The Kansas Department of Transportation is requesting comments on an amendment to the FFY 2017-2020 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) document.

The STIP is a project specific publication that lists all KDOT administered projects, regardless of funding source, and includes projects for counties and cities as well as projects on the state highway system.

The list of projects being amended to the STIP can be viewed at www.ksdot.org/bureaus/burProgProjMgmt/stip/stip.asp

The approval of the STIP amendment requires the public comment period, which concludes on July 6, 2017. To make comments on the amendment, contact KDOT’s Bureau of Program and Project Management at 785-296-2252.

Lyndon Pride is seeking early registrants for the planned 2017 Firecracker 5K on Fourth of July morning.

The run/walk is co-organized this year by Lyndon Pride and the Lyndon High School Cross Country team, and all proceeds from the run will benefit the two groups.

Runners and walkers should be ready to go at 7:30 a.m. July 4, gathering at the Lyndon Community Center, 204 Topeka Ave.

Early registrants are requested to obtain a count for T-shirts. For more information or to register for the run, contact Lyndon City Hall at 785-828-3146 or stop by 730 Topeka Ave. during business hours.

Weather permitting, the week of June 26, 2017, the BNSF Railway plans to repair its crossing on state Highway 68 in the Richter vicinity. Located 5 1/2 miles west of Ottawa, the crossing will be closed to through traffic from 7 a.m. Monday, June 26, until Friday, June 30.

K-68 traffic will follow a signed detour along K-68, U.S. 59, U.S. 56 and U.S. 75. For more information, contact Kevin Ryan at the Kansas Department of Transportation office in Garnett, 785-448-5446, or Priscilla Petersen at the Chanute KDOT office, 620-902-6433.

Lyndon’s Bailey House serves as a backdrop for the Get ‘Rev’d’ Up all motor show.

Next week summer begins but the Lyndon community is declaring summer fun is underway Saturday with something for everyone.

At 8:30 a.m. Saturday, June 17, the sixth annual Get “Rev’d” Up All Motor Show starts revving up at Lyndon City Park. The Lyndon United Methodist Church hosts the annual show, which this year is welcoming all types of motorized vehicles or contraptions.

“Anything with a motor is welcome,” said co-organizer Greg Thill. He noted that a live band and DJ will provide music all day; there will be Hot Wheel races for kids; and a pin striper will be on hand for anyone needing to add accents to their paint job.

The show offers awards for the top 20 entries, along with several specialty awards. Dash plaques will be given to the first 100 entries. Breakfast and lunch will be available. All proceeds from the show benefit the church’s youth ministries. For more information, contact Thill at 785-828-3526.

While motors might be roaring in the park, across town at the Lyndon Carnegie Library things will be a little quieter. The library will be having a book sale 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. on the lawn at 127 E. Sixth St., Lyndon. Offered for sale will be books, DVDs, audio books and magazines. For more information or to donate, contact the library at 785-828-4520. (Volunteers are welcomed to help set up and tear down.)

And if cars or books aren’t your brand of fun, garage sales and yard sales will be going on all over town on Saturday. There is no map this year, but garage salers are invited to enjoy a tour of Lyndon while they search for the best bargains. For more information, contact Lyndon City Hall at 785-828-3146. Sellers, remember you can post a garage sale ad for free on Osage County News here: County Comment – Garage Sales

Summer’s here, rev up your fun at Lyndon.

East Central Kansas Economic Opportunity Corporation will begin accepting school supply applications June 26-July 7, 2017, for the 2017-2018 academic year.

The school supplies giveaway is funded by a grant from Jones Trust, Emporia.

Recipients must show proof of residency in Osage County and proof of income for 12 months to show if income is at or below 200 percent of poverty level.

Applications are available at the Osage County ECKAN Center, 530 Holliday St., Osage City. For more information, contact the Osage County ECKAN Center at 785-528-5184.

The following individuals were booked into the Osage County Jail in connection with charges or warrants as listed by the arresting agency.

Osage County General Public Transportation offers rides to any resident in the county. The requested donation per ride is $3 in county and $5 out of county; however no one is refused service for lack of payment. We have standard fixed routes, with stops at popular retail, educational, and service locations throughout the county. In addition, anyone can call to schedule a trip or ride to almost anywhere or any place.

Exciting excursions are planned for the month of June.  Please note that all transportation rides are on a first come first serve basis. For more information, stop by the Osage County Senior Center at 604 Market St., Osage City, or call 785-528-4906.

Upcoming:

• Thursday, June 15: Art and painting 9 a.m.
• Friday, June 16: Bingo 10 a.m.; cribbage 12:15 p.m.
• Monday, June 19: Sewing 8 a.m. armchair exercise 10:30 a.m.; cribbage 12:15 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 20: Ceramics 9 a.m.; Mexican Train games 1 p.m.; bus leaves the center for Lawrence and Prairie Park Nature Center at 10 a.m.
• Wednesday, June 21: Sewing 8 a.m.; armchair exercise 11 a.m.; cribbage 12:15 p.m.
• Thursday, June 22: Art and painting 9 a.m.
• Friday, June 23: Bingo 10 a.m.; cribbage 12:15 p.m.

With the current Carbondale library providing cramped space for patrons, citizens have set out to raise funds for a larger facility.

By Sue Anderson

CARBONDALE, Kans. – The efforts to raise funds to build a new library in Carbondale recently received a big boost.  The Walter S. and Evan C. Jones Testamentary Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee, has awarded a $100,000 grant to the “Let’s Raise the Roof for a New Library” campaign. The funds will be used exclusively to help with building costs for the new downtown facility.

Alice Smith, Carbondale Library director, was excited about the good news. “Receiving the grant from the Jones trust fund is a significant step to help us reach our goal of $1.6 million,” Smith said.

Smith pointed out the library’s current space of 425 square feet does not allow for efficient, effective, modern library services.

Kandy Hinck, who serves as chair of the steering committee, said the projected budget for constructing the new library includes foundation and government grants and private contributions from the community.

“On behalf of the ‘Let’s Raise the Roof’ steering committee, I would like to publicly acknowledge and thank the W.S. and E.C. Jones Testamentary Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee for its generosity,” Hinck said. “This gift brings us closer to the amount of funding needed for a much-needed larger library in Carbondale.”

Hinck said matching private donations are a requirement for some grants. She said the committee is also in the process of seeking a community development block grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Justice today announced the indictment of Adam W. Purinton, 52, of Olathe, Kan. Purinton was indicted by a federal grand jury on hate crime and firearm charges for shooting three men – including two Indian nationals – at an Olathe bar on Feb. 22, 2017.

The announcement was made by Acting Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Wheeler, II, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and United States Attorney Thomas E. Beall of the District of Kansas.

Today’s indictment accuses Purinton of shooting and killing Srinivas Kuchibhotla because of Kuchibhotla’s actual and perceived race, color, religion and national origin. The indictment also accuses Purinton of attempting to kill Alok Madasani because of his actual and perceived race, color, religion and national origin.

A third count in the indictment charges Purinton with violating a federal firearms statute by discharging a firearm at Kuchibhotla, Madasani, and the third man, Ian Grillot, during those crimes of violence.

The indictment alleges that Purinton committed the offenses after substantial planning and premeditation, attempted to kill more than one person in a single criminal episode, and knowingly created a grave risk of death to others on the scene.

The Osage City Public Library is hosting a community health fair for all ages 1:30-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 14, 2017. The health fair will feature numerous local organizations and businesses that encourage everyone to be healthy in mind, spirit and body. All are invited to stop by the library at 515 Main St., Osage City, for the health fair, or call the library at 785-528-3727 for more information.

As of today, the following businesses and organizations have confirmed they will have representatives at the health fair to share information about their services or products: Osage County EMS, Salt Creek Fitness and Rehabilitation, Auburn Pharmacy, Vintage Park, Allen County Community College, Schroeder Drugs, Flint Hills Technical College, East Central Kansas Aging and Disability, Gravel City Adventure and Supply, Osage County Clerk’s Office, Dirty Kanza Promotions, ECKAN, TOPS, Osage County Health Department, Citizens Insurance Services, American Family Insurance, Newman Regional Health, CrossWinds Counseling and Wellness, Osage City Public Library, Drug Free Osage County, Frontier Extension District, Young Living Essential Oils, Harmon’s Dental, Osage County Sheriff Office, Newman Medical Partners, Peterson Health Care, SOS, Catholic Charities USA, ECAT, Kansas Radon Program, city of Osage City, Salvation Army , RCIL, Three Lakes Learning, Higher Power Health and Yoga, Stormont Vail, Encompass Home Health, Osage County News, Melvern Lake Corps of Engineers, Sunflower Gymnastics, Home Health CareGivers, VanArsdale Funeral Chapel, St Francis Hospital.

The city of Overbrook provides a monthly update of happenings in the city.

Dog ordinance changes under consideration

There is still time for residents to give input to city hall regarding the total number of dogs allowed at an Overbrook residence. The Overbrook City Council will address this question at its June 14, 2017, meeting. The current limit is three dogs. Call city hall at 785-665-7328 to give your opinion.

Former Overbrook police car to become taxi cab

The city sold the old blue police car to a Chicago cab company for use as a taxicab. The company submitted the highest sealed bid as a result of the bid announcement on the Internet. Imagine getting a cab at O’Hare and it being our old police car.

Loose cats cause concerns, too

Domestic and feral cats running loose in Overbrook remain a concern. If you have a pet cat, please make sure it has a current year city pet tag and can be identified if picked up.

Disobeying traffic ordinances is unsafe and unprofitable

Stop signs in Overbrook require the same degree of obedience from drivers as they do in any other city. A traffic ticket for failing to stop at an Overbrook Stop sign is $60, plus court cost of $75. The same goes for city speed limits.

Step up security for summer

Summer season security for your home and personal property should be a priority. Leaving house or garage doors open, cars unlocked, and personal items in plain sight all create opportunity for crime to occur. Be smart, be safe and continue to be watchful. Our crime rate is low because you care.

Overbrook pool opens

The Overbrook pool is open and it’s time to book summer swim parties. Stop by the pool to set a date and get information on swim lessons, water aerobics, and special events going on at the pool.

Summer reading program underway

The summer reading program is underway at the Overbrook Public Library. It includes special events at 11 a.m. on Fridays, including June 9, 23, and 30, and July 7. An ice cream party celebration for winning readers will be held on Friday, July 14. Get more information at the library.

Update 9:12 p.m. June 2, 2017: The KBI is reporting that the suspect is in custody and all three children have been recovered safely in the 4500 block of south Broadway in Wichita.

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WICHITA, Kan. – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has issued an Amber Alert for three missing children from Wichita, who are believed to be with a suspect wanted in connection with a fire and death in Wichita.

The Wichita Police Department reported that at approximately 12:21 p.m. today, June 2, 2017, the Wichita Fire Department responded to a residential fire at 321 N. Ash St., Wichita.  During efforts at the location, a woman was found deceased. Police consider the death suspicious, and the full identification of the deceased is pending due to the fire.

It is believed there are three children associated with the deceased woman and missing, William J. Thompson III, 12, Ethan A. Thompson, 5, and Damien A. Wright, 2. It is believed they are with a person considered as a suspect, Dane A. Wright, 29. The suspect was last seen leaving the location in a white 4-door 2001 Ford Focus with license number 718JHX.

Dane Wright is described as balding and with hazel eyes; the boys are described as having black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with any information about the missing children, the suspect, or vehicle should call 911 immediately. If you have other information about a missing child, call 911. See www.ksamber.org for more information about Amber Alerts.