News
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 Wíllemen, 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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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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Missing woman victim of fire
Jimmy Potts
Tribune Reporter
Chanute Police have identified a body found in the rubble of a Jan. 25 house fire as Cristy K. Thomas- Wiles of Chanute. It was also announced the investigation is focused on aggravated arson and first-degree murder.
The update from the CPD came one day after it solicited the public for information regarding locating missing 36-year-old Cristy K. Thomas-Wiles.
Chanute Public Safety Director Sam Budreau originally ...
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Drug testing legislation could benefit health dept.
Jimmy Potts
Tribune Reporter
The Neosho County Health Department could greatly benefit from the passage of Senate Bill 149, which orders drug screenings for Kansans receiving food stamps or unemployment.
State Senate Bill 149 (SB 149), introduced by Republican Kansas State Senator Jeff King of Independence, calls for the drug screens for those receiving temporary assistance for needy families and unemployment payments. A failed drug test woul...
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CHS’ Babcock a semifinalist for National Teacher Hall of Fame
Joshua Vail
Tribune Reporter
Chanute High School math teacher Rex Babcock is one of 20 semifinalists for the National Teacher Hall of Fame.
Babcock has been teaching in Chanute for 34 years. He taught five years in Arkansas.
“Next year will be my 40th year in public education,” he said.
Babock was inducted into the Kansas Teacher Hall of Fame in 2009 in Dodge City.
The application process involved providing basic information like degrees and ...
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Update: Body identified
Investigators have now identified the person that was found at the scene of the fire at 221 N. Lafayette as Cristy K. Wiles of Chanute. At this time, the investigation is focused on Aggravated Arson and First Degree Murder.
The Tribune received an obituary notice late Friday afternoon for Cristy Kay Thomas, 36, of Independence, which stated she died in a house fire in Chanute, but did not specify the date of the fire. A memorial service is pl...
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