Candidates on the August Primary Ballot: Walker, Holdridge, Crux

This is part of a series featuring candidates on the August Primary Election Ballot.

The following people have no opposition on the ballot:

Susan Walker. Submitted photo.

Susan Walker,49, is seeking the position of Bourbon County Clerk, and there are no other candidates on the ballot for this position.

She has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from MSSU, is a Certified Municipal Clerk through Wichita State University, and is a Certified Public Manager through Kansas University.

“I have 20 years of combined experience in governmental accounting and human resources while serving as Finance Director and Assistant City Manager with the City of Fort Scott, Business Manager for U234, and most recently Chief Financial Officer for Bourbon County.  I also worked for NPC as their Human Resources Manager overseeing payroll, risk management and benefits for 40,000 employees across half of the United States at Pizza Hut and Wendy’s restaurants.”

“After losing my husband in a car accident in 2019, I needed to work closer to home for my daughter and was blessed to have the opportunity to return to the City of Fort Scott for a short time as Finance Director. I have worked for Bourbon County as CFO since January of 2022.”

“While serving as CFO I have identified a lack of financial controls which leads to errors.   When hired, the County had experienced five years of audit violations and unreconciled cash.  I worked with County Departments to address deficiencies and am pleased to say that the 2022 and 2023 audits had no violations.”

“The county form of government relies on statutory authority given to the County Clerk, Treasurer and Commission with very specific requirements for checks and balances.  Following these statutory checks and balances are important to protect the county from errors and fraud.  There are still many procedures to implement to protect the County in the future and I feel I can be more effective in making these changes as County Clerk.  Jennifer Hawkins (current County Clerk), Patty Love (current County Treasurer, and I have worked well together over the past two years. Patty has decided not to run for re-election as County Treasurer. Jennifer worked in the Treasurer’s office for five years and felt she would better serve the community in this role since she has experience in the Motor Vehicle office.  Jennifer is a wealth of knowledge for many departments in the County and this would also make the transition smooth if she were to be elected as Treasurer.”

“The Bourbon County Clerk serves as the clerk to the Board of County Commissioners and maintains all records for the board.  The Clerk is also responsible for ensuring budget and cash laws are being followed by each department and taxing entity.  The clerk is statutorily charged with calculating the July and November abstracts of valuation and taxation, preparation of the tax role, special assessments, and motor vehicle abstracts.  The County Clerk is also the Election Officer, sells licenses for KDWP, conducts permitting for fireworks and cereal malt beverages, maintains fixed asset inventory, assists taxpayers with Homestead and Food Sales Tax refunds, serves as Freedom of Information Officer, Administers Oaths of Office.  In addition, the Clerk administers accounts payable, payroll and human resources duties.

“Most of my working adult life I have held a position that serves our community.  I want to continue to serve the community in which I live in the most transparent, efficient, and professional manner possible.  There is a lack of trust in our community, and I plan to improve our website with current information to keep the community better informed.”

“As stated before, there are still many procedures to implement in financial controls.  I plan to work with all departments to reduce liability.”

“The most important issue to me for Bourbon County to be successful is electing individuals to positions with experience, the willingness to collaborate and work together, civility, and transparency.”

Lora Holdridge. Submitted photo.
Lora Holdridge, 57, is the current Bourbon County Register of Deeds and is running unopposed.
The  Bourbon County Register of Deeds’s primary role is ensuring all documents are recorded and indexed properly, she said.
“We deal with all real estate,” she said. “We record over 100 types of documents and index them in our track index books.”
“The most pressing issue for the register of deeds is to preserve all land records for the future,” she said.  “Where all land transactions begin.”
Holdridge has 20 years of experience in this job.
In her spare time, she enjoys “watching my grandchildren in various activities.”
James Crux. Submitted photo.

James Crux, 32, is the only candidate for the Bourbon County Attorney position and currently is the Assistant County Attorney in the Bourbon County Attorney’s Office.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts from  Fort Hays State University and J.D. Washburn University School of Law and has worked as a prosecutor since 2017.

“Bourbon County is a great place that is dealing with issues that a lot of what smaller communities are dealing with.  Keeping the residents of Bourbon County safe, alongside our law enforcement partners, is my biggest concern. ”

“I see the Bourbon County Attorney’s primary role as doing justice,” Crux said.

Southeast Kansas Library Newsletter June 2024

The SEKnFind Newsletter
June 2024

We hope you enjoy this newsletter sent as a courtesy to adult patrons of a southeast Kansas library using the SEKnFind catalog.
This selection of titles are NEW at a SEKnFind library and available for a hold.
Need assistance? Your local librarian can show you how!
Happy Reading!

New Fiction

All the colors of the dark : a novel
by Chris Whitaker

After a string of disappearances in 1975 Missouri, a one-eyed boy heroically thwarts a kidnapping, igniting a chain of events that blur the lines between triumph and tragedy as the townspeople of Monta Clare confront hidden truths.

Hall of mirrors
by John Copenhaver

Suspicious after his lover and writing partner’s death in house fire is ruled a suicide in 1954 Washington, DC, Lionel joins forces with two friends and amateur sleuths to investigate and stop a serial killer.

The unwedding
by Allyson Braithwaite Condie

Recent divorcee Ellery Wainwright, while staying at the luxurious Resort at Broken Point in Big Sur, finding the place beautiful, yet unsettling, especially when a mudslide traps her and the other guests with a murderer who has something horrific in store for them all.

The glassmaker
by Tracy Chevalier

From the height of Renaissance-era Italy to the present day, this spellbinding novel follows Orsola Rosso and her family of glassblowers as they live through creative triumph and heartbreaking loss, and how through every era, the Rosso women ensure their work, and their bonds, endure.

Lula Dean’s little library of banned books ; : a novel
by Kirsten Miller

When Lula Dean, trying to rid public libraries of“pornographic” books, starts her own lending library in front of her home, Lindsay, the daughter of Lula’s arch nemesis, sneaks in nightly, secretly filling it with banned books wrapped in“wholesome” dust jackets, changing the lives of those who borrow them in unexpected ways.

You should be so lucky : a novel
by Cat Sebastian

Ordered by the team’s owner to give a bunch of interviews to reporter Mark Bailey, baseball shortstop, Eddie O’Leary, during the 1960 season, slowly gives in to the attraction between them, and when it’s just them against the world, they must decide if that’s enough. Original.

Horror movie : a novel
by Paul Tremblay

The only surviving cast member of a notorious, disturbing 1993 art house horror movie joins the remake, but begins having trouble distinguishing between reality and film in the new novel by the author of The Pallbearers Club. 150,000 first printing.

How to become the Dark Lord and die trying
by Django Wexler

“Davi has done this all before. She’s tried to be the hero and take down the all-powerful Dark Lord. A hundred times she’s rallied humanity and made the final charge. But the time loop always gets her in the end. Sometimes she’s killed quickly. Sometimesit takes a while. But she’s been defeated every time. This time? She’s done being the hero and done being stuck in this endless time loop. If the Dark Lord always wins, then maybe that’s who she needs to be. It’s Davi’s turn to play on the winning side”

The stardust grail
by Yume Kitasei

Once the best art thief in the galaxy, anthropology student Maya Hoshimoto, when an old friend comes to her with a job she cannot refuse: find a powerful object that could save an alien species from extinction, sending her on a breakneck quest through the universe with her visions as a guide.

The wealth of shadows : a novel
by Graham Moore

In 1939, Ansel Luxford uproots his family and moves to Washington, D.C., to work on a clandestine project to undermine Nazi Germany, one involving economic warfare, and is plunged into a world of espionage, danger and deceit, especially when his wife takes a job with the FBI, bringing subterfuge to the home front.

A lonesome place for dying : a novel
by Nolan Chase

The town’s new chief of police, Ethan Brand, receiving threats on his first day on the job, is faced with the first homicide case Blaine, Washington, has seen in years and with no one to trust, must find the killers and bring them to justice before anyone else winds up dead.

Iron star
by Loren D. Estleman

A pioneering film star searching for a cinematic story that will launch his career, Buck Jones approaches a retired Pinkerton detective to set the record straight about the larger-than-life Deputy U.S. Marshal Iron St. John to tell the truth about this part-time hero in the American West.

New Audiobooks

Long Island
by Colm Toibin

In 1976 Lindenhurst, Long Island, Ellis Lacey, an Irishwoman in her 40s with no one to rely on in this still-new country, discovers her husband got a woman pregnant and the woman’s husband refuses to raise it, forcing Ellis to decide what she will do and not do in this unexpected situation.

The Rom-Commers
by Katherine Center

Emma Wheeler desperately longs to be a screenwriter. She’s spent her life studying, obsessing over, and writing romantic comedies, good ones! That win contests! But she’s also been the sole caretaker for her kind-hearted dad, who needs full-time care. Now, when she gets a chance to re-write a script for famous screenwriter Charlie Yates it’s a break too big to pass up. Emma’s younger sister steps in for caretaking duties, and Emma moves to L.A. for six weeks for the writing gig of a lifetime. But what is it they say? Don’t meet your heroes? Charlie Yates doesn’t want to write with anyone, much less “a failed, nobody screenwriter.” Worse, the romantic comedy he’s written is so terrible it might actually bring on the apocalypse. Plus! He doesn’t even care about the script, it’s just a means to get a different one green-lit. Oh, and he thinks love is an emotional Ponzi scheme. But Emma’s not going down without a fight. She will stand up for herself, and for rom-coms, and for love itself.

Red Sky Mourning
by Jack Carr

When three seemingly disconnected events are about to ignite a power grab unlike anything the world has seen, Navy SEAL sniper James Reece, to save America, must reconnect to a quantum computer called“Alice” who is positioned to act as either the county’s greatest savior or its worst enemy.

New Nonfiction

Swimming pretty : the untold story of women in water
by Vicki Valosik

Published to coincide with the 40th anniversary of synchronized swimming’s elevation to Olympic status, this breathtaking book, tracing a century of aquatic performance, from vaudeville and dime museums to the Olympic arena, honors the grit, glamor and sheer athleticism of an utterly unique sport that forever changed women’s relationships with water. Illustrations.

Raising a socially successful child : teaching kids the nonverbal language they need to communicate, connect, and thrive
by Stephen Nowicki

Reveals how to identify the nonverbal areas where a child might be struggling, and equips readers with a set of simple exercises for helping any child learn how to: follow the rhythm of conversations, respect others’ personal space and much more.

The art and science of connection : why social health is the missing key to living longer, healthier, and happier
by Kasley Killam

In this groundbreaking redefinition of health and wellbeing, an internationally recognized expert in social health argues that the definition of wellbeing is missing a major component: social connection, proving that relationships not only make us happy, but they are also critical to our overall health and longevity.

Crossing the desert : the power of embracing life’s difficult journeys
by Payam Zamani

“By blending the personal with the historical and the technical with the motivational, Crossing the Desert gives readers an intimate look at how the paths we choose, the values we embrace, and the systems we decide to participate in-or not-can make or break us, not only financially, but spiritually”

The great river : the making and unmaking of the Mississippi
by Boyce Upholt

In this landmark work of natural history, a journalist tells the epic story of the Mississippi River and the centuries of efforts to control it, which have damaged its once-vibrant ecosystems, carrying readers along the river’s last remaining backchannels and exploring how scientists hope to restore what has been lost. Illustrations.

Dog smart : life-changing lessons in canine intelligence
by Jennifer S. Holland

Based on evidence from trainers, owners, behaviorists and the animals themselves, this cutting-edge science narrative, filled with heartwarming and tail-wagging case studies, seeks to understand the world’s smartest dogs and how they got that way. Illustrations.

Big dip energy : 88 parties in a bowl for snacking, dinner, dessert, and beyond!
by Alyse Whitney

“Food editor, recipe developer, and TV host Alyse Whitney has been a Dip Queen for decades, making her the perfect diplomat for this first-of-its-kind cookbook. Big Dip Energy offers endless fun and easy ways to both entertain and enjoy solo with creative dips and dippers”

FS City Commission Agenda for July 2

NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR

MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

City Hall Commission Room – 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

July 2, 2024 – 6:00 P.M.

 

  1.     Call to Order
  2.     Roll Call

Tim VanHoecke,  Matthew Wells,   Dyllon Olson,   Kathryn Salsbury,  Tracy Dancer

III.       Pledge of Allegiance

  1. Invocation
  2. Approval of Agenda
  3. Consent Agenda
  4. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1363-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates June 12, 2024 – June 25, 2024$1,907,395.59
  5. Approval of Minutes for June 18, 2024
  6. Request to Pay – Hofer, Hofer & Associates, Inc. – Application No. 4 – Gunn Park Restroom & Shower House$2,250.00
  7. Request to Pay – Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. – Invoice #17366 – Project No. 22-656 PS – (6) Additional Lake Lots – Lake Fort Scott Boundary Survey$5,760.00

 

VII.    Public CommentSign up required before the beginning of the meeting on register at the entrance of the Commission Room. Public Comments are for any topic not on the agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at the Commission’s discretion.

VIII.     AppearancesMust be scheduled with the City Clerk at least (1) week prior to the meeting             

              you wish to address the Commission. You will be scheduled on the agenda to speak on your topic.

  1. Travis SawyerTemporary Street Closure – Heylman between 6th and 7th – July 4, 2024 – 3:30PM – 11:00PM
  2. Jason Marbury – RHID

 

  1. Old Business
  2. Consideration of Resolution No. 12-2024 –RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AND ACCESSORY STRUCTURE – KNOWN AS [110 W. OAK], FORT SCOTT, KS 66701 Tabled from April 2, 2024 Owner to return with requested information for the Commission – Removed from April 16, 2024, AgendaMay 7, 2024 – Owner appeared and motion approved to extend time to July 2, 2024, with conditions. – L. Kruger

 

 

  1. New Business

            Action Items:

  1. Consideration of Change Order Request for Electrical Requirements – Grit Removal System at WWTP – Estimate #1019 by KTK Electric LLC – $17,681.30 – S. Flater
  2. Lake Lot Discussion Continued – Requested by D. Olson
  3. Dispatch Discussion – B. Matkin
  4. Consideration of Approval of License to Sell Retail Cereal Malt Beverages For Consumption on the Premises (New License) – OUTPOST 13 WEST – 13 W. Oak, Fort Scott, Bourbon County, KS 66701.
  5. Revenue Neutral Worksheet Oliphant

 

  1. Reports and Comments
  2. City Manager Comments
  3.  Engineering Comments
  4.   Commissioners Comments
  5. City Attorney Comments

 

 

XII.      Executive Session

 

XIII.     Adjourn

The “Be” Word by Patty LaRoche

Patty LaRoche. 2023.
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)

When people say that they are working hard to become more like Jesus, I wonder how that plays out.  How many sacrifices of their time, money and talents are necessary to meet that goal, and what is their attitude as they strive to get there?  It took me years to realize that I cannot “do” enough to be Christ-like.  What I can do is “Behold” Jesus by “Being” with him, and then God will help me surrender and “Become” like him. Personally, I’m thrilled that this is God’s job and not mine.  It would be yet another thing at which I fail miserably.

I recently heard a pastor say that surrender cannot happen without transformation, but don’t I need to surrender so that God helps me be transformed?   I cannot undo my addictions or my propensity to anger or my selfishness or my desire to not forgive until I surrender my right to do as I please…which means I would be transformed, right? As long as I crave control, I have no chance of becoming like Jesus because that craving is rooted in my pride and my desire to be in charge instead of allowing God to run my show.

The story in the Bible about the Tower of Babel is applicable today.  “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves…” Get that?  Not for “God” but for “ourselves.”  How many of us seek self-importance instead of allowing God to be the important One in our lives?  We strive to acquire more.  More power.  More money.  More respect.  More happiness.

More. More. More. Meanwhile, there is only striving and no surrender, no transformation.

In Philippians 3:8-14 (MSG), Paul explains how he surrendered. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him…I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself… I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.                Paul was saying that everything fails but Jesus. He’s right.  Everything we strive to accomplish or possess on earth will fade away.  Jesus won’t.  He can’t.

Sometimes, when I’m looking for stories of transformation, I Google “People whose lives were radically changed by Jesus.” Even shock-rocker Alice Cooper speaks about the difference Jesus made in his life.  The list is endless, but the results are all the same: Being with Jesus transforms lives.

How do I know if I’ve surrendered?  If I’ve been transformed?  I will have unspeakable joy and peace and know that life is not about me.  Rather, it’s about the One who created me, the One Who wants me to Be with Jesus so that He will make me Become like him.

In truth, my job is the easy one.

City of Fort Scott’s East National Avenue Project: KDOT Awarded

Governor Kelly Announces $8.6M Awarded to
Cost Share Program Projects

EDWARDSVILLE – Governor Laura Kelly and Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed today announced that $8.6 million will be awarded to 14 transportation construction projects through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Cost Share Program for spring 2024.

“These new Cost Share projects will repair and modernize transportation infrastructure in communities across Kansas,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Collaboration on these selected projects address short-term challenges to bring long-term solutions to the places Kansans call home.”

Governor Kelly lauded the 104th Street sidewalk expansion in the City of Edwardsville as a prime example of how a Cost Share project can benefit a community. Enhancements to the city’s pedestrian facilities will fill the largest gap in pedestrian access between K-32 and the elementary school and encourage safe non-motorized access to school and recreational activities.

With today’s announcement, more than $260 million has been invested to support the 179 projects selected in the Cost Share Program since it began in the fall of 2019. Combining more than $146 million in state funding with more than $115 million in matching local funds has been a substantial boost to Kansas communities.

“Kansans understand the value of partnerships,” Kansas Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed said. “The Cost Share Program provides the opportunity for partnership between KDOT and communities to solve local transportation issues through shared investment. Addressing these infrastructure projects enables solutions that will help these communities and residents keep moving forward for generations.”

Both rural and urban areas can submit transportation projects that improve safety, support job retention and growth, relieve congestion, and improve access and mobility. The program is part of the Kelly administration’s 10-year, bipartisan Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program, or IKE.

Click here to view a map of the 14 Cost Share Program projects announced today. These projects are also listed below:

  • City of Baxter Springs – Bagcraft Boulevard improvements.
  • City of Edwardsville – 104th Street sidewalk expansion.
  • City of Fort Scott – East National Avenue project.
  • City of Hesston – East-west community connection.
  • City of Hoisington – Green and Vine Street resurfacing and pedestrian improvements.
  • City of Inman – Street improvements for Nikkel Addition.
  • City of Norton – Oliver Lane and Franklin Avenue paving project.
  • City of Sabetha – Kansas Road and 14th Street surfacing.
  • City of St. John – St. John Street improvements.
  • City of Wamego – Kaw Valley Road improvements.
  • Cloud County – Noble Road pavement preservation project.
  • Lane County – Airport runway and county road improvements.
  • Seward County – Meade Lake Road HMA overlay.
  • Wallace County – Smoky Hill River low water crossings project.

More information about KDOT’s Cost Share Program is on KDOT’s website at https://www.ksdot.org/CostShare/CostShareProgram.asp.

Brickstreet BBQ Hosts Americas Best Restaurants TV Program on July 1: Join The Fun

Sending on behalf of Chamber Member

Brickstreet BBQ…

Join Brickstreet BBQ for an EXCLUSIVE event where they host America’s Best Restaurants!

They will be open for a full service lunch on Monday July 1st from 11am-2pm, so stop in for your chance to be on tv!

Monday, July 1st, 2024

3 W. Oak St.

11am-2pm

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 

What’s Happening In Fort Scott

What’s Happening in Fort Scott! June 27th Weekly Newsletter

Trolley Tours every Friday and Saturday on the hour.

Fridays 11am-3pm, on the hour, last tour leaves at 2pm

Saturdays 10am-3pm, on the hour, the last tour leaves at 2pm

$6 adults, $4 children 12 & under

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

________________

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Daily Guided Tours: 10am & 1pm

Currently closed Wednesdays & Thursdays

until further notice.

Visit your National Park!

Click here to see all the FUN classes at The Artificers, classes 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.

Farmer’s Market at the Gathering Square Pavilion every Tuesday from 4-6pm and Saturdays from 8am-12pm over 15 returning vendors and 11 new ones!

6/28 ~ Kid’s Art Show off at The Artificers, come out and enjoy all the hard work of local children artist, 6-8pm, click here for more information.

6/28 ~ Shepherd’s Center at First United Methodist Church, free admission, 1-4pm, click here for more information.

6/28 ~ Friday Night Cocnert in the Park – featuring Davis Prickett and Open Mic for others who want to perform, 7-8pm, seating is limited, click here for more information.

6/29 ~ NBHA Rodeo at Bourbon County Fairgrounds

6/29 ~ 2-Person Scramble at Woodland Hills Golf Course, proceeds to benefit the Woodland Hills Jr. League, $100 per team (does not include cart), 7am registration with 8am shotgun start, click here for more information.

6/29 ~ 50th Bronson Day in Bronson City Park, free event for the public, bring lawn chairs, 11am-7pm, click here for more information.

6/29 ~ A night of Mardi Gras in the Fort, live music featuring Two Lane Highway & Ernest James Zydeco Band, Care to Share will be offering Shrimp Gumbo and Shrimp Boil for a FREE WILL DONATION, food starts at 5:30pm, Gathering Square Pavilion, see the flyer for more information.

6/29 ~ Live music at Holmtown Pub directly after the City’s Mardi Gras Party, Two Lane Highway, $.50 for every set of beads sold will go to Care to Share bucket at the end of the night, click here for more information.

6/29 ~ Live Music at Brickstreet BBQ by CM Johnson band, 8-10pm

7/1 ~ America’s Best Restaurants visit to Brickstreet BBQ, full service lunch from 11am-2pm, click here for more information.

7/2 ~ Jay & Leslie in Library Escapades at Memorial Hall, the show has nifty juggling/wacky game of 20 questions/and nonsense poem that puzzled Alice, recommended for ages 4 & up, 10am, click here for more information.

7/3 ~ 19th Annual Independence Day Bash at Uniontown Park, jump houses/selfie bar/live music also hotdogs/chips/water, 7pm, click here for more information.

7/4 ~ Happy 4th of July from the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce!

7/4 ~ 42nd Annual Burke Street Parade, lineup at 10th & Burke, everyone welcome for the post parade refreshments at the corner of 9th & Burke, click here for more information.

7/4 ~ Sights and Sounds at the National Historic Site, 9am-4pm, click here for a full schedule of events for visitors & community members to enjoy!

7/5-6 ~ 2024 Bourbon County Fair Rodeo at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds, 8pm nightly, tickets before rodeo: adults/$15 & kids/$10, tickets at the gate: adults/$17 & kids/$12, see flyer below for more information.

7/5 ~ First Friday at The Artificers, Artist Opening Reception with artist Christine Raymond and Ned Ducharme, 6-9pm, click here for more info.

7/6 ~ City Wide Firework Show at Fort Scott Community College, 9:30pm

7/8 ~ Beauty and Bourbon, skin analysis by Refreshed/wellness services by Refine MedSpa/exclusive charm bar and permanent jewelry by Better in Bourbon/cool refreshing drinks from Libation Station, 6-8pm, click here for more info.

7/9 ~ Downtown Meet & Greet at Cohn’s Cafe, 110 South Main, join community members to network and share ideas on events/promotions/and anything else related to downtown, coffee/juice/and light refreshments will be served, 8:30am-9:30am, see flyer below for more info.

7/10 ~ Food Truck at Woodland Hills Golf Course hosted by Part Tee Girls Ladies’ Golf League, Aunt Toadies will serve the food and the clubhouse will serve the drinks, EVERYONE welcome, 5:30pm-8:30pm.

7/11 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Walmart, 8am

7/12 ~ 30th Annual Fort Scott Area Chamber Golf Classic at Woodland Hills Golf Course, be a banner or hole sponsor/donate a raffle item or prize/volunteer to help, we would love for you to be a part of this tournament that is ALWAYS a blast and one of the primary fundraisers for the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, contact the Chamber at 620.223.3566 TODAY!

7/13 ~ Downtown & Around Summer Sidewalk Sale organized by the Chamber! Business Bingo to get your card punched at 3 or more stores for a Chamber Bucks Drawing and other deals & discounts! Stores featuring fruity refreshments!

7/13 ~ Birth and Beyond at Nevada Regional Medical Centers, a class which covers childbirth/breastfeeding/infant care, 8:30am-12:30pm, register by calling 417.448.3710

SAVE THE DATE:

7/15-21 ~ Bourbon County Fair at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds, something for everyone to enjoy, 8am!

7/25 ~ Candidate Forum hosted by Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, doors open at 5:30pm with the forum starting at 6:00pm, location TBA

7/27 ~ Second Annual End of Summer Craft Creations at the River Room, food/drinks/crafts, 10am-4pm

8/3 ~ 2nd Annual Bourbon County REDI Gala, dinner/live entertainment/online auction/live auction, all proceeds will be dedicated to providing scholarships for local students, single ticket/$50 and table of 8/$375, click here to purchase tickets and for more information.

8/2-4 ~ No Sales Tax Holiday Weekend – Shop Local in Fort Scott, receive a 9.4% discount on all purchases at participating locations TBA, shop local promotion organized by Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.

_________________

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.

2024 Bourbon County Fair Rodeo at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds!

A Night of Mardi Gras in the Fort at the

Gathering Square Pavilion!

Downtown Meet & Greet hosted by Cohn’s Cafe!

30th Annual Chamber Golf Classic, July 12th!

Contact the Chamber at 620.223.3566 to become a banner or hole sponsor/donate a raffle item or prize/ or volunteer your time!

Summer Sidewalk Sale ~ Downtown and Around Fort Scott!

Upcoming Movie Schedule @ Fort Cinema

THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER CHAMPION MEMBERS!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
231 E. Wall Street
Fort Scott, KS 66701
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 

Overview of Healthcare Development in Bourbon County 

Last week, Freeman Health System’s  CEO Paula Baker announced that they will begin operating 10 in-patient hospital beds in 2025 at the site of the former Mercy Hospital Fort Scott and will open an emergency department as well.
Mercy closed its doors in December 2018, citing “declining patient numbers and shrinking reimbursement.”    Mercy Hospital Fort Scott to Close
Freeman Health Systems CEO Paula Baker announced last week that Freeman will bring a 10-bed hospital and emergency department to the former Mercy Hospital Fort Scott building.
To view the feature on the Freeman announcement:
At the Bourbon County Commission meeting held on June 17, 2024, Rob Harrington, the Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Director, provided a detailed account of the efforts to bring healthcare services to the community in the last three years.
Rob Harrington. Submitted photo.
Fortscott.biz contacted Harrington to tell the story of all the behind-the-scenes activities that helped produce the announcement of the new hospital and emergency services that are to begin in 2025.
Harrington began by outlining the chronology of events that led to the current healthcare infrastructure since he became the Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Director in 2021.
He said that in 2022, the Regional Economic Development Initiative (REDI) started discussions with Legacy Healthcare to bring their services to Bourbon County.
The Bourbon County Commission transferred the building to them to develop and the building became the responsibility of Legacy Health Foundation in November 2022. View the Bourbon County/ Legacy Health Foundation Agreement
In 2022, the Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department approached the Bourbon County Commission with a proposal…and the Commissioners made the prudent decision to waive the lease rate for the Emergency Room facility, he said.
Following this, “We made the strategic choice to forgo clinic rent, amounting to approximately $23,000 per month, to make sure that the hospital facility could retain and use the helipad.” Harrington explained.
This move underscored the county’s commitment to ensuring rapid medical transportation capabilities for critical cases, he said.
AVC operated the emergency department from 2019 until 2023 ceasing operations citing a ” steady decline in visits and its overall average daily census.” December 20: Ascension Via Christi Closes Emergency Department in Fort Scott
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas occupied clinic space in the former Mercy building from 2019 until 2023.
CHC then moved to another site to expand services.
Harrington said the hospital building now houses two important healthcare entities. “Thanks to the combined efforts of REDI and the Bourbon County Commission, the hospital building is now at full capacity, accommodating both the Southeast Kansas (SEK) Mental Health Center and the Kansas Renewal Institute (KRI),” he stated.
Emphasizing the positive impact of these developments, Harrington noted, “KRI has created new employment opportunities and introduced a vital service to the state. Currently, they are managing a waiting list of over 100 children in need of care, demonstrating the high demand for their services.”
“In the State of Kansas, and across the nation child mental health is a critical issue and as we see the need for these services grow, we need to continue to support these types of organizations and their support for our children,” he said.
Harrington also shed light on efforts to secure emergency medical services for the county. “We engaged in discussions with multiple organizations in our attempts to establish an ER-only facility,” Harrington explained. “Ultimately, our partnership with Freeman Health System has yielded even better results.”
The 10-bed Freeman Hospital and emergency department is slated to begin operations in April 2025.
Harrington expressed his gratitude to several key stakeholders who played crucial roles in these developments.
He thanked Bourbon County  Commissioners Clifton Beth, and Jim Harris for their continued support and decision-making, the work that Bourbon County REDI staff and board put in, acknowledged the committee that worked tirelessly to place the retail sales tax initiative on this year’s election ballot, the help that KRI and its Chief Operating Officer T.J. Denning had in bringing in Freeman Health, and commended the Bourbon County Emergency Medical staff for their dedication and hard work throughout the process.
Bourbon County Commissioner Clifton Beth. Submitted photo.
Jim Harris, 2nd District Bourbon County Commissioner, and current chair.
T.J. Denning from his LinkedIn page.
Bourbon County EMS is located at 405 Woodland Hills Blvd. Fort Scott. Photo from its Facebook page.
“This overview… illustrates the collaborative and strategic approach taken by Bourbon County to significantly enhance its healthcare infrastructure, ultimately benefiting the entire community,” he said.

2024 Lowell Milken Center Fellows Receive Keys to the City

Front Row: Ann Marie Vanneste, Matthew Mayeske, Sarah Espinal, Leah Lawrence
Back Row: Ashley Libben, Elisabeth “Bibba” Kahn. Kenny Felt photo.

 

 

The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas has awarded its 2024 National Fellowship to 12 educators. As part of their week-long experience in Fort Scott, the six fellows for June 23 – 28 were given the key to the city on Tuesday, June 25th, by Jackson Tough, Tourism Director. (Five other Fellows were in Fort Scott last week.) Upon the presentation of the keys, Tourism Director Jackson Tough said, “From Gordon Parks to the history of the Fort and the National Cemetery, along with this amazing place, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, we realize that Fort Scott is the home of heroes. Now we add you, the Lowell Milken Fellows to that list of heroes. You influence so many young people. You mold them, inspire them, and give them direction. We truly welcome you to our community and as a small token of our appreciation, we present each of you with a key to the city of Fort Scott.”

 

The Fellows honored this week were Sarah Espinal from New York, Elisabeth “Bibba” Kahn from Vermont, Leah Lawrence from Missouri, Ashley Libben from Indiana, Matthew Mayeske from Kansas, and Ann Marie Vanneste from Canada. LMC Director Norm Conard praised these outstanding individuals, saying, “We are so honored to be able to network and collaborate with these exemplary educators and provide them with an opportunity to reflect, reenergize, and strategize with each other as they seek to find new ways to inspire their students.”

 

Every summer, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes awards its Fellowship to national and international award-winning educators from America and around the world. As National LMC Fellows, they deepen their understanding of Unsung Heroes and project-based learning in preparation for developing Unsung Heroes projects with their students. They also learn the stories of powerful role models who have helped to change the world and can be life-changing examples for students today. Along with the time spent deepening their professional skills at the LMC, the Fellows enjoy visiting the Fort Scott area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR ZONING CHANGE RESIDENTIAL TO COMMERCIAL

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR ZONING CHANGE
RESIDENTIAL T0 COMMERCIAL
 
Case No. 1047 – 223 N. FRANKLIN
 
OFFICIAL NOTICE
July 24, 2024 – 4:00pm
 
                              TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN AND TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED:
              NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN on the 24th DAY OF  JULY, 2024 THE PETITION OF GARRETT KNIGHT REQUESTING A ZONING CHANGE FROM RESIDENTIAL TO C3 (COMMERCIAL) FOR THE PURPOSE OF MECHANIC SHOP AT PARCEL #006-119-29-0-20-21-001.00-0; C05-CAMERONS ADDITION, N 193.33′ OF LOTS 1 & 2 BLK 1.
              The Public Hearing is set for JULY 24, 2024, at 4:00PM at a scheduled Planning Commission meeting in the City Commission Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701.
              As provided in the Zoning Ordinance of Fort Scott, Kansas the above application will be discussed and considered by the Planning and Zoning Commission and a recommendation to approve or not approve the request will be made to the Fort Scott City Commission for a final decision.
              All persons interested in said matter will be heard at this Public Hearing concerning their views and wishes; and any protest of the proposed changes will be considered by the Planning and Zoning Commission before they make such recommendations to the City Commission.

Bourbon County Local News