Rice County News

Fort Hays State University Welcomes Dan Lara as New State Director of Kansas Small Business Development Center

Wednesday, February 5

HAYS, Kan. — Fort Hays State University is pleased to announce the appointment of Dan Lara as the new Director of the Kansas Small Business Development Center (KSBDC). With over a decade of experience in economic development and a proven track record of securing... Read More.

Applications Open for Kansas Arts Commission Funding Opportunities

Wednesday, February 5

TOPEKA, Kan. — Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced applications are being accepted for four Kansas Arts Commission (KAC) grant programs that support a wide range of arts and cultural activities across the state.The grant programs, which are designed to... Read More.

KDHE Honors World Cancer Day with Launch of New Cancer Data Dashboard

Tuesday, February 4

As today is World Cancer Day, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has announced its new Cancer Data Dashboard, released by the Bureau of Epidemiology and Public Health Informatics (BEPHI) and the State Cancer Program. The Kansas Cancer Data Dashboard, which officially... Read More.

K-State Veterinarian Warns Cat Owners about H5N1 Risks Amid Rising Cases

Tuesday, February 4

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Veterinary and public health officials are urging cat owners to remain vigilant as cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, or H5N1, commonly known as bird flu, have been detected in domestic cats.Kansas State University's Susan Nelson, clinical professor and veterinarian in... Read More.

Lyons City Administrator Addresses Wastewater Treatment Plant Issues, City Looks to Organize Town Hall Meeting to Discuss Solutions

Tuesday, February 4

LYONS, Kan. — Lyons City Administrator Troy Houtman told the City Council Monday night the city needs to move now on addressing issues at the wastewater treatment plant which has been a major headache for the city in recent years.To that end, Houtman is... Read More.

Governor Kelly, American Airlines CEO Release Joint Statement on ICT Visit

Monday, February 3

TOPEKA, Kan. — A joint statement was released Monday, Feb. 3 by Governor Laura Kelly, American Airlines CEO Robert Isom, Wichita Mayor Lily Wu, and Representative Ron Estes (KS-4) following a visit with American Airlines team members at Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport... Read More.

Bipartisan Early Childhood Proposal Introduced in Kansas House and Senate

Friday, January 31

~Compromise Bill Streamlines Child Care Licensure and Regulatory Structures, Consolidates Existing Early Childhood Programs~ TOPEKA, Kan. — Governor Laura Kelly and a bipartisan group of Kansas legislators announced Friday that an early childhood compromise bill was introduced into both chambers of the Kansas Legislature. This bill streamlines... Read More.

K-State Offers Program for Middle and High School Students to Learn about Careers in Helping Professions

Friday, January 31

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Kansas State University is giving middle and high school students an opportunity for hands-on learning about careers in helping professions at the annual Social Impact Lab on April 2.Seventh-through-tenth graders can participate in the program, which is hosted by the... Read More.

Governor Kelly Orders Flags to be Flown at Half-Staff to Honor Plane Crash Victims

Thursday, January 30

TOPEKA, Kan. — Governor Laura Kelly on Thursday ordered flags throughout the State of Kansas to be flown at half-staff immediately until sundown on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in honor of those who lost their lives in a tragic plane crash near Washington, D.C.,... Read More.

Officials Respond to American Airlines Crash in DC

Thursday, January 30

Last night an American Airlines jet from Wichita crashed just short of the runway at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C.Below are statements from elected officials on the crash. STATEMENT FROM SENATOR ROGER MARSHALL (JAN. 29) “Tonight, we received devastating news of what can only... Read More.

KDHE Issues Stream Advisory for Little Cow Creek to Cow Creek Located South of Lyons

Wednesday, January 29

LYONS, Kan. — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a stream advisory for Little Cow Creek to Cow Creek south of Lyons, as a result of operational problems at the city of Lyons' wastewater treatment plant. City Administrator Troy Houtman told... Read More.

K-14 Closed in Rice County Wednesday Due to Sinkhole

Wednesday, January 29

RICE COUNTY, Kan. — The Kansas Department of Transportation has temporarily closed K-14 in Rice County due to a sinkhole. The sinkhole is in Lyons between 2nd and 3rd streets.According to KDOT Great Bend Maintenance Superintendent Mitch Jenkins, the highway is closed on the... Read More.