Latest news with #BaxterSprings
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Baxter Springs breaks ground on adoption center project
BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan. — Something new coming to Baxter Springs is celebrated. Ground was broken Wednesday morning on the land that will eventually house the Ronald O. Thomas Animal Adoption Center. It's located in the 200-block of W 3rd Street. Donor dollars are making all of it possible and officials said it's actually been a flawless process. Along with the Thomas Foundation money is also coming from the Ross Hartley Family Foundation and the Dean and Beth Auman family. This project has been in the works for the past two years. 'There was a definite need. Our current facility only houses about 4 dogs, and this is going to multiply that probably 10 times over, so,' said Sheldon Bales, Baxter Springs Director of Public Works. 'There's so many people dumping off dogs these days. It's — and we can't keep up right now. So this is really a great thing for this town,' said Harold Lee Simpson, Baxter Springs Animal Control Officer. 'We have a lot of good things going here in Baxter. You hear a few negative things, but we've got 99 good things going and maybe one bad thing, and that's what you hear — but we've got a lot of good stuff going on here,' said Kelly Abbott, Baxter Springs Mayor. Baxter Springs Fire Department celebrates new facility Baxter Springs breaks ground on adoption center project Donations help local fire department build training facility Joplin dentist on trial for drug trafficking, illegal weapon Galena and surrounding communities to enhance emergency response cooperation Bales told us the outpouring from the community has been unbelievable since their press release went out on Monday. The facility, by the way, will house both dogs and cats. Construction could start as soon as 90-days from now. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Baxter Springs mayoral candidates outline future visions
BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan. — The Baxter Springs community got a chance to meet the candidates running for mayor today. Sherry Brown, Shannon McDonough, and current mayor Kelly Abbott were all at the community center today for the 'Meet the Candidates' event, hosted by the Baxter Springs Chamber of Commerce. Each candidate got five minutes to talk about who they are and what they hope to accomplish if elected. Speeches touched on the city budget, growth they'd like to see, transparency, support of city employees and community, sewage and water research grants, and tourism, and even support for another candidate. Your Local Election Headquarters We asked each candidate what they hope voters will remember them for when they head to the ballot box. 'I would like to grow our town with community engagement better, support our city employees, better transparency among the local government and its residents. Continue to research grants for our sewage and our water,' said Shannon McDonough, Baxter Springs Mayoral Candidate. 'I led my years with City Council and my years as mayor and I'm going to be trying to get back on city Council in November's election and I would really like to give all my support and my vote to Casi Shaw,' said Sherry Brown, Baxter Springs Mayoral Candidate. Baxter Springs breaks ground on adoption center project 'I hope to be able to take Baxter in a good direction. Project a positive image for Baxter, because when you project positive image, you get positive results, right? So that's, uh, that's what I want to see, is somebody that's going to project a positive image for Baxter,' said Kelly Abbott, Baxter Springs Mayoral Candidate/ Running for Reelection A fourth candidate running for the position, Casi Shaw, was not able to attend today's event, but when asked the same question, she said – quote… 'When voters see my name on the ballot I want them to remember me for my honesty and loyalty to the community.' end quote. We'll have the results of the August 5 election right here at Your Local Election Headquarters. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Baxter Springs council members resign amid city government controversy
BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan. — Controversy within Baxter Springs city government leads to the resignation of two council members. The Baxter Springs City Council is without two of its council members, following Tuesday night's meeting (5/27). Baxter Springs Mayor, Kelly Abbott says both council members quit for personal reasons, but he has not yet received anything in writing. One of those who resigned was Casi Shaw — a write-in candidate in the November 2024 election. Shaw says her reasons for leaving are tied to Mayor Abbott. 'The current system of government is not functioning,' said Shaw. And she says proper hiring processes are not being followed. Within the last two weeks, Mayor Abbott replaced the Baxter Springs police chief with school resource officer, Rick Comer. Jimmy Hamilton was named police chief in January, after the former chief took over as the Cherokee County Sheriff. Abbott says Hamilton voluntarily stepped down after just four months on the job. Despite the job listing of police chief on the city's social media sites, Mayor Abbott says Comer is the city's new chief. He says the job is only listed because it's city policy to advertise the job. Shaw says she didn't agree with Comer's appointment, because the city wasn't following proper hiring procedures. 'I think there need to be due process in hiring a department head,' said Shaw. When asked about the council resignations and the job listing for police chief, Mayor Abbott said it 'wasn't a big deal' and 'wasn't newsworthy.' Following our attempts to reach out to various city leaders about the council resignations, Abbott told us, 'Quit calling my help.' The second council member to resign Tuesday night was Brandon Williams. We reached out to Williams, who declined to offer comment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
