The black rectangle appeared on our Sharp TV Saturday afternoon. We had planned to buy a new remote for our Philips DVD/VCR player that day anyway because the one we had didn't work anymore. Not even fresh batteries could save it. Our first mistake was buying the wrong brand of remote control for our DVD/VCR player. ...

As a community newspaper editor, I try not to use a lot of Associated Press stories. But every once in a while, there are some worth sharing. We obviously can't get to Topeka to cover Gov. Brownback's State of the State speech, so we use wire. We can't attend Chiefs games or the Olympics, so we use wire. You get the picture...

Recently a Fort Scott convenience store was featured in the Tribune for winning a competition among some 30 of its peers for selling the most Snickers bars. Well, fame and fortune awaits. The Pump 'N Pete's on Wall Street will be featured in this month's issue of Convenience Store Petroleum News. Manager Max Simhiser had a big grin on her face when she told me this when I went to get a USA Today one morning...

Growing up in a large city, the closest thing we came to wildlife was probably the inhabitants. But living out in more of the wide open spaces, I've gotten to see many types of animals. Cows hold a fascination. They're usually found in groups, comfortably drinking from a pond or munching on some grass. They look so contented...

Community newspapers are supposed to be local, local, local, featuring local people, places, things, history, etc. But because we usually have small staffs, there are lots of things we'd like to attend and cover, but our eyes are typically bigger than our stomachs...

You notice how when the President walks into the joint session of Congress to present the State of the Union address, they always stand and applaud and you can see that even the opposition party has to give in to the electric atmosphere. President Obama's recent visit to Osawatomie to talk about the economy gave me a chance to witness that sense of anticipation when the commander in chief walks into a hall. ...

During her nearly 50 years at the Tribune, Nell Dikeman has turned out miles of column inches. She is a community institution. Everyone knows her and she knows everyone. She can remember when everyone was born and could probably tell you what they're doing now...

If you see someone walking down Highway 54, it's me. I walk every morning, mostly for exercise. But it also helps keep me sane. I think about everything and nothing at the same time. I wear a bright yellow safety vest, which is sometimes concealed -- or not worn -- when it rains. Sometimes people ask me if I need a ride. The answer is no. Although there may be times I'm tempted to take someone up on it...