All posts by Loretta George

Business, Fort Scott

Annual Key Sale Moves To Former Gordman’s Building Nov. 21-28

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The 2020 Key Warehouse Sale is located in the former Gordman’s Storefront at 2400 S. Main.

Key Industries Inc. has a long history in Fort Scott.

110 years of experience in the workwear clothing industry, to be exact.

Key provides workwear for rugged use at the best value, according to a press release.

Key Apparel originally made overalls for ranchers, and through the decades has evolved to also make worksite, high visibility,  and fire-resistant apparel.

For several years they have had a warehouse sale in November.

2020 Key Warehouse Sale hours.

“Our 2020 Warehouse Sale is back and bigger than ever,” said Kaden Wimmer, Key’s Social Media Coordinator, in a press release.

There will be local health protocols in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Wimmer.

“With the expansion of the warehouse sale, KEY Industries has decided to move the sale to the former Gordman’s location located at 2400 S Main St., Suite 500 Fort Scott,” he said.

Kids overalls. Submitted photo.

The hours are Saturday, Nov. 21  from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 27, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There will be closeouts on men, women, and kid’s apparel. Cash, Visa, MasterCard, or Discover Credit Cards will be accepted.

Kid’s tee shirts. Submitted photo.
Overall section. Submitted photo.

 

“The Annual Warehouse sale has become a Fort Scott community tradition for over a decade,” Wimmer said. “Allowing the community to purchase quality apparel at a discounted price for the holiday shopping season. The warehouse sale brings thousands of community members to Fort Scott for this week-long shopping event.”

Pant section. Submitted photo.

 

“The expansion of the 2020 Warehouse Sale will provide customers with a more extensive selection of their favorite KEY and Polar King gear. Including Work, Office, Flame Resistant, and Hi-Vis apparel,” he said.

 

The large space also provides customers a larger space to maintain social distancing while shopping at the event, Wimmer said.

Kids outerwear section. Submitted photo.

 

“KEY is dedicated to our customer’s health and safety and will take the necessary steps to ensure that the warehouse sale will follow local health protocol,” Wimmer said.

 

 

 

Business, Food, Fort Scott

Holiday Pop Up Shop At Old Factory Connections Storefront

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Thanksgiving cookies will be for sale at the Creative Sugarplum Shop. Submitted photos.

Local crafts people will have a place to sell their wares at a newly created holiday pop-up shop.

The Creative Sugarplums Pop-up Holiday Shop will be open at the former Factory Connections storefront weekends from November 20 to December 26 along with the weekdays the week of Thanksgiving and Christmas. The store is located on South Main (aka Hwy. 69) next door to Tractor Supply.
“Due to Covid-19 many individuals who create gifts out of their homes are not able to attend their usual events,” owner Emilia Whiteaker said. “This is my way of helping them.”
There will be community vendors and vendors from neighboring towns, she said.
” We have many great vendors, Locust Hill Lamanchas Goat Milk products, Sew Special Creations, Simply Blessed, Tom’s Benches, 2 Southern Ladies, CR Rustic Creations, RustnStuf and more.”
“We will also have Bijou Confectionary from Humboldt and Sweet Designs Cakery from Pittsburg creating sweet treats to go along with our old fashion candy.”
Samples of candy. Submitted photos.
 “Customers can also Adopt a Grandparent by purchasing an ornament and we will deliver them to all the residents at Fort Scott residential care facilities,” she said.
Submitted photos.
“Momentum Youth Development Foundation will have a photo where, for a donation, families can take their Christmas photos.”
The family photo area at the Creative Sugarplum Holiday Shop. Submitted photos.
There are also youth crafters involved.
 “The youth vendors have handmade soaps, crocheted items and more,” she said.
Submitted photos. A youth vendor booth at the pop-up shop.
“Visitors can also view the Christmas displays featuring vintage toys, ” she said.
Vintage toys will be on display. Submitted photos.
  There is still space available for both youth and adult vendors.
  Contact Whiteaker through e-mail [email protected] for more information.
Fort Scott, Health Care, Schools

Heather Geiger: New FSMS Nurse

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Heather Geiger, RN. Submitted photo.
Heather Geiger, RN, is a new nurse at Fort Scott Middle School.
She was born and raised in Fort Scott, graduating from FSHS in 2002.
Geiger then received an Associate’s Degree of Applied Science in Nursing from Fort Scott Community College in May 2008.
She worked at Mercy Hospital for over 10 years, until they closed in 2018.
“I have three children: Caleb, a senior at FSHS; Cody, a freshman at FSHS; and Cooper, in kindergarten. I have been married to my husband, Thaine, since 2003,” Geiger said.
Geiger began a career in nursing because she liked helping people.
“I decided to become a nurse, a couple of years after graduating high school, because the medical field was something that I found very interesting and I knew that I would always enjoy taking care of people, ” she said.
Her duties?
“As a school nurse, I will be helping all of the students with any medical needs and always be available to help them with anything that they might need,” she said.
“This year, we are blessed to have a nurse at each school: Stacy Sauerwein at Winfield Scott, Tausha Platt at Eugene Ware and Missy Reynolds at FSHS,” Geiger said.
Geiger is replacing Erin Beisley, who worked at both the middle school and high school last year.
She started at the middle school last week, but began training for the position a few weeks ago, she said.
“CHC (Community Health Center) employs the nursing staff now, and that is how we have more positions available,” she said.
Bourbon County, Business

KC Mart: Gas Station Service to Northern Bourbon County

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K.C. Mart, a gas station/convenience store at 2191 Soldier Road, just off Hwy. 69, opened Oct. 23, 2020.

A gas station has reappeared on Soldier Road at HWY. 69, which had been closed for some time.

It is a welcome sign for those who travel to Kansas City because there are very few gas stations right off the highway in this section of Hwy. 69. It is also welcome to the rural residents who live nearby.

Hours of K.C. Mart.

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The  K.C. Mart convenience store sells gasoline, meals, cigarettes, beverages, and beer,  along with “truck stop, automotive items,” said Harjit Kaur, owner.

The menu on the wall. Offered also is fresh fruit.

She and husband, Biender Singh, live in Olathe and commute daily to the store at 2191 Soldier Road.

The store opened on Oct. 23, 2020, and has five employees, she said.

Customer Brian Wade, who sent the story idea to fortscott.biz said, “I’m excited. Sure will save some miles when you need just lawn mower gas or diesel.”  He has even purchased a pizza from the store, that he said was “great!”
Kaur has lived in America for almost 20 years, she said, after coming from India.
Previously, she worked for a transportation company in Kansas City and this is the couple’s first venture into a convenience store business, she said.
“We were trying to pick a business (to purchase), she said. “It was selling for a good price. And it’s a good community around here.”

 

 

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Government

City of Uniontown Receives SPARK Grant

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Uniontown is located 17 miles west of Fort Scott.

The City of Uniontown has received SPARK funds to help during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce is charged with leading Kansas forward in recovery from the far-reaching effects of COVID-19 with statewide distribution of the U.S. Coronavirus Relief Fund, according to  https://covid.ks.gov/spark-recovery-office/

 

“The City of Uniontown did receive $39,041 in direct aid for various projects, not economic development, as designated by our application,” City Clerk Sally Johnson said.

There are two projects the city will use the funds for.

They will renovate the entrance to city hall to install a service window/barrier between public and city employees so that in-person transactions can be safely facilitated, Johnson said.

Personal Protection Equipment purchased July through December 2020 will be paid for with the funds as will purchasing hardware/software to effectively conduct virtual meetings to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, she said.

The city government will also purchase and install a handwashing station and barriers, to allow for closure of public areas of congregation as needed, to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, Johnson said.

In addition, the city will purchase hardware/software to automate the city’s library to make it accessible while closed to the public due to COVID-19.

“We are a small library, without much space for social distancing,” Johson said. “Our library patrons come from rural areas and in town.  When we are closed due to COVID-19 we would like to be able to offer curbside pickup or delivery in town.  We don’t have any way to provide online browsing or check out due to our library currently still using paper cards to check out books, paper library cards, and handwritten inventory.  If patrons could access online browsing and check out for our hundreds of books, videos, and books on tape, no one would have to be without entertainment during this pandemic.”  3) Purchase and install a hand washing station and barriers, to allow for closure of public areas of congregation as needed, to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

 

The city received the funds on October 13, and it must be expended by December 30, she said.

 

“We applied for funds in order for the City to better mitigate the spread of COVID-19 for the protection of staff and citizens,” Johnson said. ” We chose projects that we felt would benefit the most citizens and protect our staff at the same time.”

 

 

 

Obituary

Obituary of John Kruger

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John Fredrick Kruger

John Fredrick Kruger, age 68, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Wednesday, November 11, 2020, at his home.

He was born February 11, 1952, in Ft. Scott, the son of Elvin and Margaret Johnson Kruger. He graduated from Uniontown high school with the class of 1970. He married Vicki Harris on April 22, 1972, in Ft. Scott.

John worked for Mid-Continental Restoration for many years until retirement. He enjoyed playing slow pitch softball with his many friends. He was a big fan of the KC Chiefs, KU basketball, stock car racing, and Elvis music. John was known as “Chicken Man” for his prowess in raising fighting chickens.

He attended the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.

Survivors include his wife Vicki of the home; a son, Leroy Kruger and wife Christina, Ft. Scott; a daughter Brooke Bolin and husband Ron, Ft. Scott; 2 sisters, Linda Turner and Gail Dalton of Ft. Scott; a sister-in-law, Terri Shelton and husband Don, Ft. Scott; 4 grandchildren, Jordan Holdridge, Austin Kruger, Lexi Kruger, and Raegan Bolin; 3 great-grandchildren, Blakyn, Kyson, and Cali Holdridge with one more on the way; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Rod Perez and Rev. Virgil Peck will conduct funeral services at 10:00 AM Tuesday, November 17th, at the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM Monday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Fort Scott, Mercy Hospital

Listen to Podcasts of Mercy Hospital Closing

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Sarah Jane Tribble, a journalist who spent two years telling the story of the closing of Mercy Hospital, offers her podcasts for the listening public.
“Want to ignore what’s happening in DC and escape COVID for a moment?” she said on her Facebook page.  “Here’s a distraction: All chapters of my new podcast Where It Hurts are available via@KHNews&@stlpublicradio
Here’s a list of Fort Scott residents who bravely opened up and shared their pain and courage: Tanner and Sherise Beckham, Dave Martin, Fred Campbell, Reta Baker, Pat and Ralph Wheeler, Dr. Maxwell Self, Linda Findley, Karen Endicott-Coyan, and the late Roxine Poznich, who owned Books & Grannies.
Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/…/where-it…/id1529977695…
‎Where It Hurts on Apple Podcasts
Business, Fort Scott

Maycumber Receives Community Block Development Grant

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Chris Maycumber, owner of Mayco Ace Hardware.

Chris Maycumber. owner of Mayco Ace Hardware, 205  Scott, is the recipient of a Community Development Block Grant to repair his building. The grant was for $225,000, with Maycumber matching with $75,000.

 

According to the website:   https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/community-programs :

“The Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program allows the Department of Commerce to distribute federal funds to Kansas cities and counties looking to improve their community.

CDBG awards are given in four primary categories:

  1. Annual Competitive Grants
    1. Water and Sewer
    2. Housing Rehabilitation
    3. Community Facilities
  2. Economic Development Grants
  3. Commercial Rehabilitation Grants
  4. Urgent Need Grants”
Maycumber’s grant is for rehabilitating his building.

“It’s to fix up the appearance of the building exterior,” he said. “The roof, windows, doors, and anything that will get the building up to  city code.”

The CDBG process began in 2018, he said.

“After a few snafu’s and the COVID-19 pandemic, it put us behind,” Maycumber said.

When the state does a CDB Grant, the project is put into a state-wide website, where contractors can bid on the specifications.

Although he can’t determine the contractors for the project, Maycumber said he hopes to use local businesses.

Currently, Agricultural Engineering Associates, Uniontown, is providing the building specs, he said.

“The state hasn’t put their money up yet, then we do, then the process to bid begins,” Maycumber said.

Thirty days after the project has let bids, they will know who the contractors are.

“Hopefully, by the end of November,” he said. “Then they will have so many days to finish the project.

The storefront at 203 State, north of the hardware store is the focus of the grant.

The last store in that building was Dollar General Store, who left in 2015, he said.

The 203 and 205 State building is owned by Maycumber with his mother, Joyce Maycumber.

 

203 State Street is the storefront just north of Mayco Ace Hardware, which is 205 State Street. It is all one building that will receive updates from a new grant that Chris Maycumber received.
Bourbon County, Schools

Uniontown School District Honors Veterans With A Parade

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USD 235 students, staff and surrounding community honored U.S. Veteran’s this afternoon with a parade in Uniontown.

Flags, horses, trailers full of FFA members and the high school band along with the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office, the Bourbon County Fire Department, had a mild November afternoon to celebrate Veteran’s Day.

An event honoring vets is usually held in the high school gym, but because of COVID 19 pandemic restrictions, staff decided to host a parade.

Below are some of the participants.

Students lined the schools walking path and waved to the vets, with community members intermixed.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, COVID-19

CHC/SEK Fort Scott Receives Mobile Unit With SPARK Funds

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CHC’s mobile testing unit can be set up wherever needed. Submitted photo.

 

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas will soon have a mobile testing unit available to help during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, 403 Woodland Hills Blvd.

 

“Community Health Center requested funds to purchase a portable shelter system  to accommodate COVID-19 testing,” said CHC CEO Krista Postai.  “Once a vaccine is available, mass drive-through immunizations providing shelter for patients and staff in winter and summer weather (will be possible). The structure is portable and can be at the clinic site and/or used for outreach testing/vaccinating across the county. The shelter price included electricity, freight, HVAC unit and covered trailer for storage and transport.”

“As we continue to provide testing – and plans are being made for mass immunizations — winter weather is on the way and the structures will protect patients and staff from the elements,” she said.” Additionally, these units also block the sun’s rays which made our summer testing challenging for staff who endured 100+ temperatures to provide testing services. The shelters are durable and can be used for years to come.”

 

Krista Postai. Submitted photo.

 

 

The shelter has been ordered but not received as of this date, Postai said

 

CHC plans are to set it up outside the CHC building once it’s received.

 

The front door of the Community Health Center of
Southeast Kansas at Fort Scott.

 

 

 

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Schools

St. Mary’s Catholic School Receives SPARK Grant

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St. Mary’s Catholic School
St. Mary’s Catholic School has received SPARK funds to provide laptops for students and increased technological capabilities. along with a small transportation bus.
The Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce is leading Kansas forward in recovery from the far-reaching effects of COVID-19, distributing funds provided from the U.S. Coronavirus Relief Fund, according to its’ website https://covid.ks.gov/spark-recovery-office/
St. Mary’s students enjoy lunch outside as an aid to social distancing at the school..Submitted photos.

 

Technology
“We will use the money to buy laptops for our students to use at school and also to be used at home if we were to be shut down again by the state,” Principal Josh Regan said.  “We will also be purchasing new laptops for our computers with software upgrades that are capable of bringing remote learners, who have been required to isolate or quarantine, into our classroom via Zoom.”
Josh Regan. Submitted photo.
Cameras and WIFI access
 ” We have purchased Swivl cameras to make that experience more seamless and interactive for remote learners with SPARK FUNDS as well,” he said. ” We are also updating our WiFi access points throughout our school to accommodate more devices on the system.”
Purchase of small bus
“We were given funds to assist in the purchase of a small bus for the school, based on transportation needs and difficulties especially due to COVID,” Regan said.