Bourbon County Jail Public Viewing
All posts by Loretta George
G & W Is Changing Things Up
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.
Dunn To Resign As County Treasurer
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.”
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.
Discover StoryWalk
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.
What Makes Fort Scott Special?
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 gordonparksphotocontest@gmail.com. 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 gordonparkscenter@fortscott.edu or call 620-223-2700, ext. 5850.
Ninety-nine New Americans
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.
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.
“It was surprisingly emotional,” Sarah Lehman, Pittsburg, said of the proceedings. “We were here to support people from our church.”
Fort Scott Livestock Market: Over 100,000 Cattle Sold Last Year
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 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.
FSCC Budget and Updates
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.
$8,458,958 are current funds unrestricted in the general fund.
To see the full summary, see the link:
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.
Fort Scott Munitions Consolidating Name
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.
“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.
Need Business Space? The City Will Help
The City of Fort Scott is working to fill the historic downtown area, through a new grant for businesses.
Incentives are in place for business owners with buildings, but a need was seen for businesses who want to lease space in the historic district.
New Business Downtown Grant
“The city has a downtown improvement grant that’s used quite a bit,” Fort Scott Economic Development Director Rachel Pruitt said. “But to fill occupancy downtown, we needed something to lease space within the historic district. So we went to BEDCO (Bourbon County Economic Development Council) with a proposal to incent new businesses to open…whether they lease or own.”
To be eligible properties must be in the downtown area and must be a new business since May 1, 2017.
The applicant may receive a one-time grant of up to $500 per each new business.
“They are going to do 10 grants a year,” Pruitt said.
BEDCO has dedicated $5,000 a year for this program and will evaluate it on an annual basis to see if changes are needed.
Applications can be submitted online to rpruitt@fscity.org or in person at city hall, 123 S. Main. After review, the applicant will be notified within 30 days.
Pictured below are some of the Main Street and Wall Street properties that are vacant in the historic district of Fort Scott.
The Downtown Building Improvement Grant, a previous city improvement grant, is an incentive to help owners with the financial burden of maintaining and improving structures in the downtown historic district.
To be eligible for this grant all taxes, fees and other debts owed to the city need to be up-to-date. Grants will be made for a maximum of two buildings calendar year, per owner.
Improvements can include: electrical, plumbing, windows, doors, heating/air conditioning, historic renovation and rehabilitation, safety, energy efficiency, structural, code footprint or building inspections.
Grant monies will fund 50 percent of a qualifying improvement project, up to the amount of a building’s current annual property tax, with funding at 100 percent for building inspection or code footprint costs.
The grant needs to be applied for before any construction begins.
If successful, the improvement project must start within 30 days and be completed within 12 months of the grant pre-approval date.
When completed, grant money will be disbursed to the grant applicant.
For more information contact the city at (620) 223-0550 or Pruitt at rpruitt@fscity.org.
New Organization Emphasizes Buying Locally
Live Local BB is a grass-roots organization that had a public introductory meeting Thursday at Sharkey’s Pub and Grub.
BB stands for Bourbon County and Live Local BB encourages growth of local businesses in the county.
“We want to educate the community on how it benefits the community to live locally,” Geoff Southwell told the group of interested people. “Use local whenever possible. Money stays in the community. It’s creating and maintaining wealth and jobs”
The group’s board members are Cindy Bartelsmeyer, Richard Goldston, Bryan Holt, Dave Lipe, Chris Maycumber, Andy Norris, Angie Simons, Southwell, Rebecca Sutterby and Melissa Wise.
Fort Scott City and Chamber of Commerce officials “have jumped on board with us,” Southwell said.
The City of Fort Scott presented a $500 check to the group Thursday evening at the initial meeting.
To get the word out, the 65 businesses who have joined so far are encouraged to tell about their business on the local radio station.
“There will be 2 to 3 radio spots a day for the first twelve months,” Southwell said. “Talk in microphone, they will edit that. KMDO brings it together and it’s good. Volunteers are needed to get the word out.”
The group also has a Facebook page, Live Local BB.
U. S.69 Highway Projects Update
A construction crew of up to 10 men a day has been working on a section of U.S. Hwy. 69 that snakes through Fort Scott since April 2016.
“Hopefully, (the project) will be completed in the next two weeks,” Bob Vipt, superintendent for Laforge and Budd Construction, Parsons, said Tuesday.
The highway improvement project extends from the driveway of Extrusions Inc. north to Briggs Fort Scott on South Main Street, he said.
The crew has added a turning lane at the intersection of National and U.S. Hwy. 69 and also at 23rd Street and U.S.Hwy.69
“I think these were congested intersections at times,” Vipt said.
Also included in the construction project paid for with federal, state and city funds are:
- two new stop lights
- new storm drains on the east and replaced storm drains on the west side
- new curb and guttering
-
New curb, guttering and storm drains recently installed on U.S. Hwy. 69, also known as South Main Street in Fort Scott. - new sidewalks
-
A new sidewalk lines the west side of U.S. Hwy. 69/South Main Street in Fort Scott. - new asphalt surface
- new striping down the middle
- new landscape sod
To be completed are the new surface with roadway striping and also placing sod along both sides of U.S.Hwy. 69 adjacent to the project.
Laforge and Budd Construction is the general contractor, RFB Construction, Pittsburg, is a subcontractor on the project.
Highway expansion south of Fort Scott
Construction crews are also busy expanding a six-mile section of U.S. Hwy. 69 south of Fort Scott and north of Arma.
The section is being upgraded to an expressway, which is a four-lane highway but with access points.
This project was started in March 2017 and is scheduled for completion in November 2018, according to Priscilla Peterson, a Kansas Department of Transportation Public Affairs Manager.
