Grief Support Luncheon Oct. 3
Grief Support Luncheon
Oct 3, 2018 12:00 PM
Our next scheduled grief support luncheon will be Wednesday, October 3rd, at 12:00 Noon. Anyone dealing with a loss is encouraged to come and bring a friend. Cheney Witt Chapel will provide lunch at the Carriage House, 301 S. Main. Pastor Matthew Hunt will be speaking. Call us at 223-1186 if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you!
Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Oct. 2
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: October 2nd, 2018
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
9:00-9:45-Jim Harris
9:45-10:00-Letter for Diehl-Banwart
10:30-12:00-Justin Meeks
12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch
1:30-Robert Coon-No Zoning
Justifications for Executive Session:
Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel
Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships
Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property
Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system
Airport Advisory Board Meets Oct. 3
The Airport Advisory Board will meet on Wednesday, October 3rd, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. at the City Commission meeting room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting is open to the public.
Mercy Hospital Fort Scott to Close
Primary Care Services to Continue through Agreement with CHC/SEK
FORT SCOTT, Kan. (October 1, 2018) – In the face of declining patient numbers and shrinking reimbursement, Mercy has made the difficult decision to close Mercy Hospital Fort Scott by the end of the year. The decision was made following months of exploring options for keeping hospital services in the community.
At the same time, there is a plan for continuing physician services in the area. Mercy is finalizing an agreement with the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK), the federally qualified health clinic based in Pittsburg, to maintain primary care services in Fort Scott and other nearby communities in which there are Mercy Clinic locations. All Mercy Clinic Fort Scott primary care physicians have committed to continue practicing in the area as part of CHC/SEK. The two organizations expect to share more information soon.
“Mercy Hospital has been privileged to serve Fort Scott since 1886. Like many rural hospitals across the country, we have struggled to remain viable as community needs have changed,” said Reta Baker, hospital president. “We considered – and exhausted – every possibility for keeping our doors open, and ultimately we had to acknowledge that it’s a different era for hospital care in Fort Scott. There are many options in nearby communities for patients seeking hospital care, and there are many challenges we didn’t have in years past. Our hearts are heavy, but it’s the decision we know has to be made.”
The hospital will close by December 31, including all inpatient services, the emergency department and ambulatory surgery.
Mercy first announced the need to explore options for future sustainability in 2014, citing trends that included patients leaving the area to seek health care services in larger communities and declining reimbursement, especially from government payers which make up the largest source of revenue. The announcement was followed by an 18-month discernment process, which ended in 2015 with the understanding that should these trends continue, Mercy would need to revisit plans for the future.
“That time came earlier this year, and a new process of evaluating solutions was undertaken,” said Baker. “Unfortunately, the health care environment in Fort Scott has not improved, and in fact we’ve encountered the additional challenge of successfully recruiting and retaining physicians in the community.”
To prepare for closing the hospital, Mercy will undertake the required regulatory and legal notices and procedures, including notifying state and federal agencies and payers.
Mercy is developing plans to support hospital co-workers in through the closure process, and all will be treated with compassion and respect. There may be the possibility for some co-workers to transfer to other Mercy facilities.
“Having closed our hospital in Independence, Kansas, in 2015, we know how difficult this news is to hear – not only for our Fort Scott co-workers and the community, but for everyone across Mercy. Our prayers are with everyone impacted by this decision,” said Lynn Britton, Mercy president and chief executive officer. “We also know that the Sisters who served before us had to make similar decisions in light of changing community needs, and we draw strength from their courage.”
Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2018, 2017 and 2016 by IBM Watson Health, serves millions annually. Mercy includes more than 40 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, 800 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 44,000 co-workers and 2,100 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In addition, Mercy’s IT division, Mercy Technology Services, supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.
supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.
Completion Nearing On Dr. Crawford’s Office Dowtown
Dr. Tim Crawford’s dental office, Family Dental, plans to move from its current location on South Main Street to the building at Wall and Main Streets within a few months.
“Construction on historic Fort Scott buildings is slow,” Crawford said.
Crawford and his staff hosted a Fort Scott Chamber Coffee at the new site on September 27.
He spoke to the crowd in the reception room of his new office.
“I’m excited to be downtown for accessibility,” Crawford told the coffee attendees. “We hope to be open in a few months.”
Dental services offered are implants, oral surgery, pediatrics, “Everything you want to be done at a dentist.”
Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin thanked Crawford for moving his office downtown and taking on the renovation of a historic building.
“I know you run into things that throw you behind,” Martin said.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Oct. 1
Who Is The Oldest Veteran In Bourbon County?
Carl Jowers, U.S.N. Retired is searching for the oldest male and female Veteran living in Bourbon County. They will be the Grand Marshalls for the Fort Scott Veterans Parade on November 10 at 5 pm.
If you would like to suggest someone as the oldest Bourbon County Veteran, please reply to this email or email Carl [email protected].
Proof of military service and age may be required. This is an excellent opportunity for our unsung heroes to be recognized for their service.
The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports Sept. 28-29
Life Chain is Sunday, Oct.7
Kansans for Life
Sunday Oct. 7, 2018- – – – – 1:30 PM until 3:00 PM
Meet at 1818 S. Main (S – 69 Hwy)
Annually on the first Sunday in October, LIFE CHAIN invites all churches in each city and town across North America to stand on a designated local sidewalk and pray for 60 minutes, while holding an approved pro-life sign message.
LIFE CHAIN is not a demonstration, it is standing as a witness to those who call Christ their Lord to hold pro-life messages that declare abortion a grave evil that defames the name and holiness of God (Leviticus 18:21). Indeed the Church that Christ founded has drifted into cold indifference toward the sacredness of human life, and the result has been the mindless surgical killing and mutilation of over 50 million preborn Americans, plus untold millions who have fallen victim to abortive chemicals and medical neglect.
- Stand with thousands of pro-lifers throughout the USA. You’ll be a light in a darkened world as you help put an end to abortion through prayer.
- Bring your whole family. Rain or shine.
- Water, lawn chairs, umbrellas and strollers are welcome.
- Signs provided at each location.
Life Chain is a peaceful, prayerful public witness of pro-life Americans standing in honor of 54 million lives lost to abortion, praying for our nation, for people in crisis situations and for an end to abortion. It as a visual statement of solidarity by the Christian community that abortion kills children, and that the Church supports the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception to natural death.
(1:30pm gather at 1818 S Main for instructions then stand in the Life Chain 2 to 3pm)
From Linderhof’s Kitchen By Martha Meisen Scott
A and P’s Spanish Bar
For any of you growing up in the 50s and 60s, you often found this cake at the local A and P. It was a favorite of mine and I was glad to find the recipe. You can double the recipe and bake in a 9 x 13 and frost the top, you can bake as is in a loaf pan or an 8-inch square pan. The next time I make it, I will do the 8-inch square pan, cut it in half, frost one half and stick the other half on top and frost it . . . and then “comb” the top of the cake — like the cakes at the A and P!
A and P’s Spanish Bar
2 c. water
1 c. raisins
1/2 c. butter
2 c. flour
1 c. sugar
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. cloves
1/2 t. nutmeg
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. allspice
1/4 t. salt
1 egg
1/2 c. chopped nuts (I used pecans — the A and P cake probably had walnuts)
Simmer the water and raisins in a saucepan on top of the stove for 10 minutes. Add the butter and cool the mixture. Meanwhile mix the flour, sugar, baking soda, spices and salt. Add cooled raisin mix and stir until combined. Add beaten egg and stir until combined. Add nuts. Pour into a greased and floured loaf pan and bake in a preheated 350 oven for 50 to 60 minutes or until done. If using a 9 x 13 or an 8 inch, baking time would be closer to 30 minutes.
Land Bank Meeting Oct. 2
There will be a meeting of the Fort Scott Land Bank held on Tuesday, October 2nd, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. in the City Commission meeting room at 123 S. Main Street.
This meeting will be held to continue to discuss the policies of the Land Bank and to review two sample policies.
There will be a majority of the City Commissioners present, but no City Commission business will be conducted.