News

Additions to pending city street improvements and sewer lining projects approved The subject of the 1% sales tax in place for improvement of city streets was brought to the floor at the Eureka City Council meeting held on Tuesday, May 28. The item was included on the evening’s agenda as this tax, which makes up approximately two thirds of the city’s street budget, is slated to expire in April of 2025. If it were allowed to sunset, Eureka’s tax rate would see a decrease however, this would have a staggering impact on not just day to day street maintenance, but also on plans being established with JEO Consulting Group (engineering consultant) for a more proactive approach to repair/resurfacing. In the affiliated chart provided, red indicates the budget impact of these tax dollars. If approved through the upcoming election that will be held November 5, the tax would be in place for another 10 years. JEO Consulting Group has been compiling an assessment report and soon will present this to the council. This includes a proactive rather than reactive plan for use of these dollars. Implementation of new maintenance strategies was referenced. Spray patching was noted as one step taken towards improved road maintenance. This has alleviated the need for street crews to go back and readdress sites that have previously been patched each time it rains.

CHADRON - Grady Fox of Severy earned President’s List honors at Chadron State College for the Spring 2024 semester. The President’s List consists of students with a 4.0 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale. To qualify, students must be enrolled in 12 credit hours of coursework, be seeking their first bachelor’s degree, and have no incomplete grades during the semester. Cities, states, and countries listed are provided by the students.

Another rainy Monday and another day of Punky pacing around anxious, panting and shaking. The medicine I got from the vet works, if I can get her to take it. She is not taking it this morning, so this column will be short.

- By Bobby Barrera March,April, May:A Time for Renewal in Land and Schools

On Monday, June 3, Courthouse Maintenance Supervisor Greg Rawlings followed up with commissioners on the three quotes presented last week for compressor replacement for the courthouse chiller. Rawlings shared that his recommendation was to proceed with the project through Modern Air. Discussion ensued in regards to replacement of just one compressor or two. Commissioner Roy Ballard discussed cleaning the system and noted that only one of the compressors need replaced. Ballard commented that they were not going to get it perfectly clean. Rawlings voiced no opposition to putting one in rather than two, however noted he would recommend putting in a new filter in 6 months if they go with one. A 1-year warranty is offered for the new compressor(s). Commissioners made a motion to approve Modern Air for compressor replacement at $12,264 with the option for Rawlings to get the second compressor–taking the total to $20,205-if needed.

TOPEKA— The Kansas Historical Society announced that applications are now available for the Kansas Rural Preservation grant program. The Kansas Historical Society received a $750,000 grant from the National Park Service's Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants Program and those funds are now being offered through this subgrant program to the owners of historic downtown commercial properties for repair and rehabilitation projects.

A Memorial Day pursuit started as a call for help as Greenwood County dispatch received a 911 call reporting that a possible overdose was occurring at Fall River Lake. While en route to the lake, another 911 call was received stating the victim was now driving to the hospital. According to the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office, dispatch urged the driver to stop multiple times; however, the driver continued.

This June marks the eightieth anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy, widely-referred to as D-Day, during World War II. On June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy in France. The Normandy landings were the largest seaborne invasion in history and marked the culmination of planning that began in 1943. D-Day is often characterized as a success that led to the liberation of Europe from the stranglehold of the Nazis, and rightfully so. But the Allied forces paid a heavy price for the victory, as more than 9,000 soldiers lost their lives within the first 24 hours of the landings.

EL DORADO – Butler Community College has announced the President’s and Dean’s Honor Roll Recipients for the Spring 2024 semester.