Cancellations, postponements as of Wednesday, March 18

Due to the threat of COVID-19, several agencies are closing their doors to the public and several events have been cancelled or postponed.

As the week progresses, many other events and agencies may close to the public as well. This is a compilation of press releases the Tribune has received as of 5 p.m. Wednesday.

The Tribune will update this alphabetical list as information becomes available and post it on our website daily.

The Beacon

Gary Murrell, director of The Beacon, said the agency is working together with Feeding America and The Beacon’s sister food banks and state and local authorities to understand and manage response to COVID-19.

Effective March 16, until further notice, there is a new procedure for obtaining food boxes through The Beacon.

Residents should call The Beacon at (620) 223-6869 with his or her name and timeframe for picking up their order. It will then be filled between normal business hours. Orders will be picked up off the back deck. No one will be allowed in the building except staff.

Residents who need to see Murrell for any reason may call him at (620) 223-6869.

“Thank you for understanding. We are just trying to protect our clients and staff,” Murrell said. “We feel social distancing is the best approach.”

Bourbon County Courthouse

As a precautionary measure with the Coronavirus, the Bourbon County Courthouse closed beginning Tuesday, March 17. At 9 a.m. Monday, March 23, the commissioners will revisit reopening the courthouse.

Some offices will be staffed during this time.

Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center, Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office

Effective immediately, the following restrictions have been put in place due to the coronavirus situation, according to information from Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center Administrator Bobby Reed:

• The front lobby of the sherif’s department and jail are closed to the public. People who need to make a criminal report can call (620) 223-1700 and a deputy will either respond or call the person back. If the caller needs emergency assistance, call 911.

• There will be no video visits for inmates for 30 days. If family members of inmates wish to schedule a visit, they can do so through www.jailatm.com. Reed said this is the company the jail uses to conduct video visits.

• Walk-ins for vehicle inspections, which are conducted in the south parking lot of the courthouse Mondays and Fridays, have been suspended.

• People who need to request accident reports can call the sheriff’s department at 223-1440, choose option 3 and leave a message and email so that report can be sent to the caller.

• Registered offenders are asked to not visit the jail, but to instead call 223-1440, choose option 4 to talk with someone about an appointment.

• Jail staff are not bringing anyone from the public for fingerprinting at this time. Reed said there are procedures in place to handle packages that are delivered daily.

Reed said all of these restrictions will be re-evaluated in 30 days.

Bridge

Bridge, which was played Sundays and Mondays at the First Presbyterian Church, has been cancelled until further notice.

Buck Run Community Center

Buck Run Community Center is closed to the public March 16-18 due to precautions with the coronavirus.

Cheney Witt Chapel

Due to the governor’s directive, KDHE has imposed a ban on all gatherings of 50 or more. Cheney Witt Funeral Chapel must limit all services and visitations to family only and even that to 50 or less until further notice. The Cheney Witt chapel encourages everyone to keep families with loss in their thoughts and prayers. Friends may still visit the funeral home to sign the guestbook or take advantage of the Chapel’s online guestbook at cheneywitt.com. Memorial contributions can be dropped off at the Chapel’s physical location at 201 S. Main or mail them to P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701.

All previously announced services will be subject to this new gathering policy.

“We will keep you informed as to any further policy changes,” Matt Witt said in a press release. “We appreciate your understanding during this time of uncertainty.”

Country Place Senior Living

A spokeswoman for Country Place Senior Living said there is “temporarily a visitor restriction except for direct care providers.” The spokeswoman said family members of residents may visit, but must fill out a form before entering a resident’s room.

Extension programs

“Protecting the Pollinators” program set for March 30 has been cancelled and will not be rescheduled.

First Presbyterian Church

Church leaders at the First Presbyterian Church voted Wednesday to cease face-to-face meetings until further notice. A plan is being compiled to provide Sunday services digitally.

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce has cancelled the Chamber Coffees for Thursday, March 19 and 26.

The chamber Annual Dinner and Award Celebration scheduled for March 26 has been postponed until further notice.

The Chamber office and Visitor’s Center will be closed until further notice. Call (620) 223-3566 to speak to Chamber Executive Director Lindsay Madison or Administrative Assistant Rita Schroeder in regards to Chamber events or go to the Chamber’s website, fortscott.com, to view community event cancellations.

Fort Scott City Hall

The city of Fort Scott is encouraging Fort Scott water utility customers to use the following services to pay utility bills:

• Visit www.fscity.org and click on ‘online bill pay,’ then click on Water Department tab and pay online.

• Call (833) 269-5988 and press 1 to make a payment over the phone on the city’s 24/7 automated system.

• Customers who prefer to pay with a check should use the drop box in the alley behind City Hall, 123 S. Main St.

• Customers who prefer to mail their payment can send it to P.O. Box 151, Fort Scott, KS 66701.

• To speak with a water utility clerk, call (620) 223-8133 or 223-0550.

For up-to-date infomration about COVID-19, visit https://www.cdc.gov or http://www.kdheks.gov.

Fort Scott Community College

The Fort Scott Community College Spring Commencement scheduled for May 15 is cancelled. Students planning to graduate in May still need to complete the Petition to Graduate Form found on the college website. Students who have already submitted the form to the registrar’s office do not need to resubmit. Graduate assessment testing (ETS Proficiency Profile and WorkKeys) is cancelled for this semester.

Fort Scott Municipal Court

Due to COVID-19, municipal court in Fort Scott, which was to take place Thursday, has been cancelled and will be rescheduled.

Citizens who were scheduled for court on Thursday will receive a letter with a new court date. Questions can be directed to Diane Clay, municipal court clerk, at (620) 23-0550.

Fort Scott Public Library

Fort Scott Public Library closed Tuesday, March 17 and will remain closed for an undetermined amount of time in response to the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus).

“After reviewing information from local, state, and federal agencies, we believe that temporarily closing the library and preventing the spread of infection may be the best way to serve our community,” the press release states.

Library patrons are encouraged to keep library materials until the library reopens. Those who wish to return materials can place them in the library’s drop box.

Items will be renewed as they become due so patrons won’t receive overdue notices or lose access to their accounts. Anyone who receives an overdue notice should contact the library email at either fortscottlibrary@yahoo.com or fsplcirc@gmail.com, and the items will be renewed.

All library events through April 1 have been cancelled.

This library is not accepting book donations at this time.

Library staff encourages patrons to make the most of available online resources. The library offers free options to download, stream, and learn on devices. See library’s website: fortscott.mykansaslibrary.org for more information.

“We look forward to seeing you soon. Thank you for your continued support of our community and our library,” the press release states.

Fort Scott Regional Tourism Center

Due to COVID-19, the Fort Scott Regional Tourism Center will be closed to the public until further notice.

The trolley tours, which were scheduled to begin on Saturday, March 21, have also been postponed until further notice. If you would like more information please visit our website, www.visitfortscott.com.

Guest Home Estates

Kathy Nalley, operator of Guest Home Estates, said that facility is “not letting visitors come in unless there is an exceptional reason to come in” as the caregiver facility follows CDC guidelines.

Kiwanis Pioneers

The Kiwanis Pioneer Club has cancelled its meeting that was scheduled for noon Thursday.

Medicalodges

Local nursing homes and similar facilities have put in place regulations concerning visitors.

Lynnette Emmerson, administrator at Medicalodges of Fort Scott, said the facility is “restricting visitors for protection of our residents.” She said the facility follows guidelines issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The facility is not allowing visitors “unless it’s medically essential to the resident’s care.

Presbyterian Village

Jeanne Gerstenkorn, senior vice president of health and wellness for Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, said the organization is following guidelines issued by the CMS March 9.

Presbyterian Manor facilities, including the Fort Scott facility, is “discouraging visitors,” Gerstenkorn said.

“Visitors can come in, but we encourage families if they don’t need to, it’s not a good time to visit,” she said. “And we limit to essential family members.”

Gerstenkorn also said all Presbyterian Manor facilities have “shut down all outside activities that were planned,” and “we’ve also cancelled bringing in any activities.”

Tribune

For the safety of everyone, The Tribune office will be closed to the public until further notice.

Payments may be placed in the drop slot located on the front door.

Staff is still available to assist you by phone, 223-2110 or email receiptionist@fstribune.com.

Uniontown City Hall/Public library

Due to COVID-19 concerns, Uniontown City Hall and the Uniontown Public Library will be closed to the public this week.

Business will be conducted by phone or email. The city clerk will be in the office to answer phones or emails.

Phone number – (620) 756-4742

Email – cityofuniontown@ckt.net

Anyone who needs to register their cat or dog are encouraged to email documents for proof of current rabies and whether spayed/neutered.

Make payments (utility or fees) by phone, online or through the drive-through at Union State Bank.

VFW

The Olson-Frary-Burkhart VFW Post No. 1165 Chicken Night scheduled for March 26 has been cancelled.