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Trees and power lines were snapped in Hallowell and Sherwin. Minimal damage was reported in the city limits of Columbus. Heartland Rural Electric Company reported at least 30 power poles in the Columbus area damaged.

Trees and power lines were snapped in Hallowell and Sherwin. Minimal damage was reported in the city limits of Columbus. Heartland Rural Electric Company reported at least 30 power poles in the Columbus area damaged.

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Tornadoes touchdown west of Columbus

News Staff
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Yet another storm system blasted its way through Cherokee County. Sunday night two tornados were reported approaching Columbus. At 9:37 p.m. a tornado was confirmed on the ground near Oswego and was moving east at 25 miles per hour.

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Kansas landowners protest construction of transmission line

Morgan Chilson
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Kansas utility regulators are weighing the benefits and costs of approving construction of a $493 million transmission line that would travel through four southwest counties.Multiple Kansas landowners protested the line’s construction and route during nearly three days of hearings in March at the...

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Columbus Public Library Hours

News Staff
Thursday, April 23, 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 a.m. Fridays 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. Saturdays 10 a.m.-noon.Curbside service will be available upon request.

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Johnston Public Library Hours

News Staff
Thursday, April 23, 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, April 23, 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, April 23, 2026
Brock Johnson, 31, was arrested Thursday by Galena Police officers on charges of driving under the influence, vehicle liability insurance required, unlawful registration and use or possess drug paraphernalia for use in the human body and is being held in lieu of $4,000 bail.Jennifer Michelle...

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CALENDAR

News Staff
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Friday, April 24•Clean and Serene Narcotics Anonymous meeting Galena Community Room 6 p.m.Saturday, April 25•Breaking the Chains of Addiction Narcotics Anonymous Spiritual Support Group at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Baxter Springs 4 p.m.Sunday, April 26 •Attend the church of your...

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Officials stress educating children on AI use in abuse material

Grace Hills
Thursday, April 23, 2026
State and federal Kansas government officials say that with artificial intelligence being used to create child sexual abuse materials from a simple photo of a child’s face, the best way to protect children is by educating them early.Wichita police Sgt. Jeff Swanson is part of the Kansas Internet...

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County man sentenced for insurance fraud

News Staff
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt announced Thursday, a Cherokee County man has been sentenced to 24 months of probation for insurance fraud.Chad Ashe, 43, pleaded guilty January 21 in Cherokee County District Court to one felony count insurance fraud.
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