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In case you missed it in my Wednesday column, Shawnee’s Trick or Treat night has been set for Saturday night, Oct. 31. Police Chief Russell Frantz says it will be from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., same as last year.
That is considered Halloween night. However, occasionally, in previous years, Trick or Treat has been set for a different evening. Several folks already have begun inquiring about this, and we will print it in future editions of the paper as well. It’s also listed on our Tri-County Community Calendar.
•••
Shawnee City Commissioners are expected to discuss Planning Commission recommendations for the Kickapoo reconstruction project when they meet Monday night. They also will consider and discuss the process for selection of employee health insurance, according to the agenda.
The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers of city hall. It’s open to the public.
Also, there will be a presentation by John Schaefer of Allied Waste on bulk waste removal and commissioners may authorize staff to request proposals for solid waste disposal services for fiscal year 2010-2011.
•••
When Lincoln County commissioners meet Monday morning, they will be dealing with the resignations of two county officials, and possible appointments to fill both positions.
Lincoln County Sheriff Paul Coffey submitted his letter of resignation effective immediately on Wednesday of this week, because of his failure to complete the required state peace officer training within six months of his taking office. Even though his resignation was effective on Wednesday, commissioners have to act on it and are expected to do so Monday when they meet at 9 a.m. in the commissioners conference room.
Undersheriff Mike Madden assumed the top duties in the office. Commissioners may take action, too, on appointing a successor to Coffey that could serve until the next general election.
Lincoln County Treasurer Babe Milam’s resignation is also on the agenda. And appointment of first deputy Kathy Sherman to fulfill the remainder of the treasurer’s term effective Nov. 1 of this year.
•••
Remember that Bethel is hosting its annual Community Health Fair today at the Bethel United Methodist Church, 35500 Hardesty Road. It will be held in the church’s Christian Life Center beginning at 9 a.m. and lasting until 5 p.m.
It’s free and open to the public.
Those coordinating the event say that flu and pneumonia injections will be offered. A blood drive is also being held as part of the activities with blood pressure checks, diabetes education with blood sugar screening also available.
Project Safe will provide information to educate people on abuse prevention. Heart and Alzheimer’s Disease education information will be offered.
Representatives from nursing homes (long term care), assisted living, home health and Hospice and other services will be on hand to answer questions and provide information.
Coordinators say that Indian tacos will be available from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information, call 273-2873 or 760-5006.
•••
The Pottawatomie County Extension Office has announced it will host a Master Gardener program again this year. The Master Gardener program is a volunteer organization for the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. Projects and volunteer work is approved by the Extension Educator in the county.
The program is for anyone with a high school education or equivalent, a genuine interest in horticulture and would enjoy sharing their research-based information with others. During the course of the eight-week program, participants will learn the latest OSU horticulture research results, techniques and practices.
Master Gardener classes will begin in early January. These courses will be held on Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Those attending will receive approximately 40 hours of training from local OSU educators and state horticulture specialists. Educational materials will be provided.
After training, 40 hours of assistance to the local OSU Extension Horticulture program is required through community service projects and assisting the local extension horticulture program.
Joe Benton, Extension Educator of Pottawatomie County, said “we currently have a number of openings available.” The deadline for application is Nov. 9. The registration fee is $80, non-refundable, with half due at sign up and the balance due the first day of class. This is to cover the cost of materials, he explains.
If the class does not have the required number of participants, the initial sign up money will be refunded promptly. This year, the class will be canceled if there are less than 20 participants, with a maximum of 25 participants.
Applicants will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are available in the OSU Extension Center, 14001 Acme Road, Shawnee or by calling the OSU Extension Center at 273-7683.
•••
Thousands of Oklahoma deer hunters hit the woods Thursday as the archery season opener signaled the start of another deer season.
Jerry Shaw, big game biologist for the Wildlife Department, says “combined with the added challenge, many archery hunters take up the sport to enjoy greater opportunity to be in the woods, as archery season is the longest of our deer seasons.”
Shaw also said archery hunting can offer a chance to harvest more meat and more close-to-home hunting opportunities that might otherwise be missed.
“Deer numbers remain at high levels, and hunters should take advantage of the very liberal season dates and bag limits afforded to archers,” Shaw said. “Additionally, some areas close to our urban centers can be safely and effectively hunted by those using archery equipment. While the majority of our deer hunting still takes place in the more rural areas of our state, bowhunters should not overlook opportunities that might be found closer to home. Of course hunters looking at suburban opportunities should always check local laws to make sure that they are in compliance.”
Shaw said archers can expect good hunting, but some hunters in parts of the state might have to watch closely for game during the earliest part of the archery season.
“Our wet summer has helped the vegetation to reach great height and density,” Shaw said. “The deer will still be out there; it will just be tougher to see them. However, it appears that the acorn crop will be plentiful, which should help draw deer out of the thicker cover and perhaps under a hunter waiting in a tree stand.”
•••
If you have ideas or something of interest for this column, call 214-3922 or e-mail michael.mccormick@news-star.com. Include name and phone number for contact purposes.
In case you missed it in my Wednesday column, Shawnee’s Trick or Treat night has been set for Saturday night, Oct. 31. Police Chief Russell Frantz says it will be from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., same as last year.
That is considered Halloween night. However, occasionally, in previous years, Trick or Treat has been set for a different evening. Several folks already have begun inquiring about this, and we will print it in future editions of the paper as well. It’s also listed on our Tri-County Community Calendar.
•••
Shawnee City Commissioners are expected to discuss Planning Commission recommendations for the Kickapoo reconstruction project when they meet Monday night. They also will consider and discuss the process for selection of employee health insurance, according to the agenda.
The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers of city hall. It’s open to the public.
Also, there will be a presentation by John Schaefer of Allied Waste on bulk waste removal and commissioners may authorize staff to request proposals for solid waste disposal services for fiscal year 2010-2011.
•••
When Lincoln County commissioners meet Monday morning, they will be dealing with the resignations of two county officials, and possible appointments to fill both positions.
Lincoln County Sheriff Paul Coffey submitted his letter of resignation effective immediately on Wednesday of this week, because of his failure to complete the required state peace officer training within six months of his taking office. Even though his resignation was effective on Wednesday, commissioners have to act on it and are expected to do so Monday when they meet at 9 a.m. in the commissioners conference room.
Undersheriff Mike Madden assumed the top duties in the office. Commissioners may take action, too, on appointing a successor to Coffey that could serve until the next general election.
Lincoln County Treasurer Babe Milam’s resignation is also on the agenda. And appointment of first deputy Kathy Sherman to fulfill the remainder of the treasurer’s term effective Nov. 1 of this year.
•••
Remember that Bethel is hosting its annual Community Health Fair today at the Bethel United Methodist Church, 35500 Hardesty Road. It will be held in the church’s Christian Life Center beginning at 9 a.m. and lasting until 5 p.m.
It’s free and open to the public.
Those coordinating the event say that flu and pneumonia injections will be offered. A blood drive is also being held as part of the activities with blood pressure checks, diabetes education with blood sugar screening also available.
Project Safe will provide information to educate people on abuse prevention. Heart and Alzheimer’s Disease education information will be offered.
Representatives from nursing homes (long term care), assisted living, home health and Hospice and other services will be on hand to answer questions and provide information.
Coordinators say that Indian tacos will be available from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information, call 273-2873 or 760-5006.
•••
The Pottawatomie County Extension Office has announced it will host a Master Gardener program again this year. The Master Gardener program is a volunteer organization for the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. Projects and volunteer work is approved by the Extension Educator in the county.
The program is for anyone with a high school education or equivalent, a genuine interest in horticulture and would enjoy sharing their research-based information with others. During the course of the eight-week program, participants will learn the latest OSU horticulture research results, techniques and practices.
Master Gardener classes will begin in early January. These courses will be held on Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Those attending will receive approximately 40 hours of training from local OSU educators and state horticulture specialists. Educational materials will be provided.
After training, 40 hours of assistance to the local OSU Extension Horticulture program is required through community service projects and assisting the local extension horticulture program.
Joe Benton, Extension Educator of Pottawatomie County, said “we currently have a number of openings available.” The deadline for application is Nov. 9. The registration fee is $80, non-refundable, with half due at sign up and the balance due the first day of class. This is to cover the cost of materials, he explains.
If the class does not have the required number of participants, the initial sign up money will be refunded promptly. This year, the class will be canceled if there are less than 20 participants, with a maximum of 25 participants.
Applicants will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are available in the OSU Extension Center, 14001 Acme Road, Shawnee or by calling the OSU Extension Center at 273-7683.
•••
Thousands of Oklahoma deer hunters hit the woods Thursday as the archery season opener signaled the start of another deer season.
Jerry Shaw, big game biologist for the Wildlife Department, says “combined with the added challenge, many archery hunters take up the sport to enjoy greater opportunity to be in the woods, as archery season is the longest of our deer seasons.”
Shaw also said archery hunting can offer a chance to harvest more meat and more close-to-home hunting opportunities that might otherwise be missed.
“Deer numbers remain at high levels, and hunters should take advantage of the very liberal season dates and bag limits afforded to archers,” Shaw said. “Additionally, some areas close to our urban centers can be safely and effectively hunted by those using archery equipment. While the majority of our deer hunting still takes place in the more rural areas of our state, bowhunters should not overlook opportunities that might be found closer to home. Of course hunters looking at suburban opportunities should always check local laws to make sure that they are in compliance.”
Shaw said archers can expect good hunting, but some hunters in parts of the state might have to watch closely for game during the earliest part of the archery season.
“Our wet summer has helped the vegetation to reach great height and density,” Shaw said. “The deer will still be out there; it will just be tougher to see them. However, it appears that the acorn crop will be plentiful, which should help draw deer out of the thicker cover and perhaps under a hunter waiting in a tree stand.”
•••
If you have ideas or something of interest for this column, call 214-3922 or e-mail michael.mccormick@news-star.com. Include name and phone number for contact purposes.
