All posts by Loretta George

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Local Author, Local Story

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Recently, Joyce Love has published a novella about life in the Fort Scott area at the turn of the last century.  But writing is nothing new to her.

In her years as the librarian at Eugene Ware Elementary School,  Love wrote skits and short stories for the library students, using puppets to act the stories out, she said.

She also wrote articles for the Fort Scott Tribune magazines “She” and “Ageless” and for her church denomination (Church of God) magazine, “The Gem.”

This summer, Love finished her first historical fiction novella, “A Kansas Sunset,” and will have a book signing from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 13 at Fort Scott Public Library.

The book is the story of a 17-year-old girl, circa 1901, who comes from Chicago and stays in Fort Scott before heading to Pawnee Station, southwest of Fort Scott. Scenes for the story were taken from newspaper articles she found during her research in the Genealogical Society library in the basement of Memorial Hall.

Some photos in the book were loaned to her by local historian Don Miller.

The book cover is a photo of a Kansas sunset she took and features her granddaughter, Adriana Love, daughter of Jason and Kelly Love.

Love and her husband, Bob, live on a farm near the site of the fictional story.

Love is also the author of a children’s  book completed this year, “The Three Little Pigs, Retold by Joyce Love.” That book will be featured in a children’s story time at the Fort Scott Public Library in the future.

Publishing books

Many aspiring book writers wonder about publishing their work.

Love chose to publish her books through Create Space, owned by Amazon.

“They print on demand,” she said. “I had an editor who formatted the book and I submitted it through Create Space. It’s available on Amazon and Kindle.”

 

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Stutesman’s Action Realty Opens Office in Fort Scott

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Amanda Bourassa, broker, and Scott Theis, associate broker, of Stutesman’s Action Realty Fort Scott.

Stutesman’s Action Realty, Nevada, Mo., opened an office on Fort Scott’s Main Street in August.

“This is an opportunity to get back and work with people I have known for years,” Amanda Mahlock Bourassa, broker, said.

She is a 1997  Fort Scott High School graduate, and a 1999 graduate of Fort Scott Community College.

“I love Fort Scott and this is an opportunity to help grow our town and community,” Bourassa said.

Theis is excited to be in Fort Scott because he sees the city as a community moving forward, he said.

“It’s exciting for me to be able to provide service to help with that agenda by helping individuals and families achieve their real estate goals,” Theis said.

Their agency provides residential and commercial property real estate service, provides property management (handling maintenance and rent duties), and provides relocation services.

The business is located at 119 S. Main, Suite A, between Fort Scott City Hall and Crooner’s Lounge. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and after hours and weekends by appointment.

Bourassa can be reached at 417-684-5681 or [email protected].

Theis can be reached at 417-321-0929 or [email protected]

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Mary Eastwood Back After “Catch-Up” Month

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Mary Eastwood reclines on a chaise lounge in her shop that she recently custom upholstered.

Mary Eastwood, owner of Here We Go Again, a custom upholstery shop in historic downtown Fort Scott,  reopened  Oct. 3 following a month of “catching up,” she said.

“I didn’t get caught up, but I finished 13 chairs and a whole bunch of pillows,” Eastwood laughed.

A child’s recliner chair that Mary Eastwood recently upholstered.

Eastwood’s workspace is in the back of her showroom at 9 N. Main.

In addition to custom upholstery furniture and decorative items, Eastwood has consignments from area artists.

“I have unique gifts for sale,” she said.

Mary Eastwood shows customer Colleen Murrin the new consignment aprons she received from area artist, Allison Day.

Eastwood started upholstering furniture in 1976 and continues to use her original machine, she said.  Her business first started from her home and she has been at her current storefront for several years.

Store hours are 10 a.m.to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Custom pillows.
Here We Go Again upholstery shop at 9 N. Main.
Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Bourbon County Jail Public Viewing

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The public was allowed a viewing of the new Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center Thursday.  The project took one year to complete and will house 74 inmates.
Residents, employees, and dignitaries mill around prior to the ribbon cutting at the new Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center Thursday afternoon.
The project summary of the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center was on display at the public viewing.
A pod for inmates at the new correctional center. Inmates should be at the new facility by the second week of November, according to Sheriff Bill Martin.
Sheriff Bill Martin shows the command center at the new law enforcement center during a tour Thursday afternoon.
Corrections officers get a look at the inmate recreation area at the new center. Daylight and fresh air must be provided inmates daily. The huge fan at the top, center, will provide the air intake for the room.
The sallyport area where inmates are brought by vehicle into the center is shown by Sheriff Bill Martin.
At right, Steve Smith visits with Sheriff Bill Martin. Smith is the president of Universal Construction, the general contractor for the project.
Sheriff Bill Martin shows a handicapped accessible pod with special safety features.
Sheriff Martin shows an honor pod, for model inmates who are allowed to work in the community with supervision. Model inmates will also prepare meals for the center with supervision, something not feasible at the old jail.
An interview room at the center for inmates and attorneys.
Employees, interested Bourbon County residents and dignitaries line the sidewalk in front of the center to prepare for the opening ceremony. The area surrounding the center is being seeded with grass, therefore there was no standing off the sides of the sidewalk.
The address sign on the outside of the center at 293 E. 20th Street. It is located on the south side of Fort Scott.
Signs upon entering the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center.

 

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

G & W Is Changing Things Up

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G & W Foods Manager Will Rayburn works on paperwork Wednesday in preparation for changes coming to the grocery store.

G & W Foods is adding to their store name, re-shelving and moving products around preparing for a change in the way they do business.

The change for the grocery store is starting at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15 through Oct. 17. The store will reopen at 7 a.m. on Oct. 18.

Following this brief time of closing, the store, at 911 E. Sixth, is taking a different direction, and will then be known as G & W Cash Saver.

The big change will be that the public will pay the cost price to the store of each item, plus ten percent added to the register receipt, plus the required tax Rayburn said.

“This will be a more cost-effective option to our customers,” he said. “It will be noticeable.”

The staff will remain the same, said store manager Will Rayburn.

Currently, there are 45 employees.

“It’s the same people, just changing direction,” Rayburn said.

Sometime in the near future, there will be a grand opening, Rayburn said.

Also in the future are new user-friendly gas pumps.

“I know a lot of people will be interested in that,” Rayburn said.

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Dunn To Resign As County Treasurer

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Rhonda Dunn has been wearing two hats lately.

She is simultaneously the Bourbon County Treasurer and the Community Development Director for the City of Fort Scott.

But that will be ending within the month as she resigns as treasurer next week. That resignation will start a political process to replace her.

Her city job is an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. one. The county treasurer tasks are done in the evening and weekends, she said.

“I try to be there (at the treasurer’s office) on Tuesdays for the county commission meeting,” Dunn said. ” I don’t have a set schedule for it.”

“When I considered the job at the city, I discussed it with the county commission,” she said.  “When offered the job, the city agreed for me to stay on to help with the transition.”

“It took a good team at the treasurer’s office and a lot of support from them,” she said.

“It’s hard to let go of the county (position),” Dunn said. “I went to the city because I also have a career path at the city, that no elected official will have with the county.”

“Your elected Bourbon County officials are underpaid,” she said. “Compared to other counties, the pay scale is out of whack. I don’t want to raise taxes, I don’t want to pay higher taxes. The county can’t afford to fix it.”

“I’m going to miss working at the courthouse,” she said. “We were working on good things. But it’s exciting to focus on a new task that the city has given me.”

Rhonda Dunn, in her city position, works on the Price Chopper Super Market plans as part of her new Community Development Director position with the city.

Process to replace

Dunn was elected county treasurer in November 2012 and took office almost a year later, in October 2013.

“It’s been that way since maybe the 1800s,” Dunn said. “It (the treasurer’s position) runs with the tax cycle, which starts November 1 each year. We take office the second Tuesday of October.”

Dunn will officially resign as county treasurer the second Wednesday, October 10, with her resignation effective Friday, November 3.

“I give notice to the governor, then the governor tells the local Republican party to replace me,” she said.

A convention of delegates must be called within 21 days of the governor accepting her resignation, according to Randall Readinger, the chairman of the Bourbon County Republican Party Central Committee.

“It’s an open meeting, but the only people voting are the committeemen and women of record as of that notice date,” Readinger said.

“When Rhonda first took the job, several people were interested at that point,” Readinger said. “We’ll get a feel for the (potential) person’s capabilities and understanding of Bourbon County.”

“At this point, we don’t have a definite replacement,” he said. “We will evaluate any that express interest when the event comes. It’s a process we are familiar with. We replaced the sheriff and county attorney.”

Although she doesn’t have a vote in the replacement, Dunn is hoping someone from the county treasurer’s office will get elected.

“That will be the easiest transition,” Dunn said.

Motor vehicle department personnel wait on members of the public Monday afternoon. This department is a part of the Bourbon County Treasurer office. Dunn is hoping someone from the treasurer’s office will apply for the treasurer position.

 

Fort Scott

Discover StoryWalk

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The panel sign for StoryWalk at the corner of 2nd Street and National Avenue. Families will look for and read each panel to complete the book.

 

Walking, talking, reading and learning:  StoryWalk.

The program, StoryWalk, is a collaborative public offering for families of young children to help with reading skills, develop relationship skills, have a physically active, outdoors experience together and also help children understand about how money works, according to Joy Miller with Kansas State University Research and Extension.

Fort Scott Public Library and K-State collaborated on the family reading program, with Mercy Hospital providing some sponsorship.

Starting Monday, October 2, families could go to the library at 201 S. National Avenue to begin StoryWalk. A different story each week will be featured until the end of the program Oct. 29.

At a time convenient for family walking, families start at the ground level door on the north side of the library. They proceed counterclockwise walking around the block from Second Street to National Avenue to Third Street to Main Street, then back to the library.

They look for panels with featured book pages.  Families read the panel, talk about the story and move to the next panel.

Each Monday a new book for young children will be featured and panels are left up for a week, giving families a chance for a convenient time for the StoryWalk.

The theme of the month-long StoryWalk is helping children manage money and in the process encourage families to walk together, Valetta Canon,  youth librarian at the public library, said.

Last year, the library had a story walk during a reading program.

“It’s an enjoyable way of learning,” Canon said.

“I was approached by Joy Miller of Southwind Extension Office to see if the library would like to collaborate to incorporate a story walk this year,” Canon said.

For those who want to use technology on the StoryWalk, each panel will have a code that is scanned with a smartphone or Ipad or one can log on to Southwind.K-State.edu/home-family.

But a technology device is not necessary to StoryWalk, Miller said.

Featured books will be “Just Shopping With Mom” by Mercer Mayer, “Tia Isa Wants a Car” by Meg Medina, “Count on Pablo” by Barbara deRubertis and “Lemonade in Winter” by E. Lockhart.

Miller can be reached at 620-223-3720. Canon can be reached at 620-223-2882.

Fort Scott Public Library Youth Director Valetta Canon shows the panel outside the north entrance to the library which tells about StoryWalk.
K-State Extension Agent Joy Miller tells about the StoryWalk panels that will be placed around the block of the public library from  Oct. 2 to Oct. 29.
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What Makes Fort Scott Special?

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Gordon Parks Museum

Non-professional Bourbon County photographers of all ages are invited to submit a photo as part of the Gordon Parks  Celebration, by Wednesday, Oct. 4.

The photo must be inspired by Park’s poem “Homecoming” and entitled “What Makes Fort Scott Special to Me”, according to a press release from the Gordon Parks Museum.

Monetary prizes of first place, $100; second place, $75 and third place, $50. All photos submitted will be on exhibit during the 14th Annual Gordon Parks Celebration, Oct. 12-14.

Photos must be submitted via email to [email protected].  The file size has a limit of 2MB and must be in JPEG format. Name, address, email and phone number along with the title of their submitted photo must accompany the photo. If under 10 years of age, please include parents information.

It is the photographer’s responsibility to make sure permission is granted to use the photos subject’s image.

For more information email [email protected] or call 620-223-2700, ext. 5850.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Ninety-nine New Americans

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Jane Njeri Lifer smiles following the U.S. Naturalization Proceedings Friday at Fort Scott National Historic Site.  In her hand is the certificate of naturalization.
One-by-one, new citizens were introduced to the audience.

Ninety-nine people from various nations were part of the U.S. Naturalization Proceedings Friday at Fort Scott National Historic Site.

During the hour ceremony, the group swore an oath of allegiance to their new country,  were introduced one-by-one to the audience, listened to speakers, were entertained by musicians, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Members of Fort Scott High School orchestra, band and choir sing “America” during the naturalization ceremony.
Local Attorney Larry Nuss was one of the several speakers during the ceremony.

In the end, a certificate of citizenship and mementos were distributed to each of the ninety-nine new citizens.

The new citizens were invited to register to vote and enjoy a lunch provided by the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site.

A bird’s eye view of voter registration following the naturalization ceremony. The League of Women Voters, Johnson County, provided the resources for the registration.
New American citizens enjoy lunch provided by the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site in the Grand Hall.

“It was surprisingly emotional,” Sarah Lehman, Pittsburg, said of the proceedings. “We were here to support people from our church.”

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Fort Scott Livestock Market: Over 100,000 Cattle Sold Last Year

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Fort Scott Livestock Market is the fourth largest in Kansas, according to owner Larry Martin.

Four generations of Martins work in the Fort Scott Livestock Market, Larry Martin said following the Chamber of Commerce Coffee  Thursday morning.

Jim, Larry’s dad, along with Tyler and Kyle, Larry’s sons, are the owners and managers of the business at 2131 Maple Road.

Now Tyler and Kyle’s kids work there too.

Gabby and Addy Martin help their grandmother, Deb Martin, in the office and Andrew and Eli Martin help where needed during the livestock auction sales that happen on Friday and Saturday.

Larry Martin speaks to attendees of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee.

Larry Martin said 60 to 70 people are working the sales on those two busiest days. There are 10 full-time employees.

“Last year we sold over 100,000 cattle,” Larry Martin told the Chamber Coffee attendees. “And about $10 million total dollars in sales. That puts money back into the community. Farmers will spend money on equipment.”

Martin told the attendees that the business is the fourth largest livestock market in the state.

The Martins leased the sale barn facility for 15 years and purchased it two years ago, he said.

They put up fences and added pens, he said

Martin thanked the Bourbon County Commission for the newly improved roadway in front of the business.

“We have the best road in Bourbon County,” he laughed.

Upcoming events at the market:

Equipment auction, 10 a.m. Oct. 19. Equipment can be brought to the site that morning and checked in.

Livestock Auctioneer’s Auction, 10 a.m., Oct. 14. KAA membership and Kansas Livestock Market Endorsement required.

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

FSCC Budget and Updates

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Fort Scott Community College Bailey Hall.

Fort Scott Community College fall semester is in full force, and recently the administration approved the school’s budget.

FSCC Finance Director Julie Eichenberger provided Fort Scott Biz with information which was approved following a public hearing on August 14.

Information provided is on expenditures, leases/purchases, and tax rates.

Major expenditures in the budget are technical education and auxiliary expenditures.

Post-secondary technical education expenditures are for ” all the classes considered tech education,”  Eichenberger said.   “Those would be nursing/allied health/EMT, John Deere, construction trades, cosmetology, welding, Harley Davidson, agriculture.”

Total for this line item in the budget is $3,294,586.

For auxiliary expenditures – the dorm, cafeteria, and bookstore, the line item is budgeted for $2,073,486.

The cafeteria is an auxiliary budget item.

$8,458,958 are current funds unrestricted in the general fund.

To see the full summary, see the link:

FSCC Budget 2017-2018

The tax rate has stayed about the same, according to FSCC President Alysia Johnston.

Eichenberger provided Fort Scott Biz with the recent history of the mill levy and the statement of condition lease, lease purchase and certification of participation.

Cosmetology equipment, the environmental lease (formerly Chevron), the City of Fort Scott, Ellis Fine Arts Center, the baseball scoreboard, and the John Deere Building are all line items in the statement provided below in the link.

Lease Info & Mill levy history

In addition, Johnston provided student enrollment information.

The full-time student headcount at the college is 1,792 for 2017 fall semester.

“About even from last year,”  Johnston said Wednesday.

Tuition waiver for Bourbon County residents

Fort Scott Community College has expanded its tuition waiver for Bourbon County residents who wish to take classes at the Fort Scott campus or online, according to a press release from  the college. FSCC will waive the tuition costs, up to fifteen credit hours, for any Bourbon County resident who enrolls at FSCC. Students will be responsible for covering fees and purchasing books.

FSCC students can take general education classes for transfer to a four-year institution or pursue a certificate or associate degree. FSCC offers 55 courses that are guaranteed by the Kansas Board of Regents to transfer to any public college or university in the state of Kansas.

To apply for the waiver, students should contact the FSCC Admissions Department at 620-223-2700, ext. 3520 or ext. 3530. Students must also complete a Bourbon County Tuition Waiver Form and return it to the Admissions Department prior to the start of the semester.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business, Fort Scott

Fort Scott Munitions Consolidating Name

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Fort Scott Munitions is located at 523 E. Wall, just east of U.S.69 Highway.

To cut down on confusion when the public would search online for their business, Fort Scott Munitions is deleting the storefront name and will be using the business name only.

“We are consolidating the product name and the store name under one name,” Phillip Edds, assistant manager, said.

This will require new billboards and a new metal sign to replace Velocity Tactics signs on the outside of the old Key Industries building at 523 E. Wall just off U.S. 69 Highway.

Velocity Tactics was the storefront name, the business name is Fort Scott Munitions.

“We went with Fort Scott Munitions since all the (product) boxes say that,” Edds said.

Ammunition is their specialty.

“We make solid copper and solid brass ammunition,” Edds said.

The business is under the auspices of Ward Kraft, Inc. a Fort Scott print manufacturer.

Ryan Kraft, son of owner Roger Kraft,  “was an avid gun guy,” Edds said. “It was his interest.”

Five years ago the business started making ammunition.

One-and-one-half years ago a store was opened to sell that ammunition and expanded to sell other items as well.

The business sells guns, clothing, tactical items, coolers and Angus beef, Edds said.

Customer Henry Fleeman, right, purchases some Angus beef Monday at Fort Scott Munitions. Assistant Manager Phillip Edds is behind the cash register.

“We have plans to open an indoor gun range,” Edds said. “And in the future offer training for conceal and carry classes.”

The old grain silos on the business property have no plans currently, Edds said.

“There are some talks, but nothing in the works at this time,” he said.

There are no current plans for using the silo on the property of Fort Scott Munitions.
Frozen KW Cattle Angus Beef is sold at Fort Scott Munitions.

 

Clothing and other hunting items are sold at the store.
Fort Scott Munitions consolidated product and store name because of online confusion.