center located at 304 N Jefferson Ave, Iola.

“Things that increase depression and anxiety are fear, loneliness, isolation, etc,” she said. “During the pandemic, we are seeing individuals who have never experienced mental health issues who are struggling very badly. We are also seeing increased drug use, domestic violence, unemployment stress, and suicidal ideation. The funding is helping to keep our staff safe to keep services going, keep our doors open, and connect with the community.”

” We are so grateful to Bourbon County (Commission, the local agent who is helping to distribute the grants) to continue to support the important work that we are doing at SEKMHC,” Jerome said.

Protection

“We have purchased lots of PPE for our staff and client safety to include: masks, face shields, plastic barriers, gloves, hand sanitizer, increased cleaning/sanitation of our office in Fort Scott,” she said. “We also have supplied our after-school children’s program with masks.

Technology

“It is also being put towards increased Information Technology needs, as we had some clients and families who did not have a way to connect with us so we were able to supply some tablet devices to make that happen,” she said.

“We also purchased Zoom licenses to have an encrypted safe way to connect with those at home especially during quarantine and isolation as that can be very challenging for most people. We also purchased more IT equipment for our staff to work from home if they need to be on quarantine to keep services going. In addition to that, we are also upgrading our website to be ADA compliant with screen readers for the visually impaired to be able to access services.”

 

Public Education, Interior Upgrades

“We are also putting some local advertising out to educate the public and community about our services and are upgrading some flooring with the help of Ruddick’s (Fort Scott) and furniture pieces from McCarty’s (Chanute and Iola) to make sure that everything can be wiped down and sanitized frequently,” Jerome said.

 

Community Pocket Park

“I think the most exciting thing that we are doing is putting in a community ‘pocket park’,” she said. “We had an open space beside our building that was just some rocks. We are working with local company ‘Playscapes’ (out of Yates Center) to put in a shade covering, rubberized flooring, ADA compliant chairs for STEM exercises with children, and ADA compliant picnic tables, etc. Redbud Farms out of Fort Scott will be helping us get some shrubs and pots to make the area look nice with rock and mulch as well as some concrete work from Mitch Welch (Redfield, KS). We have also ordered some outdoor musical equipment for this area for some musical therapy. This pocket park will be open to the public as a great place to come and relax, sit in a chair to journal, meditation, etc. It will also create additional space for our case managers and therapists to continue social distanced appointments and group meetings that we can space out.”

“One of the things that was very important to us was to spend the money locally whenever possible,” Jerome said. “So we are so excited at how many local companies have stepped up to the challenge of making our deadlines work to get everything completed by December 31, 2020. We are so grateful to have such wonderful local talent and mission-driven small businesses!”

 

About Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center.

 

“SEKMHC was established in 1961, we are a not-for-profit organization that provides, advocates and coordinates quality mental health care, services and programs in the following counties: Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Linn, Neosho and Woodson.  Our team of over 150 full-time and part-time professionals work to assess, treat, support, and/or coordinate your healthcare needs. Our core services include outpatient psychiatry, therapy, consultation, chemical abuse counseling, case management, educational and skill-building groups, specialty training, physical healthcare coordination, and 24/7 crisis intervention services.

The mission of the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center is to provide, advocate, and coordinate quality mental health care, services and programs for people in its service area.”

 

 

The center’s website is: www.sekmhc.org

 

Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, Fort Scott.