• This week’s Out on the Gravel, taken by Abigail Hughes, is a gorgeous sunset over the La Cygne Lake with the power plant in the background reflected in the water. If you have a photo you’d like to share for Out on the Gravel, please send it to Barbara at linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com. KEEP an eye on next week's paper for exciting news about our Out on the Gravel submissions!

  • Approximately 100 students meet at the pole in front of Pleasanton High School for Meet You At The Pole last Wednesday before school. They prayed for the nation, state, school and much more during their time together. PHOTO Submitted By Derek Brown

  • A visitor at the doctor’s tent during the Heritage Day celebration and reenactment on Saturday at Mine Creek Battlefield looks at actual medical instruments that were used in the 1860s.

  • Reenactors of the Confederate Army perform marching exercises during Heritage Day at Mine Creek Battlefield Saturday, Sept. 26.

  • PVHS Homecoming royalty - Gabbi Culler and Nolan Boyd

  • This week’s submission for Out on the Gravel comes from Jessey Russell near PVHS. If you have a photo you’d like to share with our readers, send it to linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

  • Daniel Harris and Keegan Shellecks, center, two of three individuals who acted selflessly to save other individuals recently at a wreck scene were honored during Monday’s meeting of the Linn County Commissioners with plaques of commendation presented by Linn County Fire Chief Shaun Tuggle, third from left, Linn County Sheriff James Akes, far right, Undersheriff Bobby Johnson, second from left, and Deputy Robert Maloney, far left. Austin Allen was also recognized, but was unable to attend the meeting.

  • Not Your Moms Chili creator Nikki Price took top honors for her chili recipe at the Linn Valley Chili Cook Off.

  • Larry Kehl’s 1934 Chevy three-window coup sits proudly in the line of vehicles at the Parker Days car show. Photo by JERROD JOHNSON

NEWS

Voter deadlines approach

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Linn County News Jackielcn1@gmail.com   Every election is important, but the upcoming Nov. 3 general election is being touted as one of the most consequential elections of our times.  With that, it bears looking at how many voters actually turn out with only... [More]

Office succession in a municipality

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What happens if an elected official resigns?   Linn County News linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com   The succession of offices in a municipality is set out by Kansas statute and is outlined on the website for the Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes. In Chapter... [More]

Tractor accident victim saved by mail carrier

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Linn County News Jackielcn1@gmail.com   For northwest Linn County mail carrier Carrie Akes, she realizes that mail carriers tend to see people others don’t see on a daily basis. That happened to her when she came upon an accident where she assisted a Parker resident... [More]

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SPORTS

Jayhawk earns hard fought win over Fredonia

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LINN COUNTY NEWS holtadam82@yahoo.com   The Jayhawk Linn football team hosted Fredonia for their Homecoming on Oct. 2.  It was a battle but the Hawks ended up holding on for a 14-6 victory.  Jayhawk scored first as quarterback Londonn Burk ran in a 10 yard... [More]

Prairie View football picks up big win against Parsons

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LINN COUNTY NEWS holtadam82@yahoo.com   The Prairie View football team has now won two games in a row as they defeated Parsons at Parsons on Oct. 2.  This was a very close game with two evenly matched teams, but the Buffalos prevailed at the end with a 37-36... [More]

Pleasanton football falls to Cair Paravel

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LINN COUNTY NEWS holtadam82@yahoo.com   The Pleasanton football team traveled to Topeka on Oct. 2 for a game against a small private school, the Cair Paravel Lions. The Lions had a good football team as the Jays were defeated 54-6. It was all Lions from the beginning... [More]

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John Gary Ballou

02-04-1947 to 09-18-2019

 

Linn County News

Published Sept. 25, 2019

 

John Gary Ballou, age 72, of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, at his home. He was born Feb. 4, 1947, to Robert Oliver Ballou and Wilma Jean Gray Ballou (who passed away a few days after his birth) in Kansas City, Mo. He was raised by his father and mother, Cecile Hyacinthe Reed Ballou, who adopted him at about 15 months.

John graduated in 1965 from Southwest High School in Kansas City, Mo. He received a B.S. in chemistry from the University of Kansas.

He married Debra Jean Pile Ballou, his high school sweetheart, in 1969.

John served in the Kansas Air National Guard from 1970-1976. John worked for the Union Pacific Railroad and Farmland Industries in Kansas City. John and Debby moved from Kansas City to Amsterdam, Mo., when John went to work for Kansas City Power and Light in 1972.

John and Debby soon bought 80 acres in rural Pleasanton. He built their home here, and they raised their daughter, Lori, who was born in 1976. In 2002, he retired from Kansas City Power and Light after nearly 30 years.

After surviving cancer, John and Debby completed their travels to all 50 states together.

John is survived by his wife, Debby, of 50 years; his daughter, Lori Ann Ballou Stahlman and husband Justin; grandchildren Cole (16) and Aubrey (12) of Concordia, Kan.; his half-sister, Anne Ballou Piccinini, of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; and other extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a baby brother, Robert Oliver Ballou Junior.

According to John’s wishes he was cremated, and a private family graveside gathering will take place at a later date at Eureka Cemetery.

The family suggests contributions to the American Cancer Society c/o Schneider Funeral Home, PO Box 525, Pleasanton, KS 66075. Online condolences may be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

 

 

OBITUARIES

Bobby Lee Runkle ~ 11-26-1956 to 09-15-2026

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Linn County News Published September 23, 2026   Bobby Lee Runkle, 69, of Centerville, Kan., passed away Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. White-Ranson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. He was born Nov. 26, 1956, in Dixon, Ill., to the late Bobby Hugh Runkle and the... [More]

Raymond E. Cornett ~ 05-21-1953 to 09-18-2026

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Linn County News Published September 23, 2026   Raymond E. Cornett, age 73, Garnett, Kan., passed away Friday, Sept. 18, 2026.   Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, at Schneider Funeral Home, La Cygne Chapel. Burial will be in Richland... [More]

Louise Mitchell ~ 11-20-1930 to 09-14-2026

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Linn County News Published Sept. 16, 2026   Louise Mitchell, age 95 of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. She was born the daughter of James Martin and Marie Zieggler Martin in Pleasanton, Kan., on Nov. 20, 1930. Louise was a lifelong resident... [More]

More Obituaries

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PLEASANTON WEATHER

OBITUARIES POLICY

• May be mailed, e-mailed, faxed or hand delivered.
• Must be received by 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning in order to appear in that week's edition.
• Obituaries submitted by funeral homes will be billed to the funeral home.
• Full obituaries submitted by individuals are required to be paid in advance.
• Cost: $40 for 300 words or less. Each additional word over 300, 10¢. Photograph $5.
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