With a change of venue from previous years, the Iola Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual dinner Thursday night in the community building at Riverside Park. The gymnasium was packed with approximately 160 guests.…

LIBERAL — Women dressed in aprons, skirts and headscarves line up in the middle of main street. They’re dressed in a traditional English kitchen outfit, but instead of cooking, they are about to race. As…

A College and Career Fair at Iola High School on Thursday is an opportunity for students and the local business community to bridge a generational gap. “I hope it eliminates some of the misconceptions” between…

This Tuesday’s conversation at Iola High School organized by Thrive Allen County’s high school interns brought around 300 students together to imagine what could be different and how things could improve in their hometown. It’s…

Rural Kansas communities are critical to the future of our state. We know that for our communities to thrive, rural Kansans require core services to raise a family — access to early childhood services, high…

I recently participated in a book study with colleagues over “13 Ways To Kill Your Community” by author Doug Griffiths. Griffiths visits common issues that communities face when they begin to struggle and see population…

As I begin to settle into my new position as the Community Vitality Agent for Southwind District and make my way around to communities that are within our district, there are many great projects and…

Colony was abuzz Saturday with an energy and excitement unique to Colony Day, the town’s annual celebration. True to form, this year’s event started with a breakfast of biscuits and gravy thanks to the Colony…

Like the smell of baking bread, a sense of community permeated the grand opening of Derryberry Breadery on Wednesday evening.  Dozens turned out for the ribbon cutting ceremony at 5 p.m., In fact, so many…

CARLYLE — Kenny Arbuckle had a plan for what he would do if a tornado was headed toward his home. He’d roll his wheelchair into the garage, where he had a chain connected to a…