Prison death under investigation

Lansing Correctional Facility (LCF) resident Gary Raburn died Friday night, January 6, 2023, at the facility. The cause of death is pending further investigation as well as results of an independent autopsy. Raburn, 62, was serving a sentence from Sedgwick County for two counts of violating the Kansas Offender Registration Act and was admitted to … Read more

Consumer Protection Division has been busy

Preliminary accounting indicates that the attorney general’s Consumer Protection Division recovered $248.8 million for Kansas consumers and taxpayers in calendar year 2022, by far a new single-year record, Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced.The 2022 tally is more than four times the previous single-year record for recoveries of $61.9 million, set in 2017. Each of the … Read more

State announces BASE 2.0 grant application

The Kansas Department of Commerce today announced $50 million will fund a second round of projects under the Building a Stronger Economy (BASE) grant program. BASE 2.0 will continue addressing infrastructure and economic development needs that were delayed or slowed due to COVID-19 in an effort to expand the state’s base of businesses and residents.The … Read more

Butler County plans swearing-in

Butler County is pleased to announce the swearing in of incoming Commissioner Darren Jackson. Mr. Jackson will be sworn into office as commissioner for District 4 in the Butler County Commission Room at 9 AM Tuesday, January 10th. Commissioners Dan Woydziak and Jeff Masterson will be sworn in to their offices for another term at … Read more

Ark City HS teacher charged with sexual battery

Ark City PD says On 12-15-2022, the Arkansas City High School administration contacted the Arkansas City Police Department regarding an alleged incident reported by a student. An 18-year-old female student reported to the administration and later to the police that a teacher at the high school had touched her inappropriately without her consent. Officers from … Read more

Battle of the Badges Blood Drive is tomorrow

The Battle of the Badges Blood Drive is coming up on Friday, January 6th. It’s from Noon until 6 p.m. at Central Christian Church-Ark City, at 206 West Central Avenue, and at First United Methodist Church in Winfield, at 1000 Millington. To make an appointment, go online at www.redcrossblood.org. You also can call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Tax collections up

Governor Laura Kelly announced that total tax collections for December were $1.1 billion — $140.1 million, or 14.8%, more than the monthly estimate. That is also 21.9%, or $194.6 million, more than December 2021. Individual income tax collections were $374.8 million. That is $5.2 million less than the estimate but $19.6 million, or 5.5%, more … Read more

Legislative hotline available

Information about the 2023 Kansas Legislature is only a phone call or chat away, the State Library of Kansas reminds residents. The toll-free number for the Legislative Hotline is 1-800-432-3924. Calls are answered by experienced reference and research librarians at the State Library. Frequently asked questions include: Who are my legislators? How can I contact … Read more

No Thursday coffee this week

The Ark City Chamber of Commerce says, just a reminder that there will be no Thursday Coffee on January 5th. Arkansas City Area Chamber of Commerce Thursday coffees will resume at 10:00 AM on January 12th at 334 East Radio Lane. Please follow the Ark City Chamber of Commerce Facebook page or check the Chamber … Read more

Three organizations planning joint event

Arkansas City Area Chamber of Commerce, Cowley Works – Cowley First and VISIT Ark City are three organizations that work together to promote and support Ark City and Cowley County through business and tourism. But these three organizations are also important resources for the public. On January 19th from 7-8 PM at Venue 208 in … Read more