Prairie Spirit Rail-Trail saga ends without park designation
Debate over the Prairie Spirit Rail-Trail stalled in the Kansas Legislature as Sen. Robert Tyson’s compromise bills died in Rep. Steve Lloyd’s Environment Committee. One bill would add the trail from Ottawa to Welda to the state parks system, another pause phase three for a year to study landowner compensation. Trail construction proceeds on phase two with Wildlife and Parks oversight, no state park designation yet, and revival possible next session. Landowner concerns remain amid federal involvement. John D. Montgomery reports from Topeka.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Robert Tyson
Tyson
Senate
House
House Environment Committee
Ottawa
Welda
Anderson County
Iola
Steve Lloyd
R-Clay Center
Environment
Ralph Tanner
R-Baldwin
Department of Wildlife and Parks
Tanner
Lloyd
Kansas
John D. Montgomery
The Village and the Florida Kidnapping Case
Kathleen Parker critiques the response to the Jessica and Teresa Hainer kidnapping in Florida. She condemns adults including the father, school, and bus driver for failures in safeguarding the girls, highlighting custody tensions and alleged neglect amid a national morality frame.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Michigan
Jessica
Teresa Hainer
Florida
Jesse Hainer
Hainer
Ronald Stafford
Stafford
FBI
Joseph Martinolich
America
Hillarye Clinton
Teresa
Licensing leverage for child support enforcement debated
Springfield views the proposed bill to suspend or revoke state licenses for delinquent parents. It targets drivers fishing and hunting licenses and many occupational licenses, arguing that tying licenses to child support payments could prompt responsibility, while critics say the approach is harsh.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Springfield
Arts in Kansas education shape critical minds and careers
A reader argues arts education strengthens problem solving and communication across fields from biology to journalism. They note long-standing Kansas support for scholastic journalism, emphasize the arts integrate math science and language concepts, and warn that cutting arts narrows graduates' practical skills and future opportunities.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kansas
Kansas Regents University
Earth
Manhattan High School Monitor
City wastes money by preferring Penny's concrete bid
A reader criticizes the city commission for accepting Penny's Concrete over Ottawa Ready Mix despite a $462.50 higher bid. The letter argues Ottawa Ready Mix keeps more revenue in Ottawa, notes local ownership, and questions the use of tax dollars, urging a public record of votes and spending scrutiny.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Penny’s Concrete
Ottawa
Commission
Penny’s
Also Mentioned on This Page
Capitol
Nolitao
Juniata Earl
Earl
Kathleen Parker
Orlando Sentinel
Ms. Parker
Kparkerlad.com
Tribune Media Services
Herald
Rep
Ottawa Herald
Beloit
Dickerson County
Student Forum
Columbus High School Record
Garnett High School Times
State of
Doonesbury
Mallard Fillmore
Rad
Wwforhe
ANP
White House
Lincoln
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!