There will be a Special Meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 14th, 2020 at the City Hall Commission Room, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. It is anticipated the City Commission will recess into Executive Session to conduct this meeting to discuss non-elected personnel. There is no action anticipated.
Category Archives: Fort Scott
Fort Scott Fire Department Awarded Grant For Fire Truck
39 Kansas towns to receive Community Development Block Grants
Topeka, Kan. – Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced today the award of more than $17 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to 39 Kansas communities.
A total of $17,486,103 in federal funds is being made available through the CDBG program this year. Communities receiving grants have presented plans for projects to make improvements toward water and wastewater systems, streets, facilities and housing.
“Quality of life is key to economic development,” Secretary Toland said. “Each of these investments in critical infrastructure helps keep communities competitive as they work to retain and recruit residents and businesses. Governor Kelly and I are proud to support these projects in rural communities across our state.”
CDBG funds are one of Commerce’s primary tools in supporting the state’s small, predominantly rural communities. Each community awarded has a population less than 50,000.
The CDBG program allows the Department of Commerce to distribute federal funds to Kansas cities and counties looking to improve their communities. To receive funds, projects must meet at least one of the following federally mandated criteria:
- The project benefits low- or moderate-income individuals
- The project removes or prevents slum or blight conditions
- The project eliminates an urgent need created by a disaster when local funds are unavailable
Grants in this category are awarded through an annual competition and support a variety of activities in communities throughout the state of Kansas.
The following communities are recipients of Community Development Block Grants:
| COUNTY | CITY |
| Bourbon | The City of Fort Scott will receive $665,303 in CDBG grant funds to purchase a new 100’ Platform Ladder truck for the city. The city will contribute $665,303 in local city matching funds. |
| Butler | The City of Rose Hill will receive $144,000 in CDBG funds to complete a street project in the city. The city will contribute $604,890 in local city matching funds. |
| Cherokee | The City of Columbus will receive $600,000 in CDBG grant funds to complete a street project in the city. The city will contribute $600,000 in local city matching funds. |
| Cheyenne | The City of St. Francis will receive $600,000 in CDBG grant funds to complete a street project in the city. The city will contribute $812,110 in local city matching funds. |
| Clark | The City of Ashland will receive $421,303 in CDBG funds to make water system improvements throughout the city. The city will provide $421,303 in matching funds it secured through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. |
| Cloud | The City of Concordia will receive $561,660 in CDBG funds to make sanitary sewer and storm sewer improvements in the city. The city has local funds of $561,661 to contribute in matching funds. |
| Cloud | The City of Miltonvale will receive $35,212 in CDBG funds to complete a demolition project. The city will contribute a total of $35,213 through local city funds, force account construction and Landfill Fees. |
| Cowley | The City of Cambridge will receive $182,000 in CDBG funds to make water system improvements throughout the city. The city will provide $738,200 in matching funds it secured through USDA Rural Development. |
| Cowley | The City of Udall will receive $494,360 in CDBG grant funds to complete a Library and Wellness Center project in the city. The city will contribute $474,360 which they secured through USDA Rural Development. |
| Decatur | The City of Oberlin will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make water distribution improvements throughout the city. The city has local funds of $662,700 to contribute in matching funds. |
| Dickinson | The City of Chapman will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to build a non-discharging wastewater treatment facility to serve the city. The city will provide $3,535,794 in matching funds it secured through USDA Rural Development. |
| Dickinson | The City of Solomon will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make water distribution system improvements throughout the city. The city will provide $1,416,424 in matching funds they have secured through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. |
| Ellis | The City of Ellis will receive $412,113 in CDBG funds to make improvements to its water distribution system. The city will provide all matching funds themselves in the amount of $412,112. |
| Franklin | The City of Williamsburg will receive $421,230 in CDBG grant funds to complete a street project in the city. The city will contribute $421,230 in local city matching funds. |
| Labette | The City of Parsons will receive $272,500 in CDBG grant funds to complete a storm sewer project in the city. The city will contribute $272,500 in local storm water funds as a local match. |
| Lincoln | The City of Lincoln Center will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make water distribution system improvements throughout the city. The city will provide $605,961 in matching funds they have secured through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. |
| Lyon | The City of Emporia will receive $300,000 in CDBG Funds and pledged $88,400 in matching funds. This grant will rehabilitate 14 homes for owned and rental units. |
| Marion | The City of Marion will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make water distribution improvements throughout the city. The city will provide $3,334,478 in matching funds they have secured through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. |
| Marshall | The City of Marysville will receive $600,000 in CDBG grant funds to build a new fire station for the city. The city will contribute $938,448 in local city matching funds. |
| McPherson | The City of McPherson will receive $300,000 in CDBG funds to rehabilitate approximately 13 homes for low-to moderate income families. The city will provide $72,710 in local matching funds. |
| Montgomery | The City of Coffeyville will receive $268,500 in CDBG grant funds to complete an ADA sidewalk project. The city will contribute $268,500 in local city matching funds. |
| Nemaha | The City of Centralia will receive $535,423 in CDBG grant funds to complete an electrical distribution system improvement throughout the city. The city will contribute $535,423 in local city matching funds. |
| Osage | The City of Osage City will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make sanitary sewer improvements throughout the city. The city will provide $979,000 in matching funds they have secured through Kansas Department of Health and Environment. |
| Osage | The City of Overbrook will receive $600,000 in CDBG grant funds to make improvements to their water treatment facility and distribution system. The city will provide $5,575,300 in matching funds they have secured through USDA Rural Development. |
| Osborne | Osborne County will receive $60,350 in CDBG grant funds to purchase a new brush fire truck for the county. The county will contribute $60,350 through funds secured through the Osborne County RFD #3. |
| Ottawa | The City of Minneapolis will receive $300,000 in CDBG funds to rehabilitate eight homes for owner occupied and rental residents and demolish one unoccupied dilapidated housing unit. The city will provide $13,700 in local matching funds. |
| Pawnee | The City of Larned will receive $598,497 in CDBG funds to make water distribution system improvements throughout the city. The city has local funds of $598,497 to contribute in matching funds. |
| Reno | The City of Arlington will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make wastewater improvements throughout the city. The city will provide $670,000 in matching funds it secured from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. |
| Reno | The City of Hutchinson will receive $256,500 in CDBG funds to rehabilitate approximately ten homes for low-to-moderate income families. The CDBG funds will be match with $75,130 in local funds. |
| Republic | The City of Belleville will receive $175,000 in CDBG grant funds to purchase a new Standard Pumper Fire Truck. The city will contribute $175,000 in local city matching funds. |
| Riley | The City of Riley will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make sanitary sewer improvements throughout the city. The city will provide $729,200 in matching funds they have secured through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. |
| Rush | The City of Liebenthal will receive $220,850 in CDBG grant funds to make improvements to their sanitary sewer treatment facility and install a new pump station. The city will contribute $220,850 in matching funds they have secured through the USDA Rural Development. |
| Russell | The City of Lucas will receive $264,852 in CDBG grant funds to complete a Community Center and Library project. The city will contribute $264,853 which they secured through USDA Rural Development. |
| Russell | The City of Russell will receive $600,000 in CDBG grant funds to complete a street project in the city. The city will contribute $992,800 in local city matching funds. |
| Sumner | The City of Conway Springs will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make wastewater improvements for the city. The city will provide $2,977,275 in matching funds it secured through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. |
| Washington | The City of Hanover will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make water distribution system improvements throughout the city. The city will provide $3,730,247 in matching funds they have secured through the USDA Rural Development. |
| Wichita | The City of Leoti will receive $596,450 in CDBG grant funds to complete a street project in the city. The city will contribute $596,450 in local city matching funds. |
| Wilson | The City of Fredonia will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to create a wastewater treatment facility. The city will provide $2,219,400 in matching funds they have secured through USDA Rural Development. |
| Woodson | The City of Yates Center will receive $400,000 in CDBG grant funds to purchase a new Quint Fire Truck for the city. The city will contribute $400,000 in local city matching funds. |
For more information on the Community Development Block Grant program, contact:
Kansas Department of Commerce
Business and Community Development Division
(785) 296-3004
TTY (Hearing Impaired) at 711
Lance’s Looking At Bringing Groceries to Downtown Fort Scott
Loren and Regena Lance are contemplating duplicating what they have done to the Mildred Store in Allen County, in downtown Fort Scott. They have a grocery store in the town of Mildred, population 26.
See the end of this feature for how to give input to the Lance’s.
“Loren and I purchased the Mildred Store six years ago this coming June,” Regena Lance said. “We purchased the existing store because we saw a community need. We have taken a store in the middle of basically nowhere and made it a hub to the community and developed it into a destination business.”
“We feel after nearly six years in business we have an idea of how to be competitive and provide a great service to our community,” she said. “We would hope to be able to duplicate this in Fort Scott, if we decide to pursue this opportunity.”
Mildred Store is known for sandwiches and live music that happens monthly.
” Several people from Fort Scott visit our Mildred Store, especially on the third Saturday of the month which is our ‘Music Night’ and had commented on how nice it would be to have a store like this in the downtown area of Fort Scott,” Regena said.
“After thinking it over and discussing it with employees of the city of Fort Scott, we have decided to give it further consideration,” she said.
“The situation in Fort Scott is similar to what we saw in Mildred,” Regena said. “There is a need in a community that could be fulfilled by a small store that stocks all the basic goods and a few specialty items. We are not trying to compete with any other existing businesses in Fort Scott just hoping to fill a void that has become apparent in the downtown area.”
Location
No location has been determined yet, she said, but the future grocery store would be in downtown Fort Scott.
When
“If we do decide to move forward with this venture we will be looking a late spring start up,” she said.
Community Input Sought
“We are looking for community input on what they would like to see in a future store, as far as staple goods, store hours and any other possible suggestions,” Regena said. ” We would like to invite anyone interested to come visit the Mildred Store to see how we could model a new store off of our existing one. Mildred Store is open seven days a week Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.”
“Music night is this Saturday night starting at 6:30 if anyone is interested in coming to see what’s happening in Mildred,” she said.
To comment ideas for staple goods and store hours, use the store’s Facebook page: Mildred Store or call the store at 620-439-5424.
IF: Christian Women’s Event Feb. 29
IF, a Christian women’s ministry conference, is planned for Saturday, February 29 at 9 a.m.Fort Scott Middle School, 1105 E. Twelfth.
IF God is real, then what? That is the premise of the ministry to women.
Area women are asked to join others from local churches to look into God’s Word through teaching, conversations, worship of Jesus, and hearing stories, according to information provided from organizers.
Kenny Felt Photography.
Presentations from popular Christian leaders, including Beth Moore, Sadie Robertson, Jennie Allen, and Bianca Olthoff will be from the IF: Gathering 2020 Livestream.
Also included is live music from local artists Madison Christian and KaLisa Veer.
The cost is $25 and includes a coffee bar, light pastries, lunch, and snacks, plus receive a free notebook and pen.
To purchase tickets:
http://www.iffortscott.wixsite.com/home
A few local IF participants were interviewed by FortScott.Biz:
How has IF impacted your life?
Rebekah
“Last year was my first time attending an IF event…and I don’t know why I waited so long to join,” said Rebekah Houser, who will be the photographer for the 2020 event. “I loved the event so much that I’ve done every IF: Equip study we’ve held since then. It has filled the hole I’ve had since I graduated out of my high school youth group and has seriously been a huge blessing. Some of my closest friends now are the women who have also participated in these studies alongside me.”
Rachel
“After suffering the loss of my brother four years ago, I decided to attend a Christian women’s event at a local church, one that I didn’t attend,” Rachel French, IF: Fort Scott Steering Committee Member said. “It was totally a God move. Over the years, the Lord has laid on my heart to promote unity throughout the body of Christ here in our community. Since that initial gathering, I have seen our IF: community put aside our differences and focus on the core common beliefs that we share.”
Bethany
“When I first attended the gathering in 2017, I was new to Fort Scott and was still trying to find my place in the small town scene, having grown up in a larger city,” Bethany Johnson, IF Steering Committee Member said. “I was asked to serve at the IF: Gathering and I came excited to learn and worship with other women. I quickly realized how much I needed to be there. I soaked up teaching from God’s Word and powerful and encouraging stories. That was just the beginning of how God has used this ministry to impact my life and connect me to other Christian women in my community.”
What is your favorite part of the event?
Rebekah
“My favorite part about IF is the building of a community with women from other churches and denominations. I love that IF isn’t about putting one denomination over another. It’s simply about creating a community with other women in your town and forming relationships with them. Then, the opportunity to join an IF: Table or participate in the short six-week IF: Equip studies can continue to build and solidify those relationships. No matter what age or denomination you are, we just get together to love each other and lean into each other. I love that,” Rebekah said.
Rachel
“I love that IF: Fort Scott doesn’t end when the gathering is over. We have weekly and monthly opportunities for the women of the community to get involved and continue to learn and grow more in their faith. We offer weekly Bible studies that start every six to eight weeks, with our next study starting on March 10th. We also offer monthly IF: Tables, where six women meet for two hours over a meal and have a conversation over a topic provided by the IF: Gathering team,” Rachel said.
Bethany
“This event is unlike any other women’s conference or retreat I have ever attended. We come together and watch recordings of other women and Christian leaders share powerful teaching from God’s word and testimonies of what He is doing in their lives. Since I volunteer as a youth sponsor and spend time with teenage girls each week at my church, my favorite part is gathering with women from every age and background to be united in one purpose. I am encouraged because it is an opportunity for teenage girls to see other girls their age leading women much older than them,” Bethany said.
How has attending challenged you personally?
Rebekah
“Since attending IF, I’ve felt compelled to not only get to know other women in my community better but get to truly know them. I have so many new close relationships with women now that one year ago I did not! I needed that desperately, and they have truly been a lifeline for me on so many occasions. I have the best and most understanding husband, but sometimes you just need a great group of ladies to lean on too,” Rebekah said.
Rachel
“This will be my fifth gathering and after each event I feel God stretching me to grow deeper in my faith and rely on him more. We get to hear from so many amazing speakers who communicate the word of God in a way that is different than a regular Sunday morning service. Through the IF: Equip app the speakers provide more content which has allowed me to continue learning from these godly women,” Rachel said.
Bethany
“Through attending this event, I have had the opportunity to study the Bible with other women, serve in many ways out of my comfort zone, and lead alongside new friends. I am challenged to grow in my relationship with Jesus through this event. There are many free resources available to study Scripture and dive deeper into your faith through the IF: Equip App,” Bethany said.
For more information click below:
http://www.iffortscott.wixsite.com/home
Chamber Coffee at Visage Spa on Feb. 13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fort Scott Public Library Newsletter February 2020
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
Storytime
Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 10 a.m.
 |
Join Miss Val for stories, songs, crafts, snacks, and fun! Free ~ All Ages ~ Thematic
Upcoming Themes: Senses, Valentine’s Day, Dogs, Tea Time, Dinosaurs, Airplanes, Alphabet, and Spring Babies.
We will NOT have Storytime on Feb. 26 and March 17, 18, and 25. Volunteer by emailing [email protected]
Suggest your child’s favorites here.
|
|
|
Celebrate all things Seuss at a drop-in program on March 2!
Between 10 am and 4:30 pm, stop by the library event room to
enjoy games, crafts, snacks, reading, and prizes inspired by the
works of Dr. Seuss. When available, Miss Val will read your
favorite Dr. Seuss story, as well!
 |
|
|
|
…
[Message clipped] View entire message
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Minutes of U234 Board of Education Meeting Feb. 10
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met on Monday, February 10, at the Board of Education office for their regular monthly meeting.
President David Stewart opened the meeting. The board approved the official agenda. The board also approved the consent agenda as follows:
- Minutes
- Bills and Claims
- Payroll – January 17, 2020 – $1,371,497.09
- Financial Report
- Bond Proceeds Reconciliation
- Activity Fund Accounts
- Fundraising Project – HS Debate and Forensics
Stephanie George, KNEA President, presented a report. Administrators from each building shared information with board members.
Superintendent Ted Hessong reported on BOLD training, Recruit and Hire, PSU Teacher Interview Day on February 19, Stop School Violence grant, accreditation visit, and Crisis Go.
Gina Shelton, Business Manager, discussed health insurance, the health stipend, the KSDE audit, and the roof project that will begin at middle school.
Board members approved the following items:
- Allowance of proposals for refinancing of the bond
- Roof payment
- Resolution to establish election of school board officers
Board members shared comments and then went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel and returned to open meeting. The board approved the following employment matters:
- Retirement of Beverly Cummins, Eugene Ware paraprofessional, effective May 18, 2020
- Resignation of Shawn LaSota, high school English teacher, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year
- Resignation of Brooke LaSota, Eugene Ware paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year
- Transfer of Andrea Heckman, preschool long-term substitute teacher, to a licensed teacher at New Generation for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year
- Leave of absence request from Billie Young, high school kitchen manager
- Transfer of Cheryl Marsh, high school ticket clerk, to interim high school kitchen manager and transfer of Brenda Hathaway, high school cook, to high school interim ticket clerk for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year
- Adjustment in the work agreement for Moriah Dillow, Winfield Scott paraprofessional, from a 6-hour day to a 7.5-hour day for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year
- Addition of the following positions for the 2020-21 school year:
High School Family and Consumer Science Teacher
Middle School 7th and 8th grade English/Language Arts/Social Studies Teacher
Eugene Ware Assistant Principal
Director of Academics
The board adjourned.
City Offices Closed For President’s Day
The City of Fort Scott City Administrative Offices will be closed on Monday, February 17th, 2020 in observance of the President’s Day holiday. The offices will reopen on Tuesday, February 18th, 2020.
The City’s tree and brush dump site located on North Hill will also be closed on Saturday, February 15th, 2020 for the President’s Day holiday. It will be open again on Tuesday, February 18th, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
City Work Session Feb. 12 To Discuss Sewer
There will be a work session of the Fort Scott City Commission held on Wednesday, February 12th, 2020 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the City Commission meeting room at 123 S. Main Street. This work session will be held to discuss sanitary sewer in the City of Fort Scott. There will be no action taken by the City Commission at this work session. This work session is open to the public.
Visage Spa Moves Shop
Nancy Johnson, a licensed esthetician, has moved shop.
“I wanted to be downtown,” Johnson said.
Formerly on the south end of Fort Scott, she has moved her business, Visage Skin Care Spa, to 5 E. Wall.
The move took place in November 2019, but then Johnson and her husband took an extended vacation.
Johnson has been in the business for 13 years and received her training at the Euro Institute of Holistic Skin Care in Renton, Washington.
The services she provides are facials, waxing, lash and brow tinting, sugaring, body and foot treatments and she sells Niko Organic Skin Care products.
She can put together a gift basket for a loved one for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion.
Johnson is hosting the weekly Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce coffee on Feb. 13 at 8 a.m., with a ribbon-cutting for the business to follow the coffee at 8:30 a.m.
Johnson works by appointment and can be reached at 620.224.6455.
Fly the Flag Project Deadline is March 2
|
|
|
|
Moe’s Breads Grand Opening
Moe’s Breads Bakery is having a grand opening on Feb. 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“We will have drawings for merchandise and coupons,” said owner Melissa McCurry. “Seventy-five cents coffee, $1 single biscuits and gravy and are giving away 100 mini-muffins for a door prize.”
“We are doing a raffle for the 3rd-grade boys’ basketball to go to state, tickets are $1,” McCurry said. “We will draw at the grand opening for a full pan of cinnamon rolls.”
Hours of the bakery are from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday and Sunday hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
To place an order, call 620-768-8009.
Every morning McCurry makes homemade biscuits and homemade gravy and starts selling it and other breads, cookies, muffins along with hot and cold drinks at 5 a.m.
There is a lounge area in the bakery with a couch, table, and chairs in an adjacent room.
The list of food items sold:
The fruit loaves include banana, pumpkin, blueberry, and zucchini. They sell for $6. Apple cinnamon and caramel pecan swirl loaves are $7.
Cookies include banana chocolate chip, peanut butter, chocolate cream for $4 a dozen, no-bake cookies sell for $6.
Yeast bread orders must be placed 24-hours prior and start at $5: white, wheat, French, challah, jalapeno cheese, ciabatta, cinnamon rolls, and sourdough.
Coffee can be purchased for $1.25 and tea for75 cents. Soda, milk, orange juice, and energy drinks are also sold.