Category Archives: Fort Scott
County and City Commissioners Will Meet Together On Feb. 6
A work session for the County Commissioners with the City Commissioners will be held at the Empress Event Center on
February 6, 2025, at 5:30 PM. This meeting is open to the public.
Dangerous Game At Fort Scott: One Local Family’s Story of Tap-Out Challenge
A warning to parents appeared on the Fort Scott Middle School Facebook page on January 31 of a Choke Out Game or Tap-Out Challenge that has been happening at the school.
“The Choke Out Game, also known as the Tap-Out Challenge, is a dangerous activity where individuals intentionally restrict their breathing or blood flow to the brain in an attempt to achieve a brief sense of euphoria or dizziness,” said USD 234 Assistant Superintendent Terry Mayfield. “This practice can cause serious harm, including unconsciousness, brain damage, and even death.”
“It is also known as many other things, chicken, redneck, tap out, blackout, etc.,” said Beth Worthing whose Fort Scott Middle School child participated and was taken to the hospital. “We need to let every child know not to play or accept this challenge…That you win the challenge when you walk away from it.”
“The challenge has been noticed in various schools and communities, with reports indicating it has gained some attention in social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. The post on the Fort Scott Middle School page serves as a warning to parents and caregivers, as this dangerous activity has surfaced among students.”
“While the challenge has been noticed primarily at the middle school level, it is important to understand that it can potentially affect students in different age groups. The influence of social media platforms, especially TikTok and Instagram, has made it easier for these kinds of trends to spread quickly among young people.”
Mayfield sent the following to help parents/caregivers in working with their children on this matter.
- “Open Communication: Talk to your children about the dangers of participating in challenges like these and encourage them to speak up if they come across harmful trends.
- Monitor Social Media: Keep an eye on the apps and content your children are engaging with, and consider using parental control features to limit exposure to risky content.
- Educational Discussions: Discuss the potential consequences of these dangerous behaviors, and provide information about safer, healthier alternatives.
- Encourage Peer Support: Empower children to look out for each other. If they see peers engaging in harmful challenges, they should know how to intervene and seek adult help if needed.”
One incident
The following is an account of a Fort Scott Middle School student’s mother, Beth Worthing.
“On January 22, I received a call from the school that Tyler had been choked by another student, but that he had agreed to it. Tyler was supposed to ‘tap out’ when he had enough,” Worthing said.
“The other student had choked out another peer prior and that student ‘tapped out’ of the challenge. Tyler said he doesn’t ‘Tap out’ so the child came over and choked him too.”
“Tyler did not ‘Tap Out’ he, in turn, blacked out. The child that choked him said he waited around 16 seconds or so when he thought he heard Tyler say something.”
“Tyler didn’t say a word, he couldn’t, he was out cold. When the child let go, Tyler landed flat on his face. He lost all consciousness, he could not recall things from before the event or after.”
“My husband picked Tyler up from school and took him to Nevada Regional Medical Center. I arrived about 30 minutes after they got to the Emergency Room. Tyler was in and out of fogginess all afternoon. He had no idea how he got from the school to NRMC, and bits and pieces of the event were coming back to him.”
“Tyler had a CT scan, and x-rays as they thought his nose may also be broken.”
“I asked Tyler if other kids were participating in this, and if it’s a challenge or something that’s going around. Tyler told me he had no clue it was a challenge.”
“I however had a hunch it was, and was a bigger thing than Tyler knew or understood.”
“I called the Superintendent as I felt God used Tyler for a greater good that day. I just had a hunch he was the wake-up call this community needed to raise awareness and hopefully end this.”
“I called (USD234 Superintendent) Destry Brown, and stated all my concerns. I could have blamed the school, or the child that choked him or went about this so many different ways, but that wouldn’t have put the right amount of urgency on this challenge.”
“I didn’t want another parent or child to go through what we did or worse, as I have a childhood friend, Jen Burns, who lost her son at age 9 about 9 or 10 years ago, so I was already aware of the dangers.”
“I told Destry Brown what I wanted to come from this was awareness to all the parents and children in every school in our community.”
“I said Tyler is your wake-up call. This happened this way for a reason. The fact that he didn’t die from being choked, or the fall that day, and that the event took place at school tells me this is a bigger deal than we think, and we need to do our part to protect the children and families.”
“He agreed but stated an investigation needed to take place first.
“The Principal at the Middle School and Mr. Brown did their part. I got a phone call about a week later and Destry Brown notified me that this was a bigger deal than they thought, and that young children were allowing older kids to choke them, and asked them to ‘tap out’ when it was too much.”
“The young kids will think it’s cool to be doing a challenge or playing a game with the older kids.”
Agenda for the FS City Commission for February 4
NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR
MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
City Hall Commission Room – 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
February 4, 2025 – 6:00 P.M.
- Call to Order/Roll Call
- Pledge of Allegiance
III. Invocation
- Approval of Agenda
- Consent Agenda
- Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1377-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates of January 16, 2025 – January 29, 2025 – $548,345.32
- Approval of Minutes: January 21, 2025
- Request to Pay – Heck & Wicker – Payment No. 7 – $97,296.07
- Request to Pay – Invoice #17735 – Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. Project No. 24-414 – Horton & 6th Street Improvements – Payroll – $21,013.62
- V Public Comment
VII. Appearances
VIII. Unfinished Business
- Consideration of Change Order for Davis Lift Station – S. Flater
- Status of 118 E. Wall – B. Farmer
- Status of 323 W. Wall – M. Wells
- Discussion on the use of storage container boxes – M. Wells
- New Business
Action Items:
- Consideration of Letter of Interest submitted by Heather Madison for Land Bank Trustee – Lyons term expired – L. Dillon
- Approval of Land Bank Budget for 2025 – L. Dillon
- Discussion of Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) – B. Matkin & L. Dillon
- Consideration to begin Demolition Proceedings for 301 N. Jefferson, 501 Osbun, and 314 S. Scott – L. Kruger
- Consideration of Bids for Charles Street Lift Station – J. Dickman
- Consideration of Change Order No. 4 – Horton St. & 6th Improvements – Heck & Wicker – Corrective Action for Rejection of Defective Work (EEI: 22-049 & 24-414) – J. Dickman
- Reports and Comments
- Adjourn
Unapproved Minutes of the Jan. 21 Meeting of the FS City Commis
CITY OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of January 21, 2025 Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held at 6:00PM in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. The meeting was streamed live on YouTube.
The meeting was called to order at 6:00PM (0:28). Roll call was taken. Commissioners Dyllon Olson, Matthew Wells, Tracy Dancer and Kathryn Salsbury were present with Mayor Tim Van Hoecke.
In Attendance – Brad Matkin/City Manager, Bob Farmer/City Attorney, Jason Dickman/City Engineer-Earles Engineering & Inspections, Inc., Lt. Caleb Bell/FSPD, Devin Tally/City Finance Manager, Leroy Kruger/Codes Enforcement Technician, Ben Hart/BakerTilly, Lisa Lewis/City Clerk, Bryan Matkin/FSK Manager, Jose Montanez, Amanda Lancaster, Lindsay Madison, Robert Coon, and Cory Bryars .
(0:53) VAN HOECKE led the Pledge of Allegiance and MATKIN said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.
Approval of Agenda (1:50)
MOTION: DANCER moved to approve the Agenda as presented. WELLS seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Approval of Consent Agenda (2:31)
- Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1376-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates of January 2, 2025 – January 14, 2025 – $457,688.20
- Approval of Minutes: December 17, 2024; December 23, 2024; and January 7, 2025.
- December Financials
MOTION: DANCER moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. SALSBURY seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0
Public Comments (3:30) None
Appearances
(3:36) Cory Bryars – Care to Share – Update on the organization and its activities including a recap of 2024 and roadmap for 2025.
(13:35) Amanda Lancaster/Deihl, Banwart, Bolton – Audit results were reviewed. One significant deficiency was indicated due to (11) missing invoices out of (45) selected were an internal issue and not related to BakerTilly. Processes are now in place to prevent further occurrences.
Approval of Resolution No. 3-2025 – A RESOLUTION FOR EXEMPTION FROM GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRACTICES UNDER K.S.A. 1120A (26:44 )At the previous meeting, WELLS indicated a concern with using the GAAP waiver. LANCASTER was asked to explain the difference between the GAAP Audit and Regulatory Basis Audit. She stated that she only does regulatory audits and does not provide that service. She explained the differences that she is aware of.
(28:21) HART provided an explanation of the differences between the types of audits as it would pertain to the City of Fort Scott.
Discussion was had about the audit options.
MOTION: WELLS moved that we adhere to the generally accepted accounting practices for this year. DANCER seconded. DANCER, OLSON, SALSBURY and WELL voted yes. VAN HOECKE voted no.
MOTION CARRIED 4-1.
ACTION: B. Hart will put the required amount for the GAAP Audit in the budget after discussing it with A. Lancaster.
Approval of Code of Ethics – Ordinance No. 3780 – Revised (34:01)
MOTION: WELLS moved to approve the revised edition of the Code of Ethics. OLSON seconded. OLSON, SALSBURY, and WELLS voted yes. VAN HOECKE and DANCER voted no.
MOTION CARRIED 3-2.
- Wells left the meeting (42:56)
Appointment of City Commission Representative to the Health in All Practices Commission – tabled from January 7, 2025 (42:56)
MATKIN stated that Lisa Dillon/Housing, Community Development Coordinator is the appointed representative.
MOTION: DANCER moved to remove Item D (Appointment of City Commission Representative to the Health in All Practices Commission) from the Agenda. OLSON seconded. WELLS was absent for the roll call of the vote.
MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
- Wells returned to the meeting (44:38)
Consideration to Appoint or Remove City Commission Representative to REDI – tabled from January 7, 2025. (44:39)
ACTION: DANCER will upon attending his first meeting will attempt to get something in writing from Bourbon County REDI acknowledging that the City is not their customer and does not owe them money for him attending their meetings. If he cannot get such thing in writing, I will discontinue attendance.
MOTION: SALSBURY moved to appoint DANCER to the Bourbon County REDI Board (as a representative for the City). VAN HOECKE seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
MATKIN stated that he would like to know the function of REDI, what their mission statement is, where are they going and how are they getting there.
ACTION: DANCER will ask the questions of REDI.
Status of 323 W. Wall – tabled from January 7, 2025 (47:11) – WELLS had interested contractors look at the home, all want the home to be saved, and he summarized their comments. He is requesting more time to bring the item before the Land Bank and contact the owner directly.
MOTION: OLSON moved to table the item until February 4, 2025.
ACTION: WELLS will bring the topic before the Land Bank on January 27, 2025, and will contact the owner of the home.
SALSBURY seconded.
DANCER, OLSON, SALSBURY and WELLS voted yes. VAN HOECKE voted no.
MOTION CARRIED 4-1.
Status of 118 E. Wall (52:34)
- Hart left the meeting (54:54)
Discussion was had about what MONTANEZ would present to the Commission following the Commission’s visit to the building. WELLS again stated that a structural engineer must certify that the building is safe. That has still not been submitted. Further discussion was had on what work has been done and what has not been done to date toward the goal of opening the building for business.
OLSON asked MONTANEZ if the City were to draft a waiver where he would assume all responsibility should this building collapse, will he sign it. MONTANEZ stated “definitely…”
MOTION: OLSON moved to allow legal counsel and the City Manager work with the building owner of 118 E Wall to draft a waiver that can be brought back to the Commission as well as the owner to provide Certificate of Insurance with the City named as additionally insured and the building owner gives the Codes Department permission to inspect the building annually.
DANCER asked KRUGER that in his professional opinion does the building in its current state represent a hazard to the citizens of Fort Scott. KRUGER stated that “someone more professional that I has already answered that.” MATKIN stated “I don’t think you want that liability on the City of Fort Scott.” FARMER agreed with MATKIN.
Discussion was had about the (2) structural engineering reports.
DANCER seconded the motion.
VAN HOECKE called the question.
DANCER requested to rescind his second to amend the motion to include the option that if a structure engineer will certify that the building is safe to open the City will discontinue any requirement to prove that the building owner has insurance. OLSON agreed to the amendment to his motion.
OLSON, VAN HOECKE, SALSBURY, and DANCER voted yes. WELLS voted no.
MOTION CARRIED 4-1.
(1:27:48) COON requested to be heard regarding the opening of his building. VAN HOECKE stated that he would have the City Manager call a Special Meeting to address his request to reopen his building once the work specified in the structural engineers report is completed and inspected by KRUGER.
- Farmer left the meeting (1:28:46)
Approval of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program (1:29:28) – B. Matkin/FSK Airport Manager appeared to provide an overview of the document that needed the Commission’s approval. It is a document that allows fair bidding on government contracts and is required to be updated every (3) years in order to receive funding for airport projects.
MOTON: WELLS moved to approve the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program. SALSBURY seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
- Farmer returned to the meeting (1:30:30)
Status of 15 E. 2nd St. – Moody Building (1:30:27) – MATKIN stated he had been in contact with the building owner and a structural engineer’s report is in hand. The owner is in the process of finding a contractor to do the specified work.
Discussion was had about the probable safety of the building.
ACTION: MATKIN will ask the building owner for a Certificate of Liability and the alley behind the building will be completely closed down until the work is completed.
Reports and Comments
CITY MANAGER MATKIN (1:32:00)
CITY ATTORNEY FARMER (1:54:12)
COMMISSIONER SALSBURY (1:54:23)
COMMISSIONER WELLS (1:56:14)
COMMISSIONER OLSON (2:01:52)
COMMISSIONER DANCER (2:01:55)
COMMISSIONER/MAYOR VAN HOECKE (2:05:31)
MOTION: DANCER moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:09PM (2:09:38). SALSBURY seconded.
JANUARY 21, 2025, MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:09PM.
Submitted by Lisa A. Lewis, City Clerk
New Employee: Teri Hamilton at Common Ground Coffee Co.
Teri Hamilton, owner of The Hamilton’s Artisan Bakery, is putting her own business on pause and will be using her baking talents at Common Ground Coffee Co.12 E. Wall as of Monday, February 3.
In recent years, Hamilton’s husband has been able to help her with her home business, but because of a new job, he won’t.
“This makes it unsustainable for me physically,” Hamilton said. “The bakery business needs to grow in employees and space…and we are not ready to take that step.”
Starting on February 3 she will be at the coffee shop on Mondays through Fridays, from 8 a.m. to noon, baking for them.
“I’ll be making cookies and pastry-type things and possibly adding a few things of my own but will be keeping that baked good case full,” she said. “Taking this part-time job will keep me baking for the community.”
She started her artisan bakery three years ago, and feels the job will allow her to “see people, interact with them and see them enjoy the things I make for them.”
“I’m excited to join the Common Ground team, I look forward to serving people good food.”
Suzanne Griffin will continue her weekly dinners at the coffee shop and offer catering services.
Together they will produce some fun offerings for Super Bowl parties and Valentine’s Day.
Griffin said they will be offering appetizer trays and dip assortments for Super Bowl parties and for Valentine’s Day-chocolate dipped strawberries and Chardudery Trays for men.
“We call it Chardudery Trays because it has bacon, beef and no frilly stuff,” Griffin said.
For more information contact Common Ground Coffee Co. at 620.223.2499.
Ashton Pridey
Heidi Dixon
Orpha Durossette
Ava Witt
Suzanne Griffin
Jenna Graham
Submitted photo.
Talking Surveillance Poles Come to Fort Scott
If you happen to pass near the old Walgreens parking lot, you may be greeted by a voice coming from the sky saying, “You are trespassing! Please leave the area. This area is under video surveillance, and you have been recorded.”
While you look up to identify the celestial speaker in the heavens, you will instead find an aerial bullhorn complete with multiple video cameras and flashing blue lights.
According to the Fort Scott police department, they aren’t owned by law enforcement but are installed by property owners. The devices, made by Live View Technologies, are marketed as a solar-powered way to prevent theft and vandalism.
The devices gained attention in 2023 when they were placed outside an operational Walgreens across the street from a Ronald McDonald house. There, they loudly announced their oration every half hour to the annoyance of families trying to sleep across the street. The innkeeper was unhappy about “Robocop” waking his guests. While those devices seemed to be launching their repetitive discourse on a timer, the LVT website indicates they usually respond to motion.
Shane Dennis Inducted Into Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame on Feb. 1
Former Wichita State University star baseball player Shane Dennis will be inducted into the 2025 class of the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame this Saturday in Wichita.
Dennis was born in Fort Scott and was a standout athlete at Uniontown High School.
“We didn’t have a baseball team at the time,” he said. “I played Legion ball at Fort Scott in the summer,” Dennis said.
While pitching for the American Legion team in Fort Scott, the team won 28 games over three years and struck out 418 hitters in 222 innings, according to the website, http://ksbaseballhof.com.
“He was all-state in both football and basketball. He once scored 52 points and had 17 rebounds in a single game and set a 1A state record by scoring 90 points in the 1990 1A tournament, including 33 points in the championship game,” according to info on the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame website.
He graduated from U.H.S. in 1990 and became a midweek starter on the Wichita State University baseball team, posting a 5-1 record with a 2.66 earned run average as a freshman for a Shocker team that went to the College World Series final.
As a college sophomore, he won 13 games, struggled as a junior but bounced back to go 9-2 as a senior with a 1.35 ERA, according to the website.
“He was named Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year and first-team All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association and by Collegiate Baseball. Dennis’s career marks for ERA, starts, strikeouts and innings pitched are ranked in the WSU top ten,” according to the website.
Dennis was then drafted in the seventh round by the San Diego Padres program and pitched four seasons in the organization, winning minor league pitcher of the year in 1996.
“In 1997, Dennis pitched the first of two seasons for the Chiba Lotte Marines of the Japan Pacific League. He returned to the Padres organization to play his final season for Triple-A Las Vegas in 1999.
“While at Wichita State, Dennis majored in radio/television journalism and served as color commentator on Shocker women’s basketball broadcasts. In 2001, he returned to Wichita as play-by-play voice for the Double-A Wichita Wranglers before going back to Wichita State as director of baseball operations for 12 years,” according to the website.
Dennis is now part of the WSU baseball broadcast team and hosts a daily sports show, The Shane Dennis Show, on ESPN Wichita 92.3 radio station.
“I’ve been at ESPN Wichita the last three years, doing Wichita State Baseball and Basketball games,” he said.
Dennis’s father, Don, pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox and was inducted into the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003, according to the website.
Don Dennis died in 2007 and his mother Betty Dennis lives in Uniontown.
Read more at: https://www.kansas.com/sports/college/wichita-state/article296142789.html#storylink=cpy
Friends Now Accepting New and Renewed Subscriptions for U.S. Flags
The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site Inc. is now accepting applications for new subscriptions and renewals for their Fly the Flag project. The project provides homeowners and businesses, within the city limits of Fort Scott, the opportunity to display “Old Glory” on five different flag holidays during 2025 without the hassle of purchasing, placing, and storing a flag and pole. You don’t even have to remember the holiday!
For $40 annually, the Friends will install a 3’x5′ flag on a 12-foot
staff at your home or business on each of the following Flag Holidays :
Memorial Day, May 26th
Flag Day, June 14th
Independence Day, July 4th
Labor Day, September 1st
Veteran’s Day, November 11th
Applications for new subscriptions can be obtained at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce or can be requested by phone, text, or email. Call 417-684-2484 or email [email protected]. Renewal notices are being mailed/e-mailed to 2024 subscribers. Both new agreements and renewals must be returned by March 31, 2025.
All proceeds support programs at Fort Scott National Historic Site including the Naturalization Ceremony, Candlelight Tour, and Veterans Challenge coins among other special programs.
Show your patriotism and help our local National Park by lining the streets of Fort Scott with our nation’s symbol!
The Fly the Flag project is a yearly project sponsored by the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site. Once signed up, you will receive the option to renew annually.
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Chamber Coffee Hosted by SparkWheel on January 30
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Ground(Hog) Breakfast Fundraiser On Feb. 1
JOIN US FOR OUR 6TH ANNUAL
“ALL YOU CAN EAT PANCAKES
WITH A SERVING OF GROUND(HOG)”
OR (added this year)
“ALL YOU CAN EAT BISCUITS WITH GROUNDHOG GRAVY”
DINE IN OR CARRY OUT
SILENT AUCTION & BAKE SALE
February 1, 2025, 8 A.M. – 2 P.M.
at First Southern Baptist Church
1818 South Main, Fort Scott, KS
Children 7 and under FREE
8 to Adult $5.00 in advance or
$6.00 at the door
for advanced tickets Contact
Ida Ford 417-262-3948 or
Terri Williams 620-215-3202
**All proceeds go to FSBC Building Fund
What’s Happening in Fort Scott
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