Rawlins County Sheriff's Office

08/24/2026

The Kansas Department of Transportation plans to begin a resurfacing project on U.S. 36 in Rawlins County the week of August 24, 2026.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane while crews complete a mill and overlay on approximately 10 miles of highway on U.S. 36, between Road 11/Beardsley Road east to the intersection of U.S. 36 and K25 in Atwood.

Where crews are actively working, traffic will be directed by flaggers and a pilot car during daylight hours. Travelers should expect delays of up to 15 minutes. KDOT and the Rawlins County Sheriff's Office reminds motorists to stay alert, follow posted signs and refrain from using hand-held mobile devices in all active work zones.

08/21/2026

08/11/2026

Please Welcome Dana, Our New Rawlins County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Supervisor!

We are excited to welcome Dana as the new Dispatch Supervisor for the Rawlins County Sheriff’s Office Communications!

Dana brings an impressive 13 years of experience in emergency communications, including experience as a dispatcher, dispatch director, and sheriff's office manager. We are thrilled to have Dana step into this important role, which has been vacant for quite some time.

Dana looks forward to working alongside all of our county first responders and serving the Rawlins County community. We are excited for the experience, leadership, and dedication Dana brings to our team!

Please join us in welcoming Dana to the Rawlins County Sheriff’s Office! 📞🚔🚒🚑🚨🇺🇸

07/31/2026

Rawlins County Clerk/Election Office
***504 Ottawa St in McDonald***

06/05/2026

When they are not out fighting fires and protecting our community, they are supporting local events. Please stop by the Rawlins County Rural Fire District #1 breakfast fundraiser the morning of Ox Roast. They will be set up on the corner of Keystone and Radnor and selling homemade breakfast burritos with a bottle of water for $5.00. Be sure to grab yours before watching the Parade. All funds directly benefit RFD #1.

06/02/2026

The State of Kansas has put a new bill into effect for Offender Registration.

SB487 makes some changes to Offender Registration.

This new Senate Bill adds an additional $10 fee to Offender Registrations. This goes into effect on July 1st, 2026.

This is in addition to the current $20 fee for a total of $30. The Sheriff's Office will keep the $20, the additional $10 will be submitted separately to the County Treasurer's Office for transfer to a special technology fund with the State. This fund is intended to allow the KBI to update the Offender Registration software to make our work easier for registrations.

In addition to the new fee, the bill removes the 15 day grace period previously allowed for paying for a registration. Instead of allowing the grace period, we may instead issue an NTA to anyone who fails to pay at the time of registration. If they pay within 20 days of the registration the NTA must then be dismissed.

The $10 fee is only to be charged if the offender resides in our county. We will not charge it if they only work or go to school in our county.

05/22/2026

The burn resolution restrictions due to dry conditions have been lifted with last night's rainfall. As always wind and humidity will be a factor when it comes to open burns and please give dispatch a call before you get your fires started. If you don't have a burn permit, stop by the Sheriff's Office and fill one out. Thank you!
785-626-3208

05/05/2026

****NO LONGER CURRENT****

Sorry for any confusion about burning and not burning this week. We are happy for the rain we have received and know people itching burn and clean things up. HOWEVER we have not received enough rain for large burns, there are also high wind gusts in the next few days forcasts.

Before starting your controlled burn you must call in to dispatch at
785-626-3208
🚫 Large, long-burning pits
🚫 Large Brush Fires
🚫 Large Piles of trees
🚫🚫 Tree Pits
✅ Trash Barrels
✅ Small piles of yard debris
All burns MUST be out with NO embers by 8 pm If you need help getting your fire out please call dispatch and request a truck of water.

05/01/2026

****NO LONGER CURRENT****

The Rawlins County Fire Chief has authorized small burns while conditions are favorable.

Small, controlled burns will be permitted under the following conditions:

Burn pits are not allowed.
All fires must be fully extinguished—no embers or smoke remaining—by 8:00 PM today.
Fires must be attended at all times; unattended fires are strictly prohibited.
Wind must be above 5 MPH but under 15 MPH (including gusts)

A valid burn permit is required prior to burning. In addition, dispatch must be notified at 785-626-3208 before initiating any burn.