District to hire security officers
GARNETT The USD 365 school board voted to hire armed security officers for district facilities in the wake of recent school shootings nationwide, The Anderson County Review reported. Board members havent yet decided if theyll use a contractor for the service or start their own police agency in-house. They estimated it could cost about $80,000, the equivalent of 1 mill per year in additional budget funding to staff the districts own officer. Hiring an officer through the Garnett Police Department could cost about $60,000 annually.
Homeless shelter donations drop
PARSONS Directors of Safe Haven Outreach Mission in Parsons told The Parsons Sun that donations have dwindled from up to $6,000 per month to around $700. It costs about $5,000 per month to operate the homeless shelter. Theyve applied for grants and arent sure why donations have dropped off.
Neosho County Relay for Life raises $66K
CHANUTE The Neosho County Relay for Life raised more than $66,000 for the American Cancer Society this year, according to The Chanute Tribune. The Neosho event began 24 years ago.
Medical academy offers students a look at health care
FREDONIA Students in the second year of the Fredonia Medical Academy are spending two weeks this summer exploring the health care and medical field, The Wilson County Citizen reported. The medical academy is a joint effort by Fredonia USD 484, Fredonia Regional Hospital and volunteer health care professionals. It is modeled after a program in New York and funded by a grant from the Sunflower Foundation and donations. Students take rotations in various medical areas.
Police chief leaves for college post
PARSONS Police Chief Jason Sharp will leave his post in July to take a position with Labette Community College, The Parsons Sun reported. He accepted the position of dean of instruction. He has been Parsons police chief since 2014.
Chanute works with pontoon business
CHANUTE City leaders in Chanute are working on an agreement to bring a pontoon boat manufacturer that would provide about 50 to 55 jobs. The city could provide a vacant building for as little as $9,000 and three residential lots.
Birdhouses damaged, eggs destroyed
PARSONS Vandals took doors off purple martin houses at Prairie West Pond, exposing vulnerable young nest-lings to predators and weather, The Parsons Sun reported. Eggs also were destroyed. The damage was discovered by an SEK Audubon Society member who arrived to conduct this years nest count. He speculated someone thought the doors were preventing birds from getting into the houses, but the doors are clearly labeled Do Not Remove and contact information for the society is provided on the houses.
