The Independence City Commission held a special meeting/workshop Tuesday morning to discuss Phase II programming for City Hall with representatives from TreanorHL and approved an ordinance change, set a public hearing date and approved funding for a retirement program for city employees.

Due to Gov. Laura Kelly's mandate on Monday regarding the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Kansas, Independence High School graduating seniors and those attending the ceremony on Friday, July 10 at 8 p.m., or in case of rain, Saturday, July 11 at 9 a.m. at Shulthis Stadium will be required to wear a face mask when in a public gathering.

The Independence Daily Reporter would like to notify our customers that, due to the Independence Day holiday, we will print a combined Friday and Weekend edition which will publish on Friday.

TREAT YOURSELF — IDR reader Shelly James said, "My first cone flower visitor and wow did he pose for me." This butterfly was hungry and flower nectar was the meal. If you would like to have your photo considered for the front page of the Reporter, email the photo, along with information, to: leadphoto@indydailyreporter.com. It is suggested to take the photos with a camera as they are much larger and can be worked for print easily. Subject suggestions include people and animals. Courtesy Photo

MOSCOW — After two decades in power, Vladimir Putin's approval ratings are at an alltime low as Russia's economy reels under the impact of the coronavirus epidemic and the slump in oil prices. What better time for him to seek to extend his presidency for potentially 16 more years?

NY JUDGE BLOCKS CUOMO FROM ENFORCING COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS ON RELIGIOUS GATHERINGS

The dry and hot weather has been good for two things: harvesting wheat and putting hay in the barn. There has been lots of progress in the fields that actually got planted to wheat last fall. My crew helped me finish on Monday and now we are hurrying to plant the double crop soybeans in those same fields. A few fields got some nice rain showers late last week and some totally missed all the rain. We could sure use a nice soaking rain for the corn, soybeans and pastures.

MANHATTAN — Kansas inventory of all hogs and pigs on June 1, was 2.20 million head, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. This was up 9% from June 1, 2019, and up 5% from March 1, 2020.