Category Archives: Fort Scott

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

Chelsea Harrison, 28, is a new realtor at Lyons Realty Group.
Originally from Frontenac,  in 2012 she moved to Fort Scott and fell in love with the community, she said.
She started a career in health care and worked for the Mercy Physicians Group, transitioning to Mercy Emergency Room until the closure of the hospital.
“Up until recently, I held a position at the office of Dr. Katrina Burke,” she said.
She decided on a career change after renovating a home.
“My interest in real estate started when my fiance and I purchased our first home and did a full renovation on the property,” she said. “It was such a rewarding experience to be able to create our own space and watch it transition into our family home”
“My fiance and I have two boys, 4 and 6 years old,” Harrison said.
” I fell in love with the idea of getting to help other clients and families find their dream homes,” Harrison said.
“I was immediately drawn to Lyons Realty Group for that reason,” she said. “Upon meeting with Bailey, it became clear that the mission of Lyons Realty Group was to truly serve the client and give them the best possible experience when purchasing or selling their home, which made it a great fit for me.”
“After working in health care for the last 10 years, I am truly excited to be able to serve the community of Fort Scott and surrounding areas in a new way,” she said.
Lyons’ Realty Group, taken from its Facebook page.
Contact Harrison at the Lyons Realty Group office:  620.266.9448 or her cell phone: 620.249.9825, or her email:
 chelsea@lyonsrealtygrp.com

Jazz and R and B Violinist to Play October 8

The Gordon Parks Museum Presents:
“DOMINIQUE HAMMONS”
“I AM STRADIVARI”
Multi-Talented Contemporary
Jazz & R&B Violinist
PERFORMING AT
The River Room
3 W. OAK ST., FORT SCOTT, KS 66701
Doors open at 6:30 pm
Performance at 7:30 pm
Tickets: $30 in advance, or $35 at the door.
Tickets are available at the Gordon Parks Museum or over the phone (620) 223.2700, Ext. 5850
ClickHERE to visit the Gordon Parks Museum website.
Click HEREto view the Press release from The Gordon Parks Museum and learn more about his amazing and talented performer that is coming to Fort Scott!

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:

  • Selected to play the National Anthem during the pre-game show at the Houston Rockets game in November of 2018.

  • He was selected to audition for the ‘2019 America’s Got Talent’ competition.

  • Opening act for Johnathan Butler at the 2018 Martini Blue Jazz Festival. (Which Dominique received a standing ovation of a crowd of (3,000.)

  • 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

17 S. Main, January 2021.

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

Robert and Kimberly Coon. Submitted photo.

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.”

A1 Towing and Moving, Fort Scott, move shelving into the new grocery store, at 17  S. Main on November 4, 2020.

“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.

 

Fort Scott Town-Wide Garage Sale Sept. 10-11

Mark your calendars for the Fall Town-wide Garage Sale on Friday and Saturday, September 10th and 11th. Now is the time to get your garage sale on the map.

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce encourages residents in Fort Scott to do your Fall cleaning and make room for something new. Garage sales may be registered through the Chamber by 1 pm, Tuesday, September 7th for only $10. The registration fee lists your sale on the official garage sale map, two colorful balloons and enables the Chamber to advertise the sale throughout the region on the radio, newspaper, social media and the Chamber website.

Businesses are encouraged to advertise on the official garage sale map, which will be distributed to shoppers the week of the Town-wide Garage Sale. The maps will be distributed from local stores and the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. The cost to place a business ad or coupon is $25 for small ad and $35 for larger ad. The garage sale maps will be available and printed on Thursday, September 9th by 1 pm at 5-Corners Mini-Mart, Bids & Dibs, Casey’s, Don’s Smoke Shop, all Pete’s locations, and The Fort Scott Chamber.

Garage sales may be registered in person at the Chamber office, 8am-5pm Mon-Fri, located at 231 E. Wall Street or by phone using debit or credit card by calling (620) 223-3566.

Friday Night Free Concert: Scarborough, Lundeen, Tucker, Carlson

Free Friday Night Concerts are sponsored by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce and coordinated by Ralph Carlson. The event is usually at First and Main Streets, Fort Scott. In case of inclement weather, the event is moved to indoor venues.

The first half of this week’s Friday Night Concert will be presented by local area musicians Doug Scarborough and Michael Lundeen.

Scarborough sings and plays guitar and Lundeen plays keyboard. The duo will feature country, folk, and gospel music. A self-taught guitarist at age 14, Scarborough will perform two of his original songs, “Dust on the Bible” and “You’re the One.” Lundeen began studying piano at the age of six and has a vast repertoire of hymns, gospel, 1930s music, and songs from his youth.

The second half of the show will feature Carolyn Tucker on vocals and keyboard, and Ralph Carlson on guitar. Both of these musician friends began playing at the age of nine; between the two of them they have 132 years of musicianship. Their set will include Latin guitar classics, gospel instrumental and vocal favorites, and some 1940s tunes.

Come out and join us for a special opportunity to see friends and support the gift of music in our area. We are happy to offer a show with such a wide variety of songs in the downtown park pavilion,“ concert series organizer Ralph Carlson said.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Park Pavilion at First and Main streets. The shows, sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, are free and open to the public. Dave Oas of Parsons serves as sound technician each week. Due to limited seating, attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall Street.

What’s Happening in Fort Scott: August 20 Newsletter

What’s Happening in Fort Scott!
August 13th ~ Weekly Newsletter
Let’s start the weekend with the Friday night concert in the Park!
UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS
________________
TROLLEY TOURS!
Every Friday & Saturday!
50-minute Narrated Trolley Tour
of Historic Fort Scott. Every hour on the hour. Depart from the Fort Scott
Chamber at 231 E. Wall St.
Friday hours: 11 am until 3 pm
Saturday hours: 10 am until 3 pm.
$6 Adults & $4 for 12 yrs & under.
THE FORT SCOTT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE OFFERS DAILY GUIDED TOURS AT 10 AM & 1 PM, 7 DAYS/WEEK.
FREE – See more details below.
8/20 – Friday Night Concert in the Park -Neosho River Boys here Live! (7 pm). Clickherefor info.
8/20 thru 8/28 – Hedgehog.INK! Sale of 25% off Romance Novel Sale! Clickhere for info
8/20 & 8/21 ~ Fort Scott Livestock Sale. Click here for info.
8/20 – 8/26 – Fort Scott Cinema. Now showing:
Free Guy, Jungle Cruise & Paw Patrol. Click here for more showtimes and upcoming movies.
8/20- CORNHOLE FUN AT HOLMTOWN PUB, EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT AT 6 PM. Click herefor more information.
8/20 – Boiler Room Brewhaus:Whiskey Outlaws make their debut at 7 pm. Click hereto learn more.
8/21 – Boiler Room Brewhaus:Outlaws and Bandits Live at 10 pm & Saturday. Click hereto learn more.
8/21- Farmers’ Market, 8 am to noon, Skubitz Plaza in front of the Fort.
8/21 ~ The Lavender Patch Farm will be open this Saturday! 9 am until 1 pm. Limited days open on the off-season. Visit their website to learn more about events & hours open, click here.
8/21 ~ EKTEC Rodeo in Uniontown (Eastern Kansas Timed Event Circuit) To learn more about events & hours open, clickhere.
8/21 ~ Hollister Shooting Range Open 1st & 3rd weekend of each month. To learn more about events & hours open click here.
8/21 ~ Care to Share Bike Run, Dinner, Silent Auction & More. Starting at 9 am, Holmtown Pub & Grub. Fundraiser Event. To learn more about this event clickhere.
8/21 ~ Kansas Rocks Riding a Night Run of Fun! 7 pm ~ midnight. To learn more, click here.
8/25 ~ Kansas Rocks Riding a Night Run of Fun! 7 pm ~ midnight. To learn more, click here.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE FORT SCOTT TOWN-WIDE GARAGE SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY & SATURDAY OF
SEPTEMBER 10TH & 11TH
SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!
Downtown Fort Scott is booming!
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
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.
FITNESS FOR EVERYONE IN FS!
Many fitness options are available…
SPIN classesnow offered bySmallville Athletics, every Mon & Wed at 5:15 pm, and Tu & Thurs at 6 pm. $5/class or $50/mo. unlimited.
Total Body Fitness ~ M & W Karen Reinbolt at BRCC@
8:15 am $20/8 week session.
Zumba~ M,W, F @ 6pm Monalynn Decker at BRCC $40 for a 12-week session.
Indoor Fitness/Gyms at
I AM Rehab + Fitness, Smallville Athletics, and Buck Run!
SHOP LOCAL FOR MORE GREAT DEALS!
FOR A LISTING OF ALL SHOPPING NEEDS, VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO VIEW OUR MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY!
THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER BOOSTER MEMBERS!

[Message clipped]  View entire message

FS City Commission: Major Budget Changes

Josh Jones. Submitted photo.
Fort Scott Mayor Josh Jones gave a summary of last night’s budget work session.
“The city presented a proposed budget that includes
1. 3% Raise to employees,
2. 2% reduction in mill levy,
3. $500k improvements to Lake Fort Scott (which will come from the sale of some lake property the city has),
4. $800k added next year for streets (this is from sales tax that was voted on in 2021 but won’t see full funding till 2022),
5. Looked at giving employees potential memberships or reduce rate memberships to city-owned amenities,
6. Looked at giving a bonus to all Public Safety employees,
7. Built-in raises for some areas that had $9 starting wages to $13 to be more competitive in getting more employees and help retention of employees.
“Hopefully this budget will be approved at one of our September meetings,” Jones said.

Bourbon County Local News