ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

There are a couple new faces in the Liberal High School athletics office, and Kellen Jackson is one of them in the role of the new assistant athletic director.

As Jackson tells it, he is no stranger to the world of school athletics.

“I’m originally from Kansas City, and I’ve got about 15 years of just coaching and administrative background. I’ve run my own basketball program since about 2013, and I’ve coached kids from fourth grade to college, and the goal of our program is to give the children life skills to win on the court and off the court,” Jackson said “Having the opportunity to transition some of that work experience to LHS and do it at a larger scale involving like all of the athletes, I feel like just kind of gave me a little bit more reach. I’ve been in Kansas City for a while, so I felt like I could grow a little bit outside my comfort zone some here in Liberal. When Chad [Friess] told me about the opportunity, I was pretty eager to hear more about the job, and he said he was bringing in a really good team of people, so I thought that I would be a good fit. I gave it a shot, and here I am.”

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

Those looking to have a little fun while potentially winning some money will have just that chance in a few weeks.

This year's Duck Race Festival will be Saturday, Sept. 26 at Light Park, with everything beginning at 10 a.m. and the duck race itself starting at 2 p.m., with the day ending at around 2:30 p.m. Ducks will soon be available for adoption at the Chamber of Commerce office and any business with a 'Ducks Sold Here' sign. People can adopt individual ducks for $10 each, or they can adopt a 6-Quack for $50 or a Lucky Pack of 13 ducks for $100.

The total prize money will be $10,000 (1st place = $5,000; 2nd place = $2,000; 3rd place = $1,000; 4th place = $500; 5th place = $400; 6th place = $300; 7th place = $200; 8th place = $100; and Lucky Duck = $500). Chamber of Commerce ambassadors and board members will all have ducks for adoption, so people can get in touch with them if they're interested in having ducks in the race, and ducks will also be available for adoption the day of the event until about 1 p.m. The big duck is also out by 11th Street, and people will be able to adopt ducks there too.

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

Another step forward in the new water park project was taken during the most recent Liberal City Commission meeting Tuesday evening.

Discussion mostly centered on the water park design-build agreement with Hutton.

“For the Hutton design-build agreements for the city water park project, the breakdown is as follows: the Base Contract Agreement; Insurance and Bonds; the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) Amendment (which will not be incorporated into the contract until the time of setting the GMP, which will come after the design and bidding process is complete); and the Owner’s Program, which will be used to outline the city’s initial intention for the project,” City Manager Scarlette Diseker said. “Legal counsel has reviewed all documents and given recommendations prior to the publication of the agenda. City staff recommend the approval of the design-build agreements with Hutton for the water park project.”

ROBERT PIERCE

   • Leader & Times

Anabel Clinesmith has worked for Seward County for nearly 20 years in a few departments, including the Activity Center, the county clerk’s office and Emergency Management.

Most recently, Clinesmith was serving as deputy treasurer, and earlier this month, she officially finished her time with the county in that position.

Meanwhile, Cassandra Martinez Ware began working in the treasurer’s office in 2016, and she will begin her 11th year in that office in January 2027 after being named the new treasurer following Clinesmith’s retirement.

Just as Clinesmith has worked in various departments with the county, Martinez Ware’s time in the treasurer’s office has been spent in a few positions.