The Linn Valley City Council held its bimonthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 23, with Mayor Cindy Smith presiding and all council members present.
The meeting began with the installation of the newest appointed member of the Linn Valley Planning & Zoning Commission. Linn Valley resident Eric Groce was sworn in by City Clerk Karen Siffring as a member of the commission joining members Monte Chayer, Danny Davies, Greg Ahnemann and Commission Chairman Eric Victor.
Smith presented to the council a list of city priorities for 2023 which included the following:
1. Continued oversight and focus on completion of the city’s water project.
2. Continued oversight and focus on completion of the city’s wastewater treatment project.
3. The review and updating of staffing requirements in both the short and long term.
4. The review and updating of the city’s employee handbook.
5. A comprehensive update of the city’s website, potentially by an outside firm.
Consideration of compensation for first responders in the volunteer fire department, including possible incentives for training.
Determination of the cost, availability and financing options for the purchase of a fire truck.
Achieving the goal of taking on no additional debt for the city.
A review and update of zoning ordinances by the Planning & Zoning Commission, as well as an update of the commission’s comprehensive plan.
Review and update of both short- and long-term rental of property by the city, including a long-term plan for City Hall. This will entail an evaluation of whether to continue renting the current building addition, purchasing it or building a new permanent structure.
Smith noted that the above is a working list of priorities and is subject to change.
Council Member Robert Suppenbach spoke on behalf of the council in congratulating Public Safety Director Corey Murrison on the Police Department’s successful “sting” operation which resulted in the break-up of a local theft ring. On Jan. 21, 2023, officers from the Linn Valley Police Department set up an operation to purchase stolen items from an individual on Facebook Marketplace. It was believed the items had been taken from a residence in Linn Valley.
From Murrison’s report: “Officers posed as potential buyers and set up a meeting with the suspects in Louisburg. With the assistance of the Louisburg Police Department, two suspects were arrested when the items were positively identified as stolen.
“The suspects were transported to the Linn Valley Police Department where they confessed to the theft of items in the initial burglary report. During further questioning, both suspects admitted to breaking into several trailers in the RV storage area west of City Hall. While investigating those crimes, which had not yet been reported, it was discovered that a camper had been stolen. The suspects admitted to stealing the camper and agreed to show the officers where it was. They located the camper in Kansas City, MO, and with the assistance of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department, it was eventually recovered.”
Murrison noted that his department is still working on contacting additional victims and working with the Kansas City Missouri Police Department to recover additional property. Both suspects apprehended were lodged in the Linn County Jail and are awaiting formal charges.
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:

The Linn County News and Linn County Printing offices will be closed on Friday, July 4, in honor of the holiday.
Pleasanton awarded $617,000 KDOT street grant

The city of Pleasanton was notified June 24 that they were the recipients of a much-needed street grant in the amount of $617,000. City Administrator Becky Hegwald said, “I was surprised when we got it; you normally have to apply several times. I didn’t have a lot... [More]
Commissioners discuss development zoning appeals

Linn County Planning and Zoning Director Ben Souza deferred to Interim Public Works Administrator Jesse Walton during the June 30 meeting of the Linn County Commissioners in regards to a request from Jan Longenecker for an appeal on a building permit. During the meeting, Walton... [More]
More News
- Questions on employee emails leads to lengthy discussion
- NOTICE:
- Tanglewood Lakes files suit against Board of County Commissioners
- Case filed alleging exploitation of minors, breach of privacy
- 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
SPORTS
Gratton at Nationals

Pleasanton’s Ashton Gratton qualifies for the Adidas Nationals in Greensboro, North Carolina after winning the 100 and 200 meter dashes in the KSHSAA 2A State tournament in Wichita on May 31. The Adidas Nationals took place from June 20-22 and Gratton did well in both the... [More]
Summer Ball Tournaments

The Parker 8-11 baseball team 1 places first in their league tournament at La Cygne on June 28. See more photos on page B1 of this week's edition.
More Sports
- 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
- 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