Sumner NewsCow

Officials from the Walnut Valley Association have announced that the 49th Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield will be postponed until September 2021, according to a news release Thursday afternoon. WVA has been closely monitoring CDC and WHO recommendations related to mass gatherings and took this decision after communicating with local public health and city officials. For those who have purchased tickets for the 49th Walnut Valley Festival, these tickets will be valid for entry in 2021 and patrons can expect a direct mailing with details. ...Plans call for a series of virtual concerts and events to take place in September 2020... [...]

The Sumner County Commissioners voted 3-0 to “recommend” but not “enforce” Governor Laura Kelley’s executive order to mandatory wear masks during a special meeting held at the courthouse late this afternoon. Using the recommendation of Sumner County Health Officer Laura Rettig’s suggestion, the commissioners signed an order that states (see full order here):"The Board of Commissioners of Sumner County, Kansas, sitting both as the Board of County Commissioners and as the Board of Health of the County, that the use of face masks in public is not required in Sumner County. (Read more: Sumner NewsCow)

There’s finally some good news for 2020. The wheat harvest is getting started in Sumner County and it looks good so far. Obviously, the Coronavirus did not affect the wheat and the weather cooperated, and that should make for a good crop this year. Sumner County Extension Agent Randy Hein said the weather provided a good fill period, and it seems dry enough for farmers to get in the fields and begin harvesting. Some have already started in the Caldwell area, as well as Wellington. There are some areas of the county that still have some maturing to do. The extension [...]

The following is a press release issued through the City of Wellington on Monday, March. 23. Due to the current national health emergency relating to the concerns of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), the City of Wellington will no longer allow public access to most City Offices effective at 8 a.m., Tuesday, March 24, 2020, until further notice.  During this time, staff will be working and available by phone or email. If you require face-to-face contact for an essential service and you are not exhibiting any symptoms of illness, please contact the City Office you are needing to conduct business with by phone [...]

The closing of Sumner Community Hospital is unfortunate for our community and a sad day that the City had hoped would never come. A local hospital is an important and vital facility in any community. The financial difficulties of our local hospital have been ongoing for a number of years. It was the hope that Rural Hospital Group (RHG) would be able to overcome the difficulties and be successful in the longer-term plans to construct a new and financially sustainable hospital.... The City has dedicated and well-trained Paramedics and EMTs on staff to serve the community and patient care will continue [...]

Sumner Community Hospital closed its doors [Thursday night]. At the end of the workday, the hospital employees were told that they no longer had jobs and they needed to seek employment elsewhere. The news came without warning. Earlier this week the hospital was advertising celebrating its one-year anniversary and just erected a sign in front. (Read more: Sumner NewsCow)

Kansas Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced today the award of $600,000 in Community Development Block Grants to Conway Springs. The city intends to use these funds to make wastewater improvements for the city. The city will provide $2,977,275 in matching funds it secured through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. “Quality of life is key to economic development,” Secretary Toland said. “This investment in critical infrastructure helps keep communities like Conway Springs competitive as they work to retain and recruit residents and businesses. Governor Kelly and I are proud to support projects in rural communities across our state.” The CDBG [...]

The 77th Bankers Awards Dinner and Annual Meeting of the Sumner County Conservation District will be held Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. at the Raymond Frye Complex, 320 N. Jefferson in Wellington. The theme for this year’s event is “Where Would We BEE Without Pollinators.” Conservation Awards will be presented to Jay Zimmerman of South Haven and Kyle and Lane Bruce of Argonia. Other awards to be presented will include the Coloring and Poster Contest and the Teacher Appreciation Awards. Following the meal and awards presentations, the Board of Supervisors for the Sumner County Conservation District will conduct the Annual Business [...]

Splash pads and swimming pools were topics of discussion Tuesday evening at the Wellington City Council meeting. The idea of creating a splash pad was presented by Park Board member Annarose White. Later in the meeting, the council received information about the condition of the city’s pool. Splash pads are also called spray pools, and many cities have them. Caldwell has one along with a pool. A proposal for funding in the 2022 budget has been made for a splash pad in the city, but there are no plans at present and no action has been taken. A committee could be [...]

Two Wellington girls are featured in a national publication! The Brown Box Bakery and Board and Brush, owned and operated by Wellington residents Tami McCue and Ginger Wilson, were featured in USA Today Travel’s article “Taste of Wichita: The Best of 2019”. The Brown Box Bakery, which is a mobile cupcake truck, and Board and Brush, which is a homemade craft sign company at 1108 E Douglas Ave, was one of the business enterprises featured in the article posted on October 28, 2019. (Read more: Sumner NewsCow)