The Bourbon County Clerk’s Office in on the second floor of the courthouse, located at 210 S. National Avenue.
At noon, Friday, June 1 is the filing deadline for candidates interested in serving as a candidate in the upcoming primary election.
Additionally, no switching of political parties is allowed for a period of time starting tomorrow, June 1.
A law passed in 2014 by the Kansas Legislature prohibits Republican and Democratic party members from switching parties during the period of June 1 (at noon) through the August primary (following certification of election results), according to a public election notice posted by Bourbon County Clerk Kendell Mason.
” You can’t switch from a Republican to a Democrat or vice versa after noon June 1st,” Mason said. “If someone wants to switch parties they need to do this before noon on June 1st or wait until after the August primary.”
A registered voter who is not affiliated with either the Democrats or Republicans may choose to align with either party at three times: during this period, or when requesting an advance ballot through the Bourbon County Clerk’s Office or when voting at their polling site during the primary election, according to the public notice.
” An unaffiliated voter can affiliate at any point including on election day, but they will need to fill out a new voter registration card to affiliate,” Mason said. “They will remain the party they affiliated with until they fill out a new voter registration card.”
Barbara Ritter, one of the owners of the Brewhaus, shows some of the work being done in the new taproom of the microbrewery.
Boiler Room Brewhaus is expanding. The microbrewery is moving from 102 S. National Avenue to 10 S. National Avenue, the historic Downtowner Hotel.
“We ran out of space,” Ritter said. “Bryan (her husband and the brewer for the business)…didn’t have enough space. (He) couldn’t make it in advance to not run out.”
Bryan Ritter left, and his brother, Dan Ritter, Stillwell, Ks. work on the new bar in the taproom Tuesday morning.
There are additional advantages to the location at the corner of National Avenue and Wall Street, “Two of the busiest streets in Fort Scott,” she said.
“It’s all on one level, more patrons will have easier access, it has handicapped accessible restrooms, visibility is pretty significant and there is a lot more room for cold storage, like a bigger refrigerator. We will now have a refrigerated room to put kegs in…trucks can come up to deliver grain, and more storage,” Ritter said.
The door to the brew room, the former kitchen of the Downtowner Hotel.The brew room will allow more beer to be made for the microbrewery, Ritter said.
“We’ll be able to make more of our own stuff,” she said. “We’ll have the ability to serve from four more taps. Although, it will take us a while to catch up, because of the move.”
Future plans also include an outside patio area for customers, under the carport on the south portion of the building.
Barbara Ritter shows the area that will be the outside patio space of the microbrewery Tuesday morning.
The Ritters, she and her sister-in-law Peggy Ritters are the owners, will have a “soft” opening at the new location Friday, June 1 at 4 p.m. “to celebrate with people and say thanks for all your help and support,” she said.
Ritter also wanted to thank Bobby and Denise Duncan for letting them start their business in their building, Ritter said.
Josh Jones, the owner of the Downtowner building has been repairing and updating the new site for them.
“He’s done all the painting, replaced glass, changed locks, plumbing and took up all the carpet and sanded the floor,” Ritter said.
Charles Corpstein is painting the exterior of the Boiler Room Brewhaus Tuesday morning. He is employed by Josh Jones, he said.
Saturday, June 2 is the public ribbon cutting at 1:45 p.m. just before they open at 2.
Hours for the microbrewery remain Thursday-Friday from 4-10 p.m.
Saturdays from 2 to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 2 to 7 p.m.
Contact them at 620-644-5032.
The old neon sign is being refurbished by Darren Crays, Ritter said.
The Ritters lobbied for a change in local law, so they won’t have to have 30 percent of their profit in food sales at the microbrewery.
Liquor by the drink laws in Kansas from information provided by Ritter.
As of January 2017, 66 counties (shaded in medium pink above) in Kansas require there be 30 percent of profits in food sales on the premises to be able to sell liquor, 33 (light pink) counties don’t have that requirement and six counties (dark pink) are “dry” counties, and have no liquor by the drink.
Currently, Bourbon County requires 30 percent food sales in a business that sells liquor.
“It has been approved to put it on the November 2018 ballot to say you do not need to have 30 percent food sales to sell alcohol,” Ritter said.
Fort Scott Pharmacy employees, from left, Taylor Cation, pharmacist; Ashley Shelton, technician; Julie Pellett, pharmacist.
Fort Scott Pharmacy, located in the northeast corner of Price Chopper Grocery Store at 2322 S. Main, Suite B, is open for business as of today, May 29. The phone number is 620-644-9444.
Hours of the pharmacy: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; closed from 1:30 to 2 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Closed on Sunday.
Hours of the Fort Scott Pharmacy in Price Chopper.
Julie Pellett, one of two pharmacists, worked as the inpatient pharmacist for Mercy Hospital for 16 years.
Taylor Cation, a 2012 graduate of Fort Scott High School and most recently from Kansas University with a degree in pharmacy in 2018, is the second pharmacist.
“Taylor shadowed us at Mercy,” Pellet said. “She was one of my favorite students to do that.”
“I’ll do my boards this summer, by the middle of July I’ll know my results,” Cation said.
Ashley Shelton is the pharmacy technician, with eight years experience working for the former Woods Supermarket pharmacy as a technician.
The pharmacy is located inside the grocery store and has a drive-through window on the north.
The pharmacy is located on the northeast part of the Price Chopper Supermarket building at 2322 S. Main, Suite B.
“We offer personalized care, more flexibility, competitive pricing and friendly service,” Pellet said.
“We offer compounding more than other chain stores,” she said.
Other services:
daily medicine packs, to organize medicine for patients
synchronization of all meds to be due and filled at the same time, to avoid several trips
auto refilling of prescriptions
free delivery
Daily medicine packs make taking multiple prescriptions organized. They are individually packed and dated.
“Stop by to input new patient information, transfer prescriptions or just meet the staff,” Pellett said.
The pharmacy doesn’t sell over the counter medicines, but can assist and advise the public on purchasing the right product, she said.
“However we don’t sell them through the pharmacy,” Pellett said.
The Iola Pharmacy Group is the owner of the pharmacy.
“They’ve been a retail pharmacy for over 40 years,” she said. “We are the only independent pharmacy in Bourbon County.”
The pharmacy has a lease agreement with Price Chopper, she said.
“We are excited to launch our business, “Pellett said. “We’ll be in the Good Ol’Days parade (to let people know they are in business).
Courtesy photo. A necklace created by Mindy Bartlett.
If one is looking for a relaxing evening with friends or family, the Bourbon County Arts Council (BCAC) Art Walk is an option.
From 5-8 p.m. Friday, May 25, the art walk will be located at the Liberty Theater Patio, 113 S. Main. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to the office lobby just south of Crooner’s Lounge, next door to the Liberty.
Food and drink may be purchased at Crooner’s Lounge and delivered to the patio.
The patio event is intimate and relaxing, Deb Anderson, president of the BCAC, said.
“The artists feel more comfortable with that environment,” Anderson said.
Courtesy photo. Paul Milks, photographer.
Artists who are scheduled this evening are Paul Milks, photographer, Fort Scott; Bobbie Kemna, potter, Fort Scott; Carleen Shatto, maker of handmade soaps, Drexel, M0; Mindy Bartlett, jewelry maker, Fort Scott; Sandy Smith, potter, Fort Scott; Lucy Gladbach, painter, Missouri; Ken Anderson, elk antler decor, Fort Scott; Dee Ann Davis, cut coin pendant creator, Fort Scott and Toni Thornton, maker of dream catchers, Fort Scott.
Courtesy photo. Handmade soap created by Carleen Shatto.
Any artist interested in showcasing their artwork can call Anderson at 620-223-8650 before 2 p.m. today to reserve a table to sell their wares, she said.
The BCAC is hosting four Art Walks this summer, whose purpose is to showcase local artists, Anderson said.
They will all be Friday evenings at the Liberty Theatre Patio: June 15, July 27 in collaboration with Mercy’s Wine Stroll, and September 14.
“August is just too hot to have it,” Anderson said.
Additionally, the BCAC is sponsoring music concerts at 8 p.m. at the Liberty Theater Patio on June 23-featuring Ben Taddiken, July 14-The Whiskey Raccoons, August 18-Flagship Romance.
The 12-member board of the BCAC consists of Anderson, Terri Floyd, Deb Halsey, Elaine Buerge, Bre Martin, Laura Meeks, Tedena Tucker, Ray Streeter, Danny Magee, Rob Shaw and Chris Woods.
Membership is currently at 103, she said.
They meet at 6 p.m. the second Monday of each month at Presbyterian Village’s Community Room.
The BCAC’s mission is to promote and expand the arts in Bourbon County, Anderson said.
There will be four, free movies for family entertainment this summer at the City Park just south of the Lowell Milken Center at Wall and Main streets downtown.
The first one is The Incredibles sponsored by Bids and Dibs and also Fort Scott Family Dental. The movie will start at 8:30 p.m. on May 25. In case of inclement weather, the movied will be moved to Memorial Hall.
Free popcorn and drink will be available.
The event is facilitated by the Fort Scott Convention and Visitors Bureau. Check out the website at http://www.visitfortscott.com
Darby Toth with some of her winnings as a speech and debate student at Fort Scott High School.
2018 Fort Scott High School graduate Darby Toth is a National Speech and Debate Student of the Year nominee, she was notified last week.
Toth has qualified all four years of high school to attend the National Speech and Debate Tournament in Florida, this year June 15-23.
But this year she is one of five finalists for National Speech and Debate Student of the Year.
While at the national tournament this year, Toth will interview with selected debate coaches to find out her placement.
The honor is a dream come true, she said.
“I want to thank all my coaches,” Toth said. “Amber Toth, Travis Toth and Sarah Bahr for giving me the tools…and an avenue for this to happen, because this truly is a dream becoming reality.”
Two of the speech and debate coaches are her parents, both teachers at the high school.
Amber Toth taught debate, forensic and speech, Travis Toth teaches history.
“It’s a family rule,” Darby said. “You have to try (speech and debate) for one year.”
It has become one of her passions, she said.
Speech and debate have had “amazing” effects on her and has allowed her to follow her other passion: social justice, Darby said.
Through her high school years, Darby has honed her communication and goal-setting skills learned in speech and debate.
She helped organize a formal dress drive at her school as a sophomore.
“We got winter formal (dress) donations for anyone who couldn’t afford it,” she said.
Following Hurricane Harvey’s devastation of south-east Texas, Darby used the skills to help raise almost $5,000 for schools in Texas, she said.
She took it upon herself to start a sexual harassment awareness campaign when she learned that issue was a problem for some students at FSHS.
“It was definitely a challenge to get students, administration, and teachers on board,” she said. “It took a pretty detailed mapping of a plan…..they plan next year to have a sexual harassment awareness speaker come speak to the entire student body. We have several posters up around the school. Our counselors are more aware that it is an issue in our school and are working with the students.
“There were some kids who were not being appropriate in the classroom, physically,…they faced repercussions for what they did.
“I felt I needed to be a voice for people who felt as if they didn’t have one because I knew what happened in the classroom wasn’t even the tip of the iceberg. I heard personal stories of girls, whether in or out of the high school. They are suffering in their personal life.”
An AXA Achievement Scholarship was awarded to Darby’
“It’s a $1,000 grant to the high school… it’s used for teacher professional development,” she said. “I gave Mr. (Shawn)Thomas (FSHS Principal) all my research on the subject, Restorative Justice. Instead of a zero-tolerance program, it’s more restorative, therapeutic based…I asked that (the grant) be used for Restorative Justice.”
This topic includes focusing on the reasoning behind student actions, then mediating and working through it, she said.
The AXA Achievement Scholarship is awarded to students because they have demonstrated ambition and self-drive.
For more information on this scholarship click here:
She had a 4.0 Grade Point Average at FSHS in mostly honors classes and received an Ellis Foundation Grant, Peterson Scholarship, Garvey Scholarship, a Kansas Honor Scholar among others.
Darby is a four-time Speech and Debate National Qualifier, District Top Point Earner for two years, state champion in oration, state runner-up in impromptu speaking, number one debater/forensicator in Kansas, District Student of the Year, ranked in the top ten nationally, and recipient of the Debate and Forensics Scholarship-chosen by a panel of teachers.
Toth will attend Washburn University with a psychology major and leadership minor in the fall.
“I would like to work with children, especially the impoverished,” she said. “Starting my own practice would be cool… Working in a school would be cool. Which would provide an avenue to coach debate/forensics.”
New entertainment acts and hours of the street dance are what’s different this year at the 37th Annual Good Ol’ Days Festival May 31 through June 2.
The theme this year is “Fins, Feathers, and Furs”.
“The street dances will be from 7 to 10 p.m., with the carnival and beer tent open until 11,” Kellye Barrows, vice chairman of the festival’s board, said.
Formerly the dance went until 11 p.m. but the new time will allow people to leave more leisurely, Barrows said.
For all performances at Skubitz Plaza bring a lawn chair. No coolers or glass containers are allowed. And no pets, please.
Performing on Skubitz Plaza for the street dance on Friday, June 1 is Shades of Blue, from Kansas City. These five young musicians share a love of blues and rock and roll, according to information provided.
Also on Friday night, the street fair and marketplace on North Main Street will be open from 5 to 10 p.m.
Wade Henry, “entertainer extraordinaire”, according to Barrows will perform Saturday morning from 10-11 a.m. and again 1-2 p.m. at Skubitz Plaza. Henry is a juggler, unicyclist, ropewalker, fire eater, equilibrist, magician, speaker and comic.
Saturday evening, from 3 to 6 p.m. Stone Country, a country-western band from Girard will perform at Skubitz Plaza. The group is comprised of Shana Lynette Stone, Dan Duling, Jeff Culver, Rick Eaves, Rick Duling and Fort Scott native, Jason Richison.
From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 2 the 2nd Annual BBCO Outdoor Expo will be located from 1st to 3rd streets on North Main Street.
Adam LaRoche, Buck Commander, and Duck Commander are partnering for this event. A full schedule of events will be available at the festival.
Activities At The Fort
Fort Scott National Historic Site will be featuring presentations on canoeing/kayaking and youth archery instruction provided by the Kansas Dept. of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additionally there will be a broad-ax/hewing carpenter display by Jim Bailey with the National Park Service.
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. live birds of prey will be on display by Operation WildLife at the fort.
A story-time will be provided by Steve Otto from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Bring a blanket for an old-fashioned picnic. Visit the food booths downtown, then bring your lunch to the Fort and enjoy some shade, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
An old-fashioned mattress race will be run at the fort from noon to 12:30 p.m.
There will also be a timed visit of “Buddy The Bison.” Buddy Bison will be one of the attractions of Good Ol’ Days at Fort Scott this year and is the grand marshal of the parade.
The Uniontown School District just won a $100K Fitness Center from Jake Steinfeld’s National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils, the following is an editorial submitted by Steinfeld.
Obesity accounts for more than 1 in 5 American deaths alone. In fact, today, more than 70 percent of adults are considered overweight or obese. More than one in three American kids and teens are considered overweight or obese, making them five times more likely to become obese or overweight adults. Ramping up the severity of obesity is the fact that it’s linked to 60 chronic diseases including cancer, type 2 diabetes, stroke and heart disease and the estimated healthcare costs in the United States is between $147 billion to $210 billion annually.
There is no disputing the growing dangers of opioid deaths and the fact that stricter laws are needed to fight this issue. There is also no disputing the need to fight obesity as well. However, there is a difference – obesity is preventable by making a few simple changes including diet and exercise. Exercise serves as an anti-depressant and when you exercise you feel better about yourself, you build your confidence as well as your self-esteem. And when you feel good about you, you are less likely to abuse your body.
I wholeheartedly believe in the benefits of exercise. I know from personal experience how important it can be in turning a life around. As a kid, I was overweight with a bad stutter and zero confidence. At 13, my dad bought me a set of weights, and it changed my life forever. Not only did the weights build my body, but it boosted my confidence and self-esteem. It made me a firm believer in its power. By adding physical activity into your daily life, you’ll find that it positively changes your perspective on everything. It gets your blood flowing, which helps you concentrate, improves your performance at school, and keeps you both mentally and physically fit.
I’ve been helping people get fit for more than 40 years but realized I needed to do more. To make a real difference, we need to focus on our children. So, to help motivate kids across the country to get fit and to inspire them to move each day, I created the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils (NFGFC). Since its inception, NFGFC has delivered DON’T QUIT! Fitness Centers to elementary and middle schools to 24 states and this year we’ll be delivering fitness centers to Kansas, South Carolina, Utah and Tennessee. Our fitness centers is financed through public/private partnerships. In short, they don’t rely on a single taxpayer dollar or government funding.
Since we began dedicating these fitness centers to schools throughout the US, the response from students, teachers and the communities we’ve visited has been unbelievable. Kids are excited about working out and being physically active. The benefits gained through exercise are undeniable. I’ve always said that when you give the schools the tools, amazing things will happen…and they are happening!
There is no reason that obesity levels in this country should be at an all-time high. By introducing kids to physical exercise, we can reduce childhood obesity numbers significantly while helping fight a host of other issues including drug addiction.
Our children are our most precious resource, and when our kids are strong, the future of our country will be strong!
Jake Steinfeld serves as the Chairman of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils, which supports state councils by providing fitness centers to schools across our nation. Visit www.natgovfit.org for more information.
The main building of St. Martin’s Academy, Theokotos Hall, is currently under construction.
St. Martin’s Academy, a newly developed boys Catholic boarding school, hosted an open house Saturday on the campus at 1950 Indian Road, rural Fort Scott.
The campus is currently under construction.
“Our goal was to introduce the academy, its campus, and some of its staff both to local residents interested in the new project, potential supporters of our academic and cultural vision, and the families of prospective students,” Patrick Whelan, the academy’s headmaster said.
The torrential downpour on Saturday did not deter interested people.
Attendees of St. Martin’s Academy Open House, braved rain and mud while attending the event. Here the last attendees of the open house leave the main hall of the school which is still under construction.
“Despite the terrible weather in the morning, at its busiest, we had about 80 people present with some coming from as far away as Maryland, Virginia, Colorado, and Texas,” Whelan said. ” Many of the folks who attended were from local areas including Fort Scott, Pittsburg, and Kansas City, and many of those in attendance were families interested in sending a son to St. Martin’s Academy. “
The open house program began with Catholic Mass celebrated by the school’s chaplain, Fr. Bob McElwee, followed by a welcome and introduction from Daniel Kerr, the academy’s president, and Whalen.
Courtesy photo. Father McElwee speaks to attendees of the open house during Mass.
Visitors participated in a round-robin of presentations from the faculty and staff of St. Martin’s Academy, including presentations on academics, residential life, farming, faith, and campus development.
“After lunch those interested participated in a hike through the campus that included feeding the animals, walking the woodland obstacle course, and visiting our ‘base camp’ in the woods,” Whelan said.
Following a break, visitors and local interested residents met in the lobby of the Courtland Hotel, downtown Fort Scott, for the third, public St. Martin’s Academy Faculty Lecture, he said.
“In a warm setting, with food and drink provided by the academy, Ron ‘Magister’ Klassen delivered a talk entitled The Joy of Learning Latin,” Whelan said.
For more information, click here to view a prior story:
The sirens that went off about 12:45 p.m.today (May 21) were because city crews were working on some equipment, accidentally setting them off, said a city employee.
Karen Gazaway, a clerk with the City of Fort Scott, said she spoke with Fire Chief Paul Ballou, who said there was “nothing for anyone to be worried about.”
Ballou said some city employees were working on equipment when the siren went off.
Family and friends of Associate of General Studies and Associate of Science degree graduates wait patiently for the noon ceremony to begin Friday. An overflow crowd watched from the lobby area.
Fort Scott Community College held two graduations May 18, with approximately 200 students receiving associates degrees.
Associate of Arts, Associate of Applied Science, and Certificate students had a commencement ceremony at 9 a.m. and Associate of General Studies and Associate of Science students at noon in the Ellis Fine Arts building.
Three outstanding individuals were recognized for their work over the years.
FSCC recognized John M. Laflen, class of 1956, Dawn M. Reed, class of 2002, and Shelbie Hutchinson, class of 2018.
Laflen and Reed were recognized as this year’s Outstanding Alumni and Hutchinson was recognized as this year’s Outstanding Sophomore.
Dawn Reed, the 2018 FSCC Outstanding Young Alumna. Courtesy photo.John Laflen, Ph.D., the 2018 Outstanding Alumnus. Courtesy photo.
The banquet for Outstanding Alumni was held between graduations at 10:30 a.m. at the center.
Outstanding FSCC Sophomore Shelby Hutchison visits with a former Christian Learning Center teacher, Deanne Bloesser, prior to commencement in the lobby of the Ellis Fine Arts Center.Students chat as they are lined up prior to entering the Ellis Fine Arts Center auditorium for commencement.Faculty of FSCC prepare to line up to enter the auditorium at the Ellis Fine Arts Center Friday.FSCC students enter the auditorium of the Ellis Fine Arts Center for commencement ceremonies.Shelby Hutchison, FSCC 2018 Outstanding Sophomore gives her commencement speech.Jerry Laflen, filling in for his brother John Laflen, Ph.D., gives a commencement speech during the noon graduation ceremony. John Laflen was unable to attend because of health issues. Laflen is the 2018 Outstanding Alumnus.Some students decorated their graduation hats for the commencement ceremony.
The big top structure is set up by workers Thursday morning in preparation for the Carson and Barnes Circus this evening (May 18).
The Carson and Barnes Circus will show its last performance this evening, May 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds on South Horton.
Tickets at the door are $20 for adults and $12 for children under 12 years old.
The show is sponsored by The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce
One llama watches his pen mate get a haircut, Thursday morning in preparation for the circus.Trisa Bolden and her granddaughter Adrianna Garcia talk to the horse at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds Thursday morning.Ashley Roozbahan holds daughter Lydia, while daughter Madelyn watches the elephants at the circus grounds Thursday morning. Also watching the elephants is Adrianna Garcia, held by her grandmother Trisa Bolden.
