April 2026
TOPEKA –The Kansas Department of Labor has released the April 2026 Kansas Labor Report. The full report can be accessed here: April 2026 Kansas Labor Report.
The May 2026 Kansas Labor Report will be released on Tuesday, June 23.
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TOPEKA — The Supreme Court Nominating Commission today voted on the names of three nominees for Supreme Court justice to send to Governor Laura Kelly.
A letter from the nominating commission chair will be hand-delivered to the governor’s office during regular business hours to formally notify her of the commission’s selection.
Its delivery will begin the 60-day timeline the governor has to decide which of the three nominees she will appoint to fill a Kansas Supreme Court vacancy that was created when Justice Marla Luckert retired March 28.
The three nominees are:
Carl Folsom
Folsom has been a district judge in Douglas County District Court since 2022. He previously was an assistant federal public defender for both the Federal Public Defender Offices for the District of Kansas and for the Northern and Eastern Districts of Oklahoma, a partner with the Bell Folsom law firm, and appellate defender with the Kansas Appellate Defender’s Office. He graduated from the University of Kansas and the University of Kansas School of Law. He lives in Lawrence.
K. Christopher Jayaram
Jayaram has been a district judge in Johnson County District Court since 2021. He previously was a lawyer with the Horn Aylward & Bandy and Smith Free Heald & Chock law firms. He graduated from the University of Kansas and the Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College. He lives in Lenexa.
Robert Wonnell
Wonnell has been a district judge in Johnson County District Court since 2015. He previously was a lawyer with the McAnany, Van Cleave and Phillips law firm. He graduated from Phillips University and the University of Kansas School of Law. He lives in Olathe.
Public interviews
The commission interviewed seven applicants in the Kansas Judicial Center in Topeka before narrowing the list of nominees to three through successive rounds of voting. All interviews and voting were open to the public and livestreamed on YouTube.
Recordings of the commission meeting, interviews, and voting are archived on YouTube at youtube.com/@KansasJudicialBranch.
Merit-based selection process
Justices are appointed to the Supreme Court through a merit-based nomination process that Kansans voted to add to the Kansas Constitution in 1958. The process involves the Supreme Court Nominating Commission, which reviews nominees, and the governor, who makes the appointment.
When there is a vacancy on the court, the Supreme Court Nominating Commission reviews applications and conducts public interviews of nominees. The commission narrows the nominee pool to three names that it sends to the governor. The governor chooses one nominee to appoint.
Eligibility requirements
To be considered for this vacancy, a nominee must be:
Selection criteria
When the Supreme Court Nominating Commission reviews nominees for justice, they look at the person’s:
Judicial conduct
Justices must follow the law and not be influenced by politics, special interest groups, public opinion, or their own personal beliefs.
Justices demonstrate their accountability by following a Code of Judicial Conduct that establishes standards of ethical behavior. They also take an oath of office that includes swearing to support, protect, and defend the U.S. Constitution and Kansas Constitution.
Retention elections
After a new justice serves one year on the court, he or she must stand for a retention vote in the next general election to remain in the position. If retained, the justice serves a six-year term.
Supreme Court Nominating Commission
The Supreme Court Nominating Commission is an independent body created by the Kansas Constitution.
Four of the commission’s members are appointed by the governor representing each of the state’s congressional districts. These appointees are not attorneys. Four other members are attorneys elected by attorneys within their congressional district. The commission chair is an attorney elected by attorneys in a statewide vote.
Commission members are: Terrence Campbell, chair, and Diane Oakes, Lawrence; Robert Frederick, Lakin; Jennifer M. Cocking, Emporia; Frances Gorman Graves, Bartlett; Katie McClaflin, Overland Park; Carol Marinovich, Kansas City; and Rachael Pirner and Ebony Clemons, Wichita.
STEWART, REBECCA ANN, 33
Arrested: 5/21/2026 10:29 AM
Agency: BCSO
Charge: Warrant: Bourbon County ( Failure To Appear) *
Bond Total: $1,000
WALLACE, JEREMIAH, 47
Arrested: 5/21/2026 12:04 PM
Agency: BCSO
Charge: Warrant: Bourbon County probation violation
Bond: $0
GUFFIN, AUGAIO, 39
Arrested: 5/21/2026 11:58 AM
Agency: BCSO
Charge: Detention Authorization
Bond: $0
SEESTED, KOLBY ROBERT, 26
Arrested: 5/22/2026 3:55 AM
Agency: BCSO
Charges:
– Dui; 1st Conviction (NO BOND)
– Transporting An Open Container (NO BOND)
Bond: $0
GLOVER, BRYAN KEITH, 48
Booked: 05/08/2026
Released: 5/21/2026 at 1:59 PM
Type: Own recognizance
Released to: Self
HARRISON, JOSH THOMAS, 51
Booked: 05/16/2026
Released: 5/21/2026 at 2:10 PM
Type: Own recognizance
Released to: Self
Source: Arrest Summary PDF | Inmate Released List PDF
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Lands eligible for assistance to enhance reservoir sedimentation reduction |
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The Kansas Water Office and Director Connie Owen, in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Agriculture and Department of Health and Environment, announced that applications are now being accepted for the Kansas Reservoir Protection Initiative (KPRI). The application period for this initial round of funding will be accepted starting June 1, 2026 through the close of business on July 3, 2026. This program provides financial assistance to landowners in priority watersheds to implement conservation practices that enhance sediment-reducing efforts above federal reservoirs where water supply storage is impacted by reservoir sedimentation. This year, the initiative covers Tuttle Creek, Fall River, John Redmond, Hillsdale, Perry, Pomona, Kanopolis, Cheney, Elk City, and Big Hill reservoirs. Eligible lands include those located in targeted sub-watershed portions of Atchison, Barton, Brown, Butler, Chase, Clay, Coffey, Douglas, Elk, Ellsworth, Franklin, Greenwood, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Kingman, Labette, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, Miami, Montgomery, Morris, Nemaha, Neosho, Osage, Pottawatomie, Pratt, Reno, Republic, Riley, Russell, Stafford, Washington, and Wabaunsee counties. Landowners interested in participating can contact their local county conservation district or Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) Coordinator to apply. Many sediment-reducing conservation practices are eligible through this initiative, however, projects focusing on large gully repair and soil health practices such as reduced tillage and cover crops are highly encouraged. It is not guaranteed that adequate funding will be available to provide financial assistance to all eligible applications. “Funding through the Kansas Reservoir Protection Initiative provides an opportunity for producers above some of our key federal reservoirs to improve the productivity and health of their lands while also providing benefits to downstream water resources,” said Connie Owen, Director of the Kansas Water Office. “Focusing on these watershed helps manage the sediment entering Kansas reservoirs.” Governor Laura Kelly and the 2026 Kansas Legislature supported funding for KPRI to address priority water resource issues and projects recommended by the Kansas Water Authority. Under the Kansas Reservoir Protection Initiative, the Kansas Water Office, Kansas Department of Agriculture – Division of Conservation, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment as well as the participating Regional Advisory Committees collaborate with local Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) projects and local county conservation districts to identify priority projects for funding which yield the greatest sediment reduction per state dollar invested. For additional information, please visit kwo.ks.gov/projects/ |
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As the state’s water office, the KWO conducts water planning, policy coordination and water marketing as well as facilitates public input throughout the state. The agency prepares the Kansas Water Plan, a plan for water resources development, management and conservation. KWO in coordination with the Kansas Water Authority also reviews all water laws and makes recommendations to the Governor and Legislature for needed legislation. |
SKAGGS, GEORGE EDWARD, 42
Arrested: 5/20/2026 1:03 PM
Agency: BCSO
Charges:
– Warrant: Bourbon County ( Failure To Appear) * (case BB-2024-CR-000187, $2,500 cash/surety)
– Warrant: Bourbon County ( Failure To Appear) * (case BB-2024-CR-000235, $2,500 cash/surety)
– Warrant: Bourbon County ( Failure To Appear) * ($5,000 cash/surety)
– Warrant: Bourbon County ( Failure To Appear) * (case BB-2024-CR-000177, $5,000 cash/surety)
– Warrant: Bourbon County ( Failure To Appear) * (case BB-2024-CR-000194, $2,500 cash/surety)
– Warrant: Bourbon County ( Failure To Appear) * (case BB-2024-CR-000193, NO BOND)
– Warrant: Bourbon County ( Failure To Appear) * (case BB-2024-CR-000234, NO BOND)
Bond Total: $17,500
STEFFEY, CHRISTOPHER LEE, 40
Arrested: 5/20/2026 5:19 PM
Agency: BCSO
Charge: Warrant: Bourbon County ( Failure To Appear) *
Bond Total: $5,000
GROB, ANDREW, 28
Booked: 05/06/2026
Released: 5/20/2026 at 11:22 AM
Type: Transferred out
Released to: Douglas
STEFFEY, CHRISTOPHER LEE, 40
Booked: 05/20/2026
Released: 5/20/2026 at 6:05 PM
Type: Surety bond
Released to: Able Bonding
Source: Arrest Summary PDF | Inmate Released List PDF
2026 SUMMER ART COMPETITION
NOW OPEN!
INNOVATION GENERATION:
Inspired artmaking about Unsung Heroes
whose ideas changed the world.
ARTEFFECT announces a new summer competition: Innovation Generation! This competition focuses on the theme of innovation and invites young artists to celebrate the stories of Unsung Heroes who made positive, profound, and lasting contributions to others through their innovations, inventions, and research.
The competition is open to high school students. All students in grades 9-12 are eligible to participate, including rising high school freshmen (students entering 9th grade in Fall 2026) and students who graduated high school in 2026.
Submissions due September 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time.
Learn about the Summer Competition
INNOVATION GENERATION
UNSUNG HEROES
The Innovation Generation directory highlights role models whose remarkable innovations, inventions, and research have made positive, profound, and lasting contributions to society. Browse the stories of these Unsung Heroes to choose a topic for the summer competition!
VIEW INNOVATION GENERATION DIRECTORY | DOWNLOAD INNOVATION GENERATION DIRECTORY PDF
2026 ARTEFFECT Competition Finalists!
ARTEFFECT is pleased to announce the 2026 Competition Finalists!
This year, ARTEFFECT received a record-breaking number of submissions from students around the world, with the 2026 finalist pool growing 15% over 2025. Thank you to all the students and educators who participated.
The 201 finalist projects were created by 52 middle school students and 149 high school students representing 32 U.S. states and 15 countries. The selected works span a wide range of styles and media, including painting, drawing, sculpture, mixed media, and digital art.
Through their projects, these students creatively interpreted the stories of 89 Unsung Heroes, including all 10 Spotlight Unsung Heroes. We invite you to explore the artwork and read excerpts from the students’ impact statements.
Congratulations to the 2026 Finalists for their exceptional work, and thank you to the educators, families, and communities whose support made these achievements possible.
The 2026 ARTEFFECT Annual Competition awardees will be announced on June 1. Stay tuned!
For inquiries, contact: [email protected]
Please be advised that there is a possibility that three (3) or more members of the Board of Trustees of Fort Scott Community College may be present at the State of FSCC event on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.
The event will take place on the campus of Fort Scott Community College.
No official board action will be taken during this event.
Submitted by
Lindsay Hill
Dean of Advancement
Fort Scott Community College
Join us for Chamber Coffee
hosted by Chamber Member
Care to Share ~ Cancer Support Group
The Sharing Bucket
Thursday, May 21st
8am
@ Care to Share
9 E. Wall St.
We hope to see you there!
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee this Thursday, May 21st at 8am hosted by Chamber member Care to Share Cancer Support Group, The Sharing Bucket, 9 E. Wall St. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served along with a door prize drawing.
Care to Share Cancer Support Group began in 2007 as a grassroots, volunteer-led organization dedicated to supporting local cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and families throughout Bourbon, Linn, and Crawford counties. Now entering its 20th year of service, Care to Share remains 100% volunteer operated and continues to provide quarterly support group meetings, meals, gas vouchers, transportation assistance for medical appointments, financial aid, and emotional support for families during treatment and recovery. Through community donations and local support, the organization works to ensure no family faces the cancer journey alone.
From its humble beginnings, Care to Share has been blessed with nearly $2 million in community donations over the years, allowing almost every dollar raised to be given directly back to local cancer fighters and their families, with the majority staying right here in Fort Scott and Bourbon County. The organization credits much of its success to the generosity of local businesses, Chamber members, volunteers, and community supporters.
Care to Share also looks forward to upcoming community events, including:
July 25 – Golf Tournament
September 25 & 26 – FortFest
Celebrating its official 20th Anniversary in 2027.
Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information. Visit the Events Calendar and category of Chamber Coffees on fortscott.com for upcoming locations.
Sending on behalf of Chamber Member
ODELL, JONATHON WILLIAM, 35
Arrested: 5/19/2026 10:30 AM
Agency: BCSO
Charge: Electronic Solicitation ; With Child >14<16 X6
Bond Total: $100,000
HELGREN, RAYMOND DAVID, 29
Arrested: 5/19/2026 9:40 PM
Agency: Fort Scott PD
Charges:
– Warrant: Bourbon County ( Failure To Appear) * (case BB-2026-CR-000038, NO BOND)
– Warrant: Bourbon County ( Failure To Appear) * (case BB-2025-CR-000172, NO BOND)
Bond: $0
BOLTON, SHERYL DENYSE, 53
Booked: 05/16/2026
Released: 5/19/2026 at 9:01 AM
Type: Transferred out
Released to: Allen Co
GUFFIN, AUGAIO, 39
Booked: 04/21/2026
Released: 5/19/2026 at 8:34 AM
Type: Court order
Released to: For Re-Hab
HURTEAU, TREVOR JAMES, 25
Booked: 05/19/2026
Released: 5/19/2026 at 5:41 PM
Type: Surety bond
Released to: Larry Lamb
ODELL, JONATHON WILLIAM, 35
Booked: 05/19/2026
Released: 5/19/2026 at 11:39 AM
Type: Surety bond
Released to: A+ Bonding
RAY, MADISON LEE, 24
Booked: 03/26/2026
Released: 5/19/2026 at 2:15 PM
Type: Transferred out
Released to: St Clair Co Mo
Source: Arrest Summary PDF | Inmate Released List PDF
The former Red Ram Motel at the very north end of National Avenue in Fort Scott has new tenants.
For many years, the property was vacant of any business.
Then, for several years starting in 2018, the property was owned by Fort Scott Community College and was repurposed into student housing, known as the Greyhound Lodge.
This year, it was sold to Shane Lamb, with Rural Asset Management.
Lamb’s business also has a former nursing home, Fort Scott Manor, which is nearing completion and started accepting apartment tenants.
There was a clean-up of the Red Ram property, and two tenants have already moved in, Lamb said.
These are entry-level workforce housing, he said. “For young adults’ first apartment, or young marrieds or older people who want just one bill per month,” Lamb said.
“They come with water, electricity, trash, and sewer included in the $625 per month. One bill for everything.”
There are 20 studio apartments with kitchenettes. approximately 350-400 square feet in size. There will be one to two 1-bedroom and 1-2 two-bedroom apartments when the whole building is fully cleaned up and touched up.
There is a central laundry area on-site.
Eventually, the sign out front will be changed.
“We are not sure of the name yet,” Lamb said. “It will be rebranded in a month. My kids name all our properties,” Lamb said.
Rural Asset Management also owns Charlotte Place.
Charlotte Place is located at 736 S. Heylman, the former Fort Scott Manor nursing home that he has been remodeling for several years.
Tenants started moving in there in April.
“We have four tenants on Heylman,” Lamb said. “There will be three to four apartments available every month until the project is completed.”
These are larger apartments, at approximately 600 square feet, with one bedroom, two bedrooms, and studio apartments as options.
These are $695 with utilities as extra costs.
Don’t Be Scammed
For more information, Lamb said to call the business office at 620-418-9500.
“Call the office, not Facebook Marketplace,” Lamb said. “Some people have been scammed out of money using Facebook. Anybody can take photos and take money from you.”
The business website:
https://www.ruralassetmanagement.com/
Jake’s Memorial Flowers is proud to announce a special Flag Swap Event taking place 9am – 6pm Friday, May 22, at 11 participating locations, including Fort Scott. This community-focused event allows customers to bring in their old or faded flags and receive a free replacement flag while supplies last, helping families continue honoring their loved ones with pride and respect.
Jake’s Memorial Flowers offers a wide selection of cemetery and memorial arrangements designed to honor every season and occasion. Their products include silk floral arrangements, wreaths, saddles, and seasonal decorations for Memorial Day and other year-round remembrance events. Each piece is thoughtfully designed for durability while maintaining a beautiful and respectful appearance.
With locations throughout Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, Jake’s Memorial Flowers has become a trusted source for families seeking meaningful ways to preserve and celebrate the memories of loved ones.
Event Details
Date: Friday, May 22
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Locations: 11 participating Jake’s Memorial Flowers locations across Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.
Store Addresses: 3031 S Elliott Ave, Aurora, MO 65605 – 3434 SE Washington Blvd, Bartlesville, OK 74006 – 9550 E 101st St S, Bixby, OK 74008 – 2229 S Main St, Fort Scott, KS 66701 – 900 S State St, Iola, KS 66749 – 5325 N Main St Rd, Joplin, MO 64801 – 410 N Main St, North Miami, OK 74358 – 2605 E Austin Blvd, Nevada, MO 64772 – 508 Main St, Parsons, KS 67357 – 3002 N Broadway St, Pittsburg, KS 66762 – 1505 E Hubbard Rd, Ponca City, OK 74604 –
The Fremar Foundation has awarded its 2026 scholarship grants to include several area high school graduating seniors. Dr. Karen Fremar, foundation president, recently presented the $1,000 awards, foundation medals, honor cords, and certificates to 5 outstanding musicians and artists. These extraordinary student musicians and artists are scholastically ranked at the top of their graduating classes. Awards are competitive and are granted after review of taped auditions and portfolio presentations by the foundation’s scholarship committee, comprised of professional musicians from the Kansas City area. Awardees may also receive invitations to be featured performers or exhibitors at the foundation’s future public concerts and events.
Scholarships awarded to Fort Scott High School students included, Stewart Davenport, violin, who will attend Kansas University; and Juni Fisher, voice/theatre, who will attend Pittsburg State University.
Fremar Foundation President’s Awards were awarded to Jewel Endicott, artist from Uniontown High School, headed to Kansas State University; Alex Brady, flutist from St. James Academy, at Kansas University; and Talya Banwart, vocalist from the private music studio of Pat Harry and senior from Christian Learning Center, who is headed to Fort Scott Community College and Pittsburg State University.
The Fremar Foundation is a charitable non-profit that recognizes outstanding accomplishments in music and the arts by graduating high school seniors. Since its inception in 2010, the foundation has awarded thousands in grants primarily to musicians and artists in the Fort Scott area. Former Fort Scott residents and musicians Mayson Lane, Julie Gettler Silfverberg, and Dr. Karen Fremar serve on the foundation’s board together with Kansas Citians Melody Stroth, Dee Sligar, and director emeritus Larry McMullen.
