With November comes cooler weather and thoughts of piping hot comfort food. The Kiwanis Club of Fort Scott Pioneers stands ready to dish up some warm satisfying fare as they hold their 36th annual Chili Feed on Tuesday, November 19th at the First United Methodist Church at 301 South National in Fort Scott. A meal of the Pioneers’ signature chili with crackers and a homemade cinnamon roll will be served from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. for a free will donation (suggested minimum $8.00 donation per meal) to be collected at the door.
This is the Kiwanis Pioneers’ major fundraiser for the year. In keeping with the Kiwanis motto of “Improving the world one child and one community at a time”, the Pioneers support more than 40 community projects including College scholarships, CASA, the Backpack food program, FSHS Key Club, Head Start, the Beacon, Foster Kids, Feeding Families in his Name, Care to Share, and school reading and arts programs. “All of the funds raised stay in Bourbon County” stated Kiwanis Pioneer President Kelley Collins.
“The annual fundraiser will be drive through only.” according to Collins. Pick-ups will be available under the canopy on the National Avenue side of the church. Please take care not to block private driveways as you are waiting in line for service.
Deliveries will be available for orders of ten or more by calling 620-224-0563 during serving hours.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Ribbon Cutting and Grand Re-Opening to celebrate Walmart Store #39 at 2500 S. Main St. Enjoy music, fun, and shopping with the following events:
FSHS Band will greet & welcome guests
FSHS Choir will sing the National Anthem and another Hymnal
FSHS Orchestra will play festive music in the Christmas area
Food Trucks on-site
Vendor giveaways, good bags, and more!
FSPD, FSFD, and EMS trucks on-site for children to look at and enjoy
Chamber members and the community are welcome and encouraged to attend the Grand Re-Opening & Ribbon Cutting. Walmart looks forward to a celebratory morning full of music, food, shopping, and fun!
TOPEKA – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) is moving closer to launching the Kansas Home Rebates Program to help Kansas households lower energy costs and improve the comfort of their homes. Under the program, established by the Inflation Reduction Act, Kansas is set to receive $105.6 million to lower energy costs for low to moderate income households.
The KCC has partnered with HORNE, a nationally recognized professional services firm, to assist the agency with the program design, application development, and implementation process. As a part of the program planning process, the KCC is scheduling engagement sessions with stakeholders (Kansas utility companies, contractors, other State agencies, and the community) to ensure the Home Rebates program is tailored to meet the Sunflower state’s needs.
For Kansans to be able to access the rebates, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) must approve the program design and grant applications, which are due by January 31, 2025. Rebate funding is expected to be accessible to Kansas households in 2025 following the application submission and DOE approval.
In the meantime, Kansans can visit the KCC website for information on how to participate in the engagement sessions, learn more about the Home Rebates program, track the status, and find answers to frequently asked questions.
Voters in a prior election vote at the Bourbon County Courthouse.
The following are the unofficial results with all precincts reporting, as sent to fortscott.biz by the Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins at 8:45 p.m. on November 5.
“The turnout with these votes counted is 51%. We will still have provisional and ballots by mail to count at the canvass, so that will not be the final turnout,” she said.
Join us for Chamber Coffee hosted by VFW Post 1165
Thursday, November 7th
8am at the VFW
1745 S. National Ave.
The VFW is a nonprofit veteran’s service organization comprised of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, guard, and reserve forces. VFW is the largest and oldest war Veteran’s service organization, and they have a long and proven history of providing vital assistance and support to America’s service men and women worldwide.
Special events the VFW has planned for Veterans Day include:
*Starting at 7am, weather depending, flags will be placed along East National Ave. and the National Cemetery.
*There will be a short Veterans Day ceremony at 10am at the National Cemetery.
*Following the ceremony from 11am to 2pm there will be a free will donation spaghetti feed at the VFW hosted by the VFW Auxiliary and all are welcome.
Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information. Visit the Events Calendar and category of Chamber Coffees on fortscott.com for upcoming locations.
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
A new plan for Bronson’s public park is in the works.
Bronson is a small town (population 300) in western Bourbon County.
With support from some organizations, a community meeting to get public input on a new park has been planned.
The surrounding community is invited to the town hall kick-off for the Rural Champion and Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Bronson Placemaking Project on Tuesday, November 12th, at 6:30 p.m. at Bronson’s community building.
The Rural Champions program is designed to create a network of grassroots individuals who possess the necessary tools to resolve critical community needs quickly and effectively, according to a press release from HBCAT. These Rural Champions will receive strategic training and compensation and be connected with resources to assist them. HBCAT (The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team) was awarded one of 14 Rural Champion’s Grants and selected Kelly Perry to lead this initiative in Bronson.
Bronson Park. Submitted photos.
Rural Champion Kelly Perry (who lives and has a business in Bronson) will hold four town hall meetings.
Kelly and Thaddeus Perry, owners of Perry’s Pork Rinds and Country Store in Bronson. Submitted photo.
The initial meeting on November 12 will be used to officially kick off the placemaking project and collect information from community members to create an assessment and to learn what there is to build on, Healthy Bourbon County Action Team CEO Jody Love said.
“We hope you will join us for the town hall kick-off for the RuralChampion and Healthybbco Bronson Placemaking Project!,” Love said. “We are working to increase access to physical activity and enhance quality of life!”
Bronson Park. Submitted photos.
“We will discuss the current and envision the future,” Love said. “We will brainstorm, tell stories, talk about our strengths and opportunities, and determine our priorities for the space. This placemaking project empowers community members to help develop solutions and some grant funds to see their ideas become a reality.”
” Residents of Bronson report safety concerns when at the park and a need for overall upgrades and improvements.” Love said.
Bronson Park. Submitted photos.
“Snacks and drinks will be provided, and we want to hear from everyone, including your children, teens, and young adults. Their voice is essential,” she said.
The project, in collaboration with HBCAT, the Health in All Policy Task Force, the Bourbon County Local Health Equity Action Team, and the City of Bronson, has identified creating safe and healthy places and neighborhoods for families to enjoy, instilling a sense of pride, and lifting community morale as a priority, according to the press release.
“Anyone with ties to Bronson is encouraged to attend,” Love said. “Teachers, relatives, community members, business owners, church leaders, and even family members who have relatives living in Bronson should attend. We want to hear your unique perspectives, your stories, and your memories of Bronson and more!”
Bronson Park. Submitted photo.
About the Rural Community Champion Program and HBCAT’s Placemaking Project:
As a division in the Kansas Department of Commerce, the Office of Rural Prosperity is part of the economic development team solely focused on rural Kansas’s growth and prosperity. The Rural Champion Program was developed by the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP) in collaboration with the Kansas Sampler Foundation (KSF) and the Patterson Family Foundation; this program will address critical public needs in rural communities and build capacity in the future.
My name is Vance White and I am running as a write in candidate for Bourbon County Attorney. The reason I am running is simple, I can do a much better job. Since 2018, after the last person from here left office, we have had a series of outsiders who have been deficient in at least one serious way, not prosecuting criminals that should be prosecuted. I personally have had a burglary and criminal damage to property case sitting in the County Attorney’s office for nearly three (3) years now. The County Attorney’s office has photographs of the perpetrators, and I believe there are confessions, but nothing has been done. I have heard from other crime victims around the county, with similar stories, who have pretty much given up. That’s not the way it’s supposed to work folks, and I promise that if you elect me things will change. Cases will be expeditiously prosecuted and crime victims will be treated with respect, including letters sent out updating them about their cases.
This would not be my first time working in the County Attorney’s office. I “cut my teeth” there many years ago as an intern and Assistant County Attorney under the late John L. Swarts III. It was under his tenure that I learned early on that crime victims have rights too, should be treated fairly and never ignored. I have been around Bourbon County since 1992 and currently reside in Fulton. I am a proud member of Community Christian Church and an honorably discharged U.S. Army veteran.
So, if you would like to see a County Attorney working in that office who has lived here almost half his life, knows many people here already and is committed to his job, please WRITE IN MY NAME in the box for County Attorney. Thank you for your consideration!
