Monthly Archives: March 2017

Fort Scott

Gunn Park Invites Community Members and Events

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With the arrival of spring and even warmer months to come, the city of Fort Scott encourages residents and visitors to take advantage of the amenities provided at Gunn Park.

“What an awesome park we have here,” City Manager Dave Martin said during the Chamber Coffee Thursday morning, when codes enforcement manager Rhonda Dunn spoke of the history of the park.

Dunn said she has heard that Gunn Park is the largest, city-owned park in the state of Kansas, with 155 acres that include two lakes, seven shelter houses, a number of playgrounds, a disc golf course, dog park, trails and the Marmatton River.

In the early 1900s, Gunn Park was privately owned land and only Fern Lake existed, with a wooden pavilion building and the remainder of the current park property being used as farmland. According to records, the park was frequently used by the community who came for swimming, diving, boat rentals and five cent trolley rides.

William Gunn, who found success in real estate and invested greatly in Fort Scott in the early 1900s, purchased the land and gave it to the city, with records quoting him as saying he believed the park should belong to the city and should always be free to visitors.

“We are the benefactors of an incredible gift,” Dunn said of Gunn’s gift more than a century ago.

Since accepting that gift, the city has maintained the park as well as made a number of changes. Dunn encourages businesses and residents to consider Gunn Park when planning for events such as parties or family reunions, adding she would like to see the community present at the park more frequently.

Those interested in reserving one of the shelter houses, two of which now have heating and air, can contact city hall.

Opinion

Patty LaRoche: Called to Listen

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No matter how squeamish you are, I recommend you see the movie “Hacksaw Ridge.” Even though the war scenes are graphically gruesome—I closed my eyes—the message to rely on God far exceeds any blood-and-guts cinematography.

If ever someone’s Christian convictions dictated his decisions, it was Desmond Doss’s. In the opening scene, Doss is reading aloud from Isaiah 40:31: But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. That verse becomes his life refrain.

After joining the army to work as a medic in Okinawa during the bloodiest battle of WWII, Doss relentlessly defends his belief not to shoot a gun, kill the enemy or work on the Sabbath. (Hard to do in war, and especially difficult to convince your army buddies you deserve to serve alongside them.) Doss’s bunkmates despise him. As they practice their sharp-shooting skills, he reads his Bible. In their eyes, they are asked to protect a young, skinny medic who refuses to carry his fair load.

Because of that, Doss is beaten, persecuted and charged with “mental instability.” After arguing for his First Amendment rights—the freedom “to be like Christ: saving life instead of taking it”—he wins his court martial case and is allowed to go into battle.

Only when he is in a foxhole with Smitty, the soldier who led the bunkhouse assault against him, does Doss reveal why he abhors violence: as an adolescent, he had pulled a gun on his alcoholic father who was beating his mother. The foxhole partners soon realize they have many things in common. As a friendship is formed, the Japanese attack.

In the ensuing battle, Smitty is killed. The American soldiers are forced to abandon the area, leaving their wounded behind.

Doss desperately pleads with God. “What do you want of me? I don’t understand! I can’t hear you!” At that moment, Doss hears a cry from a wounded soldier. His answer has come. Doss stands, says “Alright,” straps on his helmet, and as his fellow soldiers retreat, walks back into battle. Alone.

That scene plays out multiple times as Doss begs God to allow him to save “just one more.” Each time, as an injured fighter cries out, Doss belly crawls to follow the voice of the wounded. Exposing himself to heavy gun and mortar fire, he drags severely injured men to the edge of the ridge, ties a rope around their bodies and lowers them to the waiting medics below.

Because of Doss’s bravery and faith in God, he is able, over a twelve-hour period, to save 75 wounded comrades. This courageous action and others earn Doss America’s highest military award, the Medal of Honor, the first ever given to a conscientious objector.

Doss had begged for an audible voice from God; instead, he received his answer amidst the cries of the desperate people around him. So what are we to take from this?

If we want to hear God’s voice, maybe it’s as simple as paying attention. To our neighbors. Our friends. Our families. Our enemies. Just like God called Doss to do the impossible, perhaps he wants the same from us.

The question remains: Are we interested enough to listen?

Business, Fort Scott

City Moves Forward with Redevelopment Plan for Woods Building

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During the Fort Scott City Commission meeting Tuesday evening, the commissioners agreed to create a redevelopment district at the former Woods building, allowing developers to move forward with their plans for the structure.

Economic Development Director Rachel Pruitt said she has been working to bring in a grocery store and is now working on a deal with Queen’s Price Chopper, a family business since 1974 that has five other locations.

Joel Riggs, real estate director for Associated Wholesale Grocers and part of Super Market Developers, said the groups involved are moving as quickly as possible in order to have the grocery and retail store open by November.

“This is kind of the first step in a pretty long process in moving forward to try to redevelop the property that was formerly Woods Grocery Store,” Riggs said, saying the physical redevelopment is scheduled to begin in July.

With the city’s approval, a public hearing was set for the community to be involved and voice any concerns they have in the planning process. The first public hearing is set for May 2, with another to follow on June 20.

“It is a big project,” Riggs said. “It’s important to us…We are going to do everything in our power to move this forward as quickly as we can, but following all the rules and regulations that we need to.”

Riggs said it is a complex financing plan, utilizing Tax Increment Financing bonds, a public financing method that could waive the impact of certain taxes on the zone for a period of time as an incentive. Pruitt said the city will be working with the county and Unified School District 234, as the three taxing entities must come to an agreement on the TIF Redevelopment District.

Dr. Rick Kellenberger, owner of the Dairy Queen located near the Woods building, said they are looking forward to having new neighbors invested in that area.

“It looks pretty desolate up there right now,” Kellenberger said. “So we’re looking forward to that whole area blossoming and hopefully developing and being a one-stop area with all the retail that we have there.”

Other News:

  • The city gave an update on Memorial Hall, with Pruitt saying they may be nearing a sales agreement with Last Farmhouse Films, Inc.
  • A representative from 4-State Sanitation said they will begin providing a drop-off point for recycling beginning on April 3.
  • The commission gave their approval to allow alcohol sales during the Independence Day event to be held at the LaRoche Baseball Complex this summer.
Bourbon County

Bourbon County Landfill Accepts Tires

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The Bourbon County Landfill is now accepting old tires as part of a tire program, allowing county residents to drop off the tires at no cost to them.

The program, whose goal is to clean up the county as well as remove potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes and the diseases they carry, will continue at the landfill through April 23, with specific weekends scheduled for other towns outside of Fort Scott.

“It’s off and running,” Eric Bailey said of the program during Tuesday’s county commission meeting.

Public Works Director Jim Harris said he believes they will be able to collect a number of tires, and said he hopes people get involved.

“We want everyone to bring them out because we don’t want them in the ditches,” Harris said of the old tires. “It’s an excellent program.”

Only passenger vehicle tires will be accepted and no more than seven tires at a time, except with a signed affidavit proving they are owned by the individual and not by any retailer or automotive business.

The landfill will be open its normal hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. Other collection points will be held on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the fire stations in other communities including Bronson on April 1, Uniontown on April 8, Mapleton on April 22, Garland on April 29, Hiattville on May 6, and Redfield on May 13.

Fort Scott, Submitted

FSCC to Unveil new Library Station, Opens for Enrollment

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Submitted by Heather Browne

FSCC Library to unveil Collaboration Station

In October 2016, the Fort Scott Community College Library was awarded an Equipment Technology Grant from the Southeast Kansas Library System. Utilizing these grant funds, the FSCC Library recently installed a collaboration workstation, which will allow students, faculty, staff and community members to work together more easily and efficiently.

“Working together in a group can be difficult without the right tools. Our collaboration station will provide a unique and effective way for small groups to brainstorm and share ideas,” said Susie Arvidson, FSCC Director of Library Services. “It’s an ideal space for group projects, study groups, presentations and tutoring.”

The workstation includes a flat-screen television, five-person table and chairs, low profile desktop computer and Apple TV. A variety of cords will be available, which will allow devices, such as tablets and laptops, to connect with the station.

The FSCC Library will unveil the collaboration station during a celebration at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 29, at 2108 South Horton, Fort Scott, Kan. The celebration will include a live demonstration of the station. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Susie Arvidson at 620-223-2700, ext. 3441.

FSCC to host Community Children’s Fair

Fort Scott Community College will host its annual Community Children’s Fair 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 8. The free event will feature a variety of activities for children of all ages, including carnival games, minute-to-win-it games, bounce house, teddy bear clinic with the FSCC Student Nursing Organization, hair styling by the FSCC Cosmetology students, and activities with the Fort Scott Police and Fire Departments. Children are encouraged to bring a favorite stuffed animal or doll for a free check-up for the teddy bear clinic. Gizmo the Greyhound will also be in attendance.

The children’s fair will take place at the FSCC campus south parking lot. The event will coincide with the KOMB-FM Home, Sport, Farm, & Garden Show, which will be held April 7 and 8, in Arnold Arena. For more information, please call Heather Browne, FSCC Director of Public Relations, at 620-223-2700, ext. 5248.

Summer and Fall Enrollment Opens at FSCC

Enrollment is open for the summer and fall semesters at Fort Scott Community College. Summer classes will begin on June 5, and fall classes will begin on August 21.

FSCC encourages students to enroll early in order to have the best selection of courses at their preferred times. New students should first apply online at fortscott.edu/applynow before enrolling. Current and new students are encouraged to contact their campus’s advisement office in Fort Scott, Paola, or Pittsburg to schedule an enrollment appointment. Students may also enroll via phone, email or online through GIZMO, FSCC’s student portal.

To view the course schedule, please visit fortscott.edu/schedule. For more information or to receive assistance with enrollment, please call:

Upcoming Events:

Wednesday, March 29

FSCC Library Collaboration Station Unveiling, 3 pm at FSCC Library

Thursday, March 30

FSCC Baseball at Allen County Community College, 1 and 4 p.m.

Friday, March 31

FSCC Softball at Hesston College, 4 and 6 p.m.

Aggie Day, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Arnold Arena

Saturday, April 1

FSCC Baseball vs. Allen County Community College, 1 and 4 p.m. at Lions Club Field

FSCC Softball at Hutchinson Community College, 1 and 3 p.m.

Tuesday, April 4

FSCC Softball at Coffeyville Community College, 2 and 4 p.m.

FSCC Baseball at Baker University, 2:30 and 5 p.m.

Wednesday, April 5

FSCC Phi Theta Kappa Induction, 2 p.m. at Miami County Campus of FSCC

Thursday, April 6

FSCC Junior/Senior Day, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Danny & Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center

FSCC Baseball vs. Neosho County Community College 1 and 4 p.m. at Lions Club Field

FSCC Softball at Johnson County Community College, 1 and 3 p.m.

Friday, April 7

FSCC Phi Theta Kappa Induction, 3 p.m. at Danny & Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center

Saturday, April 8

FSCC Community Children’s Fair, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at FSCC campus south parking lot

FSCC Baseball at Neosho County Community College, 1 and 4 p.m.

 

Fort Scott, Submitted

Kansas State Extension: Stay Strong, Stay Healthy Program

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Submitted by Joy Miller

Stay Strong, Stay Healthy, a Strength Building Program

Improve your health and independence through strength building exercises.

Starting April 3rd, you can join the Stay Strong, Stay Healthy class at Buck Run Community Center. This class will meet for one hour twice a week on Monday and Friday, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Registration forms are available at the Extension office (210 S. National located in the courthouse) or online at southwind.kus.edu. To learn more, please call Joy Miller at 620-223- 3720 or visit the website.

The Stay Strong, Stay Healthy program is based on simple, strength-building exercises that will improve balance, health and state of mind. No, it’s not strenuous weight lifting. You’ll start at a level that’s right for you. No one is too inactive to participate. Building strength promotes quality of life and independence, especially for adults over age 60.

K-State Research and Extension instructors lead this evidence-based program. These exercises are easy to learn, safe and effective. Cost is $20 per participant for this 8-week program. Don’t delay, class size is limited.

Fort Scott, Submitted

FSHS Students to Perform Dinner Theatre, Return from NYC Trip

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Submitted by Angela Bin

FSHS Thespians to Perform Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre

“Who dunnit?” is the question to answer in Fort Scott High School Thespian’s production of “Wedding Song” at 7 p.m. on April 7 and 8, at the Beaux Arts Centre, in Fort Scott.

FSHS Thespians are excited to undertake the unique endeavor of a murder mystery dinner theatre.

“Our auditorium is currently under construction, so we have been looking for unique ways to produce theatre beyond the walls of our school,” said Thespian Director Angie Bin. “The Beaux Arts Centre offered us the opportunity to try a new kind of theatre that students are having so much fun with and will involve lots of audience interaction.”

Author David Moberg says, “The action begins with Sonny (senior Briant Martin) and Jenna (sophomore Daniela Belcuore) enthusiastically welcoming the guests (the audience) to their wedding. One by one, Sonny’s wealthy family and friends arrive… and not one has ever seen or met Jenna before… particularly Sonny’s domineering mother (freshman Kaitlyn Hanks)! Mistaken identities, secret plans, unexpected surprises abound as the characters plot and pry to keep Sonny from “marrying away” the family fortune! And of course… this IS a murder mystery… someone has to die! And the audience HAS to help the clueless detective (senior Hunter Parker) find the murderer!”

Seating is limited for each production, so audience members are encouraged to buy tickets soon.  Adults are $19.50 and children 12 and under are $14.50.  Tickets must be purchased by April 2, and are available at Beaux Arts Centre, 102 S. National, and Country Cupboard, 12 N. Main, in Fort Scott.  Admission includes dinner by Chef Tim Harloff featuring Pasta Baronesa (pasta with a butter/cream based sauce with chicken, prosciutto, veggies, and cheese) and Crazy Caprese Salad (fresh mozzarella pearls, grape tomatoes, fresh basil, red onion, and a balsamic glaze drizzle). There is a vegetarian pasta alternative too. Wedding desserts are provided by local baker Bree Spurgeon.

Contact Angie Bin at [email protected] or 620-719-9622 or visit the “Fort Scott High School Thespians” Facebook page for more information.

Fort Scott High School Takes on Broadway and the Big Apple

Ten Fort Scott High School students studied theatre on Broadway and explored New York City this spring break. Leaving on March 17, the group spent five days sightseeing with Pro Musica Tours and staying at the Watson Hotel in Manhattan, N.Y.

Students traveling included freshmen Levi Bin, Kaitlyn Hanks and Hevyn Loden; sophomores Hunter Adamson, Mary Gladbach, Audra McFarland and Alyx Brooks; and seniors Briant Martin, Hunter Parker and Alexis Loden.  FSHS Thespian Director Angie Bin sponsored the tour.

“I loved experiencing different cultures and races as well as watching people getting along and making the best out of all conditions in New York,” said Hanks.

Highlights of the experience included a nighttime trip to the Empire State Building, a tour of NBC Studios (including Jimmy Fallon’s and Saturday Night Live’s studios), the stage door tour of Radio City Music Hall where the group interviewed a Rockette, Rockefeller Plaza, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Wall Street, 9/11 Memorial and One World Tower, Central Park, Lincoln Center and Julliard, Times Square, Chinatown, Little Italy, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Trinity Cathedral, and Grand Central Station.

Parker said, “We got the chance to see how interesting and diverse NYC is and watched some amazing shows such as ‘Dear Evan Hansen.’”

A brand new musical, “Dear Evan Hansen,” starring Ben Platt (“Pitch Perfect”), was the pinnacle of the trip for many of the students. They also saw “School of Rock” and were pr

ivileged to have a talk-back session with the members of the cast after the show. They learned that the children in the show are from all over the country and play their own instruments in the production.  They also met the star of the Broadway show, Eric Petersen.

Professional actor Malachi Nimmons equipped students with improvisational acting techniques and actor David DeBesse taught the students in a stage combat workshop. Students also took in a production of the spectacular “Lion King.” On the group’s final day in NYC, an episode of “Law and Order SVU” was filmed in their hotel lobby.  Students were able to see all the behind the scenes technical aspects of filming for television and witnessed live actors shooting scenes.

Professional actress Marci Reid served as tour guide in NYC. Levi Bin said she and the other actors taught him, “that by hard work and determination you can reach whatever goal you set out to reach.”

Fort Scott

FSCC to Host Screening, Discussion of WWI Film

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Fort Scott Community College will host a preview screening of the PBS American Experience film, “The Great War,” and a panel discussion April 10, 2-4 p.m., at the Ellis Family Fine Arts Center.

The screening and discussion will follow the topic of “The War for Democracy: America’s New Foreign Policy,” looking into President Woodrow Wilson’s decision to move from neutrality to becoming a part of World War I.

Panel members will include Pastor James Collins, retired army chaplain; Jan Elder (Baldwin), an emigrant from England whose grandfather served in World War I; and an FSCC faculty member who will be named later.

See the press release below for details on the film that will air on PBS in April.

(BOSTON, MA) — Scheduled in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of America’s entry into the war on April 6, 1917, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE “The Great War,” a three-part, six-hour documentary, will premiere Monday, April 10, through Wednesday, April 12, 9-11 p.m. ET (check local listings) on PBS. Featuring the voices of Campbell Scott, Blythe Danner, Courtney Vance and others, “The Great War” is executive produced by Mark Samels and directed by award-winning filmmakers Stephen Ives, Amanda Pollak and Rob Rapley.

Drawing on the latest scholarship, including unpublished diaries, memoirs and letters, “The Great War” tells the rich and complex story of World War I through the voices of nurses, journalists, aviators and the American troops who came to be known as “doughboys.” The series explores the experiences of African-American and Latino soldiers, suffragists, Native-American “code talkers” and others whose participation in the war to “make the world safe for democracy” has been largely forgotten. “The Great War” also explores how a brilliant PR man bolstered support for the war in a country hesitant to put lives on the line for a foreign conflict; how President Woodrow Wilson steered the nation through almost three years of neutrality, only to reluctantly lead America into the bloodiest conflict the world had ever seen, thereby transforming the United States into a dominant player on the international stage; and how the ardent patriotism and determination to support America’s crusade for liberty abroad led to one of the most oppressive crackdowns on civil liberties at home in American history.

It is also a story of little known heroism and sacrifice (including the deadliest battle in American history) that would leave more than 53,000 men dead on the battlefield and more than 60,000 dead from disease. American fatalities would come at a critical time in the war, but they would be dwarfed by a cataclysm of violence that would ultimately claim 15 million lives.

“World War I was the soil from which so many things today really grew, starting with America’s place in the world,” said AMERICAN EXPERIENCE Executive Producer Mark Samels. “Before the war, America was isolated and uninvolved in world affairs. After the war, America stepped onto the world stage, and that continues today with our troops becoming involved in conflicts around the world. The current debate on the balance between national security and civil liberties also began with World War I. The debate over immigration reached its apex during World War I. The film is not only about what happened 100 years ago, but how what happened then transformed our nation and the world in ways still being felt today.”

The broadcast of “The Great War” will be accompanied by a series of screening events and discussions hosted by universities, museums and public television stations around the country.

“The Great War” will be available on DVD from PBS Distribution and can be purchased at ShopPBS.org. Online viewing begins April 11, at PBS.org.

“The Great War”

Episode One

Written and Directed by Stephen Ives

Produced by Amanda Pollak

Narrated by Oliver Platt

Edited by Jon Neuberger and Merril Stern

Episode Two

Produced and Directed by Amanda Pollak

Written by Stephen Ives

Narrated by Oliver Platt

Edited by Seth Bomse

Episode Three

Written and Directed by Rob Rapley

Narrated by Oliver Platt

Edited by R. A. Fedde

Series Producers Stephen Ives

Amanda Pollak

Original Music by Peter Rundquist

Tom Phillips

Co-Producer Gene Tempest

Archival Producer Lizzy McGlynn

Coordinating Producer Nazenet Habtezghi

AMERICAN EXPERIENCE is a production of WGBH Boston

Senior Producer Susan Bellows

Executive Producer Mark Samels

The Voices of “The Great War”

Edith Wharton            Blythe Danner

Eugene Bullard           Brandon Dirden

Eddie Rickenbacker    Christopher Gorham

Ralph John/Alan Seeger          Josh Hamilton

Mary Borden               Jennifer Andrews Lee

Victor Chapman          Eric Loscheider

John Barkley               Jacob Pitts

Jose de la luz Saenz                Armando Riesco

Richard Harding Davis           Campbell Scott

James Europe              David St. Louis

Noble Sissle                Courtney B. Vance

 

 

Opinion

Patty LaRoche: Fact v. Fiction in Creation

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O LORD, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures. Psalm 104:24

A friend sent me an email that addresses the attention God paid to numbers when He created the world. It began with God’s use of the number “7” (meaning “perfection”) in the hatching of eggs:

  • The canary in 14 days
  • The barnyard hen in 21 days
  • The ducks and geese in 28 days
  • The mallard in 35 days
  • The parrot and the ostrich in 42 days

The email then moved from eggs to legs, comparing the design of the elephant, horse and cow. I read that, to rise from the ground, elephants’ four legs all bend forward, horses use their front legs and cows rely on the strength of their back legs.

I wasn’t too sure how that proved the cleverness of God, especially after I watched a video of an elephant rising—his front ankles, not his knees, bending forward. However, the next part of the email fascinated me. It dealt with the numerical qualities of fruits and vegetables.

  • Each Watermelon has an even number of stripes on the rind
  • Each Orange has an even number of segments
  • Each Ear of Corn has an even number of rows
  • Each Stalk of Wheat has an even number of grains
  • Every Bunch of Bananas has on its lowest row an even number of bananas, and each row decreases by one.

At that point, I was ready to jump in my car, speed to the local supermarket, fill my cart with whatever of the aforementioned produce I could find and have a counting party. But as I continued reading, two plus two wasn’t adding up to four. “The waves of the sea roll in on shore twenty-six to the minute in all kinds of weather.”

It just so happened that I was reading this email from the beach in Mexico. You know, where the waves roll in. So, I watched. And counted eighteen seconds elapsed between the first and second wave. Then sixteen. Do the math. There’s quite a difference between 26 and 3.5. It was time to research the truth of this email.

Starting with eggs, the extensive list proved that not all egg-hatching is divisible by seven. For example, pigeons take 10-18 days and pheasants, 24 days. Then I checked out the fruit. Some watermelons, for example, have no stripes. As for the orange? Well, unless nine is an even number, this isn’t true, either.

On Google, atheists had a field day with this information. Sadly, Christian enthusiasts, eager to validate intelligence in design, were passing on this fruitless data as if it were Gospel. Sermons were created from it. Facebook fanatics were copying it.

Stop! Stop! I wanted to scream.

God doesn’t need us to make up “facts” to support His cleverness in creation. We are surrounded by his work. Look at animals. Fruits and vegetables. The ocean. Human beings. All demonstrate the brilliance of One with a mind-blowing imagination. No extra addition is necessary. God. Is. Enough.

And that, Readers, is my two cents worth.

Revelation 4:11 reminds us of the attitude we should have towards God’s handiwork.

You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.

Business

Briggs Celebrates One Year in Fort Scott

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Briggs Auto Group celebrated its first year in Fort Scott during a Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber Coffee event Thursday morning, sharing accomplishments of the dealership as well as plans for the future.

“We’re happy to be here,” said Russ Briggs, whose company owns 15 show rooms including the three in Fort Scott. “I want to pick up where Ray Shepherd left off. He had a great vision.”

Already, the dealership has increased the number of vehicles in their fleet, expanding into a lot across Highway 69 from their location. The company plans to continue its expansion be rebuilding some of the current buildings and making the lots more accessible to traffic.

During the Fort Scott City Commission meeting to be held on April 4, the commissioners will discuss the redevelopment plans presented by Briggs, including a proposal that the stoplight to be installed at the S. National Avenue and Highway 69 intersection be a four-way stop instead of just three, allowing easier access to Briggs.

“It’s a big, major part of any community,” Briggs said of car dealerships, which not only provide vehicles to customers but also work closely with banks as they arrange financing.

Briggs said Fort Scott’s is the only location of the company that sells vehicle models from Ford, Chevrolet and Toyota, but they are now able to sell them to customers at other locations via Fort Scott. Though sold out of town, Fort Scott still receives the sales tax from those sales.

The company sells approximately 20-25 vehicles a month that Fort Scott benefits from, and the entire company makes about $400 million a year in sales. The Fort Scott location now provides a number of rental vehicles as well.

Submitted

Update from the Capitol: Adam Lusker

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Several bills passed through the Kansas House this week. Below is a list detailing some of these bills – to see all activity on the House floor this week, please click here: http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2017_18/chamber/journals/

Wildfire Relief Bill: HB 2387, an act concerning sales and compensating use tax; exemption for repairing, rebuilding or replacing certain property destroyed by wildfires.

Tax: HB 2162, an act concerning sales taxation; relating to time for payment of tax.

Ad Astra Rural Jobs Act: HB 2168, an act concerning rural economic development; enacting the ad astra rural jobs act.

Health: SB 32, an act relating to mental health care; medical student and resident loan assistance; medical student loan agreements; practice commitment agreements; providing for agreements for the practice of psychiatry; establishing the psychiatry medical loan repayment fund and the rural health bridging psychiatry fund; concerning mental healthcare facilities.

Campaign Finance: Sub HB 2223, an act concerning campaign finance reports for members of the legislature and reports by lobbyists; dealing with civil penalties for late filing of such reports.

State of the Judiciary

On Wednesday, the Kansas Supreme Court justices and the Kansas Court of Appeals judges appeared at the Capitol building to give the State of the Judiciary on the House floor.

Chief Justice Lawton Nuss addressed both the House and Senate, speaking on the troubles facing the courts and their employees, raising awareness of the court’s proposal to raise their budget. This is the first time the Supreme Court has appeared at the Capitol to give the State of the Judiciary since 2012. Due to prior tension with a conservative-dominated legislature, the address has been held at the Judicial Center the last few years. The new House Speaker, Ron Ryckman, re-extended the invitation to the House floor this year.

Resolution for Olathe Shooting

On Thursday, the Kansas House adopted a resolution honoring the life of Srinivas Kuchibhotla and recognizing a united community and state. The resolution condemned the recent shooting in Olathe: “These evil acts do not define us, and they will not divide us.”

The surviving victims of the shooting stood in front of the House chamber to be honored as the resolution was adopted. Read the resolution here. http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2017_18/measures/hr6023/

Upcoming Events

Legislative Update, Saturday, March 18, 9:30 a.m. at the Pittsburg Public Library.

With the arrival of spring next week, the K-State Research and Extension Office, Southwind District, are offering several gardening workshops:

Herbs – from seed to seasoning workshops. Click here for additional information: http://www.southwind.k-state.edu/docs/Herbs.pdf

Grow it, Prepare it 2017 events—click here for additional information: http://www.southwind.k-state.edu/docs/2017%20Grow%20It%20Prepare%20It.pdf

Pie & Coffee Series—click here for additional information: http://www.southwind.k-state.edu/docs/2017%20Pie%20and%20Coffee%20Series.pdf

Pasture Weed Control—click here for additional information: http://www.southwind.k-state.edu/docs/Pasture%20Weed%20Control%20Flyer%202017.pdf

It is a special honor to serve as your state representative. I both value and need your input on the various issues facing state government. Please feel free to contact me with your comments and questions. My office address is Room 50-S, 300 SW 10th, Topeka, KS 66612. You can reach me at (785) 296-7698 or call the legislative hotline at 1-800-432-3924 to leave a message for me. Additionally, you can e-mail me at [email protected]. You can also follow the legislative session online at www.kslegislature.org.

Business, Fort Scott

Businesses Face Repairs after Storms

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Area businesses continue to recover after recent storms brought high winds and even hail in the past month.

Stores located near Highway 69 off 12th Street suffered from damages as the roof blew off the building shared by Five Corners Mini Mart, Libation Station, State Farm insurance agent Kale Nelson’s office and The Shop car repair garage.

Nelson is temporarily conducting his services from the second floor of Landmark National Bank while repairs are made to his office. The Five Corners gas station has remained open, but the Libation Station will close while repairs are made to the floors and ceiling.

Briggs Auto Group is also providing discounts on vehicles as each of the cars on their lots received hail damage.