Fort Scott, Kan. – Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 3:30 p.m., Fort Scott National Historic Site, American Legion Post 25, and Fort Scott Fire Department will be hosting an official US Flag Disposal Ceremony. Bring your: United States, POW/MIA, State, and Service (U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard) flags to the fort between now and 3:30 p.m. Saturday and we will properly and respectfully dispose of them. Just as there’s etiquette for displaying Old Glory, there’s also etiquette for disposing of flags in a dignified manner.
4 U.S. Code § 8k (Respect for flag) states that: The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning. “As with celebrating this country’s newest citizens at our Naturalization Ceremony and honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom through the ‘Field of Honor’ during Symbols of Sacrifice, we are proud to be a part in honoring this country’s flag by hosting this ceremony,” said Jill Jaworski, Superintendent, Fort Scott National Historic Site.
Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, is open Friday through Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Park grounds are open daily from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. For more information or to learn how to get involved, call 620-223-0310 or visit www.nps.gov/fosc.
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Credit Photo as: NPS Photo
Submitted by
Carl Brenner
Program Manager for Interpretation and Resource Management
Fort Scott National Historic Site (www.nps.gov/fosc)
Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office
Daily Reports — June 9, 2026
Arrests — June 8–9, 2026
SAWYER, EMILY A (Age 41) — Arrested by Fort Scott Police Department on 6/8/2026 at 9:04 PM.
Charge: Criminal Threat; Unknown Circumstance — No Bond ($0.00)
LITCHFIELD, LESLIE LEE (Age 62) — Arrested by Fort Scott Police Department on 6/8/2026 at 11:13 PM.
Charge: Warrant – Fort Scott Municipal (Warrant No. E0012596) — Cash Bond $150.00
Released — June 8–9, 2026
GIER, CHRISTIAN LEE — Booked 05/25/2026. Released 6/8/26 at 11:17 AM. Release Type: Time Served.
MATTHEWS, EVAN ANDREA — Booked 06/07/2026. Released 6/8/26 at 3:30 PM. Release Type: Surety Bond (A+ Bail Bonds).
STATEN, MADISON JANE — Booked 05/07/2026. Released 6/8/26 at 3:30 PM. Release Type: Time Served.
Mark Leon Christy, who was born on February 18, 1962, in Fort Scott, Kansas, and passed away on June 5, 2026, in Joplin, Missouri, will be remembered with deep love and lasting respect by all who knew him. He carried himself with quiet strength and a thoughtful spirit, and he touched the lives of family, friends, and coworkers through his steady presence and kind heart. Those who knew him best will remember his warm sense of humor, his practical wisdom, and the genuine care he showed in everyday moments.
Mark was a graduate of Pittsburg State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in history and psychology. He valued learning, thoughtful conversation, and understanding the world around him, and he brought those qualities into both his personal and professional life.
He devoted almost 40 years of service to Ward/Kraft, where he built a long and respected career. His dedication, reliability, and strong work ethic earned the admiration of his colleagues and the trust of those who worked beside him. He was known as someone who could be counted on, and his years with the company stand as a testament to his loyalty and commitment.
Outside of work, Mark found joy in simple and meaningful pursuits. He enjoyed fishing, where he could appreciate the quiet outdoors and the patience the sport required. He also loved cooking, and he took pleasure in preparing meals and sharing them with others. These interests reflected his appreciation for both solitude and connection, as well as his ability to find happiness in life’s ordinary but treasured moments.
Mark is survived by his wife, Angela, and daughter, Anastasia. He is also survived by daughter Allie Bloomquist and husband, Darin, and by his grandchildren, Brady and Isla Bloomquist, who brought him great pride and joy. He leaves behind his parents, Gene and June Christy, his sister, Gina Christy, and his sister, Samantha Christy-Dangermond and husband Tom. In addition, Mark is survived by his nephews, Colby Sisson and wife Rachel, Wil Sisson and wife Kristen, and Gerrit Dangermond, nieces MacKenzy Neal and husband Taylor, and Margot Dangermond, great-nephews Wyatt and Wade Sisson, Colter Neal, and great-nieces Estella and Maddie Sisson, and Quinlee Neal. His family was central to his life, and he cherished the bonds they shared. He will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate enough to know and love him.
His life was one of quiet accomplishment, devotion to family, and enduring integrity. He leaves behind a legacy of love, intelligence, and hard work that will continue to be remembered by those closest to him. Though his passing leaves a profound sadness, his memory will remain a source of comfort and strength to his family and friends in the days ahead.
Mark Leon Christy will be remembered with gratitude for the life he lived and the example he set. His presence enriched the lives of others, and his memory will be held close with affection and respect.
There was cremation. Pastor Tom Lewis will conduct memorial services at 10:30 AM Friday, June 12th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Interment will follow in the Marmaton Cemetery, Redfield, KS. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM Thursday, June 11th, at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Hammond Community Building Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.
One of the most common debates in leadership revolves around hiring and promotion decisions. Should an organization select the individual with years of experience, or invest in someone with less experience but tremendous potential? After more than four decades in coaching, education, and administration, I have come to a simple conclusion: it is not experience that determines success. It is the person.
Experience certainly has value. Individuals who have spent years in a profession have faced challenges, learned lessons, and developed wisdom that can benefit an organization. However, experience alone does not guarantee success. I have seen highly experienced leaders struggle because they became resistant to change, stopped learning, or relied too heavily on what worked in the past.
On the other hand, I have watched organizations hire young leaders with limited experience who accomplished remarkable things. They brought energy, vision, work ethic, and a willingness to learn. Some built championship programs and transformed organizations. Others struggled because they lacked the personal qualities necessary to lead effectively.
What I have learned is that experience and age are not the same thing. There are individuals in their retirement years who step into leadership opportunities and thrive because they possess humility, character, and a desire to continue growing. There are others with the same amount of life experience who struggle. Likewise, some young professionals excel beyond expectations while others do not.
The determining factor is rarely age or experience. It is the person. Do they have integrity? Are they willing to work hard? Can they build relationships? Are they teachable? Can they adapt when circumstances change? Do they place the mission and people they serve above their own interests?
Scripture reinforces this principle. When the prophet Samuel was sent to anoint a new king, he assumed God would choose one of Jesse’s older, stronger, and more experienced sons. Instead, God selected David, a young shepherd boy. The Lord reminded Samuel, “People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
Jesus followed the same pattern. He did not choose the most educated religious leaders of His day. He chose fishermen, tax collectors, and ordinary men. What made them extraordinary was not their credentials; it was their willingness to follow Him and allow God to work through them.
Too often, organizations become fixated on years of experience while overlooking the qualities that truly drive success. Experience, training, and mentorship can help, but none can replace character, passion, commitment, and a servant’s heart.
When making leadership decisions, look beyond age and experience. Find the right person. If you find the right person, they will often find a way to succeed regardless of how much experience they have or do not have.
Thought for the Week, “Experience can teach you many things, but character determines what you do with what you’ve learned.” Jack Welch.
Dr. Jack Welch serves as President of Fort Scott Community College. With a career spanning professional sports, public education, and rural community development, he brings a servant-leader mindset and a passion for building trust-driven cultures that empower people to thrive in the classroom, on the field, and in life. He is also the author of Foundations of Coaching: The Total Coaching Manual.
Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports for June 8, 2026
Arrests: June 5–8, 2026
Williams, Alexis Ann (age 22) – Arrested 6/5/2026 by Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office. Charges: DUI (misdemeanor), Reckless Driving. Bond: $2,500. Released 6/7/2026.
Carr, Randle R. (age 45) – Arrested 6/5/2026; held for Douglas County. Charge: Other Agency Hold. No bond.
Curtiss, Jaystyn Jaymes (age 20) – Arrested 6/5/2026; held for Douglas County. Charge: Other Agency Hold. No bond.
Jackson, Ontareo (age 23) – Arrested 6/5/2026; held for Douglas County. Charge: Other Agency Hold. No bond.
McQueen, Paul Jearrette (age 49) – Arrested 6/5/2026; held for Douglas County. Charge: Other Agency Hold. No bond.
Burns, Randy Dale Jr. (age 46) – Arrested 6/5/2026; held for Douglas County. Charge: Other Agency Hold. No bond.
Garcia, Silva Joeddy (age 27) – Arrested 6/5/2026; held for Douglas County. Charge: Other Agency Hold. No bond.
Tucker, Sky Marie (age 30) – Arrested 6/5/2026 by Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office. Charge: Warrant Bourbon County (Failure to Appear). No bond.
Eisenbrandt, Jonah Isaiah (age 46) – Arrested 6/5/2026 by Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office. Charge: Sanction. No bond. Released 6/7/2026.
Reisman, Robert Ryan (age 34) – Arrested 6/6/2026 by Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office. Charges: DUI (misdemeanor), Possession of Certain Illegal Drugs, Transporting an Open Container, Use/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond: $10,000. Released 6/7/2026.
Haynes, Raya Lashay (age 18) – Arrested 6/6/2026 by Fort Scott Police Department. Charges: Aggravated Escape from Custody (use of violence), Criminal Threat (unknown circumstance), Domestic Battery (knowing/reckless bodily harm), Interference with LEO (obstruct/resist felony). Bond: $5,000.
Villazon, Vincent J. (age 28) – Arrested 6/7/2026 by Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office. Charges: Aggravated Burglary, Domestic Battery (knowing/reckless bodily harm). No bond.
Matthews, Evan Andrea (age 20) – Arrested 6/7/2026 by Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office. Charges: DUI (misdemeanor), Fleeing or Eluding a LEO, Liquor Purchase by Minor, Possession of Certain Stimulants. No bond.
Released: June 5–8, 2026
Black, Carla Mae – Released 6/6/2026 via Cash Bond.
Eisenbrandt, Jonah Isaiah – Released 6/7/2026, Time Served.
Ladish, Clay Matthew – Released 6/5/2026, Transferred Out (Douglas County).
Reisman, Robert Ryan – Released 6/7/2026 via Surety Bond (Able Bonding).
Surguy, Nikita – Released 6/6/2026, Time Served.
Williams, Alexis Ann – Released 6/7/2026 via Surety Bond (Larry Lamb).
Total Inmates as of 6/8/2026: 51
Inmates at Bourbon County Jail: 49
Inmates at Osawatomie State Hospital: 2
Charges are accusations only. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
I’m not a people watcher when I‘m shopping because I‘m usually on a mission and quite focused. However, one day I couldn’t help noticing a woman holding a folded wad of greenback between her lips as she diligently cleaned her cart handle with an antibacterial wipe. This puzzling absurdity blew my mind; I’m sure I stared. I’m no expert, but it’s a known fact that germs like to do a little party dance on money. I guess you could call it dirty dancing.
This scenario reminds me of the scripture in Matthew 23:24 NRS where Jesus is sternly talking to the religious leaders. “You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.” The rigid Pharisees and teachers of religious law would carefully strain their drinking water to make sure they didn’t accidentally swallow a gnat (the smallest inedible insect for the Israelites.) The camel was one of the largest unclean animals. Gnats and camels were both forbidden as food in the Old Testament. Jesus was purposely using a figure of speech to shock His hearers into getting the point.
Jesus was upset that doing justice, showing mercy, exercising faith in God, and loving Him was not being practiced by the religious leaders. Instead, they were busy straining their water. As Christ followers today, we need to be careful that we’re not majoring on the minors while ignoring the majors. Little trifling things that don’t amount to a hill of beans was not, and is not, what Jesus wants His disciples to major on.
Jesus criticized the Pharisees and teachers of religious law for their misplaced priorities. They neglected the more-important principles of a godly lifestyle. Practicing the weightier matters of loving God and loving others was sadly being neglected. The only people Jesus spoke to with consternation were the religious people who acted righteous on the outside but were unrighteous on the inside. Jesus sure didn’t beat around the bush when He said, “Great sorrow awaits you religious scholars and Pharisees — frauds and imposters! You are foolish to ignore the greed and self-indulgence that live like germs within you. You are blind and deaf to your evil” (Matthew 23:25-26 TPT).
When it comes to the practice of loving others, we believers don’t want to be guilty of making a mountain out of a molehill. Keep in mind that a fellow believer can be rough around the edges and still have a perfect heart toward God. We can read in Hebrews 11 about a lot of imperfect men and women who had a true heart of faith. Jesus said it’s all about the heart. Godliness is not just skin deep and can’t be confused with how a person looks on the outside. A godly person is one whose heart is sensitive toward God and takes Him and His Word seriously. The inside reveals who we really are, not the outside.
Honestly, believers should be hell-bent on majoring on the majors found in God’s Word. And it’s up to us to do our own regular heart checkups. When (not if) we find a problem, we need to submit to spiritual major-heart surgery performed by Dr. Jesus.
The Key: Spiritually speaking, let’s put our money where our mouth and heart is.
D. Review and approve the May 11, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes (Page 3)
II. Consent Agenda (Page 3)
A. Approve and pay bills on the computer printout: $176,392.40 (Page 3)
B. Approve the May 2026 Treasurer’s Report (Page 3)
C. Appoint Vance Eden as school lunch representative and hearing officer for free and reduced lunch appeals for 2026-27 (Page 3)
D. Approve final expenditures and transfers from the general fund and local option budget as deemed necessary (Page 3)
E. Authorize the board clerk to destroy the following 2020-2021 records pursuant to K.S.A. 72-5369 and 72-5370:
WBE-Activity & Petty Cash funds for the school year 2020-2021 (Page 3)
WBE Activity & Petty Cash requests for the school year 2020-2021 (Page 3)
WBE bank statements, canceled checks, and bank deposit slips for 2020-2021 (Page 3)
UHS bank statements, canceled checks, and bank deposit slips for 2020-2021 (Page 3)
Accu-Scan Meal Tracker Daily Records from 2020-2021 (Page 3)
Lunch Financial Records for the 2020-2021 school year and prior (Page 3)
PowerSchool Breakfast/Lunch records for school year 2020-2021 (Page 3)
BOE Purchase Orders and invoices for 2020-2021 (Page 3)
Attendance Records for Schools 2014-2015 (Page 3)
F. Approve Surplus Equipment list dated 6-8-2026 (Page 3)
III. Informational Items (Page 3-4)
A. Audience with Patrons (Page 3)
B. Request to Speak – Hunter Hueston (Page 3)
C. 3rd Party Audit Findings (Page 3)
D. KASB Policy updates (Page 3)
E. Work Comp Insurance AmTrust Insurance ($24,529) for 2026-2027 (Page 3)
F. Breakfast/Lunch Student meal price increase for 2026-2027 (Page 3)
G. Spring Coaches (Page 4)
H. District and Building Needs Assessment (Page 4)
I. Approve the Child Nutrition Procurement Plan for 2026-2027 (Page 4)
J. Lunch Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) (Page 4)
K. Board Retreat (Page 4)
L. Out-of-District Students (Page 4)
M. Administrative Reports – Superintendent Eden (Page 4)
IV. Action Items (Page 4)
A. Approve KASB Policy Updates (Page 4)
B. Approve Student Meal Price Increase for 2026-27: WBE Lunch $3.45, UHS/UJHS Lunch $3.55, Breakfast $1.95, Adult Breakfast $3.10, and Adult Lunch $5.15 (Page 4)
C. Approve Spring Coaches (Page 4)
D. Approve Hazard Mitigation Resolution (Page 4)
E. Approve Workman Comp Insurance with AmTrust Financial Services ($24,529) (Page 4)
F. Approve Out-of-District Student List (Page 4)
V. Executive Session (Page 4)
Personnel (Page 4)
VI. Executive Session – Negotiations (Page 4)
VII. Adjournment (Page 4)
Next Meeting Date: July 13th, 2026 (Page 4)
Detailed Summary of Information Packet
Official Meeting Notice & Board Roster (Page 2)
An official notice was sent out on June 5, 2026, by Pam Kimrey, Clerk of the Board, to inform members of the upcoming regular session. The notice lists the Board of Education leadership and membership as follows:
Review of May 11, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes (Pages 5-8)
The board reviewed the minutes from the previous month’s meeting. Significant events and approvals from May 11 included:
Attendance: All board members were present. Guests included district administrators, community members, and Scott Sutton alongside FFA members who presented their state championship traveling trophy in Livestock Judging.
Resignations: Timothy Endicott announced his resignation (effective August 31, 2026), and the board accepted the resignation of Ginger Ervin (effective May 11, 2026).
New Hires: Bralynn Sutterby was approved as a Pre-K teacher for the 2026-2027 school year, and Camryn Davis was approved as assistant Cheer coach.
Handbook Revisions: Revisions and a new cell phone policy were approved for the 2026-2027 WBE Handbook, UHS/JH Handbook, and the Classified Handbook.
Financials & Insurance: Approved the April 2026 Treasurer’s report, paid bills totaling $500,811.79, and approved an EMC insurance renewal of $138,909.00.
Elections: Approved the at-large board election seat ballot language in a 5-2 vote (Stewart and Couchman voting against).
Contract Nonrenewal: Rhonda Hoener read a resolution regarding the nonrenewal of teacher Hunter Hueston’s contract, which was approved unanimously by a 7-0 vote.
Resolution Detail (Page 9): A formal resolution adopted on May 11, 2026, specifies the intent to non-renew the teaching employment contract of Hunter Hueston (initially hired August 12, 2024) for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. It authorized the superintendent to deliver written notice on or before May 13, 2026.
Official Notice (Page 10): A formal copy of the “Notice of Intent to Nonrenew Contract of Employment of Teacher” signed by Superintendent Vance Eden, dated May 12, 2026.
Financial and Expenditure Documents (Pages 12-19)
The packet includes full accounting check registers and balance summaries for transparency and verification:
Bill Printout / Check Registers (Pages 12-13): A computerized breakdown of recent district payments, including utility charges, supplier invoices, technology maintenance, and educational resources.
Financial Position & Monthly Status Reports (Pages 14-19): Summaries detailing cash balances across various district funds (General Fund, Supplemental General, Capital Outlay, Special Education, etc.), cash receipts journals, and a comprehensive monthly expenditure ledger indicating current spending rates versus budgeted parameters.
Records Destruction Resolutions (Pages 20-21)
Official resolutions are presented to authorize the destruction of past administrative and financial records from West Bourbon Elementary (WBE) and Uniontown High School (UHS) for the 2020-2021 school year. These clear out outdated petty cash receipts, daily meal tracker logs, bank statements, and invoices in compliance with statutory retention limits under K.S.A. 72-5369 and 72-5370.
Surplus Equipment List (Page 22)
A dedicated itemization sheet listing outdated equipment slated to be cleared from district facilities, which includes:
Two 2016 Dodge Caravan vans (VIN endings 231464 and 231500)
A 2021 Dodge Pacifica van (VIN ending 2C4RC1BGMRR124803)
A Generac generator (Wifi only, 22 kW)
A Generac generator (Wifi only, 24 kW)
Workers’ Compensation Insurance Invoice (Page 23)
A payment coupon and ledger documentation from AmTrust Financial Services outlines the workers’ compensation insurance policy premium for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The minimum payment due to maintain coverage in full is $24,529.00.
Proposed Meal Price Adjustments (Page 24)
A detailed overview of price adjustments for the 2026-2027 school year designed to balance nutritional service expenses:
General Fund (Payroll Clearing): $0.00 after balancing special payroll credits and KPERS tracking. (PDF Page 2)
Appraisers Fund 016: $29.06 for monthly contract copier items and cooler rentals. (PDF Page 2)
County Treasurer Motor Fund 052: $385.46 including a title fraud training mileage reimbursement of $217.50 and office copy paper. (PDF Page 2)
Election Fund 062: $87.21 for contract copy services. (PDF Page 2)
Employee Benefit Fund 064: $1,128.19 covering social security processing and RPS Benefits health management. (PDF Pages 2-3)
Special Law Enforcement Fund 097: $1,000.00 for a Platinum Level Sponsorship of the Bourbon County Fair Association. (PDF Page 3)
Landfill Fund 108: $5,230.07 paid to Allen County Public Works for municipal solid waste processing between May 21 and May 27. (PDF Page 3)
County Sheriff/Correctional Fund 120: $38,948.88 total. Major line items include $16,271.22 for May inmate meals, $9,966.19 in combined fuel bills through Wex Bank, $5,736.44 in vehicle wrap graphics by Signco Inc., and $3,003.60 for emergency plumbing fixes. (PDF Pages 3-4)
Noxious Weed Fund 200: $1,397.72 for customized desktop setup and software implementations via Stronghold Data. (PDF Page 4)
Road and Bridge Fund 220: $35,868.95 total. Includes heavy equipment parts and hydraulic repairs through Murphy Tractor ($11,310.18) and Foley Equipment ($3,620.46), alongside a $9,126.40 combined standard grader lease payment to John Deere Financial. (PDF Pages 4-6)
Road & Bridge Sales Tax Fund 222: $26,712.61 highlighted by a $14,611.80 procurement order of AC-20 asphalt mix materials from Wright Asphalt Products. (PDF Pages 6-7)
Road & Bridge Special Improvement Fund 224: $10,977.50 specialized contractual engineering cost for county-wide bridge inspections conducted by Schwab-Eaton PA. (PDF Page 7)
Sheriff Trust Forfeiture Fund 257: $13,500.00 used for upgrading field operations laptops through Turn-Key Mobile, Inc. (PDF Page 7)
Offender Registration Fund 398: $50.98 for basic commodities. (PDF Page 7)
County Commission: $116.27 spent on general personnel folders and copier leases. (PDF Page 8)
County Clerk: $255.16 covering standard copy paper and contract copy costs. (PDF Page 9)
County Treasurer: $48.83 for recurring monthly cooler leasing and copy services. (PDF Page 10)
County Attorney: $3,728.17 total. Key allocations include $1,019.00 for annual website hosting through Advantage Computer Enterprises, $1,178.96 for digital Westlaw subscriptions, and a series of mandatory public legal notice publications in the Fort Scott Tribune. (PDF Pages 11-12)
County Register of Deeds: $29.81 for minor contractual copy usage. (PDF Page 12)
District Court: $1,049.19 including a $449.50 travel mileage reimbursement for Claire Clark and recurring Pitney Bowes postage machinery leases. (PDF Page 14)
Emergency Preparedness: $165.11 for dedicated telecom line billing by Craw-Kan Telephone. (PDF Page 15)
Information Technology (I T): $39,647.55 paid primarily to Stronghold Data LLC, including a $17,900.00 flat fee for the network “Separation of County” IT infrastructure project, combined with standard monthly service fees. (PDF Page 16)
Ambulance Service: $1,562.26 supporting operations through Craw-Kan EMS data lines ($392.78), pharmaceutical supplies from Morris & Dickson ($386.35), and utility power through Evergy. (PDF Page 17)
Noxious Weed (Department 30): $952.84 for seasonal bulk chemical treatment items (Plateau, Remedy, and GrazonNext) from Van Diest Supply Company. (PDF Page 18)
Courthouse General: $941.77 for central operations, split between municipal facility water utilities ($360.41), regular service supplies from Cintas ($381.47), and institutional water treatments ($170.00). (PDF Page 19)
2. Prior Meeting Minutes Summary (June 1, 2026)
Attendance & Openings: The session was called to order by Chairperson Mika Milburn-Kee at 5:30 PM. Commissioners Motley, Tran (attending via phone), and Allen (attending via Zoom) were present; County Clerk Susan Walker was absent. (PDF Page 23)
Agenda Alteration: Prior to starting business, a presentation regarding TUSA was dropped from the schedule due to an attendance shortfall from the presenter. The shortened agenda passed 4-0. (PDF Page 23)
Minutes Corrections: While reviewing historical minutes (May 11 and May 18), Commissioner Milburn-Kee formally flagged text blocks from May 11 that inaccurately stated she had spoken on records she did not say. The documentation was amended to expunge those false narrative attributions, passing 4-0. (PDF Page 23)
Financial Approvals: Standard April 2026 financial records and ongoing localized tax corrections advanced cleanly with 4-0 votes. (PDF Pages 23-24)
Accounts Payable Dissent: AP batches from May 22 ($139,611.15) and May 29 ($456,069.98) faced procedural objections. Commissioner Tran forced a revision to the initial voting call, pointing out that he was abstaining rather than voting in favor, because he had not been allowed or given an opportunity to look over the relevant check ledger documents. The motions ultimately passed 3-0 with 1 abstention. (PDF Page 24)
Check Endorsement Emergency: Because Commissioner Allen was away from physical chambers, the board approved an emergency authorization 4-0 empowering Commissioner Motley to sign local warrant checks that night to keep county payments moving forward. (PDF Page 24)
3. Real Estate Extensions & Local Market Adjustments
Listing Agreement Change Form: Formal paperwork finalized on June 4, 2026, details a contractual listing time extension for the county-owned office building at 108 W. 2nd St., Fort Scott, KS (MLS #2592426). The arrangement with broker Diann Tucker of Stewart Realty Company shifts the original contract deadline from June 17, 2026, further out to December 17, 2026, keeping the base asking price solid at $170,000.00. (PDF Page 25)
Asset Breakdown: The property comprises a single-level commercial office building tracking at 3,552 square feet on a corner lot, structured originally in 1963, featuring multi-tenant space division options, a small operational kitchen space in a partial basement, and open on-street parking access. (PDF Page 28)
Comparable Local Property Data: The board is cross-referencing this property profile against comparable sales data to measure local asset valuations:
1621 S Main St: Commercial space sold for $180,000 on April 28, 2026, requiring just 7 days on the active market. (PDF Page 26)
102 S Judson St: Local office layout featuring 8 individual private suites. It brought in $180,000 on April 3, 2026, following 4 days on the market. Local notes mention that the seller bought a replacement roof for the buyers as part of closing concessions. (PDF Page 26)
322-324 S State St: Multi-unit commercial enterprise space locked into an active commercial lease through July 2029. It sold for $225,000 on March 19, 2026, spending 7 days on market. (PDF Page 26)
1502 Scott Ave: Industrial daycare infrastructure totaling 5,000+ sq. ft. that closed for $237,000 on August 21, 2025, after 38 days on market. (PDF Page 27)
By Lonnie Mengarelli- Southwind Extension District
Yes, we are wet here in the Southwind District, and many producers are using this time to get equipment field-ready across the district. Many combines have already headed to the wheat fields in some parts of Kansas, and producers are already looking ahead to the next crop. One management task that deserves immediate attention after harvest is weed control in wheat stubble. This is especially important in 2026, as weather-related challenges throughout the growing season led to thinner wheat stands in many areas, allowing more weeds to establish and compete.
While it may be tempting to delay weed management until later in the summer, allowing weeds to grow unchecked after harvest can be costly. Once the wheat crop is removed, weeds that were suppressed by the crop canopy quickly take advantage of sunlight, moisture, and nutrients. Some weeds damaged during harvest can also rapidly regrow. Left unmanaged, these weeds rob valuable soil moisture, reduce the effectiveness of future weed control efforts, and contribute thousands of seeds that can create problems for years to come.
Successful weed control in wheat stubble starts with timely action. The primary goals are controlling weeds that have already emerged and preventing additional flushes later in the season. For the best results, producers should target weeds before they exceed four to six inches in height. Smaller, actively growing weeds are much easier to control than large, mature plants. In addition to controlling existing weeds, residual herbicides play an important role in preventing future weed emergence and reducing the need for multiple herbicide applications throughout the summer. Herbicide-resistant weeds continue to be a major concern across Kansas. Species such as Palmer amaranth and kochia have developed resistance to several herbicide groups, making control more challenging.
Glyphosate combined with 2,4-D or dicamba remains an important tool in many post-harvest weed control programs. However, these products alone often struggle to provide adequate control of pigweed and kochia, particularly during the hot, dry conditions commonly experienced after wheat harvest. Because of these challenges, producers should consider incorporating additional herbicide modes of action into their weed management programs.
Paraquat products, including Gramoxone and generic formulations, continue to provide effective control of emerged pigweed and kochia when applied correctly. Research conducted in western Kansas has shown strong control of large Palmer amaranth with paraquat-containing treatments. Because paraquat is a contact herbicide, spray coverage is essential. Higher spray volumes and proper adjuvants are necessary to maximize effectiveness. Producers should also remember that federal regulations require paraquat applicators and handlers to complete specialized training every three years.
Although Syngenta has announced it will discontinue production of Gramoxone this year, generic paraquat products are expected to remain available.
When selecting herbicides, producers must think beyond this season and consider crop rotation plans for next year. Products such as atrazine can provide both burndown and residual weed control but may limit crop options the following season. Atrazine use in wheat stubble is restricted to specific crop rotations, including wheat-corn-fallow and wheat-sorghum-fallow systems.
Metribuzin offers another option that can provide residual activity while allowing greater crop rotation flexibility. It may also help manage certain atrazine-resistant weed populations.
Several Group 14 herbicides can be valuable additions to post-harvest weed control programs.
Saflufenacil (Sharpen) and tiafenacil (Reviton) provide effective control of emerged broadleaf weeds, including Palmer amaranth and kochia, while also offering short-term residual activity.
Flumioxazin (Valor) and sulfentrazone (Spartan) provide longer-lasting residual control and can help reduce future weed emergence. However, these products may carry crop rotation restrictions that producers should carefully review before application.
As with all residual herbicides, adequate rainfall is needed for activation and optimum performance.
In many parts of Kansas, preserving soil moisture is one of the most important reasons to control weeds promptly after wheat harvest. Every inch of moisture conserved can benefit the next crop, especially during dry summers. Effective weed management also reduces weed seed production, helping lower future weed pressure and potentially reducing herbicide costs over time.
The weeks immediately following wheat harvest present an excellent opportunity to gain the upper hand on troublesome weeds. Producers should:
Control weeds as soon as possible after harvest.
Target small, actively growing weeds.
Include residual herbicides to manage future weed flushes.
Consider next year’s crop plans before selecting herbicides.
Carefully follow all label directions and crop rotation restrictions.
A timely post-harvest weed control program can help conserve moisture, reduce weed seed production, and set the stage for a more successful crop next season.
Lonnie Mengarelli is a Kansas State University Extension Agriculture agent assigned to the Southwind District. He may be reached at [email protected] or 620-223-3720
**The use of trade names is for clarity and educational purposes only and does not imply endorsement by K-State Research and Extension. Always read and follow current pesticide label directions.
