TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued boil water advisories for 12 public water supply systems in Lyon and Coffey Counties. KDHE officials issued the advisories because of a line break in Emporia, resulting in a loss of pressure. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

The boil water advisory issued for the city of Emporia earlier today remains in effect.

The water systems in Lyon and Coffey counties currently under a boil water advisory are as follows: City of Admire, Lyon County, city of Allen, Lyon County, Coffey County Rural Water District 2E, Coffey County, city of Emporia, Lyon County, city of Hartford, Lyon County, Lyon County Rural Water District 1, Lyon County, Lyon County Rural Water District 2, Lyon County, Lyon County Rural Water District 3, Lyon County, Lyon County Rural Water District 4, Lyon County, Lyon County Rural Water District 5, Lyon County, city of Olpe, Lyon County, Park Place Communities Management, Lyon County.

The advisories took effect on July 20, 2017, and will remain in effect until conditions that place the systems at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved adequately.

• Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:
• Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation, or use bottled water.
• Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.
• Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.
• Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.
• If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.

Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure. Regardless of whether it is the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

TOPEKA, Kan. – Sometimes it’s a good idea to take a second look, especially when it comes to Kansas Lottery Crossword tickets. Had Treva Koch not taken a second look at her $2 Double Bonus Crossword ticket, she might have missed winning a $20,000 top prize.

“When I play Crosswords, I always go back and check them again,” the 67-year-old Overbook resident told Lottery officials. “Last Friday night, I played four Double Bonus Crossword tickets. I thought I had uncovered seven words on one, but when I rechecked, I realized there was another letter in the ‘bonus’ area that I had not scratched off. That extra letter gave me a total of 10 words and a $20,000 prize!”

Koch is retired now after working as a paraprofessional at Scott Magnet School in Topeka. Widowed a few years ago after 42 years of marriage, she has five grown children, eleven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She lives next door to her daughter Carrie and her family.

“After I realized I’d won $20,000, I walked over to Carrie’s to tell her the good news,” Koch explained. “She didn’t believe it at first, but after she and her husband looked at the ticket they said, ‘Yes, you did!’”

Koch says she will use her prize money to get caught up on bills and put most of it in savings. She also said she may take a trip to Pennsylvania this summer to see two of her sisters, one of them her twin.

Koch says she buys a few Double Bonus Crossword tickets every week, and will continue to do so because she enjoys playing. She purchased her $20,000 Double Bonus Crossword ticket at Domans General Store, located at 4961 E. Highway 268 in Vassar.

It might be July, but it is the time of year to start planning for Christmas. Christmas on Market Street, that is.

The annual Christmas on Market Street event at Osage City will be held Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017, and the Osage City Chamber of Commerce has scheduled the first planning meeting next month.

“So many of you have great ideas, are great at planning events, and genuinely want to see our community continue to thrive,” said Jeanette Swarts, Chamber executive director. “The theme for this year’s event is “Treasured Memories” which will be fun to work with, and the theme can go in so many directions as to your actual treasured memories.

“Now that the fair parade is over, we will begin planning for Saturday, Nov. 25, which sounds like a long time from now, but will be here before we know it. We would love to make this year the best event we have had so far.”

Anyone who has ideas or is interested in helping with Christmas on Market Street is encouraged to contact the Chamber.

“We have some traditional events that need someone new to take over,” Swarts said. “We need lots of volunteer help. We also are interested in any new events you might like to add. If you own a business or are part of a community group, this is a great time for you to be a part of a fun community event. Let’s get together and make this great.”

Traditional Christmas on Market Street events include an annual raffle, parade, chili cook off and Kiwanis breakfast.

An organizational meeting for anyone wanting to volunteer will be at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 23, at Artfully Quilted by Barbs. For more information, questions, comments or suggestions, call Swarts at 785-249-5451.

Not all abusers are men, however, the vast majority of domestic violent crimes are committed by male perpetrators. “SOS Strong” is a grass-roots, all-male campaign made up of local men dedicated to helping SOS stop sexual and domestic violence, child abuse and neglect. In years past, only Lyon County men were eligible, but this year it has expanded to all counties served by SOS. There will be 10 men from Lyon County and two from Chase, Coffey, Greenwood, Morris and Osage counties. Each “Strong Man” signs a pledge to lead by example, not blame victims, and be a positive up-stander. Their goal is to raise $1,000 each to support SOS programs.

SOS Strong celebrates strong, compassionate men in our community striving to put an end to domestic violence. This fundraiser was designed to show that men are more than abusers, controllers and runaway fathers. Children need to know men can be positive influences and compassionate people. The community needs to see that abuse is not just a woman’s problem, it’s everyone’s problem.

“SOS Strong gives these men the opportunity to raise money for programs that fight for safety every day,” said Connie Cahoone, SOS executive director. “They are standing up for someone in need and being positive up-standers and we sincerely appreciate their participation in this grassroots endeavor.”

SOS Strong was created in 2015 and to date has raised nearly $33,000 for survivor services and programs. On Thursday July 27, 2017, the SOS board of directors will sponsor a kickoff party for the 3rd Annual SOS Strong. The men will fundraise from July 27-Aug. 24, and compete for prizes for the most creative fundraising efforts, fastest $1,000 raised, and the most funds raised.

“SOS Strong is about so much more than money. It is the start of taking back what it means to be a man,” said Lucas Moody, child advocacy center director.