FORT SCOTT LAND BANK will meet on Monday, February 27th at 4:00 PM at City Hall in the Commission Room.
This is an open meeting which will also be available on the City of Fort Scott YouTube Channel.
All posts by Submitted Story
Commerce Makes $4.1M in Community Service Tax Credits Available
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Commerce today announced $4.1 million in tax credits will once again be made available under the Community Service Tax Credit Program (CSP).
CSP assists private nonprofit organizations and public healthcare entities undertaking major capital campaigns for projects involving:
- Community service, including childcare
- Non-governmental crime prevention
- Youth apprenticeship and technical training
- Healthcare services.
Under this program, the state authorizes nonprofit organizations to offer tax credits to donors making contributions towards approved projects. Organizations are chosen through a competitive selection process. The application window is open from March 1 through April 30, 2023, at kansascommerce.gov/csp. Applicants may request up to $200,000 in tax credits.
Proposed projects should be unique or one-time in nature and create lasting value for charitable organizations. For example, projects might include a capital campaign, major equipment purchase, major renovation, capacity building, etc. As was the case in 2022, CSP has earmarked up to $1 million for childcare and early childhood development projects for services to those under the age of 5.
Applicant organizations in rural areas (less than 15,000 population) are eligible for a 70 percent credit. Applicant organizations in non-rural areas are eligible for a 50 percent credit.
If your organization is interested in applying for the CSP program, the Department of Commerce invites you to an introductory webinar at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 1. Registration is required. For more information and to register, click here.
For questions regarding CSP Tax Credits, contact Community Development Specialist Sara Bloom at sara.bloom@ks.gov or (785) 506-9278.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021 and 2022, and was awarded the 2021 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine
###
Chamber Announces Spring Open House, Find the Golden Egg Shopping Event
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Spring Open House, Find the Golden Egg shopping event which will take place on Friday and Saturday March 24th and 25th. Most stores in the Downtown Historic District and several additional locations will be participating in the hunt.
Customers are invited to shop local retailers to search for the hidden gold eggs. The golden eggs will contain coupons, promotions, Chamber Bucks, and more. Participating retailers include 110 South Main, Angie Dawn’s Boutique, Barbed Wire & Roses Vintage Market, Bids & Dibs, Hare & Crow Art Gallery, Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore & More, Iron Star Antiques & Such, Laree + Co., Mayco Ace Hardware Store, Museum of Creativity Gift Shop, Ruddick’s Furniture & Flooring, Sekan’s Occasion Shop, Shirt Shack, Sunshine Boutique, and Varia Quality Resale Clothing.
In addition to the shopping fun that weekend, there will be plastic multi-colored eggs hidden around Downtown on Saturday the 25th after 10 a.m. suitable for young children to find.
The Chamber encourages the community to join the hunt on March 24th-25th. Get ‘egg-cited’ to shop local. Contact the Chamber for more information at 620-223-3566.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Feb. 24
What’s Happening in Fort Scott Newsletter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Lowell Milken Center For Unsung Heroes Newsletter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Shepherd’s Center of Fort Scott Adventures in Learning Returns
Shepherd’s Center of Fort Scott Adventures in Learning Returns on
Friday, March 10th 11:30 am to 3 pm the First United Methodist Church on National Avenue.
Our 2nd event will again offer a lunch at no charge for those who pre-register. Last day to pre-register will be Monday, March 6th. This time we will have potato soup, garlic bread, and cookies catered by Suzanne Griffin.
Our afternoon sessons will feature Austin Bolinger, who is the Horticultural Therapist at Tri-Valley Gardening, who will bring plants, share about growing our gardens and their work at Tri-Valley.
The other track is being organized by Wilma Hibdon, a retired Health Facility surveyor, and will be full of insight and tips to get the most out of home health care, make good decisions about assisted living, and end of life planning. Speakers from No Limit Rehabilitation, Presbyterian Village, Integrity Home Health, Fort Scott Medicalodge and Cheney Witt Funeral Home will lend their expertise and answer questions.
As always, fellowship and building community will be at the forefront. Shepherd’s Center is focused on lifelong learning for retired adults but everyone interested is welcome.
For more information or to register,
scan the QR code or visit: www.firstumcfsks.org/ShepherdsCenterOfFortScott
or call us at (620) 223-1950.
FSPD: Recent Structure Fires
The following is a press release from the Fort Scott Police Department.
On February 16, 2023 at 8:35 pm, officers of the Fort Scott Police Department (FSPD) along with personnel from the Fort Scott Fire Department (FSFD) and Bourbon County EMS, responded to a residential fire at 1214 S Judson St. Upon arrival, heavy black smoke was found to be emitting from inside the residence. FSFD personnel were able to extinguish the fire, however, extensive damage was done to the interior of the home. The residence was unoccupied at the time of the incident. FSPD & FSFD investigators, along with the State of Kansas Fire Marshal’s office were called to investigate this incident. The investigation into this fire is on-going.
On February 17, 2023, at 10:10 pm, officers of the Fort Scott Police Department along with personnel from the Fort Scott Fire Department and Bourbon County EMS, responded to a residential fire at 603 W 5th St. Upon arrival, the structure was found to be fully engulfed in flames. FSFD personnel were able to extinguish the fire, however, the structure was a total loss. The residence was unoccupied at the time of the incident. FSPD, FSFD, & BBSO investigators, along with the State of Kansas Fire Marshal’s office were called to investigate this incident. The investigation into this fire is on-going.
If you have any information that can aid our investigators, please contact us at: 620-223-1700.
Bill Downey Jr, Administrative Sergeant / Public Information Officer
Fort Scott Police Department
1604 S National Ave
Fort Scott, KS 66701
PD: (620) 223-1700
Kansas Talking Books Week March 6-10
|
| Stay Connected with Kansas Office of the Governor: |
    |
Chamber Coffee hosted by Bourbon County Arts Council at FSCC On March 2
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee on Thursday, March 2nd at 8 a.m. hosted by Bourbon County Arts Council. The event will be held at the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 Horton St. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served.
The 31st Annual Bourbon County Arts Council exhibit will be open to the public Thursday, March 2nd through Saturday March 11th, weekdays 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. and the two included Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. An artist reception will also be held March 2nd from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. where participating artists will have the opportunity to listen to the juror critique and visit with him about their pieces. The public is welcome to the artist reception where light refreshments will be served. Categories included in the exhibit will be Ceramics, Sculpture, Mixed Media, Jewelry, Pastel, Watercolor, Fiber Art, Painting (Oil & Acrylic), Drawing & Graphic (Pencil, Pen, Ink), Photography, Glasswork, Printmaking, and a Themed Category of “Doorways & Windows”.
Any member business or organization wanting to host Chamber Coffee in 2023 is encouraged to contact the Chamber to save a date by calling 620-223-3566 or emailing communications@fortscott.com.
Cardiac Rehab nurse reflects on years in department
Inside Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg is the Cardiac Rehab department where you’ll find Michelle Hardister, a nurse who helped open the department 31 years ago, hard at work with her patients.
A typical day in Cardiac Rehab consists of patient wellness programs, blood pressure being taken and telemetry monitoring, coupled with a lot of chatter and laughter, says Hardister.
“Exercise and socialization play a huge role in patient recovery,” says Hardister. “Patients are not only here to get their physical bodies stronger but to also improve how they feel about their health.”
Patients attending Cardiac Rehab may be recovering from a heart bypass, transplant, valve surgery, balloon or stenting procedure, heart attack, or living with heart failure.
Hardister reflected on one patient in particular who she will never forget: “She first came in using a wheelchair and as time progressed she went from a walker to not using any assistive devices at all,” she says. “She went from being very nervous to becoming a wonderful advocate for Cardiac Rehab and would encourage our new patients by telling them to ‘Look at me now!’”
Hardister says her favorite part of the job is her daily interactions with patients and coming up with exercise plans that fit their individual needs.
As a reminder during Heart Month, Hardister suggests being proactive about your health by getting yearly screenings, practicing moderation instead of deprivation, and finding an exercise you enjoy and making it a part of your routine at least 4-5 times a week for 30 minutes. Regular activity, she adds, not only helps physically but emotionally and mentally as well.
To learn more about cardiac services at Ascension Via Christi, go to ascension.org/viachristiheart.
###
About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400 associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org.
Letter to the Editor: Crista Horn
Bourbon County CASA
PO Box 146
Fort Scott, KS 66701
620–215–2769
February 22, 2023
CASA worth volunteering for
I follow where my heart leads me and my heart lead me to CASA 25 years ago.
I began this journey as aCASA volunteer in 1998. I heard a friend talk about this organization she was volunteering for that
involved working through the court system with abused and neglected children. I had never heard of CASA, but when I heard the words “children”, “abused”, “advocate” and “court” I knew this organization was meant for me.
And all these years later, I continue to become more and more excited about the impact of CASA volunteers in our community. I would say becoming a CASA is one of the best choices
I’ve made. I’ve been the Program Director of Bourbon County CASA for 19 years now and have been blessed to work with some of the most amazing volunteers to be found.
As a CASA volunteer I would spend anywhere from two to 10 hours a month on a wide variety of self– directed tasks, including visiting my assigned foster child, attending court hearings, interviewing families and service providers, connecting parties to each other, and writing reports to the Court. I am the advocate – the voice – for the child; this means getting to know the child, but also getting to know their family’s case deeply so that I can speak with confidence about what I believe best for the child’s long– term health and happiness.
Because my position as a volunteer is appointed by the court, I am a direct conduit to the judge on the case and my informed opinion carries significant weight when decisions are made. Because I am a volunteer and do not have a large case load (yes, I am the Program Director but outside of my job I still serve as a CASA volunteer), I can become the expert on the needs and situation of each family.
And because I have access to nearly unlimited training and support, I can help connect dots and solve issues that could cripple the case (and the child’s wellbeing) otherwise. My very favorite
part of this work is when my actions directly dissolve barriers to the progress of the case, helping the child and easing the stress and difficulty of everyone involved. I love seeing anxiety leave faces and
peace come in its place.
Consider becoming a CASA if you love children. Or, even, if you’re not particularly drawn to children, you love furthering justice and peace. Or if you simply want to challenge yourself and broaden your
understanding of your community. You don’t have to be retired (many CASAs have full–time jobs) or have any background in legal matters. All you have to have is willingness to step in, to learn, and to act.
Spring training begins in April. Call Bourbon County CASA at 620–215–2769 or email bbcocasa@cpol.net
to learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer.
Christa Horn
Bourbon County CASA