Governor Laura Kelly issued a verbal declaration of disaster emergency this morning, March 31, due to the potential for wildland fires and severe storms in the state. The declaration will allow the state to preposition assets for a quicker response to any fires that may begin.
Much of the state is in a Red Flag Warning and high wind advisory with gusts from 45 to 55 mph. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly and become very difficult to control. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
The Kansas Division of Emergency Management activated the State Emergency Operations Center in Topeka to an enhanced steady state to keep in contact with county emergency offices and monitor weather conditions. According to the National Weather Service Office in Topeka, strong winds and low relative humidity with an abundance of dry vegetation will once again cause extreme fire danger across Kansas.
“Weather conditions are such that a high risk exists for wildland fires,” said Governor Kelly. “I urge all Kansans to be alert and use extreme caution when using their outdoor grills and other open fires. It’s better to avoid these things, if possible. A single spark is enough to touch off a fire that could have devastating consequences.”
“In preparation for the critical fire weather, this declaration will allow us to preposition and respond with additional resources from across the state," said Mark Neely, Fire Management Officer for Kansas Forest Service.
NEWS
Memorial Day events in Linn County

Saturday, May 27 Linn Valley Memorial Day ceremony at the memorial at 10 a.m. Prescott Cemetery Memorial Day ceremony at 10:30 a.m.; a potluck lunch will follow at the Community Building in Prescott with the city providing the meat, drinks and table service.... [More]
Tanglewood Lakes gates destroyed by crowd

Frustration has reached a boiling point; frustration from property owners who have had their gate entry cards cut off and frustration from Tanglewood Lakes board members at continued damage they are seeing to lake property. Events reached a heightened state after Kansas State... [More]
Tanglewood incident tops commission meeting

Amid a packed house, Linn County Attorney Burton Harding provided an update for commissioners and the public on an incident that took place at Tanglewood Lakes on Thursday, May 18. Harding stated that on Friday afternoon his office received videos and reports from the Sheriff’s... [More]
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- La Cygne codes officer resigns
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- Commissioners approve STARS funding at 1 mill for 2024
- Commercial solar farms top zoning regulation discussions
- Parker to pursue condemnation action
- BREAKING NEWS: Suspect arrested on burglaries; appears in court
SPORTS
Jayhawk softball wins Regional, advances to State

The Jayhawk-Linn softball team competed in the 2-1A Regional tournament hosted by Uniontown on May 15-16. The Hawks won the tournament and earned a sport in the 2A State tournament in Pratt on May 25-26. Jayhawk was the two seed with a 13-3 record and first played the seven... [More]
Lady Buffs win Regional track meet

The Prairie View track team traveled to compete in their 3A Regional meet in Fredonia on May 18. The Regional meets determine who will participate in the State track meet as the top four placers in each event goes to State. The Buffalos sent a total of eight athletes to State,... [More]
More Sports
- Prairie View girls win Pioneer League track meet
- Pleasanton track places fourth in TRL meet
- Jayhawk track places top two at TRL meet
- Prairie View softball 3-0 against Osawatomie and Girard
- Jayhawk softball sweeps Marmaton Valley and splits against Uniontown
- Pleasanton track competes at Humboldt
- Jayhawk boys’ track wins home invitational
- Pleasanton baseball hosts Crest and St. Paul in TRL double-headers
COMMUNITY
USD 344 Superintendent, elementary secretary retire

Friday was an emotional day for many people, including USD 344 Superintendent Travis Laver and long-time elementary secretary Danita Snyder – both retired after 30 years or more working for the district. Retired Kansas Deputy Education Commissioner Dale Dennis, and wife... [More]
JLHS play set to open this Friday

Students from Jayhawk Linn have been rehearsing and waiting for the moment the curtain opens on their spring production of The Bold, The Young and The Murdered. The play is centered on a long-running soap opera, The Bold and the Young, which is in its’ last days. The... [More]
STARS Criminal Justice/EMT program run joint exercise

Facing multiple challenges, instructors at STARS have put together an EMT and Criminal Justice program for students. STARS Director Jay Allen said of the programs, “We’ve done it without a lot of resources; I doubt many people have done more with less.” Criminal... [More]
More Community
- Traveling display comes to La Cygne Historical Society Museum
- STARS HVAC and Heavy Equipment programs a success
- A celebration in her honor
- New venue has open house set for Saturday, April 8
- Mildred Store presented with national award
- Maynerd’s opens in Mound City
- New Life Being Brought to Historical Park
- Pleasanton students compete in Kansas Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge