News

City of Liberal awarded Federal Railroad Administration Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

There has been a lot of recent work going on regarding the construction of a second overpass in the community, and recently, that project took another step forward.

Last week, the City of Liberal announced it was awarded the Federal Railroad Administration's Railroad Crossing Elimination grant to fund project development and preliminary engineering of a grade-separated rail overpass in Liberal.

As Chief Communications Officer Keeley Moree tells it, the award is the culmination of a lot of work.

Local lawmakers head to Topeka, seek tax relief

ROBERT PIERCE

• Leader & Times

The 2025 session of the Kansas Legislature gets under way this week, and two local lawmakers were in Liberal last week to give a preview of what could be coming up in Topeka this year.

Kansas 38th District Senator Ron Ryckman and 125th House District Representative Shannon Francis were at Memorial Library last week with a legislative update sponsored by Seward County Farm Bureau.

Both legislators reviewed their committee assignments, with Ryckman serving on the Senate Ag, Local Government, Judiciary and Commerce Committees and the Veterans Caucus. He also talked about another committee, one he does not serve on, called Government Efficiency.

‘That’ Liberal Band fish fry to take place Feb. 7

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

Those looking to support local young musicians will soon have just that opportunity.

The annual 'That' Liberal Band Fish Fry will be Friday, Feb. 7 at the Seward County Activity Center, with dinner being served from 5 to 7:30 p.m., and takeout and dine-in options will be available for people. The menu will include fried fish, fried chicken, hush puppies, veggies and a wide variety of other sides, and there will be multiple desserts for sale. Tickets are $10 apiece and can be purchased from any band student, or at the door that evening.

City commission to reorganize, discuss Air Products expansion

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

Some new faces could be in charge of the Liberal City Commission after the commission’s next meeting this evening starting at 5:30. This evening’s meeting will be in the commission chambers at the Liberal Recreation Center at 950 S. Grant Ave.

After the election of mayor and vice mayor, the commission will begin the evening’s new business with discussion of a purchase and sale agreement with Air Products.

Former NFL player, motivational speaker Gammon coming to Liberal Jan. 21

ROBERT PIERCE

• Leader & Times

With each new year comes hope for new beginnings, and that is no different for 2025.

With that in mind, members of the Liberal community will be attending an event designed to bring them that renewed sense of hope later this month.

The event, presented by Seward County Broadcasting, will take place Tuesday, Jan. 21, at the Seward County Ag Building and will feature motivational speaker Kendall Gammon.