The Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church building on March 1. Demolition has begun.
Demolition started sooner than expected on Fort Scott’s Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, following a wind storm early on March 1, 2023.
A portion of the facade of the fire-damaged church was blown down by the storm around 2 a.m.
“The front facade came off the building and blocked Eddy Street,” Mark McCoy, who is on the parish committee that is working on the rebuild project, said.
“Eddy Street, in front of the church, will be blocked off until further notice,” he said. “I estimate the demo will take approximately three weeks.”
The church parish committee is in the beginning stages of the design and architecture phase of the church rebuild, he said.
“It will be approximately six months until construction can begin,” McCoy said.
They are anticipating a 12 month construction period, he said.
“The cost to rebuild will be in excess of $5 million,” McCoy said. “The building standards have changed since the building of the church in 1872, at a cost of $20,000.
Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 705 S. Holbrook, Fort Scott suffered extensive damage in a fire that started in late evening on August 29, 2022.
When the the Fort Scott Fire Department and FS Police Department units arrived the church was on fire with heavy smoke and flames emitting from the southeast corner of the structure.
The fire was later determined to be from a lightning strike.
Simpson Construction Services, Wichita, is doing the demolition of the church building, and also the construction.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church fire on August 29, 2022. Courtesy of Stephen Toal.
Austin Parks, graduate of Fort Scott High School, has Advanced Hodgkins Lymphoma, and members of the community are organizing a benefit to help with costs of the disease.
Parks is the son of former FSHS FFA/advisor and agriculture teacher, Kyle, and Sheena, who was a school psychologist
Austin has hospitalized with complications due to chemotherapy treatments, according to Katie Casper, who is former student of Kyle Parks helping with the event.
“The money raised will be given to the family to help defray the costs of travel, medical treatment, and any other costs associated with the extended period of hospitalization and time off work,” she said.
The benefit is March 12, from 11:30 a.m.- 2 p.m. in the Fort Scott High School Commons area.
Free-will donations will be received for the Parks family. There will also be an auction to raise donations.
This event is sponsored by the Fort Scott FFA Chapter and friends of the Parks family, she said.
It will be in the FSHS Cafeteria anddine-in attendees should enter through the main entrance on the west side of the school.
For drive-thru: enter from the west side of the school off Main St. and go between the high school and football field.
Fort Scott High School’s west side entrance.
The menu: Butcher Block Pulled Pork Glen’s Taters FFA Homestyle Beans Homemade desserts by FS FFA Tea and water
100% of the donations will be given to the Parks Family, according to Casper.
For more info: Contact: Sydney Cullison at 620-224-7290 or Katie Casper 620-224-6585.
A 2016 photo of the Bourbon County Arts Council Annual Exhibit.
An annual art exhibit will include several local artists this weekend.
The Bourbon County Arts Council will present its 31st Annual Fine Arts Exhibit, March 2 through 11, at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center, on the Campus of Fort Scott Community College at 2108 S. Horton.
Local artists entered include Kathryn Allen, Haley Beaton, Trista Brigg, Rylee Coulter, Stephanie Erie, Bareigh Farrell, Steve Floyd, Grace French, Alie Fuhrman, Chance Fuhrman, Barbara Gibson, Lucy Gladbach, Alexis Herring, Bobbi Kemna, Terry Koester, Connie Neil, Kadra Nevitt, Gayle Sackett, Jim Sackett, Caitlynn Tate, Cadence Tuck, amd Cayden Woods.
Other artists who are participating in the exhibit are from Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.
The mission of the council is to foster, promote and increase the knowledge, appreciation and practice of the arts, according to its Facebook page.
The council will host the Fort Scott Chamber Coffee at 8 a.m. on Thursday March 2, at the Ellis Center, which kicks off the event.
A reception will be held on March 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. to honor this year’s juror and artists. The public is invited to attend and enjoy the opportunity to meet and visit with them about the art.
The exhibit will be open to the public beginning March 2 through Saturday March 11, weekdays from noon to 7 p.m., and on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
There is no admission charge for this event, and the community is encouraged to come and enjoy a collection of original artwork.
Artists will have their work on display and for sale in this multi-media exhibit, with categories including ceramics, drawing and graphics, fiber arts, glasswork, jewelry, mixed media, painting, pastels, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and watercolor.
This year’s theme is “Doorways and Windows.”
Cash prizes awarded for category winners are given by the Bourbon County Arts Council in memory of E.C. Gordon, and by the generous sponsorship from these local businesses: Buerge Art Studio, Citizens Bank, City State Bank, Edward D. Jones, Fort Scott Broadcasting, H&H Realty, Landmark Bank, Lyons Realty, MidContinental Restoration, Osage Timber Mills, State Farm Insurance, Union State Bank, and Ward Kraft.
About the Juror
Trent Freeman is the juror for the exhibit. Freeman received his Bachelors in Fine Arts from Emporia State University, and also studied at Kansas University and abroad in Australia.
Freeman is a sculptor whose works have been featured in private collections, local galleries, and at fine-art festivals.
He has instructed privately from his studio for the past 25 years, and continues teaching workshops and private classes currently in Fort Scott where he and his wife, Kate Riddle Freeman, have recently opened a privately owned art gallery, The Artificers, at 8 North National Avenue. From here, they are resident artists in their teaching and working studio.
As an artist, he draws inspiration from Old World and Asian techniques, using native wood, and recycled glass and metals to create his eclectic designs.
He has spent much of his career in education and instruction, facilitating college workshops, providing continuing education for teachers, and instructing at the Carnegie Art Center in Leavenworth.
He was a member of the Board of the Bonner Springs Art Alliance from 2017 -2020.
The Arts Council Board
The Bourbon County Arts Council Board is made up of Deb Anderson, President; Bre Eden, Vice President; Steve Floyd, Secretary; Terri Floyd, Treasurer; Cindy Bartelsmeyer, Elaine Buerge, Deb Halsey, Justin Meeks, Kelly Nelson, Linda Noll, Robin Whitlock, and Chris Woods.
Bourbon County Arts Council Members present at the Chamber Coffee in 2020, from left, Elaine Buerge, Deb Anderson, Terry Floyd, Steve Floyd and Linda Noll.
Marsha Lancaster died in September 2021 at the age of 54, but those who knew her, want to continue to honor her legacy of supporting community youth sports.
There will be a fundraiser in her honor on Saturday, March 4 at 8 p.m. at the Fort Scott Liberty Theater. Tickets are $35.
“Marsha Lancaster was a Fort Scott native and lived her entire life at 2nd and Hill Street,” said her friend Rhonda Dunn, who is helping with the annual event in remembrance of her. “She was active in many things in school including sports like basketball and volleyball. After attending Fort Scott Community College (FSCC), Marsha bought the Great Plains Deli and her food was legendary in the area.”
Marsha’s Deli was known as a local eatery that offered generous portions and a welcoming, down-home atmosphere.
Today her nephew, Brian Lancaster, owns Marsha’s Deli and strives to continue her legacy.
Marsha’s Deli is located at 6 W. 18th Street in Fort Scott.
“She supported many organizations and teams through the years,” Dunn said. “She fed many teams that traveled to Fort Scott. It was a tradition for the FSCC Coaches to bring prospective athletes to the Deli for a welcome from Marsha and their first meal at the Deli. Marsha didn’t know a stranger and was amazing at making everyone feel welcomed as soon as they walked through her Deli doors. Marsha was a Fort Scott legend.”
A girl who grew up in 1980s, Marsha Fest will have an 80s Hair Band Rock group to entertain the attendees.
“Baloney Ponyz (a naughty 80s joke) is from the KC area and plays 80s Hair Band Rock music,” Dunn said. “Many of the members of Baloney Ponyz are also members of Disco Dick and the Mirror Balls as well as Legends of Rock.”
The event is sponsored by the Lancaster family. Profits from the event are going to support the Fort Scott High School Sports Booster Club, Dunn said.
“Marsha always enjoyed watching sports and made sure to support the area sports teams by donating or making treats for them to enjoy on game days and we want to keep that legacy alive,” Dunn said. “The proceeds from last year’s Marsha Fest went to Care to Share and the Splash Pad.”
For the latest information, view the Marsha Fest Facebook page.
Kennedy Gym, a wing of the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, is located at 7th and Holbrook.
This evening is the first of six Lenten Fish Dinners that the Knights of Columbus prepare for the community as a fund raiser.
From Feb. 24 until March 31 the community is invited to join the people of Mary Queen of Angels Church for a fish dinner each Friday evening. The event is located in the Kennedy Gym at 7th and Eddy Street.
“Everyone is welcome, there is a free will offering,” Joe (Calvin) Barr, a Knight, said. “We do ask for a minimum of $8 for a to-go dinner. We generally do 75 to-go dinners each week.”
“We’ve had as high as 514 at one time in attendance,” Barr said. “400 is the average. During the COVID Pandemic there was a drive-through meal.”
The Menu
“It’s the same great fish: Southern-fried catfish, baked white fish, baked potato or french fries, coleslaw, drinks and all the wonderful desserts from the women of the church,” Mark McCoy one of the Knights, said. “For those who don’t like fish, we have spaghetti.”
This is the fish fry in Feb. 2020.
The event starts at 5 p.m. and goes to 7 p.m. and is each Friday until March 31. Good Friday is April 7 in 2023.
This year all funds go to rebuilding of the church, which was destroyed by fire in August 2022.
Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, November 4, 2022
The following is a press release from the Fort Scott Police Department.
On February 16, 2023 at 8:35 pm, officers of the Fort Scott Police Department (FSPD) along with personnel from the Fort Scott Fire Department (FSFD) and Bourbon County EMS, responded to a residential fire at 1214 S Judson St. Upon arrival, heavy black smoke was found to be emitting from inside the residence. FSFD personnel were able to extinguish the fire, however, extensive damage was done to the interior of the home. The residence was unoccupied at the time of the incident. FSPD & FSFD investigators, along with the State of Kansas Fire Marshal’s office were called to investigate this incident. The investigation into this fire is on-going.
On February 17, 2023, at 10:10 pm, officers of the Fort Scott Police Department along with personnel from the Fort Scott Fire Department and Bourbon County EMS, responded to a residential fire at 603 W 5th St. Upon arrival, the structure was found to be fully engulfed in flames. FSFD personnel were able to extinguish the fire, however, the structure was a total loss. The residence was unoccupied at the time of the incident. FSPD, FSFD, & BBSO investigators, along with the State of Kansas Fire Marshal’s office were called to investigate this incident. The investigation into this fire is on-going.
If you have any information that can aid our investigators, please contact us at: 620-223-1700.
Bill Downey Jr, Administrative Sergeant / Public Information Officer
The business website is www.fortscottrides.com and for the latest information, view their Facebook page: fort scott rides.
Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Fort Scott Rides LLC is located at 1202 E. Wall. Submitted photo.
Born and raised in Bourbon County, he is the son of Gary and Jackie Harvey.
He has three children, Kaitlyn-a beautician at Spoiled Brat, Tyler-who is doing social media/website duties for his dad’s business and also works at Bourbon County Corrections, and Jett-a senior at Uniontown High School.
Matt Harvey’s children: Jett, Kaitlyn and Tyler. Submitted photo.
The Fort Scott City Commission approved a resolution to support an application by a Desoto, KS property developer to turn the former Fort Scott Manor Nursing Home into apartments.
Following that approval, Shane Lamb, Rural ReDevelopment Group LLC, sent a Housing Investors Tax Credit application in for the property located on Fort Scott’s west side at 736 S. Heylman.
Lamb and Susan Galemore, who is with Southeast Kansas Economic Development Coalition, appeared together before the commission on Feb. 7. Galemore helped Lamb prepare the application.
Lamb has applied for tax credits from the Kansas Housing Resource Corporation to develop the property into 19 rental units.
“Fifteen will be one-bedroom units, four will be two-bedroom units,” Lamb said. “It is on less than two acres and the building is approximately 20,000 square feet.”
Lamb purchased the Fort Scott Manor property in January of 2022, he said. “It was closed down by the state several years ago, then went through bankruptcy proceedings. I believe it has been closed for three years.”
The Fort Scott property will not be low-income apartment rentals, Galemore said. “They will be standard market, not income based.”
“We focus on rural towns and rural housing,” he said. “Typically, we purchase nursing homes, schools, hospitals…single-use vacant properties we convert to housing.”
“We have 13 projects completed across different states, the closest to Fort Scott is one in Yates Center,” Lamb said. “We have 18 projects in the works.”
The grants are very competitive, Lamb said. “If I don’t get it the first time, we can apply again. I think it is every three months.”
The grants awarded are based on the communities need, he said. “Which community needs housing more than others.”
“I am on their timeline,” he said. “Once I get the green light, I can start and have 18 months to finish.”
Lamb said he always tries to use qualified local contractors and buy materials locally.
“I always try to keep the money local,” he said. “It doesn’t work 100 percent of the time. Sometimes you can’t find local partners to meet those deadlines…because they are so busy.”
Lamb said he should know by the end of March 2023 if he was awarded the grant.
19 S. Main, is on the left, with 23 S. Main on the left. The buildings are located at the corner of First and Main Street.
The City of Fort Scott approved two resolutions for an apartment project at 19 and 23 S. Main.
Currently Spoiled Brat Beauty Salon and Main Street Vintage and Co. are housed on the main floor of the two buildings.
The Project
Justin Pregont, with Pomeroy Development LLC, of Atchinson, appeared before the Fort Scott City Commission this month to ask for and did receive approval for the submission of a moderate income housing grant application to the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation.
In addition he sought and was approved for submission of a Rural Housing Incentive District and an Industrial Revenue Bond issue in support of the project.
The entire process of a project like this can take several years, Pregont said in an interview, and all plans are contingent on the receiving of the funds from the grants. In late March 2023, he will be notified from the state if he is a winner of the first of the grants, which he said is very competitive.
The Van Fossen Apartments is the name of the project. It is a sixteen unit adaptive reuse and historic preservation project approximately 16,000 square feet of the second and third floors of the Van Fossen building at 23 S. Main as well as a comprehensive renovation of the second floor of 19 S. Main, which has approximately 3,000 square feet.
Pregont sought the city’s approval to apply for $1,375,000 in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) category, a federal stimulus bill to aid public health and economic recovery.
It is in the Moderate-Income Housing (MIH) category of the grant. He stated that the city’s responsibility is administrative, because the checks must flow through a local government sponsor.
Pregont told the commission he has similar projects he has done in the past. He stated that he is the sponsor, he is responsible for carrying it through to completion and he is responsible for the compliance, but the funds flow through the city.
“A friend of mine notified me of the real estate listing,” Pregont said. “We like historic buildings, they are superior in architecture to modern.
The historic tax credits are a big piece of the funding of such projects.
The Apartments
The apartments will be “top of the market”, Pregont said, and the rents will reflect that. “It will provide quality housing for people who want something better.”
He said he knows people are concerned about the increased shortage of parking spaces in the historic downtown area.
“Anytime there is a booming downtown, there is parking distress,” he said. “It’s an indication of success.”
The primary entrance will not be on Main Street, but on First Street near the alley, which should help with the parking issue currently on Main Street, he said.
Whether pets will be allowed in the apartments, Pregont said it is uncertain at this time, although therapy dogs will be, according to laws that are in place.
Many business owners and downtown residents have expressed concern over animal feces in the downtown area.
About the Name
The buildings were built in the 1880s by Van Fossen and Wilcox, Pregont said. It was originally a dry goods store, but through the years saw many transformations.
“Van Fossen is a unique name, so we went with that,” Pregont said.
Fort Scott High School Freshmen students will get to practice financial “adulting” on March 8 at the high school and local volunteers are needed to help with the event, FuntureNow: Finance, to that end.
Lewis Dunkeson.
“It is a fun and tangible way to aid students in preparing for their financial futures,” according to Lewis Dunkeson, Communities in School’s Student Support Coordinator at FSHS.
FutureNow:Finance, is an event that helps students understand some of the realities involved in preparing for future adulthood.
At the event, students will receive an adult scenario based on a survey they have completed prior to the event, according to information provided by Dunkeson.
The scenario includes: marital status, number of children, career field, and net monthly income, which is based on choice of career field and current grade point average.
At the FutureNow: Finance event, students will visit a variety of booths to purchase food, housing, transportation, communication services, child care, utilities, insurance, etc.
They can also save money, give to charity and learn about unexpected things that affect daily life such as accidents, unexpected visitors or flat tires. The event is Wednesday, March 8, 2023 from 8 – 11 a.m. in Fort Scott High School’s Auxiliary Gym.
The Fort Scott High School gym. Submitted photo.
Volunteers should plan to report at 8 a.m. and must check-in to the school at the front office. Breakfast and lunch will be provided
Volunteers help the students make wise financial choices regarding the necessities and luxuries they imagine as part of their adult lifestyle, according to information provided by Dunkeson.
Volunteers are provided with detailed information and price sheets for their specific booth allowing them to help the students decide how best to spend their money.
Volunteer need only bring their personal experiences.
To volunteer for the event, contact: Lewis Dunkeson Student Support Coordinator, Fort Scott HS [email protected] 402-212-9826
There is a need in communities to get abandoned and vacant properties to land purchasers that can improve the property.
To this end, the Fort Scott Land Bank was initiated in 2018 and last month a manager for the program was hired.
“Vacant and abandoned properties have negative spillover effects that impact neighboring properties and, when concentrated, entire communities and even cities. Research links foreclosed, vacant, and abandoned properties with reduced property values, increased crime, increased risk to public health and welfare, and increased costs for municipal governments,” according to https://www.huduser.gov/portal/periodicals/
Pat Bishop has been appointed manager of the Fort Scott Land Bank. The appointment was effective as of January 1, 2023.
Bishop now is responsible for acquiring unused properties and maintaining them, pending transfer to a new owner.
His most important responsibility will be the sale or transfer of properties to buyers through setting up the framework for the clearing of title, negotiation of the purchase price and negotiation of the development agreement, he said.
All of the responsibilities are subject to the approval of the Land Bank Board of Trustees.
The City of Fort Scott and Bourbon County government entities share the salary for the position which is $20,000 per year.
“My hours are 1 -5 p.m. Monday through Friday, though I am available at all times,” Bishop said.
Bishop and his wife, Cathy, have lived in Fort Scott for 44 years and he was a practicing attorney in Bourbon County for 29 years.
Bishop has been integral in the preparation of the legal documentation necessary for the last two Bourbon County tax foreclosure sales, working with the Bourbon County Counselor, and therefore is familiar with the acquisition process, he said.
Bishop may be contacted at 620-224-6962. His email address is [email protected].
Bourbon County has provided Mr. Bishop an office in the courthouse located at 210 S. National.
The job requires that he be out of the office quite often, and contact is recommended via phone or email, he said.
What the Fort Scott Land Bank Does
“In 2018 the City of Fort Scott established the Fort Scott Land Bank,” Bishop said. “The purpose of the Land Bank is to acquire title to dilapidated, vacant or unused properties and convert them to productive use.”
These properties do not contribute to the tax base, and in addition create fire and safety hazards and reduce the value of surrounding properties, he said.
Most of the properties are acquired through Bourbon County tax foreclosure sale, though properties have been and may be donated to the Fort Scott Land Bank.
“At this point in time the Land Bank has 49 Fort Scott properties in its inventory,” Bishop said. ” All these properties are either vacant lots or structures in need of repair.”
The Land Bank determines the best usage for a property, he said.
Points considered for the usage for the property are the neighborhood, the size of the lot, and the condition of any structures, he said. And there is an attempt to sell the property for value in accordance with a development agreement between the Land Bank and the purchaser.
The agreement will require the developer to improve the property, such as building a house or remodeling an existing structure, within a given period of time, according to Bishop. If the developer fails to comply with the terms of the agreement, the property reverts to the Land Bank.
When the property is purchased, the Land Bank is required to maintain the premises, such as mowing, and may have to cause an unsafe structure to be removed, he said.
“The decision to sell land bank property will not be determined solely on the basis of purchase price,” he said. “The Board of Trustees will consider the proposed usage,” he said.
The construction of housing on a property is the most important consideration as there is a scarcity of affordable housing in Fort Scott, Bishop said.
“Other priorities in the following order are: protection of properties for historic preservation, government or public use, ownership by non-profits, such as a church, ownership by adjacent property owners for side-lot acquisitions and green or garden spaces for public benefit,” he said.
Fort Scott Land Bank Board of Trustees
The Fort Scott Land Bank Board of Trustees are appointed by the Fort Scott City Commission and presently consists of Craig Campbell, Chairperson; Robert Coon, Vice Chairperson; Bailey Lyons, Treasurer; Josh Jones, (City Commissioner) Jim Harris, (Bourbon County Commissioner), Rob Harrington (Bourbon County Regional Economic Director) and Patrick Wood.
The City of Uniontown owns the pond just east of the Uniontown Jr/Sr High School.
“The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT) is gearing up for a placemaking project in Uniontown,” President and CEO Jody Hoener said.
Jody Hoener, President and CEO of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team.
They are seeking Uniontown resident’s input for a grant to improve the small town of almost 300 people in Bourbon County.
“We have a survey for community members to fill out,” Hoener said. “It’s available online at HBCAT.org or residents can pick up a paper copy from us at our Fort Scott Office (104 N. National) or from Sally Johnson at City Hall in Uniontown.”
Fort Scott has received several placemaking grants.
“We have already been working on Creative Placemaking projects in Fort Scott: the 3rd Street Park Improvements and the Downtown Arch projects,” Rachel Carpenter, Director of the The Center for Economic Growth at HBCAT, said.
Rachel Carpenter is the director of the Center for Ecomomic Growth at HBCAT.
“Creative Placemaking is letting the community choose a project and public space that enhances the quality-of-life people in that area,” Carpenter said. “Placemaking is about creating community spaces that improve vitality, and promote health, joy, and well-being. The community has the opportunity to take ownership of a place in their neighborhood.”
“This Creative Placemaking project is specifically for Uniontown, we are encouraging all residents of Uniontown to complete the survey,” Carpenter said. “The survey is live now and will remain open until March 13th. We can budget up to $10,000 towards this project funded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas to be completed by June 2024.”
“Some examples would be: park improvements, murals in an alley way, public space for studying or a public art sculpture about the place’s history,” Carpenter said.
The Uniontown City Park is on the square in the center of the city.
Uniontown residents are asked to fill out a brief survey to help with ideas for the grant.
