CHENEY, Kan. — Cheney Reservoir is filling up quickly as the Ninnescah River runs full.

At last check on Thursday afternoon, the lake was up nearly six feet at over 1,427 feet above sea level. Normal pool is 1,422. The flood pool is reached at 1,429 feet. Officials with Cheney State Park report that many of the east side areas are closed. Heimerman, Wichita and M&M points are closed, as well as all east side campgrounds. Hookups behind the marina are also closed off because of high water.

According to the Army Corps of Engineers, the spillway gates are closed to control downstream flows as the river merges with the South Fork Ninnescah River near Mulvane.

The area is expected to see falling river levels over the next couple of days, which should allow the Corps to release water from the reservoir.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The combination of high river levels and the rainfall from above is making for a lot of problems other than flooded land and closed roads.

Calls to several restoration companies in Hutchinson indicate they are busy with reports of flooded basements.

Tim Boese with the Equus Beds Groundwater Management District says the connection between the Big Arkansas River and the naturally shallow water table, which is only about 10 feet, is causing the problem. Many residents are getting the water because of high pressure from the rising water table and the sandy soil, which is letting the rainfall run through the already-saturated ground.

Boese says that pressure can reach out more than a half mile from the river in the city of Hutchinson, flooding many areas along the river simply because of the rising water table.

Reno County Emergency Management wants to stress that residents with a flooded basement should not enter the water for any reason.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Many rural properties that have faced flooding over the past week will have many issues to deal with once the water recedes.

That includes water wells. Most wells that are inundated with flood water will need to be cleaned to make sure they are free of coliform bacteria or other contaminants that can leech into the well, especially on farmsteads where there is animal waste from livestock.

There are a number of steps that must be taken to disinfect a well. According to the Reno County Health Department, the well cover must be removed. The well will have to be flushed out with bleach and then run through the entire system of your house.

The water and bleach must sit for a period of time and then run through the system until the bleach is removed, then shut down for up to 24 hours before it is safe to use.

The KDHE recommends that the well be tested again one week after clean up is completed. Until the water is deemed safe, residents should use bottled water.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Museum has started a new series of exhibits that will highlight local heroes.

The first displays will be unveiled tonight during a kickoff event. The first display of the new exhibit honors Hutchinson firefighters and local firefighting history. The opening reception will include Sparky the Fire Dog, Lloyd the 7-foot fireman, new and vintage fire trucks in the museum parking lot, and light refreshments.

The series will also include police officers, first responders and other groups. The museum wants to trace the history of each organization including major events, showcase equipment and photographs. Museum officials also want residents to share their heroic stories.

The museum is still looking for photos, equipment, badges, certificates and other related objects for temporary loan. All photos and documents will be scanned and returned to the owners before the opening of the exhibit. Other loaned items will be exhibited for about one year and then returned to the lender at the end of the exhibit. The museum asks that you submit items by Aug. 24.

If you need more information, contact Henry Platts at henry@underkansas.org or Lynn Ledeboer at lynn@undergroundkansas.org. You can also call the museum at 620-662-1184.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The number of registered voters in Reno County has grown since the primary election in August.

According to numbers released by the Reno County Clerk’s Office, the county has 40,255 registered voters compared with 39,947 in August. That’s an increase of 308 voters

The report shows that the number of residents registered as Republicans grew by 426 to 19,459. The number of Democrats registered in the county increased to 8,940, a jump of 177 residents.

The report also shows that unaffiliated voters are taking sides as the general election nears. The number of unaffiliated voters fell from 11,796 to 11,491.

The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 16, with mail out advance voting starting Oct. 17. In person advance voting begins October 22nd

WICHITA, Kan. — A Hutchinson man was sentenced today to 60 days in federal prison for stealing from a company where he worked.

U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister announced the sentence handed down to 65-year-old Richard Yust. Yust recently pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in which he stole $145,000 while he worked as controller for an insulation sales company in Kechi.

He used company credit cards to make unauthorized purchases of items for his personal use. After serving the sentence, Yust will be on supervised release for three years.