Thirty-seven years ago
June 1982
PIQUA Along about the end of July, Ed and Elizabeth Niemann will close their grocery store here one evening just like theyve been doing for the past 43 years, but they wont open it the next morning. That will mark the first time since 1884 that there wont be a Niemann store in Piqua. I thought wed stay open long enough for the business to be 100 years old, Niemann, who is 81, said, but the tornado and high utility bills took care of that. The tornado in March damaged the Niemann store roof and it hasnt been repaired. The couple havent missed a days work to illness in more than 43 years.
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A special supplemental food program for women, infants and children, called WIC, is now available in Iola through the Southeast Kansas Community Action Program. The WIC program is designed to meet supplemental nutritional needs of low- and moderate-income pregnant women, nursing mothers, babies and children up to six years of age. Funds for the program are distributed by the Department of Agriculture to state health departments which in turn contract with local agencies to provide the services. A voucher system is used in exchange for the indicated foods from local grocery stores.
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Bob Huskey was picked at a Republican Party caucus last night to be appointed to fill a vacancy on the Allen County Commission from the Third District to replace Bob Garver, who resigned effective June 15.
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TOPEKA (AP) Mary Alice Lair, Piqua, vice chairman of the State Republican Committee, automatically assumes the chairmanship with the resignation of the chairman, Morris Kay, who is running for Congress in the 2nd District.
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A new barn and education building at the Allen County Community College farm, five miles north of Iola, has just been completed and will be handed over to the college by the contractor later this week. The metal building is 104 feet long and 54 feet wide. It will also be used to house livestock and equipment and will be used in the agriculture teaching program at the college. The old brick dormitory-style building at the farm is about halfway razed and should be completely removed by fall.
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New laws come into effect tomorrow, July 1. For the first time in 44 years, the penalties will change for conviction of driving while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. The new law requires a jail term and has set fines five times higher than previously. Moped operators under 18 years of age will be required to wear a helmet and eye protection. All moped operators are required to wear some type of eye protection.
All motorcycles and mopeds manufactured after Jan. 1, 1978, will be required to have lighted head and tail lights at all times.
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Ed and Betsy Varner are the new managers of the restaurant at the Best Western Inn. Varner, who has managed the Allen County Country Club for the past year, leased the eating establishment, which they have renamed The Greenery, last week.
