We’re excited to introduce Alanna Scott and her family! You can find the Scott family on Tuesday afternoons and Saturday mornings. There are lots of little hands to help out, and their baked goods are becoming very popular. Since they sell out almost every time, you’d better come early!
Category Archives: Bourbon County
Race Across America Stops at Fort Scott From June 18-22



“This is the only time station that has been in RAAM movies, one of which was shown at the AMC Theater in Olathe,” Kristi said. “The movies have been on airlines and have been shown all over the world.”
To learn more:
https://www.facebook.com/
Gordon Parks Museum: Free Photography Workshops
Free Photography Workshops Sponsored by
Kansas State University Art Department
Fort Scott, Kan. June. 14, 2023 – Shreepad Joglekar, Associate Professor of Photography at Kansas State University and Professional Photographer, Veretta Cobler will provide free workshops series on working with film and digital photography.
These in-depth workshops are designed to help any beginner, student, novice and the professional learn how to get the most out of their film or digital cameras, or even cell phones. More experience photographers will learn some techniques to help them improve and enhance their work.
Interested participants are encouraged to attend the whole series to benefit the most.
These workshops will also help to prepare photographers to be part of the Back to Fort Scott, Now project in taking photos with the reimaging of Gordon Parks photographs that he had taken in 1950 for a LIFE magazine assignment.
The workshops will be held on Friday, June 23, 2023, Friday, July 7, 2023 and Friday, August 11, 2023. The times for each of the workshops will be 10:00a.m. – 12:00p.m
The workshops are free to attend, but registration to attend each the workshops is required. Registration is available either online at http//www.gordonparkscenter.org/events, or by phone 620-223-2700 ext. 5850 or by email at [email protected]
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Young Entrepreneur Series: Camren Lamb

This is first in a series of young entrepreneurs in the community. The series aims to highlight youth who are venturing out in their own businesses.
Please submit names of other recommended young entrepreneurs to be featured to [email protected]
Camren Lamb, 9, heard about entrepreneurship in January 2022, at the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Dare to Dream program, an adult entrepreneurship event.
Camren is the son of Melanie and Larry Lamb, rural Fort Scott.
Melanie attended the event and Camren came also.
“I asked if I could make a picture, so I sold my first art,” Camren said.
He sells artwork and plays a newly purchased guitar as part of his business.
Dacia Clark, with the Small Business Development Center, taught him and others in a April 2022 childrens workshop about developing a business plan, and other marketing basics, Rachel Carpenter with the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team said. The SBDC is housed in the HBCAT office at 104 N. National Avenue.
“Acton Children’s Business Fair provided the curriculum, and HBCAT helped coordinate the efforts,” Carpenter said.
In addition to selling his artwork, he plays music requests on his guitar for passersby.
“I played ukelele first, then guitar,” he said. The guitar was purchased from money he earned at the Children’s Business Fair in April 2022.
He doesn’t charge for for playing, he said.
“I use it to draw people (in to look at his artwork),” he said. “I take requests and tell them songs are free but I had a basket for artwork sales and people started putting money in for the music.”
He was selling at the Fort Scott Farmers Market for the first time on June 3. “This is my second time selling, the first time was at Buck Run Community Center at the Children’s Business Fair.”
Most recently he played guitar at the Shead Farm Festival, the Fort Scott Christian Heights Country Store and at the Friday Night Free Concert at the gazebo downtown.
He took ukelele lessons from Bob Solomonson and guitar lessons from Stephen Moses, he said.
Camren said this year his earnings will go to help the Show Me Christian Youth Home and he is also saving money for church camp.
Fort Scott Farmers Market Feature: The Hamiltons’ Artisan Bakery
We are happy to have The Hamiltons’ Artisan Bakery as a part of the Fort Scott Farmers’ Market for their 2nd year! The Hamiltons can be found at the market Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon and Tuesday afternoons from 4-6 p.m. They will be bringing sourdough breads and a variety of baked treats each week. Come out and get some!
The farmers market is located on Skubitz Plaza, in front of the Fort Scott National Historic Site.
Affordable High Speed Internet Project Coming to Bourbon County
TOPEKA, June 12, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Kansas State Director Christy Davis today announced a $49.9 million loan to connect thousands of rural Kansans to reliable, affordable high-speed internet. The project will improve service for 149 businesses, 821 farms and over 4,000 people in Bourbon, Cherokee, Crawford, Labette and Neosho counties.
“High-speed internet is essential in today’s world of online business, learning and communication,” Davis said. “This investment will help ensure rural Kansas remains a place of opportunity to live, work, and raise a family.”
This is the fourth funding round of the USDA ReConnect Program. Since the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration, the Department has invested in 142 ReConnect projects that will bring high-speed internet access to 314,000 rural Americans.
Today’s announcement is part of a larger national announcement totaling $714 million in USDA investments in Kansas and 18 other states.
The Kansas details are:
- The Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative Inc. in Kansas will receive a $49,954,702 loan to connect 4,189 people, 821 farms, 149 businesses and three educational facilities to high-speed internet in Bourbon, Cherokee, Crawford, Labette and Neosho counties.
Background: ReConnect Program
Applicants to ReConnect Program funding must serve a rural area that lacks access to service at speeds of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 20 Mbps upload. Applicants must also commit to building facilities capable of providing high-speed internet service with speeds of 100 Mbps (download and upload) to every location in the proposed service area. Additionally, to ensure that rural households that need internet service can afford it, all awardees will be required to apply to participate in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP offers a discount of up to $30 per month towards internet service to qualifying low-income households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal Lands.
To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, visit www.rd.usda.gov or contact the nearest USDA Rural Development state office.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
Friday Night Free Concert: The Millers

This week’s Friday Night Concert will feature Michael and Lita Miller. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, June 16, at the Heritage Park Pavilion at 1st and Main streets.
The Millers began performing gospel music in a trio. Now the two of them sing together, bringing authentic old Southern, traditional songs with a little bluegrass gospel thrown in. They are both well-rounded musicians, playing various bluegrass style instruments.
“A lot of the music comes from down south,” Michael, pastor of the Bronson Baptist Church, said. “Everything we do has a purpose and a message.”
Michael will play finger-style acoustic guitar and Lita will play the bass.
“They are a joy to hear. Because they are a husband and wife team, they know where each other is going with the music. It’s just a great blend of voices and instruments,” Ralph Carlson, concert organizer, said. “They are one of the Friday Night Concert regulars and it’s good to have them back.”
Seating is limited so everyone is encouraged to bring lawn chairs. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall St.
The concert series is sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.
Bo Co Coalition Minutes of June 7
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Minutes
June 7, 2023
- Welcome: Twenty-one members representing sixteen agencies attended. Billie Jo shared that thirty-three family passes to the Aquatic Center had been approved allowing a total of 135 individuals to access the pool this summer. Lea Kay Karleskint and Travis Wilcoxsin have agreed to serve on the Coalition Board and will be beginning their terms in September.
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Cassidy Lutz, K-State Research: Southwind District has several classes being offered in the near future: Strengthening Families, Choose Health: Food, Fun, and Fitness, Sewing Steam. For more information contact Southwind Extension District, 620-365-2242.
- Sandy Haggard, RSVP: Red Cross blood drive will be June 15 and 16 at Buck Run; contact Sandy to volunteer to help.
- David Gillen, Beacon: Last month 329 families totaling 757 people received services from Beacon. This number included twenty-two new families. The first six months of 2023 have averaged twelve new families qualifying for Beacon assistance each month. David reminded members of all the services that Beacon offers; emergency help is also provided for individuals that do not qualify for services based on income.
- Jeanne Camac – Congratulations to Jeanne on her retirement from USD 235 where she served as the high school counselor!
- Amy Hagan, CHC: Provides home-based help for moms; the goal is to get families “on their feet.”
- Megan Smith, CHC: Provides in-house family support; works with infants through age 44.
- Lisa Robertson and Lindsey McNeil, COPE: They are out in the community to help people; they are housed at the HBCAT office. They are grant funded until December 31, 2023.
- Rachel Carpenter, COPE: Reminded members of grant opportunities for restaurants and women beginning businesses. Rachel is working to address inequities in our community and continues to seek partners who will help bring the transportation program to our area.
- Lea Kay Karleskint, K-State, Snap Education: She just needs space and she brings the kitchen and all the supplies for her classes. Her target audience is low resource persons. She will now be housed in the CHC building as the liaison between CHC and K-State Research Extension.
- Tammy Alcantar, Crawford County Health Department: Continues to conduct and have success with the Baby and Me Tobacco Free and Teen Pregnancy programs. Tammy reminded members about the Bourbon County Baby Shower to be held at the Health Department, 524 Lowman Street, on June 22, 10 – 12. She also noted that Holly Fritter at the Health Department is the Safe Sleep person for Bourbon County.
- Shawna Willey: In-Clinic Community Health Worker at CHC. Can help with applications for homelessness, health care, etc.
- Maggie Young, CHC: Working to create a task force for youth through a tobacco cessation grant and will be working in the schools.
- Christine Abbott, SEK Works: There is still money available; she continues to look for youth 16-24 for her programs. A very positive recent change has allowed the youth in her programs to be paid a competitive wage between $7.25 and $20.00 per hour. She can help with work experience, applications, resumes, etc. Several youth from Bourbon County are involved in these programs.
- Michelle Stevenson, USD 234 PreSchool Program: She is funded by the Early Block Grant which has been approved for another year. Many children graduated from her program; therefore, she needs referrals! Contact Michelle at 620-223-8965, Extension 3005.
- Patty Simpson, Fort Scott Housing Authority: She has a total of 190 units; however, at this time there are waiting lists for all size units – the longest waiting list she has had in seventeen years. The situation is probably due to higher rents elsewhere.
- DeeDee LeFever, Greenbush Community Liaison: She helps match Greenbush services such as Parent as Teachers, Audiology, Infant-Toddler Networks, professional development, etc. to people who need them. For additional information: greenbush.org or 800-554-3412.
- Kathy Romero, Angels Care Home Health: Since 2004 they have been providing in home behavioral health care help for such things as anxiety, depression, bipolar, etc. They also specialize in the Care Connections program for individuals who need care in their home before hospice.
- Program: Dawn Cubbison presented a slide show explaining all the extra benefits provided through the Aetna Better Health of Kansas such as the Healthy Rewards Program, over-the-counter supply catalog, transportation services, respite care, Ted E Bear Kids Club, No Place Like Home Grant, mobile app, and many others. For more information: AetnaBetterHealth.com/Kansas.
- Open Forum: Billie Jo reminded members that the Coalition does not meet in July.
- Adjournment: The next General Membership meeting will be August 2. April Jackson, Thrive Allen County, will present the program on overdose prevention.
Candidates for 2023 Election in Bourbon County
The following is the list of cities, schools and K-State Extension candidates who filed for by the June 1st deadline in Bourbon County, provided by Clerk Jennifer Hawkins.
“There will not be a primary election this year, so all qualified candidates will be on the ballot in November,” Hawkins said.
City of Fort Scott Commission
- Matthew Wells
- Edwin Woellhof
- Dyllon Olson
- Margaret P. Cummings
- Tracy Dancer
- Joshua Baseley
- Barbara Ann Rawlins
- Harold “Pete” Allen
- Janice Allen
Redfield Council Member
- Brandy Corriston
- Leonard “L.D.” Morrison
Bronson Council Member
- Michael Stewart
Uniontown Council Member
- Danea Esslinger
Southwind Extension District
- Trent Johnson
- Deb Lust
Fort Scott USD 234 Board Member
- Position #1-James Wood, Joe Wimmer, and Scott Center
- Position #2-Mike Miles
- Position #3-Robert Harrington, Aaron Judy, and Doug Hurd
- Position At Large-Stewart Gulager and Payton Coyan
Uniontown USD 235 Board Member
- Position #1-Troy Couchman
- Position #2-Rhonda Hoener
- Position #3-Seth Martin and Kolby Stock
- Position At Large-Matt Kelly and Josh Hartman
Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees
- Douglas Ropp
- Ronda Bailey
- Kirk Hart
- David Elliott
- Josh Jones
- Roberta “Bert” Lewis
- Robert Nelson
- Chad McKinnis
Bourbon County Commission Agenda for June 12 at Mapleton
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
Nelson Blythe
1st District Commissioner
Jim Harris, Chairman
2nd District Commissioner
Clifton Beth
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda Mapleton Community Center
June 12, 2023, 5:30 PM
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute and Prayer
- Consent Agenda
- Approval of Minutes from 6/5/2023
- Department Updates
- Public Works
- Jennifer Hawkins-County Clerk
- Hall Fence Viewing
- Public Comments
- Commission Comments
- Meeting Adjourn
Executive Session Justifications:
KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the
attorney-client relationship.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the
representative(s) of the body or agency.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting
would jeopardize such security measures.
Bourbon County Budget Work Session: June 12 from 11 a.m.to 4:30 p.m.
There will be budget planning work sessions on Monday, June 12, 2023, from 11:00-4:30 to allow department heads to submit their requested 2024 budgets to the Board of County Commissioners. No action will be taken during the work sessions.
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