Category Archives: Area News

Area News, Entertainment

Alabama Residents are Invited to Tumbleweed Music Festival for Free

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Governor Laura Kelly: Alabama Residents are Invited to Tumbleweed Music Festival for Free

 

Topeka, Kan. – Governor Laura Kelly announced details today of a new and entertaining musical opportunity for residents of Kansas and Alabama.

Working with assistance from the Kansas Department of Commerce, Governor Kelly announced today that residents of the state of Alabama are invited to attend the Tumbleweed Music Festival in Kansas for free, thanks to an offer from the festival’s promoter.

 

The festival will take place from May 30th through June 1st in La Cygne, KS. Every citizen of the state of Alabama is eligible to receive a three-day General Admission pass to the festival at no charge.

 

“I want to thank Alabama Governor Kay Ivey for the ability to share this Kansas experience with the residents of Alabama,” Governor Kelly said. “I hope this marks the beginning of a long-term relationship between our two beautiful states.”

In 2019, the Tumbleweed Music Festival will be headlined by the band Alabama. Other acts performing will include The Marshall Tucker Band, Blackberry Smoke, Whiskey Myers and many more.

 

Any Alabaman wishing to register can go to this site to claim their free pass: http://www.TumbleweedCountry.com/Alabama

 

Tumbleweed Festival Lineup Announcement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHnm0TOvtUE

 

Area News, Fort Scott

Beacon Will Provide Evening Hours

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From left: Gary Murrell, Director and David Gillen, Food Packaging Specialist at the Beacon, 525 E. Sixth.

The Beacon has a multi-decade history in Fort Scott as a helping agency to those with limited resources.

“The Beacon has just completed 33 years as a food pantry,” said Carol MacArthur, president of the Beacon Board of Directors. “We are working toward making Beacon’s services more available to clients, and this includes trying some methods not done previously.”

This includes the agency becoming more consumer-friendly by adding evening hours on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, starting March 12.

“On March 12, The Beacon will adapt its hours in order to become more “user-friendly” to Bourbon County residents,” MacArthur said.

“Since a number of individuals have expressed a need for evening hours, the Beacon staff will open for full service twice a month between 4:30 and 7 p.m.,” she said.

“We’ll be closed the Tuesday we are open in the evening,” said Garry Murrell, the director of the Beacon.

Murrell will be available to provide service and assistance as he does during day-time hours.

The Beacon provides a food pantry for the community.

“Basic needs for the family,” Murrell said. “Canned goods, rice, beans, potatoes, (the food) varies.”

“We have a limited amount of meat, which we give until we don’t have anymore,” he said.

Individuals, churches, businesses and others donate food throughout the year.

“We have a lot of food drives to help us,” Murrell said.

From left: David Gillen, Food Packaging Specialist and Sharon Farmer, Front Desk Receptionist at the Beacon.

The Beacon also provides financial assistance, if the person qualifies, for utility bills, and occasionally rent and prescription assistance.

“If we have the funds, we can help,” Murrell said. “If we don’t we can’t.”

The new evening hours will be offered on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month.

March 12th and 26th

April 9th and 23rd

May 14th and 28th.

To contact the Beacon, please call 223-6869.

Area News

Prairie Troubadour: Feb. 22-23

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The Prairie Troubadour Symposium is nigh upon us!

Rejuvenate your weary soul with a much-needed weekend of mirth and friendship.

Program at a glance:

  • Dates are Feb. 22nd (evening) & 23rd (full day), 2019
  • This year’s theme is Reason for Faith: Reflections on Particles and the Paraclete.  Discussions will range from evolution and the New Atheists to the role of science in education and the work of Fr. Stanley Jaki.
  • Dale Ahlquist, David Whalen, Stacy Trasancos, William Fahey and Kevin O’Brien fill-out yet another all-star cast of presenters.
  • A slightly less frenetic schedule this year allowing for more time to catch up with friends and browse 8th Day Books’ magnificent bookstore.
  • A great opportunity to get to know the students, faculty, families and growing community of Saint Martin’s Academy and tour campus!
Click here for full details and to register.

“Wherever the Catholic sun doth shine,
There’s always laughter and good red wine.
At least I’ve always found it so.
Benedicamus Domino!”

– Hilaire Belloc

Area News, Health Care

Veterans Shuttle On Mondays and Tuesdays Starting March 4

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The Fort Scott – Topeka VA Shuttle service is now providing weekly service to area Veterans on Mondays and Tuesdays. The new schedule starts Monday, March 4, 2019.

There is no cost to the Veteran to ride the shuttle. The shuttle service is for any Veteran who needs transportation to Topeka for their medical appointment.

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 will depart from Pete’s 66 service station on Main Street at 6:15 am and will return to Fort Scott after the last rider has completed their appointment in Topeka.

The rider must be at the designated departure point by 6:10 am. This is not a pickup or taxi service. The Veteran is responsible for being at Pete’s by the departure time.

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. Those Veterans who need a caregiver to accompany them must have 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 the Topeka VA Medical Center between 9 am and 1 pm for the day they schedule their shuttle seat.

·         Call 785-925-0261 to schedule their seat. All seat reservations must be scheduled by 5 pm, the day prior to their appointment in Topeka.

Contact Carl Jowers, Fort Scott Shuttle Coordinator, at 785-925-0261 with any questions you may have about the shuttle service or for information on becoming a shuttle driver.

Area News

WW II “Rosie the Riveter” Kansas Women Honored

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AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY NOTIFIED OF GOVERNOR’S PROCLAMATION

The Kansas American Legion Auxiliary will honor nearly 120 heroic Kansas women who earned the moniker of Rosie the Riveter. These women answered the call to work on assembly lines, in shipyards, airplane factories, and other institutions in support of World War II’s military operations. “The Auxiliary wants to recognize its Kansas Rosies for their inspiring patriotism and service to Kansas and the United States,” Auxiliary President Karen Hasting said. “The Auxiliary will honor its known Rosie the Riveters during the American Legion’s Mid-winter Forum in Dodge City on February 1, 2019.

Auxiliary Vice-president Paula Sellens spearheaded the effort to organize a Roses for Rosies Ceremony. “I was hopeful that Governor Laura Kelly would support our event,” Sellens said. “The Legion Press Committee sent a request for a proclamation and described how patriotic the Rosies were. I received the Governor’s Proclamation today. I’m thrilled! The proclamation will be made a part of the ceremony!”

 

Area News

Fort Scott National Historic Site Opens Sunday

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Statement from FSNHS on the Resumption of Full Operations

With the enactment of the continuing resolution, staff at Fort Scott National Historic Site will have begun the process of resuming normal operations today, and anticipate all regular operations by tomorrow, Sunday, January 27, 2019.

Please visit www.nps.gov/fosc for updated information about the park.

Fort Scott National Historic Site employees are happy to be back at work, serving the American people and welcoming visitors to their national parks.

“We anticipate all regular operations by tomorrow, Sunday, January 27,”  said Carl Brenner, Chief of Interpretation and Resource Management.

Area News, Entertainment

KU Professor Kevin Willmott Nominated For 2019 Academy Award

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“Our 2016 Gordon Parks Choice of Weapons Award winner Kevin Willmott, who is KU Professor and filmmaker, is being nominated for an Academy Award for the movie ‘BlacKkKlansman’,” said Kirk Sharp with the Gordon Parks Museum.  “He co-wrote it with Spike Lee, Charlie Wachtel and David Rabinowitz.

The Academy Award nomination is for best adapted screenplay for Willmott’s work on “BlacKkKlansman.”

On Tuesday, the film received six nominations which also include best picture, as well as director (Spike Lee), supporting actor (Adam Driver), original score (Terence Blanchard) and editing (Barry Alexander Brown).

BlacKkKlansman is based on the real-life story of Ron Stallworth, the first African-American police officer in Colorado Springs, who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan in the late 1970s.

To learn more click on these links:

https://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/movies-news-reviews/article224897260.html

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/oscar-nominations-2019-complete-list-nominees-1172407/item/best-picture-1172473

Area News

Kansas Female Veterans Sought

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The United States was plunged into World War II on December 7, 1941 when the Japanese Imperial Navy bombed Pearl Harbor. Thousands of Kansas patriots were among the millions who left their civilian jobs and joined the military in response to a presidential call to arms.

Heroic Kansas women were among those sixteen million females who answered the call to work on assembly lines, farms, in shipyards, airplane factories, and other institutions in support of the military overseas.

Rosie the Riveter became the iconic image of World War II’s working women. She was the star of a campaign to recruit females to work in defense industries. American Legion Auxiliary President Karen Hasting announced an initiative to honor their service and share their stories with future generations of Americans.

“The Auxiliary wants to recognize its Kansas Rosies for their inspiring patriotism and service to Kansas and the United States,” Hasting said. “The Department of Kansas American Legion Auxiliary will honor its known Rosie the Riveters during the American Legion’s Mid-winter Forum.

Auxiliary Vice-president Paula Sellens is spearheading the effort to identify Rosies.

“The Auxiliary is issuing a call for Rosies,” Sellens said. “Our known Rosies will be honored in a ceremony in Dodge City, Kansas on February 1, 2019. We’re asking that everyone that knows of a Kansas Rosie, living or deceased, to call me at 620-255-9339 or send information by email to: [email protected].”

Area News, Business, Fort Scott, Jobs

Gordman’s Job Fair-Fort Scott: Feb. 19

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Apparel and home décor retailer Gordmans, a division of Stage Stores, is coming to Fort Scott and surrounding regions this March.

 

Gordmans is currently hiring for a variety of full-time and part-time positions and encourages interested candidates to apply online at gordmans.com and then attend the job fair at the following new location:

 

Fort Scott Gordmans

Tuesday, Feb. 19
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
2400 S. Main Street
Fort Scott, Kansas         

 

Pittsburg Gordmans
Thursday, Feb. 7
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
202 E. Centennial Drive
Pittsburg, Kansas         

 

Carthage Gordmans

Wednesday, Feb. 20
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.       

2410 S Grand Avenue
Carthage, Missouri     

Area News, Sports

New Indoor Track and Field Meet in Pittsburg Jan. 12

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PITTSBURG, Kan. – A new event is coming to the Robert W. Plaster Center on Saturday, January 12. The Missouri Valley Border War Championship is open to all youths who participate in track and field. Even though it’s the first time the event will be held, it is expected to bring in 250 to 300 competitors. Locals are invited as well.

“All are eligible and welcome to participate,” said Dion Lewis, Youth Chair of the USA Track & Field Missouri Valley Association. “This meet is not age specific, it is open to all youth, open, and master level athletes. An athlete from any state can participate. Athletes can be unattached or with a track club.”

Mr. Lewis said the idea for the Border War came up during last year’s 2018 USATF Regional Championships, and Pittsburg’s indoor facility provided an ideal location.

“Pitt State University has a great venue and is a prime central location for most of the athletes who will be participating,” Lewis said. “We’ve hosted track meets at PSU in the past and we look forward to hosting many more in the future.”

“It’s always a great time to stay active and compete against the best of the best, sharpening your skills as the outdoor season quickly approaches,” Lewis said. “Track and Field is the fundamental to all sports, therefore; competing will help athletes with speed/agility during offseason competition for other sports.”

“There are a lot of appealing things to track and field. For one, it is the foundation of all athletic components (i.e. running, jumping, and throwing). Secondly, track and field has something for everyone. With the right attitude, anyone can excel in track and field. Lastly, track and field offers the most athletic scholarship opportunity. There are many other appealing factors but these are just a few.”

Registration is due Thursday, January 10 and is $24 for three (3) events, including relays. To register, visit http://mv.usatf.org/, and click on “Missouri Valley Border War Championships” in the list of Upcoming Events.

Area News, Exercise

First Day Hike at Crawford State Park

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Begin the New Year connecting with the outdoors by taking a healthy hike at Crawford State Park.

Meet January 1 at 10 a.m. at the Beach Shelter.

Crawford State Park is located at 1 West Lake Road
Farlington, Kansas, just over the Bourbon County line off Highway 7 in Crawford County.
 
Crawford State Park can be reached at  620-362-3671.

Event website

The trail is moderate difficulty. Pets must be on a leash. Wear weather appropriate clothing, including water-resistant boots.

Contact/cancellation info: 620-362-3671. Tag #FirstDayHikes and #NoPlaceLikeKS.