The Kansas Water Office is encouraging Kansas residents to subscribe to a new alert service for instant, customized updates about water conditions.

Whether you are watching for floods, interested in recreational activities or concerned about the quality of water in your well, the U.S. Geological SurveyWaterAlert service allows you to receive daily or hourly updates regarding current conditions in rivers, lakes and groundwater.

“Recently the state has received questions regarding notification to changes in water conditions and gage flood stages,” said Tracy Streeter, Kansas Water Office Director. “This is a great service available to all Kansans and can be the first alert to a developing flood and can even help out during drought periods, which we have been no stranger to the past few years.”

WaterAlert allows users to receive updates about river flows, groundwater levels, water temperatures, rainfall and water quality at any of more than 9,500 sites where USGS collects real-time water information. This information is crucial for managing water resources, including during floods, droughts and chemical spills.

“Our priority is to help keep Kansans safe and this resource is a great way for everyone to stay informed of the dangers around them and be more aware of their surroundings,” said Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli, director of the Kansas Division of Emergency Management and adjutant general.  “We encourage everyone in Kansas to take a minute to sign up for this valuable information.”

In addition to WaterAlert, you can also find real time reservoir release information at the following U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website: Kansas City District, https://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/WaterManagement.aspx

The Kansas Historical Society announced that a photograph of a coal miner in its collections is featured among new stamps by the U.S. Postal Service released in August. Supporters had worked for years to promote a stamp series to honor the work of coal miners.

The photo of the Kansas coal miner was taken in the 1940s or 1950s by the Kansas Department of Economic Development and donated in 1966. The identity of the coal miner is unknown. The photograph can be found on Kansas Memory, kansasmemory.org/item/209756.

Coal mining in Kansas peaked around 1917.  Bituminous coal deposits were widely distributed in eastern Kansas. Most of the mines were in southeastern Kansas in the counties of Cherokee, Crawford, and Bourbon, with a large mining area in Osage County.  Deep mining and surface mining methods were used in at least 20 coal beds.

 

 

 

 

FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE-WICHITA:

The Updated U-S Drought Monitor through 7am August 6th.

Notice how much of the red is gone for eastern Kansas.

Despite the unfortunate flooding, this has helped the drought situation for eastern Kansas.

Rains in northwest and southwest Kansas Wednesday night are not reflected in this report.

 

State Rep. Troy L. Waymaster, R-Luray, has been appointed by Speaker Ray Merrick, R-Stillwell, to serve on the Joint Interim Agriculture Committee.

Waymaster is one of six House members selected to serve on the committee, which will meet periodically for the rest of the year until the 2014 legislative session begins Jan. 13.

During the regular session, Waymaster serves on the Agriculture Committee, Natural Resources Committee and Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee.

RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE GOVERNING BODY 16 JULY 2013

The Governing Body of the City of WaKeeney, Kansas met in a regular session at City Hall 408 Russell Ave at 7:00 PM with the Mayor presiding and the following members present:

Mayor Kenneth Roy and Council Members Irene Dirks, Troy Leiker, Lynelle Shubert, and Allen Weigel

BEING ABSENT: Mary Jo Clevenger

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as written, printed and distributed.

GUESTS: Terry Eberle, Mary Ruth Hendricks, and Janelle Miller

CHIEF OF POLICE: Terry Eberle provided his monthly departmental report. Chief Eberle discussed with the Governing Body a letter(s) from the United States Postal Service concerning the placement of curbside mailboxes. Due to USPS requirements, some residents are blocking sidewalks by placing the mailboxes at the curb. It was the consensus of the City Council to require the postal service to direct residents how best to handle these situations since it was their regulations that required the change.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR: City Administrator Hardy Howard presented an ordinance vacating the 100 Block of South Ninth Street (street right-of-way between Blocks 52 and 53, Original City). After reviewing Ordinance #1430, Irene Dirks motioned to approve the street vacating. Lynelle Shubert seconded. Motion carried.

The City Administrator reviewed a final draft of the 2014 city budget. A public hearing for the budget has been set for August 20, 2013 at 7:00 PM.

The Governing Body was informed that some delays in trash service may be experienced over the next week due to truck repairs for Dan’s Sanitation Service.

MAYOR: Kenneth Roy reminded the City Council of the upcoming League of Kansas Municipalities conference in October.

In new business, Council Member Dirks presented the idea of partnering with the Trego Recreation Commission in moving the north baseball field to city owned property adjacent to the south ball fields and then utilizing the north ball field as a new residential subdivision. A 1964 deed restriction on the north ball field will require a legal ruling to allow the change of use to residential. The city attorney will be consulted. In addition, costs for constructing a new field and the required street, water and sewer infrastructure will be obtained prior to moving forward.

Also discussed at length were allowing ATV’s, golf carts, and other non-tagged vehicles to be driven in WaKeeney. Currently these vehicles are prohibited on city streets and alleys. Chief Eberle will provide some additional information on this issue at a future meeting.

City building and environmental codes were debated at length.

Council Member Weigel discussed the water meter at Council Member Shubert’s house serving both an in town and out of city limits property. A follow up discussion will be taken up at the next city council meeting.

A motion was made by Irene Dirks and seconded by Lynelle Shubert to adjourn into executive session for a period of 10 minutes for the discussion of non-elected personnel. Those remaining in the executive session included Mayor Roy and City Council.

The session ended within the allotted time period

No further business appearing, the meeting was adjourned.

 

One of the last remaining Munchkins from the “Wizard of Oz” movie has passed away.

Margaret Pellegrini died this morning around 7AM near her home in Phoenix, AZ after suffering a stroke. She was 89.

Standing at 3 ft. 4 inches, Pellegrini played multiple “Munchkin” parts in the movie, including a “sleepyhead” and a Munchkin villager.

Pellegrini was one of three surviving Munchkins from the 1939 classic film about Kansas, leaving only two behind: 93-year-old Jerry Maren, and 95-year-old Ruth Duccini.

The Kroger-owned, Kansas-based grocery store chain Dillons, along with its subsidiary Gerbes, announced today  it will lower prices starting tomorrow, and discontinue doubling coupons in two weeks.

“Beginning August 7, Dillons will lower prices on thousands of items,” the company announced in a news release .   “This venture is a multi-million dollar investment for the company, and loyal Dillons customers will reap the benefits. As a result of the new price campaign affecting thousands of products storewide, the company is also announcing the discontinuation of its double coupons program.”

Coupons will be accepted at face value only, beginning August 21st.

The move affects all Dillons stores, as well as those under the Gerbes banner in Missouri. Dillons also owns Baker’s in Nebraska, but those stores currently do not offer double coupons.

 

USD 407 Enrollment Dates 2013

Monday, August 12th
Russell High School- New Students 8:30AM- 3:30PM

Tuesday, August 13th
Simpson Elementary- all grades @ BES gym 8AM- 6PM
Bickerdyke Elementary- all grades @ BES gym 8AM- 6PM
Ruppenthal Middle School- New Students & 6th Grade 8:30AM-4PM
Russell High School- Seniors 8:30AM- Noon ~ Juniors 1- 3:30PM
Russell Community Learning Center @ RHS Library 8AM-3:30PM
BCCC College Advantage for RHS students 11AM- 1PM

Wednesday, August 14th
Ruppenthal Middle School- 7th & 8th Grades @ RMS 8:30AM- 4PM
Russell High School- Sophomores 8:30AM- Noon ~ Freshmen 1- 3:30PM
Russell Community Learning Center @ RHS Library 8AM-3:30PM

Thursday, August 15th
Russell Community Learning Center @ RHS Library 8AM-3:30PM

First Day of School- August 28th 8-11:30AM

A Rooks County nature trail is one of 16 state grant recipients slated for major improvements.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) has awarded $2 million in State Trail Program grants to help fund 16 recreational trail projects around the state.

The grants were made possible when the state opted out of the Federal Recreational Trails Program (FRTP) in 2012 so more funding would be available for the overall pool of transportation alternatives.

The department received more than $5 million in grant requests for the $2 million that was available, representing over $7.7 million in potential investments in trails and trail amenities to improve the overall quality of life for Kansans.

The State Trails Program, like the FRTP, provides for an 80/20 match of approved expenses, with the local entity supplying the 20 percent. Projects must meet accessibility and environmental criteria. Sponsoring entities are also evaluated for their ability to administer the projects and their past performance in handling similar grants.

The following projects were awarded funding under the State Trails Program:

Milford Nature Center – Boardwalk Replacement, $7,576

Elk City State Park – Trail Project/Timber Road, $50,000

Prairie Spirit Trail State Park – Mini-excavator and equipment storage facility, $62,386

City of Paola – Wallace Park Trail, $51,950

Webster State Park – Coyote Trail Restoration, $10,000

Kanza Rail-Trails Conservancy – Flint Hills Nature Trail, $900,000

City of Chanute – Katy Hike and Bike Trail, $56,000

City of Overland Park – Oak Park Trail Replacement, $38,640

Kaw Nation – Allegawho Project, $350,000

Pratt B-29 Museum – B-29 Museum Interpretive Trail, $31,216

USD 316 Selden – Community Walking Trail, $33,200

USD 345 Topeka-Seaman – Viking Trail, $160,000

City of Pratt – Linear Park, Green Sports Complex, $66,760

Clinton State Park – Trailside CXT (toilet), $150,000

Eisenhower State Park – West Point Shelter, $18,810

KDWPT-Kansas River Trail – Signage, maps, brochures, $13,462

Governing Body Agenda

City of WaKeeney

408 Russell Ave., WaKeeney KS 67672

Regular Meeting Wednesday 8/6/13 at 7:00 PM

                                I.          Roll Call

 

 

 

II.                 Approval of minutes of last meeting

 

 

 

III.               Petitions, requests, complaints, guests, etc.

 

1.       Angel Shaver, 209 N. 3^rd Street.  Ms. Wheelchair Kansas

 

 

 

IV.              Report of City Officers / Department Heads

 

 

1.      City Administrator

 

a.       Street name sign quotes

 

b.      Pool park shelter update

 

c.       Review of July 2013 warrants

 

2.      Mayor

 

 

 

V.                 Old / New Business

 

1.      Council Member Shubert water service

 

 

 

VI.              Executive Session (if needed)

 

 

 

 

VII.            Adjournment