All posts by Loretta George

Bourbon County, Government, Jobs

Bourbon County’s New Emergency Manager: Lou Howard

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Lou Howard, Bourbon County Emergency Manager. Submitted photo.

Lou Howard was hired as the new Bourbon County Emergency Manager on February 13.

She knows the area because she has lived and worked here her entire life.

“I have spent many years serving in public safety in several different roles. I served with Bourbon County Fire District 3 for many years as a firefighter / EMT,” Howard said. “I held several officer positions and served as a board member for several years. I gained extensive experience in emergency response, incident command, and working alongside other first responders to protect our community.”

“I also worked for the City of Fort Scott as a Communications Technician before becoming the 911 Communications Director for the Fort Scott Police Department/Bourbon County 911 Communications Center. As Communications Director, I oversaw the day-to-day operations of the 911 center and supervised staff while helping ensure emergency calls and radio communications were handled accurately and efficiently.”

She is currently working full-time at the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office as an administrative assistant for the sheriff and Bourbon County Corrections.

The Emergency Manager position is a part-time position.

“Fortunately, Sheriff Martin, Major Moore, and my coworkers have been very easy to work with,” she said. “I can leave the office if I need to take care of Emergency Management issues or attend meetings or trainings, and make up the time as long as everything is getting done.”
“Anything that can be taken care of for Emergency Management outside of business hours, I have been doing before clocking in at the Sheriff’s office or after clocking out and working weekends on it.”
“Emergency Management, like other emergency services, is definitely not a Monday through Friday 9-5 job. It has been a balancing act juggling both positions, but I feel like I am handling it well so far.”
Yes! Our Facebook page is Bourbon County Kansas Emergency Management.

What does the Bourbon County Emergency Manager do?

“As the Bourbon County Emergency Manager, my role is to coordinate activities relating to the prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery to natural disasters, major emergencies, or terroristic events. I will work closely with local fire departments, law enforcement, EMS, public health, and local, state, and federal government officials to coordinate emergency planning and response efforts.”

My responsibilities include disaster preparedness planning, coordinating response efforts during emergencies, supporting training and exercises, and helping educate the public about preparedness and safety.

“One of the first projects I am working on is implementing Genasys Protect, which will replace CodeRED as Bourbon County’s emergency notification system. The system will allow residents to receive important emergency notifications and updates, including severe weather alerts and other public safety information.”

To learn more about emergency management and the new alert system, stop by the Emergency Preparedness booth at the 103.9 Home Show this Saturday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fort Scott Community College.

With the Kansas tornado season in full swing, this is a good time to know where to get alerts.

“I will have a Bourbon County Emergency Management booth and will be happy to help residents get registered for the new alert system and answer questions.”

Education and Experience

She graduated from Fort Scott High School and has continued her education and training through her career in public safety.

She completed Firefighter I and Fire Service Instructor, and many other training courses through the University of Kansas Fire and Rescue Training Institute.

“I completed my Kansas Board of EMS Emergency Medical Technician certification through Fort Scott Community College and went on to complete the Emergency Medical Training Officer certification. I am an American Heart Association instructor and have completed coursework in Emergency Management through Barton County Community College.”

“In the field of emergency communications, I earned certifications through The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) as a Public Safety Telecommunicator and Communications Training Officer, and completed the Center Manager Certification Program through the National Emergency Number Association (NENA).”

The Bourbon County Courthouse.

Contact information

Lou Howard, Bourbon County Emergency Manager, has an office in the courthouse at 210 National Avenue, Fort Scott.
Phone: 620-215-6316
Email: [email protected]
Website: bourboncountyks.org

The Facebook page is Bourbon County Kansas Emergency Management.

Gordon Parks Museum

Freedom’s Frontier NHA grant awarded to The Gordon Parks Museum

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The Gordon Parks Museum received $1,000 in grant funding from Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area. This award will help to support a project focused on enhancing visitor experience, accessibility, and engagement through expanded promotional materials, interactive elements, and interpretive resources.

The grant will fund the production of 4,000 rack cards promoting the Wayman Chapel A.M.E. Church Commemorative Park, helping visitors better understand its historical significance. Additional improvements include the purchase of heavy-duty metal easels (8–12 inches) for exhibit displays and four large “Museum Open/Welcome” feather-style flags to increase visibility and guide visitors to the museum.

“We are very honored to be selected as a recipient of the Freedom’s Frontier NHA grant,” said Gordon Parks Museum Executive Director Kirk Sharp. “We are excited to begin this project and further enhance the visitor experience both in our museum and during our events.”

The museum anticipates having the rack cards, easels, and welcome flags installed and available for visitors by May 29, 2026.

For more information about the Gordon Parks Museum, visit gordonparkscenter.org

 

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Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area (FFNHA) is a federally funded nonprofit organization and affiliate of the National Park Service dedicated to building awareness of the struggle for freedom along the Missouri-Kansas border. Established by Congress in 2006, its nationally significant themes are the settlement of the frontier, the Missouri-Kansas Border War and Civil War, and the enduring struggle for freedom. These diverse, interwoven, and nationally important stories grew from a unique physical and cultural landscape. FFNHA inspires respect for multiple perspectives and empowers residents to preserve and share these stories. We achieve our goals through interpretation, preservation, conservation, and education for all residents and visitors.

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Kingfisher Inn: Boutique Vacation Accommodations in Historic Mansion Reopens

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Inside the Kingfisher Inn, 742 S. National Avenue, Fort Scott. From its Facebook page.

The two historic mansions on South National Avenue are back to business.

Following a couple of changes of ownership since they were known as The Lyons Mansions, the north mansion is ready for travelers once again, and the south mansion is currently rented for office spaces.

Daniel Kerr is the owner of Kingfisher Properties LLC and owns the two mansions, plus a small house on the property that faces Judson Street.

“In December, I was hired as the manager,” said Mindy McDonald. “We offer boutique lodging,  more upscale. We are just now starting to get the word out that we are open.”

Mindy McDonald is the manager of the Kingfisher Inn in Fort Scott. Submitted photo.

 

One can rent the entire mansion or a single room.

Single use allows usage of the common areas in the building: living area, billiard room, sun room, she said.

The east side of the Kingfisher Inn. One can see the sun room available for guests. From its Facebook page.

“To rent the entire mansion, prices start at $600 per night,” she said. “It will sleep 16 people.”

There is a full kitchen with various coffee makers,  stove, oven, full fridge, and dishwasher available for guest use.

The single room starts at $130 per night, excluding the cleaning fee and taxes.

“There is a family suite on the third floor that starts at $210, with two bedrooms and two baths and a sitting area. It sleeps 8 people, with three beds in one room and one bed in another.”

“The Kingfisher Inn stands out as a piece of history in Fort Scott,” she said. “It’s pretty important to keep these historic buildings alive. It’s unique to stay in an historic building. My husband and I stayed in the Lyons Mansion when visiting Fort Scott, when Miss Pat was the host and owner.”

“We operate like an Airbnb, through me,” she said. “They self-check into their room and contact me with any issues during their stay.”

To rent a room, use the business website: http://thekingfisherinn.com

One can learn more about the business also on its Facebook page.

The Kingfisher Inn, 742 S. National Avenue, Fort Scott. From its Facebook page.

 

Business, Fort Scott

The Jennings Will Relocate One Business, Add Another

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3 North Main, on the left,  will be the new site of Blissful Medical Aesthetics and Wellness later this year. The boutique at 1 North Main at right, will have its grand opening on April 1.

Kinede and Damon Jennings will relocate their aesthetics and wellness business to 3 North Main, formerly the Iron Start Antiques and Such business, later this year, and open a new boutique business on April 1.

Kinede Jennings. Submitted photo.

” Blissful Medical Aesthetics & Wellness will remain the same business but will be relocating into the former Iron Star location in downtown Fort Scott, with an estimated move date of early fall.
This move allows us to expand services, space, and overall client experience,” Family Nurse Practitioner Kinede Jennings, said.

Blissful Medical Aesthetics & Wellness can be reached by phone: 620-489-5124 or email: [email protected]

Currently, their address is 4 South Main.

Jennings noted Blissful Medical Aesthetics & Wellness is a full-service medical aesthetics and wellness clinic offering:

  • Trt/bhrt- testosterone replacement therapy, bio-identical hormone replacement therapy
  • Medical weight loss (GLP-1 programs)
  • Botox, Daxxify, Xeomin
  • Dermal fillers and biostimulators
  • IV therapy and NAD
  • Peptide therapy
  • Laser treatments (Intense Pulsed Light therapy, hair removal, skin tightening)
  • Advanced facials and skincare treatments
  • Hair restoration (DE|RIVE system)
  • Functional Medicine
The building purchased by Kinede and Damon Jennings, at the corner of Wall and Main in Fort Scott’s Historic Downtown.

Blissful Meadows Boutique

Blissful Meadows Boutique, 1 North Main,  is a curated retail shopping experience featuring:

  • Accessories and jewelry
  • Home décor
  • Gifts and seasonal items
  • Loaded energy tea “Kickstart Energy”

Blissful Meadows Boutique is having a grand opening on April 1 from 2-6 p.m. at the store located at the corner of Main and Wall Streets in Fort Scott’s Historic District.

A ribbon cutting will be hosted by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at 5:30 p.m.

The grand opening will feature refreshments, opening-day deals, and a first look at its curated collection of home décor and unique finds that blend modern and western charm, according to a Chamber press release.

The Chamber will host brief remarks and an official ribbon cutting at 5:30 p.m., and community members are encouraged to attend and help welcome this new business to downtown Fort Scott.

Kinede Jennings, a Chamber Board Member, continues to invest in the growth and vitality of Fort Scott’s downtown through multiple business ventures and property improvements. The boutique will be managed by her mother-in-law, KerryJennings, according to the press release.

Jennings is part of a multi-generational Fort Scott family with deep roots in downtown business, including Sunshine Boutique, established by her grandparents, Georgia and Donnie in 1981, with additional family members continuing that tradition today, according to the press release.

“The Chamber appreciates Jennings’ continued investment in the community and looks forward to celebrating this exciting addition with the owners, staff, and community,” according to the press release. For more information, contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at (620)223-3566.

“We are incredibly excited to continue growing in Fort Scott—bringing both elevated wellness services and a unique boutique shopping experience to our community,” Jennings said. “Our goal is to create spaces that empower confidence, style, and overall well-being.”

 

 

Government, Kansas

Ken Collins Kansas State Representative-Second District Newsletter

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Ken Collins. Submitted photo.

 

Thoughts From Under the Dome

Ken Collins

Kansas State Representative-Second District

 

 

Benny’s Bill was passed unanimously in the Senate as I have previously reported and was bundled in conference committee with three other public safety measures and is now on the way to Governor Kelly’s desk for approval. The package combines several good pieces of legislation and was done in the memory of the late Representative John Resman. The bill includes:

 

Benny’s Bill (HB2412): Elevate child endangerment charges from a misdemeanor to a felony if the victim is under the age of six.

 

Electronic Monitoring for Domestic Violence (HB2479)

 

Blackmail and Deepfake Protections (HB2594): Expands blackmail laws to include threats involving images especially involving minors including cases involving AI.

 

Position of Authority Law (HB2762): Strengthens law prohibiting sexual relations with students by clarifying adults in positions of authority at schools.

 

The Pharmacy Benefit Manager bill (SB 360) that I have previously mentioned was recently passed by the House under the new designation of SB 20. This bill puts some much needed regulation on the PBM monopoly that currently exists in this country. The House vote on this measure was 104-17 and it is now headed to the Governor for her signature.

 

Recently the House voted on and rejected by a vote of 46-75 was House Bill 2527. The purpose of HB 2527 was to restrict registered sex offenders from entering school property. That is a goal that I think that almost everyone would support but the bill did not address some of the possible scenarios that could come about and thus could cause unintended consequences. I voted no and I believe that was why most of my colleagues did as well.

 

The House and Senate are both adjourned until April 9th when we return for veto session. I would like to remind everyone that I have two legislative update events planned. The first one will be at the Mulberry Senior Citizens Center on Monday April 13th at 6:30 with the other one a week later on April 20th at the Galesburg Community Center. Ad Astra Per Aspera.

 

 

Bourbon County, Youth

Bourbon County CASA is currently in need of volunteers

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member
Bourbon County CASA

When a child enters foster care, everything changes — their home, their school, their routines… and often the adults in their life.

A CASA Volunteer may be the only consistent adult showing up just for them.

Be the steady voice.

Be the one who shows up.

Bourbon County CASA is currently in need of volunteers who are willing to make a difference in a child’s life. Your time and compassion can provide stability, advocacy, and hope when it matters most.

If you feel called to serve, we would love to visit with you about how you can get involved.

Contact Christa at

(620) 215-2769

or email

[email protected]

to learn more.

One caring adult can change everything.

Will it be you?

Click HERE to visit the

Bourbon County CASA

Facebook Page!

Click HERE to visit the

Kansas CASA Association

website!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

620-223-3566

fortscott.com
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
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Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Google Business 101 Is March 31

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The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to host Business-Building Workshop #2

designed to help your business grow smarter and stronger.

Google Business 101
Tuesday, March 31st ~ 1:30-2:30 PM

📍Sleep Inn & Suites Conference Room

302 E. Wall St., Fort Scott

Chamber Members

$10 per workshop

Non-Members

$20 per workshop

Register online by clicking below

or call the Chamber at 620-223-3566!

Visit our website for more info at fortscott.com !
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

About the class

Google Business 101

Learn how to improve your business visibility in local searches, build customer trust, and make your Google Business profile work for you.

About the presenter

Sara Comer, owner of Gracefully Managed of Columbus, KS has presented workshops and offers remote training around the region on topics such as e-commerce, websites, & social media.

This workshop is brought to you by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, made possible through Network Kansas and our Bourbon County eCommunity program.
DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER – CLICK HERE!

Click HERE to visit

Gracefully Managed LLC

Facebook Page!

Click HERE to visit the

Gracefully Managed LLC

website!
A special thank you to our Chamber Champion members below…
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

620-223-3566

fortscott.com
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
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Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Young Professional League Restarts In Fort Scott, Next Social Hour is March 24

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Arlo Simon. Submitted photo.
A new generation of young people has reorganized to serve the Fort Scott community through an organization called Young Professional League.
Eighteen years ago, the group was started, and with the  COVID Pandemic, YPL membership dwindled.
Late last year, a different group picked up the ideals to serve the community.

 

They have a mission and motivation to serve.
“The mission of the Young Professionals League is to be adaptive advocates of a better community through progressive partnerships and networking,” according to its new president, Arlo Simon.
“The motivation to restart The Young Professionals League came from a drive to serve the community and provide support, in various ways,” Simon said.
“Our vision is to be a catalyst for a better community,” she said.
“We have meetings on the first Friday of every month in the Celebration Room inside Papa Don’s Pizza (10 N.Main), at noon. We also have a social hour at various local restaurants once a month. Our next one will be Tuesday, March 24 at La Hacienda Restaurant, 6:00 p.m.”
Submitted photo of a recent YPL meeting.
“Our target audience to join YPL would be anyone interested in being a part of like-minded people who have an interest in bettering the community,” Simon said. “The age range for joining: 17-year-old high school seniors (who may have an interest in business) as well as up to 45-year-old individuals.”
The current leadership team is Simon as president, Hunter Witt as vice president, Taylor Bailey as secretary, Stevia Ratcliff as treasurer, Tabitha Castleberry as communications and Henry Witt as events.
Submitted photos of a recent Young Professional League meeting at The Kitchen Collaborative.

History of YPL In Fort Scott

Eighteen years ago the group was founded by Jamie Armstrong, Gary Palmer, along with Kenny and Megan Felt, to name just a few.

“YPL was launched by a small group of young professionals in the fall of 2008,” said Jamie Armstrong.  We hosted a large group of local young professionals, and Kendall Gammon, former long-snapper for the K.C. Chiefs, was our speaker.”

“It was a moment to capture a common sense of community and connection, and it served as a great catalyst to our launch. We started off focused on economic development, community service, civic engagement and social connections.”

“Over the next seventeen years, we served many community roles, and we grew. Until we didn’t,” Armstrong said.

” Many of us shifted out of leadership roles in YPL and into other community and civic responsibility and our purpose changed. Post COVID Pandemic, the membership has dwindled, and we disbanded. I am thrilled to see young professionals like Henry and Hunter Witt and others coming back to the table to once again talk about the future of this amazing community we live in.”

Fort Scott, Gordon Parks Museum, History

Gordon Parks Museum receives Historic Yearbooks and Two Glass Dish Artifacts

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Fort Scott, Kan. – The Gordon Parks Museum has received a rare donation of historic items connected to the early life and legacy of Gordon Parks. The donation includes a 1926 Plaza School-Fort Scott yearbook, a 1925 Fort Scott High School yearbook, and two glass dishes, generously given by Cheri Dixon, a longtime family friend of Parks. Dixon, a former resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, now resides in Smyrna, Georgia.

 

The 1926 Plaza School-Fort Scott yearbook belonged to Dixon’s grandmother, Louella (Russell) Hill, a lifelong resident of Fort Scott. Hill graduated from the eighth grade at Plaza School in 1926 and was both a classmate and lifelong friend of Gordon Parks. Parks attended the segregated Plaza School from kindergarten through eighth grade at what was formerly 111 Hendricks Street, located on the east side of what is now the Fort Scott National Historic Site.

 

The yearbook is particularly significant because it is the same year Parks graduated from the eighth grade, and his graduation photograph appears in the book. The 50-page publication provides insight into student life at Plaza School during the 1920s, including academics, athletics, and school activities.

 

Also included in the donation is a 1925 Fort Scott High School yearbook that belonged to Dixon’s grandfather, Clarence Hill, who graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1925.

 

In addition to the yearbooks, Dixon donated two glass dishes that appear in a well-known photograph taken by Gordon Parks of Clarence and Louella Hill inside their Fort Scott home. In the photograph, Louella Hill is holding one of the dishes. The image was taken in 1950 as part of Parks’ assignment for Life magazine for photo essay, when he returned to Fort Scott to do a story on segregated schools and follow up on the lives of his former classmates from Plaza School. The photograph later appeared in the 2015 book Gordon Parks: Back to Fort Scott.

 

The items were donated in honor of Louella Russell Hill, Shirley Hill Hutt, and the Cheri Dixon family.

 

“We are beyond excited to receive these incredible historic items from Cheri Dixon,” said Kirk Sharp, Executive Director of the Gordon Parks Museum. “The 1925 Plaza School yearbook, will offer valuable insight into the history of the school and student life during that time in the 1920s when Gordon Parks attended school there.”

 

The Plaza School was later renamed Hawkins School in 1946 in honor of Professor E. J. Hawkins, a longtime educator, administrator, and coach at the institution. The original two-story school building with a full basement was demolished during an urban renewal project in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Today, a memorial wayside marker recognizing the school stands at the Fort Scott National Historic Site recreational vehicle parking lot behind the Chamber of Commerce building.

 

MORE

The newly donated yearbooks, along with other Plaza-Hawkins School artifacts and the glass dishes, are now on display at the Gordon Parks Museum on the campus of Fort Scott Community College.

 

For more information or to schedule a museum visit or tour, contact the Gordon Parks Museum at (620) 223-2700, ext. 5850, or email [email protected].

(Left to Right) Kirk Sharp and Cheri Dixon at her home in Smyrna, GA, holding the 1926 Plaza School Year book.

1925 Fort Scott High School Crimson Yearbook.

 

 

(Photo Left to Right) Kirk Sharp and Cheri Dixon at her home in Smyrna, GA, holding one of the dishes and the book Back to Fort Scott which features the 1950 photograph taken by Gordon Parks in the home of her grandparents, Louella and Clarence Hill, while her grandmother is holding one of the same dishes. The photo below is an image of the photo that Gordon Parks took in 1950.

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Obituary

Kai Nelson Obituary

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     Kai Alexander Nelson, age 3, of Nevada, MO passed from this life on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Ft. Scott, KS.

Born August 20, 2022, in Winfield, KS, Kai was the “Most beautiful boy in the world, a big ball of joy with an infectious laugh you will never forget.”

Kai is survived by his loving parents Blake Ryan and Annabelle Nobellee (Swisher) Nelson of Nevada; his grandparents, Paul Swisher, Derby, KS, Samantha Stewart, Ft. Scott, KS, James Nelson, Nevada, and Christina Ellzey, Nevada.

Memorial services was held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Pastor Jeff Fagins officiating.

Memorials are suggested to the family in c/o Ferry Funeral Home.

Fort Scott Community College, Government

FSCC Trustees Meet at Noon on March 13

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FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE

BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING

BURRIS HALL

MARCH 13, 2026 – 12:00 P.M.

PUBLIC AGENDA

 

1.0 CALL MEETING TO ORDER – CHAIR

2.0 FLAG SALUTE & INVOCATION

3.0 APPROVAL OF OFFICIAL AGENDA                                    (ACTION)

4.0 APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA                                  (ACTION)

4.1 Minutes

  • February 13, 2026, Board of Trustees Special Meeting
  • February 16, 2026, Board of Trustees Meeting
  • March 02, 2026, Board of Trustees Special Meeting

4.2 Financials – Cash Flow Report

4.3  Check Register – $815,849.56

4.4  Payroll – February 13, 2026 – $635,461.17

4.5  Contract Ratification

  • Contract for FRAME Grant Duplexes
  • KASB Legal Assistance Fund 2026-27

5.0 COMMUNITY, EMPLOYEE, AND STUDENT RECOGNITION                                                                                                      (INFORMATION)

5.1 Program Review – TRIO

5.2 Recognition: Trustee Emeritus

5.3 Recognition: Students

6.0 LEADERSHIP REPORTS & UPDATES                  (INFORMATION)

7.0 OLD BUSINESS

7.1 State of the College address will be:

  • May 21st at 12 pm in the Ellis Fine Arts building                                                                                (INFORMATION)

7.2 Employee Scholarships 2026-2027                      (ACTION)

7.3 Agreement – STARS                                                      (ACTION)

8.0 NEW BUSINESS

8.1 Farm and Ranch Management Certificates      (ACTION)

8.2 Pharmacy Technician Certificate                          (ACTION)

9.0 PUBLIC FORUM

 

 

10.0 EXECUTIVE SESSION – SECURITY MEASURES

10.1 Enter Executive Session                                          (ACTION)

10.2 Exit Executive Session – Return to Open Session                                                                                                       (INFORMATION)

11.0 PERSONNEL

11.1 Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters                                                                                                                     (ACTION)

11.2 Exit Executive Session – Return to Open Session                                                                                                      (INFORMATION)

11.3 Employment Matters of Non-Elected Personnel                                                                                                                     (ACTION)

12.0 BOARD COMMENTS

13.0 ADJOURN                                                                                    (ACTION)

Bourbon County, Bourbon County Sheriff's Office

Three-Year-Old Dies in a Fort Scott Fire on March 10

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The fire was on Jewell Street south and west of Fort Scott.

Bourbon County emergency personnel were dispatched to a structure fire in the 2300 block of Jewell Street, just southeast of Fort Scott, at around 5:30 a.m. on March 10.

 

“A three-year-old child died from this incident,” said Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of this child.”

 

The Kansas State Fire Marshal was notified of the fire and will assist the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation, Martin said.

The fire aftermath on Jewell Street in Fort Scott.

A relative of the deceased child sent this to fortscott.biz for publishing.

“I’m Aireal Knoblauch, and I’m reaching out because our family is going through an unimaginable tragedy and we are hoping the community might be able to help.

Earlier this week, a house fire in Fort Scott, Kansas took the life of my 3-year-old nephew, Kai. Kai was a joyful little boy who loved Blippi and excavators and meant the world to everyone who knew him. His parents and our family are Nevada, Missouri natives, and our hearts are completely shattered. The fire marshal is still investigating the cause of the fire. In the same fire, Kai’s grandmother, Samantha, also lost her home and nearly everything she owned. Our family has created two GoFundMe fundraisers  one to help with Kai’s funeral expenses and another to help Samantha begin rebuilding after losing her home and belongings. We are hoping you might be willing to help share their story and the fundraisers to encourage community support. Even simply helping spread the word could make a huge difference for our family during this incredibly difficult time.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for any help you may be able to provide.

Sincerely,
Aireal Knoblauch (Kai’s aunt) 
620-441-8400

Kai’s Funeral GoFundMe: 

Samantha’s Rebuilding GoFundMe: