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Category Archives: Business
Christmas In One Week: Jingle Bell Holiday Mart this Saturday
When Leanne Leatherman heard that the Bourbon County Historical Preservation Association was not having its annual Stocking Stuffer Christmas event, she asked a fellow Bourbon County Fair Association member, Sue Reineke, about hosting a craft show and sale.
“She thought it would be a good idea, so the Jingle Bell Holiday Mart came to be,” Leatherman said. “This is our first year, but I hope it is the first of many. We may try to schedule it a little earlier in the month for next year.”
The two are also having conversations about having a swap meet or show once a month to allow local merchants a place to meet and sell their wares.
Leatherman and Reinecke are both vendors. Leatherman sells hand-crafted items, Reinecke sells goat milk soap and lotions from her farm.
The sale will be Saturday, Dec. 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds 4-H Building on South Horton Street.
“It is a heated facility, with plenty of parking,” she said.
“We are full this year with vendors,” Leatherman said.
The following are the vendors who will be selling their wares on Dec. 18:
Locust Hill Lamancha’s Goat milk products
Paula’s This and That: hand made quilts, Young Living products
Auntie Em’s Closet: key chains, car freshies, hand warmers
Quill Fire Farm: crochet, mouse repellent bags, homemade play dough
Flying P Ranch: jewelry
Happy little Candle Factory
Hunter’s Fashion: Paparazzi Jewelry
Desert Bloom Boutique: apparel, candles, car freshies
Tessie Tucker: Color Street Nails
CBF Candles
Blue Dog Winery
Miki Kraft: lots of hand-sewn items
Bathhouse Trading: soaps, bath bombs, etc.
Maid in Marmaton: jams
AKA Crafts and Design: apparel
Courtney Lanham: tumblers
Michelle Lisica: laser-cut ornaments and items
Elk Creek Outpost: soaps, air fresheners, bath bombs, etc.
For more information contact Leatherman at 620.224.6423.
Some Evergy Customers Still Without Power
Power restored to more than 90% of Evergy customers affected by windstorm
Neighboring line crews arrive as around the clock restoration continues
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Dec. 16, 2021 – By Thursday evening, Evergy crews had restored power to more than 90 percent of customers impacted by extreme winds on Wednesday. Evergy crews were joined by more than 250 personnel from regional neighboring utilities to help restore power to Evergy customers in Kansas and Missouri.
Wednesday’s windstorm brought sustained high winds to the entirety of Evergy’s service area, with gusts up to 100 mph in some locations. Strong winds brought down power lines, broke poles and caused other damage to the power grid, interrupting service to 258,000 Evergy customers. Evergy crews made steady progress restoring power, and 62 percent of impacted customers were back on by Thursday morning. By about 8 p.m. Thursday, outage numbers had been reduced to about 20,000 customers. Evergy expects power to be restored to nearly all affected customers by Friday evening, but some outages will extend into the weekend.
Chuck Caisley talked about some challenges that made power restoration challenging in a Thursday afternoon news conference. Much of the initial damage assessment and restoration work was at night, and damage from the storm was spread across the Evergy service area. In many areas, the nature of the damage meant that each repair restores power to a small number of customers.
Crews from Ameren, Liberty Utilities and City of Springfield have joined Evergy crews and contractors to make repairs and restore power. Work continues in communities across Kansas and Missouri, as the damage from the storm was widespread. Crews will continue to work around the clock until power to all customers is restored.
As weather is cooler, customers are encouraged to assess personal safety of staying at home during extended power outages. Family members who are very young, elderly or have compromised health may need to seek alternative shelter. If you have family, friends or neighbors who are without power, please check on them.
Evergy crews may use road or sidewalk barricades and traffic cones to make work areas safe. Please do not bypass these safety measures, putting crews, yourself or others potentially in harm’s way.
Rusty Spur Energy and Nutrition Opens at 9 E. Wall
The Rusty Spur Energy & Nutrition opened at 9 E. Wall on Dec. 14.
The owners are Kelly Perry and Chris Ames who is also the operator.
“We offer one-on-one health assessments for weight loss or muscle gain with our products,” Perry said. “Our products include vitamin-packed energy and calorie-burning teas that taste more like fruit drinks! We also provide complete meal replacement shakes full of protein and vitamins and minerals in over 60 flavors!
“We have had a team of other entrepreneurs; Haven, Ashtyn, and Greg, in Ft. Scott (at a different location) since August 2020 helping customers with healthy shakes and teas,” Kelly said. “Previous health coaches have moved from the area and we felt passionate about keeping such a niche business alive and well in Fort Scott! We hated to see it close when the others moved.”
Their passion stems from losing weight using the drinks they sell.
Both women have followed a number of fad diets and even resorted to surgical weight loss methods such as gastric bypass. Short term, they had a tremendous amount of success but eventually, the weight came back, Perry said.
During the 2020 pandemic, Perry had gained over 80 pounds of her surgical weight loss back when she walked into the Fort Scott nutrition shop desperate to lose the 80 pounds, she said.
She started the meal replacement shakes and within five months from December 2020 to May 2021, Perry lost all 80 pound swith shakes alone, she said.
Perry has maintained her weight loss and coached others to do the same, she said.
Chris Ames has had a very similar story.
“After (weight-loss) surgery, her weight loss was not significant and she continued to be stagnant in weight loss,” Perry said. “She started on the protein meal replacement shakes and the rest is history. She is now a size smaller than she was in high school. She too is working to help others to be the best that they can be and fully embrace health and nutrition rather than think of it as yet another diet.”
“We’re passionate about helping people and we really like this job,” Perry said.
“Each of our energy drinks is all custom-made for exactly what you need as an individual, no two drinks are alike,” she said. “You won’t find one main price because all teas have customization to them.”
“We hope that by being downtown in such a beautiful area we will be able to reach more people and help them with their health goals,” Perry said.
They have products for children as well, she said.
“We also provide probiotics and added hydration for all ages, so if you have a child that is dehydrated or has bloating, cramping or even backed up in the bathroom, we have items that we can add to their drink to help their tummy,” she said.
The hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM and Saturday, 9 AM to 2 PM, Sunday after church from noon to 3 p.m.
The business can be contacted via Facebook Messenger, or Instagram or email rustyspurnutrition@gmail.com
Smallville Crossfit Hosts Fort Games March 19-20
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Boiler Room Brewhaus Closing Sale This Evening and Tomorrow
Boiler Room Brewhaus will be having a closing sale at the brewery,2 S. National Avenue, on Friday, December 10th, 4:00-7:00 and Saturday, December 11th, 2:00-5:00
Furniture, antiques, Christmas decorations, brewing equipment and Boiler Room memorabilia(t-shirts, glasses, beer mats, posters) are for sale.
Christmas In the Park: A Fort Scott Family Tradition
A local group of people who love the community gathered in Gunn Park in April 2021 and together envisioned a Christmas event that they hope will grow each year.
The event has new leadership this year with many family activities.
This year Christmas in Gunn Park is Saturday, Dec. 11, and Saturday, Dec. 18 from 5-8 p.m.
A living nativity, Santa Claus, a toy drive for local children, a chili feed, hot cocoa and coffee, kids crafts, a hayrack ride, trolley rides, music from local Fort Scott High School students, and some local vendors for shopping will provide a little something for everyone.
The event is free, Guns said.
“Goodwill donations are always welcome and will go towards expanding Christmas in Gunn Park next year,” she said. “We will be collecting new unwrapped toys for our “Fill the Truck Toy Drive” with donations going to Bourbon County Angels, Angel Gifts to fulfill Christmas wishes for kids in Bourbon County.”
“Everyone on the planning committee has a variety of reasons why they chose to join,” Melissa Guns, one of the organizers, said. “We want good things for Fort Scottians. We want to spread Christmas cheer and enrich the place we call home… Most of all, we want a place for both those who love Christmas …while offering a place for those who may struggle around the holiday season, a place to find a little peace and joy.”
Parking
Gunn Park will be closed for regular traffic during the event. Vehicles with handicap parking tags or window hangers will be allowed to drive into the park near the event.
Public parking is available on Burke Street in the Fort Scott Community College Nursing Building parking lot, north of the tall Fort Scott water tower, and also in the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas parking lot at Ninth and Horton Street.
Busses to and from the event will bring guests in and out of the park from the parking lots.
Those who have helped:
The planning committee consists of Craig Campbell, Doug Guns, Melissa Guns, Bailey Lyons, Shannon Johnson, Josh Jones, Tom Robertson, and Devin Tally.
Shelter houses are being decorated by Niece of Kansas, Inc. (Shelter 1), Kiwanis (Shelter 2), Shannon Johnson/Clark Street Lights (Shelter 3), Shaunn Pytlowany (Shelter 5), and Bourbon County Cars (Shelter 4).
Allison Leach, Danyell Miles, and Susan Carrillo are decorating a grand entrance to the park.
Fort Scott Community College Welding Program and Fort Scott High School Carpentry, Welding, and Art Programs have each created festive displays.
“Mike Miles’ display is sure to please, and Robert Coon, with A1 Towing, is also providing us with a display anyone who grew up in the ’80s is sure to get a kick out of,” Guns said.
Buck Run Community Center is providing activities for kids.
USD 234 and FSCC volunteers are helping with shuttling people to and from the park, and the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce is providing the town trolley for moving people through the park on event nights.
Matt Harvey with Fort Scott Auto is running a hayride with his trailer.
Additionally, USD 234 is allowing the Fort Scott Police and Fire Departments to use their kitchen to cook up over 200 pounds of high-quality ground beef purchased by the committee at a special rate made possible by The Butcher Block.
Ward Kraft Inc. has donated the rest of the chili ingredients for a meal that is sure to give us all some extra warmth, she said.
Dollar General has donated bowls and spoons.
Ward Kraft Inc. is also helping folks to stay warm with coffee and Kathy Reed has donated hot chocolate.
Angel Gifts will be the recipient of the “Fill the Truck Toy Drive” and they have volunteered to help along with FSCC Cheer Team.
Skitch Allen is donating additional port-a-potties for the events.
“Finally, the guys from Fort Scott’s Parks Department are in full swing to help us get the grounds ready and the electrical properly connected,” she said. “Jeff Allen also helped consult on the electrical.”
“These groups, along with the City of Fort Scott and a grant from the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation have helped to make this year’s Christmas in Gunn Park possible,” she said.
The vendors for Dec. 11 are Blessed B Creations and Hope Designs by Neen. On Dec. 18, Sparkle R Jewelry, Paparazzi Jewelry will be a vendor.
Vendor registration for December 18 is open through December 16. Interested vendors can sign up at https://forms.gle/PC8M4ufzADNxpBLb6
Schedule for Dec. 11
5 – 8:30 p.m: Angel Gifts Toy Drive, chili feed, hot cocoa and coffee, a vendor shop, kids crafts, hayrack ride, trolley rides, a live Nativity scene by Bethel Community Church, vendors selling items.
The chili feed will be provided until all the chili is gone.
All other events run throughout the evening.
5:30-6 p.m. Music by the Fort Scott High School Orchestra
6- 6:15 pm Santa and a special guest arrive, tree lighting, and sponsor acknowledgments.
6:30 – 8:30 pm Pictures with Santa
6:15-6:45 pm Music by FSHS Jazz Band
7- 7:30 pm Music by FSHS Choir Ensemble
7:45 – 8:15 pm Combined music performance by FSHS Jazz Band and Choir
8:30- 8:45pm Event activities wrap-up
8:45 – 9 pm Final hayrack and trolley rides to busses
9 pm All bus runs to parking completed and park gates lock for the night.
Schedule for Dec. 18
5 – 8:30 pm Angel Gifts Toy Drive, hot cocoa and coffee, vendor shop, kids crafts, hayrack and trolley rides, and live Nativity scene by Bethel Community Church, vendors selling items.
5 pm – Until? Food Vendors – Butcher Block & Tres Polito Food Truck
5:30 – 8:30 pm Christmas music performance by Bourbon County Revival
6- 6:15 pm Santa and special guest arrive, tree lighting, sponsor acknowledgments.
6:30- 8:30 pm Pictures with Santa
8:30- 8:45 pm Event activities close
8:45 – 9 pm Final hayrack and trolley rides to busses
9 pm All bus runs to parking completed and park gates lock for the night.
CHAMBER ANNOUNCES COCOA & CAROLING NIGHT SHOPPING EVENT This Evening
Friday, December 10th, 2021 5 pm -8 pm
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces Cocoa & Caroling Late Night Shopping Event in Downtown Fort Scott. It will be held this Friday evening, December 10th, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Retailers in the Downtown Historic District will be decked for the holidays with great gift ideas
The event will feature several groups of carolers strolling the sidewalks of Downtown from store to store with complimentary cocoa being served by the Museum of Creativity in front of the Sunshine Boutique. This will offer locals and visitors another opportunity to shop small and support local, while enjoying some holiday cheer.
Participating stores include: Angela Dawn’s Boutique, Bartelsmeyer Jewelry, Bids & Dibs, Hedgehog.INK!, Laree + Co., Main Street Gallery & Gifts, The Rainbow Unicorn Boutique, Sunshine Boutique, and Treasure Hunt Flea Market.
Contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce for more information on this event at
(620)223-3566 or visit fortscott.com.
Questions To The Trustees on Decision To Shut Down the FSCC Football Program
Matt Glades, a Fort Scott Community College Alumni, encourages attendance for interested parties at the next board of trustees meeting, which is at 5 p.m. next Monday, December 13 at Cleaver-Burris-Boileau Hall.
He will be there to ask the trustees some questions about the discontinuance of the college’s football program last month.
“I have talked to at least one Greyhound football player from every decade going back to the 1960s and numerous community members,” Glades said. “There’s a lot of people sad and disappointed that the program is shut down and how it was done.”
“FSCC football has been around for almost 100 years and has impacted thousands of lives from the players to the community,” he said. “A lot of us were confused and frustrated that we didn’t even have an opportunity to speak on behalf of the program or donate to save it.”
“The alumni are asking for more transparency on concerns from the FSCC administration and the board of trustees, Glades said.
“Here are a few but not all of those concerns, he said:
- How does the college plan to account for losing that many student-athletes who were living in the dorms, credit hours, etc?
- Do they understand that this also affects local businesses and severs connections for a lot of people ranging from parts of the community to the alumni including four current NFL football players?
- Why were the FSCC football alumni and community never made aware of the financial struggles of the program and were not allowed the opportunity to save it?
- Why did the board feel compelled to add shutting down the program to the tail end of the board meeting instead of putting it on the original agenda?”
Jewelry Trunk Show This Evening At Crooner’s Lounge
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Cocoa and Caroling Dec. 10, 5-8 p.m.
| The Chamber invites you to the 2021
Cocoa & Caroling Late Night Shopping Event December 10th 5-8pm |
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| Get out and support our local downtown shops! |
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The event will feature several groups of carolers strolling the sidewalks of Downtown from store to store with complimentary cocoa served by the Museum of Creativity in front of Sunshine boutique. *** This event offers locals & visitors another opportunity to shop small & support local while enjoying some holiday cheer! |
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Biofuel Producers Get Economic Relief
USDA to Make Up to $800 Million Available to Provide Economic Relief to Biofuel Producers and Restore Renewable Fuel Markets Hit by the Pandemic
Up to $800 Million Will Help Biofuel Producers and the People of Rural America Build Back Better
WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 7, 2021 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA will make up to $700 million available to provide economic relief to biofuel producers and restore renewable fuel markets affected by the pandemic. The Department will make the funds available through the new Biofuel Producer Program authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Additionally, in the coming months, the Department will make $100 million available to increase significantly the sales and use of higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel by expanding the infrastructure for renewable fuels derived from U.S. agricultural products. The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to further growth of the biofuels industry, and the House-passed Build Back Better Act commits additional funding that will provide better market access for farmers and more affordable and cleaner fuels for consumers.
“Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, USDA is providing direct relief to the people of rural America who are still reeling from the economic impacts of the pandemic,” Vilsack said. “As we continue to rebuild the nation’s economy, USDA is targeting resources and investments to improve the strength and resiliency of America’s sustainable fuel markets. The relief we’re announcing today will pave the way to economic recovery for America’s biofuel producers, stimulate a critical market for U.S. farmers and ranchers and move the country closer to President Biden’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.”
Background on the Biofuel Producer Program
Through the Biofuel Producer Program, USDA will make up to $700 million in direct payments available for biofuel producers who faced unexpected market losses due to the pandemic.
By making payments to biofuels producers, the program will help agricultural producers maintain and create more viable markets for products that supply biofuel production, such as corn, soybeans, or biomass. Payments will be based on the producer’s market loss volume in 2020, which is calculated by the amount of fuel produced in 2020 in comparison to 2019.
To download application materials and review eligibility requirements, visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/energy-programs/biofuel-producer-relief-payments-program. USDA will announce the application window in the coming weeks.
Background on Grants for Biofuels Infrastructure
USDA intends to make up to $100 million available in new funds for grants for biofuels infrastructure, such as blender pumps which ensure biofuels have greater availability in the retail market. The funding will provide grants to refueling and distribution facilities for cost of installation, retrofitting or otherwise upgrading of infrastructure required at a location to ensure the environmentally safe availability of fuel containing ethanol blends of E-15 and greater or fuel containing biodiesel blends B-20 and greater. USDA will announce the official application window for grants within the next few months.
This announcement comes on the heels of an announcement the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made today. EPA is proposing a package of actions setting biofuels volumes for years 2022, 2021, and 2020, and introducing regulatory changes intended to enhance the program’s objectives. In addition, EPA is asking for public comment on a proposed decision to deny petitions to exempt small refineries from RFS program requirements. Read the full announcement at https://www.epa.gov/newsroom.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.