News

Knudsen joins SWMC medical staff

Southwest Medical Center

Southwest Medical Center (SWMC) is pleased to announce starting Aug. 1, Dr. Dennis Knudsen will be joining the team. Despite this transition, his office will remain at its current location, ensuring that his patients continue to receive the same high standard of care they have come to expect.

Dr. Knudsen’s distinguished career began in the United States Army, where he served from 1969 to 1986, with active duty starting in 1976 after graduating from medical school at the University of Iowa. He served at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas, and Ft. Riley in Kansas. During the Vietnam War, Dr. Knudsen remained stateside in the reserves while he continued his education.

Stars and Stripes parade coming to Kansas Avenue July 4

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

The 4th of July holiday is right around the corner, and preparations are well under way for this year’s parade.

The 2024 4th of July parade will start at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, July 4, and the route will again start on Trail Street, move north, and end at Light Park on 11th Street. As coordinator Earl Watt tells it, there is a lot of excitement for this year’s festivities.

“It’s free to participate, it’s free to come and be a spectator, and it’s a great way to start the day of the 4th of July,” Watt said. “The day starts with the parade, and I know there will be some activities that afternoon by Brent Gould Field to help build the hype around the Bee Jays baseball game, which will be at 7 p.m. against Dodge City, and then the postgame fireworks show will conclude everything.”

District to consider purchases, renewals at next meeting

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

The USD 480 school board should have an easy evening for its next meeting Monday evening starting at 6:30. Monday’s meeting will be in Room B110 at Seymour Rogers Middle School at 721 Griffith Avenue.

Up first for the board will be the second reading of Policy JGG concerning transportation.

“Changes include bus rider eligibility, transportation denial appeals process and formatting,” the agenda information noted. “This policy change has been reviewed and approved by the Policy Committee and legal counsel.”

Meet Miss Kansas 2024 – Alexis Smith

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

This month marks the annual Miss Kansas Pageant and earlier this month, a new Miss Kansas was crowned with Alexis Smith, who had recently served as Miss Butler County.

The rest of the Miss Kansas court includes 1st runner up Courtney Price Dukes, 2nd runner-up Tiayla Maholmes, 3rd runner-up Gabby Altenor, and 4th runner-up Haley Loya-Ruiz. In addition to winning Miss Kansas, Smith also won the Lesley Moss Preliminary Health and Fitness Award.

SCCC to host Moran town hall on West campus June 25

Seward County Community College

Seward County Community College will host a town hall with Sen. Jerry Moran at 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 25 at the new SCCC West Campus.

“We are excited to have Sen. Moran speaking at the West campus,” SCCC President Brad Bennett said. “He is a strong advocate for the college and was instrumental in helping us obtain funding for the new facility.”