City and school discuss fate of historic Fifth Street Middle School
Ottawa officials and the school district weigh options for the 75 year old Fifth and Main middle school building. The building may be left vacant if a new middle school is funded, while city hall and the library face possible relocation and preservation challenges amid historic status and limited private interest. Dialogue between entities is seen as a start toward a concrete action plan.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ottawa City Commission
Franklin County Commission
Ottawa Board of Education
Jack Maxwell
Don Duncan
Fifth and
Main Streets
City Hall
Fourth and
Walnut
Franklin Savings
First and
Hickory
John D. Montgomery
Shadow of Death in Kansas Death Penalty Debate
A critical column argues against Kansas retaining the death penalty after Debora Green's no contest plea. It contrasts cases in Salina and Topeka, questions guilt assumptions, warns of miscarriages, and contends the penalty undermines justice while highlighting a media-fueled fixation on retribution.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Newt Gingrich
The
National Enquirer
Debora Green
Kansas
Salina
Topeka
Green
Gingrich
Kirstie Alley
Dr. Green
Smoke free dining and local business concerns in Ottawa
A reader praises non smoking policies in restaurants and urges Ottawa city action. They defend a smoke free dining environment and support city efforts for a girls club building near city hall, urging repairs and relocation. They warn about losing downtown business and highlight a downtown dollar store as a local attraction.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ottawa
It’s Your Quarter community forum sparks local talk
Readers share opinions on Ottawa Herald forums about a failing store closure, rail trails tax impact, child plane drawing controversy, and calls for continued discussion. Residents urge thoughtful input, note political influence, and invite comments via a listed phone line with strict calling hours.
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Round of thanks to Franklin County volunteers and fire departments
Community letter thanks rural fire volunteers for preventing greater losses and urges water district expansion. The writer suggests strategic hydrant placement to ensure nearby water sources for fire trucks and notes Miami County is moving in this direction. Mentions losses from earlier fires and calls on officials to coordinate resources. Signed Jim Peckham, 3054 Utah.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Franklin County
Fellows
Miami County
Jim Peckham
Utah
Hospital Tax Debate Over Ransom Memorial Funding
Citizens question the need for a 1/2 percent tax for Ransom Memorial Hospital citing ample funds. They point to nurse wage transfers, Service Master contracts, a new director of support service, and assurances no jobs would be cut. They argue against noncompetitive bids and higher costs on equipment and banking bids influencing future projects in Ottawa.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ottawa
Ransom Memorial Hospital
Franklin County Health Agency
Ransom Memorial
Bulls fans face possible grief if Bulls lose title
A Chicago columnist weighs the emotional impact of a hypothetical Bulls loss, citing historical disappointments from the Indians, Cubs, and Spurs. Psychologists warn of shock, denial, and grief, while fans seek coping strategies and lightens the mood with jokes about sports figures.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago
Bulls
Cleveland Indians
New York Giants
Cleveland
New York
Paris
Chicago Cubs
Chicago White Sox
San Antonio Spurs
Houston Rockets
Bernard Beck
Northwestern University
Evanston, Ill
Michael Jordan
Dan Barnes
Loyola University- Chicago
Also Mentioned on This Page
Johnny Cochran
George Pyle
Harris News Service
Ottawa Herald
FAA
Beck
Cubs
O'Leary
Robert Burton
Northwestern
Ilm
Kookie
Cicero Tony
Dennis Rodman
Auntie
Dennis
Joe Glotz
Jordan
Mike
Doc Kevorkian
By Mike Royko
Tribune Media Services
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