Governor Laura Kelly issued a verbal declaration of disaster emergency this morning, March 31, due to the potential for wildland fires and severe storms in the state. The declaration will allow the state to preposition assets for a quicker response to any fires that may begin.
Much of the state is in a Red Flag Warning and high wind advisory with gusts from 45 to 55 mph. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly and become very difficult to control. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
The Kansas Division of Emergency Management activated the State Emergency Operations Center in Topeka to an enhanced steady state to keep in contact with county emergency offices and monitor weather conditions. According to the National Weather Service Office in Topeka, strong winds and low relative humidity with an abundance of dry vegetation will once again cause extreme fire danger across Kansas.
“Weather conditions are such that a high risk exists for wildland fires,” said Governor Kelly. “I urge all Kansans to be alert and use extreme caution when using their outdoor grills and other open fires. It’s better to avoid these things, if possible. A single spark is enough to touch off a fire that could have devastating consequences.”
“In preparation for the critical fire weather, this declaration will allow us to preposition and respond with additional resources from across the state," said Mark Neely, Fire Management Officer for Kansas Forest Service.
NEWS
Commissioners appoint new county counselor
The Linn County Commissioners held several interviews in executive session following their meeting on Monday, Apr. 15, for the position of county counselor, legal advisor to the Board of County Commissioners. This week the commissioners appointed Mark Hagen, of Hagen Law Offices,... [More]
La Cygne accepts desludging cost
Biosolid removal at lagoons part of major sewer project La Cygne city leaders have accepted a cost for desludging at two of the city’s three wastewater lagoons. In a unanimous action at their regular meeting last Wednesday, the council approved $412,400 for... [More]
USD 362 sets capacity numbers
District now prepares for lottery applications Prairie View Unified School District 362 has set capacity numbers for the 2024-25 school year. At their monthly meeting April 16, the board of education unanimously adopted capacity of 80 students per grade level at... [More]
More News
- Pull Tabs for Pound Puppies
- Linn County Planning Commission proceeds with prohibiting commercial solar fields
- Commissioners send CUP for rock quarry back to P&Z again
- La Cygne to update police gear
- STARS welding competes at GCCC 2024 competition
- Mine Creek Battlefield Foundation to hold music festival
- SEKMH presents outreach program to commissioners
- Linn Valley residents respond to council appointment
SPORTS
Prairie View softball goes 4-2 in busy week
The Prairie View softball team played three double-headers this past week. On April 15 they hosted Paola and swept the Panthers 16-7 and 8-7. Then on April 16 they traveled to Osage City and split against them losing the first game 4-10 and winning the second 6-3. On April 18... [More]
Pleasanton baseball sweeps St. Paul and Oswego
The Pleasanton baseball team recently played league foes St. Paul and Oswego and swept them each in double-headers. On April 15 the team traveled to St. Paul and won both games 13-1 and 16-3 and then on April 22 they hosted Oswego and won both games 15-0 and 17-2. In the... [More]
More Sports
- Prairie View track has strong performance at Anderson County
- Jayhawk track wins Pleasanton Invitational
- Pleasanton track hosts home invitational
- Jayhawk softball sweeps Crest
- Prairie View track takes on tough challenge at Paola
- Pleasanton baseball routs Yates Center
- Pleasanton baseball starts season 4-0
- Jayhawk softball sweeps Central Heights, splits against Uniontown
COMMUNITY
Prescott UMC celebrates sesquicentennial
The Prescott United Methodist Church celebrated their sesquicentennial anniversary on Sunday, Apr. 21. According to church member Mary Beth Fornelli, the property for the church was purchased in 1873 and was part of the Mound Circuit with 12 members. The pastor at... [More]
Spaghetti dinner and silent auction benefit set for Saturday at fairgrounds
A Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction benefit is set for this coming Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the 4H building on the Linn County Fairgrounds. In an effort to help Bonnie Riley, local photographer, cover medical bills and just overall help in general, Courtney Lanham, Kyla... [More]
Mound City couple builds HVAC and party bus services
When Jeff Cornelius graduated from high school he went to work in the HVAC industry. “A friend had a delivery service delivering to a guy with a heating and cooling business and that’s how I got into it,” Jeff explained. In 1993 Jeff opened his own business... [More]
More Community
- Youth Track meet organized for April 27
- CHC/SEK expands behavioral health services in Linn County
- JLHS store program wins Stahl Scholarship package
- JLHS art students taking part in worldwide project
- Pleasanton Library Board President receives award from Kansas Library System
- Celebrating the New Year
- A project of passion and prayer
- Blu Jay Winter Clothing Exchange set for Dec. 9