Nominate a Young Entrepreneur For a Feature Story on FortScott.Biz

Devlin Cole sold handmade leather crafts at a 2023 Fort Scott Farmers Market.

Fortscott.biz desires to help local entrepreneurs in their business ventures and has featured many on our news service.

We are once again starting a series on young entrepreneurs.

Fortscott.biz would like to feature local,  young entrepreneurs under 20 years old, who have seen a need and have started a business to meet it, or who have a talent and turned it into a business.

Hannah Vann was featured in 2019 with her car detailing business.

To nominate a young entrepreneur, email [email protected] with the name, age, email address, and/or phone number of the person, with the business they are doing.  Please include who is nominating the person and why.

Relatives, friends and recipients of the product or services are invited to nominate a young entrepreneur.

Brian Griffin was featured in 2019 and his bicycle repair shop.

 

Judah Whitson at the cash register at Fort Scott Farmers Market.
Judah Whitson mans the cash register at his family’s booth at the Fort Scott Farmers Market in 2023, Judah and his two brothers are all young entrepreneurs.

We also feature local entrepreneurs over 20! If you have started a new business or added a service/product,  please email [email protected] with the email address, phone number and tell a little about your business.

Sign Up To Be In The Good Ol’ Days Parade by May 29

Good Ol’ Days Parade!

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce is NOW taking entries for he GOOD OL’ DAYS PARADE that will take place in Fort Scott on Friday, May 31st at 6pm.

We encourage you to get your business, organization, friends, or family together and enter a float, walking unit, golf cart, car/truck, tractor, horse entry, or other! It is FREE to enter the parade and cash prizes will be awarded in each category.

Click here to print the parade entry form, or you can click “Register” on this link to enter online!

The deadline is May 29th.

For more information about the Good Ol’ Days festival, click here!

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

Upper Floor Housing in Kansas Main Street Communities Are Eligible For Grants

Upper Floor Housing Grants Available for Designated Main Street Communities

TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced today $400,000 is available under the Residential Opportunities on Main Street (ROOMS) grant program to support new upper-floor housing in commercial buildings in Designated Kansas Main Street communities.

“Main Street communities across the state long have been revitalizing their historic business districts and supporting economic vitality,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Increasing the amount of available upper-floor housing is essential to maximizing the economic potential of Main Streets across Kansas. ROOMS grants provide another powerful tool to breathe new life into their downtown areas.”

Upper-floor investments create new housing opportunities and can play an important role in addressing the shortage of quality housing, which regularly is identified as a major issue throughout Kansas. Upper-floor housing enhances the overall livability and functionality of downtowns. It also can lead to increased investment, improved infrastructure, a positive cycle of economic growth, a stronger tax base, and a greater sense of place and community identity.

“These types of projects are expensive and require funding from multiple sources,” Kansas Main Street Director Scott Sewell said. “The ROOMS grants offer a tremendous opportunity to help make these kinds of projects happen.”

ROOMS funds will be available to applicants within active Designated Kansas Main Street communities for projects that can be shown to lead directly to housing creation or retention in upper floors of existing buildings in the designated downtown area. Projects must incorporate Main Street design standards and follow local ordinances and code for improvements. Each eligible applicant may receive a single $50,000 grant.

To view a webinar recording about the ROOMS grant program, click here. For more information about the Kansas Main Street program, click here.

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, 2022 and 2023, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.

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An Ongoing Conversation by Patty LaRoche

 

Patty LaRoche. 2023.
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)

 

“Write down ‘rubber bands.’”                                                                                                “Too late now.”

“This Ziploc is too small.”

“Something else is on my list.”

“What is wrong with  me?

“Where are those keys?”

“Should have thought about this before.”

“Start calling your friends before you don’t have any.”

To most people, this looks like a conversation I might start with Dave.  In a way, it is, because to him, when he “hears” me, he assumes I am mumbling or not speaking audibly.  If it were that simple! In actuality, it is an ongoing conversation I have with myself.  Yes, that’s right.  I am talking to myself.

The frequency of this annoyance is increasing.  In the grocery store the other day, while trying to decide which cantaloupe to select, a lady nearby said “Pardon?” after I reminded myself out loud that smelling it might freak out an onlooker.  This is becoming a problem.

Instead of talking to myself, I need to be talking to God.  At a Bible study this past week, the leader pointed out something I’ve never considered (not out loud or to myself).  When Jesus sought solitude to pray to God the night before he was arrested, according to John MacArthur in his book Twelve Ordinary Men, the English language does not do justice to what happened that night.

We read that Jesus “continued all night in prayer to God,” but in Greek it means that he spent the whole night in the prayer of God. “The members of the Trinity were communing with one another.”

MacArthur continues.  “His (Jesus’) prayers were all perfectly consistent with the mind and the will of God—for He Himself is God.”  How does that happen?  Was Jesus talking to Himself? (Alas, something we have in common.)

The author continues.  “Jesus in His humanity needed to pray all night, and Jesus in His deity was praying the very prayer of God.”  Have you ever considered that?  Somewhere in that mix was the Holy Spirit, the third part of the trinity, engaged in this shared time spent in the garden.

Can you imagine being able to ask yourself for whatever you want? What would you request?  A new truck?  A favorable diagnosis?  A dream vacation?  A day without the kids squabbling? If you were Jesus, probably not on his list.  He would only ask for something that lines up with what is best from an eternal perspective.

The difference is distressing.  When I’m talking to myself, I’m not talking to God…or Jesus…or the Holy Spirit.  My mind is rambling, flitting from one thought to another, so why don’t I turn those thoughts to prayer?  “Jesus, please help me find my keys.”  “God, is it too late now, or can you turn this situation into a blessing?”  Lord, please help me find time to call my friends.”  “Holy Spirit, what will others think if I smell this cantaloupe?”

You get the point.  At least if I mutter it out loud and get questionable looks, I can tell people that I am talking to God.  Surely no one will complain to management if that’s my response, unless, of course, I actually smell the fruit.  Some things, as we all know, are left better unsniffed.

Agenda for the Uniontown City Council Meeting for May 14

Agenda for the Uniontown City Council Meeting for May 14 at 7:30 p.m at City Hall.

Attachments:

Resolution No 2024-0514-1 Sale of Property-Allocation of Proceeds

KDOT Cost Share Program info

05-24 Informational items

CALL TO ORDER AT ________ by _____________________________

ROLL CALL: 

___ Jess Ervin ___ Danea Esslinger ___ Amber Kelly ___ Mary Pemberton ___ Bradley Stewart

 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

 

 

CITIZENS REQUESTS

 

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Charlene Bolinger – Financial reports

 

APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA

  1. Minutes of April 9, 2024 Regular Council Meeting and April 17, 2024 Special Council Meetings
  2. Treasurers Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Superintendent:  Bobby Rich

 

 

Codes Enforcement:  Doug Coyan

 

 

Clerk Report:  Sally Johnson  

Storm Siren maintenance agreement

CFAP program changes

KHEL moving

 

Motion by _____________, Second by  __________, Approved ______, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to review applications of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at ____________.

 

COUNCIL & COMMITTEE REPORTS

Councilman Ervin –

Councilwoman Esslinger –

Councilman Kelly –

Councilwoman Pemberton –

Councilman Stewart–

Mayor Jurgensen –

 

OLD BUSINESS

Pickleball court project –

 

Warehouse refurbishing – Resolution No 2024-0514-1 to sell 402 Sherman and allocation of proceeds from sale

 

NEW BUSINESS

Streets –

 

ADJOURN Time ____________ Moved by ______________, 2nd ___________________, Approved ___________

Unofficial Minutes of the Special Uniontown Council on April 17

The Special Council Meeting on April 17, 2024 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 5:51PM by Mayor Jurgensen.  Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, and Mary Pemberton.  Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting was Stacy Moore, William “Shawn” Vincent, and City Clerk Sally Johnson.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Pemberton, Approved 3-0 to enter in to executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to interview applicants for non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 7:25PM

 

Stacy Moore in at 6:00PM, out at 6:21 PM.

 

William Vincent in at 6:27PM, out at 7:01PM

 

Third interviewee thought interviews were the 18th.  This applicant was not interviewed.

 

Vincent called back in at 7:17PM, out at 7:24PM.  Open meeting resumed at 7:25PM.

 

Motion by Pemberton, Second by Ervin, Approved 3-0 to hire William “Shawn” Vincent for City Clerk positon, a full-time position eligible for all full-time benefits at a starting wage of $17.50/hour and to start on April 29, 2024

 

 

Moved by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 3-0, to adjourn at 7:27PM

Unofficial Minutes of the Uniontown City Council for April 9

CITY OF UNIONTOWN
UNIONTOWN, KS 66779

APRIL 9, 2024 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
The Regular Council Meeting on April 9, 2024 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 7:02PM by Mayor
Jurgensen. Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, and Mary Pemberton. Also in attendance for all
or part of the meeting were Heather Jackson, Danny Taylor, Codes Officer Doug Coyan, City Treasurer Charlene
Bolinger, City Superintendent Bobby Rich and City Clerk Sally Johnson.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS
CITIZENS REQUEST

Heather Jackson turned in an Application for Placement of Mobile Home at 405 Hill St.After discussion: Motion by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 3-0 to approve the Application for Placement of Mobile Home at 405 Hill St.

Danny Taylor asked if he could put up new No Parking, Loading/Unloading Zone signs at each drive of his storage units.
After discussion, the city will provide the signs of his choice. He also asked about the size of rock to dress up his drives.

FINANCIAL REPORT
Treasurer Bolinger presented the March 2023 Treasurer’s Report. Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds was
$268,423.36, Receipts $61,625.33, Transfers Out $3,026.00, Expenditures $52,175.70, Checking Account Closing
Balance $274,846.99. Bank Statement Balance $281,085.53, including Checking Account Interest of $60.89, Outstanding
Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $6,238.54, Reconciled Balance $274,846.99. Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit
$37,243.06, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $21,264.85, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $39,027.01, Total All
Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $372,381.91. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $173.43, and Utility CDs
$436.08 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $609.51. Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for the
month of March 2023, Beginning Balance $0, Receipts $0, Expenditures $0, Ending Balance $0. March Transfers from
Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest
$1,624.00 for Total Transfers of $3,026.00. Net Income for the month of March $6,423.63, Year-to-Date Net Income
$39,367.79. Budget vs Actual Water Fund YTD Revenue $26,687.77 (21.6%), Expenditures $31,016.80 (19.1%); Sewer
Fund YTD Revenue $8,651.07 (23.4%), Expenditures $8,728.22 (20.7%); Gas Fund YTD Revenue $59,321.33 (40.5%),
Expenditures $32,371.80 (18.2%); General Fund YTD Revenue $75,848.78 (46.2%), Expenditures $52,497.08 (25.9%);
and Special Highway YTD Revenue $2,077.58 (28.6%), Expenditures $0 (0%). The April 2024 payables to date in the
amount of $44,672.83 were presented. The invoices from KMGA, Homestead Tech, Phillips 66, and Ag Engineering
have not been received at noon meeting day.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Ervin, Second by Pemberton, Approved 3-0, to approve Consent Agenda:
 Minutes of March 12, 2024 Regular Council Meeting, March 19, 2024 Special Council Meeting, and March
25, 2024 Special Council Meeting
 Treasurer’s Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
City Superintendent Rich presented a quote from USDI to replace 4 gas system valves that are getting hard to turn.
Council requested he get two more quotes before taking action.
Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan discussed various projects being completed around town. He asked for the Junk
Vehicle ordinance as he will be visiting some locations. He submitted a letter to Clerk Johnson to be put in the newsletter
and on the webpage.
Clerk Johnson informed the Council that Bourbon County Commission has scheduled a special election for May 14, our
next meeting date. Polls are open 7AM to 7PM. She asked if our meeting needed moved or if we would ask county to
find another venue.

Motion by Pemberton, Second by Ervin, Approved 3-0 to change our meeting time on May 14, 2024 to 7:30PM

Motion by Ervin, Second by Pemberton, Approved 3-0 to enter in to executive session pursuant to non-elected
personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to review applications of non-elected personnel, the open
meeting to resume at 8:25PM
Open meeting resumed at 8:25PM.

Motion by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 3-0 to call a Special Meeting to enter into executive session to interview non-elected personnel applicants on April 17, 2024 at 5:45PM.

COUNCIL REPORT
Councilman Ervin – nothing
Councilwoman Esslinger – nothing
Councilwoman Kelly – absent
Councilwoman Pemberton – asked if the bench near where the horseshoe pitch area can be moved. It is set in concrete.
Councilman Stewart – absent
Mayor Jurgensen – nothing

OLD BUSINESS
Pond Project – final paperwork has been submitted to Don George, KDWPT. Project finished under budget.
Pickleball Court Placemaking Project – discussed the painting of the lines for the court and bench placement.
Warehouse project – Another contractor was contacted for a quote to fill in the scales. He does not have time for the project. No response from attorney on process to sell the Weed Barn to offset cost of refurbishing the warehouse as discussed last month.

Motion by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 3-0 to hire Rogers and Sons to fill in the scales at the warehouse.

NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Jurgensen stated that Bettis Asphalt will be putting a temporary asphalt plant in Bourbon County this summer and
has a job on 54 Highway and in Bronson. They will be in town to repair any areas that were asphalted last year. He
suggested that the council review the streets and designate which areas of need for this year. Clerk Johnson will email
them with approximate amount available for street resurfacing.

Moved by Pemberton, Second by Ervin, Approved 3-0, to adjourn at 9:01PM

Ascension Via Christi Cyber Security Event On May 8

Submitted by: Scott Evans
Senior Director
External Communications

Ascension Via Christi, Wichtia

On Wednesday, May 8, Ascension Via Christi detected unusual activity on select technology network systems,due to a cyber security event.

“At this time we continue to investigate the situation. We responded immediately, initiated our investigation and activated our remediation efforts. Access to some systems have been interrupted as this process continues.

“Our care teams are trained for these kinds of disruptions and have initiated procedures to ensure patient care delivery continues to be safe and as minimally impacted as possible. There has been a disruption to clinical operations, and we continue to assess the impact and duration of the disruption.

“We have engaged Mandiant, a third party expert, to assist in the investigation and remediation process, and we have notified the appropriate authorities.  Together, we are working to fully investigate what information, if any, may have been affected by the situation. Should we determine that any sensitive information was affected, we will notify and support those individuals in accordance with all relevant regulatory and legal guidelines.

“We are reaching out to our business partners to ensure they are aware of the situation so they can take  appropriate steps to safeguard their systems.  We encourage all business partners to coordinate with the Ascension Technology partners to address any specific questions.

“This is an ongoing situation and we will provide updates as we learn more.  For the most recent information please visit: https://about.ascension.org/news/2024/05/network-interruption-update”

 

New Pet Service Opens By Newcomers From California

Devin and Jalaine Davis. Submitted photo.

Devin and Jalaine Davis moved to Fort Scott from Rancho Murieta, California at the end of April 2024.

“I’m from the Midwest and missed my roots and we wanted to be more central to being able to drive to family,” she said. “We have a military friend from Fort Scott which is what keyed us in to consider this our new home and we love it so far.”
Jalaine is a Navy veteran and her husband is a Marine veteran
She started her pet care service business in California and continues it at their new home. She does pet-sitting, dog walking, and drop-in services available for all pet owner’s needs.

“I started my business in California because I love animals and was tired of being inside all day behind a desk and felt I could serve a better purpose by serving my local community through pet services needs and the business flourished in no time. I left 150 clients to move here and am looking forward to helping others in Fort Scott now.”
“I will be transferring my LLC to Kansas very soon,” she said. “A unique thing about my services is that this is an official, licensed business, unlike other local dog walkers and I provide other services, such as putting out your trash bins while you are away, and returning them the following day, picking up your mail, watering plants, etc.  I take my business seriously and do everything I can to accommodate you and your pet(s)! Another unique thing about my dog walking services is that it’s one on one with your pet(s).”
“I DO NOT mix other people’s dog(s) into the walk with yours; allowing your pet to get full attention from me,” she said. “I’m also a runner, so if your pet needs to run instead of walk, I can do it!  Send me a text or call to schedule a meet and greet at (916) 753-4733.”
She also takes care of livestock and farm animals.
Her references are available upon request.
Instagram: @jalainespetservices
Her electronic business card at: https://dot.cards/jalainespetservices

 

Jalaine has a  Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Healthcare Management degree.

Submitted graphic.

Agenda for Special Meeting of the Uniontown City Council on May 14

The Uniontown City Council will have a special meeting on May 14 at 6:15, prior to the regular meeting at 7:30 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER AT _________ by __________________________________________

ROLL CALL:

 ____ Jess Ervin ____ Danea Esslinger ____ Amber Kelly ­­____ Mary Pemberton  ____ Bradley Stewart

 

Motion by _____________, Second by  __________, Approved ______, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to interview applicants of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at ____________.