Category Archives: Fort Scott

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott

Good Ol’ Days Update: Free Bounce Houses

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Shawn O’Brien, president of the Good Ol’ Days Stearing Committee has some good news and some bad news.

“Bad news- our carnival had to cancel due to staffing issues,” he said. “We have been very fortunate to get bounce houses to place on the grassy area north of the blockhouse,  east of Luther’s BBQ (at Oak and National Avenue).  The bounce houses will be free for all kids. There is a wide variety for all ages. Come check them out.”

The 40th annual Fort Scott event continues on with a parade, foods galore, talent and baby contests, live music, vendors lining Main Street, displays, tournaments, a petting zoo, a zip line, balloonist, and Friday and Saturday street dances- something for everyone.

In addition, there are other freebies:

Vendors lined Main Street in 2017.
“We will have a movie night on Friday and Saturday around 8:30 p.m. at sunset at Skubitz plaza,” O’Brien said. “We will have a different movie each night and free popcorn.”
Movies chosen by a poll on the Good Ol’ Days Facebook page are “Twister” and  “Grease,” he said.
Kids can get a free t-shirt.
“We will have tye die t-shirts for the first 150 kids,” O’Brien said. ” Thanks to Modern Woodmen Insurance, Highway3 and Shirt Shack for their generosity.”
“We will also have caricature drawings and balloon artist for free,’ he said.
Check out their webpage at
www.fortscottgoodoldays.com and click on schedule.

Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee hosted by The Fort Scott Good Ol’ Day’s Committee

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The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee hosted by the Fort Scott Good Ol’ Days Committee, Thursday, June 3rd at 8 a.m. on Skubitz Plaza, Downtown Fort Scott. In case of rain we will continue under the Boardwalk at the North end of Main Street facing the Fort.

Shawn O’Brien, Chairman, and the Good Ol’ Days committee are excited to celebrate the four-decade anniversary of the Good Ol’ Days festival with the theme of 40 years of Family, Friends and Fun. 

Tickets are on sale at the Chamber of Commerce for the Good Ol’ Chicken Dinner to be held Friday, June 4th, and the Talent Show to be held Thursday, June 3rd. The Chamber is also taking entries for the Good Ol’ Days Parade planned for 6pm Friday, June 4th. The full schedule of events may be found on the festival website fortscottgoodoldays.com.

Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served along with door prizes.

Chamber members and guests are invited to Chamber Coffee events each Thursday at 8 a.m. to network, make announcements, hear about happenings in the community as well as learn about the host business or organization.

***

Entertainment, Fort Scott, Government

New FS Tourism Manager: Jackson Tough

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Jackson Tough. Submitted photo.
W. Jackson Tough, 52, is the new Fort Scott Tourism Manager.
 
“I have some commitments related to my position as the El Dorado Springs, Missouri Chamber of Commerce CEO/Executive Director so I will be full-time as of Monday, June 21,” Tough said. “However, I do plan to attend some functions and meetings to immerse myself into the new position before the start date.”
“I’ve spent quite a bit of time around Fort Scott the past two and a half years since my wife, Michele Love Tough is a life-long resident,” he said. “We reside just south of town, adjacent to the family farm near her parents, Bob and Joyce Love.”
“I’ve spent many years in marketing and promotion, from broadcast media in Springfield to promoting businesses and communities in a rural area.,” Tough said.” I’m a native of El Dorado Springs, Missouri which is just about thirty-six miles east of Fort Scott.”

Tough has been the CEO / Executive Director at El Dorado Springs, MO Chamber of Commerce – from September 2012 to June 2021.

“As the El Dorado Springs Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, I was deeply involved in our community on many levels,” he said.” I participated on many boards and committees; Discover More on Route 54 which promotes the US Highway 54 corridor from Jefferson City to Nevada, the Opera House Theater board which is about maintaining the historic theater and promotion of the arts (especially for our youth), the El Dorado Springs R-2 Schools Capital Improvements Committee, the Spring City Revitalization Group as well as all of the committees through the chamber organization.
“I really look forward to taking an active role in Fort Scott as well!”

“I developed professional networks, created marketing plans for our organization and community, and united business and community leaders,” Tough said. “Along with our members and staff, I developed and coordinated community events including National Day of Prayer, Clean-Up El Do Campaign, Annual Excellence in El Dorado Springs Awards Gala and coordinated monthly chamber luncheons for 50-60 attendees.”

“I also developed and implemented tourism activities, attractions, and events including Patriot Parkway – forty-eight US flags (on 48 utility poles) along a one mile stretch of US Highway 54 in El Dorado Springs, Spring City-Wide Sale, Labor Day Weekend 100 Mile Sale from Camdenton to Nevada, Spring City Spooktacular is a Halloween event that draws hundreds to the community, Christmas Parade, Lighting Celebration, and our annual Holiday Expo among others.”

“I Initiated and coordinated community betterment projects, published a weekly e-newsletter, and I’m the primary administrator for our social media and press releases,” he said.

Before that, he was the marketing and events director for Spring City Revitalization Group (El Dorado Springs, MO) from October 2006 to August 2012.

In this job he developed and coordinated marketing and events for downtown revitalization including grants, an annual chili cook-off, summer concert series, and more, he said.

 

From 1999 to 2005 Tough was the station and sales manager for Clear Channel Communications (Springfield, MO).

In this position, he designed marketing strategies and promotional events with staff on behalf of clients to increase their business revenue and market share, as well as managed daily sales operations for US97 and ESPN 1400. He was also an on-air personality and voiceover production.

Tough attended El Dorado Springs, MO R-2 Schools, and Missouri State University.
Tough has a new bride, Michele Love Tough, two daughters in college, both studying in the medical field, two “bonus” daughters, one in El Dorado Springs and one in Frederick, Maryland and three grandsons.
 “I see a lot of opportunities here and I believe Fort Scott has so much to offer visitors! ” Tough said. “I know quite a bit about the community but I also believe I bring “fresh eyes” to the community and to our tourism.”
 
 
Fort Scott

FS Public Library Newsletter June 1, 2021

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Fort Scott Public Library Newsletter
June 1, 2021

Fort Scott Public Library will be opening to the public on June 1st. Our hours will be 9:30-5:30 Monday through Friday, and 9:30-1:30 Saturdays. Masks are not required, but patrons are encouraged to follow the current CDC recommendations. We will have hand sanitizer and a supply of disposable masks available for those who need them.
Patrons are asked to limit browsing the stacks to thirty minutes. Newspapers and magazines may be checked out for reading at home. We will not have a seating area for reading in the library.
We will continue to have our “curbside” service for those who prefer it. We realize this service has been popular, as we’ve had 3,730 scheduled pickups of over 13,000 materials. We are renaming it NextDayGrab&Go. If you wish to use this service, place holds on items or let us know what items you need, then arrange with library staff as to what date and time you plan to come pick up your items. We will have them checked out and ready for you to pick up at the downstairs circulation desk. Just tell us your account number when you come in. If you prefer, we can place them in the entryway where we’ve been placing items for patrons to pick up.
Also we will still have our themed book bags available to check out. These include 10 books on a topic either for kids Birth – 1st Grade or for kids 2nd – 5th Grades. We keep a list at the circulation desks of the topics currently available. You can arrange to check out book bags when you’re here to browse the stacks by letting us know a day ahead of time, or you can schedule NextDayGrab&Go, and we’ll have the book bags ready for you to pick up. The books need to be returned. The bag, and any goodies in it, are for the child to keep.
For a few weeks, we will still be calling everyone with holds available to check out at the library. Unless you tell us otherwise, we will assume you are coming in person to check out items, and they will be located at the upstairs circulation desk. If you haven’t already set your account to receive email or text notifications about holds, staff can assist you. Sadly, T-Mobile and Sprint cannot send library text notifications, so you’ll need to arrange for notifications by email if you have those providers. We will continue to call anyone who doesn’t set their account to receive emails or texts, so don’t worry if you prefer to hear our voices.
Items can be returned in the book drop or inside the library at either circulation desk. If you have items that belong to Fort Scott Public Library that have already been processed as unreturned and are still in good condition, you can return them until June 30th , and we will remove the charges from your account. If you have items that belong to other libraries that have already been processed as unreturned, we have already paid the owning library for the items, and your account won’t be reinstated until you reimburse Fort Scott Public Library.
We have set up several temporary stations downstairs for wifi use in the library. These stations and the public computers are limited to one hour’s use per day. We will be adding software soon that will make it easier for patrons to remember if they’ve already used the library computers by logging in with their library cards.
Our public restrooms and drinking fountain are available for use. We still are not accepting donations of any materials. Weather permitting, we will continue to place free books on the north lawn.
Library programming continues to be virtual. Follow us on Facebook or check our website fortscott.mykansaslibrary.org to see our program schedule. We are beginning some new programming on the library’s Discord Server, including coloring for all ages, online jigsaw puzzles, and many teen programs. You can sign up for our Discord Server through our Facebook or website.
Coming soon, we will have wifi hotspots for patrons to check out. These devices will allow you to connect devices to wifi from home or anywhere that can find a cell tower.
The library will close at 2:00 on Friday, June 4th and will be closed on Saturday, June 5th for Good Ol’ Days.
Fort Scott Public Library
201 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, Kansas 66701
620-223-2882
fortscott.mykansaslibrary.org/
Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Good Ol’ Days Parade Entry Registration

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The Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
is taking registrations for
Parade Entries
for the
40th Annual
Good Ol’ Days Festival!
Click HERE to register online.
Click HERE for a printable registration form.
The 2021 Good Ol’ Days Festival Parade
is drawing near!
The deadline for entries is
Wednesday, June 2nd
@ 1:00 p.m.
Entries which arrive without pre-registering
will not be allowed in the parade.
The theme for this year’s festival is
“40 Years of Family, Friends & Fun”
For full festival information, please visit the
Good Ol’ Days website by clickinghere.
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce,
231 E. Wall, Fort Scott, KS 66701
620.223.3566
or email to: [email protected]
Business, Fort Scott

Lyons Realty Group Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting June 2 at 5:15 p.m.

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CHAMBER-AFTER HOURS GRAND OPENING & RIBBON CUTTING REMINDER TO CELEBRATE LYONS REALTY GROUP

Wednesday, June 2, 2021
5:15 to 6:30 p.m.

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members to a Chamber After-hours Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting as we celebrate the Lyons Realty Group establishing an office in the Downtown Historic District at 8 E. Wall St. The event will take place Wednesday, June 2nd from 5:15 to 6:30pm with the remarks and ribbon cutting starting at 5:45pm.

The team of Lyons Realty Group is excited to share their new offices and learn more about how they can help reach real estate goals of sellers and buyers.

Mark your calendars for an evening of networking, prize giveaways, food, drink and much more. There will be a $2 admission for the Chamber half-and-half drawing.

Contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce for more information at 620-223-3566 or [email protected].

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Bourbon County Cars Expands

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Bourbon County Cars is moving from this location. Submitted photos.

Bourbon County Cars, a local used car dealer, is moving July 1.

“We’ve been looking for a place to buy on the highway, for several years,” Josh Jones, general manager, said.

“I wanted to own the building so we can carry more inventory,” he said.

“We are moving about 25 steps away to the south,” Dave Shepherd, president, and owner of the business said.

The current business location is 15 E. Huntington Blvd., the new location is 1810 S. Main Street, the recently vacated property of Pizza Hut.

“The location is a little better,” Shepherd said. “More inventory display area.”

Steve Anthony (Sales), Josh Jones (General Manager), Josh Binford (Sales), David Shepherd (Owner/President) and
Bud Hall (Sales). Submitted photos.

Expanding

“We have started stocking newer inventory,” Shepherd said.

Along with expanding the inventory, to include newer model cars, the business also has added some additional financial services, Shepherd said.

“For customers who qualify, there will be financing rates as good as anywhere,” he said.

The business offers both in-house financing and outside financing, Jones said.

In addition, a new salesman has been hired, Jones said.

On The Horizon

Jones will take over the business, eventually.

“I don’t want to do this for the rest of my life,” he said. “Josh is somebody I trust….the goal is for Josh to buy it (the business).

 

Entertainment, Fort Scott

FS Public Library Opening June 1

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Fort Scott Public Library will be opening to the public on June 1st. Our hours will be 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturdays.

Masks are not required, but patrons are encouraged to follow the current CDC recommendations. We will have hand sanitizer and a supply of disposable masks available for those who need them.

Patrons are asked to limit browsing the stacks to thirty minutes. Newspapers and magazines may be checked out for reading at home. We will not have a seating area for reading in the library.

We will continue to have our “curbside” service for those who prefer it.

We realize this service has been popular, as we’ve had 3,730 scheduled pickups of over 13,000 materials. We are renaming it NextDayGrab&Go. If you wish to use this service, place holds on items or let us know what items you need, then arrange with library staff as to what date and time you plan to come pick up your items. We will have them checked out and ready for you to pick up at the downstairs circulation desk. Just tell us your account number when you come in. If you prefer, we can place them in the entryway where we’ve been placing items for patrons to pick up.

Also we will still have our themed book bags available to check out. These include 10 books on a topic either for kids Birth – 1st Grade or for kids 2nd – 5th Grades.

We keep a list at the circulation desks of the topics currently available. You can arrange to check out book bags when you’re here to browse the stacks by letting us know a day ahead of time, or you can schedule NextDayGrab&Go, and we’ll have the book bags ready for you to pick up. The books need to be returned. The bag, and any goodies in it, are for the child to keep.

For a few weeks, we will still be calling everyone with holds available to check out at the library. Unless you tell us otherwise, we will assume you are coming in person to check out items, and they will be located at the upstairs circulation desk. If you haven’t already set your account to receive email or text notifications about holds, staff can assist you. Sadly, T-Mobile and Sprint cannot send library text notifications, so you’ll need to arrange for notifications by email if you have those providers. We will continue to call anyone who doesn’t set their account to receive emails or texts, so don’t worry if you prefer to hear our voices.

Items can be returned in the book drop or inside the library at either circulation desk. If you have items that belong to Fort Scott Public Library that have already been processed as unreturned and are still in good condition, you can return them until June 30th , and we will remove the charges from your account. If you have items that belong to other libraries that have already been processed as unreturned, we have already paid the owning library for the items, and your account won’t be reinstated until you reimburse Fort Scott Public Library.

We have set up several temporary stations downstairs for wifi use in the library. These stations and the public computers are limited to one hour’s use per day. We will be adding software soon that will make it easier for patrons to remember if they’ve already used the library computers by logging in with their library cards.

Our public restrooms and drinking fountain are available for use. We still are not accepting donations of any materials. Weather permitting, we will continue to place free books on the north lawn.

Library programming continues to be virtual. Follow us on Facebook or check our website fortscott.mykansaslibrary.org to see our program schedule. We are beginning some new programming on the library’s Discord Server, including coloring for all ages, online jigsaw puzzles, and many teen programs. You can sign up for our Discord Server through our Facebook or website.

Coming soon, we will have wifi hotspots for patrons to check out. These devices will allow you to connect devices to wifi from home or anywhere that can find a cell tower.

The library will close at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 4th and will be closed on Saturday, June 5th for Good Ol’ Days.

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Evergy: Renewable Energy Goal

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Evergy Files Kansas Integrated Resource Plan

Inaugural Kansas filing mirrors Missouri as energy company
moves toward goal of net-zero carbon emissions.

KANSAS CITY, Mo., May 28, 2021 – Today, Evergy filed its first Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) with the Kansas Corporation Commission. The plan prioritizes sustainability, reliability and cost competitiveness with retirement of 1,200 megawatts of coal-based fossil generation and the addition of 3,200 MW of renewable generation in the next 10 years.

 

“We’re on a journey to a cleaner energy future, while balancing the highest priorities of reliability and affordability for our customers,” said David Campbell, president and chief executive officer. “Our coal-fired fossil plants are now more flexible than ever and frequently operate as a backup to renewable generation sources. This flexibility allows us to adapt to real-time needs – running fossil plants more when renewable availability is low or customer demand is high. This measured transition toward more sustainable resource options maintains the reliability our customers need.”

 

The filing includes the same forecasted generation additions and retirements announced in April when Evergy filed its IRP with the Missouri Public Service Commission. The transition toward more sustainable energy sources advances Evergy’s goal to reduce carbon emissions 70 percent by 2030 (relative to 2005 levels) and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2045, assuming technology, regulatory, and legislative enablers have advanced to facilitate this goal. Within the next three years, the company will retire its Lawrence (KS) Energy Center and add 700 MW of solar energy.

 

Continuing recent trends, Evergy expects its coal plants will run fewer hours as their energy is increasingly displaced by lower cost renewable resources. At the same time, the reliability challenges driven by the extreme weather of February 2021 demonstrated the value of dispatchable generation with fuel on the ground. The phased transition approach in the IRP provides Evergy the ability to adjust planned additions and retirements based on evolving market, technology, and policy dynamics. As the company’s older fossil-fueled plants near the end of their useful lives, Evergy will continue to responsibly manage these assets for the benefit of customers while allowing advancing and emerging technology to develop. Evergy will also continue its focus on people, offering opportunities for employees at retiring generation facilities to learn new skills and fill different roles at the company.

 

Today’s IRP is a triennial filing that establishes a clear implementation plan through the next triennial filing in 2024 and describes expectations for meeting longer-term customer energy needs through 2040. The Plan was developed through an extensive regulatory stakeholder process to meet the diverse needs of the company’s customers and communities. The IRP is central to Evergy’s Sustainability Transformation Plan (STP), the company’s strategic plan guiding decisions through 2024, and continues the company’s transition toward a more sustainable energy company. Click here to read Evergy’s 2021 IRP Overview and here to learn more about Evergy’s energy mix.

 

 

 

About Evergy, Inc.

Evergy, Inc. (NYSE: EVRG) serves approximately 1.6 million customers in Kansas and Missouri. We generate nearly half the power we provide to homes and businesses with emission-free sources. We support our local communities where we live and work and strive to meet the needs of customers through energy savings and innovative solutions.

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