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City of Topeka, Corps of Engineers to hold meeting on Shunga Creek flooding study

info2018-10-15T06:33:50-05:00October 15th, 2018|

After flooding occurred in 2007, the city asked the corps to conduct a study on flood control options, city spokeswoman Molly Hadfield said. In the 50/50 cost-shared study, the corps developed hydrologic models of past flooding, including the 2007 flood. They also carried out real estate assessments, surveys, plan formulation, construction cost estimates and economic analyses. The corps then used the data to evaluate alternatives to reduce flood risk in the watershed. The corps will present options for potential improvements. Some of the alternatives may be eligible for federal cost share. Projects that qualify under the federal program are eligible for [...]

Lyon County takes next step toward Reading Wind Farm

info2018-10-15T06:32:28-05:00October 15th, 2018|

The Lyon County Commission signed two agreements with Reading Wind Energy, LLC related to an ongoing wind farm project in Reading during a meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. The wind farm is a project of RES Americas and has been a point of discussion off and on for nearly a decade. Planning and Zoning Director Sam Seeley said the county needed to sign a Road Use Maintenance Agreement and Payment in Lieu of Taxes agreement in order to move forward with the project. “In process of doing [the Reading Wind Farm project] they’ve been using county roads,” Seeley said. “There [...]

Wichita water hearing postponed, locals organize to block regulation changes

info2018-10-12T11:32:29-05:00October 12th, 2018|

Wichita might have to wait a little longer for a decision on whether or not it can take more water from the Equus Beds Aquifer, which provide drinking water for all of Harvey County, as well as Wichita and 14 other municipalities it serves as customers. The Groundwater Management District Two (GMD2), in charge of regulating the aquifer, was successful in postponing a public hearing into Wichita’s proposed regulation changes until Dec. 11. The hearing will be held at 9 a.m. at American Ag Credit, located at 4105 North Ridge Road, in Wichita. Tim Boese, director of GMD2, said the request [...]

Going electric: North Newton looks at purchasing hybrid police vehicle

info2018-10-12T11:32:14-05:00October 12th, 2018|

The City of North Newton is exploring the possibility of getting a hybrid police vehicle. During its regular council monthly meeting on Monday night at North Newton City Hall, Police Chief Randy Jordan told the council City Administrator John Torline approached him and said there was an interest in the town having an electric car-charging station and asked if the next police car could be at least partially electric. Read more: Harvey County Now.

City of Lawrence working to increase number of women on city advisory boards

info2018-10-12T10:56:39-05:00October 12th, 2018|

The City of Lawrence has begun working with a foundation to get more women involved in the advisory boards that help inform city decision-making. About 40 boards provide the city recommendations or oversight on a broad range of topics, including affordable housing, public transit, fair policing, economic incentives and the arts. The results of a voluntary diversity survey conducted by the city indicate that only 39 percent of respondents said they were women. The Lawrence City Commission approves at-large appointments to city advisory boards, and Commissioner Jennifer Ananda said efforts to diversify board membership were overdue. Read more: LJWorld.com.

Man lied about quality of Garden Plain’s drinking water to EPA, indictment alleges

info2018-10-12T10:38:06-05:00October 12th, 2018|

Garden Plain’s former water system operator is in trouble for allegedly lying to the Environmental Protection Agency about where got tap water samples used to test the quality of the city’s drinking water. An indictment filed Thursday in federal court says Arthur Wolfe, 62, certified bacteriological reports that said he’d collected tap water from four homes in Garden Plain last winter, when he really got it all from 411 Loomis — the City of Garden Plain’s shop. Samples are typically taken from more than one location to make sure bacteria is not seeping into the water lines. Garden Plain, which has [...]

Holcomb OK’s annual Finney County Economic Development Corp payment

info2018-10-12T10:33:05-05:00October 12th, 2018|

After nearly 10 months of debate over fees and fairness, the Holcomb City Council approved the $25,000 2018 membership contribution payment to the Finney County Economic Development Corp. and suggested councilman Ron Schreibvogel to sit on the FCEDC’s board of directors, filling a seat the city has left vacant since January. The decision means business will “go back to the way it used to be” for the city and FCEDC, said Lona DuVall, FCEDC president and CEO. With Schreibvogel’s addition, she said, the board will have seven members again and stronger communication with the city. “We’re very excited that they’ve made [...]

Salina to host Water Summit

info2018-10-12T10:31:54-05:00October 12th, 2018|

The Kansas Water Office’s (KWO) Smoky Hill-Saline Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) and the city of Salina will host a Water Conservation and Efficiency Summit Oct. 19 from 12:30-3:45 p.m. at the Salina Chamber of Commerce Annex, 218 N. Seventh St. in Salina. The public is encouraged to attend and learn about the area’s water resources, how it is being maximized within local industry, municipalities, and irrigation and how the public can help. (Read more: News - Salina Journal)

Well contamination could be problematic once flood waters recede

info2018-10-12T10:16:27-05:00October 12th, 2018|

Many rural properties that have faced flooding over the past week will have many issues to deal with once the water recedes. That includes water wells. Most wells that are inundated with flood water will need to be cleaned to make sure they are free of coliform bacteria or other contaminants that can leech into the well, especially on farmsteads where there is animal waste from livestock. There are a number of steps that must be taken to disinfect a well. According to the Reno County Health Department, the well cover must be removed. The well will have to be flushed [...]

Cheney Reservoir filling up fast

info2018-10-12T10:15:33-05:00October 12th, 2018|

Cheney Reservoir is filling up quickly as the Ninnescah River runs full. At last check on Thursday afternoon, the lake was up nearly six feet at over 1,427 feet above sea level. Normal pool is 1,422. The flood pool is reached at 1,429 feet. Officials with Cheney State Park report that many of the east side areas are closed. Heimerman, Wichita and M&M points are closed, as well as all east side campgrounds. Hookups behind the marina are also closed off because of high water. According to the Army Corps of Engineers, the spillway gates are closed to control downstream flows [...]

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