Have an awesome Summer Break! See you in August.
— Pam Hutchison
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MAY
5/22 at 4:00PM – Planning Commission Meeting for Evergy zoning change and final plat request for construction of Infantry Substation
5/22 at 6:00PM – City Commission Special Meeting
5/23 at 2:00PM – Bid Opening for Airport Runway Project
5/31 at 2:00PM – Hay Bids Opening

It was the highest number of children to participate in the Elks Fishing Derby for years.
“The best turn-out we’ve had in three to five years,” said Millie Lipscomb with the Fort Scott Elks Lodge.
Fifty-six youth aged 2 to 12 years old participated in the event held at Fort Scott Community College Lake for two hours on May 20. In addition there were many accompanying adults.
“Ronnie Coulter started this event at least 25 years ago,” Lipscomb said. It is a catch-and- release the fish event.
The tournament gave prizes for the most amount of fish caught and the largest fish caught in the time period.
In addition, the Elks provided a hot dog lunch for the children who fished.

Prizes were selected individually by the winners from a table with items appropriate to the age.

Following are the winners:

In the 2-6 year olds, first place for number of fish was Aubrey Thompson, second place was Cash Culberton and a tie for third, with Jackson Tash and Clayton Gander the winners.
For the largest fish caught, the winners were Aubrey Johnson, first place; Chance Hyer, second and Linden Bishop, third.
In the 7-11 years old category:

Number of fish caught winner: Birklee Culberton, first; Hunter Holtz-Sherifff, second; and James Logan, third place.
Size of fish winners were Hunter Holtz-Sheriff, first; Madison Tourtillot, second; Kendrick Simon, third.
In the 12-15 years old category:

Number of fish winners: Tristan McClune, first; Daniel Cook, second; and a tie for third place: Jordan Finnell and Ty Cooney.
Size of fish winners: Daniel Cook, first; Mason Tourtillot, second; and Jordan Bunnell, third.
Friday, May 19, 2023
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, May 19, 2023, for a special board meeting at the board office.
President Danny Brown opened the meeting.
The board went into executive session and then approved the Personnel Report as presented.
President Danny Brown adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT
May 19, 2023
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
EMPLOYMENT/REASSIGNMENTS:

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The City of Fort Scott has the following Board openings:
PARKS ADVISORY BOARD:
The function of the Fort Scott Parks Board Committee is to provide suggestions to the City Manager and Governing Body regarding all the parks within the City of Fort Scott.
All boards and commissions of Fort Scott serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated. Currently the Parks Advisory Board meets as City Hall as needed at 4:00PM.
If you have a desire to serve on this board, please submit a Letter of Interest to the City Clerk, Lisa Lewis, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701 or [email protected]. The names and letters will be submitted for consideration to the City Commission.
Please submit your letter of interest by 4:00 PM on June 7, 2023.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________–
STREET ADVISORY BOARD:
All Boards and Commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated. Currently the Street Advisory Board meets at City Hall on the second Thursday of each month at 4:00PM.
If you have a desire to serve on this board, please submit a Letter of Interest to the City Clerk, Lisa Lewis, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701 or [email protected]. The names and letters will be submitted for consideration to the City Commission.
Please submit your letter of interest by 4:00 PM on June 14, 2023.
Phone: 620.223.0550
Web: www.fscity.org
Email: [email protected]
123 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701
What’s Happening in Fort Scott! May 19th 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, a creative space for all ages!
Click here for all the FUN activities at the
Museum of Creativity, something for all ages!
BINGO hosted by the American Legion Post 25 every 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month unless it falls on a holiday. Doors open at 6pm and Bingo starts at 7pm at Memorial Hall.
May Special for Hedghehog.INK! Bookstore;
25% off Gently Used Inspiration Families/Parenting Self-Help Books
5/19 ~ Common Ground LIVE music event featuring The Tucker Family “Gospel Songs of Graceland”, 6-8pm, see flyer below.
5/20 ~ Paint and Pizza at Papa Don’s, click here for more info!
5/20 ~ Shead Homestead Festival, 10am-5pm, click here for flyer.
5/20 ~ Frankie Durossette Benefit Golf Tournament, 8am, Woodland Hills Golf Course
5/20 ~ Patio Concert at Liberty by Bourbon County Arts Council “Wednesdays at the Hermans”
5/20 ~ Elks Annual Youth Fishing Derby, ages 2-15, 9:30 registration, FSCC Lake, hotdog lunch after, click here for more info.
5/20 ~ Bikini Bike Wash & Cornhole Tournament, Holmtown Pub, 60% of tournament fee as payouts, 12pm-3pm, click here for more info.
5/23 ~ Spring into Summer Self-Care Fair hosted by Southeast Kansas Mental Health at Fort Scott Middle School, 5-8pm, SEKMHC is NOW requesting Vendors for this event, register here for a FREE booth.
5/25 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Greyhound Football Legacy Center, 11 N. Main, 8am
5/25 ~ Chamber After-hours Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting at M’axe Throw House, 212 E. 1st, 5:15pm to 6:30pm, Chamber members receive one complimentary drink ticket at the door then cash bar, pizza will also be available, $2 admission at the door.
5/26-29 ~ Symbols of Sacrifice Flag Display at Fort Scott National Historic Site, 8am, click here for more info.
5/29 ~ The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce will be closed in observance of Memorial Day. We will resume normal business hours on 5/30.
5/29 ~ Memorial Day Program at the National Cemetery, 10:30am, Guest Speaker Jill Jaworski, Superintendent of the Fort Scott National Historic Site.
6/1 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Good Ol’ Days, Skubitz Plaza, 8am
6/2 ~ Good Ol’ Days Chicken Dinner, 4:30-6pm, tickets on sale NOW at the Chamber, $9/dinner.
6/2-3 ~ Good Ol’ Days Parade and festivities, get your entries in NOW, deadline May 31st!
6/2 ~ First Friday at The Artificers, 8 N. National Ave.
6/2 ~ First Friday Backroom Art Gallery located at Hare & Crow, local art by local artist, 118 S. Main St., 1-9pm, click here for more info!
6/2 ~ Street Dance, Whiskey Outlaw and Bobby Degonia, Downtown Pavilion, bring your lawn chair , come out and enjoy music on the bricks, 7pm
6/2-3 ~ St. Mary’s MEGA sale in Kennedy Gym, all proceeds go to rebuild St. Mary’s Church
6/3-4 ~ Kansas Free Fishing Days, click here for more info!
SAVE THE DATE!
6/9 ~ Rock Star Karaoke at Memorial Hall, doors open at 6pm, live music at 7pm, food & drink available for purchase, entry $10 per person or $60 for a table of 6, all proceeds go to Memorial Hall Upgrades.
6/10 ~ Kansas Crossing presents Three Dog Night, must be 21+ to attend, click here for more info and to get tickets.
6/11 ~ First Presbyterian Church of Fort Scott Presents Rev. Darryl Burton, 10:30am, click here for more info!
6/22 ~ Rural Workforce Summit hosted by Bourbon County REDI and the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, register today for $20/person, click here for 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]
fortscott.com
In This Issue
Calendar of Events
Special Event Features
THANK YOU Chamber Champion members!!
Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.
May Special at Hedgehog. INK! Bookstore!
Live Music at Common Ground!
Shead Farm Festival, FUN for the WHOLE family!
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center is NOW requesting vendors for their Self-Care Fair!
42nd Annual Fort Scott Good Ol’ Days:
Back to the Bricks! June 2nd & 3rd, Downtown Fort Scott, click here for details!
Ribbon Cutting and Open House at
M’axe Throw House!
Upcoming Movie Schedule @ Fort Cinema
THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER CHAMPION MEMBERS!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
231 E. Wall Street
Fort Scott, KS 66701
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

A meat processing plant is back in the works for Bourbon County.
“I have been working to bring about the meat processing plant, a pork processing plant,” Fort Scott Mayor Matthew Wells said in an interview.
Billy Madison is the owner of the business, S.H. Pork Processing.
“This plant will provide farmers with an outlet for their pork processing,” Madison said. “And provide 15-30 new jobs.”

To view a prior 2021 story on Madison’s pork processing plant coming to Fort Scott:
https://fortscott.biz/news/48890
2023 plans have changed location
In 2021, the project was to be just south of the LaRoche Baseball Complex, but that was changed to a location agreed to by Madison and the City of Fort Scott.
“At this juncture I am not at liberty to say the location,” Wells said.
Wells noted that nothing has been signed, nor no one committed to this yet.
“The city approved to send out letters to respective parties involved (at a special Fort Scott city meeting on May 17) and (will) survey the property to define the boundaries and move forward in the process of securing the land,” Wells said.
Following completion of this preliminary work, the Fort Scott Planning Commission will get involved, Wells said in the May 17 special city meeting.
In the 2021, the pork processing plant site was to be located on 47 acres south of the Kansas Department of Transportation facility on Hwy. 69 south of the LaRoche Ball Park.
“That place didn’t have an entrance and we spent eight months getting an entrance to get on the property to do the engineering of the property,” Billy Madison, owner of the proposed meat plant said in a fortscott.biz interview on May 17.
Madison said that in March 2023, he “received an order to cease and desist in the (pork processing plant) plans from Rob Harrington (Director of the Regional Economic Development Inc.), “because they are going to build a sports complex there,” he said.
Sports Complex
At the May 16 regular Fort Scott City Commission meeting, Rob Harrington asked the city to authorize establishing STAR Bond and TIF District financing tools as part of the sports complex planning.
Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) Bonds are a financing tool that allows Kansas municipalities to issue bonds to finance the development of major commercial, entertainment and tourism projects, according to https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/community-programs/star-bonds/. The bonds are paid off through the sales tax revenue generated by the development. The intent is to increase regional and national visitation to Kansas.
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a real estate redevelopment tool applicable to industrial, commercial, intermodal transportation area and residential projects, https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/taxes-and-financing/tif/. TIF uses the increases in real estate tax revenues and local sales tax revenues to retire the bonds sold to finance eligible redevelopment project costs (K.S.A. 12-1770 et seq.) or to reimburse the developer on a pay-as-you-go basis.
This project will require many steps because they will be working with the developer, the county, the state and the city council.
At the city meeting on May 16, Fort Scott City Attorney Bob Farmer told the Fort Scott City Council that they will have to partner with the Bourbon County Commission, because some of the proposed land is theirs.
The sports complex developer, along with the Kansas Department of Commerce, will look at a list of the developer’s ideas, then the state has to see if it is eligible, Farmer told the city council.
The Fort Scott Elks #579 will have the annual youth fishing derby tomorrow (May 20) at the Fort Scott Community College Lake.
Children will fish from 10 a.m.– noon and the prizes will be awarded immediately following recognizing the most fish caught and the largest fish caught in each of the three age categories.
Submitted by
Millie Lipscomb, Elks Fishing Derby chairperson
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Unified School District 234
424 South Main
Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697
620-223-0800 Fax 620-223-2760
DESTRY BROWN
Superintendent
BOARD OF EDUCATION SPECIAL MEETING
MAY 19, 2023 – 8:00 A.M.
AGENDA SUMMARY
1.0 Call Meeting to Order Danny Brown, President
2.0 Flag Salute
3..0 Other Business – Personnel Matters
3.1 Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)
3.2 Exit Executive Session
3.3 Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)
4.0 Adjourn Meeting
President Brown
Citizens of Fort Scott are asked to not water lawns or unnecessary usage of water today as there has been a water main break in town, according to Mayor Matthew Wells.