Category Archives: Fort Scott

Business, Fort Scott

Dollar General Will Undergo Big Remodel, Reopen Feb. 14

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Dollar General, at 2001 S. Main in Fort Scott, will be closing at 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 10 for an interior remodel of the store.

“We will be closed from Monday through Wednesday, then reopen on Thursday, Feb. 14 at 8 a.m.,” LaDonna Sandstoe, the store manager said.

The remodel will expand the freezers and coolers, and add new cash registers and new items, she said.

“It’s a good time with Price Chopper (grocery store) closing,” Sandstsoe said. “The whole back wall will be freezers and coolers. That is expanding. The store will be able to hold more perishables.”

The freezer and cooler section will be expanded in the upcoming Dollar General remodel.

In an effort to reduce inventory, since January 13, the store has been having a clearance sale, she said.

“We are having 50 percent off on all apparel,” Sandstoe said.

Following the remodel, the store will not carry apparel, she noted.

In addition to clothing,  there are 50- percent -off- sales for all kitchen, bath and laundry accessories, ladies wallets, and baby items, she said.

“Currently, there are six employees at the store, and I’m looking to hire a few more,” Sandstoe said.

The stores hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.

The phone number is 620-223-4136.

 

Business, Fort Scott

Stutesman’s Realty presents Five Open Homes for Viewing Jan. 26

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Winter Blast Tour 2019
Stutesman’s Realty presents 5 Open Homesfor Viewing
Stutesman’s Action Realty presents:
Winter Blast Tour, Saturday, January 26th from 12:30pm – 2:30pm:
Please stop by these 5 beautiful homes and enjoy refreshments as you tour these homes and bring an item to donate for the Fort Scott High School Clothes Closet and Pantry.
Open Home Addresses:
  • 1005 S. Burke
  • 11 Golfview
  • 1315 Marblecrest Dr.
  • 502 Fairway
  • 863 195th St.
For more information, contact Stutesman’s Action Realty at (833) 286-8400 or visit their website by clicking here.
Entertainment, Fort Scott

Dancing With Our Stars Feb. 9

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9th Annual Dancing With Our Stars 2019 – Totally 80’s Edition
Tickets on Sale Now!!
Save the Date for Rotary’s
2019 Dancing With Our Stars ~
TOTALLY 80’S EDITION!
Join us on Saturday, February 9th at 7pm for the
9th Annual Event, at the Danny & Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center, 2108 S. Horton St.
Dancing entries of 2-9 participants each (couples, trios, teams, etc.) select a song of their choice to reflect the 80’s theme, select a charity they wish to dance for, and compete by raising the most dollars for their charity prior to the event and during intermission of the event when attendees vote for their favorite dance entry by voting with their dollars. The winning team will take home a trophy and a cash prize for their charity of choice. Additional awards include most entertaining and best technical performance.
Tickets are $15 for VIP seats and $10 for General Admission. All seats are reserved. Purchase your tickets now at the Chamber of Commerce,
231 E. Wall St.
For more information, contact Janet Braun at
(620) 224-6856 or email: [email protected]
Fort Scott, Health Care

Fort Scott’s Cancer Center to Close Jan. 31

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Cancer Center of Kansas, located in Mercy Hospital Clinic, Jan. 21..

In connection with the closure of Mercy Hospital at the end of 2018, the Cancer Center of Kansas, which was located in the hospital clinic is closing.

The last day of operation for the center in Fort Scott is Jan. 31.

The center is offering the same service in Chanute and Parsons for its patients, said Dr. Yoosaf Abraham, Chief Operating Officer for Cancer Center of Kansas, Wichita.

The reason for the closure?

“We can not provide services to our patients, without ancillary services,” Abraham said.

Services such as  a labratory and surgeons are no longer available at Fort Scott, Abraham said.

Dr. Phu Truong and Dr. Nassim Nbbout, the current doctors in the Fort Scott Cancer Center of Kansas, can be seen at the Chanute and Parsons Cancer Center of Kansas facilities, he said.

The two nurses currently employed at the Cancer Center in Fort Scott are employees of Mercy Hospital, Abraham said.

“This will affect many in our community,” said Karen Endicott-Coyan. ” I currently take weekly chemo treatments at the center…this is extremely disheartening. I take chemo weekly with no end in sight, as there is no cure for my disease.”

 

Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Young Adult Fantasy Author to Speak at FSHS and Hedgehog.INK

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ELANA MUGDAN, FIVE-STAR INDIE AUTHOR, TO APPEAR AT

FORT SCOTT’S NEW BOOKSTORE, HEDGEHOG.INK

~ BOOK SIGNING and AUTHOR TALK ~

ELANA A. MUGDAN’s debut novel, DRAGON SPEAKER, was released in North America on October 15, 2018.

At 4:00 PM on Friday, January 25, 2019 Ms. Mugdan will appear at Fort Scott’s new bookstore, Hedgehog.INK, at 16 S. Main Street. She will be hosting an Author Talk with a Q&A session, and signing copies of her book.

Dragon Speaker is the first in a cycle of five novels in Mugdan’s Shadow War Saga. The series is in the popular Young Adult Fantasy genre. After having been published in 2016 by Pen Works Media in England, the book was accepted as an outstanding independent work by DartFrog Books, a leading sponsor of indie authors and booksellers.

Dragon Speaker is one of a select group of novels placed in 50 brick-and-mortar stores across the nation that have partnered with DartFrog Books to showcase and promote exceptional talent. Chanticleer Book Reviews raves: “High fantasy that hits all the marks … fantasy — adventure — coming of age. It’s all here in Elana Mugdan’s Dragon Speaker!” Reader’s Favorite adds: “A fresh premise to the classic dragon theme.”

Everyone knows this story: an unlikely young hero is chosen by divine providence to save the world from a terrible evil. Except Keriya Nameless is crippled, without the power to wield magic in a world where everyone else can. The god who chose her is a mysterious dragon with a knack for exploiting loopholes in the rules of the Allentrian universe. Oh — and that terrible evil the world needs to be saved from? Maybe it’s not quite as evil as everyone says.

Mugdan is an award-winning filmmaker and screenwriter. In 2010 she wrote, directed, and produced her first professional feature-length film, Director’s Cut. It was an official selection at fourteen film festivals in the U.S. and abroad, earning widespread acclaim and winning major awards at four of them, including the Indie Spirit Special Recognition Award at the prestigious Boston International Film Festival in April, 2011. The picture received distribution by Digital Magic Entertainment in 2012 under the title Let’s Make a Movie.

Mugdan is a New York City native who lives a quiet but eccentric life with her pet snake, Medusa. She brings an authentic air to her book signing events and readings by appearing in full Allentrian costume, and encourages attendees to come dressed in their own favorite costumes as well.

Earlier the same day, Mugdan will be speaking to students at Fort Scott High School. She will talk about writing as a career, and discussing today’s publishing industry. She will describe the challenges and rewards of a creative life.

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Government, Health Care

Health Department to Move

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This building. at 6th and Horton, will be the new site of the Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department.

The Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department, with a location currently behind the Bourbon County Courthouse, is moving.

More privacy for clients and more room for future health care collaborations are the reasons for the move said Bourbon County Commissioner Jeff Fischer, who is also a member of the SEKMCHD board.

The site chosen is the former Mercy Hospital facility at 6th and Horton.

“We needed more space to provide more services,” Fischer said.

“SEKMCHD began looking at updating their current facility that is a modular office building on the courthouse square two years ago,” said  Fischer. “SEKMCHD considered the Bourbon County Court Annex, the decommissioned jail and other properties on the market two years ago. Late this summer the Cornerstone Bible Church offered their building to SEKMCHD which was purchased in December 2018.”

The SEKMCHD received a building permit on Jan. 17. They will meet as a board on Jan. 22 for further discussions of the project.

“We are aiming for an April 1 date to move,” Fischer said.

“Moving into a structure that is more than twice the size of their existing facility presents some interesting opportunities,” Fischer said. “There are ongoing discussions on how to leverage this space to improve access to healthcare and – or provide other services that complement the mission of county health departments. This may include leveraging the Craw-Kan Fiber Optic Network and support Tele-health studios available to the public.”

“At this point, a building permit has been granted to modify the western side of the building, replacing interior walls and providing the ability to secure the SEKMCHD space from the commons areas that include the waiting room and reception area,” Fischer said. “There are no definite plans on how to best utilize the eastern half.”

“The project consists of replacing and installing approximately 120 linear foot of insulated 2X4 framed walls on a structure that was built by Mercy in 1992 to provide health care services,” Fischer explained. “In addition, the installation of nine doors to create three new office spaces and two examination rooms. The framed walls shall be covered with approximately 240 ft., 50 boards of half-inch sheetrock.”

“The plumbing portion involves replacing sinks and moving an existing sink to facilitate access to the restroom from one of the exam rooms,” he said. “The plumber will also extend a gas line to the vicinity of the generator set placed outside adjacent to the electrical service entry.”

“The electrical portion involves installing wiring for outlets, switches, dedicated circuits for critical equipment,” Fischer said.  “In addition, it involves the installation of communication wiring. The installation of a generator set and appropriate automatic transfer switches will also be furnished.”

The Bourbon County Health Department provides adult and childhood immunizations and physicals, pap exams, birth control, blood lead screening, hemoglobin and blood sugar screening, hearing screening, blood pressure checks, STD screening and treatment, disease investigations, emergency preparedness,  and labs such as CBC, Chem Panel, TSH.
“The costs depends on which service they choose, but we accept Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance, Cigna, United Healthcare, and Kancare Insurance associated with Medicaid- Amerigroup, Etna, and United Healthcare,” said Alice Maffett, the nurse at the SEKMCHD in Bourbon County.

 For more information, contact Alice Maffett, Nurse, Bourbon County,620-223-4464 , or Jeff Fischer, board member, 620.223.6633 or Chardel Hastings, Director SEKMCHD 411 North Washington ~ Iola, 620-365-2191.

Fort Scott

Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 Scuttlebutt

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Post Service Officer Myra Jowers will no longer hold office hours on Tuesdays at Memorial Hall. She will meet with anyone, by appointment, who has questions about filing VA claims, who need a second set of eyes to review their claims or help understand VA documents they have received in the mail. Her service is free and is for anyone, Veteran or family member, who wish to file a claim or appeal a denied claim. She can be reached at [email protected] or 620.215.1286 to schedule an appointment.

 

Our Post 25 American Legion Oratorical competition is Saturday, January 26, 2019. The competition starts promptly at 9 am and will be held at the First Southern Baptist Church. All Post 25 members, their families and friends of the Legion are invited to attend. The winner of the Post Oratorical competition will move on to the District oratorical competition to be held in February in Olathe.

 

The first shuttle run for the Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center is Tuesday, February 5. The shuttle will run every Tuesday morning. Any area Vet needing a ride for a medical appointment should call 785-925-0261 for more information or to reserve a seat. All Vets riding the shuttle must have medical appointments between 9 am and 1 pm. The deadline for scheduling a seat is 5 pm, Monday, February 4. 

I am proud to announce that once again Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 leads the Department of Kansas in membership this week. Our 2019 goal was 51 members. Our current membership is at 130% and 67 members. We are 16 members over our goal. By way of comparison, Grainfield Post 301 in District 6, is in 2nd place for membership at 115%. Thanks to all members who have made Fort Scott Post 25 a highly visible and active Legion Post in the Department of Kansas.

Legion merchandise can be ordered through Emblem Sales: https://emblem.legion.org/.  Contact  if ordering a Legion cap to insure  cap has the correct lettering.

 

 Upcoming Events

 

January 26. Post 25 Oratorical competition at 9 am at the First Southern Baptist Church.

January 31. Post 25 Executive Committee meets in Memorial Hall at 6 pm. Post 25 is member driven. Please make Post 25 Executive Committee members aware of any suggestions or thoughts you may have about improving  Post 25.

February 1-3. The Mid-Winter Forum is open to all Legionnaires and offers every member, especially Post leaders and chairmen, the opportunity to learn more about The American Legion, its programs and the direction each program is expected to take if there are any changes being considered, including changes directed by National Headquarters.  In addition, the Forum provides information about how and why The American Legion functions in the manner we do as an organization. More information about the forum is available at https://ksamlegion.org/view/document/sunflower2019q1.pdf.

 

February 4. Post 25 meet and greet at 6:30 pm. Come and enjoy the fellowship of other Veterans. Bring an eligible Veteran to visit our Post.

 

February 4. Post 25 general membership meeting at 7 pm. Our membership meetings are open to all. SAL members are strongly encouraged to attend.

 

February 5. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 615 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

 

March 4. Post 25 meet and greet at 6:30 pm. Come and enjoy the fellowship of other Veterans. Bring an eligible Veteran to visit our Post.

 

March 4. Post 25 general membership meeting at 7 pm. Our membership meetings are open to all. SAL members are strongly encouraged to attend.

 

April 1. Post 25 meet and greet at 6:30 pm. Come and enjoy the fellowship of other Veterans. Bring an eligible Veteran to visit our Post.

 

April 1. Post 25 general membership meeting at 7 pm. Our membership meetings are open to all. SAL members are strongly encouraged to attend.

 

Remember to check out Post 25 on Facebook. It contains current information pertaining to Veterans and their families.

 

Carl Jowers. Commander

Fort Scott American Legion Post 25

Telephone: 620.215.1688

Email: [email protected]

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening in Fort Scott

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RADIO AUCTION – KOMB All Hit 103.9 FM – Starts Jan. 16 through first week of March, every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Listen for details!
Moran Manor Skilled Nursing by Americare has openings for CNA’s – see flyer below
Care to Share (“The Sharing Bucket”) will be hosting the 5th Annual “TaTa” Ride on June 15th, 2019 and an “AR-15 Gun Raffle”. Raffle tickets are $5 each and on sale now! ATF Regulations apply. Contact Stacey Wright for tickets or more info. (See flyer below)
18-19
Weekly Livestock Sale at Fort Scott Livestock Market. Starting at 10am on both Fridays & Saturdays
Fridays:  Cows, Pairs, Big Bulls
Saturdays:  Stocker & Feeder Cattle, followed by any cows & bulls that come in late Friday & Saturday. Cafe open both sale days. You don’t have to be a buyer, just to come watch the sale and visit the cafe!
18
Eat Smart, Live Strong class – Fort Scott Professional Building (formerly Newman Young Clinic), each Friday in January, 10:30am-12:00pm

Enjoy fun and lively activities with other older adults! Talk about easy ways to make smart food choices and exercise more

Contact Malynda Payne, K-State Research and Extension Nutrition Assistant, [email protected], or call (620)768-9459 for more information
18 Friendship Soup Lunch hosted by First United Methodist Church – Fellowship Hall, 301 S. National, lower level, 11:30am-1pm

Chili, a variety of soups, desserts, and a drink will be served for a free will donation. All are welcome!
19 4th Annual Care to Share Pool Tournament at Holmtown Pub – 206 N. National Ave., Fort Scott

Jack and Jill Scottish doubles. Double elimination, race to 3 on the winners’ side, race to 2 on the losers’ side. 16 team limit. Register at the pub. $40 pre-registration. Player auction will begin at 11am, with play to begin immediately after
19 Artist of the Month, Al Letner of Chicopee Pottery, will be at Hedgehog.INK, 16 S. Main St., 3pm

Mr. Letner will give a presentation and share techniques
21 Martin Luther King Day (Federal Holiday)
21
Martin Luther King Day “Lunch and Learn” – FSCC Gordon Parks Museum in Ellis Fine Arts Center – 2108 S. Horton St.

Bring your lunch – drinks and dessert provided
21 Community Book Club meeting – location to be determined, 7pm

Book: Where The Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens. E-mail [email protected] for more info
22-23 Story Time – Fort Scott Public Library,                        201 S. National Ave., 10-11am
22 T.O.P.S Meeting – Buck Run Community Center,
3-4pm
22 Fort Scott Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 12-1pm (Hedges Administrative Building)
22 Chamber Board Meeting – Papa Don’s, 10 N. Main St., 12pm-1pm
23 Breakfast Bingo at BRCC – 735 Scott Ave., 9-10am, 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of each month

Come drink some coffee and play some bingo at Buck Run. Staff will provide bingo cards, the caller, and the coffee. Prizes provided by the Fort Scott Recreation Commission
23 Rotary Meeting – Presbyterian Church,                   308 S. Crawford St., 12-1pm
23
Adult Coloring Program – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National Ave., 2-4pm

Join us in the library events room for a relaxing afternoon of coloring and conversation. Library provides coloring pages, pens and pencils, and snacks. Bring your own beverage of choice (no alcohol, please)
23
TAG (Teen Advisory Group) – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National Ave., 4-5pm

Exclusively for middle and high school students. We have meetings weekly, including a games & snack night, a community service project, a book club meeting, and a craft night each month. Make a difference in your community while having fun at TAG! Each meeting includes food, drinks, and a good time with your fellow teens. Bring your friends!
24
Join us for the weekly Chamber Coffee of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at 8am. This week’s Chamber Coffee will be hosted by Sharky’s Pub & Grub

Location: 16 N. National Ave.
24
Pioneer Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 12pm
24 Thursday Card Players – Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Ave., 6-9pm. Free weekly event to anyone that wants to play cards, drink coffee, eat snacks, and socialize
25-26
Weekly Livestock Sale at Fort Scott Livestock Market. Starting at 10am on both Fridays & Saturdays
Fridays:  Cows, Pairs, Big Bulls
Saturdays:  Stocker & Feeder Cattle, followed by any cows & bulls that come in late Friday & Saturday. Cafe open both sale days. You don’t have to be a buyer, just to come watch the sale and visit the cafe!
25
Eat Smart, Live Strong class – Fort Scott Professional Building (formerly Newman Young Clinic), each Friday in January, 10:30am-12:00pm

Enjoy fun and lively activities with other older adults! Talk about easy ways to make smart food choices and exercise more

Contact Malynda Payne, K-State Research and Extension Nutrition Assistant, [email protected], or call (620)768-9459 for more information
25
Meet the Author Elana A. Mugdan at Hedgehog.INK – 16 S. Main St., 4pm
Hedgehog.INK’s 1st ever in-store author event!

Meet and greet author Elana A. Mugdan. Her book, “Dragon Speaker” is Book 1 of The Shadow War Saga, and is available for purchase at the store

There will be an author talk, Q & A and book signing. Light refreshments provided (See flyer below)
26
Care to Share Fundraiser Auction @ 4-H Building, 2102 S. Huntington Blvd., Fort Scott

Wonderful items have been donated for this fundraiser auction. Please plan to come! One day sale – will go quick! Lunch will be served: pulled pork, chips, drinks, pies
29-30 Story Time – Fort Scott Public Library,                        201 S. National Ave., 10-11am
29 T.O.P.S Meeting – Buck Run Community Center,
3-4pm
29 Fort Scott Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 12-1pm (Hedges Administrative Building)
30 Rotary Meeting – Presbyterian Church,                   308 S. Crawford St., 12-1pm
30
Adult Coloring Program – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National Ave., 2-4pm

Join us in the library events room for a relaxing afternoon of coloring and conversation. Library provides coloring pages, pens and pencils, and snacks. Bring your own beverage of choice (no alcohol, please)
30
TAG (Teen Advisory Group) – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National Ave., 4-5pm

Exclusively for middle and high school students. We have meetings weekly, including a games & snack night, a community service project, a book club meeting, and a craft night each month. Make a difference in your community while having fun at TAG! Each meeting includes food, drinks, and a good time with your fellow teens. Bring your friends!
31
Join us for the weekly Chamber Coffee of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at 8am. This week’s Chamber Coffee will be hosted by Southwind Extension District

Location: 100 S. Main St.
31 Pioneer Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 12pm
31 Learning to Navigate Your Smartphone and Tablet for Seniors – Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, 2401 S. Horton, 2:30-3:30pm

Class will cover the basics: sending emails, downloading attachments, sharing photos and searching Google. Also addressed: how to use maps, and which apps to download to make your life easier. Attendees names will be placed in a drawing for a $50 gift card

Class is FREE, but space is limited. RSVP by Jan. 28th to Becky Kellum at [email protected] or call
620-223-5550
31 Thursday Card Players – Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Ave., 6-9pm. Free weekly event to anyone that wants to play cards, drink coffee, eat snacks, and socialize
Save the Date:
– February 2 & 3 – Youth Basketball Tournament
– February 3 – Superbowl Sunday
– February 5 – Quarterly Downtown Meet & Greet
– February 9 – Rotary’s 2019 Dancing With Our Stars
– February 10 – 3rd Annual Farm Toy Show & Sales
Click here for full events listing on our website.
Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Schools

USD 234: Redesigning Future Education?

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USD 234 Superintendent Ted Hessong addressing the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee attendees at Fort Scott High School Thursday morning.

USD 234 Superintendent Ted Hessong spoke to the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Thursday, during the weekly coffee, about the need to match what is needed in a society with what schools actually teach.

To get the community involved in the school district’s education redesign, USD 234 is sponsoring what is being called Community Conversations.

Community Conversations dates and locations:

• January 22 –Fort Scott High School

• January 24 –Eugene Ware Elementary

• January 29 –Fort Scott Middle School

• January 30 –Winfield Scott Elementary

All times starting at 6:00 PM.

“Businesses need skilled talent and those are the hardest jobs to fill,” he said.

“We need to make education fit us,” Hessong said. “We need to make changes in education, do something we’ve never done.”

From statistics Hessong presented to the attendees, the top skills that high school graduates lack are: work ethic-professionalism, teamwork-collaboration, verbal communication, ethics-social responsibility, critical thinking-problem solving,  and information technology application, among others.

Some of the school redesign principles that Hessong presented were:

  • an integrated approach to develop student socio-emotional learning.
  • teachers support students to have a choice over their time, place, pace and path.
  • family, business and community partnerships based on mutually beneficial relationships and collaboration.
  • project-based learning, internships, and civic engagement to make learning relevant.

At the Community Conversations, USD 234 is seeking feedback from parents, guardians, business, and community members in these areas:

• Emergency Operations Plan

• USD 234 Mission and Vision

• USD 234 School Board’s Areas of Focus

• What is the role of USD 234’s Preschool –12th-grade educational system in developing an independent, responsible, and productive adults?

 

 

Business, Fort Scott

Al Letner: Featured Artist Jan. 19 at Hedgehog.Ink

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January featured artist

Al Letner, pottery

Presentation:

January 19, 3:00 p.m.

Al Letner’s artwork is on display at Hedgehog.INK! during the month of January. He will give a presentation, open to the public, on January 19 at 3:00 p.m. During this time, he will share about his artwork and the techniques he uses.

“As an artist I find most of my inspiration in the natural world. I have always thought of myself as an organic artist, utilizing natural color and pattern in my abstract work.”

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Baton Is Passed at Union State Bank

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Kenny Holt is retiring as President and CEO of Union State Bank, after 25 years.

Bryan Holt became the president and Chief Executive Officer of Union State Bank on Jan. 1, 2019.

“I’ll be the fifth generation of the Holt family to hold this position,” Bryan Holt said.  “It is a great honor for me.”

Union State Bank has been family-owned and operated since 1901.

“My great-grandfather, L.E. “Emett” Holt began, then grand-dad Curtis Holt, then my dad, Kent Holt,” Kenny Holt said.

Kenny Holt held the president and CEO position from 1993 to December 31, 2018.

“We (he and his wife, Nancy) are slowing down and doing things we want to do,” Kenny Holt said.

Kenny will work in the transition period to mentor Bryan and Chad Holt, his younger son, who will be taking over some duties as well, he said.

Bryan Holt has been preparing for leadership through education and career experience.

He has an associates degree from Fort Scott Community College and a Bachelors in Business Administration with a major in Finance from Pittsburg State University Additionally, he completed the Graduate School of Banking in 2012.

“I have worked at the (Union State) bank twice now,” Bryan Holt said. “Part-time as a teller from 1990 – 1993.  I returned to the bank in 2005 as the Business Development Officer and Information Security Officer, moving from McKinney, Texas. In a bank our size, all of the officers have been exposed to all parts of the business and that’s true of me.”

“My duties will be evolving to include overseeing overall operations of the bank, including strategic direction,” he said.  “Of course, I’ll still be working in lending and business development, but learning this new role will become a large part of my daily activities.”

Technology has been changed the culture in America and the world, and the banking sector is no different.

“The rapid advance of technology will continue to disrupt the traditional banking model,” Bryan Holt said.  “Our customers will rely less and less on coming into the branch, preferring to do business via mobile methods.  We are working to balance the personalized service that we’ve been providing for nearly 120 years with the convenience of banking from your mobile device.”

“Technology has allowed us to do a lot of things,” Kenny Holt said.

A negative change in banking in the last 25 years is the “regulatory burden put on us,” Kenny Holt said. “The regulation doesn’t apply to us (small banks), but we still have to abide.”

USB  stated purpose is to provide affordable, high-quality financial products and services that enhance the customers’ financial well-being and strengthen the communities they serve.  The mission is to be the bank of choice in the communities served.

Union State Bank has two locations: on the  Uniontown square and can be reached at 620-756-4305 and Fort Scott at 1009 S. Clark, 620-223-0066.

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Health Care

Fort Scott to Topeka Veterans Administration Shuttle Begins Feb. 5

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From left: Darrell Spencer, Army; Stephen Dean. Army; Myra Jowers. Air Force, all vets themselves will be shuttle drivers. Not pictured Carl Jowers.

The Fort Scott to Topeka VA shuttle service will have its inaugural run to the Topeka VA Medical Center on Tuesday, February 5, 2019.

Many thanks to Patricia Neeland, Social Worker at the Fort Scott VA Medical Clinic and local Veterans Stephen Dean, Carl Jowers, Myra Jowers and Darrell Spencer for working together to make the Fort Scott – Topeka VA shuttle service a reality.

There is no cost to the veteran to ride the shuttle.

The VA shuttle holds five passengers and riders must preregister for a seat. Seats on the shuttle are open to any area veteran on a first come, first served basis.

At this time, the shuttle is operating only on Tuesdays. As more drivers are cleared by the Topeka VA Medical Center, the shuttle service will expand service to other days.

The shuttle will depart from First Southern Baptist Church parking lot (on South Main Street, near Pizza Hut) at 6:15 am and will return to Fort Scott after the last rider has completed their appointment in Topeka.

The rider must be at the designated departure point by 6:10 am or risk losing their seat to a standby.

The shuttle does not accommodate wheelchairs or pets. Only certified service dogs are permitted on the shuttle. Oxygen tanks are not permitted on the shuttle. Oxygen concentrators are allowed.

Family members may not ride with the veteran on the shuttle. Those veterans who need a caregiver to accompany them must have a signed note from their doctor attesting that the veteran requires a caregiver to accompany them to and from their appointment.

To register for a shuttle seat, the veteran must

·         Have an appointment at the Topeka VA Medical Center between 9 am and 1 pm for the day they schedule their shuttle seat.

·         Call 785-925-0261 to schedule their seat. All seat reservations must be scheduled by 5 pm, the day prior to their appointment in Topeka.