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