Courtrooms can be intimidating — especially for a child.
CASA Volunteers ensure a child’s needs and best interests are clearly presented to the judge.
Without enough volunteers, some children face court alone.
Every child deserves a voice.
Become a CASA Volunteer.
Contact Christa at [email protected]
Good Ol’ Days weekend is here, Fort Scott!
The 45th annual Fort Scott Good Ol’ Days Celebration runs Saturday, June 6, 2026 in Downtown Fort Scott. Bring the whole family out for the parade, craft and food vendors, camel rides, trolley rides, live music, street dances, kids activities, the Red Garter Show, melodrama performances, Farmers Market, Safety Fair, Car and Bike Show, and more.
View the full schedule at fortscottgoodoldays.com/schedule-good-ol-days-festival.
The Chamber wants to take a moment to thank all of the donors, sponsors, volunteers, committee members, vendors, performers, local businesses, city crews, first responders, and community members who help make Good Ol’ Days possible. Events like this happen because of so many generous people giving their time, talents, resources, and hearts to the community.
A special thank you goes to the family of Janet Braun, who will be riding as Grand Marshal in the parade in her name. Janet was part of Good Ol’ Days from the beginning, and the Chamber is honored to celebrate her legacy and the many memories she helped create for Fort Scott.
Source: Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701 — (620) 223-3566 — fortscott.com
ROLL CALL: ___ Kyle Knight ___ Amber Kelly ___ Mary Pemberton ___ Savannah Pritchett
___ Bradley Stewart
CITIZENS REQUESTS
Betty Dennis-Leash Law
FINANCIAL REPORT
Sally Johnson – Financial reports
APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Codes Enforcement: Doug Coyan
Superintendent: Bobby Rich
Clerk Report: Haley Arnold
Donation
Memorial Stone Repair/Replacement
TextMyGov Proposal
Councilman Knight –
Councilman Kelly –
Councilwoman Pemberton –
Councilwoman Pritchett –
Councilman Stewart–
Mayor Jurgensen –
FEMA Flooding
Dog Ordinance No. 85 Review and Discussion
ADJOURN Time ____________ Moved by ______________, 2nd ___________________, Approved ___________
Last week, we looked at Ray Pritchard’s “B” (Build relationships) in the “BLT’s of Evangelism.” Today, we will review his L and T of how to “fish for people.” We are to Look for opportunities to talk to others and then Take these people to places where they can hear the Gospel preached. Many times, those opportunities come in the most unexpected places.
Our grandson, Drake, turned a 12-hour drive from Alabama to Fort Scott into an 18-hour one when he came to a 3:00 A.M. halt on a freeway due to an accident. At one point, he exited his truck and met a 23-year-old in the same predicament. Sitting in the bed of the other driver’s truck, playing cards, Drake shared his faith. His new friend listened and told my grandson that he probably needed to get back to church.
Pritchard’s BLT suggestions seem contradictory. In his “B” category, he told us to keep quiet and basically not be obnoxious with our faith, and his “L” tells us to open our mouths and share what we believe. The author addresses that dilemma, saying that most outspoken Christians are afraid people will think they are too fanatical and run for the hills, but the first need is just to build a relationship and then look for natural ways to share their faith.
Pritchard’s advice? “Look, it’s not difficult. You don’t need to make a big deal about this. Why don’t you begin each day by praying that God will send you at least one person each day to whom you can give a good word for the Lord? After you pray that prayer, just start looking for opportunities to say a good word for the Lord.”
I love his message. “Just say a good word for the Lord.” No big deal. No high pressure. Just look for chances to slip the Lord into your conversations with people in a natural, non-forced way. That’s evangelism.”
Sometimes, what we look for as an opportunity is not what God has in mind. Years ago, I was attending a college lab class. I was much older than the other students, and at my lab table were three fraternity boys, eager to share their party exploits with anyone in earshot. One day, I smiled and said that they were moving up my prayer ladder and that I was worried about their eternal souls. They laughed.
A week later, a girl seated at another lab table asked if she could talk to me. She had overheard my comment to the party boys and had questions. I invited her to my house, and at the kitchen table, she accepted Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior. I realized then that evangelism has little to do with the person sharing and everything to do with God and how He can use any circumstance to bring people to Him.
So you’ve got the B —Build Relationships, and you’ve got the L — Look for Opportunities. There’s only one thing left, the T. Take your friends to non-threatening events where they can hear the gospel. Hopefully, your church provides ministry opportunities like ladies’ luncheons or men’s retreats or Christian concerts or game days. Pritchard cautions against Sunday services as your starting point because they sometimes might be too overwhelming, but “As the Holy Spirit begins to draw your friends to Christ, Sunday worship will begin to seem much more inviting to them.”
So, there you have it, the BLT’s of Evangelism. Build relationships. Look for opportunities to share, and Take others to Christian events. Sounds simple? It is.
_3.0 06-08-26 Board Agenda PUBLIC (1).docx
Fort Scott USD 234 Date: June 08, 2026 | Time: 5:30 P.M. Chairperson: David Stewart, President
1.0 Call Meeting to Order – David Stewart, President
2.0 Flag Salute
3.0 Approval of the Official Agenda (Action Item)
4.0 Recognitions – Golf, Softball, Track
5.0 Approval of the Consent Agenda (Action Item)
5.1 Board Minutes – 05-11-26
5.2 Financials – Cash Flow Report
5.3 Check Register
5.4 Payroll – May 20, 2026
5.5 Activity Funds Accounts
5.6 USD 234 Gifts
5.7 KASB Policy Updates
5.8 Extended Trip Application – Brent Cavin
5.9 High School Lunch Increase
6.0 Public Forum
7.0 Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion Item)
8.0 New Business
8.1 Demolition and Parking Lot Construction Bids (Action Item)
8.2 KASB Policy Plus Agreement (Action Item)
8.3 2026-27 KASB Worker’s Compensation Renewal (Action Item)
8.4 KICS Property And Casualty Insurance Renewal 2026-27 (Action Item)
8.5 I-Ready Subscription Renewal 2026-27 (Action Item)
8.6 Winfield Scott Technology Purchase (Action Item)
8.7 Middle School Staff Laptop Purchase (Action Item)
8.8 Student Chromebook Purchase (Action Item)
9.0 Other Business – Personnel Matters
10.0 Adjourn Meeting – David Stewart, President
Approval of Prior Minutes (5.1): Review and formal adoption of the official minutes recorded during the previous Board of Education regular meeting held on May 11, 2026.
Financial & Budget Status (5.2 – 5.5): Analysis of the monthly cash flow report, outstanding financial liabilities listed in the check register, and complete processing records for the May 20, 2026 payroll. It also covers the structural monitoring of individual school student activity fund accounts.
District Contributions & Policy Governance (5.6 – 5.9): Formal acceptance of community gifts donated to USD 234, inclusion of administrative updates provided by the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB), evaluation of an extended educational field trip application submitted by Brent Cavin, and a proposal to increase pricing for High School lunches to meet regulatory or nutritional cost adjustments.
Administrative Progress Summaries: Informational and discussion-based updates from Superintendent Destry Brown and district leadership. These reports provide operational transparency regarding facility status, current strategic initiatives, academic milestones, and local administrative updates across district campuses.
8.1 Demolition and Parking Lot Construction Bids: Review and competitive consideration of submitted corporate bids to construct new parking infrastructure and conduct necessary site demolitions.
8.2 & 8.3 KASB Agreements & Insurance Renewals: Voting on the comprehensive Policy Plus Agreement alongside the annual renewal of the 2026-27 KASB Worker’s Compensation policy coverage structure.
8.4 KICS Insurance Portfolio: Formal vote on renewing district property, casualty, and liability protections through the Kansas Insurance Counsel Scheme (KICS) for the upcoming fiscal year.
8.5 Learning Assessment Licensing: Reviewing renewal requirements for the digital I-Ready educational subscription covering classroom student diagnostic programs through 2027.
8.6 – 8.8 District Technology Infrastructure Upgrades: Evaluation and approval of hardware acquisition spending. This includes essential workstation upgrades for Winfield Scott Elementary, purchasing updated instructional laptops for Fort Scott Middle School staff, and replacing student-use Chromebooks to maintain the district’s technological hardware lifecycle.
Executive Session / Personnel Matters: Closed or standard board review focusing on administrative hiring, resignations, scheduling adjustments, or contractual employment matters.
Adjournment: Formal conclusion of the open board assembly led by Board President David Stewart.
A crowd of 172 attended the 2026 Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation annual spring fundraiser on Friday, May 1st. Doors at the SEK Impact Center opened at 5:30 pm. Décor was provided by Lisa Wolverton of Hitch and Hoedown Rentals. Approximately $15,000 was raised during the evening from stretch, silent, and live auctions. Following last year’s successful appearance, Robbie Bell once again provided entertainment throughout the evening.
Attendees were treated to a delicious meal of barbecue chicken, pulled pork, potato salad, baked beans, lettuce salad, and roll furnished by Mark Hall. Dessert was cobbler, provided by Brenda Harrison of Sassy Chef’s. Neosho County Community College students helped serve the meal. Door prizes were courtesy of the TVDS greenhouse in Fort Scott and Jennifer Deitsch State Farm.
As in year’s past, the live auction was the highlight of the evening. Dave Petersen served as auctioneer and did a fantastic job. For 2026, our featured trips were courtesy of Monarch Cement and included a trip for two to Nashville and a trip for two to San Antonio. Other items auctioned off include: a Breckenridge CO vacation package courtesy of Home Savings Bank; a Branson MO vacation package courtesy of Community National Bank; a full-size recliner courtesy of Ruddick’s Furniture in Fort Scott; and Dinner for 10 courtesy of Brenda Harrison. Thank you to the local merchants that provided gift baskets for both the silent and stretch auctions. Thank you to Larry Holman for serving as the evening’s photographer. The pictures are amazing.
All money raised from the evening will go towards the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation projects. Since 2001, the Foundation has built six homes and acquired nine additional homes and a duplex. The houses are located in our communities of Buffalo, Chanute, Fort Scott, Humboldt, Iola, Moline, and Neodesha. These houses are home to 92 of our neighbors with intellectual and developmental disabilities served by Tri-Valley Developmental Services.
“The evening was fantastic”, said Bill Fiscus, CEO. “The food, drawings and conversation were phenomenal. Thank you to everyone who attended. We hope you had an enjoyable evening and look forward to seeing you all in 2027.”
A big thank you goes to the evening’s sponsors. Promenade Level: Monarch Cement Company
Colonnade Level: Acrisure; Cardinal Drug Store & Gifts; Community National Bank – Chanute; Hofer & Hofer & Associates; Larry Holman; IMA; Dave Peterson Auction Services; and Smith Law Office, LLC
Esplanade Level: Ash Grove; Hitch & Hoedown; and Jarred, Gilmore & Phillips, CPA
Arcade Level: Bank of Commerce; CASA of the 31st Judicial District; Cheney Witt Chapel; LeRoy Coop; Mertz Tax Service; SEK COOP; and Shields Motor Company
BLACK, CARLA MAE, 68
Arrested: 6/4/2026 10:58 PM
Agency: Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office
Charge: DUI; Misdemeanor
Bond: $0
WILLIAMS, ALEXIS ANN, 22
Arrested: 6/5/2026 2:13 AM
Agency: Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office
Charge: DUI; Misdemeanor
Bond: $0
CARSON, LOWELL HILTON, 74
Booked: 05/11/2026
Released: 6/4/2026 at 1:22 PM
Type: Surety bond
Released to: Able Bonding
FENNELL, MATTHEW, 34
Booked: 06/03/2026
Released: 6/4/2026 at 1:22 PM
Type: Surety bond
Released to: A1 Bonding
GONZALEZ, MARSHA ANN, 58
Booked: 06/03/2026
Released: 6/4/2026 at 5:01 PM
Type: Surety bond
Released to: Able Bonding
HALL, ANGELA MARIE, 44
Booked: 06/03/2026
Released: 6/4/2026 at 9:19 PM
Type: Surety bond
Released to: Able Bonding
Source: Arrest Summary PDF | Inmate Released List PDF
On Friday, April 10th, Tri-Valley Developmental Services held their 2026 Award Ceremony celebrating achievements from individuals and community support in Allen, Bourbon, Chautauqua, Elk, Greenwood, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson Counties. The ceremony began at 1 pm and was held at Central Park Pavilion in Chanute. Awards were presented to the following:
Business of the Year – Arby’s of Chanute, McDonald’s of Fort Scott, Mertz Tax Service, Fort Scott
Achievement Award – Dylan Lawrence, Bryan Packard, Josh Wilson
Ed Bideau Advocacy Award – Daniel Smith
Jenny Masterson Family Award – Tiffany Tiegreen
Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation Visionary Award – Mike Hofer
Winfred Jent Board Award – Joel Norris
Lifetime Achievement Award – Mike Reid
Employee of the Year Award – Laurel Hall
CEO Award – Jim Jesseph
During the ceremony, Ginger Jakee, Kelsey Meza, and Wendy Henderson were recognized as graduates in the DSP+ Apprenticeship Program.
Refreshments were served following the ceremony.
The expected time of arrival is 7:15 p.m. , possibly earlier.
Please consider arriving a little early, as they may be running ahead of schedule.
THOMPSON, MICHAEL WAYNE, 58
Arrested: 6/3/2026 12:28 AM
Agency: Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office
Charges:
– DUI; Misdemeanor ($2,000 cash/surety)
– Ignition Interlock Device; Operate Car W/O Device
– License Restrictions
– Transporting an Open Container
Bond Total: $2,000
HALL, ANGELA MARIE, 44
Arrested: 6/3/2026 1:02 AM
Agency: Fort Scott PD
Charges:
– Possess Opiates/Opium/Narc Drug and Certain Stim ($2,000 cash/surety)
– Use/Poss Drug Paraphernalia/Human Body
Bond Total: $2,000
GONZALEZ, MARSHA ANN, 58
Arrested: 6/3/2026 1:49 PM
Agency: Kansas Highway Patrol
Charges:
– DUI; 1st Conviction
– Transporting an Open Container
Bond: $0
MEECH, BILLY JAMES, 56
Arrested: 6/3/2026 4:15 PM
Agency: Fort Scott PD
Charge: Warrant: Fort Scott Municipal (warrant #025742, $175 cash) *
Bond Total: $175
FENNELL, MATHEW, 34
Arrested: 6/3/2026 10:09 PM
Agency: Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office
Charges:
– Ignition Interlock Device; Tamper to Render
– License Restrictions
– Veh; Unlawful Acts; e.g., Registration
Bond: $0
MEECH, BILLY JAMES, 56
Booked: 06/03/2026
Released: 6/3/2026 at 5:13 PM
Type: Cash bond
Released to: Self
THOMPSON, MICHAEL WAYNE, 58
Booked: 06/03/2026
Released: 6/3/2026 at 6:31 PM
Type: Cash bond
Released to: Self
Source: Arrest Summary PDF | Inmate Released List PDF
ROBERTS, VERONICA BROOKLYN, 24
Arrested: 6/2/2026 11:24 AM
Agency: Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office
Charge: Warrant: Bourbon County (Probation Violation) * (NO BOND)
Bond: $0
BASSETT, TIMOTHY ANDREW, 44
Arrested: 6/2/2026 12:08 PM
Agency: Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office
Charge: Warrant: Bourbon County (Failure to Appear) * ($10,000 cash/surety)
Bond Total: $10,000
THOMPSON, MICHAEL WAYNE, 58
Arrested: 6/3/2026 12:28 AM
Agency: Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office
Charges:
– DUI; Misdemeanor
– Ignition Interlock Device; Operate Car W/O Device
– License Restrictions
– Transporting an Open Container
Bond: $0
HALL, ANGELA MARIE, 44
Arrested: 6/3/2026 1:02 AM
Agency: Fort Scott PD
Charges:
– Possess Opiates/Opium/Narc Drug and Certain Stim
– Use/Poss Drug Paraphernalia/Human Body
Bond: $0
BROWN, ANDREW TAYLOR, 24
Booked: 06/01/2026
Released: 6/2/2026 at 6:34 PM
Type: Surety bond
Released to: Able Bonding
GARZA, JOHNNY N, 46
Booked: 05/06/2026
Released: 6/2/2026 at 11:08 AM
Type: Transferred out
Released to: DGCO
MCCARTY, JAMES, 44
Booked: 04/27/2026
Released: 6/2/2026 at 11:07 AM
Type: Transferred out
Released to: DGCO
VILLAZON, VINCENT J, 28
Booked: 05/08/2026
Released: 6/2/2026 at 2:56 PM
Released to: Self
Source: Arrest Summary PDF | Inmate Released List PDF
June 2, 2025 — Bo Barkley, a resident of McPherson, Kan., and a senior-to-be at McPherson High School, has been elected governor of the 2026 session of the American Legion Boys State of Kansas. The announcement was made this evening during the Kansas Boys State evening retreat at Kansas State University in Manhattan.
Barkley, the Kansas Boys State Federalist Party governor candidate, and his lieutenant governor running mate, Beckett Romain, a resident of Wichita, Kan., and a junior-to-be at Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School, won the election over the Nationalist Party governor candidate Burklee Jackson, a resident of Concordia, Kan., and a senior-to-be at Concordia High School and his lieutenant governor running mate, Alexander Caldwell, a resident of Overland Park, Kan., and a senior-to-be at St. Thomas Aquinas High School.
Election results for other state offices:
(Name, Party, Hometown, High School – all cities/high schools in Kansas unless noted; all are seniors-to-be)
Kansas Boys State Governor Barkley will give his inaugural address tomorrow (Wednesday, June 3) at 8 p.m. at K-State’s McCain Auditorium. The event will conclude with the Kansas Boys State band, chorus and talent show.
Wednesday evening’s festivities kickoff at 7:30 p.m. with a flag retirement ceremony at the World War II Memorial in front of McCain Auditorium. The event is an observance of the proper respect for the American flag and how unserviceable flags are properly disposed. The honor guard from the American Legion Pearce-Keller Post No.17 in Manhattan will present the ceremony. Dr. John Lindholm, a 1949 KSU graduate who provided the dog tags as a model for the “Tags of Honor” sculpture at the World War II Memorial, was a longtime Kansas Boys State staff member as a Legionnaire advisor before passing away in January 2020. Both events on Wednesday night are open to the public.
High school students from across the State of Kansas are participating in the 2026 session of the American Legion Boys State of Kansas, which started on Sunday (May 31) and ends Saturday, June 6, at Kansas State University in Manhattan. This is the program’s 34th consecutive session at KSU and 88th overall. The Kansas Boys State program includes students who have just completed their junior year of high school (will be seniors in the fall) and sophomore year of high school (will be juniors in the fall).
The objective of the ALBSK is to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to community, state and nation. Kansas Boys State provides a relevant, interactive, problem-solving experience in leadership and teamwork that develops self-identity, promotes mutual respect and instills civic responsibility. Boys State is a “learning by doing” political exercise that simulates elections, political parties and government at the state, county and local levels, providing opportunities to lead under pressure, showcasing character and working effectively within a team. It’s also an opportunity to gain pride and respect for government and the price paid by members of the military to preserve democracy.
— #KSBoysState —
The American Legion Boys State of Kansas is an interactive simulation that teaches high school seniors-to-be the value of democracy and civic duty. Participants form mock governments and campaign for positions at the city, county and state levels. After the elections, participants find out firsthand the difficult decisions made daily by those in government through a series of challenging simulations. Delegates, nominated to attend by their high school counselors and other influential people in their lives, are sponsored by American Legion posts and various civic organizations from across the state. All delegates demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities in student government, athletics and/or other activities.
The Boys State program was founded by Legionnaires Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card in Illinois in 1935, and was first held in Kansas two years later in Wichita. The Kansas program moved to the University of Kansas in Lawrence in 1963 and remained there until 1991. The following year, it moved to its current location at Kansas State University in Manhattan. For more information about the American Legion Boys State of Kansas, visit ksbstate.org.
