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County Facilities Maintenance Director Mike Thomas was busy Monday morning removing debris from the courthouse lawn. The large branch from a sweetgum tree fell during storms that ripped through the county Saturday evening.

County Facilities Maintenance Director Mike Thomas was busy Monday morning removing debris from the courthouse lawn. The large branch from a sweetgum tree fell during storms that ripped through the county Saturday evening.

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Storms agonize County

News Staff
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
With more rain predicted later this week, Cherokee County continues to receive the brunt of mother nature’s torment.
Cherokee County Resident and former real estate agent Danny Oplotnik spoke of his experience with zoning and attracting residents during the Planning Commission’s Public Hearing about the Comprehensive Plan in the District Courtroom on June 10.

Cherokee County Resident and former real estate agent Danny Oplotnik spoke of his experience with zoning and attracting residents during the Planning Commission’s Public Hearing about the Comprehensive Plan in the District Courtroom on June 10.

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Planning commission approves comprehensive plan

News Staff
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
A public hearing held by the Cherokee County Planning Commission in the district courtroom brought input from a dozen citizens June 10.Commission chair Bret Warstler opened the meeting outlining the agenda before handing off to Chris Shires, a principal with Confluence who was hired by the County...

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Area woman dies in car accident

News Staff
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
A fatality accident occurred Thursday, June 11 near Highway 69 and Northeast Bellview Road.Deputies on scene determined a northbound truck driven by James Bowles, 62, Columbus, lost control of his vehicle and crossed into oncoming traffic and was struck by a southbound vehicle driven by Barbara...

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Water main break causes boil order

News Staff
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
A break to a major water main in Columbus in the early hours of Monday morning resulted in residents unable to use their water faucets.City crews were alerted to the break at around five o’clock and quickly got to work on repairing the ten-inch line.Due to the age of the line and lack of shut off...

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Johnston Public Library Hours

News Staff
Thursday, June 11, 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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Cherokee County Court Docket

News Staff
Thursday, June 11, 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.

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Cherokee County Jail Report

News Staff
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Melissa Marie Chase, 52, was arrested Thursday by Cherokee County Sheriff’s Deputies on charges of failure to appear and is being held in lieu of $1,710 bail.Justin Allen Endicott, 39, was arrested Wednesday by Cherokee County Sheriff’s Deputies on charges of failure to appear and is being held in...

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CALENDAR

News Staff
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Friday, June 12•Weir Municipal Court 8:30 a.m. at City Hall in Weir.•Clean and Serene Narcotics Anonymous meeting Galena Community Room 6 p.m.Sunday, June 14 •Attend the church of your choice.Monday, June 15•Cherokee County Commissioners meet in Room 34 of County Courthouse 9 a.m. This meeting will...

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Casino May 2026 revenue was down

News Staff
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Revenue generated by the Kansas Crossing Casino added $37,977.89 to Cherokee County coffers for May of this year.Based on the local share payment, the casino generated an estimated $3,797,789 total revenue in May across both electronic gaming machines and table games.2026 numbers fell more than two...
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