Church news, Youth

Community Vacation Bible School’s for 2024

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If your church has a Vacation Bible School this summer, please send the name and address of the church, the date of VBS and times, the age group of children invited, and the theme of the VBS, to [email protected]. The following are Vacation Bible Schools for this summer that have been submitted.

 

Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene

Fort Scott Nazarene church, 1728 Horton St. Fort Scott,  will have their VBS from June 24th-27th from 6:00-8:30 pm. with a
Scuba theme
See their website fsn. life or our Facebook page for more info.

Uniontown First Missionary Baptist Church

The Uniontown Baptist Church will have its VBS with the theme of God’s Backyard Bible Camp ‘Under the Stars’ on July 22-26, from  9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. for ages 4 through 5th grade.
Each child can fill a Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Shoebox to send to a child overseas.  The school includes game time and bounce houses.
Bethel Community Baptist Church
Submitted graphic.

VBS K5-6th grade:
Church name: Bethel Community Baptist Church
Address: 1397 155th St, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Date: Wednesday, July 31st-Sunday, August 4th.
Time: 9am-noon.
Theme: On a mission for the Lord

Submitted graphic.

VBS 7th-12th grade:
Church name: Bethel Community Baptist Church
Address: 1397 155th St, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Date: Monday, August 5th-Thurs. August 8th.
Time: 6:30-9:00 pm.
Theme: Teen Challange

Bourbon County, Government

Bo Co Commission Budget Work Session on June 24

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Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

Bourbon County, Kansas

Brandon Whisenhunt

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

 

A budget work session will be held on Monday, June 24, 2024 in the Commission Room beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Bourbon County, Government

Agenda for the Bo Co Commission on June 24

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Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

 

Bourbon County, Kansas

Brandon Whisenhunt

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

June 24, 2024 5:30 p.m.

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute
  • Approval of Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 6/17/2024
  1. Public Comments
  2. SEK Mental Health Center 2025 Budget Request
  3. Tri-Valley 2025 Budget Request
  • SEK Area Agency on Aging 2025 Budget Request
  • Bourbon County Conservation District 2025 Budget Request
  1. Vance Eden- USD 235 Contribution Decision
  2. Susan Walker, CFO
    1. Department of Labor Increase Approval
    2. 2024 SEHP Rate Increase Approval
    3. 5-minute Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b)(4)
  3. Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk
    1. Fireworks Permit
  • Opening of Solar Panel Committee Letters
  • Commission Comments
  • Adjourn Meeting

 

 

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.

 

Fort Scott

What’s Happening in Fort Scott

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What’s Happening in Fort Scott! June 21st Weekly Newsletter

Fort Scott, Kansas ~ Then & Now

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.

6/21 ~ Live music 6-9pm at Sharky’s Pub & Grub featuring Kylie Ast

6/21 ~ Patio Concert featuring Emily Hollingshed , Liberty Theatre Patio hosted by Bourbon County Arts Council, $15 BCAC members/$20 non-members, 8-10pm, click here for more information.

6/21 ~ Live music at Brickstreet BBQ by Left of Center, 8pm-11pm, click here for more information.

6/22 ~ Fort Scott Farmers’ Market, 8am-12pm, Gathering Square Pavilion

6/22 ~ Children’s Business Fair at the Farmers’ Market, come out and support young entrepreneurs, hosted by HBCAT & PSU Small Business Development Center, see flyer below for more info.

6/22 ~ Trolley Tours on the hour 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm leaving from the Chamber/Visitor Center, 231 E. Wall, $6 adults, $4 12 and under. 50-minute narrated historical trolley tour of Fort Scott!

6/24-27 ~ Kids Art Camp at The Artificers ~ Art in Japan, $125/per kid, click here to sign up and for more information!

6/25 ~ Fort Scott Farmers’ Market, 4-6pm, Gathering Square Pavilion.

6/26 ~ Chamber Lunch and Learn – Appraised Values and Property Tax, guest speaker Matt Quick/Bourbon County Appraiser with Susan Walker and Patty Love of Bourbon County on property taxes, registration is free, those attending may order an optional box lunch for $10 from Brickstreet BBQ by 12pm Monday, click here for more information and to register!

6/26 ~ 2 New Exhibits to be Unveiled at the Lowell Milken Center, 2 Women/2 Pioneers/2 New Exhibits, refreshments provided, 3pm, see the flyer below for more information.

6/24-27 ~ Greyhound Theatre Camp 2024 “The Wizard of Oz”, children ages 6-17, free event (t-shirt included), 1:30pm-3:30pm, click here for more information.

6/27 ~ 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.

6/27 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Fort Scott Community College Cosmetology, 2108 Horton St., 8am.

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

6/29 ~ NBHA Rodeo at Bourbon County Fairgrounds,

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 Brickstreet BBQ by CM Johnson band, 8-10pm

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

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.

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

SAVE THE DATE:

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.

7/12 ~ 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!

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

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

_________________

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.

Children’s Business Fair at the Farmer’s Market!

Chamber Lunch & Learn – Appraised Values & Property Tax Click here to register!

2 New Exhibits to be Unveiled at the Lowell Milken Center!

A Night of Mardi Gras in the Fort at the

Gathering Square Pavilion!

Downtown Meet & Greet hosted by Cohn’s Cafe!

D30th 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!
…
Bourbon County, Elections

Kansas State Senator District 13 Candidates On The August 8 Ballot

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This is part of a series of those candidates running in the Kansas Primary Eection in August, 2024.
The following are the  three candidates for  District 13 Kansas State Senator:
Tim Shallenburger. Submitted photo.
Tim Shallenburger, 70, Baxter Springs is the incumbent 13th District Kansas Senator, running again for the position.
Schallenburger attended Pittsburg State, served in the 1990s in the Kansas Legislature, past speaker of the Kansas House and former Kansas State Treasurer.
He has been involved over the years in many civic and community organizations; Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, etc. and has served as mayor of Baxter Springs prior to becoming state senator.
For Schllenburger, the primary role of a Kansas Senator is to protect freedoms outlined in the constitution, fight against wasteful spending and unnecessary regulation.
The most pressing issue currently in the Kansas Senate is to lower the state tax burden.
“We have a massive surplus of citizen’s money deposited in state bank accounts which should be in citizens bank accounts,”  he said.
Sam Owens. Submitted photo.

Sam Owen, 29, Fort Scott, graduated from Hamilton, MO. High School in 2014 and attended Fort Scott Community College from 2014-16 earning an associates degree in construction.

The primary role of a Kansas Senator is to ” be honest, trustworthy to the American people in this District 13. I going get the job done in the office my first four years in office. I am not going sit talk about it, I am going to fight and pass what should pass what shouldn’t be pass.”
The most pressing Kansas Senate  issues currently, in his view:
“1. Health Care Costs- We need to lower expenses for medical services, insurance premiums, and prescription drugs impact residents’ access to quality health care,
2. Lower taxes down,
3. Economic Growth- Infrastructure attracts businesses, creates jobs, and stimulates economic activity. And Increase minimum wages.
4. Education funding- Make schools better, safer, and more protected in each county.”
Austin Stapleton, Photo by Breana Clark.
Austin Stapleton, 30, lives in Pittsburg and attended
 Pittsburg State University.
In the past, he has been Bourbon County Democratic Party Vice Chairperson, Bourbon County Precinct Committeeperson, Co-founder and President of Crawford County Young Democrats.
 Currently, he is the Kansas Democratic Party Rural Caucus Secretary, Crawford County Precinct Committeeperson, and Kansas Democratic Party Second Congressional District Delegate.
Stapleton’s community involvement has been in Pittsburg Community Chorus Outreach Committee Chairperson, a member of Pittsburg Area Young Professionals, participant in Pittsburg Community Theatre and Triple Threat Threeatrics.
“The primary role of Kansas Senator is the sum of their constituents’ voices,” he said. “State senators have the responsibility and honor of representing their district’s values to wider state government. A state senator should always have the best interests of their district at heart when proposing legislation, confirming appointments,  allocating resources, and working to secure solutions across the aisle. If I am entrusted with the honor of representing District 13, I will use the skill set I’ve acquired from my time as a case manager to seek out and ensure safety, opportunity, and dignity for District 13.”
The most pressing issue of the Kansas Senate is “Securing the social, economic, and legislative safety of all Kansans is the paramount issue in the Kansas Senate. When working-class Kansans are well-represented by leaders who have their best interests at heart, we can ensure the dignity of affordable healthcare, career opportunities, well-funded public education, social acceptance, and constitutionally enshrined access to reproductive healthcare.”
To view the candidate series previously featured:
Government, Kansas

KDOT requesting comments on STIP amendment

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The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) requests comments on an amendment to the FFY 2024-2027 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) document.

The STIP is a project specific publication that lists all KDOT administered projects, regardless of funding source, and includes projects for counties and cities as well as projects on the State Highway System. The list of projects being amended to the STIP can be viewed at http://www.ksdot.org/bureaus/burProgProjMgmt/stip/stip.asp.

The approval of the STIP amendment requires a public comment period, which concludes July 3. To make comments on the amendment, contact KDOT’s Division of Program and Project Management at (785) 296-3254.

This information is available in alternative accessible formats. To obtain an alternative format, contact the KDOT Division of Communications, (785) 296-3585 (Voice/Hearing Impaired-711).

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Government, Kansas

Governor Has Signed Legislation For Tax Cuts For All Kansans and STAR Bonds Use

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Governor Kelly Signs Bill Providing Tax Cuts for
All Kansans

~~ Gov. Kelly Also Signs Legislation Approving Economic Development Tool to Attract Professional Sports Teams to the State ~~

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that she has signed Senate Bill 1, bipartisan legislation that will provide tax cuts for all Kansans without threatening the state’s long-term fiscal health. The bill reduces property and income taxes, immediately eliminates the state tax on Social Security income, and increases the standard deduction and Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit.

“I am proud to be delivering on my commitment to responsible, meaningful tax relief for all Kansans,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I appreciate the Legislature’s quick work to pass this tax relief package. Senate Bill 1 provides significant tax relief while preserving our ability to continue fully funding our public schools, roads and bridges, and State Water Plan.”

The governor also signed House Bill 2001, enabling the use of the Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) Bonds, an economic development tool, to expand Kansas’ portfolio of professional sports teams. STAR Bonds allow the issuance of bonds to finance the development of major commercial, entertainment, and tourism projects. The bonds are paid off through the sales tax revenue generated by the development.

“We know that modernizing our economic development tools provides the opportunity to increase private investment into the state,” Governor Kelly said. “By modifying the STAR Bonds program, one of our strongest economic development mechanisms, lawmakers crafted a viable option for attracting professional sports teams to Kansas.”

Click here to learn more about STAR Bonds.

Opinion

Spoiled by Patty LaRoche

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

I should have spoken up.  At least then, the long-term damage might have been minimized.  Instead, I chose to stay silent.

No excuse.

While in Walmart this week, I was in the toy section when I overheard a mother in the next aisle holding her ground against her demanding daughter who insisted on getting a toy.  She was reminded that she had “hundreds” of toys at home that she never even played with, so she was not going to get another one.  “I am not buying you that doll.  You have dozens of them already.”  The whining continued, but the mother held her ground.  Yea, Mom!

When they ventured down my aisle, I was surprised to see that this was no toddler.  She was, perhaps, four or five years old.  As more things were pulled from the shelf, the youngster imploring her parent that she “needed” this or “needed” that, Mom held firm.

Tell her that you are proud of her for not allowing her daughter to win, I told myself.  Tell her.  The voice in my head persisted, but I said nothing.

You know what happened next.  As I checked out, the mom/daughter duo pulled their cart up next to mine.  Four toys (one, a doll) sat alongside a quart of milk and a loaf of bread.

NOOOOOOO, I wanted to scream.  Why did you give in to her?  You are creating a monster, a spoiled, “‘No’ doesn’t mean ‘No’” monster.  Of course, you probably already have asked yourself why this mother even brought her child into the toy section if she had no intention of buying her anything.  No doubt, this was not their first Walmart, toy story experience.

What is so hard about having our “no” mean “no” and our “yes” mean “yes”?  The Bible actually addresses that in Matthew 5:37: Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.                                

Our words matter; they should be reliable and sufficient. This scripture does not mean that adding words to our “yes” or “no” is demonic.  Verse 37 simply explains the verses preceding it in which Jesus is saying that we should not swear at all.  We should not have to “swear to God” or “cross my fingers, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye” or even “pinky promise.”

How many times have you heard a parent say, “How many times do I have to tell you…”?  Oh, I don’t know, Parent, probably as many times as you’re going to say it before you, in exasperation, start yelling or smacking or simply give in.  And we wonder why kids become entitled brats.

Proverbs 3:12 tells us that the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.  Discipline is necessary, Readers, and I have to believe that the easiest way to teach our children right from wrong is to say what we mean and mean what we say.  If we’re going to say “No,” our “No” should have no Plan B.  Start early, and the lesson will be much less painful.

In “Empowering Parents.com,” several suggestions are given to make sure our kids do not grow up entitled.  Here are three:

1.  Don’t get pulled into fights with your child.

2.  Know that parenting is not a popularity contest.

3.  Saying “No” to your child takes practice.

Any one of those would have prevented what I witnessed in Walmart.  Not only would the child have learned some discipline, the mom would have as well.

 

Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

2024 Lowell Milken Center Fellows Receive Keys to the City

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From left to right (back row) Erica Quale, Kelly Sheridan (front row) Aaron Kruger, Michael Sandstrom, John Rosenbaum. Submitted 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 five fellows for June 16 – 21 were given the key to the city on Tuesday, June 18th, by Jackson Tough, Tourism Director. (Five more Fellows will arrive on June 23rd.) Upon presenting the keys, Tourism Director Jackson Tough said, “The students who participate in Unsung Hero projects are changed for life. They become the stars of the future! You, as teachers, do the same. You change lives, and you are our stars because of that. We sincerely welcome you to Fort Scott and as a small token of our appreciation for the work you do, we present each of you with a key to the city of Fort Scott.”

 

The Fellows honored this week were Aaron Kruger from Wyoming, Erica Quale from ­­­­North Dakota, John Rosenbaum from Rhode Island, Michael Sandstrom from Nebraska, and Kelly Sheridan from Idaho. LMC Director Norm Conard praised these outstanding individuals, saying, “It is an honor to be able to network and collaborate with these exceptional educators and provide this opportunity for them to reflect, reenergize, and strategize with each other as they seek 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fort Scott, Government

Horton Street Repair Begins In July

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Sixth and Horton, June 2024.

Starting in July,  Fort Scott residents will begin to see workers repairing Horton Street between Sixth and 18th Streets, according to Ben Wicker, Heck and Wicker, Inc. Project Estimator, the contractor.

The project will include new roadway pavement, new sidewalks, and new Americans with Disabilities Act ramps.

The start date for the project is July 8, 2024, with some traffic control setup beginning the week prior, according to Jason Dick, PE, Project Manager/Junior Partner, Earles Engineering and Inspection, Inc.

“The project goal is two-fold:

  1. Improve pedestrian/bicycle access from 6th  and National Avenue to and along Horton Street to Fort Scott Community College.
  2. Improve the roadway conditions with full-depth pavement replacement on Horton from 8th to 6th Streets and a 3” mill & overlay on Horton from 18th to 8th Streets,” said Dickman.

“The project will be funded through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s (KDOT’s) Cost Share program for a grant of $949,000 to assist with participating roadway construction costs. Remaining project costs through construction will come from City (of Fort Scott) funds,” Dickman said.

The estimated cost to complete is just over $2 million, Dickman said.

The anticipated construction completion date is currently based on 230 calendar days or the end of February 2025.

“The plan is to maintain local access as much as possible on Horton Street, but some work will require detouring to Burke and Crawford Streets primarily to travel from 18th Street and to the north. An alternate route may also include Osbun, Lowman, and Holbrook Streets to access areas between 18th and 6th Streets,” Dickman said.

Heck and Wicker, Inc., Parsons will be the contractor, and subcontractors are Emery Sapp & Sons, Cornerstone, Heartland Traffic, Dustrol, Wicker said.

Heck and Wicker’s contract with the city of Fort Scott is in the amount of $1,875,681.17, Wicker said.

 

Bourbon County Local News