Category Archives: Fort Scott

Church news, Fort Scott

Catholic Church Rebuild Is Nearing Completion: Fundraiser On Sept. 13

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Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in a recent photo. Submitted photo.

The Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 714 S. Eddy, is nearing completion after the catastrophic fire that destroyed the old building two years ago.

Fire at Fort Scott’s Catholic Church Causes Extensive Damage

They are currently working on the intricate painting inside the dome of the church, Mark McCoy,  of the Parish Building Committee, said.

Workers inside the Mary Queen of Angels Church dome. Submitted photo.
Through these two years the congregation has been holding Mass in the Kennedy Gym, “beginning the first day after the fire on August 29, 2022,” said Calvin Joe Barr, a long-term church member.
The stained glass window at the front of the church from the inside. Submitted photo.
A contractor was hired, the Simpson Construction Company of Wichita, to rebuild the building and it will look like the old historic building that was built in 1864.
The original artifacts that were saved are being restored, with financial help still needed for this project by the professional restorer.
And the church parish has been fundraising.
The Knights of Columbus are having another fundraiser this Friday, Sept. 13 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Kennedy Gym, located behind the church at 704 S. Holbrook.
Kennedy Gym, a wing of the St. Mary’s Queen of Angels Catholic Church, is located at 7th and Holbrook.

It will be a spaghetti and meatballs dinner with salad,  garlic bread, dessert and drink. (Spaghetti with sauce only available)

The meal is a freewill offering, with to-go meals at $8 minimum.

Everyone is welcome, Barr said.

All the proceeds go to the church building fund.

On Saturday,  November 24, 2024, the new church building will be dedicated by the Bishop  Carl Kemme of Wichita.
“It’s sure to be packed with past priests, the Bishop, and church parishioners and their families,” said McCoy.
The parish priest rectory has been completed as well, and Father Yancey Burgess moved in at the end of June, Barr said.

 

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

2024 Downtown Fall Fest!

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2024 Downtown Fall Fest!

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Downtown Fall Fest evening shopping event featuring in-store specials, refreshments and drawings will take place Thursday, September 12th from 5pm to 8pm in the Downtown Historic District.

 

Stores will have festive offerings such as pumpkin snacks, hot cider, and a pumpkin passport to submit for a chance to win a Chamber Bucks gift certificate. Participating retailers open late for shopping include 110 South Main, Be the Light Boutique, Barbed Wire and Roses Vintage Market, Bids & Dibs, Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore, Iron Star Antiques & Such, Laree + Co, and Sunshine Boutique.

 

Additional activities happening in conjunction with Fall Fest include:

·       Brickstreet BBQ will feature musicians Larry Davenport and Mark Ward of Double Trouble, performing live on their patio from 5pm-8pm.

·       Redbud Farms & Nurseries will be selling mums, ornamental cabbage, pansies, and other fall plants in front of Lowell Milken Center.

·       Ronnie Brown of R&B Produce will be selling pumpkins, gourds, and more at Wall and Main Streets.

 

The Chamber also organized a Scarecrow Contest for businesses and encourages the community to check out the entries placed around Downtown. Key Industries sponsored the contest, and the top business winner will receive one dozen logoed shirts and bragging rights for the year. The winner will be announced this week.

 

Downtown Fall Fest offers an opportunity to support local while taking in the season, finding great deals, and seeing what’s new in Fall décor and apparel.

Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 
Bourbon County, Food, Fort Scott

Bourbon County Senior Citizens, Inc. receives $5,000 grant from Heartland

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Bourbon County Senior Citizens, Inc., which helps facilitate the Meals on Wheels program in Fort Scott and surrounding areas, was awarded $5,000 for repairs to their distribution center in historic downtown Fort Scott.

 

The funds will go toward the cost of installing helical masonry ties to secure the building’s brick veneer to the structural frame, which had begun separating due to missing or deteriorated brick ties. With these repairs, the facility can continue to serve as a safe base of operations for the staff and volunteers that package and deliver hundreds of meals each month.

 

The project was among six selected for a total of $29,300 in funding by the Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative Board of Directors through the cooperative’s Concern for Community grant program.

 

“We had a great batch of proposals this year,” said Mark Scheibe, Heartland CEO. “We look forward to working with some outstanding partners to put these funds to work for the good of Heartland members and their communities.”

 

As a non-profit, member-owned cooperative, Heartland issues capital credits to members each year, but sometimes those capital credits go unclaimed. Because those monies were intended to be returned to the communities from which they came, Heartland’s Board of Directors decided to use those unclaimed funds for community grants and started the Concern for Community program in 2019.

 

The Concern for Community program provides grants of up to $5,000 for capital improvement projects throughout the Heartland service area, which covers parts of 12 counties in eastern Kansas.  Capital improvement projects are those that involve investment in structures or equipment that will last for many years.

 

Applications were accepted from June 1–July 31 and selected by the Heartland Board of Directors at their August 23 meeting. Heartland plans to reopen applications in summer 2025 for the next round of funding.

 

This year, six applications out of 30 received were approved for funding by the Heartland board. The other projects selected are as follows:

 

  • Cherokee County Kansas Fair Association, Inc. was awarded $5,000 to help purchase cooling fans for the show barns at the fairgrounds in Columbus.
  • Dream Big Little One Association was awarded $4,300 for repairs and renovations at their distribution center in Columbus.
  • Sugar Valley Lake Homes Association, Inc. was awarded $5,000 toward a playground project at the Sugar Valley/Hidden Valley clubhouse in Mound City.
  • USD 362 Prairie View was awarded $5,000 toward a new childcare center in La Cygne.
  • USD 413 Foundation was awarded $5,000 toward a new animal science learning center at Chanute High School.

 

About Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. powers rural lifestyles throughout more than 11,000 locations in eastern Kansas. Heartland’s service area includes consumer-members in 12 counties, including Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Cherokee, Coffey, Crawford, Labette, Linn, Miami, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson.

Heartland REC traces its roots back to three original rural electric cooperatives: Cooperative Electric Power & Light Company, Sugar Valley Electric Cooperative Association, and Sekan Electric Cooperative Association. Cooperative Electric Power & Light Company joined with Sugar Valley in 1975 to form United Electric Cooperative; United Electric Cooperative joined with Sekan Electric Cooperative Association in 1996 to form Heartland.

 

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Auditions for Voices From The Grave Are September 19, 20

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Bourbon County Community Theatre Announces Auditions for Voices from the Grave

 

Bourbon County Community Theatre is holding auditions for Voices from the Grave, an original production based on stories from Bourbon County’s history.

 

Auditions are 6-8 p.m. on Sept. 19 or 20 at the Ellis Fine Arts Center at Fort Scott Community College. Those who audition must be age 14 or over and only need to attend one evening of auditions. Rehearsal times will be scheduled in small groups with the Director, Regen Wells.

 

Voices from the Grave takes place from 6-9 p.m. on Oct. 26 at Riverfront Park in Fort Scott, KS. Guests will enjoy a guided walking tour of short acting vignettes centering around stories of murder and mayhem in Fort Scott. Scenes were written by the students in the Advanced Drama class at Fort Scott High School and are based off of stories from local author Brian Allen’s books about Fort Scott.

 

Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students and are available from bcct.ludus.com in Fort Scott. Tour times must be pre-scheduled and run every 15 minutes. Parents must accompany children under the age of 14.

 

More information can be found on the Bourbon County Community Theatre Facebook page or by contacting Wells at 620-215-3510.

Fort Scott, Government

Fort Scott City Commission Minutes of Sept. 3

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CITY OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION MEETING

 

 

Minutes of September 3, 2024                                                                      Regular Meeting

 

The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held September 3, 2024, at 6:00PM in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. Meeting available on City of Fort Scott YouTube Channel. Time stamps according to recording.

 

Meeting called to order at 6:00PM. Commissioners Tim VanHoecke, Dyllon Olson, Matthew Wells and Kathryn Salsbury were present with Mayor Tracy Dancer.

 

Audience in Attendance – Brad Matkin/City Manager, Bob Farmer/City Attorney, Jason Dickman/City Engineer-Earles Engineering, Jason Pickert/Police Chief, , Leroy Kruger/Codes Enforcement, Devin Tally/City Finance Manager, Ben Hart/Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors, LLC, Jessica Oliphant/Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors, LLC, Garth Herrmann, Esq./Gilmore & Bell, Lisa Lewis/City Clerk, Cory Bryars, Don Tucker, Jean Tucker, Richard Clark, Dana Davis, Janet Davis, Diane Striler, Colleen Quick, Lindsay Madison, David Lipe, Roger Harris, John Schwartz, Kathy Schwartz, Kevin Allen and Bob Talbot.

 

  1. Dancer led the Pledge of Allegiance and said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.

 

Approval of Agenda – (Time stamp 2:49)

MOTION:  M. Wells moved to approve the agenda as presented.  T. VanHoecke seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Approval of Consent Agenda – (Time stamp 2:56)

Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1367-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates of August 15, 2024 – August 2024 – $1,831,904.90

 

Approval of Minutes for August 6, 2024, Regular Meeting – August 20, 2024, Regular Meeting.

 

Request to Pay – Earles Engineering, Inc. – Invoice No. 17444 – Project No. 24-414 – Horton St. & 6th St. Improvements – $33,805.45

 

Request to Pay – Heck & Wicker, Inc. – Payment No. 2 – $282,995.42

 

Request to Pay – Olsson – Project #021-06610 Fort Scott KS Rehabilitate Runway and Taxiway – AIP Project No. 3-20-0022-021 (Design) AIP Project No. 3-20-0022-023 (Construction) Summary No. 17 – Professional Services rendered through May 4, 2024 – Invoice No. 497880 – $5,735.07

 

 

 

 

Request to Pay – Olsson – Project #021-06610 Fort Scott KS Rehabilitate Runway and Taxiway – AIP Project No. 3-20-0022-021 (Design) AIP Project No. 3-20-0022-023 (Construction) Summary No. 18 – Professional Services rendered through June 8, 2024 – Invoice No. 501825-Final – $16,815.60

 

Request to Pay – Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc. – Project #021-06610 Fort Scott KS Rehabilitate Runway 18/36 and Taxiways (Asphalt Overlay) – AIP Project No. 3-20-0022-023 (Construction) – Invoice No. 4 – Work Completed through May 3, 2024 – $154,949.84

 

MOTION:  M. Wells moved to approve all Items A through G in toto for the Consent Agenda.  T. VanHoecke seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Cory Bryars – (Time stamp 5:27) – addressed the Commission to remind everyone about the upcoming Fort Fest 24 at Riverfront Park.

 

James Wood/Owner of Holmtown Pub – (Time stamp 7:13) – (Cory Bryars spoke in his absence) – 206 N. National – Temporary Street Closure –September 9, 2024 – 4:00PM to 9:00PM – Pine Street from National to alley Special Event: ‘Straight Outta Clarksdale’.

 

MOTION:  M. Wells moved to approve the street closure request. D. Olson seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Diane Striler – Update on Downtown Ice Rink MOU – (Time stamp 9:49) – appeared before the Commission to present the updated MOU which named the (2) parties of the Memorandum of Understanding to be between the City of Fort Scott and the Fort Scott Area Chamber Committee and the timeline will be from the week of Thanksgiving through the first weekend of January.

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to approve the MOU for the Fort Scott Downtown Seasonal Skating Rink.  M. Wells seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Consideration to Approve Ordinance No. 3770 – Land Bank Board of Trustees – Appointment – Terms – Dissolution – Tabled from August 20, 2024 – D. Olson

 

 

MOTION:  M. Wells moved to approve Ordinance No. 3770 reducing the number of board members to five (5).  D. Olson seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Update of 118 E. Wall – (Time stamp 20:58) – L. Kruger addressed the Commission to request a Special Commission Meeting to accommodate the owner of 118 E. Wall. The Special Commission Meeting will be held on Monday, September 9, 2024, 6:00PM at City Hall.

 

A discussion was had regarding the status of the situation, the Commission’s intentions for the meeting and the potential outcome.

 

  1. Famer requested to move Item H up in the agenda.

 

MOTION:  D. Olson moved to amend the agenda and bring Item H and Item K to the next order of business.  T. VanHoecke seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Consideration of Resolution No. 25-2024 – RHID – Housing Needs Resolution – A RESOLUTION MAKING CERTAIN FINDINGS AND DETERMINATIONS AS TO THE NEED FOR HOUSING WITHIN THE CITY FOR FORT SCOTT, KANSAS AND SETTING FORTH THE LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF REAL PROPERTY PROPOSED TO BE DESIGNATED AS ONE OR MORE REINVESTMENT HOUSING INCENTIVE DISTRICTS WITHIN THE CITY–(Time stamp 34:05) – G. Herrmann appeared before the Commission to present the resolution requested for a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District of three (3) tracts of land.

 

Discussion was had about including the second story downtown district and others who have expressed interest in the RHID.

 

MOTION:  D. Olson moved to approve Resolution No. 25-2024 as presented.  T. VanHoecke seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

 

 

Consideration to research legal requirements and estimated legal costs for the City of Fort Scott to annex southward from the currently southernmost City limits along Jayhawk Road and eastward to envelop the Fort Scott Municipal Airport, Lake Fort Scott, and City-owned land adjacent to Lake Fort Scott – (Time stamp 45:26) – It was explained that this agenda item is intended to research the legal requirements and costs to annex properties, squaring the boundaries of the City, and the potential tax income. No action was to be taken at this meeting.

ACTION:  B. Farmer is directed to research the topic for consideration.

 

Several residents wished to address the Commission regarding annexation.

 

  1. Allen – (Time stamp 50:25) stated that the City needs to address current problems in the City before moving toward annexation.

 

Unidentified Citizen No. 1 – (Time stamp 52:07) – stated the land description for the item should be west/westward and not east/eastward. The correction was accepted by the Mayor.

 

Unidentified Citizen No. 2 – (Time stamp 52:21) – questioned the reason for annexation, agreement that the lake is primarily the drinking water resource and concerns about the lack of enforcement at the lake.

 

Dana Davis – (Time stamp 59:47) – addressed the Commission regarding lost revenue due to lack of boat permit enforcement especially to non-residents.

 

Harold Martin – (Time stamp 1:05:30) – addressed the Commission regarding the dissolution of the Lake Advisory Board and his previous appearances.

 

Consideration of Proposed Change of Zoning Regulations – Article 20: Supplemental District Regulations – Section 7: Accessory Uses – Storage Containers – (Time stamp 1:10:41) – L. Kruger was directed by B. Matkin to research what other cities do regarding the use of Connex boxes due to popularity. He provided the information to the Commission. He stated that the wording of the current zoning regulation needs to be amended in order to enforce the regulation.

 

ACTION:  L. Kruger and B. Matkin were directed to research enforceable ordinances regarding this type of storage with one coming from Kansas City.

 

 

 

  1. Madison – (Time stamp 1:22:48) – asked for clarification regarding this type of storage in the historic district. She is concerned about the ones she currently sees downtown.

 

  1. Matkin left the meeting (Time stamp 1:24:15)

 

Consideration of Resolution No. 19-2024 – Demolition Proceedings for 1721 E. Wall – (Time stamp 1:22:34)

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to approve Resolution No. 19-2024.

  1. Salsbury seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Consideration of Resolution No. 20-2024 – Demolition Proceedings for 323 W. Wall – (Time stamp 1:25:56)

 

  1. Matkin returned to the meeting (Time stamp 1:26:36).

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to approve Resolution No. 20-2024.  D. Olson seconded the motion. K. Salsbury, T. VanHoecke, D. Olson and T. Dancer voted yes.  M. Wells voted no.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 4-1 VOTE.

 

Consideration of Resolution No. 21-2024 – Demolition Proceedings for 1619 E. Pine – (Time stamp 1:27:10)

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to approve Resolution No. 21-2024.  D. Olson seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Consideration of Resolution No. 22-2024 – Demolition Proceedings for 1105 Scott  (Time stamp 1:28:14)

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to approve Resolution No. 22-2024.  D. Olson seconded the motion.  D. Olson, T. VanHoecke, and T. Dancer voted yes.           M. Wells and K. Salsbury voted no.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 3-2 VOTE.

 

 

Consideration of Resolution No. 23-2024 – Demolition Proceedings for 402 S. Lowman (Time stamp 1:29:57)

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to approve Resolution No. 23-2024.  M. Wells seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Consideration of Resolution No. 24-2024 – Demolition Proceedings for 418 S. Couch – (Time stamp 1:31:34)

 

MOTION:  D. Olson moved to approve Resolution No. 24-2024.  K. Salsbury seconded the motion. K. Salsbury, T. VanHoecke, D. Olson and T. Dancer voted yes.  M. Wells voted no.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 4-1 VOTE.

 

Consideration of Change Order No. 1 – Project No. 22049 Horton St. & 6th St. Improvements – Contract No. 6 U-2455-01 – Heck & Wicker, Inc.-Additional Inlet Protection, Concrete Pipe Encasement, Sanitary Sewer Service, Extra Pothole Work at 8th & Horton, Tree Removal at 7th & Horton– $4,810.00 (Time stamp 1:34:25)- J. Dickman

MOTION:  M. Wells moved to approve Change Order No. 1 for Project No. 6 U-2455-01 for $4,810.00.  K. Salsbury seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Brick Street Policy Revisions Discussion – (Time stamp 1:36:20) – B. Matkin explained that the proposal to concrete the intersections of the brick streets was not in the current policy and would need to be amended if approved.

 

  1. VanHoecke left the meeting (Time stamp 1:36:43)

 

  1. Wells explained the benefit to concreting the intersections and how it would be completed.

 

  1. VanHoecke returned to the meeting (Time stamp 1:38:08)

 

Further discussion was had about the proposed amendment to the policy.

 

 

 

(Time stamp 1:45:11) – B. Talbott was recognized to address the Commission to suggest an aerator for the rearing pond at the lake to conserve water.

 

ACTION:  B. Matkin will provide the list of questionable intersections for the Commission’s consideration.  M. Wells stated that according to Item B of Amendment No. 1 of the Brick Street Policy, the intersection is allowed if it is deemed necessary.

Public Hearing:  2025 Budget Hearing

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to open the public hearing at 7:50PM (Time stamp 1:50:50). M. Wells seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Consideration of Resolution No. 26-2024 – A RESOLUTION TO EXCEED THE REVENUE NEUTRAL RATE – Discussion was had regarding the decision.

 

There were no public comments.

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to close the public hearing at 8:09PM (Time stamp 2:09:15).  D. Olson seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

  1. Wells left the meeting at Time stamp 2:11:23 and returned at 2:12:44.

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to approve Resolution No. 26-2024 – A Resolution to Exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate at 44.208 mills.  K. Salsbury seconded the motion. K. Salsbury, T. VanHoecke and T. Dancer voted yes.  M. Wells and D. Olson voted no.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 3-2 VOTE.

 

  1. Farmer left the meeting at Time stamp 2:19:58 and returned at 2:22:12

 

PUBLIC HEARING:  Consideration to Adopt the 2025 Budget – B. Hart

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to open the public hearing at 8:23PM (Time stamp 2:23:16). M. Wells seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

 

There were no public comments.

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to open the public hearing at 8:24PM (Time stamp 2:24:50). M. Wells seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to adopt the 2025 Budget as presented by Baker Tilly (Time stamp 2:2510). K. Salsbury seconded the motion.

  1. VanHoecke, K. Salsbury, and T. Dancer voted yes. M. Wells and D. Olson voted no.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 3-2 VOTE.

 

City Manager Comments – (Time stamp 2:26:19)

  • Memorial Hall repairs
  • IT Support options
  • Dispatch concerns
  • Cape Seal pre-construction meeting

 

Engineering Comments – (Time stamp 2:32:17)

  • Horton Street Project update
  • CCLIP next phase

 

Commissioners Comments

  1. Wells – (Time stamp 2:34:35) – Budget comments

 

  1. VanHoecke – (Time stamp 2:36:26) – Budget comments

 

  1. Olson – (Time stamp 2:38:44) – No comment

 

  1. Salsbury – (Time stamp 2:38:46) – Budget comments, lake lot encroachments

 

  1. Dancer – (Time stamp 2:44:57) – Meeting take aways and suggestions for future discussions for Commission.

 

Special Meeting set for Monday, September 9, 2024, at 6:00PM for the purpose of discussing 118 E. Wall Street building status.

 

 

 

 

 

City Attorney Comments – (Time stamp 2:50:14) – No comment

 

MOTION: – T. VanHoecke moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:50PM – (Time stamp 2:50:43) – D. Olson seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

SEPTEMBER 3, 2024, MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:50PM.

 

 

 

 

NEXT MEETING:  MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2024, 6:00PM AT CITY HALL

 

_______________________________________________________________________

Submitted by:

Lisa A. Lewis

Business, Fort Scott

Be the Light Boutique Creates More Space at 12 N. Main

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Susan Townley in front of Be The Light Boutique, 12 N. Main,  that she and her husband, Eddie, own and operate.

 

Susan and Eddie Townley opened Be The Light Boutique in November 2022, after several years of selling antiques, vintage finds, and home decor in the Kansas City area.

12 N. Main was the former Country Cupboard, an anchor store in Fort Scott’s Historic Downtown District for decades.

Recently the Townleys have been painting the facade of the building,  removing a temporary wall in the back to extend the showroom to the back door and remodeling an existing bathroom.

Ora Et Lobora painters work on the front of Be The Light Boutique. 12 N. Main last week.

“The wall came down in the back, which opened the view front to back, the way Country Cupboard was,” Susan said. Out the back door, there is more parking for downtown businesses.

View to the back door. Recently the Townleys have removed a temporary wall that expanded the showroom.

“We added 400 square feet, with a total of 4,000 square feet,” she said. They remodeled a bathroom,  put down new carpet, and painted.

The exterior is also getting painted, last week the front of the building, and this week the back.

Exterior painting was done by Ora Et Lobora  Painting LLC, carpeting by Ruddick’s Furniture, and plumbing by Frenchs Plumbing, all of Fort Scott.

Clothing in the Be The Light Boutique.

They are getting ready for the holiday season and the Fall Fest this week in Fort Scott this Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM.

Hours of operation of Be The Light Boutique are Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sundays noon to 5 p.m.

A fall vignette on a dining table at Be The Light Boutique.
Coffee is for sale at the boutique.
Furniture is for sale at Be The Light Boutique, 12. N. Main.
Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Fort Scott National Historic Site, Government

Fort Scott National Historic Site Welcomes 200 New Citizens

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Special Naturalization Ceremony

 

Fort Scott, Kan. – Friday, September 20, 2024, Fort Scott National Historic Site will host the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration services (USCIS) and the U.S. District Court, Kansas District, for a Special Naturalization Ceremony of 202 new citizens from 57 countries. Check-in for new citizens begins at 9 a.m. and the ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. The Honorable Teresa J. James, United States Magistrate Judge for the District of Kansas, will preside over the proceedings on the historic fort Parade Ground.

The ceremony features musical performances from the Fort Scott High School Orchestra, with welcoming remarks by Fort Scott National Historic Site Superintendent Jill Jaworski and Fort Scott City Manager Brad Matkin. A keynote address will be made by Angela Bates, founder, past president, and current executive director of the Nicodemus Historical Society and Museum.

There will be seating for the applicants, but additional seating will be limited. Friends, family, guests, and the public are highly encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets for seating. In case of rain or inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall.

Fort Scott is the story of the growth of our nation, and its fight for freedom. On the same parade ground that the very first African Americans were brought into the Northern Armies to openly fight for their freedom and a better life, these new citizens are starting down their own path of freedom and a better life.

September 17 to 23, the nation observes Constitution Week. The commemoration honors both the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787, (Constitution Day), an observance that began in 1940 as “I Am an American Day,” and Citizenship Day that began in 1952 based on a law signed by President Harry Truman,

Each year, USCIS celebrates the connection between the Constitution and citizenship by reflecting on what it means to be a citizen of the United States and holding special naturalization ceremonies across the country.

We encourage new citizens and guests to share their naturalization ceremony experiences and photos through social media, using the hashtags #NewUSCitizen #ConstitutionWeek, #FortScottNPS, and #FindYourPark.

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, 10:30 a.m.

WHERE:

Fort Scott National Historic Site
1 Old Fort Blvd.
Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701

 

 

-NPS-

 

Credit Photo as: NPS Photo, Naturalization Ceremony at Fort Scott National Historic Site.

 

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Auditions for Voices From the Grave Are Sept. 19

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Bourbon County Community Theatre Announces Auditions for Voices from the Grave 

 

Bourbon County Community Theatre is holding auditions for Voices from the Grave, an original production based on stories from Bourbon County’s history.

 

Auditions are 6-8 p.m. on Sept. 19 or 20 at the Ellis Fine Arts Center at Fort Scott Community College. Those who audition must be age 14 or over and only need to attend one evening of auditions. Rehearsal times will be scheduled in small groups with the Director, Regen Wells.

 

Voices from the Grave takes place from 6-9 p.m. on Oct. 26 at Riverfront Park in Fort Scott, KS. Guests will enjoy a guided walking tour of short acting vignettes centering around stories of murder and mayhem in Fort Scott. Scenes were written by the students in the Advanced Drama class at Fort Scott High School and are based off of stories from local author Brian Allen’s books about Fort Scott.

 

Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students and are available from bcct.ludus.com in Fort Scott. Tour times must be pre-scheduled and run every 15 minutes. Parents must accompany children under the age of 14.

 

More information can be found on the Bourbon County Community Theatre Facebook page or by contacting Wells at 620-215-3510.

 

Church news, Fort Scott

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FUNDRAISER: Repair of Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church

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The architects rendition of the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Submitted graphic.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FUNDRAISER

To support repair/replace Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church

 

WHAT:              Spaghetti and meat balls, salad,  garlic bread,

dessert and drink. (Spaghetti with sauce only available)

WHEN:              Friday, Sept 13th  ,2024  5 PM to 6:30 PM

WHERE:            Kennedy Gym located at 704 S. Holbrook

 

COST:   Freewill Offering.

TO GO MEALS ARE $8.00 MINIMUM

EVERYONE WELCOME

100% of the proceeds will go to our Church Building Fund

Fort Scott, Government

195th Street Will Be Closed On Sept. 9

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ATTENTION: Starting the morning of Monday 9/9/2024, 195th street north of the rearing pond will be shut down to traffic due to work being done on the culvert system. Traffic to the east side of the lake will have to use Hackberry Road to access their properties and the east side of the lake. We are going to use a quick hardening concrete so the road should be open by Thursday if not sooner. We asked the Bourbon County Public Works to add rock and grade Hackberry, which they did, so the road should be much better to use over these three days. Sorry for the inconvenience as we thought we could do one side at a time or lay steel plates over the hole but with the size of the culvert this will not be possible. Thank you for your patience.

 

Brad Matkin

City Manager

City of Fort Scott