TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment  in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, has issued public health advisories for Kansas lakes as the recreational season comes to a close October 31.

Monitoring for algal blooms is concurrent with the water recreation season which lasts April 1 – October 31. While KDHE and KDWPT will not be issuing public health advisories for algal blooms again until April 2020, the public is encouraged to aware of algal blooms and report any health impacts to humans or animals from algal blooms to 877-427-7317 or KDHE.EpiHotline@ks.gov. For those advisories that are still active following today, KDHE relies on lake managers to continue monitoring those lakes. The KDHE Agency Response Plan for Harmful Algal Blooms can be viewed online at https://www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/Response_Plan/2019_HAB_Response_Plan.pdf.

Warnings:

Jerry Ivey Pond, Saline County (unchanged)

Lake Jeanette, Leavenworth County (unchanged)

Lakewood Park Lake, Saline County (unchanged)

Gathering Pond near Milford (Hatchery Supply Pond), Geary County (upgraded from watch 10/31)

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.

 KDHE samples publicly-accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.

Kansans should be aware that blooms are unpredictable. They can develop rapidly and may float around the lake, requiring visitors to exercise their best judgment. If there is scum, a paint-like surface or the water is bright green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.

Geary County Treasurer Kathy Tremont has announced that 2019 tax statements will go out to the public on Nov. 8th. Taxpayers that have their mortgage company escrow their tax will be sent a copy of the bill for informational purposes.

The first half taxes are due on Dec. 20th. Taxpayers are encouraged to avoid waiting in line by mailing their taxes. If mailing your payment, they should be postmarked no later than the 20th. Anyone wanting a receipt will need to indicate that by marking the appropriate box on the payment stub.

When you receive your bill if you have questions on the assessment of the property you can call the appraiser’s office at ( 785 ) 238-4407. The treasurer’s office mails and collects the statements, but does not assess properties for valuation purposes.

Real estate taxes may be paid in full or half by Dec. 20th. Second half taxes are due by May 10th.

Statutorily, at least half of the personal property tax is due Dec. 20th. If you fail to pay the first half, the full amount plus interest becomes due. Once you pay the first half, the second half is due by May 10th. No motor vehicle transactions can be processed for people having delinquent personal property taxes.

Participants in the neighborhood revitalization program must have their taxes paid in full before a rebate check will be issued.

If a taxpayer does not receive a tax bill, call 238-6021. It is the responsibility of the taxpayer to ensure their taxes are paid. If you do not receive a ta bill or you have multiple properties bring pertinent information that enables officials to locate the property on which you are paying taxes. Owners can also pay online by going to the Kansas County Treasurers website  at https://www.kansastreasurers.org/ or you can use the drop slot at the entrance of the south door to the County Office Building at 200 East 8th Street.

Taxpayers can use different methods to pay their taxes including cash, check, money order or credit and debit cards. ( those choosing the latter option are subject to a convenience fee charged by the company providing the service ). Also, taxpayers can make monthly payments. Contact the Treasurer’s office and ask for the “Payment Program.”

The office of the County Treasurer will be closed on Monday, Nov. 11 for Veteran’s Day, Thursday and Friday Nov. 28th and 29th for Thanksgiving and Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 25 for Christmas.

Vehicle owners are reminded that they have until December 31st to renew auto tags U,X, Y, Z. Large trucks ( 12,000 plus ) and trailers will expire Dec. 31st, but will be allowed a grace period until the last day of February. Large truck and trailer license plate renewals go on sale after Jan. 1st.

RILEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities and USD 383 officials continue their investigation of a school shooting threat.

The Safe Schools Hotline received an anonymous report at 11:15pm Wednesday, according to a social media report from Manhattan-Ogden USD 383. The caller stated that his daughter was told that there would be a shooting at Manhattan High East Campus tomorrow (Thursday, Oct. 31) and to wear red to avoid being shot.

During the course of RCPD’s investigation it was also revealed that an MHS West student had posted a picture of himself on social media while holding what appeared to be a firearm, according to RCPD Captain Josh Kyle. The photograph included a menacing statement. Detained for Criminal Threat was Conner W. Bruce, 15 years of age, from Manhattan, KS. Bruce was transported to the North Central Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Facility where he is being held.

Although RCPD’s investigation continues, it has not revealed any other credible threats to students or staff.

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RILEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities and USD 383 officials are investigating a school shooting threat.

The Safe Schools Hotline received an anonymous report at 11:15pm tonight (Wednesday, Oct. 30), according to a social media report from Manhattan-Ogden USD 383. The caller stated that his daughter was told that there would be a shooting at Manhattan High East Campus tomorrow (Thursday, Oct. 31) and to wear red to avoid being shot.

USD 383 has been in contact with the Riley County Police Department and the Kansas Highway Patrol. RCPD will have increased presence at and around MHS East Campus Thursday.

Junction City police have provided details on an incident that occurred in South Park on Oct. 24th when a member of the public walking their dog informed them that they had found a sleeping bag that smelled like there might be someone deceased in it.

Detective Lt. Cory Odell said officers responded to the scene where they found the bag with an odor, and made them think it could possibly be a deceased person. He added it appeared to be an old Army sleeping bag with a shell and a liner. “It appeared to be shaped like there was possibly a deceased person inside of it and was in a state of decomposition that was consistent with that we believed.”

Odell stated after completing their preparatory work authorities opened the sleeping bag. Chuckling he added, “It was discovered that it was full of catfish that had been dumped up there in South Park. ” The location was near the gazebo off of a dirt trail where you enter the park, where the trail hooks up with the Bluffs walking trail.

Odell said he was proud of the officers. “They all went right into we think this might be a serious crime. And when we discovered that it was catfish the atmosphere immediately changed. Everybody was relieved “A” that we didn’t have a deceased person and then it was very humorous at that point on what we had discovered.”

The detective estimated the catfish were in the seven to ten pound range and had been at the South Park location one week or more.  They were disposed of by the City’s public works personnel.

The 1st Infantry Division Welcome Home will be held on Saturday at the 5th Street Playground Park.

Jim Clark Auto Center will be the presenting sponsor. General Manager Willie Thornburg said the troops have been deployed away from their families for nine months or more. “I think it’s really important that the community welcomes them back.  I was so thrilled that the Military Affairs Council asked us if we could be the presenting sponsor for that event and I said absolutely.”

Thornburg said MAC Director Craig Bender is doing a fantastic job preparing the event. “I guess we’ve got a thousand ribeye steaks that they’re going to grill for the military families at no charge plus bouncy houses and games at that fantastic park on 5th Street that has all new equipment.”

The event on Saturday will run from noon until 3 p.m. The Commanding General’s Mounted Color Guard is also scheduled to be in attendance and there will be live music.