We really should think of the children
A running gag on “The Simpsons” has the character Helen Lovejoy asking, “Won’t somebody please think of the children?!” She asks it often and with varying levels of concern and sometimes sass.
December 2021
Read MoreWe really should think of the children
Regulators worry investor’s influence at Evergy could raise electric rates
WICHITA — Regulators on the state and federal level see trouble for ratepayers in the growing relationship between the state’s largest electric utility and one of its investors. The concern stems from how much influence Elliott Management has at Evergy and whether it’s using that clout to spur a massive change in spending that will cost customers money.
Brass choir to perform in Goessel, Peabody
A pair of Christmas concerts by the McPherson Community Brass Choir are coming to the area — with concerts in Goessel and Peabody on the calendar. “We do it for the love of music,” said Jerry Toews, director of the McPherson Community Brass Choir.
Regularly wearing heels can change the shape of foot
Dear Doctors: Would you please address the damaging effects of wearing extremely high heels? I think younger women need to know how this can cause them painful foot problems as they grow older. It seems a high price to pay for fashion.
Science report: US should make less plastic to save oceans
America needs to rethink and reduce the way it generates plastics because so much of the material is littering the oceans and other waters, the National Academy of Sciences says in a new report. The United States, the world’s top plastics waste producer, generates more than 46 million tons yearly, and about 2.2 billion pounds ends up in the world’s oceans, according to the academy’s report.
New dinosaur species from Chile had unique slashing tail
Fossils found in Chile are from a strange-looking dog-sized dinosaur species that had a unique slashing tail weapon, scientists reported Wednesday. Some dinosaurs had spiked tails they could use as stabbing weapons and others had tails with clubs.
IN BRIEF
Section of Windward Drive to close next week Traffic patterns are about to change on Windward Drive — not only due to a temporary closure for construction but long term as a project to change the intersection of Windward and K-15 nears completion. Windward Drive will be closed west of Prairie Fire on Wednesday and Thursday of next week while crews replace cracked paving panels.
Going live from the back roads
“Friday night lights.” That phrase refers to the exciting atmosphere of hometown high school football games, played in communities across the nation on Friday nights. The sights and sounds of those games are part of the fabric of small town life.
Martin J. Zimmerman
Martin J. Zimmerman, age 64, of Newton, Kansas entered his heavenly home on Sunday, November 28, 2021. Martin was born November 22, 1957; the son of Simon and Audrey (Zodrow) Zimmerman in Newton. He graduated from Newton High School in 1976 and went on to be an Eagle Scout Master for several years.
James Brice McClure
James Brice McClure, aged 71, went home to meet his Lord and Savior on November 19, 2021. Jim was born in 1950 to Gladys and Glen McClure in Newton, KS. He had one sister, Virginia. He was a rambunctious child that loved mischief and often tested his family’s patience, but also loved to draw, paint and sculpt. As a young man he traveled across the Midwest helping with the Wheat Harvest each year, then later became a door-to-door vacuum salesman before eventually working for John Hancock Life Insurance. He worked there for several years, traveling across the country and even overseas as one of their top salesmen. However, the most pride he took from his job wasn’t his status, but his ability to help people. He had a keen sense of money and finance, and used this talent to help several families not only prepare for the unexpected, but also went out of his way to make sure they were never shortchanged or financially burdened in their time of loss. Later, he became a financial advisor, continuing to help people prepare for the future, before finally retiring in Halstead, KS. After the sudden death of his only son, Ben, at only 20 yrs old, Jim became closer to God and would often travel to Wichita and play his harmonica for anyone who would listen. He also cared deeply for the homeless and would donate his time or money whenever he could. He had one son and three daughters whom he loved dearly. He will be most remembered for his caring and giving heart that extended beyond his family to anyone in need, and will be deeply missed by all.