Local News

FORT SCOTT — Heavy rainfall over the weekend wreaked havoc across southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri, leading to widespread flooding that inundated communities. The excessive rainfall, which began early Friday morning, caused rivers to swell…

UPDATE 11:30 a.m.: Traffic has reopened on U.S. 54 at the intersection with U.S. 169 as water recedes, but closed west of Fort Scott. The Neosho River is at 18.89 feet and expected to crest…

Iola’s Rotary Club strengthened ties with close friends in South America this week, writing the latest chapter in a story of friendship that spans countries and more than three decades of service. Five Rotarians from…

As a religious and community leader, the Rev. Phyllis Stutzman fears the movement known as Christian nationalism is a grave threat to American democracy. Government and religion have important roles in our lives, but when…

Amie VanNice bought a house nearly 20 years ago when she was a young, new mom filled with dreams about what she could do to create a home for her family. As the years passed,…

Humanity House held an open house Friday afternoon for their newly renovated drop-in center. Located in the front of the organization’s building at 110 E. Street on the Iola square, the center serves as a…

“My parents always told me that you’ve got to give back,” said CASA advocate Amy Roeder. This is exactly what 10 new Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) have set out to do. Chief Judge Daniel…

Everyone needs something to believe in. Elwood P. Dowd believes his best friend is a 6 ft., invisible white rabbit named Harvey. Does that make him crazy? Such is the premise of “Harvey,” a joint…

After announcing plans to significantly scale back Derryberry Breadery because of numerous challenges, Hayley Derryberry hopes area residents will rethink how they support small business. “Just simple things from time to time, practiced by everyone,…

The City of Iola is taking steps to fill an empty seat on the city council, vacated by Mark Peters during Monday’s meeting. Peters announced his resignation at the end of the council meeting, citing…