Kansas Department of Transportation announced yesterday through social media that state Highway 31, between Osage City and U.S. Highway 75, has been reopened, as of Nov. 2, 2022.

KDOT reports work will continue along the sides of the highway, with the project expected to be completed in January. Drivers are asked to use caution in the construction zone.

That section of K-31 had been closed since July 25, as part of the highway’s realignment project. KDOT’s only official marked detour for the project was on U.S. Highway 56, and routed drivers more than 15 miles out of their way through Scranton and Burlingame to reach Osage City. Several local gravel roads were heavily used as detour routes during the closure.

Osage County Election Officer Rhonda Beets has made public notice that voters in USD 421 will have two bond questions on their ballot in the Nov. 8, 2022, general election. The bonds are proposed for school improvements, renovations, and additions. Following are the questions as they will appear on the ballot.

Proposition No. 1:

Shall the following be adopted?

Shall Unified School District No. 421, Osage County, Kansas (Lyndon), issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $4,980,000, to pay the costs to (a) acquire, construct, equip and install renovations and improvements to the district high school, middle school and elementary school buildings, including (i) new upgrades to HVAC and boiler systems and related electrical improvements, (ii) replacement of old single-pane windows with new double-pane windows, and (iii) electrical system upgrades, (b) construct and equip a new district greenhouse, and (c) make all other necessary and related improvements (collectively, “Project No. 1”); all pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 10- 101 et seq., K.S.A. 25-2018(f), K.S.A. 72-5457, and K.S.A. 72-5458 et seq.?

Proposition No. 2:

Shall the following be adopted?

Shall Unified School District No. 421, Osage County, Kansas (Lyndon), issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $3,650,000, to pay the costs to (a) construct, furnish and equip a new collaborative learning center addition at the elementary school and middle school for cafeteria, STEM lab and storm shelter, and (b) construct secure entry vestibules at the south high school entrance and north elementary school and middle school entrance, and (c) make parking improvements at District facilities, and (d) make all other necessary and related improvements (collectively, “Project No. 2”); all pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 10-101 et seq., K.S.A. 25-2018(f), K.S.A. 72-5457, and K.S.A. 72-5458 et seq.?

Update: The Silver Alert was cancelled at 9:06 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2022, after Bobby Bulk was located by law enforcement officers in Norton, Kan. Bulk was assessed and was to be reunited with his family.