Pleasanton council approves installing temporary pump when permanent system is designed

The electrical panel for the pumps on the Pleasanton East Lake dam is being kept open to keep the service cooler as workers await a new temporary pump. (Photo by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com PLEASANTON – The Pleasanton City Council during a special meeting on Thursday, Aug. 13, voted to hire Kevin Starbuck to install a temporary pump for $8,126 to restore normal water service to the city. It is anticipated that in

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

Extreme heat ends tonight

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Saturday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Heat index values as high as 105. South southwest wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. South wind around 8 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Link to the National Weather Service radar.
Source: National Weather Service

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Commission passes on signing Evergy bridge contract

The Linn County Commission has declined to sign a contract with Evergy on bridge maintenance on roads at the La Cygne Generating Station. (Journal file photo) By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@icloud.com MOUND CITY – On Monday, August 10, the Linn County Commissioners decided not to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Evergy to take over the bridges along the dam road that Evergy now owns. The commissioners had been discussing this and making changes with Evergy

Charlene Sims, Journal staff

Suspect apprehended in attempted homicide case

Press release MOUND CITY – On August 11, deputies with the Linn County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at a residence on Acorn Cove in the Lake Chaparral community in rural Mound City. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that a female victim had been severely battered. During the incident, the suspect allegedly attempted to run over the victim with a vehicle before fleeing the scene. Through their investigation, deputies identified the suspect a

Press release

La Cygne council selects interim police chief

John Marino, interim police chief for the city of La Cygne, is congratulated by City Clerk Jodi Wade after she has sworn him into office on Friday, August. 7. (La Cygne Police Department Facebook) By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com LA CYGNE – John Marino has been named interim police chief for the La Cygne Police Department. The La Cygne City Council voted 3-0 at the Wednesday, August 5, council meeting to make the appointment with Councilmember Oscar

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

Pleasanton enacts emergency water supply measure

Mechanical problems at the Pleasanton water plant are forcing city officials to enact water supply emergency measures. (Journal file photo) By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal.com PLEASANTON – The Pleasanton City Council on Saturday, August 8, voted unanimously to enact a water supply emergency that immediately restricts the use of outdoor watering. Until the emergency measure is lifted, the watering of lawns, gardens, trees, shrubs, playing fields on private and p

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

2024 SEPTEMBER 400 x 400 Linn County Journal.jpg

• Robert E. Stanbrough

• Mary Alice Macek

• Freda Mae Elledge

• Clara Mae Rees

• John Parker

• Janice Elaine Cherry

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

Opinion: What does mismanagement of the Iran war teach us about Trump-Rollins farm policy? Everything.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, speaks at a Future Farmers of America event Aug. 18, 2025 at the Tennessee State Fair. (Photo by John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) By Greg Frazier Special to the Kansas Reflector “They want to make a deal,” President Donald Trump announced. “There’s a good chance that something could happen.” He has made more than 50 such uncorroborated declarations of Iran’s intent to negotiate ending his war, and countless discordant statements of

Kansas Reflector opinion

Letter to the editor

By Max Theel La Cygne There are signs popping up saying Kansas should get rid of property taxes. I understand why people are frustrated, but we need to think through what property taxes actually pay for. Around here, they fund the things we rely on every day: schools, the sheriff’s office, fire and EMS, county roads, bridges, libraries, parks, public health, and rural districts like hospital and cemetery boards. If property taxes disappear, those services still have to be pai

Letter to the editor

Commission discusses bicycle recycling program with public works head

New Linn County Public Works administrator J.D. Handly talked with county commissioners about the Lake Region's Adopt-a-Bike program. (Lake Region Adopt-a-Bike) By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@icloud.com MOUND CITY – J.D. Handly, Linn County’s new public works administrator, broached the county commissioners for their opinion about the bicycle donation program at the transfer station. Handly explained that the transfer station staff were segregating bicycles that ca

Charlene Sims, Journal staff

U.S. Senate race in Kansas between Marshall, Hamilton likely to consume more than $50 million

State Sen. Ty Masterson of Andover, left, won the Republican nomination for Kansas governor and U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, won the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate in August primaries. In this image from February 2025, Masterson and Marshall take part in a news conference in Topeka. (Photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector) By Tim Carpenter Kansas Reflector TOPEKA — Roger Marshall and Adam Hamilton will test in November the legacy of nearly a century of partisan domina

Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector

U.S. 69 northbound lane opened after crash in southern Miami County

KDOT press release Northbound U.S. 69 in southern Miami County has reopened to two lanes at the West 399th Street bridge as of late Friday afternoon, Aug. 7, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation. A crane on the back of a log truck struck the bridge this morning, causing damage. The northbound U.S. 69 driving lane as well as the bridge were closed until KDOT bridge inspectors could examine the structure. Engineers determined that the highway and bridge could be

Press release

Prairie View to seek community input in drafting strategic plan

Prairie View FFA members, from left, Brody Wilcox, Matthew Stolle, and Edward Squires-Riley were given certificates of achievement from school board President Russell Pope at the board's July 21 meeting. The students were part of a group of PVHS students who earned State FFA Degrees earlier this summer. (Photo by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal) By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com LA CYGNE – What should a portrait of the Prairie View High School graduat

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

Solar company offers county $850K to drop moratorium on overhead power lines

A representative from Clearway Energy acknowledges that the company's subsidiary has filed a lawsuit against Linn County for putting a moratorium on its transmission line that will go to an Evergy substation similar to the one above. However, the company is offering the county $850,000 to drop the moratorium. (Wix file photo) By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@icloud.com MOUND CITY – Barry Matchett from Clearway Energy, met with Linn County Commissioners Alison Hamilto

Charlene Sims, Journal staff

Linn County Fair & Rodeo

Fair's demolition derby draws local drivers, large crowd

Two Linn County drivers mix it up in the Bone Stock class in the demolition derby at the Linn County Fair arena on Saturday, August 1. (Photos by Billy Roudybush / Linn County Journal) By Billy Roudybush Journal contributor MOUND CITY – On Saturday, August 1, the Linn County Fair started the opening entertainment with a crowning of the queen and a demolition derby. The demolition derby is the one night event that features the most local competitiors, and so it consistently dr

Billy Roudybush, Journal contributor

2026 rodeo queen sets new record in ticket sales

Chloe Riley, center, newly crowned 2026 Linn County Fair and Rodeo queen poses with members of the royal court before the demolition derby on Saturday, August 1. The other candidates included, from left, Tegan Harris, Alyssa Daza, and Kylie Freeman along with the 2025 fair queen Maddisyn Earnest. (Photos by Billy Roudybush / Linn County Journal) Correction: In an earlier version of this story Tegan Harris' name was misspelled. By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@i

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

2026_Linn County Fair_LinnCoJournal_SPONSORS copy.jpg

Country Notebook by Rogene 'Jeannie' McPherson
For the most recent Country Notebook column click on this link.

Scum or scam?

Image by Aoi /. Upsplash Country Notebook By Rogene "Jeannie" McPherson Journal columnist President Trump and I have at least one thing in common. We both have a pond/pool that has debilitating algae in a body of water important to us. His is referring to a reflective pool; mine is a regular old farm pond I enjoyed seeing my grandchildren play in. Noticed I used the past tense for enjoy as the amount of algae is now prohibiting swimming. President Trump’s reflecting pool cost

Rogene "Jeannie" McPherson, Country Notebook

Matters of Faith by Dr. Bascom Ratliff
For the most recent Matters of Faith column, click on this link.

Am I making a difference?

Matters of Faith By Dr. Bascom Ratliff, pastor Parker/Beagle/Fontana United Methodist Churches Scripture selection: Mark 12: 41-44. These verses talk of Jesus watching wealthy people giving large sums of money to the treasury. He then observed and praised a widow who had given two small coins. Jesus taught that the widow’s offering was actually greater than all the others because while the wealthy had given out of excess, she had given out of her poverty and sincere faith. On

Dr. Bascom Ratliff

More Local News

County appraiser's office announces areas slated for updated appraisals

Linn County Appraiser Lisa Kelstadt says the annual inspection of properties to update appraisals will begin soon. This year the staff will focus on the Pleasanton and Prescott areas as part of a six-year rotation cycle. (Journal staff photo) Press release MOUND CITY – The staff of the Linn County Appraisers Office are already fanning out across the southeastern portion of the Linn County to updated appraisals on property. "The Linn County Appraiser’s Office is in full swing

Press release

La Cygne police chief submits letter of resignation

La Cygne Police Chief Zachary Mathies on Monday, July 27, announced his resignation after two years on the job. Aug. 6 will be his final day. (Submitted photo) By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com LA CYGNE – Zachary Mathies, La Cygne police chief and codes enforcement officer, announced on Monday, July 27, that he has submitted a letter of resignation. His last day on the job will be Aug. 6. Mathies, who came to La Cygne from the Paola Police Department,

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

La Cygne council keeps property tax rate below revenue neutral

La Cygne Police Chief Zachary Mathies, right, announced at the La Cygne Council meeting on July 15 that Officer Joshua Higgins has graduated from the Law Enforcement Training Academy. Higgins is the new full-time officer for the city. (La Cygne Police Department Facebook) By Roger Sims, Journlal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com LA CYGNE – Members of the La Cygne City Council had a decision to make at their meeting on Wed

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

U.S. 69 overlay project is delayed in Bourbon, Linn counties

Road work on U.S. Highway 69 has been delayed because of contractor scheduling issues. (Wix file photo) KDOT press release A Kansas Department of Transportation project to overlay about 25 miles of U.S. 69 in Linn and Bourbon counties has been delayed due to contractor scheduling issues. The overlay work will start the last week of July. The project begins just north of Pleasanton on the southbound lanes and moves south. The southbound lanes will receive a 4-inch asphalt over

Press release

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

State, Regional & National News

Evergy urges Kansas regulators to be cautious about AI revealing confidential information

Evergy officials encouraged the Kansas Corporation Commission to make sure that artificial intelligence tools don't put the company's confidential information in jeopardy. Many companies nationwide are limiting the use of AI tools or investing in closed systems that make sure their private data isn't exposed. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) By Morgan Chilson Kansas Reflector TOPEKA — Evergy filed a request with utility regulators to ensure its confidential data wasn

Morgan Chilson, Kansas Reflector

Banking commission office to sponsor Women & Money event

Press release TOPEKA – The Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner (OSBC) is proud to announce its sponsorship of the upcoming Women & Money Conference hosted by the Kansas Financial Empowerment Foundation and the Kansas State Treasurer. The Third Annual Women & Money Conference is being held on October 8, 2026, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The University of Kansas Conference Center in Lawrence. This daylong event is dedicated to empowering and educating women interested

Press release

Kansas wheat harvest projected to be lowest in decades, adding to agriculture stress

Kansas farmers are expected to see their smallest winter wheat harvest in decades, the result of drought and freezes throughout the growing season. (Photo by Kevin Hardy/Stateline) By Morgan Chilson Kansas Reflector TOPEKA — Kansas is on course for its smallest winter wheat harvest since the 1950s, with a July report showing the state’s farmers are expected to produce almost half the number of bushels they did at the same time last year, an expert said. A July 10 report from

Morgan Chilson, Kansas Reflector

Farm bill stalls, leaving Kansas farm leader concerned about whether it will pass this year

Nick Levendofsky (right), executive director of the Kansas Farmers Union, is concerned the failure to move a farm bill out of the Senate Agriculture Committee on Aug. 6, 2026, means the bill won't happen this year. He's shown here speaking about agriculture with former U.S. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman during a U.S. Global Leadership Coalition meeting in 2025, in Overland Park. (Photo by Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector) By Morgan Chilson Kansas Reflector TOPEKA — A top

Morgan Chilson, Kansas Reflector

Kansas Democrats, Republicans firm up teams for statewide office contests

Rep. Pat Proctor, R-Leavenworth, shown here during a February 3, 2026, hearing in Topeka, will be the Republican nominee for Secretary of State and will face the Democrat who wins Tuesday's primary election, Jennifer Day or Samuel Lane (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) By Morgan Chilson Kansas Reflector TOPEKA — Primary election results brought few surprises for statewide offices as most candidates ran unopposed. The lone exception was a skirmish between Democrats Jen

Morgan Chilson, Kansas Reflector

GOP candidates for Kansas State Board of Education advance in three contested primary races

Kansas State Board of Education candidates, from left, Destry Brown, Jean Clifford and Jim McMullen prevail in unofficial Aug. 4 primary results. (Kansas Reflector composite from photos submitted by the candidates) By Baya Burgess Kansas Reflector TOPEKA — Unofficial GOP primary results as of Wednesday morning place an attorney, a retired superintendent and a former Kansas Board of Education member one step closer to overseeing K-12 public schools. While Republicans Jim McMul

Kansas Reflector

U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, United Methodist pastor Adam Hamilton to compete in November

Kansas Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall appears on April 2, 2026, at a National Guard armory in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector) By Anna Kaminski Kansas Reflector TOPEKA — Incumbent U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall will face United Methodist pastor Adam Hamilton in November’s U.S. Senate election. Democratic voters participated in an unusually crowded primary with 11 candidates competing for viability, and Hamilton, who entered the race relatively lat

Anna Kaminski, Kansas Reflector

More local news

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

Commission chair unhappy with budget format

Linn County Commission Chair, seen here at a meeting earlier this year, expressed her dissatisfaction with the format of budgets the commission is considering. (Journal file photo) By Charlene Sims, Journal staff LCJeditor@icloud.com MOUND CITY – As three department heads prepared to give their budget requests to the Linn County Commissioners on Monday, July 20, Commission Chair Alison Hamilton asked County Clerk Chasity Ware if she had anything (packet) of what she was askin

Charlene Sims, Journal staff

Quilt guild unveils patriotic 250th anniversary quilt that will be raffled off

The quilt in honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence is made from squares from each of the Material Girls' guild members. It will be auctioned off this fall. (Linn County Quilt Guild Facebook) Reporting by Meribeth Kehl Material Girls secretary-treasurer A red, white and blue-themed quilt pieced together from individual blocks made by the members of Material Girls was unveiled on Thursday, July 16, at the quilting guild's monthly meeti

Journal Staff Report

Democratic candidates descend on Pleasanton for annual picnic

By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com The Linn County Democratic Party held its annual summer picnic on Saturday, July 18, at the Pleasanton Community Center. About 50 people attended the event. Those attending were introduced to several candidates who will be on the Aug. 4 primary ballot. In addition to hearing a brief stump speech by each candidate, attendees also had the opportunity to talk with them one-on-one. The candidates for federal offices includ

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

Jayhawk staff exploring options to launch virtual school in 2027

The Jayhawk USD 346 Board of Education is expected to receive a report at its August meeting on the feasibility and need to establish a virtual school. If approved, the school would not get under way until fall 2027. (Photo by Thomas Park / Unsplash) By Roger Sims, Journal staff linncountyjournal@icloud.com MOUND CITY – At the June meeting of the Jayhawk USD 346 Board of Education, Superintendent Shawn Thomas posited a question to board members: Should the district look at cr

Roger Sims, Journal Staff

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Linn County Journal

Saturday, August 15, 2026

Pleasanton council approves installing temporary pump when permanent system is designed

Extreme heat ends tonight

Link to the National Weather Service radar. Source: National Weather Service

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 passes on signing Evergy bridge contract

Suspect apprehended in attempted homicide case

La Cygne council selects interim police chief

Pleasanton enacts emergency water supply measure

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

Opinion: What does mismanagement of the Iran war teach us about Trump-Rollins farm policy? Everything.

Letter to the editor

Commission discusses bicycle recycling program with public works head

U.S. Senate race in Kansas between Marshall, Hamilton likely to consume more than $50 million

U.S. 69 northbound lane opened after crash in southern Miami County

Prairie View to seek community input in drafting strategic plan

Solar company offers county $850K to drop moratorium on overhead power lines

Linn County Fair & Rodeo

Fair's demolition derby draws local drivers, large crowd

2026 rodeo queen sets new record in ticket sales

Country Notebook by Rogene 'Jeannie' McPherson For the most recent Country Notebook column click on this link.

Scum or scam?

Matters of Faith by Dr. Bascom Ratliff For the most recent Matters of Faith column, click on this link.

Am I making a difference?

More Local News

County appraiser's office announces areas slated for updated appraisals

La Cygne police chief submits letter of resignation

La Cygne council keeps property tax rate below revenue neutral

U.S. 69 overlay project is delayed in Bourbon, Linn counties

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

State, Regional & National News

Evergy urges Kansas regulators to be cautious about AI revealing confidential information

Banking commission office to sponsor Women & Money event

Kansas wheat harvest projected to be lowest in decades, adding to agriculture stress

Farm bill stalls, leaving Kansas farm leader concerned about whether it will pass this year

Kansas Democrats, Republicans firm up teams for statewide office contests

GOP candidates for Kansas State Board of Education advance in three contested primary races

U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, United Methodist pastor Adam Hamilton to compete in November

More local news

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

Commission chair unhappy with budget format

Quilt guild unveils patriotic 250th anniversary quilt that will be raffled off

Democratic candidates descend on Pleasanton for annual picnic

Jayhawk staff exploring options to launch virtual school in 2027

Back to Top

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

Link to the National Weather Service radar.
Source: National Weather Service

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

Country Notebook by Rogene 'Jeannie' McPherson
For the most recent Country Notebook column click on this link.

Matters of Faith by Dr. Bascom Ratliff
For the most recent Matters of Faith column, click on this link.

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