One Case of Measles Confirmed in a Kansas Resident
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Stevens County Health Department have reported a positive case of measles in a resident of Stevens County. It is currently unknown whether this case is linked to any ongoing measles outbreaks in the United States. KDHE, along with the Stevens County Health Department, are notifying individuals who may have been exposed to this case of measles. This incident marks the first measles case in Kansas since 2018.
Early symptoms of measles are a fever of more than 101 degrees Fahrenheit, runny nose, cough, and red, watery eyes. Usually, one to four days after these early symptoms, a red rash appears on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. Measles symptoms typically develop 10-14 days after exposure. Symptoms can develop as soon as seven days and as long as 21 days after exposure.
Measles is a respiratory disease caused by a virus. Measles is spread through the air by breathing, coughing or sneezing. Measles can be spread from an infected person to others from four days before, to four days after the rash appears.
Because measles is a highly infectious disease, it is very important for anyone exposed and experiencing symptoms to isolate from others with the exception of visiting a health care provider.
The best way to prevent measles is to get the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends children get their first dose at 12 to 15 months of age, and a second dose at age 4 to 6 years. Infants ages 6 through 11 months old should get the MMR vaccination if traveling outside the United States. Adults are protected from measles if they have had at least one dose of the MMR vaccine, were born before 1957, or have evidence of immunity from a blood test.
If an individual has known exposure to someone with measles and they are not immune through vaccination or prior infection, they are recommended to:
- Consult with a health care provider to determine if post-exposure prophylaxis is recommended.
- Exclude themselves from public settings for 21 days from the last time they were exposed unless symptoms develop.
- If symptoms develop, individuals should notify their local health department and stay away from public areas until four days after the rash appeared.
- Individuals seeking health care are advised to call ahead to their health care provider and let them know their symptoms and exposure concerns. This will help limit exposure within the healthcare setting.
Per K.A.R. 28-1-2, measles is a four-hour reportable disease. If a health care provider, laboratory or hospital suspects, tests, or diagnoses an individual with measles, KDHE should be notified immediately. KDHE will work with the health care provider on testing recommendations. Teachers and school administrators are also required by law to report suspected cases to KDHE.
Measles cases rarely occur in Kansas and are usually associated with international travel.
For questions, call the Stevens County Health Department at 620-544-7177 or KDHE Epidemiology Hotline at 877-427-7317 (option 5).
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports March 13
Sign up For Florida Strawberries at Perry’s Pork Rinds and Country Store
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
March 10 Bourbon County Commission Meeting

The commission conducted a shorter-than-usual meeting on March 10 to allow for time to have an open work session on the 2026 budget.
Commissioner David Beerbower questioned the wisdom of holding abbreviated meetings because the commission has so much business to cover. He then amended the meeting agenda to hold two executive sessions for non-elected personnel issues and add public comments after that.
The commission approved accounts payable, payroll, tax roll corrections, and the January financials.
Regional Planning Commission Appointee
Commissioner Leroy Kruger nominated Mary Wyatt as representative for the county on the Regional Planning Commission board. She also does this service for the city of Ft. Scott. He said Mr. Harrington is the current representative. Mary Wyatt pointed out to Kruger that the position is up for reappointment and asked for the position.
Beerbower and Whisenhunt wanted more time to look into it, so the issue was tabled until the next meeting.
Marion Township Clerk Approval
Kruger made motion to approve the appointment of Brent Smith as clerk for Marion township and it was approved unanimously.
The commission then went into their first executive session with Eric Bailey and Kevin Davidson, all three commissioners and the county clerk, Susan Walker.
They resumed normal session with action.
Commissioner Brandon Whisenhunt made the motion to pay the employees that were on duty during the snow storm for five hours of straight time additional pay during the time that the courthouse was closed. That include departments of Public Works, Sherriff’s Department, EMS, and Landfill. Motion carried unanimously.
A second executive session for 5 minutes with three commissioners was held, but the action wasn’t streamed to YouTube. Neither was the beginning of the public comments section.
Public Comments:
Michael Hoyt spoke to the commission about their budget work sessions.
“There’s only one person you have to listen to, and that’s the clerk,” he said.
Hoyt asked to be read in on the budget sessions, since they are open to the public. He wants access to the copy of the budget that the commissioners are looking at during the sessions. He said he would print off his own copies so as not to add to the county’s expense.
He also said that the department heads should sit on the front row in the county budget meetings to facilitate easier conversation with the commission.
Commissioner comments
Beerbower referred to the city press conference he planned to attend along with Kruger, and possibly Whisenhunt on March 11.
Kruger announced that the county will be moving the hospital equipment into the Public Works Department’s new building on March 11 to get it out of the hospital’s way to give the county time to set up for a professional auction to raise more funds for the county.
Whisenhunt had directions for the clerk to collect bids on courthouse repairs, roof bids on the annex and EMS building, and pest control bids.
“We also need to start putting out bids on all the county hay ground,” and look into trash service bid, he said.
Whisenhunt instructed the clerk to add fees on the next agenda, from the department heads. “Each department needs to come in,” either the heads or a designate from the department to the commissioner meeting.
Kruger still waiting on word from attornies before further action on zoning.
The meeting adjourned. After a brief break they started open work session on the 2026 budget.
Bourbon County Budget Work Session March 10, 2025

Susan Walker, County Clerk, spent about an hour educating the commissioners and citizens in attendance about the county’s budget.
The first part of the meeting was not streamed to YouTube, so this report begins part way through her explanation of the county’s revenue sources.
The county’s income comes from taxes and fees for services from the county via the landfill, jail, sewer, etc.
Walker exhorted the commission to keep an eye on high-revenue generating areas to keep aware of potential fraud.
She explained various parts of the financial statements issued by clerk to commissioners every month, including bank and CD interest, warning then that if interest rates drop, cuts may be necessary.
She then gave a high overview and fund status report
“Please ask questions,” Walker reiterated throughout the talk.
“To apportion and order the levying of taxes,” is the legal requirement the commission must fulfill. Walker explained that it’s all up to the commission. They determine how much money goes to each departments. “You really are the keeper of the budget.”
The Kansas Department of Administration has workshops and information on budgeting for Kansas cities and counties. Walker recommended the all-day workshop to get full picture on budget law and legislative changes and the details of applying it to the county.
Budget law gives the counties expenditure authority on certain funds. “Without a budget, there is no authority to spend,” she said.
Department heads are legally required to come ask for more money or a budget increase if they need it. However, a department head is allowed to exceed his budget by the amount of his reimbursed expenses.
The county is required to abide by both budget law and cash law. Cash basis law is, “You can’t spend what you don’t have,” per Walker.
In order to know the funds they will have to work with, the commission needs the assessed valuations of properties in the county. However, those valuations won’t be available until June 15.
There are multiple taxing entities, including schools and townships, as well as the county, creating the citizens’ tax bills, though the county collects the taxes for distribution.
In 2024 $7.9 million in property tax was collected by Bourbon County.
The amount of property tax received goes up by about $197,000 per year on average due to the increase in assessed value, not to an increase in the tax rate. This is affected by the fluctuations in the housing market. “That is a session on it’s own!” said Walker.
“That won’t even cover a 1% raise for your employees,” said Walker. On average it’s a 2.96% increase in revenue for the county, but the costs of fuel, energy, insurance, and other items beyond the county’s control, consume the increased income.
School districts are levied a little bit differently. They usually receive about 20 mils, but the first $75,000 of the home’s assessed valuation is exempt.
Next budget steps:
Some things the county needs to work on are creating a five year capital plan and consolidating certain funds back to the general fund to stay aligned with state guidelines.
Whisenhunt suggested have department heads come to the commission meeting and pitch their budgets. He wants to start with the three biggest departments, which are the sheriff, public works, and EMS.
From the departments, for their meetings with the commission, Kruger wants to know of any major changes planned, and Beerbower wants four years of financial history, and the capitol outlays.
Walker said her job is to record the information to be put it into the budget. “I’m not going to be the one that is here making recommendations. I am here to take the information and put it into the budget.”
Walker referred to the examples of Riley County’s fund reserve policies, procurement policies, and procurement codes for federal and state grants, pointing out that the commission can use those as guides when adopting their own.
A purchase order system shows departments their encumbrances on finances so they don’t spend above their budgets. The county does not currently use a purchase order system.
Another item the commission needs to complete is the county salary schedule, which will determine where departments land in their budgets.
Taxes and health insurance come from the county’s employee benefit budget, not the departments.
An April 7 budget work session for roads has been scheduled.
Michael Hoyt asked about FEMA funds that are due to the county. Eric Bailey, public works administrator said he’s had an email saying they (FEMA) are actively working on everything sent to them. It will be summer before any funding will be giving back to the county.
“We’ll get more than what it truly cost us [to do the work],” said Walker, because the federal pay rate is higher than the pay rate in Kansas.
Hoyt also asked about the jail debt service and was told the county is on track for it to be done in 20 years.
Hospital Sales Tax is currently accumulating, awaiting two agreements from Freeman to release it, which Freeman says will be returned ASAP.
Outstanding bonds that the county has are the jail, landfill transfer station, and sewer. Sales tax will be collected until it’s paid off.
“I think there’s lots of room for improvement to really make this a conversation,” said Walker about the budget creating process.
Chamber Coffee Hosted by The Iron Star Antiques on March 13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obituary of Tommy Keith
Tommy C. Keith, age 83, resident of Arma, KS passed away Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg, KS. He was born on May 15, 1941, in Chanute, KS the son of Frank and Virginia Keith. He graduated from Chanute High School then Pittsburg State University.
Tom worked his entire career for the State of Kansas as an SRS supervisor until retirement.
He married Cindy Cole in 1989 in Fort Scott.
Tom enjoyed working at the sale barn after retirement.
His hobbies included fishing and attending all the grandkids’ activities and athletic events.
He would often be found at Jo’s One Stop in Arma, swapping stories over coffee with friends.
Survivors include his wife Cindy of the home; 4 children, Tracey Bogina (Greg) Arma, KS, Piper Richardson, Arma, KS, Shane Shepherd, Kansas City, KS, and Doug Shepherd, Joplin, MO; 5 grandchildren, Austin Bogina (Karley), J. T. Richardson (Hunter), Kaylee Bogina, Caedence Shepherd, and Zachary Shepherd; and one great grandchild, Cove Richardson.
Besides his first wife, Kyle, he was preceded in death by his parents.
There was cremation. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, March 21st at the Evergreen Cemetery
The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Thursday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to S.E.K. Animal Advocates 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.
State Agency Jobs at March 19 Virtual Job Fair
KANSASWORKS Highlights Available State Agency Jobs at March Job Fair
TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland encourages jobseekers and employers searching for available talent to take part in this month’s Virtual State Agency Job Fair, hosted by KANSASWORKS, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 19.
“Our state agencies have provided thousands of Kansans with fulfilling careers in public service,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “For those who are beginning the search for a professional career or those looking for a change of scenery — I encourage you to consider a purpose-driven role at one of our many departments and see what the State of Kansas has to offer.”
There are nearly 500 open agency positions located all across the state that range from entry to senior level careers. The virtual job fair format allows anyone searching for a state position to fill out applications, chat live and interview virtually with participating agencies.
This month’s Virtual State Agency Job Fair portal features helpful information such as a jobseeker training video, a list of participating agencies, and channels for attendees to register and log in. Jobseekers are encouraged to dress professionally, as they might be asked to engage in an interview.
Candidates can participate through any digital device. Any individual with a disability may request accommodations by contacting their nearest workforce center at (877) 509-6757 prior to the event.
Registration is required to participate in virtual job fairs, regardless of previous participation. To register, click here.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
About the KANSASWORKS:
KANSASWORKS links businesses, job candidates and educational institutions to ensure that employers can find skilled workers. Services are provided to employers and job candidates through the state’s 27 workforce centers, online or virtual services KANSASWORKS is completely free for all Kansans to use. Learn more at KANSASWORKS.com. State employment opportunities can be found at jobs.ks.gov.
###
Women’s Luncheon March 26 at FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports March 12
ARTEFFECT Celebrates Women’s History Month
|
|
|