KEY Apparel is searching for an entry-level Business to Business Junior Sales Professional to join our KEY For Business team.
The focus will be developing KEY’s direct sales customer base, including sales to businesses and government entities.
Visit https://www.keyapparel.com/careers-at-key/ for more information.
The dog park in Gunn Park in Fort Scott, Kansas is very popular with local dog owners. Many canine pet owners meet there regularly to let their four-legged friends get exercise and socialize with other dogs in a safe, enclosed area made especially for them to play and burn energy.
While a dog park meets the needs of many pet owners, local ophidian owners haven’t had a good place to recreate their pets. John Snalt, a senior at Fort Scott High School, is a local pet owner who has personally felt the lack of options. “There just aren’t a lot of places I can take Fred to get exercise,” he said. Fred is John’s 4.5-foot copper-headed water cobra that he got when he was 12. That’s about to change for John, Fred, and other snake owners in the area.
Thanks to a grant from the International Order of Friendly Reptile Keepers (IOFRK), Gunn park will be getting two snake pit exercise areas this coming year.
Located just North of the dog park will be the non-venomous snake pit, and just North of that will be the venomous snake pit. Sue Stalkholm from the IOFRK stressed the importance of having two separate areas for the different types of snakes. “I need to stress the importance of having separate areas for different types of snakes,” she said in her comments to FortScott.biz. “This isn’t just a simple hole in the ground. We’ve designed everything to maximize safety and fun for everyone using the snake pit park,” she said.
Plans call for an emergency telephone and a snake bite kit located between the two pits as well as educational signs to make sure everyone knows that they should always check with the snake’s owner before attempting to pet a snake or play a flute for it. Sue said, “Many people who haven’t been around snakes don’t understand proper snake-handling etiquette so we want to make sure everyone has all the knowledge they need to be comfortable in the snake pit park.”
The grant will cover the construction of the two snake pits as well as ongoing maintenance for the first five years. Ms. Stalkholm said that in most communities, snake pits have become very popular, and local donations can usually fund maintenance after a few years. She stressed the economic value of having snake pit park options for the community and suggested that it might open up opportunities for reptilian pet stores that wouldn’t have been able to stay in business without a local snake pit park.
Several local community members expressed concern about the project. “Is this a good thing to put in Fort Scott before we have an emergency room?” asked John Shnoodle. Mr. Shnoodle doesn’t want anyone to think he is against snakes as pets, but just wasn’t sure if emergency response time should be considered.
Jane Pfeffle also weighed in with strong opinions on the subject. “We shouldn’t build a snake pit until we have a hospital,” she stated emphatically. When told that the funding for this was coming from an outside source and wouldn’t be available to fund a hospital anyway, she responded with, “That doesn’t matter. We need to shut everything down until a hospital opens in Fort Scott again. That includes all of our roads, schools, electricity, water, etc. If it has a budget, power switch, or valve, it all needs to shut down until a hospital reopens.”
According to IOFRK the snake pit park is expected to be completed in exactly 1 year. “We like to see a grand opening that the entire community can participate in.” said Sue. “In other communities, we’ve brought in some snake charmers for the opening day, and that has been a really big hit with local residents,” Sue said. The snake pit park plans to celebrate the opening day on April 1st of 2025. “Plans like this really best when everything related to them happens on April 1st. It really doesn’t work well to have discussions about it on any other day of the year,” said Sue.
FortScott.biz reached out to Fort Scott Mayor Sam Sneedle (who isn’t the normal mayor but is briefly filling the role for the purposes of April 1st) for comment, but he said that current litigation prevented him from making in comment. He went on to say, “They are going to build what in Gunn Park?!”
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A few highlights, click photo for events listMonday, April 1st: no school, no foolin’! Tuesday, April 2nd: Driver’s Ed, classroom section, begins Wednesday, April 3rd: SkillsUSA Career Fair @ FSHS Wednesday, April 17th: FSHS Mental Health Fair Thursday, April 18th: FSHS Honors Reception |
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Come Check It Out!The Career Fair, sponsored by the FSHS SkillsUSA chapter, is to acquaint students with the career opportunities in our region. Students will have the opportunity to visit with 100+ business partners and research employment opportunities that are available locally and regionally. This is also an opportunity for students to discover the educational requirements to be prepared for these employment opportunities. The details of the Career Fair are as follows: DATE: Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024 TIME: 8 a.m. until Noon LOCATION: Fort Scott High School, both main and aux gyms STUDENTS: Fort Scott & Pleasanton High School students ~600 total Uniontown is unable to attend this year.
While there is no charge for the public to attend, monetary donations to the FSHS SkillsUSA Chapter are welcomed. These donations will help cover the costs of attending State and National Competitions. Thank you for your generosity! –photo: Kaleb Bailey with Bailey Drone Services, LLC |
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This newly released NPS youth conservation corps recruitment video features FSHS Tiger students Stewart Davenport, Elsie Hurd, Bryson Morrell, Adelynn Nolan, Aiden Sigafoos and Kiara Thompson. |
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TIGER PRIDE!March 18th: Each year at the State Basketball tournaments, KSHSAA appoints a special committee to evaluate and rate each school based on the team, its coaches, cheerleaders, school cheering section and fans, both adult and non-high school followers. A rating system is used and a certain score must be reached to receive an award. Teams that make it to the semifinal rounds are eligible to receive a plaque. Teams that do not advance past the first round are eligible to receive a certificate. KSHSAA announced the winners last week and Fort Scott High School received both a plaque for the Girls Basketball team and a certificate for the Boys Basketball team! This is a tremendous accomplishment and a great reflection of our school and community! KSHSAA sent us a copy of the rating sheets and they were filled with positive comments about all involved at State: cheerleaders, student section, the players on the floor, coaching staffs, adult fans and also mentioned were our Band that performed Wednesday and Thursday and our Orchestra that performed Thursday. Thank you to all involved in making the week in Salina a special time and for representing our school and community in such a positive manner. So much to be proud of! Tiger Pride was on full display in Salina! –Jeff DeLaTorre, FSHS Athletic/Activities Director |
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The Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge at FSHS on March 5th required students to conceptualize a business, including a plan for that business and a tradeshow-style presentation. These students then presented their business to local business leaders who served as judges for the challenge.Here are the prize-winning owners/businesses:
1st ($1,000) – Jasper Anderson – Fresh Start 2nd ($750) – Kaylie Dinneen – EmpowHer 3rd ($500) – Ivy Lee – Little Town Decor Judges Choice Tradeshow ($250) – Ivy Lee – Little Town Decor Additionally, the tradeshow was open to the public to attend and vote: Community Choice Tradeshow ($250) – Ella Regan & Camrie Hunziker Thank you all who attended! |
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from left: Lindsay Madison, judge; Josh Jones, judge; Jasper Anderson, creator of Fresh Start cleaning and grand prize winner; Deb McKenney, judge; Carissa Bowman, judge; Katie Casper, judge |
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FUTURE OFFICERSThe FSHS Chapter announces the 2024-25 FFA Officer Team: President: Dakota Hazelbaker Vice-President: Blaiton Terry Secretary: Gracin Pitts Treasurer: Jaidyn Crumby Reporter: Raylee Cowan Sentinel: Teegan Stiles Parliamentarian: Kaden Cannon Historian: Treyton Valentine |
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front row, from left: Landon McDaniel; Elsa Bishop; Adelynn Nolan; Caroline Barnes; Nick Davis; Savanna Cunningham; Jayden Newman back row, from left: Molly Claypool (behind Elsa); Zaida Summers; Raj Gugnani; Cody Geiger; Rylan Miller; Sypher Cannon; Daetyn Fowler; Ben Phillips not pictured: Joy Self Several of our FSHS students participated in the Allen Community College Math Competition on Tuesday, March 19th. This year, ACC decided to recognize the top two students from the sophomore, junior and senior levels and FSHS had TWO students ranked! Nick Davis was in the top two seniors and Joy Self was in the top two juniors. The ACC math competition included around 220 students from 11 schools. This is a great honor for both Nick and Joy. They are each being awarded with a free 3-5 credit course from ACC for the next academic year! |
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front row, from left: Jasmine James; Eden Haught; Hattie Jackson; Kathryn Williams back row, from left: Delani Weddle; Cadence Hunziker; Luci Dunkeson; Caitlynn Tate; Tiffany Salazar As members of the newly-formed FSHS Chapter of HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), these students attended the “Inspiring Women in Healthcare” conference in Pittsburg on March 20th. Area professionals provided information and answered questions about their respective fields, encouraging those interested to consider a career in healthcare. –submitted by HOSA sponsor and FSHS Health Sciences teacher Julie Heatherly |
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A FOUR-PEAT QUALIFIER AND A FIRST AT STATE!A round of applause and tip of the hat for Lady Tiger Wrestlers Gabby Rusk and Kenna Miles! In her fourth and final season, Gabby celebrated 100 career wins and is the first girls’ wrestler to qualify for state all four seasons! Kenna, a sophomore, captured the first girls state wrestling championship in school history! In last month’s Tiger Newsletter, we shared that senior Jasper Allison celebrated 150 career wins in his four years as a standout Tiger wrestler. Jasper finished as runner-up at the Class 4A State Wrestling Championships in Salina. Congratulations, Jasper! |
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2024-2025 FSHS SPIRIT SQUAD MEMBERS CHOSENTryouts for Tiger Dance & Cheer teams were held the week of March 18th.2024-25 Tiger Dance Team
Seniors: Kendal Armstrong; Graycyn Brown; Kinsley Brown; Abbie Eastwood; Annabelle Gorman Juniors: Jozie Fisher; Bryleigh Hymer Sophomores: Kodi Casper; Lillian Jackson; Sydnee Lane; Riley Marchiano Freshmen: Laurali Clark; Gianna Gorman; Ahlonna Johnson 2024-25 Tiger Cheer Team Seniors: Maddi Cook; Jaidyn Crumby; Jocelyn Fess; Cadence Hunziker; Emersyn Logue; Emilly Moore Juniors: Sadie Claypool; Kinley Dillow; Anna Farrington; Katlyn Parker Sophomores: Molly Claypool; Camrie Hunziker; Gabby Majors; Jerri Smith |
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March 25th: Tigers had a great showing at this NSDA National Qualifier. Only two can qualify per event and both Lincoln-Douglas debate qualifiers are from FSHS: Annelise Hall, senior, and Grace Walker, sophomore! The team’s other LD debater, freshman Joseph Moberg, is second alternate. Also, due to shifts in entries, Regen Wells will represent Fort Scott at Nationals in Senate Debate. The Tigers are Nationals-bound with one more qualifier to go! –Tyler Slinkard, FSHS Debate/Forensics pictured: Grace Walker, left; Annelise Hall, right |
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BASKETBALL!Congratulations to these Tiger/Lady Tiger Basketball players who earned All-SEK League honors! First Team: Keegan Yarick (unanimous); Rocco Loffredo Second Team: Allie Brown; Kylee Comstock; Dierks Kegler Honorable Mention: Abbie Gorman; Dub Chipman |
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WRESTLING!Congratulations to these Tiger/Lady Tiger Wrestlers who earned All-SEK League honors!First Team: Jasper Allison; Jaden Garcia; Brody Gomez; Trace Metcalf; Kenna Miles; Ryder Newton; Ali Simhiser; Jerri Smith; Caellen Wescoat
Honorable Mention: Aubrey Martin; Gavin Miles; Gabby Rusk; Brylie Schaub |
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Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker
After graduating from business college, I began working as a secretarial receptionist. I typed a lot of specs and documents, so it was annoying when I made a mistake and had to brush on the white correction fluid and wait for it to dry. In 1980, I moved to Kansas and was employed at The Western where I used an IBM Selectric II correcting typewriter. I was so happy that someone brilliant had finally designed a built-in correction feature. I thought it was the best invention since high heels! Whenever I misspelled a word, all I had to do was hit the backup key, retype the wrong letter, then type the right letter and all was made right. It was just as if I’d never messed up. Even though I aimed for perfection, it was impossible to perfectly type every single document in a workday.
The heartbeat of God is to free us from our sins and baggage so that’s why He sent Jesus to clean, correct, and restore our flawed lives. He welcomes the bruised and crushed of humanity to come to Him for restoration. “…Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18 NKJV). The Samaritan woman at the well, who’d been married five times, didn‘t cause Jesus to bat an eye or raise an eyebrow. When she believed and placed her faith in the Messiah, she immediately became the first female evangelist in her village. Many broken people came to believe in Christ because of her life-changing testimony. Jesus used, and still uses, some of the most-controversial individuals for His work and purposes.
Apostle Peter lied and denied, then quickly repented and was forgiven and restored. Saul/Paul persecuted, imprisoned, and approved of stoning Christians. But he stopped doing that when the light of Jesus landed him flat on the Damascus road. Jesus takes the most unlikely and makes them likely. In season 1, episode 7 of The Chosen, Jesus turns to Peter and says, “Get used to different.” Jesus didn’t come to admire the outward pretenses of a person, He came to clean the dirty insides of a person. Jesus came to love, forgive, and restore sinful and defective people and put them to work in the Kingdom of God.
Jesus specializes in picking up people and turning them around. He cast seven demons out of Mary Magdalene and she was miraculously freed from bondage and restored to her right mind. She became one of the faithful women who traveled and supported Jesus’ ministry and she’s mentioned in all four of the gospels. Her previous life may have been the worst, but Jesus made sure that Mary Magdalene was the first to see Him on resurrection morning. She is a beautiful example of a godly woman whose life was poured out in gratitude for God’s extravagant love, mercy, and grace. From the worst to the first — that’s how the Master of the Universe works. Jesus entrusted Mary of Magdala with the awesome assignment of telling the grieving disciples, “He’s alive!”
Jesus is the only true correction tape for the world. A simple definition of “justification” is “just as if I’d never sinned.” When we believe in Jesus as Savior, God pardons, cleanses, and acquits us from condemnation. Justification is a gift of grace; not a result of human effort. Jesus died and rose again; He paid it all so we can be clean and free. “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin” (Romans 4:7,8 NLT.)
The Key: Our faith in Jesus’ sacrifice makes us right in God’s sight (ref Romans 5:1.)
KEY Apparel is searching for an entry-level Business to Business Junior Sales Professional to join our KEY For Business team.
The focus will be developing KEY’s direct sales customer base, including sales to businesses and government entities.
Visit https://www.keyapparel.com/careers-at-key/ for more information.
Children thrive when outdoors. It provides them the opportunity to observe, explore, and interact with their surroundings.
Like other forms of nature therapy, gardening decreases stress by increasing our connection to the natural world around us. It prompts kids to tune in to the changing seasons and weather conditions, teaches mindfulness and promotes physical activity and healthy eating. Add to that the development of confidence, a strong work ethic, and the ability to accept that some things are beyond our control, and it’s no surprise that growing things can result in a growth mindset!
Children can be involved in all stages of gardening from designing the garden space to tending the plants. What’s great about gardening is the ability to adapt how children help depending on their age and ability. A few gardening activities could include: germinating seeds, preparing soil, labeling plants, watering produce, pulling weeds, gathering produce, and tasting the produce.
While engaging in gardening activities, it is important to set limits with children. Talk with them about the difference between a weed or new plant growth. Discuss the importance of watering and caring for plants. For example, offer a watering can for young children to assist with watering duties. Children need guidance to learn about their surroundings while having fun.
Don’t forget, gardening is a sensory experience. Call attention to the tactile feeling of the soil, the warmth of the sun, the sounds of the birds, the smell of the flowers, and the taste of fresh-picked produce. Each of these senses will be engaged while outdoors in the garden. Take advantage of these teachable moments to explore the world around them.
The hard work children put into the garden can be showcased at the local county fair as well. There are opportunities in both the open class and 4-H divisions to submit an exhibit. K-State Research and Extension has great resources to assist with learning more about gardening and selecting items for judging.
For more information, reach out to Jennifer Terrell, 4-H Youth Development Agent for K-State Research and Extension – Southwind District by email at [email protected] or by phone 620-223-3720.
Leta M. Hull, age 81, resident of Fort Scott, KS passed away Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Freeman West Hospital, Joplin, MO. She was born on September 27, 1942, in Liberal, MO, the daughter of Cora Lavon Ross.
Leta was a woman with a kind heart and loving spirit. She was known by many names such as Wife, Mom, Grandma, Grandma Leta, and most importantly Woman of God. She shared Jesus with everyone who entered her home. Her favorite scripture was Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Her life was filled with children’s laughter and tears as she shared her home and heart with Grandma Leta’s Daycare. She called them her kids because she loved them all like her very own. She had a heart of gold and a scripture for everything.
Survivors include 4 ½ children, Charles (Chuck), Jim, Jeff, Gina, and her beloved dog Kozee; 35 grandchildren and great grandchildren; all Grandma Leta’s Kids; and a sister, Betty Haynes.
She was preceded in death by her mother, husband Charles Hull, brothers Don and Jim, and sisters Lois Size, Helen Lett, and Carolyn Hessenflow.
Rev. Daryl Gaddy will conduct funeral services at 11:00 AM Thursday, April 4th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 until service time Thursday morning at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to Lee’s Paws & Claws 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.
The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Downtown Committee is sponsoring another spring Downtown Cleanup event. This year’s event will be held on Monday, April 22, to coincide with Earth Day.
According to committee member John Crain, there are several projects being planned downtown, that the committee hopes will make the area a little more attractive for both local residents and visitors. This is the third downtown clean-up sponsored by the committee, the first in 2021, and second in 2022. These included some of the same types of projects this year’s event will have, but also included others, such as the painting of awnings, striping of parking spaces on the streets and parking lots, painting of Skubitz Plaza light poles, and five murals on the sides of downtown buildings.
According to Crain, “This year crews will be cleaning up, and removing stuff from the downtown gutters, sidewalks, alleys and parking lots. Things such as trash, leaves, weeds, and remnants of the winter’s ice and snow treatments. We will also be washing windows of unoccupied buildings, painting street lights on Main and Wall, as well as benches and tables on Skubitz Plaza. New mulch will be put down in a couple of areas, and flowers planted in others. We’re also hoping to get another mural painted.”
“This is the third downtown cleanup we’ve had, and what made the first two so successful and rewarding, was all of the community members that volunteered their time, to come together for a common good,” Crain said. “And we need that same type of volunteer help again this year. The actual cleanup starts at 4 p.m. and goes till 6 p.m., so if you can spare about two and a half hours, from 3:45 to 6:15, we’ll find something for you to do, give you a tee shirt, and feed you when you’re done.”
“We also need some tools, such as flat blade and scoop shovels, loppers and pruning shears, brooms, dust pans, and step stools,” he said. ” If you can volunteer, and or have any of those items that we can use, please call (620) 266-9448, and ask for Katie or Bailey. You can also email them at [email protected]. I promise, when you’re done, you’ll feel good about what you helped accomplish.”
The Clean Up Committee is made up of Chamber Downtown Committee members Baily Lyons, Cathy Bishop, Kate Freeman, and John Crain, Chamber President Lindsay Madison, and Craig Campbell, representing The Good Neighbor Action Team.
Crain said the committee would like to thank the following businesses and entities for their support: Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, City of Fort Scott, Good Neighbor Action Team, My One Stop, Fort Scott Elks Lodge, Big Sugar Lumber, Bourbon County Arts Council, Bourbon County Garden Club, Holmtown Pub, Papa Don’s, Brick Street Barbecue, Common Ground Coffee, Sharkey’s Pub & Grub, Health Bourbon County Action Team, Fort Scott Community College, and Fort Scott USD 234.
“We’ve had several people volunteer already, but still need lots more,” he said.
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
1st District Commissioner
2nd District Commissioner
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
April 1, 2024 5:30 p.m.
Executive Session Justifications:
KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the
attorney-client relationship.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the
representative(s) of the body or agency.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting
would jeopardize such security measures.
” FOR LINKED INFORMATION.
