News

ROBERT PIERCE

   • Leader & Times

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and this year locally throughout the month, Liberal’s Cato Fashions store has teamed up with Southwest Medical Center to bring more awareness to breast cancer.

SWMC Marketing and Development Director Janeth Vazquez said as part of the nationwide “Think Pink” awareness effort, the hospital and Cato Fashions partnered to remind the community about the importance of early detection, regular checkups and supporting those whose lives have been touched by breast cancer.

“‘It’s basically about spreading hope, education and unity one pink ribbon at a time,” she said.

Special to the Leader & Times

The Cold Weather Rule, designed to help Kansans who are behind on their utility payments avoid disconnection during the winter months, will begin Nov. 1 and remain in effect through March 31.

While the Cold Weather Rule is in effect, utility companies cannot disconnect a customer's service when the local temperatures are forecast to drop below 35 degrees within the following 48-hour period. The Kansas Corporation Commission, the agency that regulates public utilities in the state, implemented the rule in 1983 to prevent utility companies from disconnecting a customer's natural gas, electric or water service during periods of extreme cold.

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

The fall season is well under way, which means drivers on local roads could soon see an uptick in deer crossings during their travels.

With that in mind, Seward County Undersheriff Ryan Roehr said there are precautions drivers can take.

“The first thing I'd say is be watchful at dawn and dusk since deer are more active and they seldom travel alone – as the old saying goes, if you see one deer, there are probably more behind it. I would also say if you do see a deer on the road, do not swerve, because that can cause you to veer into oncoming traffic, run off the road, hit objects or overturn, and we obviously don't want anyone to get injured,” Roehr said. “You're better off either hitting the brakes slowly and as smoothly as possible and wait for it to cross or just hitting it if it's unavoidable. If you see a deer crossing sign, they’re there for a reason, so be more careful and watchful in those areas, and be especially alert and reduce speeds near wooded areas and near water sources, because that's where deer prefer to congregate. Vehicle-deer collisions can happen on any rural or urban roadway – the signs show areas where high numbers have occurred in the past. And if you're driving either in the early morning or in the evening, be sure and use bright headlights when there is no oncoming traffic – the deer’s eyes often reflect, so they'll be easier to see. In our neck of the woods, the river areas are one of the main areas where deer congregate, as well as parts of U.S. Hwy. 54 and U.S. Hwy. 83 around the bridges. We also have some areas east of town that seem to see a lot of deer, such as around Bluebell Road and Meade Lake Road. Deer season is going on right now – October is when it starts, and the peak time is about the middle of November, that’s when the peak of rut season happens and it’s when deer seem to move around a lot. Deer season typically fades down around the new year. But I would say around now through November is when people should keep their heads on a bit of a swivel and be on the lookout for deer being out and about.”

EARL WATT

   • Leader & Times

During recent public meetings, Seward County leaders – including Chair Scott Carr – have claimed the reason for the recent 13.4 mill rate increase was inflation.

However, local school districts and the City of Liberal have not made any significant changes to their budgets.

Comparing the City of Liberal and Seward County would not be a fair comparison because the City of Liberal only taxes property within the city limits and Seward County taxes all property in the county. The same with USD No. 480 or USD No. 483 since they do not encompass the entire county.