News

Bank of the Plains

HUTCHINSON – Bank of the Plains is pleased to announce Tina Call, who currently serves as the Chief Risk Officer, has been promoted to the role of President effective Jan. 1, 2025.

Call will begin to transition into her new role for the remainder of 2024, while continuing to build the Risk Management Program and Department.

Current President and CEO Gene Dikeman will continue as CEO of Bank of the Plains following Call’s transition into the President position in 2025.

ROBERT PIERCE

   • Leader & Times

Southwest Medical Center’s Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Care Center performs a variety of services for patients, and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Firas Kawtharani believes many people in the area are not aware of those services.

This is why Kawtharani also feels the annual Community Health Fair hosted by SWMC is a great opportunity to educate people on what is department has to offer.

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

Those looking to get some fresh air while also helping support a good cause will soon have just that opportunity thanks to a local business.

Billy's Ayr Lanes will be hosting a Bikes At Billy's event the weekend of Sept. 20. That day, registration will be from 3 to 6:30 p.m., free barbecue for all participants starting at 5 p.m., and then a live band starting at 7 p.m. The official ride out will be Sept. 21, with the first ride out at 9:30 a.m. from Billy's Ayr Lanes and the last ride out at 11 a.m. The ride will include stops at the Old Meade County Museum, the Big Beaver in Beaver, Okla. and the Chamber of Commerce in Hooker, Okla. (home of the Horny Toads) before returning to Billy's Ayr Lanes. The cost is $25 per registration card, and all the proceeds will go to the Liberal High School Unified Bowling Team.

ROBERT PIERCE

   • Leader & Times

Hispanic Heritage Month got off to a great start this weekend in Liberal with the 2024 Southwest Community Fiesta, and Saturday, one lucky young lady took home the crown as Miss Southwest Fiesta, making for an even greater start to the celebration.

Alana King, a 2023 graduate of Liberal High School, received the top prize in the pageant, which featured eight contestants. King said she naturally felt quite excited about being named queen at the end of Saturday night’s event.

“I’ve been doing pageants for a while,” she said. “I’ve been waiting to hopefully hold the title one day. Now, I’m holding it, and I feel really happy about it.”