Fort Scott National Historic Site

Fort Scott National Historic Site to Host National Public Lands Day Event Sept. 27

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Prairie restoration. Submitted from Fort Scott National Historic Site, NPS.

Volunteers are needed for a day of helping remove weeds from Fort Scott National Historic Site on National Public Lands Day, September 27.

Tens of thousands of volunteers across the country will join in trail maintenance, planting projects, trash pick-up, and other activities aimed at restoring and caring for public lands to celebrate the 30th Annual National Public Lands Day.

 

On the nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands, Fort Scott National Historic Site plans to remove invasive and exotic woody plants from the tallgrass prairie starting at 9:00 a.m. The first 50 volunteers will get a free one-day entry pass to federal public lands, valid for up to one year after the event. Tools, gloves, and other equipment will be provided by the park; volunteers are encouraged to wear closed-toe shoes and layered clothing. Sunscreen and insect spray are also encouraged. Kids under the age of 12 must stay with their parents, and pets are not allowed on the project. Entry is free to all National Parks on Public Lands Day, September 27th, 2025.

 

National Public Lands Day promotes shared stewardship of public lands through a variety of programs, activities, and volunteer work projects. In the last 10 years, NPLD has had more than 1,000,000 volunteers and generated more than $133 Million in volunteer service.

 

Fort Scott National Historic Site’s exhibit areas and visitor center are open Friday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The park grounds are open daily from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset.

 

Fort Scott National Historic Site is a free park that offers a glimpse into the growth of our nation. A walk through the fort reveals the significant role it played in the opening of the West, as well as the Civil War and the strife in the State of Kansas that preceded it. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc, on Facebook www.facebook.com/FortScottNPS and Instagram www.instagram.com/fortscottnps

 

 

www.nps.gov

 

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 430+ national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

 

 

-NPS-

 

Credit Photo as: NPS Photo

Bourbon County, Youth

Parent Empowerment Circle September Meeting Is September 28

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Parent Empowerment Circle September Meeting: 
Is Your Child Struggling in School?
Learn the Real Differences Between IEPs and 504 Plans
🔹 What’s the right plan for your child?
🔹 How do you get one?
🔹 What are your rights as a parent?
Join us for a free, informative session with a Special Education Specialist who will walk us through the key differences between 504 Plans and IEPs, how to start the process, and how to advocate for your child effectively.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Open to all parents and caregivers of children with special needs (any physical or behavioral difference)— whether you’re just starting out or looking to better understand the system.
📅 Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025
🕕 Time: 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
📍 Location: First Southern Baptist Church, Family Life Center, 1818 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS
🎤 Guest Speaker: Tonya Barnes, USD 234 Special Education Director
Cherri Walrod
Community Health Worker
K-State Research and Extension Southwind District
WORK CELL PHONE:  620-945-9081
Art, Bourbon County

Bourbon County Arts Council Presents Emily Hollingshed on October 17

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member

Bourbon County Arts Council

Bourbon County

Arts Council

Presents

Emily Hollingshed

Friday, October 17th

8-10pm

Liberty Theatre Patio

113 S. Main Fort Scott, KS

Tickets

$15 BCAC Member

$20 Non-Member

Contact

Terri Floyd 620-224-7221

Deb Anderson 620-224-8650

Click HERE to visit Bourbon County Arts Council’s

Facebook Page!

Click HERE to visit the Emily Hollingshed Music

Facebook Page

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 
Art, Gordon Parks Museum

The Gordon Parks Museum to Host Mural Dedication

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Fort Scott, Kan. Sept. 22, 2025 – The Gordon Parks Museum will host a dedication ceremony for a new mural
honoring Gordon Parks on Friday, October 3, at 4:15 p.m. as part of the Gordon Parks Celebration events.
The mural will be located on the north side of the Wilder House Building at 18 East Wall Street (home of the
Sunshine Boutique) in downtown Fort Scott.

Renowned St. Louis–based visual artist and illustrator Cbabi Bayoc designed and painted the mural. Bayoc is
internationally known for his vibrant and thought-provoking works and is also the artist behind the First Kansas
Colored Infantry Mural, completed in 2023 on the north downtown building at 9 South Main Street near Skubitz
Plaza, facing the Fort Scott National Historic Site.

The Gordon Parks Museum received a $6,874 grant from the Kansas Arts Commission Public Art and Murals
Grant Program to support the project. Funding for Kansas Arts Commission grants is provided by the Kansas
Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Additional support for the project is provided by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce and Fort Scott
Forward.

For more information, please contact The Gordon Parks Museum at (620) 223-2700, ext. 5850 or
[email protected]

Bourbon County, K-State Extension, Schools, Youth

Parents: Learn the Real Differences Between IEPs and 504 Plans

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Is Your Child Struggling in School?
Learn the Real Differences Between IEPs and 504 Plans
🔹 What’s the right plan for your child?
🔹 How do you get one?
🔹 What are your rights as a parent?
Join us for a free, informative session with a Special Education Specialist who will walk us through the key differences between 504 Plans and IEPs, how to start the process, and how to advocate for your child effectively.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Open to all parents and caregivers of children with special needs (any physical or behavioral difference)— whether you’re just starting out or looking to better understand the system.
📅 Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025
🕕 Time: 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
📍 Location: First Southern Baptist Church, Family Life Center, 1818 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS
🎤 Guest Speaker: Tonya Barnes, USD 234 Special Education Director
Submitted by
Cherri Walrod
Cherri Walrod, K-State Extension Community Health Worker.
Community Health Worker
K-State Research and Extension Southwind District
Area News, Government, Health Care

Workers Comp Seminar Sept. 23-24

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Kansas Department of Labor to Host 51st Annual Workers Compensation Seminar

TOPEKA –The Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) will host its 51st annual Workers Compensation Seminar on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 23-24, 2025, at the Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, Kan.

The two-day event provides legal, medical and case management professionals with the latest updates on workers compensation and the opportunity to earn continuing education credits.

This year’s seminar features a variety of educational opportunities, including morning general sessions and three focused tracks: Legal, Management and Medical.

Event Details:

  • Dates: September 23–24, 2025
  • Location: Overland Park Convention Center

For more information about the seminar agenda, please visit dol.ks.gov/wc/seminar and follow KDOL on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn using #KSWCSeminar.

###

K-State Extension

Growing with 4-H by Kendal Henson

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Kendal Henson. Submitted photo.

Growing with 4–H: September as a Season of Reflection and Renewal

September is a month of transition. The long, warm days of summer give way to crisp mornings and evenings, school buses resume their routes, and the first hints of autumn colors begin to appear in the trees. For many, September feels like both an ending and a beginning. In 4–H, this sense of change is particularly significant—it is a time to reflect on past accomplishments with pride and to look forward with excitement to what is yet to come.
Celebrating Summer Successes

For 4–H members, summer is typically the busiest season of the year. They spend countless hours caring for livestock, tending to gardens, practicing demonstrations, working on sewing projects, and preparing entries for the fair. County and state fairs serve
not only as showcases of hard work but also as celebrations of dedication, perseverance, and growth.
As September arrives, many members take time to reflect on their summer experiences. They remember the early mornings in the barn, the nerves they felt before stepping into the show ring, the satisfaction of completing a project, and the joy of hearing their names called during the awards ceremony. These experiences teach valuable lessons that go beyond what ribbons can represent. They instill a sense of responsibility, time management skills, resilience, and pride in a job well done.

A Fresh Start for a New 4–H Year
September is not just a time for reflection; it’s also a season of renewal. For many clubs, the start of September marks the approach of a new 4–H year. New members are welcomed, officers are elected, and goals are set for the upcoming months. This season represents fresh starts, allowing young people to choose new projects, explore different areas of interest, and challenge themselves to grow in exciting ways.
Just like the harvest season that September brings, 4–H teaches us that growth occurs when seeds are planted with care and nurtured with time and effort. The lessons learned in barns, gardens, kitchens, and meeting rooms extend well beyond 4–H. They help shape members into leaders, problem solvers, and responsible citizens in their schools and communities.

Looking Ahead: National 4–H Week
 
September brings excitement for National 4–H Week, which occurs in early October. Clubs start brainstorming ideas to showcase their projects, promote 4–H to new audiences, and highlight the positive impact 4–H has on their communities. This is a time for members to share their pride, invite friends to join, and tell their personal stories about how 4–H has made a difference in their lives.
This preparation goes beyond mere publicity; it serves as a reminder of the vital importance of outreach and service. 4–H is not just about the individual benefits members receive, but also about the contributions they make to their communities. By getting ready
for National 4–H Week, clubs reinforce the connections they share with their schools, neighborhoods, and counties.

September’s Message: Making the Best Better

Ultimately, September reminds us of the pledge every 4–H member knows well: “I pledge my Head to clearer thinking, my Heart to greater loyalty, my Hands to larger service, and my Health to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world.”
As we transition from one season to the next, our pledge takes on a deeper significance. It encourages us to use our talents and energy not only to improve ourselves but also to strengthen the world around us. September marks the start of fall and signifies the beginning of another year of growth, leadership, friendship, and service in 4–H.
As the leaves begin to change, let’s welcome the opportunities that lie ahead. We should take the lessons we’ve learned from the summer fairgrounds and apply them in our classrooms, communities, and homes. Let’s continue to embody the mission of 4–H: to make the best even better.

Kendal Henson is a Kansas State Extension 4–H & Youth Development agent assigned to the Southwind District. He may be reached at [email protected] or 620–625–8620.
Bourbon County

Bourbon County Commission Agenda, Sept. 22, 2025

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The north wing, east side of the Bourbon County Courthouse.

Bourbon County Commission Agenda

Agenda 09.22.25

Date: September 22, 2025, 5:30 PM

Location: Bourbon County Commission Chambers, 210 S National Ave.

I. Call Meeting to Order

  • Roll Call
  • Pledge of Allegiance
  • Prayer

II. Approval of Agenda

III. Approval of Minutes

  • Minutes from 09/15/25 & 09/16/25

IV. Consent Agenda

  • Approval of 09.19.25 Accounts Payable Totaling $302,193.56
  • Approval of 09.19.25 Payroll Totaling $299,558.52
  • Tax corrections
  • Lynne Oharah – Road Concern
  • Derek Raines
  • Sheriff & Ben Hart
  • Tusa – Dean Hart & Dennis Ward
  • Enterprise Lease – Kenneth Olsen

V. Public Comments for Items Not on The Agenda

VI. Old Business

  • Budget Discussion
  • Culvert Discussion – Milburn
  • CIC Discussion – Milburn
  • Gov. Deals – Milburn
  • Cereal Malt Beverage – KC Mart, 2191 Soldier Road
  • Elevator Milburn
  • Mapleton Redfield Road – Tran
  • Planning Commission Selection – Beerbower
  • Security Cameras – Beerbower
  • Resolution Review – Beerbower
    • Commission Meetings & Commissioner Conduct

VII. New Business

  • Application for Road Closure 140th between Cavalry Road & Birch Rd – Beerbower

VIII. Build Agenda for following meeting

IX. Commission Comments

X. Adjournment

 

Information Packet Summary

 

Executive Sessions (Page 2) The document outlines the form of motion for executive sessions, referencing Kansas statutes for matters such as:

  • Personnel matters of nonelected personnel
  • Consultation with an attorney
  • Employer/employee negotiations
  • Financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations
  • Preliminary discussion of real estate acquisition
  • Matters relating to security measures

The document also notes future agenda items including a Vehicle Lease Program, Economic Development, 911 Dispatch Worksession, Juvenile Detention Contract, and a Sanitation Worksession.

Financial Summaries The packet includes a summary of open invoices by department, providing details on various funds.

General Fund (Page 3-5) The General Fund has 40 invoices totaling $13,595.68. The invoices include payroll-related payments to entities like Bourbon County Treasurer, Bourbon County-State Withholding, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas, and the Bourbon County-IRS.

Appraisers Fund (Page 5-6) The Appraisers fund has 31 invoices totaling $3,096.78. Payments include gas purchases from Bourbon County Road & Bridge and various payroll invoices.

County Treasurer Motor Fund (Page 6-7) The County Treasurer Motor Fund has 15 invoices totaling $1,398.93. This includes mileage reimbursement for a county meeting, continuing education fees, and various payroll-related payments.

Election Fund (Page 7-8) The Election Fund has 17 invoices totaling $324.92, all related to payroll.

Employee Benefit Fund (Page 8-10) The Employee Benefit Fund has a large number of invoices, with a total amount that is not explicitly summed in the provided snippets. The payments are primarily for health insurance to Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas and various payroll vendors.

Road and Bridge Funds (Page 10, 15) The Road and Bridge Fund has invoices totaling $731.28 for dyed diesel, $3,408.22 for gas and diesel, and $523.53 for dyed diesel. The Road & Bridge Sales Tax Fund includes invoices for dyed diesel totaling $4,010.28 and $2,940.00.

Ambulance Service (Page 22) The Ambulance Service fund has 23 invoices totaling $13,489.32.

Budget Information (Page 72-74) The budget section shows the Adopted Budget for various funds.

  • General Fund: Expenditures estimated at $3,010,849 for 2025.
  • Employee Benefits: Expenditures estimated at $2,611,090 for 2025.
  • Special Bridge: Expenditures estimated at $0 for 2025, with all funds being moved to the Road & Bridge Fund.
Health Care, K-State Extension

Medicare Prescription Drug Costs Hard to Swallow?

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Medicare Prescription Drug Costs Hard to Swallow?

Did you know that you can review and change your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan annually? Medicare Annual Election Period, running from October 15th to December 7th, is the time to do just that!

On Tuesday, October 28th, from 9:00 am-3:00 pm, at 735 Scott Avenue, Fort Scott; area Senior Health Insurance Counselors for Kansas (SHICK) will be available for you! Call 620-244-3826 to schedule an appointment.

Even if you have been happy with your plan in the past, plans and your medications do change! It is a good idea to compare options to see what meets your current needs. Last year, counselors helped beneficiaries save on average $909.00 per person by changing plans.

K-State Extension

Back to the Land: Plot Perfect — Garden Planning for an Abundant Harvest

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Back to the Land: Plot Perfect — Garden Planning for an Abundant Harvest

Whether you’re a first-time or a seasoned gardener, the homesteading series from K-State Research and Extension – Southwind District is designed to help you grow smarter — not harder.

Join us for the first session of Back to the Land with Plot Perfect: Garden Planning for an Abundant Harvest on Wednesday, October 1st, at 6 p.m. in the Agriculture Building at Fort Scott Community College.

This free, interactive workshop is designed to help gardeners plan and grow a more productive food garden from the ground up. Topics will include:

  • Starting strong with healthy transplants
  • Do-It-Yourself indoor grow light system
  • Choosing the best soil amendments
  • Selecting crop varieties that support your homesteading goals
  • Designing efficient garden layouts to reduce waste and boost yields

Whether you’re building a backyard homestead or want to put more fresh food on your family’s table, this session will provide practical, hands-on skills to help you make the most of the growing season.

Call 620-223-3720 to reserve your spot today.

Bourbon County Local News