Ascension Via Christi currently operates the emergency department at the former Mercy Hospital building in Fort Scott but is closing operations on Dec. 20.
Ascension Via Christi of Pittsburg has been providing emergency services in Fort Scott since February 2019, following the closure of Mercy Hospital in 2018.
Yesterday it was announced they will be closing operations at the site, 401 Woodland Hills Blvd., Fort Scott, on Dec. 20.
“This department has seen a steady decline in visits and its overall average daily census,” according to the AVC press release: Ascension Via Christi to close Emergency Department in Fort Scott on Dec. 20. “These factors, coupled with other economic challenges, have limited the emergency department’s ability to continue operations.”
Drew Talbott. Submitted photo.
“There are other providers in the region positioned to serve the residents of Fort Scott and neighboring communities,” Drew Talbot, president of Ascension Via Christi, Pittsburg, said in the press release. “These providers will help us ensure continuity of care for our patients as we approach closure.”
Fort Scott Mayor Matthew Wells is thankful to Ascension Via Christi (AVC) for providing an emergency department in Bourbon County, he said.
Matthew Wells. Submitted photo.
“It is very unfortunate that Ascension is departing Fort Scott, and even more so that an emergency room operator loses over $1.5M annually to remain in a rural community,” Wells said.
“While it might seem that all hope is lost…the City (0f Fort Scott) and (the Bourbon) County (Commission) have identified a capable operator and have also agreed to provide financial support to ensure the delivery of quality healthcare in Fort Scott,” Wells said.
“The parties involved have been working tirelessly to affect a smooth transition to the new operations,” Wells said. “However, there are some regulatory challenges at the state and federal level which we are actively working to navigate. These regulations have made it exceedingly difficult for rural communities to access quality healthcare, and this is a problem that extends beyond just Fort Scott.”
Amberwell Health is ready to begin providing an emergency department in Bourbon County, once the regulatory hurdles are accomplished, Wells said.
“It is a national issue that requires urgent attention and immediate action from our legislators,” Wells said. “Over 13 million children under 18 reside in rural areas throughout the United States, and they, along with our seniors and all members of society, require access to emergency services. We need the legislatures to do what is necessary to change these regulations, this issue is a matter of life and death to my community.”
“With the cooperation of all parties, there is a clear path to not only maintaining an emergency room in Fort Scott but also expanding primary care services to benefit this growing community and its future aspirations, with not only an ER but a Rural Emergency Hospital,” Wells said.
Wells encourages the community to take an active role in supporting the endeavor.
“I encourage the community to take an active role by contacting their local government officials for support,” Wells said. “There are those who are actively moving this forward, but we can help push the state and federal legislature to make this happen faster.”
Your Elected Representatives
Following is a list of the elected representatives for Bourbon County at both the state and federal levels, according to the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce website:
In a press release yesterday, Kansas Governor Kelly stated:
“I am incredibly saddened by the news that Ascension Via Christi’s Emergency Department in Fort Scott is closing. Bourbon County residents have already had to drive 30 miles to Pittsburg – or, in some cases, 90 miles to Kansas City – for most care since Mercy Hospital closed five years ago. Now, even in emergencies, they’ll have one less place to turn, threatening their health and safety.
“I’ve been touring the state rallying for Medicaid Expansion for six weeks, and in that time, we’ve seen a rural hospital and now an emergency room close. How much more evidence do we need that rural communities need our support to keep health care affordable and accessible? Enough is enough. It’s time to act.”
The Kansas Department of Commerce Rapid Response Team is reaching out to Ascension Via Christi leadership and will be sharing resources with employees who are now looking for work, according to the press release.
According to the Governor’s press release:
Rural hospitals in states that have not adopted Medicaid expansion are six times more likely to close than rural hospitals in states with expansion.
Researchers have found that hospitals in expansion states, particularly those in rural areas, are better off financially and are less likely to close.
58% of rural Kansas hospitals are at risk of closing, and 28% are at immediate risk of closing.
Kids may have to bundle up for the scariest night of the year tonight because of cold weather, and Fort Scott Police Chief Jason Pickert gives parents some other tips to keep them safe.
“Fortunately, there are lots of easy things parents and kids can do to stay safe on the spookiest of holidays,” Pickert said.
Here is his list:
Carry glow sticks or flashlights, use reflective tape or stickers on costumes and bags, and wear light colors to help kids see and be seen by drivers.
Don’t let little ones walk by themselves. Make sure they are joined by an older sibling or an adult for trick-or-treating.
Remind kids to cross the street at corners or crosswalks.
When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls. Choose face paint over masks when possible. Masks can limit children’s vision.
Drivers – Slow down and be alert! Kids are excited on Halloween and may dart into the street. Turn on headlights early in the day to spot kids from further away.
Safety Advocates Offer Tips to Protect Your Children this Halloween
Safe Kids Kansas, the Kansas Poison Center, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal remind families to make safety part of their fall festivity planning.
“On average, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a vehicle and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year, according to a press release from Safe Kids Kansas. “Drivers need to slow down and be extra alert, especially in neighborhoods, as there will be more children on the streets and sidewalks – and those kids may be focused on gathering candy and the excitement of the holiday rather than being careful while crossing streets.”
“Review safety rules with your kids before they leave the house,” according to the release. “Trick-or-treaters are often out when it’s dark and more difficult for drivers to see them. Children younger than age 12 should not be crossing streets alone on Halloween without an adult or responsible teenager.”
It’s a good idea for children to have a cell phone with them in case of an emergency, but remind them to pay attention to their surroundings, and not be distracted by texting or talking on the phone, said Cherie Sage with Safe Kids Kansas.
“Parents and kids should also be careful with candy,” according to the release. “It’s best to check sweets before children are allowed to eat them. Only eat treats in original and unopened wrappers. Also, be aware kids are in candy-seeking mode, so keep medicine locked up and away, and keep the Poison Help Line programmed into your phone: 800-222-1222.”
“According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly half of home structure fires happened because decorations were too close to a heat source,” according to the press release. “Most of these incidents were started by candles. Play it safe and use battery-powered candles or lights. Remember to make sure your family has working smoke alarms on every level of your home and inside and outside every sleeping room.”
Safety tips from these organizations:
Decorate Safely
Keep flammable materials such as hay bales, corn stalks and paper decorations away from heat and flame sources, like candles, light bulbs and heaters.
Use battery-operated candles in jack-o-lanterns and when decorating pathways and yards.
Set a reminder to blow out any candles and unplug lights at the end of the evening.
Talk to your teens who may be attending parties and haunted houses to look for the exits and have a way out in case of an emergency.
If using dry-ice, make sure you use gloves or tongs when handling it and do not put it in cups where it could be swallowed and cause severe burns.
Walk Safely
Stick to sidewalks or paths. Don’t walk through neighbors’ yards, as there may be a hazard you can’t see.
If there are no sidewalks along your street, walk on the road facing traffic as far to left as possible.
Always stop and look before you cross the street, and cross at corners using signals and crosswalks whenever possible. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing.
For more tips on how to keep kids safe on Halloween and throughout the year, visit safekids.org.
Lisa Walther is retiring from her position at the Fort Scott Public Library tomorrow, Oct. 31, after over 27 years as director.
Walther said through the years, the changes she has seen include joining SEKnFind ( a consortium of Southeast Kansas libraries administered by SEKLS which shares a single automated system) multiple library remodeling projects, and the beginning of ebooks availability.
An ebook is a book in electronic form that can be read on a computer or handheld device rather than in print, according to Oxford Languages.
Walther said the library board is beginning the process of advertising for her replacement.
Library of Excellence Award
On Oct. 24 the Fort Scott Public Library received the Library of
Excellence award from the Southeast Kansas Library System in a ceremony at the library.
“The library received an award, a check for $1,000, and a traveling plaque which we can display in the library until another Southeast Kansas Library System library wins the Library of Excellence Award,” Valetta Cannon, assistant library director said. “The last and only other one was awarded to Savonburg Public Library in 2018.”
“The Fort Scott Public Library earned this through their tireless
efforts to create community partnerships, renovate their space, and bring creative and innovative programs specific to their
community,” according to the announcement here https://drive.google.com/file/d/14t9bXuXpaUy3ok77LTlxMASLWVph4WqM/view?pli=1.
“Several programs showcase this work and their partnerships with local businesses, including Girls Who Code, 500
books before middle school, 100 books before
graduation, and Walk Into Books, Bourbon County.”
“Both their community outreach initiatives and the library’s dedication to eliminating barriers to services demonstrate
their dedication to the community and earned them this Excellence Award.”
Lisa Walther, Director of Fort Scott Public Library, left, is pictured with Sharon Moreland, Director of the Southeast Kansas Library System, and Valetta Cannon, assistant Fort Scott Library Director. Submitted photo.
According to a press release from Fort Scott Public Library, a patron, Ashley Morris, said, “The real strength of this library is its involvement in the local community. They have been indispensable in our community, particularly in their ability to safely foster connections and offer essential resources during and after the pandemic.”
Fort Scott Public Library employees (left to right): Samantha Miller, Jennifer Carnes, Lisa Walther, Valetta Cannon, Sypher Cannon (summer assistant 2023), and Casey Gomez (summer assistant 2023). Submitted photo.
The Fort Scott Recreation Center is facilitating an event to help a local Fort Scott High School in her battle with cancer.
“Piper Weeks is a high school student here in town who is diagnosed with bone cancer,” said Lucas Kelley, recreation director. “She is currently undergoing treatment. All proceeds from this race will be donated to the Weeks family to help with treatment costs.”
Lucas Kelley is the director of Fort Scott Recreation Center. Submitted photo.
This Halloween-based 5k Run/Walk is on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 9 a.m.
“It is called the Spooky Scurry,” he said. “The route begins at Frary Stadium (at FSHS, 1005 S. Main) then goes south on Main Street, east on East National, south all the way to the end of Cooper Street and back. The total route is 3.1 miles. We are encouraging all participants to wear their Halloween costumes for a chance to win the prize of tickets to the Enchant Christmas Light Show in Kansas City this winter.”
“The purpose of all our 5k Run/Walks is to help provide for a need in the community,” he said. “The cost is $30 per participant. Participants can register at Buck Run Community Center (735 Scott Avenue) or the day of the race starting at 8 a.m.”
The recreation staff has created a Venmo account to accept donations for the Weeks family. To make a contribution you can do that on Venmo with the following QR code.
A reminder that 100% of the money raised will go to help Piper Weeks with her cancer treatments.
Brad Matkin, Fort Scott’s City Manager for approximately 1.5 years resigned yesterday, posting a public service announcement on the City of Fort Scott Facebook page.
Matkin said on October 24 he turned in a letter of resignation to the Fort Scott City Commission, effective on January 3, 2024.
“I will continue doing duties of city manager until that time and close out some of the projects we’ve got, and establish guidelines for the next few years, ” he said on Facebook.
“There is a lot left to do,” Matkin said. “We have only touched the very tip of the iceberg with our accomplishments. As a City, we must establish a Housing/Business Development Coordinator who works full-time for the city and goes and visits with our existing businesses to see if there is anything the City of Fort Scott can do for them. We worry so much about bringing in new business sometimes the great businesses like Timken, Peerless, Ward Kraft, etc. get forgotten.”
This Housing/Business Development Coordinator position would also help developers in their housing and business developments, finding grants, property, and opportunities, he said.
Other projects that Matkin sees as not completed are street, water, and wastewater 2024 and 2025 programs that need to be developed and executed, along with several other tasks.
“You sacrifice a lot with this position and family is very important to me,” he said in an interview. “I have lost many years with my family in previous jobs, and I have decided this was not fair to me or my family. There are several reasons for my departure but this is the only one I will discuss.”
Matkin thanked the city staff and utility work crews, the commissioners, citizens, and his family for their support.
Even “Citizens who haven’t always been supportive, I want to thank you because you are the motivation that drives us,” he said.
He credits any accomplishments to his staff and crews, he said in an interview. “I was just the person that helped with the decisions, they are the ones that made them happen. Every accomplishment I can write down was done by the City of Fort Scott Team and not the City Manager.”
Here are the staff accomplishments:
Building the staff that the city currently has.
Establishing the “My Fort Scott” app.
Finishing Cooper Street.
Finishing “Old Faithful” project.
Improving wages for City staff members.
Improving wages for City Public Safety members
Gunn Park camping area improvements.
Lake Fort Scott stem repair.
2022 Cape Seal program completion and 2023 Cape Seal program preparation work.
Increasing advertisements and promotions of area events by the tourism department.
Approvement of 2025 CCLIP grant for 2nd phase of Wall Street
Pothole and Crack sealing program.
Establishing a brick crew, and a street repair team.
Memorial Hall improvements.
Additional Lake Fort Scott fishing docks.
Buck Run Community Center improvements.
Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements and elimination of “the smell”.
Assignment of Baker Tilly as City’s Finance Director.
Flawless 2022 City audit.
$1.7 million CDBG sewer repair grant ($1.1 million was the city’s responsibility).
Airport runway and taxi-way improvements.
Stormwater project on 17th and Eddy.
Purchased street line painter, painting the city streets with city crews.
Several street and water line repairs.
Bringing back the Community Development position.
Establishing a budget that did not increase taxes and opened up some additional monies.
Fort Scott has a future, he said. “If it’s allowed, but it’s going to take positivity. That was my goal to spread positivity and get rid of negativity. I feel like I have done that, for the most part.”
“It’s my hometown,” he said on the Facebook announcement of his resignation. “I’ve lived here 53 years….there is no place better.”
He will help the commission find a replacement for the position, he said. “To get everything ready for basically what I would have done into the next two years,” he said in making the resignation announcement at the Community Connections Panel at noon yesterday.
When Matkin told the panel he was resigning, at the end of his presentation of highlights at the city, the moderator, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce President Bailey Lyons thanked Matkin for his service to the city of Fort Scott, and asked if there is a new search started for city manager.
“I haven’t talked to the commission, personally,” he said. “If I had a recommendation, I would make it a national search or a least broaden the search out a little further. It will take a little while to find one.”
The Vote Here sign sits in front of the north wing of the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National.
Early voting for the November 7 election begins today.
“If anybody would like to receive a mailed advance ballot, they may complete an application and return it to our office by October 31, 2023,” Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins said.
One can vote at the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National, in the early voting availability.
Early voting starts today at the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National.
Today and tomorrow, Oct. 27, one can vote from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the courthouse.
Saturday, October 28 votes can be cast from 8:30 a.m. to noon, and Monday, October 30 until November 3 from 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the courthouse.
There will be voting availability on Saturday, November 4, and then on Monday, November 6 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the courthouse.
Election day is November 7 and the community can then vote in places closer to their neighborhood. See the list below of polling places in the county.
Candidates for the Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees:
Vote for three or less:
Ronda Bailey, Douglas Ropp, David Elliott, Kirk Hart, Roberta “Bert” Lewis, Robert Nelson, Josh Jones and Chad McKinnis.
Fort Scott City Commissioners, vote for three or less:
Joshua Baseley, Edwin Woelhof, Janice Allen, Harold Pete Allen, Tracy Dancer, Margaret Cummings, Matthew Wells, Dyllon Olson, Barbara Ann Rawlins.
No candidates have filed for the city councils of Mapleton and Fulton, and none for the mayor of Fulton
Filing to run for the Bronson City Council is Michael Stewart; for the Redfield City Council is L.D. Morrison and Brandy Corriston and for the Uniontown City Council is Danae Esslinger.
For the USD 234 Board of Education (Fort Scott Schooll District), vote for one of the following:
Position 1: James Wood, Joe Wimmer, Scott Center
Position 2: Mike Miles
Position 3: Robert Harrington, Aaron Judy, Doug Hurd
At Large: Payton Coyan, Stewart Gulager.
For the USD 235 Board of Education (Uniontown School District), vote for one of the following:
Position 1: Troy Couchman
Position 2: Rhonda Hoener
Position 3: Seth Martin, Kolby Stock
At Large: Matt Kelly, Josh Hartman
Southwind Extension District, vote for two of the following:
Deb Lust, Trent Johnson
The following are the questions that will be on the ballot, for the Uniontown School District, USD 235
Proposition No. 1:
Shall the following be adopted?
Shall Unified School District No. 235, Bourbon County, Kansas (Uniontown), issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $5,635,000, to pay the costs to construct, furnish and equip renovations, improvements, and additions to District facilities, including but not limited to: (a) Pre-K classroom/storm shelter, student support offices, music room, and secure entrance at West Bourbon Elementary School; (b) 6th grade classrooms, student support offices, tech office, multipurpose classroom/storm shelter, and fire alarm system at the Uniontown Junior/Senior High School; and (c) all other necessary improvements related to it (collectively the “Project”), and to pay costs of issuance and interest on said general obligation bonds during construction of the Project; all pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 10-101 et seq., K.S.A. 25-2018(f), K.S.A. 72‑5457, and K.S.A. 72-5458 et seq.?
To vote in favor of Proposition No. 1 submitted on this ballot, completely darken the oval to the left of the word “Yes” on the paper ballot. To vote against it, completely darken the oval to the left of the word “No” on the paper ballot.
Proposition No. 2:
Shall the following be adopted?
Shall Unified School District No. 235, Bourbon County, Kansas (Uniontown), issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $3,485,000, to pay the costs to construct, furnish and equip an Ag-Science Classroom, Metals Shop, and Construction Science Shop at the Uniontown Junior/Senior High School, and all other necessary improvements related to it (collectively the “Project”), and to pay costs of issuance and interest on said general obligation bonds during construction of the Project; all pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 10-101 et seq., K.S.A. 25-2018(f), K.S.A. 72‑5457, and K.S.A. 72-5458 et seq.?
To vote in favor of Proposition No. 2 submitted on this ballot, completely darken the oval to the left of the word “Yes” on the paper ballot. To vote against it, completely darken the oval to the left of the word “No” on the paper ballot.
Residents living in the City of Fort Scott vote at the following locations:
1st Ward-Community Christian Church
2nd Ward-Grace Baptist Church
3rd Ward-Grace Baptist Church
4th Ward-Grace Baptist Church
5th Ward-Community Christian Church
6th Ward-Community Christian Church
7th Ward-Grace Baptist Church
Residents living in the County vote at the following locations:
The newly formed Bourbon County Community Theatre is comprised of 16 members of all ages.
“Everyone and anyone is welcome to join,” said Tyler Parker, a member of the group.
“Our board of directors is made up of 10 individuals,” he said. “This includes Matthew Wells, Melissa Guns, Angie Bin, Katie Wells, Rene Ludeman, Alex Chesney, Whitley Chesney, Delynn Abati, Sandra Abati, and myself.”
They have created the Voices From the Grave event this Saturday at Riverfront Park.
Tickets can be purchased through Friday from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall. Tours will run every 10 minutes from 6-9 p.m. Cost for the event: adults $10, students $7. Parents must accompany children under the age of 14.
Actors will present a short script describing a scene or “vignette” based on a story of murder or mayhem in Fort Scott’s history, according to a press release from the group.
Guests will be escorted through the park to visit each vignette and hear the story.
Leaders will be costumed “characters” who guide visitors from vignette to vignette.
“We tasked Angie Bin’s (Fort Scott High School’s Drama teacher) advanced drama students to research and write scripts about interesting deaths in Fort Scott and the surrounding Bourbon County area. It was a fun and educational task the students were excited about.”
“The actors are all volunteers, who will be receiving the script before the event to memorize and will meet the day of the event to set up their vignettes and go over some simple blocking,”he said.
Each vignette has 1 to 4 actors and is three minutes in duration.
“We are excited about hosting our inaugural fundraising event for our non-profit,” Parker said. “Funds raised from this event will go towards our next production.”
Dave Gillen is the director of the Beacon. Submitted photo.
The Beacon Food Pantry annual sign-up period continues until Oct. 27 during the hours of 9:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
“Sign-ups must be done by October 27th,” said David Gillen, “There will be no exceptions.”
“You will need to call in advance to the Beacon to set an appointment for one of these days, our phone number is 620-223-6869,” he said.
“You will need to bring with you, to qualify for a food card:
“a picture ID for all adults in the household,
“a Social Security card for all in household and birthdates, all dependent children with different names must show full-time parental custody, adoption papers, and must live with you to be on your card.
“Proof of income, pension, retirement, social security disability, VA benefits, unemployment, child support/alimony, and any other income.
“If you receive any services from DCF please bring the verification letter.
“Please have your information with you when you come or you will be turned away and will have to reschedule an appointment.”
During this sign-up, clients may also sign up for the Adopt-A-Child (children’s Christmas present help) and the Elk Club Food Basket (food for the holidays), he said.
Clients are asked to please wear a mask if they have a cough or cold or have been exposed to COVID-19, for the safety of volunteers and staff, and only one person per family in the building at that time.
For those getting food that day, call in advance and your order will be on the back porch for pick-up.
Adopt-a-Child pick-up and Elk food baskets will be at Community Christian Church on December 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pick-up will be a drive-through, like last year, according to Gillen.
Elk’s baskets will be delivered the Sunday before Christmas.
Clients are asked to please call to set up an appointment as soon as possible, Gillen said.
About the Beacon
The Beacon Food Pantry is a helping organization serving Bourbon County residents since 1985.
The food pantry clients who qualify, according to income, will receive food assistance twice a month and hygiene products, baby formula, laundry, and dish soap per availability.
“We receive bakery and produce from Wal-Mart on Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays and clients can shop in the main front lobby but are limited to one bag per family,” Beacon Director David Gillen said.
” The pantry also has a limited number of taxi passes and gas vouchers for doctors appointments,” he said.
Financial assistance, if qualified, is available on rent, utility bills, and prescriptions.
The Beacon is open on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is closed on Thursdays.
To qualify for a food card, a picture identification must be provided for all adults in the household, a Social Security Card for all in the household, and proof of residence in the county, and proof of income.
“If you receive any services from DCF must provide a copy from them,” according to Gillen.
“To order food or ask for financial assistance you must call ahead,” he noted. All food orders will be put on the back porch due to safety issues.”
To apply for financial assistance the following is needed:
Picture ID for all adults in the house
Social Security card for all in-house
Proof of Income
Reason for the need
Fill out the income expenditures form
Copy of current bill
Proof of Bourbon Co. residency, such as current utility bill, or
And also a bank statement with the current name and address.
The building is located at 525 E. 6th Street in Fort Scott.
Al and Luanna Niece outside their new purchase, the building at 6th and Main Street, Fort Scott.
Al and Luanna Niece, from Blanco County, TX, purchased the dilapidated building at 6th and Main in June 2023 to renovate.
The Nieces have plans for building at 6th and Main: two apartments, an ice cream shop, and a gentleman’s bar. The building is across the street from the Fisher Park Ballfield.
Al Niece owns Niece Equipment of Kansas and has had a plant in Fort Scott’s Industrial Park, since 2012. The company manufactures, sells, and leases water trucks, fuel/lube trucks, and water towers, according to its website.
“We fell in love with Fort Scott, the community, the downtown,” Luanna said. “We are trying to give back.”
The building was built in 1889, with A. B. Payne as the owner. It was built for apartments and a printing shop, Luanna said. The name of the building was Shultz and Paine.
The Shultz-Paine Building from a postcard in the 1880s. Luanna Neice said Ann Rawlins at the Old Fort Genealogical Society was a great source of information on the building and provided this photo.
One interesting fact discovered in looking at the history of the building: “The building’s owner was friends with Mark Twain,” she said. Twain was a humorist, journalist, lecturer, and novelist who died in 1910.
The Nieces plan to make two apartments on the top floor, one for themselves and one for a rental.
The street-level floor will be renovated to make an old-fashioned “soda jerk fountain and ice cream shop” with candy and “simple foods like hot dogs”, she said.
Luanna and Al Niece stand in front of the future ice cream shop on the south side of the first floor of the building. This entrance will be reconfigured, Al said.
The basement will be Al’s hangout, “Like in the movie ‘Speak Easy’, a gentleman’s bar,” she said. “It will be his mancave, probably called ‘Al’s’.”
From the basement looking up the two stories during demolition. Submitted photo.
“We hope to have renderings (of the future building plans) in about a month,” Al said. They met with the builder last week and hope to be open by next summer, he said.
Koen Construction is the builder, Al said.
What attracted the Nieces was that “this building is a stand-alone one,” she said. “And it has a lot next to it, land. About 6,000-10,000 square feet.”
Looking south from Main Street, the building’s lot is lower than the sidewalk on the left side of this photo.Some relics from the demolition are the old elevator shaft and gears. Submitted photo.
The Nieces also own the building that houses the Brickstreet BBQ Restaurant, the River Room Event Center, and the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team office on North National.
Brickstreet BBQ is located at the corner of Oak Street and National Avenue on Fort Scott’s northside. The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team office is north of the restaurant. The River Room Event Center is located on the second floor. Al Niece also owns this building.
Carol Oakleaf, left, and Lori Lovelace show the donation can for clothing to the Fort Scott Community Closet which is located in the Fort Scott Washateria in this 2019 photo.
Fort Scott Washateria is a family business that was opened in September 2019 by Carol Oakleaf, her daughter Lori Lovelace, son-in-law Leroy Walker, and her son, Doug Oakleaf.
“As a part of our community outreach we have partnered with Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Healthy Bourbon County Team, and COPE to have Wash Wednesdays starting November 1st,” Lovelace said.
Communities Organizing to Promote Equity (COPE) is a project of the Department of Family Medicine & Community Health, Kansas University School of Medicine. To learn more: [email protected].
Each Wednesday, starting Nov. 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. a limited number of washers and dryers will be available for free.
Lovelace is the managing member overseeing business operations.
“As part of our business goals in Fort Scott we provide services for the community including the Fort Scott Community Closet which collects clothing and bedding donations from the community and we store and distribute them to people who need them,” Lovelace said.
The Washateria is located at 501 S. National Ave.A small building at the Washateria houses the Community Clothes Closet.Inside the Community Clothes Closet at the Washateria.
On November 1, the Washateria will have a new community service, Wash Wednesday, offering one free cycle of washing and one free cycle of drying to a family, two times a month, Lovelace said.
The Washateria will provide the laundry detergent and dryer sheets for this program, she said.
In addition, on Wednesdays, Lovelace will make sure the Community Clothes Closet is open for those who may need clothing or bedding.
The normal hours for the closet is Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. “People must come in and sign in to have access to the closet while their stuff is washing,” she said.
The washing machines that will be available for the Wash Wednesday program.The dryers that will be available for the Wash Wednesday program.
The guidelines for Wash Wednesday:
The 22lb washers hold the equivalent of 2 loads of a home top-loader, 1 load per family.
However, people will not wash comforters, blankets, large mattress pads, etc, because those bulky items do not spin out well in the small machines and won’t dry in one dryer cycle.
“We request that this free service be utilized only two times per month for each customer so that the maximum number of folks can use the free machines,” Lovelace said. “We will have a sign-in sheet to keep track. The same family can only come two times a month.”
“Laundry customers must stay with their laundry and transfer their clothes to the dryer, our transfer service is not available as we have to move quickly to keep the machines going,” she said.
About Washateria
“We are a public laundromat and we do wash/dry/fold services for the public as well as commercial laundry,” she said. ” We also provide custom services such as starch/press and steaming.”
The Washateria is staffed, and open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12 p.m.-8 p.m. on Sunday.
Hours of the Washateria.
“Customer service is of utmost importance to us and we happily help folks who come in with any questions and help with the machines,” she said. “We have state-of-the-art Speed Queen commercial washers and dryers in a variety of size loads, 4 loads, 6 loads, and 8 load washers and small, medium, and large dryers, the dryers are sized for our machines. Our machines take quarters as well as debit/credit cards and we have a loyalty card that provides a discount when it is loaded to be used in the machines.”
Fort Scott Washateria is located at 501 S National Ave on the corner of 5th and National. For more information: 620-644-9834, email: [email protected]
Shelby Defebaugh is a vendor and the organizer of the Shop, Swig and Swine event. Pictured: some of her creations. Submitted.
A holiday vendor event is happening today, October 19, at the River Room from 5 to 8 p.m.
Shop, Swig, and Swine is being organized by Shelby Defebaugh, who is a vendor herself. “I make pens, lanyards, keychains and wristlets. Customization is welcome,” she said.
“In August I started organizing the event,” Defebaugh said. “When you are a vendor… you become like a community.” And several vendors were interested.
Shelby Defebaugh. Photo by Brian Wade.
The River Room is located at the corner of National Avenue and Oak Street on Fort Scott’s north end. The event is from 5-8 p.m. with no cost to attendees.
Brickstreet BBQ is located at the corner of Oak Street and National Avenue on Fort Scott’s northside. The River Room Event Center is located on the second floor.
“I know everyone is busy,” she said. “I felt like a Thursday evening, when you get off work, go shop with girlfriends and grab some food to take home.”
The Flying P Ranch is a vendor at the Shop, Swig and Swine event, from its Facebook page.
The name “Shop, Swig and Swine” is because “You can shop, and have adult beverages and Brickstreet BBQ will have a concession bar and food,” Defebaugh said.
Defebaugh said she wanted to thank Cathy Bishop, event coordinator at the River Room, and the Fort Scott Tribune for their help with the event.
Amanda Emmerson is a vendor at the event, from its Facebook page.
Vendors pay $40 per booth.
Sammie Gathercole’s S/L Studio is a vendor from Shop, Swig, and Swine Facebook page.
However, she is giving booth space for free to the Fort Scott High School Art Club for a fundraiser which is a Christmas scene photo.
Tim and Deb McKenney at the recent awards ceremony. Submitted photo.
A local business was recognized during the recent ceremony by The Kansas Department of Commerce held in Wichita on Oct. 12.
To The Stars: Kansas Businesses Awards is an annual awards program that recognizes businesses across the state for the valuable contributions they make to the Kansas economy and to the well-being of their communities, according to https://www.kansascommerce.gov/kansasbusinessawards/.
Fort Scott Broadcasting Co. Inc was recognized as the Southeast Kansas Regional Winner in Retail and Service. Tim and Deb McKenney are the owners of the business.
The award plaque was received by the McKenney’s. Submitted photo.
“Deb submitted the information,” Tim McKenney said. “It was really just a statement about the station’s 70th birthday under the same family ownership and management coming up next year. She mentioned some of our programs we air regularly such as the city, county, and school talk shows to keep folks in tune with current happenings in the area.”
“The award was for 69 years of community service to our community,” Deb said.
The order of the awards at the ceremony. Submitted photo.
The categories were:
AgriBusiness – companies that stand out in the agribusiness industry – including agricultural production, products and services, and agri-tourism
Apprenticeship Champions and Partners – companies and other entities that excel providing registered apprenticeship programs in Kansas
Business Innovation – companies from any sector incorporating innovative technologies in their business
Healthcare/Nonprofit – noteworthy services provided by either healthcare facilities or nonprofit organizations
Manufacturing/Distribution – outstanding achievement for companies large and small involved in manufacturing and distribution
Non-Traditional Talent Pools – companies that have gone above and beyond to hire those with prior involvement in the justice system, youth, seniors or individuals with disabilities
Under 30 Entrepreneurs – young entrepreneurs achieving business success under the age of 30
Welcome Back – entrepreneurs and businesspeople who once left Kansas but have returned to make their mark in the Sunflower State.
Businesses and individuals from across the state were honored for their outstanding contributions to Kansas communities and the state’s economy at the ceremony, according to a press release.
Governor Laura Kelly announced at the ceremony that Atwood-based SurePoint Ag Systems has won the 2023 Governor’s Award of Excellence and Tank Connection in Parsons earned the Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award, according to the press release.
A record 297 businesses, organizations and individuals were nominated in nine categories for this year’s To the Stars: Kansas Business Awards, according to the release. Nominees were reviewed and scored for various criteria such as business expansion, employee recruitment and retention practices, training and educational programs, capital investments, and support of local community events. A total of 245 Merit Awards and 43 Regional Awards were presented at the event. Additionally, one nominee in each category was designated a Statewide Winner, making them finalists for the Governor’s Award of Excellence.
