Water safe for people and animals

TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a stream advisory for the Marais des Cygnes River located near Osawatomie, Kan., that was issued Feb. 13, 2022. Water samples show no health risk associated with this stream. Water contact in the stream is now deemed safe. Anyone who lives or has activities near the river can have contact with the water, including children and pets.

Residents and animals should not enter the water at this time

TOPEKA, Kan. – Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a stream advisory for the Marais des Cygnes River near Osawatomie, Kan. The stream advisory is a result of an ongoing inflow and infiltration issue near the city of Osawatomie’s wastewater treatment plant.

The advisory has been issued because potential elevated bacteria and contaminants may be present in the Marais des Cygnes River near the city. Anyone who lives or has activities near this stream is advised to not enter the water or allow children or pets to enter.

KDHE will rescind the advisory once flows recede and subsequent bacteria testing indicates secondary contact, such as wading, has been deemed safe.

For more information, contact Andrew Burkhart, City of Osawatomie, at 785-760-7237.

Information thanks to KDHE.

TOPEKA, Kan. – Due to safety concerns regarding the winter storm projected for the state on Thursday, Dec. 22, and dangerously cold temperatures on Friday, Dec. 23, Governor Laura Kelly has issued a declaration of inclement weather for Shawnee County, ordering state office buildings in Shawnee County to be closed Dec. 22 and Dec. 23, 2022.

“Due to the potential for hazardous road conditions, precipitation, and dangerously cold temperatures, we are closing state office buildings in Shawnee County on Thursday and Friday,” Kelly said. “Please exercise extreme caution if traveling for the holiday weekend, give road crews enough space to do their jobs safely, and stay safe and warm.”

The declaration takes effect at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, and remains in effect until 11:59 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23.  Ambient temperatures at 6 a.m. Thursday are expected to be 4 degrees with wind chills hitting -20 to -30 degrees. Additionally, with wind guests up to 40-45 mph, blizzard-like conditions are expected. Travel through midday Friday will be hazardous.

This declaration applies to all non-essential state employees in executive branch agencies under the governor’s jurisdiction, who work in offices located in Shawnee County. During the period of inclement weather, essential employees are required to report to work as normal. Benefits-eligible non-essential employees should record inclement weather leave during the period of inclement weather. Remote work is not being required.

This declaration does not include employees in the Board of Regents, Regents Institutions, the Judicial Branch, nor the Legislative Branch of Government. Their designated representative will make a separate declaration for those employees if appropriate.

To ensure consistent leadership during potentially dangerous road conditions, Secretary Lorenz will remain in her current role as Kansas Department of Transportation Secretary until midnight on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022. Calvin Reed will assume his role as KDOT acting secretary Sunday, Dec. 25.

Appointing authorities in offices located outside Shawnee County have the option to declare inclement weather for those counties.

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Osage City’s portion of the Flint Hills Nature Trail will be paved or surfaced after the Kansas Department of Transportation accepted a bid for constructing 2.5 miles of pedestrian and bicycle paths through town.

KDOT announced approved bids for state highway construction and maintenance projects from the Oct. 19, 2022, letting in Topeka, which included the Osage City rail-trail project.

The pedestrian and bicycle paths will mostly follow the Missouri Pacific Railroad right of way through town, with a detour to city streets at Fifth Street and Ninth Street. The route is along the old railway right of way from Osage City’s west city limit to Fifth Street, south to Holliday Street, east to Eighth Street, north to Lakin Street, east to Ninth Street, north to Missouri Pacific Railroad right of way, and east to the east city limit.

Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, bid $1,847,358.60 for constructing the pedestrian and bicycle paths. KDOT’s project number is Osage‑70 TE‑0481‑01.

TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks have issued public health advisories for Kansas lakes due to blue-green algae, including three lakes in Osage County.

For the Labor Day weekend, Osage County lakes under a warning advisory are Carbondale City Lake (Strowbridge) and Melvern Outlet (River) Pond. Overbrook City Lake remains on a watch status.

A warning status indicates that conditions are unsafe for human and pet exposure. Contact with the waterbody should be avoided. A watch status means that blue-green algae have been detected and a harmful algal bloom is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water.

Harmful algal blooms can look like foam, scum or paint floating on the water and be colored blue, bright green, brown or red. Toxins from the algae can be absorbed by ingestion, inhalation of aerosols, and skin contact. Symptoms vary depending upon the type of exposure, but can include rash, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, and headache.

Blooms can develop rapidly; if the water appears suspicious or there is decaying algae on the shore, avoid contact and keep dogs away. If people or dogs come into contact with algae, rinse the area with clean, fresh water.

OSAGE COUNTY, Kan. – Three Osage County Lakes are under public health advisories for blue-green algae this week as the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks updated their list of affected Kansas lakes.

Carbondale City Lake (Strowbridge) was put under a warning advisory Aug. 11, 2022, and Overbrook City Lake was put under a watch advisory the same day. Melvern Outlet (River) Pond remained under a watch status this week.

A warning status indicates that conditions are unsafe for human and pet exposure. Contact with the waterbody should be avoided. A watch status means that blue-green algae have been detected and a harmful algal bloom is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water.

When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

• Lake water is not safe to drink for pets or livestock.
• Lake water, regardless of blue-green algae status, should never be consumed by humans.
• Water contact should be avoided.
• Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water and only the fillet portion is consumed, while all other parts are discarded.
• Do not allow pets to eat dried algae.
• If lake water contacts skin, wash with clean water as soon as possible.
• Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation.

During a watch status, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

• Signage will be posted at all public access locations.
• Water might be unsafe for humans and animals.
• Avoid areas of algae accumulation and do not let people or pets ingest dried algae or drink contaminated water.
• Swimming, wading, skiing and jet skiing are discouraged near visible blooms.
• Boating and fishing are safe. However, inhalation of the spray may affect some individuals. Avoid direct contact with water, and wash with clean water after any contact.
• Clean fish well with potable water and eat fillet portion only.

Local Girl Scouts will spend a day on the prairie next week at Pioneer Bluffs, near Matfield Green, Kan. The day camp will be 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. July 27, 2022, at Pioneer Bluffs, 695 KS Highway 77, Matfield Green, and costs $5 per person.

Girl Scouts from 2^nd grade to 12^th grade will spend time on the prairie hiking on the nature trail, exploring a creek, making nature crafts, playing old fashioned games and with life size ranching toys, and learn about the history of ranching.

Lunch, snack and a patch will be provided.

For more information, contact Paula Roper at 620-343-4088 or paularoper@att.net, or see kansasgirlscouts.org.

Osage County, prepare for emerald ash borer

Emerald ash borer was confirmed in Osage County in 2022, presenting new challenges for communities and residents as they care for their community forest resources.

The Kansas Forest Service is presenting a seminar 12:30-4 p.m. Thursday, July 21, 2022, at Carbondale City Building, 234 W. Main St., Carbondale, Kan., focusing on the identification of emerald ash borer and how to prepare for its arrival in the area. An open forum for participant networking will follow the program.

Registration for the free seminar is requested; registration is available through this link: Prepare for EAB.