ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

The Liberal City Commission took a step forward with a land purchase Tuesday evening at its most recent meeting.

“As the commission is aware, discussions have been going on  with Swalar LLC in regards to the potential purchase of 363.52 acres of surface and two accompanying water rights. The water rights are No. 454, dated Oct. 29, 1948, and No. 27, 277 dated Aug. 27, 1976,” Chief Financial Officer Brian Mannel said. “The water acre feet totals 702, with the Division of Water Resources requiring a reduction to 89.1 percent upon converting agricultural use to municipal use for a net of municipal use of 625 acre feet. The sellers have priced the real estate in an amount of $1,050,000 for both surface and water rights. Discussions have included the exploration of purchasing the water rights with the surface potentially being sold to a third party and making installments for the purchase of the water rights. Swalar LLC has indicated they are willing to sell the surface and water separately. While both sales would need to occur, they are not inclined to sell the separated real estate without both surface and water having been placed under contracts for sale. With that in mind, Swalar LLC has recently negotiated a contingent agreement to sell the surface rights to a third party for $1,200/acre or $436,224. This leaves the balance to the City of $613,776 for the purchase of 702 acre feet of water rights. The City of Liberal would assume the duties and costs of contracts and deeds for separating the water from surface rights with the surface rights conveyed to the third-party buyer.”

ROBERT PIERCE

   • Leader & Times

With many residents in Seward County not having health insurance, affordable health care is a must for many locals, and Oct. 3, Southwest Medical Center is giving everyone a chance to get testing and screening for a low cost, with some of this being free.

For the 17th year, the hospital is hosting its annual Community Health Fair, and SWMC Marketing and Development Director Janeth Vazquez said hospital officials are super excited to be able to provide preventative screenings to the community.

As always, the health fair takes place the first Saturday in October at the Seward County Activity Center, and Vazquez said as the event continues, what takes place for five hours that Saturday morning never ceases to surprise her.

Special to the Leader & Times

USD 374 Sublette will have a bond election Nov. 3 seeking voter approval for $6 million in bond financing to address a list of critical infrastructure upgrade needs.

The proposal involves a targeted list of repairs and system replacements required to extend the life and function of the district’s buildings and athletic track. The project scope of work is comprised of four items: roof replacement, HVAC upgrades, and window replacements, and track resurfacing.

This bond proposal is the culmination of a year-long process by the USD 374 administration and board of education. The district conducted a thorough assessment of its facilities in 2025, identifying building components that are at or approaching the need for repair or replacement.

In April 2026, the district conducted a survey to gauge community members’ understanding of and support for addressing the facilities’ needs.

ROBERT PIERCE

   • Leader & Times

The front of a fire truck was completely removed and shredded, and a local firefighter suffered minor injuries in an accident last Wednesday.

Seward County Sheriff Gene Ward issued a press release saying shortly after 3 p.m. last Wednesday, the sheriff’s office responded to an injury accident on U.S. Highway 54 involving a Seward County Fire Department truck and a commercial semi truck.