HOUSTON (Feb. 3, 2020) –Gordmans joins the American Heart Association on National Wear Red and Give Day, Feb. 7, by donating 10% of total store sales up to $50,000 to AHA. Gordmans’ support will help advance the American Heart Association’s mission to build healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke.
On Friday, Feb. 7, Gordmans invites guests to wear red to raise awareness for heart health. Nearly 80% of cardiac events can be prevented. Gordmans’ donation will help educate the community about heart conditions and provide tools to help make heart health a priority.
Gordmans, as part of the Stage community of stores, has teamed up with the American Heart Association since 2019 and, with the generosity of its guests, has raised over $250,000 to help educate families on how to prevent heart disease. Gordmans believes that saving lives starts with each of us – it invites guests to join in supporting the American Heart Association to help fund research and advocacy initiatives that will change the landscape of women’s and men’s health from the inside out.
9:45-10:15 – City of Fort Scott (Robert Uhler & Susan Bancroft), Executive Session-Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships
11:00-11:15 – Justin Meeks, EMS
11:15-11:30 – Justin Meeks, Executive Session-Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
1:30-1:45 – Jeff Fischer, Windfarm impact on BBCO property tax goals
Scott Gander and Jolynne Mitchell in front of the new office of Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, 14 S. Main.
Another business has moved uptown.
Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial employees rented an office space at 14 S. Main in December 2019.
Modern Woodmen Financial and Bolton Law Firm are located at 14 S. Main.
“It’s a better location,” Scott Gander, managing partner for the business said. “It’s more exposure.”
“The business helps people with all financial planning,” Gander said. “Anything with protecting money and making money grow.”
“Scott and I both feel the best part of our job is helping families and their loved ones achieve their financial security through all stages of their lives,” Jolynne Mitchell, financial representative, said.
“The fraternal side is giving back to the community,” Gander said.
“We do $2,500 in matching funds every year, and
$1,000 in three service projects each year,” she said. “We plant trees, do Hometown Hero and provide educational events for our members.”
“As a Premier Chapter, we are awarded additional funds to participate in additional activities in the community to show our Modern Woodmen support,” she said.
Business hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Apex Clean Energy today announced a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Evergy, Inc. for 155.1 MW of wind power from Apex’s Jayhawk Wind project in Crawford and Bourbon Counties, Kansas. Evergy shared the news of the PPA in a press release along with an announcement that it will reduce carbon output by 80 percent below 2005 levels by 2050.
With this milestone for Jayhawk Wind, Kansas is one step closer toward its goal of sourcing 20% of power used in the state from alternative energy sources.
Simply stated, a PPA is a long-term agreement to buy the electricity generated by a project. PPAs benefit power purchasers like utilities and the communities in which they are located because:
It establishes the price of the power at the time of the agreement, therefore providing a hedge for the power buyer against future energy price fluctuations.
It provides stability for the Jayhawk Wind project and its host communities by ensuring the project has a long-term customer for the power the project generates.
Jayhawk Wind will connect into the existing Evergy 161 kV Marmaton to Litchfield transmission line that runs through the project area.
The power generated by Jayhawk Wind will in part supply commercial and industrial customers through Evergy’s green tariff program, Renewables Direct.
According to the Kansas Department of Commerce, the wind energy industry has created new opportunities across the state and particularly in rural communities by already:
Creating 12,000 Kansan jobs;
Bringing in $12 billion in capital investment; and
Generating $28 million in state and local tax payments.
Lindsay Madison, executive director of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, speaks to the Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet attendees on Jan. 28 at Papa Don’s Restaurant on Main Street.
There is much happening in downtown Fort Scott.
New businesses that have opened up downtown were highlighted at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet on Jan. 28. The meeting took place at Papa Don’s Restaurant.
Luther’s BBQ Restaurant, Moe’s Bread bakery, Ascension Via Christi’s medical office, Modern Woodmen of America office, the Bolton Law Firm, Visage Skin Care Spa-were mentioned by Chamber Executive Director Lindsay Madison to the group.
Up Dog Yoga, a fitness center, opened up at 12B North Main in September.
Common Grounds Coffee Shop, 10 E. Wall, is tentatively slated to be completed in April, Madison said. They will move from their current site on Main Street to a larger building.
Additionally, Structure by Margo, a beauty salon, will open next month at 19 S. National Ave.
And the Unsung Heroes Park, between Wall and First Street on Main Street is slated for completion this year.
Mayco Ace Hardware was recently approved for a loan for rehabilitating it’s building, Fort Scott Economic Director Rachel Pruitt told the meet and greet attendees.
The historic building at First and Main Street, is back on track to be made into apartments as well.
“We are moving forward,” Tony Krsnich, CEO of Flint Hills Holdings Group, told FortScott.Biz. “A new contractor, Rau Construction, Overland Park, will be starting in the next few weeks.”
“It will be made into 25 apartments, rents that accommodate a wide range of rents, from $300 up,” Krsnich said. “They will be one and two-bedroom units.
On the Main Street first floor there will be a commons area and some apartments also, he said.
The tentative date for completion is Sept. 1, Krsnich said.
Madison stated January is the start of a new year for grants for businesses and that Fort Scott is an eCommunity which strives to encourage entrepreneurship.
Secretary of Transportation Julie Lorenz, and Secretary of Commerce David Toland.
Afterward, you are welcome to cross the street to the Capitol to meet individually with legislators, attend the House and Senate Chamber sessions, or attend a Committee meeting. The goal of SEK Inc. and the Chambers of SEK is to ensure that our region
has a strong unified voice in Topeka!
Those attending from SEK usually also gather
the evening before for networking and dinner. If you do RSVP for SEK Day on the Hill,
the Chamber will update you on plans for Monday evening.
Margo Davis stands in front of the building that is being renovated into a beauty salon for her, named Structure by Margo. The business will tentatively open in late February.
Hairstylist Margo Davis is opening a new salon at 19 S. National in late February.
The storefront and interior of the former Bids and Dibs Consignment Store are being transformed into the salon.
She is renting the building from Amy and Kent Boyd.
Structure By Margo which will offer haircuts, color services, chemical services (including perms/relaxers), waxing, special occasion (updos), shampoos and sets.
“Eventually, a nail tech will be added,” Davis said. “I would also like to have a make-up artist and someone who does lash extensions.”
When the business is up and going there will be five stylists, she said.
Davis is planning to hire students just starting their cosmetology careers, she said. She has already hired one.
“I want to be a mentor,” Davis said. “There will be a job opportunity for them.”
Davis taught cosmetology classes at Fort Scott Community College from 1989 to 2016.
“The students were my focus,” she said. “I will be a stepping stone to a cosmetologist having their own salon or getting extra training.”
To contact Davis, call 316-323-0977
Hours will be Monday-Thursday 10 am to 6 pm, Friday 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday 10 am to 2 pm, and will be closed on Sundays.
“Opening date is estimated to be in four weeks. Currently, the shop is being renovated,” Davis said.
JDQ Construction, Joshua Query, is the contractor for the renovation of 19 S. National. Pictured is the work in progress on Jan. 27.
Davis said Bourbon County Economic Director Jody Hoenor gave step-by-step guidance during the process of applying for an eCommunity loan to start her business.
“The BEDCO (Bourbon County Economic Development Council) committee gave me the grant to help with my rent while I’m working alone until I can find more stylists and for whatever I may need in the business,” she said. The City of Fort Scott Economic Director Rachel Pruitt was instrumental in this grant, she said.
“Everybody has been so helpful,” Davis said. She said her husband, Wendall Davis, has been providing additional help to her in the process.
Presbyterian Village, 2401 S. Horton, is offering tenants and the public a series highlighting new technologies, exercise, and fashion styles.
“We are calling it ‘New to You’,” Becky Kellum, PV Marketing Director said.
Monday the presentation is featuring new household items, she said.
“Roomba versus the vacuum cleaner and The Ring, the new way to see who is at your door through your smartphone, I will be giving this presentation,” Kellum said.
“Tuesday Angela Carpenter and I will be demonstrating the Instant Pot,” she said. “We are making soup and will be serving that soup to all who attend.”
” Wednesday the sheriff’s department will be coming at 3 pm to educate the public on the body camera, how it protects them and the public,” she said.
“Thursday we will be educating on the new way to exercise from home with a personal trainer (the new technology) … The Mirror vs the Pelton,” she said.
” Friday we will be displaying the latest fashion trends, with items donated for this display by Bib and Dibs Consignment Store,” Kellum said.
The presentations are Monday through Friday at 3 pm in the Presbyterian Village Community Room.
“This is to educate the tenants what the hottest trends are,” and the public is invited to attend, she said.
Jackie Sellers sits in her office at the Bourbon County Senior Citizens Center, 26 N. Main.
Jackie Sellers is the site manager for the Bourbon County Senior Citizens Center, 26 N. Main. The center is the hub of many services that are provided to seniors in the community.
Her jobs entail food distribution for Meals On Wheels, a Kansas Food Bank Senior Food Program, food commodities distribution and a monthly potluck for people with disabilities in the community.
Another venture, housed at the site, is providing public transportation service to the community.
Taxi
Sellers coordinates rides for Old Fort Transportation, a local taxi service.
The hours for Old Fort Transportation are 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. To secure a ride call 223-0750.
She said there are five employees that drive the vans that are part of the transportation fleet.
“We provide 900-1,000 rides a month,” she said. Rides to go to a job, or the doctor or shopping. “It’s been a busy year, we are looking good.”
“We will provide out of town runs,” Sellers said. “We do have drivers for that, with 24 hours notice.”
Old Fort Transportation has even occasionally provided rides home from the emergency room when people are dismissed after hours.
Sellers was co-host of the Jan. 16 Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee with Fort Scott Compassion Ministries, who have an office in the center.
At the coffee, Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin told Sellers that he appreciates her for keeping the taxi service going.
Food
The Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging Senior Nutrition Program, also known as Meals on Wheels, is delivered through the Bourbon County Senior Citizens, with Sellers coordinating.
Sellers provides drivers for 54 senior citizens who receive home delivery of a hot meal.
Four people receive frozen meals through the program, she said.
“If you are on the route of the driver coming from Pittsburg, you get hot meals,” Sellers said. “If you are not on the route, you get frozen meals.”
“Volunteers dish up the food and deliver the meals,” she said.
Once a month, Sellers also coordinates food commodities distribution.
“It is income-based,” she said. “They come in once a month on the fourth Thursday to 26 N. Main. They can come on that day and we can sign them up.”
“We serve about 120 households a month,” Sellers said.
In addition, about 78 people receive a box of food from the Kansas Food Bank’s Senior Food Program, she said. This distribution is the fourth Friday of each month.
“Come in and pick up an application, mail it to Wichita,” she said. “If the application is in at the beginning of the month, they can get the box that month.”
Included in the box: meat, vegetables, fruit, shelf-milk, cereal, juice, a loaf of cheese.
“This is income-based and age-based,” Sellers said. “You have to be 60 years plus.”
There is also a potluck on the second Friday in partnership with Resource Center for Independent Living, for those with disabilities.
“If you know someone who could use help, they can help,” she said.
Jackie Sellers, site manager at Bourbon County Senior Citizens center, places a quart of milk in a cooler to deliver with Meals on Wheels lunches.
