Looking for a college that gives you options? At Fort Scott Community College, students can choose from associate degrees in Arts, Science, Applied Science, and General Studies, along with a variety of certificates that lead straight to rewarding careers. Whether you’re interested in healthcare fields like Certified Medication Aide, Nurse Aide, EMT, Home Health Aide, Manicuring, or Phlebotomy, or want to take on a technical challenge with certificates in Ag Technology (John Deere), Construction, Cosmetology, Criminal Justice, Environmental Water Tech, Farm & Ranch Management, Harley-Davidson Technology, Heavy Equipment Operation, HVAC, Masonry, or Welding we’ve got you covered!
But college isn’t just about the classroom. FSCC offers plenty of ways to get involved through music and performance opportunities (band, choir, theater), student clubs and organizations (like Collegiate Farm Bureau, Phi Theta Kappa, SkillsUSA, STEAM Club, FSCC Media Team, and more), and even competitive judging teams in livestock and meat.
If athletics is more your thing, FSCC is home to intercollegiate sports for both men and women. Compete in basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, rodeo, track & field, or cross country, all while building friendships and representing the Greyhounds.
And the best part? We’re still growing. New programs, degrees, certifications, and athletic opportunities are on the horizon! There’s never been a better time to join FSCC!
Bourbon County Commission Agenda Bourbon County Commission Chambers, 210 S National Ave. Monday, December 08, 2025, 5:30 PM
I. Call Meeting to Order
Roll Call
Pledge of Allegiance
Prayer
II. Approval of Agenda
III. Approval of Minutes
12.01.25 (unofficial until approved)
IV. St. Luke’s Award – EMS
V. Consent Agenda
Approval of 12.05.25 Accounts Payable & Longevity Payroll ($289,244.53, sent 12.3.25)
Tax Corrections
VI. Public Comments
VII. Department Updates
Bill Martin – Sheriff
Invoice for Craw-Kan
Dustin Hall/Kenny Allen
Culvert Permit-2222 35th Street
Lora Holdridge – Register of Deeds
Equipment Space & Employee Access
Administrative Access & License Keys
Susan Walker – County Clerk
December 22nd Meeting
VIII. Old Business
October 2025 Financials
Sale of Real Property
Jayhawk 240th Speed Limit
IX. New Business
Real Property Relief Application – Herman & Darlene Leihsing/Avis Bosley
Resolution 39-25 – Contribution Agreement Hinton Creek
Resolution 40-25 – Contribution Agreement Tennyson Creek
Resolution 41-25 – Tennyson Creek exemption from Moratorium
Hinton Creek First Amendment
Tennyson Creek First Amendment
Tennyson Creek Contribution Agreement
Settlement and Release Agreement Tennyson Creek
Settlement and Release Agreement Hinton Creek
Resolution 42-25 – Transfer of Funds
X. Build Agenda for following meeting
XI. Commission Comments
XII. Adjournment
Detailed Summary of Information Packet
Prior Meeting Minutes – December 1, 2025 (Pages 3-5)
The minutes summarize key discussions and decisions from the previous meeting:
Financial and Personnel Decisions (Page 4):
The Commission approved collecting employee insurance premiums “in arrears” (in real-time) rather than in advance. New hires will receive benefits the first of the month following a 30-day waiting period.
The creation of an Administrative Assistant position for the Commission was approved, pending identification of funding.
A motion passed to transfer $200,000 from the Inmate Fees Fund (120) to the General Fund (001) (Page 4).
Longevity pay for 2025 was approved to be funded in the same manner as 2024, acknowledging all years of service (Page 5).
The Commission approved soliciting proposals from local real estate brokers to list the 108 West 2nd Street property for sale (Page 4).
Resolution 37-25 was adopted regarding the process for appointing a replacement for the District 3 Commissioner in January (Page 5).
Resolution 38-25 was approved for the 6th Judicial facility space, waiving monthly rental fees (Page 5).
Future Planning (Page 3): Discussions included switching from 3 to 5 commissioner districts, generating revenue through solar energy agreements, and considering a new space for the County Clerk’s office.
Financial and Tax Information
Total Accounts Payable & Longevity Payroll for 12.05.25 is $289,244.53 (Page 7, 34).
Largest Expenditures by Fund/Department from the Accounts Payable Report (Pages 32-34):
Longevity Pay (County Miscellaneous / Fund 001/99): $58,300.00
Road and Bridge (Fund 220): $70,386.77
Road & Bridge Sales Tax Fund (Fund 222): $50,498.73
County Sheriff/Correctional (Fund 120): $46,131.29
Employee Benefit (Fund 064): $11,775.59
Bank Reconciliation as of October 31, 2025 (Page 38):
Total Bourbon County Cash Balance (All Accounts): $7,258,130.82
Total Certificates of Deposits: $1,550,000.00
Key Fund Status Report Balances (as of October 31, 2025):
General Fund (001): $505,910.25 (Page 39)
County Sheriff/Correctional (120): $245,713.78 (Page 39)
BOND SALES TAX – COUNTY JAIL (370): $2,106,277.34 (Page 40)
Employee Benefit (064): $747,999.92 (Page 39)
Ambulance Service (375): $27,184.61 (Page 40)
Sales/Use Tax Comparison (Page 46):
October 2025 Total Tax: $298,831.11
Year-to-Date (YTD) Total Tax for 2025 (through October): $3,176,311.93
Other Packet Documents
Culvert Report (Page 35): A report from 12-4-2025 regarding a Culvert Permit application from Dennis & Janna Saiz for property at 2222 35th Street, indicating a plan for a Plastic 15″ x 30 foot roll-in culvert.
Executive Session Details (Page 2): The document includes the standard form outlining potential legal reasons for executive sessions, citing KSA 75-4319 for discussing personnel, attorney-client privilege, negotiations, financial/trade secrets, real estate acquisition, or security measures.
John Sargent “Shadow” Farr, Jr., age 56, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at his home. He was born May 7, 1969, in Orange County, California, the son of John Sargent Farr, Sr. and Lonnie Kay Kieffaver Farr. John lived in California until the age of twelve when the family packed up and moved to Alabama. He served for a time with the United States Marine Corps and later moved to Ft. Scott to be close to his family. He had worked as a cook in California and he had also worked for National Tire in Kansas City and Wal-Mart in Butler, Missouri; however, the job he enjoyed the most was when he was working as a fugitive recovery agent for the State of Kansas. “Shadow” as he was called by his friends had a knack for electronics and spent much of his spare time repairing cell phones, computers and gaming systems. For a time, he operated Shadow Car Audio installing car stereo systems. He will be remembered for his willingness to always help others who were in need, no matter when or where they might be in need.
Survivors include his mother, Lonnie Day, of Ft. Scott and his children, Krystal Wisdom, Trevor Stroud, Isaac Farr, Nicholas Farr, Raven Farr, David Farr, Taylor Henderson, Angel Farr, Kassandra Farr, Tiara Farr and Haley Henley as well as numerous grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters, Felicia and Angella and an adopted brother, Donald Stump.
Cremation was handled by Cheney Witt Chapel, and no services are planned at this time. Memorials are suggested to the John “Shadow” Farr, Jr. Memorial 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.
50 Years of Herbicide Resistance in Kansas: How We Got Here and What’s Next
By Lonnie Mengarelli Ag and Natural Resources Agent – Southwind District
This year marks 50 years since Kansas documented its first herbicide-resistant weed. That 1976 discovery—triazine-resistant kochia along railroad rights-of-way—seemed like an isolated case at the time. Today, herbicide resistance is one of the most serious challenges facing Kansas farmers. As we recognize this anniversary, it’s worth looking back at how resistance evolved, where we stand now, and what it will take to manage it moving forward.
Herbicide resistance is the ability of a weed population to survive an herbicide dose that would normally kill it. This is different from herbicide tolerance, which is a weed’s natural, built-in ability to withstand a certain herbicide.
Resistance develops when herbicide use selects for rare genetic traits that allow certain plants to survive and reproduce. Over time, those traits become more common in the field.
Kochia set the stage for herbicide resistance problems in Kansas. After atrazine-resistant kochia was identified in 1976, resistance spread rapidly thanks to the plant’s tumbling growth habit and widespread use of triazine herbicides in crop fields.
Another milestone came in 1987, when kochia populations resistant to ALS-inhibiting herbicides (Group 2) were confirmed. Since then, kochia has added resistance to dicamba and fluroxypyr (Group 4) and glyphosate (Group 9), making it one of the most challenging weeds in the High Plains.
Palmer amaranth and waterhemp—two aggressive pigweed species—have become the state’s most notorious resistant weeds.
Palmer amaranth resistance to Group 2 herbicides was identified in 1993, and the species has since developed resistance to at least six herbicide groups. Palmer amaranth is the only Kansas weed with documented resistance to HPPD herbicides (Group 27), and resistance to Group 15 herbicides has been confirmed just south of the Kansas border. More recently, dicamba-resistant Palmer amaranth was identified for the first time.
Waterhemp has a similar story. By 1995, Kansas populations were already resistant to both Group 2 and Group 5 herbicides, and glyphosate resistance followed in 2006. Both Palmer amaranth and waterhemp are dioecious, meaning they cross-pollinate readily—and that genetic shuffling speeds up the spread of resistance traits.
As of 2025, 16 weed species in Kansas have confirmed herbicide resistance. Thirteen of these are broadleaf weeds; three are grasses. Many are winter annuals that emerge in the fall and cause problems the following spring.
The largest number of resistant species—13—is associated with Group 2 herbicides. Glyphosate resistance (Group 9) ranks second, with six resistant species identified.
The busiest years for new resistance confirmations were 2013 and 2021, each with six new cases. Only two new cases have been added since 2021, but researchers caution that this does not signal a slowdown—only that resistance often goes undetected for several years before being confirmed.
Herbicide resistance will continue to evolve. It is a natural biological process, but it is accelerated when the same herbicide modes of action are used repeatedly. Kansas farmers have faced this steady march for five decades, and the path forward will require more than relying on new chemistry.
The most effective long-term strategy is integrated weed management—diversifying herbicide programs, incorporating cultural and mechanical practices, and reducing seed production by surviving weeds. More details on these strategies will be covered in a follow-up article.
Lonnie Mengarelli is a K-State Research and Extension Agriculture agent assigned to Southwind District. He may be reached at [email protected] or 620-223-3720
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Reference:
Heap, I. 2025. International Herbicide-Resistant Weed Database.
For additional information, see the 2025 Chemical Weed Control for Field Crops, Pastures, and Noncropland or contact your local K-State Research and Extension office.
Patrick Geier, Weed Scientist, Garden City
Yasir Parrey, Assistant Scientist, Weed Extension Lab
Sarah Lancaster, Extension Weed Management Specialist
As a member of the House Committee on Small Business and the Main Street Caucus, I was pleased to join my House colleagues in passing two bills I cosponsored that will work to cut burdensome regulations for small businesses across the country. The Small Business Regulatory Reduction Act (H.R. 2965) and DUMP Red Tape Act (H.R. 4305) are two common sense bills that will help small businesses thrive and get government out of the way to allow businesses to focus on best serving their customers.
On Thursday, I partnered with Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI) to introduce the National Strategy for Combatting Scams Act (H.R. 6425). Our bill would require coordination among the numerous federal agencies that have jurisdiction over different aspects of fraud and scam prevention. It would also would require federal agencies to improve anti-scam coordination with state and local authorities. As a former attorney general, nothing makes my blood boil more than individuals who take advantage of stealing billions of dollars each year from vulnerable Americans. I also cosponsored the STOP Scams Against Seniors Act (H.R. 6426), which would authorize federal grants to establish Elder Justice Task Forces to help local, state, and federal agencies work together to investigate and prosecute scammers. To recognize the consistent work needed to combat scams, I also cosponsored H.Res.931 which would designate December 4 as “National Scam Prevention Day.”
As we approach the holiday season, I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to continue delivering for the American people. Congress still has work to do, and I am ready to serve the needs of Kansans.
Constituent Services
My team stands ready to help Kansans in the Second Congressional District who are dealing with unresolved federal issues. This includes assistance with the VA, Social Security, the IRS, and other federal agencies.
I always appreciate the opportunity to visit with Kansans in Washington. This week, I sat down with a group of teachers from Topeka West High School before their Capitol tour, met with the Montgomery County Administrator and Emergency Management Director, and spoke with two students from Wichita State University in D.C. presenting their research. Thank you all for stopping by!
As always, my office is here to serve you. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have. Be sure to also follow me on social media at the links below for timely updates from my office.
It’s a tremendous honor to represent our Second Congressional District in Congress!
Bonnie Geiger, 93, of Garland, Kansas, passed away Thursday morning, December 4, 2025, at Medicalodge of Fort Scott, Kansas. She was born October 4, 1932, on the homestead in Redfield, Kansas, the daughter of Ralph A. Bolinger and Janie Frances (Asher) Bolinger. She married Dale Geiger November 16, 1952, in the Petersburg Presbyterian church, and he preceded her in death October 13, 2020, after almost 68 years of marriage.
Bonnie graduated from Uniontown High School. She worked for The Western Insurance Co. as an Insurance Underwriter for many years, and she and Dale also farmed.
Bonnie is survived by her daughter, Joyce Jennings, of Mound City, Kansas, her son Steve Geiger, of Uniontown, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband Dale, she was also preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Virginia Dare, and a brother, Darrell Bolinger.
Pastor Marty DeWitt will officiate graveside services at 1:00 p.m. Monday, December 8, 2025, at the Uniontown Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz Cheney Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Medicalodge Activity Fund and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS, 66701. Friends and family may sign the online guest book and share memories at www.konantzcheney.com.
FORT SCOTT, Kan. – Tickets are now on sale for the 44th Annual Candlelight Tour at Fort Scott National Historic Site, set for Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5–6, 2025.
Tickets are available online at fofs.ludus.com for $5 per person; children 5 and under are free. Tickets are non-refundable. Early purchase is recommended, as the event frequently sells out.
The 45-minute guided tours depart every 15 minutes, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday and 5 to 8:45 p.m. Saturday, and end in the Grand Hall with warm drinks and snacks provided by the Friends of Fort Scott NHS. Visitors should arrive 10 minutes early to allow time to park, check in and get oriented. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather, as the tours are outdoors and follow paved sidewalks.
This year’s program, “Comfort and Joy in Fort Scott,” explores the celebrations, large and small, that helped build morale at the fort. 1,000 candle lanterns will illuminate the site as reenactors, including you, bring the 19th-century Fort Scott to life.
“Each year, the Candlelight Tour gives visitors a chance to not just observe history, but to walk through it,” said Jill Jaworski, superintendent of Fort Scott National Historic Site. “It’s a special opportunity to experience the warmth, resilience and community spirit that defined Fort Scott.”
Fort Scott National Historic Site’s exhibit areas and visitor center are open Friday through Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Park grounds are open daily from a half-hour before sunrise until a half-hour after sunset. Admission to the park is free.
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 430+ national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Patty LaRoche. 2023. Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection www.alittlefaithlift.com AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)
A Choice I Choose by Patty LaRoche
Dan’s wife, Sandy, told me that she never has seen her husband “not happy.” I could understand that if they had been married for one or two days, but eighteen years after saying, “I do,” my friend shared this with me. I asked Dan how he did it.
“Why would I choose not to be happy?” he said. “There’s always something to be happy about.”
Dave, my husband, and I have been around Dan and Sandy multiple times. This past week, they flew here to Kansas to hang with us. No matter what we were doing–touring, playing competitive games or having deep discussions–Dan was delightful. And always, always happy.
Recently, while my cleaning lady was sharing some difficulties she is having, she said this: “Sometimes, I forget to be happy.” Clearly, God is telling me something.
After all, happiness is a choice, so why would I ever opt for the alternative? Maybe because there’s always a reason not to be happy. Health. Finances. Shame. Guilt. The grumpy, selfish neighbor. A friend’s betrayal. A broken lawn mower. Lost keys. Weight gain. Boring retirement.
You get the picture. Daily, we are given opportunities not to see the blessings amongst the difficulties, yet we fail to seek the good. Serious stuff.
There is a story about an elderly man who immigrated to the United States from one of the Communist bloc countries of Eastern Europe. After his papers were processed he found his way to a New York cafeteria where he sat down and waited for someone to bring him a menu and take his order. No one came. Eventually a woman with a full tray of food approached, realized the old man’s dilemma, and explained how American cafeterias work.
“Start at the beginning,” she said kindly. “Look at all the choices that are available, decide what you want, and just reach out and take it. When you get to the end, you’ll be told how much you must pay for the things that you’ve chosen.”
After he had settled into his new home, he made this observation: “Life in America is a lot like that New York cafeteria. The options are endless, but you’ll never get what you want if you sit around and wait for someone to deliver it. Anything is possible (a job, education, a home, a car) but you have to be willing to get up and go after it. And in the end, you have to pay the price of your choices.”
I would add that these choices are not only about the material goods we acquire but also the attitudes and beliefs that dominate our thoughts. Psalm 144:15, although brief, tells us how to acquire that happiness: “Happy are the people whose God is the Lord.” Just how do we make that happen? “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)
Someone once said, “Being happy doesn’t mean everything’s perfect. It means you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections.” Our choice…and a choice I need to choose.
Every Story You Help Us Uncover Can Change a Life.
And sometimes… it can change the world.
When you watch this video, you’ll see what we see every single day at the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes:
Students discovering a story that moves them.
Teachers watching their classrooms come alive.
Young people realizing, for the first time, that they have the power to make a difference.
This is the magic of project-based learning.
This is the impact of Unsung Heroes.
And this is what your support makes possible.
Around the world, students are researching hidden heroes, connecting with survivors and families, finding courage in the face of injustice, and telling stories that may otherwise be lost to time. These projects don’t just teach history, they shape character, build empathy, and create the kind of citizens our world desperately needs.
During the month of December, your donation is 2x matched, multiplying your impact. Every dollar helps another student discover an Unsung Hero, a role model that will stay with them forever.
Stay connected as we share more interviews with Discovery Award-winning students and educators, introduce new Unsung Heroes, and celebrate the projects bringing history to life.
Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Thomas Zabiega to our team of specialty physicians. Dr. Zabiega is Board Certified in Neurology and completed his residency at the University of Chicago Hospitals. He has over 20 years’ experience and can provide care for the following:
Alzheimer’s disease
Brain injuries
Epilepsy
Headaches (including migraines)
Multiple sclerosis
Nerve disorders
Parkinson’s disease
Stroke related issues
Dr. Zabiega will provide services one week a month and his office will be located in the Specialty Clinic at NRMC. He is accepting new patients and self-referrals are welcome. Appointments can be made by calling 417-448-2121.
Every Story You Help Us Uncover Can Change a Life.
Watch the video.
If you’re moved, please consider supporting this work:
