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Fort Scott

Planning Commission Business: Zoning

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The Fort Scott Planning Commission: from left facing the camera, Pam Hightower, Mitch Quick , Diana Endicott, Mark Lewis, Fort Scott Economic Director Rachel Pruitt and Darcy Smith. Not pictured: Carol MacArthur and Mark McCoy. Not present:  Jared Leek and Geoff Clark. With back to the camera is city clerk Diane Clay, left and administrative assistant Allyson Turvey, right.

The Fort Scott Planning Commission met Jan. 22 at city hall to recommend a new member and review the five-year comprehension plan they have been working on.

Members of the commission are Geoff Clark, Mark McCoy, Diana Endicott, Carol MacArthur, Pam Hightower, Jared Leek, Mitch Quick, Mark Lewis and Darcy Smith.

The group reviewed three chapters of the plan and made arrangements to finalize it and present it to the Fort Scott City Council in early March.

The group also discussed letters of interest to serve on Planning Commission from two interested residents, Josh Jones and Frank Adamson.

In the end, Jones was selected to serve.

“Tell Frank it’s nothing against him,” Diana Endicott, chairman of the group, said.  The group decided since his wife is on the city council it might cause issues.

The group will meet February 1 to discuss zoning the old trailer park property, Endicott said.

The function of the planning commission, according to the city’s website is to:

  • Review and adopt (as well as update) the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Fort Scott
  • Establish zoning districts and allowable uses
  • Review zoning regulations within the City
  • Review requests for special permits or conditional uses within certain zoning districts in the City

The Commission also reviews site plans for planned areas and is responsible for zoning within the three-mile limit of the City of Fort Scott.   They meet on an “as needed” basis.
There are 10 members who serve three-year terms. Seven members must reside within the city limits, three may live outside the city limit.

Business, Fort Scott

6th at Lowman Street Closed For “Tiny House” Water Line Work

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The tiny houses at 6th and Lowman Streets will likely be completed April 1, the owner said.

The tiny houses at 6th and Lowman Streets will be completed April 1, according to Mike Rogers, the owner.

This is a little ahead of schedule, he said.

Monday evening crews were finishing the sheetrock and today the inside painting will begin Rogers said.

Also today the City of Fort Scott will be laying water and sewer lines to the four houses, he said.

That work will close 6th Street at Lowman Street until water/sewer work is completed, estimated to be Wednesday afternoon, if all goes as planned.

There are four houses with 782 square feet each. Each house has two bedrooms and one bathroom, with appliances included.

There will be a small yard with privacy fence and designated off-street parking for each unit.

Rogers said a “ballpark estimate” for each rental is $650 per month including appliances, trash, and lawn care.

To inquire about renting, call 620-223-5598 or email [email protected]

To see the previous Fort Scott.Biz story:

New “Tiny” Houses In Production

 

 

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Presbyterian Village Talent Show Entertains Community

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Jeff Elliot plays a rendition of “Jesus Loves Me” on the piano during the Presbyterian Village Talent Show.

Presbyterian Village, an assisted living facility, hosted a talent show Friday afternoon.

Members of the community were invited to showcase their talent, along with some employees and residents of the facility.

A crowd filled the dining room of Presbyterian Village to enjoy the entertainment.

The following are photos from the event.

Chip Pridey sings a solo.
Jack Clark plays “Maple Leaf Rag”.
Fred Hixon left, the master of ceremony for the show introduces Marilyn  Adcock who sang several songs and played the autoharp, accompanied by her husband Lyle, on the tambourine.
Shirley Carey sings and plays the piano.
Melissa Wright sings “Pontoon”.
Adriel Koller prepares to sing “Follow Me”.
Avis Stradley reads a poem entitled “The Dinner”.  She stated she first recited it for her high school class in 1944.
Lorna Smith plays “Sweet By and By” and “Tennesee Waltz” on the accordion.
Christy Roberts entertains the Presbyterian Village guests Friday afternoon at the talent show.
Annie Brock, 14 years old, plays the piano during the talent show.
Trula Finley plays several songs on the piano.
Greg Turner sings a solo.
Rhonda Allen plays “Glowworm”.
Presbyterian Village Life Enrichment Director Anicia Robinson serves refreshments following the talent show.
Bourbon County

WIC Switching To Electronic Benefit Cards

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An electric benefit card, which looks like a credit card, is coming to WIC recipients.

WIC stands for Women, Infant, Children and is a government program to provide needed services to low-income families.

Starting Feb. 7, the program will switch from special checks to a benefit card, according to Linda Timme, the nutrition service coordinator at the Crawford County Health Department (CCHD).

Linda Timme is the Crawford County Health Department Nutrition Service Coordinator.

CCHD is the service provider for WIC in Bourbon County.

“Right now we have printed checks that have food items on them, provided through the WIC program,” Timme said.

The switch to a benefit card is to simplify for both clients and program administrators, Timme said.

“It will be good for our clients, easier to use at the store,” she said. “And it will be easier for us. We’ve been talking to our clients about this change.”

WIC provides food, healthcare referrals, nutrition education, breastfeeding promotions and support to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women and additionally to infants and children to age five years old, who are found to be at risk nutritionally, according to the website: wic.fns.usda.gov

There is a state WIC website to see if one will qualify for the program: www.kansaswic.org.

The CCHD offers weekly clinics in Fort Scott. Three times clinic services are offered at Buck Run Community Center and one clinic is offered at Mercy Hospital.

The next clinic is at Mercy.

“At clinics, they are asked to bring proof of income and residency in the county,” Timme said. “They must show an ID, and also IDs for children.”

“First we decide if they are qualified, then health screenings are given,” she said. “We have risk factors to see if they qualify. Then we issue benefits. People go home with checks to purchase food on the list.”

Foods provided are specific, Timme said. Eggs, milk, cereal, juice, fresh vegetables and fruit and whole grains.

Clients must call for an appointment, Timme said.

The number is 620.231.5411.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are offered on the WIC program.

Fort Scott

After-Prom Preparations

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Fort Scott High School Prom is April 21, 2018.

Students of area high schools are beginning to look for that special outfit to wear to the annual spring event.

Parents also are making preparations.

Parents of junior class students are currently working to make an after-prom party for the students.

The object of the party is student safety.

“If you are a parent or a business owner, or possibly a friend of Fort Scott,” Sabrina Terry, spokesperson for the group said. “Each of us has different roles that we are trying to play in keeping the kids safe as well as have fun on prom night!”
“As parents, we put together a fun-filled evening of events that the kids can participate in, in order to have fun and stay safe,” Terry said. “Our goal is to keep our kiddos doing fun and appropriate things prom night.”

Business owners and friends of Fort Scott have donated to help with the costs of putting together the after-prom event, she said.

“If you are willing to help out please just let me know,” Terry said.

“We still need a lot of prizes that will be given out throughout the night by drawing tickets. The tickets will be given to each of the kids throughout the night by playing different games and just entering the after-prom party.”

“Right now the after-prom party is up in the air as far as where it will be held,” Terry said.” The options are Buck Run (Community Center) or Fort Scott Middle School.”

“As far as what will the juniors and seniors participate in when they go to the prom party that is also up in the air depending upon what the committee decides,” Terry said. “However we do know that there will be obstacle courses that they will race through, dodgeball, nine square, etc.”

Prizes will be handed out throughout the evening.

“We have big prizes such as TVs,” she said. “However at this point, we are short on money so we do fundraisers to build up our funds so that we can go buy prizes to keep their interest. The goal is to keep them there so that they don’t create their own parties that have negative things or outcomes.”

Fort Scott

Want Enchiladas? YPL Fundraiser

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YPL members making enchiladas in 2017. From left: Chris Petty, Jamie Armstrong, Bailey Lyons and Melissa Wise.

The Young Professional League annual fundraiser benefit for the Beacon is underway.

The Beacon is a non-profit religious organization that has food, clothing, and household goods that it distributes to the community, among other services.

YPL chooses to have a yearly fundraiser to help the Beacon.

“Many people in our community are generous with donating supplies, such as clothing and food to the Beacon,” Jessica Schenkel, president of YPL said. “However, cash donations are needed to purchase the supplies they may not receive or for other reasons.”

Enchiladas are the fundraiser food the group makes.

“We are selling a ready-to-bake pan of homemade enchiladas,” Schenkel said. ” We are offering beef, chicken or cheese, or a combination. There are a dozen enchiladas per pan. They will come with instructions and can be chilled in the fridge if they are being baked soon, or they can be frozen for later. We prepare the meat the evening before the pick-up date, and ensemble all the orders the morning of pick-up.”

The cost is $20 per dozen.

“People can order from any YPL member in person or they can order online,” Schenkel said.” We are accepting orders right now and our deadline to order is January 25.”

Here is the link for online orders:    https://www.ypl-bbco.org/enchiladas

Or to order by phone 785.817.8877, leave a voicemail if no answer.

This year the food will be cooked, assembled and picked-up at Fort Scott High School.

Pick-up will be at the Fort Scott High School cafeteria on Saturday, February 3  between 2 and 5  p.m., according to the website set up for the fundraiser. Enchiladas that are not picked up by 5 p.m. will be given to the Beacon Food Pantry or re-sold. The payment will be considered a donation to YPL.

“YPL used to host a soup feed fundraiser and worked with the local churches, ” she said. “However, we have moved to a different facility and the churches have been graciously donating funds to cover the necessary expenses to make the enchiladas. This way, every bit of our profits are donated to the Beacon.”

“YPL is an organization made of professionals who are adaptive advocates of a better community through progressive partnerships and networking,”  Schenkel said. ” “Most of our members enjoy the social aspect of meeting other young professionals throughout the community and utilize our meetings as a way of networking.”

Schenkel is president for 2018.

Laura Agee is vice president and secretary;  Tiffiny Durham is treasurer; board members are Amanda Bourassa, Devin Tally, Chris Petty,  and Holly Baker.

YPL  recently held its strategic planning meeting for 2018.

“We will be rolling out a few exciting changes for this year,” she said. “Stay tuned!”

 

 

Bourbon County

Downtown Uniontown To Change With Condemnation Of Buildings

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These two connected buildings located on Uniontown’s city square are to be demolished by July 21. They are located on the south side of the square at 112A Second Street.

The face of Uniontown is about to be changed with two buildings on the city’s square being condemned.

At a Uniontown City Council meeting on January 8, the city held a public hearing for the structures owned by Mary Beerbower and Hartman J. Kite respectively.

Following the meeting, legal notices were published in the Fort Scott Tribune stating that the owners have until July 21, 2018, to remove the buildings and make the premises safe and secure.

The owners are cooperating with the council, Mayor Larry Jurgensen said.

“They both are in agreement they should come down,” Jurgensen said. “And they are getting it taken down themselves.”

Mary Beerbower had a business located in her building, the easternmost one, called Mary’s Cafe. The other building was vacant and the ceiling had caved in.

The structures are located on the south side of the square at 112A Second Street.

Hartman J. Kite’s building shared a wall with Mary Beerbower’s business.
Business, Fort Scott

Nate’s Place Named In Kansas Top Three Eateries

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Nate’s Place is an eatery located in the southern mansion of Lyon’s Twin Mansions.
Shawn O’Brien, left, is the general manager, while Nate Lyons is the owner of Nate’s Place.

 In the Winter 2017 issue of Kansas Magazine, Fort Scott’s own Nate’s Place is third out of twenty Kansas favorite local eateries.

The restaurant located at the corner of Eighth Street and National Avenue was notified of the statewide contest in the fall.

“It was an online platform,” Nate Lyons, owner of the eatery, said. “We were told you could vote online and encouraged our customers to do it.”

Lyons didn’t know about the win until the publication of the magazine November 2017.

The restaurant is located in the southern mansion that is part of the Lyon’s Twin Mansions. Nate Lyons has been the owner since 2009.

General Manager Shawn O’Brien has been at Nate’s Place since August 2016.

Currently, soups are special lunch items at the restaurant.

“We make fresh soups every couple of days,” O’Brien said. “Homemade potato, vegetable beef, tortellini, fresh tomato soup… Facebook inspires me.”

“They are trying to get me to do dill pickle soup, but I’m not doing it for personal reasons,” he said with a smile.

“We are the only restaurant in town that serves breakfast all day,” O’Brien said.

The restaurant can provide fine dining experiences with reservations to groups from five to 60 people, O’Brien said.

“Groups come in to play bunco,” he said. “The Magazine Club meets here. It’s great during the summer to have a cocktail on the front porch.”

The restaurant also does murder mystery parties.

“The game is free and involves eight characters,” Lyon’s said. “They pay for the dinner, we provide the three-course meal.”

“For less than $50 per person you get entertainment and a three-course meal,” Lyon said. “There is special pricing for overnight stays.”

The Lyon’s Twin Mansions are a well-known local bed and breakfast.

The eatery is open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and is closed on Monday.

The Lounge at Nate’s Place is open Thursday through Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m., with happy hour from 5-6 p.m.

“We offer a heavy appetizer menu,” O’Brien said. “And liquor and wine for $5 each and beer $1 off.”

Carol and Marvin Creager, rural Fort Scott wait for their lunch Friday at Nate’s Place.

On Friday, lunch customer Carol Creager said “I like breakfast here. It’s such a nice atmosphere and the waitress Mary Ann is very friendly and accommodating.”

 
Bourbon County

Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center Update

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Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin. Submitted photo.

The kitchen refrigerator and cooler didn’t fit in the new law enforcement center. Twice.

“The first two that came in would not fit,” Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin said. “There was some miscommunication between the architect, the construction company or the company building the fridge and cooler.”

The refrigerator and cooler are custom built and have to meet certain requirements, he said.

The good news is, the custom-built refrigeration system has arrived and is being installed, Martin said.

Following installation, there will be a final inspection by the state fire marshall.

“It was delayed until everything is in place in the kitchen,” Martin said.

“We have some additional training once that is met, ” he said. “We should be able to open the door and have inmates the end of January to the middle of February.”

The new law enforcement center is located at 293 East 20th Street.

Sheriff Bill Martin in the command center of the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center, October 2017.
Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center, October 2017

 

Opinion

Patty LaRoche: The Prophet’s Error, Part 1

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When I first read 1 Kings 13:1-34, I was frustrated. With each additional reading, I became more frustrated. God gives so many people second-and- third-and-fourth chances, but this poor guy gets one. And it’s not even his fault. Well, not much. He just lets down his guard for one teensy, weensy minute.

Throughout the entire chapter, this prophet is referred to as a “man of God.” No name. Just “a man of God.” Obviously, he’s done something right. As the story unfolds, this man of God travels from Judah and confronts King Jeroboam who is setting up worship at the altar at Bethel, defying God’s decree that there would be only one altar—in Jerusalem.

The man of God is there to rain on Jeroboam’s idol-worship parade and prophesies that one day a descendent of King David named Josiah will sacrifice priests on that altar. (This came true 340 years later.) For proof, “the altar will split in two.” As one who hates David’s dynasty, the enraged king points to the prophet and commands his attendants to arrest him. Immediately the king’s arm shrivels up and the altar splits apart. This is no minor detail. Proper ritual required the sacrificial ashes be disposed of in a “clean” place (Lev. 4:12; 6:10-11). Contact with the ground nullified the sacrifice. Big trouble for the king.

I can only imagine Jeroboam’s horror. He begs for the man of God to intercede to the Lord to restore his hand. God answers his prayer.

So far, the man of God has lived up to his name.

In return, the king invites the prophet to his palace for a meal and a gift. The man of God answers the king, “Even if you were to give me half your possessions, I would not go with you, nor would I eat bread or drink water here. For I was commanded by the word of the LORD: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came.’”  The man of God obeys and takes another road home. Clearly, he desires to follow God’s directive.

Word spreads, and an old prophet in the area hears from his sons about the miracle at the Altar of Bethel. He saddles his donkey, chases after the man of God, finds him under a tree and invites him to return for a meal. The man of God reiterates what he has told the king.

The old prophet answers, “I too am a prophet, as you are. And an angel said to me by the word of the LORD: ‘Bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water.’” (But he was lying to him.) So, the man of God returns with him and shares a meal.

Do you have the same questions I have? How was Prophet #1 to know he is being deceived? Why did Prophet #2 go to such efforts to seduce this man of God? Was it so he could brag to his friends that a celebrity had been in his house?

Trust me, there are no answers to these questions. All I know is, at this point I’m really ticked off at Prophet #2.

Let’s pick up in verse 20: “While they were sitting at the table, the word of the LORD came to the old prophet who had brought him back. He cried out to the man of God, “This is what the LORD says: ‘You have defied the word of the LORD and have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you. You came back and ate bread and drank water in the place where he told you not to eat or drink. Therefore your body will not be buried in the tomb of your ancestors.’”

WHAT????

No apologies. No “I’m so sorry.” No “I’ve really screwed up this time.” No “Lord, take me in this man of God’s place.” Nothing (except prophesying his visitor’s doom).

See why I find this frustrating?

If you’re needing a little more frustration, just wait until next week when we will look at the rest of the story.

Business, Fort Scott

Stained Glass Windows Discovered In Remodel Of Downtown Building

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Stained glass windows are discovered in the renovation of the building at Wall and Main Streets. Pictured is Randy Lafferty, R and L Contracting LLC, the contractor for the remodel.

Since November workers have been remodeling the building at 2 North Main for Dr. Timothy Crawford.

During the remodel which will house Crawford’s future dental office, some architectural features have been discovered.

Above some columns and above the southern windows of the building,  art-deco style stained glass windows were discovered.

“It was a good find,” Randy Lafferty, R and L Contracting LLC, said.

Stained glass windows that had been covered up are being restored to be showcased in Dr. Tim Crawford’s future office at 2 N. Main. Randy Lafferty shows the location of the stained glass above the southern windows of the building. The windows opened in for ventilation originally. Current plans are to put lights behind them to show them off, Lafferty said.
The original marble tiles on the front of the old vault will be showcased in the future dental office, Lafferty said.

In the interior, marble was found on the outside of an old vault.

“We are going to keep the marble work and try to find a clock to fit (in the round hole where a clock once was), Lafferty said.

The remodel will produce an office area with 3,000 square feet, Lafferty said.

“Including going to the next office over, west, the old barber shop,” he said.

There is no deadline for the remodel completion at this time, Lafferty said.

Crawford’s current office is located at 1115 S. Main.

Business, Fort Scott

Action Behind the Scenes Downtown

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Papa Don’s Restaurant Manager Brita Rygmyr shares a light moment with attendees of the Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet Tuesday morning at the restaurant. In her comments, he said the restaurant has a special event room for rent with or without catering by the restaurant. In the background is Dav Mohler, office manager of Fort Scott Family Dental.

People with an interest in Fort Scott’s downtown area met at Papa Don’s Restaurant Tuesday morning to share news.

Here is a list of shared comments:

  • Holly Baker, Fort Scott National Historic Site Chief of Interpretation and Resource Management, will be leaving Fort Scott at the end of January for a position in Washington D.C.
  • Baker also announced a youth art exhibit will be displayed in February and March at FSNHS, and also shared the fort now has a mobile app for viewing the grounds with extra background history.
  • Bids and Dibs Consignment shop is seeking a place to give overstock items. “Anyone want to start a thrift store?” owner Angie Simon asked the group.
  • City Manager Dave Martin said the city is looking at ways to reduce tax amounts, indicating a visioning committee is looking at the issue.
  • Fort Scott Community Development Director Rhonda Dunn said one of her goals is to make Fort Scott a Christmas light viewing destination in the area. She stated she is soliciting unwanted Christmas lights and decorations for the project.
  • Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison announced the winners of the toy soldier decorating contest: Elaine Buerge, Deb Anderson, and Stacia Weilert. She said the downtown shopping brochure will arrive next week. There are leftover small business cloth shopping bags and doormats to give away, she said.
  • A Shiney Foundation representative announced there will be a feature film documentary 7 p.m. Jan. 20 at Memorial Hall, with a dance party following.
    The film is  FREE to the community.If the person would like to attend with a VIP package ( light meal, drinks, film and post party)  it is a 35$ ticket donation.
  • The Beaux Arts Center now is a Common Consumption Center, owner Denise Duncan announced.
  • A Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative representative said broadband services will be offered soon to businesses in Fort Scott, then to residents.
  • Dave Mohler, office manager of Fort Scott Family Dental, said the renovation of the building at 2 N. Main has uncovered some old stain glass windows hidden in the walls.
  • Owner Angela Simons said Bids and Dibs is undergoing a restructuring inside and a new security system installed. The business has over 1,200 consigners that contribute items she said.
  •  Fort Scott Economic Development Director Rachel Pruitt said this weekend a basketball tournament will be at the middle school, Buck Run Community Center and the high school.
Attendees of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce sponsored Downtown Quarterly Meet and Greet listen as each attendee was given the opportunity to speak about the entity they represent.