When Tim and Debbie Lang sit down to watch the evening news each night, the coverage is typically dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic and how it is impacting the world.

PAOLA - Local residents may have noticed the new Edward Jones sign and construction going on inside the old UPS Store location at 1601 E. Peoria St. in Paola.

Restricting large gatherings has had a big impact on a number of businesses, but it’s been an absolute punch in the gut to event venues.

Pat Flaherty is always on the lookout for a good informational topic to highlight during monthly training sessions with his staff at Reliance Label Solutions in Paola.

PAOLA — Moving across the street may not seem like a big deal for someone who’s flown planes, driven across Europe and trudged through the jungles of Africa.

SPRING HILL — The Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce recently conducted a ribbon- cutting ceremony to celebrate the reopening of The Collar Pet Boutique & Grooming under new ownership.

OSAWATOMIE — Bruce Sharp loves his new kitchen — although it might be more appropriate to call it a laboratory.

PAOLA — Edward Jones Financial Advisor Curtis Long of Paola recently was invited to attend the Barron’s 2019 Top Financial Advisors Summit.

SPRING HILL — The 28th annual Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce dinner and awards event took place Tuesday, Nov. 12, at The Meadowlark Event Center in Spring Hill.

PAOLA — Julie Zoller loves her new location.

PAOLA — Congregation members at Friendship Faith Ministries in Paola have been enjoying Essie McConico’s cooking for the past 37 years, and now the rest of the community can get a taste of her homestyle southern favorites.

PAOLA - The annual Kansas Day celebration organized by the Paola Chamber of Commerce has a new name and location this year.

GARNETT — Monroe 816, a furniture and home decor boutique in Garnett, recently was honored by the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Minority and Women Business Development.

PAOLA — Dogs were sizzling on the grill and dressed up for Halloween during First Option Bank’s first-ever “Dogs” for Dogs event Friday, Oct. 25.

Paola — North Point Skilled Nursing held a staff appreciation day Sept. 30 to honor their part in parent company Americare Senior Living earning the 2019 Customer Approved Award from the healthcare-intelligence firm NRC Health based in Lincoln, Neb.

The merger of Kansas City Power & Light and Westar Energy to form Evergy, which took place in June 2018, was celebrated Monday, Oct. 7, by employees of the Paola and Ottawa service centers.

SPRING HILL — The Bean Coffee Company in Spring Hill recently was presented with an Award of Merit from the Kansas Department of Commerce.

PAOLA — It’s been 40 years since Walmart first opened in Paola, and Assistant Manager Karen Blanck has been there every step of the way.