May 11, 2024 The final class session for the Leadership League of South Central Kansas program for the year 2023-2024, was held on May 8th. The event included a celebratory luncheon for the class members and their respective business sponsors. The Leadership League is a Community Leadership Program (CLP) that is affiliated with the Kansas […]
TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced significant changes to the Rural Opportunity Zones (ROZ) program that could increase participation in student loan repayments for people moving to rural Kansas counties. Individuals who earn an associate degree or higher and move to a designated ROZ county they haven’t lived in for the […]
This is the audio from our monthly radio show: Focus on Stafford County. The show aired liven March.Topics discussed include construction updates on Gray Photo, a museum room at the studio and apartment.Other topics include new housing projects, downtown historic district ini Stafford, book discussion on “`13 ways to kill your community” and update on potential future of Stafford Depot.
By Beccy Tanner For 124 years, the Gray Photo Studio has overseen developments in downtown St. John. Named after William R. Gray, the photographer who took photos in Stafford County for more than three-quarters of a century, the building has long been a landmark. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in […]
This is the audio from our monthly radio show: Focus on Stafford County. The show aired in February, 2024. Topics include an upcoming Lunch & Learn book discussion of “Thirteen Ways to Kill your Community;” updates on Stafford County’s commercial kitchen, childcare; Gray Photo Studio grant, art auction and renovation; EPIC grant projects in Stafford County and the Sttafford train depot.
By Beccy Tanner Four years ago, Glora Batten started her journey into canning. A friend asked her to come over to their house and help can pickles. “We got started and made a batch of pickles and I just thought it was very fun,” the 29-year-old St. John woman said. That moment started her thinking […]
By Beccy Tanner Two teams and four St. John High School students are the county winners in this year’s Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge. Ryer Ward, placed first in the contest, which was held Feb. 7 at the Stafford County Annex. He receives $750 and a chance to compete at the state competition on April 16th at […]
By Beccy Tanner After being involved in education for nearly 30 years as both a teacher and principal, Jo McFadden decided to take a new direction in her life. “I retired and this is my retirement gig,” McFadden said. “I was looking for a job. This came up on my radar and I thought it […]
This is the audio from our monthly radio show: Focus on Stafford County. This show aired live Thursday, Jan. 25. Topics included a $50,000 HEAL grant that was awarded to the W.R. Gray Studio in St. John and a $50,000 loan from SJN Bank for the studio’s renovation. Other subjects included the Stafford County Port Authority, updates on the upcoming Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge; the county’s commercial kitchen, childcare, the Community Fair Building and new housing construction.
By: Ryan Russell Gray Photo Studio (GPS) is soon to be renovated and will soon after open it’s art studio after receiving a $50,000 matching grant from Kansas Commerce Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) program. SJN Bank of Kansas, which is always looking for ways to help develop Stafford County, has provided GPS with it’s […]
