Daily Archives: September 1, 2026
Sumner County Commissioners have issued burn ban for the next 10 days
Sumner Newscow report — Sumner County Commissioners have issued a burn ban for the next 10 days beginning on Sept. 1 for the county.
According to the resolution, passed by the Commissioners this morning, it states.
“Effective immediately, the following is prohibited within Sumner County:
A. Building, maintaining, attending, or using any open fire or campfire except in permanent stoves or fireplaces or barbecue grills in developed recreational sites or residential lawns.
Sumner County Commissioner minutes: Aug. 24 and Aug. 25, 2026
Sumner Newscow report — The following are the approved minutes of the Sumner County Commissioners’ meetings for Aug. 24 and Aug. 25.
August 24, 2026 – 9 a.m.
The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session in the Commission room of the Sumner County Courthouse. Those present were Chairman Jim Newell, Commissioner Steve Warner and Commissioner John Cooney. Also present was County Clerk Debra A. Norris and 80th House Representative Bill Rhiley. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Commission reviewed and approved minutes of August 17 and 18.
During public comments, Joseph Gould reviewed his complaint filed with the Attorney General on the Commission’s deficiencies in executive session.
The Commission watched a training video, “County Government’s Guide to Understanding the Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA)”. The video was presented by Kansas Association of Counties (KAC) former Deputy Director and General Counsel Jay Hall, recorded in 2024. Also participating was Clerk Norris, Deputy County Clerk Diana Aufdengarten, County Counselor Doug Pfalzgraf, Representative Rhiley and Steve Richey.
A large grass fire burns at least 80 acres near the community of South Haven on Monday
Sumner Newscow report — A large grass fire burned a huge swath of what was described as ‘rough and challenging terrain,’ northeast of South Haven yesterday afternoon. Firefighters from six different emergency agencies fought the blaze that burned at least 80 acres, about six miles northeast of South Haven and one mile directly east of the Kansas Turnpike.
On August 31, at approximately 12:52 p.m., South Haven and Wellington Fire Rescue units were dispatched to assist with a large out-of-control wildland fire near Broadway and 150th St. in rural Sumner County.
Site of the fire Monday afternoon.
Firefighters worked alongside other mutual aid agencies that were called in to extinguish the fire. It took firefighters about three and a half hours to contain the fire around 4 p.m. They conducted fire suppression operations and extinguished remaining hot spots.
No buildings were damaged, but the fire burned grass, brush, trees and some hay bales. No one was hurt.
Front Porch Tuesday – The infrastructure we don’t always see
By Stacy Davis, Sumner County Economic Development Commission — Last week, I wrote about what happens when a rural school closes and the economic impact that reaches far beyond the classroom. Schools employ people, attract families, create identity, and influence whether employers believe a community can support its future workforce.
In other words, a school is infrastructure. Just not the kind we traditionally think about when we use that word.
When most of us hear “infrastructure,” we think about roads, bridges, water, sewer, electricity, broadband and industrial parks. Those things are essential. But they are only part of what it takes to grow a rural community.
There is another layer of infrastructure that may not show up on an engineering map: housing, childcare, healthcare, schools, small businesses and entrepreneurs, workforce development, parks and recreation, libraries, downtowns, public safety, civic organizations, community leadership, arts and culture, and perhaps most importantly, a sense of belonging. These things are the systems that allow people to build a life in a community.
Check out Sumner County Job Opportunities for this month
SUMNER COUNTY JOB OPPORTUNITIES
•Road and Bridge Mechanic I, II, III;
•Road and Bridge Construction, I, II, III;
•Road and Bridge Engineering aide.
•Sheriff’s Office Deputy 1
•Sheriff’s Office Detention Deputy
•E-911 Dispatch Trainee
Apply Online – https://www.ksgovjobs.com/
We encourage applicants to use the online application process at: http://www.ksgovjobs.com/
If an applicant still prefers a paper application, forms are available in the Sumner County Clerk’s Office. You can call at 620-326-3395, or e-mail us at sucoclk@co.sumner.ks.us. A completed application, either online or on paper, is required.
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Make sure to check out the right side Sumner County ad here on Sumner Newscow for the latest job offerings.
Wellington Police Notes: Monday, Aug. 31, 2026
Wellington Police notes: Monday, August 31, 2026
