With our community honoring veterans this week, I felt compelled to give the community an update on what Together With Veterans AND Morris County has done since its inception in April of 2020.
Following a rare electoral tie, Mark Berner was named mayor-elect of Council Grove after the Morris County Election Board determined the outcome by drawing numbers from a hat. The unusual decision came after Berner and opponent Ryan McDonald each received 270 votes once provisional ballots were counted. McDonald drew first, selecting a five, while Berner’s draw of ten secured the win. Berner, who has served eight years on the City Council, acknowledged the unexpected way the contest was decided.
Charles “Charlie” Rayl of Chase County is a man of few words and steady conviction, qualities forged in the cockpit of a helicopter during the Vietnam War. A retired U.S. Army pilot and later an attorney, Rayl’s story is one of endurance and unflinching service. He survived being shot down three times in combat, witnessed the destruction of war firsthand, and returned home to build a life marked by quiet resilience rather than fanfare.
The Council Grove–Dunlap United Women in Faith will host their annual Fall Festival and Bazaar from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at the Council Grove United Methodist Church, 21 North Mission.
The Morris County Commission convened as the Board of Canvassers on Monday, November 10, to certify the results of the November 4 election. Present for the canvas were County Clerk Chelsey Schmidt, along with County Commissioners Wayne Kohler, Dave Fox, and Jim Barber. Also in attendance were Shelly Dunham, Karen Exon, Bill Kassebaum, Mark Berner, Ryan Mc-Donald, Amanda McDonald, and Jan Sciacca.
P.O. Box 237
302 W. Main
Council Grove, KS 66846
Email: cgnews@cgtelco.net
Phone: (620) 767-5123
FAX: (620) 767-5124