News
KDOT piloting move to primary provider statewide for fuel
Joshua Vail Tribune Reporter A pilot program is in progress to test the possibility of a single statewide fuel provider for the Kansas Department of Transportation. Two of the six KDOT districts are involved in the program — District 1, which contains 17 counties including Shawnee and the state capitol of Topeka, and District 4, which includes Neosho County, together make up a little less than the eastern third of the state. Kent Olson, KDOT...
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Stop signs, Senate bills and more
Jimmy Potts Tribune Reporter ERIE — The Neosho County Commission had an eventful meeting Friday debating a variety of issues from support of a bill that would kill public lobbying to stop sign installation at 130th and Harper Road. The commissioners first discussed a recent bill circulating through the Kansas State Senate CUSD 101 Superintendent John Wyrick said would essentially kill public lobbying, which comes at the heels of passage of a ...
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CHS senior smooches pig for Relay for Life
Jimmy Potts Tribune Reporter Chanute High School Senior Layce Backes had a public display of affection for the right reason Friday for the second annual Kiss a Pig for Cancer Research Backes’ brief kiss on local pig Bella’s snout brought $100 to Relay for Life — a-12 hour march to raise money for the American Cancer Society that takes place June 7 on the Neosho County Community College campus. “It was well worth it,” said Backes. “I would do ...
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Updates from the Kansas Senate:
Sen. Jeff King R-Independence The Legislature is two short weeks from the official halfway point of the 2013 session, known as “turnaround.” After turnaround, each chamber may only consider legislation passed by the other chamber. As a result, there has been a noticeable uptick in the pace of business as we near the deadline. I believe it is an important part of the process to keep my constituents updated. Please do not hesitate to contact m...
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NCCC Board of Trustees adds to tuition and fees
At their February regular meeting, the NCCC board of trustees adjusted tuition and fee charges. They voted to add to the tuition and fees of the College by the following amounts: • A $4 per credit-hour increase in tuition • A $1 per credit hour increase to the book rental fee • A $5 per credit hour increase to the online fee • A $1 per credit hour increase to the Ottawa off campus building fee • A $3 per credit hour increase to the Ottawa on...
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Rec seeks to acquire control of the pool
Jimmy Potts Tribune Reporter A recommendation by the Chanute City Commission indicates a recent push to put control of the City Aquatic Center in the hands of the city recreation commission. Monday night Rec Commissioner Shannon Uhrmacher asked for feedback from her fellow commissioners regarding the city assisting in the hiring process for a new Recreation Superintendent, who would succeed Mark Schoelmehl after his recent resignation. “The c...
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Open house celebrates Wilson Medical’s 5-year anniversary
NEODESHAS — In 2008, Wilson County Hospital (WCH) doing business as Wilson Medical Center (WMC) opened the doors of its new replacement facility. On Wednesday, Feb, 20, Wilson Medical Center will celebrate its five-year anniversary. The anniversary celebration will be a Chamber after Hours Open House held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and the public is invited.¬† Wilson Medical Center has been a leader in healthcare innovation starting 97 years ago whe...
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$1,000 reward offered in apprehension of two suspects
A reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for direct information that leads to the apprehension and arrest of suspects Brian Shields and Michelle Voorhees. Please continue to forward additional information to the Chanute Police Department at (620) 431-5768. On Wednesday, the pair were formally charged with felony murder and aggravated burglary. County Attorney Linus Thuston announced the charges. He said felony murder is a first degree murde...
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Committee tables vote on historic district
Joshua Vail Tribune Reporter The Chanute downtown revitalization committee met to determine its future Tuesday evening. The special committee of the city commission is charged with exploring and researching options for revitalization in the downtown area. City Commissioner Kevin Berthot, who represents the commission on the board and moderates the meetings, said that a dividing line in the committee is whether to recommend to the city...
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Third annual Taste of Main Street offers new attractions
Jimmy Potts Tribune Reporter The Third annual Taste of Main Street Beer and Wine Tasting fundraiser has more planned than sampling the finest spirits Chanute has to offer. In its third iteration, Taste of Main will give participants a chance to not only sample Chanute’s finest beer and wines, but also learn about the wines through an onsite instructor and pick up a piece of Chanute history through an antique auction that will benefit Main Stre...
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Owners get more time from Erie council
ERIE — The Erie City Council agreed to give a few property owners several months to demolish unsafe structures. During its Monday evening meeting, the council, acting upon requests from property owners Jeff Noakes, Steve and Gayle Ballard, Gary and Judy Shouse and Steven O’Neal, voted to allow the property owners until the end of the year to demolish and remove unsafe structures located at 309 N. Lincoln, 500 E. Canville, 321 N. Webster and 6...
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Arson suspects officially charged with felony murder
Brian Shields and Michelle Voorhees, previously reported by the Chanute police department as suspects, were charged with felony murder and aggravated burglary Wednesday. County Attorney Linus Thuston announced the charges. He said felony murder is a first degree murder charge where the complaint alleges that the victim died as result of the accused engaging in an inherently dangerous felony. This contrasts with the category of first degree mu...
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St. Patrick’s celebrates Ash Wednesday with Benedict’s departure looming
Jimmy Potts Tribune Reporter The news of Pope Benedict the XVI’s departure did not heavily weigh on many St. Patrick’s Catholic Church parishioners during Ash Wednesday celebrations. Despite being the first pope to resign in 597 years, St. Patrick’s Father Bernard Gorges said Benedict’s departure, considering Benedict acted as pope for seven years, has not affected his parishioners as much as the death of John Paul II, whose tenure as pope la...
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Museum, library boards stress need for new heat and air unit
Jimmy Potts Tribune Reporter The Chanute Library Board and the Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum Board on Monday each pushed for spending potential funds from a Transportation Enhancement Grant on a new heating and air conditioning system. Although two different governing bodies, each agreed that a new heating and air conditioning system is the highest priority when it comes to allocating potential grant funds from the Kansas Department of...
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City Commission backs proposed senior facility
Jimmy Potts Tribune Reporter The Chanute City Commission unanimously (3-0) approved granting 14 acres of land to the Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center Foundation (NMRMC) for construction of a revolutionary senior living facility. The 14 acres given by the City Commission comes with strings attached, meaning the NMRMC will only receive the land if Chanute meets the requirements to receive grants from the United States Agriculture Departme...
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Mo Gideon Used Books has art, new books
Joshua Vail Tribune Reporter “Mo” Gideon Used Books has more than just used books. The bookstore, located at 0 1/2 W. Main in Chanute since June 12, currently has art prints and antique art books for sale, including several 1802 Greek art prints by Nicolas Xavier W√≠llemen, a famous French copper engraver. “These art prints are 213 years old,” store owner Mary Gideon said. The prints are being sold for the estate of Dr. Jack Kensinger, who...
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Jacobs to appear on KOAM TV
Nikki Jacobs of the Chanute-based Autism Hope for Families will be interviewed on the Channel 7 KOAM TV morning show at 6:50 a.m. Wednesday. KOAM posted a request to its Facebook page asking “What’s Right in the 4-States” looking for stories about people who are making a difference in their communities in Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri. Nikki’s husband, Phil Jacobs, sent them information about his wife and Autism Hope for Families....
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Chanute Police seek ‘persons of interest’ in fire investigation
Jimmy Potts Tribune Reporter Chanute Police identified Brian Shields and Michelle Voorhees as persons of interest and wanted for questioning regarding a Jan. 25 house fire where city officials later found human remains. Chanute Police Department (CPD) advises residents not to approach Michelle Dawn Voorhees, white female, 21, or Brian Christopher Shields, white male, 26, just to call the CPD, (620) 431-5768. According to the Kansas Department ...
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Michelle Voorhees
Update: Two sought for questioning
Chanute police have identified two persons of interest and wanted for questioning in the fire and death investigation at 221 N. Lafayette. Information is sought for the whereabouts of Brian Shields, 26, and Michelle Voorhees, 21. Authorities warn they could be dangerous and not to approach them, but rather call police, 431-5768.
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Chanute students winner, runner-up in Neosho County spelling bee
Joshua Vail Tribune Reporter ERIE — Royster Middle School student Angelo Andoyo won the Neosho County Spelling Bee Friday. St. Patrick’s Catholic School student Rosebelle Toledo was the runner-up. The spelling bee had 12 participants and was held in the Erie High School auditorium. The pronouncer was Royster teacher Angie Sauerwein, and the judges were Jean Cross with St. Patrick’s Catholic School and Nancy Schultz from Erie Elementary. Th...
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