Oskaloosa husker places second in national event

Donna Fairbanks, 60, of Oskaloosa, once again brought home trophies from the National Corn Husking Contest that took place this year in Upper Sandusky, Ohio.

Donna Fairbanks

Fairbanks took second place Sunday in the senior women’s division after winning first place the week before in the Kansas State Cornhusking Contest in Oakley. This was her 23rd year as a competitive husker. She’s placed in the top two in the nation each year since 1993.

At Oakley, Fairbanks husked 341 pounds in 20 minutes. In Ohio, she husked 225 pounds in 20 minutes; rain had weighed down the husks.

“It’s going to die out one day,” Fairbanks said of cornhusking. “There’s a lot of people who don’t know beans about it. But we’re trying to keep it going.”

Franklin County

State agency nixes 1,500-cow dairy farm

Topeka — In a move that was applauded by neighbors who opposed it, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment rejected for the third time a plan for a 1,500-cow dairy farm near Ottawa.

The agency cited several reasons for denying the latest request by Franklin County farmer John Coen. Among them was KDHE’s conclusion that the farm’s plan for controlling manure runoff was insufficient.

The state’s decision was welcomed by Mattie Perry, a nearby neighbor.

“This is wonderful for the environment, and the neighbors are just delighted,” Perry said.

Coen wanted to expand his dairy of 65 cows to nearly 1,500. Coen couldn’t be reached for comment.

Education

Lawrence schools plan for Red Ribbon Week

Lawrence public schools will honor the sacrifice of Enrique “Kiki” Camarena during the 2003 Red Ribbon Week.

Schools in the district are planning daily events from Thursday to Oct. 30 that promote healthy, drug-free lifestyles. The red ribbon was adopted as a symbol of the movement in honor of Camarena, an agent with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration who was kidnapped and killed while investigating drug traffickers.

The theme for Red Ribbon 2003 is “UNITE for a Drug Free World.”

Students will be decorating posters, distributing information and, on certain days, wearing red to demonstrate a commitment to staying sober.

Habitat for Humanity

Lawrence leads challenge to collect aluminum cans

Lawrence was leading Manhattan on Tuesday in the Habitat for Humanity Aluminum Can Challenge, but Lawrence officials warned that Manhattan organizers had big plans for collecting cans this weekend.

As of Tuesday, Douglas County Habitat for Humanity had collected 2,200 pounds of aluminum cans, compared with 880 for its Riley County counterpart.

The can challenge, revolving around Saturday’s Kansas University-Kansas State University football game in Manhattan, began Oct. 1 and runs through 5 p.m. Monday.

Cans can be dropped off in Lawrence at the Habitat office, 412 E. Ninth St.; Lonnie’s Recycling, 501 Maple St.; a receptacle in the parking lot of Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2104 W. 15th St.; or from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1007 Mass.

Gasoline prices

Pump Patrol seeks deals

The Journal-World has found a Lawrence-area gasoline price as low as $1.52 at Citgo, 2005 W. Ninth St. If you find a lower price, call 832-7154.