Labette County Jail Report

Ian Lee Faller, 22, was arrested Monday by Chetopa Police officers on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia and is being held in lieu of $850 bail.

Area Accident Report

A one-vehicle accident occurred December 9 at approximately 8:37 a.m. A 2001 International concrete truck driven by Christopher Michael Foote, 47, Pittsburg, was traveling west on K126 near mile marker 8, when it ran off the right side of the road.

Opela resigns city council position

The resignation of Columbus City Council Member Sammye Opela has been accepted by Mayor Grant Spieth. Opela was the fourth ward representative on the Council after her election in November of 2021. According to Mayor Spieth Opela’s resignation stated she was happy to have worked with the council.

Three grants bring public transportation service into County

Three Southeast Kansas organizations have been awarded over $25,000 to bring public transportation services to Cherokee County, thanks to a Communities Organizing to Promote Equity (COPE) grant addressing health disparities in the county.

Elimination of grocery tax is underway

The plan to gradually eliminate the state’s sales tax on groceries is just weeks away from becoming a reality. The first reduction of the tax rate will occur on January 1, 2023, changing the state sales tax rate on grocer-ies from 6.5-percent to 4.0-percent.

Special council meeting time

The Columbus City Council will hold a meeting Thursday, December 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. This will be a substitution for a routine council meeting with normal discussions of city business.

Casino revenue continues to exceed $3-million per month

Kansas Crossing Casino continues to report revenues exceeding $3-million each month for the past year. The Pittsburg Casino’s revenue for November was reported as $3,193,711. The amount Cherokee County received as their one-percent from Kansas Crossing Casino, for November 2022 was $31,193.71.

Community center closed for remodeling

The Columbus Community Building will not be available to rent for meetings while remodeling is taking place.

First Grade students in Amanda Rodriguez class

First Grade students in Amanda Rodriguez class at Park School held an art auction to raise funds for the Foster Closet Cooperative. The students raised over $1,145 this year, the fourth year of the program. Some of the art sold for as much as $125. Every student in the class had an art entry.

CALENDAR

Tuesday, December 13 •Columbus PRIDE meeting noon at City Hall.   •Baxter Springs Middle School Christmas concert 7 p.m.   •Columbus Elementary fourth and fifth grade Christmas concert 6 p.m.   •Columbus sixth grade and Junior High band and choir concert 7 p.m.   •Baxter Springs City...