Local News

When you think of retiring, do you have an idea of where it might be? Well, don’t look too far away as SmartAsset ranks Independence as the 5th best place to retire in the state of Kansas. 

Sunday evening when the Academy of Motion Pictures hosts the 93rd Academy Awards, former local resident Donald Graham Burt, Jr. could take home his second Oscar. Burt has been nominated for Production Design for the film “Mank,” along with set decorator Jan Pascal.

Finally, we are at that historic phase where a vaccine against COVID 19 is being rolled out. A vaccine is the most important thing in beating the virus. 

The 2021 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. student essay writing contest, sponsored by the Diversity Taskforce of Independence and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Planning Committee, is now accepting entries from students in grades 6th through 8th.

Black Friday might look a bit different this year but that didn't stop shoppers from finding great deals on holiday items. Shoppers donned their best face covering and joined the shopping experience all around the country and the southeast Kansas area was no different.

I would like to take this opportunity to educate everyone about the importance of getting a flu vaccine this year. CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recommends use of any licensed, age-appropriate influenza vaccine during the 2020-2021 influenza season. Flu viruses are most common during the fall and winter.

Falling down can be very scary and it can be especially frightening when you fall in between bushes in your front yard and are elderly. But never fear, the fright Rosalee Sutton felt Tuesday as she was trimming the bushes in her yard, lost her balance, fell and couldn't get up departed quickly.

Not all who wonder are lost, some are just looking for garage sales. 

Sept. 11 and 12, sale-seekers can travel from Independence to Dearing, Cherryvale, Coffeyville, Caney and Tyro in Kansas and to Copan, Dewey, Bartlesville, Lenapah and Delaware in Oklahoma to find the best treasures during the 13th annual Kan-Okla 100 Mile Highway Sale.