Community News
Our Past
These items were taken from the Sun’s editions 20, 30 and 40 years ago. Oct. 7, 1971 Maj. Hugh Rogers, commanding officer of the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant, announced the plant would open for inspection tours to the general public as a feature of its 30th anniversary on Oct. 25. It would be the first time that the plant would be opened to the public while it had been in operation. Motor tours were conducted after the facility was closed on ...
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Book signing set Oct. 13 at library
Book signing set Oct. 13 at library Parsons Public Library will host the program “Apocalypse Myths and Realities: The Story behind Phontaine’s Gifts,” a discussion and book signing by local author D.A. Blankinship at 2:30 p.m. Thursday,  Oct. 13 . "Phontaine’s Gifts: The Survival Legacy," Blankenship’s latest fictional work, is an apocalyptic tale about the ruin of America and the people trapped in the tragedy. The novel follows four adults, f...
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Our Past
These items were taken from the Sun’s editions 20, 30 and 40 years ago. Oct. 6, 1971 An extension of Southern Boulevard from 10th Street east to the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant would be opened at the end of the week, Fred Beachner of Beachner Construction Co. said. Bridge construction had been completed, and only minor bituminous surfacing had to be completed by Muller Construction Co., Coffeyville, before the access road was opened, Beachne...
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Our Past
These items were taken from the Sun’s editions 20, 30 and 40 years ago. Oct. 5, 1971 A preliminary design for the new underpass at the Corning Avenue crossing on the Katy Railroad was approved by the Parsons City Commission and the Parsons Urban Renewal Agency. The plan called for four lanes of moving traffic and elevated pedestrian walks on either side of the structure. Its design was tied to the theme of modernization that dominated the ent...
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Our Past
These items were taken from the Sun’s editions 20, 30 and 40 years ago. Oct. 4, 1971 Six women began training for sewing machine operator jobs guaranteed at Fred Ronald Manufacturing Co., 1901 Southern. The company was a division of Stevie Togs Inc., Kansas City. Women participating in the program included Ella Hibbs, Shirley McLaurine, Georgia Searcy, Leona McElhaney and Diana Low, all of Parsons, and Irma Middleton of Mound Valley. Company ...
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Business News
Babcock Manufacturing expands Richard and Sandy Babcock of Babcock Manufacturing (doing business as The Home Store) have recently acquired Vision Woodworks in Cherryvale. Vision Woodworks opened about 12 years ago with the concept of creating and delivering the finest handcrafted cabinetry for custom kitchens, bathrooms and other wood products in the area. Dave Hammond and his staff will continue to run the shop at its current location, 111 E....
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Public Mind
Wilson Avenue construction To the Sun: This letter is being written about the Wilson Avenue construction between 14th and 15th streets. For years residents have complained about the condition of the street. Nothing was done to improve the quality of the street. One woman’s vehicle became inoperable after being high-centered on a mound of asphalt. Another person lost a piece of the car as well because of the same problem. My wife’s car began ...
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King, Harper
Mary and Russell King of Independence announce the engagement of their daughter, Desiree Merrie Elizabeth King of Parsons, to Stephen Bradley Harper of Parsons. He is the son of Connie Hill and Terry and Judy Harper of Parsons. The bride-elect is a senior at Fort Hays State University, where she is studying history, sociology and English. She is pursuing a certificate in world leadership studies. She works at Labette Bank and owns Home-Grown b...
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Becker, Wells
Jan and Charlie Becker of Frontenac announce the engagement of their daughter, Lisa Becker, to Nicholas Wells, son of Tina and Lowell Wells of Parsons. The bride-elect is a 1999 graduate of Pittsburg High School and a graduate of the University of Kansas with a doctorate of pharmacy. She is employed as a pharmacist at The Medicine Shoppe. The future groom is a 1997 graduate of Parsons High School and a graduate of Pittsburg State University wi...
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King, Harper
Desiree King, Stephen Harper Mary and Russell King of Independence announce the engagement of their daughter, Desiree Merrie Elizabeth King of Parsons, to Stephen Bradley Harper of Parsons. He is the son of Connie Hill and Terry and Judy Harper of Parsons. The bride-elect is a senior at Fort Hays State University, where she is studying history, sociology and English. She is pursuing a certificate in world leadership studies. She works at La...
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Becker, Wells engagement
Lisa Becker, Nicholas Wells Jan and Charlie Becker of Frontenac announce the engagement of their daughter, Lisa Becker, to Nicholas Wells, son of Tina and Lowell Wells of Parsons. The bride-elect is a 1999 graduate of Pittsburg High School and a graduate of the University of Kansas with a doctorate of pharmacy. She is employed as a pharmacist at The Medicine Shoppe. The future groom is a 1997 graduate of Parsons High School and a graduate of...
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Our Past
These items were taken from the Sun’s editions 20, 30 and 40 years ago. Sept. 27, 1971 Plans for opening an imported gift and floral shop on Parsons Plaza, the new downtown mall, were announced by Dr. Ned Gorrell, radiologist, and D. Warren Hyde, florist. The men had leased the building at 1815 Main, formerly occupied by the Frame Office Equipment Co, which moved to another location. The building, with a 25-foot front, was owned by E.W. Reyno...
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Schneider, Page
Emily Schneider and Trent Page were married July 2 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Scipio. The Rev. Jerry Williams, O.Carm, officiated the ceremony. A dinner and dance followed at Sacred Heart Parish Hall in Ottawa. Parents of the bride are Rodger Schneider and Pam Schneider, both of Salina. Grandparents of the bride are Christina Schneider of Salina and the late Charles Schneider and Merle and Wilma Kohman. Parents of the groom are Jim and...
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Couple to celebrate 60th anniversary
Mr. and Mrs. Jay McMillan of South Mound will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with a private family observation Saturday. Jay McMillan and Mary Lortz were married Sept. 23, 1951. They have lived in the South Mound area since their marriage. They are members of St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Erie. Mr. McMillan was a farmer and owned and managed elevators in South Mound and Strauss before retiring. Mrs. McMillan was secretary for Rural ...
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McDaniel, Madl
Tom and Anita McDaniel of Parsons announce the engagement of their daughter, Amber Gayle McDaniel of Pittsburg, to Todd James Madl of Pittsburg. He is the son of the late Paul Madl and Loretta Nance. The bride-elect is a 1996 graduate of Labette County High School in Altamont. She graduated in 1998 from Labette Community College with a degree in graphic design and communications. She is a digital artist and fine art printer for Miller’s Profes...
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Couple to celebrate 40th wedding anniversary
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Owens of rural Edna will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, at the Bartlett United Methodist Church at Bartlett. Their children and their families will host the event. Bill Owens and Mona Johnston were married Sept. 25, 1971, at the Bartlett United Methodist Church by the Rev. Merle Balcom. Mr. Owens is a farmer. Mrs. Owens helps on the farm and is secretary for the La...
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Our Past
These items were taken from the Sun’s editions 20, 30 and 40 years ago. Sept. 13, 1971 City crews removed parking meters and bumpers from a temporary parking lot west of the Kansas Power & Light Co. building in the 1800 block of Broadway. LaForge & Budd Construction Co. of Parsons would begin construction of a permanent lot to be finished by Nov. 30. The lot was financed by the city as part of its obligation on the downtown urban renewal proj...
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Rios, Queen engagement
Brittany Rios Robert L. Queen Jr. Dawn Rios-Campbell of Wichita announces the engagement of her daughter, Brittany Ann Rios, to Robert L. Queen Jr., son of Robert L. Sr. and Pam Queen of Parsons. Brittany Rios is the daughter of the late Angel Rios Jr. Robert is the grandson of Glen and Rita Garretson of Parsons and Ivan and Kathy Queen of Niotaze. Brittany is the granddaughter of Carmen Rios of Kearney, N.J., Pamela and Ned Wangler of Deser...
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Culley, Smith wedding
Kayla Culley and Craig Smith were married on July 16 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Parsons. The Rev. Adam Keiter of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Pittsburg, officiated. The bride is the daughter of Scott and Beth Culley of Lyndon. The groom is the son of Richard and Sue Smith of Parsons. Allie Culley, sister of the bride of Lyndon, was the maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Julie Knolle, sister of the bride of Peine, Germany, Madison C...
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Couple celebrates 60th
Mr. and Mrs. Sam Strathe Couple celebrate 60th wedding anniversary Mr. and Mrs. Sam Strathe of rural Parsons celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary recently with a family cookout. Sam Strathe and Karyl Dickerson were married Sept. 8, 1951, in Topeka. The Strathes are both retired. The couple have four children, Sharen Vallier of Erie, Sandy Meyer of Franklin, Tenn., Sharla Hopper and Sherry Dunlay, both of Parsons; and many grandchildren a...
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