News

Fort Scott firefighters kept busy battling two recent house fires which are currently under investigation. The Fort Scott Fire Department was dispatched late Saturday night following a report of a structure fire at a house in the 200 block of South Horton Street. Firefighters were also called out to a fire that broke out early Tuesday morning in a house located in the 300 block of South Eddy Street...

Fort Scott City Commissioners have signed off on a plan designed to provide incentives for local small businesses and spur growth. On Nov. 21, commissioners conducted a work session prior to their regular meeting to discuss revisions to the Small Business Incentives Program, review the program and address questions and concerns. The commission voted unanimously to approve the program during their regular meeting...

The Fort Scott Design Review Board on Tuesday approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for a planned farmers market pavilion project to be built in the parking lot on the west end of Skubitz Plaza. Fort Scott Mayor Matthew Wells appeared before the board with photos and other information related to the proposed 70-by-150-foot structure, which will be constructed with iron supports and a metal roof. ...

The city of Fort Scott will keep its city manager. During Tuesday’s meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission, commissioners approved by a 3-2 vote a new contract for City Manager Brad Matkin, who has elected to stay in the position. Commissioners discussed the new five-year contract before voting...

Elected officials in Bourbon County are slated to receive longevity pay after recent action by Bourbon County Commissioners. During a Nov. 13 discussion, commissioners approved a motion to give elected officials longevity pay for their time as regular county employees, prior to being elected into their positions. The motion excludes commissioners Jim Harris and Nelson Blythe...

The Board of County Canvassers met Monday evening to break a three-way tie for seats on the Mapleton City Council, and to finalize results of the Nov. 7 general election. Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins appointed two county employees – Tim Barrett, maintenance, and Jimmy Kemmerer, information technology – to serve on the canvassing board with County Commissioner Jim Harris. The board drew names out of a box to break the tie...

A Fort Scott woman was sentenced Wednesday to two years of probation for her involvement in felony theft and forgery from a local law firm. During a sentencing hearing in Bourbon County District Court, Judge Nancy Parrish sentenced Alexa Leigh Metcalf, who formerly worked for the Mason & Clark Law Office, LLC in Fort Scott, to 24 months probation, as well as a restitution fee of $40,000 due on or before Dec. 31...

Bourbon County law enforcement officers were able to recapture an inmate who walked away from duty in a work release program Wednesday morning. According to a news release from Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin, Melvin Foley, 54, an inmate in the Bourbon County Jail, walked away from the work release program while on detail duty Wednesday morning. The inmates and correctional center staff supervisors were working in the 2100 block of South Horton Street in Fort Scott...

Bourbon County Commissioners have signed off on an alternative energy project that would result in the installation of solar panels on several properties in the southwest portion of the county. On Monday, commissioners unanimously approved Commissioner Clifton Beth’s motion to adopt a development agreement, a road use agreement, a decommissioning agreement and a contribution agreement with Hinton Creek Solar LLC, a limited liability company based in Delaware. ...

A local veteran’s post was allegedly burglarized over the holiday weekend, and the Fort Scott Police Department is investigating the incident. See Wednesday's print or online edition for full story.

A Fort Scott man accused of murdering his mother and step-father nearly two years ago now faces a potential of life imprisonment with a chance of parole after he plead guilty Monday in the 6th Judicial District Court. During an arraignment hearing before 6th Judicial District Court Judge Mark Ward, Dawson James Mitchell, 24, entered a plea of guilty to two counts off-grid person felonies of murder in the first degree – premeditated, for the Dec. ...

Although nothing was approved, the Bourbon County Commission on Monday reviewed a proposed memorandum of understanding between the county and Amberwell Health concerning the provision of emergency health services in the county. On Oct. 31, Ascension Via Christi officials announced through a news release the operations of its emergency department in Fort Scott will cease on Wednesday, Dec. ...

Fort Scott City Commissioners on Tuesday approved a change order for the farmers market pavilion project scheduled for the parking lot on the west end of Skubitz Plaza. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story.

Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins’ first election in her position did not come without a hiccup. On Wednesday, Hawkins told the Tribune it was discovered during advanced voting early last week that some ballots were not going through the voting machine properly and officials could not identify the cause, which was later found and corrected...

New faces will appear on the Fort Scott City Commission and local school boards, and some races are tightly contested, according to unofficial election results released by the Bourbon County Clerk’s Office Tuesday night. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story...

Fort Scott City Commissioners on Tuesday approved a bid to demolish a structure at 4 S. National Ave. and 10 S. Ave., which was once the Downtowner Hotel. Commissioners awarded the demolition bid to the lowest bidder, Skitch’s, Inc., of Fort Scott for $94,396...

Candidates for open seats on the Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees discussed their backgrounds and goals, and gave their stances on issues the college faces during a candidate forum Oct. 25 on the FSCC campus. Seven candidates running for three open spots on the board – which are all four-year terms – were present for the forum, which was sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. ...

A 27-year career of helping people learn through their local library, and leading the library through several changes, came to an end Tuesday. Lisa Walther, director of the Fort Scott Public Library, served in her position for the final time Tuesday. Walther, who has been director of the library since 1996, has decided to retire...

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The question of the future of the Ascension Via Christi emergency department in Fort Scott was made clearer Tuesday when company officials announced the department’s operations will cease on Wednesday, Dec. 20. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story...

Fort Scott City Manager Brad Matkin, who announced his resignation Oct. 25, has been hired as the new business manager for USD 234. Matkin’s hiring with the school district was among employment items approved by the USD 234 Board of Education during a special meeting Monday evening. Following an executive session to discuss personnel matters, the board approved the following classified recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:...

Candidates for open seats on the Fort Scott City Commission fielded questions on issues facing the city, including health care and a proposal to subsidize emergency room services, during a candidate forum Oct. 25 at Fort Scott Community College. The forum was sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce...

The city of Fort Scott will be looking for a new city manager again. On Wednesday, City Manager Brad Matkin announced his resignation, effective Jan. 3. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story.

A candidate for a position on the USD 234 Board of Education withdrew from the race, while other candidates fielded questions from the public during a candidate forum Wednesday night at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center. The event was sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce...

Among updates provided during a Community Connection Panelist event Wednesday were more details surrounding a plan for emergency room services in Bourbon County. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story.

Bourbon County Commissioners on Monday heard suggestions on alternative to spending money to fund an emergency room for the county. Citizen Dale Bollinger, a lifelong resident of Bourbon County who said he spent 28 years providing fire and emergency medical services for the city of Fort Scott, shared his opinions with commissioners. Bollinger questioned some numbers presented in recent commission meetings, and presented options he said will not cost taxpayers in the city...

Bourbon County Commissioners on Monday talked about safety on county roads, and are looking to have future discussion regarding speed limits on gravel roads. During the public works update, commissioners approved Commissioner Nelson Blythe’s motion to make the intersection at Kansas Road and 85th Street a four-way stop. Public Works Director Eric Bailey said Blythe mentioned the location during last week’s meeting, and there had been a request for additional stop signs...

The Fort Scott Fire Department has received some new equipment – invented by firefighters – that could potentially save lives. John Horn and Jody Dell’Antonia, co-owners of Typhoon Bay Car Wash in Fort Scott since 2000, partnered to donate 15 Vikctim Drag Straps, a new piece of firefighting equipment invented by firefighters from Kansas City, Mo., to the Fort Scott Fire Department...

Work on a planned water line extension at Fort Scott's Industrial Park is a step closer after city commissioners approved a bid. Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to accept the low bid of $562,284 from Norwak Construction of Goddard. The company has promised completion within 60 days...

Bourbon County Commissioners on Monday continued a discussion on health care after a citizen urged the commission to let voters decide whether to support funding emergency room services. Last week, commissioners approved contributing $500,000 in county funds toward the Ambewell Health system’s plan to provide ER services...

As the USD 234 Board of Education and district officials wait to fill a vacant position on the board, they are considering a move that would make all board seats at-large positions. On Oct. 9, the board discussed a vacancy created with the Aug. 17 death of former board member Gary Billionis, who was first elected to the board in 2013 and served in that capacity until his death. Billionis served in position 5 on the seven-member board...

During their regular meeting Tuesday, Fort Scott City Commissioners rejected bids received for the demolition of 10 S. National Ave., which is the former Downtowner Hotel. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story.

The City of Fort Scott Water Utility Department opened the valve at Rock Creek five turns on Thursday, Oct. 12. This was due to the level of water in the Marmaton River. As of Oct. 12, the river was at 8’4” deep, which is much lower than the 9 1/2-foot depth needed for the city’s river intake system, according to the city’s press release...

Bourbon County Commissioners on Tuesday heard concerns from citizens on the county’s plan to help subsidize emergency room services in the county. During a special meeting, commissioners approved contributing $500,000 in county funds toward the Amberwell Health system’s plan to provide ER services. ...

A mobile unit sits in the parking lot of the U.S. National Cemetery just east of the caretaker’s house. The mobile unit will now serve as the cemetery office while the house is being renovated. Patrons are asked to access the temporary office from Margrave Street to 18th Street to Williams Street. Parking is available near the unit, which has an ADA ramp...

The USD 234 Board of Education on Monday recognized three elementary school students and several district staff for their work this school year. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story.

Jean Ann Reeves, age 80, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, at St. Luke’s East Hospital, Lee’s Summit, Mo. Services will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St.

During a special meeting Tuesday evening, Bourbon County Commissioners approved contributing $500,000 in county funds towards an Atchison-based health care system’s plan to provide emergency room services in Bourbon County, with some contingencies in place...

Fort Scott City Commissioners voted unanimously to contribute $600,000 towards an emergency room to replace services currently being provided by Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story.

Photographs by famed Fort Scott native Gordon Parks were the focus of one of two Lunch and Learn events Friday at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College. The event was part of the 20th annual Gordon Parks Celebration Thursday through Saturday...

A group of bicyclists who are part of a social justice organization are hitting the road to raise awareness for the expansion of Medicaid coverage in Kansas. A group of five cyclists, sporting bright yellow T-shirts with the slogan, “I KanCare, Kan U Care 2?” assembled at the United Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Scott, which is pastored by the Rev. George Proctor of Olathe...