Category Archives: Fort Scott
Chamber Coffee: T-Mobile Ribbon Cutting April 14
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Downtown Clean Up Slated for April 22: Volunteers Needed
The Downtown Division of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Good Neighbor Action Team, is hosting their second Downtown Clean-up which coincides with Earth Day, Friday, April 22, according to a press release.
The majority of the workers will be on task from 3 pm to 6 pm, but there will be different projects starting at different times throughout the day, an organizer said.
The board members of the Chamber and GNAT organizations have created a list of several areas of the downtown area that could benefit from some time and attention, according to the press release.
Volunteers will be striping, curbing and painting crosswalks, planting flowers at the north end of Main Street-with help from the Bourbon County Garden Club, washing storefront windows, creating temporary signage for vacant buildings, creating new murals, helping with alley clean-ups, trash pick up, and miscellaneous painting of tables.
“The Bourbon County Garden Club will be using their own tools, but the majority of tools (for projects) will be provided,”Rachel French, member of the Fort Scott Chamber’s Downtown Division, said.
“At this time we are not planning on closing any streets, but there will be certain areas of downtown that will be closed for parking,” French said. “These areas will include part of National Ave. and Scott Ave.”
“Several community members asked us to do another downtown clean-up to prepare the area for several major events happening this spring, including the Big Kansas Road Trip in early May, Good Ol’ Days the first weekend of June, and the all-school reunion at the end of June. The downtown division quickly started planning the next clean-up and asked the Good Neighbor Action team to partner with them on this project,” Chamber Downtown Division Chairwoman Bailey Lyons said.
The Chamber’s Downtown Division held its first Downtown Clean-up in August of 2021, with over 250 volunteers in attendance.
“We are excited for this next clean-up because the first one was so well received by the community and made such a large impact quickly,” Lyons remarked.
Volunteers are needed to participate in the downtown clean-up, and can register to help at https://www.jotform.com/form/220906422828052.
“We are currently expecting 100 volunteers, but we could still use more,” French said.
MyOneStop, a downtown business that sells apparel, will be providing the volunteers with a free t-shirt for preregistering before April 19, through the above link.
“We have created a commemorative shirt for the event to thank the volunteers,” commented French, who is also president of MyOneStop.
Members of the Downtown Division of the Chamber include:
Lyons, owner of Lyons Realty, Chairwoman; John Crain, owner of Crain Insurance Agency; Sandra Davis, President of Davis Accounting; French, President of MyOneStop; Lindsay Madison, President of Fort Scott Chamber; Angela Simon, Owner of Angie Dawn’s Boutique and Bids & Dibs; and Craig Campbell, Coordinator of the Good Neighbor Action Team.
U234 Board of Education: New Principals, New Teachers
NEWS RELEASE
Monday, April 11, 2022
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at the Board of Education office on Monday, April 11, 2022, for their regular monthly meeting.
President James Wood opened the meeting. The board approved the official agenda. The board also approved the consent agenda as follows:
A. Minutes
B. Bills and Claims
C. Payroll – March 10, 2022 – $1,437,997.40
D. Financial Report
E. Activity fund accounts
F. FCCLA Fundraiser Application
G. Parent/Teacher Conference statistics
H. KASB Dues and Legal Assistance Fund
I. Negotiations lists for 2022-23
J. Use of a school bus for the Class of 1966 for June 25
K. Memorandum of Understanding with Greenbush Food Purchasing Consortium
L. Extended Trip Application – Film Festival Competition
The Fort Scott High School Sociology students gave a presentation on Hats in School. They reported their research, observations, and surveys for allowing students to wear hats to school.
Board members approved Resolution 21-12 Authorizing and Providing for the Sale, Issuance, and Delivery of Taxable General Obligation Refunding Bonds.
Brenda Hill, Fort Scott KNEA President, gave a report on year-end activities.
Written reports were shared by principals.
In addition, the board heard a report from Dalaina Smith, Academics Director. Board members approved a PLC Summer Institute for teachers.
Ted Hessong, Superintendent; and Gina Shelton, Finance Director/Board Clerk. presented reports.
Board members approved the following items:
· Academic calendar for the 2022-23 school year
· High School course changes/additions for the 2022-23 school year
· Make-up snow days
· Virtual Academy Memorandum of Understanding with Greenbush
Superintendent Hessong gave an ESSER III update.
The board approved a Benchmark change order to add Winfield Scott roofing to the bid documents.
Board members shared comments and then went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel. The board returned to open meeting and amended the agenda. Board members approved the creation of a board-member committee to have exit interviews with administrators. The committee would consist of four board members in a special meeting with an executive session. The board approved the following employment matters:
A. Resignation of Melissa Miller, Winfield Scott Principal, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year
B. Resignation of Martin Altieri, Winfield Scott Assistant Principal, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year
C. Resignation of Andrea Scott, Fort Scott Preschool Principal/Special Education Coordinator, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year
D. Resignation of Abby Dixon, Eugene Ware fifth grade teacher, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year
E. Resignation of Kerry Pommier, Eugene Ware counselor, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year
F. Resignation of Torrie Singmaster, Winfield Scott first grade teacher, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year
G. Resignation of Kelcy Schnaufer, preschool teacher, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year
H. Resignation of Travis Toth, high school social science teacher, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year
I. Resignation of Renee Scales, middle school special education teacher, effective May 17, 2022
J. Resignation of Lindsay Knopp, Winfield Scott second grade teacher, effective May 13, 2022
K. Resignation of Shytanna Reed, middle school paraprofessional, effective March 15, 2022
L. Resignation of Elizabeth Rose, preschool paraprofessional, effective May 13, 2022
M. Resignation of Shana Staton, preschool paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year
N. Resignation of Afton Brown, Winfield Scott paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year
O. Termination of Adrianne Wisdom, high school paraprofessional, effective February 17, 2022
P. Transfer of Jamie Rogers, middle school math teacher, to high school math teacher for the 2022-23 school year
Q. Transfer of Ashlea Taylor, Winfield Scott special education teacher, to first grade teacher for the 2022-23 school year; transfer of Kaitlin Arnold, Winfield Scott first grade teacher, to second grade teacher for the 2022-23 school year; transfer of Tyler Ericson, Winfield Scott first grade teacher, to second grade teacher for the 2022-23 school year
R. Transfer of Kim Eastwood, Winfield Scott second grade teacher, to Eugene Ware music teacher for the 2022-23 school year
S. Transfer of Madeline Martin to the high school counselor position for the 2022-23 school year
T. Transfer of Angie DeLaTorre, Eugene Ware secretary, to high school secretary/registrar for the 2022-23 school year
U. Transfer of Brandi Pitts, high school custodian, to central office head custodian, effective May 13, 2022
V. Employment of David Heidrick as a middle school special education teacher for the 2022-23 school year
W. Employment of Michael Durnell as a high school math teacher for the 2022-23 school year
X. Employment of Sydney Crapson as a Winfield Scott first grade teacher for the 2022-23 school year
Y. Employment of Evangelina Korinke as a Winfield Scott first grade teacher for the 2022-23 school year
Z. Employment of Anna Kim as a Eugene Ware fifth grade teacher for the 2022-23 school year
AA. Employment of Abigail Duffy as a Eugene Ware fifth grade teacher for the 2022-23 school year
BB. Employment of Kim Carpenter as a Eugene Ware fifth grade teacher for the 2022-23 school year
CC. Employment of Toni Burton as a middle school part-time teacher aide for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year
DD. Employment of Angela Colvin as a middle school paraprofessional for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year
EE. Employment of Sean Herring as a Eugene Ware 6.5-hour cook for the 2022-23 school year
FF. Employment of Fort Scott Preschool Center licensed staff for the 2022-23 school year
GG. Employment of Winfield Scott licensed staff for the 2022-23 school year
HH. Employment of Eugene Ware licensed staff for the 2022-23 school year
II. Employment of Fort Scott Middle School licensed staff for the 2022-23 school year
JJ. Employment of Fort Scott High School licensed staff for the 2022-23 school year
KK. Employment of licensed special education and technology staff for the 2022-23 school year
LL.Transfer of Erin Campbell, Winfield Scott paraprofessional, to Eugene Ware paraprofessional for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year
MM. Transfer of Tiffnie Spears, Eugene Ware fifth grade teacher, to Eugene Ware fourth grade teacher for the 2022-23 school year
NN. Transfer of Jeffery Pommier, Eugene Ware fourth grade teacher, to Eugene Ware fifth grade teacher for the 2022-23 school year
OO. Transfer of Danielle Cavin, Eugene Ware special education teacher, to Fort Scott Middle School special education teacher for the 2022-23 school year
PP. Employment of Dale Brauer as a middle school math teacher for the 2022-23 school year
QQ. Employment of Lienna Upchurch as a Eugene Ware special education teacher for the 2022-23 school year
RR. Employment of Karen Gordon as Eugene Ware counselor for the 2022-23 school year
SS. Employment of Sierra Muellner as a Winfield Scott low incidence special education teacher for the 2022-23 school year
TT. Employment of Cynthia Hemphill-Witham as a preschool center paraprofessional for the 2022-23 school year
UU. Employment of Angelica Gonzalez as a middle school paraprofessional for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year
VV. Termination of Susan Karleskint, high school one-day-a-week ESOL teacher, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year
WW. Addition of After-School Program coordinator positions for Winfield Scott, Eugene Ware, and Fort Scott Middle School for the 2022-23 school year
The board adjourned.
Golden Egg Shopping Event April 16
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Scooter’s Coffee to Match Customer Donations to Support Ukrainian Refugees
Scooter’s Coffee franchisees in the Omaha, Neb., Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Kansas City, Mo., areas are teaming up with their customers in April to raise donations that will directly support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.
Through the end of April, more than 50 participating Scooter’s Coffee locations in the Omaha and Kansas City area markets will accept donations at checkout as part of a “Compassion Ukraine” fundraising effort with YouCanFreeUs Foundation, which will directly support Ukrainian refugees.
Customers may add a donation of $1 or more to their Scooter’s Coffee tab at checkout, and donations at most participating locations will be matched by Scooter’s Coffee, up to $30,000.
Dedicated to its core values of Integrity, Love, Humility and Courage, Scooter’s Coffee and its franchisee community are committed to supporting those in need through national programs like Wounded Warriors Family Support and the Pink Agenda, as well as local partnerships like this with YouCanFreeUs Foundation, an international human rights organization that is providing emergency support on the ground at the border of Ukraine. Visit youcanfreeus.org for more information.
Participating Locations Include:
Iowa
Council Bluffs: 16th & Broadway
Kansas
Chanute: 1415 S. Santa Fe Ave.
Coffeyville: 11th & Old Willow
Fort Scott: 2402 S. Main St.
Gardner: 1850 E. Santa Fe St.
Lansing: Center Dr.
Lawrence: W. 89th St.
Leavenworth: N. 4th St.
Lenexa: 77th & Quivira
Lenexa: 23491 Prairie Star Pkwy – Shawnee Medical
Olathe: K7 & Santa Fe
Olathe: 2027 E Santa Fe St. – Mur-Len
Overland Park: 87th & Grant
Overland Park: 95th & Antioch
Overland Park: 127th & Pflumm
Overland Park: 135th & Grandview
Overland Park: 7621 Shawnee Mission Pkwy
Overland Park: 107th & Roe
Overland Park: 9100 W. 74th St. – Shawnee Medical – Harvest Kitchen
Overland Park: 9100 W. 74th St. – Shawnee Medical – Main Entrance
Overland Park: 165th & Lowell
Pittsburg: 25th & Broadway
Shawnee: 10610 Shawnee Mission Pkwy
Shawnee: 75th and Nieman
Missouri
Independence: Route 291 & East 23rd St. S
Independence: 4309 S. Noland Rd.
Kansas City: NE Antioch & Englewood Road
Kansas City: 51st & N. Oak Trafficway
Lee’s Summit: 805 SW M 150 Hwy
North Kansas: Burlington Rd.
Raytown: 10105 E. 350 Hwy
Sedalia: 3507 W. Broadway Blvd
Smithville: Hwy 169 & Hospital Dr.
St. Joseph: 5325 Faraon St. – Mosaic Life Care
Warrensburg: 501 N. Maguire St.
Nebraska
Bellevue: 36th & Hwy 370
Bellevue: Fort Crook Road
Bellevue: 22nd & Capehart
Bellevue: Harlan Drive & Galvin Road
Grand Island: 2105 S. Locust – USAVE Pharmacy
Grand Island: 3418 W State St.
Kearney: 4402 2nd Ave.
Kearney: 114 2nd Ave E
La Vista: 84th & Giles
North Platte: South Dewey
Omaha: 132nd & Center
Omaha: 72nd & Dodge
Omaha: Millard Plaza
Omaha: 175th & Center
Omaha: 90th & Grant
Omaha: 96th & Q
Omaha: Canfield’s Plaza
Omaha: 72nd & Q
Omaha: 78th & Dodge
Omaha: 63rd & Pacific
Omaha: 122nd & Center
Omaha: 156th & Maple
Omaha: 129th & Fort
Omaha: Rockbrook Village
Omaha: 144th & Dayton
Omaha: 145th & Center
Omaha: 84th & Park Dr.
Omaha: 72nd & Military
Omaha: 90th & Maple
Omaha: 78th & Cass
Omaha: 60th & Center
Omaha: 72nd & Cornhusker
About Scooter’s Coffee
Founded in 1998 by Don and Linda Eckles in Bellevue, Nebraska, Scooter’s Coffee roasts only the finest coffee beans in the world at its headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. In more than two decades of business, Scooter’s Coffee’s success is simple: stay committed to the original business principles and company’s four core values, which are Integrity, Love, Humility and Courage. The Scooter’s Coffee Brand Promise, often recited to franchisees, customers and employees is: “Amazing People, Amazing Drinks… Amazingly Fast!®” It represents the company’s business origins and reflects a steady commitment to providing an unforgettable experience to loyal and new customers.
Scooter’s Coffee is at the dawn of a strategic growth phase nationwide, approaching 450 stores in 23 states. The U.S. coffee market is an estimated $48 billion a year recession-resistant industry, and Scooter’s Coffee is striving to become the #1 drive-thru coffee franchise in the nation.
For more information, visit, scooterscoffee.com, facebook.com/scooterscoffee,
ownascooters.com or call 877-494-7004.
Media Contact:
Kristen Crawford
Media Liaison for Scooter’s Coffee
Photography Meet & Greet Seminar April 27
The Gordon Parks Museum will host a Photography Meet & Greet Seminar on Wednesday, April 27
at 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Come meet and greet Veretta Cobler, professional photographer, who will give a
presentation on working with film and digital photography.
Veretta has moved back home to Fort Scott after over four decades of living in New York City where she
maintained her fully–equipped commercial photography studio. Throughout her career she transitioned from
the classic photographic film and darkroom expertise to the complexity of today’s digital photography
technology. Her experience expands to studio lighting and graphics computer skills. She is looking forward to
sharing her knowledge in her home community.
This in–depth seminar is designed for all levels of photographers from the beginner to the more
experienced. She is looking to help improve and enhance their shots.
While in New York City as a professional photographer, she worked in fine arts, fashion, portraiture, still life
and journalistic cultural study. Her fashion images were published in various U.S. magazines including Bride,
Modern Bride, Bridal Guide, Elegant Bride, Martha Stewart Living, The Knot, Seventeen, Prom, and New York
Magazine. Her New York clients now use her images for their social media accounts.
Veretta’s fine art photography has resulted in exhibitions and publications of her work throughout her career.
Published works include New York Underground (2004), a coffee table photography book depicting the
nightlife in New York City in the late 1970’s. She has recently completed a book about the life and teachings of
a Lakota spiritual man, and is in the process of seeking a publisher.
Her work can be viewed at her website at www.veretta.com.
Free registration is available at the Gordon Parks Museum, online or over the phone, at 620–223–2700 ext.
5850.
Marketing, Apparel and Printing Services Move Downtown
Rachel French is the president of My One Stop, which has had a office in Fort Scott’s Industrial Park since 2005.
The business offers marketing print and digital services, signage, labels, apparel and embroidery printing services and more.
“We are moving downtown to because we wanted to be a part of the revitalization of downtown,” French said. “We wanted to be more accessible to businesses in Fort Scott…We can help them in gaining business and traffic.”
“We were looking for the right space and found this place was available and were excited to make the move,” she said.
The storefront at 7 S. National, just north of E3 Ranch store, is currently being renovated to meet the needs of the business, she said.
In the meantime, French and her team of employees have moved into 5 S. National, sharing space with the Lillian Rose Foundation, until the renovation is completed.
Jennifer LaRoche, who owns the building and is doing the reno, told French the reno will most likely be completed in June.
“I wanted to be close to the construction,” French said.
Her My One Stop team is comprised of Ann Marie Buster-web and graphic designer, Rosemma Perry-sales representative, Tina Wilson-sales representative and Casie Yount-graphic design lead.
“We have hit the ground running,” French said. “Since we came, we saw the traffic downtown, and we are using our knowledge to help the downtown revitalization.”
The business just recently created a downtown loyalty program, to encourage businesses in that area.
“We want to bring pride into our downtown again,” she said. “And people to be excited and have a business here.”
Included in the loyalty program is a Downtown Fort Scott Loyalty Card.
Eleven businesses have come on board and the card will provide the purchasers $55 worth of discounts for just $10.
The cards can be purchased at the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall; or the My One Stop office currently at 5 S. National.
Ten percent of the sale of each card will be donated to the Fort Scott Downtown Chamber Committee to be used for future projects to benefit the downtown area.
That committee is in charge of the Downtown Clean-up Day April 22. “We are donating all the t-shirts for the clean-up,” she said.
French is a member of that committee and also she partners with Fort Scott High School and Pittsburg State University in a paid internship program. She also does the mentor program at FSHS with the Chamber.
“We think it’s important for youth to see what businesses do on a daily basis and see what Fort Scott has available,” she said.
French is looking forward to the move into 7 S. National, she said.
“Then you’ll be able to have a custom-designed t-shirt before you leave,” she said. “We would love to do more t-shirts for organizations. and businesses.”
FSHS Talking Tigers Take First In Sweeps
Watch Fun in the Mud April 23-24 at Bo Co Fairgrounds
A Fort Scott 4×4 Mud Run to benefit a local recreation center is coming to town on April 23-24 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
Spectator’s cost is $5 person, or $10 for carload (6 and under free).
Participating Mud Run entries are $20.
All proceeds are being donated to the Fort Scott Recreation Center, according to the event organizer Michael Hayden.
“We really appreciate him doing this, the additional funds really help out,” Tom Robertson, director of Fort Scott Recreation Center, said. “This assistance will help with scholarships for kids and families that can’t afford to sign up for a program such as baseball, swim lessons or cooking class, anything with a fee attached.”
Bourbon County was chosen to have the event because leadership was welcoming, Hayden said.
“We wanted to have a mud run somewhere in the southeastern Kansas area to give our members a larger event to attend in a part of the state that is often overlooked for bigger cities,” said Hayden. “After contacting a few different counties, the leaders in Bourbon County and the City of Fort Scott seemed most open and welcoming to the idea.”
The event will be at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds, located on South Horton in Fort Scott, just across from the community college.
“Mud Runs involve a mud pit dug to a specific depth and length in which a vehicle attempts to power through and reach the other side in the shortest time possible,” Hayden said. “Heavy equipment is standing by to pull out those that get stuck before reaching the end.”
There are typically several different classes of vehicles to keep competition fair, he said.
“We will have two different mud pit depths and three different classes, based on tire size,” Hayden said. “The vehicles need to be registered and street legal, with the exceptions of a few minor modifications. The intent is to allow the average person to be able to come out and have fun! We we have trophies and door prizes in all classes.”
The mud run is organized by the Kansas Ram Club.
“Our major sponsors are Ron’s Tire and Service in Fort Scott, Simon’s Dirt Work in Fort Scott and Buddy’s Home Furnishings in Pittsburg,” he said.
“Also, we have added an additional exhibition night for Friday night at 6 P.M. in which the Kansas Gambler 500 vehicles are going to be coming through the mud pit as part of their annual cruise,” Hayden said. “They plan to have somewhere around 100 eccentric vehicles and should be an exciting time!”
Easter Egg Hunt This Saturday April 9 at 11 a.m.
The Kiwanis Club Easter Egg Hunt has been going on for about 50 years, John Crain, president, said.
The tradition continues when the Kiwanians will be in Gunn Park this Saturday, April 9 distributing the eggs and getting the hunt areas set up before the hunters are released to search for their eggs.
The hunt starts at 11 a.m. sharp, on that day, and at11:05 a.m., “It’s all over,” chuckled Bob Eckles, who is the chairman of the annual hunt.
“We hope everybody brings their kids and enjoys the morning,” Crain said.
Each child needs to bring their own basket to collect the eggs, which will have coupons from area businesses or candy in them.
Preschool children should go to the area below #2 Shelter House, kindergarten through second grade children will meet south of the #2 Shelter House and third, fourth and fifth grade children will meet on the north side of the entrance road to the park, Crain said.
Parking is by #1, #2 and #3 Shelter houses.
The Easter Bunny will be there and photos can be taken with the bunny by parents, Eckles said.
Fort Scott High School Key Club and the Mud Turtle Softball Team helped stuff the eggs with coupons and candy, Eckles said.
Some Key Club students will help the morning of the hunt as well, he said.
The annual event is funded by donations from the community that includes cash from Diehl, Banwart and Bolton CPA, R & R Equipment, Heidrick’s Hardware, Big Sugar Lumber, Don’s Spirits, Iron Star Antiques and Such, Merle Humphrey Insurance and Photography, Max’s Way Station.
Coupons for the eggs are provided by the following businesses:
Fort Cinema, Marsha’s Deli, Leanna’s Flowers, Nu Grille, McDonald’s Restaurant, Dairy Queen, Papa Don’s Restaurant, Bids and Dibs Resale Shop, and HedgehogInk Bookstore.
Cooper Street Closed Starting April 7 at 7 a.m.
April 6th, 2022
The City of Fort Scott Street Department will be closing Cooper Street from East National Avenue to 20th Street starting Thursday, April 7th, 2022 at 7:00 a.m. until further notice to repair the street.
Should you have any questions, call City Hall at 620-223-0550.
We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience during this time.