Monday, January 5, 2009  Structure Fires On the Rise in Liberal  During the winter, there is a high risk for fires. Space heaters and fireplaces are working overtime this time of year. If you’ve been listening or reading the local news recently you know that several area homes have received major fire and smoke damage in Liberal during the past month.  Liberal Fire Chief Kelly Kirk says major structure fire are on the increase.  The risk for carbon monoxide poisoning is also high this time of year.  With furnaces and hot water heaters running often with windows and doors shut, there is more of a risk for going over safe carbon monoxide levels in the home.  Kirk says flu like symptoms can be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning.   Kirk says even back draft from a chimney can cause carbon monoxide problems. 

Wednesday, December 31, 2008  Semi Strikes Ulysses 4 Year Old  Four year old Ethan Rodenburg of Ulysses lost his life when he was struck by a semi in Ulysses Tuesday.  Ethan was riding his bike east at the intersection of San Jacinto and Colorado when he tried to cross the street to Colorado which is also Highway 25.  A 2006 Kenworth Semi struck the boy on the bike at about 6 pm yesterday evening. 

Kiowa County Crash Kills Liberal Woman  Twenty four year old Miranda Hale of Liberal lost her life when her car was struck by an oncoming vehicle that had crossed the center line of Highway 54 in Kiowa County yesterday.  The driver of the other car 75 year old Donna Clark and passenger 75 year old Glenn Clark both of Mission were injured in the accident.  The accident occurred at about 1:45 yesterday afternoon 4.5 miles east of the U183-U50 junction. 

Deadline to File for Public Office Approaches  The filing deadline for candidates in Seward County is coming up on January 27 for the April 7 general election with March 3 as the date for a possible primary.  The City of Liberal city commission has three positions open for election including the four year term of Joe Denoyer and Doug LeFreniere and a two year term held by Don Rash.  USD 480 has three four year terms open for election held by Cliff Abbott, Cheryl Louderback, and Bob Maier.  The SCCC/ATS Board of Trustees three four year term positions open for election currently are held by Sharon Hobble, Ron Oliver, and Dustin Ormiston.  The City of Kismet has three four year city council positions open for election held by Louise Winner, Rodney Lewis, David Reed, and a four year term for mayor currently held by Darold Ungerer.  USD 483 at Plains-Kismet has three four year terms for the board open held by Andrea Johnsrud, Ron Eakes, and Roger Eakes.  

Tuesday, December 30, 2008  Authorities Find Body at Cozy Inn  Emergency responders were dispatched Friday morning to the Cozy Inn in Liberal on the reports of a dead body in a motel room.  Officers found 49 year old Joe Robert Villarea deceased.  He was discovered by medical personnel after he missed several medical appointments and they became concerned.  He apparently died of natural causes and no autopsy was performed.  Villarea had been deceased for several days when authorities found him. 

Monday, December 29, 2008  Haskell County Crash Injures Five  Five people were taken to the Satanta Hospital with injuries after a crash in Haskell County Friday.  Forty eight year old Ricky Seemann of Augusta was driving a 1992 Ford Tempo west on Highway 56.  Thirty-four year old Rita Torres of Satanta was driving a 1998 Mustang east on 56.  The Tempo drove left of center and struck the Mustang.  Seemann’s Tempo continued eastbound for 625 feet, entered the south ditch and struck two tractors.  It came to rest in the south ditch facing south.  The Mustang Torres was driving came to rest in the south ditch facing west.  The accident occurred a half mile east of the 56-83 junction.  Seemann, Torres, and her passengers were taken to Satanta District Hospital.  Her passengers were 13 year old Kyle Jordan, seven year old Andru Morales, and one year old Kade Morales all of Satanta.  The accident occurred at about 6:30 Friday evening. 

Tuesday, December 23, 2008  Liberal Woman Wins Five Thousand Dollars in Southwest Times Promotion  Michelle Kinsinger of Liberal won  five thousand dollars in the Southwest Time’s Christmas Cash Giveaway promotion.  Her name was announced yesterday afternoon at the Times.  Ed Poley of Liberal won 500 dollars while Christopher Mason of Liberal won 400 dollars.  Shyla Carson of Liberal won 300 dollars and Glenna High of Hooker wins 200 dollars.

National Beef Employees Push United Way Over Goal  National Beef Packing employees pledged over 168 thousand dollars to the Seward County United Way for the 2009 campaign.  The employees increased their giving by over 22 thousand dollars from the previous year.  Seward County United Way Executive Director Kay Burtzloff says the National Beef employees contributed 55 percent of the total campaign.  Burtzloff says with several other campaigns to go the Seward County will go substantially over their goal. 

Jury Finds Garcia-Fraire Guilty After Summer Shooting  After a June 7 shooting at Express Lane at 15th and Western, 22 year old Juan Garcia-Fraire was arrested and last week found guilty of intentional attempted murder in the second degree, two counts of aggravated assault, and one count of criminal discharge of a firearm at an occupied building.  He will be sentenced in Seward County District Court January 23 at 3:30 pm.  Garcia-Fraire attempted to start a confrontation with Express Lane employee 19 year old Samantha Otero.  When Garcia-Fraire left the store, Otero went outside to see if he damaged her car.  At that time 23 year old Dakeitha West and 20 year old Ruben Perez walked up to the store when Garcia-Fraire confronted Perez with a gang related dialog and signs before presenting the gun.  Garcia-Fraire fired three rounds from a .380 caliber handgun in the direction of Otero, West, and Perez and struck West in the foot.  The store was occupied throughout the event with employees and customers. 

Monday, December 22, 2008  City Files Suit Against WaterPark Experts  The City of Liberal is filing suit agianst WaterPark Experts who pulled out of the construction of the water park before completion.  Liberal city manager Mark Hall indicates in a press release that the city filed suit against WPE on November 19 as a result of unclear statements made by WPE.  WPE pulled out of the project and the city was advised that WPE was possibly pursuing bankrupcy.   WPE was served with the lawsuit December 10.  Hall says the city intends to let the legal process run its course and will have no further comment regarding the status of litigation.  Hall says in the released taxpayers are not out 1.3 million dollars.  He says the city has paid WPE about 1.3 millions dollars pursuant to the terms of the contract, however, the city has received value for this expenditure. 

Joyce Varnes Wins Contest  Joyce Varnes of Liberal won KSCB and the Legend’s giveaway of one thousand dollars on Friday.  Her name was drawn at Radio Shack.  Varnes wins one thousand dollars as part of the station’s Christmas Gift Express promotion.    KSCB and the Legend listeners called the station to win gift cards to participating businesses when they heard the train whistle.  Varnes and other then registered at participating businesses in Liberal, Guymon, Perryton, Hugoton, Hooker, and Elkhart for the chance to win the one thousand dollars. 

New Census Shows Liberal Whites Remain Minorities  (AP) New Census numbers show that minorities now make up at least half the population in four of Kansas’ 18 largest cities.  The figures hwo that non-Hispanic whites are now a minority in Liberal, Dodge City, and Kansas City.  In Garden City, at least 50 percent of the residents are minorities.  The figures come from the American Community Survey and were released this month by the U.S. Census Bureau.  They offer the first look at the demographics of medium size cities since 2000.  The numbers show that 16 of the 18 cities have become more racially diverse since 2000.  The suburban communities of Derby, Olathe, and Overland Park showed some of the fastest gains in minority population. 

Friday, December 19, 2008  Semi Backs Over Man at Air Products  A Dodge City man was taken to Southwest Medical Center with injuries Thursday morning after a semi ran over and dragged him.  The accident occurred at about 11 am yesterday at Air Products on County Road G.  A 2007 Freightliner was backing up inside the Air Products parking lot when 66 year old Roy Wilson Stevens of Dodge City went behind the vehicle and was then backed over and dragged with the vehicle.  

Santa Makes Appearances This Weekend  There are two more chance for kids in Liberal to visit Santa Claus before Christmas Day.  Santa will be set upt in his little house on Saturday and Sudnay for the fianl t9imes before Christmas at the water fountain on North Kansas Avenue.  Liberal Parks and Recreation provides the house that Santa wil be in.  Kids can visit Santa from 2-4 on Saturday and Sunday at the water fountain.  For more information, contact the Liberal Chamber of Commerce at 624-3855. 

Thursday, December 18, 2008  Fire Shoots from Three Sides of Residence on Charles Street  A Wednesday afternoon fire rendered a house at 1221 Charles Street in Liberal uninhabitable.  One firefighter suffered a minor burn and a family pet perished but the occupants of the home were unharmed.  First arriving fire units found the attached garage and attic area of the residence was fully involved in flames.  Firefighters controlled the blaze in about 30 minutes and protected a residence west of the fire.   The origin of the fire has been determined, however the exact cause remains under investigation. 

Liberal Fire Department Receives Grant  The Liberal Fire Department received a grant for a little over 99-thousand dollars for fire operations and safety.  U.S. Senator Pat Roberts announced over 191-thousand dollars in four grants were awarded to Kansas firefighters to improve homeland security.  The funds were awarded by the 2008 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program under the United State Department of Homeland Security.  The program assists rural, urban, and suburban fire departments throughout the United States.

Stepping Stone Shelter’s Doors Will be Open on Christmas  The Stepping Stone Shelter will serve Christmas dinner.  Anyone who doesn’t have a place to go for a holiday meal and socializing is invited to the shelter at 1 pm Christmas day.  A traditional ham meal with all the trimmings will be served.  The Stepping Stone Shelter is located at 1015 North Washington in Liberal.  If anyone needs more information or wants to volunteer call 626-6024. 

Wednesday, December 17, 2008  Crusader Students Get Much Needed Break  Their hours are different now during Christmas break from those late night hours when the paper must go out.  Seward County Community College’s Crusader newspaper is one of the top junior college publications out there.  They won first place last year in Minneapolis to join one second, two third, a fourth, and a fifth place finish in recent years.  Adviser Anita Reed says Crusader students are just getting started in communications. There are 13 members on the Crusader staff.  Editor Chelsea Valdez of Moscow says the Crusader students are dedicated. The staff has a short break now in between the fall and spring semesters.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008  Leadership Liberal Seeks Enrollment  Leadership Liberal is now accepting enrollment for the 2009 class.  LEAD would also like to invite past alumni to the Kick Off Dinner scheduled January 15 at 6:30 at SCCC/ATS.  For more information, contact Joyce Keating at the Liberal Chamber of Commerce at 624-3855. 

Huelskamp Represents Kansas at Tax Academy  Senator Tim Huelskamp of Fowler recently represented Kansas at the American Legislative Exchange Council’s ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force’s annual Tax Academy in Washington D.C.  An elite group of 60 state legislators from across the United States gathered for a day of intense discussions on critical fiscal policy issue facing the states and nation.  Attendees met with nationally renowned policy experts including former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Bob McTeer, senior economics writer at the Wall Street Journal  Stephen Moore and professor of economics at Ohio University Richard Vedder. 

Monday, December 15, 2008  United Way Donations are Down  The donations made to the United Way are down this year in large part due to the economic downturn nationally.  The Seward County United Way has achieved only about 50 percent of their goal this year.  Director Kay Burtloff says the economy is hindering donationas.  Burtsloff says many of the donors are retired and can’t donate anymore because the stock market has cut into their retirement fund.  Burtsloff says there have been more people showing up at the Stepping Stone Homeless Shelter for meals.  She says her volunteers also indicate there has been an increase in domestic abuse cases.  To contact the Seward County United Way or to make a donation call 624-5400. 

Friday, December 12, 2008  Hi Plains Daily Reader Responds to Allegations  Earlier this week the Southwest Times Newspaper reported they have sued six former employees who are now members of the Hi Plains Daily Leader Newspaper claiming “treacherous acts” were committted from December 2007 to April 30, 2008. Court papers allege computer fraud and breach of duty by the former employees.  It also accuses them of defamation, civil conspiracy, and interfering with business relations.   But the Hi Plains Leader reports in their paper that they are considering a counter lawsuit for libel.  Hi Plains Leader Publisher Earl Watt says in the paper “this appears to be a final attempt of a desparate organization to try to remove their competitor.”  Watt says the Southwest Times allegations are false. 

Red Stocking Breakfast Set for Saturday  KSCB B107.5 will broadcast life tomorrow morning at the Liberal Country Club for the Red Stocking Breakfast.  Breakfast will be served and Santa will be in attendance for the kids.  The Red Stocking Breakfast benefits the Kansas Children’s Service League.  Tickets are 10 dollars at the door for the event which runs from 7:30-10:30 Saturday morning. 

Thursday, December 11, 2008  Icy Roads Cause Fatality Collision Near Turpin  A two vehicle accident claimed the life of a California man Tuesday night.  Forty-six year old E. Pleitez Jovel lost his life when the car he was driving crossed the center line and struck a  bus head on.  He was pinned inside his vehicle for 20 minutes and died at the scene.  The crash occurred at 7:30 Tuesday night one mile south of Turpin on Highway 83.  The driver of the bus from Perryton was not injured.  The highway was icy and caused Jovel’s car to cross the center line.

Thieves Break in House on South Washington  Liberal police are looking for suspects responsible for breaking in a house and stealing money.  The robbery occurred in the 600 block of South Washington.  Thieves turned off power to the victim’s house and broke in.  The victim and the men got into a fight leaving the victim with a cut over his eye.  The burglary occurred on Sunday night. 

City Hosts Holiday Open House Tonight  The City of Liberal will host a holiday open house and ribbon cutting tonight from 5-7 pm at City Hall.  The public is invited and refreshments will be served.  City Hall is located at 324 North Kansas. 

Wednesday, December 10, 2008  Alamo Grid Stays on Water Park Project  Alamo Grid Construciton of Mississippi will continue to cosntruct Liberal’s water park.  They have been the on site contractor for the project since day one but now will work directly for the city of Liberal after Water Park Experts backed off the project last month.  Liberal city commissioners approved a labor contract with Alamo Grid last night.  By a 3-2 vote, the city commission also approved an interlocal agreement with Dodge City and Garden City worth nine thousand dollars to retain services of a consultant to provide lobbyist services.  The commission approved new playground equipment at Light Park for over 50 thousand dollars and approved purchasing new Christmas decorations to replace the current decorations with a price tag not to exceed 12-thousand dollars coming from the one cent sales tax economic development portion. 

Southwest Times Sues Five Daily Leader Employees The Southwest Times Newspaper reports this morning they have sued former Times publisher and President Earl Watt claiming he was guilty of “treacherous acts” from at least December 2007 through April 30, 2008.  Watt is now the publisher for the High Plains Daily Leader Newspaper in Liberal.  Also named as co-defendents in the lawsuit are Watt’s wife Heather Watt, Daily Leader employees and former Times employees Jason Epp, Larry Phillips, Rick Yearick, and Betty DuBois.  The lawsuit alleges Watt and others are guilty of computer fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, suppression and/or deceit, breach of fiduciary duty, tortious interference with contractual and/or business relations, defamation, conversion, and civil conspiracy.  The Times Company says they seek compensatory and punitive damages, plus interest and costs and attorney’s fee. 

Tuesday, December 9, 2008  Winter Weather Causes School Delays  Hugoton students can stay in bed longer this morning.  Hugoton schools will start at 10 am this morning due to blowing snow in the area.  USD 210 Hugoton morning pre-school and kindergarten is cancelled for today.  USD 452 schools in Johnson including Stanton County High School will start school two hours late.   Yarbrough schools are also running two hours late.

Mid America Air Museum Gears for Fundraiser  The Mid America Air Museum hosts their 4th annual  Supersonic Chilli Supper Saturday night at 6 pm.  Organizers will serve chilli, corn bread, desserts, iced tea, and coffee at the fundraiser.   Rob and Virgina Grant, Steve Leete, and Virginia Grant will perform.  Santa Claus will be there and will read the Christmas story to children in attendance.  Admission is six dollars and money will to to the museum. 

Monday, December 8, 2008  Liberal Grandma Wins Car After Finishing School  Liberal resident Pat Greer won a car at the Christmas Parade Saturday night.  Greer won the 2003 PT Cruiser in a contest sponsored by the High Plains Daily Leader newspaper.  Greer says she was with her daughter and one of her grandchildren when she heard the annuncement.  Greer says although this is the first time she won a contest, her grandchildren are the real prize.  Greer says she considers the car a graduation gift after finishing school at Fort Hays State last week.  She signed up at the Best Market Supermarket weeks ago for the chance to win the car.  Shoppers were able to sign up for the chance to win the car the past several weeks.  Diane Tillson won a 600 dollar phone package from Epic Touch.  She won the contest by signing up, answering her phone at the parade, and then coming forward to accept her prize. 

Thursday, December 4, 2008  Hardesty Teen Loses Life in Texas County Crash  A 19 year old man from Hardesty lost his life after his pickup ran off a rural Texas County road.  The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says Justin Shelton was driving his pickup about 5.9 miles south of Hardesty when the accident occurred at about 3:20 yesterday afternoon.  Troopers say that after Shelton’s pickup ran off the road, it hit a bridge embankment and continued along the railing before falling from the bridge.  The pickup came to rest on its top in a dry creekbed.  Shelton was pinned in the wreckage.

Twelve Liberal Residents Receive Chamber Distinction  In a ceremony Tuesday night, the Liberal Chamber of Commerce unveiled the 12 men and women of distinction for their 2009 calender.  The Chamber received several nominations and then the selection committee narrowed the list of nominees to the final 12.  They are: Steve Cauble, Marybettie Tabor, Robert Burkey, Madeline Broadfoot, Bill Salley, Rozelle Webb, Greg Bird, Duan Dunn, Sus Lukwago, Tina Call, Gene Sharp, and Gary Dunham.  Calenders are available at the Chamber and are free of charge.  The calenders include a detailed list of events scheduled throughout the upcoming year. 

Wednesday, December 3, 2008  Hugoton Residents Vote Against Alcohol Sales  Residents of Hugoton turn thumbs down to alcohol slaes on Sundays and most holidays.  Voters on Monday rejected a measure to allow the sales, 291-178.  Residents petitioned for a vote after the city council in August approved Sunday sales of alcohol at convenience stores and liquor stores in the town of 3,400.  Opponents of Sunday sales had said they weren’t out to hurt businesses that the decision would impact, but were standing up for what they believe in.  Had the measure passed, alcohol sales would have been allowed on all Sundays except Easter and Christmas, and on Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.

Morris Pushes Construction of Coal Plants  Legislative leaders expect another round of debate at the turn of the new year over whether coal-fired power plants should be built near Holcomb.  Senate President Steve Morris of Hugoton says work is under way to draft a comprehensive energy bill that will include allowing construction of the two plants outside Holcomb.  He said he would like to work with Governor Kathleen Sebelius on the issue.  Sebelius vetoed three bills during the 2008 session which would have allowed the coal plants.  Her administration has blocked them over conerns about carbon-dioxide emissions. 

Huelskamp Eyes Run for Senate  State Senator Tim Huelskamp says he’s thinking about making a run for Congress in two years.  The Republican from Fowler says he’s busy raising money and plans to make a formal announcement during the coming weeks.  He’s eyeing the 1st district seat now held by Republican Jerry Moran, who has told constituents for months that he’ll run for the Senate.  Moran has filed the state and federal paperwork necessary to start collecting contributions.  Moran would be seeking the seat held by Sam Brownback who is widely expected to run for governor in 2010. 

KDOT Scales Back Road Project at Seward/Meade County Line  As a cost saving measure the Kansas Department of Transportation will scale back a planned reconstruction project on Highway 160 in Seward County from the junction of Highway 83 and 160 to the Seward/Meade County line.  The original plans called for rebuilding the existing road, adding six-foot wide shoulders with three feet of asphalt and three feet of turf, widening and flattening the ditches and adding turn lanes at major crossroads.  Instead, KDOT plans to do a resurfacing project on 160 in Seward County.  The resurfacing will cost about 2.1 million dollars while the reconstruction would have cost about 16.9 millions dollars.  Another project from the Seward/Meade County line to the junction of 160 and Highway 54 near Plains will go on as planned. 

Tuesday, December 2, 2008  Accident Injures Two Near Tyrone  A one vehicle injury accident occurred Sunday night at 9:25 a mile northeast of Tyrone on Highway 54.  The driver of a 1997 GMC Jimmy was west bound on 54 when he left the road to the right, over corrected and the vehicle rolled several times ejecting the passenger.  The car came to rest on the vehicle’s right side.  The driver was pinned inside the vehicle for 42 minutes.  The driver is a 41 year old Gasper Cruz-Mendoza from Guymon and the passenger is a 25 year old Marciano Valesquez Mendoza from Guymon.  They were both taken to Southwest Medical Center.  The driver is in stable condition but the passenger is in critical condition with head and internal injuries.  Seatbelts were not in use

District Attorney’s Task Force Makes Another Drug Bust Near Goodwell  The District Attorney’s  Interdiction team made another drug bust during a traffic stop near Goodwell last Monday.  They seized 1.7 pounds of methamphetamine and 1.2 pounds of cocaine during the Highway 54 traffic stop.  The occupants in the vehicle came from Dallas by way of Amarillo and were headed to Kansas City.  The agents found illegal narcotics in what appeared to be a new and unopened box of laundry detergent.  The box had been opened from the bottom and resealed with glue.  The street value of the meth is in excess of 75 thousand dollars while the cocaine is worth over five thousand dollars.  All three individuals were arrested and charged in Texas County District Court with aggravated trafficking in meth and cocaine. The minimum sentence is 15 years in prison plus substantial fines.

Police Look for Pumpkin Thief  Someone really wanted a pumpkin.  Someone wanted a pumpkin so much that the person stole a 450 pound pumpkin.  A man living in the 2000 block of Rose Lane says someone stole his 450 pound pumpkin out of his flower garden Sunday at about 6 pm.  Police are looking for the thief but don’t have suspects right now. 

Former Liberal Educator Nominated for Award  Former Liberal teacher, coach, and administrator Darrin Headrick finds himself in good company.  The Greensburg superintendent is one of 10 nominees for 2008’s Most Inspiring Person of the Year.  Liberty Mutual sponsors the award which is administered by Beliefnet, a multifaith online community.  Other nominees include actor Paul Newman, actress Christina Applegate, the Boy Scouts, Dr. Randy Pausch, who delivered the famous “Last Lecture,” and Christian music artist Steven Curtis Chapman.  Headrick was nominated for his role in rebuilding Greensburg after the May 4, 2007 tornado.  Individuals can vote once a day for their pick.  Voting ends Friday.

 Monday, December 1, 2008  Guymon Food Pantry Receives Donation  The local food pantry in Guymon is giving many residents reason to be thankful.  Conoco Phillips Exploration and Production Panhandle Area donated four-thousand dollars to the Loaves and Fishes Food Cupboard in Guymon.  The check was presented last week.  Loaves and Fishes also received a large food donation from area schools who went of food drives.

Fire Station Expected to Open Today  Today is the day the new fire station in Liberal is slated to be completed.  The contractor Building Solutions indicates the project should be completed for opening today with only minor adjustments that need to be made to the building.  The new headquarters is on 15th street just west of Walgreen’s.  The new fire station will be the headquarters with administration and shift captains working out of the new building with two city firefighters.  There will also be two city firefighters on duty at the south station.  The Liberal Fire Department and Seward County Fire Department will share the building.  Building Solutions has been working on the building since October. 

Authorities Seize 167 Pounds of Marijuana Near Goodwell  A traffic stop on November 19 resulted in the seizure of 167 pounds of marijuana near Goodwell.  The District Attorney’s Criminal Interdiction Team pulled over a woman traveling from Phoenix to Kansas City and noticed an overwhelming smell of marijuana.  The woman was arrested and charged with trafficking of marijuana in Texas County District Court.  Trafficking of marijuana carries a minimum sentence of four years in prison plus substantial fines. 

Wednesday, November 26, 2008  Stepping Stone Shelter Serves Thanksgiving Dinner  The Stepping Stone Shelter at 1015 N. Washington in Liberal will be serving Thanksgiving Dinner at 1:00 pm Thursday.  Anyone who doesn’t have a place to go for a holiday meal is invited to the shelter.  A traditional turkey meal with all the trimmings will be served.  Anyone who needs more information or wants to volunteer to help can call 626-6024. 

Liberal Parks and Recreation Presents an After Thanksgiving Walk  Liberal Parks and Recreation wants to get you moving after your Thanksgiving Feast.  They are presenting an “After Thanksgiving Night Walk/Jog” Saturday evening.  They will meet at 6:30 at the Wendy’s parking lot at 7th and Kansas and will walk or jog along the sidewalk to 2nd and Kansas.  They will cross the street and return to the Wendy’s parking lot.  They ask that you please bring at least one canned good for the Mexican American Minsistries Community Cupboard.  The group or organization with the most participants will win a free hayride from the Liberal Parks and Recreation Christmas Hayride Wagon.

KSCB Wins Celebrity Livestock Judging Contest  KSCB is proudly displaying a trophy in the front reception area after winning the SCCC/ATS  Celebrity Livestock Judging contest last weekend.  Teresa Manrique, Travis Stovall, Lance Waugh, and Alan Imler were the winning team.  Farm Credit came in second and Billy’s Mexican Grill and Q/High Plains Pizza took third.  Eisenhauer was first in the agriculture affiliate division with Daniel Schwartz, Tom Roberts, Rusty Williams, and Jeff Wilson.  Byron Bird and Associates was second and Grant County Feeders was third.  Individually, Danny Lamar was first in the agriculture division and Toni Eder won the ag affiliate division.  Melissa King won the celebrity division.  Winner of the high individual college employee award was SCCC president Duane Dunn.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008 Kansas Attorney General Drops Murder Charges Against Floyds  Murder charges against Chad and Shannon Floyd have been dropped.  District judge Robert Schmiseur dismissed the case of the former Stanton County couple without prejudice duing a brief hearing yesterday in Johnson.  The Floyds were accused of killing Shannon’s ex-boyfriend Michael Golub.  Golub was last seen May 20, 2005 when he was reportedly on his way to the Floyds’ rural Stanton County home to pick up his son, whom he had with Shannon Floyd, for a weekend visitation.  Golub’s body has never been found.  The Floyd’s attorney Dan Monnat says his clients are innocent of any crime.  Dismissing a case without prejudice means prosecutors could re-open the case.

Monday, November 24, 2008  Seward County Crash Injures Three  Three people were taken to Southwest Medical Center with injuries Friday afternoon after a crash 15 miles north of Liberal.  Eighteen year old Jordan Whitehurst of Derby, eighteen year old Jacob Dow of Wichita, and 65 year old Richard Zujko of Liberal were involved in the crash.  Whitehurst was driving a 2002 Ford pickup west on 160 while Zujko was driving a 2005 Toyota passenger car north on Highway 83.  Whitehurst failed to yield to traffic and turned south on 83 striking Zujko’s vehicle.  Zujko was transported from the scene by Seward County EMS and later transported via Life Team to a Wichita Hospital. 

High Speed Chase Leaves Texas County Authorities in Search Mode  The Guymon Daily Herald reports Texas County authorities are still searching for two suspects in a high speed chase that ended with a crash in a field off mile 39 in Optima Friday.  Texas County sheriff’s deputies pulled over a gold Nissan Pathfinder with Arizona plates on Highway 54 between Goodwell and Guymon at about 4:30 Friday.  When a deputy attempted to speak to the driver the car sped away.  The county sheriff and Guymon police went in pursuit and were joined by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Hooker police.  The suspects ran into the Beaver River bottoms where officers and civilian residents of the areas chased them on foot but were unsuccessful. 

Friday, November 21, 2008  Former Guymon Daily Herald Worker Admits Stealing Cameras  Three Guymon men are in custody after stolen items turned up.  The Guymon Daily Herald reports former press operator for the Herald 18 year old Anthony Mallard confessed to taking camera equipment after 25-hundred dollars worth was reported stolen October 12.  Mallard told police 18 year old Zachary Lucero and 36 year old Jesse Gilbert went to the Herald after hours one night and took the cameras.  A further search of Mallard’s residence led to the recovery of one computer, two XM radio’s, DVD’s, a Dewalt drill, and other items.  The cameras and equipment were recovered from another house on Highway 136 north along with stolen guns and cross bows.   Mallard, Lucero, and Gilbert are being charged with grand larceny and knowingly concealing stolen property.  Lucero and Gilbert are being charged with second degree burglary.  The arraignments for Lucero, Mallard, and Gilbert are November 24, November 28, and December 9 respectively. 

Saturday Night is a Night of Lights in Liberal  The Baker Arts Center presents Night of Lights tomorrow night.  Toni Smith of the Baker Arts Center says bring your appetite because there will be food and beverages.  Some of the auction items include trips to Las Vegas or Taos, a Traeger Grill, fine art, mystery dinner and more.  The doors open at 5:30 with the silent auction from 5:30 to 7:15 and the live auction at 7:30.

Thursday, November 20, 2008  Bake Sale Set to Help Family After Fire  A benefit bake sale is planned for this morning from 8-11 am in conference room one at Southwest Medical Center for Liberal resident Lucy Cazares and her great-grandchildren.  While at work, Lucy recently lost her home and her possessions in a fire and two of her family members were injured.  She currently has custody of her three great-grandchildren, two boys ages four and two, and one seven month old girl.  Lucy is an employee at Southwest Medical Center.  Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will provide matching funds for this event.  For more information call 629-6335. 

Liberal School District Provides for Children with Special Needs  USD 480 has programs for children with special needs.  Director of special services with the district Vicky Adams says the district provides for any disability. The district serves students with physical, learning, and social emotional challenges.  Young children from birth to five years are placed in PACT (Parents and Children Together) if necessary after a Child Fine Screening.  The next Child Fine Screening is December 5 at the Church of Christ.  If a student is already in school, teachers are available to talk to and there are Student Intervention Teams at each school in the district. 

Wednesday, November 19, 2008  Kansas Authorities Set to Ramp Up Enforcement During Thanksgiving  The Liberal Police Department will participate in the Thanksgiving Traffic Enforcement Campaign held November 24-30.  A grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation will enable this department to have more officer presence on streets and highways to aggressively enforce Kansas traffic laws.  They will be especially vigilant for impaired drivers and children, teens, and adults who are not buckled up.  In Kansas, nearly six people, most of them innocent are killed or injured in alcohol related crashes every day.  Those who do not buckle up are almost 12 times more likely to be killed as those who buckle up.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008  Police Search for Pizza Hut Burglar  Liberal police are investigating a burglary which occurred after midnight Saturday at the south Liberal Pizza Hut in the 100 block of East Pancake.  The suspect busted down some doors and got into a safe and took 25-hundred dollars.  Police are questioning an employee who was fired the day before. Police believe the person who got into the safe may have known the combination.  

Liberal Man Dies in Beaver Dunes Crash  An accident occurred Sunday afternoon at the Beaver Sand Dunes claiming the life of a Liberal man.  A collision with two four-wheelers has claimed the life of 21 year old Dustin Betts.  Russell McBride of Liberal was air lifted to an Amarillo hospital.  He was in a medical induced coma as of Wednesday morning.  He is listed in critical condition with injuries to his face, shoulder, and possibly his neck.

Monday, November 17, 2008  Two Semitrailers Collide in Seward County  Two men were injured Saturday morning when two semitrailers collided on county road 16.  Forty-six year old Thomas Roberts of Moscow and forty-nine year old Joseph Enterkin of Liberal were injured in the wreck which occurred at 5:30 am Saturday and caused one of the semis to catch fire.  Roberts was headed east on 16 in a 2004 Freightliner and failed to yield the right of way to Enterkin who was headed north on Highway 83 driving a 2004 Peterbilt.  Enterkin’s semi struck the Frieghtliner, went into the ditch and burned.  The accident occurred 17 miles north of Liberal.

Washington Man Dies in Haskell County Crash  A Washington man lost his life Saturday after a crash in Haskell County.  Forty-four year old Marcos Ruiz of Washington was driving south on Haskell County Road just south of Highway 160 when he drifted off to the side of the road and then overcorrected.  Ruiz rolled the 2004 F150 pickup at least once, landing the vehicle on its wheels off the road.  He later died from the injuries.  The crash occurred at about 4:45 Saturday. 

Friday, November 14, 2008  Forgan Teenager’s Parents Look for Hit and Run Culprit  A Forgan family is offering a one-thousand dollar reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who wrecked into their son’s car and didn’t stop to help.  Eighteen year old Kaden Taylor was headed to Liberal for his ACT test October 25 when his car was run off the road by another motorist northwest of Forgan.  The motorist was driving a four door black or dark Chevrolet or GMC pickup with possibly tinted windows and chrome tires.  Taylor was in three foot tall grass for an hour and a half before he was discovered.  Taylor is trying to recover from a broken back, severed spinal cord, collapsed lungs, arms broken in several places, and an arm pulled out of its socket.  He has developed pneumonia since being admitted to Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo.  Taylor played for the Forgan football team before the injury.  

Plains Fire Department Gets Financial Boost  U.S. Senator Sam Brownback announced yesterday that the Plains Rural Fire Department is one of five fire departments in the state to receive 2008 Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program awards.  The program nationally offers funding for community fire department and emergency medical services.  The Plains department will receive almost 16-thousand dollars for operations safety.

SCCC/ATS Seeks Area Pep Bands  Seward County doesn’t have a pep band anymore for basketball games.  But with the help of area high school pep bands that could change.  SCCC/ATS band director Darrin Workman says the college is inviting the area’s best bands. The Saints home schedule runs from November through February.

Thursday, November 13, 2008  Stanton County Crash Injures Woman  A one car crash injured a Denison, Texas woman in Stanton County yesterday afternoon.  Forty-seven year old Brenda Wiggins was headed south on county road 12 and failed to stop at a stop sign.  Wiggins tried to turn left without coming to a complete stop and overturned a 1998 semi tractor.  The accident occurred 15.5 miles west from the K27/160 junction west of Johnson.  Wiggins was taken to Stanton County Hospital with injuries.  The accident occurred at about 3:40 yesterday afternoon.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008  Explosion at Natural Gas Plant Causes School Evacuation  (AP) A school in the Panhandle was evacuated after an explosion at a nearby natural gas plant but only as a precaution.  Texas County undersheriff Rick Caddell says a liquid condensation tank exploded at about 9 am yesterday at the Duke Conoco Phillips plant near the community of Straight, about 15 miles north of Guymon.  Caddell says students at the school in Straight were never in danger but they and the school’s staff members were sent home just to be safe.  Caddell says plant workers shut down a pipeline connected to the tank that exploded and the fire burned itself out by about 2 pm.  About 20 fire trucks helped put out the blaze.  No plant workers were injured. 

McDermott Will Accept Award Today  McDermott Elementary is Liberal will be recognized at an award ceremony today in Junction City for being selected as a Certificate of Merit award winner in math.  This award recognizes schools for outstanding achievement based on Kansas State Assessment results from 2008. 

Liberal Hosts Windy Seminar Today  With some of the strongest winds in the state blowing through southwest Kansas, it only makes sense that a wind seminar will be held today in Liberal at the Seward County Agricultural Building.  The seminar is from 9 am to 3 pm.  Organizers say the goal is to bring landowners and citizens up to speed on what to expect for the future of wind energy in the state.  Wind energy potential has a range of 1-7 with seven being the strongest.  Level five is the strongest measurement in Kansas and about 80 percent of Seward County is at level five. 

Moscow Boy Wins Amarillo Talent Show  Easton Hamblin of Moscow won a Texas amateur vocal competition  in Amarillo recently.  The 11 year old boy won more than just the competition.  He also wins the opportunity to open for Blake Shelton as well as one thousand dollars and some time in a recording studio.  Hamblin says he has been singing since he was a toddler and hopes to put a band together.

Liberal Signs Agreement with Dodge City and Garden City  Liberal city commissioners signed a southwest Kansas cooperation agreement last night with Garden City and Dodge City last night at the city commission meeting.  The commission also approved a bid from BCI in Hugoton for a new structure in Light Park to replace the Girl Scouts cabin there for over 142-thousand dollars.  The city also approved the purchase of new netting for the batting cages for just under seven thousand dollars.   

Tuesday, November 11, 2008  Liberal Man Dies in Crash Near Laverne  A 19 year old man from Liberal lost his life in a collision on Highway 283 in Harper County yesterday morning.  The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says Marcos Siprian Delacruz of Liberal was headed south when his vehicle struck a pickup driven by 48 year old Treacy Broadbent of Gage.  Troopers say Broadbent failed to yield from a stop sign and was turning left when the collision occurred at about 6 am yesterday.

Area Residents Honor Veterans  Veterans Day means several events are scheduled to honor veterans today.  The American Legion Ham and Bean Feed at 25 West 3rd Street is scheduled for 11-2 today at the legion post.  The VFW is inviting members and guests for a bean feed from 11-2.  Southwest Medical Center is offering a free lunch from 11:30-1 pm today for veterans in the Garden of Eatin’ Cafeteria.  At 3 pm today at the Seward County Courthouse, there will be a Veterans program and dedication of the Seward County War Memorial.  The Mid America Air Museum is offering free admission for veterans today.

Monday, November 10, 2008  The railroad crossing at Highway 160 on the east side of Plains will be closed today.  The crossing I near the 160/54 junction.  The crossing will be closed until the project is completed to replace the crossing.  KDOT and the Union Pacific Railroad expect the crossing to be re-opened by Tuesday evening, but caution that the work could extend to Wednesday.  KDOT advises drivers to find alternate routes.  The official highway detour will follow Highways 54 and 83. 

Friday, November 7, 2008  KSCB Hosts Home Show this Weekend   Seward County Broadcasting will host the third annual KSCB Holiday Home and Fun Show this weekend at the Seward County Activity Center.    Organizer Cheryl Collins says there are more booths than ever featuring home improvement, decorating, electronics, bake ware, health, beauty, clothing, jewelry, pianos, education, gift giving, and baked goods.  There will be entertainment throughout the show.  Yess Boutique and Salon presents fashion shows at 1pm and 3 pm tomorrow featuring prom, wedding, flower girl, boys tuxedos, everyday fashions, and hair design.  There will be a text messaging contest Saturday with registration at 10:30 and the contest beginning at 11 am.  There are 500 dollars in prizes.  Dance Images will perform Sunday at 2 pm.

Army Field Band Performs Tonight  Area residents can celebrate Veteran’s Day a few days early tonight at Liberal High School’s Gym.  The United States Army Field Band performs tonight at 7 pm.  The 65 member concert band will present a show of marches, overtures, popular music, patriotic music, and instrumental and vocal solos.  The band has performed in events ranging from Inauguration Day to the rededication of the Statue of Liberty to the Olympics.  Anyone with tickets is urged to arrived at 6:30 tonight to be seated first.  Those without tickets can arrive at 6:45.  There are tickets at the Southwest Times newspaper.  The Southwest Times is the sponsor of the event. 

Thursday, November 6, 2008  Guymon Resident Attacked by Vicious Dogs  A Guymon man received wounds on his arms and legs from attacking pit bulls in Guymon Tuesday morning.  When Guymon officers arrived, Zaw Han had taken refuge in a car after he escaped the dogs with assistance from a passing motorist.  As one officer was checking the condition of the man, a pit bull charged.  The officer shot and killed the animal and two other dogs were captured.  This occurred in the 300 block of South James Street in Guymon.   Animal control cited Dustin Parkhurst for six violations and Dylan Camp was charged with three violations.  According to a Guymon city ordinance, any person may kill an animal in self defense or in defense of another person. 

Cable Company Set to Meet with City  After a 3-2 decision denying the franchise transfer from Time Warner Cable to Windjammer Communications at last week’s city commission meeting, representatives of Windjammer have agreed to meet with city officials to hear their concerns.  The meeting is scheduled for November 13 at 6:30 pm at the Rock Island Depot.  The public is invited to attend.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008  Rice Holds Off Francis Write-In Campaign  Jim Rice appears to have won the district five Seward County Commission race yesterday 872-631 over Shannon Francis who was a write-in candidate.  The results are unofficial until canvassing on Friday.  C.J. Wettstein won county commission district 1 441-219 over democrat Kevin Clark.  Republican Tim Huelskamp soundly defeated democrat Laura Mead in Seward County 3530-1233.  Republican Pat Roberts won big in Seward County for U.S. Senate 3695-1012 over Jim Slattery.  Jerry Moran dominated Seward County for U.S. Representative District 1 3772-709 over democrat Jame Bordonaro.  John McCain had 3620 votes from Seward County voters while President Elect Barack Obama had 1376 votes. 

Beaver County Voters Approve Sales Tax Increase  Beaver County voters approved the sales tax question 1501-568 yesterday.  Gus Blackwell won in Beaver County 1579-839 and 3846-2339 in Texas County and won 61 percent of the vote total for district 61.  Bryce Marlatt won the state senate seat over Bowdy Peach 1683-707 in Beaver County and 4225-1889 in Texas County and took 68 percent of the vote total.  The City of Hooker question was 426 “yes” votes and 245 “no” votes.  The Texas County question was 2256 “yes” votes and 1471 “no” votes.  Gary Winters won Texas County Commission district 2 with 1905 votes to Fred Hinderart’s 1157 votes.  These are unofficial results until they are canvassed.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008  Polls Open at 7 am in Seward County  Election day is finally here.  Voters in Liberal can vote from 7 am to 7 pm at the Seward County Activity Center.  All advance ballots which were mailed out must be returned to the Seward County Clerks office by 7 pm.  Kismet voters vote from 7 am to 7 pm in the Kismet City Hall.  The main disputed local elections are for the Seward County Commission.  C.J. Wettstein and Kevin Clark are going for the district 1 seat while Jim Rice and Shannon Francis go for district 5.  We will break in with unofficial results when we have them tonight on our three stations and kscb.net.

St. Anthony’s Gym Receives Extensive Damage  The fire at St. Anthony’s school Sunday started from a candle too close to combustibles on a display table.  The Liberal Fire Department reported to the fire at 1510 North Calhoun at 2 pm.  The bulk of the fire was in the southeast corner of the gym.  The fire was under control by 2:30.  The fire department rules the cause of the fire is accidental.  The gym suffered extensive fire, heat, and smoke damage.  The rest of the building in the kitchen, stage, and classrooms received minor to moderate smoke damage.  Four fire units and 21 fire service personnel operated at the scene. 

Two Meningitis Cases Concern Keyes Residents  (AP) Nurses in the Panhandle are trying to determine who may have had contact with a 10-year-old boy in Keyes, who died from meningitis.  The Oklahoma State Department of Health says neisseria meningitis was present in the child and in a woman in her 70s who has been hospitalized with bacteria that can cause the disease.  The boy died about 10 days ago and the woman was hospitalized on Thursday.  Chief of acute diseased for the Health Department Lauri Smithee says the woman is undergoing treatment in Elkhart.  Smithee says nurses from the Texas County Health Department distributed information about the bacteria in the Cimarron County town last week.  Besides other people, Smithee says the nurse want to know if the boy and the woman had contact with each other.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Smoke Bellows Out of St. Anthony’s School During Mass    Smoke poured out of the St. Anthony’s School area yesterday afternoon.  Liberal firefighters received the call at about 1:30 yesterday about a fire which started in the gymnasium area which is next to the new church.  Authorities had the fire cleared by 3 pm.   The fire occurred during mass which had started at 1 pm.  There were no injuries.  The Liberal Fire Department is investigating the fire and we will have more information when it becomes available. 

Two 19 Year Olds Stabbed During Fight  A fight which began at Liberal High School continued in the 700 block of South Pennsylvania Friday and resulted in two stabbings.  At about 4 pm Friday, Liberal police officers were called to South Pennsylvania for a large fight.  While officers were responding, two 19 year old males were transported to Southwest Medical Center with apparent stab wounds.  The investigation is on going at this time.

KSCB Will Air Recording of Candidate Forum   The Liberal Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum held October 28 will be re-broadcast tonight from 7-8:30 on Talkradio 1270 and kscb.net.  Candidates who participated include Jim Rice and Shannon Francis seeking the Seward County Commission District 5 seat.  C.J. Wettstein and Kevin Clark are seeking Seward County Commission District 1 seat.  Tim Huelskamp and Laura Mead are seeking the Kansas Senate District 38 seat.  The forum included opening comments followed by questions submitted by the public which were answered by both candidates.  Each candidate ended each session with closing comments.   

Friday, October 24, 2008 U.S. Designates Panhandle a Disaster Area
The U.S. Department of Agriculture designated Cimarron, Texas, and Beaver counties disaster areas along with six other Oklahoma counties due to the severe drought. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer made the decision yesterday to declare the counties primary disaster areas. A federal disaster declaration will make farmers and ranchers eligible for low interest emergency loans from the USDA Farm Service Agency. Farmers and ranchers who are forced to liquidate their livestock will be allowed to postpone payment on the capital gains from the forced sale, wit ha potential to negate all payment due.

Grant County Voters Set to Make Liquor by the Drink Decision
A November 4 vote in Grant County sits in the shadow of a historic presidential race and numerous state contests. Voters in Grant, Greeley, and Edwards counties will decide whether to allow liquor to be sold by the drink in area establishments. Today more than two-thirds of Kansas counties permit liquor-by-the-drink sales.

Southgate Mall Hosts Halloween Celebration
The Southgate Mall in Liberal will host Halloween Celebration 2008 from 5-7 pm Sunday evening. Trick-or-treaters are invited to attend the event sponsored by the Mexican-American Ministries Liberal Care Center. The event will also be a fund raiser for the Seward County United Way. There are 18 organizations and businesses signed up to provide treats and games for the event. There will be a prize for the best decorated booth.

Guymon Chamber Awards Epic Touch
The Guymon Chamber of Commerce handed out hardware during Tuesday night's annual chamber banquet. Epic Touch is named the "Small Business of the Year." Guymon's "Citizen of the Year" is Anna Marie Roads. The "Volunteer of the Year" is Jim Scharts. The "Ambassador of the Year" is Jim Quimby.

Thursday, October 23, 2008 Moran Presents Plains Man Medals of Honor
Plains hometown hero Boyd "Bill" Fox received numerous medals of honor Wednesday at Plains Grade School. Fox was a prisoner of war in World War 2 64 years ago. U.S. Congressman Jerry Moran presented Fox with his medals of honor. Fox wife Margaret who is from Liberal was in attendance along with about 200 people. Plains Grade School principal Kyle Griffits introduced Moran. The Daughters of the American Revolution presented a certificate to Fox.

Advance Voting is Underway
Advance voting hours are available in Seward County for the remainder of this week. The hours to cast your vote at the Seward County Courthouse Conference Room are from 8 am to 5 pm. Advance voting will be available next week from 8 am to 6 pm. Saturday, November 1, hours are 9 am to 4:30 pm and November 3 is the last day for advanced voting from 8 am to noon.

Ormiston Fills College Board Position
The SCCC/ATS Board of Trustees selected Dustin Ormiston to fill a position on the board. He will fill the spot once held by Leo Riley. The board interviewed Ormiston and Rick Brenneman for the position. Ormiston will be sworn in to the board on November 3 to serve the remaining term on the board through June 30. He joins Jo Ann Sharp, Ron Oliver, Steve Cauble, Marvin Chance, and Sharon Hobble. Ormiston is a certified public accountant and a shareholder with Hay, Rice, and Associates.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008 Strong Winds Blast Area A severe thunderstorm swept across our area last night. The storm raced from west to east ushering in a cold front. Liberal received 81 mile per hour winds last night strong enough to blow down power lines onto a truck at 11th and Western causing a fire. The storm hit Liberal at about 11:30. Power was knocked out for about half of town for about two hours last night. Meade received 75 mile per hour winds last night. There were severe thunderstorm warnings posted last night in our listening area for Morton, Stevens, Grant, Haskell, Seward, Meade, and Beaver counties.

Liberal Toddler is Killed After Falling Out of SUV A two year old Liberal toddler lost his life after falling out of a moving SUV Monday night in the 900 block of Larrabee Road. Liberal police say the boy opened one of the SUV's back doors at about 9:10 pm and was run over when he fell into the path of the vehicle, which was being driven by his mother. The toddler opened the back door of the vehicle and fell to the ground in the vehicle's path. He was critically hurt and later pronounced dead. The boy's name has not been released. An autopsy was scheduled for yesterday.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008 States Attempt to Block National Beef Acquisition Kansas Attorney General Steve Six filed suit Monday along with the United States Department of Justice and Attorney Generals for 12 states including Oklahoma and Texas to block JBS Beef's acquisition of National Beef. The complaint indicates that the combination of JBS and National would give them the market power to reduce the price they pay to ranchers and feed yards for cattle but raise the prices they charge customers for processed beef. National and JBS are currently the third and fourth largest beef processors in the United States respectively. The combination would give Brazilian owned JBS a third of the U.S. cattle processing market. JBS's acquisition of Smithfield Beef is not being challenged.

Two LHS Students Meet U.S. Congressman Ethan Myers and Tyler Sutherland of Liberal met U.S. Congressman Jerry Moran earlier this month. Myers and Sutherland interviewed with Moran's Service Academy Selection Board at the Kansas Cosmosphere and SpaceCenter in Hutchinson for a nomination from a U.S. Service Academy. Ethan is the son of Cristy Mulanax and Mike Myers and Sutherland is the son of James and Tammy Abbott.

Monday, October 20, 2008 Cars Collide on 54 Near Liberal Thirty year old Timothy Aldridge of Dodge City was taken to Southwest Medical Center in Liberal with injuries after a collision 2.5 miles east of Liberal on Highway 54 early yesterday morning at about 2:52 am. Aldridge was going west in a 2006 Ford pickup when he went left of center and struck an oncoming car with a driver and a passenger from North Carolina. They were not injured. Aldridge's vehicle struck their left steering axle. His vehicle then entered the eastbound ditch and turned one time. Aldridge was treated and released from the hospital.

Keyes Man Hospitalized After Striking Power Pole Fifty-two year old David Chapman of Keyes was taken to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita with injuries after he ran his car into a power pole in Haskell County. At about 4:43 am yesterday morning, he was driving west on Highway 160 in a 2004 Chevrolet Passenger Car nine miles northwest of Satanta. The car went into the westbound ditch and struck a power pole. The car overturned and came to rest on its top facing southeast in the westbound ditch. Chapman was not wearing a seatbelt.

Work Begins at Satanta Cut-Off A Seward County road resurfacing project began Friday on a portion of old highway 83, known also as the Satanta Cut-Off. The project will begin at the junction of Highway 83 and Highway 160 and continue west and south 4.5 miles on the county road to the Cimarron River Bridge. Road crews will overlay the existing pavement with two inches of new asphalt. Traffic will be reduced to one lane through the work zone guided by a pilot car during work hours. J@R Sand is the primary contractor of this 645,300 dollar project, with the Kansas Department of Transportation paying 80 percent and Seward County paying 20 percent.

Liberal Police Look for Local Gang Member Liberal police are looking for a gang member accused of endangering a child. Police are on the hunt for Jasiel Varela, who is accused of being in a physical fight with his girlfriend when a child got in the middle of the fight. The child was not seriously hurt in the incident. Varela has been charged with aggravated battery, endangering a child, aggravated intimidation of a witness, and a probation violation. Police says Varela has gang ties and has family in the Garden City area. Anyone with information on Varela is asked to call the police.

Friday, October 17, 2008 United Way Eat Out Day Today The first "East Out for United Way" is set for 4-8 today at both Liberal McDonald's. Seward County United Way volunteers will be on hand to thank the diners and help in any way they can. The next "Eat Out for United Way" that has been scheduled is the north and south Pizza Huts from 5-9 October 30th. For more information about the Seward County United Way, call 624-5400.

Authorities Preach Halloween Safety Many parents have either purchased or are making their child's Halloween costume with trick or treating just two weeks away. Liberal police officer Chris Head says parents should make sure those costumes are safe. Head says residents would be served well to move jack-o-lanterns and other decorations out of the way of the trick or treaters making their way to your door Halloween night. Head says make sure the costume are flame resistant and make sure your child can see well enough out their mask.

Thursday, October 16, 2008 Parent Teacher Conferences Begin Today USD 480 Liberal parent-teacher conferences begin this morning. All of the schools offer parent-teacher conferences today from 7:45 to 3:25. Pre-school-8th grade conferences will continue from 4:30 to 7:30 this afternoon and evening. High school conferences will resume tonight form 6-9. Conferences tomorrow will be from 7:45 to 11:15 am.

Voting Deadline Nears The last day to register to vote is Monday in Seward County. The county will extend office hours Monday for 6:30 pm to allow constituents the opportunity to register to vote.

Earthquake Rattles Texas Panhandle A magnitude 3.8 earthquake rattled a community in the Texas Panhandle earlier this week. The earthquake in Miami, Texas uprooted a tree and rattled homes but didn't cause any major damage. Miami is about 75 miles northeast of Amarillo.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008 Local Authorities Bust Drug Ring As we reported yesterday, local authorities made several arrests regarding a drug ring operating in Liberal and Beaver County. The Seward County Sheriff's Department says in a press release they combined with the Southwest Kansas Drug Task Force, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, 16 KBI agents, and other Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas agencies to investigate and ultimately bust the drug ring. Authorities made eight felony arrests. During the investigation, undercover officers purchased cocaine and weapons and conducted surveillance on multiple suspects and locations in Oklahoma and Kansas. On Friday afternoon, officers began serving search warrants on six Liberal area residences where purchases of cocaine, weapons, and other illegal activities were identified. Officers also served search warrants on two locations in Oklahoma just south of Liberal along Highway 83. Police arrested seven males with charges pending for the sale of cocaine. One male was arrested with charges pending for the sale of marijuana. Authorities are withholding their names until they make first appearance at Seward County District Court. The Seward County Sheriff's Office says they expect to make at least five more arrests as a result of this six month investigation.

City Commission Awards Western Avenue Bid The Liberal City Commission met last night and awarded the Western Avenue project bid to Cimarron based Evans, Byerly, Hutchinson, and Associates to do the engineering work for the reconstruction of the road. Don Whitaker Construction of Liberal was awarded the bid for the Light Park Shelter roof. The city also approved industrial revenue bonds for a Halliburton project to take over part of the old Tradewinds building to add a truck shop. Commission members appointed Ken Thompson to the library board. The city commission also deemed October as Domestic Violence Month.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008 Investigation Into Horse Racing and Drug Activity End in Arrests

The Daily Leader newspaper reports authorities arrested five people after a seven month investigation into horse racing and drug activity near the Oklahoma/Kansas border. Two of the five people include the owners of El Potrero ballroom and dance club Maria and Santos Lopez. Their bond is set at 750-thousand dollars. The arrests were made at about 5:30 Friday evening on the property of the suspects.

Liberal Residents are Thinking Pink Prizes and awards are available for the business who do the best job decorating for "Think Pink Week." It's a way Southwest Medical Center is promoting Breast Cancer Awareness Month. There will be a seminar Thursday evening from 6-8 in the cafeteria at the hospital. Surgeon Doctor John Bowie and registered nurse Shelly Nelson will conduct the free seminar. SWMC director of radiology Kelly Denton says women are putting their lives in danger when they don't go to the hospital for a mammogram. Denton recommends self breast exams monthly by the age of 20. From 35-40, women should have their baseline mammogram. After 40, she recommends a breast exam every 1-2 years. After 50, women should be examined every year. For more information and to register for the seminar, call 629-6335.

Monday, October 13, 2008 Southwest Kansas Realtors Raise Money for Breast Cancer Awareness Mark Pearson of Liberal won a car in the Southwest Kansas Realtors raffle. Liberal mayor Joe Denoyer drew his name at Oz Fest Saturday. The Southwest Kansas Realtors drew 13-hundred tickets at 20 dollars a piece. The money goes to support Breast Cancer Awareness.

Collision on 54 and Western Injures Two A KIA Sedona van with Nebraska tags wast eastbound on Highway 54 when it ran the red light at the Western Avenue intersection and collided with a Ford F350 truck with Kansas tags travelling south on Western. This occurred Friday afternoon at about 2:45. The driver and passenger in the Nebraska car were treated by EMS and released at the scene. The driver was cited for "Run Red Light."

Friday, October 10, 2008 Two Liberal Cancer Survivors Appear at a Dillon's Near You Liberal cancer survivors Jo Valazquez and Angela Kelly are two of the three Kansans to appear on Dillons labels throughout the country. Valazquez's picture is on Campbell's Soup and Kelly's picture is on Kellogg's Choclatey Crunch cereal box. Angela Kelly says she and Velazquez want people to know that you can win the battle against breast cancer. Dillons is taking part in Breast Cancer Awareness by displaying labels. Part of the proceeds of those items go to breast cancer research. Saturday, from 10-2, the Liberal Dillons will celebrate Velazquez and Kelly by serving cake and punch. There will be informational handouts and they will accept Relay for Life donations.

Oz Fest Lives On There won't be any "Munchkins" in Liberal this year for Oz Fest, but organizers are offering more features for tomorrow's event. There will be "Oz Alive" performances in which Wizard of Oz roles are acted out. The new bronze statue of Dorothy will be dedicated tomorrow morning as well. The opening ceremonies are tomorrow morning at 9:00 am. The Toto Trot begins at 8:00 am at the Liberal Recreation Center. The look alike contests for Dorothy, the Good Witch, the Bad Witch, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion begin during the afternoon. There are seven remaining "Munchkins" who could not make the trip to Liberal. But you can sign messages that will be mailed to them. There will be performances and competitions available from about 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday at Dorothy's House and the Coronado Museum.

It's Fall Homecoming at LHS The homecoming parade begins today at 2:30 on Kansas Avenue. The Redskins host Great Bend tonight at 7:00 pm for the homecoming football game. The senior homecoming candidates are Emily Henderson, Hannah Rotolo, and Jeanette Contraras. The junior attendant is Eliana Yanez while the sophomore attendant is Tiara Gallegos and the freshman attendant is Taylor Apsley. The queen will be crowned during halftime and the announcement will air on Talkradio 1270 and kscb.net. The homecoming dance is tonight from 9:30 to midnight.

Thursday, October 9, 2008 Parent Teacher Conferences Begin Next Week USD 480 school district has announced parent-teacher conferences for next Thursday and Friday. Pre-school-8th grade will have conferences from 7:45 to 3:25 and then 4:30 to 7:30. The high school will have conferences Thursday from 7:45 to 3:25 and go from 6-9 in the evening. All conferences next Friday will be from 7:45 to 11:15. USD 480's director of curriculum Lana Evans says the district made adjustments in the conference schedule this year hoping to encourage more parents to attend. In the past the district offered conferences for the intermediates and the elementary schools and held conferences after school Thursday for the middle schools and high schools. This year there is no school for students next week.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008 'Good Morning Vietnam' Subject Visits Liberal The man doesn't look or sound like Robin Williams. But is was the comedian Williams who helped bring his story to light in the 1987 comedy "Good Morning Vietnam." Adrian Cronauer says film makers changed much of what really happened when he was a deejay in Vietnam during the war. His manic radio show was uplifting to troops during the war. Cronauer was in Liberal this weekend and spoke at the Command Performance at the Mid America Air Museum.

McVey Receives Heroism Award Seward County Sheriff's Department Deputy Ryan McVey is recognized as true hero. He rescued a woman and two children from a burning duplex at 511 west 2nd Street on September 29. For his efforts, he was presented with a Heroism Award at the Seward County Board of County Commissioners meeting Monday night.