Category Archives: Fort Scott

La Hacienda Receives Grant to Repair/Replace Equipment

March 29, 2023 Loretta George 4 Comments

Jose and Mirna Santana started their downtown business in 2010.

Mirna and Jose Santana started their downtown restaurant in 2010 at 22 South Main, and moved to 24 N. Main in 2015.

Theirs is a family business that includes their sons Allen and Roger and Mirna’s brother, Melvin as employees.

They currently have 11 employees.

The restaurant does catering, has curbside pick-up and delivery service (within Fort Scott) and one can order online on their website at https://lahaciendaoffortscott.menufy.com/order

This year they created a new menu, with the La Prima (rice/chicken/cheese dip) the crowd favorite, Mirna said.

Restaurant hours are Monday-Wednesday from 11 a.m .to 8 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The phone number is 620.223.4400.

They Received A HBCAT Grant Recently

The business couple applied for and received the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team grant for restaurants in the amount of $7,000.

“We applied because the walk-in cooler was down and needed repairs,” she said. They got those repairs and are also ordering a new fryer for the restaurant, she said.

Giving Back To Their Community

The Santanas are involved in the community and have danced in the “Dancing With The Stars” fundraising event to raise funds for United Way, which distributes to many other entities, she said.

“I (also) try to help the organizations that come to us,” Mirna said. “Especially the schools.”

Mirna is originally from El Salvadore, Jose from Mexico.

La Hacienda Restaurant is located at 24 N. Main.

Bourbon County, Church news, Fort Scott

Easter Egg Stravaganza This Saturday at Fort Cinema

March 29, 2023 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Family Life Assembly of God is hosting a fun free event this Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the Fort Cinema movie theater, 224 W. 18th.

The church will have:

Inflatables
Face Painting
Yard Games for Kids
Hot Cocoa
Popcorn
Easter Egg Hunt

Submitted by Pastor Grady Proffitt

Business, Fort Scott

Chamber Dinner and Awards Celebration is April 20

March 29, 2023 Submitted Story Leave a comment

JOIN US FOR THE

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

Annual Dinner & Awards Celebration!

See below for reservation info. and various ways you may participate!

Thursday, April 20th

River Room Event Center

3 W. Oak Street

RSVP by 4.14.2023

Social & Silent Auction

5:30pm

Dinner, Awards, & Live Auction

6:30pm

CLICK TO RSVP

Ways you can participate in the Chamber’s

Annual Dinner & Awards Celebration:

* Make your award nominations by April 9th.

Click here for the online nomination form.

Click here for a printable form.

For your reference in making nominations:

you may click here to view prior winners,

and click here for a full Chamber member listing.

* Make your dinner reservation and/or confirm sponsorship by April 14th.

* Click to email us if your business/organization would like to decorate a table for fun advertising & promotion.

* Click to email us if your business/organization would like to donate a silent or live auction item for advertising & promotion.

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Kiwanis Spring is Here: Easter Egg Hunt and Planting of Trees

March 28, 2023 Loretta George Leave a comment

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world, one child and one community at a time.

Two upcoming events for them is the Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday at 11 a.m. sharp at Gunn Park Shelter House #2 for area children. Children will need to bring their own basket.

The Easter bunny in the 2009 Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt at Gunn Park.

Another of the organization’s projects through the years has been to plant trees, and this year they are continuing that tradition with the help of grant funding from the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation.

If one looks down Fort Scott main streets, many of the trees in between the sidewalk and the street have been planted by Kiwanis members in the past.

Looking south on National Avenue, one can see the many trees placed between the street and the sidewalk, some of which were planted by Kiwanis, according to Kiwanis member Craig Campbell.

Trees are available for residents and parks throughout Bourbon County.

“A lot of the trees we have planted are for citizens who don’t have the resources to put them in,” Craig Campbell, Kiwanis member, said.

This year the group ordered flowering Redbud trees and two types of shade trees, Swamp Chestnut Oak, and Water Oak.

The Kiwanis will supply and plant the trees the latter part of April.

“The Fort Scott FFA group has volunteered to help Kiwanis members plant the trees,” Campbell said. “The city of Fort Scott will help bore the holes.”

“Tim McDonnell, with the Kansas State Forestry Service will come to town prior to help us look at drainage issues, gas and water lines, overhead lines,” Campbell said.

McDonnell drives the streets in town also to see if there is overpopulation of one tree species.

“Dutch Elm in the past and Ash Trees have been noted to have pests recently,” he said. “Bradford Pears are not hardy to our area because ice storm and wind storm damage.”

“We need to be diverse to prevent (tree populations) being wiped out by pests or disease,” Campbell said.

To request a tree, call or text Craig Campbell at 620-224-0167, by April 7.

“The only obligation is to water the tree once a week for a year to get it established,” he said.

About Kiwanis

Fort Scott Kiwanis Club meets Tuesdays at noon at the First Presbyterian Church at Third and Crawford Street. Meals are provided.

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

BOARD OF EDUCATION SPECIAL MEETING NEWS RELEASE

March 28, 2023 Submitted Story Leave a comment

There is a change in the USD234 District calendar for the last day of school, it is now May 16 not May 17.

Monday, March 27, 2023

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 27, 2023, for a special board meeting at the board office.

President Danny Brown opened the meeting.

The board heard from Greg Vahrenberg regarding funding options for financing the FSHS HVAC and energy savings project. The board then passed Resolution 22-12 for purpose of determining the advisability of financing the acquisition and installation of certain energy conservation measures by the execution and delivery of a lease purchase agreement certificates of participation, Series 2023, in such lease purchase agreement.

The board then heard from Jason Dial regarding the PACT Agreement with TRANE for the purposes of the FSHS HVAC and energy savings project in the amount of $8,246,225 with the first payment in March 2023 in the amount of $1,500,000. The contract includes a 5-year parts and labor warranty. The agreement includes FSHS HVAC improvements, electrical work, installation of solar panels and LED lighting to capture energy savings.

The board approved changing the District Calendar to move the last day of school for students to May 16, 2023, and for May 17, 2023, to become a district-wide professional development day.

The board went into an executive session for personnel matters.

In addition to the above, the board approved the following items:

Purchase of two vehicles for maintenance use
Approval of Personnel Report (following)

President Danny Brown adjourned the meeting.

PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT

March 27, 2023

RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:

Anderson Fowler, Bethany – Resignation – FSHS English Teacher at the end of the 2022-23 school year
Bingesser, Carol – Resignation – FSMS Boys and Girls Basketball Coach at the end of the 2022-23 school year
Carter, Leah – Resignation – FSMS Summer Conditioning, effective 03/08/23
DeMott, Kelsey – Resignation – Eugene Ware Special Education Teacher at the end of the 2022-23 school year
Guiles, Peyton – Resignation – Eugene Ware Special Education Teacher at the end of the 2022-23 school year
Hudiburg, Kenneth – Resignation – FSMS Boys and Girls Basketball Coach at the end of the 2022-23 school year
Sanborn, Shelly – Resignation – FSHS Special Education Teacher at the end of the 2022-23 school year

EMPLOYMENT/REASSIGNMENTS:

Altic, Xoe – Eugene Ware Elementary 3rd Grade Teacher for the 2023-24 school year
Comstock, Tracy – FSHS English Teacher for the 2023-24 school year
Griffetts, Christopher – Transfer from Eugene Ware Elementary Art Teacher to FSHS Art Teacher for the 2023-24 school year
Gumfory, Chelsea – FSMS 8th Grade Math Teacher for the 2023-24 school year
Hendricks, Caleb – Winfield Scott Physical Education Teacher for the 2023-24 school year
Norris, Danielle – Transfer from Eugene Ware Elementary 4th Grade Teacher to Eugene Ware Special Education Teacher for the 2023-24 school year
Woods, Nicholas – FSHS Social Studies Teacher for the 2023-24 school year

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Downtown Meet and Greet April 4

March 27, 2023 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Quarterly Downtown Meet & Greet scheduled for April 4th!

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Downtown Meet & Greet will be held Tuesday, April 4th from 8:00-9:00 a.m. at City State Bank, 202 Scott Ave.

These informal, quarterly meetings are hosted by the Chamber for downtown business owners, representatives, and community members to network and share ideas on events, promotion and anything related to downtown.

Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served.

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!

Fort Scott

CHAMBER TO HOST JOB FAIR APRIL 13TH

March 27, 2023 Submitted Story Leave a comment

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Job Fair on Thursday, April 13th, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton St.

The Job Fair will give businesses the opportunity to recruit students and other job seekers in the area for both part-time and full-time positions. Southeast KANSASWORKS will be present with a booth to provide resources and assistance.

Employers are encouraged to reserve a booth on fortscott.com/events. The cost to reserve an employer booth is $50 for Chamber members or $90 for non-Chamber members.

Contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at 620-223-3566 for more information or visit fortscott.com.

_____________

Employers registered to-date include:
CHC/SEK – Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas
City of Pittsburg Police Department
Fort Scott Presbyterian Village
Heartland Behavorial Health (Nevada)
Integrity Home Care + Hospice
Labconco
Kansas Department for Children and Families
Kansas Department of Transportation
Nevada Regional Medical Center
Peerless Products
Pittsburg State University
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center
Twister Trailer

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

FSCC Women’s Luncheon is April 26

March 27, 2023 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Sending on behalf of Chamber Member FSCC…

FSCC Women’s Luncheon!

Ladies, please join us for lunch, door prizes,

and product displays!

11:00 am to 1:30 pm, Wednesday, April, 26, 2023

at FSCC’s Ellis Fine Arts Center.

Ticket price is $5.00 per person.

Please reserve your ticket by April 12th.

To RSVP, call 620.223.2700 or email communityrelationscommittee@fortscott.edu.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Updates on Local Entities Planned for Luncheon on April 5

March 27, 2023 Submitted Story Leave a comment

CHAMBER TO HOST COMMUNITY CONNECTION PANELIST LUNCHEON

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Community Connection Panelist Luncheon on Wednesday, April 5th, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Empress Event Center, 7 N. Main St. Chamber members and the community are invited to attend for updates by the City of Fort Scott, Bourbon County, Fort Scott Community College, USD-234, USD-235, and Bourbon County REDI.

The event is free to attend but registration is requested. Box lunches are available by pre-order for $10 and those need to be ordered by April 3^rd at 10am. Those planning to attend may RSVP online at fortscott.com under the events tab.

There will be a 7-minute update from each of the following panelists, ending with time for questions:
City of Fort Scott City Manager Brad Matkin
Bourbon County Commission Chair Jim Harris
FSCC President Alysia Johnston
USD-234 Superintendent Destry Brown
USD-235 Superintendent Vance Eden
Bourbon County REDI Executive Director Rob Harrington

Moderators for the event will be Bailey Lyons of Lyons Realty Group, 2023 Chamber Board Chair and Katie Casper, Union State Bank, Past Chamber Board Chair & Current Board Member.

This event is being sponsored by Davis Accounting, Inc. and Labconco.

Contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at 620-223-3566 for more information or visit fortscott.com.

Fort Scott, Government

FS City Commission Special Meeting This Evening

March 27, 2023 Submitted Story Leave a comment

There will be a Special City Commission meeting tonight, Monday, March 27^th at 5:00PM at City Hall to discuss the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Fort Scott, Schools

U234 Board of Education Special Meeting Agenda March 27

March 25, 2023 Submitted Story Leave a comment

BOARD OF EDUCATION SPECIAL MEETING

MARCH 27, 2023 – 5:30 P.M.

PUBLIC AGENDA

1.0 Call Meeting to Order

Danny Brown, President

2.0 Flag Salute

3.0 Funding Options & FSHS HVAC and Energy Project

3.1 Resolution No. 22-12 & Bond Documents (Action Item)

Be it resolved a Resolution of the governing body of Unified School District No. 234, Bourbon County, Kansas (Fort Scott) determining the advisability of financing the acquisition, and installation of certain energy conservation measures by the execution and delivery of a lease purchase agreement certificates of participation, Series 2023, in such lease purchase agreement.

3.2 Contract with TRANE (Action Item)

4.0 Approval of Bids for Vehicles (Action Item)

5.0 Change of Last Day of School (Action Item)

6.0 Other Business – Personnel Matters

6.1 Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)

6.2 Exit Executive Session

6.3 Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)

7.0 Adjourn Meeting

President Brown

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening in Fort Scott

March 24, 2023 Submitted Story Leave a comment

What’s Happening in Fort Scott!

March 24th Weekly Newsletter

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

________________

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Daily Tours: 10am & 1pm

Trolley Tours of Fort Scott

50-minute narrated historical tour

Every Friday & Saturday on the hour

Fridays 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm

Saturdays 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm

$6 adults, $4 12 & under, leaves from the Chamber

Click this link: The Artificers

Upcoming pottery class/workshop

schedule, something for all ages!

Click here for all the FUN activities at the

Museum of Creativity, something for all ages!

March Special at Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore

Buy 2 Children’s Books, Get 1 free

Gardening Books 25% off!

3/24 ~ FSCC Aggie Days at Fort Scott Community College, 8am-3pm

3/24 ~ Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Fry, Kennedy Gym, 705 S. Horton, click here for

more info.

3/24 ~ Annual FSHS Talent Show & Miss(ter) Pageant, admission is $5, doors open at 6:30pm, show starts at 8pm, click here for more info.

3/24 ~ CJ Serenade performing at Common Ground, starts at 7pm.

3/24-25 ~ Spring Open House ~ Find the Golden Egg Shopping Event, Downtown & Around, shop at participating retailers for savings!, click here for more info.

3/25 ~ A Slave, A Nurse, and A Soldier Spy, Fort Scott National Historic Site, 11am-12pm, click here for more info.

3/25 ~ Visit the Easter Bunny at Bids & Dibs, they have the backdrop; you bring the camera, 12-3pm, click here for more info.

3/25 ~ Mary Queen of Angels Benefit

Golf Tournament, 4 person scramble $60 per person ($240 per team) 8:00 Registration, 9:00 Tee off, click here for more info.

3/25 ~ Unique Fundraiser at Museum of Creativity, $15/person, starts at 9am, click here for more info.

3/26 ~ DIY Wine Bottle Bouquet Class at Sunshine Boutique, 1pm, click here for info.

3/30 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site at the Fort, 8am.

3/31 and 4/1 ~ Home, Sport, Farm, & Garden Show, Friday 5-8pm, Saturday 9am-3pm, Arnold Arena at FSCC, 2108 S. Horton St., hosted by KOMB FM 103.9 and 98.3 FM Radio

4/1 ~ Eggstravaganza @ Buck Run Community Center, pre-k – 5th Grade, pre-register by March 30th, 9-10:30am, click here for more info.

4/1 ~ Floral Easter Basket Class at Sunshine Boutique, $25/person, 10am-12pm, click here for more info.

4/1 ~ First Saturday Story Time at Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore, guest reader and an activity, 2:30pm, click here for more info.

4/1 ~ Annual Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt at Gunn Park Shelter house #2, starts at 11am.

4/1 ~ Star Party at the Fort Scott National Historic Site, join Park Rangers and the Kansas Astronomical Observers for a deep look into space at stars, galaxies, and nebulae, dress in layers, comfortable shoes, bring a red covering for your flashlight, 7:30-9:30pm, click here for more info.

4/4 ~ Quarterly Downtown Meet & Greet at City State Bank, 202 Scott Ave, 8-9am

4/5 ~ FSHS 2023 Career Fair, Fort Scott High School Auxiliary Gym, 8am-12pm, click here for more info.

4/5 ~ Community Connection Event, public invited 11:45am to 1pm, Empress Event Center, panelist updates from City of FS, Bourbon County, USD234, USD235, BB County REDI. Click here to register & purchase lunch (if desired).

4/5 ~ Dare to Dream Women’s Entrepreneurship Event, Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Office, 5:30pm

4/6 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Woodland Hills Golf Course, 2414 Horton St, 8am

4/6 ~ BINGO at Memorial Hall by the American Legion, doors open 6pm, starts 7pm

4/8 ~ Floral Easter Basket Class at Sunshine Boutique, $25/person

Save the Date!

4/13 ~ JOB FAIR hosted by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, 3-6pm, click here to register for an employer booth.

4/15 ~ America’s Got Talent Semi-Finalist Greg Morton Comedy Show, Memorial Hall, 7-10pm, click here for tickets!

4/15-16 ~ Civil War Encampment at Fort Scott National Historic Site National Park, this event is free and open to the public, 9am-5pm, click here for more info.

4/26 ~ Women’s Appreciation Luncheon at FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center, $5/per person,

11am-1:30pm, click here for more info.

_________

SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!

Boutiques-Antiques-Flea Markets & more!

Click here for Chamber member

specialty shopping & other retail in

Downtown & other areas of the community.

Fort Scott Area

Chamber of Commerce

620-223-3566

[email protected]