Randall R Holloway, 65, retired from his optometric practice after 38 years, on Sept. 12, 2020.
His office was located at 4 S. National, just in the back of the Boiler Room Brewhaus.
Holloway’s first day on the job was July 22, 1982, he said.
Holloway sold his practice to Kannarr Eye Care and it’s now known by that name.
Paula Brewer and Lisa Peck, former employees of Holloway, now work for Kannarr Eye Care.
The phone number remains 223-0850.
Hours of the office are 8 a.m to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office is closed from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch.
“Their main office is in Pittsburg Kansas,” Holloway said. “The doctors coming to the Fort Scott location are Dr. Shane Kannarr, Dr. Chris Jacquinot, and Dr. Katie Painter.”
“Some employees come from the Pittsburg office,” Lisa Peck said.
Since retiring in a pandemic, Holloway said he is trying to stay healthy.
“Currently, my time is taken up by golf, exercise, and trying to stay healthy,” he said. “Next year we will be getting the Covid-19 vaccination as soon as possible, which will allow us to travel to Shoreline, Washington to visit our grandchildren.”
Bourbon County Workforce & Entrepreneur Resource Center
Attention Chamber Members!
Join us this Thursday, December 10th
to celebrate the opening of B-WERC with a
Chamber Coffee & Ribbon Cutting!
17 S. Main St.
upstairs of the Kress Building
Due to the COVID pandemic, temperature readings
will be taken upon entry to the Chamber Coffee
and attendees will be required to wear masks throughout the event. If anyone feels uncomfortable with these requirements, the host asks that
you reconsider attending.
Click here for the Bourbon County Eco. Devo. Facebook page.
Click here for the Kansas Small Business Development Center Facebook page.
Click here for the Southeast KANSASWORKS Facebook page.
B-WERC is a multi-partner collaboration of Bourbon County, Kansas Small Business Development Center, Southeast KANSASWORKS, Fort Scott Community College, Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce and BAJA Investments. The center focuses on growing and sustaining businesses, connecting jobs and serving people. Current and aspiring entrepreneurs, employers, and job seekers can make an appointment for services including marketing support, financial review and projections, obtaining capital, establishing an online presence, legalizing childcare providers, unemployment and job seeking assistance.
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center 212 State St., Fort Scott.
Mental health has become an issue in the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center has received $122, 488 for Bourbon County needs from SPARK funds distributed from the U.S. Coronavirus Fund. SPARK is a Kansas program that is moving Kansas forward in recovery from the effects of COVID-19.
” We are unfortunately seeing the mental health needs of our community increase,” said Holly Jerome, Director of Human Resources with Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center located at 304 N Jefferson Ave, Iola.
“Things that increase depression and anxiety are fear, loneliness, isolation, etc,” she said. “During the pandemic, we are seeing individuals who have never experienced mental health issues who are struggling very badly. We are also seeing increased drug use, domestic violence, unemployment stress, and suicidal ideation. The funding is helping to keep our staff safe to keep services going, keep our doors open, and connect with the community.”
” We are so grateful to Bourbon County (Commission, the local agent who is helping to distribute the grants) to continue to support the important work that we are doing at SEKMHC,” Jerome said.
Protection
“We have purchased lots of PPE for our staff and client safety to include: masks, face shields, plastic barriers, gloves, hand sanitizer, increased cleaning/sanitation of our office in Fort Scott,” she said. “We also have supplied our after-school children’s program with masks.
Technology
“It is also being put towards increased Information Technology needs, as we had some clients and families who did not have a way to connect with us so we were able to supply some tablet devices to make that happen,” she said.
“We also purchased Zoom licenses to have an encrypted safe way to connect with those at home especially during quarantine and isolation as that can be very challenging for most people. We also purchased more IT equipment for our staff to work from home if they need to be on quarantine to keep services going. In addition to that, we are also upgrading our website to be ADA compliant with screen readers for the visually impaired to be able to access services.”
Public Education, Interior Upgrades
“We are also putting some local advertising out to educate the public and community about our services and are upgrading some flooring with the help of Ruddick’s (Fort Scott) and furniture pieces from McCarty’s (Chanute and Iola) to make sure that everything can be wiped down and sanitized frequently,” Jerome said.
Community Pocket Park
“I think the most exciting thing that we are doing is putting in a community ‘pocket park’,” she said. “We had an open space beside our building that was just some rocks. We are working with local company ‘Playscapes’ (out of Yates Center) to put in a shade covering, rubberized flooring, ADA compliant chairs for STEM exercises with children, and ADA compliant picnic tables, etc. Redbud Farms out of Fort Scott will be helping us get some shrubs and pots to make the area look nice with rock and mulch as well as some concrete work from Mitch Welch (Redfield, KS). We have also ordered some outdoor musical equipment for this area for some musical therapy. This pocket park will be open to the public as a great place to come and relax, sit in a chair to journal, meditation, etc. It will also create additional space for our case managers and therapists to continue social distanced appointments and group meetings that we can space out.”
“One of the things that was very important to us was to spend the money locally whenever possible,” Jerome said. “So we are so excited at how many local companies have stepped up to the challenge of making our deadlines work to get everything completed by December 31, 2020. We are so grateful to have such wonderful local talent and mission-driven small businesses!”
About Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center.
“SEKMHC was established in 1961, we are a not-for-profit organization that provides, advocates and coordinates quality mental health care, services and programs in the following counties: Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Linn, Neosho and Woodson. Our team of over 150 full-time and part-time professionals work to assess, treat, support, and/or coordinate your healthcare needs. Our core services include outpatient psychiatry, therapy, consultation, chemical abuse counseling, case management, educational and skill-building groups, specialty training, physical healthcare coordination, and 24/7 crisis intervention services.
The mission of the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center is to provide, advocate, and coordinate quality mental health care, services and programs for people in its service area.”
Pictured is Alivia Kraft, owner of Laree + Co, located at 3 S. National Avenue. Submitted photo.
A new business is opening at the corner of National Avenue and Wall Street in Fort Scott. This building is part of a renewal of the historic buildings on and adjacent to this corner, by resident Jennifer LaRoche.
The LaRoche Building, August 2020. Laree + Co is now located in the corner spot, with entry doors on the National Avenue side.Laree + Co, on December 3, 2020. Submitted photo.
The Common Ground Coffee Company and Kenny Felt Photography opened this year on the Wall Street side of the corner and E3 Meat Co. and Laree + Co. on the National Avenue side.
Beginning this Saturday, Dec.t 5, Laree+Co Boutique will have its’ grand opening at 3 S. National.
Trendy clothing and baby items will be featured items at the boutique.
Laree + Co. offers superior-quality tees, women’s apparel, holiday apparel, vinyl and fabric bows, shoes, headwraps, and more. Home décor and other furnishings will come in the future, according to the press release..
Support this local business by stopping in this Saturday at Laree + Co.’s grand opening, for light refreshments, drinks, and door prizes.
The store’s hours will be Monday-Friday from 9 am – 6 pm.
Business In Honor of Lillian
Owner Alivia Kraft originally started the business in honor of her daughter, Lillian, who was diagnosed with Trisomy 18. Though Lillian wasn’t expected to live past birth, she celebrated her fourth birthday in August.
Lillian’s determination for life inspired Alivia to do something she had always dreamed of, opening a boutique, according to a press release from the business.
Laree+Co’s mission in part is to spread awareness of medically-complex children and their illnesses through naming products after fellow “warriors” and angels, according to the press release.
The family has decided that 10 percent of the business profits will be donated to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, St. Louis, MO, the hospital that has saved Lillian’s life on numerous occasions.
Business and Energy Leaders Discuss Local Impact of Renewable Energy Projects in Kansas
Panel discussion covers economic benefits of wind and solar energy projects for local communities
Hutchinson, KS – Today, Boost Kansas hosted a panel discussion focusing on the benefits provided to local communities by the development and operation of a renewable energy project. The virtual event, “Boosting the Local Economy through Renewable Energy,” featured local leaders and industry experts who shared how the growth of Kansas’ wind and solar energy sectors are boosting local economies, creating good-paying jobs across the state, and creating economic opportunity in hard-hit communities, especially as the nation looks to rebuild during post-COVID-19 recovery efforts.
With 41 wind projects already online across the state and more in the works, renewable energy plays an integral role in supporting jobs and stimulating economic activity in local communities across the state.
Steve Sloan, CEO of Midwest Minerals, kicked off the conversation, “COVID-19 has emphasized the importance of growing the availability of good, reliable jobs. The wind industry is leading here in Kansas and has created substantial job opportunities for those employed by Midwest Minerals. We are looking forward to the future as the demand for a renewable energy workforce will only continue to grow.”
“Companies across the U.S are looking for space to power their operations. Kansas has the potential to be at the top of the list, creating massive investment opportunities for our state,” said Riley Scott, Executive Director of Boost Kansas.
More than $11.4 billion in capital financing has been invested in the state, providing unparalleled opportunities for workforce expansion and economic growth as a result of wind energy.
Jeff Martin, Vice President of Customer and Community Operations with Evergy added, “Evergy’s installment of Renewables Direct to provide competitive pricing for local renewable energy is a great tool to attract new businesses to our area and to meet the needs of current customers using our area’s abundant wind energy. It helps customers realize their sustainability goals while providing long-term price stability.”
Renewable energy – and the manufacturing, infrastructure, and technology that goes with it – is and will continue to be an essential driver of American industry, Kansas’ workforce, and the economic recovery.
And it’s been a driver for companies in Kansas.
“Renewable energy has taken off over the past few years and it has proven to be a successful partnership for Watco as we built a facility to store wind turbines during development,” said Casey Harbour, Kansas Sales Manager, Watco. “This has not only been a successful partnership for our company, but also for the state of Kansas.”
In Kansas, wind now supports 6,000 jobs and provides $29 million in revenue for state and local governments, leading to building new facilities, improving roads and bridges, and upgrading emergency services.
“Clean energy is the foundation for our energy future, and states embracing it are winning when major corporations move in or expand their operations,” said Chris Knapp, Apex Clean Energy. “Additionally, across the state Kansas landowners benefit from the $36 million in lease payments made by the industry provided for hosting projects on their land.”
To set up an interview with a panelist or speak with a Boost Kansas representative, please contact Riley Scott at [email protected] or (785) 766-3885.
###
About Boost Kansas
Boost Kansas, an initiative of the American Wind Energy Association, is a statewide coalition of civic and business leaders supporting innovative policies that expand renewable and wind energy investment in the state. With commonsense federal and state policies, Kansas can continue to be a national leader in harnessing the power of wind and renewable energy development. Learn more at BoostKansas.com
About the American Council on Renewable Energy
Founded in 2001, the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is the nation’s premier pan-renewable organization uniting finance, policy and technology to accelerate the transition to a renewable energy economy. For more information, please visit www.acore.org.
The Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA) is leading the transformation to a clean energy economy, creating the framework for solar to achieve 20% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030. SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies and other strategic partners to fight for policies that create jobs in every community and shape fair market rules that promote competition and the growth of reliable, low-cost solar power. Founded in 1974, SEIA is a national trade association building a comprehensive vision for the Solar+ Decade through research, education and advocacy. Visit SEIA online at www.seia.org.
AWEA is the national trade association for the U.S. wind industry, the largest source of renewable energy in the country. We represent 1,000 member companies, 120,000 jobs in the U.S. economy, and a nationwide workforce located across all 50 states. AWEA serves as a powerful voice for how wind works for America. Members include global leaders in wind power and energy development, turbine manufacturing, and component and service suppliers. They gather each year at the Western Hemisphere’s most efficient and targeted event for utility-scale renewable companies, the AWEA CLEANPOWER Conference & Exhibition, next in Indianapolis, June 7-10, 2021. An outgrowth of the AWEA WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition, CLEANPOWER is the first trade show focused exclusively on the utility-scale renewable power sector, bringing together all the major developers, utilities, OEMs, suppliers, and buyers under one roof. Visit AWEA’swebsite
The store will then open to the general public this Saturday, December 5th at 9am.
See details below!
Attention Chamber Members!
Join us TOMORROW, December 3rd to give a warm welcome to new Chamber Member and to celebrate this new Downtown business located on the corner of National and Wall at 3 S. National Ave.
Laree + Co. will be hosting the Chamber Coffee at 8am with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony immediately following.
Owner Alivia Kraft of Laree + Co. strives to offer beautiful and superior-quality tees, women’s apparel, holiday apparel, vinyl and fabric bows, shoes, head wraps, and more. Home décor and other furnishings will come in the future.
Owner Alivia Kraft originally started L+C in honor of her daughter, Lillian, who was diagnosed with Trisomy 18 at 27 weeks’ gestation. Though she wasn’t expected to live past birth, Lillian celebrated her fourth birthday in August. Her determination and vibrancy for life inspired Alivia to step out of her comfort zone and do something she had always dreamed of – opening a boutique.
Trisomy 18 has impacted their lives on such a level that Laree + Co.’s mission is in part to spread awareness of medically-complex children and their illnesses through the naming of products after fellow medically-complex “warriors” and angels.
To further this effort, 10% of all profits are donated to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. CGCH is Lillian’s hospital and has save her life on numerous occasions.
Laree + Co. strives to offer beautiful and superior-quality tees, women’s apparel, holiday apparel, vinyl and fabric bows, shoes, headwraps, and more. Home décor and other furnishings will come in the future.
Support local – and a good cause – by stopping in this Saturday for Laree + Co.’s grand opening, where light refreshments, drinks, and door prizes will be available. Or, stop in
Monday-Friday 9am – 6pm during regular store hours.
Local Leaders Discuss Local Impact of Renewable Energy Projects in Kansas
Panel will discuss economic benefits of wind and solar energy projects for local communities
Hutchinson, KS – On Thursday, Boost Kansas will host a panel discussion focusing on the benefits provided to local communities by the development and operation of renewable energy projects. The virtual event, “Boosting the Local Economy through Renewable Energy,” will feature local leaders and industry experts who will share how the growth of Kansas’ wind and solar energy sectors are boosting local economies, creating good-paying jobs across the state, and providing economic opportunity in hard-hit communities, especially as the nation looks to rebuild during post-COVID-19 recovery efforts.
In Kansas, wind now supports 6,000 jobs, $36 million in annual land lease payments, and provides $29 million in revenue for state and local governments, providing funding for schools and courthouses, roads and bridges, and emergency services. More than $11.4 billion in capital financing has been invested in the state, providing unparalleled opportunities for workforce expansion and economic growth as a result of wind energy. Renewable energy – and the manufacturing, infrastructure, and technology that goes with it – is and will continue to be an essential driver of American industry, Kansas’ workforce, and economic recovery.
However, the future growth of in-state renewable energy relies on an expanded and modernized Midwest electricity grid. Expanding and upgrading transmission lines will allow more low-cost wind and solar projects to come online and create additional opportunities for the state.
What: Boosting the Local Economy through Renewable Energy
Jeff Martin, Vice President of Customer and Community Operations, Evergy
Representative from Apex
Moderator: Riley Scott, Boost Kansas
To set up an interview with a panelist or speak with a Boost Kansas representative, please contact Riley Scott at [email protected] or (785) 766-3885.
About Boost Kansas
Boost Kansas, an initiative of the American Wind Energy Association, is a statewide coalition of civic and business leaders supporting innovative policies that expand renewable and wind energy investment in the state. With commonsense federal and state policies, Kansas can continue to be a national leader in harnessing the power of wind and renewable energy development. Learn more at BoostKansas.com
About the American Council on Renewable Energy
Founded in 2001, the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is the nation’s premier pan-renewable organization uniting finance, policy and technology to accelerate the transition to a renewable energy economy. For more information, please visit www.acore.org.
The Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA) is leading the transformation to a clean energy economy, creating the framework for solar to achieve 20% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030. SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies and other strategic partners to fight for policies that create jobs in every community and shape fair market rules that promote competition and the growth of reliable, low-cost solar power. Founded in 1974, SEIA is a national trade association building a comprehensive vision for the Solar+ Decade through research, education and advocacy. Visit SEIA online at www.seia.org.
AWEA is the national trade association for the U.S. wind industry, the largest source of renewable energy in the country. We represent 1,000 member companies, 120,000 jobs in the U.S. economy, and a nationwide workforce located across all 50 states. AWEA serves as a powerful voice for how wind works for America. Members include global leaders in wind power and energy development, turbine manufacturing, and component and service suppliers. They gather each year at the Western Hemisphere’s most efficient and targeted event for utility-scale renewable companies, the AWEA CLEANPOWER Conference & Exhibition, next in Indianapolis, June 7-10, 2021. An outgrowth of the AWEA WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition, CLEANPOWER is the first trade show focused exclusively on the utility-scale renewable power sector, bringing together all the major developers, utilities, OEMs, suppliers, and buyers under one roof. Visit AWEA’swebsite to learn more about the enormous economic benefits wind power brings to America and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Peerless Products Inc. received a SPARK Grant to help with the costs of keeping the manufacturer producing during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
“We applied for $50,247 of reimbursement for items purchased to battle the coronavirus within the Peerless community, but also to do our part in mitigating the spread of the virus in the surrounding communities as we have employees who work here, but live generally within a 45-mile radius of Fort Scott,” said Cindy Davis, the company’s wellness and benefits manager. “We received our grant money about a month ago.”
The Strengthing People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) taskforce is responsible for the statewide distribution of the U.S. Coronavirus Relief Fund.
But the largest Bourbon County employer did not wait for help to begin combating the virus.
“In the initial weeks of the pandemic, we had a number of employees volunteer to hand-make face masks for every employee to have five, and then we were able to donate masks out around the local community,” she said. “For a solid month, after purchasing seven sewing machines, our small sewing taskforce churned out over 4,000 cloth reusable face masks!”
” We also implemented contact tracing,” Davis said. ” Supplies for all these methods of mitigating virus contamination were submitted on our SPARK grant application. The Peerless family collectively has viewed this pandemic as a very serious threat to personal health and welfare, but also to the financial welfare of each family supported by the work we do here, AND the economic health of Bourbon county.”
“As the reality of the COVID-19 virus became quickly apparent back in early March, we realized that, as the largest employer in Bourbon County (350-400 employees), we had to jump into action immediately,” she said. ” We kept close watch on the Center for Disease Control and state government guidelines and protocol recommendations, and continue to do so.”
They worked in the plant to reduce the virus.
“If certain steps were recommended, we put things into action here at Peerless as requirements,” she said. “As a business, Peerless has kept in close communication with state and local authorities, as well as with all of our employees regarding actions and protocols.”
“Peerless Products manufactures high-end custom windows and doors for buildings all over the country, high-rise business and apartment buildings, schools, hotels, hospitals, military installations, and more,” Davis said.
” However, when the pandemic accelerated, we pulled our field service personnel off the road, curtailed any travel by our sales force, and began daily temperature taking of every employee or vendor entering our facilities, she said. “Within our plant, our safety and environmental staff, employee wellness, human resources, Peerless culture, top-level management, as well as purchasing staff, sought out tools and supplies and methods to mitigate virus contamination.”
“Signage all around the plant on proper hygiene, procuring large numbers of face masks, extra handwash stations, great quantities of hand sanitizer, gloves, special air purifiers, enrollment of employees in telemedicine as a healthcare option (at no cost to the employee), the arrangement of employee break room seating (indoors and out) and office desks to implement the six feet distancing recommendation, and more were implemented.”
TFI, a foster care and child welfare service, received $50,000 in SPARK funds in Bourbon County for more technology and personal protective equipment in the pandemic.
The Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce is charged with leading Kansas forward in recovery from the far-reaching effects of COVID-19, with the statewide distribution of the U.S. Coronavirus Relief Fund.
TFI Submitted photo. Employees of TFI, Fort Scott in February 2020.
TFI serves approximately 80 children in Bourbon County, according to information provided by Taylor Forest, marketing specialist.
“The SPARK funding TFI received will help serve children in foster care in Bourbon County who have been impacted by COVID-19,” Forest said. “This funding has been used to purchase technology to allow for more remote work, and more telehealth visits when possible, minimizing face-to-face contact. Another way we are using the funds is to purchase PPE for children, families and staff. ”
They received the funding on Oct. 15, 2020.
“Children in foster care experience difficulties on a daily basis, and COVID-19 has added even more challenges” she said. “We’re incredibly grateful for the program and are thrilled that Kansas’ most vulnerable population can have some of their needs met through these unprecedented times!”
The TFI Fort Scott office is located at 710 W. 8th Street, Suite 203, FORT SCOTT KS 66701
Come out and shop local & get your Passport stamped from at least 5 different stores to be put into a drawing for a bonanza basket of Multiple $20 Gift Cards from participating local retailers!
More Shopping to be done ~ FREE!
Participating Retailers (listed soon) will have Passports for shoppers to earn a store stamp by spending $5 (before tax).
Once you have 5 stamps on your card, leave it with the store,
and the Chamber will retrieve them and announce the winner
on Tuesday, December 1st.
The local small retailers are coming together to provide one of the biggest Christmas giveaways we have had in Fort Scott to support local businesses!
Fort Scott’s Scooter’s Coffee Drive-Thru opens this week.
A coffee franchise, Scooter’s Coffee Drive-Thru, is opening on Nov. 30 at 5:30 a.m. according to Ashley Copple-Dunn, the Fort Scott Scooter’s manager.
Scooter’s is located at 2402 S. Main in front of the Hibbett’s Store.
Hours will be 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.
“Our goal is to offer amazing service, with amazing people, amazingly fast,” said Shawn Bouwen, one of the owners. “We want to provide people the highest quality experience each and every time they come to visit our store.”
In addition to coffees, teas, hot chocolate, smoothies, and blenders the shop offers breakfast burritos, cinnamon rolls, cookies, “a little bit of everything,” Demi Bouwen, another owner, said.
One can see the menu, prices, and nutritional values of the products on the Scooter’s Coffee app, she said.
They currently have 15 employees, she said, and are still taking applications.
The owners of the franchise areDemi along with her dad, Shawn Bouwen, and his wife, Tracy.
“We have been involved with Scooter’s Coffee since 2004,” Shawn said. “The three of us currently own and operate seven locations and are growing. My wife and I also have another group of partners that own and operate an additional 40+ Scooter’s Coffee locations in a four-state region. Scooter’s Coffee has been around since 1998. Don and Linda Eckles are the original Founders of the Company.”
“We really love the demographics here in Fort Scott,” Demi said. “We love to be in a small town where you can be involved with the customer.”
Owner Shawn Bouwens and manager Ashley Copple-Dunn stand in front of the new Scooter’s Coffee Drive-Thru, Nov. 2020.
