Opinion
Help! My kindergartener needs a Xanax!
After one week of school, my kindergarten student finally has a teacher. Getting to this point has been confusing, stressful and inconvenient for our whole family, but especially for him. Chanute Elementary School uses a process it calls “sorting.” The morning session runs from 8:30 to 11 a.m. (I’m still not sure how parents who work regular hours deal with that schedule). All the students are mixed up and sent to different teachers with di...
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Artist Alley had its beginnings 40 years ago
On Sept. 26 downtown Chanute will explode with hundreds of people roaming the street to be entertained, eat a funnel cake, admire the antique cars and motorcycles, or shop with the many Arts and Craft booths that line six blocks in downtown. This is the 40th annual Artist Alley Festival. The first Artist Alley was conceived and co-chaired by Cecilia Beuligman and Ruth Mannoni, both board members of the 1969 Neosho Valley Art Council. The B...
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Aging with Grace series Is it time to give up driving?
If riding as a passenger in the car with an elderly parent or loved-one makes you nervous, maybe it’s time to assess their driving competency. One of the most difficult decisions for older people is when to give up the keys to their car. Before asking a family member to restrict or give-up driving, you need to be aware of their abilities, recognize warning signs, and be prepared to have conversations with your loved-one about driving safety....
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Insanity runs rampant in the human family
Did you hear the one about the guy who groped Minnie Mouse at Disney World in Orlando, Fla.? No, this is not a lead-in to a joke. It actually happened. The 60-year-old grandfather was sentenced to community service and fined $1,000. Does this ick anyone else out? Is nothing sacred? He says he was just having fun with his family and it was an accident. But the story said the woman inside the Minnie suit had to pull the guy off of her. To m...
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GOP Rep. Tiahrt hears frustration with president’s proposed health plan
John Hanna Associated Press Writer TOPEKA (AP) — Republican Rep. Todd Tiahrt held a town hall-style meeting on Thursday that drew a sometimes restless crowd eager to ask questions — and offer answers — about President Barack Obama’s proposal to overhaul the nation’s health care system. Tiahrt, an eight-term congressman with his eyes on a Senate seat, got an earful from the estimated 400 people who turned up to the meeting outside his dist...
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College focus leads to new programs
“Do more with less” — that is the litany at Neosho County Community College as we start the new academic year. Of course, we are veterans at providing great programs and services with a small amount of resources. Still, this is going to be a particularly tight year because of the 15 percent reduction in state aid, the lowering of the mill levy, and planning for even more state reductions for the next fiscal year. How is NCCC going to weathe...
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‘Not Guilty,’ says jury in 3.2 test suit
The alleged intoxicating content of 3.2 beer consumed nearly four hours of time for about 500 people in Chanute this morning while it took a jury of twelve reputable business men less than 5 minutes to reach a verdict that J. E. (Ted) Meeker and Harry Rauhoff were not guilty of selling an intoxicant when they retailed what one witness termed as “belly-wash,” according to the Chanute Tribune of August 2, 1933. Chanute’s first beer trial was ...
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Back to school, back to the grind
It’s time for another school year to start. Are you ready? I have mixed feelings about sending my daughter back to school. On one hand, her education is of paramount importance. She also needs the structure the school day provides. On the other hand, I just hate to see her go back. I miss her little smile during the day. I miss being able to go see her whenever I want and give her a hug. All parents need a hug from their kids once in a while,...
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Investigation continues into cause of Speicher’s death
The 1991 Gulf War is a fairly faded memory for most Americans who see Iraq now only through the current context. But for the family of one Gulf War veteran, the last 18 years have been full of unanswered questions and endless speculation as they waited to hear the fate of Navy pilot Captain Michael “Scott” Speicher. Recently, the Speicher family finally got an answer: Captain Speicher’s remains have been positively identified after U.S. Marin...
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Summer reading program parties coming up at Chanute library
Where has the summer gone? Well, at the library it has flown by with programs, programs, and more programs. Over the course of the summer, we have had over 2,000 children in attendance at programs ranging from Toddler Dance to crafts to Hip Hop lessons. Of course, we are not quite through yet – we still have parties for the hundreds of kids and adults who completed the summer reading programs. The Birth through 5th grade party will begin at ...
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Nicodemus symbolizes pioneering spirit of African Americans in Kansas
Kansas, like our other 49 sister states, has a rich and colorful history. Not everyone enjoys or appreciates history and yet, many people do enjoy learning about our rich cultural heritage and early beginnings as a state. The town of Nicodemus, Kansas is one of those towns. I had heard about this community for years but it wasn’t until last fall that I was able to actually visit this National Historic Landmark District. Nicodemus National ...
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Can you tell me how to get to Tofu Lane?
“C” apparently is no longer for Cookie. Cookie Monster has started counting his calories. Maybe I should start over. In an effort to promote healthier eating, Cookie Monster is adding fruits and vegetables to his daily gorge-fest of cookies. Am I the only person who has a problem with this? Don’t get me wrong; I’m certainly not against healthy eating. Heaven only knows I should probably eat a few more fruits and vegetables (and drink les...
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Letter to the editor
Donations to Uganda couple can make a huge difference In the July 30 edition of the Chanute Tribune, an article appeared about our recent trip to Uganda. It highlighted the story of Shadrack and Winnie Namanya, who started Elyon Primary School in Kampala. Compared to Uganda standards, the Namanya family would be considered upper middle class, even though they only have sporadic, cold running water, one appliance (a refrigerator) and a very ...
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Letter to the editor
Can city provide services through fiber optic network? In response to the person who was printed with a question to “Ask the Tribune” in the weekend publication for Aug. 1-2, regarding a “no response from our city manager,” I would just like to say that I do understand his/her frustration at getting no immediate response when a question has been asked. (not from just the city, but from any business, friend, etc. ) However, although I have ...
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Letter to the editor
Healthcare Reform bill bad idea Since Chanute is in my sales territory, I am asking you to look for yourself at what’s going on with Healthcare Reform. Read the bill the House is working on at http://edlabor.house.gov/documents/111/pdf/publications/AAHCA-BillText-071409.pdf and see if you like what they’re doing. Their intent is to have a Health Insurance Exchange (p. 72) made up of private insurance companies and a Government insurance co...
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Letter to the Editor
Mistaken identities This happens to a lot of people with common names. When you run into someone that has the same name as yours it’s kind of funny. But when someone has the same name as you and gets in trouble with the law, it’s not so funny. My name is Pam Phillips and in last week’s police report there was another woman with the same name as mine. She was younger and lives in Walnut. I am older than her and live in rural Chanute. Also, ...
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Letter to the Editor
Way to go, Wilson County Fair and rodeo fans This year the Wilson County Fair Association Board of Directors asked the question, “What if we let people in the rodeo for free on Friday night?” Well, you answered overwhelmingly with over 1,000 in attendance! All I can say is WOW, and you can expect something similar next year. I want to especially thank you, the Fair Association members and board of directors, Fredonia City Departments, Wil...
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Rec’s new location will be good for community
The Vision Chanute ‘Next Generation’ Recreation Action Team is excited about the opportunities the new recreation facility will provide to Chanute. Having the recreation facility right next to the city pool will be a big plus for Chanute. Some Recreation Action Team members have met with Mr. Rice to let him know we are anxious for the opening and are willing to help the Recreation Commission move into the facility. The Recreation Action Te...
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Organization must have a Ladies’ Auxiliary
Back home after getting the 1925 state convention of the Anti-Horse Thief Association for Chanute, local delegates this morning began making plans for entertaining the big meeting, which will be held Oct. 26 and 29 next year, according to the Chanute Tribune of Oct. 17, 1924. The first thing to be done is to organize a Ladies’ Auxiliary. In fact, this has to be done before March 1, next year or there will be no convention here, as the state...
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When budgets get rough, states get gimmicky
Curt Woodward Associated Press Writer OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Here’s one creative way that state lawmakers helped balance Washington’s troubled budget: They assumed public employees will stay on the job longer — and die sooner than expected once they finally retire. That bit of fancy footwork, which saved the state about $45 million, is just one entry on a long list of financial gimmicks that legislators nationwide have cooked up to patch h...
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