Authorities Warn of "Donut Hole" Scam (6/16/10)
The Kansas Attorney General's Office is warning senior citizens across the state to be aware of scams following the first wave of Medicare donut hole rebate checks to go out. Officials say one such scam they've come across is where someone tries to convince seniors that the $250 check they qualify for needs to be transferred through a a third party channel with vital information. Not true, according to the attorney general, who says checks will come directly to beneficiaries who qualify under the Affordable Care Act. Seniors are being reminded not to give out their personal information, and call 1-800-MEDICARE to report any potential fraud schemes.
Weekend Crackdown Coming to Ford, Finney (6/15/10)
Several local authorities are getting ready for more patrols against drunk driving. Jurisdictions in both Ford and Finney Counties say they're setting up saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints. In Ford County it will be somewhere inside the Dodge City limits, in the early morning hours of Saturday, June 20--this according to DCPD's Corporal Thad Brown.
Lieutenant Josh Biera with the Kansas Highway Patrol says state law enforcement will be putting up a checkpoint in Finney County some time this weekend, in an effort to remove impaired drivers from the road.
Dodge Detour (6/15/10)
Dodge City officials say work will continue into the week on the railroad tracks at 14th Avenue, at the crossing just south of West Wyatt Earp Boulevard. This means 14th is closed while crews rebuild the crossing as part of a three-week project scheduled. The city says traffic will be detoured over to Fourth Avenue Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.
Boil Water Advisory for Saline County RWD #7 (6/14/10)
A Boil Water Advisory has been issued for RWD #7 in the southwest part of Saline County. The order comes from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Officials say it is being issued in advance of repairs to the water system scheduled to be made Monday night between 8pm and 11pm, causing an interruption in service and little or no water pressure. Health officials say this could make it possible for contaminants to get into the system.
The Department of Health is reminding people under the advisory to dispose of ice cubes and do not use an automatic icemaker. Boil water vigorously for one minute prior to use.
Authorities Keep Watch on Buckner Creek (6/14/10)
A Flood Warning continues until late Tuesday night for Buckner creek near the town of Burdett, KS. Weather officials estimate the water there will be above the 16' flood stage--and could get as high as it was back in October 1997. They say it could cause water overflow and the washout of Creekside Cemetery Road.
View the National Weather Service Flood Warning here.
Weekend Weather Damage (6/14/10)
Following Sunday's storms, the National Weather Service has released some preliminary reports--including multiple tornado sightings in the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles. One tornado was also reported in extreme southern Nebraska, seven miles southeast of Beaver City.
For Kansas, it was hail and high wind reports. Weather officials say Ellis County saw golfball-size hail, wheat fields destroyed, and a farm house that lost all its windows. Trees and branches were also reported down in Ellis, Comanche, and Pratt Counties.
Truck Crashes Into House in Garden (6/10/10)
A Thursday morning crash in Garden City, with one of the vehicles involved striking a house. The crash happened near the corner of Taylor and St. John.
At least two vehicles were involved in the crash. Just after 10am Thursday, crews were working to extract the truck from the back corner of the house. Authorities have not yet commented on any possible injuries associated with the crash.
GCHS Students Go National (6/8/10)
The school year is over, but Garden City students keep hauling in the national accolades. Lindy Bilberry of the Garden City Future Farmers of America was recognized at this week's school board meeting for taking 1st Place in Creed Speaking and 2nd Place in Extemporaneous Speaking at the state FFA Convention in Manhattan--all as a Freshman.
For her honors she will represent Garden City, and the state of Kansas, in the National FFA Convention in October. At the school board meeting it was also announced she has been named the next President of the school's FFA chapter next year as she heads on to nationals.
And in the realm of high school forensics, GCHS graduate Todd Wells has one more thing to do for the school. Wells has been named one of six finalists for the National Forensic League National Student of the Year Award. According to USD 457 officials, Wells was picked from among 30,000 seniors, and will be interviewed--and judged--by a select committee this coming weekend to determine who will win the National Award.
Garden City Mosquito Battle (6/8/10)
Garden City is taking on the summer insect. City officials say that for the rest of the month of June, expect to see city workers spraying neighborhoods for mosquitoes. The city says there has been a higher-than-normal mosquito population in town this year that has prompted the action.
According to city officials and the Public Works Department, the chemicals used in the mosquito bug spray are not harmful to humans. Anyone with questions about the spraying program, however, can still call City Hall at 276-1260.