Wednesday I celebrated my 72nd birthday and received one of the better presents ever. Late that afternoon Dr. Layne Reusser, a cardiologist at Kansas Heart Hospital, said a cauterization gave more than ample evidence I…

With the national media — including 24-hour “news” channels grabbing at anything resembling a story  — captivated by Donald Trump and his traveling medicine show, the GOP race for presidential nomination at the moment is…

Dear editor, After reading the sad state of Osawatomie State Hospital in your paper, I am glad I received the help I needed in the mid-1950s. It was more the effect of a crushing blow…

Perhaps the most understated study of history in Kansas — and Iola — is the amazing career of Gen. Frederick Funston.His 150th birthday was celebrated a few months early on Saturday.Funston came from Ohio with…

This evening Iola council members will consider placing restraints on use of cell phones and other electronic gadgets for people driving vehicles, which makes exceedingly good sense, and should be enacted.Cell phones are of marvelous…

When I reached down into the water, running my hand along monofilament line, it came to the fish’s mouth. The hook of a spinner bait seemed firmly implanted, but the bass had entangled the line…

When measuring success, we all start at different points on the stick.The metric to measure is how far you’ve come. So even though Stacey Hodges crossed the finish line “dead last” last Saturday night, she’s…

The report card on how Kansas fares as a parent came out Tuesday.We slipped in providing economic well-being, pre-K education, and family skills; but improved in health, reading and graduation rates.The data is from the…

Yes, the numbers were down and yes, it was beastly hot. But Saturday night’s Charley Melvin Mad Bomber Run for Your Life is still the coolest thing in town.More than 400 sweated through the midnight…

That the world’s six leading powers joined the United States in creating an agreement that prevents Iran from developing a nuclear weapon is nothing short of miraculous.It brings a new measure of safety to the…