Less than one week after losing the Republican nomination for the Montgomery County Sheriff, a defeated Stan Veach said he is not down for the count.

Veach confirmed Friday that he would campaign for the November general election as a write-in candidate for sheriff.

In the Aug. 5 primary election, Veach was defeated in the Republican nomination by former deputy sheriff Robert “Bobby” Dierks of Coffeyville.  Dierks will face the Democrat Party opponent, Jerry Gilbert, in the November general election.

Because Veach will be a write-in candidate, his name will not officially appear on the November general eleciton.  Instead, voters wishing to vote for Veach will have to write his name on their ballot.

Charlotte Scott-Schmidt, county clerk and chief election officer, said a write-in candidate does not have to file any forms to announce a write-in campaign.  However, she said any write-in candidate will have to abide by the same election laws and disclosure statements as conventional candidates.

More details about Veach’s announcement will be printed in the Aug. 14 edition of the Montgomery County Chronicle.

Fire of unknown origin destroyed several barns at Messner Farms north of Caney early Saturday morning.

Richard Anderson of Messner Farms said he was awakened shortly after 3 a.m., Saturday when a motorist driving past the farm noticed flames coming from several barns.  The barns were entirely engulfed in flames when members of the Caney Fire Department and Montgomery County Rural Fire Department arrived.

About 19 hogs were destroyed in the blaze while several other hogs sustained injuries.

The fire did not reach the Anderson family’s home, which, ironically, was destroyed in a fire eight years ago this month. And, several barns used by the Anderson and Messner families were saved from the fire.

More details about the fire will be printed in the Aug. 14 edition of the Montgomery County Chronicle.