Local News - The Morning Sun

Mulberry Mayor Pat Walden directs city workers at the newly refurbished baseball diamond in preparation for Mulberry’s Homecoming on May 23. Orange & Black Night begins at 5 p.m. and will feature a cake walk, bounce house, car show, games, food vendors, and live music provided by The Little Green Men.

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5/16/25

Members of the Gorilla Battalion, Class of 2025, take their oath of office administered by Lt. Col. Dustin Blum, Commanding Officer.

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — While Pittsburg State has commissioned U.S. Army officers for well over a century, dating back to World War I, it was not until 1952 that a more permanent program was … more

By Dustin R. Strong / [email protected] | 5/16/25

Beauty in Bones

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My interests in skulls and antlers are not as trophies, but as natural sculptures and as part of an abiding fascination in the form-function aspects of nature. I have to say these elements are so deep-seated that they are a primary reason I got hooked on biology back in junior high- school. Models of leaf cross-sections held me like a lava lamp. more

By Steve Ford | 5/15/25

Puzzle Player

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My father was a puzzlesmith. I made up the word because I couldn’t find one that better describes someone with an affinity for working word puzzles. After reading through the Topeka Capital-Journal, he would pull out the page with the crossword puzzle, fold it just so, and start in on it. more

By Carol Ann Robb | 5/15/25

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas Founding Board Member Dr. Daniel Minnis tells the story of his near-death experiences Thursday during the groundbreaking of the Mount Carmel House, a hospice center. The facility is scheduled to be completed in 2026.

New hospice center set to bring families together

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — Next year, Mount Carmel House, a six-suite hospice center, will be available to the community. more

By Antjea Wolff / [email protected] | 5/15/25

Frontenac tackles mobile homes

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FRONTENAC, Kan. — Frontenac’s City Commission meeting Wednesday night was short, sweet and to the point. The stand-out piece of business was adopting a new ordinance regarding mobile … more

By Dustin R. Strong / [email protected] | 5/15/25

Maintenance workers from Crawford County Mental Health consult the 80-plus page set of instructions to assemble pavilion for the upcoming CCMH Challenger Event on June 12 in Frontenac. Tasked with assembling two kits, each containing thousands of individual bolts, washers, nuts, boards, and roofing tin and should take three people about 30 hours to construct.

Carpentry by the numbers

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5/15/25

Making its way all the way to the ceiling of the Lakeside Auditorium, a man-made geyser awes students during Thursday’s Yellowstone simulation.

Lakeside Elementary holds Yellowstone simulation

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — First grade students at Lakeside Elementary got a taste of Yellowstone National Park’s geological wonders, diverse wildlife, and historical significance through Thursday … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected] | 5/15/25

Benson named KBOR chair

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — The Kansas Board of Regents announced on Thursday the appointment of Blake Benson as chair for the upcoming fiscal year. The Regents voted earlier this … more

Staff Reports / [email protected] | 5/15/25

Little things matter. A crew of Pittsburg State University employees worked Wednesday to prepare John Lance Arena for Spring Commencement exercises on Friday and Saturday. Wyatt Hull, left, and Tony Jameson made sure the chairs for the graduates were evenly spaced as coworkers set the stage and cleaned the seating area for guests. Commencement ceremonies are scheduled for 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday and for 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Attention to detail

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Little things matter. A crew of Pittsburg State University employees worked Wednesday to prepare John Lance Arena for Spring Commencement exercises on Friday and Saturday. Wyatt Hull, left, and Tony … more

By Ron Womble | 5/15/25

Autumn Leaves

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ARCADIA, Kan. — Following the Pledge of Allegiance and Lord’s Prayer Richard gave our blessing for the meal. There were 20 attending. A wonderful “Fish Fry” … more

Contributed | 5/15/25

White Elephant Emporium Owner Stephanie Watts rearranges merchandise at 804 N. Broadway.

Sole owner continues White Elephant Emporium

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — Although Danielle Beitzinger has decided to step away from White Elephant Emporium, 804 N. Broadway, Stephanie Watts is assuring her customers and community that she is continuing as the sole owner. more

By Antjea Wolff / [email protected] | 5/14/25

11th Judicial District seeks new judge

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — The 11th Judicial District, comprised of Cherokee, Crawford and Labette counties is seeking nominations to fill a judge vacancy. more

Staff Reports / [email protected] | 5/14/25

NAC is gaining ground

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — At Wednesday’s meeting of the Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC), members shared stories of how their neighborhoods are starting to come together through hard work and … more

By Dustin R. Strong / [email protected] | 5/14/25

Fightin’ Irish

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — McCarthy’s Pub owner Bryan Hanson approached the Pittsburg City Commission Monday night during public comments to point out what he sees as an inconsistency in a pair of … more

By Dustin R. Strong / [email protected] | 5/14/25

MHM completes CAP evaluation

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FRANKLIN, Kan. — Miners Hall Museum has received their final 256-page evaluation of the museum and its practices following the Collections Assessment for Preservation (CAP) grant that was … more

Contributed | 5/14/25

Pittsburg High School senior John Lee signs his letter of intent for the University of Southern California's Navy ROTC program Wednesday evening alongside his parents Sang-Heui Lee and Jung Hee Lee as well as his sister, Joy Lee.

PHS senior signs to USC Navy ROTC

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — Pittsburg High School senior John Lee penned his letter of intent Wednesday afternoon, aiming to be trained and developed for the United States Navy while gaining a … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected] | 5/14/25

KDOT refines 69 plan

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CRAWFORD COUNTY, Kan. — The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is planning four in-person open houses and one virtual open house in June, allowing the public review proposed corridor … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected] | 5/14/25

Traffic stops, activities increase for agencies

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — The Pittsburg Police Department and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office conducted more traffic stops last week compared to the previous week. The Pittsburg Fire Department also saw an uptick in activities. more

By Antjea Wolff / [email protected] | 5/13/25

Gorilla Country Owner Steve Scott stands beside a shelf of Pittsburg State University from 1920 to 2014 in his store. He collected the yearbooks for customers to look through and see old pictures of family members or friends.

This is Gorilla Country

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — When Steve Scott opened Gorilla Country, a Pittsburg State University merchandise store, he wasn’t out to make his fortune. Instead, his intent was to give back to the town he fell in love with when he moved to Pittsburg in 2000. more

By Antjea Wolff / [email protected] | 5/13/25