News

The following are the unofficial results of the Nov. 4 city/school general election, as provided by the Bourbon County Clerk’s Office at 5:16 a.m. Wednesday: Bronson City Council (vote for two) Kelly Perry, 30 votes Sherri Tibble, 13 votes Lysa Long, 8 votes...

Bourbon County Clerk Susan Walker released a statement Wednesday concerning Tuesday's city/school general election. The following is Walker's statement, which was posted to the county's website, www.bourboncountyks.org: "2025 City/School General Election...

The Bourbon County Clerk’s Office has reported an error with ballots heading into Election Day. In a news release emailed Monday, County Clerk Susan Walker said the release was for residents living in the USD 235 school district area only. The Tribune reached out to Walker by email for comment Tuesday morning, but did not receive a response by press time...

The Fort Scott City Commission took no action following an executive session during a special meeting Saturday morning. According to unofficial meeting minutes, the commission recessed into executive session for 30 minutes for the purpose of discussion pursuant to the attorney-client privilege exception in K.S.A. ...

Bourbon County Commissioners plan to consider an amendment to the budget for the county attorney’s office after a discussion during a work session Monday evening. County Attorney James Crux said he had a “few concerns” on the published budget. He said his budget for 2026 is listed at $470,284, a decrease from $471,880 budgeted for 2025. ...

County leaders continue to discuss ongoing concerns with conversion to a new payroll system. On Monday, Bourbon County Commissioners heard from Tim Emerson Jr., managing member for Emerson and Co., the company contracted by the county to help with payroll, as well as Cassie Johnson representing Pay Entry, the new system being used for the county’s payroll...

Members of the public urged Bourbon County Commissioners to take action Monday as the commission considers a noise resolution in the county. Commissioners are reviewing a proposed resolution drafted by citizen Michael Hoyt, which is aimed at “regulating unreasonable, excessive and disturbing noise within the county, and providing penalties for violations,” according to the document...

The races for city and county commissions include some new and familiar faces. During a candidate forum Oct. 22 at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center, attendees heard from four of the five candidates running for three open positions on the Fort Scott City Commission and two candidates looking for seats representing new districts on the Bourbon County Commission...

Bourbon County Commissioners on Monday discussed, but ultimately took no action on a proposed noise ordinance presented for review last week. The proposed draft of the ordinance, created by citizen Michael Hoyt, is based on examples from Atchison and Douglas counties. The ordinance outlines definitions, prohibited acts, exceptions, enforcement and penalties related to “unreasonable, excessive and disturbing noise within the county.”...

The public had a chance to get a look at a newly-remodeled agriculture building at Uniontown Junior Senior High School Thursday night. The district hosted an open house to allow community members to view the changes to the building, which serves agriculture and FFA classes at the high school. The original structure was built in the late 1960s...

Candidates for positions on local school boards and commissions fielded questions during a candidate forum Wednesday night at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center. The forum, hosted by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, featured candidates for seats on the USD 234 Board of Education, Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees, Fort Scott City Commission and Bourbon County Commission...

Bourbon County Commissioners reviewed a proposed noise ordinance during a special meeting Thursday night, ultimately agreeing to have the county counselor review the ordinance and discuss the matter further during their regular meeting Monday. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story...

Fort Scott City Commissioners on Tuesday approved a contribution of $40,000 to support Fort Scott Community College with a grant program that will see the construction of new housing. After a discussion, Mayor Tim VanHoecke amended his original motion to support FSCC in the Fostering Residential Advancement through Mentoring and Education (FRAME) grant, which is geared toward construction trades and addressing housing needs. The motion later passed 4-1 with Commissioner Dyllon Olson voting no...

Bourbon County Commissioners on Monday continued discussion on a bitcoin mining operation, with one resident calling for further action from the commission. The commission initially removed the topic of bitcoin mining from the meeting agenda and replaced it with another topic, but discussed concerns with citizens during the public comment section of the meeting...

Bourbon County Commissioners on Monday discussed concerns such as setting precedence and the potential for litigation regarding a moratorium on the mining of cryptocurrency. The commission later approved the 12-month moratorium, which takes effect after its publication in the Tribune and only applies to new mining activity in the county. County Counselor Bob Johnson said the moratorium would stop future expansion of mining operations until the commission can adopt regulations...

The Bourbon County Clerk’s office is gearing up for the Nov. 4 general election, which will include several school, city and county races. During Tuesday’s Bourbon County Commission meeting, County Clerk Susan Walker presented an election schedule to commissioners and discussed a need for volunteers to help with equipment needed for the election...

The Fort Scott City Commission on Oct. 7 approved engineering and surveying services for repairs to a city waterway system. City Manager Brad Matkin said the waterway was damaged during flooding earlier this year. He said city officials have been in contact with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) since the damages occurred and were advised to hire an engineer. He said FEMA will reimburse the city for the cost of engineering services and repairs...

Calvin L. Osborne recounted portions of the journey of his great-great-grandfather, William Lacy, from slavery to the battlefield in the Civil War-era south. Osborne, an author, historical researcher and Civil War re-enactor, shared stories during a Sept. ...

Bourbon County Commissioners have put in place a moratorium directed at the mining of cryptocurrency in the county. See Wednesday's print or online edition for full story.

Fort Scott City Commissioners on Tuesday discussed and later voted to disapprove a presented ordinance on food trucks. On Sept. 16, commissioners directed City Manager Brad Matkin and City Attorney Bob Farmer to draft an addendum to the city’s solicitors, canvassers and peddler’s ordinance to address food trucks, and tabled the issue until October. The changes would require food trucks to obtain a license...

During Monday’s Bourbon County Commission meeting, Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin shared his concerns and the involvement of his department regarding a Bitcoin mining operation in the northwest part of the county. Martin said affidavits from citizens have been turned into his office regarding the company, Evolution Technology LLC, which he said is licensed to operate in Kansas. ...

Bourbon County Commissioners are looking into possible action concerning a Bitcoin mining operation in the county. Commissioners on Monday heard further concerns from county resident Derek Raines, who first brought the issue to the commission in September, as well as other residents. Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin also spoke on the involvement of his department and his concerns with a resolution and enforcement. Commissioner Sam Tran was not present for the meeting...

The Fort Scott City Commission was approached again on Tuesday regarding the city providing support for Fort Scott Community College in a grant program geared toward growing construction trades programs and addressing housing needs. See Wednesday's print or online edition for full story...

A situation involving a county resident’s request concerning a portion of Unique Road at 95th Street remains unresolved as Bourbon County Commissioners continue researching a solution. See Saturday's print or online edition for fulls story.

The Bourbon County Commission has unanimously approved a budget that falls below the revenue neutral rate. During a special meeting Friday, commissioners reviewed funds in each department, as well as the general fund, commission fund and funds of elected officials to determine if additional cuts could be made on top of a 1.4% cut to funds not set by state statute, and a 5% decrease in commodities for all budgets...

Bourbon County Commissioners on Monday approved changes to an intersection at North National Avenue and 218th Street. The commission unanimously approved a motion by Commission Chairman David Beerbower to remove stop signs going east and west on North National at that intersection, changing a four-way stop to a two-way stop. Beerbower also said the public works department would be informed of the change...

As Bourbon County Commissioners work through a process toward zoning, they heard concerns Monday from a county resident on a Bitcoin mining operation taking place in Bourbon County. Although commissioners have taken no formal action to adopt zoning, they appointed seven people to a planning commission which would take recommendations on zoning and planning issues, conduct public hearings on zoning and provide reports to the county commission...

This part one of a two-part series. Calvin L. Osborne, an author, historical researcher and Civil War reenactor, shared stories of his ancestors’ journey from slavery to freedom during a presentation Sept. 20 at the Fort Scott National Historic Site...

Fort Scott firefighters responded to a structure fire that broke out Tuesday evening in a residence in the 600 block of Little Street. See Wednesday's print or online edition for full story.

The Fort Scott City Commissioners on Tuesday approved a budget that will not exceed the revenue neutral rate. "I just want to say, maybe it wasn't the original intention for this to happen, but I'm going to say – not 100% sure – but we will have been the only entity to maintain true revenue neutral since this became a law, I think four years ago," Commissioner Dylon Olson said. "I can't speak for the other commissioners, but I'm proud of that fact."...

Bourbon County Commissioners appointed the members of a seven-person planning commission which would take recommendations on zoning and planning issues, conduct public hearings on zoning and give reports to the county commission. According to a resolution to form the planning commission and planning department, commissioners selected two members who reside in each commission district, then chose the seventh member – an at-large position – as a whole...

The Fort Scott City Commission on Tuesday debated proposed changes to an ordinance that would require food trucks to obtain a license. Commissioners agreed to have the city manager and city attorney draft an addendum to the city's solicitors, canvassers and peddler's ordinance to address food trucks, then discuss the issue again in October...

Bourbon County Commissioners on Tuesday discussed budget appropriations and proposed cuts as they continue to work toward a final budget. During a special meeting Tuesday, commissioners discussed bringing funding back up for the intellectual disabilities fund and fair board fund. They also discussed the funds for mental health, the health board, elderly appropriations, conservation and juvenile detention...

Nearly 100 people from 44 countries earned their U.S. citizenship on an unseasonably warm Wednesday morning on Constitution/Citizenship Day at the Fort Scott National Historic Site. See Saturday's print or online edition for full story.

The Bourbon County Commission has hired a new public works director. During a special meeting Friday, commissioners conducted three separate 30-minute executive sessions to discuss personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel. Following the final session, commissioners approved a motion for Commissioner Sam Tran to work with Dr. Steve Cohen, head of the county’s human resources, to make an offer to a candidate for the position of public works director...

During a public hearing Monday evening, several citizens voiced concerns with the county budget, ranging from reducing commissioner’s salaries to added expenses. After the budget hearing, commissioners tabled discussion on the budget to a special meeting Tuesday evening...

Fort Scott will not host a college football bowl game in December as has been planned. The Fort Scott City Commission, based on a recommendation from the city manager, voted to retract its promised $30,000 contribution to the game. City Manager Brad Matkin said since the Sept. 2 meeting, he has spoken with Dr. Jack Welch, who presented the proposal to the city commission...

While Bourbon County Commissioners have not yet approved a final budget, they went through various scenarios to whittle down the mill levy during a special meeting Tuesday evening. Commissioners had worked using different drafts of the budget which reflected changing figures, and discussed ways to make cuts while boosting cash reserves. They agreed to review numbers after County Clerk Susan Walker makes final changes and continue discussion during the commission’s Sept. 22 meeting...

The USD 234 Board of Education approved a 2025-26 budget with a small decrease in the mill levy. The board conducted public hearings on the revenue neutral rate and the proposed budget, and approved a resolution to exceed the revenue neutral tax rate and a resolution to make a local option percentage in an amount of 33% for the 2025-26 school year. Board members also approved the 2025-26 budget with consideration of a needs assessment...

Bourbon County Commissioners have put a cap on the length of commission meetings. On Monday, commissioners discussed putting in place procedures for shortening meetings, many of which have run three to four hours. The commission ultimately voted unanimously to adopt procedures which include starting meetings at 5:30 p.m., following the agenda until 7:30 p.m.; moving those people who have traveled for the meeting to the top of the agenda; setting the agenda for the following week’s meeting prior to adjournment, otherwise adjourning the meeting at 7:30 p.m.. ...

Bourbon County Commissioners on Monday had differing views on the topic of transferring the Bourbon County EMS to Freeman Fort Scott Hospital, which just opened last week. Commissioner Mika Milburn-Kee asked her fellow commissioners if they were open to a discussion with Freeman officials about taking EMS from the county...

With an announcement Friday of a grant for repairs and upgrades to Memorial Hall comes another proposal concerning renovation of the 100-year-old venue. During the 100th Year Celebration of Memorial Hall, city of Fort Scott officials announced the city has received a $582,000 Kansas Department of Commerce Community Development Block Grant. Grant funds will be used to replace all windows, repair a section of the roof, and complete needed tuck pointing...