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 reports for the last two weeks for his departments’ activities.
Hegwald then asked commissioners to approve the hiring of Ivory Blue as a probationary firefighter for the Station 940 in Centerville. Commissioners approved that hire.
Linn County Public Works Administrator Shaun West asked commissioners to approve Resolution 2023-42 for cattle crossing signage at 500 Road between Kansas Highway 31 and Lee Road. West stated he had the sign department review the site and they found no issues with placement. Commissioners approved the resolution on a 3-0 vote.
West reported he had completed a walk-through at the new senior site in Pleasanton and is checking on the moving date and items will be removed from the old site this week and stored.
West requested approval of a burial permit 2023-07 for telecommunications on W. 1800 Road in Parker. The shop foreman has checked the location and signed off on it. Commissioners approved the permit on a 3-0 vote.
West then requested approval for a re-engineering on burial permit 2022-22 for Kwikom on the ARPA grant. Kwikom has run into an issue on Devlin Road in two locations where the side of the east ditch is angled to greatly to be able to trench. They have come up with a solution of moving 30-inches into the roadway at a 40-inch depth so roadwork would not impair. They will provide as-built maps showing line placement once it’s done. Following a brief discussion with West the commissioners approved the request with a notation that any future roadwork due to the line it will be at their expense.
West stated he had located a damaged culvert, 20 foot by 60 inches, at 2050 and Valley Roads. He added that they had half the material at the shop so he opted to purchase the remainder of the materials at a cost of $3,257.60.
Commissioners then opened the meeting for public comment and Stephanie Walker asked if commissioners had reached out to the attorney on the moratorium. Hightower noted that he spoke with her and she had stated the companies are already on notice that changes might be coming so it was not necessary.
Commissioners then recessed for 30 minutes.
After the recess commissioners moved to enter into executive session for 50 minutes for personnel matters to interview candidates for the road foreman position.
At 11 a.m. Commissioners heard from Wade Booth, pastor at the First Baptist Church in Pleasanton who spoke on the homelessness issue Linn County is facing in the future and plans to help create a shelter with a 2-year program modeled after Union Mission in Kansas City and Chicago. (See related article in this edition.)
Commissioners then authorized Commissioner Danny McCullough, as chair, to sign the closing papers on the sale of the former senior meals site in Pleasanton with the buyer taking possession this Friday.
Commissioners then entered into executive session again until 12 p.m. for personnel matters to interview road foreman candidates with the meeting adjourning immediately following that session.
MEETINGS
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]
USD 362 SCHOOL BOARD - Tuesday, October 17, 2023

In addition to voicing approval for a four-day week survey and preparing for open enrollment policy/daycare grant application decisions next month, two reports located elsewhere in this issue, the Prairie View Unified School District 362 board of education acted on personnel... [More]
More Meetings
- 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
- LINN VALLEY CITY COUNCIL - Monday, August 14, 2023
NEWS
Economic Development Director resigns

Cites lack of professionalism and respect in leadership During the public comment portion of the commissioners meeting on Aug. 18, Economic Development Director Chasity Ware took the podium and read a letter to the commissioners that began by noting that she had lived... [More]
Pleasanton moves forward with streets plan

The Pleasanton City Council met Monday night and listened to a presentation by Streets Supervisor Taylor Robinson who presented a plan on how to move forward to get all city streets redone next spring and summer. Robinson said she met with Linn County Public Works Superintendent... [More]
USD 344 adopts new cell phone policy

During the August meeting, which was moved to Tuesday, Aug. 12, the USD 344 Board of Education adopted a new cell phone policy as recommended by the Kansas Association of School Boards and Kansas State Department of Education. The new policy prompted several questions from... [More]
More News
- Pleasanton Fire Chief lays out short, long-term goals
- Commissioners hear from publisher in regards to special edition
- Parker again to seek officer apps
- La Cygne leaders discuss food truck issue
- Commissioners make statement in regards to grievance filed
- Prescott appoints Roberts interim mayor
- Former Osborne house destroyed in fire
- Commission hears from former employee regarding tower resolution
SPORTS
Frog gigging a new ‘old sport’

It’s another one of those…So…stories. So, last weekend was an adventure. I’ve gotten involved with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Wild Foods Academy (WFA) that is a pilot program designed to educate many ‘left-0ut’ people’s... [More]
Fishing Derby kicks off at Linn County Fair

The annual Linn County Fair and Rodeo Fishing Derby was held on the morning of Aug. 9. Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks fish biologist Don George has been heading the derby since 1987 and this year was no different. The derby was divided into three age... [More]
Linn County Farm Bureau hosts annual pedal pull

The Linn County Farm Bureau Association hosted the annual kids’ pedal pull on the evening of Aug. 8. Kids 4 to 12 can compete in the event for a chance to earn a spot at the State pedal pull at Hutchinson. Trophies and a place at the State fair was awarded to the... [More]
More Sports
- From the Bleachers – 717
- Annual demo derby kicks off this year’s Linn County Fair and Rodeo
- From the Bleachers - 719
- Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship
- Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest
- PV Cheer has strong performances at UCA Summer Camp 2025
- Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament
- Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship