Sunday: Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 52. Southeast wind 6 to 10 mph.

Sunday night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 36. South southeast wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Link to the National Weather Service radar.

Early morning blaze destroys La Cygne restaurant

On Wednesday morning, La Cygne firefighters remained on the scene of the fire that gutted the Wagon Wheel in the early morning hours. Layers of construction keep the firefighters busy extinguishing hot spots. (Photos by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) By Roger Sims linncountyjournal@icloud.com LA CYGNE – Linn County’s premier steakhouse was severely damaged early Wednesday, Dec. 17, in a fire that started sometime before 3:20 a.m. The building and much of its contents appe

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

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Page 1 – Top news stories, weather

Page 2 – Features, Obituaries, Schools, State news

Page 3 – Community & Library Calendars

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Commission looks at park fee increases

The Linn County Commission over the next couple of weeks will look at proposed fee increases for Linn County Park. (Journal file photo) By Charlene Sims info@linncountyjournal.com MOUND CITY – After hearing a report from Linn County Park Manager Sheri Loveland on Monday, Dec. 8, the Linn County Commissioners decided to review profit and loss reports from 2024 and 2025 and other information before deciding on price changes for the services at the park. The commissioners also

Charlene Sims, Journal staff

Commission to seek input on minimum food sales rule to serve alcohol

Owners of the Blue Dog Wine Co.'s Coyote Tasting Room in Mound City are among those establishments asking to loosen Linn County's requirement that at least 30% sales of sales be food items in order to serve alcoholic drinks. (Blue Dog Wine Co.) By Charlene Sims info@linncountyjournal.com MOUND CITY – The Linn County Commissioners discussed the issue or removing the requirement that businesses that serve liquor by the drink have to have 30% of their sales from food items on Mo

Charlene Sims, Journal staff

Commission questions costs on courthouse roof replacement

Work has been completed on the roof of the Linn County Courthouse, however, county commissioners are asking questions as the cost of the project continues to increase. (Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) By Charlene Sims info@linncountyjournal.com MOUND CITY – On Monday, Dec. 8, the Linn County Commissioners approved signing a proof-of-loss statement for the courthouse roof presented by Public Works Director Jesse Walton that would allow the insurance company to release funds

Charlene Sims, Journal staff

Arctic cold doesn't chill the spirits at Pleasanton's holiday event

Erika Gilbert dressed as the Grinch in Santa's clothes for Pleasanton's annual Christmas festivities on Saturday, Dec. 13. (Photos by Billy Roudybush / Linn County Journal) By Billy Roudybush Journal contributor Despite the cold, blustery weather Pleasanton-area residents held their annual Christmas celebration on Saturday, Dec 13, packing the city’s community center for the dinner and later on for a visit from Santa. During the afternoon toward evening, people could enjoy se

Billy Roudybush, Journal contributor

• Wilma Louis Reeves

• Steven Linus Dela Cruz

• Daniel Lee Stwalley

• Gerald LeRoy Shaw

• Gary W. Sobba

For recent local news, go to our local news archive by clicking here.

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Fire chief warns of danger of carbon monoxide poisoning

By Charlene Sims info@linncountyjournal.com MOUND CITY – The Linn County Commissioners received reports from the ambulance and fire department services on Monday, Dec. 15. Linn County Fire Chief Randy Hegwald took the opportunity to remind the commision and residents about the dangers associated with the return of lower temperatures. “With cold weather, I know there have been some instances in the county with carbon monoxide and extension cords,” he said. “So just urging ever

Charlene Sims, Journal staff

Parker Christmas celebrants enjoy food, company, gifts

Two-year-old Charlotte tests out bicycles to see which one her parents want to win at the Parker community Christmas celebration on Saturday, Dec. 13. (Photos by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) Journal staff report Parker-area residents packed the Parker Elementary School multipurpose room on Saturday, Dec. 13, to enjoy a chicken and noodles dinner, catching up with neighbors and friends, a visit from Santa and a gift giveaway that ranged from frozen turkeys to bicycles and

Journal Staff Report

Parker council delays decision on siding, roof bids

Parker City Council President Kari Brandt gives Councilman Gary Earley a plaque commemorating his service on the city council, He was appointed to the council in January 2017 and has served nearly nine years. The council's Dec. 11 meeting was his last, (Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) By Roger Sims linncountyjournal@icloud.com PARKER – At the suggestion of departing Councilmember Gary Earley, the Parker City Council on Thursday, Dec. 11, decided to wait until the new counc

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

Family show-and-tell brings history to life

Sharing family history through stories is a great way to reconnect – without the distraction of devices – over the holidays. (Wix file photo) Submitted by Kathy Goul, Family & Consumer Science Agent K-State Research and Extension One of the hottest topics discussed this past year has been artificial intelligence – more commonly referred to as AI. The business world has highlighted the benefits of this new technology. Social media is buzzing about the advantages and disadvant

Kathy Goul, K-State Research & Extension Service

Mound City Council approves budget changes, discusses changing compactor hours

Journal staff report MOUND CITY – In a special meeting on Monday, Dec. 8, the Mound City Council approved year-end changes to the city budget, hired a part-time employee to run the city’s trash compactor and approved authorization for unused sick and vacation hours in excess of carryover limit to be banked and made transferable to other employees for medical-related purposes. All five members of the city council were able to attend the special meeting. The change in the sick

Journal Staff Report

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Opinion: What I'm thankful for ... and not so thankful for

By Roger Sims Journal publisher As we enter the holiday season, there is a lot to be thankful for. There is also a lot to not be thankful for. First and foremost, I’m thankful for the volunteers who every month demonstrate their concern about the plight of those who are not as fortunate as the rest of us. Whether its the volunteers at the food pantries in La Cygne, Mound City, Pleasanton, Parker and Prescott, all of them provide food to the needy throughout the year. I’m als

Roger Sims, Publisher

Opinion: Kansas State University a hotbed of ‘wokeness’? Horsefeathers!

President Donald Trump attends inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) By H. Edward Flentje Special to the Kansas Reflector In June 2024, then-presidential candidate Donald Trump charged on his social media platform that “much of Higher Education has lost its way, and is now corrupting our Youth and Society with, SOCIALIST, and ANTI-AMERICAN Ideology.” He vowed to remove such “wo

Kansas Reflector opinion

The Greatest Gift

Matters of Faith By Dr. Bascom Ratliff, pastor Parker, Beagle, Fontana United Methodist Churches Scripture (NRSV): Romans 6: 23. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” During this season of gift-giving and gift-getting, I am reminded that the greatest gift of all is Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate on Dec. 25. The gift of Jesus comes with other gifts. For example, through him we receive access to the Holy Spir

Dr. Bascom Ratliff

More Local News

CHC/SEK Announces New Pharmacy Residency Program

Press release PITTSBURG – The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) has expanded its graduate medical education offerings with the addition of a community-based pharmacy residency program. CHC/SEK, with a long-standing commitment to clinical education, also offers a family medicine residency developed in partnership with the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Both residency programs were created to address the healthcare workforce shortage by cultivatin

Press release

Kansas will get the world’s first mile-deep nuclear reactor and the groundbreaking is next week

California-based Deep Fission says it will install an underground reactor in Kansas. (Deep Fission) Deep Fission says it plans to install a nuclear reactor underground at an industrial park in southeast Kansas. State and local government leaders are on board. It’s part of a national push for new nuclear energy generation. By Celia Llopis-Jepsen Kansas News Service Parsons, Kansas, will be the site of a California startup’s first ever 1-mile-deep nuclear reactor — with support

Kansas News Service

Mound City's Christmas celebrations combine Nativity, Santa, and Grinch

Four-year-old Nolan seems a little unsure about the Santa Claus thing during his visit at the Mound City Historical Park's one-room schoolhouse on Saturday. (Photos by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) By Roger Sims linncountyjournal@icloud.com Saturday's Christmas celebration in Mound City began with breakfast, stuffed puppies, a visit with the Grinch and ended with a live Nativity, a gift giveaway for children, and a visit with the Jolly Old Elf. The city of Mound City- and

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

La Cygne's Christmas on Broadway chilly but eventful

The float sponsored by Snow Pest Control generated its own weather in Sunday's Christmas on Broadway lit-up parade. The float won first place. See our gallery of parade photos below. (Photos by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) By Roger Sims linncountyjournal@icloud.com Overcast skies, a brisk wind, and temperatures hovering the upper 30s couldn't dampen the spirits of La Cygne area residents and their families on Sunday, Dec. 7, as the city's annual Christmas on Broadway go

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

For recent local news, go to our news archive by clicking here.

High School Sports

Basketball Scoreboard

Dec. 16 - Girls

Pleasanton (2-2) 34

Altoona-Midway 14

Jayhawks (5-0) 52

Southeast 14

Prairie View (3-2) 18

Santa Fe Trail 57

Dec. 16 Boys

Pleasanton (4-1) 55

Altoona-Midway 21

Prairie View (0-5) 18

Santa Fe Trail 57

Jayhawk girls dominate pre-season tourney

Jayhawk Jaden Holt drives past Lady Trojan Heidi Grother when the teams clashed on Friday, Dec. 12, in the Linn County Basketball Tournament in Osawatomie. The Jayhawks won the game 63-23. (Photos by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) By Roger Sims linncountyjournal@icloud.com The Jayhawk-Linn girls basketball team made a statement, underscored with an exclamation mark, after dominating the Linn County Basketball Tournament last week. The team walked away from the tournament

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

State, Regional & National News

Kansas legislators to meet Monday about deal to bring Kansas City Chiefs across the state line

Kansas legislative leaders will meet Monday to consider using STAR bonds to finance a stadium for the Kansas City Chiefs that could be built near the Legends shopping area. (Photo by Grace Hills for Kansas Reflector) Legislators will consider public funding package in hopes of luring the NFL team to Kansas. The Royals will not be discussed Monday, leaving the MLB team’s future uncertain. By Peggy Lowe, Sherman Smith, and Steve Kraske Kansas Reflector Kansas legislative leade

Kansas Reflector

Kansas marijuana laws remain unchanged, despite Trump promoting looser regulations

Ed Klumpp, a Kansas lobbyist representing the Kansas Peace Officers Association, said federal regulatory decisions regarding marijuana won't change the drug's status in Kansas unless the state's law changes. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of Legislature's YouTube channel) By Morgan Chilson Kansas Reflector TOPEKA — President Donald Trump took the first step Thursday to reclassify marijuana, but the move won’t affect Kansans unless the state changes its laws, a law enforceme

Morgan Chilson, Kansas Reflector

Hundreds of Kansans lost their apartment due to landlord neglect. One change in law could help

Candice Montgomery stands outside the closed Aspen Place apartment complex in Gardner, Kansas. She is one of hundreds of former residents who were kicked out of their homes when Gardner officials condemned the property. (Dylan Lysen / Kansas News Service) Applying the Kansas Consumer Protection Act to residential rentals could help balance power between landlords and tenants. A lawmaker hopes it may force landlords to improve their properties so tenants don’t live in squalor.

Kansas News Service

Renovated Kansas Museum of History Reopens Saturday

A picture of Kansas aviation pioneer Albin K. Longren’s 1914 bi-plane seen from a ramp built to make it more accessible to museum visitors. (Jim McLean / KPR News) It took more than three years and $6 million, but the renovation of the Kansas Museum of History is now finished. And the museum – located on the outskirts of Topeka – will reopen its doors Saturday. KPR’s Jim McLean has this preview. Admission is free through the end of the year. By Jim McLean Kansas News Servic e

Kansas News Service

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Community Calendar

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Link to the National Weather Service radar.

Early morning blaze destroys La Cygne restaurant

Inside the Journal

Page 1 – Top news stories, weather

Page 2 – Features, Obituaries, Schools, State news

Page 3 – Community & Library Calendars

Page 4 – Local News Archive

To join our free mailing list, scroll down to the bottom of the page and enter your email address!

Top Stories

Commission looks at park fee increases

Commission to seek input on minimum food sales rule to serve alcohol

Commission questions costs on courthouse roof replacement

Arctic cold doesn't chill the spirits at Pleasanton's holiday event

For recent local news, go to our local news archive by clicking here.

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.

Fire chief warns of danger of carbon monoxide poisoning

Parker Christmas celebrants enjoy food, company, gifts

Parker council delays decision on siding, roof bids

Family show-and-tell brings history to life

Mound City Council approves budget changes, discusses changing compactor hours

Opinion: What I'm thankful for ... and not so thankful for

Opinion: Kansas State University a hotbed of ‘wokeness’? Horsefeathers!

The Greatest Gift

More Local News

CHC/SEK Announces New Pharmacy Residency Program

Kansas will get the world’s first mile-deep nuclear reactor and the groundbreaking is next week

Mound City's Christmas celebrations combine Nativity, Santa, and Grinch

La Cygne's Christmas on Broadway chilly but eventful

For recent local news, go to our news archive by clicking here.

High School Sports

Basketball Scoreboard

Dec. 16 - Girls

Dec. 16 Boys

Jayhawk girls dominate pre-season tourney

State, Regional & National News

Kansas legislators to meet Monday about deal to bring Kansas City Chiefs across the state line

Kansas marijuana laws remain unchanged, despite Trump promoting looser regulations

Hundreds of Kansans lost their apartment due to landlord neglect. One change in law could help

Renovated Kansas Museum of History Reopens Saturday

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