Local News - The Morning Sun

Dr. Caileen Sylvester and Dr. Katherine Bolding discuss pediatric dentistry with high school girls during an Inspire Health event in 2024 that was designed to inform kids about health care careers.

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — Registration is open for a new summer camp for area kids looking to explore various healthcare careers. Hosted by the Community Health Center of Southeast … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected] | 6/10/25

Summer meals offered in Crawford County

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CRAWFORD COUNTY, Kan. — Summer vacation has already begun in Crawford County. With students out of school, some families may struggle to put food on the table. Those looking … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected] | 6/10/25

Sarah Shank, a home provider with Mosaic in Southeast Kansas, holds a set of pens she recently made. Shank started making pens for fun, but then decided to sell them and donate a portion of the proceeds to Mosaic.

Pens with a Purpose

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — For eight years, Sarah Shank has provided a home for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities through Mosaic in Southeast Kansas. But instead of a job, Shank refers to it as a calling. more

By Antjea Wolff / [email protected] | 6/9/25

Owners Brad and Andra Stefanoni stand behind the counter June 4 at McKay Street Coffeehouse, 200 E. McKay Street in Frontenac. The business is full of nostalgia for the couple as two of Brad’s childhood tow trucks are displayed on the wall along with historic black and white photos of the family.

Back to their roots

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FRONTENAC, Kan. — Just in time for Mining Days, McKay Street Coffeehouse Owners Brad and Andra Stefanoni invited the public to grab a beverage, create art and learn some history. more

By Antjea Wolff / [email protected] | 6/9/25

Dr. William Jones, pediatrician, sits in one of the many exam rooms at Mercy Pediatrics Clinic, 2711 S Rouse Suite B in Pittsburg. Jones joined the clinic in March.

Mercy welcomes new pediatrician

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — Pediatrician Dr. William Jones recently joined Dr. Jessilyn Humble and Nurse Practitioner Ally Pinkley at Mercy Pediatrics Clinic, which has filled a need in the community. more

By Antjea Wolff / [email protected] | 6/9/25

Two local arm-wrestling competitors battled it out in this year’s Frontenac Mining Days arm wrestling contest held outside Shooters Neighborhood Grill & Bar in downtown Frontenac, which featured numerous divisions and prizes for both younger and older participants. From arm wrestling to a car show to a parade to a pancake feed, residents from across the region gathered along McKay Street throughout the weekend to celebrate this year’s installment of Frontenac Mining Days, formerly known as Frontenac Homecoming.

Quite the handful

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6/9/25

Students sixth through 12th grade receive instruction from Palen Music Center (Joplin) Private Instructor Matthew Bennet on day one of the Josiah Fletcher Jazz Camp, Monday morning. The event returned to the Bicknell Family Center for its second year this week.

Josiah Fletcher Jazz Camp returns for second year

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — At the same time that young Four-State musicians honed their jazz skills, Monday, they also honored the memory of another young jazz musician who died far too soon. … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected] | 6/9/25

Phyllis Bitner, chair of the Miners Hall Board of Trustees, accepted the award for “Outstanding Attraction” during a banquet hosted by the Jefferson Highway Association over the weeked.

Miners Hall named ‘Outstanding Attraction’

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MCALESTER, Okla. — The Miners Hall Museum in Franklin was recognized as an “Outstanding Attraction” by the Jefferson Highway Association during their annual banquet held in … more

By Dustin R. Strong / [email protected] | 6/9/25

City of Frontenac along with Tri-State Building employees watch as Frontenac Mayor Steve Morrison cuts the ribbon, officially marking the opening of Miners Park in downtown Frontenac during Thursday’s dedication and bust unveiling.

Frontenac dedicates Miners Park

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Frontenac held a dedication ceremony Thursday for the new Miners Park. The observance coincided with the opening of Heritage Hall and the beginning of Frontenac’s Mining Days festivities. more

By Aaron Pyle | 6/7/25

SEKCAP seeks support from commission for bus routes

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GIRARD, Kan. — Casey Brown, community engagement coordinator for the Southeast Kansas Community Action Program (SEKCAP), spoke with the county commissioners at their regular meeting, Friday, … more

By Dustin R. Strong / [email protected] | 6/6/25

County hosts public forum

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GIRARD, Kan. — It was a pretty light crowd on Thursday night as attorney Joshua Albins explained the purpose, pros and cons of zoning as part of the county’s comprehensive plan. The … more

By Dustin R. Strong / [email protected] | 6/6/25

Inspired by historical events, “Newsies” tells the story of newsboys in turn-of-the-century New York. It features a Tony-Award-Winning score, period costumes and dance.

‘Newsies’ set for Friday, Saturday

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Thirty-two young performers, ages 10-17, will bring “Newsies JR” to the stage at Pittsburg High School on Friday and Saturday, June 6-7. more

By Ron Womble | 6/5/25

Classrooms for third and fourth grade students in the 109-year-old Southeast Elementary building were the topic of discussion at the USD 247 Board of Education meeting Wednesday evening. The building is suffering water penetration through its walls, roof, and foundation.

USD 247 BOE ponders aging school’s future

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WEIR, Kan. — USD 247’s oldest building, Southeast Elementary School, is facing numerous issues that have led to the disruption of learning environments, costly repairs, and potential … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected] | 6/5/25

Girard expands fireworks sale, use

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GIRARD, Kan. — The Girard City Council recently approved amending the city’s code of ordinances, adjusting the sale and discharge of fireworks in response to action Governor … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected] | 6/5/25

Terri and John Hoffman hold a section of the Frontenac sign while Bryan Hoffman prepares to drill the top portion into place on the side of the Frontenac Public Library building at 200 E. McKay Street Wednesday afternoon. The city of Frontenac was gearing up for Mining Days, which starts Thursday.

Prepping for Mining Days

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6/4/25

It was a packed house at the Crawford County Historical Museum for the summer’s inaugural Wacky Wednesday with 119 visitors.

Wacky Wednesday off to a strong start

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — The first Wacky Wednesday started the summer off with an explosion of artwork and kids, almost bursting the Crawford County Historical Museum with 119 visitors. Only 50 were … more

By Dustin R. Strong / [email protected] | 6/4/25

North Parkview concept, Frontenac Corridor

KDOT moves into U.S. 69 design phase

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FRONTENAC, Kan. — The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) kicked-off the last part of their Discovery Phase for improvements along U.S. 69 at Frontenac’s Sacred Heart Church late … more

By Dustin R. Strong / [email protected] | 6/4/25

‘He cared about Pittsburg’

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — Local businessman, entrepreneur, and active community member Larry Dean Fields died Saturday, May 31, at Mercy Hospital at the age of 78, leaving a legacy that has left a … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected] | 6/4/25

Scott Kunshek, owner of Kunshek Chat and Coal, stands beside one of 20 tractor-trailers owned by the business. In addition to the day-to-day duties of running the operation, Kunshek also hauls materials to local places.

Carrying on with Kunshek

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — For the past 80 years, the Kunshek family has hauled “building block” materials for companies across the Midwest. more

By Antjea Wolff / [email protected] | 6/3/25

Arma Council talks city cleanup

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ARMA, Kan. — Throughout this week, from Monday to Friday, the Arma Public Works Department is making its way through the city, picking up unwanted clutter, yard waste, and other items as part … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected] | 6/3/25