Category Archives: Fort Scott

Bourbon County, Fair, Food, Fort Scott

Christmas Party To Improve Bourbon County Fairgrounds Cloverleaf Event Center Is December 12

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Local businesses are joining together for a Christmas Party to raise money for improvements to the Cloverleaf Event Center at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds, on South Horton Street in Fort Scott.
Submitted graphic.
Cohn’s Cafe on Main Street will cater the event.  A tasting menu will include:  Bourbon Maple Burger Sliders, Bacon-wrapped Chicken Bites, Meatballs in Marinara, Twice-Baked, BBQ Brisket Potato, Spinach Dip and Chips, and a Seasonal Soup.
The menu will feature locally sourced products.  Blue Dog Wine Company will be providing wine samples that pair with the menu.
Submitted graphic.
For those who do not prefer wine, Mmm Flavor Shop will have a Tea Bar with a variety of herbal and black teas.  Mmm Flavor Shop will also have a Spiced Up Dessert Bar.
  These desserts will be easy to replicate at home.  Some of the offerings will be Saffron Coconut Cake, Spicy Brownies, and Chai Angel Food Cake.
Submitted graphic.
Sunshine Boutique will be having a Christmas Centerpiece Class to start the evening.  Attendees can also make a customized pen with WriteOn!.
Submitted graphic.
This event will be Friday, December 12th starting at 6 pm.  Tickets are $75 and will be available for purchase until November 30th.  You can reserve your tickets at the included link.
Fort Scott, Government

Amended Agenda for the FS City Commission on November 17

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NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR

MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

City Hall Commission Room – 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

November 18, 2025  –  6:00 P.M.

 

                                       AMENDED     

  

  1.     Call to Order/Roll Call
  2. Pledge of Allegiance

III.       Invocation

  1. Approval of Agenda
  2. Consent Agenda
  3. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1396-A – Expense Approval Report –

      Payment Dates of November 1, 2025 – November 11, 2025  – $190,896.79

  1. Approval of Minutes: Special Meeting of November 1, 2025, and Regular Meeting of    

      November 3, 2025

  1. October Financials
  2. Approval of 2026 Cereal Malt Beverage (CMB) Licenses: Walmart, G&W Foods and

      Casey’s General Store

 

  1. Public Comment

VII.      Appearances

  1. Lisa Dillon/Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization Coordinator – Consideration of Resolution No. 39-2025 – A Resolution to Support the Main Street Program

 

VIII.   Unfinished Business

 

  1. New Business

Public Hearings:

  1. Consideration of Resolution No. 40-2025 – A Resolution Of The Governing Body Of The City Of Fort Scott, Kansas Determining The Advisability Of Issuing Taxable Industrial Revenue Bonds For The Purpose Of Financing The Acquisition, Renovation, Furnishing, And Equipping Of A Commercial Facility Located In The City; And Authorizing Execution Of Related Documents – Fort Scott Dialysis – 2526 S. Main Street – Dominic Eck/Gilmore & Bell
  2. Consideration of Resolution No. 25-2025 – Resolution Directing the Repair or Removal of an Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure at 18 S. HOLBROOK – Tabled from September 16, 2025
  3. Consideration of Resolution No. 35-2025 A Resolution Directing the Repair or Removal of an Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure at 1815 E. OAK – L. Kruger
  4. Consideration of Resolution No. 36-2025 Resolution Directing the Repair or Removal of an Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure at 1626 E. PINE – L. Kruger
  5. Consideration of Resolution No. 37-2025 A Resolution Directing the Repair or Removal of an Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure at 1403 E. OAK – L. Kruger
  6. Consideration of Resolution No. 38-2025 A Resolution Directing the Repair or Removal of an Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure at 505 S. COUCH – L. Kruger

 

Action Items:

  1. Consideration of Proposals for Fort Scott Lake Lift Station – B. Lemke and S. Flater
  2. Consideration of 2026 City Holiday Schedule – B. Matkin
  3. Consideration of Ordinance No. 3791 – An Ordinance Providing For The Salaries Of The Appointive Officers And Employees Of The City Of Fort Scott, KS And Replacing Ordinance No. 3779 – B. Matkin
  4. D. Consideration of Ordinance No. 3787 – An Ordinance Amending Chapter 10.04 0f The Fort Scott Municipal Code To Incorporate The Standard Traffic Ordinance By Reference Repealing And Replacing Ordinance No. 3772.
  5. Consideration of Ordinance No. 3788 – An Ordinance Increasing the Basic Monthly Charge for Sanitary Sewer Rates in the City of Fort Scott by Amending Chapter 13.24.100 and 13.24.110 of the Fort Scott Municipal Code and Repealing Ordinance No. 3778
  6. Consideration of Ordinance No. 3789 – An Ordinance Setting New Water Rates and Repealing Ordinance No. 3777 for the City of Fort Scott, Bourbon County, Kansas, Pursuant to the Fort Scott Municipal Code, Chapter 13.04.030.
  7. Consideration of Ordinance No. 3790 – An Ordinance Amending the Fort Scott Stormwater User Charge and Repealing Ordinance No. 3776 for the City of Fort Scott, Bourbon County, Kansas, Pursuant to the Fort Scott Municipal Code, Chapter 13.24.121
  8. Discussion of Ordinance for Limit on Number of Dogs

 

  1. Reports and Comments

 

  1. Adjourn

 

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Skating Rink Is Prepared For Christmas on the Bricks

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Volunteers from left: Craig Campbell, Jared Weaver, and Matthew Wells, with the sledgehammer, lay the floor for the synthetic skate rink at the Gathering Pavilion on North National Avenue on November 13.

The skate rink in downtown Fort Scott will soon be ready for the December 5 opening.

The Glide Fort Scott is a 48-by-28-foot synthetic ice skating rink located under the Gathering Square Pavilion, just west of the Fort Scott National Historic Site. across from Brickstreet BBQ Restaurant.

Volunteers Craig Campbell, Jared Weaver and Matthew Wells , along with some inmates from the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center, were assembling the flooring on November 13 on a mild fall day.

Matt Wells, Craig Campbell, a Bourbon County Jail inmate, and Jared Weaver assemble the flooring for the rink on November 13. A Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Deputy is at far right.

Campbell, Weaver, and Wells volunteered last year also on the project, which was disassembled and stored until the annual Christmas on the Bricks weekend this December. Robert Coon also volunteered to use his skid steer to move all the materials from storage to the rink site. The flooring materials were made last year and stored, and are now reused for the project.

Once the flooring was finished, the next step was the railing around the perimeter of the rink, then the Christmas lights.

The Glide Fort Scott, from its Facebook page.

 

Volunteers work on the skate rink in preparation for the Dec. 5 opening date.

For more information:

(620) 223-3566
[email protected]
theglidefortscott · 
Confirmed link
fortscott.com/the-glide-fort-scott
The Glide Fort Scott during the Christmas season 2024, from its Facebook page.

 

Taken from the Christmas on the Bricks Facebook page.
Fort Scott, Government

Agenda for the Fort Scott City Commission On November 18

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NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR

MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

City Hall Commission Room – 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

November 18, 2025  –  6:00 P.M.

                                                          

  1.     Call to Order/Roll Call
  2. Pledge of Allegiance

III.       Invocation

  1. Approval of Agenda
  2. Consent Agenda
  3. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1396-A – Expense Approval Report –

      Payment Dates of November 1, 2025 – November 11, 2025  – $190,896.79

  1. Approval of Minutes: Special Meeting of November 1, 2025, and Regular Meeting of    

      November 3, 2025

  1. October Financials
  2. Approval of 2026 Cereal Malt Beverage (CMB) Licenses: Walmart, G&W Foods and

      Casey’s General Store

 

  1. Public Comment

VII.      Appearances

  1. Lisa Dillon/Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization Coordinator – Housing Update and

      consideration of Resolution No. 39-2025 – A Resolution to Support the Main Street

Program

 

VIII.   Unfinished Business

 

  1. New Business

Public Hearings:

  1. Consideration of Resolution No. 40-2025 – A Resolution Of The Governing Body Of The City Of Fort Scott, Kansas Determining The Advisability Of Issuing Taxable Industrial Revenue Bonds For The Purpose Of Financing The Acquisition, Renovation, Furnishing, And Equipping Of A Commercial Facility Located In The City; And Authorizing Execution Of Related Documents – Fort Scott Dialysis – 2526 S. Main Street – Dominic Eck/Gilmore & Bell
  2. Consideration of Resolution No. 25-2025 – Resolution Directing the Repair or Removal of an Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure at 18 S. HOLBROOK – Tabled from September 16, 2025
  3. Consideration of Resolution No. 34-2025 A Resolution Directing the Repair or Removal of an Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure at 308 N. MINERAL – L. Kruger
  4. Consideration of Resolution No. 35-2025 A Resolution Directing the Repair or Removal of an Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure at 1815 E. OAK – L. Kruger
  5. Consideration of Resolution No. 36-2025 Resolution Directing the Repair or Removal of an Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure at 1626 E. PINE – L. Kruger
  6. Consideration of Resolution No. 37-2025 A Resolution Directing the Repair or Removal of an Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure at 1403 E. OAK – L. Kruger
  7. Consideration of Resolution No. 38-2025 A Resolution Directing the Repair or Removal of an Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure at 505 S. COUCH – L. Kruger

 

Action Items:

  1. Consideration of Proposals for Fort Scott Lake Lift Station – B. Lemke and S. Flater
  2. Consideration of 2026 City Holiday Schedule – B. Matkin
  3. Consideration of Ordinance No. 3786 – An Ordinance Providing For The Salaries Of The Appointive Officers And Employees Of The City Of Fort Scott, KS And Replacing Ordinance No. 3779 – B. Matkin
  4. D. Consideration of Ordinance No. 3787 – An Ordinance Amending Chapter 10.04 0f The Fort Scott Municipal Code To Incorporate The Standard Traffic Ordinance By Reference Repealing And Replacing Ordinance No. 3772.
  5. Consideration of Ordinance No. 3788 – An Ordinance Increasing the Basic Monthly Charge for Sanitary Sewer Rates in the City of Fort Scott by Amending Chapter 13.24.100 and 13.24.110 of the Fort Scott Municipal Code and Repealing Ordinance No. 3778
  6. Consideration of Ordinance No. 3789 – An Ordinance Setting New Water Rates and Repealing Ordinance No. 3777 for the City of Fort Scott, Bourbon County, Kansas, Pursuant to the Fort Scott Municipal Code, Chapter 13.04.030.
  7. Consideration of Ordinance No. 3790 – An Ordinance Amending the Fort Scott Stormwater User Charge and Repealing Ordinance No. 3776 for the City of Fort Scott, Bourbon County, Kansas, Pursuant to the Fort Scott Municipal Code, Chapter 13.24.121
  8. Discussion of Ordinance for Limit on Number of Dogs

 

  1. Reports and Comments

 

  1. Adjourn

 

Food, Fort Scott

Kiwanis Pioneers Host Drive Through Chili Feed Fundraiser is November 18

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Submitted photo.

 

With November comes cooler weather and thoughts of piping hot comfort food.  The Kiwanis Club of Fort Scott Pioneers stands ready to dish up some warm satisfying fare as they hold their 37th annual Chili Feed on Tuesday, November 18th  at the First United Methodist Church at 301 South National in Fort Scott.  A meal of the Pioneers’ signature chili with crackers and a homemade cinnamon roll will be served from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. for a free will donation (suggested minimum $8.00 donation per meal) to be collected at the door.

This is the Kiwanis Pioneers’ major fundraiser for the year.  In keeping with the Kiwanis motto of “Improving the world one child and one community at a time”, the Pioneers support more than 40 community projects including College scholarships, CASA, the Backpack food program, FSHS Key Club, Head Start, the Beacon, Foster Kids, CORE, Feeding Families in his Name, Care to Share, and school reading and arts programs.  “All of the funds raised stay in Bourbon County” stated Kiwanis Pioneer President Kelley Collins.

“The annual fundraiser will be drive through only.” according to Collins. Pick-ups will be available under the canopy on the National Avenue side of the church.  Please take care not to block private driveways as you are waiting in line for service.

Deliveries will be available for orders of ten or more by calling 620-224-0563 during serving hours.

 

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Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee Hosted by Sunshine Boutique on November 13

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Join us for Chamber Coffee

hosted by

Sunshine Boutique
Thursday, November 13th

8am

@ Sunshine Boutique

18 E. Wall St.

We hope to see you there!

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee this Thursday, November 13th at 8am hosted by Sunshine Boutique, 18 E. Wall St. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served, and attendees will have the opportunity to win a door prize drawing.

On October 18, 2025, Sunshine Boutique marked 45 years of service in the heart of historic downtown Fort Scott. The boutique is proud and grateful to have served the community for nearly half a century.

Sunshine Boutique has become a versatile destination for the entire region, offering new and trendy gift ideas for all occasions. Along with over 40 flavors of whole-bean coffees, the store boasts the largest selection of Skinny Syrups around, boutique clothing for children and adults, year-round fresh and “forever” flowers, and a perfectly curated lineup of tuxedos available for rent or purchase.

Sunshine Boutique has been privileged to serve the community for so many years, and they look forward to serving the community for another generation.

For more information, contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566. Visit the Events Calendar on fortscott.com and click on the “Chamber Coffees” category for upcoming hosts and locations.

Click HERE to visit

Sunshine Boutique’s

Facebook Page!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

620-223-3566

fortscott.com
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College, Government, Youth

Community Endeavors To Honor Veterans With Flags and Ceremonies

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Submitted photo.

Early this morning community volunteers placed American flags on National Avenue from the Fort Scott Police Station, 1604 S. National Avenue, to the U.S. National Cemetery, on east National Avenue.

Submitted photo.

The Fort Scott Chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization, the Fort Scott Fire Department, Fort Scott Community College Softball Team members and other volunteers, placed  American flags on National Avenue that leads into the national cemetery.

“We do it every year, ” said Fort Scott Fire Department Assistant Chief Mike Miles. “On holidays such as Flag Day, Veterans Day, Fourth of July, Memorial Day. We start at 7 to 8 a.m. then pick them up before dusk.”

“The vets take all the help they can, there are a couple of hundred flags to place,” he said. “Whoever will get involved.”

An estimated crowd of 30 helped this morning.

Submitted photo.

At noon today, there was a Veterans Day Program at Memorial Hall at 11 a.m. followed by a ham and bean lunch at the VFW on South National Avenue. In both the USD234 School District and USD235 School District there were Veteran honoring assemblies at different schools.

Submitted photo.

History of Veterans Day, taken fromhttps://department.va.gov/veterans-day/history-of-veterans-day/

“World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.”

Submitted photo.
Submitted photo.
Submitted story.

 

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

Minutes of the USD234 Board of Education Meeting New Release on November 10

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Unified School District 234

424 South Main

Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697

www.usd234.org

620-223-0800   Fax 620-223-2760

 

DESTRY BROWN                                                                                                                                                  

Superintendent                                                                                                                                            

 

 

 

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING

NEWS RELEASE

Monday, November 10, 2025

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, November 10, 2025, for their regular monthly meeting at Fort Scott Middle School

 

President David Stewart opened the meeting.

 

The board approved the official agenda, and the consent agenda as follows:

Board Minutes

10-13-25

Financials – Cash Flow Report

Check Register

Payroll – October 20, 2025 – $1,826,376.48

Activity Funds Accounts

USD 234 Gifts

Resolution 25-13 Add Bank Signers

FCA Fundraising Application

Orchestra Fundraising Application

Choir Fundraising Application

 

DJ Brown, Middle School Principal, and a couple from his team were able to present to the Board. Travis Wilcoxen, SPED teacher, gave a report about Special Olympics. Track & Field, Basketball, Bowling, and Corn hole are a few of the events that the students have been participating in. Tracy Homan, Language Arts Teacher, is working with Student council and Leadership Class students. They are focusing on creating a positive school culture where students enjoy coming to school. They also will be attending Leadership and Team Building at Greenbush throughout the year. Matt Harris, Assistant Principal, explained about the advisory period schedule. This is designed to specifically help students in ELA, Math, Social Studies, and Science. The teachers can work directly with students on skills that will help keep them on grade level. They have seen great growth with this program. Mr. Brown informed on the Veteran’s Day program the Middle School will be having on Wednesday. He also explained that a major goal for the school is building relationships between staff and students. The staff is working great together to make sure each student is involved and has someone they can turn to.

 

Assistant Superintendent Terry Mayfield provided information on the completed financial audit and the upcoming KSDE audit. Mr. Mayfield is working on several grants that will help offset some costs with the Preschool and the CTE program.

 

Assistant Superintendent Zach Johnson updated the Board on the Veterans’ Day Assemblies that will be held throughout the district on Tuesday and Wednesday. He also updated on iReady testing and other training that has been taking place.

 

Special Education Director Tonya Barnes praised the SPED team and informed the Board of future planning for transitioning students between buildings.

 

There were none present for public forum.

 

The Board went into an executive session for personnel matters.

 

President David Stewart adjourned the meeting.

 

PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED

November 10, 2025

 

RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:

 

Hazen, Clint – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Eugene Ware

Jackman, Sara – Supplemental Resignation – History Club – High School

Mitchell, Jacqui – Supplemental Resignation – PBIS – Winfield Scott

Pearson, Vanessa – Resignation – Paraprofessional – KRI

 

LEAVE OF ABSENCE:

 

Nation, Laura – LOA – Winfield Scott

 

TRANSFER:

 

Brown, Jodi – Speech Pathologist – .5 to .75

Whitt, Derrick – ISS Supervisor – High School to Alternative School Director

 

EMPLOYMENT:

 

Classified Recommendations for 2025-26 School year:

 

Brown, Khya – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott

Isaac, Britney – Paraprofessional – High School

Khang, Julianne – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott

Lail, Brandon – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott

 

Supplemental Recommendations for the 2025-26 school year:

 

Allen, Brian – History Club – High School

Bowels, Kendall – PBIS – Winfield Scott

Coyan, Paula – Assistant Softball – High School

Hartman, Heather – Assistant Softball – High School

Nelson, Andrew – PBIS – Eugene Ware

Nickelson, Aaron – Assistant Softball – High School

Norris, Danielle – PBIS – Eugene Ware

Whitt, Derrick – Assistant Girl’s Basketball – High School

 

Fort Scott, Youth

Mesa Casper Will Compete at Cross Country National Championship

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Submitted photo.
2024 Fort Scott High School Graduate, Mesa Casper, will compete with her collegiate team, the Spires, of the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth at the NAIA Cross Country National Championships in Tallahassee, FL on Friday, November 21st.  The team clenched their national qualification with a close runner up finish at the KCAC Championships on November 8th on their home course in Leavenworth.
Additionally, Casper was named the KCAC Champion of Character for her team at the KCAC Conference Championships.
“The KCAC (Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference) Champions of Character awards recognize student-athletes and teams who best represent the NAIA Champions of Character Program’s mission. These awards honor individuals and groups that exemplify the program’s five core values: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership. The awards are presented to those who demonstrate these values both on and off the field.”
Casper is in her sophomore year at the University of Saint Mary where she is majoring in Nursing and competes on the Cross Country and Track teams.  She was a 6 time 4A State Qualifier in Cross Country and Track as a Tiger Runner.
Submitted photo.
Fort Scott

Tri-Valley Receives Grant for Life-Saving AED Trainers

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Tri-Valley Developmental Services (TVDS) is proud to announce the receipt of a $2,943 grant from the Fort Scott Community Foundation and the John Valentine and Patricia Jean Neff Health Care Fund.  The grant will be used to purchase AED (Automated External Defibrillator) Training Devices that will be utilized in Tri-Valley’s monthly CPR/1st Aid Classes.  Tri-Valley offers multiple CPR/1st Aid classes throughout the month for Tri-Valley Staff, Persons Served, and External Agencies.

“Tri-Valley is grateful to the Fort Scott Community Foundation and the John Valentine and Patricia Jean Neff Health Care Fund for enabling us to train not only our staff, but persons served and other community members on the proper use of these life saving devices.  The use of these AED Trainers will not only be beneficial to Tri-Valley but to the community at large,” said Bill Fiscus, CEO.  “Tri-Valley appreciates the support given to us by the Fort Scott Community Foundation.”

The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation (FSACF) hosts individual charitable funds created by donors who have a passion for giving back to their community. Grants from these funds assist people throughout Southeast Kansas and beyond.  FSACF is an affiliate of Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK).  Call CFSEK at 620-231-8897 with questions about FSACF.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tricia Campbell

Special Projects Coordinator

Tri-Valley Developmental Services, Inc.

PO Box 518

Chanute, KS 66720

620-431-7655