Fort Scott High School Floriculture Teacher Sydney Cullison’s students plan to create and sell some of the products they have learned to make.
“Students in floriculture are looking to create Easter-themed centerpiece arrangements,” she said. “This is a learning experience for students and each arrangement may vary slightly.”
This is a sample of a floral arrangement the students made. Submitted photo.
This is the first year for floriculture in FSHS.
“Our source of flowers is Flowers By Leanna,” she said. “She sells them wholesale to us. We have done a workshop there with her.”
“It’s the first time we’ve ever sold arrangements,” Cullison said. “We are testing the waters.”
“We plan to make corsages and boutonnieres,” she said.
“We are lucky to have several floral shops in town, some rural towns don’t, but we want to give the kids the experiences at the same time,” she said.
“The proceeds will be used for future floriculture things,” she said.
Orders for the Easter arrangements are due by March 17.
Each arrangement is $30. Flowers to be possibly included are: white easter lilies, tulips, stock, carnations, static, and leather leaf in a 5.5″ tall tin bucket with ribbon.
Cash or Check to Fort Scott FFA. Venmo @Sydney-Cullison
Ft. Scott’s Good Ol’ Days welcomes back Nashville recording artist Blane Howard for a performance on Friday, May 31st on Skubitz Plaza. Howard is a three-time Male Vocalist of the Year winner at the Arkansas CMAs, and is nominated again in 2024 for Male Vocalist of the Year, as well as Video of the Year for “Boot N Rally.”
Born in KS, raised in AR, and living in Nashville, TN, as an independent artist he has released three full albums, and EP, and two, 2-song CDs. His biggest success is with a song he wrote for his wife as a wedding gift, “Promise To Love Her,” which has over 150 million streams; however, many new fans are finding him through his songs and parodies he writes and creates for the Kansas City Chiefs. He has three original Chiefs songs, which have all been hits with Chiefs Kingdom, but his playoff parodies are continually having the fan base asking for more. This playoff season, his Chiefs playoff parodies, which included songs from Luke Combs, Garth Brooks, Brooks & Dunn, Willie Nelson, and Toby Keith, raked in over 20 Million views across social media platforms in about a four-week period.
Howard has eight new songs coming out this spring and summer; his show will include some of the new songs, his country originals, some country covers, a little classic rock, and of course a little Chiefs section for the die-hard fans in the area! You can check out Blane’s music on your favorite music site, or head over to his website www.blanehoward.com, to connect with all of his social sites, and to check out his music and videos.
A Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative sponsored team from Christian Learning Center in Fort Scott was named Grand Champion at the first-ever SunPowered Student Challenge held Feb. 5 in Topeka. Eleven teams from across the state competed at the event. Pictured from left to right: Science teacher (and Heartland member) Scott Cain, Ethan Hill, Ryan Koch, James Kobernat, and Sam Love. Submitted photo.
Scott Cain is a Science and Math teacher at Christian Learning Center, Fort Scott.
Recently, a team of boys that he taught won the top prize at the first-ever SunPowered Student Challenge, a statewide solar energy competition founded by the Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, Ten80 Education, and Pitsco Education.
Sam Love (16), Ethan Hill (17), James Kobernat (17), and Ryan Koch (18) were the students who were a part of the CLC team, each winning a $1,000 scholarship.
Sam’s parents are Kelly and Jason Love, Fort Scott; Ethan’s parents are Garrett and Kaleigh Hill, Nevada, MO; Jame’s parents are Dan and Amy Kobernat, Fort Scott; and Ryan’s parents are Jason and Holly Koch, Uniontown.
From left, Christian Learning Center students Ryan Koch, Sam Love, Ethan Hill, and James Kobernat work on their strategy for optimizing solar production during the first-ever SunPowered Student Challenge, held Feb. 5 in Topeka. The CLC team was named the Overall Champion at the event.
Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative sponsored the team.
The boys were taught in a curriculum before the competition: how to wire circuits in series and in parallel, how types of circuits affect amps and volts, how to evaluate a site for optimal placement of solar panels, how to use latitude, time of year, and nearby obstacles, such as trees to angle solar panels for maximum output, how to consider the day-time usage of a household to calculate number of panels, where they should be located, and cost of installation.
“The competition involved several categories of scoring, said teacher Scott Cain. “The highest total point scored was the winner.”
What the students were judged on:
Skills challenges: a problem to solve and calculate.
A slideshow presentation to a panel talking about what they had learned through the process of the semester and the curriculum
Branding and Curb Appeal (how the teams constructed house looked, the matching t-shirts, etc.)
A cooperative challenge solving a problem with other teams
Keeping a logbook of the curriculum
Given daytime household usage and criteria of a house’s location, etc., the team designed a mount of the proper type of solar cells to reach a desired output, while maintaining a given range of volts.
Christian Learning Center.
About the private school, taken from its website:
The Christian Learning Center (CLC) was founded in 2000, by Mr. Harold Kraft.
MISSION STATEMENT “To educate and encourage students to live a Christ-centered life; to impart necessary skills to meet the demands of an ever-changing world; and to develop mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical strengths so that each child may live up to his or her God-given talents in the surroundings of a stable, Christian school environment.”
We fulfill this mission by assisting Christian parents in performing their Biblical responsibility to “train up a child in the way he should go” and “bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians 6:4). All subjects are taught from a Biblical worldview. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7).
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee event this Thursday, March 7th at 8 a.m. hosted by Bids and Dibs, 108 Scott Ave.
Join us for Chamber Coffee this Thursday at 8am with coffee, juice, light refreshments, and door prize drawings!
Any member business or organization wanting to host Chamber Coffee in 2024 is encouraged to contact the Chamber to save a date by calling 620-223-3566 or emailing [email protected].
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 04, 2024, for their regular monthly meeting at the board office.
President David Stewart opened the meeting.
The board appointed Joe Wimmer as board member for the next two years.
The board approved the official agenda, and the consent agenda as follows:
Board Minutes
02/12/24 Board Minutes
Payroll – February 20, 2024 – $1,658,014.61
USD 234 Gifts
Middle School Principal Zach Johnson and Counselor Kerri Hanson recognized the first year of FSMS STUCO students. These students were nominated by their teachers for this leadership role. They have been to Greenbush to attend Leadership Workshops that enabled the students to collaborate with other schools in various situations. On Wednesday they will be heading to Eugene Ware to do a reading project and eat lunch with them. Also, STUCO participated in organizing the Veteran’s Day Assembly. Mr. Johnson and Mrs. Hanson commended this group for working with Administration to have a voice in improving the school.
First Row- Lucus Bukowski, Sterling Coon Second Row- Tammy Claypool, Abel Chaplin, Riley Stephan, Madilynn Isaac, Theodore Bowman, Jentry Palmer Third Row- Gianna Gorman, Laurali Clark, Presliegh Seabolt, John Hill, Joe Lewis, Kerri Hanson – STUCO Team
Angie Bin, Fort Scott High School Drama Teacher, presented about March being Theatre in our Schools and Music in our Schools Month. Lexi Hill, senior at FSHS, is the Thespian President and Cooper George, junior at FSHS, is Thespian Vice President. Lexi is a huge advocate for theatre because of her experience starting in sixth grade and continuing into a future career. She explained about the skills she has learned throughout the years in Theatre. She is also receiving a scholarship that only ten seniors in Kansas receive. Cooper shared the opportunities he has been given through the Theatre department such as being a Stage Manager and Director. He explained all the various shows, fundraising, and many other events this department has done through this last year. An upcoming event will be on March 26 which is the Theatre Talent Show at 7PM.
Lexi Hill, Cooper George – FSHS Drama DepartmentKenna Miles – State Wrestling Champ
Scott Kimble, Fort Scott High School Principal, recognized Kenna Miles, sophomore at FSHS. She was the first female State Wrestling Champion from FSHS. Kenna said she was nervous but by the time Finals started she was ready to do her best. She ended the season 40-3.
Tonya Barnes and Mina Query recognized three Paraprofessionals from Eugene Ware. Tabitha Hardesty was thanked for taking on a significant role in the school’s focus room. She was commended for her patience and making great connections with the students.
Sara Rood is in her second year, but she has taken on small group instruction and has excelled. She is entering the Para to Teach program through Pitt State.
Erin Thurston has only been with the district starting this year but was thanked for being kind, and consistently showing up for the students in whatever area is needed.
Mina Query, Principal at Eugene Ware, recognized Sherry Lindsay, Title Teacher, for her longevity and being a role model for all teachers in the building. Sherry is willing to take on whatever new project there is and never complains. Eugene Ware is very thankful to have Sherry.
Dan Koppa, Director of Facilities, thanked Brad Wright for all he has done for the district. There is an extensive list of qualities that Brad has brought to the team. He has a great standing in the community and an impressive work ethic that has not gone unnoticed. Brad is willing to jump in and help, brainstorm, take on projects, and much more.
Superintendent Destry Brown reported on the current enrollment from September to March.
Scott Kimble, High School Principal, and Josh Messer, High School Counselor, came and presented about Kansas’ new High School Graduation requirements that will take effect starting with the graduating class of 2028. These are still being finalized at the State Level. Mr. Kimble and Mr. Messer will continue to keep the Board updated on changes.
Mr. Brown reviewed a couple of legislation that could possibly affect the district in the future.
The Preschool building is in the beginning stages of designs and is moving forward.
Kansas Renewal Institute will be implementing a facility in Fort Scott and the District will be working with this group. Superintendent Brown reported about investments and the April staff premium pay.
Assistant Superintendent Dalaina Smith gave a printout to the Board about the IREADY Fall/Winter scores. She was extremely optimistic about these improvements. She wanted to recognize that teachers and all the demanding work with interventions and extra time they are putting in to help the improve scores.
Tonya Barnes, Special Education Director, presented the Board with an update on Categorical State Aid and Medicaid Reports. She is working with each building to ensure smooth transitions for students moving buildings for the next school year.
As a discussion item, Superintendent Brown updated about the cell phone policy. The specifics are still being worked through with staff.
The board approved the following items:
2024-25 School Calendar (Pending Negotiations)
Purchase of School Bus
Resolution 23-16
The board went into an executive session for personnel matters.
President Stewart adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT
March 04, 2024
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
Buntain, Theresa – Retirement – Band Teacher Aide – Middle School
Davis, Gaven – Termination – Paraprofessional – Eugene Ware
Duffy, Kristin – Resignation – Head Cheerleading Coach – High School
Hampton, Breanna – Termination – 6th Grade ELA
Skaggs, Gwen – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Middle School
TRANSFERS/REASSIGNMENTS/LEAVE OF ABSENCE:
Certified:
Cross, Jennifer – Transfer from 2nd Grade to Title 1 Teacher -Winfield Scott – 2024-25
Garzone, Chris – Transfer from Assistant Principal to Principal – Winfield Scott – 2024-25
EMPLOYMENT:
Certified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:
Reichard, Betsy – Part Time Process Coordinator – 2024-25
Hoener, Rhonda – Part time School Psychologist Paraprofessional – 2024-25
Classified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:
Hernandez, Samara – Part Time Paraprofessional – Eugene Ware
Johnson, Corinna – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
The Board of Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc. recently added a new member: Matt Ida, president of Extrusions, Inc. in Fort Scott.
According to a press release from REDI, the mission of the organization is as follows: They ” are committed to uniting community voices, forging strategic partnerships, and securing pivotal grants. From fostering business growth and tourism to championing development initiatives, we are the nexus of vibrant community transformation. Here, you’ll find the resources, leadership, and opportunities essential for a prosperous and resilient future.”
Ida joins the following members of the board:
Mark McCoy – chairman of the board
Misty Adams – secretary – Fulton
Payton Coyan -vice president
Bryan Holt – treasurer
Tim Van Hoecke – City of Fort Scott Commission
Clifton Beth – Bourbon County Commission
David Stewart – USD 234
Vance Eden – USD 235
“Since our inception, we’ve achieved remarkable milestones,” according to the press release, including:
“Partnered with Legacy Health Care to present $34,000 to Bourbon County Emergency Medical Service for the purchase of a Lucas device and a new ventilator.
Awarded funds for community projects, such as Kansas Rocks, Bourbon County Fair, Gunn Park bike trails, and ball field renovations in Bronson.
Secured grants for Bourbon County EMS for equipment, the Fort Scott Fire Department for a new All Terrain Vehicle, and the City of Fort Scott for automated external defibrillators and storm sirens.
Announced $800 Million in solar development.
Secured funding for the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry Mural
Successfully recruited Kansas Renewal Institute.
Announced Project Fort Scott with the potential to bring in $114.3 Million in development.
Facilitated the creation of studies that included retail, housing, labor, health care, business environment, and many others. These studies create the bedrock of data that is essential in recruiting and attracting new business and development.
Hosted events for community and business development such as:
Wichita State University Center for Economic Development and Bureau of Research for a community outlook and economic forecast event.
Held the inaugural rural workforce summit in Fort Scott, which brought professionals from all across the state to hear from seven industry-leading and nationally known economic experts.
Co-hosted the Bourbon County Job Fair to assist the displaced workers from both Valu Merchandisers Company and the Timken Company as well as anyone looking for career opportunities.
County-wide strategic planning and community visioning session
Held ongoing meetings with both housing and childcare representatives along with professionals who specialize in those fields.”
According to the press release, looking ahead, the group is focused on:
“Developing business community data.
Conducting annual business retention and expansion surveys.
Providing technical assistance to existing businesses.
Collaborating with Fort Scott Community College on technical training.
Organizing seminars and training for local businesses.
Exploring opportunities with the Department of Commerce.
Recommending training and education for start-ups.
Providing resources to entrepreneurs.
Facilitating attraction of new healthcare, housing, and business development projects.”
The REDI office is now located at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd., downstairs, just south of the stairwell and elevators.
Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc. has a new office in the lower level at 401 Woodland Hills Bvld. The old Mercy Building.
To reach the REDI team call the following numbers:
Rob Harrington – Executive Director: 620-215-0144
Tayton Majors – Business Retention and Community Initiatives Manager: 620-215-0821
Lauren Engstrom – Executive Assistant and Marketing Coordinator: 620-215-3546
Tuesday, March 5th, between 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Come check out the different business plans conceived by students as part of the competition organized
by the Chamber. These students have worked hard over the last semester-plus on all aspects of their business concepts and your attendance and support would be appreciated!
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces the fifth annual Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC) in partnership with NetWork Kansas and Fort Scott High School. Twenty-nine students of the high school Business and Entrepreneurship classes have prepared startup business plans as either individuals or groups and will compete for cash prizes to be judged on Tuesday, March 5th, 2024. The community is invited to a public tradeshow exhibit from 11:30am to 12:45pm that day to view the creative business plans in support of the students and place a vote for the Community Choice award.
Mrs. Morgan Sage at the high school has incorporated YEC into the curriculum for the stated classes. Therefore, the students have been working on their business concepts since last semester including four components of a business plan, elevator pitch, formal presentation, and a tradeshow exhibit. A judging panel selected by the Chamber and a representative of NetWork Kansas pre-judge the first three components, and the competition culminates with the public tradeshow. Cash prizes totaling up to $3,000 will be presented for first, second, and third place overall and the Community Choice award at 1:30pm following the tradeshow after the final scores are tallied.
The Chamber organizes the program in association with NetWork Kansas E-Community Partnership and Bourbon County is one of many communities across Kansas to host a competition. The local overall winner will advance to the state-wide Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge to be held April 16th in Manhattan.
Contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce for more information at 620-223-3566 or [email protected].
Thank you to our Chamber Champions for their support!
Abigail Wendel joins from UMB Bank to lead growing institution;
Michael Scheopner announces planned retirement
MANHATTAN, Kan., March 4, 2024 – Landmark Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) announced that it has appointed Abigail (Abby) Wendel to serve as president and chief executive officer of the Company and Landmark National Bank, its wholly-owned bank subsidiary (the “Bank”), effective March 29, 2024. Wendel also will join the respective boards of directors of the company and bank. She succeeds current President and CEO, Michael Scheopner, who will serve in a non-executive role until his retirement at the end of the year.
Wendel comes to the Company from UMB Bank, N.A., a regional bank headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, with more than $44.0 billion in assets. Wendel most recently served as president of the consumer division. In that role, she oversaw more than 800 associates and was responsible for the retail, mortgage and private banking functions as well as corresponding consumer banking initiatives, focused on customer acquisition and experience. She brings to the role extensive experience in the banking industry and has proven performance for delivering positive results for teams and customers. While at UMB, she also previously served as senior vice president and director of corporate strategy, government & investor relations and as executive vice president, chief strategy officer. Prior to UMB, Wendel spent more than a decade at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. She is also involved in numerous charitable causes and civic initiatives in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
“During my time at Landmark National Bank, we have grown a diverse platform of banking services that meets the unique deposit and credit needs of clients in the communities we serve,” said Michael Scheopner, outgoing chief executive officer. “From small business loans to industrial product offerings and numerous solutions in between, we have listened and responded to our customers’ needs. I am extremely proud of what our team has achieved in partnership with our customers and look forward to Landmark’s continued growth and success under Abby’s leadership.”
Scheopner joined one of Landmark National’s predecessor banks, Security National Bank in 1996, and in 2001 was named executive vice president and credit risk manager. In May 2013, Scheopner was named president of Landmark National Bank and chief executive officer in January 2014.
Wendel’s appointment reflects the completion of a search process led by Patrick Alexander, chair of the board of directors. A special committee of the board, consisting of independent directors assisted by a nationally recognized executive recruiting firm, conducted the search.
“We are grateful for Michael’s leadership and strategic direction that has brought Landmark National Bank to this pivotal moment in our organization’s history,” said Patrick Alexander, board chairman. “We are extremely excited to welcome Abby to the bank. Her selection was a unanimous decision by our board and for good reason. Abby’s unique skill set blends results and experience, positioning Landmark National Bank for new growth and depth of relationships with our valued current and future customers.”
Wendel will be based in the Kansas City metro, with frequent site visits across Kansas to Landmark National Bank locations.
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About Landmark Bancorp, Inc. Landmark Bancorp, Inc. is a bank holding company incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware and is engaged in the banking business through its wholly owned subsidiary, Landmark National Bank. Landmark Bancorp is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “LARK.”
Landmark National Bank is a Kansas community banking organization dedicated to providing quality financial and banking services to its local communities. Landmark National Bank is headquartered in Manhattan, Kansas and has 31 community banking locations in 24 communities across the state of Kansas
Evergy provides electrical service connection and repair to most of Bourbon County.
The company has acquired the property needed for the new Fort Scott substation which has frontage on North National Avenue.
Dirt work has begun at the new site, adjacent to the former equipment site.
“We have relocated conflicting utilities and are preparing the site for construction,” said Kaley Bohlen, Evergy Communications Manager.
The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024.
“The upgrades will enhance electric reliability and support growth in the area, as well as strengthen the regional power grid,” Bohlen said. “The new equipment will be stronger, more efficient and incorporate technology that can help reduce power outages, both in frequency and length.”
“Because the project will benefit Evergy customers, costs will be reflected in customer rates,” Bohlen said.
The Kansas Corporation Commission has been sending out press releases to explain the process of the rate increase to upgrade electric services. To learn more, see the end of this story for the links to the press releases. The public was requested to comment during the process.
“The average monthly impact to residential customers will be an increase of $4.64 per month for Evergy Kansas Central customers and a decrease of $6.07 per month for Evergy Metro customers. The new rates will take effect based on the customer billing cycle date beginning December 21, 2023,” according to a press release in November 2023 : Evergy/KCC Settlement Announced
Bourbon County is in the Evergy Kansas Central service area.
Evergy Kansas Central serves 736,000 customers in Topeka, Lawrence, Olathe, Leavenworth, Atchison, Manhattan, Salina, Hutchinson, Emporia, Parsons, Wichita, Arkansas City, El Dorado, Newton, Fort Scott, Pittsburg and Independence, among other towns and rural areas, according to a KCC press release. Evergy Kansas Metro serves approximately 273,000 customers in Lenexa, Overland Park and other communities near the Kansas City metro area.
The contractor for the Fort Scott project is Wolf Construction, Bohlen said.
The new Infantry Substation will be about 1.75 acres and will replace the former Fort Scott Substation that was damaged by fire in August 2022., according to Bohlen in a prior interview.
Looking to the left of the current Evergy Fort Scott Service Center Office on Old Fort Boulevard on February 26, one can see the current substation that is being replaced. This substation was damaged by fire in August 2022.
“The new substation will provide additional capacity to enhance electric reliability for the Fort Scott area, as well as strengthen the regional power grid,” she said in a prior interview. “Automated switching capabilities and grid automation will help improve outage response times.”
“Construction has begun and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024,” she said in the prior interview. “Once the new substation is operational, we will decommission the current Fort Scott Substation and remove all structures and equipment that are no longer in use. The existing Fort Scott Service Center utilized for personnel and offices will remain. Once the new Infantry Substation is built and operational, the existing Fort Scott Substation equipment and poles will be removed.”
Evergy Fort Scott Service Center is currently located on Old Fort Blvd. The new Infantry Substation is located north and west of this building.The Evergy building is seen from North National Avenue at Stanton Street.
Check out the calendar below for all events happening this month!
Returning Master Artist!
Weaving 101 Class
Sally Brandon will be returning to teach this 3-hour class! You will learn the basics of weaving on table looms while creating a cotton table mat or runner!
Use of looms and shuttles included for class. If you love the class and learning the centuries old techniques; the looms and shuttles will be available for purchase after the class!
Your in Luck we have another walk-in class!! Come in the studio and make a fun shamrock dish just in time for St. Patricks’ Day! Use them as a special gift or something just for you!
Bridges Out of Poverty workshop is a unique and powerful tool designed specifically for social, health, and legal services professionals. Based in part on Dr. Ruby K. Payne’s myth shattering A Framework for Understanding Poverty, Bridges reaches out to the millions of service providers and businesses whose daily work connects them with the lives of people in poverty.
As a workshop attendee, you will learn specific strategies and brainstorm potential solutions which you and your organization can implement right now to: Design programs to better serve people you work with; Build skill sets for management to help guide employees; Upgrade training for front-line staff like receptionists, case workers, and managers; Improve treatment outcomes in health care and behavioral health care; Increase the likelihood of moving from welfare to work.
If your business, agency, or organization works with people from poverty, only a deeper understanding of their challenges-and strengths-will help you partner with them to create opportunities for success.
Continuing Education credits available with a certificate issued at the end of the workshop.
The Workshop will be lead by Deborah Factor, CEO of Youth Core Ministries (YCM). Core Community Bourbon County is a chapter affiliate of YCM.
Deborah Factor serves as CEO/Executive Director of Youth Core Ministries, Inc. YCM, formerly Youth for Christ-South Central Kansas, was founded in 1995 as a ministry to reach kids outside of the church. After becoming Executive Director in 1998, Deborah watched as many of her students moved into adulthood repeating the cycle of poverty. To address this need, YCM launched a community and school-based mentoring program, Core Mentoring, in 2012 and in 2015 an initiative to resolve poverty called Core Community. Deborah and her team are having a profound impact on rural Communities. They are passionate about ending poverty and seeing kids and families truly thrive. Deborah, her husband, Tony, and their son, Caleb, live in Greensburg.
Participants will review a mental model of poverty, examine a theory of change, and analyze poverty through the prism of housing, the hidden rules of class and resources. Cost is $35 (payable at event) including training materials and book. If cost is prohibitive, there are a limited number of scholarships available.
