News

Aguilera receives master's degree

ROBERT PIERCE

• Leader & Times

Seeing a need for bilingual therapists locally, Sarahi Aguilera began her higher education journey by graduating with an associate’s degree in criminal justice in 2018 from Seward County Community College.

The next stop for Aguilera was made at Wichita State University, where she graduated with a bachelor’s in criminal justice, along with a minor in psychology.

After graduating from Wichita State, Aguilera took some time off before coming back to Southwest Kansas and working with victims of physical and sexual violence as a victim advocate at the Liberal Area Rape Crisis/Domestic Violence Services (LARC/DVS)

KDWP seeks input on State Wildlife Action Plan

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is seeking public comment on a revised draft of the Kansas State Wildlife Action Plan, which serves as a blueprint for conserving Kansas’ most at-risk wildlife and habitats.

The 2025 draft updates the state’s 2015 plan, as required by Congress for continued eligibility for state wildlife grants. These grants support proactive efforts to conserve wildlife before they become more scarce and costly to protect.

SCCC votes to add women’s wrestling for 2025-26 season

Seward County Community College

Seward County Community College will add women’s wrestling as its 10th NJCAA sport, beginning competition in the 2025-26 academic year. The SCCC Board of Trustees voted to approve the addition at its monthly meeting on Monday.

Cody Cole, SCCC associate vice president of athletics, who will also coach the team, expressed excitement and enthusiasm for the upcoming season.

Body discovered in Beaver Co.

ROBERT PIERCE

Leader & Times

Area law enforcement are investigating a deceased body found last week in Beaver County, Okla.

Beaver County Sheriff Scott Mitchell said in a press release, Thursday, deputies with his office received requests from the Hooker, Okla., Police Department, the District One Attorney’s Task Force and the Texas County, Okla., Sheriff’s office, for assistance in recovering a deceased individual in an area southwest of Forgan, Okla.

Mitchell said the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation was also requested to assist in the investigation, as was the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner’s Office.

Mitchell said the incident is currently under investigation, and there is no other information available at this time.

“I would like to assure the public, at no time, was there or is there any threat to the safety of our citizens and communities,” he said.

Kids Bowl Free program comes to Billy’s Ayr Lanes

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

The summer is a great time for children to be active and this summer, Billy’s Ayr Lanes is offering a chance to help with just that through the Kids Bowl Free program.

Billy’s Ayr Lanes owner Kelly Hill said there is a lot of excitement about working with the program.