News
Fredonia, Altoona spend Saturday without power
FREDONIA — Fredonia, Altoona and many rural residents were unexpectedly left without electricity starting at about 8 a.m. Saturday morning as a result of a Westar pole failure near U.S. 75 Highway and 800 Road in Wilson County. Service was restored fairly quickly to some rural REC customers, but Fredonia did not come back online until just after 6 p.m., and Altoona’s service was not fully restored until about 9 p.m. The situation was furthe...
full story
Gas prices continue to rise across state Average retail gasoline prices in Kansas have risen 4
Gas prices continue to rise across state Average retail gasoline prices in Kansas have risen 4.6 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.98/g on Sunday. This compares with the national average that has increased 1.7 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.07/g, according to gasoline price website KansasGasPrices.com. In Chanute, prices remained at $3.09/g at Johnson’s General and $2.99/g at Southtown. Including the change in gas p...
full story
Worker furlough begins at Ash Grove
Tribune staff When the calendar flipped to 2011, 64 Ash Grove Cement Company employees began an unspecified furlough — a temporary layoff. Ash Grove spokeswoman Jacqueline Clark said the workers’ return will again be contingent on market conditions. The plant conducted a similar furlough a year ago Randy Pryor, plant manager, said the workers should be called back in about six to eight weeks. The company announced in October that product...
full story
NCCC non-traditional nursing student overcomes obstacles with help of STARS
From NCCC Arguably the best characteristic of STARS is the diverse student population it serves, providing services to students from varied walks of life who each have a unique story to tell. Kimberly Barry is one such student. After being out of the academic pipeline for 10 years, Kimberly made the decision to return to school, and attend the Mary Grimes School of Nursing. “My motivation has been all up to me. I’m a non-traditional stude...
full story
Frigid, storm forecasts call for emergency preparations
Adjutant GeneraI’s Dept. It’s the kind of record you hope to never see broken. The National Weather Service is predicting bitterly cold temperatures for Kansas over the next several days, temperatures that may break 15-year-old records. Light freezing drizzle and moderate to heavy snowfalls are also forecast for several areas of the state. Accordingly, the Kansas Division of Emergency Management is urging Kansans to take precautions now to...
full story
Local elections upcoming
Tribune staff A number of offices will be up for election this spring. Filing deadline is Tuesday, Jan. 25 at noon. Susan Graham at the Neosho County Clerk’s office said they have not heard from all of the areas in the county. The number of filings will determine if there will be a primary in a particular race. The positions so far: City of St Paul — 5 council seats and the Mayor City of Chanute — 3 council seats City of Thayer — 2 cou...
full story
Moran sworn in as newest Kansas senator
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Jerry Moran was officially sworn in on Wednesday by Vice President Joseph Biden in the Senate Chamber of the U.S. Capitol, and was escorted by Senator Pat Roberts and Governor-elect Sam Brownback. Moran is replacing Governor-Elect Brownback, who retired from the Senate. “I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to serve all Kansans in the U.S. Senate,” said Moran. “Our country is facing a number of challen...
full story
Popular car hop doesn’t show her age
Stu Butcher Tribune Editor She’s not your average Sonic Drive In car hop. But it’s not because of her age, it’s because of her attitude. Everybody knows Mary Bob and her bubbly persona. “She’s a famous personality around Chanute,” said Jeff Ports, owner of Sonic. “Customers absolutely love her. She always has a smile on her face and has something positive to say.” Mary Bob Martin first worked at Sonic in her “junior college days” in 19...
full story
— Cedar Lodge 103 lunch, 11:30 a
Saturday, Jan. 8 — Cedar Lodge 103 lunch, 11:30 a.m., Third Degree, 1 p.m. — Chanute Do-Si-Do, Central Park Pavilion, 101 S. Forest, caller Jay Wright. Monday, Jan. 10 — Chanute City Commission, 7 p.m., Memorial Building. Wednesday, Jan. 12 — Cedar Lodge 103 stated meeting, 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13 — Housing Authority of the City of Chanute, 7 a.m., room 213 in Student Union at Neosho County Community College. Saturday, Jan. 22 — C...
full story
Museum to revel in Johnsons’ 8 Wonders selection
Marilynn Rutledge Tribune Reporter In honor of the 150th anniversary of Kansas’ statehood on Jan. 29, the Kansas Sampler Foundation took nominations for the 8 Wonders of Kansas, along with eight different Kansas Wonder categories. Among the winners, announced Oct. 28, was Osa and Martin Johnson, named in the 8 Wonders of Kansas People category, which was good news for the Martin and Osa Safari Museum in Chanute. The Kansas Sampler Foundat...
full story
Work begins for 29th Operation Soupline
Stu Butcher Tribune Editor If the calendar has flipped into January, that means Operation Soupline is not far off. The 29th annual Operation Soupline to raise ACCL utility funds is planned 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3 at Masonic Hall, Elm and Highland. Last year’s event raised $28,377, less expenses of $5,165. The committee voted at that time to donate $16,500 to the Alliance of Churches for Christian Living utility fund and $5,5...
full story
Erie man arrested in area cattle theft
Parsons Sun WALNUT — An Erie man was arrested Monday for stealing cattle in rural Walnut. The cattle theft was reported to Crawford County Sheriff’s Department on Saturday by the Oplotnik Brothers, who were missing five 600-pound heifers. The heifers were in a pasture with other cattle, and the owners observed evidence that caused them to believe someone had been there without permission. After checking the herd, they discovered five heife...
full story
Faith and 2011
Better days are coming. One of these days all that is good will be complete and evil eliminated. True, it may not be 2011 or 2012 but the days are coming. What do you believe? Do you believe that goodness is stronger than evil? Or does evil overpower good? Is love stronger than hate? Or does hate win the day? Does light dispel darkness? Or does darkness extinguish light? Which is stronger life or death? Or does the grave triumph over ...
full story
City monitors job numbers to meet budget needs
Tribune staff City Manager J. D. Lester on Tuesday issued a statement to the community about staffing adjustments for the City of Chanute. Noting the announcement in December of consideration of staffing adjustments in order to respond to economic concerns and projected General Fund shortfall of $300,000 in 2011, he outlined actions already taken and intended actions in this budget year to minimize both job losses and public services. Les...
full story
Search for new Chanute USD 413 superintendent ongoing
Stu Butcher Tribune editor Steps were taken to devise an interview schedule for candidates for the position of superintendent of USD 413 at Monday’s school board meeting. Howard Smith and James Christman, Pittsburg State University, have been hired to coordinate the search process. They told board members the deadline for applications is Jan. 26, that the candidates should be pared down to three or four at the next board meeting, Feb. 7...
full story
The last Koda-chrome
Parsons business end of the line for film processing By Ray Nolting Parsons Sun PARSONS — Kodachrome enthusiasts from around the world converged on Parsons last week, their visits culminating in the last call for the iconic film. Noon Thursday was the deadline to turn film in for processing at Dwayne’s Photo Service, 415 S. 32nd, the last company to process Kodachrome film, which has been discontinued by Kodak. Some film trickled in afte...
full story
Toys for Tots bring smiles to many faces
Local organization appeals for more volunteers Marilynn Rutledge Tribune Reporter “We need more toys,” Toys for Tots Coordinator Dick Lisman said at the beginning of this year’s Christmas season. In early December, there had not been one toy donation, but by season’s end the toys had flooded in. Every year, Toys for Tots begins its Christmas collecting in early October, but it is not until the last few weeks before Christmas that the ...
full story
Whitworth
Friday marks the 75th wedding anniversary of former Chanute residents Bill and Nadine Whitworth. Bill Whitworth and Nadine Yockey were married in Erie on Jan. 7 1936 by the Probate Judge of Neosho County, C.C. Yockey, grandfather of the bride. Early in their marriage they lived on farms hear Stark and Erie Kansas. In 1952 they moved to Chanute with their family, daughter Kay Whitworth Beech, deceased October 2009, and son Yancy L. Whitwort...
full story
Early deadlines cutting short sports reporting
Tribune staff Due to production problems at the Parsons Sun, the Tribune is facing early deadlines for an unspecified time. That will mean next week’s sports events will not be reported in the next day edition, the results will be printed the following day, meaning Tuesday’s games will be in the Thursday morning Tribune, and Friday’s games will be in the following Tuesday’s paper. “This is an unfortunate situation that we are trying to re...
full story
Chanute police officer sometimes sings for supper
Marilynn Rutledge Tribune Reporter While most Chanute residents are familiar with Larry Roberts, police officer and school resource officer, Larry Roberts the performer is a whole different story. Growing up, singing was something that Roberts enjoyed, and for almost 15 years, it has been his beloved hobby. “I’ve always enjoyed singing, I used to sing in church as a kid,” Roberts said. On New Year’s Eve, Roberts will take his one-man b...
full story