News

The 63rd Pioneer Harvest Fiesta kicked off Thursday night with the annual parade, which featured antique tractors and other machinery. The Fiesta continues this weekend, beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday and includes and antique tractor pull.

Additional trails could be coming to the Riverfront Park on North National Avenue. During Tuesday’s meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission, Jerry Witt, chairman of the Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority, updated commissioners on the status of projects at the park, and talked about grant funds that are potentially available for trails inside the park...

The USD 234 Board of Education on Monday received a report on progress of replacement of roofs on district buildings. Gary Elliott, representing Benchmark, Inc., a third-party consultant the district hired in 2018 to evaluate roofs on all district buildings, provided an update and timeline for board members. USD 234 Business Manager Gina Shelton said Wednesday Benchmark is overseeing the roof project...

This year’s Tri-Yak-A-Thon was moved from Saturday to Sunday to allow rain-dampened trails longer to dry out for the race. The race consisted of three legs; a 5K trail run, a 5K river kayak, and a 10K mountain bike race. Proceeds from the event benefit the Shirley Yeager Animal Friends Foundation, a shelter and animal adoption organization...

Bourbon County Commissioners on Tuesday elected to install school zone signs and speed warnings on Indian Road near the St. Martin’s Academy. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Jeff Fischer made a motion to direct Public Works Director Jim Harris to install the signs, and Commission Chairman Lynne Oharah seconded. Both commissioners voted in favor. Commissioner Nick Ruhl was not present for the meeting...

The city of Fort Scott will use a local bank to finance the purchase of a new pumper truck for the Fort Scott Fire Department after action was taken Tuesday by the Fort Scott City Commission. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story...

The Fort Scott Public Library hosted a Star Wars Reads Celebration Thursday. A room at the library was dedicated to “Star Wars” activities that included books, games, toys, movies and treats. Valetta Cannon, youth librarian, said the library hosts special themed events throughout the year. Cannon is a fourth grader at Eugene Ware School...

Bourbon County Commissioners on Tuesday gave a nod of approval for a group to proceed with researching the feasibility of a new multi-purpose event center. Commissioners met with Rod Markin of Markin Consulting in Maple Grove, Minn., and Bourbon County Economic Development Director Jody Hoener, who explained the goal...

The 2019 Uniontown High School Homecoming King and Queen were crowned Friday night.

The Fort Scott High School Thespians hosted a Royal Tea Party for Princes and Princesses Saturday. Attending children were encouraged to dress in their royal clothing. Several activities and treats were available for the children.

As part of the 50th anniversary of the release of “The Learning Tree,” cast members, including extras, were invited to a reunion Saturday at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center. The event was part of the 16th Annual Gordon Parks Celebration...

Cast members of the Gordon Parks-directed 1969 film “The Learning Tree,” shared their memories of working on the film, and provided some insight into their careers during a panel discussion Friday morning in the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College...

A small crowd gathered Thursday at the graveside of Gordon Parks for a remembrance ceremony as part of the Gordon Parks Celebration. Parks, who died March 7, 2006, is buried at Evergreen Cemetery. The Gordon Parks Celebration began Thursday and continues today with a “The Learning Tree” cast reunion at 9 a.m., picnic in the park at noon, guided trolley tour of the movie scene locations at 2 p.m., showing of “The Learning Tree” at 3:30 p.m. ...

Queen Bey gave audience members a lesson on the art of jazz and performance Friday morning at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College. Bey, known as Kansas City’s Ambassador of Jazz, sang a few songs and interacted with students during her presentation on music and the history of jazz and blues. The program was part of this year’s Gordon Parks Celebration, which continues through Sunday...

One year after the announcement that Mercy Hospital Fort Scott would close Dec. 31, city officials recognized individuals and entities involved with efforts to rebuild health care in Bourbon County. During Tuesday’s meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission, City Manager Dave Martin and commissioners recognized representatives of Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Ascension Via Christi, Bourbon County EMS, and the Bourbon County Commission for their contributions to moving local health care forward after Mercy’s closing. ...

After 70 years, a lot has changed for one business in Fort Scott, growing from two employees to 30 and three locations. Diehl, Banwart and Bolton CPA celebrated its anniversary during the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Coffee. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story...

Rural fire departments in Bourbon County will have some new equipment to work with in the event of a crisis situation. Specialty Risk Insurance has partnered with Nationwide and the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety in the annual Nominate Your Fire Department Contest, which awards grain rescue tubes and hands-on training to help first responders save lives, a news release said...

The city’s new finance director was announced during Tuesday’s meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission, and she is no stranger to working with the city. City leaders announced that Susan Bancroft (Peery) will replace outgoing director of finance Rhonda Dunn, who last month announced her plans to resign to pursue another job opportunity. ...

Fort Scott has a visitor this weekend as part of a fundraiser to benefit the Southeast Kansas Special Olympics. Amy Bockerstette, a 20-year-old golfer and college student with Down Syndrome, arrived in Fort Scott Friday with her parents, Joe and Jenny Bockerstette, to be the guest of honor at the second annual Bourbon County Golf Scramble scheduled to take place today at Woodland Hills Golf Course. The tournament is hosted by the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office...

Reducing the speed limit on Indian Road to accommodate student foot traffic is still in the discussion phase with Bourbon County Commissioners. On Tuesday, commissioners met with Public Works Director Jim Harris and Public Works Supervisor J.T. Heckman, along with Dale Bollinger, who expressed his concern about reducing the speed limit...

Fort Scott High School celebrated Homecoming Friday night at Frary Field. Zoe Self and Caleb Watkins were crowned queen and king prior to the game against Pittsburg.

After 4 to 6 inches of rain fell Sunday, the Marmaton River made another escape from its banks, bringing water over the walking path and near the Hospice Memorial Patio at the Riverfront Park. Though not as severe as the May 20-21 flooding, the water forced the closure of the entire park. Water began receding Monday afternoon but half of the park remained closed Tuesday afternoon. More rain fell Tuesday morning and there are additional chances for precipitation this week.

Bourbon County Commissioners decided Tuesday to contract work to clean up rivers and other waterways from flooding that occurred May 20-21. They met with Bourbon County Emergency Manager William Wallis, Public Works Director Jim Harris and Public Works Supervisor J.T. Heckman, to discuss what would be expected of the public works department if it were to do the cleanup...

Another hearing was set Monday morning in Bourbon County District Court for a Nevada, Mo., man who faces several felony charges for his alleged involvement in an assault at a Fort Scott residence Sept. 3. During a brief “no-go” preliminary hearing, Sixth Judicial District Judge Terri Johnson explained to the defendant, Brandon Michael Swink, 35, that Robert Johnson, an Olathe attorney who has been appointed to represent Swink, was not notified of a status hearing originally scheduled for Thursday.. ...

Vinny Barron and Abby Humble were crowned Fort Scott Community College Homecoming king and queen during halftime festivities Saturday night. The homecoming prince and princess were Avery Marsh, left, and Carter Havron. FSCC also celebrated its centennial Friday and Saturday...

The United State of American gained 119 new citizens Friday when the Fort Scott National Historic Site hosted the annual naturalization ceremony. After the new citizens raised their right hand and took their oath, Carol Kuhl, courtroom deputy for the U.S. District Court, District of Kansas, told the citizens to raise both hands and say “Yay!”...

Crews worked Thursday night and Friday to make repairs after several BNSF train cars derailed on the railroad tracks at the Wall Street crossing. Just before 8 p.m. Thursday, BNSF crews were “switching cars onto the track” and “setting out cars in the yard” when seven cars went off the track, BNSF Director of Public Affairs Andy Williams said Friday morning...

The defendant in an attempted murder case pleaded Friday morning in Bourbon County District Court. During a plea and arraignment hearing before Bourbon County District Judge Mark Ward, Shawn Thomas Keating, 39, of Kansas City, Kan., pleaded no contest to two counts of attempted murder in the first degree; intentional and premeditated, charges he faced stemming from his involvement in a Feb. 9 shooting at a residence in the 1100 block of East Oak Street...

Art in the Yard, held Saturday, featured several forms of art, including paintings, pottery, jewelry, metal art and fabric art, was hosted by Bobbi Kemna on her property just north of Fort Scott. There was also live music, barbecue, Fort Scott High School Thespians selling beverages, a dessert table and kettle corn. Patrons could ride Dolly the Trolley to the event free of charge...

Those who travel Indian Road should be aware that a speed limit change will take place in the near future. During the Bourbon County Commission meeting Tuesday, Public Works Director Jim Harris was directed to locate where school zone speed limit signs should be placed along Indian Road where the St. Martin’s Academy is located...

A three-judge panel of the Kansas Court of Appeals heard three cases – one of which is a civil appeal in Bourbon County – Tuesday at Fort Scott Community College. The proceedings, which took place inside the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center, were part of the court’s observance of Constitution Day...

The Friends of the Fort Scott National Historic Site hosted a Remembrance Day on Wednesday, the 18th anniversary of the attacks. Throughout the day at the Heritage Park Pavilion at First and Main streets, several volunteers read names over the downtown sound system of those who died as a result of the attacks and during the War on Terror...

Even though the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center has been occupied for a little more than a year now, the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system continues to cause problems. On Tuesday, Bourbon County Commissioners voted to pay for a new control system from money the county has to make the final payment for the project...

It will take time for the Uniontown Junior and Senior High School to go through the process of changing its educational focus from standardized testing to an individualized education. On Monday, The USD 235 Board of Education heard an update on the schedule for the Kansas Can School Redesign project from committee member Scott Sutton...

USD 234 administrators on Monday reported on continued work on the district’s educational mission and goals, as well as response to a new drug testing policy put in place this year. Doug Altic, counselor at Fort Scott High School, and David Brown, principal at Fort Scott Middle School, said their staff and students are working on individual plans of study for students, which tie into the district’s plan to reshape educational goals to fit the district. ...

It was a day for celebrating 100 years of a local educational institution. On Monday, several former and current Fort Scott Community College instructors, administrators and students assembled at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center on the FSCC campus for the first part of a Centennial Celebration to commemorate the first day college students met on the second floor of the Fort Scott High School building...

Charges have been officially filed on a Nevada, Mo., man who allegedly assaulted four people at a residence on East Sixth Street Sept. 3. According to a criminal complaint filed Sept. 5 in Bourbon County District Court, Brandon Michael Swink, 35, faces one count of attempted murder in the second degree, one count of aggravated burglary, three counts of aggravated battery, one count of aggravated assault, one count of criminal threat, one count of battery and two counts of criminal damage to property.. ...

Several people turned out Sunday for the Integrity Home Care + Hospice Annual Memorial Service and Dedication of the Memorial Patio at the Riverfront Park. The names of about 60 people are located on the bricks of the patio. Weather has prevented all the names of family members to be placed on many bricks. Those will be added in the future, according to Dennis Uchtman of Integrity Home Care + Hospice...

Gabrielle Allen of Fort Scott power washes the rock wall and sign at the Fort Scott National Historic Site Friday afternoon. Allen is a Fort Scott Community College graduate, and a newly hired laborer at the fort.

Fort Scott City Commissioners learned Tuesday night that Rhonda Dunn, director of finance for the city since September 2018, plans to resign to pursue another job opportunity. During his report to the commission, City Manager Dave Martin said Dunn is leaving her position and plans to work in a financial position for the E3 Ranch in Fort Scott...

The Fort Scott City Commission learned Tuesday night that Rhonda Dunn, director of finance for the city since September 2018, plans to resign to pursue another opportunity. During his report to the commission, City Manager Dave Martin said Dunn is leaving her position and plans to work in a financial position for the E3 Ranch in Fort Scott...

The 114th annual Old Settlers Picnic took place Monday in Uniontown. Weekend activities included a kids’ fishing derby, rodeos, softball, a church service, parades, drawings, vendors, a picnic in the city park, and various games and other activities...

Fort Scott City Commissioners on Tuesday approved an ordinance creating an advisory board focused on issues related to Lake Fort Scott. The ordinance establishes the lake advisory board, which will consist of a minimum of nine members; five people who are residents of Lake Fort Scott equally representing each side of the lake; one Fort Scott City Commissioner, one Bourbon County Commissioner, one city resident at-large, and one Bourbon County resident, the ordinance states. ...

Fort Scott police arrested a Nevada, Mo. man Tuesday morning for allegedly assaulting four people at a residence on East Sixth Street. Police were dispatched just before 9 a.m. to a residence in the 300 block of East Sixth Street following a report of a disturbance. Brandon Swink, 35, of Nevada, Mo., was taken into custody shortly after police arrived on scene, Fort Scott Police Chief Travis Shelton said Tuesday afternoon...

Kevin Connywerdy with the Oklahoma Fancy Dancers performs a dance using hoops Saturday inside the Grand Hall at the Fort Scott National Historic Site. The hoop dance is sacred as it symbolizes the circle of life, Connywerdy said. He used the hoops to create different symbols, such as an eagle and the earth. Members of Connywerdy’s family, who also performed various dances, look on...

The city of Fort Scott is hoping to offer a lease-to-purchase program to businesses, but first needs the blessing from other entities. On Tuesday, Director of Economic Development Rachel Pruitt spoke to Bourbon County Commissioners and asked them to consider the program. She said the program will give small to medium sized business which currently lease property the opportunity to buy property...

Bourbon County Commissioners were asked to reconsider the distribution of wages increases in the 2020 proposed budget for the sheriff and corrections budgets. Sheriff Bill Martin attended the Tuesday commission meeting to get clarification on salaries and wages in the proposed budget...

A Fort Scott City Commission candidate won a challenge Monday after his residency was called into question. After 10 minutes behind closed doors, the candidate objection hearing board came back with a unanimous decision that Kevin “Skitch” Allen’s residence is in the Fort Scott city limits...

A full century of uninterrupted service to students and community will be celebrated by Fort Scott Community College – the oldest continually operating community college in Kansas – this fall with several special events. On Monday, Sept. 9, the college will commemorate the first day 15 college students first met on the second floor of the Fort Scott High School building. ...

Students at Winfield Scott School are greeted with high fives by FSCC student-athletes and cheerleaders as they enter the school for the first day of classes Thursday morning. Along with the high fives, FSCC students cheered students on as they entered the school...