All posts by Loretta George

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Submitted

Need A Job?

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Ellis Fine Arts Center

JOB FAIR TO BE HELD TUESDAY, APRIL 24TH IN FORT SCOTT

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Job Fair on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton St.

Fort Scott employers currently registered to attend include Briggs, City of Fort Scott, Firstsource Solutions, Medicalodges, Mercy Hospital, Niece Products, Peerless Products, Presbyterian Village, Russell Stovers Chocolates of Iola, Southeast Kansas Mental Health, Timken, Tri-Valley Developmental Services and WK Holdings (Ward/Kraft, Inc. and Fort Scott Munitions). KANSASWORKS will have a booth on employer and job seeker resources and Fort Scott Community College Phi Theta Kappa will be offering soft skills tips on interviewing, resume writing, and more.

Positions employers will be hiring for are include those shown below:

  • Briggs of Fort Scott: Full-time Sales, Full-time Service Techs, Full-time Service Advisors, and Full-time Sales Managers
  • City of Fort Scott: Police Officer and Seasonal Park Laborer
  • Firstsource Solutions: Full-time Claims Examiners and Full-time Call Center Representatives
  • Medicalodges, Inc.: Certified Nurse Aides, Certified Medication Aides, Licensed Nurses, and Dietary Aides
  • Mercy Hospital: Clinical and non-clinical positions including Food Service staff and Nurses
  • Niece Products: Skilled Mechanics, Welders, and Painters
  • Peerless Products, Inc.: Full and Part-time Process and Production Engineer, Project Manager, Assembly 1st Shift, Press or Saw Operator 2nd Shift, and Part-time Mechanical and Plastic Engineer
  • Presbyterian Village: Full-time Certified Nurse Aide, Full-time Certified Medication Aide, Part-time Certified Nurse Aide, Part-time Licensed Practical Nurse, and Part-time Registered Nurse
  • Russell Stovers Chocolates, Iola (all full-time): Utility Operator, Material Handler, General Mechanic, Electronics Technician, Service Workers, Lead, Production Supervisor, Plant Scheduler, and Training Coordinator
  • Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center: Full-time Adult Case Manager (Bourbon County), Full-time Chemical Abuse Counselor (Neosho County), Part-time Children’s Aides for after-school and summer program
  • Timken SMO, LLC: Maintenance Technician off-shift
  • Tri-Valley Developmental Services:  Full and Part-time Residential Service Specialist
  • WK Holding Co., Inc.: Ward/Kraft Production Operators, Sales Reps for both Ward/Kraft and Fort Scott Munitions, Shipping Clerk for Fort Scott Munitions

Job seekers are encouraged to dress for success, bring copies of a resume, and be prepared to connect with employers. Attendees may enter a drawing for a door prize of $50 in Chamber Bucks that may be used at over 50 Chamber member businesses. Contact the Chamber for more information on having an employer booth at 620-223-3566 or email [email protected].

Fort Scott

Road Work Completes Today On Hwy. 69 In Fort Scott

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U.S. Hwy. 69/South Main Street in Fort Scott in September 2017 during initial roadwork.

Traffic has been a little slow on Hwy. 69 that traverses north and south through Fort Scott.

Beginning earlier this month Heckert Construction Company,  Pittsburg, working as subcontractors of LaForge and Budd Construction Company, Parsons, resumed asphalt work on South Main Street (Hwy. 69)beginning just south of 23rd Street and ending just north of the South National Avenue.

Crews performed grinding work to the asphalt surface, to smooth it out, according to  Peter Kemmeter, an estimator with Heckert Construction today.

The corrective construction work should end today, Kemmeter said.

Finishing touches will be painting stripes on the asphalt by a four-man-crew which should be completed by 5 p.m., he said.

 

 

Bourbon County, Sheriff's Office

Law Enforcement Center Readying For Inmates

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The new Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center is being readied for inmates, likely in the next two weeks, according to Sheriff Bill Martin.

The Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center is nearly ready for inmates, Sheriff Bill Martin said Thursday.

The new center is located at 293 E. 20th Street, just east of Briggs Auto  Dealership on Hwy. 69.

“Hopefully within a couple of weeks we’ll be moving in,” Martin said. “Some electrical issues are being addressed, which should fall under warranty work.”

The sheriff gave a tour of the new facility:

Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin works at his desk Thursday morning at the new law enforcement center.
Shane Walker, the Bourbon County Information Technology Director brings in more supplies to the law enforcement center Thursday morning.
Some of the BCSO staff are getting trained on the new software at the center.
Deputy Zach Ross works on a report at the center.
Lesley Herrin, administrative secretary mans the front office.
BCSO Major Bobby Reed addresses billing issues Thursday morning in his office.
Sheriff Martin demonstrates how the evidence locker works.
The sheriff arranges the furniture in one of the interview rooms at the facility.
Pictured is the interview room where a judge at the Bourbon County Courthouse can talk to individuals about their charges. The technology was purchased through a JAG grant of $20,000, Sheriff Martin said.
The sheriff demonstrates how all the cells can be viewed from the control room in a direct line of sight, something that couldn’t happen at the old jail, he said.
One of the inmate cell pods.
Inside one of the inmate cells, a spartan bunk bed with toilet and shower.
The activity room for inmates, ventilated with fresh air by a big vent to the outside. By law, inmates are required to get fresh air daily.
Unused space for possible future cell pods for inmates.
This space is reserved for honor inmates as a result of good behavior. They also get extra privileges, such as getting outside the facility to do community service work.
Inmates will be doing the laundry of the facility because the laundry room is secure, unlike the old jail.
The refrigeration systems are installed and following the state fire marshall’s approval, meals can start being cooked.
The medical area for inmates.
The booking area of the facility.
The lockdown cell, for inmates who haven’t followed the rules of the facility.
Framed art in the sheriff’s office space entitled “Sheriff-America’s Peacekeeper” by artist Doug Lindauer. Sheriff Bill Martin’s shadow can be seen reflected from the windows.
A piece of artwork on the wall at the law enforcement center given the sheriff by his wife, Wendy, which he donated to the sheriff’s office.

 

 

 

Business, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Stutesman’s Action Realty Hosts Chamber Coffee

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John LeBeouf converses with Amanda Bourassa during the weekly Chamber of Commerce coffee Thursday morning. In the background is Bailey Lyons and Penne Moore. All three women are agents for Stutesman’s Action Realty, who hosted the event. In addition, Scott Tice is also an agent in the Fort Scott branch office.

Stutesman’s Action Realty was the host for the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee Thursday.

The event took place at the real estate office at 119 S. Main, Ste. A, just north of city hall.

Bourassa told the attendees its real estate agents provide professional services that include not only signing contracts but help with the loan services and the negotiation process.

“The Fort Scott businesses work together to make Fort Scott a better place to work and live,” Bourassa said.

Bourassa can be contacted at 417-684-5681.

Lindsay Madison, executive director of Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce videos the weekly coffee drawing that the hosts provide.

 

 

 

 

Area News, Government

New Tourism Sign Coming To Downtown Fort Scott

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Fort Scott Community Development Director Rhonda Dunn shows the deterioration of the planters on Skubitz Plaza that will be demolished and a new tourism sign installed.

An unsightly part of Skubitz Plaza is being redeveloped by the City of Fort Scott to showcase a sign that depicts the city’s history.

The plans were approved by the city commissioners Tuesday evening.

Plans are for all parts to be completed by the Good Ol Days annual celebration, the end of May this year.

Two brick planters on Old Fort Boulevard at the north end of Main Street have been repeatedly hit by vehicles turning right.

The planters that will be taken down are the closest to the camera. They are located on Skubitz Plaza at the north end of Main Street in downtown Fort Scott. The new tourism panel will be placed to the east of the planter on the left.

“We’ve repaired it a number of times,” Rhonda Dunn, the city’s community development director said.

“This has been a long-term project for several years,” she said.

Serendipitously, a proposal for a new sign for tourism came along, she said.

“There is no downside to this,” Dunn said. “The broken planter will be gone and a new by-ways sign will go up.”

The new Frontier Military Historic  Byway sign panels will depict the history of Fort Scott and some tourism highlights as well.

Dunn shows the spot where the new tourism sign will be installed, out of the way of traffic.

The place where the western planter is currently will be an open space, the eastern planter will be removed also, then the by-ways sign installed, just slightly to the east.

City workers will remove and salvage brick that can be reused, Dunn said.

To view click on the links below, then click on the image to enlarge:

DOC041818-04182018084306

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The Bourbon County Master Gardeners tend to the planters in Fort Scott’s downtown area as a community project.

“The master gardeners will remove plants from the planters, ” Dunn said.

 

Fort Scott, Submitted

Ministerial Alliance Offers Transient Assistance

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The Fort Scott Ministerial Alliance, 1st Row: President Don Flanner, Hiattville United Methodist; Treasurer Allen Schellack, Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries; Luke Anker, Mercy Health Center Chaplain. 2nd Row: Eric Going, Parkway Church of God (Holiness), Melissa George, Mercy Health Center Hospice Chaplain. 3rd Row: Rod Scherencel, Seventh Day Adventist Church; Secretary Steve Cole, First United Methodist.

FortScott.Biz is doing a series of features on United Way of Bourbon County Grant recipients.

The Bourbon County Ministerial Alliance is a recipient of a grant from United Way.

Following is an interview with Allen Schellack, treasurer for the alliance.
He can  be reached at [email protected]   
or by phone at 620-223-2212, or PO Box 774, Fort Scott, KS 66701.

What service do you provide to our community?

The Hospitality Fund is designed to extend physical assistance to persons and/or families traveling through Fort Scott that have no other resources and need help to reach their destination.  The fund also meets physical needs of the residents of Bourbon County.
The alliance coordinates area nursing home services, Thanksgiving and Easter Services, Fort Scott High School Baccalaureate Service, and “See You At The Pole” Services.

How many people are served?

We usually assist an average of 45 persons/families a year.

Service hours?

The Hospitality Fund is distributed by the Fort Scott Police Dept. under the guidelines of the Ministerial Alliance.  Therefore, help is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  Also, a board member can be contacted any time by the police dept. or a local church not a part of the Alliance for assistance.
What percentage of your budget is the United Way Grant?
The Hospitality Fund is funded 100% by The United Way.  Our other services are funded through annual membership dues and private donations.
The  board members are:
Rev. Don Flanner – President
Rev. Tyler Whipkey – Vice President
Rev. Steve Cole – Secretary

Rev. Allen Schellack – Treasurer

Bourbon County, Business

Amy The Welder

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Amy Heitman, a welder at Niece Equipment LLC Kansas,  3904 Liberty Bell Road in Fort Scott’s Industrial Park.

Amy Heitman never imagined she’d grow up to be a welder.

“I didn’t know anything about it,” she told the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee attendees. “I took a welding course in high school, I grew to have a passion for it.”

Heitman started researching why there weren’t more women welders and found only two percent of welders are women, she said.

“In the war (World War II) women stepped in to do jobs,” she said. “When men came back, women were pushed back. In manufacturing now, it’s predicted there is a shortage of 400,000.”

Rosie the Riveter, an American iconic poster, featured during World War II.

“I’m a welder and I weigh 107 pounds,” Heitman said.  And “I’m building water tanks.”

“We are still building this world, if we don’t have welders and manufacturers, where does that leave America? ”

“I’m encouraging people to step up to non-traditional spots,” she said. “I want to help women know they can step up.”

Heitman welds and fabricates the metal pieces in water tanks that the Niece Equipment builds, she said in a later interview.

“I do some of the internal plumbing on the piping,” she said.

The facility she works in is climate controlled: fans in the summer and heat in the winter.

Heitman said there are 40 employees at Niece and of those, approximately nine are welders.

The salary range for the welding positions range from $15 to $19 per hours, she said.

Heitman, 25, and husband, Josh Heitman moved to Fort Scott from Austin, Texas in January 2018.

She worked for  Niece Equipment in Austin and was recruited to Fort Scott.

They have two children, Gabriel and Ayden. Because it was in the middle of the school year, Ayden stayed behind in Austin with his grandmother temporarily. Ayden has autism.

“Because of his autism, I didn’t want to bring him yet, into something completely new…it would throw him off,” Heitman said.

Her first impression of Fort Scott: “I was enchanted,” she said.

“This is the kind of place I want to raise my kids,” she said.

“There is not a ton of things to do like in Austin, but so many things the whole community gets involved in. It’s a beautiful thing.”

Heitman got connected with Fort Scott Community College and together they are working on a plan to talk to high school students that tour the school, she said.

She is going to try to solve the issue of getting more people into non-traditional careers where they are needed.

Amy Heitman speaks to the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee attendees Thursday morning at Fort Scott Community College’s Arnold Arena. City Manager Dave Martin listens in the background.

 

 

 

 

 

Fort Scott, Government

Fire Scene At 6th and National Is Cleared

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A fire this morning at 6th and National Avenue is still under investigation.

The building next to Petes 27, 605 National Ave., Fort Scott was reported on fire early this morning.

The building had furniture, clothing and appliances.

“It’s still under investigation,” Fort Scott Fire Chief Paul Ballou said. “There wasn’t a lot of damage.”

Two fire engines with approximately seven personnel responded to the alarm.

“We’ve cleared the scene,” Ballou said.

Fort Scott, Government

Emergency Siren This A.M. A False Alarm

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Fort Scottians were awakened to an emergency siren sounding at approximately 6:45 a.m. this morning.

It was a false alarm, according to Tracey Reed, communications manager at the Fort Scott Police Department.

“We are not sure what set it off,”  Reed said. “We have had an issue with our federal siren system…it has had to do with batteries. It doesn’t occur often. We’ll have somebody come and check it out.”

“I know people get worried,” Reed said.

There will be siren testing at 1 p.m. today, Reed said.

Fort Scott, Schools

Christian Heights Performs Tom Sawyer

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Austin Bahr performs as Tom Sawyer and Trace Evans as his best friend Huck Finn in the Fort Scott Christian Heights high school play “Tom Sawyer” Saturday night at the school.

Fort Scott Christian Heights High School students entertained the community Friday and Saturday evening with its rendition of  “Tom Sawyer: An American Legend With Music.”

The play depicts a segment of life of Tom Sawyer life, who was an orphan boy in Missouri, circa the 1840s.

The cast is as follows:

Jeff Thatcher was played by Kole Wagner, Tom Sawyer by Austin Bahr, Mrs. Thatcher by Annalyse Gilmore, Becky Thatcher by Darci Kendrick, Aunt Polly by Kendra Bahr, Sid Sawyer by Seth Lowery, Cousin Mary by Emily Davenport, Ben Rogers by Benji Banwart, Joe Harper by Jason Avery, Jim Hollis by Drake Garcia, Ted Austin by Josiah Banwart, Amy Lawrence by Lily Leigh, Lyda Hollis by Annalyse Gilmore, Widder Douglas by Annie Tarter, Preacher/schoolmaster by J.B. Lowry, Judge Thatcher by Steven Avery, Hope Austin by Emily Davenport, Suzie Harper by Kathryn Hudiberg, Faith Harper  by Marissa Meanor, Huck Finn by Trace Evans, Doc Robinson by  Benji Banwart, Injun Joe by Bryce Meanor, Muff Potter by Jason Avery, The Constable by Lucas Gilmore.

Sound, lighting, and props were by Mike Avery and Larry Davolt.

Costumes were provided by Vickie Shead.

The stage crew was Lucas Gilmore, J.B. Lowry, Brandon West, Mike Avery and Tim Avery.

Following are scenes from the play:

Tom Sawyer, Jeff Thatcher, Mrs. Thatcher and Becky Thatcher.
Tom Sawyer wins the prize for the most memorized scriptures.

Becky Thatcher and Tom Sawyer get engaged.
Tom Sawyer ponders why he is always in trouble.
The funeral of Tom and Huck.
Tom surprises the community by coming to his own funeral.

Tom swears on the Bible at the trial of Muff Potter.

Principal Terry Chance does the sound equipment during the play.
The cast of Tom Sawyer thanks Mike Avery and Terry Chance for their help behind the scenes of the play.
Members of the audience take their leave following the play Tom Sawyer Saturday evening at Fort Scott Christian Heights school.

 

Area News, Business, Fort Scott

Lyons Starts Realtor Career in a Seller’s Market

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Bailey Lyons is a new agent with Stutesman’s Action Real Estate Agency in downtown Fort Scott. She can be reached at 620-224-7795.

Bailey Lyons and husband, Nate have been restoring or “flipping”  houses, in addition to property management in their business Lyons and Lyons, LLC.

“Nate and I will soon have a downtown location,” she said. “We have been immersed in real estate in Fort Scott.”

That exposure to the real estate market in her community led to her next career move: real estate agent for Stutesman’s Action Realty.

Stutesman’s Action Realty in Fort Scott is located at 119 S. Main.

Lyons started with Stutesman’s Action Realty the end of March when she received her Kansas real estate license. She will receive her Missouri license in a few weeks, she said.

Lyons earned a bachelor of science in financial accounting from Kansas University and will graduate in May with a master’s in business administration from KU.

She has a background in banking which she feels will enable her to help a client with the “financial side of things,” she said.

“A lot of people renting don’t realize they can purchase a home and build equity,” Lyons said. “There are a lot of financing options available. USDA loans are zero money down payment, FHA is 3.5 percent down. There are options other than conventional formats. Military vets have a VA loan option with zero dollars down.”

She would be glad to do a buyer’s or seller’s consultation, she said.

In addition, Lyons can offer suggestions on how to make a home more aesthetically appealing to sell it, she said.

She can help young home buyers view homes they want to update, and offer suggestions,  with a “starter home or a forever home,” she said.

Lyons can be reached at 620-224-7795.

Courtesy photo.

Seller’s Market

It’s a seller’s market currently in Fort Scott, Lyons said.

“Inventory is low, there are more buyers than sellers which is good for negotiations,” Amanda Bourassa, the broker/associate at the Stutesman Real Estate Agency said in agreement.

“The median home price in Fort Scott is $90,000, with most of our buyers in the $100,000 to $150,000 range,” Bourassa said.

Economic Development and real estate will always go hand in hand,” Lyons said. “Some jobs require residency within the county.”

“Within the last year or two, things have taken off economically in Fort Scott,” Bourassa said.

Relocation packets and tours of the community are offered through the real estate agency.

Lyons is active in the community

Lyons is the Young Professional League President this year, on the Visioning Committee for the City of Fort Scott, member of PEO, and recipient of the 2016 Young Professional of the Year.

In the recent past, she and husband Nate led fundraising for the public skatepark, she is a Lead Bourbon County graduate and was the chairperson for Relay For Life for three years.

She and Nate have four children Addison, 16, Jaxon and Jhett, 4, and Lute, four-months-old.

In their business Lyons and Lyons LLC, Bailey does the design work and Nate does the labor.

“I think there is a gap in market homes, those that are move-in ready for clientele. We are trying to fill in that gap. We do structural work: electric, plumbing and aesthetic stuff,” she said.