News

Mayer creates art at Panhandle studio

ROBERT PIERCE

• Leader & Times

At the age of 17, Dallas Mayer began taking art lessons in the town of Hardesty, Okla., from Dord Fitz, a circuit art teacher from Shattuck, Okla., who traveled through Beaver County, Okla., and Texas County, Okla., as well as parts of Kansas, Texas and New Mexico.

Fitz had also taught the woman who would become Mayer’s mother-in-law in 1959 when her future husband was a baby, and Mayer said it was her mother-in-law who got her into art.

2024 Christmas Parade coming to Kansas Avenue Dec. 7

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

The Thanksgiving turkey has been put away, which means it is time to officially start thinking about Christmas events, particularly Liberal’s Downtown Christmas Parade.

The 2024 Downtown Christmas Parade will be at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, with everything going through downtown, and the theme for this year is 'Candyland Christmas.' This year's parade route will be going from south to north – like the 4th of July parade, everything will line up and start at Trail Street (by the railroad tracks), go north and then turn off at 6th Street. Coordinator Earl Watt said he is excited about this year’s parade theme.

Eve Cakes cuts ribbon on new store in Liberal

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

Those looking for a good brunch spot now have a new option with Eve Cakes Coffee & Brunch at 423 W. 2nd Street.

The shop had its ribbon-cutting last Friday, and owner Evelyn Ramirez said she has been working toward her own shop for a long time.

Governor Kelly announces launch of Kansas Department of Labor enhanced Unemployment Insurance system

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

The need for upgrades to the state’s unemployment insurance benefits system has been a major topic of conversation for a long time and recently, some work took place to help with just that.

Gov. Laura Kelly, joined by Kansas Secretary of Labor Amber Shultz, announced last Friday the launch of the Kansas Department of Labor’s (KDOL) new online system for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. The system is available through KansasUI.gov.

SCCC PTK inducts 79 members

Seward County Community College

The Seward County Community College chapter of Phi Theta Kappa hosted its induction ceremony for the fall last Tuesday.

Seventy-nine SCCC students were inducted into the honor society for community colleges. To be eligible, students must have completed at least 12 hours of college-level courses or six hours towards a certification and have a GPA of 3.5 or higher after their first semester. Students include dual credit high school seniors and up.