Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Cowley County Commission talks noxious weed killers and reimbursement for approved chemicals

Cowley County Commissioners approved including generics in their list of subsidized noxious weed killers at their Tuesday night meeting.

County residents asked the board to reconsider the makeup of the list of approved chemicals so that they might be eligible for the 25 percent reimbursement offered by the county, now only for name brand products.

The board directed Eric Neal, the new noxious weed coordinator, to seek bids on generics to be included in the list. The state as well as the county has to approve the list.

(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Lyon County Commission moves forward with tower inspections

Pre-work inspections related to communications tower upgrades will soon be underway following approval by the Lyon County Commission Thursday morning.

The $42,000 project includes inspections, tower mapping and structural analysis at four sites and sub-grade anchor inspections along with cathodic protection for anchors at two sites.

Lyon County Emergency Manager Jarrod Fell said the county would be working with Hayden Tower Service, Inc., based out of Topeka, for the project. Hayden Tower works with the City of Emporia as well as the Kansas Department of Transportation.

(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Fire District #1 of Johnson County launches additional drone capabilities

Fire District #1 of Johnson County, Kansas is expanding its capabilities in the area of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) commonly referred to as Drones.
For the last year and a half Fire District #1 has had sUAS capabilities to support fire department operations. The sUAS flow by fire district personnel provided an eye in the sky view for incident commanders with video and still images. Recently, Fire District #1 expands those capabilities to include a new aircraft with Infrared Capabilities (IR).
“The capabilities of this new aircraft provide us images using heat signatures. This allows us to locate hot spots at fires, locate people and a multitude of other uses,” said Trig Morley, battalion chief. Morley is one of four pilots with Fire District #1 who are FAA Licensed to fly these drones.

(Read more: Gardner News)

Lyon County residents present road concerns brought on by recent flooding

Lyon County residents presented concerns over low water crossings on Road K7 near Olpe during a meeting of the county commission Thursday morning.

Neighbors Gary Jones and Beth Ginter, who both live on the 600 block of Road K7, said the low water crossing was flooding to the point where the gravel was consistently being washed out. This was making it difficult for residents in the area to travel, since there are no other roads in the area. Jones said there used to be a road on the southeast corner of Olpe City Lake that would provide outside access to residents. He asked commissioners why that road had been closed.

Chair Rollie Martin, speaking on behalf of County Engineer Chip Woods who was not in attendance, said Woods had advised him that the road had actually been closed in 1919.

He could not say why commissioners at that time had decided to close the road.

“That was 100 years ago, so why it was done or how it was done is [unknown],” Martin said.

Ginter said her concern was the length of time that the road was impassable during recent and ongoing flooding events. Martin said county precedent states that landowners must pay to have a road opened if they so wish it. Once a road has been built to county standards, the county would then take over maintenance of the road.

He recommended Ginter and Jones speak with the Olpe City Council about the issue, but Jones said he did not believe that would go anywhere.

(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Saline County to consider sharing Zoning Director with Dickinson County

The Saline County Commission will consider whether to approve a contract with Dickinson County to share Planning and Zoning Director Tim Hamilton, who is currently working for both counties, during a public forum beginning 9 a.m. Tuesday in Room 107 of the City-County Building.

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

City officials respond to article naming Fort Scott the state’s poorest city

During the Fort Scott City Commission meeting Tuesday, Director of Economic Development Rachel Pruitt reported city officials recently learned – Fort Scott made the news and not in a good way.Fort Scott was identified as the “poorest city in the state” in a May 7 article published in USA Today. Pruitt said officials tried to “fact find” where the newspaper obtained statistics used for the article.

(Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)

Sirens weren’t activated when a tornado hit Marysville early Friday

The National Weather Service is investigating why a warning wasn’t issued in Marysville, Kansas, when a tornado hit the city early Friday morning.

The tornado developed on the southwest side of the town and went through the town about 3:45 a.m., National Weather Service meteorologist Bryan Baerg said. The EF-1 tornado was about 50 yards wide and produced winds of 105 mph.

It dissipated about five miles northeast of Marysville, a town of about 3,300 sitting 60 miles north of Manhattan. Baerg said sirens didn’t go off because a warning wasn’t in effect. He said they are reviewing radar and other data to see what happened and ensure that it doesn’t happen again.

(Read more: Wichita Eagle)

Pottawatomie County officials considering housing study as recommended by FHRC

A housing needs assessment is being recommended for Pottawatomie County by the Flint Hills Regional Council.

Pott County Zoning Enforcement Officer Stephan Metzger says he was contacted by the council who has received funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Pott County Commissioner Dee McKee says this especially be helpful for smaller towns in the county that have not had planning. This study will be conducted by the Flint Hills Regional Council, who has received funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to conduct it.

(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Haven residents asked to restrict water use to avoid adding additional water to sewer system

The city of Haven is extending water use restrictions through 5 p.m. on May 31 to take the load off the city sewer system. The effort will lessen the amount of water entering the city’s wastewater sewer system. Officials say all the recent rain is bogging down the city’s lift stations, making it nearly impossible for them to keep up. At this time, adding any water to the sewer system should be avoided. Residents are asked to limit laundry, showers, baths, etc. Those cleaning up water in their house are asked to dump it outside on the ground and not into the sewer system.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

More Kansas counties added to governor’s disaster declaration

Hodgeman and Linn have been added to the state of disaster declaration signed by Governor Laura Kelly on May 9 which brings the total to 49 counties.

The declaration also includes: Allen, Anderson, Barber, Barton, Butler, Chase, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Clark, Clay, Cloud, Coffey, Comanche, Cowley, Crawford, Dickinson, Doniphan, Elk, Franklin, Geary, Greenwood, Harvey, Jefferson, Kingman, Lincoln, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, McPherson, Meade, Montgomery, Morris, Neosho, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Pottawatomie, Pratt, Reno, Rice, Riley, Rush, Saline, Sumner, Wabaunsee, Wilson, and Woodson.

“On this Memorial Day, as we work with flood impacted communities, we will also remember the service men and women who gave their lives for this country,” said Kelly. “We will honor their sacrifice through our work together to ensure our fellow Kansans safety.”

(Read more: Top Stories | KSNW)

Flood gate opened at Perry Lake

Several gathered Monday to watch water being released on Perry Lake in northeast Kansas. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers started the water release Sunday night. The lake is 23 feet above normal due to recent rain. Perry Lake is recreational, but its first purpose is flood control. The water release will last several days.

(Read more: Top Stories | KSNW)

A rich history: Hermstein to retire as Harvey County register of deeds

Harvey County Register of Deeds Margaret Hermstein has seen it, and others have seen it, including researchers. It’s a vaporous apparition they think is of a woman who died in the hallway near the Deeds office.

That goes along with what Hermstein likes about being the register of deeds—history and haunted houses.

“I love researching ghost houses,” said Hermstein, who is set to retire on July 1, after having served since 2001. “People who get excited researching their family records.”

People are a little shy, she said, about researching the possibility of their homes having a spook.

“People are embarrassed at first, because they think people won’t believe them,” Hermstein said.

She said the Harvey County Courthouse has a lady ghost, who’s non-threatening. She exists on the courthouse’s basement level, where the Register of Deeds Office is. Hermstein said that at one time, women used to play cards on the bottom floor and one of those ladies said her great-grandmother or grandmother died of a heart attack in the hallway.

(Read more: Newton Now)

Commerce Secretary learns that Scott County a ‘good investment’

While many rural communities – especially across Western Kansas – Scott City has set itself apart in terms of population and economic growth.
That hasn’t gone unnoticed in Topeka as Secretary of Commerce David Toland spent three hours in Scott City on Monday morning as part of a brief area tour.
The swing through Southwest Kansas-wide tours planned this summer by Toland and his staff.
“We want to not only talk about the importance of the Department of Commerce serving the entire state, but also show our commitment to that by going throughout the state and hearing Western Kansas gem – from people the things they’re doing well and areas where the state can assist,”
said Toland.
Scott City is doing well during visits to NuLife Market, Scott Community High School and the Scott County Hospital.

Scott City adopts mobile home inspections

After resolving some concerns about the extent to which building inspectors will inspect mobile homes, the Scott City Council has given unanimous approval to a new set of guidelines regarding permits and safety regulations.
The new ordinance, which takes effect immediately, requires permits for some types of work being done on manufactured homes and there are more instances when the city will require inspections.

Incoming Lawrence city manager faced tough situations in Clayton, other roles in the region

As incoming city manager Craig Owens gave a driving tour of Clayton, Mo., he was sure also to drive outside Clayton’s bounds to a place starkly different from the city he has managed since 2008.

Just outside the affluence of Clayton, an invisible line is crossed and the landscape changes: the homes are still brick but they are much smaller, closer together, some in need of repair. Here, the school district is only provisionally accredited. And it is here, in a conjunction of two dozen small municipalities that fall under the Normandy Schools Collaborative, that Owens spent several years on the board of the nonprofit Beyond Housing, which deals with affordable housing and other community development issues in the area.

Read more: LJWorld.com.

From high-rise cityscape to Lawrence: incoming city manager brings development experience to new role

The world incoming city manager Craig Owens departs is a very different one from what awaits him in Lawrence.

The approximately 2.5-square-mile city of Clayton, Mo., where Owens has been the city manager since 2008, has been booming by many accounts. The city has about 16,000 residents and brings twice that number of people into the city for work. On a recent weekday morning, people with briefcases in hand crossed downtown Clayton’s intersections in the shadows of gleaming business towers and new high-rise apartment buildings.

Read more: LJWorld.com.

Gov. Kelly will visit Eudora to sign bill authorizing new library district

Gov. Laura Kelly will visit the Eudora Public Library on Thursday to sign legislation important to the library’s future.

Carol Wohlford, director of the Eudora Public Library, said the legislation authorizes the Eudora City Commission and Eudora Township Board of Trustees to pass a joint resolution creating the Eudora Community Library District. The library district will include the city of Eudora and all of Eudora Township.

…
Under the legislation, Wohlford said, the library district will be governed by a six-member board elected by voters in the district. In addition, the legislation gives the board the right to levy up to five mills of property taxes each year to fund the library’s operation.

Currently, the Eudora Library is funded with annual allocations from the Eudora City Commission and Eudora Township Board of Trustees. Those two bodies also share the responsibility of appointing library board members, Wohlford said.

Read more: LJWorld.com.

Lawrence school district, teachers union to use new negotiation method

Lawrence school district administrators and the Lawrence Education Association (LEA) will follow a new format for contract negotiations this year, and they’ve planned 28 hours’ worth of meetings.

District spokeswoman Julie Boyle said via email that the negotiation teams have been trained in interest-based bargaining, or IBB. She said that changes the format of meetings into “collaborative-style discussions among one team working together.”

A federal mediator will guide the process, Boyle said.

Read more: LJWorld.com.

Lenexa allows beer and wine at four city parks, adjusts liquor laws to match new state law

Lenexa city leaders are now permitting beer and wine to be consumed during private events at four parks, in addition to the two already allowed in city code.

Drinking beer and wine is now permitted at these four parks: Ad Astra Park, Buffalo Meadows Park, Matt Taylor Park and Electric Park. On these properties, alcoholic liquor is permitted at private events if event organizers obtain a city-issued alcoholic liquor permit and rent a shelter for private use.

Steven Shrout with the city of Lenexa’s legal department, said the parks and recreation department has received more inquiries about drinking in public places, especially in parks for private events such as outdoor weddings. Recent changes in state law have added to the confusion, now that gas stations and grocery stores can sell stronger beer, he added.

(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Governor directs flags be flown half-staff for Memorial Day

In accordance with Executive Order 10-12, and in recognition of Memorial Day, May 27, 2019, Governor Laura Kelly has ordered flags throughout the State of Kansas to be flown at half-staff from sunup to noon on May 27. President Donald J. Trump also issued a flag directive honoring Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace.

“I’m always deeply humbled when I reflect on the sacrifices made by the military service men and women of this country – whether it is veterans, soldiers currently on active duty, or those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Kelly said. “Memorial Day is a time to honor those who died while serving our country. They are all reminders of the values that our country holds dear, and the high stakes necessary to defend our way of life.”

Floodwaters rise in Baxter Springs

Wednesday’s storm resulted in flooding on the Spring River in Baxter Springs, where Kiwanis Park and Riverside Park were almost completely underwater on Thursday, with waters continuing to rise.

Floodwaters had also risen near Military Ave., submerging Seventh Street and reaching the treads of the M60 tank on display at the Baxter Springs Heritage Center and Museum. While picnic tables located just north of the museum were completely underwater before noon on Thursday, however, the museum itself was unaffected by the flooding and remained open.

(Read more: Pittsburg Morning Sun)

Wichita Public Works monitoring Big Ditch after days of rain

The Wichita-Valley Center Floodway, widely known as the Big Ditch, is flowing a little higher than usual thanks to all the rain this week.

“We’ve had so much rain that there has been some diversion into the floodway, and we are monitoring that also,” said Jim Hardesty, Interim Storm Water Division Manager with the City of Wichita.

Diversion from several rivers to help protect Wichita from flooding.

Hardesty says even with all the heavy rainfall, the Big Ditch is still far from capacity. He says it’s only at about eight feet right now, and it’s designed to hold close to 30 feet.

“The floodway is working completely as designed and everything seems to be looking ok,” said Hardesty.

The city says crews are working around the clock cleaning inlets and also keeping an eye on river levees.

(Read more: Top Stories | KSNW)

Hutch, Reno County show population dips

The latest city and county population estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau show Kansas’ overall population rose – to 2,911,505 as of July 1, 2018, from 2,910,689 the previous year – but populations in Hutchinson and Reno County continued to slip.

In the last federal census in April 2010, Reno County had 64,511 residents and Hutchinson, 42,080. The latest estimates for mid-2018 put Reno County at 62,342 residents and Hutchinson at 40,623.

Population declines in western Kansas cities were common but not universal. The mid-2018 estimates for Dodge City, 27,329; Garden City, 26,546; Great Bend, 15,170; Liberal, 19,495; Hays, 20,852; Larned, 3,772; and McPherson, 13,077, were all declines. Urban areas weren’t guaranteed growth in Kansas. For example, the mid-2018 estimates for Topeka, 125,904, and for Wichita, 389,255, and for Manhattan, 54,959, fell below the prior year’s estimates. Johnson, Douglas, Leavenworth, Wyandotte, and Sedgwick counties all experienced growth from mid-2017 to mid-2018.

“Investing in all communities – both rural and urban – is critical to our state’s future,” Gov. Laura Kelly said in a statement to The News. “That’s why I created the Office of Rural Prosperity to help support rural communities and address their unique needs. By working together, we can leverage the strengths and opportunities available in rural and western Kansas. I look forward to working with Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers and local partners to invest in schools, roads, broadband and more to encourage growth.”

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Water meter project: City to install steel poles at four sites in Topeka

Sixty-foot-tall steel poles will be put up at four sites in Topeka as part of a project that will enable the city’s utilities department to read all of the city’s 57,000 water meters by radio, the city announced Thursday. City officials announced last October that the mayor and council had earmarked about $12.5 million to finance the project to put in replacement water meters, which will transmit water readings through a wireless device on a licensed radio frequency to collectors placed throughout the city.

Merriam council to discuss sidewalk infill program after West Vernon Place residents voice opposition

The streets in the West Vernon Place neighborhood of Merriam are slated to get sidewalks in the coming months — but some residents who live there are organizing to convince the city council to halt the project.

More than a dozen neighbors voiced their opposition to the project at the city’s May 13 council meeting. Most who spoke against the city adding sidewalks to West Vernon Place said their neighborhood has always been quiet and safe for them to walk on the street. “It will just destroy the neighborhood, as far as I’m concerned,” said Mary Thomas, a resident of West Vernon Place. “It just doesn’t look good. We would just really like to see that money spent somewhere else in Merriam. We love Vernon Place the way it is.”

Commission learns wail of tornado sirens Tuesday took some by surprise

The wail of tornado sirens took some Shawnee County residents by surprise early Tuesday evening, Shawnee County commissioners learned Thursday.

After the National Weather Service issued tornado warnings affecting the northeast and northwest parts of the county, the county’s emergency management department followed its standard practice of initially setting off outdoor sirens for three minutes countywide to get the public’s attention, said emergency management director Dusty Nichols.

After that, the department sounded those sirens in only the warned areas, Nichols told Commissioners Bob Archer, Bill Riphahn and Kevin Cook at their morning meeting.

“A lot of people really liked it because there were some people out on their lawnmowers and so forth that had no idea we had severe weather in the area,” Nichols said.

The sirens stopped sounding when the storms involved left the county going north.

Garden City moves forward with city’s electric distribution system improvements

The Garden City Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved an ordinance authorizing improvements to the city’s electric distribution system and the general obligation bonds intended to fund them, the most recent step in an ongoing project with Sunflower Power Corp. and Wheatland Electric Cooperative.

The city’s electric department has for months prepared for improvements to some of its substations and expansion of its distribution system.

Currently, Sunflower’s system distributes Garden City’s electric power supply to substations owned by Wheatland, which charged the city $535,000 last year to transfer the power to city distribution facilities, said Mike Muirhead, the city’s public utilities director. Restrictions at the Wheatland substations also limit the capacity of power the city can receive.

For years, the city has wanted to connect to Sunflower directly, Muirhead said, a change that would avoid those restrictions and cut out the annual charges to Wheatland.

McPherson County denies wind project regulation change request

In the end, nothing changed, despite pleas from many county residents to implement stricter setback regulations on commercial wind energy turbines. It began with a zoning amendment request by Jason Wright to make changes in the county’s current Commercial Wind Energy Project regulations, which were originally written when the maximum height on wind turbines was 250 feet. The P&Z board eliminated that height restriction in 2017, but did not adjust its setback requirements. Wright’s request in February was delayed until the P&Z board’s May meeting to allow time for members to research and consider the request.

A robust variety of viewpoints were expressed by those who chose to speak during the public input session, ranging from expletive laden rants to emotional pleas to end the painful split in the community. Public input lasted for nearly two hours after the size of the crowd forced the P&Z board to relocate the meeting twice to larger venues and delay the start time by 45 minutes.

Even if it rains or floods, La Cygne preparing for 150th anniversary celebration

Broadway St. in La Cygne, Kansas is empty now. But community organizers say they hope to see it packed this weekend for the town’s 150th anniversary celebration.

“We’re really excited. We’ve been planning as the historical society for about two years,” La Cygne Historical Society President Janet Reynolds said.

But rain and potential flooding may paint a different scene, drawing in fewer people.

“I would be very upset. It’s like you plan for something and if it doesn’t happen, then you have a real reason to be disappointed,” La Cygne Historical Museum Curator Ruth Reynolds said.

There’s only four ways to get into the town.

Right now, two of them are closed due to flooding: County Road 1095 to the south and Highway 152 coming from the west.

Highway 152 east of town routinely floods, leaving a gravel road to the north open to traffic.

“Which is not the best route to get to town. But those people who grew up here, they know that route because we have a lot of floods,” Janet Reynolds said.

Rain or shine, the celebration will go on, with planned outdoor activities moving inside.

(Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF)

Derby will get new fire chief in July

A veteran Wichita Fire Department leader will take over as Derby’s new fire chief on July 1.

John Turner, most recently a Wichita battalion chief and division commander, will be chief in Derby as Brad Smith retires. Turner and his wife, Bridget, live in Wichita and are relocating to Derby.

Turner, 50, said he’s excited to get going at the job.

“I’m very fortunate to have this opportunity,” he said.

He called Derby “a great community,” and said that both the department and the city government itself have stellar reputations.

(Read more: Derby News | derbyinformer.com)

City approves downtown sound system

Downtown Emporia will soon sport a new sound system.

The Emporia City Commission officially accepted an agreement between the city and Emporia Main Street for the project Wednesday morning.

The system will be used to play music and relay messages downtown. It may also be used to announce emergencies during events. Main Street Director Casey Woods told commissioners last month that he had been working with Cody Maxfield of Audio Lite to find an expandable wireless speaker system for the downtown area. The proposed system would install two units per block in the 600 — 900 blocks of Commercial Street. The system would be expandable for about $10,000 per block.

(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Film festival coming to Emporia

Sundance, Cannes and now, Emporia.

The No Coast Film Festival is coming to the Granada Theatre on Aug. 31. The festival promotes the short film genre through the gathering of local, national and international filmmakers. This is the festival’s first year. New, independent films will run alongside award-winning films from other international festivals. One of the themed programs focuses on “Unseen Kansas.” The current submission price is $15, and attendance is free. Earlier this week, there were eight submissions, though the committee is hoping for 30 or so. They plan to put films into block screenings, with time afterward to hold a Q&A with the filmmakers. There will also be two films from the Emporia State University A/V club.

(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

An inside look at the jobs of first responders

Families visited Derby Fire Station 81 and the Derby Police Department Sunday for the annual youth open house.

The come-and-go event, primarily geared toward children 10 and under, allowed kids to see the inside of the police department on tours, try on police and fire gear, and test some equipment firsthand.

(Read more: Derby News | derbyinformer.com)

The economy is helping Derby’s fiscal picture

A combination of factors has led to the city of Derby having more money in its general fund balance than originally projected.

It has $1.6 million additional, which is due to a number of staff vacancies, lower expenses and higher revenue from sales and taxes along with franchise fees. In addition, higher short-term interest rates helped.

Those were just some of the many facts Jean Epperson, the city’s director of finance, presented during her annual financial report at the May 14 City Council meeting.

High water forces Hutchinson Zoo to close

High water in central Kansas is forcing the Hutchinson Zoo to close for the first time in more than a decade.

Zoo Director Ryan VanZant says the closing earlier this week was mostly for safety.

Some sidewalks, exhibits and playing areas were underwater.

VanZant says bison were moved to higher ground and employees are using a boat to get their food to them.

He says all the animals still in their habitats are safe. Each habitat has a connected indoor facility that animals use to avoid severe weather.

With more storms coming, VanZant says the zoo will remain closed during the weekend.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Ellis Co. Commission puts brakes on sales tax talk

Citing a lack of time to reach out to the public and disagreement among commissioners on the size of a potential sales tax, the Ellis County Commission voted against a quarter-cent sales tax proposed at Monday’s meeting. They will also wait to put a countywide sales tax up for vote.

At last week’s meeting, the commission tabled the discussion on a proposed sales tax designed to help close a budget gap in the coming years. But at Monday’s meeting, Commission Chairman Dean Haselhorst said there isn’t enough time to reach out to the public.

“I’ll just be very up front and tell you both, I don’t think we have enough time to put it on a ballot in November,” Haselhorst told fellow commissioners. “I don’t feel that we have enough time to get everything put together, go out and educate the public on what our needs are. … I think we need to sit back and look at this as the budget progresses forward.”

(Read more: Hays Post)

More of Clay County Park succumbs to rising flood waters of Milford Lake

Clay County Park Manager Mike Carney painted a dire picture of how flood waters from Milford Lake are affecting the park in Wakefield.

Carney met with Commissioners on Monday to discuss the effects of the flood waters. He reported that the park has 267 sites and with the flooding he has 96 usable sites as of Monday. The rest of the sites are under water and the water continues to rise.

Rain costing Clay county; sealing delayed to pay for road rock

Clay County Highway Administrator Ronnie Tremblay reported to commissioners on Monday that the rain has had quite a toll on roads in the county.

Commissioners granted permission to delay the sealing of 10 additional miles in the Idana area this summer for an estimated savings of $130,000. These addition funds will be put towards the cost of rock that is needed with all of the moisture. As of May 13, the county has spent $391,260 on rock for the roads.

With survey, historic district ready for next step in Clay Center

Clay Center has something special, a real treasure with it’s historic downtown, and it’s something worth preserving through a historic downtown district, an expert who has completed a survey on the downtown told those in a meeting on Tuesday.

In breaking down what makes Clay Center special, historic surveyor Dale Nimz identified five unique periods from the early settlement stage (before 1875) to the modern era (after 1975), adding what makes Clay Center distinctive is that most of its downtown was built before 1945.

‘All but two campsites are closed’: Flooding at Cheney Lake impacts Memorial Day plans

As Cheney Lake continues to rise, hundreds of Kansans are changing their Memorial Day plans due to flooding.

“I’ve never seen Cheney like this,” Hutchinson resident Danielle Hunt said. Avid lake-goer Hunt said every year, her family and friends spend Memorial Day weekend at Cheney Lake.

But due to road closures and flooding, she’s changing her plans.

“We were going to book them for this weekend, but we watched the weather, and we were like it’s not going to happen.”

Hunt is not the only one changing her Memorial Day plans, Cheney Park Ranger Mitchell Schwartz said he’s canceled more than 300 reservations.

“A typical Memorial Day, we might have 40,000 people at the lake,” he said. “This one is going to be a little different.”

He said the park has reached historic flooding, forcing all but two campsites to be closed.

(Read more: Top Stories | KSNW)

Harvey county flooding continues

As floodwaters continue to move, Harvey County officials continue to move barricades around the county.

“This road was passable yesterday afternoon, and it’s come up since then,” said Jim Meier, Harvey County Road & Bridge Superintendent. “It’s hour to hour. It comes up and recedes very quickly.”

As the county keeps up with the flooding roadway barricades, truck drivers and others have been busy navigating alternate routes around U.S. Highway 50 that closed for flooding between Newton and Hutchinson.

“I came out of Iowa. It’s a meat load going out to the west,” said truck owner/operator, Frank. “I cut down now to 135 and then take Highway 54, I guess. Highway 50 flooded about a week ago and that’s the first time since I’ve been running the route.”

Frank uses U.S. 50 a lot and says he’s not seen flooding like this.

(Read more: Top Stories | KSNW)

Halstead Fire Department performs water rescue; river still rising

With many roads surrounding Halstead and across Harvey County underwater, officials urge drivers not to get impatient and make risky decisions to drive through flooded roads.

At about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Halstead Fire Department was dispatched out to rescue two people stranded after their vehicle became stuck on a flooded roadway. The incident happened just north of Halstead on Southwest 24th Street, east of South Hertzler Road (K89).

Instead of using its boat, the department deployed the newest addition to the fleet, a brush truck, which sits high enough up that it was able to reach the two stranded females and bring them to safety.

The Little Arkansas River by Halstead has not crested yet and measured at 19.86 feet Wednesday afternoon.

(Read more: Newton Now)

Wellington council hears 4-page, 1,800-word report on flood, hail, water line damage

The last time the Wellington City Council met it was the night of the big flood. It was a subject that dominated the regularly scheduled meeting two weeks later.

Wellington City Manager Shane Shields presented a four-page, 1,800-word doc “flood event” report to the council that assessed the events and the damage that occurred on May 8 (see the full document here). “In the end, we certainly hope that this event is a rare and never again occurrence,” Shields surmised at the end of his verbal report to council.

The question many in Wellington are contemplating, what is the status on federal and state relief.

It is a question, city officials cannot answer at this time.

“We are gathering data that will be turned to the Sumner Emergency Management Director,” Shields said. “He will be collect information across the county, townships and municipalities. There are certain thresholds, we have to meet to qualify for federal reimbursement.”

Wellington City of Public Works Jeremy Jones said the city is tracking the damage in areas inside and outside flood plains as well as assessing the street and allies.

“There are a lot of things going on here. Eventually, we will get to everything,” Jones said. “Not to downplay for those affected, but as far as floods go, it could have been so much worse. Still, it is going to take time.

(Read more: Sumner NewsCow)

Lenexa allows beer and wine at four city parks, adjusts liquor laws to match new state law

Lenexa city leaders are now permitting beer and wine to be consumed during private events at four parks, in addition to the two already allowed in city code.

Drinking beer and wine is now permitted at these four parks: Ad Astra Park, Buffalo Meadows Park, Matt Taylor Park and Electric Park. On these properties, alcoholic liquor is permitted at private events if event organizers obtain a city-issued alcoholic liquor permit and rent a shelter for private use.

Steven Shrout with the city of Lenexa’s legal department, said the parks and recreation department has received more inquiries about drinking in public places, especially in parks for private events such as outdoor weddings. Recent changes in state law have added to the confusion, now that gas stations and grocery stores can sell stronger beer, he added. Shrout said the new city code would reduce confusion for the general public regarding what is allowed and help reduce the complexity of enforcement.

Wind farm opponents make good on threat of lawsuit

Opponents of a wind farm proposed for the southern portion of the county have made good on their threats to sue the company that hopes to develop it.
A petition was filed Thursday in district court by Overland Park lawyers Robert Harken and Robert Titus on behalf of 15 wind farm opponents. The petition seeks a judge’s review, declaratory relief, and a temporary restraining order. It also claims the state open records act was violated.
Harken declined to discuss the 19-page petition.
[MORE]

(Read more: PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin)