Local News - The Morning Sun

The newly formed ED ASTRA group at Kansas State University aims to tackle the issue of teacher shortages in rural communities. Pictured within the group is Girard native/first chair president Zoe Rhodes (back row, third from right) and Frontenac native/second chair president Eli Tinsley (back row, second from right).

ED ASTRA aims at tackling rural teacher shortage

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — Newly formed, a group of Kansas State University education majors hopes to address the teacher shortage within rural communities. ED ASTRA, or Education Advocates … more

By Aaron Pyle / apyle@morningsun.net | 4/27/24

Initially scheduled to be held at Carnie Smith Stadium, Gorilla Grad Bash was forced by rainy weather indoors to the Robert W. Plaster Center, which featured all kinds of activities for seniors and graduate students from ladder toss to cornhole to Jenga.

PSU students celebrate upcoming graduation

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — With graduation in just two weeks, Pittsburg State Alumni & Constituent Relations decided to celebrate the achievement and efforts of the university’s senior and … more

By Aaron Pyle / apyle@morningsun.net | 4/27/24

Area landowners speak out against wind, solar

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GIRARD, Kan. — The Crawford County Commission room was packed on Friday as dozens of local landowners were present to show support for a moratorium on any further development of wind and solar … more

By Dustin R. Strong / dstrong@morningsun.net | 4/27/24

Jesse Lawson blends personal experience with research and data to talk about grief in a TEDx Talk at Pittsburg High School, Thursday.

PHS students present TEDx Talks

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Some Pittsburg High School students spent Thursday morning making a point. Lighthearted or serious, the students in Advanced Placement Language and Composition class presented a series of TEDx talks for their peers, parents and teachers in the PHS auditorium. more

By Ron Womble / rwomble@morningsun.net | 4/26/24

The SEK Recycling Center is seeking funds from the community to help its grant match for a new baler, a machine that compresses waste materials into tight, rectangular bales.

SEK Recycling Center aims for new baler

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — The SEK Recycling Center in Pittsburg has launched its next fundraising effort with assistance needed from the community to acquire a new recycling baler. … more

By Aaron Pyle / apyle@morningsun.net | 4/26/24

Girard Council, Wildcat Extension discuss CDBG project

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GIRARD, Kan. — During Monday’s Girard City Council meeting, a couple of representatives from the Crawford County Fair Board and Wildcat Extension District received permission from … more

By Aaron Pyle / apyle@morningsun.net | 4/26/24

Chanute company looking to expand in Pitt

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — Josh and Meg Smeed, owners of Oakwood Homes in Chanute, met with city officials on Thursday to discuss expanding their business into Pittsburg. “Not enough … more

By Dustin R. Strong / dstrong@morningsun.net | 4/26/24

Pattern maker Jim VanBeceleare stands between the two wooden replica motors he built for the Big Brutus Museum. VanBeceleare was hired by the museum to replicate the massive engines as part of restoration efforts. The motors will be installed in the massive machine once painting is completed. Until then, the motors will be on display in the museum once they receive their coat of pea-green paint.

Replica motors nearly complete for Big Brutus restoration

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4/25/24

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) CEO Krista Postai, Governor Laura Kelly, and CHC/SEK President/Chief Strategy Officer Jason Wesco share a laugh during the governor’s visit to the John Parolo Education Center on Wednesday.

Gov. Laura Kelly visits CHC/SEK

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — Governor Laura Kelly brought her campaign to expand Medicaid to Pittsburg, Wednesday, where she also toured the John Parolo Education Center located on the campus of the … more

By Aaron Pyle / apyle@morningsun.net | 4/25/24

Pittsburg businessman Al Patel was recognized by Mayor Stu Hite as a Pittsburg Positive on Tuesday evening for his philanthropical work in the city. Among Patel’s achievements is the recent Easter Egg Hunt and his donation of 25 bicycles to community youth. Hite said that Patel “puts a lot of smiles on a lot of faces.”

Local businessman named Pittsburg Positive

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4/25/24

Big Brothers Big Sisters Executive Director Monica Holmes was named a Pittsburg Positive by Mayor Stu Hite Tuesday evening, saying that she “always has a smile and is always helping the community.” Hite also had high praise for Big Brothers, Big Sisters, calling it “an incredible opportunity for adults to mentor the community’s youth.”

Hite honors Big Brother Big Sister director

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4/25/24

Throughout Wednesday morning and afternoon, sixth grade students from College Heights Christian School in Joplin (Mo.) visited ArtForms Gallery located in downtown Pittsburg to create fused glass artwork. Glass artist Dianne Miller noted that while half the class created the artwork, the other half toured around the downtown Pittsburg area to view the murals and the Pittsburg Public Library, returning in the afternoon to switch.

ArtForms Gallery hosts elementary students

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4/25/24

Girard and area residents gathered at last year’s Harrigans’ Barn fall event to shop at the various local vendors. It is planned to once again feature everything from food to sports memorabilia to food to spring decorations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Harrigans’ Barn scheduled for Saturday

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GIRARD, Kan. — Returning to the Girard area for the 15th time, Harrigans’ Barn is scheduled to open on Saturday, featuring a multitude of vendors from the Crawford County and the … more

By Aaron Pyle / apyle@morningsun.net | 4/25/24

County looks at ARPA timelines

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GIRARD, Kan. — When the pandemic struck, Congress authorized a release of funds under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to help local governments through a series of grants. As those grants … more

By Dustin R. Strong / dstrong@morningsun.net | 4/25/24

Janet Lang, Girard, found multiple four-leaf clovers and one six-leafed clover next to her driveway, Sunday.

What luck!

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Janet Lang can’t believe her good luck. more

By Ron Womble / rwomble@morningsun.net | 4/25/24

Urban exodus; county ponders rural resurgence

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GIRARD, Kan. — County Commissioners discussed improvements to the smaller and unincorporated communities in the county on Tuesday. Commissioner Bruce Blair forwarded a request from Walnut to … more

By Dustin R. Strong / dstrong@morningsun.net | 4/24/24

A Special Olympics Kansas (SOKS) athlete from the Southeast Region tosses a softball during one of the many competitions held at Tuesday’s SOKS Youth Track and Field Competition held at Plaster Center, which featured hundreds of area athletes and volunteers.

SOKS Southeast Regional Youth Track and Field held at Plaster Center

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — In years past, Special Olympics Kansas (SOKS) has held its annual Southeast Regional Youth Track and Field event at Carnie Smith Stadium, however, this year’s event … more

By Aaron Pyle / apyle@morningsun.net | 4/24/24

Sixth graders from county schools work together to place a rocket into a box, using teamwork and leadership skills at Tuesday’s Youth Leadership Program graduation held at Memorial Auditorium.

Area sixth graders graduate from Youth Leadership Program

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — Hundreds of Crawford County sixth graders gathered at Pittsburg’s Memorial Auditorium, Tuesday, to celebrate their graduation of the Crawford County Youth Leadership … more

By Aaron Pyle / apyle@morningsun.net | 4/24/24

Jeffrey Fischer, the new KDOT Area Four Engineer based in Pittsburg.

County meets new KDOT engineer

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GIRARD, Kan. — Jeff Fischer is the new area engineer from the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), and he is “here to help.” Fischer, a resident of Fort Scott and former … more

By Dustin R. Strong / dstrong@morningsun.net | 4/24/24

Names and Numbers President Todd McKnight

Names & Numbers marks 50 years

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On Friday, a Pittsburg business will celebrate 50 years, and while they are proud of the accomplishments of the past five decades, their focus is definitely on the future. Names & Numbers will host an open house to mark the company’s 50th birthday from 12-2 p.m. at their office at 1225 E. Centennial Drive in Pittsburg. A light lunch will be served. more

By Ron Womble / rwomble@morningsun.net | 4/24/24