From last week’s commissioner’s meeting held on Tuesday, Sept. 5, as a result of executive session, the commission voted to terminate Deputy Fire Chief Dee Horttor’s employment effective that day. It was an at-will termination with no reason given.
The commissioners met for their weekly meeting Monday and paid bills in the amount of $369,495.86. They also approved abatements that were a refund in the amount of $48.64.
Sheriff Kevin Friend reported 38 prisoners total with 19 of those farmed in from other counties.
Commissioner Jim Johnson was voted delegate to represent Linn County at the Kansas Association of Counties meeting Oct. 17-19 in Overland Park. Commissioner Danny McCullough and County Clerk David Lamb are alternates for the convention.
AMR Operations Manager Galen Anderson reported 35 transports month-to-date with 20 last week. He said the new paramedic and EMT are finishing up with introductory items and should be on duty soon. They also have a paramedic looking to transfer to Linn County for duty.
Fire Chief Randy Hegwald reported 11 incidents week-to-date with 387 year-to-date. He is working on firefighter retention and looking to pass out pamphlets at area parades this month and next.
The commissioners approved the resignation of Don Proffitt from the Fire Board and thanked him for his service to the county over the years.
County Health Nurse Missy Lancaster reported the Health Department gave 11 covid tests last week. She said Friday, Sept. 16 from 5 – 7:30 p.m. is the Ladies Night Out at the Mound City First Baptist Church that is scheduled to promote women’s health.
Economic Development Director Jessica Hightower reported County Clerk’s Office employee Steven Sage requested student loan assistance with the Rural Opportunity Zone grant that will pay up to $15,000 over five years to pay back the student loan.
The commissioners approved adding $1,500 that is matched by the state’s $1,500 portion for five years.
Commissioner Rick James said the ROZ student loan program ‘is a way to get, and keep, good employees, now and down the road.’
Hightower said she rejoined the SEK Inc. program for housing and secondary education; with that a sub-committee of SEK Housing Coalition also asked for her to be a part of the committee. The commissioners approved her joining both housing groups as it goes with the new housing grant that the county is working on.
Planning Director Darin Wilson received two bids for proposals for the county’s comprehensive plan. Both proposals, one from IBTS (Institute for Building Technology and Safety) and the other from Kaup Law Office. The bid will be awarded Oct. 12 after County Counselor Gary Thompson, the commissioners and Wilson look at the proposals.
A bid for $18,000 plus $500 for incidental costs was approved for Olathe Ford, Commercial Division, to put a new engine in the county’s F550 work truck. Other bidders were Midway Ford for $21,295.22, A1 Auto for $19,500 and Oakes Ford for $19,907.56.
Public Works Director Shaun West reported the county received three invoices from Century Link for cable repair. West said one of the damaged lines was from the county, the other two the county was not in the area when the damage occurred. The $2,032.09 bill was turned in for insurance to look at with an accident report. West will visit with Century Link on the other two invoices.
James asked West about his request to standardize committee setup and term limits. Thompson said committees are all different and Commissioner Jim Johnson questioned obligation and authority of each committee.
James has a goal of publishing each committee’s members and when their terms are up so new people can serve their community.
Resolution 2022-29 was approved with two traffic control signs added; one at 1000 and Read Roads, the other at 950 Road and Osborn.
Reduction of dump fees for the CD landfill was approved for a house that has to be demolished at 109 N. 2nd St., La Cygne owned by Jackie Pribble. The house was built on city property.
Various change orders were discussed for the Justice Center. McCullough will visit with West, IT Director Chris Martin and River City Construction concerning why the change orders were issued, who created the damage, etc.
A pay request for $778,210.98 for request no. 24 was approved 3-0.
Following executive session with no action, the commissioners discussed possible renovation of the old courtroom, former County Attorney’s office and the courthouse for storage, election office use and more.
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 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]
Pleasanton Council cuts to get to revenue neutral

The council met in special session Monday night to discuss the appointment of a new fire chief, see separate story, and discuss the 2026 budget – knowing they had approximately $45,000 to whittle to get below 90 mills to be revenue neutral. The police budget was discussed... [More]
More News
- 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
- Commissioners vote to exceed revenue neutral
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