INDEPENDENCE — The biggest challenges facing rural communities today — housing, child care, health care, educational opportunities and infrastructure — are echoed across the country. To that end, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural…

The Allen County Commission met briefly Tuesday morning, receiving a series of departmental updates ranging from roadwork progress to emergency management transitions, and approving several community requests. Public Works Director Mitch Garner reported repairs to…

YATES CENTER – For Emily Beesley, celebrating her hometown’s 150th is as much as looking forward as looking back. Beesely and her husband, Chuck, are  transforming the upstairs of the Waymire Block building at 106…

For Jenni Armstrong, it still feels unreal. The 21-year-old Moran native packed her bags earlier this month for Finland, expecting a week of hard work, late nights, and plenty of learning. She returned with something…

COLONY — For the children, Saturday was as much about candy and games, while adults took advantage to connect with friends. Here are a few images from Saturday’s Colony Day celebration.

Spectators got cozy before Friday’s Movie on the Square in downtown Iola. The free event featured the movie “Holes” along with complimentary popcorn, water, ice cream and a chance to enjoy a near-perfect evening on…

HUMBOLDT — Throngs turned out over the weekend for Humboldt’s fourth annual Middle of Everywhere Music Festival. Intermitten sprinkles did little to dampen the enthusiasm among the crowds as an assortment of musicians and vocalist…

Fred VanWey isn’t afraid of bringing things back from the dead. As a child, one of his chores, before he could go outside and play, was to do routine repairs around the house. It wasn’t…

With mixed emotions, and more than a hint of exhaustion, Steve Strickler watched as a pair of 18-wheelers departed Thursday evening. Their load — 65 milking cows, the last of the Strickler Holstein Dairy operation…

HUMBOLDT — “It takes a lot to run a city,” is how Cole Herder, Humboldt city administrator, began Wednesday’s conversation about the upcoming city budget hearing.   Not that he expects any pushback.   But…