Members of Tonganoxie VFW Post 9271 set up about 200 flags in Tonganoxie and in the cemeteries for Memorial Day weekend.

Most of them survived.

Monday afternoon, John Putthoff, of the Tonganoxie Police Department, apprehended a 36-year-old Leavenworth man who had cut a flag from a flagpole in front of Lloyd Mills Insurance Agency, 304 West St.

Someone at a nearby restaurant noted the incident and alerted police. Putthoff caught up with the man, who was riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle, on County Road 1. He had wadded up the flag and was sitting on it, Putthoff said. “He said he was going to give it to his father who lives in Eudora,” Putthoff said.

The flag, which cannot be repaired, is worth about $25 and Putthoff said he believed the man would repay the VFW.

Harold Putthoff, a member of the VFW said a flag and flagpole located on Bury Street were stolen, and a driver backed into and broke a flagpole on West Fourth Street.

Lansing poised to hire chief

At its meeting Thursday night, the Lansing City Council likely will hire a new police chief.

The new chief was chosen from 83 applicants, according to City Administrator Mike Smith.

The police chief’s job has been vacant since Smith was named acting city administrator in December 1998. Police Capt. Alan Collins was named acting police chief in July 1999, at the time Smith was named city administrator.

“I’m ready to get back to my own job,” said Collins, who did not apply for the chief’s position.

Smith said the applicant pool was narrowed several times, and the mayor and council interviewed three applicants in executive session.

County’s warning sirens to be tested

The Leavenworth County Office of Emergency Management will conduct a test of the outdoor warning sirens about 11 a.m. next Wednesday.

The test will consist of a steady tone sounded on the siren (Alert Warning, then silence, followed by a wavering tone (Attack Warning). The cable television override system also will be tested at this time.

Warning devices for schools and institutions also will be activated during the morning hours.

If anyone observes a siren failing to properly work, contact the Leavenworth County Office of Emergency Management, (913) 684-0455, or the local police of sheriff’s department.

In case of inclement weather, the test will be postponed until the next clear day.

Pool hours listed

The Tonganoxie swimming pool will be open from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Turkey legs, anyone?

The friends of the Basehor Community Library will serve smoked turkey legs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the City Hall parking lot during the Basehor citywide garage sale.

Besides the turkey, there will be grilled hot dogs, hamburgers and polish sausages. Drinks and chips will also be available. Tables and chairs will be set up for those who wish to dine in.

All proceeds will benefit the Basehor Community Library. For more information, call the library, (913)-724-2828.

PRIDE team to take good look at Basehor

A PRIDE Program evaluation team will visit Basehor next Wednesday.

Local PRIDE Committee members will meet with evaluators at 4 p.m. at Basehor City Hall. Dorothy McGregor, PRIDE chairwoman, encourages all interested citizens to attend the presentation and hear comments from the evaluators. Mayor John Pfannenstiel has proclaimed the week of June 5 through June 9 as PRIDE week in Basehor.

Based on recommendations of the evaluation team, the community could be eligible for statewide recognition and a monetary award. The Kansas PRIDE program is co-administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce and Housing, and K-State Research and Extension.

Basehor PRIDE was started in 1994, and volunteers have accomplished many community improvement projects since then.

KDHE wants public input in reviews

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment asks for input from the public as it reviews the its rules and regulations.

The review is required by an executive order from Gov. Bill Graves.

KDHE staff will determine whether the rules and regulations are out-of-date, redundant or ineffective and their recommendations for change will be sent to the governor’s office.

The public is asked to participate in this review process by submitting comments to KDHE by June 19.

Each regulation will be reviewed based on need, clarity, cost, fairness and effectiveness. The public can review the agency’s rules and regulations at public libraries or on the KDHE Web site at www.kdhe.state.us/

regs/index.html.

Public comments should be sent to Dennis Highberger, Capitol Tower, Suite 200, 400 SW 8th Avenue, Topeka, Kan, 66603-3930 or sent to him at the following e-mail address: dhighber@kdhe.state.ks.us.

Veterans’ benefits

A representative from the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs will be in three area towns on June 8 to assist veterans and their dependents with veteran service work.

Here is the schedule:

9 a.m., Atchison Senior Center, 504 Kansas Ave., Atchison.

1 p.m., Job Service Office, 600 S. Fifth, Leavenworth.

3 p.m., Jefferson County Courthouse, Oskaloosa.

For information, call or visit the Kansas Commission Veterans Affairs, 745 Vermont Street, Suite 2, Lawrence, 66044-2371; (785) 843-5233.

Enrichment schedule

The Tonganoxie Junior High School summer enrichment programs begin next week. Here’s the schedule:

Session 1, June 5-9; Session 2, June 12-16; Session 3, June 19-23.