Monthly Archives: July 2025

Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

Ukrainian Unsung Hero Will be Revealed on July 24 at Lowell Milken Center

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Ukrainian Students and Teacher Will Participate in Online Unveiling of New Lowell Milken Center Exhibit

 

An exciting event will be happening at the Lowell Milken Center on Thursday, July 24th, at 10:00 a.m. and everyone is invited!

The Center will unveil their newest exhibit honoring Unsung Hero Oleksandra Shulehko!

The event will include a powerful Zoom with Ukrainian teacher and 2023 LMC Fellow Kateryna Molodyk and her high school students who discovered and researched Unsung Hero Oleksandra Shulehko’s story. Their ensuing project won the Lowell Milken International Discovery Award for 2024.

All visitors are welcome to join the Zoom at the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes to honor the work of Ms. Molodyk and her students for the discovery of our latest unsung hero. This event also provides an excellent opportunity to learn from a Ukrainian teacher and students.

The program begins at 10:00 a.m. CDT (6:00 p.m. Ukrainian time) on Thursday, July 24th, at the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, 1 South Main Street in Fort Scott, KS.

This exhibit is sponsored by a grant from Kansas Tourism.

For more information, visit www.lowellmilkencenter.org or follow the Lowell Milken Center on social media.

 

 

Bourbon County, Government

Special Meeting and Budget Session Is July 19 for the Uniontown City Council

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Saturday, July 19, the Uniontown City Council will have a

Special Meeting at 8:30AM to 9:00AM

 

Following the special meeting the scheduled Budget Work Session will start.

CALL TO ORDER AT _________ by __________________________________________

ROLL CALL:  ___ Jess Ervin ___ Amber Kelly ___ Mary Pemberton ___ Savannah Pritchett ___ Bradley Stewart

 

Motion by _____________, Second by   __________, Approved ______, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to discuss performance of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at ____________.

 

At 9 a.m.

Review proposed budget and discuss possible changes.

 

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening in Fort Scott! July 17th Weekly Newsletter

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What’s Happening in Fort Scott! July 17th Weekly Newsletter

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

** Guided tours Saturday & Sunday 10am & 1pm! **

Click HERE to visit the website.

Click here to see all the FUN classes at The Artificers, classes for ALL ages!

Fort Scott Farmers Market

Saturdays | 8am-noon & Tuesdays | 4-6pm

Gathering Square Pavilion, 111 N. National

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. (Taking the month of August off for BINGO & will start again in September)

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

*Summer Reading June 3rd – July 29th!

201 S. National Ave.

Kansas Small Business Development Center

at the Chamber, 231 E. Wall St.

Every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 9am-4pm.

Dolly Trolley Historic 50-min narrated tours!

Adults $6 | Children 12&under $4

Call 620-223-3566 or stop in the Chamber at

231 E. Wall St. to book your ride!

Fort Scott Aquatic Center

Opens Memorial Day, May 26th

Monday – Saturday

Public Swim: 1-5:15pm

Adult/Family Swim :5:30-7pm

*Lifeguard Breaks: 3pm & 5:15pm

Sunday

Public Swim: 1-6pm

Adult/Family Swim: 4:45-6pm

*Lifeguard Breaks: 3 & 4:30pm

$3 Tuesdays at Fort Cinema!

Follow their Facebook Page HERE for updates!

UPCOMING EVENTS

July 8th-19th

Bourbon County Fair

**SEE SCHEDULE BELOW or CLICK HERE to view the Bourbon County Fair Book!

7/17 ~ 4-7pm | Nevada’s Pizza Hut Pop Up in Fort Scott at G&W Foods parking lot

$11 Large Pizzas

*Accept Cash, Card, & more!

7/17 ~ 5:30-7pm | FS FFA Fried Chicken Dinner Fundraiser w/ Chicken Annie’s Chicken

Bourbon County Fair Grounds – 4H Building

$12/meal ticket

Menu includes:

2pc Fried Chicken

German Coleslaw

Mashed Potatoes & Gravy

Green Beans

Bread & Butter

Lemonade/Tea/Water

7/17 ~ 6-8pm | Paint with Katie Margarita Time

$45

Click HERE to register!

7/17 ~ 7pm | Uniontown

FFA Cornhole Tournament

Registration 6:15-6:45pm

Tourney starts 7pm

BBCO Fairgrounds – Show Arena

Senior Division -14 yrs old + = $20 entry/team

Junior Division -13 yrs old + = $10/team

(A person may double-enter – 2 entries max)

CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER

7/17 ~ 8pm | Bourbon County Draft Horse Pull

$5 gate fee

7/18 ~ 8am | AVAIL Golf Outing

Woodland Hills Golf Course

7/18-19th ~ Presbyterian Village Garage Sale

Fri. 8am-2pm

Sat. 8am-12pm

2401 S. Horton St.

7/18 ~ 9am-1pm | Bourbon County Fair Field Trip

BBCO Fairgrounds

Take a field trip to the Bourbon County Fair. Activities provided by area Services in the Merchant’s Building, watch some of the Southwind Canine Club run their agility course, Touch the Truck, and more.

7/18 ~ 7-8pm | Friday Night

Concerts in the Park

Heritage Park Pavilion – 1st & Main St.

Downtown Fort Scott

7/19 ~ | Kansas Rocks

Summer Off-Road 101 Course

7/19 ~ | Sharky’s Fort Scott BYOP

(Bring Your Own Pool)

$25 per pool / $5 per person

% of Proceeds going to KVDS

7/23 ~ 10am | The Golden Aces Senior Group at the Library

(This week’s class will be making handmade honey soap bars)

7/24 ~ 8am | Chamber Coffee hosted by

Fort Scott Presbyterian Village

7/24-26 ~ 9:45am-1pm | Vacation Bible School at First Baptist Church

“The Romans Road” God’s Path to Life with HIM!

Saturday School Supply Giveaway!

123 Scott Ave.

Click HERE for First Baptist FS Facebook Page!

7/25 ~ 9am | 31st Annual Chamber Golf Classic

Woodland Hills Golf Course

**Tournament is full but we are still taking sponsorships and donated auction items! Contact the Chamber to donate!

620-223-3566

7/25 ~ | Homemade Hot Sundae Cooking Class with Miss Rachel for Ages

at The Kitchen C+C

Click HERE to register!

Noon-1pm Little Chefs

1-2:30pm Junior Chefs

7/26 ~ Kansas Rocks – Newbie Women Wheelers Basic Skills Course

2051 130th St., Mapleton, KS

7/26 ~ 9am-12pm | Summer Arts & Crafts Class: Bullfrogs & Crawdad Replica Mounts brought to you by Tanners Wildlife Artistry, LLC

306 E. 23rd St., Fort Scott, KS

$55/child (limited to 6 participants)

Perfect for ages 6-12

Register 620-238-1382

7/26 ~ 7-10pm | Morgan Rohr LIVE at Sharky’s Fort Scott!

7/27 ~ 1:30-3:30pm | Parent Empowerment Circle: Dealing with Discouragement

Find hope, help, tools, resources, and support close to home

First Baptist Church, 1818 S. Main St.

SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!

Boutiques-Antiques-Flea Markets & more!

Click here for Chamber member

specialty shopping & other retail in

Downtown & other areas of the community.
Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue

Calendar of Events

Special Event Features

THANK YOU Chamber Champion members!!
Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.

Upcoming Movie Schedule @ Fort Cinema
THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER CHAMPION MEMBERS!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
231 E. Wall Street
Fort Scott, KS 66701
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Government, Kansas

KS Governor Demands Release Of Federal Education Funded That Was Congress Appropriated

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Governor Kelly, 17 Governors, Demand
Trump Administration Release $6.8 Billion
in Withheld Education Funding

~~Governor Kelly Stands up for Public Education,
Demands Release of $45 Million for Kansas Students~~

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly on Thursday joined a coalition of 17 governors in sending a letter to United States Secretary of Education Linda McMahon demanding the immediate release of approximately $6.8 billion in federal education funding. Although the funds were already appropriated by Congress, the U.S. Department of Education announced it would delay distribution. This abrupt decision jeopardizes nearly $43 million for K-12 education in Kansas.

Governors from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Maine, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin all signed onto the letter, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of the withholding.

“The Trump administration’s shocking decision to withhold education funding directly harms students and schools in Kansas and across the country,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This funding is essential to support student learning, teacher training and preparation, and afterschool programs that working parents rely on, especially in rural areas. At a time when teachers should be focused on the upcoming school year, the presidential administration’s failure to release Congressionally appropriated funds undermines our shared responsibility to provide every student with a world-class education. I urge the Trump administration to reverse course on this unwarranted cut.”

The Trump administration’s failure to distribute these funds is an unprecedented cut affecting programs that support teacher recruitment and training, STEM education, academic enhancing technology and digital literacy skills, and afterschool programs. This cut could be especially difficult for rural Kansas schools that rely on the flexibility of these federal funds to meet the needs of students.

Based on state fiscal year 2025 grant awards, states were scheduled to receive the federal funding beginning July 1. On June 30, the U.S. Department of Education informed states that it would not issue the funding due to an internal review.

Schools and adult education providers across the country, including in Kansas, were counting on this funding for the upcoming school year. The Trump administration’s decision to halt releasing the funding on time is causing widespread disruption to planning and operations, potentially forcing program cuts, hiring delays, and service reductions for students most in need.

The full letter to Secretary McMahon can be found here.

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Entertainment, Fort Scott

Waypoint Coins Hide and Seek Event Is August 2

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Hide & Seek Event!

Mark your calendars for the

Waypoint Coins Hide & Seek Event, in the heart of downtown Fort Scott!  Get ready to embark on a modern-day treasure hunt that’s perfect for adventurers of all ages.

August 2nd, 2025

9am

7 S. National Ave.

(Waypoint HQ)

What to Expect:

Hidden coins to discover around town

Giveaways and surprise prizes

A chance to earn a Team Waypoint Coin (rare & exclusive!)

Fun for all ages

Get Ready Before the Hunt

Download the free Waypoint Coins app to track your finds, earn points, and join the community. Get familiar with it ahead of time so you’re ready to go!

Click HERE to download the app!

Waypoint coins can also be customized for business

branding, personal gifts, and community events designed to tell your story!

Click HERE to learn more about Waypoint Coins!

Click HERE for Waypoint Coin’s official Facebook page!

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

Budget Committee Report Tops July 16 Bo Co Commission Meeting (Part 1)

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The north wing, east side of the Bourbon County Courthouse.

County Commissioners heard from Greg Motley, representing the newly-formed Budget Advisory Committee about whether or not the county should choose to go revenue neutral in the new budget.

The commissioners had to decide this question and notify County Clerk Susan Walker as well as set budget hearings by September 20 and submit their final budget to the clerk by October 1.

Motley said the committee plans to have all the data that they need to make final budget decisions significantly before the hearing date deadline.

He said that thus far, the Budget Advisory Committee has been working on big picture stuff. They were awaiting the commission’s revenue neutral decision to dive into the details.

Almost everyone on the BAC has an accounting degree or other significant accounting experience. He said they have reviewed 6 years-worth of data on the county’s finances.

“I think we need to commend the people in this building, everybody contributes to that because our audits are absolutely clean, and especially the county clerk. She has delivered clean audit after clean audit after clean audit,” he said. “The integrity of the numbers is good and the committee has appreciated that.”

While the committee prefers the county be revenue neutral, or at least keeping the mill levy as low as possible, the reason they cannot recommend going revenue neutral is that the county is playing catch up.

“We’ve run down the cash reserves of the county,” he said. The current financial condition of the county would make bond approval very challenging, and if approved, the interest rates would be very high.

“We need to start building our cash reserves back to where they were several years ago,” said Motley, and it will take multiple years to do that.

“We’ve also robbed peter to pay Paul,” he said, “In that previous commissions had set a plan to do replacement reserves,” by transferring funds, but in order to balance the budget, they did not made those transfers to those reserves for equipment replacement.

The landfill has a sinking fund requirement by statute. The landfill needs to be covering that, not the public works department. The courthouse needs $1 million in deferred maintenance. Cost increases that are out of the commission’s control, including insurance costs, keep sky-rocketing across the nation. These are examples of why the county can’t go revenue neutral. Motley did say the BAC will be fighting to keep the mil levy where it is.

“We have interviewed virtually every department head and every elected official in the building,” and talked to individual employees besides that, he said. “The committee has been very impressed with the quality of the employees in this building. We have good people, and we have people that serve the public.”

The draft 2026 budget that the committee received calls for a 6 mil increase. The committee is not willing to go that high. After comparing all the data, the maximum that they can recommend is 62.5 mils compared to the current 59.9. Motley recommended they adopt that as the maximum rate and then work to lower it between now and Sept. 20 or Oct. 1 with the goal of not raising the mil at all and perhaps lowering it if we can, “But we’re facing a lot of headwinds.”

“We are going to be doing everything we can to make sure that rate is lower, but there’s a lot of things out of our control here, too,” he said. The problem didn’t start here, but with historical decisions by previous commissions.

“We have to find ways to save money,” said Commissioner Mika Milburn.

Commissioner David Beerbower said that the budget will require a lot of work.

“A budget is simply a spending priority and when you decide to spend less, something’s got to go,” Motley said. So the commissioners should be attending the budget advisory committee’s meetings and setting their priorities.

Commissioner Samuel Tran suggested telling department heads give the commission their top 3 priorities.

Beerbower moved that the commission extend the mil rate to 62.5 and set the hearing date for August 11 at 5:35pm.

The motion passed unanimously.

Bourbon County, Government, Health Care

Flash Flood Warning For Bourbon County KS In Effect Until 12:15 p.m.

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Prior flooding in  May 2017.
Flood Warning
National Weather Service Springfield MO
613 AM CDT Thu Jul 17 2025

KSC011-171715-
/O.NEW.KSGF.FA.W.0026.250717T1113Z-250717T1715Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Bourbon KS-
613 AM CDT Thu Jul 17 2025

...FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 1215 PM CDT THIS AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.

* WHERE...A portion of southeast Kansas, including the following
  county, Bourbon.

* WHEN...Until 1215 PM CDT Thursday.

* IMPACTS...Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying
  and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
  - At 613 AM CDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to
    thunderstorms. Flooding is ongoing or expected to begin
    shortly in the warned area.
  - Some locations that will experience flooding include...
    Fort Scott, Uniontown, Redfield, Marmaton, Hiattville, Pawnee
    Station, Devon, Petersburg and Garland.
  - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Many flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Photo from May 1, 2017 of area flooding.
Art, Business

Happenings At the Artificers

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Logo

What’s going on

at The Artificers?

Check out on all things happening!

Paint & Enjoy Margaritas

with Katie Hueston!

Tomorrow night, July 17th, 6-8pm!

Bring in your best friend and enjoy a night out together by

painting and sipping on margs!
Sign up Here!

Glaze Day!!

July 26th, 10am-3pm

Bring in your ceramic pieces to be glazed!

if you wish to not glaze and have pieces still at the gallery, please help us out on space and pick up your items!!

If you happen to bring in a friend, ask to see if there is anything to glaze!

Activities happening in August!!

Join us on First Friday, August 1st!

Experience Ceramic Artists take on

The Empty Bowl Fundraiser from 6-9pm!

Second Coffee & Clay of the year!

August 2nd, 10:30am-12:30pm

2-hour workshop of hand building your

own Garden Morning Coffee Mug!

Using fresh botanicals and sipping on

fresh coffee!
Signup here

Paint your Pet with Anita!!

We are offering two classes on

August 9th,

from 10:30am-12:30pm and

from 1:00-3:00pm

Bring in a photo of your pet you would like to paint! During this 2-hour workshop you will receive one on one time learning how to paint your pet!
Signup here:

Paint and Sip on August 14th, 6-8pm

MORE INFO COMING SOON!!!

Glaze Day,

August 30th, 10am-3pm!

Bring in your ceramic pieces

to be glazed!
8 N National Ave, Fort Scott, KS

Christmas has arrived early!

Print Sale of 25% off all prints!

Shop in store or ONLINE!!
Shop Online Gallery Now!

We have a 10% off on all items in the gallery! (In store sales)

Bourbon County Clay items are excluded during this sale.

*These sales will end when July is over!*

Schedule your own Private Workshop!

How to schedule a private workshop?

  1. 5 people or more!

  2. Pick party option!

  3. Pick time & date!

  4. $150 deposit to reserve your spot!

  5. Have fun in the clay!!
Email us!
Call us!

Call for 2026 Artists,

Have your Art Collection in our Gallery!
Apply Here!

We are also looking for teachers to teach their medium in our Teaching Studio!
Apply Here!

Follow us on Socials!
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Copyright (C) *|2025|* *|tefreemanstudiojllc|*. All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.

Our mailing address is:

T.E.Freeman Studio

8 North National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701
Government, Kansas

‘Hire a Veteran Day’ Virtual Job Fair is July 25

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‘Hire a Veteran Day’ Virtual Job Fair Focuses on Transitioning Servicemembers

TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland encourages jobseekers and employers searching for available talent to take part in the upcoming “Hire a Veteran Day” virtual job fair, hosted by KANSASWORKS, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, July 25. This job fair is open to all jobseekers but primarily is aimed at veterans preparing to transition to civilian careers.

“Military veterans don’t just get the job done — they lead with purpose and strive for greatness in all things they do,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Their leadership, discipline and diverse skillsets make them invaluable to our workforce — and I encourage any transitioning servicemembers who are exploring their next chapter to attend and connect with our state’s outstanding employers.”

KANSASWORKS is hosting this special event to connect veterans with employers who recognize the value of military experience. Participating employers understand military skillsets and actively are seeking to hire those who have served.

The Virtual Job Fair format allows anyone searching for a position to fill out applications, chat live and interview virtually with participating employers.

The Virtual Statewide Job Fair portal features helpful information such as a jobseeker training video, a list of participating employers and channels for attendees to register and log in. Jobseekers are encouraged to dress professionally, as they might be asked to engage in an interview.

Candidates can participate through any digital device. Any individual with a disability may request accommodations by contacting their nearest workforce center at (877) 509-6757 prior to the event.

Registration is required to participate in virtual job fairs, regardless of previous participation. To register, click: bit.ly/KSVetsJobFair.

About the Kansas Department of Commerce:

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.

About KANSASWORKS:

KANSASWORKS links businesses, job candidates and educational institutions to ensure that employers can find skilled workers. Services are provided to employers and job candidates through the state’s 27 workforce centers, online or virtual services KANSASWORKS is completely free for all Kansans to use. Learn more at KANSASWORKS.com. State employment opportunities can be found at jobs.ks.gov.

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