Category Archives: Fort Scott

Bourbon County, Business, Food, Fort Scott

Sharkey’s Gets A Facelift

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Dave Lipe submitted these photos of the Sharky’s Pub and Grub, 16 N. National Avenue. On the left is the before, on the right is the after of the facelift given the restaurant.

 

David and Tina Lipe, owners of Sparky’s Pub and Grub, 16 N. National, have invested time and money to give their restaurant a facelift.

The project started with Mid Continental Restoration, Inc. doing some joint repair and brick replacement on the front of building, David Lipe said.

“Peerless (Products, Inc.) did all of the tear-out and installation of all windows and front doors of the building,” Lipe said.  “The project started on August 17th and was completed on August 26th. ” There is still a little bit of floor replacement to be done, hopefully, this will be completed by August 31st.”

 

“We have been working on this project with Peerless for two years,” Lipe said. ” The building was extremely inefficient, windows were broken, (it) needed a facelift. We wanted to create an open-air type storefront.”

 

The facelift did not add any seating, Lipe said.  “But possibly some outside seating.”

 

“No grant monies were used on this project,” Lipe said.  “We have applied for a building improvement grant through the City of Fort Scott. I was told today that all funds are on hold due to COVID. We have also applied for some funding help through BEDCO (Bourbon County Economic Development Council), (we) have not received anything at this point.”

 

Sharky’s Pub & Grub phone number is 620-223-4777

The restaurant’s hours are: open at 11 am Monday through Sunday,
close at midnight Monday through Wednesday,  close at 2 am Thursday through Saturday, and close at 7 pm Sunday.

 

Business, Fort Scott

Mattox Promoted at UMB

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Crystal Mattox. Submitted photo.
Crystal Mattox was recently promoted to senior vice president of commercial lending at UMB Bank, according to Stephanie Kayser, a part of UMB Bank’s external communications team.
In her role, Crystal is responsible for developing new relationships, expanding existing business and maintaining customer relationships. Crystal provides financial solutions to help her clients grow, improve operations and increase value. 
 
Crystal has nearly 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. She joined UMB Bank in 2010 as a vice president and commercial lender. Prior to UMB, Crystal worked at Emprise Bank as an assistant vice president and commercial lender.
 
She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Kansas State University. She is also a graduate of the American Bankers Association’s National and Graduate Commercial Lending School and is a licensed insurance representative. Crystal is active in her community and is on the board of the local United Way chapter. She is also a member of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce and volunteers at St. Johns Catholic Church, Gunn Park Trails and the Moran Ball Association. 
Area News, Fort Scott

Local Woman Considers Rally for Awareness of Trafficking And Pornography

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Tonya Cliffman, submitted photo.

Tonya Cliffman is a woman on a mission: human trafficking awareness.

She has organized an Awareness Rally of Human Trafficking and Child Pornography in Nevada, MO on September 19.

Cliffman is also considering a rally on the issue in Fort Scott this fall, if there is local interest.

 

Cliffman’s purpose is to bring the topic of human trafficking into everyday conversation, she said.

“Whether it’s in the car as they drive by the rally, or in the living room after reading an article about the event.  To start conversations between families, neighbors and friends.”

 

 

“Parents need to have open communication with their children, be involved with their children’s online activities and know what resources are available to them,” Cliffman said.  “Parents need to be empowered and comfortable having these conversations and knowing the vulnerabilities of the children.  For example, the techniques that a ‘groomer’ would use to build trust online with their child in a chat room.”

 

 

“I have five great-nieces, and three great-nephews,” said Cliffman, who is also a mother of a teenage daughter. “According to the Center for Disease Control, the statistics are one in four girls. So I’m sitting there looking at my nieces, and I thought ‘I am not willing to sacrifice a single one of them to trafficking or sexual abuse.’ When you really look at the odds, and see one of them could be affected, it was really overwhelming. I’m not satisfied with that.”

 

 

” I know of instances where there’s ‘sextortion,’” Cliffman said, referring to a minor exchanging sexually explicit pictures with an adult. “I know that some of our teenagers are out there having conversations with men. Because if you have a sad story, they’ll send you money. I think it’s a dangerous road to go down.”

 

People can get involved in the rally by joining the event and educating themselves with the organizations that have resources available in prevention of these abuses, she said.

People can learn to use the resources available from established organizations whose sole purpose and function is fighting these rising abuses.

 

Human trafficking is not something that happens in far off places.

 

There was a recent human trafficking incarceration in Bourbon County,  in July 2020, according to Captain Alvin Metcalf with the sheriff’s office.

“He was arrested in Kansas City and transported here,” Metcalf said.

“This was an investigation done by the Dept. of Homeland Security,” Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin said.  His office had no involvement in the investigation, he said.

 

 

“My cell is 417-321-2550 and my email is [email protected] or they can send a message through the Awareness Rally Event page,” Cliffman said.

http://Event link on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/310128863441718

 

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Protect-the-Children-585461948802797

 

Fort Scott, Government

Chlorine Burnout Will Take Five Weeks

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City of Fort Scott – Press Release

The City of Fort Scott Water Utility will be initializing a free chlorine burnout of the water distribution system starting Thursday, August 27th and ending as soon as a free chlorine residual is established throughout the entire system (approx. 5 weeks).

This burnout is necessary maintenance of the water distribution system which will help maintain State standards for disinfection residual levels and ultimately maintain the high water quality that you have come to expect.

Occasionally during this process customers may temporarily experience low pressures, taste or odors, discolored water, or even some sediment in their water.

We do apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Any questions, concerns, or comments are welcome.

Please contact the Water Treatment Plant at 223-5160 between 8:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday.

Fort Scott, Government

Water Flushing/Burnout Starts Today in Fort Scott

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Press release for 2020 Flushing/Burnout

Who: City of Fort Scott Water Utility

What: Is initiating our flushing/ free Cl2 burnout program for the year.

When: Starting on Thursday, August 27th and lasting approximately 5 weeks.

Where: City of Fort Scott – and Bourbon County Rural water districts.

Why: In order to maintain water quality. If this maintenance is not performed in the water distribution system, the water will eventually lose all of its disinfection residual, which could cause water quality to degrade, and could cause the utility of incur disinfectant residual violations from KDHE.

The Fort Scott Water Utility has commenced the annual flushing program along with a free chlorine burnout of the water distribution system. This burnout is a part of necessary maintenance of the distribution system which will help maintain the disinfection residual levels required by KDHE. During this flushing and free chlorine burnout, the disinfectant used in our distribution system will be changed from chloramines to free chlorine which is a stronger and faster-acting disinfectant. Flushing and chlorine burnouts are routine distribution system maintenance conducted by utilities with chloramine disinfection.

There are two common types of chlorine used in water treatment for disinfection purposes, combined chlorine (or chloramines) and free chlorine. Chloramines are created by combining free chlorine with free ammonia. A benefit of using chloramines is that they will retain disinfection residual longer in the distribution system and they do not lend themselves in promoting taste, or a “chlorine” taste in the water. Except during a burn out in the summer time, the City of Fort Scott Water Treatment Plant uses chloramines to disinfect the finished water before entering the distribution system. However, chloramines are not as strong of a disinfectant as free chlorine and it can allow certain types of nitrifying bacteria to grow in the distribution system. These natural occurring bacteria feed on the ammonia found in our finished water. These bacteria are nonpathogenic – they are not a health concern. Nitrifying bacteria which naturally grow in any distribution system when using chloramines can become prolific in warm summer temperatures. They will eventually cause water quality to degrade in the warmer summer months. Also, heat alone is a major factor that will cause disinfectant residuals to dissipate.

This is why surface water systems across the State do an annual or biannual free chlorine burnouts. The term burnout is commonly used because free chlorine is a much more powerful disinfectant than combined chlorine. Free chlorine will oxidize nitrifying bacteria and keep it in check.

Fire hydrants will be utilized to allow flushing of the system to help remove sediment from the pipes and distribute the change in disinfectant. Customers may notice city personnel flushing fire hydrants throughout the city during this period. This free chlorine is pulled through the distribution system by flushing the entire system through fire hydrants, blow-offs, and overflowing water towers.

Occasionally during this process customers may temporarily experience low pressures, taste or odors, discolored water, or even some sediment in their water. During the flushing and burnout you may notice that your tap water tastes different than normal. This is because most people cannot smell or taste combined chlorine in the water, however most people can smell and taste free chlorine in the water. It could also affect the taste of fountain drinks. If you find the chlorine taste unpleasant, it can be helpful to leave an uncovered pitcher of water sit overnight. This will allow some of the chlorine to evaporate and could help improve taste during this time.

The burnout process normally takes four to five weeks after which we can return to the combined chlorine residual and the excellent tasting water of which we are accustomed. We are extremely fortunate to have such a quality water supply available to us. Quality water helps promote quality life. Much of the rest of the world is not as fortunate as we are in water supply and water quality.

If you have any questions, concerns, or comments please contact Michael Mix or Scott Flater at the Water Treatment Plant at 223-5160 between 8:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M., Monday through Friday.

Fort Scott, Health Care

CHC Gets UnitedHealthcare Grant

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Governor Laura Kelly Announces $200,000 Empowering Health Grant for the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas

 

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced a $200,000 Empowering Health Grant from UnitedHealthcare for the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas in Pittsburg. Governor Kelly was joined by Kansas Secretary of Health and Environment Dr. Lee Norman, and State Representative Monica Murnan.

 

“I want to thank the team at UnitedHealthcare for their generosity, which will benefit the Pittsburg community and Southeast Kansas for years to come,” Governor Kelly said. “The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas performs life-saving work in the Pittsburg community. My administration is committed to working with our local and federal partners to provide Kansans access to affordable, quality health care.”

 

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas staff are on the front lines of public health’s response,” Dr. Norman said. “This grant will increase their capacity to improve the health of Kansans.”

 

The Empowering Health grant will be used by the health center to support its Community Health Action Team with a behavioral health nurse and social worker, so it can better address social isolation and behavioral health needs among existing and new patients with low incomes in its service area.

 

“By giving more Kansans access to health insurance, our community partners like Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas would no longer have to cover the cost of care for uninsured individuals,” State Representative Monica Murnan said. “This would free up funds to increase patient care, add new services, extend community outreach, and bolster the local economy.”

 

Governor Kelly said during the ceremony that her administration is committed to supporting local health care organizations across the state by fighting for quality, affordable health care for more than 150,000 Kansans by expanding Medicaid.

 

About Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas:

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas has been a pillar in its community since it opened its doors in 1997. Today, over 400 employees care for more than 55,000 patients every year, providing medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, and support services in southeast Kansas.

 

The below photos are available for media use:

 

https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_0904.jpeg

 

https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_0335.jpg

 

https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_0334.jpg

 

https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_0331.jpg

 

https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_0333.jpg

 

Business, Fort Scott

Fort Scott Town-Wide Garage Sale Oct. 2-3

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The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Announces the
Fall2020
Town-wide Garage Sale
October 2nd & 3rd
Businesses ~ now is the time to secure an ad on the upcoming Town-wide Garage Sale Map!
See information below!
We are also now accepting
Garage Sale Listings!
All who register a sale will receive two balloons to display and their physical address printed on the maps distributed at
5 Corner’s, Bids & Dibs, Casey’s, Don’s Smoke Shop and all Pete’s locations!
The Fort Scott Chamber will promote the event on all social platforms, paper, radio & distribute the printed maps.
Register online at the Chamber Website or click HERE to download the registration form & return it to the Chamber with payment of $10 registration fee.
Art, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College

The 2020 Gordon Parks Museum to feature Photo Contest

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Contact: Kirk Sharp at 1-800-874-3722, ext. 5850
Email: [email protected]

Fort Scott-The Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College, will feature a photo contest sponsored by Merl Humphrey Photography and inspired by Gordon Parks, who was a champion in the fight for social justice and racial equity. His weapon of choice was a camera to fight against racism, discrimination and poverty.

The theme of the contest, “Social Justice, Diversity and Equity” is for any amateur photographer.

Photographers are invited to capture the essence of one of the concepts and share one or two sentences on what inspired the photo.

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 than2MB.

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. 8 – 16, 2020. All photos will also be posted on the Gordon Parks Museum website and Facebook page.

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 30, 2020 at the latest.

For more info, click below:

photo contest flyer 2020

 

 

For more information email [email protected] or by phone call 223-2700, ext. 5850.

“Always Choose Family” by Ashton Nolan was1st place winner in the 2019 Photo Contest. The theme was: “My Learning Tree, Life Lessons Learned.”

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Presbyterian Village All Clear For COVID-19

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Fort Scott Presbyterian Manor says all clear
following additional testing for COVID-19

FORT SCOTT, Kan. – Fort Scott Presbyterian Manor has good news to share following a second wave of testing for COVID-19 at the community. All residents and employees have tested negative for the virus.

“We’re glad to have this round of testing behind us and we’ll keep our focus on resident and employee safety,” said Jeanne Gerstenkorn, PMMA’s infection preventionist and vice president for health and wellness.

Because all residents and employees tested negative for the virus, the Bourbon County Health Department is not recommending further testing at the community at this time.

The residents and employees who tested positive for the virus earlier this month will remain in isolation until cleared to return to work by the Health Department. Per CDC guidelines, team members may return to work once they have been symptom free for 72 hours without the aid of a fever reducer and demonstrate improvement in respiratory symptoms, and at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared. Upon their return to work, we will follow CDC recommendations related to work practices and restrictions.

Presbyterian Manor implemented a strict no visitor policy at the community and discontinued group activities and communal dining for the entire campus per guidelines released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the CDC on March 13.

All employees are encouraged to follow CDC guidelines and best practices as these are continually updated. The community regularly reinforces with all staff that an employee should not report to work if he or she is experiencing symptoms of a respiratory illness or not feeling well.

For more information about Fort Scott Presbyterian Manor’s response, go to PMMA’s (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s) website, Presbyterianmanors.org/Media- room.

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Business, Fort Scott, Uncategorized

LaRoche Building Update: Outside Nearing Completion

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The
The LaRoche Building at Wall and National Avenue, June 22, 2020. The upstairs will be apartments and the downstairs,  businesses.

Several downtown Fort Scott buildings are in process of being transformed.

The LaRoche Building that faces National Avenue in September 2018 just before renovation of the downtown buildings..

 

Work began on two historic side-by-side downtown buildings at 10 and 12 E. Wall St.,owned by Jennifer LaRoche on Nov. 5, 2018.

 

The outside work is now nearly complete and the interior spaces are on the list for completion.

The LaRoche Building, August 2020.
The National Avenue side of the LaRoche Building, August 2020..

 

The buildings on Wall Street at National Avenue have been the work of several local contractors and businesses, which were able to work through the COVID 19 Pandemic restrictions.

 

The LaRoche Building space housing the Common Ground Coffee Co. at 10 East Wall Street was completed just before the COVID 19 Pandemic started in the U.S. in March 2020.

 

Then Kenny Felt Photography moved its office to the space just west of the coffee shop at 12 E. Wall Street.

 

Now the building that faces both Wall and National is being worked on.

 

“By the middle of September, I will have the building weather tight,” Jennifer LaRoche said. “And then we will start on the inside. I do not know how long that could take to complete. I don’t have an end date.”

“In the Tribune Building…….The upstairs will be apartments. Anywhere from two to four,” she said. “I have not decided yet.
On the ground level, it can occupy four businesses. I do not know what businesses will want to occupy the space.”