Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Cathy Bishop is New Event Coordinator for The River Room

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Cathy Bishop is the new event coordinator at the River Room Event Center. Submitted photo.

Cathy Bishop, who retired from  Niece Products of Kansas on December 31, 2022, is the new event manager for the River Room Event Center, at Oak Street and National Avenue.

Al Niece is the owner of the building at 3 W. Oak and the River Room is located on the second floor.

The River Room Event Center is located at the corner of Oak Street and National Avenue on the second floor.

Bishop, who was the Niece Products of Kansas Human Resource Director prior to her retiring, now schedules reservations and manages the set up of the alcohol bar.

Renters will need to secure catered food for their event, Bishop said.

“We don’t have a working, cooking kitchen, but do have a refrigerator,” she said.

“There is a cash bar and we supply the bartender and alcohol or beer,” she said

Some of the bigger reservations this year are for the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Banquet in April and the Fort Scott High School Prom on May 6.

“We contract by volume of people attending,” Bishop said. “We also charge by the hour for a small two-hour event.”

Contact Bishop via email for more information on rates charged at [email protected].

In addition to banquets and proms, they have provided a venue for weddings, anniversaries and graduations, to name a few.

A recent event at the River Room. Submitted photo.

The event center will hold 700 capacity, but that would be standing room only, Bishop said.

“Four hundred people is a comfortable number of attendees,” she said.

A recent event at the River Room. Submitted photo.

Although the email is the preferred way to contact Bishop, the phone number for the River Room is 620.820.0536.

History Of The Building

According to hearsay, the building has housed a roller rink, car dealership, bowling alley and a couple of restaurants, the most recent: Luther’s BBQ, Bishop said.

Bishop came upon a book about the building with some information:

 

Obituary

Obituary of Trisha Willard

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Trisha Diane Willard, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away at age 42, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. She was born on December 11, 1980 in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Richard Eugene Willard Jr. and Susan Diane Wurtz Willard. Trisha grew up in Ft. Scott and she was an honor student at Fort Scott High School and Fort Scott Community College, where she made a lot of lifetime friendships.

She met and later married Paul Studyvin in the spring of 2000 on the cusp of the century. They were later blessed with three children. Trisha was a loving and devoted mother and went above and beyond to give her children a loving, happy childhood. She enjoyed playing tennis, bowling and softball, as well as cooking, writing and photography. She was also a music enthusiast and fan of the band Pearl Jam and the shows Frazier and Seinfeld. She was a passionate, sentimental, kind hearted, strong willed woman who was always ready for a new adventure.

Survivors include her children, Chloe Studyvin, Carlee Studyvin, and Greg Studyvin; her parents, Rich Willard and Susan Wurtz-Willard; her brothers, Trenton Willard, Dusty Willard and Ziad Nabhan; and her sister Makya Coulter. She is also survived by her former husband, Paul Studyvin and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Tara Willard and her grandparents, Norman and Carol Minden, Richard Willard Sr., Gene and Dorothy Dull and Willie and Lois Wurtz.

Following cremation, a celebration of life service will be held at the 1:00 PM, Saturday, January 28, 2023, at the Faith Church.

Private burial will take place at the Maple Grove Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Trisha Willard Memorial Fund and may be left in 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, Government

Shelton Resigns as Bourbon County Clerk, Hilderbrand as Kansas Senator

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Ashley Shelton. Submitted photo.

Two local government positions that effect Bourbon County are open, with the resignation of Ashley Shelton and Richard Hilderbrand.

Ashley Shelton resigned as Bourbon County Clerk on Jan. 12, after two years working with the county government.

“She sent her resignation letter to the governor on January 12 and notified me that she is resigning and her last day of employment is Feb. 3,” Mark McCoy,  Bourbon County Republican Party Chairman, said.

When contacted, Shelton said “The Bourbon County Courthouse is not a good environment. I don’t feel I am able to do the job to the best of my ability.”

Within her clerk office she feels “We have a good group.”

In addition to her resignation, another county clerk office person has resigned and another is transferring to different department.

“There is a lot of transition going on in the courthouse,” Shelton said.

The Republican Party will hold a convention on Jan. 26 at 6 p.m.  at the Empress Event Center, 7 N. Main in Fort Scott to select a replacement for Shelton.

“We have 21 days to set a convention to select someone to be approved and their name sent to the governor for appointment,” McCoy said.

The county currently has 34 committee members and during the convention they will interview the candidates,  then have a question and answer session with them.

The candidates will have about 10 minutes to say why they should be selected, he said.

Following this, the party will meet  privately to discuss the candidates and a decision will be made by secret ballot and sent to the governor, McCoy said.

State Senator Richard Hilderbrand converses with the audience following a legislative coffee in Bourbon County.

U.S. Senator Richard Hilderbrand

In addition to Shelton, local Republicans will go through the established process of selecting a new Dist. 13 Kansas Senator.

Richard Hilderbrand resigned on Jan. 4, just before the Kansas legislature was set to start. He has served since 2017.

He represented Bourbon, Cherokee and Crawford Counties.

The local committee members from each county will meet on Jan. 22 at 3 p.m. at the Columbus High School auditorium.

Crawford County is in charge until a chairman is selected from those attending the convention, McCoy said.

Once again, candidates will be given a certain number of minutes to tell the group why they should be selected, followed by a question and answer time, then private discussion by the group and a vote taken.

That name will be sent to the governor and wait for appointment.

“Three people have placed their name for this position, Tim Shallenberger, Keri Jensen and Dan Muter,” McCoy said. “Ken Collins was interested, but decided to remove his name.”

McCoy said Hilderbrand resigned to focus on his insurance business and his family.

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee at the Courtland Hotel and Spa on Jan. 19

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Chamber Coffee to be hosted by The Courtland Hotel and Spa

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee event this Thursday, January 19th at 8 a.m. hosted by The Courtland Hotel and Spa, 121 E. 1st St.

Built in 1906, this 15-room historic hotel is in the beautiful downtown district adjacent to the Fort Scott National Historic Site. The original charm and ambiance of the hotel was preserved during restoration, while the same time providing ‘modern’ amenities and services for both business and leisure travelers. With an award-winning spa, this is the place to be for relaxation and enjoyment.

 

Frank and Cheryl Adamson have owned and operated the hotel and spa since October 2004 and are looking forward to hosting this event.  Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served in addition to door prize drawings.

 

Any member business or organization wanting to host Chamber Coffee in 2023 is encouraged to contact the Chamber to save a date by calling 620-223-3566 or emailing [email protected].

 

Government

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Newsletter

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Honoring the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Each January, we remember the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the example he left of fighting for the most vulnerable, promoting peace with our fellow man and striving to create a more perfect union.

As Dr. King stated in one of his last public speeches, which was held at Kansas State University: “Somewhere, we must come to see that human progress never rolls in on the wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless effort and the persistent work of dedicated individuals who are willing to be co-workers with God.”

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Continue reading U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Newsletter →

Fort Scott, History, Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

Customized Tours of Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes Can Be Booked

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Sending on Behalf of Chamber Member
The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes…
Now Booking Group Tours!

Make plans soon to visit the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes in historic, downtown Fort Scott, Kansas.

– Learn about internationally recognized projects that share stories of unsung heroes from history!

– Enjoy FREE tours customized to your group!

– Bring classes, book clubs, civic organizations, travel clubs, school groups, etc.!

Perfect for all ages!

*An Unsung Hero is an individual, who is largely unrecognized by society, for taking extraordinary actions to improve the lives of others, and that made a profound and positive impact on history.

To schedule your group tour please call 620.223.1312 or email [email protected]
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Government, Kansas

Legislative Update By State Senator Caryn Tyson

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Caryn Tyson

 

January 13, 2023

And they’re off!  The Kansas Legislature 2023 session began 1/9/23 with new House members and new Senators taking an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution and the Kansas Constitution.  It is a good reminder for us all.

Committee Work  Kansas operates on a two-year bill cycle.  Bills that did not become law last year died and so we start over in odd years.  There have been several bill introductions which include those I requested, such as removing state income tax on Social Security and increasing standard deductions based on inflation (much like the federal income tax code).  This session appears to be lining up to help the people of Kansas.

 

Property Tax Relief  During the 2022 session, there were several changes to tax law.  One change is a first step in a property tax freeze for low income seniors and disabled veterans.  There are restrictions on property taxes in the KS Constitution and so the program is a rebate program administered by the KS Department of Revenue (KDOR).  Applications can be found at https://www.ksrevenue.gov/pdf/k-40svr.pdf.  In order to qualify for the ‘freeze’ a household annual  income must be $50,000 or below, a homeowner must be 65 years or older, and the value of the home cannot be above $350,000.  A disabled veteran must be at least 50% disabled.  Property taxes are still paid to the county and then a homeowner may apply to KDOR for a refund on their increase, resulting in a freeze.  Applications must be submitted by April 18, 2023.  The legislature will take another look at the program this year in an attempt to allow more seniors to qualify.

 

Another property tax cut was a slight decrease for all homeowners on the K-12 20 mil obligation.  That reduction increases every year based on inflation.  There is no application required for this reduction.

 

In an attempt to help small storefront businesses shutdown or negatively impacted by the Governor’s shutdown during COVID, the legislature established a program to provide some property tax relief.  Details of the program can be found at https://www.ksrevenue.gov/taxnotices/notice22-04.pdf.  Applications can be found by going to the KDOR website www.ksrevenue.gov and scrolling down to the application link

Kansas Department of Revenue Home Page

www.ksrevenue.gov

Official Website of the Kansas Department of Revenue

(https://www.kdor.ks.gov/Apps/Misc/PropTaxAssistance/StoreFront).

 

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.

Caryn

 

Bourbon County, Business

Female Business Owners Support System: Dare to Dream Seminar

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The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team is located at 104 N. National Avenue. Submitted photo.

Local female business owners will be speaking on the challenges of ownership of a business or hope to help those that want to start one.

The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT) is sponsoring the Dare to Dream Seminar: The Unique Challenges of a Small Business on  February 8 at 5:30 p.m.  at 104 N National in Fort Scott.

“This… seminar is for ALL women of ALL ages who have a business or is interested in starting a business, Rachel Carpenter, director of the The Center for Economic Growth at the HBCAT office.

“Our goal is to bring these woman entrepreneurs together to help create a support system of women supporting women. We bring in local woman leaders to share their expertise on how they have become successful.

The keynote speaker will be Erin Vann, of Highway Three.

Erin Vann is the keynote speaker at the Dare to Dream Seminar on Feb. 8. Submitted photo.

“She will speak on the challenges that her business had to overcome to get to the success story it is today,” Carpenter said. “We also have panel speakers Kelly Perry of Perry’s Pork Rinds Country Store and Angela Simon of Bids and Dibs. They will share about managing a business banking account and how to get through the low seasons of business.”

Kelly and Thaddeus Perry, owners of Perry’s Pork Rinds Country Store. Submitted photo.
Angela Simon, owner of Bids and Dibs. Submitted photo.

A part of the agenda is devoted to discussion.

“We will have HBCAT and Pittsburg State University Small Business Development Center staff available to answer questions about starting a business and about the grant opportunities available through HBCAT,” Carpenter said. “We will also have staff from City State Bank that will answer questions about cash flow. Our keynote speakers and panelist will be available to answer any questions at that time as well.

Free Meal, Child Care and a Raffle

Perry’s Pork Rinds Country Store will be catering a lasagna meal for the evening, and there is childcare available upon request.

“We will be raffling off a business starter kit and a printer,” Carpenter said. “This event is free we just ask that people register prior to the event using this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dare-to-dream-unique-challenges-of-a-small-business-tickets-510878690917″

 

Event Funded By

The support for the seminar is grant funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business Development and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways to Healthy Kansas, she said.

Rachel Carpenter can be reached at The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, phone: 620-215-2562

 

Bourbon County Local News