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Initial report is no damage from Friday’s tornadic storm (4/26/24)Jason E. SilversBourbon County may have escaped damages as storm sirens blared throughout Bourbon County early Friday evening. About 6:30 p.m. Friday, Bourbon County Emergency Manager Brian Allen told the Tribune storms capable of producing tornadoes rolled through portions of the county, but he had not received reports of any damages...
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FSCC seeing changes in personnel, including director of business operations (4/26/24)Jason E. SilversFort Scott Community College officials are working to fill job vacancies, and made some changes to one administrative position. During a Community Conversation Wednesday, FSCC President Dr. Jason Kegler said the college has recently dealt with several staff resignations, but officials are working to fill those positions...
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Heavy rains fill streams, lakes, but damage roads (4/26/24)Jason E. SilversBourbon County officials on Friday were assessing damages from thunderstorms that brought varying degrees of rainfall and flooding to the county Thursday. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story.
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USD 235 superintendent asks for county's assistance with building project (4/23/24)By Jason E. SilversUSD 235 in Uniontown is seeking assistance from Bourbon County in a facility improvement project. USD 235 Superintendent Vance Eden appeared before the Bourbon County Commission Monday to ask about a potential partnership with the county as the district seeks to remodel an aging agriculture shop in the school district...
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County commissioners hold emergency executive session at medical building (4/19/24)Jason E. SilversBourbon County Commissioners took no action following a lengthy executive session which took place Friday morning at the Legacy Healthcare Foundation building at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. During an emergency special meeting at 10 a.m., commissioners convened at the Bourbon County Courthouse where Commissioner Clifton Beth made a motion to enter executive session to discuss personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel; and for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship. ...
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City clerk hired at Uniontown (4/19/24)Jason E. SilversDuring a special meeting Wednesday, the Uniontown City Council approved the hiring of a new city clerk. See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story.
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County lays out its hard-surface road plan (4/19/24)Jason E. SilversBourbon County officials are preparing for the county’s 2024 hard-surface road plan. County Commissioners and Public Works Director Eric Bailey on Monday discussed the plan, which includes $828,500 in asphalt projects; $343,469 in extra projects (chip and seal); and $1,620,910 in extras (asphalt) for a total of $2,792,880...
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County commissioners place moratorium on solar farms (4/17/24)By Jason E. SilversAfter a continued discussion on solar panel farms, Bourbon County Commissioners on Monday approved a moratorium on any future solar developments in the county. A motion made by Commission Chairman Jim Harris states the moratorium would be “effective immediately regarding solar panel farms.” He said commissioners plan to review both sides of the debate on solar panel farms, with the goal of finding a compromise...
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Solar panel project focus of citizens' concerns (4/12/24)By Jason E. SilversBourbon County Commissioners listened to the pros and cons of a solar energy project in the county, and voiced their own thoughts during a discussion at the commission’s meeting Monday. County residents Pete Owenby and David Beerbower voiced concerns with the project, while Robert Harrington, director of Bourbon County Regional Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) spoke on the project’s proposed benefits...
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DAR honors the Vietnam veterans (4/9/24)By Marti Wells-SmithThe Molly Foster Berry Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution hosted a nationally supported Vietnam War Commemoration on Friday, April 5 at the Fort Scott Memorial Hall. See Wednesday's print or online edition for full story.
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Errors found in tax rebates (4/9/24)Bourbon County officials have discovered errors with the county’s Neighborhood Revitalization Program and are working to make adjustments as budget season approaches. During Monday’s Bourbon County Commission meeting, Chief Financial Officer Susan Walker, Appraiser Matt Quick, County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins and County Treasurer Patty Love appeared before commissioners to discuss several issues found with the program, which provides rebates on additional taxes due to improvements, additions or new residential, business or agricultural structures.. ...
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Science Olympiad team at UHS qualifies for state (4/5/24)Submitted to the TribuneThe B-Division Science Olympiad team at Uniontown High School qualified for the State Tournament in Wichita April 6. The students competed in the Regional Tournament in Andover and finished 10th out of 17 schools, bringing home several medals. See Saturday's print or online edition for full story...
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City commission reviewing request to vacate street (4/5/24)By Jason E. SilversThe Fort Scott City Commission on Tuesday elected to table a request by city residents to vacate a portion of Old Ford Street so commissioners can further review the matter. During a public hearing, Scott and Kristen Dennis appeared before the commission with a request to vacate a 60-foot-by-150-foot portion of Ford Street in Fort Scott. The commission’s agenda packet describes the property as being located “between lots 7-12, Block 3, Tallman 1st Addition.”...
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County commission considering funds for transportation program (4/5/24)By Jason E. SilversBourbon County Commissioners on Monday tabled a request to consider donating $3,000 to a general public transportation program provided by SEK-CAP, Inc. based in Girard. Commissioners heard information on the program, called BB-Go, which has provided transportation services in Bourbon County since Aug. 28. Services are also offered in Crawford, Neosho, Cherokee and Labette counties...
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Ideas shared to improve community's perception of FSCC (4/2/24)By Jason E. SilversThe image and perception of Fort Scott Community College both inside and outside the community were topics of discussion during a Community Conversation March 27 at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center. FSCC President Dr. Jason Kegler said when defining the image, he wants to make sure “people have some connection.”...
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Motion on skating rink proposal fails 3-2 (4/2/24)By Jason E. SilversA third attempt by a local group to get approval from the Fort Scott City Commission on an ice skating rink for the downtown area failed Tuesday night. Diane Striler and Cory Bryars, who spoke on behalf of the project, and commissioners continued discussion on the approximately $40,000 proposal, including potential costs and locations for the rink...
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Blythe resigns as county commissioner (4/2/24)By Jason E. SilversMonday’s meeting of the Bourbon County Commission began with one commissioner announcing his resignation. Prior to commissioners approving the consent agenda, which included minutes of the commission’s March 25 meeting, District 1 Commissioner Nelson Blythe said he wished to make an announcement, and he was listed on the public comment section...
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Search for city clerk replacement continues (3/28/24)By Jason E. SilversThe Uniontown City Council will start from scratch in its search for a new city clerk. Uniontown Mayor Larry Jurgensen told the Tribune Wednesday the council will continue the process to replace current City Clerk Sally Johnson, who has announced her intent to step back from her current workload. Johnson has served as city clerk since 2013, and performs several other duties for the city. She has said she plans to continue working part-time with the city through the end of the year...
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FSCC on the rebound (3/28/24)By Jason E. SilversThe focus of a Community Conversation Wednesday evening at Fort Scott Community College focused on the college’s image, and began with updates from FSCC President Dr. Jason Kegler on the college’s status. Kegler said since the last Community Conversation in February, the college’s financial situation has improved. ...
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Uniontown city clerk ready to step back (3/26/24)By Jason E. SilversUniontown City Clerk Sally Johnson wears many hats. Aside from her job as clerk, Johnson, who has served in that role since 2013, is also the city’s utility billing clerk and chief financial officer. She also works as payroll clerk and performs duties in human resources...
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Citizens talk pros, cons of proposed lake project (3/26/24)By Jason E. SilversConcerns about state legislation that would create a lake and other developments in the northwest part of Bourbon County drew a crowd of more than 100 people to a community meeting on the subject Friday evening in Mapleton. The meeting, which was led by Joe Bisogno, owner of Timber Hills Lake Ranch in Mapleton, provided a forum for county residents and others to voice questions about Kansas Senate Bill 497, which according to Kansas District 13 Sen. ...
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City to begin enforcing parking time limits on Main Street (3/22/24)By Jason E. SilversThe city of Fort Scott will soon begin enforcing time limits for parking in the downtown area. City Manager Brad Matkin informed city commissioners on Tuesday city staff will begin enforcing two-hour parking on Main Street from Third Street to Skubitz Plaza, effective April 2...
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Skating rink proposal voted down (3/19/24)By Jason E. SilversFort Scott City Commissioners on Tuesday night voted down a proposal by a local group to bring a synthetic ice skating rink to the downtown area. After Diane Striler, who initially brought the idea to commissioners Feb. 20, provided the commission with more information on the approximately $40,000 proposal, commissioners discussed further potential costs and the proposed location for the rink, which would be under the Farmer’s Market pavilion. ...
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FSCC finances showing improvement (3/19/24)By Jason E. SilversFort Scott Community College officials on Monday reported the college is beginning to move out of a financial hole. FSCC President Jason Kegler and FSCC Director of Business Operations Gina Shelton discussed an update of the college’s finances during the monthly meeting of the FSCC Board of Trustees. Since late 2023, college officials have been working to address cash flow issues and have implemented measures to cut spending...
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Pastor David Dale Beerbower (3/19/24)Pastor David Dale Beerbower, 76, of Assumption, Ill., passed away at 8:09 p.m. Sunday, March 17, 2024 in his daughter’s home in Charleston, Ill. Funeral services will be held at 10:05 a.m. on Friday, March 22, 2024 in Mt. Pleasant Church of God, Assumption, Ill., with Pastor Dan Watkins and Rev. ...
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A champion of water, soil conservation (3/15/24)By Marti Wells-SmithMuch has already been written about Ronnie Brown, a name synonymous with hard work and multiple accomplishments. But there is more to be said. Although he was recently recognized for his 40 years of devoted service to the Bourbon County Conservation District, his dedicated service goes in many other, related directions, with a ripple effect that continues to resonate...
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EMTs, sheriff's employees get a raise (3/15/24)By Jason E. SilversBourbon County Commissioners on Monday approved boosts in pay for EMTs and employees in the sheriff’s office, but the move was met with some concerns about the county’s budget. Commissioners and Chief Financial Officer Susan Walker discussed funding the increases after Commissioner Clifton Beth’s motion to increase pay for EMTs to a base rate of $15 per hour, and to add $30,000 to Sheriff Bill Martin’s budget for wages. ...
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City commission discusses advisory boards (3/12/24)By Jason E. SilversThe Fort Scott City Commission on March 5 reappointed members to various city advisory boards. Commissioners approved to reappoint the expired terms of Cheryl Adamson and Carol MacArthur, members of the Fort Scott Planning Commission Board, for another term. The Planning Commission recommended the reappointments Feb. 21...
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Commissioners approve language for sales tax question on May ballot (3/12/24)By Jason E. SilversBourbon County Commissioners have come to an agreement on ballot language for a sales tax issue that would help fund an emergency department in the county. In a special election planned for May 14, voters will be asked whether they support a one-quarter cent sales tax...
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Skating rink proposal stalls (3/5/24)By Jason E. SilversA request for the city of Fort Scott’s assistance in funding a downtown ice skating rink could not gain any traction during Tuesday’s meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission. Diane Striler, who brought the idea to commissioners during their Feb. 20 meeting, said a payment plan has been worked out with KwikRink Synthetic Ice, a Minnesota-based company that offers portable synthetic ice rinks, and organizers want to move forward quickly...
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Real estate sales affects ratio for county appraiser's data (3/5/24)By Jason E. SilversBourbon County Commissioners on Monday learned the county was out of compliance in some areas during a review of property valuation data with a representative of the state’s Division of Property Valuation. Mike Dallman, field operations supervisor with the PVD, talked to commissioners via teleconference. ...
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Commissioners adopt resolution against illegal immigration (3/5/24)By Jason E. SilversBourbon County Commissioners have adopted a resolution concerning the county’s stance on illegal immigration. The commission voted 2-1 to pass the resolution during their Monday meeting. In February, commissioners discussed two version of Resolution 04-24, one drafted by Commissioner Nelson Blythe, and another by County Counselor Justin Meeks. The commission did not approve either version after a discussion on wording contained in both documents...