Category Archives: Fort Scott

New Labconco Manager: Brandon Smith

Brandon Smith. Submitted photo.

Brandon Smith, 44, is the new plant manager at Labconco, in Fort Scott’s Industrial Park.

Labconco, 2500 Liberty Bell Road, Fort Scott.

Smith started on May 9, 2022, replacing Mike Lakeman.

He oversees the daily operations of the plant, with 72 employees.

Smith served in the U.S. Navy for eight years, and has been at the Labconco headquarters in Kansas City, MO for 16.5 years, before coming to Fort Scott.

Labconco is celebrating its 97th year in Kansas City, MO and 34th year in Fort Scott, Smith said “Labconco designs and builds high-quality laboratory equipment.”

“Continuous product innovation keeps researchers safe and meets their exacting and ever-evolving needs for efficiency and performance in chemical and biological ventilation, particulate enclosures, sample preparation, forensics, washers, and water purification,” Smith said. “Labconco’s employees are dedicated to the safety of people and the scientific process, and to the prospect of a world made safer through science.”

Labconco: A Part of the COVID-19 Pandemic Vaccine Research

Labconco has played a big part in the pandemic, Smith said.

“Our biological safety cabinets, which are manufactured in the Kansas City location, and fume hoods, which are manufactured here in Fort Scott, were used in the research and development of the various vaccines currently being used now,” he said.  “A large part of our customer base is medical and pharmaceutical research.  We are an international company, so our products serviced not just nationally, but globally as well.”

The business has also dealt with the supply disruptions of the pandemic.

“We are constantly dealing with supply chain disruptions to this day since the pandemic started,” he said.  “Most of our suppliers have increased their lead times, for various reasons, which in turn has produced new challenges and obstacles on our end with keeping up to the customer demand.”

For more information, visit labconco.com

Friday Night Free Concert: DJ Brown and Bourbon County Revival

Ralph Carlson introduces the Friday Night Concert musicians May 2019.

DJ Brown and The Bourbon County Revival will be the featured entertainment at this week’s Friday Night Concert. The local four-piece band plays classic rock, country, and Red Dirt.  Band members are Danny Brown on acoustic guitar and vocals, Robert Uhler on drums, Jerry Bahr on banjo, electric, acoustic and bass guitars, and vocals, and Randy Brasuell on mandolin, fiddle, bass and electric guitars, and vocals.

 

“These talented guys have been playing together for quite some time and are a crowd favorite,” concert-series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “We’re pleased to welcome them back to perform in our downtown pavilion. Bring a friend and join us for a great show.“

 

The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Park Pavilion at First and Main streets. The shows, sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, are free and open to the public. Dave Oas and Jim Butler provide the sound each week. Due to limited seating, attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

 

In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the Loading Dock at Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall Street.

Fort Scott Area Community Foundation Opens Annual Grant Process

Gregg Motley tells about the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation before the awarding of the grants in 2021. At right is Carla Farmer, chairperson of the foundation.

The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation (FSACF) is now accepting applications for the 2022 General Funds Grant program.  Applications will be accepted through August 31, 2022.

The mission of FSACF is to serve the region by encouraging charitable giving benefiting the common good and improving the quality of life. The Foundation is committed to making a making a meaningful contribution in the areas of civic improvements, arts and humanities, health, education, human and social services, and the conservation and preservation of cultural and environmental resources.

In 2022, up to $59,000 will be available to fund grants to local 501(c)(3) public charities, schools, government agencies, and religious institutions.  The Foundation considers proposals based on how they improve the quality of life for residents, and is particularly interested in projects that are sustainable in the future. Collaborative projects are strongly encouraged.

In 2021, the Foundation awarded $40,345 to 15 non-profit recipients through its General Funds Grant cycle. Awards averaged $2,600 and ranged from $500 to $4,500. Projects in Fort Scott and Uniontown received funding.  A history of funded projects can be viewed at https://fsacf.com.

This year’s grant applications will be accepted through an online submission process.  Interested organizations can find the grant application at https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=southeastkansas .

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Drainage Pipe To Be Installed at 17th and Crawford on July 18

The City of Fort Scott Water Distribution Department will be relocating a section of water main at 17th & Crawford on Monday July 18th, 2022. This is to accommodate the installation of new storm drainage pipe being installed. Customers on Crawford Street between 15th Street and 18th Street will be out of water during this time. The outage will start sometime between 7:00 a.m. & 8:00 a.m. The Water Distribution crew will work to restore water and water service as soon as possible, but customers should expect to be without water for the better part of the day.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have any questions or concerns, please call 620-223-0550 and ask for Water Distribution.

 

Business Health Coverage Webinar July 14

Interested in learning more about the Chamber Blue of Kansas?

 

Join us for a webinar:

Thursday, July 14, 2022 at 2PM

 

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS), in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Kansas (CCEKS) and local Chambers across the state have created an association health plan (AHP) – Chamber Blue of Kansas. This AHP offers member businesses access to health insurance savings associated with large group medical coverage.

 

Join us as Andrew Gutierrez, group sales consultant at Blue Cross, discusses information about this health plan, including eligibility, benefit, and enrollment information.

 

Register now!

If you are unable to attend, a recording of the webinar will be posted on the Chamber Blue of Kansas website following the event.

Click here for Webinar Registration

Thank you to our Chamber Champions for all of your support!

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As You Are Ministry Moves Forward, Step by Step

As You Are Ministry is located above the Fort Scott Barber Shop, the tallest building in this photo.

Mayra Montanez has a heart for the disadvantaged, because at one time she was one.

She is the daughter of an Assembly of God pastor in Puerto Rico.

And life happened.

“I was a single parent on my own, and needed help,” she said. “I know how it feels to  have limited resources and have pride…to be employed and not have enough money to go to work.”

To this day her heart is touched by the issues of others.

“In the winter, I wake my husband up, it’s snowing, and we will go look for people on the streets,” she said. “It breaks my heart.”

Montanez started the process of of non-profit 501 3c designation last fall, called As You Are Ministry. She has received calls from the community for people in need.

The second floor of the family owned business, Fort Scott Barber Shop, is being transformed to help meet the needs of the community, little by little.

Last month, the family installed a heating and air conditioning system with a separate power line to the second floor of their business building. They recently got a website going.

They have been working on the second floor of the building, for ministering to the community. It has a gathering place, a kitchenette, her office and the future bathroom/shower room.

The third floor is another step down the road, with the idea of providing temporary housing for those who need it.

Mayra Montanez tells about the community gathering place for those who need a place to cool off in summer or get warm in winter.

“You can warm up, or cool down,” in the gathering place they have prepared, she said. There is also a kitchenette to provide some refreshments to those who gather.

“The next step is a bathroom,” Montanez said. “We have no plumbing up here.”

A kitchenette is provided in the community gathering place.

Then, if someone got their water cut off or is homeless, the ministry could provide a bathroom service.

“Sometimes when things happen in life, where their money didn’t go as far the month, we can help,” she said.

“We want to meet people where they are,” Montanez said.

Some of the products/services they can currently provide, besides the community gathering place:

  • school supplies including backpacks
  • hygienic supplies: tooth brush, toothpaste, shampoo
  • translation from English to Spanish for legal documents
  • notary public service
  • currently in place of a shower: body cleansing wipes, clean clothes and dirty clothes washed
  • providing hotel lodging for a few nights if needed, because of the weather.

Her husband, Jose, and their children are highly involved in her ministry and helping people, she said.

The goal is to “help people who sometimes need a little push to  move forward, no judgement,” she said. “From there they can do it. We want to be able to help those who need a little or a lot of help. If we can, we will.”

As You Are Ministry is located above the family’s barber shop at 118 E. Wall.

Mayra Montanez shows the third floor that she hopes will eventually be temporary housing for those in need.

They have someone who is willing to do the labor for free for the bath/shower room, if the Montanez’s will provide the materials, she said.

They have applied for a grant through the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team for the toilet and sinks.

If they aren’t approved for that, they will have to wait a little longer, but she is  hoping to have it done by winter, she said.

Hours are by appointment.

For more information: 913.708.5234.

 

 

 

 

How to Properly Dispose of Worn-Out U.S. Flags

 

Bring them to Fort Scott NHS and Find Out!

 

Fort Scott Kan. – Saturday, July 23, 2022, at 9:30 am, Fort Scott National Historic Site, American Legion Post 25, and Fort Scott Fire Department will be hosting an official US Flag Disposal Ceremony. Bring your: United States, POW/MIA, State, and Service (U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard) flags to the fort between now and 9:30 am Saturday and we will properly and respectfully dispose of them. Just as there’s etiquette for displaying Old Glory, there’s also etiquette for disposing of flags in a dignified manner.

 

“4 U.S. Code § 8k (Respect for flag) states that ‘The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.’” said Carl Brenner, Acting Superintendent, Fort Scott National Historic Site. “As with celebrating this country’s newest citizens at our Naturalization Ceremony and honoring those we have lost through the ‘Field of Honor’ during Symbols of Sacrifice, we are proud to be a part in honoring this country’s flag by hosting this ceremony.”

 

From April 1-October 31, Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, will be open for its summer hours of operation.  The site exhibit areas and visitor center are open daily from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Park grounds are open daily from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.

 

-NPS-

 

Credit Photo as: NPS Photo

Beat the Heat: Cool Deals Downtown Fort Scott July 15-16

BEAT THE HEAT

DOWNTOWN SHOPPING EVENT

JULY 15TH & 16TH

Come downtown to find cool deals and beat the heat with sweet treats!

Offshore Tropix Soft Serve will be set up in front of Bids & Dibs from 10am-4pm

Participating retailers listed below.

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Beat the Heat Shopping Event will take place Friday, July 15th and Saturday, July 16th. Stores in the Downtown Historic District and additional locations will be participating in the fun serving cold refreshments while you shop and find hot deals in the cool stores.

 

To add to the event, Offshore Tropix Soft serve will be set up in front of Bids & Dibs from 10:00am to 4pm with delicious, sweet treats. There are plenty of benches downtown and around while you shop or taking in the historic sites, restaurants, and museums.

 

Participating retailers will be offering complimentary popsicles, iced coffee, or some cold refreshments as you shop or at checkout and those stores will be designated with a Beat the Heat poster and a pink flamingo in spirit of the shopping event. Those locations include: Angie Dawn’s Boutique, Bids & Dibs, Hare & Crow Barber Shop, Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore, Sunshine Boutique, Shirt Shack, and Varia Resale Clothing.

Come downtown and shop around to find amazing deals such as 50% OFF shorts, swimwear, and sandals at Bids & Dibs, $10 & $15 Clothing Racks at Angie Dawn’s, 1/2 price summer sidewalk racks and 1.00 racks at Varia, and more!

 

 

Thank you to our Chamber Champions for all of your support!
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

Chamber Coffee Hosted by FLAG Church and Fort Cinema

Chamber Coffee hosted by FLAG Church and Fort Cinema.

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to the Chamber Coffee this Thursday, July 14th at 8am. This week’s coffee will be hosted by FLAG Church and Fort Cinema, located at 224 W 18th St. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served.

FLAG Church and Fort Cinema will be doing this week’s Chamber Coffee together. Fort Cinema is happy to extend their vision as a community gathering point beyond showing movies. FLAG Church stands for Family Life Assembly of God, and they exist to help people love God and love others. They are based out of Pittsburg, KS and are planting a campus in Fort Scott on September 11, 2022! No matter where life finds you, you are welcomed home at FLAG. They are excited to share heart and vision as a new church in our community.

Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.

 

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Ft. Scott Robbery Suspect Taken Into Custody

On Tuesday July 12th at approximately 2:30 p.m. Officers with the Fort Scott Police Department were dispatched to west side of Casey’s convenience store. Witnesses reported seeing a white male drop a cash register and then drive north on 69 highway in his vehicle.

At the same time Officers with the Fort Scott Police Department responded to Walgreen’s located at 2229 South Main and learned that a white male entered the store, went behind the counter, and removed the cash register and left the store. Nobody was injured during this incident.

Based on the eyewitness descriptions the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office located the suspect vehicle near Wagon Road and 69 highway. The vehicle was pursued but the suspect was not apprehended at this time.

Local Law Enforcement Agencies were notified of the pursuit and vehicle description. Vernon County Deputies located the vehicle on the east side of Nevada, Missouri and were able to take the suspect, Lewis A. Stein of St. Charles Missouri, into custody.  Stein is being held in Vernon County Jail on separate charges. Local charges are pending.

 

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.