CALENDAR

Friday, July 2 •Summer free lunch program children and adults at St. Rose Parish Hall 10:45 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 3 •Carona Station Museum open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. •Parade at 10 a.m. on Military Ave. between 13th Street and 9th Street.

Less than a month from now

Less than a month from now this area will be filled with various sized mobile homes and campers. The parking area during Fair Week for exhibitors and their families who stay near their animals during the week. Courtesy photo.

Those trying to navigate the city streets

Those trying to navigate the city streets. This scene on South Goode Avenue indicates the depth of the water in the East part of Columbus. Courtesy photo.

Farm Bureau Fourth of July run Sunday

The Annual Fourth of July celebration in Columbus will once again kickoff with the Farm Bureau 5K Run at the Columbus City Park. “We have checked the race course and it avoids all the road construction,” said Holly Johnson with Cherokee County Farm Bureau.

Command car for fire department

A new command vehicle for the Columbus Fire Department and according to Fire Chief Steven Burton they had made a good buy. “We were very lucky to secure a 2012 Ford Expedition from a Fire Department in California. It had just over 80,000 miles on it and overall is in amazing condition.

Break-in, theft reported at Baxter Coop

A break-in and theft occurred over the weekend at the Coop in Baxter Springs. A welder and approximately $3,000 worth of tools were taken. Police officers have video tape of the incident and the investigation is ongoing.

Fugitive jumps in raging Spring River

What began with an invasion of the home of an elderly woman in Carl Junction, Mo. Saturday, resulted in the search for a man floating in Spring River. On Saturday, a man went into the home of a woman in Carl Junction and told her if she did not cooperate with him, she would get hurt.

Heavy rains flood Columbus community

Twice in the past week heavy rains have inundated the Columbus area causing flooding in the community and on city streets. Wednesday evening a two hour rain brought over three-inches of water leaving flooding at many intersections and other low areas.

County holiday celebration schedule

The Sunday holiday has spread out the scheduled events to the point it will be easy for everyone to attend all the events. The first event on Saturday morning will be the Baxter Springs American Legion monthly breakfast with special attention to the July 4 holiday. At 10 a.m.

Bee wrangler Jack Cossairt

Bee wrangler Jack Cossairt captured a swarm of bees from a multi-flora rose bush where they set up their hive. Cossairt said the hive was busy working and building new cells. Courtesy photo.