News

Representatives of Fort Scott Community College provided updates on various programs during a community forum March 12 at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center. Updates were given on music and nursing. FSCC Dean of Students Vanessa Poyner and FSCC Vice President of Finance and Operations Missy Scott also provided updates on their departments...

Fort Scott City Commissioners on Tuesday approved a lease agreement and monetary agreement concerning a new baseball franchise slated to begin play in 2026. In separate motions, commissioners unanimously approved a lease agreement for the LaRoche Baseball Complex between the city of Fort Scott and the Mid-America Baseball League, and a monetary partnership agreement between the city and the league...

Bourbon County Commissioner Leroy Kruger stepped down from his position during Monday night’s commission meeting. Kruger, who was elected as District 3 commissioner in 2024, participated in votes on business items early in the meeting. Following public comments, Kruger said he wished to speak...

Bourbon County Commissioners have begun the process for delving into the 2026 budget. During a work session Monday evening, commissioners and County Clerk Susan Walker discussed an overview of the county’s budget, as well as the responsibilities of the commission and other county staff concerning the budget and a projected timeline for the process...

A technical education center in Pleasanton is reportedly seeking separation from Fort Scott Community College. The board of the Southeastern Technical Academy for Rural Students (STARS), which offers high school students the opportunity to take dual-credit college-level courses through FSCC, voted in February to separate from FSCC for the 2025-26 school year, the Linn County News reported Feb. 19...

Fire officials are investigating a structure fire early Monday morning at a house located at 301 Steen St. See Wednesday's print or online edition for full story.

Bourbon County officials reviewed the county’s end-of-year finances during the March 3 meeting of the Bourbon County Commission. County Clerk Susan Walker said since there are two commissioners who are new to the budget process, she highlighted the county’s budgeted funds and explained the county must follow budget and cash basis laws. She said most of the budgeted funds were “double checked” to make sure no budget laws were violated, “however, we have some cash things to go over.”...

Bourbon County employees will receive additional pay related to recent winter weather after action taken Monday by the Bourbon County Commission. After a discussion and a 10-minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel, commissioners unanimously approved a motion by Chairman Brandon Whisenhunt to pay employees who worked during a Feb. 18 snowstorm five hours of “straight time additional pay” for the hours the courthouse was closed that date...

Fort Scott City Commissioners on Tuesday outlined their recommendations for projects that could be funded through grant opportunities. During a discussion on options for grant applications, Fort Scott Planning, Housing and Business Development Director Mary Wyatt asked commissioners if they had made a decision on which projects to seek grant funding following a recent review of project options through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Kansas Department of Transportation...

Bourbon County Commissioners on Monday approved transfer of money from the sheriff’s fund as officials work to close out finances for 2024. During an end-of-year financial review, commissioners voted to move $31,130.25 from the sheriff’s fund to the general fund. County Clerk Susan Walker said cash from those funds remained at the end of the year and will help cover partial expenses from a previous transfer...

A $1.2 million bond issue to fund improvements to district facilities in USD 235 in Uniontown passed, according to unofficial results from a special Tuesday election. A total of 317 ballots were cast, with 211 yes votes (66.98%) and 104 no votes (33.02%.) There were two undervotes, according to the results from the Bourbon County Clerk’s Office released Tuesday night...

Fort Scott City Commissioners on Tuesday voted to vacate an alley in the 1400 block of East Wall Street to accommodate a potential new business. See Wednesday's print or online edition for full story.

Due to time constraints, Bourbon County officials are working to expedite a process for an onsite auction of medical equipment housed at the former Mercy Hospital building. On Monday, Bourbon County Commissioner Leroy Kruger said he had a tentative date for the auction, but was not yet ready to make an announcement. He said he has spoken with staff from Freeman Health Systems, who have indicated the need to move the old equipment soon...

Freeman Fort Scott Hospital, Inc. has formally appointed an inaugural board of directors, a significant milestone in developing the new Bourbon County-based hospital to best serve its residents and the surrounding communities. See Saturday's print or online edition for full story...

During a special election Tuesday, voters in the Uniontown School District will be asked whether they support a $1.2 million bond issue to fund improvements to district facilities. See Saturday's print or online edition for full story.

As Bourbon County Commissioners prepare their lists of topics to address in 2025, one of those topics is the hot-button issue of zoning. Commissioners discussed the topic during their Monday meeting, ultimately voting to allow Commissioner Leroy Kruger to lead a research team on zoning and special use permits...

A Legislative Update Coffee was hosted by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center on the Fort Scott Community College campus. The coffee featured District 4 State Representative Rick James and District 13 Kansas Senator Tim Shallenburger...

Bourbon County officials are moving forward with the next step toward an onsite auction of old medical equipment at the former Mercy Hospital building. During Monday’s Bourbon County Commission meeting, Commissioner Leroy Kruger said he met last Friday with officials from Freeman Health Systems and Nevada Regional Medical Center, who inspected items that would be in the auction. Freeman plans to bring healthcare services to the county this year...

Bourbon County Commissioners on Monday agreed to change the format of commission meetings to include periodic work sessions. Following a discussion on a suggestion to conduct work sessions every other week, commissioners unanimously approved a motion by Commission Chairman Brandon Whisenhunt to conduct work sessions immediately following regular meetings starting Monday, March 10...

Firefighters with the Fort Scott Fire Department battled frigid conditions this week as they worked to contain a house fire in the 1100 block of Beech Street. See Saturday's print or online edition for full story.

Bourbon County is recovering from a winter storm that brought several inches of snow and frigid temperatures to the area earlier this week. See Saturday's print or online edition for full story.

Thomas F. Karleskint, age 81, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, at his home. Funeral services for Tom Karleskint will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kan.

The changing of the guard at the Nevada Post Office is still happening, according to Jeremy Hull, the newly installed postmaster of the Nevada Branch, USPS. Hull said he feels he has “big shoes to fill” in the steps of recently retired Postmaster Julie Mader...

On Feb. 4, Fort Scott City Commissioners approved by a 4-1 vote a change order for work completed on a project to make improvements on Horton and Sixth streets. The commission approved a motion by Mayor Tim VanHoecke to approve the change order, which was for “Corrective Action for Rejection of Defective Work” on the project. Commissioners also discussed their concerns with the finished product...

Monday discussed a plan for beginning the process of completing the 2026 budget. County Clerk Susan Walker asked commissioners how they wished to handle the budget process and calendar. She said the budget process typically starts in March and she needed direction from the commission...

After one motion failed by a 2-3 vote, the Fort Scott City Commission passed a separate motion 3-2 to support efforts by Fort Scott Community College officials concerning residential housing. During a special meeting Wednesday evening, commissioners discussed a grant program with City Manager Brad Matkin, FSCC Vice President of Academic Affairs Sonia Gugnani and FSCC Associate Dean of CTE and Workforce Development Rory Chaplin. ...

As a situation involving a hazardous downtown building continues, Fort Scott City Commissioners on Feb. 4 agreed to proceed with getting quotes for repair work. Commissioners and city officials discussed the status of a building at 118 E. Wall St., which houses the Fort Scott Barber Shop and has been closed down for nearly a year, as well as whether to remove the red tag on the building and a neighboring building...

Bourbon County Commissioners are looking into the possibility of an onsite auction of old medical equipment not needed by Freeman Health Systems, which plans to bring healthcare services to the county this year. On Monday, Commissioner Leroy Kruger said he spoke with representatives of Freeman about a list of equipment, which he said contains about 10-12 items...

Although no decisions have been made, local leaders are discussing the possibility of a trash collection day for county residents. During a combined work session Thursday, Feb. 6, at the Empress Event Center, Fort Scott City Commissioners and Bourbon County Commissioners discussed options for trash collection...

cussed working together on possible revisions to the Neighborhood Revitalization Program during a combined work session Thursday evening at the Empress Event Center. Present for the session were Bourbon County Commissioners David Beerbower, Brandon Whisenhunt and Leroy Kruger; Fort Scott Commissioners Dyllon Olson, Matthew Wells, Tim VanHoecke, Tracy Dancer and Kathryn Salsbury; Fort Scott Housing/Community Development Director Lisa Dillon; Bourbon County Appraiser Matt Quick; Bourbon County Public Works Director Eric Bailey; Fort Scott City Manager Brad Matkin, and Janet Harper, officer manager for Quick’s office.. ...

During a Jan. 28 work session, Fort Scott City Commissioners voiced their thoughts in support of or in opposition of proposed licenses and fees for businesses. Commissioners Matthew Wells and Dyllon Olson have expressed support for the proposal, while Commissioners Tracy Dancer and Tim VanHoecke have requested more information on economic growth for cities that have business licenses in place. ...

Bourbon County officials are looking into an agreement with Freeman Health System for disposal of medical equipment currently housed at the former hospital building at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. On Monday, Bourbon County Commissioner Leroy Kruger, the commission’s contact with Freeman, said he had been approached by a representative of the company regarding equipment the company does not need for its plans to operate an emergency department and 10-bed inpatient acute care hospital later this year...

Bourbon County Commissioners on Monday received clarification on a process that will see the election of two new commissioners later this year. Commissioners participated in a discussion with citizen Michael Hoyt and Bourbon County Chief Operations Officer Shane Walker regarding an updated state law which officials say states the election must take place in the regular election, rather than through a special election...

Fort Scott City Commissioners plan to delve further into the matter of regulations for storage container boxes being used within the city. Commissioner Matthew Wells said the commission began discussions on the topic last year due to an “influx” of storage containers appearing throughout the city. Currently, there is no city ordinance prohibiting the containers on residential properties...

Fort Scott City Commissioners are again looking at the idea of proposed business licenses and fees. Commissioners discussed the matter during a work session Tuesday. See Saturday's print or online edition for full story.

Fire officials are investigating the cause of a structure fire that broke out Wednesday afternoon at a residence on Locust Road west of Fort Scott. See Saturday's print or online edition for full story.

Bourbon County Commissioners have approved setting legal descriptions for five commission districts after a redistricting plan was implemented in late 2024. See Saturday's print or online edition for full story.

Bourbon County Commissioners on Monday continued discussions on salaries, ultimately voting on pay hikes for one county elected official and an appointed official. See Wednesday's print or online edition for full story.

The motto “Unwavering Support for Uncommon Heroes” is at the heart of the newly reorganized VFW Auxiliary, which has a membership of women and men who are committed to using their talents and energy for the betterment of the community at large. See Wednesday's print or online edition for full story...

The USD 234 Board of Education interviewed three candidates for two open seats on the board during a special meeting Jan. 20. See Wednesday's print or online edition for full story.

The Fort Scott Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire Monday afternoon in the 400 block of Couch Street. See Wednesday's print or online edition for full story.

Bourbon County Commissioners on Monday reopened a discussion on salaries for elected and appointed officials. The commission ultimately approved by a 2-1 vote a salary resolution, repealing a previous resolution passed Jan. 13. The resolution sets salaries for elected officials and extra assigned duties for those officials, as well as salaries for appointed officials (department heads.)...

Fort Scott City Commissioners on Tuesday discussed repair work on a downtown building that has been closed for almost a year. Jose Montanez, owner of the building at 118 E. Wall St., presented photos of repair work and discussed with commissioners efforts to stabilize the walls of the building. ...

Another downtown building is on the list for potential rehabilitation. During Tuesday’s meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission, City Manager Brad Matkin provided an update on the status of the Moody Building at 15 E. Second St. Matkin said the owner of the building worked with a structural engineer to have a report sent to the commission...

An ongoing situation involving structural issues with a downtown building may be closer to a resolution. On Tuesday, Fort Scott City Commissioners approved by a 4-1 vote a motion by Commissioner Dyllon Olson to allow the city’s legal counsel and City Manager Brad Matkin to work with Jose Montanez, the owner of a building at 118 E. Wall St., to draft a waiver and agreement which will be brought back to the commission at a later date. The building houses the Fort Scott Barber Shop...

New Bourbon County Clerk Susan Walker reviewed several resolutions and other needed business with a new Bourbon County Commission Jan. 13. One of those matters deals with a snafu concerning funds from a sales tax issue last year. See Wednesday's print or online edition for full story...

By the same vote as last week on the same topic, Bourbon County Commissioners passed by a 2-1 vote Monday a new resolution bumping salaries for county elected officials. Increases for some officials will be smaller than were set on the original resolution...