Category Archives: Fort Scott

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Elks Fishing Derby Turn-out Was High on May 20

Leave a comment
Millie Lipscomb gives instruction to the fisherman at  Elks Fishing Tournament on May 20.

It was the highest number of children to participate in the Elks Fishing Derby for years.

“The best turn-out we’ve had in three to five years,” said Millie Lipscomb with the Fort Scott Elks Lodge.

Fifty-six youth aged 2 to 12 years old participated in the event held at Fort Scott Community College Lake for two hours on May 20. In addition there were many accompanying adults.

“Ronnie Coulter started this event at least 25 years ago,” Lipscomb said. It is a catch-and- release the fish event.

The tournament gave prizes for the most amount of fish caught and the largest fish caught in the time period.

In addition, the Elks provided a hot dog lunch for the children who fished.

Children were provided a hot dog meal following the Elks Fishing Derby, by the Elks.

Prizes were selected individually by the winners from a table with items appropriate to the age.

Birklee Culberton selects a prize from the 7 to 11 year old prizes.

Following are the winners:

Two to six year old winners in the Elks Fishing Derby.

In the 2-6 year olds, first place for number of fish was Aubrey Thompson, second place was Cash Culberton and a tie for third, with Jackson Tash and Clayton Gander the winners.

For the largest fish caught, the winners were Aubrey Johnson, first place; Chance Hyer, second and Linden Bishop, third.

In the 7-11 years old category:

Seven to eleven year old winners at the Elks Fishing Derby.

Number of fish caught winner: Birklee Culberton, first; Hunter Holtz-Sherifff, second; and James Logan, third place.

Size of fish winners were Hunter Holtz-Sheriff, first; Madison Tourtillot, second; Kendrick Simon, third.

 

In the 12-15 years old category:

Twelve to 15 year old winners at the Elks Fishing Derby.

Number of fish winners: Tristan McClune, first; Daniel Cook, second; and a tie for third place: Jordan Finnell and Ty Cooney.

Size of fish winners: Daniel Cook, first; Mason Tourtillot, second; and Jordan Bunnell, third.

 

 

 

 

Fort Scott, Schools

USD 234 Special Meeting Press Release from May 19

Leave a comment

Friday, May 19, 2023

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, May 19, 2023, for a special board meeting at the board office.

 

President Danny Brown opened the meeting.

 

The board went into executive session and then approved the Personnel Report as presented.

 

President Danny Brown adjourned the meeting.

 

PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT

May 19, 2023

 

RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:

  • Schoenberger, Karleigh – Eugene Ware Elementary Paraprofessional at the end of the 2022-23 school year
  • Schoenberger, Karleigh – Fort Scott High School Assistant Volleyball Coach at the end of the 2022-23 school year
  • Dunkeson, Lewis – Fort Scott Middle School Head Football Coach and Fort Scott Middle School Summer Conditioning at the end of the 2022-23 school year

 

EMPLOYMENT/REASSIGNMENTS:

  • Lee, Rebecca – Transfer from Winfield Scott Speech Paraprofessional to 6.5-hour Fort Scott High School Cook
  • Harris, Shelby – Eugene Ware Elementary 3rd Grade Teacher
  • Magathan-Krone, Jane – Eugene Ware Counselor
  • Wood, Lanette – Eugene Ware Elementary Paraprofessional
Bourbon County, Fair, Food, Fort Scott, Health Care

Mental Health Self-Care Fair May 23

Leave a comment
Sending on behalf of Chamber Member
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center…
The SEKMHC Spring into Summer Self-Care Fair in Fort Scott is THE place to be Tuesday, May 23! From 5 to 8 p.m. at Fort Scott Middle School, we are welcoming the community to an evening focused on self-care and good mental health. You are invited!
Self-Care Information and Booths
We will be hosting over 20 Self-Care “Superstars” (vendors), including:
  • Author Maranda Collins
  • SEK Multi-County Health Department
  • The Massage Artist
  • SEK Recovery Resources
  • Fort Scott Public Library
  • Fort Scott Walking Labyrinth
  • Momentum: Health, Wellness, and Athletic Development
  • Mmm Flavor Shop
  • COPE
  • K-State Research and Extension
  • Riggs Chiropractic of Fort Scott
  • Arbonne
  • Courtland Hotel and Spa
  • Flying P Ranch
  • Renewed Strength, LLC
  • Azar Health and Wellness
  • Faithfully Fit Forever Yoga
  • Desert Bloom Boutique
  • Happy Snappy Art
  • Mary Kay Cosmetics
  • Bourbon County Garden Club
Self-Care Micro-Sessions
During the evening, expert presenters will share information about self-care during micro-sessions provided FREE to the public! Micro-sessions are scheduled as follows:
  • 5:30 p.m. – Self-defense skills/tips with Kim Schwab, Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office
  • 6:00 p.m. – Yoga with Certified Instructor Megan Hageman, Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center
  • 6:30 p.m. – FSHS Orchestra (Music is good for your mental health!)
  • 7:00 p.m. – Food tips and nutrition (healthier chicken nuggets) with Lea Kay Karleskint, K-State Research and Extension
  • 7:30 p.m. – Mobility/strength training with Katie Holtzman, Renewed Strength, LLC
Food! (It’s good for mental health!)
Come for dinner while you’re at the Self-Care Fair! The Fort Scott High School Choir is hosting a baked potato bar fundraiser onsite during our event. For just $7, you’ll get a baked potato with your choice of toppings, a drink, and dessert. All funds raised will support the students’ trip to Orlando next May. The choir will travel with the band to participate in an educational workshop at Universal Studios.
Get a FREE Speaker!
Come early and get a FREE Bluetooth speaker! We are giving the first 100 attendees a FREE Bluetooth speaker – limit 1 per household, please.
Details:
Spring into Summer Self-Care Fair
Fort Scott Middle School, 1105 E. 12th Street
5 to 8 p.m.
This will be a fun night focused on self-care and good mental health! Come for dinner, enjoy the orchestra, and learn some tips about self-care! We hope to see you there!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Fort Scott, Government

FS City Has Advisory Board Openings

Leave a comment

The City of Fort Scott has the following Board openings:

 

 

PARKS ADVISORY BOARD:

 

  • One opening for a three (3) year term that would expire December 10, 2023. This was created by a recent resignation.

The function of the Fort Scott Parks Board Committee is to provide suggestions to the City Manager and Governing Body regarding all the parks within the City of Fort Scott.

 

All boards and commissions of Fort Scott serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated.  Currently the Parks Advisory Board meets as City Hall as needed at 4:00PM.

 

If you have a desire to serve on this board, please submit a Letter of Interest to the City Clerk, Lisa Lewis, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701 or [email protected].  The names and letters will be submitted for consideration to the City Commission.

 

Please submit your letter of interest by 4:00 PM on June 7, 2023.

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________–

 

 

 

STREET ADVISORY BOARD:

 

  • There are TWO (2) openings on the Fort Scott Street Advisory Board. The function of the Board is to provide suggestions to the City Commission regarding road improvement projects throughout the City of Fort Scott.

 

All Boards and Commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated. Currently the Street Advisory Board meets at City Hall on the second Thursday of each month at 4:00PM.

 

If you have a desire to serve on this board, please submit a Letter of Interest to the City Clerk, Lisa Lewis, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701 or [email protected].  The names and letters will be submitted for consideration to the City Commission.

 

Please submit your letter of interest by 4:00 PM on June 14, 2023.

 

Phone: 620.223.0550

Web: www.fscity.org

Email: [email protected]

123 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening in Fort Scott! May 19th Weekly Newsletter

Leave a comment

What’s Happening in Fort Scott! May 19th Weekly Newsletter

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

________________

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Daily Tours: 10am & 1pm

Trolley Tours of Fort Scott

50-minute narrated historical tour

Every Friday & Saturday on the hour

Fridays 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm

Saturdays 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm

$6 adults, $4 12 & under, leaves from the Chamber

Click this link: The Artificers

Upcoming pottery class/workshop

schedule, a creative space for all ages!

Click here for all the FUN activities at the

Museum of Creativity, something 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.

May Special for Hedghehog.INK! Bookstore;

25% off Gently Used Inspiration Families/Parenting Self-Help Books

5/19 ~ Common Ground LIVE music event featuring The Tucker Family “Gospel Songs of Graceland”, 6-8pm, see flyer below.

5/20 ~ Paint and Pizza at Papa Don’s, click here for more info!

5/20 ~ Shead Homestead Festival, 10am-5pm, click here for flyer.

5/20 ~ Frankie Durossette Benefit Golf Tournament, 8am, Woodland Hills Golf Course

5/20 ~ Patio Concert at Liberty by Bourbon County Arts Council “Wednesdays at the Hermans”

5/20 ~ Elks Annual Youth Fishing Derby, ages 2-15, 9:30 registration, FSCC Lake, hotdog lunch after, click here for more info.

5/20 ~ Bikini Bike Wash & Cornhole Tournament, Holmtown Pub, 60% of tournament fee as payouts, 12pm-3pm, click here for more info.

5/23 ~ Spring into Summer Self-Care Fair hosted by Southeast Kansas Mental Health at Fort Scott Middle School, 5-8pm, SEKMHC is NOW requesting Vendors for this event, register here for a FREE booth.

5/25 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Greyhound Football Legacy Center, 11 N. Main, 8am

5/25 ~ Chamber After-hours Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting at M’axe Throw House, 212 E. 1st, 5:15pm to 6:30pm, Chamber members receive one complimentary drink ticket at the door then cash bar, pizza will also be available, $2 admission at the door.

5/26-29 ~ Symbols of Sacrifice Flag Display at Fort Scott National Historic Site, 8am, click here for more info.

5/29 ~ The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce will be closed in observance of Memorial Day. We will resume normal business hours on 5/30.

5/29 ~ Memorial Day Program at the National Cemetery, 10:30am, Guest Speaker Jill Jaworski, Superintendent of the Fort Scott National Historic Site.

6/1 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Good Ol’ Days, Skubitz Plaza, 8am

6/2 ~ Good Ol’ Days Chicken Dinner, 4:30-6pm, tickets on sale NOW at the Chamber, $9/dinner.

6/2-3 ~ Good Ol’ Days Parade and festivities, get your entries in NOW, deadline May 31st!

6/2 ~ First Friday at The Artificers, 8 N. National Ave.

6/2 ~ First Friday Backroom Art Gallery located at Hare & Crow, local art by local artist, 118 S. Main St., 1-9pm, click here for more info!

6/2 ~ Street Dance, Whiskey Outlaw and Bobby Degonia, Downtown Pavilion, bring your lawn chair , come out and enjoy music on the bricks, 7pm

6/2-3 ~ St. Mary’s MEGA sale in Kennedy Gym, all proceeds go to rebuild St. Mary’s Church

6/3-4 ~ Kansas Free Fishing Days, click here for more info!

SAVE THE DATE!

6/9 ~ Rock Star Karaoke at Memorial Hall, doors open at 6pm, live music at 7pm, food & drink available for purchase, entry $10 per person or $60 for a table of 6, all proceeds go to Memorial Hall Upgrades.

6/10 ~ Kansas Crossing presents Three Dog Night, must be 21+ to attend, click here for more info and to get tickets.

6/11 ~ First Presbyterian Church of Fort Scott Presents Rev. Darryl Burton, 10:30am, click here for more info!

6/22 ~ Rural Workforce Summit hosted by Bourbon County REDI and the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, register today for $20/person, click here for info.

_________

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
[email protected]
fortscott.com

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.

May Special at Hedgehog. INK! Bookstore!

Live Music at Common Ground!

Shead Farm Festival, FUN for the WHOLE family!

Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center is NOW requesting vendors for their Self-Care Fair!

42nd Annual Fort Scott Good Ol’ Days:

Back to the Bricks! June 2nd & 3rd, Downtown Fort Scott, click here for details!

Ribbon Cutting and Open House at

M’axe Throw House!

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
Facebook Share This Email
Twitter Share This Email
LinkedIn Share This Email
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

Business, Fort Scott, Government

Two Economic Development Projects Moving Forward: Pork Processing Plant, Sports Complex

1 Comment
The Fort Scott City Commissioners, from the May 17 Special Meeting on Youtube. From lower left, clockwise: City Attorney Bob Farmer, Commissioner Edwin Woellhof, Commissioner Tim VanHoecke, Mayor Matthew Wells, Commissioner Josh Jones and City Manager Brad Matkin. Not present: Commissioner Kathryn Harrington,

A meat processing plant is back in the works for Bourbon County.

“I have been working to bring about the meat processing plant, a pork processing plant,” Fort Scott Mayor Matthew Wells said in an interview.

Billy Madison is the owner of the business, S.H. Pork Processing.

“This plant will provide farmers with an outlet for their pork processing,” Madison said. “And provide 15-30 new jobs.”

This is an artists rendition of the S.H. Processing Plant that Madison will build. Submitted.

To view a prior 2021 story on Madison’s pork processing plant coming to Fort Scott:

https://fortscott.biz/news/48890

2023 plans have changed location

In 2021, the project was to be just south of the LaRoche Baseball Complex, but that was changed to a location agreed to by Madison and the City of Fort Scott.

“At this juncture I am not at liberty to say the location,” Wells said.

Wells noted that nothing has been signed, nor no one committed to this yet.

“The city approved to send out letters to respective parties involved (at a special Fort Scott city meeting on May 17) and (will) survey the property to define the boundaries and move forward in the process of securing the land,” Wells said.

Following completion of this preliminary work, the Fort Scott Planning Commission will get involved, Wells said in the May 17 special city meeting.

In the 2021, the pork processing plant site was to be located on 47 acres south of the Kansas Department of Transportation facility on Hwy. 69 south of the LaRoche Ball Park.

“That place didn’t have an entrance and we spent eight months getting an entrance to get on the property to do the engineering of the property,” Billy Madison, owner of the proposed meat plant said in a fortscott.biz interview on May 17.

Madison said that in March 2023, he “received an order to cease and desist in the (pork processing plant) plans from Rob Harrington (Director of the Regional Economic Development Inc.), “because they are going to build a sports complex there,” he said.

Sports Complex

At the May 16 regular Fort Scott City Commission meeting, Rob Harrington asked the city to authorize establishing STAR Bond and TIF District financing tools as part of the sports complex planning.

Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) Bonds are a financing tool that allows Kansas municipalities to issue bonds to finance the development of major commercial, entertainment and tourism projects, according to https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/community-programs/star-bonds/. The bonds are paid off through the sales tax revenue generated by the development. The intent is to increase regional and national visitation to Kansas.

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a real estate redevelopment tool applicable to industrial, commercial, intermodal transportation area and residential projects, https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/taxes-and-financing/tif/. TIF uses the increases in real estate tax revenues and local sales tax revenues to retire the bonds sold to finance eligible redevelopment project costs (K.S.A. 12-1770 et seq.) or to reimburse the developer on a pay-as-you-go basis.

This project will require many steps because they will be working with the developer, the county, the state and the city council.

At the city meeting on May 16, Fort Scott City Attorney Bob Farmer told the Fort Scott City Council that they will have to partner with the Bourbon County Commission, because some of the proposed land is theirs.

The sports complex developer, along with the Kansas Department of Commerce,  will look at a list of  the developer’s ideas, then the state has to see if it is eligible, Farmer told the city council.

 

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott

Youth Fishing at FSCC on Saturday May 20

Leave a comment

The Fort Scott Elks #579 will have the annual youth fishing derby tomorrow (May 20) at the Fort Scott Community College Lake.

Children will fish from 10 a.m.– noon and the prizes will be awarded immediately following recognizing the most fish caught and the largest fish caught in each of the three age categories.

Submitted by

Millie Lipscomb,  Elks Fishing Derby chairperson

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Rural Workforce Summit: June 22

Leave a comment
Sending on behalf of Chamber Member
Bourbon County Redi…
Rural Workforce Summit
The Rural Workforce Summit will feature seven nationally recognized industry leaders in workforce development, who will share their insights and expertise. This diverse group of speakers will offer valuable knowledge and practical strategies that can benefit individuals and businesses alike.
We have arranged a block of discounted hotel rooms at the Sleep Inn exclusively for summit attendees. If you have any out of town employees or executives who may choose to stay overnight before the event, they will gain unprecedented access to a networking event with all of the speakers. This exclusive opportunity allows for one-on-one conversations with each of the speakers, fostering valuable connections and insights.
To ensure your participation, please RSVP by June 19th by using the QR code on the attached flyer or the Eventbrite link in this email. We kindly request a nominal admission fee of $20, which includes lunch and a continental breakfast provided during the event.
Date: June 22, 2023 Time: 7:15 AM – 1:00 PM
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Fort Scott, Government, Schools

U234 Special Meeting at 8 a.m. on May 19

Leave a comment

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 SPECIAL MEETING

MAY 19, 2023 – 8:00 A.M.

AGENDA SUMMARY

1.0       Call Meeting to Order                                  Danny Brown, President

 

2.0       Flag Salute

 

3..0      Other Business – Personnel Matters

3.1       Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)

3.2       Exit Executive Session

3.3       Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)

 

           

4.0       Adjourn Meeting

                        President Brown

Fort Scott, Housing

House To Be Auctioned To Benefit Fort Scott Parks

4 Comments
Chris Yoder, Devon, and three of his sons, Melvin, Willard and Joseph, work on stabilizing the roof of the  house at 1311 S. National in January 2018.
1311 S. National Avenue, May 2023.

 

The vacant house at 1311 S. National Avenue has the beginning work of rehabilitation done by several volunteers and others.

 

“We were notified by the Fort Scott Codes Department in 2017 of a house on National that they thought could be rehabbed,” said Carolyn Sinn, a member of the Youth Activity Team, which took on the project to repair then sell the house to benefit Fort Scott’s Ellis Park.

A veteran living in the home at the time was relocated.

“He was relocated with help from a lot of people in the community,” Sinn said. “To a quality place.”

The city thought the house was salvageable and YAT paid $4, 101 for it, which included the prior years taxes, she said.

The Youth Activities Team, the Good Neighbor Action Team and the Fort Scott Fire Department helped with the demolition, Sinn said.

A new roof and windows (paid for by Peerless Products, Fort Scott) were put on the house.

“We hired Amish carpenters to repair the porch and stabilize the garage,” she said. “Jeff Allen did some electrical work for us a donation.”

Then the COVID-19 Pandemic happened.

“The work got stopped,” she said. “During COVID, materials got out of control.”

All together they have invested approximately $26,000 in the house.

“When it was over, we looked at it again and decided to sell the house and hopefully get it back on the tax rolls,” Sinn said.

The YAT asked the City of Fort Scott to auction it off and any money made will be transferred to the parks committee, to be used for sensory park equipment, she said. Sensory equipment allows more easily accessed playgrounds for children of all abilities.

The City of Fort Scott voted to allow the YAT to sell the house at the commission meeting on May 16, 2023.

The original YAT was comprised of Sinn, Eric Bailey, Laura George, Tom Roberts, Paul Martin, Larry Fink and Diana Mitchell.

Following the sale of the house, the YAT will be dissolved, Sinn said.

“We have a lot of enthusiastic people in the community now,” she said.

Through the years YAT has raised money for upgrades and improvement to Ellis Park, on 12th Street, near the Fort Scott Middle School.

They installed lighting, put in a sand volleyball court, a basketball court, a walking trail, and UMB Bank helped with building a pavilion at the park.

“With the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team we raised $37,600 for the sensory equipment in the park,” Sinn said. “That money we gave to the city parks committee for sensory equipment in the park on Dec. 14, 2022.”

 

 

Business, Fort Scott

Recent Industrial Park Business: Jurassic Fireworks

Leave a comment
Cindy Delise straightens up a shelf in the Jurassic Park Retail Store in the Fort Scott Industrial Park on May 12.

Summer is almost here and the 4th of July is the keystone event of the season for many people

Fireworks are a big component in celebrating the independence from Britain in 1776, that the day commemorates.

Fort Scott has its own distributor of fireworks, since October 2021, in the industrial park just off of Hwy. 69, south of the city.

The Jurassic Park Fireworks retail store at 4500 Campbell Drive.

Jurassic Fireworks, 4500 Campbell Drive, sells both wholesale and retail fireworks. This building is the former site of Firstsource Solutions.

The business is owned by a father-daughter partnership of Frank and Bree Elliot, Colorado.

“This is a family run business, started by his father in 1965,” said Cindy Delise, Fort Scott, who mans the business here, and whose title is distributor.

“I’m the only employee here currently, but we are taking applications for the season,” she said.

The fireworks season is June 26 to July 6 in Fort Scott. During that time the hours are 8 a.m. to midnight.

Regular hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. the rest of the year, Delise said.

Jurassic Fireworks, Fort Scott, can be reached at (919) 369-8710.

They have retail stores in Wyoming, Colorado, Missouri, Texas and Indiana, as well.