News
Michelle’s Angels bring back dodgeball tourney
Marilynn Rutledge Tribune Reporter When her sister-in-law Michelle Ranabarger passed in 2002, Marsha Stipp decided to put together a Relay for Life team in her honor. “The year before my sister-in-law died, she went to the Survivor dinner, and we were still dealing with going to Texas and her being on treatments, but she had said she always wanted to do a team. She passed away the next year, so we decided that — in her honor — we woul...
full story
More rust flakes falling at Ash Grove
Ash Grove Cement Company reported this week to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) that rust flakes from its 431-foot metal stack appear to have fallen in areas near its plant in Chanute. According to plant officials, the rust originates from ductwork and the main stack, after the main particulate baghouse. Due to the size and shape of the flakes, and the height at which they are released, they may fall to the ground beyond...
full story
Reception sendoff for Judge Brazil’s retirement
Kathleen Carney Tribune Reporter After 21 years as Chief Judge in the 31st Judicial District, Judge Timothy Brazil retired on Friday. Although his retirement doesn’t necessarily mean he will be leaving the courtroom altogether. He was appointed Judge Pro Tem by his successor, Judge Dan Creitz, and he will be hearing cases during part of his first week of retirement. Judge Brazil graduated from Chanute High School and Neosho County Communit...
full story
Three new city commissioners to be elected
On Tuesday, Chanute voters will elect three new members of the City Commission. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. There are five candidates in the commission race: Kevin V. Berthot, Martha R. McCoy, Jon M. Odell, Shannon Uhrmacher, Gregory W. Woodyard. None are incumbents. The top two vote-getters will serve four-year terms and the third place vote-getter will serve a two-year term. The following is a profile of the candidates: Bertho...
full story
Five vie for four seats on USD 413 Board
On Tuesday, Chanute voters will elect three members of the USD 413 Board of Education. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. There are five candidates in the commission race: Sean D. Bowman, John Graham, Ross T. Hendrickson (incumbent), Bradley LaRue, Kellie Thomen (incumbent). The following is a profile of the candidates: Bowman: Grew up in Fort Scott and has resided in Chanute since 1996 when employed by USD 413 as a Chemistry and sc...
full story
New downtown business adds fabric to lives
Marilynn Rutledge Tribune Reporter Main Street’s newest business, Threadworks1, 313 E. Main, has thus far been a huge success in Chanute, with quilters, sewers and crafters flocking to the new location for their large variety of fabrics, sewing notions and lots of other creative options. “It’s been very nice, well received. Everyone has been very nice to work with,” owner Brenda Flowers said. Brenda and her husband, Del Flowers, have oper...
full story
Rent-A-Center matches BBBS donations
Kathleen Carney Tribune Reporter In a fundraising incentive that began on March 25 Rent-A-Center employees are encouraging customers to support children facing adversity by donating a dollar in exchange for a colorful paper egg to display in the store to recognize their donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters. The program runs until April 23 and Rent-A-Center matches individual donations dollar for dollar up to $100,000. The annual event has r...
full story
CHS students to clean up city for Ecology Day
Kathleen Carney Tribune Reporter Chanute High School students will clean up the city on Wednesday, April 6 for Ecology Day, otherwise known as Earth Day. Teachers and students will scour Chanute, picking up trash and taking it to the landfill in the morning. “We have different routes for each teacher, and they go out all over town and pick up all the trash in town,” said Stugo Advisor Karen Graham. “We just try and clean up the town.” Eco...
full story
NCCC Student Senate sponsors Cystic Fibrosis Walk
Marilynn Rutledge Tribune Reporter Members of the Neosho County Community College Student Senate have been working hard the past few months to prepare for a Cystic Fibrosis Walk to be held on May 7. The walk, or Great Strides, as it is referred to by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, is a nationwide effort to bring awareness to cystic fibrosis and raise money toward treatment and care options for patients. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic diseas...
full story
College students trek to Safari Museum
Kathleen Carney Tribune Reporter The Neosho County Community College History Club sponsored an educational trip to the Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum Tuesday night. Around 25 students were in attendance to learn about Martin and Osa Johnson. Many had no idea such adventurers hailed from Chanute. Curator Jacquelyn Borgeson was on hand for a personal tour with plenty of details about the Johnsons’ lives and adventures. Scattered throu...
full story
Local caregivers banking on federal dollars
Kathleen Carney Tribune Reporter A potential pay raise looms on the horizon for caregivers at Tri-Valley Developmental Services. Due to funding cuts in social services they have not received a raise in more than three years and currently they make between $8.05 and $8.61 an hour. Senate Bill 210, which could provide Kansas with federal funds, passed through the Senate last week with a 39-0 vote. After going through a joint effort between th...
full story
Sisters studying in Georgia win design competition
Marilynn Rutledge Tribune Reporter SCAD [Savannah College of Art and Design] students and Chanute natives Kaleigh and Kourtney Wilson had a lot to celebrate last week when it was announced that their uniform designs had been chosen to be used by schools in Sierra Leone. The sisters got involved with designing the uniforms through a contest their school held, with first prize being a trip to Turkey to visit Orta Blu, the company that held t...
full story
City OKs flow monitoring study of sewer system
Kathleen Carney Tribune Reporter City Commissioners decided Monday night to hire a company to do a flow monitoring study on the inflow and infiltration of Chanute’s sewer systems in order to pinpoint the source of the city’s excess waste water flow. “Right now we are pumping about twice as much waste water as what we should,” said Director of Utilities Larry Gates. Average flow rates per capita in Chanute range between 200 gallons per capi...
full story
NCCC opens new campus in Ottawa
Kathleen Carney Tribune Reporter Neosho County Community College’s Ottawa campus moved into the brand new facility last week during spring break, and it opened for students on Monday. Due in part to a $2 million federal grant and much hard work and diligent planning the new, spacious campus is up and running for students as scheduled. “I couldn’t be happier!  I actually never had a doubt that we would open on time,” said Project Manager and Vi...
full story
Health Department readies for Meltdown kickoff
Marilynn Rutledge Tribune Reporter The Neosho County Health Department has set the kickoff for the county Meltdown program to begin Saturday, April 19. The kickoff will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until noon with a variety of activities happening while attendees record their beginning blood pressure. weight and measurements they will hope to better during the 10-week program. “You’ll come in, starting out, and get your weight, blood press...
full story
Ash Grove presence at meeting with EPA
Nearly three dozen Ash Grove employees showed up Friday donning the now-familiar “Real Families, Kansas Jobs” t-shirts, carrying American flags and signs in the bitter cold. They were at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s  Region 7 offices in downtown Kansas City, Kan., to protest the closed-door meeting of the EPA administrator and a handful of Chanute residents who have concerns regarding Ash Grove Cement’s operations. As with all pr...
full story
A relative in the White House
Jason Peake Tribune writer Dean Dillard was casually reading a newspaper when he came across some familiar names.  Moments later, Dillard came to a realization  — he’s related to Barack Obama. A longtime Chanute resident and retired Neosho County Community College professor, Dillard confirmed to the Tribune this week that he is related to the current President of the United States. Dillard is a second cousin, once removed, from Obama. “I’ve kn...
full story
Pawz Fest Castaways benefit on April 2
Marilynn Rutledge Tribune Reporter In an effort to begin building a safe haven for animals, those working toward the Castaways Animal Shelter and Sanctuary in Chanute have devoted much time and effort in the past five years to setting up booths, garage sales and holding fundraisers. During 2010, volunteers raised a total of $7,846.98 to put toward their savings of more than $120,000 for the new location. But in order to become a fully funct...
full story
Partner in Progress announced by Chamber
Shanna Guiot Tribune Bob Harwood, DVM, was announced Thursday as the Chanute Chamber of Commerce Partner in Progress. More than 50 people attended the State of the City luncheon and Partner in Progress award presentation in the New Chicago Room. The award is usually presented at the Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting, but due to scheduling conflicts, the honoree was unable to attend that gathering. It is tradition to keep the identity of ...
full story
Historic tax credits can revitalize downtown
Stu Butcher Tribune editor Main Street Chanute is taking steps to support downtown revitalization by obtaining historic tax credits — income tax reductions provided by federal and state government as an incentive to preserve historic structures. “Chanute and you can benefit from historic tax credits,” said Ken Matney, Main Street president. Besides tax dollar savings, examples are job creation and enticement for new business. The easiest ...
full story