75¢ (tax included; 54¢ delivered at home) 16 Pages, 2 Sections Wednesday, November 2, 2005 127th Year, Number 44 Gas prices may double this winter Energy company says bills already higher here By KIMBERLY DAVIS It’s no secret that heating prices are going to be higher than they were Tips on how last winter. The question is how high? to save energy Natural gas prices right now are double what they were last year, said With natural gas prices ex- Bob Helm, manager of corporate pected to increase 50 to 75 per- communications for Midwest En- cent over last year, there are ergy. That means that people are some things homeowners can going to pay twice the price for the do to help save money and con- actual gas this year. serve energy. Last year, said Mr. Helm, con- Here are some tips on how to sumers paid $6.70 for 1,000 British keep energy costs down this Thermal Units, which means that winner: one “therm” was 67 cents. On a gas ¥ Vacuum floor furnace ex- bill, he said, use is measured in changers, space heater heat ex- therms. To estimate how much your changers and refrigerator coils. heating bills might be this summer, ¥ If an essential area of the take the amount of therms used last house is cold, use a fan to move year and multiply it by the current heat from warm rooms rather cost. than using a space heater or turn- Right now, he added, gas on the ing up the thermostat. New York Mercantile Exchange is ¥ Open shades and curtains on around $13 per 1,000 BTU or (See TIPS on Page 10A) around $1.30 a therm. Only 70 percent of the bill, said the price customers pay is going to Mr. Helm, will double or increase depend on how cold it gets this win- because that is the commodity price. ter. The colder the year, the more A Yabba-dabba-do Thirty percent of the bill last year demand, the higher the price of gas was delivery charges, which haven’t — and the more you use. changed. If the weather is the same as it was So if the bill was $100 last year, last year, then gas use might be simi- wins costume contest he said, 70 percent or $70 is going lar. If it is colder, the bills will be FOR HALLOWEEN, Dr. Douglas Fair and his wife to double and 30 percent or $30 will higher, but if it is warmer the use will Sandy (above) dressed up as Fred and Wilma Flintstone. stay the same. So the bill this year be lower. would be $170, said Mr. Helm. Basically, said Mr. Helm, the Their office, complete with Pebbles and Betty, won third Basically, he said, they are telling price of gas has been going up since place in the costume contest in Oberlin. Payton Cox (right), people to look for gas bills to be 50 2001. It is typical supply and de- 2, marched in the Trick or Trunk parade downtown dressed to 75 percent higher. mand. There isn’t enough supply for as Strawberry Shortcake. Grady Lohoefener (below) kept Another thing to remember is that (See NATURAL on Page 10A) warm dressed as a chili pepper while he slept through the parade. The Good Samaritan Center staff and residents took first place in the costume contest and Fredrickson Fall harvest Insurance Agency took third. — Herald staff photos by Kimberly Davis produces crop double last year By KIMBERLY DAVIS said. Decatur County’s fall harvest is For the most part, said Mr. Evans, coming in nearly twice as big as last all of the locations have been doing year, with some elevators already better than last year. In Jennings, full and piling grain on the ground, they have taken in 228 percent more and it’s still going. corn than they did last year. In In most parts of the county, fall Herndon, there has been a huge in- harvest started in September, said crease, too. The drought the last few Karol Evans, Decatur Co-op general years hit those two areas hard, Mr. manager, but combines are still roll- Evans said. ing. With occasional rains, farmers In Kanona, Danbury, Herndon have had to stay out of the fields and Jennings, they are starting to put waiting for things to dry out. grain on the ground. Now elevators are getting full and At Hansen-Mueller elevators in milo has been put on the ground in Oberlin and Cedar Bluffs, Manager several locations. Bill Gotchall agreed harvest has Weights ranging from 57 to over been good. In Cedar Bluffs, he said, 60 pounds per bushel have been re- the elevator is full and they have ported across the county for corn, been putting grain on the ground. milo and soybeans. There is just a little bit of room for At the Decatur Co-op, said Mr. corn left there, he said. Evans, they have taken in 2 million In Oberlin, the elevator has taken bushels of fall crops at all of their six in around 35,000 bushel of milo and County changes hiring policy locations, and harvest isn’t over. 105,000 bushels of corn. In Cedar Ballots Last year in November, the co-op Bluffs, Mr. Gotchall said, they have The Decatur County commis- had taken in a little over a million around 108,000 bushels of corn and sioners approved a resolution to add bushels of corn, milo, sunflower and about 65,000 bushels of milo. volunteers to the list of positions County countdown soybeans. The test weights, said Mr. Gotc- available covered by the county’s nepotism At their meeting last Tuesday, the rural fire department and emergency Mr. Evans said he expects harvest hall, have been good, running 57 policy. Decatur County commissioners: medical service workers. Story on Voters who live in Oberlin to end at all the branches except for pounds per bushel or better. A few weeks ago, Sheriff Ken ¥ Approved a resolution adding Page 10A. City limits and did not receive Danbury, by this weekend. Hansen-Mueller got their first Badsky deputized his wife Jan and volunteers to the positions covered ¥ Gave the go ahead for dirt and a mail ballot for the Sunday So far, test weights on milo and load around the end of September. Undersheriff Randy McHugh’s by the county’s nepotism policy. Story concrete work at the parking lot at the sales of beer and alcohol still corn have been over 60 pounds per The farmers aren’t really saying too wife Kristin. The commissioners at left. Good Samaritan Center. Story to have time to contact the bushel and there haven’t been any much, he said, but harvest has been said since the women were depu- ¥ Accepted a policy to allow ran- come. Decatur County clerk’s office problems with moisture. better than it has been. tized, the county could be held re- dom drug and alcohol testing for the to get one. (See CROPS on Page 10A) “Harvest has been excellent,” he sponsible if they were injured while Clerk Marilyn Horn, who riding in the sheriff’s department serves as the county election vehicles. which says that county department “Then you need to change the officer, said there may have Sheriff Badsky said when they heads can’t hire relatives. He said he nepotism policy to say employee,” been a glitch in the computer Classes canceled have to take a woman prisoner looked up the word hired in the dic- said Mr. Badsky. program when they mailed out somewhere, they need a female tionary and every meaning has hire That would be a good idea, to the ballots. Some rural ad- deputy, since it is an all male staff as doing something for a fee. His change the policy to include volun- dresses in the city limits may for teacher training now. Both his wife and Mrs. wife isn’t getting paid to be depu- teer employees, said Mr. Hirsch, and not have received ballots. If a McHugh, he said, could ride along tized, he said; she is a volunteer. that is what the commissioners voter didn’t receive a ballot, There’ll be no classes in Oberlin ing. Friday is when he could be here. on transports of female prisoners The biggest concern, said County agreed to do. she said, stop by the clerk’s Schools on Friday because of a Since there won’t be any school that after they were deputized. Commissioner Doyle Brown, is the The resolution was signed and office or call her at 475-8102. teacher training day. day, Mr. Glodt said, the scheduled Commissioners asked whether insurance through the Kansas Coun- will be printed in The Oberlin Her- All ballots must be in the Superintendent Kelly Glodt said late start next Wednesday has been that violates the county’s policy on ties Association Multi-lined Pool. ald one time. It goes into effect with office by noon on Tuesday. Kelly Gillespie from the Southwest canceled. nepotism, which bars supervisors County Attorney Steve Hirsch after it is published. She has received around 250 to Plains Regional Service Center, an That means school will start at from hiring any relative. said the state has a law which says Sheriff Badsky was not in the 300 ballots so far out of 1,049 expert on computerized local as- 8:20 a.m. next Wednesday. Last Tuesday, Sheriff Badsky that an employee includes volunteer meeting when the commissioners sent out. sessments, is coming to do the train- said he checked into the policy, officers. (See POLICY on Page 10A) 10A THE OBERLIN HERALD Wednesday, November 2, 2005 * Natural gas Drug testing bills to jump required this winter (Continued from Page 1A) Another suggestion is to purchase Decatur County commissioners the demand and there isn’t enough a setback or digital thermostat. Mr. decided last Tuesday to require drug time to get the supply into the pipe- Helm said they can set the thermo- and alcohol testing for the rural fire line, so more of the gas is being used stat back when they are gone, at department and emergency medical while there isn’t any more being work or at night while they are in service workers. pulled out of the ground. bed. The county already tests people A lot of power plants are running If people just can’t pay their bills, who drive the transportation bus for on natural gas, he said, and they’re he said, they need to contact their gas drugs or alcohol. Now the county using the fuel year around. supplier as soon as possible. There can test the fire chief, ambulance There isn’t as much natural gas are several agencies, including the director and emergency workers at going into storage for winter, said state Department of Social and Re- random for drugs and alcohol. Mr. Helm, and that also has driven habilitation Services, the American The plan is for the firefighters and the price up. Red Cross, the Salvation Army and ambulance crew, too, prohibiting To help with bills, he said they tell United Way agencies, that can help. them from using alcohol or drugs on customers to get on budget billing. The governor, he said, has started the job. Virtually anyone can get on budget a new website call Warm Help, County Clerk Marilyn Horn said billing, although they need to be which helps with energy conserva- the tests will only be done on reason- current with their bill. Instead of tion tips. able suspicion. The firefighters and high bills in the winter and low bills The increase in natural gas prices ambulance workers will receive a in the summer, the customer pays is a national problem, he noted, and copy of the policy with their pay- the same amount all year. even the governor is saying the bills checks. With budget billing, even if a bill are going to be high. Mr. Helm said Commissioners received an up- goes up, the increase is spread over they are just trying to keep custom- date from Blue Cross/Blue Shield 12 months, he said. That is the No. ers informed so they aren’t surprised on the county’s advance life insur- 1 thing customers should do. by the jump. ance. The county buys life insurance from Blue Cross/Blue Shield for employees who die so that the estate gets the money. The new plan says * Tips to help lower that an employee with a terminal disease can request up to $50,000 before they die to help pay for bills and expenses. The county pays for higher heat costs the insurance. (Continued from Page 1A) the base of an outside door if leak- In other business, commission- sunny days to catch the sun’s heat; ing occurs. ers: ¥ Replace or clean furnace filters ¥ Held a 10-minute closed session close them at night; tape cracks in AT THE HOG ROAST before the football game Thursday, Erin May (above) sat on window glass; make sure windows monthly. for non-elected personnel with Bert the curb and ate her dinner while her mother and brother helped serve. Clay Anderson are locked and storm windows are ¥ Fill gaps or cracks where the sid- Cool, emergency preparedness di- ing meets the foundation with rags, rector. There was no action taken. and Michael Wasson (below) talked over the grill. The two men helped organize the event all closed; if no storm windows, tape plastic over windows; stuff scrap caulking or scrap material. Twenty- ¥ Appointed Commissioner to raise money for improvements to the 4-H livestock facilities at the Decatur County rags or foam around window air five percent of a home’s air leakage Ralph Unger as the delegate for Fairground. — Herald staff photos by Kimberly Davis occurs at this location. Kansas Association of Counties and conditioners to prevent leakage. ¥ At night or when away from ¥ Replace the washer in a dripping Kansas Workers Risk Cooperative home, turn down the thermostat. hot-water faucet, seal outside air for Counties. Mr. Unger also was penetrations under sinks; take short appointed as the alternate delegate Roast ¥ If a fireplace will not be used, raise the damper and seal off with showers rather than baths; reduce for the Kansas Counties Association insulation, then close damper. Be water heater settings to 100 to 120 Multi-line Pool, an insurance coop- degrees; use a cold-water laundry erative. sure to remove insulation before raises fireplace is used again. detergent and switch from hot wa- * Crops money ¥ Lay a rolled-up rug or towel at ter to warm. A group of local farmers raised * Policy changed $1,300 to help improve the live- double stock facilities at the Decatur County Fairgrounds with a hog to add volunteers roast before the football game last year Thursday. (Continued from Page 1A) McHugh is back from Louisiana, With two hogs donated by Farm made the decision. He went to the where he served with the National (Continued from Page 1A) Credit of Colby, the group was annual Kansas Sheriff’s Associa- Guard. At Norcatur Grain, the elevator able to feed just over 200 people tion meeting and was to report back Mr. McHugh stopped by the has taken in 450,000 bushels of in City Park before the game. The on what other sheriffs have done meeting and talked with the com- corn, 55,000 bushels of milo and meat was cooked by the Oberlin Anderson helped organize the would like to get 30. Donations about the situation. missioners for a minute. 50,000 bushels of soybeans. Jaycees, dinner service was do- feed. The group had already raised will be taken for the next two Under the policy, a department Sheriff Badsky said he inter- Test weights have been around 60 nated by Dwight Wentz with $30,000, but wants to get to weeks. head who wants to hire a relative can viewed two people for a part-time pounds per bushel. A&W and D&M Sinclair Service, $50,000 before starting on the The men are also taking grain ask permission from the commis- deputy job. Both had a psychologi- At D&S Grain in Traer, co-owner and 4-H members helped serve the project, which will be a covered donations. Karol Evans at the sioners. cal evaluation, he said, and he plans Rich Grafel said they aren’t taking food along with their parents. arena and new housing for live- Decatur Co-op has set up a “grain Sheriff Badsky said Undersheriff to hire one. in milo this year but the corn and The group served the pork sand- stock. bank,” with space to store the sunflowers have been good. Sun- wiches, chips, beans, iced tea and The group is asking for wean- grain. flowers yields have been good, said water. ing-weight steers to be donated to Anyone who wants to make a Pheasant banquet set Mr. Grafel, and the oil content has All of the money raised will go the effort. These will be fed at the donation should call Mr. Wasson been high. for the facilities at the fairgrounds. Decatur County Feed Yard. The at 475-3596 or Mr. Anderson at Only 1 /12 weeks remain until prizes and raffles for men, women Corn yields, he said, have been Michael Wasson and Clay men have 16 steers committed and 322-5655. pheasant season kicks off, and the and kids. better than expected, with weights Sunflower Chapter of Pheasants Mr. Ferguson said the chapter up to 61 pounds per bushel. Forever has changed its annual ban- decided to focus on youth members, He added that they still have a quet back to Friday, Nov. 11. or Ringnecks, this year. Dues for little room left. Mr. Grafel said the Mike Ferguson, president with kids are $5, which can be paid at the elevator has taken in around Tour to feature businesses the chapter, said the banquet will door. Mr. Ferguson said the chapter 280,000 bushels of corn. start around 5:30 p.m. at The Gate- will start a mentoring program this In the Traer area, he said, they Reservations are being taken for The tour is open to everyone. Call The Chamber also is taking reser- way. Tickets will cost $20 for adults year for young members. started to cut around the second the annual Business to Business the Chamber of Commerce office at vations for businesses that want to and $10 for kids, which includes a Tickets can be purchased at the week in September and are about 75 tour, planned for 4 p.m. on Sunday, 475-3441 or stop by to make a res- be on the tour. There is no charge. prime rib dinner. door. Pheasant season opens on Sat- percent done. Harvest has taken a Nov. 13. The idea is to let people ervation. The $6.50 fee includes a All reservations must be in by The banquet will feature live and urday, Nov. 12. The chapter had little time with recent rains, he said. know what businesses in Oberlin soup-and-sandwich dinner at The Thursday, Nov. 10. silent auctions. Mr. Ferguson said planned to have the banquet that Farmers had to wait for fields to dry have for Christmas shopping. Gateway after the tour. Johnson Realty will do the auction night, but there were too many com- out. this year. There will also be door plaints.
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