May 4, 2004:   Senator Sam Brownback has requested that an American flag be flown over the United States Capitol on May 4, 2004, the first anniversary of the tornado that destroyed much of Franklin, Kansas.   The flag will then be presented to the community of Franklin with grateful appreciation for its true Kansas spirit and all its efforts and determination to see Franklin grow and prosper. The community of Franklin would like to thank Sen. Brownback for his continued support of our rebuilding efforts.

Kansas City Star will publish a story about the recovery process in their May 3 issue.

KOAM-TV's special will be May 4 at 6:30 pm.  Watch Channel 7 Pittsburg/Joplin at 6:30 for a report by Dowe Quick.  

KODE's special will be May 3.  Watch Channel 12 Joplin at 5, 6 and 10 for a report by Jimmy Siedlecki.  KODE will also be attending the May 4 Remembrance Ceremony so watch for a report on that also.  

KOAM & KODE will be televising specials which will include stories about Franklin.  Will update as to the airing dates and times.  

April 22, 2004:  USDA Rural Development presented a check for $1,658,800.00 to Crawford County Sewer District #3.  Read more about it and see pictures of the presentation by following the above link to "sewer project".
 
April 22, 2004: USDA Rural Development celebrates Earth Day with presentations of  projects they have funded to help improve and maintain the quality of life for cities and communities in Kansas. Rural development will be at the old site of the Franklin Community Hall on Thursday, April 22nd for their Earth Day presentation

April 15, 2004:  Interview with Joplin Globe

April 14, 2004:  Interview with Kansas City Star.  The Kansas City Star will be publishing a special section regarding the tornado recovery for Franklin, Pierce City and Sedalia.  The issue will be published May 2 or May 3.

April 13, 2004:  Combined meeting of Planning and Land Use Committee and Advisory Board to finalize plans for Arbor Day Tree Planting Project.

April 12, 2004:  Interview with KKOW.  

April 4, 2004:  Met with Tim McDonnell, District Community Forester for the Kansas Forest Service.  (Go to "Trees/Landscaping/Cleanup" link above for more information.)

March, 2004:  Congressman Ryun has again sent letters to USDA-RD on the sewer project and USPS on the postal proposal.  He has asked for updates and reiterated his desire to see positive action to help Franklin recover for the tornado.

Many articles about Franklin appeared in the Morning Sun Special Edition "Tornado Safety" in the March 17, 2004 paper.  

A letter appeared in the national magazine "Reminesce Extra" asking for Franklin memories, photos and stories.

November, 2003:   News of the donation by Paul Newman has been widely covered by the press nationally and globally.    Franklin also appeared on a fund raising site that has a question of the month.   See if you know the answer!  http://www.fundraisinginfo.com/question/current_question.jsp

AP Articles:   (October 14, 2003)  The associated press article written by Carl Manning has begun appearing in newspapers nationwide.   Notes and donations have been received from various areas of the country.     Read the articles as they appeared in different newspapers.
     

AP Story:  Carl Manning, Associated Press Writer was in Franklin September 9, 2003 to visit the tornado site and visit with some residents.  He wrote an article about the recovery process which can be read here.  

Storm Stories:  Watch the weather channel on September 9 or October 8 for a story about the tornado that came through Crawford County.