All posts by Loretta George

Bourbon County, Business

The Claytons Purchase Union Station

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Ronni and Dane Clayton are the new owners of Union Station, Uniontown.

Union Station,  in the small town of Uniontown, population 267, has new owners.

The station has been the gathering place/gas station/convenience store in Uniontown for about 20 years, under the ownership of Susan and Ron Eldridge.

Ronni, 32, and Dane, 33,  Clayton of rural western Bourbon County, purchased Union Station from the Eldridges, on April 1, 2019.

“We’ve always had the entrepreneurial spirit,” Ronni said. “This came up for sale. We’ve known the Eldridges for years.”

“It seemed like it would be a good investment for the community and our girls, ages 6 and 4,” Ronni said.

Both are graduates of Uniontown High School, Ronni in 2005 and Dane in 2004, and had attended school with the Eldridge’s daughters.

The best thing for the Clayton’s so far is the community, Dane said.

“It’s been great, especially in the morning,” Ronni said. “Friends and family, everybody knows everybody.”

The Claytons have no current plans to change the business.

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” Ronni said.

The phone number remains 620-756-4884.

The summer hours have taken effect and are 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Both continue to work other jobs and fill in shifts when needed at Union Station.

Dane works for Walmart.

“I do heating and air conditioning for Walmart,” Dane said. “My job is flexible.”

Ronni works for the Farm Service Agency in Fort Scott.

The two were working a shift Saturday evening so some employees could attend the Uniontown High School prom, just down the road.

Other employees are Schotze Griffiths, manager; Christy Pritchett, Tammy Davidson, Nicole Clayton, Candace Clayton, Danea Esslinger, and additional high school students.

Fort Scott, Schools

David Brown: New Fort Scott Middle School Principal

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David Brown. Submitted photo.

David Brown, 55, was recently hired by USD 234 to be the Fort Scott Middle School Principal.

” My wife and I will be moving back to Fort Scott in June into my childhood home,” Brown said. “I look forward to the opportunity to once again serve my community. Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger.”

Brown is a Fort Scott native.

He is a 1981 Graduate Fort Scott High School, 1982 Graduate Fort Scott Community College, 1985 Graduate Baker University Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and History,  and in 2015  he graduated from  Pittsburg State University with a Master of Science in Educational Leadership.

“I started my teaching career at Raymore-Peculiar High School and after a year I was fortunate to return to Fort Scott and assume a teaching position at Fort Scott Middle School where I taught Math, Civics, and History for 13 years,” Brown said. “I then transferred to the high school teaching history and PE. I coached football, basketball, wrestling, and track at the middle school during my time there and coached football, wrestling, track, and softball at the high school. I was head wrestling coach from 1995 until 2016. In 2016, I became assistant principal at Chanute High School and have been in that position until now.”

Brown’s first love was coaching and to coach is to teach, he said.

“I had siblings who had entered the field of education,” Brown said. “I could see how their influence on students inspired learning. I saw the joy that came over both student and teacher when that spark of learning and success took place. I knew I wanted to have that impact and that experience.”

“I believe every worthy educator has been inspired to teach but seldom is the inspiration singular. We educators are inspired by our own teachers, our family, and our friends. ”

“The joy of being in education is knowing you have a tremendous impact on the future. What we do every day in classrooms directly affects the lives of the children, families, and the community we serve. ”

He believes education is facing a challenging future.

“The children we are teaching today are experiencing access to information at a rate unseen in history,” Brown said. “The skills we provide them with are preparing them for careers and jobs that have yet to be invented. The ten most in-demand jobs today were not even in existence ten years ago. Our challenge is to equip our kids with the tools to achieve their dreams whatever that may be.”

Brown is married to Stacy and has four daughters: Cori, Morgan, Addi, and Riley.

 

Bourbon County, Schools

Christian Heights Country Store May 4

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Teachers at Fort Scott Christian Heights School. From left: Terry Chance, prinicpal; Jeremy Budy, history teacher; Larissa Hunter, pre-school and kindergarten teacher; Karen Schellack, 7-8 grade; Julie Going, 1-2 grade; Sarah Pridey, English; Esther Arnold, 3-4 grade; Amanda Bachand, 5-6 grade; Larry Davolt, science; and Jan Beltram, secretary.

Terry Chance, principal of Fort Scott Christian Heights School, told the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee attendees that the school was started in 1947.

The school educates children pre-school through grade 12.

“We are not funded by the state,” Chance said. “We are funded by tuition, donations and interest income.”

Country Store

To help support the school, each year a Country Store event happens at the school, located at 1101 S. Barbee.

This year it is May 4.

The Country Store includes a rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., a supper from 4-6 p.m.  and an auction at 6 p.m.

Chance thanked the businesses in town who contribute prizes, including silent auction items that help make the fundraising event successful.

Terry Chance speaks at the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee on April 11. In back ground is the Chamber Announcer Robert Uhler.

5K Race

Prior to the Country Store event, the school offers a Crusader Charge, which is a 5K race and two-mile fun walk for persons 12 through 31-plus years old. The race will be conducted on Margrave Street.

The entry fee is $15, with t-shirts free for the first 60 paid entrants.

For more information contact Larry Davolt at 620-223-4330.

Fun Run

The Kids Fun Run and Obstacle Course is for children 6th grade and younger, and includes water balloon carry, gunny sacks, jump ropes and more.

Participants who pre-register by April 29, will receive a t-shirt and concession stand voucher.

The entry fee for this is $15. For more information contact Lacey Avery at 913-375-7608.

The kids event starts at 10 a.m. at the south entrance to the school.

Applications can be picked up at the school.

School Play This Weekend

This weekend it the FSCH Junior/Senior school play “Cheaper By The Dozen.”

Play time is 7 p.m. on Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13.

Chamber members converse before the announcement segment of the weekly coffee at Fort Scott Christian Heights School on April 11.

 

 

 

 

Entertainment, Fort Scott, Schools

FSHS Prom is Coming: New Venue

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Fort Scott High School Homecoming 2019 candidates are front: Kelcie Bailey, Rebekah Sweyko, Shaylee Terry, Karli Wright;  back row: Johnathan Gauthier, Nicholas Krebs, Gage Lamb, and Alan Santana.

Fort Scott High School Prom 2019 is this Saturday, April 13 at the River Room,  3 West Oak Street where it intersects with North National Avenue.

The public may view the prom site indoors from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

“Great Gatsby is the theme,” Bert Lewis, FSHS teacher and sponsor said. “Cars and vehicles will drive north on Judson and drop off at the corner of Oak and Judson. Valet parking is available. Oak Street will be blocked off at 2 p.m. Saturday through 12 a.m. Sunday morning to accommodate the walk-in.”

“Parent parking will be allowed in the public lots behind the old Downtowner (Currently the Boiler Room Brewhaus),”  Lewis said. “Please refrain from parking behind or east of Sharky’s and Nu Grill to respect these businesses.”

“Parents will be able to set up chairs, or watch from sides of the street,” she said.

The promenade walk-in is from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

The prom is from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Government, Kansas

Legislative Update By State Senator Caryn Tyson

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Caryn Tyson

 

April 05, 2019

The 2019 regular session is over, first adjournment.  All that is left is veto session (scheduled 17 days in May this year) and sine die.  The Senate attempted to finish all of our work during session.  The House had other plans.

Tax:  I made every attempt to negotiate with the House on moving tax legislation forward before the close of session and we had agreements on a majority of items.  However, in less than two hours, the House Tax Conference Committee Chairman receded on agreements and by the next morning negotiations completely broke down.  The House Chairman decided to wait until veto session.  As a result we could lose some good policy that passed the Senate.  The policy includes allowing small businesses to expense certain purchases, freezing property taxes for low income seniors and for some disabled veterans, allowing certain counties to hold elections for a change in sales tax, providing a sales tax exemption on gold and bullion, extending the Rural Opportunity Zone (ROZ) program for five more years, increasing the number of counties in ROZ, and other tax legislation that passed this year.  Hopefully, there is time and a desire to complete the work during veto session.  It isn’t about one person or legislator winning or losing – it’s about Kansas taxpayers.  You deserve a win!

The Governor’s veto of SB 22 was a setback for Kansas taxpayers.  SB 22 would have stopped tax increases as a result of 2017 Federal tax changes,.  It takes 2/3 majority, 27 votes in the Senate and 84 in the House, within 30 days of the veto to override a Governor’s veto.  It doesn’t appear the votes are there in either chamber.  Myself and other legislators aren’t giving up but the odds are slim.

Budget:  Negotiations between the House and Senate budget conference committee broke down Thursday evening and was postponed until veto session.  The legislature will need to pass a budget during veto session.  That is the only legislation required by law.

K-12 Funding:  Negotiations between the House and Senate were tense regarding school funding.  They did come to agreement on SB 16 Conference Committee Report (CCR).  To quote the House Majority Leader regarding SB 16 CCR, “…the never-ending cycle of school funding litigation.  The plan adds over $360 million to the K-12 budget on top of the $3.13 billion in new funding approved over the last [few] years.  It also includes an inflationary measure that will increase K-12 funding between $50 and $100 million each year…forever.  This isn’t about supporting school districts and providing a quality education to our children.  This is a state being held hostage by trial attorneys who continually sue for more.  These same trial attorneys have already come out publicly saying this increased spending is not enough and they expect the Kansas Supreme Court to strike it down and demand an even greater ransom.”  He goes on to say, “This funding plan is fiscally irresponsible… Kansans deserve better.”  The CCR passed the Senate on a vote of Yes 31 to No 8.  I voted No because Kansans and Kansas schools deserve better than a fiscal promise that Kansas taxpayers CANNOT afford.

Kansas Farm Bureau (KFB) Health Plans:  HB 2209 CCR allows KFB to establish health care plans available to KFB members.  It is not insurance but will provide an alternative healthcare coverage.  The vote was Yes 28 to No 11.  I voted Yes.

 

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.

Caryn

Business, Fort Scott

Fort Scott Family Dental: In Historic Downtown

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Fort Scott Family Dental, 2 N. Main.

Fort Scott Family Dental moved from a residential neighborhood to the corner of Wall and Main Streets in the historic downtown district earlier this year.

“We moved in officially January 30th, 2019,” said Dr. Timothy P. Crawford DMD. “My staff pulled together a crazy two-day move!”

” We needed more space and operatories to grow business so we chose to move downtown and restore an amazing historic building,” Crawford said.  “We are thrilled to be here.”
Dr. Timothy Crawford’s new dental office. Submitted photo.
The dentist office is located at 2 N. Main.
Fort Scott Family Dental, as viewed from the front door of the practice.
“We have five employees at the moment, and are looking at adding one more employee either PRN for on call when we have a call-in, or just as additional help because we have expanded our patient data base so much after we moved,” Crawford said.

The office hours are Monday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Closed Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
Contact the office at 620-223-4448.
Fort Scott Family Dental is located at the corner of Wall and Main Street.

The following are services Dr. Crawford and his staff provide:

  • Composite Fillings
  • Extractions
  • Cosmetic Bonding
  • Tooth Whitening
  • Clear Correct
  • Crowns and Bridges
  • Laser Tissue Surgery
  • Root Canal Treatment
  • Partial and Complete Dentures
  • Tooth Replacement Implants and Implant Supported Dentures
  • Bone grafting
Fort Scott Family Dental
The old office, at 1115 S. Main, was sold to a family who is transforming it into living quarters, Crawford said.
Crawford owns the whole building at the corner of Wall and Main Streets.
Currently, there are five tenants on the third floor including the doctor Crawford himself, who stays in town two nights a week.

Area News, Bourbon County, Health Care

Vets Shuttle Now Includes Kansas City

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At the Topeka Veterans Administration Luncheon recently are from left to right: Michael Leachner, Darrell Spencer, Roger “Skipper” Brown, Myra Jowers and Carl Jowers. All are veterans although non-veterans have volunteered to be shuttle drivers as well.

Local citizens have signed on to take veterans to doctors appointments for free at two Veterans Administration Medical Centers in Kansas.  And plans are in place to pick up any veteran along the Hwy. 69 corridor from Fort Scott northward.

To register for a shuttle seat, the veteran must

·         Have an appointment at a VA Medical Center between 9 am and 1 p.m. for the day they schedule their shuttle seat.

·         Call 785-925-0261 or email [email protected] to schedule their seat. All seat reservations must be scheduled by 5 p.m., the day prior to their appointment.

The Fort Scott VA Shuttle service is coordinated by Carl Jowers, who commander of the local American Legion Post 25.

Shuttles are provided on Mondays and Tuesdays from Fort Scott to Topeka VA Medical Center; and Wednesdays from Fort Scott to Kansas City VA Medical Center.

Veterans must have an appointment scheduled between 9 am and 1 pm on the day they ride the shuttle.

“The vet should mention that they are a shuttle rider, when calling for a VA medical appointment,” Jowers said.

The shuttle will depart from the designated spot in Fort Scott,  Pete’s 66 Convenience Store, across from Briggs Automall on Hwy. 69 and will return to Fort Scott after the last veteran has completed their appointment. The departure time is based upon the time of the first appointment of the day at the VA Medical Center day. Riders will be notified of the shuttle departure time the evening before their ride.

“The departure time depends upon the time of the appointment of the riders,” Jowers said.” If there is a 9 a.m. appointment, then the shuttle departs at 6:15 a.m. for Topeka or 6:45 a.m. for KC.  If the earliest appointment isn’t until 10:45 a.m., then the departure time is adjusted accordingly. It didn’t make sense to me for a driver to pickup a rider at 6:15 a.m. to arrive in Topeka at 9 a.m. for a 10:30 a.m. appointment.”
“As the shuttle coordinator, after the reserved seating has closed out at 5 p.m. for the next day’s schedule, I decide on the shuttle’s departure time and convey this information to both the driver and the rider. It’s extra work on my part, but I think it’s a better use of time for both driver and rider.”

The shuttle does not accommodate wheelchairs or pets. Only certified service dogs are permitted on the shuttle. Oxygen tanks are not permitted on the shuttle. Oxygen concentrators are allowed.

Veterans living along Highway 69 may be picked up at the Casey’s Convenience Store in Pleasanton.

“We are going to make a pick up spot at McDonald’s in Louisburg at the intersection of Hwy. 68 and Hwy. 69 for either the Topeka VA or the Kansas City VA,” Jowers said.

“The Ottawa pickup location will be at Love’s Truck Stop at Highway 68 and I35, going to Topeka,” Jowers said.

” Veterans scheduling rides must be at one of our predetermined stops to ride the shuttle,” he said. “This is a shuttle service, not a taxi service. We have to plan for a group. If a person calls and is at a specific spot, they can ride the shuttle. They have to have a seat reserved.”

The VA shuttle holds five passengers and riders must preregister for a seat by calling 785-925-0261. Seats on the shuttle are open to any area veteran on a first come, first served basis.

Family members may not ride with the Veteran on the shuttle. Those veterans who need a caregiver to accompany them must have a signed note from their doctor attesting that the veteran requires a caregiver to accompany them to and from their appointment.

“Drivers have to pass a comprehensive VA medical and background investigation,” Jowers said. “It’s the same process as if you were being hired by the VA. We’ve had quite a few people step up and two more are awaiting background clearance.”

The list of shuttle drivers is: Roger and Faye Brown, Darrell Spencer, Steve Dean, Michael Martin, Michael Leachner, and Danny Graham. Jowers and his wife, Myra are back-up drivers.

Currently, one veteran a week is using the shuttle to get to their medical appointments, Jowers said.

“While at this time, there are not a lot of riders, I think that this will change as vets become aware of the service and begin making use of it,” Jowers said.

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Government

Minutes of the Bourbon County Commissio March 28

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This is first in a series of minutes of the Bourbon County Commission provided as a public service. They will be published as they become available.

To see previous minutes click:

http://bourboncountyks.org/index.php/commission-minutes-2019

 

March 28, 2019                                               Tuesday 9:00 am

The Bourbon County Commission met for a special meeting, the Commissioners, the County Counselor and the County Clerk were present.

Lynne made a motion to go into a 30 minute executive session for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Nick seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Justin Meeks and Shane Walker). After the session, Nick made a motion that Lynne Oharah be the contact person regarding the list of incomplete items at the new jail facility, Jeff seconded and all approved.

The Commissioners plan to discuss the jail facility and the list of incomplete items on April 2nd at 10:00 am.

At 10:19, Nick made a motion to adjourn, Jeff seconded and all approved.

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman

(ss) Jeff Fischer, Commissioner

(ss) Nick Ruhl, Commissioner

ATTEST:

Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk

04/02/2019, Approved Date

 

March 26, 2019                                                         Tuesday 9:00 am

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners and the County Clerk present.

Jody Hoener, Economic Development Director, met with the Commissioners; she asked permission to attend the Kansas Rural Opportunity Conference in Dodge City, she estimated this to cost up to $300 for the conference registration fee and hotel. Nick made a motion for her to attend, Jeff seconded and all approved.

Nick made a motion to go into a 15 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Jim Harris). No action was taken.

Nick asked Jim Harris to move the Patcher machine to the Industrial Park to do patching there.

Darrin Petrowsky with KDOT met with the Commissioners to give an update and proposed schedule for the 69 Highway project. He said in March they plan to finish the pavement removal, grade for Lime and CTB, prepare and place intersections at Calvary, Deer and Fern, begin Lime and possibly CTB, do signing and Polymer overlay. In April they plan to finish CTB, begin paving the mainline and begin shoulder work. In May they plan to finish paving the mainline, finish shoulder rock, do guardrail work, switch traffic to unrestricted the last week of May and do striping and rumble strips. In June they plan to remove the temporary crossovers, do clean up and do seeding.   He said they should be opening Deer and Fern Road soon.

Mr. Petrowsky said Bourbon County will have several 1R maintenance projects, one of the 1R projects will be from the 59 Junction to the K7 Junction. He said they will be working on a bridge in Bourbon County.   Jeff questioned how KDOT assigns the priority hard surface road projects; Darren said they have a pavement health system. He said they have a van that will drive every mile of the 10,000+ miles in Kansas; this van measures the roughness and cracking in the roads as well as other items, KDOT uses the report that is produced from the van measurements. When KDOT gets funding the wish list areas submitted for repairs by the local KDOT offices are driven by officials and the officials then recommend and approve some of the wish list projects.

Lynne made a motion that the Commissioners meet with Jim Harris and Norm Bowers to view the Industrial Park on March 27th and possible solutions to the road there, Jeff seconded and all approved.

Jeff discussed a culvert for Becky Howard; Jim Harris said the culvert is on the list.

Lynne discussed a pothole at 95th & 54 Highway; Jim Harris said this would be a KDOT issue.

Jim Harris reported that KCAMP gave Bourbon County $2,000 for the risk avoidance grant, this money helped purchase the grill guard and safety lights for the new R&B department pickup truck and the road temperature sensor.

Lynne made a motion to go into a 5 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, Nick seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners). No action was taken.

Lynne made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, Nick seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Jim Harris). No action was taken.

Alice Maffet with the SEK Multi Health Department presented a memorandum of Understanding for the SEK Multi County Health Department regarding ambulance service to the Commissioners for approval; Jeff made a motion that Lynne sign the document, Nick seconded and Lynne signed the document.

Nancy Van Etten briefly met with the Commissioners. She questioned how the Ambulance building was progressing; Nick said they are hanging the sheetrock this week and the building will likely be finished by April 15th. Nancy questioned the progress at the SEK Multi County Health Department; Jeff said they will probably move into the building May 1st.

Kevin Gleason met with the Commissioners; he said the road crew was doing a great job.

Jody Hoener met with the Commissioners; she asked permission to spend up to $150 for supplies for the Chamber of Commerce Coffee on March 28th; Lynne made a motion to spend up to $150 out of the Commission budget for supplies, Nick seconded and all approved.

Jody Hoener said she is on the board for the Sunflower Trail, she said the dues are $100 and asked for the Commissioners to vote to spend the $100; Lynne said he didn’t feel they needed to vote on this expense since it will be paid out of Economic Development.

Jody Hoener discussed the Farmers Market sign located at the Wall Street and the Old Fort entrance, she said the sign is faded and needed replaced. She said two bids have been provided to replace the sign; one for $200 (which is re-doing the sign that is there) and a bid for $400 (which would be a new metal sign); she asked if the Commissioners wanted to help fund a portion of the $400 sign to help promote shopping local. Jeff made a motion to support up to $200 for the sign for Economic Development, Nick seconded and all approved.

At 11:35, Lynne made a motion to break for lunch and reconvene at 1:30, Nick seconded and all approved.

Nick made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Jim Harris, Krista Goltra, Jody Hoener and Justin Meeks). No action was taken.

Nick made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Jim Harris, Krista Goltra, Jody Hoener and Justin Meeks). No action was taken.

Nick Ruhl said he had heard that Kansas Rock’s had poured a large slab of concrete to place a sign in the County right-of-way.

Lynne made a motion to go into a 30 minute executive session for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks). No action was taken.

Greg Schick met with the Commissioners; he said he had read in the newspaper where the County had waived the dump fees for the debris from the demolition of the Stout building, he asked if the County would consider waiving fees for a project he is doing on Wall Street (the old lumber yard buildings), the Commissioners said they waived the fees when the City of Fort Scott approached them. He questioned if they would be taking bids to tear down the building, the Commissioners did not know if they had taken bids. Mr. Schick said he had received zero help from the City of Fort Scott for his projects. Mr. Schick said he would like to use the road easement in an area on Musket Road; Justin Meeks said he would review this road and discuss this again next week.

Lynne made a motion to approve Resolution 10-19, a wage resolution adding the wages for an EMT 1, EMT 2 and a Paramedic for the Ambulance, Nick seconded and all approved.

Nick made a motion to go into a 5 minute executive session for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks). No action was taken.

Nick made a motion that all of the Commissioners attend the Chamber Coffee at the Courthouse on March 28th, Jeff seconded and all approved.

Nick left the meeting to continue working on the ambulance barn.

Jeff and Lynne reviewed a list of incomplete items at the Law Enforcement Center; Lynne planned to provide the list of items to Justin Meeks, Jeff Fischer and Nick Ruhl for input once compiled.

At 4:39, Lynne made a motion to adjourn and Jeff seconded, meeting adjourned.

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman

(ss) Jeff Fischer, Commissioner

(ss) Nick Ruhl, Commissioner

ATTEST:

Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk

04/02/2019, Approved Date

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott Community College, Schools

FSCC Celebrates 100 Years In the Community

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Alysia Johntson announced the Centennial Celebration of Fort Scott Community College at the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee Thursday at the college gym.

The school is oldest continually operating community college in Kansas and will celebrate one hundred years of existence September 20 and 21, Johnston told the coffee attendees.

Fort Scott Community College President Alysia Johnston.

“Fort Scott Community College started in Fort Scott High School in 1919,” Johnston told the coffee attendees.

That move allowed students who wanted to start college, but not have to go out of the community, to attend college, said Mert Barrows, a member of the Centennial Committee.

The college moved to the present site on South Horton Street in 1967, Johnston said.

“Today we provide online degrees and also have one of the best occupational areas around,” Johnston said.

“I was a student here for the 50th anniversary (of the college),” Harold Hicks, Centennial Committee Chairman, said.

“This college has a special place in my heart,” Hicks said. “Several members of the committee are graduates and much of our success in life, the seeds were planted here.”

To celebrate the centennial, there is a banquet and tailgate party planned for the community.

The celebration will kick off Friday evening, September 20, with a banquet for graduates, employees, and their families, according to a press release from FSCC. Saturday afternoon, Sept. 21, will feature a tailgate party at the stadium for all members of the community and conclude with the Homecoming game at 7 p.m.

Other activities planned include the burial of a time capsule, a series of featured articles in the newspaper, display cases around the campus, cake celebration, a video depicting campus activities, and appearances at local fairs and other community events, and other activities in the works, according to the press release.

Fort Scott Community College (then Fort Scott Junior College) was voted into existence on November 8, 1918, in a city-wide election. Rees Hughes, principal at Fort Scott High School, administered the newly formed college with fully qualified teachers to teach a program of consisting of foreign languages, English, mathematics, and science that would be identical to that offered by the University of Kansas, according to the press release.

According to a Fort Scott Tribune article published in April 1918, “By establishing the two years of college work in Fort Scott, it offers an unusual opportunity for students in Fort Scott and Bourbon County and adjacent counties to secure two years of normal school or college work while near home. The work done in the Fort Scott Junior College will be fully accredited at any of the colleges, normal schools or universities of the state,” according to the press release.

Centennial Committee members: Hicks, Barrows, Carolyn Sinn, Valetta Cannon, Bernita Hill, Robert Nelson, Bob Cable, Lori Cable, Rhonda Bailey, Ellen Fairchild, Leslie Damien, Karri Johnson, Marcel Normand and Kassie Feugate-Cate.

Contact person for the Centennial Committee is Harold W. Hicks, [email protected], Fort Scott Community College, 2108 South Horton, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Tel: 620.223.2700 X3150

 

Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Home Show Starts April 5: “More Vendors Than Ever”

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Approximately 60 vendors focusing on home,  sport, farm and garden, plus booths of community entities, await you at the  KOMB-FM 103.9 Home Show this weekend.

Fort Scott Broadcasting Company, owner of KOMB-FM and KMDO-FM is having its annual home show this Friday from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m to 3 p.m. at  Arnold Arena on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.

Tim McKinney tells the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee attendees about the home show this weekend. Deb McKinney listens in the background.

“We will have tons of giveaways and great food,” McKinney told the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee, which they hosted at the show site. “We have more vendors than we have ever had.”

Participating vendors:

Advantage Metals, Albers Marine, Ascension Via Christi, Autumn Exteriors, Bath Innovations, Blue Valley Trailers, Briggs Auto, Bourbon County Conservation District, BN Hunting Supplies, Busy Bugs Pest Control, Care to Share, Community Health Center, City of Fort Scott, Common Ground/Astra Coffee, Country Place Senior Living, Covey Garage Doors, The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce/Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, FSCC Centennial Committee, Hague Quality Water, Heidricks Tru Value, Home Depot, Home Pro, Jim’s Sales, K-State/Southwind Extension District, LeafFilter, Live Local, Miller Feed & Farm, Momentum Indoor Training, Nemesis Contracting, Norris Heating and Air, O’Malley Implement, Phillip’s Lawn Care, Perry’s Pork Rinds, Pioneer Harvest Fiesta, Pro Active Agriculture, R II Concrete Construction, R&R Equipment, Redbud Farms, Rolox Home Service, Ruddick’s Furniture, Satellite Center, Seal Smart, Sharky’s Pub & Grub, Shirt Shack, SIT Solutions, Skitch’s Hauling & Excavating, Stewart Realty, Stutesman’s Action Realty, Sunscape Pool & Backyard, Thrasher, Inc., Tractor Supply Co., Twister Trailer, Visit Fort Scott, Wreath Ride, U.S. Cellular, and Yutzy Construction.

In conjunction with the home show, Fort Scott Community College is providing a kids fair from 9 a.m. to noon on April 6. Parents can leave their children at the kids fair and enjoy the home show, said Fort Scott Communication Director Kassie Cate.

 

Tim and Deb McKinney, owners of Fort Scott Broadcasting and Central Communications.

McKinney said his family opened the station in 1954 and the radio station is known for its local news, sports, talk and podcasts, live stream events, live play by play sports and more.

It is headquartered at 2 N. National Avenue and can be contacted at (620) 223-4500.

 

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Government, Health Care

Budgeting For the New Ambulance Service

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The budgeting process for the new Bourbon County Emergency Medical Service has two government bodies amending their budgets for 2019.

These actions are because of Mercy Hospital closing in December 2018, and along with that, the hospital ambulance service.

A collaboration between the city and the county will provide the new ambulance service.

The City of Fort Scott will operate the ambulance, Bourbon County  Commissioners will bill the insurance and receive the revenue and then reimburse the city. The majority of this budget is wages, taxes and benefits, according to the Fort Scott City Commission March 19 minutes.

A task force was formed to put together a new ambulance service that will serve the community. The task force was comprised of representatives of Mercy, Bourbon County and the City of Fort Scott.

On March 19, the Fort Scott City Commission approved to create a new EMS fund and adopt an EMS budget of  $1,004,242, according to the commission minutes.

The county government is also revisiting its budget.

“The county’s projected budget for 2019 for ambulance service is 1.1 million dollars,” Bourbon County Commissioner Lynne Oharah said.

Lynne Oharah

“The county has always had a line item budget for ambulance service which was paid to Mercy,” Oharah said.  “I think that that budget item was approved for $316,000 for 2019. This is a budget line item where we will amend our budget.”

“We have (Certified Public Accountant)Terry Sercer working with us on an amendment to the ambulance budget…,” Bourbon County Commissioner Lynne Oharah said.

“This budget will be figured on what we contracted with the city to provide ambulance service, plus what we pay an outside company, OMNI, to provide medical billing and collections, wages for the volunteer employees that staff the third ambulance and other ancillary expenses associated with handling ambulance. Building a budget item for future ambulance replacement included,” Oharah said.

The north wing of the Bourbon County Courthouse houses the Bourbon County Commission, Treasurers Office and the Clerk’s Office.