Our Past: Jan. 6

Jan. 6, 1981

The sign on the new Labette County Judicial Center in Parsons was missing the second “i” in judicial. Despite being in place for three weeks, the misspelling apparently escaped the attention of most people. The center located at Central and Broadway was scheduled to open later in the month.

Parsons cable television subscribers would receive two additional satellite channels within two months, Charles Gramlich, regional manager of the American Television and Communications Corp., said. The additional channels would be included in the basic cable service, which cost $6.95 a month. Cablevision of Parsons had requested from the city a rate increase of 55 cents a month. The company proposed adding Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, known as ESPN, and station WTBS from Atlanta.

Jan. 6, 1991

Parsons youngster Jessica Moss and her family took a whirlwind six-day tour of Florida’s Magic Kingdom and other amusement parks in December, a trip provided by Dream Factory in Kansas City. A family friend wrote to Dream Factory about Jessica’s wish to see Mickey Mouse. Her mother, Nora Manier, said they were told it would be February or March. But a businessman who donated three airline tickets that had to be used by Dec. 14 to Dream Factory made it possible for the family to leave Dec. 7 for Florida. Jessica had osteogenesis imperfecta, or what was commonly called brittle bones disease. Give the Kids the World took charge of Jessica and her family in Florida, providing them with a wheelchair that folded and pins that gave them front of the line privileges at attractions and rides.

Jan. 6, 2001

After 19 years of working at the Edna Mattress Factory, Terry Hilderbrand bought half interest in the business from owners Bob and Pat O’Brien. The O’Briens had owned the company for 21 years. The factory was opened in 1962 by Robert “Bob” Milton.