Ascension Via Christi

Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg adds new imaging technology

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Chris Stevens, Nuclear Medicine Lead Technologist. Submitted photo.

 

Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg has recently added a PET/CT scanner, which can help detect the early onset of diseases before other imaging tests can.

The new scanner uses small amounts of radioactive materials, a special camera and a computer to evaluate organ and tissue functions. By identifying changes at the cellular level, the test helps detect cancer or make a diagnosis, determine if a cancer has spread, assess the effectiveness of treatment, evaluate prognosis, determine the effects of a heart attack, evaluate brain abnormalities and more.

“The installation of the PET/CT scanner at our hospital speaks to our continued commitment to provide the most technologically advanced quality care to our patients”, says Chris Stevens, Nuclear Medicine Lead Technologist.

An important test made possible by the PET/CT scanner is a PSMA prostate study. This test uses a diagnostic imaging agent together with PET/CT imaging to detect prostate cancer for both initial staging and suspected recurrence, typically sooner than other types of imaging scans.

“It’s a blessing to have the availability of PET/CT for our patients and physicians”, says Stevens. “Our list of available exams is now equivalent to those at the largest hospitals in the biggest towns.”

The new imaging technology allows the hospital to continue to provide advanced care close to home.

To learn more about services at Ascension Via Christi, visit ascension.org/pittsburgKS.

 

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About Ascension Via Christi

 

In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400 associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org.

Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott, Youth

Fort Scott Kiwanis Annual Easter Egg Hunt

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The Easter Bunny poses with some fans at the Fort Scott Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt on April 1 at Gunn Park. Submitted photo.

On April 1, the Fort Scott Kiwanis Club sponsored their annual  Easter Egg Hunt in Gunn Park.

Egg hunters begin their search at the Fort Scott Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt, April 1, 2023. Submitted photos.

Kiwanis members distributed over 1,500 eggs filled with candy, prizes, and coupons from area merchants into the park in areas designated by age groups.  Approximately 75 children participated in the event.

Submitted photo.

 

The Kiwanis sponsors who donated either money, or coupon’s from their place of business are as follows:

 

Big Sugar Lumber                                              Iron Star Antiques & Such

Dairy Queen                                                      Marsha’s Deli

Diehl, Banwart, Bolton, CPA’s PA                       McDonald’s

Don’s Spirits & Wines                                        Merle Humphrey Photography

Fort Cinema                                                      NuGrille

Flowers By Leanna                                            R&R Equipment

Heidrick’s True Value                                         Wal-Mart

Submitted photo.
Submitted photo.

Submitted by John Crain.

Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for April 6

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Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

Bourbon County, Kansas

Nelson Blythe

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 1st Floor County Courthouse

210 S National Avenue

April 6, 2023, 9:00 AM

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute and Prayer
  • Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 3/30/2023
    2. Approval of Payroll totaling $211,174.87
    3. Approval of Accounts Payable totaling $302,712.05
    4. Approval of Miscellaneous Disbursement Checks totaling $13,719.41
  1. Department Updates
    1. Public Works Director
  2. Susan Bancroft-Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b)(1)
  3. Resolution 10-23 Proclamation of a State of Local Disaster for Bourbon County
  • Public Comments
  • Commission Comments
  1. Meeting Adjourn

 

 

 

Executive Session Justifications:

 

KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the

attorney-client relationship.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the

representative(s) of               the body or agency.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual     proprietorships

KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting

would jeopardize such security measures.

 

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Downtowners Share Projects and Events at Chamber Meet and Greet

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John Hill, President and CEO of City State Bank, speaks, as host of the Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet. Hill said the bank has been in Fort Scott for 103 years and did a major remodel to its downtown branch in 2018.

Business owners and others interested in downtown Fort Scott met on April 4 at City State Bank to discuss upcoming events and projects.

The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce hosted the Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet, with President and CEO Lindsay Madison, leading.

Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Lindsay Madison leads discussion at the Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet on April 4 at City State Bank.

Following are the highlights:

The Fort Scott National Historic Site Civil War Encampment is April 15-16: Army re-enactors portray different parts of the war with live music, an author talk, horse and sabre drills to name a few.

Visitor numbers are up this year at The Fort and there is a goal of 30,000 visitors this year to the site.

Upcoming Chamber events in the next few months are the Town Wide Garage Sale on May 5-6, the farmers market starts May 6 with the garden club plant sale.

There will be no downtown clean-up this year.

There will be a new mural to replace the one facing Skubitz Plaza at the north end of Main Street. The current one, the Star Emporium, will be replaced with a historical one: depicting the Kansas 1st Colored Infantry.

A multi-purpose pavilion, which will house the twice weekly farmer’s market, was presented to the city’ design review committee for approval but was tabled until an artists rendition could be presented.

A welcome arch will be put up on Wall Street near the Chamber of Commerce office.

The Christmas Parade will be November 30, with the theme: Candy Land Christmas.

Christmas on the Bricks will be the first weekend in December,  and will include classic Christmas booths/vendors, photo backdrops for families, and later hours for downtown shops. This weekend also includes the candlelight tour at Fort Scott National Historic Site and an art sale at the Artificers. This new event will replace the Christmas in the Park event. Elevate Fort Scott is organizing the new event.

Trolley tours have started back for the season: Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. A back up driver is needed to give the narrated tour. Contact the Chamber.

A Community Connection Panelist luncheon was April 5  at the Empress Event Center to help distribute government and local entities’ information.

There will be a job fair April 13 at the Ellis Fine Arts Center from 3-6 p.m.

The annual Chamber Dinner and Awards Celebration will be April 20 at the River Room Event Center.

Dare to Dream Women’s Entrepreneurship event is April 5 from 5-7 p.m. at the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Office. At this office is also the Small Business Development Center.

Grants available to small businesses through the Chamber: E-Community Loan and Grow Kansas.

Riggs Chiropractic is having its ribbon cutting on May 4, at a Chamber After Hours gathering.

Open Mortgage will have its ribbon cutting on May 11 along with a ribbon cutting and open house.

110 S. Main (former Scottish Rite Temple) has doubled its retail space this week. The owners are waiting on Evergy to repair the electric service to the building to open the cafe.

The Kitchen, located in the McDonald Hall building, is nearing completion and will offer retail space, four kitchen pods for rent and an outdoor eating space in back of the building when completed.

Hedgehog INK owner Jan Hedges said a visitor “was impressed with how the businesses are working together.”

The Iron Star owner Barbara Trimbur said one of her large windows was broken during the recent wind storm.

 

 

 

Obituary

Memorial Service For Allen Dale Soverns Jr.

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Allen Dale “AJ” Soverns, Jr., age 40, resident of Fort Scott, KS, died Thursday, March 30, 2023, at his home.  There was cremation.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, April 15th, at Gunn Park Shelter House #6.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the AJ Soverns Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

CHAMBER ANNUAL CELEBRATION PLANNED FOR April 20th

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 The River Room Event Center is located on the second floor.

 

FORT SCOTT – The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces their 2023 Annual Dinner & Awards Celebration will take place Thursday, April 20th at the River Room Event Center, 3 W. Oak Street in Downtown Fort Scott.  The theme this year is “Let’s Get Fired Up and Celebrate Our Community!” where the event will be a fun evening of recognizing businesses, organizations, and individuals who make a great impact on Fort Scott and Bourbon County.

All are welcome to attend, and reservations can be made online at fortscott.com/events or by calling the Chamber at 620-223-3566.  The deadline for reservations is Friday, April 14th.  The evening will begin with a social hour and silent auction at 5:30pm, followed by dinner, awards, and live auction at 6:30pm.  Reservations are $40 for individuals and table pricing for a table of eight is $360.  Dinner will be catered by Brickstreet BBQ.

The Chamber is accepting businesses and organizations to decorate tables for advertising and promotion and is also accepting donations for the silent and live auctions.  Contact the Chamber at 620-223-3566 or email [email protected] by Friday, April 14th to make reservations.

 

 

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Creating a Healthier Park with Fire

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Prescribed Fire Planned in April

 

Fort Scott Kan. – Park managers at Fort Scott National Historic Site, in coordination with Fire Managers at the US Fish and Wildlife Service from Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge, plan to burn the five-acre restored prairie this April 2023.  The soonest date will be this Friday, April 7, if conditions are safe and will meet the park’s goals. The specific date and ignition will depend upon weather conditions and the burn may be postponed or canceled if conditions are unfavorable.

 

“We are looking forward to implementing this prescribed fire (Rx) project with the assistance of our interagency neighbors. Our ability to treat the tallgrass prairie with fire enhances the resilience of the ecosystem, results in a more diverse prairie, and provides a better habitat for migratory birds and pollinators.” said Jill Jaworski, Superintendent, Fort Scott National Historic Site. Like all prescribed fires, the plans for the tallgrass prairie Rx contain a set of parameters which define (among other things) the expected weather and fuel conditions under which the fire can be initiated. Prior to implementing the burn, fire managers will evaluate current conditions and will only ignite the fire if all of the prescribed conditions are within those parameters.

 

During typical Rx fire activity, daytime smoke disperses to the northwest, up and over the highway.  Coordination with the City of Fort Scott, Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas State Highway Patrol, and Kansas Department of Transportation is already underway for this prescribed fire.  Smoke impacts or traffic delays on Highway 69 are not expected during the burn.

 

-NPS-

 

Credit Photo: NPS Photo/M. Brenner

Bourbon County, Business

Young Couple Expands Farm Business

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Dacia Clark, Bradie Terry, Jody Hoener, Noah Terry,  Rachel Carpenter and Lindsay Madison pause for a photo at the grant award ceremony on March 22.

Noah, 25, and Bradie Terry, 24, purchased their Bourbon County property in December 2020, after moving from Oregon.

“We were motivated to look further into the homestead lifestyle and wanted to take the knowledge we gained to pass it on to others in the community,” Bradie said. “We quickly realized the importance of knowing where your food comes from and how it is raised or grown. We both did not grow up with any background in agriculture or farming, so everything that you see us doing is learning-as-we-go and applying our time we spent studying these things to gaining hands-on knowledge.”

The name of the homestead business is The Shire, LLC.

“The name, The Shire, derives from a region in J. R. R. Tolkien’s fictional book, The Lord of the Rings,” Bradie said. “In this fictionist world, The Shire is a peaceful, fruitful, community that focuses on agriculture. Which is symbolism of the type of community that we want to build upon in Bourbon County. We are also both pretty short, so we also have the whole ‘hobbit’ thing going for us.”

Submitted photo. Cucumbers.
Submitted photo. Home canned pickles.

“Currently, we have a flock of free-ranged chickens that allow us to sell delicious eggs to the community,” she said.  “We are also growing cucumbers to produce pickles for a local restaurant.”

A picture containing grass, outdoor, outdoor objectDescription automatically generated
Submitted photo. A hen looks over eggs at the Shire.

The farm is located on the southeast side of Fort Scott near Ellis Park.

“We both work on the farm when time allows,” Bradie said. “Currently, my husband is in school and I work a full time job from home. Our goal is to transition one or both of us to working full time on the farm as we grow.”

They are the recipient of a Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT) $10,000 Farmer/Rancher Grant.

“Our plans for the $10,000 farmer/rancher grant is to expand to our bee and dairy cow operation as well as expanding our garden for produce,” she said. “We will have bee hives and will breed our Jersey dairy cows by April of 2023, which will produce honey and raw milk by fall of 2024. The expansion of our garden operation will be done over the course of a couple of years and we hope to have a big greenhouse built by that time. The grant funds will also help us expand our chicken operation in order to have more eggs available to sell.”

One of the Shire cows. Submitted photo.

 

“We will jump into the world of beekeeping and milking our dairy cows within a year, which are two huge farm changes because we haven’t experience this before,” she said.

 

Government, Kansas

Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson

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Caryn Tyson

 

March 31, 2023

 

Too many bills to mention Last week the Senate worked over 75 bills in three days.  It was a grueling schedule.  All of the bills can be found at www.KSLegislature.org  Below are a few highlights from the marathon of legislation.

 

Property Tax was discussed in some detail on the Senate floor regarding a proposed constitutional amendment that I requested, Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 1610.  It would limit property valuations to a maximum 3% increase each year.  According the Revisors office (lawyers), this change must be made in the Constitution.  It was modeled after Oklahoma and Oregon, states that use fair market value systems, similar to Kansas.  A couple of Senators argued that it would take us out of compliance of fair market value and some owners would be paying more because they remodeled or sold their home.  However, the more important argument in support of the 3% limit is why should you be paying higher property taxes if your neighbor sells or remodels their home?  Oklahoma and Oregon have had valuation limits for over 25 years.  It will not break the Kansas system, but it will keep property owners from these massive property tax valuation increases in one year.  It does not stop local governments and schools from increasing your property taxes, via mil levy increases, but it does stop these super-inflated valuation increases and the burden of contesting them.  The SCR must pass both chambers by 2/3 majority.  It failed in the Senate on a vote of 26 to 14.  If one Senator who voted no, will change their vote Monday 4/3/23, it would go to the House for a vote.  It is a step in the right direction for limiting these massive property valuation increases.

 

Freedom from Government Competition is the intent of Senate Bill (SB) 252.  Businesses should not have to compete against their government.  There are government ran businesses in Kansas, creating an unfair advantage and SB 252 would help level the playing field.  If the Department of Revenue decides that your business is competing against a government business in your city then sales and property tax for your business would be exempt.  It passed the Senate 24 to 16.  I voted Yes.

 

Environmental Social Governance (ESG)  is a rating system established to encourage politically charged investments, such as stopping investments in the oil and gas industry.  The Kansas Senate took a major step in prohibiting state agencies and other political subdivisions from giving preferential treatment to or discriminating against companies based on ESG criteria.  I offered an amendment that would prohibit state investments in countries that are known foreign advisories to the U.S., such as China and others.  All investments must be divested within 18 months.  We should have never been invested in these countries.  The amendment passed.  The bill passed the Senate 29 to 11.  I voted Yes.

 

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.

Caryn

 

Ascension Via Christi

Via Christi’s Program To Increase Breastfeeding/Duration Rates Earns Recognition

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Pittsburg’s Ascension Via Christi Hospital

earns High 5 for Mom & Baby recognition

 

Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg has once again earned recognition by High 5 for Mom & Baby, a program developed by the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates in Kansas.

“I’m very proud of our team and the work they do to continue to promote breastfeeding for our moms and babies,” says Janelle Wade, director of Inpatient Services, which includes Women’s Health. “They understand the importance and the health benefits that breastfeeding provides newborns.”

Ascension Via Christi in Pittsburg first received High 5 recognition in 2018 and has maintained it each year since that time. High 5 for Mom & Baby provides resources and a framework to help Kansas hospitals implement 10 evidence-based practices proven to support successful breastfeeding, improve maternal and infant health outcomes and reduce racial and ethnic health disparities.

To obtain recognition, each facility must complete a voluntary and self-reported evaluation and demonstrate that it follows at least five of its 10 evidence-based practices:

  • Have a written maternity care and infant feeding policy that addresses all 10 High 5 for Mom & Baby practices supporting breastfeeding
  • Maintain staff competency in lactation support
  • Provide all expectant mothers with information and instruction on breastfeeding
  • Assure immediate and sustained skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby after birth
  • Provide all families individualized infant feeding counseling
  • Give no food or drink to newborns other than breast milk unless medically indicated
  • Allow mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day
  • Encourage feeding whenever the baby exhibits feeding cues, regardless of feeding methods
  • Give no pacifiers or artificial nipples to breastfeeding infants
  • Provide mothers with information about community resources for breastfeeding support following their discharge from the hospital

These steps are designed to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates in the state of Kansas. Factors that influence how long or if a baby is breastfed include hospital practices, education and encouragement, policies or support in the workplace, and access to community support.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, six out of 10 mothers stopped breastfeeding sooner than they had planned.

“Our goal is to provide the support that mothers and babies need to be successful at breastfeeding,” says Miranda Caskey, RN, the certified lactation consultant who led the hospital’s High 5 for Mom & Baby efforts.

That support is critical, which is why Ascension Via Christi converted its lactation and childbirth education classes to virtual offerings led by a registered nurse and offer them at no cost to parents. Breastfeeding mothers also can schedule in-person follow-up appointments and weight checks with Caskey to help ensure a successful breastfeeding experience.

Learn more about Labor and Delivery or sign up for a class at Ascension Via Christi by visiting viachristibaby.com.

 

 

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About Ascension Via Christi

 

In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400 associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org.

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County Local News