The Lowell Milken Center will be participating in the annual Halloween Parade events from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 28, at 1 S. Main by handing out candy and free coloring books to everyone who enters the Hall of Unsung Heroes! In celebration of the spooky day, we are encouraging the community to participate in the downtown Halloween Parade festivities and stop by to see our newest exhibits!
Eric Atwood, Jennifer LaRoche, and Loren Readinger lay out the cover for the windows of LaRoche’s building at 9 S. National Monday afternoon. The plastic cover is to make the building’s windows more attractive until renovations of the historic building can take place in the future. LaRoche said she will be able to reuse the cover once renovations begin.
To cut down on confusion when the public would search online for their business, Fort Scott Munitions is deleting the storefront name and will be using the business name only.
“We are consolidating the product name and the store name under one name,” Phillip Edds, assistant manager, said.
This will require new billboards and a new metal sign to replace Velocity Tactics signs on the outside of the old Key Industries building at 523 E. Wall just off U.S. 69 Highway.
Velocity Tactics was the storefront name, the business name is Fort Scott Munitions.
“We went with Fort Scott Munitions since all the (product) boxes say that,” Edds said.
Ammunition is their specialty.
“We make solid copper and solid brass ammunition,” Edds said.
The business is under the auspices of Ward Kraft, Inc. a Fort Scott print manufacturer.
Ryan Kraft, son of owner Roger Kraft, “was an avid gun guy,” Edds said. “It was his interest.”
Five years ago the business started making ammunition.
One-and-one-half years ago a store was opened to sell that ammunition and expanded to sell other items as well.
The business sells guns, clothing, tactical items, coolers and Angus beef, Edds said.
“We have plans to open an indoor gun range,” Edds said. “And in the future offer training for conceal and carry classes.”
The old grain silos on the business property have no plans currently, Edds said.
“There are some talks, but nothing in the works at this time,” he said.
Domino’s Pizza opens in Fort Scott Monday, September 18 at 1709 S. National.
The franchise is owned by Emily and Dan Elwell, Jasper, Mo.
The Elwell’s looked at different markets when deciding where to expand their business and through happenstance discovered the abandoned building on National Avenue.
They just happened to pull off Hwy. 69 at the strip mall site, she said, saw the for sale sign and a drive-through window and went directly to the real estate agent next door to the property to inquire
.
“It’s been eerie how it worked out,” Emily Elwell said. “We are supposed to be in Fort Scott.”
They currently have 17 employees, all local.
Hours for the pizza eatery are 10:30 a.m. to midnight, Sunday through Thursday; 10:30 a.m.to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Construction work is being done out of public sight at the new Price Chopper Grocery Store at 2322 S. Main.
The store, the former Woods Super Market, is slated to open before the holidays, said Barry Queen, owner/ operator of the Price Chopper Fort Scott grocery store.
“The goal is to open November 10, 2017,” Queen said. “There’s a lot of work going on. Don’t know whether we’ll make that goal or not.”
“We are excited to get there, but there is a big challenge ahead. There is a lot that has to happen. We’d love to get open before the holidays.”
A big plus for the community is the store will be hiring 100-120 employees Queen said, with the number depending on the volume of customers the store will have.
“We’ll be setting up a trailer for interviews in the next few weeks,” he said.
Some features of the new store will be a major focus on fresh food, he said.
Produce , a salad bar, food service, a grill, a smoke house, a full service floral department, catering and online shopping, to name a few.
A drive-through Dunkin Donuts will be located on the southeast corner of the facility.
An overlay for the parking lot and adding more light poles will be coming.
The new owner, operator is no stranger to Bourbon County.
“My dad, Jim Queen, was born in Hammond,” he said. “My mom is from the Linn County/Bourbon County area. I have a lot of relations around here.”
Queen has had a vacation home at Lake Fort Scott for 16 years, which will become his part-time home he said. He lives in Paola.
Associated Wholesale Grocers own the real estate the store is on, Queen said.
Crossland Construction, Columbus, is the general contractor and is doing the demolition work; CDL, Pittsburg is doing the electric work and AAA, Kansas City is the framer for the project, said Brad Vinardi, superintendent with Crossland.
Homelessness in Fort Scott is being addressed, at least for one person at a time, by a local business.
Western Senior Living apartments at 8 East First Street, opened in January 2017 and has 35 apartments for lease, with one designated for a homeless/ transitional individual in the community.
Funding for the $5.9 million project was from state low-income tax credits and federal historic tax credits, according to https://www.flinthillsholdings.com/the-western-building/
When renovated and re-purposed, the old Western Insurance Building became apartments that were designated for individuals who have income at 60 percent or 50 percent or 40 percent of median income level, said Diane Kelsey, regional manager for Flint Hills Management.
“In addition, there is one homeless unit,” Kelsey said. “You have to be designated homeless by an agency. At that point, rent is 30 percent of their income, or $100, whichever is greater.”
There is currently an individual living in the homeless designated unit.
“They sign a year lease when they move in,” she said. “Then at the end of the year, we re-evaluate their circumstances. The maximum they can stay is two years. This is to give them a more stable place to stay.”
The individual has to meet the same criteria as other residents: pass a background check and have credit, she said.
Kelsey said she has apartments available for lease currently that are not designated for the homeless. Prices range from $370 to $550 a month for a one bedroom apartment and $610 to $710 for a two bedroom.
Kelsey said 80 percent of the apartments have requirements of income.
“Twenty percent are market rate,” she said. “Which means no
income requirements.”
For more information call 620-223-1718 Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Physical Therapist Meredith Tucker opened No Limits Rehabilitation Clinic at 18 N. Main in downtown Fort Scott in June, 2017.
Her specialty is pediatric physical therapy.
“For 12 years I’ve been doing mostly pediatrics,” Tucker said.
For insurance to provide coverage for her services, a doctor must provide a script to her, she said.
Her clinic exists not just to serve the patient, but the caregivers as well, so they can provide the best care for their loved ones at home, according to her website.
Tucker was ready for a new challenge following 9.5 years of working for Mercy Hospital.
During those years she did pediatric physical therapy and physical therapy for inpatients at the hospital.
“They closed the acute inpatient rehab unit,” Tucker said. “They still offer outpatient service and acute bed services.”
“I was ready for a new change and challenge. It’s been a good change,” she said.
Meredith Sewell Tucker is a Fort Scott High School graduate, then graduated from Kansas University with a children’s with disability and autism degree, then a masters degree in physical therapy.
She is married to Brad Tucker.
The physical therapy clinic phone number is (913) 406.8040.
A mother-daughter business opened recently in downtown Fort Scott.
Vette’s Rerun Clothing, 15 N. Main, opened July 24, 2017.
Tracy Isaac, the mother, has another job, while her daughter, Dakota works in the shop.
Dakota Isaac enjoys being able to spend time with her children while at the resale clothing business she is helping her mom to establish.
Tracy Isaac assumed ownership of the north Main shop in July from Connie Harper, but had previously owned a used clothing shop further south on Main Street, then moved to 605 National.
“I offer cheap clothing,” Tracy said. “And I’ve got lots of clothing, from sizes infants to 5 extra-large women. I’ve got prom dresses and wedding dresses.”
Many people can’t afford new clothes, Tracy said, and she sees that as her niche in the community.
They have lowered the prices of the clothing since assuming ownership, Dakota said.
“Currently, we are switching from summer to winter stuff,” Dakota said.
Sometimes the shop is closed because Dakota has to take her two-year-old son, Jacob, to a hospital in Kansas City.
“My grandson has spina bifida and has to go the Children’s Mercy,” for appointments, Tracy said.
The shop is open not open on Sundays and Tuesdays, but is open from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, with Saturday hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information contact Dakota at (620) 215-6958.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce officially welcomed the Cricket Wireless store to town Friday afternoon with a ribbon-cutting event during the store’s Grand Opening activities at their location at 205 E. 3rd Street.
“We’re happy to have you in Fort Scott,” chamber Executive Director Lindsay Madison said, adding she is pleased to see that strip mall full of stores once more after having empty storefronts for some time.
Sean Krahling, area manager of the Fort Scott location as well as eight other Kansas stores, said Cricket Wireless merged with AT&T five years ago, with both groups upgrading their signals and towers to be compatible with each other. As a result, about 98 percent of Americans can get a signal through Cricket.
“Our coverage is actually really good,” Krahling said, adding that customers using some of their plans are also able to get a signal when traveling in Canada and Mexico.
Cricket Wireless currently has more than 4600 stores across the country in states including Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Minnesota and Florida. The provider now includes options such as DirectTV Now and a music provider with more than 42 million songs. Krahling point out plans are purchased on a monthly basis instead of an annual contract and do not include hidden fees. Visit the store for information on their current deals and plans.
“We appreciate your being a part of the chamber and your investment in the community,” Madison said.
The 5 Corners complex celebrated their grand reopening Saturday morning after a March thunderstorm blew the roof off the building, leaving the businesses in need of repairs before they could return to their normal level of service.
Residents of the complex—which include the 5 Corners convenience store, Libation Station, State Farm offices, Car Help Mobile Mechanic, Nitro Promo and Haneline Products—told of their reactions to hearing the roof had blown off the building, most of it ending up in the parking lot. But despite the damage, 5 Corners and Libation Station owner Darcy Smith said the community turned out to help in the recovery process.
“The next day, we had all sorts of people here to help,” Smith said.
Since the complex never lost electricity entirely, 5 Corners was able to open the next day, but the Libation Station remained closed for two months while State Farm agent Kale Nelson was forced to change locations until the building was repaired.
Smith said some of those repairs included the new roof as well as ceilings, lighting, insulation and paint. But after more than five months of work, all the businesses are repaired and are fully open to the public once again.
“We are very excited for the complex to be reopened,” Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison said.
The Saturday festivities included food and drawings provided by the businesses and demonstrations by the State Highway Patrol.
Since their opening in January, Country Place Living continues to provide an assisted living place for individuals or couples that need assistance in day-to-day life.
Located on Horton Street, right next to the Country Place Memory Care living facility, Country Place Living has 26, 1-bedroom studio apartments, and currently houses seven individuals as the facility continues to grow and publicize its services in the community.
“We can provide high levels of care,” Director Amanda Downing said during Thursday’s Chamber Coffee event, adding some people conclude that they are able to provide only limited attention.
Downing said they can provide temporary care as well as help continue rehabilitation for those who need that attention after a procedure. Meals are prepared on-site and staff provides close care for residents, who can enjoy being outside on the porch or visiting with others in a community room.
“Most of our people, once they have come and toured and really seen the difference…it really sells itself,” Downing said.
Submitted by Tina Rockhold, Mercy Hospital
Organizers of this Friday’s inaugural Hit the Bricks Wine Stroll, Art Walk and Blane Howard concert say tickets are still available. Add in a weather forecast that predict temperatures in the mid 80s and it’s a perfect combination for a night in downtown Fort Scott.
The Hit the Bricks event kicks off at 5 p.m. and has something for everyone to enjoy. Main Street will be blocked between 1st and 2nd streets for the event from early afternoon until about 8:30 p.m.
The regularly scheduled Friday night music at the pavilion will continue as usual.
The free art walk, coordinated by the Bourbon County Arts Council, is open to the public. Over 15 artists from near and far will fill the sidewalks of Main Street with their artwork and have items for sale. Food vendors will have items for sale as well.
The wine stroll check in begins at 5 p.m. at the Beaux Arts Centre located at 102 S. National.
During the stroll, pre-registered participants or those 21 years and older (valid ID required) who purchase a $25 wrist band at the Beaux Arts Centre that evening may have a maximum of 15 samples of wines from the six featured Kansas vineyards including Fort Scott’s very own Vinedo del Alamo. Other wineries and vineyards participating in the stroll include Aubrey Vineyards, Overland Park; Flustered Blonde Vineyard and Winery, Parsons; Fuga Winery, Waverly; Smoky Hill Vineyard and Winery, Topeka; and Vogel Family Vineyards, Galena.
Wineries will also have unopened bottles of wine available for purchase.
Cost for the wine stroll is $25 and includes a commemorative wine glass and tote bag for bottled wine purchases.
The Fort Scott trolley will be available in 30-minute intervals to transport participants from the check–in location to Main Street between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Beginning at 8:30, music lovers can dance the night away with a concert by Nashville-based country music sensation Blane Howard at Liberty Theatre. Concert tickets are $35 each. Tickets will also be available at the door that evening. Seating for the concert is general admission.
Advance tickets for the stroll and concert are strongly recommended. Patrons can save $10 if they purchase both the wine stroll and concert tickets for $50.
Tickets are available online at www.bit.ly/HitTheBricksTix.
Proceeds from the Hit the Bricks event will benefit the Mercy Health Foundation Fort Scott, a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation which supports programming and equipment at Mercy Hospital Fort Scott. For more details about the Hit the Bricks Wine Stroll, Art Walk and Blane Howard Concert, call the Mercy Health Foundation office at 620-223- 8094.
