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Sporting goods manufacturer Spalding has been making table tennis sets for more than a hundred years. In this case, it’s much more expensive to buy antique than brand new. Photo Credit: Copake Auction Inc.(c) 2026 by Cowles Syndicate Inc.

Sporting goods manufacturer Spalding has been making table tennis sets for more than a hundred years. In this case, it’s much more expensive to buy antique than brand new. Photo Credit: Copake Auction Inc.(c) 2026 by Cowles Syndicate Inc.

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Table tennis has origins in Victorian England, sets made for over 100 years

Terry Kovel
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Tennis, anyone? How about table tennis? The tabletop version of the sport is believed to have begun in Victorian England as a parlor game played by the upper class.

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KDOT announces approved project bids

News Staff
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
The Kansas Department of Transportation announces approved bids for state highway construction and maintenance projects. The letting took place on May 20 in Topeka. Some of the bids may include multiple projects that have been bundled based on proximity and type of work.
Michael Barnett of Baxter Springs landed a 33.6-pound, 63-inch-long longnose gar on April 18, 2026, while fishing the Spring River near Baxter Springs, ending a state record that stood for more than 50 years. Photo courtesy Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.

Michael Barnett of Baxter Springs landed a 33.6-pound, 63-inch-long longnose gar on April 18, 2026, while fishing the Spring River near Baxter Springs, ending a state record that stood for more than 50 years. Photo courtesy Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.

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Baxter man catches record gar

News Staff
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Kansas has a new state record longnose gar, ending a record that had stood for more than 50 years.Michael Barnett of Baxter Springs landed a 33.6-pound, 63-inch-long longnose gar while bowfishing the Spring River near Baxter Springs April 18.

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Group says ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ stops food to children

Tim Carpenter
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
A Kansas advocacy organization sounded an alarm about a report indicating 10,300 children in low-income families across the state stopped receiving food aid since President Donald Trump signed sweeping federal legislation nearly one year ago.

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Two arrested on narcotics warrant

News Staff
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
A narcotics search warrant was served by Baxter Springs Police officers at a residence on Military Avenue in Baxter Springs Monday, June 1.During the search, multiple items of drug paraphernalia and marijuana were located and seized.
Park elementary kindergarteners celebrated the end of the school year with some last minute carnival fun. Teachers set up and launched a mini carnival at the school including multiple activities. They had a tattoo station, catch the ducks station, boardwalk game, outdoor tic tac toe, ribbon wand fun and popcorn and cotton candy. Meredith Moore shows her tie and balloons in front of the carnival poster. Photo by Tanya Woolsey.

Park elementary kindergarteners celebrated the end of the school year with some last minute carnival fun. Teachers set up and launched a mini carnival at the school including multiple activities. They had a tattoo station, catch the ducks station, boardwalk game, outdoor tic tac toe, ribbon wand fun and popcorn and cotton candy. Meredith Moore shows her tie and balloons in front of the carnival poster. Photo by Tanya Woolsey.

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Park elementary kindergarteners

News Staff
Tuesday, June 2, 2026

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Accidents spur K-26 intersection change

News Staff
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
KDOT representative Jeff Fischer stopped by the commission meeting Monday morning to report that the intersection at K-26 and Old US 166 would be returning to an all-way stop by sundown.

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Johnston Public Library Hours

News Staff
Friday, May 29, 2026
Mondays 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays 9 a.m.-. 5 p.m. Saturdays 9 a.m. - Noon 210 W. 10th, Baxter Springs.

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Columbus Public Library Hours

News Staff
Friday, May 29, 2026
Mondays 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday 9 a.m-6 p.m. Thursdays 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Fridays 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. Saturdays 10 a.m.-noon.Curbside service will be available upon request.

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Cherokee County Court Docket

News Staff
Friday, May 29, 2026
This is the schedule of the District Court Room with Judge Maradeth Frederick presiding. All of the hearings, conferences, arraignments, dismissals, appearances and trials are open to the public. They are also subject to change or cancellation without notice.
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