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Category Archives: Fort Scott
Fort Scott Sales Tax Question Preliminary Results
Yesterday, Fort Scott citizens voted on the following ballot question:
Shall the following be adopted?
Shall the City of Fort Scott, Kansas be authorized to impose a one-half percent (0.5%) City-wide retailers’ sales tax (the “Sales Tax”), the proceeds of which shall be used for the purpose of financing the following costs and related expenditures:
(a) 80% of the proceeds for street improvements, sidewalks, bike lanes, and curb and gutter, and (b) 10% of the proceeds for Parks and community facilities, and (c) 10% of the proceeds for Public Safety With the collection of the Sales Tax to commence on 7/1/2026; and to expire Ten (10) years after its commencement; all pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 12-187 et seq.,as amended?,
Preliminary election results show 604 votes in favor of adopting the sales tax and 457 against it.
FS Washateria Provides Donated Clothing To Those In Need
Submitted by Linda Lovelace, owner
As we go into the colder time of the year, I want to take the time to remind Fort Scott of the Fort Scott Community Closet.
This is Lori Lovelace, owner of Fort Scott Washateria and Fort Scott Community Closet, located at 501 S National.
We have been providing clothing, coats and other items to those in need of them with the help of the generous folks of this community for six years now.
I want to say a special thanks to St. Mary’s school and Mary Queen of Angels Church who have supported us year after year with coat and clothing drives. We have coats right now along with clothing for any who are in need.
We don’t ask what your circumstances are, we have no income or other requirements, we take in the clothing and other items and give them out, no questions asked.
We can do this because of YOU, Fort Scott.
We are currently bringing out coats and they are hanging on a rack in the Washateria, if you need a coat, come in and check out what we have. We are putting out coats as they are given away so if you don’t find one that fits, stop by again.
The Closet is open Mon-Fri 10-6 if you would like to go through our tubs of clothes as well. To those who are sorting through clothes looking to donate, our most requested items are children’s clothing of all sizes, adult t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, sweat pants, jeans, coats,
Come support FSHS Zero Reasons Why at Papa Don’s Pizza Wednesday, November 5th
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Heartland awards $5,000 to Beacon Food Pantry for facility upgrades
The Beacon Food Pantry in Fort Scott has been awarded $5,000 from Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative’s Concern for Community program for much-needed facility improvements.
The grant funded replacement of the pantry’s inoperable lighting systems. Updated lighting will improve safety and visibility for volunteers and the more than 300 families who rely on the pantry each month for food assistance.
“Food pantries are essential lifelines in rural communities,” said Mark Scheibe, Heartland CEO. “We’re proud to support the Beacon Food Pantry’s mission and help make their facility safer and more welcoming.”
The project was among six chosen this year for a total of $30,000 in funding through Heartland’s Concern for Community program.
Other 2025 grantees include: Kansas State Historical Society, Linn County Fair Association, Moran Youth Recreation, Cherokee County 4-H Council, and Walnut Community Service Organization.
About Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. powers rural lifestyles throughout more than 11,000 locations in eastern Kansas. Heartland’s service area includes consumer-members in 12 counties: Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Cherokee, Coffey, Crawford, Labette, Linn, Miami, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson.
FSHS Thespians Announce Auditions for Children’s Christmas Show
The Fort Scott High School Thespians are holding auditions for A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, adapted by Kathryn Schultz Miller.
Auditions are open to children in 1st-8th grades and take place from 6-8 p.m. on Nov. 17 OR 18 in the FSHS Auditorium. Children do not need to prepare anything in advance, but should plan to stay for the duration of the audition time on one of the nights. Parents should be present at the beginning for information and to fill out audition forms.
Rehearsals are Nov. 19 & 20, Dec. 1-4, and Dec. 9-11 from 6-8 pm. Productions are Dec. 12 and 13 at 7 p.m. There is a $30 participation fee for children cast in the show.
A Christmas Carol is produced by FSHS Theatre Director Angie Bin with direction and design by the FSHS Thespians. Please contact Bin at [email protected] or 620-719-9622 with any questions.
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FSACF Grants $59,000 to Fort Scott and Bourbon County Nonprofits
Over 20 Southeast Kansas nonprofits and 26 projects will be receiving grant funding thanks to the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation’s (FSACF) 2025 granting cycle. $59,378 will be granted to organizations and projects serving Fort Scott and Bourbon County.
FSACF has provided over $500,000 in competitive grants to Fort Scott and Bourbon County nonprofits since its inception in 2007. These grants are awarded through the annual open application process. Total grants, including the competitive grants, as well as the directed grants provided through the foundation’s donor-advised, designated, and field-of-interest funds have totaled more than $3.8 million.
“It’s incredible inspiring to see the number of deserving organizations doing impactful work across our community,” said Becky Tourtillott, FSACF Board Chairperson. “Awarding these grants is one of the most meaningful ways we support that work, and none of it would be possible without the generosity of our donors. Their continued support allows us to fund projects that create lasting, positive change in the lives of those we serve.”
The following organizations and projects were selected as recipients of the 2025 FSACF grant cycle:
- Bourbon County Core Community- Getting Ahead in a Just Getting by World
- City of Bronson- Dawson Field Upgrades
- City of Fort Scott- Kiwanis Tree Project
- Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas- Prescription Assistance Liaison (PALs) Program/ Bourbon County
- Cornerstones of Care- Bright Futures: Sponsor a Youth Holiday Program
- E3 Ranch Foundation Inc.- The LaRoche Baseball Complex Playground Initiative
- Fairview Cemetery- Restoration of Fairview Cemetery
- First United Methodist Church Fort Scott- Feeding Families in His Name
- Fort Scott Community College- Senior-Versity Fort Scott Community College Foundation
- Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries- Preserve
- Fostering Connections- Thriving Beyond Foster Care
- Good Neighbor Action Team- GNAT’s Variable Mission
- KVC Kansas- Christmas for Youth in Foster Care 2025
- Ozark Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America- Empowering Youth Through Scouting
- Parsons Senior High School Honor Flight- Fort Scott High School Flight of Honor
- Path of EASE Association- The Redemption House
- Southwind Extension Education Foundation Inc.- A Heartbeat Away: Expanding AED Access
- Special Olympics Kansas- Bourbon County Unified Schools
- The Beacon Inc.- Maintaining Food Assistance
- Tri-Valley Developmental Services, Inc.- AED Trainers: Training to Save Lives
- USD 243 Fort Scott- Community-Based Interactive Instruction
- USD 234 Fort Scott- FSMS Sky Dome: A Portable Planetarium for Scientific Discovery
- USD 234 Fort Scott- Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports
- USD 243 Fort Scott- Sunshine Cart, Fort Scott High School
- USD 234 Fort Scott- Sunshine Cart, Fort Scott Preschool Center
- USD 234 Fort Scott- Sunshine Cart, Winfield Scott Elementary
The First Christian Church of Fort Scott Endowment Fund helped support the Bourbon County Core Community, Cornerstones of Care, and the Special Olympics Kansas projects.
The Shepherd Family Endowment Fund helped support the City of Bronson and Ozark Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America projects.
The John Valentine and Patricia Jean Neff Health Care Fund contributed to CHC-SEK, First United Methodist Church, Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries, Good Neighbor Action Team, Path of EASE Association, Southwind Extension Education Foundation Inc., The Beacon Inc., and Tri-Valley Developmental Services, Inc. Projects.
FSACF would like to congratulate all this year’s recipients and thank them for the work they do in Bourbon County every day!
Fort Scott High School Performs “Between the Lines”
Fort Scott High School students will perform the new musical Between the Lines at 7 p.m. on Nov. 11, 13, and 15 and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 15 at the FSHS Auditorium.
Between the Lines is based on the novel by international bestselling author Jodi Picoult & Samantha van Leer, featuring a book by Picoult and Timothy Allen McDonald (Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach, The Big One-Oh!) and score by Elyssa Samsel & Kate Anderson (Apple TV+’s “Central Park”).
“Between the Lines is an empowering and enchanting story for anyone who has struggled to find their place in the world. An outsider in a new town and a new school, Delilah seeks comfort in the pages of her favorite book, where she feels heard and understood by the handsome Prince Oliver. But as the lines between fantasy and reality begin to blur in extraordinary ways, Delilah realizes her dreams in the real world are worth fighting for,” according to publisher Music Theatre International.
The production features Senior Junie Fisher as Delilah and Senior Levi Fairchild as Prince Oliver. Nearly forty FSHS students perform in the cast or serve as designers or crew members for the musical.
“This particular musical was the perfect choice to feature two of our most outstanding seniors this year. Junie and Levi’s vocal talents are excellent on their own and so beautiful on their duets. Both plan to go into music or theatre and perhaps education as a future career and I could not be more proud of them in this show,” said Theatre Director Angie Bin.
Between the Lines is also directed by Music Director Taylor Jones, Choreographer Mesa Jones, and Assistant Director Abby Starkey. Bin and Fisher first learned of Between the Lines when they saw a production at the 2024 International Thespian Festival. Bin was then able to attend a workshop and meet with Jodi Picoult and the other authors of the musical in person.
Tickets are reserved seating in advance and available at fortscotthighschool.ludus.com. Seating is limited, but some tickets may be available at the door. Adults are $8 and children are $6. A $14 VIP Ticket experience includes the opportunity to meet the cast and take an exclusive photo, a Between the Lines gift bag, concession snack, and concession drink.
Chamber Coffee at Landmark Bank on October 30
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Taco Tuesday’s! VFW members and guests are welcome
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Katelyn Dancer Is Attending Tel Aviv Univsersity Then Columbia University
Katelyn Dancer, 19, is the daughter of Tracy Dancer and Kathy Gillmore Dancer, Fort Scott.
She decided to attend Columbia University for the opportunity to attend two colleges, one in Tel Aviv, Israel, and then a second degree at the Columbia campus in New York.
“I chose to attend Columbia for its unique dual degree program. This degree program allows students to complete different bachelor’s degrees in the traditional four years.”
“For their first bachelor’s degree, students go to an overseas university in their freshman and sophomore years, and the second bachelor’s degree is completed at Columbia University in New York.”
“As a sophomore, I am currently attending Tel Aviv University in Israel— but I’m very excited to be in New York next year. For me, this program made attending an Ivy League of any sort possible, financially and acceptance-wise.”
“I get one degree from Tel Aviv University and one degree from Columbia University. At TAU, I will receive a Bachelor’s of Arts in Middle Eastern Studies, and my current plan is to major in American Studies at Columbia with future plans for Law School.”
“Paying an Ivy League tuition, in my case, became much more realistic when faced with only two years of tuition and housing in New York instead of four years. The acceptance rate to my dual degree program is also about 22%, whereas the general acceptance rate for Columbia University is a whopping 4%.”
“I started gathering information about schools I was considering applying to in the middle of my junior year. The process of applying to colleges was very time-intensive because of my decision to apply to multiple low acceptance schools.”
“The total undergraduate population at Columbia University is about 9,500. However, there are only about 120 students in the Dual Degree program between TAU and Columbia.”
Not only classroom learning, Katelyn is also learning about other cultures by living in a foreign country.
“The best part about my experience so far has been the travel and independence I’ve gained. I’ve had a truly unique experience, and I’m extremely proud of myself, as is my family, for moving across the world and living and studying in a foreign country by myself.”
“The biggest challenge has been being so far away from my support system in Kansas and the large credit load each semester. The workload is manageable, but classes can run until 8 p.m., so I can have very long days of classes.”
“I am thrilled to be the first graduate in a very long time to attend an Ivy League school.”
Katelyn graduated from Fort Scott High School in 2024.
“I hope it is the beginning of a new period for FSHS graduates where students truly have the opportunity and support to apply and stand out to Ivy League schools.”
She credits the school counselor and teachers for the chance to follow her dream.
“I wouldn’t have been able to apply to these highly selective schools without the help of Mrs. Martin and the wonderful teachers who wrote recommendation letters, hosted clubs, and gave me a strong foundation on which to build. I would encourage every Fort Scott student to shoot for the stars because with the right focus, commitment, and timeline (start early!) FSHS graduates are absolutely capable of landing themselves as Ivy League alumni.”
Ivy League schools are considered the most sought-after institutions of higher learning in the country and around the world. Eight private Northeastern American schools are known for their highly selective admission process, academic excellence, and promising career opportunities for those who attend, according to U.S. News and World Report online.
Princeton University, New Jersey; Harvard University, Massachusetts; Yale University, Connecticut; University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania; Cornell University, New York; Brown University, Rhode Island; Dartmouth College, New Hampshire; and Columbia University, New York, are the Ivy League Colleges.
Surviving The Holidays For Those Grieving November 17
