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Category Archives: Area News
Cato Kids’ Day
The annual Cato Kids’ Day will be presented to 4th and 5th graders from local elementary schools by the Cato Historical Preservation Association on Thursday October19th from 9 a.m. to2 p.m.
Cato, Kansas – The annual Cato Kids’ Day will be held on Thursday October 19th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Cato, Kansas. Fourth and Fifth graders from local elementary schools will be bused to Cato to see presentations on life in the 1800s and Cato history. The presentations will include the one-room school house, pioneer kids’ games, covered wagons, blacksmithing, 1800’s weaponry, cowboys, native Americans, drovers, and the Gettysburg Address. Schools participating include Mettles, Meadowlark, Lakeside and Westside (Pittsburg), Bronaugh, Liberal, Uniontown, Frontenac, Northeast, St. Mary’s (Fort Scott) and Girard. Approximately 650 students are expected to attend.
A separate event, Cato Days, will be held for the general public on Saturday October 21st from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cato is located between Pittsburg and Fort Scott. Take Hwy 69 to 720 road and follow the signs.
The Cato Historical Preservation Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the buildings and past of Cato and surrounding areas.
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Kansas Legal Services Secures Justice for Local Resident in Case of Fraud
Kansas Legal Services – A History of Pro Bono Advocacy
Kansas Legal Services (KLS), a statewide non-profit corporation, is devoted to helping low-income Kansans meet their basic needs through the provision of important legal and mediation services. Last year, KLS served more than 18,500 persons in all 105 counties
through two mediation offices and 11 legal services offices across the state.
KLS has served Pittsburg and the surrounding area for over 30 years. The office serves nine counties — Allen, Bourbon, Cherokee, Crawford, Labette, Montgomery, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson. Between 2020 and 2022, KLS attorneys and paralegals served
1,623 clients in matters pertaining to housing, collections, income maintenance, child support, and protection from domestic violence.
KLS attorneys assist people who live in households with annual incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines – $14,713 for an individual; $30,313 for a family of four. Clients represent diverse ethnicities and age groups, residing in rural, suburban, and urban locales.
Clients include the working poor, veterans, homeowners and renters, families with children, farmers, people with disabilities, and the elderly. Women account for 70% of clients.
Case particulars
The client was a 60-year-old woman who lives in senior housing in Montgomery County. She owns a home in her community that she is unable to live in due to its condition. She really needed to sell it before it deteriorated further. In 2021, she was approached by an
individual who she thought was going to help her sell her home. He had her sign what she believed to be a listing agreement. The document was never retained. After signing, the client was paid $20.
The individual then filed an Affidavit and Memorandum of Real Estate Purchase Agreement with the Mongomery County Register of Deeds. The filed affidavit stated that a Wyoming LLC now had a contractual interest in the client’s real estate and that the
cloud on client’s house title could not be cleared without a release from the Wyoming LLC. The affidavit also said that copies of all the various agreements could be obtained by contacting the Wyoming LLC. The Wyoming LLC was in good standing in Wyoming
but was not registered as an out of state business with the Kansas Secretary of State.
The client had heard nothing in two years despite her efforts. She contacted a local realtor who told her he could not help her sell her house until problems caused by the filing of the affidavit had been released.
It was at this point when she contacted KLS in late summer of 2023. Senior Attorney Dennis Depew became involved.
After talking with the client, Depew went to the Montgomery County Register of Deeds, where he obtained a copy of the affidavit that had been filed regarding the client’s house.
The Register of Deeds reported that there had been other such affidavits filed connected with the Wyoming LLC.
Once Depew had the affidavit, he had enough information to contact the Wyoming LLC
and investigate further. The LLC manager responded quickly and offered immediately to release the LLC’s interest in the real estate. Depew also sought out the individual who had filed the affidavit and, after considerable effort, they signed the release and the matter
was resolved.
To say that this situation raises red flags for property owners in Southeast Kansas is an understatement. The client thought she was signing a listing agreement, but instead
signed a sales contract to the individual for the sum of $20, who then assigned an interest in the sales contract to the Wyoming LLC, who isn’t licensed to do business in Kansas.
The entire situation has SCAM written all over it. How many other Kansans are unaware that the title to their homes is or could be clouded by schemes like this?
If you suspect that you could have been a victim of a similar scheme, please call thePittsburg KLS office at 620-232-1330. Other helpful information may be obtained by going to the Kansas Real Estate Commission website at krec.ks.gov and/or the Consumer
Protection Division of the Kansas Attorney General’s website at ag.ks.gov/in-your- corner-kansas.
CATO’S PIONEER PAST COMES ALIVE
The annual Cato Days will be presented by the Cato Historical Preservation Association on Saturday October 21st from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free.
The annual Cato Days will be held on Saturday October 21st from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Cato, Kansas. This free event is presented by the Cato Historical Preservation Association to promote Cato’s pioneer history.
Cato Days starts with registration at 9 a.m. followed at 9:30 by old time hymns performed by Ralph Carlson and Friends in the historic Cato Christian Church. Ann Rawlins will talk about the history of the church. At 10:45, in the Old Stone School, Anna Portwood Swank, Elizabeth Portwood Thompson and Jamie Thompson will talk about the school and Jerry Lomshek will discuss Cato’s early history and its involvement in Bleeding Kansas and the Civil War. Musical entertainment will be presented outdoors at 11:45, where drinks and ham‘n beans cooked by Bob “Buck” Rowland of Arma will be available. At 12:30 there will be a raffle for a beautiful quilt donated by Sue James of Texas. All proceeds go to the preservation of Cato’s historic buildings. The highlight of the event will be the hayrack wagon ride to various local sites of historical interest at 1 p.m.
Fourth and Fifth graders from local schools will have their own Cato Day on Thursday, October 19th.
Cato is in the northern part of Crawford County off Hwy 69. From Hwy 69, turn west on 720th avenue and follow the signs to Cato. Directions can be found at http://catoschool.com/ . Cato is an open-air museum and its buildings are only open to the public a few times a year so don’t miss this unique opportunity to spend an afternoon of entertainment and enlightenment in historic Cato. The Cato Historical Preservation Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the buildings and history of Cato and the surrounding areas.
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Discuss Regional Transportation Priorities Oct. 12 at Iola
KDOT’s 2023 Local Consult meetings scheduled across Kansas in October
The Kansas Department of Transportation is hosting nine meetings across the state in October as part of the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE) Local Consult process. KDOT holds Local Consult meetings every two years to discuss regional transportation project priorities with Kansans.
Attendees will have an opportunity to share their region’s transportation priorities, hear about investments being made in transportation in their area and learn about various grant funding programs available through KDOT.
These meetings are an important step in collecting public input for the IKE program – the state’s current 10-year transportation improvement program. They are open to all Kansans.
Local Consult locations, dates and times:
- Northeast Region (KDOT District 1) – Tuesday, Oct. 3, 9 a.m. – noon, Four Points by Sheraton in Manhattan.
- Southwest Region (KDOT District 6) – Wednesday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m. – noon, Clarion Inn in Garden City.
- South Central Region (KDOT District 5) – Thursday, Oct. 5., 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Merdian Center in Newton.
- Northwest Region (KDOT District 3) – Tuesday, Oct. 10, 9 a.m. – noon, Hilton Garden Inn in Hays.
- North Central Region (KDOT District 2) – Wednesday, Oct. 11, 9 a.m. – noon, Hilton Garden Inn in Salina.
- Southeast Region (KDOT District 4) – Thursday, Oct. 12, 9 a.m. – noon, Bowlus Fine Arts Center in Iola.
- KC Metro – Tuesday, Oct. 17, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., Lenexa Hyatt Place Kansas City/Lenexa City Center in Lenexa.
- Wichita Metro – Wednesday, Oct. 18, 9 a.m. – noon, WSU Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex in Wichita.
- Virtual Meeting – Tuesday, Oct. 24, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. For those unable to attend an in-person meeting, they may attend a virtual meeting on Zoom. Please register here https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMvf-uppjMsHdaOpjIXnRlJQV-xQrcEpb1A
More information about the Local Consult process is available online at: ike.ksdot.gov/local-consult-process.
Results from the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation 4th Annual Fort Scott Golf Classic

Saturday, September 16th was a perfect day for the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation to hold their 4th Annual Fort Scott Golf Classic at the beautiful Woodland Hills Golf Course. It was fantastic golfing
weather; the day started in the 60’s and stayed cool throughout the morning and early afternoon. Play began at 9 am with 17 teams.
Prizes were given out to 1st and 2nd places in A, B, and C Flights. The winners were: A Flight 1st Place – the team of Wally Maples, Michael Hatcher, Jake Scott, Jan Remington; A Flight 2nd Place – the team of Larry Alexander, Marcus Alexander, Michael Alexander, and Bill Fiscus; B Flight 1st Place – the team of Amanda Fly, Dustin Fly, Matthew McDaniel, and Rodd Nelson; and B Flight 2nd Place – the team of Allen Bukowski, Cody Clayton, Kenny Allen, and Less Russell; C Flight 1st Place – the team from the Lowell
Milken Center of Norm Conard, Donna Bowman, Ty Covey, and Laney Covey; and C Flight 2nd place – the team of Greg Gauss, Jeremy Chambers, Kyle Day, and Justin Dempsey.
Along with the three flights, prizes were handed out for Closest to the Pin and Longest Drive. Melvin Prince won Closest to the Pin. Longest Drive prizes were awarded to Jake Scott and Randy Thurston.
Woodland Hills Golf Course sponsored one of the Closest to the Pin contests. Players had the chance to play a few hole games on the course such as Paul Bunyon; Hole-in-One Trouble Game; and Betcha Can’t Get on the Green.
At the end of the tournament, door prizes were given out to several lucky golfers. The door prizes included: garden decor and candles from Heidrick’s True Value; a grill set courtesy of Kale Nelson State
Farm; Igloo Coolers and Umbrella courtesy of SEK Financial; T-shirts and patches courtesy of Fort Scott Munitions; pens and bags courtesy of Stewart Realty; Gift Certificates to Miller Feed, La Hacienda, Papa Don’s Pizza, Brickstreet Barbecue, and Common Ground Coffee; and tickets to Grand Country Music Hall
in Branson courtesy of Fort Scott Broadcasting.

Along with the door prizes, a raffle drawing was held for a fire pit which was donated by Niece Products of Fort Scott. The winner of the raffle was Laney Covey.
The tournament’s corporate sponsors were: Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes; Heartland HomeCare; and Kansas Communications. The tournament hole sponsors were: Care to Share Cancer Support Group; Cheney Witt Chapel; Cobalt Boats; Don’s Spirits and Wines, LLC; Diehl, Banwart, &
Bolton; Heidrick True Value; Holmtown Pub; Konantz-Cheney Chapel; Labconco; Medicalodge of Fort Scott; Stewart Realty Co; and Wise Accounting. G & W Foods of Fort Scott, SEK Financial, and
Medicalodge of Fort Scott were goodie bag sponsors.
All money raised from the event goes toward the Foundation’s mission of providing quality and affordable homes for our neighbors with intellectual/developmental disabilities in the eight counties of
Allen, Bourbon, Chautauqua, Elk, Greenwood, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson. Since 2001, the Foundation has built six houses and acquired eight houses and a duplex. Four of these homes are
located in Fort Scott and are home to 24 of our neighbors with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
“Without the generosity of our communities, this fun event could not have been held. Thank you to all the golfers who participated as well as to our event sponsors: corporate, hole, and in-kind. This
tournament would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors. It is friends like you that allow us to provide services to our neighbors with I/DD and to help them achieve the quality of life they seek. Thank you” stated Special Projects Coordinator, Tricia Campbell.

Southwind’s 4-H Crops/Weeds Id Participants Move Up at State Fair
Southwind District 4-H’ers participate in the Kansas State Fair State 4-H Crops/Weeds ID Contest on September 9, 2023, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Three of the four team members moved up from the Intermediate Division to the Senior Division to form a full Senior Team. Results were 3rd Place Team, Carly Kramer 8th Individual, Camryn Wille 15th Individual, Kason Botts 16th Individual, and Henry Kramer 18th Individual.
Pictured are (left to right; front to back): Kason Botts, Henry Kramer, Casey Diver (coach), Carly Kramer, and Camryn Wille.
Increased Patrol on Hwy. 69 Starts Today
Expect increased traffic enforcement on Safety Corridors
Drivers will notice increased activity by local law enforcement agencies and the Kansas Highway Patrol along four designated Kansas Safety Corridors beginning in mid-September. The increase is part of the continuing efforts being implemented to reduce fatalities and serious injuries along the corridors.
These agencies are working to save lives by deterring dangerous driving behaviors including speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving as well as occupant protection violations.
The four corridors under the Safety Corridor Pilot Program include:
- I-135: Sedgwick and Harvey counties, from 53rd Street in Park City to Exit 34 in North Newton.
- U.S. 24: Pottawatomie County, from St. Marys west to Manhattan.
- U.S. 83/50: Finney County, from Plymell north through Garden City and west to the Holcomb exit.
- U.S. 69: Crawford County, from the U.S. 400 junction north through Frontenac and Pittsburg to the U.S. 160 junction.
The five-year Safety Corridor Pilot Program is a strategic initiative of the Drive To Zero (DTZ) Coalition, which is a partnership comprised of state and professional organizations whose mission is to have zero traffic fatalities. The Safety Corridors were selected based on a history of fatal and serious injury crashes, availability of additional law enforcement and input from local transportation safety partners.
From 2016 to 2021, over 500 crashes occurred on these corridors resulting in 35 deaths and 68 serious injuries. For more information, visit the corridor website at https://www.ksdot.gov/bureaus/burTrafficSaf/safetycorridor.asp.
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Southeast Kansas Library System Newsletter for Summer 2023
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Continue reading Southeast Kansas Library System Newsletter for Summer 2023
Mixed-use Development Project Begins in Johnson County
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West Nile Virus Confirmed in Horses in Kansas
MANHATTAN, Kansas — The Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Animal Health has received notification of multiple confirmed cases of West Nile virus (WNV) in horses across the state over the past few weeks. Confirmed cases have been reported in Barber, Butler, Douglas and Pratt counties.
WNV is a preventable disease, with annual vaccinations that have proven highly effective. All of the confirmed cases of WNV in Kansas were in unvaccinated horses or horses with an unknown vaccination history so were assumed to be unvaccinated. All horse owners should consult with their local veterinarians and make a vaccination plan for their horses.
WNV is a virus that can infect humans, horses, birds and other species. Horses infected with WNV can have symptoms that range from depression, loss of appetite and fever to severe neurologic signs such as incoordination, weakness, inability to rise, and hypersensitivity to touch or sound. WNV can be fatal in horses. If you see symptoms of WNV in your horse, contact your veterinarian immediately.
The virus is carried and transmitted by mosquitoes; it is not directly contagious from horse to horse or from horse to human. WNV is a reportable disease in Kansas, which means veterinarians are required by law to report any confirmed cases to the State Veterinarian.
For more information about West Nile virus or other animal disease issues in Kansas, go to the KDA Division of Animal Health website at agriculture.ks.gov/
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Correctional Facility Bus Involved in Traffic Accident
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