Category Archives: Fort Scott

Business, Fort Scott

Spoiled Brat Is Moving Location

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Editors note: Due to a computer glitch this story was mistakenly posted on Facebook last night. It was deleted and will be posted today.

The Spoiled Brat Salon new shop will be built on the left in this photo, which looks east on Third Street at Scott Avenue.

People have noticed a construction site starting at 124 E. Third, near the corner of State Avenue and Third Street.

The building going up will be Spoiled BratSalon, currently located in downtown Fort Scott at 19 S. Main.

Stephanie Anthony and Heather Engstrom are the owners of Spoiled Brat Salon.

“We’ve been wanting a new space of our own,” Anthony said. “We will be offering basically the same services, with the possibility of adding new stylists/services,” she said. They are hoping for a spring move to the site, she said.

Engstrom Construction LLC is the builder.

“My wife Heather and I bought the property under Peacock Properties LLC,” Scott Engstrom said. “We purchased it in July and did the demolition on the property. We got tired of renting and wanted to own.”

The building will be a 35-foot by 50-foot, 1700 square-foot wood frame with a metal facade and front porch, he said.

“There will be seven stations in the salon and a massage therapy room,” he said.

“On the west side, there will be two concrete handicap vehicle spots, specifically for van accessible handicap,” he said.

“We are still considered downtown, but outside the historic district,” he said.

He and his sons, Taylor, 24, and Brayden, 21, are helping in the build.

Engrstom Construction LLC can be reached at 620.202.1881.

Spoiled Brat Salon’s number is 620.223.2155.

Spoiled Brat Salon will be located across the street in this photo, looking south.
Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College, Gordon Parks Museum, History

Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Rescheduled Due to Forecasted Weather

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Fort Scott, Kan. – With inclement weather and severe cold in the forecast for Jan. 15, the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at Fort Scott Community College is rescheduled to Wednesday, Jan. 17.

In making the announcement, Kirk Sharp, executive director of the Gordon Parks Museum noted that the “Day of Service” (in honor of King’s birthday) begins with a food drive for the Beacon Food Pantry of Fort Scott.

Canned goods and non-perishable, non-expired items can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the museum, located in the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center.

The celebration, with all events open to the community, features a free soup lunch at noon. The lunch, provided by Great Western Dining, includes soup, drink, dessert and birthday cake. The celebration lunch also includes a “I Stand for …” photo promotion, sponsored by the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes.

An afternoon of celebration and tribute through music, “Celebrating Every Voice,” begins at 1 p.m. in the theater and features choirs from the Apostolic Christian Church and the United Missionary Baptist Church, both of Fort Scott, and blues guitarist Lem Sheppard from Pittsburg. All events are free to attend.

 

For more information, go to https//www.gordonparkscenter.org/events or call the museum at (620) 223-2700, ext. 5850 or email [email protected]

 

 

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Fort Scott, Schools

USD 234 Board of Education Met On January 8

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Unified School District 234

424 South Main

Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697

www.usd234.org

620-223-0800   Fax 620-223-2760

 

DESTRY BROWN                                                                                                                                                        

Superintendent                                                                                                                                            

 

 

 

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING

NEWS RELEASE

Monday, January 8, 2024

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, January 8, 2024, for their regular monthly meeting at the board office.

 

President David Stewart opened the meeting.

 

President Stewart welcomed the new board members to their first board meeting.

The board appointed Danny Brown as board member for the next two years.

Stewart Gulager was nominated and appointed as Vice-President of the USD 234 Board.

 

The board approved the official agenda, and the consent agenda as follows:

Board Minutes

12/11/23 Board Minutes

Financials-Cash Flow Report

Check Register

Payroll – December 18, 2023 – $1,689,996.80

Activity Fund accounts

USD 234 Gifts

CTE Math 2023-2024 Fundraising

Update Officers

Appoint KPERS Designated Agent

Resolution 23-11 KMIP Signers

Resolution 23-12 Bank Account Signers

 

Classified Tiger Team Members of the Month were Tim Button and Tim Coyan.

Mr. Coyan is a preschool driver and was recognized by Superintendent Brown for not missing one day of work this last semester. He was also thanked for his willingness to be available and helpful whenever needed.

Mr. Button is in his tenth year driving for USD 234. He also was recognized for not missing one day of work last semester. Superintendent Brown stated that he is thankful for safely transporting students to and from school.

 

Superintendent Destry Brown reported on a Principal opening at Winfield Scott. USD 234 is taking applications until the end of January. He also shared results of building climate surveys and parent surveys that were taken last semester. Snow Day procedures were shared with the board in the event of inclement weather. Mr. Brown shared information about the events happening with the proposed new preschool building. Also, the new board members were invited to a New Board Member Training that would be held in Columbus, Kansas.

Assistant Superintendent Dalaina Smith gave an update to the board on the Essential Standards. She said we have “amazing teachers” that are working very diligently to use interventions that would increase the students’ education. This is an evolving document that will be shared on the district’s website sometime this week. USD 234 is seeing remarkable results.

Tonya Barnes, Special Education Director, gave a report on the Speech Department within Special Education. The need is growing, and she was able to share how USD 234 is working to fulfill those needs. She acknowledged the demanding work the Speech Team is doing to meet the requirements for each student.

Superintendent Brown reported on end of year finance reports.

Cherri Walrod, Community Liaison for Core Community Bourbon County (CCBBCO), gave an update to the board Monday evening. This program began in November of 2023 and has fifteen adults in the 20-week Phase One Program, with most being within the USD 234 School District. She recognized Janice Lamb, Community Coach, for working each week as a leader for the participants. She has helped with filling out applications, groceries, and being a listening ear when needed. “Core Community has been nothing but an amazing program to be a part of…It has brought my family closer together” was a testimony from a current participant. Visiting Core Community Bourbon County on Facebook will give updates, testimonies, and more information for anyone interested.

 

The board approved the following items:

  • To publish board seat #1&4 in the Fort Scott Tribune.
  • Open Enrollment Policy.
  • Regular Board Meeting dates for 2024.
  • Move the election of Board Officers until the July board Meeting.
  • Personnel Report following

 

The board went into an executive session for personnel matters.

 

President Stewart adjourned the meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT

January 8, 2024

RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:

 

Center, Ronette – Retirement

Charter, Shelly – Resignation

Lynch, Tabitha – Resignation

Satterfield, Cindy – Retirement

Smith, Dalaina – Resignation

Witt, Randi – Resignation  

 

TRANSFERS/REASSIGNMENTS/LEAVE OF ABSENCE:

 

For the 2023-24 school year:

Certified:

Farrington, Jannah – Mentor for Anna Anderson for the remainder of school year

Underwood, Elizabeth – Paraprofessional to full time Speech Paraprofessional Winfield Scott

 

EMPLOYMENT:

 

Classified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:

Foulk, Joe – Help Desk Technician

McGehee, Sarah – Preschool Paraprofessional 

Robinson, Angela – Payroll Clerk

Yarick, Gail – Business Manager

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Bourbon County Sheriff's Office, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College, Schools, Youth

Strategies to Prevent Sex Trafficking Presented to the Community This Month

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January is Sex Trafficking Awareness Month.

A special presentation on strategies to prevent sex trafficking will be happening on Wednesday, January 31 at 6 p.m. at Fort Scott Community College Ellis Arts Center, 2108 S. Horton.

Children under 18 years of age are not allowed to this presentation  “due to some of the explicit videos and information that will be shared that evening,” said Shanda Stewart.

“I just retired in November after 29 years with the State of Kansas, 6th Judicial District as a Probation Office,” Stewart said. “I got to hear Russ Tuttle’s presentation at a conference I attended in October and was so blown away with the information; I thought we have got to get him to Bourbon County. I was able to network with the right people to make it happen!”

“Your perception of sex trafficking and what it is, will be completely changed,” she said.

Youth will get a version for themselves the next day and faculty and staff will have a presentation at an in-service day in USD 234.

“On Thursday, February 1st the presenter, Russ Tuttle will be doing age-appropriate assemblies at all four of the USD 234 schools,” Stewart said.  “On Friday, February 2nd he will do a presentation for all faculty and staff during their teacher in-service day.”

BeAlert® is the awareness and prevention strategy of The Stop Trafficking Project® to end domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST)before it starts by disrupting the exploitation of vulnerability.

This adults-only community presentation focuses on the role of life online (the internet) for students, to educate and empower caring adults in our community to prevent sex trafficking, according to a press release.

Caring adults in the community who are  invited to attend:

  • Law enforcement
  • Firefighters and EMT’s
  • Medical professionals
  • Counselors
  • Faith community leaders
  • School personnel
  • Parents, guardians, and all other adult family members

Students are enamored with social media and “life online,” according to the press release from Stewart.

The event will provide practical advice to caring adults to guide and make them aware of vulnerabilities that can be exploited such loneliness, isolation, depression, suicide, sexting, sextortion, pornography, cyberbullying, exploitation, sexual exploitation, and domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST)

The presentation will be a fast-moving PowerPoint.

The presenter, Russ Tuttle, is an active abolitionist who has command of the topic and speaks with energy that grabs and keeps the attention of attendees, according to the press release.

The presentation will have images and videos to provide insight into the role of technology in exploiting vulnerabilities, identify the demand in this high-demand business of sexual exploitation, provide the option to engage with the BeAlert® Strategy, the Stop Trafficking App, and the ‘top ten practical steps’ for adults to keep students safer.

No children, please at the January 31 presentation.

For more information, contact Stewart at 620.215.2681.

 

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Jobs

 Valu Merchandisers Company (VMC) Fort Scott Closing Operations

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Value Merchandisers Company is located at 4805 Campbell Dr. in Fort Scott’s Industrial Park. This is a 2017 photo of the building.

January 8, 2024

Due to the completion of the state-of-the-art All-In-One (AIO) Distribution Hub in Hernando, Miss., we will be closing operations at our Valu Merchandisers Company (VMC) facility located in Fort Scott, Kan.

We will transition the majority of VMC Fort Scott’s inventory and shipments to the AIO and expect the transition to be
completed by the end of March 2024.

Our employees at this facility have worked hard and done an excellent job providing retailers with the best variety of quality Health & Beauty Care (HBC), General Merchandise (GM) and Specialty Foods (SF) at the lowest cost to drive sales since the facility was built in 1995.

This was not an easy decision, and we sincerely appreciate
the dedication the employees here have shown.
We are committed to helping all impacted employees through their transition to other opportunities, including potential opportunities within AWG.

Emile Breaux, Senior Vice President, Chief Sales & Support Officer, AWG

ABOUT ASSOCIATED WHOLESALE GROCERS, INC.:
Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (AWG) is the nation’s largest cooperative food wholesaler to independently owned
supermarkets, serving 1,100 member companies and more than 3,400 locations throughout 31 states from 9 wholesale
Divisions.

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Ribbon Cutting at Freedom Fitness Before Chamber Coffee on January 11

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Join us for a Chamber Coffee and Ribbon Cutting

Freedom Fitness

Thursday, January 11th

8:00 am

15 S. National

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee and Ribbon Cutting Thursday, January 11th at 8 a.m. hosted by Freedom Fitness which will be held at their new business, 15 S. National Street. Coffee and light refreshments will be served.

Lindsay and John Hill, owners and coaches of the new business called Freedom Fitness opened their doors on January 1st, 2024. Freedom Fitness offers fitness classes for all ages and fitness levels, plus the option for a regular gym membership for patrons to come in and lift during certain hours and use equipment/facilities. Lindsay and John look forward to serving Fort Scott with a Faith.Family.Freedom.Fitness environment.

Any member business or organization wanting to host a Chamber Coffee in 2024 is encouraged to contact the Chamber to save a date by calling 620-223-3566 or email [email protected].

Click here for their Facebook page!

We hope to see you there!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members
shown below!
FORT SCOTT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
620-223-3566
Facebook  Twitter
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

January 9 Downtown Meet and Greet Postponed Due to Inclement Weather

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Quarterly Downtown Meet & Greet RESCHEDULED for January 23rd!

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Downtown Meet & Greet will be held  January 23rd from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at Papa Don’s, 10 N. Main St.

These informal, quarterly meetings are hosted by the Chamber for downtown business owners, representatives, and community members to network and share ideas on events, promotion and anything related to downtown.

Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served.
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Bourbon County, Fort Scott

How to Avoid Scams and Fraud this Thursday

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member

Landmark National Bank…..

Protect Your Money!

How to Avoid Scams and Fraudsters

Join Landmark and Bank Manager Matthew Chaplin to learn how to spot a scam and SAY NO!

*Grandparent Scams

*Microsoft Scams

*Lottery Scams

*P2P Scams

*and MORE!

Date: Thursday, January 11th

Time: 2pm

Place: Fort Scott Presbyterian Village

It is important to RSVP as Presbyterian Village needs to know how many people are attending for seating.

RSVP by January 10th: Marla Heckman 620.223.5550
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Ownership Change at Bourbon County Cars

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Dave Shepherd and Josh Jones. Submitted photo.

 

David Shepherd has turned ownership of Bourbon County Cars  over to Josh Jones.

 

Bourbon County Cars.Submitted photos.

Shepherd started Boubon County Cars, Inc. in 2013 after he sold Shepherd Team Auto Plaza to Briggs Auto Group in 2016.  He sold his used car business to Josh Jones, the company’s General Manager for the last seven and a half years on January 3.

Shepherd said “Josh and I have been discussing and working toward this sale for the last 12 months or so.  He has done a great job running our company, takes excellent care of customers, and has a very good business mind.  I’m confident that he will successfully own and operate Bourbon County Cars and continue to serve the transportation needs of our community.”

In 2008 Josh Jones and his father purchased Fort Scott Sanitation, and in 2010 he bought out his father in the business, then sold the business in 2014 to a national company.

“Then I got into property rentals and started with Bourbon County Cars in 2016,” Jones said. “I sold most of my rentals in 2022.”

“Everything will be run the same,” Jones said. “Since I started David has let me  have full control.”

“I knew at a young age I wanted to be a business owner, I had a hard time working a regular job,” he said. “Then I started working for David, he’s the best.”

Shepherd has been in the automobile business in Fort Scott for 52 years.  After 44 years, he sold Shepherd Team Auto Plaza to the Briggs Auto Group in 2016.  Both Shepherd and Jones are lifelong residents of Fort Scott and graduates of Fort Scott High School.
“I will pop into the store for a bit almost daily; mostly staying out of the way,, to see if I can help in any way,” Shepherd said. ” I will continue to be a part of several organizations like the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation, Community Health Center  Board, and CORE Community. I’ll stay busy.”
Bourbon County Cars has three other employees:  Josh Binford, Dale Gauthier, and Bud Hall and it is located at the intersection of South National and 69 Highway bypass across from Briggs of Fort Scott.
The business phone number is 620-223-1435 and hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Art, Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

The Artificers Schedule for January

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member The Artificers…

The Artificers Schedule for January!

Click here to sign up for events and classes at The Artificers in January!

See below the schedule at The Artificers!
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Going out of the Gallery!

The Artificers are packing up art from Amy Smith, Lorrie Fowler, Liberty Worth, and Brandy Evens this week, so HURRY IN and check them out before they are gone!

Think of The Artificers for your party’s!
Contact The Artificers with questions or for more information:

913.574.7741

[email protected]
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Fort Scott, Schools

Fort Scott High School Thespians Win State Honors

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FSHS Thespians Troupe. Submitted photo.

 

 

The Fort Scott High School Thespian Troupe #7365 brought home several high honors from the KS State Thespian Festival this weekend.

 

The troupe traveled to Wichita on Jan. 4-6 for the annual festival with nearly 2,000 other Kansas Thespians. Of the thirty students who attended, half of them also competed in individual Thespy events. Two students received Superior ratings on their events, qualifying them to compete at the International Thespian Festival in June. Senior Regen Wells qualified for the third year in a row in the Monologue category and sophomore Junie Fisher qualified in the Musical Solo division. Ten other entries received Excellent ratings on their Thespys.

 

The troupe received the Gold Honor Troupe Award which is the highest honor a troupe can receive at Festival. FSHS also had a team qualify to compete in the finals of the Competitive Improv event.

 

The FSHS Advanced Drama class competed with the one-act play entitled “I Quit! A Guide to Quitting Your Job in Style” directed by senior Josiah Eisenbrandt. The troupe also competed in the Lobby Display category by creating a display featuring the Festival theme “Kansas Thespians are One of a Kind” based on the musical Six.

 

FSHS Thespian President Lexi Hill, a senior, was one of only 10 students in the state to win a KS Thespian college scholarship for Technical Theatre. She also auditioned for all of the colleges in attendance at the Festival and had call-backs from 21 colleges for Technical Theatre and thirteen colleges for her Acting audition.

 

 

In addition to competing, students attended workshops from professionals in the theatre industry from across the country. They also attended the best high school musicals and plays in the state that were invited to perform at the Festival.

The troupe, directed by FSHS Theatre teacher Angie Bin, is currently in rehearsals for the dark comedy “Arsenic and Old Lace.” Performances are Feb. 8-10 in the FSHS Auditorium. More information on Troupe #7365 can be found on the Fort Scott High School Thespians Facebook page.

 

Left to right: Junie Fisher and Regen Wells receive Superior ratings on their Thespy events at the KS State Thespian Festival qualifying them to compete at the International Thespian Festival in June.

Bourbon County, Exercise, Fort Scott, K-State Extension

Stay Strong Stay Healthy Starts February 20th

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Tara Soloman-Smith, Family and Wellness Agent, Sunflower District of Kansas State University’s Extension Office. Submitted photo.

 

 

Starting February 20th, improve your health and independence through strength-building exercises at Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Avenue, Fort Scott. Stay Strong Stay Healthy class will meet twice weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9:00-10:00am, for 8 weeks. Pre-registration is required, call Tara at 620-244-3826 to register and learn more.

 

This evidence-based program is built on simple, strength-building exercises that will improve balance, health and state of mind. No, it’s not strenuous weight-lifting. You’ll start at a level that’s right for you! No one is too inactive to participate. Take this opportunity to take better care of your health and join others for this fun program!

 

# # #

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director of K-State Research and Extension, Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts.