The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office daily reports can best be viewed on a computer. The phone number of the sheriff’s office is 620-223-1440.
To access, click on the links below, then click on the image to enlarge.
The Fort Scott City Commission meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at city hall, 123 S. Main. The phone number of city hall is 620-223-1550. Following the agenda in this feature are the previous meetings minutes.
The agenda’s Commission for 6 p.m. March 6 is as follows:
I. ROLL CALL:
ADAMSON BARTELSMEYER NICHOLS PARKER MITCHELL
II. FLAG SALUTE
III. INVOCATION: Allan Schellack, Chaplain, Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries
IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: Recognition of City Employees
V. CONSENT AGENDA:
Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of February 20th, 2018.
Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1210-A totaling $561,766.74.
Approval of Archer Daniels Midland Amended Agreement – purchase of treated wastewater from City of Fort Scott
Resolution No. 11-2018 and Notice of Hearing With Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 310 N. Cleveland – Public Hearing Date – 4/17/2018 at 6:15 p.m.
VI. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:
APPEARANCE: None
B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit per citizen)
C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS:
6:15 p.m. Resolution 10-2018 directing the repair or removal of an alleged unsafe and dangerous structure and accessory structure located at 1234 E. Elm Street
VII. CONSIDERATION:
Consideration of Fitness Bids – Buck Run Community Center
Consideration of 124 E. Wall Bids – CDBG Grant and Approval of Project
Consideration of Ground Lease Bids for land at Wastewater Treatment Plant
VIII. COMMENTS:
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
I MOVE THAT THE CITY COMMISSION RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE
SESSION FOR ________________________________ IN ORDER TO
(see below justification)
DISCUSS ______________________________________. THE
EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE ___________ MINUTES AND THE OPEN
MEETING TO RESUME AT ________________.
Justifications for Executive Sessions:
Personnel matters of non-elected personnel
Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative or representatives of the body or agency
Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships
Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property
IX. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL
The minutes of the previous meeting:
CITY OF FORT SCOTT
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held February 20th, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Room, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas.
ROLL CALL:
Commissioners Adamson, Bartelsmeyer, Nichols and Parker were present with Mayor Mitchell presiding.
INVOCATION: Dave Martin, City Manager, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the city and all government and city officials.
AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Travis Shelton, Rachel Pruitt, Clayton Miller, Frank Adamson, Paul Ballou, Rhonda Dunn, Deb Needleman, Robert Taylor, Matthew Wells, Patrick Wood, Denton Wescoat, Karen Gazaway, Larry Gazaway, Katlyn Stahl, Abby Fangman, Liseth Arana, Courtney Russell, Izzy Russell, Jade Russell, Samantha Hunt, Trey Hunt, Mersadies Roof, Amy Roof, Jenna Graham, Kimberly Graham, Ashlyn Graham, Alvin Metcalf, Sr., Alvin Metcalf, Jr., Alexis Metcalf, Candy Stroud, Rick Zingre’, Brandon Brown, Melissa Swisher, Teresa Russell, Kevin Russell, Hannah Vann, Jody Hoener, Amanda Roof, Edwin Roof, Addie Smith, Dakota Hall, and Jason Silvers, representing the Fort Scott Tribune.
PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS:
Recognition of Fort Scott High School Girls Wrestling Team – Mayor Mitchell recognized the Fort Scott High School Girls Wrestling Team which consisted of 12 girls. The team was formed in 2017/2018. There were 8 girls recently who placed at the State Wrestling Championship held in McPherson on February 10th, 2018. Those girls include: Jenna Graham, Mersadies Roof, Breya Brown, Alexis Rusk, Hannah Vann, Addie Smith, Jade Russell and Sam Hunt. The FSHS Girl’s Wrestling Team finished 2nd in the State of Kansas. The City is proud of each of these girls and their accomplishments. They were each presented with a Certificate of Recognition.
Introduction of new City employees – Deb Needleman, Human Resource Director, introduced Denton Wescoat and Karen Gazaway. Denton will be the IT System Administrator and Karen is the new Water Utility Clerk.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND APPROPRIATIONS/CONSENT AGENDA:
Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of February 6th, 2018.
Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1209-A totaling $320,132.82.
Approval of Archer Daniels Midland Agreement – Purchase of treated wastewater from City of Fort Scott
Certificate of Appropriateness – Installation of Bicycle Racks in downtown area
Certificate of Appropriateness – Approval of final Gordon Parks sign to be installed on Iron Star Building
Bartelsmeyer moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA.
APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:
APPEARANCE: None
B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute
limit per citizen) –
Robert Taylor – Mr. Taylor said he moved to Fort Scott two years ago. He would like to address the closure of the Beaux Arts Center. He said they have been forced to move out due to the Kansas State Fire Marshal and the Fire Prevention Code violations. It would cost a lot of money to bring the building up to code. This puts an establishment out of business and is bad for the community. It diminishes the tax base and cultural base as the Beaux Arts Center helped support the local arts base in Fort Scott. He asked that the City give the owners reasonable accommodations and rescind the letter that was sent to the State Fire Marshal’s office.
City Manager responded and said what was sent to the State Fire Marshal’s office was the code foot print. It is an important document that you need when you change occupancy of a building which is what has occurred at this location. A complaint was filed with the State Fire Marshal’s office that there was a change of occupancy for this building. The City has tried to work with the owners but they chose to close their doors.
Matthew Wells – Mr. Wells asked why the code foot print for the Beaux Arts Center was funded using City taxpayer funds. He also asked why the report was sent to the State Fire Marshal’s office before confirming the size of the windows and doors. Lastly, he asked about the other downtown businesses and if the City would lose more businesses due to changes in occupancies in their establishments.
Mayor Mitchell said that the Beaux Arts Center did not have to close their doors. The City’s first and foremost concern is safety for all of our citizens. The City would work with them as they would any other business.
Paul Ballou, Fire Chief, said that his department had been working with the Duncan’s for some time.
Rick Zingre’, architect, said he did the code foot print for the Beaux Arts Center. He said that the City is always willing to give variances and exceptions. The change in occupancy from business to assembly is why the State Fire Marshal’s office requires the extra exit on the third floor.
Rachel Pruitt informed Mr. Wells that the code foot print was paid for with the downtown building improvement grant that is only for historical buildings.
City Manager said that he had a meeting with them this morning and asked them to reconsider again and they told him they were done.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
CONSIDERATION:
Consideration of Zoning Change – A change of zoning from R-2 (Medium Density Residential District) to MU (Mixed Use District) – For Tract #1 at 1907 S. Horton – Approval of Ordinance No. 3530 – Rhonda Dunn, Community Development Director, informed the Commission that this zoning change went before the Planning Commission on February 1st, 2018. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the zoning change. This property is where the old trailer park used to be located across from the college. This property has been purchased by Patrick Wood and Jake Gross who have formed Two Dogs Barking, LLC.
Patrick Wood informed the Commission they plan to put a strip mall in the southwest corner of this property along Horton Street and a 12 unit apartment building along the northwest corner. The apartment building would be appealing to young professionals and be on an upscale level. He is working with Rhonda Dunn and Rachel Pruitt as he would like to put some retail business in this parcel of land. He hopes to be able to apply for a T.I.F. for this location.
Mitchell moved to approve Ordinance No. 3530 – Zoning change from R-2 to MU for the property at 1907 S. Horton Street. Parker seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED ORDINANCE NO. 3530 CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATIONS OR DISTRICTS OF CERTAIN LANDS LOCATED IN THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS UNDER THE AUTHORITY GRANTED BY K.S.A. 1973 SUPP. 12-708 – CHANGE OF ZONING FROM R-2 (MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT) TO MU (MIXED USE DISTRICT) FOR THE PROPERTY AT 1907 S. HORTON STREET.
Consideration of Zoning Change – A change of zoning from R-2 (Medium Density Residential District) to R-3 (High Density Residential District) for Tract #2 at 1920 S. Huntington – Approval of Ordinance No. 3531 – Rhonda Dunn, Community Development Director, informed the Commission that this zoning change went before the Planning Commission on February 1st, 2018. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the zoning change.
Patrick Wood said they are still deciding what to do with this property. This zoning will allow for housing at this area.
Mitchell moved to approve Ordinance No. 3531 – Zoning change from R-2 to R-3 for the property at 1920 S. Huntington Street. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED ORDINANCE NO. 3531 CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATIONS OR DISTRICTS OF CERTAIN LANDS LOCATED IN THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS UNDER THE AUTHORITY GRANTED BY K.S.A. 1973 SUPP. 12-708 – CHANGE OF ZONING FROM R-2 (MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT) TO R-3 (HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT) FOR THE PROPERTY AT 1920 S. HUNTINGTON STREET.
Consideration of playhouse placement – Dave Martin, City Manager, informed the Commission that a playhouse has been given to the City of Fort Scott by Pittsburg State University. The Men’s Kiwanis group has worked on the playhouse to make it safer for children. City Manager said that they need a location now to put the playhouse and asked the Commission for their input. The Public Works Director would like to see it placed at Ellis Park. They would pour a concrete slab and the playhouse would be placed on top of that. There are other parks where it could be placed also.
Nichols moved to allow City Staff to make the decision where to place the playhouse. Parker seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO ALLOW CITY STAFF TO MAKE THE DECISION FOR THE BEST PLACE TO PUT THE PLAYHOUSE THAT WAS DONATED TO THE CITY BY PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY.
Consideration of Fitness Equipment purchase – Buck Run Community Center – City Manager asked for this to be tabled since Tom Robertson was not present.
Consideration of Natural Gas Supply Agreement with Constellation for Memorial Hall and the Public Works building – Jon Garrison, Director of Finance, informed the Commission that several weeks ago he was approached by Constellation New Energy about switching our natural gas supplies from Kansas Gas Service to Constellation at Memorial Hall at 1 E. 3rd Street and the Public Works building at 2104 S. Sidney. He said that he has not checked with Kansas Gas Service yet to see if they would match their rate. He asked that this be tabled at this time and brought back in two weeks.
COMMISSION/STAFF:
Director Updates: None
B. City Commission:
Adamson – Remarked that the City did a great job on the streets.
Bartelsmeyer – Remarked that the Beaux Arts Center is important to our community and she hopes they reconsider their decision to close.
Nichols – Remarked that he noticed in the Planning Commission meeting notes that the new Comprehensive Plan will be coming before them at the first meeting in March. He will not be present at that meeting and asked if it could be moved to the second meeting in March.
Parker – Remarked that she appreciated the comments tonight at the meeting.
Mitchell – Nothing to report.
C. City Attorney: Not present.
Director of Finance: Nothing to report.
City Manager: Remarked that he has reached out to the owners of the Beaux Arts Center and hopes they reconsider their decision to close.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mitchell moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:57 p.m. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.
ADJOURNED MEETING AT 6:57 P.M.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is to be held on March 6th, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.
RECORDED BY:
____________________

Fescue is one of the predominate grasses in southeast Kansas.
It can be successfully managed for intensive use as a livestock feed, but it is not without its drawbacks. Kentucky 31 fescue, the most commonly found pasture variety, has a fungus (called an endophyte), living within the plant. This endophyte is good for the plant but causes negative reactions in beef cattle.
Joint the Southwind District of K-State Research and Extension on Wednesday, April 4, to learn more about fescue endophytes, their effect on cattle, and how to manage fescue. This program will take place at 6 p.m. at the Moran Community Center, located at 407 N. Cedar St. in Moran, Kansas, and will feature Southwind Extension District Agent for Livestock Production and Forage Management Christopher Petty, Kansas State University Southeast Area Livestock Specialist Jaymelynn Farney, and Kansas State University Southeast Area Agronomist Doug Shoup.
The meeting is sponsored by Multimin 90 and Ag Choice of Moran. An evening meal will be provided, free of charge, by our sponsors. Pre-registration is required, by March 30 to reserve your meal.
For more information, or to pre-register, contact the Southwind Extension District, Iola Office at 620-365-2242 or e-mail [email protected].
The Fort Scott Police Department daily reports can best be viewed on a computer.
Click here, then click on the image to enlarge.
The police department phone number is 620-223-1700.
Provided by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce
FRI & SAT – 10:00 am – 5:00 pm – Livestock Sales – Fort Scott Livestock Market – 2131 Maple Rd. You don’t have to be a buyer to watch the sale and visit the café.
FRI, SAT & SUN – 8:30 am – 4:00 pm – Art Project: New Faces New Neighbors Fort Scott National Historic Site – History & Art come together. Kids have created textile works of art that encompass the change of Fort Scott NHS throughout its history.
SATURDAY, March 03
8:00 am – Kansas Conceal Carry Class – The Bunker – 108 Scott Avenue – Bring any caliber handgun and a box of ammo. Email, text, or call 620-215-1521 to reserve a seat, www.ksrockspark.com.
9:00 am – Fort Scott Legislative Update Coffee – Hosted by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce in the lower level of Mercy Hospital by the Cafe.
10:00 am – Water/Ways Exhibit on display – Fort Scott Regional Tourism Center – 231 E. Wall St.
10:00 am – Free Watercolor Class – Empress Event Center, 7 N Main St. Part of the Water/Ways Exhibit Children 12 and under. Each child participating will utilize watercolors, recreating images of the Marmaton River. Paintings will be on display through the end of the Water/Ways Exhibit on April 8th
12:00 pm – FSCC Women’s Softball vs. State Fair Community College – FSCC Softball Field
1:00 pm – FSCC Hounds Men’s Baseball vs. Independence Community College – Doubleheader, Hounds men play at both 1:00 pm and 4:30 pm.
1:30 pm – 36th Annual Spelling Bee – Friendly competition for1st – 5th grade. Top spellers meet for the final round in the Buck Run Community Center auditorium. Call 620-223-0386 for more information.
3:00 pm – Spring Sheep Meeting hosted by Southwind Extension District – 4-H Building, Bourbon County Fairgrounds, 23rd & Horton across from FSCC. Open to the public!
6:00 pm – FSHS Boy’s & Girls Sub-state Basketball Championship Games – 1005 S. Main – Girls play at 6:00 pm, Boys play at 7:30 pm.
SUNDAY, March 04
9:30 am – FSHS Boy’s & Girls Sub-state Basketball Championship Games – 1005 S. Main –
12:00 pm – FSCC Women’s Softball vs. Park University JV – FSCC Softball Field
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office daily reports can best be viewed on a computer.
To view, click here, then click on the image to enlarge.
The Sheriff’s Office phone number is 620-223-1440.
Governor Colyer Orders Flags to be Flown at Half-staff in Honor of Reverend Billy Graham
Topeka – In accordance with Executive Order 10-12, Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff until sun-down today, Friday, March 2, 2018 to honor the life of Reverend Billy Graham who is to be buried today at his library in North Carolina.
“Billy Graham was an inspiration to entire generations of Americans. Like many, I remember listening to his sermons as a child,” said the Governor. “Billy truly left the world a better place than he found it. My heart goes out to his family for their loss.”
The White House last week issued a proclamation directing flags at all public buildings and military installations to be flown at half-staff on the day of Rev. Graham’s interment.
To receive email alerts when the Governor orders flags to half-staff, please visit https://governor.kansas.gov/newsroom/kansas-flag-honors/ to subscribe.

Fort Scott Middle School Principal Brian Weilert spoke to the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Weekly Coffee social Thursday at the school.
An important purpose of the building is safety during tornados.
“We can fit 650 people in this space,” Weilert said. “We can get the student body in here in four minutes.”
The building was constructed of concrete with minimal windows for student safety.
But the school uses what is referred to as “flex space”, for other purposes, Weilert said. “There is a community space, an art gallery, and breakout rooms.”
The brightly painted and colorfully decorated large building can be divided easily for different purposes. It is located on the south side of the school
“This space encourages creativity and it’s good to get out of class once in a while, to change environments,” Weilert said.
The newly constructed space was added to the school in 2017 as part of a district-wide building improvement project.

Pictured below are members of the community who congregated in small groups before the announcement segment of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Weekly Coffee.
During the coffee event, members can tell about upcoming community events or organizations for a $1 donation, which goes to fund the town trolley car.
At the conclusion of the weekly coffee, the host organization/business/school/church gets a platform to tell about the events or projects that are currently happening.


According to the FSCC website:
Self-Paced Tutorials are used, with these features:
Kari, my friend here in Mazatlan, was checking out the silent auction items at the annual Hospice Dinner/Dance when a woman approached her to make small talk–not atypical at these events. My friend shared that the lady was decked out with jewels dripping from every uncovered area of skin. The lady asked if Kari had been to Mexico before. When Kari answered “for 30 years,” the lady’s tone changed.
“I’m going to get to the point,” she declared. “I noticed you are dressed very nicely, but your husband has on shorts. That is entirely inappropriate for an event like this. If you look around, the men here have on slacks which is the custom in Mexico.”
Kari was speechless. There were close to 1000 people at this fundraiser, and the stranger had appointed herself the Sergeant-at-Arms for evening attire. “I just thought you should know for the future,” she said before disappearing into the crowd.
Kari returned to her table and shared what happened with our friends who immediately offered to take the woman to the parking lot and beat her up. (We’re close like that.)
Dave and I heard the story the following morning when we drove Kari to church. What my friend did next was a brave move. She sought out the stranger and confronted her, sharing that Rob, her husband, had on “nice” shorts (not the cargo ones he was wearing before Kari asked him to change) and a nice shirt, that there were a few other men there in shorts, that she doubted the Hospice leadership recognized a difference between the way people were dressed when it came to accepting their monetary donations, and that if it were that big of a deal, the tickets should indicate so. The stranger did not back down.
I told my friend what she should have said. “Thank you for letting me know that. Rob and I will take back our $10,000 donation since Hospice is so embarrassed by the way he is dressed.” ( Clever, right?) But since we were on our way to church, I offered a nicer counter. “I’m wondering why you are putting so much emphasis on how people are dressed. One day we will all stand before God and be judged on what’s in our hearts. He won’t care how many jewels we own or how we look to other people.”
Of course, then the meddlesome woman probably would have taken me to the parking lot and beaten me up.
What the stranger didn’t know—and maybe wouldn’t have cared to know–is that Kari is a Christian but her husband is an atheist. It has not been easy. She and I are in a Bible study together in which last week’s Philippians’ study guide asked a question about what we could do that week to be more Christlike. Kari had shared with her husband that her goal that week was to complain less (Chapter 2, vs. 14: Do all things without complaining or disputing.) His response? “We’ll see how long that will last.” I couldn’t help but groan.
And here is a busybody who wants Kari to be sure Rob understands the wardrobe rules of Mexico! An argument my friend chose not to have.
Here’s how I see it. Should Rob have worn slacks? Probably. (He doesn’t even own a pair.) But not at the expense of Kari nagging or driving a wedge in their relationship.
Perhaps Nosey-Nelly was trying to be helpful. Seriously, perhaps she was. Or perhaps her self-worth came from the gems she wore while her heart remained under-dressed and critical, which in my opinion is far more destructive than her prying personality.
And then again, whatever the case, perhaps none of it is any of my business.
Richard Cowen, 92, of Fort Scott, Kansas passed away Wednesday evening, February 28, 2018, at the Medicalodge Nursing Home.
He was born December 31, 1925, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of John Harold and Gladys (Emmerson) Cowen. He married Freda Elaine Bentley July 31, 1948, in Fort Scott, Kansas, and she preceded him in death October 2, 2012.
Richard graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1944.
He served in the US Army, Private First Class, and served in the Special Services Army Band.
He worked as a Manor Bread Delivery Driver, the Frisco Railroad, as well as the family dairy business, Cold Spring Guernsey Dairy, located on the Cowen farm on Stringtown (Native) Road. He also worked for Kansas Gas Service for 28 years before his retirement.
Richard and Freda were members of the Iza Stompers Square Dance Club and the Old Forters Camping Club. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, having served as a Deacon and Elder.
Richard is survived by his sons, Wayne Cowen and wife Beverly, Kenton Cowen, Bradley Cowen and wife Joyce, and Larry Cowen and wife Sondra, all of Fort Scott; sister-in-law Phyllis Ward and husband Harold, of Wichita, Kansas; sister-in-law Jolene Clark of Belton, Missouri; fifteen grandchildren; twenty-seven great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife Freda, he was also preceded in death by his parents.
Dr. Rev. Jared Witt will conduct funeral services 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at the First Presbyterian church, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.
Burial will follow in the Fort Scott National Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday evening, March 5, 2018, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or Mercy Hospice, and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, PO Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
#HaveTheConversation about problem gambling to raise awareness for this often-hidden disease
TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services in collaboration with the National Council on Problem Gambling is dedicating the month of March to helping people “Have the Conversation” about problem gambling. Approximately two million (one percent) of U.S. adults are estimated to meet the criteria for pathological gambling, another four to six million (two to three percent) would be considered problem gamblers. Yet gambling remains a hidden addiction for many.
Problem Gambling Awareness Month is designed to help raise awareness of the prevention, treatment and recovery services available for those adversely affected by gambling. The grassroots campaign brings together a wide range of stakeholders – public health organizations, advocacy groups and gambling operators – who work collaboratively to let people know that hope and help exist.
Across Kansas, groups including four state-funded regional task forces and a statewide coalition hold events, mount media campaigns, promote Gambling Disorder Screening Day on March 13 and conduct outreach to people who can make a difference ensuring that problem gambling services are promoted and the public is educated regarding problem gambling.
As March Madness reaches a crescendo with an estimated $10 billion in bets placed on NCAA basketball championship games, calls to the National Problem Gambling Helpline spike an average of 30 percent during this month.
To get help for a gambling problem for you or a loved one, Kansas residents can call the Kansas problem gambling helpline at 1-800-522-4700 or can visit ksgamblinghelp.com for more information. The call is free and confidential. No out-of-pocket cost treatment is available for problem gamblers and concerned others with revenues collected from state-owned casinos. The program is administered by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services.