News

Dunn honored for ultimate sacrifice

ROBERT PIERCE

• Leader & Times

Monday was Veterans Day, and the day typically is a reminder of military soldiers who have served their country.

Saturday, the Seward County Sheriff’s office took the time to honor a past local law enforcement officer, the only officer in fact to die in the line of duty in the county’s history.

The sheriff’s office hosted a flag dedication ceremony for Sheriff Samuel Dunn, and after welcoming some of Dunn’s family to the event, current Sheriff Gene Ward said there are several versions of the events that led to Dunn’s killing on Jan. 5, 1892, in the canyons of the Cimarron River near what was then the city of Springfield.

Mandy Read recognized as a Kansas Destination Specialist

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

Tourism is a major part of the Kansas economy and recently, one of Liberal’s own was recognized for helping with just that.

Earlier this month, City of Liberal Tourism Marketing Coordinator Mandy Read was recognized as a Kansas Destination Specialist. The certification recognizes her knowledge of the Kansas tourism business, tourism marketing, and leadership through continuing education, and Read said she was very honored for the recognition.

Sheriff’s Dept. nabs 6 lbs. of cocaine

ROBERT PIERCE

• Leader & Times

Approximately six pounds of cocaine was seized during the execution of search warrants last week at residences in Liberal.

Seward County Sheriff Gene Ward said in a press release, Tuesday, Nov. 5, the sheriff’s office conducted a total of six search warrants in Liberal, all in relation to a cocaine distribution ring distributing large quantities of cocaine in the community.

Ward said three arrests have been made at this time.

Plan on putting a float in the 2024 Christmas Parade

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

Planning is under way throughout many parts of Liberal with the holidays, and that includes the annual Downtown Christmas Parade.

The 2024 Downtown Christmas Parade will be Saturday, Dec. 7, with everything going through downtown, and the theme for this year is 'Candyland Christmas.' This year's parade route will be going from south to north – participants will line up and start at Trail Street (by the railroad tracks), go north and then turn off at 6th Street.

Angel Tree event coming to USD 483

ROBERT PIERCE

• Leader & Times

Halloween is over, Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and Christmas’s sights and sounds can be seen and heard in many places.

For a few years now, one of the holiday sights has been that of an angel tree to purchase gifts for community members put on by USD 483 in Kismet and Plains.

The angel tree is back for this year, and co-coordinator Norma Sanchez said registrations for this year’s tree can be done online in addition to in person.