It was one year ago, and right about this time (a quarter ’til midnight) that ScoopFire made its soft launch.
ScoopFire got off to a slow start. People in Andover, even the ones who kind of knew me, weren’t sure what to make of ScoopFire.
One thing I knew for sure: We’d have good stories. I’ve got a solid reporting background and reputation, and I knew writers and photographers I could count on to help me out … if for no other reason, than for the future of “newspaper” journalism.
But as Editor and Director of Operations of ScoopFire, I had a few doubts. I told our owner people didn’t know who we were … and to confuse them further, we had a funny name.
His reply: “Oh, you mean like Yahoo?”
Touche.
My wife and I are the owners of ScoopFire now, as you might have read from … well, Yahoo! News. (See below post.)
Still, it’s been tough getting our name out, despite taking out ads in both the Andover High School Bluestreak and the Andover Central Spotlight..
But the way I figured, if you put out a good product, time is on your side.
Indeed, readership has been up. Every month is a record month.
A couple weeks ago, we became media partners with KWCH, the No. 1 news station in Wichita. Which is great news. It will give ScoopFire - and Andover - a lot more exposure.
After I interviewed Andover mayor Ben Lawrence tonight, I told him about our new deal.
“That’s really cool,” he said. “It’s because you guys have an awesome name.”
There was a smirk on his face as he said this. But I’ll take it as a compliment.

Google these three phrases together - “coffee shop” “tax liability” and “public library” - and the top worldwide result of your search will be a news story on the closing of Scooter’s coffee shop Andover, Kansas.
The tax issue is cleared up, at least for now, and Java Villa will be taking over that space in the library starting next month. You can read more here.

OK, not really. But news of the recent sale of ScoopFire was picked up by several media outlets, including ComputerUsers, Topix, TMCnet, StreetInsider and Yahoo! News.

The Yahoo! article can be read here.

Last spring, FasTan owner Amy Spoonemore spoke vehemently of her concerns that the government would drive her out of business. (See “Andover tanning salons feeing burned by the government” in the news section of ScoopFire.)
The FDA is considering a ban for people under 18 to use tanning beds because of the cancer risks involved. Spoonemore said about half her clients in Andover were high schoolers.
As of this month, tanning salons are also charging customers a 10 percent tax on all services and products to comply with the U.S. health-care overhaul signed into law by President Barack Obama.
“And I voted for Obama,” Spoonemore said.
Last week, Spoonemore said she sold her popular business, located at 340 S. Andover Rd., to Carribean Sun.

Dave Dvorak attended college in his home state, at the University of Connecticut. He was an ROTC student majoring in animal science.
That education led to a job with Cargill, which meant he had to move to Dodge City. He was there for 12 years. He finally moved to Wichita, where he quickly made friends and was a customer at Carl Mitchell Liquors at the southwest corner of Kellogg and Andover Road.
When the opportunity came to buy that store, Dvorak got creative. He has silent partners, and didn’t want to name the store after himself.
“Flint Hills National (Country Club) was opening up about that time,” Dvorak said. “I enjoy driving through the Flint Hills, and the name just kind of stuck with me. It has a nice ring to it.”
And that’s how Flint Hills Wine and Spirits got its name.
Dvorak admits it’s a little long. Classy, though.
He’s still involved with animals. He lives south of Augusta, with 40 acres and 12 horses.

The City Council voted last night to allow Andover’s fireworks stands to stay up until 11 p.m., starting tomorrow (Thursday).
A friend of mine recently guestimated the average household in the zip code of 67002 spends $250 annually on fireworks. Sounds high to me. What do you think?

Just a reminder that tomorrow (Thursday) will be “ScoopFire Night” at Timbuktu Bar and Grill, on the southwest corner of 13th St. and Andover Rd. A handful of businesses will be teaming to raise money for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society from 6-8 p.m. You can read more about the cause on ScoopFire.com under the headline “Strong down the stretch,” which focuses on the efforts of Andover’s Patricia Voth Blankenship.
Gentry Brown (pictured), the Andover four-year-old who was named The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Boy of the Year, has a soccer game that night. His mother said she will try to bring him by Timbuktu during the event, but no promises. You can read his story here.

The Andover YMCA’s outdoor swimming pool will open tomorrow, Saturday, May 29, at 1 p.m. If you have any questions, its helpful staff is available at (316) 733-9622.

Hope Community Church, 1831 E. 21st St., will be having a blood drive from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, June 6.
You may make an appointment by calling (316) 268-0835, or schedule online at www.redcrossblood.com.

More details will follow this week, but Timbuktu Bar and Grill is having a ‘ScoopFire Night’ on Thursday, June 3 in an effort to raise money for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
It will go towards a campaign for Andover resident Patricia Voth Blankenship, a Wichita attorney who is up for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Woman of the Year.
Silpada Designs and ImageWorks are also involved in the fundraiser. Scoopfire is sponsoring a Bud Light keg on the patio. Timbuktu is providing brownie bites, Buk’s Popcorn, soda, ice tea, lemonade, and extra staff on the patio.
Timbuktu is also making a cash donation, and a percentage of the proceeds from Silpada purchases that night - and a jewerly and closet makeover raffle item - will go toward the cause.