The Kansas Department of Transportation has closed the Kansas Highway 7 bridge over Mill Creek in Bourbon County until further notice following buckling of the pavement there. (Map by KDOT) Kansas Department of Transportation press release The K-7 bridge over Mill Creek in Bourbon County is closed for emergency repairs, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation. KDOT closed the bridge on May 9, prompting the closure to through traffic of K-7 between U.S. 54 and K-3

Republican gubernatorial candidate Philip Sarnecki, who wants the Kansas Legislature to convene in special session to address rising property taxes, chats with former U.S. Rep. Kevin Yoder during a Jan. 30, 2026, GOP candidate forum in Wichita. (Photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector) By Tim Carpenter Kansas Reflector TOPEKA — Kansas governor candidate Philip Sarnecki wants fellow Republicans to call a special session of the Legislature to address the state’s property tax cr

Rural Parker resident Tom Kemper addresses the Linn County Commission on Monday, May 4, about possible corrections that would improve the county's ISO rating. (Linn County Kansas Livestream) By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@icloud.com MOUND CITY – The Linn County Commissioners decided to revisit having a fire board after hearing a presentation from Parker resident Tom Kemper about the Insurance Services Office (ISO) report on Monday, May 4. At the end of the presenta

Not satisfied with a proposed resolution aimed at harboring vicious dogs, the Linn County Commission placed a moratorium on the existing resolution that addresses the issue. (Wix file photo) By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@icloud.com MOUND CITY – Four months after a pack of dogs allegedly attacked and killed a 13-year-old boy at the Holiday Lakes development, the LInn County Commission has made no headway in passing a resolution aimed at controlling vicious dogs out

The Linn County Journal sent out this tornado watch notice on its mass email network on April 13 before the storm began rotating over Blue Mound. As soon as the National Weather Service noted rotation and issued a tornado warning, the Journal issued an email warning. The following is the transcript of testimony by Linn County Journal publisher Roger Sims at the May 4 Linn County Commission meeting: "During (the April 27) commission meeting, there was considerable discussion a

Jayhawk school district school board members are expected to pass out 43 diplomas to graduating seniors at the class of 2026 commencement exercise on Saturday, May 9. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. in the school gym, and again the audience is expected to fill the bleachers. This year a whopping 21% of the seniors will, among other honors, have been named class valedictorians. The list of top students includes Brinlyn Bogan, Brelyn Bogan, Breahnna Dawson, Clay Nichols, Adeline

Pleasanton City Council member Sandy Haynes, center, explains her position on a vote at the city council meeting on Monday, May 4. City Attorney Jacklyn Paletta, left, resigned her post effective immediately after the council failed to vote on her reappointment by Mayor Mathew Young. (Photo by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com PLEASANTON – It was a Monday night "massacre" Pleasanton-style earlier this week. The Pleasan

Pleasanton school district officials will grant diplomas to 34 seniors during a commencement ceremony at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 9. The graduates will include five students from the district's Virtual School, a program newly initiated this year. A baccalaureate service is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6. Earlier that day, the PHS awards assembly will take place at 9 a.m. Here are the seniors who are receiving diplomas (* indicates a Pleasanton Virtual School student)

Darcy Wilson and David Lamb, former Linn County Clerk's office officials at a county commission meeting in 2025. The county commission on April 27 approved a request by current Clerk Chasity Ware to hire Lamb to help her with the 2027 budget. Wilson now works in the Miami County Clerk's office. (Photo by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@iclould.com MOUND CITY – On a 2-to-1 vote taken on April 27, the Linn County Commission hired form

"A Beautiful Place," a documentary by Sue Vicory, will have its area premiere in early June. News release / Journal staff report A feature documentary by Mound City-based filmmaker Sue Vicory, “A Beautiful Place,” will have its Kansas City premiere on June 5th and 6th at the TWA museum, at 10 NW Richards Rd. Kansas City, Mo. The filmmaking crew on the project also includes work by two Linn County residents: videography Taylor Snyder and screenwriting by Angela Holt. The film

Volunteers work to cut to clear a path on the Mine Creek Battlefield site south of Pleasanton that had been blocked by trees knocked down by the April 13 tornado. Damage to the trees in the timber was extensive. (Photos by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) PLEASANTON – A dozen men armed with chainsaws literally hacked their way into the timber at the Mine Creek Battlefield site on Saturday, April 25. The regular “Park Day” event that draws volunteers to spruce up the site too

The yellow line marks the approximate path of the tornado that touched down southwest of Parker on Sunday, April 26. The storm travel from the lower left up to the upper right. Journal staff report PLEASANT HILL, Mo. – The National Weather Service has deemed the tornado that touched down southwest of Parker on Sunday afternoon, April 26, was an EF-0 that had winds up to 80 mph. The tornado occurred about 4:38 p.m. and lasted about seven minutes until 4:45 p.m., traveling near

Linda Simons and Brian Shroyer were at the Linn County Commission meeting on Monday, April 27, to express interest in being appointed to interim heads of their departments. Simons will take over as head of the Emergency Management Department and Shroyer will be interim county fire chief. (Screen capture / Linn County Kansas Livestream) Editor's note: In the original version of this story, Linda Simons' new salary was reported in correctly. We regret the error. By Charlene Sim

Jayhawk freshman Ryland Summers performs a trumpet solo at Saturday's Honor Flight fundraising event. (Photo by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com MOUND CITY – Community members and businesses from the area have quickly responded to a request for donations to help send a Prescott veteran, his “guardian,” and a sponsor on an Honor Flight slated for June this year. As a result of that outpouring of support, Jayhawk-Linn H

The Parker Rural High School class of 1966 members attending the reunion included, front row from left, Marylin Traul Chambers, Anna Gorrell Hansen, Charleta Dumcum Ungeheuer, Dillard Ungeheuer; back row, Bill Folsom, Doug McCarty and David Hodgson. (Photos by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com The Parker Rural High School alumni gathered for their annual reunion on Saturday, April 25. This year saw a change of venue, m

Linn County voters will have the opportunity to decide whether establishments that sell liquor by the drink will need to continue to meet the current requirement of 30% food in gross sales. (Wix file photo) By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@icloud.com MOUND CITY – The primary election ballot on Aug. 4 will include a question for Linn County voters about a change to serving liquor by the drink. Currently, the law requires establishments in Linn County that serve liquor

Linn County Fire Chief Randy Hegwald in an unexpected move resigned on Thursday from his posts as chief firefighter and emergency management director. (Photo by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com PLEASANTON – Linn County Fire Chief Randy Hegwald on Thursday, April 23, submitted his resignation in an email to Linn County Commissioners, sending a copy to fire officials, firefighters, and “leadership personnel” across the

By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@icloud.com MOUND CITY – On Monday, April 20, the Linn County Commissioners turned down a rezoning request that had been approved twice by the county’s planning commission and had to be postponed twice for final approval by the commission due to staff error and staff rearranging the planning commission’s schedule. The vote for the denial of the rezoning was 2 to 1 with Commissioner Jason Hightower voting against denying the application

Prairie View girls play in a powder-puff touch football game as a part of homecoming activities in the fall. State school activity officials voted this week to make girls flag football a sanctioned sport. (Journal file photo) Press release TOPEKA – The Kansas State High School Activities Association Board of Directors voted Thursday to add girls flag football as an official KSHSAA-sanctioned activity, starting in the 2026-27 school year. Kansas is now the 18th state to sancti

Randy Hegwald, Linn County Rural Fire Department chief, disclosed results of an ISO report at the county commission meeting on Monday, April 20. (Linn County Rural Fire Department Facebook) By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@icloud.com MOUND CITY – In the wake of request the previous week by a former firefighter for updated information on the ISO rating for the Linn County's rural fire department, Commissioner Jim Johnson asked county fire chief to explain the new repo

In the aftermath of a tornado sweeping across southern Linn County on April 13, residents in at least three cities asked why storm sirens didn't given them a warning. (Photo by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@icloud.com MOUND CITY – City officials in Prescott, Linn Valley and La Cygne received blowback after storm warning sirens in those communities did not go off during the thunderstorms on April 13 that spawned not one but two to

Taylor Panczer has been named director of Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas' Infectious Disease Program. (Submitted photo) Press release PITTSBURG, Kan.—The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) is pleased to announce the promotion of Taylor Panczer to Infectious Disease Program Director. Panczer holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Community Hea

The north side of this duplex at 825 N. Seventh St. Court in La Cygne will face a condemnation hearing in May. By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com LA CYGNE – A fire in the attic of a residence on Tuesday, April 14, has led to the residents of a duplex 825 N. Seventh St. Court in La Cygne banned from returning to their homes until the structure is made safe – not from fire damage but from safety issues resulting from construction work being done on the b

Kevin Boles and Aubrey Mayhugh pose for photos in front of the balloon-festooned backdrop during the Jayhawk-Linn prom walk-in on Saturday, April 18. (Photos by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal.com It was almost standing room only on Saturday evening, April 18, as family members, friends and those who just wanted to enjoy the pagentry, packed the Jayhawk Elementary School gym bleachers to get a good look or photograph of Jayhawk

(From Material Girls Facebook page) By Meribeth Kehl, secretary Material Girls met at the F&M Bank Community Center in Mound City on Thursday, April 16, with 17 members and six visitors attending. Three of the visitors joined: Shelley Cochran, Polly Meigs and PepperTulenko. Total membership now stands at 26. President Denise Jurgens gave name tags she had made to previous members. New members will be given tags next month. Those making blocks for the patriotic raffle quilt we

The Linn County Commission approved listing lots in both the Pleasanton and La Cygne industrial parks at the appraised price. (Journal file photo) By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@icloud.com MOUND CITY – In answer to a request by La Cygne Police Chief/Planning and Zoning Director Zachary Mathies the prior week, Linn County Commissioners Alison Hamilton and Jim Johnson on Monday, April 13, approved and signed a resolution that allows the county to sell property in th

Fire engines sit outside the headquarters for Linn County Fire District No. 1 in Pleasanton. A county resident has requested recent results of an Insurance Services Office inspection. (Journal file photo) By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@icloud.com MOUND CITY – The Linn County Commission has not authorized the release of the most recent ISO rating for the fire stations included in Linn County Fire District No. 1. On Monday, April 13, commissioners indicated it would

Baily Hughes and Ethan Holler arrive for the walk-in in an antique pickup in contrasting outfits that reflect the school's green, black and white colors. (Photos by Billy Roudybush, Journal contributor) More than 200 parents, grandparents, siblings and friends gathered in front of the Prairie View Performing Arts Center to watch dozens of students dressed in their finest walk in to the PVHS 2026 prom. Unlike recent years, it wasn't cold or raining. In fact, the mild spring ev

Jayhawk-Linn senior Clay Nichols will be the "guardian" for Art Grigsby on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., in June. Grigsby is a U.S. Air Force veteran. (Submitted photo) By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com MOUND CITY – A Jayhawk-Linn High School senior has been given an opportunity to partipate in this summer's Honor Flight program. Clay Nichols will be a student "guardian" for Arthur "Art" Grigsby from Prescott. Student guardians are assigned to

Sugar Valley resident Michael Evans picks up the pieces of his demolished mobile home preparing to throw it in a dumpster. Evans was in the home when the tornado hit on Monday evening, April 13. The two Corvettes in the background were in a garage, according to Evans. The garage was blown away, but the 'Vettes had little damage. (Photos by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com Update: The Journal received the photo below b

Olivia Macko, from left, and Brett Williams with the National Weather Service discuss Monday evening's tornado damage with property owner Jim Dick, who lives east of Mound City. The NWS staff members viewed several areas of damage and are expected to determine the strength of the storm on the EF scale. (Photo by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com PLEASANT HILL, Mo. – The National Weather Service on Tuesday, April 14, label

The red line indicates the approximate path of a tornado that caused extensive damage to southern Linn County on Monday night, April 13. Despite winds that tossed campers around, destroyed a house and leveled barns, most of the injuries were minor. By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com MOUND CITY – "The damage is extensive." That was the assessment of Linn County Sheriff James Akes in the wake of a tornado that ripped across southern Linn County on Monday

Elijah Lindon and Katrina Taylor incorporate a dip into their entry dance at the Pleasanton High School prom on Saturday, April 11. (Photos by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com For the second year, organizers of the Pleasanton High School prom eschewed the drive-up and walk-ins of the past, but the grand march entry at the school's gym gave families and friends a front row seat to an opening that defied the fickle April

In a discussion between a La Cygne official and the Linn County Commission, it became apparent that no one is in charge of selling tracts at the both of the county's industrial parks. (Journal file photo) By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@icloud.com MOUND CITY – A discussion with La Cygne Police Chief/Planning and Zoning Administrator Zachary Mathies and the Linn County Commission indicated that there has been a disconnect between the county’s governing body and the i

A proposal for the Linn County Commission to pass a resolution about vicious dogs would outline the types of behavior that would lead to a determination if the dog was dangerous. (Upsplash file photo) By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@icloud.com MOUND CITY – Linn County Sheriff James Akes and Planning and Zoning Director Jennifer Cummings presented a resolution for a vicious dog law on Monday, April 6, for the commissioners to review before a final decision is made. A

\ Newly inducted members into the Jayhawk-Linn chapter of the National Honor Society include, from left Layne Goodison, Lillian Meyer, Josiah Randall, Aiden Stark, Allie Thomas, Hazel Vaughn, Haelie Wallace, Camden Wood and Kaylee Wisdom. The group was inducted into the society during a ceremony on Wednesday, April 8. (Photos by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com Nine students were inducted into the Jayhawk-Linn High Sc

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks fisheries biologist Don George urges people who run across unwanted fishing and hunting gear during spring cleaning to consider donating to the department. (Photo by David J. Boozer / Unsplash) By Roger Sims, Journal staff rsims@linncountyjournal.com MOUND CITY – Doing spring cleaning and wondering what to do with fishing and hunting equipment that is no longer used. Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has an answer. Don Geo

La Cygne City Clerk Jodi Wade takes attendees at a town hall meeting through the details of property taxes vs. sales tax. Seated at the table were city council members Jerome Mitzner, left, and Kent Wade. The first of what is expected to be several town hall meetings on the issue was April 1 at the La Cygne Library. (Photo by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com LA CYGNE – In the aftermath of the first informational town

Jayhawk-Linn senior wrestler Denton White has been named one of the top competitors in Kansas history for number of falls he has recorded in his high school career. (Submitted photo) By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com Jayhawk-Linn wrestler Denton White’s run up to the state championship meet this year was remarkable. White, a senior wrestling in the 138-pound class, ripped through his four opponents in the regional, pinning them all in about a minute an

City crew members have stabilized the supporting beam that holds up the roof on this building, which contains Pleasanton's water plant filters and clarifying systems. The city council on Monday voted to allow the engineering firm to advertise for bids on the project. (Journal file photo) By Roger Sims, Journal staff rsims@linncountyjournal.com PLEASANTON – The Pleasanton City Council on Monday, April 6, voted to follow a recommendation by its engineering company to pay $5,000

A candy cannon blasts its load across the egg-strewn gym floor at Pleasanton's Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 4. (Photos by Billy Roudybush / Journal contributor) The candy cannon made another appearance at Pleasanton's Easter egg hunt this year, and for a second year the hunt was held indoors in the Pleasanton Elementary School gym on Saturday, April 4. Each age group took a turn at scooping up prizes and candy during the hunt. The eggs and some of the larger items were

Joy Epperson helps Aerie, 5, and Maggie, 2, sort through their plastic eggs following the Easter egg hunt at La Cygne on Saturday, April 4. (Photos by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) Friday night's thunderstorms missed La Cygne, so the fields at La Cygne Community Park were fairly dry and the weather was sunny but cool for the annual Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 4. This year the event was sponsored by the local nonprofit Ray of Hope Community Impact. With each age gro

Egg hunters sprint off the starting line at Mound City's Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 4. One official estimated that more than 400 attended the event. (Photos by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) One Mound City official estimated attendance at Mound City's Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 4, at more than 400. Set at the ballfields in the southwest part of the city, each of the three diamonds were packed with children and parents and grandparents around the starting li

These young egg gatherers bypass colorful eggs as they sprint toward a more bountiful area. The girls attended the Blue Mound Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 4. (Photos by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) A warmer, sunny afternoon drew dozens of families to the Easter egg hunt at Blue Mound on Saturday, April 4. The hunt took place in the city park. The children easily filled their baskets with colorful plastic eggs that held candy. Eight-year-old Liam sprints toward the

Commissioner Jim Johnson questioned county mechanics about the maintenance and service contracts on machinery during the March 30 commission meeting. (Journal file photo) By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@icloud.com MOUND CITY – At Linn County Commissioner Jim Johnson’s request, the mechanics from all three shops came in to meet with the commissioners on Monday, March 30. Johnson told the men, “Its just been brought to my attention about some of the breakdowns we’ve h

Thomas Yoder answers questions from the Linn County Planning Commission during a hearing on Tuesday, March 31. The commission voted to recommend approval of a conditional use permit for the butchering operation proposed by Yoder. (Photo by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@icloud.com MOUND CITY – The Linn County Planning Commission recommended approval for three cases on Tuesday, March 31, one conditional use permit (CUP) and two rezo

There will be plenty of meat on the grill this weekend as Linn Valley hosts a Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned event. (Wix file photo) Journal staff report LINN VALLEY – Smokin’ in the Valley, a barbecue cook-off featuring 33 teams is set to run this Friday and Saturday, April 3-4, at the Linn Valley campgrounds. The barbecue contest, which will feature teams from as far away as Canada, Arkansas and Illinois is a fundraiser for the Linn Valley Community Pride Scholarsh

Both the Linn County Attorney's Office and the Linn County Sheriff's Office are preparing for possible damage to the gates at Tanglewood Lakes following last week's action by the commission. (Journal file photo) By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@icloud.com MOUND CITY – While Linn County Sheriff James Akes said he recommended a “soft” reinstallation of the electronic gates at Tanglewood Lakes development to avoid trouble, County Attorney Justin Meeks warned that anyone

By Charlene Sims LCJeditor@icloud.com MOUND CITY – A letter from Prairie View High School principal Kate Gronquist about unresolved issues with the county attorney’s office over alleged inaction on truancy cases, brought County Attorney Justin Meeks and Sheriff James Akes to the commission meeting on Monday, March 30. After a seven minute executive session with Meeks, Akes, and County Counselor Jacklyn Paletta, the commissioners came out of that session to hear Meeks and Akes

The electronic gates at Tanglewood during a holiday weekend were busy last year before a judge's ruling directed that they be removed. (Journal file photo) By Roger Sims Linn County Journal publisher Dear Linn County Commission: I was disappointed in your action on March 23 to sign an agreement and quitclaim deed relinquishing all ownership rights and responsibilities for the roads and apparently everything else at Tanglewood Lakes. For 10 bucks the Tanglewood Lake Owners Ass