Area veteran cornhusker still racking up titles

Rural Jefferson County resident Donna Fairbanks continues to rack up state and national cornhusking titles. This year, the 22-year veteran cornhusker won the state title in Oakley with 230.5 pounds of corn shucked in 20 minutes. She got second place at the national contest in Huntington, Ind., where she shucked 185.6 pounds.

Reluctant to divulge her secret for winning, Fairbanks attributed her success to “better corn.”

Government: City commission not meeting Tuesday

The Lawrence City Commission will not meet Tuesday night.

Though commissioners regularly meet at 6:35 p.m. on Tuesdays, they make an exception on the last week of any month with five Tuesdays.

The commission will meet again on Nov. 3.

Charity: Organizations accepting holiday help applications

The Holiday Assistance Bureau will begin taking applications from people in need of help during the holiday season.

Applications will be accepted starting Tuesday at the Ballard Center, Douglas County ECKAN, Douglas County Senior Services, Pelathe Resource Center or Penn House. The Salvation Army will begin taking applications Nov. 1.

Applicants must provide proof of income for all adults, Social Security cards for each resident and proof of Douglas County residence. Applicants may apply at only one agency.

Individuals or groups wanting to help in the “Adopt a Family” program may contact the agency of their choice.

Obituary: Wife of “Gunsmoke’s” Doc Adams dies at 89

Solana Beach, Calif. Jane Garrison Stone, widow of actor Milburn Stone, who starred as Doc Adams on the TV series “Gunsmoke,” has died. She was 89.

Stone died Sunday at her home in Rancho Santa Fe about 20 miles north of San Diego.

Stone was office manager and secretary for Ralph Edwards, host of the TV series “This is Your Life.”

She was born in Hutchinson, Kan., and moved to California to study at the Pasadena Playhouse.

Her husband, who grew up in nearby Burrton, Kan., appeared on “Gunsmoke” during its entire 20-year tenure. He died in 1980, five years after the classic series left the air.

Crime: Shooter sentenced to 48 years for slaying

Topeka A man was sentenced to 48 years and 10 months in prison in the shooting death of another man outside a Topeka bar last December.

Randy Dean Thomas was found guilty in July of second-degree murder in the Dec. 13 death of John L. Veloz, 31. Both men were from Topeka.

During the sentencing Friday, Shawnee County District Judge Eric Rosen noted the killing stemmed from an argument over whose turn it was to play a “50-cent” game of pool.

Rosen also noted that Thomas had killed before. Thomas served 10 years for involuntary manslaughter in the slaying of Lance Blackwell, 19, who was stabbed to death in July 1990 in North Topeka. Thomas was released from prison in May 2001.