After passing through the hands of different owners over the years, Fort Scott’s old middle school building was purchased by Paul Feeney of Southern California in 2011, with the plan of opening an entertainment center in the almost century-old building.

While that plan started with a five-year completion process in mind, personal issues have delayed that opening of The REAL School of Hard Knocks, possibly by a couple years. But Feeney said Fort Scott residents have no reason to believe the building will again be neglected.

“It’s a huge project,” Feeney said of the idea for the school, which he thought of during a time of “temporary insanity,” according to him.

After years of working in Southern California, Feeney said he wanted to branch out from the normal 9-5 job and instead hold one that he enjoys and benefits society, whether he makes money off it or not.

“It’s not about making money,” Feeney said. “It’s really about giving back to the community.”

Feeney said he first looked at purchasing a school building in other states, but when he heard about the one available in Fort Scott and visited the town, he decided to invest in that city instead.

“I fell in love with the town,” Feeney said of Fort Scott, saying he looks forward to moving away from the congested area he lives in currently, where he is waiting for his house to sell. “One of the things I love about the town is the people.”

Since buying the building, Feeney has traveled between California and Fort Scott to help oversee the renovations with his onsite team whenever he can, living in the upper floor of the middle school building. While the work slowly progresses, Feeney said the city and its leaders have been very supportive of the project.

Though the opening day of the entertainment center may not come until 2018, the centennial year of the building, Feeney said in the meantime they have hosted different concerts and events there such as air-soft gun battles for youth in the area.

Though his plans for the building continue to adjust as he keeps tabs on what is popular among youth, Feeney said the entertainment center will likely provide options such as a trampoline park, laser tag, arcade and possibly go-carts, while they will leave the auditorium as it is for concerts. Individuals could come to play or it could be rented out for larger parties.

“We’ve had a setback, but not a derailment,” Feeney said. “We will catch up. I’m determined.”

Feeney said they continue to hold on to the goal of keeping the history of the building alive and improving its physical appearance while also providing a new means of entertainment for local families.

The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce and the UMB Bank hosted the weekly Chamber Coffee Thursday morning, inviting business leaders from around the community to interact with each other and give updates on upcoming events.

Cindy Bowman, president of the UMB Bank and employee there for 37 years, introduced employees and leadership of the bank, which is one of 108 branches of its kind now located in eight separate states.

“I want to personally thank each and every one of you for your contributions that you make every day to our community to make it stronger and the great place that it is to live,” Bowman told those in attendance.

The local branch has a combined 112 years of experience in banking, which they use to serve the community of Fort Scott.

“We have a vast variety of products and services,” Bowman said of UMB Bank, but added that is provided by most banks. “What I believe makes us special is our people and our commitment to our customers.”

With a $1 donation toward Dolly the Trolley, representatives from area businesses were able to make announcements which included fundraising opportunities as well as upcoming events:

• The fall, Townwide Garage Sale has been rescheduled to Sept. 11-12, after several members of the community said they could not participate this weekend.
• Friday night, the fort will hold an event sharing the story of how the fort became part of the National Park Service. The fort will also have the Symbols of Sacrifice event beginning Sept. 11, displaying flags around the historic site.
• Frank Halsey gave an update on how the Marmaton Massacre Race went earlier this month, expressing his gratitude to the businesses who sponsored the event.
• Common Grounds will be hosting a band performance Saturday as well as two authors for book-signings starting, the latter starting at 1 p.m.
• The 3^rd Annual Wreath Ride will start at the Buck Run Community Center Saturday morning to raise funds for wreaths to be placed at the National Cemetery later this year.
• St. Mary’s Catholic School is currently selling trash bags as a fundraiser
•  The Taste of Fort Scott: Corks and Forks fundraiser for the Chamber of Commerce will be held Nov. 7.
•  The Carson and Barnes Circus will be returning to the fairgrounds of Fort Scott, Sept. 21.
• Mercy Hospital is hosting a 12-week program called Circles out of Poverty to educate and give tips against poverty in Fort Scott, after a study ranked Fort Scott at 104 out of 105 areas for children living in poverty.

  

  

  

  

  

  

The new Russell Cellular Verizon retailer in Fort Scott celebrated its recent opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday morning in the presence of city and local business leaders.

Russell Cellular began providing services out of Battlefield, Mo., 22 years ago, but has since grown to have stores in 23 states and is now the sixth largest of its kind in the United States, according to district manager Eddie Hash.

“We try to provide any type of service you need,” Hash said, whether that is in sales or phone repairs.

While they are bringing a new business to residents of Fort Scott, Hash said their goal is to also get involved in the community through events such as their No Text and Drive campaign, which will include events at the store and possibly the high school, and their current drive to raise money for Dolly the Trolley.

Currently, the local trolley is parked in front of the Verizon store off Highway 69. Customers that make a donation toward the trolley this week will be able to win varying levels of prizes such as water bottles or phone accessories.

The Verizon store brings with it two employees, though Hash said they hope to grow the store and add more employees.

April Courtney, who grew up in Moran and has grandparents living in Fort Scott, said it is nice to be back in the area, where she had always hoped to live. Brian Tavernaro lives near Pittsburg with his wife and three young children and said he enjoys the atmosphere of Fort Scott.

“We’re really looking forward to being part of the community,” Tavernaro said of the new business and its employees.