Mayra and Jose Montanez in front of the building they purchased at 118 E. Wall in December 2020. Submitted photos.
An Overland Park barber’s family was impressed with the homes and brick streets of Fort Scott when they would shop here.
“We have a property in Mound City and drive to Fort Scott to shop,” Jose Montanez said. “We fell in love with the old Victorian homes and streets like cobblestones.”
The family was from Puerto Rico and lived in Boston for some time, he said.
“This kind of felt like home,” Jose said.
“We are excited,” he said. “We started our business 20 years ago, and are excited to start again in Fort Scott.”
“We are hoping, God willing, to provide modern cuts with ‘old school’ vibes,” Jose said. “Old school razor cuts, hot lather shaves.”
He currently owns a barber business in Overland Park, while living in Shawnee.
“There is a barbershop on about every corner, here,” Jose said.
Currently, Fort Scott has no downtown barbershops.
When the family purchased the building for the new shop at 118 E. Wall, in December 2020, they also purchased a home in Fort Scott.
“We are hoping to be here full-time in the spring,” Jose said.
The building at 118 E. Wall that the Montanez family purchased. It is west of the Hole in the Wall Liquor Store. Submitted photos.
“We are going to make Fort Scott our home,” he said.
He, his wife, Mayra, and their daughter, Jay, and son, Giancarlo, will all be moving to Fort Scott.
Jay Montanez giving a haircut at the family barbershop in Overland Park. Submitted photos.
Jay and Giancarlo are also barbers.
Giancarlo Montanez giving a beard trim at the family barbershop in Overland Park. Submitted photos.Photo of Jose Montanez’s barbershop in Overland Park. Submitted photos.A three-chair family barbershop is coming to Fort Scott. This a photo of the Montanez business in Overland Park. Submitted photos.
“There will be a three-chair barbershop in Fort Scott,” Jose said.
“We are tying up loose ends in Overland Park,” he said. “We will be coming to Fort Scott every weekend, also prepping our house to sell (in Shawnee).”
Jose Montanez giving a shave with a straight razor at his family barbershop in Overland Park. Submitted photos.
Lindsay Madison, standing on right, addresses the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Meet and Greet on Jan. 12, 2021.
Business owners and others interested in downtown Fort Scott, met Jan. 12 in the future walk-in freezer space at E3 Ranch and Co. store at 13 S. National Ave.
E3 Ranch and Co. 13 S. National Avenue. Oct. 2020
The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet was hosted by E3 Ranch and Co.
E3 owner Jennifer LaRoche said the room “will be full of the walk-in freezer and meat products” soon. In addition, the storefront of the business will be redone, she said.
The other storefront business spaces at the corner of Wall Street and National Avenue “we are chipping away at construction,” she said.
There are two spaces on National Avenue and one on Wall Street available for retail space, Laroche said.
For more information contact LaRoche at the E3 Ranch store at 13 S. National or Common Ground Coffee Co. around the corner on Wall Street she said.
Business news
Lindsay Madison is the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.
There are three new businesses this calendar quarter in the downtown area, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison said.
“Next week the Star Emporium is opening on Main Street,” Madison said. “Laree + Co is at Wall and National and H Bar Suites is a new vacation rental on VRBO, above the Hole in the Wall Liquor Store on Wall Street.”
Low-interest loans are available for businesses, Madison said.
E-Community Loans are available locally and can be applied for at www.networkingkansas.com, she said.
She said a Youth Entrepreneur Challenge is on for all high school students in Bourbon County. “They must put together a business plan and compete,” Madison said.
Some of those in attendance were given an opportunity to speak.
Fort Scott Interim City Manager Jeff Hancock said candidates for the city manager position have been narrowed down.
The newly reorganized city commission, with Josh Jones as mayor, will work on capital improvements, street improvements, will be sharing “business services” with the Bourbon County Commission, and working on Land Bank possibilities, Hancock said.
Fort Scott’s Economic Development Director Rachel Pruitt said the city has “come a long way” and noted that Diane Striler recently purchased the old Rennett Studio on North Main street, additionally the recently completed Union Lofts apartments on Main Street have 10 of the 25 apartments rented. There are two barbers who plan to open businesses downtown, she said.
Carl Brenner, Chief of Interpretation and Resource Management at Fort Scott National Historic Site, said the fort is doing maintenance projects on seven buildings currently. These are paid for by park user fees, he said.
Since the pandemic began in March 2020, the fort employees have been utilizing online capabilities more. In-person tours are still available and they are planning to have school student visitors at the fort in the near future.
Dacia Clark, Small Business Development Center representative, spoke about the partnership with Bourbon County Workforce and Entrepreneur Resource Center, which is located above the new Star Emporium Storefront at 17 S. Main. Her hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Clark can help new businesses get started and marketing plans for established ones. She can also help with Quickbooks for organizing data.
Beth Nuss spoke on behalf of the Lowell Milken Center For Unsung Heroes Park. She and a citizen committee have worked for several years on the greenspace repurposing. Recently Lowell Milken is providing funds to bring the new park to fruition, and “the goal is to have it done by the all-school reunion in (June 2021),” she said.
Madison said the downtown walking trail, a project of LEAD Bourbon County, is slated for completion by April 1, 2021. The project was funded by the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team.
Madison said a sailor remains are being returned to Fort Scott for burial at the national cemetery on May 29. William Barnett was 21 when he died at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in World War II. She wondered if there were any living relatives who would be interested in the event. Cheney-Witt Funeral Chapel owner Jerry Witt who attended the meet and greet, said Barnett was his second cousin.
Fort Scott Community College President Alysia Johnston.
With COVID-19 prevention measures in place, Fort Scott Community College began spring classes on January 11.
The following is an email interview with FSCC President Alysia Johnston.
Will you give an update on the new semester?
“Classes began Monday and we are always happy to have everyone back on campus. We continue to do our part to help prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.”
“All individuals at all locations are required to wear a face mask while in buildings, or when outside if social distancing cannot be maintained.”
“No outside activities or groups will be allowed on campus, we will re-evaluate allowing outside groups and activities on February 1, 2021 to determine our policy moving forward.”
“All sports will be played this semester, including those that are typically played in the fall, such as football and volleyball. No fans will be allowed at sporting events through February 5, 2021, KJCCC will re-evaluate allowing fans on February 1,2021.”
“We will not have spring break and the semester will end April 30, with graduation on May 1, 2021.”
“We tested all of the residential students for COVID-19, around 350, and so far we have had 11 positives with 95% of the results back. The positive cases and their contacts are being isolated/quarantined.”
Brief summary of COVID 19 measures.
“All students living in campus housing were administered a COVID-19 test by CHC/SEK medical staff.”
“Students living in campus housing arrived and were tested in small groups.”
“Tom Havron, certified contact tracer, coordinated with the county health department to contact students concerning isolation or quarantine.”
“All individuals, at all locations are required to wear a face mask while in buildings, or when outside if social distancing cannot be maintained – individuals should social distance when possible.”
“Administration continues to monitor the Center for Disease Control, Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the World Health Organization websites regularly for updated information on COVID-19 and communicate with Bourbon County Health Department and Bourbon County Emergency Management on current public guidelines.”
“The emergency Action plan is displayed on the FSCC website.”
“We will maintain our COVID-19 dashboard on the FSCC website which indicates number of positive cases, quarantined students, and recovered cases.”
From the http://fortscott.edu/covid19 website:
“FSCC is dedicated to the safety of our students, faculty, and staff. Please view the FSCC COVID-19 Emergency Action Plan and all COVID-19 updates by clicking HERE.”
“Current Confirmed Positive Cases: 13
Number of Students in Quarantine: 10
Total Recovered Cases: 37
*Numbers reflect FSCC students residing in student housing and commuter students*”
How many students have enrolled?
“Enrollment as of January 11, 2021 was 13,351 credit hours, which is down from last year at this time by 10%. We will increase enrollment with late start classes and some concurrent enrollment that has not been entered in the system; however, I believe we will still be down this semester compared to last semester.”
SPARK Grant Received To Help With COVID-19
FSCC received $287,000 on August 18, 2020, from a SPARK grant, distributed from the federal government to the Kansas government and then to the Bourbon County Commission for local distribution.
The college had unplanned expenses related to COVID-19 that were eligible for reimbursement under the SPARK grant, according to Julie Eichenberger, vice president of finance and operation.
The college used the monies for public health expenses such as sanitizing equipment, hand sanitizer, masks, thermometers, etc. she said.
“The grant was also used for technology for distance learning needs to facilitate remote learners, and for technology that gave our employees the ability to work from home,” Eichenberger said.
In addition, dorm capacity was increased to have available rooms for quarantine use, she said.
The Star Emporium staff on duty January 12: front row from left: Ashlin Williams; Vickie Morgan, deli manager; and Kylie Bruner, customer service/marketing manager. Back row: Ruth Cullen, deli employee; Travis Patrick, general manager and Faith Thomas.
The Star Emporium Downtown General Store, 17 S. Main, a new grocery store offering specialty and private label products, will open on January 18 at 7:30 a.m., according to Bill Michaud with BAJA Investments.
Bill Michaud. Submitted photo.
Michaud is the owner of the business.
“One week is left before we introduce ourselves to the public,” Michaud said. “We’re excited too, although it’s tough to tell because we’re all growing tired due to the long hours and many tasks that we see still between us and being ready to open.”
The hours of the store will be 7:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, on Sunday hours are from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Shelves are being filled on January 12 in preparation for the Star Emporium opening on January 18.
“We are going to try to carry as many products as feasible to give shoppers as much variety as we can,” Michaud said.
“We are going to open with about 2/3 as many items as we expect to have down the road,” he said. “We will grow our offering in the next several months to meet the needs of our regular customers.”
The store will feature a salad bar and deli that utilizes many fresh local ingredients, he said.
“The salad bar and deli will also open on the 18th,” he said. “The deli will offer build-your-own deli sandwiches with our unique selection of deli meats and cheeses and a variety of bread alternatives. The salad bar will have about 30 salad topping and ingredient options including signature house ranch and vinaigrette dressings.”
Currently, the store has 62 feet of freezer space, a basic selection of dairy and cheese items, produce, along with both fresh and frozen meats,” Michaud said.
The coolers are being stocked at the Star Emporium in preparation for the opening January 18.
The store general manager is Travis Patrick. He said 10 employees are needed and eight have been hired currently.
Travis Patrick works at a temporary workspace on January 12 at the Star Emporium.
The phone number of the store is (620) 644-4414. For more information see its’ Facebook page.
BAJA Investments was granted SPARK funds in the amount of $450,000 for the project. SPARK grants were a part of the monies given Kansas from the federal government to help with the on-going effects of COVID-19.
The Star Emporium’s new sign, created by Darren Crays of Designing Edge Graphics. Submitted photo.
Standing at the bottom of a wind turbine looking up at the clear Kansas sky.
Jayhawk Wind, the wind energy project in Bourbon County, is in the final stages of development, according to Apex Clean Energy Inc., the developer and owner.
“As contemplated, Apex will need to secure a project sponsor to build Jayhawk Wind, and we believe the project is very well-positioned to do so,” Apex Public Engagement Manager Patrick Chilton said ” We are currently progressing discussions with a potential project sponsor, and we know that Jayhawk Wind is a strong project with proven positive attributes for investors. Apex Clean Energy has a long track record of successfully commercializing its projects, and we look forward to adding Jayhawk Wind to that list.”
“If we are able to secure this partnership, it will allow us to begin project construction in the coming months,” Chilton said.
Jayhawk Wind is located in southwestern Bourbon County and northwestern Crawford County, he said, with about 80% of the project facilities located in Bourbon County, between the areas of Porterville and Hiattville.
“Once construction begins, we will establish a construction laydown yard off the highway and begin upgrading county roads that will be used during the construction phase,” Chilton said. ” We expect that foundations will be excavated later this year, and turbines will begin arriving late summer or early fall. We hope that construction will be complete by the end of the year.”
Maps of the current draft of the project’s design are located in the Girard office at 124 E. Forest Ave.
“Final maps will also be shared with the public when they are ready,” Chilton said. “Once project construction begins, we expect it will take about nine months to reach commercial operation.”
History of the project in Bourbon County
“Apex started developing Jayhawk Wind in 2016 and have continued to develop the project since,” Chilton said. ” In March 2020, the project entered into agreements with Bourbon County, which were updated in the fall of 2020. Since then, we have been working diligently to finalize the required approvals and complete all necessary research and surveys to inform the final project.”
“Despite the challenges of the past year, we made substantial progress in 2020 at Jayhawk Wind,” said Julianna Pianelli, development manager for Jayhawk Wind. “I’m excited about what 2021 will bring, and I am looking forward to completing the final steps to bring this important economic development opportunity to Bourbon and Crawford counties.”
The parcel being annexed is just south of the Peerless facility, highlighted in purple. Submitted photo.
Peerless Products, Inc. , 2403 S. Main, is currently working on an expansion of its Fort Scott facility.
Fort Scott is not only the home office of Peerless Products, but where the company was founded in 1952, according to Allyson Turvey, Fort Scott Community Development Director.
“Our most recent employment numbers, which were updated in Dec. 2019, show Peerless had a total of 410 employees in Fort Scott,” Turvey said. This makes Peerless the city’s largest employer.
“The impending expansion here in Fort Scott just goes to show their continued commitment to our community,” she said.
” We don’t have a lot of details at this time,” Turvey said. “Over the last couple of months, they have been working on rezoning and annexing… lots into city limits.”
The rezoning of the property was on the Fort Scott Commission agenda for Jan.5, 2020, and was approved. The business expansion required rezoning from commercial to industrial.
One parcel is to be annexed into the city limits, one is outside the city limits, according to the request for commission action presented at the commission meeting and provided by Turvey.
“(Fort Scott Economic Director)Rachel Pruitt has been working closely with Peerless on this project and has helped facilitate the rezoning and annexation of the property,” Turvey said. “This expansion has been on the horizon for several years, and she has helped every step of the way.”
The Bourbon County Commission approved the zoning change on Dec. 8, 2020.
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC-SEK) and the local county health department have received the COVID-19 vaccine.
Krista Postai. Submitted photo.
“Each of our clinics did receive the vaccine to immunize medical personnel….our own and any others in the community not covered by the local health department,” said Krista Postai, President and CEO of CHC/SEK. “It is our understanding that staff and residents in long term care (facilities) are being immunized through a federal contract with Walgreens who has received their own allocation of the vaccine.”
“We have exhausted our first shipment of 100 vaccines and are awaiting word on the next shipment,” she said. “We used (these) for our Fort Scott, Pleasanton and Mound City employees along with some other non-CHC/SEK medical personnel.”
“As you may have seen in the media, Kansas does not appear to be faring well in getting their vaccine distributed….although the state says that’s not accurate….it’s a problem, they say, with the reporting system,” Postai said.
“That said, we do anticipate receiving additional vaccine in the communities we serve and will coordinate/collaborate with local health departments, who are also receiving the vaccine,” Postai said.
Postai said she received the following email from KDHE.
“ALL healthcare associated workers, hospital staff and local health dept staff are eligible to receive vaccine right now. This includes dentists, ophthalmologists, EMS workers, home health workers, school nurses, pharmacists, etc.
“If a county has more vaccine and has vaccinated all health care workers in the county, please contact the Kansas Immunization Program at [email protected] and KDHE will help redistribute your extra vaccine doses to another county who still needs more for health care workers.
“KDHE anticipates that additional vaccine doses will arrive weekly in the state. Facilities that received vaccine will automatically receive a separate delivery/shipment for the second dose.
“The Governor’s office and KDHE are working on priorities beyond healthcare workers and long-term care and those will be shared soon. For now, we are asking the whole state to stay in phase 1 and we will move on to phase 2 after all healthcare workers that want to be vaccinated are vaccinated with the first dose.”
“We received 60 doses and have given them all,” Rebecca Johnson, Southeast Kansas Multi-Health Department Administrator said.
“When we know how many more we’ll be getting and when, we’ll be reaching out to whom KDHE instructs us to vaccinate next,” she said. “When we are able to vaccinate the public, we will advertise this in the paper, radio, Facebook and on our website. From the availability chart, it says high-risk individuals are looking at late winter 2021 and all other adults are looking at spring 2021.”
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has instructed local health departments to vaccinate Emergency Medical Service personnel, healthcare and public health workers, she said.
“That’s who we’ve administered to,” Johnson said. ” We received 60 doses and have given them all.”
“In the first category, KDHE has listed Healthcare Personnel, Long Term Care Facility Staff/Residents, and EMS/Frontline Public Health Workers,” she said. “This chart can be found on the KDHE website or folks can go to our updated website: www.sekmchd.com.
From the sekmchd website:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Active Cases | January 6, 2021
Allen County 96
Anderson County 71
Bourbon County 83
Woodson County 27
Please call your local health department if you would like a further breakdown of cases at 620-223-4464.
COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs
When will the COVID-19 vaccine be available?
Currently, the vaccine is only available to healthcare workers and long-term care residents. As more vaccine is made available it will be offered to additional groups.
Please see the Expected Vaccine Availability Status to Population Group (pg 3) put out by the Governor’s office. SEKMCHD receives instructions directly from KDHE about which groups are eligible for vaccination with the vaccine they send to us.
Is vaccination mandatory?
Public Health officials are not mandating vaccination at this time. Your employer may require you to be vaccinated.
Will there be enough vaccine for everyone?
The Federal government has indicated that there will be enough for everyone who wants to be vaccinated.
How much will the vaccine cost?
The vaccine itself is being paid for by the federal government. SEKMCHD won’t be charging a fee. Other places giving vaccinations may charge a fee to administer the vaccine.
Where can I get a COVID-19 vaccination?
Right now vaccine is only available for healthcare workers and long-term care residents. Vaccine will be made available to the public in the spring/summer of 2021. At that time it may be available through the health department, pharmacies, and physician offices. Check this website for further updates.
Do I need to make an appointment to get the vaccine?
No. When the health department receives enough vaccine to give to the public we will host a large event. No appointment will be required for that event.
I already had COVID-19. Do I need to get the vaccine?
It is suggested that you get vaccinated even if you have previously had COVID-19.
How long after I get my vaccine do I need to wear my mask?
You should wear your mask even after being vaccinated. Public health officials will advise when it is safe to go back to not wearing a mask.
I want to get a specific vaccine. How do I do that?
The health department is unable to honor requests for specific vaccines. The health department cannot request specific vaccines at this time. When we are ready to begin vaccination of the public we will let the public know which specific vaccine is available.
USD235 Superintendent Brett Howard. From the district website.
The COVID-19 pandemic mitigation policies of the Uniontown school district were approved by the board of education on November 24, 2020.
“We will not be changing any of our policies/regulations regarding COVID-19 for the second semester,” USD 235 Superintendent Bret Howard said. “Masks are required. We are still doing temp checks at the doors and will be social distancing as much as we can. “
USD 235 returned to in-person classes today, January 5.
The following is the policy the board approved:
USD 235 Board of Education Reopening Plan
(Approved November 24, 2020)
This is a working document and a fluid situation that can change with little warning or notice. For that reason, adjustments to the model of instruction, the requirements for personal protective equipment, and the suggestions listed within this document may change.
Winter Activities Students who choose the Remote Learning option will not be eligible to participate in KSHSAA or School-sponsored
extra-curricular activities.
USD #235 is planning on having all students who feel comfortable using the in-person model.
For those who feel concerned about that context, we are offering the Remote Partnership.
Students in this partnership would be able to transition to the In-Person model with ease.
The Hybrid model will only be used as deemed necessary by the Bourbon County Health Department.
Furthermore, using the Remote Partnership for all students will only be used in extreme cases where students are not allowed to come to the buildings. We hope to be able to provide some advanced warning of the need to transition, but we have not received a clarification on how much notice we can expect.
IN-PERSON
HEALTH
● Visitors-
○ In general, visitors will not be permitted to enter the building. The speaker connected to our door system will be utilized or someone will come to the door to address any situation needing attention from an outside party.
○ Students being picked up from school will be taken to their party at the main entry instead of the visitor entering the facility.
○ IEP meeting attendees will be required to complete the adult screening process and wearing a mask is required while in the building. Failure to pass the screening process by key stakeholders will result in a rescheduling of that meeting.
○ School Parties – At this time we will not allow outside visitors.
○ Lunch Visitors – No lunch visitors allowed.
○ TeamMates Mentoring- No mentors will be allowed.
● Masks-
○ All students and staff are required to wear a mask except when meeting the criteria listed in the executive order (20-68).
■ a. Persons age five years or under—children age two years and under in particular should not wear a face-covering because of the risk of suffocation;
■ b. Persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a face-covering—this includes persons with a medical condition for whom wearing a face-covering could obstruct breathing or who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a face- covering without assistance;
■ c. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, or communicating with a person who is deaf or hard of hearing, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication;
■ d. Persons for whom wearing a face covering would create a risk to the person related to their work, as determined by local, state, or federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines;
■ e. Persons who are obtaining a service involving the nose or face for which temporary removal of the face-covering is necessary to perform the service;
■ f. Persons who are seated at a restaurant or other establishment thatoffers food or beverage service, while they are eating or drinking,provided they maintain a 6-foor distance between individuals (not including individuals who reside together) with only infrequent or incidental moments of closer proximity;
■ g. Athletes who are engaged in an organized sports activity that allows athletes to maintain a 6-foot distance from others ;
■ h. Persons engaged in any lawful activity during which wearing a mask or other face-covering is prohibited by law.
○ Mask Definition-
■ a. “Face covering” means a covering of the nose and mouth that is
secured to the head with ties, straps, or loops over the ears or is simply wrapped around the lower face. A face covering can be made of a variety of synthetic and nature fabrics, including cotton, silk, or linen. Ideally, a face covering has two or more layers.
○ A face shield may be worn in conjunction with a mask, but does not meet the requirements in and of itself.
● Hand-washing or Hand-sanitizing
○ Students must complete one or the other at an interval no less than 1 hour. (20-59)
● Screening- To be completed once per day before entering the building.
○ Adults
■ Affirmation that they have not been in close contact with anyone who has COVID-19.
■ Questionnaire of symptoms – Must exhibit fewer than 2.
■ Has a temperature of less than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
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○ Students
■ We would ask parents to check for symptoms and/or temperature while still at home.
● Please error on the side of caution when possible.
■ Has a temperature of less than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
● Students with a temperature between 99 and 100.4 degrees will be sent to the School Nurse for additional screening
● Social Distancing
○ All individuals are required to maintain 6 ft. of social distancing except for while during in-person instruction in a classroom or while a mask is being worn.
● Isolation of Symptomatic Students
○ Any student who is exhibiting symptoms will be sent to a specific isolation room to be held there until someone arrives to take them home.
○ Staff supervising the student/s will:
■ Maintain 6 ft of social distancing unless emergency medical attention is needed.
■ Wear gloves while touching the student or his/her belongings
■ A mask is highly recommended.
○ COVID 19 Symptoms Screening List
■ Fever (100.4 or higher)
■ Chills
■ Rigors
■ Body or Muscle Ache
■ Fatigue
■ Head-Ache
■ Sore Throat
■ Lower Respiratory Illness (cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing)
■ New loss of taste or smell
■ Diarrhea
● Exclusion from school
○ Students exhibiting 2 or more symptoms without other obvious explanations, will be sent home.
○ Symptomatic and untested
● 10 calendar days have passed since the first date of symptoms AND
● Fever-free for 72 hours without fever-reducing medication
○ Symptomatic and tested
■ Confirmed COVID Negative
● May return to school
■ Confirmed COVID Positive
● 10 calendar days have passed since the first date of symptoms AND
● Fever-free for 72 hours without fever-reducing medication AND
● Released to return to school by the Multi-County Health Department.
○ Asymptomatic close-contact and untested (within 6 ft for 10 or more minutes)● 14-day required quarantine starting at last contact regardless of symptoms.
○ Asymptomatic close-contact and tested
■ Confirmed COVID Positive
● Released to return to school by the Multi-County Health Department. AND
● No less than 10 days from the date of testing.
■ Confirmed COVID Negative
● Must complete 14-day quarantine since last date of contact regardless of symptoms
○ Travel Related Quarantine- Students or staff that have traveled to a location listed on the KDHE Travel Related Quarantine List are required to quarantine for 14 days.
■ List can be found at the following link
● https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/175/Travel-Exposure-Related-Isolation-Quaran
● School Response to Isolation or Quarantine
○ Block off the area until cleaning is complete.
○ Immediately clean all desks, lockers, and workspaces of the person with disinfectant.
○ Immediately identify close contacts (within 6 ft for 10 or more minutes) and collect the following information where applicable.
■ Names
■ Email Addresses
■ Phone Numbers
○ Immediately notify guardians (the individual with COVID must not be explicitly or implicitly identified)
○ 14-day quarantine starts the day after the last contact (next calendar day)
○ Share a list of close contacts with the local health dept. (Rebecca Johnson/ Alice Maffett)
CLASSROOMS
● Use Hand-sanitizer at the beginning of class.
○ Teachers will distribute sanitizer.
● Furniture – Remove excess furniture or items of a nature that makes cleaning/disinfecting difficult.
● Arrangement-
○ Space students with as much social distancing as possible.
○ All students should face the same direction.
○ All students should have assigned seating
● Hygiene
○ Teach and model the following
■ Hand-washing
■ Mask usage and disposal
■ Coughing or sneezing into the elbow
■ No-touch celebrations (instead of high fives or handshakes)
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○ Disinfect after shared usage of spaces or items
● Breaks – We hope to be able to offer opportunities for students to go outside and remove their mask while social distancing. We hope to be mindful and empathetic to the need for students to have a break from wearing their mask.
COMMON SPACES
● Commons Area
○ All staff and students will be required to enter the building at the designated entrances for screening
○ If no screening adult is available, staff will report to the screening station at 7:30
● Hallways
○ Hand-sanitizing should be done prior to leaving.
○ Students will move through the hallways directionally in accordance with posted signs to access other spaces and limit bidirectional traffic.
○ Students will travel down the center of the hallway to limit touching of the wall/ lockers or interaction with other students.
○ Social Distancing should be maintained
● Lockers
○ Locker access will be limited as determined by the administration.
● Restrooms
○ Hand-sanitizing should be done prior to leaving the room.
○ Social distancing should be maintained
○ Students waiting to enter should not lean against the wall.
○ Custodial Staff will frequently clean handles, faucets, partition latches
● Cafeteria
○ Breakfast
■ Grab-and-go format available as students enter for those interested in participation.
■ Students will take their grab-and-go breakfast items to their homeroom/1st-hour class as they enter the building
■ Regular pricing per the Free and Reduced Lunch Application form will be applied.
○ Lunch
■ Hand-sanitizing should be done prior to entering the cafeteria.
■ Social distancing should be maintained. Students are only allowed to sit in designated seats.
■ Space in the cafeteria and commons area will be utilized.
■ Students will be served by kitchen staff instead of serving themselves.
■ Masks are not required while eating.
■ Tables should be thoroughly disinfected after each group of seated students
■ Regular pricing per the Free and Reduced Lunch Application form will be applied
● Playground-WBE
○ Hand-sanitizing should be done prior to leaving the room.
○ The playground will be divided into 4 quadrants. Students will play in their designated space during their recess.
○ Quadrants will rotate on a weekly basis.
○ Limited playground equipment will be available and be cleaned after recess sessions.
○ Hand-sanitizing should be done prior to entering the building for lunch
● Library-WBE
○ Hand-sanitizing should be done prior to entering the library and also before leaving.
○ Books must remain at school.
● Specials-WBE
○ Art, Music, Guidance
■ Staff will travel to the students or use an outside space.
■ Supplies cleaned between uses.
○ PE
■ Outside when possible, inside the gym as needed.
■ Supplies must be cleaned between uses.
TRANSITIONS
● Arrival
○ Buses and parent drop-offs will not be allowed prior to 7:40
○ Temperature screening of all students and staff
○ Must be less than 100.4 degree Fahrenheit
■ Isolation to the conference room if needed.
○ Students will go directly to class
■ Grab-and-Go Breakfast available to be consumed in the classroom
● During the day
○ Teachers will open and close the classroom doors to:
■ Aide in the supervision during transitions
■ Monitor directional hallway traffic and social distancing
■ Minimize contact spread opportunity on door knobs/handles
○ Social distancing should be employed
○ Travel directionally in hallways per posted signage
○ Hand-sanitizer upon entry of each new space
● Dismissal
○ Staggered release by cohort
FACILITIES
● Hand Sanitizing Stations
○ Main Entrances
○ Office Spaces
○ Cafeterias
● Signage
○ Directional Signs in Hallway
○ Social Distancing Markers
■ Cafeteria
■ Main Entrance
● Trash
○ Bags replaced daily by custodians wearing both gloves and a mask is highly recommended.
● Ventilation
○ Full-time use of ERV to constantly introduce outside air.
○ Ion scrubbers in HVAC systems
● Water Fountains
○ Water-bottle filling station utilized
○ Drinking fountain will be turned off and not be available
● Custodial Disinfecting
○ Fogging Disinfectant Daily
○ Touchpoint Cleaning- Daily
■ Doors/ Handles
■ Restroom Fixtures
■ Water Fountains
● Grounds and Exterior Surfaces
○ Playground Equipment (limited)- cleaning daily
○ Touchpoint cleaning on high-touch surfaces of playground structures
● Building Access/Use by Outside Group or Individuals – By Administrative Approval Only
FOOD SERVICE
● Breakfast
○ Grab-and-Go
○ Students eat in the classroom
○ Waste retrieved at 8:30 am by custodial staff
● Lunch
○ Hand-sanitizing before entering the cafeteria
○ Served lunches by the kitchen staff
○ Assigned seating that is social distanced
○ Disinfect tables/ seats between uses
● Vendors
○ All vendors must complete the screening requirements before entry.
TRANSPORTATION- BUS
● Sanitization- after each route
○ High touchpoint areas (rails, seat tops, etc.)
○ Vacuum seats
● Students
○ Assigned Seating
○ Hand-sanitizer for students entering buses
○ Social distance to the greatest extent possible
○ Masks are required.
● Drivers
○ Complete employee health screener prior to the 1st route of the day.
○ Masks are required.
● Screening
○ Daily temperature screening will be conducted when the bus arrives at school.
○ Students exhibiting symptoms of a fever of greater than 100.4 degrees will be sent home.
● Parent Drop-off/ Pick-up
○ WBE
■ Entry
● Students/ staff will enter through the East gym entrance
● Parents or other visitors will not be allowed entry unless for a pre-approved meeting.
● Staff will complete temperature screening upon entry.
● Guardians are asked to not pull away until this screening has taken place.
● Grab-and-go breakfast available
■ Exit/ Release
● All parent pickups will happen through the East gym doors.
○ UHS
■ Entry
● Students arriving who have not been transported by the bus will need to enter the East entrance (JH/ Board Office Entry).
● Temperature screening will be taken at the entry doors.
● If the student is being dropped off, please do not pull away until screening is complete.
■ Release
● Students will be released in a staggered format to limit hallway congestion.
● Students will need to abide by directional hallway rules during release.
The book Russell Wilson co-authored with William Hedlund. Submitted photo.
One 91-year-old man is not letting age stop him from fulfilling a life-long dream.
A former Fort Scottian has published a book, In His Own Words: The Harold Hughes Story.
“The book is co-authored by my father, Russell Wilson,” said Connie Wilson. “He is a robust 91-years-old and he and my 91-year-old mother live in the house they have lived in since 1964 in Des Moines, Iowa.”
“It was a lifelong dream to write a book so that others could know the man he knew so well,” his daughter said in an email.
Russell Wilson. Submitted photo.
Wilson was friends with and then worked for Iowa Governor and U.S. Senator Harold Hughes for years, he said.
“Hughes evolved from a troubled alcoholic to become one of the most respected, effective, and humane political leaders in the United States,” Wilson said.
“I write to you because I think some folks in my hometown who remember me or know about Hughes’ legacy might
be interested in knowing about the book,” Russell Wilson said in an email.
“During my time as a pastor at the Church of God in Ida Grove, Iowa, in the 1950s, I met Harold Hughes and we began a lifelong friendship.”
In 1964 Wilson was asked by then-Governor Hughes to work on the Iowa Board of Control for State Institutions.
“I worked with him for four years in that capacity and we remained friends until his death,” Wilson said.
“It has been my longtime dream to write a book revealing the character of this man as I knew him.”
Russell Wilson’s Remembrances of Fort Scott
Russell Wilson sent memories of his life in Fort Scott.
His parents were George and Ina Wilson, and they lived at 124 North Broadway.
“I went to Eugene Ware Grade School and graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1947, as well as attending a few classes at the community college,” Russell Wilson said in an email. “My
contemporaries would know me as ‘Guss’ Wilson.”
His parents were born and raised in Fort Scott, and Russell and his sister, Jeanette, were raised here as well.
“My maternal grandparents, Chick and Sadie Riley, were also born and raised in Fort Scott, as was my paternal grandmother, Clara Wilson.
“Chick (also called Jessie) ran the barbershop on the main street. My father’s sister, Gladys Wilson, also lived in Fort Scott and was married to District Judge Harry Fisher when she died.
“My dad was a pressman at Standard Advertising and also worked for the local Heraldette newspaper.
“My mom also worked for those businesses and ran a letterpress that imprinted fans and other advertising products.
“My oldest daughter is a graphic designer and inherited their love of printing. When my mom was almost 100 years old Connie would take her to the printer just so she could smell the ink on the presses. Mom said it brought back wonderful memories of her days in the print shops in Fort Scott.
“For a few years, my mom ran the Country Kitchen Restaurant on the east end of town. She made the best curly french fries! Some folks might remember the restaurant and the fireworks stand and carousel that were next to it in the summer.
“My folks were lifelong members of the Church of God.
“Growing up I remember a lot about the Frisco Railroad and it was a big part of my life. We lived at 125 North Broadway, about a block from the roundhouse. As a junior in high school, I worked as a crew caller on the railroad. From 10 pm to 6 am it was my job to wake the crews and let them know when their trains were scheduled to arrive or leave. I also sold magazines and candy bars to the soldiers on the troop trains during WWII.
“I went to Fort Scott High School. Some of my contemporaries might remember me as Guss Wilson. I had a dance band called the Guss Wilson Band and I played football during my senior year. And I remember spending a lot of time in the summer at the local swimming pool.
“I remember the Fort. In fact, a photo that my mother gave to the current museum of my great grandfather as a soldier on horseback provided the dimension reference needed to determine the correct measurements for the horse barn. I believe that photo hangs in the museum today and was made into a postcard that the Fort hand out.
“I left Fort Scott after graduating from high school and went to Findlay College in Findlay, Ohio where I met my wife, June. After we were married in Fort Scott in 1949, we moved to Shambaugh, Iowa, where I served as a pastor at the Church of God and where our first child, Connie, was born in 1952.
“June and I have been married for 71 years and have raised our 4 children—Connie, Bruce, Clarice, and Kristin—in a number of towns in Iowa. We currently live in our home in Des Moines. My mother, Ina, lived here in Des Moines until her death at 100 years. We have three grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.”
Helen and Chubb Bolling, owners of Bronson Locker. Submitted photo.
The Bronson Locker is USDA inspected meat. From their Facebook page.
Bronson Locker, 504 Clay Street, Bronson, KS has been expanding during the COVID 19 pandemic.
“We have had an overflow of work,” said Helen Bolling, who along with her husband, Raymond, known as Chubb, owns the meat locker. “We have had to put on more employees. We expanded our business. A new cooler, a new processing room.”
“People are buying local meat,” Bolling said. “People are wanting farm-raised meat. We are USDA inspected.”
Several Bourbon County meat producers provide meat to the locker, she said. J.D. Russell and Kevin Gleason from the Redfield area; Ryan Tuchscherer, Fort Scott; Henry and John Ericson, Hiattville all provide meat to Bronson Locker, to name a few, Bolling said.
They have spent a large amount of money to expand their meat locker business that processes beef, swine, sheep, and goats, Helen said. During deer season they add deer processing too.
From their Facebook page.
The waiting list to process beef is up to Dec. 2021, Helen said.
“We are accepting deer anytime,” Mandie Ericson, wife of Helen’s grandson Garret, said.
Mandie and Garret hope to buy the family business from Chubb and Helen someday, Mandie said.
They do not sell deer meat, they merely process it.
Currently, Mandie is the supervisor, Helen said.
Mandie Ericson, Helen and Chubb Bolling and Garret Ericson at the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Forks and Corks Event 2019 at the Riverfront Event Center. The Bronson Locker has won the Taster’s Choice Award at the event for two years in a row. Submitted photo.
From the Bronson Locker Facebook page:
“For people discouraged about the waiting list for beef appointments…
“It is always a good idea to… call and check regularly. We want your business as much as you want to sell your beef or stock your freezers.
This week we were able to work seven people up off the waiting list. This week alone. Don’t feel discouraged we will make sure we take care of as many of you as we possibly can without sacrificing quality.
“Thank you to the farmers and families for all of your continued support.”
They are currently selling beef bundles at 25 pounds for $100.
“They average $4 a pound for this farm-raised beef,” Helen said.
The locker is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be contacted at 620-939-4575.
Family Owned and Run
They have twelve full-time and two part-time employees, all from Bourbon County, she said.
This is a family-owned and family-run business and 10 of the employees are family.
Besides Chubb and Helen, their son Mike is a butcher. In addition, Amber Ericson, their daughter, works at the locker when she is not teaching school at West Bourbon Elementary School in Uniontown. Helen’s nephews Jesse, Robert and Jim Kuns, the Bolling grandchildren Mandy and Garrett Ericson, and another grand-daughter in-law, Tyler Ericson, all work at the locker.
In addition, they have a long-term employee, Tom Bradbury, technician, “who keeps us up and going,” Mandie said.
The family has purchased some of the buildings adjacent to the locker and have opened an antique store on the main street of Bronson as well.
The Bollings own several adjacent buildings to their locker business. Submitted photo.Chubb and Helen Bolling added an antique shop in an adjacent building. The shop is named THAM Antiques after Tyler, Helen, Amber and Mandie. Submitted photos.
A view from the window of a Union Loft apartment. Submitted photos.
Union Lofts Apartments, 20 S. Main in downtown Fort Scott, will be available to move into in mid-January 2021.
The building has been under demolition then reconstruction since 2018, at the corner of 1st and Main Streets.
Tony Krsnich, Flint Hills Holdings, (located at 7301 Mission Rd, 326 Prairie Village Campus, Prairie Village) is the developer.
Twenty-five apartments fill the three-story historic building, and eight have already been leased.
Some of the perks for living in them?
“The tenants will be living in a newly renovated historic building,” said Mandy Maples, Flint Hills Holdings Vice President of Operations. “There will be a courtyard area with seating and a BBQ grill, indoor workout facility, every apartment is uniquely designed.
No two apartments are the same. Every apartment is unique and holds its own personality.”
Bathroom of an apartment. Submitted photo.
Courtyard of the building. Submitted photos
Kitchen of an apartment. Submitted photo.
Residents may move in the middle of January and there are apartments available for leasing now, she said.
Applications can be picked up at 8 East First Street, at the apartment building across the street.
Flint Hills Holdings Group was established in early 2014. FHHG specializes in historic preservation and multifamily developments. FHHG has developed over $100MM of real estate in Kansas and Missouri since its inception in early 2014 and currently works in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Iowa.
The Craw-Kan Cooperative space is seen on the backside of the Bourbon County Courthouse. The county commission has leased Craw-Kan two cells from the former jail. September 2018 photo.
Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative Inc., Girard, is working on multiple projects in Bourbon County to provide fiber-optic lines for internet services.
Craw-Kan Telephone serves Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, offering high-speed fiber optic internet, cable TV, and telephone service in its’ service area, according to its’ Facebook page.
Work began on a new hub for Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative on South Judson Street in late 2018.
“We are continuing to build fiber to non-cooperative member areas in the southeast side of the city of Fort Scott,” Zach Adams, Craw-Kan Marketing Manager said. “These are homes and businesses where we have not been able to provide services in the past.”
“The goal of our Fort Scott project is to provide 100% fiber-optic coverage in the city limits,” he said. ” The west side of US 69 HWY is complete and we are currently working on the southeast quadrant of the city. We will also connect some residences outside but adjacent to the city.”
“We are subcontracting Jim Radell Construction, Pittsburg, for construction on the southeast quadrant of the City of Fort Scott,” Adams said. “They have multiple crews working in the area. We also use multiple Craw-Kan employees in the construction and installation process. There are two or more repair and installation technicians assigned to the Fort Scott territory at any given time.”
Craw-Kan began the Fort Scott overbuild in 2017 and completion is estimated to be in 2021-2022, Adams said.
Uniontown Project
Conduit for the Craw-Kan Fiber Optic project. in March 2020 in Uniontown.
“The other large project in Bourbon County is the upgrade to the Uniontown (756) phone exchange,” he said. “This project will be replacing copper phone and DSL lines with fiber-optic lines that will bring maximum reliability and gigabit internet speeds to 100% of Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative members in the Uniontown exchange…The project will upgrade 100% of existing Craw-Kan members to fiber-optic connections to the home.”
“For the Uniontown project, Bob Hull Inc – BHI was with bid winning contractor doing the fiber upgrade construction,” Adams said. “They will be using multiple crews to complete the work.”
The Uniontown project was started in 2020 and is expected to be completed in 2021, he said.
Cost of the project
“Craw-Kan has invested several million dollars over the last four years into upgrading the connections of our cooperative members in Bourbon County as well as bringing new fiber optic services to the City of Fort Scott and surrounding areas,” Adams said.
