Dive team called to investigate unoccupied vehicle in Kansas River at De Soto park
By George Diepenbrock Johnson County Sheriff’s officials called in an Overland Park dive team to help recover a vehicle in the Kansas River, Deputy Rick Howell said Wednesday afternoon. Howell said at 6 p.m. investigators discovered no one was in the gray or silver car and that the vehicle had been reported stolen in Overland Park early Wednesday. A person at Riverfest Park, 33440 W. 79th St., noticed the car in the water 50 yards from the shore, and the sheriff’s office called in an Overland Park dive team.
In State of State, Brownback unveils plan to cut Kansas personal income tax
Gov. Sam Brownback on Wednesday called for a cut in the state personal income tax and minimal budget increases, saying that will put Kansas in the fast lane on the road to economic growth. "Let's put our 'lost decade' … in the rear view mirror and speed ahead — at 75 miles per hour — to make this decade the decade of growth and job creation," Brownback, a Republican, said in the State of the State address. But his plan hit immediate bumps from legislators. Brownback's proposal would cancel a scheduled decrease in the state sales tax rate, and eliminate ...
10 jobs eliminated at Journal-World, weekly newspapers
Ten jobs in the news and advertising departments are being eliminated at the Lawrence Journal-World and its sister news operations, managers told employees Thursday. Additionally, other positions recently vacated by resignations will not be filled, said Ralph Gage, director of special projects. The contraction of the work force is a direct result of the economic conditions affecting the company, he said. He added that the company will continue to evaluate its needs and opportunities in the markets it serves.
DHS falls to St. James Academy 50-35
http://www.desotoexplorer.com/photos/... In an aggressive game Wednesday night, the De Soto High School Wildcats lost to St. James Academy 50-35 at home. Despite starting the second half ahead by two points, a rough third quarter put the 'Cats behind and they couldn't recover. Senior Mason Wedel started the game off strong for the Wildcats, scoring a three-point shot early in the first quarter. The early start wasn't much help for the Wildcats though as St. James' ability to beat De Soto to the rebound earned them multiple shots of their own. Wedel scored another four points for De Soto in the ...
In State of State, Brownback outlines plan to cut Kansas personal income tax
Gov. Sam Brownback on Wednesday called for a cut in the state personal income tax and minimal budget increases, saying that will put Kansas in the fast lane on the road to economic growth. "Let's put our 'lost decade' … in the rear view mirror and speed ahead — at 75 miles per hour — to make this decade the decade of growth and job creation," Brownback, a Republican, said in the [State of the State address][1]. But his plan hit immediate bumps from legislators. Brownback's proposal would cancel a scheduled decrease in the state sales tax rate, and eliminate ...
Local food, made easy: Feaster's Bistro aims for effortless farm-to-table dining
Sometimes, local food isn’t the most accessible sustenance. Just a strange quirk brought on by a lifetime of grocery trips, mental hurdles and inconsistent supply. But Chris Feaster wants to change all that. The Baldwin City restaurateur aims to show just how easy — and affordable — a locally sourced plate of food can be obtained, nothing but taste required. Following in the success of his similarly themed stall at the Lawrence Farmers’ Market, Feaster and wife Maggie Beedles opened Feaster’s Bistro in September. The restaurant, which sits at Baldwin’s highway stoplight, 519 Ames St., is farm-to-table dining, no frills ...
Business lobby, aided by $36,000 from Koch Industries, targets eight Republican incumbents in state Senate for defeat
Two business heavyweights — the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Koch Industries — have targeted eight state senators for defeat in the Republican Party primary. “During the difficult economic downturn, while businesses were tightening their belts to survive, some in the Kansas Senate opted for tax increases instead of responsible spending cuts,” Chamber Political Action Chairman Ivan Crossland said Tuesday. “Bloated state budgets, increased taxes and growing union and trial lawyer support are not the ingredients for private sector job creation. The candidates we have chosen to support are willing to do what it takes to turn things around in ...
Lexington Trails receives Governor's Achievement Award
De Soto's Lexington Trails Middle School is among the top five percent of schools in the state of Kansas, according to the state Department of Education. The school recently received the Governor's Achievement Award for their accomplishments the USD 232 school district announced earlier this month. To qualify for the award, a school must achieve Standards of Excellence in reading and mathematics, must achieve Adequate Yearly Progress in reading, mathematics, must have an average student attendance of at least 90 percent or higher and must rank in the top five percent of schools in the state in reading and mathematics. ...
Art Spaces: News from the De Soto Arts Council
"Art Spaces." The name of our column in some ways represents what the De Soto Arts Council will be doing this year. We are looking at physical spaces to display and eventually perform art and spaces to hold classes and meetings. In another sense we want to expand our space in the community. The council continues to have its membership with the De Soto Chamber and we are affiliated with the Kansas Rural Communities Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization. Our main community event, the Sunflower Artfest works with the De Soto Rotary Club, local 4-H and boy scout groups, and is ...
Kansas Democrats offer school finance plan
Kansas Democratic legislators on Tuesday unveiled a plan that restores cuts made to schools, provides property tax relief and stands in stark contrast to a proposal by Gov. Sam Brownback, a Republican, to overhaul the finance formula. “Cuts to schools have gone way too far in the last few years,” said House Democratic Leader Paul Davis of Lawrence. “But the problem has not been the formula. It has been the lack of funding,” Davis said. Under the Democrats’ three-year plan, the Lawrence school district would see an increase of $3.7 million in state funding. That would include increases of $933,839 ...
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10 jobs eliminated at Journal-World, weekly newspapers
Ten jobs in the news and advertising departments are being eliminated at the Lawrence Journal-World and its sister news operations, managers told employees Thursday. Additionally, other positions recently vacated by resignations will not be filled, said Ralph Gage, director of special projects. The contraction of the work force is a direct result of the economic conditions affecting the company, he said. He added that the company will continue to evaluate its needs and opportunities in the markets it serves.
DHS falls to St. James Academy 50-35
http://www.desotoexplorer.com/photos/... In an aggressive game Wednesday night, the De Soto High School Wildcats lost to St. James Academy 50-35 at home. Despite starting the second half ahead by two points, a rough third quarter put the 'Cats behind and they couldn't recover. Senior Mason Wedel started the game off strong for the Wildcats, scoring a three-point shot early in the first quarter. The early start wasn't much help for the Wildcats though as St. James' ability to beat De Soto to the rebound earned them multiple shots of their own. Wedel scored another four points for De Soto in the ...
City Council to revisit 83rd Street bike ban issue
Armed with a petition with more than 300 signatures, a large group of De Soto citizens spoke before the De Soto City Council last night requesting that the bicycle ban on 83rd Street be reinstated. The ban, [which was lifted in September][1], had been in effect for more than a decade and has been the subject of debate ever since. The discussion was not on the meeting agenda but several citizens used the Call to the Public portion of the meeting to voice their continued concerns. "I've lived in this town for 11 years and I've never been too involved ...
Kansas Democrats say GOP legislators not focused on economy
Republicans, who hold a significant majority in the state House of Representatives, are pushing issues that have little to do with improving the economy. At least that’s what Democrats in the Legislature say. His party outnumbered 92-33, House Democratic Leader Paul Davis, of Lawrence, ticked off a long list of issues that Republicans muscled to the forefront just last week. They include more abortion restrictions, increased regulation of sexually oriented businesses, an Arizona-like crackdown on illegal immigrants, decreasing a tax break for working poor families, eliminating the corporate income tax and trying to change the Kansas Constitution to put public ...
Law enforcement calls: Nov. 28-Dec. 1
Johnson County Sheriff's deputies responded to the following calls in De Soto in the last week: - Monday, Nov. 28 at 5:55 p.m.: a report of a non-injury accident at Lexington Avenue and Golden Lane. - Monday, Nov. 28 at 9:29 p.m.: a report of a non-injury accident at Kansas Highway 10 and Lexington Avenue. - Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 6:53 p.m.: a report of harassment in the 8800 block of Thompson Drive. - Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 11 a.m.: a warrant service in the 8200 block of Kaw Avenue. - Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 1:21 p.m.: a theft report ...
Council votes to keep 83rd Street open to bicycles
The De Soto City Council voted 3-2 at their meeting Thursday night to keep 83rd Street, from approximately Kill Creek Road to the eastern city limits, open to bicycle traffic. The council [lifted the ban, which was put in effect in the mid-1990s, at a meeting in September of this year][1] and almost immediately received requests from the public to reinstate the ban. [Residents brought a petition with more than 300 signatures before the council][2] asking that the council reconsider their decision, prompting Thursday night's discussion of the matter. Councilman Rick Walker, a traffic engineer by profession, was the first ...
Get your vehicle ready for winter
If your winter plans include snow, ice and bitter cold, winterizing your vehicle can save time, money and stress. Step 1: Cold weather thickens engine oil, making it difficult to properly lubricate the vehicle’s motor. Check the owner’s manual to see whether a lower-viscosity oil is recommended during winter months. If so, drain the oil and replace it with a lighter weight motor oil. Step 2: Check the air pressure in each tire. For every 10-degree drop in temperature, tires lose 1 psi of pressure. Maintaining proper air pressure optimizes tire traction and decreases wear and tear on the tire’s ...
Society trying to place signage at historic site
The Monticello Community Historical Society is attempting to work with a local contractor to see that a western Shawnee historical site is in some way preserved. The society has been in contact with Don Julian Builders to place an interpretative sign on the historic Chouteau Station site located on the northern edge of Monticello Township, near 45th Terrace and what was formerly Theden Road. This site is located in the northern portion of property that will be developed as the Riverview Subdivision. Cheryn Swanson, society president, said the society had previously understood that the site would be just outside the ...
Art Spaces: news from the De Soto Arts Council
Current & Recent Shows: - Visions of the Flint Hills, Buttonwood Art Space closes this week. Available for viewing through Friday, November 25th. Visit the Buttonwood [website][1] to view the show online or for more information about the works. Local Artists Jim Walker, Dick Stine, Carrie Dvorak and Rose Burgweger all had pieces in this juried exhibit. - The De Soto High School Band “Eclectic Extravaganza” was a wonderful experience for our Artist and Vendors who were part of this show this past Saturday, Nov. 19 at Mill Creek Middle School. Participants Dick Stine, Carrie Dvorak, Rose Burgweger and 20 ...
Ag Hall director: 2011 season ‘hard to top’
The 2011 season may have ended at the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame, but there won’t be any taking it easy for the center’s executive director and board of governors when it comes to fundraising efforts. If anything, Executive Director Cathi Hahner said, organizers over the winter break will work just as hard as they ever have to bring in much needed sponsorships, grants and donations. “We always wish we had enough cash reserves that (we) could take it easy, but we don’t, so we have to keep scrambling and working hard … That will be our goal ...
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Today's events
- Wonderscope Texas Hold’em Charity Poker Tournament and BBQ Dinner at 6 p.m.
- De Soto Rotary Club at 7 a.m.
- Cross Training for Seniors at 9 a.m.
- Yoga: Gentle Hatha for Seniors at 10 a.m.
Event Calendar
Births
- Lynsey and Jeff James, a girl.
- Brian and Tiffany Jones.
- Lisa and Todd Carpenter, a boy.
- Jenny and Aaron Drown, a boy.
- Ashley Fisher and Hunter Noe, a girl.
Obituaries
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