ROBERT PIERCE

   • Leader & Times

April 25 and 26, cheer teams from across America will converge on Orlando, Fla., for a bid invitation cheerleading and dance end of season exclusivity event.

A group from Liberal and the surrounding area called Team Surge from Fusion Athletics will be amongst the cheerleaders in Central Florida for the Prep and Rec Grand Nationals.

Jessica Terrazas, whose daughter Camila is one of the 17 local girls competing in Florida, said Team Surge competed at five events in locations in Oklahoma and Texas to qualify to go to Orlando.

Monday, locals got a sneak peek at the routine the girls will be performing at nationals with a showcase for friends and family at Liberal High School.

Tri-County Electric Cooperative

Tri-County Electric Cooperative is proud to recognize three students from Yarbrough, Okla., Jaydee Barrios, Nevaeh Martinez, and Micah Hartsell, as the winners of the Eighth Grade Energy Camp contest.

To earn their spot as winners, the students created a video demonstrating practical ways their school could save energy. Their project highlighted simple, realistic ideas that show how conservation can make a difference.

Kansas Department of Transportation

The Kansas Department of Transportation has scheduled to start a resurfacing project the week of April 13 along Kansas Highway 144, from the U.S. Highway 56/K-144 intersection to the U.S. Highway 83/K-144 junction in Haskell/Gray counties.

K-144 traffic will be reduced to one lane in sections as crews work to resurface this approximately 16-mile project area. Motorists should expect delays of up to 15 minutes as flaggers and a pilot car direct one-lane traffic through the work zone.

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

The new business at the most recent Liberal City Commission meeting began rather surprisingly, with the commission accepting the resignation of Matt Landry.

Liberal Mayor Jeff Parsons read Landry’s resignation letter to the commission and gathered crowd at the meeting.

“Dear members of the commission, please accept this e-mail as my formal resignation from my position as a commissioner of the City of Liberal effective April 14, 2026. Serving on the commission has been an honor, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the growth and well-being of this community,” Parsons read. “I appreciate the collaboration with fellow commissioners, City of Liberal staff and residents, and I am proud of the work we have accomplished together. After careful consideration, I have decided to step down from my role at this time. This decision was not made lightly, but I believe it was the right step given my current circumstances. I will remain committed to the continued success of the city, and I am confident the commission will carry forward the important work ahead. Please let me know if I can assist in ensuring a smooth transition. Thank you again for the opportunity to serve.”