ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

The state’s elderly citizens need some extra protection and recently, some action was taken to help with just that.

On the opening day of the 2026 Kansas Governor's Conference on Aging earlier this week, Gov. Laura Kelly signed Executive Order 26-06 directing the development of a Kansas Multi-Sector Plan on Aging (MPA). The order directs the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), in coordination with other state agencies, stakeholders, and community partners, to develop a comprehensive 10-year, cross-sector plan to prepare Kansas for its growing older adult population, in addition to convening necessary workgroups and gathering input from the public, according to a release from the State of Kansas

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

The past couple weeks have seen tension and anxiety in the Southwest Kansas area with the presence of ICE and little information given on their itinerary.

Tuesday, U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser of the District of Kansas (USAO- KS) cautioned against spreading rumors about the operations and urged Kansans to wait for law enforcement agencies to release information.

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

Those who make Pumpkin Paradise LLC as part of their Halloween traditions will have to make some adjustments for this year.

Pumpkin Paradise owner Janet Weidner said the patch will be closed for the 2026 season.

“We're very disappointed to have to announce we won't be able to open Pumpkin Paradise for this season. Our pumpkin plants sprouted and produced leaves and blossoms, but by the middle of August we realized they weren't growing anymore, and most of them did not set on pumpkins,” Weidner said. “We think it was a combination of weather issues, and we also planted two weeks late because it kept raining around our area. Normally, that wouldn't be a big deal since pumpkins are a 90-day crop, but with how the weather ended up throughout the whole summer, that very well might have been a factor. We realized around the middle of August something wasn't right because usually around then, we're basically tripping over pumpkins in the patch and ultimately, we decided to not open.”

L&T staff report

Three seats are up for election on the Seward County Commission in November, and six candidates will have an opportunity to answer questions at the Liberal Chamber of Commerce Candidates Forum at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7 at the historic Rock Island Depot.