Category Archives: Fort Scott

Chamber Coffee Hosted by SparkWheel on January 30

Join us for Chamber Coffee

hosted by

SparkWheel

Thursday, January 30

8am

 

SparkWheel

Fort Scott Middle School – 1105 E. 12th St

(Please enter through the South Entrance of the school)

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting this Thursday, January 30th at 8am hosted by SparkWheel. The location is at the Fort Scott Middle School, 1105 E. 12th St., and attendees can arrive through the south entrance of the building. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served along with a door prize drawing.

SparkWheel is an independent nonprofit partnering with Fort Scott Public Schools to provide a model of wrap-around services for middle school and high school students and their families. SparkWheel’s full-time staff member in each Fort Scott site works to deliver its mission to remove barriers and provide those we serve with the tools and resources they need to thrive, now and into the future. The collaboration between SparkWheel and USD 234 started in the 2018-19 school year at the High School and then added Middle School services in 2020.

As an independent nonprofit that is impact-focused, SparkWheel is a multi-state organization providing integrated student support services. Across the SparkWheel network, the organization serves more than 30,000 students in 64 sites. Primarily a school-based model of services, SparkWheel has broadened its range of services to include early childhood through post-secondary activities. SparkWheel’s programs across southeastern Kansas include those in Uniontown, Pittsburg, Chanute, Independence, Neodesha, and Parsons.

Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information. Visit the Events Calendar and category of Chamber Coffees on fortscott.com for upcoming locations.

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

620-223-3566

fortscott.com

Ground(Hog) Breakfast Fundraiser On Feb. 1

JOIN US FOR OUR 6TH ANNUAL

 

“ALL YOU CAN EAT PANCAKES

WITH A SERVING OF GROUND(HOG)”

OR (added this year)

“ALL YOU CAN EAT BISCUITS WITH GROUNDHOG GRAVY”

 

DINE IN OR CARRY OUT

SILENT AUCTION & BAKE SALE

 

February 1, 2025, 8 A.M. – 2 P.M.

at First Southern Baptist Church

1818 South Main, Fort Scott, KS

 

Children 7 and under FREE

8 to Adult $5.00 in advance or

$6.00 at the door

 

for advanced tickets Contact

Ida Ford 417-262-3948 or

Terri Williams 620-215-3202

 

**All proceeds go to FSBC Building Fund

 

What’s Happening in Fort Scott

What’s Happening in Fort Scott! January 24th Weekly Newsletter

SAVE THE DATE!

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber Coffees

Every Thursday at 8am

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

________________

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Visit your National Park!

Click here to see all the FUN classes at The Artificers, classes for ALL ages!

BINGO hosted by the American Legion Post 25 every 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month unless it falls on a holiday. Doors open at 6pm and Bingo starts at 7pm at Memorial Hall. (Taking the month of August off for BINGO & will start again in September)

KANSASWORKS in Fort Scott

Every Tuesday 9am-4pm

Office located at the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, 104 N. National Ave.

620-231-4250

Wednesday Writers at Hedgehog.Ink Book Store

Every Wednesday 1:30-3pm

Downtown Fort Scott, 16 S. Main St.

News from Kansas Gas Service

Kansas Gas Service is dedicated to helping customers stay warm and save money this winter. As residents brace for extremely cold temperatures this weekend, it’s the perfect time to revisit some low-cost/no-cost energy-saving tips:

·        Set the temperature on your water heater to 120°F

·        Seal gaps and cracks around windows and doors

·        Change or clean filters

·        Install foam gaskets on switches and outlets

For more cold weather tips visit kansasgasservice.com/energytips.

_______________________________________

1/24 ~ 11:30am-1pm | First United Methodist Church Soup Luncheon

in Fellowship Hall

301 S. National | Free will donation

1/25 ~ Care to Share Pool Tournament

$40 per team (Jack & Jill)

Register at Holmtown (taking the first 16 teams)

206 N. National Ave.

1/26 ~ 5:30pm | Kansas City Chiefs Football Game vs. Bills

Watch the game at your favorite local restaurant or pub!

1/27 ~ 4:30PM Fort Scott Tiger Wrestling

Girls Home Mixer

Fort Scott High School 1005 S. Main St.

1/27 ~ 6:30-8:30pm | Storm Spotter Training hosted by Bourbon County Emergency Management

FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center

2108 S. Horton St.

Presented by Steve Runnels from Springfield, Missouri’s NOAA office

1/29 ~ KANSAS DAY

Kansas officially became the 34th state of the United States on January, 29, 1861

1/29 ~ 9-10:45am | E-Community Informational Breakfast for Bankers/Lenders/Accountants/Realtors

The Parlor by Eighteen65, 10 S. Main St

RSVP to the Chamber by Fri. January 24th

[email protected] or 620-223-3566

1/30 ~ 2pm | Credo Senior Living

Community Bingo

820 S. Horton St.

All are welcome – No cost to play!

Prizes & Refreshments

Call 620-223-1822 for more information

1/30 ~ 6PM Fort Scott Tiger Wrestling

Tiger vs Frontenac Home Dual

V/JV/G

Fort Scott High School 1005 S. Main St.

1/31 ~ 4:30PM Fort Scott Tiger Basketball

Home vs. Independence

V/JV/C

Fort Scott High School 1005 S. Main St.

SAVE THE DATE

2/1~ 11am-3pm | Care to Share Cancer

Support Group OPEN HOUSE

9 E. Wall St

2/1-28 ~ | Valentine’s “Ghost” Private Wheel Throwing Class at The Artificers

Night includes dessert from Crooner’s Cakery

2 hours of wheel throwing as a couple

$175/couple – Book a night for your whole group

$300/couple – Book a night for just the two of you

RSVP Call 913-574-7741

2/2 ~ 11am-1pm | Murder Mystery with the Flower Shop hosted by Sunshine Boutique

The Courtland Hotel & Spa

121 E. 1st St

$40/person | RSVP 620-223-6007

2/5/2025 ~ 5:30- 9:30 | FSCC Basketball

5:30 Women’s Game | 7:30 Men’s Game

Fort Scott Community College Arnold Arena

2108 S. Horton St.

2/5/2025 ~ | FSCC SoundDawg Pep Band

High School Band night!

Check-in 2:30pm

Games start at 5:30pm

FREE MEAL PROVIDED

2/7 ~ 6-9PM | First Fridays at The Artificers

8 N. National Ave.

2/7 ~ 2-5pm | Laree + Co.

Galentine’s Patch Bar Party

3 S. National Ave.

Click HERE to sign up

2/7 ~ 7PM | Valentine’s Day Dinner

at The Kitchen Collective + Collaborative

12 S. Main St.

Entree Options: Beef Filet $60/person

Chicken Cordon Bleu $50/person

*Limited seating

RSVP Call or text 620-418-9284

2/7 ~ 4:30PM | Fort Scott Tiger Basketball

Home vs. Parsons

V/JV/C

Fort Scott High School 1005 S. Main St.

2/7 ~ 6-9pm | Artist Opening Reception Show at

The Artificers – 8 N. National Ave.

Feat. Master Artist Kadra Nevitt’s Chalk Pastel Originals & Guest Artist Ashley Purdin’s mixed Media Originals.

Click HERE for the Facebook Event Page with details

2/8 ~ 1-3PM | The Artificers Master Artist Class

$65/person

All supplies provided – Guided instruction

*Limited spots

Click HERE to sign up

2/8 ~ 7-9pm | REZA, Branson Illusionist Act hosted by CORE Community of Bourbon County

Ellis Fine Arts Center

2108 S. Horton St

Purchase tickets online HERE!

SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!

Boutiques-Antiques-Flea Markets & more!

Click here for Chamber member

specialty shopping & other retail in

Downtown & other areas of the community.

Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue

Calendar of Events

Special Event Features

THANK YOU Chamber Champion members!!

Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.

[Message clipped]  View entire message

Local Stock Car Racers, Bolin and Zimmerman, Are Honored

Randy Zimmerman, left, and Ron Bolin pose with trophies in a race competition. Submitted photos
Two Fort Scottians will be honored on Feb. 1 by the Ozarks Area Racers in Springfield, MO.
In the fall, the Ozarks Area Racers Foundation announced its 2025 Hall of Fame class, according to a press release.
The 37th annual Ozarks Area Racers Reunion and Hall of Fame Induction will be held Saturday, Feb. 1 at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds E-Plex in Springfield, MO.
Inductees are selected in two categories: Legends (for driving accomplishments) and Pioneers (off-track contributions such as car owners, mechanics, sponsors or media members).
The two honorees from Fort Scott are being inducted for stock-car racing accomplishments.
Ron Bolin
Ron Bolin. Submitted photo.
Ron Bolin died in 2021 and was the second generation in his family to race stock cars. His uncle by marriage, Rick Sharp of Fort Scott, was the first in their family that raced. X was on his vehicle. “It’s considered a number even though it’s a letter,” said Ron’s son, Brian, the third-generation stock car racer.
“I don’t know what got Rick into racing, but from then on, we went to races on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights.”
“X JR became his number,” Brian said. “People see it on the side of the car.” The next generation of Bolins then put X in their number, as did the fourth generation.
Ron got his racing start in 1972 and compiled over 400 career victories while winning 20-plus track championships on Ozarks-area and regional speedways, according to a press release.
Randy Zimmerman
Submitted photo. Randy Zimmerman in  Amarillo, Texas at the Dirt Track Speedway. It was his biggest win ever, September 1994, winning $20,000 from left is Amanda Portwood, Billy Portwood, Rhonda Dunn, Leland Zimmerman, Maxine Zimmerman, Doug Potter, Ryan Forester, Donnie Marsh, Melba Marsh, Clara Dunn, Mike Dunn.
Kneeling in Front – Marnie Zimmerman & Randy Zimmerman
 Randy Zimmerman, 62, of Fort Scott,  said he always wanted to race.
“I had a (motorized) mini-bike when I was 9 or 10, then a couple of motorcycles, then got a Camaro and started hot-rodding around town. When I was 13 I started watching others  (at the race car track) and ended up helping Ronnie Bolin a little (with his race car) before I got mine.”
“My Dad had a lathe around and helped me build parts for the race car,” he said.
“We have been blessed to have support with our race program from family, friends, and sponsors,” said Marnie, his wife. “We could not have done any of this without them.”
Zimmerman works at Ward Kraft in research and development, building equipment.
Randy Zimmerman from the U.S. Racing Association website.
He has won championships in many area tracks, including Monett, Lucas Oil Speedway, Springfield Raceway, West Plains Motor Speedway, North Fork Speedway, and Joplin 66. Randy began racing in 1980 and remains active in the sport with feature wins at 31 different tracks in seven states, according to the press release.
Induction Ceremony
Zimmerman and Bolin will be honored at the induction ceremony on Feb. 1 at the fairgrounds in Springfield, MO.
In addition to the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, racing memorabilia and race cars from different eras will be on display inside the E-Plex, according to a press release. Promoters from area speedways also will be invited to introduce their track champions from the 2024 season in a “Salute to Champions” prior to the Hall of Fame program.
Zimmerman and Bolin will have their names engraved on a monument in black marble at the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
For more info, check out: facebook.com/ozarksarearacersfoundation

Young Entrepreneur: Jaidyn Crumby

Jaidyn Crumby is a senior at Fort Scott High School and has turned a passion into a business.

“I’m currently taking floriculture classes and fell in love with the art of floral design,” she said. “So I decided to try and start my own little operation.”

“I started taking a floriculture class through the high school’s FFA chapter last year and loved it,” she said.  “Sydney Cullison is my teacher and without her, this whole thing would not be possible. She taught me that it’s ok to mess up because you can always fix it.”

“Floral design is an art and it takes patience. Ms. Cullison taught me that it is all trial and error and that you can’t get frustrated if something doesn’t work the first time you try.”

“I have been making arrangements for my friends and family just for birthdays or holidays for a while and my dad saw the passion I had and helped me start my business. I love creating something for someone that will just instantly put a smile on their face.”

“My Dad is Zac Crumby, my mom is Stephanie Weddle, and my stepmom is Amanda Crumby.”

She makes all of the arrangements from her home and orders flowers in bulk online.

“Valentine’s Day will be my first preorder so I will use it as a test run to hopefully better my business in the future.”

After high school, she plans to attend college and major in agriculture business, specifically crop and soil management, and minor in plant and soil science.

“After attaining my bachelor’s degree I plan to attend Cleveland University in Kansas City to get my doctorate degree in Chiropractics.”

 

Submitted photo. One of Crumby’s creations.

How To Order

“I currently have a pre-order posted on Facebook with a link attached to order a dozen or a half a dozen roses for Valentine’s Day. Roses will be red, possibly pink also depending on the demand.”

To order: https://gforms.app/p/S7DTZiv

Customers have the opportunity to leave a custom message for whoever may be receiving the arrangement.

Customers also have the choice of pick up or delivery (Fort Scott area). Delivery doesn’t have a $5 service charge.

The full dozen arrangements are $50 and the half a dozen arrangements are $25. Each arrangement will come in a vase with a bow. The roses will be arranged with baby’s breath and greenery.

There will be three payment options including, cash, check, and Venmo. Orders will close on February 2nd to ensure plenty of time to get flowers ordered.

Submitted graphic.

Radio Auction Starts Jan. 22

Posting on behalf of Chamber member…

Annual

All Hit 103.9

Radio Auction

Wednesday, Jan 22nd – February 27th

Auction will air every Wednesday & Thursday at 3pm.

Aired on 103.9 FM and listed on kombfm.com

Thousands of items and gift certificates will be auctioned off to listeners at bargain prices!

To participate listeners are required to have a bid number available by calling the office at 620-223-4500 or going online to kombfm.com

The daily auction list will be available on kombfm.com before each days auction. New items will be added each week during the auction.

Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information. Visit the Events Calendar on fortscott.com for upcoming local events.

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

620-223-3566

fortscott.com

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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 

What’s Happening in Fort Scott! January 17th Weekly Newsletter

What’s Happening in Fort Scott! January 17th Weekly Newsletter

SAVE THE DATE!

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber Coffees

Every Thursday at 8am

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

________________

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Visit your National Park!

Click here to see all the FUN classes at The Artificers, classes for ALL ages!

BINGO hosted by the American Legion Post 25 every 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month unless it falls on a holiday. Doors open at 6pm and Bingo starts at 7pm at Memorial Hall. (Taking the month of August off for BINGO & will start again in September)

KANSASWORKS in Fort Scott

Every Tuesday 9am-4pm

Office located at the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, 104 N. National Ave.

620-231-4250

Wednesday Writers at Hedgehog.Ink Book Store

Every Wednesday 1:30-3pm

Downtown Fort Scott, 16 S. Main St.

News from Kansas Gas Service

Kansas Gas Service is dedicated to helping customers stay warm and save money this winter. As residents brace for extremely cold temperatures this weekend, it’s the perfect time to revisit some low-cost/no-cost energy-saving tips:

·        Set the temperature on your water heater to 120°F

·        Seal gaps and cracks around windows and doors

·        Change or clean filters

·        Install foam gaskets on switches and outlets

For more cold weather tips visit kansasgasservice.com/energytips.

1/18 ~ 3:30pm | Kansas City Chiefs Football Game vs. Texans

Watch the game at your favorite local restaurant or pub!

1/18 ~ 7-10pm | Dance Party In the Hall brought to you by the City of Fort Scott

Memorial Hall, 1 E. 3rd St.

Drinks, Food, & Dancing!

Concessions provided by Aunt Toadies

$5 cover charge

1/20 ~ 9am-2pm | Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service: “Canned & Non-Perishable Food Drive”

Gordon Parks Museum 2108 S. Horton St.

Donations will be donated to the Fort Scott Beacon Food Pantry.

1/20 ~ 12-1pm | Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration Event Lunch and Learn “The Power of Imagery and Civil Rights Experience”

Free Event with lunch provided by Dunk’s BBQ, Drinks & Desserts by /Great Western Dining

*Special guest artist/photographer Ann Dean

Ellis Fine Arts Center 2108 S. Horton St.

1/22 ~ 3pm | Annual All Hit 103.9 Radio Auction

Airs every Wednesday & Thursday

Tune into 103.9FM and Fort Scott TV

Call 620-223-4500 or kombfm.com

to get your bid number.

1/23 ~ 8am | Chamber Coffee

hosted by SkinnyDRIP

2801 S. Horton St. Ste. 2B

(located in the Fort Scott Professional Building adjacent to the former Mercy Hospital)

1/24 ~ 11:30am-1pm | First United Methodist Church Soup Luncheon

in Fellowship Hall

301 S. National | Free will donation

1/25 ~ Care to Share Pool Tournament

$40 per team (Jack & Jill)

Register at Holmtown (taking the first 16 teams)

206 N. National Ave.

1/30 ~ 2pm | Credo Senior Living

Community Bingo

820 S. Horton St.

All are welcome – No cost to play!

Prizes & Refreshments

Call 620-223-1822 for more information

SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!

Boutiques-Antiques-Flea Markets & more!

Click here for Chamber member

specialty shopping & other retail in

Downtown & other areas of the community.

Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue

Calendar of Events

Special Event Features

THANK YOU Chamber Champion members!!

Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.

Upcoming Movie Schedule @ Fort Cinema

THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER CHAMPION MEMBERS!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
231 E. Wall Street
Fort Scott, KS 66701
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US

Gordon Parks Museum’s upcoming community events to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.

Sending on behalf of Chamber member…..

Gordon Parks Museum’s upcoming community events to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.

Monday, January 20th

“Canned & Non-Perishable Food Drive” Located at Gordon Parks Museum

2108 S. Horton St.

Donations will be accepted at the museum from 9am-2pm

Monday, January 20th

“The Power of Imagery and Civil Rights Experience”

Lunch & Learn

12-1pm

Free Event

Lunch provided by Dunk’s BBQ.

Drinks & Desserts provided by Great Western Dining.

Located at the Ellis Family Fine Arts Center

2108 S. Horton St.

Click HERE to visit the Gordon Parks Website.

Click HERE to follow the Gordon Parks Facebook Page.

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 

Agenda for the Fort Scott City Commission on January 21

NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR

MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

City Hall Commission Room – 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

January 21, 2025  –  6:00 P.M.

 

  1.     Call to Order
  2. Pledge of Allegiance

III.       Invocation

  1. Approval of Agenda
  2. Consent Agenda
  3. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1376-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates of January 2, 2025 – January 14, 2025$457,688.20
  4. Approval of Minutes: December 17, 2024; December 23, 2024; and January 7, 2025
  5. December Financials

                                                                

  1. V Public Comment

VII.      Appearances

            Cory Bryars – Care to Share – Update

Amanda Lancaster/Deihl, Banwart, Bolton – Audit results

           

VIII.   Unfinished Business

  1. Approval of Resolution No. 3-2025 – A RESOLUTION FOR EXEMPTION FROM GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRACTICES UNDER K.S.A. 1120A               B.   Approval of Code of Ethics – Ordinance No. 3780 – Revised                                           C.  Appointment of City Commission Representative of the Fort Scott Housing Authoritytabled from January 7, 2025.                                                                                                            D.  Appointment of City Commission Representative to the Health in All Practices           Commissiontabled from January 7, 2025.                                                                                                                                  E.  Consideration to Appoint or Remove City Commission Representative to REDI – tabled from January 7, 2025.                                                                                                            F.   Status of 323 W. Walltabled from January 7, 2025.                                                            G.  Status of 118 E. Wall                                                                                           
  2. New Business

            Action Items:

  1. Approval of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program – B. Matkin/FSK Airport Manager
  2. Status of 15 E. 2nd – Moody Building – B. Matkin

 

  1. Reports and Comments

 

  1. Adjourn

Special Board Meeting Agenda For USD234 Board of Education on January 20

 

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

January 20, 2025 – 5:30 P.M.

AGENDA SUMMARY PUBLIC

1.0       Call Meeting to Order                                                                      David Stewart, President

2.0       Flag Salute

3.0       Approval of the Official Agenda (Action Item)

4.0       Interview with Board

5.0       Discussion

6.0       Adjourn Meeting  _______  (Time)                                                 David Stewart, Board President

New Chiropractor In Fort Scott: Dr. Ethan Couch

Dr. Ethan Couch.

 

Dr. Ethan Couch, 23, is a new associate doctor with Dr. Kaylee Clifton. He began duties on January 14.

Couch graduated from Nevada High School in 2019, received his associate’s degree from Crowder College, Nevada, and then went to Cleaveland University in Kansas City, earning a bachelor’s degree in human biology. He then enrolled in the school’s Doctor of Chiropractic program in 2020 and graduated in December 2024.

“I did a year of training with the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in K.C. with the clerkship program,” he said. “I got to meet with doctors- neurosurgeons, pharmacists, occupational therapists and orthosurgeons- and ask questions to have a better understanding of multi-disciplinary treatment options.”

“I knew I wanted to be in the medical field, but wanted to provide conservative treatment for musculoskeletal conditions,” he said.

“Conservative treatment is non-invasive therapeutic exercise or adjustments, anything that doesn’t stretch into injections, surgery or medications.”

So far, the best part of the job is “Getting to know the patients and providing quality care that helps with day-to-day life.”

Couch and his wife live in Nevada, MO are expecting their first child, a son, on April 1.

Dr. Kaylee Clifton is returning in February, following maternity leave.

On February 1,  Couch’s hours will be from Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday from one Saturday a month from 9 a.m. to noon.

The Clifton Chiropractic office is located at 203 E. Third, Fort Scott and can be reached at 620.644.5000.

Fort Scott Receives Funding To Improve Railroad Crossing Infrastructure

Governor Kelly Announces More than $4M
to Improve Railroad Crossing Infrastructure


TOPEKA
– Governor Laura Kelly announced on Thursday two Kansas communities have secured over $3.3 million in federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration Railroad Crossing Elimination program.

“Improving railroad crossings in Kansas is crucial for enhancing safety and connectivity in our communities,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I’m proud these two projects are receiving vital infrastructure planning grants, which will not only improve our railroad crossing safety but also strengthen the entire state’s transportation network.”

Combined with almost $413,000 in matching funds from the Kansas Infrastructure Hub and Build Kansas Fund, plus $427,830 in local contributions, the investment totals more than $4 million.

The two Kansas projects receiving funding are:

Eastern Kansas Communities Rail Corridor At-Grade Crossing Elimination Plan

  • Build Kansas Funding – $107,500
  • Federal Funding Awarded – $1,720,000
  • Applicant Contribution – $322,500
  • Total Project – $2,150,000

The project is a collaboration between the cities of Spring Hill, Fontana, and Fort Scott to improve railroad crossing safety along the BNSF Fort Scott Subdivision.

Liberal Crossing Analysis for Routes Enhancing Safety (Liberal CARES)

  • Build Kansas Funding – $305,000
  • Federal Funding Awarded – $1,639,520
  • Applicant Contribution – $104,880
  • Total Project – $2,049,400

The project will support development activities to identify an at-grade railroad closure location and develop a grade separation plan in Liberal.

“I want to thank the Build Kansas Fund for partnering with the City of Spring Hill. This partnership has helped make this project a reality,” said Lane Massey, Spring Hill City Administrator. “Without this funding, we wouldn’t have been able to pursue the crucial Railroad Crossing Elimination funds.”

With this award, the Build Kansas Fund has provided the required match dollars for 38 federal grant awards across Kansas. The combined total investment by the Build Kansas Fund in all projects is over $34.6 million, which has resulted in federal grant awards of more than $75.9 million.

“Our communities in Kansas have consistently expressed that with technical assistance and matching funds, they can access additional federal resources to improve safety and infrastructure,” said Matt Volz, Executive Director of the Kansas Infrastructure Hub. “The support offered through the Kansas Infrastructure Hub and Build Kansas Fund showcases Kansas’ leadership on a national scale while equipping local communities with the tools they need to fully capitalize on the opportunities provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill.”

The Kansas Infrastructure Hub connects multiple state agencies and serves as a resource center for Kansas communities to identify best practices for maximizing BIL funding opportunities. The Build Kansas Fund provides state matching dollars for projects throughout Kansas that successfully apply for federal grants under BIL. In 2023, the Kansas Legislature and Governor Kelly approved $200 million for the Build Kansas Fund to provide state matching dollars to Kansas entities and projects to meet federal local match requirements.

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