News

City to clarify RHID district for Larry, Hickory streets

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

The Liberal City Commission will have a busy agenda for its 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.

Up first for the commission will be discussion of a Larry Street and Hickory Street Rural Housing Incentive District, followed by a request to approve Ordinance No. 4623 concerning amending Chapter. 12, Articles 4 and 5 of the City of Liberal Code Book.

Governor Kelly announces $20 billion in private sector investment since 2019

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

Progress in economic development continues to happen throughout Kansas and recently, the Kelly Administration announced a major milestone in regard to just that.

Friday, Gov. Laura Kelly announced since the start of her administration in 2019, Kansas has attracted more than $20 billion in committed private sector investment to the state. This historic milestone has resulted in commitments to create or retain nearly 70,000 jobs with 1,312 successful projects in 87 of Kansas’ 105 counties.

Achondo receives statewide recognition

ROBERT PIERCE

• Leader & Times

Joanna Anchondo was born in El Paso, Texas, but spent most of her childhood in Liberal, where she has lived since 2000, graduating from Liberal High School later.

Following her time at LHS, Anchondo would go on to attend Seward County Community College and would go on to work in some local doctors’ offices.

About four years ago, Anchondo went to work for the Seward County Health Department, where she now works in the Maternal and Children’s Health (MCH) program.

What are some future projects for the City of Liberal?

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

There has been a lot of progress made of many projects in the community recently, and city officials say the work will not be slowing down anytime soon.

“We have our special projects manager, Steve Carroll, who has done an excellent job going through our golf course and being able to look at some of the different amenities and think about what else we could offer,” Chief Communications Officer Keeley Moree said. “At the golf course, we definitely have an outdated clubhouse, so we are looking at ways to be able to do some groundwork and interior renovations to that space. It’s highly utilized by the community and it’s another area where we’ve seen record visitation this year. It’s great to know people are enjoying that space and taking advantage of it.”

Local banks step up to help Grace Place buy a permanent home

ROBERT PIERCE

• Leader & Times

Liberal’s Grace Place Pregnancy Care Center is in need of a permanent home, and leaders with the center are looking to purchase the building the center now calls home at 311 N. Grant.

Recent donations from two local banks pushed that dream closer to reality. Equity Bank and Golden Plains Credit Union each gave $5,000 to Grace Place, and Client Services Director Letty Hernandez said both donations, as well as some recent anonymous donations, will be applied to the purchase of the building.