For the purposes of sticking to a top 10, it’s necessary to leave a few major stories out of the list. With that said, consider this the “Honorable Mention” list:
• Just after the start of the year, the United Way of Crawford County and the United Way of Southwest Missouri announced they had merged into the United Way of Southwest Missouri and Southeast Kansas. Officials said this would result in opportunities for new funding avenues. Furthermore, this move allowed for new programs to make their way to Crawford County, including the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
• In late January, the Pittsburg Memorial Auditorium got a bit of an overhaul as workers removed, reupholstered and replaced roughly 400 seats on the main level of the auditorium.
• Mountain West Research, a phone survey company in Pittsburg that had employed up to 150 workers, abruptly closed in early February.
• Passed in 2010 but going into effect in April 2011, the 0.25 percent sales tax saw its first returns. All funds from the sales tax hike go toward street maintenance and repair. Many improvements were made in 2011, including repaving east and west 10th Street, W. 9th Street and N. Michigan.
• There were many changes to local hospitals. At the Girard Medical Center, it was the man at the top. Kenny Boyd left as CEO in June and was replaced by Michael Payne as interim CEO. At Via Christi Hospital, it was a couple of major projects. In September, a project was announced to add a new surgical area and renovate surgical suites. That follows a project that began in May to overhaul the third floor to be an improved women’s center.
• The Colonial Fox Theatre Foundation had a particularly busy 2011. In April, the group secured a $500,000 grant from the Save America’s Treasures program to be used for preservation and rehabilitation projects. Later in 2011, the foundation became the new guardians of the National Bank building at Fourth and Broadway thanks to private donations in the amount of $85,000. Mid-America Roofing has agreed to donate roof repairs to prevent further damage.
• The Rails to Trails project ended with a grand opening and dedication in May. The project converted a former railway from 11th Street and Broadway to First and Georgia streets into a hiking and biking trail. The trail, rechristened the Watco Trail, and Trail Head Park, have seen plenty of use already.
• In October, Ryan Clay Arlan Bailey was murdered in Pittsburg. The investigation led to the arrest of three suspects, Ricky R. Smith, 22, Randu Rivera, 18, and Oscar DeLeon, 18. A fourth suspect, Nathan Whitney, was also identified in the investigation but not located.
Andrew Nash can be reached at andrew.nash@morningsun.net or by calling 231-2600 ext. 140.
