Smoking ban
GARDEN CITY — Garden City commissioners rejected Commissioner John Doll’s proposal at a meeting Wednesday to amend the city’s smoking ban ordinance that would have exempted some businesses from the law. Doll, who was elected to the board in the April 3 general election and emphasized his opposition to the ban during his campaign, suggested the Commission consider exempting any establishment that receives less than 30 percent of its total revenue from food sales from having to comply with the ban.
— The Garden City Telegram
www.gctelegram.com
Refuge plan
HAYS — The signing of a 15-year operating plan for the Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge signals the official start of returning to its roots: encouraging activities to those that are dependent upon wildlife.
That means the refuge, located southeast of Phillipsburg, no longer will allow overnight camping or the use of jet skis or water skiing.
It will, however, put a renewed focus on hunting and fishing, according to refuge manager Craig Mowry.
With the planning process under his belt and a direction set on how things will be done, Mowry will have the time to undertake other projects, such as working with the irrigation district to see if anything can be done that will be mutually agreeable and help the refuge accomplish what it was designed to do.
— The Hays Daily News
www.hdnews.net
Consolidation
IOLA — Law enforcement officers working today in Allen County are the first who must be convinced that consolidated law enforcement is workable and an advantage if the proposal has a chance to fly, Jim Kilby, Iola police chief, said Thursday night.
“They are the ones who are going to have to buy into it first,” Kilby said.
To give the officers, 35 total and including 17 in Iola, nine on the county force and six in Humboldt, a clear view of what consolidated law enforcement would offer, Kilby, Sheriff Tom Williams, Dan Onnen, Humboldt chief, and other leaders will design a model consolidated force.
— The Iola Register
www.iolaregister.com
Farm Service offices
JUNCTION CITY — The removal of three counties from the list of Farm Service Agency offices brought a mix of optimism and disappointment from local producers.
“Everyone’s happy that some offices will remain open, but obviously we’re disappointed that Geary County is still on the list,” said John Moyer, a former member of the Geary County FSA board.
“I’m happy for the counties that got a second look and saved from office closure, but am disappointed it (the revised plan) didn’t include all of the counties affected,” Geary County Commissioner Ben Bennett said.
— The Junction City Daily Union
www.dailyu.com
Downtown event
NEWTON — Despite what the weather looked like Thursday morning, the weather turned nice for those taking part in the events in downtown Newton in the evening.
People walked from shop to shop, visiting with friends and greeting others as they passed on the sidewalks of Main Street during the Art and Music in the Heart of Newton.
With a mostly clear sky and warm temperatures, some artists and musicians set up along the sidewalks, just outside the businesses. “We didn’t know what to expect,” Karen Miles of Creative Memories said. “This is our first year to be a part of this event. However, it has turned out to be a good evening.
Miles and Lori Klein are consultants for the scrap booking company, who work from their homes. They were showing techniques, pre-made themed packages and the new digital story book.
— The Newton Kansan
www.thekansan.com
Working for a miracle
OLATHE — If you build it, it’ll change lives.
That’s the mindset many in the community have as they work together to build a field of dreams for area children with physical challenges. The Olathe school district, the city, Olathe Medical Center, MidAmerica Nazarene University and Strickland Construction have joined forces to bring a Miracle League baseball field to the community.
“We’re hoping to get the community behind it and raise funds to get it built,” said Eric Hughes of Strickland Construction.
The district will provide a site for the field at the College Boulevard Activity Center, which will allow developers to build a softball-sized field with artificial turf. It’s expected to be used for spring and fall leagues.
Others involved in the project will help with fundraising, promotion and construction.
— The Olathe Daily News
www.olathedailynews.com
Water flow
SALINA — More water has flowed down the Smoky Hill River into Kanopolis Lake so far in April than in all of 2006, according to flow data from the streamgage at Ellsworth.
And if more rain falls before month’s end, the total for the month could also eclipse the total inflow in all of 2005.
In 2006, 17,232 acre-feet of water (about 5.6 billion gallons) flowed past the Ellsworth gauge, the lowest one-year flow on record. The total this month passed that mark around 2 a.m. Friday.
The total in 2005 was 22,251 acre-feet, the third-lowest ever recorded.
— The Salina Journal
www.saljournal.com