The Bourbon County Commission Meeting scheduled for Monday 11/24/25 has been canceled due to lack of quorum, per the County Clerk’s office.
County Commission Meeting on Monday 11/24/25 Canceled
Obituary of Edward L. LaRue
Edward L. LaRue, age 79, a resident of Bronson, Kansas, passed away Monday, November 17, 2025, at the Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas. He was born December 19, 1945. Ed grew in the Xenia area where he was raised by his grandparents, Tom & Myra Johnson. Ed graduated from Bronson High School. He was later drafted into the United States Army where he served in Vietnam from 1965 to 1967. Following his military service, Ed began a career in gas service. He worked as a pipeline installer and customer service representative for many years. Ed was united in marriage to Mary L. Esch on May 4, 1968, at Pittsburg, Kansas. Ed and Mary settled on their farm south of Bronson where he remained for the remainder of his days. He enjoyed life in the country where he fished and hunted deer. He also liked driving around the countryside and playing the occasional game of pitch. Many memories were made while traveling on their many family vacations.
Ed is survived by his children, Jeff LaRue, Jennifer LaRue (Rusty) and Jason LaRue (Heather) as well as two additional daughters he and Mary raised, Tess Johnson and Tina Gossett (David), five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Ed was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, on February 25, 2015.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, November 22nd at the Bronson Cemetery. Following services, the family will receive friends at the Bronson Community Center. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude’s Hospital or the Shriner’s Hospital and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be left on the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Kansas Labor Statistics Are Delayed
Bureau of Labor Statistics Operations Have Resumed, October Labor Report Delayed
TOPEKA – Due to the lapse in federal funding, all Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) operations were suspended from October 1, 2025, through November 12, 2025. As a result, the release of the October 2025 Kansas Labor Report, including jobs numbers and unemployment data, which was originally scheduled for November 21, was postponed until further notice.
With the conclusion of the federal government shutdown on November 12, 2025, BLS operations have resumed. While work is underway, updated release dates for the delayed Kansas Labor Market reports for September and October are not yet available. The Kansas Department of Labor will share the new release dates as soon as they are confirmed.
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Fort Scott Planning Commission Meets December 11
Planning Commission Public Hearing
December 11th @4pm at City Hall
Topics : Connex Boxes and Frame Grant Street adoption at 1920 S Huntington Blvd
CHC/SEK Offers Walk-In Flu Vaccinations
As flu season begins, the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) encourages everyone aged six months and older to receive their yearly flu vaccine to protect themselves and their loved ones.
“It’s important to get your flu vaccine annually, because each year’s version includes the viruses expected to be most common,” said Dr. Linda Bean, CHC/SEK Chief Medical Officer. “If you get your vaccination now, you’ll be able to build up immunity before flu season peaks in the winter.”
The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas offers flu vaccinations on a walk-in basis at all clinics in Kansas and Oklahoma. No appointment is necessary, and financial assistance is available.
In addition to receiving the annual vaccine, everyday habits such as washing your hands frequently, not touching your face, and avoiding close contact with people who are ill can help reduce your risk of getting the flu.
For more information or to find your local clinic, visit chcsek.org/our-
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports November 21
Gordon Parks Birthday CelebrationIs December 3
Fort Scott, Kan. Nov. 20, 2025 – The Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College will
celebrate the anniversary of Gordon Parks’ birthday on Wednesday, December 3rd for a speaking
presentation and performance by Lem Sheppard, internationally known musician and historian titled
“Gordon Parks: His Music and The Music Around Him”. The event is free of charge and the public is
invited to attend. Throughout the day, visitors will be able to receive a 25% birthday discount on all
apparel items.
Parks, born in Fort Scott on November 30, 1912, would have been 113 this year. He died in March 7,
2006 at the age of 93.
For more information contact the Gordon Parks Museum at 620- 223-2700, ext. 5850 or by email
at [email protected]
Celebrating Gordon Parks
113th Birthday
Lunch & Learn
FREE EVENT
Bring your lunch
Birthday Cake and Drinks, will be provided!!
Join us as Lem Sheppard, internationally known musician and historian
will be presenting a program of some of Gordon’s music along with Jazz,
blues, and Spirituals. Gordon Parks was born and grew up during the
period that was referred to as the Harlem Renaissance and he will perform
music that Gordon would have experienced as a child in Fort Scott,
as well as in; St. Paul, Chicago and New York City.
For more information contact the Gordon Parks Museum at
620 -223-2700 ext 5850 or email: gordonparkscenter@fortscott.
No Bourbon County Commission Meeting On November 24
The Commission Meeting on Monday 11/24/25 has been canceled due to lack of quorum.
Susan E. Walker
Bourbon County Clerk
Final Results of the November 4 Election
The Bourbon County election results a re finalized and some of the winners of the November 4 election are listed below:
Fort Scott City Commission Tim Van Hoecke, Julie Buchta, Kathryn Salisbury.
The Fort Scott Tax question received over 57% yes votes.
The Bourbon County Commission results are Greg Motley for District 4 and Mika Milburn Kee for District 5.
Winners of the Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees are Chad Cosens, Destry Brown and Marilyn Hoyt.
To view the entire document of the election results provided by Amber Page, Bourbon County Accounts Payable/Deputy Election Clerk:
Annual Key Warehouse Sale November 22nd-29th
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Unapproved Minutes of the Uniontown City Council on November 11
The Regular Council Meeting on November 11, 2025 at Uniontown Community Center was called to order at 7:00PM by Mayor Jurgensen. Council members present were Jess Ervin, Amber Kelly, Mary Pemberton, Savannah Pritchett, and Bradley Stewart. Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting was Michael Ramsey, Joe George, Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan, City Superintendent Bobby Rich, City Treasurer Sally Johnson and City Clerk Haley Arnold.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS
Moved by Stewart, Second by Ervin, Approved 5-0, to approve Ordinance No. 207, Vacating Alley between Lots 4, 5, 12 and 13, Block 2, Well’s Addition of the City of Uniontown, Kansas.
Discussion of memorial stone design and installation. Further thought and research will be discussed at a later date.
CITIZENS REQUEST
Joe George commented of two habitual dogs running at large. Citation will be issued to the owner of the dogs at large.
Michael Ramsey asked about official election results. At this time, no final election results have been released.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Treasurer Johnson presented the October 2025 Treasurer’s Report. Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds was $226,781.89, Receipts $34,948.70, Transfers Out $3,024.00, Expenditures $38,944.50, Checking Account Closing Balance $219,762.09. Bank Statement Balance $225,361.81, including Checking Account Interest of $49.67, Outstanding Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $5,599.72, Reconciled Balance $219,762.09. Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $38,501.14, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $23,159.28, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $45,414.89, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $326,837.40. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $578.48, and Utility CDs $1,920.63 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $2,449.11. Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for the month of October 2025, Beginning Balance $0, Receipts $0, Expenditures $0, Ending Balance $0. October Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,622.00, for Total Transfers of $3,024.00. Net Loss for the month of October $7,019.80, Year-to-Date Net Loss $44,101.65. Budget vs Actual Gas Fund YTD Revenue $107,340.87 (79.7%), Expenditures $103,176.20 (67.6%); Sewer Fund YTD Revenue $29,485.11 (79.2%), Expenditures $35,208.17 (76.3%); Water Fund YTD Revenue $95,286.09 (76.9%), Expenditures $101,689.36 (63.8%); General Fund YTD Revenue $154,613.74 (103.3%), Expenditures $204,046.64 (95.5%); and Special Highway YTD Revenue $8,101.28 (111.6%), Expenditures $5,166.76 (71.2%). The October 2025 payables to date in the amount of $26,571.99 were presented.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0, to approve Consent Agenda:
- Minutes of October 14, 2025 Regular Meeting
- October Treasurer’s Report, Profit & Loss Report by Class & November Accounts Payables
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan reported 301 2nd St. had been cleaned up and in compliance. 101 Washington has had no change since last meeting, a citation had previously been issued and awaiting court date. 401 Sherman not in compliance after phone call was made to property owner, citation will be issued to the individuals residing on the property and one will be mailed to property owner.
City Superintendent Bobby Rich had nothing to report.
Clerk Arnold informed the council that the 3-50amp 240 volt outlets had been installed in the park.
COUNCIL REPORT
Councilman Ervin – nothing
Councilwoman Kelly – nothing
Councilwoman Pemberton – Invited any volunteers to install Christmas lights in the park the weekend before Thanksgiving
Councilwoman Pritchett – nothing
Councilman Stewart – nothing
Mayor Jurgensen – nothing
OLD BUSINESS
SEED Grant – Close out paperwork has been submitted and accepted. Treasurer Johnson has made substantial progress on the library.
FEMA Flooding– Once an invoice from Marbery Concrete is received for the remainder of the project, it will be submitted for review. Invoice is due before mid-January.
NEW BUSINESS
Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to discuss performance of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 7:45PM.
No action from executive session.
Moved by
Robert and Wilma Shores Celebrate 70 Anniversary
Robert Dale Shores and Wilma Christine Bussell were united in marriage in November 20,1955.
The ceremony took place at the First United Methodist Church in Osawatomie, KS.
Bob and Wilma have made Fort Scott their home since 1965.
Bob and Wilma raised their three children in Fort Scott; Rick Shores, Janet Fancher and Leann Polen.
The Shores celebrated with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
If you would like to send congratulations, cards may be mailed to 1058 295th street, Fort Scott, KS 66701.