Art, Business, Exercise, Fort Scott

New Self Defense Classes Offered in Fort Scott

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Brandon Pfannenstiel and Noah Terry. Submitted photo.
For those interested in learning self-defense techniques, a new business has opened for teaching those techniques.
The Fort: Bjj and Self Defense co-founders and owners, Noah Terry and Brandon Pfannenstiel, opened to the public on May 8.
“We offer Jiu Jitsu classes for both kids and adults,” Terry said. “We also offer MMA and striking classes as well. All with an orientation towards self-defense.”
For those unfamiliar with these martial arts, here are explanations.
“Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact combat sport that allows a wide variety of fighting techniques and skills from a mixture of other combat sports to be used in competition. The rules allow the usage of both striking and grappling techniques while standing and on the ground. Competitions allow athletes of different disciplines of martial arts to compete under a set of unified rules,” according to https://www.ufc.com/intro-to-mma
“Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a predominantly ground-based martial art, using the principles of leverage, angles, pressure, and timing, as well as knowledge of the human anatomy, to achieve a non-violent submission of one’s opponent. Unlike other martial arts that focus on strikes and/or kicks, jiu jitsu focuses on close-contact grappling holds and techniques, and the application of chokes and joint manipulations,” according to https://www.essentialbjj.com/about-us/what-is-jiu-jitsu/
“I started training four years ago out of a desire to better myself through discipline and technique,” Terry said. “Brandon started training his sophomore year of high school at a gym called Mid-America Martial Arts. He walked in untrained and eager to learn at the age of 15. This was about 2003. He gathered an 11-1 amateur and 7-1 pro MMA record, and received his black belt in February 2025.”
Lessons are taught at 123 S. National Avenue at a converted church building.
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The current schedule is:
JIU JITSU: Monday through Friday from 6-7 a.m.
Sparring class: Tuesday is  6:15 – 7:15 p.m.
Open mat: Saturday from  7 to 8 a.m.
KIDS CLASS: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m.
MMA: Monday is from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m.
STRIKING CLASS: Thursday, 6:15 to 7:15 p.m.
 Contact: (913) 475-4321 + www.thefortfs.com
Bourbon County

Local Grief Support Group Starts on July 1

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A 13-week Grief Support Group will begin on Tuesday mornings starting July 1-September 23.
“Each time we gather from 10:00 until 11:30 in the small classroom at Mary Queen of Angels church,” said facilitator Laura Meeks.  “The group is non-denominational, focused on helping rebuild your life after losing a loved one. The group is led by professionals through videos and guided discussion.  A helpful guidebook is provided and there are no costs to attend.”
For questions or interest in this group please call Laura Meeks at 740-317-6379 or email [email protected].  You can also directly enroll through griefshare.org/find a group where this Fort Scott session is listed.

Bourbon County, Government

Road closing considered by Bourbon County Commissioners

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

 

To all persons concerned,

 

You are hereby given notice that the Board of County Commissioners of Bourbon County, KS, through a petition filed by Bradley Plaster, propose to vacate the following:

 

Vacation of 60’ road of 128th between Lot 5 Sub of Lot 1 Block 8 and Lot 2 of Block 8, Hiattville, Kansas.

 

This road closing will be further considered by the Board of County Commissioners of Bourbon County, Kansas at a public hearing scheduled for 5:35 PM July 7, 2025, during their regularly scheduled commission meeting located at 210 S National Avenue, Fort Scott, Kansas, in the Commission Chambers.  Any person with an interest in this proposed road closing is invited to speak for or against this matter.  Said road closing will then become effective upon the formal resolution of the Board.

 

Susan E. Walker

 

Bourbon County Clerk

Government, Kansas

KS Supreme Court accepting public comment on updates to child support guidelines 

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TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court is accepting public comment on proposed updates to child support guidelines.

 

The court will accept written comment by email to [email protected] until 5 p.m. Sunday, July 23. The subject line must read “Child Support Guidelines.”

 

A strikethrough version of the guidelines with the proposed updates is on the child support guidelines webpage on the Kansas judicial branch website.

 

The updates are proposed by the Kansas Child Support Guidelines Advisory Committee based on 2025 House Bill 2062 enacted on April 10.

 

The bill, which takes effect July 1, amends K.S.A. 23-3002 to modify how individual retirement accounts are treated in statutes that govern child support. The bill also amends K.S.A. 20-165 to include a mother’s direct medical and pregnancy-related expenses among the factors the Supreme Court must consider when adopting child support guidelines. It also prescribes rules for ordering that type of support.

Kansas Judicial Branch

Office of Judicial Administration

301 SW 10th Avenue

Topeka, KS 66612-1507

785-296-2256

kscourts.gov

 
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Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott National Historic Site, Gordon Parks Museum

Kansas Tourism Announces 2025 Sunflower Summer Attraction Lineup

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Editor’s note: Fort Scott National Historic Site and Gordon Parks Museum are on the list!

TOPEKA – Kansas Tourism today announced that more than 230 tourism attractions across the state are participating in the 2025 Sunflower Summer program. The lineup includes something for every interest and region of the state —  museums and historic sites, zoos, arboretums, art centers and more.

“With such a wide variety of exceptional attractions participating this year, Sunflower Summer continues to open doors for Kansas families to explore and connect with every corner of our state,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “This program not only creates unforgettable memories for students and parents — it also fuels local economies by drawing visitors to main streets, museums and hidden gems across Kansas.”

The 2025 Sunflower Summer program will run from July 12 to August 3. During this period, eligible students and one accompanying adult are granted free one-time access to each participating attraction, once per season. Passes can be claimed through the free Sunflower Summer app and redeemed at the attraction upon arrival. Kansas students from pre-K through 12th grade — including those in public, private and homeschool settings — are eligible to participate. The program is exclusively available to Kansas residents.

“We’re thrilled to bring back Sunflower Summer for another year,” Kansas Tourism Director Bridgette Jobe said. “This program is a wonderful celebration of the incredible experiences Kansas has to offer. The variety and quality of attractions participating this year truly are outstanding — and we can’t wait for the season to begin.”

For the complete list of participating attractions and full program details, go to SunflowerSummer.org.

Families are encouraged to share their Sunflower Summer journeys on social media using #ToTheStarsKS and #SunflowerSummer. For more Kansas travel ideas and inspiration, click 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, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.

About Kansas Tourism:

The mission of Kansas Tourism is to inspire travel to and throughout Kansas to maximize the positive impacts that tourism has on our state and local communities. Kansas Tourism works hand in hand with other Commerce community programs to elevate and promote Kansas as a tourist destination. Kansas Tourism oversees all tourism marketing and PR for the state, produces travel publications and advertising, manages state Travel Information Centers, manages both the Kansas By-ways program and the Kansas Agritourism program, approves tourist signage applications, produces the KANSAS! Magazine, and provides financial and educational support to the tourism industry in Kansas through grants, education and support.

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Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

Visit the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes during the All-School Reunion to learn about Local Unsung Heroes!

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member

Lowell Milken Center

Visit the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes during the All-School Reunion to learn about Local Unsung Heroes!

Exclusively for the reunion, the LMC will feature 10 role models in history who are from Fort Scott. Other Unsung Hero exhibits feature projects created by students from the Fort Scott area.

Open Monday-Friday 10:00-5:00 and Saturday 10:00-4:00 at 1 S. Main St.

Click HERE for the LMC website!

Click HERE for the LMC Facebook Page!

Reminder:

The Anne Frank exhibit will only be at the

Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

until Thursday, June 26th.

Monday-Wednesday: 10am-5pm

Thursday – Only part of the day

A special thank you to our Chamber Champion members!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 
Fort Scott Community College, Government

Fort Scott Community College is requesting proposals for a project

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member
Fort Scott Community College

Fort Scott Community College is requesting proposals to enclose and finish the south end of the existing Maintenance Building. Sealed bids will be accepted through July 7, 2025

by 5:00pm.

More information can be found at www.fortscott.edu or by contacting Rory Chaplin at 620-223-2700 and requesting details on the proposal.

Click HERE to visit the FSCC website Click HEREfor .pdf printable form
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

620-223-3566

fortscott.com
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 
Bourbon County, Food

How SNAP/EBT Works To Give Fresh Food From Local Producers

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Tomatoes for sale at Fort Scott Farmers Market in 2018.
The Fort Scott Farmer’s Market is excited to accept SNAP/EBT for the purchase of all eligible food items!
SNAP/EBT enables qualifying individuals and families to use their EBT card to buy eligible fresh and local products at the farmers market! This program gives families better access to fresh foods, supports family farms and local producers, and directs tax dollars into the local economy.
How it works
1. Go to the SNAP Booth at the north end of the Farmer’s Market Pavilion.
2. Choose how much you would like to spend that day on food purchases. The Fort Scott Farmers Market runs the EBT machine. We will swipe your EBT card for the amount tokens you want to spend on SNAP-eligible items.
3. Shop for fresh produce.
What products are eligible to be purchased using SNAP?
Plants and seeds that grow food
Foods wrapped, labeled and intended for home consumption, including the following:
Meat, fish, beans
Dairy products
Maple and honey products
Fruits, vegetables
Jams, sauces, soups
Cider

Bourbon County Local News