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Titans of the Week

Titans of the Week

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Titans of the Week

News Staff
Friday, January 16, 2026
The Columbus Future Farmers of America Welders placed first at the Southeast District FFA Welding Contest at Labette County High School, Wednesday. They are being recognized as Titans of the Week.
Members of the Columbus High School FFA attended the Southeast District FFA Welding Contest at Labette County High School. Columbus FFA members on the first place B Team included sophomores Alex Welch (top 20), Kaden Crafton (third) and Dawson Beaty (fifth). Junior Trenton Lacen (top 15) was the only Columbus student on the A Team. Students performed various welding tasks, performed torch cuts, answered test questions and problem solving. Over 150 students attended the event. Courtesy photo.

Members of the Columbus High School FFA attended the Southeast District FFA Welding Contest at Labette County High School. Columbus FFA members on the first place B Team included sophomores Alex Welch (top 20), Kaden Crafton (third) and Dawson Beaty (fifth). Junior Trenton Lacen (top 15) was the only Columbus student on the A Team. Students performed various welding tasks, performed torch cuts, answered test questions and problem solving. Over 150 students attended the event. Courtesy photo.

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Members of the Columbus High School FFA

News Staff
Friday, January 16, 2026
HPAI, an umbrella term for avian influenza that includes highly contagious strains such as H5 and H7, is considered a low public health risk. Courtesy photo.

HPAI, an umbrella term for avian influenza that includes highly contagious strains such as H5 and H7, is considered a low public health risk. Courtesy photo.

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Avian influenza in Kansas worst outbreak in country

Kansas Reflector By: Morgan Chilson
Friday, January 16, 2026
Kansas is suffering from the worst outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the country, with nearly 414,000 birds affected, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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Weir water advisory cleared

News Staff
Friday, January 16, 2026
The boil water advisory for the City of Weir has been rescinded.A water break at the Weir water tower caused the advisory to be issued Monday.After required testing, Weir water has been cleared for all normal use.
Shearburn USD 493 board president

Shearburn USD 493 board president

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Shearburn USD 493 board president

Tony Shearburn
Friday, January 16, 2026
Former Columbus High School Principal Tony Shearburn was elected president of the USD 493 Board of Education meeting Monday evening replacing Robin Wells after his 12 years of service on the board.

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Protect yourself from common scams

News Staff
Friday, January 16, 2026
A class focusing on common scams that citizens are facing locally will be presented by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s office and is sponsored by the Cherokee County Farm Bureau.Learn how to recognize fraud, reject it and report it, protecting yourself from scams through awareness.

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Longtime mail carrier Wydick retires

News Staff
Friday, January 16, 2026
Recently, longtime rural mail carrier Pam Wydick retired after serving the community. Wydick has been working for the postal service for over 35 years in various roles. “l started working at the Weir Post Office under postmaster Jerry Simone in May 1989 as a Postmaster Relief,” she said.

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Galena students graduate from Fort Hays State

News Staff
Monday, January 12, 2026
Fort Hays State University has announced their fall 2025 graduates.The following students from Galena have completed degrees.Chase Garrett, Master of Science, Computer Science; Isaac Welch, Bachelor of Science in Technology Leadership and Amanda Wilson, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology.
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