Lake water quality improving, says K-State researcher

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 27 April 2010 19:33

Phil Barnes of Kansas State explains his finding that indicate the water quality at Marion Reservoir is getting better, thanks in part to soil conservation practices. The water quality at Marion Reservoir has improved, but there’s still a lot of work to do to make it better.

That was the bottom-line from Phil Barnes, a research engineer at Kansas State University who has been monitoring surface-water quality at Marion Reservoir and other impaired Kansas watersheds.

Barnes shared his findings Thursday with a small group that included representatives from the three Marion County cities—Hillsboro, Marion, Peabody—that depend upon the reservoir for drinking water, two practitioners from agriculture and a staff member from Kansas Depart­ment of Wildlife and Parks.

Barnes’ primary field of interest is eutrophication, the process that results in blue-green algae blooms.

Based on samples taken...

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Peabody-Burns children learn safety first at annual camp

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 27 April 2010 19:26

When it comes to safety, the Safe Kids Camp, held each spring at Peabody-Burns Elementary School, is one-of-a-kind.

This year’s camp was April 20 at various locations in and around the school.

Originally, the camp was sponsored by the Peabody Police and Fire departments and Emergency Medical Services, said Ken Parry, elementary principal.

“Seven years ago, the camp was held on a Saturday and about 30 children attended,” he said.

“Then about five years ago, I was invited to the Safe Kids Committee meetings.”

The group wanted to reach most, if not all children, in Peabody, and they were interested in any suggestions.

Parry proposed holding the event during the school year and following state assessments.

“The purpose is...

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Neighbors in deed to friends in need

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 20 April 2010 18:18

A new home for Ryan Newell (seated at right) was well on its way by Sunday night. Other leaders in the effort were (back row, from left), Larry Gill, Homes for Our Troops; general contractor Dave Hett and project superintendent Ralph Kreutziger, both of Marion. Seated next to Newell is his mother-in-law, Shawn Wunderlick of Marion. In less than three months, Army Sgt. Ryan Newell, 25, who was severely wounded in Afghanistan, will be handed the keys to his family’s new 2,700 square-foot home in Marion.

“I haven’t been able to process all of this,” he said. “Friday morning, there was only a slab of concrete.”

The project started more than five months ago, though, when Newell applied for a home through “Homes for Our Troops” after losing both legs from an Improvised Explosive Device or IED in January 2009.

Larry Gill, veteran’s liaison with Homes for Our Troops, based in Taunton, Mass., was at the site until Monday.

What happened this past weekend, Gill said, is the completion of the Phase 1—Build Brigade.

With the major thrust completed, the...

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Pastures fires light Kansas skies as traditional burn season extends to April 30

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 20 April 2010 18:16

An intentional pasture burn set against a dusk sky created an impressive panorama west of Hillsboro Sunday evening. Last week the Farm Service Agency in Kansas announced a temporary extension to the Conservation Reserve Program burning period in the eastern half of Kansas, including Marion County. CRP participants in these counties now have until April 30 to complete required burning. Officials with KFSA said the extension will assist CRP participants by providing greater flexibility in planning maintenance or managed prescribed burns on days having optimal burning conditions.