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The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports Dec. 3
Death Notice of William H. Smith
William H. Smith, Jr., resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Monday, December 3, 2018, at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, KS. There was cremation. Memorial Services for William H. Smith, Jr. will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main.
Low-Cost Tree and Shrub Seedlings Now Available
The Kansas Forest Service is offering low-cost conservation tree and shrub seedlings for purchase again this year. These seedlings are to be used in conservation plantings, such as home/livestock windbreaks, living snow fences, Christmas tree plantations, firewood lots, habitats for game birds and wildlife, barriers to reduce noise pollution, blocking ugly views, marking property lines and creating habitat for songbirds.
These plants are 1 or 2 years old, and their sizes vary from 5 to 18 inches, depending on species. Most of the trees are bare-root seedlings, however some are available as container-grown seedlings such as Ponderosa pine and Southwestern white pine. Some of the deciduous trees that are available include: bald cypress, black walnut, bur oak, cottonwood, hackberry, redbud, and sycamore. Shrubs available include American plum, chokecherry, lilac, and sand hill plum. This is not a complete listing of available trees and not all trees are recommended for this area.
The Kansas Forest Service also offers tree “bundles” for purchase. The Quail Bundle offers a variety of shrubs designed to attract quail, including American plum, fragrant sumac, golden current and chokecherry. It was created in cooperation with Quail Forever to provide excellent food and habitat for upland bird species in eastern Kansas.
If you are interested in supporting pollinators, there are several shrub and tree species also designated to be of particular importance for butterflies, moths, bees, or other insect pollinators. Some are considered to be nectar sources, while others are larval host plants.
Not certain what you would like to order? Then stop by the Extension office and pick up a brochure that has color pictures of various trees and shrubs at maturity. Orders for conservation trees are accepted now through the first full week of May, with shipments beginning in March. However, I recommend that you order early to ensure availability of trees. Order forms and price sheets are available at the Southwind District Extension Office in Erie, Iola Fort Scott, and Yates Center or can be mailed or e-mailed.
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Switching From Mercy to CHC/SEK: Medical Release Needed
Medical Release Needed for Mercy Clinic Patients Transitioning to CHC/SEK
Current Mercy Clinic patients who plan to transition health care services to the new Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) located in either Fort Scott, Arma or Linn County, are required to complete a release of medical records to transfer documents. This will allow past medical records to be uploaded into the CHC/SEK electronic health records so providers can view a patient’s medical history once they are seen as CHC/SEK patients.
Parents and guardians may complete a release of medical records for those patients less than 18 years old. A durable power of attorney designation is necessary to complete a form for anyone older than 18 who is unable to sign.
An online release of medical records is available at https://tinyurl.com/chcsekROI.
To complete a hard copy form, please contact Jessica Marsh at [email protected] or call 620-223-8515. Completed forms may be mailed to Jessica Marsh; Mercy Fort Scott Medical Records; 401 Woodland Hills Blvd.; Fort Scott, KS, 66701.
DelBrenna Trunkshow Dec. 6 At Crooner’s
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Ciao! We are thrilled to announce our 2018 Holiday Trunk Show date for one of our favorite venues: Crooner’s Lounge!
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Kansas Tax Collections Up
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 Hospice Patio Complete
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.
Free Rack of Coats Outside At Bid and Dibs
Angela Simon, the owner of Bids and Dibs, 19 S. National, puts out a rack of free coats and bedding Monday afternoon.
Simons said since the Beacon is no longer distributing clothing and bedding, she knows there is a need in the cold weather for such items.
Some people leave a coat, and take one, she said.
I Am Rehab Replaces Mercy Therapy And Fitness Center
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.
Volunteers Needed to Drive Vets To the VA
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.