Law Enforcement

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment Services has released the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Kansas.

Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin said Tuesday there is no truth to a rumor he has heard in the community regarding the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center project running out of money. Martin met with the Bourbon County Commission during their regular meeting to address the rumor, which he said he heard several months ago. He brought Greg Vahrenberg, a consultant with the Piper Jaffray firm, to the meeting to show data from an analysis of sales tax projections for the jail project...

On Tuesday, Bourbon County Commissioners discussed the idea of adding a microphone system throughout most of the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center, which is nearly completed. Second District Commissioner Jeff Fischer asked about the status of a potential change order for the project, which would add a recording system throughout most of the facility...

The case of a former Fort Scott church employee facing charges for alleged sex crimes has been set over for a plea hearing Dec. 8. During a felony arraignment and plea hearing Friday in Bourbon County District Court, defense attorney Christopher Meek of Baxter Springs told Bourbon County District Chief Judge Amy Harth the defense wished to waive a preliminary hearing and schedule an arraignment date. A plea agreement was also signed, the details of which have not yet been made public...

Fort Scott police officers made an arrest early Wednesday following a domestic incident allegedly involving a handgun. Fort Scott Police Department Capt. Shaun West said officers responded just after midnight Wednesday to a residence in the 1800 block of East Wall Street following a report of a domestic incident...

The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a reported accidental drowning that claimed the life of a young Fort Scott boy. According to a BCSO news release, several local first responders were dispatched just before 6 p.m. Friday to the area of the 2100 block of Jayhawk Road following a report of a missing child...

The Fort Scott Police Department and USD 234 officials dealt with an incident Wednesday in which a student allegedly brought a handgun to school. According to a news release issued about 4:30 p.m. by the FSPD, Fort Scott School Resource Officer Joe Allen responded about 7:47 a.m. to Eugene Ware School, 900 E. Third St., to meet with school administrators. Upon arrival, it was discovered a 10-year-old boy had brought an unloaded handgun to school...

A jury trial in a local felony murder and child abuse case continued Tuesday with testimony from law enforcement and medical personnel, as well as some family members involved in the case. Bourbon County District Judge Mark Ward is presiding over the case of Anthony M. Anderson, who faces charges of first-degree felony murder and child abuse for his alleged involvement in the April 2015 death of 6-month-old Aiden J. Osborn...

A jury trial in the case of a local man facing charges of felony murder and child abuse began Monday with jury selection and testimony from two witnesses. Most of the day was taken up by the jury selection process as attorneys in the case of Anthony M. Anderson whittled a jury pool down to the 13 needed for the case. The jury consists of 12 jurors - six men and six women - and one female alternate...

John Phillip Maycumber, 72, of Fort Scott, died at his home Thursday evening, Dec. 17, 2015. He was born June 26, 1943 in Fort Scott the son of J.W. and Elsie Anna (Cowan) Maycumber.He married Joyce Elaine Elliott May 28, 1966, in Arcadia, Kan., and she survives of the home...

A Bourbon County judge granted a continuance Monday in the case of a Fort Scott man facing charges of murder and child abuse. During a scheduled pre-trial conference in Bourbon County District Court, Bourbon County District Judge Mark Ward granted a motion for a trial continuance filed Friday by defense attorney Robert Myers, a Columbus lawyer. ...

A local man was taken into custody Wednesday by the Fort Scott Police Department. An arrest report from the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office said 83-year-old Danny Ellis was arrested at 2:19 p.m. Wednesday by the FSPD on a warrant charging him with forced aggravated sexual battery, a felony charge...

To date, a little more than 50 individuals have been arrested in an ongoing narcotics investigation being conducted by local law enforcement agencies and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation Southeast Kansas Drug Task Force, according to an unofficial count provided by the FSPD on Thursday...

Two men were arrested earlier this month in connection with a home invasion and burglary that took place Sept. 28. On that date, at about 4:40 a.m., Fort Scott Police Department officers responded to 730 S. Lowman St., following a report of a burglary in progress. Upon arrival, the homeowner reported she had been awakened by a noise inside her residence and went to investigate...

Firefighters with the Fort Scott Fire Department quelled a house fire that caused only minor damage to a Wall Street residence Thursday night. Fort Scott Fire Department Chief Paul Ballou said the fire department responded just before 9 p.m. Thursday to 1702 E. Wall St., following a report of a structure fire. The fire was contained to an enclosed back porch area that was apparently used for storage, Ballou said...

An altercation Thursday afternoon at Wall and Margrave streets resulted in the arrest of a local man. Fort Scott Police Department officers responded about 1:30 p.m. Thursday to a call regarding an incident that stemmed from a disturbance and upon arrival found two male individuals involved in a physical altercation at Wall and Margrave streets...

Authorities are investigating an alleged bonfire that took place around 12:30 a.m. Sunday at a dam at Rock Creek Lake. Local officials confirmed Monday that investigators with the Kansas State Fire Marshal's Office and local fire investigators are looking into an alleged incident involving a bonfire that resulted in injuries to two individuals...

The jury received a video walkthrough of the scene of a deadly 2011 house fire and other testimony of events surrounding the incident during a half-day of testimony Friday morning at the Bourbon County Courthouse. Mickey Rantz, a special agent with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, walked jurors and spectators in the courtroom through a detailed video documentation of the inside and outside of 2166 Grand Road, the site of an Oct. ...

NEVADA -- On Friday, the Vernon County Sheriff's Office received information that a purple Dodge Durango had fled Fort Scott, Kan., police after being involved in a domestic assault in Fort Scott. The vehicle was reported to be traveling east on U.S. Highway 54...

Feb. 11 Request ambulance, 200 block 23rd Traffic stop, 1800 block Main Check subject, 1900 block Main Check subject, 1000 block 260th Criminal damage, 1900 block Main Traffic stop, 6th Traffic stop, Hwy 69 Theft, 900 block Hwy 69 Alarm, 300 block Circle...

Municipal Citations are provided as a service by The Fort Scott Tribune, based on information provided by local agencies. Information is published exactly as it is received and therefore The Tribune is not responsible for any inaccuracies that may occur...

Arrest Reports are provided as a service by The Fort Scott Tribune, based on information provided by local law enforcement agencies. Information is published exactly as it is received and therefore The Tribune is not responsible for any inaccuracies that may occur...

Tribune Staff Report Two local residents were hurt in a two-vehicle accident Saturday evening at the bypass of Third Street and U.S. Highway 69. A Fort Scott Police Department report said Royce Hyer, 26, and Danielle Hyer, 26, both of Fort Scott, were injured in an accident that took place about 6:30 p.m. Saturday. The two were later transported to Mercy Hospital to be treated for injuries...

Mary Francis Priest, 45, Fort Scott, was arrested by the Fort Scott Police Department at 1:03 p.m. Monday for a warrant out of Allen County. She was released to Allen County at 2:19 p.m. the same day.

TOPEKA -- Kansas Attorney General Steve Six and the Drug Enforcement Agency will be hosting National Drug Takeback Day on Saturday, September 25 at locations across Kansas. The event will last from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm. Kansans with expired, unused, or unwanted prescription drugs are encouraged to take them to one of 29 locations across the state. ...

The Fort Scott Fire and Police departments squared off on the diamond Saturday for a friendly game of kickball. Despite the competition, the focus of the game was to have fun with the local youth involved in Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Bourbon County...

TOPEKA -- Collaboration between special agents from the Kansas Department of Corrections, KBI agents, and the Attorney General's office has led to 42 arrests in Topeka, Wichita, and Kansas City, Kan. Operation Cooperation targeted parolees suspected of absconding or violating terms of their parole and parolees with outstanding warrants for their arrest. The arrests occurred over a four-day span between Aug. 9 and 12...

Fort Scott Police and Fire departments were busy Tuesday afternoon with traffic accident and a structure fire. Shortly after noon, emergency responders were dispatched to the intersection of U.S. Highway 69 and Third Street for a two vehicle accident. ...

MOUND CITY -- Authorities are on the hunt for a missing college student from Linn County. An investigation has begun by the Linn County Sheriff's Office in the disappearance of Joshua Hancock. The 21-year-old, had been a student at Pittsburg State University and recently returned home to Parker before heading off to boot camp, according to Linn County Chief Detective Gary Stone...

The jury trial for Robert Miller's involvement in the murder of Tynce Joles was set to begin Monday, but has now been put on hold. According to Bourbon County Court documents, the request by Miller's attorney, Charles O'Hara, to postpone the trial due to new evidence was accepted Friday. ...

WICHITA -- Kansas law enforcement agencies have seen enough; enough people killed and maimed by impaired driving. So they are cracking down. Under Kansas law, all impaired drivers go to jail. The minimum sentence is two days; the maximum is six months. Law enforcement and public safety officials will assemble Aug. 12 in Wichita to discuss upcoming enforcement efforts that will put more offenders behind bars...

The murder trial for a Robert Miller is set to begin Monday morning. Miller will face a jury Monday morning at the Bourbon County Courthouse as he faces a charge of first degree murder for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Tynce Joles in December 2009...

USD 234-owned buses and other vehicles are ready to roll for another year. Kansas Highway Patrol troopers visited the school district Tuesday to conduct regular annual safety inspections of the district's buses and other vehicles. Troopers checked a total of 43 vehicles -- 24 buses and 19 other district vehicles -- for any defects in various components, including windows, windshield wipers, lighting systems, tires and wheels, and emergency equipment, and found no safety violations...

PITTSBURG -- The Crawford County Sheriff's Office is investigating a homicide that occurred Monday in rural Pittsburg, in the vicinity of 943 S. 190th St. At approximately 7:30 p.m., deputies found the body of a male victim. The Crawford County Coroner responded to the scene and the body was transported to Topeka for an autopsy...

A preliminary hearing has been set for Lonnie Moore after being arrested for his alleged involvement in the beating of Frank Hereford in October 2008. Moore will appear in the Bourbon County District Court at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 6, for a preliminary hearing which will be used to determine whether or not the case will go to trial...

The Bourbon County Attorney's office filed a Criminal Complaint Monday in the Bourbon County District Court, charging Amanda Renea Lickteig with one count of felony theft, one count of felony criminal use of a financial card, and seventy eight counts of misdemeanor criminal use of a financial card involving theft from a Southeast Kansas Regional Correctional Center's account containing non-public funds...

GIRARD -- The Crawford County Sheriff's Department has joined with the American Association of Retired Persons to offer a Driver Safety Course. AARP developed the eight-hour classroom refresher course to help drivers 50 years of age and older to improve their skills and prevent traffic accidents...

One-year warning periods set to expire on seat-belt, left-lane laws

Now through June 6 look for more traffic stops on city streets as the Bronson Police Department aggressively enforces Kansas occupant restraint and other traffic laws as part of the 2010 Kansas Click It or Ticket traffic enforcement campaign. This activity is supported by a grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation...

Suddock, Clayton Wayne, 25, 728 S. Wilson, was arrested on May 14 by the Kansas Highway Patrol for driving while suspended. He was released the same day on a $1,250 bond. Paulk, George Erwin, 65, 1238 E. Wall, was arrested on May 13 by the Fort Scott Police Department for driving under the influence and was released the same night on a $1,000 bond...

Beginning May 24 and running through June 6 look for more traffic officers on city roadways as the Fort Scott Police Department aggressively enforces Kansas occupant restraint and other traffic laws as part of the 2010 Kansas Click It or Ticket traffic enforcement campaign. This activity is sponsored by a grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation...

A Fort Scott man has been arrested in conjunction with the battery of a 56-year-old man early Sunday morning. Chon Edward Cameron Jr., 47, of 316 S. Main St., was arrested shortly after 6 a.m. Sunday by the Fort Scott Police Department for aggravated battery, aggravated assault, criminal threat, obstructing a legal process, domestic battery, and attempted voluntary manslaughter. Cameron was arrested as a result of his alleged involvement in the battery of Loyd Ivey Jr., 56, of Fort Scott...

Fort Scott firefighters and EMS personnel responded to a house fire Saturday which left the residents without a home. Shortly before 2 p.m., the Fort Scott Fire Department received a call of a fire at 420 Andrick, according to the FSFD, the fire was controlled by 2:18 p.m...

In recognition of Kansas Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony on Friday, May 7 and National Peace Officer's Memorial Day on Saturday, May 15, Governor Mark Parkinson has ordered flags on state buildings be flown at half-staff from sunup to sundown on both of those days...

As a result of an investigation by the Fort Scott Police Department, two men have been arrested in relation to the beating of a Fort Scott man. Joshua Warner, 24, of Metz, Mo., was arrested on April 14 in Nevada and Eric Shores was arrested by the Barton County Sheriff's Department on April 21 in Lamar, Mo...

Crawford County law enforcement responded to a call regarding an accident Friday night involving a vehicle striking a tree. Emergency responders arrived shortly after 11 p.m. Friday to the scene of the one-car accident on 520 Avenue, 200 feet west of 250th Street in rural Crawford County...

The Fort Scott Police Department has issued a statement to make the public aware of storm siren procedures during severe weather. The city storm sirens will be activated when a tornado warning has been issued for Bourbon County by the National Weather Service. The sirens will be sounded for one cycle, which lasts approximately one to two minutes...

Local emergency personnel were busy Tuesday night and Wednesday morning as they responded to three fatal accidents in 24 hours. "All I can say is its tragic ... all the way around its tragic," Bourbon County Sheriff Ron Gray said in response to working the three accidents along with the Fort Scott Police Department and the Kansas Highway Patrol...

National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, which runs through Saturday, is designated to honor those who perform dispatching duties for law enforcement. The week is sponsored by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International. Celebrated annually, the week honor the thousands of men and women who answer emergency calls, dispatch emergency professionals and equipment, and render life-saving assistance to the world's citizens...

Officers continue to investigate the weekend beating of a Fort Scott man. According to a statement released by the Fort Scott Police Department, officers are currently investigating the aggravated battery of 29-year-old Kenneth Ray Springston. Officers responded to a report of a person lying on the ground behind 113 S. ...

The Fort Scott City Commission has a tough decision to make as two local agencies express their interest in the former Kansas National Guard Armory building. Fort Scott Community College President Clayton Tatro and Fort Scott Police Chief Ron Puterbaugh each made their case in front of the commission Tuesday evening as to why they would be the best fit for the armory, which is now vacant and will be under the city's ownership by the end of the month...

FRANKLIN -- Crawford County Sheriff's Deputies and an agent with the Kansas Alcohol Beverage Control conducted a bar check and sting operation at Twisters Night Club located at 136 S. U.S. Highway in rural Crawford County, on Friday which resulted in one bartender and the club manager being arrested for selling alcohol to minors. A second bartender was arrested for outstanding warrants out of Sedgwick County...

After nearly a year, the female inmates at the Southeast Kansas Regional Correctional Center are being sent back to another correctional facility. According to SEKRCC Director of Security Jimmy Nichols, a growing male population led to Bourbon County Sheriff Ron Gray's decision to send the 15 female inmates back to Cherokee County...

According to the Neosho County Sheriff's Office, Daniel Miller turned himself in about 2 p.m. Thursday. Miller, 22, of Fort Scott, was charged with one count of conspiracy to manufacture a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and one count of the use of a communication facility to facilitate the manufacture of a controlled substance. Bond was set at $50,000...

20 accused; 17 arrests made in 7 area towns

A blanketing of snow on Friday in Bourbon County led to an increase in traffic accidents. With about four inches of snow falling throughout Friday, both the Fort Scott Police Department and the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office responded to a total of 16 traffic accidents...

The Crawford County Sheriff's Office released a statement Tuesday identifying the body found just outside Mulberry Sunday evening as that of Richard Davis. The body was discovered Sunday after the CCSO received information leading officers to a strip pit northwest of Mulberry...

nformation was received by the Crawford County Sheriff's Office leading to a body found in a grave one mile north and 1/4 mile west of Mulberry. The body was discovered buried in a strip pit area used as a dump site. Crawford County Sheriff Sandy Horton said the body has not been identified at this time, however, on Oct. ...

Throughout 2009, the Fort Scott Tribune covered a wide range of events. From the passing of local icons to the community coming together for a common cause, The Tribune was there to tell the story. The staff of The Tribune has put together these summaries of the top 10 stories of 2009 in Fort Scott and Bourbon County....

With the finishing of some final paperwork, the Fort Scott Police Department will receive nearly $75,000 in grant money. During Tuesday evening's Fort Scott City Commission meeting, commissioners accepted a grant from the Kansas Wireless Enhanced 911 Advisory Board in the amount of $50,709. According to FSPD Chief Ron Puterbaugh, the money will be used to upgrade the department's current computers and telephone equipment that are used to help determine the origin of emergency calls...

The Fort Scott Police Department released information Monday morning in regards to the murder of a rural Fort Scott resident Saturday night. Shortly before 9:30 p.m. Saturday, the FSPD responded to the 300 block of North Ford Street in reference to a call of a disturbance in which it was reported that gun shots were fired. ...

The Crawford County Sheriff's Office arrested a man Wednesday for the murder of a missing man from Cherokee. According to Crawford County Sheriff Sandy Horton, Duane E. Wahl, of Mulberry, was arrested at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday and charged with murder in the first degree of Cherokee resident Richard Davis...

Emergency personnel had a busy night Monday as two significant accidents left one man dead and several injured. Emergency crews responded to a fatal accident shortly before 6 p.m. Monday on Kansas Highway 7 near the Linn County line. Billy Joe Miller, 33, of Pleasanton, died after being involved in a head-on collission on K-7 about 1.5 miles north of Kansas Highway 31...

As the thought a beautiful snow covered lawns, it is important that winter weather require special caution when taking to the streets. Bourbon County Undersheriff Bill Martin said motorist should use common sense and slow down when the roads are snow covered or icy...

About two months after being convicted, Fred Thornton received his sentence Monday afternoon. Thornton will serve two consecutive sentences of 165 months in prison for attempted murder in the first degree and 43 months in prison for aggravated assault. He will also serve two concurrent sentences of 12 months for violation of a court order and six months for criminal trespass. Thornton's total sentence will be 208 months within the Kansas Department of Corrections...

The Veterans from Foreign Wars Post No. 1165 is hosting a raffle to support a scholarship created in the memory of John Taylor. Two fleece blankets will be raffled off on Veteran's Day to raise money for a scholarship at Fort Scott Community College which was set up by Kelly Garrison in honor of Taylor who served as a mentor to many people in the community...

The Crawford County Sheriff's Office is alerting Southeast Kansas parents, guardians and children of a suspicious vehicle that has been seen in the area of at least two Crawford County cities and schools. Callers have indicated that a silver Dodge minivan with California license plates has been following students walking near the areas of Haderlein Elementary in Girard and McCune Elementary in McCune, according to a statement from the Crawford County Sheriff's Office. ...

A Mulberry man was arrested after falsely reporting a crime in early October. Duane Wahl, 33, of 410 W. Perry, Mulberry, reported to the Mulberry Police Department and the Crawford County Sheriff's Office he was the victim of a drive-by shooting on Oct. 5. Wahl said he was shot at by a white male, driving a newer model silver Toyota extended-cab truck. He reported several shots were fired at his residence form the vehicle before heading southbound...

Two Fort Scott residents were arrested Sunday following a fight at a night club north of Pittsburg. Zachary Crumby, 26, and Stephanie Weddle, 25, were arrested by the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office after leaving the Twisters Night Club, on U.S. Highway 69 north of Pittsburg, where they were allegedly involved in a fight which left three individuals injured...

Good news came to the Fort Scott Police Department Tuesday when the Fort Scott City Commission voted to accept a grant for the purchase of new equipment. FSPD was awarded money under the FY 09 Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program Local Solicitation in the amount of $27,495. ...

"We, the jury ... find the defendant guilty of the crime of attempted murder in the first degree." That was the sentence Fred Thornton heard after the jury returned to the courtroom Friday afternoon. Thornton has been on trial since Sept. 29, with the verdict coming shortly before 2 p.m. ...

The jury trial for Bronson resident Fred Thornton began Tuesday at the Bourbon County Courthouse. Thornton was arrested for his alleged involvement in an incident on Sept. 15, 2008, in which Carol Keele was nearly beaten to death in her home with an axe. Thornton was charged with attempted murder in the first degree or in the alternative attempted murder in the second degree, aggravated assault, violation of a court order, and criminal trespass...

ARCADIA -- Sunday at approximately 3:09 a.m., Crawford County 911 received a call of a domestic dispute in which shots were fired at a vehicle. Deputies responded to 500 E. Williams St. here after the call came in. Deputies made contact with Amber Schmitz, 31, of Arcadia, who reported that she and her husband, Justin Schmitz, 29, of Arcadia, had been arguing at their home. ...

After nearly five hours of deliberation, a mistrial was declared in a local child molestation trial. Derek Holt, who was accused of raping a 3-year-old girl in 2006, had to wait through five long days of a jury trial to learn if he would be convicted or not. The jury returned to the courtroom about 10 p.m. Monday night to deliver their verdict of a mistrial on the count of rape, however, they found Holt guilty on the second count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child...

The attempted murder jury trial for Fred Thornton in the Bourbon County District Court has been postponed. The trial was scheduled to begin Tuesday but was rescheduled to begin Sept. 29. The change was made by Judge Mark Ward because he was worried that the Derek Holt trial might run into Tuesday. The Holt trial concluded about 10 p.m. Monday night (See story to left)...

Fort Scott Police Chief Ron Puterbaugh announced Monday morning that the Fort Scott Police Department in cooperation with several concerned citizens are offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved in the recent window shootings...

The trial by jury for a local man accused of rape began Tuesday in the Bourbon County District Court three years after being arrested. According to Bourbon County Court records, Fort Scott resident Derek Holt, 28, was arrested in January 2007 on a Bourbon County warrant for rape and aggravated indecent liberties with a child -- charges which Holt later plead not guilty...

After two months of silence, two more window shootings causing nearly $1,000 in damages to local businesses were reported Tuesday morning. The old Boot Jack building, 2 S. State St., now owned by Danny Ellis, was damaged over the weekend as the smallest window on the north end of the building was shot. ...

A rash of arsons was reported over the Labor Day weekend in Crawford and Neosho counties. At 5:30 a.m. Saturday, Crawford County 911 received a call of a structure fire at 497 S. 40th St., McCune. Upon arrival, a mobile home was found to be fully engulfed. ...

Device found in Fulton building thought at first to be pipe bomb

Fort Scott Police Department officers responded to Rusty's Sports Bar & Grill early Saturday morning after receiving a call that a person had been stabbed. Officers arrested Kevin Simons, a 44-year-old truck driver from West Moreland, Tenn., for the stabbing of Timothy Bassett shortly after 1:30 a.m. Saturday. FSPD Lt. Shaun West said officers took Simons into custody for aggravated battery...

Area drivers and passengers who remember to buckle up in the coming days will be rewarded for their awareness. The Safe Kids Kansas organization, State Farm Insurance and the Kansas Department of Transportation have joined forces to create a safety awareness campaign to encourage families to buckle up and drive safely to protect themselves...

The first annual Trike Motor Poker Run raised funds for a local toy drive. The Bourbon County Sheriff's Department Corrections Division annual Christmas toy drive was given $1,877.50 to go toward buying gifts for children in the Southeast Kansas area...

Local resident William R. Dell'Antonia is scheduled to make his first appearance in the Bourbon County Court Monday for felony theft charges. Dell'Antonia is scheduled to make his first appearance in court at 9 a.m., Monday. He was being investigated by Lee Davidson, Kansas Assistant Attorney General for stealing an undisclosed amount of money from Fort Scott resident Mildred Lager. ...

As individuals continue to go missing across the country, Fort Scott residents are taking no chances. Officers responded to a total of five prowler calls over the weekend. Between the hours of 11 p.m. Saturday and 4 a.m. Sunday, four calls were made to the Fort Scott Police Department about a prowler in the city, a fifth call was made approximately 10 p.m. Sunday night...