• This week’s Out on the Gravel photo comes from Maribeth Kehl who caught this beautiful shot on Sunday morning, Oct. 25, at Kansas Hwy 7 and 1150 Road. If you have a photo to share send it to Barbara at linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com.

  • Parker’s trunk or treat, organized by Parker PALS, was well-attended Saturday, Oct. 31.

  • Pleasanton Elementary students collect treats as they make their way down Main Street Friday, Oct. 30.

  • Trunk or Treat on Broadway in La Cygne was moved inside the library due to rain. There were plenty of treats to go around, even the spiders were offered candy.

  • Jayhawk Elementary students trick or treat down Mound City’s Main Street Friday.

  • Spiderman wins in his group’s costume competition at Prescott City Hall on Friday, Oct. 30.

  • Kids enjoy Halloween taste treats at the Hive Library Friday.

  • Bill Peterson took this beautiful sunrise picture from his land near the Marais des Cygnes. If you have a photo you’d like to share, send it, along with your info, to Barbara at linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com. Remember, Out on the Gravel photos will be used for this years’ calendar! Keep an eye out for your chance to vote on our cover!

  • Band instructor Jeff Russell leads the PVHS Band at Tuesday’s board meeting sporting their new band uniforms.

  • 1-Stop is packed with friends and family who turned out to welcome Case Higgins home last week. 1-Stop owner, Sue Page, provided a free-will donation chili and soup supper to benefit the Higgins’ family

NEWS

SPECIAL: Lane reduction starts this week on K-68 expressway in Miami County

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The Kansas Department of Transportation will begin replacing a concrete box culvert on K-68 west of Louisburg in Miami County this week as part of the $60 million four-lane expressway project. The work is expected to begin on Wednesday, Nov. 4, conditions permitting. A traffic... [More]

Blue Mound water tower project issues continue

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LINN COUNTY NEWS   Issues over funding of the water tower project were the main topic of discussion for Blue Mound city council members during their regular monthly meeting on Monday, Nov. 2.  Cost for the entirety of the project has come in over budget; the city... [More]

Advance voting numbers high for general election

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Linn County News Jackielcn1@gmail.com   Advance voting began the week of Oct. 19 across Kansas, Oct. 27 for Linn County, with record numbers of voters turning out. As of Oct. 31, in-person voters totaled 345,979, mail-in ballots sent were 107,999 and ballots returned... [More]

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SPORTS

Jayhawk boys’ cross country places second at State

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LINN COUNTY NEWS holtadam82@yahoo.com   The Jayhawk Linn cross country team’s strong season continued this past Saturday, Oct. 31, at the 2A State cross country championship in Wamego. The event was far from scary for the Hawks as the boys’ team placed... [More]

Prairie View football wins final game against Parsons

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LINN COUNTY NEWS holtadam82@yahoo.com   It was déjà vu for the Buffalo football team as they hosted the Parsons Vikings for the final game on the season on Oct. 29. The Buffalos played at Parsons on Oct. 2 and won that game 37-36. This one they had a... [More]

Pleasanton trapshooting captures conference championship

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LINN COUNTY NEWS holtadam82@yahoo.com   The Pleasanton trapshooting team captured the conference championship for the 2026 fall season. Pleasanton competes in the Class 1A conference six with six other teams. The Jays placed first with a score of 2,354.5 and were... [More]

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Christopher William Otto

10-22-1980 to 07-11-2019

 

Linn County News

Published July 17, 2019

 

Christopher William Otto, age 38, Mound City, Kan., passed away on Thursday, July 11, 2019, near Rawlins, Wyo., as the result of an auto accident. He was born in Fort Scott, Kan., on Oct. 22, 1980, the son of Kenneth and Linda Harlow Otto.

He graduated from Jayhawk-Linn High School in the Class of 1999. He attended Pittsburg State University and later received an Associate’s Degree from Kaw Valley Technical School in Topeka, Kan.

He married Melody McKnight-Gray on Jan. 10, 2009, in Uniontown, Kan.

Most of his working career was spent in landscape management. He worked the last 16 years as an equipment operator for C.S. Carey. He also enjoyed taking care of the cows on the ranch.

Chris loved his family. He was very involved in activities they participated in. He liked to talk Chiefs, Royals and golf with his dad, and staying in touch with friends. 

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Ruth Harlow; and his paternal grandmother, Faye Otto.

Chris is survived by his wife, Melody; two sons, Brandon and Trenton Gray; two daughters, Addison and London Otto; father Kenneth Otto and wife Diana; mother Linda Thornton and husband Jerry; a sister, Rachel Benbrook and husband Denym; paternal grandfather Carl Otto; maternal grandfather Frank Harlow; three stepbrothers, Jeff Harlow, Keith Harlow and wife Melissa, and Kyle Harlow; and stepsisters Jayne Ann Conklin and husband Jack, and Dianna Butler; three nieces, Peyton Benbrook, Sawyer Faye Benbrook and Harper McKnight; and one nephew, Hayden McKnight.

Funeral service was scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at the Mound City First Baptist Church with burial in the Curry Cemetery. 

Contributions are suggested to the Chris Otto Children's Fund, c/o Schneider Funeral Home, Box J, Mound City, KS 66056. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com

OBITUARIES

Roberta Marie Stark ~ 10-11-1937 to 10-28-2026

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Linn County News Published November 4, 2026   Roberta Marie Stark passed away on Oct. 28, 2026, in Bushong, Kan., where she lived with her son. She lived a beautiful and full 89 years. Roberta was born on Oct. 11, 1937, in Fort Scott, Kan., to Floyd Franklin Pinkerton... [More]

Stacy L. Banta ~ 02-23-1960 to 10-30-2026

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Linn County News  Published November 4, 2026   Stacy L. Banta, age 66 of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away at her home on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026. She was born the daughter of John and Doris Powell Payne on Feb. 23, 1960, in Fort Scott, Kan. Stacy graduated from Pleasanton... [More]

Ernest Roy Ransier ~ 04-21-1961 to 10-19-2026

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Linn County News  Published November 4, 2026   Ernest Roy Ransier, age 65, Pleasanton, Kan., passed away Monday, Oct. 19, 2026.  He was born on April 21, 1961, at Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Melvin and Shirley McCallum Ransier. During his working career,... [More]

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