Community News
Mary Alice Hughes 1929-2011
Mary Alice Hughes, 81, Thayer, died Sunday, May 15, 2011 at the Catholic Care Center in Bel Aire, Kan. Mary Alice was born Nov. 1, 1929 in Thayer, the daughter of Roy and Beulah Meigs McNutt.  Mary Alice was raised in the rural Morehead area and graduated from Thayer High School in 1947.  Following graduation she moved to Neodesha and was employed at the Ben Franklin store.  While in Neodesha she met Carl Wayne Hughes and they were married on ...
full story
Wayne D. Sparks 1920-2011
Wayne Dwight Sparks, 90, Chanute, died Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at his home. Wayne was born in Erie on June 22, 1920, the son of Floyd E. and Hazel M. Ellis Sparks. He graduated from Erie High School in 1938 and attended Parsons Community College and Pittsburg State University. He served his country in the United States 8th Army Air Corps (later called Air Force) during WWII. Wayne was united in marriage to Virginia Keas on July 7, 1942, in Chanu...
full story
Rexanna Olson 1957-2011
Rexanna Lynn Olson, 53, Humboldt, died Sunday, May 10, 2011 at the Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. Rexanna was born in Chanute on July 27, 1957, the daughter of Rex and Bonnie Gormley Greve. She graduated from high school in Whitehall, Mich. She was united in marriage to Roland Olson on Dec. 21, 1986 at the Faith Bible Church in Chanute. He survives, of the home. Rexanna was a homemaker and owned and operated the Humboldt Flea Market. Along ...
full story
Chanute maintains Take Charge! Challenge lead
Based on results through April 30, Chanute is still winning the Southeast Region of The Take Charge! Challenge. According to the Quarter 2 March 15-April 30 stat sheet, Chanute residents switched 9,035 energy efficient CFL bulbs (more than 1 per resident). Energy Management Group provided Efficiency Kansas energy audits to 13 residents. An additional four residents have completed their EK projects. Chanute reached out to 139 business owners a...
full story
Energy lab open house on Wednesday
Marilynn Rutledge Tribune Reporter Neosho County Community College will be hosting an open house for the public at the site of its construction class project, the energy efficient house on 7th and Santa Fe. The energy lab open house will be Wednesday, May 18 on a come and go basis from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Food will be served, light bulbs and free light switch and outlet insulators will be given to visitors, and door prizes will be handed ou...
full story
Get fit options for the summer
Kathleen Carney Tribune Reporter Inertia Health and Fitness has several new ways to get and stay in shape this summer in the form of fitness classes going on throughout the week. Kiley Allen, co-owner of Inertia, will be teaching a variety of classes including Cardio Funk, Arms and Abs, Butts and Guts, and Extreme Abs. Allen will also teach water aerobics at the pool this summer. Arms and Abs will be on Monday at 6 p.m. and Wednesday at 9:...
full story
College graduation lists
KU announces 2011 candidates for degrees LAWRENCE — The names of more than 4,800 candidates for degrees at the University of Kansas this spring — representing 99 Kansas counties, 43 other states and 59 other countries — have been announced by the University Registrar. The Class of 2011 includes about 2,580 students who completed degree work in summer and fall 2010. Because KU conducts only one formal Commencement ceremony each year, many of th...
full story
Activity-filled week at care facilities
Marilynn Rutledge Tribune Reporter In recognition of National Nursing Home Week, Heritage Healthcare and Chanute Healthcare centers have been involving residents in a series of activities to celebrate the care given to residents and the quality of life available. To kick off the week at Chanute Healthcare, staff members held a balloon lift off on Monday afternoon followed by a baby contest that evening, attracting babies and toddlers of...
full story
McCune-Robinson changes name
MRH Insurance Group, Inc. has a new name, but the same staff and same great service. Ross Hendrickson, president of what was formerly known as McCune-Robinson, Inc., said the new name will officially be in effect on Tuesday, May 17. He said there has been an ownership change from Dave and Alice Robinson to Ross and his wife, Amy, the eldest daughter of the Robinsons. “What’s neat for us is transition to the third generation, and someday may...
full story
Beulabel Elliott Ray Watkins 1923-2011
Beulabel Elliott Ray Watkins, 87, died Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at the Everett Care & Rehabilitation in Everett, Wash. Beulabel was born June 20, 1923 to Earl and Lena Elliott in Bronson. She resided in Portland, Ore., until 2008 when she moved to Garden Court Retirement Community in Everett where she had made her home for the last three years. Beulabel was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Lena Elliott of Chanute, a brother, Roger E. El...
full story
Wayne D. Sparks 1920 – 2011
Wayne Dwight Sparks, 90, Chanute, died Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at his home. Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 20 at the First United Methodist Church in Chanute. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel in Chanute. A full obituary will follow in next week’s paper.
full story
Arlo L. Crawshaw 1920-2011
Arlo L. Crawshaw, 91, lifelong resident of Wilson County, died Saturday, May 7, 2011 at the Golden Living Center in Neodesha. He was born Jan. 15, 1920 in Fredonia, the son of Thomas James and Lulu Elizabeth Leiss Crawshaw. He attended school in Wilson County. On Feb. 12, 1941 in Fredonia, Arlo married Vivian Shue. Together they owned and operated The Punkin Creek Ranch in Chetopa Township since 1947. Vivian preceded him in death Oct.r 7, 1986...
full story
Wayne Wilkins 1942-2011
Wayne Wilkins, 68, Erie, died Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at the St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Joplin. He was born Dec. 23, 1942 at Roxton, Texas to J.C. and L.E. Wilkins. He grew up in the Roxton area and attended schools there. He moved to the Erie area in 1976 where he owned and operated Wilkins Construction for 35 years. He and Delores “Dee” Mattox were married on Nov, 18, 1977 at Miami, Okla. She survives, of the home. He was a member o...
full story
Chanute High School graduation at 2 p.m. on Sunday
Chanute High School graduation will be in the high school gymnasium at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Doors will open at 12:45.  A shuttle service will be provided from 1:15-2. Saturday kicks off Music in the Park The first Music in the Park concert will be Saturday, May 14, featuring Hillbilly Bus Stop. It will be at 6:30 p.m. at the Santa Fe Park Fiesta Grounds. The season is presented by the Parks Advisory Board. Hillbilly Bus Stop is made up of Crai...
full story
Mowing grows into big business
Kathleen Carney Tribune Reporter Steve Finley started Finley’s Lawn Care 16 years ago as a hobby, with nothing but a push mower. That’s right, he thought mowing lawns was fun, and he still does. He has more than a push mower these days and he is not the only one doing the mowing anymore, but he still enjoys being outside and cutting grass. “I have terrible and expensive hobbies. I used to race motocross in Texas and Oklahoma,” said Finley....
full story
Focus begins on July county fair
Marilynn Rutledge Tribune Reporter Neosho County 4-Hers are gearing up for this year’s fair, a chance for participants to show off the projects they have worked on throughout the year. While the fair is centered around the participant’s projects, the event is not just for 4-Hers. Several of the events within the weeklong festivities are open to the public and Neosho County residents are encouraged to join 4-Hers and their families to enjoy...
full story
Area briefs
Public meeting on historic district on Tuesday The City of Chanute is conducting a public meeting regarding a proposed historic district in the downtown area. The meeting will be held at Central Park Pavilion at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 17 with city commissioners being in attendance. Notices have been given to property owners with a 500-foot radius of a proposed historic district. Math students bring medals home to CHS A group of Chanute High...
full story
Mopar Cruise includes stop in Chanute
Kathleen Carney Tribune Reporter The Kansas Mopar Cruise rolls through Chanute today, and about 25 cars are expected to be in town. The Cruise was started four years ago by Jamey Hancock to encourage people with Mopar vehicles, which are Chrysler or Dodge built vehicles, to get out and see Kansas. The Chanute stop was organized with the assistance of Shields Motors. “The Kansas Mopar Cruise is about driving our beloved cars and experiencin...
full story
NCCC graduation ceremony Friday night
Neosho County Community College graduation is Friday night at 7 p.m. at Chanute’s Memorial Auditorium.    A reception for Neosho County Community College Distinguished Alumus Dr. Marllin Simon is 4 to 6 p.m. today in Room 213 at NCCC. Simon will be speaker for Friday’s graduation. Names of graduation of students who gave permission: Candidates for Associate degrees Associate of Arts Jonathan A. Arnold, Ralph A. Bayles, Michelle B. Beer...
full story
Larry Thompson
Larry Thompson died in Leawood on Wednesday, May 11, 2011. He was born in Chanute to Gus and Litha Thompson, who, along with his son Yale and his grandson Liam, preceded him in death. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree from Emerson College in Boston and his Master’s degree from the University of Kansas. He is survived by his wife, Oksana, daughter, Tiffany, and grandson, Ocea. Larry began his film and photography career at the Parsons State Ho...
full story