
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
|

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
|

According to Kansas Renewal Institute Chief Operating Officer T.J. Denning, information is not flowing between the Bourbon County Commission and K.R.I.
Denning spoke to the commission on September 30 at their regular meeting.
K.R.I. is in negotiations with Legacy Health Foundation to take ownership of the former Mercy Hospital building at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd.
He told the commission that he “needs to be in the loop” in talks with Legacy Health Foundation and the commission.
Apparently, the negotiations are at a standstill between Legacy and K.R.I.
Denning told the commission that they are trying to get the Emergency Department opened at the facility.
“I have a concern that we still don’t have an update on the equipment donated to you, as the county. There is a list of things that aren’t there, there is a list of things that have to be fixed in order for Freeman (Health System) to come here. We don’t have answers,” Denning said.
Bourbon County Commission Chairman Jim Harris said “We think we have a lot of things resolved as of this morning. We just can’t talk publically yet. That’s what the County Counselor told me.”
“I’m pulling the license and also managing everything that is going on for that to happen,” he told them. “I have already signed contracts for service agreements to make this happen, basically at the will of everybody else.”
“Also, I don’t know where we are with the building purchase,” he said. “K.R.I. is in the process of negotiating and is ready to take ownership of the building through Legacy but I haven’t heard anything back. You said the tax deal was all worked out…I need some answers to carry on our business and make things happen. We’ve invested a ton of money into that facility and constantly going through CMS inspections…along with the fire marshall inspection on a building that isn’t in our name yet.”
CMS means Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, according to usa.gov.
Harris said that they could possibly have discussions with Legacy and “go forward.”
“I came here and tried to build partnerships with everybody else and be an open book,” Denning said. “I am local to Nevada (MO) and am passionate about rural communities. I’ve also got a ton of employees and I am passionate about their success. I need this information so I can make sure that we are established and here for a long time.”
“We will work hard to get you the info you need and I want to thank you personally as a citizen and the commission of what you’ve done for us here in Bourbon County,” Harris said.

Commissioner Brandon Whisenhunt asked how soon the commission could get the info to Denning.

Harris said he would appoint Commissioner Clifton Beth, who has been working with Legacy, to talk to them right away.
Denning said he needed answers before the end of this week.
“By the end of this week, I have to have drawings between Freeman (Health System) and myself, stamped and signed and sent into CMS,” Denning said.

“I don’t have a problem reaching out,” Beth said. “But they are a private company.”
“We’ll try,” Harris said. “We want you here.”
A Little History of Legacy and K.R.I
Here is the Legacy Health Foundation agreement with the Bourbon County Commission: Donation-Agreement-Corrected
In the referenced November 17, 2022 donation agreement above the county donated the Mercy property to Legacy Health Foundation along with $2 million dollars.
To view prior features on K.R.I. at the facility:
https://fortscott.biz/news/kansas-renewal-institute-repurposes-mercy-hospital

The Tucker Family Band will present their ’24 Comeback Special at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 12, held in the Fort Scott River Room, 3 W. Oak Street (upstairs with elevator access). Doors open at 6:15 p.m.
The TFB is comprised of Carolyn Tucker (keys and vocals) Fort Scott; daughter Mariam Tucker Self (lead vocals and saxophone) Peculiar, MO; son Aaron Tucker (drums and vocals) Asbury, MO; cousin Jessie Bergen (electric bass) Anderson, MO; and J Williams (lead guitar) Columbus, KS. Kitten Lagoon from Anderson, MO, is the sound engineer and emcee. There is no admission fee; tips are appreciated.
The Band is excited to come back “bigger and better” to the River Room. Carolyn Tucker explains, “’Bigger’ means we’re doing a two-part show this time with Elvis gospel in the first half, and then our favorite ‘70s Elvis songs for the second half. ‘Better’ means our sound equipment is new state-of-the-art and we’ve added stage lighting. We’re calling our show ‘24 Comeback Special after the televised ’68 Comeback Special that Elvis performed after he concluded his movies contract.”
“All these musicians have been playing or singing since they were youngsters,” concert-series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “So when all their experience, talent, and camaraderie unites together, the band is really tight. The fun they have on stage is contagious. You won’t want to miss this free energy-packed show.”
The venue fee is sponsored by the following local businesses: Diehl Banwart Bolton CPAs PA, Cheney Witt Funeral Chapel, and Varia Quality Resale Clothing Shop. The concert is sanctioned by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce and promoted by Carlson.

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KDHE Reminds Kansans to be Aware as Respiratory Virus Season Approaches
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) would like to remind Kansans as we approach the respiratory virus season to remain aware of symptoms, preventative measures and when to seek medical treatment.
Every year, respiratory viruses such as influenza (flu), COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and pneumococcal disease cause hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths during the fall and winter virus season.
“We know the risk of contracting and spreading respiratory viruses will increase as we move into the fall and winter months,” KDHE Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dereck Totten said. “It is imperative that people follow common-sense preventative measures and consider getting a vaccine, especially if they fall into a high-risk category.”
Getting an immunization is an important preventative measure against respiratory viruses. Vaccines are available for all three major fall and winter respiratory diseases – flu, COVID-19, and RSV (for groups eligible for RSV immunization). In addition, pneumococcal vaccines are recommended for children younger than five years, adults, 65 years and older, and individuals at an increased risk for pneumococcal disease.
Kansas will receive approximately $780,000 from the federal government this year to cover about 9,380 COVID-19 doses for uninsured and underinsured adults. These doses will be equitably distributed across Kansas to Local Health Departments, Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Clinics, and other vaccination locations to help provide vaccine coverage to uninsured and underinsured adults in Kansas.
While anyone can become sick from common respiratory viruses like COVID-19, flu, RSV, and pneumococcal disease, some individuals have risk factors that can increase their chances of getting a severe illness.
Groups of people at a higher risk for respiratory illnesses
If you believe you may have a respiratory virus (if you feel sick or tested positive for one) and you have risk factors for severe illness, seek health care right away for testing and/or treatment.
If you test positive for the flu or COVID-19, treatment may be an option to make your symptoms less severe and shorten the time you are sick. Treatment should be started within a few days of when your symptoms begin.
Examples of respiratory virus symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny or stuffy nose, decrease in appetite, sore throat, vomiting, new loss of taste or smell, headache, muscle or body aches, diarrhea, and/or weakness.
Keep in mind:
For more information on respiratory viruses from KDHE read here.
Read here for more information on respiratory viruses from the CDC.
###

On Wednesday, Oct. 2, the Kansas Department of Transportation plans to begin resurfacing work on U.S. 54 in Allen County. The work will start at the east city limits of LaHarpe and continue east for 12.3 miles to end at the Bourbon County line.
The contractor will place ultra-thin bonded asphalt surfacing on the roadway. Flaggers and a pilot car will direct one-lane traffic through the work zone. Expect delays of 15 minutes or less during weekday daylight hours until early November.
KDOT awarded the $1.7 million construction contract to Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka. Check KDOT’s updated traveler information website, www.Kandrive.gov, for more highway condition and construction details. Persons with questions may contact Construction Manager Warren Ebberts at (620) 901-6549 or Public Information Officer Priscilla Petersen at (620) 902-6433.

|
|
|
|
| Gordon Parks Museum invites you to take part in the 21st Annual Celebration
This weekend ~ October 3rd-5th! |
|
|
| The Celebration kicks off with the Chamber Coffee hosted by the Gordon Parks Museum, Thursday, October 3rd, 8am ~ everyone welcome!
The 21st Annual event will include photo exhibits, poetry contest/exhibit, sign and mural display, films, a special Gordon Parks themed trolley tour & more! Friday will feature the Celebration Dance Party with “Full Flava Kings”, see below for more details. Saturday will feature the Celebration Tribute Dinner with the presentation of the Choice of Weapons Awards along with the presentation of the Learning Tree Award to Arnold Schofield and the late Daryl Roller. The Choice of Weapons Conversation, Premier Screening of the documentary I Needed Paris and the free Lunch and Learn events on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Tickets are available at the Gordon Parks Museum, online at gordonparkcenter.org, or call 620-223-2700 ext. 5850 Click here for the Gordon Parks Museum website and a list of detailed events. |
|
|
| Click here to download a printable copy of the schedule of events linked below. |
![]() |
|
|
|
A highlight this year is the “Celebration Dance Party” featuring The Full Flava Kings at the Liberty Theatre. The Full Flava Kings from Tulsa, Oklahoma are one of the best party bands in the region. |
![]() |
| A special thank you to our Chamber Champion members! |
![]() |
|
||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
1st District Commissioner
2nd District Commissioner
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
September 30, 2024 5:30 p.m.
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.