Tag Archives: featured

Bourbon County, Government

Shelton Resigns as Bourbon County Clerk, Hilderbrand as Kansas Senator

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Ashley Shelton. Submitted photo.

Two local government positions that effect Bourbon County are open, with the resignation of Ashley Shelton and Richard Hilderbrand.

Ashley Shelton resigned as Bourbon County Clerk on Jan. 12, after two years working with the county government.

“She sent her resignation letter to the governor on January 12 and notified me that she is resigning and her last day of employment is Feb. 3,” Mark McCoy,  Bourbon County Republican Party Chairman, said.

When contacted, Shelton said “The Bourbon County Courthouse is not a good environment. I don’t feel I am able to do the job to the best of my ability.”

Within her clerk office she feels “We have a good group.”

In addition to her resignation, another county clerk office person has resigned and another is transferring to different department.

“There is a lot of transition going on in the courthouse,” Shelton said.

The Republican Party will hold a convention on Jan. 26 at 6 p.m.  at the Empress Event Center, 7 N. Main in Fort Scott to select a replacement for Shelton.

“We have 21 days to set a convention to select someone to be approved and their name sent to the governor for appointment,” McCoy said.

The county currently has 34 committee members and during the convention they will interview the candidates,  then have a question and answer session with them.

The candidates will have about 10 minutes to say why they should be selected, he said.

Following this, the party will meet  privately to discuss the candidates and a decision will be made by secret ballot and sent to the governor, McCoy said.

State Senator Richard Hilderbrand converses with the audience following a legislative coffee in Bourbon County.

U.S. Senator Richard Hilderbrand

In addition to Shelton, local Republicans will go through the established process of selecting a new Dist. 13 Kansas Senator.

Richard Hilderbrand resigned on Jan. 4, just before the Kansas legislature was set to start. He has served since 2017.

He represented Bourbon, Cherokee and Crawford Counties.

The local committee members from each county will meet on Jan. 22 at 3 p.m. at the Columbus High School auditorium.

Crawford County is in charge until a chairman is selected from those attending the convention, McCoy said.

Once again, candidates will be given a certain number of minutes to tell the group why they should be selected, followed by a question and answer time, then private discussion by the group and a vote taken.

That name will be sent to the governor and wait for appointment.

“Three people have placed their name for this position, Tim Shallenberger, Keri Jensen and Dan Muter,” McCoy said. “Ken Collins was interested, but decided to remove his name.”

McCoy said Hilderbrand resigned to focus on his insurance business and his family.

Bourbon County, Business

Female Business Owners Support System: Dare to Dream Seminar

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The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team is located at 104 N. National Avenue. Submitted photo.

Local female business owners will be speaking on the challenges of ownership of a business or hope to help those that want to start one.

The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT) is sponsoring the Dare to Dream Seminar: The Unique Challenges of a Small Business on  February 8 at 5:30 p.m.  at 104 N National in Fort Scott.

“This… seminar is for ALL women of ALL ages who have a business or is interested in starting a business, Rachel Carpenter, director of the The Center for Economic Growth at the HBCAT office.

“Our goal is to bring these woman entrepreneurs together to help create a support system of women supporting women. We bring in local woman leaders to share their expertise on how they have become successful.

The keynote speaker will be Erin Vann, of Highway Three.

Erin Vann is the keynote speaker at the Dare to Dream Seminar on Feb. 8. Submitted photo.

“She will speak on the challenges that her business had to overcome to get to the success story it is today,” Carpenter said. “We also have panel speakers Kelly Perry of Perry’s Pork Rinds Country Store and Angela Simon of Bids and Dibs. They will share about managing a business banking account and how to get through the low seasons of business.”

Kelly and Thaddeus Perry, owners of Perry’s Pork Rinds Country Store. Submitted photo.
Angela Simon, owner of Bids and Dibs. Submitted photo.

A part of the agenda is devoted to discussion.

“We will have HBCAT and Pittsburg State University Small Business Development Center staff available to answer questions about starting a business and about the grant opportunities available through HBCAT,” Carpenter said. “We will also have staff from City State Bank that will answer questions about cash flow. Our keynote speakers and panelist will be available to answer any questions at that time as well.

Free Meal, Child Care and a Raffle

Perry’s Pork Rinds Country Store will be catering a lasagna meal for the evening, and there is childcare available upon request.

“We will be raffling off a business starter kit and a printer,” Carpenter said. “This event is free we just ask that people register prior to the event using this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dare-to-dream-unique-challenges-of-a-small-business-tickets-510878690917″

 

Event Funded By

The support for the seminar is grant funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business Development and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways to Healthy Kansas, she said.

Rachel Carpenter can be reached at The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, phone: 620-215-2562

 

Entertainment, History

Writings From Vietnam Author Book Signing on Jan. 28

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Mary Barbara McKay is the featured local author on Jan. 28. Submitted photo.

All during January there will be a special sale of Buy 2 Books Get 1 Free on Action/Detective/Mystery and Christian Fiction at Hedgehog INK! Bookstore located at 16 S. Main.

The store showcases book signings featuring local authors.

On January 28, Mary Barbara McKay will introduce her book, Writings from Vietnam,  at 1:30 p.m. at the store.

“We are excited to have her launch her book and book signing at Hedgehog.INK!,” store owner Jan Hedges said.

McKay has lived in neighboring Linn County since 1996, when she and husband, Rod, bought 40 acres of Kansas farm ground and built a country home. They moved from Sacramento, California, where she had been a high school English and art teacher and then nurse and he, a commuter airline pilot.

First Book

McKay’s first book, The Good Horses: How Horses Taught Me God’s Plan for My Life tells the story of their move to the country and the important role horses played in making the transition from city woman to country woman pleasant, she said.

“Horses made my new life interesting, enjoyable, educational,” she said. “Country life brought me closer to God through the horses and our care of them and the peaceful natural world around us.”

“My first book was published in 2019 and is also available at Hedgehog Ink Bookstore,” she said. “It has my own photographs and paintings, and some favorite poems and Scripture quotations. I love painting, drawing and photography and also love writing from my own experience.”

Second Book

“The second book, Writings from Vietnam, was completed in November 2022,” she said. It is a compilation of my husband’s letters to me from his time in Vietnam, plus a short journal he kept for three months, and nine pages he wrote of what happened on ‘a terrible day,’ but never sent to anyone.”

Rod, survived serving in the Vietnam War, and died of a heart attack in 2018.

She had kept all his letters from his tour of Vietnam and wrote the book as a tribute to him, she said.  “He very rarely talked about Vietnam, and then only a sentence or two.”

“Rod has an almost intellectual view of the war, though he is living through very dismal times (in the book)” she said.  “I insert paragraphs from his time in Army Basic Training and Advanced Infantry Training within the war letters to show the differences and parallels between the Army at war and the stateside Army. My husband was a radio telephone operator, which means he carried the radio for his commanding officer.”

“He was in Vietnam for 11 months,” McKay said. “In April 1970 the U.S. was pulling back forces and he was discharged a month early. His letters show life in the field–sleeping in the mud, constantly watching for enemy, losing men he just met.”

“His last five months were spent as company clerk at a fire support base,” she said. “He wrote the letters home to families who’d lost a husband or a spouse. He has deep insights and always kept his faith. God always came first in his life.”

“This is a short book, it is only 114 pages, and it includes a few photographs and an addendum which is a journal he kept for three months from May 3 to August 12, 1969, his first three months in Vietnam,” she said.

Her husband of nearly 47 years was a thoughtful, principled man and has a message for everyone who reads the book, she said. “This book is a tribute to him with a message I believe will resonate with readers.”

The cover of Mary Barbara McKay’s book, Writings from Vietnam. Submitted.

“Merl Humphrey Photography (a local Fort Scott business) used two photographs to make the composite picture for the cover,” she said. “The color picture I took of Rod at the Vietnam War Memorial in 1994;  the black and white picture of men in Vietnam placed within the wall was among Rod’s things.”

February’s Offers At Hedgehog INK!

Additionally coming up at Hedgehog INK! in February  is Buy 2 Get 1 Free on Romance books.

Feb. 4 – Children’s Story Time, story and activity
Feb. 10-11 Love Local Chocolate Crawl – All Chocolates 25% off
Feb. 25? – Author Talk / Book Talk – Leon Perry

Business, Fort Scott

Mill Creek Veterinary Clinic Opens Jan. 16

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Dr. Amanda Brown stands in one of her exam rooms of her new veterinary clinic in Fort Scott.

Dr. Amanda Brown opens her Mill Creek Veterinary Clinic on Jan. 16 after months of preparing a new building and  also having a baby.

Hours of operation are Monday-Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, 8 a.m. to noon, Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are closed for lunch daily from noon to 1.

She and her husband, Eric, welcomed a third child into their family in December, following her purchase of the building earlier in the year at 6 East 13th. (13th and National Avenue).

The business has a primary focus of wellness and medicine for small animals, she said.

“We  have an in-house lab, digital x-ray and ultra sound,” Dr. Brown said. “We have the ability to hospitalize pets.”

“My true passion is client education and managing chronic pain,” she said.

Ever since she was child she has had a desire to help animals get better, she said.

Employees of the clinic are Loren Carmine, registered veterinary technician; Wendi Jensvold, assistant and Jacki Lape, receptionist.

Brown is a 2008 Fort Scott High School graduate with a bachelors degree from Kansas State University in 2013. She earned her doctorate from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2015.

“I worked at Animal Care Center here in Fort Scott right after graduation for over five years and I worked at a busy, fast paced clinic in Webb City for two years after that,” she said in a prior interview. “I have over seven years combined as a veterinarian and almost 20 years in the veterinary field.”

To view the prior feature:

Mill Creek Veterinary Clinic to Open January 2023

From left, Jacki Lape-receptionist, Wendi Jensvold-assistant, Dr. Amanda Brown-DVM and owner,Loren Carmine-registered veterinary technician.

To contact the clinic: 620.224-2840 for the office. 620.215-1778 for the clinic cell phone or email [email protected]

Art, Bourbon County, Business, Food, Fort Scott

Local Producers Featured at Makers Market This Saturday

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The first Makers Market, hosted by Mmm Flavor Shop owners Emelia Whiteaker and Addi Foster is this Saturday, January 14th from 10 am to 3 pm. The event is in the Cloverleaf Event Center at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds on South Horton Street.

“This is for people who produce and make things local” to showcase and sell their products,  Foster said.

They are hosting these events because they are hoping to establish a spice store and don’t have a business space, Foster said.

In addition they are sponsoring a fundraiser for a new dog agility club.

“Lunch will also be available for purchase with the proceeds going to help purchase dog agility equipment for the newly created Momentum Dog Club,” Whiteaker said.  “Those youth interested in joining the Momentum Dog Club can stop by and get more information.  They must be at least 7 years of age to join, and no experience is needed.”

The two sisters are planning a market each second Saturday of each month, until May. “Different vendors will be participating each month,” Whiteaker said.  “There will be a variety of locally made products for sale including food, soaps, lotions, knitted items, sewed items, and starters for indoor plants.”

“The menu that will be available is chicken and noodles made with locally raised chicken from Freedom Farms in Bourbon County, Mixed Bean Soup with Grains, Butternut Squash Soup, Mediterranean Vegetable Stew with Couscous,” Whiteaker said. “For dessert offered is Citrus Olive Oil Cake with Orange Chocolate Glaze, and Carob Brownies made two ways.”

Citrus Olive Oil Cake, pictured, will be offered for sale at the Makers Market.Submitted photo.
Addi Foster is co-owner of MMM Flavor Shop. Submitted photo.
Emelia Whiteaker is the owner of Momentum Indoor Training and also co-owner of MMM Flavor Shop. Submitted photo.

 

Fort Scott

Get Involved In Fort Scott: Community Involvement Fair is Feb. 2

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A local group recently formed to focus on the good and foster involvement in this community.

“Fort Scott Forward, Ltd. will provide support and create opportunities for citizens of Fort Scott, KS to identify their passions, talents and find areas where they can make a difference in their community,” said Rachel French, president of the board. “We will create opportunities for local projects to be completed for the betterment of our town.”

Rachel French. Submitted photo.

The specific objectives and purpose of this organization are

  • to craft an image of Fort Scott that focuses on the beauty of our town;
  • to build pride in our community and help locals recognize all the good and exciting things going on in our town;
  • to foster involvement from local community members and help encourage them to be good stewards donating their time, talent and means;
  • to spread awareness of the benefits of small-town living, and the importance of investing and purchasing from small businesses in the community.

 

Fort Scott Forward Board Members include:  French, Angela Simon, Bailey Lyons, Craig Campbell, Matt Park, Kate and Trent Freeman.

The group has organized and is hosting an event Feb. 2, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Ellis Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College.

“Fort Scott Forward will host a Community Involvement Fair at The Ellis Fine Arts Center Lobby,” French said. “This event is geared at helping community members learn about the different non-profits, clubs, and organizations in Fort Scott that need volunteers throughout the year.”

“This event is for anyone in our community who is looking to give of their time or talents to make Fort Scott a better place.” she said. “This is the perfect opportunity for individuals or families to come out an learn about how they can get involved and help the community.”

“Local clubs, non-profits or organizations who need volunteers throughout the year can reserve their spot through this link https://form.jotform.com/230035194585052.,” French said.  “Each exhibitor space will include a rectangle table, two chairs, and advertising for the event. There will be a fee of $25 to reserve an exhibitor spot.”

“There is no cost to attend and light refreshments will be served,” she said. “Community members are encouraged to drop by as they have time.”

 

 

 

 

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Downtown Meet and Greet: New Happenings in 2023

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Lindsay Madison leads discussions at the Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet this morning.

The Quarterly Fort Scott Downtown Meet and Greet met this morning to have conversations about the happenings in the historic downtown district.

Lindsay Madison, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce CEO, led the discussions.

Those that made comments included:

Rob Harrington, CEO of Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc. on the former Mercy Hospital building.

The Legacy Group Health Foundation will have a new cardiologist and urologist coming to Fort Scott and are looking for a few doctors for a clinic, he said.

Brad Matkin, Interim Fort Scott City Manager, said he is part of a group that is looking to have a Christmas event downtown, instead of a Christmas in the Park and is seeking public input.

Matkin said he is having plans drawn up for parking improvements in the downtown area and is also working on plans for improving Memorial Hall downtown.

Kathy Dancer, owner of the former Scottish Rite Temple, said a cafe in the building is planned for a spring opening, along with a small retail space.

Bailey Lyons, who is renovating a downtown building on Main Street, said she is anticipating a completion by fall. She is part of a group that will open a fully licensed kitchen in the building.

Angie Simon, Bids and Dibs Consignment Store, said she is doing some remodeling since a carpenter became available and is planning on opening Jan. 16.

Joe’ Fritteris opening a new business at First and Wall Street, called Open Mortgage, on Feb. 1.

Megan Vyhlidal is opening a new chiropractic business in Fort Scott around Feb. 1.

Sandra Davis, Davis Accounting, said their business is remodeling both the Bartlesmeyer business building on South National Avenue and their store front downtown on North Main Street.

Lindsay Madison said there is online voting going on from Healthy Bourbon County Action Team for an archway design for the historic downtown area. She also said the grant received from T-Mobile will possibly be used for a canopy over a parking lot area in Skubitz Plaza, and used for farmer’s market events and other events.

Baily Lyons, Lyons Realty Group, said the splash pad project is coming to fruition with the ordering of elements for the splash pad, which will also be located on Skubitz Plaza, at the north end of Main Street.

Jill Jaworski, Superintendent of Fort Scott National Historic Site, said there will be new events this year, such as dark sky events and climate change events.

Additional info from the meeting:

Friday, April 21 is the downtown clean-up day.

There is an open Chamber Coffee time slot available for Jan. 19.

Dare to Dream Women’s Entrepreneur Event will be Feb. 8 from 5-7 p.m. at the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team office. RSVP on Eventbrite.

The Small Business Development Center is open at the HBCAT office.

Two grants are available for downtown businesses, please contact the Chamber for more details.

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Business

New Electric Transmission Line Will Travel Through Bourbon County

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From the NextEra Energy website.

An electric utility business wants to get feedback on a proposed transmission line that will going through the county.

NextEra Energy Transmission Southwest (NEET Southwest) is  hosting a public meeting in Fort Scott on Jan. 10 from 6-8 p.m. at the Empress Event Center, 7 N. Main.

“A series of informational stations will be staffed by NEET Southwest employees and contractors to answer questions and provide information to attendees,” said  NextEra Senior Communications Strategist Sarah Borchardt.

“The purpose of the meeting is to provide an in-person opportunity for landowners to ask questions about the transmission line project directly, as well as for NEET Southwest to obtain feedback on the proposed project route from landowners,”  Borchardt said.

The Project

“NextEra Energy Transmission Southwest will develop, construct, own, operate and maintain the approximately 94-mile, 345-kilovolt transmission project that will connect the Wolf Creek Substation in Kansas which is owned by Evergy; and the Blackberry Substation in Missouri, owned by Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc.,” she said. “The project route traverses Coffey, Anderson, Allen, Bourbon and Crawford counties in Kansas, and Barton and Jasper counties in Missouri. The transmission project is expected to be in-service in Jan. 2025.”

“The line is approximately 94 miles, with approximately 85 miles located across five counties in Kansas,” according to Borchardt.  “The line was identified as being needed by the Southwest Power Pool, which plans the electric transmission system for the state of Kansas and for a larger region that stretches across the middle of the U.S. from Texas up to North Dakota.”

“SPP determined that the line would provide significant economic and reliability benefits to Kansas customers and to SPP customers as a whole, and SPP selected NEET Southwest to build the project after a competitive bid process,” she said.

“The Wolf Creek-Blackberry Project is part of Southwest Power Pool (SPP)’s 2019 Integrated Transmission Plan to address the needs for a more reliable and cost-effective grid,” she said. “SPP is a non-for-profit, regional transmission organization (RTO) mandated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to ensure safe, reliable and cost-effective transmission infrastructure in the central region of the country. The transmission line will allow power to flow more efficiently to customers in Kansas and Missouri.”

“The project is permitted by the Kansas Corporation Commission at the state level, and not by individual counties,” she said. “NextEra Energy Transmission Southwest’s proposed route is intended to minimize or avoid impacts across a few factors, including landowners, environmentally sensitive areas, other utility and public infrastructure, airports, and tribal lands, among others.”

“ Where possible, portions of NextEra Energy Transmission Southwest’s proposed route will parallel existing rights of way,” she said. “NEET Southwest is securing options for easements from landowners whose land will be crossed by the transmission line. NEET  Southwest will work with landowners on an ongoing basis throughout the construction, clean up phase of the project, and beyond.”

Submitted photo.

KCC: Beneficial Effect on Kansas Customers

“The Kansas Corporation Commission agreed that the line is needed to serve the public interest in Kansas,” she said. “NEET Southwest is planning to file an application with the KCC to get approval of the specific line route.”

The Kansas Corporation Commissioners agreed the project provides benefits for Kansans, according to its website:

https://kcc.ks.gov/news-8-29-22

Here is the conclusion from the KCC:

“Based on the testimony received, the Commission finds that the Transmission Project will have a beneficial effect on customers by lowering overall energy costs, removing inefficiency, relieving transmission congestion and improving the reliability of the transmission system,” according to the KCC website.

“The line will provide economic benefits to all of Kansas, by allowing power to be produced more efficiently and cost-effectively, which will provide access to more affordable energy for Kansas customers,” according to Borchardt.  “In addition, construction jobs will be created within the communities along the proposed route, and NEET Southwest will make property tax payments to the respective counties going forward.”

https://www.nexteraenergytransmission.com/subsidiaries/neetsw/projects/wolf-creek-blackberry.html

 

“The project is part of the 2019 Integrated Transmission Plan approved by SPP in October 2019 to address the needs for a more reliable and cost-effective grid. This project will reduce congestion and provide market efficiencies and benefits to ratepayers,” according to the NextEra Energy website.

Fort Scott, Government

FS Chief of Police Retires in February

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Fort Scott Police Chief Travis Shelton Submitted photo.

Travis Shelton, Chief of Police of the Fort Scott Police Department, will retire next month, after 26 years of service.

“My retirement system provides you can retire at age 50, after 25 years service,” Shelton said. “I turn 50 in February.”

“I love Fort Scott and love working for the City of Fort Scott,” he said. “It’s been an awesome career.”

But he is looking forward to retirement.

“I’ve never had more than a week off in my career,” he said. “The plan is to go fishing, get some things done around the house. Eventually the plan is to go to work somewhere else.”

Although he doesn’t have any jobs in mind, “I’d like to put some time in another job long term,” he said.

Shelton has held positions of officer, K9 Handler, sergeant, lieutenant, and chief of police.

He earned an associate of science degree from Fort Scott Community College, and a bachelor of science in criminal justice administration from Missouri Southern State University.

Shelton has served in the community on the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation Board of Directors, as a member of the Kiwanis Club,a former board member at the Key Hole (Youth Center),a former adjunct instructor at Fort Scott Community College, anda former little league football coach.

His wife, Gina Shelton, is the USD 234 Business Manager / Board Clerk. He has a son, Nick, 22, and a daughter Maci,17 years old.

“My wife and I are planning on staying in Fort Scott,” Shelton said. “Gina likes her job and we have no intentions to move.”

Shelton’s last day will be February 28, 2023.

Art, Bourbon County, Business

Artificers Celebrate Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting on January 28

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The Artificers, a local art gallery at 8 N. National Avenue,  will have a grand opening and ribbon cutting gala  on January 28. At 5:30 p.m. will be the ribbon cutting. The gala is from 6 to 9 p.m.
An artificer is a skilled or artistic worker or craftsman, according to Webster’s Dictionary.
Cocktail attire is recommended for the gala event.
The owners, Kate and Trent Freeman, have been renovating the storefront for several years and still have some work to do, but the first floor is ready for the classes the Freeman’s will offer.
To view a prior feature:
Trent and Kate Freeman. Submitted photo
The classes start February 1 as part of the The Artificers Teaching Studio, and offer a wide range of classes for any age or ability.
“We will start off with clay sculpture and pottery wheel throwing classes, but soon will add a variety of classes from our extensive list of master artists, that includes painting, watercolor, airbrush, graphite drawing, mixed media collage and more,” Kate said.
Trent Freeman. Submitted photo.
“We are so excited to host a variety of artists throughout the coming year and display their superior craftsmanship that has taken them thousands of hours to develop,” she said.
A clay sculpture. Submitted photo.
The hours of operation for the art studio/gallery business are Tuesday- Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are extended hours during classes and special events.
About The Artists

Trent works to create art in mixed media: clay, glass, wood, metal; Kate works in clay and acrylic painting.

“We had our studio in Kansas City for 22 years,” Trent said. “I’ve been a professional for 28 years. We’ve done everything from gallery to commission to art festivals all over the country. Most of our work is commission now.”

Trent said when Kansas City shut down businesses during the COVID-19 Pandemic, they began coming to their farm, west of Fort Scott.

Trent’s parents, Ed and Jackie Freeman built a house near Bronson and retired there, and so Trent and Kate have been coming here for 20 years, he said. “And we loved the town.”

Eventually the Freeman’s purchased the building at 8 North National Avenue, on October 2, 2020, and have been working on the renovation  since.

To view the business website:
Bourbon County, Business

Eco Devo Visioning Groups Have Goals For 2023

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Rob Harrington. Submitted photo.
In 2022, the Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc. group held visioning meetings to find the perceived needs of the community.
These meetings were in August, October and November and focused on specific areas: labor, housing, retail, and an in-depth sales tax revenue study.
“These sessions brought community and business leaders together to work through important issues that we face today,” said Rob Harrington, director of REDI. “On average, we had 40 participants at each event and the dialogue was very thought provoking.”
“In the final session the hard work and dedication of all who attended these visioning sessions came to three very specific projects which the group felt were the most important,” he said.
Bailey Lyons, CEO of Lyons Realty Group, was chosen by the housing group to lead a group that will encourage more housing developments in the county.

“A separate committee decided that having a quality place to live was just as important, and would help with growing our housing possibilities as well,” Harrington said. This group  is being lead by Brad Matkin, Interim Fort Scott City Manager, and will be working on the planning and construction of a tennis court complex in Fort Scott.

Training the youth in the county  was another issue the visioning group thought was important.
“This group decided to work with the three different education boards (USD 234-Fort Scott, USD 235-Uniontown and Fort Scott Community College) to develop more technical training for our youth,” he said. “This group is being led by Susan Bancroft Chief Financial Officer of Bourbon County.
The groups have been asked to meet throughout 2023 to work on each of these goals.
“At the end of next year the same group of people will be asked to reconvene and discuss with the group all of their progress on each goal,” Harrington said. “At which time, if goals have been reached others can be developed.”
“This was the first time a group of leaders across the entire county had been brought together to target and address concerns and opportunities for our communities as a whole,” Harrington said. “Bourbon County REDI was honored to be the host organization, and look forward to the continued work by this and other groups.”
The Bourbon County REDI mission is to build a vibrant county through business, economic and tourism development, and ongoing community development throughout the county, according to its website.

The Bourbon County REDI is housed on the second floor of Landmark Bank, 200 S Main St Suite 200, Fort Scott, KS 66701 and can be contacted at (620) 644-7966.

Landmark Bank Fort Scott houses the office of Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc.
Entertainment, Fort Scott

Local Cook Pays For a Movie as a Present to Her Community

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Fort Cinema,224 W 18th St, Fort Scott

A Fort Scott woman, who cooks at a local restaurant for a living, has paid for a movie for the community at Fort Cinema,  224 W. 18th.

On January 7 at 2 p.m. there will be a free showing of Puss in Boots The Last Wish hosted by this woman, who wishes to remain anonymous.

“This is Christmas present to the community,” Terri Belcher Turner, her cousin, said.  “The first 95 people will get to enjoy the movie, free of charge.  The concessions stand will be open. There was a scheduling issue before Christmas, so now it is the Saturday after the holidays.”

Turner sent an email to fortscott.biz with the story.

“I know the donor and want everyone to know she is a life-long Fort Scott resident with a love for her town and the families in it,” Turner said. “She works regular jobs and struggles like the rest of us but wanted to give families a chance for an afternoon out that they normally couldn’t afford. I hate I am 500 miles away and can’t be there to help promote this generous act.” Turner lives in St. Paul, MN.

“She is someone that cares and really doesn’t have the extra but wants to make a difference,” Turner said. “I’m just wishing I could be there and could  help get other people or companies involved because this could help the community and be an ongoing thing on spring break, summer break anytime through out the year.”

“I’m wondering if anyone would like to step forward and pay for the concessions,” Turner said.

The donor paid close to $200 for renting the theater for this free event to the community.

“This is something for a family to do together, but because of the cost, can’t go to a theater anymore,” Turner said.