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Search for missing girls near Treece

News Staff

Monday, March 9, 2026

A new search began Monday for any evidence of the remains of two girls, Ashley Freeman and Lauria Bible, who have been missing since December 30, 1999.State and federal investigators were searching the former mining area along the Kansas-Oklahoma border west of the abandoned mining town of Treece,...

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Council looks to condemn buildings

News Staff

Monday, March 9, 2026

Two more structures inside the city of Columbus will be facing the wrecker’s ball following action by the city council.The council continues with their plan to eliminate blighted property from the community as Code Enforcement Officer Gary Holt and City Attorney Barbara Wright have been preparing...

Kyle Butts

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Two consecutive life terms in murder case

News Staff

Monday, March 9, 2026

Sentencing was announced Monday by Cherokee County Attorney Kurt Benecke that Kyle Lynn Butts, 45, of Independence, Mo, was sentenced in Cherokee County District Court by the Honorable Judge Maradeth Frederick for the November 28, 2022 shooting deaths of Jeremy Murphy and Craig Guinn and the...

Standing silently at the corner of Kansas Avenue and Walnut Street, just a block off the Columbus Square, is a small monument in honor of RA Long.

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Former Columbus business magnate dies 92 years ago this week

News Staff

Monday, March 9, 2026

Standing silently at the corner of Kansas Avenue and Walnut Street, just a block off the Columbus Square, is a small monument few, if anyone notices and even less stop to visit.The small monument recognizes one of America’s greatest entrepreneurs, Robert Alexander Long an American lumber baron,...

Musing Under the Clock Tower

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Musing Under the Clock Tower

News Staff

Monday, March 9, 2026

If you ever want to feel like a fortune teller, just try guessing whether you’ll need sunscreen or snow boots today.

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February 2026 casino revenue

News Staff

Monday, March 9, 2026

Revenue reported by Kansas Crossing Casino, for February 2026 was $3,422,335. This is an increase of 2.9 percent over January 2026 which was reported at $3,144,856.Cherokee County received $34,223.35 for their one percent share of the revenue.

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Columbus Public Library Hours

News Staff

Monday, March 9, 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.

Columbus High School FFA member, Trenton Lacen reads to Amyx Evans, Taylynn Midgett, Brynn Bownan, Harley Sherrill and Adeline Salas, Caitlin Creech’s third graders at Central Elementary. Reading took place at the Central Elementary library as part of national FFA week. News Report photo by Tanya Woolsey.

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Columbus High School FFA member

News Staff

Thursday, March 5, 2026

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Labette County Jail Report

News Staff

Thursday, March 5, 2026

Mark Alan Rice, 60, was arrested Tuesday by Oswego Police officers on charges of driving while license cancelled, suspended or revoked and driving while a habitual violator and was released on $2,628.50 bail.Joshua Alan Noble, 44,was arrested Tuesday by Oswego Police officers on two warrants and...

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Cherokee County Court Docket

News Staff

Thursday, March 5, 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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