Small Town, Big Stories: Unpacking Life and Local Drama in Lorraine, Kansas

 

By Kylans News Busters

Lorraine, Kansas, may only cover a quarter square mile and house fewer than 150 residents, but this small Ellsworth County town has a rich history—and its fair share of unexpected drama. Known for its agricultural roots, tight-knit community, and low cost of living, Lorraine is more than just a dot on the map. Beneath the quiet surface lies a series of incidents that have given locals plenty to talk about over the years.

A Town Built on Resilience

Founded in 1888 and incorporated in 1923, Lorraine was named after Lorraine Bendly, the daughter of a railroad official. Over the decades, this rural town has weathered many changes, from devastating downtown fires in the 1950s to the closure of its own local schools. Today, Lorraine falls under the Central Plains USD 112 school district, with students traveling to nearby towns for education.

Residents here are mostly homeowners, enjoying affordable housing and a peaceful lifestyle centered on farming, ranching, and community values. Governed by a mayor and five-member council, Lorraine functions with simplicity—but even small towns face big challenges.

Small Town, Real Drama

While Lorraine may seem idyllic on the surface, a handful of recent events reveal a town that's had to confront crime, controversy, and growing pains.

🔫 2017 Aggravated Battery Investigation

In a rare but serious incident, police and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation responded to a violent altercation at a residence on Harry Street in 2017. A 55-year-old man suffered life-threatening head injuries, and a 49-year-old woman was also found at the scene. Though public updates on the case have been limited, it rattled the quiet town and prompted renewed conversations about safety.

💻 Water Plant Cyberattack (2019)

Perhaps the most unexpected scandal came in 2019, when former water district employee Wyatt Travnichek illegally accessed the Post Rock Rural Water District’s network, shutting down parts of its system remotely. The cyberattack disrupted operations and triggered a federal investigation. Travnichek later pled guilty and faced up to one year in federal prison. The incident exposed vulnerabilities in critical rural infrastructure.

🎨 Graffiti and Theft at the Fire Station (2018)

In another unusual event, a juvenile vandalized Lorraine’s fire station—spraying graffiti on a fire truck and stealing keys, radios, and snacks from inside the building. The youth was later convicted of burglary and criminal damage. For a town that depends heavily on its volunteer fire services, the incident was more than just mischief—it was a blow to local trust.

🏫 School District Turmoil

In 2023, Lorraine found itself caught in a broader controversy when parents in the nearby town of Wilson filed to dissolve the Central Plains USD 112 school district. The district had voted to close Wilson Jr./Sr. High School, sparking community outrage. Lorraine, as part of USD 112, became swept up in the tension, with residents worried about further consolidation and what it might mean for their own community identity.

Holding On to Identity

Lorraine’s population may be small—137 as of the 2020 census—but its stories reflect broader struggles faced by many rural American towns: aging infrastructure, education challenges, and the tension between preserving heritage and adapting to change. Whether responding to vandalism or navigating school politics, Lorraine continues to prove that even the smallest towns contain big narratives.

Lorraine might not make headlines often—but when it does, the stories echo far beyond its borders.

📰 My One of a Kind: A Human Story Behind Bartlesville’s Homeless Crisis

By Kylan Stevens | Kylan’s News Busters

In the quiet streets of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, there's a crisis unfolding that many walk past every day: homelessness. But behind every cardboard sign, every weather-worn backpack, and every pair of tired eyes is a person—a person with a name, a history, and a story that’s uniquely their own.

This is the story of Melisa.

Melisa has lived without a home for nearly 30 years. She’s slept through winter nights on church steps and scorching summer days in parking lots. She’s eaten from food pantries and walked across town just to find a safe place to rest. But despite all she’s endured, one thing remains:

“I might be homeless,” she says, “but I’m not hopeless. I’m still me. I’m one of a kind.”

A Growing Issue in Bartlesville

Bartlesville isn’t a big city, but the homeless population is growing. According to city officials, there are over 58 unsheltered individuals living within city limits. And contrary to the rumors, 91% of them are locals—people who’ve lived in Bartlesville for years, sometimes decades.

To address this crisis, the city formed a Homeless Task Force—a team made up of council members, nonprofits, mental health professionals, and even former homeless individuals. They’ve held meetings, reviewed statistics, and come up with plans to provide more shelter, better outreach, and stronger support systems.

But numbers only tell part of the story.

One Person at a Time

Every person on the street has a story. Some lost jobs after illness. Others escaped domestic violence. Some struggle with mental health, while others simply ran out of options. There is no single reason for homelessness, and no one-size-fits-all solution.

Tony Roberts, a case manager at the Lighthouse Outreach Center—and a former homeless man himself—says the issue goes deeper than housing.

“They need help with documents, mental health, transportation, even just being treated like human beings,” he says. “People forget, but these folks? They’re someone’s mom, dad, sister. They’re one of a kind.”

Solutions and Hope

Bartlesville is working on solutions. A brand-new transitional housing center is opening soon, run by B the Light Mission. The center will include dorm rooms, job training, addiction recovery programs, and space for families trying to rebuild their lives. The Lighthouse Outreach Center also continues to offer emergency shelter and meals daily.

The city recently passed an ordinance that bans public camping and washing clothes in public creeks. While it includes fines up to $500, officials say the goal is not to punish—but to encourage connection with available services. It’s a balancing act: compassion and community safety.

Why “One of a Kind” Matters

When we talk about homelessness, it’s easy to get caught up in politics or stereotypes. But the truth is simple: every homeless person is a human being. Every one has a name, a voice, a story.

Melisa isn’t a problem to fix. She’s a person to help.

“People walk by like I’m invisible,” she says. “But I’m still here. I still matter. I’m still me. I’m one of a kind.”

🧠 Final Thoughts

Bartlesville’s homelessness issue is serious—but not hopeless. Change starts with understanding, compassion, and action.
Because behind every statistic is a face.
Behind every tent is a name.
And behind every struggle is a story worth telling.

Everyone is someone’s “One of a Kind.”

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