Bourbon County, Government, Kansas

Bourbon County Is In Drought Watch:consider water usage and take extra care to prevent wildfires

Leave a comment

 

Governor Kelly Updates Declaration of Drought Emergency, Warnings, and Watches for Kansas Counties

 

TOPEKA — Governor Laura Kelly has signed a proclamation approving updated drought declarations for Kansas counties.

“Drought conditions have persisted across Kansas through the winter and spring, and we must respond accordingly,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “As we head into the summer months, where we typically see drier conditions, I urge Kansans to consider their water usage and take extra care to prevent wildfires.”

The drought declaration placed three counties into emergency status, 39 counties into warning status, and 63 counties into watch status. This action was recommended by Connie Owen, Director of the Kansas Water Office and Chair of the Governor’s Drought Response Team. Precipitation totals have varied widely across Kansas in recent weeks, with some eastern and southeastern counties receiving heavy rainfall that temporarily improved surface moisture, while central and western regions continue to experience worsening drought conditions. Despite these isolated rains, much of the state remains below average for cumulative precipitation, with ongoing deficits in soil moisture and declining streamflows.

“While we’ve seen precipitation in various regions of the state this spring, the long-term effects of drought have prevented improvements in the overall conditions,” said Connie Owen, Director of the Kansas Water Office and Chair of the Governor’s Drought Response Team. “The Governor’s Drought Response Team will continue to monitor the drought conditions across Kansas and make recommendations to Governor Kelly as conditions change.”

Through an interagency agreement between the Kansas Water Office, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, and the Kansas Division of Emergency Management, counties in the emergency stage are eligible for emergency water use from certain state fishing lakes and some federal reservoirs.

 

Individuals and communities must contact the Kansas Water Office for a water supply request before withdrawing water from lakes. These requests will, in turn, be referred to the appropriate office to obtain the necessary permits to withdraw the requested water.

 

This proclamation shall remain in effect for those counties identified until rescinded by a proclamation ending the declaration or revising the drought stage status of the affected counties.

 

Effective immediately, the proclamation:

 

  • Declares a Drought Emergency, Warning, or Watch for the counties as identified below;
  • Authorizes and directs all agencies under the jurisdiction of the governor to implement the appropriate watch, warning, or emergency-level drought response actions assigned in the Operations Plan of the Governor’s Drought Response Team.

 

The Governor’s Drought Response Team will continue to watch the situation closely and work to minimize the negative drought-induced effects on Kansans. Kansans are encouraged to report drought-related conditions and impacts in their region through the Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) system.

For more detailed information about current conditions, visit the Climate and Drought webpage on the Kansas Water Office website at kwo.ks.gov.

County Drought Stage Declarations:

Drought Emergency: Harvey, Reno, Sedgwick.

 

Drought Warning: Barber, Barton, Butler, Chase, Clark, Clay, Cloud, Comanche, Cowley, Decatur, Edwards, Grant, Greenwood, Hamilton, Harper, Jewell, Kingman, Kiowa, Lyon, McPherson, Marion, Marshall, Meade, Morton, Norton, Pawnee, Phillips, Pratt, Rawlins, Republic, Rice, Rush, Seward, Smith, Stafford, Stanton, Stevens, Sumner, Washington.

Drought Watch: Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Bourbon, Brown, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Cheyenne, Coffey, Crawford, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Elk, Ellis, Ellsworth, Finney, Ford, Franklin, Geary, Gove, Graham, Gray, Greeley, Haskell, Hodgeman, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Kearny, Labette, Lane, Leavenworth, Lincoln, Linn, Logan, Miami, Mitchell, Montgomery, Morris, Nemaha, Neosho, Ness, Osage, Osborne, Ottawa, Pottawatomie, Riley, Rooks, Russell, Saline, Scott, Shawnee, Sheridan, Sherman, Thomas, Trego, Wabaunsee, Wallace, Wichita, Wilson, Woodson, Wyandotte.

 

# # #

 

 

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

USD234 BOARD MEETING NEWS RELEASE for May 12

Leave a comment

Unified School District 234

424 South Main

Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697

www.usd234.org

620-223-0800   Fax 620-223-2760

 

DESTRY BROWN                                                                                                                                                        

Superintendent                                                                                                                                            

 

 

 

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING

NEWS RELEASE

Monday, May 12, 2025

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025, for their regular monthly meeting at 424 S Main.

 

President David Stewart opened the meeting.

 

The board approved the official agenda, and the consent agenda as follows:

Board Minutes

04-14-25

04-22-25

Financials – Cash Flow Report

Check Register

Payroll – April 18, 2025 – $1,686,779.39

            Activity Funds Accounts

USD 234 Gifts

Middle School Student Council Fundraising

Washington Workshop Extended Trip

 

 

Alex VanBecelaere was recognized by Special Education Director Tonya Barnes via ZOOM. Alex works with the Occupational Therapy in the district. She has been a huge asset to the team and the students really enjoy collaborating with her.

 

Superintendent Destry Brown provided the Board with an update on enrollment for the end of the year.

 

Assistant Superintendent Terry Mayfield provided the Board with a shared update. He updated on each of the departments and plans for the summer months.

 

Special Education Director Tonya Barnes reported that our district reached the high status for district IDEA Level of Determination.

 

The Board Approved the following items:

  • Contract for Occupational Therapy Services with Outreach Therapy, LLC
  • KASB Membership Renewal
  • Set Capacity for Nonresident Student Enrollment
  • Greenbush Contract for Low-Incidence & Audiology
  • CHC School Based Health Care Service Contract
  • Satchel Pulse Social Emotional Learning Curriculum
  • Curriculum Resources & Materials for ELA & Foreign Language

 

 

There were none present for public forum.

 

The Board went into an executive session for personnel matters.

 

President David Stewart adjourned the meeting.

 

PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED

May 12, 2025

 

 

RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:

Bailey, Ronda – Retirement – Accompanist – Music – High School/Middle School

Baublitz, Christina – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott

Dunivan, Sarah – Resignation – Music Teacher – Winfield Scott

Eichenberger, Justin – Resignation – Part Time Paraprofessional – High School

Hastings, Nicolette – Retirement – SPED Teacher – High School

Nelson, Andrew – Resignation – 6th Grade Science Teacher – Middle School

 

Certified Recommendations

Brown, DJ – Middle School Principal

Christy, Angela – 3rd Grade Teacher – Eugene Ware

Johnson, Kyenne – Occupational Therapist

Nelson, Andrew – Instructional Coach – Winfield Scott/Eugene Ware

 

Classified Recommendations for 2025-26 School year

Classified Staff

 

Supplemental Recommendations for the 2025-26 school year:

Hendricks, Caleb – Secondary Summer School Administrator

High School Supplemental Assignments

Middle School Supplemental Assignments

Summer School Staff

 

 

Art, Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

ArtEffects Competition Results

Leave a comment

2025 ARTEFFECT Competition Finalists!
ARTEFFECT is pleased to announce the 2025 Competition Finalists! Congratulations to all students selected as 2025 Finalists and their teachers! The range of topics across these exceptional projects is notable.

The 115 projects encompass 64 Unsung Heroes stories, including all 7 Spotlight Unsung Heroes. These projects are presented by 16 middle school and 99 high school students from 24 states across the U.S. as well as 5 other countries around the world: Australia, Canada, Lithuania, South Korea, and United Arab Emirates. Take some time to explore the artworks and impact statement excerpts.

The 2025 Awardees will be announced on June 2. Stay tuned!
View 2025 Finalists!
Stay connected with the expanding
ARTEFFECT network
ARTEFFECT is expanding its social media presence. Be sure to keep connected as part of our growing community of learners. Follow us on these platforms for announcements, news, and resources about the competition, Ambassadors fellowship, and more.
ARTEFFECT Instagram
ARTEFFECT Facebook Page
Art Educators Facebook Page
ARTEFFECT X
ARTEFFECT YouTube
Join a growing network of art educators at the
For inquiries, contact: [email protected]

Art, Entertainment

Bourbon County Arts Council Presents The Rough Romance Tour

Leave a comment

Sending on behalf of Chamber Member

Bourbon County Arts Council

Bourbon County

Arts Council

Presents

The Rough Romance Tour

Musical performances by:

“The Rough & Tumble”

and

“Flagship Romance”

Thursday, June 5th

8-10pm

Liberty Theatre Patio

113 S. Main Fort Scott, KS

Tickets

$15 BCAC Member

$20 Non-Member

Contact

Terri Floyd 620-224-7221

Deb Anderson 620-224-8650

Click HERE to visit Bourbon County Arts Council’s

Facebook Page!

Click HERE to visit The Rough & Tumble’s Facebook page!

Click HERE to visit Flagship Romance’s Facebook page!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 
Opinion

Opinion: The Two Brians, Two Views of Zoning

Leave a comment

Up until last week, the zoning advisory committee remained shrouded in mystery for everyone except those who could find the time to attend in person. No minutes have been published, and the meetings were not streamed to the public like advisory committees have been under previous commissioners. (See Commissioner Beerbower’s explanation of his view of the Zoning Advisory Committee as a democracy vs. the need for transparency.)

The veil was ripped last Wednesday when FortScott.biz streamed the meeting. Looking through the hole that had been torn in the opaqueness, those of us who couldn’t physically attend the meetings got our first look at the workings of that committee and the things being discussed that had formerly been obscured from the public view. So maybe that is a bit dramatic, but the point remains, the public was now able to see what was happening with the same level of transparency as city and previous county advisory committees.

For me, the statements made by two people named Brian on the Zoning Advisory Committee (Brian Ashworth and Brian Wade) provide the best illustration of the fundamental disagreement between members of the committee (and possibly the public and commissioners) when it comes to zoning. Understanding these two views of people who support zoning is key in any thoughtful discussion of the benefits and drawbacks of implementing zoning, as Beerbower says, the commission has already established they will do.

Brian Ashworth stated that the goal of zoning is not to prevent anyone from doing what they want to with their land. He said the purpose of zoning is to make sure a landowner wanting to put in something commercial or industrial would need to follow some guidelines to be a good neighbor, but it wouldn’t stop them from using their land as they see fit.

This sounds completely reasonable and could mean things like, if a landowner is going to put in a field of solar panels, they might be asked to put a row of trees between the panels and their neighbor’s house. Or maybe it would mean asking the solar company to locate battery arrays 500 feet or more from neighboring property and make sure the fire department is comfortable with understanding what to do in the rare, but still possible, event of a fire from the electrical systems or the situation most of us have experience where a neighbor’s field being burned that gets out of control if it happens to threaten the solar field. Those types of suggestions probably fall into the common-sense type of things that would happen on their own among neighbors who are actually looking for reasonable accommodation. Maybe zoning helps make those conversations more likely. Sounds reasonable, right?

However, Brian Wade offered a different view of the purpose of the zoning committee. He talked with admiration about how Lynn County’s zoning was able to prevent landowners from renting their land out to solar companies. He didn’t talk about how the zoning laws allowed the county to guide installations with some best practices for fire preparedness. He didn’t talk about how zoning allowed some reasonable setbacks that gave neighbors some nice trees to look at. No, he talked about how great it was that zoning had been used as a tool to prevent the landowners from leasing their land.

Mr. Wade’s goals as presented in the meeting were completely different from Mr. Ashworth’s stated goals.

If you want zoning to be a tool to prohibit landowners from using their land in legal ways that you don’t want, then Mr. Wade’s goals probably match yours. If you want zoning to be a process that helps guarantee good communication and reasonable accommodations between neighbors, then Mr. Ashworth’s goals probably align with what you want.

However, the bigger question is this: If zoning is implemented, what will we actually get?

(Note: Commission Mika Milburn says she will have the meeting streamed on May 13th, so hopefully the process will be more transparent going forward & kudos to her for trying to bring the transparency of these meetings back to the same level of previous commissioners.)

Government, Kansas

Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson

2 Comments
May 9, 2025
The President and his administration are moving at an epic pace.  This rapid implementation has reversed damaging actions by the previous administration and put our nation on a path to protect our borders, to cut wasteful spending (fraud and abuse), and to cut taxes.
President Trump and congress made considerable tax cuts in 2017 that will end this year.  The cuts can be extended if legislation is passed, you may have heard the President talk about a “big, beautiful bill”.  If the tax cuts are not extended it will be a major tax increase on over 80% of U.S. taxpayers.  It will also be a major state income tax increase on Kansans.  The federal Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is the baseline for filing your state income taxes so if it increases your state income taxes increase.  It’s a heavy lift for Congress to pass legislation so the 2017 tax cuts do not sunset, especially since they are attempting to pass more cuts like exempting Social Security, tips, and overtime from federal income taxes.  “It is a paradoxical truth that tax rates are too high today and tax revenues are too low, and the soundest way to raise the revenues in the long run is to cut the tax rates.”–John F. Kennedy
 
Kansas Supreme Court justices are currently selected by a nominating commission (made up mainly of lawyers) that submit three names to the Governor, and the Governor picks one of the three to be a justice.  The reason this process was put into effect for selecting state supreme court justices is that the powers that be felt that Kansas voters were not smart enough to select their supreme court justices and that it had to be handled by professional lawyers.  This process has failed Kansans.  You may have heard, the U.S. supreme court has allegedly overturned more Kansas Supreme Court rulings than any other state per capita.
This could change because on the August 4, 2026, ballot Kansas voters will have an option to keep the current process or change it to electing state supreme court justices.  Why would Kansas consider changing the selection process of justices?  To increase transparency and public trust.  It has been argued that judicial activism is a “threat to democratic principles and the rule of law… by allowing unelected judges to make decisions that should be left to the people or their elected representatives.”  U.S. Justice Scalia warned that judges who interpret the Constitution as a “living document” have crossed a line to effectively become policymakers.  He also compared this “approach to the situation in the 1930’s Germany, where judges began interpreting laws to reflect the ‘spirit of the age,’ leading to disastrous consequences.”
For example, in the case Kansas versus Garcia, illegal immigrants who committed identity theft, the Kansas Supreme Court majority ruled that it was a federal issue, and the state didn’t have authority to prosecute even though identity theft is against Kansas law and the illegals used stolen identities on state and federal forms.  Thankfully, this ruling was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.  Justice Scalia wrote in response to the Kansas Supreme Court ruling that, “This interpretation is flatly contrary to standard English usage.”
Currently, there is a retention vote for justices on a six-year schedule. You vote yes or no on each justice – to retain or not.  Some say that is an election of sorts.  However, common sense tells us two or more candidates running for the position educating voters is more transparent and provides an opportunity to get to know the candidates.  With the current retention vote, it is very difficult to be an informed voter.  A super majority of legislators supported putting this change on the August 4, 2026, ballot and voters will get to have their voices heard.
Interim Committees are approved by the Legislative Coordinating Council (LCC), which is made up of eight legislators that are in House and Senate leadership.  They approved several interim committees that will meet to take a deeper look at topics before the next session.  A special interim committee on tax will meet and cover several topics.  The House Tax Chairman and I requested a deeper dive on property valuations.  The more I research that system and attempt to navigate it, the more convinced I am the system is broken.  This is not just a Kansas issue; many states have the same problems.  It will take innovative thinking to bring more accuracy and transparency to property taxes.
There will also be interim committees on KPERS, housing, crypto currency, campaign contributions/transparency (hopefully a look at stopping dark money) and several other topics.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
Government, Kansas

Flags Half-Staff for Peace Officers Memorial Day

Leave a comment

Governor Kelly Directs Flags be Flown at Half-Staff for Peace Officers Memorial Day


TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly, in accordance with Executive Order #20-30, on Tuesday, directed flags throughout the State of Kansas to be flown at half-staff from sunup to sundown on Thursday, May 15, 2025, in honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day. Peace Officers Memorial Day pays tribute to local, state, and federal peace officers who have died or been disabled in the line of duty.

“Every day, Kansas peace officers put their lives on the line in service to their communities and fellow Kansans,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Peace Officers Memorial Day is a solemn reminder to acknowledge and appreciate their sacrifices and commitment.”

To receive email alerts when the governor orders flags to half-staff, please visit: https://www.governor.ks.gov/newsroom/kansas-flag-honors.

###

Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee Hosted by Shead Farm on May 15

Leave a comment

Join us for Chamber Coffee

hosted by

Shead Farm
Thursday, May 15th

8am

at the

Shead Farm

2468 Cavalry Road

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee hosted by Shead Farm, 2468 Cavalry Road, this Thursday, May 15th at 8am. Coffee, juice, and refreshments will be served, and attendees may register to win a special drawing.

Shead Farm is hosting their 5th Annual Shead Farm Homestead Festival this Saturday, May 17th, from 10am-5pm. There will be music, children’s activities, farm tours, a farm store, vendor booths, and a food court. The festival is a wonderful outing that ALL ages will enjoy. Admission is $5 for a single ticket or $25 for a family pass of 5 or more family members.

The Shead farm, established by Larry Shead’s ancestors, the Burckley family, has been home to Larry and wife Vickie since 1978. The couple shares a passion for gardening, and their annual festival, now in its 5th year, aims to inspire others to grow their own food. The festival also seeks to foster a deeper connection between the source of food and the providers of our needs. Through the event, the Shead’s hope to encourage others to embrace a closer relationship with both their food and their faith.

Directions to the Shead Farm from Fort Scott are to drive south on Highway 69 to Cavalry Road, turn east and follow the signs. The farm is approximately a 20-minute drive from Fort Scott, so the Chamber suggests attendees leave town by 7:40am to arrive on time.

Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information. Visit the Events Calendar and category of Chamber Coffees on fortscott.com for upcoming locations.

VISIT THE SHEAD FARM FACEBOOK
CLICK HERE
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

620-223-3566

fortscott.com
Facebook  X  Instagram
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 
Health Care

Nevada Regional Medical Center Hosts Free Skin Cancer Screening

Leave a comment

 

Nevada Regional Medical Center is hosting a free skin cancer screening on Tuesday, May 27th, from 8 am until noon.  Participants must call to register for a time slot at 417-448-3801.

 

Each May, awareness is brought forward regarding the warning signs of skin cancer.  It is the most common cancer in the United States, affecting 1 in 5 Americans in their lifetime.  Approximately 9,500 new diagnosis are made each day.  However, it is one of the most treatable cancers when detected early.

 

Some of the most common risk factors are:

– Skin that burns easily

– Blonde or red hair

– History of excessive sun exposure

– Tanning bed use

– Immune suppressing diseases or treatments

– History of skin cancer

 

Take precautions in protecting your skin by wearing protective clothing, seek shade when outside, wear sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher and avoid tanning bed usage.  If you have moles or other skin spots, keep note of the following: changes in size, shape, and color of moles or other skin lesions; new moles or growths on the skin; and sores that don’t heal, itch, or bleed.  Signs of melanoma can include changes in asymmetry, border, color, or size.  If you notice changes, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider.

Bourbon County, Business

The Bourbon Co. Conservation District Marked its 80th anniversary this year!

Leave a comment

Sending on behalf of Chamber member
Bourbon County Conservation District
Celebrates 80 years!

The Bourbon Co. Conservation District was established on

May 11th, 1945, and is marking its 80th anniversary this year!

As a key player in implementing the Federal Farm Bill programs, the District collaborates with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Kansas Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Conservation. Working in tandem with these agencies, the District offers conservation planning, technical support, and the implementation of structural and vegetative practices on private land to safeguard soil, water, and wildlife habitat for future generations.

The District’s mission revolves around the motto: “Protecting what we have today to have something left for tomorrow”. Various services, including grass seed sales, drill rental equipment, and weed wipers, are made available by the District.

Furthermore, the Board of Supervisors comprises devoted volunteers who dedicate their time to promoting the District and educating young individuals about the significance of conservation.

The five members of the Bourbon Co Conservation District are:

Jared Pollock, Chairman

Ronnie Brown, Vice-Chairman

Deb Lust, Treasurer

Veronica Snow, Supervisor

Brannan Vail, Supervisor

Mandy Shoemaker, District Manager.

Stop by the office at 1515 S. Judson or call 620-223-3170 xt3

to see if they can help you!

Click HERE for BBCO Cons. District Facebook Page!

Click HERE for BBCO Cons. District website!

Happy 80th Anniversary,

Bourbon Co Conservation!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

620-223-3566

fortscott.com
Facebook  X  Instagram
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 

Bourbon County Local News