(Published in the Montgomery County Chronicle on Thursday, March 26, April 2 and April 9, 2009)

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KAN., CIVIL DEPARTMENT

Countrywide Home Loans Servicing LP (Plaintiff)
vs.
Kevin Havener a/k/a Kevin Douglas Havener, a/k/a Kevin Douglas; Lilly Havener a/k/a Lilly M. Havener; John Doe (Tenant/Occupant); Mary Doe (Tenant/Occupant); American General Financial Services, Inc.; HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as Trustee for WFHET 2006-2, (Defendants)
Case No. 09CV46I
Court Number:
Pursuant to K.S.A. Chapter 60

Notice Of Suit
The State Of Kansas, to the above-named defendants and the unknown heirs, executors, administrators, devisees, trustees, creditors and assigns of any deceased defendants; the unknown spouses of any defendants; the unknown officers, successors, trustees, creditors and assigns of any defendants that are existing, dissolved or dormant corporations; the unknown executors, administrators, devisees, trustees, creditors, successors and assigns of any defendants that are or were partners or in partnership; the unknown guardians, conservators and trustees of any defendants that are minors or are under any legal disability; and the unknown heirs, executors, administrators, devisees, trustees, creditors and assigns of any person alleged to be deceased, and all other persons who are or may be concerned.
You are notified that a Petition has been filed in the District Court of Montgomery County, Kansas, praying to foreclose a real estate mortgage on the following described real estate:
Lot 7, Block 3, Original City of Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas, commonly known as 404 N. 4th Street, Independence, KS 67301 (the “Property”)
and all those defendants who have not otherwise been served are required to plead to the Petition on or before the 6th day of May, 2009, in the District Court of Montgomery County, Kansas. If you fail to plead, judgment and decree will be entered in due course upon the Petition.

NOTICE
Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. §1692c(b), no information concerning the collection of this debt may be given without the prior consent of the consumer given directly to the debt collector or the express permission of a court of competent jurisdiction. The debt collector is attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.
Randall Wharton (KS Bar No. 22897)
South & Associates, P.C.
245 N. Waco St., Suite 400
Wichita, KS 67202
Attorneys For Plaintiff
(97368-398689)

* * * *

(Published in the Montgomery County Chronicle on Thursday, March 26, April 2 and 9, 2009)

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS

JP Morgan Chase Bank, National Association (Plaintiff)
vs.
Mike A. Cornett (Defendant)
Case No. 09CV53I
Div. No.
K.S.A. 60
Mortgage Foreclosure

NOTICE OF SUIT
The State of Kansas to: MIKE A CORNETT; JOHN DOE (REAL NAME UNKNOWN); MARY DOE (REAL NAME UNKNOWN) and the unknown heirs, executors, administrators, devisees, trustees, creditors, and assigns of such of the defendants as may be deceased; the unknown spouses of the defendants; the unknown officers, successors, trustees, creditors and assigns of such defendants as are existing, dissolved or dormant corporations; the unknown guardians and trustees of such of the defendants as are minors or are in anywise under legal disability; and all other persons who are or may be concerned:
You are hereby notified that a petition has been filed in the District Court of Montgomery County, Kansas, by JPmorgan Chase Bank, National Association for judgment in the sum of $39,896.93, plus interest, costs and other relief; judgment that plaintiff’s lien is a first lien on the said real property and sale of said property to satisfy the indebtedness, said property described as follows, to wit:
THE SOUTH 80 FEET OF LOT 1, EXCEPT THE WEST 401 FEET, BLOCK 1, SUBDIVISION OF BLOCKS 5 AND 6, HIGHLAND PARK ADDITION TO THE CITY OF INDEPENDENCE, MONTGOMERY COUTNY, KANSAS. Commonly known as 2101 N Pennsylvania Ave, Independence, Kansas 67301
and you are hereby required to plead to said petition in said Court at Independence, Kansas on or before the 10th day of May, 2009.
Should you fail therein judgment and decree will be entered in due course upon said petition.
SHAPIRO & MOCK, LLP

Attorneys for Plaintiff
6
310 Lamar - Ste. 240

Overland Park, KS 66202-4287

(913) 831-3000

Fax No. (913) 831-3320

* * * *

(Published in the Montgomery County Chronicle on Thursday, March 26, April 2 and 9, 2009)

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS

Wells Fargo Bank, NA (Plaintiff)
vs.
David Ryan Ward, et al., (Defendants)
Case No. 08CV177
K.S.A. 60
Mortgage Foreclosure
Division 0

NOTICE OF
SHERIFF’S SALE
Under and by virtue of an Order of Sale issued by the Clerk of the District Court in and for the said County of Montgomery, State of Kansas, in a certain cause in said Court Numbered 08CV177, wherein the parties above named were respectively plaintiff and defendant, and to me, the undersigned Sheriff of said County, directed, I will offer for sale at public auction and sell to the highest bidder for cash in hand at 02:00 PM, on 04/23/2009, at the Main Door of the Courthouse in Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas the following described real estate located in the County of Montgomery, State of Kansas, to wit:
LOT 4, BLOCK 1 COUNTY CLERKS PLAT TO SUNSET VILLAGE A PART OF THE NE 4 OF SECTION 12, TOWNSHIP 33, RANGE 15
Robert Dierks, sheriff
Montgomery County, Kan.
Sara Knittel, # 23624
Erika Knapstein, # 23882
Clinton P. Woerth, # 19609
Kozeny & McCubbin, L.C.
12400 Olive Blvd., Suite 555
St. Louis, MO 63141
(314) 991-0255
(314) 567-8006
Email: sknittel@km-law.com
Attorney for Plaintiff

* * * *

(Published in the Montgomery County Chronicle on Thursday, March 26, April 2 and 9, 2009)

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS

Wells Fargo Bank, NA (Plaintiff)
vs.
William Gary Williams [deceased], et al., (Defendants)
Case No. 09CV19I
K.S.A. 60
Mortgage Foreclosure
Division 0

NOTICE OF
SHERIFF’S SALE
Under and by virtue of an Order of Sale issued by the Clerk of the District Court in and for the said County of Montgomery, State of Kansas, in a certain cause in said Court Numbered 09CV19I, wherein the parties above named were respectively plaintiff and defendant, and to me, the undersigned Sheriff of said County, directed, I will offer for sale at public auction and sell to the highest bidder for cash in hand at 02:00 PM, on 04/23/2009, at the Main Door of the Courthouse in Independence, Momtgomery County, Kansas, the following described real estate located in the County of Montgomery, State of Kansas, to wit:
BEGINNING AT THE SE CORNER OF SECTION 29, TOWNSHIP 34 SOUTH, RANGE 15 EAST, THENCE NORTH 650.75 FEET, WEST 1205 FEET, SOUTH 650.75 FEET, EAST 1205 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Robert Dierks, sheriff
Montgomery County, Kan.
Sara Knittel, # 23624
Erika Knapstein, # 23882
Clinton P. Woerth, # 19609
Kozeny & McCubbin, L.C.
12400 Olive Blvd., Suite 555
St. Louis, MO 63141
(314) 991-0255
(314) 567-8006
Email: sknittel@km-law.com
Attorney for Plaintiff

* * * *

(Published in the Montgomery County Chronicle on Thursday, March 26, 2009)

NOTICE OF UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
GENEAL ELECTION
Notice is hereby given in accordance with K.S.A. 25-2018 (d) that a School General Election will be held in Montgomery County on April 7, 2009.
The following Unified School District and the positions to be elected are as follows:
Unified School District No. 436
(Elect one from each position)
District A, Position 1-Robert A. Hawthorne

District A, Position 2 - Mark Atherton
District A, Position 2 - Rick Pell

District B, Position 3- Tim E Rigdon
District B, Position 3- Darlene Sanders
The polls will open from 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. The voting places and the areas each voting place is to serve are as follows:
CANEY CITY
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, Wards - First Baptist Church, 900 S. Ridgeway
CANEY TOWNSHIP
Havana Precinct - Havana Grange Hall
Tyro Precinct - Tyro Christian Church
FAWN CREEK TOWNSHIP
Tyro Precinct - Tyro Christian Church
INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP
1st Precinct - Independence Community College, Foyer of Fine Arts Building
RUTLAND TOWNSHIP
Wayside Christian Church
CHAUTAQUA/NIOTAZE
Peru Senior Center, 107 S. Main, Peru
Dated at Independence, Kansas this 25th day of March, 2009.
s/Charlotte A Scott Schmidt
Montgomery County Clerk/Election Officer

* * * *

(Published in the Montgomery County Chronicle on Thursday, March 26, 2009)

NOTICE OF UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
GENEAL ELECTION
Notice is hereby given in accordance with K.S.A. 25-2018 (d) that a School General Election will be held in Montgomery County on April 7, 2009.
The following Unified School District and the positions to be elected are as follows:
Unified School District No. 447
Three (3) regular terms and One (1) unexpired term
Kenny Baker
Richard R Basham
Michael S. Blake
Gina L. Booe
Jasmin Forman
Robert John
Jeff Menzer
Randall L Studebaker
Bruce L. Thornton
Tina M. Cunningham (unexpired)
The polls will open from 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. The voting places and the areas each voting place is to serve are as follows:
CHERRYVALE CITY
1st Ward - Senior Citizen Building, 207 E. Main
2nd Ward - Logan Park Building, 501 Park St.
CHERRY TOWNSHIP
Logan Park Building, 501 Park St.
DRUM CREEK TOWNSHIP
Class LTD Building, 1120 E. Main, Independence
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP
Liberty Township Hall
WEST CHERRY TOWNSHIP
Sycamore Township Hall
Dated at Independence, Kansas this 25th day of March, 2009.
s/Charlotte A Scott Schmidt
Montgomery County Clerk/Election Officer

* * * *

(Published in the Montgomery County Chronicle on Thursday, March 26, 2009)

NOTICE OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE GENEAL
ELECTION
Notice is hereby given in accordance with K.S.A. 71-1414 and K.S.A.71-1418 that a Community College General Election will be held in Montgomery County on April 7, 2009.
The Community College District and the positions to be elected are as follows:
Coffeyville Community College
(Three (3) regular terms)
The candidates are as follows:
Blake Allen
Ronnie L. Allison
Bill Lay
Becky L. Medley
Betty L. Nellis
Max Williams
The polls will open from 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. The voting places and the areas each voting place is to serve are as follows:
CANEY CITY
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, Wards-First Baptist Church, 900 S. Ridgeway
COFFEYVILLE CITY
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th Precincts - Youth Activity Center, 502 Walnut
4th, 5th, 6th, 11th, 12th, 13th Precincts - Grace Fellowship Church, 2455 Woodland
CANEY TOWNSHIP
Havana Precinct - Havana Grange Hall
Tyro Precinct - Tyro Christian Church
CHEROKEE TOWNSHIP
Cherokee Township Hall (Clymore School)
FAWN CREEK TOWNSHIP
Dearing Precinct - Dearing City Hall
Tyro Precinct - Tyro Christian Church
INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP
1st Precinct-Independence Community College, Foyer of Fine Arts Building
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP
Liberty Township Hall
PARKER TOWNSHIP
1st Precinct - Grace Fellowship Church, 2455 Woodland
2nd Precinct - Parker Township Hall (Cedar Bluff School)
RUTLAND TOWNSHIP
Wayside Christian Church
Dated at Independence, Kansas this 25th day of March, 2009.
s/Charlotte A Scott Schmidt
Montgomery County Clerk/Election Officer

* * * *

(Published in the Montgomery County Chronicle on Thursday, March 26, 2009)

NOTICE OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE GENERAL
ELECTION
Notice is hereby given in accordance with K.S.A. 71-1414 and K.S.A.71-1418 that a Community College General Election will be held in Montgomery County on April 7, 2009.
The Community College District and the positions to be elected are as follows:
Independence Community College
(Three (3) regular terms and One (1) unexpired term)
The candidates are as follows:
Norman Chambers
Jim Dittmer
Dan Dollison
Lisa S. Drumeller
Tim Emert
Jim George
Gordon McDaniel
Tom Tyler
Mickey D. Lewis (unexpired term)
Bill Rollison (unexpired term)
The polls will open from 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. The voting places and the areas each voting place is to serve are as follows:
CHERRYVALE CITY
1st Ward - Senior Citizen Building, 207 E. Main
2nd Ward - Logan Park Building, 501 Park St.
INDEPENDENCE CITY
1st Precinct, 1st Ward - Memorial Hall Civic Center, (North Door)
2nd Precinct, 1st Ward - Memorial Hall Civic Center, (North Door)
1st Precinct, 2nd Ward - Crystalbrook Church, 801 W. Chestnut (Gibson Building)
2nd Precinct, 2nd Ward - Crystalbrook Church, 801 W. Chestnut (Gibson Building)
1st Precinct, 3rd Ward - Crystalbrook Church, 801 W. Chestnut (Gibson Building)
2nd Precinct, 3rd Ward - Crystalbrook Church, 801 W. Chestnut (Gibson Building)
1st Precinct, 4th Ward - Crystalbrook Church, 801 W. Chestnut (Gibson Building)
2nd Precinct, 4th Ward - Crystalbrook Church, 801 W. Chestnut (Gibson Building)
1st Precinct, 5th Ward - Memorial Hall Civic Center, (North Door)
2nd Precinct, 5th Ward - Memorial Hall Civic Center, (North Door)
1st Precinct, 6th Ward - Memorial Hall Civic Center, (North Door)
2nd Precinct, 6th Ward - Memorial Hall Civic Center, (North Door)
CHERRY TOWNSHIP
Logan Park Building, 501 Park St.
DRUM CREEK TOWNSHIP
Class LTD Building, 1120 E. Main, Independence
FAWN CREEK TOWNSHIP
Tyro Precinct - Tyro Christian Church
INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP
1st Precinct - Independence Community College, Foyer of Fine Arts Building
2nd Precinct - USDA Service Center, 410 Peter Pan Road, Independence
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP
Liberty Township Hall
LOUISBURG TOWNSHIP
Community Building, 125 S. Montgomery, Elk City
RUTLAND TOWNSHIP
Wayside Christian Church
SYCAMORE TOWNSHIP
Sycamore Township Hall
WEST CHERRY TOWNSHIP
Sycamore Township Hall
Dated at Independence, Kansas this 25th day of March, 2009.
s/Charlotte A Scott Schmidt
Montgomery County Clerk/Election Officer

* * * *

(Published in the Montgomery County Chronicle on Thursday, March 12, 19 and 26, 2009)

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS

FIRST HORIZON HOME LOANS, a Division of First Tennessee Bank National Association (Plaintiff)
vs.
JAMMIE ERNEST; and the Unknown Heirs, Executors, Administrators, Devisees, Trustees, Creditors and Assigns of Each of the Defendants as may be Deceased; the Unknown Spouses of the Defendants; the Unknown Officers, Successors, Trustees, Creditors and Assigns of Such of the Defendants as are Existing, Dissolved or Dormant Corporations; the Unknown Executors, Devisees, Trustees, Creditors, Successors and Assigns of Such of the Defendants as are or were Partners or in any Partnership; the Unknown Guardians Conservators and Trustees of Such of the Defendants as are Minors or in Anywise Under Legal Disability (Defendants)
Case No. 09-CV-44 I

NOTICE OF SUIT
TO: THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS AND ALL OTHER PERSONS WHO ARE OR MAY BE CONCERNED:
You are hereby notified that a Petition has been filed in the District Court of Montgomery County, Kansas, by First Horizon Home Loans, a Division of First Tennessee Bank National Association, praying for foreclosure of real estate mortgage on the following described real estate, to wit:
LOTS 5 AND 6, BLOCK 12, BRADEN’S ADDITION TO THE CITY OF CANEY, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS
and you are hereby required to plea to said Petition on or before the 24th day of April, 2009, in said Court at Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas. Should you fail therein, judgment and decree will be entered in due course upon said Petition.
FIRST HORIZON HOME LOANS, a Division of First Tennessee Bank National Association,Plaintiff
ELDON L. GAY #08172
2933 SW Woodside Drive
Topeka, Kansas 66614
(785) 272-2607
Attorney for Plaintiff

* * * *

(Published in the Montgomery County Chronicle on Thursday, March 19, 26 and April 2, 2009)

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KAN., CIVIL DEPARTMENT

Countrywide Home Loans Servicing LP (Plaintiff)
vs.
Sharon L. Kinnamon; Richard D. Alvarez; Unknown Spouse, if any, of Sharon L. Kinnamon; Unknown Spouse, if any, of Richard D. Alvarez; John Doe (Tenant/Occupant); Mary Doe (Tenant/Occupant), (Defendants)
Case No. 09CV42I
Court Number:
Pursuant to K.S.A. Chapter 60

Notice Of Suit
The State Of Kansas, to the above-named defendants and the unknown heirs, executors, administrators, devisees, trustees, creditors and assigns of any deceased defendants; the unknown spouses of any defendants; the unknown officers, successors, trustees, creditors and assigns of any defendants that are existing, dissolved or dormant corporations; the unknown executors, administrators, devisees, trustees, creditors, successors and assigns of any defendants that are or were partners or in partnership; the unknown guardians, conservators and trustees of any defendants that are minors or are under any legal disability; and the unknown heirs, executors, administrators, devisees, trustees, creditors and assigns of any person alleged to be deceased, and all other persons who are or may be concerned.
You are notified that a Petition has been filed in the District Court of Montgomery County, Kansas, praying to foreclose a real estate mortgage on the following described real estate:
South 10 Feet of Lot 77 and All of Lot 78, Belmont Addition to The City of Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas, commonly known as 1221 N. Park Boulevard, Independence, KS 67301 (the “Property”)
and all those defendants who have not otherwise been served are required to plead to the Petition on or before the 29th day of April, 2009, in the District Court of Montgomery County, Kansas. If you fail to plead, judgment and decree will be entered in due course upon the Petition.

NOTICE
Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. §1692c(b), no information concerning the collection of this debt may be given without the prior consent of the consumer given directly to the debt collector or the express permission of a court of competent jurisdiction. The debt collector is attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.
Mark Mellor (KS Bar No. 10255)
South & Associates, P.C.
245 N. Waco St., Suite 400
Wichita, KS 67202
Attorneys For Plaintiff
(97278-398412)

* * * *

(Published in the Montgomery County Chronicle on Thursday, March 19, 26 and April 2, 2009)

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KAN.,
CIVIL DEPARTMENT

Bank of America, National Association (Plaintiff)
vs.
Lynn Johnson, et al. (Defendants)
Case No. 08CV122I
Court Number:
Pursuant to K.S.A. Chapter 60

Notice Of Sale
Under and by virtue of an Order of Sale issued to me by the Clerk of the District Court of Montgomery County, Kansas, the undersigned Sheriff of Montgomery County, Kansas, will offer for sale at public auction and sell to the highest bidder for cash in hand, at the the South door of the Judicial Center of the Courthouse at Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas, on April 9, 2009, at 2:00 PM, the following real estate:
Commencing 949.37 feet South and 549.31 feet East of the NW corner of the NE/4 of the SW/4 of Section 33, Township 34 South of Range 16 East of the 6th P.M., thence South 361.4 feet, thence East 70 feet, thence North 361.4 feet, thence West to place of beginning, Montgomery County, Kansas, commonly known as 3509 W. 4th, Coffeyville, KS 67337 (the “Property”)
to satisfy the judgment in the above-entitled case. The sale is to be made without appraisement and subject to the redemption period as provided by law, and further subject to the approval of the Court. For more information, visit www.Southlaw.com.
Robert Dierks, sheriff
Montgomery County, Kan.
South & Associates, P.C.
Mark Mellor (KS #10255)
6363 College Boulevard, Suite 100
Overland Park, Kansas 66211
(913) 663-7600 • (913) 663-7899 (Fax)
Attorneys For Plaintiff (90758)

* * * *

(Published in the Montgomery County Chronicle on Thursday, March 19, 26 and April 2, 2009)

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KAN., CIVIL DEPARTMENT

Bank of America, N.A. (Plaintiff)
vs.
Rusty Winebrenner, et al. (Defendants)
Case No. 09CV22I
Court Number:
Pursuant to K.S.A. Chapter 60

Notice Of Sale
Under and by virtue of an Order of Sale issued to me by the Clerk of the District Court of Montgomery County, Kansas, the undersigned Sheriff of Montgomery County, Kansas, will offer for sale at public auction and sell to the highest bidder for cash in hand, at the the South door of the Judicial Center of the Courthouse at Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas, on April 9, 2009, at 2:00 PM, the following real estate:
Lot 7, Block 3, Hill and Sutter’s First Addition to the City of Independence and adjacent vacated alley, Montgomery County, Kansas., commonly known as 412 S. Wald Avenue, Independence, KS 67301 (the “Property”)
to satisfy the judgment in the above-entitled case. The sale is to be made without appraisement and subject to the redemption period as provided by law, and further subject to the approval of the Court. For more information, visit www.Southlaw.com.
Robert Dierks, sheriff
Montgomery County, Kansas
South & Associates, P.C.
Tricia M. Oldridge (KS #18213)
6363 College Boulevard, Suite 100
Overland Park, Kansas 66211
(913) 663-7600 • (913) 663-7899 (Fax)
Attorneys For Plaintiff (95906)

* * * *

(Published in the Montgomery County Chronicle on Thursday, March 12, 19 and 26, 2009)

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KAN.

HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as Trustee for WFHET 2006-2 (Plaintiff)
vs.
Kevin Douglas Havener AKA Kevin Douglas, et al., (Defendants)
Case No. 09CV9I
K.S.A. 60
Mortgage Foreclosure
Division 0

NOTICE OF
SHERIFF’S SALE
Under and by virtue of an Order of Sale issued by the Clerk of the District Court in and for the said County of Montgomery, State of Kansas, in a certain cause in said Court Numbered 09CV9I, wherein the parties above named were respectively plaintiff and defendant, and to me, the undersigned Sheriff of said County, directed, I will offer for sale at public auction and sell to the highest bidder for cash in hand at 02:00 PM, on 04/09/2009, at the Main Door of the Courthouse in Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas, the following described real estate located in the County of Montgomery, State of Kansas, to wit:
BEGINNING AT THE NE CORNER OF LOT 1, WESTSIDE ADDITION, THENCE SOUTH 140 FEET, WEST 50 FEET, NORTH 140 FEET, EAST 50 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, CITY OF INDEPENDENCE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS
Robert Dierks, sheriff
Montgomery County, Kan.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sara Knittel, # 23624
Erika Knapstein, # 23882
Clinton P. Woerth, # 19609
Kozeny & McCubbin, L.C.
12400 Olive Blvd., Suite 555
St. Louis, MO 63141
(314) 991-0255 • (314) 567-8006

Three area high school basketball players earned recognition by the state’s two largest newspapers on Sunday.

The Topeka Capital-Journal and Wichita Eagle picked Cherryvale High School senior Kelsey Overacker to the all-class 3A second team following the conclusion of her career at the class 3A state tournament on March 7.

Also recognized from Cherryvale was senior forward Sara Schwaninger, who earned placement on the all-class 3A honorable mention list

Caney Valley High School senior guard Morgan Rolls returned to the all-state list for the second year in a row. The Eagle and Capital-Journal each listed Rolls as a player on the all-class 4A honorable mention.

Rolls concluded her career in a Bullpup uniform as the third-highest scoring player in CVHS women’s history (1,240 points).

PITTSBURG — A Montgomery County native who was regarded as a pioneer in the modern short-line railroad industry has died.

Charles R. “Dick” Webb, the founder and chairman of the Watco Companies, died Monday, March 23, in a Kansas City, Kan., medical center following a battle with lung cancer. He was 70.

“Dick was recognized statewide as a successful community and business leader,” Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said in a statement Monday. “This is truly a loss for our entire state.”

Born in Independence in 1938 and raised in Pittsburg, Webb entered the railroad industry in 1983 with the creation of Watco Companies. The company started from his family kitchen table, where a few employees created a rail switching operation in DeRidder, La., and started a railcar repair shop in Coffeyville.

A bigger jump into the railroad industry took place in 1990 when Webb acquired the portion of the Santa Fe Railroad line that served southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma. The center point of that railroad line — which Webb would rename the South Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad — was the Santa Fe Depot located in Cherryvale. When Webb bought the railroad and depot in 1990, the depot was in a state of extensive dilapidation. However, the Webb family, along with Cherryvale volunteers, led a charge to preserve the depot, which was finally restored to its original ambiance in about 1991.

That depot served as the headquarters for the Cherryvale Chamber of Commerce, the Cherryvale Main Street Association and the Neosho Valley Model Railroad Club before the SKO Railroad located its business offices to the facility.

Over the years, the Webb family acquired more short-line railroads as the nation’s biggest rail corporations began to dissolve branch lines or merge with other companies. At the time of his death, Webb’s Watco Companies operated 3,900 miles of track, 20 short-line rail roads, 22 switching locations, 14 mechanical shops, 18 mobile mechanical repair locations, and 11 transload and intermodal locations. Watco continues to operate in 26 states with a payroll of 2,000 employees.

Watco Companies is the third-largest short-line railroad corporation in the United States.

Cherryvale remains at the hub of the Webb rail empire in southeast Kansas, serving as the central shipping area not only for the South Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad but also the Kansas Eastern Railroad, which formerly was the Burlington Northern and Frisco railroad companies.

Webb was the recipient of a lung transplant in 2000, which allowed him to find new life in the company that he started from his family kitchen some 17 years prior.

“He thought that he’d missed 10 years of work and he wanted to make it up after he got the transplant, and he did,” said son Rick Webb in an interview with the Pittsburg Morning Sun. “For the past five years, he worked as hard as ever.”

Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m., today (Thursday) at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Pittsburg with visitation until 8 p.m., followed by a reception at Watco. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Friday, March 27, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, with burial in Highland Park Cemetery. Additional information will be announced by Brenner Mortuary.

CANEY — The Caney area will receive the medical care of a veteran Montgomery County doctor.

James E. Hignight, MD, will join the staff of the Jane Phillips Caney Rural Health Clinic beginning April 8.

Hignight is no stranger to the Montgomery County area, having worked previously as a physician with the Mercy Physician Group in Independence and was an emergency room physician at Mercy Hospital.

Hignight received a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Kansas and earned a doctor of medicine from the University of Kansas School of Medicine.

He completed a residency in internal medicine and pediatrics at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Hignight also is a member of the Southeast Kansas Medical Society.

As a physician at the Caney clinic, Hignight will be associated with the Gemini Medical Group, which was formed in 1996 to provide the region with a strong base of primary care physicians. Gemini Medical Group is an affiliate organization of Jane Phillips Health Corporation and St. John Medical Center in Tulsa.

Appointments are now being accepted at the Caney clinic by calling (620) 879-2182.

The Caney clinic will continue to be served two existing practitioners: Jacklyn Jones, MSN, ARNP, and Melinda Allen, MD.

BY ANDY TAYLOR
Montgomery County Chronicle

CHERRYVALE — Cherryvale city officials have responded to allegations made against them in a federal lawsuit initiated by a former Cherryvale police officer.

Laurel K. Fauster, who served as a Cherryvale police officer in 2006 and 2007, filed a federal lawsuit against the city officials last December. She claims she was victim to repeated sexual harassment by police officers and retaliation when those sexual harassment charges were reported to her supervisor. She also claims she was a victim of job discrimination when she applied for the position of police chief but was denied an interview based on her sex.

Named in the lawsuit were city administrator Trey Cocking, Mayor John Wright, and city councilors Jerry Wallace, Randy Wagoner, Chad Wickham and Kevin Crain. Former city councilors Rick Valverde and Ben Bellmore were also named as defendants as they were on the council when the alleged incidents took place.

Former police chief Milton Gillespie also was named as a defendant.

In a formal response to Fauster’s allegations, the current and former city officials deny the allegations made by the former Cherryvale cop in her lawsuit.

The city officials also contend, according to their formal response filed in federal district court, that Fauster resigned her position as a Cherryvale police officer, which “was requested for legitimate non-discriminatory, non-retaliatory reasons, including misrepresentations by plaintiff in her employment application and resume and lack of qualifications because plaintiff was not a certified law enforcement officer in Kansas.”

Following her departure from the Cherryvale police force, Fauster filed a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, seeking an investigation into her job discrimination claim. Upon investigating the claim, the EEOC issued a “Notice of Right to Sue,” which allowed Fauster to initiate the lawsuit against the City of Cherryvale.

However, in the city officials’ formal response, they contend that even though the EEOC issue the notice, the EEOC did not find any evidence which would “provide probable cause to support plaintiff’s allegations.”

The city officials also are asking the federal court to have the Fauster’s lawsuit heard by a jury.

The City of Cherryvale and officials named as defendants are being represented by Topeka attorneys J. Steven Pigg and Terelle A. Mock of the law firm Fisher, Patterson, Sayler and Smith.

Fauster is represented by Independence attorney William Fitzpatrick and Topeka attorneys John C. Frieden and Clinton E. Patty of the law firm Frieden and Forbes.

BY ANDY TAYLOR

He’s only 12 years old, but rural Independence resident Richy Yates is already rubbing elbows with one of professional racing’s top names.

And, because of his friendship with professional racer Dan Wheldon, Yates has made racing more than just a passing interest. It’s a family obsession.

Here is how it all began . . .

Back in 2006, Richy Yates was starting to become interested in professional racing, not the NASCAR ranks that has proven popular for many racing buffs but the Indy Car League, best known for its Indianapolis 500. Among the top names in the Indy Car League is Dan Wheldon, a racer who earned the double-checkered flag at the Indianapolis 500 in 2005.

While searching the internet one day for information about Wheldon, the young Yates found Wheldon’s e-mail address and jotted a note congratulating Wheldon on his success.

Richy didn’t know if the e-mail would even reach Wheldon on his busy travels.

Lo and behold, Wheldon responded — with a personal note back to Yates. The racer encouraged Yates to become interested in racing, perhaps on the go-kart circuit.

And, even though Yates had a go-kart that he rode around his rural Independence farm, he never thought about becoming active in the amateur racing circuit.

That e-mail from Wheldon changed things for Yates.

“After that first response from Dan, Richy was totally hooked,” said Alicia Yates, Richy’s mother.

The Yates family went to Indy Racing League races at the Kansas Speedway, where they got the chance to meet Wheldon in person.
The Yates family then bought a competitive kart at the Tulsa Kart Club and started Richy on his quest for hot laps at area go-kart road courses.

Since then, the entire Yates family has jumped headfirst into a passion for kart racing. In 2008, Richy won first place in the Kart Mid-American Racing Series in the age 8-12 division. And, he’s got the trophy — almost as tall as he — to prove it.

Asked if he has started a trophy room for his recent success on the kart series, Yates laughed and said, “My trophies are on my dresser.”

Yates Racing takes the family to road courses throughout the midwest, and Richy will be tested on his racing skills at a road course race this weekend in Norman, Okla. Richy’s kart is a higher-performing vehicle than conventional go-karts. And, the Yates kart — surrounded with the bold number 4 — has been known to reach speeds of 80 miles per hour.

With such high speeds and such a simple vehicle, the go-kart racing circuit has become a passion for the Yates family.
“It’s a full-time hobby,” said Alicia. “Once you get a taste of it, you’re hooked.

“We leave on Friday mornings, drive all day to get to a road course, practice on Saturday mornings, race on Saturday afternoons and Sundays, and then head back home late Sunday night. We’ll work in the garage all week, getting the kart ready for the next race.”
And, when Richy isn’t bound for a raceway with his large trailer in tow, the youngster is on his home computer, e-mailing Wheldon for his weekly chat with the well-known Indy Racing League celeb.

“We talk about once a week,” said Richy. “He’ll ask about my race, and I’ll talk about his.”

Dick and Alicia Yates both say they are amazed that their son — not yet even old enough to shave — is able to swap war stories with a professional athlete.

“They’ll talk like they are best of friends,” said Dick.

Wheldon himself had a similar situation when he was cutting his teeth into the racing circuit. In an interview on Panther Racing.com, the British-born racer said he cherished memories of being with his family in his early years of racing.

“They are some of the fondest memories that I have had in my life so far,” said Wheldon. “Other than getting married, winning the Indianapolis 500, and the birth of my son Sebastian, those memories traveling every weekend with my father are unbelievable.”

So, why would Wheldon take time out of his busy schedule to chat with a racing fan in Kansas?

“It is great for me to try to be a positive influence on kids like Richy,” continued Wheldon. “Racing is a tough sport, and anything I can do to help somebody coming up, I feel like I owe that to this sport because it has been great to me. If Richy emailing me or my emailing him to offer support or advice helps him achieve his dreams, then that is the least that I can do.”

• Montgomery County Chronicle editor Andy Taylor is a lifelong resident of Montgomery County and also interested in knowing about the unique people and places of the county. If you have an idea for Taylor’s “This Is My Montgomery County” feature, send an e-mail to him at chronicle@taylornews.org, or call (620) 336-2100 or (620) 879-2156.

About the March 26 edition of the Montgomery County Chronicle . . .

• Andy Taylor’s “This Is My Montgomery County” series this week features Richy Yates, a 12-year-old rural Independence boy who has a unique friendship with a professional racer.  Yates communicates weekly with Dan Wheldon, who competes in the Indy Racing League series and is the 2005 winner of the Indianapolis 500.  Yates was encouraged by Wheldon to enter the arena of amateur racing during an e-mail exchange two years ago.  Since then, Yates has maintained an active pursuit of racing in go-kart leagues throughout the Midwest.  His story appears on page 1.

• The City of Caney will receive $177,000 in federal stimulus dollars for an upgrade to Fourth Avenue.  Caney was the only entity in Montgomery County, and one of only 13 entities in the 17 counties of southeast Kansas, to receive federal stimulus dollars for transportation needs.  An article on page 1 will describe the project.

• Three area basketball players have received recognition from the state’s two largest newspapers.  The Topeka Capital-Journal and Wichita Eagle listed Cherryvale High School seniors Kelsey Overacker and Sara Schwaninger on their all-class 3A list while Caney Valley senior Morgan Rolls earned recognition on the all-class 4A list.  Go to the sports pages for more information.

• Underneath the noses of most Montogmery County residents are two large rock formations that are used for the storage of natural gas.  However, those natural gas storage fields have become the target for a political battle in Topeka. The Kansas Legislature is considering enforcing the property taxes paid by utility companies when they store natural gas in Kansas for resale purposes.  One problem: Kansas companies pay the taxes while out-of-state corporations do not.  Guess what?  The two underground fields in Montgomery County are owned by out-of-state corporations . . . and Montgomery County misses out on the tax revenue.  You’ll read more about this issue on page A6.

• Caney is getting a veteran Montgomery County: Dr. Richard Hignight.  Formerly with the Mercy Physician Group, Hignight will join the staff of the Jane Phillips Caney Rural Health Clinic in April.  Read more about it on page A1.

• Cherryvale city officials, including present and past city councilors, have issued a formal response to a federal lawsuit initiated by a former Cherryavle cop.  The city officials are denying the allegiations leveled against them by former police officer Leah Fauster, who filed a sexual harrassement and job discrimination lawsuit against the officials in December.  A story on page A1 has more information.

• The founder and chairman of the Watco Companies has died.  Dick Webb, 70, of Pittsburg died Monday in Kansas City, Kan., after battling lung cancer.  Webb founded the company in 1983 as a railcar repair service in Coffeyville and gradually grew the company to include short-line railroads in the region.  Among the companies in the Watco empire is the South Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad, which has its offices in the restored Cherryvale depot.  You’ll read about Webb’s life in a story on page A4.

• Cherryvale residents showed their community spirit last Saturday at the first work day for a Habitat for Humanity project house.  The Matilda Stewart family is the recipient of the home, which is currently under construction in the 500 block of East Eighth Street.  You’ll see photos of the work day event on page A4.

• You’ll also find other information — useful and entertaining — in the March 26 edition of the Montgomery County Chronicle.  Be sure to read Kathy Taylor’s “Life’s Little Lifesavers” as well as Rudy Taylor’s “Off the Cuff” column on page A3.  And, if you need any great food suggestions, read Doris Coats’ recipe column, “Now We’re Cookin’” on page A7.

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If you do not presently subscribe to the Montgomery County Chronicle, give me a call (620) 879-2156 or (620) 336-2100 to place your subscription order. The local subscription rate (with sales tax) is $32.40 per year.  Sounds like a a great deal . . . one that is easy on your wallet during tough times.

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As always, I’m interested to know about your news tips and story ideas.  Drop me a line by e-mail (check for my address below) or call me on my cell phone at (620) 331-9178.  Let’s chat!  And, if you wish, pass this e-mail along to your e-mail lists (school secretaries: pass this along to your faculty e-mail lists).  Let me know of others who might be interested in receiving a weekly preview of the Montgomery County Chronicle.

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The March 26th edition has more stories of interest to all Montgomery County residents.  Be sure to pick up a copy today at the following locations:

• Caney: Floyds Town and Country, Gunny Sack Phillips 66, Gunny Sack Shell, Casey’s General Store and the Montgomery County Chronicle.

• Cherryvale: Jump Start, Casey’s General Store, Friendly’s Food and Fuel, G&W Foods, Cherryvale Pharmacy, Cherry Hill Express, and the Montgomery County Chronicle

• Tyro: J’s Corner Store

• Independence: Daylight Doughnuts

• Coffeyville: Kabredlo’s Convenience Store

BY ANDY TAYLOR

Area residents are bracing for an early-spring storm that is expected to dump wintry precipitation on southeast Kansas, including Montgomery County.

Jim Miller, Montgomery County Emergency Preparedness Director, said Montgomery County will be on the eastern fringe of the cold front when it rolls into the region late Friday night and continuing through Saturday afternoon. He said that after conferring with the National Weather Service in Wichita on Thursday, he anticipated seeing a mixture of persistent rain followed by heavy snow.

Compounding the wintry precipitation will be high winds up to 35 miles per hour from the north. Those gusts will keep temperatures down and also blow snow into drifts. Travel is discouraged during the cold front.