Arent, Nicholas Ray (Age 43) — Arrested 6/11/2026 2:51 AM by Fort Scott Police Department. Charges: Possess Opiates/Opium/Narc Drug and Certain Stimulants, Use/Possess Drug Paraphernalia/Human Body. Bond: $0.00.
Lotterer, Joseph — Released 6/11/2026 8:00 AM via Probation (Self).
Ludeman, Samantha Joy — Released 6/11/2026 7:03 AM via Transferred Out (KDOC).
Total Inmates Released: 2
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INDEPENDENCE, Kan. — The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) is pleased to announce an agreement with Ascension St. John to assume operations of Ascension St. John Primary Care in Independence, Kansas, effective July 1, 2026.
As part of this transition, Ascension will donate the clinic’s building and land to CHC/SEK. CHC/SEK and Ascension St. John are committed to ensuring a seamless transition for every patient.
“We very much appreciate Ascension’s trust in us and are committed to ensuring that every patient in Independence receives the quality care they deserve,” said Krista Postai, CHC/SEK Chief Executive Officer.
This agreement deepens CHC/SEK’s longstanding roots in Montgomery County. The organization first came to the area in 2012 with the opening of its Coffeyville location. CHC/SEK’s Independence clinic, established in partnership with Four County Mental Health Center, opened in 2014.
Moving forward, CHC/SEK will operate two locations in Independence. The new CHC/SEK Independence clinic will open on August 10, 2026, offering primary care services as well as specialty services in collaboration with Ascension. Erica Whitson, APRN-C, will join the CHC/SEK team, providing family medicine services. Walk-in care and pharmacy services will be introduced later in the year.
Earlier this year, CHC/SEK released the results of its 2026 Community Health Needs Assessment, which serves as a blueprint for the organization’s plans to address the region’s largest health challenges. “Our Community Health Needs Assessment made one thing clear: the people of southeast Kansas need more access to care,” said Jason Wesco, CHC/SEK President and Chief Strategy Officer. “Every barrier we remove, whether it’s distance, cost, or availability, is a step toward a healthier community.”
Expanding access to quality, affordable care is not just a goal for CHC/SEK, it is the mission. The organization serves more than 85,000 patients annually across Southeast Kansas and Northeast Oklahoma, a region that faces persistent provider shortages and generational poverty. This investment into the Independence community is one of the many ways CHC/SEK strives to meet these challenges head-on.
CHC/SEK has built its recent growth by developing partnerships aimed at preserving healthcare access in rural communities. Before opening a new location, CHC/SEK works to first understand the community’s unique needs and tailors services accordingly. Over the past several years, the organization has opened clinics in:
For more information, visit chcsek.org.
The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas serves as a healthcare hub for communities in Kansas and Oklahoma. CHC/SEK delivers quality, integrated care to nearly 90,000 patients each year with a goal of improving health, sustaining rural communities, and providing purpose-driven work to 950 staff members. Beyond healthcare, CHC/SEK finds innovative ways to improve lives by focusing on education, housing, and transportation. Regardless of income or insurance status, CHC/SEK ensures everyone receives the care they need. For more information, visit chcsek.org.
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USD 234 is having a come and go retirement reception for Superintendent, Destry Brown. We will be celebrating him on Monday, June 22nd at 5:00 pm. Anyone in the community is invited to stop by and join.
Reception Flyer
Looking for a college that gives you options? At Fort Scott Community College, students can choose from associate degrees in Arts, Science, Applied Science, and General Studies, along with a variety of certificates that lead straight to rewarding careers. Whether you’re interested in healthcare fields like Certified Medication Aide, Nurse Aide, EMT, Home Health Aide, Manicuring, or Phlebotomy, or want to take on a technical challenge with certificates in Ag Technology (John Deere), Construction, Cosmetology, Criminal Justice, Environmental Water Tech, Farm & Ranch Management, Harley-Davidson Technology, Heavy Equipment Operation, HVAC, Masonry, or Welding we’ve got you covered!
But college isn’t just about the classroom. FSCC offers plenty of ways to get involved through music and performance opportunities (band, choir, theater), student clubs and organizations (like Collegiate Farm Bureau, Phi Theta Kappa, SkillsUSA, STEAM Club, FSCC Media Team, and more), and even competitive judging teams in livestock and meat.
If athletics is more your thing, FSCC is home to intercollegiate sports for both men and women. Compete in basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, rodeo, track & field, or cross country, all while building friendships and representing the Greyhounds.
And the best part? We’re still growing. New programs, degrees, certifications, and athletic opportunities are on the horizon! There’s never been a better time to join FSCC!
Fort Scott Community College; where opportunity meets possibility.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to invite members, businesses, organizations, golfers, and the community to the 32nd Annual Chamber Golf Classic!
This annual tournament is a great way to enjoy a fun day on the course, promote your business or organization, and support the Chamber. Teams, sponsorships, and raffle items are now being accepted.
Click here for online registration, printable registration & sponsorship form, and more info.
Woodland Hills Golf Course
2414 S. Horton St.
Limited carts are available, so teams with their own cart are encouraged to bring it.
This annual event is a great opportunity to promote your business or organization while supporting the Chamber and enjoying a fun day of golf, networking, and community connection.
Showcase your business name & logo prominently displayed along the fence at #1 tee box. Sponsor logos also included on pre-tournament materials.
Showcase your business name & logo displayed exclusively on a hole.
Sponsor sign with business name displayed in front of the clubhouse, showing your support.
Enjoy a great day of golf, which includes play, lunch, cart, mulligans, games package, and skins.
Click HERE for a PDF copy of Sponsorship levels and information.
Reserve your sponsorship: [email protected] or 620-223-3566
The Chamber is also accepting raffle and prize donations for the Golf Classic. Donated items help add excitement to the event and give businesses another great way to be recognized.
Items may include gift certificates, merchandise, themed baskets, promotional items, services, golf items, swag bag items, or hole prize giveaways.
All donations are appreciated and help make the tournament more fun for players while showcasing local businesses and organizations.
Teams may register online, stop by, or call the Chamber Office!
620-223-3566
231 E. Wall St.
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701
620-223-3566
fortscott.com
Join us for an upcoming
Chamber Lunch & Learn
US Department of Labor
Wage & Hour Division
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
11:30am-1pm
Empress Event Center, 7 N. Main St.
Entrances in both front & back of the Empress.
Avoid costly wage & hour mistakes!
All are welcome!
Click here for printable flyer.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites business owners, managers, human resource professionals, nonprofit leaders, and employers of all sizes to attend an informative Chamber Lunch & Learn featuring the U.S. Department of Labor Wage & Hour Division on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
The program will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Empress Event Center, 7 N. Main Street in Downtown Fort Scott.
Presenter Trini Najera Murguia, Community Outreach Resource Planning Specialist with the U.S. Department of Labor, will provide an overview of key employment and overtime regulations and discuss common compliance issues facing employers today.
Topics will include:
Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions and receive information directly from a representative of the U.S. Department of Labor.
“This Lunch & Learn is designed to help employers better understand federal labor laws and avoid costly wage and hour mistakes,” said Lindsay Madison, President and CEO of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. “Whether you own a small business, manage employees, oversee HR functions, or operate a nonprofit organization, this information is valuable and applicable to your workplace.”
Registration is $20 for Chamber members with lunch, $10 for Chamber members without lunch, $30 for non-members with lunch, and $20 for non-members without lunch.
Advance registration is requested by Monday, June 15 at 1:00 p.m. for those ordering lunch.
To register, visit FortScott.com, email [email protected], or call the Chamber at (620) 223-3566.
The event is presented by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Davis Accounting and Labconco.
For more information, contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 or visit www.FortScott.com.
Click HERE to register to attend.
Please register by 1pm Monday, June 15th, especially if ordering lunch.
We hope to see you there!
Thank you to event sponsors:
Davis Accounting
Labconco
A special thank you to our Chamber Champion members below…
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701
620-223-3566
fortscott.com
Click HERE to view our 2026 Community Guide-Member Directory!
Fort Scott, KS – Lauren Powell has been hired as Fort Scott Community College’s new music performance director.
Powell earned a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance from Simpson College and both a Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts in vocal performance from Louisiana State University. Throughout her academic career, she performed numerous leading operatic roles and gained teaching experience through private instruction, collegiate teaching and studio leadership.
For the past several years, Powell has continued to expand her private studio while serving as a classical voice instructor at the School for Music Vocations at Southwestern Community College in Iowa. Her experience teaching students of various ages and musical backgrounds aligns with the college’s efforts to rebuild and grow its music program.
Powell will begin her role with an initial group of music students already committed to Fort Scott Community College, including students who signed to participate in the music program during signing events held April 28 and May 8, 2026. She will work with those students while continuing efforts to recruit and develop additional opportunities for music students at the college.
The addition of a music educator with advanced academic credentials and extensive performance experience marks an important step in the continued development of the college’s music offerings. Powell’s background in performance and instruction will support efforts to attract students, enhance campus life and expand music opportunities for both the college and the Fort Scott community.
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Fort Scott Names Chad Kline New Head Men’s Basketball Coach
Fort Scott, KS – Chad Kline has been named head men’s basketball coach at Fort Scott Community College, bringing 23 years of coaching experience to the Greyhounds program.
Kline will lead the men’s basketball program as FSCC continues to build on recent success and strengthen its presence in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference.
“We want to welcome Chad and his family to Fort Scott as our new men’s basketball coach,” FSCC Athletic Director Dave Wiemers said. “Coach Kline will bring strong leadership and a vision for building a competitive program. We look forward to the impact he will have as we continue the forward momentum of the men’s program.”
Joining Kline on the coaching staff is Kemani Roberson, who has been hired as the men’s basketball assistant coach. Roberson will assist with recruiting, player development and day-to-day operations of the program.
Together, Kline and Roberson will lead the next chapter of Greyhound men’s basketball, focusing on student-athlete development, competitive success and continued growth of the program.
Bourbon County Community Theatre Auditions for Willy Wonka TYA
Bourbon County Community Theatre (BCCT) is producing its first ever musical this summer, open to all ages.
Auditions for Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka (TYA – Theatre for Young Audiences) version are 6:30-8:30 p.m. July 6 or 7 at the Fort Scott High School Auditorium.
“The delicious adventures experienced by Charlie Bucket on his visit to Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl’s fantastical tale. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film starring Gene Wilder, and new songs by Leslie Bricusse (Jekyll & Hyde, Doctor Dolittle) and Anthony Newley, Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka TYA is a scrumdidilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone’s sweet tooth,” according to Music Theatre International.
Those who audition should plan to stay for the entire time period on one evening of auditions. They should prepare to sing a 16-32 measure portion of a song. Auditioners should bring an accompaniment recording to sing along with.
Rehearsals are 6:30-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday at FSHS. Performances are at 7 p.m. on Aug. 7 and at 2 and 7 p.m. on Aug. 8 at FSHS.
Those who are cast in the show are asked to donate a $25 participation fee with a maximum of $50 per family. Parents who are not in the show with their children should also volunteer to supervise on a performance night.
BCCT is also looking for a Lighting Designer and Sound Designer for the production as well as Stage Crew. The show is directed by Angie Bin with musical direction by Taylor Jones and choreography by Abby Stepps.
“We are so excited to finally be able to offer our community our first ever musical production. This will be such a fun venture for all ages and we have an incredible artistic staff eager to get started,” said Bin.
BCCT is seeking sponsors to help make their first musical successful. Please see the BCCT facebook page for more information on how to become a financial sponsor or contact Bin for more information.
Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka TYA has music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. It is adapted for the stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy Allen Mcdonald and is based on the book “Charlie And The Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl. It is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, www.mtishows.com
Anyone with questions should contact Bin at 620-719-9622 or at [email protected].
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