Government, Kansas

Kansas Tax Collections Up

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Fiscal year tax collections exceed previous year by $221.20 million

 

 

TOPEKA—Fiscal year tax collections have exceeded previous year’s totals by $221.20 million according to data from the latest revenue report released Monday.

 

Fiscal year 2019 tax collections so far total $2.70 billion, exceeding estimates by $2.74 million.

 

November tax collections were up $38.60 million, or 8.41 percent over last year. November’s tax collections exceeded expectations for the month by $2.74 million.

 

Individual income tax collections in November totaled $235.02 million which is $27.40 million or 13.20 percent above the same time last year. November sales tax collections fell slightly short of last November’s collections by $115,000.

 

Mercy Hospital

Mercy Hospice Patio Complete

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Memorial Patio at Riverfront Park Complete;

Next Phase Announced

 Mercy Home Health and Hospice has collaborated with the Fort Scott Riverfront Authority Board and the City of Fort Scott to build a memorial patio for hospice patients near the walking trail at the Riverfront Park on North National Avenue and Maple Road in Fort Scott.

“The project came about as a way to honor patients and families that Mercy Hospice has served since we opened in 2012,” said Tabitha Stults, community relations coordinator for Mercy Home Health and Hospice.

Plans for the memorial patio began in April of 2017 as part of the Mercy Hospice fifth year anniversary celebration. Eighteen months later the project is complete and ready for the next phase.

“Our hospice team will work closely with family members who wish to honor a loved one,” Stults added. For a $10 fee, the name of a patient who has been served by Mercy Hospice will be engraved onto a brick to be laid in the patio.” 

All the brick have been recycled from the City of Fort Scott.

To learn more about purchasing a brick to honor loved one, please contact Melissa George or Tabitha Stults at 620-223-8090.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

Business, Health Care, Mercy Hospital

I Am Rehab Replaces Mercy Therapy And Fitness Center

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From left to right: Hugo Dahlstrom, Occupational Therapist; David Shank, Physical Therapist; Denny Gillard, Physical Therapist. Not pictured: Janet Smith, Physical Therapist, and Sarah Moore, Office Assistant.
Mercy Therapy Services will get a new name Dec. 31, 2018, when Mercy Hospital Fort Scott closes.

 “I Am Rehab LLC is the official name of our business,” Hugo Dahlstrom, occupational therapist, said. “I Am Rehab & Fitness will be on our logo and signage. It is comprised of David Shank, Denny Gillard, and I.”

 

“We have not signed a lease agreement yet so we do not have an official start date, but we plan to be open immediately after Mercy closes on January 1,” Dahlstrom said.

“We will continue to provide physical therapy, occupational therapy, fitness center memberships, personal training, and pre-work screens,” he said.

The fitness center will still be available to the community.

“We will offer memberships at the same rates as Health For Life,” Dahlstrom said.

Area News

Volunteers Needed to Drive Vets To the VA

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Facebook photo.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas  CFO Douglas Stuckey sits on the knee of Fort Scott’s Carl “Santa” Jowers at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber Coffee Thursday morning, wishing for improved transportation services for Fort Scott veterans.

CHC/SEK will be the new primary care entity, following the closing of Mercy Hospital Fort Scott.

The Fort Scott VA Clinic is in the process of acquiring a passenger van to transport local Veterans to their medical appointments at the Topeka VA Medical Center.

Jowers was approached by Fort Scott VA Clinic staff to locate volunteer drivers to drive the shuttle.

Volunteer drivers are needed to drive the shuttle. 

One need not be a Veteran to be a shuttle driver. Volunteers must be willing to commit to driving the shuttle at least one day a month to and from Fort Scott.

This is a volunteer position with the VA.

“You will not receive pay, but drivers will receive a meal voucher for use in the VA cafeteria,” Jowers said. “Volunteers must pass a VA physical and background check including their driving history”

“We will initially set up one a week for the shuttle service to operate. However, if enough people volunteer their time, we could expand the service to two or three days a week and even set up a shuttle service to and from the Kansas City VA Medical Center as well.”

Please call Carl Jowers at 620-215-1688 or email him at [email protected] for more information or to volunteer as a driver.

 

Entertainment, Fort Scott, Schools

A Modern Twist on a Familiar Christmas Tale at FSHS

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The Fort Scott High School Thespians present their holiday children’s theatre production of “A 21st Century Christmas Carol” by Lori M. Myers.

Performances are at 7 p.m. on Dec. 14 and 15 and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 15 at the Fort Scott High School Auditorium. Doors open 30 minutes prior to show time and seating is limited.

“A 21st Century Christmas Carol” is a new twist on a familiar tale. “Eleanor Scrooge, a greedy old spinster, spends her days barking orders at her gift shop employees.  Though the mall will be closed, she still wants them to work on Christmas Day!  Then she’s visited by the ghost of her old boss, Mr. Marley, and a parade of zany spirits who materialize from cheesy collectible figurines.  … With great humor, contemporary references, and crazy characters, … audiences will fall in love with the classic story all over again,” according to Pioneer Drama Service.

 

Characters in the production are played by area children in 1st-8th grades. Regen Wells, a 7th-grade student at Fort Scott Middle School, plays the lead character of Eleanor. Eighth graders Anna Laubenstein, Kinsley Davis and Kaitlyn Leavell play the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. All are also members of the FSMS Drama Club which meets weekly at the Middle School.

 

The play is directed by FSHS senior Karina Kantilal and sophomore Ashanti Green. Music is led by freshman Christina Ramirez and sophomore Noah Martin with choreography from junior Mesa Jones and sophomore Avery Dorsey. About thirty other high school students are assisting with the direction and design of the show as a fundraiser for the State and International Thespian Festivals under the supervision of Thespian Director Angie Bin.

 

Tickets for “A 21st Century Christmas Carol” are $5 and available at the FSHS Office, 1005 S. Main; Common Ground, 116 S. Main; and at the door.

 

Government, Kansas

State Offices Closed Dec. 5: Day of Mourning For President Bush

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Governor Colyer Issues Executive Order Closing State Offices Wednesday to Observe a Day of Mourning for President George H.W. Bush

 

Topeka- Governor Jeff Colyer today issued the following Executive Order following the death of President George H.W. Bush:

 

EXECUTIVE ORDER 18-20 

Day of Mourning for President George H. W. Bush 

WHEREAS, as the 41st President of the United States, former President George H. W. Bush was a dedicated statesman who led our country through a time of change following the Cold War; and

 

WHEREAS, President Bush’s courage, dedication and leadership were evident throughout his lifetime of public service in many different roles, including serving with distinction in the United State Navy, as a delegate to the United Nations, envoy to China and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency prior to being elected President; and

 

WHEREAS, President Trump has declared Wednesday, December 5, 2018 a National Day of Mourning for President Bush; and

 

WHEREAS, State of Kansas offices were closed to mourn the deaths of other Presidents; including Presidents Kennedy, Eisenhower, Truman, Johnson, Reagan and Ford.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Kansas, I hereby designate Wednesday, December 5, 2018 as a legal holiday in observance of the National day of Mourning for President George H. W. Bush and order that State of Kansas offices are to be closed in observance of the holiday.

 

This document shall be filed with the Secretary of State as Executive Order No. 18-20 and shall become effective immediately.

 

Bourbon County

American Legion Post 25 Upcoming Events:

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December 3. Monday. 6:30 pm. Post 25 meet and greet. Light refreshments will be available at the end of the meeting.

 

December 3. Monday. 7 pm. Post 25 general membership meeting. The meeting is held at the Memorial Hall at National and 3rd in downtown Fort Scott. All Post 25 members, eligible Veterans and guests are invited to attend the meeting.

 

December 4. Tuesday. American Legion Service Officer Myra Jowers is at Memorial Hall from 9 – 11 am. Myra is available to assist you with questions about your VA claims or paperwork. This free service is for ANY Veteran or family member who may have questions about starting a VA claim or have questions about next steps. Please share this information with any Veteran you may know who might need assistance in dealing with their VA paperwork.

 

December 4. Tuesday. American Legion Post 25 Commander Carl Jowers has office hours at Memorial Hall from 9 – 11 am. Carl is available to discuss any suggestions or concerns you may have about Post 25, Veterans issues in general or just to help solve world problems. Carl will meet with you at other times by emailing him at [email protected] or calling him at 620-215-1688 to schedule an appointment.

 

December 4. Tuesday. 6 pm. Fort Scott Christmas parade. Post members needed to participate in this community event. Contact Post Commander Carl Jowers, if interested.

 

December 8. Saturday. Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army. All donations stay in Bourbon County. Ringers needed from 10 am – 6 pm. One or two hour shifts. Bring a chair if you need to sit. Contact Post Commander Carl Jowers, if you can help in this community outreach program.

 

December 11. Tuesday. American Legion Service Officer Myra Jowers is at Memorial Hall from 9 – 11 am. Myra is available to assist you with questions about your VA claims or paperwork. This free service is for ANY Veteran or family member who may have questions about starting a VA claim or have questions about next steps. Please share this information with any Veteran you may know who might need assistance in dealing with their VA paperwork.

 

December 11. Tuesday. American Legion Post 25 Commander Carl Jowers has office hours at Memorial Hall from 9 – 11 am. Carl is available to discuss any suggestions or concerns you may have about Post 25, Veterans issues in general or just to help solve world problems. Carl will meet with you at other times by emailing him at [email protected] or calling him at 620-215-1688 to schedule an appointment.

 

Other items:

 

Post 25 is collecting gently used jackets and coats for the Fort Scott High School Seniors. Bring coats and jackets to the membership meeting on Monday, November 5, to Memorial Hall on Tuesday, November 6 during Commander’s office hours or call the Commander at 620-215-1688 to arrange local pickup. Coats and jackets may also be taken to Fort Scott High School offices.

 

Program Chairs needed.

 

·         Boys/Girls State.

 

·         Oratorical

 

·         Baseball.

 

The only requirements to be a program chair are to be a Legionnaire and a desire to work with our young people. There are plenty of mentors at both District and Department to guide you in hosting a successful program.

 

Submitted by Carl Jowers, Commander

Fort Scott American Legion Post 25

Uncategorized

Grief Support Luncheon

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Grief Support Luncheon

Dec 5, 2018 12:00 PM

Our next scheduled grief support luncheon will be Wednesday December 5th, 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.  Call us at 223-1186 if you have any questions.  We look forward to seeing you!

Recipes

From Linderhof’s Kitchen . . . Martha Meinsen Scott

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I adore special desserts during December and although old favorites are often on the menu, I also enjoy trying new things.       Some of which become favorites like this recipe for Cassata. An Italian dessert it’s an easy dessert for it starts with a boughten pound cake and then it’s just put together.     But for as little effort as it takes, it is a “wow” dessert.
CASSATA
2 c. Ricotta cheese
1/4 c. sugar
2 T. liqueur (sherry, brandy, Amaretto, I used Maraschino liqueur)
1/4 c. finely chopped candied cherries
1/4 c. mini semi sweet chocolate chips
1 pound cake (I used Sara Lee frozen)
CHOCOLATE GLAZE:
1 c. mini semi sweet chocolate chips
1 t. instant coffee dissolved in 1/4 c. boiling water
6 T. unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces, chilled
sliced almonds for garnish
Combine ricotta, sugar, liqueur and mix until silky.    Fold in candied cherries and 1/4 c. semi sweet chocolate chips.    Set aside.
Cut pound cake in half horizontally using sharp serrated knife.    Cut each half again horizontally. Place pound cake on serving platter.    Spread 1/4 ricotta mixture evenly over cake. Repeat procedure twice. Top with remaining cake layer; press lightly to compact layers.    Cover with plastic wrap; chill at least 2 hours.
Meanwhile heat 1 c. chocolate chips and coffee in top of double boiler over hot, not boiling water.     Stir constantly until chocolate is melted. Add butter pieces, one by one, stirring constantly, until all butter is added and melted.    Remove from heat; let cool to spreading consistency, about 2 hours. Spread top and sides of cake with chocolate frosting. I garnished the cake with sliced almonds on top.
Martha Meinsen Scott is a Fort Scott foodie who creates from her home, called Linderhof.

Bourbon County Local News