Scholarship recipients

Members of the graduating class of 2026 filled the stage at Prairie View's Performing Arts Center as principal Kate Gronquist , far left, read off the names of seniors who had been awarded scholarships from the colleges and universities where they will be headed this fall. Wednesday, May 13, was baccalaureate and senior awards night at Prairie View, and scholarships by those schools, several individuals, businesses and organizations contributed to the more than $507,500 that the class of 2026 receives this year. Graduation is set for Sunday, May 17, at 2 p.m. in the school's gym. (Photo by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal)

Warm and breezy

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Breezy, with a south wind 16 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph.

Sunday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then a chance of showers between 1am and 3am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 70. Breezy, with a south wind 17 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Link to the National Weather Service radar.

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Inside the Journal
Page 1 – Top news stories, weather
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Page 3 – Community & Library Calendars
Page 4 – Recent Local News
Page 5 – Local News Archive

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Commission declares moratorium on data centers, battery storage operations

Linn County Commissioner Alison Hamilton said that she approved implementing a 12-month moratorium on taking applications for data centers and battery storage operations. (Journal file photo) By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com MOUND CITY – The Linn County Commission has issued a temporary 12-month moratorium on filing any applications or issuing any permits for data processing centers, battery energy storage, and bitcoin or cryptocurrency mining facilit

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

Commission hires for interim economic development post; discusses adding duties to job

By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@icloud.com MOUND CITY – The issue of not having a full-time economic development director raised its head again at the the Monday, May 11, Linn County Commission meeting. Commission Chair Alison Hamilton announced that the interviews for the part-time economic development position had been completed and made a motion to hire Ashlee Allen. Allen will receive $2,000 for working with the economic development committee and eCommunity grou

Charlene Sims, Journal staff

Pleasanton administrator resigns post

Becky Hegwald, right, is sworn in as Pleasanton city clerk by former adminstrator Teresa Whitaker. Hegwald was promoted to city administrator when Whitaker resigned, however following a split city council vote to not reappoint her to the post, Hegwald quit her job on Monday, May 11. (Journal file photo) By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com PLEASANTON – Pleasanton City Administrator Becky Hegwald has resigned her post a week after the city council failed t

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

Former fire board member suggests fixes to ISO rating, suggests reviving fire board

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

Charlene Sims, Journal staff

2024 SEPTEMBER 400 x 400 Linn County Journal.jpg

• Henry “Hank” Boedicker

• William “Bill” Good

• Brian Allen Rosendahl

• Michael Lee Hermreck

• Quenton Stilson

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

Prairie View's commencement is Sunday; two valedictorians, one salutatorian named

Journal staff report Fifty-five seniors will receive their diplomas during Prairie View High School's commencement exercises this weekend. The graduation ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, in the final assembly of their high school careers. As with other Linn County high schools, a full house is expected, so plan on arriving early. The school has released the names of its two valedictorians. They are Bailey Hughes and Kimball Uphoff. Adyson Rhynerson has been

Journal Staff Report

Mill Creek bridge on K-7 in Bourbon County closed for repairs

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

Press release

Kansas contemplates special legislative session to rekindle debate on property taxes

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

Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector

Commission puts moratorium on vicious dog resolution

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

Charlene Sims, Journal staff

City Events

La Cygne

• City council budget workshop, Wednesday, May 13, 6 p.m., La Cygne Community Building

• Memorial Day service, 10 a.m., Monday, May 25, Oaklawn Cemetery

• La Cygne Library Block Party on Broadway, begins at noon, Friday, May 29

• La Cygne swimming pool opens, Saturday, May 30

Linn Valley

•

Mound City

• Fishing derby, Mound City Lake, 11001 W. 750 Rd., May 16, registration begins at 9 a.m.

• Citywide garage sale, May 15 – 16

Parker

City council meeting, May 14, 7 p.m.

Pleasanton

• Pleasanton citywide garage sale, Saturday, May 16, see ad this page

• Fishing Derby, Saturday, June 6, Stegge Lake

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

The religion of politics

Matters of Faith By Dr. Bascom Ratliff Pastor of the Beagle, Fontana, and Parker United Methodist Churches John 18:36. Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world”. Acts 5:29. But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority”. I admit upfront that today's message is a difficult one for me. My natural desire is to mingle my faith with my political beliefs. However, I sometimes find my religious or political bias interfering with my

Dr. Bascom Ratliff

Pleasanton Citywide
Garage / Yard Sale

902 Magnolia - Edwin Barber

501 W. 14th St. - Aria Nation

21160 E. 975 Rd. - Ron Maus

209 W. 6th St. - Isabelle Larson

713 Main St. - Charles Randall

1356 Locust - Alana Trimiar

809 Sycamore - Brent Bell

755 Main - Cathy Sarmen

208 E. 8th St. - Elizabeth Reece

200 E. 10th St. - Cheryl Bryant

110 W. 5th St. - Destin Hodgins

1305 Prospect - Jonah Earl

106 W. Park - Pam Smith

1360 Palm - Nancy Hayes

20068 E. 950 Rd. - Katie Davis

Garage Sale

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

Opinion: Kansas kids are ‘sliding into silence.’ Let’s talk about why they are chatting less.

Our columnist asks you to “consider it a cultural public service that you are listening to me and my nonsense” when he tries to talk to you (Illustration by Eric Thomas for Kansas Reflector) By Eric Thomas Kansas Reflector In the flotsam of things I read each week — academic research, online news, sports stories and fiction — one tidbit can get naggily lodged in my thoughts. This week, the splinter in my mind is titled “Sliding Into Silence? We Are Speaking 300 Daily Words Fe

Max McCoy, Kansas Reflector

Opinion: Does Claude dream of electric gavels? A federal case with Kansas connections sets an AI precedent.

An April 2022 photo of the newly opened office of Beneficient, a Kansas financial institution described as being a “pawn shop” for the rich. (Photo by Max McCoy/Kansas Reflector) By Max McCoy Kansas Reflector Brad Heppner is guilty. That’s what a New York City jury decided recently. But the legacy of Heppner’s federal case is likely not to be his conviction, but the judge’s landmark opinion that AI legal advice isn’t privileged like attorney-client communication. I had hoped

Max McCoy, Kansas Reflector

Opinion: Journal publisher asks better cooperation from county

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

Roger Sims, Publisher

More Local News

Pleasanton attorney resigns, council votes down appointment of police chief, administrator

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

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

Commission split on hiring former county clerk to help with 2027 budget

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

Charlene Sims, Journal staff

Area premier of 'A Beautiful Place' slated for early June

"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

Press release

Volunteers work to clear damage left by tornado

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

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

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

State, Regional & National News

Kansas abortion rights advocate hoping for encore defeat of constitutional amendment in August vote

Sandy Brown, president of the Kansas Abortion Fund, answers questions for the Kansas Reflector podcast during a May 8, 2026, interview at her Lawrence home. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) By Sherman Smith Kansas Reflector LAWRENCE — Kansas Abortion Fund president Sandy Brown wants Kansans to show up in August and repeat their 2022 decision to defeat a constitutional amendment that could upend abortion rights in the state. Four years ago, voters by a 59-41 margin de

Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector

Moody’s upgrades Kansas credit rating to ‘positive,’ reigniting political debate at Capitol

Moody’s Investors Service, a credit evaluation company, raised Kansas’ rating from stable to positive. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and Republican House Speaker Dan Hawkins offer reasons to claim responsibility for the upgrade. (Photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector) By Tim Carpenter Kansas Reflector TOPEKA — The state of Kansas’ credit rating upgrade from stable to positive by a leading financial research firm set off a scramble among politicians claiming responsibility for

Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector

Kansas Democrat makes reelection campaign for U.S. House seat official

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, files for reelection on May 11, 2026, at the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office in Topeka. In her fourth term in Congress, Davids faces both a primary and general election opponent. (Photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector) Davids seeks 5th term, plans to focus on affordability, GOP chaos in Congress By Tim Carpenter Kansas Reflector TOPEKA — U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas formally launched a reelection campaign Monday tied to reinforci

Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector

Three Kansans being monitored for hantavirus after contact with infected cruise ship passenger

Passengers are evacuated by small boat on May 10, 2026, from the MV Hondius in the Granadilla Port, after at least 11 passengers became ill with Andes hantavirus. Three Kansans came into close contact with one of the passengers and are being watched by health officials in case they develop hantavirus symptoms. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images) Health expert says virus presents low public health risk By Morgan Chilson Kansas Reflector TOPEKA — Three Kansans who came into c

Morgan Chilson, Kansas Reflector

Access to Justice group works to increase resources, attract attorneys to rural Kansas

Kansas Supreme Court Justice K.J. Wall says state programs to address rural attorney shortages and offer support for people who are representing themselves are filling gaps in the justice system. (Photo by Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector) By Morgan Chilson Kansas Reflector TOPEKA — A “civil justice crisis” in state courts and across the country requires systemic change, and Kansas’ multifaceted approach is making a difference, a Kansas Supreme Court justice said Monday. The s

Morgan Chilson, Kansas Reflector

Commission appoints interim fire chief, emergency director

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

Charlene Sims, Journal staff

Community to send Prescott veteran on Honor Flight

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

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

Parker Panthers gather for annual alumni reunion

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

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

Commission votes to put liquor-by-the-drink question on ballot

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

Roger Sims

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

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Linn County Journal

Sunday, May 17, 2026

Scholarship recipients

Warm and breezy

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

Commission declares moratorium on data centers, battery storage operations

Commission hires for interim economic development post; discusses adding duties to job

Pleasanton administrator resigns post

Former fire board member suggests fixes to ISO rating, suggests reviving fire board

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

Prairie View's commencement is Sunday; two valedictorians, one salutatorian named

Mill Creek bridge on K-7 in Bourbon County closed for repairs

Kansas contemplates special legislative session to rekindle debate on property taxes

Commission puts moratorium on vicious dog resolution

City Events

La Cygne

Linn Valley

Mound City

​​

Parker

Pleasanton

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

The religion of politics

Pleasanton Citywide Garage / Yard Sale

Garage Sale

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

Opinion: Kansas kids are ‘sliding into silence.’ Let’s talk about why they are chatting less.

Opinion: Does Claude dream of electric gavels? A federal case with Kansas connections sets an AI precedent.

Opinion: Journal publisher asks better cooperation from county

More Local News

Pleasanton attorney resigns, council votes down appointment of police chief, administrator

Commission split on hiring former county clerk to help with 2027 budget

Area premier of 'A Beautiful Place' slated for early June

Volunteers work to clear damage left by tornado

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

State, Regional & National News

Kansas abortion rights advocate hoping for encore defeat of constitutional amendment in August vote

Moody’s upgrades Kansas credit rating to ‘positive,’ reigniting political debate at Capitol

Kansas Democrat makes reelection campaign for U.S. House seat official

Three Kansans being monitored for hantavirus after contact with infected cruise ship passenger

Access to Justice group works to increase resources, attract attorneys to rural Kansas

Commission appoints interim fire chief, emergency director

Community to send Prescott veteran on Honor Flight

Parker Panthers gather for annual alumni reunion

Commission votes to put liquor-by-the-drink question on ballot

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.

Pleasanton Citywide
Garage / Yard Sale

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

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