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Monthly Archives: September 2026
Bourbon County District Court to temporarily relocate
Bourbon County District Court offices will temporarily relocate from October 21 to November 20 to allow for elevator modernization in the Bourbon County Courthouse.
Bourbon County is in the 6th Judicial District, which also includes Linn and Miami counties.
Bourbon County court offices will remain open throughout the relocation, and the court clerk’s office can be reached at 620-223-0780 during business hours.
The computer set up for members of the public to search court records will also be moved to the temporary location.
The temporary location will be:
108 W 2nd St.
Fort Scott
“We appreciate everyone’s patience while our court is relocated,” said Chief Judge Amy Harth, 6th Judicial District. “We are fortunate the temporary location is just around the corner from where the court is now, which helps us minimize the disruptions to our court operations and services.”
While the court is relocated, all court hearings will be by videoconference unless otherwise ordered by the presiding judge.
Persons scheduled to appear in court remotely may use their own devices if they are set up for videoconferencing. The court will also offer videoconference access from its temporary location. Public access to court proceedings will be through viewing rooms at the temporary location.
In addition to court hearings, all court services officer check-ins will be by videoconference unless otherwise approved by the chief of court services.
Planning and Zoning Commission meets Wednesday
The Bourbon County Planning and Zoning Commission will meet Wednesday, September 23, at 5:30 p.m. at the Bourbon County Courthouse Commission Room.
The meeting agenda and calendar can be viewed at https://app.heygov.com/bourboncountyks.org/calendar.
Fort Scott Police Day Sheets – September 21, 2026
Fort Scott Police Day Sheets – September 21, 2026
Fort Scott police, fire and EMS logged 46 calls for service on September 21, 2026.
Reports and Arrests
Domestic / Physical — 1:41 AM, 1219 E Elm, Fort Scott. Complaint No. 26-01534FS. Disposition: ARRC.
Warrant Service / Search — 5:19 AM, 215 S Hill St. Complaint No. 26-0899BB. Disposition: ARRC.
Follow-Up — 11:20 AM, 293 E 20th St. Complaint No. 26-0900BB. Disposition: RPTG.
Animal Control — 12:24 PM, 1505 S Broadway. Complaint No. 26-01536FS. Disposition: RPTG.
Follow-Up — 2:21 PM, 402 Hill St. Complaint No. 26-01537FS. Disposition: ARRC.
Seeking Advice/Info / Walk-In — 4:51 PM, 1604 National, Fort Scott, KS. Complaint No. 26-01538FS. Disposition: RPTA.
Seeking Advice/Info / Walk-In — 5:50 PM, 1604 National, Fort Scott, KS. Complaint No. 26-01539FS. Disposition: RPTG.
Disturbance — 5:59 PM, 1494 212th Terr. Complaint No. 26-0901BB. Disposition: RPTG.
Harassment — 7:24 PM, 523 S Lowman. Complaint No. 26-01540FS. Disposition: RPTG.
Accident / Injury — 7:27 PM, 1759 Hwy 7, Fort Scott. Complaint No. 26-0902BB. Disposition: * Multiple.
Check Vehicle — 10:46 PM, 2222 S Main St. Complaint No. 26-01541FS. Disposition: RPTC.
Fire and EMS
EMS / Standby — 4:57 AM, 293 E 20th St. Disposition: AMBU.
EMS — 8:21 AM, 101 Andrick St. Disposition: AMBU.
EMS / Standby — 4:42 PM, 1005 S Main, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: AMBU.
EMS — 7:25 PM, 706 W 2nd St, Fort Scott. Disposition: * Multiple.
EMS — 10:24 PM, 293 E 20th St. Disposition: * Multiple.
Other Calls for Service
Check Subject — 2:39 AM, 401 Woodland Hills Blvd, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: 77.
Follow-Up — 2:47 AM, 1604 National, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: HBO.
Public Assist — 4:50 AM, 1708 S National, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: HBO.
Alarm / Burglary — 5:37 AM, 1808 S National Ave. Disposition: HBO.
Alarm / Burglary — 6:43 AM, 2000 S Main, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: HBO.
Parking Complaint — 7:03 AM, 2322 S Main St. Disposition: HBO.
Animal Control — 7:03 AM, 1604 National, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: HBO.
Parking Complaint — 7:27 AM, 3rd, Fort Scott. Disposition: HBO.
Animal Control — 7:51 AM, 922 S Crawford. Disposition: HBO.
Animal Control — 8:37 AM, 102 Arthur St. Disposition: 77.
27,28,29 Checks — 8:57 AM, 1604 S National Ave. Disposition: HBO.
Lost Property — 9:15 AM, 1604 National, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: HBO.
Alarm / Burglary — 9:45 AM, 2096 Grand Rd. Disposition: 22.
Vin Inspections / County — 9:59 AM, 293 E 20th St. Disposition: HBO.
Animal Control — 10:14 AM, 213 Scott St. Disposition: HBO.
Animal Control / Dead Animal Pick Up — 11:01 AM, Heylman, Fort Scott. Disposition: HBO.
Seeking Advice/Info / City — 11:34 AM, 1604 National, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: HBD.
Animal Control — 12:11 PM, 601 N Barbee, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: HBO.
Seeking Advice/Info / City — 12:42 PM, 323 Broadway. Disposition: HBO.
Animal Control — 1:30 PM, 601 N Barbee, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: HBO.
Vehicle Unlock — 2:56 PM, 734 S Barbee. Disposition: HBO.
Paper Service — 3:23 PM, 615 S Margrave St, Fort Scott. Disposition: HBO.
Check Area — 4:01 PM, 118 S Main St. Disposition: HBO.
Check Subject — 4:32 PM, 1135 E Wall St, Fort Scott. Disposition: HBO.
Animal Control — 4:48 PM, 293 E 20th St, Fort Scott. Disposition: HBO.
Found Property — 5:15 PM, 502 S Main St, Fort Scott. Disposition: HBO.
Harassment — 5:42 PM, 293 E 20th St. Disposition: HBO.
Follow-Up — 6:19 PM, 293 E 20th St. Disposition: HBO.
Disturbance — 9:35 PM, 915 S Horton, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: HBO.
Traffic Stops
Traffic Stop — 7:22 PM, Barbee St. Disposition: HBO.
Total Calls for Service: 46
Documents:
Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Report – Sept. 22, 2026
Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Report – September 22, 2026
Arrested
Herrington, John Thomas (Age 56) — Arrested 9/21/2026 2:10 AM by Fort Scott Police Department. Charge: Domestic Battery; Unknown Circumstance. Bond: $1,500.00 Cash/Surety.
Guss, Roy (Age 57) — Arrested 9/21/2026 6:26 AM by Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office. Charge: Distribute Controlled Substance; Unknown Substance. Bond: $50,000.00 Cash/Surety.
Clinton, Derek Arthur (Age 48) — Arrested 9/21/2026 2:38 PM by Fort Scott Police Department. Charge: Warrant – Out of County (three counts). Bond: $100,000.00 Cash/Surety.
Coberley, Jaci Mae (Age 20) — Arrested 9/21/2026 10:58 PM by Fort Scott Police Department. Charge: Driving While License Cancelled/Suspended/Revoked (Misdemeanor), Possession of Controlled Substance (Unknown Substance, Misdemeanor), Use/Possess with Intent to Use Drug Paraphernalia. Bond: $7,500.00 Own Recognizance. Released 9/22/2026 3:08 AM via Own Recognizance.
Released
Adams, Rocketta Lashawn — Released 9/21/2026 3:49 PM via Own Recognizance (Self).
Brown, Larry Joe — Released 9/21/2026 8:40 AM via Transferred Out (KDOC).
Coberley, Jaci Mae — Released 9/22/2026 3:08 AM via Own Recognizance (Self).
Total Inmates Released: 3
Documents:
Young Fables Concert Set for Oct. 8 at Crooner’s
Reserve your tickets for an evening of live music and a hearty appetizer buffet on October 8.
Thursday, October 8th
Please note: The date for this event has changed. Please update your calendar accordingly.
5:00 pm Doors Open
5:30-7:30pm Hearty Appetizer Buffet
8:00pm Performance
Crooner’s | Liberty Theatre
113 S. Main
Fort Scott, KS
Reservations Required
Tickets: $50 BCAC Member / $60 Non-Member
Contact Terri Floyd 620-224-7221 or Steve Floyd 620-224-7702
Visit Bourbon County Arts Council’s Facebook Page or The Young Fables Facebook Page for more details.
Exploring Future Ownership of Freeman Ft. Scott Hospital
Freeman Health System and Kansas Renewal Institute (KRI) issued a joint statement Monday announcing the signing of a non-binding Letter of Intent to explore the future ownership and operation of Freeman Fort Scott Hospital.
“The Letter of Intent provides Freeman Health System and Kansas Renewal Institute (KRI) the opportunity to evaluate whether a transition of ownership and operations could further support the long-term access to healthcare,” according to the press release.
“The Letter of Intent is non-binding, and no final agreement has been reached. Any potential transaction remains subject to due diligence, negotiation of definitive agreements, regulatory review and other necessary approvals,” according to the press release. “Throughout this process, patient care, hospital operations and services will continue as normal.”
“Freeman Health is trying to sell its hospital to KRI,” said Gregg Motley, who is the Bourbon County Commission Chairman. “They (Freeman Health System) don’t have a building to sell; they have its operations to sell.”
“KRI would have to acquire expertise to run the hospital, and all the Freeman staff would have to be willing to reassign their contract with KRI,” he said. “KRI has to be willing to buy the operations of Freeman Fort Scott. The fly in the ointment is that the State of Kansas will have to give licensing to KRI.”
“I tried to trigger the ‘Claw Back Provision’ with the Bourbon County Commission (who previously owned the building), to give the building to Freeman, and the commission would not support that,” Motley said.
“Now KRI has to be willing to buy the operations of Freeman Fort Scott Hospital,” he said.
Some background
The hospital building at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. has changed hands more than once. Mercy Hospital Fort Scott announced its closure in 2018, and the Ascension Via Christi emergency room that followed closed in December 2023. Bourbon County donated the building and $2 million to Legacy Healthcare Foundation in November 2022, writing in a “clawback” that returns the property to the county if the terms of the donation are not met. KRI bought the building in December 2024 and runs a mental health treatment center there. Freeman opened its hospital and emergency department in the building on Sept. 4, 2025.
Part of what keeps the emergency department running is a tax county voters approved themselves. On May 14, 2024, Bourbon County voters approved a quarter-cent countywide retail sales tax, 1,611 to 496. It took effect Oct. 1, 2024 and runs five years. The ballot language limits the money to the “establishment and operation of an emergency department in Bourbon County,” and says that when the tax ends, whatever is left goes to emergency medical services or to reducing property taxes.
A citizens committee appointed by the commission checks that the money is spent that way. Charles Gentry and Dr. Randy Nichols reported to commissioners on Aug. 31 that the tax collected $336,741.49 in the first half of 2026 and that $280,602.05 of it was disbursed to Freeman to operate the emergency department.
The county is not a party to the Letter of Intent. Commissioners declined in July to put $300,000 in the 2027 budget to pursue the clawback against KRI and Legacy, a push Motley had led and said he would stop; he laid out his reasoning in a June interview with FortScott.biz. Separately, a federal rural hospital bill introduced in July could change what a hospital like Fort Scott’s can bill for.
The press release, as sent
Joint Statement
Freeman Health System and KRI Sign Letter of Intent Regarding the Future of Fort Scott Healthcare Services
Freeman Health System and KRI today announced the signing of a non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) to explore the future ownership and operation of Freeman Fort Scott Hospital.
Since opening Freeman Fort Scott Hospital on September 4, 2025, Freeman has remained committed to providing the residents of Fort Scott and Bourbon County with access to high-quality local healthcare. During that time, healthcare organizations across the country, particularly those serving rural communities, have continued to face significant workforce, reimbursement, operational and financial pressures.
As part of its ongoing commitment to the community, Freeman has worked closely with local leaders, providers and stakeholders to evaluate opportunities that could support the long-term sustainability of healthcare services in Fort Scott. Those efforts have included operational improvements and evaluation of potential care delivery models, including opportunities associated with the Rural Emergency Hospital model.
The Letter of Intent provides Freeman Health System and KRI the opportunity to evaluate whether a transition of ownership and operations could further support the long-term access to healthcare.
The LOI is non-binding, and no final agreement has been reached. Any potential transaction remains subject to due diligence, negotiation of definitive agreements, regulatory review and other necessary approvals.
Throughout this process, patient care, hospital operations and services will continue as normal.
Both organizations remain committed to supporting employees, providers, patients and community stakeholders while exploring opportunities to preserve and strengthen local healthcare access.
Additional information will be shared as appropriate as discussions progress.
###
About Freeman Health System
Locally owned and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System is a not-for-profit health system serving communities across Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas through a network of hospitals, physician clinics, outpatient locations, and specialty services. The system includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital, Freeman Fort Scott Hospital, Inc. and the Freeman Health System facilities in Bentonville, Springdale, Johnson and Siloam Springs. Freeman Health System also operates Ozark Center—the region’s largest provider of behavioral health services, and offers comprehensive cancer, cardiology, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, and women’s and children’s services. The system is supported by more than 7,000 employees and is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit Freeman Health System.
Obituary: Eileen Marie McDaniel, Age 84
Eileen Marie McDaniel, age 84, resident of Fort Scott, KS passed away Monday, September 21, 2026, at Mercy Hospital Pittsburg, KS. She was born on April 27, 1942, in Fort Scott, the daughter of Fred and Elsie Eberle Sinn. She graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1960. She married Glen Johnson. He preceded her in death. She later married Norman McDaniel on February 14, 1992.
In addition to homemaking and raising children, Eileen worked as a supervisor at a packing plant, managed Village Inn, and later worked for Gene’s IGA. She enjoyed flower gardening, cooking, baking, and house cleaning. Eileen also had an extensive collection of Angel figurines.
Survivors include her husband Norman of the home; children Jeff Johnson, Brian Johnson, Tonya Wirths, Christine Faurbo, and Julie Sealey; grandchildren Austin Grey, Keifer Johnson, Avery Johnson, Corrina Johnson, Quinton McDaniel, and Gabriele Faurbo; great grandson Kholton Johnson; and numerous other grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a son, Brent Johnson; an infant twin sister; four brothers; and her parents.
There was cremation. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 2nd, at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Scott. Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.
Kansas DCF Partners with Binti for Family Finding Tech
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) announced today a new partnership with Binti, a technology company focused on child welfare. The Binti Family Finding and Engagement platform strengthens practitioners’ ability to quickly identify and engage a child’s relatives and trusted adults, including non-relative kin, to support family connections and kinship placements.
Research shows that children in foster care who remain connected to relatives and trusted adults experience improved well-being, reduced trauma, and a greater chance of finding a safe, permanent home. Kansas’ use of Binti’s platform will provide crucial support to children who are at risk of entering foster care or are already in care.
“Children do better when they remain connected to the people and communities they know,” said DCF Secretary Laura Howard. “By using advanced family finding technology, we can uncover important family and trusted adult connections that might otherwise be missed, giving more children the chance to stay with people who offer familiarity, support, and a lasting sense of belonging.”
“Every child deserves the chance to grow up surrounded by people who know and love them,” said Felicia Curcuru, Co-founder and CEO of Binti. “We’re proud to partner with the Kansas Department for Children and Families to give practitioners the tools they need to find those connections faster and help more children build lasting bonds with family and trusted adults.”
DCF Child Protective Services (CPS) staff and Prevention and Protection Services contractors are responsible for conducting and documenting their own family-finding efforts. Currently, multiple resources are used, including Consolidated Lead Evaluation and Reporting (CLEAR) software, internal DCF systems, contractor case-management systems, case records, internet searches, and other available sources. Due to differing systems and documentation practices, it can be difficult to share information, avoid duplicate searches, track previous outreach and responses, and maintain a complete statewide record of family-finding efforts.
The Family Finding and Engagement platform aims to remedy this by centralizing the approach to family finding to one platform. Available to CPS, Family Preservation providers, and foster care case management agencies, the Binti platform will connect information across the child and family well-being system, ensuring that what is learned at each stage of a family’s involvement is carried forward.
Binti has been awarded a one-year contract with a total cost of $624,620 for the initial term, with an option to renew for three additional 12-month periods. DCF expects the platform to be operational in 2027.
From the Bleachers: The Strength to Say, “I Was Wrong”
From the Bleachers: The Strength to Say, “I Was Wrong”
By Dr. Jack Welch
This past week, I saw something on Facebook that reminded me of a lesson we sometimes forget: One of the greatest signs of strength is being willing to admit when we are wrong.
A board member in Texas publicly apologized for calling another board member an “idiot” during a public-school board meeting. She did not begin by explaining why she was angry and called the person an idiot. She did not blame the other board member. She did not say, “I was wrong, but you need to understand what he did.” She simply owned it. She said she was wrong, asked her Lord and Savior for forgiveness, apologized to the board member, and committed to controlling her words and actions differently in the future. There is strength in that.
During my years in athletics, I have watched players make mistakes and immediately point toward a teammate. I have seen coaches blame officials after losses. In administrative leadership, I have seen people spend more energy explaining why the other person was wrong, than simply admitting they were wrong. Trying to shift the blame to others usually does nothing more than weaken an apology and make us appear unwilling to accept responsibility.
I think we all have been guilty at one time or another of speaking wrongly to someone. Most of us, if we are truthful, have said something in anger that we later wished we could take back. The question is not whether we will ever make a mistake. The question is what we do after we make one.
Integrity is not about always agreeing with one another. Character is not determined by which side of an issue we stand on. Faith is certainly not demonstrated by never falling short.
Sometimes character is simply having enough humility to say: “I was wrong. Please forgive me.”
This board member made a mistake and took ownership. Admitting we are wrong does not make us smaller. In many ways, it makes us bigger.
Thought for the Week: “Your character is not measured by never being wrong. It is measured by whether you have the courage and humility to admit it when you are.” — Kelly Boggs, Pastor
Dr. Jack Welch serves as President of Fort Scott Community College. With a career spanning professional sports, public education, and rural community development, he brings a servant-leader mindset and a passion for building trust-driven cultures that empower people to thrive in the classroom, on the field, and in life. He is also the author of Foundations of Coaching: The Total Coaching Manual.
Clifton Chiropractic Offers New Service: Hydro-Massage
Dr. Kaylee Clifton is expanding the treatments Clifton Chiropractic LLC offers its clients.
In late August, she purchased a hydro-massage bed.
“The hydro treatment has been going well,” Dr. Clifton said. “It’s a good added treatment to relax and help with muscle and joint pain.”
“You can do this before or after a treatment, or just walk in,” said Angie Trim, office manager. “It may be eligible for a Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account, you have to check in with the plan administrator.”
The treatment was at first located at Spoiled Brat Salon, and Heather Engstrom, the owner, “reached out to us. Several of our chiropractic patients were using it there,” said Trim.
The cost is $20 for 20 minutes of hydro-massage in the lounge chair.
During the week of September 21, high school or community college athletes get 1/2 price off the hydro-massage treatment.
Other services
Both Dr. Couch and Dr. Clifton provide traditional chiropractic adjustments, and they provide other services as well.
“Dr. Couch does the dry needling treatment service,” Clifton said.
Dry needling is a technique where a very small, thin needed is used to release tight muscle knots and help reduce pain. It helps muscles relax, improves blood flow, and allows the body to heal better. It targets specific tight or irritated muscles, according to information provided by Clifton.
Dr. Clifton does acupuncture, a treatment that uses very thin needles placed at specific points on the body to help reduce pain, improve energy flow, and support the body’s natural healing process. It’s based on traditional Chinese medicine and focuses on energy pathways in the body, while dry needling targets tight muscles directly, according to information from Clifton.
Dr. Clifton is also a practitioner in allergy elimination, in a technique known as NAET.
NAET is a mild, non-invasive, gentle energy balancing procedure.
She is also doing vagus nerve resets (restoring healthy rhythm and responsiveness) with acupuncture.
Kansas Arts Commission Seeks New State Poet Laureate
TOPEKA – The Kansas Arts Commission (KAC) today announced that applications for the next Poet Laureate of Kansas currently are being accepted. The Poet Laureate serves as Kansas’ leading voice for poetry, connecting communities through workshops, lectures and other public programs.
“Arts and culture play an important role in advancing the quality of place and economic vitality of communities across the state,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Supporting the Poet Laureate is a way for Commerce and the Arts Commission to invest in our communities by elevating Kansas voices, building the state’s creative economy, and connecting the literary arts to the communities and businesses they help sustain.”
Responsibilities for Poet Laureate during their four-year term include presenting at a minimum of eight free public events each year, developing a signature program for Kansas audiences, and participating in the annual Poetry Out Loud program. Selected poets will work with Kansas Arts Commission staff on outreach and maintain an active writing and publishing practice.
“Poetry is a creative platform for artists to share where they come from, their personal values and their perspective of the world,” Kansas Arts Commission Director Curtis Young said. “This is an opportunity for poets eager to showcase their talents to Kansas communities and help more Kansans view poetry as a beneficial piece of their lives.”
To be considered for Poet Laureate, applicants must:
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Not enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate university program
- Have lived in Kansas for at least three years and remain a resident throughout the term
- Be available to travel and present statewide
- Demonstrate a strong body of publicly accessible poetry and active publishing practice
- Have a minimum of three publications from the previous five years
- Not be a current KAC staff member or former Poet Laureate of Kansas participant
Traci Brimhall, the current Poet Laureate of Kansas who has served since 2023, is an author of four poetry collections, most recently The Grief Artist. Her poems have appeared in publications including The New Yorker, Poetry Orion and Best American Poetry.
“It’s truly been one of the greatest honors and privileges of my life to serve Kansas as Poet Laureate these past four years,” Poet Laureate of Kansas Traci Brimhall said. “I’ve gotten to visit so many great libraries and communities and I’m astonished at the great talent growing in all corners of our state.”
Applicants for the next Poet Laureate must include an artist statement, a narrative describing their vision for advancing poetry in Kansas, a resume or curriculum vitae, and 10 original poems. Applicants may, but are not required to, also submit up to three supplemental materials, such as letters of support or an outline of a proposed public program.
Finalists will be invited to Topeka to present a sample of the programming they would offer during their term. The position includes a $12,000 annual stipend and travel support for approved programs with nonprofit and community organizations in Kansas. The four-year term begins January 1, 2027.
Applications close Friday, October 9. The complete guidelines and the application can be found here.
For more information or questions about the Poet Laureate of Kansas, please contact arts@ks.gov.