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Click here for the link to our page listing information about July 4th events across Linn County

Chance T-storms

Saturday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. East southeast wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 69. East wind 6 to 9 mph becoming south after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Link to the National Weather Service radar.

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Inside the Journal
Page 1 – Top news stories, weather
Page 2 – Features, Obituaries, State news, Public
Notices
Page 3 – Community & Library Calendars
Page 4 – Recent Local News
Page 5 – Local News Archive

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Prairie View board votes to hire new superintendent

Joseph Hornback takes over the reins as superintendent of Prairie View USD 362 following school board action on Tuesday, June 16. (Photo by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com LA CYGNE – Joseph Hornback has been named the new superintendent of Prairie View USD 362. Following a two-hour-plus closed door session on personnel matters, the board voted on Hornback’s new post just before adjourning its meeting on Tuesday, June

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

Linn Valley police arrest second man in sexual assault case

Two Linn Valley men are being held in the Linn County jail after being charged in an ongoing investigation by Linn Valley Police into allegations of sexual assault of a child. (Journal file phono) Journal staff report LINN VALLEY – The Linn Valley Police Department has announced the arrest of two Linn Valley men following allegations sexual assault of a child. Officers took Colin Wilson, 21, into custody on Saturday, June 13, for alleged aggravated indecent liberties with a c

Journal Staff Report

Commission wrestles with employee insurance costs

By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@icloud.com MOUND CITY – The Linn County Commissioners made the decision to stay with Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), the county’s current health insurance company, on Monday, June 15. The decision came after much discussion and a presentation from Jen Elliott, vice president of Employee Benefits at USI One Consulting on June 8. In staying with BCBS, commissioners will be asking county employees to absorb a portion of the increase in co

Charlene Sims, Journal co-publisher

Commission hesitant to approve tax break for tornado victims

Sugar Valley resident Michael Evans loads what is left of his home into a dumpster following the April 13 tornado that left he and his wife Michelle temporarily homeless but suffering only from minor cuts and bruises. The couple filed an application for tax relief, which was granted by the Linn County Commission, but only after discussion about what would happen if the disaster was more widespread. (Photo by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) By Charlene Sims, Journal staff...

Charlene Sims, Journal co-publisher

2024 SEPTEMBER 400 x 400 Linn County Journal.jpg

• Craig Alan Wood

• Janice Geyer

• Brent Alan Croan

• Sharion Gillespie

•Adam Lee Johnston

• Steven Edwin Lindsey

• Ronald Owen Wright

For recent local news, go to
page 4
by clicking here.

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Pleasanton council passes resolution to begin bond issue on water plant roof

Max McLiney, Pleasanton's financial advisor, passes out copies of a schedule of the bond process to members of the city council. (Photo by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com PLEASANTON – After voting to hire a contractor to replace the roof of the water plant building and clarification system at the June 1 meeting, the Pleasanton City Council on Monday, June 15, voted unanimously to pass a resolution on financing the $2

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

Pleasanton pool to open Wednesday, council votes to pay lifeguards for work prior to opening

Students from last year's summer program try their hands at making cardboard boats at the Pleasanton municipal swimming pool last year. (Photo by Sarah Conley / Special to the Journal) By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com PLEASANTON – The Pleasanton municipal swimming pool will open on Wednesday, June 17. That was the message that pool manager Morgan Wills delivered to the Pleasanton City Council at its meeting on Monday, June 15. Originally slated to ope

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

Health department director outlines summer activities

From biometric screenings to mobile mammogram appointments to a diabetes prevention program, the Linn County Health Department staff ha a full lineup of activities this summer. (Journal file photo) By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@icloud.com MOUND CITY – Amanda Snyder, Linn County Health Department Director, gave a report to the Linn County Commissioners on Monday, June 8, describing upcoming events and people served in May. Snyder said the health department would be

Charlene Sims, Journal staff

Historical society head lists park's improvements, programs, plans for the future

Dressed in period clothing, Mound City Historical Society volunteer Kerry Morrell leads a group of Prairie View Middle School students from Montgomery's Cabin at the society's park down to the Little Sugar Creek last October. Students wearing blindfolds were meant to simulate escaped slaves on the Underground Railroad making the walk in darkness. Historically, escapees waded through the creek to throw off any search dogs that might be following them. (Photos by Roger Sims / L

Charlene Sims, Journal staff

Mound City officials hoping to curb vandalism with cameras

This image on Facebook of a damaged fixture at the Mound City splash park sparked more than 400 comments on the site. City officials believe that it was caused by vandalism and have purchased cameras to try to deter further incidents. (City of Mound City Kansas Facebook) By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal.com MOUND CITY – Mound City officials are going on the defensive after an apparent act of vandalism shut down the city’s splash park until repairs can be made. A

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

City Events

Blue Mound

• July 4, Activities begin with softball and 8 a.m. and continue until dark.Click here to go the flyer about the event.

La Cygne

• La Cygne Blast in the Park, July 11, 6 to 9 p.m. Click here to go to the flyer about the event.

Linn Valley

• July 4th events begin at 9 a.m. and continue throughout the day. Click here to see the schedule.

•Farmers Market, Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon

Mound City

• Colonial Day, June 27, Mound City Historical Park, see ad on this page.

Parker

• Music in the Park, 6 p.m., June 27, Heritage Park

Pleasanton

• Stars & Stripes celebration, see flyer on this page, June 27

Click on this ad to go to the Facebook page for more details.

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Matters of Faith by Dr. Bascom Ratliff
For more Matters of Faith columns, follow this link.

Country Notebook by Rogene 'Jeannie' McPherson
For Country Notebook articles follow this link.

What bugs me . . . No.2

These musk thistles were growing in a field in northern Linn County. (Photo by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) Country Notebook By Rogene "Jeannie" McPherson Journal columnist Today was one of those days. I had an entire agenda mapped out including an exercise class then Bible study, and home before noon. I began yardwork including mowing. At 4 p.m., I showered to wash off any chemicals that missed the lawn and landed on me. My late afternoon plan is often to take a little

Rogene "Jeannie" McPherson, Country Notebook

Opinion: La Cygne police chief looks back at past two years

Officer John Marino, from left, Police Chief Zachary Mathies, and Officer Kurtis West have been the mainstays of the La Cygne Police Department over the past two years. (Submitted photo) By Zachary Mathies Special to the Journal To the La Cygne Community, Over the past two years, your police department has worked diligently to strengthen and modernize public safety services while remaining committed to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and professional policing. One of ou

Opinion

Opinion: Enacting term limits could stifle growing congressional tenures, especially in Kansas

The U.S. Capitol building stands in Washington, D.C., amid fog on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom) By Eric Thomas Kansas Reflector opinion Last week, my column aimed to answer, “How unusual is it that one party would dominate the US Senate on behalf of a state?” (Here’s the upshot: the Republican streak in electing US senators in Kansas has been nearly unbelievable.) While wading through the data needed to answer that question, I grew curiou

Eric Thomas, Kansas Reflector

Opinion: Who is pushing the constitutional amendment to change Kansas Supreme Court judicial selection?

The Kansas Supreme Court building includes both a statue of justice and an inspiring motto. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector) By Amii Castle Kansas Reflector opinion On Aug. 4, Kansans will again vote on another proposed state constitutional amendment. This time, we will vote whether to change the way in which we select our Kansas Supreme Court justices — changing from a nonpartisan, merit-based process to a popular election, one that could include the usual campaigns, yard si

Kansas Reflector opinion

More Local News

More residents complain about bare-ground spray along roads

The application of a bare-ground herbicide around culverts and intersections alongside paved county roads left areas like this in 2025. The county's noxious weed director said his department is following a different tactic this year. (Journal file photo) By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@icloud.com MOUND CITY – Several residents from the Blue Mound area talked with the Linn County commissioners on Monday, June 8, about their concerns with the aesthetics and erosion is

Charlene Sims, Journal staff

La Cygne duplex owner given 30 days to determine cost to make structure safe for habitation

The La Cygne City Council has given the owner of this duplex 30 days to determine the cost for repairs and corrections to the structure. If that cost is more than 50% of the fair market value of the duplex, the council could decide to have it moved or demolished. (Journal file photo) By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com LA CYGNE – The La Cygne City Council voted to give the owner of the duplex in the north-eastern part of the city 30 days to get an assess

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

Lauber Municipal Law adds additional city to list of clients

Jeffery Deane and Lindsey Kolisch are representatives of Lauber Municipal Law, a firm that has built its business on representing small to medium size cities in Kansas and Missouri. The firm recently added the city of Pleasanton as a client. (Journal file photo) By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com PLEASANTON – Lauber Municipal Law has made significant inroads into representing Linn County municipalities over the last few months. With Missouri offices in

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

For recent local news, go to
page 4 by clicking here.

State, Regional & National News

An AI data center project for western Kansas might use less water than irrigation farming

A center pivot sprinkler pumping water on crops in southwest Kansas. (Photo by Calen Moore / Kansas News Service) Massive data centers powering artificial intelligence have sprouted across the country in recent years, drawing opposition for their water consumption. But in rural Kansas, boosters of one project argue that it could represent a huge savings in water use compared to irrigated farming. By Calen Moore Kansas News Service / High Plains Public Radio FINNEY COUNTY, Kan

Kansas News Service

Sen. Roger Marshall points finger at Biden amid confirmation of screwworm in U.S. cattle

U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, contends former Democratic President Joe Biden should have done more to interrupt spread of screwworm from Mexico into the southern United States. Marshall praises President Donald Trump's effort to contain the confirmed presence of screwworm in Texas and New Mexico. (Photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector) By Tim Carpenter Kansas Reflector TOPEKA — U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas responded to screwworm infestation of livestock by blami

Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector

Kansas political battles await after 5 Republicans decline to seek reelection to Board of Education

Michelle Dombrosky of Olathe and Jim Porter of Fredonia are among five Republicans on the Kansas Board of Education choosing not to seek reelection in 2026. Fourteen candidates will compete in the August primary election for GOP and Democratic nominations leading to the November general election. This is an image from a July 8, 2025, state board meeting in Topeka. (Photo by Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector) By Tim Carpenter Kansas Reflector TOPEKA — In an extraordinary turn of

Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector

Overland Park mayor makes late entry into Kansas governor’s race, challenging Democratic senators

Overland Park Mayor Curt Skoog and Fredonia physician Jennifer Bacani McKenney talk to reporters June 1, 2026, at the Secretary of State’s Office in Topeka after filing as candidates for the Democratic primary for governor. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA — Overland Park Mayor Curt Skoog made a late entry into the governor’s race Monday, launching his campaign for the Democratic nomination just three hours ahead of the noon filing deadline. Skoog, who chose F

Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector

More local news

Local student makes dean's list at University of Arkansas

Press release FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Lake Ryan of LaCygne has been named to the University of Arkansas Dean's List for the 2026 spring semester. Ryan joins a distinguished group of students recognized for outstanding academic achievement by earning a grade-point average of 3.75-3.99 during the semester while completing at least 12 credit hours required for graduation. School of Law students are named to the Law School Dean's List by earning a 3.0 grade-point average or higher f

Press release

Local students named to Emporia State honor roll

News release EMPORIA – Nearly 700 Emporia State undergraduates were named to the university honor roll for spring 2026. To qualify for the university honor roll, students earned a minimum 3.80 semester grade point average in at least 12 graded hours. Area students on the honor roll and their majors are: Darci Haupt of La Cygne, Kansas, Elementary Education Qi Ballinger of Pleasanton, Kansas, Language Literary Studies & Writing Eryn Sabine of Pleasanton, Kansas, Pre-nursing Ka

Press release

Honor Flight 2026 brings veterans to Washington, D.C.

A group of area veterans along with guardians and sponsors from Prairie View and, for the first time this year, Jayhawk-Linn high schools traveled to Washington, D.C., with the Honor Flight program. Leaving in the early hours on Wednesday, June 3, and returning late Thursday, June 4, the group had two non-stop days of touring the memorials, and attending ceremonies and events. On their arrival at Kansas City International Airport on Thursday, they were greeted with a crowd of

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

For recent local news, go to page 4 by clicking here.

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Linn County Journal

Saturday, June 20, 2026

Click here for the link to our page listing information about July 4th events across Linn County

Chance T-storms

Link to the National Weather Service radar.

Want to get the Linn County Journal's free email newsletters? Enter your email below and then click on 'Subscribe.' Be sure to put 'info@linncountyjournal.com' in your contacts so you don't miss a message.

Top Stories

Prairie View board votes to hire new superintendent

Linn Valley police arrest second man in sexual assault case

Commission wrestles with employee insurance costs

Commission hesitant to approve tax break for tornado victims

For recent local news, go to page 4 by clicking here.

Pleasanton council passes resolution to begin bond issue on water plant roof

Pleasanton pool to open Wednesday, council votes to pay lifeguards for work prior to opening

Health department director outlines summer activities

Historical society head lists park's improvements, programs, plans for the future

Mound City officials hoping to curb vandalism with cameras

City Events

Blue Mound

• July 4, Activities begin with softball and 8 a.m. and continue until dark.Click here to go the flyer about the event.

​

La Cygne

Linn Valley

Mound City

• Colonial Day, June 27, Mound City Historical Park, see ad on this page.

​

Parker

Pleasanton

Click on this ad to go to the Facebook page for more details.

Matters of Faith by Dr. Bascom Ratliff For more Matters of Faith columns, follow this link.

Country Notebook by Rogene 'Jeannie' McPherson For Country Notebook articles follow this link.

What bugs me . . . No.2

Opinion: La Cygne police chief looks back at past two years

Opinion: Enacting term limits could stifle growing congressional tenures, especially in Kansas

Opinion: Who is pushing the constitutional amendment to change Kansas Supreme Court judicial selection?

More Local News

More residents complain about bare-ground spray along roads

La Cygne duplex owner given 30 days to determine cost to make structure safe for habitation

Lauber Municipal Law adds additional city to list of clients

For recent local news, go to page 4 by clicking here.

State, Regional & National News

An AI data center project for western Kansas might use less water than irrigation farming

Sen. Roger Marshall points finger at Biden amid confirmation of screwworm in U.S. cattle

Kansas political battles await after 5 Republicans decline to seek reelection to Board of Education

Overland Park mayor makes late entry into Kansas governor’s race, challenging Democratic senators

More local news

Local student makes dean's list at University of Arkansas

Local students named to Emporia State honor roll

Honor Flight 2026 brings veterans to Washington, D.C.

For recent local news, go to page 4 by clicking here.

Back to Top

Phone: 913-259-2546
Email: linncountyjournal@icloud.com

For recent local news, go to
page 4
by clicking here.

Matters of Faith by Dr. Bascom Ratliff
For more Matters of Faith columns, follow this link.

Country Notebook by Rogene 'Jeannie' McPherson
For Country Notebook articles follow this link.

For recent local news, go to
page 4 by clicking here.