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Pizza Hut Heartland Closures: From Gene Bicknell to 2026

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From Heartland Roots to Modern Retrenchment: Pizza Hut in the Four-State Region February 10, 2026 — Columbus, KS / Wichita, KS — A wave of closures hitting approximately 250 Pizza Hut locations nationwide has sparked nostalgia and concern across the Four-State Heartland, where the brand has been a staple for decades. The closures, part of a strategic restructuring by Yum! Brands , highlight both changing consumer habits and the dramatic evolution of the chain’s ownership over nearly seven decades. A Heartland Legacy: Gene Bicknell and NPC International Pizza Hut, founded in Wichita, Kansas in 1958 , became a national icon in part thanks to O. Gene Bicknell , a visionary franchisee who founded NPC International in the early 1960s. NPC rapidly grew to become the largest Pizza Hut franchise operator in the world , ultimately controlling more than 1,200 locations across the Midwest, Plains, and beyond. Bicknell’s operations extended through Kan...
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Human Trafficking Operation Leads to Arrests in Delaware County | Operativo contra la Trata de Personas

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Multi-Agency Human Trafficking Operation Leads to Five Arrests in Delaware County By Miami News-Digest ™ Published: February 5, 2026 A coordinated multi-agency undercover operation targeting human trafficking and related crimes resulted in five arrests on January 29, 2026, in Delaware County, Oklahoma, according to law enforcement officials. The operation identified adult victims and led to arrests for solicitation, human trafficking, narcotics-related offenses, and outstanding interstate warrants. One of the individuals arrested was confirmed to be a registered sex offender under active supervision. In a separate arrest during the operation, an adult female was taken into custody on outstanding interstate warrants and charged with trafficking methamphetamine after approximately 34.8 grams were recovered by investigators. Authorities also arrested Christopher Don Jackson , who is accused of transporting his two adult daughters across ...
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What the “Tree of 40 Fruit” Teaches Us About the Future of Farming

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Monoculture vs. Polyculture in Agricultural Science What the “Tree of 40 Fruit” Teaches Us About the Future of Farming Monocultivo vs. Policultivo en la Ciencia Agrícola Lo que el “Árbol de las 40 Frutas” nos enseña sobre el futuro de la agricultura Introduction / Introducción English: Modern agriculture has largely embraced monoculture — the practice of growing a single crop variety over vast areas. While this approach has increased efficiency and short-term yields, it has also introduced ecological instability, reduced biodiversity, weakened soil health, and increased vulnerability to pests, disease, and climate change. In contrast, polyculture systems — which grow multiple crops and varieties together — offer ecological balance, resilience, and sustainability. Español: La agricultura moderna ha adoptado en gran medida el monocultivo — la práctica de cultivar una sola variedad de cultivo en grandes extensiones. Aunque este enfoque ha aumentado la...
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Investigation Launched After Ottawa County Jail Death; Prior Deaths and Serious Injuries Raise Oversight Questions

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Investigation Launched After Ottawa County Jail Death; Prior Deaths and Serious Injuries Raise Oversight Questions MIAMI, Okla. (Feb. 3, 2026) — Authorities are investigating after an inmate was found unresponsive in his cell at the Ottawa County Jail early Tuesday and later pronounced dead at a hospital, officials said. District Attorney Douglas Pewitt said Wesley Dainty was observed appearing to sleep during a routine jail check shortly before 6 a.m. About an hour later, jail staff found him unresponsive and began life-saving efforts before transporting him to a local hospital, where he died. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is handling the inquiry, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of death. Officials said the death is being investigated as a possible suicide, though no determination has been made. The latest death adds to a history of in-custody deaths and serious injuries at the Ottawa County Jail t...
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Tensions Over Lumbee Recognition Highlight Deep Divisions in Indian Country

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Tensions Over Lumbee Recognition Highlight Deep Divisions in Indian Country WASHINGTON — The federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina in December 2025 has marked a historic milestone for the Lumbee people — and reopened a long-running debate within Indian Country over identity, sovereignty, and how tribes are acknowledged by the United States. The Department of the Interior formally added the Lumbee Tribe to the list of federally recognized tribes following legislation signed by President Donald J. Trump, granting the tribe full access to federal benefits and establishing a government-to-government relationship with the United States. “Federal recognition is about respect, accountability and self-determination.” — Interior Secretary Doug Burgum Two Paths to Recognition, One Ongoing Dispute The Lumbee recognition was enacted through an act of Congress rather than the traditional administrative review process overseen by the Office of Fed...
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Boil Advisory Remains in Effect as Commerce Water Pressure Continues to Fluctuate

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Boil Advisory Remains in Effect as Commerce Water Pressure Continues to Fluctuate COMMERCE, Okla. — The City of Commerce said Friday afternoon that it does not expect to completely lose water service, but residents may continue to experience extended periods of low or no water pressure as the city works to stabilize its water system amid freezing temperatures and high demand. In an update issued at 3:10 p.m. Friday , city officials said the municipal water tower is struggling to refill to levels needed to supply normal pressure to all customers due to extremely high water usage. Officials asked residents to conserve water while the tower refills. Water pressure is expected to drop further during peak usage times, including 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. , according to the city. Despite rumors circulating on social media, city officials said all required protocols are being followed in accordance with state and federal regulations, and all approp...
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Police Seek Public’s Help in Pryor Creek Larceny Investigation Policía solicita ayuda del público en investigación por hurto en Pryor Creek

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Police Seek Public’s Help in Pryor Creek Larceny Investigation PRYOR CREEK, Okla. — The Pryor Creek Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect connected to a larceny reported late Tuesday night at a local business. According to police, the incident occurred at approximately 10:17 p.m. on Jan. 28, 2026 , at Casey’s Vapor in Pryor Creek. Investigators say the individual shown in surveillance images is a person of interest in the case. After the incident, the suspect reportedly fled the scene on foot, heading west from the business into a nearby wooded area. Authorities are urging anyone who recognizes the individual or has information related to the incident to contact the Pryor Creek Police Department. Tips may be provided anonymously. Anyone with information is asked to call 918-825-1212. The investigation remains ongoing. — Miami News-Digest Policía solicita ayuda del público en investigación por hurto en Pryor Cr...
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