Bourbon County

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Sept. 8, 2025

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The north wing, east side of the Bourbon County Courthouse.

Bourbon County Commission Agenda – September 8, 2025

09.08.25 Agenda copy

Meeting Details:

  • Date: September 8, 2025
  • Time: 5:30 PM
  • Location: Bourbon County Commission Chambers, 210 S National Ave., Bourbon County, Kansas

Agenda Outline

I. Call Meeting to Order

II. Discussion of meeting limits – Beerbower

III. Approval of Agenda

IV. Approval of Minutes 08/25/25 & 08/29/25

V. Consent Agenda

* Approval of 09.05.25 Accounts Payable Totaling $308,641.44

* Approval of 09.05.25 Payroll Totaling $326,473.16

VI. Lora Holdridge – Budget Question

VII. Executive Session: Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b) (1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.

VIII. Public Comments for Items Not on The Agenda

IX. Old Business

* Mapleton Road – Beerbower

* Phone System – Beerbower

* Software program – Beerbower

* Stronghold

* FSACF Grant – Beerbower

* Security Camera’s – Beerbower

* Craw-Kan

* Elm Creek Quarry

* Freeman Agreement

X. New Business

* North Crawford St. – Beerbower

* Eagle Road – Beerbower

* 95th Street South of Unique – ROD & Security 1st

* Opioid Settlement

* Planning Commission Selection Process

* Agenda – Clerk

XI. Commission Comments

XII. Adjournment

Bourbon County, Business

Local Business Personalizes Items For Clients: TAOS, LLC

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Scott and Ashley Shelton, with their children. Submitted photo.
TOAS, LLC is a new family-owned local business that provides custom laser-engraved items with the customer’s design.
“Toas is the first initial of the names in our family,” said Scott Shelton, co-owner with his wife, Ashley, of the business.
“We provide a wide array of products,” he said.  “From hats, cups, keychains, insulated can sleeves, pet collars, bottle openers, fridge magnets, wood products, signs, and more.  We also make stained glass items.”
They have the industrial laser machine at their rural residence and share duties when they are not working their full-time jobs.
A customized dog collar from its Facebook page.
“We offer products for the folks of Bourbon County and beyond to promote their business, support their teams, or anything they would like to express.”
From its Facebook page.
” I started the business as an additional revenue stream and income for when I retire from the fire department in a few years,” he said.
“We keep our Facebook page ( https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558839424305 )updated with everything we’ve made currently.  That’s the best place to see what kind of items we offer.”
Contact info: 620-215-1874 or [email protected] or
toasdesigns.com.
From its Facebook page.

Scott Shelton is a full-time fireman with the Fort Scott Fire Department, and Ashley works full-time in an accounting office.

 

K-State Extension

Feeling Stretched as a Caregiver? by Tara Solomon-Smith

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Tara Soloman-Smith, Family and Wellness Agent, Sunflower District of Kansas State University’s Extension Office. Submitted photo.

Feeling Stretched as a Caregiver?

It’s a fact, caregivers have higher levels of stress than non-caregivers. If you are serving as a caregiver to a loved one, I want you to know you are fulfilling a valuable role! I also want you to know that it is ok to take care of yourself, too. We can help with that!

In partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association, K-State Extension is providing an Empowered Caregivers two-part series. This program is designed to help reduce stress, build a caregiver foundation, support independence, communicate effectively, balance life, increase the ability to make tough decisions, and locate helpful resources.

Free meal and classes will be held on Tuesdays, October 7th and 14th, from 6:00-8:00 pm Register by calling 620-244-3826.

While we can’t stop stress from occurring, we can help manage it. Too much stress, especially over a long time, can harm your health. You may not get enough sleep or physical activity, or eat a balanced diet, which increases your risk of medical problems.

The following are some ideas to help you manage your caregiver stress:

  • Take a break from caregiving. Take a walk or meet up with a friend. Do something not related to caregiving.
  • Get support. Attend a support group, have a friend you can call just to let off steam, or look for community resources.
  • Relax. Read a book, meditate, pray, garden, knit, take a long bath.
  • Take care of your health. Go to the doctor, get routine exams and flu shots, get enough sleep, and eat your fruits and vegetables. 
  • Change “guilt” to “regret.” Guilt means you did something wrong, regret means that you are in a difficult situation, and sometimes you have to make difficult decisions, but they are not wrong.
  • Forgive yourself—often. You cannot be a perfect caregiver all day, every day.
  • Ask for and accept help when offered. No one can do this alone. We often don’t know what to say when someone offers help. Prepare for this and create a task list to have ready. When someone asks you if they can help, refer to your list and say “YES.” Let them choose which task on the list they would like to do!
  • And finally….Laugh. Find ways to keep your sense of humor on a daily basis.

For more information, please contact Tara Solomon-Smith, [email protected], 620-244-3826.

Bourbon County

Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition Meeting Minutes

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Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition

General Membership Meeting Minutes

 

September 3, 2025

 

 

  1.  Welcome: Twenty-three members representing sixteen agencies attended the meeting held at the Scottview Apartments Conference Room.

 

 

  1.  Member Introductions and Announcements:
  • Janice Durbin – Head Start- Head Start provides home-based and center-based education services to children up to age 5.
  • Cheyanne Bolin – Head Start
  • Theresa Amershek – Child Exchange & Visitation Center (Safehouse)
  • Ana Salas, Advocate – Safehouse Pittsburg
  • Dave Gillen – Beacon – The Beacon provides food assistance, hygiene items, taxi passes, gas vouchers, and financial aid. The Beacon is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00-1:00.  The Beacon served 20 new families in August, and provided $2743 in financial assistance.
  • Bryan Cook, Crisis Team Director – Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center
  • Kym Hargrove, Manager of Adult Services- Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center
  • Christa Vaughn, Children’s Case Management Services Team Lead – Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center
  • April Jackson – SEK Recovery Resources & Thrive Allen County – Provide services to aid harm reduction, such as: naloxone, fentanyl test strips. These can be found in the vending machine outside the Bourbon County Health Dept.
  • Christine Abott- SE KANSASWORKS – Staff are in the Fort Scott office (located in HBCAT building) on Tuesdays.  They can provide help with resume building, GED, and job searches.  SE KANSASWORKS is always looking for clients who need assistance with training.  The CDL program is running in Fort Scott.  KANASWORKS can assist with the cost of the program.
  • Stephanie Breckenridge – Bourbon County Response Advocate- Stephanie works in homes to keep children safe
  • Star Culp – Parents as Teachers – PAT recently added an additional educator in Bourbon County, so more spots are available.
  • Patty Simpson – Fort Scott Housing Authority – FSHA has 190 income-based apartments. All units are currently full, and there is a short waiting list of approximately 1-3 months.
  • Kathy Romero – Angels Home Health – Angels Home Health serves five counties in SEK. They have specialty programs that most other companies do not have.  Angels Home Health and Medicalodge will be hosting a Senior Expo in Crawford County from 9:00-1:00 on September 24th.  The Expo will take place at the Pittsburg YMCA.  They are hoping to do another Senior Expo in Bourbon County in the future.
  • Cherri Walrod, Community Health Worker – K-State Extension – Cherri can assist clients with the SNAP app, medical paperwork, and fill in gaps in services. Cherri leads a support group for parents with special needs kids.  She helps find resources for kids with special needs. Her position is grant-funded through the end of the year.
  • Michelle Stevenson – Fort Scott Early Childhood Program- FSECP is funded by the Early Childhood Block Grant. Michelle works with families prenatal-6.  She assists with tracking development and offers early learning activities.  Michelle is a resource for parents and can help connect families with additional resources as needed.
  • Janelle Tate – Early Childhood Block Grant
  • Kelli Mengarelli – Family Resource Center/Early Childhood Block Grant – ECBG works with preschools and childcare providers in six counties in SEK.
  • Dee Dee LeFever, Community Liaison – Greenbush
  • Kathy Brennon – SEK Area Agency on Aging – SEK AAA is hosting an Aging=Living Event for seniors and their families. The event will take place from 9:00-3:00 on October 22 in Chanute.  Topics will include legal tips for fraud and scam prevention, a Golden Bats exercise demo, and a meal.  The fee for the event is $10.
  • Shanda Stewart- Clear Path Recovery Center- Clear Path is an adult recovery center in Nevada, MO. Doors will open on September 10.  Clear Path will be one of only a few centers in the area to provide medical detox services.  Patients will be able to stay up to 30 days.  Clear Path will start with 8 beds, with plans to expand to 30 beds in the future. They will offer coed services where couples can recover together.

 

 

 

  1.  Program:  Shanda Stewart & Abby Stepps – Kansas Renewal Institute-

 

Kansas Renewal Institute is a Psychiatric Rehabilitation Treatment Facility in the old Mercy Hospital building.  KRI is not a detention center like the one in Girard. KRI opened in January of 2024 and accepted its first resident on May 13, 2024.  They have served approximately 160 children since that time.  KRI is licensed to serve children ages  8-22.  Kids are now initially approved for 60 days, and the average stay is about 158 days.   54 kids are currently attending KRI, which has a capacity of 58 beds. The original contract with the state of Kansas limited students to Kansas residents only; now, about 90% of kids are from Kansas, but KRI can take kids from all states.  KRI currently employs about 125 people. Kids live in the facility full-time, so  Abby makes sure kids are entertained in healthy ways.  Kids belong to multiple groups, one being an activity group.  Staff try to integrate kids into community activities and have guests come into the facility to interact with kids. Kids go to the movie theater once a month, and are going bowling later this month. USD 234 provides education services on-site. School takes place Monday through Thursday from 8:30-3:30. Students participate in Individualized learning online through USD 234, teachers and paras are on-site.  Students also attend special classes such as music, art, PE.   KRI is working with Freeman to add acute care services.  This would provide an additional  8 beds for kids in crisis.  Kids would be served one-on-one on a case-by-case basis for a few days. KRI employs therapists, nurse practitioners, case managers, behavioral health techs, housekeeping staff, and kitchen staff.   The community has been very gracious with donations, and they are very appreciated.  Check the Kansas Renewal Institute’s Facebook page to learn more about what is going on at the facility.

 

 

  1.  Open Forum:  Nothing further came before the membership.

 

 

  1.  Adjournment:  The next General Membership meeting will be October 1, 2025. 
Elections, Government

U.S. Congressman Derek Schmidt Newsletter

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Rep. Derek Schmidt's header image

Friends,

 

After a productive August meetings with constituents throughout our Second District, Congress reconvened this week to continue our work on behalf of the American people.

Unleashing American Energy Production

This week, the focus on the House floor was continuing to reduce regulatory burdens on our energy producers, as well as passing the Energy & Water appropriations bill that continues to invest in American natural resource production while cutting the bloated federal bureaucracy.

The House this week passed resolutions overturning three additional Biden-era regulations that hampered energy producers in Montana, North Dakota and Alaska. We have now passed 20 resolutions overturning burdensome regulations from the Biden Administration using the authority of the Congressional Review Act. I hope that we continue to use this tool to undo more regulations that stifle our economy and place incredible compliance costs on our small businesses.

In addition, the House passed the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which provides funding for our national security, energy research, and other key infrastructure programs. The bill reduces spending by more than $766 million from the prior year, as we continue the critical work of reducing the federal deficit.

Working Families Tax Cuts — No Tax on Tips

This week, as we marked Labor Day, the Treasury Department rolled out its list of nearly 70 different occupations that will be eligible for the “No Tax on Tips” deduction that was enacted as part of the Working Families Tax Cut package passed earlier this summer.
Washington Examiner: About 70 professions will qualify for Trump’s ‘No Tax on Tips’ deduction: Treasury

Kansas Visits

Before returning to Washington, I wrapped up the August District Work Period with a few remaining stops in Kansas, including joining my colleagues Rep. Tracey Mann (KS-01) and Rep. Ron Estes (KS-04) speaking to the Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association about the pro-energy policies we have enacted in the first half of the year. In addition, I toured the Mars production facility in Topeka, which employs more than 400 people.
Rep. Schmidt speaks to the Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association.
Rep. Schmidt at the Topeka Mars facility

Next week, the House is scheduled to consider the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the annual bill which authorizes funding for our entire military. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I’m proud to have been a part of the work of putting this bill together — which contains numerous wins for Kansas, including protecting medical facilities in Kansas from downsizing, including Irwin Army Community Hospital at Fort Riley; and preserving the National Simulation Center at Fort Leavenworth. I’m looking forward to the bill receiving strong, bipartisan support on the House floor.
Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda Packet for Sept. 8

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BOURBON COUNTY,
KANSAS
Bourbon County Commission Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Chambers, 210 S National Ave.
September 08, 2025, 5:30 PM
I. Call Meeting to Order
• Roll Call
• Pledge of Allegiance
• Prayer
II. Discussion of meeting limits-Beerbower
III. Approval of Agenda
IV. Approval of Minutes 08/25/25 & 08/29/25
V. Consent Agenda
• Approval of 09.05.25Accounts Payable Totaling $308,641.44
• Approval of 09.05.25 Payroll Totaling $326,473.16
VI. Lora Holdridge-Budget Question
VII. Executive Session: Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected
personnel to protect their privacy. Tran
VIII. Public Comments for Items Not on The Agenda
IX. Old Business
• Mapleton Road – Beerbower
• Phone System -Beerbower
• Software program – Beerbower
• Stronghold
• FSACF Grant – Beerbower
• Security Camera’s – Beerbower
• Craw-Kan
• Elm Creek Quarry
• Freeman Agreement
X. New Business
• North Crawford St. – Beerbower
• Eagle Road – Beerbower
• 95th Street South of Unique – ROD & Security 1st
• Opioid Settlement
• Planning Commission Selection Process
• Agenda-Clerk
XI. Commission Comments
XII. Adjournment _____________
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS – FORM OF MOTION
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body of agency which would be deemed
privileged in the attorney-client relationship
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in
consultation with the representatives of the body or agency
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations,
partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of acquisition of real estate
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at
an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures
The subject to be discussed during executive session: ________________________________________
State persons to attend
Open session will resume at _____ A.M./P.M. in the commission chambers.

9.5.25(1

rCICCouncilRptAll CLERK(1)

Fort Scott Community College, Government

The FSCC Trustees Will Hold a Mock HLC Accreditation Visit on Sept. 8

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The FSCC Board of Trustees will hold a special board meeting on Monday, September 8 from 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm in the Cleaver-Boileau-Burris Agriculture Building to participate in a mock Higher Learning Commission Accreditation visit.  No action will be taken during this time.

 

Juley McDaniel

Director of Human Resources

Fort Scott Community College

Fort Scott Community College

Move for Mental Health Is Sept. 9 at the Ellis Fine Arts Center from 5-7pm

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member

Fort Scott Community College

Invites you to

Move for Mental Health

September 9th, 2025

The event will start on the North side of the Ellis Fine Arts Center

5-7pm

 Join Fort Scott Community College students, staff, and community members to come together and walk in support of mental health awareness. Participants are encouraged to collect donations per lap walked—100% of the proceeds will directly fund student mental health resources at FSCC.

Click HERE to follow Fort Scott Community College’s Facebook Page!

Click HERE to follow the Move for Mental Health

Facebook Event Page for details!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
Area News, Health Care

A Senior Living Conference: October 22 in Chanute

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Anna Methvin, Director of NMRMC Foundation talking about the Green Living Program.
Submitted photo.
Picture 2 is Melanie Smith, SHICK Coordinator. Providing information about Medicare programs.

 

Aging = Living Conference Offers Resources, Education, and Inspiration for Seniors and Their Families

The Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging (SEKAAA) invites seniors, caregivers, and families to attend the Aging = Living Conference, a one-day event dedicated to helping older adults live life to the fullest. The conference will be held on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the SEK Impact Center, 1500 W. 7th Street, Chanute, Kansas.

The Aging = Living Conference will feature expert speakers, interactive workshops, and resource booths covering a wide range of topics, including healthy aging, financial planning, home safety, community resources, and ways to stay active and engaged. Attendees will have opportunities to connect with local organizations, discover services available in Southeast Kansas, and take part in meaningful discussions about aging well.

Registration Information:

  • Mail: SEKAAA – Aging = Living, P.O. Box J, Chanute, KS 66720
  • Online: www.sekaaa.com
  • Phone: 620-431-2980
  • Cost: $10.00

Admission includes access to all sessions, resource fair, lunch, and materials. Early registration is encouraged to ensure space availability.

“Aging is living – it’s about embracing every chapter of life with purpose, joy, and the right support,” said Kathy Brennon, CEO of SEKAAA. “This conference is designed to empower our seniors and their families with tools, connections, and inspiration to make the most of every day.”

Whether you are planning for your own future, caring for a loved one, or simply interested in learning more about resources for aging well, the Aging = Living Conference is a valuable opportunity to learn, connect, and be inspired.

About SEKAAA
The Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging is committed to improving the quality of life for older adults and their families through advocacy, education, and access to community resources. Serving 10 counties in Southeast Kansas, SEKAAA provides services that promote independence, dignity, and well-being.

 Melanie Smith, SHICK Coordinator. Providing information about Medicare programs.
Fort Scott

What’s Happening in Fort Scott Sept. 5 Edition

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What’s Happening in Fort Scott! September 5th Weekly Newsletter

Fort Scott Town-Wide Garage Sale

Click HERE to register your sale!

Want to advertise your business on the map?! For ONLY $35!!

Contact us at 620-223-3566 or [email protected]

SAVE THE DATE!

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber Coffees

Every Thursday at 8am

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

________________

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Visit your National Park! Visitor Center and historic buildings are open Friday through Tuesday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. The grounds continue to be open daily from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset

** Guided tours Saturday & Sunday 10am & 1pm! **

Click HERE to visit the website.

Click here to see all the FUN classes at The Artificers, classes for ALL ages!

Fort Scott Farmers Market

Saturdays | 8am-noon & Tuesdays | 4-6pm

Gathering Square Pavilion, 111 N. National

BINGO hosted by the American Legion Post 25 every 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month unless it falls on a holiday. Doors open at 6pm and Bingo starts at 7pm at Memorial Hall. (Taking the month of August off for BINGO & will start again in September)

KANSASWORKS in Fort Scott

Every Tuesday 9am-4pm

Office located at the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, 104 N. National Ave.

620-231-4250

FS Public Library

*Wednesday Writers every Wed. @ 1:30-3pm

201 S. National Ave.

Kansas Small Business Development Center

at the Chamber, 231 E. Wall St.

Every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 9am-4pm.

Dolly Trolley Historic 50-min narrated tours!

Adults $6 | Children 12&under $4

Call 620-223-3566 or stop in the Chamber at

231 E. Wall St. to book your ride!

$3 Tuesdays at Fort Cinema!

Follow their Facebook Page HERE for updates!

UPCOMING EVENTS

9/5 ~ 6pm | Roy Hyer LIVE at Mi Ranchito

9/5 ~ 6-9pm | Artist Opening Reception Show at The Artificers

feat. Debra Hart & Jim Simpson

Click HERE to sign up!

9/5 ~ 6-8:30pm | 1st Annual Youth Deer Camp

9/5 ~ NO FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT

IN THE PARK

9/6 ~ 7:30am-12pm | FSHS Flight of Honor Breakfast @ FSHS Cafeteria

9/6 ~ | Kansas Rocks Adopt-A-Trail Work Day

9/6 ~ 1:30-4pm | Master Art Class

by Debra Hart & Jim Simpson

@ The Artificers

Click HERE to sign up!

9/6 ~ 5-8pm | PEO Sisterhood Trivia Fundraiser

@ Liberty Theatre

9/6 ~ 5-11pm | 2nd Annual Jim Meech Agri-Med Crisis Fundraiser

*Raffle, Chicken Dinner, Auction, & Dance

@ Memorial Hall – 1 E. 3rd. St

Click HERE for the FB Event Page!

9/6 ~ 8pm-Midnight | Sharky’s Pub & Grub

Dress your favorite Album Cover Party

Recreate your fav outfit or look from an album cover, Karaoke, and Live DJ!

9/8 ~ 4-6pm | Car Show hosted by the Fort Scott Presbyterian Village

2401 S. Horton St.

9/9 ~ 5-8pm | Brickstreet BBQ & Grille

Family Game Night

Kids Eat for $2 every Tuesday in September!

(Ages 10 & under)

9/11 ~ 8am | Chamber Coffee hosted by

FSCC Foundation

@ Ellis Fine Arts Center

9/11 ~ 1:30-3:20pm | FSCC’s Senior-versity

Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church Tour

Click HERE to RSVP!

Click HERE for more upcoming events!

9/11 ~ 6-8pm | Voices From The Grave Auditions

by Bourbon County Community Theatre

@ Ellis Fine Arts Center

9/11 ~ 6:30-8:30pm | Book & Cook Club hosted by The Kitchen C+C – September’s Book Selection: The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern

by Lynda Cohen Loigman

Sept 11th: Tea & Tales – Mid month meet up

Sept 25th: Cooking Finale: Hands-on cooking party, creating Cozy Chicken Soup inspired by the story’s heartwarming chapters.

$40/person (book not included)

Click HERE to join!

9/12-12 ~ 8am-3pm | Craft Fair by the

First Southern Baptist Church

1818 South Main St.

Multiple vendors, church sponsored meal, bake sale, & crafts!

Dine in, Carry out, or call for delivery

Friday (10:30am-5pm) or Sat. (10:30am-3pm)

417-262-3948 or 620-215-3202

9/12 ~ 6-9 | FSHS Tiger Varisty Football Kick-Off Pulled Pork Nacho Fundraiser

by the Butcher Block – Available at the concession stand for ONLY $10!

Proceeds benefit the FSHS Football Team!

9/13 ~ | Ride 4 Kids Benefiting

Kansas Renewal Institute

Registration: 9:30-10:30am

Kick Stands up at 11am

$20/Singles $25/Doubles

Meet at 5corners Mini Mart

Last Stop Sharky’s Pub & Grub with LIVE Music and Burn-Out Contest

9/13 ~ 8am-2pm | Friends of Tri-Valley

Fall Golf Classic

@Woodland Hills Golf Course

8am: Registration 9am: Shotgun Start

9/13 ~ 10:30am-12pm | Fort Scott Stamp Club

Meeting at FS Public Library

Lower Floor Conference

9/13 ~ 6-8pm | Jesse Jack and the Electric String Band hosted by Common Ground Coffee Co.

@ Common Ground Coffee

12 E. Wall St.

Stay tuned for additional upcoming Fall Music Series Events

SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!

Boutiques-Antiques-Flea Markets & more!

Click here for Chamber member

specialty shopping & other retail in

Downtown & other areas of the community.
Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue

Calendar of Events

Special Event Features

THANK YOU Chamber Champion members!!
Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.

Upcoming Movie Schedule @ Fort Cinema
…

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Freeman Fort Scott Hospital

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran Shows Support with Visit to Freeman Fort Scott Hospital                                      

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Submitted photo.

 

Stately Visit

FORT SCOTT, Kan. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan) paid an impromptu visit to Freeman Fort Scott Hospital, Inc. Friday morning, roughly 24 hours after the facility’s long-awaited public opening in Fort Scott.

Calling the facility “impressive,” Moran – the long-time advocate for rural health care in Kansas – was given a brief tour of the six-bed emergency department and 10-bed acute care hospital by Freeman’s Chief Executive Officer of Rural Hospitals Renee Denton and Anita Walden, Chief Administrative Officer at Freeman Fort Scott Hospital, Inc.

“There was this email about ‘something exciting happened in Fort Scott today,” Moran said, following a plane flight from Washington D.C. He immediately reached out to Freeman officials, asking if he could visit the new hospital.

During its first full day of operation, Freeman Health System’s newest hospital recorded seven patients at the ED, including one patient in need of immediate cardiac intervention that was sent urgently to Freeman Hospital West in Joplin.

Moran learned details about the hospital while shaking hands with Freeman nurses and the hospital’s Medical Director, Dr. Mark Brown, inside the emergency department.

“I’m here to see what you do on day two,” the Senator said. “I appreciate your passion, and I wish you all the best.”

Making certain Kansas residents have easy access to affordable, quality health care has been one of the Senator’s core beliefs. He has spoken extensively in the past about the challenges facing rural hospitals in Kansas, citing the closure of facilities across the Sunflower state. He’s publicly supported Freeman’s efforts to reopen the city’s emergency department and establish the 10-bed acute medical center for Fort Scott and Bourbon County residents to utilize.

During his visit, Moran pledged to help expedite the process concerning the hospital’s upcoming credentialing survey conducted by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) officials.

“His desire to be on site day two not only shows his support, but his continued commitment was evident with his offer to assist however he can to expedite the CMS survey process to receive our CMS certification,” Denton said, adding that he also has penned a letter of support in favor of the Freeman Fort Scott hospital to CMS officials. “That will be our final hurdle.”

Moran also pledged to look into the time-consuming process Missouri-based Freeman physicians must undergo to receive their required licensure to practice medicine in Kansas.

Having worked closely with Moran, via email and Zoom meetings, for many months, “I can tell you he is very passionate about affordable healthcare and making sure all rural communities have access to it,” Walden said.

For more information about Freeman Fort Scott Hospital, Inc. – located at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. – and the services offered, visit freemanhealth.com.

 

###

 

 

About Freeman Health System
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 90 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, children’s services, women’s services, and many others for all of the Four State Area. Freeman is also involved in numerous community-based activities and sponsored events and celebrations. Additionally, in the Joplin/Pittsburg areas, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com.

 

Bourbon County Local News