Mirna Santana, one of the owners of La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant, holds the new menu which includes sections of calorie and fat counted food offerings.
The La Hacienda Restaurant recently redesigned its’ menu to include selections in which the calories and fat content have been counted for those wishing to eat healthier.
A Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways Grant financed the initiative whose purpose was to increase food transparency, Jody Hoener said.
Hoener is a part of the Restaurant and Food Retail subcommittee of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team that consists of Sherise Beckham (Registered Dietitian) and Joy Miller (RD)and Hoener.
“Joy was able to use KSTATE Extension software to calculate nutritional content,” Hoener said.
The restaurant collaborated on the calorie/fat content additions with a Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways To Healthy Kansas Initiative.
La Hacienda owners have pledged to increase access to healthy food, she said.
The new counted calorie menu items are spread throughout the listings and are highlighted in green.
Bourbon County public schools have noted an increase in enrollment, which means an increase in funding.
Fort Scott Community College President Alysia Johnston.
Fort Scott Community College
Fort Scott Community College enrollment is up around 1,000 credit hours from last year at this time, President Alysia Johnston said. “15 credit hours (per semester) is considered full time.”
“We also report numbers based on Full-Time Equivalency (FTE); therefore, the 1,000 credit hour increase would be an FTE increase of 66,” Johnston said.
How does the increase in students benefit the school?
“It is hard to give you an exact dollar amount – as I’m not sure how many of the 1000 credit hour increase we would have provided tuition scholarships for; and if the credit hours were generated from in-district, out-district, or out of state,” Johnston said. “If I assume that 50% of the hours we gave scholarships for , and they were all in-district, it would be approximately an increase of around $80,000.”
“Our enrollment is up due to the great work our faculty and staff at FSCC do to ensure we meet the needs of our students and community,” she said. ” Their dedication, expertise in their area, and devotion to quality is reflected in our increased enrollment. Our focus is not just on growing enrollment, but maintaining and improving excellence in our programs and meeting student needs so they can be successful and reach their goals.”
USD 235
Bret Howard, superintendent of USD 235, Uniontown.
The Full-Time Equivalency (FTE) for Uniontown is 451 with enrollment of 458 students, Bret Howard, superintendent for USD 235 said.
“Unofficially we are up 6 (from last year),” Howard said. “We will still be audited by the Kansas State Department of Education and numbers can change slightly. Nothing is ever “official” until after the audit.”
“A school district receives $4,165 for each full-time equivalent (FTE),” Howard said. ” All Kindergarten through 12th-grade students are 1.0 FTE. A Pre-K student is funded at .5 FTE per student and each district has a cap determined by the KSDE. We are funded with 14 Pre-K slots or 7 FTE in Uniontown USD 235.”
“A district also receives weighted funding for At-Risk Students, Students on Free Lunch, Students who ride district provided transportation to and from school, etc,” Howard said. “A district budget has many different factors that make it up.”
USD 234
USD 234 Assistant Superintendent Nicki Traul.
The enrollment has also increased at USD 234, said Assistant Superintendent Nicki Traul.
Fort Scott Schools have seen an increase of 27 students from last school year.
In 2018-19 there are 1934 students, in 2017-18 there were 1907 students and in 2016-17 there were 1890 students, she stated.
The north wing of the Bourbon County Courthouse, on the right in this photo, has been reconfigured to house the county clerk, treasurer and commission offices. Additionally, at the back of the wing, Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative has leased a space for their business operations.
The public will be using a different door to get to the Bourbon County Commission, Treasurer and Clerk offices at 210 S. National.
The Bourbon County Courthouse personnel moved the offices late last week from the second floor to the north wing, the space of the former Sheriff’s Office and jail.
The Sheriff’s office and jail moved to a new facility at 293 E. 20th Street, earlier this year
The Bourbon County Commission room, September 2018.
The commission room is on the north side of the courthouse door as one enters in the north wing, There is room for the public to attend meetings comfortably now and space is more handicapped accessible on the ground floor.
The Bourbon County Clerk’s Office. Whitney Ball man’s the desk Monday. The office is located on the south side of the hall as one enters the doors on the north wing of the courthouse.The Bourbon County Treasurer’s Office employees wait on the public in the new office on Monday. This office is located on the north side of the hall as one enters the doors on the north wing of the courthouse.The north door of the courthouse is now for the Public Works Department.
To enter the county public works office, use the north door on the 2nd Street side.
The driver’s license office will be moving to the Bourbon County Attorney’s Office at Second and Judson Streets, behind the courthouse, pictured here.
The county attorney will move from the office building at 108 2nd Street to the 2nd floor of the courthouse on October 9.
The last day the driver’s license will be in its current location on the second floor of the courthouse, is Oct. 26, according to Shane Walker, Bourbon County Information Services Director.
On November 1, the driver’s license office will be open for business at 108 2nd Street, Walker said.
The Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative space is seen at the back of the Judson Street side of the courthouse. The county commission has leased Craw-Kan two cells from the former jail at the courthouse for its business operation in Bourbon County.
“We’ve leased them two cells in the former jail in exchange for internet and phone services for life,” Walker said. “That will save the county $250,000 over the next 10-12 years. We currently have internet from them and will be switching to their phone service in the next month.”
“The other cells of the former jail are empty,” Walker said, “There are some future plans ahead for them.”
September 27. Thursday. Post 25 Executive Committee meets at 6 pm in Memorial Hall.
September 27. Thursday. Post 25 Color Guard meets at 7 pm in Memorial Hall. All Post 25 members are invited to join the Post 25 Color Guard. Meetings last about an hour.
October 1. Monday. Post 25 general membership meet and greet begins at 6:30 pm. Light refreshments will be available.
October 1. Monday. Post 25 general membership meeting starts at 7 pm.
October 2. Tuesday. American Legion Post 25 Commander Carl Jowers has office hours at Memorial Hall from 9 – 11 am. Carl is available to discuss any suggestions or concerns you may have about Post 25, Veterans or just to help solve world problems. Carl will meet with you at other times by emailing him at [email protected] or calling him at 904.553.1848 to schedule an appointment.
October 2. Tuesday. American Legion Service Officer Myra Jowers is at Memorial Hall from 9 – 11 am. Myra is available to assist you with questions about your VA claims or paperwork. She is not allowed to complete your forms for you, but rather provide guidance and directions in pursuing your claims. She will meet with you at other times by emailing her at [email protected] to schedule an appointment.
November 9 – 11. Veterans weekend in Fort Scott.
November 9. Friday evening, 5 pm: Reception @ Boiler Room Brewhaus, 2 S. National Ave.
November 9. Saturday, 10 am: Veterans Day Program @ Memorial Hall, 1 E. 3rd St.
November 10. Saturday, 12 – 4 PM. “A Gathering of Veterans” at VFW Post 1165 for fellowship and camaraderie.
November 10. Saturday, 5 pm: Veterans Day Parade in Downtown Fort Scott. All Veterans are encouraged to participate. Transportation will be available for those unable to walk in the parade.
November 10. Saturday, 7 pm: 1800’s Grand Ball @ Memorial Hall, 1 E. 3rd St. Tickets required. Email [email protected] for information on purchasing tickets.
November 11. Sunday, 9 am: Veterans Church Service @ Community Christian Church, 1919 S. Horton St.
November 11. Sunday, 11 am: Veterans Day Service @ US National Cemetery No. 1, 900 E. National Ave.
November 11. Sunday, 12pm: Lunch @ VFW, 1745 S. National Ave.
Robbie Forrester, president of Fort Scott Munitions told FortScott.Biz. that the business will be blowing up tannerite at a location southwest of Fort Scott in a short while. The tannerite is used in conjunction with firearms practice.
Joining them is race car driver, Spencer Boyd, Forrester said.
Remick Paulsen, 22, is the new U.S. Postal Service Clerk at Uniontown.
This is an employee profile to let the community better know her.
Experience: First job in the postal service
Education: Graduated from Paola High School in 2014, Fort Scott Community College in 2016 and earned a bachelor of science degree in agricultural business from Kansas State University in 2018.
Why did you choose this as your career?
“I enjoy working with people. I feel like you get the small town feel working in a post office, and it’s a career.
Paulsen also works in the Fort Scott Post Office as needed.
The Uniontown Post Office is located at 106 2nd Street.
Hours of the office are 7 to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday, 7 to 9 a.m. The phone number is 620-756-4377.
The Uniontown mail delivery includes Uniontown, Mapleton, and Redfield, she said.
Karen Saker, the longtime Uniontown Postmistress, retired at the end of August 2018.
Robert Uhler became the City of Fort Scott Community Development Director Sept. 10.
This is an employee profile to allow the community to know him better.
Age: 49
Family: Married to Laurie Uhler, two grown children, one granddaughter.
What will be your duties in this position?
“Community Development is all about creating a positive quality of life in our community. Everything from infrastructure to parks, sidewalks, trails, to the historic downtown structures/district. I will also be participating in the zoning process and procedures. Housing is one of the very important issues that we need to deal with as a community.”
Experience:
“Over 20 years in the construction building industry, spending the last eight years as the executive vice-president of a non-profit serving independently owned building material suppliers.”
Education:
Baker University, US Chamber Foundation – Institute of Organizational Management, Certified Association Executive, Univ. Texas – Arlington, Specialist in Safety and Health.
Community involvement:
Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Board Member, Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene Treasurer, Project 17 – (17 SE KS Counties) Board Member, US Chamber Foundation Northeast Regent Member.
Hobbies: Golfing, outdoor sports, music – playing drums.
“I just love this community and anything that I can do to help our community grow, and prosper, I’m excited about doing.”
Robert Uhler Community Development Director. Submitted photo.
A shifting in personnel and a new face have been added to the City of Fort Scott.
Robert Uhler has been hired as Community Development Director.
Uhler will be helping with housing development, grant writing and representing the city in Topeka and Washington D.C. with elected officials, City Manager Dave Martin said in an interview.
Dave Martin. Submitted photo.
“Robert will be bringing outside money in to help us accomplish what’s needed in the community,” Martin said.
According to the city’s minutes dated Sept. 4, 2018, Rhonda Dunn will move from Community Development Director to Finance Director/Codes Director.
Rhonda Dunn
“Rhonda was doing two big jobs (Community Development and Codes Director),” Martin said in an interview. “With Jon Garrison retiring (this month), I was able to move some resources around.”
Community Development will be partnering with Economic Development to move the city forward, Martin said.
Other changes:
“Marlene Braker had the title of assistant to the finance director,” according to the minutes. “This position is not needed so her title will change to the financial analyst.”
Marlene Braker. Submitted photo.
“Paul Ballou has been promoted to Fort Scott’s Assistant City Manager/Fire Chief. He will be the second in command when the City Manager is unavailable,” according to the minutes.
Paul Ballou. Submitted photo.
Airport Director Kenny Howard is retiring effective December 31 and this position is posted on the city’s website. The new airport director will now report to Rachel Pruitt, Economic Development Director, according to the minutes.
Retiring Airport Director Kenny Howard with Rachel Pruitt, Economic Director for the city.
Deb Needleman, Human Resource Director, will begin overseeing the Information Technology position and taking over the city’s liability insurance which Kenny Howard has overseen, according to the minutes.
Deb Needleman. Submitted photo.
Dave Martin will supervise Larry Gazaway now and the new Community Development Director, according to the city’s minutes.
New citizens take an oath of allegiance to the United States in September 2017 at Fort Scott National Historic Site.
On a typically bright and sunny September day, U.S. immigrants from near and far come annually to Fort Scott for the final step in becoming citizens.
In 2018, the naturalization ceremony is at 10:30 a.m this Friday, Sept. 21 on the grounds of the Fort Scott National Historic Site, according to a press release provided by FSNHS.
The Fort is located just off North Main Street in downtown Fort Scott.
In case of rain or other inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at Fort Scott Memorial Hall, according to the press release.
The ceremony is one of listening to patriotic music, listening to both local and government dignitaries, newly naturalized citizens being introduced one-by-one to those attending the event, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States, and receiving a certificate of citizenship.
Fort Scottian Jane Njeri Lifer smiles following the naturalization ceremony in September 2017. In her hand is the certificate of naturalization.
The United States District Court for the District of Kansas will hold the special naturalization ceremony, with the Honorable Teresa J. James, United States Magistrate Judge for the District of Kansas, presiding, according to the press release.
The ceremony will feature musical performances from the Fort Scott High School orchestra and choir, and an address from Robert L. Farmer, Attorney at Law, according to the information provided.
The Fort Scott High School orchestra and choir performed “America” at last year’s naturalization ceremony.
The Pittsburg State University Army ROTC will present the colors.
The new citizens will be invited to register to vote and enjoy a lunch provided by the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site, following the ceremony.
Also following the ceremony, there are usually small groups of people taking photos to commemorate the event.
Approximately 100 applicants will be naturalized at the ceremony, which is open to the public.
“We encourage the people to learn more about Fort Scott, the Fort and their American culture,” Carl Brenner, chief of interpretation and resource management at the Fort, said.
Long-time Fort Scottians Jerry Witt and his wife, Judy are trading in suburbia for living downtown.
“Judy and I used to live in the Carriage House, at Third and Main, that Cheney Witt (Funeral) Chapel owns, while our house was being built…We loved living downtown,” Witt said.
“My great-grandfather owned the Witt’s Chili Parlor downtown. I played on the old fort grounds as a kid,” he said.
This summer he has been working with the Fort Scott Planning Commission and also the Codes Department to get plans finalized for the renovation of the downtown building. Recently he got approval from the city to proceed with the project.
“I’m currently working with contractors,” Witts said. “I’ve got to get the interior demolished. The architect is Zingre and Associates. Dave Irwin helped on the project.”
Currently, there is no projected timeline for the renovation, Witt said.
Tents and booths were set up in the shade of trees on the Kemna property Saturday for the public to view and buy the wares of artists.
The weather cooperated and the beautiful September day was enjoyed by attendees of the Art in the Yard festival at local artist Bobbi Kemna’s property northwest of Fort Scott on Saturday.
Local and area artists of all styles set up booths and tents in the shade to sell their wares.
Pottery, woodwork, fabric, painting, metal, photography, furniture, food, theater, music, jewelry and lavender artists were placed around the acreage for the public to visit with and buy their wares.
The City of Fort Scott provided a free trolley from downtown to the site, located on 215th Street, rural Fort Scott.
There was no official headcount, Kemna said, but approximately 200 people is her estimate.
Following are photos that were taken during the morning of the event.
The public is free to add their photos in comments.
Festival creator and host Bobbi Kemna, left, visits with Arnold and Clara Schofield and granddaughter on Saturday morning at the Art in the Yard Festival.Barb McCord visits with an attendee while demonstrating how to weave in the nature tapestry she bought to the Art in the Yard Festival. The natural material was provided and the attendees were invited to weave the material through a giant loom, with the intent of a finished tapestry by days end.Carol George admires Paul Milk’s Hardanger embroidery. Milk also sold photography and cross stitch articles at the Art in the Yard Festival Saturday.The Fort Scott Community Orchestra, under the direction of Carson Felt, entertained the art festival attendees.Sydney and Hannah Ramsey added final touches to Nick Magee’s artwork Saturday at Art in the Yard. Their mother, Emily Ramsey, right, supervises. Magee, in the background, had his paintings for sale at the Art in the Yard Festival.The Fort Scott High School Thespians entertained the attendees with improv comedy Saturday. The group also sold soft drinks to further their cause of attending an international theater event in Scotland next summer.Bobbi Kemna, event organizer and host, visits with attendees on the porch of her pottery workshop Saturday at Art in the Yard.
