Public Health Advisories for Kansas Lake Due to Blue-Green Algae
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), has issued several public health advisories for Kansas lakes due to blue-green algae.
Active Advisories
Warning
Herington Reservoir (New City Lake), Dickinson County (new)
Marion Reservoir, Marion County
Keith Sebelius Reservoir, Norton County
Webster Reservoir, Rooks County
Jerry Ivey Pond, Saline County
Big Eleven Lake, Wyandotte County
Watch
Herington City Lake (Old Lake), Dickinson County (new)
Milford Lake Zone C, Geary County
South Lake, Johnson County
Big Hill Lake, Labette County
Marion County Lake, Marion County (downgraded 6/24)
Melvern Outlet Pond, Osage County (downgraded 6/24)
Atwood Township Lake, Rawlins County (new)
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.
A watch means that blue-green algae have been detected and a harmful algal bloom is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water.
During the watch status, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:
- Signage will be posted at all public access locations.
- Water may be unsafe for humans/animals.
- Avoid areas of algae accumulation and do not let people/pets eat dried algae or drink contaminated water.
- Swimming, wading, skiing and jet skiing are discouraged near visible blooms.
- Boating and fishing are safe. However, inhalation of the spray may affect some individuals. Avoid direct contact with water, and wash with clean water after any contact.
- Clean fish well with potable water and eat fillet portion only.
KDHE investigates publicly-accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on credible field observation and sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.
If you observe a scum, a paint-like surface on the water, small floating blue-green clumps or filaments, or the water is an opaque 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.
For information on blue-green algae and reporting potential harmful algal blooms, please visit www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/index.htm.
Proposed Updates to Kansas Food Code
The Kansas Department of Agriculture food safety and lodging program will host an online public forum on Monday, July 12, at 3:00 p.m. to share proposed updates to the Kansas Food Code.
The Kansas Food Code establishes food safety regulations that govern food establishments. Amendments to the Kansas Food Code will ultimately require the formal regulation adoption process, but KDA is providing this opportunity for interested citizens to hear a summary of the proposed updates and to provide feedback prior to the start of the formal process. The proposed changes to the Kansas Food Code include amendments to regulations that directly impact food safety as well as some clarification of language and updates to some food safety parameters. Some of the changes are proposed in order to reflect changes to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s model food code, including adoption of the FDA model food code requirement to employ a certified food protection manager.
Interested parties can preview the proposed updates on the KDA website ahead of the forum. To participate in the forum, individuals will need to register so they can receive the Zoom link. At registration, participants can indicate whether they want to provide oral or written comments regarding the proposed updates. Oral comments will be limited to 2 minutes per commenter and will be heard at the end of the public forum. Written comments can be shared on the webinar registration form or via a form on the KDA website.
Registration and draft versions of the proposed changes can be found at: www.agriculture.ks.gov/FSLLaw.
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WHAT: Public Forum regarding proposed changes to Kansas Food Code
WHEN: Monday, July 12 at 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: Via online webinar; register at www.agriculture.ks.gov/FSLLaw
WHO: Any interested members of the public
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KDA to Host Forum on Proposed Food Code Updates.pdf
Bourbon County History Tours: Marmaton on July 3
Bourbon County Carpool Tour – History of Marmaton/Marmiton
The Bourbon County History Tours are starting with a visit to Marmaton on Saturday, July 3rd. The tour will consist of the history of the Marmaton/Marmiton communities, the massacre in Marmiton and Marmaton Cemetery where 5 of the 6 killed in the massacre are buried.
The tour will be carpool by personal vehicle which will meet and leave from the National Avenue side of Memorial Hall, 1 E. 3rd St., at 8:30 am to beat the heat of the summer. Attendees should arrive early to be checked in and be provided a bag of goodies.
Reservations may be made online with the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce for $5.00 per person at fortscott.com.
The Old Fort Genealogy Society, Fort Scott and Area Chamber of Commerce and Historic Preservation Association are sponsoring this event and all three are active in research, news releases and telling the stories. There will be a tour the first Saturday of each month until cold weather arrives.
Contact the Old Fort Genealogy Society with any questions at 620-223-3300.
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FS Commission Meets June 29 For Work Session
The Fort Scott City Commission will meet on Tuesday, June 29th, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Commission Meeting Room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas to hold a work session to discuss the 2022 budget. This meeting is open to the public, but no action will be taken.
The work session will also be available on the City’s YouTube channel.
The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports June 20-23
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports June 24
LandBank Meeting June 29
The Land Bank meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 29th, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room. There will be a majority of City Commissioners present, but no City Commission business will be conducted.
This meeting will be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Emergency Dispatch Experiences Interruptions On Fire Phone Lines
Fort Scott Emergency Dispatch has moved to our new location. There has been some interruption to our Fire Lines 620-223-2140 and 620-223-2121.
This should be resolved on Friday, June 25th.
If at any time you need to request a fire permit or request service of any kind from the Fort Scott Fire Department, please contact Dispatch at 620-223-1700.
As always, if you have an emergency, please call 911.
Thank you for your patience during this transition.
Submitted by Communications Manager
Traci Reed
FS Fireworks Rules Clarified
The City of Fort Scott recently wanted to clarify the ordinance on fireworks, with Independence Day celebrations just around the corner.
“The change came when we looked at the ordinance the city had which just stated a basic fire code,” said FS Deputy Fire Chief Mike Miles, who is also the fire marshall. “It did not give any directions or guidance. So we wanted to give the city and law enforcement as well as the citizens a better understanding.”
“The biggest change is now residents can shoot fireworks from the time (firework) retailers are able to sell,” he said. “It used to just be the 4th of July. Now they can shoot from June 27 to July 4th. Time frames are 7:00 am to 10:00 pm. And up to midnight on the 4th.”
There was a change to prohibit fireworks in city parks.
“There are also other locations we chose to enforce no shooting during the firework display the city puts on,” Miles said. “All city parks are also prohibited from shooting at.”
“The ordinance just gives the basic concepts of firework discharging,” he said. “This also gives a better understanding with the circumstances spelled out. Law enforcement with this ordinance has a better way to enforce the policies. The previous ordinance just stated a fire code, which was pretty vague.”
View the document here:
Commissioners to Attend Fort Scott Forward
There may be a majority of City Commissioners present at the Fort Scott Forward on Thursday, June 24th, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. at the River Room Event Center.
No City business will be conducted.
FS 13U Baseball Team Went 8 To 1 In Nine Games
Bottom row L-R. Jake Adams, Gavin Miles, Caleb Hall, Landon Hill, Dayton Fly. Submitted photo.
The Fort Scott Tigers 13u Baseball team won the Big League Summer Chew tournament in Lenexa going 5-0 on June 5-6th.
Then they competed for the championship in the Stars and Stripes in Lenexa on June 19-20 riding an 8-0 record but fell short to win 2nd place.
They went 8-1 over a 9 game stretch.
Bottom L-R. Landon Hill, Dayton Fly, Brady Sloan, Gavin Miles Caleb Hall. Submitted photos.
Submitted by Mike Miles.