Jayhawk Wind project staging area is located at the intersection of Hwy. 39 and Hwy.3, southwest of Fort Scott.
The Jayhawk Wind power project is progressing in Bourbon County.
The following is an update from Julianna Pianelli, development manager for Apex Clean Energy, based in Charlottesville, VA.
Q: Will you give an update on the progress of the wind power farm in Bourbon County, KS?
A: “Construction is underway; we are currently installing access roads and recently completed the laydown yard (located off Highway 39, west of Highway 3), where our core project staff and job trailers will be located. We are now beginning to excavate the foundations for the wind turbines.”
The laydown yard of the Jayhawk Wind farm project is located at the Hwy. 3 and Hwy. 39 in southwestern Bourbon County.
Q: Who is the contact on the ground here in Bourbon County?
A: “The construction site manager for Apex is Tharon Anderson.”
Q: Are there still jobs available and what is the contact?
A: “IEA, the project’s contractor, would have information about job openings and other construction-related information. Please come to the construction office at the laydown yard located near the Highway 39 and Highway 3 junction for more information.”
Q: When will we start to see them going up?
A: “The turbine components will begin arriving on-site at the end of July, and the erection will begin shortly after that.”
Q: When will it be completed?
A: “ The anticipated completion date is in Q4 (fall) 2021.”
This graphic pinpoints the turbine placement. Submitted graphic.
SEK Muliti-County Health Department, located at 6th and Lowman Streets, Fort Scott.
SEK Multi-County Health Department lead nurse, Alice Maffett BSN, RN, is retiring after 20 plus years.
“I have worked in public health for over 21 years besides working as a clinical nurse in different settings such as obstetrics and gynecology, ophthalmology, orthopedic and psychiatric medicine,” she said.
Alice Maffett. Submitted photo.
“I have always enjoyed the aspect of public health even when I was in nursing school,” she said. “Public health allowed me the opportunity to work with my community partners and to further good health practices in this county.”
She did this through immunization clinics, teaching health-related subjects in schools, disease investigations, and public speaking to community groups.
“The best part of working in public health was the people in our community I got to help every day,” she said.
” I can honestly say that the most challenging issue that I’ve had to face with my job has been the COVID outbreak,” Maffett said. “At one point I was working seven days a week from early morning until the evening. This virus has just been relentless. I believe it has wearied all of us.”
Maffett’s last day officially with the SEK Multi-County Health Department will be June 26.
“I will start a new chapter in my life from that point and I’m excited to see where God will lead me,” she said.
“Thank you to all the many, many community members and organizations that I have had the privilege of working with during my time in public health. I will miss them all,” Maffett said.
Bartelsmeyer Jewelry is moving from1519 South National Avenue to 22 North Main Street in downtown Fort Scott, on June 18.
Bartelsmeyer Jewelry, 22 N. Main Street.
“In February 2014, my wife Cindy and I purchased 22 North Main in downtown Fort Scott,” owner John Bartelsmeyer said. “Cindy had a dream of renovating the upstairs into a loft apartment that we could enjoy as we move towards our retirement years.”
“Now that we are moved into our apartment, we have enjoyed watching the new growth and life these past few years have brought to Fort Scott’s historic downtown area,” he said. “We are so excited to help continue this revitalization as we move our storefront back to Main street. We hope that the Fort Scott community is as excited as we are and will continue to be supportive of all our downtown business!”
“We are planning for our first day open at the new store to be June 18, 2021,” he said.
A sign on the door of the newly renovated space at 22 N. Main, the site of the new Bartelsmeyer Jewelry store.
“We are planning to sell the store at 1519 S. National after we have moved to the new 22 North Main location,” he said. “We hope that the new business owners will enjoy this building as much as we have!”
A History of the Jewelry Store
“Our jewelry store has been in business operating under the name Bartelsmeyer Jewelry since 1963,” John Bartelsmeyer said. “However, our store was first opened under the name ‘F Whiles Jewelry & Watches’ in 1904. The store was later purchased by Ova Newberry who grew up with my father, M. H ‘Bart’ Bartelsmeyer. “
“They learned the watchmaking trade together as young men,” Bartelsmeyer said. “Mr. Newberry asked my father to come and help him get caught up in 1939. My dad was on his way to go to work in Denver. He came to Fort Scott to help Ova, but they never got caught up. My father stayed and worked with Ova until he died in 1963.”
“Ova’s wife sold my dad the business and it became Bartelsmeyer Jewelry,” he said.
John Bartelsmeyer is the owner and bench jeweler of Bartelsmeyer Jewelry. Submitted photo.Cindy Bartelsmeyer, and her husband John, are the owners of the business. Submitted photo.Krysta Hulbert is the store manager. Submitted photo.Jenna Bond is a sales associate. Submitted photo.Emily Farrington is a sales associate. Submitted photo.Anna Laubenstein is a sales associate. Submitted photo.
Employees currently are John Bartelsmeyer-owner and bench jeweler, Cindy Bartelsmeyer-owner, Krysta Hulbert-store manager,
Jenna Bond-sales associate, Emily Farrington-sales associate, Anna Laubenstein-sales associate, and Julie Kibble-sales associate.
THRAM’s Antiques and Collectables is located next door to Bronson Locker in Bronson, KS. Photo credit: Facebook
In a collaboration with local business owners, the Bronson Locker has started a Saturday shop day and is inviting local vendors and the public.
The street in front of the locker at 504 Clay Street, Bronson, is the venue and the dates are every other weekend: June 5th and 19th, July 3rd and 17th, and 31st, and Augusta 14th and 28th.
“The purpose of the sale is to bring local vendors and the community together to shop and support local,” Mandie Ericson, one of the sponsors of the event. “And It’s a way to bring the community together in general.”
“What this last year has taught us is that we are a strong country and small business in America is vital and the backbone of America,” she said. ” We want to keep pushing local vendors and small businesses.”
“For some people, (the COVID-19 Pandemic) negatively impacted them with a lack of farmer’s markets or events to sell at, so we want to attract more people into Bronson as well as help other vendors in need.”
“We are looking for more vendors to make this grow,” Erickson said. “We plan on continuing this every year!”
“Bronson is centrally located so we are trying to bring people in from Allen and Bourbon county to take advantage of our location being surrounded by small towns,” she said.
“So far we have the locker open for retail meats, the antique shop is open, Perry’s Pork Rinds, fresh farm honey, homemade pies, homemade jams, Super Poop and Highway 54 Buildings, and other vendors,” Ericson said.
“A local restaurant, The Chicken Shak offers a 10% discount for anyone that comes, and we match their discount if they have eaten at Chicken Shak,” she said.
According to court records, on May 5, 2021, the City of Fort Scott was presented with a waiver document.
“The waiver that you are referencing has nothing to do with the merits of Ms. Pruitt’s claims,” according to Forest Rhodes, a partner with Foulston Siefkin, Wichita, who was the referral to contact given from the City of Fort Scott. “It is simply a procedural tool that allows the plaintiff to avoid having to engage someone to formally serve the complaint on the City. In a nutshell, the City has agreed to voluntarily accept service of the Complaint, which also allows it to avoid the potential of having service costs imposed against it.”
“In terms of next steps, later this month the City will file an Answer that responds to the allegations in the Complaint,” Foulston said in an email. “Sometime after the Answer has been filed the Court will set a scheduling conference in order to establish a schedule for the case.”
Pruitt has requested a trial by jury, according to the March 21 document.
“It’s too early to know when a trial might be scheduled but the various litigation activities that occur prior to trial often take as much as a year or more, so it’s unlikely that any trial would be scheduled before Summer 2022, although that’s all subject to the court’s determination.”
Shawn O’Brien, president of the Good Ol’ Days Stearing Committee has some good news and some bad news.
“Bad news- our carnival had to cancel due to staffing issues,” he said. “We have been very fortunate to get bounce houses to place on the grassy area north of the blockhouse, east of Luther’s BBQ (at Oak and National Avenue). The bounce houses will be free for all kids. There is a wide variety for all ages. Come check them out.”
The 40th annual Fort Scott event continues on with a parade, foods galore, talent and baby contests, live music, vendors lining Main Street, displays, tournaments, a petting zoo, a zip line, balloonist, and Friday and Saturday street dances- something for everyone.
In addition, there are other freebies:
Vendors lined Main Street in 2017.
“We will have a movie night on Friday and Saturday around 8:30 p.m. at sunset at Skubitz plaza,” O’Brien said. “We will have a different movie each night and free popcorn.”
Movies chosen by a poll on the Good Ol’ Days Facebook page are “Twister” and “Grease,” he said.
Kids can get a free t-shirt.
“We will have tye die t-shirts for the first 150 kids,” O’Brien said. ” Thanks to Modern Woodmen Insurance, Highway3 and Shirt Shack for their generosity.”
“We will also have caricature drawings and balloon artist for free,’ he said.
W. Jackson Tough, 52, is the new Fort Scott Tourism Manager.
“I have some commitments related to my position as the El Dorado Springs, Missouri Chamber of Commerce CEO/Executive Director so I will be full-time as of Monday, June 21,” Tough said. “However, I do plan to attend some functions and meetings to immerse myself into the new position before the start date.”
“I’ve spent quite a bit of time around Fort Scott the past two and a half years since my wife, Michele Love Tough is a life-long resident,” he said. “We reside just south of town, adjacent to the family farm near her parents, Bob and Joyce Love.”
“I’ve spent many years in marketing and promotion, from broadcast media in Springfield to promoting businesses and communities in a rural area.,” Tough said.” I’m a native of El Dorado Springs, Missouri which is just about thirty-six miles east of Fort Scott.”
Tough has been the CEO / Executive Director at El Dorado Springs, MO Chamber of Commerce – from September 2012 to June 2021.
“As the El Dorado Springs Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, I was deeply involved in our community on many levels,” he said.” I participated on many boards and committees; Discover More on Route 54 which promotes the US Highway 54 corridor from Jefferson City to Nevada, the Opera House Theater board which is about maintaining the historic theater and promotion of the arts (especially for our youth), the El Dorado Springs R-2 Schools Capital Improvements Committee, the Spring City Revitalization Group as well as all of the committees through the chamber organization.
“I really look forward to taking an active role in Fort Scott as well!”
“I developed professional networks, created marketing plans for our organization and community, and united business and community leaders,” Tough said. “Along with our members and staff, I developed and coordinated community events including National Day of Prayer, Clean-Up El Do Campaign, Annual Excellence in El Dorado Springs Awards Gala and coordinated monthly chamber luncheons for 50-60 attendees.”
“I also developed and implemented tourism activities, attractions, and events including Patriot Parkway – forty-eight US flags (on 48 utility poles) along a one mile stretch of US Highway 54 in El Dorado Springs, Spring City-Wide Sale, Labor Day Weekend 100 Mile Sale from Camdenton to Nevada, Spring City Spooktacular is a Halloween event that draws hundreds to the community, Christmas Parade, Lighting Celebration, and our annual Holiday Expo among others.”
“I Initiated and coordinated community betterment projects, published a weekly e-newsletter, and I’m the primary administrator for our social media and press releases,” he said.
Before that, he was the marketing and events director for Spring City Revitalization Group (El Dorado Springs, MO) from October 2006 to August 2012.
In this job he developed and coordinated marketing and events for downtown revitalization including grants, an annual chili cook-off, summer concert series, and more, he said.
From 1999 to 2005 Tough was the station and sales manager for Clear Channel Communications (Springfield, MO).
In this position, he designed marketing strategies and promotional events with staff on behalf of clients to increase their business revenue and market share, as well as managed daily sales operations for US97 and ESPN 1400. He was also an on-air personality and voiceover production.
Tough attended El Dorado Springs, MO R-2 Schools, and Missouri State University.
Tough has a new bride, Michele Love Tough, two daughters in college, both studying in the medical field, two “bonus” daughters, one in El Dorado Springs and one in Frederick, Maryland and three grandsons.
“I see a lot of opportunities here and I believe Fort Scott has so much to offer visitors! ” Tough said. “I know quite a bit about the community but I also believe I bring “fresh eyes” to the community and to our tourism.”
Financial assistance and sliding fee discounts are available to eligible patients, as stated on the front door of the CHC/SEK Clinic in Fort Scott.
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Fort Scott, is still in the planning stage of the new site they purchased, the old Price Chopper store at 2322 S. Main.
“Planning on the renovation of Price Chopper is going smoothly,” Krista Postai, CEO and president, said. “It will have walk-in care along with regular medical clinic space and diagnostic, including x-ray, CT-scanner and bone density diagnostic equipment, offices for behavioral health/addiction treatment staff and other support staff and a drive-through pharmacy.”
Krista Postai. Submitted photo.
“No start date for renovation, as of yet,” Postai said.
“To help offset the expense of renovation, CHC/SEK was the recipient of a $1.1 million federal grant through the American Rescue Plan,” she said. “A large portion of the diagnostic equipment will also be covered by an $11.3 million grant that CHC/SEK received through the American Rescue Plan for Health Centers program.”
New Family Physician Is Added
“Dr. Sarah Bradshaw, a board-certified family physician with additional training in treating allergies will be joining the Ft. Scott Medical Staff in June,” Postai said. “Dr. Bradshaw is a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Medicine and completed her residency in Family Medicine at the University of Missouri of Kansas City. She also has a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Kansas School of Public Health. She was formerly employed by Allen County Regional Hospital.”
“Her time will be initially split between Iola and Ft. Scott,” she said. ” Her schedule is now being finalized and more details will be available this week.”
Bourbon County Arts Council’s annual art walk is seeking artists to display their work.
The annual art walk is on June 25 from 5-8 p.m. at the Liberty Theater/Crooners Lounge patio 113 S. Main Street.
“Items sold must be creative, original pieces, no national companies,” said Deb Anderson, spokesperson. “Artists are responsible for their own display needs and setup.”
The BCAC Wine Stroll in 2017
The mission of the council is: To foster, promote and increase the knowledge, appreciation, and practice of the arts.
The cost to display/sell their art is $15 for non-member of the council, free to council members.
Food and drink for the art walk is available to purchase from Crooner’s Restaurant.
In the event of inclement weather the event would be canceled, Anderson said.
For more information contact Anderson at [email protected] or 224-8650 or Terri Floyd at 224-7221.
Current members of the council are Anderson, Floyd, Cindy Bartelsmeyer, Elaine Buerge, Bre Eden, Steve Floyd, Deb Halsey, Laura Meeks, Linda Noll, Tedena Tucker, and Chris Woods.
“The Legend of Mulan” production will be featured on May 28 and 29 at Fort Scott High School. This is the first “normal” drama production of the school year, according to FSHS Drama Teacher Angie Bin.
The playwright, Kathryn Schultz Miller describes the show as an epic journey over mountains, rivers, through hills and valleys of fear and courage and human emotions of a girl who wants to make her mark and leave the world a better place, according to Bin in a press release.
Angie Bin from her Facebook page.
For two weeks, 40 students, first through ninth grade, have spent preparing for the production.
Performances are at 7 p.m. on May 28 and 2 p.m. on May 29 at the
Fort Scott High School Auditorium.
The character of Mulan is played by 8th grader Ashley Cannon. Other notable characters include Captain Cheng, portrayed by freshman Mykael Lewis; Pika the Rabbit played by 6th grader Abel Chaplin and 7th grader Chrislen Newman; Imoogi the Dragon played by 7th graders Izzy Budd and Ana Rupprecht; and Momo, the Emperor’s Assistant, played by freshman Kaiden Clary, according to the press release.
The camp and show are directed entirely by FSHS Thespians.
FSHS Senior Christina King is the director, assisted by sophomore Regen Wells who also serves as stage manager and choreographer Kinsley Davis, a junior.
Technical staff include sophomore Lexi Hill – lighting designer, senior Khris Patel – sound designer, senior Breena Cox – music
director, sophomore Silvia Moreno – props and set designer, and junior Izzy Carreno – music operator. Many other Thespians serve as acting coaches and leaders.
Adults are $8 and children are $6. There may be tickets available for purchase at the door, but seating is limited. Masks and social distancing are required. Doors open 30
minutes prior to showtime.
About Drama Camp
Campers learn all aspects of performing. From Facebook.
Teacher Angie Bin started Tiger Drama Camp in 2014 as a way to teach younger children about the art of theatre both on the stage and behind the scenes.
“Several years ago we decided to expand the camp into a full production,” she said. “The first week is focused on introducing students to ways to use their bodies and voices on stage and how to design the technical elements of the theatre such as lighting, sound, costuming, make-up, and set design. The second week is focused on technical and dress rehearsals to prepare for the public performances.
“The camp is led by high school drama students who also utilize the production as a fundraiser to assist them in traveling to the Kansas State and International Thespian festivals or Broadway Tours in New York City,” Bin said.
“We have found that holding drama camp at the end of May is ideal as it does not interfere with other recreational activities or high school camps,” she said. “It also allows our high school drama students to begin designing the set and costuming before the school year ends. It is a great way for the students to jump-start their summer activities.”
The COVID-19 Pandemic affected how Bin taught drama students.
“We were initially set to produce ‘The Legend of Mulan’ last summer, but were unable to due to the pandemic,” she said. “Our performances this year have been very different from our normal production year.”
“We decided to shift our musical from the fall to the spring this year and were unable to hold our annual children’s Christmas show,” Bin said. “Our fall production was ‘The Monologue Show (from Hell)’ which allowed our students to rehearse in small numbers and as students were quarantined, they were able to still participate by video or through Zoom.”
“Instead of mounting a full-scale musical in the spring, we opted for a musical revue with individual solos and small group numbers and performed it in conjunction with our annual ‘Royal-Tea Party.’ ‘The Legend of Mulan’ will be our most normal production of the year, although students and audience members will still be masked.”
Upcoming FSHS Drama Events:
FSHS Musical Auditions – Aug. 30 – 31 at 7 p.m.
Ranked the Musical – Nov. 9, 11, 13 at 7 p.m.; Nov. 13 at 2 p.m.
Children’s Christmas show auditions: Nov. 15 – 16 at 6:30 p.m.
Children’s Christmas show performances: Dec. 10- 11 at 7 p.m., Dec. 11 at 2 p.m.
Voters at Bourbon County Clerk’s Office in a prior election…
Next Tuesday, June 1, is the last day for candidates to file for the upcoming Bourbon County elections. The deadline is noon.
“We have the paperwork for anyone wanting to file,” Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk said.
As of May 25, the following have filed to run:
For the Fort Scott City Commission – Matthew Wells and Michael Hoyt.
For the Bronson City Council – Clearsia Botts.
For Uniontown Mayor – Bill Marlow.
For Redfield Mayor – Wilma K. Graham.
For Redfield City Council – Kirby Martin and Michael Beerbower.
For Mapleton Mayor – Ronald B. Burton Jr.
For Mapleton City Council – Mike Blevins and Homer Wisdom.
For USD 234 Position #4 – David Stewart
For USD 235 Position #6 – Tyler J. Martin
For FSCC Board of Trustees- John Bartelsmeyer and Bill Meyer.
The following is information for the 2021 Bourbon County Election and the positions up for election supplied by the county clerk.
All the filing deadlines, for each entity, is noon June 1st, 2021.
The filing location is the Bourbon County Clerk office, 210 S. National, Fort Scott.
The General Election will be on November 2, 2021.
In the city of Fort Scott, there are three city commission members, two of which are for four-year terms and one for two years. The filing fee is $20 or petition signed by not less than 25 qualified electors of Fort Scott and state filing fee of $50.
If more than 9 qualified candidates file there will be a Primary on August 3, 2021.
Up for election in Bronson is the mayor position and two council members, all four-year terms. There is a filing fee of $20 or a petition signed by no less than 10 qualified electors of Bronson for Bronson.
If more than 3 qualified candidates file for Mayor or more than 6 qualified candidates file for Council, then there will be a Primary on August 3, 2021.
Those positions up for election in Fulton are the mayor and five council members, all four-year terms.
The filing fee of $20 or a petition signed by no less than 5 qualified electors of Fulton.
If more than 3 qualified candidates file for mayor or more than 15 qualified candidates file for council then there will be a Primary on August 3, 2021.
For Uniontown and Redfield the positions of mayor and two council members are up for election, all four-year terms. There is a filing fee of $20 or a petition signed by no less than 20 (10%) of qualified electors of Uniontown for Uniontown.
A petition signed by no less than 10 qualified electors of Redfield for Redfield.
If more than 3 qualified candidates file for mayor or more than 6 qualified candidates file for council, then there will be a Primary on August 3, 2021.
For Mapleton, the mayor and two council members are up for election, all four-year terms.
There is a filing fee of $20 or a petition signed by no less than 2 qualified electors of Mapleton for Mapleton.
If more than 3 qualified candidates file for Mayor or more than 6 qualified candidates file for council, then there will be a Primary on
For the Southwind Extension District, there are 2 positions, both for four-year terms. There is a filing fee of $20.
For the Fort Scott School District, there are three positions, all for four-year terms.
The filing fee is $20 or a petition signed by no less than 50 qualified signatures of registered voters in the position for the USD #234 District.
If more than 3 qualified candidates file for any one position, then there will be a Primary on August 3, 2021.
For the Uniontown School District, there are three positions, all four-year terms.
There is a filing fee of $20 or a petition signed by no less than 50 qualified signatures of registered voters in the position for the USD #235 District.
If more than 3 qualified candidates file for any one position, then there will be a Primary on August 3, 2021.
For Fort Scott Community College there are three positions, all four-year terms. The filing fee is $20.
If more than 9 qualified candidates file there will be a Primary on August 3, 2021.
Any person wishing to file for any office must be a qualified elector of the corresponding city or school district.
If filing by petition, the petition must be turned in within 180 days after the first signature was collected, but no later than noon on June 1st, 2021.
