News

KANOPOLIS — Marne Herlan was hired as the new city clerk during the May 12 Kanopolis City Council Meeting.She will begin her role full time June 1.“We did do an interview yesterday,” Mayor Tom Wilkinson said.Council approved hiring Herlan for $22 an hour.

WILSON — At Monday’s meeting of the Wilson City Council, approval was given to the resignation of longtime Wilson City Clerk Susan Kriley.No explanation was given for the resignation, which tentatively takes effect June 8.

CLAFLIN — The open District 2 seat on the USD 112 Central Plains Board of Education was filled by Thomas Lloyd during the May 11 regular monthly meeting.

Sewer rates in the City of Ellsworth are officially going up.At Monday’s meeting of the Ellsworth City Council, approval was given to adopt Ordinance No. 3184, relating to the sewer user charge system and actual user rate structure.

Ellsworth County Commissioners discussed services and the 2027 budget with OCCK .“We had 1,000 more calls than the year before,” OCCK President/CEO Sheila Nelson-Stout said. “What it tells me is people are in greater need every year.”She said OCCK will not ask for any funding increase.

Local graphic artist Bill Beckmeyer swept the Editorial Cartoon category of the 2026 Awards of Excellence from the Kansas Press Association.His cartoons placed first, second and third.“It really shocked me,” he said. “I never dreamed in a million years I’d pull something like that off.

SALINA — Kiley Barnett, 39, Kanopolis, appeared in Saline County District Court April 22, where she entered a plea and was sentenced to jail time regarding her involvement in a fatality crash resulting in a motorcyclist being killed on a rural Saline County road.

WILSON — It just became easier for utility companies to serve customers in Wilson.At Monday’s meeting of the Wilson City Council, approval was given to waive the right-of-way permit requirements for all utility companies.

KANOPOLIS — City Attorney Patrick Hoffman attended the Kanopolis City Council meeting April 14 to remind the council of open meeting basics.“I feel a little bit of a need for apology,” he said. “After a change of government, I try to give a KOMA/KORA training.

CLAFLIN — The Wilson Elementary Daycare will close May 19, following action taken by the USD 112 Central Plains Board of Education during the regular monthly meeting April 13.