News

Bourbon County Commissioners on Tuesday tabled a motion to create a security personnel position for the third floor of the Bourbon County Courthouse. Commission Chairman Lynne Oharah made a motion for a 5-minute executive session to discuss courthouse security that would include commissioners, County Counselor Justin Meeks and Bourbon County District Judge Mark Ward. The session was to include Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin, but Martin declined to participate...

A four-member panel discussed how far society has come in race relations and equality, and provided their thoughts on the celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Monday at Fort Scott Community College. The Rev. George Proctor, pastor at United Missionary Baptist Church, moderated a discussion at the Gordon Parks Museum inside the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center. ...

The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) Board of Directors took no action Jan. 16 toward establishing a “medical mall” within the former Fort Scott Mercy Hospital. Prior to finalizing plans for the construction of a new primary care clinic, CHC/SEK had spent the past month assessing the feasibility of remaining in the existing building...

Controversy is spinning around a proposed wind development project in a portion of Bourbon County. Bourbon County officials and several county residents packed the third floor of the Bourbon County Courthouse for an informational meeting Tuesday night concerning the proposed Jayhawk Wind turbine project in Bourbon and Crawford counties. ...

Bourbon County Commissioners recently heard from two elected officials regarding a salary increase for all but one elected official in 2020. Sheriff Bill Martin said he does not agree with the increase and when commissioners were working on the budget, he was told the county had no money...

Bourbon County Commissioners on Tuesday approved a letter of intent supporting a move toward repurposing the old Mercy Hospital building. Bourbon County Economic Development Director Jody Hoener said discussions have continued on repurposing the former Mercy building after the hospital closed Dec. 31, 2018. The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas and Ascension Via Christi, which now occupy portions of the building, have discussed plans for building new facilities on the Mercy property...

A topic of the Fort Scott City Commission meeting Tuesday evening was change. And change began shortly after the meeting began. The three outgoing commissioners were recognized by City Manager Dave Martin and the three new members were sworn in by City Clerk Diane Clay...

Bourbon County Economic Development Director Jody Hoener reported to county commissioners Tuesday the initial study conducted to determine whether a multi-purpose events center is viable in Bourbon County is positive. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story...

Bourbon County Commissioners are gearing up to promote the continuance of a 1-cent county-wide retail sales tax. The sales tax currently in place funds hard-surface roads projects and expires at the end of the year. If passed, this would be the third time the tax has been placed on the ballot with each sales tax in effect 10 years each time...

Fort Scott native Trevor Swim and Katie Thoe of Eau Claire, Wis., along with their canine campanion Bodie, shared one of their children's books with students at Eugene Ware Tuesday morning. The books is part of a series aimed at teaching children about each state in the U.S. ...

After a nearly 30-year career, Fort Scott Fire Chief Paul Ballou signed off for the last time Friday. The city held a retirement reception for Ballou, fire chief since 2008, Friday at Buck Run Community Center. The reception was attended by several city and county officials, as well as several of Ballou’s friends, family members and colleagues...

Subdivision of a plat of land on the old Mercy Hospital property will rest in the hands of the Fort Scott City Commission after action Monday by the Fort Scott Planning Commission. Planning commissioners approved sending a recommendation to the city commission for subdivision of an approximately 46-acre parcel of land at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd., which would allow for the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas and Ascension Via Christi —two health care entities that occupy portions of the building — to expand on the property.. ...

A judge granted continuances for co-defendants in a Bourbon County drug case Friday morning in Bourbon County District Court. Sixth Judicial District Judge Richard Smith presided over separate hearings for Cassi Melinda Farmer, 39, and Jerry Michael Wright, 30, who were present with their attorneys. ...

It was looking more like fall than winter atGunn Park Friday afternoon. Temperatures were in the 50s, but are expected to be cooler today before rising again for Sunday.

Bourbon County election officials began the year with a little more jingle in their pockets. On Dec. 17, county commissioners voted to give each elected official a salary increase effective Dec. 15. It is the first increase issued for elected officials since Dec. 21, 2014...

Two separate Bourbon County criminal cases are in the process of going through civil court as the convicted in each case challenge their sentences. During a pretrial motions hearing Thursday morning in Bourbon County District Court, Bourbon County District Judge Mark Ward set over the case of Brent Allan Bollinger vs. the State of Kansas, and the case of Anthony Michael Anderson vs. the State of Kansas for another hearing at 10 a.m. Friday, March 6...

During a special meeting Monday, the Fort Scott City Commission approved sending a letter to the Kansas Attorney General’s Office in response to inquiries into a complaint filed by a Fort Scott resident regarding alleged violations of the Kansas Open Meetings Act...

It doesn’t take Glenn Post long to recall memories of nearly a century on this earth. Post, who lives in Redfield, recalls working with his father on the family farm, living through the Great Depression, serving his country during World War II, and Christmases of years past...

The march to the November election did not come without some controversial events. By the filing deadline in June, 14 people, including three incumbents, had thrown their hats in the ring for six seats on the Fort Scott City Commission. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story...

When 2019 began, the question was what health care would be available in Bourbon County in the wake of Mercy closing the Fort Scott hospital on Dec. 31, 2018. As 2019 draws to an end, many of the pieces are in place, but like a jigsaw puzzle picked up at a garage sale, it’s not all there...

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners of the 2019 Christmas Light Contest, which was sponsored by Niece Products. In the residential category, the first place prize of $75 went to Jim and Shirley Brown of 13 S. Margrave St. The second place prize of $50 went to Bill and Aileen Pollock of 304 W. Ninth St. Stacey Dawson and Rhonda Pinkerton of 1505 S. Crawford St., won the third place prize of $25...

Debate continues on an approved rate hike for customers in Lake Sewer District No. 1 of Bourbon County in 2020. A few Lake Fort Scott residents who attended the Dec. 17 Fort Scott City Commission meeting voiced their concerns with the rate increase, which commissioners approved at their Dec. 3 meeting...

According to Bourbon County Counselor Justin Meeks, it will take some time to find answers to one Lake Fort Scott resident’s questions regarding Sewer District No. 1 at the lake. The discussion during Tuesday’s Bourbon County Commission meeting revolved around a 44 percent sewer rate increase to lake residents implemented by the City of Fort Scott. The rate takes effect Jan. 1...

Kansas Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers stopped in Fort Scott to discuss issues facing Bourbon County and the state during a meet and greet Tuesday morning at Luther’s BBQ. Rogers and attendees discussed jobs, housing, infrastructure development, continued expansion of U.S. Highway 69, health care and other issues...

Fort Scott City Commissioners made some modifications to City Manager Dave Martin’s salary during their regular meeting Tuesday night. Following a 10-minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel, Mayor Jean Parker said Martin’s employment agreement with the city was discussed for his annual review. Commissioners approved the employment agreement with various changes...

The Fort Scott Rotary club organized a bicycle drive to make sure every child in the Adopt-A-Family program who asked for a bicycle will have one under their tree. Many individuals also donated bicycles or money to help Rotarians reach their goal, according to Rotarian Rhonda Dunn. She said Walmart employees and Fort Scott Fire Fighters scrambled to assemble each bicycle in eight hours Thursday. Ninety families and 375 people were served during this year’s Adopt-A-Family event...

Christmas wreaths were placed on each of the nearly 7,000 graves Saturday during the National Wreaths Across America Day ceremony held at the Fort Scott U.S. National Cemetery.

Representatives of several agencies met Friday, Dec. 13 to discuss potential options for the future of the former Mercy Hospital building. City and county officials, as well as representatives of Ascension Via Christi, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas and other health-related entities attended the meeting, which took place in the McCauley conference room inside the old Mercy Hospital building, 401 Woodland Hills Blvd...

Eric Stansbury, age 52, resident of Holden, Mo., passed away unexpectedly at his home Dec. 15, 2019. He was born June 23, 1967, in Iola, Kan., the son of Ellis Stansbury, Kincaid, Kan., and Donita Powell, Arcadia, Kan. Eric was a truck driver for over 25 years. He enjoyed fishing and all his family and friends. He will be missed...

Before two heath care entities look toward future expansion, the city of Fort Scott seeks to subdivide land on the Mercy Hospital property at 401 Woodland Hills Boulevard. The Fort Scott Planning Commission will meet at 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6 to consider subdivision of the plat, which will allow for the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas and Ascension Via Christi to expand on the property. ...

The Uniontown USD 235 Board of Education received an update on the progress of redesign for the junior and senior high schools. Music instructor Neva Rowland, the pilot for the redesign team, presented the board with progress the team has made in this first year, which is the planning phase for the Kansas Can School Redesign Project...

Christmas in the Park took place Saturday night inside Gunn Park. Attendees could take a ride through the park and see decorated shelter houses, a live nativity scene and holiday scenery. The event included live music, live reindeer and a visit from Santa Claus. Refreshments such as hot chocolate, coffee and chili were available. Children could decorate sugar cookies and make Christmas crafts...

Two board members who have served a combined 15 years with the Uniontown USD 235 Board of Education were recognized Monday. Matt Simpson and Terry Nading, who did not run for reelection in the Nov. 5 election, were presented with plaques and words of appreciation from Board President Jason Sutterby and Superintendent Bret Howard...

Monday was a night to recognize and celebrate outgoing USD 234 Board of Education members and welcome new board members preparing to take their seats in January. School administrators, staff and other board members recognized Janet Braun, Jordan Witt and Michelle Hudiburg for their years of service on the board...

The Fort Scott National Historical Site will host the second evening of the 38th annual Candlelight Tour beginning at 5 p.m. today. This year visitors will “enlist” as dragoon soldiers, be “assigned duties along the way” and receive their pay. About 100 volunteers assisted with the event as actors, behind the scenes personnel, greeters, guides and tour group followers to ensure visitors have a safe and enjoyable evening, according to Carl Brenner, chief of interpretation at the fort.

Sewer customers in the Lake Sewer District No. 1 at Lake Fort Scott will see rate hikes next year. After hearing remarks from City Manager Dave Martin Tuesday, Fort Scott City commissioners approved increasing the user rate for lake sewer customers from $15.77 per month based on 3,000 gallons for each residence, to a base rate of $22.79 per month per 2,300 gallons of water metered, and $2.12 for water metered beyond the base rate per 750 gallons...

Fort Scott City Commissioners took another step Tuesday in saving money for the city on energy costs. Commissioners approved a resolution for an energy services contract with Schneider Electric as well as an ordinance establishing a lease purchase transaction with the company. According to a Dec. 4 news release from Schneider Electric, the city-wide infrastructure revitalization project will “drive economic development and enhance city buildings.”...

The annual Christmas Parade was held Tuesday evening in Downtown Fort Scott. The parade was sponsored by Briggs Auto Plaza and organized by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. Following the parade, Mayor Jeannie Parker lit the Mayor’s Christmas Tree, then children were invited to meet with Santa at Papa Don’s...

Bourbon County will take advantage of an opportunity for additional grant funds to promote a healthier community. On Tuesday, Bourbon County Commissioners voted to allow Economic Development Director Jody Hoener to apply for an additional Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthy Communities grant...

The city of Fort Scott plans to move in a different direction for its legal representation. During Tuesday’s meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission, City Manager Dave Martin said city officials wish to move forward with the services of Lauber Municipal Law LLC, a law firm based in Lee’s Summit, Mo. Martin said Burton Harding, the current part-time city attorney, “has a full-time practice” and is not able to devote the time needed for city business...

Tristen McClure, 10, of Fort Scott, baits his hook Monday afternoon at Fern Lake inside Gunn Park. McClure and his mother, Aimee McClure, took advantage of a 60-degree day for Tristen to do some fishing at the park.

As she has done every year for the last two decades, Marjorie Schwalm is gathering the troops in an effort to serve Thanksgiving meals to hundreds of people for the holiday. The 21st annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner, which Schwalm coordinates with the assistance of dozens of volunteers, is scheduled to take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Elks Lodge, 111 W. 19th St...

Bourbon County Commissioners agreed on Nov. 19 they would adopt a resolution for guidelines for economic development incentives. Bourbon County Economic Development Director Jody Hoener presented the guidelines and asked commissioners if they would make a motion to adopt the guidelines. Commissioners agreed they would need a resolution for the guidelines and asked County Clerk Kendell Mason to place the resolution on a future agenda...