As of Tuesday, July 8 the drought monitor report indicates two-thirds of the state, the southern two-thirds is out of drought conditions.  Stafford, Pawnee, and Rice counties are totally out of dry conditions. 

Barton Community College, in partnership with cybersecurity firm SOFTwarfare and workforce initiative Enterprise KC, recently concluded a cybersecurity camp for middle school students, immersing them in the world of digital security with hands-on activities designed to ignite curiosity and build practical skills.

Motivated to be financially responsible, Russell High School student Maddie Sohm made it her goal to get her associate degree by the time she graduated high school, and this May, she reached her goal by walking across the stage as a college and high school graduate within days of each other.

Students from Barton’s chapter of HOSA (Future Health Professionals) joined about 13,000 students in Nashville, Tennessee earlier this summer at the 2025 International Leadership Conference (ILC), where they competed against students from the U.S. as well as students from Canada, Japan, China, Korea, Puerto Rico, and Mexico.

For some people, describing why they enjoy their career may be challenging, but for Barton alum Courtney Barton it’s very easy.

After serving 20 years in the Army, Barton graduate Timothy Sifuentes was ready for the next chapter of his life, and Barton Community College at Grandview Plaza’s program helped him on his journey to complete OSHA certifications and an associate degree in Emergency Management/Homeland Security.

With the holiday weekend, this is being written prior to the release of the drought monitor report for this week.  It is unlikely to have changed much. 

The drought monitor report as of Tuesday, June 24th shows conditions unchanged for the state with 66% of the state totally out of dry conditions. 

The Shafer Art Gallery will host a free Family Day event this summer, open to all ages from 9 a.m. to noon July 11.