News

Buskirk discusses issues in Big First

EARL WATT

• Leader & Times

Big First Democratic candidate Paul Buskirk visited Liberal during the Liberal Chamber of Commerce Duck Race, and in his journeys across Western Kansas, he is learning more about what the people want in a representative.

“The conversations I have are affirming,” he said. “We sat out in February, and now that I look back, my own messaging and identity as a public servant is in formation. I now have such clarity about what is important. I’ve been asking the same questions across the 60-county district — it is massive. To say there is one voice is a facade. Claiming there is one voice for any community is unfair. It’s just a chorus of voices. And not always in agreement. The question I ask is, ‘What are the needs of the communities?’ There are lots of unique answers and common ground. There are concerns specifically about access to health care, access to higher education.”

City approves 3.8 mill reduction for 2025 budget

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

The Liberal City Commission kept things short and sweet during its most recent meeting Tuesday evening.

To begin, Mayor Jose Lara read a proclamation for Fire Prevention Week 2024 before presenting it to Sparky the Fire Dog.

Rep. Tracey Mann named Friend of Farm Bureau

Special to the Leader & Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01) was named a Friend of Farm Bureau for the 118th Congress by the American Farm Bureau Federation.

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) awards the Friend of Farm Bureau award to members of Congress who have supported Farm Bureau’s position on policy issues, as demonstrated by their voting records, and who were nominated by their respective state Farm Bureaus and approved by the AFBF Board of Directors.

Moran and King introduce legislation to motivate rural housing construction and expansion

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

The need for more housing in rural parts of the U.S. has been a hot topic for a while, and recently, some legislation was introduced to help with just that.

Last Thursday, U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Angus King (I-Maine) introduced legislation to address the national housing shortage and make it easier for rural workers to live in the communities they serve.

Gonzales graduates from Treatment Court

ROBERT PIERCE

• Leader & Times

The City of Liberal’s Treatment Court program saw its latest graduate recently.

Isaac Gonzales received his certificate for completing the program, a program Treatment Court leader Kim Clinkingbeard said is continually supported by the community.

“We’ve had many generous donations from individuals in our community and local foundations, and that’s to ensure this program continues to thrive in our community,” she said. “We have truly been blessed.”