The Linn County Commissioners met on Monday, Aug. 7, and began their weekly meeting with the approval of the minutes of the previous meeting followed by the approval of claims in the amount of $176,918.88.
County Clerk David Lamb presented adds and abates 2022-919 through 923 with a negative total of $726.60.
Commissioners then accepted the Sheriff’s monthly fee report for July as well as the July report for the Linn County Park and Marina.
Commissioner Danny McCullough then read from the Sheriff’s weekly report noting there are currently 65 inmates in the jail, 40 of which are farm-ins.
Economic Development Director Jessica Hightower presented an agreement for the commission chairperson to sign with regard to the grant applied for on behalf of the STARS vocational school and commissioners voted 3-0 to allow McCullough to execute the agreement.
EDA Hightower noted she had recently been elected as secretary of the STARS board and Commissioner Jim Johnson asked County Counselor Gary Thompson if that created a conflict of interest for her to manage a grant on behalf the program she serves on the board for. Thompson stated he would look into it.
EDA Hightower then stated that Kwikom has set a groundbreaking for their project near Parker on Aug. 29 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the courthouse and they have asked McCullough to speak at the event.
EDA Hightower presented an offer from the Garnett Airport for the fuel left at the Linn County Airport. Garnett offered $2 per gallon, with Garnett transporting the fuel, for the 3,000 gallons there. Commissioners voted 3-0 to accept the offer.
Public Works Administrator Shaun West presented an application for mowing assistance from the city of Mound City and commissioners approved the request.
West stated Construction Consultant Randy Page will have final bids for the former district court building by next Monday.
Commissioners approved Resolution 2023-34 for various pieces of equipment to be sold on Purple Wave.
Nathan Fawson with Southeast Kansas Mental Health spoke to the commission regarding their programs and services provided in Linn County and answered several questions regarding their services. No action was taken on their budget at that time.
Discussion between West and the commission then turned to compactor sites and whether or not the county should look at turning the sites over to the cities and only do the hauling and removal. No final decision was made.
Patty Sanborn, with SEK, Inc., introduced herself to the commission and explained that she is part of the Housing Coalition Board and thanked the commission for allowing Darcy Wilson and Jessica Hightower to be a part of their board and program.
Commissioners held a 15 minute executive session for legal matters, ten minutes with Thompson and five minutes with West.
Following the executive session Thompson recommended the commissioners create a special grievance board and select an independent investigator to look into two grievances file by employees against the Board of Commissioners. (See related article in this edition.)
Lamb presented several budgets for commissioners to review noting that until he has numbers for budgeting purposes on building projects he will not know for certain if the county will be revenue neutral.
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
NOTICE:

Due to a scheduling conflict, the commissioners will not be meeting today, June 25th, for a second budget workshop. The meeting has been rescheduled for July 2nd.
Tanglewood Lakes files suit against Board of County Commissioners

Requests declaratory judgement that roads are private The Tanglewood Lakes Owners Association, Inc. (TLOA), filed a lawsuit in Linn County District Court on June 6, 2025, against the Linn County Board of County Commissioners requesting a declaratory judgement from... [More]
Case filed alleging exploitation of minors, breach of privacy

On June 20, following an extensive investigation by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, the Linn County Attorney’s Office filed a case in district court charging Erik Hellner, a Sugar Valley Lakes resident, with six separate felonies. The case originally stems from... [More]
More News
- La Cygne executes pool bond defeasance
- CANCELED: Statewide Purple Alert issued for missing Yates Center woman
- Parker mayor seeks affidavits to file charges
- USD 346 board learns of overpayments
- NOTICE
- Commissioners discuss estimate on overlay project
- Pleasanton council meeting heated over fire personnel interviews
- La Cygne gas customers may see rate decrease
SPORTS
Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship

The Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team traveled to Wichita to compete in the Kansas Trapshooting State tournament. The tournament features more than 110 high schools and over 1,500 student athletes. Pleasanton/Jayhawk compete in the 2A competition which happened on June... [More]
Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad

Prairie View’s head boys’ wrestling Coach Joey Ewalt does more for the sport than just coaching the Buffalos, he has made an impact on the sport as a wrestler, coach and official. Ewalt began his wrestling career at the very young age of four. His father, Mike Ewalt,... [More]
More Sports
- Pleasanton and Jayhawk baseball on the 2025 All TRL team
- Jayhawk Linn softball has three All TRL unanimous selections
- Trenton Broyles leads Hawks at State track
- Prairie View track earns six medals at State
- Pleasanton’s Gratton wins two golds, sets meet record
- Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State
- School records and State qualifiers are made for the Jays at Eureka
- Prairie View track qualifies multiple athletes for State