DOUGLAS COUNTY, Kan. – The Lawrence Police Department requested that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Iowa man who was last seen in Lawrence, Kan., and was headed to Arizona.

The whereabouts of James Lewis Larson, 90, are unknown, and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate him. Larson is described as a white male, approximately 6 feet tall, 220 lbs., gray hair, blue eyes with eyeglasses, was last seen Nov. 13, 2019, in Lawrence in a maroon 2017 Ford Edge 4-door hatchback bearing Iowa license plate ASG 448.

Larson was said to be traveling from Iowa with a destination of Yuma, Ariz., however he has yet to arrive. Anyone who sees Larson or his 2017 Ford Edge is asked to contact the Lawrence Police Department immediately at 785-832-7509.

The Osage County Community Foundation has approved a budget of $10,000 for the 2019 grant year. Applications for grants are being accepted from any non-profit organizations based in Osage County. Grant funds are to be used towards non-operating expenses.

To obtain an application, see www.osagecity.org and click on the online forms tab, then the Osage County Community Foundation link. Applications are due by Dec. 15, 2019.

The foundation makes grants for innovative and creative projects and programs that are responsive to changing community needs in the areas of health, social service, education, recreation and cultural affairs. The foundation also continues to seek donations to continue its charitable work in support of Osage County organizations.

For more information, contact Perry Thompson at 785-528-3006 or contact one of the foundation’s board members Joe Humerickhouse, Casey Mussatto, Janet Steinle, Jodi Stark, or Mike Pitts.

Don’t forget to come down to Osage County Senior Center on Nov. 16 to help the Kawanis, Osage City Chamber of Commerce and everyone else that is helping with the kick off for Osage City’s Christmas holiday season.

At 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 18, Dee Davenport will be helping us with our new exercise program. It will consist of some chair exercises and then some walking or just moving. It will be fun, there will be nothing done on the floor. Come and join us for this new activity. It will be Monday through Friday and there is no cost.

Due to all the activities in November we will not be having a potluck but will start again on Dec. 18. Meals on wheels will be furnishing turkey with stuffing, ham, and mashed potatoes. So we just need the some additional trimmings and deserts. We hope to see you then.

On Nov. 21, Aspire 55 will be at the center. On Dec. 3, Hermes Footcare will be here to take any additional people that need toenails clipped or any other foot problems checked. You need to make an appointment for this, also. If we don’t have people sign up we will cancel this date. Anyone who had theirs done in October, will be eligible on Dec 19. Most have already made their appointment.

The stress of the holiday season can often bring additional challenges for families and individuals who have been affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse or neglect. SOS hopes to help make the holidays brighter for these families by partnering with community members willing to “adopt” a family by providing basic needs and gifts.

Families or individuals are eligible for adoption if they have worked with SOS consistently the last three months and do not qualify for assistance from the Salvation Army. Anyone is eligible to be matched with a family. SOS traditionally has between 50-100 family members or individuals for adoption within the six counties it serves: Chase, Coffey, Lyon, Greenwood, Morris and Osage.

The Osage City school district is honoring local veterans on Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Area veterans are invited to eat lunch free of charge in the school lunchroom from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

USD 420, the lunchroom staff, and K-Kids are hosts for the meal. Tammi Brabb, the schools’ director of food services, said the menu will be chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, rolls, peaches, and water, tea, milk, or coffee. Veterans who would like to attend are asked to call Osage City Elementary School at 785-528-3171 by Friday, Nov. 8, to reserve a meal.

On Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, the Marais des Cygnes Valley Junior High School STUCO held its annual Halloween dance. Members spent the afternoon decorating for the big event, followed by the junior high students enjoying an evening of dancing, food and fun.

Osage County Emergency Management and Osage County Local Emergency Planning Committee will host a table top exercise at 6:30 p.m., Nov. 21, 2019, at the Melvern Community Center, 102 NE Main St., Melvern, Kan.

Target participants for this exercise are Osage County fire districts, Scranton Fire Department, Osage County Sheriff’s Office and dispatch center; Osage County Health Department, Osage County Road and Bridge, Osage County EMS, Osage County Local Emergency Planning Committee, and Osage County government officials.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Daylight saving time ends this Sunday, and the American Red Cross is reminding everyone to test their smoke alarms when turning back their clocks.

As the fall season ushers in cold weather, it also increases the risk of deadly home fires. That’s because heating equipment is the second most common cause of fatalities from home fires – which, on average, take seven lives every day in the U.S., according to the National Fire Protection Association. But working smoke alarms can double a person’s odds of survival.

“The Red Cross wants everyone to stay safe this winter,” said Jeremie Ballinger, executive director, Greater Kansas City and Northwest Missouri Chapter. “This weekend, please take time to ‘turn and test’ to protect you and your family against the season’s life-threatening risk of home fires.”

Every eight minutes, the Red Cross responds to a disaster – most often, home fires. Here in Greater Kansas City and Northwest Missouri, the Greater Kansas City and Northwest Missouri Chapter responded to 538 local home fires last fiscal year.

This weekend, the Red Cross asks everyone to take these simple steps:

• Check smoke alarm batteries. When turning the clocks back, take a few minutes to replace the smoke alarm batteries if needed and push the test button to make sure the alarms are working. It’s also a great time to check carbon monoxide detectors.
• Install smoke alarms. If you don’t have working smoke alarms, install them. At a minimum, put one on every level of the home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Check local building codes for additional requirements.
• Practice an escape plan. Make sure everyone in the household knows two ways to get out of every room and how to get out of the home in less than two minutes.

Girl Scouts can have a blast with Troop 30035 painting a beautiful canvas during the “Little Dab’ll Do Ya!” program. All are invited to join fellow scouts for a fun afternoon filled with color, creativity, friendship, and good times. All supplies are provided including brushes, paint, and an 8×10 canvas. The painting event will Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, with scouts in kindergarten to third grade meeting 10-11:30 a.m., and fourth to 12th grade scouts 2-3:30 p.m., at the Amend Girl Scout Center, 1236 E. 12th Ave., Emporia.

Registration is requested by Oct. 28; fee is $20 per scout and $20 per adult. Snack provided.

Labors of love accompanied by passion have incorporated in tedious dedicated coordination of a special bull riding event this weekend.

The Devin Hutchinson Invitational Sunflower State Chute Out has entries coming in from afar.

“It sure looks to go beyond our grandest expectation with the caliber of contestants, livestock and spectator interest,” said PBR professional bull rider Devin Hutchinson, of Emporia, Kan.

“We’re pleased with the community and saddle club cooperation for the bull riding Saturday evening, Oct. 26th,” Hutchinson said.

Competition with 30 contestants matching skills on bulls from contractors from throughout the Midwest begins at 7 p.m. Saturday. Top riders in the long go-round qualify to come back for a second bull in the short go-round.

“Certainly the caliber of bucking bulls will be a challenge for these riders,” Hutchinson said. “Our event was especially developed for beginning cowboys to match their skills. Yet, we also have several seasoned bull riders lined up for the large prize money offered.”

Freestyle bullfighting is to be featured along with convict poker.

“In convict poker, four people will be playing cards at a table in the arena when a mad bull is released,” the promoter said. “Whoever stays the longest will win a set of tickets to the PBR World Finals.”