Obituary

Obituary Of Richard Cowen

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Richard Cowen, 92, of Fort Scott, Kansas passed away Wednesday evening, February 28, 2018, at the Medicalodge Nursing Home.

He was born December 31, 1925, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of John Harold and Gladys (Emmerson) Cowen. He married Freda Elaine Bentley July 31, 1948, in Fort Scott, Kansas, and she preceded him in death October 2, 2012.

Richard graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1944.

He served in the US Army, Private First Class, and served in the Special Services Army Band.

He worked as a Manor Bread Delivery Driver, the Frisco Railroad, as well as the family dairy business, Cold Spring Guernsey Dairy, located on the Cowen farm on Stringtown (Native) Road. He also worked for Kansas Gas Service for 28 years before his retirement.

Richard and Freda were members of the Iza Stompers Square Dance Club and the Old Forters Camping Club. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, having served as a Deacon and Elder.

Richard is survived by his sons, Wayne Cowen and wife Beverly, Kenton Cowen, Bradley Cowen and wife Joyce, and Larry Cowen and wife Sondra, all of Fort Scott; sister-in-law Phyllis Ward and husband Harold, of Wichita, Kansas; sister-in-law Jolene Clark of Belton, Missouri; fifteen grandchildren; twenty-seven great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife Freda, he was also preceded in death by his parents.

Dr. Rev. Jared Witt will conduct funeral services 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at the First Presbyterian church, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Burial will follow in the Fort Scott National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday evening, March 5, 2018, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or Mercy Hospice, and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, PO Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Area News, Submitted

March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month

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#HaveTheConversation about problem gambling to raise awareness for this often-hidden disease

TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services in collaboration with the National Council on Problem Gambling is dedicating the month of March to helping people “Have the Conversation” about problem gambling. Approximately two million (one percent) of U.S. adults are estimated to meet the criteria for pathological gambling, another four to six million (two to three percent) would be considered problem gamblers. Yet gambling remains a hidden addiction for many.

Problem Gambling Awareness Month is designed to help raise awareness of the prevention, treatment and recovery services available for those adversely affected by gambling. The grassroots campaign brings together a wide range of stakeholders – public health organizations, advocacy groups and gambling operators – who work collaboratively to let people know that hope and help exist.

Across Kansas, groups including four state-funded regional task forces and a statewide coalition hold events, mount media campaigns, promote Gambling Disorder Screening Day on March 13 and conduct outreach to people who can make a difference ensuring that problem gambling services are promoted and the public is educated regarding problem gambling.

As March Madness reaches a crescendo with an estimated $10 billion in bets placed on NCAA basketball championship games, calls to the National Problem Gambling Helpline spike an average of 30 percent during this month.

To get help for a gambling problem for you or a loved one, Kansas residents can call the Kansas problem gambling helpline at 1-800-522-4700 or can visit ksgamblinghelp.com for more information. The call is free and confidential. No out-of-pocket cost treatment is available for problem gamblers and concerned others with revenues collected from state-owned casinos. The program is administered by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services.

Area News, Submitted

Consumers: Potential Breach of Protected Health Information

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TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) has begun to notify individual consumers about a recent incident in which personal or protected health information was disseminated to a specific group of KDADS business associates.

On February 23, 2018, KDADS became aware of a potential breach of personal or protected health information after an employee sent an unauthorized email containing personal or protected health information to a group of current KDADS business associates.

When notified, KDADS immediately began to reach out to the business associates and to affected consumers. Additionally, KDADS is actively investigating this matter to determine how the incident occurred, and the agency has put in place additional safeguards to ensure that an incident like this does not occur again.

To date, KDADS has verified that the personal or protected health information was only disclosed to the agency’s business associates. Contracts/business associate agreements protect this information from further dissemination, inappropriate or unauthorized use, and/or disclosure. Currently, KDADS has no evidence to indicate that the information has been misused or disclosed publicly.

The email contained an attachment which included consumer names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, gender, in-home services program participation information and Medicaid identification numbers. No banking, credit card or driver license information was included.

All involved consumers identified by KDADS will be sent an individual letter explaining the situation. Please check the KDADS website at http://www.kdads.ks.gov for any additional information, which will be posted as it becomes available. Consumers and other interested persons may contact KDADS by telephone without incurring charges at 1-800-432-3535. Please leave a message for Kahlea Porter requesting a return call.

KDADS apologizes sincerely to the consumers affected for any distress or inconvenience this may cause. KDADS is undertaking an immediate review of policies and procedures relevant to preventing a similar situation from occurring.

Options for consumers who want to take additional action to protect themselves:

  • Some state laws allow you to place a security freeze on your credit reports. This would prohibit a credit reporting agency from releasing any information from your credit report without your written permission.
  • You may order a copy of your credit report free of charge. You are entitled to receive one free credit report per year from each of the three major credit bureaus listed below.
  • You may place a fraud alert on your credit report. This can help prevent someone from opening additional accounts in your name or changing your existing accounts. You can call any of the three major credit bureaus listed below to place the fraud alert request.
Equifax Experian Trans Union Corp.
PO BOX 740250 PO Box 1017 Fraud Assistance Division, PO Box 6790
Atlanta, GA 30374 Allen, TX 75013 Fullerton, CA 92834
800- 685-1111 888-397-3742 800-916-8800
https://www.equifax.com/personal/ https://www.experian.com/ https://www.transunion.com/home-fintech
Fort Scott, Submitted

Winston Churchill Coming To Fort Scott

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“Winston Churchill” is coming to Fort Scott.    For those who enjoyed “Teddy Roosevelt” in 2016, the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site are bringing “Winston Churchill” to the Liberty Theatre on Saturday, March 31, 2018, for their Annual Friends Fest.

 

Randy Otto is  Winston and he is the only Winston Churchill impersonator endorsed by the Churchill family.    He is a nationally acclaimed “Winston” and the Friends group wanted to bring another impersonator to Fort Scott on the caliber with Teddy Roosevelt who performed at the 2016 Friends Fest.

 

Randy Otto’s recitation’s genesis was a simple encouragement from Otto’s University British History Professor in 1973.   He encouraged Otto not only to study Churchill’s life academically but to emulate the great man on stage.
An alumnus of the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre and numerous theatrical roles, Otto over the past 43 years has been a Churchill scholar, motivational speaker, and performance artist who has honed the concept into a one-man show designed to entertain and electrify.
The event on March 31 will feature  Otto’s performance with an appetizer buffet prior to the performance.    Tickets are $35 and are available this week at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, contact Martha Scott, Chairman, 2018 Friends Fest, at 620-224-9924.

 

Area News, Submitted

DCF Promotes Need for More Social Workers

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Governor Jeff Colyer signs a proclamation designating March as Social Work Month. Those in attendance from left to right: Steven Greene II, DCF Legislative and Policy Director; Levi Jenkins, DCF Child Protection Specialist; Ann Goodall, DCF Child Protection Specialist; Governor Colyer, State of Kansas; Rachel Marsh, Saint Francis Community Services (SFCS) Executive Director of Government and Community Relations; DCF Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel; Patricia Long, DCF Director of Prevention and Protection Services.

Governor Jeff Colyer signs proclamation declaring March Social Work Month

TOPEKA – Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) social workers are often one of the first lines of defense against abuse and neglect for children and vulnerable adults. They work in collaboration with law enforcement, the courts, contractors, families and others to ensure the safety and well-being of those who cannot protect themselves. Due to the high demands of the job, Kansas, like other states across the nations, is experiencing a shortage of social workers.

To call attention to this need, today, Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel and DCF staff joined Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D., as he designated March as Social Work Month at the State Capitol Building, Topeka.

“Social workers perform an essential duty for Kansas families, and I am happy to recognize their dedication in a field that is so challenging,” said Governor Jeff Colyer. “Recruiting and retaining social workers is difficult, so I fully support the efforts of DCF to incentivize social workers to consider State service.”

DCF, along with its contracted providers, employ more than 1,000 social workers statewide. DCF has taken the following steps to attract social workers.

    • Increased the starting salary for social workers to $40,000, and supervisors to $44,000
    • Increased DCF attendance at career fairs, including out-of-state
    • Started posting open positions on Handshake, Indeed and DCF’s Facebook page
    • Worked with the Kansas Department of Commerce to recruit
    • Partnered with a headhunter organization to fill positions
    • Started accepting social workers on a part-time basis and as temporary positions. (These part-time social worker positions have increased dramatically since 2010.)
    • Increased the number of social work practicum students we take per region.
    • Hosted on-site career fairs at our DCF service centers.

“We should recognize and support our social workers, because their work is tough and essential,” said Secretary Meier-Hummel, a social worker. “I have the upmost respect for those who come to work each day with the goal of changing and saving lives.”

DCF Social Worker Ann Goodall, Topeka, discusses the challenges and rewards of her job.

“People don’t really understand the day in, day out duties because our work is so confidential. We protect families from harm, but we also protect their privacy,” Goodall said. “I’ve been a social worker in child welfare for 20 years, it is my passion. Getting to be one-one-one with children, talking with them about their lives, it makes a difference, and it is what I love doing.”

To become a social worker, individuals must graduate from an accredited university with at least a bachelor’s degree in social welfare. They must also pass a licensure exam and maintain the license with 40 hours of continuing education, every two years.

DCF is always looking for people who have a heart for serving vulnerable adults and children in Kansas. To learn more about becoming a social worker, and to view available positions, visit www.jobs.ks.gov.

 

 

 

 

Business, Fort Scott

Old Tribune Building Being Gutted

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Michael Barnard, working for Walker Construction and Demolition, points to the brick sections on the building at Wall Street and National Avenue, that will be converted back to the original storefronts, he said.

Workers were doing demolition on the building located at 9 S. National Avenue Wednesday, known as the old Tribune building.

Michael Barnard and members of the Yoder family were”gutting”  down to the floor and wall, Barnard said.

The crew was hired by Walker Construction and Demolition, Barnard said.

Jennifer LaRoche is the owner of the building, since early 2017.

In a later interview, LaRoche said the demolition is part of the “cleaning up” of the historic building at Wall Street and National Avenue, “so we can see what we got”.

“We still have lots of ideas,” for the building, she said.

A member of the Yoder family works on the demolition of the building at 9 S. National Avenue that most recently housed the Fort Scott Community College Cosmetology School. The school was a section of the Tribune building.

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Schools

Host Families Needed For Students

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DeAnn Welch started the Adopt-A-Greyhound program eight years ago at Fort Scott Coummunity College because of a need she perceived.

In her job as FSCC  Student Success Center Director and Tutoring and Testing Administrator  see saw students coming to college from other distant states.

“They come here not knowing anyone,” Welch said. ” Some even come here on a one way bus ticket in hopes of playing football and getting away from a life that they could have ended up dead.  It is a sad situation.”

She had an idea.

“I thought, why not place these kids with local families who can give them that home away from home,” she said.

“The families can have this student over for dinner, go to their games if they are athletes, and simply be a support system.”

The program has had many success stories, she said.

“Some families still keep in touch with their student and even travel to see their games when they advance to the next level.  It truly has developed many lifelong friendships,” Welch said.

For more information, contact Welch at 620-223-2700, ext. 4300 or [email protected]

 

Business, Fort Scott, Submitted

Fort Scott Chamber Of Commerce Job Of The Day

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The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall

Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce’s JOB OF THE DAY:

FULL TIME- O’REILLY AUTOMOTIVE
O’Reilly’s is seeking applications for a Store Counter Sales position. Must have excellent customer service skills. Automotive parts, equipment or systems knowledge. Available for flexible work schedule. ASE certification preferred. 2207 S Main St., Fort Scott

Fort Scott, Schools, Submitted

FSMS 8th Graders Create Art For Cancer Patients

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Fort Scott Middle School teacher Michelle Brittain and Susan Wood, RN at Mercy, post sentimental messages on the wall at Mercy Cancer Care Unit of Hope.

With the staggering prevalence of cancer in the United States, it’s likely every person personally knows of someone who has been diagnosed with the disease. According to the National Cancer Institute, an estimated 1,685,210 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in the U.S. in 2016.

More importantly, each case represents a life: a mother, father, sister, brother, friend or neighbor.

That’s where eighth-grade students from Mrs. Michelle Brittain‘s English class at Fort Scott Middle School decided to step in and take on a project which spreads a message of hope to patients at the Mercy Cancer Care Unit of Hope.

The students created sentimental hand-crafted notes on either cards, posters, or even in one case inside origami figures. The messages are displayed in the treatment area for patients, family members and caregiver to read.

“It is humbling to be included in this student-driven project that focuses on encouraging our cancer patients,” said Susan Wood, RN, Mercy Cancer Care Unit of Hope. “When I saw what the kids had created, it gave me goosebumps and brought a tear to my eye.”

The idea for the class project came after the class read a short story by Terry Brooks titled “Imaginary Friends” about a young man who was fighting leukemia. Additionally, all eighth graders recently traveled to the Coterie Theater for Project Art.

“On behalf of our patients, I want to extend a huge thank you to Mrs. Brittan and her students for this extremely kind gesture,” Wood added.

Mercy Hospital Fort Scott is an acute care hospital with 46 licensed beds, offering comprehensive medical, surgical, OB/GYN, pediatric, home care and hospice services. Inpatient care is provided with 24/7 physician coverage. In 2017, Mercy Hospital Fort Scott received The Leapfrog Group’s prestigious A rating. Mercy Clinic Fort Scott is located on hospital grounds as well as Mercy rural health clinics in Arma and Pleasanton.

Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2017 and 2016 by Truven, an IBM Watson Health company, 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.

 

Bourbon County

Bourbon County 4-H Fair, A United Way Agency

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FortScott.Biz is doing a series on the agencies that receive funding through United Way of Bourbon County.

The following is an interview with Diane Brillhart, treasurer of Bourbon County 4-H Fair.

Who is the contact person along with phone number?

Dale Griffiths – 620-215-3101

What service do you provide to our community?

“We provide a venue and structure for holding the annual county fair.  The County Fair is a place for our local kids to exhibit the projects they have been working on and teach others about things they have learned.  Our venue is also available for others in the community to hold events and activities.”

How many people are served?

“Everyone in the community can benefit from our facility.”

What percentage of your budget is the United Way Grant?

“Five percent.”

Who are the board members?

President Dale Griffiths, Vice-Pres. Mark Crystal,                                        Secretary  Lynda Foster, Assist. Secretary David Foster,                     Treasurer  Diane Brillhart, Assist. Treasurer Mark Brillhart, Merchant Superintendent Allen Warren,  Grandstand Superintendent  Stewart Gulager and Assistant Grandstand Superintendent Mark Leatherman.

United Way is primarily funded through donations from local businesses when employees agree to donate an amount through payroll deductions.

Gina Shelton, president of United Way of Bourbon County said the cost of a purchased soft drink, one dollar if it was payroll deducted by many people, would help the agency meet its 2018 Campaign goal of $50,000.

                                          

 

Bourbon County Local News