Ad: Rob Hodgkinson — Real-World Experience

I grew a small business during the 2008 recession. I’ll bring that to Topeka.

Rob Hodgkinson, Libertarian, Kansas House District 4: Built a business. Did the work.

I owned a window business for seven years. When the 2008 recession hit, we grew from 2 employees to 10.

I’ve been a Realtor for 14 years. I got my CDL in 1990 and have trained hundreds of school bus drivers. Before all that, I carried hod for a bricklayer.

Today I drive a school bus for Uniontown. When I don’t know something, I dig until I find the answer. Topeka could use more people who’ve done the work.

Real work. Real experience. Rob Hodgkinson for Kansas House, District 4.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. In Bourbon County, early voting at the Courthouse runs Oct. 19 through noon Nov. 2.

Paid for by Hodgkinson for Kansas, Ric Koehn treasurer.

Learn more: rob4ks.com

Three Nominees Sent to Governor for 6th District Judge

TOPEKA—The 6th Judicial District Nominating Commission sent the names of three nominees for district judge to Governor Laura Kelly, who has 60 days to decide who will fill the vacancy.

The judicial vacancy was created when District Judge Mark Ward retired October 9.

The 6th Judicial District is composed of Bourbon, Linn, and Miami counties.

The nominees are:

  • James Crux, Pittsburg, Bourbon County attorney
  • Madeline Jensen, Spring Hill, assistant county attorney, Miami County
  • Jacklyn Paletta, Paola, municipal judge, Louisburg; county counselor, Linn County; Pascolo Law LLC

Term of office

After serving one year in office, a new judge must stand for a retention vote in the next general election to remain in the position. If retained, the incumbent will serve a four-year term.

Nominating commission

The 6th Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Justice Larkin Walsh as the nonvoting chair; Mark McCoy and Zackery Reynolds, Fort Scott; Patton Apple and Ronald Wood, Louisburg; Todd Schneider, Mound City; and Mary Stephenson, Paola.

FSCC Board of Trustees Special Meeting Oct. 30, 2026

The Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees will hold a Special Board Meeting on Friday, October 30, 2026, at 1:00 PM in the Ellis Fine Arts Building on the FSCC campus.

The agenda for the meeting includes:

  • 1.0 Call Meeting to Order – Chair Doug Ropp (Action)
  • 2.0 Flag Salute & Invocation
  • 3.0 Leadership Reports (Information)
  • 4.0 New Business
    • 4.1 Consideration of IT Contract with City of Fort Scott (Action)
  • 5.0 Personnel
    • 5.1 Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action)
    • 5.2 Exit Executive Session – Return to Open Session (Action)
    • 5.3 Employment Matters of Non-Elected Personnel (Action)
  • 6.0 Adjourn (Action)

The full agenda is available as an attachment: 01_Agenda_10_30_2026_-_Public.pdf

City of Fort Scott Commission Agenda Summary for Nov 3, 2026

Fort Scott City Commission Meeting

11-3-26 Agenda

Fort Scott City Commission Meeting Agenda – November 3, 2026, 6:00 PM

  • I. Call to Order
  • II. Pledge of Allegiance
  • III. Invocation
  • IV. Approval of Agenda
  • V. Consent Agenda
    • A. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1419-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates of October 14, 2026 – October 27, 2026: $773,469.42
    • B. Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting of October 20, 2026
    • C. Request to Pay Application No. 1 – Mid-Continental Restoration Co – Memorial Hall: $47,678.29
    • D. Request to Pay Invoice No. 1 – Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission (SEKRPC) – CDBG Grant Administrative Services – Project No. 25-PF-008 – Memorial Hall: $19,000
  • VI. Public Comment
  • VII. Appearance
    • Mary Wyatt and Leroy Kruger – Consideration of Grant Agreement No. 26-HR-002 with KDOC for a $300,000 CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Grant and approval of the required $5,500 City match
    • Natalia Varzea – Tourism Update and Consideration of 2027 Marketing Proposals from Simpleview ($58,200), Cumulus Media ($42,000), and iFocus Media ($35,000), with a recommendation to approve Proposal #3 from iFocus Media
  • VIII. Unfinished Business
    • A. Consideration to Purchase Single Axel Vactor 2100i Combination Sewer Cleaner – $558,564.47 – B. Lemke
    • B. Consideration to Approve Ordinance No. 3802 – Approval of Codification of Fort Scott Ordinances
    • C. Consideration to Approve Ordinance No. 3803 – Standard Traffic Ordinance (STO) and Ordinance No. 3804 – Uniform Public Offense Code (UPOC)
    • D. Consideration of Sale of Lake Lots – Phase I – B. Matkin
  • IX. New Business
    • A. Consideration of Ordinance No. 3805 – An Ordinance Providing for the Salaries of the Appointive Officers and Employees of the City of Fort Scott, Bourbon County, Kansas, and Repealing Ordinance No. 3791
    • B. Consideration of Ordinance No. 3806 – An Ordinance Increasing the Basic Monthly Charge for Sanitary Sewer Rates in the City of Fort Scott by Amending Chapter 54.034 of the Fort Scott Municipal Code and Repealing Ordinance No. 3788
    • C. Consideration of Ordinance No. 3807 – An Ordinance Setting New Water Rates and Repealing Ordinance No. 3789 for the City of Fort Scott, Bourbon County, Kansas, Pursuant to the Fort Scott Municipal Code, Chapter 50.004
    • D. Consideration of Ordinance No. 3808 – An Ordinance Amending the Fort Scott Stormwater User Charge and Repealing Ordinance No. 3790 for the City of Fort Scott, Bourbon County, Kansas, Pursuant to the Fort Scott Municipal Code, Chapter 54.036
    • E. Consideration to Approve the 2027 City of Fort Scott Holiday Schedule – B. Matkin
    • F. Discussion of Reinstatement of the Lake Advisory Board – T. Dancer
  • X. Reports and Comments
  • XI. Adjourn

Fort Scott Police Day Sheets – October 28, 2026

Fort Scott Police Day Sheets

Fort Scott Police Day Sheets – October 28, 2026

Fort Scott police, fire and EMS logged 45 calls for service on October 28, 2026.

Reports and Arrests

Assault — 9:29 AM, 1604 National, Fort Scott, KS. Complaint No. 26-01718FS. Disposition: RPTG.

Accident / Hit and Run — 10:35 AM, 1545 215th #Lot C. Complaint No. 26-1023BB. Disposition: RPTC.

Theft — 3:24 PM, 2500 S Main, Fort Scott, KS. Complaint No. 26-01719FS. Disposition: RPTG.

Juvenile — 7:33 PM, 1005 Charles St, Bronson. Complaint No. 26-1025BB. Disposition: RPTG.

Fire and EMS

EMS — 8:55 AM, 17 Jersey. Disposition: AMBU.

EMS — 9:56 AM, 221 S Hulett St, Fort Scott. Disposition: AMBU.

EMS — 5:39 PM, 201 W 23rd St #2A3. Disposition: * Multiple.

Fire / Other — 6:25 PM, W 8th St. Disposition: FIRE.

Other Calls for Service

911 / Hang Up — 7:26 AM, 1604 S National Ave. Disposition: HBD.

Traffic Complaint / Traffic Lights/RR Crossing — 7:48 AM, Wall St, Fort Scott. Disposition: HBO.

27,28,29 Checks — 7:51 AM, 293 E 20th St. Disposition: HBO.

Check Welfare — 10:32 AM, 1604 National, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: HBO.

Seeking Advice/Info / City — 11:47 AM, 1604 National, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: HBO.

911 / Accidental — 11:52 AM, 1604 S National Ave. Disposition: HBD.

Seeking Advice/Info — 11:51 AM, 1604 National, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: HBO.

Lost Property — 1:21 PM, 1604 National, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: HBO.

Check Welfare — 2:41 PM, 2224 S Main, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: HBO.

Check Welfare — 3:11 PM, 1114 S Main St. Disposition: HBO.

Extra Patrol — 3:44 PM, National Ave. Disposition: HBO.

Seeking Advice/Info / City — 3:53 PM, 1604 National, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: HBO.

Follow-Up — 4:41 PM, 309 Heylman, Fort Scott. Disposition: HBO.

Seeking Advice/Info / City — 4:45 PM, 1604 National, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: HBO.

Traffic Complaint / Livestock — 4:51 PM, 165th. Disposition: 77.

Parking Complaint — 5:43 PM, 324 S Main St. Disposition: HBO.

Seeking Advice/Info — 5:54 PM, 293 E 20th St. Disposition: HBO.

Alarm / Burglary — 6:12 PM, 11 E 18th, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: 77.

Public Assist — 6:18 PM, 907 Emmert, Fort Scott. Disposition: HBO.

Seeking Advice/Info / City — 6:50 PM, 1604 National, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: HBO.

Check Subject — 7:02 PM, 1257 S Crawford, Fort Scott. Disposition: HBO.

Shots Fired — 8:07 PM, S Crawford. Disposition: 77.

Traffic Complaint / Livestock — 8:38 PM, 54 Hwy. Disposition: HBO.

Remove Subject — 9:52 PM, 624 Short St. Disposition: HBO.

911 / Accidental — 10:29 PM, 416 S Margrave St, Fort Scott. Disposition: HBD.

Traffic Stops

Traffic Stop — 1:02 AM, 2101 S Main, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 1:33 PM, 4th St. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 5:07 PM, Wall St, Fort Scott. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 7:03 PM, 12th St. Disposition: HBO.

Traffic Stop — 7:12 PM, 10th St, Fort Scott. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 7:22 PM, 1819 S Main, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 7:32 PM, 2 Jersey. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 8:02 PM, 69 Hwy, Fort Scott. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 8:20 PM, 69 Hwy. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 8:31 PM, 69 Hwy, Fort Scott. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 9:18 PM, 69 Hwy, Fort Scott. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 9:48 PM, 6th St, Fort Scott. Disposition: WW.

Total Calls for Service: 45

Documents:

Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Report – Oct 29, 2026

Bourbon County Sheriff’s Report

Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Report – October 29, 2026

Arrested

No arrest summary was included with this report.

Released

Smith, Andrew Todd — Released 10/28/2026 10:17 AM via Probation (Self).

Taala, Pese Filisi-Lepani — Released 10/28/2026 8:12 AM via Surety Bond (A+ Bonding).

Total Inmates Released: 2

Documents:

Ad: Rick James — Proven Experience

I’ve served you here at home and in Topeka.

Re-elect Rick James, Republican, Kansas State Representative District 4: Proven Experience

I’m Rick James. I served two full terms as Linn County Commissioner, from 2014 to 2022. I chose not to run for a third, because I believe in term limits at every level of government.

In my first term in the Kansas House:

  • Appointed Chairman of the Veterans and Military Committee, the first time in many years a first-term legislator has led a committee
  • Twice selected to preside over the full House of 125 legislators
  • Serving on Insurance, Elections, Corrections and Juvenile Justice, and the Joint Committee on Kansas Security

Eight years local. Proven in Topeka. Re-elect Rick James, State Representative, District 4.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Early voting at the Bourbon County Courthouse starts Oct. 19.

Paid for by Rick James for Kansas State Representative.

Learn more: Rick James on Facebook | rickjamesks.com

Ad: Rob Hodgkinson — I Drive a School Bus for Uniontown

I drive a school bus for Uniontown. I know what working families here are dealing with.

Rob Hodgkinson, Libertarian, Kansas House District 4: Still working. Ready to serve.

I’ve been working since I was a kid, bucking bales on the farm. I was paying into Social Security at 14. My dad told me that if I wanted a car, I’d pay for it.

That never stopped. Today I drive a school bus in Uniontown, sell real estate, and pay property tax on my own home here, like a lot of you.

I’ve worked for a living my whole life, and I still do. The bills you’re paying, I’m paying too.

A working Kansan, ready to serve. Rob Hodgkinson for Kansas House, District 4.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. In Bourbon County, early voting at the Courthouse runs Oct. 19 through noon Nov. 2.

Paid for by Hodgkinson for Kansas, Ric Koehn treasurer.

Learn more: rob4ks.com

Kansans Still Have Time to Control Winter Energy Bills

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — As temperatures begin to cool, Kansas Gas Service customers still have time to take proactive steps that can help reduce their energy usage and avoid surprises on their monthly bills as colder weather sets in.

While customers can’t control the weather, they can control the energy efficiency of their homes and how they prepare for seasonal changes in their monthly natural gas bills. Taking action now can help reduce energy usage, improve home comfort and put customers in a better position to manage heating costs throughout the winter.

“Many customers don’t realize they can help reduce their winter energy use and monthly energy costs,” said Lisa Holleron, vice president of Operations for Kansas Gas Service. “The steps they take now, from improving their home’s energy efficiency to enrolling in the Average Payment Plan, can help reduce surprises and provide more predictability during the heating season.”

Customers can prepare their homes for colder weather by sealing air leaks around doors and windows, adding weather stripping where needed and replacing or cleaning HVAC filters. Even small adjustments like lowering the thermostat when away or sleeping can help reduce unnecessary energy use.

In addition to improving energy efficiency, customers can enroll in the Kansas Gas Service Average Payment Plan (APP). The program helps reduce seasonal swings in natural gas bills by spreading costs evenly throughout the year, providing a more predictable monthly payment.

While energy usage can naturally climb during the cold winter months and increase bills, APP calculates payments using a rolling 12-month average that adjusts over time based on actual energy use and natural gas costs. Combined with energy-saving habits and home efficiency improvements, APP can help customers better plan for winter heating expenses.

The best time to prepare for winter energy bills is before winter arrives. Customers who act now can take steps to use less energy, improve home comfort, lower bills and make monthly energy costs more predictable.

Find more seasonal cost-saving tips and information about the Average Payment Plan at kansasgasservice.com/WinterReady.

About Kansas Gas Service

Kansas Gas Service provides a reliable and affordable energy choice to more than 647,000 customers in Kansas and is the largest natural gas distributor in the state, in terms of customers. Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas Gas Service is a division of ONE Gas, Inc. (NYSE: OGS), a 100-percent regulated natural gas utility that trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “OGS.” ONE Gas is included in the S&P MidCap 400 Index and is one of the largest natural gas utilities in the United States. For more information and the latest news about Kansas Gas Service, visit kansasgasservice.com.

Fort Scott Police Day Sheets – October 26, 2026

Fort Scott Police Day Sheets

Fort Scott Police Day Sheets – October 26, 2026

Fort Scott police, fire and EMS logged 71 calls for service on October 26, 2026.

Reports and Arrests

Accident / Non-Injury — 7:28 AM, 39 Hwy, Fort Scott. Complaint No. 26-1014BB. Disposition: HBO.

Remove Subject — 1:06 PM, 408 S Margrave St, Fort Scott. Complaint No. 26-01709FS. Disposition: HBO.

SRO — 2:56 PM, 900 E 3rd, Fort Scott, KS. Complaint No. 26-01710FS. Disposition: RPTG.

Accident / Non-Injury — 4:39 PM, 2500 S Main, Fort Scott, KS. Complaint No. 26-01711FS. Disposition: RPTA.

Accident / Injury Unknown — 4:55 PM, 39 Hwy. Complaint No. 26-1016BB. Disposition: * Multiple.

Seeking Advice/Info / Walk-In — 5:05 PM, 1604 National, Fort Scott, KS. Complaint No. 26-01712FS. Disposition: RPTG.

Found Property — 7:28 PM, 2108 S Horton St, Fort Scott. Complaint No. 26-01713FS. Disposition: RPTG.

Check Subject — 9:24 PM, Wall St, Fort Scott. Complaint No. 26-1017BB. Disposition: ARRC.

Traffic Stop — 10:56 PM, Wall St, Fort Scott. Complaint No. 26-1018BB. Disposition: RPTG.

Traffic Stop — 11:38 PM, Wall St, Fort Scott. Complaint No. 26-01714FS. Disposition: * Multiple.

Fire and EMS

Fire / Other — 7:27 AM, National Ave, Fort Scott. Disposition: HBD.

EMS / Transfer — 4:33 PM, 401 Woodland Hills Blvd, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: HBO.

Other Calls for Service

27,28,29 Checks — 1:17 AM, 1604 S National Ave, Fort Scott. Disposition: HBD.

Traffic Complaint / Dead Animal Pickup/Debris — 6:16 AM, 54 Hwy. Disposition: HBD.

911 / Accidental — 6:40 AM, 161 1604 National, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: HBD.

Check Welfare — 8:30 AM, 601 Eugene, Bronson. Disposition: HBO.

No Problem — 9:21 AM, 601 E 5th St. Disposition: HBO.

Check Welfare — 9:37 AM, 705 Clay St, Bronson. Disposition: HBO.

911 / Accidental — 9:43 AM, 1604 National, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: HBD.

Lost Property — 10:18 AM, 708 W 2nd St. Disposition: HBO.

Seeking Advice/Info — 10:41 AM, 1604 National, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: HBO.

Vin Inspections / County — 12:23 PM, 293 E 20th St. Disposition: HBO.

Vehicle Unlock — 1:08 PM, 1222 Crawford. Disposition: HBO.

Follow-Up — 1:31 PM, 1604 National, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: HBO.

Seeking Advice/Info — 1:33 PM, 293 E 20th St. Disposition: HBO.

Animal Control — 1:35 PM, 4th St. Disposition: 77.

Follow-Up — 2:04 PM, 293 E 20th St. Disposition: HBO.

Check Area — 2:12 PM, 1010 Park Ave. Disposition: HBO.

Seeking Advice/Info — 2:38 PM, 1604 National, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: HBO.

Check Subject — 4:11 PM, 12th St. Disposition: HBO.

Seeking Advice/Info — 4:41 PM, 741 S National Ave. Disposition: HBO.

SRO — 4:46 PM, 1005 S Main, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: HBO.

Seeking Advice/Info — 5:24 PM, 1604 National, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: HBO.

No Problem — 6:11 PM, 2108 S Horton St, Fort Scott. Disposition: HBO.

Check Welfare — 8:44 PM, 607 Randolph, Bronson. Disposition: HBO.

Suspicious Activity — 8:47 PM, 104 N Eddy, Fort Scott. Disposition: HBO.

Seeking Advice/Info / City — 9:17 PM, 1604 National, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: HBO.

Check Vehicle — 10:06 PM, 69 Hwy. Disposition: HBO.

Traffic Stops

Traffic Stop — 1:23 AM, 69 Hwy, Fort Scott. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 4:02 PM, 215th. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 6:02 PM, 69 Hwy. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 6:23 PM, Eagle. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 7:29 PM, Eddy, Fort Scott. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 7:36 PM, 1810 S Main St. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 7:52 PM, 54 Hwy. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 7:59 PM, 69 Hwy. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 8:08 PM, 54 Hwy. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 8:20 PM, 69 Hwy. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 8:23 PM, 15th St. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 8:30 PM, 69 Hwy, Fort Scott. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 8:33 PM, 917 215th. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 8:36 PM, 18th St. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 8:38 PM, 69 Hwy. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 8:45 PM, 69 Hwy, Fort Scott. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 8:48 PM, 69 Hwy. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 8:54 PM, 2500 S Main, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 8:55 PM, 69 Hwy. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 9:11 PM, Main St. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 9:16 PM, 69 Hwy. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 9:18 PM, 19th St. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 9:44 PM, 69 Hwy. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 9:45 PM, 69 Hwy. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 9:53 PM, 69 Hwy. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 10:05 PM, 2500 S Main, Fort Scott, KS. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 10:19 PM, 69 Hwy. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 10:24 PM, 69 Hwy. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 10:26 PM, 54 Hwy. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 10:34 PM, 69 Hwy. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 10:35 PM, 54 Hwy. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 10:38 PM, 54 Hwy, Fort Scott. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 11:15 PM, 5th St. Disposition: WW.

Traffic Stop — 11:20 PM, 1920 S Main St. Disposition: WW.

Total Calls for Service: 71

Documents:

Bourbon County Local News