News

ROBERT PIERCE

   • Leader & Times

Following the birth of her first son in 2008, Jennifer Baffoe started painting prolifically, but  artworks became more frequent when she started raising funds in the country of Ghana in West Africa.

“I’d sell my paintings to raise money for a school in west Africa, and I just keep learning and growing,” she said. “I’ve traveled all over.”

Baffoe said most of her artwork is based on travels from the places she sees to the people she meets and things she finds beautiful and interesting.

ROBERT PIERCE

   • Leader & Times

Block parties have been popular for decades and are a great way to spend some time outside.

Saturday, the Liberal Ministerial Alliance and the Youth Hangout hosted a block party in Light Park, and while fun was had throughout the party, the night was ended with Christian singer and songwriter Jake Hamilton taking the stage at the park’s pavilion with a message for young people.

Block party organizer Cory Barnett said Hamilton’s message was everyone has a purpose and a destiny.

Kansas Department of  Transportation

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is inviting citizens to share ideas and discuss regional transportation needs concerning highways, public transit, pedestrians and more at local consult meetings taking place across the state in October.

“We want to hear directly from Kansans about what transportation improvements are important to them,” Secretary Calvin Reed said. “Those attending the local consult meetings will be providing input on what projects KDOT should prioritize for future infrastructure improvements.”

Attendees will also learn more about transportation investments being made as well as various grant funding programs available through KDOT.

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

Fentanyl production continues to be a hot topic and recently, lawmakers introduced a bill designed to help counter that.

Tuesday, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran announced he joined Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) in introducing the Fight Illicit Pill Presses Act, which would help stop the production of counterfeit and fentanyl-laced pills and make it easier for federal law enforcement to take action against cartels by requiring pill presses, punches and dyes to be engraved with serial numbers.