News

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

There could be some redevelopment for the downtown area of Liberal in the coming future, and citizens from the community had the chance to share their thoughts at the Liberal City Commission’s most recent meeting Tuesday evening.

Up first was local citizen John Smith.

“I do own a business downtown, and I think this has been a long time coming in terms of improvement,” Smith said. “This is a very good opportunity, and I’m very much in favor of things being improved and updated. You can never do anything that won’t inconvenience someone at some point, and a good example of that is the 2nd Street drainage that went on as long as it did, but it was something that had to be addressed. I think the downtown area is similar, and I’m very much in favor of pursuing as much of what was presented as possible, but I know it will take some time and coordination.”

ROBERT PIERCE

   • Leader & Times

At its 2023 annual banquet, Grace Place Pregnancy Care Center began raising funds for an ultrasound machine.

In May of 2024, staff at the center were ready to do some renovations for a new ultrasound machine, and they asked their landlord, neighboring First United Methodist Church, if they could use the building next to them.

That building had been formerly occupied by United Methodist Mexican American Ministries and Genesis Family Health. Grace Place Director Cindi Lyddon said the church had gone through some changes, and FUMC staff had made the decision to stop allowing other entities to use their property.

Seward County Community College

Seward County Community College Saints athletes can be seen all over town as the various teams put in volunteer hours for multiple causes.

Men’s basketball team members met students at Prairie View Elementary School for “High 5 Friday” Sept. 19, a mood-booster and high point for local children.

The following night, both men and women’s basketball players helped staff the 31st annual SCCC Foundation Party Auction. Women’s team members provided free, on-site child care for auction attendees, while the men’s team members offered muscle power for auction winners who needed a hand getting their purchases removed from the Seward County Activity Center and loaded into vehicles.

Kansas Department of Transportation

The Kansas Department of Transportation’s (KDOT) Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessment (VRUSA) Tool has been selected as one of 12 national finalists in the 2025 America’s Transportation Awards (ATA).

The tool is vying for one of two top prizes: the People’s Choice Award and the Grand Prize.

The People’s Choice Award is determined by public votes. KDOT encourages all Kansans and supporters of road safety to cast their vote daily and visit americastransportationawards.org/. Voting is open until 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 17.