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110 South Main Mercantile, 110 S. Main St.
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What’s Happening In Fort Scott March 6
DEADLINE FOR 2025 FLAG SUBSCRIPTIONS NEARS
The deadline to sign up for the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site’s Fly the Flag Project is quickly approaching. Applications for new and renewed subscriptions along with payment are due by March 31st in order to participate.
The project provides homeowners and businesses, within the city limits of Fort Scott, the opportunity to fly the Stars and Stripes, hassle free, on five different flag holidays. For $40 annually, the Friends will post a 3’x5′ flag on a 12 foot staff at your home or business on Memorial Day, Flag Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Veteran’s Day.
Application forms can be obtained at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce or can be requested by phone or text by dialing 417-684-2484. Renewals notices have been mailed/emailed to all 2024 subscribers.
All proceeds support programs at Fort Scott National Historic Site. These include: Symbols of Sacrifice, a Citizenship Ceremony, Candlelight Tour, Veterans Challenge coins, and many others. Show your patriotism and help our local National Park by lining the streets of Fort Scott with our nation’s symbol!
The Fly the Flag Project is a yearly project sponsored by the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site. Once signed up, you will receive the option to renew annually.
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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports March 6
March 3 Bourbon County Commission meeting
The Bourbon County Commission covered a number of topics in their meeting on March 3, 2024.
Hospital equipment disposal
In order not to hold up the work on the hospital, the equipment needs to be moved out as soon as possible.
Commissioner Leroy Kruger said he is still working on a date for the auction and that the hospital wants the stuff out sooner than the county can get it out. He asked the commission for permission to rent some portable storage boxes to put on hospital property to store the item in until the auction. He also said there will be a few incidental expenses to facilitate the auction that the county needs to purchase, as well as employees to help move the items when they sell.
Commissioner Brandon Whisenhunt said that in light of the short timeline, storage should be purchased at Kruger’s discretion, as well as other costs for the auction. The commission then voted and approved the needed funds to be taken from the commission budget.
At the end of the meeting, Kruger asked that those willing to volunteer to help with the auction contact him.
Kruger corrected his comments from the last commission meeting, “We do not donate the proceeds of this sale. They go back to the county general fund.”
Area on Aging board member from commission will be Whisenhunt.
New business
Marian township treasurer recommendation of Larry Jergenson was approved by board.
Housing development
John George spoke to the commission representing Dr. John Dirling who owns property along old Highway 69 south of Popler that he wants to develop by building houses on it. It has water, gas, electric, and direct access to old 69 highway.
He would sell it as 13 three-acre lots running from north to south along old 69, each of which will require a culvert from the county to access the property. George came to the county to check their regulations.
Dirling is looking at the next generation and the need for housing of this type in the county.
Commissioner David Beerbower said that the individual buyers will need to contact Bourbon County public works regarding culverts.
Fence viewing request
Peggy Jackson, came to the commission wanting to know which end of the fence is hers and which is her neighbors. His cows have been out on her property and they cannot come to an agreement about who’s responsible for the fence.
Whisenhunt said that by state statute it’s a 50/50 split if there are agricultural products on both sides. It has to be a 5-strand barbed wire fence.
Kruger said if it comes into damages, that becomes a civil issue that must go to court.
County attorney Bob Johnson said if it’s on private property, the county doesn’t have ability to interfere.
Department Updates
County Clerk
County Clerk Susan Walker brought up some questions involved in finalizing financials for 2024.
She mentioned that the county has to abide by a budget law and a cash basis law. She said that several individual funds are lacking in the 3-6 months of expenses cushion they should have at this time. “We need to save as much money as we possibly can.”
The general fund is in better shape than Walker had feared it might be because several departments didn’t spend all their funds and gave it back to the county.
She also said that the commission had been required to transfer from the appraiser fund and the Sheriff’s fund because they did not have the budget authority to spend the cash that they had. So they ended up moving about $53,000 of expenses from the sheriff’s fund into the general fund.
NRP caused troubles for the appraiser.
Walker said the other funds look okay, but the election funds are lacking because of the big election held in 2024.
She also said the landfill has a $53000 deficit. State statutes require more, but the county can work towards that.
Re. transfer of $31,130 if it’s not made, it stays in the sheriff’s budget, but he’ll require a budget amendment to be able to use it.
After the discussion, Whisenhunt made motion to move $31,130 from the Sheriff’s budget back to the general fund. as it will not affect the Sheriff’s Department budget this year and the funds can be used to cover a portion of the $53,000 that the county paid out of the general fund for the Sheriff’s department. The motion carried.
Register of Deeds
Lora Holdridge, Register of Deeds, spoke to the commission about a number of road and deed issues.
The first was a request to the rest of 105th from 95th all the way up to Maple. It was an intended road many years ago, but it not a road now. Land owners affected are for closing it. There is currently no signage that says road closed. “You wouldn’t even know it’s a road unless you are intentionally going down there,” said Holdridge.
Statutory rules for closing section line roads involving giving notice to land owners, said county attorney Bob Johnson.
Whisenhunt said once the work of giving notice and publication is done, the commissioners will close the road.
Holdridge also brought up the road situation at 95th and Unique. A land owner on Unique is asking county to maintain entire road up to his house.
Public Works Director Eric Bailey said that on July 6, 2021 the commission asked him to look into the situation. On July 13, 2021, per the 1989 map, the commission was told that there is 1,056 feet of Unique opened up to the west off of 95th. That section receives county maintenance.
Bailey says his policy is to not work on unplatted roads, but in the past, others may have operated by a different policy.
Whisenhunt explained that the school bus used to drive up to the individual’s house and turn around, but now that his kids are out of school and no longer ride the bus, the county no longer maintains that section, which is not actually road, but driveway. Whisenhunt’s current position is to continue to maintain the 1,056 feet, but do no more at this time.
Holdridge also asked the commission to work to get the deed situation with Legacy for Lot 4 straightened out. She said that the county and EMS in particular were led to believe Lot 4 would be given to them, and she has contacted the former county attorney and Legacy, but nothing has been done yet.
“For somebody who owes over $20,000 in back taxes, I think that they need to get that deed to us ASAP,” she said.
Holdridge went on to ask the county commissioners why the county isn’t going after the rest of the lots on the property that was given to Legacy.
“They are not paying their taxes. They sold the property that they got for free. We can’t even get them to give us a deed,” she said. “I just want the deed to get fixed so EMS can have their building. That’s the main thing.”
Johnson said he would look into it. “It would be dependent upon what the agreement is and if there’s a reservation on the deed,” he said.
The commission scheduled a work session for 5:30 on Monday March 10 after they care for payables and payroll. They also cancelled the work session on March 12. Work sessions are open to the public.
Commissioner Comments
Kruger
The public meeting with the solar company scheduled for March 19 is a public meeting, not a commission meeting. Commissioners will not be in attendance. “With everything that’s going on and things that we’re working on, we’re not going to associate ourselves with them at this point in time.”
Whisenhunt said it’s the purpose of the company to meet with the public. Kruger wants it to be clear that the meeting taking place at the courthouse does not mean the commission is endorsing this company.
Whisenhunt
Free dump day should be done, one city at a time throughout the county.
Executive Sessions
Bob Johnson: executive session per KSA 75-4319 B2 for a consultation with the attorney for the public body of agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney/client relationship for 30 minutes.
Brad Matkin: executive Session for 10 minutes per KSA 75- 4319 B4 to discuss data relating to financial affairs, trade secrets or corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprieterships.
Resumed session with no action at this time.
Chamber Coffee Hosted by Bourbon County Arts Council on March 6
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Obituary of Wendell O. Arnold
Wendell Oliver Arnold, age 89, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away early Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at the Medicalodge in Ft. Scott. He was born July 1, 1935, in Ottawa, Kansas, the son of Oscar C.R. Arnold and Effie Lynne Walker Arnold. Wendell graduated from the Ottawa High School. He went on to attend Ottawa University and then graduated from Emporia State University. Wendell lived in Lawrence, Kansas, where he worked in various capacities for area restaurants and nightclubs. Wendell later moved to Ft. Scott to be near his sister. While in Ft. Scott, he made his home at the Cavalry Crossing Apartments before moving to the Medicalodge in August of 2024. Wendell never met a stranger and was kind and generous to all.
Survivors include his sister, Rosalyn Good, of Ft. Scott and his brother, Lytle Arnold, a resident of the Medicalodge in Frontenac, Kansas. Wendell was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Florence May White and a brother, Joseph Arnold.
Rev. James Brackett will conduct graveside services at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, March 11th at the Walnut Creek Cemetery in Wellsville, Kansas.
Memorials are suggested to the St. John’s Global Methodist Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports March 5
Obituary of Betty Ruddick
Betty Pauli Ruddick, age 91, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, passed away Sunday March 2, 2025, in Camdenton, MO. She was born July 3, 1933, in Manhattan KS, the daughter of Lowell Carl and Wilma Swart Pauli. Betty graduated from Paseo High School in Kansas City in 1951 and graduated from Drury College in 1955.
She met Alvin Matthews Ruddick at Drury College, and they married on July 16, 1955, in Kansas City, MO. Al and Betty owned the Ruddick’s, Inc. furniture store in Fort Scott until 2000.
Betty was a homemaker, worked at Ruddick’s, and worked at the Fort Scott Tribune. She volunteered with the Campfire Girls for 19 years, as a Rape counselor for 15 years and was instrumental in establishing the Bourbon County CASA program and worked as the director and a volunteer for many years. She was a longtime member of the FU Chapter of the PEO and was a member of the First United Methodist Church and participated in numerous committees and organizations within the church. Much of Al and Betty’s time revolved around their family, friends and life at their cabin at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Betty’s survivors include 3 daughters, Lisa Rucker and husband Ron, St. Louis, MO, Linda Burger, St. Louis, MO, Leslie Ogden and husband Chris, Lee’s Summit, MO; grandchildren Jeremy Ruddick (Nicole), Liberal, MO , Abby Simmons (Cody), Carl Junction, MO, Haley Trainor (Michael), Boston, MA, Aaron Rucker, Dallas, TX, Samatha Burger, Lee’s Summit, MO, Nick Ogden (Taylor), Lee’s Summit, MO, and Hannah Ogden, Mission, KS; great grandchildren, Cooper Ruddick, Jackson Simmons, Henry Trainor, Nell Trainor and Emma Ogden; sister-in-law Patricia Pauli, Shawnee, KS and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews .
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, husband Alvin M. Ruddick, daughter Lori G. Ruddick, brother William C. Pauli, stepmother M. Maxine Pauli, and stepsister Sharon Coyan.
Jay Lotterer will conduct funeral services at 11:30 am Monday, March 10th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 until service time Monday morning at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to be made to either Bourbon County CASA or Ellna’s Adult Care and may be left or sent in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.
FSHS Talent Show Is March 28
THEATRE EDUCATION IN THE SPOTLIGHT IN MARCH
THEATRE EDUCATION IN THE SPOTLIGHT IN MARCH
Students at Fort Scott High School Lead Community Advocacy Efforts
(Fort Scott, KS, 2/27/25) – Students at Fort Scott High School are joining the national grassroots
effort called Theatre in Our Schools Month (TIOS) to advocate for the benefits of theatre
education in schools. Members of International Thespian Society (ITS) Troupe #7365 are
drawing attention to the need for increased access to quality theatre programs for all students.
To get the word out, students are participating in a number of theatre related activities. On Feb.
26 and 28 the troupe participated in community service activities at the Senior Center in
downtown Fort Scott. They have a Theatre in Our Schools Month Kick-Off Party on March 4 at
the Museum of Creativity and will present to the USD 234 Board of Education on March 10. On
March 6, the troupe travels to Topeka to meet with Thespians from across the state and Senator
Tim Shallenburger and Representative Rick James to celebrate and discuss Theatre Advocacy
Day in KS.
Throughout the month, the troupe will dress to represent various musicals on Musical Mondays
and wear theatre-related shirts on Theatre Shirt Tuesdays. They also have Improv Acting
Troupe practice on Tuesdays after school and FSMS Drama Club on Fridays after school. To
finish out the month, the troupe will see the FSCC production of “No Exit” on March 26 and hold
the annual FSHS Talent Show & Senior Minute to Win It at 7 p.m. on March 28. The Talent
Show is open to the public and tickets are $5 at the door.
The ITS is the theatre honor society for middle and high school students. These Thespians plan
and implement TIOS activities in their schools, in their communities, and with elected officials.
The presentations and activities explain how theatre education positively shapes students’ lives
by instilling necessary life skills. TIOS Month is an opportunity for students, parents,
communities, school boards, and elected officials to come together to and make theatre
education more available to all students. One of the key messages is that theatre skills help
students develop vital 21st-century skills like communication, collaboration, creativity, and
critical thinking, as well as social/emotional skills critical to students’ growth as young adults.
For example, according to The College Board, in 2015, students who took four years of arts
classes in high school scored an average of 92 points higher on their SATs than students who
only took one half year or less. But, according to the U.S. Department of Education, only 28
percent of high schools in high poverty areas offer theatre instruction.
According to a 2018 poll, 72 percent of Americans believe the arts unify our communities
regardless of age, race, and ethnicity, and more than 90 percent believe students should
Artmaking & Design for Social Impact Lesson Plan and Session Recording Available
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Ladies Informational Golf League and Sign-up Meeting is March 8
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Sending on behalf of Chamber member Diane Striler |
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