First Baptist Church at 123 Scott Ave is having Vacation Bible School (VBS) Thursday through Saturday, July 23–25. For more details, see the attached flyer.
First Baptist Church VBS July 23–25
Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Report – July 16, 2026
Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Report – July 16, 2026
Arrested
No arrests reported.
Released
Beltran Uriostegui, Tania — Released 7/15/2026 5:16 PM via Surety Bond (A + Bail Bonds).
Roberts, Veronica Brooklyn — Released 7/15/2026 3:23 PM via Court Order (Self).
Tucker, Sky M — Released 7/15/2026 3:09 PM via Surety Bond (Pitts).
Total Inmates Released: 3
Documents:
Obituary: Norma Jean Nilges, Age 97
Norma Jean Nilges, known lovingly as Jean, was born November 9, 1928, in Sedgwick County, Kansas, and passed away July 12, 2026, in Garnett, Kansas, at the age of 97 from natural causes. She was united in marriage to Bernard J. Nilges on July 16, 1948. He preceded her in death June 17, 2021. She carried the memory of their life together with grace and steadfast love. Jean was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother whose life reflected the values she held dear.
Jean is survived by her daughters, Cristine M. Bacon and her husband, Charles of Moran, Kansas and Connie J. Hiner and her husband, Sam of Burlington, Kansas. She also leaves behind a loving family of grandchildren, Bryan Bacon and his wife, Brenda of McKinney, Texas, Jessica Bacon of Moran, Kansas, Tina Withers and her husband, Chris, Erica Combs and her husband, Donnie and Renee Fischer and her husband, Chancy all of Burlington, Kansas. Her legacy continues through her great-grandchildren, Abigail, Caleb, Austin, Hannah, Collin, Jocelyn, Cassidy, Evan, Ava and Addison, as well as a great-great-grandson, Oliver. Each of them carries forward a part of her love, her strength, and her example. Also surviving are three brothers, Reuben, David and Steven Blubaugh. In addition to her husband, Jean was preceded in death by five brothers, Robert, Ralph, Roger, Russell and Raymond Blubaugh and a sister, Lois Nilges.
As a Christian, Jean trusted in the promises of God and lived with hope in the Lord’s mercy and eternal care. Her earthly journey has now ended, but her faith assures those who mourn that death is not the final word for those who belong to Christ. May she rest in the peace of her Savior, and may her family find strength in the hope of eternal life and the assurance that love never truly ends. Her family would like to thank the staff at the Anderson County Residential Living Center for all their friendship and care for Jean over the last several years.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, July 23rd at the First Christian Church in Garnett, Kansas. The family will receive friends from 10:00 A.M. until service time at the church. Following the service at the church, a graveside service will be held at 2:00 P.M. at the Gas City Cemetery in Gas, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Anderson County Residential Living Center or the Good Shepherd Hospice 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.
Free 4-H STEM Summer Day Camp – July 23 at Fort Scott Library
Sending on behalf of Chamber member
K-State Research & Extension — Southwind District
FREE 4-H STEM SUMMER DAY CAMP
You’re invited!
Calling all young builders, creators, and problem-solvers!
Students entering Grades 3 through 6 are invited to a FREE morning of hands-on STEM activities presented by K-State Research and Extension and the Southwind District 4-H program.
July 23
⏰ 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Fort Scott Public Library
FREE to attend
Camp Activities:
Build a simple robot
Create a catapult
Create a working windmill
Space may be limited, so be sure to register your child soon!
Click HERE to Register Today!
Or call 620-244-3826
Get ready for a morning filled with building, experimenting, learning, and STEM-powered fun! Ὠ0
Click HERE to visit K-State Extension – Southwind District Facebook Page!
Click HERE to visit K-State Extension – Southwind District webpage!
USD 234 Board of Education Regular Meeting, July 13
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 13, 2026, for their regular monthly meeting at 424 S Main St.
President David Stewart opened the meeting.
The board approved the official agenda.
Honor Flight Students
Twenty-four students plus staff and medical accompanied veterans to Washington D.C. Cohen, senior, partnered with his Great Grandpa and said “it was an amazing honor” to be part of this trip. Isabella, sophomore, said “it was an honor to give recognition where there hasn’t been.” And Tyranny, graduated, commented “the bond has lasted even after the trip.” Over $60,000 was raised from July 2025 – March 2026 by so many in the community. Many were thanked for the help and support, and they are looking forward to the next trip.
Transportation Recognition
Joe Allen, Transportation Director, recognized Brenda Wunderly & Jennifer Herring. During Summer School this year he has received numerous compliments about how well the bus routes had gone during that time. He thanked both for their hard work and organization of all that goes into transporting the students to and from school even with more than usual numbers during the summer.
Board Officers
The board approved David Stewart as Board President and Nick Barrows as Board Vice President.
Consent Agenda
The board approved the consent agenda, which included:
- Board Minutes – 06-08-26
- Financials – Cash Flow Report
- Check Register
- Payroll – June 19, 2026 – $2,122,023.06
- Activity Funds Accounts
- USD 234 Gifts
- Resolution 26-01 – Destructions of Records
- Resolution 26-02 – Waiver of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
- Resolution 26-03 – Rescinding Policy Statements found in Board Minutes
- Resolution 25-04 – Establish Home Rule by Board of Education
- Designation of Banks for deposit of school funds:
- FSHS activity funds – City State Bank
- FSM activity funds – Union State Bank
- Eugene Ware activity funds – UMB Bank
- Winfield Scott activity funds – UMB Bank
- USD 234 District – Landmark National Bank, UMB Bank, KMIP, Citizens Bank
- Set fees for copying records:
- 10 cents per page for employees
- 10 cents per page for alumni
- 15 cents per page for non-employees
- 20 cents per page for color copies
- Mileage reimbursement – current state mileage rate (as of 01/01/26 – 72.5 cents)
- 2026-27 School Fees
- Recreation Commission Board Member Terms:
- Megan McDermed – June 30, 2028
- Abby Stepps – June 30, 2028
- Dillon Duffy – June 30, 2028
- Vincent Ratcliff – June 30, 2027
- Dave Fly – June 30, 2027
- Designation of newspaper for official school publications – Fort Scott Tribune
- Offices for the 2026-27 School Year:
- KASB Government Relations Network Representative – Board President
- Food Service Hearing Officer/Compliance Coordinator for Federal Anti-Discrimination Laws – Terry Mayfield
- Title VI, Title VII, and Title IX / ADA / Section 504 Coordinator/Point of Contact for Child Welfare Agencies – Zach Johnson
- District Foster Care Liaison – Zach Johnson
- Freedom of Information Officer – Zach Johnson
- Food Service Program Representative – Robin Button
- Clerk – Candace Jobe
- Deputy Clerk – Terry Mayfield
- KPERS Representative/KiCS Designated Representative Member – Angela Robinson
- Treasurer – Rhonda Dawson
- LCP Coordinator/Coordinator for Homeless Children/504 Coordinator – Zach Johnson
- Fort Scott High School Attendance Officer – Josh Regan
- Fort Scott Middle School Attendance Officer – Matt Harris
- Eugene Ware Attendance Officer – Brandon Boyd
- Winfield Scott Attendance Officer – Caleb Hendricks
There were none present for Public Forum.
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Zach Johnson reported that enrollment is now open and the various events leading up to school starting August 14th. There will be a new Tiger Pride Magazine that will be coming out monthly and will be available to the public as well as staff and students. HB 2299, which includes cell phones not being allowed from the start of school until the end of the day, was discussed with policies and procedures to be adopted later in the meeting.
Assistant Superintendent Terry Mayfield provided a shared document and updated about the end of the fiscal year budget and starting the new year. Facility updates were given, and all the projects are on track during the summer. Buildings are gearing up for staff to return and the start of the new school year. Bus and car inspections will take place this week and the Preschool drawings have been submitted.
Special Education Director Tonya Barnes shared an update on local training that will take place July 28th and is excited for staff to attend and start the new year.
Board Approvals
The Board approved the following:
- 2024-25 Financial Audit
- SchoolsPLP Learning Platform Agreement – FS Tiger Virtual School
- School Vehicle Purchase – 2018 Dodge Caravan
- IT Services agreement renewal – USD 234 and City of Fort Scott
- HB 2299 KASB Policy and USD 234 Procedure Recommendations
- KASB Policy Updates
- Apptegy Communication Platform Subscription
- Resolution 26-05 – Revenue Neutral Declaration to Bourbon County Clerk
- Resolution 26-06 – Supplemental General Budget Percentage
The Board went into executive session for personnel matters.
The Board approved Special Service Contracts, Supplemental Salary Schedule, and Substitute Pay Schedule.
President David Stewart adjourned the meeting.
Personnel Report – Approved, July 13, 2026
Resignations/Terminations/Retirements
- Estes, Thomas – Resignation – Custodian – High School
- Kegler, Terra – Resignation – Paraprofessional – High School
- Krebs, Dawna – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
- Larsen, Danny – Supplemental Resignation – Assistant Basketball Coach – High School
- Pitts, Jaxon – Resignation – Groundskeeper/Athletic Fields Manager
Transfers
- Doherty, Andrew – Teacher – KRI to Tiger Academy
- Miller, Martha – Paraprofessional – Eugene Ware to Winfield Scott
Employment
Certified Recommendations for 2026-27 School Year:
- Demko, Kimberly – .6 FTE Speech/Language
- Esslinger, Danea – Special Education Teacher – KRI
- Keylon, Ashley – Counselor – High School
Classified Recommendations for 2026-27 School Year:
- Floyd, Gary – ISS Supervisor – High School
- Goans, Shawn – Bus Driver
- LaFarge-Dehner, Dani – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
- Shepard, Melissa – Paraprofessional – Eugene Ware
- Tew, Layne – Paraprofessional – Eugene Ware
- Tiger Academy Paraprofessionals
- Uhler, Laurie – Paraprofessional – Middle School
Supplemental Recommendations
- Bowman, Brock – Assistant Football Coach – Middle School
- Barner, Alex – Assistant Basketball Coach – High School
- Collins, Alexis – Assistant Volleyball Coach – High School
- Hill, Sage – Assistant Girls’ Tennis Coach – High School
- Larsen, Danny – Assistant Girls’ Basketball Coach – Middle School
- Workman, Darcy – Assistant Cheer Coach – High School
Documents:
Apothecare Select Pharmacy Receives Accreditation
Apothecare Select Achieves ACHC Accreditation
PITTSBURG, Kan.—The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) announces that Apothecare Select, its specialty pharmacy division, has achieved accreditation through the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) for specialty pharmacy services and mail order pharmacy services.
Accreditation by ACHC reflects an organization’s dedication and commitment to meeting nationally recognized standards that facilitate a higher level of performance and patient care. “This accreditation represents a significant milestone for our specialty pharmacy program. While our patients already experience the quality of care we provide, the ACHC seal allows us to formally demonstrate that level of excellence to the broader healthcare community. It validates the standards we uphold every day and marks an important step in our continued growth,” said Brian Martin, PharmD, MBA, Apothecare Specialty Pharmacy Manager. “We’re proud to provide this level of care while serving as a local, accessible option for our community.”
Since opening in 2024, Apothecare Select has focused on helping patients with rare, chronic, or complex health conditions manage high-cost, specialized medications. “Specialty medications often require close monitoring and coordination. Our team is actively engaged in each patient’s journey, providing them with ongoing support, answering questions quickly, and offering refill reminders,” said Martin. “This level of care helps patients stay on track with their treatment and ultimately helps them achieve better health outcomes.”
Apothecare Select’s pharmacy staff also helps ensure patients can access the prescriptions they need. “For many, affordability can serve as a significant barrier to their care. We guide them through their assistance options to help make sure no one falls through the cracks,” said Martin.
Apothecare Select offers convenient access to specialty medications through in-person pickup or delivery to homes in Southeast Kansas and Northeast Oklahoma. The pharmacy is located at 924 N. Broadway inside the CHC/SEK Pittsburg Downtown location.
For more information, call Apothecare Select at 855-222-1505.
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About Accreditation Commission for Health Care
Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) is a nonprofit organization that has stood as a symbol of quality and excellence since 1986. ACHC is ISO 9001:2015 certified, and it has Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services deeming authority for Home Health, Hospice, and Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies.
About Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas
The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas serves as a healthcare hub for communities in Kansas and Oklahoma. CHC/SEK delivers quality, integrated care to nearly 90,000 patients each year with a goal of improving health, sustaining rural communities, and providing purpose-driven work to 950 staff members. Beyond healthcare, CHC/SEK finds innovative ways to improve lives by focusing on education, housing, and transportation. Regardless of income or insurance status, CHC/SEK ensures everyone receives the care they need. For more information, visit chcsek.org.
This email and any attachments may contain confidential information subject to protection under the Federal Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information (45 C.F.R. Parts 160 and 164). If you or your organization is a “Covered Entity” under the above mentioned regulations, you are obligated to treat such information in a manner consistent with the regulations. If it appears that this email was sent to you in error, (1) you are prohibited from utilizing or disseminating this email or any attachments; (2) please immediately delete it from your computer and any servers or other locations where it might be stored and (3) email [email protected] or call 620.231.9873 advising that you have done so. We appreciate your cooperation.Ap
First Baptist Church VBS is July 23-25
First Baptist Church at 123 Scott Ave is having a Vacation Bible School from Thursday-Saturday July 23-25.
Thursday & Friday, July 23 & 24
9:45 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
For children aged 5 – entering 6th grade
Saturday, July 25 – FAMILY DAY
10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Lunch served daily
First Baptist Church
123 Scott Avenue
Fort Scott, Kansas
620-223-3080
Find us on Facebook: First Baptist Fort Scott
LMC Awarded Grant to Support Unsung Heroes of Fort Scott
Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes Awarded
Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area Grant
Fort Scott, Kansas – The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes has been awarded a grant from the Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area (FFNHA) to support the “Unsung Heroes of Fort Scott” project.
The project, titled “Unsung Heroes of Fort Scott” will include a wall-mounted 55-inch digital screen with touch and interactive capabilities. The screen will be placed in the museum and contain information about Fort Scott and Kansas unsung heroes and their histories. The wall mount contains technology that will allow for AI portraits of unsung heroes like native son and Renaissance man Gordon Parks, one of Fort Scott’s early Jewish businessmen Alfred Weil, and Kansas suffragist Carrie Langston Hughes, to name only a few! An interactive map will also pinpoint the connections to all of the Fort Scott unsung heroes! Through this effort, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes aims to promote tourism, improve our local economy, and engage our local, national, and international visitors in new and exciting ways!
“We are really excited to work with the Freedom’s Frontier once again in our mutual effort to raise awareness about Kansas and Fort Scott unsung heroes and their history!” said Norm Conard, Executive Director of the LMC of Unsung Heroes.
Freedom’s Frontier is a congressionally designated national heritage area that spans eastern Kansas and western Missouri, working with partners to preserve and share the stories of the region’s role in shaping the nation’s history. FFNHA provides grant funding to support projects promoting heritage tourism, historic preservation, and public interpretation.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of this summer.
Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes: The LMC is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) that works with students and educators within a range of diverse academic disciplines, to develop projects focused on unsung heroes. Our mission is to share those projects and the stories of these unsung heroes with our community through our museum at the Center!
Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area (FFNHA): FFNHA builds awareness of struggles for freedom in western Missouri and eastern Kansas. Established by Congress in 2006, FFNHA covers a unique physical and cultural landscape across 41 counties and 31,000 square miles. It promotes three diverse, interwoven, and nationally significant stories: frontier settlement, the Kansas-Missouri Border War and Civil War, and enduring civil rights disputes. FFNHA inspires respect for multiple perspectives and empowers area residents to preserve and share these stories, achieving its goals through interpretation, preservation, conservation, and education for all residents and visitors. It is one of the 62 federally recognized national heritage areas across the United States.
Boil Water Advisory Issued for Fulton, Bourbon County
July 15, 2026
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the City of Fulton public water supply system located in Bourbon County.
Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:
- Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water.
- Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.
- If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.
- Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.
- Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.
The advisory took effect on July 15, 2026 and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. KDHE officials issued the advisory because the city cannot currently maintain the minimum required chlorine residual. Failure to maintain required chlorine residual levels may put the system at risk for bacterial contamination.
Regardless of whether the public water supplier or Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.
For consumer questions, please contact the water system at 620-857-4464, or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/468/Disruption-in-Water-Service
Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety & lodging program at [email protected] or call 785-564-6767.
FSCC Board of Trustees Special Meeting July 16, 2026
The Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees will hold a Special Board Meeting on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. in the Ellis Fine Arts Building on the Fort Scott Community College campus.
The agenda for the meeting is attached.
Fort Scott Community College — Board of Trustees Special Meeting
Ellis Fine Arts Center | July 16, 2026 – 12:00 P.M. | Public Agenda
1.0 Call Meeting to Order – Chair Doug Ropp
1.1 Roll Call of Trustees by the Clerk
Bailey · Brown · Cosens · Hoyt · McKinnis · Ropp
2.0 Flag Salute & Invocation
3.0 Leadership Reports & Updates (Information)
3.1 Academics – Vice President of Academic Affairs – Dr. Larry Guerrero
3.2 Advancement – Dean of Advancement – Lindsay Hill
3.3 Athletics – Athletic Director – Dave Wiemers
3.4 Finance – CFO, Vice President of Finance & Operations – Gina Shelton
3.5 Student Services – Vice President of Student Affairs – Vanessa Poyner
3.6 Grant Updates – Dean of Advancement – Lindsay Hill
3.7 Presidential Update – President Dr. Jack Welch
4.0 Review of July 20th Agenda Items (Information)
5.0 Personnel
5.1 Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action)
5.2 Exit Executive Session – Return to Open Session (Action)
6.0 Board Member Training (Information)
7.0 Adjourn (Action)
Documents:
Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Report – July 15, 2026
Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Report – July 15, 2026
Arrested
Finchum, Brandon Keith (Age 39) — Arrested 7/14/2026 12:36 PM by Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office. Charge: Warrant – Bourbon County (Failure to Appear). Bond: $0.00 (No Bond).
Bump-Carpenter, Gabriella Heaven (Age 23) — Arrested 7/14/2026 3:37 PM by Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office. Charge: Warrant – Bourbon County (Probation Violation). Bond: $0.00 (No Bond).
Beltran Uriostegui, Tonia (Age 23) — Arrested 7/14/2026 7:45 PM by Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office. Charges: Expired Registration, Vehicle Liability Insurance Required, No Valid DL for Non-CDL CMV. Bond: $0.00 (No Bond).
Mercer-Kent, Sandra Jane (Age 49) — Arrested 7/14/2026 9:14 PM by Fort Scott Police Department. Charge: Domestic Battery – Knowing/Reckless Bodily Harm. Bond: $0.00.
Released
Cliffman, Tarin Renee — Released 7/14/2026 3:43 PM via Own Recognizance (Self).
Coleman, Kenli Jeane — Released 7/14/2026 3:23 PM via Own Recognizance (Self).
Herrington, John Thomas — Released 7/14/2026 3:55 PM via Court Order (Osawatomie State Hospital).
Hudson, Joseph F — Released 7/14/2026 11:03 AM via Own Recognizance (Self).
Maggard, Natasha R — Released 7/14/2026 3:42 PM via Own Recognizance (Self).
Total Inmates Released: 5
Documents:
Obituary of John Richard Mix
John Richard Mix, 92, lifelong resident of Devon, Kansas, passed away on Friday, July 10, 2026, in his home with his wife at his side. Richard was born on October 18, 1933, to his parents, Edwin B. and Crystal A. Johnson Mix. He graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1951.
Richard started driving a tractor at the age of 9 and later worked with his dad farming and dairying for several years. Farming and driving the tractor were some of the greatest joys in his life. He persevered and continued until he was about 90 years old, with the help of his neighbors Ron and Kenny Wunderly, until this winter when he wasn’t able and they continued to help.
In 1956 Richard and Louise Smith were married and welcomed 2 sons, Ricky D. Mix and Michael D. Mix. They later divorced.
He later met Patricia (Pat) Reynolds through a mutual friend. On June 25, 1983, they were married and had 43 good years together.
He was a member of Devon Ruritan and helped the Devon Rural Fire Department and was on the Watershed board for many years.
He is survived by his loving wife, Pat of the home, two sons, Ricky and Norma Mix of rural Uniontown, and Michael and Karen Mix of rural Fort Scott, 4 grandchildren, and several great grandchildren. Cousins Mick and Ginny Cotter and Pat Young, and brothers-in-law Merle Reynolds and Dorvin Reynolds and his beloved dogs. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother.
Graveside services will be held at 10:30 am, on Saturday July 18 at the Centerville Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Devon Rural Fire Department, the Harry Hynes Hospice or the Southeast Kansas Humane Society. Donations may be sent to, or left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701.