State Rep. Rick James on Monday, July 20, reminded members of the Linn County Commission that the county residents counted on them to attend meetings. (Journal file photo) By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@icloud.com MOUND CITY – State Rep. Rick James, the Republican representative from District 4, spoke with Linn County Commissioners Alison Hamilton and Jim Johnson on Monday, July 20. Commissioner Jason Hightower was not present. James said one of the topics he wante

A comment by the chair of the Linn County Commission indicates that a lawsuit has been filed against the county by a solar energy developer. (Journal file photo) By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@lcloud.com MOUND CITY – A representative from a solar energy project across the state line in Missouri met with the Linn County Commission on Monday, July 13, about a proposed transmission line going from the solar project to a substation adjacent to the La Cygne Generating S

Don Coover campaigns during an event in Neosho County last fall. Coover, who is running for the District 2 seat in the U.S. House, will be at the Linn County Democratic Party picnic on Sunday. (Don Coover for Kansas Facebook) Journal staff report PLEASANTON – The Linn County Democratic Party will be hosting its summer picnic on Sunday, July 19, beginning at 3 p.m. at the Pleasanton Community Center. This picnic will be indoors so as to avoid the 95 degree afternoon heat. The

At dusk, fireworks light up the sky over La Cygne Community Park in a grand finale of the 2026 La Cygne Blast in the Park. (Photos by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com Saturday evening’s Blast in the Park at the La Cygne Community Park was an evening celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, only this time on July 11 instead of July 4. But all the trappings of an Independence

The start of one heat of the wiener dog races demonstrates how chaotic they can be. (Photo by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com For the past five years, La Cygne Mayor Debra Wilson and her husband Emil have sponsored the contest that pits dog against dog in a contest of speed, and as it tu

By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@icloud.com MOUND CITY – Linn County Commissioners Alison Hamilton and Jim Johnson vote to hire two new department heads, a fire chief and a public works administrator on Monday, July 13. Commissioner Jason Hightower was not at the meeting. The commissioners approved going into an employee agreement with Shaun Tuggle for the position of Linn County Fire Chief. The full-time position will start on or around August 10, 2026 at the annual

A professional fireworks display is set to begin at around 9 p.m. at the Blast in the Park on Saturday. (Journal file photos) Journal staff report The third weekend of Independence Day celebrations begins on Saturday evening, July 11, as the city of La Cygne sponsors the Blast in the Park at La Cygne Community Park. The event opens at 6 p.m. with a host of actiivites for the family, food trucks, vendors and live music by one of the Kansas City area's top bands. Bo and the Bea

(Warning: this video is noisy. Consider turning down your volume before playing.) The La Cygne Public Works Department ran a machine called the Asphalt Zipper to crush a deteriorating roadbed on Fifth Street in a demonstration. After the surface is chopped up, it is stabilized with concrete or an admixture, rolled and then topped with cold patch asphalt mix until a more stable road surface is applied. (Video by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) By Roger Sims, Journal staff...

Members of the American Legion were the grand marshals of the Blue Mound July 4th parade. District Adjutant Marri Krupco called area posts and invited them to join members of the Blue Mound-based Mooney-Long Post No. 279. Joining them was members of the Commanders, the newly formed Linn County American Legion baseball team. Click on arrows for slide show, and click on photos for full-size image. (Photo by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) By Roger Sims, Journal staff...

Visitors roam around the Mound City Historical Park on Friday, July 3, during the 'Colonial Days: Live Like it's 1776' event sponsored by the Mound City Historical Society and the Mound City Library. (Photos by Billy Roudybush / Linn County Journal) By Billy Roudybush Journal contributor On Friday July 3rd, the Mound City Library and the Mound City Historical Society worked together to bring a celebration to Mound City for the nation’s 250th birthday. Brittany Simpson, librar

MOUND CITY – No Linn County Commission was held on Monday, July 6, due to lack of a quorum. Commissioners Alison Hamilton and Jason Hightower were unable to attend the meeting, The next commission meeting will be held Monday, July 13, at 9 a.m.

Linn County government department heads are in the process of lining out their budget requests for 2027. The county commission also with the county clerk discussed what the commission wants to see in those requests. (Wix file photo) By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@icloud.com MOUND CITY – On Monday, June 29, the Linn County Commissioners approved signing the letter of intent to exceed the revenue neutral rate. This letter, which is given to the county clerk to forwa

Work is expected to be underway quickly on this duplex on North Seventh Street Court in northeastern La Cygne. Fire damage to the structure in April opened up a host of safety issues with the house. (Journal file photo) By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal.com LA CYGNE – At the La Cygne City Council meeting on Wednesday, July 1, Tony Lenci, a fire restoration contractor with Kansas City, Mo.-based Hazpro, and Andrea Kincaid, who represents the property owner Casey K

Colonial Day at the Mound City Historical Park and the Mound City Library will feature three musical performers. (Photo by John Timothy / Upsplash) Journal staff report Organizers of “Colonial Day: Live Like It’s 1776” on Friday, July 3, are offering a step back in time to the founding of our country in honor of its 250th birthday. Sponsored by the Mound City Historical Society and the Mound City Library, the morning and early afternoon event will provide live music that hark

Linn Valley's Independence Day parade is the longest parade in the county with as many as 100 decorated golf carts and UTVs participating. (Journal file photo) Journal staff report Linn Valley’s Fourth of July celebration, a three-day affair, is expected to live up to what is now tradition: a spectacular fireworks show off the Main Lake dam, a long parade featuring decorated golf carts and other vehicles, and a boat parade on the lake. The population swells up to five times

Last year's Blue Mound July 4th parade was soggy but given the hot and dry days leading up to it, no one really minded. This year rain is unlikely but sunny, hot weather is expected. (Journal file photo) Journal staff report Blue Mound’s Independence Day celebration is always one of the best summer events in the county, and this year organizers have plans for the 250th birthday of our country to be no exception. It is a daylong event, and this year organizers are very mindfu

Beau Jackson carefully turns the frequency dial on this ham radio setup and writes down places he contacts during the Mine Creek Radio Club field day on Saturday, He was manning the station with his father and grandfather. (Photos by Billy Roudybush / Linn County Journal) By Billy Roudybush Journal contributor A local group of ham radio operators came together on Saturday, June 27, at the rest stop at U.S. Highway 69 and Kansas Highway 52 near Trading Post to practice contact

Wearing an "Est. 1776" t-shirt and a patriotic heart with angel wings in memory of her grandmother, Jaycee Henry is ready for Pleasanton's Stars and Stripes celebration. (Photos by Billy Roudybush / Linn County Journal) By Bill Roudybush Journal contributor Linn County residents began their celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States with the Stars and Stripes celebration in Pleasanton on Saturday June 27. Organizers and volunteers packed plenty of activities into

The cost to publish a resolution on the method of selling industrial park lots plus the cost to appraise those lots will exceed $6,000, not including attorney fees for writing the resolution and contacting appraisers for a bid on the project. (Journal file photo) By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@icloud.com MOUND CITY – At the Linn County Commission meeting on Monday, June 22, Public Works Administrator Jesse Walton presented an invoice for $2,770 from the Linn County

By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@icloud.com MOUND CITY - Linn County Treasurer Joannie Reed met with Linn County Commissioners Alison Hamilton and Jim Johnson on Monday, June 22, to tell them that her office was planning to hire a company to mail out the tax statements rather than have the treasurer's office handle do the mailing. Commissioner Jason Hightower was not present at the meeting. “I hope it’s going to be best for the county,” Reed said. “It’s going to sav

Press release TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – Collin Thomas of Mound City has received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alabama. UA awarded some 7,000 degrees during its spring commencement ceremonies. A recent economic analysis found that a degree from The University of Alabama has proven to provide an abundant return on investment for graduates, setting the stage for legendary careers while also creating priceless experiences and memories. The un

Pleasanton will host the 250th anniversary Stars and Stripes event on Saturday, June 27. The event will include an afternoon parade and an evening fireworks display. (Photo by Billy Roudybush / Journal contributor) Journal staff report The city of Pleasanton kicks off the 250th anniversary celebration of the Fourth of July in Linn County on Saturday afternoon, June 27. The celebration includes a free day at the city’s swimming pool, a parade, vendors, games, a street dance an