Business, Fort Scott

18th and National Avenue Building Being Repurposed

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A blighted building is being repurposed, located at 1801-1805 S. National Avenue.

A new business partnership has been formed between Kale Nelson and Justin Meeks: JK Hold’Em LLC.

Nelson and Meeks have recently purchased the building at the junction of Hwy. 69 and National Avenue for repurposing into offices for themselves.

Nelson will be moving his State Farm Insurance office staff into 1805 S. National and Meeks will be moving his private law practice into 1801 S. National.

The building is about 3,200 square feet.

“My office will be around 1800 square feet,” Nelson said. “Currently I have around 1,200 square feet.”

“Kale and I are committed to this community,” Meeks said. “We are working on a very blighted building. This building needed to be rehabbed. This was a perfect opportunity to take a building and make it better.”

Citizens National Bank ” saw the vision and loaned the money for the rehab,” Meeks said. “Kale presented to BEDCO (Bourbon County Economic  Development Council), who made a commitment.

The Fort Scott city staff have been instrumental also.

“(Economic Director)Rachel Pruitt, (Tourism Director) Larry Gazaway, (City Manager) Dave Martin and (Community Development Director)Rhonda Dunn have helped. Especially Rachel,” Meeks said.

“It’s been a team effort,” Meeks said.

“There are a lot of exciting things happening in Fort Scott,” Meeks said. “We are excited to be a part.”

Nelson and Meeks are doing the demolition of the building in the evenings and on weekends, after their other jobs.

“We are putting in quite a bit of sweat equity,” Meeks said.

Nelson is a State Farm Insurance Agent and Meeks is the Bourbon County Counselor and in addition, has a private practice.

Meeks has been doing private practice out of his home and also has an office on the square in Girard.

“My plan is to do private practice two to three days a week,” Meeks said. “Estate planning and business transactions. I will do depending on what comes in at Girard, in Crawford County. I’ve had a five-year hiatus. I really enjoy being a county counselor, but I want to keep irons in the fire.”

The general contractor for the project is Nate Lyons, and they will be using local contractors, Meeks said.

The building was constructed in 1925 and had many additions through the years with different uses: a steakhouse, bar, pet store, liquor store, antique store and vapor shop.

“People are stopping by and telling us stories” about the history, Meeks said.

The two businesses hope to be in the building after the first of the year, Meeks said.

 

 

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee at Libation Station Aug. 2

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WEEKLY CHAMBER COFFEE REMINDER: Libation Station, Thursday, August 2.

Join us for the weekly Chamber Coffee!


Hosted by:

Location: 1122 S. Clark St.
Thursday, August 2nd, 8 am

Click here for Libation Station’s Facebook page

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Chamber members and guests are encouraged to attend for networking, community announcements, and to learn about the hosting business or organization.
Members may pay $1 to make an announcement about an upcoming event, special/sale/discount, or news of any kind.
Upcoming Coffees:
August 9th – Craw-Kan and H&H Agency
August 16 – Scott Township Rural Fire Dept
August 23 – Available – contact the Chamber to reserve your spot
August 30 – Available – contact the Chamber to reserve your spot
Government, Kansas

Kansas Tax Revenue 10-Percent Above Last Year

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July tax collections show sustained revenue stability

 

TOPEKA—Tax collections show a continuation of the revenue stability displayed last fiscal year, with total taxes more than 10 percent above last July, according to the latest monthly revenue report released Wednesday.

 

July tax collections total $499.04 million, which is 10.03 percent over last year, and 2.33 percent, or $11.35 million over revised estimates.

 

“The fiscal year 2019 is starting much like we saw in the 12 months of the fiscal year 2018, with collections above estimates, and above the previous year’s intake,” Revenue Secretary Sam Williams said. “We anticipate we will keep seeing this trend in the coming months.”

 

Because it’s the first month of the fiscal year, July is the only report where the numbers for the month and the fiscal year are the same. Individual income tax collections were $227.69 million, or $39.21 million above last year, exceeding estimates by $7.69 million.

 

Sales tax collections totaled $205.75 million, which is growth $2.25 million over last year and $753,000 above estimates.

 

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Sales Tax Holiday In Fort Scott August 3-5

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Sales Tax Holiday Weekend
Friday through Sunday, August 3-5, 2018
9.4% savings on ALL purchases

 

FORT SCOTT – The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce an opportunity for shoppers to save money this weekend. Select retailers will be offering a Sales Tax Holiday by volunteering to pay the sales tax for shoppers this August 3rd through the 5th.

Enjoy a 9.4% discount this weekend at these participating merchants: Bids & Dibs, Books & Grannies,  Electronic Store, Fort Scott Gun & Pawn, J & W Sports, Papa Don’s Pizza, Ruddick’s Furniture, Shirt Shack, and Sunshine Boutique.

These stores offer a variety of merchandise including apparel, home décor both new and repurposed, school supplies and much more. There is no need to cross the border during this No Sales Tax Holiday Weekend.

Save money, shop local, shop, Fort Scott.

This shop local promotion is organized by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. Please contact (620) 223-3566 with questions.

Obituary

Obituary for Christopher John Allen

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Christopher John Allen, age 48, of Jasper, Indiana passed away at 10:25 AM on Wednesday, July 25, 2018, at home.

Chris was born in Eureka, Kansas on February 19, 1970, to J.L. and Sadie (Howard) Allen. He married Melissa Bass on May 24, 1997, at the First Christian Church in Pittsburg, Kansas.

He received a B.S. Degree in Wood Technology from Pittsburg State University in Kansas.

He was the owner and operator of Creative Storage in Ireland, Indiana.

Chris was an active member of the Redemption Christian Church in Jasper, where he served on their security team. He previously served as a Cub Scout Leader for Pack 130 and a Boy Scout Leader for Troop 185 in Jasper, and also served as a facilitator for Financial Peace University.

He enjoyed scuba diving, flying Ultralight planes, was an accomplished woodworker, a car fanatic, and Halloween was his favorite holiday. He was a stay at home dad for 12 years and was devoted to his family.

Surviving are his wife, Melissa Allen of Jasper, one daughter, Chloe Allen, and one son Kyle Allen, both at home, his father and step-mother, J.L. and Shirley Allen, Pleasanton, KS, two sisters Nicole Murphy (Steven), Lee’s Summit, KS, Megan Brixey (Chris), Lee’s Summit, KS, and one brother, Jay Allen (Tana), Ft. Scott, KS.

Preceding him in death was his mother, Sadie Allen.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct a Celebration of Life at 11:00 AM Tuesday, August 7 at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Redemption Christian Church and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Area News

West Nile Virus In Johnson County

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Two Johnson County residents infected, four regions remain at high risk

 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is reporting two cases of neuroinvasive West Nile virus (WNV) disease in individuals who reside in Johnson County. Four regions of the state remain under a high-risk warning for WNV, including north central, south central, northwest, and southwest Kansas. Northeast and southeast regions are at moderate risk for WNV infections.

 

WNV can be spread to people through mosquito bites, but it is not spread from person to person. About one in five people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. Roughly one out of 150 infected people develop the more severe version of the disease, neuroinvasive disease, which includes swelling of the brain or brain tissue and, in some cases, death. There are no vaccines or medications to treat WNV. People who have had WNV before are considered immune.

 

“Although for most people West Nile virus may not cause a great deal of concern, we encourage residents, especially our vulnerable populations, to take steps to prevent infection because of the potential for complications,” said Dr. Greg Lakin, Chief Medical Officer, KDHE.

 

KDHE recommends you know your risk of WNV and take action to prevent mosquito bites and protect yourself against WNV:

 

  • Visit the KDHE WNV website weekly to learn about the current WNV risk level; http://www.kdheks.gov/epi/arboviral_disease.htm
  • When you are outdoors, use insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient on skin and clothing, including DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535. Follow the directions on the package.
  • Many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Be sure to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants at these times or consider staying indoors during these hours.
  • The elderly or those with a weakened immune system should consider limiting their exposure outside during dusk and dawn when the Culex species mosquitos are most active.
  • Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
  • Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out. Keep children’s wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren’t being used.
  • Horses can also be infected with WNV. Talk with your veterinarian about vaccinating your horse to protect them against WNV.

 

Most WNV infections occur in the late summer and early fall. As of July 24, 39 cases of human WNV have been reported nationally. There have been more than 600 cases of the most severe form of WNV and 30 deaths in Kansas from 1999-2017. Symptoms of WNV disease include fever, headache, weakness, muscle pain, arthritis-like pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, and rash typically developing two to 14 days after a bite from an infected mosquito. People who are concerned about symptoms should speak with their physicians.

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides this web page with additional information about West Nile virus and preventing mosquito bites http://www.cdc.gov/features/StopMosquitoes/.

WNV case counts are updated each Tuesday on the following website: http://www.kdheks.gov/epi/case_reports_by_county.htm

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Fort Scott, Government

City’s Land Bank Positioned To Put Unproductive Properties to Use

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Rhonda Dunn,  Community Development Director with the city.

Rhonda Dunn, Fort Scott’s  Community Development Director,  has initiated the development of a land bank.

So, what is a Land Bank? Land banks are not financial institutions, according to http://www.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/LandBankingBasics.pdf

They are public or community-owned entities created for a single purpose: to acquire, manage, maintain, and repurpose vacant, abandoned, and foreclosed properties –the worst abandoned houses, forgotten buildings, and empty lots. There are approximately 75 communities now operating formal land bank programs across the country. And while land banks are most often associated with communities with large-scale blight and abandonment, many communities now see the benefit of implementing land banking as a means of preventing the contagious blight that can sweep across urban neighborhoods like a plague, infecting house after house until whole blocks – even neighborhoods – become empty and abandoned shadows of their former selves.

In early July 2018, the city commission approved the adoption of Ordinance No. 3535 creating a Land Bank for the City of Fort Scott, approving the Land Bank Manager as Rhonda Dunn, and approving the Land Bank Board of Trustees as the five City Commissioners along with a representation of the Bourbon County Board of Commissioners and a representative from Bourbon County Economic Development Council, Inc.(BCEDI) The expiration terms of the City Commissioners will run consecutively with their term of office. The Bourbon County Commissioner will follow the same term of office.

Following an organizational meeting for the city’s land bank held July 25 at city hall, City Commissioners Jolynne Mitchell was appointed the chairperson, Randy Nichols as vice-chairperson, Cindy Bartlesmeyer as secretary; County Commissioner was appointed Jeff Fischer as treasurer. Steve Buerge is the President of BCEDI and is the member on the board currently but their board can vote and send a different representative if desired, according to city minutes.

The Fort Scott Land Bank Board will meet the first Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. at city hall, before the regularly scheduled city commission meeting, starting in September.

Dunn asked the board to set a budget recommendation of $30,000 to take to the City Commission. Steve Buerge is matching this amount. Her recommendation of $30,000 is for the demolition of three houses, any mowing assessments, and any legal work needed to be completed on deeds, according to the city minutes.

Mercy Hospital

Life After Stroke: Verdon Daubens

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Former Restaurant Owner’s Road to Recovery Leads to Monthly RV Trips

 After suffering two mini-strokes in December 2017, Verdon Daubens knew the road to recovery would be challenging. But having a skilled team of therapists at Verdon’s side to lead him proved to be the encouragement he needed.

“Verdon has always done everything he wanted to do,” said Chelsa, Verdon’s wife for nearly 59 years. “Life after a stroke is a big adjustment, and it seemed that nothing I would do or say made a difference in Verdon’s spirit to improve.”

Chelsa told Hugo Dahlstrom, Mercy occupational therapist, she felt Verdon was depressed and overwhelmed with the journey ahead. As an occupational therapist, Hugo is trained to help people recover from injury to improve their ability to perform daily activities and reach the goals.

“Hugo was like an angel on earth,” Chelsa said. “He’s a tall man, but he got down on his hands and knees in front of Verdon’s lift chair and looked him eye-to-eye. In the most kind and compassion way, yet assertive and sincere, Hugo was able to spark a fire that motivated Verdon.”

“Recovery after stroke can take a long time, and persistence is the key,” Hugo said. “Verdon was very, very persistent. Whether at home or in the clinic, Verdon worked hard and did his best with everything I asked him to do. That hard work clearly paid off.”

Verdon and Chelsa enjoy taking vacations in their motorhome, so one of Verdon’s goals was to be able to drive and go on vacation once a month. Five months have passed and they haven’t missed a trip yet, and they have trips booked through November 2018.

The road to recovery wasn’t easy. Verdon’s therapy began with Mercy Home Health then he transitioned to outpatient therapy at Mercy Health for Life where he received occupational, physical and speech therapy six hours a week for six weeks.

Today, the Daubens’ spend time enjoying a slower pace by reading, working in the yard and planning their next RV adventure.

“We’ve learned that it’s important to enjoy every day,” Verdon said. There is not time for burnout or to be depressed. Lean on the support of your family, children and have faith in the Lord.”

“We are very happy with the simpler life we live,” said Chelsa. “It’s just the two of us doing what we like to do.”

Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2018, 2017 and 2016 by IBM Watson Health, serves millions annually. Mercy includes more than 40 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, 800 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 44,000 co-workers and 2,100 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In addition, Mercy’s IT division, Mercy Technology Services, supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.

supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.

Entertainment, Fort Scott, Schools

Enjoy Comedy and Magic at FSCC August 3

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Join us to watch the live production of Taylor Hughes Comedy Magic on Friday, August 3rd at 7pm!
You may buy your tickets in advance at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce!
Taylor Hughes is a full time entertainer with over 20 years of performance experience. He is one of the only people to have performed in all three showrooms at the World FamousMagic Castle before the age of 21. He is a featured act on the television series “Masters of Illusion” and was recently presented the awards for “Best Illusion” “Best Comedy Magic” & “Best Showmanship” by the Society of American Magician’s in Los Angeles. A popular entertainer, Taylor has performed for multiple organizations including Home Depot, AT&T, and The American Heart Association.
Fort Scott Community College
620-223-2700
Opinion

Letter To Editor: Kevin Jones VS Caryn Tyson

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Dear Editor,

Disappointing.  My State Representative Kevin Jones printed misleading and false information in his recent mailer. It is disappointing Jones would allow his campaign staff to sink to this level. Mr. Jones is one of Caryn Tyson’s opponents in a primary race to replace retiring Kansas 2nd District U.S. Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins.

In his mailer Kevin Jones stated, Caryn Tyson “supports import of foreign labor to compete with Kansans for jobs.”  Really?  Caryn said she would support Trump in fixing our immigration laws.  How could Jones twist her statement into this inaccurate and misleading statement in his mailer.

Next he prints, “Tax Chair, recommended passage of the largest tax hike in KS history.” Jones knows Caryn Tyson spoke against the bill and voted ‘no’ on the tax increase. Our representative either doesn’t understand the conference committee process as defined by statute or is lying about it.  He knows Tyson did not vote for that or any tax increase.  How could he print this when he voted for the 2nd largest tax increase ever in Kansas.

And third Jones wrote that Caryn, “voted against government efficiency reforms.”  Not true, anyone one who knows Caryn Tyson knows that she has always worked for a smaller and more efficient government.

Caryn Tyson is an effective legislator who gets things done.  She has cut wasteful spending, cut taxes, and fights to protect our Constitution.  Let’s not listen to lies.  Let’s send Caryn Tyson to Washington to help make America great again.

Robert Tyson

Parker, KS

 

Bourbon County Local News