Opportunity To Choose For Mercy Patients With Blue Cross

“In the past, Mercy Hospital Fort Scott has been able to accept Blue Cross/Blue Shield, but Mercy Hospital Joplin and Springfield were excluded,” said Tina Rockhold media spokesperson for Mercy Hospital said.

Kansas residents with Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s plan which are part of the Blue Card network now have access to Mercy Joplin doctors, hospitals, labs, imaging facilities and other health care services, effective January 1, 2018.

 Mercy Joplin and Springfield are now in-network with a number of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas health insurance plans.

“This is a tremendous benefit to our patients,” Rockhold said. “Because if they are transferred or need specialty care not offered here, they can now receive care in Joplin or if need be in Springfield.”

“In Springfield, for example,  there is a highly specialized pediatric service,” she said. “If needed patients could be treated there.”

Click here for a list of Blue Cross Blue Shield plans accepting Mercy providers.

Patients with the following plans will receive in-network privileges at Mercy Joplin: Blue Choice, Preferred Care, Preferred Care Blue, Pathway/Pathway X and Medicare Advantage.

Because of its efficient, quality care, Mercy recently was named one of the top five large health systems for the second year in a row by IBM Watson Health’s Truven Health Analytics.

In addition to quality care across the board, patients in these Blue Cross Blue Shield plans will have access to a variety of Mercy health care specialties in Joplin that include:

  • Mercy hospitals located in Joplin, Carthage, and Springfield
  • Mercy Kids Pediatric Specialist Outreach Clinics in Joplin, and a Mercy Children’s Hospital in Springfield with dozens of physician subspecialists including pediatric critical care, orthopedic, endocrinology and neurosurgery
  • A neonatal intensive unit with private rooms that give families the space to participate in their child’s care
  • First Hybrid Operating Room in Joplin for open heart and brain surgeries
  • Advanced specialty services for cardiovascular, spine, bariatrics, neurology and many more

The full list of Blue Cross Blue Shield plans accepting Mercy providers follows:

Medical Networks

  • Blue Access – PPO

  • Blue Access Choice – PPO

  • Blue Traditional

  • Medicare Advantage HMO

  • Medicare Advantage PPO

  • Pathway

  • Pathway X

Medical (Individual & Families)

  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Gold Direct Access, a Multi-state Plan
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Silver Direct Access, a Multi-state Plan
  • Blue Access Choice – S

  • Bronze Pathway

  • Bronze Pathway X

  • Catastrophic Pathway

  • Catastrophic Pathway X

  • Gold Pathway

  • Gold Pathway X

  • Lumenos Plans (Blue Access Choice)

  • Lumenos Plans (Blue Access)

  • National PPO (Blue Card Basic)

  • National PPO (Blue Card PPO)

  • Silver Pathway

  • Silver Pathway X

Medicare

  • Anthem MediBlue (HMO)

  • Anthem MediBlue (PPO)

  • Anthem MediBlue Dual Advantage (HMO SNP)

  • Anthem MediBlue Plus (HMO)

  • Anthem MediBlue Preferred (PPO)

  • Blue Medicare Advantage (PPO)

  • Blue Medicare Rx (PDP) with Senior Rx Plus

  • Blue Medicare Rx Plus (PDP)

  • Blue Medicare Rx Premier (PDP)

  • Blue Medicare Rx Value (PDP)

Federal Employee Program

  • Federal Employee Program

International

  • Blue Card Worldwide

Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2017 by Truven, an IBM Watson Health company, serves millions annually. Mercy includes 44 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, more than 700 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 40,000 co-workers and more than 2,000 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

Obituary For Connie Pavey Mathers

Connie Jo Pavey Mathers, age 70, a resident of Centralia, MO., formally of Fort Scott, died Saturday, December 30, 2017 at her home. She was born January 17, 1947, in Fort Scott, KS. the daughter of Percy Pavey and Doris Pavey Pritchett. She married Larry James Mathers on April 18, 1965 in Wichita, KS., he preceded her in death on March 22, 2008. She enjoyed traveling and loved spending time with her grandkids.
 
Connie is survived by a daughter, Shelley Anderson, of Stergeon, MO., a son Chad Mathers, of Jefferson City, MO.; her mother Doris Pavey Pritchett; a brother, Paul Pavey and wife, Josie; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Percy Pavey; step-father, Ernest Pritchett; and brother Dale Pavey.
 
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, January 5, 2018, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. The family will receive friends from 9:30 until service time at the chapel. Burial will follow in U. S. National Cemetery. Words of Remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary For Gustav Rohnke

Gustav Steven (Guss) Rohnke, age 58, resident of Fort Scott, died Sunday, December 31, 2017 at the University of Kansas Medical Center.  He was born September 26, 1959 in Fort Scott, the son of Gustav Adolf Rohnke and Thelma Marie Ruby Rohnke.  Guss was a 1978 graduate of Fort Scott High School.  He worked for Boone and Dauben Restaurant while going to school.  Guss worked waterproofing construction and masonry work most of his adult life.  He excelled as a bricklayer.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting, watching the Kansas City Chiefs football and the Royals baseball.  In his youth he enjoyed dirt bike racing and also bull riding.  Guss was a long standing member of the Bricklayers Union #15 and the Masonry Union.
Survivors include a brother, Steve Riley and wife Sue, Fort Scott; sister, Tina Marie Land and husband Darrell of Leavenworth, Kansas.  Also surviving is a brother-in-law, J. D. Hess of Hume, Missouri, several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Nancy Hess.
Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct graveside services at 11:00 A.M. Saturday in the Evergreen Cemetery under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel.  The family will receive friends from 10:00 A.M. Saturday until leaving for the cemetery at the chapel.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com. 

This Week In Fort Scott By the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

2
Fort Scott Middle School Pizza Hut Night

4
Chamber Coffee, hosted by the Chamber Board of Directors at the Chamber, 231 E. Wall St., 8am

4 Coffee with Doug, live music at Common Ground Coffee Co., 7pm

(Dangerous Doug Harper of Nevada, MO)
5-6 Livestock Sale, Fort Scott Livestock Market, 2131 Maple Rd., 10am
6 The Bunker Conceal Carry Class, 8am, $75 fee
6 Boiler Room Brewhaus Grand Opening, 11am, 102 S. National Ave., music, food & craft beer
Upcoming Events:
1/8 Informational Breakfast: Stay Strong, Stay Healthy Strength Training Class for Older Adults, Buck Run
1/9 Quarterly Downtown Meet & Greet, Papa Don’s, 10 N. Main St., 8:30am
1/11 Biggest Loser Competition Begins at Buck Run, $15
1/12 Theology on Tap, Papa Don’s Pizza, 10 N. Main St., 7pm
1/15 Lunch & Learn, Martin Luther King Jr. Day speaker, Gordon Parks Museum, FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Building, 12pm

 

City Commission Agenda for Jan. 2

The Fort Scott City Commission will meet this evening at 6 p.m. at city hall, 123 S. Main Street.

On the agenda:

CONSENT AGENDA:
A. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of December 19th, 2017.
B. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1206-A totaling $407,293.46.
C. Resolution 1-2018 designating the official City newspaper.
D. Resolution 2-2018 designating the official City depositories for public
funds
E. Certificate of Appropriateness – Proposed changes to building and
signage at 2 N. Main Street
VI. REORGANIZATION OF CITY COMMISSION AND ELECTION OF
MAYOR, COMMISSION PRESIDENT, B.C.E.D.C.I.
REPRESENTATIVE, AND FORT SCOTT HOUSING AUTHORITY
DELEGATE
a. Swearing in of new Commissioners
b. Election of Mayor
c. Election of Commission President
d. Election of Bourbon County Economic Development Council
Inc. Representative
e. Election of Fort Scott Housing Authority Delegate
VI. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:
A. APPEARANCE:
B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute
limit per citizen)
C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS: None
VII. CONSIDERATION:
1. Approval of Fort Scott Plumbing Board reappointments – 3 year
terms
2. Approval of Fort Scott Electrical Board reappointments – 3 year
terms
VIII. COMMENTS:
A. Director Updates:
B. Commission:
C. City Attorney:
D. Director of Finance:
E. City Manager:
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Justifications for Executive Sessions:
• Personnel matters of 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 or representatives 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
IV. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL

Microbrewery Opens January 6

Bryan and Barbara Ritter stand in the taproom of the Boiler Room Brewhaus.

This Saturday, January 6, Fort Scott’s first microbrewery will open at 11 a.m.

Named the Boiler Room Brewhaus, the brewery is located in the lower level of the Beaux Arts Center, 102 S. National. Entry is from the alley on the south.

Public parking is at First and National Streets and additionally,  Judson and Second Streets nearby. The Fort Scott Post Office parking lot is off-limits, however it is through the post office parking lot that one must enter the facility.

“It’s  a comfy atmosphere,” Barbara Ritter, who along with her sister-in-law Peggy Ritter are the owners, said. “No TV’s. We want to encourage people to talk to each other.”

In addition there will be board games.

There is a 40 person capacity in the tap-room, she said.

Right now, Barbara’s husband Bryan Ritter is the primary brewer.

He is making ales.

“Beers fall into two categories,” Bryan Ritter said. “Ales and lagers…most people in Bourbon County drink lagers such as Budweiser and Coors. I’m not going to focus on that right now.”

The cooler seasons are ale seasons, Bryan said.

“You want something thicker and richer,” he said. “There is 4-6 percent alcohol content.” He can produce one barrel per brewing session or about 33 gallons.

For opening night, they will have close to 100 gallons, he said.

In addition, Jake Johnson will provide the music that evening.

Only prepared snacks will be offered in the taproom with the beer.

“By Bourbon County law, 30 percent of sales have to be in food,” Barbara said. “We don’t want to be a restaurant. So we are hoping  to get some support by getting it put on the ballot to change the law for microbreweries.”

The hours for the brewery are Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, 12 to 7 p.m.

Bryan Ritter holds a handful of toasted malt barley in the brew room of the Boiler Room Brewhaus. The hops Ritter uses is from the Kansas Hop Company, Ottawa.  The Honey Weiss he produces is from honey produced on the Ritter property, south of Fort Scott, Black Dogs Farm. Visitors can view the brewing system as they come in the brewery.
Barbara Ritter shows the jars that people may take the brew home in.
One of the three flavors currently offered at the Boiler Room Brewhaus.
Original web page

113 S National Ave

Fort Scott, Kansas

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Obituary For Virginia Chambers

Virginia Marie Chambers, 90, of Fort Scott, and formerly of Hiattville, Kansas, passed away Thursday evening, December 28, 2017 at the Country Place Memory Care in Fort Scott.

She was born July 31, 1927, in Girard, Kansas, the daughter of Don and Imo Irene (Rogers) Salmon. She married John Joseph “Joe” Chambers May 28, 1950, in Hiattville, Kansas, and he preceded her in death June 24, 1995.

Virginia graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1944 and during her time there was able to take courses from Fort Scott Junior College, graduating with sixteen college credit hours. She continued her education in the summers and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Pittsburg State University in 1957. In 1963, she received her Master’s degree in School Administration from PSU.

Virginia taught in rural schools including Hepler Elementary in Crawford County and in the USD 234 and USD 235 schools for thirty-nine years, the last eighteen as a Title I Reading Teacher at West Bourbon Elementary. She retired in 1985. She also worked for the Economy Book Company training teachers to teach the phonics method of reading.

Virginia was a member of the Hiattville United Methodist Church where she served as pianist and organist for over sixty years. She was instrumental in writing and directing the annual Christmas Program, and she also served as Choir Director, Sunday School Teacher, as well as helped with Vacation Bible School.

After moving to LaCygne, she transferred membership to the LaCygne United Methodist Church and remained an Associate Member of Hiattville United Methodist. She was a Lifetime Member of the Ideal Chapter #369 Order of Eastern Star which merged with Olive Chapter, the Kansas State Teacher’s Association, and the Bourbon County Retired Teachers Association. She received the Kansas East Conference Denman Award for Evangelism.

Survivors include close friend and heart-adopted daughter Regina Woodworth and husband Tom, of Iola, Kansas; brother Harold Salmon and wife Segrid of Placerville, California; sisters-in-law Juanita Long and Shirley Chambers, both of LaCygne, Kansas; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband Joe, Virginia was also preceded in death by her parents.

Rev. January Kiefer will conduct funeral services Wednesday, January 3, 2018, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, with burial following at the Fort Scott National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening, January 2, 2018, from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fort Scott Community College endowed scholarship, Hiattville United Methodist, or LaCygne United Methodist, and 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.

Obituary For Lewis William Lucas

Obituary for Lewis William Lucas

Lewis William “Bill” Lucas, age 85, a resident of Humboldt, Kansas, passed away Thursday, December 28, 2017, at the Heritage Health Care, Chanute, Kansas.

Bill was born on May 3, 1932, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of Lewis Edward and Thelma (Weddle) Lucas. Bill was a Veteran serving his country with the United States Army. He worked as a welder and an over the road trucker.

He married Charlotte Stephens on April 25, 1981. Bill enjoyed tinkering and loved his animals.
Survivors include his wife, Charlotte of the home, a daughter, Karon Schnichels of Fort Scott, Kansas, a daughter-in-law Mandy Lucas, of Redfield, Kansas, ten grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and two great-grandchildren on the way.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Eric Lucas, a daughter, Melody Ann Lucas and a grandson, Ernest Owen Lucas.


Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Thursday, January 4, 2018, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U.S. National Cemetery Fort Scott, Kansas under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 pm Wednesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorial are suggested to the Lewis Lucas Memorial Fund in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main PO box 347 Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Sharing Ideas For Downtown Fort Scott

 

Lindsay Madison at the Christmas Parade 2017 which the Chamber of Commerce sponsors.

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison has been the executive director since October 2010.

On January 11, 2011, Madison initiated the Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet.

“I started it to provide a platform for downtown business owners and any interested party to network for ideas related to downtown,” Madison said.

The Meet & Greets are held the first Tuesday of each quarter from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. unless otherwise announced.

Usually, approximately 18 to 25 people attend, with the host business invited to tell about their business and any future events, she said.
” City representatives (Dave Martin or Rachel Pruitt) usually give a city update and a Fort (Scott National Historic Site) representative usually announces upcoming fort events,” Madison said.

Some of the projects and ideas that have come out of the meetings include:

  • A new downtown shopping brochure was completed in 2017.
  • The Toy Soldier Project was started Christmas 2017.
  • Businesses are encouraged to decorate windows for special events, i.e. patriotic for Symbols of Sacrifice, Naturalization Ceremony, etc.
  • There is a discussion about co-op advertising opportunities for retailers to go together on, i.e. TV ads, etc.
  • A new parking sign was installed on Wall Street in the city parking lot where the depot is located, to promote additional parking downtown.
  • A short-term parking sign was installed in front of Papa Don’s, following discussion of the group.
  • Ideas for downtown events and promotions are discussed, such as 10% off items on Kansas Day if shoppers wear a sunflower, the Halloween parade, the Christmas parade, and Downtown Open House events, Sales Tax Holiday (first weekend in August), 3rd Saturday Marketplace events, including when to hold the events.
  • Informing attendees of grants/incentives available to downtown businesses.
  • A scarecrow contest was held in the past to create fall decorating.
  • New downtown banners for the light poles were the result of discussion at the meetings.
  • Ideas for new murals, for instance, to replace Star Emporium mural at the north end of Main Street.
“We are always soliciting new ideas and volunteers to help organize any type of events or promotions,” Madison said.

On January 9 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. the meet and greet will gather at Papa Don’s Restaurant, 10 N. Main to share ideas once again for the downtown area.

The goal of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce is to be a premier chamber of commerce in the region, acknowledged for leadership effectiveness, member-focused services and success, and being a go-to resource for business and community, according to its website.

For more information:

http://fortscott.com

 

Obituary for Benjamin H. Coe, Jr.

Benjamin H. Coe, Jr.
Obituary for Benjamin H. Coe, Jr.

Benjamin H. Coe, Jr., age 94, a lifelong resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Wednesday, December 27, 2017, at the Franklin House, Ft. Scott. He was born July 17, 1923, in Ft. Scott, the son of Benjamin H. Coe, Sr. and Katherine Bittner Coe.

He attended St. Mary’s Grade School (one of the first classes to attend), Ft. Scott High School, Ft. Scott Junior College, and Pittsburg State, graduating in 1948.

He served in the United States Air Force from 1943 to 1945 as a bombardier and was wounded over Southern France. He received the Purple Heart.

He married Alberta L. Taylor on May 23, 1953, in Ft. Scott. Ben worked for the Western Insurance Company for 38 years, retiring in 1986.

He enjoyed woodworking and refinishing items found at auction. He was an avid sports fan, always supporting his children’s and grandchildren’s activities. He was a member of Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus.

Survivors include his wife Alberta; six children, Ben Coe and wife Lanza, McKinney, TX, Kevin Coe and wife Kim, Wichita, KS, Keith Coe and wife Carla, Newnan, GA, Marianne Garrison and husband Jon, Ft. Scott, KS, Pat Coe and wife Mitzi, Warrenville, IL, and Janel Blackburn and husband Lee, Ft. Scott, KS; a sister, Mary Elizabeth “Zibbie” Grove, Kansas City, MO; 18 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and special buddy, George at the Franklin House. He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Coe; and his parents.

Father Robert Wachter will conduct the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM Wednesday, January 3, at the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided. The Rosary will be prayed at 5:30 with the family receiving friends from 6:00 until 8:00 Tuesday evening at the Chapel. Memorials are suggested to St. Mary’s Catholic School and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

A Healthier Workplace

Fort Scott Firefighter Colten Hoggatt works out at the Fort Scott Fire Department fitness room Wednesday. The City of Fort Scott has implemented a wellness policy to incent its employee’s  to get fit.

Recently, the City of Fort Scott Commissioners implemented a  policy to engage employees in becoming more fit.

This was in response to the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team challenging businesses to develop wellness policies, Deb Needleman, human resources director with the city, said.

Other entities challenged to promote wellness and physical activity were Fort Scott Community College, Mercy Hospital, USD 234, USD 235, Peerless Products Inc., McDonald’s Restaurant, Landmark Bank and Ward Kraft Inc.

“Fort Scott Community College passed their policy recently, too,” Jody Hoener,  administrator for the Bourbon County Healthy Pathway Grant from Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas Insurance, said. “I talked to (FSCC President) Alysia Johnston, who said they have started painting the room where their (fitness) equipment will be,” Hoener said.

“We are setting up policies to encourage employees to exercise at least three hours per week,” Needleman said. “We’ll be rolling the policy out in January to our employees.”

For her part, Needleman has started CrossFit training.

“The policy will encourage me to do CrossFit three times per week,” she said. “But any moderate physical activity that gets the heart rate going,” will work.

If she continues her fitness program for the whole month, “The following month I’ll get an incentive, a $20 reimbursement in expenses,” Needleman said.

This money can be spent on “fitness club membership, shoes, a new tire for a bicycle or anything related to physical activity”, she said.

The outcome of the policy implementation is expected to be an increase in the level of activity which is intended to help the bottom line of each entity that participates.

“When you have healthy activity, employees are more productive, there are lower health care costs and lower employee absenteeism and higher employee retention,” Needleman said.

For the incentives, employees must meet the criteria set forth in the policy, and Needleman acknowledges that not everyone will.

The policy is not mandatory, Needleman said.

Still, the city has set aside $9,000 to $15,000 in its’ budget to incent employees to get more active.

The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team will survey the city staff in August or September 2018 to find out if the level of activity has increased and thereby are approaching or meeting national standards, Needleman said.

“We will look at and re-evaluate the policy at that time,” Needleman said.

“We were about one-half of the national standard,” when surveyed prior to implementation of the policy,  she said.

Increasing activity is the goal of year one of the policy, Needleman said.

“Year two, we will look at nutrition,” she said. “Healthy eating, food choices in the workplace.”

“Year three we will look at tobacco cessation,” she said.

Each worksite is eligible for $10,000 to implement a wellness policy  Hoener said.

Firefighter Colten Hoggatt, 25, pictured, works out even on his days off for about one hour, he said. The fire department has a separate building on site that it uses as a fitness room.

Fort Scott Fire Department Captain Dale Bolinger said the fire department currently tracks physical activity of each employee and that information is included in their employment evaluation.

 

Bourbon County Local News