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TOPEKA — Kansas’ largest foster care contractor responded to Kansas Reflector reporting on the organization’s finances and litigation by pointing to a turnaround under current leadership and a willingness to cooperate with investigators. Saint Francis Ministries said statements published in an Aug. 12 story are “inaccurate” and “false,” but wouldn’t identify specific statements in question. The nonprofit also wouldn’t answer questions for this story. And Saint Francis provided an alternate description of its departure from Nebraska, where multiple investigations sounded alarms about the organization’s ability to comply with state law while providing foster care services for the Omaha area.

This fall bicyclists in North Newton will be able to offer help to Mozambique and Nepal as part of efforts by Mennonite Central Committee to fund projects in the two nations. This MCC has announced an initiative to raise $100,000 for drilling and maintaining wells in villages in Mozambique and bringing piped tap water directly into homes in Nepal.

A fund-raising campaign for the construction of a new public library reached another milestone Aug. 31 and is nearing the total goal.

The Newton High School Athletic Hall of Fame class of 2022 will be inducted on Sept. 2, featuring three members to be introduced during the season-opening football game.

The check is big nearly $500,000 - and it represents a first for the Newton Fire/EMS Department. This is the first regional grant awarded to the department - the $495,000 for communications equipment will include funds for Halstead and Sedgwick Fire Departments as well.