The Pleasanton City Council opened their meeting and held the 2024 budget hearing. Councilman Jake Mattingley said this was the third year that the city has dropped the mill levy and Councilman Aaron Portmann warned that the city “can’t always drop it and may need to increase it in the future.”
The budget was approved as published.
Following that Mayor Mike Frisbie read a thank you note from the Brown family for the financial support that allowed them to hang a Walter Scott Brown Memorial sign on U.S. 69 Highway. He also showed a plaque the city received from Bike Across Kansas as a final destination point on the 400-plus mile ride.
Rose Troth spoke of the General Pleasonton Day Parade scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 7 and received $1,050 from the council for parade prize money. She said six categories will receive prize money. She said she is looking for help with the parade.
Parker resident Renee Slinkard spoke to the council concerning Constitution Day that is September 17. The council signed a proclamation making the week of Sept. 17-23 Constitution Week. She said, “We are at risk of losing our Constitution; it protects us, We the People, not the government, and it includes the Bill of Rights.”
A five-minute executive session for security purposes was held with no action taken; another five minute executive session for non-elected personnel was held to discuss job performance with no action taken.
City Administrator Becky Hegwald said the city received a $14,450.50 check for an insurance dividend from carrier EMC.
She said she’d found a class on codes training for the Codes Officer and would continue checking on it.
She also said she reached out on a City Clerk site asking about landlord licensing and no one responded.
Hegwald said a CD at Labette Bank that was receiving .75 percent will now receive 4.75 percent.
Water bills will now be due the 15th of the month due to bills going to Kansas City before they are distributed by the Post Office in Pleasanton. She said she’d like to send a certified letter to people that are late that covers the full year. If they are late again, the city does not have to send a notice of shut off, they can simply shut the water off. A letter of extension agreement can be signed by the resident that outlines how the grace system works.
The council moved to expel resident Sam Davis from the pool, see separate story.
Councilman Aaron Portmann asked if the council could approve a pool basketball game to keep kids interested in coming to the pool. They also discussed a volleyball net and a small slide for little kids to play on.
A free swim day for Sunday, Aug. 13 was approved.
Mattingley mentioned that the court proceedings involving James Mike Higgins were done; he then asked about the $2,500 the council gave Higgins to get the dog park in shape.
Police Chief Tristan Snyder gave his report and said his department had 14 arrests in July that included three DUI and six felony cases. There were 23 drug cases including eight felony cases.
The council approved a .50/hour raise for Michael Kershner, .50/hour for Madison Stanley, and the demolition request by Kevin and Vicki Brown for the former Dr. Justice medical office.
Council candidate Angie Randall asked if citizens might have a chance to take some of the debris from the doctor’s office once it was down. Mattingley suggested a one-week window for such.
The council waived the $50 cost for USD 344 for a staff day at the Community Center Aug. 21.
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 discuss various budgets

SEKMHC in mix At the end of a meeting attended by two of the three commissioners, a discussion was held regarding several of the proposed budgets for next year. Commissioners Alison Hamilton and Jim Johnson first discussed the proposed budget for Southeast Kansas Mental Health.... [More]
City learns of fire gear condition

Pleasanton Fire Department ISO inspection July 16 Following the appointment of new Fire Chief Jimmy Watts as Pleasanton Fire Chief, the Pleasanton Council heard of the condition of bunker gear Monday night at their bi-weekly meeting. Watts reported the truck ran with the... [More]
La Cygne leaders discuss food truck follow-up

Police chief to draft updated clarifying ordinance La Cygne leaders anticipate considering a draft ordinance soon on transient food trucks following discussion at last Wednesday’s regular council meeting precipitated by a local business owner’s complaint last month.... [More]
More News
- special: SCOTUS agrees to hear Women's Sports Case
- SPECIA;: Schmidt Votes to Cancel Massive Tax Hike, Secure Border, and Lower Federal Spending
- NOTICE:
- Pleasanton awarded $617,000 KDOT street grant
- Commissioners discuss development zoning appeals
- Questions on employee emails leads to lengthy discussion
- NOTICE:
- Tanglewood Lakes files suit against Board of County Commissioners
SPORTS
Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament

The team called Nobodys wins the Blue Mound 4th of July co-ed softball tournament on July 5. This year the tournament consisted of eight teams. The Nobodys is Keith Morrell’s team and has been a part of the softball tournament since it started three years ago.
Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship

The Pleasanton 12-14 baseball team wins their league tournament on June 30 to July 1. Pleasanton hosted the tournament and won in the championship against La Cygne 11-7.
More Sports
- 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
- 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