DesotoExplorer.com

De Soto High School U.S. history teacher Adrianne Lehrman wants her students to have a hands-on approach to learning about the past.

The city of De Soto will develop engineering concepts and cost estimates for extending sewer lines south of Kansas Highway 10 as part of an effort to promote economic development.

The De Soto USD 232 Board of Education will take another step Monday toward finding out what its patrons really want.

The city of De Soto, Johnson County Transit and the Mr. Goodcents Foundation for Senior Citizen Independence have worked together to bring a transit service to De Soto residents.

First Community Bancshares has filed with the Federal Reserve Bank in Kansas City to begin the process of acquiring Norbank in North Kansas City.

The Monticello Community Historical Society elected Bertha Cameron as its president Dec. 15 at the society’s annual business meeting. Cameron is a founding member of the organization in 1988. Cheryn Swanson is the new vice president.

Navy Seaman Devin Q. Gallagher, son of Tammy J. and Jim M. Gallagher, De Soto, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.

Area school districts know that in the event of an emergency, the more ways they have to get out an alert, the better.

De Soto was much on Sen. Julia Lynn’s mind during a trip Monday to Topeka to prepare for the 2008 legislative session.

Victory Place Church is teaching Hispanics to speak English from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the De Soto Senior Center, 32905 W. 84th St. Those planning to attend are asked to enter at the back.

The De Soto United Methodist Church reading circle will meet at noon Tuesday at the church, 8760 Kill Creek Road.

The De Soto Baptist Church offers ‘Ways of Hope” worship at 4 p.m. Sundays for the Hispanic communities of De Soto, Gardner and Olathe.

The Silver Circle at De Soto United Methodist church will meet at 1 p.m. Monday for its monthly meeting in the fellowship hall at the church, 8760 Kill Creek Road.

The city of De Soto is seeking a member to both the De Soto Board of Zoning Appeals and the De Soto Site Plan Review Committee.

The De Soto Explorer will increase its subscription rates effective Jan. 10, Christopher J. Bell, the newspaper’s circulation manager said Monday.

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.

The De Soto Relay For Life committee will have a “Fabulous Fifties Vegas Style” casino night from 7 to 10 p.m. Feb. 9 at the De Soto VFW, 33725 W. 84th St.

A “Child Protection Training” class will take place at 11:30 a.m. Sunday in the fellowship hall at De Soto United Methodist Church, 8760 Kill Creek Road.

Four De Soto High School students made the Kansas Music Educators Association 1A-4A All-State Band.

The De Soto United Methodist Church and the De Soto Baptist Church each had communion services Sunday.

It required De Soto City Attorney Patrick Reavey to revisit state statutes, but it appears a consolidation of the De Soto Fire Department and Johnson County Rural Fire Department No. 3 is back on track for a hoped Jan. 1, 2009 completion.

Mill Valley High School students will have to look elsewhere for their morning sugar fix.

The Agape Circle of De Soto United Methodist Church will meet at 7 p.m. Jan. 17 at the home of Diane Lavenburg.

After notching from 30 to 50 new home starts annually this decade, De Soto saw a sharp drop in new home construction in 2007.