Food, Fort Scott

Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4–8, 2026) At Lu’s Ice Cream

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member

Lu’s Ice Cream

🍦Scoop Sponsors Needed 🍦

Help Treat Our Local Teachers!

Lu’s Ice Cream is excited to celebrate our amazing local educators during

Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4–8, 2026)

And we’re inviting area businesses to be part of something special!

We’d like to extend a big THANK YOU to Kansas Teachers Community Credit Union for stepping up to help provide our local teachers with a free scoop of ice cream! We are incredibly grateful for their support.

However, in order to provide ALL USD 234 teachers with a free scoop, we are still in need of additional sponsors.

This is a fun and meaningful opportunity for your business to:

✨ Support our hardworking teachers

✨ Show your community involvement

✨ Gain positive exposure and goodwill

Businesses can contribute toward free scoop coupons that will be distributed to local teachers during the week. As a thank you, all coupons will recognize our generous sponsors.

No contribution is too small…every scoop helps us celebrate more teachers!

If your business is interested in sponsoring or would like more information, please reach out to:

Nikki Regan

📞 620-288-6026

📧 [email protected]

Help us turn Teacher Appreciation Week into something sweet for every educator in Fort Scott!❤️

Click HERE to visit the

Lu’s Ice Cream

Facebook Page!
NEW UPDATED HOURS BELOW!

A special Thank You to our Chamber Champion members below!
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Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet is May 5 At City State Bank

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Quarterly Downtown Meet & Greet scheduled for May 5th!

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites downtown business owners, representatives, and community members to attend:

Downtown Meet & Greet

Tuesday, May 5th

8am-9am

@ City State Bank, 202 Scott St.

These quarterly informal gatherings provide an opportunity to network, collaborate, and share ideas regarding downtown events, promotions, and other topics impacting our downtown district. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be provided.

For more information, please contact the

Chamber at (620) 223-3566.

A special thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Briggs Auto Hosts Chamber Coffee on April 30

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Join us for Chamber Coffee

hosted by

Briggs
Briggs-for-Chamber-Master.jpg
Thursday, April 30th

 

8am

@ Briggs of Fort Scott
1819 S. Main St.

We hope to see you there!

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to attend a Chamber Coffee on Thursday, April 30, at 8 a.m., hosted by Briggs of Fort Scott, located at 1819 S. Main St.

The event will be held in the north showroom building, with attendees entering through the south door. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served, and attendees will have the opportunity to win a door prize.

Briggs of Fort Scott is celebrating a significant milestone, marking ten years of service to the community since opening its doors on March 16, 2016. Over the past decade, Briggs of Fort Scott has experienced steady growth and success, made possible by the continued support of the Fort Scott community and the surrounding four-state area.

Throughout its ten years, Briggs of Fort Scott has remained committed to serving its customers while building strong relationships throughout the region. The company extends its appreciation to the community for its ongoing support and looks forward to continued growth and service in the years ahead.

For more information, contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 or visit the Events Calendar at fortscott.com and click on the “Chamber Coffees” category for upcoming hosts and locations.

Click HERE to visit

Briggs of Fort Scott

Facebook Page!

Click HERE to visit

Briggs of Fort Scott

website!
A special thank you to our Chamber Champion members below…
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

620-223-3566

fortscott.com
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
Government, Kansas

Bipartisan Child Care Tax Credit Expansion Bill Signed

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Governor Kelly Signs Bipartisan Bill
Expanding Child Care Tax Credits

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced she has signed Senate Bill 82, which expands access to tax credits for employer expenses for child care and contributions to third parties that expand the availability of community child care. The bill also creates income tax credits for the sale of higher-ethanol blends of fuels and the purchase of lockable gun and ammunition storage.

“Throughout my administration, I have strived to make Kansas a place where people want to put down roots. Senate Bill 82 helps strengthen child care access while ensuring our economy remains healthy and thriving — making our state more appealing to workers, employers, and families alike,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This is smart, commonsense legislation that will make our state stronger.”

Senate Bill 82 modifies credit percentages, allowable credit amounts, and eligible expenses for the existing child care assistance tax credit that provides a credit to employers who provide child care services to their employees. Businesses that pay for their employees’ child care services, establish or expand a child care program utilized by employees, or pay for referral services that connect employees to child care providers would now be eligible to receive a tax credit of 75% of the total amount the business expends on these services.

“Access to quality, affordable childcare is a hurdle for both employers and employees. I’m proud of the Legislature’s work to simplify and modernize the child care assistance tax credit,” said Senate Majority Leader Chase Blasi. “These improvements allow employers to invest more broadly in their communities to ensure our workforce remains strong.”

In addition, the bill would also allow businesses to receive an additional credit for donations made to organizations that expand access to child care services in the business’s community. Under these modernized tax credits, businesses could claim up to $100,000 in non-refundable credits per tax year and carry over any unused credit for up to three years.

“Access to high‐quality child care is essential for Kansas children, families, and our state’s economy. Kansas businesses want to be part of the solution and this bill streamlining the business tax credit for child care will make that more feasible,” said David Jordan, President of the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund. “Thanks to Governor Kelly and the Legislature for taking this important step to stimulate business investments in the early childhood system. It will benefit Kansas families and our economy.”

Senate Bill 82 also creates a non-refundable income tax credit of $0.05 for each gallon of E15 or higher-ethanol blend fuel sold at retail. This credit would be capped at $2.5 million per year. The bill also creates an individual income credit for the purchase of lockable gun and ammunition storage items and repeals certain other tax credits.

In addition to Senate Bill 82, Governor Kelly also signed the following bipartisan bills:

House Substitute for Senate Bill 51: Making changes related to responsibilities of the Executive Branch Chief Information Technology Officer (CITO); Executive Branch Information technology services, including telecommunications and cloud computing; and IT audit reporting requirements.

Senate Bill 300: Creating requirements for certain manufacturers of alcoholic liquor regarding corporation income tax and repealing certain statutory language.

Senate Bill 430: Including mitragynine, a psychoactive component of kratom, on schedule I of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act as well as reconciling two amendments to specific statutes regarding theft and expungement.

House Bill 2029: Reconciling amendments to statues that were amended more than once during the current and prior legislative sessions.

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Government, Kansas

Governor Kelly Vetoes Five Bills

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Governor Kelly Vetoes Five Bills


TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly has vetoed five bills.

The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of House Bill 2043:

“For the last several years, the Legislature has promised to solve the property tax issue for Kansans. This has always been a false promise. The only property tax that the state levies is 20 mills for public schools. All other property taxes are levied at the local level.

“Knowing that legislators were anxious to tell their constituents they had done something to alleviate their property tax burden this session, I offered a three pronged, workable approach: a one-time $250 reduction on their car tax; a permanent increase from $75k to $150K exemption from the state mill levy for schools on their home; and a $60million fund to help counties mitigate property tax increases.

“Legislative leadership never allowed legislators to discuss or vote on my proposal. Instead, they ramrodded through another sure-to-fail, untenable property tax bill.

“I don’t dispute that property taxes in Kansas are too high. I have been saying that since 2012 when the disastrous “tax experiment” focused on income tax reduction that primarily benefitted those at the top. Those ill-advised cuts drastically reduced revenues coming into state coffers. The state responded by, among other things, cutting support to local communities for vital services, leaving our counties and cities to pick up the slack. Those additional burdens make it very difficult for our municipalities to hold the line on property taxes.

“It is time for the Legislature to partner with our city and county officials to develop a strategy to reduce the property tax burden on their constituents and return to the balanced “three-legged stool” approach to taxes — sales, income and property — that Kansas needs to thrive.

“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto House Bill 2043.”

The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of Senate Substitute for House Bill 2111:

“While HB 2111 may be well-intentioned, this legislation was not requested by the agri-tourism industry at large. Rather, it was requested by a single entity and rammed through the legislative process at the last minute. It is irresponsible for the Legislature to rush to amend state law on behalf of a single entity when the changes contained in this bill could have far-reaching negative consequences for the agri-tourism industry as a whole.

“Additionally, this bill overrides local governments’ ability to enforce their own building codes, regulations, and ordinances on the new class of agri-tourism entities created by this bill. I do not support the Legislature’s continued attempts to infringe on local control and this bill is another example of that. Cities and counties are best positioned to partner with agri-tourism businesses to develop and enforce regulatory structures that foster this diversified revenue stream while protecting the health and safety of Kansans.

“Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I hereby veto Senate Substitute for House Bill 2111.”

The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of House Bill 2515:

“I have made it a priority during my administration to find ways to reduce the tax burden for Kansans, best evidenced by the elimination of both the food sales tax and the state income tax on social security. I have also made it a priority to protect the state’s ability to meet its obligations to fund schools, build roads, take care of foster children and other essential services, while ensuring the long-term financial health of the state. I have done this by consistently rejecting proposals that diminish state resources while benefitting just a select subsection of Kansas citizens. HB 2515 fits into that category.

“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto House Bill 2515.”

The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of House Bill 2044:

“This bill contains issues that warrant serious discussion by the Legislature. The discussion should take place using traditional legislative procedures and within the context of other discussions related to taxes. Those discussions should then be juxtapositioned with budget issues to ensure that, should it be enacted, the state can continue to meet its obligations and remain fiscally sound long term.

“That process did not occur regarding this bill.

“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto House Bill 2044.”

The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of House Bill 2763:

“I wholeheartedly believe that elementary students need a minimum of 30 minutes recess every school day. Recess contributes to the physical health of children and enhances their ability to learn. I also support implementation of a State Fitness Test to be administered annually, as required for participation in the federal Rural Health Transformation grant program.

“The leadership of State Board of Education and the Kansas State Department of Education have agreed to begin taking the steps to implement the Fitness Test once federal guidance is provided to states. They will further reaffirm their recommendation that elementary schools provide a minimum of 30 minutes of recess every school day and work with any school districts not currently following their recommendation to facilitate implementation wherever feasible.

“I appreciate the State Board of Education’s willingness to use its constitutional authority to modify curriculum requirements mandated in HB 2763.

“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto House Bill 2763.”

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Bourbon County, Business

Employer Insight Collaborative Highlights Workforce Priorities in Bourbon County

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Jody Love

Employer Insight Collaborative Highlights Workforce Priorities in Bourbon County

Press Release Employer Insight Collaborative 2026

FORT SCOTT, KANSAS — The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team recently held two Employer Insight Collaborative sessions on February 17 and February 19 to address workforce challenges in Bourbon County. The events brought together 44 employers and partners across healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality, banking, and more.

Supported by the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas initiative, the collaborative provided a dedicated space for community partners to identify practical strategies for strengthening the local workforce.

Key Workforce Insights

While industries varied, the challenges reported were remarkably consistent. Employers identified the following as the most difficult positions to fill:

  • Leadership and management roles

  • Information technology (IT)

  • Skilled trades

  • Healthcare and helping professions

  • Technical occupations

Addressing the “Soft Skills” Gap

A significant portion of the discussion focused on foundational workplace behaviors. While technical skills can often be taught on the job, employers noted critical gaps in:

  • Reliability and attendance

  • Professionalism and workplace expectations

  • Communication skills, including customer interaction and writing

  • Initiative and problem-solving

  • Teamwork and critical thinking

  • Leadership capacity

“While industries may differ, the workforce challenges employers are experiencing are remarkably similar. By bringing employers and community partners together, we can focus on practical solutions that support both our businesses and our workforce.” — Jody Love, President and CEO of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team

Strategic Opportunities for Improvement

The collaborative identified specific areas where different sectors can coordinate to improve workforce readiness:

  • For Employers: A focus on stronger onboarding, mentorship, and internal leadership development.

  • For Educators: Strengthening connections between students and employers while expanding real-world learning.

  • For Community Organizations: Improving awareness of resources and connecting education to support services.

Next Steps & Action Plan

To build on the momentum of these sessions, partners have committed to several immediate actions:

  • Weekly Social Media Series: Increasing the visibility of workforce resources.

  • Lunch & Learn Sessions: Strengthening collaboration with Fort Scott Community College.

  • Training Coordination: Working with Pittsburg State University’s Kelce Center for Business & Talent Development.

  • Strategic Initiatives: Exploring the “Work Ready Communities” initiative and pursuing pilot program funding.

    About the Partners

Pathways to a Healthy Kansas The largest community grant initiative funded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, providing tools to improve active living, healthy eating, and economic opportunity. Visit bcbsks.com/pathways.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas An independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and the state’s largest insurer, serving all Kansas counties except Johnson and Wyandotte. Visit bcbsks.com.

Media Contact: Jody Love, MBA President & CEO, Healthy Bourbon County Action Team [email protected] | Ruralcommunitypartners.org

Fort Scott Community College, Opinion

From the Bleachers by Dr. Jack Welch

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Winning Through the Doubtstorm

Many times, in our lives, we face doubt. Author Max Lucado calls these moments “doubtstorms.” If you’ve lived long enough, you’ve likely weathered one.

Let me ask you, have you ever had a doubtstorm? Last weekend, I attended a junior college baseball doubleheader, and what I witnessed was a powerful reminder of how we should respond when doubt rolls in. In the first game, the Fort Scott Community College Greyhounds baseball team fell behind early, 8-0. Most folks in the stands probably thought the game was over. Not the players in the dugout though. Not that team.

Why? Because their coach doesn’t think that way. Inning by inning, they chipped away. Two runs. Then three. Then two more. They stayed steady, consistent, and relentless. By the final out, they had turned an 8-0 deficit into a 13-8 victory.

You might say that was luck. Then came game two. In the first inning, they were down 11-1. A ten-run deficit. That’s a mountain in junior college baseball, a level filled with talent, grit, and future professionals. Once again, the Greyhounds didn’t flinch. They stayed locked in. One inning at a time, they battled back. And once again, they won. Final score: 20-16.

That’s not luck. That’s belief. There’s a passage in the Gospel of Matthew 14:25 where the disciples are caught in a storm, filled with fear and doubt. Then Jesus comes to them, walking on the water. In their doubtstorm, they couldn’t see clearly, but He was there all along.

Life works the same way. There is a window in every heart through which we see God. At one time, that window is clear, but then life happens; a loss, a diagnosis, a disappointment, and a rock cracks the glass. Suddenly, our view isn’t so clear anymore.

Here’s the truth: even when the storm clouds roll in, even when we can’t see Him, God is still there. That same steady belief is reflected in leadership. John Hill, now in his 18th year as head coach with over 600 wins, leads with calm and consistency. His players trust him because he trusts them. His philosophy is simple; consistency, persistence, and time. That belief shows up when it matters most.

Thought for the Week, “When doubtstorms come, and they will, stay steady. Trust the process. Trust your purpose. Most importantly, trust that you are never alone in the storm.” Gerald “Judge” Hart, former District Judge and longtime loved FSCC professor.

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.

Uncategorized

Text scam impersonating Supreme Court targets Kansans

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Spot the scam. Report junk and delete.

Text scam impersonating Supreme Court targets Kansans

TOPEKA—The Kansas judicial branch is raising awareness about a new text message scam that appears to be from the Kansas Supreme Court about a subpoena over unpaid tolls incurred with the Kansas Turnpike Authority.

 

Anyone who receives the text message should ignore the requests to respond or visit links. Instead, the recipient should report it as junk and delete it.

 

Any person can check whether they have a case pending before a Kansas court using the Kansas District Court Records CaseSearch.

 

If a case exists on CaseSearch, it will also generally show whether there are any unpaid fines or fees. The CaseSearch site links to the KSCourts Central Payment Center where payments can be made online.

 

The judicial branch encourages the public to check the Spot the Scam webpage whenever they are contacted by someone who claims to be with a court. The page says to be alert for these signs that a contact they did not expect is a scam:

 

  • Scammer initiates contact. Scammers will call, text, or email using phone numbers, email addresses, website links, and documents that look real but are fake.
  • Scammers ask for personal information. Never give a Social Security number, bank account details, or credit card information to someone you don’t contact on your own.
  • Scammers demand payment. Scammers will pressure you to pay now using gift cards or apps like PayPal, Venmo, or Cash App. They will tell you something bad will happen if you don’t pay now.

 

The page also gives guidance for reporting scams and a link to contact information for courts statewide.

Kansas Judicial Branch

Office of Judicial Administration

301 SW 10th Avenue

Topeka, KS 66612-1507

785-296-2256

kscourts.gov

 
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Advertisements

Ad: Automotive Technology Instructor – LaHarpe, KS Campus

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Automotive Technology Instructor – LaHarpe, KS Campus

Flint Hills Technical College is seeking a full-time instructor for the Automotive Technology program, located in LaHarpe, KS, beginning with the Fall 2026 semester.

The successful candidate will have knowledge of the principles of operation for fundamental concepts of at least half of the following subjects:

  • Automotive Engines
  • Automotive Brakes
  • Electrical
  • Engine Performance                 
  • Automotive HVAC
  • Steering and Suspension
  • Automatic Transmissions/Transaxles
  • Manual Power Trains

Qualifications:

  • Associate’s Degree in related field required (or willingness to obtain within a specified timeframe); Bachelor’s degree preferred.
  • Minimum of two years’ work experience in the automotive field or two years of teaching experience in automotive education.
  • ASE Certifications in instructional areas (or ability to obtain certification within a specified timeframe).
  • Strong communication skills – both verbal and written
  • A Kansas teaching certificate is not a requirement for this position.

Salary and Benefits:

  • Full-time, 9-month position
  • A competitive salary range of $40,000-$54,000, commensurate with experience and education level
  • KPERS retirement plan
  • Employer-paid health insurance for the employee
  • Annual salary is distributed over 12 months
  • Flexible teaching schedule.

Application Process:

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, unofficial college transcripts, and contact information for three professional references to Human Resources at [email protected].

The FHTC Board of Trustees reserves the right to withdraw positions prior to being filled.

 

Opinion

Yield the Right-of-Way by Carolyn Tucker

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Keys to the Kingdom

By Carolyn Tucker

Yield the Right-of-Way

We yield the right-of-way in our vehicles all the time. And if we don’t, we may have to call 911 and hire a tow truck. I sometimes approach a four-way stop and not actually know who got there first. That’s when I look at the driver for a hand sign. (Fortunately, I’ve never had the naughty finger waved at me.) The other driver either motions for me to go, or simply proceeds through the intersection as I wait. Now, roundabouts are a completely different story. As far as I’m concerned, those things should have stayed in Britain and never crossed the Atlantic. When entering a roundabout, my mind goes back to jumping rope during grade-school recess. I had to learn how to “run in” while the rope was in motion.  It takes some drivers longer than I have patience for when they’re trying to merge into the circle. Just give me a traffic light with green, yellow, and red. I can always eat cashews while I wait for the light to turn green.

It’s rather stupid not to yield our will to God and let Him have the right-of-way. Often, a believer’s greatest struggle is being resistant to God’s will. Most of the time we know what His will is, but we aren’t willing to follow through by yielding our personal ideas and plans. It’s a dangerous position to be in when you understand God clearly, but refuse to yield. It’s like an accident going somewhere to happen.

Believers are to have a listening ear and quick, obedient action to the voice and will of God. “The Sovereign Lord has given me His words of wisdom… Morning by morning He wakens me and opens my understanding to His will. The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened. I have not rebelled or turned away” (Isaiah 50:4-5 NLT). As we  study God’s Word, we ought to pray for the grace of God to reveal His will for us. Then be alert to all that God wants to say and do through us as His children.

If a stubborn Christ follower crashes through every yield sign God puts out, it’s time to stop, pray, and recalculate his/her life in order to be in alignment with God’s design. It’s a no-brainer choice. We can humbly yield to God and experience joy and contentment, or we can foolishly resist and live in fear and misery. We must choose whether we turn right or left at the corner of Rebellion Road and Obedient Street.

We don’t want to be out-of-sorts with God. It’s to the best of our interest to please God. He knows what’s best for us and we’re often simply too dumb to know it. Jesus compared believers to sheep, which are known to be one of the dumbest animals.

If we want to fulfill God’s plan for our life, we should wake up every morning and ask Him to lead us throughout the day as we yield our will to Him. A yielded life results in living the abundant, unsearchable blessings of Christ. He’ll watch over us to ensure that we rest in green pastures so that our souls can be restored. When we trade our will for His will, it’s the deal of a lifetime!

“…O Lord, You are our Father. We are the clay, and You are the Potter. We all are formed by Your hand” (Isaiah 64:8 NLT). If we have a genuine, personal relationship with the Potter and humbly yield our will to His design, we’ll be blessed and have peace of mind. Until we want what God wants, we’re never going to be happy!

The Key: Yield the right-of-way to God so you won’t crash in life’s roundabout.

Bourbon County Local News