Monthly Archives: December 2018

Obituary

Obituary for Shirley Ann Remby

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Shirley Ann Remby, age 72, a former resident of Pleasanton, Kansas, and more recently of Rogers, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, December 11, 2018, in Bentonville, Arkansas.

She was born May 27, 1946, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Melvin Malcom and Hattie Louise Noel Malcom.

She graduated from the Hume High School with the Class of 1964. She later attended beauty school. Shirley worked as a beautician and was also was half owner of G & S Sales in Pleasanton.

Survivors include her daughter, Tina Remby, of Rogers, Arkansas and her son, Jesse “JR” Remby, Jr., of Canton, Ohio and three grandchildren, Madeline, Jaxon and Ethan. Also surviving are a brother, Jerry Malcom and wife, Linda, of Grove, Oklahoma and Sylvia McAllister and husband, Russell, of Arkansas City, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Grant Holmes and a brother, Tommy Malcom.

There was cremation. A memorial service with burial in the Holmes Cemetery will take place at a later date.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas.

Fort Scott, Government

Minutes of the Fort Scott Commission from Dec. 4

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CITY OF FORT SCOTT

CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes of December 4, 2018 Regular Meeting #23

The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held December 4th, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. in the City Commission Room, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas.

ROLL CALL:

Commissioners Adamson, Bartelsmeyer, Nichols, and Parker were present with Mayor Mitchell presiding.

INVOCATION: Associate Pastor Brian Rhoades, Grace Baptist Tabernacle, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City and all Government and City officials.

AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Janet Braun, Travis Shelton, Brian Rhoades, Rhonda Dunn, Todd Burrus, Darrell Parker, Larry Gazaway, Deb Needleman, Michael Mix, Rachel Pruitt, Shaun West, Chad Brown, Robert Uhler, Christy Keating, Justin Meeks, Nick Ruhl, Jeff Fischer, Dave Bruner, and Clayton Miller, and representing the press, Jason Silvers, Fort Scott Tribune.

PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: Travis Shelton, Chief of Police, informed the Commission that Shaun West, Captain, will be retiring on December 20th, 2018. There will be a reception at Buck Run Community Center from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. held that day in his honor. Jason Pickert was recently promoted to fill his position as Captain.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND APPROPRIATIONS/CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of November 20th, 2018.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1228-A totaling $420,838.57.

Bartelsmeyer moved the Consent Agenda. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA.

APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: None

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute

limit per citizen) – None

  1. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None

CONSIDERATION:

  1. Consideration of Resolution No. 46-2018 authorizing the financing for the City’s water intake project – Bob Farmer, City Attorney, informed the Commission that this is the first step in financing the River Intake Structure Project.

Todd Burrus, George K. Baum & Company, informed the Commission that he is representing the City as their financial advisor on this project. The permanent financing will be done by U.S.D.A.’s Rural Development Loan Program. The projects will need to be completed first and then the U.S.D.A. will purchase long term bonds issued by the City. The City will need to issue short-term notes to pay for the costs of the project and then the notes will be paid off from proceeds of the long term bonds. Hopefully, a local bank will be interested in purchasing the notes from the City. The first step is approval of the resolution to authorize the improvements for this project.

Mitchell moved to approve Resolution No. 46-2018 authorizing the improvements to the City’s river intake structure project. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 46-2018 OF THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS AUTHORIZING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CITY’S PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM; AND PROVIDING FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE COSTS THEREOF.

  1. Consideration of Resolution No. 47-2018 authorizing the Redemption and Payment of the Taxable Industrial Revenue Bonds for Price Chopper and the sale of property to Super Market Developers, Inc. – Bob Farmer, City Attorney, informed the Commission that the City authorized and issued taxable bonds so the developers could get an advantage on materials. The City issued bonds for this project. This resolution calls for the redemption of the bonds.

Bartelsmeyer moved to approve Resolution No. 47-2018 authorizing the redemption and payment of the bonds for Price Chopper. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 47-2018 OF THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS AUTHORIZING THE REDEMPTION AND PAYMENT OF ITS TAXABLE INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2018, (PRICE CHOPPER PROJECT), AND THE SALE AND CONVEYANCE OF CERTAIN PROPERTY TO SUPER MARKET DEVELOPERS, INC.

  1. Consideration to set Budget Amendment Hearing date for December 18th, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. – Rhonda Dunn, Director of Finance, informed the Commission that a public hearing needs to be held to amend the 2019 budget to include and create the new Emergency Medical Service Fund. The public hearing will be held on December 18th, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. Approval to publish the public hearing was recommended.

Mitchell moved to approve to publish the budget amendment public hearing to be held on December 18th, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO PUBLISH THE BUDGET AMENDMENT PUBLIC HEARING TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 18TH, 2018 AT 6:00 P.M.

  1. Consideration of Kansas Gas Service Franchise Ordinance No. 3543 – Rhonda Dunn, Director of Finance, informed the Commission that the Kansas Gas Service franchise is up for renewal. This new agreement is a ten (10) year agreement with a 5% franchise fee which remained the same as the previous agreement.

Parker moved to approve Ordinance No. 3543 approving the Kansas Gas Service Franchise Agreement. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED ORDINANCE NO. 3543, GRANTING TO KANSAS GAS SERVICE, A DIVISION OF ONE GAS, INC., AND ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, A NATURAL GAS FRANCHISE, PRESCRIBING THE TERMS THEREOF AND RELATING THERETO, PROVIDING DEFINITIONS OF TERMS, PRESCRIBING A FRANCHISE FEE, PROVIDING TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR THE USE OF PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY, REQUIRING ADVANCE NOTICE OF WORK AND DUTY TO REPAIR, PROVIDING FOR INDEMNIFICATION AND A HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT, PROVIDING FOR RULES AND REGULATIONS, PRESCRIBING INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS, RESERVING CERTAIN RIGHTS, PROVIDING FOR REVOCATION AND TERMINATION, PROVIDING FOR AN ACCEPTANCE OF THE TERMS OF THE FRANCHISE, PROVIDING FOR A REOPENER, PROVIDING FOR NOTICE OF ANNEXATIONS, PRESCRIBING RELEVANT GOVERNING LAW PROVIDING FOR TRANSFER AND ASSIGNMENT OF THE FRANCHISE, PROVIDING FOR POINTS OF CONTACT AND NOTIFICATIONS, PROVIDING FOR AN AGREEMENT TO RENOGOTIATE, AND REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT WITH OR IN CONFLICT WITH THE TERMS THEREOF.

  1. Consideration of consolidation of natural gas billing to Constellation Energy Resources to include Memorial Hall and the Public Works building in addition to the Airport – Robert Uhler, Community Development Director, informed the Commission that he is looking to expand our current service provided by Constellation Energy Resources from the Airport to add Memorial Hall and the Public Works building. This will save the City approximately $3,000 annually.

Adamson moved to approve to consolidate Memorial Hall and the Public Works building to Constellation Energy Resources. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO ADD MEMORIAL HALL AND THE PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING TO CONSTELLATION ENERGY RESOURCES ALONG WITH THE AIRPORT SAVING THE CITY APPROXIMATELY $3,000 ANNUALLY.

  1. Consideration to waive the bid process for the repair/restoration of the rock retaining wall north of 206 N. National and approve the low quote from Midland Restoration Company – Chad Brown, Public Works Director, informed the Commission that the rock retaining wall north of 206 N. National has been damaged by storm water runoff and is in bad need of repair and restoration. He received quotes from two local contractors and asked to waive the bid process due to the condition of this retaining wall. The low bid is from Midland Restoration Company, Inc. in the amount of $11,850.00. He asked for approval of this bid.

Bartelsmeyer moved to approve to waive the bid process and approve the low bid from Midland Restoration Company, Inc. in the amount of $11,850.00 for the retaining wall rock at 206 N. National. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO WAIVE THE BID PROCESS AND APPROVE THE LOW BID FROM MIDLAND RESTORATION COMPANY, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $11,850.00 FOR THE RETAINING WALL PROJECT AT 206 N. NATIONAL.

  1. Approval of Bourbon County Emergency Medical Service Agreement between the City of Fort Scott and Bourbon County – Dave Bruner, Deputy Fire Marshal, informed the Commission that he first wanted to thank the City Attorney, Justin Meeks, Rhonda Dunn, Christy Keating, and the Bourbon County Commission for their assistance in the development of this agreement. It is a one (1) year agreement and a partnership between Bourbon County and the City. The City will provide ambulance service with the approval of this contract. The City will do all we can to rehire the current EMS Mercy employees.

City Manager said that this could not have been done without the City and County working together on this project. He also said he appreciated Dave Bruner’s leadership. He said that the City will also hire an EMS Director who will report to Dave Bruner. Deb Needleman, Human Resource Director, will handle all of the EMS hiring for the County.

Rhonda Dunn, Director of Finance, informed the Commission that the estimated budget is $1,086,000, but this does not include insurance yet so it will raise. Some of the City’s current firefighters who also are employed by Mercy will become Bourbon County employees to assist with overtime. The County will send the City a check for $90,000 each month for the ambulance costs. If there are surplus funds, these will go back to the County; if there is a shortage of funds, the City will be reimbursed. The County will hire a third party to do the ambulance billing. The Bourbon County Commission approved the agreement this morning at their meeting.

Bartelsmeyer moved to approve the Bourbon County Emergency Medical Services agreement with the County for a one year period beginning January 1st, 2019 until December 31st, 2019. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED BOURBON COUNTY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH BOURBON COUNTY EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1ST, 2019 UNTIL DECEMBER 31ST, 2019.

  1. Approval of Christmas bonus for City employees – City Manager asked the Commission if they would consider giving the Christmas bonus to City employees again this year with the exception of the City Attorney and himself. He recommended $100.00 to full time employees, $50.00 to regular part time employees and $25.00 for part time employees. Estimated amount is $9,850.00.

Nichols moved to approve the Christmas bonus. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

Approved the annual Christmas bonus of $100.00 for all full time employees, $50.00 for regular part time employees and $25.00 for part time employees. This bonus will exclude Dave Martin, City Manager, AND Bob Farmer, City Attorney.

  1. Approval of Salary Ordinance No. 3544 – Deb Needleman, Human Resource Director, informed the Commission that the 2019 Salary Ordinance is before them to approve. There are some changes including the addition of the EMS positions and some small changes to the high end of some of the pay ranges.

Parker moved to approve the 2019 Salary Ordinance. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED ORDINANCE NO. 3544 PROVIDING FOR THE SALARIES OF THE APPOINTIVE OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS AND REPLACING ORDINANCE NO. 3529.

  1. Consideration to approve Work Order #7 – Revision of Airport Layout Plan – Olsson Associates – Rachel Pruitt, Economic Development Director, informed the Commission that the City has hit a snag in the environmental assessment at the Airport for the expansion project. The City has completed Phase I and Phase II of the environmental assessment and it was determined that a Phase III is needed. The estimate for Phase III for the cost of an archology survey is around $50,000. Discussions were held with the City’s engineering firm, Olsson Associates, about shifting the runway plans to avoid having to complete a Phase III environmental. She asked approval for Work Order #7 to revise the Airport Layout Plan to a proposed length of 5,500’. The cost for the revision of the layout is $4,000. The F.A.A. supports the 5,500’ length of the runway. The City should know in the first or second quarter of 2019 if the grant was awarded or not.

She reminded them that Kenny Howard is retiring at the end of December and Seth Simpson is replacing him. An Airport Advisory Board meeting will be held on Monday, December 10th, 2018, at 12:00 noon if you would like to come and meet him.

Parker moved to approve the Work Order #7 to revise the Airport Layout Plan with Olsson Associates. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED WORK ORDER #7 WITH OLSSON ASSOCIATES TO REVIEW THE AIRPORT LAYOUT PLAN TO MAKE THE RUNWAY AT 5,500’.

COMMISSION/STAFF:

  1. Director Updates:

Health Care Update – Robert Uhler – Robert informed the Commission a reminder of our core mission when we started this process 65 days ago. Secure and retain Primary Care, Emergency Room, and EMS service.

Primary Care: CHC/SEK continues to work through the process. In a meeting last week, Krista Postoi, continued her commitment to the community and is working very hard to make things happen in a very quick time frame. It looks like all Fort Scott locations are on tap to transition to CHC on February 1st, 2019.

Emergency Department: Dave Martin has stayed in constant contact with Via Christi officials and it is still moving forward. Via Christi visited with a group of City, County, and community leaders just last week regarding their vision for the future.

EMS Service: Dave Bruner has just updated the Commission on this part. It is a very important lesson on when the City and County work together, great things can happen.

The working group has continued to meet several times a week on healthcare and will continue to meet regularly in the future. The City is very focused on the next 24 days and beyond to see what health care will look like for our great community in the future.

B. City Commission:

Nichols – Thanked the City and the County for their efforts to move forward on the ambulance agreement. Kudos to all involved.

Adamson – Nothing to report.

Parker – Remarked that it is amazing what we can do when we all work together.

Bartelsmeyer – Thanked all who worked on this project.

Mitchell – Asked if people would remember to pray for her nephew tomorrow as he was involved in a bad car accident and would be having surgery tomorrow.

C. City Attorney: Nothing to report.

  1. City Manager:

  1. City Employee Christmas Dinner – City Manager reminded the Commission of the City’s Christmas party at Buck Run on December 11th, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.

  1. Christmas in the Park – City Manager thanked all who worked and volunteered for this event.

  1. KSN-TV Interview – City Manager said that he did a television interview with Jeremiah Cook of KSN TV today and he was amazed at what the City has accomplished since the hospital announced they were closing.

  1. Hospital Task Force – City Manager announced that the Task Force will not go away even though the ambulance contract is approved. We will keep working towards the best model of health care for our community.

ADJOURNMENT:

Parker moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:45 p.m. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

ADJOURNED MEETING AT 4:45 P.M.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is to be held on December 18th, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.

RECORDED BY:

DIANE K. CLAY, CITY CLERK

Fort Scott, Government

Fort Scott Commission Agenda Dec. 18

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AGENDA

FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

FORT SCOTT CITY HALL

COMMISSION ROOM

123 SOUTH MAIN

DECEMBER 18, 2018

6:00 P.M.

I. ROLL CALL:

ADAMSON BARTELSMEYER NICHOLS PARKER MITCHELL

II. FLAG SALUTE

III. INVOCATION: Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director

IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: Kevin Wagner, Wreaths Across America

V. CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of December 4th, 2018.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1229-A totaling $337,877.49.

C. 2019 Cereal Malt Beverage/Public Dance Licenses: (originals in Clerk’s office)

Package Sales:

Pete’s of Erie, Inc. #20 – 998 N. National

Pete’s of Erie, Inc. #27 – 605 S. National

Pete’s of Erie, Inc. #14 – 1902 S. Main

Pete’s of Erie, Inc. #28 – 1138 E. Wall

Hill’s Service, Inc. – 308 N. National

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. #39 – 2500 S. Main

Walgreen Company – 2229 S. Main

Casey’s General Store #3399 – 2216 S. Main

Queen’s Price Chopper – 2322 S. Main

Consumption on the Premises:

Debra Cagle DBA Fifthwheel Tavern – 206 Humboldt

NPC International, Inc. DBA Pizza Hut #2423 – 1810 S. Main

Woodland Hills Golf Course – 2414 S. Horton

Public Dance License:

Elks Lodge #579 – 111 W. 19th

Sharky’s Pub & Grub – 16 N. National

Liberty Theatre – 113 S. Main

Holmtown Pub – 206 N. National

Buck Run Community Center – 735 Scott

River Room Event Center – 3 West Oak

Memorial Auditorium – 1 E. Third Street

VI. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: None

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit per citizen)

C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS:

6:00 p.m. – Budget Amendment Hearing (Need to cancel)

VII. CONSIDERATION:

  1. Change of January 1st, 2019 meeting date

  1. Consideration of Water Treatment Plant selection of engineering firm and proposal for evaluation of City’s drinking water

  1. Consideration of updated Standards and Specifications regarding Water, Wastewater and Storm Water infrastructure

  1. Discussion of Old Fort Transportation/Pitt Taxi Transition

  1. Consideration of Water Rate Increase – Ordinance No. 3545

  1. Consideration of Wastewater Rate Increase – Ordinance No. 3546

  1. Consideration of Storm Water Rate Increase – Ordinance No. 3547

VIII. COMMENTS:

  1. Director Updates:

Health Care Update

  1. Commission:
  1. City Attorney:
  1. City Manager:

      1. CPM

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

I MOVE THAT THE CITY COMMISSION RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE

SESSION FOR ________________________________ IN ORDER TO

(see below justification)

DISCUSS ______________________________________. THE

EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE ___________ MINUTES AND THE OPEN

MEETING TO RESUME AT ________________.

Justifications for Executive Sessions:

  • Personnel matters of non-elected personnel

  • Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

  • Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative or representatives of the body or agency

  • Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

  • Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property

X. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL

Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber of Commerce What’s Happening

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What’s Happening

December 14, 2018

New Member Welcome to Linda Wilson of Paint Creek Realty! begin a career in real estate in 2005 and recently started her own broker-owned business. Her motto is “Helping Dreams Become Reality” and she specializes in agriculture listings but also sells residential and commercial. Welcome, Linda, as a new member of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce! Check out her listing on our website by clicking here.
See flyer below for more info
SEK Inc. is seeking an Administrator to oversee their regional organization. The candidate can work remotely or from home from any Southeast Kansas location. See flyer below for more information
14-15
Weekly Livestock Sale at Fort Scott Livestock Market. Starting at 10am on both Fridays & Saturdays
Fridays:  Cows, Pairs, Big Bulls
Saturdays:  Stocker & Feeder Cattle, followed by any cows & bulls that come in late Friday & Saturday. Cafe open both sale days. You don’t have to be a buyer, just to come watch the sale and visit the cafe!
14-15 A 21st Century Christmas Carol Presented by FSHS Thespians – FSHS Auditorium

3 shows: Dec. 14th, 7pm. Dec. 15th, 2pm & 7pm

Tickets are $5 at FSHS Office and Common Grounds Coffee, 116 S. Main St. Also available at the door
14-16
No Humbugs Allowed – Christmas Lights Tours on Dolly the Trolley – Enjoy the Christmas Lights in Fort Scott aboard Dolly the Trolley! Have some hot cocoa and a tasty treat. Adorn yourself with a glow necklace! Sing Christmas Carols and be entertained by the Fort Scott High School Thespians!

Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for kids under 12. Tickets are available at Fort Scott Regional Tourism Center at 231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott – or call 620-670-2750 for more information
14 Friendship Soup Lunch hosted by First United Methodist Church – Fellowship Hall, 301 S. National Ave., 11:30am-1pm

The Appalachia Service Project mission team will sponsor the December 14, 2018 Friendship Soup Lunch at First United Methodist Church, 301 S. National. Serving is between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Chili, a variety of soups, desserts, and a drink will be served for a free will donation. All are welcome!

Contact Marla Gorman: 620-223-1950 for info
14 Bourbon County CASA Christmas Celebration Fundraiser – at the CD Sample home, 812 S. National Ave., Fort Scott, 7pm-9pm

See flyer below for more info
15 Children’s Story Time followed by decorating sugar cookies with Rob Shaw at Hedgehog.INK – 10:30 am, 16 S. Main St.

See flyer below for details
15 Meet the artist Tony Fornelli, woodcarver at Hedgehog.INK – 16 S. Main St., 3pm

Tony will discuss and demonstrate his work with a Q&A session

See flyer below for details
15 Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides: 3-7 pm – Carriage will leave from the City parking lot just north of Cheney-Witt, go north on Main, then over to National and back to 3rd Street. Adults: $3, Children: $1

The 4-H Junior Leaders will be offering hot chocolate for a free-will donation. Many retailers will also be open late, so after your carriage ride you can get a little holiday shopping done!
15 YPL (Young Professionals League) Christmas Party – The Boiler Room Brewhaus, 10 S. National Ave.,      7-9pm

Bring a treat/appetizer to share and be prepared for fun games! Partners, friends and guests are welcome to attend
16 Open House – 924 S. National Ave., Fort Scott. Come see this fabulous home in person. Check out these two links to see videos of the property: https://youtu.be/GNXay5NtK4Y and
https://youtu.be/MYWr5BnrP2Q
17 Chamber Board Meeting – Papa Don’s Pizza, 12pm-1pm
17 4th Annual Library Christmas Party – 201 S. National Ave., 4pm-5:30 pm

Activities for teens will be held upstairs, while games and crafts for children will be downstairs after group stories. Children and teens of all ages are welcome, but first grade and below must be accompanied by an adult at all times

The party will run from 4 – 5:30 p.m. and registration will open at 3:45
Enjoy holiday stories, songs, activities, snacks, crafts, and prizes, free
Volunteers are needed to help supervise the activities. Please contact youth librarian Valetta Cannon at [email protected], fill out a donation form at the library, or call 223-2882 if you would like to help. Happy holidays from Fort Scott Public Library!
17
FSCC Board of Trustees Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 2018 S. Horton, 5:30pm-6:30pm
18-19
Story Time – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National Ave., 10-11am
18
Fort Scott Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 12-1pm (Hedges Administrative Building)
18 Community Bingo at Country Place Senior Living – 820 S. Horton St., 2pm-4pm

Residents and the public are invited the 3rd Tuesday of each month for Community Bingo at Country Place Senior Living, 820 S. Horton St.
18
T.O.P.S Meeting – Buck Run Community Center,
3-4pm
18 City Commission Meeting – City Hall, 123 S. Main St., 6pm-7pm
19
Rotary Meeting – Presbyterian Church, 308                S. Crawford St., 12-1pm
19
Adult Coloring Program – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National Ave., 2-4pm. Coloring pages, pens/pencils, snacks provided
19
TAG – Teen Advisory Group – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National St., 4-5pm. Weekly meetings, including a games & snack night, a community service project, a book club meeting, and craft night. Meetings include food/drinks
20
Join us for the weekly Chamber Coffee of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at 8am. This week’s Chamber Coffee will be hosted by City Hall

Location: 123 S. Main St., Fort Scott
20
Pioneer Kiwanis Club Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 12-1pm. (Hedges Administrative Building)
20
Thursday Card Players – Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Ave., 6-9pm. Free weekly event to anyone that wants to play cards, drink coffee, eat snacks, and socialize
21-22
Weekly Livestock Sale at Fort Scott Livestock Market. Starting at 10am on both Fridays & Saturdays
Fridays:  Cows, Pairs, Big Bulls
Saturdays:  Stocker & Feeder Cattle, followed by any cows & bulls that come in late Friday & Saturday. Cafe open both sale days. You don’t have to be a buyer, just to come watch the sale and visit the cafe!
21-23
No Humbugs Allowed – Christmas Lights Tours on Dolly the Trolley – Enjoy the Christmas Lights in Fort Scott aboard Dolly the Trolley! Have some hot cocoa and a tasty treat. Adorn yourself with a glow necklace! Sing Christmas Carols and be entertained by the Fort Scott High School Thespians!

Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for kids under 12. Tickets are available at Fort Scott Regional Tourism Center at 231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott – or call 620-670-2750 for more information
22-23 KS Rocks Recreation Park Closed for Christmas
22 Ugly Sweater Party – Sharky’s Pub & Grub, 16 N. National Ave., Fort Scott, 9pm-1am

Live music by SEKB Entertainment, $3 Lite pints
24 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at Community Christian Church – 1919 S. Horton, 5:30pm-7pm

Cookies and warm beverages at 5:30pm, service begins at 6pm. Don’t forget to take your family photo in front of the tree!
24 Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service at First United Methodist Church – 301 S. National Ave., 7pm. All are welcome
25-26
(Cancelled for Christmas Day) Story Time – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National Ave., 10-11am
25
Fort Scott Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 12-1pm (Hedges Administrative Building)
25
(No meeting this week) T.O.P.S Meeting – Buck Run Community Center, 3-4pm
26 (No Bingo this week) Breakfast Bingo at BRCC, 735 Scott Ave., 9-10am, 2nd & 4th Wednesday of each month

Staff provides bingo cards, the caller, & coffee. Prizes provided by the Fort Scott Recreation Commission
26
(No meeting this week) Rotary Meeting – Presbyterian Church, 308 S. Crawford St., 12-1pm
26
(Program cancelled today) Adult Coloring Program – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National Ave., 2-4pm. Coloring pages, pens/pencils, snacks provided
26
TAG – Teen Advisory Group – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National St., 4-5pm. Weekly meetings, including a games & snack night, a community service project, a book club meeting, and craft night. Meetings include food/drinks
27
No weekly Chamber Coffee this week. Merry Christmas!
27
Pioneer Kiwanis Club Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 12-1pm. (Hedges Administrative Building)
27
(No games this week) Thursday Card Players – Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Ave., 6-9pm. Free weekly event to anyone that wants to play cards, drink coffee, eat snacks, and socialize
Save the Date:
– December 31 – New Year’s Eve Party at The River Room
– January 1st – FSMS Pizza Hut Nights Fundraiser
– January 4 – YPL First Friday Luncheon
Click here for full events listing on our website.
Obituary

Death Notice For Shirley Ann Remby

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Shirley Ann Remby, age 72, a former resident of Pleasanton, Kansas, and more recently of Rogers, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, December 11, 2018, in Bentonville, Arkansas.

There was cremation.  A memorial service with burial in the Holmes Cemetery will take place at a later date.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas.

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Goody’s Transitioning to Gordman’s

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Goody’s Clothing Store, 2400 S. Main, is selling all current merchandise and transitioning to the name of Gordman’s.

The timeline is to sell the merchandise by late winter, then there will be a grand re-opening, Melinda Goff, manager of the Fort Scott Goody’s, said.

Goody’s will close March 9 and re-open as Gordman’s on March 21, according to Bria Lundy, Public Relations Director with Stage Stores, the parent company of Goody’s. “We will open 37 Gordman’s stores in March 2019, Fort Scott will be one of them.”

“We will still have the same staff,” Goff said. “Currently, twelve staff, two full time.”

“All current employees have been offered a job there,” Lundy said.

There will be a job fair at the store on Feb. 19, 2019 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Lundy said.

Information taken from the Gordman’s website http://corporate.stage.com/ 

“GORDMANS VISION STATEMENT:
Thrill every guest with fun finds and exciting deals.

  • Corporate Headquarters located in Houston, Texas

  • In 42 states across the US with approximately 800 specialty BEALLS, GOODY’S, PALAIS ROYAL, PEEBLES and STAGE specialty department stores and 68 GORDMANS off-price stores

  • Average specialty department store size is 18,200 selling square feet and average off-price store is 55,000

  • Fiscal

    Year 2016 sales of $1.4 Billion

  • Approximately 14,500 employees

  • Refreshed over 200 of our top volume stores in 2015 and 2016″

Fort Scott

Community Christian Church Christmas

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Community Christian Church staff front from left: Jamie Beckham, ministry administrator; Stacy Atkins, secretary/receptionist; back row from left: Ian Johnson, student ministry; Paul Martin, children’s ministry and Dusty Drake, pastor. Not pictured: Kara Martin, children’s ministry; Davis Drake, music ministry; Jennifer Addington, Joyce Cowen, secretary/receptionist.

Community Christian Church, 1919 S. Horton, hosted the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee on Dec. 13.

Pastor Dusty Drake told the attendees “We want everyone to know Jesus and bless others.”

Recently Drake did a series of sermons on BLESS.

“B is begin with prayer, L is listen to people, E is eat strategically with other people, S is serve them, S is tell the story of what God is doing in your life,” Drake explained.

He invited the community to the annual Christmas Eve by Candlelight Service, Dec. 24.

Arrive early for warm beverages and cookies at 5:30 p.m., take a  family photo by the Christmas tree.

The service begins at 6 p.m.

Regular Sunday services are at 9 and 11 a.m., with Sunday School in between services.

For more information contact the church at 223-1500.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service invitations, located near the church doors.
Community Christian Church, 1919 S. Horton.
Sunday morning services are 9 and 11 a.m. with Sunday School in between.
Bourbon County

LMC Reaches 11,000 Visitors For 2018

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Lowell Milken Center Reaches 11,000 Visitors for the Year

Jessica Hightower from La Cygne, Kansas_is

the 11,000th visitor to the Lowell Milken Center in 2018

On Tuesday December 11, 2018, the Lowell Milken Center reached a new milestone, hosting its 11,000th visitor of the year, 2018. Jessica Hightower of La Cygne, Kansas visited the Center this afternoon.

Since it’s inception in 2007, the Lowell Milken Center has hosted visitors from 96 countries and all 50 states. People from as far away as Dubai, Chile, and Laos have visited the Center’s exhibit space to learn about unsung heroes who have changed the course of history.

Unsung heroes are celebrated at the Center through student-based projects that incorporate primary source research and the creative arts. The cornerstone project about Irena Sendler, a woman who saved more than 2,500 children during the Holocaust, and the Kansas students that rescued her story has always been a draw for visitors. Lately, the books of children’s author, Cathy Werling, have been receiving nation-wide praise.

About the Lowell Milken Center: The Lowell Milken Center is a non-profit 501 © (3) that works with students and educators within a range of diverse academic disciplines, to develop projects focused on unsung heroes. Once their projects are finished, we advocate the student’s unsung heroes by sharing them in our Hall of Unsung Heroes or our website so people all over the world discover their individual influence and obligation to take actions that improve the lives of others. The Hall of Unsung Heroes is proudly located in Southeast Kansas and showcases some of the top projects developed in collaboration with the Center.

Opinion

Bachelor Party by Patty LaRoche

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Herding butterflies would have been easier. Jeff, our oldest son, was hosting a bachelor party for his younger brother, Andy, here in Mazatlán, and 29 of Andy’s friends had come to celebrate. Eleven condominiums were rented for four days, a day-long fishing trip was scheduled, as was a golf competition at a spectacular course. Other than that, according to Jeff, the men could do “whatever they wanted.”

My job was to help organize. No problema. I love to organize. I would need spreadsheets for flight schedules, condo roomie preferences, likes or dislikes for shellfish and guacamole, rankings for ocean swimming abilities, number of golf clubs to rent, etc. Jeff kept reminding me that these were not my girlfriends. Many of the guys wouldn’t book their flights until the day before, much less know if they would participate in the scheduled activities until it was time to load the vans. Jeff was right. These definitely were not my girlfriends who book trips months in advance, the same day they start packing.

How did these guys function? How could I pair them up for taxis or book them on the shuttle if I had no idea when they arrived? How many vans did I need, if these guys all operated by the seat of their golf pants? How would I possibly keep track of them all for four days?

My carefree hubby was no help. “Patty, don’t stress about it. You’re not going to change the way these guys operate.” Dave apparently didn’t realize that these 30-48 year olds were free spirits, only three of them spoke any Spanish, and none had ever been to Mazatlán before. I wanted a buddy system, preferably like kindergarten field trips where they’re all roped together.

Jeff questioned my micromanaging, not understanding that, in life, someone has to take care of the details. Right? I was a wreck the entire four days. Five of the guests chose to take the ferry to “find a place” that rented jet skis instead of go fishing. Others wandered off to tour the historic part of Mazatlán. My two nephews went to Mass at the Cathedral, walking two miles to catch a cab because the annual Marathon runners had closed the streets. I had no control!

On the day most of the guys left Mazatlán, Brad was nowhere to be found. Andy finally checked his room and realized his suitcase was gone, so “He probably already left.”

Probably? Probably? Shoot me now!

I can’t help it. I am a Martha. Hear me roar. Luke 10:38-42 was written for me. You probably know the story. Jesus and his amigos were invited to Martha and Mary’s home. Mary “sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.” Martha, distracted by all of the details involved in being a good hostess, was annoyed that Mary lounged while she labored over a hot stove. (I repeat–Someone has to take care of the details, right?) At her wit’s end, Martha ratted out Mary to Jesus. “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

Yes! Yes! I get it. I would have loved to have been on a jet ski or riding in a golf cart instead of sitting at home, stewing about the safety of…well, however many men were wherever they were. Surely Jesus empathized and told Mary to be more sensitive, right?

“Martha, Martha, the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed— indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (When I read that, my roar becomes a whimper.)

It wasn’t until Andy’s friends said their good-byes that I realized how much time I had spent fretting. So, when they all shared that they couldn’t wait to come back, I knew what I would do differently once they booked those flights.

I would book my own. To go see my girlfriends…in the United States.

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”