Category Archives: Fort Scott

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Headstone/Monument Cleaning Added to Services Provided by Influx Services

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Jake Province. Submitted photo.

Jake Provice started Influx Services a little over two and a half years ago.

“We serve Fort Scott, Joplin, and the surrounding areas,” he said.
“We provide professional exterior cleaning services, and specialize in house washing, window cleaning, and gutter cleaning. We use the ‘softwash’  process…which uses low-pressure and algicides to safely clean your home, without the risk of damage that comes with traditional pressure washing.”
“At Influx Services we are excited to publicly announce our professional headstone and monument cleaning services, available in Fort Scott, Joplin, and the surrounding areas,” he said. ” We use a specially designed, national cemetery-approved product and gentle cleaning methods to clean headstones and other stone monuments safely and effectively, without the risk of damage or deterioration that can come with other cleaning techniques.”
Before and after photos of headstone cleaning by InFlux Services. Submitted photo.
“The headstone cleaning is a new service,” he said. “I’ve been doing work at Evergreen Cemetery, but this would be the first time publicly announcing it. We use a specialized cleaning product and method that is historically used to clean national cemeteries and the white house.”
“Those interested in our headstone and monument cleaning services and/or our other exterior cleaning services such as house washing, window cleaning, and gutter cleaning, please give us a call or text at (620) 407-3008, or email us at influxservicescontact@gmail.com!”

He takes calls from 9 am to 9 pm seven days a week.

Entertainment, Exercise, Food, Fort Scott

Par Tee Girls At Woodland Hills May 15

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member
Diane Striler – Par Tee Girls…

Come join us for good food, drinks, and community fellowship! Brickstreet BBQ will be serving food while the club house will be serving the drinks!

Wednesday, May 15th

5:30-9:00pm

Pulled Pork or Chicken Sandwiches: $7

Pulled Pork or Chicken Nachos: $11

Sides (Baked Beans, Coleslaw, Potato Salad): $3

Carry out available
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Fort Scott, Government, Schools

Agenda For The USD 234 Board Meeting on May 13

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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

May 13, 2024 – 5:30 P.M.

PUBLIC AGENDA

 

1.0       Call Meeting to Order                                  David Stewart, President

2.0       Flag Salute

3.0       Approval of the Official Agenda (Action Item)

4.0       Approval of the Consent Agenda (Action Item)

            4.1       Board Minutes

  1. 04/08/24 Board Minutes

            4.2       Financials – Cash Flow Report

            4.3       Check Register

            4.4       Payroll – April 19, 2024 – $2,108,758.88

            4.5       Activity Funds Accounts

4.6       USD 234 Gifts

4.7       Resolution 23-17 – KMIP Signers

4.8       Resolution 23-18 – Account Signers

4.9       Tiger Club Fundraising

4.10     EW Book Fair Fundraising

4.11     Leadership Club Fundraising

4.12     EW Box Top Fundraising

4.13     FSHS Dance Team Fundraising

5.0       Recognitions (Information/Discussion Item)

6.0       Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion Item)

            6.1       Superintendent’s Report

            6.2       Assistant Superintendent’s Report

            6.3       Special Education Director’s Report

            6.4       Finance Director’s Report

7.0       Old Business

            7.1       Five Year Professional Development Plan (Action)

            7.2       Approval for Crossland as CMAR for Preschool Building (Action)

7.3       District Cell Phone Policy (Discussion/Action)

 

           

           

 

8.0       New Business

8.1       FSHS Lunch Price Recommendation (Action)

8.2       10 Passenger Van Purchase (Action)

8.3       New Student Devices for Incoming 6th & 9th graders (Action)

8.4       Content Filter & Classroom Management Bid  (Action)

8.5       Middle School Science Text and Resources (Action)

 

9.0       Public Forum

10.0     Other Business – Personnel Matters            

 

11.0     Adjourn Meeting (Time)            David Stewart, President

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Youth

Nominate a Young Entrepreneur For a Feature Story on FortScott.Biz

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Devlin Cole sold handmade leather crafts at a 2023 Fort Scott Farmers Market.

Fortscott.biz desires to help local entrepreneurs in their business ventures and has featured many on our news service.

We are once again starting a series on young entrepreneurs.

Fortscott.biz would like to feature local,  young entrepreneurs under 20 years old, who have seen a need and have started a business to meet it, or who have a talent and turned it into a business.

Hannah Vann was featured in 2019 with her car detailing business.

To nominate a young entrepreneur, email [email protected] with the name, age, email address, and/or phone number of the person, with the business they are doing.  Please include who is nominating the person and why.

Relatives, friends and recipients of the product or services are invited to nominate a young entrepreneur.

Brian Griffin was featured in 2019 and his bicycle repair shop.

 

Judah Whitson at the cash register at Fort Scott Farmers Market.
Judah Whitson mans the cash register at his family’s booth at the Fort Scott Farmers Market in 2023, Judah and his two brothers are all young entrepreneurs.

We also feature local entrepreneurs over 20! If you have started a new business or added a service/product,  please email [email protected] with the email address, phone number and tell a little about your business.

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Sign Up To Be In The Good Ol’ Days Parade by May 29

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Good Ol’ Days Parade!

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce is NOW taking entries for he GOOD OL’ DAYS PARADE that will take place in Fort Scott on Friday, May 31st at 6pm.

We encourage you to get your business, organization, friends, or family together and enter a float, walking unit, golf cart, car/truck, tractor, horse entry, or other! It is FREE to enter the parade and cash prizes will be awarded in each category.

Click here to print the parade entry form, or you can click “Register” on this link to enter online!

The deadline is May 29th.

For more information about the Good Ol’ Days festival, click here!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Business, Fort Scott

New Pet Service Opens By Newcomers From California

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Devin and Jalaine Davis. Submitted photo.

Devin and Jalaine Davis moved to Fort Scott from Rancho Murieta, California at the end of April 2024.

“I’m from the Midwest and missed my roots and we wanted to be more central to being able to drive to family,” she said. “We have a military friend from Fort Scott which is what keyed us in to consider this our new home and we love it so far.”
Jalaine is a Navy veteran and her husband is a Marine veteran
She started her pet care service business in California and continues it at their new home. She does pet-sitting, dog walking, and drop-in services available for all pet owner’s needs.

“I started my business in California because I love animals and was tired of being inside all day behind a desk and felt I could serve a better purpose by serving my local community through pet services needs and the business flourished in no time. I left 150 clients to move here and am looking forward to helping others in Fort Scott now.”
“I will be transferring my LLC to Kansas very soon,” she said. “A unique thing about my services is that this is an official, licensed business, unlike other local dog walkers and I provide other services, such as putting out your trash bins while you are away, and returning them the following day, picking up your mail, watering plants, etc.  I take my business seriously and do everything I can to accommodate you and your pet(s)! Another unique thing about my dog walking services is that it’s one on one with your pet(s).”
“I DO NOT mix other people’s dog(s) into the walk with yours; allowing your pet to get full attention from me,” she said. “I’m also a runner, so if your pet needs to run instead of walk, I can do it!  Send me a text or call to schedule a meet and greet at (916) 753-4733.”
She also takes care of livestock and farm animals.
Her references are available upon request.
Instagram: @jalainespetservices
Her electronic business card at: https://dot.cards/jalainespetservices

 

Jalaine has a  Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Healthcare Management degree.

Submitted graphic.
Fort Scott, Government, Schools

Fort Scott Preschool Will Get Bigger Facility in 2025

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Fort Scott Preschool Center, 409 S. Judson,  has a waitlist of approximately 25 three-year-old students this year.

The Fort Scott Preschool, at 409 S. Judson.

“We began this school year with 93 students,” said Nick Johnson, the preschool’s principal.  “Between students moving into the district and students transitioning from Infant-Toddler services, we are finishing the year with 120 students.”

To solve that problem the USD234 School District has begun the process of renovating a building at 9th and Horton Streets for a preschool center. The building was originally owned by Mercy Hospital.

902 S. Horton, from a 2022 photo.

“The new building will allow our program to expand to five classrooms and all those classrooms will be under one roof,” he said.  “Having five classrooms will allow us to increase our enrollment and decrease class sizes.  The new building will also provide more space for related services.  In our current situation speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, mental health services, and English Speakers of Other Languages services all share very limited space.  Having staff in the same location will allow for increased collaboration and more consistency between classrooms.”

“Currently, everything being done is behind-the-scenes planning by the architects and engineers.,” Johnson said.

“Architects and engineers are currently working on plans for the new building,” he said.  “The school board held a hearing at the April board meeting to begin the process of hiring a construction manager at-risk.  The next step will be to hire a construction manager at risk.  We are planning for construction to begin this summer.”

“Construction should be completed during the 2024-25 school year,” he said.  “We are planning to be in the new building for the 2025-26 school year.”

Nick Johnson. Submitted photo.

Criteria to attend Fort Scott Preschool Center is based on age,” he said. ” The student must be three or four years old on September 1st.”

Students fall into one of three categories: 1) students who qualify for an Individualized Education Program (IEP), 2) students who are at risk of entering kindergarten socially, emotionally, or academically unprepared for success, and 3) peer models.

“All four of our classrooms are blended preschool classrooms, meaning they contain a combination of students from each of these three categories,” he said.

Preschool is offered free of charge to all families.

“Our preschool program receives special education and preschool-aged at-risk funding administered by Kansas Department of Education,” he said.  “We also receive funding from the Kansas Preschool Pilot Grant and the Early Childhood Block Grant.  These four funding sources cover most of our preschool expenditures and keep the program free for families.”

The mission of Fort Scott Preschool Center is to create a school environment that partners families, the school, and the community to build a foundation for lifelong learning.

There are five preschool teachers – four classroom teachers each licensed to teach early childhood special education and one part-time intervention teacher.

“We have eight classroom paraeducators,” he said. ” Our classrooms are adequately staffed as we finish the school year, but we will need to hire one or two additional paras next fall as some of our current paras transition into other roles.”

 

 

Entertainment, Fort Scott, Schools, Youth

FSHS Thespians Perform Comedy Improv Show This Sunday

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The Fort Scott High School Thespians perform their annual Spring Improv Comedy Show at 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 12 at the FSHS Auditorium.

The show features improvised comedic scenes acted out on the spot using suggestions from the audience. Admission for the show is a free will donation at the door. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

The Improv Troupe, named Scripted, is directed by FSHS teacher Mark Bergmann and sponsored by Thespian Director Angie Bin. Junior Cooper George serves as this year’s Improv Troupe Captain.

 

Entertainment, Exercise, Fort Scott, Government, Youth

Upgrades on Fort Scott’s East Side Are In the Works

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Third Street Park is east of Hwy. 69. This is the lower level with the ballpark. The upper level has playground equipment, a pavilion and bathrooms.

 

Upgrades to Third Street Park, Nelson Park and the Ellis Park Soccer Field are in the works by the City of Fort Scott.
“The City of Fort Scott is working on upgrades to the 3rd Street Park bathrooms, ” Mary Wyatt, Fort Scott’s Planning, Housing, and Community Development Director, said. “I’ve ordered new bathroom doors, Ron Hurd Construction is going to be framing in the new doors, Stoughton’s Plumbing will be drilling sink holes into the concrete in both bathrooms and installing sinks, we (the City of Fort Scott)are installing motion lights, security cameras, and automatic locks for the bathroom doors. Evergy (the electric utility)  has made a donation of a 35-foot pole to the project and CrawKan (Telephone Cooperative)  has also been involved in the technology aspect of this project.”
Mary Wyatt. Submitted photo.
Third Street Park is located at 600 E 3rd St., a few blocks east of Hwy. 69.
Volunteers John Crain and Josh Jones painted the bathroom at Third Street Park during the beginning of the upgrades last year.  Submitted photo.

The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team received a grant to install new playground equipment and new concrete stairs that have added better access in the multi-level park in 2023.

Rachel Carpenter. Submitted photo.

“Through funding from Patterson Family Foundation and Blue Cross and Blue Shield Pathways to a Healthy Kansas, HBCAT started the Stronger Together: Building Up Our Neighborhoods placemaking projects,” according to Rachel Carpenter, HBCAT Director in a prior interview.

This playground equipment was installed last year at Third Street Park.

A Building Up Our Neighborhoods Placemaking project through HBCAT repaired the bathrooms and existing structures, including the basketball goal.

To view the prior story:

“HBCAT initially started the 3rd Street Park project in 2023 and had new playground equipment and fall protection installed, the City of Fort Scott promised assistance on the project in the form of upgrading the bathrooms,” Wyatt said.  “The City of Fort Scott has paid for the bathroom doors and security equipment and will be paying Stoughton’s Plumbing for their services and Jeff Allen for electrical work and CrawKan for the technology work, Ron Hurd Construction has volunteered to donate their time to frame in the new bathroom doors, and Evergy donated a bare 35-foot pole.”
John Crain and Josh Jones paint the bathroom at Third Street Park, in this 2023 photo. Submitted photo.
“The HBCAT 3rd Street Park project was paid for by a grant that HBCAT applied for and were awarded, but the bathrooms portion of the project is paid for by the City of Fort Scott,” Wyatt noted.
The bathroom completion timeline is the end of May.
“There are a lot of moving parts and coordinating of individuals and businesses to make it all come together, but it is my goal to have the bathrooms completed and opened to the public by Memorial Day weekend,” she said.
Wyatt has been working on other projects for youth.
Nelson Park is at Grant and Elm Street in Fort Scott.
“I am also currently working on a project to make upgrades to Nelson Park, I’ve recently attended several Community Development and Grant Writing workshops and have found many resources that could lead to grant funding opportunities to fund the Nelson Park project,” she said. Nelson Park can be accessed from East Wall Street, turning north on Grant Street
“A few months ago, I completed a project that brought flashing school zone speed limit signs to both Margrave Street on the east side of Fort Scott as well as on National Avenue on the west side of Fort Scott and also just received additional flashing school zone signs that will be placed on Horton Street. The cost of the flashing school zone signs were split between the USD234 school district and the City of Fort Scott.”
Ellis Park is located at !12th and Williams Street in Fort Scott. This is a view of the soccer field on Williams Street.
“I am also currently looking into a project that could hopefully help resurface the Ellis Park soccer field this summer,” she said. Ellis Park is near the Fort Scott Middle School, on Twelveth Street.

 

Fort Scott, Government, Schools, Youth

FSHS Thespians Honor Members At Annual Awards Banquet

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Left to right: Jericho Jones, Casey Gomez, Regen Wells, Junie Fisher, Cooper George, Lexi Hill, Alyssa Popp, Lizzy Moore, Milo Donnelly, Angie Bin. Submitted photo.

The Fort Scott High School Thespian Troupe #7365 honored members at the annual Golden Thespie Awards Banquet on Apr. 29. The banquet followed original one-act play performances written by the three Drama classes at FSHS.

Honors opened with the President’s Speech & Introduction of New Officers by senior Lexi Hill. New officers include: President – junior Cooper George, Vice President – junior Kaiden Clary, Secretary – junior Emi King, Historian – junior Milo Donnelly, Publicity Chair – sophomore Junie Fisher, State Thespian Representatives – sophomores Chris Newman and Emma Bin, and State State Thespian Representatives in Training – freshmen Ava Johnson and Allie Wards.

The troupe inducted official International Thespian Society Members: seniors Jericho Jones, Lexi Hill, and Casey Gomez; and juniors Emi King, Mykael Lewis, Kaiden Clary, and Cooper George.

 

The following were recognized for competing in the KS State Thespian Festival Thespy Events: Vocal solos – seniors Casey Gomez and Jericho Jones, junior Emma Guns, and sophomores Junie Fisher and Levi Fairchild; Monologues – seniors Regen Wells and Jaedyn Lewis, juniors Emi King and Alyssa Popp, sophomores Chris Newman and Grace Walker; Group acting – seniors Jesse Dinneen and Natalie Woods along with sophomore Peighton Head; Duet acting – juniors Mykael Lewis and Kaiden Clary; Stage Management – junior Cooper George; and Lighting – senior Lexi Hill. Special Recognition went to Wells (qualifying for the third year in a row) and Fisher who qualified to compete at the International Thespian Festival at Indiana University June 23-28.

 

The troupe was presented the Gold Honor Troupe Award from the KS Thespians and the following State Improv Troupe Finalists were recognized: seniors Regen Wells, Lexi Hill, and Jaedyn Lewis; junior Mykael Lewis, and sophomore Chris Newman.

Senior members of International Thespian Society were presented with a medal to wear at graduation. Lexi Hill was honored for receiving the Kansas Thespian Society Technical Theatre Scholarship and Independence Community College Technical Theatre Scholarship. Kassandra Farr, Natalie Woods, Lizzy Moore were recognized for Fort Scott Community College Theatre Scholarships.

 

Senior 4-Year Drama Class Students were presented with lifetime alumni tickets to theatre productions at FSHS. They include: Jesse Dinneen, Lexi Hill, Natalie Woods, Josiah Eisenbrandt, Casey Gomez, Jericho Jones, and Jaedyn Lewis.

 

Every year the troupe votes on the Golden Thespies. These are special trophies presented for outstanding achievement during the year. The Best Newcomer trophy went to junior Milo Donnelly with freshmen Ava Johnson and Allie Wards also as nominees. Most Involved was junior Alyssa Popp with junior Mykael Lewis and sophomore Chris Newman also nominated. Drama Mama went to senior Lizzy Moore with senior Lexi Hill and junior Emi King as nominees. Drama Papa was awarded to junior Cooper George with seniors Jesse Dinneen and Josiah Eisenbrandt nominated.  The Designer of the Year trophy went to senior Lexi Hill, also nominated: senior Natalie Woods and sophomore Chris Newman. Technician of the Year went to junior Cooper George, juniors Emi King and Alyssa Popp also nominated. Actor of the Year was awarded to senior Casey Gomez with juniors Kaiden Clary and Mykael Lewis nominated. The Actress of the Year trophy was won by senior Regen Wells with senior Jaedyn Lewis and Junior Emma Guns nominated. The Singer of the Year trophy went to sophomore Junie Fisher with nominations also to senior Jericho Jones and sophomore Levi Fairchild. The top award of the evening went to theTriple Threat senior Jericho Jones. Seniors Casey Gomez and Regen Wells were nominated as well. Jones also has his name engraved on the perpetual Triple Threat plaque.

The evening closed with a tribute slideshow to the Thespian Seniors. Upcoming events include the Improv Comedy Show on May 12 at 7 p.m. at the high school auditorium and Tiger Drama Camp – Sleeping Beauty – held May 28-June 10 weekdays 12:30-4:30 p.m., with performances June 10 & 11 at 7 p.m.

FSHS is also proud to announce the production of Disney’s Frozen Jr. as the fall all-school musical for 2024. Thespians is led by Troupe Director Angie Bin

 

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Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

CHAMBER RIBBON CUTTING TO CELEBRATE BLISSFUL AESTETHTICS AND WELLNESS  on May 23

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The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members to a Chamber After-hours & Ribbon Cutting Event to celebrate the opening of Blissful Aesthetic & Wellness! The event will take place on Thursday, May 23rd from 5:15pm-6:30pm with the remarks and ribbon cutting starting at 5:30pm. After the Ribbon cutting and remarks, everyone is invited to come and go to see the business, enter the drawings, and enjoy refreshments.

 

Blissful Aesthetics and Wellness opened it’s doors in May 2023 giving clients a holistic approach on wellness and beauty that prioritizes your individual goals.

 

Blissful Aesthetics & Wellness offers services such as Aesthetics, IV Infusion & Vitamin Injections, Labs, Weight loss, Dermatology, and Wellness Consultations.

 

Contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce for more information at 620-223-3566 or [email protected].