News

Former Redskin Rhoades inducted into NJCAA Hall of Fame

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

Many athletes from the area have gone on to bigger careers and recently, it was announced another Liberal native will be joining that list.

Last week, it was announced Rion Rhoades has been selected to be inducted into the NJCAA Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. As Rhoades tells it, his playing career and coaching career took him to multiple corners of Kansas.

“I grew up in Liberal and actually went to elementary school and junior high school in Kismet, and then I graduated from Liberal High School,” Rhoades said. “Coaching-wise, I was the head football coach for Leoti High School in 1999, Fort Scott Community College in 2006, and Hutchinson Community College from 2007 to 2019. I also coached at Fort Hays State University, Northwestern Oklahoma State University (as the defensive coordinator), Coffeyville (also as the defensive coordinator), and Arkansas as the linebackers coach. Prior to all of that, I was an athlete myself and played college football for Hutchinson Community College, Western Illinois, and Northwestern Oklahoma State as a linebacker.”

GCCC Speech and Debate team excels at Fort Worth tournament

Garden City Community College

In its first year of competition, the Garden City Community College (GCCC) Speech & Debate Team, Phi Rho Pi, delivered an outstanding performance at the Speech & Debate Swing Tournament Oct. 25 and 26 in Fort Worth, Texas, hosted by Texas Christian University.

Competing against 15 universities and one community college, GCCC’s team earned multiple top finishes across several events, including five national qualifications for the upcoming American Forensics Association National Tournament.

After two days of competition, the team collectively achieved: one first-place finish, one second-place finish, three third-place finishes, two fourth-place finishes, and one seventh-place finish.

The GCCC team included Isaac Dean, Christy Donovan, Tina Ortiz, Tela Mulitano, Phybee Madlangbayan, Jaianna Moore, Katelynn Hintz, Allison-Jayne Hintz, Veronica McCallum, and Jordan Humphreys. Together, the group brought home eight medals across four competition categories, an impressive debut for GCCC’s inaugural year in collegiate forensics.

Donations being accepted for Liberal Wreaths Across America campaign

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

Veterans who lost their lives while serving deserve high respect, and a local man is helping a national group bring awareness to just that through Wreaths Across America.

“Wreaths Across America (WAA) is a nationwide nonprofit fundraiser with the mission of remembering and honoring the sacrifice of the courageous individuals who gave their all for the freedoms we enjoy today, and teaching others about the great burden of loss carried by their loved ones,” CAP Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Joel Phan said. “WAA partners with the United States Civil Air Patrol and this year, we are again asking for donations to support this mission. The goal is to raise money and lay a Christmas wreath at the headstone of a fallen U.S. armed forces service member. $17 sponsors one wreath, four wreaths is $68, a group of 10 wreaths is $170, or there's also a corporate sponsorship for 100 wreaths is $1,700. All donations are tax-deductible. The deadline for all donations is Sunday, Nov. 9 because we have to consolidate everything and send it to the national organization in time for everything to get put together. We will take donations via cash or check, and anyone wanting to make a donation needs to fill out a form, which they can get from me, and people can contact me by phone at (720) 749-9038 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..”

FSA offices reopen across Kansas during shutdown

Kansas Ag Connection

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced Farm Service Agency (FSA) operations in Kansas will continue despite the ongoing government shutdown.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins confirmed essential FSA services are resuming to support farmers and ranchers across the state.

According to the USDA, two employees will be stationed at each county’;s FSA office five days a week to manage core programs funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). This ensures Kansas producers continue to access vital assistance for their operations during the disruption.

Holiday Open House a week away

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

The holidays will be upon the area quickly, and the Chamber of Commerce is looking to help people in the area get a start on their shopping.

The 2025 Citywide Holiday Open House will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6 and then during regular business hours Nov. 7 and 8. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Rozelle Webb said she and staff are excited for this year.

“We're inviting and encouraging all the participating businesses to decorate their stores and maybe serve some refreshments to the customers who come in to look at the holiday merchandise they have to offer,” Webb said. “Any stores that would like to participate in this year's Holiday Open House, we would ask them to call the Chamber of Commerce office at (620) 624-3855 and let us know they want to be part of this year's fun. We'd like the businesses to let us know ahead of time because we'll be putting together a list of all the participants so customers will know where to go. The Holiday Open House is always a great way to kick off the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, and it's a great chance for shoppers to get out and about and see what's on sale. It's also a great way for us as the Chamber of Commerce to promote our local businesses.”