Electric heater in dog house is suspected cause of house fire

Arkansas City FD and Winfield FD were busy yesterday providing mutual aid response to each other’s respected coverage areas. At 7:08 am, ACFD responded to a structure fire on the southwest side of the county, on 11th Road. An all clear of the building was given from dispatch while enroute to the fire. Upon arriving … Read more

Governor gives update on 988

Governor Laura Kelly today announced that since its launch in July 2022, the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has handled a nearly 27% increase in call volume compared to the six months before its launch. Based on national projections, Kansas is estimated to reach 120,000 Kansans in the hotline’s first full year of operation.In June … Read more

Money available to help with learning recovery

As Kansas students continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Laura Kelly announced today the creation of the Kansas Education Enrichment Program (KEEP), which will provide qualifying parents and guardians with a one-time $1,000 award per child to pay for educational goods and services such as tutoring and school supplies. KEEP will open for … Read more

Ethics professor to give lecture at Southwestern College

D. Stephen Long, Cary M. Maguire University Professor of Ethics at Southern Methodist University, will present the Parkhurst Lecture at Southwestern College on Thursday, Feb. 2, at 4 p.m., in Messenger Recital Hall in the Darbeth Fine Arts Building. There is no admission charge and the public is invited to attend. The topic of his … Read more

Ark City Public Library to host Data Walk

During the month of February, Arkansas City Public Library will host a Data Walk that encourages community members and leaders to engage in meaningful conversation about improving the health of children in their community. Participants view data poster displays and reflect on underlying issues and consider creative policy and system-focused solutions. A Closer Look @ … Read more

Grant will support early childhood system

Governor Laura Kelly announced today that the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund has been awarded a $4 million 2023 Preschool Development Birth through Five Planning Grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families. The grant will support the state’s ongoing efforts to bolster the early childhood workforce, … Read more

Governor receives education report

Governor Laura Kelly received the Governor’s Council on Education’s annual report, which includes a set of recommendations intended to improve educational outcomes for all Kansas students through increased collaboration between the business and education sectors. The Council’s recommended improvements are aimed at advancing early childhood education, increasing opportunities for workforce-bound high schoolers, improving post-secondary transitions … Read more

Writing event coming up

Anyone connected to Cowley College (students, staff, faculty) who would like to present creative original works should plan to take part in the Writers’ Corner event Thursday, February 2, at 7 p.m. inside the Nelson Student Center. Those interested should contact Humanities and Communications Department Chair Marlys Cervantes by Wednesday, February 1, to be included … Read more

AG joins lawsuit

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach today joined a 25-state coalition in a lawsuit over a U.S. Department of Labor rule which would affect the retirement accounts of millions of people. The AG’s office says the rule would allow 401(k) managers to direct their clients’ money to ESG (Environmental Social Governance) investments and runs contrary to … Read more

William Newton Hospital joins American Heart Association initiative

To help eliminate rural health disparities, William Newton Hospital is participating in a new initiative by the American Heart Association®, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all. The Rural Health Care Outcomes Accelerator provides participating hospitals with no-cost access to Get With The Guidelines® quality programs and access to … Read more