Wayfinding Signs Project: A Legacy of Skill, Community, and the Strength of This Generation
A year ago, the idea of creating wayfinding signs for the City of Cimarron was just a vision, an ambitious spark that needed hands, hearts, and hard work to become real. Under the guidance of welding instructor Mr. Mike Curtiss, that spark grew into a full, community-changing project. Today, six towering Wayfinder signs, each standing 12 feet tall and 3 feet wide, will proudly mark Cimarron with both purpose and artistic beauty.
The project officially took shape in early December 2025, when designs were drafted and refined. When the new semester began in January, the CHS Ag Welding class rolled up their sleeves, joined by the 8th-grade Ag Explorations class, who provided essential assistance to turn those drawings into a structural steel reality. Over the months that followed, the students learned a great deal: precision in measuring and fitting, how heat distortion can affect squareness and straightness, foundational and advanced welding techniques, and the finishing craft of grinding and detailing. These are not just technical skills; they are life skills in patience, accuracy, problem-solving, and pride in workmanship.
What truly makes these signs extraordinary is the artistry behind them. Each sign features a uniquely designed back panel, created by the students themselves. Each sign has its own personality, its own story, and its own visual identity, an expression of the creativity and thoughtfulness of the young people behind the project.
Plasma Table Design and Cutouts
Ben Koehn
Halli Hessman
Khloe Robles
Sign #1
Ervin Marquez
Carlos Villatoro
Sign #2
Caleb Peterson
Matthew Kramer
Sign #3
Amelie Kite
Khloe Robles
Sign #4
Jaxon Cofer
Kade Hammas
Ethan Harrison
Callen Kassela
Riggs Nash
Spencer Vath
Christian Villatoro
Maverick Wehkamp
Sign #5
Tayten Davis
Isaak Vogel
Sign #6
Tayten Davis
Amelie Kite
Cole Woods
Mike Curtiss
Now, as these monumental signs are completed, the City of Cimarron has begun the process of installing them, and it is no small task. These signs are massive, heavy, and require careful handling and coordination. A heartfelt thank you goes out to our dedicated city employees who are taking on the challenge of putting these structures into place. Their work ensures that the students’ creations will stand tall, stable, and proudly visible for decades to come.
The signs were completed on May 6th, 2026. Although the full group of students could not gather for a community celebration, their achievement absolutely deserves recognition. These Wayfinders will guide visitors and residents through Cimarron while quietly telling a story of effort, teamwork, and craftsmanship.
So, when you see these amazing students or when you see Mr. Curtiss take a moment to offer them a kind word, a handshake, or even a pat on the back. Their work is not temporary. It is not fleeting. They have built monuments that will last a lifetime, standing as daily reminders of what our youth can accomplish when they are encouraged, trusted, and given room to create.
Because this generation is not something to doubt.
This generation is something to celebrate.
A year ago, the idea of creating wayfinding signs for the City of Cimarron was just a vision, an ambitious spark that needed hands, hearts, and hard work to become real. Under the guidance of welding instructor Mr. Mike Curtiss, that spark grew into a full, community-changing project. Today, six towering Wayfinder signs, each standing 12 feet tall and 3 feet wide, will proudly mark Cimarron with both purpose and artistic beauty.
The project officially took shape in early December 2025, when designs were drafted and refined. When the new semester began in January, the CHS Ag Welding class rolled up their sleeves, joined by the 8th-grade Ag Explorations class, who provided essential assistance to turn those drawings into a structural steel reality. Over the months that followed, the students learned a great deal: precision in measuring and fitting, how heat distortion can affect squareness and straightness, foundational and advanced welding techniques, and the finishing craft of grinding and detailing. These are not just technical skills; they are life skills in patience, accuracy, problem-solving, and pride in workmanship.
What truly makes these signs extraordinary is the artistry behind them. Each sign features a uniquely designed back panel, created by the students themselves. Each sign has its own personality, its own story, and its own visual identity, an expression of the creativity and thoughtfulness of the young people behind the project.
Plasma Table Design and Cutouts
Ben Koehn
Halli Hessman
Khloe Robles
Sign #1
Ervin Marquez
Carlos Villatoro
Sign #2
Caleb Peterson
Matthew Kramer
Sign #3
Amelie Kite
Khloe Robles
Sign #4
Jaxon Cofer
Kade Hammas
Ethan Harrison
Callen Kassela
Riggs Nash
Spencer Vath
Christian Villatoro
Maverick Wehkamp
Sign #5
Tayten Davis
Isaak Vogel
Sign #6
Tayten Davis
Amelie Kite
Cole Woods
Mike Curtiss
Now, as these monumental signs are completed, the City of Cimarron has begun the process of installing them, and it is no small task. These signs are massive, heavy, and require careful handling and coordination. A heartfelt thank you goes out to our dedicated city employees who are taking on the challenge of putting these structures into place. Their work ensures that the students’ creations will stand tall, stable, and proudly visible for decades to come.
The signs were completed on May 6th, 2026. Although the full group of students could not gather for a community celebration, their achievement absolutely deserves recognition. These Wayfinders will guide visitors and residents through Cimarron while quietly telling a story of effort, teamwork, and craftsmanship.
So, when you see these amazing students or when you see Mr. Curtiss take a moment to offer them a kind word, a handshake, or even a pat on the back. Their work is not temporary. It is not fleeting. They have built monuments that will last a lifetime, standing as daily reminders of what our youth can accomplish when they are encouraged, trusted, and given room to create.
Because this generation is not something to doubt.
This generation is something to celebrate.
WATER TOWER UPDATE: The maintenance on the interior of the water tower has been completed. The materials used inside will need 1-2 weeks to cure, and then City Public Works employees can begin the process of refilling the tower. Much appreciation for everyone's patience during this unexpected repair. The City will post again to inform the community once the tower is fully functional.
Get ready, Cimarron! Our first-ever Cimarron Summer Market is kicking off soon, and we’d love to have YOU join us as a vendor! We already
We already have 5 signed up!
Interested in selling your goods? Just scan the QR code on the flyer and get registered today.
Let’s make this summer market one to remember! 🌞
The Gray County Sheriff's Office has issued a press release regarding the incident on Sunflower May 11-12, 2026. The release can be viewed at https://aptg.co/k6c0Cl.
There will be an emergency meeting of the City of Cimarron Governing Body tonight, Tuesday, May 12th, at 5 pm with the purpose of an Executive Session for Security Measures K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(12).
Calling all Cimarron residents — individuals, businesses, civic groups, organizations, churches, non-profits, and entrepreneurs!
We’re excited to share that Cimarron has been awarded the Rural Champion grant. This funding will support the creation of a new ALL THINGS Cimarron website, featuring a community-wide calendar and a centralized volunteer hub designed to connect and empower our community.
Please join us for a community meeting this Thursday, May 14th, at 6:30 PM in the City of Cimarron Library basement to learn more about the project and share information that will help us build the website. Come and learn all about it!
We’re excited to share that Cimarron has been awarded the Rural Champion grant. This funding will support the creation of a new ALL THINGS Cimarron website, featuring a community-wide calendar and a centralized volunteer hub designed to connect and empower our community.
Please join us for a community meeting this Thursday, May 14th, at 6:30 PM in the City of Cimarron Library basement to learn more about the project and share information that will help us build the website. Come and learn all about it!
We received an overwhelming number of requests for assistance through the KS Forestry grant for the removal of dead, dying, or diseased trees.
We are pleased to share that 21 residents have been notified and approved for tree removal through this program.
If we have the opportunity to apply for this grant again, we will do so in hopes of helping the remaining residents who were not selected this round.
We are pleased to share that 21 residents have been notified and approved for tree removal through this program.
If we have the opportunity to apply for this grant again, we will do so in hopes of helping the remaining residents who were not selected this round.
ATTENTION RESIDENTS: AS OF 4:40 PM, MONDAY, MAY 11, 2026, THE FOLLOWING AREA IS CLOSED DUE TO AN INCIDENT. - 3RD ST NORTH OF RIDGEVIEW AND SOUTH OF PENNER, AND SUNFLOWER EAST OF 1ST STREET. ALL RESIDENTS ARE ASKED TO AVOID THE AREA UNTIL CLEARED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE GRAY COUNTY RECREATION CENTER IS OPEN FOR THOSE NEEDING A PLACE TO GO.
¡Cimarron tiene grandes noticias!
Nuestra comunidad ha sido seleccionada para el Programa Rural Champions 2026, y el residente local Joey LaBelle será nuestro Rural Champion.
Estamos lanzando All Things Cimarron, un nuevo esfuerzo para conectar mejor a nuestros residentes, negocios, organizaciones y voluntarios.
Esto incluye una mejor comunicación comunitaria, nueva señalización digital, un calendario comunitario compartido y un sistema unificado de voluntariado.
Nuestra comunidad ha sido seleccionada para el Programa Rural Champions 2026, y el residente local Joey LaBelle será nuestro Rural Champion.
Estamos lanzando All Things Cimarron, un nuevo esfuerzo para conectar mejor a nuestros residentes, negocios, organizaciones y voluntarios.
Esto incluye una mejor comunicación comunitaria, nueva señalización digital, un calendario comunitario compartido y un sistema unificado de voluntariado.
Cimarron has big news!
Our community has been selected for the 2026 Rural Champions Program, and local resident Joey LaBelle will serve as our Rural Champion!
We’re launching All Things Cimarron, a new effort to better connect our residents, businesses, organizations, and volunteers.
This includes improved community communication, new digital signage, a shared community calendar, and a unified volunteer system.
Our community has been selected for the 2026 Rural Champions Program, and local resident Joey LaBelle will serve as our Rural Champion!
We’re launching All Things Cimarron, a new effort to better connect our residents, businesses, organizations, and volunteers.
This includes improved community communication, new digital signage, a shared community calendar, and a unified volunteer system.
The pool has been freshly painted, and it looks absolutely beautiful!
We’re excited to share that our tentative opening date is May 22nd. A huge thank‑you to everyone who worked hard to make this possible.
Here’s to sunshine, splashes, and a fantastic summer ahead!
We’re excited to share that our tentative opening date is May 22nd. A huge thank‑you to everyone who worked hard to make this possible.
Here’s to sunshine, splashes, and a fantastic summer ahead!
The May 4, 2026 City Council Meeting Agenda is now available to view at https://aptg.co/YmTM3M. The meeting will be at 6:30 pm in the Council Chambers at City Hall. As always, the meeting is open to the public.
This past winter, Cimarron’s water tower sprang a leak. During the course of repairing the leak, it was discovered that the interior of the water tower required extensive repairs. Those repairs are happening right now. The interior of the water tower is being re-lined, and while that is going on, the inside and outside of the tower are going to be repainted to prevent deterioration. The whole process is expected to last 4 – 6 weeks.
Each time the water tower is taken out of service, it causes a pressure issue throughout the water system. If too much pressure builds up, then water lines begin to weaken and blow out. In the past week, the city has had 7 water line breaks as of the writing of this article.
With all of this taking place, we are having to monitor and reduce water pressure throughout the day and night. Residents will experience a reduction in their water pressure during the timeframe that the repairs are taking place. We expect the repairs will not be completed until sometime in June.
Unfortunately, during this timeframe, we are also experiencing drought in Western Kansas, and our water usage for April was up 34% over the prior year. During this ongoing struggle with drought conditions and the water tower being out of service, we would ask residents to look for opportunities to reduce water usage. If you water your lawn, try to do it during off-peak times or overnight, versus in the morning and evenings when people are showering, cooking, doing laundry, etc.
In the event of a fire emergency, and we have a loss of pressure, the city has a bladder full of 15,000 gallons of water ready to use on the north end of town.
We realize this is going to be an inconvenience for everyone, and we just ask for patience during this time. Failure to regulate the pressure could result in more severe water outages throughout the community.
-City Administrator Mark Pingsterhaus
Each time the water tower is taken out of service, it causes a pressure issue throughout the water system. If too much pressure builds up, then water lines begin to weaken and blow out. In the past week, the city has had 7 water line breaks as of the writing of this article.
With all of this taking place, we are having to monitor and reduce water pressure throughout the day and night. Residents will experience a reduction in their water pressure during the timeframe that the repairs are taking place. We expect the repairs will not be completed until sometime in June.
Unfortunately, during this timeframe, we are also experiencing drought in Western Kansas, and our water usage for April was up 34% over the prior year. During this ongoing struggle with drought conditions and the water tower being out of service, we would ask residents to look for opportunities to reduce water usage. If you water your lawn, try to do it during off-peak times or overnight, versus in the morning and evenings when people are showering, cooking, doing laundry, etc.
In the event of a fire emergency, and we have a loss of pressure, the city has a bladder full of 15,000 gallons of water ready to use on the north end of town.
We realize this is going to be an inconvenience for everyone, and we just ask for patience during this time. Failure to regulate the pressure could result in more severe water outages throughout the community.
-City Administrator Mark Pingsterhaus
There will be a special meeting of the Governing Body of the City of Cimarron this evening, Tuesday, April 28th, 2026, at 6:30pm to discuss a potential contract to Port-A-Tower for temporary water tower replacement storage while the water tower is being repaired.
The K-State Extension Community Food Systems Team has extended the application deadlines for the 2026 Kansas Food Business Start-Up Summits, and we’d love your help connecting this opportunity with food and farm entrepreneurs in your network!
This year, we’re hosting two Summits:
• Hays Summit, June 9–10, has a new app deadline of May 18
• Lawrence Summit, August 4–5, has a new app deadline of July 6
This year, we’re hosting two Summits:
• Hays Summit, June 9–10, has a new app deadline of May 18
• Lawrence Summit, August 4–5, has a new app deadline of July 6
"Our Community, Our Future" Initiative"
Western Kansas Community Foundation (WKCF) is conducting the “Our Community, Our Future” (OCOF) initiative in Cimarron, Hugoton, Lakin, and Liberal in order to gain a deeper understanding of local priorities. The initiative signals a new strategy for the WKCF in its efforts to serve Southwest Kansas. The goal of the initiative is simple yet ambitious. The results of this initiative will help the Foundation understand how communities are thinking and feeling, and provide a clearer picture of their wants and needs. By the end of the initiative, WKCF hopes not only to have a better understanding of local needs but also to build new partnerships to work on solutions together. The initiative offers a unique approach to community service outside the traditional grantmaking processes of a community foundation. The survey empowers residents in directing resources to address what they view as local needs.
"Our Community, Our Future" is currently in its third year of implementation. The community assessment survey for 2026 has been launched and will close in June 2026. If you are a resident of Cimarron, Hugoton, Lakin, or Liberal, we invite you to participate in supporting your community by completing the survey by scanning one of the QR codes below or by completing a print version of the survey and, once it's announced, attending the community forum for your town.
Your voice matters. As we work toward developing youth facilities in Cimarron and throughout Gray County, we’re seeking feedback from our community.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf85E73HbY_n1dzhG1CPHdYexQqf574PfD37r1TElNsvfivFg/viewform
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf85E73HbY_n1dzhG1CPHdYexQqf574PfD37r1TElNsvfivFg/viewform
Effective today, Wednesday, April 22, 2026, the main water tower will be being drained for maintenance. This process will take 6 to 8 weeks and residents should expect varying water pressure during this time. We apologize for any inconvenience, but all services will continue as normal.
On Wednesday, April 29, from 12:00–1:00 pm, the Kansas SBDC at FHSU is hosting Amplify Your (Trade)Mark, a virtual trademark workshop featuring an experienced trademark attorney. This session is designed to help business owners better understand how to protect their names, logos, and brands—and avoid costly mistakes that can derail growth.
Workshop highlights include:
• What trademarks are (and aren’t)
• Common law vs. federal trademark protection
• How to know if a business name is truly protectable
• The USPTO process, timelines, and costs
• Common mistakes that lead to denials, delays, or rebranding
This one-hour virtual workshop is open statewide and costs just $5 to attend, making it an accessible resource for startups and growing businesses alike.
📅 April 29 | 12:00–1:00 pm
🔗 Registration: www.kansassbdc.net/training
Workshop highlights include:
• What trademarks are (and aren’t)
• Common law vs. federal trademark protection
• How to know if a business name is truly protectable
• The USPTO process, timelines, and costs
• Common mistakes that lead to denials, delays, or rebranding
This one-hour virtual workshop is open statewide and costs just $5 to attend, making it an accessible resource for startups and growing businesses alike.
📅 April 29 | 12:00–1:00 pm
🔗 Registration: www.kansassbdc.net/training
SAVE THE DATE – Big News for Cimarron!
The Kansas Department of Commerce has officially selected Joey LaBelle as Cimarron’s Rural Champion—placing our town among only nine rural communities in Kansas chosen for this year’s cohort. This brings new support and resources to launch All Things Cimarron, a project designed to connect residents, volunteers, organizations, and events in a way our community has never had before.
Community Coordination Meetings
We want EVERYONE who helps make Cimarron better to join us:
• Wednesday, May 6 at 12:00 PM
Cimarron City Library – Basement
• Thursday, May 14 at 6:30 PM
Cimarron City Library – Basement
If you’re part of a club, school, church, civic group—or you simply do things for Cimarron or want to—your voice is essential. This project will only succeed if our whole community is represented.
A taste of what’s coming:
“All Things Cimarron” will create a centralized community calendar, improve volunteer coordination across all local groups, and make it easier for everyone to get involved. We’ll also be introducing digital signage around town to share real-time updates on events, volunteer opportunities, and community announcements—helping everyone stay connected and informed. These are practical, visible improvements that will help Cimarron move projects from “good ideas” to real progress.
If you can’t attend either meeting, please reach out to Charlotte Neuschafer, Community Development Coordinator @ 620 855 2215 so your ideas and concerns are included.
Every voice matters as we build something that empowers Cimarron long after the grant year ends.
The Kansas Department of Commerce has officially selected Joey LaBelle as Cimarron’s Rural Champion—placing our town among only nine rural communities in Kansas chosen for this year’s cohort. This brings new support and resources to launch All Things Cimarron, a project designed to connect residents, volunteers, organizations, and events in a way our community has never had before.
Community Coordination Meetings
We want EVERYONE who helps make Cimarron better to join us:
• Wednesday, May 6 at 12:00 PM
Cimarron City Library – Basement
• Thursday, May 14 at 6:30 PM
Cimarron City Library – Basement
If you’re part of a club, school, church, civic group—or you simply do things for Cimarron or want to—your voice is essential. This project will only succeed if our whole community is represented.
A taste of what’s coming:
“All Things Cimarron” will create a centralized community calendar, improve volunteer coordination across all local groups, and make it easier for everyone to get involved. We’ll also be introducing digital signage around town to share real-time updates on events, volunteer opportunities, and community announcements—helping everyone stay connected and informed. These are practical, visible improvements that will help Cimarron move projects from “good ideas” to real progress.
If you can’t attend either meeting, please reach out to Charlotte Neuschafer, Community Development Coordinator @ 620 855 2215 so your ideas and concerns are included.
Every voice matters as we build something that empowers Cimarron long after the grant year ends.
