In addition to conducting further discussion on proposed city code changes, a report located elsewhere in this edition, La Cygne city leaders also named an interim chief for public safety at the regular council meeting last Wednesday, Aug. 2.
Following two executive sessions totaling 10 minutes for non-elected personnel individual employee’s performance, the council voted 4-0, with Jerome Mitzner not present, to name Jo LeStourgeon, full-time police officer, as interim police chief, interim codes officer/zoning administrator, and interim public health officer at an hourly rate of $24.25 beginning this Friday.
LeStourgeon will assume the temporary interim posts in the absence of Tina Fenoughty, police chief, who will be on a medical leave.
On business items involving expenditures, the council approved up to $7,900 for 6-foot wood fencing through Wildcat Fencing Company LLC, Overland Park, to fulfill building-permit requirements for privacy fences abutting residential properties at two special projects sites.
Of the total 250 linear feet needed, Dan Nasalroad, public works administrator/fire chief, said approximately 110 would be along the north boundary at the water treatment plant and the rest along the east boundary at the new fire station site. He confirmed that both sites are already surveyed.
As well, the council authorized a $5,000 change order addition per engineer’s specifications at the fire station site, northeast of the corner of South Fourth and Sycamore streets. Nasalroad explained that beginning excavation dirt work there last Wednesday had unearthed an old cistern approximately 6 feet deep and 8-by-8 feet square.
Thomas Capp’s motion included a stipulation that a special meeting be called if more than the $5,000 authorization is necessary as project engineer Zingre & Associates, Fort Scott, said no other progress can occur until the cistern is filled.
Nasalroad noted that a change order last month had reduced the fire station bid award of $911,900 for general contractor Hofer & Hofer & Associates, Inc., Humboldt, by $8,800 for a change in the building’s steel siding from a thickness of 24 gauge to a thinner 26 gauge.
Also relating to the fire station project, the council approved pay application No. 1 of $11,357.10 to Hofer for a 74-day period ending July 21.
During reports of council committees, Jodi Wade, city clerk, requested a workshop of the water and gas committee to review natural gas finances and rates, and Nasalroad asked for a park committee meeting to discuss future park plans, including ideas for the former water slide area. Danny Curtis, council president, suggested that swimming pool companies “come in now” before end-of-season pool draining “to see what problems we might have.”
During the cemetery committee report, Wade recognized the measuring of undocumented lots “in very hot weather” in the newest south section by Connie Gore, city treasurer, and Bruce Snyder, seasonal cemetery caretaker.
In other business before the council:
--During notes and communications to the council, Mayor Debra Wilson highlighted that the city had received an $8,734.58 commercial insurance policy dividend from EMC through the local Truly Insurance agency.
--In her report, Fenoughty noted six citations since the most recent July 5 meeting: two each for animal cruelty and aggressive dog/running at large/tag and one each for insurance and improper backing.
--In her mayor’s comments, Wilson encouraged support of local youth and adults participating in this year’s Linn County Fair and Rodeo at Mound City which concludes Saturday. She also alerted that school is back in session next Wednesday, Aug. 16, and encouraged safety cautions. Fenoughty said that school crossing lights would be activated sometime this week.
MEETINGS
LINN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - Monday, October 23, 2023

The Linn County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, Oct. 23, and began their weekly meeting with the approval of the minutes of the last meeting followed by the approval of claims in the amount of $272,818.97. Linn County Rural Fire Chief Randy Hegwald presented... [More]
LA CYGNE CITY COUNCIL - Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Among actions at the regular La Cygne council meeting last Wednesday, Oct. 18, was a split vote in which the city accepts a draft agreement for title search and warranty deed preparation of seven lots at 402 S. Broadway in exchange for absorbing a $16,400 house demolition bill.... [More]
LINN VALLEY CITY COUNCIL - Monday, October 23, 2023

The Linn Valley City Council held its bi-monthly meeting at 7:00 PM on Monday, October 23, 2023, with Mayor Cindy Smith presiding and all council members present. Following approval of the October 9th and October 14th meeting minutes, Mayor Smith opened the floor... [More]
More Meetings
- USD 362 SCHOOL BOARD - Tuesday, October 17, 2023
- LINN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - Monday, October 2, 2023
- PLEASANTON CITY COUNCIL - Monday, October 2, 2023
- BLUE MOUND CITY COUNCIL - Monday, October 2, 2023
- LINN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - Monday, August 28, 2023
- LINN VALLEY CITY COUNCIL - Monday, August 28, 2023
- USD 344 SCHOOL BOARD - Monday, August 14, 2023
- USD 346 SCHOOL BOARD - Monday, August 14, 2023
NEWS
Commissioners discuss effects of city disbandment of fire department

During the Public Works report at the May 5 meeting Linn County Commissioners heard a brief report on mutual aid agreements for the Linn County Rural Fire Department and what effect the possible disbandment of the Pleasanton Fire Department will have on the county. District... [More]
Blue Mound discusses financing options for water tower project

Members of the Blue Mound City Council heard from Tom Fingers of Midwest Assistance Program and Joey McLiney from McLiney and Company concerning options for financing the water tower on Monday, May 5, for their regular monthly meeting. The city has received a grant... [More]
La Cygne leaders contemplate sales tax adjustment

After bond defeasance, election would be required to alter stated fund focus By all appearances, La Cygne voters may not be far away from seeing a ballot proposal to alter the stated focus for one of its two 1-cent city sales taxes. Information at the two regular... [More]
More News
- Fire department public hearing nets crowd
- County counselor issues statement on Tanglewood roads
- Linn Valley City Council ends discussion with SEKMHC on building
- SPECIAL: Legislative Update
- 16 criminal cases from Tanglewood Lake incident dismissed
- Tanglewood seeks clarification, aid from county
- Commission workshop hears of justification for SEKMHC CEO $600,000 salary
- La Cygne police get automatic plate readers
SPORTS
Prairie View track has a great day as they host home invitational

The Prairie View track team hosted their home invitational on May 1. The Buffalos did very well as the girls won the meet with a score of 142 and the boys placed second with a score of 92. Central Heights won the meet for the boys with a score of 103. Once again, the Buffalos... [More]
Jayhawk track places top three at Prairie View

The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to Prairie View on May 1 to compete in the Prairie View Invitational. The Hawks did well at the event as the girls placed second overall with 124 points while the boys placed third overall with 89 points. Here are the individual... [More]
More Sports
- Jayhawk hosts home track invitational
- Prairie View track competes at Jayhawk Invitational
- Pleasanton baseball sweeps St. Paul and falls to Uniontown
- Jayhawk track wins the Pleasanton Invitational
- Pleasanton track places in top three at home invitational
- Prairie View track has multiple gold winners at Anderson County, top athletes compete at KU Relays
- Jayhawk baseball earns first victories of the season
- Pleasanton boys’ and girls’ track teams win Oswego Invitational