Tag Archives: pittsburg

Pittsburg student to test constitutional knowledge in state contest

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PITTSBURG, Kan. – Pittsburg High School student Owen Miller is off to Manhattan, Kansas for the American Legion Oratorical Contest.

The local American legion is helping fund his trip. The contest is intended to help students develop knowledge of and a deeper appreciation for the U.S. constitution.

“I did have competition at districts so, that was a lot of fun,” said Miller. “But I kind of automatically won here at Pittsburg since I was the only person who entered so not a lot of people at our High School was really aware that this was happening, which to me was kind of disappointing. These people are my friends who would enter, would be the people I’d really enjoy competing against.”

The national competition was cancelled this year, but the prize money was split up and given to states for their contests. Owen could get nearly $6,000 dollars if he wins on March 13.

Pittsburg fire department builds ‘training tower’ to hone firefighting skills

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PITTSBURG, Kan. – Pittsburg firefighters are getting a new place to practice their life-saving skills.

The department is building a training tower on North Rouse St. The new tower will be used for ground ladder training and will feature tubes to help train for fighting fires in confined spaces.

“I’ve had people banging on my door trying to line up training for the day it is done,” said Pittsburg Fire Chief Dennis Reilly. “So I anticipate this prop will get a lot of use out folks will be out here on a regular basis doing all those different types of training.”

The department says they expect construction to be finished within a few days.

Pittsburg woman celebrates 101st birthday with a vaccine

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PITTSBURG, Kan. – A woman in Pittsburg celebrated a milestone Saturday, her 101st birthday. Along with a celebration, she received a special gift, her COVID-19 vaccine.

Mary Witt just turned 101 years old, but she didn’t celebrate with a normal birthday party. Her birthday present was a second dose of the covid-19 vaccine.

Witt says she was overwhelmed with excitement when she saw that in addition to her vaccine, she received balloons along with a cake.

“I never expected anything like this… ever,” said Witt.

She says her second dose gives her a better sense of security.

“I’m so glad now. See I’ve had the second shot, so I feel one hundred percent safe,” said Witt.

Mary Witt wasn’t the only one to receive her vaccine Saturday. Her daughter, Mary Susan Wachter did too.

“It was very unique, amazing,” said Wachter. “We’re just so happy that we’re all getting to get it at the same time. To get it at all, but at least we’ve got the second shot now done. I’m gonna feel a lot better about it and so is she, and my husband as well.”

Witt says now she feels safer than she has this whole pandemic She’s feeling even better about entering her 101st year.

Mary says she’s happy that she was able to be vaccinated with her family as well

PSU offering high schoolers prizes/scholarships at virtual open house

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PITTSBURG, Kan. – High school students have the chance to win prizes and scholarships at Pittsburg State University’s Virtual College of Technology Open House and Career Expo.

The event scheduled from Feb. 23 – Mar. 10, will offer participants the chance to win prizes and scholarships while investigating careers.

Pre-pandemic, the in-person version of the open house and career expo typically attracted several hundred students who got the chance to tour the Kansas Technology Center, where they investigated technology degree options and career fields, viewed demonstrations, and even tried out equipment themselves.

“When we held a virtual version of the event last November, we didn’t know what was going to happen,” said event coordinator John Iley. “We wound up with 30 schools in six states and about 600 registrants, and the event turned out to be a real success.”

For Spring 2021, the interactive Zoom session will be replaced with a new wrap-up activity to recognize outstanding performances, award door prizes, and introduce students to next steps in pursuing careers in technology.

“In some ways, a virtual event has advantages: it allows participants to really dive in with greater focus, it can be very individualized, and schools anywhere in the U.S. can attend,” Iley said.

College of Technology Dean Bob Frisbee said it will become a permanent part of the open house and career expo.

“In the future, we hope to again host the face-to-face open house, but we will continue to provide the virtual version for those that can’t physically attend — it will be a hybrid event,” he said.

Registration is now open at www.pittstate.edu/ktcopenhouse. On March 12, the COT will post a video announcing the winners of prizes and scholarships.  

Wendy’s takes aim at Pittsburg on National Roast Day

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PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Wendy’s social media team celebrated “National Roast Day” Thursday slamming all who quite literally asked for it. National Roasting Day is when people mercilessly mock each other, which Wendy’s loves doing.

Pittsburg Polar Plunge postponed due to extreme cold

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PITTSBURG, Kan. – Pittsburg Police Department announced Wednesday morning the Pittsburg Polar Plunge benefiting the Kansas Special Olympics has been postponed. The annual charity event will instead be held on Saturday, Feb. 27.

According to organizers, the extremely cold temperatures this weekend would have made it difficult to keep people socially distant inside the building.

Pre-registration for the new date will begin on Friday, Feb. 26 from 4:00 – 7:30 at the Crimson Villas. On the Plunge day February 27, a costume contest will be at 11:30 a.m. and the plunge begins at noon.

You can register at plungeks.org