All posts by Submitted Story

Lunette Blair Returns to Fort Scott

The Friends of Fort Scott NHS, Inc, are hosting the donation ceremony of the Lunette Blair building and land to the Fort Scott National Historic Site in a public ceremony/photo-op on the site in Skubitz Plaza, Saturday, July 3, 2021, at 11 am.

 

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran will deliver remarks as a key proponent of the park’s boundary expansion through the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act.

U.S. Congressman Jake LaTurner also plans to be present and speak.

Reed Hartford, President of the Friends of Fort Scott, Inc., will share the history and progression of events that brought us to this historic day.

Members of several different groups and organizations who have owned and participated in helping to preserve this historic structure including the Molly Foster Berry Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Historic Preservation Association of Bourbon County, Western Blockhouse Committee, and the City of Fort Scott will participate in the event.

 

Construction of the Lunette Blair began in 1863. It is the only building remaining of the three fortifications surrounded Fort Scott during the Civil War. Lunettes are temporary forts, curved into a protective shape and placed near but outside the main fortification. Fort Scott’s three lunettes (Blair, Henning, and Insley) held the blockhouses enclosed by a wood and earthen wall.

 

Celebrate Independence with the Sights and Sounds of 1860’s Military Fireworks 

NPS photo

Celebrate the anniversary of American independence with the sounds of cannon fire while honoring the servicemen and women who have defended the United States for the past 245 years. Fort Scott National Historic Site will accept the donation of the Lunette Blair building and land in a public ceremony/photo-op on the site in Skubitz Plaza, Saturday, July 3, at 11 am.

 

Saturday and Sunday, July 3 and 4, 2021, Fort Scott National Historic Site will have artillery demonstrations, tours, programs, and living history activities throughout the day. On Monday, July 5, 2021, festivities continue with tours, programs, and living history.

 

Saturday, July 3

10:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort

11:00 am – Donation of Lunette Blair Property Ceremony

1:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort

2:00 pm – The Summer of 1861

3:00 pm – Artillery Demonstration

4:00 pm – Artillery Demonstration

 

Sunday, July 4

10:00 am – Civil War Small Arms Discussion

11:00 am Guided Tour of the Fort

1:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort

3:00 pm – The History of Combat Photography (Civil War to Present)

 

Monday, July 5

10:00 am – Civil War Small Arms Discussion

11:00 am Guided Tour of the Fort

1:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort

3:00 pm – The History of Combat Photography (Civil War to Present)

 

Visitors and local residents are reminded that fireworks are not permitted on the grounds of Fort Scott National Historic Site.

 

Obituary of Matthew McClellan

Matthew Todd McClellan, age 38, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, June 26, 2021, at the Via Christi Emergency Room in Ft. Scott.

He was born August 27, 1982, in Ft. Scott, the son of Eugene Arthur McClellan and Juliet Ann Simmons McClellan.  Matt graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 2000.  He went on to receive his Associates Degree from Ft. Scott Community College.

He married Starlene Bowden on December 11, 2010, at Ft. Scott.  Matt had been employed by Ward Kraft for sixteen years.  Matt enjoyed golfing and fishing.  He was a hard worker and used his talents to remodel two homes.  Matt and Star had also welcomed several foster children into their home over the last eight years.

He was a member of the Apostolic Pentecostal Church.

 

Survivors include his wife, Star and their two daughters, Madelynn and Madyson, all of the home in Ft. Scott

. His mother, Julie McClellan, of Ft. Scott and his brothers and sisters, Josh McClellan (Rechelle), Daren Hutchison (Kristen), Jill Durbin (Jesse), Brenda Pense (Jim), Tricia Heston (Doug), Rick McClellan (Teresa), Chuck McClellan (Tina) and Cheryl McClellan.  Also surviving are his mother-in-law, Brenda Bowden and numerous nieces and nephews.

 

Following cremation, Rev. Rod Hillhouse will conduct a celebration of life service at 10:30 A.M. Friday July 2nd at the Apostolic Pentecostal Church.

Memorials are suggested to Paws & Claws Animal Shelter 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.

Kansas State Housing Needs Assessment: Your Feedback Is Needed

State officials are seeking feedback from Kansans to help guide future housing development efforts. The initiative, part of the state’s first comprehensive housing needs assessment in nearly 30 years, aims to review current housing opportunities, identify strategic goals, and develop recommendations to guide future housing development.
We’ve wrapped up our statewide listening tour, and now it’s time to share your feedback in our statewide survey. Hurry! Our survey closes Wednesday, June 30.

Pinto Beans on the Ceiling by Carolyn Tucker

Carolyn Tucker. Submitted photo.

Keys to the Kingdom

I’ve heard way too many stories about the misconduct of a pressure cooker. I know of one country cook that had to scrape pinto beans off the kitchen ceiling, walls, and floor because her cooker blew its stack. I’ve never blown up anything because I’m afraid to use a pressure cooker, so I don’t even own one! I don’t like messes so, just to be safe, I practice patience and “w-a-i-t for it” by using a slow crockpot.

Everybody can skip through life when the sidewalk is smooth. But whether you’re a Christian or an unbeliever, we’re all going to experience segments of life in a pressure cooker. That’s where the rubber meets the road and you find out what you‘re made of. “You are a poor specimen if you can’t stand the pressure of adversity” (Proverbs 24:10 TLB).

When heartache, adversity, and disappointments knock on your door, that means they have arrived. And you better know what to do with them. Don’t hang out the “welcome” sign or roll out the red carpet! Adversities are uninvited and unwelcome visitors and they cannot take up residence in your life. Don’t let troubles set up camp in your heart and soul. We have to know how to hand them off to Jesus and keep them in proper perspective. Otherwise, they will get out of hand and be blown up all out of proportion. We have to deal with adversities similar to what Samson did — tie their tails together, set ’em on fire and send ‘em packin’ (Judges 15:4-5).

Your attitude and actions are extremely important to you, God, and everybody around you. The Bible tells us that troubles can’t keep a good man/woman down. “For the lovers of God may suffer adversity and stumble seven times, but they will continue to rise over and over again” (Proverbs 24:16 TPT). You can be bold as a lion, strong as an ox, and stubborn as a Missouri mule when you’re believing and standing on God’s Word.

The gospel song, “I Shall Not Be Moved” would be a great motto for Christians to adopt. “I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved” (Psalm 16:8 NKJV). No matter what life throws our way or dumps on our porch, we cannot let it destroy our joy, peace, and confidence in Christ Jesus. Believers can say, “I am standing on the promises of God and I shall not be moved.” (So take them apples!)

The last thing I want to do is profess to believe in Almighty God and then be a poor specimen of a Christian because I won‘t trust God. My heavenly Father will take care of me and He‘ll take care of you. God has been good to me all my life and I’m confident that His love and my faith in Him will extend to my last breath.

Don’t wait for hard times to show up and then try to scrape up your spiritual weapons for battle. That’s like heading to the root cellar after the tornado blew up your house. Dig into that foxhole with God and prepare daily for life’s advancing trials. ”Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes” (Ephesians 4:23 NLT). Proper preparation prevents poor performance.

The Key: If you can’t take the pressure, get out of the kitchen and into God’s Word.

New Housing in Bourbon County by Gregg Motley

Gregg Motley. President of the Bourbon County Economic Development Council. Submitted photo.

 

Consider the following data about housing SEK; new houses built from 2016 and 2019 by selected county:

Allen 60; Bourbon 10; Cherokee 47; Crawford 288; Linn 182

Also consider that 8 of the 10 houses built in BB were TINY houses, costing about $40,000 a piece. Only two market houses were built during the time period considered. Why are we the tip of the tail on the SEK housing dog? A few thoughts:

It is not employment. We have a strong employment base, and it seems that every employer is hiring. About one in three workers commute into BB from another jurisdiction. The lack of good jobs is not the problem.

It is not quality of life. We have as many amenities, if not more, as the competing counties listed above. Crime is not out of control, and community spirit is generally good. We have good schools, a good community college, good churches, and good cultural amenities.

First and foremost, it is taxes. Consider the fact that if you live in Fort Scott, you pay the highest tax rate of all first-class cities in the state, save one: Parsons. Here are the levies of the counties listed above:

Allen 62.88; Bourbon 66.67; Cherokee 51.70; Crawford 50.14; Linn 49.94

Yes, we are the highest in the area. We don’t even compare to Vernon County, Missouri.

The number two reason is related to the first: year after year of low comparable sales, because of high taxes, makes it VERY difficult for bankers and mortgage lenders to get an adequate appraisal to make a loan on a new house. Those who want to build a new house will have to come up with at least 30% down, perhaps more. Who can afford to throw away all that equity?

What is the solution? Some proposals:

Control the cost of government by looking at shared services. We can’t afford the luxury of taxing entities in close proximity ignoring each other, and replicating structures.

After we lower costs, reduce the levies. We have to get competitive with our neighbors. Also, we have to increase our assessed valuation, not by increasing the value of existing properties but building new ones.

Exploit what we have. Why does Linn County, which has one of the highest unemployment rates, and lowest household incomes in the state, build so many houses? Besides low taxes, they have lakes on which residents and those who want a second home can build. We have miles of undeveloped lake shoreline in BB.

Look to build public/private/charitable partnerships to explore solutions. It will take private creativity, public investment, and some charity to get the housing ball rolling, until taxes can be mitigated, and comparable sales increased.

Let’s make this a priority and seek solutions together.

What’s Happening In Fort Scott June 25 Newsletter

What’s Happening in Fort Scott!
June 25th Weekly Newsletter
New Mural at
Riverfront Park
by the talented
Stephen Toal
UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS
________________
TROLLEY TOURS!
Every Friday & Saturday!
50-minute Narrated Trolley Tour
of Historic Fort Scott. Every hour on the hour. Depart from The Fort Scott
Chamber at 231 E. Wall St.
Friday hours: 11 am until 3 pm
Saturday hours: 10 am until 3 pm.
$6 Adults & $4 for 12 yrs & under.
6/25 – Museum of Creativity – OPEN PLAY SEASON. Admission – $3/person (free-4-1 yr old) Monday, Thurs. & Fri. 10 am – 2 pm
Friday also at 4 pm – 8 pm. Click here for info.
6/25 – Art Walk hosted by Bourbon County Arts Council, will be held inside Liberty Theatre, 113 S. Main St., 5 to 8pm.
6/18 – Friday Night Concert in the Park featuring Mike Lundeen, 7-8pm, Heritage Park Pavilion, 1st & Main St., bring a lawn chair if possible due to limited seating. Click here for more info.
6/25 – 7/31 ~ The Lavender Patch Farm To learn more about events & hours open,click here.
June & July Hours open daily. Thurs. thru Mon.
6/25 – Friday Night Karaoke at The Boiler Room Bewhaus! 7 pm until 10 pm! 2 S. National St.
6/25 & 7/1 – Fort Scott Cinema. Now showing: Petter Rabbit 2, In the Heights, Fast & Furious 9, The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard. Click here for more info.
6/26 – Farmers’ Market, 8 am to noon, Skubitz Plaza in front of the Fort. Bourbon County Democrats serving Breakfast on the Bricks this Saturday, click here for more info.
6/26 – Birds & Bricks Scooters Flock Party. Riverfront Park, 11am to 2pm, unveiling of 50 brand new scooters, Blue Spoon Food Truck and MoJo’s Shaved Ice! Click here for info.
6/26 & 27 – EKTEC Rodeo in Uniontown, click here for more info.
6/26 – Roller Skating at Buck Run Community Center, doors open 6:30pm, skating 7-9pm, click here for more info.
6/29 – Lego Club hosted by Museum of Creativity, Tuesdays through August, 4:30-5:30 click here for more info.
7/2 – Ryan Hall Band at Boiler Room Brewhaus, 7-9pm, click here for info.
7/3 – Bourbon County History Carpool Tour of Marmatin/Marmoton, 8:30am to approx. 10:30am, leaving from Memorial Hall, click here for more info. and to register online.
7/3 – Uniontown 16th Annual Independence Day Celebration with Fireworks at dark, click here for info.
7/3 – City of Fort Scott Fireworks Display at dark, sponsored by the Elks Lodge, shot from the Fort Scott Community College.
7/4 – Burke Street 4th of July Parade, 12pm start from 10th & Burke, click here for info.
7/7 – Dare to Dream Women’s Entrepreneurship Series, 5-7pm including dinner catered by Sharky’s, childcare provided. Panelists include Dacia Clark of the Small Business Development Center, Bailey Lyons of Lyons Realty Group, and Kelly Perry of Perry’s Pork Rinds, click here for more info. and to register.
SAVE THE DATE:
BOURBON COUNTY FAIR
July 9-17, click here for the schedule!
Tickets on sale NOW at the Chamber
for the RODEO, see flyer below.
CHAMBER GOLF CLASSIC
Friday, July 23rd, click here to register!
SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!
Downtown Fort Scott is booming!
Click here for Chamber member
specialty shopping & other retail in
Downtown & other areas of the community.
Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue
Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.
FITNESS FOR EVERYONE IN FS!
Many fitness options are available…
SPIN classesnow offered bySmallville Athletics, every Mon & Wed at 5:15 pm, and Tu & Thurs at 6 pm. $5/class or $50/mo. unlimited.
Total Body Fitness ~ M & W Karen Reinbolt at BRCC@
8:15 am $20/8 week session.
Zumba~ M,W, F @ 6pm Monalynn Decker at BRCC $40 for a 12-week session.
Indoor Fitness/Gyms at
I AM Rehab + Fitness, Smallville Athletics, and Buck Run!
NOTE: THE ART WALK BELOW HAS BEEN MOVED INSIDE LIBERTY THEATRE due to wind and the weather. Come visit local and regional artists!
THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER BOOSTER MEMBERS!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
231 E. Wall Street
Fort Scott, KS 66701

Bourbon County Commission Meeting Agenda For June 29

Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

 

Date: June 29, 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 THE COMMISSION ROOM.

 

Call to Order

 

    • Flag Salute
    • Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
    • Commission to Consider a Road Opening @ 45th & Unique
    • Eric Bailey – Road and Bridge 2022 Budget Review
    • Bourbon County Internet Access Proposal
    • Lora Holdridge – Register of Deeds 2022 Budget Review
    • Angel Wilson – Attorney’s 2022 Budget Review
    • Judge Ward / Rhonda Cole – District Court 2022 Budget Review
    • NRP-Request Bourbon County Ready to Manage
    • Mercy Donation Agreement
    • Kendell Mason – Executive Session – KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
    • Elected Officials Comment
    • County Counselor Comment
    • Susan Bancroft, Finance Director 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.

Bourbon County Commission Special Meeting for Budget Town Hall

Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

 

Date: June 28, 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 AT THE RIVER ROOM, 3 W. OAK STREET

 

Call to Order @ 6:00pm on Monday, June 28, 2021

 

    • Flag Salute
  • Bourbon County Budget Town Hall Meeting

 

Obituary of Vana Rash

Vana Lynn Rash, age 59, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Thursday, June 24, 2021, at Mercy Hospital, Joplin, MO. She was born July 20, 1961, in Shreveport, LA, the daughter of Ivan and Norma Barber Bare. She married Glenn Rash on June 2, 1989, in Canyon City, CO. She worked as an RN in the hospital setting during her career. She loved her work, caring for those she met. She was a loving wife, mother, and friend to many. Vana was an avid reader and a devoted member of the Grace Baptist Tabernacle.

Survivors include her husband Glenn of the home; a son, Garret Rash, Ft. Scott; a niece, Brenna; and two nephews, Brandon, and Brent. She was preceded in death by a sister, Karen Sandoval; and her parents.

Rev. Paul Rooks will conduct funeral services at 11:00 AM Wednesday morning June 30th, at the Grace Baptist Tabernacle. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until service time at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Grace Baptist Tabernacle and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.