KDC

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Commerce has announced that 32 communities will receive federal grants for a variety of community improvement projects, including sewer and water projects, housing rehabilitation and community facilities improvements. These communities will share a total of $12,927,726 in federal grants.

Through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, 16 Kansas communities will share a total of $8,913,100 in federal grants for water and sewer projects, three Kansas communities will share $900,000 for housing rehabilitation and 13 communities will share $3,114,626 for community facility projects.

“We are excited to support so many deserving Kansas communities through CDBG grants,” said Interim Kansas Commerce Secretary Nick Jordan. “These federal grants help ensure our Kansas communities are kept beautiful, well-maintained and provide great places for Kansans to live, work, start businesses and raise their families.”

The CDBG program provides federal funds to local governments for the development of viable communities by addressing their housing, public facilities and economic development needs. To be awarded funds, local government units must meet at least one of three program objectives:

• The grant will benefit low and moderate-income persons
• The grant will prevent or eliminate slums and blight
• The grant will resolve an urgent need where local resources are not available to do so

The CDBG funds are one of the Department of Commerce’s primary tools in supporting the state’s small, predominantly rural communities.

The following communities have been awarded CDBG grants for water and sewer projects:

The City of Atlanta will receive $390,000 in CDBG funds to build a new water tower and replace various diameter waterlines throughout the city.  The city will provide matching funds it secured from USDA Rural Development in the amount of $769,069.

The City of Auburn will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make improvements to its wastewater collection system.  The city will provide $1,749,850 in matching funds it secured through USDA Rural Development.

The City of Belleville is being awarded $600,000 in CDBG funds to replace waterlines of various diameters throughout the city. The city will provide $601,142 in matching funds.

The City of Burden will receive $307,100 in CDBG funds to make improvements to its wastewater treatment and collection system.   The city will provide $307,100 in matching funds through the Kansas Department of Health & Environment.

The City of Emporia will make needed improvements to its wastewater collection system located in the downtown area through the use of a $700,000 CDBG grant.  The city will provide $735,000 in matching funds through the Kansas Department of Health & Environment.

The City of Enterprise will improve its wastewater treatment system through a CDBG grant for $600,000.  The city will provide matching funds from USDA Rural Development in the amount of $588,670 and city cash of $18,000.

The City of Goessel will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make improvements to its wastewater treatment and collection system.   The city will provide $2,127,580 in matching funds through USDA Rural Development.

The City of Hoisington will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make improvements to its wastewater treatment and collection system.   The city will provide $543,910 in matching funds through the Kansas Department of Health & Environment.

The City of Hope is being awarded $600,000 in CDBG funds to repaint the water tower, replace waterlines of various diameters and install new water meters throughout the city.  The city will provide matching funds through USDA Rural Development in the amount of $1,357,000.

The City of Hoxie will improve its wastewater treatment system through a CDBG grant for $600,000.  The city will provide matching funds from USDA Rural Development in the amount of $3,459,966.  The city will replace an existing lift station and construct a new treatment lagoon to augment the existing lagoons. 

The City of Kanopolis is being awarded $600,000 in CDBG funds to repaint the water tower and replace waterlines of various diameters throughout the city. The city will provide matching funds through USDA Rural Development in the amount of $1,399,035.

The City of Pomona will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make improvements to its wastewater treatment and collection system. The city will provide $3,471,220 in matching funds through USDA Rural Development.

The City of Preston is being awarded $316,000 in CDBG funds to build a new standpipe and replace waterlines of various diameters throughout the city.  The city will provide matching funds through USDA Rural Development in the amount of $684,000.

The City of Pretty Prairie will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to construct a reverse osmosis water treatment plant and construct a new 50,000 gallon water tower.  The city will provide $1,817,600 in matching funds it secured from the Kansas Department of Health & Environment.

The City of Sedan will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to replace waterlines of various diameters throughout the city.  The city will provide matching funds through USDA Rural Development in the amount of $5,198,170.

The City of Waverly will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to replace waterlines of various diameters throughout the city. The city will provide $720,050 in matching funds it secured from the USDA Rural Development.

The following communities have been awarded CDBG grants for housing rehabilitation:

The City of Ellsworth has been awarded $300,000 in CDBG funds and pledged $23,250 in matching funds.  This grant will rehabilitate eight homes for owner-occupied and rental units and demolish five unoccupied dilapidated housing units.

The City of McPherson has been awarded a $300,000 grant to rehabilitate approximately 11 homes for low-to-moderate income families and demolish two unoccupied dilapidated housing units.  The CDBG funds will be matched with $82,500 in local funds.

The City of Sylvan Grove has been awarded a $300,000 grant to rehabilitate eight homes for owner-occupied and rental residents. This grant is matched with $16,000 in local funds.  Eight unoccupied dilapidated housing units will be demolished as well. 

The following communities have been awarded CDBG grants for community facilities projects:

Anderson County will receive $153,488 in CDBG grant funds to build a new fire station in Welda.  The county will contribute $153,488 county funds towards this project.

The City of Attica will make improvements to its electric system through a CDBG grant of $341,512.  The city will provide $341,513 in matching funds.

The City of Coffeyville will reconstruct portions of 10th Street with $330,000 in CDBG funds to which the city will provide $400,000 in matching funds.

The City of Copeland will receive $68,000 in CDBG funds to purchase and install new playground equipment.  The city’s recreation commission will provide $35,000 in matching funds.

Decatur County will reconstruct a bridge near the city of Jennings with a CDBG grant of $126,698 that will be matched with county funds of equal amount. 

The City of Junction City will receive a CDBG grant for $188,244 to install new playground equipment in a city park located on West 5^th Street.  The Bramlage Family Foundation will contribute $138,244 while the city will provide $50,000 in city funds as local match.

The City of Linn will make stormwater drainage improvements using a $196,142 CDBG grant.  The city will also contribute $30,000 in cash and $166,143 USDA Rural Development loan.

The City of Norcatur will receive $108,981 in CDBG grant funds to build a new addition to an existing fire station in Norcatur.  The city will contribute $60,000 in cash towards this project. 

Phillips County will be awarded $146,089 in CDBG funds to reconstruct a bridge located on the east edge of the City of Long Island.  The county will contribute $141,688 in matching funds towards the project.

The City of Russell will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to improve portions of Lincoln and 15^th streets.  The city will provide $722,825 in matching funds.

The City of Sterling will receive $471,700 in CDBG funds to reconstruct portions of 4^thand Monroe Streets near the city grade school.  The city will contribute $350,000 in local cash towards this project.

The City of Tescott will make stormwater drainage improvements using a $76,792 CDBG grant.  The city will also contribute $76,793 in cash to bring this project to fruition.

The City of Winchester will receive $306,980 in CDBG funds to improve portions of 3^rd Street, Poplar Street and 2^nd Street.  The city will provide $221,320 in matching funds.

FHSU University Relations and Marketing

The Entrepreneur Direct Speaker Series at Fort Hays State University will host Jim Brull and John Tavlarios from 10:30-11:45 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, in the Eagle Communications Hall of the FHSU Robbins Center.

The event is free and open to the public.

Jim Brull is a managing partner and co-founder of Centroid, a company providing information technology consulting, managed services and cloud services for mid-market to enterprise accounts across the country. The company has won numerous awards and is distinguished as one of Oracle’s top 25 partners across North America. Brull is a native of Stockton and graduated from FHSU with a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing in 1989.

John Tavlarios is the chief operating officer of Gener8 Maritime, Inc., which engages in transportation of international seaborne crude oil and petroleum products across the globe. Tavlarios previously worked as president and founder of Halcyon Trading Company, a consulting firm specializing in international business development with an emphasis on the international oil industry. Tavlarios’ wife, Linda Murphy Tavlarios, is a Hays native and a 1981 FHSU graduate.

Entrepreneur Direct, a speaker series presented by FHSU’s W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship, features successful entrepreneurs in an informal setting accessible to students, faculty and the public. Since its creation in 2010, the program has featured a wide variety of entrepreneurs ranging from leaders at the end of their careers to young entrepreneurs just entering the business world.

Today Snow, mainly before 10am. Widespread blowing snow, mainly before 7am. High near 37. Very windy, with a northwest wind 31 to 36 mph decreasing to 23 to 28 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 20. Blustery, with a northwest wind 16 to 21 mph decreasing to 9 to 14 mph after midnight.

Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 43. Northwest wind 9 to 11 mph.

Expect a milder rest of the work week before a slight cool down into the weekend due to a weak frontal boundary pushing through on Friday. pic.twitter.com/nG1sfVo9zZ

— NWS Dodge City (@NWSDodgeCity) January 22, 2018

Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 18. West wind 6 to 9 mph.

WednesdaySunny, with a high near 53. Light and variable wind becoming south southwest 8 to 13 mph in the morning.

Wednesday NightMostly clear, with a low around 24.

ThursdaySunny, with a high near 63.

The Kansas Department of Transportation has reopened I-70 from WaKeeney to the Colorado border as of 12:30 CST. The following roads have also been reopened:

 

• U.S. 40 from Oakley to the Colorado border
• U.S. 83 from Scott City to Oakley
• K-25 from U.S. 40 to Colby
• K-27 from Sharon Springs to Goodland

For up-to-date information on road closures and road conditions, call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside Kansas, or check travel information online here.

USD 489

Due to inclement winter weather, all schools in Hays USD 489 will be closed Monday, Jan. 22., 2018.

HPD

In preparation for tonight’s winter storm, Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty has declared the City of Hays to be under a Winter Storm Traffic Emergency. During a Winter Storm Traffic Emergency, it is unlawful to park a vehicle on any street designated as an emergency snow route.

The City of Hays Public Works Department and Hays Police Department are requesting your assistance with snow removal along emergency snow routes.

Please take the appropriate measures and move your vehicle from the snow route at this time. Should you take no action and allow your vehicle to remain parked on an emergency snow route, you risk receiving a citation and/or having your vehicle towed at your expense.

This Winter Storm Traffic Emergency shall remain in effect until such time that the Hays City Manager deems the Winter Storm Traffic Emergency terminated.

Since winter precipitation is forecasted to fall and conditions are expected to worsen through the day, the Hays Police Department is asking that motorists avoid travel if at all possible. Those that must travel are advised to do so with caution, and are encouraged to give themselves extra time to reach their destination. Please remember to drive slow, pay attention to vehicles in front of you, and allow for extra stopping distance.

The public’s cooperation is greatly appreciated. If there are questions, please contact the Hays Police Department at 625-1030 or the Hays Public Works Department at 628-7350.

Below is a link to the City of Hays website that has a map of the snow routes:

https://www.haysusa.com/html/snow_route.html

 

CITY OF HAYS

The City of Hays Public Works Department and Hays Police Department are requesting your assistance with snow removal along emergency snow routes.

With the likelihood of significant ice and snow accumulation, city crews will be working throughout the night in an effort to keep the snow routes open. We are asking that persons who live or work along these emergency snow routes to take this opportunity to remove their vehicles and not to park on the streets.

The removing of your vehicles from the snow routes greatly assist in the street clearing efforts by the City.

This notification is only a warning that snow may fall in significant amounts, which could necessitate the implementation of the winter storm traffic emergency plan.

Please take the appropriate measures and rem ove your vehicle from the snow route at this time to aid in the snow clearing efforts, and to avoid the possibility of receiving a citation or having the vehicle towed at your expense after a winter storm traffic emergency declaration has been issued.

For a map of the snow routes in Hays go to www.haysusa.com/html/snow_route.html