News
Solemn Choral Evensong program on Sunday afternoon
An early Christmas gift to the Chanute community in anticipation and celebration of the Advent and Christmas seasons will be given by the Grace Episcopal and the First Presbyterian churches. A Solemn Choral Evensong service, directed by Rob Jenkins, approximately one hour in length, will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday in First Presbyterian’s newly refurbished sanctuary. The 25-strong choir includes members of several local congregations. Jenkins ...
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Seniors recall Christmas memories
Travis Hendryx Tribune Reporter “The rooms were very still while the pages were softly turned and the winter sunshine crept in to touch the bright heads and serious faces with a Christmas greeting.” — Louisa May Alcott The atmosphere was sunny and friendly on Thursday as the Chanute Senior Center celebrated its annual Christmas dinner. Hannelore Mahoney will be celebrating her birthday on Monday, Dec. 19 and recounted a few of her holiday me...
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Low phosphate detergents raise city water concerns
Travis Hendryx Tribune Reporter Maybe it won’t be necessary to get a new dishwasher for Christmas afterall, because the machine may not be to blame. Chanute residents with automatic dishwashers may have noticed a mineral buildup on their plates, cups and silverware. The problem has been observed throughout the city, according to resident Richard Benard who lives at the corner of 6th and Malcolm. “My problem started about a year ago,” Benard ...
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EPA, KDHE complete initial environmental screenings
Travis Hendryx Tribune Reporter The first phase of state and federal environmental screenings in Chanute have wrapped up, according to a release by EPA Region 7 out of Kansas City. Comparison air screenings from other communities in the state were not logistical, said EPA Region 7 spokesman David Bryan. “Air screenings are virtually impossible to compare because they are not long-term samplings.” Bryan said. “Since we are taking short-term ep...
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Commissioners OK budget amendment
Travis Hendryx Tribune Reporter Following a very brief public hearing, Chanute City Commissioners approved the 2011 budget amendment at Monday’s regular meeting. Nine funds are highlighted in the amendment including industrial, special liability expense, recreation complex, special alcohol programs, tourism and convention, special highway improvement, g.o. bond and interest, TIF and the grant fund. Revenue from 2011 will support the proposed...
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Children’s book promotes southeast Kansas through eyes of terrier
A trip to Nashville a year or so ago gave Humboldt writer Jackie Witherspoon the idea for a children’s book. “My husband, Gary, was attending meetings so I had lots of time to shop,” she says, with a laugh. “Many of the stores I went into were selling a book about a bear that becomes lost in Nashville. While finding his way home, the bear discovers interesting places to see in Tennessee,” Witherspoon said. “The second I flipped through the b...
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County sales tax will fund river bridge completion
ERIE — The Neosho Board of Commissioners were told Friday the Shaw River Bridge project will be covered within the $15,000,000 maximum amount voters approved to pay for the costs of improvements to 160th Road and Elk Road with the imposition of a one-half cent county-wide sales tax. Road & Bridge Director Charles Morse said it was not originally thought to be enough money to fund the Shaw River Bridge, but the following cost saving measures a...
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Cable ONE expects to lose two channels effective Dec. 31
Chanute cable subscribers will lose two channels in January, but the local Cable ONE manager is confident the company can avoid losing two Pittsburg/Joplin network affiliates. Cable ONE notified the city of Parsons recently that the company is in negotiations with three broadcasters for retransmission consent. The following changes affect both Parsons and Chanute customers. The contracts with the three broadcasters, KOAM (channel 7), KFJX (c...
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NCCC approves design-build contract for softball field
At Thursday’s meeting of the NCCC Board of Trustees, a design-build contract was approved for the new softball field and awarded that contract to Loyd Builders of Ottawa. President Brian Inbody said the contract is for $405,000 and is being paid by donations, included a $50,000 donation from the Chanute Recreation Commission, student fee accounts, and the general fund. “I am very excited,” Inbody said. “We should break ground March 1st, weath...
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AG discusses suit against EPA during Chanute visit
Travis Hendryx Tribune Reporter Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt met with city administrators on Friday as part of a series of visits to seven counties in southeast and south central Kansas. Schmidt’s Chanute visit included meetings with community leaders at the Memorial Building. “It was a wonderful and refreshing opportunity to visit and have a one-on-one conversation with Attorney General Schmidt,” said City Manager J.D. Lester. “It ...
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Intake officer jailed on sexting accusations
Travis Hendryx Tribune Reporter ERIE — A Labette County juvenile intake officer has been arrested and is awaiting charges for sending sexually explicit text messages to a 17-year-old Neosho County female. Charles Ellsworth, 33, Parsons, was arrested Monday evening at the sheriff’s office in Erie and is being held without bond at the Neosho County Jail, according to Sheriff James Keath. The sheriff’s office was contacted Monday evening with a ...
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Royster students to present one-act in Memorial Auditorium
Connie Woodard USD 413 public relations In recent weeks, 16 Royster Middle School students have been gathering in the band room for 30 minutes every day to work on character development. The students are rehearsing for a one-act play to be performed Thursday, Dec. 15, at 1 p.m. in Memorial Auditorium. Though the play is primarily for the student body, the public is welcome to attend. There is no admission charge. To be performed is the comedy...
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CHS students teach tech tools to teachers
Connie Woodard USD 413 public relations On two different Tuesdays in November, Chanute High School teachers learned some new technology tools they can use in the classroom. The lessons took place at the same time and place. Different were the instructors – a sophomore and senior at CHS. Tech Tuesdays are a 45-minute time slot after school where teachers can improve their technology skills. A different topic is presented each week. Teachers ca...
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CHS receives Challenge Award from statewide task force
Connie Woodard USD 413 public relations So much is said in the news about testing, accountability and student achievement that the words are almost as common as google and texting. With all the emphasis on student achievement, it is worth noting when a school is recognized for its efforts despite all the obstacles and challenges put in its path. Chanute High School has been notified that it is one of 60 schools in Kansas to receive a Certifi...
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Humboldt Senior Housing accepts first tenants
Travis Hendryx Tribune Reporter HUMBOLDT — Construction finished about a month ahead of schedule for Humboldt’s brand new residential care facility. Bob and Bonnie Coldwell were informed last week that they fulfilled all the income requirements for leasing one of the 12 newly completed senior housing units at N. 6th and Oak St. just west of the Arrowwood Care Facility. The Coldwells completed their move last Sunday from their former home on S...
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413 board has concerns about school evacuations
Tribune staff At Wednesday’s meeting of the USD 413 Board of Education, members expressed serious concerns about how a recent “bomb threat” was handled. Police evacuated all schools late in the afternoon on a school day. A suspect was apprehended, but no charges were filed by the county attorney. The suspect was not a student. It was decided that the fact the individual who made the threat was not charged was a serious matter and the board ...
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Fugitives caught in robbery scheme
Parsons Sun PARSONS — A fugitive task force in Johnson County, which included federal agencies, arrested two Parsons men Monday for warrants alleging their involvement in recent home invasions in rural Labette County. On Tuesday afternoon, officers from the Labette County Sheriff’s Department and the Parsons Police Department returned the two men to Parsons from the Kansas City area. Brady T. Downing, also known as Brady Gage, 19, Parsons, an...
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Official search called off for missing man
Wilson County Sheriff Office personnel, along with search and rescue outfits from around the region, have called off the official search of missing 44-year-old Kennon Landry of Neodesha, although volunteers are still at the scene, according to a release issued Tuesday by the sheriff’s department. More than 250 people were part of a massive search and rescue effort of Landry who was reported missing on Friday, Dec. 2 when his wrecked truck wa...
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Partial lunar eclipse on horizon
Mike Myer Special to the Tribune Waking up early on a Saturday morning can be hard, especially if you like to sleep in on the weekends. But if willing to set the alarm for an early wake up you might be rewarded by being able to watch a partial lunar eclipse. The western United States will be the favored place to watch this eclipse, but even people living in the Midwest will be able to enjoy at least part of this celestial event. And this migh...
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List of charges faced after arrest of fugitive
As reported Tuesday, Garrett Cleaver, 26, Colony, sought by local law enforcement after allegedly threatening a Humboldt police officer with an assault rifle before leading police on a chase through Allen County two weeks ago, has been arrested in Missouri. Cleaver was arrested by U.S. Marshals Service officers without incident Monday afternoon at a north Springfield, Mo., hotel. The Iola Register reported law enforcement there was acting on ...
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