Courtland News

A tornado touched down in Jewell at approximately 9 p.m. Thursday, leaving many without homes or businesses and blocking Highway 14 until debris was cleared. The community's water tower was destroyed as well as many utility poles and lines, leaving residents without water and electricity. The American Red Cross is on the scene, along with Jewell County emergency management and other county officials and agencies.

Most heavily damaged was the northwest part of Jewell; Some homes along Highway 14 were either damaged or destroyed and the Jewell Cafe was destroyed. A new large metal building was destroyed at Bohnert Welding and Seed. Two other metal buildings north of Bohnert were also destroyed -- Bourbon Trucking and Smith Cutom Harvesting. Further north, the Broadbent house was also heavily damaged.

By TIM UNRUH LOVEWELL RESERVOIR - ' To Rick Cleveland, Sunday's celebration of the 50th anniversary of Lovewell Reservoir is like a birthday party for a close friend.

There will be a birthday party for Lovewell Reservoir on June 1. Staff of various agencies at Lovewell will celebrate the lake's 50th birthday at the Community Arts Center, 421 Main in Courtland. via The Topeka Capital-Journal

“Instead of negotiating, they want to dictate”

Republicans voting for a new tax, Democrats opposing a disincentive for polluting? It almost seemed like an April Fools' Day joke. via Topeka Capital-Journal

“We are strictly making the efforts in the best interests of the students”

' Two years after Belleville and Hillcrest school districts consolidated into Republic County School District, leaders are looking to merge again. via Salina Journal