News

Early voting for the Aug. 6 primary election will begin July 29 at the Bourbon County Courthouse, according to County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins. Hawkins said the list of candidates is unofficial and will remain unofficial until June 17 due to �objections, availability of funds and review of qualifications of candidates� at the state level through the Secretary of State�s Office. The deadline for filing as a candidate was June 1...

Two weeks after one Fort Scott City Commissioner served in her final meeting, a new commissioner was seated Tuesday night. Commissioners voted unanimously to select Kathryn Salsbury to replace former commissioner Melissa Guns. See Wednesday's print or online edition for full story...

Citizens continue to question Bourbon County Commissioners as county leaders and landowners work to find ways to come to an agreement on the issue of solar panel projects. See Wednesday's print or online edition for full story.

Theodore "Ted" A. Rohde, age 94, of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away on Friday, May 17, 2024 at his residence,�Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, with his beloved companion, Carla Farmer and his family by his side. Ted was born in Sioux City, Iowa, to Theodore Ludwig and Frieda Harrigfeld Rohde. ...

School districts in Fort Scott and Uniontown will receive additional funding through recently-passed state legislation that funds K-12 education. On May 15, Gov. Laura Kelly signed House Substitute for Senate Bill 387, which fully funds K-12 education for the sixth consecutive year and also invests dollars into fully funding special education, according to a news release...

MANHATTAN � Fort Scott FFA chapter received first place for their performance in the Novice Parliamentary Procedure leadership development event during the 96th Kansas FFA Convention, May 29-31 on the campus of Kansas State University. See Saturday's print or online edition for full story...

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced May 20 $500,000 has been awarded in the latest round of Attraction Development Grant funding. The Gordon Parks Museum Foundation was awarded a $9,229 grant for the Wayman Chapel AME Church Commemorative Park Project. The church, which once stood at 301 S. Lowman St., was torn down in 2001, and a commemorative park is planned for the site, Gordon Parks Museum Executive Director Kirk Sharp said...

Bourbon County Commissioners received a rundown of the county�s finances for the past year during an audit report May 20. Emily Franks with Jarred, Gilmore, Phillips PA said the firm prepared the audit that shows the county�s receipts, expenditures and unencumbered cash balances as of Dec. 31. Franks said the county did not incur any state or federal violations, but there were a couple of �material weaknesses� identified as areas of improvement...

During two special meetings Thursday morning, the Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees named Sara Sutton as the interim FSCC president and suspended four sports programs for the 2024-25 school year. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story...

As Bourbon County moves closer to bringing an emergency department and other healthcare services to the county, a recently-passed sales tax issue could be a step in the right direction. Bourbon County Commission Chairman Jim Harris said Wednesday talks continue with healthcare entities, and he is �confident� some type of announcement will be made in the coming months...

Tuesday was the last commission meeting for one Fort Scott City Commissioner. The commission voted 4-1 on a motion by Commissioner Tim VanHoecke to accept the resignation of Commissioner Melissa Guns, effective May 22. Guns said she plans to move to Maryland to be closer to family...

The Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees on Monday approved a move to place the college�s president on administrative leave. After spending more than an hour in executive session, the board approved a motion by Board Chairman Bryan Holt to place Dr. Jason Kegler, who was hired in 2023, on administrative leave, �with pay, effective immediately.� Trustee John Bartelsmeyer seconded the motion, and all trustees voted in favor...

Local officials are working on a federal grant opportunity focused on renewable energy and workforce development. During Monday�s meeting of the USD 234 Board of Education, USD 234 Superintendent Destry Brown said the district is pursuing a $20 million grant through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and is partnering with several community businesses and organizations that would benefit from grant funding...

Voters approved a sales tax issue that officials say will help bring an emergency room to Bourbon County. The unofficial results show 1,611 voters cast a yes ballot and 498 cast a no ballot for a total of 2,107 votes. See Wednesday's print or online edition for full story...

Bourbon County officials continue a process to clean up and make repairs following late April storms that caused damages countywide. See Wednesday's print or online edition for full story.

Brittney Bradley and Dustin Meeks are a committed couple who have known both adversity and success during their five years together as a blended family. They moved from Pleasanton to Fort Scott in October 2023 for a fresh start, having overcome addictions that hindered their progress toward the life that they dreamed of having together. Their issues are those that many have faced, from all walks of life and for many reasons...

The Fort Scott Fire Department will get its own training facility after approval Tuesday by the Fort Scott City Commission. After a presentation by Fort Scott Deputy Fire Chief Mike Miles, commissioners discussed specifics of the proposed facility with Miles and Fort Scott Fire Chief Dave Bruner. ...

Fort Scott City Commissioners on Tuesday were updated on the response efforts of public safety personnel during major flooding across Bourbon County which occurred April 27. Commissioners heard from Fort Scott Fire Chief Dave Bruner and Fort Scott Police Chief Jason Pickert, who discussed how their departments responded to situations caused by rainfall that reached about 12 to 14 inches within a 24-hour period, causing flooding throughout the county, which was also hit by damaging storms the evening of April 25 that caused damage to structures and trees.. ...

Although details have not yet been disclosed, work continues on a plan to bring an emergency department and other healthcare services to Bourbon County. On Monday, Bourbon County Commissioner Clifton Beth said he continues to be involved in ongoing talks with three entities. ...

A Bourbon County man was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences in the Kansas Department of Corrections for his involvement in a 2021 double murder at the conclusion of a two-day sentencing hearing Thursday. A two-day sentencing hearing in the case of Dawson James Mitchell, who in November pleaded guilty to two counts of off-grid person felonies of murder in the first degree � premeditated, for the Dec. ...

A proposal to bring a synthetic ice skating rink to downtown Fort Scott still could not gain enough votes to pass the Fort Scott City Commission on April 16. In a fourth appearance before the commission, Diane Striler and Cory Bryars, representing a local group that is trying to bring the amenity to town, brought to commissioners a memorandum of understanding that outlines the city�s involvement, as well as the involvement of the group making the proposal...

Here is a story of a life well lived, one that has never wavered from faith, family and duty � traveling upon many exciting avenues that eventually led back to home. Kenneth W. Lyon, known to most as Ken, was born in Fort Scott in 1934 to J.R. and Alice Lyon and was the youngest of 4 siblings. ...

Bourbon County officials plan to begin assessing damages from recent spring storms, which led to severe flooding, road closures and a disaster proclamation by the Bourbon County Commission on Monday. Friday evening, storm sirens sounded throughout the county as storms capable of producing tornadoes blew through the county. As of press time Friday, there were unconfirmed reports of power lines down and a tornado touchdown in the county...

City and county crews on Monday began the clean-up process after Bourbon County was hit with a deluge Saturday night and damaging storms since Thursday, officials said Monday. Rain from storms that blew in Saturday night flooded roads, rivers and lakes throughout the county. Fort Scott City Manager Brad Matkin said Monday he received reports the city received between 12 and 14 inches of rain in a 24-hour period...

Bourbon County may have escaped damages as storm sirens blared throughout Bourbon County early Friday evening. About 6:30 p.m. Friday, Bourbon County Emergency Manager Brian Allen told the Tribune storms capable of producing tornadoes rolled through portions of the county, but he had not received reports of any damages...

Fort Scott Community College officials are working to fill job vacancies, and made some changes to one administrative position. During a Community Conversation Wednesday, FSCC President Dr. Jason Kegler said the college has recently dealt with several staff resignations, but officials are working to fill those positions...

Bourbon County officials on Friday were assessing damages from thunderstorms that brought varying degrees of rainfall and flooding to the county Thursday. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story.

USD 235 in Uniontown is seeking assistance from Bourbon County in a facility improvement project. USD 235 Superintendent Vance Eden appeared before the Bourbon County Commission Monday to ask about a potential partnership with the county as the district seeks to remodel an aging agriculture shop in the school district...

Bourbon County Commissioners took no action following a lengthy executive session which took place Friday morning at the Legacy Healthcare Foundation building at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. During an emergency special meeting at 10 a.m., commissioners convened at the Bourbon County Courthouse where Commissioner Clifton Beth made a motion to enter executive session to discuss personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel; and for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship. ...

During a special meeting Wednesday, the Uniontown City Council approved the hiring of a new city clerk. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story.

Bourbon County officials are preparing for the county�s 2024 hard-surface road plan. County Commissioners and Public Works Director Eric Bailey on Monday discussed the plan, which includes $828,500 in asphalt projects; $343,469 in extra projects (chip and seal); and $1,620,910 in extras (asphalt) for a total of $2,792,880...

After a continued discussion on solar panel farms, Bourbon County Commissioners on Monday approved a moratorium on any future solar developments in the county. A motion made by Commission Chairman Jim Harris states the moratorium would be �effective immediately regarding solar panel farms.� He said commissioners plan to review both sides of the debate on solar panel farms, with the goal of finding a compromise...

Bourbon County Commissioners listened to the pros and cons of a solar energy project in the county, and voiced their own thoughts during a discussion at the commission�s meeting Monday. County residents Pete Owenby and David Beerbower voiced concerns with the project, while Robert Harrington, director of Bourbon County Regional Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) spoke on the project�s proposed benefits...

The Molly Foster Berry Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution hosted a nationally supported Vietnam War Commemoration on Friday, April 5 at the Fort Scott Memorial Hall. See Wednesday's print or online edition for full story.

Bourbon County officials have discovered errors with the county�s Neighborhood Revitalization Program and are working to make adjustments as budget season approaches. During Monday�s Bourbon County Commission meeting, Chief Financial Officer Susan Walker, Appraiser Matt Quick, County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins and County Treasurer Patty Love appeared before commissioners to discuss several issues found with the program, which provides rebates on additional taxes due to improvements, additions or new residential, business or agricultural structures.. ...