The National Weather Service of Topeka’s Flash Flood Watch remains in effect through Monday morning.

The Flash Flood Watch continues for.

• Portions of East Central Kansas, North Central Kansas and Northeast Kansas, including the following areas, in east central Kansas, Anderson, Coffey, Douglas, Franklin. Geary, Lyon, morris, Osage, Shawnee and Wabaunsee. In North Central Kansas, Clay, Dickinson and Ottawa. In Northeast Kansas, Brown, Jackson, Jefferson, Marshall. Nemaha, Pottawatomie and Riley.

• Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon and become widespread this evening. These storms may produce periods of very heavy rain. Isolated locations in east central Kansas could receive amounts around 2 inches.

• Impacts: saturated ground conditions and existing high stream flows will cause flash flooding to occur quickly in areas receiving any heavy rain. Water levels on rivers and streams will react quickly to heavy rainfall.

The Kansas March of Dimes is seeking nominations for their 2015 Nurse of the Year Awards.

This award recognizes exceptional nurses from across Kansas  whose strength, courage and perseverance advance their profession.

Nurses play a vital role in our society and are the unsung heroes of the healthcare provider community. This award is to honor the work they do. Patients, families and colleagues are encouraged to nominate nurses in 21 different categories and to join us as we say thank you and honor their selflessness, dedication and passion for the profession of nursing.

All nominees are invited to attend at a black tie gala event in November at which all nominated nurses are recognized and one winner will be announced for each eligible category.

Nominations are due by July 10. Complete details and nomination forms can be found by visiting www.gkcnoty.com

The National Biplane Fly In attracted about 50 planes and pilots and a solid turnout from the public Saturday, who were anxious to view the restored airplanes and hear their stories from those who pilot them.

One of the coordinators of the event Marvin Hornbostel stated, “It’s been a wonderful day for this fly in, weather-wise and everything else. The turnout has been fantastic.” Hornbostel added the people who oversaw the Chris Cakes pancake feed said they hadn’t served that many people at the event in the previous five year history.

Hornbostel noted the people were great in supporting the event and airplanes came in. “And you know what, people come to watch them take off and land. And they’re getting a lot of that.”

Some of the airplanes arrived from across the country in Junction City as early as Thursday. There were some nervous moments during the early morning hours on Friday when thunderstorms moved through the area. But the planes were tied down tight. Hornbostel said, “I think all of them were probably a little worried about it. Of course, most of them that go to these fly ins, they’ve been through this before.” There was space to put some of the planes  inside, but many were tied down outside. “These old birds, they ride out those storms pretty good. They tie them down. Hail is what’s bad for them, and we’re lucky we didn’t have any of that.”

A great deal of time and money are spent on restoring many of the planes.

Rising water levels at Milford Lake and the big outflow of water coming down the Republican River into the Lake have become evident.

Rick Dykstra submitted pictures of the Jet Ski Beach Road in Milford State Park with water over the road, two Broughton Bridge photos with water over KS Highway 837 and to the north flooded fields, Milford State Park Marina Public Boat Dock with water over the public walkway, and the Milford State Park South Boat Ramp with water over the walkway to the public dock.

The pictures were taken Saturday, June 6.

MANHATTAN — The state of Kansas approved a stopgap bill Saturday, June 6, to make all state of Kansas employees essential. Kansas State University employees are no longer furloughed.

Although the Kansas Legislature has not approved a budget yet, all Kansas State University employees — regardless if they were given notification on Friday, June 5 — should report to work for their normal schedules.

For more information, visit the visit the furlough information website at www.k-state.edu/furlough.

 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Gov. Sam Brownback has signed a bill that blocks furloughs for Kansas state government workers.

The Republican governor acted Saturday, only hours after lawmakers approved the measure by unanimous votes in both chambers. The measure took effect Saturday night.

The GOP-dominated Legislature has yet to complete a budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 because lawmakers are divided over raising taxes.

Without a budget, the state has no legal authority to pay employees for work after Saturday. Employees’ compensation lags several weeks behind their work, so their pay for the two-week period beginning Sunday won’t be distributed until early July.

The bill approved by lawmakers declares all state employees essential for the next few weeks so that they can at least stay on the job.

HOME, Kan. – A Kansas man was injured in an accident just after 5 p.m. on Saturday in Marshall County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 specialty motorcycle driven by Michael Howard Dixon, 69, Axtell, was traveling on U.S. 36 at the railroad crossing in Home.

The driver crossed the railroad tracks and lost control of the vehicle. It skidded and came to rest in the eastbound lane.

Dixon was transported to Marysville Hospital.
He was not wearing a helmet according to the KHP.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Gov. Sam Brownback has signed a bill that blocks furloughs for Kansas state government workers.

The Republican governor acted Saturday, only hours after lawmakers approved the measure by unanimous votes in both chambers. The measure took effect Saturday night.

The GOP-dominated Legislature has yet to complete a budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 because lawmakers are divided over raising taxes.

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Sam Brownback says he’ll sign a bill aimed at blocking furloughs for Kansas state government workers.

The Republican governor made the promise Saturday in a statement shortly after lawmakers approved the measure. The vote in both chambers was unanimous.

The GOP-dominated Legislature has yet to complete a budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 because lawmakers are divided over raising taxes.

Without a budget, the state has no legal authority to pay employees for work after Saturday. Employees’ compensation lags several weeks behind their work, so their pay for the two-week period beginning Sunday won’t be distributed until early July.

The bill approved by lawmakers declares all state employees essential for the next few weeks so that they can at least stay on the job.

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NICHOLAS CLAYTON, Associated Press
JOHN HANNA, Associated Press

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators have approved a bill aimed at preventing a partial state government shutdown by blocking planned furloughs for thousands of workers.

The Senate approved the bill on a 39-0 vote Saturday only hours after the House passed it, 106-0. It goes next to Republican Gov. Sam Brownback.

Republicans in the GOP-dominated Legislature are deeply divided over raising taxes to close a projected budget shortfall for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

State agencies and state universities sent furlough notices Friday to at least 24,200 workers deemed nonessential. Without a budget for the next fiscal year, the state had no authority to pay employees for work starting Sunday.

But the bill declares all state workers essential for the next few weeks, allowing them to at least stay on the job.

Due to events being held at Fort Riley for Victory Week, several roads and access control points will be temporarily closed Wednesday, June 10, from 6:15 a.m. to approximately 8:45 a.m.

In order to keep participants safe during the events – including a 10-mile run – Huebner Road, ogden Gate and the 12th Street Gate will be closed for about two and a half hours Wednesday morning.

Employees, visitors, and commercial traffic that typically enterthe 12th Street Gate will need to delay arrival or enter the Estes Gate that morning. Also, Irwin Army Community Hospital patients and employees will need to enter through the Trooper Gate.

Medical appointments at Irwin Army Community Hospital, Farrelly, Custer Hill and Aviation Health Clinics remain as scheduled; patients will need to adjust for additional driving time or enter Fort Riley through Trooper Gate, then drive north to Apennines Drive and Normandy Road.

The U.S. Army Garrison commander has authorized civilian employees to report to work at 9 a.m. Wednesday however, those employees must coordinate abscences with his or her supervisor.

 

If non-essential state employees are placed on furlough Sunday that would impact the KSU – Geary County Extension agents.

Furloughs could occur, effecive 12:01 a.m. Sunday, if the Kansas Legislature remains at impasse on budget and tax issues. But a bill preventing the furloughs is being addressed by the Kansas House Saturday morning. If approved, it would determine all state employees are essential for a few more weeks.

On Friday, Chuck Otte, Geary County Extension Agent, noted unless the Legislature gets something together by Saturday evening, the agents are told to go on furlough at 12:01 a.m. Sunday,”Don’t report to work, don’t answer questions.” The other extension agents in Geary County are Ginger Kopfer and Deb Andres.

Otte did note that the Extension Office would remain open with the office professionals on duty.