Obituary

Obituary: Evelyn Louise Nelson, Age 100

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Evelyn Louise Nelson

Evelyn Louise Nelson

September 3, 1925 — June 25, 2026 | Age 100

Evelyn Louise Nelson was called home to glory on June 25, 2026, in Fort Scott, Kansas, having lived one hundred years marked by unwavering faith, extraordinary love, and a servant’s heart that never rested. She was born on September 3, 1925, in Ypsilanti, Michigan, to Reverend Gather Roberson and Estella Roberson, and from her earliest days, the foundation of her life was rooted in God.

Evelyn was educated in Ypsilanti, graduating from Ypsilanti High School before going on to nursing school in Traverse City, Michigan, where she served as President of her class. She went on to work as a dedicated nurse in the post-surgery unit at the University of Michigan Hospital, where her compassion and skill touched the lives of countless patients. It was in those hospital halls that she met Robert Nelson, a radiographer who would become her husband, her partner, and her greatest companion.

On October 2, 1965, Evelyn and Robert were united in holy matrimony at Metropolitan Memorial Baptist Church in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Together, they built a life grounded in faith, family, and service. Evelyn later stepped away from her nursing career to care for her beloved mother, who came to live with the family, tending to her with the same gentle devotion she had given her patients. She then poured herself fully into her home, her church, and her community.

Evelyn was a woman of deep and abiding faith. She was raised in the church of her father, Second Baptist Church of Ypsilanti, and later became a devoted member of Metropolitan Memorial Baptist Church under the leadership of her brother, Reverend SL Roberson. When she and Robert relocated to Fort Scott, Kansas in the spring of 1997, she joined United Missionary Baptist Church, where she continued her ministry until the end of her life. Across more than fifty years of faithful service, Evelyn taught Sunday school to the youngest children, sang in the Senior Choir, and served on the Missionary Board, visiting the sick and shut-in with prayer, presence, and care.

Beyond the walls of the church, Evelyn’s generosity flowed freely into her community. She read books to elementary school children in Willow Run and in Fort Scott, Kansas, giving the gift of story and imagination to young minds. And she baked, lovingly and tirelessly, filling the homes of families near and far with cakes, cookies, and pies made with her hands and her heart.

Evelyn is survived by her devoted husband of sixty years, Robert Nelson; her six children, Estella Holbrook-Brown, Robert Craig Nelson (Bob Kruzman), Joyce McKelvy (Al McKelvy), Gloria Nelson Walls (Keith Walls), Ronald Nelson, and William Nelson (Melissa Nelson); her goddaughter, Yvonne Johnson; ten grandchildren, Marlon Johnson, Ondria Horton, Chianti Brown, Mishae Rice, Kevin Johnson, Erica McGowan, William Che Brown, Michael McKelvy, Ashley Johnson, and Kennedy Louise Nelson; and seventeen great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Reverend Gather Roberson and Estella Roberson, and her beloved siblings, Reverend SL Roberson, Reverend Gather Roberson, Walter Roberson, Harold Roberson, and Garthonia Roberson.

Evelyn Louise Nelson lived Proverbs 20:7 in full: “The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.” She set an example not only for her children, but for every life she touched, and the blessing of her legacy will be felt for generations to come.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Scott, Kansas. The family will receive friends from 10:00 A.M. until service time.

Memorials are suggested to the Robert & Evelyn Nelson Scholarship Fund at Fort Scott Community College and may be left in care of Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

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Ad: Josh Jones — Run It Like a Business

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I’m Josh Jones, and I’ll treat your tax dollars like they matter.

Joshua Jones, Republican for Bourbon County Commissioner, District 3 — Value for Every Dollar

I’m Josh Jones, a lifelong resident and small-business owner, and I’m running for Bourbon County Commissioner, District 3.

I believe the county should be run like a business — and the first thing any good business owner knows is who the boss is. In county government, that’s you. The citizens are the real owners, and every dollar spent is yours.

Running it like a business doesn’t mean everything has to turn a profit. A park may not, and that’s fine. It means nothing gets wasted, and every decision comes down to value versus cost. It also means taking care of the people who do the work — employees are the backbone of any organization, and you don’t build anything good by forgetting that.

When you’re told it’s “cut services or raise taxes,” that isn’t always the whole truth. On the Fort Scott City Commission, we showed there’s a third way:

  • Cut about half a million dollars from the budget in my first six months
  • Raised our lowest-paid workers from $8 an hour to $12
  • Lowered the mill levy three years running while holding the budget at or near revenue neutral

I’ll bring that same taxpayer-first discipline to the county:

  • Stay truly revenue neutral — don’t automatically keep every extra dollar that rising property valuations bring in
  • Push for a clear cap (say, 3% or inflation) so any increase past it goes to a vote of the people, not just a hearing that changes nothing

Your tax dollars, your county, your call.

Vote Josh Jones — Bourbon County Commissioner, District 3. Value for every dollar.

Paid for by Joshua Jones for County Commissioner, Josh Jones, Treasurer.

Learn more and get in touch: Josh Jones on Facebook

Fort Scott, Government

FS Public Library Board Is Seeking A Member

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VACANCIES FOR LIBRARY BOARD – (1) opening for a (4)-year term. This board meets the second Tuesday of each month at the Fort Scott Public Library.  For further information please contact the library director, Jennifer Gum-Fowler at (620) 223-2882. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION IS MONDAY, JULY 6th AT 5:00pm.

Please submit ALL Letters of Interest to the City Clerk by the deadlines indicated either in person at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street or by email.  PLEASE BE SURE TO INCLUDE CONTACT INFORMATION. All letters will be verified, and all candidates must appear before the City Commission when scheduled by agenda. If letters cannot be verified, they will not be considered. For questions, please contact Lisa Lewis, City Clerk at [email protected]or (620) 223-0550 ext. 507.

Government, Kansas

Kansas Courts Launch Eviction Expungement Portal

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TOPEKA—People who’ve gone through an eviction case now have access to an online resource to request that the eviction be removed, or expunged, from the court record if certain criteria are met.

The Kansas judicial branch launched the new Eviction Expungement Portal on July 1. It allows people who are not represented by an attorney to file electronically to request the record of their eviction be removed if they meet certain qualifications under law.

Using the portal, a person can file a court motion to remove the record and submit a return of service to show the motion was served on the plaintiff in the case. The plaintiff has 30 days after the motion is delivered to them to file an objection with the court.

The portal walks the person through finding their eviction case and filing the motion to have the record of it removed. The portal also collects information that it uses to generate forms.

After the person submits the necessary forms through the portal, the documents are sent to the appropriate district court for filing in their eviction case.

The portal also connects the filer with forms created by the Kansas Judicial Council to help with the process.

If a person is represented by an attorney, their attorney would file the motion through the Kansas Courts eFiling system.

During the 2026 session, the Kansas Legislature passed 2026 Substitute for House Bill 2357. The bill created the option for someone to request that an eviction be removed from the court record and required that an electronic process be available for submitting that request.

Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

2026 LMC Fellow: Liz Anstine

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Liz Anstine Named

2026 National Lowell Milken Center Fellow

 

The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, an international educational non-profit, has awarded its prestigious Fellowship to Liz Anstine, a business teacher at Olathe North High School in Olathe, KS. Liz will arrive in Fort Scott on June 28th for a week of collaboration with LMC staff and the other members of the Fellowship.

 

The LMC Fellowship is a merit-based award for educators of all disciplines who value the importance of teaching respect and understanding through project-based learning. The Center selects exemplary teachers from the United States and around the world who will collaborate on projects that discover, develop, and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes in history.

Liz, a teacher at Olathe North High School, was recognized in 2025 as the Kansas Teacher of the Year. Teaching a range of courses, Liz is known across the state for her leadership and mentoring, as well as her ability to create a classroom environment that encourages critical thinking, open dialogue, and student success.

Within her school and beyond, Liz has demonstrated exceptional leadership through her commitment to collaboration and mentorship. Her ability to connect classroom learning to the complexities of the real world makes her a strong fit for the Lowell Milken Center Fellowship. Liz’s insight and experience will be a valuable asset as she works to guide students in discovering and sharing the stories of Unsung Heroes as part of the 2026 LMC Fellowship.

LMC Executive Director Norm Conard says, “Liz’s ability to connect classroom experiences to the complex real world will make her a valuable asset in discovering unsung heroes for our 2026 LMC Fellowship.”

 

While in Fort Scott, LMC Fellows gain knowledge, educational resources, and support in helping students cultivate a passion for learning by creating projects that initiate positive change. Fellows will be equipped to develop Unsung Heroes projects with their students, applying and evaluating the stories of these role models who have changed the world throughout history.

 

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, History

Chamber Coffee at Fort Scott Railroad Museum, July 2

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Join us for Chamber Coffee
hosted by Chamber Member
The Fort Scott Railroad Museum

Thursday, July 2nd — 8am
@ The Fort Scott Railroad Museum (The Depot)
1 Scott Ave.

Fort Scott Railroad Museum

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to attend this week’s Chamber Coffee, hosted by new Chamber member, the Fort Scott Railroad Museum, on Thursday, July 2, at 8:00 a.m. The event will be held at 1 Scott Avenue in the historic depot located directly behind the Ellis Foundation building, caddy-corner from the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber Coffee will be hosted by local businessman Al Niece, owner of Niece Manufacturing, whose recent investments in preserving several of Fort Scott’s historic properties include the restoration of the city’s last remaining railroad depot. The museum will be managed by volunteer Rick Sadler, who is helping lead the effort to preserve and share Fort Scott’s railroad history with the community.

Guests will enjoy coffee, juice, and light refreshments while learning about the exciting vision for the Fort Scott Railroad Museum. Attendees will also have the opportunity to register for a special door prize drawing.

The Fort Scott Railroad Museum is dedicated to preserving Fort Scott’s rich railroad heritage while inspiring curiosity, learning, and community pride. Through engaging exhibits, the museum seeks to deepen public understanding of the region’s important role in shaping American transportation history.

The museum is housed in Fort Scott’s last remaining railroad depot. Originally constructed in 1870 near the Marmaton River, the depot was relocated to its current downtown location in 1997 to protect it from flooding. Following the Civil War, Fort Scott emerged as one of the premier cities of the American frontier. Between 1870 and 1900, the community competed with Kansas City on three separate occasions to become the largest railroad center west of the Mississippi River.

Chamber members and guests are encouraged to attend and learn more about this exciting preservation effort and the history that helped shape Fort Scott.

Fort Scott Railroad Depot historic photo

For additional information about the Fort Scott Railroad Museum, email [email protected].

For more information about Chamber Coffee or other Chamber events, contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 or visit fortscott.com and select the Chamber Coffees category on the Events Calendar for upcoming Chamber Coffee locations.

Bourbon County

Bourbon County Commission Backs Comprehensive Plan, Delays Signing Over Funding — June 29, 2026

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The Bourbon County Commission met Monday, June 29, 2026, with a Public Works budget work session scheduled to follow. With out-of-town guests waiting and the work session ahead, the board trimmed its agenda at the top — tabling several items, including the Jarred Gilmore Phillips audit engagement, an American flag purchase, a resolution-adoption procedure, Resolution 25-26 on canceling warrant checks, and Heartland business-license billing — and added an economic-development update, a Chamber of Commerce item, and an executive session for non-elected personnel.

Comprehensive plan: firm in place, funding unresolved

Planning Commission representative Brian Ashworth presented the “best and final” offer from Confluence, the firm the board selected on June 15 to write the county’s comprehensive plan and zoning code. Confluence lowered its price from $152,000 to $116,500 by combining the end of the planning phase with the start of zoning, trimming public-engagement sessions, and removing outside legal-review fees (items that can be added back later by change order).

The commission did not sign the agreement, opting first to settle how to pay for it. Chairman Samuel Tran favored signing immediately, noting the contract can be terminated at any time with the county paying only for work already done: “I say, let me sign it just so we can get the wheel moving, because in the end we can cancel if we haven’t done anything, right?” Commissioner Gregg Motley pushed back: “I would prefer to know how we’re going to pay for it first.”

The commission voted to add a resolution for payment after the public comments portion of the meeting.

With the county’s financial advisers from Baker Tilly at the table, commissioners weighed several funding sources for the project, which is not in the current budget:

  • Inmate-reimbursement fees — Commissioner Mika Milburn-Kee believed about $150,000 was available, but Baker Tilly’s Ben Hart corrected the figure to roughly $50,000 and advised against using it, because the fund reimburses the sheriff’s inmate-housing costs (about $320,000 a year) and helps keep that office under budget.
  • FEMA funds — Commissioner David Beerbower said about $600,000 is available but should go to Public Works.
  • Solar-agreement money — Beerbower asked outside counsel to report on possible funds tied to the Tennyson Creek and Hinton Creek solar agreements.
  • Year-end budget savings — Hart suggested pooling unspent money from across departments (unfilled positions, unbought commodities) as a one-time source.

Commissioner Joe Allen said, “I don’t want to touch the sheriff’s funds. I really think that FEMA money should go back to Public Works also.”  He expressed the need to be creative in finding the funding.

Motley agreed with Allen and Beerbower about not touching the sheriff’s money or the FEMA money. He also mentioned that situations like this are why it’s important for the county to carry cash reserves.

Tran asked the advisers to “please, find us the money somewhere.” He expressed concern that the money be found and encumbered  so that it cannot be spent elsewhere. Hart agreed that has been the county’s history. He also applauded a funding resolution as a step that puts everyone on the same page.

Baker Tilly is expected to bring year-to-date figures and a forecast back to the board at its next meeting, and Beerbower expects an update on the solar money from outside counsel.

Accounts payable, financials and minutes

The commission approved both accounts-payable batches — $83,374.82 (June 18) and $453,809.91 (June 26) — but pulled a single postage line of about $3,011 pending an explanation and invoice, after Milburn-Kee questioned why a “postage overage” charge was being billed to the courthouse general fund rather than a department budget. The board also approved the May 2026 financials and the minutes for the June 15, May 11 (revised) and April 13 (revised) meetings.

Public comments

Al Neese updated the board on a local museum group’s plans for the downtown depot and its interest in the Moody building, announcing the group had been gifted a “Katie Caboose” from Houston that morning, with the pad poured and track work expected soon.

Don Tucker, along with Jennifer Simhiser, live-in manager at Redemption House, asked the county to use Opioid Settlement Fund money to replace the Redemption House roof, which has a hole causing water damage; three companies recommended full replacement. The lowest bid they got for a new roof is $24,000. The roof has been patched, but it is 30 years old and cannot withstand more patching.

Commissioners were unsure how much opioid money remained after an earlier transportation expense and questioned whether the bid covered needed roof decking. A motion by Beerbower to fund the roof did not carry, but Tran said they would add it to the next week’s agenda, when they have “the hard numbers” to work with to determine how much money is available in the opioid fund to help with the need.

Juvenile detention

Commissioner Allen reported on a Southeast Kansas juvenile-detention meeting, where the recommendation was to stay one more year with the facility in Girard and recruit other counties to share costs, while Sheriff Bill Martin favors switching to a pay-as-you-go arrangement with Johnson County. With a contract deadline of July 1, commissioners were split between staying with Girard, and moving to a pay-as-you-go arrangement with Johnson County.

Motley agreed with Allen’s recommendation. Beerbower agreed with the sheriff’s recommendation. Milburn-Kee asked that Allen “get out there and talk to other counties and do some recruiting” to get them to join in membership with the Girard facility, bringing the costs down for Bourbon County.

Beerbower said that by following the suggestions of waiting a year, the commission is continuing the pattern of kicking the can down the road and not dealing with the issue. “We’re paying for something that we’re not getting the value of our money for,” he said.

A representative from the sheriff’s office said they need to terminate the contract to save money: “Based on what I know from the sheriff being there, we do not want that contract.”

Tran expressed his opinion of NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations), saying they often raise prices and reduce what they deliver over time. He said that if the county doesn’t terminate the agreement with the juvenile facility at Girard, it will be obligated to them for 2027, as well as the rest of 2026. He suggested banking the money that may be needed to send juveniles to Johnson County, rather than, “to pay for a buffet that you’re not eating from…to me it’s a no-brainer that we should go ahead and pull out of that and use our money the way we want to use it and not be stuck to something that really doesn’t fit our needs.”

Tran moved to notify Southeast Kansas that the county would not continue, Beerbower seconded. Milburn-Kee suggested it was a gamble to forfeit the county’s position at the Girard facility.

Tran called for a vote. The motion did not carry. Beerbower and Tran voted for it, but Allen, Milburn-Kee, and Motley voted against, so the county’s membership at Girard will continue at least until summer of 2027.

Other action

  • Chamber of Commerce — the commission approved renewing its Chamber of Commerce membership for another year.
  • Jayhawk bridge — the board signed a previously approved engineering contract for the Jayhawk Road bridge (which requires a geological study before fall construction), recommending PEC for the work.
  • Executive sessions — the commission held two closed sessions on the performance of non-elected personnel under K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1) and reported no action out of either.

Looking ahead

Future agenda items include the Redemption House roof, an update from outside counsel on solar money, a discussion of commissioner job descriptions, and the budget. A Public Works budget work session followed the meeting; among the items discussed was a requested $75,068 increase to the landfill budget tied to staffing, fuel and disposal costs. Baker Tilly recommended the board adopt the authority to exceed the revenue-neutral tax rate at an upcoming meeting (a cap, not a commitment), with a second-quarter forecast expected later in July. Current figures for revenue neutral would lower the mill.

Agenda: Agenda summary for the June 29, 2026 meeting (full agenda packet PDF).

Uncategorized

Sen. Moran: Kansas Rural Hospitals to Get $72M More Annually

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Kansas Common Sense — June 29, 2026

Good News: Kansas Rural Hospitals to Receive Increased Funding

This week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved Kansas’ application to allow Critical Access Hospitals and Rural Emergency Hospitals to receive increased Medicaid payments through the state’s provider assessment program. This approval means more rural hospitals across Kansas will now have access to additional federal resources, providing more than $72 million annually to help strengthen rural health care. During negotiations on last year’s reconciliation bill, Senator Moran worked to secure language to make certain Kansas’ application could remain eligible for consideration and approval, helping make this outcome possible.

This decision builds on additional improvements secured through last year’s reconciliation bill that strengthen Kansas’ provider assessment program. A recent RAND analysis found the legislation is expected to increase federal Medicaid funding flowing to Kansas providers, helping support hospitals as they continue caring for patients across the state. More coverage is available from KRSL Radio.

Greenwood County Hospital Quote Graphic

Leading Hearing to Examine Recent Close Calls & Efforts to Ensure Aviation Safety

On Tuesday, as chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space and Innovation, Senator Moran led a hearing to examine recent near collisions and runway incursion incidents that have occurred across the National Airspace System. Just this past week at Boston Logan International Airport, a Delta Air Lines flight was forced to abort its landing and execute a go-around after an aircraft departed from an intersecting runway. While the flight landed safely and no one was injured, the incident serves as a timely reminder that our aviation system is fragile and constant vigilance and safety improvements remain essential.

During the hearing, the committee heard testimony from President and CEO of Airlines for America Governor Chris Sununu, President of the American Association of Airport Executives Todd Hauptli, President of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) James Viola and President of the Air Line Pilots Association Captain Jason Ambrosi. The witnesses discussed the progress of implementation of safety technologies, runway safety programs and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) modernization efforts. The hearing also covered how the ROTOR Act — bipartisan legislation unanimously passed by the Senate that Moran introduced with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) — would help bolster the safety of the flying public.

Watch Sen. Moran’s opening statement here, and his questioning of the witnesses here, here and here.

Aviation Subcommittee Hearing on Close Calls

Senate Farm Bill Discussion Draft Released

On Tuesday, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry released its Senate Farm Bill discussion draft. While the draft includes several important provisions that support producers and rural America, it does not include Senator Moran’s legislation to permanently transfer the administration of Food for Peace to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This transfer is a critical step that would strengthen the program, benefit American farmers and expand reliable markets for U.S. agricultural commodities. USDA is currently administering Food for Peace on a temporary basis, and making this transfer permanent would provide long-term stability and ensure the program’s continued success. The House-passed Farm Bill includes this provision, and Senator Moran remains committed to working with colleagues in the Senate to make certain this language is included in the final bill.

Kansas Veterans & Providers Have Received $328 Million from VA’s Community Care

This week, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it paid $328.6 million to health care providers in Kansas that cared for veterans through VA’s community care program in FY2025. Through the bipartisan MISSION Act and the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act — legislation championed by Senator Moran — more veterans are choosing care closer to home. VA’s community care program is increasing access to care for veterans while also bolstering local economies and providing meaningful investments and support to doctors, nurses and health care workers statewide. Rural veterans in particular are able to access care much closer to home while also supporting rural hospitals.

Senator Moran recently introduced the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, which would build on the progress of the MISSION Act and Dole Act, making it easier for veterans — especially those with mental health conditions or addiction — to receive life-saving care at VA facilities and in the community.

Meeting with NSF Director Nominee Jim O’Neill

This week, Senator Moran met with Jim O’Neill, the nominee to be the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF). NSF provides critical research and development resources, grants and programs to institutions and organizations across the country to help boost American research competitiveness, covering fields from medical advances to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

During the meeting, they discussed how O’Neill plans to increase the opportunities for researchers in Kansas to leverage their expertise in aerospace, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing and other emerging capabilities. Senator Moran was pleased to hear his support for Established Programs to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoRs), which benefits Kansas universities.

Meeting with NSF Director Nominee Jim O'Neill

Discussing Agricultural Priorities with National Sorghum Producers

On Wednesday, Senator Moran met with Tim Lust, Elissa Gilliam, Parker McCallister and Brian Younker with National Sorghum Producers to discuss key issues currently affecting sorghum growers. They discussed the wins secured for sorghum in the Farm Bill, the importance of including language for the successful transfer of Food for Peace from the Department of State to USDA, the President’s request for supplemental disaster assistance, the administration’s call for year-round E15 and additional disaster aid for producers.

Meeting with National Sorghum Producers

Support for the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act

Senator Moran recently introduced the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, major legislation that delivers long-awaited improvements to the health care and benefits that thousands of veterans, servicemembers, survivors, caregivers and military family members rely on. The package includes numerous bipartisan, bicameral bills, including the Major Richard Star Act, the Veterans’ ACCESS Act, the Love Lives On Act and other widely supported priorities from the Senate and House Committees on Veterans’ Affairs. The legislation has received support from veterans, advocacy groups and others, including the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS).

TAPS Support Quote for Take Care of America's Veterans Act

Meeting with Kansans

Kansas Music Educators Association
On Wednesday, Senator Moran met with representatives from the Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA) to discuss the important role music education plays in the lives of Kansas students. Kansas has one of the nation’s strongest music educator communities, with the tenth-largest music educators’ association in the country. Thank you to KMEA President Damian Johnson of Eudora, KMEA President-elect Nancy Monical of Manhattan, KMEA Vice President Jamie Minneman of Great Bend, President of the National Association of Music Educators Collegiate Chapters Alexis Stone of Wichita, KMEA Executive Director Craig Manteuffel of Topeka and KMEA Government Relations Chair Kelly Knedler of Belleville for meeting with Senator Moran.

Meeting with Kansas Music Educators Association

Lieutenant General James Isenhower
On Wednesday, Senator Moran met with Lieutenant General James Isenhower, the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Command at Fort Leavenworth. Founded in 1827, Fort Leavenworth is home to the Command and General Staff College, where the Army has equipped its senior leaders and developed military capabilities for generations. As co-chair of the Senate Army Caucus, Senator Moran will continue to work to make certain Fort Leavenworth has the resources and support it needs to carry out its mission.

Kansan West Point Cadet Lukas Haase
Senator Moran visited with Lukas Haase of Overland Park while he was on Capitol Hill with the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Senator Moran nominated Lukas for the United States Military Academy in 2023, and Haase served as an intern in the senator’s D.C. office during the summer of 2024.

West Point Cadet Lukas Haase

Cox Enterprises
Senator Moran met with representatives from Cox Enterprises — including members from their Kansas operations — to discuss technological advances and the impact of Washington policy on their business. Cox Enterprises, particularly through Cox Automotive, has a significant presence in Kansas. Thank you to Assistant Vice President of Product Development Kristen Baehr of Leawood, Drew Ramm, Katherine Foster and Brett Clifton for meeting with Senator Moran.

Meeting with Cox Enterprises

Clean Fuels Alliance America
On Tuesday, Senator Moran met with members of Kansas Soybean who were in Washington, D.C., advocating on behalf of Clean Fuels Alliance America — representing producers of biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel industries for which soybeans are a key feedstock. They discussed the EPA’s 2026–2027 Renewable Fuel Standard volumes, the updated 45ZCF GREET model and U.S. energy independence. Thank you to Bob Haselwood, Brett Neibling, Dennis Hupe, Kaleb Little and Madelyn Lueck with Kansas Soybean and Ashley Dubler with Seaboard Energy.

Meeting with Clean Fuels Alliance America

National Association of Fixed Annuities
Senator Moran met with Kansas members of the National Association for Fixed Annuities (NAFA) to discuss retirement security and long-term financial planning, as well as a Senate resolution recognizing June as National Annuities Awareness Month. Thank you to Kevin Mechtley, Andrew Payne, Lee Stiegemeier and Sarah Williams of Overland Park, Mike Miller of Perry, Michael Tripses of Stillwell and Ashley Zeller of Topeka.

Meeting with National Association for Fixed Annuities

Visits Across Kansas

Belvue Bridge
On Friday, Senator Moran participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Belvue Bridge. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), Moran helped secure federal resources to rehabilitate the Belvue Bridge crossing the Kansas River, linking communities for safer and more reliable transit and regional commerce. More coverage is available from KSNT.

Belvue Bridge Ribbon Cutting

Manville Farms
On Friday, Senator Moran met with Bill and Brett Manville, fifth and seventh-generation farmers from Winchester, along with several of their neighboring farmers, to discuss challenges and opportunities facing Kansas agriculture. Topics included the latest Farm Bill developments, farm lending, rural hospital support, conservation programs, the administration’s supplemental request for farm economic aid, year-round E15 and the biomass-based diesel industry.

Visit to Manville Farms

Council Grove Community
On Thursday, Senator Moran stopped by Council Grove to meet with members of the community, visiting Morris County Hospital, Farmers and Drovers Bank and the Council Grove Republican newspaper. He also met with Morris County Clerk Chelsey Schmidt, County Register of Deeds Corrine Blosser, County Appraiser Ryan Michaelis, County Treasurer Kelsey Sharr and County Sheriff Scott Coover.

Council Grove Community Visit — Pioneer Mothers Statue on Madonna of the Trails

Holton Community
On Friday, Senator Moran traveled to Holton to visit local businesses and meet with residents. At the Jackson County Courthouse, he met with County Clerk Kristie Richter, County Register of Deeds Jerica Holt, County Treasurer Lisa Miller, County Clerk of District Court and Chief Clerk Amy Entrikin and County Zoning Administrator Steven Duryea. He also visited Denison State Bank, GN Bank, White Law Office, Title Abstract Company, Holton Community Hospital, Jackson Farmers COOP, Special Education Cooperative and the local USDA Service Center.

Sen. Moran with Denison State Bank CEO & Chairwoman Paula Taylor, Matt Taylor and their son, Carson Taylor.

Holton Community Visit — Denison State Bank

Sen. Moran with Holton Community Hospital CEO Carrie Lutz.

Sen. Moran with Holton Community Hospital CEO Carrie Lutz

Along the Way

During community visits on Friday, Senator Moran passed a unique barn near Holton.

Unique barn near Holton

My View, Their View

Capitol Hill press awaiting the President’s arrival.

Capitol Hill media awaiting President Trump

Photo by Roll Call photographer Bill Clark.

Roll Call photo of Sen. Moran

Recognizing Senate Page Maddux Haar

Senator Moran was pleased to sponsor Maddux Haar, a high school student from Cheney, who served as his Senate page this summer. Senate pages help carry out the functions of the Senate floor while learning about the legislative process. Click here to learn more about the Senate page program, available to high school students nationwide.

Senate Page Maddux Haar

Remembering Maureen Morrison

On Saturday, Senator Moran and his wife Robba attended the funeral of Maureen “Sissy” Morrison from Salina. Sissy was a hardworking Kansan, raised on her family farm in Hutchinson. She cared deeply for her family, neighbors and friends, and she will be missed. Senator Moran’s prayers are with her husband of 61 years, Roger, as well as their four children, nine grandchildren and all her loved ones.

Remembering Maureen Morrison

Remembering Charyl Deloney

Senator Moran was saddened to hear of the passing of Fort Scott native Charyl Deloney. Charyl was the widow of Gary Deloney, a U.S. Navy veteran who was exposed to Agent Orange during his service but was denied VA disability benefits because records of his service remained classified. Senator Moran introduced the Gary Deloney and John Olsen Toxic Exposure Declassification Act in 2017 to assist veterans in proving toxic exposure and to make certain other veterans do not face the same bureaucratic obstacles and delays in receiving the care they need. Senator Moran’s prayers are with Charyl’s family, friends and loved ones.

Remembering Charyl Deloney

Now Accepting 2026 Service Academy Applications

Applications are now open for students to apply to a United States Service Academy for the Class of 2031. Senator Moran appoints Kansans to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. For the list of requirements and to apply, visit Senator Moran’s website here. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on September 18, 2026.

Fort Scott

SEKnFind Newsletter: New Books – June 2026

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We hope you enjoy this newsletter sent as a courtesy to adult patrons of a southeast Kansas library using the SEKnFind catalog. This selection of titles are NEW at a SEKnFind library and available for a hold. Need assistance? Your local librarian can show you how!

Happy Reading!

New Fiction

The Children by Melissa Albert
Guinevere Sharpe has two childhoods. In one, she and her brother, Ennis, live in the wooded shadow of their family’s isolated Vermont farmhouse; in the other, the pages of their mother’s world-famous Ninth City books, where their magical adventures have made them household names. In reality, Guinevere’s childhood isn’t the enchanted idyll her mother’s readers imagine. As Edith Sharpe’s books explode into epic popularity, the threats of a rural childhood give way to the escalating perils of fame—until the night it all goes up in flames, leaving Edith’s series unfinished and her children the sole survivors. Now an adult coasting on her mother’s name, Guinevere is mid-promotion for a ghostwritten memoir when her estranged brother announces an upcoming installation titled, simply, Mother. As rumors swirl around a death connected to his last show, unsettling recollections from Guinevere’s childhood begin to surface.

I, Spy by L. M. Kemp
Kendal Carter is out in the cold and she wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s been four years since her daughter Rosie was born and Kendal has kept her miles away from the danger of her former life as a spy. But when their hiding place is discovered, Kendal is forced to turn to old contacts for help. Her longtime friend and ex-handler Rico offers them a safe house in London—with a catch: Kendal must return to work for his espionage agency. Investigating one of the dads at Rosie’s new school who works at a murky tech firm should be easy enough. But it doesn’t take long for Kendal to realize Rico’s got an agenda of his own.

You Can Tell Me by Melinda Leigh
On the three-year anniversary of true crime writer Olivia Cruz’s horrific kidnapping, she’s scheduled to walk her podcaster friend Zoe March through the crime scene, but Zoe fails to show. Zoe’s husband has reported her missing, but the police suspect she simply left him. Olivia thinks otherwise. Retracing her friend’s last steps, she finds Zoe’s phone and a text with one chilling word: Run. Did Zoe vanish to escape a killer, and is Olivia walking into a deadly trap?

The Rainy Day Bookshop by Raeanne Thayne
Sandwiched between caring for her mother and rebuilding the relationship with her estranged daughter, Emma, Rosie Lucas’s life is full. With Emma and her 3-year-old daughter, Olive, back home, Rosie has a partner for The Rainy Day Bookshop, the family business, and a chance to fix the past. As an irresistible flirtation builds between Rosie and reclusive writer Andrew Morgan, secrets from the past begin to surface—and some truths are more shocking than fiction.

Summer’s Never Over by Darby Bozeman
In this addictive dual-timeline debut novel, a woman confronts her past at the remote Southern summer camp where the tragic death of her fellow counselor may not have been an accident after all. Five years ago, Greer left her family’s summer camp in the mountains of Georgia and vowed she’d never return. But then Greer’s mother dies, and she finds herself back at Dread’s Cove. Margo never believed that Steph’s death in that horrific fire was an accident—and she’s on the trail of an explosive secret Steph took to her grave.

The Shippers by Katherine Center
After a lifetime of being bad at love, JoJo Burton vows to solve her intimacy issues once and for all at her sister’s destination wedding on a cruise ship. She ropes in her childhood bestie, Cooper Watts, as her wingman to help her woo an old crush. Shipboard antics abound in this witty, heart-tugging, childhood-friends-to-lovers romance as JoJo and Cooper team up, fake flirt, slow dance, and finally discover truths about each other that will change everything.

The Jellyfish Problem by Tessa Yang
Dr. Jo Ness prefers jellyfish to people. When she receives a call about a giant jellyfish terrorizing a tiny island off the coast of Maine, she drops everything to investigate. But when Jo arrives on Shattering Point, the person who called her is nowhere to be found, and the islanders each have something different to say about the creature they’ve dubbed Clementine—a jellyfish who changes all who see it. At turns an ode to classic sea monster stories and a vibrant tale of human connection.

Kissed by the Gods by Caty Rogan
Leina has spent a lifetime submitting, starving amid wheat fields reserved for the king. When soldiers come for her brother, her divine fury erupts in a bloody massacre. Instead of execution, Ryot, a gods-blessed warrior, delivers her to a military fortress where a gift from a goddess drags Leina into a realm of war. Her survival depends on her ability to ride a winged horse. As Ryot pushes her to master the power she never asked for, a battle rages within her heart—love is a dangerous weakness in a world designed for war.

The Franchise by Thomas Elrod
Game of Thrones meets The Truman Show in this epic tale of a Hollywood-owned fantasy world where nothing is quite as it seems. The classic fantasy world of The Malicarn has been brought to life on the big screen, almost entirely populated by characters in total belief that their sham fantasy lives are real. A fan-favorite actor finds himself doubting the studio’s work—but bringing freedom to a population that already believes itself to be free won’t be as easy as he thinks.

Red Verdict by James Comey
Federal prosecutor Nora Carleton is drawn into international intrigue as she investigates the assassination of a weapons manufacturer in this thriller from the former director of the FBI. A Russian-style hit on an executive at an American drone manufacturer sends a chilling message. Teaming up with Special Agent Benny Dugan, Nora launches a criminal investigation that takes them from New York to Las Vegas—but powerful forces are determined to keep their secrets buried.

Land by Maggie O’Farrell
On a windswept peninsula stretching out into the Atlantic, Tomás and his reluctant son, Liam, are working for the great Ordnance Survey project to map the whole of Ireland in 1865—not long since ravaged by the Great Hunger. Tomás is unexpectedly sent off course by an unsettling encounter, and his life, and the lives of those of his family, will never be the same again. A novel about separation and reunion, tragedy and recovery, colonization and rebellion.

They Came for Blood by M. William Phelps
Tom Callahan was once the government’s deadliest secret—a lethal gun-for-hire. Now an aging cowboy trying to keep his ranch alive, he wants nothing more than peace. But when word reaches him that his wife and son—long believed dead—may still be alive, that peace turns to dust. From railroad corruption to a secret slave trade, every mile drags Callahan deeper into the rot of the nation he once served. A brutal, cinematic Western thriller.

New Audiobooks

Minotaur: A Short Story by Jeffrey Wilson
From New York Times bestselling authors Andrews & Wilson. The Minotaur never died—his death was a myth. Asterion, the beast of legend, still walks among us, luring victims into the ancient labyrinth beneath Crete. But this spring break, the hunter becomes the hunted when Mina, a modern descendant of the labyrinth’s architect, inherits a mysterious medallion and convinces three friends to travel to Crete—unaware they’re walking into Asterion’s trap.

A Murder in Hollywood by Michael Crichton
A Hollywood mystery thriller originally written in 1973 by Crichton but never before published. In the glitz and decadence of 1970s Hollywood, the writer of the next Western blockbuster has just been found dead in his motel bathtub. Publicist Harvey Jason tries to keep the project on track while the brilliant investigator Harlow Perkins begins to unravel the mystery. Will the murderer be found, or will the true identity of the killer turn out to be just another Hollywood illusion?

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
A traditional American woman who sells her pioneer lifestyle to millions of social media followers suddenly awakens cold, filthy, and terrified in the brutal reality of 1855—where she must unravel whether this living nightmare is an elaborate hoax, a twisted reality show, or something far more sinister. A gripping, darkly funny debut that is a gimlet-eyed look at tradition, fame, faith, and the grand performance of womanhood.

New Nonfiction

Roadside Kansas: A Traveler’s Guide to Its Geology and Landmarks (Revised) by Rex C. Buchanan
Almost forty years after its first publication, Roadside Kansas remains the premier guide to the landscapes and landmarks along more than 2,600 miles of Kansas highway. Conveniently organized by highway and milepost markers and filled with over 100 photos, illustrations, and maps, this book is ready for modern-day explorers. Whether you’re planning an adventurous road trip or just need a glovebox guidebook, Roadside Kansas is a must-have for every traveler.

Stronger Than You Think: Building Lifelong Resilience by Sherry Hamby, PhD
Through client stories and her own journey of resilience, Dr. Hamby walks readers step-by-step through evidence-backed tools and strategies for regulating impulses and emotions, modifying your social and physical ecologies to promote greater wellbeing, and infusing your day-to-day with a deeper sense of purpose. Loss, betrayal, and suffering might break us open, but it is never too late to put together the pieces of a good life.

Dad Brain: The New Science of Fatherhood and How It Shapes Men’s Lives by Darby Saxbe
A groundbreaking exploration of the science and significance of fatherhood. Field-leading psychologist Darby Saxbe, PhD, explains how becoming a father changes men, from their bodies and brain architecture to their hormones and sense of purpose. Drawing on over twenty years of research studying fathers and families around the world—from hunter-gatherers in the Congo to contemporary suburban dads.

Dinner with an Astronaut: Serving Space Stories: Past, Present and Future by Leroy Chiao
The inspiring journey of Leroy Chiao, one of the first Asian American astronauts in history. As the first full Chinese heritage professional astronaut, he flew four space missions and served as commander of the International Space Station. Leroy now answers burning questions about the new space race, NASA’s current work, the experience of looking out at Earth from space, and the future of space exploration.

Unlearn Your Pain: The Science of Recovering from Chronic Pain, Fatigue, Anxiety, and Depression by Howard Schubiner, MD
For the past twenty years, Dr. Howard Schubiner has conducted clinical trials and authored more than 100 scientific papers to uncover the root cause of chronic illnesses like migraines, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome. In Unlearn Your Pain, he shares the program that has proven effective in reversing chronic pain, fatigue, anxiety, and depression using the latest research and mind-body practices confirmed by clinical trials.

The Hardest, Longest Race: Henry Ford and the Cross-Country Contest That Changed America by Eric Moskowitz
From Pulitzer prize-winning journalist Eric Moskowitz: the riveting story of the first true coast-to-coast automobile race in U.S. history in 1909. Three companies showed up at the starting line—Acme, Ford, and Shawmut—to forge a 4,106-mile course of mountain ranges, mud bogs, and harrowing canyon trails. A colorful tale of ambition and subterfuge, and a love letter to America at the turn of the Twentieth Century.

Grill: Easy Grilling, Big Flavor by Jamie Oliver
Recipes that show how exciting, creative, and delicious grilling can be whether you are cooking on a charcoal or gas grill or cooking over the open flames.

The Capitol: The Surprising Biography of an American Building by Brian Jay Jones
An in-depth exploration of the history of the US Capitol building, encompassing architecture, history, politics, popular culture, and race. Spanning three centuries of American history, this sweeping biography covers political intrigue, assassination attempts, thwarted bombings, and ghostly legends—while restoring the narratives of enslaved people who contributed to its construction.

The Messi Effect: How the Global Legend Changed the Future of American Soccer by Paul Tenorio
National soccer writer Paul Tenorio of The Athletic draws on insider access to chronicle the last act of Lionel Messi. The book takes readers inside the locker room as Messi’s arrival turned a last-place team into a global phenomenon, and into the MLS boardroom as owners debated how to leverage his arrival. His pink No. 10 shirt became the world’s best-selling jersey, MLS stadiums sold out city after city, and Inter Miami’s valuation soared past $1 billion.

1,000 Days in America: An Illustrated History of the Moments That Defined a Nation by National Geographic
A 250th anniversary celebration of the U.S. featuring 1,000 singular moments that shaped the American journey from pre-history to present, filled with more than 300 illustrations, sidebars, and timelines. Commentary by bestselling historians including David Rubenstein and Walter Isaacson underscores the profound connections between concurrent events in the nation’s journey.

Even More Reading Suggestions

NextReads Newsletters — Looking for something else to read? Newsletters are divided into genres and topics. Get recommendations tailored to your interests sent directly to your inbox. If your library doesn’t yet own a suggested title, ask about a purchase suggestion or interlibrary loan.

This month’s Fantasy and Science Fiction Sneak Peek features titles including Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker, Seek the Traitor’s Son by Veronica Roth, and Hell’s Heart by Alexis Hall.

All titles listed above are new at a SEKnFind library and available to place on hold. Contact your local southeast Kansas library for assistance. Visit sekls.org for more information.

Bourbon County

Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Report – June 30, 2026

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Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Report – June 30, 2026

Arrested

Nuss, Theron Joseph (Age 45) — Arrested 6/29/2026 11:54 AM by Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office. Charges: Possess Opiates/Opium/Narc Drug and Certain Stim, Use/Poss Drug Paraphernalia/Human Body. Bond: $0.00 No Bond.

Released

Burns, Randy Dale — Released 6/29/2026 9:55 AM via Transferred Out (Douglas County).

Guffin, Augaio — Released 6/29/2026 10:29 AM via Own Recognizance (Self).

Hogan, Sean Charles — Released 6/29/2026 10:39 AM via Surety Bond (Self).

Long, Robert Franklin — Released 6/29/2026 10:55 AM via Surety Bond (Self).

Total Inmates Released: 4

Documents:

Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

2026 LMC Fellow: Elizabeth Hutton

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Elizabeth Hutton Named

 2026 National Lowell Milken Center Fellow

 

FORT SCOTT, KS – June 1, 2026 – The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, an international educational non-profit, has awarded its prestigious Fellowship to Elizabeth, a history teacher at Lebanon High School in Lebanon, MO. Elizabeth will arrive in Fort Scott on June 28th for a week of collaboration with LMC staff and the other members of the Fellowship.

 

The LMC Fellowship is a merit-based award for educators of all disciplines who value the importance of teaching respect and understanding through project-based learning. The Center selects exemplary teachers from the United States and around the world who will collaborate on projects that discover, develop, and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes in history.

Elizabeth Hutton, a high school history teacher from Lebanon, Missouri, has been recognized for her outstanding leadership in guiding students to the National History Day (NHD) national competition in College Park, Maryland. Her long-standing commitment to historical scholarship and student achievement has made her a distinguished figure in the NHD community.

Hutton’s relationship with National History Day began in 1999, when she first participated as a high school freshman. Over the course of her four years as a competitor, she qualified for the national competition three times. As a sophomore, her documentary group earned sixth place in the nation with a project highlighting the life and legacy of influential but often overlooked musician Huddie “Leadbelly” Ledbetter.

Her most notable achievement as a student competitor came during her freshman year, when her performance group uncovered the story of Irena Sendler, the Polish humanitarian who rescued hundreds of children from the Warsaw Ghetto during the Holocaust. Their project, titled Life in a Jar, attracted national media attention and later inspired both a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie and a bestselling book on the Holocaust.

Hutton’s passion for National History Day continued into her college years, where she served as a volunteer judge for local competitions. After becoming an educator, she established her own NHD course, guiding and mentoring students as they pursued their own original research. Under her leadership, many of her students have earned regional and national recognition for their work.

Her ongoing dedication to historical inquiry, student empowerment, and excellence in education continues to make a meaningful impact on her school, community, and the broader field of history education.

LMC Executive Director Norm Conard says, “Elizabeth’s involvement with project-based learning and research for National History Day projects will be an excellent resource for our 2026 Fellows.”

 

While in Fort Scott, LMC Fellows gain knowledge, educational resources, and support in helping students cultivate a passion for learning by creating projects that initiate positive change. Fellows will be equipped to develop Unsung Heroes projects with their students, applying and evaluating the stories of these role models who have changed the world throughout history.

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County Local News