“We want to help with that,” Everett said. “But the area of intense interest to me is the riverfront area at Bridal Veil Park (off of West Second Street). I’ve been evaluating that area in hopes of meeting criteria for Kansas University’s Monarch Watch program.”
Category Archives: Fort Scott
FS Offices Closed For Labor Day
The City of Fort Scott Administrative Office will be closed on Monday, September 6th, 2021 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. The offices will reopen on Tuesday, September 7th, 2021.
The City’s tree and brush dump site located on North Hill will also be closed on Saturday, September 4th, 2021 for the Labor Day holiday. It will be open again on Tuesday, September 7th, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
What’s Happening in Fort Scott Weekly Newsletter
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Former Family Video Building For Lease
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2021 Gordon Parks Museum Photo Contest Starts
The 2021 Gordon Parks Museum to feature Photo Contest
Fort Scott, KS. -The Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College, will feature a photo contest sponsored by Merl Humphrey Photography. This event is inspired by Gordon Parks, who started his career in fashion photography and chose a camera to fight against racism, discrimination, and poverty.
The theme of the contest, “Fashion and Diversity”, is for any amateur photographer. Photographers are invited to capture the essence of the theme.
Non-professional photographers of any age and skill level are invited to take pictures for the project and may enter up to two photos in JPEG format with less than 2MB. There will be a first place ($100), second place ($75) and third place ($50) prize and up to five honorable mentions. All photos submitted will be on exhibit at The Gordon Parks Museum and in the Ellis Family Fine Arts Center Oct. 7 – 9, 2021. All photos will also be posted on the Gordon Parks Museum website and Facebook page. Judges for the photo contest will be professional photographer, Veretta Cobler and established make-up artist and hair stylist, Donna Fumoso based in New York City.
Photographs must be submitted via e-mail to [email protected]. All photos must be attached in JPEG format and limit file size to less than 2 MB. All entries will be confirmed via email. Photographers should submit (in their email) a title, along with their name, address, email, phone number and share a one or two sentence on what inspired the photo. If under 10 years old, please include parent’s information. Photos should be received via email by Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at the latest.
For more information, email [email protected] or by phone call 223-2700, ext. 5850.
USD 234 Board News Release
NEWS RELEASE
Wednesday, August 25, 2021 – 6:00 p.m.
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at the Fort Scott Middle School Commons on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, for a special board meeting.
President James Wood opened the meeting. Mr. Wood opened the Budget Hearing. Gina Shelton, Business Manager/Board Clerk, presented information regarding the 2021-22 budget. Mr. Wood closed the Budget Hearing
Board members approved the 2021-22 budget.
Board members heard a presentation by Dr. Doug Shane.
Several patrons spoke during the public forum.
Board members approved the following employment matters:
A. Resignation of Allison Dey, Eugene Ware paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year
B. Resignation of Jessica Johnson, Eugene Ware paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year
C. Leave of absence for Haleigh Lowry, Winfield Scott cook
D. Transfer of Megan Hull, Winfield Scott paraprofessional, to Eugene Ware paraprofessional for the 2021-22 school year; transfer of Vangie Korinke, Eugene Ware paraprofessional, to Winfield Scott paraprofessional for the 2021-22 school year
E. Employment of Andon Prestley as a Eugene Ware paraprofessional for the 2021-22 school year
F. Employment of Mikiah Anderson as a preschool center paraprofessional for the 2021-22 school year
G. Employment of Laryn Thompson as a middle school 7.5-hour paraprofessional for the 2021-22 school year
H. Employment of Shytanna Reed as a middle school paraprofessional for the 2021-22 school year
I. Employment of teacher mentors for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years
J. Resignation of DeLynn Abati as the high school play assistant, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year
K. Employment of Josh Hudiburg as a middle school assistant boys’ basketball coach for the 2021-22 school year
The board adjourned.
NEWS RELEASE From USD 234
Wednesday, August 25, 2021 – 5:30 p.m.
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at the Fort Scott Middle School Commons on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, for a special board meeting.
President James Wood opened the meeting. Mr. Wood opened the Revenue Neutral Hearing. Gina Shelton, Business Manager/Board Clerk, presented information regarding the Revenue Neutral Hearing. Mr. Wood closed the Revenue Neutral Hearing.
Board members approved the following:
· Resolution 21-07 – To Adopt LOB Percentage
· Resolution 21-08 – A Resolution expressing the Property Taxation Policy of USD 234 Fort Scott with Respect to Exceeding the Revenue Neutral Tax Rate for Financing the Annual Budget for 2021-22
The board adjourned.
New Realtor Added to Lyons Realty Group: Chelsea Harrison
Jazz and R and B Violinist to Play October 8
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Chamber Coffee hosted by Museum of Creativity on August 26
Chamber Coffee hosted by Museum of Creativity
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee this Thursday, August 26th at 8 a.m. hosted by Museum of Creativity located at 102 S. National Ave. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served and attendees may enter a drawing for door prizes.
Owners Lorina & Jonathan have recently been working on renovations as funds become available. They welcome everyone to come and see what they have changed and accomplished since they have become Chamber members.
Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.
Parks Celebration to feature Contemporary Jazz and R&B Violinist
The 2021 Gordon Parks Celebration to feature Contemporary Jazz and R&B Violinist, Dominique Hammons.
Fort Scott-The Gordon Parks Celebration, scheduled for October 7 – 9, 2021, at Fort Scott Community College, will feature Contemporary Jazz and R&B violinist, Dominique Hammons in a music performance at 7:30 p.m. at the River Room in Fort Scott, KS on Friday, October 8th. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and a cash bar will be available.
This performance event was supported in part by Peerless Products, INC. in Fort Scott, KS.
“We are very excited that we were able to bring Dominique Hammons back to Fort Scott once again for another electrifying performance.” This provides another great opportunity for anyone that was not able to attend Dominique’s last performance here to a packed house at the Liberty Theater.” said Kirk Sharp, Gordon Parks Museum Director.
Dominique Hammons is a young, energetic, Contemporary/Jazz and R&B Violinist from Houston, TX and started playing classical violin at the age of eight.
Hammons attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston and was a member of the school orchestra program for four years. After high school, Dominique attended the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma, and graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Performance with an emphasis in Jazz.
During the early part of middle and high school years, Hammons performed for four years with the Houston Youth Symphony Orchestra, receiving high accolades for excellence. Dominique also performed with other orchestra and chamber groups such as Virtuosi of Houston and TMEA All-State Orchestra. He was also chosen to study and perform with the Diaz Music Institute’s Youth Latin Jazz group, “Caliente”.
According from his biography, his ‘God given’ talent has been recognized with many awards and among them, the Houston Symphony’s “Young Artist Competition”, where he won the opportunity to play a solo on stage with the Houston Symphony. He also competed and won medals and recognitions while participating in NAACP “Actso” competitions.
Since graduation, Dominique has gravitated to teaching classical violin lessons to the youth who desire to follow in his footsteps; and continues to perform in the Houston and surrounding cities as a solo artist. His popularity has risen in high demand to perform at many venues and performs various genres of music such as classical, pop, gospel, jazz, hip hop and R&B. His unique blend of music and style has granted him to perform across the nation such as Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, and Washington State.*(2020)
Hammon’s Musical career has led him to perform at the following events:
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Selected to play the National Anthem during the pre-game show at the Houston Rockets game in November of 2018.
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He was selected to audition for the ‘2019 America’s Got Talent’ competition.
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Opening act for Johnathan Butler at the 2018 Martini Blue Jazz Festival. (Which Dominique received a standing ovation of a crowd of (3,000.)
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Headliner for City of College Park & 7Flavors of Smooth Jazz Festival, Atlanta, GA.
Tickets are $30 each or $35 at the door. Tickets will be available at the Gordon Parks Museum located on the campus at Fort Scott Community College or over the phone (620)-223-2700 ext. 5850.
For more information about the Celebration, see the website at gordonparkscenter.org or email [email protected] or by phone call 223-2700, ext. 5850.
Coon Rentals Purchases 17 S. Main
The building known for years as the Kress Building has been sold to Coon Rentals LLC.
History
The building at 17 S. Main most recently housed a grocery store that had been a recipient of SPARK money, which was federal money given to the state who gave the money to local governments to help businesses during the pandemic.
BAJA Investments had purchased the building, remodeled it, purchased supplies and equipment, and opened a grocery store called The Star Emporium Downtown General Store in January 2021 and closed in May 2021, citing not enough business.
BAJA Investments had received a $450,000 grant from SPARK to provide a downtown grocery store.
To learn more about the SPARK program: https://covid.ks.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/SPARK-Overview-06.16.20.pdf
“They (BAJA) did give it an effort,” he said. “And if the traffic would have been there…but it wasn’t. He had all the receipts, there was accountability for this.”
Coon Rentals LLC paid $158,000 for the building in an auction last week.
“When that business failed, the county had two options,” Bourbon County Commissioner Lynne Oharah said. “Let the business go into bankruptcy, which would have taken over a year. Or sell the property and it goes back on the county tax rolls.”
“We are in the process of closing on the property,” he said.
To see prior stories on the business:
Star Emporium Downtown General Store to Open Next Week
Star Emporium Closes in Downtown Fort Scott
New Owners
“Coon Rentals LLC will manage and maintain the building for its new tenants, soon to come,” Robert Coon said. Coon who with his wife, Kimberly, owns the business.
“There have been so many negative vibes regarding the grant the previous business there had, but I don’t think anyone thought of the greatness of it: federal money came to Kansas, to Bourbon County,” Coon said. “Then the grant was used partly to revitalize a building. In the process, lots of small local businesses received some of those funds to work on the building. That’s economic development at its finest.”
“I also think the current (Bourbon County) commissioners should be applauded for salvaging the situation with the building,” Coon said. “Commissioners had a decision to make regarding acquiring the building and redistribution to avoid lots of issues.”
“We have three businesses, A1 Towing, A1 Bill Bonds, and Coon Rentals LLC, ” Coon said. “None require a storefront.”
“We are going to lease that building to a business,” He said. “That agreement is in process. They will operate in the whole downstairs portion of the building.”
“We are going to remodel the upstairs and have more professional businesses there,” he said.