The Oswego First United Methodist Church is sponsoring Mardi Gras with an indoor Carnival from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Oswego Community Center for children ages 5th grade and younger. Kids are invited to come in costume or have their faces painted. All activities are free.

The Labette County Fair Board meeting for Wednesday, Jan. 28, was called to order by President Steve McKinzie. There were nine members present. Minutes and treasurer’s report were approved as read.
President McKinzie reported that a company called Inflate-O-Fun of Inman, Kan., would be at the fair on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights as a new and exciting event in place of a carnival.
It was discussed that there would be a new large and small set of bleachers purchased with funds from the Parsons Community Foundation.
President McKinzie reported about the Fair Board’s attendance at the meeting in Topeka. Rod Landrum reported that Labette Health wants to serve breakfast again, one morning at the fair this year.
Bill Chapman reported the steer weigh-in is scheduled for Feb. 7, from 8 to 11 a.m., at the Mike Landrith facilities on Rooks Road.
Rick McKinzie and Rod Landrum reported that Power Cat Dozing of Altamont, donated their services to clear the recently purchased lots south of the Fair Board office. This completes an eight year acquisition of property made possible by the vision of 15 fair board officers, county commissioners, City of Oswego and numerous volunteers of the county.
President McKinzie reported about the night shows to be at the fair and they tentatively are as follows:
•  Sunday afternoon a pony pull
• Monday night hog show
• Tuesday and Wednesday nights rodeo
• Thursday night horse show
• Friday night big demo derby
• Saturday night lawn mower races
It was decided to donate $50 each to Chetopa, Labette County, Oswego, and Parsons high schools for Project Prom.
President McKinzie reported that the Cranor/McKinzie hog and sheep sale will be April 5, and Slayter sale will be held on April 19, at the fair grounds.
The East Kansas Swine Series is to be held June 14. John Strickland reported Society for Creative Anachronism Inc. requested to rent the fairgrounds from April 3, 6 p.m. to April 5 at 12 p.m.
The fair board will handle Kamp Siesta and checks which must be to Steve McKinzie by July 1. Meeting was adjourned. Next meeting will be Feb. 25,  at 5:30 p.m.,  to move bleachers before the meeting.
–– By Bill Chapman, Secretary/Reporter

Even though Labette County received some rain last week, the countywide burn ban will remain in force.
That was the decision made at Monday’s Labette County Commissioners meeting. The commissioners will re-examine the ban next week. They noted that special permission for agricultural burning can be obtained from your area fire chief. He will require you to have a written request before he gives an approval to burn.
Whenever the county activates a burn ban, the cities of Altamont, Chetopa, Edna and Oswego, automatically endorse the same burn ban. The city of Parsons does not automatically follow the endorsement.
IN OTHER ACTION taken at Monday’s meeting:
• The commissioners discussed a proposal to add two more members to the Labette Health Board of Trustees, but took no action at Monday’s meeting.
The county commission appoints members to the board which currently is composed of seven members. The board has suggested adding two more members, one of them required to be a physician.
• Labette County signed a pharmacist-in-charge agreement with Cindy Fager, to be effective April 1, 2009 until March 31, 2010, at a cost of $400 annually. This is the third year Fager has been the pharmacist-in-charge at the Labette County Health Department.
• Larry Cupit, county sanitation officer, presented a county sanitation code update request. The county counselor Fred Johnson will work with Cupit on language changes, etc. and work up a addendum to the present sanitation code. This addendum will have to be approved by the state before the commissioners can approve it. The Labette County Sanitation Code booklet is dated 1994.
•  Commissioners will attend the See-Kan RC&D annual meeting in Coffeyville on Saturday, Feb. 21.

Tommy Hayward, rural Oswego, was duck hunting on a strip pit near his home last week; something he does quite often. He had shot some ducks and was going out to retrieve them. With the pit covered in an inch and a half of ice, Tommy had to use his boat and oars to break through. He climbed into his boat, standing up to use his weight to break through the ice as he had done many times in his life.
He went straight east about 40 feet and then turned 60 to 70 feet to the south. He did this several times retrieving ducks and made a “Z” pattern in the ice. He continued to stand up in the boat, bouncing to force it through the layer of ice, but something upset the balance of the boat, causing it to capsize.
Tommy could not swim at all. Toppled over in the water with the boat turned upside down, he grabbed onto the handles on the sides of the boat so he could keep his head above water. He kicked his boots off and tried to roll the boat around until he was exhausted. He wedged one hand under the handle, thinking he did not want his kids to have to drag the pit for his body. He tried pushing and kicking his feet, but a boat in the ice would go nowhere. He was just too tired to make any headway.
About three weeks before this, his four-year old granddaughter, Josie, had climbed on his lap and sang to him “My God is an Awesome God.” In his exhausted state, Tommy must have blacked out. He laid his chin on the back of the boat and he knew that he was not going to make it, but he kept hearing Josie sing, “My God is an Awesome God” over and over.
Suddenly, he felt a warm breeze in his face. He thanked God for the breeze because it felt so good. In a hypothermic state, he dozed off; then he felt something hit his foot. When he looked up, the bank was right behind him. He felt that the breath of God had blown him with the jon boat to the bank. It had to have been blown from three different directions to push him back along his Z shaped path. He said he remembered thinking that he was not dead because he hadn’t seen any bright lights.
Tommy dragged himself up on the bank, crawling on his elbows because he had no feeling in his feet and legs. He could not stand up, so he crawled to his four-wheeler. He doesn’t know how it started or how it got in gear, because he had no feeling in his hands either. He stood up when he got to his yard and was able to get into the house while yelling for his wife, Dixie.
He came in the back door and collapsed. He remembers that the house didn’t feel warm as he had thought it would. At this point, he had no peripheral vision but could only see straight ahead. When he collapsed, he felt blurry and dizzy. Dixie came running, found him and called the ambulance.
Tommy said he had some special promises to keep. One of which was to tell his testimony about the goodness of God.
As a lingering effect of the hypothermia, his fingers and toes tingle and burn and they must be watched for any blackness, but everything is coming around okay. His vision is fine and the doctors have released him to live a normal life.
“It is truly a miracle from God,” Tommy said. “There is no reason I should be alive, but here I am. God is not through with me yet.”

For more information, see the Feb. 18 issue of the Labette Avenue. To locate previously posted death notices, enter the decedent’s last name in the archive search box on Labette Avenue’s home page. Labette Avenue publishes death notices free of charge. Paid obituaries ($20) are printed in their entirety in the Labette Avenue and online at www.taylornews.org/lba.

M. Marcella Braley

OSWEGO—M. Marcella Braley, 89, of Oswego, Kan., died Friday, Feb. 13, 2009, at Labette Health.

Marcella was born Aug. 24, 1919, in rural Bartlett to Luther A. and Eva (Thompson) Wiley.

She graduated from Labette County Community High School in 1939. She received her teaching certificate from Pittsburg State Teachers College and later earned her master’s from Pittsburg State University. She taught rural school at Liggett and Ellis and taught at Oswego schools for 40 years.

On Nov. 25, 1942, she married Gene Braley. He preceded her in death in April 1996. She enjoyed playing bridge, gardening, arts and crafts and quilting.

She was a member of Oswego Presbyterian Church and the Wednesday Afternoon Bridge Club. She was a charter member of the Oswego Arts Society.

Survivors include four sisters, Imogene Miller of Bernice, Okla., Wintress Stine of Bartlesville, Okla., Darlene Thomas of Bartlesville, Okla., and Luvonne Hucke of Mound Valley; a sister-in-law, Betty Wiley of Oswego; and many nieces and nephews.

She also was preceded in death by a sister, Nadine Barr; and a brother, Milan Wiley.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Monday, at Oswego Presbyterian Church. Burial will be in Lake Creek Cemetery, Bartlett. Murdock Funeral Home, Oswego, is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials are suggested to Oswego Presbyterian Church and can be left at the funeral home.

Bobbie D. Guy

COLUMBUS—Bobbie D. Guy, 74, of Columbus, Kan., died Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009, at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Joplin.

A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, at Murdock Funeral Home in Columbus. The family will receive friends after the service at the home of Bobbi Koons, 841 N.E. Bethlehem Road, Columbus.

Velma (Thomas) Giltner

PARSONS—Velma (Thomas) Giltner, 92, longtime Parsons, Kan., resident, died Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009, at the Parsons Presbyterian Manor.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Monday, at the Presbyterian Manor Chapel, with Rev. Wayne Mason officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Ronald McDonald House of the Four States in Joplin. They may be left at or sent to the Carson-Wall Funeral Home, P. O. Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357.

Katherine P. “Kay” Taylor

PARSONS—Katherine P. “Kay” Taylor, 90, of Parsons, Kan., died Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009, at the Family Health and Rehab Center in Wichita. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond H. Taylor, on May 25, 2002.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Burial will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m., Friday, at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association. These may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, 67357.

Stanley L. Terril

HONOLULU, Hawaii—Stanley L. Terril, 74, of Honolulu, Hawaii, formerly of Altamont, Kan., died Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009, at Queens Hospital, Honolulu.

He is to be cremated, and his ashes will be scattered in the Pacific Ocean off-shore of Waikiki Beach, Hawaii.

Lovetta M. Webb

PARSONS—Lovetta M. Webb, 85, of Parsons died at 9:40 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, at Labette Health.

Following cremation, a memorial service will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, at Carson-Wall Funeral Home. Friends may call the funeral home at their convenience to sign the register.

Memorials are suggested to the New Hope Baptist Church and these may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, 112 N. 26th St., P.O. Box 942, Parsons, 67357.

Ruth I. McGuire

PARSONS—Ruth I. McGuire, 79, of Parsons, Kan., formerly of Cherryvale, died Monday, Feb. 16, 2009, at Labette Health. She had been in failing health.

Graveside services will be at 2 p.m., Thursday, at Mound Valley Cemetery.

Complete obituary details will be announced by Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Altamont.

Debra K. “Debbie” Marks

PARSONS—Debra K. “Debbie” Marks, 54, of Parsons, Kan.,died Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009, at her home. She had been in failing health the past year.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Wednesday, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Glory Barn Church and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, 67357.

__________________
PUBLIC NOTICE
(Published in the Labette Avenue, Wednesday, February 11, 2009)
RESOLUTION NO. 2009-7-L
NATURE OF THE IMMINENT THREAT OF DISASTER:
The grassland and cropland of Kansas form an important part of our economy, and provide for protection of watersheds, forage for livestock, refuge for wildlife, and recreational opportunities. Wildfires endanger these resources, real and personal property, and the lives of residents and visitors in these areas. Extremely dry, hot, and windy weather conditions with temperatures above normal have created an extreme fire hazard in the grassland and cropland of Kansas. Fires have been reported throughout the county and have caused substantial damage. Once started, these fires are difficult to control and strain both paid and volunteer fire department manpower and resources. The fire danger is “extreme” in this county. The dry condition, above-normal temperatures and fire danger will continue unabated until sufficient rainfall occurs across the area.
It is hereby resolved, directed and ordered by the Board of County Commissioners of Labette County, Kansas, that the following acts are prohibited within the boundaries of this County by all citizens and visitors:
1. Careless use of smoking materials, including cigarettes, cigars and smoking pipes. Discard shall be in a manner to preclude threat from smoldering remains.
2. Building, maintaining, attending or using any open fire or camp fire except in permanent stoves or fireplaces or barbecue grills in developed recreational sites or residential lawns.
3. Prescribed burning of all fence rows, fields, wildland, ravines, trash and debris. Prescribed burning may be exempted from this order where such burning is necessary for crop survival and has been specifically approved in writing by the Fire Chief (or other appropriate officer) of this County. Crop survival is defined as stubble burning in preparation for second crop planting.
The knowing and willful violation of this Resolution shall constitute a Class C misdemeanor and any person convicted of such violation shall be punished as provided by law.
This Resolution shall be in full force and effect until action is taken by the Board of County Commissioners to terminate.
Dated this 5th day of February, 2009.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LABETTE COUNTY, KANSAS
Lonie R. Addis, Chairperson
Brian C. Kinzie, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Linda Schreppel
Labette County Clerk

_____________________________________________________

PUBLIC NOTICE
(First published in the Labette Avenue, Wednesday, February 4 and 11, 2009)
NOTICE OF SPECIAL
QUESTION ELECTION
LABETTE COUNTY, KANSAS

The Board of County Commissioners, Labette County, Kansas, has heretobefore, pursuant to resolution duly adopted, declared it advisable to extend (retain) the current one percent (1%) County Wide Retailer’s Sales Tax for a period of five (5) years from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2016.
NOTICE is hereby given to the qualified electors of the County that a special question will be submitted at the general election held on April 7, 2009 as follows:
Shall the following be adopted?
Shall a County Wide one percent (1%) Retailer’s Sales Tax be extended (retained) for a period of five (5) years from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2016, all pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 12-187 et seq.?
To vote in favor of the question darken the oval to the left of the word “Yes”.  To vote in opposition of the question darken the oval to the left of the word “No”.
O    YES
O     NO
The polls will be open at 7:00 o’clock A.M. and will close at 7:00 o’clock P.M., on April 7, 2009, the Election Day.  The voting places in the County, and the area each voting place will serve, will be as follows:
Voters Residing In    Will Vote At
Canada/Howard Township – Angola Community Center, Angola
Elm Grove Township – Edna Community Senior Center, Edna
Fairview/Hackberry Township – Christian Church, 100 W 3rd, Bartlett
Labette Township – Meadow View School, 1377 21000 Rd, Parsons
Liberty Township – Center Bethel Church, 1699 18000 Rd, Parsons
Montana/Neosho Township – Neosho Twp Fire Station, 25001 Wallace Rd, Parsons
Mound Valley Township – Mound Valley Community Center, Mound Valley
Mount Pleasant Township – 1st Baptist Church, 400 S Wabash, Altamont
North Township – Foursquare Church, Hwy 400 (E Main), Parsons
Osage Township – United Methodist Church, Dennis
Walton Township – Westside Christian Church – 5100 W Main, Parsons
Chetopa City/Richland Township – Masonic Lodge, 4th & Locust, Chetopa
Oswego City/Township – Community Bldg, 5th & Merchant, Oswego
Parsons – 1st Ward – First Baptist Church (Lobby New Bldg) 1621 Main, Parsons
Parsons– 2nd Ward  – Municipal Building (Basement), 112 S 17th, Parsons
Parsons – 3rd Ward  – First Christian Church, 1500 S 29th, Parsons
Parsons – 4th Ward  – Parsons Middle School Community Rm, 2710 Main, Parsons
The election will be conducted by the county election officer being the County Clerk as provided by law for holding elections, and the method of voting will be by ballot.  Registered voters are eligible to vote by advance voting ballot upon application to the County Clerk of Labette County whose address is Labette County Courthouse, 501 Merchant, Oswego, Kansas 67356 pursuant to K.S.A. 25-1117 et seq.
DATED: January 26, 2009.
__________________________________________________________________________________

PUBLIC NOTICE
(First published in the Labette Avenue, Wednesday, February 4, 2009)
RESOLUTION NO. 2009-06-L    

A RESOULTUTION EXTENDING A ONE PERCENT (1%) COUNTY WIDE RETAILER‘S SALES TAX IN LABETTE COUNTY, KANSAS
WHEREAS, the qualified electors of Labette County previously authorized a one percent (1%) County Wide Retailer’s Sales Tax for a period of five (5) years which took effect on July 1, 2006; and
WHEREAS, said one percent (1%) County Wide Retailer’s Sales Tax will expire on the 30th day of June, 2011; and
WHEREAS, revenue derived from the sales tax is divided between Labette County and its incorporated cities and is used for reduction of property taxes.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF LABETTE COUNTY, KANSAS:
1.) That a special question election be held in the manner prescribed by law on April 7, 2009 for the purpose of submitting to the qualified electors of Labette County the question of extending for an additional five (5) years the levying of the County Wide Retailer’s Sales Tax in the amount of one percent (1%).
2.) Such extension of said tax, if approved, to take effect on July 1, 2011 and end on June 30, 2016.
3.) This resolution shall become effective upon passage and its publication in the official county newspaper.
Adopted this 26th day of January, 2009.
BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF LABETTE COUNTY, KS
Lonie R. Addis, Chairman
Brian C. Kinzie, Commissioner
Jack W. Martin, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Linda Schreppel, County Clerk

A Food Drive sponsored by the Kansas Food Bank will be held during the month of February. Radio KIND of Independence 102.9 will be at G & W Foods, in Oswego on Feb. 15 from 11:30 to 1 p.m.
A drop off will be available at G & W Foods, Chetopa Foods, and Chetopa First Baptist. All food will stay local. Monetary donations will be accepted through the local churches.
For more information, contact Clarence Newman, Chetopa First Baptist Church, (620) 236-7858.

A new family of three have moved to the Oswego area recently and have become active members of the community. Nathaniel Sharp is the new manager of the Sonic Drive-In.
Sharp grew up in Girard with three younger brothers, and his mom even comes and works at Sonic to help  him out occasionally. He has been in the restaurant business for 10 years off and on since he was 16.
Kristi Bohannon, formerly of Oswego, managed the new Oswego Sonic for several years and Sharp has worked for her, so he knows the operation. Bohannon is the daughter of Joe and Linda Schreppel of Oswego.
He and his wife Holly have a daughter, Skyla who is two years old. Holly works in the courthouse in the treasurer’s department.
“I’m here and I want the customers to be taken care of and I want you to come and tell me your complaints,” Sharp said. “Come to me first.”
The Sonic passed the health inspection last Thursday with flying colors. He has around 30 employees. Sharp works 11 to 12 hours daily and he feels your opinions are welcomed. He wants to get the orders out right. “Work with me, I am getting it back up to par and we just keep improving,” he said.
New equipment is being added and he gives his crew incentives as he works around their schedules.
The Sonic Drive-In had over $170,000 renovation on the outside last February.
A Valentine’s special is being offered, you can purchase sundae’s for 99 cents, with a variety of toppings.  In December of 2008,  the “Everyday Value Menu” was added. This offers a variety of menu items for only a $1.
Sonic was founded in 1945 in Shawnee, Oklahoma and his headquarters is in Oklahoma City, Okla. There are 3462 Sonic locations. Sonic recreates the drive-in diner feel of the 1950s, complete with carhops who sometimes wear roller skates. Happy Hour is held from 2 to 4 everyday. Your favorite soft drink can be purchased for half price.
The telephone number is 620-795-2747 and is located at 608 North Commercial in Oswego.

Nick LaPee, a junior at Chetopa High School, has been selected for the 1234A High School State Band that will perform at the Kansas Music Educators’ Association annual in-service workshop and convention that will be held in Wichita on Feb. 26-28.
Nick had to go through a district and state-wide audition process to reach this honor. Over 6000 students started this process last fall. From this number about 500 have been selected for the high honor of participating in one of the state honor groups which include 1234A Band, 56A Band, Orchestra, Choir, and Jazz Band.