News

Bourbon County Commissioners on Tuesday established a priority list for roads to be chip and sealed this season. The list includes a total of 10 miles of roads, with an additional 3 miles to be completed if there is enough cash on hand. The list, not in any particular order, includes 1 mile on Maple Road east of Uniontown; ¾-mile on Maple Road from Kansas Highway 3 to 55th Street; 3 miles at Lake Fort Scott; 1 mile on Jayhawk Road from U.S. ...

When thinking of American war heroes, one might not think of the furry, four-legged type. An event to honor and celebrate Sergeant Stubby, a dog and military mascot who has been called the most decorated animal in American military history, is scheduled to take place from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the community park next to the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, 1 S. Main St...

Thomas Marvin Heter of Garland, Kan., passed away peacefully on July 20, 2017. He was 79 years old. Tom will be remembered for his passion, intelligence, and his love of art, photography, and music. An excellent musician who performed on guitar, keyboards, and vocals, Tom’s record collection ran into the thousands. ...

The Bourbon County comes to an end today with the Missouri State Tractor Pullers Association event at 7 p.m.

The Fort Scott City Commission is looking at a balanced budget for 2018, with no planned increase in the mill levy. During a work study session Tuesday, Director of Finance Jon Garrison presented some highlights of the proposed budget. Commissioners and city staff discussed certain aspects of the budget, and later approved publication of the budget during their regular meeting...

Local resident Timothy Allen brought his concerns about sewage overrun onto his property to the Fort Scott City Commission Tuesday. Allen said he has lived in Fort Scott for most of his life. He said he has been dealing with problems with a nearby pump station connected to the Timbers Edge Subdivision that has caused sewage overflow into the pond his dad built in 1967 adjacent to his property. The subdivision’s sewage is pumped into the city sewer system...

The Bourbon County Fair got underway with the dog show on Saturday and the horse show on Sunday. Today’s features include judging for bucket calves, dairy cattle, dairy goats, family and consumer science projects and beef cattle. The junior livestock sale is at 7 p.m. Friday. The fair wraps up Saturday with the annual tractor pull...

Recent state law increasing regulation of amusement park rides has forced the indefinite closure of two water slides at the Fort Scott Aquatic Center. The slides have been closed since July 2 as a result of amendments made this year to the Kansas Amusement Ride Act and Amusement Ride Insurance Act. The act considers pool slides at least 15 feet tall to be amusement rides...

A project being funded with a $350,000 Kansas Department of Transportation High Risk Rural Roads Grant awarded in 2014 is still not underway. On Tuesday, Public Works Director Jim Harris presented commissioners with a change order to include a cross road pipe – a culvert that was overlooked in the construction plan...

Local school districts are preparing budgets and planning operations for next school year as they await a Kansas Supreme Court decision on a new school funding bill. Superintendents at USD 234 in Fort Scott and USD 235 in Uniontown said their districts are expected to receive additional funding through Senate Bill 19, legislation passed by the Kansas Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Sam Brownback in June...

A crew with ICD Builders of North Dakota work on a hot Tuesday afternoon to remove shingles from the roof of the hospital and visitor’s center at the Fort Scott National Historic Site. Russell Conner, supervisory facility operations specialist at the fort, said workers are completely tearing off wood shingles and replacing them with cedar shingles. ...

The USD 234 Board of Education conducted its annual reorganization and elected a new board president and vice president at its Monday meeting. The board also ratified a teacher package that includes pay raises and later in the meeting, approved small pay hikes for administrative and classified personnel for the 2017-18 school year...

The next hearing in the case of a former employee of the Community Christian Church in Fort Scott who faces charges for alleged sex crimes was set during a brief hearing Monday in Bourbon County District Court. Joseph Wayne Banker, 35, appeared before Bourbon County District Magistrate Judge Valorie Leblanc with his attorney, Christopher Meek of Baxter Springs. Also present was the prosecutor in the case, Bourbon County Attorney Justin Meeks...

Fireworks light up the night sky and reflect off the lake at Fort Scott Community College during a community fireworks display Monday night. The display was coordinated by the Elks Lodge No. 579.

The Burke Street Parade had been advertised as a “rain or shine” event and there was truth in that. A little rain – actually a deluge– did not stop the annual parade Tuesday. Along with the patriotic colors, umbrellas and rain slickers were a common theme with participants and watchers. ...

Fort Scott city officials gave Rotarians an update Wednesday on the city budget and various projects that are in the works. City Manager Dave Martin, Director of Finance Jon Garrison, Public Utilities Director Michael Mix and Economic Development Director Rachel Pruitt spoke during the Rotary meeting...

A trio of musicians, from left, trumpeters Norm Jones and Steve Harry, and pianist Pat Harry, perform patriotic music as part of Symbols of Sacrifice activities Saturday night at the Fort Scott National Historic Site. The trio performed tunes such as “God Bless the U.S.A.,” “You Raise Me Up,” and “America the Beautiful.”...

Once a standout young athlete, Sebastien Jacques now has a different goal. Jacques, who is from Quebec, Canada, is walking across the United States to share his story and spread a message of hope and overcoming obstacles people face in life. In 2015, Jacques had surgery to remove a benign tumor from the center of his brain...

A project to make renovations to the east campus of Fort Scott Community College and move the John Deere Technician Training program to Bourbon County can now enter the construction phase. The FSCC Board of Trustees on Wednesday approved the $561,000 bid from Tri-State Building and Supply Co., Inc., of Pittsburg to construct a metal building on the east campus that will be part of improvements to house the John Deere program and the college’s welding program...

This is the first of two parts. The second part will be published in the Wednesday, July 5 edition. On a muggy afternoon in mid-June, 2016 Fort Scott High School graduate Kaleb DeLaTorre was among the first players to arrive on game-day at the Joplin Outlaws clubhouse at Joe Becker Stadium...

A large U.S. flag flies in the breeze against a backdrop of an overcast sky Thursday morning on North Main Street.

Bourbon County Commissioners began scrutinizing the first draft of the proposed 2018 budget when they met with Certified Public Accountant Terry Sercer Thursday. For several weeks, the commissioners have been collecting budget requests from department heads and outside agencies that receive partial funding from the county. (See additional article on specific requests.)...

Community members, city officials and others were able to share ideas and hear more details about design of a bike and pedestrian plan in Bourbon County at a public forum Tuesday at City Hall. Representatives of the PedNet Coalition, a nonprofit based in Columbia, Mo., were on hand to provide background on a grant the county received in 2016 toward creating a healthier county, as well as an assessment of the community’s sidewalks, trails and other infrastructure...

Looking for one of Fort Scott’s coolest summer events? Mark your calendar for Friday. The Mercy Health Foundation Fort Scott has partnered with the City of Fort Scott, the Bourbon County Arts Council (BCAC) and other local businesses to host the inaugural Hit the Bricks Wine Stroll and Art Walk plus a concert in downtown Fort Scott...

A special story time was held Monday afternoon at the Fort Scott Public Library. About 65 children signed up for a Faerie Garden story time. Supplies awaited the children, who created a fairy or a dinosaur garden. Nana Glimmerswind of Scotiana, queen of the fairies, locally known as Martha Scott, made a stop and read to the children, then they were given fairy cakes for a treat...

The Bourbon County Public Works director has been tasked with researching the cost of maintaining Elm Creek Lake and also possible solutions to repairing the lake’s leaks. The discussion follows the June 20 meeting when several citizens attended to voice their opposition to any idea of the county selling the lake. The commissioners said they have no intention of selling the lake...

The Fort Scott City Commission on Tuesday got a glimpse of what a new redevelopment project will look like and what it could mean for economic development. Several individuals involved with the proposed $9.4 million project to redevelop the 39,500-square-foot building at 2322 S. Main St., the former Woods Supermarket, and other nearby property, were on hand to present details on the project to commissioners. The project encompasses about five acres of property...

Jo Ho, a storyteller from Overland Park, performs for youth during a story time event Friday at the Beaux Arts Centre. Ho, who has a theatre background, said she designs stories for children in the 2-11 age group. She is touring libraries in the Southeast Kansas library system throughout the summer. ...

The future of a dilapidated structure on Main Street was debated at Tuesday’s meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission. Codes Manager Rhonda Dunn informed commissioners that a piece of property at 417 S. Main St., a two-story house, was up for discussion as two individuals present at the meeting are interested in saving the structure...

At Tuesday’s meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission, two stores were announced as being part of a proposed upcoming redevelopment project in Fort Scott – Dunkin’ Donuts and Price Chopper. Joel Riggs, director of real estate for Super Market Developers, Inc., which is under Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc., and Barry Queen, principal with Queen Enterprises LLC, spoke to commissioners and city staff about the proposed $9.5 million redevelopment project at 2322 S. ...

People of all ages were able to show their artistic sides at a new event Saturday at the Fort Scott National Historic Site. The fort hosted a four-hour event called Art Day at the Fort, which featured area artists showcasing their talents in a variety of different art forms. The event is part of the year-long celebration of the site’s 175th anniversary and was presented in partnership with the Bourbon County Arts Council...

Area youth who participated in a camp of instruction Thursday and Friday were able to learn first-hand how soldiers lived life on a fort in the 1840s. Youth dressed in soldiers’ attire took part in marching, drills, weapons demonstrations and other activities during the 28-hour camp...

As construction continues at the new Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center, officials are making plans to host the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Coffee on July 6. By that time, contractors are hoping to have some of the finish work completed. Commissioners attended a monthly progress meeting at the construction site Tuesday...

Jayden Witt and his new friend, Bingo, a 2-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, are in the process of creating a bond while the 6-year-old Jayden and his family deal with the child’s autism. Jayden’s parents, Matt and Cherie Witt of Fort Scott, got the service dog a few months ago as they searched for help for Jayden, who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at 2 years of age. Jayden and Bingo have spent that time getting to know each other...

Today is Flag Day, the 240th anniversary of the adoption of the Stars and Stripes by the Continental Congress in 1777. Flag Day was official established by a proclamation from President Woodrow Wilson on May 30, 1916, but it did not become a national holiday until President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress on Aug. 3, 1949. The idea of celebrating the flag is credited to school teacher BJ Cigrand in Fredonia, Wisc., in 1885, according to usflag.org...

USD 234 officials discussed student data and growth, as well as educational opportunities available through Fort Scott Community College, with the USD 234 Board of Education on Monday. Curriculum Director Nicki Traul, who continues to work with teachers and instructional coaches across the district to develop and align curriculum districtwide, shared some math and reading test data from the fall and spring semesters of the 2016-17 school year...

The Monday night meeting of Uniontown USD 235 Board of Education signified a change in administration and the board. Board Member Lynne Oharah announced he would vacate his position on the board effective Tuesday. “The reason is, I have two letters in my possession issued by the attorney general in prior years that basically states that if you hold two positions that have taxing authority, that means that you are in a conflict of interest,” Oharah said...

Daylilies in bloom are scattered along an area near the west lake at Gunn Park.

Fort Scott Fire Department firefighter Travis Mewhinney, left, and FSFD Lt. Clint Roberts test a fire hydrant on North Main Street Wednesday afternoon. Roberts said there are about 500 hydrants within the city tested annually by the fire department. The test includes checking the hydrant’s water flow and pressure...

Tourism Manager Larry Gazaway appeared before Fort Scott City Commissioners Tuesday with requests for approval to form a new city tourism advisory board. Commissioners approved separate motions for an ordinance establishing a tourism advisory board and listing the members of the panel...

With another year of the annual Good Ol’ Days street festival in the books, organizers are taking a last look at last weekend’s event before looking to the future. “I thought it was a great weekend,” Good Ol’ Days board member Rhonda Dunn said. “I think it was one of the best in a long time. I saw a lot of smiling faces and that’s a good indicator.”...

Representatives of the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office and Southeast Kansas Regional Correctional Center once again approached the Bourbon County Commission regarding a need for more staff and pay. Sheriff Bill Martin, Undersheriff Ben Cole and SEKRCC Major Bobby Reed appeared before commissioners Tuesday to voice some concerns...

Youngsters on a float for 4-State Sanitation spray bubbles from plastic toys during the 36th annual Good Ol’ Days parade Friday evening in downtown Fort Scott. It was announced that it was the largest parade in the history of the Good Ol’ Days street festival. There were about 70 entries in the parade, which had a theme of “The Great Outdoors.” The parade and other activities kicked off the Good Ol’ Days, which continues through today...

The filings are in for the November election and according to Bourbon County Clerk Kendell Mason, there will not be a need for a primary election Aug. 1. The deadline to file as a candidate for the fall city and school election was June 1. Mason said the election includes all of the cities in Bourbon County, Fort Scott Community College, the Southwind Extension District, USD 234 and USD 235 school districts...

Bourbon County Commissioners have made some decisions moving forward following the recent resignation of Environmental Services Coordinator Eric Bailey. At the commission’s May 23 meeting, Bailey, who has served in his position about four years, offered his resignation. ...

Boy Scout Cody Dean, Troop 114, leads attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance at a Memorial Day service Monday at the Fort Scott National Cemetery. The ceremony, which was organized by the American Legion, included music, speeches, placing the wreath by the Gold Star Mothers and a volley from the VFW...

This is the first – and could be the last – year the Bourbon County Treasurer’s Office has collected an additional fee to those renewing their vehicle tags in person. Beginning with the 2017 budget, following an idea Treasurer Rhonda Dunn presented to commissioners in 2016, people who renew their tags at the treasurer’s office are charged an additional $3 fee. Those who mail their renewals or renew online are not charged the fee...

Birthday cake and iced tea were served as part of events commemorating the 175th anniversary of the establishment of Fort Scott by the U.S. Army. May 30 is the official date for the founding of the fort post.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Saturday rescinded a boil water advisory for the city of Fort Scott.