Rice County News

Lyons City Council Recognizes Parks and Grounds Superintendent Matt Detmer as March Employee of the Month, Other Meeting Highlights

Tuesday, April 8

LYONS, Kan. — The Lyons City Council at Monday's meeting approved a number of requests by the Lyons Chamber of Commerce connected with the Cinco De Mayo Celebration to be held Sunday, May 4. Among them is authorization to hold activities in Workman Park,... Read More.

City of Lyons Hires New City Clerk, to Begin Role April 14

Tuesday, April 8

LYONS, Kan. — The City of Lyons has a new City Clerk. Bailey Saylor, whose appointment by Mayor Alicia Hommon was approved by the City Council last night, will begin her new duties April 14th, succeeding Gayla Horsch who retired last month. Saylor recently moved... Read More.

K-State Partnership Leads to Statewide Early Child Care and Education Directory

Tuesday, April 8

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Thanks to a partnership between Kansas Child Care Training Opportunities and the Division of Information Technology at Kansas State University, early childhood professionals in Kansas will have access to a new statewide directory and... Read More.

New Round of Mural Funding Available for Rural Kansas Communities

Thursday, April 3

The Kansas Department of Commerce has launched the latest round of Rural Mural funding. There is $125,000 available for this round to help support creative projects in rural Kansas communities. The Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP) has opened applications through May 16. The... Read More.

KDHE Announces Recipients of Waste Tire Product Grants

Wednesday, April 2

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has announced the recipients of waste tire product grants. These annual waste tire grants are awarded to local municipalities and public and private schools K-12 across the state. The grants are funded by revenue collected through... Read More.

Commerce Offers Funding Opportunities for Upper Floor Housing in Main Street Communities

Wednesday, April 2

TOPEKA, Kan. (April 1, 2025) — Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced today $250,000 is available under the Residential Opportunities on Main Street (ROOMS) grant program to support new upper-floor housing in commercial buildings in Designated Kansas Main Street communities. “Last year’s... Read More.

KDHE Announces the Beginning of the Harmful Algal Bloom Season

Tuesday, April 1

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) are announcing the beginning of the Harmful Algal Bloom season. The water recreation season in Kansas officially runs from April 1 to October 31, as do the harmful... Read More.

Statewide Silver Alert Issued for Missing Ellis County Man

Monday, March 31

ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — The Ellis County Sheriff's Office requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Ellis County man. The whereabouts of 81-year-old Roger Batman are unknown and the public's assistance is requested to help locate him. Batman... Read More.

Reps. Mann, Neguse Reintroduce Legislation to Address Health Care Shortage

Saturday, March 29

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 28, 2025) — Today, U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann (KS-01) and Joe Neguse (CO-02) led 11 of their colleagues in reintroducing legislation to address the nation’s health care workforce shortage. The States Handling Access to Reciprocity for Employment (SHARE) Act of... Read More.

Cold Weather Rule and LIEAP Application Period Ending Monday

Friday, March 28

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) wants to remind utility customers that there are two important dates coming up that they should be aware of. First, the Cold Weather Rule ends on Monday, March 31. The Cold Weather Rule protects residential customers,... Read More.

Kansas Legislature Overrides Governor Kelly’s Veto of Bill Ending Grace Period for Mailed in Ballots

Tuesday, March 25

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Legislature Tuesday voted to override Governor Laura Kelly's veto of Kansas Senate Bill 4 that ends the grace period for mail ballots to be received requiring all advance ballots to be in to the county clerk or election... Read More.

Erma Moses Inducted into Kansas Teachers’ Hall of Fame

Monday, March 24

The Kansas Teachers' Hall of Fame has announced the induction of Erma Moses, a distinguished educator with nearly 40 years of dedicated service in Kansas schools. Mrs. Moses, who retired from USD 405 Lyons, has been recognized for her exceptional contributions to the teaching... Read More.