Brian Allen works as a teacher’s aide in an automotive technology class at Fort Scott High School. Because of a special interest in history, Allen sponsors the high school history club that meets monthly.
He is also president of the Bourbon County Historical Preservation Association.
Because of this love of history and wanting to create interest in the students, he started telling stories of local murders during a period of the late 1800s in Bourbon County.
“I started researching stories for the high school kids in history club (at the school) and found that they liked a good murder mystery or story,” Allen said. ” I did 30 years’ worth of short stories and asked Fred Campbell (a local historian) to proof-read it for me. When he finished he insisted that I have it published.”
“The name of the book is Murder and Mayhem, and covers Bourbon County murders that occurred between 1868 and 1898,” he said.
“I never thought about doing it, but (Campbell’s) enthusiasm pushed me to go ahead and look into it,” he said. “This is the first book I have had published, but I do have three more manuscripts completed and am working on a fourth.”
“It was published in December of 2020 and was printed by SeKan printing here in Fort Scott,” he said. “Don Banwart designed the cover, and I included a photo of the original courthouse on it. It took me about a year to write it as it was never my original intention to publish it. It is available at the Hedgehog Ink as well as the (Fort Scott) Chamber of Commerce.”
Hedgehog INK is a bookstore at 16 S. Main and the chamber is located at 231 E. Wall.
“My future books will be about World War 1, a second murder book, and other crime and punishment stories in Bourbon County,” he said.
Allen also volunteers as a member of the Fort Scott Street Advisory Committee.
He graduated from FSHS in 1985 and graduated from Fort Scott Community College.
Allen is married and has three children and four grandchildren.
There is a new mayor and president, and city manager for the City of Fort Scott in the past week.
Josh Jones was selected to replace JoLynne Mitchell on the Fort Scott City Commission on December 1, 2020.
Jones became the mayor on January 7, 2021, with Kevin Allen selected to be president, according to the City of Fort Scott commission minutes. Allen was sworn in on Jan. 2020 to the commission.
The other city commissioners are Randy Nichols, Pete Allen, and Lindsay Watts.
New to the community is Jeremy Frazier, who was selected as the new city manager late last week.
The City of Fort Scott has operated under a city commission/city manager form of government since 1975, according to City Commission | Fort Scott, KS (fscity.org) . The city commission consists of a mayor, president of the commission, and three city commissioners. All members of the city commission are elected at-large on a non-partisan basis by the citizens of Fort Scott. The mayor, the president of the commission, and the city commissioners all serve without any compensation.
The Fort Scott City Commission elects the mayor and president of the board annually at their first meeting in January, according to the website.
The mayor, who has the same authority as the other commissioners, presides over the commission meetings, provides the official signature on documents, and represents the city at official and ceremonial functions. In the absence of the mayor, the president of the commission fulfills the duties of the mayor, according to the website.
The duties of the commission are to pass city ordinances and resolutions, establish policies for the city, approve the annual budget, appoint members to city boards and appoint a city manager.
A little about Jones
Jones owns rental houses in Fort Scott and also manages Bourbon County Cars, a local used-car dealership. He is a life-long resident of Fort Scott.
He has been married to his wife, Karen, for 20 years and has twin daughters, Madison and Taylor, who are 20 years old, and one son, David, 15.
A little about Allen
Kevin “Skitch” Allen was selected last week to be the president.
Allen has had a local construction company for 27 years in Fort Scott.
“Everything from construction dirt work to trash roll-off services and porta-potties,” he said. “I also own several buildings and homes in the community that I rent out.”
He is a 1988 Fort Scott High School graduate. He then attended Fort Scott Community College for two years and then earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Pittsburg State University.
He has two daughters, Maddie Thorpe and Jocie Allen, and two granddaughters and a grandson on the way, he said.
The commission hired a new manager last week.
“The commission unanimously selected Jeremy Frazier to be hired as city manager of Fort Scott,” Jones said. “All five commissioners believe Jeremy is the best fit for Fort Scott and we are very excited to utilize Jeremy’s vision and ideas to move Fort Scott forward.”
Jeremy Frazier. Submitted photo.
“Jeremy will start February 1st and (Interim Manager)Jeff Hancock will leave February 3,” Jones said. “Jeff’s leadership and knowledge have been very valuable in the short time he has been here.”
Also new is the sharing of business services with the Bourbon County Commission.
“With the new makeup of the city commission and the county commission we feel like now we have the opportunities to save taxpayers money by sharing services,” Jones said.
“This will be a case by case basis, so we can evaluate each item and come up with what we believe will save the most money for taxpayers. By joining into an agreement with the county on the Finance/Business Manager need, it will save the city roughly $40,000 per year.”
The City of Fort Scott Finance Director Susan Bancroft was hired by the Bourbon County Commission last week to be its’ business manager, part-time.
The City of Fort Scott meets at 6 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of each month in the city commission meeting room at 123 S. Main.
Esthetician Hallie Grillot holds a gift certificate for her facial services. Submitted photos.
Esthetician Hallie Grillot, 20, opened a new business in September 2020.
An esthetician is a workerskilled in givingbeautytreatments, according to the Free Dictionary.
Her business, Pure Skin Esthetics, is located inside Healing Hands Therapeutic Massage and Salon, at 117 E. National Avenue.
“I always had a passion for beauty and wellness so i wanted a career which incorporated that,” Grillot said. “I knew in my heart esthetics would be a great fit for me! It’s a very emotionally rewarding profession. Making people look good also makes them feel good; which in turn, makes me feel good. I love what I do, and it shows through my work. I am lucky to have found a career that I love so much.
Grillot graduated from Fort Scott High School in 2019, then attended Bellus Academy, Manhattan, for esthetics. Her parents are Dale and Vonnie Rickerson.
In addition, she is a full-time student at Fort Scott Community College, working towards obtaining a business degree.
“I perform cosmetic skin treatments, facials ranging from $30- $75- such as hydro, aromatherapy, anti-aging, acne treatment, chemical peels. I also offer body treatments, and waxing.”
For Valentine’s Day, Grillot is offering a “love your skin special.”
“It’s 20% off discount code through the whole month of February – Use the code “LOVE” when book your appointment online!
Jim Harris, Bourbon County Commissioner, District 2.
Bourbon County Commissioner District 2 Jim Harris was sworn in on January 11, 2021.
” I plan on following through with my campaign promises,” Harris said. ” I believe it’s time for the Bourbon County citizens to be heard and for the government to represent the people with respect and provide transparency to our government.”
“I believe we have to visit with folks to fully understand what services they want and don’t want,” he said. “We are hoping to have a town hall meeting in March, if we can get warmer weather.”
“I would like to continue holding town hall meetings this year to give me the opportunity to visit with folks and to understand their concerns,” he said.
He said he enjoyed having a town hall meeting in Gunn Park, but if not perhaps the Empress Event Center, in downtown Fort Scott.
“I hope with our town hall meetings, folks will get involved in a positive way,” he said.
The commission is collaborating with other entities to provide services.
“We are working with the City of Fort Scott and our health care providers to continue providing long-term health care,” he said.
“I am excited that we have a new BEDCO (Bourbon County Ecomonic Development Council) committee with high expectations of moving forward with economic growth. If we can grow and expand our tax base and ensure efficient, responsible spending we can lower our mill levy.”
” We have begun working with the City of Fort Scott with shared services to reduce the cost of operations and to discontinue duplicated services,” Harris said.
“Another area of concern is our infrastructure, mainly bridges, that we must continue to fund and make necessary repairs to keep our roads open. We currently have a ten-year road program and I plan on requesting we put together and ten-year ditching and bridge replacement program with adequate funding.”
Since being sworn in, he has one appointment added.
“To date I have been appointed as a member of the Lake Advisory Committee,” Harris said.
” In closing, I want to express my thanks for the folks that elected me,” he said. “I will always be accessible and be a humbled servant of the folks that are my boss which is the citizens of Bourbon County.”
In an effort to consolidate some business services in government, a business manager has signed on for the county, in addition to her duties at the City of Fort Scott.
Susan Bancroft started January 19, 2021, as the part-time Bourbon County Business Manager.
Susan Bancroft. Submitted photo.
She is currently the City of Fort Scott Finance Director.
Fort Scott City Hall.
“For many years, the city and county have had interlocal agreements in the area of public safety,” Bancroft said. “This has been a long positive relationship meeting the needs of both city and county residents.”
“A couple of years ago a task force was formed and has been researching ways to save taxpayer dollars through shared services between the city and county,” she said. “Recently, the county commission determined there was a need for a part-time business director and approached the city to see if this could be a shared service opportunity.”
In order for the relationship to work, Bancroft agreed to work her regular hours with the City of Fort Scott and an additional 20 hours for Bourbon County.
“My current position is based on a 40-hour workweek so this would be an additional 20 hours per week,” Bancroft said.
The Bourbon County Business Director will initially be responsible for assisting the commission in the development and analysis of budgets and reporting, human-resource-related issues and policy, and also accounts payable and receivable for public works, she said. Additionally, she will be the interdepartmental liaison to build relationships and oversight. Additional duties are expected to be added over time.
Bancroft will be paid $115,000 per year by the city. The county will pay $60,000 to the city for Bancroft’s services, according to the agreement between the two.
The memorandum of understanding between the city and county ends Dec. 31, 2021, with possible renewal.
To view the agreement between the city and county:
“Some may look at this as additional dollars being spent at the county level,” she said. “However, some of the assigned duties will replace expenses already being incurred by the county through contractual services.”
“In addition, the City of Fort Scott will realize approximately $34,000 in savings due to the partnership,” Bancroft said.
Bancroft worked for the City of Fort Scott from 2005-2012 as the finance director and spent two of those years as the assistant city manager/finance director.
From 2012-2015 she worked for USD 234 as the business manager/clerk. In 2015, she took a position with NPC International as their human capital management director until 2019 when she returned to the City of Fort Scott once again, as the finance director.
“HCM encompasses human resources, benefits, payroll, and compliance,” she said. “NPC employed 40,000 employees at the time of my employment.”
“The four years I was in the private sector I missed actively serving the community in which I lived,” she said. “I am excited to use the knowledge I have gained over the past 20 years to evaluate processes, budgets, improve transparency and build relationships between the City and County and its constituents.”
“I strive to see the glass half full rather than half empty, always looking for opportunities to improve,” she said. “One of my favorite quotes by Henry Ford is ‘Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.’ I believe the city and county leaders are working towards this collaboration and look forward to many more opportunities to share services to reduce the burden on taxpayers.”
Bancroft will have offices at both entities.
“The (county) commission is currently working on finding a small space for me,” she said. “I am fortunate to also have the ability to work remotely.”
On February 1, 2021, Jeremy Frazier will begin his service as City Manager for the City of Fort Scott.
After Interviewing multiple candidates, it was clear that Jeremy was unanimously the top choice for every commissioner.
Jeremy will bring a new vision and new ideas at a much needed time in Fort Scott. Every commissioner is excited to have Jeremy come on board and all of us have committed to give Jeremy the tools and resources he needs to be successful in moving Fort Scott forward.
Jeremy brings to this position over a decade of public sector experience. Mr. Frazier has managed cities of various sizes and demographics. From his first position as Assistant City Manager in a charming tight-knit community with a population of 1,800, to his most recent position as the City Manager of El Reno with a population of nearly 20,000, he has developed a strong passion for public service and economic development. He has led full service organizations of up to 170 employees and has managed budgets up to $58 million.
Mr. Frazier takes pride in his work with City staff and the community such as launching various programs between public safety and its residents; conducting organizational assessments and financial audits to insure financial stability and operational efficiencies; and initiating leadership development strategies for City staff with a focus on customer service excellence.
He is described as a goal-oriented, motivated, and energetic leader with demonstrated experience in building strong relationships in diverse communities. Mr. Frazier’s primary focus in Fort Scott will be to execute the vision and mission of the City Commission and to build upon the City’s strong forward momentum while capitalizing on its rich history and culture. He plans to concentrate on economic development, job opportunity expansion, business relations, and infrastructure improvement.
In his spare time, Mr. Frazier serves on various committees such as the University of Central Oklahoma’s Master of Public Administration Advisory Committee, whereby he assists the University in shaping its current and future MPA program and students. He is an active volunteer and active participant in various civic organizations such as Lion’s Club. In addition to serving as a member of the City Management Association of Oklahoma for nearly 15 years, in 2020 he was awarded the designation of Accredited City Manager and has served two past terms as a board member of that organization. He is also a past gubernatorial appointee to the Board of Trustees for a local university. Finally, Mr. Frazier served as a past Board of Trustees member for the Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group, a municipal insurance provider for over 500 cities and towns throughout the state.
Mr. Frazier possesses a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from the University of Oklahoma and a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration from the University of Central Oklahoma. He has served on numerous boards and committees as he is committed to the improvement of his community and his profession. Mr. Frazier looks forward to making Fort Scott his home while serving the community and residents.
The Rennet Studio building is being renovated for new occupants. Submitted photos.
Diane and Dean Striler recently purchased the Rennet Studio building, 6 N. Main, which includes the loft above.
Diane and Dean Striler, owners of the Rennet Studio building, 6 N. Main. Submitted photos.
The building is located between Fort Scott Family Dental and Papa Don’s Restaurant.
They have begun renovating the building for three office spaces.
Renovation of the interior of the Rennet Studio building. Submitted photos.
“We started looking for a downtown building in November and closed the purchase on December 3,” she said.
“The main reason for this purchase is that Dean and I have wanted to invest in the Fort Scott community,” Diane said. “After purchasing our home at Fort Scott Lake in July of 2014, we had often discussed the idea of ending up in Fort Scott as our full-time home.”
“We are living full-time in Fort Scott but still have a home in Lenexa,” she said.
“We feel that there is a lot of potential in the downtown area and see how it is expanding and growing,” she said. “We enjoy the history of the town, the people we have met, and love the quaint atmosphere of the community. We feel that purchasing the Rennet Studio would be a great way to start investing in the community.”
After the Striler’s decided to invest in a downtown building, they looked at a few and then placed an offer on the Rennet Studio, she said.
“Although the main floor of the building had not been occupied for quite a while, we were impressed that the building was in such great shape,” Diane said. “Obviously the owners of the building, the Barnett family, had taken great care of it.”
“It also has a full finished basement that is lined with cinder blocks, had extra cement poured, and has a vinyl floor,” she said. ” We were also very excited about the loft apartment above the retail area. This part of the building really appealed to us because of the tall ceilings, old woodwork, and transom windows above the tall doors.”
Renovation of the interior of the newly purchased building is on-going. Submitted photos.
After purchase, they started working on some exterior repairs to the building.
The new roof portion of the Rennet Studio is completed. Submitted photos.
“We started with getting the front brick power washed,” Diane said. “It was amazing to see the difference in the before and after pictures. The brick on the upper portion of the building had an orange tint to it and now is redder and much brighter. We are waiting to also have some tuck work done to the brick on the upper portion.”
” We have picked out some new paint colors for the front of the building and have submitted them for approval from the City Historic Design Board,” she said. “Last week we had a new roof put on the back portion of the building. That was badly needed and we are happy to have that done.”
The Striler’s are currently renovating the main floor of the building in preparation for new occupants. Submitted photos.
New Tenet Ready To Move In
The main front area of the building will be leased to the Fort Scott Tribune Newspaper, currently at 22 N. Main.
“We have been working with them to update the area they will be in,” she said. “Everything is being painted, we’ve had some trim work to do, and new flooring is being put in. The paper is working on the transition and would like to be up and running in our building by the beginning of February. ”
Additional Office Spaces
“My husband, Dean, will also have an office in the rear of the main floor,” she said. “We were able to close off a wall so that he has a separate entrance to his office.”
“Dean is the Senior Vice President of Sales for Zephyr Ventilation, she said. “The company manufactures residential hoods to go over cooking appliances along with beverage units and wine storage units.”
“We have an additional 700 square feet of commercial/office space that we have available to rent out that will include a break room and restroom,” Diane said.
“Once we complete updating the main level, Dean and I will start working on the apartment loft above,” she said. “We are planning to keep as much of the original woodworking as possible and are going to try to refinish the original hardwood floors.”
Seller’s Market
Diane is a realtor for Front Door Real Estate, with Jared Leek as the broker.
It is a seller’s market, she said.
” I am finding that with the current conditions, I am receiving calls from all over,” she said. “People from other states are wanting to come back to the Midwest for a calmer way of life and are enquiring about the properties that I have listed.”
“Housing is one thing that Fort Scott definitely could use more of, and there is a shortage of what is for sale,” she said.
” As a result, I am trying to find additional properties that are not being occupied, and could be put to good use for a family in need,” she said. “If anyone knows of any properties like this, I would greatly appreciate it if you would reach out to me.”
Diane Striler’s contact: 620-878-3630 or
248-568-7790
The Hare and Crow Barber Shop, 118 S. Main, will be open in the summer of 2021. Submitted photos.
Matt Park,, owner of the Hare and Crow Barbershop, 118 S. Main. Submitted photos.
Matt Park is the sole owner of the new barbershop located at 118 S Main Street, which will open this summer.
Hare & Crow is the name of the business.
“Hare & Crow will be a full-service barbershop offering haircuts for men and boys, beard and mustache trims, and hot lather razor shaves,” Park said. “Our aim is to bring back the barbershop experiences of a bygone era reminiscent of the 1900’s architecture and small-town charm Fort Scott is built on.”
He sees it as also a gathering place for the community.
“This will be a place to sit and chew the fat with friends and neighbors whether you need a haircut or not—loafers are more than welcome,” Park said. “Our space will be comfortable and inviting with a lounge feel for those waiting for their turn in the chair.”
“We plan to sell some retail items; mostly related to men’s hair and grooming, but hope to offer other items such as locally roasted coffee, chocolates, and handmade wood and leather goods from local and regional artisans,” he said. ” We hope to incorporate a curated selection of books, music and art too.”
“I am currently in school at Headlines Barber Academy up in Kansas City, on the Kansas side,” Park said. “It’s a bit of a commute, but it’s the closest barber school to Fort Scott.”
He and his wife, Krista, have three daughters and one son.
“I cut all of their hair and have been known to cut my wife’s hair as well,” he said. “So, women and girls are welcome too.”
Why Fort Scott?
“My wife, Krista, and I both grew up in the Midwest,” he said. ” We met at school not too far from here in Bolivar, MO.”
“Krista spent many summers during her childhood visiting her grandmother in Fort Scott and she had so many fond memories of those visits,” he said. ” In July of 2019, we experienced a loss in the family that left us questioning our distance from family. We spent the majority of our marriage living in the South and were ready to come home.”
“Helen Carson is my wife’s maternal grandmother,” he said. “Helen has lived here most of her life and once owned Helen’s Hilltop Fabrics. Her family has been in the area going back several generations.”
“We wanted to move to a small town where we could raise our four children with a little less noise and start a business that would serve the local community,” Park said. “As we began contemplating a move back to the Midwest, Fort Scott stood out to us as a place to slow down a bit, embrace our heritage here and put down lasting roots closer to family. We moved here in July 2020 from Tennessee and this place already feels more like home than anywhere we’ve lived over the last 15 years.”
Reading a book formed a new business idea.
“About the same time we started talking about moving, I read a book by Wendell Berry called Jayber Crow written from the perspective of a barber in a small town,” Park said. “That story was so formative for me that I began looking into the profession of barbering.”
“When we landed on the decision to move to Fort Scott and realized there was no longer a barber in town, we began looking into schools in the area and I enrolled shortly after we moved to town,” he said.
Why the name Hare & Crow?
“I wanted to tip my hat to Wendell Berry’s book, Jayber Crow, because it was so formative for me,” Park said. “Hare really just started out as a play on words suggested by my brother in-law. I was concerned naming the place Crow’s barbershop might be confusing because my name isn’t Crow. So, I started looking for characters in other stories and when Hare was suggested it just fit the idea of storied characters. It almost has a fable-like ring to it. ”
They are loft dwellers in downtown Fort Scott.
“We bought a building downtown on Main Street, live upstairs and plan to open our shop in the storefront on the ground floor,” he said. “We are eager to open our little shop and become part of the fabric of this community. Once I complete school and receive my barbering license we’ll be ready to open our doors this summer.”
The Bartelsmeyer’s loft apartment is above the Fort Scott Tribune Newspaper office at 22 N. Main.
The local jeweler is relocating his business to downtown Fort Scott.
John and Cindy Bartelsmeyer are the owners of Bartelsmeyer Jewelers, which is currently located at 1519 S. National.
They are moving the shop to 22 N. Main in late spring or early summer 2021.
“We like our current location at 1519 S. National,” John said. “We own the building at 22 N. Main and because we wish to promote the growth and renewal of downtown Fort Scott, we decided to relocate. We believe Fort Scott will soon be the hub of tourism in Southeast Kansas.”
At their new location, the Bartelsmeyer’s will continue selling fine jewelry including engagement rings, wedding bands, anniversary rings, diamond pendants, custom designs, sterling silver jewelry, watches, clocks, and other gift items, he said.
John will continue with jewelry repairs, and an employee will be continuing custom design and engraving.
“Krysta Hulbert does most of the custom designs, she’s a great artist, and (also does)engraving,” Cindy said. “Krysta also does minor jewelry repairs and ring sizing.”
The Fort Scott Tribune newspaper is currently located at 22 N. Main and will be moving to the Rennett Studio building just down the street to the south.
Loft Living Downtown
The Bartelsmeyer’s have been residents of downtown Fort Scott since 2019, she said.
“We have completely renovated the second floor and added a deck and master bedroom, ” Cindy said. “We added an elevator, a garage, and a workshop.”
“The building was purchased in 2014,” she said.
Renovation began in the spring of 2014 and is on-going as there is continued building updates each year.”
They said there are benefits to living downtown.
“We love living downtown,” Cindy said. ” We have beautiful views of from our windows of the continuous activity on Main Street, the Fort Scott National Historic Site, and North National Avenue.”
“We are within walking distance of restaurants, a coffee shop, a bakery, a brewery, a hardware store, great shopping opportunities, the post office, banks, and a new grocery store,” she said. ” We can observe beautiful sunrises from our front east-facing windows and sunsets from our the deck on the west side of the building.”
“The development and renewal of downtown Fort Scott has been fun to watch and we are happy to participate in contributing to the history of our community by the restoration of our building,” Cindy said.
Current jewelry store employees are the Bartelsmeyers, Hulbert, Julie Kibble, Jenna Bond, and Yvonne Holloway.
Bartelsmeyer Jewelry is currently located at 1519 S. National.
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.
