KLKC News

09/10/2026

Boil Water Advisory Issued for the City of Galesburg, Neosho County

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the City of Galesburg public water supply system located in Neosho County.
Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water.
Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.
If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.
Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.
Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.
The advisory took effect on September 9, 2026 and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. KDHE officials issued the advisory because of a waterline break resulting in a loss of pressure in the distribution system. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.
Regardless of whether the public water supplier or Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.
For consumer questions, please contact the water system at 620-212-3109, or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/468/Disruption-in-Water-Service
Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety & lodging program at [email protected] or call 785-564-6767.

When a public water supply system experiences a disruption in service there are precautions that consumers may need to take during and after the incident.

09/10/2026

Grand True Value Rental Changes Ownership
PARSONS, Kan. — Grand True Value Rental announced today the sale of the business. GTVR has been in business in Parsons since 1992, originally founded under the name Grand Rental Station as an adjunct to Crooks Hardware. It was renamed in 2023 to reflect the purchase of the franchise name by True Value.
Three partners started the business; only Leland Crooks remains, as the others have retired. “I've been really proud of the service we've provided to Parsons over the last 33 years. It's a unique business that requires a fairly unique skill set to operate. I feel incredibly fortunate to have found a local buyer with the requisite skills. Keeping the ownership of this business local was very important to me. So many of our local businesses have been sold to out-of-town corporations or gone out of business,” said Crooks.
The new owner, Drew Ellis, brings a new set of skills and experience that will accentuate the services Grand True Value Rental provides. Drew is a native Parsonian; both he and his father were customers of both Crooks Hardware and Grand True Value Rental over the years. “I'm really excited to take on this challenge. I've wanted to operate my own business for many years. This is a good fit for me and my family,” said Ellis. “When Leland said he was thinking about selling, I jumped on the opportunity.”
Crooks' future includes plans to continue on as a city commissioner. He also operates an online business, SpeakerHardware, which he will continue to run. “Time to kick back a bit — 50 hours a week is getting to be a bit much at 67. My speaker business is located in one of GTVR's buildings, so I'll still be around some to advise or help Drew if he needs it.”

09/09/2026

Overlay project to begin Sept. 14 on U.S. 59

The Kansas Department of Transportation will begin an asphalt overlay project around Monday, Sept. 14, on U.S. 59 and a portion of K-47 in Neosho County.

The project will mill 1.5 inches from the existing surface of U.S. 59 and K-47 and then apply a 1.5-inch asphalt overlay. Pavement markings and rumble strips are included in the work.

Paving on U.S. 59 will start at the K-39 junction north of Erie and move south to west of the Union Pacific bridge, a distance of about 21 miles. Then the contractor will start the K-47 mill and overlay at U.S. 59 and move east to the west city limits of St. Paul, a distance of 4.5 miles.

A pilot car will guide one-lane traffic through sections of the active work zone as the project progresses. Travelers can expect delays of up to 15 minutes.

Work will occur during daylight hours Monday through Friday, and the project is expected to be completed in early November, conditions permitting.

APAC-Kansas Inc., Shears Division, of Hutchinson, has the two contracts totaling $4.6 million.

09/09/2026

LCC BoT Meeting
Parsons, KS - - The LCC Board of Trustees are meeting tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. at the Cardinal Event Center in Parsons on the agenda includes two public hearings surrounding the college’s revenue neutral rate and budget. Other items on the agenda include the 2026 Annual Report and the Student Life Report.

09/03/2026

PARSONS — Labette Community College invites the public to view the first Hendershot Art Gallery exhibit of the 2026 fall semester, “The Adventures of Buster and Joey" featuring artist Darryl Halbrooks.
"The Adventures of Buster and Joey" showcases Halbrooks' masterfully crafted paintings, featuring narrative-driven works that blend distinct characters with rich, atmospheric depth. Halbrooks uses vivid color, texture and composition to construct a unique world that challenges the imagination and invites the viewer to delve deeper into the iconography and character relationships present in the work. Visitors can expect an engaging visual experience that showcases both contemporary narrative painting and technical precision.
Halbrooks is an artist, writer and professor emeritus from Eastern Kentucky University as well as visiting professor at East Carolina University. His art work varies greatly in subject matter and style, ranging from abstract to hyper-real.
“My first real duty is to entertain and please myself. If I know the work is good, I can write about tragedy, paint fake religious figures or total abstractions … and have the most fun ever,” he said.
He works every day in his studios in Kentucky or Colorado. His work has been included in over 200 exhibitions, including solo shows at the Huntington (WVA) Museum and the Memphis Museum of Art and elsewhere and is represented in many private, public and corporate collections. He is the author of twelve books of fiction and has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. His artwork and fiction can be viewed at www.darrylhalbrooks.com.
“I am very thankful that he accepted my invitation to exhibit his work at LCC and hope that our campus and local community find something of value from their visit,” said Burt Bucher, LCC Art Department Program Director and Hendershot Art Gallery Director.
The exhibit will run through Oct. 5 and is open during regular college hours, Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The college will be closed Labor Day.
A closing reception featuring a special video talk/discussion by the artist is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Sept. 29 in the Hendershot Art Gallery. Light refreshments will be provided. The Hendershot Art Gallery is located on the second floor of the Main Building on the Parsons campus.

09/03/2026

LCC Fire Training
PARSONS — Labette Community College wants to make the public aware that Saturday, Sept. 12th the LCC Fire School will be conducting hands-on firefighter training at several locations throughout Parsons.
Temporary road closures or traffic delays may occur near these training sites between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.:
2128 Clark Ave.
21075 US-59 Hwy
1714 Clark Ave.
Workforce Training Center – 1520 Flynn Dr.
Please use caution when traveling near these areas and watch for firefighters, apparatus, and training activities.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we provide valuable hands-on training to firefighters from across our region. We appreciate our community's support of LCC Fire School.

09/03/2026

09/03/2026

PPD donates to Booster Club

The Parsons Police Legacy Fund is proud to continue its investment in local youth by donating $500 to the Parsons High School Booster Club in support of students and activities during the upcoming 2026–2027 school year.
The donation reflects the Legacy Fund’s commitment to supporting opportunities for the young people who will become the future leaders of Parsons. Through partnerships with local schools, organizations, businesses, and community members, the Legacy Fund works to make investments today that can have a lasting impact on Parsons for generations to come.
Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks said supporting local students is exactly the type of community investment the Legacy Fund was created to make. “When we talk about leaving a legacy, we are talking about much more than what we accomplish today. We are talking about what we leave behind for the next generation,” said Chief Spinks. “These students are the future employees, business owners, first responders, teachers, coaches, parents, and leaders of Parsons. When we invest in them, we invest directly in the future of our community. The Legacy Fund is proud to play a small part in helping give them opportunities to succeed.”
The Legacy Fund also recognizes the continued partnership between the Parsons Police Department and USD 503 Parsons Schools. Strong relationships between law enforcement, schools, and community organizations provide opportunities to support students both inside and outside the classroom.
A special thank you goes to Courtney Stangle, whose assistance was instrumental in coordinating the details and helping make this partnership possible for the upcoming school year. Her willingness to work with the Legacy Fund helped identify an opportunity where the organization could directly support Parsons’ students and school activities.
At the heart of the Parsons Police Legacy Fund is a simple belief: we should work today to build a legacy worth leaving for our kids. That means investing in education, athletics, community programs, scholarships, and other opportunities that help young people grow into successful adults and community leaders. The Legacy Fund believes that building a stronger Parsons is a shared responsibility. By working together and investing in young people, the community can create opportunities that extend far beyond a single school year.
The Parsons Police Legacy Fund extends its sincere appreciation to the citizens, businesses, donors, and community partners who continue to support its mission. Their generosity is what makes donations like this possible. Thank you to the Parsons community for giving us the opportunity to give back. Together, we are not simply supporting programs, we are investing in people, strengthening our community, and “Building Better Together.”

09/01/2026

KDOT announces approved August bids
The Kansas Department of Transportation announces approved bids for state highway construction and maintenance projects. The letting took place on Aug. 19 in Topeka. Some of the bids may include multiple projects that have been bundled based on proximity and type of work.
Labette ‑ 59‑50 KA‑8081‑01 – U.S. 59: Concrete/asphalt joint from north of the north city limits of Parsons north 0.155 mile, milling and overlay, 0.2 mile, Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, Kansas, $98,044.68.

Statewide ‑ 400‑106 KA‑8084‑01 – U.S. 400: From the Wilson/Greenwood county line east to the roundabout in the city of Fredonia, U.S. 75 from Wilson/Montgomery county line southeast to the U.S. 75/U.S. 400 junction and U.S. 400 from the U.S. 75/U.S. 400 junction east to the Labette/Montgomery county line, concrete pavement, 23.5 miles, Pavement Pros LLC, McPherson, Kansas, $241,679.98.

Statewide ‑ 106 KA‑8082‑01 ‑ Various locations: Bourbon, Neosho, Greenwood, Allen, Anderson, Franklin, Linn, Wilson, Montgomery, Cherokee and Crawford counties, milling, 0.3 mile, Dustrol Inc., Towanda, Kansas, $26,196.89.

08/30/2026

U.S. 69 survey to begin Aug. 31 in Crawford County

Beginning Monday, Aug. 31, the Kansas Department of Transportation plans to begin a survey on 11 miles of U.S. 69 in Crawford County to gather information necessary for the design of proposed intersection improvements.

The survey of U.S. 69 will look at multiple intersections on the corridor: East 510th Avenue, East 520th Avenue, East 530th Avenue, Centennial Drive, South Olive Street, K-126/Fourth Street, West 20th Street, Atkinson Road, the Frontenac corridor and East 610th Street.

Survey activities will include the use of survey instruments on the ground to determine locations of existing features within the corridor. A member of the survey crew will contact property owners or tenants for permission to enter private property.

KDOT expects this survey to be completed by early March 2027.