Bourbon County

Bourbon County Commission Agenda Summary for Oct. 5, 2026 Meeting

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Bourbon County Commission

Bourbon County Commission Meeting Agenda – October 5, 2026, 6:00 PM

agenda-packet (full PDF)

Agenda as of October 2nd, 2026 9:21 PM Central for the October 5th, 2026 6:00 PM meeting, fetched from HeyGov when this draft was created.

  • I. Call Meeting to Order (Page 1)
  • II. Pledge of Allegiance (Page 1)
  • III. Prayer – Motley (Page 1)
  • IV. Introductions (Page 1)
  • V. Approval of Agenda (Page 1)
  • VI. Approval of Minutes (Page 1) — approval of the September 28, 2026 minutes (Pages 3–11)
  • VII. Approval of Accounts Payable $ (Page 1)
  • VIII. Executed Documents for Record (Page 1)
  • IX. Public Comments (Page 1)
  • X. Executive Session K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)( ) Subject: (Page 1)
    • a. Executive Session K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(1) Subject: Employee Performance to include Cohen, Bob, and present commissioners – Tran (Page 1)
  • XI. Department Updates (Page 1)
  • XII. Old Business (Page 1)
    • a. Asbestos Inspection and Cort Move Update – Beerbower (Page 1)
    • b. Transfer Station – Tran (Page 2)
    • c. 5% wage increase – Beerbower (Page 2) — see also Commissioner Milburn-Kee’s written memo (Page 170)
    • d. HR – RFP Date and Process – Allen (Page 2)
    • e. Backhoe Bid – Beerbower (Page 2)
  • XIII. New Business (Page 2)
  • XIV. Commission Comments (Page 2)
  • XV. Future Agenda Topics (Page 2) — Auction; HR RFP review; Becky Gray letter of support; Transportation; Insurance; Purchasing policy
  • XVI. Adjournment (Page 2)

Detailed Information Packet Summary

1. Accounts Payable Bills & Invoices (Pages 12–23)

A full “Open Invoices By Department Summary” for the batch due 10/2/2026.

Batch Due 10/2/2026 — Grand Total: $463,336.56 (84 invoices) (Pages 12–23)

  • Non-Departmental / Funds Summary — $444,468.81 total: Employee Benefit fund $301,829.17 (August/September/October Blue Cross Blue Shield medical & dental premiums); Landfill $6,914.66; County Sheriff/Correctional $40,194.18 (includes a $21,450.97 Accurate Controls alarm contract and $3,546.01 Verizon bill); Road and Bridge $18,472.27; Road & Bridge Sales Tax Fund $6,763.06; Road & Bridge Special Improvement $5,950.00 (Professional Engineering Consultants, Bridge 19-2-Q-0); Addiction Settlement Fund $604.06; Emergency Services Sales Tax $63,741.41 (Freeman Fort Scott Hospital sales tax contractual). (Pages 12–15)
  • County Department Operations:
    • County Treasurer — $90.00 (Fort Scott Tribune yearly subscription) (Page 16)
    • County Coroner — $1,400.00 (Cheney Witt and Konantz-Cheney body removal/transport) (Page 17)
    • District Court — $16,602.20 (conflict attorneys, interpreter services, CINC contracts, postage) (Pages 18–19)
    • Emergency Preparedness — $83.12 (Verizon Wireless) (Page 20)
    • Courthouse General — $692.43 (City of Fort Scott utilities) (Page 21)

2. Official Meeting Minutes Approval – September 28, 2026 (Pages 3–11)

  • Attendance & Logistics: Commissioners Milburn, Allen, Tran, Beerbower and Motley, Clerk Clarkson, plus Clint and Rachel Walker, Nelson Blythe, Marlon Merida, Kenny Allen, Jason Silvers and a Murphy Tractor representative. (Page 3)
  • Agenda Modifications: Items added for Kenny Allen’s transfer request, Indigent Cremation and backhoe bids; KC Crown was removed. (Page 3)
  • Executive Sessions: A 15-minute session on Employee Job Performance (all 5 commissioners) authorized Commissioner Tran to request Cohen address personnel matters in person; a separate 20-minute session covered pending litigation. (Pages 4–5)
  • Budget Discussion / Adoption: County Financial Advisor Matt Lawn presented wage-increase cost scenarios (5–15%); the Commission adopted the budget not to exceed 56.678 mills, 4-1 with Beerbower opposed. (Pages 5–6)
  • Other Department Updates: EMPG grant signature authorized for Motley; $325,000 transfer from Road & Bridge Sales Tax Fund to Road & Bridge Fund; $1,750 indigent cremation for William Watson approved. (Page 6)
  • New Business: Murphy Tractor service review (crusher production rose from 400 to 3,600 tons/day); TEC phone prompt reprogramming; Allen County Appraiser MOU approved; Bourbon County Clay Kansas Governor’s Christmas tree ornament entry authorized. (Pages 7–8)
  • Old Business: Purchasing policy bidding thresholds discussed; courthouse construction update; county-defined-contribution benefit proposal tabled; KORA Policy Resolution 32-26 adopted 4-1 (Allen opposed); transfer station equipment and 2027 rate-increase motion (died for lack of second). (Pages 8–10)
  • Future Agenda Topics & Adjournment: Backhoe bids, IT security training, HR RFP responses, courthouse/warehouse move update. (Pages 10–11)

3. Bank Reconciliation & Fund Status Reports (Pages 24–32)

  • Bank Reconciliation (through 8/31/2026): Treasurer General Account cash balance $7,523,153.32; Clerk’s Payables Account $695,882.98; $1,550,000 in county CDs; total county cash balance $9,770,736.30, certified by Treasurer Jennifer Hawkins. (Page 24)
  • Fund Status Report (1/1/2026–8/31/2026): Detailed receipts, disbursements and ending balances by fund for General, Special Purpose, Business, Trust, Cities, Townships, Agency and other county funds. (Pages 26–32)

4. Accounts Payable Corrections from 9/18/26 (Pages 34–35)

  • A $15,421.96 correction batch (Card Services, City of Fort Scott, Evergy x4, Kirkland Welding Supplies) reconciling the difference between the approved and full 9/18/2026 AP totals. (Page 34)
  • A follow-up correction sheet (10/18 and 10/25 entries) fixing miscoded account numbers, including a flagged Amazon charge “WRONG VENDOR – SHOULD BE VERIZON.” (Page 35)

5. Tax Roll Corrections (Pages 36–55)

A series of real-estate, oil-lease and motor-vehicle tax roll abatement corrections approved by the County Appraiser’s office, affecting multiple tax years.

  • Liberty Cellular Inc. (Scott Township cell tower parcel) — abatements for tax years 2017–2019 after a state review determined the improvement should be classified as personal property, each reducing net tax by roughly $376–$403. (Pages 36–38)
  • Grace Baptist Church Inc. (424 S Margrave) — abatements for tax years 2017–2025 tied to a BOTA protest/index change, each with a refund amount. (Pages 39–42, 49–52)
  • S&K Oil Production Inc. (George, Steve lease) — $10.96 net tax reduction for 2024. (Page 43)
  • Curfman, Amanda B and Farrington, Buddy E & Jannah L parcels — valuation/quality-rating corrections for 2023–2025, each with refund amounts. (Pages 45–48)
  • Miler, Kevic Lee — truck tax roll corrections (2023–2025, Ford Excursion) after the vehicle was moved to Linn County. (Pages 53–55)

6. September 21, 2026 Meeting Minutes & Resolution 31-26 (Pages 56–62)

  • Minutes: Budget discussion on Road and Bridge’s projected $240,000 overspend, a baseline 5% wage increase (with some commissioners favoring up to 15%), and an executive session on appraiser employment. Commissioner Allen moved to continue onboarding a new County Appraiser. (Pages 56–59)
  • Resolution 31-26 — defines office-space and area-of-responsibility assignments throughout the Courthouse and Annex, including restricted cell-pod storage areas; adopted unanimously. (Pages 60–62)

7. KORA Policy Resolution 32-26 (Pages 63–71)

A full rewrite of the county’s Kansas Open Records Act procedures, assigning records-custodian responsibility to each office/department rather than routing all requests through the Clerk, and setting a $0.50-per-page copy fee plus staff-time and electronic-records charges. Supersedes Resolutions 99-19 and 10-06.

  • Responsibility table lists the Clerk, Executive Assistant, Appraiser, Treasurer, County Attorney, Register of Deeds, Sheriff, EMS and Public Works as custodians of their own records. (Page 65)
  • Fee schedule, large/burdensome-request procedures and advance-payment rules. (Pages 68–70)

8. EMPG Grant Application FY2026 (Pages 72–73)

  • Emergency Management Performance Grant application naming Louella Howard as a new, part-time (15 hr/week) Emergency Manager; signed by Commission Chairman Gregg Motley and submitted to KDEM on 9/29/2026. (Pages 72–73)

9. Indigent Cremation Invoice – William Watson (Page 74)

  • Cheney Witt Funeral Chapel statement for $1,750.00, ordered by the Bourbon County Coroner, dated 9/28/2026. (Page 74)

10. 2027 Proposed Budget & 2026 Adopted Budget Documents (Pages 75–168)

The full certified 2027 budget package (and, for comparison, the prior year’s 2026 adopted budget), covering every fund.

  • 2027 Certificate: total budget authority $20,715,019 against $8,148,524 in 2026 ad valorem tax, a proposed 56.678-mill rate requiring a Revenue Neutral Rate resolution (RNR 54.661). (Page 75)
  • Fund-by-fund detail for General, Appraiser, Election, Employee Benefit, Law Enforcement, Noxious Weeds, Road & Bridge, EMS, Landfill, Jail/County Building Sales Tax, Opioid Fund and more, plus Statement of Indebtedness ($5,080,000 in G.O. bonds) and Statement of Conditional Lease-Purchases ($3,098,088 outstanding, including the Rock Crusher, Motor Graders and Sheriff vehicles). (Pages 77–103)
  • A separate “2027 Wage Impact Summary by Department/Fund” models the cost difference between a 5% and 15% wage increase across every fund — a combined $629,603 in additional wages, Social Security and KPERS costs if raised to 15%. (Page 103)
  • The prior 2026 budget certificate and fund pages are included for reference. (Pages 104–168)

11. Employee Compensation Memo – Commissioner Milburn-Kee (Page 170)

  • A written statement arguing for a formal compensation survey and a structured plan (1.5–2% cost-of-living plus a performance-based pool up to 5% total) before any wage decision, rather than raising wages position by position. (Page 170)

12. Tobacco Products Distributor’s Tax Bond – Eagles and Osprey LLC (Pages 184–186)

  • A $1,000 Kansas Department of Revenue tobacco distributor’s tax bond for Eagles and Osprey LLC (804 195th St, Fort Scott), effective 9/30/2026, underwritten by Endurance Assurance Corporation — background documentation for the “Distribution of Tobacco” new-business item presented by Dr. Roger K. Harris. (Pages 184–186)
Fort Scott Community College, Opinion

From the Bleachers: Who Knows Your Name?

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By Dr. Jack Welch

Who Knows Your Name?

“I could have gone to college on a football scholarship. I had an offer right out of high school, but I joined a rock-and-roll band and ended up going nowhere. Now I’m fixing garage doors.” There is nothing wrong with fixing garage doors. Honest work is good work. The sad part is not the garage doors. It is the words, “I could have.”

Those words can become the epitaph of a dream. Imagine opening a high school yearbook and reading beneath every picture what that person dreamed of becoming. A doctor. Teacher. Coach. Athlete. Business owner. Musician. Missionary. Farmer. So many dreams. So many mountaintop visions.

Then life happened. Things happen to every one of us, some we want and some we don’t. We can’t always control what happens, but we can control how we respond. I call that attitude.

I’ve heard it said, “Obstacles are only visible when you lose sight of the goal.” Obstacles are real. Sometimes we stumble, fumble and fall. Sometimes people try to hold us back. Yet failure can teach us, disappointment can strengthen us, and adversity can make us better.

The heart of a person determines their lifestyle. A good friend of mine recently received a heart transplant. He has always had the heart of a champion. My prayer is that this new heart will allow him to continue encouraging people, sharing his life and helping others. Most importantly, I know God has him in His hands.

John 13 tells us how Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. One by one, Jesus cared for them individually. He knew each of them. He saw them. He served them. He even washed Judas’s feet. Jesus sees us individually. He knows our needs. He knows our hearts. He knows our names.

We make our name every day. We make it through how we treat people, how we respond to adversity, whether we keep going when we fall, and whether we encourage others. Don’t spend your life saying, “I could have.” Get out of the nest. Spread your wings. Keep your vision. Guard your attitude. Take care of your heart.

Your name isn’t simply something you’re given. You make your name every day.

Think about it.

Thought for the Week: “You may not get to choose what happens to you, but you do get to choose how you respond. Guard your heart, keep your eyes on the goal, and remember, you are making your name by the way you live every day.” — 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.

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Police Department

Fort Scott Police Day Sheets – October 4, 2026

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Fort Scott Police Day Sheets

Fort Scott Police Day Sheets – October 4, 2026

Fort Scott police, fire and EMS logged 49 calls for service on October 4, 2026.

Reports and Arrests

Traffic Stop — 12:49 AM, Shep’s Curve #, Fort Scott. Complaint No. 26-01603FS. Disposition: RPTG.

Warrant Service / Arrest — 12:18 PM, 106 Crawford. Complaint No. 26-01601FS. Disposition: ARRC.

Domestic / Physical — 2:10 PM, 420 W Wall St, Fort Scott. Complaint No. 26-01602FS. Disposition: ARRC.

EMS — 5:39 PM, 110 N 100. Complaint No. 26-0943BB. Disposition: * Multiple.

Traffic Stop — 11:47 PM, 69 Hwy. Complaint No. 26-0944BB. Disposition: RPTG.

Fire and EMS

EMS — 12:28 AM, 2104 S Eddy, Fort Scott. Disposition: AMBU.

EMS / Transfer — 7:20 AM, 401 Woodland Hills Blvd, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: AMBU.

EMS — 2:32 PM, 215 W First. Disposition: AMBU.

EMS / Transfer — 2:57 PM, 401 Woodland Hills Blvd, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: AMBU.

EMS — 4:50 PM, 2500 S Main, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: AMBU.

Other Calls for Service

27,28,29 Checks — 12:05 AM, 1604 National, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: NR.

Check Vehicle — 1:30 AM, 69 Hwy. Disposition: HBO.

Seeking Advice/Info — 2:38 AM, 730 Horton St, Fort Scott. Disposition: HBO.

Noise Complaint — 3:39 AM, Oak. Disposition: HBO.

Seeking Advice/Info — 9:16 AM, 293 E 20th St. Disposition: HBO.

Traffic Complaint / Livestock — 9:38 AM, 7 Hwy. Disposition: 77.

911 / Accidental — 9:45 AM, 38 Golf View Dr. Disposition: HBD.

Check Vehicle — 9:55 AM, 7 Hwy. Disposition: HBO.

Check Subject — 10:32 AM, 140th Grand Rd. Disposition: HBO.

Seeking Advice/Info — 10:53 AM, 708 W 2nd St. Disposition: HBD.

Check Welfare — 11:24 AM, 714 Short St. Disposition: HBO.

Seeking Advice/Info — 12:23 PM, 293 E 20th St. Disposition: HBO.

Suspicious Activity — 1:24 PM, 101 Old Fort Blvd, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: HBD.

Vehicle Unlock — 1:40 PM, 1919 S Horton St, Fort Scott. Disposition: HBO.

Motorist Assist — 1:43 PM, Grand Rd. Disposition: HBO.

Suspicious Vehicle — 1:56 PM, Little St. Disposition: 77.

No Problem — 2:00 PM, 1604 National, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: HBO.

Seeking Advice/Info — 3:23 PM, 293 E 20th St. Disposition: HBO.

Suspicious Activity — 4:22 PM, Heylman, Fort Scott. Disposition: HBO.

Traffic Complaint / Livestock — 6:43 PM, 69 Hwy. Disposition: HBO.

Seeking Advice/Info / City — 6:58 PM, 1604 National, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: HBO.

Narcotics — 7:52 PM, 1720 E 1st St. Disposition: HBO.

Check Vehicle — 10:11 PM, 201 S National, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: HBO.

Check Vehicle — 10:17 PM, 69 Hwy. Disposition: HBO.

Traffic Stops

Traffic Stop — 1:35 AM, 69 Hwy. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 2:16 AM, 69 Hwy. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 2:54 AM, 69 Hwy. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 3:10 AM, 54 Hwy. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 3:14 AM, 69 Hwy. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 9:47 AM, 69 Hwy. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 3:51 PM, N Washington St. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 4:09 PM, Wall St, Fort Scott. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 7:17 PM, 69 Hwy. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 7:41 PM, 69 Hwy, Fort Scott. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 8:53 PM, 6th St. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 9:20 PM, Cooper. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 10:05 PM, 2216 S Main St, Fort Scott. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 10:20 PM, 2nd St. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 10:40 PM, 54 Hwy. Disposition: WW.

Total Calls for Service: 49

Documents:

Bourbon County, Bourbon County Sheriff's Office

Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Report – Oct. 5, 2026

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Bourbon County Sheriff’s Report

Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Report – October 5, 2026

Arrested

Redbird, Nathaniel C (Age 46) — Arrested 10/2/2026 11:25 AM by Douglas County. Charge: Other Agency Hold. Bond: $0.00.

Wolford, John Ross (Age 41) — Arrested 10/2/2026 11:50 AM by Douglas County. Charge: Other Agency Hold. Bond: $0.00.

Rhoades, Timmy Lee (Age 41) — Arrested 10/2/2026 12:00 PM by Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office. Charge: Sanction. Bond: No Bond, $0.00.

Chase, Jesse Lee (Age 26) — Arrested 10/2/2026 8:00 PM by Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office. Charge: Sanction. Bond: $0.00. Released 10/4/2026 8:05 PM via Own Recognizance.

Benjamin, Clinton Donald (Age 48) — Arrested 10/2/2026 10:46 PM by Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office. Charge: Assault. Bond: $2,500.00 Cash/Surety. Released 10/4/2026 8:56 PM via Surety Bond.

McDaniel, Landon Lee (Age 18) — Arrested 10/3/2026 3:32 AM by Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office. Charge: Driving Under Influence of Alcohol or Drugs (Misdemeanor), Liquor; Purchase/Possess/Consume by Minor 18-20 Yrs (Unknown Conviction), Transporting an Open Container. Bond: $1,000.00 Cash/Surety. Released 10/4/2026 2:11 PM via Cash Bond.

Cummings, William Allen (Age 58) — Arrested 10/3/2026 7:08 PM by Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office. Charge: Driving Under the Influence (3rd Conviction in 10 Yrs, Combination Drugs and Alcohol), Driving While a Habitual Violator, Failure to Stop at Accident (Misdemeanor), Ignition Interlock Device Violation, Vehicle Liability Insurance Required Violation, Vehicles Operated in Kansas; Registration, Violation of Restrictions on Driver’s License or Permit. Bond: No Bond, $0.00.

Belcher-Cowlishaw, Gabrielle Kaye (Age 21) — Arrested 10/4/2026 12:36 PM by Fort Scott Police Department. Charge: Warrant Bourbon County (Probation Violation), Warrant No. BB-26-CR-64. Bond: No Bond, $0.00.

Doherty, Landon Monroe (Age 23) — Arrested 10/4/2026 2:35 PM by Fort Scott Police Department. Charge: Aggravated Endangering a Child, Aggravated Kidnapping, Criminal Restraint, Domestic Battery (Misdemeanor). Bond: No Bond, $0.00.

Released

Benjamin, Clinton Donald — Released 10/4/2026 8:56 PM via Surety Bond (A+ Bonding).

Chase, Jesse Lee — Released 10/4/2026 8:05 PM via Own Recognizance (Self).

Crowe, Katie Lee — Released 10/3/2026 12:13 PM via Surety Bond (American Western Bonding).

Evanoff, Tristen Jenifer-Lee — Released 10/2/2026 2:15 AM via Cash Bond (Self).

Harbin, Jacob Albert-Louis — Released 10/2/2026 10:04 AM via Own Recognizance (Self).

McDaniel, Landon Lee — Released 10/4/2026 2:11 PM via Cash Bond (Self).

Renfro, Joshua Wayne — Released 10/2/2026 10:41 AM via Transferred Out (Douglas Co).

Salazar, Joshua — Released 10/2/2026 10:40 AM via Transferred Out (Douglas Co).

Staten, Madison Jane — Released 10/3/2026 9:10 AM via Surety Bond (American Western Bonding).

Vandament, Loretta Lynn — Released 10/3/2026 12:32 AM via Surety Bond (A+ Bonding).

Windsor, Gail Renae — Released 10/2/2026 12:19 PM via Own Recognizance (Self).

Total Inmates Released: 11

Documents:

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Seeks Sponsors for Halloween Trick-or-Treat Parade

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The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce presents the Halloween Trick-or-Treat Parade on Saturday, October 31st. Festivities start at 10am, with the parade at 11am, in downtown Fort Scott.

Start at the City Scales building on North Main at 10:00 a.m. for photos with a Halloween backdrop and face painting by the Fort Scott High School Thespians.

The parade begins at La Hacienda at 11:00 a.m. Families will trick-or-treat with downtown merchants as they travel south on Main Street to 2nd Street, cross the street and return north to Skubitz Plaza. Be sure to bring a bag for treats!

Following the parade, children in costume will receive a free slice of Papa Don’s pizza and a drink.

Trick or Treat Parade flyer

Each year, more than 600 children join us downtown for the Fort Scott Halloween Parade. We’re inviting local businesses to help make this free tradition possible again on Saturday, October 31!

Sponsorships help provide drinks for the children and cover advertising, supplies and other event needs. There are several ways to take part:

Presenting Sponsor: $500
Jack-o’-Lantern Sponsor: $250
Bat Sponsor: $100

Each level offers opportunities for business recognition. The attached flyer has the full details and benefits for each level.

We also welcome in-kind donations, including drinks, candy and other supplies. Businesses and organizations can set up a free table along the parade route to hand out treats, coupons or information. If you would like to donate bulk candy, ask us about becoming a Candy Collection Partner.

Mail checks payable to the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce or drop off donations at 231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.

Local businesses planning to hand out candy, please call 620-223-3566 or email communications@fortscott.com to reserve a spot along Main Street!

Thank you for helping us make Halloween a fun day for Fort Scott children and families!

Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Downtown Meet & Greet Set for Oct. 6 at Cohn’s Cafe

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Downtown Meet & Greet, Tuesday October 6th, 8:30-9:30am, Cohn's Cafe, 110 S. Main St.

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites you!

Join us for the Downtown Meet & Greet

Tuesday, October 6, 2026

8:30 to 9:30 am

Cohn’s Cafe

110 S. Main St., Fort Scott

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites downtown business owners, representatives, and community members to its next Downtown Meet & Greet.

We are excited to welcome special guest, Kansas Main Street Director Drew Simpson! Stop by to meet him, connect with others downtown, and share ideas about events, promotions, and the future of our downtown district.

Questions? Contact the Chamber at (620) 223-3566.

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701
620-223-3566
fortscott.com

Kansas

Cost Share Funds Available for Livestock Water Efficiency

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MANHATTAN, Kansas — The Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Division of Conservation is pleased to announce the availability of funds in the form of cost share assistance and incentive payments to assist commercial feedlots and dairy operations with livestock water efficiency technology. The Kansas Livestock Water Efficiency Project is part of the state’s ongoing effort to encourage water conservation and to seek solutions for water challenges in the state.

This initiative is designed to enhance and/or upgrade current large-scale livestock watering systems in commercial feedlots and dairies by providing cost share assistance for practices such as upgrading to high efficiency livestock waterers, water controls, and water recycling systems.

KDA–DOC will accept applications from Wednesday, October 14, 2026, to the close of business Friday, November 6, 2026. Equipment purchases and subscriptions made before application approval by KDA–DOC are not eligible for this initiative. Eligible applicants must hold a current water right for stock water with the state of Kansas.

Funding is provided through appropriation from the State Water Plan Fund and the program is administered by KDA–DOC in consultation with the State Conservation Commission.

Applications for this irrigation technology cost share funding must be made through KDA–DOC. Find more information about the project including the application and more details about funding eligibility at www.agriculture.ks.gov/DOCLivestockWater or email Jake Dooling at Jacob.Dooling@ks.gov.

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening in Fort Scott This Weekend: Oct 3-4

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Stay safe & enjoy your weekend! What’s happening in Fort Scott this October 2nd weekend edition, from the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.

What's Happening This Weekend graphic

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3

70th & Final Pioneer Harvest Fiesta | Bourbon County Fairgrounds

Fort Scott Farmers Market | 8 AM to Noon

Gordon Parks Celebration | Events throughout the day

Oktoberfest Steinholding Competition | Bam-Bam Brewing

The Market at 23 Main V.I.P. Vendor Thank You Event | 6 PM

✨ Sunshine Boutique VIP Night | 6 PM

FSCC Alumni Rodeo + Coach Chad Cross Recognition | Performance 7:30 PM

Historic Fort Scott Trolley Tours | 10 AM, 11:30 AM,

1 PM & 2:30 PM

Crooners The Night Cap | 9 to 11 PM

Clark Street Lights + ScareFest Haunted House | 7 to 10 PM

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4

Final Day of the 70th & Final Pioneer Harvest Fiesta

Final Day of Oktoberfest at Bam-Bam Brewing

☕ Crooners Sunday Brunch Buffet | 10 AM to Noon

Clark Street Lights | 7 to 10 PM

Chiefs vs. Raiders | 3:25 PM

✅ See more events & details: https://fortscott.com/events

Historic Trolley Tours

Ride Dolly the Trolley and explore Fort Scott’s history with a narrated tour. Fridays & Saturdays – Now Boarding!

Trolley Tours

Save the Date!

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber Coffees – Every Thursday at 8am

Upcoming Calendar of Events

Fort Scott National Historic Site – Visit your National Park! Visitor Center and historic buildings are open Friday through Tuesday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. The grounds continue to be open daily from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset. Visit the website at fortscott National Historic Site.

The Artificers offers classes for ALL ages! See their class schedule at fortscott.com.

BINGO hosted by the American Legion Post 25 every 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month unless it falls on a holiday. Doors open at 6pm and Bingo starts at 7pm at Memorial Hall.

KANSASWORKS in Fort Scott – Every Tuesday 9am-4pm. Office located at the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, 104 N. National Ave. 620-231-4250

FS Public Library – Wednesday Writers every Wed. @ 1:30-3pm, 201 S. National Ave.

$3 Tuesdays at Fort Cinema! Follow their Facebook Page for updates.

Kansas Small Business Development Center at the Chamber, 231 E. Wall St. Every 2nd Thursday of the month 9am-3pm.

Want more details or updates on Community, Chamber, and Member events? Find full dates, times, locations, and links on the Chamber’s community calendar at fortscott.com/events/calendar/.

Recurring Events

Farmers Market – Saturday Markets (May-October) 8am-12pm

Shopping ~ Support Local!

Boutiques, antiques, flea markets & more! Visit fortscott.com for Chamber member specialty shopping and other retail in Downtown & other areas of the community.

Upcoming Movie Schedule @ Fort Cinema

Fort Cinema movie schedule

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701 | 620-223-3566 | fortscott.com

Obituary

Obituary of Corinne Teressa Demko

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Corinne Teressa Demko

Corinne Teressa Demko passed away peacefully on September 27, 2026, in Overland Park, Kansas. She will be remembered with love by her family, friends, former students, and the countless people whose lives she touched throughout her life.

Born on February 26, 1952, in New Jersey, to John and Dorothy Gleason, Cory was blessed with a fierce spirit, wonderful sense of humor, and big, open heart. It was in New Jersey that she met the love of her life and husband, Allan Demko. Together, they built a home, family and wonderful careers in New Jersey, Vermont, New Hampshire, and finally Kansas.

In her professional life, Cory was a beloved teacher at Laconia Head Start for 25 years, dedicating herself to helping young children learn, grow, and feel loved and supported. Her warmth, kindness, patience, and genuine love for children left a lasting impression on countless lives. The children and families she served held a very special place in her heart, and the impact she made will continue to live on through the many lives she touched.

Cory’s greatest joy, however, was her family. She was proud of and is survived by her three sons, Luke, Mathew, and Andrew Demko. And it was during her retirement in Kansas and frequent trips to California that she took on her most cherished role as “Nanny” to her beloved grandchildren. Nanny tried to never miss any of their events and, if she did, loved seeing highlights and getting a play-by-play shortly thereafter. Supporting her family and celebrating their accomplishments brought her tremendous joy.

Cory was preceded in death by her husband Alan S. Demko; her parents John and Dorothy Gleason; and her sisters Suanne Cordani and Valerie Gleason. She is survived by her sisters Christine Heimbuch and her husband James; her sister Kathleen Gleason; her brother John Gleason and his wife Carol; her son Matthew Demko; her son Andrew Demko and his wife Courtney Demko; her son Luke Demko and his wife Kimberly Demko; and her cherished grandchildren, Samantha Demko, Olivia Demko, Coralen Demko and Easton Demko.

Those who knew Cory knew she had many passions (books, card games, mahjong, the Boston Red Sox, and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, to name a few), and she never hesitated to share her enthusiasm for the things she loved.

Cory will be deeply missed by her family and all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her kindness, laughter, love, and generous spirit will remain in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

Her memory will live on through the generations of her family, through the children she taught, and through all those fortunate enough to have known and loved her.

A celebration of her life will be held at Mary Queen of Angels Church in Fort Scott, Kansas on October 8, 2026, at 10:00 am with burial at St. Mary’s cemetery following the mass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Corinne’s memory to St. Mary’s School in Fort Scott, Kansas.

K-State Extension

Rooted & Ready Homestead Series Returns This Fall in Chanute

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Lonnie Mengarelli. Submitted photo.

By Lonnie Mengarelli – Extension Agent, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Southwind District

Following the success of last year’s homesteading education series in Fort Scott, Southwind Extension District is bringing the program back this fall with a new location. The response to last year’s program demonstrated a strong interest in practical homesteading and small-scale farming education, and participants encouraged Extension to offer the series again in a location closer to the center of the district. This year, the “Rooted & Ready: Practical Skills for Home, Land & Homestead” series will be held in Chanute, making the program more accessible to residents throughout the Southwind District.

Rooted & Ready is designed for both new homesteaders and those with experience who want to expand their skills. The series will focus on practical information that participants can take home and put to work.

The six-part series will cover a variety of topics related to growing food, raising livestock, managing natural resources, and turning products into potential income.

The series will begin Tuesday, October 6, at 6 p.m. with “Pests, Predators, and Protection.” This program will look at common pests and predators that can create challenges around the homestead and discuss practical management and protection options.

The remaining programs include:

October 13 – “Grow Your Grid: Homestead Garden Planning” – Participants will learn strategies for planning and managing a productive garden.

October 27 – “Livestock School: From Start to Stock with Sheep, Goats, and Pigs” – This session will provide information for those interested in raising small livestock, including considerations for getting started and managing these species.

November 3 – “Recipes to Revenue: Turning Homemade Foods into Market-Ready Products” – Participants will learn food safety requirements to meet KDA compliance for farm to table sales.

November 10 – “The Laying Line: Poultry for Reliable Food Supply” – This session will focus on poultry production and ways to establish a dependable source of eggs and food for the homestead.

Thursday, November 19 – “Deep Roots: Soil & Forage Strategies for Resilient Farms” – The final program will focus on soil health and forage management strategies that can help build productive and resilient small farms.

All programs will begin at 6 p.m. with a meal sponsored by Cleaver Farm and Home. Programs will be held at the Central Park Pavilion, 2nd Street and Forest Avenue in Chanute.

The Rooted & Ready series is being presented by Southwind Extension District agents who bring together expertise in agriculture, natural resources, and rural living.

Participants do not have to attend the entire series. Those interested can attend individual sessions based on their interests, or participate in all six programs for a broader look at the skills involved in homesteading and small-scale farming.

Whether someone is starting with a backyard garden, adding livestock to their property, managing a small farm or simply looking for ways to become more self-reliant, the goal of Rooted & Ready is to provide practical knowledge that can be put to use at home.

Reservations are requested for meal counts. For more information or to reserve a seat, contact the Southwind Extension District office at 620-223-3720.

Lonnie Mengarelli is a Kansas State University Extension Agriculture agent assigned to the Southwind District. He may be reached at mengo57@ksu.edu or 620-223-3720.

Uncategorized

Cato Day set for Saturday, October 3

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Cato Day 2026

The Cato Historical Preservation Association will present the annual Cato Day on Saturday, October 3rd, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities for all ages. Admission is free.

Cato, Kansas — The annual Cato Day will be held on Saturday, October 3rd, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in historic Cato, Kansas. This free event, organized by the Cato Historical Preservation Association to celebrate Cato’s pioneer heritage, features activities for all ages. These include music and history at the historic Cato Christian Church, a Cavalry drill and historic reenactment led by Matt Feild, a visit to the “Old Stone School,” and a hayrack ride to local historical sites. The Southeast Kansas Antique Tractor Club will have train rides for kids and tractor displays. During lunch, Jim Harris and the Players Circle will perform, and pulled pork sandwiches, prepared by Shawn Pryer and the Mighty MO Chuck Wagon Crew, will be available for purchase. There will also be a raffle for a quilt donated by Sue James. All proceeds will go toward preserving Cato’s historic buildings and sponsoring Cato Kids’ Day, held every year for local fourth- and fifth-graders.

Cato is located in northern Crawford County off Hwy 69. From Hwy 69, take 720th Avenue West and follow the signs to Cato. Directions can be found at catoschool.com. Cato is an open-air museum whose buildings are only open to the public a few times a year, so don’t miss this rare opportunity.

The Cato Historical Preservation Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the buildings and history of Cato and the surrounding area.

Contact

Katharine Spigarelli, President
Cato Historical Preservation Association
417-825-2127
kspigarelli@gmail.com
http://catoschool.com/

Obituary

Obituary: Fletcher Keith Wheeler, Age 86

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Fletcher Keith Wheeler

Fletcher Keith Wheeler, age 86, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away at home on September 28, 2026. He was born on December 19, 1939, in Hiattville, Kansas to Warren (Fay) Wheeler and Dorothy (Lorene) Barker Wheeler.

Fletcher spent much of his working life with the Frisco and Burlington Northern Railroad as a brakeman and conductor. He enjoyed camping, hunting, and fishing. He especially looked forward to trips to Minnesota and Canada to hunt with his brothers, nephews, grandson, and friends. He also liked Monday night poker games, where good company and mostly friendly competition were part of the tradition. He loved spending time with and spoiling his granddaughter, and he left her with many special memories. Dogs were also a big part of his life, and he loved his German Shepherds and Malamutes.

One of the things he was best known for was his ability to fix things. He was often the person others turned to when something needed repair. Those who knew Fletcher will remember his stories and laughter. They will remember the trips, the games, and his willingness to always lend a helping hand.

Survivors include daughters, Shelly Shirley (Tom), Springfield, Mo and Lisa Wheeler, Palm Harbor, FL; grandson Daniel Shirley (Ashley), Kansas City, Mo; granddaughter Kaitlyn Shirley of Springfield, Mo and sister, Cynthia Post, Fort Scott, Ks.

Fletcher was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Kay, brothers Jerry Wheeler and Rex Wheeler, sister Shirley Burcham, and nephews DeWayne Post and Joshua Wheeler.

Per his wishes, there will be no service.

Memorials are suggested to go to Wayside Waifs (animal shelter) 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.

Bourbon County Local News