Tag Archives: featured

Fort Scott, Government

New FS City Engineer: Nate Stansberry

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Nate Stansberry, 32, is the Fort Scott City Engineer
as of June 29, 2020.
Stansberry received a  Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Civil Emphasis, from Marshall University, Huntington, WV.
He worked two years in the Springfield, MO Public Works Stormwater Division as an engineer in training; five years in the Rutland, VT Department of Public Works as an associate and assistant city engineer; two and one-half years with the Asian Development Bank in the Republic of the Marshall Islands as a Technical Advisor—Water and Sewer Operations Engineer for the Majuro Water and Sewer Company.
The following is from an interview with Stansberry.
Why did you pursue a degree in civil engineering?
“I’ve always enjoyed construction and water-related activities and felt civil engineering was a natural fit,” Stansberry said. “I credit my time working under Errin Kemper at the City of Springfield for helping me see the vision of being a municipal engineer and Dr. John Bailey in an interview with the City of Pittsburg, KS on a position I didn’t get, for showing me how fulfilling being a city engineer in a smaller, full-service city could be. I also credit Alan Shelvey and Pete Kelley in Rutland, Vermont, for their mentorship and example and tutelage of what it means to be a public servant and how we can make an impact each day on the well being of those around us. Each day I get to go work and try to make where I live a little bit better with co-workers striving to do the same. Professionally—I haven’t found anything more fulfilling, yet.”
What are your duties for the City of Fort Scott?
“Fort Scott has not had a city engineer in thirty-plus years so I’m not walking into an established role. On a day to day basis, I’m looking to support our public works divisions in their day-to-day activities and short and long-term capital replacement planning. I’m also looking to provide support and design services to other city groups as time allows. I also see record keeping as an important part of my job and will look to prepare a repository of city works for future reference and hopefully the engineer that comes after me. Most of all, I’m here to serve the public and maintain an open-door policy and can be found at the Code’s Department in Memorial Hall from 8 am-5 pm.”
Stansberry and his wife, Victoria, who is a native of Rolla, KS,  have been married 10 years.
“She last taught Spanish as a school teacher but has stayed home with our daughter since her birth,” Stansberry said.  “Our daughter, aptly named Kansas, will be three this upcoming August.”
The Fort Scott Codes Enforcement Office is located in the lower level of Memorial Hall on East Third Street and National Avenue. Stansberry’s office is located here.
Bourbon County, Elections

Bobby Reed: Candidate for Bourbon County Clerk

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Bobby Reed.

This is part of a series of features on the candidates running for offices in Bourbon County.  The Bourbon County Primary Election will be held, Tuesday, August 4, 2020.

Monday, July 20, is the candidate forum at Ellis Fine Arts Center, on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.  Doors open at 5:30  p.m. for a meet and greet with candidates. The forum starts at 6 p.m. in the order of the federal, state, then local candidates.

Bobby “Bob” Reed, 45, is running for Bourbon County Clerk.

Reed graduated from Wichita North High,  and also from Fort Scott Community College with an Associates of Science Degree in 1995. He also served in the Kansas Army National Guard for nine years with the 891st Engineer Battalion.

Reed’s experience:

“I have been a department head for Bourbon County for the past seven years,” he said.   “I have prepared and managed a budget for all of the seven years.  I have been recognized by past and current commissioners on open record as doing a very good job on budgets.”

“I am currently in charge of 18 employees, 74 inmates, and a 1.2 million dollar budget.” Reed is a major in the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office.

He believes he brings an open mind to the table, he said. Also,  “I’m willing to work hard, as most of my adult career I have had multiple jobs.  I feel that I am a good boss, as many of my current and past employees would say the same.  I am willing to help solve problems.  I am pro-employee and have them as a top priority.  I am a people person and have had 25 years of talking to the taxpayers of Bourbon County.”

Another priority for Reed is getting to know  the county clerk’s employees “and gather ideas from them on ways to make their jobs easier, making a visit to the clerk’s office easier for the taxpayers of Bourbon County and learning, as it will be a new job for me.”

The following is information provided on the Bourbon County Kansas website.

Not sure if you’re registered to vote or where to vote?

You may register to vote online, through the Kansas Secretary of State’s website.

Check your voter registration status, the location of your polling place and view a sample ballot at VoterView by the Secretary of State.

The County Clerk is elected in November of Presidential Election years to a term of four years.  There are no term limits to this elected office.

The Bourbon County Clerk/Election Officer is responsible for a wide range of things under Kansas Law.  Some of those are listed here.

Advance Voting is available prior to each election.  You may advance vote in one of two ways:  By mail, by filing an application for a ballot to be mailed to you   OR   in-person, beginning at least one week prior to any election.

 

Fort Scott, Schools, Sports

FSHS Has New Gym Seating

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The Fort Scott High School gym bleachers, 2020. Submitted photo.

The old Fort Scott High School bleachers were installed over 50 years ago in 1964, and have served the school activities since that time.

Recently USD 234 purchased and installed new ones. The new bleachers are located in the main gymnasium at FSHS.

“They have served their purpose, and in the past several years have needed numerous repairs,” Jeff DeLaTorre, U234 Athletic/Activities Director, said.

They were identified as an area to address for many years by the school leadership.

“The cost and skill to maintain the bleachers to function safely versus replacing them were prohibitive, which is why it was decided to replace them,” Gina Shelton, U234 Business Manager and Board Clerk, said.

The new Fort Scott High School gym bleachers, 2020. Submitted photo.

 

“The new bleachers also provide a more modern look to the gym, as well as provide more comfort to our fans and spectators,” DeLaTorre said.

“They were installed over the past two weeks. The backs to the bleachers will be installed later this summer,” he said.

The total cost was $314,020 and was paid out of the school district’s contingency part of the bond funds, according to Shelton.

“We feel the new look in the gym will benefit our students daily, providing a brighter look that will enhance pride in their school,” DeLaTorre said. “They will also benefit our parents, spectators, and fans that attend events in our gym by providing more comfortable seating. The addition of these bleachers is a positive addition to our gym that has been the site of some wonderful memories in the past, and we know will be home to more wonderful moments in the future.”

 

 

Bourbon County, Bourbon County Sheriff's Office, Elections, Government

Derick Burke: Candidate For Bourbon County Sheriff

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Derick Burke. Submitted photo.

This is part of a series of features on the candidates running for offices in Bourbon County.  The Bourbon County Primary Election will be held, Tuesday, August 4, 2020.

Monday, July 20, is the candidate forum at Ellis Fine Arts Center, on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.  Doors open at 5:30  p.m. for a meet and greet with candidates. The forum starts at 6 p.m. in the order of federal, state, then local  candidates.

 

Derick Burke, 37, is running for the Sheriff of Bourbon County, Kansas position.

 

He is an Oak Grove, MO High School graduate and also graduated from the Carpenters Union Apprenticeship program and the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center.

 

His experience includes ten years in the Carpenters Union and six years in law enforcement.

 

What skills do you bring to the position if elected or re-elected?

“I have knowledge of law enforcement, records management, how property and evidence should be handled, and what it takes to have a successful department.  In the past ,I have been successful with budgets by managing time and manpower, ordering materials, and setting the schedule.  I was efficient, effective, on time, never over budget, and never had to ask for more money to finish the task I was given.”

 

What is your priority on day one?

“My very first priority is personnel retention.  I believe it is imperative I sit down with each of the deputies to see what they think of the department, find out if there are any improvements they believe need to be made, and to see what they expect from me as their sheriff.  I would also take this time to let them know what I expect from them.  I think the department will improve exponentially if everyone has an open line of communication.”

 

The following is information provided on the Bourbon County Kansas website.

Not sure if you’re registered to vote or where to vote?

You may register to vote online, through the Kansas Secretary of State’s website.

Check your voter registration status, the location of your polling place and view a sample ballot at VoterView by the Secretary of State.

Advance Voting is available prior to each election.  You may advance vote in one of two ways:  By mail, by filing an application for a ballot to be mailed to you   OR   in-person, beginning at least one week prior to any election.

 

Fort Scott Community College

Coach Chad Cross: Rodeo Coach of the Year

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Coach Chad Cross. Submitted photo.

Fort Scott Community College’s  Chad Cross was given the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) Central Plains Region Coach of the Year award on June 3.

“Typically, they would present the award at the last college rodeo of the season, but due to the last rodeos being canceled, the elections and presentations were done online,” Cross said.

Rodeos were canceled because of the COVID 19 pandemic.

“The award is voted on by other coaches and athletes within the central plains region – over 16 member schools consisting of junior colleges and universities across Oklahoma and Kansas,” Cross said.

Cross has been head rodeo coach for 24 years at FSCC.

“We have 50-55 students each year, Cross said. “We have every college rodeo event.”

His duties and responsibilities include advising students, coaching or helping coach each event, feeding stock, and more, he said.

“Mainly continuing to make sure that our students are bettering themselves in life, school, and rodeo,” Cross said.

“The best part of coaching for me is seeing students succeed in what they are passionate about and getting to be a small part of that, whether that be in the arena or life,” he said.

Bourbon County, Bourbon County Sheriff's Office, Elections

Craig Rice: Candidate For Bourbon County Sheriff

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Craig Rice. Courtesy photo by Merle Humphrey.

 

This is part of a series of features on the candidates running for offices in Bourbon County.  The Bourbon County Primary Election will be held, Tuesday, August 4, 2020.

Monday, July 20, is the candidate forum at Ellis Fine Arts Center, on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.  Doors open at 5:30  p.m. for a meet and greet with candidates. The forum starts at 6 p.m. in the order of federal, state, then local  candidates.

 

Craig A Rice, 59, is running for Bourbon County Sheriff.
His education includes a high school diploma, Kansas Law Enforcement Training, Military Police Diploma, Emergency Medical Technician.
His experience includes 36 years Law Enforcement and Emergency Medical Training, leadership and training experience, rescue, hostage negotiator, crisis management team leader, field training officer, community event leader, and correctional officer.
His priority:
“To ensure that I establish a good working relationship with all city and county heads so we can create an environment of cooperation and respect,” he said.

The following is information provided on the Bourbon County Kansas website.

Not sure if you’re registered to vote or where to vote?

You may register to vote online, through the Kansas Secretary of State’s website.

Check your voter registration status, the location of your polling place and view a sample ballot at VoterView by the Secretary of State.

Advance Voting is available prior to each election.  You may advance vote in one of two ways:  By mail, by filing an application for a ballot to be mailed to you   OR   in-person, beginning at least one week prior to any election.

 

Exercise, Fort Scott, Sports

Buck Run Open As of Today

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Even though Buck Run Community Center is open again today with some limitations because of Covid 19 restrictions, there are other walking, running, playing, and fishing opportunities in Fort Scott.

Here is the framework of what has taken place the last few months at Buck Run Community Center, according to Tom Robertson, manager.

“May 18th – BRCC Fitness and Racquetball opened by appointment only, (Limited to 10 in each room)
May 22nd – Opened BRCC lobby to take FSRC Summer Programs registrations. (no appointments needed for fitness and/or racquetball but still limited to 10)
June 22nd – Completely opened BRCC and begin Youth Baseball/Softball Leagues
June 24th – Closed BRCC & cancelled FSRC programs and leagues for 1 week
July 1st – Reopened BRCC but limited to 45 and under in building with social distancing. Canceled FSRC summer camps and programs with the exception of youth and adult baseball/softball leagues that has been postponed until July 9th. Orders will be evaluated around July 6th or 7th.”

 

“The fitness room and two gymnasiums are open for usage,” said Tom Robertson,  manager.  “We are not allowing rentals until the restrictions are lifted to avoid going over the 45+(people allowed in the building) restrictions.

“We opened today with a restriction of 45 (people) and under including staff at any given time while practicing social distancing,” Robertson said.

“Youth baseball/softball is on hold right now with the 45 and under restriction. We will try to resume games if and when the restrictions are lifted.”

“The decision to postpone games was made by the Fort Scott Recreation Commission Board based on the orders by our Bourbon County Health Department,” he said.

The meeting was held on Monday of this week.

“Buck Run Community Center will practice social distancing at all times,” Robertson said.  “Once the governor presents guidelines on mask-wearing, signs and direction will be given to BRCC users as they enter the building.”

Buck Run Community Center is located at 735 State.

For questions or concerns, email Tom Robertson @ [email protected] or by calling 620-223-0386/ 620-224-7707.

 

There are other options for exercise in the city.

The following is edited information from the Buck Run Community Center website:

http://buckruncommunitycenter.org/

 

 

 

 Golf Course Information/Events

Rate Type Mon – Thurs Fri – Sun Annually
9 Holes Golf $11 $13
18 Holes Golf $13 $15
9 Holes + Cart $14 $14
18 Holes + Cart $24 $24
9 Hole Trail Fees $5 $5
18 Hole Trail Fees $10 $10
Single Membership $440
Youth Membership $100
Family Membership (Family of 4) $25. for each additional. $595
Trail Fees $150
Cart Shed Rental – Includes trail Fee

Annual Cart Pass – Unlimited use of Woodland Hills Carts

 $350

$425
To host a tournament call 620-223-5060

 

 

Gunn Park

Located at Park Avenue 2

Lakes, Fishing, Shelter Houses, Tent & RV Camping, Bathrooms, Picnic Tables, Disc Golf and Playground Area. For Rental Information Contact City Hall at 620-223– 0550.

 

Lake Fort Scott

Located at Rt. 5 South of Fort Scott

Boating, Fishing, Swimming, Shelter Houses, Picnic Tables. For Information contact City Hall at 620-223-0550.

 

Bridal Veil Park

Located at West 2nd Street

Shelter House, Picnic Tables, Soccer Field, and Playground Area.

 

 

Lincoln School Walking Trail

Located at West 18th Street

Walking, Running, Fishing, Picnic Tables.

 

 

 

Betty Ruth Willard Fields/Ty Cullor Field

Located at 2108 Horton

Bathrooms, Picnic Tables and Playground Area.

 

 

 

Ellis Park

Located at 12th & Williams

Sand Volleyball, Basketball Court, Walking Trail, Shelter House, Picnic Tables and Bathrooms.

 

3rd Street Park

Located at 3rd & Hill

Shelter House, Bathrooms, Picnic Tables, Outdoor Basketball Court and Playground Area.

 

Nelson Park

Located at the corner of Grant & Elm Street
Playground Area and Walking Trail.

 

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James B. Tedesco Memorial Skate Park

Located at 4th & Scott Street Skate Park

 

The park is a public use, and is well suited for use by skateboarders, roller blades, scooters and more. Helmets are not required but suggested and benches and trashcans are provided for anyone who would like to enjoy watching the skaters perform.

 

 

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Entertainment

Uniontown Independence Day Bash Canceled Due to COVID 19

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Fireworks burst over the Union State Bank during the 2018 Independence Day celebration.

A recent spike in COVID 19 cases in Bourbon County and across the nation is causing the Independence Day Bash in Uniontown City Park to be canceled for safety purposes.

“I spoke with the county health officer and she said that it would be limited to 45 people (according to the Governor’s recommendations), which is impossible, so we thought it best to postpone it to a later date,” Bryan Holt, president of Union State Bank. The bank sponsors the annual event.

 

“Due to Bourbon County limiting public gatherings to 45 or fewer people, we are going to postpone the Independence Day Bash,” Holt said.

“While we are disappointed that we are unable to host when we normally do,”  he said. “We are willing to make this sacrifice in the spirit of prudence. We are tentatively planning to reschedule it to the weekend of Labor Day. Until then, our best wishes to all for a safe and happy Independence Day celebration!”

 

“For anyone who ordered a shirt to support the Uniontown City Park improvements, they will be available for pickup at the selected location, the bank in Uniontown or Fort Scott, on or after July 1st at the selected time of order,” Holt said.

 

 

Fort Scott, Government

New Community Development Manager: Allyson Turvey

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Allyson Turvey. Submitted photo.

Allyson Turvey, 30,  is the new Fort Scott Community Development Manager, as of May 26, 2020.

Her office is in city hall, phone number 620-223-0550.

She was already performing duties as the Fort Scott Tourism Manager, and when Robert Uhler resigned as Community Development Manager at the end of May, Turvey was given then the additional role.

” My duties will be pretty widespread now that I’ve taken on community development as an additional role,” Turvey said.

“I will be responsible for working with the (Fort Scott)Tourism Advisory Board, Design Review Board, Planning Commission, and Zoning Board. I am also now a member of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team. I’m now responsible for the LaRoche Complex and Memorial Hall. This includes oversight of each facility, assisting in booking of events, and continuing to market LaRoche (baseball stadium).”

“From a tourism standpoint, I will continue to market Fort Scott as a destination,” she said.  “As well as continuing to attend trade shows in an effort to bring group tours, conventions, and meetings to our community. This doesn’t cover all of my duties, but the ultimate goals of the department are to bring more tourists to town in an effort to create an economic impact, and increase Tourism Guest Tax revenues.”

“From a Community Development standpoint, I will work to create a better community for our residents, which will ideally entice new residents along the way,” she said.  “This is achieved through widespread collaboration, and continued research for funding opportunities.”

“While I have a wide array of open projects, my major project currently is the Smart Growth America planning and implementation,” Turvey said. “The Smart Growth team visited Fort Scott for a community workshop in February, and recently provided a next steps memo including short, and long term goals and action steps to create progress within our community.”

“Both positions require me to represent the city on a local, regional, statewide, and federal level in an effort to better collaborate, and ideally increase funding opportunities for our community, ” she said.

Turvey has been with the city for just over three years, she said.

 

” I started as an administrative assistant, where I worked between Fort ScottTourism, Community Development, and Economic Development,” Turvey said.  “Last August I was promoted to tourism manager, and have continued to be heavily involved with other city departments, and projects.”

 

“I have also spent the last year representing the city on a local, regional, statewide, and federal level from both a tourism and community standpoint,” she said. “I’ve been working on alongside the community and economic development departments to meet Smart Growth objectives.

 

Turvey is originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, but has been living in Kansas for nearly eight years.

 

Her community involvement includes being the current president of the Young Professionals League and was invited to join PEO just before the start of the pandemic.

 

“I hope to be initiated as a member once meeting activities resume,” she said.

 

Allyson Turvey can be reached at  620-238-4919 or

www.visitfortscott.com

Entertainment, Fort Scott

38th Burke Street Parade July 4: On Schedule

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Burke Street residents offer food following the parade in 2019.
The community is invited to a neighborhood parade to celebrate America’s Independence Day.
At 10 a.m. on July 4, 2020, Burke Street residents will begin to line up at 10th and Burke Street.
“It’s for everyone,” Barbara Albright, who is charge of information distribution, said.
Severe storms or lightning cancels the parade…but we have conquered the rain,” Albright said.
“This year patriotic masks can be worn, (optional),” she said.  “Depending on COVID 19 (the disease of the pandemic), it might be a small parade or biggest ever.”
“Please no big vehicles and watch for the children, who are all over the place,” Albright said.
Parade entrants are asked to dress in patriotic attire.
Bring lawn chairs to sit along the street and cheer the parade, she said.

Patriotic songs will be lead by Phil Hammon, with help from others.

Burke Street Parade. Susan Foster and grandson, Jack Foster. Foster is the person with the original idea of a neighborhood street parade in Fort Scott. Submitted photo.
The parade starts at the corner of  10th and Burke Street, goes south to Marblecrest and back north to the starting point, Albright said.
“The parade goes south on Burke Street to the Marblecrest Triangl,” she said.
Traffic control will be organized by Burke Street resident Frank Halsey.
For more information contact Margaret Humphrey at 223-0388, Theresa Bahr at 223-1582 or Albright at 224-7762.
Steven Anthony in the Burke Street Parade. Submitted photo.
The Burke Street Parade is provided by Albright.
“About 40 years ago Susan Stapleton Foster was visiting her brother Dr. Burder Stapleton’s family in Memphis, TN over the Fourth of July,” she said.   “She was fascinated with several neighborhood Independence Day parades on her visit, particularly the veterans who proudly marched in the parades.  Upon return to Fort Scott, she shared the idea with neighbors Margaret Humphrey and Jill Gorman.  The rest is history. ”

Burke Street Parade. Margaret and Merl Humphrey and granddaughter, Meg Norman. Submitted photo.
Business, Fort Scott

Restoration of LaRoche Buildings Continues

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The LaRoche renovation of the buildings at the corner of Wall and National Avenue is transforming the street.

Workers are transforming a corner intersection in historic downtown Fort Scott.

Mid-Continental Restoration Co. Inc. has done tuckpointing, exterior roof replacement, and stabilization of the walls among other projects in the restoration of the buildings that face both Wall Street and National Avenue.

The building space housing the Common Ground Coffee Co. on east Wall Street was started in November 2018 and completed just before the COVID 19 Pandemic started in the U.S. in March 2020.

To view the prior fortscott.biz story  on Common Ground click below:

https://fortscott.biz/news/laroche-buildings-restoration-begins

 

Kenny Felt Photography moved into space just west of the coffee shop in April 2020.

To view the prior fortscott.biz story on Kenny Felt Photography’s move to the building, click below:

https://fortscott.biz/?s=kenny+felt

Workman are continuing the restoration project at the corner building at Wall and National Avenue.

Looking south on the National Avenue side of the LaRoche Building that is being renovated in downtown Fort Scott.

“We’ve got interior floors to finish, cleaning the interior walls and sealing them and installing the cornice around the top of the building,” Chase Halsey, MCR Project Manager said.

“We are not on-site anymore, on hold until materials arrive, probably August,” Halsey said.

Beau Casper Enterprises has workers on the site.

Josh Morlan works on the trim of the new windows of the LarRoche Building on National Avenue.

Josh Morlan, Trading Post, KS, was trimming out the new windows on National Avenue on June 22, he said.

The interior of the LaRoche Building has storefronts on both the Wall Street side and the National Avenue side. There is still much work to do on the interior.

For Halsey and MCR, the business has been booming in the pandemic.

“We haven’t slowed down,” he said. “We are using PPE (personal protection), we have a handwashing station,,. we provide bleach water to all the crews.”

“Everything we had on the books (jobs) to do, they said “Can you be here sooner”, Halsey said.

 

Business, Fort Scott

Dollar Tree Scheduled To Open in Fort Scott in October 2020

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The Dollar Tree on South Main (69 Hwy) on June 22. Construction was slowed a little because of the wet spring, according to Kevin Allen, a contractor on the build.

A new discount variety store is coming to Fort Scott, according to a press release from Dollar Tree Inc.

“Dollar Tree continues to grow and we are proud to be part of the Fort Scott community,” stated Kayleigh M. Painter, Dollar Tree’s Investor and Media Relations Manager.

 

Dollar Tree, Inc. is North America’s leading operator of discount variety stores, Painter said in the press release.

 

The 10,000 square foot store is currently scheduled to open in mid-October 2020 and will be located at 2006 S Main Street, according to the release.

 

The shell of the store is up and local contractors have been working for Dollar Tree.

 

Kevin “Skitch” Allen was working on-site at the location on June 22.

 

Allen’s business, Skitch’s Hauling and Excavation,Fort Scott, did all the dirt work, he said and is currently working on the parking lot. “The weather put the construction behind,” Allen said.  Spring 2020 had higher than normal rainfall.

 

Allen said Thomas Concrete and Construction, Fort Scott, did the concrete for the build.

 

Allen added that he was pleased that Dollar Tree Inc. was using local contractors for the build.

 

Dollar Tree stores are open seven days a week and offer great value and a broad assortment of merchandise all priced at $1 or less, according to the press release.

 

Customers can expect seasonal decor, household products, Hallmark greeting cards, party and craft supplies, dinnerware, food, teaching and school necessities, health and beauty essentials, toys, books and much more at the store.

 

The new location will also include Dollar Tree’s recently-introduced Snack Zone, an expanded offering of beverages, candy and snacks, in addition to nostalgic favorites.

 

A store of this size typically employs 12 to 20 associates, according to the press release.

 

Interested applicants can apply online at www.DollarTree.com/careers or in person at the store location closer to the opening date.

 

 

Dollar Tree, a Fortune 200 Company, operated 15,370 stores across 48 states and five Canadian provinces as of May 2, 2020. Stores operate under the brands of Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, and Dollar Tree Canada. To learn more about the Company, visit www.DollarTree.com.