Stories from Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Sharon Kay Button, age 70, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, at her home. She was born on March 22, 1955, in Tulsa, Okla., the daughter of Lloyd and Barbara Ivey. Sharon graduated from Fort Scott High School. She worked for two different Insurance Companies as well as USD234. She loved spending time with family, especially the grandchildren and their activities. Sharon attended Community Christian Church and lived out her Christian faith...

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...

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...

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...

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...