All posts by Loretta George

Fort Scott Community College

FSCC Seeking to Upgrade Nursing Department

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The building at 8th and Horton Streets is currently housed by CHC.

Fort Scott Community College is currently discussing with Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas about acquiring the building at 8th and Horton Streets for the future nursing department of the school.

“As with any acquisition, the details must be worked through and it definitely does not happen quickly,” Adam Borth, FSCC Vice President of Academic Affairs said. “I believe our goal at this time is to be moved and have the facility operational for the spring 2024 semester.”

“For the building purchase, our plan is to utilize a 10 year lease-purchase agreement with CHC, operating within the current budget,” Borth said.  “We have funds graciously donated to FSCC from the Snyder family for the nursing program. We will utilize those private donor funds to complete the remodel and upgrades. Our plan at this point is utilize the FSCC maintenance department to complete the majority of the remodel.”

Adam Borth. Submitted photo.

The current building located at  8th and Burke Streets “is a very solidly built facility, however, it is has many upgrades needed,” Borth said.

An example, he said is the heating/air conditioning system that needs a complete overhaul. “Bid estimates a couple years ago all came in near seven figures, if not over.”

FSCC’s accrediting body, “which ensures we are in compliance with nursing standards has also pointed out that a facility upgrade is needed,” he said.

“The new facility would also give FSCC nursing students the opportunity to receive education in a facility that is conducive to learning and provide an excellent experience we strive for and the students deserve,” he said.

The Current Program

“Our nursing program right now sets around 40-50 admitted students, with many more in pre-nursing (working to meet the requirements to receive admission to the program)” Borth said.

The COVID 19 Pandemic affected the program.

“Our enrollment decreased, as expected, after spring 2020,” he said. “The profession has seen a shift since then as well, with many getting out of the healthcare field. This has exacerbated the impact on the shortage of instructors for us and other nursing programs.”

“Because of the shortage of practicing nurses, the pay in the field far exceeds what institutions can offer for instructors,” Borth said. “It creates a difficult environment for recruiting qualified applicants, who also must possess a master’s degree within six years of being hired.”

There is a benefit for those that do choose higher education.

Those working in higher education, such as nursing instructors at the college level,  have a more “appealing…work-life balance,” he said.

 

 

 

Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott, Youth

Family Entertainment Venue Coming to Fort Scott

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Patrick MacDonald stands in the newly repurposed room of the Gamerz Lodge.

Patrick MacDonald, also known as PatMac, has purchased the building at 16 Scott Avenue and has been working to make the place into a family fun venue with the name of Gamerz Lodge.

“The community asked for a family fun entertainment space and that’s what I’m doing here,” he said. “Roughly 10,000 square feet of fun!”

Patrick moved here from Kansas City last year to invest in Pizza Republic after owning a few pizza businesses over the last 30 years. “I love this community,” he said.  “I saw this as a way to give back to the community and invest in Fort Scott. Down here I can make a difference.”

The first floor will be his first focus to show what Gamerz Lodge is about.

“We’ll have a few TVs, arcade games, air hockey, shuffleboard, and pool tables,” MacDonald said. “We’re also introducing a ‘leveled up’ concession stand. Some of your favorites with a ‘PatMac’ twist. There will also be ice cream!”

It will be an events center for small concerts and a place for birthday parties as well.

“People can really use this space for creative classes, meetings, comedy shows, and gatherings,” he said. “It has so much potential.”

The renovation of the building, which most recently housed Darlene’s Collectibles, is a huge undertaking. “It’s a lot to take on for one guy but I’m definitely up for the challenge,” he said. “If there’s an investor out there give me a holler!” he said.

MacDonald’s email address is [email protected].

The tentative opening is June 1.

THE SECOND FLOOR

The second floor has a large ballroom and two 30 feet x30 feet rooms. The ballroom held meetings and dances from the days of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, whose emblem is on the outside of the 1924-era building. Some memorabilia still lines the walls.

“The second floor will grow with the business,” he said. “I see cornhole tournaments, VR space, and potentially a putt-putt golf.”

MacDonald also sees the opportunity to create a wedding venue or an Airbnb on this level.

“I see a whole baseball team from LaRoche Stadium could stay here,” he said.  “Games, food, and family. What else do you need?”

Patrick McDonald stands in front of the building he purchased at 16 Scott Avenue.

 

The outside of the building that Patrick MacDonald purchased has the emblem of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the date of the building’s erection, 1924.
One of many plaques on the walls of the large room on the second floor of the building that MacDonald purchased.
Bourbon County, Government, Schools

U235: There is a Need For Upgrades

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Vance Eden. From the district’s online staff directory.

There is a need to upgrade some infrastructure in Uniontown’s School District, Vance Eden, associate superintendent, told a recent Community Connections Panel in Fort Scott. A bond issue is being looked at for the district possibly this year.

USD 235 has 480 students from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade and serves five small communities in the western rural part of Bourbon County.

“If a bond is brought to the community for a vote, we would anticipate that happening in late summer or early fall, but that will be dependent on a variety of factors,” Eden said.
The U235 District bond issue would be for upgrading pre-school,  a tornado safe room, an updated fire system, security upgrades, and a hydronic lab.
The board is also looking at a grant to upgrade the walking trail that is around the school district property, which is also used by the community.
The following is an interview with Eden:
What is the need with the preschool building?
“Our current modular pre-kindergarten structure is at a point of deterioration that it no longer makes financial sense to invest funds into it.  Additionally, safety and security would be increased by having a structure that is attached to West Bourbon Elementary.  One other layer of consideration is that Kansas State Department of Education  has expanded its funding stream to include three-year-old students.  With this is mind, it makes sense that we consider adding programming for these students as well.  There is still much to consider and many factors at play, but we recognize some significant needs related to pre-school programming.”
What is the need for a saferoom?
“Our current facilities do not have tornado safe rooms.  Sheltering in interior classrooms and /or in locker rooms is clearly more safe than some other spaces.  However, it is now widely recognized that a purpose-built facility is really the only option for ensuring maximum safety.  These spaces would be designed for regular use as classrooms and/or multipurpose rooms to maximize the return of our investment.  Additionally, the district has the ability to apply for FEMA Grant funds to potentially help offset some of the cost associated.”
What is the need for updated fire alarm system?
” While up to code, the current JH/HS fire alarm is in need of updating.  In its current configuration it most broadly relies on pull stations near exits that then sound an audible alarm with flashing strobes.  We would like to upgrade to a system that also includes smoke detectors and automatically communicates with emergency services.”
What is the need for security updates?
“It is important that we are always considering student safety as a top priority.  There are some needs and opportunities for improvement have been identified, but it is critical that I’m careful as to not share our security vulnerabilities with those who may have malicious intent.  These have been identified through professional assessments, our administrative team, and the bond advisory council.”
What is the hydronic lab idea?
” Instead of using a greenhouse, the district is pursuing a “container farm” as a means of providing hands on learning opportunities to students across a variety of programs in addition to providing some produce for our food service programs.  We have done a tour and had some initial conversations with Leafy Green Farms of Pittsburg who has these containers.  Leafy Green Farms is currently working with Pittsburg High School and several other Southeast Kansas schools to facilitate such a program.”
Also you are looking for grants to update the walking trail around the school?
“The district is waiting to hear back on a response from a Recreation Trail Program (RTP) Grant that had been applied for.  We are hoping to get a response any day.  Once we get word one way or the other, we will share that information.  We recognize that this is a project that many are interested in.”
Bourbon County, Business, Clothing, Fort Scott

ViCon Creations, A Three Generations Business

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Connie McKee, Devlin Cole and Vicki Waldron in the ViCom Creations building on Maple Road, west of Fort Scott.

Connie McKee and her daughter, Vicki Waldron started a business together in 1996 called ViCon Creations LLC, and have done a variety of handiwork.

“We started with alterations (making clothes fit, that don’t fit),  then moved into interior decorations…awnings, horse stuff,” Waldron said. “A lady asked us to manufacture bra liners for Pam’s Bra’s. We worked about 10 years on that.”

They still do alterations, as noted on their Facebook page, which is a valuable service during prom and wedding season.

She does work for J & W Sports and Twister Trailers as well.

For the last seven years, Waldron has worked at Common Ground Coffee Shop in Fort Scott.

“I decided I’m done standing on my feet,” she said. “I decided to expand my sewing business.”

In August 2022 she started to revamp her sewing business.

Vicki Waldron shows one of her women’s fishing vest creations.

She creates purses, women’s fishing vests, and does machine quilting.

“Most people will make quilt tops, but need them quilted,” she said.

This year her granddaughter Erin Camp started making t-shirt quilts.

“She is paying off her college tuition (Northwest Missouri State) by making quilts. She makes the quilt tops and I bind and quilt it,” Waldron said.

Another granddaughter, Lauren Schalk, makes jewelry: Western style earrings, bracelets and necklaces. Schalk is attending Oklahoma State University. She is working with her grandmother for this business venture.

These two granddaughters are her information technology help, she said.

Her mother, Connie McKee makes toddler girl’s clothing.

“Mom comes in when she wants to work,” she said. McKee is retired.

Vickie Waldron shows toddler girls clothing that her mother Connie McKee makes.

What ever they make, they put online at www.viconcreations.com

Vicki prepares to attach an achievement badge to a letter jacket.
Vicki shows one of the purses the business makes.
Connie McKee works on a leather apron for her grandson, Devlin Cole.

A grandson, Devlin Cole, has shown an interest in creating leather items, she said

On the horizon for ViCon Creations is building a new work building to replace the remodeled chicken house the current business is located in.

She would like to teach sewing to young girls in the future, and “how to cook good meals,” she said.

“If young women come out here and learn to sew, I’ll give them a job,” she said.

Contact Waldron at 417.214.2599.

Bourbon County

Bronson Declared a Disaster After the Storm on April 5

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Editors note: the Bronson area was declared a disaster this afternoon and Kelly Perry sent this information:

If you have a claim please contact
BRIAN ALLEN via e-mail: [email protected]
Please try to include the following details
-Your Name
-Your Address
-Contact Number
-Photos of damage (if possible)
-Any estimates of damage (if possible)
Questions please call Brian at (620)223-3800 x278
Kayla Greenway, Bronson resident, took this photo at 12:36 a.m. on April 5 of her back yard. There is what appears to be a funnel cloud in the background. Photo taken from her Facebook page.

A storm passed through western Bourbon County in the early morning on April 5, 2023.

“I heard a roaring outside,” resident Kayla Greenway said. “My window was open and the air was going in and out, suctioning. The wind had dust in it.”

When the storm abated she went out side and took pictures.

Bronson City Clerk Danielle Minor said there were trees toppled over, all across the small town of approximately 300 people.

“There were power poles down,” Minor said. “There was a lot of electrical issues.”

The City of Bronson purchases electricity wholesale from Evergy (an electric utility company), but runs its own utility.

“Our superintendent, John Stokes, (was) out since 12:30 a.m. trying to restore electricity,” Minor said. “The Bourbon County Public Works helped remove debris from the streets.”

“The Bourbon County #3 District Fire Department was here making sure all the electric wires were OK,” Ellen Harper, a resident said.

“Two firetrucks  and a Bourbon County Sheriff’s car were going around town assessing power line damage and making sure everyone was OK,” Minor said.

In addition, there was a reported gas leak, because of the storm.

“There was a gas leak at Charles and Wright Streets,” John Stokes, maintenance superintendent for the City of Bronson said. “The Bourbon County Fire Department tried to patch it and evacuated residents around that area. They called the Kansas Gas Service and they came and fixed it.”

Bronson City Councilwoman and business owner Kelly Perry heard a sound about 1 a.m.

“I thought it was a water line burst,” she said. “We knew we had multiple power lines down and could smell the rotten egg smell outside.”

“The crews went out and made repairs on a regulator setting that was damaged by a fallen tree, due to bad weather,” Kansas Gas Service Manager of Public Relations Dawn Tripp, said.

Other residents had first hand knowledge of the storm.

“We had a tree hit the window and broke it and woke me up,”  Harper said.

Resident Helen Bolling said “The wind shook our house like a cracker box.”

Greenway said before the storm, the family turned the children’s trampoline upside down and put logs on it in hopes of making it secure.

“My trampoline flew into a neighbors tree, and I don’t know where the logs went,” she said.

Kayla Greenway’s trampoline blew into her neighbors yard.From her Facebook page.

Bronson Locker had its roof torn off, Bolling said.

The Bronson Locker had the roof blown off their business. From Kayla Greenway’s Facebook page.

As of this morning, April 6, the town still has clean-up going on, Perry said.

“The street in front of City Hall and the Bronson Locker is still closed,” Perry said. “But there is good headway on the clean-up.”

 

 

 

 

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Downtowners Share Projects and Events at Chamber Meet and Greet

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John Hill, President and CEO of City State Bank, speaks, as host of the Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet. Hill said the bank has been in Fort Scott for 103 years and did a major remodel to its downtown branch in 2018.

Business owners and others interested in downtown Fort Scott met on April 4 at City State Bank to discuss upcoming events and projects.

The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce hosted the Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet, with President and CEO Lindsay Madison, leading.

Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Lindsay Madison leads discussion at the Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet on April 4 at City State Bank.

Following are the highlights:

The Fort Scott National Historic Site Civil War Encampment is April 15-16: Army re-enactors portray different parts of the war with live music, an author talk, horse and sabre drills to name a few.

Visitor numbers are up this year at The Fort and there is a goal of 30,000 visitors this year to the site.

Upcoming Chamber events in the next few months are the Town Wide Garage Sale on May 5-6, the farmers market starts May 6 with the garden club plant sale.

There will be no downtown clean-up this year.

There will be a new mural to replace the one facing Skubitz Plaza at the north end of Main Street. The current one, the Star Emporium, will be replaced with a historical one: depicting the Kansas 1st Colored Infantry.

A multi-purpose pavilion, which will house the twice weekly farmer’s market, was presented to the city’ design review committee for approval but was tabled until an artists rendition could be presented.

A welcome arch will be put up on Wall Street near the Chamber of Commerce office.

The Christmas Parade will be November 30, with the theme: Candy Land Christmas.

Christmas on the Bricks will be the first weekend in December,  and will include classic Christmas booths/vendors, photo backdrops for families, and later hours for downtown shops. This weekend also includes the candlelight tour at Fort Scott National Historic Site and an art sale at the Artificers. This new event will replace the Christmas in the Park event. Elevate Fort Scott is organizing the new event.

Trolley tours have started back for the season: Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. A back up driver is needed to give the narrated tour. Contact the Chamber.

A Community Connection Panelist luncheon was April 5  at the Empress Event Center to help distribute government and local entities’ information.

There will be a job fair April 13 at the Ellis Fine Arts Center from 3-6 p.m.

The annual Chamber Dinner and Awards Celebration will be April 20 at the River Room Event Center.

Dare to Dream Women’s Entrepreneurship event is April 5 from 5-7 p.m. at the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Office. At this office is also the Small Business Development Center.

Grants available to small businesses through the Chamber: E-Community Loan and Grow Kansas.

Riggs Chiropractic is having its ribbon cutting on May 4, at a Chamber After Hours gathering.

Open Mortgage will have its ribbon cutting on May 11 along with a ribbon cutting and open house.

110 S. Main (former Scottish Rite Temple) has doubled its retail space this week. The owners are waiting on Evergy to repair the electric service to the building to open the cafe.

The Kitchen, located in the McDonald Hall building, is nearing completion and will offer retail space, four kitchen pods for rent and an outdoor eating space in back of the building when completed.

Hedgehog INK owner Jan Hedges said a visitor “was impressed with how the businesses are working together.”

The Iron Star owner Barbara Trimbur said one of her large windows was broken during the recent wind storm.

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Business

Young Couple Expands Farm Business

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Dacia Clark, Bradie Terry, Jody Hoener, Noah Terry,  Rachel Carpenter and Lindsay Madison pause for a photo at the grant award ceremony on March 22.

Noah, 25, and Bradie Terry, 24, purchased their Bourbon County property in December 2020, after moving from Oregon.

“We were motivated to look further into the homestead lifestyle and wanted to take the knowledge we gained to pass it on to others in the community,” Bradie said. “We quickly realized the importance of knowing where your food comes from and how it is raised or grown. We both did not grow up with any background in agriculture or farming, so everything that you see us doing is learning-as-we-go and applying our time we spent studying these things to gaining hands-on knowledge.”

The name of the homestead business is The Shire, LLC.

“The name, The Shire, derives from a region in J. R. R. Tolkien’s fictional book, The Lord of the Rings,” Bradie said. “In this fictionist world, The Shire is a peaceful, fruitful, community that focuses on agriculture. Which is symbolism of the type of community that we want to build upon in Bourbon County. We are also both pretty short, so we also have the whole ‘hobbit’ thing going for us.”

Submitted photo. Cucumbers.
Submitted photo. Home canned pickles.

“Currently, we have a flock of free-ranged chickens that allow us to sell delicious eggs to the community,” she said.  “We are also growing cucumbers to produce pickles for a local restaurant.”

A picture containing grass, outdoor, outdoor objectDescription automatically generated
Submitted photo. A hen looks over eggs at the Shire.

The farm is located on the southeast side of Fort Scott near Ellis Park.

“We both work on the farm when time allows,” Bradie said. “Currently, my husband is in school and I work a full time job from home. Our goal is to transition one or both of us to working full time on the farm as we grow.”

They are the recipient of a Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT) $10,000 Farmer/Rancher Grant.

“Our plans for the $10,000 farmer/rancher grant is to expand to our bee and dairy cow operation as well as expanding our garden for produce,” she said. “We will have bee hives and will breed our Jersey dairy cows by April of 2023, which will produce honey and raw milk by fall of 2024. The expansion of our garden operation will be done over the course of a couple of years and we hope to have a big greenhouse built by that time. The grant funds will also help us expand our chicken operation in order to have more eggs available to sell.”

One of the Shire cows. Submitted photo.

 

“We will jump into the world of beekeeping and milking our dairy cows within a year, which are two huge farm changes because we haven’t experience this before,” she said.

 

Business, Fort Scott

New Windows For the Kress Building

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The Kress Building houses the Pizza Republic on the first floor at 17 S. Main Street. New windows were installed into the second floor, by Coon Rentals LLC. Submitted photo.

The Kress Building, an historic building at 17 S. Main St. got new windows on the second floor both front and rear of the building last week.

“When Kim and I bought the the building there were 10 new windows uninstalled,” said Robert Coon.

The Kress is owned by Robert and Kimberly Coon, Coon Rentals LLC who are continuing the effort ” to  help revitalize the downtown area of Fort Scott,” Coon said.

Also helping in the installation was an Amish group of workers, and Dakota Garcia LLC, Coon said.

 

Robert and Kimberly Coon. Submitted photo.

Coon said a retail business will open on the second floor of the building sometime this summer.

“They were waiting for us to install the windows,” he said. “The front 2,500 feet will be retail, the back 2,500 feet will be storage for the retail space.”

 

To see a recent history of the building;

Coon Rentals Purchases 17 S. Main

 

The building known for years as the Kress Building was sold to Coon Rentals LLC in 2021.

The building housed a grocery store on the first floor for a brief period in the COVID 19 Pandemic and also a sushi restaurant for a brief period.

The second floor was an office for the Bourbon County Workforce and Entrepreneur Resource Center at this time frame, organized by the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, which later moved to a different location.

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Business

Influx Services Expands

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Jake Province. Submitted photo.

Influx Services, which was started by Fort Scottian Jake Province last year,  now offers roof, gutter, and window cleaning services, in addition to house washing and roof cleaning services.

His pressure washing and exterior cleaning service serves Fort Scott KS, Nevada MO, Miami OK, and surrounding areas

He has also been serving businesses in Fort Scott: the local Travelodge and Don’s Spirits and Wines.

“I use low pressure and algicides to clean homes more effectively, and without the risk of damaging the home by using high pressure,” Province said.
“We’ve gathered multiple five-star reviews on Google, and become one of the top-ranking pressure washing companies in the area as a result,” Province said.
Those interested in hiring Influx Services can call or text at (620) 407-3008, visit www.influx.services, email influxservicescontact@gmail.com, or message on the official Influx Services Facebook Page.
Province expressed  gratitude for the fortscott.biz article published last year about his company.
“(That) support was incredibly helpful and helped us get our start in the community,” he said.
Horton Apartments before and after washing by Influx Services. Submitted photo.
Bourbon County, Business

Local Jeweler Sees Uptick in Fraudulent Gold Being Sold

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This is a real stamp for an 18KT gold item. Submitted photo.

Bartelsmeyer Jewelry staff  have had approximately 12 people bring in gold items to be appraised, and they are not gold, all with a similar story.

John Bartelsmeyer said he wanted to inform the public.

“I wanted to get the word out that people are getting scammed,” Bartelsmeyer said. “People have told us they are buying supposed gold at gas stations. Several local people have brought in items to be appraised in this manner since last fall.”

Bartelsmeyer did not know if they were local gas stations where the scammers were.

“They say, “This person was at a gas station and needed gas and told me they would sell me their gold ring( for money)’,” Krystal Hulbert, an employee of the jewelry store said.

The  fraudulent gold pieces have included necklaces and bracelets too, but mostly gold rings.

Often they have been stamped 18KT to indicate that they are real, which can really fool people, Bartelsmeyer said.

“The gold looks nice,” Hulbert said. “But someone like John who has been working on real gold for 50 years knows it’s not real.”

Jeweler John Bartelsmeyer works on a piece of jewelry.

There is also a chemical test to provide proof that the article isn’t real, Bartselmeyer said.

“If people are wanting to help them out, that is one thing, but thinking they will get a bargain in gold, no,” Hulbert said.

Sgt. Tim Harper, Fort Scott Police Department, said there have been no people turn in a report to the department about this.

 

Obituary

Obituary of Sandy Stinnett

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Sandra Sue “Sandy” Stinnett, 79, a resident of Fort Scott, passed away Tuesday morning, March 28, 2023. She was born February 29, 1944, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Roy William “Bill” Danley and Marie (Faulhaber) Danley.

She married Bud Stinnett on November 16, 1963, in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Fulton, Kansas. He preceded her in death on May 14, 1996.

 

Sandy graduated from Fort Scott High School with the Class of 1962, and she was a lifetime member of Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. She worked for the City of Fort Scott as a clerk in the Water Department, and retired after thirty-five years in 2006.

 

Sandy is survived by her daughter, Dena Engelland (Tom) of Sterling, Kansas; her longtime companion, Tom McNeil, of the home; two grandchildren, Kathleen Engelland Huelskamp (Leo), and Eric Engelland (Katharina); two great-grandchildren, Wade Huelskamp, Ty Huelskamp, and a third great-grandchild, Baby Engelland, arriving in July. Sandy is also survived by many wonderful friends.

In addition to her husband, Bud, she was also preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, Ronnie Danley.

 

Father Yancey Burgess will celebrate the Funeral Mass at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 1, 2023, at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church (Kennedy Gym), with the Rosary beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

Services are under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

 

Fort Scott, Kansas, Schools

FSHS Math Teacher Amy Harper Honored As District 2 Kansas Teacher of the Year

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From Mr. Kimble, Fort Scott High School Principal:

“This past Sunday Amy Harper, FSHS Mathematics teacher, was honored at the Kansas Teacher of the Year District 2 Banquet in Topeka.  We are extremely proud of Mrs. Harper for her recognition as a nominee and all that she does for Fort Scott students as well as the community. Mrs Harper, you make USD 234 a great place to learn! ”