Bourbon County, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, COVID-19, Fort Scott, Health Care

CHC/SEK takes appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations  

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Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, 403 Woodland Hills Blvd.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas is now offering COVID-19 vaccine appointments for individuals aged 65 and older as part of Phase 2 of the Kansas Vaccine Prioritization Plan. There is no out-of-pocket cost to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccinations will be available at all CHC/SEK clinic locations.

The vaccine appointment telephone number to call is 866-888-8650, which will be answered 7 a.m. -7 p.m. seven days a week. There is an additional line for Spanish speakers, available at 620-240-8940, answered from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
CHC/SEK is one of 250 health centers nationally selected to receive a direct supply of COVID-19 vaccine to ensure underserved communities are equitably vaccinated, according to a recent announcement from Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and CDC.  A shipment of 4,000 doses of Moderna vaccine is expected to arrive the week of March 1.
CHC/SEK will follow the state priorities for what populations are eligible to receive the vaccine, however vaccine recipients will not be restricted by county residency, nor do they have to be a patient of CHC/SEK.
“This is a gift to the people of Southeast Kansas, the least healthy and most economically challenged region of the state,” said Krista Postai, President & CEO of CHC/SEK.  “With almost 20 percent of our population over 65, the ability to reach out to provide this potentially life-saving vaccine is probably one of the most important initiatives in our history.”
Vaccine appointments will be available at CHC/SEK locations.
In Pittsburg, CHC/SEK has established a vaccine center at 924 N. Broadway, with extended and weekend hours to make receiving a COVID-19 vaccination as convenient as possible. The health center has also formed special vaccination outreach teams to target special populations by taking the vaccine to them.
“Based on the calls we’ve been receiving, we know many people are eager to get vaccinated and so afraid they’ll be overlooked because they live in rural Kansas,” Postai said. “It is so wonderful to tell them they’ve actually been prioritized nationally.”
CHC/SEK and Grace Med Topeka/Wichita were the two Kansas health centers chosen for this program. Both serve a large population of individuals experiencing homelessness, public housing residents, migratory and seasonal agricultural workers, patients with limited English proficiency and serve a significant population of patients age 65 years and older.
“We know these vaccines are safe and highly effective against a very serious disease,” Postai said. “Now that they have become available to us, CHC/SEK is ready to get them delivered into the arms of our communities.”
About CHC/SEK
The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas is a not-for-profit Federally Qualified Health Center dedicated to providing quality health care to everyone regardless of income or insurance status. CHC/SEK serves more than 50,000 children and adults annually and employs more than 400 professionals and support staff at 18 locations throughout Crawford, Cherokee, Labette, Linn, Montgomery and Allen counties, and Ottawa County in Oklahoma. CHC/SEK is governed by a 14-member Board of Directors, which includes patients from the communities it serves.
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Weight Restriction Starts on K-7, North of Girard to K-39

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The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has placed a truck weight restriction of 20 tons on K-7, from K-47 at Girard north to K-39.   The weight restriction is the result of asphalt failure on K-7 within the city limits of Girard. The restriction is in effect until repairs can be made to the highway.

Persons with questions may contact KDOT Construction Engineer Kyler Farmer, (620) 308-7621, or Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen, (620) 902-6433.

 

 

K-7 width restriction: www.kandrive.org

Government, Health Care, Kansas

State Announces Art Contest Geared Toward Suicide Prevention

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TOPEKA – The state of Kansas announces the launch of a new art contest geared towards Kansas youth. The Youth Suicide Prevention Art Contest is for artists, musicians, painters, writers, sculptors, poets, singers and photographers in grades 6 to 12. The contest, hosted by Kansas Partners in Empowering Youth for Suicide Prevention, will help state agencies shape suicide prevention messages and health promotion campaigns.

In 2019, 521 Kansans died by suicide including six under the age of 15 and 83 individuals between the ages of 15 and 24.

“Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Kansans age 15 to 24 and is a leading cause of death for youth ages 5 to 14 – this is unacceptable,” Dr. Lee Norman, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said. “Every one of us has a role to play, whether you’re a friend, parent, community member or school employee. We need to come together to help our youth.”

The Kansas Partners for Empowering Youth for Suicide Prevention is comprised of the following agencies: KDHE, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF), Kansas State Department of Education, the Kansas Suicide Prevention Headquarters along with the Kansas Attorney General’s Office.

This group believes that every young person deserves to be safe from suicide and that the best way to reach youth in Kansas is to provide opportunities for youth to reach out to their peers, thus creation of the Youth Suicide Prevention Art Contest.

The goals of the contest are to raise awareness of the possibility of hope and healing while working to provide enough support to Kansas youth so that no one ever walks alone in crisis. The submissions will reach other youth to reduce stigma around mental health and experiencing thoughts of suicide. Preventing suicide is a community effort and youth are extremely important. So, the partners ask eligible Kansas youth to pull out your pen and paper, reach for your guitar and mic, or grab your favorite art supplies to let your voices be heard!

All submissions to the Youth Suicide Prevention Art Contest are due by April 4, 2021, 10 p.m. For more information and to submit a project, please visit https://www.ksphq.org/artcontest/.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 (or 800-273-TALK).

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

American Legion March Meeting Updates

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Submitted by Carl Jowers

 

Monday. March 1. American Legion Post 25 meet and greet in Memorial Hall starts at 6:30 pm.

Monday. March 1. American Legion Post 25 general membership meeting in Memorial Hall starts at 7 pm.

Thursday. March 11. American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25 meets at 6 PM in Memorial Hall.

Thursday. March 11. American Legion Post 25 Color Guard meets at 7:15 PM in Memorial Hall.

Saturday. March 27. American Legion Riders Chapter 25 meets at 10 AM in Memorial Hall.

 

Your Post is member driven. Please contact your Executive Committee with your thoughts and suggestions for improving Post 25.

See below for newsletters:

SALute. March 2021

SAL Membership 2.26.21

Opinion

A Song In The Night By Carolyn Tucker

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Carolyn Tucker. Submitted photo.

Keys to the Kingdom

 

After 40 years of marriage, I laid my kind and gentle husband to rest on February 25. One of my earliest memories as a young child was attending the funeral of a relative on my mother’s side. From that day on, I’ve attended or provided music for hundreds of memorial services. Over the years, I’ve said, “Death is just as much a part of life as living is, but most people don’t know how to deal with it.”

Trying to stuff hurting emotions way down inside your soul is not God’s way. Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount included The Beatitudes in Matthew 5:4 NKJV: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Believers need to understand that the blessing is not in the mourning, but the blessing is in the comfort you receive if you resign yourself to grieve appropriately. Jesus can’t comfort you if you refuse to mourn, because He cannot go against His own word.

God’s Word is the best source regarding the topics of death and grieving. Reading and studying the Bible teaches us how to live a holy life, and how to get ahold of “dying grace” that only comes through Christ. Thousands of songs have been written about death and heaven. Country music artist Kenny Chesney recorded a song with these lyrics: “Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to go now.“

Those lyrics reflect a truthful sentiment, but that’s not the song I recently found myself singing upon my bed in the night. I awoke after a couple of hours of sleep and began to sing a Dottie Rambo song: “The things that I love and hold dear to my heart are just borrowed, they’re not mine at all. Jesus only let me use them to brighten my life, so remind me, remind me dear Lord. Roll back the curtain of memory now and then. Show me where you brought me from and where I could have been. Remember, I‘m human and humans forget; so remind me, remind me dear Lord.”

By day, the Lord is a continuous source of comfort, anointing our lives with His grace and tender mercies. “The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me” (Psalm 42:8 NKJV). I’ve never sung a song in the night before, but I’ve never had a reason to until now.

I like King David’s meditation in Psalm 77:6 NKJV: “I call to remembrance my song in the night; I meditate within my heart, and my spirit makes diligent search.” Believers have the choice to reflect upon God’s merciful help in the past and to trust that He will remain faithful to provide comfort and peace for the days ahead. David refused to allow present heartache to erase the reality of God’s unfailing forever love.

Jimmy’s Bible has the following scriptures underlined: “I look up to the mountains — does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the One who watches over you will not slumber. The Lord Himself watches over you” (Psalm 121:1-3,5 NLT).

The Key: If you sing a song in the middle of the night, just go ahead and cry while you‘re at it. You’ll then be blessed by God’s loving comfort and peace.

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

4-H Beef Introduction

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Jennifer Terrell, K-State Extension Agent

4-H Beef

In the beef project, youth will learn all aspects of the beef industry by raising a market steer or building your own herd by raising heifers and cows.

There is 4-H Curriculum that can be purchased for anyone interested in the beef project. Here is a breakdown of what youth can learn at different levels:

Things to Learn/Do in the Project

Age 7-9

  • Identify breeds of beef cattle

  • Learn the parts of a calf

  • Compare animal differences 

  • Halter break a calf

Age 10-13

  • Learn about cattle feeds and how they are digested

  • Judge beef cattle and present oral reasons

  • Show a calf and learn showing techniques

Age 14 and Older

  • Use performance data to make breeding decisions

  • Evaluate beef carcasses and identify meat products

  • Explore impact of technology and career opportunities in the beef industry

In addition to the curriculum, youth are also offered the opportunity to attend project meetings held by volunteers. Each year, youth are able to demonstrate their hard work locally at the county fair and depending on age and placing, the Kansas State Fair. There are other local and state shows available to youth as well.

The beef project is a great opportunity for youth to learn important life skills. For more information about this project or the workshop, contact Jennifer K. Terrell, 4-H Youth Development for K-State Research and Extension – Southwind District at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for March 2

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: March 2, 2021

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jim Harris Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

 

MEETING WILL BE HELD IN COMMISSION ROOM AT CITY HALL. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.

PLEASE NOTE THE MEETING WILL BE HELD AT CITY HALL BEGINNING AT 9AM

Call to Order

 

  • Flag Salute
  • Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
  • Eric Bailey – Road and Bridge Report
  • Eric Bailey – Executive Session, KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
  • Discuss Unlocking Front Door During Business Hours
  • County Counselor Comment
  • Public Comment
  • Commission Comment

Justifications for Executive Session:

          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 security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.

Fort Scott, Government

Agenda for the FS Commission Meeting March 2

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NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR
MEETING OF
FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL

CITY COMMISSION MEETING ROOM

123 SOUTH MAIN STREET
MARCH 2, 2021
6:00 P.M.

Call to Order

  1. Roll Call:

K. Allen P. Allen R. Nichols L. Watts J. Jones

II. Flag Salute:

  1. Invocation: Led by: (To be Announced)

  2. Approval of Agenda:

  3. Proclamations/Recognitions:

  4. Consent Agenda:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of February 16th, 2021 and special meeting minutes of February 12th, 2021 and February 23rd, 2021.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1283-A totaling $335,76

  1. Request to Pay – HDR Engineering, Inc – $6,455.27 – River Intake Project

  1. Request to Pay – Bourbon County Clerk – $8,047.48 – Charter Ordinance No. 31 Election costs

  1. Public Comment:

(Sign up required. Comments on any topic not on agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at Commission discretion)

  1. City Manager Reports and Comments

  1. Director Reports

  1. Old Business: None

  1. Appearances: None

  1. New Business:

  1. Resolution No. 5-2021 – Resolution in reference to the levying of a 1% Countywide Sales Tax allocation

  2. Consideration of Bids – Brush Blasting & Pool Repainting – Aquatic Center

  3. Consideration of move of Dispatch Center to 207 S. Judson (old Correctional facility)

  4. Consideration to Pay – Skitch’s Hauling & Excavation, Inc – $616.00 – January invoice

  5. Discussion of electric scooter company, Bird, establishing services in Fort Scott

XII. Reports and Comments:

A. Commissioners Reports and Comments:

B. City Attorney Reports and Comments:

XIII. Executive Session – If requested, (please follow script in all motions for Executive Sessions)

XIV. Adjournment:

Fort Scott, Government

FS Commission Special Meeting Minutes of Feb. 23

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CITY OF FORT SCOTT

SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes of February 23rd, 2021 Special Meeting #6

A special meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held February 23rd, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Commission Meeting Room, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.

ROLL CALL:

Commissioners Kevin Allen, Pete Allen, and Lindsey Watts were present with Mayor Josh Jones presiding. Randy Nichols was absent.

AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Bailey Lyons, Lindsay Madison, Allyson Turvey, and Susan Bancroft.

CONSIDERATION:

  1. Consideration to apply for a grant for downtown Christmas lights – Bailey Lyons, said that she is the Chairperson for the Downtown Committee for the Chamber of Commerce. They have identified a project to work on this year. They decided to focus on Christmas decorations in the downtown area. There are improvements that can be made to the decorations and they have identified some grant funds and are looking for more grant opportunities. They are not asking for money, but for permission to apply for grant funding. The Chamber is not a 501C3, nor are they are government entity, so they would be applying for these grants using the City’s name. The Chamber would do all the work on this. The funds would be allocated to the City for the purpose of Christmas decorations. They think the citizens would like to see new Christmas decorations in the downtown area.

Bailey said that they were looking at lighted toy soldiers that are about 8’ tall and would be attached to the light poles. They would need the City’s assistance in placing these soldiers on the poles. They did talk about possibly doing a fundraiser also. There is a company in Stilwell, Kansas that they have talked to regarding Christmas decorations.

Susan asked that when you are ready to purchase these, that Chad Brown be checked with to make sure that there are no issues with power on the poles.

K. Allen made a motion to approve the Chamber to apply for grants for downtown Christmas decorations. L. Watts seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO ALLOW THE CHAMBER TO APPLY FOR GRANTS FOR DOWNTOWN CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS.

ADJOURNMENT:

K. Allen moved to adjourn the special meeting at 7:07 p.m. L. Watts seconded. All voted aye.

ADJOURNED MEETING AT 7:07 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Diane K. Clay, M.M.C.

City Clerk

Fort Scott, Government

FS Commission Minutes of Feb. 12

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CITY OF FORT SCOTT

SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes of February 12th, 2021 Special Meeting #5

A special meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held February 12th, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. in the City Commission Meeting Room, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.

ROLL CALL:

Commissioners Kevin Allen, Pete Allen, and Randy Nichols were present with Mayor Josh Jones presiding. Lindsey Watts was absent.

AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Travis Shelton, Michael Mix, and Michael Hoyt.

CONSIDERATION:

  1. Consideration of Change Order #1-Sanitary Sewer Cleaning & Video Inspection Services – Michael Mix informed the Commission that he has some figures for equipment if the City Commission would decide to go that direction. He said after thinking about this last night, it is still his recommendation to allow the company, Pipe Detectives, to complete their work. They have two weeks left until the project is finished. They have the specialty equipment that the City does not have. It will take a City crew much longer than that to complete. He also spoke to the supervisor on this job who told him that they only had 30 minutes of looking for a manhole and all the other charges were root removal. His City crew did find as many manholes as possible. Michael shared some photos of the lines with roots in them and then the lines after they had been cleaned.

Michael said that it would cost between $100,000 and $130,000 for a camera truck. An easement machine would cost approximately $45,000. The attachments which would include larger saws would cost approximately $11,800. Michael said that the work this company is doing in removing roots should last at least 5 years.

Kevin asked if the attachments could be put on the City’s vactor truck.

Michael thought that they could be placed on the truck.

Pete asked how more 30” lines there are.

Michael said he does not know. This company was hired to inspect the larger lines since the City does not have the equipment to do so. He said that there is 17,000 linear feet left to inspect that is greater than 15”. Last year there was 1.4 miles completed. It is a never-ending cycle. Inspect, document, rehab, and repeat.

Randy said that he thinks it makes more sense to let this company finish up this project since they only have two weeks left. This will help with the sewer overflow issues that we have been having with this company removing the roots. He isn’t sure that Michael had time to get all the numbers he needed to present to them. He doesn’t think we have enough information to buy equipment and then train our people when we have a crew that could finish it in two weeks. His vote is to let the company finish the work they have started.

Josh asked how critical it is to have this project completed in two weeks. If it is not critical, Michael could do some more research and get more numbers for them to look at.

Michael said if we had unlimited funds, it would be better do this in-house with a City crew. His recommendation is still to let this company finish this project.

Kevin said that we have two guys right now and would need a third person for this crew.

City Manager said that he can see both sides of this. He can see where it looks attractive to have the project finished in two weeks. It would also be great if the City had the equipment and could do the work ourselves. He said that we will execute what you decide as a Commission for us to do.

Pete said that we should have taken the $30,000 and bought equipment. Now we are back to square one and it’s not working. He referenced the street project on National for the crack sealing which is still not completed. He asked Michael if he had verified the 51 hours of work that this crew has completed.

Michael said that he has not watched all 51 hours, but he has watched some of it. Our own crew can get into the 8” or below manholes.

Josh said that is why shouldn’t buy the equipment if there is only 25% of the project left to complete. We won’t have to reinspect for 5 years.

Michael explained to the Commission that this project was bid as a unit/rate bid and not a total bid. This bid was comprised by the City’s former engineer, Nate Stansberry.

R. Nichols made a motion to approve Michael’s recommendation to finish this project and to have the City Manager clarify the issues with equipment needed for future projects so the City crew can do the work themselves. J. Jones seconded. R. Nichols and J. Jones voted aye. K. Allen and P. Allen voted no. Motion did not pass.

DENIED MOTION TO APPROVE MICHAEL MIX’S RECOMMENDATION TO FINISH THIS PROJECT AND HAVE THE CITY MANAGER CLARIFY THE ISSUES WITH EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR FUTURE PROJECTS SO THE CITY CREW CAN DO THE WORK THENMSELVES.

Discussion was held to bring back more numbers and discuss this at an upcoming work session.

ADJOURNMENT:

J. Jones moved to adjourn the special meeting at 2:00 p.m. K. Allen seconded. All voted aye.

ADJOURNED MEETING AT 2:00 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Diane K. Clay, M.M.C.

City Clerk

Bourbon County Local News