Area News, COVID-19, Health Care

Nevada Hospital Seeks Mask Mandate

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“COVID-19 testing is done offsite in this portable building located on the north side of the hospital.”

NRMC Seeks Mask Mandate

As numbers of COVID-19 cases have swiftly escalated in Vernon County, Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) is experiencing strains created by the pandemic.

“In recent weeks we have seen COVID-19 numbers spiked dramatically,” says NRMC Chief Executive Officer, Steve Branstetter. “Our Hospital is very busy with COVID-19 in our emergency department and our intensive care unit. Testing also is very busy and we’ve had to extend our hours this week to help with the demand.”

Larger hospitals often have no beds available, and the transfer of seriously ill patients is becoming very challenging. As all hospitals do, NRMC has planned for this type of public health emergency and taken every measure to combat its effects. However, limited resources are being pushed to capacity.

NRMC, along with several other Missouri hospitals, are seeking mandatory mask ordinances in the areas they serve. Tuesday, Branstetter sent a request to local officials to institute such an ordinance.

“We are in a public health crisis. We need the people and our leaders to come together and take the CDC guidelines seriously,” says Branstetter.

NRMC encourages the practice of frequent hand hygiene, social distancing of at least 6 feet, and mask wearing in public to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

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About Nevada Regional Medical Center
Serving a six-county area since 1937, Nevada Regional Medical Center is a 71-bed acute, intensive and skilled care hospital. Nevada Regional Medical Center has earned recognition as a respected regional medical center for its comprehensive health care services, skilled and caring employees and state-of-the-art medical technology. Staff represent more than a dozen medical specialties, including family practice, women’s services, neurology, urology, psychiatry, orthopedics, wound care services, and general, vascular, thoracic and oncological surgery. Additionally, consultation clinics are held regularly by specialists in oncology, pulmonology, podiatry, ear, nose, and throat and cardiology.

Fort Scott, Government

FS Lake Advisory Board Meets Nov. 21

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The Lake Fort Scott Advisory Board will meet on Saturday, November 21st, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. at the City Hall Commission meeting room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting is open to the public, but is limited in space due to COVID. To join by teleconference, call the dial-in number: 620-724-9910. When prompted, enter the access code 515698# and when prompted state your full name followed by the pound # key.

The meeting will be available on the City’s YouTube channel.

Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Lowell Milken Center Announces Four New Exhibits in Collaboration with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism

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The Lowell Milken Center is located at the corner of First and Wall Streets.

The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes is pleased to announce the installation of four new exhibits in the Hall of Unsung Heroes museum in downtown Fort Scott.

The Attraction Development Grant received from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, & Tourism made this new addition to the Lowell Milken Center possible. The grant and matching funds allowed the Lowell Milken Center to update and improve the exhibit area and increase connections with visitors.

The Lowell Milken Center staff has had the opportunity to explore new avenues to reach visitors, teachers, and students while continuing their mission during the last nine months. Through social media outreach, virtual tours, Zoom presentations, and special video clips, the Lowell Milken Center continues to make the exhibit area relevant for teachers, adults, and students

. The inspiring stories of Unsung Heroes and positive role models need to be heard.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism Attraction Development Grant is designed to provide assistance in the development of new tourism attractions or the enhancement of existing attractions within the State. Their purpose is to provide strategic economic assistance to public and private entities and not-for-profit groups that are developing new tourism attractions or enhancing existing ones.

The new panels feature the inspirational stories of Jackie Ormes, Doug Hegdahl, William Matthews and Harry Hue.

Watch for a virtual unveiling of the new exhibits to take place in March.

About the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes:
The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes works with students and educators across diverse academic disciplines to develop history projects that highlight role models who demonstrate courage, compassion and respect.

Through our unique project-based learning approach, students discover, develop and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes who have made a profound and positive impact on the course of history.

By championing these Unsung Heroes, students, educators and communities discover their own power and responsibility to effect positive change in the world.

Visit www.lowellmilkencenter.org to learn more or visit the Lowell Milken Center exhibits in downtown Fort Scott.

Obituary

Obituary of Avis Stradley

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Avis Marie Boyd (Stradley), was born in Blue Mound, Kansas October 4, 1926, to Elvin Adrian and Josephine Fern (Spillman) Boyd and passed November 15, 2020. She was the eldest of three children. She was born with red hair and freckles, a true indicator she was descended from the Boyd clan in Scotland.

Her ancestors came to America before the Revolution. One grandfather, Josiah Hall, then 22, traveled from Walpole, Massachusetts to Concord, Massachusetts to warn that General Gage’s Regulars were crossing the Charles River to march to Lexington and Concord on their way to arrest Samuel Adams and John Hancock and to capture military supplies. Another grandfather, Uriah Tippie, marched the 17 miles in freezing conditions, barefoot, with General George Washington to fight in the “Battle of Trenton”.

After helping to secure the new country, Avis’ family moved west, pioneering their way across the new United States. Her parents continued the pioneering way, living and farming in the Blue Mound area. She attended Country School 101 until 1938 when her family moved to Redfield. Avis graduated from Uniontown High School with the Class of 1944 and then taught at Poplar Grove Common School. As usual in one-room common schools, she was the only teacher and taught all the children in the school. She later worked at and retired from the accounting department of The Western Insurance Company.

She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Red Hat Society, and a 68-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, where she served as Worthy Matron three times, District Aide in 1983, and was a Grand Representative to Kansas in Kansas.

She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church and as head of the Sewing Circle completed several fundraising projects and she also cooked and assisted with funeral dinners.

She was a member of the IZA Stomper square dance group. She enjoyed sewing and made lots of clothes for her family including school clothes, party dresses, prom dresses and two wedding dresses.

In 1945, she married Johnnie Lloyd Allen and to that union they had six children. In 1966, Avis married James Raymond (Red) Stradley.

Avis was immensely proud of her grandchildren. They have earned A.A. and B.S. Degrees, a Master’s Degree, a Medical Degree, and Juris Doctor Degrees. They are small business owners, counselor, mechanics, information technology specialists, authors, and attorneys, and a doctor.

She is survived by all six of her children. Darlene (Irvin) Gleim, Gainesville, FL, Johnnie Lloyd (J.L) Allen, Jr., Pleasanton, KS, Joyce (Ron) Steuer, Dubuque, IA, Diana Pauzauskie, Boston, MA, Carolyn (Rick) Callow, Blue Springs, MO, and Linda (Mark) Morris, Arcadia, KS, 20 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband James Raymond Stradley; parents, Elvin & Josephine; sister, Alwilla Karleskint; brother, Dale Boyd; a grandson, Christopher Allen; and a granddaughter, Kristyn Culp-Hicks. Also preceded by two daughters-in-law, Sadie Howard Allen and Shirley Pollet Allen; and a son-in-law, Denny Ray Simmons.

Rev. Dr. Jared Witt will conduct a private graveside service on Friday, November 20th at the U.S. National Cemetery.  A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.  Memorials are suggested to the First Presbyterian Church 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

KDHE amends travel quarantine list

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States, countries removed

 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has removed two states and three countries from its travel quarantine list: North Dakota, South Dakota, Andorra, Belgium and Czechia. Those who have travelled during the below dates, as well as those who have been on a cruise or attended any out-of-state mass gatherings with 500 or more where individuals do not socially distance and wear masks, will need to quarantine.

 

This list is effective for all persons returning to or entering Kansas on the effective dates.

 

  • Traveled to or from South Dakota between November 4 – November 17.
  • Traveled to or from Belgium and Czechia between November 4 – November 17.
  • Traveled to or from North Dakota between October 21 – November 17.
  • Traveled to or from the country of Andorra between October 21 – November 17.
  • Attendance at any out-of-state mass gatherings of 500 or more where individuals do not socially distance (6 feet) and wear a mask.
  • Been on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15.

 

“The removal of states from our list isn’t cause for celebration,” said Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary. “We base our list on new case rates by population size and unfortunately, Kansas’ numbers are increasing significantly. Practice social distancing, wear a mask, stay home if you’re sick, avoid large gatherings. Each one of us is responsible for our actions.”

 

Mass gatherings are defined as any event or convening that brings together 500 or more persons in a single room or space at the same time such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, theater or any other confined indoor or outdoor space. This includes parades, fairs and festivals. Mass gatherings does not include normal operations of airports, bus and train stations, medical facilities, libraries, shopping malls and centers, or other spaces where 500 or more persons may be in transit. It also does not include typical office environments, schools, restaurants, factories or retail/grocery stores where large numbers of people are present, but it is unusual for them to be within 6 feet of one another for more than 10 minutes.

 

For more information on COVID-19, please visit the KDHE website at www.kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus.

Fort Scott, Health Care, Schools

Heather Geiger: New FSMS Nurse

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Heather Geiger, RN. Submitted photo.
Heather Geiger, RN, is a new nurse at Fort Scott Middle School.
She was born and raised in Fort Scott, graduating from FSHS in 2002.
Geiger then received an Associate’s Degree of Applied Science in Nursing from Fort Scott Community College in May 2008.
She worked at Mercy Hospital for over 10 years, until they closed in 2018.
“I have three children: Caleb, a senior at FSHS; Cody, a freshman at FSHS; and Cooper, in kindergarten. I have been married to my husband, Thaine, since 2003,” Geiger said.
Geiger began a career in nursing because she liked helping people.
“I decided to become a nurse, a couple of years after graduating high school, because the medical field was something that I found very interesting and I knew that I would always enjoy taking care of people, ” she said.
Her duties?
“As a school nurse, I will be helping all of the students with any medical needs and always be available to help them with anything that they might need,” she said.
“This year, we are blessed to have a nurse at each school: Stacy Sauerwein at Winfield Scott, Tausha Platt at Eugene Ware and Missy Reynolds at FSHS,” Geiger said.
Geiger is replacing Erin Beisley, who worked at both the middle school and high school last year.
She started at the middle school last week, but began training for the position a few weeks ago, she said.
“CHC (Community Health Center) employs the nursing staff now, and that is how we have more positions available,” she said.
Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Support Small Business Saturday Nov. 28

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Small Business Saturday is Coming!
Shop local on Saturday, November 28th!
As a small business, it’s tough to compete with Black Friday deals. Consider sharing some background on why Small Business Saturday is important, and offer an incentive to bring customers through the door. Whether it’s a discount, BOGO, or free gift, customers will appreciate the offer and return the appreciation by shopping with you.
We hope to see you on Saturday, 11/28
Discounts, Chamber Buck Drawings & Much more!
when you shop in store on 11/28/2020
More Details to come on Participating Retailers
#SHOPSMALLBIZSAT
The Holidays are happier when we share them with you!
BRIGHTEN UP THE HOLIDAYS WITH YOUR SUPPORT!
The Holidays look a little different this year, but we can still make them our own. This holiday season, we encourage customers to support “Shop Small Businesses Saturday, November 28th!
Obituary

Obituary of James Shelton

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James Douglas Shelton, age 73, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Friday, November 13, 2020, at the Medicalodge in Ft. Scott.

He was born January 28, 1947, in Littleton, Colorado, the son of John Newton Shelton and Geraldine Marsh Shelton.  James graduated from the J. B. Conant High School in Hoffman Estates, Illinois and later attended the University of Kansas.

He had worked as a carpenter.  He enjoyed woodworking and being outside.  He also liked to watch educational programs on television.

 

Survivors include three daughters, Jackie Carillo and Jennifer Schneider, both of Tucson, Arizona and Tammi Martin, of Greenfield, Wisconsin and four grandchildren.  Also surviving are his mother, Geraldine Shelton of Ft. Scott, five brothers, Larry (Cathy) Shelton, of Ft. Scott, Steven (Roxanne) Shelton, of Woodstock, Illinois, Darryl (Deb) Shelton, of Gardner, Kansas, Don (Terri) Shelton, and Kevin Shelton, all of Ft. Scott and a sister, Sharon Shelton, also of Ft. Scott.

He was preceded in death by his father and an infant brother, Michael Shelton.

 

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct graveside services at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, November 19th at the Clarksburg Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the Cheney Witt Chapel on Thursday from 10:00 A.M. until leaving for the cemetery at 10:45 A.M.

Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

4-H Game of Democracy 

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Carla Nemecek is Southwind District Director and agent.

Submitted by: Carla Nemecek, Southwind Extension District Director 

 

The Southwind Extension District Iola Office is currently in the process of relocating from the Allen County Courthouse to 1006 N. State Street in Iola. While the move was unexpected, the new building is more visible and accessible to the public and we are looking forward to possibilities.

Moving is good for cleaning and each day brings a new discovery of informative and historical Extension publications. Most recently, the 1966 National 4-H Club Foundation “Game of Democracy” surfaced and I can’t help but be amazed at how relevant the information is today.

The forward states “Every phase of our daily life and the lives of those about us is touched by government. We ask our government to protect our well-being and it demands that we insure the well-being of others.” Additionally, “The 4-H program is often referred to as a democracy in action. 4-H teaches citizenship responsibility to its members in a democratic climate. Everyone is born a citizen, but citizenship needs to be learned.”

While the box, cards and instructions are more than 50 years old, the ideology of the game remains steadfast with 4-H. The Game of Democracy is intended to simulate learning experiences to help adolescents learn about our democratic society, and Kansas 4-H currently offers leadership and citizenship opportunities through work in 4-H clubs and project learning experiences.

If you want your family to explore ways to be involved with the community while gaining valuable hands on life skills then now is the time to join 4-H in the Southwind Extension District.

There are 21 4-H clubs in Allen, Bourbon, Neosho and Woodson Counties with club leaders who are motivated to teach your kids science, technology, engineering and math skills while involving them in club and project meetings that demonstrate leadership.

The Southwind District is currently celebrating our annual 4-H achievements and I continue to be impressed by the volume of community service that our clubs give back to local communities.

We have all been affected by the global pandemic, and sometimes I’m not even confident in where my workday or week will lead me. However, I know for certain that the 4-H program in the Southwind District is a strong and vibrant program with much to offer for families with rural or urban backgrounds and families who are interested in contributing to more vibrant local communities.

4-H really is a game of democracy – and while it has changed since 1966, 4-H continues to equip our youth with the skills it takes to lead our communities into a future full of hope and promise.

For more information about joining 4-H, visit www.southwind.k-state.edu and find the Southwind Extension District on Facebook.

Bourbon County Local News