Monthly Archives: June 2025

Business, Fort Scott

The After Affect Has A New Building In the Works

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From left, owner Shelly Bradley and long-time employee Debi Fritter stand in front of the current salon site. A new building for the salon is being constructed about 14 blocks east.

Shelly Bradley, owner of The After Affect Salon, said the business will have an “18 and on-our-own party” to celebrate the relocation of her business to a newly constructed building.

“We hope to be open in August (at the new site),” she said. “August will be the salon’s 18th anniversary, and we want to have a party to celebrate.”

“My husband, Zach, had tried to talk me into buying or building a new salon, to invest in our own property, and have our own parking.”

The current salon is located in the Historic Downtown Fort Scott district at 14 E. Wall, and parking can be competitive at times.

The new shop is being built and is located at 1416 E. Wall.

Shelly Bradley opens the door to her new salon at 1416 E. Wall on June 18. Completion is slated for August 2025. The salon door is on the east (left) and the other services door is on the west (right) of the front of the building.

“My Grandma Martha Cook offered to sell a lot next to her house to me. The time was right. God’s timing is perfect, and everything fell into place.”

The new 40-foot-by-40-foot building will have parking for 13 cars.

This will be needed with the additional services she will be offering in the shop: red light therapy, and tanning services, including stand-up, lay-down, and automated. All will have their private work room and additionally, two bathrooms, a utility room/kitchen/storage room, a room for retail products, and a waiting room. In addition, there will be a designated nail technician room.

“I feel so blessed with our amazing clientele that has made this a possibility and can’t wait to offer more for our community,” she said. “I am blessed that my husband has the talent and patience to help me build my dream. And I’m excited to be next door to my Grandma’s house.”

Those working on the build are Gieger Plumbing, KTK Electric, and Thomas Concrete and Construction, all of Fort Scott. She has been working with the City of Fort Scott on an economic development grant.

Bradley started the business in 2007, and Debi Fritter started offering services with her in 2010.

Riley Findley will be the new nail technician, and Debi’s daughter, Dani, will help in the tanning area.

 

 

Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

Brian Skinner Named  2025 National Lowell Milken Center Fellow

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This is part of a series of

2025 National Lowell Milken Center Fellows.

 

The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, an international educational non-profit, has awarded its prestigious Fellowship to Brian Skinner, a high school special education educator and IEP trainer for the Harvey County Special Education Cooperative in Newton, KS. Brian will arrive in Fort Scott on June 22nd for a week of collaboration with LMC staff and the other members of the Fellowship.

 

The LMC Fellowship is a merit-based award for educators of all disciplines who value the importance of teaching respect and understanding through project-based learning. The Center selects exemplary teachers from the United States and around the world who will collaborate on projects that discover, develop, and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes in history.

 

Brian Skinner, a ­­­­special education teacher from Newton, Ks, was recognized in 2023 as Kansas Teacher of the Year. He is also a 2024 NEA Foundation Teaching Excellence recipient and an NEA Board Member. He regularly spends his time advocating for special education and the public education profession.

Within his school, some of Skinner’s additional roles have included serving as the Project SEARCH case manager, department chair, scholars’ bowl coach, and co-teaching trainer. Skinner says, “Working with students across such a wide spectrum helps him to understand all students better and have a larger impact in helping to build a positive school culture.”

LMC Executive Director Norm Conard says, “Brian is a leader among his peers, a significant catalyst in expanding co-teaching programs that involve all students across a broad spectrum. His insight will provide a valuable tool for our 2025 Fellows in seeking to include students of all abilities in the research and development of unsung heroes’ projects.”

While in Fort Scott, LMC Fellows gain knowledge, educational resources, and support in helping students cultivate a passion for learning by creating projects that initiate positive change. Fellows will be equipped to develop Unsung Heroes projects with their students, applying and evaluating the stories of these role models who have changed the world throughout history.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Government, Kansas

Bourbon County Is In the Ask For Disaster Declaration

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Kelly Administration Requests Major Presidential Disaster Declaration for May 18-19 Severe Weather


TOPEKA – Yesterday, Governor Laura Kelly sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) asking for a major presidential disaster declaration due to damages caused by a series of severe thunderstorms accompanied by straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding during the period of May 18-19, 2025. Multiple counties sustained damage to utility infrastructure, roads, and government-owned buildings.

“Small towns like Plevna and Grinnell are the heartbeat of our state, and I am committed to providing and ensuring these communities, and the region, have the resources they need to rebuild and thrive,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Since day one of the recovery process, my administration has coordinated the deployment of technical, logistical, health, and environmental resources, in addition to advocating for recovery needs to relevant federal agencies like FEMA and the SBA.”

Governor Kelly made the request to seek federal assistance through the Public Assistance Program. The program provides funds on a cost-share basis to repair damaged public infrastructure, such as roads and bridges.

In the month since the severe weather, the Kelly administration has been a proactive partner in the response and recovery efforts of the impacted communities. These efforts have thus far resulted in Governor Kelly visiting Grinnell on May 22; Governor Kelly requesting U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans be made available on May 28 which were subsequently made available on May 31; formally issuing a state of disaster emergency proclamation on June 4; initiating a joint Public Assistance Program Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDA) conducted by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on June 5; and on June 17, formally requesting a major presidential disaster declaration.

During the night of May 18-19, 2025, severe thunderstorms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding affected the counties of Bourbon, Cheyenne, Edwards, Gove, Kiowa, Logan, Pratt, Reno, Scott, Sheridan, and Stafford.

The Kansas Division of Emergency Management (KDEM) began their response in coordination with local officials on May 18, and continues to be an active partner to the impacted communities. KDEM is facilitating damage assessments, human service needs coordination with volunteer organizations, technical recovery assistance, and coordination with federal partners like SBA and FEMA.

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) quickly mobilized the night of the tornadoes to close Interstate 70 (I-70) to clear debris and downed powerlines. After removing debris, KDOT organized traffic control for I-70 lane reductions to facilitate the installation of new power lines until May 21.

The Kansas Highway Patrol provided augmentation to local law enforcement, traffic control, and aerial reconnaissance of the damage path from tornadoes.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on May 20, issued a Disposal Without a Permit (DWOP) to Grinnell for on-site burial of disaster debris; and in Plevna, KDHE issued a fee waiver to the Reno County landfill, waiving the $1 per ton state tipping fee for disaster related debris. On May 21, KDHE suspended fee assessments to obtain certified copies of birth and marriage certificates for impacted Gove County residents until July 18, 2025; and fulfilled a Gove County request for tetanus vaccines to be distributed through Gove County Emergency Management and KDEM. KDHE also provided staff to the multi-agency resource center created on May 22 to connect impacted residents with resources.

The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) participated in the multi-agency resource center to assist residents in signing up for assistance programs administered by DCF.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced on May 31, after receiving a request from Governor Kelly on May 28, a disaster declaration for Gove, Graham, Lane, Logan, Ness, Scott, Sheridan, Thomas,  and Trego counties, which makes available low interest federal disaster loans to Kansas small businesses, private nonprofits, and residents to offset physical and economic losses from the May 18 storm and tornado. On June 6, SBA announced that Harvey County was eligible for SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, which provides working capital to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and private nonprofits impacted by financial losses directly related to the disaster.

Governor Kelly issued a state of disaster emergency proclamation on June 4 for Bourbon, Cheyenne, Edwards, Gove, Kiowa, Logan, Pratt, Reno, Scott, Sheridan, and Stafford counties, activating the disaster response and recovery portions of the Kansas Response Plan. The Kansas Response Plan outlines the process by which disasters are responded to, mitigated, and recovered from; a process which recognizes that disaster recovery efforts are led at the local level.

On June 5, Kansas initiated the joint Public Assistance Program Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDA), conducted by FEMA Region VII and KDEM. PDA teams assess damages to public infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and utilities, to determine if those counties meet federal damage thresholds to qualify for federal disaster assistance. The PDA is the next step in determining if damage reaches the threshold needed for a state to formally request a Presidential disaster declaration.

On June 17, Governor Kelly sent a letter to FEMA asking for a major presidential disaster declaration.

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Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

Lowell Milken Center For Unsung Heroes Awarded Grant

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AARP Awards Grant to the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes as Part of Nationwide Program to Strengthen Communities

 

Cimarron, KS – American Association for Retired People today announced that the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes in Ft. Scott, Kansas has received a $9,500 2025 Community Challenge grant, as part of AARP’s $4.2 million commitment to fund 383 quick-action projects aimed at making communities more livable for people of all ages, with a focus on the needs of older adults.

 

The money will be used to add three new Kansas Unsung Hero panels to the Unsung Heroes Park in Fort Scott, Kansas. These panels will feature stories of William Matthews, Mary Ann Bickerdyke, and Chester Nez, and will include QR codes for translation into any language.

 

“AARP Kansas is proud to work with communities across the state to help make them more livable for people of all ages,” said Glenda DuBoise, AARP Kansas state president “The Unsung Heroes Park project will bring real improvement by featuring stories of important Kansans. We’re excited to see this come to life.”

 

 

Now in its ninth year, the Challenge has awarded 427,00 through 35 grants in Kansas since 2017 to nonprofit organizations and local government entities across the state. Grant projects will be funded in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

 

View the full list of grantees and their projects at aarp.org/communitychallenge. Learn more about AARP’s work to support livable communities at aarp.org/livable.

 

# # #

 

About AARP

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation’s largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.

 

Bourbon County, Government

Unofficial Minutes for the Uniontown City Council on June 10

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The Regular Council Meeting on June 10, 2025 at Uniontown Community Center was called to order at 7:00PM by Mayor Jurgensen.  Council members present were Jess Ervin, Amber Kelly, Mary Pemberton, and Bradley Stewart.  Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were Codes Officer Doug Coyan, City Treasurer Sally Johnson, and City Clerk Danea Esslinger.

 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

None

 

CITIZENS REQUESTS

None

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Treasurer Johnson presented the May 2025 financial reports.  Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds for May was $296,977.13, Receipts $42.798.60, Transfers Out $14,524.00, Expenditures $36,272.79, Checking Account Closing Balance $288,978.94. Bank Statement Balance $295,174.66, including Checking Account Interest of $63.45, Outstanding Deposits $0.00, Outstanding Checks $6,195.72, Reconciled Balance $288,978.94.  Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $38,257.03, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $22,987.37, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $45,123.12, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $395,346.46. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $314.68, and Utility CDs $1,212.84 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $1,527.52.  Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,622.00, Capital Improvement-Streets from Gas Utility $6,250, Capital Improvement-Streets from General Fund $2,500, Utility Capital Improvement-Streets from Sewer Fund $750.00, and Capital Improvement-Streets from Water Fund $2,000.00, for Total Transfers of $14,524.00. Net Loss for the month of May $7,998.19, Year-to-Date Net Income $25,115.20.  Appropriations to date for May 2025 are $31,355.12.

 

APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0, to approve Consent Agenda:

  • Minutes of May 13, 2025 Regular Council Meeting.
  • Treasurer’s Reports & Monthly Transaction Report for May 2025 and the Accounts Payables

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Codes Enforcement:  Doug Coyan

405 Hill Street-letter sent to owner with requested repairs needed, some repairs have been completed, he will contact owners about the other repairs needed.

406 Fulton Street-letter sent to owner regarding nuisance vehicles and certified letter not picked up. Code Officer requested citation to be given as the black car has not been taken care as requested by the city. Council requested citation to be sent for the nuisance vehicles.

6th and Washington-needs mowing. Codes officer will contact owner.

4th and Washington-has camper on lot and needs mowing. Codes officer will contact owner.

 

Superintendent:  Bobby Rich will be gone for 5-day Bereavement Leave.

Mowing Assistance asked by Mayor:  these volunteered to will help with mowing Larry Jurgensen, Sally Johnson, Matt Kelly, Brad Stewart, Jess Ervin and Doug Coyan-if needed. Council decided to give sympathy card and a large supply of Dr. Pepper in Superintendent warehouse maintenance refrigerator.

Council requests to have 5 additional keys needed for the Shop, the City Administration side door, Electric for the park-3918, North Side and West Side Warehouse.

 

Clerk Report:  Danea Esslinger  

City Wide Garage Sales-Council stated not at this time.

Modern Copy Systems–new maintenance agreement.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0 to accept the new maintenance agreement for Modern Copy Systems.

 

Jayhawk Software Back Up vs Microsoft Office back up-Council stated since backed up on our server, do not need any additional back up at this time.

Thank You Card- form Kelly Droel

Thank You Cards-Signed by council members for Peerless for the new window and Ruritan for the monetary assistance with Public Restroom.

 

 

COUNCIL & COMMITTEE REPORTS

Councilman Ervin – None.

Councilman Kelly –None.

Councilwoman Pemberton –None.

Councilwoman Pritchett –Absent.

Councilman Stewart–Received 3 stop signs from Fort Scott Public Works.

Mayor Jurgensen – Resident wants tree cut down right next to city sidewalk. Kyle Knight stated will take care of for $250.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0 to accept Kyle Knight cut down tree by the city sidewalk.

 

OLD BUSINESS

SEED Grant – all supplies, appliances, computer and printer, bookshelves have been ordered for the City Library, Community Center, and City Office. We have received new city office chairs; new tables, new microwave, refrigerator, and stove for Community Center; computer for the City Library, and all shelves have been ordered and the window blind. The window blind will come in around the July 1st.

Mayor donated the stove and the refrigerator to the Ruritan Needy Family. The tables and videos donated to the Old Settler’s committee for their use during the Old Settler’s Labor Day Weekend.

 

FEMA Flooding– Hydrology study not complete yet by Ag Engineering. Council asked to stop this Hydrology study at this time.

 

Warehouse Insulation – is completed at this time.

 

Sidewalk- Ag Engineering sent the completed documentation and bill. Council stated to send the business owner a letter to advise that the

City is proceeding to fix the sidewalk. We will notify the working dates of sidewalk completion.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Stewart, Approved 4-0 in regard to the East Sidewalk of the Square.

 

Park electric – Kelly Electric will work on this soon without the boring of electrical line. He can separate the Christmas lights and the Shelter House lights with a separate switch.

Motion by Ervin, Second by Stewart, Approved 3-0 to approve Kelly electric work on the park electric.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to discuss performance of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 8:40.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to discuss performance of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 9:00.

 

Sally Johnson called in at 8:45, and out at 9:00

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to discuss performance of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 9:20.

 

Danea Esslinger called in at 9:30, out at 9:45.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to discuss performance of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 9:50.

 

Meeting resumed at 9:50. No action from executive session.

 

 

ADJOURN Time 9:52 Moved by Pemberton, 2nd Kelly, Approved 4-0

 

Art, Business, Fort Scott

The Rockballet Dancers Present “Jet Set To Wonderland” June 20-21

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Reserved Tickets are now on sale for a show of talent you
do not want to miss! Call 855-222-2849 (the number on the flyer is not correct)

https://www.etix.com/ticket/o/8277/rockballet

Kristin Lewis Gorman will present her Rockballet dancers
in their 5th annual production, “Jet Set to Wonderland” ,
this Friday and Saturday, 7:30 PM at the Ellis Family Fine
Arts center, in Fort Scott.

Kristin was a New York City based career performer and
choreographer for 25 years before coming back to open
Rockballet, sharing her knowledge and love of singing,
dancing and acting with students in her hometown.
Kristin teaches every genre of dance and every class at
Rockballet.

As always, each number in the show is her original
choreography, created exclusively for her students.

Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

Meredith Reid Named 2025 National Lowell Milken Center Fellow

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This is part of a series on

 2025 National Lowell Milken Center Fellows.

 

FORT SCOTT, KS – June 1, 2025 – The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, an international educational non-profit, has awarded its prestigious Fellowship to Meredith Reid, a middle and high school choral music educator at Girard public schools in Girard, KS. Meredith will arrive in Fort Scott on June 22nd for a week of collaboration with LMC staff and the other members of the Fellowship.

 

The LMC Fellowship is a merit-based award for educators of all disciplines who value the importance of teaching respect and understanding through project-based learning. The Center selects exemplary teachers from the United States and around the world who will collaborate on projects that discover, develop, and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes in history.

 

Meredith Reid, a choir teacher from Girard, KS, was recognized in January 2025 as a Kansas Milken Educator. The choir program was nearly non-existent when Meredith was a student at Girard High School. When she returned to her alma mater as an educator, she re-established the choir program, where students now have opportunities to succeed at state-level contests and are accepted into many different honor choirs.

Outside of her classroom, Meredith is an active member of her community, both locally and beyond. She serves as the Kansas Choral Directors Association Secretary and Kansas Music Educators Southeast District President-Elect. She is also an officer in the Girard P.E.O. chapter. In the last three years, she has developed a community choir, “Generations,” which reflects her goals of sustaining music as a lifelong passion for all ages.

LMC Executive Director Norm Conard says, “Meredith has re-established and rebuilt the choral music program at Girard Middle and High Schools, making them both successful and award-winning programs. With her previous experience and knowledge of unsung heroes, she has begun plans for unique ways of developing projects with her students.”

While in Fort Scott, LMC Fellows gain knowledge, educational resources, and support in helping students cultivate a passion for learning by creating projects that initiate positive change. Fellows will be equipped to develop Unsung Heroes projects with their students, applying and evaluating the stories of these role models who have changed the world throughout history.

 

 

 

Area News

The 2025 General Funds application is available until June 30th!

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CFSEK Grantee Story Series:

Columbus Schools Park Elementary, Sensory Room Success

The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) is excited to continue our series of articles highlighting the great work done by some of our grantees in Southeast Kansas communities. Our next grantee to highlight is Columbus USD 493 Park Elementary School, recipient of a 2024 General Funds grant focused on Youth Activities for their sensory room project.

Have you ever seen a space that just wasn’t put to full use? You don’t even have to have a plan for it; you just know that it isn’t being used to its full potential? Well, Park Elementary Special Edudation (SPED) teacher Rylee Crain saw an empty office space in her classroom and had an idea. Park Elementary had a “quiet room” for students who needed that space, but the data showed it wasn’t having the intended effect.

“I looked at this office turned storage room in my classroom and thought I could do something exciting,” Crain said. Crain went to her principal to share her idea for a sensory room in this space, and her principal was on board. “She really encouraged me to apply for grants and to move forward with the project.”

With grant funding, Crain was able to purchase a couch, a ball pit, soft lighting, and several other items that would have been hard to get without grant funding. All of these are tools to help children to re-regulate and work through their emotional state.

“This room allows kids to re-regulate their emotions, and work on strategies to help them self-regulate,” Crain said.

The data from kids using the quiet room showed repeated use with little to no improvement in behavior or academics, whereas data from usage of the sensory room showed progress in frequency and improved behavior and academics.

“There was a little boy that would use the sensory room early in the year, and we worked on strategies to help him self-regulate his emotions while in the sensory room,” Crain said. “Eventually, he didn’t need to use it. He came and saw me at the end of the year to thank me, and we had the biggest hug! I’ll never forget that!”

While the sensory room is located in the SPED classroom, Crain wanted to make the space available to everyone.

“I sent out a building-wide email saying that the space is open and available to every kid,” she said. “We want every child to have the tools they need to be successful, and the sensory room can and should be one of those tools!” Teachers can even use the space as a reward for their students. “I have seen so many relationships grow throughout the building because of this, and it makes it feel so worth it!”

Crain talked about improving the check-in/check-out system next year as well. “We want to add a folder system on the door so kids can identify how they are feeling and then have a list of tools they can use in the sensory room,” she said. “This lets each kid get what they need!”

Crain helped complete the project and is now moving to another school in the district for the upcoming year. “I won’t be teaching SPED next year, but I already plan to replicate this project in my new building because I’ve seen the results firsthand!”

Crain stressed that the grant funding received made this project possible. “While we had some funds, without this grant money, we would not have been able to have the completed room within the year. This gave kids the best opportunity to be successful all year long,” she said.

CFSEK’s 2025 General Funds grant cycle application is available until June 30th. More information about the General Funds cycle is available at SoutheastKansas.org/GF.

The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas awarded over $2 million in grants from all foundation funds in 2024 and has facilitated over $25 million in total granting to Southeast Kansas since its inception in 2001. CFSEK serves the region by providing donors with various charitable interests and encouraging charitable giving, which addresses present and future needs in our area. The Columbus Area, Fort Scott Area, and Girard Area Community Foundations are affiliates of CFSEK. More information about CFSEK is available at SoutheastKansas.org.