A Wichita truck driver has been charged with leaving the scene of a non-injury accident and transporting an open container of alcohol or cereal-malt beverage in connection with the destruction of the rear-entrance arch into the Lyon County Fairgrounds on Saturday.
Alert witnesses took down the name of the trucking
company — Midwest Express — as well as the truck number and a description of the driver. Emporia Police Officer Ed Serrano tracked down the driver, John E. Dyck of Wichita, at the Flying J truck stop, according to EPD Sgt. Mark Summey.
The witnesses saw the truck saw the truck hit the arch with its trailer. It then stopped, backed up and left, Summey said.
The accident already has been turned into the fair board’s insurance company.
Fair board president Chris Phillips had taken his boom truck to the scene Saturday night and stabilized the massive, leaning arch, then put up barriers to try to keep people from driving in near it.
On Sunday morning, board members took down the arch and piled it on the fairgrounds for temporary storage.
The arches at the front and rear entrances were purchased from Mast Engineering, and Fair Board member Harry Groh anticipated the arch replacement would not be done by the time the fair activities open later this month.
“Oh gosh, no,” Groh said. “It took them over a year to get ’em done the first time.”
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
Maybe he did us a favor. Those things look like something you'd find at the front gate of a dirty trailer park in the 1970's. Not that there is anything wrong with living in a trailer park, but I don't think those archways speak to the true greatness of Emporia or Lyon County. Maybe we can hire the people who did our beautiful courthouse to put something more appealing in. I suppose they want to keep them as is to match the "Bowyer Barn" once it's built...
Just kidding. I hope they get this fixed soon! I love driving through these magnificent archways once a year! Those whimsical white bars and the gorgeous green tin roof! I mean, it's an archway with a metal roof! It's like a little cross section of a metal shed or something! What's not to like? This tragic loss has struck a serious blow to the soul of our town. I hope they throw the book at the one responsible! I really do. Damaging property and leaving the scene is not cool.
'enry
July 19, 2010 at 11:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
solong (anonymous) says...
I just hope there isn't a HenryVIIII similar to the VIII!
July 19, 2010 at 1:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tosie (anonymous) says...
Henry maybe you should just keep your thoughts to yourself if you don't have anything nice to say. There are several people that have put in lots of time, effort, and hours of free labor when it comes to the Lyon County Free Fair. If you don't like the arches that is fine, but keep it to yourself. Someone destroyed property and luckily he was found and now the arches can be fixed and put back up eventually.
July 19, 2010 at 3:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoehorn (anonymous) says...
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
Theodore Roosevelt
July 19, 2010 at 3:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barefooting (anonymous) says...
Its disturbing that a semi driver drinking.
July 19, 2010 at 6:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
solong, the roman numeral for 9 is IX.
July 19, 2010 at 7:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tangoarmy (anonymous) says...
Tosie:
Its called freedom of speech. Just because you don't like doesn't mean someone can't speak their mind.
July 19, 2010 at 10:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
Thanks, tangoarmy. You're alright.
'enry
July 19, 2010 at 11:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Cough, cough, uhhhm,
This hurts me to say but maybe Henry is right. Before everyone piles on, let me splain.
People have complained about the looks of the quonset huts for years and then arches, (which look like a cross section of the huts) are put up at the entrances to the grounds. Some are of the opinion that the clock tower at 12th & Merchant falls short and was a waste of money, some may feel the same way about those arches. Opinions only, we all have them.
Just a suggestion:
Because of Clint Bowyers generosity a new building will be built to possibly replace the quonsets and start a revitalization of the fairgrounds. Before rushing to replace the destroyed arch, maybe an entrance tying in with the design of the new building could be thought of?
Please don't take this the wrong way, I have nothing but good to say about the fairboard and it's members, they are some of the hardest workers of any board here in Lyon County and my ball cap goes off to them.
Maybe, hopefully they could start a fundraising effort to tie in with the 79 Fund donation to raise money for Maybe enlarging that building?
There are several large business owners around here that have helped out before, maybe they could step up and make this happen!
July 20, 2010 at 6:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
A pledge drive like what the Granada theater did would be a good start. Who wants to step up and get the pledge drive going?
July 20, 2010 at 6:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Great idea, Steve. I too agree with 'enry. While I don't have the kind of energy it would take to run a pledge drive, I will certainly be most happy to make a nice donation toward changing the entryway designs to match that of the new Bowyer Building.
While we're on the subject of the fairgrounds, I have often wondered why that big empty space isn't used for a Saturday or Sunday flea market during the spring and summer and fall. Participants would have to collect and pay sales tax or pay a use fee which would go to the county for use with fairground upkeep and 4-H activities and such. People from outside Emporia would come to the flea market to either sell or buy. There could be food booths set up by local organizations interested in fund raising. Even incidental passing traffic along Hwy 50 would see the signs and bright flags; they would smell the grilled chicken and tacos and corn dogs and stop for a looksee and a taste or two. Why does all color have to only take place during the Fair? Why not capitalize on the space?
Of course someone would have to cut all that grass flowing down the curbs and into Hwy 50 and Industrial all along the fairgrounds. I mean to dress it up and all.
Just wonderin'.
July 20, 2010 at 7:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Joe_dirt (anonymous) says...
That is a great idea, create!! My family has gone to the MidAmerica Flea Market in Wichita several times! It was a lot of fun and tons of stuff to look at! We are pickers at heart(ever watch American Pickers?) It would be nice to have someplace closer to home to go do what we love to do!!!
July 20, 2010 at 8:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
giggles (anonymous) says...
I have wondered the same thing create. We have one flea market in September, down on Commercial. This is fine, but I think that people do plenty of shopping and looking for unique items more than once per year. It seems like an easy small way to draw in crowds on the weekends.
July 20, 2010 at 10:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
It might work maybe once a month or bi-monthly.
July 20, 2010 at 11:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Let's talk sales taxes.
click on reader topics on the forum page.
July 20, 2010 at 11:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cypress (anonymous) says...
As long as we are kicking around ideas for the fairground, how about considering doing away with all the overhead power lines. If you drive by and take time to look, they are an eyesore plus a safety hazard at times. In new developments, lines are usually buried and the whole area looks nice and well kept. I'm sure it would be expensive to bury them all, but the final results could be great! Just an idea.
July 20, 2010 at 3:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
I like the idea of having the arches, but they remind me of the St Louis arch(although not quite as grand). We should definitely take this opportunity to replace them and do it in a more original way than just a single arch over the entrance/exits. I think I have come up with an idea. Since they are both exits AND entrances, why not have an arch for each lane of traffic and have the arches meet in the middle and divide the two lanes? I think it would improve safety as well as be aesthetically pleasing. We could paint them a grand color that reflects the up scale direction we want our town and county to go. Hey! What about gold?!?! Now that is an original idea, right there! They would kinda look like the ESU "E" symbol turned sideways. Kinda like an "M". "M" for eMporia. Whoa, some times I amaze myself with my good ideas. You just don't see golden arches everyday. I really think they would draw a crowd.
July 20, 2010 at 4:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
seriouslyfolks,
That's odd...reading your post made me start salivating... It must be a good idea to stimulate that response!
'enry
July 20, 2010 at 4:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
Everyone has the right to their opinions indeed. How many complainers, nay-sayers, and those with negative outlooks on the fairgrounds have ever participated in or been involved with putting on an event there? I'm betting none of you have.
July 21, 2010 at 10:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
neighbor,
You're right. I guess I've never been really involved with the fair grounds. Probably because they type of events I enjoy aren't suited for an empty lot with a handful of metal sheds on it. It just doesn't have the facilities to support any "good" events. Unless you're into cow pie throwing contests... I guess the demolition derby is ok, but how do we use the grounds on the other 364 days of the year? Maybe the "Bowyer Barn" will have something for me... Until then, I'll just scoff at the desolate property and imagine a nice Hope Depot there every time I drive by.
'enry
July 21, 2010 at 2:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
neighbor, I have. I certainly have. And I still say that there is no reason that space should sit empty most of the year.
July 21, 2010 at 4:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
Well, after all, they are Fairgrounds....for putting on the Lyon County Free Fair and 4H events....with animals......who live in barns........and some produce.......that grows in dirt. I don't think the grounds were ever meant to be an architecturally appealing community center. They were meant to be practical and utilitarian....for animals.........and produce.
I think the new arches keep with that but look a bit nicer than those practical and utilitarian white posts with the sign hanging between them that had the dates repainted on them each year. They looked like something from a farm, though, so I kind of miss them.
July 21, 2010 at 4:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
create,
I was reading and typing when you posted. My comment was directed mostly at "It just doesn't have the facilities to support any "good" events."
I am aware that the big 4H competition involves items like quilts and clothing that need a clean environment. So a clean utilitarian building for that would be nice. As far as the amount of time that land sits unused, I agree. However, I have been the opinion that the fairgrounds should have moved to a less developed location a couple of years ago. I thought the pool would go nicely at 12th, Industrial and Hwy 50. Now I think a nice community center with a clean auditorium and rentable meeting rooms and well-landscaped grounds would do well there for a variety of events.
I know that isn't popular, but it's my opinion.
July 21, 2010 at 4:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TexasGirl (anonymous) says...
"You just don't see golden arches everyday." - ROFL
3.5 billion served.
July 21, 2010 at 4:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
The property is being used exactly as it was supposed to be used based on the wishes of the family that donated the land many years ago. They gave the land so there would be a place for the 4H and the County Fair events to be held, not for wine and cheese tasting affairs.
If you want to see a Home Depot in Emporia, perhaps your will should include a deed and directions for them to build one on the land you owned.
Create- I'm quite sure the Fair Board will gladly rent you or anyone else the facilities should you or they desire to hold an event, nothing's stopping anyone from doing so (other than some very common sense rules)
July 22, 2010 at 12:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
neighbor, yes, I was suggesting exactly that the Fair Board would profit by a monthly or bi-monthly flea market because there would be a very nice rental fee charged to each participant...wait a minute, didn't I say that? Yes, I did. DANG!
July 22, 2010 at 7:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
Yep, you sure did after going back to read your previous response. I was responding to your last post, no I didn't go back and re-read every post that everyone has posted on here to be sure and not step on anyone's toes. Like in most situations, everyone wants more but only if someone else is doing the work. The flea market sounds like a great idea, swap meets, car shows etc would be good too.
July 22, 2010 at 8:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
inaweoftheblindness (anonymous) says...
I have lived here since 1989, not a lifetime but long enough. The fairgrounds has such a great location and I always thought to myself, man that would be a great location for so many events. Flea markets, car shows, all great ideas. And flea markets would definitely bring more people to Emporia as so many go to Topeka and Wichita for these events. As for the Arch, yeah an update would be nice.
July 28, 2010 at 4:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )