Fort Scott, Fort Scott Police Department, Schools

Police Department Received Report of Criminal Threat to FSHS

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Fort Scott High School.
 USD 234 Superintendent Ted Hessong received a report from the Fort Scott Police Department that a criminal threat was made regarding Fort Scott High School on Oct. 28.
A person was accused of posting a social media threat against the high school on October 28, just about the time Fort Scott High School lets out for the day.
“The Fort Scott Police Department reported to me this afternoon, (Oct. 28) after school was out, that they had received information from a third party website that a criminal threat was made on the high school this afternoon,” Hessong said.  “FSPD investigated the report this afternoon and found that no credible threat was made upon the high school.”
“It was a hotline based out of California,” FSPD Captain Jason Pickert said. “They received an anonymous tip that a video had been posted on a social media site.”
“We learned upon investigation the person does not have an account with that media site, so it was falsely reported,” Pickert said.
“We spoke with the suspect involved and did independent research,” he said. “The person was local, but not a high school student.”
“We notified Ted Hessong shortly after the report came in, about 3:20 p.m.,” Pickert said. “I think it was a false report from the get-go.”

The incident was  communicated to the school district parents through the school messenger mass phone call system that a report of a criminal threat was made, it was investigated, and no credible threat was made upon the high school, Hessong said.

“The safety and security is the number one priority of the school district,” Hessong said. ” I want to thank Chief (Travis) Shelton and his detectives and officers for reporting and investigating the possible threat.  It is nice to know that our local law enforcement agencies, FSPD and the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Department, supports our schools.”
Government, Kansas

KDOT is preparing for winter weather

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Most people in the state are hoping for less snow this winter, but regardless of what Mother Nature has in store, the Kansas Department of Transportation has done its best to be prepared. Parts of Kansas have already received some snow, and more is expected this week.

Field employees have conducted snow and ice training during October, routine maintenance on vehicles and equipment has taken place and all KDOT storage facilities across the state are filled with a total of about 200,000 tons of salt and sand, according to KDOT Maintenance Bureau Chief Clay Adams.

“It’s important to review procedures like making salt brine, putting on tire chains and loading materials as well as basic snow and ice removal operations,” Adams said. “Whether it’s a harsh or mild winter, KDOT wants to be ready to go.”

KDOT uses salt brine in three ways.

“Spraying salt brine on bridge decks helps keep frost from forming on cold damp mornings,” Adams said. “Using salt brine to prewet salt as it’s being dispersed from the trucks can be very effective by putting a coating of brine around the salt, which helps the salt stick to the pavement and activates the salt so it can melt the ice. Treating roads with brine prior to a snowstorm will help prevent the snow from sticking to the pavement.”

Salt brine is not effective if it’s extremely cold, windy or predicted to be a dry snow. However, in specific situations, salt brine helps in the removal or reduction of snow and ice on highway surfaces and makes it easier to plow the snow, Adams said.

While KDOT crews are focused on their efforts to clear the highways, KDOT Director of Safety Catherine Patrick reminds motorists to never pass a snowplow on the right side, slow down and use caution. Numerous KDOT trucks have been struck by motorists in years’ past, which puts people in danger and takes trucks out of commission. In fact, in February, five snowplows were hit in the Kansas City metro area in less than 24 hours.

“Check the forecast before you leave if there’s inclement weather. And when you see our crews out there working, please give them plenty of room,” Patrick said. “We’ll be out there day and night treating the highways and working to clear the roads as quickly as possible.”

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Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

SALSA CONTEST AS PART OF FORKS & CORKS

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As part of the 16th Annual Forks & Corks, A Taste of Fort Scott, the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces there will be a Salsa Contest. Restaurants, caterers and individuals are welcome to enter. Entry in the contest only takes 2 quarts of your homemade salsa. One quart will be used for the tasting, and the other quart will be included in the auction. Event attendees will vote on their favorite and an award will be presented at the end of the evening, although it is not required to attend the event to enter salsa in the contest. To enter, bring 2 quarts of salsa to the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce (include name and contact info.), 231 E. Wall St., by Friday, November 1st.


The Forks & Corks event will take place Saturday, November 2, 2019 with the food & beverage tasting from 6:30 to 9pm, and a DJ/Dance by The Hull Experience following until 11pm. The theme this year is “Viva Fort Scott”, Las Vegas style. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door including a souvenir wine glass and all the tasting attendees can endure. Fourteen local restaurants and caterers are registered as food vendors. Standard Beverage will provide tasting of the latest in beers, wines and liqueurs and non-alcoholic beverages will be available as well. There will also be silent and live auctions, special raffles, a 50/50 drawing, and The Selfie Bar photo booth to capture memories of the evening. Donations are also welcome for the auctions to promote your business or organization.

Food vendors registered to have a booth for tasting include Bronson Locker, Butcher Block, Dairy Queen Grill & Chill, For Goodness Cakes, G & W Foods, Holmtown Pub, Kinede’s Cakes, La Hacienda, Luther’s BBQ, Mason’s Belltown BBQ, Nate’s Place, Papa Don’s Pizza, Perry’s Pork Rinds, and Sharky’s Pub & Grub. Attendees will also vote on the People’s Choice award to be included in the awards presenation’s that evening along with the Best Presentation award, and the Taster’s Choice award which is the committee favorite.

Contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce with any questions or to purchase tickets. Tickets may also be purchased online at fortscott.com.

Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Forks and Corks Event Nov. 2

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You are Invited
To an evening you won’t want to miss!
16th Annual
Forks & Corks ~ A Taste of Fort Scott
THIS SATURDAY, November 2nd
River Room Event Venue
Only $25 for all the tasting you can endure
from over 12 local restaurants & caterers,
beverage tasting hosted by Standard Beverage
live & silent auctions, special raffles, 50/50!
New this year ~ Added entertainment!
The food & beverage tasting will be from 6:30 to 9pm and all included with your $25 ticket plus a souvenir wine glass just as it always has been!
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Then, from 9 to 11pm you may enjoy the popular
Hull Experience DJ for fun & dancing
and a full cash bar will be available
during this time!
See information below for purchasing tickets!
Purchase your tickets today!
Tickets available at the
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce,
231 E. Wall St.,
credit/debit by phone @ 620-223-3566.
Any Chamber Board Member also has tickets for sale.
Or, purchase your tickets online here!
We are seeking silent & live auction items, baskets or packages!
We would love to promote your business or organization!
Click here to email us if you have a donation and we would be happy to pick it up, you can drop it off, or we can make a certificate for you!
This is one of the Chamber’s primary
annual fundraising events to support the
work we do to serve the Fort Scott,
Bourbon County community! We thank you in advance for your support!
Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee at Landmark Bank Oct. 31

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The Chamber Coffee for Thursday, October 31, 2019 will be hosted by the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation Grants. The Chamber Coffee will be held at the Landmark National Bank, 200 S. Main St. Fort Scott, KS.

The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation’s mission is to help our donors establish long-term charitable funds, using the most tax-advanced methods, to benefit their causes and our community.

The Chamber opens the floor and encourages members to make an announcement about their business, organization, or the community of upcoming events by donating $1.00.

If you are not a member but would like to explore and experience the community support that is developed at the weekly Chamber Coffee, you are welcome to come and talk to our Executive Director Lindsay Madison for more information. We offer member pricing from just Community supporters to Executive Business Owners and Organizations!

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Winter Hours for Fort Scott National Historic Site Start Nov. 1

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The leaves are changing for fall and winter, so are the hours of operation at Fort Scott National Historic Site. Beginning Friday, November 1, the park visitor center, Park Store, and historic structures will be open daily from 8:30 am–4:30 pm through March 31, 2020. The buildings are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. The park grounds, walkways, and parking lot continue to be open from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset daily.

Fort Scott National Historic Site is a fee-free park that offers a glimpse into the growth of our nation through a short film, interactive audio-visual programs, displays, the museum, and historic objects. A walk through the fort reveals the significant role it played in the opening of the West, as well as, the Civil War and the strife in the State of Kansas that preceded it.

Park Rangers are on hand and happy to help you learn more about the area and plan your visit.
For more information about Fort Scott National Historic Site programs or become involved in the candlelight tour, or other activities, please call the park at 620-223-0310, or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.

Uncategorized

Obituary of Tobiah Nighswonger

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Tobiah G. “Toby” Nighswonger, 45, of Fort Scott, passed away Sunday evening, October 27, 2019 at the Medicalodge Nursing Home. He was born September 19, 1974 in Fort Scott, Kansas the son of Thomas Henry and Glenda Frances (Painter) Nighswonger.

Toby graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1993. He graduated from the Police Academy in 2002. He was a Police Officer here in Fort Scott for 13 years, during which time he was a School Resource Officer for U.S.D. 234 and an advocate for the S.A.F.E. program at F.S.H.S. He was well known for his sense of humor and his love of the outdoors. He will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his wife, Nicole Pellett of the home, four sons, Michael Nighswonger and Alli of Fort Scott, Thomas Nighswonger and Brian Nighswonger both of Fort Scott, and Jacob Pellett of the home; two sisters, Vicky Nihiser and Lewis of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and Debby Myers of Fort Scott; and four brothers, Pete Nighswonger and Kristin of Lenexa, Kansas, Joe Nighswonger and Marcy of Osawatomie, Kansas, Kenny Nighswonger of Frontenac, Kansas and Chris Nighswonger of Springfield, Missouri, and his parents, of Fort Scott.

He was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Tim Myers.

The family would also like to recognize Jannah Farrington, as well as Wade and Julie Pellett as special caregivers throughout his illness.

Following Cremation, Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, November 1, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening, October 31, 2019 at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

The family suggests Memorial Contributions to the Avalon Hospice, contributions may be sent to, or left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guest book at konantz-cheney.com.

Entertainment, Fort Scott National Historic Site

Candlelight Tour Tickets On Sale This Friday    

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Submitted photo.

 

Be an Active Part of History this Holiday Season

 

Fort Scott Kan. – Friday, November 1, 2019, tickets for Fort Scott National Historic Site’s 38th Annual Candlelight Tour go on sale. Tickets are available by calling the Fort at 620-223-0310 (with a major credit card) or by stopping by the Visitor Center on Old Fort Blvd. They are $8.00 per person and non-refundable, children 5 and under are free. It is recommended that you get your tickets early for your choice of tour times as this event frequently sells out.

The 38th Annual Candlelight Tour is December 6 and 7, 2019. Tours on December 6 will begin at 6:30 pm and leave every 15 minutes until 9 pm. On Saturday, December 7, the tours will start at 5 pm with the final tour leaving at 8:45 pm. Please arrive 10 minutes early to allow time to park, present/pick up your ticket, and get oriented. Participants are advised to please dress for the weather and the terrain, as they will be outside and on sidewalks.

1,000 candle lanterns illuminate the site and 100 reenactors (including you) bring the fort to life. “This year’s tour will include the audience in the tour stops. It will feature six stops around the site beginning with enlistment and ending with reassignment or release from service,” said Betty Boyko, Superintendent, Fort Scott National Historic Site. “We encourage everyone to dress up (in modern or period clothes) and step back in time.” Take the tour under the identity of one of our own Fort Scott soldiers. Enlist in the U.S. Army stationed at the Fort; learn about their life on the frontier; the ups and downs of payday; celebrate the holidays 1840’s style; find out how much the officer’s wives appreciate all of your hard work; and after an memorable career, receive your discharge or reassignment stamp.  Keep your enlistment card to remember your journey through time.

Fort Scott was an active military post from 1842-1853, which was a time of rapid growth and change in the country.  As Fort Scott was being built, the nation grew west, expanding all the way to the Pacific Ocean. With this growth, Fort Scott changed, the mission of its soldiers changed, their experience changed, the environment changed, and the nation changed. Soldiers at Fort Scott lived their lives to the fullest despite the constant change.

From November 1-March 31, Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, will be open for its winter hours of operation.  The site exhibit areas and visitor center are open daily from 8:30 am-4:30 pm. The park grounds are open daily from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset. For more information about Fort Scott National Historic Site programs or become involved in the candlelight tour, or other activities, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.

 

Business, Government, Kansas

Contact Utility Companies If Past-Due On Bills

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The Cold Weather Rule takes effect November 1

TOPEKA – The Cold Weather Rule, designed to help Kansans who are behind on their utility payments avoid disconnection during the winter months, will begin on November 1 and remain in effect through March 31.

The Kansas Corporation Commission, the agency that regulates public utilities in the state, encourages Kansans who are past-due on their utility bills and at risk for disconnection to prepare for the colder weather by contacting their utility company to make the necessary payment arrangements.

The Cold Weather Rule was first enacted by the Commission in 1983 to prevent utility companies from disconnecting a customer’s natural gas or electric service during periods of extreme cold. Utility companies are prohibited from disconnecting a customer’s service when temperatures are forecast to be at or below 35 degrees within the following 48 hour period.

The Cold Weather Rule also requires utility companies to offer a 12-month payment plan to allow consumers to maintain or re-establish service. Any residential customer with a past due balance will qualify for payment arrangements; however, it is the customer’s responsibility to contact their gas or electric company to make those arrangements.

Payment plan terms to maintain or restore service require that customers agree to pay 1/12th of the total amount owed, 1/12th of the current bill, the full amount of any disconnection or reconnection fee, plus any applicable deposit to the utility. The remaining balance must be paid in equal payments over the next 11 months, in addition to the current monthly bill.

The Cold Weather Rule applies only to residential customers of electric and natural gas utility companies under the KCC’s jurisdiction. More information about the Cold Weather Rule is available on the Commission’s website (http://www.kcc.ks.gov/consumer-information/cold-weather-rule). Kansans may also contact their local utility company or the KCC’s Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at (800) 662-0027.

Government, Kansas

Specialty Crop Reimbursement Available

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KDA Offers Reimbursement to Specialty Crop Growers

 

MANHATTAN, Kan. —  The Kansas Department of Agriculture has funds available for reimbursement to Kansas specialty crop growers who attend an educational conference with a primary focus on specialty crops. Qualifying conferences may include sessions about production practices, specialized equipment and technology, pest and disease management, specialty crop marketing practices, or business principles for specialty crop producers.

 

Applicants who apply for the reimbursement will be required to attend the conference and to complete surveys before, immediately after, and six months post-conference prior to payment being issued. Conferences not eligible will include those within the state of Kansas and the Great Plains Growers Conference. KDA will reimburse Kansas specialty crop growers up to $850 each in order to offset the cost of their conference registration, mileage/flights, hotel, meals, etc. The award is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline for application is December 15, 2019.

 

Examples of conferences that may be eligible for applicants to attend include, but are not limited to:

  • North American Strawberry Growers Association Conference; January 19-22, 2020; San Antonio, Texas
  • North American Raspberry & Blackberry Association Conference; March 3-6, 2020; St. Louis, Missouri
  • Great Lakes Expo Fruit, Vegetable, & Farm Market Conference; December 10-12, 2019; Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention; February 28-30, 2020; Hershey, Pennsylvania
  • Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference; January 9-12, 2020; Savannah, Georgia

This program is made possible by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG). The SCBG makes funds available to state departments of agriculture solely to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. According to USDA, specialty crops are defined as “fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.”

 

This grant fits KDA’s mission to provide an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth of the agriculture industry and the Kansas economy. For application details, go to the KDA website at www.agriculture.ks.gov/grants. Questions should be directed to Lexi Wright, From the Land of Kansas Program Coordinator, at 785-564-6755 or [email protected].

Bourbon County Local News