News

As luck would have it, local veteran Ted Rohde got the chance to take a flight he may never forget. Rohde, a U.S. Army veteran and Fort Scott resident, took part in the 2023 Honor Flight, in which he and several other veterans spent three days in Washington, D.C., in late May to view the memorials and other sites in the nation’s capital...

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the city of Fulton public water supply system located in Bourbon County.

Less than a month after assuring his fellow commissioners he would remain on board until after the election, Fort Scott Commissioner Josh Jones tendered his resignation Tuesday. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story.

Bourbon County Commissioners and other county officials on Monday discussed possible solutions to address concerns with the county’s primary software vendor, Computer Information Concepts, or CIC. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story...

Six Fort Scott students are getting the chance to take their winning history projects to the national level. The Christian Learning Center students, who became state champions at the State National History Day Championships in April in Topeka, are Kenlee Eden, Blair Felt, Kodie Wells, Taly Banwart, Holly Crain and Abby Jacobs. The girls are taking separate projects to national competition...

Thursday was the deadline to file nomination papers for the Nov. 7 General Election. The following is a list of individuals who have filed nomination papers with the Bourbon County Clerk’s office: City of Fort Scott Commission (four seats open) – Incumbent Matthew Wells, Incumbent Edwin Woellhof, Dyllon Olson, Margaret P. Cummings, Tracy Dancer, Joshua Baseley, Barbara Ann Rawlins, Harold “Pete” Allen, Janice Allen...

During the past few years, several murals painted by local artists have popped up with little fanfare. But the newest mural, which will honor the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry, is receiving a considerable amount of pomp. The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Downtown Division Board plans to unveil the mural on Friday, Oct. 6, during the Gordon Parks Celebration, but a lot of things will happen before then...

For the second year in a row, Jewel Endicott, who will be a Uniontown High School sophomore, won a first-place award for her age group in the Kansas Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest. Her winning entry is titled "Cinnamon Teal Swimming" and was done in colored pencil...

The Fort Scott High School Tiger baseball team earned third-place trophy after a 10-9 victory over the Paola Panthers during the State Baseball Tournament Friday in Salina.

It hasn’t been an easy road for the recent Fort Scott High School graduate Christian Seals. An accomplished athlete and musician, he struggled early in his high school career with falling grades and other challenges. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story...

The Bourbon County Commission on Monday approved by a vote of 2-1 a donation of $500 each to community fireworks displays in Fort Scott and Uniontown. Fort Scott Mayor Matthew Wells asked commissioners to consider donating money to the Fort Scott City Fireworks Display. He said fundraisers are planned for the annual fireworks display, which takes place in early July. The city of Uniontown is also the site of a fireworks display and other activities to celebrate Independence Day...

Fort Scott City Commissioners on May 17 held a special meeting to approve letters and survey certification for 37 acres more or less for a micro-meat processing plant. The 4-1 vote passed with Mayor Matthew Wells, commissioners Katy Harrington, Josh Jones and Edwin Woellhof in favor and Tim Van Hoecke against...

Fort Scott City Commissioners on Monday voted – on a contingency – to assist a new business in razing a building to make ready for a new one. The building, formerly known as the old Downtowner, is located on the southwest corner of Wall Street and National Avenue and currently houses Moe’s Bakery and Kannarr Eye Care...

Joyce E. Woods, 70, of Fort Scott, Kan., passed on May 17 from health complications. Her two sons were with her at the time she left to be with her Lord and Savior. Joyce was born on April 6, 1953, to Rachel Maxine Wright Woods in Fort Scott, Kan. After graduating from FSHS in 1971, she studied at Fort Scott Community College followed by Pittsburg State University where she obtained her B.S. ...

Construction of a splash pad on Skubitz Plaza is underway. On Thursday, a crew from Playscape Recreation, LLC, of Yates Center work on concrete around the piping. The original goal was to have the splash pad and an adjoining sensory park completed by Good Ol’ Days. ...

When Fort Scott voters go to the polls in November, they will be asked to choose four individuals to serve on the city commission instead of three. On Tuesday, commissioners voted 3-2 to allow citizens to choose a replacement for Josh Jones, who plans to move outside the city limits, which disqualifies him to serve as a commissioner...

Bourbon County Commissioners conducted their first in a planned series of out-of-town meetings Monday at the Fulton Community Center. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story.

Officials are investigating the cause and origin of a fire that broke out Thursday afternoon at a residence in the 200 block of South Holbrook Street. Fort Scott Deputy Fire Chief Mike Miles said Friday the department received a report of a structure fire at 2:39 p.m. Thursday. The department responded with one engine with four personnel, the tower truck with three personnel, two chiefs’ staff vehicles and two additional personnel...

The Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees on Monday adopted a resolution that will allow the college to enter into a lease agreement for property recently vacated by Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story...

Fort Scott City Commissioners on Tuesday approved moving forward with an economic development project that has been in the works for two years. Commissioners voted unanimously to allow city staff and bond counsel to move forward with establishing a Tax Increment Finance District and obtaining a Kansas Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) bond so a new sports complex can be constructed on the edge of Fort Scott...

The job of Fort Scott Community College president is proving to be popular. The due date for all applications is Monday and already 30 people have applied. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story.

As the Uniontown USD 235 school district transitions from the end of one year to the next, board of education members on May 8 were presented with changes to the high school handbook. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story...

Continued drought conditions have had differing effects on agricultural production throughout Bourbon County and the region. The Tribune talked to two agents with the Southwind Extension District about the drought’s agricultural impact, and continued effects if drought conditions linger...

The announcement that a deal has been signed that will allow Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center to move into the Legacy Health building was welcome to SEKMHC employees. On Saturday, May 6, Bourbon County Regional Economic Development, Inc., disseminated a press release from Legacy Health announcing an agreement had been finalized with SEKMHC. Legacy Health obtained the former hospital building at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. from Bourbon County in October...

Three Fort Scott residents were arrested Tuesday by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office following an investigation in Fort Scott. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story.

Creativity radiates from Bareigh Farrell. She can just about do it all – and do it well. Painting and drawing? Yes. Photography? No problem. Music? You betcha. If it has anything to do with the arts, she has been at the forefront, winning numerous awards and scholarships...

Legacy Health has announced the finalization of an agreement with Southeast Kansas Mental Health, which will secure an office space in the building acquired by Legacy Health from Bourbon County in October 2022. The new Southeast Kansas Mental Health office will be located at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. in Fort Scott. Scott, according to a Legacy Health press release issued by Bourbon County Regional Economic Development, Inc...

Bourbon County Commissioners have signed off on the purchase of a new ambulance for the Bourbon County EMS. On Monday, commissioners approved a motion by Commissioner Clifton Beth to accept a demo truck from Osage Industries, and to keep the county’s old ambulance at a total cost of $306,323.35. Commissioners also approved Beth’s motion for Commission Chairman Jim Harris to sign the purchase agreement...

Bourbon County Commissioners plan to look into the need for a new ambulance for the Bourbon County Emergency Medical Service. While no motion was made, commissioners on Monday discussed the matter. Commissioner Clifton Beth opened the discussion by stating he was contacted recently by a representative of Bourbon County EMS...

Volunteers from SEK-CAP spent the day in Fort Scott Friday performing community service projects under the direction of Craig Campbell, Good Neighbor Action Team chairman. For several years, SEK-CAP held a Community Action Day when employees volunteer in the 12 counties the agency serves. ...

Several first response agencies in Fort Scott and Bourbon County joined forces Tuesday for a mock training scenario aimed at teaching high school students about the dangers of impaired and inattentive driving. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story...

The next step in a potential project to construct an overpass on the south edge of Fort Scott will be to determine the cost of a feasibility study. Bourbon County Commissioners on Monday approved a motion by Commission Chairman Jim Harris to request qualifications for a feasibility study that will give commissioners an idea on costs before committing any funds...

Communication continues between the city of Fort Scott and Archer Daniels Midland of Deerfield, Mo., regarding the quantity and quality of waste being brought to the city’s waste water treatment plant. The goal is to avoid the odor that permeated over the city during the summer and fall of 2021...

A lone Canadian goose takes a leisure swim Friday morning on the Marmaton River at Gunn Park.

The topic of public comments during meetings was broached during Monday’s meeting of the Bourbon County Commission. A brief discussion on public comments came on the heels of a separate talk on the employment status of County Counselor Justin Meeks. Citizen Mary Pemberton talked to commissioners about Meeks’ status as an “employee or contract worker.” Meeks said that discussion should take place in executive session. (See the Wednesday, April 26 Tribune.)...

The Fort Scott City Commissioners on April 18 rejected bids for improvements at one park, but agreed to spend money on improvements to another. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story.

Bourbon County Commissioners on Monday continued a discussion – but did not make any decisions – regarding the employment status of County Counselor Justin Meeks. See Wednesday's print or online edition for full story.

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner and awards celebration was held Thursday night at the River Room Event Center. The annual event included a social and silent auction, dinner, a live auction and presentation of various awards. See Wednesday’s Tribune for more award winners...

For the second time in two months, Bourbon County Commissioners changed the days for regular commission meetings. On Thursday, at the request of County Counselor Justin Meeks, commissioners voted unanimously to move commission meetings from Thursday mornings to Monday evenings, beginning next week...

Fort Scott City Commissioners on Tuesday heard from members of the Bourbon County Regional Economic Development, Inc., and it’s director. The discussion focused around whether the city is getting what it pays for from the organization. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story...

It’s not everyday that an Olympian Gold medalist visits town, but that’s exactly what happened April 12 when Billy Mills, who won the 10,000-meter race in the 1964 Olympic games, shared his story in Fort Scott. Mills’ visit was made possible by a grant from the Freedoms’ Frontier National Heritage Area. ...

The Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees will be tasked with finding new leadership as FSCC President Alysia Johnston has announced her retirement. During Monday’s meeting of the FSCC Board of Trustees, Johnston and board members commented on Johnston’s decision following 45 minutes in executive session that occurred late in the meeting...

The Fort Scott National Historic Site held its annual encampment Saturday and Sunday.

At the risk of the cost of construction of a farmers market pavilion increasing, Fort Scott City Commissioners voted Tuesday to accept a bid and order materials for the project. Jason Dickman of Earles Engineering said if the bid is approved, Sprouls Construction, which submitted the only bid for the project, would order the materials now, then proceed with construction when the city is ready...

Community Health Center/Southeast Kansas is making its move into its new location at 2322 S. Main St. in Fort Scott. The move began Monday, April 10 and will wrap up this weekend. The Apothocare Pharmacy will be closed today and the Walk-In Clinic will close at 1 p.m. Sunday. All services will re-open to the public on Monday...

It appeared a vote to rescind its decision to implement a policy requiring contractor license fees failed to pass during a special Fort Scott City Commission meeting Wednesday. Commissioners Edwin Woellhof and Katy Harrington voted no and Jones and Tim Van Hoecke voted yes. Mayor Matthew Wells recused himself from voting, which the commissioners counted as a no vote...

The goal for the children of Booker T. and Cleo Cummings was to get an education and leave Fort Scott. While their daughter, Laverne, did not attend college, she passed that value on to her children. And they have passed the value of education down to their children and grandchildren...

The Fort Scott City Commissioners voted on April 4 to move forward with an ordinance creating contractor license fees. The motion, which Mayor Matthew Wells made at the end of the meeting, passed 3-2, with Wells, and commissioners Katy Harrington and Edwin Woellhof voting yest and Tim Van Hoecke and Josh Jones voting no...