ROBERT PIERCE

   • Leader & Times

Another school year has begun, and along with that, the Seward County Community College/Conestoga Innovation Center – West Campus (SCCC/CIC) continues to grow as the school’s newest facility.

SCCC Vice President of Career Technology Education Dr. Amber Randles said an additional instructor has been hired for the school’s truck driving program, and she added school leaders are working to increase enrollment not just in Liberal, but also at the school’s satellite location in Garden City.

“We’ve installed, through grant funds now two simulators in Liberal and one in Garden City,” she said. “We’re hoping to incorporate some duel credit CDLs in the oncoming year.”

Randles said the addition of a new instructor, as well as new trucks and trailers, should allow SCCC to increase truck driving enrollment.

ROBERT PIERCE

   • Leader & Times

A local arts center was among 92 projects in 34 counties sharing in a pot of $750,000 in grants from the Kansas Arts Commission (KAC).

Known as “The Oasis on the Prairie,” Liberal’s Baker Arts Center received $9,500 in grant money from the arts commission, and Director Misty Martin said the money will be used for the center’s operations budget.

“Between November and now, we’ve grown a lot, and in order to maintain this pace we’ve set and the activities we’re providing to the community, that takes funds,” she said. “One of the things we needed was operational funds, and we’re able to do that with those funds this year.”

Martin said the money is both beneficial and helpful to Baker Arts.

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

The Miss Southwest Heritage crown is now officially on a new head.

Yazmin Enriquez was officially crowned in the role at the end of the Miss Southwest Heritage Pageant that kicked off this year’s Southwest Community Fiesta festivities, and she was very happy to receive the honor.

“I’m so happy and grateful, and I can’t say thanks enough to my family and everyone else who supported me through all of this,” Enriquez said.

Enriquez said it was earlier this year when the idea of competing in the pageant came to her.

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

The Liberal City Commission will be looking at multiple projects at its next meeting this evening starting 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. 2463 concerning the authorization of a  Kansas Tourism Grant application.

“The Kansas Tourism Department’s Attraction Development Grant provides financial assistance for the enhancement of sustainable, market-driven travel experiences in Kansas with the goal of attracting new visitors, influencing travel decisions, and generating economic benefits through new jobs, capital investment, increased revenue, and higher visitation,” the agenda information noted. “Our proposed project, if awarded, would establish an open-access ‘Aviation Playground’ outside the Mid-America Air Museum. The proposed project includes a large airplane-themed playground set, playground turf, pole-mounted solar lighting, fencing, and benches. Staff recommends approval of Resolution No. 2463, authorizing application submission for the Kansas Tourism Department’s Attraction Development Grant and allowing the mayor, city manager, and grant administrator to execute grant documents.”