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Conference speaker encourages Stuco members to keep ‘eyes up’ while driving

Marais des Cygnes Valley Stuco members at the regional conference at Silver Lake High School, front from left, Bill Romi, Meka Freeman, Haylie Fine, Braylee Patterson, and Greyson Stephens, middle, Kelsey Rice, Akyra Traver, Kaylynn Todd, Taytum Gellhaus, Ella Reed, and Aubrey Vogeler, back, Olivia Lacey, Emily Criqui, Bella Reeser, Kate Patterson, Colbie Cormode, and Gracen Stahl. Not pictured are Montana McCurdy, Allie Reeser, and sponsor Lisa Reeser.

On Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, the Marais des Cygnes Valley Junior High and High School StuCo traveled to Silver Lake High School for the regional Stuco conference.

Keynote speaker was Ben Grannis, who shared with the students his message of ‘Eyes Up’; his mission of encouraging everyone to be a safe driver and keep their eyes on the road while driving.

After this, students broke up into groups for a general session and advisors had their own meeting. Following the conference, MdCV Stuco members enjoyed lunch at Red Robin before returning to school.

Eat Well to Be Well: Jump-start weight loss with a protein-packed breakfast

Adding more protein to your diet is one of the most effective ways to lose weight. And the best time to begin starts in the morning by eating breakfast.

Starting your day with a protein-rich breakfast can be an effective strategy if you’re looking to lose weight. Research has demonstrated that a high-protein breakfast can assist in achieving weight loss objectives and preventing weight gain in both teenagers and adults.

Often touted as “the most important meal of the day,” breakfast is already well-known for improving concentration, memory, and energy levels. A high-protein breakfast’s effectiveness for weight loss is becoming increasingly apparent. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggested that a high-protein breakfast can be valuable for weight loss, particularly in teenagers. So, what defines how much protein should be in a high-protein breakfast? The magic numbers appear to be 25-35 grams. Unfortunately, the average American consumes far short of that, with approximately only 10 to 15 grams at breakfast, and the protein source often coming from high-sugar breakfast cereals.

Skipping breakfast is directly linked to weight gain, higher BMI, and obesity. It is imperative to acknowledge the significance of a balanced breakfast and not overlook its impact on overall health and wellness. Therefore, it is highly recommended to make sure that breakfast is an essential part of our daily routine.

MdCV crowns 2023 royalty at Melvern homecoming celebration

Marais des Cygnes Valley High School 2023 Homecoming Royalty. Photo by Lisa Reeser.

MELVERN, Kan. – While Marais des Cygnes Valley High School couldn’t claim victory at Friday’s football game, Melvern still had plenty to celebrate during its 2023 Homecoming. Crowned as this year’s MdCV Homecoming Queen and King were Haylea Bethell and Corey Criss. In the crowning ceremony prior to the kickoff for the home game against Marmaton Valley, 2022 Homecoming King and Queen, Kyler Anschutz and Kyla Vogeler, presented the crowns to the new king and queen. During the homecoming game, the Wildcats claimed a win over the Trojans with a 60-0 score.

MdCV 2023 Homecoming Queen Haylea Bethell is the daughter of Jeff and Jo Bethell and Curt and Christi Allen. In high school, Haylea has been involved in volleyball, basketball, softball, class treasurer, track, band, and FFA. In her free time, Haylea enjoys hanging out with friends, helping her dad on the farm, and reading books.

MdCV 2023 Homecoming King Corey Criss is the son of Matt and Angie Criss. In high school, Corey has been involved in football, basketball, FFA, and Washburn Tech-Auto Service Technician. In his free time, Corey enjoys working at the Melvern Lake Marina, and fishing, hunting, and hanging out with friends.

Also serving as senior homecoming candidates were Olivia Lacey and Deken Colyer. Olivia is the daughter of Matt and Amy Lacey. In high school, Olivia has been involved in volleyball, basketball, softball, StuCo, FFA, FCCLA, FBLA, Band, Choir, class president, and NHS. In her free time, Olivia enjoys being a volunteer firefighter for Osage County Fire District No. 3, and “The Loft” youth group member at Mount Pleasant.

Deken is the son of Amanda and Carl Colyer. In high school, Deken has been involved in football, basketball, baseball, and in Washburn Tech-Electrical Technology. In his free time, Deken enjoys riding four-wheelers, hanging out with friends, and going to church.

Fall turkey season suspended in Kansas due to population declines

PRATT, Kan. – Beginning this fall, Kansas will have no fall turkey hunting season due to declining populations at state and regional levels. The decision was arrived at by members of the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission after hearing recommendations from staff over the course of four public meetings.

“We’ve documented consistent declines in turkey populations over the last 15 years largely due to reduced production levels,” said Kent Fricke, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks small game biologist. “These trends are not unique to Kansas. States across the Midwest and Southeast have experienced similar patterns in turkey populations.”

Though far fewer turkey hunters participate in the fall season than in the spring in Kansas, wildlife biologists said it remained an important component of overall harvest.

“The estimated statewide fall harvest of turkey was less than 500 birds in 2022,” said Fricke. “While this is a small proportion of the statewide population, fall harvest is an additive source of mortality for turkeys, especially when hens are harvested.”

Senior Center: Osage County represented at sunflower and scarecrow contests at state fair

Osage County’s entry in the Kansas State Fair Sunflower Contest. Courtesy photo.

Hello from the Osage County Senior Center and the Osage County Public Transportation.

Osage County has entered the Sunflower and Scarecrow Contest at the Kansas State Fair, and we here at the senior center made the entry – it was a group effort. We took it to the state fair Thursday of last week and are waiting to hear how we placed.

I also would like to mention that Osage City Police Chief Fred Nech has gone above and beyond his line of duty with a homeless family in Osage City. He has found them shelter and food, and is personally putting them on a bus Saturday to send them back home to her family. I just think that kindness these days is hard to find, and wanted to tell everyone that there are still kind people in this world, and in this small town in Kansas.

The next Lunch Bunch will be to Four Corners on Sept. 22; leaving at 10:30 a.m. The ceramics class is up and going; $4 per class, most supplies are furnished. High Rollers is 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursday afternoons.

Home Town Health Care is here to call quarter bingo at 10 a.m. every Tuesday; come and enjoy. The casino trip will be Sept. 26, call now and make your reservations. Starting in this month we are going to do shopping trips on the first and third Thursdays of the month – we will be going to Topeka Walmart, Sam’s and Aldi’s. Riders need to call the Transportation department to make reservations. These trips will take place of using public transportation on a daily basis for shopping trips, and will allow us to better use transportation for other trips and serve more clients.

Herms Footcare is here at 9 a.m. Sept. 14; those interested must call them for an appointment.

Here at the senior center, we are in need of donations of buttons and lace. If anyone has any they would like to donate we would love to have them.

I am open to all suggestions for activities and or outings. Don’t forget that we rent out the senior center as a venue, for any events that might need a larger accommodation.

Come and enjoy the fun and activities with us! Thanks Franny!

Santa Fe Trail girls golfers on par for successful 2023 season

SFTHS golfers at West Franklin tournament on Sept. 6, included Braegan Buessing, Bailey Anshutz, Ashley Masters, Taylor Long and Shelby Garrison. Courtesy photo.

Santa Fe Trail High School girls golf team has been driving through regional tournaments, beginning their competition Aug. 24, 2023, at the Jeff West 9-Hole Invitational at Village Greens Golf Course, and placing fourth out of seven teams. SFTHS competitors in the tournament were Bailey Anshutz, Braegan Buessing, Addison Alvarez, Ashley Masters, Shelby Garrison, and Katrina Drury.

SFTHS golfers in the top 10 individual medalists were Anshutz, who shot 45 for 6th, and Braegan Buessing, who shot 44 for 3rd.

On Aug. 28, SFTHS competed in the Ottawa Open at Ottawa Great Life; competing were Bailey Anshutz, Braegan Buessing, Ashley Masters, Shelby Garrison, Taylor Long, Claire Greenfield.

Out of 53 competitors, SFTHS had two top 10 individual medalists., Buessing, with a score of 42, took 6th, and, and Anshutz took 3rd, shooting 39.

Aug. 31, SFTHS hosted a 2-person JV Scramble with Gardner and Osage City, which provided competition experience with new friendship opportunities. SFT girls took second place.

The Lady Charger golf team participated Sept. 6, in the West Franklin 9-Hole Golf Tournament, held at LaMont Hill Golf Course. SFTHS placed 2nd as a team out of nine teams. Earning congratulations for the win were Braegan Buessing, Bailey Anshutz, Ashley Masters, Taylor Long and Shelby Garrison.

SFTHS’s individual medalists in the tournament included Anshutz in 4th place, shooting 46, and Buessing at 2nd place with a 44.

Labor Day warning: Drive sober or get pulled over

If you feel different, you drive different. Drive high, get a DUI.

Summer may be coming to an end, but there’s no end in sight to law enforcement’s crackdown on impaired driving. This Labor Day holiday, the Kansas Department of Transportation urges drivers to think twice before driving drunk or high.

Enforcement for the national impaired driving campaign, “If You Feel Different, You Drive Different. Drive High, Get a DUI,” is running now through Sept. 5, 2023. KDOT is working to reduce sobering statistics involving driving drunk or high.

During August and September of 2021 in Kansas, there were 19 total fatal crashes of impaired driving, according to KDOT stats.

“It doesn’t matter what term you use,” said Gary Herman, KDOT Behavioral Safety Manager. “If you feel different, you drive different – an impaired person should never get behind the wheel.”

Nationally, about 37 people die in drunk-driving crashes each day – that’s one person every 39 minutes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2021, 13,384 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths – a 14 percent increase from 2020.

“The bottom line is that no matter what the substance is, if you are impaired, you should not be driving,” Herman said. “The consequences are real and cannot be undone. Play it safe.”

Like drunk driving, drug-impaired driving is illegal nationwide. NHTSA states that drugs can impair a driver’s coordination, judgment and reaction times, make drivers more aggressive and reckless, and cause extreme drowsiness, dizziness and other side effects.

If convicted for impaired driving, drivers face stiff penalties, hefty financial consequences, and jail time. Bottom line – don’t drive impaired. Designate a sober driver, take public transportation, or stay home.

For more information about impaired driving, see www.KTSRO.org.

Back to school safe driving reminders

While the school bus is one of the safest modes of transportation, illegal school bus passing is a significant threat to children and their caretakers.

Statistics and facts about illegal school bus passing: It is illegal for vehicle drivers to pass a school bus while the school bus stop-arm is extended, and the red lights are flashing. Failing to do so could result in injury or death to child pedestrians or their caretakers. Vehicle drivers must always come to a complete stop when a school bus stop-arm is extended, and the red lights are flashing.

From 2011 to 2020, there were 1,009 fatal school-transportation-related crashes, and 1,125 people of all ages were killed in those crashes – an average of 113 fatalities per year.

In the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services 2022 Stop Arm survey, 79,859 school bus drivers reported that 51,593 vehicles passed their buses illegally on a single day during the 2020-21 school year. Throughout a 180-day school year, these sample results point to more than 41.8 million violations per year among America’s motoring public.

The most dangerous part of the school bus ride is getting on and off the school bus.

Local Triple Threat team takes championship at MAYB nationals

Team members of the Kansas Triple Threat 9-10 girls Conklin basketball team, front, Allie Kneisler, Lyndon, Emery Speece, Osage City, Kayla Steinke, Olpe; back, Lily Skalsky, Olpe, Hattie Burgio, Burlington, Hannah Jenkins, Peabody, Kaelin Boss, Osage City, Jaylynn Weakley, Madison, and Madelyn Wilson, Chase County. Courtesy photo.

The local Kansas Triple Threat Conklin 9-10th girls  team took home first place in MAYB Division 1 National Championship, July 28-30, 2023, at Omaha, Neb. They went 6-0 that weekend.

Games played were: NE Lasers 15u – score 47-22; Sacred Hoops 15u – score 52-32; NE Mayhem – score 56-19; KS Lady PGU – score 52-42; IA Waukee Jam 2025 – score 45-42; MN Midwest All Starz 15u – score 44-24.

The team won the Division 2 Nationals two years ago, going 7-0, earned a silver medal 2nd place finish in Division 1 last year at 6-1, and headed back this year to win the Division 1 Nationals with a record of 6-0.

“I have been playing with this team since I was in 2nd grade,” said team member Kaelin Boss. “Since then we have always come together  as one big family.  It was such an honor to bounce back from getting second last year to getting first this year.”

“Being on this team means the world to me,” said Allie Kneisler. “We have become a family throughout the years we have played together.  This championship is what we have worked for from the beginning.”

K-31 mill and overlay project scheduled in Osage County

A Kansas Department of Transportation mill and overlay project is scheduled to begin on state Highway 31 on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, conditions permitting. The project covers approximately six miles, from the Osage-Wabaunsee county line to Dacotah Street, in Burlingame.

The roadway will be reduced to one lane when work is taking place, and traffic will be directed by a pilot car and flaggers. Drivers should plan for delays of up to 15 minutes. Work will occur during daylight hours Monday through Friday, and Saturdays as needed. It is expected to be completed by late September. Killough Construction Inc., of Ottawa, is the contractor on the $1.5 million project.

KDOT urges all motorists to be alert and obey the warning signs when approaching and driving through a highway work zone. To stay aware of highway construction projects across Kansas, see www.kandrive.org or call 511.

Vietnam gunship crash survivors: We’re still here because of our hero

An AC-119G Shadow flying over Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Saigon, in 1969. Public domain photo.

Many heroes among us often go unrecognized for their acts of heroism. Such as it is for a former Air Force sergeant who saved two of his crewmates after an AC119G gunship crashed near Saigon in 1969.

Bill Slater, a former Air Force staff sergeant, now from Somerville, S.C., wants his former crewmate to know he will forever consider him a hero. Slater recently contacted Osage County News to tell about the hero who saved his and a crewmate’s lives.

Slater was the head gunner of a crew of 10 flying a night mission on AC119G Shadow 76, on Oct. 11, 1969, out of Tan Son Nhut Air Base, at Saigon, South Vietnam. Only three crew members survived when the plane crashed into a rice paddy and plowed into a residence not far from the end of the runway: Slater, A1C Gale “Pat” Jones, and Sgt. John Lelle, who now lives in Quenemo, Kan.

Slater and Jones give credit to Lelle for saving their lives.

“John saved both of us,” Slater said. “John came back for me, but couldn’t get to me. Pat hollered for help and John pulled him out. I was able to get on top of the wreckage and then John carried me away from the plane.”

Seven people on the plane were killed, Maj. Richard Knapic, Maj. Moses Lopes Alves, Maj. Jerome James Rice, Capt. John Hooper Hathaway, SSgt. Abraham Lincoln Moore, SSgt. Ellsworth Smith Bradford of the 600th Photo Squadron, and Vietnamese Air Force interpreter Lt. Biu Kien. A Vietnamese civilian was also killed when the crash hit a house.

Slater and Lelle were gunners on the flight; Jones was the illuminator operator. The AC119G gunships such as Shadow 76 were formerly built as cargo planes known as “Flying Boxcars”, but the Air Force had retrofitted the twin-engine aircraft into a gunship capable of carrying large amounts of ammunition along with crew and passengers.

The Shadow squadron was known for its nighttime missions and ability to light up a target area with flares and powerful spotlights. With its 7.62 “mini-guns”, it could rain down a hailstorm of rounds “every three inches and 50 yards wide” according to an article in the April 1968 issue of The Air Reservist, the official magazine of the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve at the time. The 17th Special Operations Squadron motto was, “Deny him the dark,” which refers to the AC119G gunships’ ability to spot the enemy.

Osage County Fair wrap up: Winners’ skills and talent pay off in fun competitions

Winners of the fair’s annual Cornhole tournament were, from left, Louis and Christopher Brosch, second place, Chris and Brody Kirkpatrick, first place, and Jerry and Katy Graham, third place. Photo thanks to Jeanette Swarts.

By Jeanette Swarts

Mother Nature provided an enjoyable evening for the 2023 Osage County Fair Parade and entertainment, which were a success and enjoyed by many spectators. The parade had a variety of entries including the Boy Scout Troop leading with the color guard and then fire equipment, law enforcement, EMS, Mr. and Mrs. Osage City Bill and Sharyl Bolyard, Parade Marshal Naomi Brown, Honorary Parade Marshal David Haskins, with his mother, Darlene, and son, Ryan, Twin Lakes Cruisers, high school spirit groups, floats, golf carts and ATVs, the Shriners, city trucks, tractors, miniature train, and horses.

Following the parade was a variety of entertainment at Osage City Jones Park and fairgrounds. Inflatables and the hatchet throw were a hit with the youth as well as a train ride provided by Garrett’s Fireworks. Some people were playing bingo inside the community building while others were enjoying food served by the Lions Club and ice cream served by the Osage County Fair Association, and listening to Savannah Chestnut and the Field Hands live band.

The finale for the evening was the spectacular fireworks celebration provided by sponsors and the Osage City Chamber of Commerce. The fireworks celebration would not be possible without the generous donations given by the businesses and individuals within the community. Scott Farmer and his crew do a wonderful job putting together an enjoyable show. Assisting Scott on Saturday morning was a group of Chamber of Commerce members and Osage City citizens that volunteered to pick up all of the debris left from the show.

The Touch-A-Truck event held on Saturday and was a success with the various types of trucks, farm equipment, helicopter, and other equipment. The Osage County Farm Bureau Association sponsors this event with the assistance of Michelle Rickel.

Parade float winners were Community Covenant Church with first place and winning $125; and Countryside Baptist Church in second place and $100 prize money.

In the ATV and golf cart category, Chenoa Casebier was first with $30 award; second place was the Woodyard family, with a $20 prize.

The Chamber and Osage County Fire District No. 2 offered opportunity for children to color a picture with the anticipation of getting selected to ride on the firetruck in the parade. Selected were Taylor Lickteig, Tessa Keffe, Harper Lohmeyer and Logan Lohmeyer.

Horse category winner was “Red, While and Blue”, awarded for most creative horse and cart and most creative horse and rider, with $50 prize money for each category.

Pie contest winners were, adult category, first, JoAnn Bauman with a peach pie; second, Rita Jackson with her blue gooseberry; and third, Tammy Patterson with an apple pie. In the youth competition, Cruc Jackson was first and Kim Knauber was second.

Pie contest winners in the adult category were, first, JoAnn Bauman with peach; second, Rita Jackson with blue gooseberry; and third, Tammy Patterson with apple.

Mr. and Mrs. Bolyard honored as Mr. and Mrs. Osage City for 2023

Bill and Sharyl Bolyard wait for the July 21, 2023, Osage County Fair Parade to begin, when they were honored as Mr. and Mrs. Osage City. Osage City Chamber photo.

The Osage City Chamber of Commerce has announced Bill and Sharyl Bolyard have been selected as Mr. and Mrs. Osage City for 2023, and will be honored as dignitaries in the Osage County Fair Parade Friday evening in downtown Osage City.

Bill is a lifelong resident of Osage City and graduated from Osage City High School in 1968. He went to work for Goodyear Tire & Rubber, in Topeka, after graduation, working 37 years before he retired in 2006.

Bill was drafted in 1969 and served in the US Army during the Vietnam War until he was honorably discharged in 1971, returning to Goodyear until retirement.

Bill had volunteered many hours in the community on the Osage City Tree Board, Veteran’s Memorial Committee, and American Legion Bingo and pancake feeds. He also volunteered at the Topeka VA Hospital nine years, picking up and driving veterans to doctor appointments in Topeka.

Sharyl (Hutchinson) was born at Strawn, Kan., but relocated to the Lebo area in 1961 when John Redmond reservoir was built. She graduated from Lebo High School in 1971. Sharyl has lived in Osage City since 1983.

Sharyl worked at the US Postal Service for more than 30 years, beginning in 1978 and retiring in 2009. She served the communities of Reading, Carbondale, Burlingame and Osage City as postmaster during her career. After her retirement, Sharyl worked part-time until 2014 at Edward Jones, Osage City.

She had volunteered with Girl Scouts, Osage County Help House, Ecumenical Christian Action Team, and Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign in Osage County.

Bill and Sharyl have two children Cory (Tina) Love and Megan (Jeff) Schrumm. They have seven grandchildren.

They have helped with Kiwanis paper pick up, Smoke in the Spring, Meals on Wheels, and at Melvern Lake with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Bill and Sharyl are active in the Presbyterian Church, and with the American Legion and Auxiliary, organizing the Memorial Day Avenue of Flags and veterans’ grave flags at local cemeteries.

Bill and Sharyl enjoy spending time with family, walking, boating and traveling.

The Osage County Fair Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 21, at the west end of Market Street in Osage City. The parade route runs east down Market Street to downtown Osage City. Parade spectators can watch the parade from just about anywhere along the route.

Haskins named as 2023 Osage County Fair co-honorary parade marshal

David Haskins, with Darlene and Ryan, was the honorary parade marshal for the 2023 Osage County Fair Parade. The recognition also marked the celebration of Haskins Oil’s 90th year in business. Osage City Chamber of Commerce photo. 


The Osage City Chamber of Commerce has named David Haskins, owner of Haskins Oil, as a co-honorary parade marshal for the 2023 Osage County Fair parade, which will start at 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 21, at the west end of Market Street in Osage City. Haskins shares the honorary marshal title with Casey Mussatto, Flint Hills Beverage. The parade will be marshaled by Naomi Brown, Marilynn’s Restaurant.

Haskins’ honorary title recognizes his service to the community and Haskins Oil Service’s 90 years in business. David Haskins has owned and operated Haskins Oil Service for the past 40 years. The Haskins’ business was originally started by David’s grandfather, Cliff Haskins, in 1933. Jack, David’s father, took over in 1955 with the bulk deliveries, but leased the station out for a few years.

Haskins Oil now has six employees, two full-time, and four part-time. Bob Hammarlund and Phil Crocker oversee all tire repair and servicing vehicles. Brandon Smith and River Davis work part-time when their schedules allow. Darlene Haskins has been working at the station since 1957 and is still active, taking care of accounts receivable and errands. Barb Haskins assists with all other general office work.

Haskins Oil has kept business local with a full service gas station, automobile maintenance service, tire repair, and service calls.

From 1933 to 1961, Haskins Oil Company was operated as a bulk tank wagon business, servicing filling stations and farmers throughout the county. In 1961, Jack and Darlene expanded the business to include the Conoco service station at 701 Market Street. In the 1960s, during a gas war, Haskins was the only gas station in Osage City that never ran out of gas, even with cars lined up one and one-half blocks away. When the Haskins started operating the service station, the price of gas was only 26.9 cents a gallon.

“The family business appreciates its customers and their patronage through the years.”

David and co-honorary parade marshal Casey Mussatto (read more) will be parade honorees. The parade marshal is Naomi Brown, Osage City businesswoman and restaurateur; read more here.

The parade route runs east down Market Street to downtown Osage City. Parade spectators can watch the parade from just about anywhere along the route. The parade is hosted by the Osage City Chamber of Commerce; see the fair’s schedule of events here.

Help House celebrates 20 years of service to Osage County

Help House is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, having opened its doors for the first time on Aug. 5, 2003. The public is invited to attend the celebration on Aug. 5, 2023, beginning at 2 p.m. with short Help House tours.

Following at 2:30 in the of the Lyndon First Baptist Church sanctuary will be special speakers and other dignitaries attending. The past, present, and future of Help House will be presented. A reception will follow at 3:30, and tours will be available again.

For anyone who has wondered what goes on at Help House, now is the time to check it out.

“We hope to see you there as great things are happening and there are exciting plans for the future.”

Christmas in July

Beginning this week through July 28, Help House is having A Christmas In July. Holiday decorations and various other items that need to be cleared out of storage to make room for donations to the Christmas Store, have been unpacked and are available to those wanting to get an early start on their shopping, or just to think about Christmas and being cool.

Lyndon Swim Team’s 2023 season ends with celebration of successes

Saturday, July 8, 2023, the Lyndon Swim Team and its 33 swimmers wrapped up their season at the league swim meet at Osage City Aquatic Center.

Lyndon’s team season began May 30 with a parents meeting, and then May 31 swimmers began practicing. Through the competition season, athletes had practices offered twice a day Monday to Friday.

Swimmers competed at five meets this season, June 10 at Overbrook, June 17 at Lyndon, June 24 at Lebo, July 1 at Burlington, and July 8 at the league meet at Osage City, in which all Lyndon swimmers were able to participate.

Lyndon Swim Team season wrapped up Sunday, July 9, with a pool party of swimming, snacks, and presentation of league meet ribbons and medals.

Lyndon Swim Team members at the league swim meet, front from left, sitting, Devin Anderson, Declan Smith, Emerson Monthey, Charley Manning, Ella Kline, Kaylee Morgan, Brooklyn Knapp, Ryker Smith, Jeremiah Coughlin, Malachi Shepherd, Oliver Kline, Rian Derley, and Joseph Coughlin; middle, kneeling, Hunter Bichel, Dean Anderson, Lane Manning, Sophia Hufford, Josie Driver, Jax Mlynar, Brantley Meyers, Kahle Gebhardt, Ike Bichel, Calliope Monthey, Joshua Coughlins, and Lilly Kline; back, Lana Smittick, Paige Gebhardt, Noah Hamlet, Avery Delaney, Brooke Manning, Clare Hockett, Lexi Hockett, and Eden Hockett; not pictured, swim team coaches Lisa Reeser and Allie Reeser.

Dragoon Creek bridge removal project scheduled on Old U.S. 75

DRAGOON CREEK, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Transportation will begin two bridge removal projects on the Old U.S. Highway 75 frontage road in Osage County, Monday, July 10, 2023, weather permitting.

The projects include removing the Dragoon Creek and Pomona Reservoir bridge north of Lake Road 13 and constructing a cul-de-sac on its southern approach. The bridge has been closed for several years.

The Dragoon Creek drainage bridge on 205th Street will also be removed. The 205th Street access road will close to traffic, and a new access road connecting U.S. Highway 75 to Old U.S. 75 will be constructed south of the current location.

Impacts to motorists should be minimal; however, short-term lane closures may occur intermittently on U.S. 75. Flaggers will direct traffic at those times.

Work will take place Monday through Friday, and Saturdays as needed, during daylight hours. Both projects are expected to be completed by October, conditions permitting.

Killough Construction Inc., of Ottawa, Kan., is the contractor on the combined $993,000 projects.

KDOT urges all motorists to be alert and obey the warning signs when approaching and driving through a highway work zone. To stay aware of highway construction projects across Kansas, see www.kandrive.org or call 511.

Lyndon Masons help Osage County with historical outreach and education funds

In May, members of Lyndon’s Euclid Masonic Lodge 101 visited the Osage County Historical Society to present a donation.

“They graciously presented us with a check to help fund future educational and public outreach activities around the county,” said OCHS Programming Director Lynsay Flory.

Receiving and presenting the donation at the historical society museum in Lyndon were, from left, Osage County archivist Ann Rogers, Flory, long-time Mason Carl Manning, Lodge Master Myle Louderback, and Junior Warden Felix Nunez.

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