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Poisonings and medicine mishaps can happen anywhere, anytime

March 17-23 is National Poison Prevention Week TOPEKA, Kan. – Nearly 60 percent of the human poison exposures reported to the Kansas Poison Control Center involved medications or pharmaceuticals. More »

Corps braces for more levee breaches as Missouri River flood heads downstream

KANSAS CITY, MO – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Kansas City District declared a flood emergency along the Missouri River last week due to concerns resulting from heavy More »

Severe Weather Awareness Week: Prepare your family for severe weather

Safe Kids Kansas offers safety tips for severe weather TOPEKA, Kan. – While the threat of severe weather in Kansas is year-round, March 3-9, 2019, is Severe Weather Awareness Week More »

KDHE issues health advisory, safety tips in preparation for Flint Hills burning season

TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is reminding Kansans that March and April are a time when large areas of the state’s Flint Hills rangeland More »

Blenda Jo Godwin-Marion, 70, Topeka: March 2, 1949 – March 7, 2019

March 08, 2019   Wayne White   No comments

TOPEKA, Kan. – Blenda Jo Godwin-Marion, 70, Topeka, Kan., passed away on March 7, 2019. She was born March 2, 1949, in Topeka, the daughter of William A. and Leila I. Snyder.

Blenda attended school in Highland Park and graduated from Highland Park High School. She attended college at Washburn University and received a degree from Kansas State University in education. She taught elementary physical education for more than 30 years for USD 501. Schools she taught at included Quinton Heights, State Street, Polk and Gage Elementary.

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Annual NWS severe weather talk scheduled at Burlingame

March 06, 2019   Wayne White   No comments

Remnants of the Harveyville United Methodist Church were all that remained after a tornado ripped through the small Wabaunsee County town on Feb. 28, 2012.

The National Weather Service and Osage County Emergency Management will present a severe weather safety and information talk at 7 p.m. March 14, 2019, at Schuyler Community Center, 218 W. Fremont St., Burlingame, Kan.

Every year, the National Weather Service in Topeka presents severe weather safety and information talks which are open to the general public. Presentations are typically around 90 minutes long and given by a meteorologist from the Topeka NWS office, focusing on severe storm safety, preparedness, and accurate identification of storm features.

In addition to attending a talk, anyone interested in becoming a weather spotter is encouraged to complete an online training class focused on the basics of convective weather and storm structure. See www.weather.gov/top/spottertalks for more information about the NWS weather talks and spotter training.

For more information about the weather talk in Burlingame, contact Bryce Romine, Osage County Emergency Management director, at [email protected] or 785-828-3323.

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Strengthening communities: K-State Extension plans grant writing workshop at Garnett

March 06, 2019   Contributor   No comments

GARNETT, Kan. – Do you know how that playground equipment at the park down the street was purchased? Or the new sign leading visitors to a local landmark? How about initial money for a festival? In any community, chances are that someone, or a group of individuals, wrote a grant proposal and received funding to help with the project.

Individuals and community groups can learn more about writing successful grant proposals at a workshop planned for March 28, 2019, at Garnett, Kan. The workshop will be presented by Nancy Daniels, a community vitality specialist with K-State Research and Extension and the author of many grant proposals. The training will be 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the First Christian Church, 200 S. Walnut, Garnett, and includes lunch. The cost to attend is $10. Attendees are asked to register by March 22. To register and pay online, see www.frontierdistrict.ksu.edu/community/

“This workshop is for everyone, whether they’ve never written a proposal before and have no idea where to start, to those who have experience but are looking for ways to improve their approach,” Daniels said. “The magic that happens in a local community when people find out they don’t have to wait to get something done, that they can do it themselves, is incredible.”

Participants also learn from each other, Daniels said, adding that even experienced grant writers pick up tips and are reenergized after coming together with peers in their communities. Participants are encouraged to bring their grants or grant ideas to share.

Workshop topics include:

  • Sources of data for community needs (where do you find the numbers to back up your request?)
  • Where to find grants.
  • The five common elements of a great grant proposal.
  • Practicing the grant writing elements.

For more information, contact Fran Richmond, [email protected], 785-828-4438, or Julie Turnipseed, [email protected], 785-448-5496.

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Severe Weather Awareness Week: Prepare your family for severe weather

March 05, 2019   Contributor   No comments

Safe Kids Kansas offers safety tips for severe weather

TOPEKA, Kan. – While the threat of severe weather in Kansas is year-round, March 3-9, 2019, is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Kansas, and a good opportunity to discuss the importance of emergency preparedness with your family. In 2018, the National Weather Service reported about 45 tornadoes statewide. Kansas also experiences numerous other high impact weather events, including blizzards, severe thunderstorms, and floods.

“When severe weather strikes, you often have only a few minutes to respond and seek shelter,” said Cherie Sage, state director for Safe Kids Kansas. “It is essential for you and your family to be prepared in an emergency.”

Safe Kids Kansas recommends becoming familiar with the type of weather you could encounter, prepare an emergency disaster kit, and practice an emergency plan frequently with your entire family.

Many people do not understand the difference between a watch and a warning. When conditions are favorable for severe weather to develop, a severe thunderstorm or tornado watch is issued. Information from weather radar, spotters and other sources is used to issue severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings for areas where severe weather is imminent. Severe weather warnings are passed to local media and broadcast over weather alert radios. These warnings are also relayed to local emergency management and public safety officials, who then activate the local warning systems to alert communities.

Thunderstorms are very dangerous and can become tornadic quickly, so shelter is advised for those warnings as well. Getting to a safe shelter in advance of a storm is especially important for families with children or individuals with a disability.

Safe Kids Kansas recommends assembling an emergency disaster kit in advance. If you determine you need to take shelter, be sure every family member puts on hard-soled footwear and take your emergency disaster kit with you. An emergency disaster kit should contain:

  • non-perishable food items and water
  • manual can opener if your kit contains canned food
  • blankets or sleeping bags
  • change of clothing for each family member
  • first-aid kit
  • prescription medications
  • sun block
  • flashlight and batteries
  • NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) weather radio
  • set of car and house keys
  • whistle to signal for help
  • highway map that marks the counties to follow the storm
  • identification and a credit card or cash
  • any specific items needed for children such as diapers or formula
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OCPR Update: Spring recreation is right around the corner – baseball and barbecue

March 05, 2019   Sponsor   No comments

OCPR-logo-redEven though winter seems to never end, Osage City Parks and Recreation is still planning for spring. Sign up deadline for youth baseball and softball is coming April 1; lifeguard applications are being accepted. As host for the Smoke in the Spring State BBQ Championship, April 12-13, 2019, OCPR has been busy signing up cooking teams.

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Statewide tornado drill 10 a.m. Tuesday

March 05, 2019   Wayne White   1 Comment

The National Weather Service in Topeka will conduct a tornado drill at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the drill by practicing seeking secure, safe shelter from a tornado. This test will be broadcast over NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio and other local media. Local officials may also sound their warning sirens. Area residents, businesses, and schools are urged to treat the drill as if it were an actual tornado warning.

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Ruth Pearl Hickey, 90, Osage City: Jan. 18, 1929 – March 2, 2019

March 04, 2019   Wayne White   No comments

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Ruth Pearl Hickey, 90, passed away on Saturday, March 2, 2019, at her home in Osage City, Kan. She was born on Jan. 18, 1929, on the family farm near Olivet, Kan., the daughter of Arthur and Elva Stephens Jones.

Ruth grew up in the Olivet area and had lived in Lyndon, Kan., for many years before moving to Osage City in 1993. Ruth had worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield, in Topeka, Kan., and was a homemaker for most of her life.

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Osage County Jail Log, Feb. 24 – March 2, 2019

March 04, 2019   Wayne White

The following individuals were booked into the Osage County Jail in connection with charges or warrants as listed by the arresting agency.

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David Booth, 70, Roxboro, N.C.: Dec. 18, 1948 – Feb. 23, 2019

March 04, 2019   Wayne White   No comments

ARVONIA, Kan. – David Thomas Booth, 70, of Roxboro, N.C., passed away Feb. 23, 2019, at UNC Hospital, Chapel Hill, N.C. He was born Dec. 18, 1948, in Emporia, Kan., to Lloyd and Helen (Moore) Booth.

Tom grew up on the family farm and graduated from Lebo High School in 1966. After graduation, Tom attended Fort Hays State University and completed a tour with the Air National Guard Air Force Reserves. Tom was an avid outdoorsman that loved hunting and fishing.

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A Cowboy’s Faith: Are medicines really needed?

March 03, 2019   Frank J. Buchman   No comments

A Cowboy's Faith: Click to read more from Frank J. Buchman.Evidently, the ranch ought to become a pharmacy. That would be a “drug store” decades gone by, but it might get wrong connotation nowadays.

Boldface headlines daily target law-breaking news about “pills” and other such consumptions, unknown to ranch life, for “recreational” purpose.

“Getting high,” it’s said, although really wouldn’t know. Horseback ride on a brisk winter morning serves that purpose here.

Perhaps, giant medicine chest would be more accurate description of the mudroom and kitchen.

Except, most of the always very high dollar “supposed preventives, treatments” recommended health improvements aren’t in a cabinet. They’re here, there, wherever, ready for immediate use upon need or suggestion.

Now, this includes both livestock and human medication, or definition derivative thereof, maybe painkiller, to use old timer’s common terminology.

It’d be hard to know which requires more medicine these days: cattle, horses, and cats, or the ranchers. Counting all of the bottles and packages, there’s actually quite a bit more for critters.

That said, neither required such health “necessities” half century ago, can’t remember hardly any. Oh, a colt might get kerosene lard if a cut swelled up, but that was it.

Grandma, when she was in her 80s, would take one of Carter’s Little Pills. Dad was on high blood pressure tablets, and took one whenever he remembered. Mom never had any medicine period until terminal diagnosis.

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Gary Dean Thompson, 81, Vassar: May 2, 1937 – Feb. 28, 2019

March 01, 2019   Wayne White   No comments

VASSAR, Kan. – Gary Dean Thompson, 81, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, at his home near Vassar, Kan. He was born on May 2, 1937, near Michigan Valley, Kan., the son of Ernest and Eunice Warren Thompson.

Gary lived most of his life around the Michigan Valley community and had lived near Vassar for the last nine years. He worked for DuPont, in Topeka, for more than 30 years, and always farmed and raised cattle. He owned and operated Buzzard’s Pizza in Lyndon, Pomona and Osage City since 1991. He was a leader in 4-H for many years.

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KDHE issues health advisory, safety tips in preparation for Flint Hills burning season

February 28, 2019   Wayne White   No comments

TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is reminding Kansans that March and April are a time when large areas of the state’s Flint Hills rangeland are burned. These burns help preserve the tallgrass prairie, control invasive species such as Eastern Red Cedar and sumac, and provide better forage for cattle. Prescribed burning minimizes risk of wildfires and is effective in managing rangeland resources. Smoke from the burns can influence the air quality of downwind areas. The use of smoke management techniques is vital to reduce impacts.

KDHE will activate the Kansas smoke modeling tool on March 1, 2019, prior to widespread burning in the Flint Hills. The computer models use fire data and current weather conditions to predict the potential contribution of smoke to downwind air quality problems. On average there are approximately 2.3 million acres burned in the Flint Hills of Kansas and Oklahoma each year.

“We encourage ranchers and land managers to take advantage of this smoke modeling resource to spread out their burns more effectively and mitigate potential air quality impacts,” said Douglas Watson, meteorologist at the KDHE Bureau of Air. “For burns to be safe and effective, weather and rangeland conditions must be ideal. Many landowners will burn at the same time when such conditions are met. Air pollutants from the burns can affect persons in the Flint Hills and can be carried long distances to more populated areas.”

Prescribed burns release large amounts of particulate matter and substances that can form ozone. Particulate matter and ozone can cause health problems, even in healthy individuals. Common health problems include burning eyes, runny nose, coughing and illnesses such as bronchitis. Individuals with respiratory issues, pre-existing heart or lung diseases, children and elderly may experience worse symptoms.

Steps to protect your health on days when smoke is present in your community include:

  • Healthy people should limit or avoid strenuous outdoor exercise.
  • People with respiratory or heart related illnesses should remain indoors.
  • Help keep indoor air clean by closing doors and windows and running air conditioners with air filters.
  • Keep hydrated by drinking lots of water.
  • Contact your doctor if you have symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath or severe fatigue.

For more information about burning in the Flint Hills, the Flint Hills Smoke Management Plan, the April burn restrictions, and the smoke modeling tool, see www.ksfire.org.

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Extension hosts meeting on landowner issues; prescribed burn workshop scheduled

February 28, 2019   Wayne White   No comments

The Frontier Extension District has announced two ag related meetings next week at Ottawa; one will provide information on land and leasing and the other will be workshop on prescribed burns.

The land and leasing program, scheduled for 7 p.m. March 4, 2019, at Celebration Hall, 220 W. 17th, at the Franklin County Fairgrounds, in Ottawa, will feature Mykel Taylor, KSU agricultural economist, as the evening’s featured speaker. Taylor will discuss current land values and trends she is seeing. She will also discuss rental rates and where they might be headed in 2019.

Other topics will include lease agreements, and the importance of landlord/tenant relationships and communication.

Prescribed burn workshop

The prescribed burn workshop will be 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. March 6, also at the Franklin County Fairgrounds, Ottawa.

As native grass acres continue to decrease, prescribed burning activities and the use of fire remains an important maintenance tool. Prescribed burn users need to properly identify their objectives and know how to conduct a burn.

Commonly identified prescribed burn objectives range from improved animal performance, grazing distribution problems, invasive woody species, fuel loading or extensive loads, to wildlife habitat management. Those planning to conduct a prescribed burn are encouraged to attend this workshop. Registration fee is $10 per person to cover materials.

Preregistration is required by calling the Franklin County Conservation District at 785-241-7201. Lunch will be served. The workshop is hosted by Franklin County Conservation District, KSU Research & Extension, USDA, Frontier Extension District, and Franklin County Emergency Management.

For more information about these meetings, contact Rod Schaub, Frontier Extension District agent, at 785-828-4438.

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Help House News: Prom closet opens for upcoming enchanted evening

February 27, 2019   Contributor   No comments

By Raylene Quaney 

Help House will open its Prom Closet 4-7 p.m. Monday, March 4, 2019, and it will be open each day during regular hours until the selection of beautiful dress have been chosen by girls thoughout Osage County for their special night. We will also have jewelry available to enhance the evening wear. All girls are invited to come in on March 4, and be among the first to find their dress for that big night.

Good Sense budget class

The next “Good Sense” budget class will be held 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, March 11, at Help House. This is a one-day class. Call 785-828-4888 for more information and to register.

Volunteer training scheduled

Help House’s annual volunteer training will be held on March 18. Registration begins at 9 a.m. All volunteers are asked to participate in this training at least once. If you have thought about becoming a volunteer and would like to know more about Help House, you are welcome to attend. Call the office to register.

Mobile food pantries

Mobile Food Pantry dates: Carbondale location is Carbondale Church of Christian Fellowship, 12 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday, March 12; Osage City distribution is located at Osage City Community Center at 10 a.m. on the 3rd Thursday, March 21; Melvern Mobile Pantry has been cancelled until further notice; Burlingame distribution is held at the Burlingame Federated Church at 10 a.m. on the 3rd Thursday, March 21; Lyndon distribution is located at Jones Park on East Sixth Street, at 12 p.m. on the third Friday, March 15. Recipients in the mobile pantry are asked to be in line 15 to 20 minutes before starting time to be in the count to determine how much of each item each family will receive. Help House sponsors the Lyndon and Carbondale mobile pantries.

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Updates upcoming on Osage County News

February 27, 2019   Wayne White   No comments

The Osage County News website, www.osagecountyonline.com, will be undergoing some updates and changes over the next few months, which could cause some occasional outages such as we experienced in the last few days. We appreciate our readers and expect these updates will help us to continue to be your best local online news source.

Anyone who might still be experiencing issues from Tuesday’s outage, please refresh your internet browser. Anyone who has any questions about our services or if you are experiencing problems accessing our site, feel free to contact us at 785-828-4994 or [email protected].

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Harry “Dean” Livingston, 84, Carbondale: June 18, 1934 – Feb. 20, 2019

February 27, 2019   Wayne White   No comments

CARBONDALE, Kan. – Harry “Dean” Livingston, 84, formerly of Carbondale, Kan., passed away Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019, at Midland Care, Topeka, Kan. He was born June 18, 1934, in Carbondale, the son of Lemuel Leo and Ruth (McPhail) Livingston.

He was a 1952 graduate of Carbondale High School, where he wore number 10 as a member of the 1951 State Champion Basketball Team.

Dean owned and operated Diffley Truck Line, in Topeka. He later built, owned and operated Dean’s Drive-In, in Carbondale. He later owned and operated Reliable Transfer, in Lawrence and Ottawa, Kan., and Livingston Trucking, Bakersfield, Calif. He also owned and operated Dairy Queen No. 8, in Tucson, Ariz. 

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Learn how to establish a pollinator garden

February 26, 2019   Wayne White

Monarch butterflies along the Flint Hills Nature Trail. Photo thanks to Kareen King.

The Frontier Extension District and Anderson County Conservation District will host a public meeting, “Starting a Pollinator Garden”, at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 14, 2019, at the community building in Garnett, Kan.

Bret Laprarie, territory sales agronomist for Sharp Brothers Seed Company, will talk about establishing a pollinator garden. He will discuss plant species that should be considered, and how to maintain a garden for our pollinator friends.

To cap the evening off, John Conway, resource conservationist with the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts, will visit with the group about monarch butterflies and how to build a habitat to help them survive their trip south.

This meeting is packed full of information to consume and to take home. Anyone interested in learning more about these topics should attend. The Anderson County Conservation District and the Frontier Extension District will provide some light refreshments for the evening.

For more information, contact Ryan Schaub at 785-448-6826 or Debbie Davis at 785-448-6323 ext. 101.

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Filings in the Osage County Courthouse, Feb. 11 – Feb. 15, 2019

February 26, 2019   Wayne White

The following information was compiled from records at the Osage County Courthouse, Feb. 11 through Feb. 15, 2019.

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Osage County Jail Log, Feb. 17 – Feb. 22, 2019

February 25, 2019   Wayne White

The following individuals were booked into the Osage County Jail in connection with charges or warrants as listed by the arresting agency.

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Filings in the Osage County Courthouse, Feb. 4 – Feb. 8, 2019

February 25, 2019   Wayne White

The following information was compiled from records at the Osage County Courthouse, Feb. 4 through Feb. 8, 2019.

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A Cowboy’s Faith: Dedication receives right reward

February 24, 2019   Frank J. Buchman   No comments

A Cowboy's Faith: Click to read more from Frank J. Buchman.“There were five drooling coyotes on the pond dam this morning.”

That was the son-herdsman’s report in the back door after another check on the first calf heifers in the corral.

In the frigid cold, the varmints were anxious for a warm tasty breakfast of afterbirth should a baby arrive. Obviously, they knew the flavor and somehow instinctively readily came into the barnyard in anticipation of free easy taking.

Should a calf arrive when nobody was overlooking the herd, the wild ones would all pounce for food without manners.

If new momma is attentive to her newfound duties, generally the baby wouldn’t be in initial harm. That can change if mother moves away from a cold shivering one or there is apparent newborn weakness.

Attentiveness to assist first calvers is a major ordeal, let alone worrying about hungry canines. It’s an every three hour task day and night confirming if help is required. Having gone through that dreadful ranch task, fortunately the younger stockman and his mom will still do the work.

Typically, especially in the subzero chill index, if there are telltale signs of an arrival expectant momma is moved inside. That far from eliminates problems but reduces elements harshness.

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