Seward County Community College

The Seward County Community College Respiratory Care program has received two ventilators from Kearny County Hospital, further strengthening an impactful partnership between the two institutions.

The hospital, located in Lakin, donated the ventilators, which were previously used during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the facility expanded and upgraded its equipment, the machines were no longer in regular use, prompting leaders to find a meaningful way to repurpose them.

ROBERT PIERCE

    • Leader & Times

Since 1996, the Western Kansas Community Foundation has been working to connect great programs and charities with donors who care.

Thursday, May 21, the foundation will host a come-and-go celebration at its office at 402 N. Main Street in Garden City. WKCF Program and Marketing Director Stacie Hahn said those who come can enjoy snacks and meet the staff, and the Garden City Area Chamber of Commerce also be on hand at 10 a.m. to do a ribbon cutting.

The celebration will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Hahn said everyone is invited to come.

“We’re also going to have a little display set up through the office of some historical information about the organization people can read through, engage with us to get to know more about us and celebrate with us,” she said.

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

Improved economic development has been a priority for the Kelly Administration, and a recent announcement helped recognize that.

Moody’s Investors Service, which provides international financial research and well-known credit ratings, announced it has upgraded the credit outlook for the State of Kansas, underscoring Gov. Laura Kelly’s steady fiscal leadership, according to a release from the State of Kansas.

“Moody’s upgraded positive outlook is a reflection of the hard work done over the last eight years to undo the damage created by the previous administration,” Gov. Kelly noted in the State of Kansas release. “Closing the Bank of KDOT, building a $2 billion Rainy Day Fund, using our surpluses for one-time projects, and paying our bills on time has restored their faith in our ability to responsibly manage our finances. We must remain fiscally disciplined if we are to continue on this strong economic path. Moody’s upgraded Kansas’ credit outlook from stable to positive. In its announcement, Moody’s attributed this upgrade to an improved governance structure, strong rainy day reserves, a reduction in the state’s debt obligations, and implementing tax cuts that are responsible in nature.”

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

After welcoming new commissioner Nathan McCaffrey, the City of Liberal should have an easy regular meeting this evening beginning 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 in new business will be discussion of Resolution No. 2456 concerning setting the public hearing to annex Oxy Property and repealing Resolution No. 2453.