Obituary of Robert A. “Skip” Thomas
Robert A. “Skip” Thomas, age 78, resident of Fort Scott, KS, passed away Thursday, March 12, 2026, the University of Kansas Hospital, Olathe KS. He was born on November 23, 1947, in Oakland, CA. the son of Frank Thomas and Esther Marzolf Thomas. He attended Walla Walla High School and graduated with the class of 1965. Skip worked as a Court Services Officer for Bourbon County for many years. He married Anita Hurst on December 7, 1969, in Dayton, Washington.
Survivors include his wife Anita of the home, his children, Shawn Thomas (Christy), Mound City, KS. Stephanie Kinsley, Baldwin City, KS., five grandchildren, Ryan Thomas (Sierra), Collin Thomas (Ella), Allie Thomas, Quentin Kinsley, and Rylee Kinsley, one great-granddaughter, Braxton Thomas. He was preceded in death by his parents.
There was cremation Father Yancey Burgess will conduct a funeral Mass at 2:00 P.M., Thursday, March 19, 2026 at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Burial will take place at a later date at the U.S. National Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society (Hope Lodge) and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.
Core Community Class Graduation is March 24
KS Supreme Court Seeking Application to Fill Justice Marla Luckert Vacancy
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CFSEK 25th Anniversary Story Series: “Right Place, Right Time”
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026. This is the second part of CFSEK’s story series honoring the 25-year history of the organization, while also looking ahead to the next 25 years of positive impact in Southeast Kansas.
Kayla Joy was serving as the President of the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce in 2001. She was attending a conference in Wichita in early January hosted by the Kansas Community Leadership Initiative (which eventually became the Kansas Leadership Center). Kayla recalled a particular lunch session at the conference that she remembers fondly:
“We were just chatting over lunch when a Kansas Health Foundation representative casually mentioned a matching funds opportunity to benefit leadership in local communities,” Joy said. “I still laugh that it was so nonchalantly mentioned when it could mean so much to a community, but it stuck with me!”
The matching challenge mentioned that day was to raise $300,000 by the end of 2001, and those funds had to be housed at a community foundation. With a challenge to meet and no community foundation, work had to start quickly.
“I’ve found that if you want something done, you need to involve the right people. Namely, Lynda Wilkinson,” said Joy. “I went and presented her with the idea of doing this challenge and starting a community foundation. She jumped right on board, and we got to work getting a leadership team and laying out the groundwork! I also remember calling Judy Scudamore and talking to her about becoming the first executive director for the foundation, which was so amazing and she was a perfect fit!”
Kayla thought about where the foundation began, and seeing what it has grown to be over 25 years.
“When the foundation started, my daughter was just a baby, and now she has a baby of her own! Time flies, but the work of the foundation is for forever, so who knows where we will be in another 25 years!”
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas awarded over $2.8 million in grants from all foundation funds in 2025 and has facilitated over $28 million in total granting to Southeast Kansas since its inception in 2001. CFSEK serves the region by providing donors with various charitable interests and encouraging charitable giving, which addresses present and future needs in our area. The Columbus Area, Fort Scott Area, and Girard Area Community Foundations are affiliates of CFSEK. More information about CFSEK is available at SoutheastKansas.org.
Kai Nelson Obituary
Kai Alexander Nelson, age 3, of Nevada, MO passed from this life on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Ft. Scott, KS.
Born August 20, 2022, in Winfield, KS, Kai was the “Most beautiful boy in the world, a big ball of joy with an infectious laugh you will never forget.”
Kai is survived by his loving parents Blake Ryan and Annabelle Nobellee (Swisher) Nelson of Nevada; his grandparents, Paul Swisher, Derby, KS, Samantha Stewart, Ft. Scott, KS, James Nelson, Nevada, and Christina Ellzey, Nevada.
Memorial services was held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Pastor Jeff Fagins officiating.
Memorials are suggested to the family in c/o Ferry Funeral Home.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports March 16
Newsletter from U.S. Congressman Derek Schmidt
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Earlier in the week, the Department of Homeland Security cleared for release security-related funding for FIFA World Cup host cities, including Kansas City. I was pleased to join Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) to urge the speedy release of these funds, and appreciate President Trump ensuring host cities receive the needed funding. |
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On Thursday, the Senate voted down another attempt to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security. There have been at least four attacks on U.S. soil in the past two weeks, each with indicia of radical Islamic terrorism: Texas, New York, Virginia, and Michigan. Americans dead, more injured. It is beyond irresponsible for Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, and their followers to continue blocking funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which was created after 9/11 to keep our homeland safe. Congressional Democrats need to stop stalling, and fund DHS now. |
Kratom Products Are Seized by Kansas ABC
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Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson
March 13, 2026
Property Tax Relief: A historic opportunity is in Topeka to provide real property tax reform and certainty, but the clock is ticking. While the Senate and House worked in good faith toward a comprehensive solution, a key piece of the puzzle, SCR 1616, the CAP Amendment, which would cap individual assessment increases at 3% per year, providing the predictability homeowners have been pleading for, stalled in the House and was sent back to the Tax Committee. The Senate passed the CAP Amendment with a strong bipartisan vote of 30 to 10. However, despite ongoing negotiations, the House has yet to pass the measure, favoring a revenue limit instead. We need both to truly “reign in” an out-of-control system. The Assessment Cap (The Senate Plan): Protects individual homeowners from “valuation shock” and ensures transparency by requiring local governments to explicitly raise the mill levy if they want more revenue. The Revenue Limit (The House Plan): Would help control overall government spending. While helpful for the big picture, it doesn’t protect the individual homeowner from being priced out of their home. Last year, a Constitutional Amendment was passed in the House using a rolling average, but that unfortunately locks us in at today’s record-high valuations. We need the CAP Amendment to provide a real ceiling. Because of how the Kansas tax code is structured, the CAP Amendment is a Constitutional change. Passing it doesn’t make it law—it simply puts it on the ballot, allowing the people of Kansas to vote on it.
We have a powerful precedent for this: In 1975, Kansas voters amended the Constitution to change how agricultural land is valued (moving from market value to “ag use” production value). This saved countless farmers and ranchers from losing their land to high taxes. Today, Kansas families are facing that same threat. Polls show that 75% of Kansans support a 3% assessment cap. While the House and Senate continue to negotiate, the goal remains clear: protect our homes and provide lasting relief. There is still time to pass both the assessment cap and the revenue limit. Let’s finish this and give Kansans the protection they deserve.
Ethanol Fuel Tax Credit would be established in SB 498, for the sale of E-15 or higher blends for three years. The bill was amended on the Senate floor to create a tax credit on the purchases of lockable gun and ammunition storage for tax years 2026 through 2028. It also repealed some unused tax credits. It passed 38 to 1. I voted yes.
Active Shooter Drills would be established in schools if SB 263 is law. It passed 38 to 1. I voted yes.
Mandatory Recess for K-8 grade students if SB 339 becomes law. It would prohibit withholding recess for disciplinary reasons. It’s one of those bills you can see both sides. After consideration, I voted yes. It passed 24 to 15.
Cattle, Horse, and Ag Equipment Theft would be become a level 5 nonperson felony and forfeiture of contraband property used in the theft. It would result in significant penalties, including imprisonment, depending on the thief’s previous record. HB 2413 passed unanimously.
Grain and Hay Theft penalties would become a level 6 nonperson felony if HB 2422 becomes law. Punishment will depend on the thief’s criminal history. It passed unanimously.
Wildlife and Parks would be allowed to set fees through rules and regulations if HB 2568 becomes law. It was controversial and only passed 23 to 16. I voted no.
Governor Emergency Powers would be expanded during the World Cup (soccer) in Sen Sub for HB 2212. The state gave $28 million for infrastructure changes for the World Cup and now they want emergency powers to suspend our laws for security concerns. Where will it end? I voted no. It passed 38 to 2.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
Catching Lightning Bugs by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom
By Carolyn Tucker
Catching Lightning Bugs
I fondly remember the fun I had as a young girl after the summer sunsets. With my older brother or a childhood friend, I would run barefoot all over the yard catching lightning bugs. As they blinked their pretty golden tail lights, I’d carefully place them into the fruit jar. Dad would, of course, punch holes in the lid so they could breathe. I wouldn’t trade my simple, country, growing-up years for a ranch in Texas!
I don’t know if God created lightning bugs just so kids could have summer fun or not. But I’m sure glad He did. I recently saw a coffee mug with the following imprinted on it: “If God can make a bug’s butt light up, just think what He can do for you.” I thought this was hilarious, plus it was a pretty good theology too!
Sometimes Christ followers settle for dry crumbs out of the toaster instead of a loaf of hot bread out of the oven. Apostle Paul’s prayer for spiritual growth in believers is a vital tool in order for us to believe and receive. We, too, can say this prayer: “I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong” (Ephesians 3:16-17 NLT). God is not limited in what He can do, but we sometimes limit Him with our little faith.
Paul continues his prayer: “And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God” (Ephesians 3:18-19 NLT). The fullness of life and power that believers desire and require is not found in self-help books or autobiographies of famous dead people. The abundant life only comes from God through Christ Jesus.
This is a life-changing prayer — and Paul isn’t finished yet: “Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think (Ephesians 3:20 NLT). Amazingly, God’s power is working in His followers to accomplish above and beyond anything we can even imagine. God has unlimited resources, but we need to pray and tap into all that’s available to us as His children. God can do everything Himself, but He chooses to work through His followers. We need big faith that’s rooted in God’s love if we want to “let our little light shine” in real time.
In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught: “You are the light that shines for the world to see. You should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14,16 ERV). A little later, He then rhetorically asked the crowd, “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin…will He [God] not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 6:28,30 NKJV). We ought to thank God every day that He has given believers unlimited resources to help us live victoriously.
The Key: Consider the lightning bug and just think what God can do for you!
Bourbon County Commission Meeting Agenda Summary, March 16, 2026
Bourbon County Commission Meeting Agenda
agenda-packet 03.16.26
March 16, 2026 | 5:30 PM
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I. Call Meeting To Order
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II. Pledge Of Allegiance
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III. Prayer
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IV. Approval Of Agenda
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V. Approval Of Minutes (03.09.26)
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VI. Approval Of Accounts Payable ($151,687.49)
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VII. Public Comments
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VIII. Executive Session (K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(1))
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IX. Department Updates
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a. Public Works: Hard surface road plan
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b. County Clerk Updates
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X. Old Business
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a. 108 W 2nd Listing
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b. Salary Resolution
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c. Forensic Audit Point of Contact (POC)
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XI. New Business
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a. KORA (Kansas Open Records Act)
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XII. Future Agenda Topics
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XIII. Commissioner Comments
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XIV. Adjournment (Page 1)
Detailed Summary of Meeting Packet
Previous Meeting Minutes (March 9, 2026)
The Commission reviewed the minutes from the March 9 session. Key highlights included:
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New Transparency Measures: Commissioner Tran introduced a process where all commissioners review check packets and expenditures before meetings to ensure collective oversight.
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Public Comments: Residents discussed several high-profile issues, including requests for an independent forensic audit and concerns regarding commissioner compensation and potential recalls.
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Executive Sessions: The Commission held multiple closed sessions to discuss non-elected personnel matters, specifically regarding code enforcement and a neighborhood septic system dispute.
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Salary Resolution Debate: A motion to maintain current salary levels for commissioners (while allowing for voluntary donations back to the county) failed in a 2-3 vote. The discussion was tabled for one week.
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Forensic Audit: The Commission voted 3-2 to engage an independent firm for a forensic audit of county transactions to maintain public confidence. (Pages 2–7)
Departmental Updates & Reports
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Valuation Compliance: Preliminary 2026 property valuations show a projected 7% increase for residential properties and a 4% increase for commercial properties.
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Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP): Officials addressed software issues that affected 34 properties, resulting in incorrect bond and interest processing. Manual corrections are underway.
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County Clerk: Deadlines were announced for candidate filing (June 1) and voter registration (July 14). A recent KPERS audit of $10.7 million in payroll showed a near-perfect accuracy rate (0.0009% error). (Pages 4–5)
Financial Summary: Open Invoices by Department
The packet includes a detailed breakdown of accounts payable. Significant departmental totals include:
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General Fund: $0.00 (Standard payroll clearing entries)
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Landfill: $10,101.90 (Includes equipment repairs and waste processing fees)
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Sheriff / Correctional: $11,126.70 (Includes vehicle leases, medical care, and training)
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Road and Bridge: $39,463.89 (Largest expenditure category, including equipment parts, fuel, and road maintenance supplies)
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County Treasurer Motor Fund: $1,603.25 (Pages 8–14)
New Business & Resolutions
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Building Access: The Commission discussed security concerns regarding key card access for employees and the need for a comprehensive audit of building security.
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Infrastructure Approvals: Recent approvals were granted for a picnic area at the Sixth Judicial District, a CMB license for Sugar Valley Home Lake Association, and culvert/water line installations on Unity Road and Eagle Road. (Pages 6–7)
KORA Guidelines (Kansas Open Records Act)
The packet contains educational material regarding KORA, emphasizing that most county records are public. It outlines:
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Response Times: Counties must typically respond to records requests within three business days.
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Fees: Charges for staff time and copying must be “reasonable.”
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Exemptions: Specific records (medical, certain personnel files, attorney-client privilege) may be legally withheld. (Pages 36–37)