Opinion

Zoning issue with Delaware Ridge

March 5, 2025

To the editor:It is very disappointing to see that Lansing City Administrator Tim Vandall seems to be deceiving the citizens regarding the Delaware Ridge Project consisting of mixed zoning (industrial, commercial and high density residential) that will ultimately increase taxes for residents in the city of Lansing. The areas currently being targeted for development is in a low-density residential area currently zoned for agriculture where all properties were once required to be one-acre parcels or more.

Consider the techniques of growing your own strawberries

March 4, 2025

Strawberries are a favorite garden crop and are very easy to grow. One problem for me is that there are so many varieties from which to choose.

The cure for cabin fever may be wearing shorts

March 4, 2025

I drove my kids to school one morning last week. As we drove to town, we passed a farm pond that had the remains of a homemade hockey rink pulled onto the wheat surrounding the pond.

Wholesome values found in film reflected in our state

March 4, 2025

Kansas made it to the Oscars, or at least a movie tied to Kansas has - "Wicked." And apparently, it’s odd that this Kansan hasn’t seen the connection.That’s right, I’ve never seen "The Wizard of Oz." No, I didn’t just click my heels recently and end up in Kansas. I’ve been here my whole life.

March 4, 2025

To the editor:I have been described as being a "liberal." I still am confused as to what makes a liberal or what makes a conservative. Are conservatives the only ones who want to make the USA great again? Can you be more specific as to what timeframe that was? I'm not trying to aggravate, I'm just trying to get some parameters as to what everybody is talking about.

Should Kansas restrict SNAP purchases of soda and candy?

March 1, 2025

This legislative session, Kansas legislators are considering whether to restrict what low-income households can buy with their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Specifically, Senate Bill 79 requests authorization from the federal government to prohibit the use of those funds to buy candy and soda.Even if the bill passes, the federal government will still have the final say on granting a waiver.

Choose joy despite your circumstances in life

March 1, 2025

My wife, Debbie, and I were in Branson right after Thanksgiving Day and watched "The Miracle of Christmas" at the Sight and Sound Theatre. The production opened with the misery of the Jewish people.

Conservation service offers vital support to producers – cuts imperil it all

February 27, 2025

My family has ranched in the Flint Hills for more than 100 years, and the Natural Resource Conservation Service has always been a part of my life. Hearing that 1,200 NRCS employees have been eliminated nationwide is heartbreaking.On our ranch, we worked closely with NRCS advisers, and I was honored to join the service to assist ranchers after graduating from Kansas State University.

Making sense out of that spare change

February 26, 2025

Financially, making cents doesn’t make sense. A recent presidential directive to stop minting pennies aims to solve the problem that could only befall a government — losing money by making it.Even with the current pause, the penny will be around for a long time.