Fort Scott, Government, Uncategorized

Sewer Mapping For Fort Scott Starts This Month

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The City of Fort Scott has hired Midland GIS Solutions to survey and map the City’s sanitary sewer collection network. This generally consists of locating utility features with global positioning system (GPS) equipment.

This work will be ongoing during the months of July-September of 2020.

You may notice employees of Midland GIS Solutions working in your neighborhood. They will occasionally need access into and through private property. The City has easements to perform this type of work and Midland GIS will be as respectful and unobtrusive as possible while completing this project.

As with any major project, there will be some inconveniences at times,but no service will be interrupted while this project is taking place.

If you have any questions or concerns you may contact Midland GIS Solutions at (660) 562-0050 or contact Michael Mix at {620) 215-6319.

Obituary

Obituary of James Picht

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James Leon Picht, age 90, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Tuesday, June 30th, 2020, at Medicalodge of Ft. Scott.

He was born February 8, 1930, in Hiattville, KS, the son of Glen Picht and Martha Payne Picht.

Jim attended school in Ft. Scott K-12 and then Fort Scott junior College, and then he attended Kansas State Teachers College in Pittsburg, KS.

Jim served in the U. S. Navy during the Korean War.

He then started his career in teaching. He served the Davenport, IA, school system for forty years as a teacher, then principal, retiring in 1995.

Jim married Joan Beck in 1958 in Davenport, IA, where they were members of St. John’s United Methodist Church. Jim returned to Ft. Scott in November 2018 and attended St. John’s United Methodist Church there.

Survivors include two granddaughters, Rachel Myers, and Rebekah Myers; and son-in-law Rev. Ron Myers. Also surviving are cousins, a nephew, and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Joan; a daughter, Rev. Linda Myers; a son, David Picht; and a brother Don Picht.

There was cremation.

Private inurnment will take place in the U. S. National Cemetery, Ft. Scott. Memorial services will be held at a later to be announced date at St. John’s United Methodist Church, Ft. Scott.

Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Exercise, Fort Scott, Sports

Buck Run Open As of Today

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Even though Buck Run Community Center is open again today with some limitations because of Covid 19 restrictions, there are other walking, running, playing, and fishing opportunities in Fort Scott.

Here is the framework of what has taken place the last few months at Buck Run Community Center, according to Tom Robertson, manager.

“May 18th – BRCC Fitness and Racquetball opened by appointment only, (Limited to 10 in each room)
May 22nd – Opened BRCC lobby to take FSRC Summer Programs registrations. (no appointments needed for fitness and/or racquetball but still limited to 10)
June 22nd – Completely opened BRCC and begin Youth Baseball/Softball Leagues
June 24th – Closed BRCC & cancelled FSRC programs and leagues for 1 week
July 1st – Reopened BRCC but limited to 45 and under in building with social distancing. Canceled FSRC summer camps and programs with the exception of youth and adult baseball/softball leagues that has been postponed until July 9th. Orders will be evaluated around July 6th or 7th.”

 

“The fitness room and two gymnasiums are open for usage,” said Tom Robertson,  manager.  “We are not allowing rentals until the restrictions are lifted to avoid going over the 45+(people allowed in the building) restrictions.

“We opened today with a restriction of 45 (people) and under including staff at any given time while practicing social distancing,” Robertson said.

“Youth baseball/softball is on hold right now with the 45 and under restriction. We will try to resume games if and when the restrictions are lifted.”

“The decision to postpone games was made by the Fort Scott Recreation Commission Board based on the orders by our Bourbon County Health Department,” he said.

The meeting was held on Monday of this week.

“Buck Run Community Center will practice social distancing at all times,” Robertson said.  “Once the governor presents guidelines on mask-wearing, signs and direction will be given to BRCC users as they enter the building.”

Buck Run Community Center is located at 735 State.

For questions or concerns, email Tom Robertson @ [email protected] or by calling 620-223-0386/ 620-224-7707.

 

There are other options for exercise in the city.

The following is edited information from the Buck Run Community Center website:

http://buckruncommunitycenter.org/

 

 

 

 Golf Course Information/Events

Rate Type Mon – Thurs Fri – Sun Annually
9 Holes Golf $11 $13
18 Holes Golf $13 $15
9 Holes + Cart $14 $14
18 Holes + Cart $24 $24
9 Hole Trail Fees $5 $5
18 Hole Trail Fees $10 $10
Single Membership $440
Youth Membership $100
Family Membership (Family of 4) $25. for each additional. $595
Trail Fees $150
Cart Shed Rental – Includes trail Fee

Annual Cart Pass – Unlimited use of Woodland Hills Carts

 $350

$425
To host a tournament call 620-223-5060

 

 

Gunn Park

Located at Park Avenue 2

Lakes, Fishing, Shelter Houses, Tent & RV Camping, Bathrooms, Picnic Tables, Disc Golf and Playground Area. For Rental Information Contact City Hall at 620-223– 0550.

 

Lake Fort Scott

Located at Rt. 5 South of Fort Scott

Boating, Fishing, Swimming, Shelter Houses, Picnic Tables. For Information contact City Hall at 620-223-0550.

 

Bridal Veil Park

Located at West 2nd Street

Shelter House, Picnic Tables, Soccer Field, and Playground Area.

 

 

Lincoln School Walking Trail

Located at West 18th Street

Walking, Running, Fishing, Picnic Tables.

 

 

 

Betty Ruth Willard Fields/Ty Cullor Field

Located at 2108 Horton

Bathrooms, Picnic Tables and Playground Area.

 

 

 

Ellis Park

Located at 12th & Williams

Sand Volleyball, Basketball Court, Walking Trail, Shelter House, Picnic Tables and Bathrooms.

 

3rd Street Park

Located at 3rd & Hill

Shelter House, Bathrooms, Picnic Tables, Outdoor Basketball Court and Playground Area.

 

Nelson Park

Located at the corner of Grant & Elm Street
Playground Area and Walking Trail.

 

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James B. Tedesco Memorial Skate Park

Located at 4th & Scott Street Skate Park

 

The park is a public use, and is well suited for use by skateboarders, roller blades, scooters and more. Helmets are not required but suggested and benches and trashcans are provided for anyone who would like to enjoy watching the skaters perform.

 

 

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Entertainment

Uniontown Independence Day Bash Canceled Due to COVID 19

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Fireworks burst over the Union State Bank during the 2018 Independence Day celebration.

A recent spike in COVID 19 cases in Bourbon County and across the nation is causing the Independence Day Bash in Uniontown City Park to be canceled for safety purposes.

“I spoke with the county health officer and she said that it would be limited to 45 people (according to the Governor’s recommendations), which is impossible, so we thought it best to postpone it to a later date,” Bryan Holt, president of Union State Bank. The bank sponsors the annual event.

 

“Due to Bourbon County limiting public gatherings to 45 or fewer people, we are going to postpone the Independence Day Bash,” Holt said.

“While we are disappointed that we are unable to host when we normally do,”  he said. “We are willing to make this sacrifice in the spirit of prudence. We are tentatively planning to reschedule it to the weekend of Labor Day. Until then, our best wishes to all for a safe and happy Independence Day celebration!”

 

“For anyone who ordered a shirt to support the Uniontown City Park improvements, they will be available for pickup at the selected location, the bank in Uniontown or Fort Scott, on or after July 1st at the selected time of order,” Holt said.

 

 

Government, Health Care, Kansas

Nursing Homes Surveys and Inspections Expediated

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KDADS Contracts with Healthcare Management Solutions to Expedite Meeting Federal and State Survey and Inspection Requirements

TOPEKA –  Secretary Laura Howard announced today the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) has entered into a contract with Healthcare Management Solutions (HMS) that will help the agency expedite completion of focused infection control surveys (FICS) in federally certified nursing facilities as required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and inspection of all adult care homes in the state as mandated in Kansas House Bill 2016.

On March 4, 2020, CMS called for states to conduct focused surveys in Medicare/Medicaid certified facilities on infection control related to the COVID-19 pandemic. CMS document QSO-20-31-All, released June 1, 2020, requires states to complete 100 percent of FICS by July 31, 2020, to maintain full FY 2021 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocations.

Since the March 4 directive was received from CMS, 57 full-time KDADS surveyors have completed surveys in 169 of the state’s 332 certified, licensed facilities. KDADS has secured a contract with HMS to ensure Kansas facilities receive onsite targeted FICS in the required timeframe while existing and ongoing abuse, neglect and exploitation complaint investigations, required follow-up inspections and responses to identified positive cases of COVID-19 are also conducted.

“We believe partnering with HMS will allow us to better manage the critically important workload our surveyors have been tackling since March,” Secretary Howard said. “They have a good reputation for helping state survey agencies ensure facilities are in compliance and we’re certain they can assist us as we continue working to ensure nursing facility residents receive safe, quality care.”

States that complete 100 percent of their nursing home FICS by the July 31 target date will be able to request their entire FY 2020-FY2023 CARES Act funding allocation (at their discretion) and can also apply for redistributed funding from states that fail to meet CMS performance goals.

In addition to completing the FICS of nursing homes, CMS is also requiring states to implement the following COVID-19 survey activities:

  1. Perform onsite surveys (within 30 days of this memo) of nursing homes with previous COVID-19 outbreaks, defined as:
    • Cumulative confirmed cases/bed capacity at 10% or greater; or
    • Cumulative confirmed plus suspected cases/bed capacity at 20% or greater; or
    • Ten or more deaths reported due to COVID-19.

 

  1. Perform onsite surveys (within three to five days of identification) of any nursing home with 3 or more new COVID-19 suspected and confirmed cases in the since the last National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) COVID-19 report, or 1 confirmed resident case in a facility that was previously COVID-free. State Survey Agencies are encouraged to communicate with their State Healthcare Associated Infection coordinators prior to initiating these surveys.

 

  1. Starting in FY 2021, perform annual Focused Infection Control surveys of 20 percent of nursing homes based on State discretion or additional data that identifies facility and community risks.

 

Under HB 2016, passed during the 2020 Special Legislative Session, KDADS is also required to conduct infection control inspections at all adult care homes licensed by Kansas including those that are state licensed only. State licensed only facilities rely solely on state funding and oversight without federal dollars, to include assisted living facilities, Home Plus, Adult Day Care and Residential Health Care facilities. To be in compliance with the legislative mandate, inspections of these facilities are to be completed within 90 days of the effective date of HB 2016, or about September 30. Again, having HMS surveyors available will also help KDADS balance the demands between state licensed only facilities and federally certified nursing facility survey staff.

HMS employs federally certified nursing facility surveyors and has collaborated through contracts with KDADS and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to provide services in Kansas previously.

For more information on COVID-19, please visit the KDHE website at www.kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus.

Government, Jobs, Kansas

Governor Kelly Praises KANSASWORKS Virtual Job Fair

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TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today applauded the success of the recent KANSASWORKS Statewide Virtual Job Fair, which involved some 165 employers and 1,497 jobseekers.

 

After the online event from Tuesday, June 23, to Thursday, June 25, participating employers reported strong response from people looking for work statewide.

 

“The economic impact of COVID-19 has led to an enormous need for workforce services in our state, but health and safety concerns mean in-person job fairs can’t happen,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “The virtual job fair was an innovative model to keep Kansans healthy and to keep Kansas open for business.”

 

The success of the virtual job fair demonstrated Kansans’ ability to adapt to challenges in providing a virtual tool to connect jobseekers with a variety of employment opportunities across the state. Employers represented in the June 23 virtual job fair included:

 

  • KanEquip Inc.
  • Foley Equipment
  • Fuller Industries
  • Johns Manville
  • National Beef
  • PKM Steel Service Inc.
  • Salina Regional Health Center
  • Cornejo
  • Russell Stover
  • Reser’s Fine Foods
  • Johnsonville
  • Dillons
  • Glassman Corporation
  • CivicPlus
  • ADT
  • Bombardier Aviation
  • Creekstone Farms
  • Southwest Medical Center
  • Farmers Insurance
  • Goodwill Industries of Kansas
  • Emprise Bank
  • Wichita Public Schools
  • The University of Kansas

 

“In these challenging times, we have to be flexible,” Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “I’m proud of our KANSASWORKS team for its creativity in making sure that Kansans continue to have access to employers in a way that keeps everyone safe.”

 

As concerns for the health and safety of Kansans remain high due to COVID-19, the Department of Commerce will maintain the virtual job fair system for the remainder of 2020. Statewide events will be held on the following dates:

 

  • July 28-30
  • August 25-27
  • September 22-24
  • October 27-29
  • December 8-9

 

As these dates get closer, updates will be provided with employer and jobseeker registration links for each individual virtual fair.

 

Fort Scott, Government

FS Zoning Board Meets July 6

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The Board of Zoning Appeals will meet on Monday, July 6th, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main. This meeting is to consider a variance for residential property to allow the replacement of a garage with additional square footage for the property at 216 S. Eddy Street.

Please call the City Clerk at 620-223-0550 or email Diane Clay at [email protected] to sign up to speak under the public comment section.

The meetings are still limited to 45 total in number due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however the room will only hold 14 due to the 6’ social distancing rules. Patrons will be let in one at a time at their scheduled time to ensure the public health orders are followed.

The City Commission meeting will still be available on the City’s YouTube channel.

Fort Scott, Government

FS Commission Meetings Open To Public July 7

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The City of Fort Scott City Commission meetings will begin to be opened to the public starting July 7th, 2020. If you are wanting to appear before the Commission and speak during the Public Comment section, it is imperative that you sign up beforehand and you will be given a specific time to speak.

Please call the City Clerk at 620-223-0550 or email Diane Clay at [email protected] to sign up to speak under the public comment section.

The meetings are still limited to 45 total in number due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however the room will only hold 14 due to the 6’ social distancing rules. Patrons will be let in one at a time at their scheduled time to ensure the public health orders are followed.

The City Commission meeting will still be available on the City’s YouTube channel.

Fort Scott, Schools

International Thespian Festival Attended Virtually By FSHS Students

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Film and theatre star Tina Fey, assisted by International Thespian Officer Anna Hastings from Olathe, and interpreter Jeffrey Johnson speaks with Thespians at the International Thespian Festival. Submitted photo.

Fort Scott High School Thespians got the opportunity to attend an entire week of theatre performances, workshops, and livestream events at the first-ever Virtual International Thespian Festival.

 

The annual festival was held June 22-26, 2020. The students from FSHS who qualified to compete nationally in individual events attended this year’s event along with FSHS Thespian Director Angie Bin.

2020 senior Mesa Jones and sophomore Jenna Stockstill competed in Musical Solo and junior Ashanti Green competed in Monologues. Each student received an “Excellent” rating on her performance. They qualified for the Festival by receiving a “Superior” rating at the KS Thespian Festival in January.

International Thespian Festival qualifiers Ashanti Green, Jenna Stockstill, and Mesa Jones. Submitted photo.

 

Green said, “I loved how so many people were able to come together virtually even if we couldn’t be together in person!”

 

Although students missed being able to travel across the country and spend a week with fellow thespians, this year’s festival had unique benefits. All workshops were recorded throughout the week and all attendees will have access to all videos, performances, and interviews with theatre professionals for the next three months.

 

“ITF was great because even though it was online, we still got to do many workshops and listen to many stars talk, which is something that wouldn’t have happened if we didn’t have it online,” Jones said.

 

The festival included more than 2,400 Thespians from many countries. Guest speakers included Tina Fey, Dolly Parton, Stephen Swartz, Andrew Lloyd Webber and many other Tony, Oscar, and Emmy award winners and Broadway stars.

 

COVID-19, Exercise, Fort Scott, Government

Swimming Pool Reopens July 1 With Modifications Due to COVID 19

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The Aquatic Center will resume normal business hours beginning July 1st, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. There will be more restraints and guidelines to follow:

Only 30 people will be allowed in the pool at any given time.

At the top of each hour 30 new patrons will be allowed in the pool and the previous 30 will be asked to leave.

Cash only will be taken due to an issue with the credit card system.

They will take the first 30 people at the beginning of each hour. If patrons leave before their hour time has expired, we will NOT allow the next person in. This is so we can stay on the hourly change of patrons as a whole and allow us to clean all areas at the conclusion of each session.

The fees will remain the same as posted.

These guidelines will be reevaluated on July 8th, 2020 when the Public Health Officer’s order ends.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please call City Hall at 223-0550 if you have questions.

Bourbon County Local News