All posts by Submitted Story

Fort Scott, Government

Fort Scott City Commission Agenda May 7

Leave a comment

FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

FORT SCOTT CITY HALL

COMMISSION ROOM

123 SOUTH MAIN

MAY 7, 2019

6:00 P.M.

I. ROLL CALL:

ADAMSON BARTELSMEYER MITCHELL NICHOLS PARKER

II. FLAG SALUTE

III. INVOCATION: Pastor Brian Rhoades, Grace Baptist Tabernacle

IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS:

Recognition of Rhonda Dunn, Municipal Training Institute Graduate–Level 1

Introduction of Burton Harding, City Attorney

Introduction of EMS Staff

National Nursing Home Week – May 12-18, 2019

V. CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of April 16th, 2019.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1237-A totaling $544,014.48.

VII. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE:

Ms. Angella Curran’s Fort Scott High School Class – Two presentations

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit per citizen)

C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS:

VIII. CONSIDERATION:

  1. Consideration to use 2019 Joplin toolbox for sewer repairs

  1. Consideration of agreement with Schneider Electric for our Energy Grade Audit for all City facilities

  1. Consideration to allow the Defense Treat Reduction Agency to test City water for EMP vulnerability

  1. Approve Work Order with Olsson Associates for Phase III Archaeological Survey

  1. Approval to solicit bids for electric vault building at the Airport

IX. COMMENTS:

  1. Director Updates:
  1. Commission:
  1. City Manager:

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

I MOVE THAT THE CITY COMMISSION RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE

SESSION FOR ________________________________ IN ORDER TO

(see below justification)

DISCUSS ______________________________________. THE

EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE ___________ MINUTES AND THE OPEN

MEETING TO RESUME AT ________________.

Justifications for Executive Sessions:

  • Personnel matters of non-elected personnel

  • Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

  • Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative or representatives of the body or agency

  • Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

  • Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property

X. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL

Area News, Fort Scott

Fort Scott VA Shuttle Service

Leave a comment

The Fort Scott VA Shuttle service provides transportation service to Topeka and Kansas City VA Hospital for Veterans in the Southeast Kansas area as follows:

Mondays and Tuesdays: Fort Scott to Topeka VA Medical Center.

Wednesdays: Fort Scott to Kansas City VA Medical Center.

The shuttle service is free to any Veteran who needs transportation to the VA for their medical appointments.

Veterans must have an appointment scheduled between 9 am and 1 pm on the day they ride the shuttle. Veterans who have “walk-in” appointments can also schedule a shuttle ride.

The shuttle will depart from the Fort Scott’s Pete’s 66 service station on Main Street and will return to Fort Scott after the last Veteran has completed their appointment. The departure time is based upon the time of first appointment of the day at the VA Medical Center day. Riders will be notified of the shuttle departure time the evening before their ride.

Veterans living along Highway 69 or near Louisburg and Ottawa can also schedule a ride to the VA by following the below process.

Veterans scheduling rides must be at one of our predetermined stops to ride the shuttle. This is a shuttle service, not a taxi service.

The VA shuttle holds five passengers and riders must preregister for a seat. Seats on the shuttle are open to any area Veteran on a first come, first served basis.

The shuttle does not accommodate wheelchairs or pets. Only certified service dogs are permitted on the shuttle. Oxygen tanks are not permitted on the shuttle. Oxygen concentrators are allowed.

Family members may not ride with the Veteran on the shuttle. However, those Veterans who need a caregiver to accompany them can provide a signed note from their doctor attesting that the Veteran requires a caregiver to accompany them to and from their appointment.

To register for a shuttle seat, the Veteran must

  • Have an appointment at a VA Medical Center between 9 am and 1 pm for the day they schedule their shuttle seat.
  • Call 785-925-0261 or email [email protected] to schedule their seat. All seat reservations must be scheduled by 5 pm, the day prior to their appointment.

Please don’t hesitate to call or email me with any questions you might have.

Carl Jowers, Fort Scott Shuttle Coordinator.

 

Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Leave a comment
SAVE THE DATE! Mark your calendars for the Spring Town-wide Garage Sale on Friday and Saturday, May 10th and 11th.

Only $10 to list your garage sale on the map to be advertised on the radio, in the newspaper, social media, and on the Chamber website; printed copies will be distributed throughout town!!
Contact the Chamber of Commerce at 620-223-3566 or email: [email protected] to place your listing!
Care to Share (“The Sharing Bucket”) will be hosting the 5th Annual “TaTa” Ride on June 15th, 2019 and an “AR-15 Gun Raffle”. Raffle tickets are $5 each and on sale now! ATF Regulations apply. Contact Stacey Wright for tickets or more info. (See flyer below)
Win a trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico! Drawing tickets are $5 each, or 3 for $10. All proceeds go to the Good Samaritan Program, which directly benefits Fort Scott Presbyterian Village residents who have outlived their financial resources through no fault of their own.

Tickets are available at the Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall St. (See flyer below for more info)
Hedgehog.INK now has gardening books on the sale rack in the front of the store – These books are FREE, for a donation to Tri-Valley Horticulture Therapy Program (see flyer below for more info)
Hedgehog.INK is celebrating Mother’s Day! Bring in an APRON (yours, your mother’s, grandmother’s, or one you bought at a garage sale) to be displayed in the store from May 1-15th. Be sure to label it in some way with your name
All cookbooks will be on sale for $50% off!!
Artist of the Month at Hedgehog.INK – Art by Uniontown students will be on display in the store throughout the month of May
Walgreens is looking for sponsors to donate noses to the local schools in Fort Scott to help spread the word for Red Nose Day. This is a great charity opportunity, and a way to increase awareness about childhood poverty. Noses this year are $2.00, and will come in a blind mystery bag containing one of five unique superhero noses.

Contact Vincent Ratcliff, manager of your local Fort Scott Walgreens, to purchase noses or to get further information (PLEASE SEE FLYER BELOW)
Benefit Bass Fishing Tournaments & Raffles for Class of ’91 Grad Chad Elmer – Entry fees will go toward’s Chad’s upcoming expenses and prize money. Raffles include fishing and outdoor gear, ammo, an AR15 gun, and more! (See flyer below for complete details)
3-4
Weekly Livestock Sale at Fort Scott Livestock Market. Starting at 10am on both Fridays & Saturdays
Fridays:  Cows, Pairs, Big Bulls
Saturdays:  Stocker & Feeder Cattle, followed by any cows & bulls that come in late Friday & Saturday. Cafe open both sale days. You don’t have to be a buyer, just to come watch the sale and visit the cafe!
3 YPL First Friday Luncheon (Young Professional’s League of Bourbon County) – Papa Don’s, 10 N. Main St., 12-1pm

Join us for the YPL First Friday Luncheon, open to YPL members or anyone interested in the organization
3 Friday Night Concerts in the Park – 1st & Main St., 7-8pm

The concerts are held weekly from 7-8pm at the Heritage Park Pavilion on the corner of 1st & Main, Downtown Fort Scott

The concerts are organized by Ralph Carlson. If you or someone you know is interested in performing, contact Ralph at [email protected]

Bring your lawn chair as seating is limited
3
FSCC Theater Department Presents: Loose Ends – FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center, 2108 S. Horton, 7:30pm both nights

Before dropping the final curtain on the school year, Fort Scott Community College presents “Loose Ends,” a night of five student- and guest-directed one-act plays (and two monologues) designed to make the audience laugh, cry, think, curse or all of the above

In addition to the short plays, Royalty Mercer, a freshman from Lithonia, GA, will perform two monologues
4 Fort Scott Christian Heights Country Store & Auction, 5K Race and 2 Mile Fun Walk – 1101 S. Barbee St., 7:30am-7pm

See flyer below for more information)
4 Farmer’s Market – Skubitz Plaza (in front of the historic fort)

Saturday Mornings, 8:00am – 12:00pm

Fort Scott Farmers’ Market is a farmer driven and run market. The farmers work hard to produce the very finest produce available. We also provide a great venue for community organizations to promote their mission and raise funds

We are focused on fresh locally produce farm products
4 BCAC Concert on the Patio: PDA (Charlie Barrale & Julia Parsons) – Liberty Theatre Patio, 113 S. Main St., 8pm

Part of the Bourbon County Arts Council Summer Concert Series

To watch a video, click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gd4Lp-27aec

(See flyer below for more information)
4 Charlie Barrale & Julia Parsons at the Boiler Room Brewhaus,
2 S. National Ave., 3-5pm

Southern music duo. Tickets $10 available at The Boiler Room Brewhaus, Chamber and Visitors Center. Meet Charlie and Julia at a pot luck from
2-3pm
5 Team Trivia at the Boiler Room Brewhaus – 10 S. National, 3-5pm

Exciting, fun and challenging team trivia. Put your team together (maximum of 8 teams, maximum of 5 members on a team). $5 per person. Cash prizes for winning team. Pre-register at the tap room
5
Cinco de Mayo on the Patio at Liberty Theatre – 113 S. Main St., 4-5pm

Join us for our annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta on the Patio! $5 all you can eat fiesta buffet (with the purchase of an adult beverage).

Fiesta Buffet:

Hard shell tacos, soft shell tacos, ground beef, grilled chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, cheeses, black beans, guacamole, pico de Gallo, chips, dips, & more

Mexican beer, Margarita & Daiquiri drink specials & more

No reservations required. First come, first serve
7-8 Story Time – Fort Scott Public Library,  201 S. National Ave.,
10-11am
7 Fort Scott Middle School Pizza Hut Nights Fundraiser –
1810 S. Main St.

The middle school fundraiser is always the first Tuesday of each month that school is in session. Tuesday, September 5th will be the first one of the year.  Please plan to eat at Pizza Hut sometime that day and use the FSMS voucher
7 Small Business Procurement Day Event in Topeka, KS – Capitol Plaza Hotel, 1717 SW Topeka Blvd.,
9am-3pm

A celebratory event will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Topeka, KS. This free event will provide an opportunity for small businesses to connect with federal agency buyers and contracting officers to determine contracting and procurement opportunities. There will also be a one-on-one Agency-Vendor Engagement Session and training session to learn about resources that will be helpful to the growth and development of small businesses in the procurement market space, including Contracting 101 and FedBid/GSA Purchasing

All categories of small businesses are invited to attend. To register for Procurement Day, visit https://www.center-gateway.com/#/events/event_detail;event_id=53665
7 T.O.P.S Meeting – Buck Run Community Center, 3-4pm
7 Fort Scott Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room,
2108 S. Horton, 12-1pm
7 Farmer’s Market – Skubitz Plaza (in front of the historic fort)

Tuesday evenings, 8:00am – 12:00pm

Fort Scott Farmers’ Market is a farmer driven and run market. The farmers work hard to produce the very finest produce available. We also provide a great venue for community organizations to promote their mission and raise funds

We are focused on fresh locally produce farm products
7 Zumba Classes at FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center, 2108 S. Horton

Zumba classes are held every Tuesday & Thursday night from
5-6:15pm. $3 per class

Contact Kassie Fugate-Cate: 620-223-2700 for more info
7 City Commission Meeting – City Hall, 123 S. Main St., 6-7pm
7 Poetry Contest Reception at Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore –
16 S. Main St., 6-7pm

A poetry contest reception for April’s poetry contest will be held at the store. Winners will be announced at this time. Light refreshments will be served
7 Community Bingo Night at Fort Scott Middle School –
1105 E. 12th St.

(See flyer below for more information)
8
Social Media For Your Business class – FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center, 2108 S. Horton, 8:30-10am

Hosted by Kansas SBDC at Pittsburg State and Fort Scott Community College

Topics discussed will be three major social media platforms you need to know about: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (See flyer below for more info)
8 Breakfast Bingo at Buck Run Community Center – 735 Scott Ave., 9-10am

Come drink some coffee and play some bingo at Buck Run.  Staff will provide the bingo cards, the caller, and coffee.  Prizes provided by the Fort Scott Recreation Commission
8
Online Marketing class – FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center,
2108 S. Horton St., 10:30am-12pm

Discuss online marketing tactics outside social media, including search engine optimization (SEO), Google for your Business, and the importance of a website (See flyer below for more info)

To register, click here: https://www.facebook.com/events/272536263658674/
8 Google Livestream hosted by the Chamber: “Drive Business Results with Google Ads” – Lowell Milken Center, 1 S. Main St., 11am-12pm

Join us for a free Grow with Google livestream during National Small Business Week.  The livestream will focus on teaching the basics of advertising online with Google Ads

What local businesses can expect from the livestream:
  • Real-time guidance from Google experts
  • Details on different advertising campaign types
  • Instructions on how to increase leads, sales, and brand awareness
  • How-tos for first-time users on choosing goals and measuring success
To sign up, contact Lindsay Madison: 620-223-3566
8
Rotary Meeting – Presbyterian Church,  308 S. Crawford St.,
12-1pm
8 Understanding Financial Statements class – FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center, 2108 S. Horton St., 1:30-3pm

Hosted by Kansas SBDC at Pittsburg State and Fort Scott Community College

We will discuss profit & loss, cash flow, financial projections, and other topics that you need to know about to better run your business and/or help prepare you in getting a business loan (See flyer below for more info)

To register, click here: https://www.facebook.com/events/409355956518027/
8
Adult Coloring Program – Fort Scott Public Library,
201 S. National Ave., 2-4pm

Join us in the library events room for a relaxing afternoon of coloring and conversation. Library provides coloring pages, pens and pencils, and snacks. Bring your own beverage of choice (no alcohol, please)
8
TAG (Teen Advisory Group) – Fort Scott Public Library,
201 S. National Ave., 4-5pm

Exclusively for middle and high school students. We have meetings weekly, including a games & snack night, a community service project, a book club meeting, and a craft night each month
Make a difference in your community while having fun at TAG! Each meeting includes food, drinks, and a good time with your fellow teens. Bring your friends!
9
Join us for the weekly Chamber Coffee of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at 8am. This week’s Chamber Coffee will be hosted by Woodland Hills Golf Course
Location: 2414 S. Horton
9 Pioneer Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 12pm-1pm
9 Gardening at Noon – Presented by Southwind Extension District – Heritage Park, 102 E. 1st St., 12:15-12:50pm

Spring has sprung, and it’s time to get gardening! Bring your lunch, a drink, and come learn something new!

Southwind Extension District presents “Attracting Butterflies”
(See flyer below)

All participants will receive a 25% off coupon to use towards any gardening book in the Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore, located at
16 S. Main St.  Note: In the event of rain, class moves to Hedgehog.INK, 16 S. Main St.
9 Kids in the Kitchen – First Church of God, 1115 E. Wall St.,
4-5:30pm

K-State Research and Extension is offering a FREE Kids in the Kitchen class for grades 4th thru 6th grade, each Thursday

This class will teach kitchen safety, how to prepare healthy and inexpensive snacks. For more information, please contact Malynda Payne (620) 768-9459
9 Thursday Card Players – Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Ave., 6-9pm

Free weekly event to anyone that wants to play cards, drink coffee, eat snacks, and socialize
9
A Star is Born (or Died) – Boiler Room Brewhaus, 10 S. National Ave., 7-9pm

Join us at The Boiler Room Brewhaus on Thursday evenings from 7 to 9 for karaoke fun.  Cheer on your local, favorite star!
10-11
 Town-wide Garage Sale – Only $10 to list your garage sale on the map to be advertised on the radio, in the newspaper, social media, on the Chamber website – and printed copies distributed throughout town!

Maps will be available Thursday, May 9th through Saturday, May 11th at the following locations: Bids and Dibs, Casey’s, Don’s Smoke Shop, 5 Corners, all Pete’s locations, and the Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall St.

To list your garage sale on the map, call the Chamber at
620-223-3566 or email: [email protected] or visit: http://fortscott.com/events/details/town-wide-garage-sale-11041
10-11
Weekly Livestock Sale at Fort Scott Livestock Market. Starting at 10am on both Fridays & Saturdays
Fridays:  Cows, Pairs, Big Bulls
Saturdays:  Stocker & Feeder Cattle, followed by any cows & bulls that come in late Friday & Saturday. Cafe open both sale days. You don’t have to be a buyer, just to come watch the sale and visit the cafe!
10 Friday Night Concert in the Park – Sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce – Heritage Park Pavillion,
1st & Main, 7-8pm

This Friday night at the Heritage Park Pavilion (1st Street and Main) will feature the Sekanaires Quartet. The quartet members are Ray Mauck, Curtis Ramsey, Steve Bell and Ralph Carlson. The quartet was formed in the early 1960s and has made seven recordings. The concert will start at 7 pm and will move to the Common Grounds Coffee shop in the event in inclement weather. This is the 2nd show of the new season

The concerts are organized by Ralph Carlson. If you or someone you know is interested in performing, contact Ralph at [email protected]

Bring your lawn chair as seating is limited
11 Benefit Bass Fishing Tournaments for Class of ’91 Grad Chad Elmer –

Everyone who knows Chad Elmer and and for those of you who may not… He was recently diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer and they found a couple spots on the liver. He is under going some pretty aggressive chemo therapy treatment

There are three tournaments: May 11th, June 15th, and July 27th

Entry will be $25/person. 50% of the entry fees will go to Chad to help with his up coming expenses and the other 50% will go to prize money

There will be raffles at each tournament, including an AR15 gun raffle (see flyer below for complete information)
11 Farmer’s Market – Skubitz Plaza (in front of the historic fort)

Saturday Mornings, 8:00am – 12:00pm

Fort Scott Farmers’ Market is a farmer driven and run market. The farmers work hard to produce the very finest produce available. We also provide a great venue for community organizations to promote their mission and raise funds

We are focused on fresh locally produce farm products
11 Storytime at Hedgehog.INK! “Pirates Ahoy!” – 16 S. Main St., 10:30-11:30am, the second Saturday of every month

Storytime and special activity with the Fort Scott High School Thespians

Visit: https://www.facebook.com/hedgesbookstore/  (See flyer below)
12 Team Trivia at the Boiler Room Brewhaus – 10 S. National, 3-5pm

Exciting, fun and challenging team trivia. Put your team together (maximum of 8 teams, maximum of 5 members on a team).
$5 per person. Cash prizes for winning team. Pre-register at the tap room
13 Uniontown Regional High School Tournament
14-15 Story Time – Fort Scott Public Library,  201 S. National Ave., 10-11am
14 T.O.P.S Meeting – Buck Run Community Center,
3-4pm
14 Fort Scott Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 2108 S. Horton, 12-1pm
14 Farmer’s Market – Skubitz Plaza (in front of the historic fort)

Tuesday evenings, 8:00am – 12:00pm

Fort Scott Farmers’ Market is a farmer driven and run market. The farmers work hard to produce the very finest produce available. We also provide a great venue for community organizations to promote their mission and raise funds

We are focused on fresh locally produce farm products
14 USD 234 Board of Education Meeting – 424 S. Main St.,
5:30-6:30pm
14 Historic Preservation Association of Bourbon County Meeting – Old Congregational Church, 502 S. National Ave., Board meeting at 6:30pm, program at 7pm

We will have great fellowship, refreshments, and a door prize – hope you can attend!
15
Rotary Meeting – Presbyterian Church,  308 S. Crawford St.,
12-1pm
15
Adult Coloring Program – Fort Scott Public Library,
201 S. National Ave., 2-4pm

Join us in the library events room for a relaxing afternoon of coloring and conversation. Library provides coloring pages, pens and pencils, and snacks. Bring your own beverage of choice (no alcohol, please)
15
TAG (Teen Advisory Group) – Fort Scott Public Library,
201 S. National Ave., 4-5pm

Exclusively for middle and high school students. We have meetings weekly, including a games & snack night, a community service project, a book club meeting, and a craft night each month
Make a difference in your community while having fun at TAG! Each meeting includes food, drinks, and a good time with your fellow teens. Bring your friends!
15 Presbyterian Good Sam Dinner and Auction – Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, 2401 S. Horton, 4:30-8pm

Auction at 5pm, dinner from 4:30 to 6:30pm

Chicken Mary’s dinner and homemade desserts! Chance to win a trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico

Meal tickets are $9 in advance, $12 at the door. Carry-out is available.
Drawing tickets are $5 each or three for $10. Tickets are available at Presbyterian Village or the Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall St.

All proceeds go to the Good Samaritan Program, which directly benefits Fort Scott Presbyterian Village residents who have outlived their financial resources through no fault of their own (See flyer below for more info)
16
Join us for the weekly Chamber Coffee of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at 8am. This week’s Chamber Coffee will be hosted by Fort Scott Paws & Claws Animal Shelter.
Location: 8 N. Judson
Join us for the weekly Chamber Coffee of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at 8am. This week’s Chamber Coffee will be hosted by Woodland Hills Golf Course
Location: 2414 S. Horton
16 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony celebrating the opening of the Fort Scott Paws & Claws Animal Shelter’s new location at 8 N. Judson St. The event will take place Thursday, May 16th, immediately following the Chamber Coffee, which begins at 8 a.m. at the same location

The new Paws and Claws location at 8 N. Judson St. in downtown Fort Scott will serve as a cat shelter, an office, and an intake and adoption area
Please join Fort Scott Paws & Claws Animal Shelter May 16th, 2019 for the Chamber of Commerce Coffee at 8 a.m., with remarks and ribbon cutting immediately following
16
Business Basics: Quickbooks, presented by Kansas SBDC at PSU – FSCC Bailey Hall, Room A-130, 2108 S. Horton St., 8:30am-4:30pm

Business owners and entrepreneurs seeking information on growing their business through proper financial management. This program is appropriate for those who have started or are thinking about starting a business

Learn some of the essentials of navigating Quickbooks desktop software. We’ll cover basic accounting and multiple topics including: -Cash vs. accrual -Financial statements -Chart of accounts -Sales receipts -Invoices -Receiving payment/making deposits -Understanding banking and credit card statements -Budgeting (See flyer below for more info)

To register, please visit:
16 Pioneer Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 12pm-1pm
16 Thursday Card Players – Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Ave., 6-9pm

Free weekly event to anyone that wants to play cards, drink coffee, eat snacks, and socialize
16
A Star is Born (or Died) – Boiler Room Brewhaus, 10 S. National Ave., 7-9pm

Join us at The Boiler Room Brewhaus on Thursday evenings from 7 to 9 for karaoke fun.  Cheer on your local, favorite star!
Save the Date:
– May 17 – Art Walk hosted by BB County Arts Council
– May 17 – Friday Night Concert in the Park
– May 18 – Farmers’ Market
– May 18 – Kiwanis 3-Person Scholarship Scramble
– May 18 – Marriage Night Dinner & Live Stream program
– May 19 – Team Trivia at Boiler Room Brewhaus
– May 19 – Steinway Thank You Concert at FSHS
Click here for full events listing on our website.
In This Issue
Join Our Mailing List!
Chamber Highlights
Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
Like us on Facebook
Visit Fort Scott KS
Like us on Facebook

Click HERE for a digital copy of the
2019 Fort Scott Area Community Guide & Chamber Membership Directory.

 

The Fort Scott National Historic Site 2019 Schedule of Activities.

Click HERE for details.

Kansas Rocks Recreation Park

4-Wheeling, Biking, Hiking

2019 Schedule of events.

Click HERE for details.

Bike Share Program

Bike Share Program is now
available to the public!
Click here to view more detail about this amazing program and
for additional information on our website click here!

Government, Kansas

Governor Kelly: It’s time to expand Medicaid

Leave a comment

 

The following column is from Governor Laura Kelly regarding Medicaid expansion:

With every passing day, more Kansans feel the impact of the state’s failure to expand Medicaid. It’s our neighbor struggling to get access to affordable healthcare. It’s a friend who works full-time – and works hard – but can’t afford private insurance or a doctor’s visit. It’s a working mother who can’t get mental health services to address her undiagnosed depression. It’s a young person with a disability who can’t get the health coverage he needs to continue working.

To date, Kansas has sent over $3.2 billion of our tax dollars to be used by other states to pay for their healthcare. That’s money that could go towards making Kansans healthier. It would also help Kansans who fall in the coverage gap – where they make slightly too much to get traditional Medicaid, but not nearly enough to afford private health insurance.

It’s not just patients who stand to lose if we fail to expand Medicaid. Our communities and local hospitals are struggling. According to some reports, 30 percent of our state’s hospitals are considered financially vulnerable. In small communities across our state, these facilities are at serious risk of closure.

Rural hospitals face numerous challenges and expansion won’t solve all of them. But all rural hospitals will benefit from Medicaid expansion proportionately, more than urban hospitals.

Many hospitals – both urban and rural – have high rates of uncompensated care. That means they are providing healthcare services for folks who can’t afford to pay. By expanding Medicaid, we can help their bottom line and infuse millions into our state’s economy.

Unfortunately, some Republican leaders still refuse to listen to the experts or acknowledge the success of the 36 states that already expanded Medicaid. They continue to ignore the resounding support voiced by Kansas families, businesses, child advocates and healthcare providers.

Expanding Medicaid is a commonsense, proven way to strengthen our state. We must move forward this year.

Last month, a bipartisan coalition in the Kansas House came together to pass expansion. It was a big step forward and I commend their courage and determination. But again this week, leaders in the Senate refused to allow a vote on Medicaid expansion.

Our friends, families and neighbors need Medicaid expansion.  Not only is it sound policy, it is the right thing to do. Call Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning and Senate President Susan Wagle at 1-800-432-3924 and demand a vote on Medicaid expansion.

Bourbon County, Business

Entrepreneur Education Series May 8

Leave a comment
Kansas Small Business Development Center (SBDC) presents the
Entrepreneur Education Series: Business Basics
Take advantage of these courses
being held locally at
FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center!!
The first day of courses, on Wednesday, May 8th, includes:
Social Media – 8:30-10:00am
Online Marketing – 10:30am-noon
Understanding Financial Statements – 1:30-3pm
There is no charge for these courses.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Business owners & entrepreneurs seeking information on growing their business through proper financial management and marketing. Appropriate for those who have started or are thinking about starting a business.
To register for one or more of these events, please contact Mindy Lee at [email protected]
Location: FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center,
2108 S. Horton St., Fort Scott, KS
Opinion

Did You Hear That Voice? by Pastor James Collins

1 Comment
Pastor James Collins

 

“Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come?”

Isaiah 42:23

I have been trying to learn to use my cell phone, but there are many buttons and apps – I have no idea what most of them do. The other day, I saw my friend, Ida Ford, talking into her cell phone. However, she wasn’t on a call. “What are you doing?” I asked. She said, “I’m using the voice command app. I talk, and the voice command types my text message.”

Ida showed me how the app worked and for the past few days, I have tried to use it. Yet, it doesn’t work right. It doesn’t understand my redneck accent.

Someone texted me and told me about a lady from church who was in the hospital. I replied with my voice command, “I hope she gets better. I pray she does.” Only it said, “I pray she dies.” That was not good…

Once I got the voice command activated, I couldn’t figure out how to turn it off. I got frustrated and said, “Baloney!” When I said, “Baloney,” the phone said, “Bologna is a city in Italy. It is also a cooked, smoked sausage.” I screamed, “I didn’t say Bologna. I said, Baloney!”

Later that day, I was at the dentist office with the phone in my pocket. As I was sitting in the waiting room, a voice said, “Say a command.” The lady at the reception desk looked up at me. I heard the voice again, “Say a command.” I realized the voice was coming out of my britches.

“Say a command.”

I took the phone out of my pocket, tried to turn it off, but it kept saying, “Say a command.”

“Say a command.”

“I command you to shut up!” I exclaimed.

I was called back to the exam room. I was sitting in the dental chair while the hygienist was cleaning my teeth. I couldn’t say anything because there was a suction hose, tooth scraper, polisher, waterpik, and seven or eight other dental tools hanging out of my mouth. I couldn’t have said anything if I tried.

Suddenly, I heard a voice say, “Did you say call Brian Poodle?” It said it again. “Did you say call Brian Poodle?”

I know Brian Williams, Brian Foster, and Brian Lane. However, I don’t know Brian Poodle. I know some wiener dogs, and a schnauzer, but I don’t know a poodle.

Frustrated, I finally reached in my pocket and turned off that stinking thing. I was tired of hearing the voice. So, I turned it off.

Often, we do the same thing.

Young people get tired of listening to their parents. So, they turn them off.

In church, people get tired of listening to the preacher. So, they turn him off.

You get tired of listening to the Word of God. So, you turn it off.

The point is: God might just be trying to say a command to you. Will you give an ear to Him? Will you just listen? Don’t cover your ears and close your heart.

Pastor James Collins serves at Fort Scott’s First Southern Baptist Church. He can be reached at www.thepointis.net.

Obituary

Obituary of Marjorie Tate

1 Comment

Marjorie Elinor Tate, age 92, a former resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, and more recently of Rockaway Beach, Missouri, passed away Thursday, May 2, 2019, at her home in Rockaway Beach.

She was born October 29, 1926, in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of Forrest Bobbitt and Matilda Jane Mapes Bobbitt.

She married Marvin E. Tate on April 5, 1946, at the Mt. Zion Bible School in Ava, Missouri.  Marjorie was a devoted wife and mother.  She did bookkeeping for her husband’s carpentry and antique businesses.

She faithfully attended the Parkway Church of God (Holiness) where she served for many years as a Sunday School teacher.  She was a long-time supporter of Ft. Scott Christian Heights and the youth activities of her church.  After moving to Rockaway Beach, she attended church at the Bridge of Faith Community Church where she volunteered with the church thrift store.

Survivors include two daughters, Nancy Martinez and husband, Juan, of Eagle Pass, Texas and Jane Peck and husband, Daryl, of Rockaway Beach, Missouri and her son, Kelly Tate and wife, Jan, of Ft. Scott, Kansas.  Also surviving are fifteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.

 Her husband, Marvin, preceded her in death on June 17, 2010.  She was also preceded in death by a granddaughter.

Pastor Jonathan McGuire and Rev. Eric Going will conduct funeral services at 2:00 P.M. Monday, May 6th at the Parkway Church of God (Holiness).

  Private burial will take place in the U. S. National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Sunday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Bridge of Faith Church or Central Mission of Faith and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Business, Government, Kansas

Angel Investor assistance

Leave a comment

 

 

Topeka, Kan. – The window for accepting Angel Investor Tax Credit Applications has reached its halfway point.

Applications for companies seeking investment through the Kansas Angel Investor Tax Credit (KAITC) program for 2019 will be accepted through Aug. 31. The program offers Kansas income tax credits to qualified individuals who provide seed-capital financing for emerging Kansas businesses engaged in development, implementation and commercialization of innovative technologies, products and services.

The KAITC Program is administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce and designed to bring together accredited angel investors with qualified Kansas companies seeking seed and early stage investment. The purpose of the Kansas Angel Investor Tax Credit act is to facilitate:

  • The availability of equity investment in businesses in the early stages of commercial development.
  • Assist in the creation and expansion of Kansas businesses, which are job and wealth creating enterprises.

Applications for certification will be accepted only for Kansas businesses in the seed and early stage rounds of financing.

Companies must meet the following criteria to be certified as a Qualified Kansas Business:

  • The business has a reasonable chance of success and potential to create measurable employment within Kansas.
  • In the most recent tax year of the business, annual gross revenue was less than $5 million
  • Businesses that are not Bioscience businesses must have been in operation for less than five years; bioscience businesses must have been in operation for less than 10 years.
  • The business has an innovative and proprietary technology, product, or service.
  • The existing owners of the business have made a substantial financial and time commitment to the business.
  • The securities to be issued and purchased are qualified securities.
  • The company agrees to adequate reporting of business information to the Kansas Department of Commerce.
  • The ability of investors in the business to receive tax credits for cash investments in qualified securities of the business is beneficial, because funding otherwise available for the business is not available on commercially reasonable terms.
  • Each applicant must sign a Qualified Company Agreement with the Kansas Department of Commerce.

Certification of companies must meet mandates established by Kansas statute to allow accredited Angel Investors to receive the Kansas Angel Investor Tax Credit. This year, the application fee has been reduced from $750 to $500.

 

 

Ryan Brinker

Public Information Officer

[email protected]

 

Kansas Department of Commerce

1000 SW Jackson St. Ste. 100

Topeka, KS 66612-1354

Phone: 785-296-4931

Cell: 785-276-9723

Obituary

Obituary of John Darwin Hastings

Leave a comment

John Darwin Hastings, age 89, resident of Nevada, MO, formerly of Bronaugh, MO, passed away at his home Tuesday, April 30, 2019.

He was born on March 21, 1930, in Lindsay, CA, the son of John Raymond and Dora Beatrice Fry Hastings. He graduated from Bronaugh high school with the class of 1948. He served three tours of duty in Korea in the Navy. John married Mary Ann Stumfoll on August 9, 1952, in Bentonville AR. She preceded in death on June 24, 2017.

John was a hard-working farmer. He loved the Lord and served as deacon and Sunday School teacher. He was an avid reader, especially his Bible. When not working, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching westerns, and tending his vegetable and flower gardens. Iris was his favorite flower. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Pleasanton, KS.

Survivors include his son, Rev. John Bradley Hastings and wife Ronda, Grants, NM; two daughters, Renee Clemons and husband John, Oronogo, MO, and Lexi Strickler and husband Doug, Iola, KS; two sisters, Betty Smith and husband Jerry, Haysville, KS, and Joan Owens, Saginaw, MO; three brothers, Donald Hastings and wife Doris, Elkhart, IN, Gary Lee Hastings, Bronaugh, MO, and Billy Ray Hastings, Philippines; 9 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Alisa Ann Hastings; a brother, Robert Hastings; three sisters, Laverna Drummond, Lorene Hopkins, and Jo Ellen Jones; and his parents.

Rev. Bradley Hastings will conduct funeral services at 10:00 AM Monday, May 6th, at the Grace Baptist Tabernacle.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 9:00 until service time Monday at Grace Baptist.

Memorials are suggested to Native American Baptist Missions and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701.

Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Uncategorized

Governor to honor fallen Kansas law enforcement officers

Leave a comment

 

Governor directs flags to be lowered, will sign official proclamation

 

In recognition of the 37th annual Kansas Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony on Friday, May 3 and National Peace Officers Memorial Day on Wednesday, May 15, Governor Laura Kelly has ordered flags throughout the State of Kansas to be flown at half-staff from sunup to sundown on both May 3 and May 15.

 

“Each year we recognize law enforcement officers for putting service above self to protect fellow Kansans,” Kelly said. “I have a deep appreciation for these officers and their families – and on behalf of the State of Kansas, thank them for their commitment.”

 

On Friday, Kelly will sign an official proclamation declaring May 3 as “Kansas Law Enforcement Memorial Day.” In addition, H.J. Res. 730, P.L. 87-726 designates May 15 of each year as National Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor of federal, state and local officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.