Lyon County, Kansas-Government

09/15/2026

Happy IT Professionals Day!

Today, we want to recognize and thank our IT team for the work they do keep County operations connected, secure, and running smoothly. They support our employees, maintain our technology systems to help protect information, and troubleshoot unexpected issues.
We greatly appreciate their expertise, patience, and behind-the-scenes commitment to Lyon County government. We appreciate you!

09/15/2026

Please be advised that the Treasurer and Motor Vehicle Departments will not open until 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, due to a monthly office meeting.

09/14/2026

09/13/2026

Grandparents Day is a day to celebrate the special bond between grandparents and their grandchildren. It is a day to honor the wisdom, love, and guidance that grandparents provide. Grandparents play an important role in the lives of their grandchildren, offering them support, laughter, love, and a sense of belonging. They are often a source of comfort and advice, and they can help grandchildren learn about their family history and traditions.

Thank you to all the amazing grandparents out there – you are appreciated!

09/12/2026

The 25 Year Commemoration of September 11, 2001, at the American Legion Post 5 last night, was special for those who attended. After opening comments from Clay Childs, Post Commander, Pastor Paul Jacques said the opening prayer, and then his daughter, Caitlin sang the National Anthem. After that, Memories and stories were shared by residents. Many shared that for those who were alive on September 11, 2001, their lives were forever changed, and that it was the most helpless feeling. Their memories and stories were a good way to memorialize the individuals who lost their lives that day, the families who were left behind, and to honor the workers who tirelessly saved as many lives as possible.

Following the memory ceremony, there was a flag illumination ceremony outside.

We would like to say a special thank you to the following entities and individuals:

Emporia Police Department Honor Guard
Emporia Fire Department for attending, and for bringing their commemorative fire truck
American Legion Honor Guard
Veteran's Legacy Fund members
Clay Childs, American Legion Post 5 Commander
Pastor Paul Jacques
Caitlin Jacques
Kansas House Speaker, Dan Hawkins
Kansas Second District Congressman Derek Schmidt

We will never forget.

09/11/2026

We remember.

Honoring the lives lost 25 years ago today and the courageous individuals who worked tirelessly to save others.

09/10/2026

Need a fun fall activity? Check this out...

Tomorrow is the last day to register for our workshop on September 16, 2026. We will be create Fall Containers Gardens at our next workshop in the Grow Your Garden Series. We will be not only planting a fall container, but we will discuss what goes into creating a stunning container garden. The workshop will start at 6:00 p.m. at the Lyon County Extension Office. The cost for the workshop is $20.00. To RSVP either call (620) 341-3220 or visit http://lyon.k-state.edu/.../master.../grow-your-garden/.

09/10/2026

Today, September 10, 2026:

The Lyon County Highway Department will be closing the following road for bridge repairs:

Road 150 between Road E & Road F

*** This road will be closed to through traffic until project is completed ***

09/10/2026

Update 9/10/26 at 3:59 p.m.:

This road is now open.

Today, September 10, 2026:

The Lyon County Highway Department will be closing the following road due to road conditions:

 Road J between Road 150 & Road 160

*** Road will be closed to Through Traffic ***

09/10/2026

We are kicking off our Department Spotlight this month! Our first department highlight is the Lyon County Clerk's Office, being represented by Joe Torres, Real Estate Clerk.

Department description:

I like to consider the Lyon County Clerk’s Office kind of like the hub of a wheel. I lot of the county business runs through the clerk’s office. We may not be the beginning or the end of the process but we are right in the middle of things. The clerk’s office has to understand how all the other departments operate because we pretty much deal with them on a daily basis. However, we do have our own thing when it comes to elections. When it is election time, we are pretty busy dealing with that along with the usual county business. The Lyon County Clerk’s Department is basically divided into the clerk’s side and the election side.

Joe's job description:

My job is known as the Real Estate Clerk.

I am responsible for making sure that our real estate records are correct and current. There are a lot of real estate records in Lyon County to maintain. I also map out possible property splits and send a request to the Lyon County Appraiser asking for the split to be processed. I then enter all new parcels into the county taxing software. I also keep track of name changes due to court orders or any other documents that may change name of ownership on our taxing system. Besides updating name of ownership, I update any change of mailing address for property tax statements.
Along with my real estate responsibilities, I also help out with elections, homestead claims and the occasional taking of commission meeting minutes.

What I like best about my job:

What I like best about my job is that it is always changing. I mean most of us don’t like change and that is me included, but if there wasn’t any change it could be very hard doing the same thing day after day. I can’t even tell you how much has changed in the 30 plus years that I have been working for the county. I remember when most of this work in the courthouse was done without desk computers. I also like working with the mapping program, it is very interesting. I am not a professional mapper, but I am always willing to learn as much as I can on the mapping program.
And last but not least, I like working with the county employees. I think that we have a great working relationship in the county with each other. After visiting other counties and see what they are going through or have gone through in the past, I am counting my blessings.

Stay tuned next month for the next department spotlight!