DesotoExplorer.com / Elvyn Jones

Recent stories

De Soto Chamber in midst of busy three weeks: Yard sale maps available Thursday; By Elvyn Jones; October 1, 2008; Her uncharacteristically cluttered office is an indication of how busy De Soto Chamber of Commerce director Sara Ritter has been.
De Soto City Council to consider agreement to start unification of local fire service: By Elvyn Jones; October 1, 2008; The unification of the two local fire departments could take a step closer to realization Thursday as the De Soto City Council considers a memorandum of understanding outlining the merger process.
De Soto clinic’s Barenclau retiring after three and half decades: By Elvyn Jones; October 1, 2008; With the future of the De Soto health clinic secure, Shawnee Mission Primary Care customer service specialist said the time is right to retire after a 35-year career.
Ballot measure would change how judges are selected: By Elvyn Jones; October 1, 2008; In November, Johnson County voters will be asked to decide whether the county should keep the current system or switch to the direct election of the 18 district court judges and four magistrates in Johnson County District Court.
County officials explain intersection redesign: By Elvyn Jones; September 24, 2008; Johnson County Public Works officials explained to the De Soto City Council last Thursday their proposed realignment of the city’s prime intersection for future commercial development was part of a plan meant to prevent traffic snarls.
De Soto USD 232 enrollment grows by 6 percent: By Elvyn Jones; September 24, 2008; De Soto USD 232 officials weren’t surprised when official enrollment numbers were calculated Tuesday to send on to the Kansas Department of Education.
The number of full-time equivalent students, a number that counts pre-kindergarten and kindergarten as half a student, in the district’s 12 attendance centers was 6,051. The state will now audit the number to determine the district enrollment for the purpose of per-pupil funding.
Nature draws backpacking De Soto photographer: By Elvyn Jones; September 24, 2008; Jim Walker of De Soto often indulges two passions when searching for a photograph to get down on canvas.
That’s right, canvas. Generally associated with painting, Walker prints his photographs on canvas using a method know as giclee, which is French for little spray. It is an ink jet printing method that allows photographs to be printed on such surfaces as canvas and fine art paper.
De Soto Library leads trend in summer popularity: By Elvyn Jones; September 17, 2008; The Johnson County Library District enjoyed a stellar summer and nowhere did traffic increase at a greater pace than in the De Soto branch.
De Soto board approves bids for expansion of Starside, Clear Creek: By Elvyn Jones; September 17, 2008; Hard times in the construction industry proved advantageous to the De Soto USD 232 when bids were opened earlier this month for two elementary school expansion projects.
De Soto USD 232 facilities director Denis Johnson presented bids Monday to the district board of education for the expansions of Starside and Clear Creek elementary schools. The low bid from Zimmerman Construction of Overland Park for $1.23 million was $500,000 less than estimated.
De Soto board selects architectural firm finalists: By Elvyn Jones; September 17, 2008; Hollis Miller architects may still design the projects in De Soto USD 232’s next bond issue, but they will have to show they could do a better job than two other local firms.
On Monday, the De Soto USD 232 Board of Education set a special meeting for Oct. 21 to hear presentations from three architectural firms before selecting one, or perhaps more, to design projects to be built when the district passes its next bond issue.

Recent photos

Susan Cruzan, sitting, got an earlier start Friday at her De Meadows home on Saturday's De Soto Chamber of Commerce citywide garage sale. Business wasn't too bad for a Friday, she said.

The De Soto Riverfest Park is ready for its grand opening event, the De Soto Chamber of Commerce Cookin' on the Kaw blues festival and BBQ contest set for Oct. 11 and 12.

De Soto Riverfront Park is ready for its opening Oct. 10 and 11. The De Soto Chamber of Commerce Cookin' on the Kaw blues festival and BBQ contest those two days will officially open the park.

De Soto Riverfest Park is ready for the De Soto Chamber of Commerce Cookin' on the Kaw blues and BBQ. The Oct. 10 and 11 event will officially open the park.