All posts by Loretta George

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: 

 

Exercise, Fort Scott, Sports

Buck Run Community Center Expands Fitness Center

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The fitness center at Buck Run will be expanded to a space to the north, which currently houses a racquetball court..
The Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Avenue, will expand its fitness center.
“We will be moving all of our cardio equipment into the racquetball room to provide more space for equipment in the fitness center. We will be adding a new set of dumbbells, new Olympic Bench Press, another functional trainer, a set of straight bars,  and a Glute Drive Machine,” said Lucas Kelley, BRCC’s Recreation Director.”
“We are repurposing the space of the racquetball court. This is due to the lack of use of the racquetball court and the uptick in our Fitness Center Memberships. When I started, BRCC had around 400 members, and today we are just over 700. “
The changes will start next week.
“These changes will begin taking place March 16, and are expected to be completed by March 20. Fitness Center member use will not be impacted by this remodel, we will continue to be open 24/7. This is financed by the revenue generated from our memberships.”
‘We are excited to keep enhancing the Fitness Experience at Buck Run,” Kelly said.
Buck Run offers t-ball, baseball, and softball leagues, group exercises, Taekwondo, youth track,  an annual weight loss competition, STEM Club and holds events such as the Princess Tea Party on April 25.
To learn more: call
620.223.0386.
Lucas Kelley.
Fort Scott

Sounds of Gunshots and Windows/Doors Rattling Last Night In Fort Scott

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The Fort Scott Police Department’s electric sign. The department is located at 1604 S. National Avenue.

Several residents of Fort Scott called the Fort Scott Police Department last night, March 5, to report the sound of gunshots.

“At 9 p.m., calls started coming in,” said Jason Eastwood with the Fort Scott Police Department. “Several people heard the sounds of windows and doors rattling and a racket that sounded like gunshots, around the same time.”

“We followed up by looking around town. There was no particular place it came from. Numerous reports from the east and west sides of town.”

The entire shift of police officers was driving around town, and  Eastwood believes the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office was assisting, as well.

“The majority of calls were from the 12th Street to 18th Street blocks of our town,” he said.

There was no evidence of guns or fireworks in searching for the cause of the sounds, he said.

If anyone has any information, contact the Fort Scott Police Department. at 620.223.1700.

 

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Jobs, Youth

Young Entrepreneur Moves Forward with His Business: A-Z Odd Jobs

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Max Blubaugh. Submitted photo.

A local Fort Scott Community College student is moving forward with skills he has developed on his own, called A-Z Odd Jobs.

“I grew up helping my grandpa, Mark Tucker,  on his cattle farm, and that is where I learned how to operate the tools I now use every day,” Max Blubaugh said. “I’ve grown up in Fort Scott, and I love being present in Bourbon County. I like to transform properties for people and give them something to be proud of.”

“I offer a wide range of services,” he said. “I do small-scale construction projects, limb/tree/brush removal, junk removal, heavy lifting, lawn care/mowing, snow removal, and anything on your ‘honey do’ list. Anything from A-Z!”
He is a 2025 graduate of  Fort Scott Christian Heights.
“I am currently in my second semester at FSCC. I plan to eventually transfer to Pittsburg State University to major in construction management.”
“This has been my part-time job since I started my business in my junior year, but I didn’t try to do things consistently until the summer following my senior year. I realized there was a need for the type of work I do, and decided to push things more. Things have been picking up as of late.  I’m busy, but I would like to be busier! I am not currently an LLC, but that is coming soon.”
He can be reached at 620.215.3459.
His grandparents are Mark and Brenda Tucker and Dave and Shelia Blubaugh, and his parents are Brad and Bethany Blubaugh, all of Fort Scott.
He is involved in the community as an active member of Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.
The top photo shows the area before Max Blubaugh cleaned it. The bottom photo is the spot after. Submitted photos. This example shows his ability to change the look of properties by cleaning out debris and brush.

Business, Fort Scott

Merl Humphrey Retired From One Job, But Still Creating Photographs

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Merle Humphrey Photography is located at 5 N. Main, Fort Scott.

Merl Humphrey retired from Farmer’s Insurance on December 31, 2025. But he is not retiring from this side gig, Merl Humphrey Photography, 5 N. Main, in Fort Scott’s Historic Downtown District.

In 1971, he started working for Farmer’s Insurance.

“I took over an agency of H.B. Marr,” he said. “John Lewis assumed part of the agency.”

He has been working as a photographer since 1992.

“I was friends with Mike Henry, and he asked if I’d like to do weddings with him. He taught me a lot.”

“I’ve taken courses and have a pretty good working knowledge of photography. When he left town, I put up a sign in the window and started getting a lot of calls to do photography. It’s been a good support business.”

“The photography business has always been appointment only,” he said. “I also do photo restoration services. Not on the original image, but I can make a representative of what they had before.”

“I like to make photos of people in formal attire and formal settings. Also lifestyle photography. I prefer shooting indoors…generational photos, high school seniors.”

“My dad, Edward Humphrey, was a family photographer in Hume, MO. He ran the grocery store in the 1950s and 60s. It was something he did. I got the bug being in the dark room with him. It was magic.”

 

 

Future Plans For The Building

He will be reconfiguring his storefront into two parts.

The north part, with a front counter, separate office, storage,  and bathroom, will eventually be for rent for a business. The dimensions are approximately 40 by 18 feet.

“Several people have been interested,” Humphrey said.

The front office space is slated for completion by summer, he said.

The south part, as one walks in the front glass door, will lead to his photography business, which has another door on the east side of the building on Old Fort Blvd.

In addition, he is working on a project to renovate the second floor of the building into an accommodation rental.

“Possibly a vacation rental or a monthly rental,” he said. It has a timeline for completion of approximately 60 days.

The building was built in the late 1800s and has been a stable, restaurant, shoe store, antique shop, and dentist’s office, he said.

 

Humphey can be reached at 620.223.4150 or 620.224.6843 or

[email protected]

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Dynamic Contracting: A New Construction Company to Fort Scott

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Submitted photo.

Keaton Brown and his wife moved to Fort Scott to be closer to family when their twins arrived.

” We decided to start our own company, Dynamic Contracting, dedicated to hard work and quality, in hopes of having something to hand down to our three boys someday,” Brown said.

“I really love giving the customers exactly what they want. I believe that the customer should be put first—no run-arounds, total transparency, and fair pricing. Communication is key. We show up and do what we say we’re going to do the first time.”

His extended family includes his dad, Destry Brown, and grandparents, Donnie and Georgia Brown, of Fort Scott.

 

His business offers a variety of services.

“Custom homes, shops/bardos, remodeling, concrete, dirt work, foundation repair, and fencing,” he said.  “I have 17 years of experience in various areas of construction, specializing in concrete, but not limited to just that skill, as in the last ten years I worked for a large commercial concrete company, working my way from carpenter/finisher to general superintendent overseeing up to 5 or 6 crews at a time.”

“I spent most of my college days working for a very skilled home builder while I studied construction management at Pittsburg State University,” he said.

In his spare time, he loves ” hunting and fishing, especially when I get to take Hudson, our five-year-old, and spending time with my family.”

For more information:

Facebook page: Dynamic Contracting or
phone number: 620. 687. 7342.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

FS Chamber: Working to Provide Opportunities for the Community

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Lindsay Madison is the executive director of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. Submitted photo.

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce staff have been working to provide educational, financial, and marketing opportunities for businesses.

Kansas Main Street

At the Feb. 20 Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet at the Courtland Hotel, President and CEO Lindsay Madison said that the City of Fort Scott passed a resolution to apply for Kansas Main Street. The Kansas Main Street Program is a self-help, technical assistance program that targets revitalization and preservation of downtown districts. Currently, Fort Scott is listed as an affiliate. She is waiting for the new Kansas Department of Commerce/Kansas Main Street training. This training is provided to equip participants with knowledge, skills, and strategies to effectively engage with decision-makers and drive meaningful change, according to information she passed out.

Legislators In Town at Chamber Coffee on Saturday

This Saturday, February 28, the Chamber is having a Capitol Update over coffee with Kansas legislators, which will be held at the Kansas Renewal Institute, at 401 Woodland Hills. It will be in the McAuley Center from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. The public is invited.

Guests should enter through the main east doors; the meeting room is located down the hallway on the right.  KRI will sponsor coffee and light refreshments provided by Common Ground Coffee Co.  Tours of the KRI facility will be offered immediately following the event. according to a press release.

Kansas Senator Tim Shallenburger and State Representative Rick James are confirmed to attend.  The legislators will provide an update on the current legislative session, share information about the committees on which they serve, and address questions and issues presented by attendees.  Bryan Holt will serve as moderator for the event, according to the release.

Other items from the meet and greet meeting:

A Destination Creation course will be offered from 9 a.m. to 2  p.m. on Monday, April 13. This one-day course will help towns to work towards becoming a tourist destination. The cost is $50, including lunch. Contact the Chamber at 620.223.3566.

There are two upcoming business builder workshops: March 10 at 1.30 p.m. for creating a smarter social media strategy for small businesses, and March 31 at 1.30 p.m. for Google Business 101.

For more opportunities http://www.score.org/kansascity/local-workshops

There is a Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks state-wide leadership training on March 7 at the River Room, with approximately 100-150 people attending.

The Fort Scott Community College Rodeo is March 13-15.

The 2026 Schedule of Events, a community guide, is almost complete. There will be 10,000 copies available for distribution.

The Fort Scott Downtown Clean-up will be in April or May, with Craig Campbell leading. The Elks have provided a grant for clean-up supplies for the event. Businesses are requested to send notices of clean-up needs to the Chamber.

Grants Available

An E-Community Grant is available at .networkkansas.com   Grants are for $5,000 to $50,000 at 6% for 10 years.

Grow KS maximum grant for $100,000 at 4% for five years and 6% for 10 years.

There are technical assistance grants available for up to $1,000 to current loan participants.

The next Meet and Greet is Tuesday, May 5 from 8-9 a.m. at City State Bank.

 

 

 

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Downtown Meet/Greet Feb. 20: Changes in Downtown

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Lindsay Madison, Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Director, led the Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet on Feb.20. at the Courtland Hotel and Spa and told of changes happening in the historic district.

The former After Effect Beauty Salon, 14 E. Wall, will be a leather business in the future, she said.

Better in Bourbon Boutique on Main Street will be moving to the former H & H Insurance/Real Estate, 2 Old Fort Bvd. Rachel Pruitt is the owner. The timeline is uncertain at this point, Pruitt said.

Merle Humphrey has retired from his insurance business, but will still operate his photography business from the back of the store. He is also updating the second floor for another business project. The storefront will be available to rent.

Merle Humphrey’s storefront at 5 N. Main.

Barbara Trimbur, owner of the Iron Star Antiques and Such Store, closed and sold the store to new owners this month. This store is 3 N. Main, Fort Scott.

Barbara Trimbur recently sold the Iron Star Antiques and Such Store at 3 N. Main.
Better in Bourbon is located at 13 N. Main.

The subject of “unhomed people” was discussed among the group.

“The city is meeting with the unhomed people,” Rachel Carpenter, Human Relations/Project Coordinator for the City of Fort Scott said. “They are moving out of the gazebo area.” The Heritage Park Gazebo is located at First and Main Street.

“The unhomed have been hanging laundry on a line, taking ownership of the spot,” Madison said.

Some clothing and food were left at the Heritage Park Gazebo in downtown Fort Scott on February 20.

John Hill, a meeting participant, noted that there is currently a “car blocked up on bricks” in the parking lot of the gazebo.”

A car with one wheel missing was parked at the Heritage Park parking lot at 1st and Main.

Carpenter said “It is a work in progress,” indicating that the city is working to resolve the issue.

Carpenter also said there is a prospective buyer of the former Fort Scott Barber Shop building, 118 E. Wall. The building has been vacant for an extended time.

The Fort Scott Barber Shop building, the tall red brick one, is empty in this 2024 photo.

The Moody Building at 2nd and Main Street has a person interested in purchasing it, she said. The building has been deteriorating for several years.

The Moody Building, 2nd and Main Street, Fort Scott.

Madison reminded the group that a Civil War Encampment is scheduled for April at the Fort Scott National Historic Site, at the north end of Main Street.

The Friends of the Fort Scott National Historic Site has a flag pole subscription as a fundraiser currently. They will set up a flag at your site on special occasions during the year.   To learn more about the event, here is a prior announcement: Civil War Encampment April 27-28 at FSNHS

Carpenter said the World Cup soccer matches will be in Kansas City in June and July (six matches) this year, and http://VisitKC.com is doing all the marketing for the Kansas City region. Fort Scott Tourism is making plans for visitors to come by bus for a day trip. The event is listed on TripAdvisor, she said.

The  Fort Scott Dragoons Baseball Team, a new collegiate summer team in the Mid-America League, will have its first season at the LaRoche Baseball Stadium this year. Volunteer hosts are needed for the men.

Dragoons Baseball from Facebook.

Christmas on the Bricks, the winter festival in Fort Scott has monthly meetings with local organizer, Diane Striler, leading.

“We need more people to help,” she told the attendees. “Put and take down” some of the temporary buildings for the event. We are hoping to add next year that clubs will help with the skating rink staffing and get a percentage of the profits. Maybe we could start having the rink open from Thanksgiving to Valentine’s Day.”https://fortscott.com/christmas-on-the-bricks

The Glide is a synthetic ice skating rink that is located at the Gathering Pavilion on North National Avenue in the 2024 photo.

The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, Wall and Main Street,  is bringing a large dinosaur exhibition celebrating a paleontologist in the near future.

The Artificers Art Gallery is having a textile show through the end of March at the shop on North National Avenue.

The Courtland Hotel Dining Room was the location of the Downtown Meet and Greet on Feb. 20

The hotel owners, Frank and Cheryl Adamson, purchased the historic property at 121 E. First Street in 2004.  He said many people who stay at their hotel “praise what’s going on in our downtown.”

People have been purchasing historic buildings and renovating them into new businesses.

“Many people don’t realize the diversity of restaurants the downtown has to offer,” Frank Adamson said. The attendees tallied the total of restaurants to be 11 in the downtown district.

 

 

 

 

Fort Scott Community College

Naloxone Dispenser Installed at FSCC Through Statewide Partnership

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Fort Scott, KS – Naloxone saves lives. In 2024, 559 Kansans tragically died from drug overdoses—many related to opioid misuse. In response to this ongoing crisis, the Kansas Attorney General’s Office, in partnership with Emily’s Hope, is delivering Naloxone dispensers to colleges and universities across the state, including one to Fort Scott Community College.

 

The Naloxone dispenser at FSCC provides access to a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Making Naloxone readily available on campus is part of a broader statewide effort to reduce overdose deaths, increase awareness, and provide immediate tools to help in emergency situations.

 

College officials encourage students, employees, and community members to be aware of this resource. Naloxone is safe to use and can be administered in an emergency while waiting for first responders to arrive.

 

“If this could help you, your family, or your neighbors, please remember it’s here,” college representatives shared. “Access to Naloxone is about protecting lives and supporting the well-being of our community.”

 

If you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse, confidential help is available by calling 866-645-8216.

 

For Help. For Health. For Hope.

 

 

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