To kick-off the event, Holmes Sundry will host a breakfast celebrating their two-year anniversary, while giving back to the community.

During the event, Holmes Sundry will be donating proceeds to the Hamilton Fire Department. See related ad elsewhere in this week’s edition.

A burn out competition and the annual car show will be held at 9 a.m., followed by Kids Activities starting at 10 a.m.

The annual parade will be held at 11:30 a.m.

Additional events include a money scramble, axe throwing, cornhole, raffles and more.

Hamilton Days 2026 will conclude with live music by Lora McDonald, beginning at 8 p.m.

A complete schedule can be found on page 10 of this week’s edition of The Eureka Herald.

The project began in May 2024 and faced delays related to geological conditions on site that required a partial redesign.

While both lanes on the bridge are open to traffic, the contractor still has minor work to complete, most of which will not impact traffic. For some of this work, the contractor may need to use flaggers, which may reduce traffic to one lane and result in minor delays.

B&B Bridge Company Inc., of St. Paul, has the $4.9 million contract.

Council member Dan Campbell provided a report on his recent attendance at the Main Street Kansas conference in Ottawa. Campbell, who noted he attended at his own expense, described the program as a valuable resource for rural communities seeking economic development, downtown revitalization and historic preservation opportunities. “I was skeptical before attending,” Campbell said, “but I saw firsthand the benefits and resources available to communities like Eureka.”

Campbell reported meeting with representatives from numerous Kansas communities, including WaKeeney, Seneca and Belleville, who offered support and guidance for Eureka’s downtown revitalization efforts.

The council also discussed Eureka’s current probationary status within the Main Street Kansas program. Mayor Stephen Coulter noted that some reporting and communication issues contributed to the probation designation, along with staff turnover and a lack of participation in required training sessions during recent years. It was mentioned that Eureka must demonstrate progress by December 2026 to maintain its standing within the program. Training opportunities are offered quarterly, and participation is expected from local representatives.

Committee Shared Lake Lot Fees/Related Statistics The Finance and Personnel (Budget) Committee presented information regarding lake lot lease rates and lake budget information in recent years. According to the committee, annual lake lot rates were set at $600 in 2006 and are currently set at $1,250 in 2026, representing an average annual increase of approximately 3.74 percent over 20 years. The committee reported estimated annual lake property appreciation over the last 20 years at approximately 4.19 percent. It was noted that the lake budget resulted in a -$44,772 balance in 2023 and a -$14,493 in 2024. The lake showed a positive balance in 2025 at $22,105; however, current figures are showing an estimated balance of -$2,714 for the current year. The latter includes the $150 increase to the lake lot fees to $1,250. Without the increase (leaving the rate at $1,100), the lake budget is expected to show a deficit of approximately -$21,150.

The City of Eureka collects lot fees to fund the lake budget, while property taxes paid by lot owners go to the county and Eureka Township.

SCADA Improvements Water Superintendent Chris Mitchell outlined a proposed multi-phase upgrade to the city’s water treatment plant monitoring system. The Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) improvements would allow operators to remotely monitor plant conditions and receive real-time information about water levels, pressure and chlorine concentrations. Currently, staff can receive warning notifications but often must travel to the plant to determine specific conditions.

Mitchell proposed implementing Phase 1 as early as 2026 if funding becomes available, with additional phases potentially completed over the following several years. City officials emphasized the importance of selecting technology that will remain functional and supported for the long term.

Other Business

The council reviewed an amendment to its consulting agreement with JEO Consulting Group related to the ongoing 1st Street Improvement Project. City staff explained that while much of the project inspection work is expected to be completed in-house, the amendment would allow JEO to provide additional support on an as-needed basis. The services would be billed hourly and would not exceed the approved amount. Funding for the services would come from the city’s street sales tax fund.

Gary Chadic presented information about the AirMed Care Network membership opportunities for city employees. The program provides coverage for emergency air medical transportation services through EagleMed and affiliated providers. Chadic noted that air ambulance transport can cost approximately $100,000 per flight. Under the membership program, covered individuals would not be responsible for additional transport costs. Memberships would be offered through payroll deduction. The council approved allowing Chadic to present the program directly to city employees.

During public comments, Principal Stephanie Nelson and Hamilton High School senior Jax Adams presented a proposal to operate a fireworks stand at the entrance to Eureka Lake as a fundraiser for Hamilton High School students.

The fundraiser would help support annual senior class trips. Nelson explained that students previously operated fireworks stands in Hamilton and Toronto and hoped to expand operations to Eureka. Nelson noted that several Eureka- area students attend Hamilton schools. Council members discussed permit requirements and location logistics. The stand would operate July 2-4 and store inventory in an enclosed trailer. Following discussion, the council approved the proposal contingent upon approval from the Eureka Lake Board and the bait shop operator. The fee to have a firework stand in Eureka (or on city-owned property [Eureka Lake]) is $600.

The council approved several code enforcement resolutions involving refuse accumulation and a junk vehicle located on East 6th Street. The resolutions can be found on page 9 of this week’s edition.

Mayor Coulter appointed DaQota Williams to the Recreation Board. The mayor also appointed Shally Gard, Tom Troilo, Jim Boone, Larry Bills and Luke Adkins to three-year terms on the Eureka Lake Board. No objections were raised by the council.

The council held two executive sessions, totaling 25 minutes, to consult with City Attorney William Mc-Clendon regarding legal matters protected under attorney- client privilege. No action was taken following the sessions.

Before adjournment, Mayor Coulter addressed ongoing concerns regarding Eureka Lake. “The Lake concerns have not fallen on deaf ears,” Coulter said. He noted that the council, staff and himself would be looking into various items.

The council approved the consent agenda, including minutes from the May 26 regular meeting, scheduled claims totaling $63,927.51, and several purchase orders for professional services and operational supplies.

The council’s next meeting is Monday, June 22, at 7 p.m., at the Eureka Public Library.

The club plans to take officers to learn more about what the club entails. The proceeds will help with hotel and registration costs. Officers include: President Alicia Sanchez, Vice President Stacy Alford, Secretary Elaina Osborne, Treasurer Matthew Gore and StuCo Representative Kimber Olsen.

Must mention fundraiser when ordering.

The discussion occurred during the Greenwood County Commission’s meeting, when the GWCH Board of Trustees appeared before commissioners at their request. Commission Chairman Preston Evenson opened the conversation by emphasizing that preserving local healthcare remains a priority. “I think everyone is on the same boat,” Evenson said. “No one wants to lose the hospital.”

Commissioner Judd Everitt reported receiving frequent calls and questions from residents about the hospital’s future, prompting Monday’s public discussion.

Hospital Board Chairman Cinda Beals told attendees that the board regularly reviews financial information and discusses the hospital’s performance at each meeting.

Several community members voiced concerns over continuing operating losses and sought greater transparency regarding the hospital’s financial outlook. Mike Pitko questioned reported losses averaging more than $3 million annually while noting that public funding continues to support the facility. He also raised concerns about low inpatient numbers and questioned how hospital leadership plans to address ongoing financial challenges.

Questions were also raised about the hospital’s proposed 2027 budget and whether revenue from physician clinics was being clearly presented. Beals responded that the budget remains preliminary and will continue to be reviewed and refined by trustees.

The discussion also highlighted the hospital’s importance to residents who rely on local healthcare services.

Miranda Colangelo, a county resident whose mother suffers from Multiple Sclerosis, spoke emotionally about the impact a hospital closure would have on families. “We use the hospital weekly,” she said. “If the hospital closes, she can’t stay here. We will have to move her.” While acknowledging financial concerns, she urged officials to consider the needs of residents who depend on nearby medical care.

Frank McCollum argued that the hospital must take a harder look at reducing costs and restructuring operations. “When you’re losing money, you have to cut costs,” McCollum said. “We just can’t keep doing the same thing.”

GWCH CEO Sandra Dickerson explained that rural hospital finances dif f er signi f icant ly from traditional businesses because of Medicare’s cost-based reimbursement system. According to Dickerson, reducing expenses does not necessarily create immediate savings because reimbursement rates are calculated using previous cost reports and can take more than a year to reflect operational changes. She noted that the hospital has continued meeting payroll obligations and paying bills without drawing from board reserve funds since February.

Dickerson attributed a significant portion of recent revenue declines to changes within the hospital’s wound care program. After a provider left the organization, several patients followed that provider to a new practice, resulting in a substantial reduction in wound care revenue. She said the hospital generated approximately $7 million less in wound care revenue during a recent reporting period compared to previous years.

Hospital officials also pointed to declining local sales tax collections, which affect hospital funding. Dickerson encouraged residents to support local businesses, noting that increased local spending benefits county/ city revenues and hospital finances.

Commissioner Roy Ballard asked whether trustees regularly evaluate the profitability and performance of individual departments and whether those reports could be made available to the commission.

Hospital officials acknowledged that some departments, particularly emergency services, operate at a loss due in part to caring for uninsured and underinsured patients. However, they stressed that emergency care remains a critical service for the community.

Despite financial challenges, commissioners noted that they rarely hear complaints about patient care. “On a good note, I have never heard a negative report on care at the hospital,” Ballard said.

Dickerson also reviewed historical financial data, noting that the hospital has reported positive net income in only seven of the past 26 years, demonstrating that financial struggles are not a recent development.

The di s c u s s i o n included references to federal COVID-19 relief funding, reimbursement structures, staffing levels and the challenges facing rural healthcare facilities across Kansas. The hospital board of trustees and staff noted they continue to evaluate operations, monitor finances and pursue strategies to improve the hospital’s financial position while preserving services.

The commissioners expressed appreciation to the GWCH board of trustees for serving in their roles and for attending the meeting.

Other Business

Tamara Higbee of Severy addressed commissioners about speed limit signs being added along Old Highway 99/S Road. She noted that additional residential properties have created a need for a lower speed limit. Discussion was also held regarding a small roadway behind a former coffee shop/now a residence at the corner. The commission planned to take the matter under advisement; however, no action was taken.

Dana Hunter, who frequently visits Fall River Lake, asked commissioners to reconsider restrictions on the bridge connecting the lake’s east and west dam areas. Although not a Greenwood County resident, Hunter said she regularly stays at the lake and spends money locally. She presented historical information pertaining to the bridge, but was ultimately asking the commission to open the bridge for pedestrians and small vehicles that fall below the bridge’s threeton weight limit.

She argued that reopening limited access would improve recreation opportunities and reduce travel times for visitors and emergency responders.

The bridge was closed in April 2025, following engineering assessments that identified severe structural deficiencies, as well as the Kansas Department Of Transportation (KDOT) requiring the closure due to the bridge condition. Commissioner Ballard emphasized the seriousness of the structural concerns. “It is a single-pin bridge,” Ballard said. “One pin breaks and the whole thing collapses.” Ballard also cited the county’s potential liability should an accident occur. It was noted that both the state and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recommended the bridge be closed to all traffic, including pedestrians, due to safety concerns.

No action was taken. The commission spent considerable time discussing a proposed vegetation management agreement with KDOT. Noxious Weed Director Debi Selfrige discussed the proposed contract with the commission that would have allowed county crews to perform roadside spraying along state highways. The proposal involved approximately 120 miles of roadway, with some locations requiring multiple applications due to terrain, fencing and weed growth patterns. Commissioner Evenson questioned whether the additional workload would be worthwhile given existing county responsibilities. “It isn’t worth it to me,” Evenson said. “I think we have too much work on our own.” After discussion, commissioners voted against entering into the agreement and directed county staff to continue focusing on county roadway spraying operations.

County officials also heard preliminary budget presentations from several departments and organizations. This week, the commission heard from the Greenwood County Conservation District, Keila Sherman; Greenwood County Fire District, Chief Glen Collinge; Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Heath Samuels; Noxious Weed/Hazardous Waste, Director Selfrige; Greenwood County Extension District, Jamie Lindamood, and Agents Alisha Fisher and Clinton Laflin; Greenwood County 4-H Foundation, Agent Fisher.

Ron Rader and Kevin Hammerski addressed the commission regarding a road close petition at M Road, between 30th and 40th Streets. Later in the meeting, the commissioners held a 10-minute executive session for legal matters regarding a road with County Counselor Paul Dean. After returning to open session, the commission rejected the road close petition and to leave the road open as previously directed.

Emergency Manager Levi Vinson noted that work near Madison involving a Phillips 66 pipeline. Contractors plan to stabilize an eroding stream bank, remove sediment and address an exposed section of pipeline that has contributed to erosion concerns.

Vinson then shared revised pay scales. A copy of the proposed pay scales can be found on page 12. Vinson, along with Commissioners Evenson and Everitt, will hold a work session to review the tiered system.

The commissioners approved the special payables for June 8, totaling $3,466.19, as presented.

The Greenwood County Commission meets each Monday at 9 a.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for June 22.

This annual archery competition will be held on Saturday, June 20, at 9 a.m., at the Eureka Lake dam. A small portion of the walking trail to the north of the spillway will be closed during the event from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Participants will compete in a FITA and 3-D contest.

The annual shotgun competition will be held this Sunday, June 21, at 4 p.m., at the Eureka Lake gun range, located at 1667 P Road. Participants will shoot trap and skeet.

Spectators are welcome to attend both events. Those attending should bring a lawn chair, bug spray, sunscreen, possibly a shade apparatus and water for hydration.

A shooting sports awards banquet, for participants and their families, will be held in the Turf Room of the Eureka Downs Concourse Building/ Greenwood County Community Center, this Sunday, at approximately 7 p.m.

For more information about the annual county fair, contact the Greenwood County Extension Office at 620-583-7455.

(Editor’s Note: Each week,The Herald poses a “Question of the Week” on their facebook page with many responding. Comments made on the posts, may or may not be factual in nature and are to be noted as that person’s comment only.)

Each week The Herald will ask a random question, both on the opinion page of the weekly paper and on The Eureka Herald Facebook© page. Responses should be mailed to PO Box 590, Eureka, KS 67045, e-mailed to news@eurekaherald.com with “Coffee Shop Talk” in the subject; dropped off at our office, 822 E. River, in Eureka or made on The Eureka Herald’s Facebook© page.

The “Question of the Week” for last week was: “Which Main Street building is your favorite? Share your favorite memory or why the building is your fave.”

Following are the responses: Jayte Pryce* - “The building that used to be Kamada Studio when it was my mom’s shop. I want to say the address is 117 N Main. There is a cement slide going into the basement. We used to love riding down on rugs or cardboard down into the basement (even though I was scared of the back of the shop, and was convinced it was haunted).”

Kayte Plantz* - “Jayte Pryce, we had a lot of memories there! It was a fun place.”

Loria Howard* - “Kayte Plantz, I am not positive what that building was originally; I thought a grocery store?; it was also the Greenwood County Historical Society Muesum at one time as I remember doing genealogy research there. I remember going there when it was a beauty shop, also.”

Kayte Plantz* - “Loria Howard, I was told either a grocery store or meat market??”

Abby Nelson* - “Kayte Plantz, I believe it was a grocery store and then also they did newspapers. They still had them in the basement when grandma got her hair done there” Tami J. Hart-Hawthorne* - “Wow! This is a hard one, as each building on Main Street has unforgettable memories, especially those that are no longer there! With that being said, I have to give The Half Dollar Bar and Grill my best. It has stood the test of time over decades of service and changes and still to this day serves the community well. It’s nostalgic past is still present to this day.”

Michele Hare* - “Zenisheks.. with that cool staircase, rexall drug.. where you could get the best 400s... then birite!! I loved how busy all the shops used to be... and Christmas was so pretty.. Easter was so fun to take our colored eggs to the different stores and get our dimes... such fun times!! Makes it hard to see how it is now...”

Patty Voth* - “The rexall drug store was my favorite my neighbor and I took Monopoly money went down there and bought us a small Coca-Cola of course they served it to us but somebody come and picked us up and paid for our drink lol we must have only been about 5 years old at the time but it was so funny now as I think about it how we went down there and bought that pop good old memories” Leann Courtney Wells* - “The city drug store (I think that was the name). I remember going down there on our lunch hour at school and having to run back so we wouldn’t be late (yes believe it or not way back then I could run)” Mari Noel* - “Leann Courtney Wells, they had the best hot dogs.”

Sherry Bratton Olsen* - “Barb’s Cafe! My grandma and great grandma ran it. Marie Benton and Hannah Barb. Our family had every holiday dinner in the formal dining room because it was closed to the public. We played games, played the piano in there. My brother Dale learned to cook at Barb’s. Greatest of memories!”

Deina Rockhill* - “The News Stand: it had the nicest funniest ladies, ALL the candy and “the magazines”. Teen Beat with Scott Baio and...well..I can’t think of all the others but you know...the cute ones! We took the posters and put them on our walls!!Wonder what they all look like today!”

Mattie McCullough* “The theater on a Friday or Saturday night, EF&A Furniture building on 2nd and Main (my dads storemy sister and I lived upstairs when it caught fireloved that apartment), the old truck stop at breakfast time, the Bowling alley as a teen. D&Js for shoes before a new school year. Showcase movie rentals too! Nothing that is still in business. I sometimes wonder what childhood would have been like if I were a child growing up there in today’s world. So many treasures gone to the wasteside.”

Clay Wade* - “Mattie McCullough, I miss the bowling alley back in our high school days.”

Mattie McCullough* “Clay Wade, I know they hated having everyone there sometimes but it really was the it place.”

Debbie Bowen McGuire* - “Picking just one is so hard. I loved Red Owl. Rexall was for lunch and after school. They sold Psssst, that dry hair shampoo. BiRite was so cool. I still tell people about the underwear in the little compartments, right there with everything else in the store. In high school I shopped at Devoe’s Duds.

John Huntington Jr* “I’m kind of partial to the Wiggins Building AKA, The Auction House, at 114 N Main.”

Orella Hosack* - “John Huntington Jr, I loved the Ben Franklin store when it was in that building!”

Christopher Campbell* - “The old Spic N Span Cleaners. When it was still running my Grandma Clydean ran it. It was always fun finding new places to hide in there. Can stil remember the smell of the place. I dont know who owns it now, hate seeing it just sitting there going to waste, but that seems to be the agenda for buildings on main street unfortunately.”

Chris Hansel* - “Christopher Campbell is that the little red building ?”

Christopher Campbell* - “Chris Hansel, yeah it’s the building north of the big house the are redoing” Loria Howard* - “What a trip down Memory Lane!!! Each entry brings back memories!!! As an adult I would probably say BiRite! It was our own version of today’s store that starts w a W! There was such a variety of merchandise!”

Susan Richling* - “The Burk Paulson store! The front windows, the awesome entrance with the cool door, and the last time I was in there, the ceiling was the old tiles!”

Kristin Cook* - “Susan Richling grandma Betty and him were good friends. I remember going down there as kid to see ‘uncle’ Paul. Floor to ceiling tile inventory!”

Mari Noel* - “There were so many, of course Otasco. The apartments above Otasco, I was really young when we would go upstairs to be babysit while dad worked on stuff. Rexall, Bi-Rite, The Newsstand, Carters Jewelry, the bakery, I can still recall how wonderful the smell was. Zenisheks, always so beautiful at Christmas, the Red Owl was spectacular. Barbs cafe, on Sunday when we went for breakfast my younger brother Chris found a wallet stuffed with money in the men’s room, the gentleman that left it was very grateful to get it back. He was there for the horse race’s. Dairy Queen. We were fortunate there was so much on Main Street.”

Susan Epperson* - “Old drug store. We knew we were going to get a treat if parents went there.”

Aaron Cline* - “I would have to say Bi-Rite (spelling?) And OTASCO.”

John Huntington Jr* “Aaron Cline I loved looking at the variety of toys Bi-Rite had. I remember buying plastic army men & balsa wood planes there.”

Aaron Cline* - “John Huntington Jr same here!!! I used to buy the little battery 4x4 Stomper trucks!”

Angela Williams* - “I loved Otasco, especially at Christmas time and the Red Owl in its glory days was one of my favorites.”

Marsha Ramsey* - “All the above plus Peter Pan and Dairy Queen.”

Deina Rockhill* - “This isn’t main street, but what about the skating rink??!! Loved going there...what was the guys name who always skated backwards?”

Debra Thackeray* “There was a jc penny it was on main just don’t remember wear” Kris Olson* - “Freeman’s 3rd. & Main, when it was Freeman’s back in the day. They had so many different things for inventory. It was an awesome store. Breaks my heart to see that building the way it is now” Shannon Gant* - “Kris Olson it was a really cool building and I also loved the variety of things you could get there.”

Vanessa Gee* - “The old library building.”

Vicki French* - “Otascos! Loved the side at Christmas with all the toys ! Zenisheks with all the mannequins with the cutest clothes in the windows ! The Princess Theater it had so much charm and uniqueness . Got to see lots of good movies and parties there . The best popcorn ! I remember on Christmas Eve the stores stayed open in the evenings and the Purkeypile Family & others caroling up and down the sidewalks . Sorry you said one . Thanks for the question it’s fun reading the comments!”

Madelon Griblin* - “Vicki French Remebering the Mirror Pilar outside front of Zenisheks” Michele Burke-Steinbacher* - “Bi-Rite and Barkman’s were my favorite.”

Heidi Surber* - “The Red Owl building.”

Kim Gorman* - “I like the building that The Gym is in, the old Opera house. I always thought it was cool that they left the rock walls visible- gives it character. And when I found out that long ago there was a skating rink in there Upstairs! That sealed the deal! Great!”

Alan Hatcher* - “Bi-rites” Troy Scott* - “Ive always enjoyed Casey’s” Msrjorie Morgan* - “The new process laundry , princess theater, In the past, now half dollar cause she left some history there.”

Kelly Vancil* - “Freeman’s” Faith Boone Butler* “Browns Bakery and those wonderful butter rolls. Does anyone have a recipe for those rolls. I have never been able to get any near that good.”

Kathy L. Murphy* - “my Town and Country Headquarters use to be in the old Princess Theater Barber shop and directly under the balcony of the theater. On Thursday nights I would go buy a large garage bag of freshly popped popcorn cut hair and we all would listen to the movies. Best times ever at that shop. I use to roller skate to work on the sunny days!”

Loretta Gulick* - “Brite” Do you have a recom-mendation for the “Question of the Week” please send it to Robin at news@eurekaherald. com, or stop by 822 E. River St., Ste 100, in Eureka.

To The

Editor

(Editor’s Note: Letters to the Editor are published to encourage our readers to express their views about various issues. The following letter(s) were submitted and signed by those voicing their opinions through the “Letter To The Editor” section)

Can Eureka Prosper Again?

After decades of declining population and economic depression, can Eureka prosper again? Yes! There are many examples of small towns stopping decades of population and economic decline. Humboldt, Lindsborg, Abilene, Cottonwood Falls, Strong City, Council Grove, Liberal, Garden City, and Greensburg are all examples of stopping population economic decline. These communities found their own formula to reinvent themselves into a new reality out of decay and decline. Will they recover to their former glory? That’s not the point. They have become something new, sustainable, comfortable and attractive.

While Eureka and many rural towns were declining over the decades, the big cities were growing rapidly. The big cities offered opportunity, services, and excitement the rural towns could not. This trend is changing. There is a movement back to the small rural communities. So, why are some people choosing to move to small communities?

Remote working allows workers to choose where they want to live.

Young families and retirees want lower costs, quality of life, and a sense of community.

People choose rural communities because of big city problems.

Renovated downtowns attract new people to the community.

The trend is real and it is possible for Eureka to recover and prosper again. How does that happen? Quick internet searches will reveal that other communities implemented various changes to stimulate growth and recovery. Below are some of those changes:

•Installation of broadband internet Fixed essential infrastructure (roads, water, sewer, public safety)

•Leveraged existing facilities (repurposed old buildings into community centers

•Created coworking spaces and business incubators

•Facilitated remote work migration

•Facilitated tourism

•Revitalized downtown to attract newcomers

•Facilitated access to lower housing costs for young families

•Promoted the community as a retirement destination

•Attracted small businesses What are some of the things that make Eureka special?

•We are not the big city; we are rural.

•We are close to the big city.

•We have a lower cost of living.

•We are community oriented.

•We have friendly people.

There is peace and tranquility not found in other cities.

•Eureka is situated in the Flint Hills

•Eureka Lake is nearby.

•Horse racing

•Eureka is a Main Street city Yes, Eureka can recover. Eureka can reinvent itself. We can clean up our blight, become presentable, and attract both young and older people to our community. Yes, we can attract new home construction. We can attract small businesses. We can renovate our downtown. We can become a vibrant community again. Let’s all catch the vision.

Dan Campbell

The first time I set foot in Abilene, Kansas, was the day of my granddad’s funeral in 1969. Having never been here before, I did not know what to expect as a child. Today, I cannot imagine living anywhere else. After traveling all over the world in my professional life and eventually settling in Abilene, I understand why my granddad called it “the very heart of America.”

This year, our nation turns 250. It is an anniversary worth celebrating, and one meaningful way Kansans can participate is by reflecting on our shared history. To help mark this milestone, the National Archives and Records Administration has assembled a treasure trove of documents straight from their vaults. Aptly named “Opening the Vault at the Presidential Libraries,” this extraordinary collection of original documents is now on display at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene through July 5, 2026.

“We the people” owe it to the next generation to be good stewards of our country and ensure the stories of our past are not forgotten. This exhibit allows visitors to experience history firsthand. Where else can a child in Kansas stand inches away from the Louisiana Purchase, the Kansas-Nebraska Act, the World War II German Surrender document, and my granddad’s 1957 Executive Order desegregating Little Rock Central High School?

Bring your entire family and do not miss this oncein- a-lifetime opportunity to see these documents right here in Kansas. I believe you will leave inspired, with a desire to learn more about our country.

— Mary Jean Eisenhower Granddaughter of Dwight D. Eisenhower Board Member, The Eisenhower Foundation

Minute

How do we share positive change?

It seems in a small community it would be easy to share good news - you share with one person, they share with the next and then everyone knows! That does not seem to be how it works. It seems that good news get shared and then it is a game of “telephone” until someone misconstrues everything and takes every possible negative side effect out of what is seemingly awesome news for our community and posts it on Facebook and suddenly your good news has been reduced to a fight on social media with a bunch of negative Nancy’s (no offense to anyone named Nancy!).

So how do we change that? How can we look for the good in our community and its people? Can we all try to focus on what will make us better? What will make us stronger?

It sure would be a nice change.

Join us for the next Myreka meeting on Tuesday, July 7 to share in our good news.

Questions? Email us at myrekaks@gmail.com

The minutes of the previous meeting were read by Jr. Secretary Kiah Luthi and were approved by signing by Jr. President Kenyon Curry. The treasurers report was given by Wyatt Hoag. The reporter's report was given by Haddie Mae Seaton. There was no council meeting due to weather. There was an ambassador meeting, which Brynn Roth attended. Roth stated that 4-H day camp was very successful. Julie Buster said that the float for Madison Days will be the same as last year. Buster also reminded everyone to be there before 3:30 p.m. Darcy Henke said to make sure that everyone is signed up to be at the Hog Roast. D. Henke also reminded the club that if they are helping with the float, they also need to be inside the Sauder Center to help with food. The Hog Roast was on June 13. Sarah Luthi told club members that there will be a goat project meeting, when the meeting is over. Fair tour sign up. If you wish for the club to come see your projects, please give your name and address to Ty Gaines. Jeanna Beeman told the club that the buyer appreciation supper will be on September 2, 2026.

T. Gaines gave his leader’s report. He told the club that we need people to take over building watch on Friday (July 24), Saturday (July 25), and Sunday (July 26). Hog Roast help is needed. Fair entries are due July 1. T. Gaines told the group that on June 27,there is a county photo mounting at the Eureka Downs. On July 8, there will be a club photo mounting at the Sauder Center.

There was no old business. In new business, we moved to pay for a new money box (which will be used at the fair), food bags, and photo boards. The club moved to buy three $50 gift cards and three $25 gift cards from tractor supply. The gift cards will be given to the Junk-In-A-Bucket winners.

The gavel was then passed to the Jr. Vice President Laikyn Henke for the program, Happy Birthday was sung to Tess Fankhauser, Colt Miller, and Maggie Hurlbut. Kathryn Curry gave a parliamentary tip. Haddie Mae Seaton gave a project talk about how to raise and buy a well developed market lamb. Gunner Gaines gave a project talk about his favorite ways to take pictures and how the rule of thirds work. Peyton Hoag had a Rec game for the club. P. Hoag had the club play Animal Race.

The gavel was then passed back to the Jr. President Kenyon Curry for the remainder of the meeting. Wyatt Hoag moved to adjourn the meeting by saying the 4-H motto, and the motion passed. Kathryn Curry led the club in saying the 4-H motto and the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting is June 28, at the Madison Public Park.

Rylee Tole of Eureka joins a select group of students who have achieved a 4.0 grade-point average for the semester while completing at least 12 credit hours of coursework required for graduation.

“Earning a perfect GPA while balancing a full schedule of coursework and commitments outside the classroom is truly an achievement worth celebrating,” said Chancellor Charles Robinson. “These students set a high standard for academic excellence at the University of Arkansas, elevating the experience of their classmates and professors alike. I congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to all they will accomplish in the years ahead.”

All students on the Chancellor's List also automatically earn recognition on the university's Dean's List, which honors undergraduates who achieve a minimum gradepoint average of 3.75 for the term while completing at least 12 credit hours.

About The University Of Arkansas As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $3 billion to Arkansas' economy annually through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. Learn more about how the U of A works to build a better world.

The city guys, Jack Crumrine and John Floyd, were busy for over 15 hours working to get everyone’s power back on. These two guys are unsung heroes in our town. Most people take them for granted. Never even give them a thought until the power goes out or a water line breaks. They then, quietly and as quickly as possible, fix the problem so we all can get back to our daily routine. We say, “Great job guys. Especial-ly considering all the trees and limbs down around town.”

Our rain gauge had 2 3/10” in it. I know that wasn’t accurate as some of that rain was coming down at such an angle, with the wind blowing so hard. I had to shut our west door and the north door as rain was coming in through the screen. Country Junction had rain blow in under their front door, leaving an unwanted surprise for Gary and Shirley when they opened up Sunday morning at 7 a.m.

Lawn furniture and outside decor didn’t stand a chance in the strong winds. A lawn chair from a business on Main Street came to a halt one block south on Broad Street. I bet trash cans had to be rounded up also. The rain was good, but we could have done without the strong winds.

Many people were out mowing Saturday. I should have. Now I have to wait for the ground to dry out. Knowing my luck, it will rain again before I can get it mowed.

What U.S. river is the longest?

We offer our sympathy to all who lost loved ones this past week. May they rest in peace.

Hello to all in area nursing and assisted living facilities; Hello, also, to all in area hospitals and rehab centers.

The big fireworks display at Toronto Point is Friday, July 3, with free admittance for the show. Lots of fun activities planned for this year. Be on the lookout for flyers and area newspapers with schedule of events.

Had to make a trip to the ER the other night and saw three deer in town and saw two more on the way to Chanute. I guess all this rain we’ve been getting has them displaced as well as other creatures that live out in the country as well as the outskirts of town. At least I think that is why. I can’t think of any other reason for them to be on the move.

Answer: The Missouri River. At about 2,450 miles, it is 100 miles longer than the Mississippi. My first thought was the mighty Mississippi, how about you?

Quote: “And since all this loveliness cannot be heaven, I know in my heart it is June.” - Abba Louisa Goold Woolson

These free community clinics will provide helpful screenings and wellness services in a friendly and welcoming environment. Health department staff will be offering the following services: Blood pressure checks, Medication record assistance, Fall risk assessments, Pulse and oxygen checks, Weight checks, and Hemoglobin screening.

Residents are encouraged to bring a current list of medications and take advantage of these valuable health resources.

Three clinics are scheduled at county senior centers at 12 p.m. The first will be held in Eureka on Monday, June 22. The second will be held in Madison on Wednesday, June 24 and the final clinic will be held on Tuesday, June 30 in Severy.

For more information, call the Greenwood County Health Department at 620583-6632.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 21, from 11 a.m. - ? Please bring food if possible. Contact Sharyl Harris at 316-7726026 with questions.

A full obituary will be included in a future edition.

She married Clare Platt Jr. on June 30, 1957. Sharon was a homemaker who enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, raising cattle, sewing, and other crafts.

Survivors include her children, Greg Platt (Sandy), Kyle Platt (Kelly Sage), and Brett Platt (Lynn); grandson Paul Platt; step-grandsons Justin Allen and Nick Riggs; and brothers-in-law John Platt, Jim Platt, and Preston Platt.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clare Platt Jr.; her parents, George Edwards and Vera Hughes Edwards; her brother, Ron Edwards; her sister-in-law, Darla Edwards; her aunt and uncle, Zelma and Harry Lange; and her granddaughter, Emily Platt.

A celebration of life will be held June 26, 2026, from 2-4 p.m. at the Hamilton Community Center. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hamilton City Library, 21 Main Street, Hamilton, KS 66853.

“In February 1919, John Taylor wrote about the history of Salt Springs, located in the southeast part of Greenwood County. These springs were discovered by a man whose name, I think, was Graves. Mr. Thomas Rodes took a claim on them some time previous to the Civil War and made a great quantity of salt. He sold the claim in 1860 to Thomas Livingston, the noted Missouri desperado who was killed at Stockton, Missouri, in 1863. He tested the springs several times and claimed that the brine would yield half a pound of salt to the gallon. Rodes endeavored to sink a well at the spring, but was prevented by the copious flow of brine. He only succeeded in getting down about twelve feet, and even this he was unable to wall up. In 1861 Livingston sold the springs to Charles Mograin, Chief of the Osages, from whom and from persons who had taken possession of them during my absence in the army. I had purchased the springs. I have manufactured about 100 bushels of fine white salt. In one day, with seven small kettles, holding from ten to twenty gallons each, and two small pans, I have made every 24 hours. My stock is never salted. The spring saves me over $100 a year in this one item. My neighbors’ cattle from far and near, also come to the spring for salt. If this brine were manufactured, as it should be, a large sum would be saved and kept here to aid in improving our own country. I will give anyone who will manufacture salt at these springs all he can make for two years and after that I will lease him the springs at reasonable rate, giving him, meantime, entire control of the water. These springs also posses’ valuable medical properties. They contain muriate of magnesia, etc. and experience has shown that they are very helpful in healing diseases of the skin such as salt rheum. I am now putting up a large building with apartments for the use of invalids who may visit the springs. There is good opening for a dry goods store here. (Do not know if he ever put up any buildings) E.N. Ladd, of Eureka, has sold his Twin Falls ranch of 300 acres to Frank Russell, of Fall River township, the consideration being $30,000 or $100 per acre. The ranch is one of the finest in the county and lays up and down Fall River about five miles east of Climax.

In March 1919 the Prairie Oil Company brought in a gusher three miles south of Sallyards or twelve miles west of Eureka. It started flowing at the rate of 1000 barrels a day and is not yet under control. It was accompanied by a strong flow of gas and within minutes the rig caught fire and everything combustible within reach was destroyed. The well was still burning last night and was not under control.

Petitions for 14 miles of hard surface road, the first to be built in Greenwood County, are being circulated in May 1919. The road has been designated as the “Reece Road” and extends from Eureka west through Reece to the Butler County line. Under the plan being used it will require the signatures of owners of 60 per cent of the land within the benefit district before the road can be built. At this time more than half enough signers have been secured.

Three kinds of roads are being considered. They are gravel road which can be built at a cost of approximately $12,000 per mile, bituminous macadam which will cost about $22,00 per mile and concrete which will cost not more than $35,000 per mile. The government pays 50 per cent of the cost of the road.

An announcement was made in May of 1919 that the building and grounds of the Southern Kansas Academy, which for a third of a century has stood at the head of Main Street, Eureka, and which for a quarter of a century was one of the leading educational institutions of Southern Kansas, will be sold at public auction on June 12, 1919. The trustees have come to the decision to dispose of the property to the highest bidder in order to meet outstanding obligations and in the sincere hope that the property may be put to some creditable use in the community. It was not until every effort had been resorted to find some other way out that the decision to sell was finally reached.

Business judgment has for years suggested the wisdom of disposing of the property in order that all indebtedness might be liquidated and all business affairs honorably terminated, but sentiment and tradition weighed against sound business methods and so the board held on hoping against hope that something would intervene and the building could again be opened, if not as a Christian Academy at least as some public enterprise that would prove useful and creditable to the community.

The trustees assure The Herald that this will be a genuine sale regardless of price. Provision will be made before the date of the sale to take care of all indebtedness and incumbrances. Should the sale price not cover the indebtedness the board will personally assume the difference between said sale price and the amount of indebtedness. Should the sale price exceed the amount of the indebtedness the board will not profit to the extent of one penny but any balance in the hands of the treasurer will be devoted to some worth cause.

Certainly, this is a fair proposition when it is known that before and after the closing of the doors of the institution the board and friends used their own private funds in no small amounts to meet pressing obligations.

The only things reserved in the sale will be the bell and the clock. The bell was purchased largely by the children of this community, now men and women, and the board feels that this bell, which is a particularly fine one, should be offered to the community if there is any use to which it can be put or any sentiment in favor of keeping it here. The clock is reserved for the reason that at this time the board is a little in doubt as to its ownership.

The Academy property consists of about 15 acres of ground, beautifully located, a two-story stone and brick building, 72 x 48 feet, with basement under and attic over the whole. The building is in fair condition except for a portion of the roof and a number of broken window glass. It has an excellent heating plant, running water and lavatories, electric lights and a fire escape from the attic to the ground.

In addition to the main building there is a fiveroom cottage 20 by 32 foot, a good barn 18 by 36 feet, a sheep barn 14 by 26 feet and a hog shed 8 by 12 feet.

The people of Eureka and vicinity should find some practical use to which this building might be put. It has been suggested as an ideal location for a business college, a branch agricultural experiment station, a co-operative creamery and cold storage plant, a farm products company, a hospital, a country club or a home. It was at one time considered by some of the school districts near Eureka as a desirable place for joint rural school.

In June the Southern Kansas Academy, buildings and grounds were sold at auction. The purchasers were H.A. Lovett, D.S. Mc-Neill, L.S. Hoover and Lon Smethers, the price $3,250. To erect a building like the academy today (1919) would cost at least $25,000. The fifteen acres of ground are worth $200 per acre.”

Area students on the honor roll and their majors are: Colton Appelhans of Fall River, Social Sciences Kimber Hudson of Hamilton, Pre-nursing Bryson Turner of Hamilton, Health and Physical Education Ava Foltz of Madison, Health and Human Performance Gabriel Rasmussen of Toronto, Language Literary Studies & Writing About ESU

Emporia State University offers a range of academic programs through its seven schools: Applied Health Sciences, Business and Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences, Library and Information Management and Library and Archives, Science and Mathematics and Visual and Performing Arts, along with The Teachers College.

ESU stands out for its innovative education practices. It ensures accessible education by offering in-state tuition rates to full-time undergraduate students from all lower-48 United States. Additionally, full-time undergraduates benefit from flat-rate tuition - students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours with at least one credit hour on campus pay a flat rate.

For more information on how to build your future at Emporia State University, please visit www.emporia. edu.

America’s semiquincentennial is a great time to celebrate all who have helped make the country into what it is today, and that includes some of the Founding Fathers who have not become household names over the last 250 years.

• William Livingston: Born in Albany, New York, in 1723, William Livingston was a prominent attorney prior to the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War. The Historical Society of the New York Courts notes Livingston moved to Elizabethtown, New Jersey, in 1772. Within two years of that move, Livingston became New J e r sey’s repres ent a t i v e to the Cont inental Congress. By June 1776, Livingston was appointed brigadier general of the New Jersey militia, a position he held until 1777, when he became the Governor of New Jersey. Livingston was a target of British forces, who offered a reward for his capture. But Livingston remained Governor of New Jersey until his death in 1790, and even served as the New Jersey delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, when he signed the United States Constitution adopted at that convention.

• William Hooper: William Hooper was born Boston in 1742, but he made his name as a Founding Father after relocating to Wilmington, North Carolina, as a young adult. The National Constitution Center notes Hooper, like Livingston, was a successful attorney. Hooper was appoint - ed Deputy Attorney G e n e r a l of the N o r t h Carolina colony in 1770, and even supported the Royal Governor’s efforts to suppress a taxation-related rebellion of North Carolina farmers during this pivotal period, when he was notably dragged through the streets b y angry rioters. By the mid-1770s, Hooper had changed course, and was even among the three delegates chosen to represent North Carolina at the First Continental Congress in 1774. Prior to that conference, Hooper wrote to a friend that the colonies were destined to win independence from the Crown, an assertion that ultimately earned him the nickname the “Prophet of Independence.” Hooper signed the Declaration of Independence but illness forced him to retire from politics. He continued to support the war effort, donating much of his legal earnings to the colonists’ cause, and was so reviled by the British that his home was burned down when Wilmington was taken by Crown forces in 1781.

• John Witherspoon: John Witherspoon was born in Scotland in 1723 and moved to what would become the United States in 1768. Witherspoon is unique among signatories of the Declaration of Independence because he is the only active clergyman and the only college president to sign the document. Witherspoon later signed the Articles of Confederation and supported the ratification of the Constitution. Witherspoon came to New Jersey to become president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), which educated many notable figures from the era, including James Madison and Aaron Burr. All told, 12 members of the Continental Congress studied at the school while Witherspoon was president. The Presbyterian Witherspoon supported colonial independence for various reasons, and was especially opposed to the Crown’s attempt to appoint an American Anglican bishop, speaking out against British interference in colonial affairs in a sermon titled “The Dominion of Providence Over the Passions of Men” during a 1776 sermon. Like Hooper, Witherspoon was convinced independence was the path forward for the colonies.

• Roger Sherman: Born in Newton, Massachusetts, in 1721, Roger Sherman was a multitalented Founding Father who began to study law in the mid-1750s after working as an author, general store owner, and surveyor, among other jobs. By 1766, Sherman was so established in the legal profession that he was appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Connecticut. Though he initially expressed reservations regarding colonists’ resistance to the Crown, by 1774 he agreed to serve as a Connecticut delegate to the First Continental Congress. Sherman joined the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence in mid-1776, and later represented Connecticut on the drafting committee of the Articles of Confederation. Sherman also holds the unique distinction of being the only person to sign the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution.

Each month I want to provide you with regular updates about what’s going on in our nation’s capital and throughout the 4th District of Kansas. Here’s what happened in May.

Farm Bill Passage and Working Families Tax Cuts Act Victories In the 4th District and across Kansas, the Working Families Tax Cuts – championed by President Trump and Republicans in Congress – represent a historic investment in our farmers and ranchers that hasn’t been seen in at least a generation.

As an old farm kid myself who grew up on our family’s century farm in northeast Kansas, I understand the challenges our ag producers face each day, but Republicans in Congress are working to provide lasting solutions for these issues. Just like the weather here changes from day to day, so can the trade and economic climate, but I’ve championed long-term investments and policies that will be felt for generations in our rural communities.

By increasing reference prices by 10% to 20% and adding 30 million new base acres, we are providing a robust safety net that finally accounts for the rising costs of production. This legislation also makes crop insurance more affordable and modernizes livestock and dairy programs to ensure our producers are protected when disaster strikes.

We are also securing the future of the family farm by making the 2017 Trump Tax Cuts permanent. This vital step prevents the “Death Tax” from forcing families to sell their land and secures a permanent 20% Small Business Deduction for the vast majority of our farms. With doubled expensing limits and lower taxes on agricultural loans, we are making it easier for the next generation to carry on Kansas’ strong agricultural tradition.

Finally, the Working Families Tax Cuts puts rural America first by doubling our investment in trade programs and ag research to support export growth. Newly created Qualified Rural Opportunity Funds will support a massive wave of private investment in the American heartland, steering capital toward agriculture and water infrastructure, and incentivize on-shoring of manufacturing. We have instituted new protections for securing our domestic biofuels fuel markets from foreign adversaries to ensure Kansas producers remain competitive on the global stage.

The House passed further legislation to assist our farmers and ranchers in Kansas – the Farm, Food, and National Security Act – better known as simply the Farm Bill. This was a major win for Kansas ag producers, and the legislation now heads to the Senate. We made one final adjustment to this legislation by allowing year-round E15. This is a major win for Kansas farmers, ethanol producers, and American energy independence. Expanding access to E15 gives consumers more choices at the pump, helps lower fuel costs, and strengthens rural economies across Kansas and the nation.

After years of neglect, this administration is delivering the respect and resources our rural communities deserve and helping ensure a prosperous future for American agriculture.

Protecting Life In Title X

Federal dollars should protect innocent life, not fund its destruction, which is why I led a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urging him to reissue the Protect Life Rule in Title X. Congress authorized the Title X Family Planning Program in 1970 to provide mothers and families with health services, education and more. Congress then passed the Hyde Amendment to ensure that federal tax dollars would not fund abortions, including in Title X.

However, President Biden’s policies subsidized the abortion industry by mandating abortion referrals and co-located abortion services in Title X. Reissuing the Protect Life Rule, as I asked Secretary Kennedy to do, will ensure that taxpayers do not subsidize abortions in the Family Planning Program. The rule will put an end to the Biden-era policies that encouraged and promoted abortion in this program. I also led a letter on this rule in 2018.

Honoring a Kansas Legend: Connie Palacioz Kansas and the entire nation lost a legendary figure in our history with the passing of Connie Palacioz. At 101 years old, Connie was one of the last original “Rosie the Riveters” who helped transform Wichita into the Arsenal of Democracy during World War II.

As a teenager, she stepped up when her country needed her most, working on the B-29 assembly lines to build the planes that secured our freedom. Her service didn’t end in 1945, however – decades later, she spent more than 16 years volunteering to restore “Doc,” the very B-29 Superfortress she helped build during the war.

I was always moved by Connie’s unwavering devotion to our country, and her grit and “we can do it” attitude represented the very best of the Greatest Generation. While she will be deeply missed in the Newton and Wichita communities, her legacy as a trailblazer in the Air Capital of the World will continue to fly high every time “Doc” takes to the skies. Susan and I join all Kansans in keeping her family and friends in our prayers.

Connect with Me

Interested in receiving regular updates about what’s going on in Congress? Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter at estes. house.gov and please don’t hesitate to reach out to my District Office in Wichita at 316-262-8992 if you have questions, concerns or need help with a federal agency.

Ron Estes, one of only a handful of engineers in Congress, worked to improve systems and operations in the aerospace, energy and manufacturing sectors before representing Kansas’ 4th Congressional District beginning in 2017. He is a fifth-generation Kansan, former state treasurer, and serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means, Budget Committee and Joint Economic Committee. He is the chair of the Social Security Subcommittee and co-chair of the House Aerospace Caucus.

Immigrants. Not at any place in our history has our country lacked for immigrants. It is just human to desire to escape poverty and starvation.

As Oklahomans we have our own unique position in migration. We are all in one fashion or another tinted by the migration of many Oklahomans during the Great Depression. The Dust Bowl.

Have you ever read Timothy Egan’s “The Worst Hard Times”? I cannot recommend it enough. It is set in the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles but it is for all of us. No matter if our ancestors migrated or if they hunkered down praying to somehow survive.

Let me say I don’t believe the Oklahomans who left for California were in pursuit of great wealth. They were simply down on their luck farmers trying to survive. And yes, there were a few criminals among them. I first became interested in immigration when I heard my Mema Mac’s stories of her immigration from Kilmarnock, Scotland. Annie Gorman Wood was hardly 16 when she boarded a boat in Glasgow headed for New York City. Alone.

She entered the United States through Ellis Island, then boarded a train headed for St. Louis. Her brother was living across the river from St. Louis in Alton, Ill.

A couple of years later, she went to Huntington, Ark. to spend the summer with a cousin. She met a young store clerk, J.H. Mc-Bride. She fell in love and married him.

I loved her stories about the Highland Scots terrifying the invading Romans by removing their clothes, painting themselves blue and raced down the hillsides emitting a blood curdling scream. She enjoyed adding, “The Romans built a wall to keep the Scots away.”

My grandfather McBride would talk of his Grandparents immigration from Ireland. Most often the stories of signs in stores saying “No Irish need apply.”

Immigrants. We love to say, “We are a nation of immigrants.” That is largely true.

Since in 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue, the Americas have had immigrants. And earlier if the Americas were inhabited by humans whenever those Asians crossed that ice bridge to Alaska. It would be fun to build the case that we are all descendants of immigrants.

ICE. Immigration Customs Enforcement. I remember when the only meaningful ice in my life was in my glass. This ice was the catalyst for converting cold coke to fizz. Not exactly a miraculous chemical reaction but close enough when all you want is to view your backyard through some altered state. I guess me and my coke fizz are rather like a kid with a kaleidoscope. Do kids still play with kaleidoscopes?

The Greatest Generation was formed first by the Great Depression. They shared everything – meals, jobs, clothing. – Tom Brokaw

County Deeds

Listed as printed on the document filed with the Greenwood County Register of Deeds Office

2026-0539 - Warranty Deed - Ladonna M. Stapp to Scribner Enterprises, LLC. Block 1, Tuckers Addition, Eureka, S1/2 of tract: E1/2 of S1/2 less north 50’.

2026-0540 - Quit Claim Deed - Jarett L. Rayburn and Rochelle Rayburn to Jarett L. Rayburn and Rochelle Rayburn. Lots 3-4, Block 26, Town Addition, Hamilton.

2026-0541 - Warranty Deed - Priest Family Unlimited, LLC to Scott & Jamie Thomsen Revocable Trust. Section 36-23-12, NW1/4.

2026–0542 - Warranty Deed - Priest Family Unlimited, LLC to Scott & Jamie Thomsen Revocable Trust. Section 36-23-12, NW1/4.

2026-0545 - Conservator Deed - Dixie R. Huntington, by her co-conservators; Donelda R. Perkins, co-conservator and Mark A. Perkins, co-conservator to Donelda R. Perkins and Mark A. Perkins. Section 31-24-11, SW1/4 Section 11-26-10, N1/2NE1/4.

Criminal Court

GW2026CR12 - State of Kansas vs. Phillip John Gomez III, Sentencing hearing scheduled 9/24/26, 1 p.m.

GW2026CR46 - State of Kansas vs. Sam Anson Berner, Preliminary hearing scheduled 8/14/26, 1:30 p.m.

GW2026CR58 - State of Kansas vs. Steven Lee Vidrios, Plea entered, Violate protection order. Dismissed, Violate protection order. Journal entry of plea and sentence. Post disposition.

GW2026CR59 - State of Kansas vs. Jason Earl Haggard, Arraignment hearing scheduled 7/9/26, 9 a.m.

GW2026CR89 - State of Kansas vs. Simon D. Garza, Interference with LEO, obstruct/resist/oppose felony warrant service or execution, Order appointing counsel, Christopher David Baxter Ambrose. Preliminary hearing scheduled 7/17/26, 1:30 p.m.

GW2026CR90 - State of Kansas vs. Kala R. Chastain, Obstruction apprehension of prosecution, committed or charged with felony. Surety bond posted, $2,500. First appearance hearing scheduled 6/30/26, 1:30 p.m.

GW2026CR93 - State of Kansas vs. Connie Irene Cowen, Surety bond posted, $25,000. First appearance hearing scheduled 6/30/26, 1:30 p.m.

GW2026CR94 - State of Kansas vs. Sonya Demoss Harrison, Preliminary hearing scheduled 7/31/26, 1:30 p.m.

GW2026CR95 - State of Kansas vs. Bradley Scott Fischer, Jr., Theft of property or services, value less than $1,500.

GW2026CR96 - State of Kansas vs. Jason Tyrell McCoy, Driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol, third in 10 years, competent evidence of blood/ breath .08+; Vehicle liability insurance, knowingly drive uninsured vehicle; Transporting an open container. First appearance hearing scheduled 7/28/26, 1:30 p.m.

GW2026CR97 - State of Kansas vs. Andre Antonie Smith-Allegree, Distribute opiate, opium, narcotic, certain stimulant, 100 grams -<1 kilogram; Possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture/ plant/cultivate controlled substance; Taxation, drugs, no drug tax stamp for marijuana or controlled substance; Aggravated weapons violation by felon; Transporting an open container. Preliminary hearing scheduled 7/31/26, 1:30 p.m.

GW2026CR98 - State of Kansas vs. Marquita Anita Reed, Distribute opiate, opium, narcotic, certain stimulant, 100 grams -<1 kilogram; Possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture/plant/ cultivate controlled substance; Taxation, drugs, no drug tax stamp for marijuana or controlled substance; Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, x2; Vehicle liability insurance, liability coverage required; Defective headlamps on motor vehicle.

Limited Civil

GW2025LM105 - LVNV Funding LLC vs. John Blackwell, Debt collection. Journal entry of dismissal without prejudice. Case dismissed.

GW2025LM262 - Flyin’ 3 Veterinary Service, Inc. vs. Dustin Harber, Debt collection. Agreed order of dismissal without prejudice.

GW2026LM48 - Greenwood County Hospital vs. Gerald G. Morton, Debt collection. Order of dismissal without prejudice.

Case dismissed.

GW2026LM64 - U.S. Bank National Association vs. Joel L. Marshall, Debt collection. Hearing result for answer hearing on 5/28/26, failure to appear.

GW2026LM68 - LVNV Funding LLC vs. Kimberley K. Powell, Debt collection. Hearing result for answer hearing on 5/28/26, failure to appear.

GW2026LM112 - Greenwood County Hospital vs. Jennifer S. Dennis, Debt collection, $2,058.54 plus interest and other costs. Answer hearing scheduled 7/23/26, 1:30 p.m.

GW2026LM113 - Greenwood County Hospital vs. Dustin Harber, Debt collection, $396 plus interest and other costs. Answer hearing scheduled 7/23/26, 1:30 p.m.

GW2026LM114 - Greenwood County Hospital vs. Crystal Walls, Debt collection, $1,861.70 plus interest and other costs. Answer hearing scheduled 7/23/26, 1:30 p.m.

GW2026LM115 - Greenwood County Hospital vs. Michael Reaves, Debt collection, $1,488 plus interest and other costs. Answer hearing scheduled 7/23/26, 1:30 p.m.

GW2026LM116 - Greenwood County Hospital vs. Heather A. Harris, Debt collection, $712.97 plus interest and other costs. Answer hearing scheduled 7/23/26, 1:30 p.m.

GW2026LM117 - Greenwood County Hospital vs. Christina E. Tyler, Debt collection, $1,168.02 plus interest and other costs. Answer hearing scheduled 7/23/26, 1:30 p.m.

GW2026LM118 - Greenwood County Hospital vs. Jared Myers, Debt collection, $535.54 plus interest and other costs. Answer hearing scheduled 7/23/26, 1:30 p.m.

GW2026LM119 - Greenwood County Hospital vs. David L. Harris, Debt collection, $5,653 plus interest and other costs. Answer hearing scheduled 7/23/26, 1:30 p.m.

GW2026LM120 - Greenwood County Hospital vs. Ryan D. Musgrove and Shauna S. Musgrove, Debt collection, $535.96 plus interest and other costs. Answer hearing scheduled 7/23/26, 1:30 p.m.

GW2026LM121 - Greenwood County Hospital vs. Kimberly Holbrook, Debt collection, $608.21 plus interest and other costs. Answer hearing scheduled 7/23/26, 1:30 p.m.

Marriage License Applications

GW2026MA11 - Ericka Joanne Bumgardner and Troy Welch, Post judgment.

Probate Court

GW2026PR18 - In the Matter of the estate of Michael John Mehegan, Determination of descent. Petition for intestate probate. Hearing scheduled 7/16/26, 11 a.m.

Traffic Tickets

GW2026TR471 - Rafael Gaspar-Flores, Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license; Speeding, 79/65.

GW2026TR472 - Larry D. Rose, Speeding, 53/30.

GW2026TR473 - Ronald Shane Larue, Speeding, 75/65.

GW2026TR474 - Timothy G. Dimick, Speeding, 75/65.

GW2026TR475 - Rhonda Lynn Dickens, Speeding, 75/65.

GW2026TR476 - Erika Dawn Birk, Speeding, 81/65.

GW2026TR477 - Desirae Kay Ann Coonfield, Speeding, 84/65; Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license.

GW2026TR478 - Richard Decredico, Speeding, 87/60.

GW2026TR479 - Shalyn Bates, Speeding, 80/65.

GW2026TR480 - Tasha Shipp, Speeding, 82/65.

GW2026TR481 - Rihanna Janea McCoy, Speeding, 79/65.

GW2026TR482 - Orlando Alloyd Patton, Driving while suspended, first conviction.

GW2026TR483 - Kelly Ann Hunter, Speeding, 75/65.

GW2026TR484 - Cydney Jade Forshee, Speeding, 85/65.

The Kansas Legislature has approved Senate Bill 487, which establishes a new statewide offender registration fee. Under the law, individuals required to register as offenders will pay an additional $10 fee during each quarterly registration period.

The increase raises the total quarterly registration cost from $20 to $30 for offenders who register in the county where they live, work or attend school. The fee is mandated by state law and will be applied uniformly across Kansas.

Officials with the Greenwood County Sheriff's Office are encouraging affected individuals to prepare for the change and to contact the office if they have questions regarding the new fee requirements.

Registered offenders who live, work, or attend school within Greenwood County can contact the Greenwood County Sheriff's Office or Compliance Deputy Blake Fisher for additional information at 620-583-5568.

The new fee structure takes effect July 1 and will apply to all required quarterly registrations moving forward.

The following are eight games that can add to the excitement of any outdoor gathering.

1. Ladder toss: Also known as ladder golf, this game requires players to toss string-attached balls onto a ladder-shaped target. Points are awarded depending on which rung the ball lands on.

2. Kubb: Pronounced “KOOB,” this Swedish lawn game believed to have originated during the era of the Vikings and is best described as a blend of bowling and horseshoes. Two teams compete to knock over their opponents’ wooden blocks by throwing batons.

3. Cornhole: Many people have played cornhole, which involves tossing bean bags at the cornhole board, The objective is to get the bag into the hole or on the board to score points. The game can be played as singles or doubles. The first team to reach 21 points wins.

4. Spikeball™: Also called Roundnet, this twoon- two sport is played by hitting a ball off a net with the goal of preventing the opposing team from returning the ball within three touches.

5. Ring toss: This is another game that tests handeye coordination. Players take turns tossing the rings onto the target pegs. Each peg is worth a different number of points. The first player to reach the agreed-upon amount of points wins.

6. Connect four in a row: Giant versions of familiar tabletop games also are available for yard use. With this game, players need to get four chips in a row, either up and down or diagonal.

7. Kan Jam: Similar to cornhole or horseshoes, Kan Jam features two teams of two that alternate between throwing a frisbee and trying to deflect it. The goal is to get the frisbee into the can.

8. Rollers: Goals are placed 25 feet apart and then players roll wooden discs to try to get closest to the goal. Each side of the disc has a different number to determine the point value.

Backyard events can be enhanced with some game play. There are plenty of fun options for your next gathering.

The Madison City Council met for their regular meeting on May 20 at 7 p.m. with the approval of the agenda, May 4 meeting minutes and accounts payable. In Open Forum, resident Amanda James appeared before the council regarding her building permit application, presenting a signed approval form from two of her three neighbors. The council accepted the documentation. James also inquired about keeping chickens within city limits and was advised to follow existing city ordinances governing poultry.

Resident Bob Kimberlin raised questions regarding building regulations and development restrictions. Discussion centered on restrictive covenants, zoning, and building permits. City officials explained that certain restrictions originated with a development company rather than the city. Officials noted that Madison currently lacks zoning regulations and does not have an inspector available to enforce standard building code requirements.

Garry Sporing addressed the council regarding a high water bill received by Tonia Villareal. Sporing reported that approximately 19,000 gallons of water usage had been recorded during the summer of 2024, despite no leaks being found. He presented photographs of the water meter, questioning whether accurate readings had been taken.

After discussion, the council agreed to monitor the meter readings for 90 days and review the situation before determining whether any billing adjustments are warranted. Council members instructed staff to photograph the meter during future readings and advised the customer to continue paying the minimum amount due during the review period.

Bradley and Jennifer Cummings spoke with the council regarding complaints filed about conditions on their property. City Attorney Paul Dean reviewed photographs connected to the complaints. The council agreed to obtain updated photographs of the property before the matter proceeds to court.

Dominic Branstetter also addressed the council regarding code violation notices and an upcoming court appearance. He provided current registration documentation for vehicles located on his property and discussed concerns over repeated citations involving a blue truck. Branstetter also requested clarification regarding an old planter in his yard. The council indicated the planter would be acceptable as long as it contains flowers or plants and is moved farther from the street. Officials advised Branstetter to contact the prosecutor regarding his June 5 court appearance.

Deputy Clerk Amie May presented daily log sheets requested by the council and provided information regarding a reimbursement request from former resident Pam Stubbs involving an extra trash polycart. The council indicated the matter would be discussed further when Stubbs appears before the council.

The council also approved a fireworks permit for Chubby’s Foods and signed a building permit for a chicken coop at 717 S. 4th Street.

City Clerk Alice Grimm discussed the deteriorated house at 419 N. 6th Street, noting asbestos concerns and recommending demolition if cost-sharing arrangements can be reached with the other property owner involved. The council agreed to proceed under those conditions.

Grimm also requested authorization to have Megawatt Electric inspect city wiring. The council approved the request.

The council reviewed a proposal from Mayer for work along Main Street and Sherman Street. After discussion, the council approved the project at a cost of $17,986.

Councilman Tony Fankhauser reported progress on several public works projects. Concrete work at a drainage ditch is nearing completion and will soon be ready for unbound gravel installation. He also reported that electrical upgrades have been completed in preparation for Madison Days festivities.

At Madison City Lake, officials addressed concerns from the campground host regarding recurring washouts. Fankhauser said repairs have already been made twice and additional gravel will be added as needed. It was also reported that new docks have been completed and are receiving positive feedback. The council requested the Freund Plumbing install newly purchased toilets and inspect restroom systems to ensure proper operation.

The council also discussed mowing responsibilities around town.

The council entered executive session three separate times to conduct employee performance reviews under Kansas Open Meetings Act provisions concerning non-elected personnel. The sessions lasted a total of 25 minutes. No action was taken following any of the executive sessions.

Fankhauser reported that city officials recently met with the grant consultant, who informed them that Madison qualifies as a disadvantaged community. As a result, grant applications are moving forward for transmission line improvements and wastewater infrastructure projects. Officials also discussed the possibility of including water plant improvements within future grant requests.

Grimm noted that hiring a professional grant writer may improve the city’s chances of securing funding, as many grant applications are initially denied.

The next meeting of the Madison City Council will be held on June 15 at 7 p.m.