News

ROBERT PIERCE

   • Leader & Times

The roof at the Seward County EMS building has been dealing with a recurring leak issues related to the air conditioner for the past five to six years, and while the trouble primarily occurs during heavy rains, the situation has now become a significant problem.

At its July 7 regular meeting, the county commission unanimously approved a plan that included the following work:

• Remove pad and dig out area apply seal, replace concrete and recover with dirt – $3,750 to Maestro Concrete of Liberal

• Core drill two wall penetrations and reroute existing PVC vent to south wall – $1,750 to HECO HVAC & Plumbing of Liberal

• Relocate electrical from roof to come in the east wall with one-inch conduit for compressor – $575 to Lobos Electric of Liberal

• Remove and replace the 22-year-old condenser with a new three-ton Trane and matching evaporator coil  and run all new lines  as listed in previous items – $6,800 to HECO HVAC & Plumbing

Special to the Leader & Times

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) – released the following statement after the Senate Committee on Appropriations approved the FY2026 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations Act:

“This legislation strengthens the programs that are important to Kansas – support for local law enforcement to combat violent crime and disrupt fentanyl trafficking, investments to bolster economic growth, and resources to provide critical 24/7 weather coverage – while also taking steps to make targeted reductions in spending,” Moran said. “I appreciate the support from my colleagues to fund critical programs that strengthen our nation’s federal law enforcement, invest in NASA’s Artemis program, support scientific research, and improve our economic competitiveness.”

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

The Lady Saints softball season is still some time away from beginning, and there will be a new face at the helm with new head coach Kimber Cortemelia.

And as Cortemelia tells it, she is no stranger to the game.

ROBERT PIERCE

   • Leader & Times

Summer in Southwest Kansas typically sees highs staying above 90 degrees for many days in  a row, and this leaves many locals looking for ways to beat the heat.

Helping in this pursuit, for the past 13 years, Westlake Ace Hardware stores nationwide have hosted an annual fan drive in partnership with the Salvation Army.

To date, more than 70,000 box fans have been distributed to seniors, low-income families and others in need across the communities Westlake serves.