Category Archives: Fort Scott

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Happenings 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!
11-12
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!
11-12
State Debate Tournament, Classes 4A, 3-2-1A, to be held at Fort Scott High School, 1005 S. Main St.
For more info, contact Amber Toth or Angela Curran at FSHS: 620-223-0600
11
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
12
Winter Biker Meet & Greet Expo – Boiler Room Brewhaus, 2 S. National Ave., Fort Scott

Come out and meet new people, promote your club, upcoming rides, biker business. Enjoy good tunes and ice cold micro brewed local beer. Meet and greet on the 2nd Saturday of each month through March
12
Storytime and special activity with author Cathy Werling – Hedgehog.INK, 16 S. Main St., 10:30am

Cathy Werling is an award winning teacher who inspires children to make a difference in the lives of others. Her books can be ordered at: www.lowellmilkencenter.org or by calling
620-223-1312
14 USD 234 Board of Education Meeting – Board of Education, 424 S. Main St., 5:30 pm
15-16
Story Time – Fort Scott Public Library,                        201 S. National Ave., 10-11am
15 Fort Scott Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 12-1pm (Hedges Administrative Building)
15 Community Bingo at Country Place Senior Living, 820 S. Horton St., 2pm on the 3rd Tuesday of each month

Residents and the public are invited
15
Soybean School – New class offered by K-State Research and Extension – 25092 Ness Road, Parsons, KS, 3-7pm

Topics include: insect update, crop production, markets, soil fertility, and weed control

Register by Jan. 10th by calling: 620-724-8233, or email [email protected], or go online: http//bit.ly/KSUSoybean

Registration is FREE, and dinner is included
15 T.O.P.S Meeting – Buck Run Community Center,
3-4pm
15 City Commission Meeting – City Hall, 123 S. Main St., 6-7pm
16
Rotary Meeting – Presbyterian Church,                   308 S. Crawford St., 12-1pm
16
Eat Smart, Move More class – Fort Scott Professional Building (formerly Newman Young Clinic), each Wednesday starting Dec. 19th and running until January 16th, 2019, 12:30-2:00pm

Learn skills and strategies to feed your family nutritious meals on a limited budget and improve your overall health. Learn how to change behaviors that place you at risk for becoming overweight, and the diseases associated with being overweight. There will be delicious recipes to sample and gifts at the end of the program. FREE

Contact Malynda Payne, K-State Research and Extendion Nutrition Assistant at:  [email protected]
16
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)
16
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!
17
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 USD 234

Location: Fort Scott High School, 1005 S. Main St.
17
Pioneer Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 12pm
17
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
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 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
Save the Date:
– January 31 – Navigate Your Cellphone/Tablet for Seniors
– February 2 – Youth Basketball Tournament
– February 3 – Superbowl Sunday
– February 10 – 3rd Annual Farm Toy Show & Sales
Click here for full events listing on our website.
Business, Fort Scott

Front Door Realty: Real Estate Is Moving

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Front Door Real Estate staff: from left Lisa Ward and Crystal Mason, realtors; Jared Leek, broker.

Jared Leek began Front Door Real Estate in 2008 working out of his home, he told the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee attendees Thursday morning.

In October 2018 he opened an office business at 14 S. Main.

The real estate business hosted the Chamber Coffee at a new listing, a house located at 500 Sunset Drive.

Lisa Ward and Crystal Mason are agents for Front Door Real Estate, while Leek is the broker.

“A ton of real estate is moving in Fort Scott,” Leek said. “A lot of out- of-town people are moving in. We had a fantastic year, last year.”

The featured house at  500 Sunset Drive,  is a four bedroom, three bath home with 2, 252 square feet, built in 1950, listed at $149,900.

500 Sunset Drive.

“It’s a great, solid house, well taken care of,” Mason said.

The agency sells residential, commercial, lots,  land and lake property.

For more information call 620-224-9787.

Fort Scott, Government

Fort Scott City Commission Agenda Jan. 15

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The Fort Scott City Commission meets every other Tuesday. The next meeting is at 6 p.m. on Jan. 15 at City Hall.

This is the agenda of the meeting.

I. ROLL CALL:

ADAMSON BARTELSMEYER NICHOLS PARKER MITCHELL

II. FLAG SALUTE:

III. INVOCATION: Pastor Norman Tillotson, First Baptist Church

IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: Recognition of Alpha Money and Randy Ballweber – Codes Certification

V. CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of December 18th, 2018.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1230-A totaling $581,238.41.

  1. Resolution 1-2019 designating the official City newspaper.

  1. Resolution 2-2019 designating the official City depositories for public funds

  1. Certificate of Appropriateness – 7 South National Avenue and 6 East Wall

  1. Certificate of Appropriateness – 10-12 East Wall Street

  1. Certificate of Appropriateness – 124 E. Wall Street

  1. Resolution 3-2019 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 1612 E. Oak – Public Hearing Date – 3/5/2019 at 6:15 p.m.

VI. REORGANIZATION OF CITY COMMISSION AND ELECTION OF MAYOR, COMMISSION PRESIDENT, B.C.E.D.C.I. REPRESENTATIVE, AND FORT SCOTT HOUSING AUTHORITY DELEGATE

    1. Election of Mayor – Swearing in of new Mayor
    2. Election of Commission President

    3. Election of Bourbon County Economic Development Council Inc. Representative

    4. Election of Fort Scott Housing Authority Delegate

VII. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: Mark McCoy – Discussion on Visioning Committee

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit per citizen)

C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS: None

VIII. CONSIDERATION:

  1. Airport Electric Vault Upgrade – Rachel and Seth
  1. Consideration to Solicit Bids – Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (16) – Dave Bruner

IV. COMMENTS:

  1. Director Updates: Deb Needleman – KCAMP

Rachel Pruitt – Price Chopper Incentives

  1. Commission:
  1. City Attorney:
  1. City Manager:

      1. Health Care Update

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

I MOVE THAT THE CITY COMMISSION RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE

SESSION FOR ________________________________ IN ORDER TO

(see below justification)

DISCUSS ______________________________________. THE

EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE ___________ MINUTES AND THE OPEN

MEETING TO RESUME AT ________________.

Justifications for Executive Sessions:

  • Personnel matters of non-elected personnel

  • Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

  • Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative or representatives of the body or agency

  • Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

  • Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property

IV. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL

Entertainment, Fort Scott

The Prairie Troubadour Feb. 22-23

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The Troubadour is ready to croon!  Program details and registration now available for our 4th annual Symposium.

Restore your weary soul with a much-needed weekend of mirth and friendship during the doldrums of the year.At a glance:

  • Dates are Feb. 22nd (evening) & 23rd (full day), 2019
  • This year’s theme is Reason for Faith: Reflections on Particles and the Paraclete.  Discussions will range from evolution and the New Atheists to the role of science in education and the work of Fr. Stanley Jaki.
  • Dale Ahlquist, David Whalen, Stacy Trasancos, William Fahey and Kevin O’Brien fill-out yet another all-star cast of presenters.
  • A slightly less frenetic schedule this year allowing for more time to catch up with friends and browse 8th Day Books’ magnificent mobile bookstore.
  • A great opportunity to get to know the students, faculty and growing community of Saint Martin’s Academy with an update on our inaugural year.
Click here for full details and to register.
NOTE: EARLY BIRD pricing runs through February 10th only.
Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Kansas Day Promotion

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The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Invites You to Celebrate the 158th Anniversary of Kansas Day on Tuesday,
January 29th, 2019!
EARN 10% DISCOUNT AT PARTICIPATING RETAILERS – WEAR THE WORD “KANSAS” OR A SUNFLOWER ON KANSAS DAY!
Kansas entered the Union as the 34th state on January 29th in 1861. On this 158th anniversary of Kansas Day, the Fort Scott Area Chamber would like to promote both our state’s history as well as local businesses.
Any person shopping a participating Chamber member retailer on Tuesday, January 29th, wearing a sunflower or the word “Kansas” anywhere on their apparel will receive 10% off of their purchase. Participating businesses will have a sunflower placed in the front of their store.
If you are a Fort Scott business owner, and would like to participate, please click here to print the flyer displayed below and hang it in your window for shoppers to see. If you need the Chamber to print one out for you, please let us know by calling Administrative Assistant Monica Walden at: 620-223-3566.
Celebrate Kansas Day and thank a local owner for doing business in our wonderful state!
Area News, Business, Fort Scott, Jobs

Gordman’s Job Fair-Fort Scott: Feb. 19

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Apparel and home décor retailer Gordmans, a division of Stage Stores, is coming to Fort Scott and surrounding regions this March.

 

Gordmans is currently hiring for a variety of full-time and part-time positions and encourages interested candidates to apply online at gordmans.com and then attend the job fair at the following new location:

 

Fort Scott Gordmans

Tuesday, Feb. 19
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
2400 S. Main Street
Fort Scott, Kansas         

 

Pittsburg Gordmans
Thursday, Feb. 7
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
202 E. Centennial Drive
Pittsburg, Kansas         

 

Carthage Gordmans

Wednesday, Feb. 20
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.       

2410 S Grand Avenue
Carthage, Missouri     

Business, Fort Scott, Government

Price Chopper: No Taxpayer Dollars

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The marquee at Price Chopper on South Main Street Wednesday afternoon, announcing the closure of the store.

Price Chopper announced January 7 that they would close the Fort Scott store on South Main Street.

In addition to Price Chopper closing, Dunkin’ Donuts store and Fort Scott Pharmacy, both located in the main Price Chopper building are closing.

The closure of Price Chopper effects 85 employees, said Mike Massey, store manager.

A sign on the doors of Price Chopper Jan. 9.

“Forty full-time employees, some of whom will be going to other Price Choppers,” Massey said.

“It’s a beautiful store, Fort Scott will miss it,” Massey said with a glum face.

There was a full parking lot on January 9, the first day of the closeout sale of Price Chopper.

Dunkin’ Donuts last day open is Friday, January 11, said employee Franklin Dorres. He said they had eight full-time and four part-time employees.

Fort Scott Pharmacy is closing no later than Jan. 18, said Pharmacist Julie Pellett. “Three out of the five employees will go to Iola. The Iola group offers to provide much of the services we provided to our Fort Scott customers. Call 620-365-3176 for more information.”

The sign on the door of Fort Scott Pharmacy January 9, announcing the closure of the pharmacy.

Question about how the closure effects taxpayers

Fortscott.biz received a valid question from the public on how much local taxpayers have provided for the development of the Price Chopper grocery store.

The City of Fort Scott was given the question, which mentioned Industrial Revenue Bonds, and responded.

” There is no negative effect to the taxpayers regarding the closure,” said Rachel Pruitt, Fort Scott’s Economic Development Director. “Reimbursement is only on incremental tax revenue.  The incentive should motivate the developer (AWG)to recruit new business.  If there is no tax revenue the developer does not receive reimbursement on their investment.”

“The incentives were explained in several commission meetings prior to construction,” Pruitt said. “I found a few notes to further explain the city’s involvement.”

This image was provided by the City of Fort Scott Economic Development Director, Rachel Pruitt.

Pruitt added the following to clarify:

“Local Incentives for Price Chopper Development:

  • Developer-funded project costs  were $9.4MM
  • Reimbursement of up to $2.65MM
  • $1.9MM via Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
  • Incremental real property tax and city sales taxes
  • $750,000 via Community Improvement District
  • .05% sales tax

“The State incentive:  IRB state sales tax exemption on construction materials and labor.

“IRB (Industrial Revenue Bond) was a state tax exemption on construction materials and labor.

There was no federal government incentive involved in the property development by Price Chopper.

“The County incentive:  participation in TIF – incremental property tax revenue reimbursed to AWG (the developer).

“TIF (Tax Increment Financing) District pays the developer on the ‘incremental’ tax revenue.  There is no bond obligation to the taxpayers.”

“They were performance-based incentives.”

Price Chopper opened Dec. 13, 2017

At the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee this morning, Jan. 10, Pruitt said even though Aldi’s has been mentioned as a replacement for Price Chopper, that decision is in the hand of the developer.

 

Fort Scott, Schools

FSHS Thespians Qualify for International Thespian Festival

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Fort Scott Thespians. Submitted photo. Front row L to R: Mesa Jones, Hunter Adamson, Karina Kantilal, Mary Gladbach, Alyx Brooks 2nd row: Taillyn Harding, Sierra Long, Amber Russo, Mersadie Roof, Christina King, Alexis Williams, Jasamine Thron, Mackenzie Peoples 3rd row: Brian Stumfoll, Lexy Bailey, Brandy Stafford, Avery Dorsey, Daniel Belcuore, Zaria Byrd, Christina Ramirez, Harmony Brown, Angie Bin, Wyntter Snyder 4th row: Mark Bergmann, Levi Bin, Abi Deloera, Jacob Ham, Dominic Cannon, Jo Goodbody, Olivia Wilterding 5th row: Kathelra Murray, Jade Bailey, Carlee Studyvin, Addy Labbe, Ashanti Green, Sage Hill, Mason Moore, Wendy Monahan

The Fort Scott High School Thespian Troupe #7365 has students performing at the International Thespian Festival for the first time in history. After attending the KS State Thespian Festival in Wichita on Jan. 3-5, the troupe brought home a number of significant awards.

Senior Hunter Adamson qualified for Nationals in Monologue (where she performed both a humorous and dramatic script selection) and junior Mesa Jones qualified for Nationals in Musical Solo (performing Breathe from “Into the Heights”). Jones will also perform in the all-state musical production of “Bring It On” that qualified to be showcased on the main stage at Nationals. They compete at the International Thespian Festival at the University of Nebraska in June.

2018 State Thespian Officer Hunter Adamson and 2019 State Thespian Officer Mesa Jones

FSHS also won the Gold Honor Troupe Award (the highest troupe honor) through the presentation of the Honor Troupe Notebook by senior Karina Kantilal. Senior Alyx Brooks auditioned for colleges and received call-backs from eleven schools for her acting audition and from twenty-eight different schools for her lighting design audition.

Hunter Adamson, Mesa Jones, Karina Kantilal, Mary Gladbach, and Alyx Brooks; FSHS Thespians Officers with the Gold Honor Troupe trophy.

The FSHS Thespian President, Adamson, also served as a State Thespian Officer, planning and leading the entire Festival. Jones served as a State Board Member this year and was elected by troupe directors from all over the state to lead as one of 5 officers in charge of next year’s State Thespian Festival. She will attend training at the International Thespian Festival this summer and work throughout the next year to plan. 

Also competing at the State Festival this year were juniors Mackenzie Peoples and Addy Labbe in Musical Solo, Brooks in Lighting Design, and sophomores Amber Russo and Ivy Bailey in the Monologue category.

In all, thirty-five students attended Festival from FSHS and competed in improvised acting, charades, or costuming events at night. Throughout the day, the students attended workshops, met with college representatives, and watched award-winning full-length and one-act performances.

FSHS Drama Director Angie Bin, English teacher Mark Bergmann, and Drama Student-Teacher Wynnter Snyder accompanied the students. Bin presented a workshop on Children’s Theatre as part of the Festival.

 

 

 

 

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee at 500 Sunset Drive Jan. 10

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WEEKLY CHAMBER COFFEE REMINDER

Join us for Chamber Coffee

Hosted by:
Crystal Mason and Jared Leek of
Front Door Real Estate

Location:
500 Sunset Dr., Fort Scott
Thursday, January 10, 2019

Click here for Front Door Real Estate’s website.

Chamber members and guests are encouraged to attend for networking, community announcements, and to learn about the hosting business or organization.

Members may pay $1 to make an announcement about an upcoming event, special/sale/discount, or news of any kind.

Upcoming Coffees:
January 17 – USD 234 – Fort Scott High School
January 24 – Sharky’s Pub & Grub
January 31 – Southwind Extension District
February 7 – City State Bank

Fort Scott, Schools

State Education Commissioner to Speak to USD 234 Staff and Board

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Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson will be speaking to USD 234 staff starting at 8 a.m. at the Fort Scott Community College Ellis Fine Arts Center, Friday, Jan. 11.

“We have to meet at FSCC because the high school is hosting the 4A-1A State Debate Tournament,” said Ted Hessong, superintendent of USD 234.  “Dr. Watson will be speaking to the staff about the Kansas State Board of Educations Vision for Kansas schools.

“When Dr. Watson is done speaking, I will take him on a tour of the district. At 10:45 we will go to the district office for Dr. Watson to speak to some of our school board members and some members of the Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Watson and I will need to be at the high school by 11:40 a.m. for the General Assembly of the State Debate Tournament.”

Business, Fort Scott

Hedgehog Bookstore Presents Artist Al Letner and Author Cathy Werling

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Hedgehog.INK Presents Two Events:
Children’s Storytime and Special Activity With Author Cathy Werling on January 12th at 10:30 a.m.
Meet the Artist, Al Letner of Chicopee Pottery, January 19th at 3:00 p.m.
Join us for two very special events at Hedgehog.INK, located at 16 S. Main St. in Fort Scott! For more information, contact Jan Hedges at 620-670-2752 or email [email protected]. Visit our Facebook page by clicking here.