DesotoExplorer.com

With the new year less than a week away, it’s time for The De Soto Explorer’s annual resolution list. Our annual resolution lists aren’t about self-improvement but finding solutions to community issues.

The De Soto City Council passed on the lowest bid and awarded the first construction contract last Thursday for the new Kaw riverfront park to a local contractor.

Although it can be assumed most of De Soto residents were unaware of it, Monday was a milestone day for the city.

FROM THE DE SOTO NEWS

Twelve-year-old Joey Atchison gets to see his best friend just once a week.

De Soto residents will see a 6.2 percent increase in their monthly sewer bills with the start of the new year.

The Willow Springs FCE met Dec. 18 at De Soto Baptist Church. The meeting date was changed because of inclement weather. All members were hostesses.

In what they said as a nod to new realities, De Soto City Council members approved a new five-year contract with Weldon Enterprises to provide trash service in the city.

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are at 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Boy Scout house behind the Dollar General store in downtown De Soto.

The De Soto Library will have a “Fun and Games” Wii session at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 4 for teenagers and high school students.

Jacob Reed Longaker, De Soto, was recently initiated as a new member of the Phi Kappa Phi honor society at Kansas University.

The De Soto Chamber of Commerce will have its annual membership dinner from 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 19 at the De Soto VFW, 33725 W. 84th St., De Soto.

De Soto sophomore Sammy Seibolt entered the season as one of the Wildcats most experienced wrestlers, a strange designation considering the multi-sport talent sat out the 2006-07 season after breaking his leg late in the soccer season.

We here at The De Soto Explorer have self-respect.

The press that often bothered the De Soto boys basketball team early in the season was turned into a strength Friday night. The Wildcats got easy buckets early and often by burning Anderson County’s full court pressure.

The saying, “You’re only as old as you feel,” certainly would render De Soto’s girls basketball team unable to drive if it were really the case.

The De Soto United Methodist Church had a special page in its Sunday church bulletin with the listing of all the poinsettias that were given and for whom. I related to many of them. I gave money to the Olathe Medical Center’s Tree of Memories that supports hospice service.