US169 Work to Start Tuesday

K-DOT will start its pavement patching and surface grinding project on U.S. 169 in Allen County next Tuesday. The project starts ½ mile south of the U.S.54/U.S.169 junction and continues south for 12 miles to the Allen-Neosho county line. A pilot car operation will guide one-lane traffic through the work zone, with traveler delays of 15 minutes or less expected during daylight hours. Weather permitting, the project should be completed by September. They'll spend just over $2-million on the work.

Allen County Fatality Crash

A Yates Center teen has died in a crash yesterday afternoon in Allen County. Troopers report 16-year old Kody Ratcliff of Piqua was the driver of a 1983 Oldsmobile Regency, north bound on 800 Street just past Delaware Road when he lost control about 4:10 yesterday afternoon. Trooper say Ratcliff's car entered the East ditch and struck a tree, then caught fire. He was taken to Kansas City for treatment. 16-year old Austin Reser of Yates Center, who was a passenger in the car, died at the scene.

USD 257 Superintendent Brian Pekarek to Leave District

Iola USD 257 Superintendent Brian Pekarek has announced he will leave his position here at the end of this school year. He's taking the Superintendent's position with another Kansas school district, according to an email sent to district staff last night. In it, Pekarek says, "Although I will still be working for USD 257 during the spring semester, my resignation at this time will allow the school district adequate time to find a suitable replacement for this position. I also wanted to say that I have enjoyed serving you and the community, and I look forward to working with you for the remainder of the semester."

US-54 Redo Set for Later This Year

It'll be inconvenient for a while, but the result will be worth it, as KDOT announces plans to redo U.S. 54 from Iola to the east edge of LaHarpe. The stretch of about five miles will be torn down to bare ground and rebuilt. Work is to start later this year and continue into 2014. The project will be done in three phases. The first will be from east Iola to where curb and gutter begins in Gas; the second through Gas; the third on to the end of the four-lane at the east edge of LaHarpe. Some, but not all, curb and gutter will be replaced in Gas. It will be up to the contractor whether to start in Iola or LaHarpe.

Counterfeit Bills Turn Up in Iola

Iola Police say someone is spreading funny money locally. In a release yesterday, Police Chief Jared Warner said several fake $20 and $50 bills have turned up in the till at local stores. The counterfeit bills were taken by clerks at three Iola businesses over the weekend. The forgers are using multiple serial numbers, and Warner says local clerks should be vigilant when taking $20 sand $50s, taking the time to double-check the bill is real with one of the color-changing pens.

Winter Weather Advisiory Posted

A STRONG WEATHER SYSTEM IS APPROACHING FROM THE SOUTHWEST, WHICH WILL RESULT IN WIDESPREAD WINTERY PRECIPITATION.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN WICHITA HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY WHICH IS IN
EFFECT FROM NOW TO 6 AM CST TUESDAY.

SNOW WILL BEGIN TO SPREAD ACROSS SOUTHERN AND SOUTHEAST KANSAS EARLY THIS MORNING...POSSIBLY MIXING WITH RAIN OR FREEZING DRIZZLE BY AFTERNOON. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...UP TO 2 INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE OVER SOUTHERN AND SOUTHEAST KANSAS...WITH LESS THAN 1 INCH OVER FAR SOUTHERN AND SOUTHEAST KANSAS.

ICE ACCUMULATIONS...WILL BE LIGHT...AND CONFINED PRIMARILY TO ELEVATED SURFACES AND GRASSY.

DUE TO MARGINAL SURFACE TEMPERATURES...MOST ROADS WILL REMAIN WET OVER SOUTHERN AND SOUTHEAST KANSAS...WITH SNOW AND ICE ACCUMULATIONS PRIMARILY CONFINED TO ELEVATED AND GRASSY SURFACES.

New Chanute Anmial Shelter Closer to Reality

A new animal shelter in Chanute is a step closer to reality. An MBA business team from K-State has accepted the challenge to help the community develop a comprehensive business plan for the shelter. Between now and next May, the team will develop a capital plan, generate a feasible operational plan, and grow partnerships with regional organizations to develop a spay/neuter program and expand the pet foster home program. City officials say $140-thousand is already available for the shelter, generated by pet license fees the past three years. Donations are also being accepted.