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Longtime housing manufacturing plant, KanBuild, Inc., in
Osage City, announced an indefinite shutdown Feb. 18, citing
a reduction of demand and laying off its 78 employees. The
company auctioned off its tools and vehicles in June.
January
The Pomona Lake Ski Club began 2011 with a decades-old tradition
of water skiing on the first day of the year, in 33-degree
water and 27-degree air.
The county received its first measurable snow of the season
around Jan. 10, about six inches.
The Scranton City Council motioned to send Police Chief
Larry Alexander to police academy to obtain credentials
to serve as a Kansas law enforcement officer. Alexander
had Missouri credentials, where he previously worked for
20 years.
Plans to open a gas and convenience store in Melvern were
stalled by the location of a natural gas line. Joyce Lacey
wanted to vacate an alley between two lots she owns to create
parking for the business.
Burlingame City Council awarded $855,402 contract to Emcon
Construction, of Topeka, for the first phase of a sewer
improvement project.
Sunday liquor sales were approved by the Overbrook City
Council.
Burlingame Historical Preservation Society celebrated Kansas
Day with a presentation about the Harvey Girls, women who
worked at Harvey Houses along the Santa Fe Railroad.
James R. Garton, 54, Osage City, was killed in a one-vehicle
accident on Jan. 18. His vehicle left the road and struck
a tree on U.S. 56 Highway one mile north of Osage City.
February
Scranton City Council awarded a $1.84 million construction
contract to KC Construction, Inc., of Basehor, for a sewer
upgrade project, set to be completed in 2011.
Osage City Police Officer Nathan Purling was honored for
life-saving actions while on duty. Purling preventing an
attempted suicide by a local woman, gaining entry to her
car to save her from dying.
Assistant attorney general Amy Hanley notified James Kraig
Kahler and attorneys the state would seek the death penalty
in the upcoming capital murder trial. Kahler, 48, was charged
with capital murder for the deaths of his wife, Karen, his
daughters Emily and Lauren, and Karen’s grandmother,
Dorothy Wight. All were shot in Wight’s Burlingame
home Nov. 28, 2009.
Frozen pipes caused water to flood the basement of the utility
building Feb. 2 at the Osage County Courthouse in Lyndon.
Damage was minimized, as the boiler building is no longer
used.
An Osage City home was a complete loss after fire destroyed
the residence Feb. 2.
Carbondale Attendance Center students Brian Hawkins and
Tambour Bieker took top prizes in the county spelling bee
Feb. 10 at Burlingame High School.
First-year Osage City Elementary School Principal Ben Coltrane
announced his resignation at the Feb. 9 meeting of the USD
420 Board of Education. Coltrane had taken a leave of absence
for the remainder of the year.
Long-time housing manufacturing plant, KanBuild, Inc., in
Osage City, announced an indefinite shutdown Feb. 18, citing
a reduction of demand and laying off its 78 employees. The
company later auctioned off its tools and vehicles in June.
Seven county wrestlers, two from Burlingame and five from
Santa Fe Trail, wrestled at state meets Feb. 25-26 in Hays
and Salina. SFT junior Ed Fitzgerald placed fourth at 215
pounds.
A grocery store survey conducted by the Burlingame City
Council received mixed results. “The data does not
indicate there is overwhelming support for a grocery store,”
the report stated.
March
Around 150 people attended a storm spotter training class
conducted by the National Weather Service in Topeka March
2 at the Melvern Community Center.
Replacement of a boxed culvert closed a section of U.S.
56 Highway between Scranton and U.S. 75 from March through
June.
Figures released from the 2010 census showed a 2.5 percent
reduction in county population from 16,712 to 16,295.
Carbondale City Council heard citizen complaints for the
third time since the beginning of the year at the March
7 meeting, where a business accused the department of not
responding to calls.
James Kahler’s attorneys announced plans to use his
mental state as a defense in the capital murder trial. Kahler
was accused of killing four family members in 2009 in Burlingame.
Overbrook drained its water tower following concerns of
its structural integrity brought up by residents. The tower
was inspected the previous summer, but may have been damaged
by winter weather.
The Lyndon boys’ basketball team placed second at
the Class 2A State Tournament in Manhattan, the team’s
best postseason finish. The Osage City girls’ basketball
team qualified for the 3A state tournament.
April
A freight train derailed April 1, one-half mile east of
Olivet, causing 21 of the 115 cars to leave the track. Cars
carrying sand and agricultural products overturned and were
significantly damaged.
County, municipal and school board elections were held April
5. There were 1,973 ballots counted, a turnout of about
18 percent of the county’s 10,764 registered voters.
Blue Bucket BBQ, Topeka, placed first in the eighth annual
Smoke in the Spring barbecue competition April 8-9 in Osage
City. More than $12,000 in barbecue was sold during weekend.
USD 420 Board of Education hired math teacher Dena Paul
as principal of the elementary school for the 2011-12 school
year.
Carbondale City Council accepted the resignation of police
chief Jon Reed. Burlingame residents and officials planted
trees in Sumner Park to celebrate Earth Day.
The Osage County Senior Center hosted its fifth annual senior
resource fair April 28, providing check-ups and information
to area elders.
An anonymous complaint led to a review of compatibility
with the American Disabilities Act at Huffman Park in Osage
City.
Part II of the Top Stories of 2011 will be published in
the Jan. 5 edition of
The Osage County Herald-Chronicle, beginning with May stories.
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