Bourbon County, Business, Health Care, Housing, Jobs

BoCo Inter-Agency Coalition Minutes of Dec. 4

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Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition General Membership Meeting Minutes, submitted by Chairwoman Billie Jo Drake.

December 4, 2019

  1. Welcome and Board update: Twenty-three members representing twenty-one agencies attended. Billie Jo announced that Nancy Van Etten will be filling the vacancy on the Coalition Board; Nancy will be replacing DeAnn Cambers who has relocated to Crawford County.
  1. Member introductions and announcements:
  • Billie Jo shared information provided by Kerry Pommier, Eugene Ware Counselor, regarding the Community Conversation on the effects of childhood trauma to be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 17, at Fort Scott High School. Guest speaker will be Monica Murnan, a member of the Kansas Legislature and Director of Student Support Services at Greenbush. For more information, call 620-223-3380 or email [email protected] .
  • Michelle Stevenson, Fort Scott Pre-School Program, shared that the finance simulation organized by Lewis Dunkeson, FSHS, went very well.
  • Shannon Stancer, TFI Family Services, announced that they are in need of drivers.
  • Jean Tucker, Feeding Families, stated that the program is continuing to feed 135 – 200 meals every Wednesday evening.
  • Allen Schellack, Salvation Army, still needs volunteers to ring bells during the Christmas season. Last year over $7,000 was raised for use in Bourbon County; this year’s goal is $10,000.
  • Gary Murrell, Beacon, shared changes in Beacon hours for the holiday season: December 24 hours will be changed from the usual evening hours to 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Beacon will be closed on December 25, 26, 27, 30, 31, and January 1. Beacon will reopen with regular hours on January 2. Gary also reminded members that Beacon clients must be signed up in order to receive food in January. The only date left for sign-up is December 10 during the evening hours.
  • Caleb Smith, Kansas Appleseed, announced that he is planning a Hunger Action Summit on January 17 at the Pittsburg Library.
  • Steve Jameson, SEK-CAP, noted that he is working on guidelines to help adults with mental health issues.
  • Nancy Van Etten, American Red Cross, provided information on the upcoming blood drive: December 17 and 18 at Buck Run Community Center. They still need volunteers to help with escorting; call 215-9749 if you could help.
  • Jennifer Graber and Christine Abbott, Kansas Works, shared that the Annual Job Fair (all ages) and Youth Summit (16-24 year olds) will be April 2 at the Pittsburg Memorial Hall. Christine also shared copies of their new flyer.
  • Michelle Lyon, DCF, reminded members that LIEAP applications will be open January 21, the day after Martin Luther King Day, and will be open until March 31. She encouraged those that receive a denial to follow-up and provide what was missing in the original application. Many times making the corrections will result in an approval.
  • Sandra Haggard, RSVP, stated that she will be doing another Opioid Safety Seminar in the spring. Currently, Sandy has senior volunteers helping at the Beacon and with the veterans activities.
  • Robin Griffin, Thrive Allen County, is working on bike share programs, bicycle trail systems, and opioid prevention.
  • Barbara Longhofer, Kansas Guardianship Program, provided brochures about her program; she now has four volunteers working in the Fort Scott area.
  1. Program: Gary Miller, Angels Home Care Health. Angels Care Home Health provides services to seniors who are fifty-five (55) and older. Gary shared flyers listing all the services they can provide. He noted that they are beginning to see three generational homes and seniors who need assistance with rent and utilities. They do work closely with CHC; their program is covered 100% by Medicare. For those seniors who do not qualify for Medicare, Angels Care will work with their insurance or assist to find another home health facility that is affordable to the client. Further information can be found at angelscarehealth.com or 620-232-2922.
  1. February program will be presented by MeagThe han Russell, USD 235. Meaghan will tell us about their Teammates program. Barbara Longhofer, Kansas Guardianship Program, will present the March program.
  1. Open Forum: Billie Jo reminded members that there will be no General Membership meeting in January due to the first Wednesday being January 1.
  1. Adjournment: Next meeting will be February 5, 2020.
Art, Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment

Backwoods Holiday Shopping Dec. 7

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Backwoods Holiday Shopping event is Saturday Dec. 7.

Admission is a free-will donation of non-perishable food for Uniontown First Missionary Baptist Church,  whose Pastor  is Marty Dewitt.

The event host is  Perry’s Pork Rinds LLC.

 Rosie’s Cabin is the venue, located at 563 Maple Road Uniontown, just 20 minutes from downtown Fort Scott.
Vendors will be selling from 9 am-4 pm on  Dec. 7.
Free photos will be taken by  Erika George Photography from 10 a.m. to noon.
Wine sales/samples will be  from noon-4 p.m.
Online Give Away/Door Prizes- prize pick up during the event from 9-1.
The paid sponsors are:Kelly Hall – Tupperware, Misty Miles- Smart Coffee, (Sales Partners) Danny Becker and Angela Foust – Country Roads Wood Specialties and Angela’s Hometown Boutique.
Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Schools, Sports

Tiger Baseball Fundraiser: Hats For Sale

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Fort Scott Tiger Baseball
is having a hat sale fundraiser
just in time for the perfect
Christmas gift!
Click here to order.
These hats are a new, top quality style with a leather
Tiger Baseball emblem.
These styles & more included
on the link above.
Orders received on or before Monday, Dec. 9 are guaranteed to arrive in time for Christmas.
Tiger Baseball
THANKS you in advance
for your support!
Coach Josh Regan & Team
Click here to email Josh with
questions or for more info.
Bourbon County

Red Cross Blood Drive Dec. 17

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The Red Cross will conduct a blood drive Tuesday, December 17 from 1 PM to 7 PM and Wednesday, December 18 from 9 AM to 1 PM at Buckrun Community Center, 735 Scott Ave, in Fort Scott.

People wanting to donate may walk in during the hours listed, however according to drive chairwoman Ruth Waring, it is better to call and make an appointment so that you can start the blood donation procedure right away when you arrive.

The phone number to call to schedule an appointment is 620–2 23–5946.

Government, Kansas

Governor Kelly shows support for refugee resettlement in Kansas

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Governor Laura Kelly joined a bipartisan group of governors in sending a letter to President Donald Trump to express her willingness to continue allowing refugees into Kansas communities.

 

The correspondence came in response to President Trump’s Executive Order 13888, “On Enhancing State and Local Involvement in Refugee Resettlement.” The order directs the federal government to resettle refugees only in jurisdictions in which both the state and local governments have consented to receive them.

 

“Kansas has a long and proud history of welcoming the world’s refugees into our state,” Kelly said. “As Governor of Kansas, I not only consent to the initial refugee resettlement in Kansas as per the terms of the Executive Order, I also welcome them into our state.”

 

Kelly said that her administration is committed to working with President Trump’s administration to ensure that refugees are properly vetted and arrive in Kansas in a safe, orderly manner.

 

“Kansans are among the most welcoming, openhearted people in the nation,” Kelly said in the letter. “I know they’ll continue to accept these peaceful refugees into their communities, just as so many other states have done.”

 

Communities in Kansas already have, or are preparing to issue similar letters of support for refugees to be resettled locally.

 

A full copy of Governor Kelly’s letter to President Trump is attached.

Governor Laura Kelly Letter

Fort Scott, Government

City-Wide Infrastructure Project Begins

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Fort Scott Begins Infrastructure Revitalization Project

Working with global energy leader, Schneider Electric, improvements will help the city sustain growth and economic development.

Fort Scott is excited to announce a city-wide infrastructure project with Schneider Electric, that will drive economic development and enhance city buildings. Through this project, Schneider Electric has helped identify energy savings measures and growth within the city’s wastewater and water treatment facilities, buildings, parks and downtown redevelopment that will exceed $52,000 a year for the next 20 years. With a goal of anticipating and mitigating future needs, this strategic initiative also plans to reduce annual operating and maintenance costs by an additional $25,000 and create new revenue streams through improved city services and infrastructure. Over the next 20 years, The city of Fort Scott can expect at least $2.1 million in savings, which will completely offset the cost of the $1.5 million project.

 

By adopting new technology and replacing existing equipment, Fort Scott will be providing enhanced city services and upgraded facilities through an innovative design-build construction model. The impact of reinvesting energy and operational dollars back into capital needs of the city, provides an opportunity to leverage current capital dollars in other areas of need. Additionally, the targeted improvements in this initial phase will greatly improve the overall environments for city staff and visitors to the City of Fort Scott’s municipal facilities.

For more information on Schneider Electric, please visit www.enable.schneider-electric.com.

About Schneider Electric

At Schneider, we believe access to energy and digital is a basic human right. We empower all to do more with less, ensuring Life Is On everywhere, for everyone, at every moment. We provide energy and automation digital solutions for efficiency and sustainability. We combine world-leading energy technologies, real-time automation, software and services into integrated solutions for Homes, Buildings, Data Centers, Infrastructure and Industries. We are committed to unleash the infinite possibilities of an open, global, innovative community that is passionate with our Meaningful Purpose, Inclusive and Empowered values. www.se.com

 

Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Christmas Parade Winners

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The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce would like to thank all who attended or participated in the 2019 Christmas Parade in Downtown Fort Scott Tuesday, December 3rd. The theme was “Christmas through the Years” and the parade was sponsored by Briggs of Fort Scott.

The Chamber would also like to announce the parade entry winners: 1st place winner, receiving a $75 prize, Medicalodges Fort Scott; 2nd place winner, receiving a $50 prize, Bethel Community Baptist Church; 3rd place winner, receiving a $25 prize, Parkway Church; best golf cart winning $25, Ascension Via Christi; and best band winning $25 was the Fort Scott Tiger band.

The contribution of many is what makes events like the Christmas parade successful. The Chamber is sincerely appreciative of all who volunteered, announced, judged, and otherwise had a part in the parade.

Contact the Chamber for more information at 620-223-3566.

Area News, Ascension Via Christi, Business, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Fort Scott, Health Care

CHCSEK Health Care Update From Krista Postai

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Krista Postai

Since taking over operations of the medical clinic from Mercy Hospital earlier this year, the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas has been working to add more doctors’ services.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, 403 Woodland Hills Blvd.

Added Doctors

The following doctors have recently been added or added more days available in the Fort Scott clinic.

Dr. Alicia Pino, D. O. is a board-certified pediatrician and holds medical privileges from Ascension Via Christi Hospital, Pittsburg.

 

Dr. Holly Gault, M.D. is a board-certified family physician with obstetrics and has medical privileges at Ascension Via Christi Hospital, Pittsburg.

 

“They aren’t really new,” Krista Postai, CEO and president of CHCSEK said of the two doctors. “Dr. Gault, a family physician, has been with us for more than three years in Pittsburg and lives near Arcadia so is actually closer to Ft. Scott. She has been seeing patients there one day a week and is increasing to two.”

 

“Dr. Pino joined us this summer; she is a board-certified pediatrician and is currently seeing patients one day a week in Fort Scott. She also sees newborns at Via Christi Ascension and patients in Pittsburg three days a week.”

 

“We thought it would be more convenient for those Bourbon County women delivering in Pittsburg to have both these doctors more available for follow up visits,” she said.

 

Dr.  Grant Hartman, a Fort Scott Chiropractor officially joins CHCSEK this month and, beginning in January, will provide chiropractic services at their clinics in both Pittsburg and Fort Scott, Postai said.

 

Dr. Bashar Marji is the latest addition of specialists added, Postai said. Marji is a cardiology specialist who will come to Fort Scott one Friday each month.

 

The following are the specialists currently in Fort Scott, with their frequency:

  • Cardiology – Dr. Markham (HCA) – the first, third and fourth Thursday of each month;
  • Urology – Dr. Tawil – every Thursday;
  • Orthopedics – Greg King, APRN (Freeman) – every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday;
  • Surgery – Dr. Hall (Allen County Regional Hospital) – Thursday afternoons, Friday all-day of every week;
  • Cardiology – Renae Bateman, APRN (Mercy) – every Monday;
  • Cardiovascular Surgery – the combination of Dr. Meyer/Dr. Brown/Pam Darnell, APRN/Amanda Lumpkins, APRN/Paige Palmer, APRN (all Mercy) – First and Third Friday of every month;
  • Cardiology – Dr. Marji – one Friday each month

 

New Clinic Building In Process

CHC/SEK will be building a facility on Horton, just west of the former Mercy Hospital building.

 

The move to build a new clinic on the Horton Street side of the former Mercy Hospital in on-going, Postai said.

 

Currently, CHCSEK is finalizing the donation of land from Mercy Hospital, she said. Additionally, they are working on the design of the new building.

 

“We are looking at eight acres including the helipad,” Postai said.  “We expect to have that done very shortly and are looking at a groundbreaking in the spring.”

 

 

Bourbon County Local News