Residents request shift in fire protection

Some residents in southwest Douglas County are tired of relying on volunteer firefighters from Osage County to protect their homes, barns and other structures, and they are asking for help in creating a fire department of their own.

Wednesday night, Bruce Snodgrass asked Douglas County commissioners to help start the process for creating a Marion Township Fire District. The district would provide fire protection for the township’s 882 residents.

The residents currently are protected by Osage County Fire District No. 4, which collects about $30,000 in taxes each year from township residents. Snodgrass and others are looking for a change because many township residences are at least 25 minutes away from the nearest Osage County services.

Commissioners agreed to study the issue and discuss it again in four to six weeks.

Park restoration plan would save some trees

Many walnut, elm, hackberry and other trees towering above Wells Overlook Park will have to go as part of a plan to upgrade the area.

“It’s not going to be a scorched park,” said Jere McElhaney, chairman of the Douglas County Commission. “We’re not going to napalm it. We are going to save some trees.”

Discussion of the park’s fate surfaced during Wednesday’s commission meeting, as park neighbor Steve Smith and others urged commissioners to consider preserving trees at the overlook.

The 17-acre park south of Lawrence is anticipated to be restored as a natural prairie, with help from volunteers and money from grants. McElhaney is working with a committee to upgrade the park, which he says has fallen victim to overgrown trees, vandalism and other activity.

“We need to take our park back,” he said.

The committee’s next meeting is 4 p.m. March 25 at the park.

Cub Scouts to collect Humane Society donations

Cub Scouts from Deerfield School will be going door-to-door Saturday collecting pet supply donations for the Lawrence Humane Society.

Scouts from Pack 3370 ask that people who live near the school and find a donation bag on their door this week to fill it and have it ready for collection by 10 a.m. Saturday.

Individuals who didn’t receive a bag but would like to donate can call Rick or Lisa Werner at 832-9466 to schedule a Saturday morning pick-up time.

The animal shelter is in need of dry and canned cat and dog food, dry puppy food, nonclumping cat litter, paper towels, can openers, Polaroid instant film, bleach and dish soap. Donations by cash or check also are welcome.

The Cub Scouts will deliver the collected donations to the animal shelter Saturday.