Local News - The Morning Sun

Local 4-H members and volunteers prepare meals for dine-in and takeout at the 18th annual Pre-Fair BBQ, held Sunday inside the Marvin Green Building.

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GIRARD, Kan. — Located at 249 E. 47 Hwy., just six minutes east of Girard, the Crawford County Fairgrounds are set to host to the 107th annual Crawford County Fair. Featuring local … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected] | 8/1/23

Thursday evening, the Pittsburg Public Library hosted its final weekly “Teen Nights” program, where kids sixth through 12th grade join library staff for drinks, snacks, video games, movies, anime, and good vibes in the library’s meeting room. Thursday’s “Good Vibes Party” featured an end of summer celebration with a 60s and 70s theme that had popcorn and refreshments for attendees, along with classic hits and tie-dye.

Summer’s Gone Away

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Thursday evening, the Pittsburg Public Library hosted its final weekly “Teen Nights” program. more

7/29/23

Throughout Friday morning and afternoon, Pittsburg State University held its annual surplus sale at the PSU Physical Plant, which helps give items a second life with community members, while reducing waste by keeping the items out of the landfill. Items sold at the sale included commercial lighting, custom cabinetry, filing cabinets, chairs, desks, tables, doors, vintage items, and miscellaneous items.

Not your typical garage sale

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Throughout Friday morning and afternoon, Pittsburg State University held its annual surplus sale at the PSU Physical Plant. more

7/29/23

Wildcat Extension District summer educator Molly Minihan opens Friday’s “Zombie Apocalypse Survival Program” at the Girard office with a pre-test for children to fill out that featured three separate questions.

Wildcat Extension District holds Zombie Apocalypse Survival Program

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GIRARD, Kan. — At the Wildcat Extension District Girard Office on Friday, a group of six third through sixth graders gathered for a morning full of activities for the “Zombie Apocalypse … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected] | 7/29/23

Bed racing will be returning as a popular event at Arma’s V-J Day celebration. Tutus for Peace won best decorated bed last year.

Arma gears up for 76th annual V-J Day

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ARMA, Kan. — On August 15, 1945, after four bloody years of war against the United States that destroyed his country, Emperor Hirohito of Japan announced his country’s acceptance of … more

By Dustin R. Strong / [email protected] | 7/29/23

Shelly Tridle, Nicole Striplin, and Terri Johnson of the Crawford County Health Department have taken it upon themselves to provide free water to anyone working or playing outside in the summer heat. The trio began driving around Pittsburg and Frontenac last Friday handing out bottles of cold water to anyone they came across.

Water Lillies

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Trio of Health Department workers help anyone working and playing outside combat summer heat. more

7/29/23

City Manager unveils 2024 budget request

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — At Tuesday night’s city commission meeting, City Manager Daron Hall and Director of Finance Allison Ramsey presented the 2024 budget request. The submitted budget comes … more

By Dustin R. Strong / [email protected] | 7/28/23

Graduates of Crawford Community High School, Class of 1954.

Class of ’54 reunites in Cherokee

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CHEROKEE, Kan. — Seven members of the Crawford Community High School, Class of 1954, held their 69th high school class reunion on Saturday, July 22, at the Cherokee Activities Building. … more

Staff Reports / [email protected] | 7/28/23

5 State Helicopters Inc. of Fate, Texas, along with Satterlee Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning of Joplin, installed around 45 HVAC units at Northeast Junior High/Elementary, along with Northeast High School on Thursday.

No runway, no problem

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7/28/23

Joplin woman sentenced for failing to pay employment taxes

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Joplin woman was sentenced in federal court Wednesday, July 26 for failing to pay over employment taxes. Karen Lauridsen, 61, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. … more

Staff Reports / [email protected] | 7/28/23

Sean Galloway, 46, of West Mineral, is escorted by Sheriff's Deputies following his arrest.

West Mineral man jailed after brief standoff

WEIR, Kan. — Cherokee County Deputies located Sean Galloway, 46, of West Mineral, outside of a Weir home Wednesday afternoon. Galloway, who had multiple outstanding warrants for his … more

Staff Reports / [email protected] | 7/28/23

Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Four States volunteers, area chamber members and business representatives cut the ribbon to celebrate its 25th Anniversary in Joplin on Thursday.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Four States celebrates 25 years

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JOPLIN, Mo. — The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) of the Four States celebrated its 25th anniversary of service to the Four State area on Thursday with a ribbon cutting and open house. … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected] | 7/28/23

Young dancers from Midwest Regional Ballet Company perform a scene from "The Pocket Guide to Desert Survival."

Turning trauma into theatre

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — It’s opening night for “The Pocket Guide to Desert Survival,” which will be taking the stage at 7 p.m. at Memorial Auditorium in Pittsburg. Written by … more

Brad Stout / [email protected] | 7/28/23

Jill and Carter Pugh tell visitors what it was like for settlers to cross the Great Plains in the 19th century. The Pugh are frequent program contributors at the museum.

One last Wacky Wednesday that was not to be

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — Wednesday, July 26, was supposed to be the last Wacky Wednesday of the summer but due to some mechanical issues with the air conditioning, Museum Director Amanda Minton … more

By Dustin R. Strong / [email protected] | 7/27/23

5 Mile Avenue to close east of Baxter Springs

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) plans to close 5 Mile Avenue east of Baxter Springs on Monday, July 31. During the closure, a tie-in to the new alignment of U.S. 166 will be … more

Staff Reports / [email protected] | 7/27/23

From left are Rhonda Brisendine, Anna Oberle, Laura Ramsey, Jeremy D., Johnnie Butes, Maggie Postier and Hailey Goodrich after The Lord’s Diner served its 500,000th meal on Wednesday in the parking lot of the Knights of Columbus Hall.

The Lord’s Diner of Pittsburg serves 500,000th meal

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — On Jan. 15, 2017, The Lord’s Diner opened its doors to the city of Pittsburg, combatting hunger and providing daily meals for the most vulnerable within the community. … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected] | 7/27/23

Governor Laura Kelly meets with Pittsburg city leaders at Block 22’s Vault in Pittsburg on Wednesday. Kelly was accompanying New Mexico’s Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on a tour of downtown Pittsburg and a visit to Pittsburg State University.

Kelly, Grisham tour Pitt for insights on economic development, education

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — New Mexico’s Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is visiting Pittsburg this week to learn how the city has managed to grow despite recent challenges the past few … more

By Dustin R. Strong / [email protected] | 7/27/23

Members of the 12-year-old Pittsburg All-Stars Little League team. Having won the state championship, the All-Stars are now on their way to the Regional World Series in Indianapolis. The county commission decided to grant them $500 for “ice cream” and other expenses.

Commissioners help Little League team dream

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GIRARD, Kan. — At Tuesday’s meeting, Crawford County Commissioners granted $500 to the Pittsburg Little League All-Stars for a trip to Indianapolis, Indiana, to play the Regional World … more

By Dustin R. Strong / [email protected] | 7/26/23

Cherokee County Sheriff’s Deputies and investigators prepare to leave a residence after apprehending fugitive James Paul Eric Thompson Wednesday, March 29.

Thompson sentenced to prison

COLUMBUS, Kan. — An area man was handed down a 14-month sentence to prison in Cherokee County District Court on Thursday. James Eric Paul Thompson, 46, of Baxter Springs, received the … more

Staff Reports / [email protected] | 7/26/23

Kenneth Webber escorted from court by Cherokee County Deputies on Friday, July 21.

Columbus man sentenced to over 20 years in prison

COLUMBUS, Kan. — Kenneth W. Webber Jr., 65, of Columbus, was sentenced to 257-months imprisonment on Friday, July 21 in Cherokee County District Court. The sentence came after Webber pled … more

Staff Reports / [email protected] | 7/26/23