Monthly Archives: August 2025

Bourbon County

Cato Historical Preservation Association Awarded Grant from Community Foundation

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Submitted photo.

Five members (one being the photographer) from the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas journeyed to Cato, Kansas on Wednesday, August 6, to present grant money to the Cato Historical Preservation Association, Inc..  The “General Funds” grant was done by Cato member Marilyn Flagg.

The money will be used for supplies and three directional wooden signs with arrows pointed toward  Cato. These signs will be made by Chad Cliffman of rural Ft. Scott.

Cato will host 600-700 school kids on Thursday, Nov. 6th and the annual Cato tour is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 8th starting with registration in the Cato Christian Church at 9 a.m.

 

Picture:

 

Top left to right:  Nathan Garrett, Devin Gorman, Kara Mishmash, Robert Magginetti, Anna Swank, Shirley Hensley, and Mary Portwood

 

Bottom left to right:  Linda Grilz, Marilyn Flagg, Jerry Lomshek, and Diane James

(Photographer was Matthew Buck)

 

K-State Extension

Parents, Children, and Tantrums

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Tara Soloman-Smith, Family and Wellness Agent, Sunflower District of Kansas State University’s Extension Office. Submitted photo.

 

It’s not summer without kid’s games at the local county fair!  My four-year-old excitedly participated in the pig contest.  When his attempts to catch the animal failed, he wailed!  Are you like me as a parent, and try to make a tantrum stop?

 

Researchers at Berkeley University’s Greater Good Science Center have studied the meltdowns that can be frequent occurrences when children (and their parents) are frustrated and stressed.  The science behind tantrums tells us they aren’t breakdowns of behavior—they’re breakthroughs of communication.

 

Understanding what’s really happening during meltdowns can help us respond to our children in a way that supports them… and makes things easier for us, too!

 

Root Causes of Tantrums

Tantrums aren’t defiance—they’re a child’s way of expressing unmet needs. They often stem from:

  • Frustration with independence: Kids get upset when they can’t complete tasks just beyond their ability.
  • Limits and authority: Toddlers react strongly to boundaries, which may feel unfair to them.
  • Sharing and social struggles: Young children lack the development to truly share, leading to meltdowns.
  • Unmet basic needs: Hunger, tiredness, or lack of connection can quickly trigger tantrums.

Understanding these root causes helps reduce tantrum frequency and improves communication.

 

Is there a better way to respond to tantrums?

  1. Stay Regulated yourself. Practice an exercise such as a breathing technique.  Reframe your mindset by stating ‘This isn’t personal, my child is dysregulated’.  This does not excuse difficult behavior but helps us respond with understanding rather than a surge of frustration ourselves.

 

  1. Don’t punish, but don’t give in. Avoid dismissing your child’s emotions or punishing them during a tantrum. They’re not being defiant—they’re overwhelmed and need your help to calm down. Stay calm yourself; reacting with anger only escalates things and puts unfair pressure on your child to manage your emotions too.

 

  1. Validate your child’s experience.
    After a tantrum, wait until your child is truly calm before talking. Use the Validation Ladder:

Be present: Give full attention, no distractions.

Reflect: “You felt angry when we left the playground?”  This tells your child their feelings matter.

Contextualize: “You were excited to play, so it makes sense you’re upset.”

Propose: Try digging a little deeper.  “Maybe you’re also worried we won’t come back soon?”

Empathize: “That sounds really disappointing.”  Be sure your voice tells you really mean what you are saying.

Take Action:  Think about what you could do differently.  “Next time, I’ll give a 5-minute warning.”

 

Validation helps kids feel understood—not indulged—and reduces future meltdowns.

 

  1. Build support over time.
    As kids grow, they can express how they want support. Use calm moments to reflect patterns or offer choices: “Do you want me close or to give space when you’re upset?”

 

  1. Stay curious.
    Look beyond behavior to understand the need or emotion driving it.

 

Parenting is not easy and it’s probably the most important job you can have.  I hope to navigate it well by continually learning.  For more information contact Tara Solomon-Smith, [email protected], 620-244-3826.

 

# # #

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

Bourbon County

Bourbon County Coalition Meeting Minutes of August 6

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Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition

General Membership Meeting Minutes

 

August 6, 2025

 

 

  1.  Welcome: Twenty-two members representing nineteen agencies attended the meeting held at the Scottview Apartments Conference Room.

 

 

  1.  Member Introductions and Announcements:
  • Jennyifer Gum-Fowler -Fort Scott Public Library
  • Alyssa Hess- Safehouse Pittsburg
  • Anna Salas – Safehouse Pittsburg
  • Theresa Amershek – Child Exchange & Visitation Center (Safehouse)
  • Patty Simpson – Fort Scott Housing Authority – There is currently a waiting list for all sizes of units, but still taking applications
  • Sandy Haggard – K-State Extension – Offering food safety “OWL Hour” program. Focused on cooking for one or two.  Takes place at Fort Scott Public Library on Wednesdays at 10 AM.   The Americorps grant was renewed and will be starting back up soon.
  • Jalaine Davis – Core Community Coach- The new phase of Core Community will be starting on September 9th.
  • Dave Gillen – Beacon – Provide food and hygiene items to individuals in need. Can provide a limited number of taxi passes and gas vouchers.  The Beacon served 399 families in July ($3,800 in assistance).  Numbers are increasing steadily. Served 8 new families last month.
  • Tammy Alcantar- Crawford County Health Department – Teen pregnancy grant has changed and will go back to MCOs. Tammy is still doing the  Baby and Me Tobacco Free program.  Prenatal class offered for Bourbon, Crawford, and Cherokee counties. Started Monday, offers learning and resources for expecting moms.  All pregnant moms can participate.
  • Dee Dee LeFever- Greenbush Early Learning Services -Greenbush provides Parents as Teachers, Birth to 3 programs. Also hosts parent training modules.  Dee Dee is now part of the Autism team.  A new  PAT parent educator has been hired for Bourbon County.
  • Craig Campbell Good Neighbor Action Team – GNAT is averaging one wheelchair ramp build per week. Linn and Crawford counties have been keeping them busy.  Working with the codes department on code violations. GNAT will help homeowners recover overgrown properties, and can help paint houses.  Working with FS City to develop a list of wish-list properties that volunteers can help with.  Craig also works with individuals who need court-ordered volunteer hours.  Check the GNAT Facebook page for more information.
  • Heather Shepherd – School-based Community Health Worker – Works with students and families. Heather can help students and their families find resources, help with insurance, parenting, about anything.
  • Kathy Romero – Angels Home Health -Angels covers several counties in SEK. They can provide any kind of home health services.  Provide programs designed for a wide range of individuals and their needs.
  • Belinda Pitts – Mental Health Liaison – USD 234 – Belinda helps connect children with mental health resources.  She works with families to build trust and supports teachers by helping kids in the classroom.
  • Christa Vaughn – SEK Mental Health – Case managers and getting ready to go back to school. Fully staffed at USD 234.
  • Cherri Walrod – K-State Community Health Worker – Cherri helps individuals with food, assistance applications, and works with families with special needs children. Her position is grant-funded through the end of this year.
  • Shelby Moore- Families Together FAST Program – Shelby helps families navigate the special education process.
  • Michelle Stevenson – Early Childhood Coordinator – Michelle works with families to monitor the development of children from prenatal through 6 years old. Her program encourages and equips parents to help children meet their developmental milestones.  Parent/Child Cafe last week was very successful, a KU grant made family stipends possible.
  • Janelle Tate – Early Childhood Block Grant
  • Kelli Mengarelli – Early Childhood Block Grant – Works with preschools, child care centers, and home providers in 6 counties.

 

 

 

  1.  Program: 

 

Pamela Thompson – Family Resource Center – Family Strong Community Outreach Liaison

 

Pamela and the Family Strong program work with family resource advocates to find resources for families.  The program is funded through a grant from KU, one of only 6 in the country.  Pamela has been working with USD 234 for the last two years.  The district and area partners have developed a student support team to directly impact students and families.  Pamela has worked with Core Communities and the Kansas Children’s Service League to develop a discussion (training) to train volunteers in the community.  Hope into Action Bourbon County Resilience Summit will take place  September 2nd from 6:30-7:30, and September 6th from 9:00-4:00 at Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.  The discussion will focus on ACES, Hope Scale, and building Resilience.  Organizers are encouraging any and all families and professionals to attend.  Pamela offered a special thank you to HBCAT for offering some radio time to promote the Hope Into Action Summit.  There will be a resource table at the September 6th meeting if anyone would like to bring goodies to share for the table.

 

The Family Strong program works to prevent abuse and neglect of children.  Anyone 0-18 can qualify for services through Family Strong. Stephanie Breckenridge is the contact person for Bourbon County. KU sensemaking sessions have been taking place this summer.  Everyone is encouraged to share their story, the good, bad, and ugly.

 

 

  1.  Open Forum:  Nothing further came before the membership.

 

 

  1.  Adjournment:  The next General Membership meeting will be September 3, 2025. 

FS combined flyers

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Fort Scott

Hip-Hop Dance Masterclass Offered on August 16

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About the Event & Instructor
This will be a one-day class led by Lukky, a professional hip-hop dancer, choreographer, and instructor based out of Kansas City, according to Leslie Godden who has facilitated the event.

“Lukky has been my daughter Kenna’s hip-hop teacher since she was 9 years old. He’s signed with the same talent agency as Kenna, and his experience includes traveling the U.S. to train, teach, and judge at dance competitions, working on music video sets for famous artists, commercials, and more. He also runs his own dance company, I-Push, which focuses on inspiring dancers to find their inner performer and reach their full potential.

“Two years ago, Lukky taught a class here in Fort Scott, and I’ve been working to bring him back ever since. We’re excited to finally make it happen!

Why This Matters to the Community
“Kenna has been able to dance, work, and perform with incredible artists thanks to the support of the Fort Scott community. This event is our way to give back and bring a unique dance experience to our hometown—an opportunity that doesn’t come around often here.”

Class Details
📅 Date: Saturday, August 16
🕒 Time: BEGINNERS – 1:00–2:00PM INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED – 2:00–3:30PM

📍 Location: River Room Event Center | 3 W. Oak St.
🎟 Cost & Registration:  BEGINNERS – 1:00–2:00PM – $20! INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED – $30! Both Classes: $40

🎟️ Parents, snag a WATCH BAND for $10 & cheer your dancer from the floor!
Additional class breakdown is available in the flyer attached.

RSVP HERE NOW!
Forms of Payment Accepted:
Cash
CashApp: $LeslieGodden
Venmo: Leslie-Godden (8050 last 4 digits of phone # if asked)
FB Pay
QUESTIONS: Call or text 620-644-8050
LOCATION: I chose the River Room due to its downtown location and figured since class was during the afternoon and on a Saturday, this could give attendees esp ones that aren’t from Fort Scott, a chance to get a bite to eat and hopefully stroll the shops! Again, why the more people that see this the better not just for us with the event, but the community.

I’ve also attached a list of FAQ’s that I typically get for dance events like this.

Fort Scott

What’s Happening in Fort Scott August 8 Edition

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What’s Happening in Fort Scott! August 8th 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

Sign up for Supplemental Art Classes

with The Artificers

Multiple dates & times available

Click HERE to sign up!

Early-Bird Pricing until 8/8.

Regular registration pricing until 9/5.

$3 Tuesdays at Fort Cinema!

Follow their Facebook Page HERE for updates!

UPCOMING EVENTS

8/1-15 ~ | Back to School Appreciation Party

by Sunshine Boutique

Deals & Mark Downs

3 Back to School/Work Basket Giveaways

Hidden Sales – Find the faux apples!

Bring your faculty or student ID for an

extra 15% off

8/8 ~ 7-8pm | Friday Night Concerts

In The Park

special local talent/band

Bourbon County Revival

Heritage Park Pavilion, 1st & Main

Downtown Fort Scott

8/9 ~ 10-12:30pm | Fort Scott

Stamp Club Meeting

FS Public Library – Lower Level Conf. Room

201 S. National Ave.

8/9 ~ 10:30am-3pm | Paint Your Pet with Anita

at The Artificers

$45/class

Two Classes:

10:30am – 12:30pm | 1-3pm

Click HERE to register!

8/9 ~ 11am-2pm | Back to School Bash/Backpack Giveaway by Fort Scott Rec Dept at Buck Run Community Center

735 S. Scott St.

Bring the whole family & enjoy free activities:

– Mini golf

– Laser tag

– Cookies & lemonade

– Face painting

– Inflatables

8/9 ~ 12pm | Back to School Giveaway by

United Missionary Baptist Church

16 North Ransom (Behind Sherwin-Williams)

8/9 ~ 8-12pm | Breakfast on the Bricks

by Pioneer Kiwanis

(During Farmers’ Market)

Gathering Square Pavilion

8/11 ~ 10-2pm | Bourbon Country

Flange Fitting Clinic

Bourbon County Health Dept.

524 S. Lowman St.

8/12-18 ~ | Teacher Appreciation Special at SkinnyDrip’s Revive Massage

Special 20% Discount for all teachers & staff!

710 W. 8th St. Fort Scott, KS

Call 620-687-6721 for details & to book appt.

8/12 ~ | USD 234 FSHS & FSMS Open Houses

FSHS: 6-7:30pm

FSMS: 5:30-7pm

(6th grade orientation at 5:30pm)

8/13 ~ | USD 234 PreSchool

& Grade School Open Houses

PreSchool: 5-6:30pm

Winfield Scott: 5-6:30pm

Eugene Ware: 5:30-7pm

8/13 ~ 10-11:30am | Junior Chef Lunchbox Workshop at The Kitchen C+C

Ages 7-12 | $30 Click HERE to sign-up!

8/13 ~ 4-7pm | Nevada Pizza Hut

Poppin’ Up in Fort Scott!

250 pizzas then SOLD OUT!

Large 1 topping pizzas

Cheese | Pepperoni | Pork | Beef

Click HERE to order special requests!

8/14 ~ 8am | Chamber Coffee

hosted by Fort Scott Family Dental

2 N. Main St.

8/14 ~ 1:30-3pm | FSCC’s Senior-Versity

FSCC Tour + Q&A with New President

Click HERE for more details!

8/14 ~ 6-8pm | Paint & Sip a Funky Fish

at The Artificers

2hr workshop | $45/person

Click HERE to sign up!

8/14 ~ 6:30pm | Town Hall Meeting

Discussion of the 1/2 cent sales tax.

Empress Event Center | 7 N. Main St.

8/15 ~ | USD234 First Day of School

8/15-17 ~ Heartland Showcare Boer Goat Sale

@ BBCO Fairgrounds

8/15 ~ 6pm | Crooner’s & Liberty Theatre

10th Anniversary

$150/ticket – Ticket includes:

Appetizers, Dinner, Live Entertainment by Melissa Anderson & Les Lankhorst & access to Saturday the 16th Dueling Piano Concert.

Get your ticket HERE, call 620-224-9787 or in person during normal business hours

at Crooner’s

8/15 ~ 7-8pm | Friday Night Concerts

In The Park

Heritage Park Pavilion, 1st & Main

Downtown Fort Scott

8/16 ~ 8am | Kansas Rocks Sunflower

Trail Ride Event

2051 130th St., Mapleton, KS

8/16 ~ 8:30am | FSCC Pickleball Fundraiser hosted by FSCC Volleyball Team

@ Sharky’s Pub & Grub

8/16 ~ 9am | Kiwanis 4-person Scramble Golf Tournament

(rescheduled from May 24th)

Woodland Hills Golf Course

8/16 ~ 1-4pm | Dance Masterclass by Kansas City Dancer & Performer

Manual “Lukky” Harvey

1-2pm | Beginner Class | $20

2-3:30pm | Intermediate/Advanced Class | $30

Both Classes: $45

Parents, snag a WATCH BAND for $10 & cheer your dancer from the floor!

@ River Room Event Center, 3 W. Oak St.

RSVP by clicking HERE or

Call/Text Leslie Godden at 620-644-8050

8/16 ~ 8pm | Liberty Theatre Anniversary

Concert & Fundraiser

Celebrating the 10th Anniv under the management of Jared Leek & Rob Shaw.

Live Music by Felix and Fingers Dueling Pianos

$20/ticket

Cash Bar Available

All proceeds go towards the FSCC Walking Trail Improvement Project.

8/16-17 ~ 9pm-7am | Battle at Bone Creek

presents The Fight at Fort Scott

Public Catfishing Tournament located at Lake Fort Scott

$100 per boat

Click HERE for more pricing, prizes, and rules!

For the Facebook Event Page click HERE!

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.
…
Fort Scott, Government, Schools

USD234 Board of Education Agenda For August 11

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BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING

August 11, 2025 – 5:30 P.M.

AGENDA SUMMARY WITH COMMENTARY

1.0       Call Meeting to Order                                                                      David Stewart, President

2.0       Flag Salute

3.0       Approval of the Official Agenda (Action Item)

4.0       Approval of the Consent Agenda (Action Item)

            4.1       Board Minutes

                                    07-14-25

            4.2       Financials – Cash Flow Report

            4.3       Check Register

            4.4       Payroll – July 18, 2025 –  $1,681,850.38

4.5       Activity Funds Accounts

4.6       USD 234 Gifts

4.7       Resolution 25-08 – Remove Bank Signers

4.8       Resolution 25-09 – Add Bank Signers

5.0       Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion Item)

            5.1       Superintendent’s Report (Destry)  

5.2       Assistant Superintendent’s Report (Zach)

            5.3       Assistant Superintendent’s Report (Terry)

            5.4       Special Education Director’s Report

 

6.0       New Business

6.1       2025-26 High School Handbook (Action) Handbook Edits

6.2       Parent Expectation Policy (Action)

            6.3       2025-2026 Preliminary Budget Report with Needs Assessment (Info only)

6.4       2025-2026 Preliminary Budget Presentation

6.5       Audit Contract with Diehl, Banwart, and Bolton, CPA’s, P.A.  (Action)

6.6       MOU for IT Services between USD 234 and City of Fort Scott (Action)

6.7       All-Weather Track Structural Spray Bids (Action)

6.8       Purchase of Transit Van (Action)

 

7.0       Public Forum

8.0       Other Business – Personnel Matters – Time __________

8.1       Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)

8.2       Exit Executive Session – _______ (Time)

8.3       Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)        

 

9.0       Adjourn Meeting _____ (Time)            David Stewart, President

Fort Scott

Local Couple In The Running For America’s Favorite Couple

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Myca and Robert Sellers. Submitted photo.
A couple with ties to Fort Scott, Myca and Robert Sellers, are in the running for America’s Favorite Couple contest.
“I found out about America’s Favorite Couple through a Facebook ad promoted by the actor, Jeff Goldblum,” said Myca (Short) Sellers. I thought it would be such a fun opportunity to share our love story, which I’ve always believed was something really special. The grand prize is $20,000 and a feature in Variety magazine.”
“While I entered this contest mostly for the fun and story-sharing aspect, I love that it’s tied to doing something good by supporting two worthy causes,” she said in an email interview with fortscott.biz. “The Los Angeles Food Bank is an organization that works to fight hunger by distributing food to those in need, and Oceana focuses on protecting and restoring the world’s oceans. Honestly, I wasn’t super familiar with either organization before this competition. While ocean conservation hasn’t been a passion of mine, I do think it’s great to support environmental causes.”
“The food bank’s mission especially resonates with me, I care deeply about helping people in need, especially those facing hunger and homelessness. As a Christian, giving and serving others is really important to me. My family and I sponsor a child in Tanzania through Compassion International, we currently provide a home for some extended family members going through a tough time, we give to our church, and we do our best to help others when we can. So even though I didn’t enter this competition because of the charities, I’m glad that it supports such meaningful work.”
“So far, we just made it through our group finals and will be moving on to the quarterfinals. We’ve been so blessed to have made it this far in the competition with the help of our friends and family. Every free daily vote really makes a difference. People are also able to donate to the partnered charities mentioned to cast additional votes. We’d be incredibly honored to have support from the Fort Scott community to help us make it to the finish line! Please let me know if you need any more information about the competition or anything else about our story.”
To vote for Robert and Myca Sellers
About the couple
Submitted photo.
“Robert and I both graduated from Fort Scott High School in 2012,” she said in the interview.  “My grandma lived there my entire life until recently moving to Chanute, and my mom, Wendy Stewart Hoeme, worked at Ward Kraft when I was little. I even went to Winfield Scott Elementary for 2nd grade. My dad was Robert (Tony) Short, but he passed away in 2009 when I was 16.
“Robert is the son of James and Jackie Sellers, Fort Scott. Jackie is the manager at the Bourbon County Senior Citizens Center, and she and James also own and operate Pitt Taxi. James served in the Navy, so Robert spent some of his childhood outside of Kansas, but they eventually returned to Fort Scott when his dad retired from the military.”  Robert attended St. Mary’s  Catholic School and then Fort Scott Middle School and high school.
“I moved to Fort Scott …when my mom got a job at Great West in 2005. I started 6th grade at the middle school, and that’s where I met Robert. We were in the same homebase class (Mrs. Brittan’s!) and quickly became close friends. I developed a crush on him back then, but kept it quiet, … since a friend of mine dated him for a while. Robert and I stayed close throughout middle and high school, and our friendship was always something special.”
Senior prom. Submitted photo.
In their senior year, they had a physics class together with Dr. Klassen.
“We flirted constantly. One day, while cruising around town (as small-town Kansas teens do!), we passed each other at a stop sign. Seeing him prompted me to take a risk and text him later to confess my feelings. But it turned out he had liked me all along, too. We went on a date to play disc golf at Gunn Park and made our relationship official after that.”
Submitted photo.
The summer after graduation, they went cruising in his Jeep, stargazing from the Fort Scott Community College rappel tower, and “just being young and in love.”
He gave her a promise ring before he left for Air Force basic training that fall, and Myca started college at Fort Hays State University.
He was stationed in England.
“When he came home for Christmas, he took me back to the rappel tower at the college and proposed. We got married in Fort Scott at the Scottish Rite Temple on April 6, 2013.”
Submitted photo.
“Since then, our military life has taken us all over the world. We’ve lived in England, Albuquerque, NM, the little island of Okinawa in Japan, and now we’re stationed in Italy at Aviano Air Base.”
Submitted photo.
Robert is a Technical Sergeant in the Air Force, working on HH-60 helicopters.
“We’ve now been married 12 years and have three children: our son Castiel (6), and daughters Salem (4) and Sage (2). We’re not sure yet where we’ll go next since we still have 2.5 years left in Italy, but most likely somewhere in Arizona, New Mexico, or Georgia when we return to the States. He’ll have about 4.5 years left until retirement once we move back.”
“I believe what makes our relationship so special is that it was built on a solid foundation of friendship. We’re truly best friends, we’ve grown up together, and we still know how to have fun and make each other laugh. Living this military life, mostly overseas and far from family, has made us grow even more. We were just 19 when we got married and moved to England, and we’ve had to face a lot of challenges. But those trials taught us how to work together, rely on each other, and strengthen our bond. We deeply value one another and always come together as a team.”
Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Youth

Get Ready To Jump Fort Scott

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This sign has been taken down, as the three needed employees have been hired.

The former Walgreens store at 23rd and South Main Street will soon be filled with lots of excited kids.

Submitted photo.

Jumpy Jumpland is coming to Fort Scott in that building.

Their opening weekend is August 15-17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The grand opening weekend is free to public for a preview of what the business has to offer, said Heather Sims, district manager.

“We have indoor inflatables, fun for the whole family,” Sims said.

Submitted photo.

In addition to the many inflatables, they have a snack bar.

“We do birthday parties and Open Jumps, where anyone can come and play for $7 for as long as Open Jump is open.”

There are two choices for birthday parties: deluxe for $200, which has a one-hour jump time and then 45 minutes in the party area;  and supreme at $240, which has 1.5 hours of playtime and 45 minutes in the party area.

They can bring outside food and beverages, but no party supplies can be brought into Open Jump.

Submitted photo.

Currently, there are three employees, she said. “Two people per shift. We want eyes on the bounce floor at all times.”

Their hours of operation: Fridays are Open Jump from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon are available party times, then from noon to 2 is Open Jump, followed by times for parties. The last party of the day starts at 7:30 p.m.

“We chose Fort Scott because it doesn’t have a lot for kids to do,” she said. “We wanted to bring something to them.”

Jumpy Jumpland rents the building from Jake’s Fireworks. Starting the first weekend in June, they will move out and then move back in on the first weekend in August, she said. Jake’s Fireworks’ high sales season is June through August.

“Join us for Open Jump, games, and awesome prizes – we can’t wait to see you there!” said Jessica Benford, marketing director for the To book parties and celebrations, email at jumpyjumpland.com

Their address is 2229 S. Main Street, inside the Jake’s Fireworks building.

About Jumpy Jump Land

Who We Are
Jumpy Jump Land is the premier bounce-house party destination in the Wichita area, offering vibrant indoor play spaces filled with colorful obstacle courses, tall slides, and multiple bounce houses. We host both private parties by reservation and Open Jump sessions where families can drop in and play.

Where We Started
We opened our first location in Andover, Kansas, in 2015. Since then, Jumpy Jump Land has grown into a local favorite and expanded to five locations: Andover, Bel Aire, Haysville, El Dorado – and now, Fort Scott, opening August 15!

Who Owns It
Jumpy Jump Land is owned and operated as a Kansas limited liability company: JUMPY JUMP LAND, LLC.

Why We Do What We Do
Our mission is to create unforgettable moments for kids and families through safe, clean, and energetic indoor fun. We’re passionate about providing a stress-free venue where hosts can truly enjoy birthdays, reunions, corporate events, and more – while kids jump, play, and burn off energy.

 

Government, Kansas

Today From The Kansas Supreme Court

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Today from the Kansas Supreme Court:

Appeal No. 125,999: Sarah E. Tharrett, as Successor Trustee of the Roxine Poznich Revocable Trust v. David T. Everett

 

Summary calendar. No oral argument.

 

The Supreme Court affirmed in part and reversed in part the Court of Appeals judgment that dismissed Everett’s appeal due to acquiescence to the Bourbon County District Court judgment. The Court of Appeals held that Everett had acquiesced to the district court’s closure of the trust by accepting his distribution check. The Court of Appeals further held that it did not have jurisdiction to award Tharrett her attorney fees on appeal based on its reading of Kaelter v. Sokol, 301 Kan. 247, 340 P.3d 1210 (2015). On appeal, Everett argued that the district court judgment was void for lack of due process or that an exception to acquiescence doctrine applied. In a unanimous decision written by Justice Caleb Stegall, the Supreme Court held that when a trust beneficiary accepts the distribution awarded to them, they cannot then take an inconsistent position and challenge the amount distributed on appeal. Furthermore, due process violations do not necessarily void a judgment. Due process violations that completely undermine personal jurisdiction void a judgment, but that situation was not present here. No exception to acquiescence applied. Therefore, the Court of Appeals correctly dismissed the merits for lack of jurisdiction. However, the Supreme Court found there was a live controversy as to fees, so it awarded Tharrett $11,320 in attorney fees.

Appeal Nos. 126,718 and 126,719: In the Interests of K.W.D. and E.L.D., Minor Children

 

Appeal Nos. 126,718 and 126,719 archived oral argument

 

The Leavenworth County District Court terminated Father’s parental rights to two minor children who were adjudicated as children in need of care and remained in state custody for an extended period while Father was incarcerated. The Court of Appeals affirmed on grounds of Father’s unfitness due to incarceration. On review, a majority of the Supreme Court agreed the district court had not erred in terminating Father’s parental rights on this basis. In a decision written by Justice Melissa Standridge, the majority explained that in assessing the likelihood parental unfitness will change in the foreseeable future, the inquiry does not end merely because the underlying condition has a defined endpoint. Rather than simply determining whether the parent will be physically available, the majority held the critical question is whether the parent will be able to care properly for the child in a time frame consistent with the child’s best interests. In dissent, Justices Caleb Stegall and K.J. Wall would find that Father’s parental rights were improperly terminated based on his incarceration since Father had a designated release date and his condition of unfitness was likely to change in the foreseeable future.

This case was argued before the Supreme Court at its April 29, 2025, special session in the Logan Intergenerational Family Education Center in Logan.

 

Appeal No. 127,534: State of Kansas vs. Stanton Holt

 

Appeal No. 127,534 archived oral argument

 

The Supreme Court affirmed the Geary County District Court judgment that denied Holt’s motion for postconviction DNA testing pursuant to K.S.A. 21-2512. Holt was convicted of more than 60 offenses including two counts of first-degree murder following a string of 1993 burglaries. In 2020, Holt motioned for additional testing of blood-stained exhibits. He alleged that new DNA testing techniques could show that the biological material on the exhibits was solely his DNA. However, the district court denied Holt’s motion following an evidentiary hearing because the exhibits had been stored in such a manner that would materially undermine the scientific accuracy of any testing, specifically due to concerns with the chain of evidence, handling of, and the physical condition of the exhibits. In a decision written by Justice Caleb Stegall, a unanimous Court held that additional testing of corrupted exhibits would be inconclusive and any results from additional testing could not be exculpatory, as required by K.S.A. 21-2512(c).

Case No. 128,150: In the Matter of Paul F. Good

 

Case No. 128,150 archived oral argument

 

Good engaged in a series of actions from 2021 through 2023 in which his alcohol use played a role. These actions resulted in law enforcement intervention and several criminal convictions. Disciplinary proceedings were initiated. During the course of those proceedings, he sent a series of emails to the disciplinary administrator and other attorneys containing implicit threats of harm and asserting he was suffering from a terminal illness, which was not true. This conduct, in addition to other violations of disciplinary rules, led the Supreme Court to impose a sanction of indefinite suspension from the practice of law in Kansas.

Case No. 128,447: In the Matter of Thomas C. McDowell

 

Case No. 128,447 archived oral argument

 

The Supreme Court suspended McDowell indefinitely from the practice of law after finding multiple violations of the Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct. The Court found that McDowell failed to file a will with the court and upon learning of his omission, proceeded to bully his client into submitting a false affidavit with the court to attempt tardy admission of the will even though that could expose the client to liability. He further engaged in a pattern of conduct to cover up his shortcomings for over four years. This resulted in the client losing approximately $155,000 he would have otherwise inherited from his parents. Furthermore, the client did not pursue a malpractice suit because McDowell did not have malpractice insurance. The Court held that it would consider reinstatement only after McDowell had made full restitution of $155,000 to the client.

Visit our Search Decisions page for published and unpublished decisions from the Kansas Supreme Court and the Kansas Court of Appeals.

Kansas Judicial Branch

Office of Judicial Administration

301 SW 10th Avenue

Topeka, KS 66612-1507

785-296-2256

kscourts.gov

 
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Area News, Kansas

8 Tips to Protect Your Family, Community and Wallet

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Kansas Gas Service is encouraging safe digging on 811 Day

Ahead of 811 Day, recognized on Aug. 11, Kansas Gas Service encourages everyone planning any outdoor projects to consider how to dig safely before they begin.

Kansas law requires residents to call 811 or submit a request online at Kansas811.com before starting any digging project to help protect themselves, their property and their community. Kansas Gas Service highlights 8 safe digging tips, 1 important reminder and 1 essential number to call—not just on Aug. 11, but all year long.

 

8 Safe Digging Tips and Reasons to Call 811

  1. Plan ahead. Gather all the details of your property and project and call 811 or submit a request online at least two business days ahead of when you plan to start digging.
  2. Safety first. You may not think you need to contact 811 – but you probably do. For digging projects big or small, from installing a mailbox to building a deck or planting a tree, contact 811 to be safe.
  3. Be a good neighbor. No one wants to lose service – especially in the August heat. Hitting a buried line in your yard could wipe out service for your entire neighborhood. Contact 811 and be patient until the utilities crews arrive to mark your project area with colored flags or paint.
  4. Keep pets inside. They may want to say hello to utility crews marking lines outside, but it’s safest for everyone if they stay secure indoors.
  5. Color match. Understand what the different colors of flags or paint in your yard mean. For example, natural gas lines are marked with yellow flags. Learn more here.
  6. Leave flags alone. It’s best to leave the flags in place throughout your digging project to be sure you don’t accidentally hit any lines.
  7. Dig carefully. Make sure to dig at least 24 inches away from the flags in order to avoid inadvertently hitting a line. This is called the “tolerance zone.”
  8. Start with peace of mind. By contacting 811 and knowing where the lines are buried in your yard, you can rest assured that you’ve done what’s necessary to start your project on the right foot and keep everyone safe.

 

One Takeaway, One Number to Call

Safety is always the top priority. No matter the size of your project, failing to contact 811 can lead to serious injury if you hit a buried line, service disruptions and legal consequences for breaking the law. It can also cause delays or require repairs to your home project—unexpected costs that can add up quickly. Using the free 811 service helps keep you safe, your project on track and your wallet protected.

 

About Kansas Gas Service

Kansas Gas Service provides a reliable and affordable energy choice to more than 648,000 customers in Kansas and is the largest natural gas distributor in the state in terms of customers. Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas Gas Service is a division of ONE Gas, Inc. (NYSE: OGS), a 100-percent regulated natural gas utility that trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “OGS.” ONE Gas is included in the S&P MidCap 400 Index and is one of the largest natural gas utilities in the United States. For more information and the latest news about Kansas Gas Service, visit kansasgasservice.com and follow its social channels: @KansasGas, Facebook, Nextdoor, LinkedIn and YouTube.

 

 

Opinion

Opinion: Zoning, Solar Panels, and Accidental Arson

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After attending all the community meetings by the zoning advisory committee, there were a few things that stood out. In particular, it was very interesting to hear the different views of property rights and how much control individuals feel they should have over what their neighbors are allowed to do with their land.

One individual explained that when he burns his grass, he sometimes loses control of the fire and burns off his neighbor’s field as well. Right now, he didn’t seem to think it was any big deal, but if his neighbor was to put up solar panels (or presumably anything else valuable), his out-of-control fires might cause damage. The actual destruction didn’t seem to be a concern, but he was worried his fire-burning practices might make his insurance rates go up.  He wanted zoning implemented to keep his neighbor from being able to install solar panels. By the same logic, he’d probably oppose someone building a valuable house across the road from his land or anything else that might require any change in his fire-burning habits to avoid destroying his neighbor’s property.

Other people explained that they had bought their small hobby farm because they liked the way the neighbor’s land looked and didn’t want to see it change from the pretty fields they were used to looking out. They wanted zoning so they wouldn’t have to look at solar panels. Others said that they felt their house was more valuable because it looked out over their neighbor’s pastureland, and if the neighbor decided to put in something different, their view wouldn’t be as nice, and that might make their house not be worth as much. They wanted county zoning to make sure their neighbor kept their fields looking the way that they think makes their house the most valuable.

What is fascinating about all these positions is the shift it represents in the belief that the property owner has a right to use their land as they see fit. Instead, they see that right as being diminished from what is normally expected, and instead, neighbors have an increased right to determine what the property owner is allowed to do with their land.

In the late 1800s, Kansas had a similar issue, but back then it was driven by the invention of barbed wire. Cattle owners who were used to letting cattle run free weren’t particularly excited about farmers and ranchers who were putting fences around the land they owned. The range ranchers felt they had a right to run their cattle on their neighbor’s land, and this disagreement launched the “fence cutting wars.” From the perspective of the free-range cattle owners, it didn’t matter who owned the land. They had a right to their neighbor’s land in a way that was impeded by fencing.

The “fence cutting wars” were eventually settled in favor of property owners. The current difference of opinions on how much control people should have over what your neighbor’s land looks like (or how much effort you should be expected to expend avoiding catching it on fire) might eventually be resolved with the pendulum swung the other way.

Mark Shead

Note: FortScott.biz publishes opinion pieces with a variety of perspectives. If you would like to share your opinion, please send a letter to [email protected].