MANHATTAN — The annual meeting of the Kansas–Oklahoma Arkansas River Compact Administration will be held at the Kansas Department of Transportation Conference Center, located at 1220 W 4th Ave. in Hutchinson, Kansas, on Wednesday, July 25, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. Anyone interested in water-related activities within the Arkansas River Basin in Kansas and Oklahoma is encouraged to attend.
Kansas and Oklahoma entered the Arkansas River Compact in 1965. The purpose of the compact is to promote interstate comity, to equitably divide and promote the orderly development of the waters of the Lower Arkansas River Basin, to provide an agency for administering the waters of the basin, and to encourage an active pollution abatement program in each state.
The Compact Administration is composed of three commissioners appointed by the governor of Kansas, three commissioners appointed by the governor of Oklahoma, and two commissioners appointed by the President of the United States.
Questions about the meeting can be addressed to Chris Beightel, program manager for water management services at KDA–DWR, at 785-564-6659 or [email protected]. Additional information about the Kansas–Oklahoma Arkansas River Compact and the annual meeting can be found on the KDA website at www.agriculture.ks.gov/KOARC.
ST. PAUL, MN —A missing person alert issued Friday for a Kansas teen has been canceled. She was located safe in South St. Paul, Minn, according to Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. The 23-year-old male who was with her is in custody.
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Authorities have issued an Amber Alert a for missing Kansas teen.
Amber Lynn Rewerts-Schiavoni
Amber Lynn Rewerts-Schiavoni, 13, Lenexa, was last seenon July 4, at approximately 1 pm at the Greyhound bus station in Kansas City, Missouri.
According to authorities she may have left on a Greyhound to the greater Minneapolis area or may still be in the KC metro area.
She is believed to be with 23-year-old Deshon White.
She is 5-foot-5, approximately 140 pounds with dyed black hair, blue eyes and was last seen wearing black t-shirt with “Sons of Anarchy” logo, black jeans, carrying a shiny blue billfold.
Deshon Whte
White is described as described as 5-foot- 9, 200 pounds with black and blonde or red hair.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Protesters camping near an Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center in Wichita are demanding that the agency allow it to be inspected by a group of elected officials.
ICTIndivisible is occupying ICE in Wichita. Come down to join us, retweet to support us! This is an act of civil disobedience. Let them know we will not be silent! #OccupyICE#OccupyICEICTpic.twitter.com/zlpdc9e8CB
Democratic state Sen Oletha Faust-Goudeau says inspection of the facility could help put people’s minds at ease. She says its part of the duties as an elected official to see what’s going on and answer questions they’ve been getting from constituents
ICE told them elected officials would need to formally request access through Homeland Security’s Office of Legislative Affairs.
Protests have stayed near the building since Sunday.
The building has been rented by ICE since 2013 and includes office space where undocumented immigrants are processed for detention and deportation.
During today’s flooding in Hays at 11:34 a.m., Hays police officers were dispatched to a report of a man stealing another person’s 1997 Ford Explorer in front of Southside Convenience Store at 703 Vine Street.
The man who stole the vehicle drove south on Vine Street and left the vehicle in a field south of Hays.
The Kansas Highway Patrol, the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office and the Hays Police Department established a perimeter and began searching for the man. The man was tracked down and apprehended by a Kansas Highway Patrol K9.
He was later identified as 24 year old Dru A. Stropes. Stropes was arrested for felony theft of a vehicle and is currently in the Ellis County Jail, according to a news release from the Hays Police Department.
Stropes is considered innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
TOPEKA – While there have been some recent rains, drought conditions for many areas of Kansas continue to worsen. Today Governor Jeff Colyer updated the Drought Declaration for Kansas counties with Executive Order 18-16 (attached). The update includes all 105 counties either in an emergency, warning or watch status. This order places nearly half of Kansas counties in an emergency drought status.
“Kansans need to know no matter where you live in the state, the drought is not over,” said Governor Jeff Colyer. “I’ve heard many concerns from producers and have seen the conditions first hand. We appreciate our federal partners at the Natural Resources Conservation Service as well as the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts— when we asked them to identify additional sources of assistance they responded quickly to help producers address these extreme drought conditions.”
The updated drought declaration has 50 counties in emergency status, 27 in warning status while 28 counties are in watch status. This action was recommended by Tracy Streeter, Director of the Kansas Water Office (KWO) and Chair of the Governor’s Drought Response Team.
“With reported livestock water shortages, low flows at some of our reservoirs and monthly outlooks favoring persistent drought we know it’s imperative to monitor conditions closely,” said Tracy Streeter. “Some areas of Kansas are behind more than 15 inches in moisture for the year and outlooks favor above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation in July.”
Counties in emergency stage are eligible for emergency use of water from certain state fishing lakes due to the KWO Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Kansas Department of Wildlife (KDWPT). They also become eligible for water in some Federal reservoirs.
Individuals and communities need to contact KWO for a water supply request prior to any withdrawals from lakes. They will in turn be referred to the appropriate office to obtain the necessary permit to withdraw the water.
This Executive Order and any authorized upgrade shall remain in effect for those counties so identified until rescinded by Executive Order or superseded by a subsequent Executive Order revising the drought stage status of the affected counties. Effective immediately:
Declare a Drought Emergency, Warning or Drought Watch for the counties identified below;
Authorize and direct all agencies under the jurisdiction of the Governor to implement the appropriate watch or warning level-drought response actions assigned in the Operations Plan of the Governor’s Drought Response Team.
The Governor’s Drought Response Team will continue to watch the situation closely and work to minimize the effects the drought has on Kansans.
For more detailed information about current conditions, see the Kansas Climate Summary and Drought Report on the Kansas Water Office website at: www.kwo.ks.gov.
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), has issued public health warnings for Carbondale West Lake, Clarion Woods Park Lake, Webster Lake. Atchison County Park Lake, Melvern Outlet Pond, Melvern Outlet Swim Pond and Topeka’s Central Park Lake (Pond) for the upcoming weekend and week.
If a lake is under a public health warning for blue-green algae, activities such as boating and fishing may be safe. However, direct contact with water (i.e., wading, skiing and swimming) is strongly discouraged for people, pets and livestock. The lakes currently under a public health advisory:
Warning: Carbondale West Lake, Osage County
Warning: Clarion Woods Park Lake, Shawnee County
Warning and Beach Closed: Webster Lake, Rooks County
Warning: Atchison County Park Lake, Atchison County
Warning: Melvern Outlet Pond, Osage County
Warning: Melvern Outlet Swim Pond, Osage County
Warning: Central Park Lake (Pond), Shawnee County
The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers has stated swimming is not allowed at the Melvern Outlet Swim Pond Beach and all wading and contact with algae is highly discouraged. Melvern Lake Visitors can utilize Coeur d’Alene Swim Beach which sets on the main body of the lake, located west of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Project Office. The present algae bloom is isolated to the Outlet Pond and Outlet Swim Pond, Melvern Lake is not affected.
Lakes under a warning are not closed. Marinas, lakeside businesses and park camping facilities are open for business. If swim beaches are closed, it will be specifically noted. Drinking water and showers at parks are safe and not affected by algae blooms. Boating and fishing are safe on lakes under a warning, but contact with the water should be avoided. Hands should also be washed with clean water after handling fish taken from an affected lake. Zoned lakes may have portions fully open for all recreation even if other portions are under a warning.
Kansans should be aware that blooms are unpredictable. They can develop rapidly and may float around the lake, requiring visitors to exercise their best judgment. If there is scum, a paint-like surface or the water is bright green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful
bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.
When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:
Lake water is not safe to drink for pets or livestock.
Lake water, regardless of blue-green algae status, should never be consumed by humans.
Water contact should be avoided.
Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water and only the fillet portion is consumed, while all other parts are discarded.
Do not allow pets to eat dried algae.
If lake water contacts skin, wash with clean water as soon as possible.
Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation.
KDHE samples publicly-accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.
For information on blue-green algae and reporting potential harmful algal blooms, please visit https://www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/index.htm. Human and animal illnesses potentially related to harmful algal blooms can also be reported through this website or by calling the KDHE Epidemiology Hotline at 1-877-427-7317.
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — Overland Park police say a man shot by officers during a confrontation at an apartment complex has died.
Investigators on the scene of Friday’s shooting -photo courtesy KCTV
Spokesman John Lacy said 43-year-old Charles Webb died Friday after being shot earlier in the day.
No police were injured.
Authorities were called to the apartment complex where a man and woman were arguing. Police say when the woman ran, the man began firing at random outside the apartment complex.
Lacy says Webb fired several shots at officers when they arrived at the scene and two officers fired back, hitting him. Webb died later at a hospital.
The two officers were placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation.
The woman involved in the earlier dispute was not injured.
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OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — Overland Park police say officers shot a man after he fired several rounds at officers.
Spokesman John Lacy said the confrontation occurred early Friday while officers were responding to reports of shots being fired.
Lacy says when police arrived, the suspect fired multiple times at them and several officers returned fire.
No police were injured.
The suspect is in critical condition at an area hospital.
ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an explosion in downtown Atchison, according to the police department.
Downtown businesses damaged from an incendiary device -photo courtesy KSHB TV
The blast occurred just after 2a.m. Friday at a business in the 100 Block of north 8th Street, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.
When officers arrived they found debris and heavy damage to businesses on both sides of the street including a number of broken windows, according to Wilson. The blast did not cause a fire.
Crews from the Atchison fire department and the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s office responded to the scene. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is now assisting with a criminal investigation.
The focus of the investigation includes several adjoining businesses, according to Wilson.
There were no injuries reported.
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Approximate location of the explosion in downtown Atchison -Google map
ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an explosion in downtown Atchison, according to the police department.
The blast occurred just after 2a.m. Friday at a business in the 100 Block of north 8th Street.
As of 9a.m., fire officials referred all questions to Police Chief Mike Wilson or the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives due to the ongoing criminal investigation.
Wilson was still at the scene of the explosion. There are no injuries reported.
Southgate Homes, 1590 E Hwy 40 Bypass (Courtesy Stacey Holley)
Backyard view in 200 block W. 17th (Courtesy Joe Crees)
Pershing Court (Courtesy Autumn Betts Omwenga)
UPDATE 12:45 p.m.
The Flash Flood Warning for central Ellis County has expired.
UPDATE 11:54 a.m.
Police scanner reports indicated emergency responders were rescuing people from homes on Ash Street and on 17th Street due to flooding.
The following streets were impassible:
17th and Fort— Water was approaching homes in this area.
15th and Main streets
Thunderbird and 27th Street— Water is over the roadway on 27th Street. No traffic is recommended north of Hall Street.
UPDATE 11:20 a.m.
Sandbagging occurring around Hays City Hall/Hays Fire Station at 1507 Main
UPDATE 11:10 a.m.
3.45″ rain measured at Eagle Media Center, 2300 Hall
8th and Ash flooding (Photo courtesy Roger Agnew)4.20″ at 10:35 a.m. on north side of 27th Street just north of Precision Valley Golf & Bike Center (Photo courtesy Kris Munsch)
UPDATE 10:57 a.m.
Vehicle with water up to roof reported just west of 17th and Fort
UPDATE 10:42 a.m.
Disabled vehicle in at 2700 Thunderbird Drive
UPDATE 10:31 a.m.
Hays Fire Dept. reports the Lincoln Draw has water flowing south over the bridge at 20th and Lincoln; 20th Street flooded from Main to 13th and impassable; Disabled vehicle in 200 block of W. 17th–driver out and okay.
UPDATE 10:27 a.m.
Rain flowing from VanDoren Pond (27th & Cottonwood) south across 27th into Lincoln Draw (Photo courtesy Heidi Van Doren Weis)
Vehicle stranded at 20th and Oak, area to be blocked. VanDoren Pond (27th and Cottonwood) is flooding. First responders checking Lincoln Draw flow to the south.
UPDATE 10:22 a.m.
Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler is urging Hays residents to stay off the streets.
“We have got street flooding all over town. It is going to get worse before it gets better, I think,” he said.
UPDATE 10:15 a.m.
Emergency responders called out for two stalled vehicles, one taking on water; High water alarm activated at VanDoren Pond at 27th and Cottonwood Lane
UPDATE 10:08 a.m.
National Weather Service reports more than 1 inch of rain in Hays falling in less than 20 minutes.
UPDATE: 9:52 a.m.
Hays police are reporting street flooding at 20th and Vine and the 2100 block of Main.
NWS
DODGE CITY – The National Weather Service in Dodge City has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for…
Central Ellis County in central Kansas…
* Until 1245 PM CDT.
* At 937 AM CDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain across the warned
area. Flash flooding is expected to begin shortly.
* Some locations that will experience flooding include…
Hays, Victoria, Catherine, Yocemento, Toulon, Munjor and Emmeram.
KANSAS CITY- (AP) – A woman whose two young children died after being found unresponsive on July Fourth is charged with assaulting her husband in the hours before the children were found.
Jenna Boedecker- photo Clay County
Jenna Boedecker was charged Thursday with third-degree assault, armed criminal action and first-degree property damage. The Kansas City Star reports that police records indicate the charges stem from an argument with her husband.
Police say Boedecker found her 2-year-old and newborn daughters unresponsive Wednesday outside a home in a rural area northeast of Kansas City. Police haven’t said how the girls died.
Police initially said foul play wasn’t suspected. But on Thursday, the Clay County Sheriff said a squad of criminal investigators had been called in to help with the case.
No charges have been filed in the girls’ deaths.
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KEARNEY, Mo. (AP) – Two young sisters have been found dead in a rural area northeast of Kansas City.
Investigators on the scene Wednesday -image courtesy KCTV
Clay County sheriff’s Capt. Will Akin said the girls were found outside their home just after noon Wednesday by their mother and were not breathing. Both girls were under 5 years old.
Akin said foul play is not suspected and neither water nor firearms appear to have been involved, but the deaths are under investigation.
The incident was reported near the intersection of a rural road and Missouri 92 east of Kearney. The mother ran to a neighbor’s house and the neighbor called 911.
KDA
