Some races will see incumbents challenged
An Aug. 5 primary will not be necessary for this year’s Linn County municipal and school board election cycle.
As a result of Monday’s noon filing deadlline, the Nov. 4 general election features some races where incumbents will be challenged and one three-position race with no filings.
Two of the county’s seven incorporated cities have mayoral seats up for election.
At Linn Valley, incumbent Lewis Donelson will be challenged by both Daniel Donham and Lister Potter Jr.
At Prescott, Keith Bloomfield has filed for mayor to replace incumbent Kevin Wood, who did not refile.
Both of those cities also have two council seats up for election. On the ballot at Linn Valley will be current councilman Michael Hemphill, along with Curtis Coffman and Phillip Schellenberg. Current councilman Robert Suppenbach did not refile.
At Prescott, incumbent councilman Ron Roberts has refiled, as has Brian Bloomfield to fill John Maloney’s current seat.
The other five municipalities have three council seats up for election.
At La Cygne, current incumbents David Brenneman, Tommy Capp and Keith Stoker all did not file, nor did anyone else.
Parker and Pleasanton will see contested races for their three council positions.
At Parker, incumbents Kari Brandt and Gary Earley have refiled and will see challenges from Stacia Minden and Carrie Sewell. Current councilwoman Kandice Higgins chose not to refile.
At Pleasanton, neither Kimberly Herring nor Aaron Portmann chose to run again, leaving the only incumbent, Rochelle Schreckhise, to face seven other candidates–Sandy Haynes, Riley Hinds, Dean Johnson, Ron Miller, David Schuermann, Kenny Stark and Alex Wills.
Both Blue Mound and Mound City have three candidates filed for their three positions.
With current councilmen Byron Coates and Donnie Rhynerson both choosing not to run, Paul Moeller is the lone incumbent on the ballot, with Shawn Herrmann and Marri Krupco throwing their hats into the ring.
At Mound City, incumbents Cody Beckman and Fanchion Shadden will run again, as will Shayna Lamb to replace Megan Purvis, who did not refile.
Races to fill one of three open positions on boards of education at the county’s three unified school districts are a mixed bag.
Most competitive will be at Pleasanton USD 344, where all board posts are at large. Incumbents Kaye Hardy, Cindy Inman and Meredith Johnson are running again and will be challenged by Kayleigh England and Ronald Miller.
Prairie View USD 362 has one candidate running for each of their three districts. In the fourth district, David Houston will run to replace George Nunnemacher, whose move from Linn Valley to La Cygne prevented a refiling. In the fifth district, Heather Schull has filed to replace Rita Boydston, who opted not to run again. In the sixth district, incumbent Wade Teagarden has filed to retain his seat.
Like at Prairie View, Jayhawk USD 346 has one candidate running for each of their three districts. Unlike Prairie View, they are all the current incumbents–Tracy Springer in the fourth district, Matt Higgins in the fifth, and Ketturah “Kitty” Rhynerson in the sixth.
Two Linn County seats on the Marais des Cygnes K-State Research and Extension district board are also up for November election, with Stacey Reagan, Ronald Miller and Kitty Rhynerson vying for those positions.
The western half of three Liberty Township sections north of 2200 Road between Ayers Road and the Anderson County line are in Anderson County USD 365, where incumbent Gina Witherspoon is the lone filing.
NEWS
Linn County News website gets new update

Recently you may have seen our notification on our website or our Facebook page that we were undergoing some changes on our website at www.linncountynews.net. We here at the News are happy to announce those changes are nearly complete. Changes to the website include an easier... [More]
Commissioners vote 1-1 on motion to not exceed revenue neutral

County now required to cut budget to meet the RNR rate BY $837,000 The Linn County commissioners, with Commissioner Jason Hightower absent, began the revenue neutral hearing on Monday, Aug. 25, by welcoming those in the audience and stating the purpose and objective... [More]
Linn Valley looks at option for fire truck purchase, new vehicles

The Linn Valley City Council held a special meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21, with Mayor Lew Donelson presiding and all council members present except for John Weers. City Attorney James Brun was also present. The meeting began with a presentation by city’s financial... [More]
More News
- Sheriff speaks out on employee benefits
- Jayhawk Blast set for Saturday, Sept. 6
- Pleasanton Council readies city for General Pleasonton Days
- Parker 2026 city budget could exceed revenue neutral
- La Cygne proceeds with facilities improvement
- Economic Development Director resigns
- Pleasanton moves forward with streets plan
- USD 344 adopts new cell phone policy
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
COMMUNITY
Local family offers drawing lessons for kids in online broadcast
After he and his family relocated to the Pleasanton area from Denver, Colo., Eddie Nouri began working from home as a graphic artist. “I am blessed to be able to work from home,” said Eddie of his position, noting the many different things he has designed over the... [More]
First aid safety with Joe Stellwagon
I recently met one of Linn County’s EMS paramedics to talk about first aid and why it’s important. The paramedic’s name is Joe Stellwagon, and before we talked about first aid, I wanted to learn a little bit about him and why he became a paramedic. Joe works... [More]
Vonnie May’s Ice Cream Shoppe open in Mound City

Walking into Vonnie May’s Ice Cream Shoppe gives those who can’t wait to partake of old-fashioned ice cream a vision of what an old-time ice cream parlor would have been like. Now, that ice cream parlor is open at 510 W. Main in Mound City. Brady and Leslie Wolfe,... [More]
More Community
- USD 346 welcomes new staff members
- USD 344 welcomes new staff
- USD 362 welcomes 8 new licensed teachers
- John and Helen Barnes Community Grant now open
- USD 344 offering virtual school option for 2025-2026 academic year
- Cell phone use at school sees changes for upcoming year
- Filling out free/reduced lunch applications helps students and schools
- Miami County Museum to present one-woman play on Laura Ingalls Wilder