Conversations
Sumner County Chosen for Kansas Main Street Pilot Program
At the recent Sumner County Advisory Committee meeting, Stacy Davis, Executive Director of Sumner County Economic Development, announced that Sumner County has been selected to participate in a new pilot initiative that brings the proven strategies of the Kansas Main Street program to the county-wide level. One of just three counties chosen for the pilot, Sumner County will have the opportunity to reinvest in its downtown districts, strengthen support for small businesses, and preserve the unique character of each community’s historic main street.
The Purple Heart Series
In December 2024, the Wellington community was officially designated a Purple Heart City, an honor bestowed by the Military Order of the Purple Heart. This designation serves as a public declaration of respect and appreciation for those who have earned the Purple Heart and signifies Wellington’s commitment to supporting local veterans and their families.
Wheat Festival Music Talent 2025
Wheat Festival Music Talent 2025
Breaking Barriers, Building Trust: Female Chiefs Lead in Sumner County
In a notable distinction for law enforcement, Sumner County is home to not one, but two women serving as police chiefs—Laura Freeman in Oxford and Rebekah Rickstrew in Caldwell.
KLEY Launches "Thunder Country" with New Shows and Fresh Energy
There’s a new sound on the airwaves! Starting this week, KLEY 104.1FM/1130AM officially launched “Thunder Country”—a bold new format packed with today’s biggest country hits alongside fan favorites from the ’80s and ’90s. Expect to hear artists like Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Shania Twain, and Little Big Town in a mix designed to keep you singing along all day long.
Talent Talk Sparks Collaboration on Workforce Needs
Local leaders, business owners, educators, and community stakeholders came together for the 2025 Sumner County Talent Talk, held June 17 at Cowley College’s Sumner Campus in Wellington. The event, hosted by the Sumner County Economic Development Commission (SCEDC), Cowley Community College, and the Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas, aimed to strengthen partnerships and align workforce priorities to support economic growth in the region.
Do you recognize this boy?
Family members have turned to the Wellington Daily News for help solving a decades-old mystery. They are searching for a boy who entered the Kansas foster care system in January or February of 1991 — and they believe someone in our community might hold the key to finding him.
Youth Conference Inspires Community Action
Youth leadership organizations YLINK and Upstream Kansas co-hosted a two-day youth leadership conference last week, bringing together students and local leaders to explore the power of community involvement. The event kicked off at Wellington High School, where several community leaders participated in a panel discussion and fielded questions from student attendees.