Business, Government, Kansas

Dept. Of Commerce Launches Online Business Magazine

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Kansas Commerce launches KansasCentral.com, an Online Business and Economic Development Magazine

 

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Commerce announces the launch of a new online magazine loaded with news and feature articles on business and economic development topics in Kansas. KansasCentral.com is aimed to keep Kansans and anyone interested in starting, relocating or expanding a business in Kansas informed of topics and opportunities in the state.

“It has been exciting to see so many businesses decide to expand to Kansas or start new operations here in America’s heartland, creating thousands of new jobs,” said Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. “KansasCentral.com will not only keep everyone informed of breaking news of companies locating in Kansas but will share success stories of thriving businesses in our state.”

KansasCentral.com features three main content areas: News, Events and Features.

  • The News section will constantly be updated with breaking business and economic development news, such as business expansions throughout the state and new or updated programs to assist businesses of all sizes be successful in Kansas.
  • The Events section will highlight upcoming conferences, workshops, job fairs, etc. that will be beneficial to entrepreneurs, business executives, employers and job seekers across the state.
  • The Features section will include success stories, video interviews, and articles about programs available through the Department of Commerce and other agencies that will benefit Kansas businesses or those considering locating in the state.

 

WATCH: KansasCentral intro video

 

Both the News and Features sections also offer the ability for readers to easily find information specific to industries they are interested in, such as Aviation, Agriculture, Bio-Science and Energy.

“There are many great stories to tell of why Kansas is the best place in the country to do business, along with a steady stream of good news to share,” said Robert North, Interim Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce. “We hope KansasCentral will quickly become a must-visit website for anyone interested in business and economic opportunities in our state.”

Opinion

Inadequate Prayer by Patty LaRoche

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People who work on taxes are geniuses. So are travelers who understand foreign exchange rates. You’ve met their kind. They read business books as bathroom literature instead of Chicken Soup for the Soul books as I do. As secretary for our condominium board in Mazatlan, I, the lone woman out of seven representatives, have given up trying to engage in conversations about currencies. I stick to my expertise: typing pretty fast and asking the men to dumb down whatever they are saying so I can make the minutes relatively understandable.

Three years ago when I was first elected, I tried to keep up when the former CEO’s discussed these money matters. My bi-line became “I don’t get it.” I don’t get it in the United States, and I sure didn’t get it in Mexico where the taxes and laws and pesos fluctuate like bouncy balls at a Chucky Cheese restaurant.

One year later, I liberated myself. I didn’t have to “get it.” Six men did. They had owned banks and wineries and medical companies and were entrepreneurs in up-start endeavors. Finances are their “thing.”

Mine is communication.

Including sharing Jesus. Not in an obnoxious, judgmental way (like I did as a baby Christian—I grimace when I think of how unbearable I was), but by using humor. For example, more than once I have reminded one board partner that he is moving up my prayer ladder when he uses profanity. He now corrects himself. And we all laugh.

But as we all know, there are times when humor is not the answer. Prayer is, and God has proven over and over that it is the most powerful communication tool He has given me.

Take Frank, for instance. Canadians Frank and Gale were delightful owners at our complex. Frank was a former hockey player and sometimes a tennis partner of mine. He suffered a massive stroke and was taken to a Mazatlan hospital. When I went to visit him, he was belligerent. Gale had stepped out of his room for a few minutes, and he demanded she return. There was no comforting him. This was not the happy-go-lucky Frank I knew.

When I learned that Gale had chartered a plane to take them back to Canada, I felt God nudge me to visit him one last time. There was no response when I asked Frank if I could pray for them, and for a moment, when Frank looked at Gale in panicked silence, the thought that I had over-stepped my bounds crossed my mind. Okay, it didn’t just “cross my mind.” It smacked me upside my head and let me know I had just completely offended two people I cared about. Gale was kind enough to repeat my question, and hesitantly, Frank said yes. We held hands, and I prayed. That was a year ago.

Through their best friends Rich and Carol and my email correspondence with Gale, I learned that things were bad. Frank had been in and out of the hospital and was down to 80 pounds. Recently Carol called me to share that—out of the clear blue—Frank asked Gale if she remembered me praying for them. In Gale’s words, “In our entire marriage (40+ years), we had never prayed. Frank said he wanted to pray. So, we did. And then he asked if a priest could come to baptize him, confirm him, and give him the Last Rights.” Gale made the call.

God took a simple prayer from someone completely inadequate and made an eternal difference. Within a few weeks, Frank passed away.

Risky? Only if I want to think of it that way. In reality, I risk nothing when I offer to pray. Instead, I offer others the greatest gift I can give and then let God do all the work.

(So much easier than explaining foreign currency.)

Business, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Changes Coming To Downtown Fort Scott

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Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Director Lindsay Madison leads the discussions of downtown activities.

The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet gathered Tuesday morning at Papa Don’s Restaurant.

The purpose of the quarterly gathering is to network and share ideas on events, promotions and anything related to downtown.

Downtown businesses and other community members tell about upcoming events and changes. The next meeting will be in October.

Following are the highlights of the meeting:

  • FS Economic Director Rachel Pruitt said the Union Block Building renovation project is progressing, in addition, there are plans for the Stout Building coming down to become a parking lot. The Union project, when completed, will provide 40 apartments and some business spaces.
  • Union Building, First and Main streets, Fort Scott.

    Stout Building, National Avenue and First Street.
  • The Buffalo Grill will have a grand opening for the River Room event center located on its second floor, Saturday, Aug. 11. The event is a week before school starts. Jared Leek is the manager of the business.

  • The Buffalo Grill was purchased in May 2018 by Al Niece.
  • Jared Leek purchased the storefronts at 14 and 16 S. Main, which will be an office for Front Door Realty, owned by Leek,  and a new bookstore, Hedgehog Inc., to open in October by Dick and Jan Hedges.

  • 14 S. Main and 16 S. Main are now owned by Jared Leek.
Repurposing of 14 S. Main has begun.
  • The City of Fort Scott has spent reserve money on development of businesses, City Manager Dave Martin said, adding “We can no longer do that.” Martin also stated he “feels good about the budget next year.
  • July 12 there will be an FS Planning Commission meeting to discuss the current city codes that don’t allow living areas on the first floor of commercially zoned buildings. It is open to the public.
  • There will be downtown outdoor movies, facilitated by Larry Gazaway on 1) July 20-Star Wars Night- people are invited to wear costumes of favorite Star War characters; 2) and August 17-Despicable Me.
  • A music group, The Whiskey Raccoons, will be at the Liberty Theater, hosted by the Bourbon County  Arts Council, Saturday, July 14.
  • Musician Ben Grace will perform at the Boiler Room Brewhaus on July 20.
  • Two art strolls by the Bourbon County Arts Council are offered on 1) July 27-which also includes a wine stroll and concert by Blane Howard and 2) September 14.
  • The Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Parade is Oct. 18; the Fiesta is Oct. 19-21 at the fairgrounds.
  • Fort Scott Holiday Open Houses are November 8 and December 13.
  • Fort Scott Veterans Weekend Celebration is November 10-11. There will be a ball at the Fort Scott National Historic Site.
  • The FS Halloween parade is Saturday, Oct. 27.
  • The FS Christmas parade is December 4.
  • The Homes for the Holiday Tours and Fort Scott National Historic Site’s Candlelight Tour will be Dec. 7-9.
  • Horse-drawn carriage rides will be offered Saturday, Dec. 15, starting at Cheney-Witt Funeral Chapel.
  • Becky Snelson provides nurse massage therapy from Suite 202 of the Shiney Studios, 123 National Avenue and is offering a massage special of $10 off any service in July, she said. She can be contacted at 913-424-8863.
  • Art In the Yard, a new artists event, is September 15 at Bobbi Kemna’s, 1366 215th Street, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Over 20 artists are scheduled to present their wares, Kemna said. She is on Facebook.
  • Gary Palmer can make coupons for businesses to include in trolley tickets envelopes for tourists.
  • The downtown directory sign, on the north end of Main Street, is $100 per year, renewable in July and is available for promoting a business.
  • The Bike-Share Program is providing 10 yellow bikes for residents and visitors for free. Several bikes are located at the Chamber office, 213 E. Wall; Fort Scott Community College-2108 S. Horton; Nate’s Place Restaurant-750 S. National; Peerless Products, 2403 S. Main. Participants must sign a waiver and show a drivers license. If under 18 years old, a parent must be present when the waiver is signed.
  • The Timken Foundation has $55,000 in grants to give away to non-profits according to Lindsay Madison, Chamber director. Grants are given in arts and culture, civic and community, education, health and hospitals, human services and recreation categories.
  • A new ranger has been hired and will be at the Fort Scott National Historic Site (FSNHS) on July 27. His name is Carl Brenner.
  • FSNHS offers Trail Blazer Camps each summer for youth 9-13 years old.
  • July 31 there will be a candidate forum at the Fort Scott High School auditorium. Questions should be submitted to the Chamber before the forum.
  • Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative is constructing fiber optics in Fort Scott and plans to connect in the fall. Craw-Kan will be hosting the Chamber coffee on August 9 and needs to partner with a Chamber member to use their space that morning, since the business does not have an office in the city.
  • There were 100 riders who participated in the Marmaton Massacre Mountain Bike Race at Gunn Park over the weekend. Promotion is needed to promote the bike/hike trails as a year-round activity, Chad Cosens said.
  • Riverfront Park is beginning construction of an overlook of the Marmaton River and Mill Creek, to be completed this fall.
  • Gary Palmer offers printing services for flyers, posters, coupons, etc., with a designer on staff.
  • Smallville Crossfit is offering a lifting competition in the fall.
Fort Scott

Diabetes Support Group at Mercy Hospital

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 Mercy Hospital Fort Scott will host a Diabetes Support Group on Monday, July 16 at 6 p.m. in McAuley Room C. The session topic is “Diabetes basics: Key behaviors to living healthier with diabetes.”

Patty Ryan, Mercy R.N. and diabetes educator, will lead the discussion and share details about options that may work for you.

The support group is open to the public. No registration is required and family members are encouraged to attend. Light refreshments will be served.

To learn more about this topic or other important information regarding managing diabetes, join the Mercy Diabetes Support Group. The group meets the third Monday of every other month. The next meeting date is September 17.

For more information, contact Patty Ryan, R.N., at 620-223-8412.

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Library Offers Fun!

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Mishken Milton enjoys the pool at a previous library pool party.

Submitted by Valetta Cannon Valetta Cannon, Fort Scott Public Library Youth Librarian & Assistant Director

Rock Painting Party and Hunt
Join Miss Val and local rock-painting experts, Susan Carrillo and Dani Norris, for rock painting in the library and hunting for them around the library grounds on July 23, either from 2:30 – 3:30 or from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. You may register online through the following link: https://goo.gl/forms/NxYGIkCqzNyqux0r1 or on paper at any library kids’ program. Refreshments will be served and the party is free to attend.
Harry Potter Teen Summer Reading Wrap-Up Party
Middle and high school students, join Miss Val and Susan Messer at the Fort Scott Public Library on Harry Potter’s birthday, July 31, from 4 – 6 p.m. for a party to wrap up the 2018 teen summer reading program. Games, activities, and snacks will be offered based on themes inspired by the Harry Potter franchise. This party is free to attend.
Summer Reading Wrap-Up Pool Party 
Summer reading attendees, read on to see whether you qualify to attend the wrap-up party at the Fort Scott Municipal Pool on August 7, from 7:15 – 9:15 p.m.
Attendees must meet at least one of the following criteria:
1) Attend at least four summer reading programs and meet reading goals for at least four weeks out of the summer (or have an immediate family member who meets this criterion).
2) Donate to (or be an immediate family member of someone who has donated to) the summer reading program.
3) Volunteer at (or be an immediate family member of someone who has volunteered at) a summer reading program.
Librarian Valetta Cannon submitted this article.
We will swim, snack, and enjoy one another’s company as we wrap up another great summer together. This party is compliments of the City of Fort Scott and the Fort Scott Municipal Pool, with food provided by donors and paid for in part by a grant from our local Wal-Mart, along with bottled water donated by our local G & W Cash Saver. Thank you to all who have helped to make this year’s summer reading program a success!
Obituary

Obituary of Glenn McReynolds

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Glenn A. McReynolds, age 83, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, July 10, 2018, at the Medicalodge of Ft. Scott.
He was born February 19, 1935, in Ft. Scott, the son of Oren J. McReynolds and Fannie Marie Bowers McReynolds.
He married Beverly Combs on April 8, 1962, at Miami, Oklahoma.  She Glenn served with the United States from 1952 to 1956 during the Korean Conflict.
In earlier years, he had been employed by Lotterer’s Furniture Company.  He later served for several years with the Fort Scott Police Department and the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Department.  Following his career with law enforcement, Glenn worked in maintenance at the Medicalodge nursing home.  He was a longtime member of the National Rifle Association.
 
Survivors include a daughter and son from a previous marriage, Linda Kniejski and husband, Dr. Michael Kniejski, of Savannah, Georgia and Dan McReynolds, of Twenty-Nine Palms, California and two grandsons, David and Stephen Kniejski.  Also surviving are several nieces and nephews including Oren (Joyce) McReynolds, Gearold (Glenda) McReynolds, Carolyn Sue (Elbert) Ford, Ida (Tom) Ford, Fannie (Tommy) Roark, Dorothy (Jr.) Blessing, Mary (John) Seal, Helen Watson, Howard Sharp, Harold Sharp, David Eisenbrandt, Donna Eisenbrandt, and very dear friend Joyce Bradley.
His wife, Beverly, preceded him in death on June 24, 2009.  He was also preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Don and Lee McReynolds; two sisters, Marie Davis and Ruby Sharp and a niece, Shirley Howell. 
 
Rev. Dr. Dale Cummins will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Friday, July 13th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery where military honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars.  Memorials are suggested to the Ft. Scott Police Department and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Government

Annual Flushing/Burnout Starts July 16 in Bourbon County

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City of Fort Scott 2018 Flushing/Burnout

Who: City of Fort Scott Water Utility

What: Is initiating our annual flushing/ free Cl2 burnout process.

When: Starting on Monday, July 16 and lasting approximately four weeks.

Where: Fort Scott – this will affect the majority of Bourbon County.

Why: In order to maintain water quality. If this maintenance is not performed in the water distribution system, the water will eventually lose all of its disinfection residual, which could cause water quality to degrade, and could cause the utility of incurring disinfectant residual violations from KDHE.

The Fort Scott Water Utility has commenced the annual flushing program along with a free chlorine burnout of the water distribution system. This burnout is a part of the necessary maintenance of the distribution system which will help maintain the disinfection residual levels required by KDHE. During this flushing and free chlorine burnout, the disinfectant used in our distribution system will be changed from chloramines to free chlorine which is a stronger and faster-acting disinfectant. Flushing and chlorine burnouts are routine distribution system maintenance conducted by utilities with chloramine disinfection.

There are two common types of chlorine used in water treatment for disinfection purposes, combined chlorine (or chloramines) and free chlorine. Chloramines are created by combining free chlorine with free ammonia. A benefit of using chloramines is that they will retain disinfection residual longer in the distribution system and they do not lend themselves in promoting taste, or a “chlorine” taste in the water. Except during a burn out in the summertime, the City of Fort Scott Water Treatment Plant uses chloramines to disinfect the finished water before entering the distribution system. However, chloramines are not as strong of a disinfectant as free chlorine and it can allow certain types of nitrifying bacteria to grow in the distribution system. These naturally occurring bacteria feed on the ammonia found in our finished water. These bacteria are nonpathogenic – they are not a health concern. Nitrifying bacteria which naturally grow in any distribution system when using chloramines can become prolific in warm summer temperatures. They will eventually cause water quality to degrade in the warmer summer months. Also, heat alone is a major factor that will cause disinfectant residuals to dissipate.

This is why surface water systems across the State do an annual or biannual free chlorine burnout. The term burnout is commonly used because free chlorine is a much more powerful disinfectant than combined chlorine. Free chlorine will oxidize nitrifying bacteria and keep it in check.

Fire hydrants will be utilized to allow flushing of the system to help remove sediment from the pipes and distribute the change in disinfectant. Customers may notice City personnel flushing fire hydrants throughout the City during this period. This free chlorine is pulled through the distribution system by flushing the entire system through fire hydrants, blow-offs, and overflowing water towers.

Occasionally during this process customers may temporarily experience low pressures, taste or odors, discolored water, or even some sediment in their water. During the flushing and burnout, you may notice that your tap water tastes different than normal. This is because most people cannot smell or taste combined chlorine in the water, however, most people can smell and taste free chlorine in the water. It could also affect the taste of fountain drinks. If you find the chlorine taste unpleasant, it can be helpful to leave an uncovered pitcher of water sit overnight. This will allow some of the chlorine to evaporate and could help improve taste during this time.

The burnout process normally takes four to five weeks after which we can return to the combined chlorine residual and the excellent tasting water to which we are accustomed. We are extremely fortunate to have such a quality water supply available to us. Quality water helps promote quality of life. Much of the rest of the world is not as fortunate as we are in water supply and water quality.

If you have any questions, concerns, or comments please contact Michael Mix or Scott Flater at the Water Treatment Plant at 223-5160 between 8:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M., Monday through Friday.

Business, Kansas

Wind Farm Offers Sustainability For Business

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New Westar Energy Program, Wind Farm Aims to Attract Large Customers

Kansas Wind Energy Can Attract Businesses Looking to Fulfill Sustainability Commitments.

TOPEKA, Kan. – July 11, 2018 – Tuesday the Kansas Corporation Commission approved a new program that gives businesses in Westar Energy’s service area access to competitively priced renewable energy. With the approval of the program, Westar announced it reached a 20-year agreement with an affiliate of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC to purchase energy from a new 300 megawatt wind farm to be developed in Nemaha County, Kan.

“The KCC unlocked a powerful economic development tool. Many large companies want affordable green energy when they choose sites for expansion or new facilities,” said Terry Bassham, president and CEO of Evergy, which operates as Westar Energy and KCP&L. “We are harnessing Kansas wind to attract and grow Kansas businesses. Wind energy boosts our local economies starting with the new wind farm jobs and the lease payments to landowners hosting the wind farm all the way to the communities that grow as businesses choose Kansas.”

The new program aims to attract business development to Kansas by offering businesses a path toward their sustainability goals with Kansas’ abundant, affordable renewable energy. Participating businesses will be able to claim a portion of the energy generated by the wind farm as their own, retain all of the renewable attributes and lock in a portion of their electricity prices for up to 20 years. The program is structured to add projects in the future to keep up with the growing appetite for renewable sources of our customers.

The Soldier Creek Wind Energy Center, which will be developed northeast of Manhattan, is expected to bring about 250 construction jobs and 15 to 20 permanent green energy jobs to Nemaha County. During the first 30 years of the project, landowners will receive more than $50 million in land-rights payments. The wind farm will be owned and operated by an affiliate of NextEra Energy Resources, Inc.

With its focus on renewables, Evergy meets nearly half of the energy needs for the homes and businesses it serves with energy from zero-emission sources. Nearly one-third comes from renewable energy, making Evergy one of the largest wind energy providers in the nation. Evergy continues to modernize its generation portfolio, increasing the percentage of clean energy available to customers and introducing new programs to help customers reach their sustainability and clean energy goals.

About KCP&L and Westar Energy: Serving approximately 1.5 million customers in Kansas and Missouri, Kansas City Power & Light Company (KCP&L), KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations Company and Westar Energy are the electric utilities of Evergy, Inc. (NYSE: EVRG). Together we generate nearly half the power we provide to homes
NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

evergyinc.com
and businesses with emission-free sources. We support our local communities where we live and work, and strive to meet the needs of customers through energy savings and innovative solutions.

Business, Fort Scott

It’s REALLY Cool: Tropical Joe’s Hawaiian Shaved Ice Comes to Fort Scott

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On July 6, Joe Pauly opened his  Tropical Joe’s Hawaiian Shaved Ice business in the parking lot of Family Video on South National Avenue.

“I started the company for two reasons,” Pauly told FortScott.Biz. “I loved shaved ice, it’s so good and such a fun business where you get to put smiles on faces. And reason two is I have six children, the oldest being 11. My hope is that someday this will be their summer job to teach them about work, business, communication and how to serve people.”

Pauly lives in Pittsburg and wanted to open his first store there.

“However, there is already an established shaved ice business there and my supplier said ‘Why not Fort Scott?’,” Pauly said.  “He had a shaved ice business there for years, Tad’s Shaved Ice, and said it was a great town that supported the business.”

Pauly listened to the advice and went to where the demand was.

“It’s been great,” he said. “The people of Fort Scott love their shaved ice and I am glad to be able to bring it back to them.”

Joe’s Tropical Ice employee, Mariam Mix, waits on a customer Monday afternoon.

Many people have thanked him for putting the business in Fort Scott.

“Some said they had been driving to Nevada and Pittsburg for shaved ice,” Pauly said.

Customers purchase some shaved ice Monday afternoon.

Pauly plans to remain open through September, he estimated.

The business is open seven days a week from 2 to 10  p.m. and is located at the corner of 18th Street and National Avenue in the Family Video parking lot.

The many flavors of Tropical Joe’s Hawaiian Shaved Ice.
More flavors and the pricing of the product.

Bourbon County Local News