A homeless encampment that was cleared last week from the Winfield Fairgrounds had already been abandoned by the time it was removed, officials said this week. Winfield City Manager Taggart Wall said the campsites, consisting of two tents and two campers, were cleared Feb. 25 from the Pecan Grove at the Winfield Fairgrounds after several notices were given to the occupants for non-payment of camping fees. The campers left the fairgrounds and relocated elsewhere, leaving behind items that were then disposed of by city staff. “When the campers left, they left items behind. We removed (the items),” Wall said. Wall said it isn’t uncommon for people who camp at city facilities to leave things behind for workers to pick up.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler

Andrew Lawson, public information officer and special projects coordinator for the City of Arkansas City, is leaving that job to become the public information officer for the City of Manhattan, Kan. Lawson said in an email Friday that he will leave effective March 22, and City Manager Randy Frazer will handle public information duties until a new spokesperson is found.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler