Harley Louis Fuhrman, age 86, a resident of Bronson, Kansas, left his earthly home to join the Lord on Sunday, May 24, 2026, with his loved ones by his side. Harley was born to G. Leslie “Pete” Fuhrman and Bertha (Perry) Fuhrman on November 26, 1939, in Bronson. Harley attended the Dry Ridge one room schoolhouse for his primary education and then attended high school at Blue Mound, Kansas, where he graduated with the Class of 1958. Harley attended Ft. Scott Community College where he played both basketball and football, graduating in 1961. Harley enlisted with the United States Army in 1962 and was honorably discharged in 1964. Harley spent his entire life as a farmer and rancher, in partnership with his brother until 1978, then he and Beverly ventured out on their own. Harley enjoyed bowling for over forty years. He bowled in men’s leagues, mixed leagues and bowled in many tournaments. His men’s team won the Kansas State Bowling Tournament in 1977. Throughout his life, he enjoyed working with his hands, not only on the farm, but as a master wood craftsman. Harley made each of his grandchildren a bed and toy chest. He was diverse in his ability, making china hutches, entertainment centers, beds, dressers and corner cabinets for family members. He also assisted in adding the annex onto the Bronson United Methodist Church. Harley enjoyed camping and going on vacation with his children and other family members. He also enjoyed other travels with his family to Alaska, Italy and most recently a cruise to the Caribbean. Harley served as a board member for several organizations such as USD #235 School Board, Moran Coop and Farm Bureau. He was also an ACCO Seed and Vigortone dealer. Harley married Beverly Jo Bacon on June 19, 1966, in Bronson, Kansas. This union was blessed with two children, Christine M. and W. Kenneth.
Harley was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Leroy Fuhrman and wife, Luella and Duane Fuhrman and wife, Deanna and a sister, Helen Rife, and husband, Sam. Harley is survived by his loyal wife, Beverly of fifty-nine years, his daughter Christine M. Hanna and husband, Aric and his son, W. Kenneth Fuhrman and wife, Sue. Also surviving are grandchildren, Haylee J. Hanna and husband, Nick Watson, Brody B. Hanna and wife, Karli, Chance W. Fuhrman and Alexa Fuhrman and a great-grandson, Asher A. Watson and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pastor Tracy Smith will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, May 28th at the Bronson United Methodist Church. Burial with military honors will follow in the Bronson Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Wednesday at the Bronson United Methodist Church. Memorials are suggested to the Bronson United Methodist Church and may be left in 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.
Mark Christian Kase, age 66, resident of Garland, KS, passed away Sunday, May 10, 2026, at Medicalodge of Nevada. He was born February 26, 1960, in Norfolk, VA, the son of Mark and Anne Scheiberger Kase. Mark served 21 years in the Marines. He then spent his remaining career of 24 years in law enforcement with the Sheriff’s department and security. Mark enjoyed all things outdoors including yard work, camping and of course shooting. He also enjoyed woodworking and reading.
Survivors include his wife Denise Howard-Kase of the home; 6 children, James Ryan Howard (Stephanie), Thomas Jay Howard (Jessica), Christopher Michael Kase (Christine) Jonathon Stuart Howard, Heather Anne Searles (Mike), and Jonathon Stuart Howard-Kase; 3 grandchildren, Ava Kase, Hunter Kase, and Sloane Wolfe; and 2 sisters, Kim Kase-Atkins and Karen Marchesseau.
There was cremation. Graveside services will be held at 12:30 PM Monday, June 8th, at the U.S. National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11:30 AM until 12:15 PM Monday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Mark Kase Memorial Fund and May be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.
SEESTED, KOLBY ROBERT, 26 Arrested: 5/22/2026 3:55 AM Agency: BCSO Charges: – Dui; 1st Conviction ($1,000 cash/surety) – Transporting An Open Container ($0 cash/surety) Bond Total: $1,000
LAWRENCE, CHANDLER LEE, 23 Arrested: 5/22/2026 4:18 PM Agency: Fort Scott PD Charge: Warrant: Bourbon County (probation violation) * Bond Total: $2,000
PEARSON, MARTIN JOSEPH JR, 40 Arrested: 5/22/2026 5:27 PM Agency: Fort Scott PD Charge: Violation Of Protection Order; Unknown Circum Bond Total: $2,500
MUMBOWER, KARA LAWAYNE, 35 Arrested: 5/23/2026 3:09 AM Agency: BCSO Charges: – Dist Or Poss W/Int Drug Paraph For Illegal Use ($0 cash/surety) – Dui; Misdemeanor ($0 cash/surety) – Possess Opiates/Opium/Narc Drug And Certain Stim ($2,500 cash/surety) Bond Total: $2,500
Southeast Kansas will send two projects to the National History Day Championship in College Park, Maryland, June 14-18. Three projects from Christian Learning Center attended the State National History Day Championships in Topeka in April.
The Fort Scott State Champion groups competing at Nationals in June will present their performances at 6:30 PM on Thursday, May 28th, at the Christian Learning Center in Fort Scott. This presentation will allow the students to practice sharing their projects and raise funds for their trip to College Park, MD. The community is invited to attend and support the two student groups. Attendees can enter through the CLC Gym doors.
Sophomores Kenlee Eden, Blair Felt, and Kodie Wells from Fort Scott Christian Learning Center will participate in the Senior Group Performance category, coached by Megan Felt and Rachel Wells. Their project is titled Down With Child Slavery: Revolutionizing Child Labor Standards. Their project is a performance based on Florence Kelley. In 1891, Florence Kelley spearheaded a labor rights revolution in America. Intense reactions brought both strong opposition and overwhelming support as she continued to promote equality. Ultimately, these conflicts would bring lasting reform to child labor rights by paving the way for the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
8th-grade students Bella Antone, Charlee Wells, and Hadley Wells from Fort Scott Christian Learning Center participated in the Junior Group Performance category at the State National History Day competition, coached by Rachel Wells and Megan Felt. Their project is Bridging Two Cultures: A Crusader that Revolutionized Navajo Health Care with Lasting Reform. The performance is based on Annie Dodge Wauneka’s reaction to the devastating impact of disease on her people; she became a crusader for Navajo health care. Her efforts began in the 1950s and continued until her death in 1997, inspiring lasting reform in public health policies and the empowerment of Indigenous peoples.
History Day encourages students to express their knowledge of and interest in history through creative and original dramatic performances, media presentations, historical papers, website design, or three-dimensional exhibit projects. The research and study for district, state, and national competitions take place throughout the entire school year.
The national competition involves the top 2,800 students from across the nation, chosen from over 800,000 who compete to advance from local to state to national competition. All 50 states and several countries will be represented at the National competition. The theme this year is ‘Rights and Responsibilities in History.’
The Lowell Milken Center provides critiques and helps with research for National History Day Unsung Hero projects from Kansas and throughout the United States.
For more information, contact Megan Felt, LMC Program Director, at [email protected] or (620) 223-1312.
Fort Scott, Kansas — Bourbon County Clerk Susan Walker filed a lawsuit in Bourbon County District Court on May 22, 2026, asking a judge to stop the recall petition currently being circulated against her. The case, Walker v. Crux et al. (BB-2026-CV-000048), names Bourbon County Attorney James Crux and the three members of the recall committee — Kyle R. Parks, Kevin Wagner, and Lyle K. Owenby — as defendants. Hon. Richard M. Fisher Jr. is assigned to the case.
Walker also filed an emergency motion asking the court to halt signature-gathering immediately while the case is decided.
The county attorney never officially signed off on the version of the petition being circulated. Under K.S.A. 25-4322(b), the county attorney has to review any recall petition and notify the official, the recall committee, and the county election officer in writing before signatures can be collected. Walker says Crux did that for the first draft (see his letter on April 27, 2026) but not for the amended version.
The reasons listed don’t legally qualify as grounds for a recall. Under K.S.A. 25-4302, a Kansas official can only be recalled for a felony conviction, “misconduct in office,” or “failure to perform duties prescribed by law.” Walker argues the petition is too vague to meet the standard Kansas courts have set in earlier recall cases.
What’s the recall about?
The recall traces back to an error on early-voting ballots for the November 4, 2025 general election. According to Walker, USD 235 (Uniontown school district) had not told the Clerk’s office which of three “voting plans” (A, B, or C, under K.S.A. 72-1083) it wanted to use for its school board race. The clerk’s office printed ballots under Plan C when the correct plan was Plan B. By the time the mistake was caught, 52 early voters had cast incorrect ballots. Walker laid out her account in a May 10 statement on FortScott.biz.
What both sides agree on
Both sides agree on the core error: the USD 235 early-voting ballots were wrong, and Walker’s office printed corrected ballots in time for Election Day. Walker’s lawsuit adds (and the recall side does’t dispute) that the election was then certified. No formal challenge was filed regarding the results of the election.
Where they disagree
When Walker found out — and how fast she responded. This is the heart of the recall. The previous no-confidence vote said the ballots were wrong “despite timely notifications from affected residents… while advance voting was actively underway,” and the recall petition echoes it almost word for word: the problem was “brought to her attention by multiple individuals during the early voting period.” Both imply Walker was aware of the issue and chose not to act for some time. Walker tells it differently. Her May 10 statement says the first notification was a call “before 12:00 PM on November 3” — the day before the election. Her lawsuit puts the first call at exactly 9:51 a.m. She says she began fixing the problem immediately, as K.S.A. 25-604(c) requires (“corrected without delay”). Neither the petition nor the no-confidence letter names dates, people, or specifies a timeline for the earlier complaints; Walker says she has a record of the November 3 call.
FortScott.biz contacted Bourbon County Republican party to see if they had any supporting information or evidence for the version of the timeline from the no confidence vote. The chairperson responded with this statement:
The issue that my precinct committeemen and women are focused on is that the wrong ballots were distributed.
(FortScott.biz also reached out to the households of Kyle R. Parks, Kevin Wagner, and Lyle K. Owenby via Facebook messenger asking if they had any information or evidence to support their statements in the recall petition that are disputed by the clerk. Mr. Owenby gave the query a thumbs up, but no other response was received before this article was published.)
Whether this legally counts as “failure to perform duties.” The petition says yes: Walker “caused to be printed and distributed incorrect ballots,” didn’t fix it quickly enough, and made statements “later contradicted by testimony from the school superintendent.” Walker says no: USD 235 failed to certify its voting plan, and she fixed the resulting ballot error as soon as she was notified they intended to use a different plan.
Whether the county attorney has signed off on the current petition. Walker says Crux’s April 27 letter only reviewed the first draft and that the amended version needs a new written determination. But that letter actually ruled on the two grounds separately finding “failure to perform duties” sufficient and “misconduct” insufficient. Crux told the committee, “Only the sufficient reasons for recall should be contained on the petition.” The amended petition does exactly that: it drops “misconduct” and keeps “failure to perform duties.” Whether Crux’s existing determination carries over as approval, or whether the amendment requires a fresh K.S.A. 25-4322(b) letter, is one of the questions for the court.
“K.S.A. Chapter 25 includes forty-seven separate articles with hundreds of statutes containing thousands of subsections. Defendant Recall Committee must be more specific in its petition if they wish to allege violating a statute as grounds for recall. They could, for instance, cite to specific statutes as Defendant Crux did in his letter evaluating the first proposed recall petition. … There, Defendant Crux says, K.S.A. §§ 25-604(a) and 25-2303(a) are duties of the County Election Officer. Such specificity is nowhere in the Recall Petition, as it must be.”
In other words, Walker argues the petition must meet the same specificity standard Crux himself applied when he reviewed it.
Whether “misconduct” is still being alleged. The first draft used the word “misconduct.” Crux’s April 27 letter found “nothing in the petition supports this allegation.” The amended petition drops the word but keeps the same allegations. Walker says the misconduct claim is therefore still being made, just relabeled.
What this lawsuit does and doesn’t decide
According to K.S.A. 25-4325, the recall committee and people circulating the petition swear, under penalty of perjury, that the claims are true, but the claims do not have to be proven true in court for a recall to move forward. The law leaves the truth of the allegations to the voters. The only way to stop a recall petition in court is to show that it is legally invalid — not to show that its accusations are false.
That is the kind of challenge Walker has brought. She disputes several of the petition’s factual claims, but her lawsuit does not ask the court to decide whether they are true. It argues the petition is procedurally and legally insufficient: that the county attorney never issued the determination K.S.A. 25-4322(b) requires for the circulating version, and that its grounds are too vague and too disconnected from her actual duties. Kansas courts have drawn this line clearly. In Baker v. Gibson (1995), the Court of Appeals held that “the truth or falsity of the grounds must still be determined by the electorate, not the county or district attorney” — the very sentence Crux quoted in his April 27 letter, where he wrote that he reviewed the petition “assuming the facts are true,” not checking whether they were. Cline v. Tittel (1995) drew the same distinction, holding that the county or district attorney decides a petition’s legal sufficiency but “does not determine whether the grounds asserted should subject the local officer to recall.”
What the county attorney does decide is legal sufficiency: whether the petition alleges one of the three statutory grounds, states it specifically enough for the official to answer, and follows the required steps. If the court sides with Walker on any of those, it could block the petition without ever ruling on what she knew, when she knew it, or how fast she acted.
Timeline
October–November 3, 2025 — Early voting underway. Walker says her first notification of the ballot problem came November 3; the recall side says residents notified her earlier.
November 3–4, 2025 — Corrected ballots printed overnight; election held November 4.
May 22, 2026 — Walker files her lawsuit and emergency motion.
What Walker is asking for
She wants the court to declare the amended petition invalid and block signature-gathering, any recall election, and certification of any results. Her emergency motion, filed under K.S.A. 60-903, argues the ongoing recall is doing harm to her reputation that can’t be undone later. Walker is represented by Jonathan L. Ehrlich, Joshua A. Ney, and Wyatt Hoagland of KN Law Group in Olathe. No defense attorneys had appeared as of filing.
What happens next
Three things are in motion at once:
The emergency motion. Judge Fisher can grant or deny it without first hearing from the defendants, but only if he finds Walker is being immediately harmed. This is the soonest milestone: if granted, signature collection stops while the case plays out; if denied, signatures keep being collected.
The main lawsuit. The four defendants have been served and typically have 21 days to respond. Expect motions to dismiss and a hearing schedule over the coming weeks.
The signature window. Under K.S.A. 25-4324, a recall committee has 90 days to gather the required signatures, and that clock starts when the committee receives the county attorney’s written notice that the grounds are sufficient. The only such notice in the record is Crux’s April 27 letter on the first petition, which would put the deadline on or about July 26, 2026. Walker’s lawsuit argues the amended petition now being circulated never received its own sufficiency notice, so when — or whether — a valid 90-day clock started is itself one of the disputed questions. Unless the court intervenes, signature-gathering continues.
Being named in a lawsuit is not a finding of wrongdoing; defendants may respond and contest the claims. FortScott.biz will continue to follow the case.
One of the greatest challenges in leadership is deciding whose voice deserves your attention. Whether leading a business, a school, or even a family, there will always be opinions coming from every direction. Some voices provide wisdom, perspective, and accountability. Others simply create noise.
In The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey reminds us to “seek first to understand, then to be understood.” Effective leaders listen carefully before reacting emotionally. They gather facts, consider motives, and stay grounded in principles rather than popularity.
Unfortunately, leadership today often faces a different challenge, the anonymous critic. There are individuals who act like chameleons, constantly changing colors depending on the environment around them. In public, they may smile, shake your hand, and offer encouragement. Behind closed doors, especially when comments can remain anonymous, the tone changes. Frustration becomes anger. Criticism becomes personal. Rumors replace solutions.
Interestingly, anonymous criticism rarely comes from the organization’s strongest performers. Most high-impact employees are too busy working, producing, solving problems, and helping others succeed to spend their energy hiding behind anonymous attacks. More often, the loudest anonymous voices come from individuals struggling with performance, resisting accountability, or frustrated because expectations are increasing around them. Instead of growing through the challenge, they attempt to pull others backward into negativity.
Strong leaders cannot allow anonymous negativity to become the steering wheel of an organization. That does not mean leaders should ignore criticism. In fact, constructive criticism is healthy and necessary. Good leaders need honest people around them who are willing to speak truth respectfully, even when conversations are difficult. Accountability strengthens organizations.
The difference is this: trustworthy voices bring concerns with integrity and solutions attached. Anonymous anger often brings division without responsibility. In coaching, I learned quickly that if I listened to every voice in the stands, our team would never move forward. Some people react emotionally to a single loss, a bad quarter, or one difficult decision. Leadership requires the discipline to stay focused on long-term goals instead of short-term noise.
The same is true in business and education. Listen to people who are willing to stand behind their words. Listen to those who want the organization to succeed more than they want attention. Listen to principled people, not emotional winds. In the end, leadership is not about pleasing every voice. It is about responsibly guiding the mission forward.
Thought for the Week
“Wise leaders do not follow the loudest voices. They follow the clearest principles.” Joshua Welch, Welch Land Development.
Dr. Jack Welch serves as President of Fort Scott Community College. With a career spanning professional sports, public education, and rural community development, he brings a servant-leader mindset and a passion for building trust-driven cultures that empower people to thrive in the classroom, on the field, and in life. He is also the author of Foundations of Coaching: The Total Coaching Manual.
When I was a youngster attending Vacation Bible School in the summer I liked singing with my friends, “If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it…”
It’s been said that Christ followers are to watch and see where God is already at work and then join Him. I would suggest that He can also prompt you to do something new as a “solo” ministry. Either way, we shouldn’t hesitate or procrastinate to obey and work in the kingdom of God. You’re bound to find joy in the journey as God provides you with everything you need in order to accomplish what He’s calling you to do. “And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 AMP). If you, as a believer, do not believe that to be true, you should probably hang up your apron and turn in your key.
Please, don’t argue with God like Moses did when God was trying to give him a most-important assignment. Moses even said, “Please, Lord, send someone else” (Exodus 4:13 CSB). Oh my stars, I don’t blame God for getting angry with Moses! This conversation was getting out-of-hand. When God calls the unqualified and inexperienced to do a job, He will qualify us with ways and means that far surpass anything we could ever do on our own. It’s kinda’ comparable to the movie scene when a New York City thug threatens Crocodile Dundee with a knife. Dundee grins and says, “That’s not a knife, (as he unsheathes his own and holds it up) THAT’S a knife!” In our own eyes, we think we’ve got great ideas, but what we need are God ideas. “Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil” (Proverbs 3:7 NLT).
We can be choosy about our peanut butter, but not the assignment/ministry that God calls us to do. It pleases Him when we wholeheartedly accept it and do it with a happy heart. We should say, “Here I am, Lord – sign me up!” We need to keep our eyes and ears open and listen with our heart to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 NLT). Stay sensitive to the quiet, all-important leading of God. And don’t scrutinize how other believers are ministering and become envious or jealous. We should thank God that He is the Master Creator of variety. God needs all of us to aggressively obey and happily accomplish what He’s designed us to do.
Jesus prayerfully chose a unique bunch to be His twelve disciples. They were common men, but they became uncommon men in about three years. When Paul and Silas were preaching in Thessalonica, the Jews were jealous and declared them troublemakers. “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also” (Acts 17:6 ESV). These two guys were simply obeying God’s call, but it brought out the worst in the Jewish authorities. The devil doesn’t like it when we say, “Yes” to God. But who cares! Mr. Lucifer is just going to have to get over it and learn to read upside down.
The Lord called to young Samuel four times. The young lad finally responded, “Speak, your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9 NLT). Let’s be like Samuel so that when God speaks we’ll listen and obey…and be happy! “Happy are the people whose strength is in You” (Psalm 84:5 CSB). God provides everything we need in order to do what He’s called us to do. And that should make us happy!
The Key: Believers who listen, obey, and minister to others will have a happy heart.
Families Invited to Reconnect with Nature During Great Outdoors Month
As the school year ends and summer begins, families have a perfect opportunity to step outside and reconnect with nature. June marks Great Outdoors Month, a nationwide celebration highlighting the importance of outdoor play—not just for fun, but for the lasting benefits it provides to children and adults alike.
Great Outdoors Month encourages people to explore parks, trails, waterways, and even their own backyards. It’s a chance to slow down, unplug from screens, and spend meaningful time together in the fresh air.
Outdoor activities are one of the simplest and most powerful ways to strengthen family connections while supporting healthy development. Time outside promotes physical health, reduces stress, and improves mood and focus. It also fosters creativity and problem-solving as children build forts, explore nature, and invent their own games—skills that may not develop as naturally in more structured environments.
The best part is that meaningful outdoor experiences don’t require travel or expense. Simple activities close to home—such as taking a walk after dinner, visiting a local park, gardening, or planning a picnic—can make a big impact. Even 20–30 minutes outside each day can make a difference.
One goal of Great Outdoors Month is to help families build habits that last beyond June. When outdoor time becomes part of everyday life, children are more likely to develop a lifelong appreciation for nature and physical activity. It also creates opportunities to slow down and make lasting memories together.
To support families in getting outdoors, a variety of events are taking place across the country. National Play Outside Day is June 6 and continues monthly with the first Saturday of each month. The U.S. Forest Service will waive recreation fees at most day-use sites on National Trails Day (June 6) and National Get Outdoors Day (June 13). In Kansas, the Department of Wildlife and Parks is offering a free fishing weekend on June 6–7, along with free entrance to select state parks: Prairie Dog State Park (June 6), Cedar Bluff and Historic Lake Scott (June 13), and Wilson State Park (June 20).
K-State Research and Extension | Southwind District is also encouraging outdoor exploration by hosting an Outdoor Adventure Day at Gunn Park in Fort Scott for youth ages 7–18 on June 7 from 2–6 p.m. Youth ages 14–18 will have the opportunity to build leadership skills by assisting with activities.
For more information about this event and other youth opportunities, visit southwind.ksu.edu or contact Jennifer Terrell at [email protected].
As evergreen trees and shrubs across Kansas begin their annual spring growth flush, now is the ideal time for homeowners to inspect and prune landscape evergreens before summer arrives.
Evergreen species — including pine, spruce, fir, juniper, arborvitae, holly, boxwood, and yew — retain foliage year-round and typically hold two to three years’ worth of needles at any given time. These plants generally require less pruning than deciduous trees and shrubs, but proper timing and technique remain critical to maintaining healthy growth and appearance.
Pruning evergreen plants differs significantly from pruning many other landscape plants because most evergreens do not regenerate growth from older interior wood.
For pine trees, spring is the key pruning season. New pine growth develops once each year from terminal buds, producing soft shoots known as “candles.”
Gardeners looking to manage size and encourage denser growth are advised to trim back one-half to two-thirds of the candle length before needles fully expand. It is recommended to pinch candles by hand using careful cuts to avoid browning at the needle tips. Because pines naturally produce limited side branching, heavy pruning or shearing is discouraged.
Spruce and fir trees also produce a single flush of annual growth from branch tips. Prune branches back only to side buds or lateral branches while avoiding cuts beyond existing needles. Up to half of the new growth may be removed safely, though experts caution that lower branches on mature trees recover slowly because most vigorous growth occurs near the top canopy. Dwarf and slow-growing varieties may be especially sensitive to pruning and should be trimmed sparingly.
Junipers and arborvitae differ slightly by producing multiple growth flushes throughout the growing season, often from April through October. Selective pruning is recommended in early spring by cutting individual branches back to upward-growing side shoots. This method helps preserve a natural appearance while concealing pruning cuts. Do not cut back into older branch wood lacking needles, as those bare areas are unlikely to recover.
Although formal shearing remains common in many landscapes, the practice often damages the plant’s natural form and increases long-term maintenance demands. If shearing is necessary, at least one inch of previous growth should remain to prevent exposing interior dead zones.
Annual spring pruning is generally considered the safest and most effective approach for controlling evergreen growth. When plants are severely overgrown, replacement may be preferable to aggressive pruning.
Do not prune after mid-August, as late-season cuts can stimulate tender new growth that may not harden properly before winter temperatures arrive.
The guidance was provided through Kansas State University horticulture resources from the Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources in Manhattan, Kansas.
Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension horticulture agent serving the Southwind District. She can be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider.
Senator Marshall: America Should Lead the World in Fertilizer Production
Washington – This week, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), delivered remarks at a press conference hosted by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and joined by Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, and other ag leaders in Congress. This was focused on bringing down the costs of fertilizer by increasing domestic production.
Senator Marshall emphasized that high fertilizer prices remain one of the biggest challenges facing Kansas farmers. He called for reduced foreign dependence and swift congressional action on his key fertilizer legislation to bring down costs for American producers.
Senator Marshall Receives Spirit of America Award from National Grocers Association
Washington – On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), joined independent grocers from across the country this week during the National Grocers Association’s (NGA) annual Fly-In for a fireside chat with NGA President and CEO Greg Ferrara, where he discussed his bipartisan Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA) and the challenges facing Main Street grocery stores.
Following the discussion, Senator Marshall received NGA’s Spirit of America Award, which recognizes leaders for exceptional contributions to community service and government relations on behalf of the independent supermarket industry.
Senator Marshall’s Investing in All of America Act Signed Into Law
Washington – This week, President Trump signed U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas)’s Investing in All America Act into law. The bipartisan legislation strengthens the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program by exempting investments in rural and low-income communities — as well as manufacturing and critical technology sectors — from the program’s leverage cap, unlocking more private capital for the areas that need it most.
“America grows from the middle out — not the coasts in,” said Senator Marshall.“Today, President Trump signed into law a bipartisan bill that makes sure the next wave of American growth reaches small businesses in rural and low-income communities, as well as the small manufacturers and innovators keeping this country competitive. This is a win for Kansas and a win for every corner of America that Washington has too long overlooked.”
The SBIC program has supported over 3 million jobs over the last two decades, including $505.4 million invested in Kansas and support for 98 Kansas small businesses. Despite that track record, less than 20% of SBIC investments currently reach low- to middle-income communities. The Investing in All of America Act closes that gap — directing capital where it’s needed, not just where it’s easy.
Senator Marshall Calls on TV Ratings Board to Put Parents Back in Control
Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) sent a follow-up letter to the TV Parental Guidelines Monitoring Board demanding reforms to strengthen parental transparency in children’s programming — calling out the entertainment industry’s continued failure to disclose radical transgender content and other sexually explicit themes hidden inside programming rated for your young children.
The letter builds on concerns Senator Marshall first raised in 2022, when Disney executives publicly admitted to intentionally embedding sexual orientation and radical gender ideology themes into programming aimed at young children. Four years later, the problem has only gotten worse.
A recent analysis of Netflix children’s programming by Concerned Women for America found that 41% of series rated TV-G and 41% of series rated TV-Y7 contained LGBTQ content, messages, characters, or themes — yet none of that content was disclosed to parents through rating information or descriptors.
Senator Marshall’s letter comes as FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has launched a review process examining whether the current TV Parental Guidelines adequately equip parents to make informed decisions about what their children watch.
Senator Marshall: Manufacturing is Booming in Kansas
Kansas City – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), joined Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business’ Mornings with Maria to discuss the Vice President’s trip to Kansas City, passing ICE and CBP funding, a third reconciliation bill to lower the cost of living, thriving manufacturing in Kansas, the conflict in Iran, and Kevin Warsh’s upcoming swearing in.
Click HEREto download or on the image to watch the full interview.
Senator Marshall: We Have Solutions to Bring Down Costs – Now we Have to Finish the Job
Kansas City – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), joined Pete Mundo on Mundo in the Morning live in his KC studio ahead of Vice President Vance’s visit to Kansas City to discuss the importance of the city’s manufacturing industry and its role in the national economy. Senator Marshall also discussed his focus on the cost of living, highlighting his work to address healthcare costs, credit card swipe fees, and year-round E-15.
Click HEREto download or on the image to watch the full interview.
A bitcoin mining operation in rural northwest Bourbon County has been a recurring subject at county commission meetings since October 2025, prompting noise complaints from neighbors, two county moratoriums, a county-wide noise resolution, an unsuccessful proposal for a much broader business moratorium, several opinion pieces, and a private civil lawsuit. This is a chronological summary of the publicly documented events to date.
October 6, 2025 — First commission discussion of bitcoin mining noise
Resident Dereck Ranes brought noise complaints to the Bourbon County Commission about natural-gas generators powering a bitcoin mining operation near his property. Ranes asked the commission for a moratorium and a noise resolution. Neighbors Kimberly Sparks and Jill Franklin also addressed commissioners about noise and vibration. Sheriff Bill Martin said his department was investigating but that enforcement of any noise rule would require county-hired personnel, since the sheriff’s office is not a code-enforcement agency. The commission agreed to continue the discussion and work on a draft moratorium. (story)
October 14, 2025 — Commission unanimously passes a 12-month moratorium on cryptocurrency mining
At its October 14 meeting the commission voted unanimously to pass a 12-month moratorium specifically directed at cryptocurrency mining. Commissioner David Beerbower moved to adopt the resolution; Commissioner Samuel Tran questioned whether the regulation would expose the county to litigation but supported it after Beerbower clarified that the moratorium targeted cryptocurrency mining only, not natural-gas extraction. County Counselor Bob Johnson told the commission that a moratorium applies only to new activity (not existing operations) and that the typical purpose is to give the planning commission time to develop more comprehensive rules. The text was to be published and signed at the next meeting. (story)
October 20, 2025 — Continued discussion; “cease-and-desist” requested
At the October 20 meeting Dereck Ranes thanked the commission for the moratorium but asked for a cease-and-desist directed at the existing operation, saying the noise was causing headaches and ear pain. Commissioner Beerbower asked all commissioners to begin formulating parameters for a county noise resolution, separate from the cryptocurrency moratorium, that would address volume and duration without targeting any specific industry. The noise resolution was added to the November 10 agenda. (story)
October 23, 2025 — Special meeting; proposed noise ordinance presented
At a special commission meeting on October 23, 2025, a proposed noise ordinance was presented for the first time. The draft would establish decibel limits for different zoning areas, define noise violations, and assign enforcement to the sheriff’s department. Commissioners discussed decibel levels, exemptions for agricultural operations, and enforcement mechanisms, and agreed to bring the ordinance back at the next regular meeting after legal review. (special-meeting story · text of the proposed ordinance as presented)
October 27, 2025 — Commission continues noise resolution discussion
Commissioner David Beerbower read a prepared statement and recommended the matter be referred to the planning commission rather than handled by the county commission directly. Commissioners Mika Milburn-Kee and Samuel Tran agreed that the planning commission should formulate the ordinance, with Tran noting that the language in the current draft could be considered zoning, which is outside the commission’s direct authority. Derek Ranes spoke during public comment, describing the noise from the bitcoin mining generator as continuous and unlike intermittent noises. County Counselor Bob Johnson warned about the legal implications of enforcement and selective prosecution. Sheriff Bill Martin reiterated that his department cannot enforce a noise resolution and suggested that a code-enforcement officer would have to be hired. (story)
November 3, 2025 — Work session on the proposed noise ordinance
Commissioner Samuel Tran reported a decibel reading of 58 dB at the gate of the bitcoin mining property — lower than earlier readings — though Commissioner David Beerbower noted that the sheriff’s department recorded higher readings later. Tran raised concerns about enforceability and the potential breadth of the proposed resolution. Beerbower continued working on the resolution and said the planning commission could later repeal or amend it as needed. (story)
November 11, 2025 — Evotech representatives appear before commission
Attorney Ty Patton of Trip, Wolf and Garrison (Wichita) and Adam Couch, one of the owners of Evolution Technology, LLC (operating as Evotech), addressed the commission. They explained that the operation:
consists of two shipping containers of computers powered by an on-site natural-gas generator (not the electrical grid),
produces approximately 1 megawatt,
runs around the clock, and
registers 55–77 dB at the site entrance, according to readings the sheriff’s office had taken at different times of day.
Patton said Evotech had added noise-mitigation fencing and that further mitigation would cost between $75,000 and $100,000. Nearby residents Derek Ranes, David Ranes, and Charlotte O’Hara expressed concerns about noise, vibration, and the possibility that similar operations could be sited on other abandoned gas wells in the county. (story)
November 17, 2025 — Planning Commission’s broader moratorium proposal tabled
The agenda packet for the November 17 commission meeting included a recommendation from the Bourbon County Planning Commission for a moratorium that would have required all new non-agricultural commercial or industrial businesses in unincorporated areas of the county to obtain a special use permit from the commission before operating. The commission voted unanimously to table the recommendation. The narrower bitcoin-mining moratorium from October 14 remained the only moratorium on the books at that point.
December 15, 2025 — Commission adopts Resolution 50-25 (Noise Limitations); narrower industrial moratorium directed for drafting
On a 2-1 vote, the commission adopted Resolution 50-25, “Noise Limitations in Unincorporated Areas of Bourbon County, Kansas.” Commissioner Mika Milburn-Kee voted against. The resolution prohibits “loud, unnecessary, or unusual” noise near residences and adopts EPA guidelines for measurement. The thresholds it identifies are noise exceeding 70 dB for a 24-hour duration, 55 dB outdoors and 45 dB indoors between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., and 45 dB outdoors and 35 dB indoors between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. — measured within 75 feet of the source as prima facie evidence of a violation. The resolution assigns enforcement to the commission or its designee and sets a maximum fine of $500 per day per offense.
At the same meeting the commission directed the county counselor to draft a narrower moratorium covering utility-level power generation, energy storage, cryptocurrency mining, data centers, and waste disposal. (story · Resolution 50-25 (PDF))
At the January 5 meeting, County Counselor Bob Johnson presented a draft moratorium resolution. Chairman David Beerbower moved to approve Resolution 07-26, “providing for a temporary moratorium of utility scale power generation, crypto mining, data centers, and waste disposal operations in Bourbon County, Kansas.” Commissioner Samuel Tran seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The moratorium runs 180 days and specifically exempts the three solar energy projects previously approved under Resolution 41-25. It does not apply to commercial or industrial businesses generally — the broader moratorium recommended by the Planning Commission in November never advanced.
Ben Hall, a property owner at 80th and Willow Road, used public comment to describe a dispute with Evotech over a gas well on his property: he said Evotech had approached him in summer 2025 about leasing the well, that negotiations stalled over price, and that an Evotech contractor had later told a rural-water-district worker that Evotech had permission to access Hall’s property and could cut locks if needed. Hall said he had received no documentation supporting any access right and characterized Evotech’s actions as bullying and harassment. County Counselor Bob Johnson said the well dispute appeared to be a civil matter between private parties. (story)
February 13, 2026 — Civil lawsuit filed
Dereck Ranes, Cassie Ranes, David Ranes, and Verna Ranes filed a petition in Bourbon County District Court, case number BB-2026-CV-000013, against Evolution Technology, LLC and Charles Rees (the landowner of the site). The case is classified as “CV Other Tort” and is assigned to Judge Richard M. Fisher Jr.
The plaintiffs are represented by Rustin Kimmell of the Kimmell Law Firm LLC, Burlington, Kansas. Evolution Technology is represented by Matthew Hogan of Rasmussen, Dicky, Dioszeghy, Henry, Ijei in Kansas City, Missouri. Defendant Charles Rees is represented by Gary E. Thompson of Mound City, Kansas. The county is not a party to the lawsuit.
February 23, 2026 — Commission considers changes to the noise resolution; changes tabled (resolution remains in effect)
Commissioner Mika Milburn-Kee raised concerns about the complaint form and the process for handling noise complaints under Resolution 50-25, and said she wanted to review the form and the start-to-finish enforcement process with the county attorney. She cited prior difficulty completing enforcement on existing county sanitation codes as a reason to make sure the noise-resolution process would actually work. Commissioner Beerbower agreed. Changes to the resolution were tabled until the next meeting; Resolution 50-25 itself remained in effect. (story)
March 2, 2026 — County Attorney provides analysis of proposed amended resolution
At the March 2 regular meeting, County Attorney James Crux presented his analysis of the proposed amended noise resolution and identified several issues, according to the meeting minutes:
It was unclear whether the resolution was intended as a general nuisance statute or as specific decibel-based violations.
The listed decibel limits (55 dB during day, 45 dB at night) were characterized as “guidelines” rather than enforceable standards. Crux noted that 55 dB is approximately equivalent to light traffic or nearby conversation, and that 45 dB is comparable to a modern refrigerator.
Enforcement would require a county codes inspector with proper training in criminal law and search procedures.
Commissioner Beerbower noted the resolution was intended to address ongoing noise complaints, including in the Xenia area, with additional complaints pending the resolution’s adoption. Commissioner Tran asked Crux to visit the Xenia site to hear the noise firsthand. Commissioner Gregg Motley suggested that civil enforcement might be more effective than criminal enforcement; Crux noted his review found insufficient grounds for criminal public-nuisance charges. Both Crux and County Counselor Johnson indicated that either criminal or civil enforcement would likely involve lengthy, contested litigation. The consensus expressed in the minutes was that affected landowners pursuing individual civil action might be the most practical approach — an option the Ranes plaintiffs had already taken three weeks earlier with their February 13 petition.
March 16 to April 27, 2026 — Motion to dismiss, response, and hearing
Counsel for Evolution Technology entered an appearance and filed a Motion to Dismiss on March 16. The Ranes plaintiffs filed their Response in Opposition on April 6. Return of service on Charles Rees was completed on April 14, perfecting service on both defendants. Judge Fisher held a hearing on the motion to dismiss at 9:00 AM on April 27. The docket reflects “Hearing Held — Motion.”
May 18, 2026 — First Amended Petition filed
On May 18 the Ranes plaintiffs filed a First Amended Petition — a five-page revision of the original four-page petition. The substantive changes are concentrated in newly added paragraphs 16–20 and a related argument throughout: between February 13 and May 18 the defendants temporarily stopped running the generators, and the amended petition invokes the voluntary cessation doctrine to argue that this tactical pause does not moot the case because the defendants retain full control of the equipment and have provided no legally binding assurance that the noise will not resume.
Key elements of the amended petition:
Two claims: Count I — Private Nuisance; Count II — Negligence, including negligence per se for alleged violation of Bourbon County sound ordinances (Resolution 50-25).
Alleged decibel levels: noise “in excess of 80 decibels (dB) and often exceeding 90 dB” on plaintiffs’ property, 24 hours a day.
Alleged health effects: sleep deprivation, tinnitus, and other physical discomforts.
Relief sought: a permanent injunction capping outdoor noise on plaintiffs’ land at 55 dB between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. and 45 dB between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. (mirroring the decibel limits used in the county’s Resolution 50-25 discussions), $1.00 in nominal damages, and a jury trial.
Adopted December 15, 2025; remains in effect. Proposed amendments tabled February 24, 2026 and discussed March 2, 2026; no enforcement action taken to date.
Adopted unanimously January 5, 2026; expires approximately July 4, 2026 unless extended.
Planning Commission’s broader proposed moratorium on all new non-agricultural businesses
Tabled November 17, 2025; never enacted.
Evotech bitcoin mine
Continues to be located at 668 Willow Rd, Mapleton; per the amended petition, generators were temporarily stopped between February and May 2026.
Ranes v. Evolution Technology, LLC and Charles Rees (BB-2026-CV-000013)
Active. First Amended Petition filed May 18, 2026. Defendants’ response to the amended petition is the next scheduled action.
The dispute over the bitcoin mining operation has so far played out on three separate tracks: a county regulatory (the cryptocurrency moratorium, Resolution 50-25, and the broader industrial moratorium), a property-rights (the Ben Hall gas-well issue), and a private civil-tort lawsuit (the Ranes lawsuit). The county itself is not a party to the lawsuit.
FortScott.biz will continue to report on the lawsuit and related county actions as they develop.
