Government

• Government

/ Paid-only

Solar is coming to Fort Scott’s water plant

The Fort Scott City Commission voted 3-1 to move forward with a 225-kilowatt solar system at the water treatment plant, a scaled-back version of SEK Solar's August proposal.

By Curtis Major

/ 26 Oct 2026

• Government

/ Paid-only

Pay to park? Commissioner asks city to study meters for busiest downtown spots

Fort Scott commissioners discussed downtown two-hour parking enforcement Tuesday and asked staff to research options, including paid parking at the busiest spaces. No action was taken.

By Curtis Major

/ 23 Oct 2026

• Government

/ Paid-only

Former City Commissioner presents Crawford Street rebuild plan; residents ask city to keep brick streets

Former Commissioner Pete Allen presented a plan Tuesday to rebuild Fort Scott's water, sewer and street systems, starting with seven blocks of Crawford Street. Residents also spoke about the future of the city's brick streets.

By Curtis Major

/ 22 Oct 2026

• Government

/ Paid-only

State says county appraisal out of compliance, citing low values

Bourbon County’s property appraisal program scored 63.1 out of 100 on the state’s 2026 compliance review, short of the 75 points needed. A Kansas Department of Revenue official walked county commissioners through the results Monday, and the state’s reports are attached to the story.

By Curtis Major

/ 22 Oct 2026

• Government

/ Paid-only

Transfer station backhoe purchase likely to wait until January

A replacement backhoe for the county transfer station will be taken up in January, Chairman Gregg Motley said Monday.

By Curtis Major

/ 22 Oct 2026

• Government

Commission hires Millie Lipscomb for county HR in 3-2 vote

The Bourbon County Commission voted 3-2 Monday to hire Millie Lipscomb to handle county human resources for one year.

By Curtis Major

/ 21 Oct 2026

• Government

Expert who sounded alarm on courthouse: Asbestos levels ‘not outrageously high,’ but need remediated quickly

Dr. Arthur Frank says the courthouse air is above what you’d breathe on the street but below the clearance level used for schools, and the damaged insulation should be cleaned up as soon as possible.

By Nick Graham

/ 20 Oct 2026

• Government

Courthouse basement pipes contain friable, damaged asbestos, lab tests confirm

Lab results confirm friable asbestos in three basement rooms; APEX says materials in the boiler and elevator rooms were not identified and should be tested, and recommends licensed abatement. Air tests came back below the clearance level.

By Nick Graham

/ 19 Oct 2026

• Government

/ Paid-only

Fort Scott developer shares plans for historic Moody Building as city clears ownership hurdles

Plans are taking shape for Fort Scott’s historic Moody Building. Have an old photo of it, inside or out? The project team wants to see it. Here’s what they shared last Tuesday and how you can help.

By Curtis Major

/ 12 Oct 2026

• News

Kansas Main Street official: Code enforcement, leadership key to downtown success

Speaking at a packed downtown gathering, Kansas Main Street's Drew Simpson emphasized the importance of code enforcement and stable leadership to Fort Scott's downtown revitalization.

By Nick Graham

/ 9 Oct 2026

• Government

County's HR consultant request closes; commissioner questions whether requirements will be enforced

Bourbon County's request for HR consultant proposals closed Wednesday with three submissions. Commissioners discussed how closely the review will follow the requirements, and the proposals are expected on the Oct. 19 agenda.

By Curtis Major

/ 8 Oct 2026

• Government

BREAKING: IRS lien cleared, deed in hand for Moody Building transfer

City Attorney Bob Farmer said Tuesday an IRS lien discharge and quitclaim deed have arrived, moving the Moody Building transfer close to completion.

By Nick Graham

/ 6 Oct 2026