Culture

According to the last census, the population of Hepler, Kansas, is just 90. Despite its size, the community is home to a Fourth of July tradition that's lasted over half a century.

The Colonial Fox Theatre Foundation is partnering with Devil Damnit Promotions and Booking for an outdoor summer movie series. It will run every Friday and Saturday starting on June 19 and end with a Friday-only showing on July 24.

“Fort Scott Stories” features a variety of community members, including business owners, teachers, city workers and life-long residents. It premiered on April 26 with a red carpet event at the Gordon Parks Museum.

At the end of March, city commissioners approved the purchase of 23.7 acres of land for a new park, which will feature three soccer fields. The land was previously owned by Mercy Health Pittsburg and is on Centennial Drive between Hospital Drive and Springdale Street.

Filmmakers from across the country will soon have their work shown in Webb City. The annual Uplift Film Fest expanded this year and will feature films from 18 different states. KRPS’s Raegan Neufeld recently spoke with festival organizer Steve Head about what attendees can expect.

Southeast Kansas residents gathered at the Miners Hall Museum on Sunday for information about the historic walking dragline.

“Kansas Matters: Twenty-First-Century Writers on the Sunflower State” was published in September 2025. It contains poems, essays and short fiction from 35 authors. The writings are described as what the authors know Kansas to be and what they want it to be.

Nine members of the 1975-76 Pittsburg High School girls basketball team reunited on Dec. 6 for the Purple Dragons’ game against Shawnee Mission North. They celebrated the 50th anniversary of their season, which was the first season of girls basketball at PHS.

The rededication reception is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the auditorium, and it will include live music, refreshments and drinks. The deadline to RSVP is November 20.

Patrons can now check out materials from the Frontenac Public Library. A ribbon cutting ceremony and open house were held on Nov. 11 to celebrate the opening.