On May 18, 2023, at 6:05pm an organized group of Tanglewood Lakes residents (approximately 45 persons or more) gathered at the gates of Tanglewood Lakes and removed the gates from the entrances as a protest.
Two Deputies arrived at 6:27pm to find multiple individuals at each gate removing the components of the gate. The crowd at the gates were upset with the Tanglewood Lakes Management for disallowing them to enter and exit the gates freely. Deputies were grossly outnumbered in the situation and all of the gates had already suffered damages or were removed. Deputies attempted to communicate with the subjects and their requests were denied. The protest was peaceful yet damaging. It is the belief of the Deputies that aggressive action would have resulted in violence or injury to citizens or themselves.
Deputies identified many of the subjects at the event. Reports will be sent to the Linn County Attorney to determine the charges in the case. There were no threats nor violent actions on behalf of the persons removing the gates.
Last night, we stationed a Deputy in the area of Tanglewood Lakes to attempt to deal with any further fall out regarding the situation, there was none.
Apparently there have been videos released on social media by the persons who removed the gates, in these videos the presenter would suggest that the Sheriff’s Office was on their side, and we were warned of the incident. We do not take sides and the presenter in the video did send me a text message at 5:28pm telling me that the gates would be removed. I did not see this text message until 6:22pm when I received a phone call from my dispatcher telling me of the events ongoing at Tanglewood. My Office was not notified of upcoming events through any proper channels, such as calling Communications to make a report of the event.
Since the event at Tanglewood, Deputies have prepared reports for the Linn County Attorney’s review. The Linn County Attorney will be the responsible party to bring charges in the event, as with all cases. We will expect warrants or summons from the Office of the Linn County Attorney to further the case.
Several callers this morning would suggest to the Sheriff’s Office that we should have stopped the incident at any cost. My response to this is that the incident was nearly complete upon our arrival. We have collected evidence and identified many people involved. If we would have taken aggressive measures to stop the incident, injury would have certainly occurred. In todays society we have trained to de-escalate situations without blood shed or injury to the citizens that we serve.
Moving forward we will be presenting reports to the Linn County Attorney for prosecution as discussed above.
Kevin J. Friend
Linn County Sheriff
EDITORS NOTE: Staff at the Linn County News are working on this story as it develops and plan to have a full article in next week's edition.
NEWS
Commissioners set parameters for P and Z to work on Section 14

During the weekly meeting of the Linn County Commissioners on Monday, Dec. 4, Rich Morrell and Charlene Sims with the Linn County Planning Commission each addressed the commissioners in regard to the moratorium and the request to create a committee to work on Section 14. ... [More]
Bond sale garners 5.03 percent rate

Linn County Clerk David Lamb presented the commissioners with documents to be signed by the commission chair during their weekly meeting on Monday, Dec. 4, in regard to the bond sale last Wednesday to refinance a portion of the original bond for the jail project. Lamb... [More]
Burial permits reach conclusion, approval

Linn County Public Works Director Shaun West noted he had reached out to the fiber installers south of the power plant in reference to questions the commissioners had concerning undone road work. West stated he learned the connection comes into the project from the west and moves... [More]
More News
- Commissioners approve resolution on one-year moratorium on commercial solar farms
- USD 362 to seek more 4-day week info
- Commissioners approve resolution for bond refinance
- Commissioners vote 2-1 for one year moratorium on solar farms
- Linn County Planning and Zoning meeting leads to moratorium request for Commissioners
- Kansas Senator speaks on ills of green energy
- Election canvass held Nov. 20, abstract approved
- Thanksgiving events
SPORTS
Pleasanton basketball splits against Kansas City Christian

The Pleasanton basketball team hosted their home opener against Kansas City Christian (KCC) on Dec. 1. The Jays split the varsity games with the girls falling in their game 20-29 and the boys winning big in their game, 78-44. The girls’ game started well as the Lady... [More]
Jayhawk cagers split tight openers

Sophomore Brea Dawson scored 12 of her game-high 18 points in the fourth quarter, paving the way for Jayhawk Linn’s girls to claim a 43-38 season-opening win at Cass-Midway, Mo., Friday night. Despite a game-high 23 points from junior Braeden Nation, the ‘Hawk boys... [More]
More Sports
- Prairie View wrestling competes at Steve Leslie Invitational
- 2023 All Linn County high school football team
- Miami teams split season openers
- Jayhawk and Pleasanton football are well represented in the 2023 TRL All League
- Prairie View football has seven players make Pioneer All League
- Prairie View football ends season against Parsons
- Jayhawk 8-2 season mirrors 2022 campaign
- Prairie View routs Baxter Springs in first round of the playoffs
COMMUNITY
Blu Jay Winter Clothing Exchange set for Dec. 9

USD 344 will host the first ever Blu Jay Winter Clothing Exchange on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ernie Price Annex located at 309 W. 13th Street. The clothing exchange is open to anyone in need of warm winter clothes, not just USD 344 families. Those who... [More]
Maynerd’s owners start Feed Linn County initiative

Raymond and Melayna Johnson, who own and operate Maynerd’s Food Truck and 517 Vintage in Mound City, have begun an initiative to help provide food for Linn County families in need. “We just know that so many are struggling right now and if everyone would give just... [More]
Hope for Heroes: Aiding veterans in Southeast Kansas

Southeast Kansas Mental Health Centers Mental Health First Aid Department has partnered with the Veteran Access Support Team (VAST) to support Veterans in southeast Kansas. Their goal is to create 100 backpacks filled with essential items that will be distributed among the veterans... [More]
More Community
- Homelessness: A look at the legal side of the issue
- Homelessness: No longer just an urban issue
- PVHS Band receives I rating at Baker University Marching Festival
- Epps invited to speak at KASB banquet
- The Missourians to perform in Mound City
- Eagle Scouts complete community service projects
- Young entrepreneur opens ice cream trailer
- Ribbon cutting held for Walter Scott Brown highway commemoration