Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

Lowell Milken Center For Unsung Heroes Awarded Grant

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AARP Awards Grant to the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes as Part of Nationwide Program to Strengthen Communities

 

Cimarron, KS – American Association for Retired People today announced that the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes in Ft. Scott, Kansas has received a $9,500 2025 Community Challenge grant, as part of AARP’s $4.2 million commitment to fund 383 quick-action projects aimed at making communities more livable for people of all ages, with a focus on the needs of older adults.

 

The money will be used to add three new Kansas Unsung Hero panels to the Unsung Heroes Park in Fort Scott, Kansas. These panels will feature stories of William Matthews, Mary Ann Bickerdyke, and Chester Nez, and will include QR codes for translation into any language.

 

“AARP Kansas is proud to work with communities across the state to help make them more livable for people of all ages,” said Glenda DuBoise, AARP Kansas state president “The Unsung Heroes Park project will bring real improvement by featuring stories of important Kansans. We’re excited to see this come to life.”

 

 

Now in its ninth year, the Challenge has awarded 427,00 through 35 grants in Kansas since 2017 to nonprofit organizations and local government entities across the state. Grant projects will be funded in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

 

View the full list of grantees and their projects at aarp.org/communitychallenge. Learn more about AARP’s work to support livable communities at aarp.org/livable.

 

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About AARP

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation’s largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.

 

Bourbon County, Government

Unofficial Minutes for the Uniontown City Council on June 10

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The Regular Council Meeting on June 10, 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, and Bradley Stewart.  Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were Codes Officer Doug Coyan, City Treasurer Sally Johnson, and City Clerk Danea Esslinger.

 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

None

 

CITIZENS REQUESTS

None

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Treasurer Johnson presented the May 2025 financial reports.  Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds for May was $296,977.13, Receipts $42.798.60, Transfers Out $14,524.00, Expenditures $36,272.79, Checking Account Closing Balance $288,978.94. Bank Statement Balance $295,174.66, including Checking Account Interest of $63.45, Outstanding Deposits $0.00, Outstanding Checks $6,195.72, Reconciled Balance $288,978.94.  Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $38,257.03, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $22,987.37, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $45,123.12, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $395,346.46. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $314.68, and Utility CDs $1,212.84 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $1,527.52.  Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,622.00, Capital Improvement-Streets from Gas Utility $6,250, Capital Improvement-Streets from General Fund $2,500, Utility Capital Improvement-Streets from Sewer Fund $750.00, and Capital Improvement-Streets from Water Fund $2,000.00, for Total Transfers of $14,524.00. Net Loss for the month of May $7,998.19, Year-to-Date Net Income $25,115.20.  Appropriations to date for May 2025 are $31,355.12.

 

APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0, to approve Consent Agenda:

  • Minutes of May 13, 2025 Regular Council Meeting.
  • Treasurer’s Reports & Monthly Transaction Report for May 2025 and the Accounts Payables

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Codes Enforcement:  Doug Coyan

405 Hill Street-letter sent to owner with requested repairs needed, some repairs have been completed, he will contact owners about the other repairs needed.

406 Fulton Street-letter sent to owner regarding nuisance vehicles and certified letter not picked up. Code Officer requested citation to be given as the black car has not been taken care as requested by the city. Council requested citation to be sent for the nuisance vehicles.

6th and Washington-needs mowing. Codes officer will contact owner.

4th and Washington-has camper on lot and needs mowing. Codes officer will contact owner.

 

Superintendent:  Bobby Rich will be gone for 5-day Bereavement Leave.

Mowing Assistance asked by Mayor:  these volunteered to will help with mowing Larry Jurgensen, Sally Johnson, Matt Kelly, Brad Stewart, Jess Ervin and Doug Coyan-if needed. Council decided to give sympathy card and a large supply of Dr. Pepper in Superintendent warehouse maintenance refrigerator.

Council requests to have 5 additional keys needed for the Shop, the City Administration side door, Electric for the park-3918, North Side and West Side Warehouse.

 

Clerk Report:  Danea Esslinger  

City Wide Garage Sales-Council stated not at this time.

Modern Copy Systems–new maintenance agreement.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0 to accept the new maintenance agreement for Modern Copy Systems.

 

Jayhawk Software Back Up vs Microsoft Office back up-Council stated since backed up on our server, do not need any additional back up at this time.

Thank You Card- form Kelly Droel

Thank You Cards-Signed by council members for Peerless for the new window and Ruritan for the monetary assistance with Public Restroom.

 

 

COUNCIL & COMMITTEE REPORTS

Councilman Ervin – None.

Councilman Kelly –None.

Councilwoman Pemberton –None.

Councilwoman Pritchett –Absent.

Councilman Stewart–Received 3 stop signs from Fort Scott Public Works.

Mayor Jurgensen – Resident wants tree cut down right next to city sidewalk. Kyle Knight stated will take care of for $250.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0 to accept Kyle Knight cut down tree by the city sidewalk.

 

OLD BUSINESS

SEED Grant – all supplies, appliances, computer and printer, bookshelves have been ordered for the City Library, Community Center, and City Office. We have received new city office chairs; new tables, new microwave, refrigerator, and stove for Community Center; computer for the City Library, and all shelves have been ordered and the window blind. The window blind will come in around the July 1st.

Mayor donated the stove and the refrigerator to the Ruritan Needy Family. The tables and videos donated to the Old Settler’s committee for their use during the Old Settler’s Labor Day Weekend.

 

FEMA Flooding– Hydrology study not complete yet by Ag Engineering. Council asked to stop this Hydrology study at this time.

 

Warehouse Insulation – is completed at this time.

 

Sidewalk- Ag Engineering sent the completed documentation and bill. Council stated to send the business owner a letter to advise that the

City is proceeding to fix the sidewalk. We will notify the working dates of sidewalk completion.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Stewart, Approved 4-0 in regard to the East Sidewalk of the Square.

 

Park electric – Kelly Electric will work on this soon without the boring of electrical line. He can separate the Christmas lights and the Shelter House lights with a separate switch.

Motion by Ervin, Second by Stewart, Approved 3-0 to approve Kelly electric work on the park electric.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0, 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 8:40.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0, 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 9:00.

 

Sally Johnson called in at 8:45, and out at 9:00

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0, 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 9:20.

 

Danea Esslinger called in at 9:30, out at 9:45.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0, 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 9:50.

 

Meeting resumed at 9:50. No action from executive session.

 

 

ADJOURN Time 9:52 Moved by Pemberton, 2nd Kelly, Approved 4-0

 

Art, Business, Fort Scott

The Rockballet Dancers Present “Jet Set To Wonderland” June 20-21

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Reserved Tickets are now on sale for a show of talent you
do not want to miss! Call 855-222-2849 (the number on the flyer is not correct)

https://www.etix.com/ticket/o/8277/rockballet

Kristin Lewis Gorman will present her Rockballet dancers
in their 5th annual production, “Jet Set to Wonderland” ,
this Friday and Saturday, 7:30 PM at the Ellis Family Fine
Arts center, in Fort Scott.

Kristin was a New York City based career performer and
choreographer for 25 years before coming back to open
Rockballet, sharing her knowledge and love of singing,
dancing and acting with students in her hometown.
Kristin teaches every genre of dance and every class at
Rockballet.

As always, each number in the show is her original
choreography, created exclusively for her students.

Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

Meredith Reid Named 2025 National Lowell Milken Center Fellow

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This is part of a series on

 2025 National Lowell Milken Center Fellows.

 

FORT SCOTT, KS – June 1, 2025 – The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, an international educational non-profit, has awarded its prestigious Fellowship to Meredith Reid, a middle and high school choral music educator at Girard public schools in Girard, KS. Meredith will arrive in Fort Scott on June 22nd for a week of collaboration with LMC staff and the other members of the Fellowship.

 

The LMC Fellowship is a merit-based award for educators of all disciplines who value the importance of teaching respect and understanding through project-based learning. The Center selects exemplary teachers from the United States and around the world who will collaborate on projects that discover, develop, and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes in history.

 

Meredith Reid, a choir teacher from Girard, KS, was recognized in January 2025 as a Kansas Milken Educator. The choir program was nearly non-existent when Meredith was a student at Girard High School. When she returned to her alma mater as an educator, she re-established the choir program, where students now have opportunities to succeed at state-level contests and are accepted into many different honor choirs.

Outside of her classroom, Meredith is an active member of her community, both locally and beyond. She serves as the Kansas Choral Directors Association Secretary and Kansas Music Educators Southeast District President-Elect. She is also an officer in the Girard P.E.O. chapter. In the last three years, she has developed a community choir, “Generations,” which reflects her goals of sustaining music as a lifelong passion for all ages.

LMC Executive Director Norm Conard says, “Meredith has re-established and rebuilt the choral music program at Girard Middle and High Schools, making them both successful and award-winning programs. With her previous experience and knowledge of unsung heroes, she has begun plans for unique ways of developing projects with her students.”

While in Fort Scott, LMC Fellows gain knowledge, educational resources, and support in helping students cultivate a passion for learning by creating projects that initiate positive change. Fellows will be equipped to develop Unsung Heroes projects with their students, applying and evaluating the stories of these role models who have changed the world throughout history.

 

 

 

Area News

The 2025 General Funds application is available until June 30th!

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CFSEK Grantee Story Series:

Columbus Schools Park Elementary, Sensory Room Success

The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) is excited to continue our series of articles highlighting the great work done by some of our grantees in Southeast Kansas communities. Our next grantee to highlight is Columbus USD 493 Park Elementary School, recipient of a 2024 General Funds grant focused on Youth Activities for their sensory room project.

Have you ever seen a space that just wasn’t put to full use? You don’t even have to have a plan for it; you just know that it isn’t being used to its full potential? Well, Park Elementary Special Edudation (SPED) teacher Rylee Crain saw an empty office space in her classroom and had an idea. Park Elementary had a “quiet room” for students who needed that space, but the data showed it wasn’t having the intended effect.

“I looked at this office turned storage room in my classroom and thought I could do something exciting,” Crain said. Crain went to her principal to share her idea for a sensory room in this space, and her principal was on board. “She really encouraged me to apply for grants and to move forward with the project.”

With grant funding, Crain was able to purchase a couch, a ball pit, soft lighting, and several other items that would have been hard to get without grant funding. All of these are tools to help children to re-regulate and work through their emotional state.

“This room allows kids to re-regulate their emotions, and work on strategies to help them self-regulate,” Crain said.

The data from kids using the quiet room showed repeated use with little to no improvement in behavior or academics, whereas data from usage of the sensory room showed progress in frequency and improved behavior and academics.

“There was a little boy that would use the sensory room early in the year, and we worked on strategies to help him self-regulate his emotions while in the sensory room,” Crain said. “Eventually, he didn’t need to use it. He came and saw me at the end of the year to thank me, and we had the biggest hug! I’ll never forget that!”

While the sensory room is located in the SPED classroom, Crain wanted to make the space available to everyone.

“I sent out a building-wide email saying that the space is open and available to every kid,” she said. “We want every child to have the tools they need to be successful, and the sensory room can and should be one of those tools!” Teachers can even use the space as a reward for their students. “I have seen so many relationships grow throughout the building because of this, and it makes it feel so worth it!”

Crain talked about improving the check-in/check-out system next year as well. “We want to add a folder system on the door so kids can identify how they are feeling and then have a list of tools they can use in the sensory room,” she said. “This lets each kid get what they need!”

Crain helped complete the project and is now moving to another school in the district for the upcoming year. “I won’t be teaching SPED next year, but I already plan to replicate this project in my new building because I’ve seen the results firsthand!”

Crain stressed that the grant funding received made this project possible. “While we had some funds, without this grant money, we would not have been able to have the completed room within the year. This gave kids the best opportunity to be successful all year long,” she said.

CFSEK’s 2025 General Funds grant cycle application is available until June 30th. More information about the General Funds cycle is available at SoutheastKansas.org/GF.

The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas awarded over $2 million in grants from all foundation funds in 2024 and has facilitated over $25 million in total granting to Southeast Kansas since its inception in 2001. CFSEK serves the region by providing donors with various charitable interests and encouraging charitable giving, which addresses present and future needs in our area. The Columbus Area, Fort Scott Area, and Girard Area Community Foundations are affiliates of CFSEK. More information about CFSEK is available at SoutheastKansas.org.

Art, Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

ArtEffect 2025 Winners

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Presenting the
2025 High School Best in Show!
The $3,000 High School Best in Show prize was awarded to Lauren Kim, an 11th grade student at Horace Mann School in Bronx, New York. Lauren’s relief sculpture entitled Vivid Resilience—which she created with clay and acrylic paint on a wood panel—honors civil rights activist and teacher, Clara Luper. “The outlawing of segregation in 1964 was a collective, momentous effort that largely came into being through the persistent action of grassroots organizations, and persevering will of the people,” reads Lauren’s impact statement. “Especially as a student who loves history, art, and culture, I am constantly reminded that in order to coexist, we must always take our time to learn about the people. Who are the people who represent this beautiful art and culture? Who are the faces behind this historical movement? Humans are social, empathetic beings—something which Luper recognized and sought to communicate to others.”
Congratulations, Lauren Kim!
View “Vivid Resilience”
Photo courtesy of Lauren Kim.
Winning the $2,000 High School Second Place prize was Katelyn Lowe, a 12th grade student at George Washington High School in Charleston, West Virginia. Her acrylic painting, An Artist’s Modernization of American Indian Art, features meticulously rendered recreations of artworks by Oscar Howe, a Yanktonai Dakota modernist painter. “I believe Oscar Howe was an artist of great spirit,” Katelyn writes in her impact statement. “It was his desire for Indian culture to live forever through art.” Her artwork is a reflective tribute to Howe’s powerful artistic legacy. Katelyn is a returning ARTEFFECT awardee, as her artwork, A Woman Ahead of Her Time, won High School Best in Show in the 2024 ARTEFFECT Competition.
Congratulations, Katelyn Lowe!
View “An Artist’s Modernization of American Indian Art”
Read all Impact Statements
2025 Winners and Finalists
Congratulations to all the 2025 Awardees! The Impact Statements for the 2025 winners and finalists are now posted for each project on the ARTEFFECT Website. Read the Winners and Finalists to read about the young artists’ inspiration in choosing their Unsung Heroes as a roles models, and their creative process and interpretation.
View 2025 Winners
View 2025 Finalists
Ambassadors in Action!
Meet our featured Ambassador in Action Sudi Memarzadeh, Visual Art Teacher at Del Lago Academy in Escondido, CA.

Each ARTEFFECT Ambassador culminates their online fellowship with a capstone project that brings the inspiring stories of the LMC Unsung Heroes into their classrooms and communities. As we conclude this year’s fellowship, Sudi shared a little bit about her capstone project. Here is an excerpt from her narrative:

“The most meaningful part has been witnessing students realize that their art can speak to real-world issues and celebrate individuals who often go unrecognized.”

The ARTEFFECT Team joined Sudi and her students for an exciting virtual field trip earlier in the year. Thank you to Sudi and the students at Del Lago Academy for your creativity and inspiring exhibition of ARTEFFECT projects!
Read more about Sudi’s capstone project
Congratulations to Sudi for sponsoring a 2025 Finalist, Mary Ann Bickerdyke by Sienna DePonte, and a 2025 Certificate of Excellence winner, Lily Manoocheri Farr and her project The Life of Mary Bickerdyke. Both these projects focused on Unsung Hero Mary Bickerdyke.
Photo courtesy of Lily Manoocheri Farr.
Stay connected through social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arteffectlmc
X: https://x.com/arteffectlmc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arteffectlmc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@arteffectlmc
For inquiries, contact: [email protected]
ARTEFFECT Facebook
ARTEFFECT Instagram
LMC ARTEFFECT
ARTEFFECT YouTube
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Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College, Government

Critical Shortage of Housing and Skilled Labor Response

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FRAME Grant Land Donation
Request for Proposal

Fort Scott Community College (FSCC), in collaboration with The City of Fort Scott, is seeking proposals for the donation of land to support a new workforce training initiative under the FRAME Grant program.

The FRAME Grant was developed in response to a statewide housing study conducted by the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation. This study identified a critical shortage of both quality housing and skilled labor across Kansas. With current contractors operating at capacity, there is an urgent need to recruit and train a new generation of workers to ensure our communities can build, grow, and thrive.

As part of this initiative, FSCC is seeking the donation of at least 2 acres of land located within the City of Fort Scott. The proposed site will be used for the construction of two new residential homes, which will serve as part of FSCC’s hands-on training program for students entering skilled trades.

Proposals for land donation are now being accepted at the City of Fort Scott to advance this vital collaboration with Fort Scott Community College through the FRAME Grant program.

Submit proposals in writing no later than Monday, June 30, 2025. To Lisa Lewis, City Clerk, City Hall, 123 S. Main Street. Fort Scott KS 66701.  For questions, please reach out to Lisa Dillon 620-223-0550 x 250 or [email protected].

The city reserves the right as judge of all values of selection.

 

Bourbon County

Bourbon County Commission Considers Change to Juvenile Detention Provider

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

Sheriff Bill Martin, Under-sheriff Kevin Davidson, and Angie Eads, Director for the Sixth Judicial District Community Corrections, spoke with Commissioners Mika Milburn and David Beerbower about a possibility of saving the county money by changing their juvenile detention center provider.

The county has use the facility in Girard, KS for juvenile detention services for several years. The annual contract amount has risen steadily over the last few years. Martin asked that the commissioner consider the option of changing to a pay-as-you-go agreement with the facilities in either Johnson or Douglas County.

Undersheriff Kevin Davidson researched the county’s interaction with the juvenile detention facility at Girard. The 2023 budget for Girard was $81,227, in 2024 it was $90,000, and the same is budgeted for 2025. Johnson County has a program that charges the county $180 per day to keep Bourbon County juveniles. Douglas County offers a similar rate and service.

He said that if the county had used Johnson or Douglas County’s juvenile detention centers in 2023, the county could have saved more than $50,000, and more than that in 2024.

Martin said they’ve been discussing getting away with Girard for years. He wants the commission to think very seriously about changing from an annual contract with Girard to a pay-as-you-go set up with either Douglas or Johnson County. He also said they only sent 3 or 4 kids to Girard last year.

Commissioner Mika Milburn said the worst case scenario from the county’s records was in 2022 with 548 days of juveniles from Bourbon County at Gerard. At the $180 per day rate, the cost would be $98,640 for the year.

Eads, whose department does the juvenile intake and assessments to determine, alongside law enforcement, if a juvenile should be held in detention, said that in a 3-year period, one individual used up more than 50% of the days that the county paid for juvenile detention.

County Clerk Susan Walker said that her records show higher numbers billed to Bourbon County for juvenile detention services, causing her to wonder if they have been over-billed. Her math shows a cost of $236-$274 per day over the last few years.

She also said that getting a contract with Girard has become a challenge, that in 2024 it was $98,000 and in 2025 it is $134,000. She also recommended looking at changing to the per-day system that the Sheriff’s department is suggesting.

“You’ll save right off the bat,” said Walker.

Martin plans to bring information for the agreement with Johnson County to the commission for their consideration.

SEK Mental Health Budget

“This has been an ongoing controversy,” said Beerbower. He has been visiting with the 6 counties that also use SEK Mental Health, and said most of them have elected to reduce the budget money towards SEK Mental Health and have recalled their board members. This may be due to a rise in the pay to the CEO.

Bourbon County SEK Mental Health board member Marty Dewitt was at the meeting. He is the pastor of Uniontown First Missionary Baptist Church and has been on the board of SEK Mental Health for the past 10 years. The other member from Bourbon County is Jeff Fischer.

Beerbower suggested waiting for a third commissioner to be sworn in before making any decisions. Milburn agreed

Dr. Cohen Service Agreement

Milburn reviewed the contract and spoke to Dr. Cohen, and he removed number 7 from the contract and explained further about number 9, now number 8.

Milburn moved to sign the new contract. Beerbower agreed and signed as chair.

Budget Committee Selection

Commissioners read letters of interest aloud in the meeting. Those who submitted letters were: Greg Motley (already appointed to sit in on all budget hearings), Carolyn Smith, Katy Casper, Joseph Smith, Marla Heckman, Josh Jones, and Michael Hoyt.

Milburn chose Carolyn Smith and Katy Casper. Beerbower chose Marla Heckman and Josh Jones. Along with Greg Motley, that creates a board of 5. Motley will report to the commission and organize the meetings of the board.

The commissioners thanked everyone for their letters of interest.

Parliamentarian Proposal

Kaety Bowers agreed to serve as parliamentarian to the board of county commissioners. Milburn recommended having more than one parliamentarian to allow for scheduling conflicts. At this time, Bowers is the only one who has agreed to serve. Milburn’s motion included adding parliamentarians “as they decide they want to volunteer,” and was approved.

Mission Statement

Beerbower liked the long version of the mission that Milburn read in the meeting on June 2.

Milburn received some feedback from a citizen, Courtney Halsey, and read it in the meeting.

Beerbower moved to adopt the mission statement submitted by Milburn and the vision statement submitted by Halsey.

Motion carried.

Office Restructuring

The commissioners discussed the required changes in how county office space is used that will occur in January of 2026, when the commission moves from 3 to 5 commissioners. Milburn said that because of all they have going on as a county right now and her stance of only doing what’s absolutely necessary at this time, she is not in favor of spending any money or time on restructuring right now.

Beerbower said that he has received feedback from citizens to the same effect.

“You have a valid point, that we don’t need to rush into this,” said Beerbower.

Beerbower moved to cancel the restructuring for now, to be added back on later in the year when needed. Motion carried.

New Business

Commissioners held a 15 minute Executive Session with members of the Sheriff’s department for matters pertaining to non-elected personnel to protect their privacy. They returned to regular session with no action.

A second Executive Session was held to discuss other personnel matters with just the two commissioners attending. They returned to regular session with no action.

Property Disaster Relief Application – Duane & Tawnya Glasscock

Milburn moved to sign the abatement for 1726 Buckeye Road based on photographic evidence submitted by the Glasscocks. Motion carried.

SEK Regional Planning Commission Update

Greg Motley spoke to the commission about the potential benefits of SEK RPC. He said the organization is the driver of economic development in Southeast Kansas. Montgomery County has been reaping the benefits of the organization, but Bourbon has been “kinda minimalist,” and he wants to make everyone aware of what SEK RPC has to offer. Besides municipal infrastructure and affordable housing, there are loans to establish and expand or retain employees in new businesses. There are also agricultural grants.

“If anybody in the county wants to know what’s available through this organization in grants or loans,” they should contact the commission, he said, who will put them in touch with Motley.

“We should just keep these programs in mind so we’re not on the sidelines and can get our fair share of money,” he said.

Beerbower said he was interested in grants that would help with animal shelters.

Motley said they should consider applying for grants through SEK RPC for the deferred maintenance needed on the courthouse.

Bronson City Park CDBG Grant Letter of Support

A grant was applied for through SEK RPC and a letter of support from the county will help them gain consideration for the grant to the improve the part.

Commissioners approved.

Commissioner Comments

Milburn expressed that she is pleased with the citizens’ response to the need to replace District One Commissioner Brandon Wisenhunt by attending the Republican Party Convention last week.

Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

2025 Lowell Milken Center Fellows Receive Keys to the City

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Front row: Meghan Menchella, Kelly Ryan, Theresa Cantwell, Valerie Conklin
Standing: Jay Weisman, Alex Lahasky. Submitted photo.

 

The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, has awarded its 2025 National Fellowship to 6 educators. As part of their week-long experience in Fort Scott, each of the six fellows for June 15 – 20 was given the key to the city on Tuesday, June 17th, by Lindsay Madison, Tourism and Chamber Director. (Six more Fellows will arrive on June 22nd.)

 

Upon presenting the keys, Madison said, “On behalf of the City of Fort Scott and the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, it is our honor to welcome you to our community. The tradition of presenting a key to a city represents the highest expression of civic gratitude and trust, honoring outstanding impact through leadership and service. As Lowell Milken Fellows, you are transforming lives into not just what students know but in who they become. Through Unsung Hero projects, you inspire students to gain purpose and vision to grow into stars of the future. May the key serve as a lasting reminder of Fort Scott’s appreciation for your dedication and impact.”

 

The Fellows honored this week were Theresa Cantwell from New York, Valerie Conklin from ­­­­New York, Alex Lahasky from Kansas, Meghan Menchella from Missouri, Kelly Ryan from Louisiana, and Jay Weisman from Louisiana. LMC Director Norm Conard praised these outstanding individuals, saying, “It is an honor to be able to network and collaborate with these exceptional educators and provide this opportunity for them to reflect, reenergize, and strategize with each other as they seek new ways to inspire their students.”

Every summer, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes awards its Fellowship to national and international award-winning educators from America and around the world. As National LMC Fellows, they deepen their understanding of Unsung Heroes and project-based learning in preparation for developing Unsung Heroes projects with their students. They also learn the stories of powerful role models who have helped to change the world and can be life-changing examples for students today. Along with the time spent deepening their professional skills at the LMC, the Fellows enjoy visiting the Fort Scott area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County Local News