News

City approves term sheet for Dairy Queen project

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

The Liberal City Commission had an easy time with its most recent regular meeting Tuesday evening.

Before the commission took on the agenda’s new business, a proclamation for Constitution Week was read.

“WHEREAS: Sept. 17, 2024, marks the 237th anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Constitutional Convention; and WHEREAS: It is fitting and proper to accord official recognition to this magnificent document and its memorable anniversary; and to the patriotic celebrations which will commemorate the occasion; and WHEREAS: Public Law 915 guarantees the issuing of a proclamation each year by the President of the United States of America designating Sept. 17 through 23 as Constitution Week in Liberal, and ask our citizens to reaffirm the ideals of the Framers of the constitution had in 1787 by vigilantly protecting the freedoms guaranteed to us through this guardian of our liberties, remembering that lost rights may never be regained,” Liberal Mayor Jose Lara read.

County to vote on budget without increase

ROBERT PIERCE

• Leader & Times

After hearing from local constituents at a recent public hearing and reviewing state statutes, Seward County commissioners are taking a cautionary approach and will pass a Revenue Neutral budget for Fiscal Year 2025.

That from Administrator April Warden, who issued a press release Wednesday afternoon stating the commission chose to go that direction, and she said the action came after commissioners failed to pass resolutions to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate following the Sept. 3 public hearing.

KDADS awarded Strategic Prevention Framework-Partnerships for Success grant

Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services

TOPEKA – Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Secretary Laura Howard announced this week the agency has been awarded a five-year substance use prevention grant totaling $6.25 million ($1.25 million per year from Sept. 30, 2024, through Sept. 29, 2029).

The grant funding is part of the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Strategic Prevention Framework-Partnerships for Success for States (SPF-PFS-States) program.

Operation Christmas Child project leader workshop coming Oct. 5

L&T staff report

The Wild West KS and OK Area Operation Christmas Child team will host a project leader workshop from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at New Beginnings Church at 2021 N. Western Ave. in Liberal.

Everyone is invited to join the team for a time of equipping and fellowship as they prepare for the shoebox harvest ahead. Anabel Rosario Fermin will share her powerful testimony of how God used an OCC shoebox in her life.

Governor Kelly awards more than $28M to Kansas crime survivor programs

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

The importance of crime survivor programs cannot be understated and last week, some money was awarded to help just that.

Last Thursday, Gov. Laura Kelly announced more than $28 million in state funding has been awarded to Kansas-based organizations that provide services for child and adult crime survivors throughout the state.

“It is critical for survivors of crime to have support and access to services to recover and find a sense of justice,” Gov. Kelly noted in a release from the State of Kansas. “These investments ensure Kansans across the state are not left to cope alone after a crime occurs. The Legislature increased the state grant funds to sustain Kansas programs that experienced a decrease in funding from the federal Victims of Crime Act Victim Assistance Grant Program.”