News

ROBERT PIERCE

   • Leader & Times

Founded in 2024 by a group of farmers motivated to give back to their community and their school, the Mustang Farm Foundation received $10,000 in grant money from Pioneer Seed and its parent company, Corteva Agriscience, and Agri Center LLC, a local Pioneer Seed dealer in Plains.

Foundation President Brett Reiss said USD 483 in 2024 purchased 320 acres of farm ground to help with the need for water rights.

“With more kids going to school at Southwestern Heights High School and Junior High, there’s more need for the water for sanitary reasons, but also for groundskeeping,” he said.

After purchasing the land, Reiss said foundation leaders approached the USD 483 Board of Education for options for the land.

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

Those looking to get in some exercise and learn about a long-time community entity will soon have exactly that chance.

The High Plains Heritage Foundation (HPHF) will be hosting a color run Friday, Sept. 5 at Blue Bonnet Park, with everything starting at 7:30 p.m. There are no age requirements, and everyone is welcome. There will be a 1-mile course option and a 5K course option for people, and there will be t-shirts available with the event sponsors listed on them.

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

Traffic at Pancake Boulevard and Western Avenue was delayed early Wednesday afternoon due to an injury accident.

Emergency personnel were called to the scene at 11:56 a.m. Wednesday, according to a release from the Liberal Police Department.

“A 1997 Peterbilt, driven by a 50-year-old male, was westbound on Pancake Boulevard. A 2014 Chevrolet Spark, driven by a 60-year-old female, was eastbound on Pancake and attempted to make a left turn onto northbound Western Ave.,” the LPD release noted. “The Chevrolet Spark failed to yield the right-of-way to the Peterbilt causing the semi to strike the Spark. The impact caused the semi to jackknife in the northwest ditch and caused Spark to spin out in the southwest ditch. The driver of the Spark was transported to Southwest Medical Center by EMS for non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the Peterbilt was not injured. The driver of the Spark was issued a citation for failure to yield the right-of-way while making a left turn. Both vehicles were towed away due to extensive damage.”

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

Last week marked the 2025 Five State Fair festivities, meaning people in the area had the opportunity to take in multiple forms of entertainment including concerts and 4-H events.

As Five State Fair Board member Erin Atchley tells it, there were many positives about this year’s fair festivities.