A number of courthouse lawn requests were approved Wednesday, Sept. 24 by the Saline County Commission at their regular session.

Commissioners visited with Mary Ann Gilpin of Saline County United Way, who received approval for the group to display their fundraising tracker on the southeast corner of the courthouse square during October. Gilpin says the organization is seeking to raise $14,000 this year in support of five groups. Their fundraising efforts will include a spaghetti dinner Thursday evening at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Marshall from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

Commissioners also approved a lawn use request from the Malta Bend Memorial American Legion Post 558 to use the courthouse lawn for their annual Veterans’ Day ceremony at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11. The group also received permission to ring the courthouse bell 21 times at the start of the ceremony. A lawn request from Charlie Guthrie for next year’s POW/MIA Memorial Service, set for Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, was also approved.

Also Wednesday morning, commissioners opened two requests for qualifications received to manage construction of a new bridge at Paw Paw Trail. The commission accepted receipt of the qualifications received from Great River Engineering of Springfield and Howe Company of Macon. Commissioners also approved the hiring of Holly Smith in the prosecuting attorney’s office, and approved a request from the Saline County Photography Club to display their photos in the Courthouse rotunda during November.