By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

At Monday’s meeting, the Ellis County Commission heard from Kansas Department of Transportation Secretary Mike King, who is in Hays this week to talk with community members and about potential economic development projects north of Interstate 70.

Because of the growth of Hess Services north of I-70, the Doonan truck dealership and the proposed travel plaza near the junction of 55^th Street and 230^th Avenue, the commission has identified both 55^th, 230^th and Feedlot Road as projects it would like help from the state.

King met with representatives from Doonan Trucking, Hess Services and Midwest Energy. King directed the county to pick a priority — whether it is 55^th or 230^th or Feedlot — and submit a proposal the KDOT.

“We’re excited to be able to help where we can. To be able to partner — I use the word ‘partner,’ ” King said, “with the county and the city, as well to try and come up with some ideas and thoughts.”

King also talked about a recent program that will help counties replace bridges that are in disrepair.

Ellis County Public Works Director Mike Graf said there are 34 bridges that would qualify for funding, noting he plans to submit a proposal to the commission later this year.

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

The Ellis County Commission will wait another week to decide on the temporary home for law enforcement and courthouse staff during the upcoming remodeling project.

The county is considering the former PATH Lab on 13th street and the Hadley Center.

Thomas More Prep-Marian has taken over the third floor of the Hadley Center for its girls residential program — one of the floors the county had planned to occupy during the reconstruction.

The commission is also waiting on cost estimates for some remodeling that would be required at the PATH Lab.

At Monday night’s commission meeting, Commissioner Barb Wasinger called for updated numbers on the price of building two courtrooms and getting the facility ready for staff.

Wasinger also asked for feedback from staff on the potential office space but added, “I know that neither one is going to be perfect. This is called short-term housing, rental housing, so we have to treat it as such.”

Commissioner Dean Haselhorst asked for a time frame for reconstruction at the PATH Lab because he said he is worried they would have to wait for the building to be ready. He also said one of the positives he sees in the Hadley Center is it is ready to house staff right now.

Ellis County Administrator Greg Sund said time is running out for a decision so thee county will not be forced to delay the courthouse/jail renovation project.

The commission is expected to vote on the temporary office space at next Monday’s meeting.

LUCAS — A group of people picking up trash Monday along a rural road near Lucas in Russell County found something more than cans and paper bags littering the ground.

According to Russell County Sheriff John Fletcher, they found a backpack containing meth lab trash.

The sheriff’s office and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation responded to the scene to clean up the site.

Fletcher warned all people working in rural areas, whether picking up roadside trash or cleaning up farm locations, should contact their local sheriff or police department if anything suspicious is located.

“Clandestine meth labs, even when they are not active, contain dangerous chemicals and can injure people if they’re exposed to it,” Fletcher said in a news release.

“Call law enforcement so they can investigate the scene and safely clean up the area.” Fletcher added.

Kansas Department of Transportation

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Transportation has selected 20 projects for inclusion in its Transportation Alternatives program.

KDOT received 43 applications from local units of government for funding consideration totaling more than $22.5 million.

Transportation Alternatives projects under this federal program include facilities for pedestrians and bicycles; rehabilitation of historic transportation buildings, structures or facilities; construction of turnouts, overlooks and viewing areas; conversion of abandoned railway corridors to trails; community improvement activities such as downtown streetscape enhancements and the control or removal of outdoor advertising.

The total cost for the 20 selected projects is $11.5 million. A minimum of 20 percent of the project cost must come from the applicant.

A list of selected projects and the federal funding awarded is below:

Historical Projects
Goodland – Rehabilitation of historic brick street on Main Street ($308,408); Kansas Historical Society – Restoration of Hollenberg Pony Express Station near Hanover ($44,000); Manhattan – Rehabilitation of brick street on Juliette Avenue ($517,799).

Scenic/Environmental Projects
Baldwin City – Improvements to the exterior of the Baldwin City Depot ($145,390); Barton County – Construction of viewing tower at K-4 Overlook ($185,968); Girard – Streetscape improvements in downtown area ($1,232,000); Hiawatha – Streetscape improvements in downtown area ($750,880); Hutchinson – Streetscape improvements in downtown area ($762,040); Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism – Implementation of Kansas Byways Interpretive Plan including informational kiosks and interpretive boards on turnouts, overlooks or viewing areas of all 11 byways ($800,000); Little River – Streetscape improvements in downtown area ($475,000).

Pedestrian/Bicycle
Atchison – Shared use path along U.S. 73 ($1,171,235); Cimarron – Construction of shared use path on Main Street ($191,452); Concordia – Shared use paths through College Drive Park ($462,387); Junction City – Shared use path along K-18 ($950,000); Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism – Phase II development of the Flint Hills Nature Trail ($1,972,592); Manhattan – Shared use path along Knox Lane ($165,100); McPherson – Shared use path along Avenue A ($302,910); Ottawa – Sidewalk and bike lanes on 15th Street ($223,203); Pittsburg – Shared use path along South Rouse Avenue ($656,103); Topeka – Implementation of Phase II of the Topeka Bikeways Master Plan ($223,075).