Declining budgets and difficulty hiring agents has led to many counties in Kansas consolidating into larger Extension districts under the umbrella of K-State Research and Extension services. Stafford County and Edwards County agents see advantages to a combination between the two counties that would enable them to provide better services to their constituents. “It’s true, as they say, that most of us are better together or two of something is better than one,” said K-State Research and Extension Agent Stafford County Amy Collins. “The same holds true for rural areas trying to stay relevant, progressive and be resilient in an ever [...]

The Boot Hill Casino and Resort celebrated its 10th anniversary last week with tables full of dinner, drinks and dice for the enjoyment of its longtime supporters and newfound fans. The love child of an idea sprang from the “Why Not Dodge?” campaign and the sale of land to a man still very much involved in its growth and development, the casino has proven itself an overachiever of regional economic benefit. The first state-owned casino opened Dec. 15, 2009. Since then, it has generated more than $12 million in city and county tax revenue and more than $89 million in state [...]

Stafford County Economic Development Director Carolyn Dunn was presented with a We Kan! award December 12 at White’s Foodliner in St. John where friends and family gathered for the surprise recognition. The presentation was made by Marci Penner and WenDee Rowe of the Kansas Sampler Foundation. The Inman-based non-profit has been choosing ten recipients a year since 1993 to show appreciation for dedicated work in helping preserve and sustain rural culture. Dunn’s award had the words “Ardent Achiever” engraved on a round plate made by Elk Falls Pottery. Foundation director Penner said, “When Carolyn sees a grant or an opportunity to [...]

The top environmental and health official in the administration of Gov. Laura Kelly said understandable public attention on sustaining sufficient quantities of water in the agriculture-heavy state led to lack of focus on the quality of drinking water. “One of the things that gets all the attention is water quantity, but I think we can’t turn a blind eye to water quality,” said Lee Norman, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. “We don’t want a Flint, Michigan, in Kansas.” (Read more: News - SJ News Online - St. John, KS)

Waste Management and Harvey County are renegotiating contracts, looking closely at recycling services in the county.At issue, according to county administration, are not only the fees charged but also how much material that is not recyclable is winding up in recycling bins.The current county ordinance prohibits grass clipping, leaves and household hazardous waste from being placed in the waste stream. It also prohibits recycling materials in the waste stream. (Read more: News - SJ News Online - St. John, KS)

The basketball courts neighboring Lee Richardson Zoo and The Big Pool were at once warm, lazy and busy in Thursday’s early afternoon as several dozen children and parents turned a Meals on Wheels distribution site into a time to be outside and be together. Garden City USD 457 and Holcomb USD 363 both coordinate food service programs for children and adults during the summer, providing hot and sack breakfasts and lunches almost every weekday through June and July. Each reach hundreds of hundreds of children each summer. (Read more: News - SJ News Online - St. John, KS)

STAFFORD — The East and West merge just 30 miles west of Hutchinson, Kansas — quite literally. Quivira National Wildlife Refuge — 30 miles west of Hutchinson and 35 miles southeast of Great Bend — covers the area where the tallgrass prairies of the east and shortgrass prairies of the west meet and mingle. That merger, along with the area’s salt marsh wetlands, creates a haven for many migratory birds, mammal and reptile species, and more that is unique to central Kansas. (Read more: News - SJ News Online - St. John, KS)

OTTAWA — Taking a drive down the Historic Main Street in Ottawa, a marquee sign sticks out over the sidewalk. You may be surprised to see the latest movie available in the small town. Ottawa is home to the Plaza Cinema, a movie theater that holds the distinction as the oldest cinemas in the world. The Plaza opened on May 22, 1907, but was originally named The Bijou. It was also called The Yale and The Crystal before opening as The Plaza in 1935. (Read more: News - SJ News Online - St. John, KS)

Located at 502 S. Pearlette St. in Meade is the Dalton Gang Hideout. It includes the former house of J.N. Whipple, who built the house in 1887 and was the husband of Eva Dalton, sister of the members of the infamous Dalton Gang of train and bank robbers from the day, according to the Hideout website. The tourist site includes a reconstructed barn and 95-foot long tunnel that the gang reportedly used to avoid capture by law enforcement. (Read more: News - SJ News Online - St. John, KS)

Hailed as the Christmas City of the High Plains, the holiday spirit can be discovered year-round in WaKeeney. The city’s annual tree lighting and downtown Christmas display is known as the largest between Kansas City and Denver, but even a trip to the city in the summer will bring reminders of Christmas. A vacant lot located in the 100 block of Main Street has been transformed into the WaKeeney’s North Pole Park, featuring permanent holiday decorations. “WaKeeney, the main thing we’re known as is the Christmas City of the High Plains year-round,” said Cathy Albert, director of WaKeeney Travel and Tourism. [...]