After the doors officially closed at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Santa’s Toy Shop remained open to host families whose budgets did not allow for even the smallest of gifts.  Only a handful appeared, some,…

Zachary Louk, Moran, and Danielle Ware, Iola, have announced their engagement and pending marriage May 20, 2017, in Chanute.The bride-elect is the daughter of Danny and Jenni Ware, LaHarpe. She studied at Fort Scott Community…

Ellen Louise Whitcomb, born in Earlton, died Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016, in Springfield, Mo.She was the daughter of Verne and Julia Wilson, Chanute. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Kenneth Wilson and…

Dr. Bruce Duane Mentzer, Lt. Cmdr., USN Ret., died unexpectedly on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016, at Union Hospital Emergency Room in Terre Haute, Ind., at the age of 57. Dr. Mentzer is survived by his…

Naida Ardell House, 88, Iola, passed away peacefully from heart failure on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, at Greystone Residential Home in Iola.Naida was born on Jan. 16, 1928, in Michigan City, Ind., the only child…

Yohon Sinclair, a 2016 Iola High School valedictorian and the marching band’s 2015 drum major, said it was not until this week that he fully understood a lesson taught by Matt Kleopfer, his high school…

Matt Kleopfer, the band director for Iola’s high school and middle school since the 2012-2013 school year, has announced his decision to resign.Kleopfer said he is leaving the position because it did not leave enough…

Now it may sound selfish, but may I suggest that this Christmas you not forget yourself.For me, it means taking some time to reassess my values, not only as a person, but also as a…

Each year at Thanksgiving, wife Beverly likes to play a game. She asks us all to tell what we’re thankful for. This year she framed the question with Christmas.As the comments came from around the…

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Zoie Hesse had her back to Travis Kelce as the Chiefs’ tight end walked down the line of NFL Punt, Pass and Kick participants and the two athletes missed out on…