Jory Boyd

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Ark Valley Brief

July 01, 2026

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Winfield to celebrate America's 250th birthday with weekend of fireworks, music and family activities

WINFIELD, Kan. — Winfield is set to mark America's 250th birthday with a two-day Independence Day celebration featuring live music, fireworks, food and family activities at Island Park and Broadway Sports Complex, according to a Facebook post from Visit Winfield. Festivities begin Friday, July 3, at Island Park

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Arkansas City police seek public's help identifying person found dead inside residence

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — Arkansas City police are asking for the public's help identifying an individual found deceased inside a home on the city's south side, according to a Facebook post from the Arkansas City Police Department. Officers were dispatched at approximately noon Tuesday, June 30, 2026,

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Ark Valley Brief

June 29, 2026

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Cowley County to host free AI training workshop for local workforce

WINFIELD, Kan. — Cowley County is offering a free workshop next month aimed at giving local workers and business leaders hands-on experience with artificial intelligence tools, according to a Facebook post from Cowley County, KS Government. The "AI Starter Lab," presented by FlagshipKansas.Tech, will be held in

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Sumner County deputy's patrol vehicle swept away after motorists bypass road closure barricades

WELLINGTON, Kan. — A Sumner County Sheriff's deputy had to be rescued by fellow officers after his patrol vehicle hydroplaned and was swept into a flooded field while responding to two vehicles that had already bypassed road closure barricades in the area, according to a Facebook post from the

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Ark Valley Brief

June 26, 2026

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Arkansas City Commission approves equipment purchases to boost waterline replacement, infrastructure work

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Arkansas City Commission has approved a series of equipment purchases aimed at strengthening the city's Environmental Services Department and accelerating efforts to replace aging waterlines, according to a post from the City of Arkansas City. City officials said the new equipment will allow crews

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State health, wildlife officials issue blue-green algae advisories for eight Kansas lakes

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks have issued public health advisories for several Kansas lakes due to blue-green algae, as the state's harmful algae bloom monitoring season continues. Kansas' water recreation season runs from April

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KDHE issues regional advisory after flooding triggers sewage bypasses in South Central, Southeast Kansas

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a regional public health advisory warning residents in South Central and Southeast Kansas to stay out of flooded waterways due to the possibility of sewage contamination. The advisory, shared Thursday by the Sumner County Health Department, covers South Central

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Ark Valley Brief

June 24, 2026

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Ark Valley Brief

June 22, 2026

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Wellington Fire/EMS Member Promoted to Rank of Major

WELLINGTON, Kan. — Wellington Fire/EMS announced Wednesday the promotion of John Faust to the rank of major, recognizing his years of dedication and service to the department. According to a June 18 post on Wellington Fire/EMS's official Facebook page, the department described Faust's dedication, leadership

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Pumpkin Pants Ranch to Host Chuckwagon Dinner and Barn Dance Next Saturday

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — Pumpkin Pants Ranch will host an authentic chuckwagon dinner and barn dance next Saturday, offering Cowley County residents and visitors a taste of the Old West close to home, according to the Cowley County Economic Development Partnership. According to a June 18 post on the Cowley County

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Mad Science of Greater Kansas City to Bring Dinosaur-Themed Show to Arkansas City Public Library Monday

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — Mad Science of Greater Kansas City will bring a free, dinosaur-themed science show to the Arkansas City Public Library on Monday, featuring hands-on experiments and interactive fun for kids and families. According to a June 17 post on the Arkansas City Public Library's

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Ark Valley Brief

June 19, 2026

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Sumner County Health Department to Host Community Baby Shower Friday

WELLINGTON, Kan. — The Sumner County Health Department will host a Community Baby Shower Friday, featuring vendors, raffles, prizes and resources for expectant and new mothers, according to the department. According to a post on the Sumner County Health Department's official Facebook page, the event will include several vendors

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Arkansas City Residents Share Input on Future of Northwest Community Center

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — Residents, community leaders and stakeholders gathered Thursday evening to share ideas about the future of the Northwest Community Center during a community conversation hosted by the City of Arkansas City, the Northwest Community Center and Wichita State University's Public Policy and Management Center. According to

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Wellington Named Finalist in Parade Magazine's America's Favorite Small Town Contest

WELLINGTON, Kan. — Wellington has been named one of 40 finalists in Parade Magazine's America's Favorite Small Town contest, a nationwide competition hosted in celebration of America's 250th birthday, according to the Wellington Area Chamber of Commerce/CVB. According to a post on the Sumner

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Ark Valley Brief

June 17, 2026

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Community Meeting Set for Wednesday to Discuss Future of Northwest Community Center

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — The City of Arkansas City, Wichita State University's Public Policy and Management Center and the Northwest Community Center will host a community engagement event Wednesday evening to discuss the future of the Northwest Community Center, according to the city. The meeting is scheduled for 5

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Cowley College Criminal Justice Students Guard Historic Declaration of Independence

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — Cowley College Criminal Justice students recently gained firsthand experience in security and protocol while helping guard an official late-1700s copy of the Declaration of Independence, according to the college. According to a post on Cowley College's official Facebook page, students had the unique opportunity

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Ark Valley Brief

June 15, 2026

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Grant Program Offers Up to $25,000 for Local Food Businesses in Kansas, Western Missouri

WELLINGTON, Kan. — Local food businesses in rural Kansas and western Missouri may be eligible for grants of up to $25,000 through a new program announced by the Heartland Food Business Coalition, according to the Sumner County Conservation District. The Harvest to Market Grant focuses on post-harvest and go-

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Wellington Firefighters Battle West Wellington House Fire, Rescue Two Dogs

WELLINGTON, Kan. — Wellington Fire/EMS responded to a structure fire in West Wellington on Friday, containing the blaze before it could spread to the main living areas of the home and rescuing two dogs from the basement, according to the department. According to a June 12 post on Wellington Fire/