Driverless cars wave of the future

Driverless cars are the wave of the future-a future that will be here before we know it. They will profoundly change our society.

Bressler makes plans for Arkansas move

HOISINGTON - Stacey Bressler, who has worked the last 26 years as the Hoisington Chamber of Commerce executive vice-president, starts a new chapter in her life by moving on to Fayetteville, Ark. after the first of the year, which is where her mother and sister live.

Lovett named Hoisington chamber administrator

HOISINGTON - Hoisington resident Kristi Lovett has been named as the new Hoisington Chamber of Commerce executive vice president. She will take over her duties after the first of the year.

USD 355 School Board approves new locking doors for school

The USD 355 School Board approved a bid for $156,932 for locking doors for the district, which will include card readers, at its regular meeting on Monday. This will represent a change for everyone who enters the school.

Gingerbread village brightens Christmas season

ELLINWOOD - Santa gently snores "Jingle Bells' in his cozy gingerbread house on Pembroke and Kennedy Street in Ellinwood in the twinkling village created by Rhea and John Grandon. Children and adults gather each holiday evening at the Christmas fantasy village where dreamers dream.

USD 112 superintendent retiring

HOLYROOD - USD 112 Central Plains Superintendent Jim Runge will retire effective June 30, 2014.

Ellinwood flood control options discussed by council

ELLINWOOD - Last August, Ellinwood had serious problems with flooding after torrential rains, particularly on the north side of town. The city has narrowed engineering firm choices to one and is in negotiations with them.

Pope Francis named Time's Person of the Year

Pope Francis was named Time's Person of the Year. He is a good choice.

Gallery opening

Vandals break windows in Ellinwood

ELLINWOOD - Four juveniles were apprehended in Ellinwood for shooting out car windows Monday between 6-8 p.m., according to Ellinwood Police Chief Art Keffer. There are 11 reported cases at press time from within the city limits.

Water wells approved for baseball fields

HOISINGTON - The Hoisington City Council approved two new water wells for the Hoisington Recreation Commission for the Legion Field and softball diamond at Bicentennial Park at its regular meeting on Monday.

HHS Student Council volunteers at Praise Ranch

PAWNEE ROCK - The Hoisington High School Student Council recently spent the day at Praise Ranch in Pawnee Rock in a service learning project. Twelve students and Principal Meg Wilson assisted with clean up of the gymnasium at the old Pawnee Rock Elementary School.

Pathways to Progress reading program results in early readers

ELLINWOOD - At one time, kindergarten was a place where students learned social skills, to sit still, and even to take a nap during their half day of school. No more.

USD 431 board hears plans for K-6 after school program

HOISINGTON - At its regular meeting on Monday, the USD 431 heard a report from board member Deb Stephens on a new K-6 after school program which, she said, "is a desperate need in the community." It would be held at the Hoisington United Methodist Church on school evenings until 6:30 p.m.

Check It Out!

There are new audio books at the Ellinwood School/Community Library. They are:

After school program for elementary age kids planned for fall

HOISINGTON - Parents will no longer have to struggle to find care for their elementary age children for those extra couple hours per day after school in Hoisington when a new after school care program begins next fall. The name of the new business is GPS Kids Club.

Internet sales tax needed

It's time to adjust to changing times and to collect Internet sales tax. The U.S. House of Representatives is debating the issue today. The bill requiring collection of Internet sales tax has already passed the Senate.

Award winning author writes book inspired by Ellinwood family

ELLINWOOD - Curious about life, about people and places, author Cynthia Kadohata, became fascinated with custom harvesting, and her book, "The Thing About Luck," is loosely based on an Ellinwood family she met when receiving the "William Allen White Award."

USD 431 to begin student-led parent-teacher conferences

HOISINGTON - In order to build student engagement, responsibility and leadership, students K-12 at USD 431 will for the first time ever, lead parent-teacher grade conferences next week at the schools.

New superintendent hired for USD 112

Ewalt Elementary School Principal Greg Clark of Augusta has been hired as the new superintendent for Central Plains USD 112 School District. Clark will begin his duties July 1.

House Bill 2210 attempt to control voters

Kansas House Bill 2210 is frightening.

Students offer refreshment at school coffee shop

HOISINGTON - Building skills and real life experiences, USD 431 Hoisington Future Business Leaders of America have opened a coffee shop serving beverages to student and staff.

Hoisington to offer EMT scholarships

HOISINGTON - Like many small communities throughout the area, Hoisington currently has a shortage of Emergency Medical Technician volunteers. In an effort to address the shortage, Hoisington is offering a full scholarship to Barton Community College for tuition and books with a total value of $1200.

Miss Sally gets lazy

Miss Sally Wolf sprawled in bed in the Bed and Breakfast area of the Historic Wolf Hotel, hunched over her cell phone and eating potato chips. She hadn't moved all day.

USD 355 to add new track and bleachers to football field

ELLINWOOD - USD 355 Ellinwood School Board approved in a special meeting, a new track, bleachers and fencing at the high school football field. Construction is projected to start the last day of track season and last all summer with a finish date of Sept. 1 in time for football season.

Senatorial race

The Topeka Capital Journal broke a story on Feb. 22, 2014 about U.S. Senate candidate Milton Wolf who is running against U.S. Senator Pat Roberts.

Hoisington City Council considers change of polycart rules

HOISINGTON - The city of Hoisington has received complaints about trash polycarts being left on the street long after trash pickup days, and, as a result is considering new rules.