Category Archives: Business

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Hulberts Purchase Bartlesmeyer Jewelry

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Krysta and Wyatt Hulbert purchased  Bartelsmeyer Jewelry on June 30, 2023

The store is located in the historic downtown Fort Scott district at 22 N. Main St

Bartelsmeyer Jewelry is now owned by Wyatt and Krysta Hulbert. Submitted photo.

“I’ve been working at the jewelry store for 13 years, and I hated the idea of the store closing it’s doors when John Bartelsmeyer decided to retire,” Krysta said. “My husband and I have been working along side John and Cindy for almost a year now to plan for us to take over the business. We are so excited that we have finally been able to make all of those plans a reality.”

John Bartelsmeyer has been a jeweler for over 60 years. Submitted photo.

“The jewelry store has been in John’s family since 1963, when his father purchased the store from Mr. Newberry,” she said. “In 1991, John Bartelsmeyer purchased the store from his father M. H. Bartelsmeyer.”

“My husband Wyatt and I are keeping the name Bartelsmeyer Jewelry for the jewelry store,” she said. “We know that the store’s name carries with it a history of honesty and integrity, and we are excited to carry on that legacy.”

The inside of the jewelry store. Submitted photo.

Krysta has been learning the ropes for all those years as an employee.

” I do a little bit of everything at the store from sales and customer service to jewelry repair and office management,” she said. “My specialty, and one of my favorite things to do, is designing custom jewelry. I love to work with customers and help them create one-of-a-kind jewelry that you won’t find anywhere else! At the jewelry store we also specialize in engagement rings, jewelry repair and restoration, ring sizing and watch repair.”

Anything new on the horizon?

“We have lots of new ideas for the future of the store,” she said. “One of our biggest and most exciting plans is to update our website to offer our jewelry for sale online! John will continue to work at the store in the mornings during the week. We will also be adding a new team member to our crew. My husband, Wyatt Hulbert, will soon be working full time alongside John to learn jewelry repair and take over the bench jewelry work when John decides he is ready to fully retire.”

Cindy and John Bartelsmeyer have been working with Krysta and Wyatt Hulbert to transition to new owners of the jewelry store. Submitte photo.

To learn more about John and the jewelry store:

John Bartlesmeyer: 60 Years in the Craft

 

Area News, Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Evergy Will Move Substation Equipment and Poles

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The Fort Scott Substation fire in 2022. Submitted photo.

Following a fire at the Fort Scott Evergy Substation in August 2022 , Evergy is expanding its footprint.

Evergy is an electric utility company that serves eastern Kansas.

The company purchased property near Stanton Street and Old Fort Boulevard in March for the construction of a new substation, according to Kaley Bohlen, Evergy Communications Manager.

Evergy is currently located on Old Fort Blvd. on Skubitz Plaza and will expand their substation to the north and west of the current site.

Stanton Street is behind the current substation to the north and west.

Bohlen said Evergy doesn’t disclose real estate transactions, and are still reviewing options for access to National Avenue.

The existing Fort Scott Service Center utilized for personnel and offices will remain, according to Bohlen. Once the new Infantry Substation is built and operational, the existing Fort Scott Substation equipment and poles will be removed.

“The new Infantry Substation will be about 1.75 acres and will replace the former Fort Scott Substation that was damaged by fire last year,” she said. “The new substation will provide additional capacity to enhance electric reliability for the Fort Scott area, as well as strengthen the regional power grid. Automated switching capabilities and grid automation will help improve outage response times.”

“Construction has begun and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024,” she said. “Once the new substation is operational, we will decommission the current Fort Scott Substation and remove all structures and equipment that are no longer in use. The existing Fort Scott Service Center utilized for personnel and offices will remain. Once the new Infantry Substation is built and operational, the existing Fort Scott Substation equipment and poles will be removed.”

 

Business, Fort Scott, Schools

Donation to U234 of Science Cabinets from Robert and Kim Coon

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Robert and Kim Coon own A1 Towing. Submitted photo.
Robert and Kim Coon are the owners of A1 Towing Service and often that business leads to buying salvage lots and liquidations.
“Any time there is a semi (tractor/trailer) accident that one of our three locations work, we will bid on the cargo,” Coon said. “Often the cargo is undamaged and we can sell the items at a discount price in our community.”
He gave an example.
“In 2022 we sold 25 new  residential heat and air-conditioning  systems and insulation for a 30% of the value, to locals,” Coon said.
At the beginning of this year, Coon, worked a wreck that had some science lab cabinets that were unharmed.

“Opportunity came for us to acquire these bio cabinets, Kimberly (his wife) called and spoke with Gina Shelton (USD234 Board Clerk and Finance Director) about donating them if the school district could use them. Gina was instrumental in the process. I believe they are going to be used in two different science classes.”

“These bio cabinets couldn’t have a better home than USD 234 science labs,” Coon said. “Kim and I have six proud  Fort Scott Tigers.”

Coon initially contacted the school district at the end of January, Destry Brown, USD 234 Superintendent said.
Destry Brown. Submitted photo.
“We then polled both principals and they felt they could use the cabinets in classrooms,” Brown said. ” In March, connections were made between Mr. Coon and the district to coordinate delivery.  The cabinets were delivered on April 6, but the spaces they are to go in are either under construction with the heating, ventilation , air-conditioning energy projects, being used for summer programming, or being deep cleaned as we do in the summer months.”
Photo of the science cabinet. Submitted photo.
They intend to place them in the appropriate classrooms as soon as those spaces are ready, Brown said.
“We did not want to unpackage them before moving them to avoid damage,” Brown said. “Right now they are being stored at the district offices to protect them.”
The estimated value of the two science lab cabinets is $34,280 ($17,140 each) based upon estimates of comparable property, Brown said.
Usage will be to secure storage materials in classrooms.
“The middle school is adding programming related to a paint booth and this would allow for secured storage of that,” Brown said.

“They will be placed at the middle school and/or high school,” Brown said.  “This will be determined after the principals return to contract for the 2023-24 school year.”

Area News, Business, Health Care

Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center and Ashley Clinic Unite

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Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center and Ashley Clinic Lead Kansas in Integrated, Whole-person Care in Kansas

 

– Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center (SEKMHC) and Ashley Clinic have joined to create a more accessible, efficient, and effective model of care for the citizens of Kansas.  Together, they will focus on leading integrated, whole-person care and breaking down barriers for patients.

“It’s a natural progression and partnership,” stated SEKMHC CEO Nathan Fawson. “We will be able to deliver a more comprehensive approach to healthcare. One of the most challenging aspects of whole-person wellness is that individuals often see providers for their physical and mental health in different locations with different systems of care. With this partnership, we can deliver continuity of care where all providers can work as a team to help people achieve better health outcomes.”

The newly formed partnership will also benefit the employees of each organization. In an ever-changing healthcare environment, SEKMHC and Ashley Clinic are committed to providing resources to their employees and becoming a preferred employer in the community. “We are excited about what this new partnership means for expanding mental and physical healthcare to every patient. I anticipate great benefits also for our mutual providers and their staffs,” stated Dr. Charles VanHouden, MD, FACS, CWSP of Ashley Clinic.

As the two organizations looked at expansion opportunities, they each kept coming to the same conclusion: local matters. “Ashley Clinic and SEKMHC have each worked hard to deliver the highest quality of care right in our very own communities,” explained Doug Wright, chief operating officer of SEKMHC. “Through this partnership, SEKMHC and Ashley Clinic continues this commitment to serving the community for many generations to come with a dedication to integrated care.”

Ashley Clinic, founded by Dr. Samuel Ashley and his son Dr. George “Ed” Ashley in 1938, has a long-standing history of making quality healthcare accessible in Southeast Kansas. Their efforts to give patients the highest standard of care will continue. Services provided include: evisits, convenient care clinic, laboratory services, imaging services, immunizations, diabetes education, specialty clinics, sneak peek 3D/4D sonograms and pharmacy with locations in Chanute and Humboldt.

Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, established in 1961 as a non-profit organization, employs evidence-based practices and a whole-person approach to provide individualized treatment to clients for better overall health. They offer services and programs in the following counties: Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Linn, Neosho and Woodson. SEKMHC services clients with offices in seven Southeast Kansas communities: Iola, Chanute, Humboldt, Fort Scott, Pleasanton, Garnett and Yates Center. Core services include outpatient psychiatry, therapy, consultation, chemical abuse counseling, addictions counseling, case management, educational and skill-building groups, specialty training, physical healthcare coordination and 24/7 crisis intervention services. SEKMHC became a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) in 2022. Find more information at sekmhc.org

Together, SEKMHC and Ashley Clinic offer more than 140 combined years of service to neighbors in Southeast Kansas.

 

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Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Fort Scott National Historic Site, Gordon Parks Museum, Legacy Health Foundation, Mercy Hospital

FS Quarterly Downtown Meeting: Events, Projects, Updates

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Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsey Madison opens the FS Downtown Meet and Greet.

There are several community projects happening in Fort Scott.

At the Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greeton July 11, facilitated by the Chamber of Commerce, leaders of several  of the projects gave updates. The event was hosted by Lyons Realty Group office.

Lindsey Madison, Chamber Executive Director, gave a summary of the upcoming events and promotions:

  •  July 15: Christmas in July Sidewalk Sale
  •  July 18: Patty LaRoche will present a book talk at Hedgehog.INK! from 7 to 8:30 p.m. LaRoche’s new book, A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection  will be featured.
  • August 4-6: Sales Tax Holiday Weekend, where participating businesses give customers a 9.4 percent discount on purchases.
  • Sept. 8-9: Town-wide Garage Sale
  • Sept. 9: Art Crawl by the Bourbon County Arts Council, the Artificers and more, from 2-6 p.m.
  • Sept. 16: Author Miranda Collins, Chanute, writer of Action Detective Mystery will be at Hedgehog.INK! at 2 p.m.
  • Sept. 21: Downtown Fall Fest, stores open until 8 p.m. for fall food snacks and shopping.
  • Oct. 28: Halloween Parade. Festivities start at 10 a.m., children’s downtown parade on Main Street at 11 a.m.
  • Nov. 9-11: Holiday Open House, kick off on Thursday from 5-8 p.m. with continued open house on Friday and Saturday.
  • Nov. 25: Shop Small Friday/Saturday in Fort Scott.
  • Nov. 30 Candy land Christmas with parade and festivities downtown.
  • Bailey Lyons gave an update on the splash pad project: Concrete is being poured this Thursday on the big splash pad. On July 15-16 volunteers are needed to help with landscaping projects: bring gloves and tools. The group has raised approximately $325,000 for the project nearing completion.
  • The new historic mural that will be created on Skubitz Plaza will be unveiled in coordination with the Gordon Parks Celebration on Oct. 6. The mural was approved by the city’s design review board this week, Jerry Witt, owner of the mural site building  said.
  • The multi-purpose pavilion to be on Skubitz Plaza is in the works, Madison said. The Farmers Market group will use the facility “and anyone else.”
  • The welcome arch to the city is being worked on by the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team and will go to the city’s design review board.
  • The Chamber Golf Classic is this Friday July 14 at Woodland Hills Golf Course. They are still accepting raffle items.
  • The Special Olympic Golf Tournament is July 29 at the same course.
  • The mountain bike race, the Marmaton Massacre Festival, will be Sept. 16 in Gunn Park.
  • The annual Naturalization Ceremony at the Fort Scott National Historic Site will be on a  Friday in September to be announced.
  • Grants available to businesses: E-Community at http://www.networkkansas.com and Grow KS.

Updates from attendees:

Bourbon County Commission Chairman Jim Harris said it is asphalt laying season in the county, “please be cautious of workers.”

“Since 2019 we’ve lowered the mill levy by 9.6%…I will not vote for a mill levy increase,” he said.

There is a new format for speaking at the commission meetings, he said: People must sign up and they get 5 minutes each to speak. “We want peoples input,” he said. “It’s OK to disagree but be professional.”

Harris said there is a request for proposals for the overpass project on the south side of Fort Scott. The commission will be applying for state and federal funds for the project.

Rob Harrington, Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Director, said they have been working on a Star Bond and TIF project south of town, and it will be “huge to the community.” His office is at the former Mercy Hospital building,  now owned by Legacy Health Foundation.

Kari West, Lead Customer Solutions Manager at Evergy, said the utility company hasn’t had an increase in five years and they are requesting one. Evergy purchased property north and west of their current location on Skubitz Plaza with plans to move to that site.

The Fort Scott Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet at Lyons Realty Group,, 8 E. Wall, on July 11.
Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee at City State Bank on Hwy. 69 on July 13

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ANNOUNCING THIS WEEK’S
CHAMBER COFFEE
Join us for Chamber Coffee hosted by

City State Bank

Thursday, July 13th

8am

1012 S. Hwy 69

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee this Thursday, July 13th at 8 a.m. hosted by City State Bank. The Chamber Coffee will be at their South Location, 1012 S. Hwy 69. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served in addition to a door prize drawing.

City State Bank has proudly been serving our community since 1920, and this year marks their 103rd Anniversary! Over the years City State has continued to grow and operates two full-service locations, their downtown branch at 202 Scott Avenue and their South branch located at 1012 Highway 69. Being locally owned and operated, they take pride in connecting with their customers to serve their needs efficiently and with care. They are super excited about hosting this week’s Chamber Coffee and seeing new faces here!

 

Any member business or organization wanting to host Chamber Coffee in 2022 is encouraged to contact the Chamber to save a date by calling 620-223-3566 or emailing [email protected].

 

Click here for their Facebook page!

We hope to see you there!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members
shown below!
FORT SCOTT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
620-223-3566
Facebook  Twitter
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Business, Fort Scott

New Coffee Bean Roasting Business Starts In Fort Scott

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Submitted photo.

A local couple has started a new coffee bean roasting business.

Crooked Cactus Coffee Co. owners Randy and Tanya Glessner
started their new venture on July 3, 2023.
“We sell small farm, single origin coffee beans from around the world and roast them locally here in Fort Scott, with love,” Randy Glessner said.
Randy and Tanya Glessner. Submitted photo.
They have a Facebook page where the current coffee menu is posted at the top, he said.
“Menu selections vary by season,” Randy Glessner said.
The current coffee menu is:
light-Mexican
medium- Nicaraguan
dark-Sumatran
decaf-Medium Timor
The business is  located at 408 Jefferson Street on Fort Scott’s east side,  inside of Upper Cut Salon, a beauty shop operated by Tanya.
“We both have a passion for coffee and wanted a way to enjoy it in the freshest, purest way possible,” he said. “So we started looking into the best coffee beans and wanted to support small coffee bean farms around the world. After that,  we started mastering our coffee roasts and knew this was something we had to share with others! “
The coffee costs $15 for a 12 ounce bag. When ordering, please specify whether whole beans or ground beans are desired.
They accept cash, credit/debit card or cashapp.
Orders can be placed by calling or texting 620-224-6704.
Submitted graphic.
Tanya is an ordained minister.
“She doesn’t work for any church,” he said. “She volunteers her own time and money to help women in prison and recovering addicts.
Ten percent of all proceeds goes to the prison ministry/mentoring and local community mentoring for recovering addicts.”
Business, Government, Kansas

KS Is a National Leader in Economic and Income Growth

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Kansas: National Leader in Economic and Income Growth in First Quarter of 2023

~~Bureau of Economic Analysis Report Reflects Success of Kelly Administration Efforts to Create Jobs, Support Businesses~~

TOPEKA – A report recently released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) shows that, in the first quarter of 2023, Kansas ranked fourth in the nation for personal income growth and seventh in the nation for economic growth. The report highlights the Kelly administration’s success in recruiting and supporting businesses that grow the state’s economy and increase wages for workers.

“This report is further proof that the work my administration is doing to create good-paying jobs, grow the economy, and balance the budget is benefiting Kansans,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The days of Kansas making headlines for failure and mismanagement are long behind us. Now, we are leading the nation in creating a strong economy.”

Kansas’ real gross domestic product (GDP), or the market value of goods and services produced in the state, grew by 6.0% from the fourth quarter of 2022 when adjusted for inflation, triple the national average of 2.0%.

Personal income in Kansas grew by 8.4% over the same period, surpassing the national rate of 5.1%.

“This report demonstrates the resiliency and strength of the Kansas economy,” Secretary of Administration and Director of Budget Adam Proffitt said. “The state has placed in the top 7 for both GDP and Personal Income in the aggregate and across multiple sectors of the economy, showing that our economy is not overly dependent on any one sector. Our state’s fiscal health is strong, and the outlook remains promising.”

The report showed that agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting were the lead contributors to growth in states including Kansas – a testament to the Kelly administration’s efforts to reinvigorate the state’s economy across multiple sectors.

“The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and residents have worked hard to build a reputation for the Sunflower State as one of the top states in the nation for outdoor recreation, and our six percent rise in real GDP this quarter certainly reflects that,” Secretary of Wildlife and Parks Brad Loveless said. “By prioritizing sustainable practices and collaboration with private landowners, I’m confident we’ll continue to develop our great tradition of hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping for many more generations, and visitors, to come.”

“Agriculture has always been at the heart of the Kansas economy, and the growth we’ve seen in agriculture and agribusiness across the state shows the entrepreneurial spirit of Kansans,” Agriculture Secretary Mike Beam said. “Innovative approaches in technology, science, and sustainability will keep Kansas agriculture at the forefront of producing the food, fiber, and fuel that are needed in the future.”

Read more from the BEA here.

Business, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Downtown Quarterly Meet and Greet July 11 at Lyons Realty Group

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Quarterly Downtown Meet & Greet!

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Downtown Meet & Greet will be held Tuesday, July 11th from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at Lyons Realty Group, 8 E. Wall St.

These informal, quarterly meetings are hosted by the Chamber for downtown business owners, representatives, and community members to network and share ideas on events, promotions and anything related to downtown. Coffee, juice and light refreshments will be served.

Contact the Chamber at 620-223-3566 with any questions.
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Area News, Business, Fort Scott

Tri-Valley Foundation Annual Truck Raffle Drawing  

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Gwen and Pete Martin. Submitted photo.

 

Local Woman Wins 23rd Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation Annual Truck Raffle Drawing

 

After 23 years, the Friends of Tri-Valley  Foundation Truck Raffle Drawing has a Kansas Winner.  The Foundation is proud to announce the winner of the 23rd Annual Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation Truck Raffle Drawing:  Gwen Martin.  Gwen’s ticket was drawn from 1,659 entries on Friday, June 23rd at 1:30 pm by TVDS Financial Specialist Christie Fritch.  Gwen was notified immediately and was both surprised and excited to hear that she had won.  Gwen came on Wednesday, June 27th to collect her prize.  She is from Woodson County and  as such is familiar with the services Tri-Valley provides and has been a proud supporter in the past.   She is from now the proud owner of a 2023 Ford F150 Platinum Edition Truck, purchased from Steve Faulkner Ford in Chanute, KS. 

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s raffle drawing.  This year’s raffle drawing raised $10,000 which will go to provide quality and affordable housing as well as aid in the delivery of services for our neighbors with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD).   Since 2001, the Foundation has built six houses as well as acquired eight houses and one duplex.  These fifteen houses are home to 66 individuals with I/DD that reside in the SE Kansas counties of Allen, Bourbon, Chautauqua, Elk, Greenwood, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson.   The Friends of Tri-Valley is licensed through the State of Kansas for this raffle (RAF000005).

Tricia Campbell, TVDS Special Projects Coordinator; Gwen and Pete Martin; Bill Fiscus, TVDS CEO; and Jeff Lassman, Steve Faulkner Ford. Submitted photo,.

 

 

Business, Youth

Young Entrepreneur: Katy Shead

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This is part of a series featuring young entrepreneurs.

To recommend a youth under 18 years-of-age for a feature, send contact info to [email protected]

Katy Shead. Submitted photo.

Katy Shead, 16, is providing tutoring services for school children for a business.

She attends a virtual school.

“I provide online tutoring services for people in my online school,” Katy said. “I mainly tutor math but I helped one student with basic Latin last school year.”

Her  academic advisor and  teachers recommend her to families.

“Also, people have made posts requesting tutors on my school’s Facebook page,” she said. “I have also started doing free sessions to advertise.”

Katy started tutoring as a business during the 2021-2022 school year.

“My academic advisor asked me if I would like to tutor a girl in Saxon Math 5/6,” she said.” I had always enjoyed helping my brother, cousins, and classmates with school, and I was excited to try to help this girl.”

She seems to be a natural teacher.

“I enjoyed the creative challenge of finding engaging ways to present the material to her,” she said. “She was very sweet and we had a lot of fun. This past year I got to tutor her again and her sister as well!”

“It’s sometimes difficult to tutor online – especially with a subject where showing work is mandatory,” she. “I use WebEx to video conference with my students and we work on the whiteboard.”

Katy practicing constructions for the Geometry review. Submitted photo.

“I sent a document camera to one of my families with two students so that I could see both their work and their faces at the same time to pinpoint confusion as soon as possible,” she said.

She has tutored 5th and 6th grade, Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II.

“One of my students in Algebra II lives in Cambodia,” she said. “It was so interesting to hear her stories and perspectives.”

This coming year, she is taking on greater challenges.

“I hope to tutor more upper-level math such as Pre-calculus and Calculus I, as I am going to be taking Calculus II next year,” she said. “I also hope to tutor higher levels of Latin if there is an opportunity.”

A recent geometry final review she held, had 35 students.

 

Katy Shead with her geometry class. Submitted photo.

She is the daughter of Mark and Haley Shead, rural Fort Scott.