The Hoxie City Council met on March 10, 2025, to tackle a variety of topics ranging from insurance renewals and summer event planning to equipment repairs and ongoing street concerns.

A Newton man, Hunter D. Miller, has been sentenced to life in prison following his conviction on serious child sex crimes involving a victim under the age of 10. Miller was found guilty by a jury in April 2024 on charges of rape of a child less than 14 years of age and aggravated criminal sodomy. These offenses reportedly occurred between December 2021 and March 2022.

May marks Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) emphasizes the importance of sharing the road safely. The campaign theme, "Motorcyclists’ Safety is Everyone’s Safety," serves as a reminder that road safety is a shared responsibility, essential for protecting lives and ensuring everyone reaches their destination safely.

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and the Kansas Department of Transportation reminds drivers to stay alert and share the road....

Oberlin City Council April 17th Recap

Memorial Service for Margie Lee Bishop, age 85.

Larry L. Chambers, age 86, of Rexford, Kansas, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

Shirley Ann Durham was born on August 25th, 1940, to Edward and Rose (Kral) Hamm, and sadly passed away on April 30th, 2025. She was 84 years old.

The State of Kansas ends April 2025 with total tax collections at $1.33 billion. That is $17.6 million, or 1.3%, above the estimate. Total tax collections were down 5.9% from April 2024.  

Jeanice Gayle Beagley better known as “Niecy” in her later years, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2025, at Gove County Medical Center in Quinter, Kansas. She was born in Oakley, Kansas on June 17, 1961, to Stanley Curtis Smith and Virginia Marie (McDowall) and was the oldest of their four children.

As Congress reconvenes this week, Rep. Tracey Mann (R–KS) is hitting the ground running in Washington, D.C., combining committee work, district advocacy and constituent outreach to advance an “all‑of‑the‑above” agenda for Kansas families and farmers.

The Burlington School District RE-6J Board of Education met for a special meeting on Monday, April 15, to address key budgetary items ahead of the 2025–2026 academic year, including salary adjustments for staff and extracurricular positions.

The Hoxie Community Schools Board of Education convened a special meeting Thursday evening to address staffing updates and review plans for a major athletic facility improvement.

The Cimarron Invitational brought together a competitive field of western Kansas golf programs Monday at the Cimarron Golf Club, with Goodland and Colby both turning in standout performances in a deep and talented lineup.

In a significant step forward for the future of local education, the Rawlins County USD 105 Board of Education approved a nearly $27.35 million school addition and renovation plan during a special board meeting held Wednesday evening at the USD 105 Elementary Library.

The Oakley USD 274 Board of Education held a special meeting on Wednesday, April 2, to address key personnel decisions ahead of the upcoming school year. The session, which began at 3:30 p.m. in the district office, was called to order by Board President Kerri Scheetz.

The Colby Public Schools Board of Education convened for a pivotal and highly attended meeting Monday evening, with passionate community input and careful board deliberation surrounding the proposed transition to a four-day school week at the high school level.  Held at the Colby Public Schools Administration Board Room, the meeting featured detailed presentations, and survey results. 

On a cool and breezy Saturday, high school golf teams from northwest Kansas gathered at the Rawlins County Invitational for a competitive 18-hole showdown at the Atwood Country Club. With tight scores and individual excellence on display, the event featured a dramatic finish and showcased strong performances from multiple schools across the region.

Runners from across northwest Kansas and beyond gathered in Colby on Saturday, April 26, to compete in the 2025 Pioneer Marathon events. Participants raced across four distances — 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and Full Marathon — showing determination and endurance on a cool, breezy morning.

No Gun Found After Lockdown at Salina South High School