The Kansas Water Authority (KWA) will meet Wednesday, April 8, 2026, outside of Great Bend at the Camp Aldrich Dining and Events Center located at 884 NE 110 Ave, Claflin, KS 67525. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m.
For additional meeting information and the online meeting link, visit the Kansas Water Office website calendar at kwo.ks.gov or call (785) 296-3185.
The KWA is responsible for advising the Governor, Legislature and Director of the Kansas Water Office on water policy issues. They also ensure that water policies and programs address the needs of all Kansans as well as serve as advisors of the Kansas Water Plan. The KWA was established in 1981 and consists of 13 voting members who are appointed by the Governor or Legislative leadership. State agency directors serve as ex-officio members.
If accommodations are needed for a person with disabilities, please notify the Kansas Water Office at 900 SW Jackson Street, Suite 404, Topeka, KS 66611-1249 or call (785) 296-3185 at least five working days prior to the meeting.
Note to Editor: The Americans with Disabilities Act, (42 U.S.C. 12101), requires the Kansas Water Office to print the reasonable accommodations messages.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to attend a Chamber Coffee celebration on Thursday, March 26th at 8 a.m., hosted by Bids & Dibs, 121 E. 2nd St. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served, and attendees will have the opportunity to win a door prize drawing.
Bids & Dibs is celebrating 14 years in business and continues to stand out as one of Fort Scott’s favorite shopping destinations. Since opening in 2012, the boutique has grown into the largest resale boutique in Kansas, offering a fun, ever-changing selection where style meets savings.
As they celebrate this milestone, Bids & Dibs remains dedicated to creating a welcoming, community-driven shopping experience that keeps customers coming back. In addition, Bids & Dibs will be recognized as a Family Friendly Workplace by the Kansas Children’s Service League. This recognition helps reinforce the purpose of the initiative by acknowledging employers who are taking meaningful steps to support employees and families.
For more information, contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566. Visit the Events Calendar at fortscott.com and click on the “Chamber Coffees” category for upcoming hosts and locations.
Every year, students around the world uncover powerful stories of Unsung Heroes, individuals whose courage, compassion, and perseverance changed the course of history, with their stories never being known.
Through documentaries, websites, and performances, students explore history in meaningful ways, while developing critical thinking, research, and storytelling skills. As they investigate the lives of these remarkable individuals, students begin to see how ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference.
Since its founding, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes has worked with more than three million students from over 40,000 schools worldwide. Through project-based learning, students research individuals whose courage and compassion transformed lives and communities, ensuring their stories are remembered and shared.
These discoveries often leave a lasting impression. By uncovering hidden figures of history, students gain a deeper understanding of the power of courage, compassion, and perseverance, and the role each person can play in shaping a better world.
LMC Fellows in Action
In classrooms around the world, educators are finding creative ways to help students connect with the stories of Unsung Heroes. One example comes from the classroom of Graeme Stacey, a 2025 National LMC Fellow who teaches Genocide, Holocaust, and History classes in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.
Graeme challenges his students to think critically, ask deeper questions, and engage with history in meaningful ways. In one recent project, students transformed classroom ceiling tiles into powerful works of art that honor Unsung Heroes and the courage they represent.
The finished tiles now hang above the classroom, creating a daily reminder of the individuals whose stories the students researched. Through projects like this, students not only learn history, but they also reflect on the impact that courage, compassion, and perseverance can have on the world.
Discovery Award Submissions Are Approaching
Over the years, the Lowell Milken Center Discovery Award competition has grown, as more teachers and students embrace project-based learning and the opportunity to bring overlooked stories to light. The quality, creativity, and depth of research in these projects continue to impress our judges and inspire everyone involved.
We are looking forward to receiving this year’s submissions and seeing the remarkable stories students have discovered.
If you are a teacher or student currently working on a project and have questions about the submission process, we are always happy to help. Please feel free to reach out.
Do you know an educator or student who would love this opportunity?
Please help us spread the word!
Share the Discovery Award with teachers, students, and schools in your circle and invite them to discover a hero, create a project, and make an impact.
Visitors to the Lowell Milken Center can now experience the story of Irena Sendler in a whole new way. Our new interactive exhibit allows guests to ask questions and hear Irena respond with insights drawn from her remarkable life and legacy.
In this short video, LMC Technology Director Ty Covey shares how the exhibit was created and how visitors can interact with this unique experience.
We invite you to stop by the museum, ask your own questions, and hear Irena’s powerful words for yourself.
Inspiring educators visiting inspiring stories.
The 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year Team visited the Lowell Milken Center this week to explore the stories of Unsung Heroes and the impact of project-based learning in classrooms.
These remarkable educators are helping students think critically, ask meaningful questions, and discover the power of one individual to change the world.
We thank them for visiting the Lowell Milken Center—we are grateful for all you do for students across Kansas.
Spring Is a Great Time to Visit
As spring approaches, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes continues to welcome visitors, school groups, and travelers interested in discovering the inspiring stories of individuals who changed history through courage, compassion, and perseverance.
If you are planning a trip through Fort Scott, we invite you to stop by and explore exhibits highlighting Unsung Heroes from around the world.
Congratulations to Susan Allen, the winner of our winter visitor door prize!
Susan received $50 in Chamber Bucks after entering her name during a recent visit to the museum.
We appreciate everyone who stopped by this winter and look forward to welcoming many more visitors in the months ahead.
Fort Scott Community College (FSCC) is pleased to announce that the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) recognized the college’s efforts in improving the academic assessment process. HLC is an accreditation agency for over 1,000 colleges and universities in the United States. Following a comprehensive peer review in October 2025, HLC commended FSCC for implementing a “systemic, integrated, organized, collaborative and structured approach to academic assessment.”
FSCC faculty transformed academic assessment into a robust, data-informed process for improved student outcomes. Another key to success is the innovative use of a data analytics program and the Learning Management System (LMS) as a centralized repository for collaborative assessment reports, which provide insights guiding instructional strategies for improved student learning outcomes.
The HLC Peer Review Team noted the scope of FSCC’s strategy that ensures quality across student learning experiences. Per HLC’s report, “FSCC developed a comprehensive assessment plan which describes the process for assessing student learning outcomes at the institutional, general education, program/department, course, and co-curricular level.”
The HLC Institutional Action Council (IAC) continued and reaffirmed the accreditation of Fort Scott Community College with interim monitoring with the next Reaffirmation of Accreditation in 2035-2036.
HLC’s recognition confirms FSCC’s commitment to providing high-quality, affordable education, meeting the needs of students and community through academic, technical, and occupational programs to prepare students for a global workforce.
Fort Scott, KS – Fort Scott Community College (FSCC) is expanding its Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training program to the FSCC Miami County Campus, with the first class scheduled to begin in March 2026. Enrollment is now open.
The expansion follows the successful re-establishment of the CDL program at the Fort Scott campus in 2025 and is part of the college’s continued commitment to workforce development and addressing the regional and national shortage of professional truck drivers.
The six-week training program prepares students to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License and enter high-demand careers in the transportation and logistics industry. Students receive classroom instruction, range practice, and behind-the-wheel driving experience using industry-standard equipment while meeting all Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements.
“This expansion allows us to bring career training directly to more students and employers in our service area,” said J.D. Handly, CDL Instructor. “The trucking industry is essential to our economy, and employers need safe, well-trained drivers. Our goal is to remove barriers and provide a clear pathway to a strong, well-paying career.”
Graduates of the program may qualify for positions in local, regional, and over-the-road trucking, as well as employment with construction companies, agriculture operations, and municipal fleets. Many employers offer tuition assistance, sign-on bonuses, and immediate job placement opportunities.
The FSCC CDL program emphasizes safety, compliance, and real-world driving skills. Students train on modern tractor-trailer equipment and receive instruction from experienced industry professionals. The FSCC CDL Training Program offers a variety of options: Class A or Class B CDL, Manual or Automatic transmissions, as well as additional training options with Passenger, School Bus, HazMat, Tanker and Doubles/Triples endorsements.
The Miami County expansion increases training accessibility for residents of Paola, Osawatomie, Louisburg, and surrounding communities while supporting regional employers seeking qualified drivers.
Classes are limited in size to maximize behind-the-wheel training time. Interested students are encouraged to enroll early.
For enrollment information or to apply, contact Fort Scott Community College at (620) 223-2700 or visit www.fortscott.edu.
Fort Scott Community College will welcome nearly 1,500 high school students from across the four-state region for its 49th Annual Aggie Day, taking place on Friday, March 27, 2026.
This long-standing tradition remains one of the largest and most impactful agriculture education events in the region.
Students representing Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas will compete in a variety of Career Development Events (CDE) designed to build leadership skills, technical knowledge, and career readiness. These contests include entomology, agricultural speech, floriculture, meat evaluation, livestock judging, poultry evaluation, milk quality and products, veterinary science, food science, farm management, and nursery landscape.
Registration for the event will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. in Arnold Arena on the west side of the FSCC campus, with competitions running throughout the day across multiple campus locations.
“Aggie Day is more than just a competition—it’s an opportunity for students to experience agriculture at a higher level and see the many career paths available to them,” said Conner Vernon, FSCC Agriculture Instructor and Livestock Judging Coach. “We enjoy watching students apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios and take pride in creating an environment where they can grow, compete, and connect with others who share similar interests.”
Sara Sutton, FSCC Agriculture Department Chair, emphasized the broader impact of the event. “Aggie Day is one of the most rewarding days of the year for our department. Hosting nearly 1,500 students on our campus provides a unique opportunity to showcase not only our agriculture programs, but the college as a whole. These students represent future leaders in many different fields, and we are proud to give them a hands-on, high-quality experience that reflects what FSCC has to offer.”
While rooted in agriculture, Aggie Day attracts a diverse group of students with interests that extend beyond the agricultural industry, including science, business, communications, and technical fields. The event provides students with exposure to a college campus environment while highlighting Fort Scott Community College’s commitment to hands-on learning and workforce development.
The success of Aggie Day is made possible through the collaboration of FSCC agriculture faculty and students, college employees, and area FFA advisors, extension agents, and 4-H leaders who assist in coordinating and hosting the contests.
Fort Scott Community College is proud to continue this 49-year tradition and remains committed to supporting the development of the next generation of leaders through experiential learning opportunities.
For more information about Aggie Day or FSCC Agriculture programs, please contact the Fort Scott Community College Agriculture Department.
Registered Apprenticeship Small Business Grants Awarded; New Round Opens
TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland and the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship today announced that $28,000 has been awarded to four small businesses across Kansas for projects that will attract and retain workers and continue building the state’s workforce through apprenticeships. Each awarded company will receive $7,000.
“Over the last seven years, Kansas has invested heavily in workforce development and retention — and our Registered Apprenticeship programs have been a key part of our strategy,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “By supporting apprenticeship opportunities, we’re not just investing in Kansas businesses of all sizes — we’re providing pathways for hardworking Kansans to achieve prosperity in our state.”
The Small Business Registered Apprenticeship Grant Program assists existing Registered Apprenticeship programs with technical instruction, outreach, on-the-job training, marketing, staffing, partnerships and administrative costs. These opportunities continue to expand high-wage, high-demand Registered Apprenticeship programs across the state.
The grant awardees are:
Dalton’s Heating and Cooling, Franklin County ($7,000): Developing heating and cooling (HVAC) apprenticeships
Gifted Care Service, LLC, Geary County ($7,000): Creating healthcare and direct care service apprenticeships
Little Kyngs and Queens Daycare, Sedgwick County ($7,000): Developing early childhood education apprenticeships
Rincks Dwood Plumbing LLC, Montgomery County ($7,000): Establishing plumbing apprenticeships
“Apprenticeships have been crucial for urban communities — and especially for our rural towns and businesses in Kansas,” Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship Director Shonda Anderson said. “By awarding these funds, we’re creating a pipeline for career-seekers to obtain education that comes with a guaranteed job lined up after completion — and, in the process, ensuring we keep our skilled workforce right here in Kansas.”
The Small Business Grant Awards are open now for an additional round of funding. The application deadline is Friday, April 24.
For this new round of funding, the program will:
Increase the employee cap from 10 to 25 full-time employees to expand eligibility to more small businesses in Kansas; and
Allow current apprenticeship employers who have not hired an apprentice to apply, encouraging participation from existing programs and increasing participation
This round of funds may be used for staff time to develop programs, training equipment, related technical instruction, contracted services and administrative costs. Funding cannot be used for apprenticeship wages.
To apply or learn more about eligibility requirements, click here.
For additional information about the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship, visit the webpage 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 Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship:
The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship was established by Governor Laura Kelly on Sept. 6, 2022, through Executive Order #22-07. The Office supports apprenticeships across multiple industries to provide a highly skilled source of labor for employers and ensure occupational proficiency for career-seekers. The program incorporates on-the-job learning, technical instruction and mentorship to create long-term employment opportunities in Kansas.
Bids & Dibs, the largest resale boutique in Kansas, will be recognized as a Family-Friendly Workplace during a special event on Thursday, March 26 at 8:00 a.m.
“Dana Book from the Kansas Children’s Service League will be at the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee in the morning,” said Angela Simon, owner Bids & Dibs. “I believe he is also going to present information on some grant funding opportunities for local businesses. This might be something of public interest.”
The Family-Friendly Workplace recognition is presented through the Kansas Power of the Positive (KPOP) coalition and Kansas Children’s Service League (KCSL), honoring employers who are committed to creating supportive environments for employees and families across Kansas, according to a press release from Simon.
Founded in 2012, Bids & Dibs has grown into a thriving community-centered business offering consignment, retail, and online sales while fostering a welcoming and supportive workplace culture.
“Family-friendly workplaces are essential to building strong businesses and strong communities,” said Simon. “Bids & Dibs exemplifies what it means to value employees not just as workers, but as people with families, responsibilities, and lives beyond the workplace.”
Through participation in the Family-Friendly Workplace initiative, Bids & Dibs has demonstrated a commitment to listening to employees and implementing practices that support work-life balance, employee well-being, and a positive organizational culture.
The Kansas Power of the Positive, supported by KCSL and partners across the state, promotes strategies that help organizations build safe, stable, and nurturing environments—both at home and in the workplace.
Community members, partners, and local leaders are invited to attend the recognition event and celebrate this milestone with the Bids & Dibs team.
About Bids & Dibs
Bids & Dibs is a Fort Scott-based consignment boutique offering clothing, accessories, home goods, and more for the whole family. Known for its strong community focus and customer-centered approach, the business has become a leader in retail resale across Kansas.
About Kansas Power of the Positive
Kansas Power of the Positive is a statewide coalition focused on strengthening communities by promoting positive experiences, supportive environments, and prevention-based strategies that improve outcomes for children and families.
About Kansas Children’s Service League
Kansas Children’s Service League is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and promoting the well-being of children and families through education, prevention, and community-based services.
Did you know that Hypertension, or high blood pressure, often has no symptoms? Left unmanaged, it can lead to serious health concerns such as heart disease and stroke. April’s K-State Extension OWL Hour will provide practical, easy-to-understand information to help you take charge of heart health!
HAPp Now is part of the Hypertension Awareness & Prevention (HAPp) initiative. This educational program is designed to help adults understand their blood pressure numbers, why hypertension matters, and what steps they can take to protect their heart health.
During the session, participants will:
• Learn what blood pressure is and what the numbers mean
• Discover simple lifestyle strategies for heart health through the art of ‘habit stacking’
• Learn how to accurately measure blood pressure at home
Small changes can make a big difference, and this session gives participants the tools and confidence to get started!
April’s sessions will be:
• Yates Center: 4/13 at the 4H Community Building.
• St Paul: 4/14 at the Graves Memorial Public Library.
• Fort Scott: 4/15 at the Fort Scott Public Library.
• Iola: 4/16 at the Southwind Iola Extension Office.
There is no cost to attend. All sessions begin at 10:00 a.m. For more information, contact Hollie Yoho at 620-625-8620 or [email protected].
Clint Walker: Walker said he has been attending county commission meetings for decades and is distressed by the condition of the flags at the courthouse. They are in shreds.
“You all set the standards. You all let me down,” he told the commission.
County Clerk Susan Walker: Walker addressed the commisison about personnel records. Citing Attorney General Opinion 94121 on whether an individual commissioner has statutory authority to look at “otherwise discretionally-closed personnel records,” she said that the authority to do so is given to the board as a whole, but not to individual members. The opinion continued by saying that elected officials in the state of Kansas have the right to keep their own personnel files, which are “often exempt from public disclosure requirements.”
In addition, Attorney General Opinion 2003-15 talks about the authority of county commissioners to adopt budgets, but says that they should not be allowed to micromanage the employees of other elected officials, which would render those officials’ authority meaningless. If the commissioners target the pay of an individual employee in elected office, intending to improperly affect the employment status of the particular employee, it would exceed the county commissioners’ authority, per the Attorney General’s opinion.
Walker then requested that all past and present personnel records be forwarded to her office. She will send any payroll changes to the payroll clerk.
Sheriff Bill Martin: Asked for permission to speak to Payentry directly about issues with his employees.
Department Updates
EMS Update: Teri Hulsey, EMS Director
KRI has removed what they want from the building that EMS is supposed to have access to. It still has a lot of stuff that needs to be moved out to make it usable. Commissioner David Beerbower said there are plans for an auction forthcoming.
Cintas
A representative from Cintas came to discuss providing the hygiene products in the courthouse bathrooms. He said he can save the county 10 percent over the current provider, Osborn. This would be in addition to the mat service Cintas already provides for the courthouse.
Commissioner Mika Milburn said she would be in favor of letting the building maintenance crew make the decision.
Vending Machine
Bernard Streeter, operator of SNS Vending in Fort Scott, manages vending machines on the second floor of the courthouse near the county attorney’s office. He said he is loosing more products on them than he is making money. He wants to pull them and suggested putting a combination machine on the first floor instead.
The commission decided to collect information and work on the issue in the next meeting.
Old Business Sewer issue
Kaety Bowers spoke with the commission about the communication she has received for the state of Kansas regarding sewage seeping into and in some cases being drained directly into the lake. She represents an HOA spanning two counties, Bourbon and Lynn, at the lake.
Bowers said there is only one septic pumping service on the lake. There are 30-40 homes in the neighborhood that are not getting pumped. At least one is draining directly into the lake. KDHE is pushing the HOA to do something about it, but they have no authority to assess code violations. Because of their bylaws, the soonest they can make any changes is 2033.
KDHE is adamant that Bourbon County needs to prosecute, she said.
Based on the $200/day fine currently in place, there is potentially $7,000 per day in fineable sewer violations in Bowers’ neighborhood alone. She said that adds up to $2.5 million over the course of one year.
Commissioner Gregg Motley said that the solution is for the commission to ask the county attorney to enforce the state statute.
Bower ssaid she recognizes the challenge of enforcing codes in the county.
Tran confirmed Bowers’ information regarding the unpumped homes.
“As county officials, we need to make sure that we are doing what we are supposed to be doing to safeguard the lives of people in this county,” he said.
“Sounds like we need to work on our resources, quickly,” said Beerbower.
“We will try to do something about it,” said Tran to Bowers.
Audit RFP
Tran passed around a draft of an RFP (Request for Proposal).
Motley and Beerbower each requested to table it for a week to evaluate it and make the decisions about details of the RFP. The point of contact is the commission’s administrative assistant.
They voted to table it until next Monday.
Salary Resolution – Gregg Motley
There was a transposed number on one of the salaries. The correction was made.
CIC Hardware Support
Computer Information Concepts provides the accounting software for the county. The commission approved paying the cost of $2,500 annually to cover the installation and maintenance on all machines at the county that need it.
Auction update
Commissioner Joe Allen said he is planning to come through the county building and confirm with everyone that they have marked the items currently stored in the basement that they want to keep for their departments. Then he will look at ways to auction the remaining items.
“I’m assuming that by doing this auction, we’re going to open up space,” said Allen.
“I need to identify how much stuff we have to do an auction,” Allen said.
New Business ADM Agreement
Public Works Director Kenny Allen said the transfer station doesn’t have the equipment to turn the beans and cover the trash. The tractor has been at the repair shop since last June, and they have been making do with a backhoe.
Allen suspects that they are being given more beans then they need. Allen said they loose money when transferring tires.
The commission discussed changes that need to be made to the county’s contract with ADM and updates the landfill needs.
Allen will come back next Monday with information for the commission about the suggested changes and updates.
Property Tax Relief – 1111 Beech
Voted to approve 100% of the value of the structure for abatement.
Title IV-E County Reimbursement Opportunity
Commission moved to have Motley look into it and report back at the next meeting.
Commissioner Comments
Mika Milburn thanked the board for their willingness to work together.
Joe Allen said he thought communication went well this week within the county.
Samuel Tran thanked everyone for working together to get the county’s business done.
Learn how to improve your business visibility in local searches, build customer trust, and make your Google Business profile work for you.
About the presenter
Sara Comer, owner of Gracefully Managed of Columbus, KS has presented workshops and offers remote training around the region on topics such as e-commerce, websites, & social media.
This workshop is brought to you by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, made possible through Network Kansas and our Bourbon County eCommunity program.
Discovery Award project deadline: July 1
Learn more and access submission information:
620-223-1312
Do you know an educator or student who would love this opportunity?
Inspiring educators visiting inspiring stories.
