BETO JUNCTION, Kan. – Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, the Kansas Department of Transportation expects to start a repair project on the northbound Interstate 35 bridge over U.S. Highway 75.

I-35 northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane on the bridge with a speed limit of 60 miles per hour. Weather permitting, the project should be finished late this fall. Drivers are reminded to slow down and use extra caution in the work zone.

KDOT awarded the construction contract of $83,609 to PCI Roads LLC, Saint Michael, Minn.

For more information, contact construction manager Ian Stringham at 785-433-6116 or public affairs manager Priscilla Petersen at 620-902-6433.

BURLINGAME, Kan. – Michael Wayne Parker, 69, of Burlingame, Kan., passed away peacefully Sept. 17, 2023, at University of Kansas Hospital, Topeka, Kan. He was born July 12, 1954, the son of Earl Parker and Joan (Reed) Talbot, at home in Wilmington, Kan.

He grew up primarily in the Kansas City, Mo., area, also living in Wichita, Kan., for a short while. He graduated from Park Hill High School, Kansas City, Mo., with the class of 1972.

Michael wore many hats during his working life. He was an entrepreneur, mechanic, ASE certified HVAC repairman, and aircraft mechanic. He recently had run a Lazy M Trailer Park, Kansas City, Mo., until he moved to Burlingame in 2015. Once there he opened the Burlingame Café and operated it for more than a year.

An Osage County bridge will be among 35 bridges statewide to be rebuilt with revenue from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provided Kansas a total of $42.3 million as part of two statewide bridge improvement programs.

The Osage County bridge is located two miles east and .2 miles north of Lyndon. The county’s local match amount will be $256,306 for the $1,175,000 project. The state will provide $1,112,500 maximum amount, and it is expected to cost $62,500 to remove the old bridge.

By reshaping the local bridge programs to take advantage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Kansas Department of Transportation more than doubled its annual funding as part of the existing Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE).

The project announcements took place in Dodge City to highlight the largest local bridge grant being awarded, which is expected to cost $9 million for the construction of a new northbound bridge on 14th Avenue over the Arkansas River. Dodge City is matching $2 million toward the cost of the new bridge.

The Kansas Department of Transportation’s Off-System Bridge program is awarding $20.5 million in Fiscal Year 2025 funds to 20 projects across the state. The Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program is awarding $21.8 million in Fiscal Year 2024 KDOT funds to 15 projects, with 16 deficient bridges to be replaced and an additional 12 to be permanently removed from local systems.

The OSB and KLBIP are targeted for city and county bridges not on the state highway system and in need of replacement or repair. Funds for both programs are awarded through an application process and, in most cases, require a local contribution. KDOT uses selection criteria that include bridge condition, detour length, inability to carry legal loads, and past project history.

For this cycle of the local bridge programs, KDOT received a combined total of 176 applications requesting $162.4 million. A map showing bridges to be replaced is available here.

Information thanks to the Kansas Office of the Governor.

By Bella Reeser
Club Reporter

On Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, the Melvern Jr. Highline 4-H Club held their monthly club meeting at the Melvern Community Center. At 5:12 p.m., the meeting was called to order by President Gradey McNally. The club began their meeting with The Pledge of Allegiance and the 4-H Pledge, led by Gradey. Secretary Allie Reeser called the roll; both club members and parents were to answer with, “Would you rather have a personal maid or a personal chef?” There were five members and two adults present.

Melvern Jr. Highline 4-H Club members create Grandparents’ Day cards at their recent meeting. Courtesy photo.

Allie read the minutes from the last meeting; they were approved as read. Reporter Bella Reeser read the treasurer’s report; it was approved as read. Bella stated she submitted two articles to the newspaper. There was no historian report.

In council report, Vice-President Braelyn McNally shared with the club to not forget to send thank you notes from the fairs. Kansas State Fair is Sept. 8-17. The new 4-H year will begin Oct. 1. Record books, officer books, and club reports are due to the Lyndon Extension Office by Sept. 18. Ambassador applications are due Sept. 11. National 4-H week is Oct. 1-7. 48 Hour of 4-H is Oct. 7-8, 4-H Achievement Night will be Nov. 7 at LHS, with dinner beginning at 6 p.m. and awards at 7 p.m.

In the leader’s report, Leader Lisa Reeser reminded members that 4-H week articles must be submitted to the newspaper by Sept. 22.

There was no old business. There was no new business. In the program, club members created Grandparents’ Day cards.

In songs, Secretary Allie Reeser led everyone in singing, “Staying Alive.” At 5:24 pm, it was moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting.

The Melvern Jr. Highline’s next club meeting will be 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, at Melvern Community Center. Members enjoyed snacks provided by Pat Litch and played at the park for recreation.

TOPEKA – In accordance with Executive Order #20-30, Gov. Laura Kelly has directed flags throughout Kansas be lowered to half-staff on all state buildings, grounds, and facilities from sunup to sundown Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, to honor those who lost who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

“Twenty-two years after an act of terrorism took the lives of nearly 3,000 Americans, injured thousands more, and scarred so many of us, we continue to say, ‘Never Forget,’” Kelly said. “But the extreme tragedy of that day is only half the story. We also remember that our country’s brave first responders went above and beyond the call of duty to save lives – even as they lost more than 400 of their own. They did that 22 years ago, and they continue to do so to this day. On behalf of the State of Kansas, thank you for your service and your sacrifice.”