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See Part 1 for January through June
July
July opened with Osage County celebrating independence with fireworks
shows throughout the county at Scranton, Overbrook, Eisenhower State
Park, Pomona State Park and Pomona Lake.
Citizens weighed in on a proposed swimming pool at Carbondale during
a public meeting. Problems with the existing pool were estimated
to cost up to $400,000; a new pool with full package of options
could cost $1.5 million.
Area bankers, county commissioners and contractors gathered on the
steps of the Osage County Courthouse in a celebration of an upcoming
energy renovation project. Participating banks in the $1.1 million
loan for the project were Lyndon State Bank, Citzens State Bank
of Lyndon, Bank of Osage City, First State Bank of Burlingame, State
Bank of Carbondale, and First Security Bank of Overbrook. The project
was expected to begin within two weeks.
City of Lyndon announced the second phase of sewer systems improvements
would begin this month.
Don and Adrienne Dickey’s home in Quenemo was destroyed by
an electrical fire. Don was notified of the fire while in Iraq,
where he was serving with the Army National Guard Field Artillery,
and was granted emergency leave to return home. Quenemo residents
quickly gathered clothing, food and necessities for the family.
The 63rd Osage City Osage County Fair ran July 12-16, with the
fair parade’s them of “Holidays.”
Osage County emergency management coordinator Sheila Dale informed
the Melvern City Council that mitigation funds and flood insurance
could now be available due to 2007’s floods. The city’s
inclusion in the National Flood Insurance Program and development
of a flood mitigation plan would allow area residents to purchase
federally backed flood insurance.
Lyndon City Council prepared the city’s budget in anticipation
of citizens approving a one-cent sales tax. A public hearing on
the budget was set one day before the Aug. 5 election decides whether
the tax revenue can be included in the budget.
With almost half of the project paid for, construction had yet to
begin on energy renovations at the Osage County Courthouse. Two
payments, $269,421 in mobilization funds and one of three $215,537
monthly payments, were approved at the July 20 meeting of the Osage
County Commission. A final payment of $169,653 is to be paid in
October or at completion of the project. A representative of Trane
Commercial Systems said materials had been ordered and work would
begin within a few weeks.
For the second straight year, Osage City hosted the Junior Babe
Ruth State Tournament. Local families were sought to be hosts for
players.
A 59-year-old Topeka woman was arrested on charges of prostitution
and promoting prostitution, north of Carbondale at a business known
as “Foxy Lady’s.”
A special public meeting held in Burlingame indicated the community’s
support for the second phase of a water system improvement project
designed to replace the remainder of the city’s water mains
and pipes not replaced in the first phase of the project. About
50 residents attended the meeting to discuss the $704,423 project.
The Osage County Attorney Brandon Jones filed a notice of forfeiture
of $270,210 after the cash was seized from a man driving along Interstate
35 in southern Osage County. The man, Castro Garcia, 30, of Mexico,
was southbound when stopped for an obscured license tag. He was
held for customs officials, while his truck was impounded. Jones
said the funds were proceeds of violations of controlled substances
laws.
A Carbondale man was arrested after an anonymous tip led police
to a suspected methamphetamine lab in Osage City. Investigation
resulted in the arrest of Tanner M. Lira, 18. He was charged with
manufacturing methamphetamine, conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine,
and possession of drug paraphernalia.
August
Record numbers turned out for Burlingame’s second annual
National Night Out, held in Jones Park. The celebration offered
games, inflatable toys, live music, and a meal to about 500 people.
With the tally completed about 1 a.m. the day after Election Day,
voters decided Laurie Dunn would be the only candidate on the ballot
for sheriff in the November election. Other local primary election
winners included Kenneth Kuykendall, for District 3 commissioner,
and James Foster, District 2 commissioner.
A sewer renovation project in Lyndon determined that one of the
city’s main sewer lines runs directly under the Osage County
Courthouse. Lyndon Mayor Bruce Williams suggested the line be routed
to the east of the courthouse, blocking off and leaving the former
main line to serve the courthouse.
Burlingame City Council approved amendments to phase two of the
water project, agreed to place a one-cent sales tax on the November
ballot, and raised the city’s tax levy by 2.657 mills.
Acting on safety concerns over new interior storm windows at the
Osage County Courthouse, county commissioners sought advice from
the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s office. Following an inspection,
field inspector Steve Zerr explained to commissioners a 10-page
notice of safety violations, which gave 30 days for response from
the county. Violations pertained to emergency exits, lighting and
signage, openings between floors and no fire alarm system.
Burlingame Fire Department responded to a structure fire the morning
of Aug. 8. Firefighters arrived to find Michelle Friedli’s
home engulfed in flames. The Kansas State Fire Marshal’s office
said the fire was incendiary and investigation of the case continued.
Area superintendents readied schools as summer came to an end for
students.
The Overbrook Osage County Fair continued with the first of two
scheduled parades, themed “Disney Memories.”
Osage City Council was presented a report on the Osage City Osage
County Fair, noting that fair board members would be considering
whether to include a carnival in the future or a change in the dates
of the fair. During the meeting, council members also declined an
agreement with Westar Energy to replace trees in the city.
Carbondale City Council voted to place a one-cent sales tax on the
ballot in the Nov. 4 general election. The tax would be used for
construction, maintenance and operation of a new swimming pool.
Eric S. Kennedy, 24, Scranton, died at the scene of a rollover accident
in southern Shawnee County. Three passengers were transported to
area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
Nick Hernandez began his job as Osage City manager, after moving
to town with his wife, 3-year-old daughter and 4-month-old son.
He previously was employed by the city of Salina as a management
assistant.
Burlingame City Council heard from citizens opposed to raising the
city’s mill levy. Afterwards, the council approved the 2009
budget with no changes, on a 3-2 vote.
September
The city of Burlingame will provide utilities to Schuyler Museum
until April, at which time it will be the decision of citizens whether
to continue funding for the 7-year-old museum. The council’s
decision to place the issue on a ballot came after museum supporters
and others packed the council room to discuss the city’s support
of the museum.
Scranton Chief of Police Mark Knowles submitted his letter of resignation,
effective Sept. 2. Mayor Gary Burkdoll said part time officers and
sheriff’s deputies would cover the city until a replacement
could be found.
Burlingame City Administrator Flip Hutfles announced that he would
be resigning, effective Oct. 3.
After nine years on the job, Osage County Appraiser Marg Archer
announced her last day on the job would be Sept. 26.
Carbondale City Council considered excessive charges for work done
on the city’s secondary water treatment basin. The contractor
agreed to remove about $15,000 in charges for a faulty flow meter
and painting the basin.
At least two Carbondale citizens lodged complaints against police
officer Gregg Wallace, alleging improper treatment of a minor during
a disturbance at a street dance. The city council agreed to request
an outside law enforcement agency conduct an investigation.
Stacy Berry was hired as county appraiser, formerly a deputy appraiser.
Overbrook water users will pay higher sewer rates in 2009 to pay
a $420,000 KDHE loan, effective Jan. 1.
Osage City Council ended negotiations of a lease agreement and demanded
Schroeder Drugs Inc. either purchase or vacate a portion of the
city-built medical center within 30 days.
A Douglas County jury convicted Ramona Morgan, 49, of two counts
of unintentional second-degree murder for the deaths of two highway
workers who were killed Sept. 11, 2007, when the speeding pickup
she was driving plowed into them.
Osage County Attorney Brandon Jones announced that forfeiture proceedings
for $270,210 confiscated from a Mexican citizen were successful.
Jones said 85 percent of the funds would be distributed to the Osage
County Sheriff’s Office and 15 percent would go to the county
attorney’s office. The drugs were forfeited as drug money
after being found hidden in a secret compartment in a 1998 Ford
pickup driven by Castro Garcia, 30.
Burlingame City Council members questioned the amount charged for
work done on the city library and agreed to delay the contractor’s
payment pending further review.
A project that added a work release cell and six beds to the Osage
County Jail was officially completed. The original completion date
of the $129,129 project was May 25, but a 52-day extension allowed
the contractor to obtain security facility toilet fixtures.
Workers on Lyndon’s sewer rehabilitation project reported
finding areas in need of repair that were not noted on a map of
recommended repair points. Council members decided the engineering
firm that created the map should be consulted.
The city of Scranton may soon begin receiving $500 a month if an
agreement with Crossroads Wireless is finalized. The agreement would
allow a cellular antenna to be placed on the city’s water
tower.
Osage County walkers raised over $50,000 for the American Cancer
Society during the 10th annual Relay For Life held at the Lyndon
High School track Sept. 27-28.
October
Expenses added to Burlingame’s water project required decisions
to be made by the city council. In all, about $43,000 of additional
materials and labor, including fire hydrants, removal of old meters
and installation of new, and a chlorinator, were considered to be
added to the $752,886 project.
An architect investigating safety violations at the Osage County
Courthouse notifed commissioners of communications with the Kansas
State Fire Marshal’s Office that indicated occupancy of the
upper two floors must be less than 50 people.
Santa Fe Trail Days were underway in Overbrook with a trip back
in time, featuring craftsmen, mountain man encampment, and a horse
parade, the route of which included a portion of the Santa Fe Trail.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation declined to investigate a Carbondale
Police Officer Greg Wallace’s alleged treatment of a minor
during a disturbance at the city’s street dance. The Carbondale
City Council agreed to request a Missouri police department to investigate.
He was cleared of all wrongdoing.
Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) presented a report to
county commissioners regarding the old railroad bridge across U.S.
Highway 75. An estimate of $1.5 million was given to remove the
bridge, columns and abuttments, and construct a 187-foot pedestrian
bridge in its place. KDOT stated it could be years before the project
could be funded.
Overbrook City Council members agreed that bids had been handled
appropriately for developing a children’s fishing pond. A
PRIDE representative had been granted authority by the council to
approve bids on the project, which was co-sponsored by PRIDE.
Auburn Road travelers were notified of upcoming bridge construction
that will disrupt travel. Projects will be staggered to allow area
residents who live between the two Shawnee County bridges to have
road access. Work will be done in the summers of 2010 and 2011.
Osage County Crimestoppers celebrated 10 years of the citizen-led
crime prevention program with a banquet at the Osage City Elementary
School cafeteria.
The city of Burlingame adopted an aluminum-recycling program with
proceeds to help pay utilities for Schuyler Museum.
November
County commissioner William Prescott won a position in the Kansas
Legislature, defeating opponent Jim Irey by over 600 votes.
Renovations at Grace Lutheran included installation of new stained
glass windows. Over $28,000 was raised through church members, their
families, and memorial contributions.
A Halloween evening fire destroyed a metal building and its contents
near Michigan Valley. The investigation was hampered due to smoldering
hay bales within the structure.
Lyndon City Administrator Larry Thurston suggested the city council
consider expanding the ongoing sewer rehabilitation project to include
more lines on the south side of town, adding $80,000 to a loan to
match available grant funds.
The city of Burlingame and Burlingame High School agreed to partner
on a project to update the city’s Web site.
Students welcomed veterans for assemblies and luncgh at several
Osage County Schools. At Osage City, veterans and students listened
to stories from veterans historian Gail Beal.
Willing Workers 4-H Club celebrated the group’s 70th anniversary
at the Osage City Community Building.
Overbrook City Council asked citizens to help decide whether a full-time
police officer should be hired. A Dec. 16 advisory election was
set.
Carbondale voters approved a one-cent sales tax to generate revenue
to construct an aquatic center.
Romona Morgan, 49, was sentenced to more than 26 years in prison
for plowing into two highway workers with her pickup truck and killing
them on Sept. 11, 2007. incident.
Melvern volunteers served Thanksgiving dinner to approximately
600 people during the annual community gathering.
A chain of errors resulted in Osage County taxpayers receiving 2006
tax statements in the mail. A Wichita printing company accepted
responsibility for the error and mailed corrected 2008 statements
at no charge to the county.
Osage County Commission agreed to a plan to reroute one of Lyndon’s
sewer mains from under the courthouse. The line will be blocked
uphill from the courthouse, and will remain as the courthouse’s
sewer service line.
Burlingame businesses were notified that funds would be available
for downtown building improvements from a grant of $25,000 through
the Federal Home Loan Bank.
A Scranton woman, Denise Ogle, 50, was critically injured and later
died from a head-on collision on U.S. Highway 75.
An Osage City pharmacist answered Osage City’s eviction petition
with a counterclaim of $75,000. Schroeder Drugs Inc. agreed to pay
monthly rent until the issue is settled in court.
Burlingame City Council agreed to add to an ongoing water system
project in an effort to improve reliability of the system.
Matthew Soper, 22, Quenemo, died from injuries after a one-vehicle
rollover accident near Michigan Valley.
December
Scranton City Council examined the efficiency of city services,
including electrical distribution, code enforcement and the community
building. Recommendations include upgrade of transformers and poles.
Businesses and residents of Burlingame held the 19th Annual Country
Christmas celebration. The annual event commenced with a lighted
Christmas parade.
Osage County commissioners found out that a proposed revamp of Lyndon’s
sewer system would cost the county less than expected: $1,400 instead
of a previous estimate of $7,000.
The city of Lyndon will soon be considering a sewer rate increase
in order to meet project loan obligations and maintain a reserve
for operation and maintenance.
USD 434 Santa Fe Trail Board of Education was notified of two deficiencies
identified during an audit of the district’s public funds.
The deficiencies related to the ability of the district to segregate
duties involved in handling funds.
Water rate increases were on the horizon after the Carbondale City
Council’s consideration. Discussion of the increase was tabled
until January when the city’s water rate ordinance is to be
enacted.
USD 420 Osage City Board of Education heard from several district
patrons about their concerns and hopes for the future of the high
school football team. The head and assistant football coaches had
recently resigned.
While water works’ renovations continued, the city of Burlingame
was notified of deficiencies in water quality, noting noncompliance
with lead and copper standards.
Lyndon ushered in the Christmas season with a downtown parade and
craft show.
Jeni Bahnmaier, Reading, and Gail Lohmeyer, Osage City, were $1,000
winners in The Osage County Herald-Chronicle’s Christmas on
Us drawing. Twenty-nine area sponsors participated in the four-week
promotion, with over 120,000 tickets given out, representing over
$1.2 million in sales in the county.
USD 420 Osage City Board of Education asked the community for input
as the district plans future facilities improvements. The first
meeting of a citizens advisory committee was scheduled for 6 p.m.
Jan. 14.
State Representative Joe Humerickhouse will be retiring from public
service after serving 14 years in the state legislature. |
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