There is an opening on the Fort Scott Street Advisory Board. The function of the Board is to provide suggestions to the City Commission regarding road improvement projects throughout the City of Fort Scott. When submitting your letter/email of interest, please provide any specific knowledge or training you have that would complement you being a member of this Board. All Boards and commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated. If you would like more information please contact Lisa Lewis, City Clerk at [email protected] or by calling 620.223.0550. Please submit your letter of interest by December 9th, 2022, at 12:00 p.m.
NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION CITY HALL COMMISSION MEETING ROOM 123 SOUTH MAIN STREET November 15th, 2022 6:00 P.M. I.Roll Call: J. JonesT. Van HoeckeM. WellsK. Harrington II.Flag Salute: III.Invocation:Led by Matthew Wells IV.Appointment of City Commissioner:Consideration of Robert Uhler, Bill Michaud, Cindy Bartelsmeyer, and Edwin Woellhof
V.Consent Agenda: A.Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of November 1, 2022, and minutes of the special meeting of November 7, 2022 B.Request to Pay – J. Richardson Construction – $54,210.27 – 17thand Eddy Stormwater Improvements C.Request to Pay – HDR Engineering, Inc. – $14,294.96 – Phase II Dam Improvements – Engineering D.Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. – $37,622.15 – work performed during October
VI.Public Comment: (Sign up required. Comments on any topic not on agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at Commission discretion) VII.Old Business: A.Change Order #1 – L.G. Barcus and Sons, Inc. – $19,466.03 – Review itemized bill
VIII.Appearances: A.JackRyan-FellmanofBakerTilly–OctoberFinancialStatementsand Status of Engagement B.Bailey Lyons – Splash Pad IX.Public Hearing: Financial Assistance and Pre-Application with U.S. Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to Repair and/or Replace Two (2) Storm Sirens – Presented by Fire Chief Dave Bruner and Emily Diebolt
X.New Business: A.Consideration of Special Assessment Waiver – Fort Scott Manor – Shane Lamb – Sgt. W. Downey presenting B.Consideration of Amendment of Boat License Ordinance 3054 C.Consideration of Approval for Auction of Seized Vehicles Awarded to Fort Scott Police Department – Police Chief Travis Shelton presenting D.Consideration of Interim City Manager position
XII.Reports and Comments: A.Interim City Manager Comments B.Assistant City Manager Comments C.Engineering Updates and Comments D.Commissioner’ Reports and Comments E.City Attorney Reports and Comments
XIII.ExecutiveSession–Ifrequested,(please follow script inallmotions for Executive Sessions) IX.Adjournment:
Dr. Russ Baxley purchased the Gorman Animal Hospital in March 2022.
Renamed the Southeast Kansas Veterinary Center, it is located at 1251 240th St., Fort Scott.
The SEK Veteraninary Center is located at 1251 240th St., Fort Scott. Submitted photo.
Hours of operation are Monday – Thursday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed.
The phone number is (620) 223-1171
Dr. Baxley is a veterinarian and a veteran.
All together he has served in three wars, Baxley said.
“As a youngster, I was in the Air Force,” he said.
He started as a veterinarian in the U. S. Army in Afghanistan where he worked on dogs that detected explosives and narcotics.
He then left the army and returned to Kansas and worked for a mixed animal veterinarian.
A hankering for more adventures led him to Afghanistan, Iraq, Morocco and Egypt, as a contractor for the U.S. State Department, again working with detection dogs.
Returning to the U.S., he worked in Destin, Florida for a year and a half until the COVID 19 Pandemic restrictions made the job “undesirable,” he said.
Returning to Kansas, he traveled the state filling in at clinics for manpower shortages. It was then that he came to Fort Scott to the clinic he purchased in March 2022.
Dr. Baxley loves animals and the best part of his career is “returning a sick animal to health, seeing how happy the animal is and pleased the owner is.”
He is concerned about the misinformation for the care of animals that is on the internet and recommends that people look to information on academic or government sources.
The best source for veterinary advice is a veterinarian, he said.
In the industry there are new drugs coming for small animals that will help minimize pain and many new diagnostics for detecting and treating them.
For livestock, there have been new scientific studies for treating parasites, which helps decrease disease in cattle, while lowering production costs. “The hard part is getting people to change from old to new ways,” he said.
Coming in 2023, cattle producers won’t be able to buy common antibiotics over the counter.
“There is a paradigm shift coming to the livestock business in 2023,” Dr. Baxley said.
“They will need to get these (antibiotics) from a veterinarian, which requires a Veterinary-Client-Patient-Relationship,” he said. “This means that your vet has sufficient knowledge of a producers animals to make diagnosis.”
“I love helping people…save money and make money,” he said.
Kennel/Vet Assistant Needed
SEK Veterinary Center has an immediate opening for a Kennel/Vet Assistant. The position is part time- possibly more, if wanted/needed. Please apply in person at :
Last week, Luther’s BBQ Restaurant at 3 W. Oak, closed.
The building’s second story business, the River Room Event Center, is getting a new phone number and will honor any reservations that were made, according to Al Niece, owner of the building.
“There were some reservations in place for some events (at the River Room), I am honoring them all,” Niece said. “The River Room is one of the largest event centers in the area.”
Niece is in the process of having a phone line set up for the River Room to redirect those interested in reserving the event center.
This story will be updated when the phone number is in place.
The owners of the restaurant business, David and Tina Lipe and Luther Salisberry opened the BBQ restaurant at the corner of Oak Street and National Avenue in December 2019.
“They were behind on rent,” Niece said. “Having to go through the (COVID 19) pandemic we were trying to work with them. After they got shut down by the government last week…We had to terminate their lease for non-payment.”
“I’m told the government shut them down for taxes,” Niece said.
KDOR Executed Tax Warrants and Seized Assets
On November 1, 2022, agents from the Kansas Department of Revenue (KDOR) accompanied by the Fort Scott Police Dept. and the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Dept. executed tax warrants and seized the assets of Luther’s BBQ LLC for nonpayment of Liquor Enforcement Taxes and Sales Taxes: totaling $38,783.96, according to a press release from the KDOR.
The warrants were filed in Bourbon County. The types of assets seized include all known bank accounts, on-site cash, business inventory, as well as personal property belonging to the owner. The business was sealed closed with a public notice posted on the outside.
“Luther’s BBQ LLC has paid all outstanding judgements and assets have been released to the business,” according to an email from KDOR on November 9.
KDOR’s policy and practice is to work with taxpayers in delinquent status to voluntarily enter into repayment agreements, according to the press release. It is only after these efforts and multiple failed collection attempts that the Department is forced to execute a tax warrant, utilizing such actions as bank levies, till taps, and ultimately asset seizure to ensure compliance with the law.
KDOR’s responsibility to recover delinquent taxes not only ensures fairness for individuals and business owners who do pay their taxes, but also ensures that money is lawfully collected to fund state and local programs on which Kansans depend, according to the press release. These programs include education, highways, public safety, and human services.
Customers, employees or others that may have items at the business may contact the agent assigned to this case at 785-250-5084.
New Business Soon
Niece feels confident that the lower floor restaurant space will be leased soon, he said.
“We’ve been approached several times to see if we would entertain another restaurant,” Niece said. “We’ll get somebody else in there.”
To view the prior story on the opening of Luther’s:
The Kiwanis Club of Fort Scott Pioneers will hold their 34th annual Chili Feed on Thursday, November 10 at the United Methodist Church at 301 South National in Fort Scott. “The annual fundraiser will be drive-through only.” according to Kiwanis Pioneer President Millie Karleskint.
A meal of the Pioneers’ signature chili with crackers and a homemade cinnamon roll will be served from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. for a free will donation (suggested minimum $7.00 donation per meal) to be collected at the door. Pick-ups will be available under the canopy on the National Avenue side of the church. Please take care not to block private driveways as you are waiting in line for service.
This is the Kiwanis Pioneers’ major fundraiser for the year. In keeping with the Kiwanis motto of “Improving the world one child and one community at a time”, the Pioneers support more than 40 community projects including College scholarships, CASA, the Backpack food program, FSHS Key Club, playground equipment, the Beacon, United Way, Foster Kids, Feeding Families in his Name, Care to Share, and school reading and arts programs. “All of the funds raised stay in Bourbon County” stated Karleskint.
Deliveries will be available for orders of ten or more by calling 620-224-0563 during serving hours.
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Mill Creek Veterinary Clinic is set to open on January 16, 2023.
The building at 13th Street and National Avenue is owned Dr. Amanda Brown-Goltra, 33.
Mill Creek Veterinary Clinic.
“Mill Creek Veterinary Clinic will be a mixed animal practice with a focus on medicine and wellness,” Brown-Goltra said. “We will be able to see small animals in the clinic and large animals on the (clients) farm.”
“Our hospital motto is ‘Where your family is our family too,'” she said. “We plan to do this by offering in-house/cutting edge diagnostics that are cost-effective, thorough examinations, and client education to encourage the best care plan for our patients. We will always strive to convey a ‘we appreciate you and your time’ attitude so that clients feel comfortable and heard during their clinic experience and seek us for future veterinary care.”
Brown-Goltra is a 2008 Fort Scott High School graduate with a bachelors degree from Kansas State University in 2013. She earned her doctorate from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2015.
She was highly involved in 4-H during her teen years and gives “a lot of credit to that program for getting me to where I am today.”
“I became a veterinarian to help people and their pets live their longest, healthiest life,” she said. ” As a child, I wanted to help every animal I possibly could and I failed a lot, which in turn encouraged a great passion in me to be able to help sick animals when I was older. As my career has continued, it has transformed into furthering education of owners to give their pet the best medical care.”
“I worked at Animal Care Center here in Fort Scott right after graduation for over five years and I worked at a busy, fast paced clinic in Webb City for two years after that,” she said. “I have over seven years combined as a veterinarian and almost 20 years in the veterinary field.”
For her, the best part of her job is “when I get to send home a healthy pet,” she said. “Puppies and kittens are cute and I enjoy cuddling them, but nothing brings me more joy than a pet being able to go home after being ill.”
“The biggest challenge I face is the money aspect and time aspect of my job,” she said. “First is the fact that money is required to keep my lights on and pay my staff, while I would love to be able to help for free, that is just not realistic. I do, however, understand everyone has a budget and I try to be very understanding and respectful of that budget. Time is the second challenge, I am a wife, mother, and daughter, and I have realized over the years that my family deserves my undivided attention and time, which means that for my best work life balance that will not allow for me to take after hours calls and be the best for my family.”
The clinic address is 6 E. 13th Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Contact info: 620-224-2840 (not taking calls yet) OR [email protected]
The hours of operation: Monday-Wednesday, Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday hours are to be determined “Our open date will be January 16, 2023,” she said. This follows her maternity leave to give birth to a new son.
She and her husband, Eric, have sons: “Gordon (almost 3 years old), Gideon (almost 1 year old), and Gannon will be born in December,” she said. Her Mom and Dad are Karen and Charlie Brown.
In the community, she is currently a mentor for students at Fort Scott High School.
Sending on behalf of Chamber member Fort Scott Community College…
FSCC Christmas Play
This Friday, November 12th!
Children’s Christmas play
returns Bigfoot to FSCC stage
As a holiday gift to local and area boys and girls of all ages, the Fort Scott Community College theater department presents “All I Want for Christmas is Bigfoot’s Teeth,” a short children’s play written and directed by FSCC theater instructor Allen Twitchell.
Performance of the 25-minute play is set for 7 p.m. Friday (Nov. 11) in the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center on the FSCC campus. Admission is free.
In the play, the vain villainess Noella DeVile, who fears her looks are fading, attempts to steal Bigfoot’s teeth because they contain magical properties that enhance youth and beauty. Bigfoot, now living in a small town in Kansas after his discovery a few years ago, is assisted by a trio of local youngsters who are helping educate him as he assimilates into polite society.
This play is actually the third installment in a Bigfoot yuletide trilogy that began with “A Very Hairy Christmas” and continued with “Santa Claws is Coming to Town,” but “each play stands on its own. You don’t need to see the first two to follow the third,” Twitchell said.
The cast features Hyden Wirsig (Bigfoot), Kevin Thomure (Sgt. Kopper), Seth Lowery (Ben), Sonny Webb (Noella DeVile), Ben Wirsig (Thug 1), Paityn Curtis (Grace), Dray Dickey (Doctor Virus), Ezra Lipscomb (Jordan), Abby Sweat (Dimmer), Evan Ballinger (Darth Hunter), Khris Patel (Thug 2) and Colleen Sweat (Dim).
There is also a special cameo appearance by Santa Claus and candy for everyone following the show (courtesy of Walmart of Fort Scott).
Trent and Kate Freeman in front of their Artificers building at 8 N. National. Submitted photo
Kate and Trent Freeman, local artists who moved from Kansas City,
are in the final stretch of their renovation of the building they purchased, at 8 N. National Avenue. The name of their art business is the Artificers.
“We are so excited to finally give the community a sneak peek into The Artificers,” Kate said. “Our Christmas Art Show will be held at 8 North National Avenue. We are renovating and restoring the Hammon’s Real Estate building and after a few obstacles we are ready to host our 6th Annual Christmas Show in our new gallery.”
The art sale/ show will be open December 2, from 5-9 p.m., December 3, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., December 4, noon to 5.p.m
“We hope everyone coming for the Candlelight Tour at the Fort Scott National Historic Site will stop in and see us,” she said.
Trent and Kate Freeman. Submitted photo
The Artificers have selected eight artists to set up and sell their artwork this year.
For Christmas, Trent and Kate create sculpture exclusively.
“Other artists will have pottery, copper jewelry, Airbrush and Graphite, and an illustrator and a photographer,” she said. “Our artists are true craftsmen, all their work is original and limited, or handmade made from raw materials.”
The artists include: Trent and Kate Freeman, sculpture; Erin Shevling, pottery; Tim Kienzel, copper jewelry; Darrell Williams, Airbrush/Graphite; Julie Snitker, illustrator; Andrea Latham, ceramics; and Maggie Brenner, photography.
“We started this show six years ago at our former studio in Kansas City as a way to give some of our artist friends an outlet to show and sell their artwork during the Christmas and holiday season,” she said. “We soon learned that our clients loved coming as much as we enjoyed showing off our latest creations.’
‘We have had wonderful support every year from friends, family and clients new and old,” Kate said. “Last year, with the setbacks of the building remodel, Jared Leek, owner of Front Door Realty, Crooner’s Restaurant and The Liberty Theater, was generous enough to provide us space in Front Door Realty and open up Crooner’s so we could continue with our tradition of this show. We will be forever grateful to them for their generosity.”
About the Artificers
The Artificers is a collection of artists and craftsmen.
They are a privately owned art gallery, and a teaching studio and working studio with two resident artists, Trent and Kate Freeman.
Trent and Kate each have their own studio in the building.
The Artificers will offer a space for professional artists to apply to display their work as well as the aspiring artist to take classes in many different mediums including but not limited to clay, airbrush, watercolor, acrylic, stained glass etc.
“We will be having regular Master Artist gallery openings as well as opportunities to learn from those artists,” Kate said. “We also have several community art events on the horizon that we would like to host or be involved in developing. We are so excited to be a positive force in Historic Downtown Fort Scott and look forward to inviting you into our new space.”
Laree + Co., a new children’s store in Fort Scott, began because of Alivia Kraft’s daughter.
“Lillian was diagnosed with Trisomy 18 at 27 weeks gestation but she did not let her diagnosis stop her,” Alivia said. “Despite being given a 5% chance of surviving to her first birthday, Lils overcame more than most people do in a lifetime and we were blessed with four breathtaking years with her.”
Trisomy 18 is a condition that causes severe developmental delays due to an extra chromosome 18, according to the Mayo Clinic website.
Lillian Kraft. Submitted photo.
“She was the most beautiful, amazing, positive, and determined person I know,” her mother said. “To know her really was to love her. Lillian has inspired me to step out of my comfort zone and do something I’ve always dreamed of doing—starting a brand!”
“Because Trisomy 18 has impacted my life so much, part of my brand’s mission is to spread awareness by naming our items or collections after a medically complex warrior or angel (child),” Kraft said.
The business opened online in November 2018 and the storefront at 3 S. National Avenue, Fort Scott, opened in December 2020.
Laree + Co is located at the corner of Wall Street and National Avenue in Fort Scott. Submitted photo.
The business strives to produce beautiful, high quality clothes and more, for children of all abilities.
New in 2023: the majority of Laree+ Co collection have been hand illustrated and are exclusive to the business.
Alivia Kraft, owner of Laree + Co, located at 13 S. National Avenue. Submitted photos.
“10% of our profit will be put into the Lillian Rose Foundation, where care packages will be provided to medically complex infants and children, bereavement gifts to angel mamas, and making donations to hospitals close to our hearts,” Kraft said.
SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION CITY HALL COMMISSION MEETING ROOM 123 SOUTH MAIN STREET NOVEMBER 7, 2022 12:00 P.M. I.ROLL CALL: J. JonesT. Van HoeckeM. WellsK. Harrington II.CONSIDERATION: 1.Approval of financial services from BakerTilly 2.Approval of Special Use Permit III.Adjournment:
