Category Archives: Fort Scott

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee hosted by Riggs Chiropractic on March 9

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The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee on Thursday, March 9th at 8 a.m. hosted by Riggs Chiropractic. The event will be held at their new Fort Scott location at 304 E. 23rd St. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served.

 

Riggs Chiropractic, with locations in Pittsburg and Riverton, recently expanded to Fort Scott providing the same great care to patients in this area.

Riggs Chiropractic has partnered with Bourbon County CASA for a Miracle Year of Wellness in which they will donate all new patient exam fees to CASA to help further their mission.  In just their first month, Riggs has accrued $1,000 to donate to this worthy cause.  Dr. Megan Vyhlidal, native of Pittsburg, is excited to bring her expertise to the Fort Scott community.  Chiropractic Assistant, Kalyn Turner, lives in Fort Scott and is excited to help people live a more wellness-focused life.

 

Any member business or organization wanting to host Chamber Coffee in 2023 is encouraged to contact the Chamber to save a date by calling 620-223-3566 or emailing [email protected].

 

Fort Scott, Government

Improvements to Highway 69 Nearing Completion

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The KDOT building located on Hwy. 69.

Progress is being made on the section of highway that slices through Fort Scott from north to south. Improvements are also on the horizon for several other Southeast Kansas highway projects.

In March 2022,  U.S. Hwy. 69 in Bourbon County was approved a bid for improvement to the intersections of 3rd, 6th, 12th and 25th Streets in Fort Scott,  including traffic signals.

The two miles of highway improvement inside the city limits of Fort Scott was awarded to LaForge & Budd Construction Company Inc., Parsons, Kansas, for a price tag of $2,645,573.03.

The improvement work began on Sept. 6, 2022.

“The project on US 69 is for intersection improvements for both pedestrians and vehicle traffic,” KDOT Iola Area Office Engineer Troy Howard, said. “Several intersections are getting signal updates. Both 6th St. and 12th St. are getting turning lanes added to improve traffic flows. At this point they are working on the turning lanes.”

“According to the contractors schedule they are supposed to be completed around the first of June,” Howard said.

 

Hwy. 69 Near Arma Is Nearing Completion

Travelers may have noticed that there is work on Hwy. 69, around Arma, as well.

“By late May, work should be completed on the U.S. 69 expansion project at Arma, weather permiting,” KDOT’s Priscilla Petersen,  said. “The highway will be four lanes between Pittsburg and Kansas City.”

 

Four-Lane Corridor?

At one point there was work towards a four-lane highway corridor down U.S. 69 Highway from Kansas City to past Pittsburg.

“The goal for U.S. 69 is debatable, depending on who you ask,” Wayne Gudmonson, KDOT Dist. IV Engineer, Chanute, said. “There is a group and a large number of supporters that want to construct U.S. 69  four-lane  (all the way) to I-44.There is another group who do not want this… so, at this time, U.S.69 will be four-lane from Kansas City to Pittsburg, once the work around Arma is completed.”

 

Baxter Springs

“We are also currently constructing a four- lane piece of U.S. 166 down around Baxter Springs (south of Pittsburg),” Gudmonson said. “This work begins on U.S. 400 just north east of Baxter Springs.  It angles down and … reconstructs U.S. 166 to a four-lane with an interchange just east of Baxter and a second interchange at the junction of K 26 and U.S. 166. From this interchange we diagonal down to the south east with a two lane section that ties back into U.S. 166 just west of the Kansas-Missouri line.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business, Fort Scott, Schools

Youth Entrepreneur Challenge Trade Show March 7 at Fort Scott High School

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CHAMBER INVITES COMMUNITY TO THE
YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP CHALLENGE TRADESHOW EXHIBIT
Stop by the FSHS Aux Gym
TOMORROW
Tuesday, March 7th between
11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Come check out the different business plans conceived by students as part of the competition organized
by the Chamber. These students have worked hard over the last semester-plus on all aspects of their business concepts and your attendance and support would be appreciated!
COME VOTE FOR THE POPULAR CHOICE
TRADESHOW EXHIBIT ~ CASH PRIZE!
Click here for the FB event.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the fourth annual Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge in partnership with Fort Scott High School. Eighteen students have prepared startup business ideas and will compete for cash prizes to be judged on Tuesday, March 7th.
As part of the event, the students will have tradeshow exhibits displaying their business concepts in the Fort Scott High School auxiliary gym from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday and the public is invited and encouraged to stop by during this time, take a look at the different booths, and vote for their favorite.
The Chamber organizes the program in association with the NetWork Kansas E-Community Partnership and Bourbon County is one of many communities across Kansas to host a local competition from which the students compete against each other for nearly $3,000 in prize money with the top winner advancing to the state Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge to be held in April 20th in Manhattan.
The public is welcome and encouraged to stop by the tradeshow on Tuesday, March 7th to view the creative business plans and support these students who have worked on their projects over the past several months as part of their class.
Both the east and west doors of the high school will be open for entry during this time; however, it is encouraged that you use the main west doors to enter.
Contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce for more information at 620-223-3566 or [email protected].
Thank you to our Chamber Champions for their support!
Y
Fort Scott, Government, Schools

USD234 Board of Education Agenda for March 6

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BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING

MARCH 6, 2023 – 5:30 P.M.

PUBLIC AGENDA

1.0       Call Meeting to Order

           

2.0       Flag Salute

 

3.0       Approval of the Official Agenda (Action Item)

 

4.0       Approval of the Consent Agenda (Action Item)

 

            4.1       Board Minutes

  1. 02-13-23 Minutes
  2. 02-27-23 Minutes

            4.2       Financials-Cash Flow Report

            4.3       Check Register

            4.4       Payroll – February 17, 2023 – $1,583,201.90

            4.5       Activity Fund accounts

            4.6       Items of Interest: Preschool Spring Fling – April 6, 2023 5:30 – 7 pm

 

5.0       Student Recognition (Information/Discussion Item)

            5.1       FSHS Thespians

 

6.0       Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion Item)

 

            6.1       Superintendent’s Report

            6.2       Assistant Superintendent’s Report

            6.3       Finance Director’s Report

 

7.0       Old Business

 

7.1       Summary of Work Session (Information/Discussion Item)

7.2       HVAC Proposal (Information/Discussion Item)

7.3       MOU – Community Health Center & FSHS Clinic Space discussion                                                                    (Information/Discussion Item)

7.4       Tennis Courts Resurface – Pro Track and Tennis, Inc. (Action Item)

 

8.0       New Business

 

8.1       Activity Bus Purchase – $129,342 (Action Item)

8.2       Football Uniform Bids & Recommendation (Action Item)

8.3       Roof Payment 1 & Roof Payment 2 (Action Item)

8.4       Kansas Infinitec Coalition for 2023-24 (Action Item)

8.5       Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) – Kansas School-to-Work Program (Action Item)

8.6       Pre-Funding Early Retirement Payments (Action Item)

8.7       Greenbush Contracts for Low-Incidence and Audiology for the 2023-24 school year                               (Action Item)

8.8       FSHS Courses for 2022-23 (Action Item)

 

9.0       Public Forum

 

10.0     Other Business – Negotiations

 

10.1     Enter Executive Session – Negotiations (Action Item)

10.2     Exit Executive Session

 

11.0     Other Business – Personnel Matters

 

11.1     Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)

11.2     Exit Executive Session

11.3     Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)

11.4     Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)

11.5     Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)

 

12.0     Adjourn Meeting

                       

Fort Scott, Government

FS City Commission Agenda for March 7

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NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR

MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

To view entire packet:

DOC030423-03042023115447

 

CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM – 123 SOUTH MAIN ST.

March 7, 2023 – 6:00 P.M.

 

   Roll Call:

  1.       J. Jones     T. Van Hoecke     E. Woellhof     K. Harrington     M. Wells
  2.      Flag Salute:
  • Invocation: Regan Wells

 

  1. Approval of Agenda:
  2. Consent Agenda:
  3. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of February 21, 2023

 

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1331-A totaling $311,195.45

 

  1. 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:  

 

  1.   Contract – City Manager, Brad Matkin

 

 

VIII.     Appearances:

 

  1. Mike Miles – Fire Department Retention presentation
  2. Bourbon County Casa – Requesting donation from the City

 

  1. 3. Healthy Bourbon County Action Team – Update on Center for Economic Growth – Jody Hoener, Rachel Carpenter, Dacia Clark

 

  1. Cory Bryars – Request to close Riverfront Park September 29th and 30th, 2023 for the Care to Share Event

 

  1. Update on status of 1107 W. 6th St. – Contract of Sale – James Malveaux

 

 

  1. Public Hearing: None
  2. New Business:
  3. Discussion of 10 N. National property
  4. Consideration of Utility Easement Adjustment on Purchased Lake Lot
  5. Consideration for purchase of Storm Siren – Walnut Hill – Chief Bruner
  6. Consideration for purchase of Body Cameras – Chief Pickert
  7. Consideration of Paint for Striping Machine – Tom Coffman
  8. Purchase of Attachment for Skid Loader – Tom Coffman
  9. Consideration of Annual Water Meter Changeout Program – Bill Lemke
  10. Consideration 1107 W. 6th Street Bids
  11. Consideration of Banking Service Bids
  12. Consideration of Ground Lease Bids
  13. Consideration of Fort Scott Pavilion Bids – J. Dickman
  14. Consideration of CDBG Sewer Project Bids – J. Dickman
  15. Consideration of RFQ for US 54-CCLIP Geometric Improvements – Phase I

 

  1. Reports and Comments:
  2. Interim City Manager Comments:
  3. Engineering Comments:
  4. Commissioners Comments:
  5. VanHoecke –
  6. Woellhof –
  7. Harrington –
  8. Jones –
  9. Wells –

 

  1. City Attorney Comments:

 

XII.        Executive Session – If requested, (please follow script in all motions for   Executive Sessions)

 

XIII.        Adjournment:

 

 

Business, Food, Fort Scott

New BBQ Restaurant Coming to Fort Scott in May

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Carissa and Alex Bowman with their children, Gracie and Campbell.. Submitted photo.
Carissa, 34, and Alex Bowman, 33, have plans to open a bbq restaurant at 3 W. Oak Street, called Brickstreet BBQ.
Brickstreet BBQ is located at the corner of Oak Street and National Avenue on Fort Scott’s north side. The River Room Event Center is located on the second floor.
“We  plan to open hopefully in May, 2023,” Carissa said. “We felt that Fort Scott residents and ourselves missed being able to get good barbecue in town and thought since we’ve been able to manage and maintain a local restaurant that we have the know-how and the will power to make it happen!”
Alex is the manager and cook at Nu Grille Restaurant. just across the street from Brickstreet BBQ.
Carissa is the Family and Consumer Science teacher at Fort Scott High School.
Carissa Bowman, gives a thumbs up on a new banner at Brickstreet BBQ, from the restaurant’s Facebook page.

They have started some social media to help the public get to see their progress:

The Bowman’s plan on employing about 40 full-time and part-time people. The employment application can be accessed on their Facebook page.
Contact info: One can contact Carissa at her email: [email protected]
Fort Scott, Schools

Schedule An Appointment For U234’s Kindergarten Round-up

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The USD 234 Kindergarten Round-Up is coming next month.
The event is Wednesday,  April 19th from 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Please bring your child’s Social Security Card, Birth Certificate, Immunization Records and a Physical.

Your student must be 5 years old before September 1st to attend Round-Up.
Please call the Winfield Scott Office at 620-223-0450 to schedule an appointment.
Business, Church news, Fort Scott

Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church Golf Tourney Fundraiser is March 25

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Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church on day one of demolition March 1, 2023.

Plans are in place for a golf fundraiser for the Catholic church that burned down last summer.

On March 25, 2023 there will be an 8 a.m. registration and  9 a.m. tee off at Woodland Hills Golf Course in Fort Scott.


 Mid-Continental Restoration Company is hosting a golf tournament at Woodland Hills Golf Course to help raise funds for replacing the Mary Queen of Angels Church building which burned on the night of August 29, 2022.

 

“THE TOURNAMENT IS FILLED!” Franks Halsey said. “BUT we are still looking for hole sponsors from businesses as well as silent auction items or donations. In addition, Mid-Continental has purchased and will raffle a golf cart. Raffle tickets are
on sale for the price of $25 for one ticket, or 5 tickets for $100. You do not have to be present to win the golf cart.”

The golf cart that is being raffled for the Catholic Church fundraiser. Submitted photo.

Raffle tickets can be purchased at Woodland Hills or send a check Mid-Continental Restoration, 401 E. Hudson, Fort Scott, KS 66701 made out to Mary Queen of Angels (Building Fund). Any monetary
donations or any silent auction items can be donated and sent to Mid- Continental Restoration as well.


 For any questions or any more information please reach out to Chase Halsey at 620-704-2733, or
[email protected].

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening in Fort Scott-By the Chamber

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What’s Happening in Fort Scott!

March 2nd Weekly Newsletter

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

________________

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Daily Tours: 10am & 1pm

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!

3/2 ~ BINGO hosted by American Legion post #25, Memorial Hall, doors open at 6pm, Bingo starts at 7pm

3/2-11 ~ Bourbon County Fine Arts Exhibit, open to public for viewing, click here for more info.

(Artist Reception 3/2 6-8pm open to the public)

3/4 ~ The Artificers are hosting a whistle making class for kiddos, only $10 per kid, classes on the 1/2 hour, click here for more info.! Twigs & Berries will be there with Cotton Candy!

3/3-4 ~ Trolley Tours start for the season and run thru the first weekend of December, 50-minute narrated tour of Fort Scott, on the hour from the Chamber, Fridays 11am-3pm, Saturdays 10am-3pm , $6 adults, $4 children 12 and under

OPENING WEEKEND SPECIAL 1/2 OFF!

3/4 ~ FSHS Tiger Girls play at 5pm, hosting

Sub-state! Go Big Red!

3/4 ~ 2nd Annual Marsha Fest in honor of the late Marsha Lancaster of Marsha’s Deli at the Liberty Theatre, 8pm, click here for more info. Baloney Ponyz live in concert ~ don’t miss it!

3/4 ~ Storytime at Hedgehog.INK!, 2:30pm, click here for more info.

3/9 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Riggs Chiropractic – a new business & Chamber Champion member, 304 E. 23rd St., 8am!

3/7 ~ Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge hosted by the Chamber through NetWork Kansas and our E-Community program in conjunction with FSHS, student business competition, tradeshow by students of businesses open to the public! Come vote on your favorite! FSHS Aux Gym, 11:30am-12:45pm, the Chamber will be presenting nearly $3,000 in cash prizes to the students!

See flyer below for more info.!

3/10-12 ~ FSCC College Rodeo, March 10th starts at 7:30pm, Saturday March 11th starts at 1:30pm and 7:30pm, and Short Go at 1pm on March 12th, Admission is $12 for adults, children ages 6-12 $5 and children 5 & under get in free, FSCC students w/ID – $5. Click here for more info.

3/10 ~ Dangerous Doug Harper performing Indie Folk Music at Common Ground Coffee Co. 7-8pm, free admission. Click here for more info.

3/12 ~ Daylight Savings Time, Spring Forward!

3/12 ~ Austin Parks Benefit Dinner, FSHS Cafeteria, 11:30am-2pm or until out with an auction starting at 1pm, this is a free will donation with all proceeds going to Austin Parks Family to support him during his cancer treatment journey, click here for more info.

3/13-17 ~ Kids Spring Art and Paint Parties, 702 S. National Ave, cost is $125, $25 to reserve your child’s spot and the balance of $100 due the first day of camp, click here for more info.

3/17 ~ St. Patrick’s Day! Find the Golden Coins for discounts at Sunshine Boutique, 10am-6pm, contact Sunshine Boutique for more info.

3/17-18 ~ SEK Spring Classic Lamb & Cattle Show, Bourbon County Fairgrounds, click here for more info.

3/17 ~ Baked Potato Bar and Pie at First United Methodist Church 301 National, free will donation, 11:30am-1:30pm, see flyer below for info.

3/23 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Big Sugar Lumber, 1005 S. Clark, 8am, celebrating 40 years in business in March!

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

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

more info.

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 ~ 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.

Save the Date!

3/29 ~ Star Party at the Fort Scott National Historic Site

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

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

_________

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
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.

March Into Savings at

Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore!

Bourbon County Arts Council

Annual Fine Arts Exhibit, March 2nd-11th

2nd Annual Marsha Fest!

Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge

Tradeshow of 18 Competing Student Business Ideas

Open to the public, Tuesday, March 7th 11:30am-12:45pm!

FSHS Aux. Gym, 1005 S. Main St.,

enter thru main/west doors of the school.

Austin Parks Family Benefit

Dinner and Auction!

United Women in Faith hosting a Baked Potato Bar and Pie!

Spring Open House Find the Golden Egg Shopping Event!

Upcoming Movie Schedule @ Fort Cinema

…

Fort Scott, Schools, Sports

Fort Scott High School Girls 4A Sub-State Basketball Championship is March 4 @ Home

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The 4A Girls Sub-State Basketball Championship game between Topeka-Hayden and Fort Scott will be Saturday, March 4th at 5:00 at Fort Scott High School.

Doors will open to spectators at 3:45.
Admission is $8 adults, $6 students. No passes per KSHSAA post-season policy.
FSHS students will get in for free but must get ticket at door.
Go Tigers!!!

Submitted by

Jeff DeLaTorre
Athletic/Activities Director
Fort Scott High School
Church news, Fort Scott

Demo of Catholic Church Begins

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The Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church building on March 1. Demolition has begun.

Demolition started sooner than expected on Fort Scott’s Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, following a wind storm early on March 1, 2023.

A portion of the facade of the fire-damaged church was blown down by the storm around 2 a.m.

“The front facade came off the building and blocked Eddy Street,” Mark McCoy, who is on the parish committee that is working on the rebuild project, said.

“Eddy Street, in front of the church, will be blocked off until further notice,” he said. “I estimate the demo will take approximately three weeks.”

The church parish committee is in the beginning stages of the design and architecture phase of the church rebuild, he said.

“It will be approximately six months until construction can begin,” McCoy said.

They are anticipating a 12 month construction period, he said.

“The cost to rebuild will be in excess of $5 million,” McCoy said. “The building standards have changed since the building of the church in 1872, at a cost of $20,000.

Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 705 S. Holbrook, Fort Scott suffered extensive damage in a fire that started in late evening on August 29, 2022.

 

When the the Fort Scott Fire Department and FS Police Department units arrived the church was on fire with heavy smoke and flames emitting from the southeast corner of the structure.

The fire was later determined to be from a lightning strike.

Simpson Construction Services, Wichita, is doing the demolition of the church building, and also the construction.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church fire on August 29, 2022. Courtesy of Stephen Toal.