News

Knights, Harbingers come together for Toys For Tots run Saturday

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

The Christmas season might still be a couple months away, but a pair of local groups came together Saturday to begin making this year’s holidays a little brighter for some area families.

The Harbingers Motorcycle Club and Knights of Columbus teamed up for this year’s Toys For Tots run, and as coordinators tell it, the day could not have gone better.

“I think we did really well. We had about 24 motorcycles involved, and all of them brought toys, which was great. We've had better years and worse years, but with everything going on right now, I was really happy with how things turned out because it's all for a good cause and helping some children get toys at Christmas who might not otherwise get them,” Knight Chuck Lamberson said. “I'm really happy with how everything's gone, we've been going around to local businesses for sponsorships and door prizes and things like that, and I can't thank those sponsors enough for the help they provided. I also have to give credit to my brother Knights, they've all put in a bunch of hard work selling raffle tickets and talking this up and everything else.”

Candidates provide views on what they believe the role of a board member should be

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

The community got to hear from the candidates running for the USD 480 school board last Tuesday evening, and multiple questions centered around the role of the board and its level of activity throughout the district.

The first of the questions on the topic asked the candidates on what they thought their role as a school board member should be.

“There are a number of roles, but the biggest role we have is to care about the students and the instructional coaches and teachers and administration,” candidate Alan Brown said. “Our two big jobs are to hire the superintendent and then to set policy and make sure that policy is followed. All the other things are what we can go enjoy in terms of being around the students and hearing about what’s going on, but our two big jobs are to set policy and see it’s followed through.”

Can county still lower the mill levy?

L&T staff report

After the massive tax increase passed the Seward County Commission by a 3-2 vote, several taxpayers have asked that the commission reconsider the budget.

Comments have been made that the commission cannot change the amount of taxes collected, but that statement is inaccurate according to Kansas Special Committee Chair Sen. Caryn Tyson.

Three Seward County residents provided testimony to the committee Monday including Seward County Appraiser Angela Eichman, L&T Publisher Earl Watt and Billy’s Ayr Lanes owner and Seward County Community College Board of Trustee Kelly Hill, among others in Kansas.

Festival to help raise funds for Stepping Stone Shelter

ROBERT PIERCE

• Leader & Times

Temperatures may suggest otherwise, but autumn is here. The season typically brings to mind thoughts of falling leaves of a variety of colors, as well as pumpkins and cool crisp air.

For many years, Liberal’s Friends Church has celebrated fall with its annual Pumpkin Festival in late October, and the event is back for this year on Sunday, Oct. 26.

Organizer Jamie Cook said from 2 to 4 p.m. that day, the Friends Family Center will be filled with cookies as local bakers participate in a cookie contest.

Liberal Recreation Center to host annual Trunk or Treat, costume contest

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

Those looking for a bit of early Halloween fun will have just that thanks to the Liberal Recreation Department.

The Liberal Recreation Department will be hosting its annual Trunk-or-Treat and costume contest from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27 at the Liberal Recreation Center at 950 S. Grant Ave. Entry is $1 per person, and that covers both Trunk or Treat and the costume contest, with which all ages are welcome.

Liberal Recreation Department Events Coordinator Claudia Garcia said turnout to last year’s event was great, and she hopes to see large turnout again for this year.

“Last year's turnout was great, and we had more than 1,000 people come through our trunk or treat,” Garcia said. “This is a fantastic opportunity for families to have a fun and safe Halloween evening, and it's a great way for the community to come together. Everyone who comes can enjoy sweet treats, festive decorations, and win awesome prizes in our costume contest.”