Ascension Via Christi, Bourbon County, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Fort Scott, Health Care, Mercy Hospital

Former Mercy Hospital Building Reopening Process Moves Forward

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Robert Harrington. Submitted photo.

Noble Health Corporation announced yesterday that in the near future they will be deciding whether it is feasible to reopen a hospital at the former Mercy Hospital facility, according to Rob Harrington, Director of  Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc.

“There will be two more meetings with the (Bourbon County) Commission and then they will begin talking with the public about the outcome of the feasibility study,” Harrington said.

“Today was a good day for Bourbon County and we are excited to see the process continue,” he said.
“The next phases will be dedicated to renovation costs and I believe labor,” he said.
“The study has been completed, however, it contains information that at this time needs to remain confidential until after the property is transferred to Noble by the county,” Harrington said. “We are hopeful that this will happen in January and February when they begin doing their town hall meetings.”

 

Noble Health Corp. announced in June 2021 that it would explore the possibility of reopening the acute care hospital facility in Fort Scott, according to a previous press release from the corporation.

The corporation, a Kansas City company, engaged in a cooperative agreement with Bourbon County to conduct a feasibility study that could lead to the reopening of the former Mercy Hospital building, located at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd., according to the press release.

The building is located just off Hwy. 69 on Fort Scott’s south side.

Mercy Hospital Fort Scott closed in December of 2018.

Mercy Hospital before it closed in December 2018.

Since that time Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas has leased a portion of the building, and Ascension Via Christi Hospital, Pittsburg,  has leased the emergency department. Those leases end in December 2022. Fort Scott Community College has leased the western part of the building for student housing.

 

To view the prior features on Nobel Health in Fort Scott:

Obituary, Uncategorized

Obituary of Janet Ryan

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Janet K. Ryan, age 71, a resident of Iola, Kansas, died on her birthday, Friday, November 12, 2021, at the Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. She was born November 12, 1950, in Hutchinson, Kansas, the daughter of Frankie Edward Ryan and Ruth Eleanor Whitecotton Ryan.
Janet had worked as a CNA, a CMA and as an activity director for area nursing home primarily in Uniontown, Coffeyville and Hutchinson.

Survivors include three sons, Tim Ryan (Marie) of Oklahoma, and Terry Nading (Angela) and Troy Nading (Malynda) all of Ft. Scott, Kansas and eleven grandchildren, Adryan, Landon, Amber, Shyra, Nick, Clayton, Danielle, Bane, Timothy, Shelby and Zachariah. Also surviving is a sister, Kathy Ryan-Transure.

Janet was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Nading, a son, T.J. Nading and two brothers, Ronnie Lee Ryan and James Edward Ryan Sr. and her parents.

There was cremation. A celebration of life service with burial in the Fairview Cemetery, Bartlett, Kansas will take place at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Make a Wish Foundation and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

COVID-19 Booster Shots Available

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Governor Laura Kelly Announces COVID-19 Booster Shots Available to All Fully Vaccinated Adults

~All fully vaccinated Kansans over the age of 18 who are 6 months past Pfizer or Moderna vaccination, or two months past Johnson & Johnson vaccination, are now eligible for COVID-19 booster shot ~

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced all fully vaccinated Kansans over the age of 18 are now eligible for COVID-19 booster shots.

“The COVID-19 vaccine is free, safe, effective, and the best way to keep our communities protected from this virus,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “Expanding access to booster shots will help us put an end to this deadly pandemic. Whether you are considering your first shot or signing up for a booster, I urge everyone to get the facts and get vaccinated.”

All Kansans who meet the below criteria are now eligible and encouraged to receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine:

  • The patient is at least 18 years old and has met the 6-month time period following the primary vaccination series for the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, or it has been at least 2 months since their Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
  • The patient’s assessment of risk exposure may include, but is not limited to, those who work with the public or live with someone who works with the public, live or work with someone at high risk of severe impact of COVID, live in geographic areas that have been heavily impacted by COVID, reside in high transmission areas, live in congregate setting, experience social inequity or other risk conditions as assessed by the individual. Currently, there is a high risk of community transmission in all Kansas counties. Vaccine providers should allow patients to self-determine their risk of exposure.

“As we move into the winter months, Kansans will increasingly be indoors, putting themselves at greater risk of contracting the virus,” said Secretary Lee Norman, M.D., Kansas Department of Health and Environment. “Allowing Kansans to self-determine their risk of exposure to COVID-19 ensures that every tool is available to protect themselves and reduce the possibility of a winter COVID-19 surge.”

Available data right now show that all three of the COVID-19 vaccines approved or authorized in the United States continue to be highly effective in reducing risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, even against the Delta variant. Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and reduce the spread of the virus and help prevent new variants from emerging. To find a COVID-19 vaccine clinic visit Vaccines.gov.

Government, Kansas

Kansas Economic Outlook Continues to Improve

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State of Kansas Pays Off Long-Standing Debt Two Years Ahead of Schedule

 

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced the State of Kansas has paid off the long-standing Pooled Money Investment Board (PMIB) “Bridge Loan.” In 2017 the Legislature took out this loan to fill budget holes due to poor fiscal management of the previous administration.

“Government, just like every Kansan, has to balance its checkbook,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Thanks to three years of fiscal responsibility, we’ve paid off this debt, continue to fund our schools and roads, and we can afford good policy – like axing the state’s food tax – to provide tax relief to Kansas families.”

The Pooled Money Investment Board (PMIB) is a state board that manages and invests the money available from the State General Fund (SGF) and the hundreds of other state and local funds deposited with the State Treasurer.

In 2017, as a result of poor fiscal policy from the previous administration, the state was forced to borrow a “bridge loan” – a loan of over $300 million from the Pooled Money Investment Board to fill budget holes. The budget had to meet cash flow requirements per state law.

“Because of Governor Kelly’s leadership and due to her prudent fiscal decisions, the budget has not only stabilized – but reenergized the economy,” Budget Director Adam Proffitt said. “Kansas is now in a position to pay off the loan two years ahead of its original schedule – and that’s no small task, especially during uncertain economic times.”

Even with paying off the loan two years ahead of schedule, Governor Kelly has been able to:

  • Fully fund Kansas’ schools 3 years in a row;
  • Create over 30,000 jobs;
  • Bring in over $7 billion business dollars invested in Kansas;
  • Implement a statewide bipartisan infrastructure program that created more than 130 infrastructure projects to improve our roads, bridges, and broadband accessibility.
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AD: FSCC Community Read: The Other Wes Moore

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You are invited to the Campus & Community Common Read Speaker Event to be held on Wednesday, November 17th at 12:30 p.m. in the Ellis Center Meeting Rooms on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.

This event is brought to the students, staff, and local community of Fort Scott Community College by a Humanities Kansas grant which offered opportunities to discuss two books, A Choice of Weapons by Gordon Parks and The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore.

Both are books related to culture and diversity.

Our speaker for the November 17 event is Dr. Jason Kegler, Associate Vice President of Student Life at Pittsburg State University.  He has held a variety of diverse roles and positions related to student life, student rights and responsibilities, instruction, admissions and marketing, and county law enforcement.

Reading of the book is not required, but Dr. Kegler will talk of culture and diversity related to the book as well as his experiences in southeast Kansas.
The event is scheduled to be approximately 30-45 minutes long.
Description of event:
  • The FSCC Campus and Community Read is a semester-long book club that first read and discussed Gordon Parks’ A Choice of Weapons.  This reading ended with guest speakers during the Gordon Parks Celebration.  Topics discussed were culture and diversity topics faced by Gordon Parks.
  • The second book read and discussed was The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore.  Dr. Kegler will talk about culture and diversity related to the book as well as his experiences in southeast Kansas

To learn more about Dr. Kegler, please click the link below:

https://www.pittstate.edu/news/2020/10/university-appoints-kegler-as-associate-vice-president.html#.YY6dtFNMEwB

Obituary

Obituary of Maybelle Mertz

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Lifelong Fort Scott resident Maybelle Mertz, 100, passed away comfortably at her home on November 15, 2021.

Mrs. Mertz was born and was raised in Fort Scott. She was born on February 6, 1921, the daughter of Harlan and Mabel (Hicks) Spencer. She graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1939. She and Jim Mertz were married January 20, 1945, at their home in rural Fort Scott, and he preceded her in death May 30, 1982.

She was the owner of The Horseshoe Ranch where she and Jim had horses and cattle throughout their lives. She worked as a bookkeeper at Montgomery Wards and at The Vogue, she was Deputy Clerk of the District Court, then started Mertz Tax Service at their home in the country. After moving to “town” she continued Mertz Tax Service until she was appointed to the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals in 1989 and served a four-year term. During this tenure, she was proud to attend college classes at the University of Reno, Nevada. She worked several years as an Enumerator for the State of Kansas, she was a House Mother for Baker University, University of Kansas, and Kansas State University in her “retirement” years!

Mrs. Mertz was full of spirit and energy; age was never a factor! She was a member of numerous organizations and clubs throughout her life, and she served as president of many as she loved to help lead and make things better for people. She worked tirelessly on the Gaited Horse Show during the Bourbon County Fair to help earn monies for improvements to the fairgrounds. She was a horsewoman and especially loved parade horses. She participated in parades and horse shows with her silver-mounted saddle and fancy parade outfits first on her paint horse Buck and then palomino Sonny through the course of her life. Following her horsewoman days, she became an avid golfer. She was a member of Fort Scott Country Club, Crestwood Country Club, Topeka Country Club, and golfed with Women’s leagues throughout the state and the world when she traveled to Africa and golfed at Victoria Falls, as well as in Europe.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, a member of the Bourbon County Conservation Supervisors Board, Federated Women’s Clubs, Beta Sigma Phi, The Area on Aging for Kansas, Elks, United Methodist Women’s Club, PEO. She was a volunteer at Mercy Hospital, volunteered with the Red Cross, American Heart Association, and Meals on Wheels. She was a member of the Daughters of the Nile, a former Mother Advisor for Rainbow Girls, attended Fort Scott Shrine Club events, and Mirza Temple Pittsburg, KS women’s events.

Mrs. Mertz is survived by a daughter Melessa Demo (Brad), Fort Scott, grandchildren Mandy Symons, Centennial, CO, J.T. Symons (Angie) Corolla, NC, and a great-grandson Hunter Symons Norfolk, VA, and grand-dogs Beans and Frank. In addition to her husband Jim, she was also preceded in death by her parents, a son, Jim “Sandy” Mertz on March 15, 2021, and two brothers, Joseph Spencer, and George Spencer.

Rev. Steve Cole will conduct funeral services at 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 19, 2021, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home with burial following at the Evergreen Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Thursday evening November 18, 2021, from 5:00-6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Government, Kansas

Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson

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Caryn Tyson

 

November 12, 2021

 

2021 Off-Session

Usually, there is not much to write about when the legislature is not in session.  That is not the case this year.  For the first time in Kansas history, 2/3 of the legislators signed a petition to force the Governor to call a special session.  There have been 24 special sessions called in the past, but they were all called by the Governor without a petition from legislators.  The special session beginning November 22, 2021 is a result of 29 (27 was required) senators and 84 representatives requesting the Governor call a special session.  All Kansas Republican legislators petitioned the Governor for a special session.  The first special session was called in 1874.

 

Any topic can be discussed during a special session.  However, all indication is the session will deal with the federal government’s overreach on COVID-19 vaccine mandates.  A Special Committee on Government Overreach and the Impact of COVID-19 Mandates is working to put together legislation for the special session.  The Committee had informational hearings on two bill drafts.  One bill draft would make it clear that a person who loses their job because they refuse to comply with the Biden Administration’s unconstitutional mandates may receive unemployment.  The other bill draft would strengthen the language in Kansas law regarding religious and medical exemptions so that these exemptions would be granted to Kansans who seek them.

 

Contact Tracing

Last year KDHE put rules and regulations (regs) in place for contact tracing.  The contact tracing rules and regs sunset on May 1, 2021.  However, KDHE wants to continue to invade your privacy and a majority of legislators allowed it by extending KDHE’s contact tracing program to June 30, 2022 in a budget bill (CCR 159 – I voted no).  It may not seem like a big deal, but when you look at all of the government overreach from the federal government, it could be a big deal that the current Administration is collecting medical information, individual movement, and other data.  The data is being stored online at Saleforce.com.  It is your option to deny providing the information, but you may not be told it is optional if it is a not a KDHE person calling.  Contact tracing is collecting data on a person who may have been in contact with an infected person.  KDHE said that they had 20 contact tracers and increased the number of tracers to 140 and are now at 129 tracers.  Wow, 129 people (some out-state contractors) tracing Kansans movement.  Keep in mind, KDHE is the department that was tracking Kansans by their cell phone movement last year.  I requested that this language be repealed in the legislation that will be considered during the special session.

 

Unemployment Oversight Council

The legislature formed an Oversight Council comprised of legislators and people from the industry who could be considered experts on unemployment.  The Council has made recommendations for a company to audit the unemployment system and the millions of dollars that were stolen using fraudulent unemployment claims.  This report should be complete in 2022.  After the Council studied the companies that applied to implement a new unemployment system, the Council recommended to the Legislative Coordinating Council (LCC) that the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) re-open the Request For Proposal (RFP) process.  The original RFP was so poorly written that only 4 companies responded to the RFP.  Two of the four companies that responded did such poor jobs implementing new systems in other states, the states would not hire them back.  It doesn’t instill confidence moving forward with a new unemployment system which the state needs.

 

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

Caryn

Church news, Fort Scott

“As You Are Ministry” Starts

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Mayra and Jose Montanez, have started a  helping ministry in Fort Scott. Submitted photo.

As You Are Ministries is a ministry started by Mayra and Jose Montanez, owners of the Fort Scott Barber Shop.

“We were led by God to not only bring this ministry here but also to move here along with our kids and grandkids as well as our barbershop,” Mayra said. The family came to Fort Scott earlier this year from the Kansas City area.

The ministry will provide faith-based community services such as clothing, shoes, hygiene products, food, and hot/cold beverages to those in need.

And they have much bigger plans for those people who are down and out.

“We will also be building two bathrooms with showers for anyone in need of one,” Mayra said.

The ministry is headquartered above their family business, Fort Scott Barbershop, 118 E. Wall.

The next step will be to create a healthy-food pantry, in collaboration with local farmers, she said.

Then they plan to build four family bedrooms for anyone needing a place to sleep or stay until they can be placed in a more permanent situation or program, Mayra said.

The ministry started at the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020.

“We quickly realized that people were desperate for hope and encouragement,” she said.

They started on social media.

“Every Sunday at 7 p.m., we would log in to our Facebook page ‘As You Are Ministries’ and give a word of encouragement to all that would log in.”

“Through our online videos, so far we have reached 15 countries,” she said.

They began to give out Bibles.

“Quickly noticing many people didn’t have Bibles, we started offering free Bibles, of their choosing, and would mail them to them,” she said.  “We’ve currently given out close to 100, (with the) price ranging from $40-$100.  It’s always what the person chooses, as long as it is Christian-based so that we can be in one accord.”

“Our Facebook page is public, anyone can see it and our goal is to reach all those in need of encouragement,” Jose said. “But the faith-based community service is for Fort Scott.”

The Montanez’s attend Faith Church and go to Bible studies with one of their groups on Mondays, he said.

The family had a setback when money was stolen from them recently.

“Our funds were stolen from our home about two months ago and we are currently in the process of saving up money to put in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system and bathrooms,” he said. “The community has donated randomly so far $1,075  to help with the money stolen, we are so appreciative of that”

The ministry is headquartered above the Montanez family’s barbershop at 118 E. Wall, on the second floor.
To view the story on the barbershop they opened in May 2021:
Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee hosted by Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries

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Chamber Coffee hosted by Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee this Thursday, November 18th at 8 a.m. hosted by Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries, located at 26 N. Main St. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served.

Allen Schellack is the Director/Chaplain at Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries. The Ministry Center is sponsored locally by Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene and a designated Salvation Army Disaster Relief and Services Extension Unit for Bourbon County. Their vision is to see every individual and family living successfully and interdependently within a caring community.

Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.

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Bourbon County Local News