Local News - The Morning Sun

Beth Toland, wife of Lt. Gov. Toland, addresses a mixed group of Pittsburg Area Young Professionals and HR Professionals Roundtable about the economic benefits of childcare at the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce office on Wednesday.

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — Beth Toland, Education and Human Services Director at Allen County Community College in Iola — and the wife of Kansas Lieutenant Governor David Toland — toured the … more

By Dustin R. Strong / [email protected] | 5/21/25

Crawford County Mental Health expands child services

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Children and teenagers in the area now can have more convenient mental health care at Crawford County Mental Health Center (CCMHC). more

By Antjea Wolff / [email protected] | 5/21/25

Councilman Richard Kerley congratulates Arma Police Officer Bradyn Hilderbrand after being sworn in by Arma City Clerk Bette Lessen at Monday’s regular council meeting at Arma City Hall.

Arma Council talks alleyway signs, street project

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ARMA, Kan. — Arma resident and daycare owner Patty Sherman expressed her concern about roadway safety in a message to the city, relayed by Arma City Clerk Bette Lessen at Monday’s council … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected] | 5/21/25

Juvenile struck by vehicle

PITTSBURG, Kan. — A juvenile male was struck by a vehicle in Pittsburg Tuesday afternoon, according to the Pittsburg Police Department. more

Staff Reports / [email protected] | 5/21/25

Arma man sentenced to life in prison for murder

PITTSBURG, Kan. — On Tuesday, 45-year-old Collin Pal Gepford, of Arma, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the crime of First-Degree Murder, according to the Crawford County Attorney’s Office. more

Staff Reports / [email protected] | 5/21/25

Peter Earles, owner of Earles Engineering, sits at his office desk with a blueprint. Earles has owned his own engineering firm for over 30 years with four offices across Kansas.

Engineer enjoys building community

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — Since moving to Pittsburg in 2017, Peter and Aurelia Earles, owners of Earles Engineering, have helped the city and surrounding communities with the building blocks of growth. more

By Antjea Wolff / [email protected] | 5/20/25

Fire Department responds to an increased number of incidents

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — The Pittsburg Fire Department saw a 41 percent spike in incidents this past week. more

By Antjea Wolff / [email protected] | 5/20/25

Augmented Reality view of the Quartermaster Complex.

Time Travel at the Tap of a Finger

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Fort Scott, Kan. — The Fort Scott National Historic Site is taking history into the future. As part of a pilot program, the Fort is the first, and only, national park to incorporate augmented … more

By Dustin R. Strong / [email protected] | 5/20/25

Hundreds of information technology professionals from across the state gathered on the campus of Pittsburg State University Tuesday through Wednesday as part of this year’s Conference on Higher Education Computing in Kansas.

CHECK 2025 Conference returns to PSU

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — Information technology professionals from across the state gathered at Pittsburg State University Tuesday morning, for the 2025 Conference on Higher Education Computing in … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected] | 5/20/25

Signs of the times

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GIRARD, Kan. — The Girard Public Works Department is moving ahead with a project to replace and adjust road signs across the city. During Monday’s Girard City Council … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected] | 5/20/25

Sahara Garcia presents Jeff Elliott with the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award during Pittsburg High School commencement exercises, Saturday.

Elliott chosen for USD 250 Distinguished Alumni Award

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As part of Pittsburg High School’s commencement exercises on Saturday, the USD 250 Foundation recognized Jeff Elliott with its Distinguished Alumni Award. more

Contributed/USD 250 | 5/20/25

Death ruled as self-inflicted

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — A final autopsy report has concluded that the death of 27-year-old Tokumatsu Platt, of Pittsburg was self-inflicted, according to a Pittsburg Police news release. more

Staff Reports / [email protected] | 5/19/25

Calls for service increase for local agencies

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — Pittsburg Police Department and Crawford County Sheriff’s Office saw calls for service climb last week compared to the previous week. more

By Antjea Wolff / [email protected] | 5/19/25

Freeman announces feasibility study for Frontenac hospital

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — In a news release Monday, Freeman Health Systems said its new president and chief executive officer, Matt Fry, “has initiated a comprehensive feasibility study to help strategically guide both development and long-term success of the proposed Southeast Kansas Hospital on the 55-acre Frontenac site.” more

Staff Reports / [email protected] | 5/19/25

Arma native Marcel Normand, center, was recognized during Friday’s commencement ceremonies at Fort Scott Community College. For more than 25 years, Normand worked as a history teacher at the college, inspiring students with his unique style of teaching history by focusing on the story. An Honorary Degree was presented to Normand by Ronda Bailey, right, a member of the FSCC Board of Trustees and a former student.

FSCC awards honorary degree

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5/19/25

After receiving their diplomas and listening to various speeches, the Girard High School Class of 2025 made it official Sunday afternoon in Ted R. Taylor Gymnasium, tossing their caps high in the air, officially marking the end of the time as a Trojan.

Area schools hold annual graduation

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GIRARD, Kan. — At high schools across Crawford County over the weekend, seniors marched to “Pomp and Circumstance,” celebrated their achievements and crossed the threshold into the … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected] | 5/19/25

FPD announces ‘Click it or Ticket’ campaign

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FRONTENAC, Kan. — The Frontenac Police Department, along with departments across the state and country, is on the lookout for drivers who are not buckled up through the remainder of the … more

Staff Reports / [email protected] | 5/19/25

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.

Mulberry preps for Homecoming

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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.

Gorilla Battalion commissions 13

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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