The future of agriculture is no longer confined to local borders; it is a global industry that requires world-class expertise. For students like Brayton Brueggen, the path to mastering the ancient craft of milling now leads from the heart of the Midwest to the cutting-edge laboratories of Europe.
Brayton, a Louisburg native and junior at Kansas State University, is currently studying Milling Science and Management. Thanks to the support of the Stacy Goedeke Scholarship through the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK), he recently traded the Manhattan campus for a six-month intensive program at the renowned Swiss Milling School in St. Gallen, Switzerland.
“I like to say the experience was informative, transformative, and fun,” Brayton said. “I learned so much about milling and about myself while having a great time.”
During his semester abroad, Brayton immersed himself in eight major areas of milling science. However, the education wasn’t just technical. He networked with future industry leaders from 14 different countries across six continents, all while finding time to explore and admire the historic architecture of Europe.
“I got to pursue my passion while having an incredible experience I’ll remember forever,” he noted.
For Brayton, the Stacy Goedeke Scholarship through CFSEK was the key that unlocked this international door. He explained that scholarships are vital because they allow students to pursue high-level ambitions without the weight of financial barriers. “My scholarship helped pay for my experience abroad so I could focus on my studies and enjoy the experience without financial stress.”
When it comes to the application process, Brayton encourages his peers to be bold. “Don’t be afraid to talk about your accomplishments,” he advised. “Asking for help is the whole idea, so sell yourself.”
CFSEK scholarship applications close March 31st, 2026. A full list of scholarships and their requirements is available at SoutheastKansas.org/Students/Scholarship. Scholarship applications are available online at SoutheastKansas.org/Scholarship-App.
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas awarded over $2.8 million in grants from all foundation funds in 2025 and has facilitated over $28 million in total granting to Southeast Kansas since its inception in 2001. CFSEK serves the region by providing donors with various charitable interests and encouraging charitable giving, which addresses present and future needs in our area. The Columbus Area, Fort Scott Area, and Girard Area Community Foundations are affiliates of CFSEK. More information about CFSEK is available at SoutheastKansas.org.
Masterson Announces Passage of Two Bills Supporting Kansas Farmers
Topeka, KS — Today, Kansas Senate President Masterson announced the passage of two crucial bills supporting Kansas ag producers. HB 2422 and SB 498.
HB 2422 strengthens penalties for grain theft by making it a severity level 6 nonperson felony, sending a clear message that criminals who target Kansas producers will face serious consequences. SB 498 creates an income tax credit to support the retail sale of higher ethanol fuel blends, helping drive demand for Kansas-grown crops and supporting the next generation of energy production.
“Kansas farmers work hard every day to feed and fuel our nation. They deserve leaders who will fight for them,” Masterson said. “These bills protect their livelihoods and help open the door to stronger markets and better prices. I’m proud to lead efforts that put Kansas agriculture first and keep our rural communities strong.”
Commissioner Samuel Tran passed around the stacks of checks he, as chairman, is supposed to sign for review by the other members of the commission. He said that is how he intends to do county business as long as he is chair. The commissioners all approved the checks they reviews and the Accounts Payable in the amount of $437,772.71.
Public Comments
Nick Graham from Uniontown said he felt compelled to speak by information gathered from Facebook regarding accusations of waste, fraud, and abuse made by the commission. A private citizen posted two letters from the commission to the attorney general’s office detailing these accusations.
Graham said the commission should immediately vote to put out an RFP for an independent forensic audit of payroll to be conducted by a vetted firm with no previous connections to the county to head off accusations of bias. The report should be made available to the public. The public should also be informed whether or not the attorney general or the county attorney has found any of the accusations to be actionable for prosecution as soon as the commission is notified. The cost of the audit may be significant, but compared to the loss of public trust if it is not done, it is a cost worth incurring.
Graham also warned from his own experience that citizens who are passionate and willing to speak out need to be cautious about posting anything to social media on behalf of any political figures that those figures aren’t willing to post themselves.
Kyle Parks came to show his support the commissioners, especially those who had been serving longest. He believes they should be paid. Tran ran for office saying he would not be “one of the good old boys,” and Parks is grateful that he has not been.
He also said of those who attend commission meetings but only have negative things to say about the commission, “If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.” Respect and courtesy are still needed.
“I think that’s ridiculous,” he said of citizens demanding resignations and recalls because of their disagreements with the commission.
“I think our commissioners are … trying to do their best for Bourbon County and it is much appreciated,” he concluded to applause from the gallery.
Dan Doherty from district 5 asked if the citizens remembered the challenge of getting the commission to five commissioners rather than three and how hard the worked to accomplish it. Concerning the call by some for certain county commissioners to resign or for a recall, he likened it to “calling for us to suffer from a shortage of commissioners for our county” with no way to know if the replacements will be any better than those in office now.
“It takes us in a backward direction,” he said. Complaints are counter-productive. He called the conflict within the county “relatively minor administrative friction points,” that happen in all kinds of organizations. He encouraged the commissioners not to get caught up in that game but to keep doing what they are doing and keep moving forward. More applause followed his comments.
Mike Wonderly: Commented on the attacks on commissioners Milburn, Tran, and Beerbower. He said that they are making decisions in open, unlike previous commissions. All three of them were voted in by healthy margins.
Wonderly was disappointed at the hypocracy of those who attacked the commission last week. He pointed out that jumping on Tran for his “feelings” comment, but letting Register of Deeds Lora Holdridge call Beerbower names in an open meeting without reprimand is a double standard.
“I may not agree with every decision these commissioners make, but they were elected to ask and deal with tough issues. I just think we should let them do the job the voters elected them to do,” he concluded to further applause.
Department Updates Sewer – Matt Quick, County Appraiser
There is no training required for codes enforcers in the appraisers office at this time. The current codes officer has done online training.
Tran confirmed that the code requires a county permit for those who update their septic systems. New septic installs give a drawing of the system to the county to file.
Tran also asked what keeps people from modifying their systems without getting a county permit.
“We have no way of policing that,” answered Quick.
NRP – Matt Quick
Quick gave a brief explanation of Neighborhood Revitalization Program tax rebates. The rebate is is determined by the property’s value increase based on what improvements are made. The checks were problematic this year due to problems with CIC (the county’s accounting software). Quick has to go back through all 242 NRP’s in Bourbon County and recalculate them to make sure they are accurate.
“This is an across the state issue for whoever has CIC,” said County Clerk Susan Walker.
“We appreciate everybody’s patience with this,” said County Treasurer Jennifer Hawkins. She said her office is double-checking what’s already been checked to make sure everyone receives the correct amount.
Appraisal update – Matt Quick
Appraisal values are locked in for 2025, but for 2026 there’s still time for changes. The appraised value went up $45 million in total across the county, with the majority of homes seeing approximately a 7% increase in valuation.
County Clerk Updates — Susan Walker
Candidate filings are due June 1. July 14 is the deadline to register to vote or update voter registrations in order to vote in the primary. A full calendar will be available once the county gets more information from the secretary of state.
The county has been through a KPRS (Kansas Public Employees Retirement System) audit of the entire employee pool for 2024 and 2025.
There were minimal errors totaling 0.009%. Walker praised her employees for their work on payroll. “My payroll clerk did a really good job,” said Walker.
Old Business Salary Resolution – Beerbower
This annual resolutions requires review by the Kansas Board of County Commissioners. Commissioner David Beerbower took responsibility for the tardiness of getting the resolution handled.
While the previous commission, which put forward the proposition of moving the county from three to five commissioners said that there would be no salary increase, that was not the language in the question on the ballot when it passed.
Beerbower said that while he was in favor of going to five commissioners, he cautioned those whose only concern was cost to vote against it.
“I’m not in it for the money. I didn’t do it for the money. But I do agree that we should get paid,” he said.
Beerbower acknowledged that he is the only remaining member of the board of commissioners which said they would accept a reduction in pay. He stood by his original promise and said he would take a 40% cut, from $21,416 to $12,849.
Commissioner Joe Allen spoke first, saying that he didn’t know the position was even paid when he offered to take the job. His question was what will happen to the money that would not be spent on commissioner salaries if they vote the reduction in.
Beerbower said that there’s a pay increase schedule in the works for county employees but it won’t be ready for 60 days. He suggested creating an employee salary reserve fund inside the general fund to begin the pay raises.
“If its going to be moved somewhere, I want it to go to the employees,” said Allen.
Commissioner Mika Milburn proposed another resolution. She invited Beerbower to take on changing the salaries of some county officials back to what they had been in 2024, since he voted against the salary resolution that gave big increases in the 2025 salary resolution.
Beerbower said that those officials have had a whole year at the new salary level and it wouldn’t be good to change it back.
Milburn said she doesn’t want the position of county commissioner to be undervalued either and handed out a salary resolution for a different amount than Beerbower proposed.
Several members of the audience said they think the commissioners should be paid.
Sheriff Bill Martin spoke to the commission. “Shouldn’t this be a work session with the elected officials,” before being brought to a vote, he asked.
“As the sheriff, I carry the biggest liability of the county,” said Martin in argument against the pay reduction that one of options proposed for him.
“I can guarantee you: this is not right,” said Martin.
Allen asked the purpose of the chart Milburn had distributed, which shows a what a 40% reduction in pay would look like for various elected officials.
Beerbower explained that when the county went from three to 5 commissioners, the overwhelming majority of voters didn’t want to pay more for more commissioners. He took the combined salary of the three commissioners and divided it by five to arrive at the amount in his proposed salary resolution.
Beerbower first resolution only reduced the commissioners salary. He also offered a resolution that keeps their pay at $21,000.
Milburn presented a resolution with no one getting a pay cut and one where most of the departments take a cut, including the commissioners.
Tran said he considers the proposed salary resolutions “political gamesmanship.”
“I don’t want to make a decision that affects somebody after,” said Tran. He also pointed out that a pay raise wouldn’t go into affect until 2026.
“I think it should be status quo,” said Tran.
Michael Hoyt pointed out that the commission discussed the commissioners salaries during budget time.
Milburn moved to adopt a salary resolution leaving things as they are, “And if a commissioner wants to donate theirs back, they should do that.” Beerbower seconded.
Tran read the resolution aloud.
Commissioner Gregg Motley said that he remembered being told by Michael Hoyt that the plan was to divide the salary of three among the five before the county moved to a five-district commission.
Allen said he can see it both ways and is worried about getting good people to replace current commissioners in the future if the pay is cut too much.
The motion died; Tran and Milburn voting for, Beerbower, Allen, and Motley voting against.
Allen moved to table it for a week. Motion carried.
Forensic Audit – Gregg Motley
Motley moved to create an RFP (Request for Proposal) to look for an independent auditor to do a forensic audit on any transaction that the commissioners choose. He moved that longest tenured commissioner Beerbower and shortest tenured commissioner Allen work on the RFP.
Beerbower seconded it. Tran said he already had an RFP and didn’t want it given to Beerbower and Allen. His RFP was created by Baker Tilly. Motley said that the RFP needs to be created by an independent accountant if the resulting forensic audit is to be credible.
“This is about the community being comfortable with what’s going on in the courthouse,” said Motley. “I think the whole process needs to be independent all the way along.”
Motley said that he wants the “transaction that was blatantly public audited.” He also said that other commissioners can add what they want to have audited to the RFP.
Allen said he is ready to “move past it,” and if this is the next step then he’s for it.
“I don’t need to discuss it. I already know what I’m going to vote,” said Milburn, refusing to comment further.
Tran asked that they include categories of: cash receipts and disbursements, concerns raised through internal review whistleblower allegations, procurement and vendor payment abnormalities, grant compliances and allowability concerns, payroll and time-keeping irregularities, in what the audit covers.
Tran said he’s been working on it for a while.”I would like to take this and roll with it.”
Martin offered to find a law-enforcement officer from another county to be the point of contact for the auditor.
Motley amended his motion to include the Sheriff’s idea.
Milburn asked to table it for a week. Motley refused to pull his motion.
Motion carried: Motley, Allen, and Tran voting for, Beerbower and Milburn voting against.
New Business
Resolution 51-25, 06-22, 48-25 discussion – Joe Allen
Resolution 48-25 refers to the use of courthouse space. County Treasurer Jennifer Hawkins asked who had removed the use of key cards in the hall her office is on. There were multiple employees throughout the courthouse that couldn’t access her office space. Tran said no one authorized the change. When he had called Stronghold about it, they said it was working and then he heard back for county employees that it was working.
Clerk Susan Walker said they were told it was because of resolution 48-25 that access was restricted. Milburn said that no one had authorization to make a change like that.
Walker also requested an audit log of that day. Tran said that was reasonable.
He reminded everyone in the county that security and computer problems should be immediately referred to Stronghold.
Beerbower asked for a list of who has access so they can have a meeting with the elected officials.
“If we’re going to restrict it, then who are we restricting and why?” he asked.
51-25 and 06-22
These resolutions are regarding vacation and sick days. Allen said employees are finding that some of their days are missing, despite the resolution passed by the commission that they carry over their sick days from 2025.
“How do they get their time back?” asked Allen.
Tran said that they should do an executive session with the time keeper. He agreed with Terry from EMS, who said that employees should be notified when there are changes to their time.
Sixth judicial request: Picnic Area
Asked for permission to put a picnic area in behind their building.
Motley moved to allow it. Motion carried.
Culverts for 1152 Unity Road, Mapleton and 1130 Eagle Road, Ft. Scott
Approved.
Commissioner Comments
Motley thanked Rural Water District No. 2 for working to resolve the fire hydrant issue for those at Lake Fort Scott.
Allen thanked the Treasurer’s Office for helping him with a complicated question regarding his tag.
Lytle Emory Arnold, age 80, passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at his home. He was born August 6, 1945, in Leavenworth, Kansas, the son of Oscar “C.R.” Arnold and Effie Lynne Walker Arnold. He was the youngest of five children. Lytle was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Wendell Oliver Arnold and Joseph Lynn Arnold and a sister, Florence May Arnold White. Lytle was a kind and gentle person. He attended elementary and most of high school in Ottawa, Kansas. After graduating high school, he joined the US. Army where he served in Germany. He completed his military service as an E-5. Lytle lived in Dallas, Texas where he worked in construction. He was also a musician and played in different bands. He wrote music and loved playing his guitar.
Survivors include his sister, Rosalyn Good of Ft. Scott, Kansas, nephews, Eric Avery of Albutuch, North Carolina, Brent Avery of Bastrop, Texas and Tab White of Ottawa, Kansas and a niece, Michelle White of Little Elm, Texas.
Graveside services will be held at 12:30 P.M. Friday, March 13th at the U. S. National Cemetery. Family and friends may meet on Friday at the Cheney Witt Chapel from 11:30 A.M. until leaving for the cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Medicalodge Activity Fund 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.
Thanks to funds from the Fort Scott Community Foundation and the John Valentine and Patricia Jean Neff Health Care Fund, Tri-Valley Developmental Services purchased six AED (Automated External Defibrillator) Training Devices and supplies. These devices provide students in Tri-Valley’s CPR/1st Aid Class firsthand experience on the proper use of an AED. Tri-Valley offers multiple CPR/1st Aid classes throughout the month for Tri-Valley Staff, Persons Served, and Community Members.
“Thanks to the Fort Scott Community Foundation and the John Valentine and Patricia Jean Neff Health Care Fund, we are able to train not only our staff, but persons served and other community members on life saving techniques.” said Alisa Miner, Training Coordinator. “These trainers provide the opportunity for hands-on training. Class attendees have benefited from learning on these trainers. It is exciting!”
The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation (FSACF) hosts individual charitable funds created by donors who have a passion for giving back to their community. Grants from these funds assist people throughout Southeast Kansas and beyond. FSACF is an affiliate of Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK). Call CFSEK at 620-231-8897 with questions about FSACF.
PITTSBURG, Kan.—No one should have to face the aftermath of domestic or sexual violence alone—and thanks to expanded services from the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK), help is now closer than ever.
The numbers behind these experiences are sobering. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of women and more than one in six men have experienced some form of sexual violence in their lifetimes. In rural communities, domestic violence and sexual assault occur at rates equal to or higher than in urban areas. Due to a lack of services and resources, the impact on rural survivors is often more severe. Many cases also go unreported, which means the true number of people affected is likely far greater than statistics can capture.
The ripple effects of these crimes touch every part of a survivor’s life, impacting their children, families, work, and sense of safety in the world. “As a result of these crimes, survivors’ mental health is often impacted, but there are frequently unmet medical needs too. Together, these can impact their everyday lives in so many ways,” said Keri Thompson, RN, CHC/SEK Forensic & Victim Services Program Manager. “Ensuring each person gets the compassionate care they need, when they need it, is vital to the healing process.”
Ensuring access to timely care is central to the mission of CHC/SEK, which has expanded its services and support for survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and stalking. CHC/SEK has created a dedicated new team—including a program manager and forensic nurse, nurse case manager, and community health worker—to support survivors and their children as they receive the care they need.
At CHC/SEK, care extends beyond medical treatment. The team will also coordinate wraparound services such as dental care, transportation, and behavioral health support—with trauma-informed care woven throughout. “People’s lives can be challenging. In addition to the ‘regular’ medical issues, a person’s past experiences and trauma shape their health and how they live in the world, including in healthcare settings,” Thompson said. “Trauma-informed care means recognizing these complexities, caring for the whole person, and being careful not to retraumatize them. Receiving trauma-informed healthcare can give survivors a sense of safety, control, and a chance to rebuild trust that’s often fractured by abuse.”
CHC/SEK is also working to strengthen the broader community safety net. Through partnerships with Safehouse Crisis Center, law enforcement, and other local organizations, a Community Response Team will be established to improve communication, identify gaps in services, and ensure that every survivor receives a consistent, compassionate response. Training opportunities for healthcare providers, law enforcement, and community partners will further support this unified approach.
“We know this is an issue that all communities face. Many of the people who walk through our clinic doors are survivors,” said Thompson. “No one should suffer in silence. We want survivors to know that we’re here to care for them and help them stay safe as they work through the process of healing. Their well-being is our top priority.”
These efforts are made possible by two grants awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women and Office for Victims of Crime.
For more information, call the CHC/SEK Forensic & Victim Services Hotline at 620-240-5090.
For those who are experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, local support is available 24/7/365 through Safehouse Crisis Center by calling 800-794-9148 or texting 620-670-0754.
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About Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) serves as a healthcare hub for communities in Kansas and Oklahoma. CHC/SEK delivers quality, integrated care to nearly 90,000 patients each year with a goal of improving health, sustaining rural communities, and providing purpose-driven work to 950 staff members. Beyond healthcare, CHC/SEK finds innovative ways to improve lives by focusing on education, housing, and transportation. Regardless of income or insurance status, CHC/SEK ensures everyone receives the care they need. For more information, visit chcsek.org.
This email and any attachments may contain confidential information subject to protection under the Federal Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information (45 C.F.R. Parts 160 and 164). If you or your organization is a “Covered Entity” under the above mentioned regulations, you are obligated to treat such information in a manner consistent with the regulations. If it appears that this email was sent to you in error, (1) you are prohibited from utilizing or disseminating this email or any attachments; (2) please immediately delete it from your computer and any servers or other locations where it might be stored and (3) email [email protected] or call 620.231.9873 advising that you have done so. We appreciate your cooperation.
Participants at the Pittsburg 60+ Nutrition Meal Site at the Homer Cole Community Center.
SOUTHEAST KANSAS AREA AGENCY ON AGING Joins National Campaign to Reduce Food Insecurity Among Older Americans During National Senior Nutrition Month
Fort Scott, KS – In 2025, 13 million older adults experience food insecurity – they lacked reliable access to nutritious meals needed for healthy living. During National Senior Nutrition Month, Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging is joining USAging in a national consumer campaign focused on helping older Americans get the healthy, nutritious food they need to maintain their physical and cognitive health.
“Eat Well. Live Well. Age Well.” Highlights the importance of nutrition in promoting healthy aging, the different kinds of meals programs and nutrition services available to older adults in their communities and how to find them.
Healthy food and nutrition are vital for older adults to maintain their health and well-being. Proper nutrition is critical to reduce chronic illness, improve immune system functioning and enhance cognition. Food also brings people together, bosting mood and decreasing feelings of isolation and loneliness. But it is challenging for many older adults to get the healthy foods they need.
AAAs strive to make healthy eating accessible, appetizing, and affordable. AAA nutrition services include home-delivered meals, meals served in groups settings, and more.
“It is amazing the positive comments we receive from our participants. We received a note recently from someone receiving home delivered meals, “Do you all realize what lifesavers you are?” It is amazing that a meal and a friendly hello from the driver can make such a difference. Unfortunately we do have a waiting list for home delivery but we have openings at all our meal sites. People report they get so much more than a meal. They make new friends and as one person said she didn’t know what to do with herself after retirement and going to the meal site she met people who showed her how to be a senior.”, Kathy Brennon, Executive Director
