News

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.

ROBERT PIERCE

   • Leader & Times

After a public hearing that saw commissioners narrowly approve a resolution to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate by more than 13 mills, attention was then turned to a public hearing that likewise saw the same narrow adoption of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget for Seward County.

Before constituents took to the podium, county staff and commissioners spoke about what was included this year’s budget.

“That was the 2026 budget for Seward County with spending authority of $41,422,542 and ad valorem tax of $16,151,840 to support that budget,” Administrator April Warden said.

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

The Liberal City Commission will have a wide variety of topics to discuss at its next meeting this evening starting at 5:30. This evening’s meeting will be in the commission chambers at the Liberal Recreation Center at 950 S. Grant Ave.

Up first for the commission will be discussion of Ordinance No. 4640 concerning a Temporary Event Permit for the Seward County United Way.

“Seward County United Way has requested a Temporary Event Permit in order to host an Oktoberfest fundraiser on Lincoln Avenue between 2nd Street and 3rd Street Saturday, Oct. 11,” the agenda information noted. “The fundraiser will include vendor booths, food trucks, crafts, local businesses and agencies, live music, activities for children, and craft beer from local breweries. United Way will be selling tickets for the alcohol and will be responsible for this permit upon approval of the ordinance. City staff recommends the approval of Ordinance No. 4640 to issue a Temporary Event Permit to United Way in order to host its 2025 Oktoberfest fundraiser.”