Taylor Swift on Community Perspectives Sunday

OTTAWA — Taylor Swift made millions and became one of the hottest country and pop singers based on her life as a teenager. But as she says in a special Community Perspective airing this weekend, life at 15 isn’t cracked up to what it’s supposed to be, but she says that’s OK. Taylor Swift on this weekend’s Community Perspective. It airs at 8:04 Sunday morning on KOFO 1220 Country.

Salvation Army drive burning up the bells

OTTAWA — The Salvation Army’s bell-ringing campaign in Franklin County has taken a giant step towards this year’s goal of $22,222. The Salvation Army’s Adam Lynch said he set an ambitious goal because the need is greater this year. Lynch said he’s seeing a full number of volunteer bell-ringers at and the pace for donations has been breaking records. He said 88 percent of the proceeds stays in Franklin County.

Osawatomie principals make presentation on Watch DOGS

OSAWATOMIE — Osawatomie principals Jeff White and Andrea Manes made a presentation on USD 367’s Watch DOGS program at a state school administrators conference in Wichita earlier this month. White told the Osawatomie Journal that the presentation and an 18-minute video prompted several other principals to ask about starting the program at their schools. DOGS is an acronym for Dads of Great Students. The program puts fathers and father figures in the schools to help provide security and offer positive adult role models to students.

Garnett lighting ceremony Saturday

GARNETT — The 39th annual Christmas parade and lighting ceremony on the square will be Saturday night at 6:30. The parade will include marching bands, lighted floats, classic cars and Santa riding on a fire truck. Other events Saturday include a community breakfast fundraiser at the First United Methodist Church from 7 to 9 a.m. for the Little Peoples Learning Center. Your choice of pancakes, biscuits and gravy, bacon, eggs, juice and coffee will be served from 7 to 9 tomorrow morning The Saint Rose School holiday craft show and bierock sale will be 9 a.m. to 4 at the school. The Garnett Fire Department’s chili and soup supper will begin at 4:30 p.m. at the Garnett fire station. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under.

District court closings likely for next years

TOPEKA — This week’s cutbacks announced by Gov. Mark Parkinson to cover a $260 million state budget gap, mean that unless legislators act otherwise, the Franklin County District Court will be closed one week at least four times next year. Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Davis said that because of the larger than expected budget gap and because of a mistake by the Legislature, the governor will recommend less emergency money for the state court system in January when the legislative session starts. Davis said he may have to order courts to be closed even more next year as a result. He said a hiring freeze and other cost-cutting measures will also remain in effect. Parkinson has ordered steep cuts in state funding for schools, roads, state agencies, and elderly and poor people to cover the budget gap. Among those cuts, Parkinson will cut Medicaid reimbursement rates by 10 percent. That will affect doctors and hospitals that take Medicaid patients and the area agencies on aging. Other cuts include $1.3 million from developmental disability agencies, nearly $4 million from mental health grants, $275,000 from substance abuse grants, and $5 million to the Kansas Bioscience Authority, which is trying to create a corridor of high-tech companies and institutes dedicated to animal health. Parkinson said the cuts could have been worse but he will dip into economic stimulus funds that were intended for next year’s budget.

Black Friday is golden for Ottawa retailers

OTTAWA — Those Ottawa retailers who opted to open early for today’s Black Friday shopping frenzy had shoppers up and early. Despite the lackluster economy, shoppers were lined up and parked early this morning at Ottawa stores. Long lines formed at checkout stands. One customer, Frank Wiseman, Wellsville, described this morning as a madhouse. Although retailers across the nation are reporting huge crowds this morning, they’re still worried about the bottom line. Ellen Davis, vice president of the National Retail Federation, said they’re worried that the shopping boom will fade.

Vinland Methodists’ Youthville fundraiser is Dec. 5

VINLAND — The Vinland United Methodist Church’s annual benefit for Youthville will be a week from Saturday. Once again, the benefit will include performances by the religious musical group Witness Band and Baldwin High School ensembles. The fund-raiser includes a soup and sandwich supper. The benefit will start at 5 p.m. on Dec. 5 at the church.

County meeting cancelled

OTTAWA — The Franklin County commissioners have cancelled Monday’s study session. Their next regular meeting is Wednesday. The next study session will be Dec. 7.

Downtown lighting ceremony is tonight

OTTAWA — Ottawa’s downtown Christmas lights will be turned on tonight at about 6:30 by Mayor Blake Jorgensen. The Ottawa Chamber of Commerce’s Sherri Lund said the events begin at 6 with entertainment and goodies. After the lights turned on, there will be tractor-drawn wagon rides, more music, refreshments and Santa will arrive on the antique fire truck, she said. Lund said it’s been an enduring local tradition of the holidays in Ottawa. KOFO 1220 Country will air the ceremony live from 6:30 to 7 tonight.

Ottawa’s Red and White Scrimmage tonight

OTTAWA — Tonight, the Ottawa High School boys and girls’ basketball teams will hold their annual Red-White Scrimmage at Ottawa High School, beginning at 5:30. The regular high school basketball season begins next Friday night.