Category Archives: Business

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College, Government

Businesses, Colleges, Assisted Living Centers: Mobile Driver’s License Office Service

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Division of Vehicles makes Mobile Driver’s License Office available across the state

 

Topeka – The Kansas Department of Revenue’s Division of Vehicles launched its state-wide mobile driver’s license office as another avenue of convenience and added service for large groups needing to obtain a driver’s license or identification card. When a visit is set up with the mobile unit coordinator, a link is made available to individuals to schedule their visit.

 

“The mobile unit is for locations like businesses, assisted living facilities, colleges, and universities,” David Harper, Director of the Division of Vehicles said. “This is another way we are cutting back on wait lines and the anticipated rush of people coming into the offices as we get closer to the Real ID implementation deadline.”

 

Real ID is a set of federal guidelines for traveling on commercial airlines or entering federal facilities where identification is currently necessary. If choosing to be Real ID compliant, the deadline is October 1, 2020.

 

The Division of Vehicles stepped up its efforts in offering mobile driver’s license office solutions this past spring with two pilot programs. One, to help Sedgewick County Correctional inmates, who were transitioning out of the correctional facility, get state identification cards. The other was for students completing driver’s education in the Blue Valley School District in Johnson County to get their learner’s permit.

 

“The feedback we received from those pilot programs helped us test the idea and now launch the mobile driver’s license office,” Harper said.

 

Employers or organizations wanting to host the mobile driver’s license office are encouraged to contact Ethan Davis, Mobile Driver’s License Office coordinator, at [email protected].

 

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Business, Fort Scott

Giving Tuesday at Gordman’s To Benefit St. Jude’s Hospital

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Gordmans Will Double Your Donation to St. Jude on GivingTuesday

This GivingTuesday, guests at Gordmans can give the gift of hope to children who need it most. On Tuesday, Dec. 3, Gordmans will match 100% of all donations made at checkout to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, doubling the impact of each donation.

GivingTuesday, a worldwide movement that promotes generosity and acts of kindness, has grown in popularity since it launched seven years ago. Last year in the U.S., GivingTuesday had its biggest year yet, raising nearly $400 million for charitable causes.

In addition to matching donations at checkout on GivingTuesday, Gordmans is bringing the St. Jude mission into its stores this holiday season with BEARS that CARE. Through New Year’s Eve, guests can help St. Jude families by making a donation at checkout or purchasing holiday teddy bears that celebrate a special little girl named Bella, who has childhood cancer and is getting expert care at St. Jude. Gordmans’ BEARS that CARE are under $10; Gordmans will donate $2 of each bear sale to St. Jude. Gordmans, which is part of the Stage community of stores, also will donate $1 on behalf of the first 35,000 guests who use #bearsthatcare on social media.

Every donation helps ensure families at St. Jude never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food, because all a family should ever worry about is helping their child live. With the help and generosity of our guests, the Stage community of stores raised almost $900,000 for St. Jude in 2018 and over $6 million in the past six years.

Visit gordmans.com/stjude to find a Gordmans store, purchase a bear or make an online donation through New Year’s Eve.

Business, Exercise, Fort Scott

Smallville Crossfit Reopens Today, Dec. 2

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Aaron Watts works on the flooring in one of the large classrooms at Smallville Crossfit  on Nov. 29

 

After a hiatus finishing up the new facility at 1905 Judson, Smallville Crossfit opens today for classes.

“Our first classes will be held here Monday,” owner Aaron Watts said on Nov. 29. His wife, Lindsey is his partner in the fitness business.

The reconfigured facility, once Fort Scott Lumber, is just off West 19th Street in the southern part of the city. They were formerly in a downtown location but outgrew the space.

Smallville Crossfit has 130 members, Aaron said.

Some of the Smallville Crossfit members, from the business Facebook page.

They now have about 60 percent more space to accommodate those members, Aaron said.

“We now have three large heated rooms for classes, as opposed to two large and an auxiliary room,” he said.

Smallville Crossfit provides regular Crossfit classes, a “sweat class” and a pre-teen class for kids eight to 12 years old, Aaron said.

The Watts are going to add some new classes, a dance fitness class and strength and conditioning classes, in the future.

“We are going to get through a couple of months to determine new equipment that might be needed,” Aaron said.

New showers and bathrooms have been added to the building and Aaron was putting the mat floor down on Friday, while Lindsey was cleaning the walls in one of the new classrooms, with a little help from family and friends.

Lindsay Watts cleans the wall of one of the new classrooms at Smallville Crossfit on Nov. 29.

 

Smallville Crossfit classes are Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 7:15 a.m., 8 a.m. 11:15 a.m., the 4 p.m. pre-teen class to the last class at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday classes are at 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Saturday there is an open gym which starts at 9 a.m.

For more information contact Lindsey at 620-619-9602 or Aaron at 620-719-7554.

A grand opening at the new facility will be after the first of the year.

Aaron Watts stands in front of the newly remodeled Smallville Crossfit, 1905 Judson.

 

Bourbon County, Business, Health Care, Housing, Jobs

Agenda for the Bourbon County Coalition Dec. 4

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Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition general membership meets each first Wednesday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 123 Scott. There will be no January 2020 meeting.

The meeting agenda for December 4, 2019

  1. Welcome and Board update by Billie Jo Drake, chairwoman:
  1. Member introductions and announcements:
  1. Program: Gary Miller, Angels Home Care Health
  1. February program will be presented by Meaghan Russell, USD 235. Meaghan will tell us about their Teammates program.
  1. Open Forum:
  1. Adjournment: Next meeting will be February 5, 2020.
Business, Fort Scott, Housing

Historic Redo Back On Track

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The residential development at 1st and Main Street is now on track for a summer 2020 opening. This is a 2018 photo.

Though there has been no activity for months on the building at First and Main Street, that will change soon, said the developer.

“As happens from time to time, we are in the process of switching general contractors,” Tony Krsnich, president and CEO of Flint Hills Holding, 2315 W. 65th, Mission Hills, KS. said.

“We are getting ready to start construction back up in 30 days,” He said.

The three-story building is being converted into 25 “high-end” apartments, he said. “They are for the general public and rent will be based on income.”

“It will be historically preserved,” Krsnich said. “It will pretty much look like it did when built.”

What was known as the Stout Building, adjacent to the west at First and National Avenue was torn down.

“The old Stout Building was endangered and needed to be razed,” he said. “It will be used as green space and a parking area for downtown.”

“The project is fully financed and construction is expected to resume within the next few weeks,” Rachel Pruitt, Fort Scott Economic Director said. “The City looks forward to seeing the construction restarting and is thankful for the additional investment from Flint Hills Holdings. ”

The First and Main building as seen from National Avenue on Nov. 4. The Stout Building was razed on this space and will be made into a green space and parking lot for downtown Fort Scott.

 

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Small Business Saturday: Buy Local

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Small Business Saturday
Saturday, November 30, 2019

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce encourages the community to support SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY on November 30th.

For every $100 spent locally, $68 stays in our community. When the same $100 is spent with a national franchise, only $43 is retained locally. Shoppers across the nation are encouraged to “SHOP SMALL” and support local businesses this season.

The Chamber encourages all to take part in a Passport Event as part of Small Business Saturday. This Saturday when shopping at participating retailers, customers may collect stamps by spending $5 or more at a minimum of four stores, then turn in the passport to one of the businesses by 5 pm to be entered in a drawing for Chamber Bucks.

Small businesses promoting the passport event include Bartlesmeyer Jewelry, Bids & Dibs, Books & Grannies, Country Cupboard, Courtland Spa, Fort Scott Munitions, Fort Scott Gun & Pawn, Front Door Christmas Store, Hedgehog.INK, Here We Go Again Upholstery, Hole in the Wall, Iron Star Antiques, J & W Sports Shop, The Lavender Patch, Lowell Milken Center, Main Street Gallery & Gifts, Mayco Ace Hardware, Papa Don’s Pizza, Redbud Farm & Nurseries, Ruddick’s Furniture, Sekan’s Occasion Shop, Sunshine Boutique, The Electronics Store, Trader Dave’s, and Treasure Hunt Flea Market.

Contact the Chamber of Commerce for more information at 620-223-3566.


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Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment

Rosie’s Cabin Hosts Vendors Dec. 7: Buy Local

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Rosie’s Cabin and Event Center, 563 Maple Rd., Uniontown
Rosie’s Cabin Event Center Manager Kelsey Blythe was approached by a local entrepreneur to host a vendor show.
“Kelly Perry from Perry’s Pork Rinds is a very motivated entrepreneur with great ideas,” Blythe said.  “She came to me with an idea to have a local vendor show. Since we have space, we were delighted to host.”
The Backwoods Holiday Mart is scheduled for December 7 at Rosie’s Cabin – 563 Maple Road Uniontown, just 20 minutes from downtown Fort Scott.
“Everyone is invited,” Blythe said.  “The more support our local vendors get, the better for all of the community in Bourbon County.”
The event is from 9 am – 4 pm on Saturday, Dec. 7.
There will be giveaways, prizes, and samples.
Santa Claus will be available for family photos by Erica George Photography.
“Loads of people will be setting up a booth to sell and advertise their products,” Blythe said.  “There are so many different kinds of vendors coming, it’s going to be so fun to look around.”
  “There will be hand made jewelry, wines, nuts, knives, Perry’s Pork Rinds, homemade baked goods, homemade dog treats, leather goods,  woodworking, Tupperware, homemade Christmas wreaths and many many more. Come support your local business people!! Most of these vendors travel to vendor shows and put their heart into their products.”

Blythe is considering this an annual event and possibly bi-annual
“to give hard-working people a good chance to sell LOCALLY! What would be better than to have one of your best shows be here in Bourbon County,” Blythe said.

 

Business, Fort Scott

Gordmans Offers Gifts On Black Friday

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Line Up for Fun on Thanksgiving & Black FriYAY

The first 75 guests…

  • get a scratch-off card — it could be a $100 Gordmans gift card or a $5 shopping card;
  • can enter a drawing to win a giant FAO Schwarz® teddy bear, replica of the cuddly Bella Bear from Gordmans’ BEARS that CARE partnership with St. Jude.

On Friday, the first 75 guests…

  • receive a free, festive reusable holiday tote bag.

 

GivingTuesday: Gordmans Doubles Donations to St. Jude

  • On Tuesday, Dec. 3, Gordmans will match 100% of all donations made at checkout to St. Jude.
  • Guests also can help St. Jude families by purchasing holiday teddy bears that celebrate a special little girl named Bella, who has childhood cancer and is getting expert care at St. Jude.
  • Gordmans’ BEARS that CARE are under $10; Gordmans will donate $2 of each bear sale to St. Jude.