“As a teacher, I love this unit because it is an awesome way to get kids involved and to grow a love for gardening and planting their own food,” she said. “I love gardening and this is a neat way to integrate that into the curriculum. I’d love to get a greenhouse going at some point.”
The hydroponics farm container on the campus of Uniontown High School. Submitted photo.
USD 235 was the recipient of a hydroponic shipping container farm through a grant awarded to the Kansas Division of Children and Families, USD 235 Superintendent Vance Eden said in a prior interview.
The Community Green Farms of Pittsburg, KS announced on September 11, 2023, that they would receive over $1,000,000 to bring seven southeast Kansas counties a vertical hydroponic container farm.
“The project is called a Leafy Greens Unit,” Weston said.
“The purpose is to help kids appreciate the food they eat and to help kids want to eat healthier by having the chance to grow their own food- there is a correlation between kids growing their own food and then wanting to try it,” Weston said.
Six botany students are involved in the production of greens, and eight students help in the Science Technology Engineering, and Math education class.
From left to right students Bradley Brown, Gus Welch, and Lily Robinson plant Swiss chard in STEM class. Submitted photos.
“The botany students are basically in charge. We are still coming up with a job schedule for them. Every day we take 10 gallons of Culligan Water into the reserve tank. Our city water has a pH that is inadequate, so this was the option chosen to get better quality water to the plants.”
Botany students work on the seedlings. (left to right) Jesse Jones, Colby Herring, Tater (Timothy) Ames, Kassen Woods. Not pictured in the horticulture class is Heston Stewart and Joseph Robinson. Submitted photo.
“We have seedlings that are watered twice a week by bottom-watering, upfront in the unit. They are planted in compressed coconut husks in trays- all soilless. No soil is used. After they have matured, about 3 weeks, they are transplanted into the towers, which are the vertical hanging towers. There is wicking material that as the watering system from above drips down on the towers, the wicking material soaks it up and drains out of the bottom of the tower. There is a drainage system below the tower so as the whole unit is at a bit of a tilt, the water drains into the reservoir.”
Twice a month someone comes from Leafy Greens in Pittsburg to check on the fertilizers and pH solutions.
” They are diluted into the water and given to the plants throughout the day. The whole system is on an automated timer so it waters every couple of hours and the grow lights are turned on every couple of hours,” Weston said.
The plants are grown vertically. Submitted photo.
The students harvest twice a week and the two cafeterias serve them to the students at lunch.
They have been growing Monte Carlo Romaine and Swiss Chard for a few months.
“Mr. Eden, Officer Trim, and the custodians were taking care of the unit over the summer before I took it over with the botany/horticulture class. We also grow large-leaf basil, and oakleaf lettuce.”
“We are just now starting some experimental plants: eggplant, kale, marigolds, violas, onions, spinach, radishes, beets, and various lettuces.”
They are supplying to the school kitchen currently, but plan to branch out to other businesses soon.
There is a new community liaison with Core Community, a local helping organization that has a mission to engage the community to lift families out of poverty.
Deana Betts, the new Core Community Liasion, moved to Fort Scott this summer and began work with Core Community on July 8th.
Betts moved to the area after her husband accepted the pastor position at Lifetrack Church in Frontenac.
In discovering the organization and the opening for a liaison, she learned Core Community is a faith-based organization that helps people out of poverty.
“I liked that they are leading themselves out of poverty, with support. It’s more than just a class, it’s a pathway.”
The mission statement of the organization is “Engaging the community to lift families out of poverty.”
Classes for this second year of the organization in Bourbon County start on Tuesday, September 10 at the Nazarene Church, 1728 S. Horton Street with 16-17 people enrolled.
Every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. will be a family-style meal provided by different organizations in the community. Following this, children will be directed to the childcare area with Angie Trim, the childcare coordinator and the people from last year’s classes will meet with the coach, Janice Lamb. The new class meets with teachers, Amy Harper and David Goodyear. The evening finishes at 7:30 p.m.
The first class graduated in May of this year.
Getting Ahead In A Just Get By World by Ruby Payne is the book that is worked through, in the 20-22 weeks of the classes.
Fall Festival
Larry and Vickie Shead have agreed to open the Shead Farm on Saturday, October 19 for a fundraiser for the Core Community organization. The farm has an annual community spring festival that has grown larger each year.
Vickie and Larry Shead, 2020, from her Facebook page.
“Our childcare coordinator Angie Trim helped the Sheads with their spring festival. I met with them and they said it’s the Lord’s farm. I asked them to pray about it, and they did and said yes,” she said.
The event is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the farm located at 2468 Calvalry Road, Garland, south of Fort Scott.
The cost is $5 per person, for families with over five members it’s $25 and there will be food, vendors, games, and raffles to entertain the family.
To learn more about Core Community or the Fall Fest, contact Betts at [email protected] or 785.488. 8411.
The Bourbon County Arts Council 10th Annual Art Walk is this Friday, Sept. 6 at Crooner’s Restaurant from 5-8 p.m.
The purpose of the event is for local artists to showcase their work to the public and sell their art.
“The Art Walk is an event the BCAC loves to hold. It is a free relaxing evening the community can share with family and friends while viewing the outstanding Artwork in our area. You don’t have to travel a hundred miles to get quality pieces,” said Deb Anderson, spokeswoman for the group.
“They work so hard to develop this art,” Anderson said. “We also want to expose the public to the outstanding artists we have in our area. This is also the public’s opportunity to perhaps purchase items for themselves or to give as gifts for family and friends, connect art with a story. Christmas is just around the corner!”
All the displayed art will be for sale, and the art walk is free to the public.
Cherri Walrod, K-State Research and Extension Office Community
Health Worker, is providing an opportunity for parents of special needs children.
Cherri Walrod is a new K-State Research and Extension Community Health Worker (CHW), photo from her Facebook page.
“I am a mom to special needs kids myself…being a parent to a special needs child can be a special kind of isolation and hurt.”
She said another mom asked her to start a support group for parents of special needs kids.
“Throughout the spring of this year, I hosted a few meetings for special needs parents in the area, just as a personal service to the community,” Walrod said.
Walrod began a new job as a community health worker for K-State Research and Extension Southwind District on August 1.
The Community Health Worker project has received funding and support from K-State 105, Kansas State University’s economic growth and advancement initiative for all 105 counties in Kansas. Learn more at k-state.edu/105.
“Since I am part of the community of parents of special needs children myself and support groups fit in the role of a CHW, the timing was perfect to form this group officially.”
The first meeting will be September 13 from 5-7 p.m. at the Splash Pad and Gathering Pavilion at North National Avenue and Old Fort Blvd. on Fort Scott’s north end. It is a come-and-go event opportunity to connect with other parents of special needs children.
Bring your kids, lawn chairs, snacks, and water to drink, she said.
The Gathering Square Pavilion, the splash pad is behind the pavilion on North National Avenue.
“This first meeting is just a meet and greet time for area parents of special needs kids to come together for some fellowship time,” she said.” I hope to gather enough names and contact info of families interested and then try to determine which day and time might work for families to gather on a regular basis. All of the logistics for future meetings are to be determined based on the feedback from the parents in attendance. I hope to talk to enough parents to get an introductory idea of what they may need in the way of support. “
“Based on what I’ve heard so far, many parents of special needs kids feel very isolated, alone, overwhelmed, defeated and just surviving from one day to the next. Many feel judged by their parent peers due to some of the behaviors of their children.”
“This first meet and greet is just that. A chance to meet other parents in an environment of non-judgment so that we can begin to make plans to help support each other in the future.”
“I will be the lead facilitator for the time being and responsible for the majority of the logistics planning right now. Eventually, as we form a more organized group, we may have more involvement from the parents themselves and also invite community partners to join us to address special topics, needs or to provide educational or training opportunities.”
This is for parents who have wished to get together with others who are in the same situation and understand some of the stresses.
Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director of K-State Research and Extension, Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts.
The Department of Children and Families, National Avenue and Wall Street, August 2024, a new multi-million dollar investment in Fort Scott’s downtown area will open soon.
The new Department of Children and Families building is located at National Avenue and Wall Street and is 13, 642 square feet.
“The new building will include safety features to protect employees and clients such as secure interview rooms, electronic access management system, a video surveillance system and other office renovations to suit the functionality and needs of DCF,” said Anita Cooper, Southeast Regional Director for the Kansas Department for Children and Families.
Taken from X.com
“A more centralized location will make it easier for residents in Fort Scott and the surrounding area to access the service center,” she said. “The new building puts us back in the downtown area where we were originally located. We are excited to be a part of the downtown community! ”
The Kansas Department for Children and Families offers a wide range of programs and services to help vulnerable Kansans.
“As of May 2024 (the most recent report), the total number of households in Bourbon County served by DCF was 878,” Cooper said. “That includes 21 served by the Temporary Assistance to Needing Families (TANF) program, 817 served by food assistance (FA) and 40 served by child care assistance (CC). The Fort Scott office also manages the cases for people living in Linn County. Total households served in Linn County: 419 (5 TANF, 402 FA and 12 CC). In addition, Child Protection Services provides child and family well-being services to approximately 417 families a year out of our Fort Scott office.”
There are 29 staff members based out of the Fort Scott office with hours of operation are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The new building is located at 10 S. National Ave., Fort Scott. The phone, fax, etc. will all remain the same numbers when they move in, in the next month.
“We are leasing our current office location at the Fort Scott Professional Building, 710 W. 8th St. We’ve been in this location since 2009. The new building will be leased as well through SilverRock Ventures, LLC based out of Junction City,” Cooper said.
Kendall Schoenrock, of SilverRock Ventures, is the
owner and builder of the building.
Submitted graphic.
“We will own it and it is leased to the State of Kansas Department for Children and Families,” Schoenrock said. “The State will look to take occupancy (of 10 S. National Avenue) in the next four weeks or so.”
Schoenrock purchased the property on August 31, 2023, which was originally known as the Downtowner Hotel building.
“This project will get a lot of people for downtown businesses,” he said. “They will eat downtown, shop downtown, etc.”
The demolition was done by Skitch’s Hauling and Excavating, Inc.
After demolition was completed, his team got to work putting the building on the south side of the lot, with parking on the north.
“Many people helped make this happen,” he said. “Bailey Lyons with Lyons Realty Group, Rob Harrington with Bourbon County Regional Economic Development and Brad Matkin and Matthew Wells, with the city. And Arnold Scholfield with the Fort Scott Design Review Board provided good, solid feedback for the project.”
“They should be praised,” he said. “Fort Scott has been very supportive. I couldn’t have asked for more support from the city. That’s what is needed to spur development.”
Name In Stone
There is a name in stone on the north facade of the new building in honor of a SilverRock employee who died on this job site this year.
Mike Anders. Submitted photo.
“Mike Anders was a long-time employee and close friend,” Schoenrock said. “Sadly he passed away on the job site on April 4th, 2024. It was not work-related.”
The 2024 Old Settlers Picnic had dancing, running/walking, fishing, church, bingo, pickleball, kids games, and rodeos that all led up to the highlight event of the parade at Uniontown on Labor Day.
The community and surrounding areas enjoyed the food, crafts, vendors, car show, and parade on Labor Day. People picnicked in the park, enjoyed the baby parade, recognition of old settlers, kids games and raffles/contests.
The Holt family were the grand marshalls of the parade, with Marilyn Holt, the matriarch, sitting front and center on the float, along with three of her children Debbie Likely, Randy Holt and Susan Eldridge,their spouses,their grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her oldest son, Kenny, died in 2019, and her husband Kent, “Poke”, died in 2021. The Holts have been bankers in Bourbon County since 1901.
Horse riders bring up the tail of the parade on Sept.2 at the Old Settlers Picnic.The class of Uniontown High School 2026 in the parade.The U.H.S Freshman Class.The alumni Class of 1959.The U.H.S Class of 1964.The U.H.S. Class of 1974.Fort Scott Community College students in the parade.Members of Bethel Community Baptist Church in the parade.The younger Uniontown foot players in the parade.The U.H.S. Football Team.Uniontown Cheerleaders.The Marching Eagles Band.The Holt family with Marilyn (center, right in blue shirt) and her descendants on the float.The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office leads the parade.
Tina and David Lipe, owners of Sharky’s Pub and Grub, stand on the new patio, at 16 N. National Avenue.
Fort Scottians may have noticed that there is a construction area on the south side of Sharky’s Pub and Grug, 16 N. National Avenue.
A major project is underway by Tina and David Lipe who started the restaurant in June 2011.
“Our facility has everything: a cool designed building, a banquet facility…and we always wanted an outdoor facility,” Dave Lipe said.
He said through the years they have added solar equipment on the roof, all new windows and doors and beginning sometime in September 2024 there will be a large outdoor patio open to the public.
They began the project in June of this year and when completed there will be a bar, pickleball court, TVs, gas firepits and bathrooms.
Looking east towards National Avenue. This area is the site of the pickleball court. The area will have a short fence around it. David Lipe said.
“It will be a place for people to enjoy outdoor dining, a little live music, and pickleball,” he said. “Hopefully people will come and enjoy it.”
The patio is 50 feet by 100 feet, with a fence around it and is located south of the restaurant. Entry is from the restaurant.
They hired local Fort Scott businesses to work on the patio: PJW Consulting and Ron Hurd Construction. Others were McKenney Masonry, Geiger Plumbing, Jeff Allen Electric, Bill Lalman Fencing, Miller Brothers Welding and Peerless Products, Inc. who made the doors from the restaurant to the patio.
This construction of the outside bar is in progress at Sharky’s Pub and Grub. The expansion is on the south side of the restaurant.
About the restaurant
Sharky’s has 32 employees, mostly part-time and they will be adding more with the patio opening.
Their banquet facility is on the third floor of the historic building and is for birthday parties, wedding receptions, and meetings.
Starting Thanksgiving weekend they open a Christmas-themed pop-up bar on the third floor.
“People really enjoy Sharkey’s North Pole,” Lipe said.
The restaurant also provides catering services to the community.
For information on reserving the banquet room or catering services, contact Lipe at 816.392.2825.
Restaurant hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 2 a.m. and they close at 7 p.m. on Sunday except for some sporting events, he said.
Sharkey’s Pub and Grub, 16 N. National Avenue. The outdoor patio construction is on the south of the restaurant.
The Lipes have a Sharky’s Pub and Grub in Iola, KS and Nevada, MO and is a true family business, with two of their four children working with them.
The annual Fort Fest is September 27-29 at Riverfront Park on Fort Scott’s North National Avenue.
Blues singers entertain during the Fort Fest 23 event.
The event is an entertainment weekend that features Blues Music and brings in donations for a local cancer survivor group, Care to Share.
Care to Share/ Sharing Bucket is a grassroots volunteer organization providing support to members of the community impacted by cancer, with financial or emotional support, and even driving individuals to and from doctor appointments out of town.
Teresa Davenport is the President and can be reached at
(620) 238-0902
Teresa Davenport, president of Care to Share, and Cory Bryars, vice president, hold the organization’s banner in front of the front desk area for the organization at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd.
Music begins at 6 p.m. on September 27 with Two Lane Highway, Linn County; and at 8 p.m. with Tim Hoggard and the Two-Legged Rooster, Jonesboro, AR.
On Saturday, singing starts again with Big Luke and the Soul Disciples at 1 p.m.; Alyssa Galvan, from southwest Missouri at 3 p.m.; Hamilton Loomis from Louisiana and Texas at 5 p.m., and the Divas on Fire from northwest Arkansas at 7 p.m.
In addition, there will be food and art/craft vendors, a corn hole tournament, and an ax throwing area around the park.
“There is also a MUCH IMPROVED Kidz Korner including the train that Lavetta Simmons (one of the founders of Care to Share) used to have at her house, bouncy houses, the petting zoo again, giant jenga games, a cakewalk, face painting, and much much more,” Cory Bryars said. “We did a poor job last year, and we want the community to know that we are taking huge steps to have a great kid component of the event, We have a dedicated volunteer already rounding everything up and a PLAN!!! Last year we slipped in the kid area, and we would love the community to know that we know it and are correcting it.”
The organizers are asking that no pets be brought to the festival.
Please bring chairs/blankets/bug spray/small coolers for the event and there will be shuttles to the parking areas nearby.
New this year is the addition of another day with a switch of music genre.
“Sunday is a Gospel celebration and car show, Cory Bryars, spokesman for the Care To Share organization
Starting at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 29, there will be biscuits with gravy, donuts, coffee, juice, pop, and water available until 1 p.m.
At 1 p.m. the gathering will hear local choir musicians, soloists, and piano musicians along with prayers, a Scripture reading, a speaker and testimonies of cancer survivors interspersed in the event.
The event will end at 2:30 p.m. and the car show will start in the park at 3 p.m.
The car show was Saturday last year, and there was no Sunday activity, Bryars said.
The Dare to Dream: Collective Impact event occurs from 9 am to 3 pm on Saturday, Sept. 28 at Fort Scott Community College’s Ellis Center, 2108 S. Horton. Check-in begins at 8 am.
Fort Scott Community College Bailey Hall.
Women business owners can be inspired and network with like-minded people during the event. Provided for attendees is a free lunch and child care.
“Our event kicks off with a dynamic pre-conference session on “The Entrepreneurial Mindset,” setting the stage for a day of inspiration and collaboration,” according to the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Facebook page.
The event will allow women to converse with like-minded individuals during the networking event, forging connections that extend beyond the conference, according to Jody Love, President and Chief Executive Officer for HBCAT.
Jody Love. Submitted photo.
The main event features a keynote address and a variety of breakout sessions tailored to diverse interests, ensuring a customized and enriching experience, according to Love.
Mary Ricketts is the keynote speaker.
Turning Point CEO and founder, Mary Ricketts, began her leadership path in 1990 in the telecommunications industry, according to a press release from HBCAT. Her natural coaching and leadership abilities led her to increased leadership responsibilities in the telecommunications space, and eventually into insurance and financial wellness.
Partnering with John Maxwell’s team helped her sharpen her training and development abilities.
Turning Point Training and Development was founded in 2019 in response to requests from community partners that needed a professional and experienced resource to ensure organizational success.
“We understand the importance of accessibility, which is why we provide complimentary lunch and free childcare, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in this empowering journey,” she said.
The new pickleball court in Uniontown is located at Sherman and Second Street on the town square.
Pickleball has come to Uniontown, with equipment provided by community members and a court provided by a grant.
Pickleball resembles tennis in which players use paddles to hit a perforated plastic ball over a net, according to Oxford Languages Dictionary.
A grant provided the concrete court to play the sport on.
Recently, the court had been marked for pickleball play.
Last Thursday, pickleball equipment was made available in a storage container located under the community bulletin board at Uniontown’s City Hall on the east side of the town’s square.
Paddles and balls to play pickleball are inside the bin beneath the City of Uniontown Community Bulletin Board.
“There is no charge to use the equipment and we ask that you put it back, or the community loses it,” City Clerk Sally Johnson said. “Return it and take care, so everyone can use it.”
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A sign inside the bin containing the pickleball equipment.
“All the equipment has been donated,” Johnson said. “The bin, which houses the equipment was donated by Amber Kelley; the net, paddles and ball were donated by the Frank Johnson family; and the benches around the pickleball court was supplied by Skeet George.”
‘
Sally Johnson, Uniontown’s City Clerk.
“People are already using it,” Johnson said. “Equipment is available at City Hall, behind the community bulletin board.”
The City of Uniontown pursued a grant in 2022 to provide this sport to those in the community.
The project was funded by a grant from the Kansas Blue Cross/Blue Shield Pathways Grant, through Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Placemaking.
“We went through them to apply and qualify for the grant,” Johnson said. “HBCAT worked with the community to find out what the community wanted in 2022. We received and implemented the grant request and had to make an estimated budget, then advertised and put it out for bid. $18, 430 was the low bid. The BCBS grant provided $10,000 in grant money to help pay for that. The process took about two years.”
Grand Opening
A grand opening/ribbon cutting is scheduled during the Old Settler’s Picnic at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 1 at the pickleball court, located west of the new public restrooms in Uniontown.
The grand opening falls between two family activities that day at the town square, bingo is slated for 2 p.m. at the southeast shelter house, and then the Family Fun Night starts at 6 p.m. at the gazebo, Johnson said.
“They will incorporate the ribbon cutting in the family fun time,” she said. “The public is invited to all the events.”
The new Uniontown Pickleball Court is adjacent to the new public restrooms on the town’s square.
The 119th Annual Old Settlers Picnic is this weekend, starting on Friday evening with a street dance and continuing to the recognition of old settlers to the community on Monday afternoon.
The parade is on Monday, with the Marilyn Holt family as the grand marshalls.
The following information was provided by Sara Roufs, president of the Old Settler’s Picnic Committee.
Friday, August 30
To kick off the weekend, there will be a street dance on Friday evening with live music by No Bad Vibes.
Saturday, August 31
“The 5K Run/Walk will now be in Uniontown as well as the kid’s fishing derby so the town will be bustling and we are inviting the community to have a yard sale if they wish,” said Sara Roufs. “It would be a great chance to make some spending cash for Monday where there will be a variety of food and craft vendors available.
Sunday, September 1
There will be the traditional community church service in the park on Sunday at 10 a.m. starting with a coffee, milk and donuts social. This annual event is a collaboration of the First Missionary Baptist Church and Uniontown Methodist Church.
“Everyone really enjoyed bingo last year, so we will start that earlier on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. Prizes have been donated by local businesses.”
Sally Johnson will be facilitating the bingo game and it will be at the southeast pavilion in the town’s square.
The grand opening of the new pickleball court will be at 5:30 p.m. at the new court on the south side of the town square park.
The new Uniontown Pickleball Court.
“Family Fun Night will begin at 6 p.m. at the park and will also include the kids’ games normally played on Monday. The youth rodeo also begins at 6 p.m. on Sunday.”
Monday, September 2
“The car show will be held at the southeast side of the square starting at 9 a.m. so be sure to check out the amazing vehicles and grab some breakfast before the parade begins.”
“New this year for the car show, Dale Jackson’s family will be judging and picking their top 20 favorite vehicles and top 5 favorite motorcycles and overall best of show. Spectators are invited to vote for their favorite as well. Trophies will be awarded by the family at 1:00.”
“Food and craft vendors will mainly be lined up on the north street this year to make room in the park for everyone to stay and enjoy the day.”
“Bring a lawn chair or lay a blanket out on the grass. We will have live music throughout the day performed by Holly Crays and cash prizes, raffle drawings and contests.”
Bring a lawnchair and stay awhile. 2022 Old Settler’s Picnic photo.
“We will have a baby parade at noon at the gazebo where they can introduce and show off their little ones. All babies that register for the baby parade will be entered to win a prize.”
“We will once again be having free kids carnival games in the northwest corner of the park starting at noon. The Old Settlers Committee has purchased prizes with donations from our generous sponsors to provide free fun for the kids to replace the bounce houses they were allowed to have in the past. Starting last year, the city council now requires that we purchase a special event policy to cover all the weekend events and our policy will not cover bounce houses. The carnival games are a great replacement and we are really excited to send the kids home with some fun prizes.”
Parade
“All kids are welcome to be in the children’s parade at 10:30. Ride a bike, wear a costume or just walk for fun. Line up at the fire station at 10:15.
The parade will start at 11 a.m.
The grand marshall of the 2024 parade is Marilyn Holt and her family. Community members are selected to be honored to lead the parade each year.
“Entries for the main parade will line up starting at 10 a.m. at the football field. We hope every club, organization, business, etc will participate. Our parade theme this year is “It’s a family tradition” and we will have a family float category so we hope to see some families join the parade. There will be cash prizes for the top floats.”
All area families, clubs, organizations, teams, churches and businesses are invited to be a part of the parade. First place prize for a float is $100, 2nd place is $75 and 3rd place is $50.
Kids Sign Up To Win a New Bike
“New this year too, all kids in attendance will be able to sign up (for free) at the Old Settlers tent to win a free bike! We will have multiple bikes to give away, which were paid for by raffle ticket sales this year. Mary Pillion has done an amazing job organizing and selling raffle tickets to make this happen.”
“As the treasurer, she keeps meticulous records and devotes a great amount of time to fundraising and contacting our sponsors. We have an entire circle of people volunteering time or making donations. There are far too many to mention individually but we want to thank everyone who has contributed to this and kept this community tradition going since 1905.”
Tiana McElroy, the Bourbon County Attorney submitted her resignation as county attorney to Governor Laura Kelly on July 31, 2024. The letter did not state her reason for resigning.
“Tiana is working part-time with the Bourbon County Attorney’s Office,” said Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins. “I received her resignation letter on July 29th. The Bourbon County Republican Party has 21 days from the date they were notified by the Governor’s office to appoint an attorney to fulfill the remainder of Tiana’s term.”
An email to McElroy from fortscott.biz went unanswered about why she resigned before the election.
Bourbon County Republican Chairman Mark McCoy announced to the local Republicans that they will meet to interview candidates wishing to fill the position until the November 4, 2024 election, when a new county attorney is elected.
The meeting to select a county attorney is August 29 at 6 p.m. at Fort Scott Livestock Market, 2131 Maple Road, Fort Scott.
A majority of precinct people must be in attendance, or a proxy form may be signed with the name of the person seeking the county attorney position and the name of the precinct person representing that absent precinct person.
All interested Kansas licensed attorneys may email their information/resume to McCoy at [email protected]
