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Monthly Archives: May 2025
44th Annual Fort Scott Good Ol’ Days is June 6-7
Vendors will once again line Main Street, there will be entertainment for young and old, a few contests, and a variety of vehicles to view at Fort Scott’s annual festival, The Good Ol Days.
“This year, we have extended our vendors on Skubitz Plaza and will have even more vendors than last year. Come out Friday from 5-11 P.M. and Saturday 9 A.M.-6 P.M. to get some great food from a variety of food trucks or get some woodworking, leather work, or maybe some crochet blanket, or even some boutique designer wear for men and women,” said Good Ol Days Chairman Shawn O’Brien. “We are always excited to see new vendors and our returning ones.”
The theme this year is 44 Years of Crafting Memories.
“Thinking back over the last 44 years, we have had some great crafters who show up year after year,” he said. “I’ve made lifelong friendships with these vendors. We are thankful for each of them and what they offer to our street fair. We look forward to 44 more years of crafting memories.”
Something new this year is a mechanical bull ride for $5. “This will be on Skubitz Plaza, and we are looking forward to some great laughter.”
Also this year, there is a new kids’ bicycle race on Saturday. Registration will be at the Farmers Market Pavilion at 6 P.M.
“We are going to have bounce houses at 3rd and Main Street again this year. They will be free of charge to all children to jump and bounce around from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. ” We are thankful for so many generous sponsors who donate each year to help us have so many free events,” he said. There will also be caricature drawing and a balloon artist on Skubitz Plaza.
“Trey Sharp has worked hard to secure some great entertainment this year. The Care to Share stage will be on Skubitz Plaza, and Cohn’s Cafe will host a beer tent also located on Skubitz Plaza.
There will be a limited edition Fort Scott Good Ol’ Days mug that you can purchase at their beer garden. They will also offer spiked lemonade.”
The entertainment this year on Friday night will be KC All Stars. Saturday, from 11 A.M. to 11 P.M.
“Saturday will feature some great artists and groups. Ty Ellis and the Flat Liners, Left of Center, Holly Crays, and finish off the evening with Clarksdale Caravan, which is Mississippi blues,” O’Brien said.
All entertainment is free to the public; no glass containers allowed.
The Good Ol’ Days Parade Grand Marshall this year is Kenny Clary, who has been doing the Red Garter show since it began 44 years ago. The parade is on Friday, June 6, at 6 p.m.
” We are so thankful to Kenny and his wonderful crew for the great show they put on each year. It is such an honor to recognize Kenny for all his hard work that he puts into the show each year.”
The Red Garter show will be at the Liberty Theatre, with one show on Friday at 7 P.M. and on Saturday, starting at 10 A.M., featuring a show every hour on the hour.
“Be sure to check out this great show with dancing, singing, and great comedy. Thank you, Kenny, for your years of service and dedication to the Fort Scott Good Ol’ Days and The Red Garter Show,” O’Brien said.
The annual baby contest is on Saturday at Memorial Hall. Registration is 9 AM -9:45 AM. The competition starts at 10 AM. There is a $5 entry fee per child.
There will be local police, sheriff, Emergency Medical Service, Fire, and Kansas Highway Patrol vehicles at Wall and Main Street.
“We will also have a helicopter flying in and landing around 11:30 a.m. on Saturday at Wall and Scott Avenue. Come by and check out the vehicles they drive or fly. “
The Fort Scott National Historic Site will have Native American dancers at 1 P.M. on Saturday.
“Be sure to stop by and check out our wonderful Fort and all the great activities it will be offering,” O’Brien said.
The car and motorcycle show will be on Scott Avenue from Wall to 3rd Street. “They are still taking entries and are expecting some great muscle cars and bikes. To register, contact James Malveaux at 620-224-4875 or [email protected].”
The Good Ol Days Committee members are Shawn O’Brien, Charlotte Thompson, Cheryl VanHoecke, Shay Clements, Angel Wilson, Trey Sharp, Leslie Godden, Danielle Hull, Steven Tyler Cruz, and Fort Scott National Historic Site Representative Carl Brenner.
Ad: Screen Printer – Open Position At Key Apparel
Screen Printer
Key Apparel is seeking a motivated person to join our Embellishment Team as a Screen Printer. This position will work with screen printing, digital printing, and embroidery equipment and processes.As part of the Embellishment Team, you are responsible for embellishing uniforms, hats, outerwear, and other accessories.
A Screen Printer should have an eye for detail, be comfortable on their feet and moving product, be able to navigate graphic design software, and be able to create expertly designed prints that fully meet the customer’s expectations. You should have the ability to work efficiently while staying on top of multiple projects. Prior experience is not required, but a willingness and excitement to learn is!
Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
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Receiving work order jobs for Screen Printing.
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Examining work orders to determine estimated printing times, ink, and material quantities.
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Designing screen patterns according to customer specifications.
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Selecting screen size, degreasing agents, and emulsion coatings.
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Running prints and performing quality checks throughout the printing process.
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Troubleshooting problems as they arise.
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Drying, folding, and packing completed articles after the run.
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Loading screen into printer.
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Installing and repositioning screen printing plates and pressure roles.
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Calibrating printer before batch is printed.
The ideal candidate must have:
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Excellent hand-eye coordination.
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Ability to manually operate large machinery.
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Ability to work alone for long shifts.
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High level of creative and artistic skills. Some graphic design experience is required.
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Ability to stand for long periods.
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Ability to work with ink and chemicals every day.
Compensation/Benefits:
Key offers competitive compensation, including a highly competitive benefits package.
Please submit your resume to: [email protected], or stop by and pick up an application at our offices located in the Industrial Park at 400 Marble Rd in Ft Scott.
Bourbon County Arts Council Presents The Rough Romance Tour 0n June 5
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David Schemm Selected KS State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency
WASHINGTON, May 27, 2025— The Trump Administration recently appointed David Schemm as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Kansas. Schemm joined the Kansas FSA team on May 5, 2025.
“When America’s farming communities prosper, the entire nation thrives. This new group of USDA appointees will ensure President Trump’s America First agenda is a reality in rural areas across the country. I am grateful for the leadership of these new state directors and look forward to their work reorienting the agency to put Farmers First again,” said Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.
“FSA State Executive Directors serve in a critical role carrying out USDA’s mission at the state level — ensuring that our focus is on meeting the needs of local agricultural producers by putting farmers and ranchers first,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam. “Rural communities need our support now more than ever. Our newly appointed state leaders bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to their position as SED and they will play an integral role in shaping the future of agriculture in their state.”
Schemm returns to FSA where he previously served as the FSA State Executive Director for Kansas during President Trump’s first term. Before that, he served as Ag Advisor for U.S. Senator Roger Marshall for two years. He has a long history of involvement and leadership with the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers Board and the National Association of Wheat Growers. Schemm also served on the board for the United Sorghum Checkoff Program and served on the A-Team Innovation and Sustainability for United States Grains Council.
As SED, Schemm is responsible for overseeing the delivery of FSA programs to agricultural producers in Kansas. These commodity, conservation, credit, and disaster assistance programs ensure a safe, affordable, abundant and nutritious food, fiber, and fuel supply for all Americans. See USDA news release for full list of recent FSA and Rural Development appointees.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
Varia Resale Shop Hosts Chamber Coffee On May 29
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Order FSHS ALL SCHOOL REUNION YARD SIGNS & BANNERS
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May 20 Fort Scott City Commission Meeting Part 2
Action Items
Consideration of Small Business Grant Incentive Program
Mary Wyatt shared the first draft of the plan with the commission. These grants would be available to new and existing small businesses in Fort Scott. The commission would approve all grants, and funding would come from the city’s economic development fund. Grants will be in the amounts of $10,000 and $15,000.
Commissioner Dyllon Olson suggested including a cost-matching provision for new businesses.
The commission tabled the issue to allow time to adjust the grant requirements.
Phil Jackson spoke to the commission about the new hobby shop he is opening in two weeks. Hercules Hobby, 20 Scott Avenue, will offer autographed helmets, memorabilia, and cards of all types.
Consideration of Recommendation of Award for Fort Scott Runway Safety Area Grading & Lighting Project and Olsson Engineering Contract Approval
Brian Coomes, Olsson lead engineer, said the plan for the project is complete. It involves improving the runway and end identifier lights, and the turf around the runways.
The airport’s current lighting system is 30 years old, requires continual maintenance, and needs improvement.
Low bidder for the project is Strukle Electric Incorporated of Girard, KS. They do airport lighting work all over Kansas and Missouri.
The project will cost $1,410,000. Ninety-five percent of the funds will be covered by a federal grant, 5% by Fort Scott, which has money built up in the airport fund.
The commission approved the contract for the project to be done in 2026.
Consideration to increase Design Review Advisory Board from 5 to 7 members
Lisa Dillon told the commission that two more individuals wish to serve on the board, so the board is asking for an increase in the number of members allowed.
Mayor Timothy VanHoeke said they are trying to streamline all the processes. There is no requirement for the city to have a design review board. Historically, he has received complaints about the difficulties of working with the design advisory board.
Commissioner Matthew Wells said that if Fort Scott were to become a CLG (Certified Local Government) city, it would create a smoother operation.
VanHoeke asked them to watch the CLG work session from August 11, 2023 before getting too excited about becoming a CLG government.
The request was approved 3 two 2.
Consideration to Formally Adopt the Guidance Provided by the Kansas State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for the installation guidelines of murals in both the local and Federal Historic Districts of Fort Scott
Dillon spoke to the commission about including the local historic district in the mural guidelines, which currently only apply to the Federal historic district portion of the city.
There is no current permitting process in Fort Scott for murals.
Commissioners Tracy Dancer and Kathryn Salsbury want to get public feedback before making a decision.
City Manager Brad Matkin asked that the commissioners get opinions from a variety of citizens, not just those who live in the affected area.
VanHoeke suggested putting it on the City of Fort Scott Facebook page and including a map.
The issue was tabled.
Follow Up Discussion – Land Bank Restructuring
Matkin said it would be very beneficial for Lisa Dillon to manage the land bank, because she can work with codes and neighborhood development. This was a land bank action. No vote was needed.
Consideration of Vendor Application for City-Sponsored Events
Matkin submitted a sample application to the commission, saying the purpose is to ensure that food truck vendors have their tax ID numbers and insurance.
Dancer made a motion to require all out-of-town businesses coming to do business in Fort Scott to fill out the application. The commission passed the motion.
Wells then made the motion for all businesses within Fort Scott to register with the city. There will be no charge for this registry. This motion also passed.
Adoption of Ordinance No. 3781 Amending Fireworks Sales Dates With Discussion to Further Amend Regarding Discharge of Fireworks Dates
Salsbury spoke to the commission about the policies of other cities and counties in the area, saying she wants to change the firing off dates to a shorter window within Fort Scott. She said this was to protect pets, people with PTSD, and others negatively affected by the loud noise.
VanHoeke doesn’t want to over-regulate. “I’d hate to see the window restricted,” in light of new businesses in the area that capitalize on fireworks, as well as allowing for the majority of citizens who want to celebrate with fireworks, he said.
The new sales dates for fireworks are expanded to June 20-July 7. Currently, fireworks are allowed to be fired from June 27 to July 5.
Salsbury’s motion to limit discharge dates to July 1-4, until 10 p.m. on July 1 and 2, and midnight on July 3 and 4 failed.
Wells moved to accept the ordinance with a change of dates for firing from June 27 to July 5, from 10a.m. to 10p.m. on the 27th to July 2, on the 3rd and 4th until 11:59p.m., and on the 5th from 10a.m. to 10p.m. to coincide with the city’s fireworks. The motion passed with a “no” from Salsbury.
Consideration for Final Acceptance of Corrective Action with Heck & Wicker – Horton St. & 6th St. Project
Wells, Jason Dickman, and the contractor walked the street and identified nine locations that need re-patched. If the fog seal issue continues to happen in other locations within the year, it’s under warranty and will be patched. Earl’s Engineering will oversee the current patching plan. These are the final corrective actions for the asphalt overlay.
The commission approved the steps, Wells voted no.
Reports and Comments
Dancer said, “I wanted to express my dismay” at getting the notice for the recent emergency meeting less than 3 hours ahead of time. He urged that the commission not hold emergency sessions without a true emergency, as they deprive citizens of the representation they deserve.
Wells, requested that CLG be put on the agenda for the next meeting, June 3.
VanHoeke, asked CLG meeting recording be sent out to the commission for review.
He also reminded citizens that if anyone plans on running for one of the open political offices coming up for election in November, June 2 is the cutoff date for registering with the county clerk.
Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson
May 23, 2025
Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer and can be a busy weekend, especially with all the cemetery services, decorating graves, picnics, and other events. It is a time to remember and pray for those brave men and women who sacrificed by laying down their lives for our country. They inspire us to live with courage and gratitude, never forgetting the sacrifice they made for our freedom.
One Big Beautiful Bill is working its way through the U.S. legislature. Kansans need the “One Big Beautiful Bill”, not only to keep our federal taxes lower but to also keep us from a massive state income tax increase. Our state income taxes start with the federal adjusted gross income (AGI). It’s not hard to see, a higher AGI means a higher baseline for state income taxes. If this bill doesn’t become law, it will be a drastic tax increase.
There are other items in the One Big Beautiful Bill besides tax policy, including Medicaid work requirements for able bodied individuals without children under 7. Dr. Oz recently reported over $14 billion in Medicaid fraud. The changes in the bill are an attempt to stop fraud and abuse. The bill also has funding to build the wall and increase border security. The legislation is posted at https://www.congress.gov/bill/
K-12 Funding has been a topic discussed for years. With spending increases over the years, the money still doesn’t get to the teachers and classrooms. From 2020 to 2024, it was reported the statewide average spending per pupil increased $3,476, from $14,848 to $18,324. It is the largest expenditure in the state budget and increasing spending isn’t helping. An Education Funding Task Force has been established to do a deep dive on K-12 funding. The task force is made up of legislators and lay people. A post-audit report completed in 2022 by a non-partisan group reported that only about 1/3 of students met state standards in three major subjects. It’s also been reported that school districts have over $1 billion in cash reserves. Hopefully, the task force will consider how the money is being spent and managed.
Property Taxes are too high. The valuation process is broken and subjective. The burden to prove the valuation is not accurate is on the taxpayer. Many say the valuation is based on fair market value. How fair is it that you are paying a tax on unrealized gains? You don’t pay income tax on estimated future earnings or sales tax on what you think the product will sell for, but you pay property taxes based on an estimated value. The Senate passed a Constitutional Amendment to limit taxable valuation increases to a maximum of 3% each year (SCR 1603), but it stalled in the House. This would help stop the bleed on a broken system. It needs to pass next session so we can get it on the ballot for voters to pass it to become law.
Have a good summer.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports May 27
Public Health Advisories for Kansas Lakes Due to Blue-Green Algae
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U.S. Congressman Derek Schmidt Newsletter
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