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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports November 1
Increasing Childcare Slots Availability
Childcare providers are able to increase child capacity,
thanks to The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team.
Recent funding from the Bourbon County Childcare Coalition, an initiative formed by The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team in Fort Scott, already is making a big difference to the capacity of local childcare providers at a time when Kansas is facing a childcare crisis.
“A recent survey by the coalition found that 95 percent of adults seeking childcare said they would return to the workforce if they had access to high quality childcare,” said Jody Hoener, HBCAT president and CEO. “Childcare is incredibly important not just to our economy, but to the wellbeing of our families.”
The survey found that individuals seeking care for their children are on an average of nearly three waitlists and have been for more than 23 weeks.
This fall, HBCAT was awarded a $45,000 grant from Child Care Aware of Kansas and an additional $3,500 from the Patterson Family Foundation to address capacity.
Within just a few weeks, those funds had been passed on to the coalition, which worked with local providers to understand what they needed to be able to create new slots.
“Ultimately, with the help of this grant, childcare providers will be able to increase 51 childcare slots,” said Rachel Carpenter, HBCAT executive director.
Of the funding, $32,000 is being spent on capacity-building equipment and materials at numerous providers.
Among them: Lana’s Daycare, owned by Lana Beerbower, where the funding was used to buy a larger refrigerator, which increased food storage to accommodate additional children.
The daycare also was able to expand activity spaces to accommodate additional children through the purchase of an outdoor playhouse, activity table, play mat, drawing mat, and carpet.
For Tiny Tots, owned by Susie Castleberry, it was used to buy a bigger food pantry, additional individual cubbies for childrens’ belongings, and an extended playground with safety fencing.
“That will enable us to increase our slots because we can have play areas for both toddlers and older children, and we’ll be able to have more food on hand to serve them,” Castleberry said. “It will help us comply with regulations and serve more children safely.”
“We’re grateful and super excited,” she said. “We’ve been wanting to be able to help more families.”
At Happy Kids Daycare, owned by Lindsay Knopp and Afton Brown, funding was used for curriculum and staff training, as well as salaries for additional employment.
“This means the ability to serve more children in a more impactful way, and for our teachers to have the tools they need to be effective,” Knopp said.
“Having a proven curriculum and early intervention to use with the children we serve is huge for them. It’s a building block that will better prepare them for school with modules in social, emotional, and academic areas, and in daily skills that will prepare them for success.”
Funding also will be spent by the coalition on a new provider recruitment coordinator ($2,000) and on quarterly training for providers, including materials and keynote speakers ($11,000).
About The HBCAT
The mission of The HBCAT is to increase access to healthy food and physical activity, promote commercial tobacco cessation, enhance quality of life and encourage economic growth. The problems of health inequity and social injustice are complex in nature and inextricably linked to key economic indicators. A healthy workforce is a prerequisite for economic success in any industry and in all cities.
The HBCAT formed the Bourbon County Childcare Coalition to bring high quality, affordable childcare to the county.
HBCAT is building up the childcare infrastructure, which is a critical piece to workforce development. Affordable childcare will open opportunities for individuals to use The HBCAT’s services at the Center for Economic Growth.
As a result, they will have access to career opportunities through Southeast KANSASWORKS or to create economic stability through starting a business through PSU Small Business Development Center.
Learn more at HBCAT.org. Find HBCAT on Facebook at facebook.com/HealthyBBCo/
Chamber Coffee on Nov. 2: Be The Light Boutique Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting
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Keeping Safe at Halloween
Kids may have to bundle up for the scariest night of the year tonight because of cold weather, and Fort Scott Police Chief Jason Pickert gives parents some other tips to keep them safe.
“Fortunately, there are lots of easy things parents and kids can do to stay safe on the spookiest of holidays,” Pickert said.
Here is his list:
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Carry glow sticks or flashlights, use reflective tape or stickers on costumes and bags, and wear light colors to help kids see and be seen by drivers.
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Don’t let little ones walk by themselves. Make sure they are joined by an older sibling or an adult for trick-or-treating.
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Remind kids to cross the street at corners or crosswalks.
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When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls. Choose face paint over masks when possible. Masks can limit children’s vision.
- Drivers – Slow down and be alert! Kids are excited on Halloween and may dart into the street. Turn on headlights early in the day to spot kids from further away.
Safety Advocates Offer Tips to Protect Your Children this Halloween
Safe Kids Kansas, the Kansas Poison Center, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal remind families to make safety part of their fall festivity planning.
“On average, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a vehicle and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year, according to a press release from Safe Kids Kansas. “Drivers need to slow down and be extra alert, especially in neighborhoods, as there will be more children on the streets and sidewalks – and those kids may be focused on gathering candy and the excitement of the holiday rather than being careful while crossing streets.”
“Review safety rules with your kids before they leave the house,” according to the release. “Trick-or-treaters are often out when it’s dark and more difficult for drivers to see them. Children younger than age 12 should not be crossing streets alone on Halloween without an adult or responsible teenager.”
It’s a good idea for children to have a cell phone with them in case of an emergency, but remind them to pay attention to their surroundings, and not be distracted by texting or talking on the phone, said Cherie Sage with Safe Kids Kansas.
“Parents and kids should also be careful with candy,” according to the release. “It’s best to check sweets before children are allowed to eat them. Only eat treats in original and unopened wrappers. Also, be aware kids are in candy-seeking mode, so keep medicine locked up and away, and keep the Poison Help Line programmed into your phone: 800-222-1222.”
“According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly half of home structure fires happened because decorations were too close to a heat source,” according to the press release. “Most of these incidents were started by candles. Play it safe and use battery-powered candles or lights. Remember to make sure your family has working smoke alarms on every level of your home and inside and outside every sleeping room.”
Safety tips from these organizations:
Decorate Safely
- Keep flammable materials such as hay bales, corn stalks and paper decorations away from heat and flame sources, like candles, light bulbs and heaters.
- Use battery-operated candles in jack-o-lanterns and when decorating pathways and yards.
- Set a reminder to blow out any candles and unplug lights at the end of the evening.
- Talk to your teens who may be attending parties and haunted houses to look for the exits and have a way out in case of an emergency.
- If using dry-ice, make sure you use gloves or tongs when handling it and do not put it in cups where it could be swallowed and cause severe burns.
Walk Safely
- Stick to sidewalks or paths. Don’t walk through neighbors’ yards, as there may be a hazard you can’t see.
- If there are no sidewalks along your street, walk on the road facing traffic as far to left as possible.
- Always stop and look before you cross the street, and cross at corners using signals and crosswalks whenever possible. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing.
For more tips on how to keep kids safe on Halloween and throughout the year, visit safekids.org.
Eagle Road Closed Until November 6
Please be advised, Eagle Road in Bourbon County will remain closed until Monday, November 6, from US 69 Hwy to 230th Rd.
Submitted by Becky Robertson
Bourbon County Public Works
Highlights from the USD 234 Board of Education Meeting Last Evening
Unified School District 234
424 South Main
Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697
620-223-0800 Fax 620-223-2760
DESTRY BROWN
Superintendent
BOARD OF EDUCATION SPECIAL MEETING
NEWS RELEASE
Monday, October 30, 2023
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, October 30, 2023, for a special meeting at the board office.
President David Stewart opened the meeting.
The board went into an executive session for personnel matters.
President Stewart adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT
October 30, 2023
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
Caitlin Shrewsbury – Resignation – Eugene Ware – End of school year
TRANSFERS/REASSIGNMENTS/LEAVE OF ABSENCE:
For the 2023-24 school year:
Certified:
Abigail Duffy – Eugene Ware – Leave of Absence
EMPLOYMENT:
Classified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:
Justin Eichenberger – Part Time Paraprofessional – Fort Scott High School
Rhonda Hoener – Special Education Instructional Aide/Paraprofessional – Eugene Ware
Brad Matkin – Business Manager
Ascension Via Christi to close Emergency Department in Fort Scott on Dec. 20
Ascension Via Christi will cease operations at its emergency department in Fort Scott on Wednesday, Dec. 20. This decision was made after a thorough analysis of trend data, patient census, and the current and future challenges and opportunities facing this facility.
Over the past several years, a multidisciplinary team that includes Ascension Via Christi clinical and operational leaders have been working together to understand the current operating environment at the Emergency Department in Fort Scott. This department has seen a steady decline in visits and its overall average daily census. These factors, coupled with other economic challenges, have limited the emergency department’s ability to continue operations.
“After exploring the options available, it was clear that this was the only option for us. There are other providers in the region positioned to serve the residents of Fort Scott and neighboring communities. These providers will help us ensure continuity of care for our patients as we approach closure,” says Drew Talbott, president of Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg.
Ascension Via Christi is committed to supporting associates, patients and community members through this transition.
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About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and nearly 80 other sites of care and employs approximately 6,200 associates. In FY2023, Ascension Via Christi provided more than $65 million in community benefit programs. 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.
Key Industries Annual Warehouse Sale Is Nov. 18 through 25
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Holiday Open House Shopping Event Downtown & Around Thursday, November 9th, 5-8pm
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces the Annual Holiday Open House Shopping event, Downtown & Around in Fort Scott. The main event will take place Thursday, November 9th from 5-8pm with festive refreshments, drawings & deals for you to enjoy and get you in the Holiday spirit! Then, Open House will continue Friday & Saturday, November 10th &11th. On Thursday the trolley will be going store to store from 5-8pm so you can shop & ride!
There will be spirited holiday shopping at nearly 20 participating retailers including 110 South Main, Angie Dawn’s Boutique, Barbed Wire & Roses, Bartelsmyers Jewelry, Better in Bourbon, Be The Light Boutique, Bids & Dibs, Flint + Fray, Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore, Iron Star, Laree + Co, Long Creek Outfitters, Papa Dons, Ruddicks Furniture, Sekan, Shirt Shack, Sunshine Boutique, The Artificers, and The Beauty Lounge. Don’t forget to enter your name at each store for a chance to win $50 in Chamber Bucks!
Visit fortscott.com or the Chamber Facebook page for more details. Get out for the Annual Holiday Open House Shopping Event Thursday, November 9th through Saturday the 11th in Fort Scott.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Oct. 31
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Newsletter
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