Monthly Archives: February 2023
Spring Fling March 24 at Preschool: Family Resource Providers Needed
Preview Changes (opens in a new tab)USD 234 School District is seeking family resource providers and community partners for its’ 2023 Early Childhood Spring Fling, according to info provided by Fort Scott Preschool Center Principal Nick Johnson.
This year’s event will be held on Thursday, April 6th from 5:30-7:00 PM at the Fort Scott Preschool Center. All children ages birth-six years old and their families are invited to attend. A grant through the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation is helping support this year’s Early Childhood Spring Fling.
“For this event, we are asking family resource providers and community partners to bring an interactive activity for students and families,” he said. “We will provide space and a table for your activity. During the event, you will also have an opportunity to visit with families and distribute flyers, handouts, giveaways, etc.”
” We had 255 children and their families attend our Trunk-or-Treat event, and we are expecting 250-300 children at this event,” he said. “Our goal is for children and families to interact, be active, and learn about the resources available in our community. If you are a preschool or childcare provider, please share the attached flyer with your families. We also welcome you to set up an activity and table for your program.”
To attend the event, please complete the short form below by Friday, March 24 to have a table reserved for your organization.
For more info:
(620) 223-8965
Friday Evening Lenten Fish Fry Begins Tonight
![](https://fortscott.biz/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/kennedy-gym-.jpg)
This evening is the first of six Lenten Fish Dinners that the Knights of Columbus prepare for the community as a fund raiser.
From Feb. 24 until March 31 the community is invited to join the people of Mary Queen of Angels Church for a fish dinner each Friday evening. The event is located in the Kennedy Gym at 7th and Eddy Street.
“Everyone is welcome, there is a free will offering,” Joe (Calvin) Barr, a Knight, said. “We do ask for a minimum of $8 for a to-go dinner. We generally do 75 to-go dinners each week.”
“We’ve had as high as 514 at one time in attendance,” Barr said. “400 is the average. During the COVID Pandemic there was a drive-through meal.”
The Menu
“It’s the same great fish: Southern-fried catfish, baked white fish, baked potato or french fries, coleslaw, drinks and all the wonderful desserts from the women of the church,” Mark McCoy one of the Knights, said. “For those who don’t like fish, we have spaghetti.”
![](https://fortscott.biz/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/fish-fry-knights-of-columbus-1.jpg)
The event starts at 5 p.m. and goes to 7 p.m. and is each Friday until March 31. Good Friday is April 7 in 2023.
This year all funds go to rebuilding of the church, which was destroyed by fire in August 2022.
![](https://fortscott.biz/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/mary-queen-of-angels-1.jpg)
Land Bank Will Meet on Feb. 27
FORT SCOTT LAND BANK will meet on Monday, February 27th at 4:00 PM at City Hall in the Commission Room.
This is an open meeting which will also be available on the City of Fort Scott YouTube Channel.
Commerce Makes $4.1M in Community Service Tax Credits Available
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Commerce today announced $4.1 million in tax credits will once again be made available under the Community Service Tax Credit Program (CSP).
CSP assists private nonprofit organizations and public healthcare entities undertaking major capital campaigns for projects involving:
- Community service, including childcare
- Non-governmental crime prevention
- Youth apprenticeship and technical training
- Healthcare services.
Under this program, the state authorizes nonprofit organizations to offer tax credits to donors making contributions towards approved projects. Organizations are chosen through a competitive selection process. The application window is open from March 1 through April 30, 2023, at kansascommerce.gov/csp. Applicants may request up to $200,000 in tax credits.
Proposed projects should be unique or one-time in nature and create lasting value for charitable organizations. For example, projects might include a capital campaign, major equipment purchase, major renovation, capacity building, etc. As was the case in 2022, CSP has earmarked up to $1 million for childcare and early childhood development projects for services to those under the age of 5.
Applicant organizations in rural areas (less than 15,000 population) are eligible for a 70 percent credit. Applicant organizations in non-rural areas are eligible for a 50 percent credit.
If your organization is interested in applying for the CSP program, the Department of Commerce invites you to an introductory webinar at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 1. Registration is required. For more information and to register, click here.
For questions regarding CSP Tax Credits, contact Community Development Specialist Sara Bloom at [email protected] or (785) 506-9278.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021 and 2022, and was awarded the 2021 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine
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Chamber Announces Spring Open House, Find the Golden Egg Shopping Event
![](https://fortscott.biz/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/DSCN0304.jpg)
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Spring Open House, Find the Golden Egg shopping event which will take place on Friday and Saturday March 24th and 25th. Most stores in the Downtown Historic District and several additional locations will be participating in the hunt.
Customers are invited to shop local retailers to search for the hidden gold eggs. The golden eggs will contain coupons, promotions, Chamber Bucks, and more. Participating retailers include 110 South Main, Angie Dawn’s Boutique, Barbed Wire & Roses Vintage Market, Bids & Dibs, Hare & Crow Art Gallery, Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore & More, Iron Star Antiques & Such, Laree + Co., Mayco Ace Hardware Store, Museum of Creativity Gift Shop, Ruddick’s Furniture & Flooring, Sekan’s Occasion Shop, Shirt Shack, Sunshine Boutique, and Varia Quality Resale Clothing.
In addition to the shopping fun that weekend, there will be plastic multi-colored eggs hidden around Downtown on Saturday the 25th after 10 a.m. suitable for young children to find.
The Chamber encourages the community to join the hunt on March 24th-25th. Get ‘egg-cited’ to shop local. Contact the Chamber for more information at 620-223-3566.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Feb. 24
Where Are Those Clydesdales? by Patty LaRoche
Dave and I, currently living in Mexico, hosted a Super Bowl party for Americans whose teams had been eliminated, leading up to the contest between the K.C. Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles. The hype surrounding this event, not just for the game but for the commercials and halftime entertainment, left many anticipating great things.
Perhaps it’s that we are old, but we were disappointed. Some ads asked us to “scan the code” that appeared on the screen. We had no idea what (if anything) we were buying. Others were classic non-sequiturs; did Hellman’s mayonnaise really want us to eat the people lounging in the refrigerator?
Advertisers spent $7 million for each 30 second commercial. Today, I ran into a viewer who made this comment: “Apparently, all that money went into hiring name actors and not into paying writers to come up with anything creative.” David Warschawski from the “Baltimore Business Journal,” agrees: “So many brands are relying on celebrity cache to try and make an impression and win new customers, but that is far from enough. Getting laughs or being silly or simply inserting a celebrity does not a great ad make.”
Please, bring back the Clydesdales.
That being said, there were some commercials I appreciated like the “Jesus Gets Us” ones, even though attacked from the left—who claim that Jesus never would condone spending millions on a Super Bowl ad—and the right who say that showing refugees defends the border crisis. Still, even our atheist friends appreciated the ingenuity of these ads that were, at least, understandable.
The Jesus Gets Us campaign, which first launched in March 2022, is being run by the “Servant Foundation” — a nonprofit based in Overland Park, Kansas. Jason Vanderground, the ad’s spokesman, answered the criticism: “The goal is that the two commercials will not only inspire those who may be skeptical of Christianity to ask questions and learn more about Jesus, but also encourage Christians to live out their faith even better and exhibit the same confounding love and forgiveness Jesus modelled.”
They want to reach the most people they can for Christ.
I love that about their commercials. We all need to be talking more about Jesus. Even if we are criticized.
As for the Super Bowl halftime show, we were left scratching our heads. Again, maybe we can blame our age. What did the dancers in the puffy, white costumes represent? Marshmallows? Zombies? Hazmat suits? Eskimos? Cheap costumes left over from some U.F.O. show? Give me a marching college band any day. Better yet, give me an inspiring praise and worship team. At least then I could share that time with my family. Rihanna’s behavior was anything but child-friendly.
This probably sounds strange, but I began wondering what would happen if Jesus appeared during the Super Bowl halftime performance. Who would garner the most attention? Would screaming, adoring fans still think Rihanna’s inappropriate grab deserved their adulation and be disappointed that Jesus had interrupted their idol’s performance? Or would this be the wake-up call everyone needs?
I pray it would be the latter…but I have my doubts.
What’s Happening in Fort Scott Newsletter
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Lowell Milken Center For Unsung Heroes Newsletter
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Shepherd’s Center of Fort Scott Adventures in Learning Returns
![](https://fortscott.biz/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/DSCN0378-2.jpg)
Shepherd’s Center of Fort Scott Adventures in Learning Returns on
Friday, March 10th 11:30 am to 3 pm the First United Methodist Church on National Avenue.
Our 2nd event will again offer a lunch at no charge for those who pre-register. Last day to pre-register will be Monday, March 6th. This time we will have potato soup, garlic bread, and cookies catered by Suzanne Griffin.
Our afternoon sessons will feature Austin Bolinger, who is the Horticultural Therapist at Tri-Valley Gardening, who will bring plants, share about growing our gardens and their work at Tri-Valley.
The other track is being organized by Wilma Hibdon, a retired Health Facility surveyor, and will be full of insight and tips to get the most out of home health care, make good decisions about assisted living, and end of life planning. Speakers from No Limit Rehabilitation, Presbyterian Village, Integrity Home Health, Fort Scott Medicalodge and Cheney Witt Funeral Home will lend their expertise and answer questions.
As always, fellowship and building community will be at the forefront. Shepherd’s Center is focused on lifelong learning for retired adults but everyone interested is welcome.
For more information or to register,
scan the QR code or visit: www.firstumcfsks.org/ShepherdsCenterOfFortScott
or call us at (620) 223-1950.
FSPD: Recent Structure Fires
![](https://fortscott.biz/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/DSCN0175.jpg)
The following is a press release from the Fort Scott Police Department.
On February 16, 2023 at 8:35 pm, officers of the Fort Scott Police Department (FSPD) along with personnel from the Fort Scott Fire Department (FSFD) and Bourbon County EMS, responded to a residential fire at 1214 S Judson St. Upon arrival, heavy black smoke was found to be emitting from inside the residence. FSFD personnel were able to extinguish the fire, however, extensive damage was done to the interior of the home. The residence was unoccupied at the time of the incident. FSPD & FSFD investigators, along with the State of Kansas Fire Marshal’s office were called to investigate this incident. The investigation into this fire is on-going.
On February 17, 2023, at 10:10 pm, officers of the Fort Scott Police Department along with personnel from the Fort Scott Fire Department and Bourbon County EMS, responded to a residential fire at 603 W 5th St. Upon arrival, the structure was found to be fully engulfed in flames. FSFD personnel were able to extinguish the fire, however, the structure was a total loss. The residence was unoccupied at the time of the incident. FSPD, FSFD, & BBSO investigators, along with the State of Kansas Fire Marshal’s office were called to investigate this incident. The investigation into this fire is on-going.
If you have any information that can aid our investigators, please contact us at: 620-223-1700.
Bill Downey Jr, Administrative Sergeant / Public Information Officer
Fort Scott Police Department
1604 S National Ave
Fort Scott, KS 66701
PD: (620) 223-1700