There will be a work session on 7/16/25 at 5:00 PM for the Bourbon County Commission to discuss IT with Stronghold at 210 S National, Fort Scott, KS 66701.
Submitted by
Susan Walker
Gordon Parks Museum Foundation Receives $6,874 Grant From KS Arts Commission
Kansas Arts Commission Awards $1M for Arts and Culture Projects
TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced 108 grant recipients will share $1 million in total funding from the Kansas Arts Commission (KAC). The funding reinforces KAC’s role as a catalyst for economic development and community vitality.
“These grants will support an array of organizations and initiatives that will enrich the appeal of these communities, encourage innovation and drive economic growth,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Arts shape the unique character of our Kansas communities and through these awards, community leaders and artists can continue investing locally while opening doors to new opportunities and experiences for residents and visitors alike.”
The state’s vibrant arts and culture industry supported nearly 50,000 Kansas jobs and contributed $5.47 billion to the state economy in 2023.
The $1 million awarded this year will be invested in the arts programs of non-profit organizations, local governments and colleges and universities across the state. In return, awarded organizations are required to provide a dollar-for-dollar investment match.
Funding for KAC grants come from appropriations by the Kansas Legislature and federal support from the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA).
“Through arts and culture, we have been able to create new experiences and bring flourishing opportunities to every corner of Kansas,” Kansas Arts Commission Director Curtis Young said. “These grants will continue to boost our state’s quality of life through various art initiatives — such as investing in arts education, community theatres, music festivals, art museums and more — all leaving a positive, lasting impact on our state.”
Grant recipients received funding in one of four categories:
- Arts Everywhere Program (21 awards; $235,873)
- General Operating Support (70 awards; $635,653)
- Public Art & Murals Grants (12 awards; $91,474)
- Visiting Artists Program (five awards; 37,000)
The full list of grant recipients is available here.
To learn more about the arts or the Kansas Arts Commission, visit the webpage here for more information.
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 Arts Commission (KAC):
The Kansas Arts Commission stewards the state’s investment in the arts by empowering creativity, fostering innovation, and strengthening the economy to enhance the vitality of every Kansas community. The Kansas Arts Commission is a division of the Kansas Department of Commerce. To learn more about KAC, click here or contact Ben Stanton at [email protected] or (785) 213-5959.
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Obituary of Janis D. Hamilton
Janis D Hamilton, 86, transitioned to heaven June 14th 2025 in Overland Park, Kansas. She was born in January 1939, and grew up in Kingman, KS with her parents Helen and Earl Kostner.
She attended Kingman High School where she was the 4H Leader and competed with food demonstrations, readings, and more. She was a member of the Rainbow Girls, and extraordinarily talented young seamstress, and was active with the high school spirit team. She then went to college at K-State and later graduated from Emporia State University, Teacher’s College.
She married her high school sweetheart Gene Hamilton on August 22nd, 1959. And they were happily married and danced together for 61 years until his death in 2020.
Janis led a very successful career and made a positive impact on many kids lives through her career as the Foods Teacher at the Fort Scott Middle School. Prior to that she taught cooking and sewing as the Home Economics Teacher for High School age students in Omaha, NE, Findley Ohio, Greenville, IL, and Emporia, KS.
She was talented with many crafts but especially, sewing and tailoring, embroidery, flower arrangement, cake decorating, stained glass, jewelry making, quilting, decorating and so much more.
Janis’s favorite motto was, “You are as Happy as you think you are!” And her favorite saying was, “A happy memory is a Joy forever”
Janis is survived by her two daughters; Kris and her husband Darren, their daughter Kassi and husband Ben. And Michelle and her daughter’s, Katie and Julie. Also, Janis’s sisters Sondra Ward, Patricia Johnson, and brother Gary Kostner.
Memorial service for Janis to be held Saturday July 26th at 10:30 am at Church of the Resurrection in the Wesley Chapel, Bldg. C, 13720 Roe Blvd, Leawood, KS with a reception immediately following service.
Reception and graveside service for both Janis and Gene Hamilton to be held the same day at 6:00pm. Reception at the Murdock United Methodist Church 2425 SE Murdock Ave, Murdock, KS followed by a 7:00pm graveside service at Greenwood Cemetery.
The family welcomes flowers and plants. Notes of condolence may be sent to Livingston Funeral Home, and donations may be made to care for Janis’s disabled granddaughter, Julie Burke. Checks to be made out to Julie Burke, and sent in c/o Livingston Funeral Home 1830 N Main St, Kingman, KS 67068
USD234 Minutes from July 14
Unified School District 234
424 South Main
Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697
620-223-0800 Fax 620-223-2760
DESTRY BROWN
Superintendent
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
NEWS RELEASE
Monday, July 14, 2025
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 14, 2025, for their regular monthly meeting at 424 S Main.
Vice President Stewart Gulager opened the meeting.
The board approved the official agenda, and the consent agenda as follows:
Board Minutes
06-09-2025
06-13-2025
Financials – Cash Flow Report
Check Register
Payroll – June 20, 2025 – $2,017,520.07
Activity Funds Accounts
USD 234 Gifts
June KASB Policy Updates
Extended Trips 2025-26
Fundraising Applications 2025-26
Resolution 25-01 Destructions of Records
Resolution 25-02 Waiver of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
Resolution 25-03 Rescinding Policy Statements found in Board Minutes
Resolution 25-04 Establish Home Rule by Board of Education
Designation of Banks for deposit of school funds
FSHS activity funds – City State Bank
FSM activity funds – Union State Bank
Eugene Ware activity funds – UMB Bank
Winfield Scott activity funds – UMB Bank
USD 234 District-Landmark National Bank, UMB Bank, KMIP, Citizens Bank
Set fees for copying records.
10 cents per page for employees
10 cents per page for alumni
15 cents per page for non-employees
20 cents per page for color copies
Mileage reimbursement – current state mileage rate
For information only – as of 01/01/25 – 70 cents
2025-26 School Fees
Recreation Commission Board Member Term
Tammy Hill – June 30, 2026
Vincent Ratcliff – June 30, 2027
Dave Fly – June 30, 2027
Adam Lancaster – June 30, 2026
Dillon Duffy – June 30, 2026
Designation of newspaper for official school publications – Fort Scott Tribune
Offices for the 2025-26 School Year
KASB Government Relations Network Representative – Board President
Food Service Hearing Officer/Compliance Coordinator for Federal
Anti-Discrimination Laws – Terry Mayfield
Title VI, Title VII, and Title IX of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act/Coordinator/Point of Contact for Child Welfare Agencies – Destry Brown & Zach Johnson
District Foster Care Liaison – Zach Johnson
Freedom of Information Officer – Haley Houdashelt
Food Service Program Representative – Robin Button
Clerk – Candace Jobe
Deputy Clerk – Terry Mayfield
KPERS Representative/KiCS Designated Representative Member – Angela Robinson
Treasurer – Rhonda Dawson
LCP Coordinator/Coordinator for Homeless Children/ 504 Coordinator – Zach Johnson
Fort Scott High School Attendance Officer – Assistant Principal
Fort Scott Middle School Attendance Officer – Matt Harris
Eugene Ware Attendance Officer – Brandon Boyd
Winfield Scott Attendance Officer – Nicole Gilmore
Resolution 25-05 KMIP Signers
Superintendent Destry Brown reported on the Patterson Grant that the district as applied for. He also gave a shared report about JAG and the great work Kevin Flanner has done with the class this last school year.
Assistant Superintendent Terry Mayfield provided the Board with an update on the Preschool building and the progress being made in the facility. He updated on summer projects in each department and how each is gearing up for the new school year. Last school year’s budget has been closed and they are beginning to work on this year.
Assistant Superintendent Zach Johnson updated the Board on being a part of interviewing potential employees. He also will be bringing reports in the upcoming Board Meeting with the iReady scores.
The Board Approved the following items:
- 2025-26 District Handbooks
- 2025-26 Emergency Operations
- Resolution 25-06 Revenue Neutral Declaration to the Bourbon County Clerk
- Resolution 25-07 Supplemental General Budget Percentage
- iReady Subscription Renewal
- Edgenuity License Renewal
- KASB 2025-26 Workers’ Compensation Renewal
- Preschool Gym Heater Bid with CDL Electric
- Eugene Ware/Winfield Scott Rooftop Unit Replacement bid with KtK Electric, LLC
- Classified Staff Salary Schedule
- Administrator’s Salary Schedule
- Special Services Salary Schedule
- Director’s Salary Schedule
- Supplemental Salary Schedule
- DATES SET FOR:
Revenue Neutral Declaration to County Clerk – July 14, 2025
Budget Presentation – August 11, 2025
Publication in Paper – August 12, 2025
Revenue Neutral Hearing – September 8, 2025
Budget Hearing – September 8, 2025
Budget Certified to State – Before September 20, 2025
Budget Certified to County Clerk – Before October 1, 2025
There were none present for public forum.
The Board went into an executive session for personnel matters.
Vice President Stewart Gulager adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED
July 14, 2025
EMPLOYMENT:
Certified Recommendations:
Johnson, Jeff – Principal – High School
Regan, Josh – Assistant Principal – High School
Classified Recommendations for 2025-26 School year:
Coen, Serenity – Paraprofessional – Preschool
Supplemental Recommendations for the 2025-26 school year:
High School Supplemental
Obituary of Jeanette Schweikert
Jeanette Schweikert, age 86, a lifelong resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2025, at her home. She was born January 21, 1939, the daughter of Alvin Gray and Bertha Graves Gray. Jeanette married Robert Schweikert, on July 13, 1958, in Ft. Scott. Jeanette was a proud graduate of Ft. Scott High School, where she formed bonds and acquired knowledge that would serve her throughout her life. Upon graduation, she began working as a typist for the Western Insurance Company. Her dedication and skill led her company through several transitions, becoming American States Insurance Company and later Safeco. Jeanette retired as a commercial underwriter after an impressive forty-two-year tenure, leaving behind a legacy of professionalism and integrity. Jeanette was a woman of many passions, with a particular love for the outdoors. She found immense joy in working in her yard, where she would spend countless hours tending to her flowers. Jeanette’s affection for animals was equally evident, as she provided a loving home to many pets over the years and also enjoyed the wildlife in her backyard. In her earlier years, Jeanette enjoyed the camaraderie and challenge of bowling. It was an activity that brought her much joy and allowed her to forge lasting friendships.
Jeanette is survived by her brother, Jerry Gray (Kathy) of Ft. Scott and nieces and nephews, Steven Gray, Eric Gray(Joy), Eileen (Gray) Strakal, Valerie Allison (Charlie), C. H. Gray (Gail) and Lisa Coustantine. Jeanette was preceded in death by her devoted husband Bob, her brothers Robert and Louis Gray, and her sister Opal Binford, as well as her nephews Ronnie and Gary Gray and her niece Shelly (Gray) Ramsey.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, July 17th at the Evergreen Cemetery. Family and friends may meet at the Cheney Witt Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery at 10:45 A.M. Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Fried Chicken Dinner Fundraiser by Fort Scott FFA
U.S. Dept. of Ag. Announces Sign-up For Grassland Conservation Reserve Program
Producers and Landowners Can Now Enroll in USDA’s Grassland Conservation Reserve Program
WASHINGTON, July 14, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that agricultural producers and private landowners can now enroll in the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (Grassland CRP). The sign-up runs from today, July 14, to Aug. 8, 2025. Grassland CRP, offered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), is a voluntary working lands conservation program that enables participants to conserve grasslands while also continuing most grazing and haying practices.
Grassland CRP emphasizes support for grazing operations, plant and animal biodiversity, and grasslands and land with shrubs and forbs under the greatest threat of conversion.
“Through the conservation of America’s essential grasslands, Grassland CRP supports continued agricultural productivity while at the same time prioritizing private lands stewardship,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam. “By offering landowners the best of both worlds — economic viability and working lands preservation — Grassland CRP provisions support USDA’s commitment to Farmers First.”
CRP, USDA’s flagship conservation program, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. For four decades, CRP has provided financial and technical support to agricultural producers and landowners whose accepted acres are placed under contract for 10-15 years and who agree to voluntarily convert the land to beneficial vegetative cover to improve water quality, prevent soil erosion and support wildlife habitat. The American Relief Act, 2025, extended provisions for CRP through Sept. 30, 2025.
Currently, more than 25.8 million acres are enrolled in CRP, with nearly 9.7 million acres in Grassland CRP. On May 12, FSA opened General and Continuous CRP enrollment for 2025. FSA is currently reviewing submitted offers and will announce accepted offers at a later date. Due to the 27-million-acre statutory cap, only 1.8 million acres are available for all CRP enrollment this fiscal year.
Landowners and producers interested in Grassland CRP should contact their local USDA Service Center to learn more or apply for the program before the Aug. 8 deadline.
FSA helps America’s farmers, ranchers and forest landowners invest in, improve, protect and expand their agricultural operations through the delivery of agricultural programs for all Americans. FSA implements agricultural policy, administers credit and loan programs, and manages conservation, commodity, disaster recovery and marketing programs through a national network of state and county offices and locally elected county committees. For more information, visit fsa.usda.gov.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports July 15
KS Attorney General Announces Settlement With Drug Manufacturers
Kobach announces $720 million opioid settlement with drug manufacturers
TOPEKA – (July 15, 2025) – Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach today announced an approximate $720 million nationwide settlement with eight drug makers that manufactured opioid pills and worsened the nationwide opioid crisis. Kansas stands to receive approximately $5.7 million in settlement funds.
“We are holding these companies accountable for the human suffering caused by years of their illegal marketing practices,” Kobach said. “These dollars will help save lives, because the funds will be used to prevent and treat drug addiction throughout Kansas.”
The eight defendants and the total amount they will pay in funds to address the opioid crisis as part of the deal are:
- Mylan (now part of Viatris): $284,447,916 paid over nine years
- Hikma: $95,818,293 paid over one to four years
- Amneal: $71,751,010 paid over 10 years
- Apotex: $63,682,369 paid in a single year
- Indivior: $38,022,450 paid over four years
- Sun: $30,992,087 paid over one to four years
- Alvogen: $18,680,162 paid in a single year
- Zydus: $14,859,220 paid in a single year
In addition to these abatement payments, several of the settlements allow states to receive free pharmaceutical products or cash in lieu of this product. Additionally, seven of the companies (not including Indivior) are prohibited from promoting or marketing opioids and opioid products, making or selling any product that contains more than 40 mg of oxycodone per pill, and are required to put in place a monitoring and reporting system for suspicious orders. Indivior has agreed to not manufacture or sell opioid products for the next 10 years, but it will be able to continue marketing and selling medications to treat opioid use disorder.
North Carolina, California, Colorado, Illinois, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia attorneys general offices negotiated the settlements on behalf of Kansas and several other states.
Today at the Bourbon County Fair
Today, July 15, at the Bourbon County Fair:
The Uniontown 4H Club will be selling items at the Chuckwagon in the Cloverleaf Event Center starting at this morning.
This is a fundraiser for their club this year.
The Rabbit Judging will begin at 8 am in the Rabbit/Poultry Barn followed by Poultry Judging at 10 am.
The Myers Building is closed until 12 pm for Open Class Judging.
At 12 pm the FCE (Food and Community Education) will be auctioning the Open Class Food entries to raise funds for the scholarships they provide to area students.
The Sheep Show will begin at 5 pm followed by the Meat Goat Show at approximately 6:15 pm.
The Merchant’s Building is Businesses only this year and opens at 5 pm.
Vendors include:
Miller’s Feed and Farm
Sally Kraft
T-Mobile
Flying P
Pretty Notations
Baked by Dylan
Mary Kay – Lauren Wagner
Twig and Berries Cotton Candy
Fizz Factory – Non-alcoholic Dirt Sprites
Uppa Creek Honey
2 Ashley’s Just Crafting Around
Riggs Chiropractic
Leaf Guard
Champion Bath
Kitty’s Kreations
Kaitlyn’ Comely Creations
Seams Sew Nice
Remember to get your Chicken Annie’s ticket by Tuesday, July 15th from the Fort Scott FFA Officers or Aikins Insurance, to support the Fort Scott FFA. Then stay and play some Cornhole supporting the Uniontown FFA.
Be part of the 31st Annual Chamber Golf Classic!
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Ag producers with eligible crop losses due to natural disasters in 2023-24 can now apply for assistance
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.