WWW arkcity.net

By FOSS FARRAR
Traveler Staff Writer
reporter@arkcity.net

Central Plains Book Manufacturing is offering a $500 reward for information leading to the return of its 1,000-pound rock sign taken from in front of its former Strother Field location, a company spokesman said.

The sand rock sign was about to be moved to Central Plains' new location in Arkansas City when company workers discovered it was missing, said Gunter Hansen, former company owner.

Central Plains was sold last year to Sun Graphics, of Parsons, but retains an office in Ark City. The new location is on the upper floor of the building where H&R Block has its office, Summit Street and Fifth Avenue.

"For us, it seems logical that a former employee took it," Hansen said of the theft. "It takes two strong men to lift it. We set it up with a forklift."

Hansen said there were trailer tracks leading up to where the sign had been set.

Capt. Bill Mueller of the Cowley County Sheriff's Department said the theft was reported about a month ago.

"It was reported to have happened between January 15th and 16th," Mueller said. "The big rock was there one day and was gone the next."

Anyone who sees the sign should call Central Plains at 442-6746 or the sheriff's department, 441-4555, Hansen said.