Tuesday, April 8, the Kansas Department of Transportation expects to start a 25.6-mile resurfacing project on K-3 and K-7 highways in Bourbon and Crawford counties. The work begins on K-3 at the K-39 junction and continues south to K-47. The contractor will then move to K-7, working from the south city limits of Girard south to U.S. 400.
Project activity includes a mill and overlay. Flaggers and a pilot car operation will guide one-lane traffic through the work zone during daylight hours. Expect delays of 15 minutes or less. The resurfacing work should be finished by mid-June, weather permitting.
APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, of Hutchinson, is the primary contractor for the $5.5 million road work. Check KDOT’s updated traveler information website, www.kandrive.gov, for more highway conditions and construction details. Persons with questions may contact Bukola Oni at KDOT-Pittsburg, (620) 308-7617, or Priscilla Petersen at (620) 902-6433.
The March meeting of the Starlite FCE was held at the Presbyterian Village meeting room. President Glenda Miller called the meeting to order and led the club in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the Club Collect. Seven members and one guest were in attendance. The members reported eight hours of volunteer work and that they had recycled seventy pounds.
Glenda Miller gave the treasurer’s report in Doris Ericson’s absents. She also announced that April 1st is the Spring Fling. Doris, Deb, Karen and Glenda are planning on attending. The Area Recognition Day will be May 1st in Parsons. Doris, Glenda and Karen will be attending. Bourbon County will be responsible for the decoration at the Area Recognition.
Glenda Miller reported on the Congressional Medal of Honor for our citizenship minute as well as presenting the Myth of Hospice “You have given up.”
New business consisted of learning about Care to Share. Teresa Davenport, president of Care to Share, shared with the members about their mission and way that we could assist the Cancer Support group. Teresa presented upcoming opportunities to help including donating baked goods for the home show and Livestock Show. Glenda reminded members to bring candy to fill Easter eggs for Tri-Valley to the April meeting.
Letha Johnson moved that the meeting be adjourned, Betty Johnson seconded the motion, meeting adjourned.
After the meeting Terri Williams presented the lesson on “Sifting Though the Flour Bouquet.” Refreshments of Quinoa flour cookies, Almond flour brownies, Coconut flour blueberry muffins, oat flour pancakes and water were provided by Betty Johnson and Terri Williams.
An event to connect the community to happenings in the
City, County, School Districts, Community College, and more!
7-minute updates from each of the following entities,
ending with Q&A:
City of Fort Scott
Bourbon County Commission
FSCC
USD-234
USD-235
Lunch may be ordered on fortscott.com/events by Monday, April 7th, 10am.
Sandwich lunch for $10, choice of ham, turkey, or roast beef ~ gluten free available.
CHAMBER ANNOUNCES THE SPRING TOWN-WIDE GARAGE SALE IN FORT SCOTT
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces the Spring Town-wide Garage Sale will be held Friday and Saturday, May 2nd and 3rd. The Chamber encourages the community to register garage sales to be included on the official listing and map and to save the date to hunt for bargains on clothing, home décor, tools, and more.
The deadline to register a garage sale is 1pm, Tuesday, April 29th which can be done online at fortscott.com/events, calling the Chamber at 620-223-3566 and paying over phone by credit or debit card, or stopping by the Chamber office at 231 E. Wall St.
The cost to register a sale is $12. The Chamber also sells display ad spaces on the map to help make the sale possible, and those are $35 for a business card-sized ad or $25 for a smaller ad.
Starting Thursday, May 1st at 10am, copies of the official garage sale map may be found at the Chamber office as well as local stores 5 Corners, Bids & Dibs, Casey’s, Don’s Smoke Shop, and all Pete’s locations. The map may also be found on the Chamber website fortscott.com or on Facebook on the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce page.
Contact the Chamber for more information at 620-223-3566.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce will hold the 2025 Annual Dinner & Awards Celebration Thursday, April 24th at The River Room, 3 W. Oak St. The evening will be a “70’s Disco” themed event with a message of “We Are Family, Come Together and Celebrate Community”. All are welcome to attend as Chamber members, guests, and the community come together to recognize businesses, organizations, and individuals who contribute greatly in different ways to benefit Fort Scott and Bourbon County.
The Chamber is now accepting nominations for awards to be presented that evening. Links to both online and printable nomination forms may be found on fortscott.com on the event link. Hard copy forms may be picked up at the Chamber. Nominations are due by Thursday, April 10th.
Awards to be presented include Large Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, New Business of the Year, Agri-Business of the Year, Businessperson of the Year, Community Spirit, and Young Professional of the Year. Additional awards to be presented include the Keystone award, selected by the Chamber Board of Directors, the Mayor’s Citizenship Award selected by the Mayor and City of Fort Scott.
The Annual Dinner is one of the primary fundraisers for the Chamber to fulfill their mission to serve members and the community, and donations of silent or live auction items would be greatly appreciated. Chamber members are also invited to decorate a table at the event in coordination with the theme which is great advertising and promotion for the business or organization. One of the fun awards presented at the event is for the best decorated table.
The Annual Dinner event will start with the social hour and silent auction at 5:30pm, followed by dinner, awards, and a live auction at 6:30pm. Reservations are $40 for individuals, and table pricing and sponsorships are available. Those wanting to attend may contact the Chamber at 620-223-3566 or email [email protected]. by Friday, April 18th.
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Commerce today announced the launch of an innovative program to support the enhancements of often overlooked public infrastructure to help drive economic growth and community vitality. The Transformative Art for Public Spaces (TAPS) grant will invest in projects that leverage creative placemaking to attract visitors, encourage local investment, and support small businesses. A total of $150,000 will be available.
“The TAPS grant program is about more than making every-day objects look more presentable,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Having attractive public gathering spots encourages more people to utilize them, stay for longer periods of time, and spend more money at local establishments. These small investments will have long-term economic benefits for communities across the state.”
The TAPS grant offers awardees amounts of $1,500 to $2,000 per project to cover materials, supplies and artist compensation. Interested applicants are encouraged to collaborate with local artists, students and community members by offering them opportunities to contribute creatively to their communities. Repurposing these mundane or unsightly objects will give the community assets that reflect local pride and long-term economic resilience.
Approved and funded fixtures and overlooked structures include:
Electrical boxes
Fire hydrants
Trashcans
Water utilities
Other infrastructures
Applications will be accepted through December 5 or until funds are depleted. Priority will be given to projects in communities that have not received funding from Commerce during the previous three years.
“The TAPS Grant is an exciting way to celebrate community identity while offering artists and residents the chance to make a lasting impact on their surroundings,” Assistant Secretary of Quality Places Matt Godinez said. “We can’t wait to see how these projects inspire collaboration and connections among our Kansas communities and residents.”
Organizations may submit proposals for multiple projects within a single application, provided each project meets the program’s guidelines. A maximum of five projects are allowed per applicant. Projects that will not be supported include:
Signs promoting businesses
Murals or large-scale wall installations
Live performances or temporary art
Large undertakings requiring structural modifications
Applicants must work with their local municipality or property owner and be permitted to create art on the proposed structure. Documentation of this permission will be required for the application.
For more details, application forms, project examples and resources, click here.
Questions about the TAPS Grant can be directed to Quality Places Manager Sara Bloom at [email protected] or (785) 506-9278.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
About the Quality Places Division:
Established in 2024, the Quality Places Division at the Kansas Department of Commerce exists to improve quality of life in communities across the state through various programs and services. The Kansas Department of Commerce understands the immense role played by strong communities in economic development and prioritizes investments in people and communities as major contributors to the overall strength of the Kansas economy. To learn more, click here.
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Commerce today announced the launch of a new round of Rural Mural funding to support the creation of projects in rural Kansas communities. The total amount of funding available is $125,000.
“Public art is a powerful tool for rural revitalization and bringing vitality and prosperity to all regions of our state,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The Kelly-Toland administration fully supports investments that improve the attractiveness of our smaller communities, engage residents and visitors alike, and help stimulate the local economy.”
The funding initiative from the Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP) aims to activate vacant and underused spaces through the arts — to help bring together community members around their local history and culture.
“In 2024, there were 12 successful mural projects in small communities across Kansas,” Office of Rural Prosperity Director Trisha Purdon said. “This new round of funding is going to do more than beautify our towns. It will bring the community together to create something that can be admired and remembered for decades to come.”
ORP will open this round of Rural Murals for new applicants. Applications will be open through May 16. The maximum grant opportunity is $7,500 and requires a 100% match, with at least 25% in cash and up to 75% in-kind contributions.
To qualify for funding, applicants must be from communities with populations of 15,000 residents or less. Murals can beautify community gathering spaces, elevate tourist attractions, and offer a welcoming message for visitors. The proposed projects must be completed by December 31, 2025.
The office will be hosting a Rural Mural application webinar at 4:00 p.m. Monday, April 7, for those interested in applying for funding. Register for the webinar here. For more details and to apply, click here.
The Kansas Department of Commerce is dedicated to providing financial support, technical assistance and guidance to help communities develop mural and public art projects. There is an online resource guide (here) to help communities plan and execute their arts-based initiatives that enhance local growth and foster prosperity.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
Chamber Coffee hosted by The Fort Scott Broadcasting KOMB/KMDO – Home Show
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee hosted by Fort Scott Broadcasting’s KOMB 103.9 and 98.3 FM, Thursday, April 3rd at 8 a.m. The event will take place at Arnold Arena on campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton St. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served.
The Coffee will kick off the Annual Home, Sport, Farm, and Garden Show taking place this Saturday, April 5th from 9am-3pm. at Arnold Arena. Tim and Deb McKenney and team look forward to seeing everyone at both the Coffee and the Home Show.
The 2025 Home Show vendor list includes the following:
• All-Hit 103.9FM / Cowboy Country 98.3FM/1600AM
• Abundant Medicare Health & Life Solutions – Mitzi Davis
• Advantage Metals Recycling
• American Dream Spray Foam Insulations
• Autumn Exteriors
• Bluegrass Equipment
• Bourbon County Cars (Golf Carts)
• Bourbon County Conservation
• Briggs Auto
• Care to Share
• CDL Electric
• Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
• City of Fort Scott
• Covey Overhead Doors
• Evergy
• Farmers Insurance – Leah Smith
• Fort Scott Community College
• Guild Mortgage
• Hague Quality Water
• Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice
• Heidrick’s True Value
• Influx Services Pressure Washing
• Leaf Filter
• Lemonade Lagoon
• Myrick Mechanical
• Norris Heating & Air Conditioning
• Old Fort Genealogical Society
• Outside the Wire Veterans Organization
• Paddock Land Service
• Pioneer Harvest Fiesta
• Quad County Heating & Cooling
• Quality Structures
• R & R Equipment
• Rainbow Guttering – JC Howell
• Skinny Drip
• Slick Rock Cattle Company
• THRAMS Furniture & Appliances
• T-Mobile
• Thrasher Foundation Repair
• Vet Links
Chamber members and guests are invited to Chamber Coffee events each Thursday at 8 a.m. to network, make announcements, hear about happenings in the community as well as learn about the host business or organization. Future Chamber Coffee locations may be viewed on fortscott.com/events by selecting the category of Chamber Coffees.
Amanda Kay Thurston, age 41, resident of Fort Scott, Kansas passed away Monday March 31st, 2025 at her home. She was born March 24th, 1984 in Fort Scott Kansas to Billy and Pam Cowan. She graduated from Fort Scott High School in 2002, went on to Fort Scott Community College to play volleyball, and later graduated from Missouri Southern University with a bachelors in human resources and business.
She became a momma in 2004 to Teryn Kay Farley. She married Chris Thurston in August 2007, they later divorced, but from their marriage she had Bryton Henry Thurston September 2009.
Amanda was a natural athlete, she loved competition, and grew up competing in all the sports. Amanda loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting, fire pits, and animals. She had a soft spot for the injured animals, and always seemed to find a way to bring them home.
Her and her mom shared an unfortunate love for the Pittsburgh Steelers as well.
Amanda had a big heart for the ones she loved, when she loved she loved hard. Her circle was called the Amanda-dome, and if you were in it, you were in it for life.
She often told her parent’s that it was her world, and they were just living in it. She made her own rules, and was stubborn as the day was long.
Amanda had a lot of good years, and if you knew our Amanda in her good years then you were blessed to know one of the best. Amanda was incredibly proud of her children, she loved them immensely, even on the tough days.
It was no secret that she had some struggles, and spent the last few years fighting her inner demons. Our family has walked a road we wish on no one. Amanda is free of the demons, is no longer fighting, and has finally released the chains.
Amanda is survived by her parents Billy G. Cowan, and Pamela K. Ballou Cowan of Fort Scott. Her children, Teryn Kay Farley of Franklin Kansas and Bryton Henry Thurston Deerfield Missouri. Her siblings Josh and Chrystal Cowan, their children Raylee, Jace and Grady of Redfield, Kansas. Ashley and Tyler Valentine, their children Treyton and Ryland of Fort Scott. Paternal grandmother Margaret “Peggy” Cowan. Maternal grandparents Larry and Johnna “Kay” Ballou, all of Fort Scott. She was also survived by many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather Gene Cowan.
There was cremation, and the family will have a celebration of life Monday April 7th from 5-7 at Cheney Witt Chapel. Private family burial will follow at a later date.
Memorials are suggested to Fort Scott High School Zero Reasons Why, or Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.
Downtown business owners and other interested attendees met on April 1 at the Kitchen Collective + Collaborative’s event center called The Parlour by Eighteen65, to learn about happenings in the downtown area.
The door is pictured to The Parlour by Eighteen65 which is located north of the storefront of the Kitchen Collective and Collaborative, at 20 North Main.
The Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet is facilitated by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce to share the happenings of the businesses located there.
Rachel French, co-owner and general manager of the Kitchen told the group there are cooking classes coming, including some for kids. She said there will also be pop-up restaurants coming to the venue, featuring several area restaurants.
“A pop-up restaurant is a provisional event designed to showcase … culinary talents at a temporary location. This includes everything from an exclusive one-night food event to a public rooftop food tent open for a few months,” according to
The Parlor by Eighteen65 on South Main in downtown Fort Scott is an event venue.
French said, “Think of us when you need a ready-made breakfast, lunch, or dinner.” In addition, the venue can be rented as a commercial kitchen, or an incubator kitchen, for $20 per hour for food businesses. The Kitchen is located at 12 S. Main and can be reached at 620.644.0064 or [email protected] or thekitchencc.com
Other news from the meet and greet:
As part of Fort Scott’s Community Concert Series, this Friday, April 4 there is a FREE concert at Memorial Hall featuring Ty Ellis and the Flatliners, with special guest Nathan Ast. Enjoy food from Care to Share Cancer Support Group/The Sharing Bucket, and drinks from Holmtown Pub.
Fort Scott High School’s Prom is this Saturday at the River Room above Brickstreet BBQ.
The downtown splash pad has new shade structures and a new grant-funded restroom.
Storefronts are being produced for the building under construction across from Lowell Milken Center on Main Street. The building is owned by Ward-Kraft, a local print industry.
The old J&W Sports Store at 20 N. Main has been remodeled and is rented by NextStar Energy for an office. The upstairs is being remodeled into an apartment that will be a vacation rental with a view of the Fort Scott National Historic Site.
On April 5 from 9 a.m. to noon, the Easter Bunny will be at the Bids and Dibs Consignment Store for parents to take photos with their children.
April 5 is the Home, Sport, Farm, and Garden Show at Fort Scott Community College’s Arnold Arena, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
April 9 is a Community Connection event that will provide presentations from local school districts and government entities from 11:45 a.m.- 1 p.m. at the Empress Event Center.
Find the Golden Egg Shopping Event is April 18-19. Find eggs in stores and around downtown after 10 a.m. on the 19th.
The Easter Bunny will be at Hedgehog.INK, downtown, on April 19 at 10 a.m.
April 24 is the Annual Chamber Dinner and Awards Celebration at the River Room Event Center.
May 1 is the yearly downtown cleanup, facilitated by the Chamber of Commerce, with Kate Freeman as the chairperson. Submit project ideas to [email protected]
May 2-3 is the town-wide garage sale, list a sale on the map at the Chamber.
On May 13, Freeman Advantage Travel Group, Joplin, will be in town.
June 6-7 is the Good ‘Ol Days Festival in downtown Fort Scott. The parade is Friday at 6 p.m. and parade entries are being taken now by the Chamber.
June 25-27 is the Fort Scott High School All-School Reunion, Rhonda Dunn is the contact. The Chamber will be selling FSHS signs to honor alumni.
Advertising opportunities: downtown map, rack cards, and Veteran’s flag/plaque on Skutbitz Plaza.
Grants available to business owners: E-Community and Grow KS.
For more information, contact the Chamber office at 231 E Wall St, Fort Scott, KS 66701 or
KDHE Announces Recipients of Waste Tire Product Grants
33 grants distributed to recipients across Kansas
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has announced the recipients of waste tire product grants. These annual waste tire grants are awarded to local municipalities and public and private schools K-12 across the state. The grants are funded by revenue collected through the tire excise tax, a $0.25/vehicle tire fee.
The grants totaled $460,973.24 and were awarded to the following organizations to fund projects that include the use of recycled tire products like playground surfacing and picnic tables.
