The Sunflower Standard was born out of a deep commitment to keeping Thomas County informed and connected. After years of writing for the Colby Free Press, I saw firsthand how limited access to local news can leave a community in the dark. Many residents shared their frustrations about the lack of community coverage and the challenges of staying informed when news is locked behind subscriptions. While I worked hard to improve things at the newspaper, I realized that real change would require a new approach—one that puts the needs of the community first.

With The Sunflower Standard, my goal is to keep news accessible to the public and provide free, community-focused coverage of the issues and events that matter most. I’ll be reporting on local government meetings, including the City Council, County Commissioners' Meeting, Board of Education, and more. High school and college sports, as well as community feature stories, will also be a focus. I want to make sure that our youth, community leaders, and everyday residents are recognized for their efforts and achievements. By keeping the news open to everyone, I hope to encourage greater participation in local events and decisions, especially during important times like elections.

The start-up funds will go toward essential equipment, software subscriptions, and travel expenses needed to cover stories across Thomas County. This start-up cost will only be temporary, as we expect advertising to support The Sunflower Standard moving forward. Your support will help ensure that everyone in our community has access to timely, accurate information. Together, we can build a stronger, more informed Thomas County—one story at a time.