Brandon Houck, left, was the guest speaker at the Council Grove Rotary Club meeting Wednesday. Houck discussed his career in wildlife conservation, his work with landowners and public agencies, and his return to the Flint Hills and his recent transition into rural real estate. Trent Siegle, right, arranged the program.

Brandon Houck

Suzanne Hokett shared a closeup photo she took of a brand that is registered to Kevin and Cindy Gant of Wilsey. Cindy Gant said the brand, known as Paddy Creek Brand, was used by Kevin’s father and has been around for at least 75 years.

Four Mile livestock brands endure as Flint Hills ranching tradition

Editor’s note: Suzanne Muller Hokett took the Council Grove Republican’s request for information about area livestock brands to heart and prepared the following history of three brands used in the Fou…

MC Commission: 1st draft of 2027 budget 7.118 higher than 2026; more drafts coming

The Morris County Commissioner meeting was called to order on Tuesday, July 14th, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Commissioners Jim Barber, David Fox and Wayne Kohler were present. Melinda Small, Deputy County Cle…

USA Today ranks Council Grove as 7th best in USA

USA Today cited Council Grove’s history, recreation and downtown district among the reasons for naming Council Grove the 7th best Midwestern small town in the USA. The publication noted that the commu…

CG Council appoints attorney Symmonds, reverses course and revenue neutral

The Council Grove City Council appointed Stuart Symmonds of Emporia as city attorney and approved several street and infrastructure projects during its regular meeting Tuesday, July 21, at City Hall. Although consideration of a city attorney appeared later on the published agenda, the council moved the matter to immediately after approval of the agenda because attorney Zachery Strella of McPherson was waiting by video conference.
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Council Grove Republican

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302 W. Main,
Council Grove, KS 66846
(620) 767-5123