News

Community members had a chance Thursday to weigh in with questions on a proposed new rock quarry near Elm Creek Lake. Bourbon County Commissioners discussed the proposal with other county officials and Danny Hurt with Buckley Powder Company. The proposed quarry, which would be owned by the county, would be the county’s third quarry and located at 140th Street and Fern Road...

The Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees has approved the sale of a building that formerly housed the college’s nursing program for several years. On Monday, trustees voted unanimously to approve a commercial real estate sales contract to sell a building at 810 S. Burke St., which was known as the Burke Street Campus. The college’s nursing program moved back to the main campus in August...

The fate of a downtown building with structural issues continues to be undetermined. During Tuesday’s Fort Scott City Commission meeting, commissioners learned from Leroy Kruger, codes technician, that a scheduled inspection of a building at 118 E. Wall St., by a structural engineer on Monday was cancelled due to weather. The past several months, commissioners have discussed concerns with bulging, cracking and other issues leading to the building’s instability...

Fort Scott High School students on Tuesday learned how the court system works in Kansas from the newest justice on the Kansas Supreme Court. Justice Melissa Taylor Standridge, a lawyer who has served as a Kansas Supreme Court justice since 2020, discussed her pathway to the court, what judges do in their positions, and how judges are selected. She also talked about how the judicial branch differs from other branches of government...

ssioners said they support a proposed new rock quarry at 140th Street and Fern Road near Elm Creek Lake, but have agreed to wait before voting on the proposal. During Thursday’s commission meeting, commissioners heard from Public Works Director Eric Bailey, Assistant Public Works Director Dustin Hall and Danny Hurt with Buckley Powder Company, an explosives service company, on the proposed quarry, which county officials have said will save money and provide other benefits. ...

Fort Scott City Commissioners plan to wait on creation of a lease agreement designed to outline the use of space by organizations inside Memorial Hall. On Nov. 5, commissioners discussed a meeting room inside Memorial Hall and heard from American Legion Post 25 Commander Myra Jowers and Ann Rawlins, librarian with the Old Fort Genealogical Society. There was discussion on agreements concerning use of space inside the building...

More than half of the registered voters in Bourbon County cast ballots in Tuesday’s general election, according to unofficial numbers. On Thursday, Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins informed Bourbon County Commissioners there were 6,508 voters between those who voted early and those who cast ballots on Election Day – a voter turnout of 51.04%...

A new business recently launched in Fort Scott is molding a new venture using part of Bourbon County’s history. On Oct. 24, representatives of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, chamber and community members helped celebrate the launch of Bourbon County Clay, a new art studio owned by Kate Freeman of The Artificers studios at 8 N. National Ave...

Fort Scott City Commissioners Tuesday denied a conditional use permit for a Verizon telecommunication tower proposed to be built at 2317 Maple Road. See Wednesday's print or online edition for full story.

Republican candidates swept positions from the local to the national level Tuesday, and Bourbon County voters also passed two questions on the ballot, according to unofficial results from the general election in Bourbon County. See Wednesday's print or online edition for full story and unofficial election results...

City and county governments have approved resolutions supporting veterans leading up to Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11. On Thursday, Bourbon County Commissioners unanimously approved Operation Green Light Resolution 13-24 at the request of Commissioner Brandon Whisenhunt...

Bourbon County Commissioners on Thursday approved measures concerning the hot-button issue of solar projects in the county, although the votes were not unanimous. During the meeting, the commission discussed and later approved by a 2-1 vote a resolution rescinding the moratorium implemented in April on future solar projects, and termination of agreements with Hinton Creek Solar LLC, as well as a development agreement, road agreements and decommissioning agreements with Doral, NextEra and Advance Power for future solar projects.. ...

An apparent issue with a siphon line at the rearing pond Wednesday at Lake Fort Scott spurred representatives of the city of Fort Scott and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks into action. Tom Coffman, public works manager for the city of Fort Scott, said Thursday morning city staff encountered a “little trouble” with the siphon on Wednesday, as KDWP officials were preparing to harvest channel catfish for distribution in local water bodies...

Fort Scott City Manager Brad Matkin issued an update Wednesday on the ongoing Horton Street project. Matkin encourages motorists to use alternate routes, and issued the following in a statement: “Emory, Sapp, and Sons are laying asphalt on the east side of Horton today and will be to 18th street by this evening weather permitting. ...

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., made his first visit to Fort Scott High School as part of a tour of Southeast Kansas Tuesday morning. See Wednesday's print or online edition for full story.

Bourbon County Commissioners on Oct. 21 received a recap of the county’s third-quarter financials as the year draws to a close. See Wednesday's print or online edition for full story.

The Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees has officially approved the separation agreement between the college and its former president, Dr. Jason Kegler. During the board’s Monday meeting, the board adjourned to executive session for 15 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel “as it relates to discussion of identifiable information of non-elected personnel,” according to unofficial meeting minutes...

Fort Scott City Commissioners on Oct. 15 tabled consideration of an agreement that would allow the Old Fort Genealogical Society to use the eastern side and lower level of Memorial Hall. Aside from the move and expansion of the OFGS, there is also a plan to include a small museum and historical materials from the Katy Railroad. Officials plan to discuss a new agreement between the city and all entities involved before the commission takes action...

USD 234 officials have developed procedures to help prevent future incidents after a district school bus caught fire Oct. 3 north of Fort Scott. USD 234 Superintendent Destry Brown, Assistant Superintendent Terry Mayfield and board members discussed the bus accident and prevention during the Oct. 14 meeting of the USD 234 Board of Education...

Bourbon County Commissioners on Monday signed off on the county’s portion of a funding agreement for an emergency department in Fort Scott. County Counselor Justin Meeks said the city of Fort Scott sent the county the agreement the Fort Scott City Commissioners unanimously approved during their Oct. 15 meeting...

Early voting figures in Bourbon County could be a sign of a boost in voter turnout for the Nov. 5 election. During Monday’s Bourbon County Commission meeting, County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins said early voting began Monday and 278 voters cast ballots – the largest number she’s seen during her time in office...

The celebration began on Friday, Oct. 18, as Sunshine Boutique offered special sales, refreshments and drinks to thank the Fort Scott community and surrounding area for 44 years of success. It was also a time to officially welcome and introduce its new owner, Rilie Creollo, who is the granddaughter of the founder of the boutique, Georgia Brown...

Bourbon County Commissioners on Tuesday approved agreements for testing of medical equipment to be used at the new health care facility to be operated by Freeman Health Systems. See Saturday's print or online edition for full story.

Community members heard updates from repre-sentatives of three taxing entities during a Community Connection Panelist Luncheon Wednesday afternoon at the Empress Event Center. See Saturday's print or online edition for full story.

A unique convoy sponsored by the Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA) made its way to Fort Scott on Saturday, Oct. 12, arriving at the Gathering Square Pavilion. See Wednesday's print or online edition for full story.

Freeman Health System’s plans to bring health care services to Fort Scott and Bourbon County moved a step forward after action Tuesday night by the Fort Scott City Commission.

Bourbon County Commissioners voted to put a burn ban in place during their Tuesday morning meeting. See Wednesday's print or online edition for full story.

Two people who have played key roles for the Gordon Parks Museum and the Gordon Parks Celebration were honored during the 21st annual Gordon Parks Celebration Tribute Dinner held Saturday, Oct. 5. The 2024 Learning Tree Award was presented to Arnold Schofield and posthumously to Daryl Roller. ...

Bourbon County is preparing for an assessment by the Federal Emergency Management Agency on countywide damages from storms and flooding in late April. See Saturday's print or online edition for full story.

Bourbon County officials reported Monday that efforts to secure Freeman Health System’s plans to bring health care to the county are being finalized. Bourbon County Commissioners Jim Harris and Brandon Whisenhunt amended the meeting agenda to allow County Counselor Justin Meeks to speak on the topic of health care in the county. Commissioner Clifton Beth was not present for the commission’s second straight meeting within a week...

Guests gathered from near and far to enjoy the annual Gordon Parks Celebration held at Fort Scott Community College and other local destinations on Oct. 3-6 The event was sponsored by the Gordon Parks Museum and a host of local, area and national supporters...

Bourbon County Commissioners on Friday morning took action to address concerns with equipment needed to finalize plans to bring health care to the county. During a special meeting, Commissioners Jim Harris and Brandon Whisenhunt took action following a 5-minute executive session to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships, and Harris answered citizen questions. Commissioner Clifton Beth was not present...

USD 234 staff and students were able to avert disaster during an incident in which a bus caught fire north of Fort Scott Thursday afternoon. See Saturday's print or online edition for full story.

Bourbon County Commissioners on Monday agreed on a recommendation for setback requirements for solar developments the commission signed agreements with in late 2023. Commissioners approved a motion by Commissioner Clifton Beth to allow Chairman Jim Harris to meet with a representative of NextEra Energy Resources to renegotiate setbacks for existing contracts for solar developments in the southwest part of the county. ...

Fort Scott City Commissioners on Tuesday extended the timeline for the owners of a building at 118 E. Wall St., and requested additional documentation before proceeding with condemnation. Commissioners unanimously approved Commissioner Matthew Wells’ motion to extend the timeline to Oct. 15, but also request the building owners provide two pieces of documentation – a timeline for the work and a structural engineer’s report...

Prior to voting to proceed with condemnation and repair of a building at 118 E. Wall St., and setting a timeline for the building owners to commence repairs, Fort Scott City Commissioners on Tuesday discussed their options. Commissioner Tim VanHoecke asked City Attorney Bob Farmer how the city can proceed if the building owners have hired a contractor, and the city moves forward with the condemnation process but does not own the building...

During a community forum Wednesday evening, Fort Scott Community College officials discussed new leadership and other changes at the college as it makes plans for the future. During the first forum of the fall semester, FSCC administrators provided updates on topics that included an upcoming reaffirmation visit and the Students Services department. Interim FSCC President Sara Sutton gave other updates and fielded some questions from community members...

Fort Scott City Commissioners have put a timeline in place for the owners of a downtown building to provide requested information to the commission before the city proceeds with condemnation of the building. During a special meeting and public hearing Tuesday, commissioners unanimously approved a motion by Commissioner Dyllon Olson to proceed with condemnation and order repair of a building at 118 E. ...

The Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees has approved terms for the 2024-25 negotiated agreement between FSCC and members of the Fort Scott College Association of Professional Employees (FS-CAPE.) FS-CAPE, the negotiating group on behalf of college faculty, had previously ratified the terms of an agreement between the group and FSCC administration, leaving approval by the board of trustees Monday as the last step in implementing the terms for the current academic year...

On Friday, Sept. 20, immigrants from around the world assembled at the Fort Scott Historic Site to become naturalized citizens of the United States of America. There were 195 men and women present, which is the largest number in the local ceremony’s history. The new citizens originated from 55 countries, with each of them residing in Kansas as legal immigrants prior to making the decision to gain citizenship...