Drew Simpson speaks to attendees of the Downtown Meet and Greet on October 6. Lindsay Madison is in the center of the photo.
The quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet event was hosted by Cohn’s Cafe, 110 S. Main, on October 6.
A special welcome was given to Drew Simpson, Director of Kansas Main Street, a part of the Kansas Department of Commerce.
“Main Street is a self-help, technical assistance program that targets revitalization and preservation of downtown districts through the development of a comprehensive strategy.” -according to the website: http://www.KansasCommerce.gov/Main-Street
“You are a designated Main Street…you will see more traffic,” Simpson told the group of mostly business owners.
“Business owners, residents and property owners are…impacted.”
When a downtown is healthy, the benefits ripple outward, strengthening businesses, property, public revenues, community pride, quality of place, and future opportunity, according to a fact sheet provided by Kansas Main Street.
He outlined the long process to move forward on the Main Street Program, and commended the Chamber of Commerce CEO Lindsay Madison for “running the show; we are to provide the guardrails,” he said. “She is the face of Main Street in Fort Scott.”
There are a few grants available for businesses: ROOMS and HEAL. One can contact Madison at the Chamber office for more details.
The next Kansas Main Street Training is November 17-18 in Independence.
Other comments from attendees:
Kathy Dancer, owner of four downtown businesses cuts up quiche in preparation for the attendees of the Downtown Meet and Greet on October 6.
Kathy Dancer, owner of Cohn’s Cafe, 110 South Main Mercantile, Green Lantern Speakeasy and Bourbon County Handcrafted Spirits, all located at the former Scottish Rite Temple, gave a brief overview of all her businesses and provided a sampling of her quiches she makes daily in the cafe.
She also announced that the Old Fort Genealogical Society of Southeastern Kansas will be renting the southernmost storefront at 114 S. Main soon.
Jill Jaworski, Superintendent of Fort Scott National Historic Site, announced that the site is now open seven days a week, and some parts of the campus is undergoing remodeling. The Friends of FSNHS received a $10,000 grant to help with the 50th Anniversary celebration in 2028. The site is part of the Murder and Mayhem Tour for Halloween, and the annual candlelight tour is Dec. 4-5.
Mary Wyatt, business development with the City of Fort Scott, noted that many new businesses have opened, some businesses have expanded, and a few new businesses are on the horizon for the city. There will be a tax sale soon, she said.
Mid-Continental Restoration is currently working on Memorial Hall.
Rachel Carpenter, City of Fort Scott Human Resources person, introduced the new tourism contact Natalia Varzea. Varzea said she would “love to meet with businesses” in the community.
The October 6 Downtown Meet and Greet event met at Cohn’s Cafe.
She purchased the decade-long vacated 12,000-square-foot building in January 2022 at a Bourbon County Tax Sale.
The former Scottish Rite Temple has been transformed into four new businesses in Fort Scott’s Historic Downtown.
Since then, they have started four businesses after investing a lot of money in the infrastructure, said Kathy Dancer. They are Cohn’s Cafe, 110 South Main Mercantile, Green Lantern Speakeasy and Bourbon County Handcrafted Spirits.
In an interview about those businesses, Kathy said the Dancer’s drainage issue that has caused flooding in the building has been slow to be resolved.
The City of Fort Scott directed the Dancers to do some repair work, and then the city would fill in the ditch at the base of the building in the alley on the west side of the building, she said.
“The trench is still there,” she said. “When it rains, it goes into the basement and the main floor.”
According to Dancer’s records, they hired someone to start digging out along the building’s foundation in the alley at the end of June.
“On July 13th we had an excavator come in so that we could get deeper to do additional repair work on the foundation. The city blocked off the alley on July 14th. We are approaching the three month mark on the alley being in disarray.”
“Their contractor has been in contact with the person who is going to install a curb for the city,” said Fort Scott City Manager Brad Matkin.
“This concrete contractor is working on another job and will get to that area as soon as they are done. We have tried to work with the Dancers on this for the past few years, but our engineers said there were things they had to do before the city would do any work.”
Kathy Dancer said she shared a video with the city commission showing the water flow from the city parking lot, northwest of their building. And also the water flow from the portion of the alley that is already concreted, in back of the apartment building north of 110 N. Main.
The apartment building, the Dancer property, and the former Moody Building on the 100 South Main block are the only buildings that have basements on that block, she said.
The ditch is the lowest place in the alley.
The apartment’s alley is concreted; their alley portion is not, she said.
“We had a contractor go in and seal it in (at the base of the building in the alley),” she said. “He had to go back in after the rains and did more.
“To be honest, the city is not responsible for the curb we are installing, but I agreed to do it,” Matkin said. “The water is not coming from the alley; it is coming from the building owner’s guttering and roof. Hopefully, that is taken care of as well.”
“We did a lot of gutter work already,” Mrs. Dancer said. “There is another spot that opened up.”
“When we had solar installed, some of the roof gravel moved into the guttering,” she said. “We can’t get in to fix the guttering problem because the alley is not accessible.”
Dancer said alley maintenance is “100 percent, the city’s job.”
She said at the moment, all four of the businesses remain open for business.
Moody Building
While taking photos of the alley, Al Niece, who is trying to purchase the Moody Building on Main Street, stopped by to look at the building.
He said the basement at that building also gets flooded.
Niece was looking at the property before the city meeting this evening, where the Moody Building will be discussed, he said.
Niece was frustrated at the slow process to acquire the building
The Moody Building is located across the street from Fort Scott City Hall on South Main.
“We cannot do anything extensively to the alley until the poles holding up the west side of the Moody Building are removed,” said Matkin.
“Our city attorney is working on the deed with the owner of the building, and we are really close to getting this done,” Matkin said. We have also worked with the IRS to remove the lien that is placed on the building so Mr. Niece will not have to worry about any of this.”
“Mr. Niece has permission to do whatever he wants with the building due to the city getting a letter from the owners for him to do so, Matkin said. “I for one, appreciate Al taking on this project and am working with him to get this building going in the right direction.”
The entrance to Salon Social is located on the south side of the building that also houses Better in Bourbon boutique—submitted photo.
Brooklyn Holder, 22, a 2022 graduate of Fort Scott High School and 2023 graduate of Fort Scott Community College Cosmetology School, is having a grand opening at her salon at 2 Old Fort Boulevard today from 5-7 p.m.
Brooklyn Holder and her client, Brianna Davilla, a PIttsburg State University Student from Leawood on September 29 in the Salon Social shop.
Brooklyn’s services: hair coloring, hair extensions, hair blow-outs and haircuts. Contact her at 620.215.100 for an appointment.
Following cosmetology graduation, she did an apprenticeship in Kansas City. She then worked for two years at a salon in Joplin, MO.
She married Jet Holder on July 4 and they moved back to Fort Scott.
Her grandmother, Nancy Daniels Pruitt, and her dad, Chris Pruitt, own the recently remodeled building under their company, Pruitt Storage and Rental LLC.
Rachel Pruitt, her mom, owns the Better In Bourbon boutique on the west side of the building (formerly H & H Realty), and Brooklyn’s Salon Social shop is on the east side.
There are other office spaces to rent between the two businesses.
The door to enter her salon is on the south side of the building.
About the hair stylist
Brooklyn said the apprenticeship following cosmetology schoo helped her gain confidence and “trust in myself” and highly recommends it.
She will be having hair classes and “shadow days” for other beauty professionals. Her shop is envisioned as a place to socialize and have events to perfect the craft.
The best part of being a cosmetologist for her is:
“I love getting to help others be confident with their own beauty, and I believe client interactions are important.”
Her career started when she, without telling her parents, enrolled at FSCC’s Cosmetology School.
“I enrolled 20 minutes before the deadline,” she said. “The first day I realized, ‘this is for me’. It’s been a great career.”
Salon Social Shop is located at 2 Old Fort Boulevard, in the same building as Better In Bourbon Boutique.
Her husband is a Marine Corps reservist, and in her spare time she likes to hang out with her dog and her family, she said.
On November 3, 2026, an election for city, school and federal and state candidates will be held.
The ballot will also include the following constitutional amendment question about who is eligible to vote in Kansas. And for Uniontown’s School District citizens, a question on voting for at-large positions on the U.S.D. 235 School Board.
The following was submitted by Bourbon County Clerk Ann Clark, with information that tells who the candidates are, where you can vote, when advance voting starts and ends, when early voting begins and ends, and a special notice that some voting places have changed.
Please read the information and be prepared to let your vote count.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT QUESTION
Explanatory statement. This amendment would clarify that only a person who is a citizen of the United States is eligible to vote in this state. “A vote for this proposition would clarify that only a person who is a citizen of the United States is eligible to vote in this state. “A vote against this proposition would make no change to the constitution of the state of Kansas, and the language concerning voter qualifications would remain the same. “Shall the following be adopted?“§ 1. Qualifications of electors.Every(a) No person shall be deemed a qualified elector unless such person:
(1) Is a citizen of the United States who;
(2) has attained the age of eighteen years; and who
(3) except as provided in subsection (b) or (c), resides in the voting area in which he or she such person seeks to vote shall be deemed a qualified elector.
(b) Laws of this state relating to voting for presidential electors and candidates for the office of president and vice-president of the United States shall comply with the laws of the United States relating thereto. A citizen of the United States, who is otherwise qualified to vote in Kansas for presidential electors and candidates for the offices of president and vice-president of the United States may vote for such officers either in person or by absentee ballot notwithstanding the fact that such person may have become a nonresident of this state if his or her such person’s removal from this state occurs during a period in accordance with federal law next preceding such election.
(c) A person who is otherwise a qualified elector may vote in the voting area of his or her such person’s former residence either in person or by absentee ballot notwithstanding the fact that such person may have become a nonresident of such voting area during a period prescribed by law next preceding the election at which he or she such person seeks to vote, if his such person’s new residence is in another voting area in the state of Kansas.”
The full list of candidates on the ballot is as follows:
UNITED STATES SENATE
Adam Hamilton, Democratic. Box 6, Stillwell, KS 66085
Roger Marshall, Republican,
David C Graham, Libertarian, Overland Park, KS
UNITED STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Don Cover, Democratic, 9305 70th Road, Galesburg, KS 66740
Juan C. Luengo, Democratic,14904 S Summit St, Olathe, KS 66062
Steven Johnson, Republican,10197 S Hopkins Road, Asaria, KS 67416
Eric Lund, Libertarian, Paola, KS
COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE
Dinah Sykes, Democratic
Daniel Hawkins, Republican, 9406 W Harvest Lane, Wichita, KS 67212
Rick Koehn, Libertarian, Cimarron, KS
KANSAS HOUSE OF REPRESENATIVES
Rick James, Republican, LaCygne, KS 66040
Robb Hodgkinson, Libertarian, Fort Scott, KS
MEMBER STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Heather Guernsey, Democratic, 18725 Ford Road, Chanute, KS 66720
Destry Brown, Republican, 2108 Jayhawk Rd, Fort Scott, KS 66701
SUPREME COURT JUSTICE
Eric S. Rosen,
Larkin E. Walsh
COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE
Lesley Ann Isherwood
Amy Fellows Cline
Kim R. Schroeder
Lori Ann Bolten Fleming
Jacy Hurst
DISTRICT COURT JUDGE
Amy L Harth
COUNTYCOMMISSIONER DISTRICT 1
Clint L. Walker (Democratic) 1999 105th St. Mapleton, KS 66754
Mike Hueston (Republican) 351 N Bourbon, Mapleton, KS 66754
COUNTYCOMMISSIONERDISTRICT 3
Joe Allen (Republican) 1025 260th Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
COUNTYCOMMISSSIONER DISTRICT4
Gregg Motley, Republican 1904 Jayhawk Road, Fort Scott 66701, 66701
DRYWOOD TOWNSHIP CLERK
Laura Krom Republican, 2361 Fern Road, Fort Scott, KS 66701
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP CLERK
No Candidate Filing
MARION TOWNSHIP CLERK
Brent M. Smit, Republican 763 95th Street, Redfield, Ks 66769
Michael Ramsey, Republican, 1270 Highway 3, Uniontown, Ks 66779
MARMATON TOWNSHIP CLERK]
No Candidate Filing
MILLCREEK TOWNSHIP CLERK
No Candidate Filing
OSAGE TOWNSHIP CLERK
No Candidate Filing
PAWNEE TOWNSHIP CLERK
No Candidate Filing
SCOTT TOWNSHIP CLERK
Donald Banwart, Republican, 982 Highway 69, Fort Scott, KS 66701
TIMBERHILL TOWNSHIP CLERK
Jennifer Epting Williams, Republican, 530 N Washington, Mapleton, KS 66754
WALNUT TOWNSHIP CLERK
No Candidate Filing
USD 235 QUESTION
CHANGE IN METHOD OF ELECTION TO ELECT AT-LARGE FOR MEMBER POSITIONS The Uniontown School District;
Unified School District No.235
Bourbon County, Kansas
Shall the following change in the Method of Election be adopted?
“Shall Unified School District No. 235, Bourbon County, Kansas change the method of election from the current three member district method under which the school district is divided into two member districts, in which three board members are elected from each member district is divided into two member districts, in which three members are elected from each member district and one board member is elected at-large, to the election at large for member positions method of electing school bord members under which:
The school district is not divided into any member districts, and all board members are elected at large.
“Shall a change in the method of election as described in the ballot title above, be approved?”
To vote in favor of the method of election change, make a cross or check mark in the square to the left of the word
Yes; to vote against it, make a cross or check mark in the square to the left of the word no.
VOTING PRECINCTS IN BOURBON COUNTY– PLEASE NOTE THAT THE POLLING PLACES HAVE CHANGED!!
It is hereby noted that the polls are open between the hours of 7:00 am to 7:00 pm at the following location:
1st,4th, 5th.and 6th Wards and Scott D1, D2 and D4 Townships at Community Christian Church, 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott
Freedom, Fulton, and Osage Townships at Fulton Community Building, 408 W. Osage, Fulton
2nd, 3rd, and 7th wards, Drywood Township, and Scott D3, and D5 Townships at Grace Baptist Church, 502 S. Margrave, Fort Scott
Franklin, Mapleton, Millcreek and Timberhill Townships and Mapleton City at Mapleton Community Building, 565 Eldora, Mapleton
East Marion, Marmaton, Pawnee, West Marion, and Walnut Townships and Bronson, Redfield, and Uniontown Cities at Uniontown City Hall, 206 Sherman, Uniontown
Voter Registration And Voting
You may register to vote at the office of the County Clerk during their regular business hours, or online
Deadline to Change Party: K.S.A. 25-3304(b) The deadline for party affiliation changes is October 14, 2026 at the end of the business day. Party affiliation changes will be accepted and processed after December 1, 2026. If you still desire to update or change your party affiliation, you may do so December 1, 2026, by filling out a new voter registration.
Closing of Registration Books: Pursuant to K.S.A. 25-2310 & K.A.R. 7-23-4 Notice is hereby given that on the 14th day of October 2026, registration books for the City/School General Election will close at the end of the business day. The books will remain closed until the day following the General Election.
Advance Voting by Mail; K.S.A. 25-1123 Any registered voter is eligible to vote by Advance Ballot, beginning Thursday, October 15, 2026. The last day to request an advance ballot by mail is Wednesday, October 28,2026
Apply for Advance Ballot: K.S.A. 25-1122 € (4). Applications for advance Ballots are available at the Bourbon County Clerk, Election Office or by calling 620-223-3800 Ext:100. A printable application for an Advance Ballot is available on the county website www.bourboncountyis.org or Kansas Secretary of State website www.kssos.org.
Returning Advance Ballots: K.S.A. 25-1132
In Person: ballots must be returned by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day to any polling location within the County or to the County Election Office, Courthouse, 210 S National Ave. Fort Scott, KS 66701.
By Mail: Ballot must be postmarked on or before Tuesday November 3, 2026 (Election Day) and received in the County Election office by Friday, November 6th, 2026.
Early Voting: Voters can vote in advance in the Commission Room at Bourbon County Courthouse beginning Monday, October 19th, 2026, through Monday, November 2, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. (Noon)
Important Note: Per K.S.A. 25-2908 All Voters must provide Valid Photo Identification (Drivers License, Military ID, Kansas College ID, Kansas ID or other qualifying ID card) to Vote. For a list of accepted identification and additional information go to www.gotvoterid.com or call 1-800. 262.vote (8683).
Public Demonstration: K.S.A. 25-4411(b) & 25-4610(b) A Public Demonstration of the Clear Ballot Election Software will be held Friday October 30th, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in the Bourbon County Courthouse.
CANVASS: KSA 25-3101, 3104, 3107 Monday November 9th, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the Commission Room of the Bourbon County Courthouse.
Since opening in December 2025, Lu’s Ice Cream Shop has been adding more food items and space to eat those items.
Their dipping freezer now holds 16 flavors for customers to choose from, and typically there are 4-5 additional flavors in the back freezer.
The outdoor seating is on the north side of Lu’s Ice Cream Shop.
An outdoor eating area has been added, and on-site seating to watch a baseball/softball game across the street at Fisher Park, and starting in July, more variety of foods were added to the menu.
Bleachers on the south side of Lu’s Ice Cream Shop face the ball field at Fisher Park.
“It’s been a gradual process opening and adding more items to the menu, because I was teaching full time until May,” said Nikki Regan, the manager. Regan is a former special education teacher for Fort Scott School District.
Manager Nikki Regan looks over an announcement about Dolly Day, which was on September 25,
The shop now offers sandwiches, nachos, loaded dogs, and paninis.
Now more food options are in the works.
“We are adding more quick lunch options with high schoolers in mind,” she said. “We’d love for Lu’s to become a regular lunch spot for them during open lunch. A place where they can grab something quick and good, enjoy a little ice cream if they want, and still have time to get back to school.”
“We are listening to what they want and continue to add items based on their feedback.”
Homemade soups, mac and cheese, loaded mac and cheese, along with pretzel bites are coming soon, she said.
Regen leads a crew of 20 employees-young adults and high school students, some with unique abilities.
At the heart of our mission is inclusion — we proudly employ individuals with disabilities, offering meaningful opportunities that build confidence, dignity, and purpose. Every scoop supports a place where everyone belongs, and every visit helps our team shine. Come enjoy great ice cream while making a difference right here at home!- From the shop’s Facebook page.
From the shop’s Facebook page.
The adult shift leader does most of the cooking and is helped by the others with food prep, bussing tables, cleaning the shop, and scooping Blue Bell Ice Cream.
The address is 523 S. Main, and the business can be contacted at 620.418.4288.
From the shop’s Facebook page.
Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday from 2-7 p.m. Closed on Mondays.
“When the weather gets cooler, we will close an hour earlier,” she said.
The Library Speakeasy
Food can also be delivered to another business in the building that owner’s, Lu and Al Niece, opened in July.
The Library is a 1920s-themed hidden speakeasy, tucked away in the basement beneath Lu’s Ice Cream.
A speakeasy bar, in essence, is an establishment inspired by the secretive drinking venues that proliferated across the United States during the Prohibition era. These bars typically feature a clandestine entrance, often concealed behind an unassuming facade—such as a wall of books, a telephone booth, or even blending seamlessly within a retail storefront, according to https://www.restaurantware.com/blogs/bar-management/what-is-a-speakeasy
Enter through the black door off the 6th Street stairs on the building’s south side. The first room resembles a quiet library filled with books, but walking past the bookshelves at the end reveals a hidden door that opens into a cozy, vintage-inspired cocktail lounge.
One of The Library’s alcoholic drink offerings. From its Facebook page.Lu’s Ice Cream Shop is at the corner of 6th and Main Street; enter through the 6th Street stairs entrance. The Nieces have an apartment and a rental on the second floor of the building. In the basement is The Library speakeasy. This photo was taken in January 2026.
Fort Scott’s largest park, Gunn Park, is the site of city workers’ ditch work this week, including whistles to divert water off the roads.
Towards the end of next week, around October 1 (weather permitting), work will be completed on asphalting the loop road around the park.
The 155-acre recreation area on the city’s west side is a lake-dotted park with picnic pavilions, campgrounds, and a disc golf course also offering hiking, biking and fishing to visitors.
City workers are currently trying to divert water from a low point at the bottom of the first hill on the park’s main one-way road.
“When the bottoms like that are in hollows, with floods and everything else, the work is ongoing,” said Public Works Director Tom Coffman.
“They are doing ditch work with whistles (large tubes) to divert water off the roadway,” said Park Supervisor Norman Mackley. “We are doing the pre-work now. The Parks Department will be assisting the city street crews.”
The project got started September 22, and by October 1, weather and conditions permitting, the asphalting of the whole park one-way loop road will be done, said Coffman.
“When we start asphalting, the park will be closed,” he said. “The asphalting of the total loop, the main road, will start next week. Closures depend on where we are working, but the park will be open to hiking and biking.”
“We’ll go around the shelter houses…and other stuff in the park at a later date,” Coffman said.
The big rock shelter house at Gunn Park is a favorite pavillion for special gatherings. Here it is lit up at Christmas in 2017.
New Commerce Grant to Boost Youth Registered Apprenticeship Opportunities
TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced the launch of the Kansas Office of Apprenticeship State Grant, a new funding opportunity designed to strengthen and expand Registered Apprenticeship programs across Kansas. The new grant will support both new and existing apprenticeship programs while promoting opportunities for youth ages 16 and 17 to enter high-quality career pathways in high-wage, high-demand occupations.
“Creating opportunities for our students and employers to connect at the early stages of professional careers is key to building a strong and sustainable Kansas workforce,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Investing in Registered Apprenticeship programs will provide Kansas businesses with reliable and skilled workers while also setting up young Kansans for rewarding careers right here in their home state.”
Grant funding will support activities such as program development and expansion, staffing, outreach, employer engagement, technical instruction, partnership development, and other operational costs that strengthen Registered Apprenticeship programs. Individual grants of up to $100,000 will be awarded.
As part of the grant requirements, applicants must commit to one of the following engagement activities:
Successfully register a minimum of two apprentices ages 16-17.
Complete a minimum of four structured K–12 and community engagement activities (e.g., presentations to students, school counselors, school boards, chambers of commerce, or local governing bodies, or coordinated site visits with K–12 partners). Career fairs will not qualify toward this requirement.
Applicants must also list both their target occupations and industries based on NAICS codes.
“Registered Apprenticeships have been one of the most effective workforce strategies in Kansas because we’re connecting education with real employment opportunities,” Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship Director Shonda Anderson said. “This grant supports the growth of Registered Apprenticeship by expanding opportunities for Kansas youth and helping employers develop the skilled workforce needed to keep Kansas competitive.”
The grant is designed to expand new and existing Kansas-based Registered Apprenticeship programs, with a goal of increasing new apprenticeship enrollment and the number of 16- and 17-year-old apprentices by at least 5 percent year over year, particularly in high-wage, high-demand occupations.
Eligible Kansas Registered Apprenticeship programs are encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted from Friday, September 18, to Friday, October 23. A webinar to explain the grant will be from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, October 1. Join the Teams webinar by clicking here.
To learn more about the grant and to submit an application, click here.
The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship continues to expand innovative workforce solutions that connect employers with skilled talent while creating sustainable career pathways for Kansans. More information about Registered Apprenticeship and available resources can be found 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, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
About the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship:
The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship was established by Governor Laura Kelly on Sept. 6, 2022, through Executive Order #22-07. The Office supports apprenticeships across multiple industries to provide a highly skilled source of labor for employers and ensure occupational proficiency for career-seekers. The program incorporates on-the-job learning, technical instruction and mentorship to create long-term employment opportunities in Kansas.
From left: Emily Norris, chiropractic assistant, Dr. Ethan Couch, Dr. Kaylee Clifton, and Angie Trim, office manager. The team at Clifton Chiropractic.
Dr. Kaylee Clifton is expanding the treatments Clifton Chiropractic LLC offers its clients.
In late August, she purchased a hydro-massage bed.
The hydro-massage bed is in a treatment room at the business just off Hwy. 69 on Third Street.
“The hydro treatment has been going well,” Dr. Clifton said. “It’s a good added treatment to relax and help with muscle and joint pain.”
“You can do this before or after a treatment, or just walk in,” said Angie Trim, office manager. “It may be eligible for a Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account, you have to check in with the plan administrator.”
The treatment was at first located at Spoiled Brat Salon, and Heather Engstrom, the owner, “reached out to us. Several of our chiropractic patients were using it there,” said Trim.
The cost is $20 for 20 minutes of hydro-massage in the lounge chair.
During the week of September 21, high school or community college athletes get 1/2 price off the hydro-massage treatment.
Other services
The price list at Clifton Chiropractic.
Both Dr. Couch and Dr. Clifton provide traditional chiropractic adjustments, and they provide other services as well.
“Dr. Couch does the dry needling treatment service,” Clifton said.
Dry needling is a technique where a very small, thin needed is used to release tight muscle knots and help reduce pain. It helps muscles relax, improves blood flow, and allows the body to heal better. It targets specific tight or irritated muscles, according to information provided by Clifton.
Dr. Clifton does acupuncture, a treatment that uses very thin needles placed at specific points on the body to help reduce pain, improve energy flow, and support the body’s natural healing process. It’s based on traditional Chinese medicine and focuses on energy pathways in the body, while dry needling targets tight muscles directly, according to information from Clifton.
Dr. Clifton is also a practitioner in allergy elimination, in a technique known as NAET.
NAET is a mild, non-invasive, gentle energy balancing procedure.
She is also doing vagus nerve resets (restoring healthy rhythm and responsiveness) with acupuncture.
Fees.Clifton Chiropractic is located on Third Street, just off of Hwy. 69. The address is 203 E. Third. Contact the office at 620.644.5000.
The local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1165 will honor American prisoners of war (POW) and those who did not come home from serving in the military (MIA) tomorrow, September 18.
There will be an Avenue of Flags to commemorate the sacrifice of service members to their country, but there will be no ceremony, only individual remembrances.
National POW/MIA Recognition Day was established in 1979 through a proclamation signed by President Jimmy Carter, according to the U.S. Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.
Since then, each subsequent president has issued an annual proclamation commemorating the third Friday in September as National POW/MIA Recognition Day.
Deb Lust, spokesperson for the local VFW, said the group is facilitating an Avenue of Flags near the Fort Scott National Cemetery on East National tomorrow.
National Cemetery, Fort Scott.
“Because of the heat index, we are shortening the number of flags installed, from Margrave Street to all the way in the cemetery,” Lust said. “Normally, it’s East National Avenue through the cemetery.”
At 7 a.m. tomorrow, the flags will be posted, and at 4 p.m. the flags will be recovered, she said.
The Fort Scott Community College Softball Team and a group of youth from Kansas Renewal Institute will help the VFW with the flags.
“This is honoring all those who are POWs as well as those who were never recovered, those Missing In Action,” she said.
These are U.S. service members and civilians missing from past wars/conflicts.
“The Department of Defense has an agency that looks at archeological sites where there have been known battles or planes that went down in different locations in collaboration with the countries: Germany, France, Belgium, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, just to name a few. They help families get some closure,” she said.
To her knowledge there has been only one POW in Bourbon County in recent memory, Jake Underwood. Underwood served in World War II.
Jake Underwood, from obituary in 2018.
Underwood, who was well known in the Bourbon County community, was captured during the Battle of Bulge in WWII and was a prisoner of war from December 1944 to April 1945.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites Chamber members and the community to Chamber Coffee hosted by The Cornerstone tomorrow morning, Thursday, September 17, at 8 a.m. at 2 Old Fort Blvd. in Fort Scott. The Cornerstone is located in the same building as Better in Bourbon Boutique.
The event will introduce new Chamber member, The Cornerstone, a business center offering professional office suites for local entrepreneurs and businesses. The suites include utilities, high-speed internet, secure 24-hour access, dedicated parking, and shared amenities.
Guests will have the opportunity to tour the space, meet the owners, network with members of the community, and enter a drawing for a door prize. Chamber Coffee is open to Chamber members and the public.
For more information about Chamber Coffees or other Chamber events, contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 or visit fortscott.com.
Billy Webster has owned and operated the Shirt Shack for 50 years in the same location, 11 East 18th Street, Fort Scott.
The Shirt Shack is having a sale this weekend to celebrate 50 years in business, and everyone is invited to the business milestone anniversary party.
There is a special sale inside the store today and Saturday, September 12, after the store closes, there will be a street dance.
A band, Shades of Blue, will be performing live, so bring lawn chairs and get ready for an evening of music and dancing!
The street in front of Shirt Shack, at 11 East 18th Street, will be blocked off with plenty of room to sit, celebrate, and hit the dance floor from 7 to 10 p.m.
Food and drinks from Cohn’s Cafe will be available for purchase, and Tiger Ice will be serving sno-cones and shaved ice.
Billy Webster began his clothing business 50 years ago, 1976, and has no thoughts of retiring.
“In high school, I worked for a company that sold car wax at car shops. At the shows, I would see T-shirt sellers making money.”
He graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1975.
“I was 17 years old, didn’t know what I was doing and didn’t have a business plan back then.”
“I got a deal on a printing machine and got a bunch of print designs and began printing.”
“I started merchandising for bands, Aerosmith and ZZ Top, but it got too crazy…I would come back here to reset.”
The shop he began his business was at the same site where he does business today.
“it was an old beauty shop. 15 foot by 12 foot. I covered the walls with gunny sacks. I started printing new T-shirt designs. At one time, I had 400 designs.”
He has added to that original building and expanded his products.
Now he sells stylish shirts, jeans, and sportswear in addition to the T-shirts.
Cinch, Red Dirt, Ariat brands, among others.
“Fifteen years ago I went into Western Wear. We were a surf store, but nobody surfs in Kansas. There are a few cowboys here, though.”
For Webster, the best thing about being a business owner in Fort Scott: the people.
“You meet a lot of great people. When it’s your own business, you put your energy into it, and you meet great people.”
Webster has no plans to retire.
“What would I do?” he asked.
The store has four employees and is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and can be contacted at 620.223.4680.
4-State Insurance Agency opened the Fort Scott office on August 19, 2026.
A new insurance agency has opened a store front in historic downtown Fort Scott.
Leah Smith is the owner of the 4 State Insurance Agency, Lisa Schossow is the Senior Agent who oversees the Farm and Ranch Division; Dan Shireman is the Agency Development Director; and Josie King is the Farm and Ranch Service Advisor. All were born and raised in the Girard area.
Smith has an office in Overland Park, which opened about 15 years ago, and she opened an office in her hometown of Girard eight years ago.
The agency opened shop at the corner of Wall and Main Street on August 19.
Josie King, left, is a farm and ranch service agent, Lisa Schossow is the senior farm and ranch agent.
“We thought Fort Scott would be a perfect location between Overland Park and Girard. Leah has always wanted to open another office here it was just waiting for the right timing,” said Schossow. “We found the perfect office location in downtown Fort Scott and are excited to be a part of the happening downtown area. We can’t wait to be involved in community events and support all the area local businesses.”
The 4 State Insurance Agency currently has Sales Advisors, one Commercial Insurance Advisor, three Service Advisors, and a Claims Advisor on staff. “We are looking to hire four full-time people in this office,” Schossow said. “Right now, we are rotating staff from the Girard office.”
“We will be hiring insurance advisors as well as customer service representatives. They will need to hold an insurance license; if they aren’t currently licensed, we will provide resources to pass the tests needed and ongoing training to make sure each advisor is successful.”
The agency provides insurance in the following areas: home, auto, business, crop, livestock, and farm insurance.
“We have a brokerage arm, which gives our team the ability to not only quote through Farmers Insurance, but partner with a variety of insurance carriers to get our clients the best coverage for the right price,” Schossow said. “We also have a team of licensed crop insurance agents in our Farm & Ranch Division who can provide area farmers with Federal crop insurance, Livestock Risk Protection, and insure their farm operation.”
Hours of operation: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and weekends by appointment.
For more information, contact 620.670.4590, visit us on Facebook
