


The Boiler Room Brewhaus, 2 S. National Avenue, in historic Fort Scott’s downtown, offers live music throughout the year.
Tonight, Three Chord Justice will be playing classic country music from 7-9 p.m. with a suggested donation of $10.




Friday, April 2nd 7-9 p.m. Three Chord Justice
Friday, April 2nd 4 p.m.to sell out, Ghetto Taco Food Truck
Friday, April 16th 7-9 p.m. David Loving Music
Saturday, May 1st 8-10 p.m. Leyton Flatt Comedy Show
Saturday, May 8th 7-9 p.m., Ashtyn Barbee
Saturday May 8th 4 p.m. to sell out, Blue Spoon Food Truck
Saturday, May 22nd 7-9 p.m., Hoo Doo Band
Saturday June 4th 7-9 p.m., Sarah Loethen
Saturday, July 10th 7-9 p.m., Alyssa Galvin
Friday, August 6th, 7-11 p.m. Left of Center Band


The Jayhawk Wind Project in Bourbon County is in construction.
“We are moving forward,” said Bourbon County Commissioner Lynne Oharah. “They are out there now, putting gravel on roads and widening access on the roads.”

To view the map of the wind farm site: JAY_Final_Facilities_Map_20210308
“They are east and north of Porterville, in southwest Bourbon County, around 40th and Eagle Road,” Frank Young, an engineer with Agricultural Engineering Associates, Uniontown, said. “I have looked at a couple of culverts for them to see if they will hold up traffic for them.”

“They are upgrading some of the roads to be able to get some big rigs down them,” Young said.
Bourbon County Public Works Director Eric Bailey said I.E.A. , the contractor, sends him a plan of the day, every day and yesterday they worked on Eagle Road between 40th and 50th Streets, capping over 2100 linear feet and additionally, 50th from Eagle Road to Hwy. 3 putting over 4200 linear feet.

“They put on 4-6 inches of gravel,” Bailey said.
Today they are working on 50th from Eagle to Hwy. 39 and 30th from Hwy. 39 going south, he said.
“They have a lay-down yard at (the junction of) Hwy. 39 and Hwy. 3,” Bailey said. “This is where they will have all their job trailers, their starting point every day, where the contractors will report in.”
Young said the area is about 10 acres and is the delivery area as well.
The Jayhawk Wind project will have a capacity of 193.2 Megawatts and can power 65,000 homes, according to the Apex website.
According to the March 3 press release from Apex Clean Energy
“The Jayhawk facility… is expected to be operational later this year, will consist of 70 GE wind turbines totaling an installed capacity of more than 190 MW. The project will provide significant economic benefits for the local and state economies—including the creation of more than 115 construction jobs and 7 long-term operations positions—and will generate over $20 million in landowner payments and $27.2 million in tax revenue.”
To view the press release:
Jayhawk Wind Sold to WEC Energy Group
To see a prior feature:
Chamber Coffee Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting to be hosted by Old 54 Cycles
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guest to a Chamber Coffee and Ribbon Cutting ceremony this Thursday, April 1st at 8 a.m. to celebrate the grand opening of New Chamber member Old 54 Cycles. The event will be held at 223 N. National Ave.
Coffee and donuts will be served, and attendees may register to win special drawing from Old 54 Cycles and meet Jesse Hazen, the owner. Also, Old 54 Cycles will be hosting a car and bike show, Saturday, April 3rd from 12pm until 2 pm to celebrate their community grand opening.
Attendees are strongly encouraged wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines.
Chamber members and guests are invited to Chamber Coffee events each Thursday at 8 a.m. to network, make announcements, hear about happenings in the community as well as learn about the host business or organization.
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Continue reading What’s Happening In Fort Scott March 26th Edition










With the new calendar year also came new membership for the Fort Scott Downtown Chamber Committee.
Committee members are now Bailey Lyons, chairwoman, and owner of Lyons Realty Group; John Crain, owner of Crane Insurance Agency; Angela Simon, owner of Bids and Dibs and Angie Dawn’s Boutique; and Rachel French of W/K Holdings Company.
Each member of the Downtown Committee is also a Board Member of the local chamber of commerce.
In February, during their first meeting of the year, the committee wasted no time in getting to work! They decided to change their 2021 focus and take the committee in a new direction – one that they hope the community will find exciting!
Chairwoman Bailey Lyons shared the board’s thoughts behind this change of focus. “In the past, this committee has mainly helped with retail promo events downtown, but Lindsay Madison and Rita Schroeder of the Chamber are now handling those,” Lyons said. She explained that since Madison and Schroder have done such a good job in this area, it makes sense for the 2021 Downtown Committee to choose a different focus.“We are trying to redirect our efforts on tangible projects that will make a positive impact, while continuing to support the retail efforts.” she said.
DOWNTOWN SPRING CLEAN
The first new thing to come of this committee is a plan to host a downtown clean-up day periodically, the first of which is slated to take place on Friday, April 16th starting at 3:00.
The group has identified many projects which they plan to tackle, such as re-striping the parking spaces, implementing “artistic crosswalks”, cleaning off and repainting benches and trashcans, clearing parking lots and sidewalks of dirt and debris, washing windows in vacant buildings, and much more.
In addition to this list, they are open to suggestions from the community, so if you have an idea of something that would make the downtown area more esthetically appealing, please share that idea with Bailey Lyons as soon as possible, as she is organizing for labor and materials. Lyons can be reached via call or text at 620.224.7795.
The downtown committee welcomes and encourages volunteer laborers for the April 16th Spring Clean.
They intentionally scheduled the event at the end of the workweek in hopes that area employers – especially those with a presence downtown – would allow some of their employees to participate in the event as community service.
Lyons says to let her know if you, or your organization, would like to help with these efforts, so that she can plan enough projects to keep everyone busy, and enough materials to get the job done.
She said that she and her fellow committee members “have lofty goals for this event, but are hopeful the old adage ‘many hands make light work’ will play out and everyone’s collective efforts will produce an immediate visible change in the historic downtown area.”
IMPROVED HOLIDAY DECOR
The second new item to come from the downtown committee is a plan to adopt a project which they will focus their attention on each year.
The project they have identified for 2021 is the improvement of the downtown Christmas decor, and as such, this group will be fundraising to purchase new Christmas decorations for the downtown area.
When asked why they identified this as their goal for the year, Lyons said “The current decorations have been used for more than 30 years and community members have asked for enhancement in this area. The committee feels this is a project that we can tackle to improve community esthetics and morale, and one that will impact both locals and visitors.”
They plan to purchase 8’ LED toy soldiers to hang on the light posts – a fitting nod to the historic Fort located just North of downtown. The soldiers will add extra beauty during the holiday season, while also paying tribute to our town’s great history. The committee is asking for help in these efforts to make the Fort Scott downtown more festive. The cost to purchase one 8′ toy soldier silhouette is $400.
You may “adopt” (purchase) an LED toy soldier on your own, with a group of friends or family, or through a workplace or organization. Lyons explained that “in appreciation for contributions, those who have purchased a toy soldier silhouette will be recognized when the decorations are put up each year”. If you’re not able to cover the full cost of a toy soldier, but simply want to donate to the cause, the committee says that is also welcomed with gratitude. Every bit will help update and replace the current dilapidated Christmas decorations.

You can view these new Christmas decorations or donate to “adopt a soldier,” by visiting the new website that the committee put together to share information: https://fstoysoldier.wixsite.com/home.
You can also contact any downtown committee member (Bailey, John, Angie, Rachel), or the Chamber of Commerce, to make your tax-deductible donation.
The committee has additional plans in motion to host a fundraising event in mid-September that will further support these efforts; more details will come on that at a later date. The proceeds of the event will go to the new decorations.

Motorcyclists in the community will now have some help with repairs.
Jesse Hazen spent the last eight years working for Harley-Davidson Motorcycles as a research and development mechanic.

“Before that, I was a race mechanic for an amateur racer in Phoenix,” Jesse said.
He recently opened a new motorcycle service shop at 223 N. National and is the owner-operator.
Old 54 Cycles is a full-service shop.
“I am Harley-Davidson, Yamaha and Suzuki certified, but can work on it all,” he said. ” We work on American V-twins, import motorcycles, dirt bikes, ATVs, and side-by-sides. We are in the process of getting part supplies. We can do anything from tire changes, services all the way to full builds.”
“Quality work, growth, and exposure are our number-one priorities,” Jesse said.
Business hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. and closed on Sunday.

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[Message clipped] View entire message
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Bailey Lyons is a lady on the move.
“After more than three years as a realtor in Bourbon County, I decided to launch my own independent brokerage,” Lyons said. “It was a dream of mine to open…in my hometown.”
Lyon’s real estate business has grown over the years from repeat business and word-of-mouth introductions of friends, family, and neighbors, she said.
Lyons Realty Group’s new office is at 8 E. Wall St., in the recently restored Tribune Building. The office is part of the LaRoche family’s investment in the block of storefronts at Wall and National Avenue.
Katie Hueston is the business’s office administrator.

“We invite you to stop in and visit anytime,” Lyons said. “Stay tuned for more details regarding a grand opening in the very near future.”
She can be reached via phone at (620)266-9448, or email at [email protected].
Born and raised in Fort Scott, Lyons values this community.
“Growing up in this wonderful community was a blessing,” she said. I want to see it grow, thrive, and evolve, and I love playing a small part in that. The many benefits of small-town, Midwest living is not lost on me, especially since I have chosen to raise my family here. It is a true joy to help people fall in love with our little gem, and allow other families to call this place home.”
“Up until I found my calling in real estate, I worked in banking and finance, a background that compliments real estate and one that I capitalize on to help my clients as they work through the loan process or contemplate financial decisions.”
“I care about giving clients sound advice they can trust and truly want the best for them,” she said.
She works with a team of professionals that include marketing, lenders, home inspectors, title companies, financial advisors, and attorneys.
Bailey and husband Nate reside in Fort Scott with their four children, Addison-19 years old, Jhett and Jaxon-7 , and Lute-3.
Lyons and her family have played an active role in the community and the new business will carry on that tradition, she said.
“At Lyons Realty Group, we want to give back to the community that supports us,” she said. “Our business wouldn’t exist without the support of this community. It’s our goal not to express in words how much we appreciate that support, but to display it in action and deed.”
She is dedicated to getting top dollar for clients while making the process “enjoyable, smooth and stress-free.”
“Buying or selling a home is a deeply personal endeavor,” she said. “Our clients deserve the full service and attention that only a team of experts can consistently provide.”

“Working with us, you will have personal attention, professionalism, honesty, integrity, and extremely hard work ethic,” she said.
Lyons said she loves what she does.
“I hope that shows,” she said. “I am sincerely grateful that I get to work with wonderful clients, in a wonderful community. It is truly an honor and a pleasure.”
Lyons attended The University of Kansas where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in both finance and accounting, as well as her Master’s in Business Administration (MBA).
She has worked in Tulsa and Kansas City but ultimately made her way back to Fort Scott.
Activity This Weekend
This weekend the new business is a part of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Lollipop Hop & Shop + Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest.
“Bring the kids and have them draw their dream house in front of Lyons Realty Group’s new downtown office,” she said.
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Billy Madison will soon open his new business venture in Bourbon County, Spring Hill Pork Processors.
The pork processing plant will be located on 47 acres south of the Kansas Department of Transportation facility on Hwy. 69 south of the LaRoche Ball Park.
The business will manufacture pork for the Asian and Hispanic markets, Madison said.
The business will employ 15-30 people, and depending on experience, wages will start at $14 an hour.
“If you can bone meat, $18-20 an hour, depending on experience is our starting wage,” Madison said.
A U.S. Department of Agriculture inspector will be on-site every day, as required by law.
“The U.S. government provides their pay (for the inspector), we pay overtime if we have overtime,” he said.
“There are places in big towns where there are Asian and Hispanic markets,” he said. “It’s all in how you cut the pig up. Both like the skin left of the pig.” He said the meat cuts are a little different as well.
“We box a lot of meat and send it to meat markets, like Fanestil Meats in Emporia,” he said.
Madison is not sure how long the process will take to break ground at the site but estimates approximately three months.
The plant will not be a smell to the surrounding area, he said.
“There is no smell,” he said. “People don’t understand the process. We are not raising hogs (at the site).”
“All the (Bourbon County) commissioners came to our plant in Spring Hill,” he said. “They found out it doesn’t smell.”
The estimated investment in the plant will be over $2 million dollars by Madison, he said.
“We don’t have the numbers yet,” he said. “The bidding process is quite in-depth.”
Billy and his wife, Becky are the sole owners of the processing plant.

They live five miles south of Louisburg, but Billy lived in Fort Scott for a period of his early life.
He still has family who lives here.
“My dad, Warren, still lives there and my Uncle Frank Madison is a cattle rancher there.”