News

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.

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

Following many months of community engagement, research, and assistance from city planning professionals, the Liberal City Commission officially adopted a new 10-year Comprehensive Plan for developing the community at its most recent meeting Tuesday evening.

“As you all know, our last comprehensive plan was developed in 2003. In 2024, we started working with Professional Engineering Consultants (PEC) and Wichita State’s Public Policy and Management Center to create a 10-year plan for Liberal’s development,” Chief Communications Officer Keeley Young said. “The Launch Liberal 2035 Comprehensive Plan communicates our aspirations and goals to private sector investors, local institutions, businesses, and residents. The plan serves as a playbook for local leaders to understand the appropriate types of development and land uses in the city, realizing that each new development or redevelopment project creates a lasting impact on the city’s design, built form, economic well-being, and quality of life.”