Betty Gayle Smith, 85, Moran, died Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, at Moran Manor. She was born July 10, 1926, in Deerfield, the daughter of Clarence H. and Louise Lorene (Lehnus) Shepherd. She grew up in…

Avis Della West Richards, 94, of Le Roy, died Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, at Iola Nursing Center. She was born Sept. 22, 1917, in  Northcott, on the family homestead to Logan and Gertrude Shipley West.…

Dear Santa, Considering that you were an old man with a white beard and a roseaceaist nose when I was a kid, which was quite a while ago, I know you must believe in second,…

Jenise Wade wouldn’t go so far as to say Hawk Business Specialty is a barometer of Iola’s economic health, but if recent trends continue, Wade thinks the community’s business environment is definitely improving. Wade, who…

Special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services are aplenty this week in area churches.  The public is invited to worship Christmas Eve at a candlelight service at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 302 E.…

Forty food baskets were sent out to area residents in need Sunday, courtesy of the Iola Elks Lodge. Members carved out a large portion of their time Sunday to pick up about $1,450 worth of…

Catherine Elaine “Kay” O’Mara, 63, of Iola died Friday, Dec. 16, 2011, at her home. She was born Aug. 27, 1948, in Independence, Mo., to Charles William and Patricia AnnRita (O’Donnell) Ulery Sr. The family…

Margaret Louisa Tippie Walters, 61, rural Savonburg, died Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011, at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute. She was born Aug. 2, 1950, in Moran, the daughter of Earnest Albert and Dorothy…

With Thanksgiving leftovers still in the freezer and prospects of mouth-watering Christmas feasts burning bright, half of America’s population can toast their toes in front of a cheery fire and enjoy the holidays. Many of…

A gang of Iola businesses and nonprofits made the holidays a little brighter for 53 youngsters and their families Thursday. Through Walmart’s Adopt-A-Family program, the retail and grocery store along with Hope Unlimited, Dudley’s Done…