News

Bourbon County Commissioners on Tuesday learned more details surrounding a recent announcement by Apex Clean Energy that two energy companies have purchased the Jayhawk Wind project. (See page 5 of today’s Tribune.) Juliana Pianelli, development manager for Apex, spoke to commissioners via video conference to share the details of the development...

When Fort Scott City Commissioners meet on March 16, they will be asked to accept a recommendation to allow a mini meat processing facility a conditional use permit. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story.

A Fort Scott city-wide sales tax will be continued for another five years. Voters passed a special election ballot question that asked if a half-cent retail sales tax should be continued. The issued passed with 312 voters (60.35 percent) saying yes and 205 (39.65 percent) saying no...

Fort Scott City Commissioners on Tuesday agreed it might be time to review the city’s policy for shutting water off for unpaid bills. Director of Finance Susan Bancroft provided commissioners with a list of unpaid water accounts. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story...

Fort Scott Community College will continue to not allow use of college facilities by outside groups through July 31 after action Monday by the FSCC Board of Trustees. During their meeting, Board Chairman John Bartelsmeyer read a document titled “FSCC’s Role in the Public Health Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic,” which outlines the college’s policy for campus events and community meetings...

County officials held discussion Tuesday on procedures for county road closures as research is being conducted into county records from more than 30 years ago. During the Bourbon County Commission meeting, county resident and landowner Jesse Walker informed commissioners he had learned county officials were reviewing road closures and he “wanted clarification.” Walker also posed several questions to commissioners and County Counselor Justin Meeks...

Advance voting at the courthouse began Monday, Feb. 22. and will end at noon Monday, March 1. Voting hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Bourbon County. Commission meeting room on the first floor of the courthouse. This election is for voters residing in the city limits of Fort Scott...

No injuries were reported in a two-vehicle accident involving a USD 234 school bus and semi-trailer Monday afternoon at the intersection of U.S. Highway 69 and 12th St. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story.

The Bourbon County Commission on Monday said farewell to one of its directors as the county moves in a new direction for economic development. Commissioners amended the meeting agenda to replace a planned executive session to discuss personnel matters with open discussion on the county’s economic development position, which is held by Jody Hoener...

Thomas Edward Gage II, age 53, a resident of Granby, Mo., passed away unexpectedly early Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021, at his home. He was born Jan. 1, 1968, in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Thomas E. Gage and Hope E. Hall Gage. Tom graduated from the Fort Scott High School with the Class of 1987. ...

Bourbon County Commissioners on Wednesday approved a resolution that could help the city of Uniontown address issues with natural gas following a winter storm that saw an increase in gas usage. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story...

The Fort Scott City Commissioners on Tuesday voted to send out requests for qualifications for a city attorney. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story.

Due to the road conditions, the Countryside will not be delivered today. We apologize.

A winter storm that impacted much of the U.S. over the weekend brought several inches of snow, as well as sub-zero temperatures and wind chills to Bourbon County and other parts of the region. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story...

Due to changes in the academic calendar, USD 234 will use remote learning days in place of snow days for the remainder of the current school year. USD 234 Superintendent Ted Hessong said several adjustments have been made to the academic calendar. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story...

Fort Scott Land Bank Board of Trustees learned Wednesday the Eagle Block Building at 10 N. National Ave., officially belongs to the city, although the title closing most likely will be the following week. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story...

Bourbon County Commissioners are considering allowing members of the Bourbon County Fair Board Association to make repairs to the 4-H building at the fairgrounds. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story.

The Great Backyard Bird Count walk scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Fort Scott National Historic Site has been cancelled due to the extreme low temperatures expected. Those who would still like to personally participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count at the fort or elsewhere can go to www.birdcount.org to learn more...

The City of Fort Scott has been awarded a Community Fisheries Assistance Program Grant to construct a parking lot in Gunn Park. The $1,317 grant comes from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. With the agreement, the city will kick in an additional $1,317...

The top two administrators at Fort Scott High School are not slated to return next school year. The non-renewal of the 2021-22 contract for FSHS Principal Amber Toth and resignation of FSHS Assistant Principal Robyn Kelso were among several employment items approved following a 50-minute executive session to discuss personnel matters for non-elected personnel. Kelso’s resigSee the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story...

The Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department has outlined its plan for vaccinating the public for COVID-19 during Phase 2 of the distribution plan. People who are 85 years and older will be able to get the vaccine from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9 in the former Firstsource building, 4500 Campbell Dr...

Bourbon County is moving closer to a tax sale for delinquent properties, Bourbon County Counselor Justin Meeks informed county commissioners on Tuesday. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story.

Fort Scott City Commissioners on Tuesday voted unanimously to adopt a policy to outline what a property owner must do in order to have special assessment fees waived. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story.

TOPEKA – A CDC Emerging Variant, which has been found in 33 U.S. states, was identified in Kansas this afternoon. A Kansas resident in Ellis County was found to have the United Kingdom, or UK, variant known as B.1.1.7. A case investigation is being conducted to determine how the person became infected with this particular variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, as well as if others may have been exposed. No further details are being released concerning the patient, including demographics...

Jeremy Frazier moved into city hall Monday as Fort Scott’s new city manager. Frazier makes his way to Fort Scott from Oklahoma, where he has lived most of his life, except for a few “short stints” in Maryland. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story...

As one local health care entity looks to occupy a former grocery store building, Bourbon County officials continue work on plans for the future of health care in the county. Officials with the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Inc., have confirmed the organization is negotiating with the owners of the former Price Chopper building to house the CHC/SEK medical clinic, walk-in care center and pharmacy...

City commissioners agreed Tuesday to adopt a policy that will create a standard for alley construction. Public Works Director Chad Brown presented the proposed policy, which he said stemmed from prior conversations about how to reconstruct the alley between Main Street and National Avenue south from Wall Street to 1st Street...

If city commissioners approve a new policy, the decision on whether to waive mowing fees on properties will be removed from the city manager’s responsibility. On Tuesday, Allyson Turvey, community development and tourism manager, presented commissioners with a proposed policy dictating when and how mowing fees will be waived on properties...

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a stream advisory for the Buck Run Creek, along the area east of Scott Avenue and west of 69 Highway in Fort Scott. The stream advisory is a result of a manhole overflow due to heavy rainfall. The city of Fort Scott has repaired the problem and the overflow has ceased as of Monday afternoon...

Bourbon County Emergency Manager William Wallis and Bourbon County Commissioners on Tuesday discussed how to address a new strain of the coronavirus that has emerged in the United States. Wallis said he wanted to talk about how the county should move forward, and the matter was “open for discussion.”...

The city of Fort Scott announced Thursday an employment agreement has been signed with Jeremy Frazier as the new city manager. Frazier will begin his service with the city on Feb. 1. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story.

Bourbon County Economic Development Director Jody Hoener updated commissioners Tuesday on disbursement of about $100,000 in payments for CDBG funds the county was awarded in June. “We applied for the first ever county CDBG and we were awarded $132,000,” Hoener said. “So far, we have granted out...

Bourbon County Commissioners briefly discussed addressing the condition of roads near the Bourbon County Courthouse and the west parking lot of the courthouse after an elected official voiced concerns Tuesday. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story...

The Fort Scott City Commission on Tuesday made a decision on who will become the new city manager. Prior to the regular meeting, the commissioners met in a 25-minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel. Commissioners made no comment after returning to open session, but instead simply adjourned the special meeting...

Bourbon County Counselor Justin Meeks will take a step back in his job functions after the Bourbon County Commission on Tuesday approved a new work agreement for Meeks. Following a 20-minute executive session to discuss Meeks’ contract under the justification for employer-employee negotiations, commissioners approved an engagement letter that outlines the details of the new work agreement. Meeks told the Tribune Tuesday he will be a “1099 employee” and will not receive county benefits...

The coronavirus pandemic remains a topic of discussion for the Uniontown USD 235 board of education. On Monday, that discussion included emergency funding and whether safety precautions are working. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story...

Bourbon County Commissioners on Tuesday approved a contract for a newly-created position designed to help the county with financial matters. After a discussion, commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding between the city of Fort Scott and Bourbon County to hire Susan Bancroft, the current director of finance for the city of Fort Scott, as the new business/finance director for Bourbon County. The vote was not unanimous as new Commissioner Jim Harris abstained...

Bourbon County Commissioners will make some changes to address violations of the Kansas Open Meetings Act concerning executive sessions. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story.

The Fort Scott City Commission on Jan. 5 took action to assist a local manufacture in an expansion. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story.

Bourbon County health care entities have received the COVID-19 vaccine, and officials heard more information Thursday about a state plan for distribution. Krista Postai, president and CEO of Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, said the health organization received 100 doses of the Moderna vaccine as part of the first phase of distribution, which includes healthcare associated workers, hospital staff and local health department staff. ...

Fort Scott Tourism and Community Development Manager Allyson Turvey provided a recap tourism and community development projects of the past year and upcoming events. She said since the departure of Robert Uhler as community development director, she has “absorbed” his duties. ...

WASHINGTON — The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced Jan. 5 that Navy Fireman 3rd Class William L. Barnett, 21, of Fort Scott, killed during World War II, was accounted for on Sept. 14, 2020. On Dec. 7, 1941, Barnett was assigned to the battleship USS West Virginia, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. ...

A charter ordinance dealing with reserve funds in the city of Fort Scott’s sewer and storm sewer funds will not go into effect after a question on a special election ballot failed to pass Tuesday. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story...

Fort Scott has a new mayor, as the city commission held its annual election. But the decision on who would be mayor – and commission president – did not come without debate. The motion to elect Josh Jones as mayor passed 3-1-1. Kevin Allen, Lindsey Watts and Randy Nichols voted yes, Pete Allen voted no and Jones abstained...

Local anglers have opportunities to enjoy the sport through a program offered by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. On Monday, about 300 trout were stocked in Fern Lake inside Gunn Park as part of an annual process that occurs under the Community Fisheries Assistance Program...