Category Archives: Bourbon County

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Riverfront Park Pavilion Nearly Ready For The Public

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Schenkel Construction workers constructed the pavilion at Riverfront Park starting in fall 2017. It is nearly complete.

Riverfront Park Pavilion is almost ready for public use.

“We have to plant grass and landscape,” Jerry Witt, chairman of the Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority (FSBCRA), said.

The FSBCRA envisions the pavilion will be used for family gatherings or public concerts or meetings, according to  Witt.

There will be a grand opening this spring for the pavilion.

“We’re gearing towards a ribbon cutting following a Chamber of Commerce Coffee on May 17 at 8:45 a.m.,” Witt said.

“That evening at 6 p.m. there will be hot dogs, watermelon, and desserts,” he said. “Then a free country music concert at 6:30 p.m. Jason Richison, Kinley Rice and Rick Cook and the Seminole Band will be here.”

The $38,000 pavilion was funded by a matching grant where  80 percent was provided by a Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks grant, and the FSBCRA paying 20 percent through local fundraising, Witt said.

Schenkel Contracting, Fort Scott,  constructed the building purchased from Lester Building Systems of Minnesota, starting in early fall.

The 30 by 50 by 12-foot wooden frame, with commercial scissor trusses,  a steel roof and gable ends, has electricity and lights.

The pavilion is located east of the parking area just inside Riverfront Park in the Belltown Trail area, north of the Marmaton River.

The next project of the FSBCRA is an overlook structure, Witt said.

Members of Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority discuss updates on construction projects at Riverfront Park at the Carriage House in September. Clockwise from left: Danny Magee, Bob Love, Allen Warren, Jerry Witt and Jeff Sweetser. Not pictured are Betty Boyko, Dean Mann, Arnold Scholfield, Penny Barnes and Dave Martin and Brian Leaders, who are ex-officio members.

“We will be building an overlook at the convergence of  Mill Creek and the Marmaton River,” Witt said. “It will be a five-sided structure with some seating. It’s for educational and recreational purposes.”

Each side of the overlook will be 14 feet and it will be 24 feet across.

There will be a 40 foot American Disabilities Act compliant boardwalk leading to the overlook.

“The Westar Green Team is supplying the lumber and milling, the Riverfront Authority will supply labor,” Witt said.

Construction will begin in late spring or early summer, he said, with the contractor to yet be determined.

The FSBCRA is getting preliminary costs for possible lighting options in the park, Witt said.

In addition, the board is submitting a grant application for playground equipment, he said.

“It will be rustic logs and nature-type things for the kids,” Witt said.

The FSBCRA is regrouping for a historic bridge relocation to the park.

“We are looking at further grants,” Witt said. “We rejected the low bid because it was higher than the engineer thought it should be. The engineer thought it should $750,000, the low bid was $1.2 million, so we are starting over.”

The FSBCRA meets monthly.

For more information, contact Witt at 620-215-4817.

For a previous story on the FSBCRA, click here:

Riverfront Park Pavilion Work Has Begun

Riverfront Park Pavillion Coming Spring 2018

 

Bourbon County, Business

New Arby’s Coming To Fort Scott

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The old Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant will be remodeled to make way for a new Arby’s Restaurant.

U.S. Beef Corporation, Tulsa, OK has purchased the old Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant at 2101 S. Main to be transformed into an Arby’s Restaurant.

The restaurant is scheduled to be opened in late summer, 2018, according to Rachel Pruitt, Fort Scott Economic Director.

U.S. Beef Corporation is a franchisee of Arby’s Restaurant.

They are currently searching for a manager for the restaurant.

Check out this link to apply:

http://www.usbeefcorp

Or view the City of Fort Scott Facebook page.

Area News, Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Small Shopping Center Coming To South Horton Street

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The new apartment complex will be located on Huntington Street, to the east of the Horton Street parcel of land.

The old trailer park property that was on South Horton Street will see some revitalization in the future.

Tuesday the property at 1907 S. Horton, north of Community Christian Church, was rezoned.

“Along Horton, there will be a small shopping center service, a strip mall, for residents and (Fort Scott Community College) students,” Rhonda Dunn, Community Development Director for the City of Fort Scott said.

Rhonda Dunn,  Community Development Director with the City of Fort Scott.

Along Huntington St. on the east side of the Horton parcel of land, there will be apartments or duplexes built, she said.

Patrick Wood and Jake Gross, with Two Dogs Barking Real Estate, are the owners of the property and have cleared it for development.

The business also owns Garrison Apartments at 1729 S. Horton and will be building similar apartments or duplexes at the site.

The Garrison Apartments on South Horton Street. The new complexes will be similar, according to Fort Scott Community Development Director Rhonda Dunn.

“They will be a higher end finish for young professionals,” Dunn said of the proposed apartments.

“The key is, it will not be mobile homes there,” Dunn said. “I keep strict regulations on mobile homes to make sure it’s the best quality we can get. The mobile homes in our town are ‘grandfathered in’. No one needs to worry I am going to get their mobile home.”

The house and outbuildings currently on the site will be sold and removed, she said.

The house and outbuildings to be removed. The small shopping center will be located here.
Bourbon County, Submitted

K-State Sheep Management Techniques March 3

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K-State Research and Extension will host events in February and March to help the region’s sheep producers learn more about management techniques.

“The upcoming meetings will range from basic knowledge and skill sets when working with sheep and goats, to health, cost of production, and working with technology,” said Alison Crane, the sheep specialist for K-State Research and Extension. “I believe it is important to not only feel comfortable with the basics of production of small ruminants but also to keep expanding one’s knowledge base to better both the sheep and goat industries.”

On March 3, the Southwind Extension District will host its spring sheep meeting at 3 p.m. in the 4-H Building on the Bourbon County Fairgrounds in Fort Scott.  Crane will discuss basic principles of raising sheep and goats, as well as introduce herself to this area of the state.

For more information about the event, contact Chris Petty at 620-223-3720 or [email protected]; or Jennifer Terrell at 620-244-3826 or [email protected].

The Kansas State University Department of Animal Sciences and Industry serves students, livestock producers and the animal and food industries through teaching, research, and education.The K-State ASI department prepares students for careers in the animal and food industries. The curriculum includes the study of nutrition, reproduction, genetics, behavior, meat science and food science with production, management, and agribusiness skills. For more about the K-State’s ASI department visit asi.ksu.edu.

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Signs, Signs Everywhere Signs

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New kiosks have two maps—one of the City of Fort Scott trails locations and one of the specific map of the trail at the location. Pictured is the Bell Town Trail kiosk at Riverfront Park.

Area parks have had some improvements over the winter, with the placement of wayfaring signs.

There are nine signs total: Ellis Park Trail, Bell Town Trail, Riverfront Loop Trail, Fort Scott Community College Trail, three (including a new trail) at Gunn Park, Uniontown Trail, and the future Industrial Park Trail, according to  Jody Hoener, chair of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, that is coordinating the project.

Ellis Park Trail on Twelfth Street and Bell Town Trail in Riverfront Park have completed kiosks.

The next signs to go up will be the Riverfront Loop Trail and the Fort Scott Community College Trail.

It’s been a collaborative effort.

The Wayfinding Signs and Kiosks Project is funded by an American Planning Association-Kansas Chapter and Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways to Healthy Kansas Grant.

Fort Scott High School carpentry classes have constructed the kiosks.

Trail maps were designed by Simon Ballou. Darren Crays, Designing Edge Graphics, is printing and installing the maps.

The City of Fort Scott is providing the installation of the kiosks.

Wayfinding signs and kiosks are part of creating a system of non-motorized transportation in the area, according to Hoener.  Ensuring consistent signage design and graphics across all signs is best practice to make trails easily identifiable, she said.

The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team consists of Jerry Witt (Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority), Frank Halsey (Gunn Park Trails Volunteers), Lindsay Madison (Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce), Todd Farrell (City of Fort Scott) and Jody Hoener ((Mercy Hospital).

 

 

 

Area News, Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Lowell Milken Center Seeks Employees

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Position available at the Lowell Milken Center for a Full-time and a Part-time employee!
Part-time position opening at the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes-
The Lowell Milken Center is seeking an individual who has computer and organizational skills. The hours are flexible for the employee.
If interested in the position email:
Full-time position opening at the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes-
The Lowell Milken Center is seeking a dynamic individual with a college degree who wants to change the world. The individual must be a people person who interacts well with the public while having tremendous organizational skills. The individual will also provide tours to visitors, lead group tours, plan events and fundraisers, write grants, and have the ability to adjust to new tasks easily. The job, description, and title will develop as the strengths of the hired individual is discovered.
To begin the application process, email a resume to [email protected].
Area News, Bourbon County

CPRF Provides Assistance To Those With Disabilities

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Daniel Jenkins, CPRF Wheelchair and Posture Seating Clinic Technician, adjusts the positioning of a joystick on a customized wheelchair.

The Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation (CPRF) of Kansas is a United Way of Bourbon County agency.

FortScott.Biz is providing a series featuring each agency in the coming weeks.

United Way is primarily funded through donations from local businesses when employees agree to donate an amount through payroll deductions.

Gina Shelton, president of United Way of Bourbon County said the cost of a purchased soft drink, one dollar if it was payroll deducted by many people, would help the agency meet its 2018 Campaign goal of $50,000.

The following is from an interview with Kacee Shuler, director of public relations with Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation of Kansas.

The contact person is Shuler, who can be reached at 316-688-1888 or [email protected] 

What service do you provide for our community?

“We provide customized wheelchair and posture seating services, financial aid for assistive technology and medical equipment, and accessible living opportunities. All CPRF programs are designed to promote quality of life and independence for individuals with disabilities.”

When are you open? Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Local address?

“We do not have an office in Bourbon County. Our Wichita address is 5111 E 21st St N | Wichita, KS 67208.”

What percentage of your budget is the United Way grant?

“On average, our allocation is about 50 percent of our budget in Bourbon County.”

The following link lists current board members: CPRF Board of Directors Updated 2018

 

Click here for the previous United Way of Bourbon County  story:

United Way 2018 Campaign For Bourbon County Agencies

 

 

 

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Submitted

Fruit Trees Should Be Pruned Now

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Are you itching to get out of the house and do something productive in the landscape? If you have fruit trees, then now is the time to prune! A little planning ahead with fruit trees can mean big rewards later in the growing season.

Are you like many who are “afraid” to prune? Don’t be. When done correctly, pruning is an essential component of growing a healthy, productive fruit tree. Fruit trees should be pruned every year and for several reasons. The first is the development of a strong tree structure. Pruning should begin when the tree is planted and continued each year thereafter. Another reason to prune is the increased penetration of sunlight for the development of fruit buds and for the fruit to mature properly.

Trees can be pruned this early (winter) because they are dormant. This can be done in January, February and even early March. Pruning when trees are dormant makes it easier to see undesirable branches because leaves aren’t present. It is important to do any pruning before dormant sprays are applied, to avoid spraying some of the wood that will later be removed. Total spray coverage of limbs, branches, and shoots will be increased after pruning. Do not prune if temperatures are below 20°F because this can cause tissue damage.

Have your fruit trees been neglected for quite some time? If so, pruning can seem like an overwhelming task; where to start, how much wood to remove, etc. But a neglected tree can be revitalized.

The first step in revitalizing a neglected tree is to prune wood around the trunk area and near the ground. Remove all sucker growth around the trunk by cutting as close as possible to the point of origin. Next, remove all branches that hang below a 4-foot level. Prune them off at the supporting limb. Stand back and study the tree and decide the next cut to make. Retain scaffolds that are growing away from the tree center at wide angles with the trunk. Scaffolds are one of the main branches making the basic framework of a tree. They should be positioned on different sides of the tree for good distribution of the fruit crop.

The right tools are needed for proper pruning. Tools always need to be sharp so clean cuts can be made. Cuts that result in bark tears, stubs, or jagged surfaces are slow to heal and may even not completely heal. A scissor type of hand shear is used to prune small size wood, usually ¼ inch in diameter. Long handled loppers should be used to cut ¼ to ½ inch wood. These will need to be used generally by the third year of tree growth. For branches larger than ½ inch, use a fine-toothed pruning saw.

The Extension office has a publication titled, “Pruning Fruit Trees,” that explains in more detail how to prune depending on the age of the tree. It also has a section devoted to pruning different types of fruit trees. The publication has diagrams that demonstrate how and where pruning cuts should be made. As with most Extension services, this publication is free of charge.
If you would like me to evaluate your trees, give me a call and a home visit can be scheduled.

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Agricultural agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at 620-244-3826 or [email protected].
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.