Category Archives: Fort Scott
LMC Raises Awareness About Fort Scott and Kansas With New Grant
The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes has been awarded a grant from the LMCFreedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area (FFNHA) to support the “Unsung Heroes of Fort Scott” project.
The project, titled “Unsung Heroes of Fort Scott,” will include a wall-mounted 55-inch digital screen with touch and interactive capabilities. The screen will be placed in the museum and contain information about Fort Scott and Kansas unsung heroes and their histories. The wall mount contains technology that will allow for AI portraits of unsung heroes like native son and Renaissance man Gordon Parks, one of Fort Scott’s early Jewish businessmen Alfred Weil, and Kansas suffragist Carrie Langston Hughes, to name only a few! An interactive map will also pinpoint the connections to all of the Fort Scott unsung heroes! Through this effort, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes aims to promote tourism, improve our local economy, and engage our local, national, and international visitors in new and exciting ways!
“We are really excited to work with the Freedom’s Frontier once again in our mutual effort to raise awareness about Kansas and Fort Scott unsung heroes and their history!” said Norm Conard, Executive Director of the LMC of Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott.
Freedom’s Frontier is a congressionally designated national heritage area that spans eastern Kansas and western Missouri, working with partners to preserve and share the stories of the region’s role in shaping the nation’s history. FFNHA provides grant funding to support projects promoting heritage tourism, historic preservation, and public interpretation.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of this summer.
Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes: The LMC is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) that works with students and educators within a range of diverse academic disciplines, to develop projects focused on unsung heroes. Our mission is to share those projects and the stories of these unsung heroes with our community through our museum at the Center!
Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area (FFNHA): FFNHA builds awareness of struggles for freedom in western Missouri and eastern Kansas. Established by Congress in 2006, FFNHA covers a unique physical and cultural landscape across 41 counties and 31,000 square miles. It promotes three diverse, interwoven, and nationally significant stories: frontier settlement, the Kansas-Missouri Border War and Civil War, and enduring civil rights disputes. FFNHA inspires respect for multiple perspectives and empowers area residents to preserve and share these stories, achieving its goals through interpretation, preservation, conservation, and education for all residents and visitors. It is one of the 62 federally recognized national heritage areas across the United States.
Recent Fort Scott High School Grad Kenna Miles Pursues A Childhood Dream
Kenna Miles is a 2026 Fort Scott High School graduate and is asking her community to help reach her goal to attend Theatre Arts Preparatory School in Las Vegas, Nevada starting September 1.
Kenna is chasing a dream she has had since a small child.
“More than anything, I want to give myself the chance to chase the dream I have had since I was little,” she said. “I have worked hard in dance and wrestling, and now I am ready to step back into dance and performing with everything I have.”
“She got a scholarship in wrestling to attend a university, but feels called by God to go into dancing,” her mother, Leslie Godden said.
She has been accepted into a training program in Nevada and is seeking help with funding for tuition, program fees, housing, and living expenses.
Godden said Kenna was dancing even in her womb. “And in her car seat, her head would be bobbing along with music. She started dancing at age 4.”
In school, Kenna was in both dance and wrestling. She started wrestling in 8th grade after watching her younger brother, Ryken Miles, wrestle. She won the state championship in wrestling twice.
The family found out about one month ago that she is eligible to attend the Theatre Arts Preparatory School in Las Vegas.
Even though Kenna received a Peterson Scholarship from Fort Scott High School, that and the FAFSA approval that she received are both for university attendance. The school she is wanting to attend is a trades school.
The FAFSA form is an application for student aid, such as federal grants, work-study funds, and loans.
“They both had certain guidelines, and trade schools are not approved,” Godden said.
In the submitted graphics, there is information about the mechanism to help fund Kenna’s training.
The following is an interview with Kenna:
When/how did you hear about this opportunity?
“I first heard about Theatre Arts Preparatory School, TAPS, through Don Mirault.https://theaterartsprepschool.com/faculty/don-mirault/ I have known Don through Talent on Parade, which is a dance competition and convention I have attended and competed at for many years. Through dance, I have been able to learn from so many people, and TAPS was always one of those programs I knew about and looked up to.
“One of my “big sisters” from dance also went to TAPS after high school, so I have been able to watch her journey for years.”
Aubrey Colvin, from Southeast High School, Cherokee, was the ‘big sister’, said Godden.
“Seeing what the program did for her made me realize it was something I could see myself doing someday too. It has always been in the back of my mind as a dream opportunity.
“When the time came, I decided to go for it. I submitted my audition videos, tried out, and was accepted. Now I am working hard to make it possible to actually get there.”
Kenna Miles Sponsorship Levels Flyer
What is the deadline to help?
“The biggest need is as soon as possible. My schooling begins September 1, 2026, and I need to be moved to Las Vegas before then. I am currently trying to raise $9,000 to help with my initial program costs, housing deposits, moving expenses, and getting started once I arrive.
“Because I was accepted later than many of the other students, payments and planning have to happen quickly. Any help now makes a huge difference and helps me get one step closer to being able to attend.”
What is your hope/dream following this training?
“My hope after this training is to build a future in dance, theatre, and performing. Dance has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I want to keep growing as a performer and see where it can take me professionally.
“I would love to work in the entertainment industry, whether that is stage, live performance, commercial dance, theatre, or other opportunities that come from training and being in Las Vegas. I know this program would push me, challenge me, and help prepare me for the next level.”
Godden said if the funding doesn’t come through this year, next year Kenna will be working hard to attend TAPS.
City of Fort Scott Special Commission Agenda – July 13, 2026
7-13-2026 Special Meeting Agenda
Fort Scott City Commission Special Meeting Agenda – July 13, 2026, 5:00 PM
This Special Meeting will begin off site at 810 S. Burke. After the tour, the meeting will break and then reconvene at City Hall (123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701) to conclude the Agenda business.
- I. Call to Order
- II. Pledge of Allegiance
- III. Invocation
- IV. Approval of Agenda
- V. Public Comment
- VI. Unfinished Business
- A. Consideration of Continuum of Care Grant – L. Dillon
- VII. New Business
- Action Items
- A. Consideration to Purchase of 2018 Rammer Hammer 1655 – $18,500.00 – B. Matkin
- VIII. Reports and Comments
- IX. Adjourn
Caregiver Support Group Meeting – July 14 at Credo Senior Living
Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice invites caregivers to a monthly Caregiver Support Group meeting at Credo Senior Living in Fort Scott.
Join us to connect, share, and find encouragement. This welcoming space offers peer support, helpful resources, and practical guidance to help you navigate the challenges of caregiving while caring for your own well-being.
All caregivers welcome!
- Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2026
- Time: 6:00 PM
- Location: Credo Senior Living, 820 S. Horton St., Fort Scott, KS 66701
Light snacks and beverages will be provided.
For more information, contact Chaplain Jeff Feagins at [email protected] or by calling 620-231-7223.
Documents:
GOSPEL CONCERT by ERNIE COUCH & REVIVAL Today at 6pm.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Ribbon Cutting: Outdoor Fitness Court® at Buck Run, July 9
You’re invited to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Fort Scott’s new Outdoor Fitness Court® at Buck Run Community Center! This exciting new fitness space offers free outdoor workouts for people ages 14 & up, regardless of fitness level.
Thursday, July 9th
10am
Buck Run Community Center
735 Scott Ave
The Outdoor Fitness Court® was made possible through a partnership between the City of Fort Scott, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, and the National Fitness Campaign, helping make free outdoor fitness opportunities available to our community.
What is the Fitness Court®?
The new Fitness Court® is a free outdoor gym designed to help expand access to high-quality workouts right here in Fort Scott. It features seven exercise stations where users can complete a full-body workout using their own body weight.
Workouts are adaptable for all fitness levels and are created for adults of all abilities, ages 14 and up. Community members can also download the free Fitness Court® App, which acts like a “coach in your pocket” to guide workouts and enhance the experience.
Why This Matters
This project is a great example of what can happen when community partners come together to support the health, wellness, and quality of life of Fort Scott residents. The Fitness Court® will provide a free, accessible, outdoor space for residents to move, exercise, and enjoy a healthier lifestyle.
Join Us!
Residents, Chamber members, businesses, and community supporters are invited to attend the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and be among the first to experience the new Outdoor Fitness Court®.
We hope you’ll join us as we celebrate this exciting new addition to Fort Scott!
For more information, contact City Hall at 620-223-0550.
* The mural on the Fitness Court was created by local artist Stephen Toal, also known as “Toal Bucket.” Stephen has done numerous art projects, murals, and photography work throughout our community, and we are lucky to have his talent, creativity, and heart represented in Fort Scott.
Stay after the ceremony for Tiger Ice!
Enjoy a FREE Tiger Ice Sno Cone for the first 50 attendees following the ribbon cutting while supplies last.
Learn More
Visit the Buck Run Fitness Center Facebook Page
Visit the Buck Run Fitness Center website
Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting: The Library Speakeasy, July 9
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites Chamber members and their guests to attend a Chamber After-Hours, Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting celebrating The Library, Fort Scott’s newest speakeasy, on Thursday, July 9, from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. The event will be held at 523 S. Main Street, with the entrance located on the south side of the building beneath Lu’s Ice Cream Shop.
Chamber members and their guests are invited to tour The Library Speakeasy, enjoy refreshments, network with fellow Chamber members, and celebrate this exciting new business. Chamber remarks and the official ribbon cutting will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m.
The Library is the vision of local businessman Al Niece and will be managed by Flo Tanner. Tucked away in the basement below Lu’s Ice Cream Shop, the venue offers a unique 1920s speakeasy-inspired atmosphere featuring specialty cocktails and a select beer menu. The Chamber After-Hours will serve as an exclusive preview celebration ahead of the business’s public Grand Opening on Friday, July 10.
Chamber After-Hours events provide an excellent opportunity for Chamber members to network, build relationships, make new business connections, and celebrate new businesses, expansions, and investments that strengthen our community. As a Chamber After-Hours tradition, a $2 admission will be collected at the door and includes entry into the Chamber’s popular 50/50 drawing, with one lucky attendee taking home half of the proceeds.
“We’re excited to celebrate another outstanding investment in Fort Scott,” said Lindsay Madison, President & CEO of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. “The Library is a wonderful example of how historic spaces can be thoughtfully reimagined while preserving the character and historic charm that make Fort Scott so special. We appreciate Al Niece’s continued investment in our community and look forward to welcoming Chamber members to this special preview event.”
Following the Chamber celebration, The Library will celebrate its public Grand Opening on Friday, July 10, and will be open Thursday through Saturday from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m.
For more information about the Chamber After-Hours, contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at 620-223-3566, stop by 231 E. Wall Street, or visit FortScott.com.
Visit The Library Facebook Page
Visit The Library Facebook Event Page
Caregiver Support Group Meeting – July 14 at Credo Senior Living
Join us at the monthly Caregiver Support Group meeting hosted by Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice at Credo Senior Living & Memory Care.
This welcoming space offers peer support, helpful resources, and practical guidance to help caregivers connect, share, and find encouragement while caring for their own well-being.
All caregivers welcome!
- Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2026
- Time: 6:00 PM
- Location: Credo Senior Living, 820 S. Horton St., Fort Scott, KS 66701
Light snacks and beverages will be provided.
For more information, contact Chaplain Jeff Feagins at [email protected] or by calling 620-231-7223.
Documents:
Let’s Flamingle Shopping Event July 10–11 in Fort Scott
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce presents the Let’s Flamingle Shopping Event Downtown & Around Fort Scott, KS!
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces the Let’s Flamingle shopping event will be held this Friday and Saturday, July 10th–11th, Downtown and around.
Businesses in the Downtown Historic District and additional locations will be participating by hiding flamingos inside the stores that can be found for discounts and giveaways. Shoppers may also pick up a card from any participating store and get it stamped by spending $5 or more in at least three retailers for a chance to win $50 in Chamber Bucks gift certificates.
Participating Stores
- 110 South Main Mercantile – 110 S. Main St.
- Barbed Wire & Roses Vintage Market – 18 N. Main St.
- Be The Light Boutique – 12 N. Main St.
- Better In Bourbon – 2 Old Fort Blvd.
- Common Ground Coffee Co. – 12 E. Wall St.
- Eternal Grace Boutique – 13 N. Main St.
- Hedgehog Books – 16 S. Main St.
- Laree & Co. – 3 S. National Ave.
- The Market at 23 Main – 23 S. Main St.
- Shirt Shack – 11 E. 18th St.
- Sunshine Boutique – 18 E. Wall St.
Grab your “flock” and get ready to shop local this weekend for the Let’s Flamingle event, Downtown and around in Fort Scott. Organized by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, 620-223-3566, fortscott.com.
2026 LMC Fellows Receive Keys to the City
The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, has awarded its 2026 Fellowship to 12 educators. As part of their week-long experience in Fort Scott, the six fellows for June 29 – July 3 were presented the key to the city by Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce President & CEO, Lindsay Madison.
Upon presenting the keys, Madison remarked, “The City of Fort Scott is proud to welcome the 2026 Lowell Milken Center Fellows and present them with keys to the city. It is inspiring to see outstanding educators from across the country come to Fort Scott to deepen their commitment to teaching and learning. As they return to their schools and communities, they will carry forward the mission of the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, ensuring that the stories of individuals whose contributions have too often gone unrecognized continue to be shared. Recognizing those who have made a meaningful difference is important work, and through these powerful stories, future generations are inspired to make a positive impact in the world.”
The Fellows honored this week were Liz Anstine from Kansas, Elizabeth Hutton from Missouri, Jennifer McMunn from Connecticut, Elizabeth Metts from Massachusetts, Danyel Smith from California, and Kelly Steffen from Iowa. LMC Director Norm Conard praised these outstanding individuals, saying, “We are so honored to be able to network and collaborate with these exemplary educators and provide them with an opportunity to reflect, reenergize and strategize with each other as they seek to find new ways to inspire their students.”
Every summer, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes awards its Fellowship to national and international award-winning educators from America and around the world. As LMC Fellows, they deepen their understanding of Unsung Heroes and project-based learning, preparing them to develop Unsung Heroes projects with their students and learn the stories of role models who help change the world. Along with the time spent deepening their professional skills at the LMC, the Fellows have enjoyed visiting the Fort Scott area.
Documents:
City of Fort Scott Commission Agenda Summary for July 7, 2026 Meeting
Fort Scott City Commission Meeting Agenda – July 7, 2026, 6:00 PM
- I. Call to Order
- II. Pledge of Allegiance
- III. Invocation
- IV. Approval of Agenda
- V. Consent Agenda
- A. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1411-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates of June 10, 2026 – June 30, 2026: $830,258.94
- B. Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting of June 16, 2026
- C. Request for Payment Application No. 5 – Jeff Asbell Excavating & Trucking, Inc. – Davis Lift Station: $9,000.00
- VI. Public Comment
- VII. Appearances
- 1. Consideration of Resolution No. 30-2026 – A Resolution of the City of Fort Scott, Kansas to Levy a Property Tax Rate Exceeding the Revenue Neutral Rate – B. Hart
- 2. Kristy Holmes/Holmtown Pub LLC – Request for assistance
- 3. Darrin Petrowsky/KDOT Field Operations Dist. 4 Engineer
- VIII. Unfinished Business
- A. Consideration of Ordinance No. 3800 – An Ordinance Granting to Evergy Kansas South, Inc. a Kansas Corporation, Its Successors and Assigns, an Electric Franchise Including the Right to Construct, Operate and Maintain Electric Transmission, Distribution and Street Lighting Facilities Within the Corporate Limits of the City of Fort Scott, Kansas
- B. Discussion to Amend Ordinance No. 3781 – Fireworks – K. Salsbury
- C. Consideration to Resolve Issues with 118 E. Wall
- D. Consideration of Resolution No. 31-2026 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 1403 E. Oak – L. Kruger
- IX. New Business
- Public Hearings
- A. Consideration of Resolution No. 26-2026 – Resolution Directing the Repair or Removal of an Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure at 1701 E. Wall – L. Kruger
- B. Consideration of Resolution No. 27-2026 – Resolution Directing the Repair or Removal of an Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure at 723 W. 5th – L. Kruger
- C. Consideration of Resolution No. 28-2026 – Resolution Directing the Repair or Removal of an Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure at 123 S. Wilson – L. Kruger
- D. Consideration of Resolution No. 29-2026 – Resolution Directing the Repair or Removal of an Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure at 414 W. 4th – L. Kruger
- Action Items
- A. Consideration of Proposal for Enclosed Boat Dock for Lake Patrol – L. Kruger
- Public Hearings
- X. Reports and Comments
- XI. Adjourn