City of Fort Scott Water Distribution Department employees Brady Coffman and Kyle Adams ready a flag in their truck Wednesday on Wall Street to welcome the veterans to town.
In spite of the rain, the people of Fort Scott lined the route from the airport through downtown Fort Scott, then east to the Adam and Jennifer LaRoche ranch Wednesday afternoon.
The route and patriotic welcome were for the combat veterans that the LaRoche’s will be hosting a turkey hunt in the next few days.
E3 Foundation, founded by Adam and Jennifer LaRoche, is partnering with Combat Warriors Inc. to host the turkey hunt for the military heroes.
The LaRoche’s asked the town to rally behind the entry into Fort Scott of the veterans, to honor them.
On Wednesday, April 25 at approximately 1:30 p.m. the veterans landed at Fort Scott Airport then headed to the LaRoche Ranch.
Cloudy skies and light rain prevailed, and some bystanders were downtown on the route by 1 p.m. Temperatures were in the 50s.
Just before the convoy arrived downtown, the rain steadily increased.
That did not stop the bystanders from waiting to show their support for the veterans.
The Fort Scott Tourism Center and additionally, Stewart Realty had handed out American flags, while Captured Images Photography handed out patriotic posters to the community to hold in welcome to the veterans.
All of these added to the color to the welcome, in spite of the cloudy skies.
If you have a great photo you’d like to share of the convoy, please add it with a description of what is happening in the photo on the FortScott.Biz Facebook page.
Angela McKenney, Hilary Berry, Amari Berry, Roland Mills and little Jaeston Grant wait in the rain at Wall and Main streets to honor the veterans.Julie Wright, Cathy Wuerdeman, Megan Felt, Bailey Lyons and the Shane Walker family line Wall Street to welcome the vets to town.Rhuey Eden and her mom, Rachel Eden wait patiently for the veterans convoy to drive down Wall Street.These Fort Scott Civil War re-enactors donned uniforms and horses to welcome the veterans to town Wednesday. From left Wyatt Keyes, Brett Dawson and Aaron Phillips.Fort Scott National Historic Site employees wait for the veterans convoy to pass by on Wall Street. From left: Paul Goodman, Barry Geersten, Summer Porter, Betty Boyko and Tiffany Durham. Behind them are the re-enactors on horses.Fort Scott Police and Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office personnel signaled with flashing lights the beginning of the convoy.
The end of the convoy heads east on Wall Street to the E3 Ranch.
Amanda Gilmore, community liaison, and Wilma Leach, director of Mother to Mother Ministry show an information board they take when telling others about the ministry.
Fort Scott.Biz is showcasing United Way of Bourbon County agencies that have received a grant.
Mother to Mother Ministry, 728 S. Heylman, is one of those agencies. The phone contact numbers are 224-0809 or 215-0924.
The ministry is open Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon with some classes and groups meeting in the evening.
Wilma Leach is the ministry director, Alison Leach helps with planning, Amanda Gilmore is community outreach and assistant, Adin Leach does records and maintenance and Shanna McClure is a special assistant.
What services do you provide the community?
“We offer mentoring programs with friendship and support either one-on-one or in group settings for moms, dads, and families. We have classes, guest speakers, and parenting programs. We have a library and reading room for personal study. We network with Bourbon County Coalition and are advocates for victims of domestic violence.”
We have a baby and children’s clothing closet as well as some adult clothing.
We provide baby supplies, diapers, hygiene and cleaning supplies.
We collect and give away some household furniture when possible.
We provide baby supplies, diapers, hygiene and cleaning supplies.
We collect and give away some household furniture when possible.
Current needs of the ministry?
“Currently we are accepting shoe donations and are looking for volunteer mentors for men and women to provide encouragement and support.
Other opportunities for volunteers include clothing and cleaning assistance.”
M2M is currently in need of the following appliances and miscellaneous items including a refrigerator, washer and dryer, curtains, area rugs, a large bookshelf, storage shelves, sturdy 8′ folding tables and folding chairs, clothing racks, and large plastic storage tubs with lids.”
Anything new for the ministry this year?
“Our newest group forming is for adoptive families on the second Thursday of each month at 7 pm.”
How much of your budget is provided by United Way of Bourbon County?
“Thankfully about 30 percent of our budget is supplied by United Way. Other gifts from churches, organizations and individual citizens are greatly appreciated as well.”
Montana, Adam, Jennifer and Drake LaRoche. Submitted photo.
E3 Foundation, founded by Adam and Jennifer LaRoche, is partnering with Combat Warriors Inc. to host a turkey hunt for military heroes.
The community is rallying behind the event to honor the combat veterans.
On Wednesday, April 25 at approximately 1:30 p.m. the veterans will land at Fort Scott Airport then head to the LaRoche Ranch.
Fort Scottians will be lining the route to show the vets honor for their service.
Beginning at 1 pm this Wednesday, the Fort Scott Regional Tourism Center at 231 E. Wall will distribute 500 American Flags to wave while these heroes pass by.
“The Fort Scott Community College, Fort Scott High School, Winfield Scott Elementary, Eugene Ware Elementary, and St. Mary’s Catholic school are all coming out to wave, hold flags and signs to say ‘Thank you’ to the soldiers for there service and sacrifice,” Jennifer LaRoche said. “Businesses, along the convoy route, are allowing their employees to step out during the work day to show their support as well. The estimated convoy time is 1:30 pm but that could be sooner or later due to flight times so we will post on the E3 Foundation Facebook page the most current convoy departure time. So people need to be checking that throughout the morning and early afternoon.”
The route of the convoy of veterans:
These military service people will travel through Fort Scott following a route of east on Indian Road (AKA Lake Fort Scott Road), north on HWY. 69, then turn north onto National Avenue to Wall Street, and then Wall Street, east out of town.
The Mission Statement of the E3 Foundation:
The family of the E3 Foundation is committed to putting God’s love into action as we use our gifts to be good stewards, to serve, to help those in need and to ultimately introduce others to Christ.
Following is the post on the E3Foundation Facebook page:
City State Bank, downtown Fort Scott is slated for a remodel.An artist’s depiction of the future facade of City State Bank, following the remodel.
City State Bank is remodeling its downtown branch at 202 Scott Ave.
“The building was built in 1957,” John Hill, bank president said.”We are sticking with mid-century design.”
The canopy over the drive-in window will be replaced and a new ATM island will be installed in the drive-through, Hill said.
“It will be wider for easier access for automobile traffic,” he said.
This canopy will be replaced and the drive-through made wider, in addition, the ATM will be more accessible.
The remodel includes a new metal fascia system, new fabric awning, new wrap around awning, new stone entrance, new stone veneer and wall in the front of the building. Additionally, there will be a new sign.
Fifty-percent of drive-through transactions occur at the downtown branch, Hill said.
From 1957 to 2001, the downtown branch was the main facility.
Then a new facility was built at 1012 Hwy. 69, just south of Walmart.
“We’ve been here 18 years,” Hill said from his office at the Hwy. 69 address.
Work on the remodel will begin within 90 days and construction will take about 90 days.
“It should be completed by September 30,” he said.
Ad: Ward/Kraft, Inc, located in Fort Scott (KS), is currently looking for the following:
Production Member
Web Developer
(Scroll down for details of each position.)
“WE HIRE THE PERSON NOT THE POSITION”
Ward/Kraft, Inc, located in Fort Scott (KS), is currently looking for a Production Member. Ward Kraft is an industry leader while being one of the most innovative print manufacturers in the Print Industry.
Ward/Kraft is a family owned company that started over 40 years ago with customer service and good business values as a number one priority.
Ward/Kraft offers a competitive salary and a substantial benefit package to their members
Ward/Kraft want members to believe working at WK is a career and not “just a job”; this is shown with over 35% of current members having 10 or more years of service within the company.
If you have an interest any of these positions, please contact Brad Matkin, Director of Corporate Recruiting, at 1-877-281-2485 Applicants may apply online at www.wardkraft.com under the employment tab or in person at our campus located at 2401 Cooper Street in Fort Scott, Kansas.
Job Posting: Web Developer
Position Summary: Ward/Kraft is seeking a person who is highly motivated, energetic, and who is career focused to work as our companies Web Developer.
Job Responsibilities:
Write code to generate web pages, access databases, and business logic servers
Work with designers and content writers
Test and document software for web sites
Write, modify, and debug software for web sites
Key Qualifications:
Detail Oriented
Ability to work in a fast paced multi-project environment
Dependable, ambitious, energetic, and enthusiastic
Works well in a team environment
Minimum of two years experience with CSS Framework would be a plus (Bootstrap, Foundation, Materialize)
Minimum of two years experience with Source Control System would be a plus (GIT, Subversion, Mercurial)
JavaScript, jQuery, Perl, HTML, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Web design security
Problem solver and good communicator
Schedule and Compensation:
Weekdays 8am to 5pm (some weekday meetings at 7:30am)
Some overtime hours (before/after hours and weekend work)
Six month performance reviews (90 day probation period)
Job Posting: Production Member
Position Summary
Ward/Kraft is seeking a person who is highly motivated, energetic, and who is career focused to work on our production teams. This position is responsible for operating production machinery, producing superior quality products, and performing routine machine maintenance. This position is also responsible for maintaining quality standards, facilitating turn times and achieving top production goals.
Key Qualifications:
Good mechanical ability
Superior trouble shooting skills
Quick learner-Problem solver
Self starter
Detail Oriented
Basic math skills needed (decimals, fractions, addition, subtraction, measurements)
Ability to work in a fast paced environment
Dependable, ambitious, energetic, and enthusiastic
Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential
Printing knowledge is a plus but will train the right candidate
Schedule and Compensation:
Three rotating shifts – every four weeks (shift premium is paid for “off-shift” workers)
Possible Saturday overtime
Six month performance reviews (90 day probation period)
The new Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center is being readied for inmates, likely in the next two weeks, according to Sheriff Bill Martin.
The Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center is nearly ready for inmates, Sheriff Bill Martin said Thursday.
The new center is located at 293 E. 20th Street, just east of Briggs Auto Dealership on Hwy. 69.
“Hopefully within a couple of weeks we’ll be moving in,” Martin said. “Some electrical issues are being addressed, which should fall under warranty work.”
The sheriff gave a tour of the new facility:
Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin works at his desk Thursday morning at the new law enforcement center.Shane Walker, the Bourbon County Information Technology Director brings in more supplies to the law enforcement center Thursday morning.Some of the BCSO staff are getting trained on the new software at the center.Deputy Zach Ross works on a report at the center.Lesley Herrin, administrative secretary mans the front office.BCSO Major Bobby Reed addresses billing issues Thursday morning in his office.Sheriff Martin demonstrates how the evidence locker works.The sheriff arranges the furniture in one of the interview rooms at the facility.Pictured is the interview room where a judge at the Bourbon County Courthouse can talk to individuals about their charges. The technology was purchased through a JAG grant of $20,000, Sheriff Martin said.The sheriff demonstrates how all the cells can be viewed from the control room in a direct line of sight, something that couldn’t happen at the old jail, he said.One of the inmate cell pods.Inside one of the inmate cells, a spartan bunk bed with toilet and shower.The activity room for inmates, ventilated with fresh air by a big vent to the outside. By law, inmates are required to get fresh air daily.Unused space for possible future cell pods for inmates.This space is reserved for honor inmates as a result of good behavior. They also get extra privileges, such as getting outside the facility to do community service work.Inmates will be doing the laundry of the facility because the laundry room is secure, unlike the old jail.The refrigeration systems are installed and following the state fire marshall’s approval, meals can start being cooked.The medical area for inmates.The booking area of the facility.The lockdown cell, for inmates who haven’t followed the rules of the facility.Framed art in the sheriff’s office space entitled “Sheriff-America’s Peacekeeper” by artist Doug Lindauer. Sheriff Bill Martin’s shadow can be seen reflected from the windows.A piece of artwork on the wall at the law enforcement center given the sheriff by his wife, Wendy, which he donated to the sheriff’s office.
Fort Scott Community Development Director Rhonda Dunn shows the deterioration of the planters on Skubitz Plaza that will be demolished and a new tourism sign installed.
An unsightly part of Skubitz Plaza is being redeveloped by the City of Fort Scott to showcase a sign that depicts the city’s history.
The plans were approved by the city commissioners Tuesday evening.
Plans are for all parts to be completed by the Good Ol Days annual celebration, the end of May this year.
Two brick planters on Old Fort Boulevard at the north end of Main Street have been repeatedly hit by vehicles turning right.
The planters that will be taken down are the closest to the camera. They are located on Skubitz Plaza at the north end of Main Street in downtown Fort Scott. The new tourism panel will be placed to the east of the planter on the left.
“We’ve repaired it a number of times,” Rhonda Dunn, the city’s community development director said.
“This has been a long-term project for several years,” she said.
Serendipitously, a proposal for a new sign for tourism came along, she said.
“There is no downside to this,” Dunn said. “The broken planter will be gone and a new by-ways sign will go up.”
The new Frontier Military Historic Byway sign panels will depict the history of Fort Scott and some tourism highlights as well.
Dunn shows the spot where the new tourism sign will be installed, out of the way of traffic.
The place where the western planter is currently will be an open space, the eastern planter will be removed also, then the by-ways sign installed, just slightly to the east.
City workers will remove and salvage brick that can be reused, Dunn said.
To view click on the links below, then click on the image to enlarge:
The Fort Scott Ministerial Alliance, 1st Row: President Don Flanner, Hiattville United Methodist; Treasurer Allen Schellack, Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries; Luke Anker, Mercy Health Center Chaplain. 2nd Row: Eric Going, Parkway Church of God (Holiness), Melissa George, Mercy Health Center Hospice Chaplain. 3rd Row: Rod Scherencel, Seventh Day Adventist Church; Secretary Steve Cole, First United Methodist.
FortScott.Biz is doing a series of features on United Way of Bourbon County Grant recipients.
The Bourbon County Ministerial Alliance is a recipient of a grant from United Way.
Following is an interview with Allen Schellack, treasurer for the alliance.
He can be reached at [email protected]
or by phone at 620-223-2212, or PO Box 774, Fort Scott, KS 66701.
What service do you provide to our community?
The Hospitality Fund is designed to extend physical assistance to persons and/or families traveling through Fort Scott that have no other resources and need help to reach their destination. The fund also meets physical needs of the residents of Bourbon County.
The alliance coordinates area nursing home services, Thanksgiving and Easter Services, Fort Scott High School Baccalaureate Service, and “See You At The Pole” Services.
How many people are served?
We usually assist an average of 45 persons/families a year.
Service hours?
The Hospitality Fund is distributed by the Fort Scott Police Dept. under the guidelines of the Ministerial Alliance. Therefore, help is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Also, a board member can be contacted any time by the police dept. or a local church not a part of the Alliance for assistance.
What percentage of your budget is the United Way Grant?
The Hospitality Fund is funded 100% by The United Way. Our other services are funded through annual membership dues and private donations.
Amy Heitman, a welder at Niece Equipment LLC Kansas, 3904 Liberty Bell Road in Fort Scott’s Industrial Park.
Amy Heitman never imagined she’d grow up to be a welder.
“I didn’t know anything about it,” she told the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee attendees. “I took a welding course in high school, I grew to have a passion for it.”
Heitman started researching why there weren’t more women welders and found only two percent of welders are women, she said.
“In the war (World War II) women stepped in to do jobs,” she said. “When men came back, women were pushed back. In manufacturing now, it’s predicted there is a shortage of 400,000.”
Rosie the Riveter, an American iconic poster, featured during World War II.
“I’m a welder and I weigh 107 pounds,” Heitman said. And “I’m building water tanks.”
“We are still building this world, if we don’t have welders and manufacturers, where does that leave America? ”
“I’m encouraging people to step up to non-traditional spots,” she said. “I want to help women know they can step up.”
Heitman welds and fabricates the metal pieces in water tanks that the Niece Equipment builds, she said in a later interview.
“I do some of the internal plumbing on the piping,” she said.
The facility she works in is climate controlled: fans in the summer and heat in the winter.
Heitman said there are 40 employees at Niece and of those, approximately nine are welders.
The salary range for the welding positions range from $15 to $19 per hours, she said.
Heitman, 25, and husband, Josh Heitman moved to Fort Scott from Austin, Texas in January 2018.
She worked for Niece Equipment in Austin and was recruited to Fort Scott.
They have two children, Gabriel and Ayden. Because it was in the middle of the school year, Ayden stayed behind in Austin with his grandmother temporarily. Ayden has autism.
“Because of his autism, I didn’t want to bring him yet, into something completely new…it would throw him off,” Heitman said.
Her first impression of Fort Scott: “I was enchanted,” she said.
“This is the kind of place I want to raise my kids,” she said.
“There is not a ton of things to do like in Austin, but so many things the whole community gets involved in. It’s a beautiful thing.”
Heitman got connected with Fort Scott Community College and together they are working on a plan to talk to high school students that tour the school, she said.
She is going to try to solve the issue of getting more people into non-traditional careers where they are needed.
Amy Heitman speaks to the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee attendees Thursday morning at Fort Scott Community College’s Arnold Arena. City Manager Dave Martin listens in the background.
Bailey Lyons is a new agent with Stutesman’s Action Real Estate Agency in downtown Fort Scott. She can be reached at 620-224-7795.
Bailey Lyons and husband, Nate have been restoring or “flipping” houses, in addition to property management in their business Lyons and Lyons, LLC.
“Nate and I will soon have a downtown location,” she said. “We have been immersed in real estate in Fort Scott.”
That exposure to the real estate market in her community led to her next career move: real estate agent for Stutesman’s Action Realty.
Stutesman’s Action Realty in Fort Scott is located at 119 S. Main.
Lyons started with Stutesman’s Action Realty the end of March when she received her Kansas real estate license. She will receive her Missouri license in a few weeks, she said.
Lyons earned a bachelor of science in financial accounting from Kansas University and will graduate in May with a master’s in business administration from KU.
She has a background in banking which she feels will enable her to help a client with the “financial side of things,” she said.
“A lot of people renting don’t realize they can purchase a home and build equity,” Lyons said. “There are a lot of financing options available. USDA loans are zero money down payment, FHA is 3.5 percent down. There are options other than conventional formats. Military vets have a VA loan option with zero dollars down.”
She would be glad to do a buyer’s or seller’s consultation, she said.
In addition, Lyons can offer suggestions on how to make a home more aesthetically appealing to sell it, she said.
She can help young home buyers view homes they want to update, and offer suggestions, with a “starter home or a forever home,” she said.
Lyons can be reached at 620-224-7795.
Courtesy photo.
Seller’s Market
It’s a seller’s market currently in Fort Scott, Lyons said.
“Inventory is low, there are more buyers than sellers which is good for negotiations,” Amanda Bourassa, the broker/associate at the Stutesman Real Estate Agency said in agreement.
“The median home price in Fort Scott is $90,000, with most of our buyers in the $100,000 to $150,000 range,” Bourassa said.
Economic Development and real estate will always go hand in hand,” Lyons said. “Some jobs require residency within the county.”
“Within the last year or two, things have taken off economically in Fort Scott,” Bourassa said.
Relocation packets and tours of the community are offered through the real estate agency.
Lyons is active in the community
Lyons is the Young Professional League President this year, on the Visioning Committee for the City of Fort Scott, member of PEO, and recipient of the 2016 Young Professional of the Year.
In the recent past, she and husband Nate led fundraising for the public skatepark, she is a Lead Bourbon County graduate and was the chairperson for Relay For Life for three years.
She and Nate have four children Addison, 16, Jaxon and Jhett, 4, and Lute, four-months-old.
In their business Lyons and Lyons LLC, Bailey does the design work and Nate does the labor.
“I think there is a gap in market homes, those that are move-in ready for clientele. We are trying to fill in that gap. We do structural work: electric, plumbing and aesthetic stuff,” she said.
Some Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce attendees look at the Art Is Ageless artwork following the weekly coffee April 5, which was hosted by Presbyterian Village Assisted Living.
Creativity matters to the quality of life for all ages.
Area artists have several opportunities in Fort Scott to showcase their work, and the Art Is Ageless competition at Presbyterian Village is one, through April 20.
Currently on display at Presbyterian Village, 2401 S. Horton, are area artists’ work who are 65-years-old-plus.
The exhibit is from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. through April 20, with a reception in the main lobby at 4 p.m. on April 13.
Paintings, drawings, crafts, jewelry and textile works are available for viewing.
The work will then be entered into a competition with other Presbyterian Manor members and area artists. Winners are selected to be included in the annual Art Is Ageless calendar.
For more information contact Becky Kellum at 620-223-5550.
Over 1,300 high school students, from 90 schools, converged on Fort Scott Community College Aggie Day April 6, according to Ryan Edgecomb, an agriculture instructor at the school.
Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma high school buses line parking lots at FSCC for Aggie Day April 6.
Former FSCC Agriculture Instructor Gary Harvey started the event in the mid-1970s, said Edgecomb.
“This is my 15th Aggie Day,” Edgecomb said. “The Ag Department hosts the event. Blake Davis is my teaching partner and livestock coach.”
FSCC Ag Instructor Ryan Edgecomb, right, shares a light moment with area high school ag teachers, following the Ag Teachers Brunch in the Ellis Arts Center Friday morning.
Students competed in a variety of areas, including agronomy, entomology, farm management, floriculture, food science, livestock, meat evaluation, milk quality and products, nursery/landscape, poultry, speech, veterinary science, and reasonings.
Those from Bourbon County schools who ranked in the top ten in the contests:
In the Intermediate Live contest, Clay Brillhart, Uniontown, received 2nd place; Zach Snyder, Uniontown received a 10th place.
In the Junior Live contest, Tate Crystal, Uniontown, received the 3rd place.
In Senior Questions Live, Graham Hathaway, Uniontown, received the 2nd place; Kolby Shoemaker, Fort Scott, received a 10th place.
In Senior Reasons Live, Kolby Seested, Uniontown, received the 3rd place.
In the Veterinary Science contest, Maddie Ard, Uniontown, received 2nd place; Aubry O’Neal, Uniontown, received the 8th place.
In the Junior Speech contest, Hannah Beerbower, Uniontown, received the 4th place.
The event is sponsored by Purina and Purina Mills Honor Show Chow, which also includes an ag teacher brunch.
“We are honored to have Purina and Honor Show Chow back as our sponsors for a third straight year, and we’re grateful for their support,” Edgecomb said.
Edgecomb said the event has multiple purposes.
“It’s a recruiting tool for FSCC, allowing students to see and showcase our school,” he said.
In addition, the event is “an educational contest to help schools prepare for district and state events,” Edgecomb said.
Over 100 support people are employed to help with Aggie Day: faculty, staff, students and former students, Edgecomb said.
