Fort Scott, Government, Schools

FSHS Tiger Newsletter

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A message from Pam Hutchison:
Thank you for your support of FSHS! GO TIGERS!

Tiger Cheer!

Front Row, sitting, from left: Ava Johnson; Katlyn Parker; Julia Maloun; Kinley Dillow; Jerri Smith

Middle Row, kneeling, from left: Camrie Hunziker; Sadie Claypool; Emilly Moore; Jaidyn Crumby; Anna Farrington; Molly Claypool

Back Row, from left: Elsa Bishop; Maddi Cook; Jocelyn Fess; Carsen Allen; Mesa Casper; Cadence Hunziker; Emersyn Logue; Gabbi Majors
Varsity Lady Tiger Volleyball!

Front Row, kneeling from left: Eden Haught; Hadlee Tuck; Hadley Forester; Raveyn Kegler; Avery Stewart

Back Row: Head Coach Terra Kegler; Dakota Hazelbaker; Keegan Yarick; Kylee Comstock; Sydney Pruitt; Brylie Shaub; Assistant Coach Kevin Flanner
Junior Varsity Lady Tiger Volleyball!

Front row, kneeling from left: Anna Farrington; Jillian Belcher; Kynlee Hampton; Mallorie Hall; Molly Hoyt; Gracin Pitts; Raylee Cowan

Back row, standing from left: Rhyla Lewis; Jacee Rogers; Makayna Woody; Tuesday Glessner; Kinsey Simons; Aubrey Yarick; Simran Caldwell; Sadie Claypool; JV Coach Selena Alvarado
Tiger Cross Country!

Front Row, seated from left: Jessie Harper; Alyssa Popp; Sofeea Anderson; Jocelyn Fess; Kodi Casper

Middle Row, kneeling from left: Mason Mumbower; Josh Woellhof; Gavin Catalano; Jaxson Schafer; Landon McDaniel

Back Row, standing: Abigail Eastwood, manager; Mesa Casper; Cody Geiger; Ben Davenport; Hunter Harrington; Trevin Worthing; Carsen Allen; Hannah Peck, manager
Lady Tiger Golf!

Front Row, from left: Emma Martin; Riley Findley

Middle, from left: Luci Dunkeson; Lillian Jackson; Alyssa Hunt

Standing in the back: Head Coach Julie Heatherly and Assistant Coach Jon Barnes
Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening in Fort Scott

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What’s Happening in Fort Scott! August 31st Weekly Newsletter

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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Fort Scott National Historic Site

Daily Guided Tours: 10am & 1pm

Special activities all this weekend! See link below.

Visit your National Park!

Trolley Tours of Fort Scott

50-minute narrated historical tour

Every Friday & Saturday on the hour

Fridays 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm

Saturdays 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm

$6 adults, $4 12 & under, leaves from the Chamber

Click this link: The Artificers

August pottery class/workshop

schedule, a creative space for all ages!

BINGO hosted by the American Legion Post 25 every 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month unless it falls on a holiday. Doors open at 6pm and Bingo starts at 7pm at Memorial Hall.

Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore August Special: 25% off gently used fiction books!

Register your garage sale listing for only $12! Garage sale flyers will be distributed throughout the entire city, DEADLINE is September 5th at 1pm! Click here to register!

8/31 ~ Maker Space Grand Opening at Museum of Creativity from 5-8ppm, refreshments available with a ribbon cutting at 5:30pm, click here for more info!

8/31 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Ribbon Cutting for the new County-wide Transportation Program, 104 N. National, 8am

8/31 ~ Deadline to submit Fort Scott Area Community Foundation Grant Applications for the 2023 grant cycle, visit fsacf.com for the online application.

9/1-4 ~ Uniontown Old Settlers Picnic, parade/craft and food vendors/drawings and games/Dale Jackson Memorial Care Show, click here for more info!

9/1 ~ Friday Night in the Park featuring Matt Harper, limited seating bring lawn chairs, concert starts at 7pm, click here for more info!

9/2 ~ Super Smash Bros, Ultimate Esports Tournament by FSCC, click here for more info!

9/2 ~ Butch Hall Memorial Fishing Tournament, 6am-4pm, click here for info.

9/2-4 ~Labors and Leisure on the Frontier at the Fort, enjoy a weekend at Fort Scott National Historic Site with Live Music, historic yard games, and a variety of living history demonstrations, for a complete listing of events click here!

9/2 ~ Lake Frances 5K Run & 2 Mile Fun Run, registration begins at 7:30am, 5k race starting at 8am with 2-mile to follow, $5 per participant, see flyer below for more info!

Happy Labor Day from the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce! We will be closed Monday, September 4th but will resume regular business hours Tuesday, September 5th!

9/5 ~ GriefShare Support Group hosted by Community Christian Church, a weekly grief support group that will meet for 13 weeks on Tuesday evenings from 6-8pm.

9/5 ~ FSHS Girls Golf Home Tournament at Woodland Hills Golf Course, 1-5pm

9/5 ~ FSHS Soccer Home Vs. Chanute,

4:30-7:30pm

Pizza Republic Wednesdays – 10% of Sales go to FSHS Tiger Booster Club, restaurant hours on Wednesdays are 11am-9pm but fundraiser hours are from 5-9pm.

9/7 ~ The Biggest Loser – Partner Competition at Buck Run Community Center, you will be asked to lose 1% of your overall body weight each week, you will weigh in at BRCC on Thursdays from 5am-9pm, $30/team of two, click here for more info!

9/7 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Hare & Crow Barber Shop, 118 S. Main Street, 8am

9/8 ~ The Tucker Family Band Concert – 70s Elvis: Hawaiian Style, River Room 3 W. Oak Street, Free Admission, doors open at 6pm with concert starting at 7pm.

9/8-9 ~ Town-Wide Garage Sale, starting Thursday September 8th at 10am copies of the official garage sale maps may be found around town, click here for more details.

9/9 ~ Paint & Pizza at Papa Don’s, Ghost Ship, text 831.521.9304 to sign up, $25 for the class

9/9 ~ Kansas Crossing presents Tech N9ne in Concert, must be 21+ to attend, 8-10pm, click here for more info and to get tickets!

9/9 ~ Mapleton Homecoming, come out and enjoy LIVE music featuring DJ Brown and the Bourbon County Revival, 8-11pm, click here for more info!

9/10 ~ Buddy Roufs Memorial Car Show at Mapleton Kansas, trophies for best of show and judges choice awards at 2pm, free registration starts at 12pm, parade at 1pm, free will donation

9/14 ~ Naturalization Ceremony at Fort Scott National Historic Site, 10:30am, click here for more info!

9/16-17 ~ Marmaton Massacre Mountain Bike Race, Gunn Park Trails ~ 10th Anniversary Race/Festival, follow the GP Trails FB page for updates & info.!

9/16 ~ Disc Golf Tournament at Gunn Park, 1010 Park Ave, 8am-12pm

9/16 ~ Book Signing at Hedghog.INK! Bookstore featuring Miranda Collins, Miranda is from Chanute Kansas and she writes Action/Detective/Mystery books, 2pm-4pm, click here for more info!

9/16 ~ Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation 2023 Fall Golf Classic in Fort Scott, to register call Tricia Campbell at 620.431.7655 or

email [email protected],

see flyer below for more info!

SAVE THE DATE!

9/20 ~ Saluting Branches at Fort Scott National Cemetery, 8am with lunch provided, for more information contact Tim Lopez at 913.290.0063 or email [email protected]

9/21 ~ Fall Fest in Downtown Fort Scott, 5-8pm, stores open late, horse-drawn hayrack rides, fall snacks in stores, and more!

9/23 ~ Tacos and Tailgates at River Front Park, door prizes and giveaways, custom trophies in 7 classes, $20 to enter, open to all trucks and SUVs, click here for more info!

9/30 ~ FortFest23, 400 N. National (Riverfront Park), BLUES FESTIVAL, free games/live music/BBQ Contest/Food Trucks/ FUN/ and much more, bring chairs and blankets as limited seating, free will donation, click here for more info!

9/30 ~ Special Saturday Chamber Coffee at Kansas Rocks Recreation Park, join us at 8:30am to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of KRRP, click here for more info!

9/30 ~ Red Bull Imagination sponsored by

E3 Ranch

_________

SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!

Boutiques-Antiques-Flea Markets & more!

Click here for Chamber member

specialty shopping & other retail in

Downtown & other areas of the community.
Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue

Calendar of Events

Special Event Features

THANK YOU Chamber Champion members!!
Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.

Join us TONIGHT for a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting at the Museum of Creativity featuring their new Maker Space!

Uniontown Old Settlers Picnic!

Head over to Pizza Republic EVERY Wednesday from 5-9pm, 10% of sales will be donated to FS Booster Club!

Town-Wide Garage Sale!

Click here to register your sale!

Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation 2023 Fall

Golf Classic!

Upcoming Movie Schedule @ Fort Cinema
THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER CHAMPION MEMBERS!
…
Government, Kansas

KS August Tax Collections Are Below Estimate

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August total tax collections at $640.1 million; 3.7% below the estimate

TOPEKA – The State of Kansas closed August with total tax collections at $640.1 million. That is $24.5 million, or 3.7%, below the estimate. Total tax collections are down 1.9% from August 2022.

Individual income tax collections were $299.3 million. That is $25.7 million, or 7.9% below the estimate, and down 2.6% from August 2022. Corporate income tax collections were $25.1 million, or 25.5%, higher than the estimate and up 62.3% from August 2022.

Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $292.4 million, which is $5.6 million, or 1.9%, below the estimate and down $10.5 million, or 3.5%, from August 2022.

Click here to view the August 2023 revenue numbers.

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Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes Sept. 1 Newsletter

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September 1, 2023                                 Volume 9

Embracing a New School Year of Discovery and Impact

Resources for Educators!

Discover our FREE, high-quality resources for educators! From lesson plans to activities, find ways to elevate your students’ learning experiences. We are here to support you with diverse tools and materials. Reach out with questions or suggestions.

Thank you for inspiring the next generation of leaders!
Educator Resources

LMC Fellow Alumni News

Order Your Commemorative Bricks

for Unsung Heroes Park

Our work as a nonprofit organization depends on donors like you.

 

Your contributions help us:

 

• develop powerful and life-changing Unsung Heroes projects with students and educators.

 

• engage more than 30,000 schools in interdisciplinary education that highlights positive role models for young people.

• provide professional development opportunities and teaching tools for educators across diverse subject areas and grade levels, using project-based learning that features Unsung Heroes.

 

• reach over 3 million students with inspiring stories that celebrate courage, compassion and conviction.

 

Visit www.lowellmilkencenter.org for opportunities to donate, which include commemorative brick purchases, book purchases and monetary donations.

All gifts are 100% matched and tax-deductible.

LMC Visitor Map Reaches 109 Countries
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Bourbon County Sheriff's Office, Jobs

Undersheriff Cole Is Leaving Law Enforcement

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Ben Cole. Submitted photo.

Ben Cole has been the Undersheriff for Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office for 10 years.

Before that, he worked at the Fort Scott Police Department for five years.

He is leaving law enforcement on September 8.

As undersheriff, Cole was responsible for the day-to-day operation of the department, reviewing all criminal reports, assisting with investigations, and supervising 16 personnel including deputies and support staff.

His colleagues are the best part of the job for Cole.

“The people that worked for me,” he said. “They have always been so supportive, easy to work with, and ALWAYS willing to go above and beyond to help grow this department. I will for sure miss them all. I have had the pleasure of meeting several great sheriffs across the state at different conferences and so not seeing them or being able to pick their brains, or being involved in the law enforcement activities, I will miss that as well.”

“Law enforcement has changed so much in the last 15 years and the challenge has always been keeping up with new laws and new ways to solve crimes that take place within our community,” he said. “And keeping staff, as no one wants to get into law enforcement because of the way society is and what they see on TV. And sometimes the pay is not worth the risk that we all take in law enforcement.”

Cole will continue coaching golf.

“I am going to continue to be the assistant golf coach at Fort Scott Community College,” he said. “I will find something else to do to keep me busy, but for now just going to relax and play more golf.”

Cole’s official last day will be September 15.
“My last day in the office will be September 8th but will still be available to the newly appointed undersheriff for questions up and until the 15th,” he said.
Kevin Davidson was promoted from detective to undersheriff, he said.

 

Bourbon County, Entertainment

Old Settlers Picnic Sept. 2-4: Food For All Tastes

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This is the schedule of activities for the 117 Annual Old Settlers Picnic in Uniontown.

There will be various foods to choose from at the annual Old Settler’s Picnic on Monday.
The Uniontown FFA will be selling BBQ food, the Uniontown United Methodist Church will be selling chicken dinners and in addition, there will be a taco truck, hot dog truck, burger truck, BBQ vendors, shaved iced, homemade goodies by Mary Ridge, and Uniontown High School Seniors baked goodies, according to Sara Roufs, president of the Old Settlers Picnic committee.
Government, Kansas

Help For Saving Energy and Lowering Monthly Bills

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KCC approves energy efficiency programs for Evergy customers

 

TOPEKA – In a 2 to 1 vote this morning, the Kansas Corporation Commission approved a settlement agreement pertaining to Evergy’s application for a Demand-Side Management (DSM) Portfolio featuring nine energy efficiency programs aimed at helping customers save energy and lower their monthly bills. Today’s decision is not related to Evergy’s pending rate case, which is a separate docket.

Discussions on the Energy Efficiency program application have been ongoing between Evergy, Commission Staff, and other stakeholders since the application was filed in December 2021. Agreement on the program offerings came relatively quickly. However, determining the best way to measure and fund the programs resulted in differing opinions.  Due to KCC staff concerns regarding potential cost, the Commission was presented with two proposals — a full slate of nine programs including PAYS® or a modified, lower cost option featuring only five programs.

The original nine-program offering was approved today with conditions attached to help ensure accurate performance measurements and fiscal accountability while avoiding duplication of funding available under the Inflation Reduction Act.  The approved settlement agreement is expected to have a total bill impact of less than 1-2% to implement and maintain the energy efficiency programs, while producing lower overall costs for customers in the long run. These costs will not appear on customer bills until mid-2025 at the earliest.

Commissioner Dwight Keen filed a dissenting opinion (included in the docket with today’s order) explaining his preference for a cost effective alternative DSM Energy Efficiency proposal that he believes provides substantial benefits to Evergy ratepayers at a significantly lesser cost, and more directly addresses his concerns regarding a possible duplication of incentives contained in the Federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

Today’s order states:

“The Commission’s view of “just and reasonable rates” and “the public interest” is broader than immediate bill impacts. The Commission must evaluate not just the cost of programs, but also what customers are receiving for that cost. Here, customers are gaining access to programs that allow them to better control their energy usage and their bills. The Commission received very positive feedback from the public that they want access to these types of programs.

“While there is ample evidence that the system as a whole will benefit from the KEEIA portfolio, the Commission is also compelled to provide opportunities for low and fixed income customers to control their bills. In the Commission’s view, programs serving these communities make rates more just and reasonable for all. The continued absence of energy efficiency tools for these communities contributes to less just and reasonable rates.”

The order also references the Kansas Energy Efficiency Investment Act (KEEIA) K.S.A. 66-1183, previously passed by the Kansas Legislature.

“Nearly ten years ago, the Kansas Legislature and Governor set State policy promoting the establishment of cost-effective energy efficiency programs. At that time, it became the policy of this State to help utility customers use energy more efficiently and in a manner that sustains or enhances those customers’ incentives to use energy more efficiently. The intent of this Order is to implement the goals of our State’s highest policymakers and ensure those Kansas residents and businesses with the greatest need to control their bills have options available to do so.”

The nine programs approved today include the following:

1) Whole Home Efficiency Program: Provides rebates, discounts, and on-bill financing for HVAC and building envelope measures in single and multifamily residences. It will also provide no cost energy assessments and discounted energy savings kits.

2) Home Energy Education Program: Helps rural and low-income customers use energy more efficiently through marketing, outreach, and education.

3) Home Demand Response Program: Helps customers reduce their energy use during peak demand periods. It also provides opportunities for customers to receive free thermostats and water heater controllers.

4) Hard-to-Reach Homes Program: Provides enhanced incentives, no-cost home upgrades, and no-cost energy assessments and savings kits for low-income and rural customers.

5) Whole Business Efficiency Program: Provides both variable and fixed incentives to help business customers install efficient equipment and building envelope improvements.

6) Business Energy Education Program: Provides tools, resources, and guidance for businesses interested in saving money on energy. The program focuses on small businesses.

7) Business Demand Response Program: Helps business customers decrease their energy usage during periods of peak demand.

8) Hard-to-Reach Businesses Program: Offers enhanced incentives to small businesses and non-profits.

9) Pilot Incubator Program: Creates a pathway to identify and evaluate new DSM program concepts to meet changing customer needs and integrate evolving technologies.

More details and the timeline for implementation will be shared as the programs are developed.

Today’s order is available here. A recording of today’s Business Meeting featuring comments by Commissioners, is available on the KCC YouTube channel.

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Opinion

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall by Patty LaRoche

1 Comment
Patty LaRoche. 2023

I find it difficult to be around married couples who constantly correct each other’s stories.  Recently, Dave and I spent a couple of days with such a twosome. They both love the Lord and are bold in their faith, but that didn’t keep them from annoying me.

Conversations went like this:

He: So, we were on a 32-foot houseboat when we nearly rolled over.  We were…

She: It was a 30-foot houseboat.

He: Okay, but we were terrified that the storm—that came fast and out of nowhere…

She: We had a warning.  We saw the clouds in the distance but didn’t know it was as bad as it was.

He: You’re thinking of the time we were in our sailboat and we…

She:  No.  Remember, we had Jenn with us and she was five years old and she was hiding under the kitchen table.  The sailboat was another time.

He: No, it wasn’t.  When the lightning flashed, we were alone on the 32-foot houseboat.

My head was ping-ponging back and forth as I attempted to make eye contact with the person speaking.

The fact was, I didn’t care what kind or size of boat they were on.  I could see the frustration in the husband’s face who couldn’t say anything without being admonished.

The wife, for some reason, didn’t seem to mind as much when she was set straight.

But I did.

I understand that we are to love those who frustrate us, but is there a point where we speak up…in love, of course?  Usually, I can make a joke to point out other’s offensive behaviors, but if they aren’t close friends, is that my place?

Our goal is to become more like Christ.  To “nit-pick” makes us nothing like him. So, shouldn’t I help this couple by pointing out how annoying their pattern is and how they will never have really close friends because they are so irritating? I need wise counsel on this.  I turn to God’s Word.

As I search Scripture for answers, I am directed to Matthew 7:3-5: Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of your eye,” when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

Not the resolution I’m seeking, but I shouldn’t be surprised.

It seems that every time I set out to correct someone else’s flaws, I have to look in a mirror.  This time, however, I can disregard Matthew’s writing because correcting my hubby is not one of my problems.

Dave and I are to go to dinner with this couple tonight.  We discuss ways we can address this annoyance.

“Dave, maybe I could just come out and say, ‘Remember when you brought up the 32-foot houseboat that almost rolled over and were immediately set straight?”

“Well, Patty, you could do that, except the conversation started with his wife talking about an almost-accident she had on a jet ski when the storm came in.”

“Absolutely did not happen that way.  Remember she said it was 30-feet long?

“Maybe we’re not the ones who should try and help.”

“Yeah, maybe you’re right.”

 

 

Opinion

Letter to the Editor by Pete Allen

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I noticed in the agenda for the next commission meeting under item 10  of “New Business” is a proposal for discussion “Consideration of Old Fort Boulevard/Skubitz Plaza Maintenance and Beautification Project” proposed by Mayor Wells.

It is my belief that for Fort Scott to succeed as a tourist town, we must put our best foot forward and this would be a project that would fit in with our comprehensive plan toward promoting tourism for economic benefit.

When I went downtown last June and walked the bricks from 3rd Street to the Old Fort, I was appalled and embarrassed by the filth on the street, the dips and low spots in the bricks, the grass and weeds growing in the bricks and gutters, and I noticed the theme of the GOD’s was “walk the bricks”.

And then I walked the alley behind the buildings, and I saw filth and potholes that would break the leg of a horse if he stepped in it, and I wondered how we could ignore common housekeeping and maintenance.

It has been 50 years since Skubitz was built and the lack of maintenance shows the city has just been incapable of maintaining anything. I think back to the years when we had a water truck with spray nozzles on the front and every so often following a good sweeping it was used to wash the bricks and gutters into catch basins, getting the downtown ready for the inevitable and welcomed crowds of people coming to shop, socialize, and partake of movies and activities on Friday and Saturday nights.

My thanks to Mayor Wells for recognizing a need and for acting.

I just hope the other commissioners will recognize the need and push for this much-needed project. (I can even remember when farmers were chastised for bringing their muddy trucks to town and parking on the clean streets!)

Pete Allen

Bourbon County Local News