Wind farm opponents meet
ERIE Opponents of a proposed wind farm project in Neosho County met last week to discuss the proposal, The Chanute Tribune reported. About 30 attended the meeting to share results from their research on wind projects in Kansas and other states. They cited decreased property values, increased taxes to compensate for valuation losses and for decommissioning abandoned wind turbines as problems other counties and states confront. Apex Clean Energy is planning a wind energy generation project on 40,000 acres in Neosho County.
Attorney to leave two counties for one
GARNETT Brandon Jones, who serves as county attorney for both Anderson and Osage counties, announced he wont seek another position in those counties after he was appointed Franklin County Attorney. He does plan to run for that position when it comes up in 2020.
Park curfew planned
CHETOPA The Chetopa City Council plans a curfew for Veterans Park, according to the Parsons Sun. A council member and residents complained of youth on top of shelter houses and rumors that the parks free Wi-Fi encourages drug deals in the park. The council agreed to close the park from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., pending the drafting of an ordinance.
SEK health systems join forces
PARSONS Labette Health in Parsons and Freeman Health System in Joplin agreed to a collaboration to support and improve health care in southeast Kansas, The Parsons Sun reported. The agreement is not a sale or affiliation and both will maintain their independence and their own governing boards. The five-year agreement will provide patients with better access to comprehensive health care services and allow the development of onsite speciality care at Labette Health.
Man heads to prison for killing dog
INDEPENDENCE An Independence man will serve 30 days in prison after he was sentenced to 12 months in prison for the malicious killing of a neighbors dog, The Wilson County Citizen reported. Wade Jones was ordered to serve 30 days of the sentence before being placed on probation for 12 months, plus fines and costs plus a psychological evaluation. At a trial, a neighbor said she saw Jones let the boxer, Zoey, out of the fence and shoot her. Jones made several outbursts during sentencing and at one point hid under the table.
