10-2-13 Lamar Democrat

Page 1

Discover more to enjoy with Mediacom insert inside!

Serving Lamar, Golden City, Lockwood, Jasper, Sheldon, Mindenmines and Liberal for 143 years. Incorporating The Daily Democrat, Golden City Herald & Lockwood Luminary.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

2 SECTIONS, 12 PAGES

DON’T MISS...

Lamar residents evacuated after natural gas leak discovered

Condon to celebrate 90th birthday

see page 3A

Harris celebrates 90th birthday

see page 3A

Metzger’s Mutterings

see page 4A

Mother's Day gathering in Liberal, 57 years ago

see page 4A

BCMH has counselor available to aid with Affordable Care Act

see page 4A

Students of the Week

see page 5A

Student Studio

see page 5A

STAR Students

see page 5A

Tigers are undefeated

see page 6A

Cross country starts off on right course

see page 6A

Bulldogs win homecoming game

see page 6A

Liberal Prairie Days

see page 1B

2013 Upland Chronicles: Part 1

see page 1B

BCHD observes National Physical Therapy Month

see page 2B

Open house hosted by Hospice Compassus

see page 6B

Weather Forecast

see page 6B

INDEX

SECTION A Correspondents ........................ 2 Friends & Family ...................... 3 Friends & Family ...................... 4 School......................................... 5 Sports ......................................... 6 SECTION B Area News ................................. 2 Records ...................................... 3 Records/Legals .......................... 4 Legals/Classifieds...................... 5 Area News ................................. 6

Lamar Democrat/Richard Cooper The old Thorco building at 1801 Gulf is now just a pile of rocks. Removal of the debris is the next step. By RICHARD COOPER Democrat staff writer richardcooper@lamardemocrat.com

ferring the franchise agreement between the city and Missouri Gas Energy (MGE) to Laclede Gas Company of St. Louis. Laclede purchased MGE in July. The council was told that the new 4,000 foot runway at Lamar Municipal Airport is nearing completion. The concrete on the landing strip is now in place and curing. The work has been done by Sapp and Company of Columbia. The promise made back in July by Gary Jones to “take down” the stone structures at 1801 Gulf has apparently been kept. Jones is the owner of the property and told the council he would start on the project right after Labor Day. Now the problem is what to do with the rubble, most of which is stone. Councilman Steve Gilkey told Jones back in July that the stone must be removed, or “all we’ll have is just a pile of rocks.” The ball seems to be in Jones’ court. Near the close of the meeting, Divine appointed Sam Bull to the park board, filling a vacancy created by the resignation of Rayma Davis.

A 12 inch natural gas line ruptured in the area of 21st and KK Highway, on the south end of Lamar, at approximately 9:30 p.m. Monday. Authorities arrived in the area, blocking off about a quarter of a mile around the scene to keep traffic from entering. They then went door-to-door, alerting residents about the leak and letting them know that if they needed temporary shelter they could go to Memorial Hall. Less than 100 residents were directly affected by the natural gas, but residents reported that they could smell the odor throughout the town. Residents that remained in their homes were told to keep their doors and windows shut. Barton County Emergency Management Director Tom Ryan says the rupture created a six to eight foot crater, allowing a plume approximately a quarter to half a mile wide of natural gas to escape. It is unknown at this time what caused the leak, but officials do know it came from an above ground pipe located in a natural gas substation. Crews arrived around 11 p.m. to turn off the natural gas leak, allowing authorities to give the all clear and residents were able to return to their homes. The Lamar Fire, Lamar Police, the Barton County Sheriff ’s Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol all assisted in the case.

LAMAR-Two street closings for October events were approved by the Lamar City Council at its regular monthly meeting, September 23. The meeting was held one week later than it is usually held due to council members attending a Missouri Municipal League meeting the week of September 16. The north side of the city square will be closed October 12 and 13 to accommodate activities that are a part of Wyatt Earp Days. One block of Poplar Street from 9th Street to 10th Street will be closed on October 27 for safety purposes as the United Methodist Church is holding a fall festival that day with activities taking place in the church and directly across the street in the church’s parking lot. A seat belt usage policy for city employees was unanimously approved. Required seat belt usage is already a state law, but on the recommendation of the city’s insurance company, the policy manual was amended to include the same requirement for city vehicles. The driver is responsible for use of seat belts in all cases. Also, the same policy applies if a private vehicle is being used for city business. Steven Tanner appeared before the council about demolition of a dilapidated house at 17th and Grand. The question seems to be who the owner is. Tanner displayed a contract signed in July, 2012 that shows the property was sold to another party. Yet, he has a demolition permit that expires on November 15 to remove the house. The matter of ownership comes up in associate circuit court on September 25. Mayor Keith Divine told Tanner that Lamar Democrat/Melody Metzger an extension on the demolition A steady crowd perused the many items, as well as literature, that were available at permit could be granted if he the Barton County Memorial Hospital Community Health Fair, held Thursday, Sept. turns out to be the owner. 26. Numerous booths from area companies and services were set up for the day in the The council approved transNational Guard Armory in Lamar.

BCMH holds successful community health fair

Lamar Pink Apple Walk/Run scheduled for October 5

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month! The Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks will hold its second annual two-mile walk and 5k run/fun walk on Saturday, Oct. 5. Breast cancer survivors and supporters are invited to participate in the event. The theme of the event is, “Bustin our Buns for Boobs”. The BCFO is an organization that gives help and hope to families in southwest Missouri who are impacted with breast cancer. They offer a financial assistance program and free mammogram screening for the uninsured and under-insured. They also offer a children's fund for assistance of families as well. BCFO also offers

4-H Special Section Will Be Published October 9!

support groups and mentoring programs to help cope with the problems that arise during diagnosis and treatment. More information may be obtained at www. bcfo.org. Last year was the first two-mile walk in Lamar. This year, along with the twomile walk, a 5K walk/fun run has been added. The course has been certified with chip timing for the avid runners in the area. They are also offering a 5K walk/fun run for those who would like to enjoy the course with friends and family. The walk will begin at 11th and Broadway at 7 a.m., with check in and registration.

The certified run will begin at 8 a.m., followed by the 5K walk/fun run and then the two-mile walk. Registration forms may be picked up at the Barton County Chamber office, www.bcfo.org or on facebook at Lamar Pink Apple Run. Pre-registration forms may be turned into the Barton County Chamber office or mailed to Linda Hasson, 1309 Grand St., Lamar, MO. 64759. They will be accepting registrations up to and including the day of the event. Please come out and help paint the streets of Lamar pink!


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
10-2-13 Lamar Democrat by Reaves & Williams Publishing Group - Issuu