La Cygne leaders handled various business items at their regular Feb. 15 council meeting.
A 4-0 vote, with Keith Stoker not present, approved Resolution No. 452, an annual solid waste fee increase this year of around 4 percent, which sets monthly rates for Waste Management residential curbside pickup at $17.57, one tote at $20.57, two totes at $23.57, and an additional $1 administrative fee.
On a 3-1 vote, with David Brenneman dissenting, the council approved Ordinance No. 1506 to indicate La Cygne’s yearly participation of 20,000 MMBtus (metric million British thermal units) of natural gas, about one-third of La Cygne’s annual average 58,000 MMBtu consumption, in a proposed 30-year Minnesota Municipal Gas Agency pre-paid gas supply discount incentive through the Kansas Municipal Gas Agency.
Other approved expenditures include a total $7,017 outlay, of which Lincoln Township contributes $2,500, to take advantage of off-season discounts to purchase additional Christmas decorations through Mosca Design, Raleigh, N.C.
In making the motion, Councilman Thomas Capp said he would like to see Christmas lighting continued to be built up at City Park, specifically a tree, and suggested a potential Santa Claus Day at the rock house there.
In answer to Councilman Jerome Mitzner’s inquiry about storage room for more holiday decorations, Dan Nasalroad, public works superintendent, confirmed ‘yes.’
The city’s $4,517 share will come from funds earmarked from the original Verizon communications tower contract.
The council also agreed to pay a $1,000 deductible to Midwest Collision, Paola, and file an insurance claim for the remaining $4,400 for repairs to a water department truck that Nasalroad reported had been involved in a snow-related “fender bender” at the north water tower recently.
Also acted on was council approval to reimburse Brenneman for charges of $130 associated with printed materials for the new cemetery information board on a 3-0 vote, with Brenneman abstaining. In a related cemetery council committee item, city leaders also learned that Chaz Epperson had completed the information board site’s concrete pad.
In other business before the council:
--Tina Fenoughty, police chief, reported five citations since the most recent Jan. 18 report: four for aggressive dog/running at large/tag and one for speeding.
--As fire chief, Nasalroad reported that a final review of plans for a proposed new fire station had no changes. “So, we’re good to go on bids,” he said.
--Mayor Debra Wilson announced that the Chamber of Commerce’s Easter egg hunt will be April 8 at City Park, with starting time yet to be determined.
--In answer to Brenneman’s question about a $2,400 payment to Spears Lawn Care LLC, Jodi Wade, city clerk, explained that Spears “put up and took down” the city’s Christmas lights.
--Wilson asked for an in-depth discussion at the 7 p.m. regular council meeting this Wednesday, March 1, “of what we want to do with the Community Building.”
--The council agreed to meet for a 6 p.m. workshop prior to this week’s regular meeting to discuss recreational vehicle storage and permit application considerations.
--The council met in executive sessions totaling 20 minutes for non-elected personnel for employees’ performance and five minutes for privileged attorney-client consultation, as well as for three closed sessions totaling 20 minutes for preliminary discussion relating to acquisition of real property. None produced any follow-up action. Neither did three sessions totaling 50 minutes for real property acquisition discussion during a Feb. 13 special meeting.
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
Pleasanton PD makes drug arrest during domestic call

On July 24 officers with the Pleasanton Police Department responded to a call for an ongoing domestic issue at 605 E. 5th Street in Cabin 3 with the assistance of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office. During the ensuing investigation, it was found that the... [More]
Commissioners review departmental budgets

SEKMHC budget cut During the July 28 meeting, the Linn County Commissioners reviewed several departmental budgets. Discussions began with Linn County Sheriff James Akes. Sheriff Akes explained to commissioners that initially he had budgeted extra hours to cover... [More]
Wisdom appointed Pleasanton Fire Chief

Following the resignation of Jimmy Watts as Pleasanton Fire Chief after last week’s council meeting, the Pleasanton Council appointed Jeff Wisdom as the new chief of the city fire department. Wisdom took the podium Monday night and said he’d spoken to the fire fighters... [More]
More News
- Pleasanton Council cuts to get to revenue neutral
- Local residents warn of bad business practices
- Special: Resurfacing to begin on U.S. 69 in Linn County
- Pleasanton FD again at center of heated discussion
- La Cygne city to be below revenue neutral
- USD 362 files revenue-neutral exceedances
- Commissioners discuss airport future, request more information
- SPECIAL: Resurfacing on U.S. 59 in Anderson County to begin in August 4
SPORTS
Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship

Eight members of the Pleasanton Trapshooting Team traveled to Mason, Mich., last week to compete in the USA Clay Target League National Championship. Five members participated in the team event, and all eight competed individually. The team was among 264 qualified teams competing... [More]
Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest

The Blue Mound girls’ coach pitch team 1 places second at the TRL girls’ coach pitch tournament at Colony. The tournament took place from July 7 to July 9.
More Sports
- Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament
- Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship
- Gratton at Nationals
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship
- Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad
- Prairie View trapshooting competes at State