Category Archives: Area News

Area News, Business, Submitted

Reliability project takes flight.

Leave a comment

Helicopters will fly low to capture images of selected transmission lines, substations.

Topeka, Kan., April 5, 2018 – Westar Energy is inspecting power lines using specially equipped helicopters to fly along sections of the transmission system. The images captured will help identify areas that may need maintenance and create a more modern record of the
transmission system.
The flights provide a more precise and searchable visual record of the transmission system, which improves power grid efficiency and reliability.
Flights are planned through mid-April. Flights will generally be from two hours after dawn until two hours before sunset and may occur on the weekends. They will take place throughout the eastern Kansas area served by Westar Energy.
Two small helicopters will be used for the project: one yellow and white and one red.

Area News

KLS Provides Service To Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victims

Leave a comment
Eric Rosenblad
Kansas Legal Services (KLS) provides legal advice and representation to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, according to Eric Rosenblad, Project Director.
KLS is the recipient of a United Way of Bourbon County grant.
FortScott.Biz is featuring each of the agencies in a series.
The following is an interview with Rosenblad.
What services does KLS provide to our community?
” We provide legal help with restraining orders, family law matters and can also help with other legal problems such as housing, employment and debt problems that are caused by domestic abuse or sexual assault.”
Where is the KLS office and what are the hours?
“We are open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. We are located at 408 N. Walnut, Pittsburg. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 1509, Pittsburg, KS 66762.”
What percentage of your budget is the United Way grant?
“The Bourbon County United Way grant represents about five percent of our funding for Victims of Crime project.”
Who are the board members?
“Our Southeast Kansas representative to the Kansas Legal Services Board of Directors is Mr. Charles Apt, Iola.”
Rosenblad can be reached at 620-232-1330 or [email protected].
Area News, Submitted

Annual Home Show April 13-14

Leave a comment

 

Don’t Miss Out on All of These Great Vendors!
Albers Marine, Airwave, Autumn Exteriors, Bath Innovations, Blue Valley Trailers, Briggs Auto, Bo. Co. Conservation District, Bo. Co. Emergency Management, Busy Bugs Pest Control, Car Help Mechanic, Care To Share, CDL Electric, Cellular Sales/Verizon, City of Fort Scott, Country Place Living, Covey Garage Doors, Cricket Wireless, Culligan Water of Joplin, Dreamscape Innovations, Experience Hearing Center, Ed Graham Agency, F.S. Chamber of Commerce, Fort Scott Community College, Hague Quality Water, Heartland Electric, Heartland Propane, Home Pro, Jim’s Sales and Service, K-State, Lavender Farms, Leaf Filter, Little Elves, Live Local, Meeks Lumber, Mercy Hospital, Midwest Exteriors, Norris Heating and Air, Omaley Implement, Pat’s Design, Pete’s, Pioneer Harvest Fiesta, Pro Active Agriculture, Positive Touch Massage, Quality Mechanics & Sound, R&R Equipment, Redbud Farms, Rolox Home Service, Ruddicks Furniture, Satellite Center, Seal Smart, SEK Heat and Air, Sharky’s, Shirt Shack, Skitch’s, S. Wind Extension Master Gardener, Sunscape Pool & Backyard, U.S. Cellular, Your Home Town Medical, and Yutzy Construction
Area News, Submitted

Rehabilitation Leads Baylee Oney to a New Calling

Leave a comment
Baylee Oney suffered an ACL tear while snow skiing in December. Not only is she on pace to participate in the upcoming rodeo season, she’s been inspired to make physical therapy her career.

FSCC Rodeo Athlete’s Snow Skiing Injury is “Life Changing”

 As a barrel racer, Baylee Oney knows how to navigate twists and turns. But in late December when her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) was torn in a snow skiing accident, her life may have the biggest turn yet.

“The whole ordeal has been life-changing,” said Oney, 21, of Creighton, MO.

As a student and rodeo team member at Fort Scott Community College, Oney knew she had a challenging road ahead. She needed surgery, she needed to stay in school, and she needed to recover from a serious injury before rodeo season kicked into high gear.

Fortunately all those “needs” have fallen into place, plus she’s found her career calling through her physical therapy experience at Mercy Health for Life.

“I’ve never been a physical therapy patient before and this has opened my eyes to a whole new world where people help people in overcoming challenges,” Oney said. “All my life I’ve been physically active and have enjoyed working with people.”

“Through my therapy at Mercy Health for Life, I’ve personally experienced how being surrounded by encouraging, highly skilled and knowledgeable people is helping me recover and remain determined. The therapy team here has been so influential that I’ve been inspired to change my careers goals and become a physical therapy assistant.”

During Oney’s three months of physical therapy, she has been treated with the typical modalities used for ACL surgery rehab such as strengthening exercises, stretching, and Biodex testing, plus the Mercy therapy team has added aquatic therapy and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM), also known as the Graston technique.

Mercy physical therapist Denny Gillard uses a soft-tissue massage technique called the Graston technique to break down scar tissue around Baylee’s surgery site

“Baylee has benefitted from using aquatic therapy because water creates natural buoyancy that allows for therapy to be less stressful on her joints while increasing strength, flexibility, and range of motion,” explained Denny Gillard, Mercy Health for Life director and physical therapist.

“The Graston Technique is a soft-tissue massage that uses stainless steel instruments to break down scar tissue around the surgery site so Baylee has better mobility, plus her therapy is less painful and she can progress faster,” Gillard added. “The results are incredible.”

Oney is making excellent progress. She’s eager to get back on her horses and step into the next chapter of her life.

“I’ve learned that in a second, life can throw you a curve,” Oney said. “I’m not taking anything for granted. My experience has been great here at Mercy Health for Life, and I’m now focused on sharing the same with patients I’ll work with in the future.”

To learn more about Mercy Therapy Services, call 620-223-7073.

Mercy Hospital Fort Scott is an acute care hospital with 46 licensed beds, offering comprehensive medical, surgical, OB/GYN, pediatric, home care and hospice services. Inpatient care is provided with 24/7 physician coverage. In 2017, Mercy Hospital Fort Scott received The Leapfrog Group’s prestigious A rating. Mercy Clinic Fort Scott is located on hospital grounds as well as Mercy rural health clinics in Arma and Pleasanton.

 

 

 

Area News, Submitted

KDOT resurfacing U.S. 69 in Linn County

Leave a comment

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has begun a resurfacing project on U.S. 69 in Linn County. Work starts north of the U.S. 69/K-52 north junction and continues for six miles, ending south of the Linn-Miami county line.

Project activity includes milling at various locations; a 1-inch reflective crack interlayer (RCI) mix overlay on the driving lanes; and an overlay on exit and entrance ramps. Both north- and southbound traffic is reduced to one lane on the project. The speed limit is reduced to 60 miles an hour, with a driving lane width restriction of 12 feet. Weather permitting, the road work should be finished by late summer 2018.

KDOT awarded the $5.4 million construction contract to APAC Kansas Inc., Shears Division of Hutchinson. Troy Howard, a construction engineer at the KDOT Garnett office, reminds drivers to watch for the signs, slow down and “Give ‘Em a Brake!” at the work zone. Persons with questions may contact Howard at (785) 448-5446, or Priscilla Petersen, KDOT Southeast District public affairs manager, at (620) 902-6433.

 

Area News, Fort Scott

Fisher Park Project Moving Forward

1 Comment
The new Fisher Park parking lot at 7th and Main streets will be located on the northwest corner and will accommodate 25 regular size parking spaces and 1-2 handicapped accessible spaces.

Frank Adamson started seeing the need for improvements of Fisher Park, when his daughter, Hunter, starting playing softball there, three years ago.

Eventually,  others joined him in the pursuit to improve the park and today they are awaiting engineering specifications of the first step, making more parking spaces at the park located at 7th and Main.

The Fisher Park Project group received a grant this last month from a local industry, the Timken Company, in the amount of $5,200 for the purpose of helping offset engineering fees

Agricultural Engineering Associates, Uniontown, is currently working on those specifications.

Once received, the specifications will help with the process of getting more grants to fund future park improvement projects, according to Adamson.

In addition to the parking lot, also envisioned in the project are concrete pads for wheelchair accessibility, more bleachers for viewing games, tearing down an unused tower that obstructs sight for viewers, and reconfiguring of the south ball diamond to make it regulation size.

Adamson points to where the concrete pad for wheelchair accessibility is envisioned. In the middle of the picture is the unused green tower which will be demolished. The tower obstructs the view for fans of softball.
More bleachers behind home plate are planned in this spot.
Adamson stands in the spot that will be the home plate, once the south ballpark is reconfigured to make it regulation size.
Adamson stands in the vacant lot at 7th and Main streets across from Fisher Park that will be the new parking lot for 25 vehicles and 1-2 handicapped accessible vehicles.

More parking spaces are first on the list for improvement at Fisher Park.

Twenty-five standard parking spaces and one or two van accessible spaces will be provided in an off-street lot across Main Street from the ballpark.

Those serving on the Fisher Park Project board are Adamson, Josh Jones, Bill Michaud, Tom Robertson and Rhonda Dunn.

For more information, see the Fisher Park Project Facebook page or contact Adamson at the Courtland Hotel & Spa at 620-223-0098

The concession stand currently has wheelchair accessibility and faces the south ballpark.
Looking east towards the north ballpark in Fisher Park from the vantage point of the proposed parking lot.

 

Area News, Submitted

Make a difference – Adopt a highway

Leave a comment

Make a difference in your community and help the environment at the same time – join the Adopt-A-Highway program in Kansas.

The goal of the program is to clean along the roadways throughout the state to increase safety for motorists and pedestrians as well as improve the beauty of Kansas. This helps to raise awareness of the negative effects of pollution and the positive aspects of a clean community.

“We’ve been a long time with Adopt-A-Highway,” said Humboldt Lions Club member Larry Barnett, who estimated that club members have been cleaning up a two-mile stretch of U.S. 169 right-of-way east of Humboldt for over 20 years. “We try to do the best we can to keep the highways clean,” he said.

Any non-profit group that does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion or gender can join and there is no cost to the group. Members must be at least 11 years old and have adequate adult supervision. Groups have clean-ups two to three times a year and are recognized for their efforts with signs marking their sections of highway. Since spring 1990, thousands of groups have participated and a number of the original groups are still active today.

Adopt-A-Highway groups are gearing up for the annual Clean Up Kansas Campaign which takes place during the month of April. This event, as well as the program, is sponsored by the Kansas Department of Transportation. All Adopt-A-Highway groups are encouraged but not required to participate in the statewide event.

Groups clean their sections of roadway several times a year at their convenience. Most choose to schedule a clean-up time in the spring, summer, and fall.

For more information contact the KDOT office in your area (listed below). 

KDOT – Iola

(620) 365-2161

KDOT – Garnett
(785) 448-5446

KDOT – Independence
(620) 331-3760

KDOT – Pittsburg

(620) 308-7611

Area News

Grief Support Offered By Mercy Hospice

Leave a comment

If you have experienced the loss of a loved one and need support, you may find comfort among Mercy’s Bereavement and Grief Support Group.

Mercy Hospice will offer an eight-week bereavement and grief support group at Mercy Hospital Fort Scott on Wednesday’s from 2-3 p.m. beginning April 4 through May 23.

The support group is open to anyone who has experienced loss of a loved one regardless of hospice care or affiliation. Each week, professionals will share topics to assist participants on their journey to dealing with the loss.

Although attendance is not mandatory at all sessions, it’s highly recommended. Enrollment will close on April 18.

For more information and meeting location, please contact Melissa George, Mercy Hospice Chaplain, at 620-223-8533.

Area News, Submitted

Rural Mercy Clinic Serves More than Patients

Leave a comment
Kim Burns, FNP, Mercy Clinic Family Medicine Arma.

The size of Mercy Clinic Family Medicine Arma may be small, but its impact is widespread. That’s because nurse practitioner Kim Burns sees her role as a health care provider to be more than a clinician. “My work is to serve people and that carries endless possibilities outside the walls of a clinic. It is my privilege to help students find their passion in life and then work alongside them to see their dreams come true.”

 

 

 

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Submitted

Fort Scott Weekend Events

Leave a comment

Schedule of Special Events in Fort Scott, Kansas
March 16 –18, 2018
Visit the Chamber & Tourism Center for more attractions & activities!
Tell your friends you’re here! Check in on Facebook! @ Visit Fort Scott KS
@ Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce 800-245-FORT (3678) * www.fortscott.com
231 E. Wall Street Fort Scott, KS 2 Pages on Facebook: Visit Fort Scott KS & Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce 800-245-FORT (3678) * www.fortscott.com

FRI & SAT – 10:00 am – 5:00 pm – Livestock Sales – Fort Scott Livestock Market – 2131 Maple Rd. You don’t have to be a buyer to watch the sale and visit the café.
FRI, SAT & SUN – 8:30 am – 4:00 pm – Art Project: New Faces New Neighbors Fort Scott National Historic Site – History & Art come together. Kids have created textile works of art that
encompass the change of Fort Scott NHS throughout its history.

FRIDAY, March 16th
8:00 am – Water/Ways Exhibit on display- Fort Scott Regional Tourism Center – 231 E. Wall St
11:00 am – 4:00 pm – Trolley Tours on the hour, leave from the Tourism Center, 231 E. Wall, $6a/$4c, last tour@3pm.
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Lenten Fish Fry– Every Friday through March 23 at Kennedy Gym 705 S. Holbrook
6:00 pm – 8:00pm – FSCC “Escape the Fort” Escape Room – Contact Matt Glades at [email protected] or call 620.223.2700 ext. 3520 to set up a time. “May the odds be ever in your favor”-Hunger Games

SATURDAY, March 17th
Shamrock Saturday! Wear your green & Shop the Fort! Ask about Drawings, Deals & Discounts
St Patrick’s Day Nightlife & More –
Crooner’s Lounge/Liberty Theatre –St Patrick’s Day on the Patio– All Day
Nate’s Place – St. Paddy’s Day Specials All Day
The Boiler Room Brewhaus Specialty Brew– Feckin Red, Irish Red Ale
Holmtown Pub – The East Siders Band – Live with music from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s & 90’s –8pm
Sharky’s – Opening at 7 am for an St. Paddy’s Day Breakfast -”You can’t drink all day if you don’t start early!
10:00 am – Water/Ways Exhibit on display – Fort Scott Regional Tourism Center – 231 E. Wall St.
11:00 am – 4:00 pm – Trolley Tours on the hour, leave from the Tourism Center, 231 E. Wall, $6a/$4c, last tour@3p
12:00 pm – 12:00 am – Annual Marvin Colegrove Memorial Pool Tournament – Elks Lodge –
1:00 pm – KJBA –Kansas Junior Bullriders Association – Bullriders Finals held at FSCC Indoor Arena:
1:00 pm – Free Screening of the 1951 Classic “Show Boat” held at the Empress Event Center 7 N. Main

SUNDAY, March 18th
Walk Kansas Begins Today through May 12th – Contact your local K-State extension office for details
6:00 pm – Lenten Worship Services – Trinity Lutheran Church, 2824 S Horton St.

Special thanks to the businesses below for their Chamber membership & support of the community!RESTAURANTS:
Downtown Historic District Holmtown Pub 206 N. National 620-223-1477
Nu-Grille 24 N. National 620-223-9949
Sharky’s Pub & Grub 16 N. National 620-223-4777
La Hacienda 24 N. Main St. 620-223-4400
Papa Don’s Pizza 10 N. Main St. 620-223-4171
Crooner’s Lounge (5-9pm) 117 S. Main St. 620-224-9787
Common Ground Coffee Co. 116 S. Main St. 620-223-2499

Midtown
Nate’s Place (Lyons Twin Mansions) 750 S. National 620-223-3644
Hours: Tues-Fri 9am-2pm, Sat-Sun 8am-2pm, Cocktails & carry-in Thurs-Fri 5-8pm

Southern Fort Scott
Sonic Drive-In 1700 S. National 620-223-3630
Domino’s Pizza 1709 S. National 620-768-5533
Subway 1715 S. National 620-224-2420
Marsha’s Great Plains Deli 6 W. 18th St. 620-223-6432
McDonald’s 2224 S. Main St. 620-223-6760
Dairy Queen 2328 S. Main St. 620-224-2226
El Charro 2503 S. Main St. 620-223-9944
Penny’s Diner 2505 S. Main St. 620-768-7000

SHOPPING:
Downtown Historic District: Bids & Dibs 19 S. National, 620-224-2437: New & consignment home décor, clothing, & accessories
The Bunker 108 Scott Ave: Shooting sports retailer & firearms training facility
Country Cupboard 12 N. Main, 620-223-5980: Country accents, Victorian décor, quilting fabrics, Primitives, collectibles, and souvenirs. John’s shoe & boot repair located in the back of the store
Electronics Store 2 N. National, 620-223-4501: Electronics, toys and games, cell phones and accessories
Fort Scott Munitions 523 E. Wall St., 620-223-1277: Manufacturer of premium ammunition & firearms
Iron Star Antiques & Such 3 N. Main, 620-223-2929: Unique gifts, home décor, furniture, ladies apparel
J & W Sports Shop 20 N. Main, 620-223-3690: Athletic clothing and shoes
Main Street Gallery & Gifts, and other Collective Booths 23 S. Main, 620-223-2210
Mayco Ace Hardware 205 Scott, 620-223-2670: Hardware, garden and more
Miller Feed & Farm 15 W. Wall, 620-223-3420: Feed, boots, animal care & accessories
Redbud Farms & Nurseries 1291 240th St., 620-223-1811: Greenhouse & Nurseries
Ruddick’s Furniture 117 S. National, 620-223-2510: Furniture and home décor
Rustic Charm Flea Market 212 E. 1st St. 620-644-8645: Antiques and furniture
The Shiney Studios 123 S. National Ave. 620-215-5019: Yoga studio, wellness center, clothing, candles, & more
Sunshine Boutique Gifts and Cosmetics 18 E. Wall, 620-223-6007: Gift items, candles & cosmetics
Trader Dave’s Antiques & More 15 S. Scott, 620-224-0079: Unique items ranging from antiques to gently used items
Treasure Hunt Flea Market 6 S. Main St. 620-223-3522: Antiques, furniture, collectibles & gifts
Additional Shopping Locations:
Bartelsmeyer Jewelry 1519 S. National, 620-223-2070: Fine jewelry
Fort Scott Gun & Pawn 1402 E. Wall, 620-223-0583: Visit their showroom!
HairBow Center 2326 Kansas Rd., 620-223-9898: online & warehouse ribbon & bow accessories
Heidrick‘s True Value & Nancy’s Gift Corner 1508 S. National, 620-223-2660: Hardware and gift corner Pot Pantry 1366 215th St., 620-224-7480: Unique hand-made pottery, call Bobbi to see if open to shop
Sekan’s Occasion Shop 2210 S. Main, 620-223-5190: Furniture, home décor, and party supplies
Shirt Shack 11 E. 18th St., 620-223-4680: T-shirts, jeans and other clothing
Tractor Supply Company 2420 S. Main, 620-223-4900: Farm supplies, clothing, shoes and more
Walgreens 2229 S. Main, 620-223-2402: Cosmetics, health and beauty aids, pharmacy and much more
Wal-Mart 2500 S. Main, 620-223-2867: Discount store plus groceries

TOP ACTIVITIES:
Fort Scott National Historic Site *Free Admission* (8am-5pm): Self-guided tour, cell phone tour, 20 min. the film always available.
11 buildings & exhibits. Gift shop with books, shirts, historical toys, & other souvenirs.
Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes *Free Admission* 1 S. Main, 620-223-1312, (Mon.-Fri. 10am-5pm, Sat. 10am-4pm): Informative exhibits on unsung heroes & other award-winning exhibits. Also sells award-winning book, movie, and teaching materials.
Gordon Parks Museum & Photo Exhibit *Free Admission* 2018 S. Horton, Ellis Fine Arts Center, 620-223-2700
(Tues-Fri. 10am-4pm, Sat. 10am-2pm, & by appt.): 1st black photographer for Life magazine, photographer, poet, filmmaker. The gift shop also sells books, t-shirts, mugs, and other gift items.
National Cemetery No. 1 900 E. National Ave.: Numbered 1 of 14 cemeteries declared National cemeteries in 1861 by Pres. Lincoln.
Lyons Twin Mansions *Free Tour* 750 S. National Ave. 620-223-3644: Offers complimentary tours, any-time of day.
Courtland Hotel & Spa 121 E. 1st St. 620-223-5657: Spa/Massage/Salon Retail Outlet
Re:freshed Aesthetics 750 S. National Ave. 620-215-2694: Beauty products, facials, waxings, & more
The Shiney Studios 123 S. National Ave. 620-215-5019: Yoga studio, wellness center, clothing, candles, & more
Vinedo del Alamo Winery 2304 Poplar Rd.. 620-215-6311, (Fri.-Sat. 3-9pm, Sun. 12-6pm): Wine tastings, and purchase from a local vineyard. North on 69 Hwy. to Poplar Rd. exit, turn east 1 mile across RR tracks.
Woodland Hills Golf Course 2414 S. Horton, 620-223-5060
Gunn Park 1010 Park Ave.: 155-acre Scenic Park, 7 shelter houses, 2 lakes, 6 mi. of trails, 18-hole disc golf course
Kansas Rocks Recreational Park 18 miles NW of Fort Scott, 130th St. Mapleton, KS. (Sat. 8am-5pm, Sun. 9am-4pm): 30 miles of trails for Jeeps & 4-wheel drives, biking, & hiking

Hunting, Fishing, & Watersports: Multiple lakes & fishing/hunting areas at Fort Scott Lake, Rock Creek Lake* Bourbon County State Lake*, Elm Creek, Cedar Creek, Timber Hills Ranch, T&C Wildlife & More! *Waterfalls at these locations.