Ice House returns to county

An 8-week Ice House Entrepreneurship Program in Cherokee County starting March 25 sponsored by the County Economic Development Committee.

CALENDAR

Wednesday, February 17 •Baxter Springs Kiwanis Club meets, Noon-1 p.m. at Van’s Steakhouse. •Baxter Springs Ambulance Board meets, 5 p.m. in the office at the Ambulance station. •RWD #4 annual meeting 7 p.m. at 217 S. Kansas in Columbus. •RWD #3 annual meeting 7:30 p.m.

Diesel shortage in area

A frigid winter is leading to power shortages locally, driving up demand for diesel as factories rush to install generators to keep the lights on.

Patterson Grant for pandemic relief

A grant in the amount of $8,900 was accepted by the Columbus USD 493 Board of Education during their meeting Monday evening.

Waterline breakage causes major damage

“We were called in to help with a massive water leak where some major water pipes broke in the Crossland Heavy building, at 501 East Avenue,” said Fire Chief Steven Burton. “Some of the offices had between two and three feet of water in them most all of the offices had some damage.

County talks with Galena Mercy Medical executive

A meeting between Cherokee County Commissioners and Mercy Hospital management did not go the way the Commission had hoped. Since Mercy Hospital bought Galena Medical Properties the county commission has been concerned about the hospital receiving a non-profit certification from the state.

No vaccinations planned this week

Cherokee County has an average of six new daily cases and has averaged 33 cases per 100,000 people. Kansas has averaged 25 per 100,000 people as of Sunday February 14. One teacher positive COVID case at Southeast High School was reported.

Museum passport offered in SEK

Designed to encourage travel through the 15 counties of Southeast Kansas the Southeast Kansas Museum Alliance has announced the availability of the SEK Museum “Passport” to the public. The “Passport”” is free to guests and patrons and offers cash prizes as an incentive to visit the museums.

Surplus cotton provides mattresses for locals

Eighty years ago this week Columbus became part of a national program to aid the cotton growers. Though no cotton is grown in Cherokee County, the neighboring counties of Labette and Montgomery had some cotton production over the years.