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FRIDAY , MAY 27 , 2016
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HORNETS GET LIBRARY BUZZING

By Mary Ann Redeker maryann @ emporia . com
A packed Emporia Public Library was buzzing with excitement Thursday afternoon as the staff kicked off its summer reading program themed , “ On Your Mark , Get Set , READ !”
Corky the Hornet , Emporia State University football players and library staff welcomed an array of visitors , children to adult , as the new summer program was launched throughout the library .
“ The theme is a national theme and other libraries are tagging on to that ,” children ’ s services librarian Kelli Proehl said . “ We came up with some activities today to match that theme , with games , activities and crafts . We have a lot of other businesses in the community that will help us with activities to reflect the theme throughout the summer .”
Library director Robin Newell said the kickoff was loaded with activities for young and old , as the summer reading program offers something for everyone .
“ Today we had six different activities for the kids to do ,” Newell said . “ We had ESU football players and Corky here . Upstairs in our
MARY ANN REDEKER / GAZETTE
Yanet Murillo looks for the perfect book during Emporia Public Library ’ s kickoff to summer reading program Thursday . Murillo said she loved coming to the library because of all it has to offer .
young adult section , our librarian is helping students do technologytype activities . In the adult area we had cookies and refreshments . We
Please see Library , Page 8

CARDS ARRIVE

The Emporia Gazette
The popular and collectable Dirty Kanza 200 official trading cards have arrived at area businesses in Emporia . Fans can show support for their favorite riders by collecting a few or all of the DK trading cards .
As usual , the DK trading cards show a variety of racers , from a blue-eyed , mudspattered Dan Hughes ( Lawrence ) to the pink-and-black clad , blonde-hair-flying Kristen Legan ( Boulder , Colorado ). One card shows Lyn Blubaugh of Madison forging a stream with her bike on one shoulder ; another has Emporian Courtney Huber silhouetted against a stunning Flint Hills sunset .
Designed by Kelsey Barker of The Gazette , the following local businesses have trading cards available : ✦✦AMANDA ’ S BAKERY & CAFE , 702 Commercial St .: Joe Stiller ✦✦BEARD TEAM KANSAS , 720 Commercial
St .: Jim Phillips
✦✦BLUESTEM FARM & RANCH SUPPLY , 2611 W . U . S . Highway 50 : Kae Takeshita
✦✦BOBBY D ’ S BBQ , 607 Merchant St .: Chuck Remboldt
✦✦BRICKYARD 20 ALE HOUSE , 402 Merchant St .: Wes Boyce
✦✦BROWN ’ S SHOE FIT , 603 Commercial St .: Roger Williams
✦✦COMMERCIAL STREET DINER , 614 Commercial St .: Tim Johnson
✦✦DYNAMIC DISCS , 912 Commercial St .: Tim Voegeli
✦✦EMPORIA ARTS CENTER , 815 Commercial St .: Dan Hughes
✦✦ERG ( EMPORIA REALTY GROUP ), 608 Commercial St .: Rebecca Rusch ✦✦ESB FINANCIAL , 801 Merchant St .:
# HowDoYouDK ? photo contest winner
Please see DK Cards , Page 3
MARY ANN REDEKER / GAZETTE
The Emporia Public Library ’ s atrium was adorned with sports flags and inflatable balls from all sports Thursday afternoon . Visitors to the library received information on summer reading programs .
MARY ANN REDEKER / GAZETTE
Brayden Hopkins poses with three members of the Emporia State University football team Thursday afternoon at Emporia Public Library . Hopkins said he came to the library because the theme of the summer reading program reflected sports .

BARN DESTROYED IN THURSDAY NIGHT BLAZE

BRIDGE WORK , BICYCLES , VETERANS HIGHLIGHT COMMISSION MEETING

JOHN ROBINSON / GAZETTE
The Lyon County Commission held a special pinning ceremony for 23 veteran volunteers with Lyon County RSVP .
The Emporia Gazette
Firefighters from across Lyon County battled a driving rain Thursday while extinguishing a blaze north of Emporia .
At about 7:02 p . m . Thursday evening , a structure fire was reported in the 2300 block of Road N north of Emporia . When crews arrived , they found a barn on a farm site at 2389 Road N with large flames swallowing up two sides of the structure . Within minutes , the building was fully engulfed .
Reportedly , the barn — which was a total loss — contained straw and no people or animals were injured in the blaze . Firefighters from Emporia , Americus and Allen helped fight the fire .
At 8:20 p . m ., the fire was reported to be out . The cause of the blaze is unknown .
For more on Thursday ’ s storms , see page 16 .
By John Robinson john @ emporia . com
The Lyon County Commission approved a new deck for a bridge , proclaimed “ Bicycling Days ” and honored volunteers who are also veterans during an action session Thursday .
County Engineer Chip Woods presented a plan to place steel decking and an asphalt deck on Bridge 951-500 near Road 270 west of Road P . With an estimated cost of $ 9,000 — which will come out of the special bridge fund — Woods said the change will help
VOL . 124 , NO . 282 cyclists who wish to use the bridge .
“ We had a young man take a pretty serious tumble and do serious damage to his bike ,” Woods said . “ We did one of these for the Dirty Kanza on Road K a couple years ago . We ’ ll put a steel deck and asphalt over it . We have a lot of bikers riding out over county roads and this would eliminate a potential problem .”
John Koelsch , undersheriff and chair of the MUPP Board , asked the commission to proclaim “ Bicycling Days ” between June 1 and June 4 . The proclamation recognizes two bicycling events between those dates : the Dirty Kanza and the Law Enforcement Torch Run
“ Lyon County and Emporia will be the focus of two major bicycling
events between June 1 , 2016 and June 4 , 2106 ,” the proclamation reads . “ We would encourage all Lyon County residents to welcome these guests to our county .”
The commission also passed a memorandum of understanding for a joint traffic safety committee for Emporia and Lyon County .
Commissioners also recognized 23 veteran volunteers with Lyon County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program with a special pinning ceremony . The 23 veterans make up the 202 registered RSVP volunteers in Lyon County .
The Lyon County Commission meets at 8 a . m . every Thursday at 430 Commercial St . with time set aside at 9:45 a . m . for public comment .
MARY ANN REDEKER / GAZETTE
A fire destroyed a barn at 2389 Road N Thursday evening in rural Lyon County . Responders from Emporia , Americus and Allen battled the blaze .