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Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Tri-Valley Developmental Services 50th Anniversary Celebration Held

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The CEO Award winner is Grace Kramer, pictured with husband Larry.  Submitted photo.

50th Anniversary Celebration Held

Tri-Valley Developmental Services celebrated its 50th anniversary on May 1st with a party and awards ceremony.  The event was held during the afternoon at Central Park Pavilion in Chanute.  175 Attendees were treated to celebration cupcakes and punch as well as a travel mug celebrating Tri-Valley’s 50 years.  The afternoon’s entertainment was Robbie Bell, who performed hits from the year 1975.  Right before the awards ceremony, Bill Fiscus raised a glass to toast Tri-Valley’s past, present, and future. 

Robbie Bell. Submitted photo.

Following the toast, the annual awards ceremony was held.  Awards were given to individuals and organizations who actively support Tri-Valley in its mission to support our neighbors with intellectual/developmental disabilities in Allen, Bourbon, Chautauqua, Elk, Greenwood, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson counties.

 

Awards were presented to the following:

Business of the Year – Ruddick’s Furniture and Flooring, Fort Scott and C & H Lanes, Chanute

Ruddick’s Furniture, Business of the Year Award (pictured left to right: Anna Musselman, Josh Davenport, Terry Davenport, Cindy Davenport, Sheila Kelly, and TVDS Board Member Lindsay Madison). Submitted photo.

Achievement Awards – Koby Erie, Michael Mitchell, and Matthew Patch

Ed Bideau Advocacy Award – Jim Godinez

Masterson Family Award – Beth Ringwald

Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation Visionary Award – Mike Reid

Winfred Jent Award – The City of Moline

Lifetime Achievement Award – The Grain Bin

Employee of the Year Award – Melissa Gillenwater

CEO Award – Grace Kramer

 

 

Submitted by

Tricia Campbell

Special Projects Coordinator

Tri-Valley Developmental Services, Inc.

Government

U.S. Congressman Derek Schmidt Newsletter

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Rep. Derek Schmidt's header image

Friends,

 

After passing the One Big Beautiful Bill last week, I was back in Kansas to observe Memorial Day and meet with constituents across the district. Nothing beats coming home!

Securing Disaster Relief for Kansas

We recently learned President Trump approved Kansas’s request for a federal disaster declaration following March’s severe storms that claimed the lives of at least 32 people across our region. We unfortunately suffered major damage right here in the Second District when the storm spread a brush fire to the nursing facility in Yates Center. Thankfully, no one was injured, but the facility suffered a total loss. The severe weather also caused additional damage and tragic loss of life when a dust storm in western Kansas caused a 70+ car pileup, claiming 8 lives and injuring nearly 50 people.

 

Last month, I joined my Kansas colleagues in encouraging President Trump to approve this declaration. The declaration is critically important, as it allows our impacted cities, counties, and select nonprofits to apply for special assistance from the federal government. The storm damaged nearly one-third of Kansas counties, and the state estimates up to $8.5 million of these storm damages are eligible to be repaired using federal funding.

 

Rebuilding our communities after severe weather events is never easy, but I’m confident we’ll continue to assist our fellow Kansans who were affected by these storms in any way we can. Though the federal declaration will go a very long way toward recovery, it’s still up to us to help our neighbors out during their time of need.

 

I’m thankful our state and federal leadership came together to secure these funding resources. I will always put the needs of Kansans first in Washington.

Protecting Americans from the Border Crisis

This week, our House Judiciary Committee announced we’re teaming up with the House Oversight Committee to investigate the Mayor of Nashville, TN, for blocking federal enforcement of immigration laws.

 

While this investigation is specific to Nashville, sanctuary city policies exist across our country. Several weeks ago, I highlighted how these policies weaken community safety, even in states that have outlawed them.
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The American people have been very clear: they’re sick of the open borders and lawlessness that defined the previous administration. As my colleagues and I work to conduct rigorous oversight to keep Americans safe, we must also codify President Trump’s commonsense executive orders.

 

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act provided much needed funding for border security and the deportation of illegal aliens; however, turning these executive orders into laws is the only way to ensure a single administration can never again unilaterally endanger our country the way the previous one did.

Keeping Council Grove Lake Open for the Summer

Council Grove Lake is a popular spot for Kansans to boat, swim, camp, and relax during the summer months. Unfortunately, because the lake is managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, the lake’s operating status for the summer was recently in flux due to a staffing shortage stemming from the federal hiring freeze.

 

Thankfully, after I worked with the Trump Administration and Senator Jerry Moran, Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll signed a hiring freeze exemption for the lake last week. The exemption will allow Council Grove to hire the necessary staff to keep the lake open all summer long.

 

I applaud the Department of Defense for their quick response, and I join Senator Moran in encouraging the Army Corps to hire these positions quickly so Kansans can enjoy their summer activities without interruption!

Continuing to Dismantle the Administrative State

Last week, the House continued to move America back toward energy independence by undoing another burdensome and unnecessary regulation imposed by the prior administration.

S.J. Res. 31 reverses the Biden-era “Once-in, Always-in” rule, which permanently classified industrial facilities as “major sources” of emissions. President Trump revoked this policy prior to leaving office after his first term; however, the Biden administration reinstated it during their last months in power.

 

The rule has two major negative effects: not only does it place unnecessarily high emissions standards on our energy producers, eliminating good-paying Kansas jobs and raising prices for consumers, it actually discourages our producers from lowering emissions. When the Trump Administration revoked the rule, it allowed energy producers who made significant investments in emission reduction to “reclassify,” moving them into a category which provides more emission standards flexibility and lowers the costs imposed on producers.

 

This rule is yet another example of how the heavy hand of government often stifles innovation, raises costs, and discourages innovation and investment for American producers. With the One Big Beautiful Bill now in the Senate’s hands, I hope to see the House move onto undoing many more of the previous administration’s rules in the coming weeks.

Second District NCAA Champions!

Congratulations to the Pittsburg State University Men’s and Women’s Track & Field teams, who performed excellently at the 2025 NCAA Division II Outdoor National Championships this past weekend in Colorado!

The men took home the championship by winning seven individual event national titles over the three-day meet, leading to a dominant win. This is Pitt State’s fourth consecutive men’s outdoor national championship victory and eighth overall track & field title (including two indoor titles this year and last year).

 

The women, meanwhile, placed third overall and took home Pitt State’s fourth straight top 10 outdoor national finish. This came after their MIAA Outdoor Conference Championship victory earlier this month.

 

Congratulations to both the men’s and women’s team for their outstanding performances! We’re blessed to have such an accomplished athletics program here in southeast Kansas.

I’ll return to Washington next week. With the One Big Beautiful Bill in the Senate’s hands, our focus is now codifying both President Trump’s executive orders and the DOGE cuts. Without congressional action, all the good work this administration has done so far could be wiped away with the stroke of a pen once someone new comes along.

 

We must not allow that to happen.
Opinion

Hotdogs or Steaks by Carolyn Tucker

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Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

Hotdogs or Steaks

 

As a little girl, I learned to entertain myself by “pretending.” I would pretend with my baby dolls, riding my bicycle, playing the piano on a chair, and pretend that I was a secretary. It’s alright to pretend when you’re young. But it’s really not OK to pretend when you’re an adult. For example, let’s pretend I invited you to my home for supper and I told you that we would have steaks. However, when we sat down at the table, I served hotdogs instead. I think you’d be shocked, disappointed, confused, and ready to kick my shins. So when you get your nerve up to mention that you were expecting steak, my response would be, “Oh, let’s just pretend the hotdog is a Filet Mignon.”

 

Living as a Christian pretender is serious business. We’re not fooling anybody when we’re not living out the walk we talk about. While reading in one of my personal journals from 2006, I came across this anonymous quote: “The partially-surrendered life may be Christian in spirit, but it is secular in practice. Of what earthly value is Christianity if it leaves no indelible mark on one’s lifestyle? It is of no value (in this life) to be Christian if you do not think Christianly — if you do not have a Christian life view.” We don’t want to get caught red-handed living as a Christian impersonator.

 

A genuine born-again Christian cannot stay the same. We’re either walking forward in a growing faith or backward in a worldly culture. Following Christ is a daily workout of killing the old lifestyle and being filled with the nature of God. (The last thing I want is to be filled with myself!) “By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the One who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires” (2 Peter 1:3,4 NLT).

 

No hotdog can fake it and make it. Pseudo Christians are pretenders which will fail miserably. Plus, they will discourage  and disillusion others from committing their life to Jesus. The watching unbeliever will likely say, “What’s the point of being a Christian? He doesn’t live any different from my other friends who don’t even profess to know Jesus.“ God desires undivided loyalty and genuine devotion from His children. Christ followers will have a desire to live a different lifestyle from the surrounding culture.

 

As believers study God’s Word, we can readily recognize the first signs of fakeness in ourselves and take corrective steps to eradicate it. The qualities of a bonafide representative for Christ are found in Matthew 5:3-12, known as The Beatitudes. Jesus wasn’t tip-toeing through the tulips when He also said, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men” (Matthew 5:13 NKJV). Evidently it’s possible to lose our Christ-likeness and godly influence. Again, there’s no earthly value to being a Christian if we fail to be fully surrendered. The hard  truth of Jesus’ teaching should motivate all of us to take regular inventory of our heart, mindset, and lifestyle to ensure that we’re still wholeheartedly following in His steps.

 

The Key: Don’t pretend to be a steak if you’re really just a hotdog.

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for June 2

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Bourbon County Commission Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Chambers 210 S National Ave.

June 2, 2025, 5:30 PM

  1. Call Meeting to Order
    1. Roll Call
    2. Pledge of Allegiance
    3. Prayer – David Beerbower
  2. Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Minutes from 05.19.25
  1. Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of 05.23.25 Accounts Payable Totaling $53,886.11
    2. Approval of 05.30.25 Accounts Payable Totaling $143,253.12
    3. Approval of 05.30.25 Payroll Totaling $244,413.12
    4. Tax Roll Corrections
  2. Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy for job performance with ____________ attending and will return at _________PM in the commission chambers. – Susan Walker & Selena Williams
  3. Health Benefits Update – Don Doherty
  • Cohen – Contractual Services for Municipalities – Milburn
  • Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body of agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship for litigation with _______ attending and will return at ______PM in the commission chambers.
  1. Old Business
    1. Department Updates
      1. Susan Walker-Employee Benefits
      2. Brian Allen-Disaster Proclamation
  • Eric Bailey
  1. Policy & Procedures
    1. Mission Statement – Milburn
    2. Workers Compensation – Beerbower
  • Mika Milburn-Resolution – Personal Improvement Plan, Corrective Action Plan, Formal Written Notice, Deviation Plan
  1. Zoning Discussion
  1. Public Comments for Items Not on The Agenda
  2. New Business
    1. New Commission District 4 & 5 Term Limits – Milburn
    2. Path of Ease Association – Jennifer Simhiser
    3. Tri-Valley 2026 Budget Request
    4. City of Fort Scott 911 Agreement – Milburn/Brad Matkin
    5. Courthouse Repairs – Milburn
    6. NRP Discussion – Milburn
    7. Commissioner Comments
  • Adjournment

 

 

Future business that has been tabled in past meetings or planned for future meetings:

  • SEK Mental Health Budget
  • Juvenile Detention Budget
  • Office Restructuring Cost
  • Job Descriptions
  • Handbook Updated
  • Economic Development Direction
  • Dump Fees for Employees – June 9, 2025
  • Separation of Public Works and Landfill Departments – June 16, 2025

 

 

Ealyn Taylor – Anim

Fort Scott, Government

FS City Commission Agenda for June 3

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NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR

MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

City Hall Commission Room – 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

June 3, 2025  –  6:00 P.M.

                                               

  1.     Call to Order/Roll Call
  2. Pledge of Allegiance

III.       Invocation

  1. Approval of Agenda
  2. Consent Agenda
  3. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1385-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates of May 15, 2025 – May 28, 2025 – $790,786.25
  4. Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting of May 20, 2025

 

  1. Public Comment

VII.      Appearances

  1. Cory Bryars/Care To Share – Overview of processes to support cancer fighters
  2. Jenni Simhiser/Founder of Path of EASE Association
  3. Ben Hart /BakerTilly – 2026 Budget Calendar

     

VIII.   Unfinished Business

  1. Consideration for Action on 118 E. Wall

 

  1. New Business

            Public Hearing:

  1. Petition for the Vacation of a Street – 761 S. Garrison – Lewis Nihiser

 

            Action Items:

  1. Consideration of Certificate of Appropriateness – 24 N. Main – La Hacienda – Window Replacement Pending Approval from SHPO – Lisa Dillon
  2. Consideration to Establish a Certified Local Government (CLG) – M. Wells
  3. Discussion of Business Directory – B. Matkin
  4. Consideration of Proposals for Project to Remodel (2) Bathrooms at Memorial Hall
  5. Consideration of Change Order No. 1 – EEI No. 24-003B – Charles Street Lift Station – Additional Pipe and Fittings to Tie Into Existing Force Main – $1,448.96 – J. Dickman
  6. Consideration of Final Acceptance, Close Out of Project and Request to Pay Cardinal Sitework Contractor’s Application for Payment No. 1 – EEI No. 24-003B – Charles Street Lift Station – $68,161.51 – J. Dickman
  7. Consideration of Change Order No. 5 – Project No. 6 U-2455-01 – Horton St. & 6th Improvements – Heck & Wicker, Inc – Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. – Final Measured Quantities through 5/24/25. All delays after substantial completion and through stormwater pollution prevention control inspections ending 6/14/2025 for (60) additional days. Decrease of this Change Order – $18,500.00 – J. Dickman
  8. Consideration of Request to Pay Heck & Wicker, Inc. – Project No. 6 U-2455-01 – Horton St. & 6th Improvements – Contractor’s Application for Payment No. 10-FINAL – $489,525.55 – J. Dickman

 

  1. Reports and Comments
  2. Adjourn
Fort Scott, Government

Volunteers Needed for FS Design Review Board

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Two openings for the City of Fort Scott Design Review Board:
must be a City resident:
The function of the Design Review Board is to review requests for the Certificate of Appropriateness in the historic district of our downtown. They meet on an “as needed” basis.
If you have a desire to serve on this board and meet the above requirements, please submit a letter of interest to the City Clerk, Lisa Lewis, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701 or [email protected]. The names will be submitted for consideration to the City Commission. All the boards and commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated.
Thank you,
Lisa Dillon
Clothing, Entertainment, Fort Scott National Historic Site, History

Native American Dance Presentation and Feather Workshop

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Courtesy of National Park Service.

 

Fort Scott, Kan. – Learn Native American stories and experience dance performances by the Oklahoma Fancy Dancers. Then learn how to work with Feathers that adorn the dancers in traditional Native Plains fashion. All activities are free and open to the public.

 

SATURDAY, JUNE 7

10 a.m. – Ranger Guided Tour of the Fort, meet in the Visitor Center

1 p.m.   – Oklahoma Fancy Dancers (Native American Cultural Dance Presentation), Parade Ground

2:30 p.m.– Make & Take Traditional Native Feather Workshop for youth and some space for adults, meet inside of the Grand Hall

 

Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, exhibit areas and visitor center are currently open Friday through Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Park grounds are open daily from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.

 

-NPS-

 

 

Bourbon County, Schools

ARCADIA, KANSAS HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI BANQUET: “HUGE SUCCESS”

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Submitted by Marilyn Flagg

 

Even though Arcadia High School closed its doors at the end of the  “1965” school year, the annual alumni banquet is still being held on memorial week-end.  This year, the 2025 banquet was held in Arcadia, Kansas at the Community Center with 62 attending.  The membership also includes the Junior, Sophomore, and Freshman Class of 1965.  The banquet was held in Arcadia on Saturday afternoon, May 24th and was catered by Chicken Mary’s and served by the Stansbury brothers of Arcadia, Ks. Open Door Mission Church Youth.

 

Enclosed with the invitation to the banquet this year was the deceased for 2024 prepared by Marilyn Flagg, Historian.  The change of addresses, phone numbers, etc. was enclosed also prepared by Marilyn.  The 2024 Financial Report done by Shirley Landon, Treasurer, and the 2024 Minutes completed by Virginia Smith, Secretary, was a hand out at the banquet.

 

Social hour was 1:00-3:00 p.m. followed by lunch and business meeting. President Pat Morris of Arcadia welcomed the 40 Alumni and 22 guests.  The Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag was led by Merle Engle.   The invocation was by Richard Page.

 

At the opening of the business meeting, President Pat Smith Morris (Class of 1964)  introduced alumni officers Vice President, Tom Watt (Class of 1968); Secretary, Virginia Harris Smith (Class of 1964);  Treasurer, Shirley McKinstry Landon (Class of 1956); and Historian Marilyn Coonrod Flagg (Class of 1962) and thanked them for all the work they have done for this year’s banquet.

 

There were no objections or corrections to the 2024 Minutes or the 2024 Treasurer’s report.  They stand approved as presented.

 

Richard Page led the nominations and election of officers. Michael Sheffield and Sharon Foster were also on the nomination committee.

Richard Page nominated Tom Watt for president in 2026 and Pat Morris for Vice President.  Michael Sheffield made the motion to accept and Lilly Sheffield seconded Michael’s motion.  All in favor voted yes and motion carried. Shirley Landon will remain as Treasurer; Virginia Smith as Secretary and Marilyn Flagg as Historian.

 

Special recognition was given to members of the 60th (1965);

70th (1955); and 80th (1945) this year.

 

Those attending from the 60th class were the following:

Rosedda Burge Carter and guest Teresa Kennedy; Terry Bright;

and Linda Montee Underwood and guest John Underwood.

 

Attending from the 70th.  were as follows:  Virgil Curnutt and guest Benjamin Curnutt;  Mary Lee Eggen Payne and guests Ron and Cindy

Morton.

 

There were none in attendance for the 80th class.

 

All 22 guests were asked to stand and be recognized.

 

Tom Watt, chairman of the Scholarship Committee, announced the winner of the 2025  A.F. Bowlus/Betty Kirksey Scholarship as Lainey

O’Dell.  Lainey is the great granddaughter of Jack and Mary Lee Payne.

Since Lainey lives in Alabama and unable to attend, her grandparents,

Ron and Cindy Morton and great grandparent, Mary Lee Eggen Payne, attended and spoke in her behalf.  Lainey was awarded a $1,000 scholarship.  Katherine Shead was awarded an additional “AHS” scholarship in the amount of $1,000. Katherine is the granddaughter of Larry Shead. Because of her graduation, Katherine and Larry were unable to attend.

 

Any child, grandchild, or great grandchild of Arcadia High School Alumni may apply for a scholarship.

 

Marilyn Flagg led the memorial service for alumni deceased since the last meeting.  Those remembered were: Mary Coonrod Bournonville; Robert (Bob) Morozzo; Yvonne Blair Gazaway; Helen Cambers Green; Elmer R. Carpenter; Marilyn Ferguson Nuzum; Philip Harris; Don Kauble; Carl F. Morris; Donald E. (Gene) Stevens; Patsy Fanning Scott; Elizabeth Burge Buchanan; Sandra Hanson Hamby; Doylene Shoemaker Chapman; Mary Jo Wozniak McKinney; David Beerbower; Mike Carpenter; Priscella Krieger; and Jack Hurst.

 

The roll call which consisted of the following and the 1945, 1955, and 1965  classes listed above was done by Tom Watt.

 

1949 –  Jerry Skidmore

Billy D. Yoos and guest William Yoos

1950 –  Betty (Clarkson) Skidmore

1953 –  Bobby Charles and guests Bobby Harris and Paul Harris

1954 –  Esther Engle Cousins and guest Janice Crooks

Gary Peterson and guest Patty Peterson

1956 –  Shirley (McKinstry) Landon and guest Tina Caldwell Hooks

1957 –  Merle Engle

Francis M. Jones and guest Karen Kay Tripp

Lilly (Turner) Sheffield

Lou Sheets and guest Linda Sue Sheets

1958 –  Joyce McKinstry Turner

Laura Coonrod Felt

1959 – William Page

Michael Sheffield

1960 – Hilda Cockman Page

Jerry Coonrod and guest Jan Steele

1961 – Howard Holland and guest Louise Holland

1962 – Marilyn (Coonrod) Flagg

Joyce (Elliott) Maycumber

Helen (Morris) Nichols

Ronnie Smith

1963 – Sharon Barnard Foster

Richard (Dick) Page

1964 – Ronnie Kellogg and guest Barbara Kellogg

Virginia Harris Smith

Steve Morris

Ronnie Portwood and guest Mary Portwood

Pat Smith Morris

Sherry Swafford Page

1966 – Jerry Morris

Larry Smith

1968 – Don Schaub

Sherry Sisney

Tom Watt and guest Phyllis Watt

 

Billy D. Yoos (Class of 1949) was given an award for being the “Oldest” alumni.  Virgil Curnutt (1955) was  awarded for traveling the “Most

Distance”.

 

The school song was led by Jan Steele.  Jan is the daughter of Richard (Dick) Steele) long time music teacher in the Arcadia High School.

 

The benediction was led by Merle Engle.

 

The servers were the

Stansbury Brothers (Camryn, Wyatt, and Timothy), of Arcadia, Kansas Open Door Mission Church Youth and Judy Stansbury.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fort Scott, Government, Kansas

KDOT to begin Bridge Repair on U.S. 69 June 9

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Courtesy of Google Street View.

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) plans to begin a bridge repair project on the U.S. 69 bridge over Wall Street in Fort Scott the week of June 9.

Project activity includes patching and resurfacing the bridge deck.

One-lane traffic will continue through the work zone. Drivers can expect delays of no more than 15 minutes, weather permitting, through the end of December 2025.

KDOT awarded the $1.5 million construction contract to PCI Roads, LLC of St. Michael, Minnesota. People with questions may contact Construction Manager Warren Ebberts at (620) 901-6549.

KDOT urges motorists to stay alert and follow posted signs in all work zones.

For current road conditions, visit kandrive.gov or call 5-1-1. For updates on construction projects in Southeast Kansas, visit ksdot.gov/projects/southeast-kansas-projects.