COVID-19, Fort Scott Community College

FSCC: Classes Started August 10 With Some Big Changes

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Chelsi Boydston, Mounds, OK, in her new student housing room at the former Mercy Hospital building.

School started  Monday, August 10, for Fort Scott Community College, and the administration took the difficult situation of the COVID-19 Pandemic and used available community resources for expanding student housing.

FSCC is leasing 30 rooms at the former Mercy Hospital from the Mercy corporation.

“The reason we are leasing rooms at the Mercy building is that we had to leave rooms vacant in student housing, in case we need to quarantine students,”  FSCC President Alysia Johnston said.

FSCC students moved in over the weekend to the west side of the former Mercy Hospital building. FSCC is leasing the building until May from corporate Mercy.

“It’s a beautiful facility,” Tom Havron, FSCC Vice President of Student Affairs, said. “It’s in really good shape. Mercy maintenance has been good to help us (accommodate the students). We like having them out here. We are excited about it.”

“There are lots of perks for staying here,” Havron said. “The rooms are larger, student lounges are larger and each room has its’ own bathroom.”

In student dorms on the main campus, two rooms share a bathroom.

Two students are in each room.

This FSCC student lounge has access to the Mercy outside enclosed courtyard.

 

One of the student lounges has available the Mercy courtyard, an enclosed outside area, that former Mercy employees and patients may remember.

Currently, there are 57 students and three residential assistants living at the site.

“The RA’s will supervise and make sure the students are safe,” he said.

The students will still be on the cafeteria plan on the main campus at at 2108 S. Horton, just down the street. The nursing stations will be used for studying,  with internet availability, Havron said, and there will be tutoring available in the facility.

A former Mercy nursing station will be a study area for FSCC students with Wi-Fi availability.

Students moved their items in this past weekend and stayed at Sleep Inn Motel, until the Kansas State Fire Marshall gave approval of the building, which happened yesterday, Aug. 10.

 

The hallway of the repurposed Mercy building which now houses FSCC students.

 

FSCC had 11 positive cases of COVID-19 when students started arriving in July, Havron said.

They were quarantined, meals were delivered and coaches checked with them to make sure they were on track academically, Havron said.

Currently, there is no sign on the outside of the building that the site is now FSCC student housing.

“We had people who thought this was the emergency room over the weekend,” Havron said.

The west entrance of the building is locked 24 hours a day.

 

Other changes

“August 10 is one week earlier than originally scheduled,” FSCC President Alysia Johnston, said in an email interview.”We will not have a spring break and the semester will be over before Thanksgiving on November, 24. The reason we are starting early and ending before Thanksgiving is part of our (pandemic) mitigation plan. We do not want to bring students back from a large geographical area after thanksgiving and risk introducing COVID-19 again. Also, KDHE had predicted COVID-19 would spike in December, with the rise of the flu and cold season, therefore increasing our chances of positive cases.”

“We do not have any new programs or classes,” she said. ” We do have more classes offered online than in the past.”

Despite the pandemic, class numbers are up.

“As of this morning (August 10), overall enrollment is slightly up compared to this time last fall. On-campus and online enrollment are up, off-campus enrollment is down.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

State Approves Coronavirus Relief and Expanding Broadband

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State Finance Council Approves $60 Million Broadband Expansion, State Agency Reimbursements and Consulting Services for Accounting and Compliance

 

TOPEKA – Today, the State Finance Council (SFC) approved $60 million to expand broadband access, $3.9 million in reimbursements to state agencies for COVID-19 related operational expenses and up to $5 million for consulting services for meeting the accounting and compliance requirements of the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF).  The SPARK taskforce recommended these proposals to SFC for approval; all will be funded through the CRF.

 

“COVID-19 has made it clear how important access to high speed internet is for Kansans in rural and urban regions alike. Whether it’s telemedicine, teleworking, or online education capabilities, broadband is a singular tool that can change outcomes for communities. My administration will continue to support investments in our state’s infrastructure like high speed internet to put us on stronger economic footing as we continue our road to recovery,” Governor Laura Kelly said.

 

The connectivity proposal featured $50 million for improving broadband infrastructure and $10 million for partnerships with internet service providers to serve low-income populations.

 

“The SPARK taskforce identified expanding broadband access as a top priority and I appreciate the SFC’s recognition that not only was important to approve these funds today but also to consider increasing our investment in round 3,” said SPARK Executive Committee Chair Lyle Butler.

 

On July 29, SFC approved $254 million funding for public health, education, and economic development. That allocation combined with today’s approvals for connectivity, remaining FY 20 state agency reimbursements and the consulting contract for the Recovery Office, will complete the round 2 funding of the CRF. There will be approximately $290 million of CRF funding remaining for round 3. Previously, $400 million was allocated to Kansas counties in round 1.

 

“The expediated timeline we’re operating under creates an even greater need for accountability and transparency to taxpayers and I appreciate the State Finance Council for providing the Recovery Office the necessary support to ensure we’re delivering the quality investments Kansans deserve,” said Recovery Office Executive Director Julie Lorenz.

 

More information on today’s meeting can be found here: https://covid.ks.gov/spark-meetings/

 

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Government, Health Care

Bourbon County COVID-19 Update

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SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

August 10, 2020

” Bourbon County has received a number of presumptive cases lately,” Rebecca Johnson, the administrator said.  “I have changed current positive cases to current active cases, so the active case count is understood.”

 

 

 

Allen County

Current Active Cases 8
Positive Out of State-Staying in Allen County 2
Total Hospitalizations 2-1 remaining in hospital
Current Recovered Cases 13
Total Positives Since Testing 20
Deaths 0

Anderson County

Current Active Cases 2
Total Hospitalizations 0
Current Recovered Cases 29
Total Positives Since Testing 31
Deaths 0

Bourbon County

Current Active Cases 11
Presumptive Cases 13-1 listed on KDHE website, tested negative
Positive Out of State/County-staying in Bourbon 11
Total Hospitalizations 8-0 remaining in hospital
Current Recovered Cases 79-includes presumptive cases
Total Positives Since Testing 79
Deaths 2

Woodson County

Current Active Cases 1
Total Hospitalizations 1-0 remaining in hospital
Current Recovered Cases 11
Total Positives Since Testing 12
Deaths 0
Fort Scott Community College

Updated FSCC Trustees Agenda

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August 10, 2020. The meeting will be held in the Heritage Room at Fort Scott Community College.

5:00 p.m. Dinner in the Heritage Room at 5:00 p.m. followed by budget hearing and regular board meeting at 5:30 p.m.
THE AGENDA
5:00 DINNER
5:30 ROLL CALL, 3
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CALL TO ORDER, 4
A. Comments from the Chair, 4
BUDGET HEARING, 5
A. Comments from the Chair, 5
B. Open Comments from the Board, 5
C. Review and Adoption of 2020/2021 Year Budget, 5
CONSENT AGENDA, 6
A. Approval of Agenda, 6
B. Approval of Minutes of previous Regular Board Meeting conducted on July 27, 2020, 7
C. Approval of Treasurer’s Report, Bills, and Claims, 9
D. Approval of Mercy Housing Lease
ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS, 60
A. Consideration of Gordon Parks Museum Policies, 60
B. SPARK Applications for Review, 106
REPORTS, 116
A. Administrative Updates, 116
EXECUTIVE SESSION, 118
ADJOURNMENT, 190

Bourbon County, Business, COVID-19, Fort Scott

Second COVID-19 Positive at Presbyterian Village

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Second Fort Scott Presbyterian Village
employee tests COVID-19 positive

FORT SCOTT, Ks. – A second Fort Scott Presbyterian Village non-direct resident care employee tested positive for COVID-19 in testing conducted at the campus last week. Seven employees and two residents were tested after being identified as close contacts of an employee who tested positive August 1. The seven employees have been in quarantine at home and the two residents have been in isolation at the campus.

Six employees and the two residents tested negative. One non-direct resident care employee tested positive. No residents or employees, including the employee who tested positive, are showing signs or symptoms of COVID-19 at this time.

The Bourbon County Health Department and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Epidemiology Hotline have been notified. At this time, the health department is not recommending any additional testing because the positive employee has been in quarantine since August 1.

“Our top priority continues to be the safety of our residents and staff members,” said Jeanne Gerstenkorn, PMMA’s infection preventionist and vice president for health and wellness.

Families were been called August 7 to alert them to the positive case, and all state and county mandatory required reporting agencies have been notified.

All employees are encouraged to follow CDC guidelines and best practices as these are continually updated. The community regularly reinforces with all staff that an employee should not report to work if he or she is experiencing symptoms of a respiratory illness or are not feeling well.

The employee is quarantined and will not be allowed to work until they meet CDC and KDHE guidelines for when an employee may return to work. Under the current guidelines, symptomatic employees may return to work when at least 72 hours have passed since resolution of the employee’s fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and the employee’s symptoms have improved and at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared. Asymptomatic positive employees will quarantine for 14 days. Upon the employee’s return to work, we will follow CDC recommendations related to work practices and restrictions.

For more information about Fort Scott Presbyterian Village’s response, go to PMMA’s (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s) website, Presbyterianmanors.org/Media- room.

 

Opinion

Letter To The Editor: Let’s Work Together

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Submitted By Jim Kemmerer

Since the elections last year we’ve seen much change, whether in our control or not. Let’s control our future. Let’s work together on the things we want to improve.

Many of the things we want to be better in Bourbon County are why we elect certain people to lead us.

However, we have only so much resources of full-time personnel and funds. Perhaps it’s time for the citizens to assist in order to accomplish what we want.

Street quality is an issue. If it’s possible, can volunteers help the street department when it’s time to do activities volunteers can do such as hand labor (think picking up and placing bricks)?

I don’t know how much time it takes to keep the public lands mowed. When the government mows they can’t do other things. Is there a way to have volunteers help with this task, whether operating their own equipment or the governments?

Many properties in the county have not kept up with their property tax payments. It’s currently not illegal since the collection of such taxes are behind by more than a year. Perhaps a plan should be developed to get caught up sooner than later. It’s funding that’s available without needing to raise the tax rate. What resources are needed to get caught up, and how can volunteers help accomplish this task?

The care of private properties sometimes doesn’t meet codes yet continues on a wide scale due to a lack of resources, mainly time and personnel. Is there a way to have volunteers help the Codes Department accomplish their tasks?

All are appreciative of the assistance private and public ‘help’ groups provide. When public funds are used to fund such groups perhaps the groups ensure as much as possible that the funds are used for those truly in need. And for those that are helped by the groups, perhaps they should help the groups continue their work.

In today’s world there is a large amount of information needed to be understood and followed when doing projects such as what the Water Department and Streets are involved with. Perhaps there ought to be multiple people including volunteers learn and understand the guidelines to assist when needed and keep the knowledge available when changes in personnel occurs.

Long story short, we only have a certain amount of funds, people, and time provided by the government bodies.

 

Instead of talk, complain, and watch our limited resources try to do what we’d like done, let’s take action ourselves under the direction of our leaders once they determine what volunteers can participate in.

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

COVID-19 Update for Southeast Kansas

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SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

August 10, 2020

Allen County

Current Positive Cases 8
Positive Out of State-Staying in Allen County 2
Total Hospitalizations 2-1 remaining in hospital
Current Recovered Cases 13
Total Positives Since Testing 20
Deaths 0

Anderson County

Current Positive Cases 2
Total Hospitalizations 0
Current Recovered Cases 29
Total Positives Since Testing 31
Deaths 0

Bourbon County

Current Positive Cases 11
Presumptive Cases 13-1 listed on KDHE website, tested negative
Positive Out of State/County-staying in Bourbon 11
Total Hospitalizations 8-0 remaining in hospital
Current Recovered Cases 79-includes presumptive cases
Total Positives Since Testing 79
Deaths 2

Woodson County

Current Positive Cases 1
Total Hospitalizations 1-0 remaining in hospital
Current Recovered Cases 11
Total Positives Since Testing 12
Deaths 0
Fort Scott, Government

Public Servant Profile: Deputy Fire Chief Mike Miles

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Mike Miles. Submitted photo.

Mike Miles, 33, is the Fort Scott Fire Deparmtent Deputy Chief / Fire Marshal.

He works out of  Fire Station 1, 1604 S. National .

Miles graduated from Fort Scott High School, then  attended  Fort Scott Community College  EMT, EMT A. He has also attended the  Hutchinson Fire Academy,  and Kansas University for numerous fire training classes and certifications.

“I started my career as a reserve firefighter in 2006,” he said. “I have held positions as Firefighter, Senior Firefighter, Lieutenant and most recently promoted into the Deputy Chief position.”

Family: ” I have a beautiful, loving wife, Danyell, and four kids. Gavin, Benson, Luci Kate,  and Emmett.”

 

Why did you pursue your career?

“I got into the fire service because I wanted to be there to help people. I want to be the bright light for people in their time of darkness.  The fire service is a very humbling and rewarding job to have. I love being able to lend a helping hand when someone is having a bad day. It is also an amazing feeling to give back to the community I call home. ”

 

 

What are your duties as deputy fire chief and fire marshal?

“I act as second in charge behind the Fire Chief (Dave Bruner). In the event of his absence, I take on his responsibilities as well.  On fire scenes, I am incident commander. I control the scene and make sure the fire crews have all the resources they need.  I also get my hands dirty when they need some extra help.  The fire marshal side of the job I handle a lot of the inspections for businesses being built or remodeled.  Reviewing plans to make sure they follow the building codes we are currently under and following the fire and life safety code as well.”

 

What services does the FS Fire Department provide for the city?

“The Fort Scott Fire Department provides many services for the city and citizens.  We provide a rescue truck that covers the entire county.  That truck provides rescue services for entrapment, water rescue and vehicle extrication countywide.  The rescue truck responds and assists Bourbon County EMS within the city limits for ambulance calls.  We may also assist in the county if specifically requested by EMS for our service.  We also provide fire protection for the citizens in the city limits. We do have mutual aid agreements with Scott Township we will provide water and manpower if requested.  The Fire Department also runs the third out ambulance when the other two ambulances are on calls.  Outside of the medical and fire services, we provide many other services as well.  We provide fire prevention for all of the schools public and private for the month of October.  We offer smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors for citizens.  We provide fire extinguisher training classes for citizens as well as CPR classes.  There are many services we provide that may go unnoticed.”

 

Anything new on the horizon?

“The fire service is always evolving.  We have been blessed this year with many new pieces of equipment.  We were able to upgrade our old rescue equipment to brand new battery-powered equipment from the Mercy Foundation.  We also received a grant to upgrade our 20-year-old air packs to new MSA air packs.  We upgraded from our 1992 Firetruck and was able to get a new Pierce Pumper to serve the community for 20+ years with.  Finally, we were able to get a grant to help cover half the cost of a major purchase in replacing our aerial ladder truck.  We should receive it next year.  We are upgrading from our 1993 E-One Ladder 75’ to a Pierce 100’ ascendant tower with many safety upgrades for our firefighters.  All of this new equipment will help and assist our firefighters in performing their jobs to the public at the highest level.”

 

Fort Scott

Tucker’s Celebrate 60th Anniversary

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The Don and Jean Tucker family. Submitted photo.

Don and Jean Tucker’s three sons and their families hosted a 60th wedding anniversary dinner at their parent’s home Sunday, August 10.

Their sons and daughters-in-law were also celebrating their wedding anniversaries.

Pictured are from left:  Larry and Brenda Rowe, Reed Springs, MO( who will be married for 40 years on Aug. 30); Don and Jean Tucker, (Sept. 3, 60 years; Doug and Sandy Tucker, Booneville, NC, (March 23, 30 years) and Darren and Kelley Tucker, Fort Scott ( August 30, 17 years).

Also attending the celebration were their grandchildren, Kelly Rowe, Winfield, KS; Kyle Rowe and Katlin Cuesta, Chanute, KS; Dylan Spry, Booneville, NC; and Dana, Delci, Delaney and Keith Tucker, Fort Scott.

The entire family attended Sunday morning worship at the First United Methodist Church.

Bourbon County Local News