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The Artificers In September

The Artificers In SeptemberSeptember is almost here! Check out the calendar below for all the classes and events happening this next Month! |
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Master ArtistAmy SmithMixed Media Artist |
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Master Artist Classes!We have two unique classes Amy will be teaching September 2nd! |
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Both classes are ages fourteen and up! We cant wait to see you there! |
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Later in the Month…DARRELL WILLIAMS GRAPHITE & AIRBRUSH ARTIST OPENING RECEPTION SEPTEMBER 29TH 6-9pm MEET THE ARTIST SEPTEMBER 30TH 11-4pm |
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Darrell Williams has been creating artwork since childhood. His first commissions were for custom painted Hot Wheels cars. He has been perusing his interest in art and automobiles ever since. His mediums include airbrush, graphite, oils, and colored pencil. He composes pieces that have a sense of nostalgia highlighting his interest in classic vehicles and Americana. Williams will gladly create a custom piece for you. He also offers custom work on vehicles. |
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Agenda for Ft. Scott City Commission Meeting on August 15
NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR
MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM – 123 SOUTH MAIN ST.
August 15, 2023 – 6:00 P.M.
- Roll Call:
- VanHoecke K. Harrington E. Woellhof M. Guns M. Wells
- Pledge of Allegiance & Invocation: Led by E. Woellhof
III. Approval of Agenda:
- Consent Agenda:
- Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 25, 2023
- Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1341-A — $1,627,351.54
- Request to Pay – Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. – $41,723.74
Invoice #16731 – 2022 Sanitary Sewer Inspection – $12,538.74
Peter W. Earles – 10.00hrs/$200.00 – $2,000.00
Shane Redfern – 48.50hrs/$48.50 – $6,741.50
Jason Dickman – 18.00hrs/&147.50 – $2,655.00
Amanda Simpson – 6.00hrs/$48.50 – $291.00
Mileage – 1,309.6 miles/0.65 – $851.24
Invoice #16727 – South Horton St. & West 6th St. – $22,485.00
Preliminary Design (100%) – $6,210.00
Final Design (35%) – $16,275.00
Invoice #16726 – 21-303A – WWTP – System Designs – $6,700.00
Phase III – $3,500.00
Phase II – $3,200.00
- Request to Pay – Invoice #08072301-EPEC-WWTP Aeration – $206,654.50
Phase II Aeration Upgrade (Total: $826,618.00)
25% of Total due – $206,654.50
- Request to Pay – Bourbon County – I.T. Services 2023 – $25,500.00
Shane Walker – $12,000.00
Jimmy Kemmerer $13,500.00
- July Financials
- Public Comment: Sign up required. Comments on any topic not on agenda
and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at Commission’s discretion.
- Old Business:
- Consideration of bids for investment CDs from WWTP funds – B. Hart
- Consideration to approve purchase of split case pump and impellor for WTP- $31,052.92 – S. Flater
- Consideration to approve MOU to join Bourbon County Health in All Policies Task Force and select a City representative – TABLED 7/25 AND 8/1 –
- Consideration to adopt a new policy for City Commission Agenda deadlines
- Consideration to pay Diehl, Banwart, Bolton $18,150.00 (approved 7/25/2023) for Certified Audit of Records and Preparation of Audit Report for the year ending 12/31/22. Invoice #161402 indicates an additional $4,975.00 for Single Audit of Federal Funds. Total amount due $23,125.00 requiring a new motion.
- Approval to go out for bid for KDOT Sub-Area Road Extension
VII. Appearances: None
VIII. Public Hearing: None
- New Business:
- Consideration of Lake Campsite Improvements – B. Matkin
- Consideration of 14-Day Camping Regulation at Gunn Park (Ordinance No. 3606) and corresponding municipal codes
- Shelter House Price Increases for #2 and #6 (Ordinance No. 3607) and corresponding municipal codes
- Consideration to Approve Sale of General Obligation Bonds, Series 2023 to USDA – B. Hart
- Consideration to Adopt Bond Ordinance No. 3752
- Consideration to Adopt Bond Resolution No. 10-2023
- Consideration to Approve Earls Engineering and Inspection, Inc. submission of work hours estimate for CCLIP US54-from US 69–Barbee Street – J. Dickman
- Reports and Comments:
- City Manager Comments:
- Engineering Comments:
- Commissioners Comments:
- VanHoecke –
- Harrington –
- Woellhof –
- Guns –
- Wells –
- City Attorney Comments:
- Executive Session:
XII. Adjournment:
Food Truck and Country Music in Uniontown Park Starting at 5 p.m. Today
Ribbon Cutting/Chamber Coffee at HBCAT on Aug. 31 to Launch Local Transportation Service
New U234 Teachers: Singmaster and Feeback
This is part of a series featuring the 20 new teachers in USD 234.
Distict Events Taken From https://www.usd234.org/ :
School starts in the district on August 18.

Torrie Singmaster, 27, is a new 6th grade math teacher at Fort Scott Middle School.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from Ottawa University and will graduate with a Master of Arts in Education with a focus in Curriculum and Instruction in May of 2024 from Ottawa University.
“I taught first grade at Winfield Scott Elementary for two years and one year at Humboldt Elementary School in fifth grade, she said.
“My favorite part of being a teacher is being able to watch students transform not only academically but personally as well,” Singmaster said. “I take pride in knowing that I can make a difference in the lives of my students.”
“After I became a mom, I wanted a career that would allow me to have more time with my kids,” she said. “I started subbing at the elementary school and immediately knew that education is the path I was supposed to take. I always enjoyed school growing up and that was due to the fact I had really amazing teachers along the way. I want to help students see their self-worth and be a safe place for all of my students to grow into the best versions of themselves.”
“The hardest part about being in education has been trying to figure out where I am the most successful as an educator,’ she said. “This will be the third different grade I have taught in my four years as a teacher. I was a para at the middle school for two years before getting my own classroom. I am beyond excited for the opportunity to transition to middle school and start this next journey in my career.”
She grew up in Fort Scott and she and husband Dakota, have two sons: William will be in first grade and Tyson will be starting preschool.
In their free time , they enjoy golfing, playing cornhole, and driving RC cars and she also enjoys painting and doing projects.

Ft. Scott Area Community Foundation Summer 2023 Newsletter
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A Banana Split…Sort of by Patty LaRoche

“Who believes God performs miracles?”
The baseball players, attendees at the weekly Chapel service, all raised their hands.
“Who believes God can do a miracle in your life?”
Same response.
“Who believes God will do one right now?”
The athletes looked at one another, unsure what to do. If they didn’t raise their hands, were they denying the possibility that this speaker had a special connection with God? If they did raise their hands, was the miracle dependent upon their faith being powerful enough to make it happen?
The guest evangelist, sensing their confusion, removed a banana from a plastic bag and asked the crowd, “How many of you believe that God can split the fruit of this banana into thirds without altering the peel in any way?”
The ballplayers were dumbfounded. After all, God could do anything He wanted, so He certainly “could” perform such a miracle. Slowly the men raised their hands.
“Good,” the speaker continued. “I’m going to pray that God does just that. I’m going to ask Him to slice the meat of this banana into thirds without making a mark on the skin. How many of you are confident God will answer my prayer?”
Surely it was a trick. Or was it? No one moved.
The speaker spoke to their doubts. “You probably think I’m messing with you, right? To prove I’m not, I’m going to pass this banana around the room. Check it carefully. See if there are any external marks on its skin.”
Each ballplayer took his time studying the banana. No one could find any puncture or marking. While the players sat on the edge of their seats, the preacher took the banana, raised it high, and prayed for it to be cut into thirds when peeled. As he broke the top portion of the banana’s skin and pulled it back, one piece—approximately a third—fell onto the table. The same scene replayed itself as the skin was peeled further. Three pieces. Just like the miracle worker said.
My son Adam, a player in that room, phoned me from the clubhouse.
“Mom, I just saw a miracle.” Adam proceeded to tell me what had happened. Although somewhat skeptical—only because I wasn’t sure why God cared about a banana dividing itself into thirds—I was thrilled for my normally unexcitable son to be so pumped about what he had witnessed.
A few days later I relayed Adam’s story to my friend. “Patty, that’s an old trick,” she said. “A threaded needle is pushed through the banana by working in a circular motion. With enough punctures, it creates a cut, and the skin heals itself so the pin marks can’t be detected.” I couldn’t believe it. The ballplayers had been deceived. My friend was as bothered by this evangelist’s tactic as was I.
I shared my findings with Adam so he could discuss what had happened with the chapel leader who organized the visiting speakers. I told him what bothered me most was that God doesn’t need any help in the miracle department. Jeremiah 10:12 speaks to His authority: But God made earth by his power; He founded the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding. His abilities are endless. For starters, He produced ten plagues to force Pharoah’s hand, provided manna for millions of Israelites wandering in the desert, saved Daniel and his friends from a fiery furnace, and made Himself man to redeem a lost humanity.
In retrospect, I hope the intention of the pastor was to excite his audience about God’s power and not to draw attention to his own ability to be used by God. I feel bad that he was so desperate to prove God is still in the miracle business. On the other hand, I would like to think my friend was wrong; there was no needle and thread and this man’s prayer was answered.
Yeah. I would like to think that.
I just don’t.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports August 11
Ft. Scott Commission Discusses Certified Local Government Program This Evening
WORK SESSION REMINDER
Please join us on Friday, August 11th at 5:00PM to discuss the idea of Fort Scott considering the option of applying to the Certified Local Government Program as presented to the Design Review Board and the City Commission by Mayor Matthew Wells. The Certified Local government (CLG) program is designed to promote the preservation of prehistoric and historic sites and districts by establishing a partnership between the local government on behalf of the State of Kansas and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), a division of the Kansas Historical Society. Katrina Ringler, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, and Director of Cultural Resources Division of the Kansas Historical Society will be present at the meeting to answer questions.
Please share with anyone who might be interested in learning more about this program and participate in the discussion of this proposal for the City.
Further information that was presented at the City Commission meeting can be found at http://www.fscity.org/AgendaCenter
An announcement will be posted on Facebook as well.
Grant to Revitalize Downtown Buildings Announced
New Round of Funding Announced for Revitalization of Downtown Buildings
TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced today $1.5 million will be available for a fourth round of Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants to revitalize dilapidated and underutilized downtown buildings in small communities across the state. HEAL grants help close financial gaps for communities striving to make their downtown districts more economically vibrant.
Since the HEAL grant program was launched in 2021, more than $3.5 million has been awarded to fund 63 projects in 48 counties throughout Kansas.
Enhancements have been made for HEAL 4.0 that are designed to set up applicants for even greater success, including a longer application period and a maximum award of $100,000. Additionally, formal bids will be required this round from licensed contractors at the time of application submission.
“HEAL 4.0 will offer even more support and funding for communities working to bring vacant and underutilized buildings back to productive use,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “We want as many communities as possible across the state to benefit from this successful program that breathes new life into downtown districts.”
HEAL grants help bring downtown buildings back into productive use as spaces for:
- New or expanding businesses
- Housing
- Arts and culture
- Civic engagement
- Childcare
- Entrepreneurship
Submitted projects must show potential to be economic drivers in that community and also demonstrate that the space will be occupied by the end of the project. Proof of 1:1 matching funds from the building owner will be required at the time of application.
Communities that received a HEAL grant in the first round (awarded spring/summer 2022) are now eligible to apply again. Communities that received HEAL grants in either fall 2022 or spring 2023 are not eligible to apply this round.
The application window opens August 14 and closes November 10 with award notifications in mid-December.
A virtual webinar about the specifics of the program is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 18. Registration is required and the Zoom link will be provided after registration. Organizations and building owners interested in applying should register and attend the webinar. To register, please click here.
Additional information about HEAL, the webinar and the online application can be accessed here.
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 and 2023, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
Opening on Fort Scott Park Advisory Board
CITY OF FORT SCOTT NEWS RELEASE
August 10, 2023
There is an opening on the Fort Scott Park Advisory Board to finish out the remainder of a vacated seat that expires December 31, 2023. The position is for a 3-year term and may be renewed after the upcoming expiration date, if you wish to continue to serve on the board. The function of the board is to provide suggestions to the City Manager and the City Commission regarding all parks within the City of Fort Scott. They meet on an “as needed” basis. All boards and commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated. Please submit your letter of interest by October 6, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. to Lisa Lewis, City Clerk at [email protected] or at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street.

















