NICKERSON, Kan. — The Nickerson USD 309 School Board will seek approval of a resolution tonight that will officially kick off efforts to pass a major facilities improvement bond issue.
The board recently approved a $29.9 million bond proposal for improvements to district schools. The bonds would be financed for 25 years. The decision to proceed with the bond issue comes following more than a year of planning and a recent survey that showed positive feedback from district patrons.
Superintendent Dr. Dawn Johnson says they will start a campaign to convince voters in the district to approve the bond issue.
Also this evening, the district will go over several classified staff and coach hirings and approved school meal prices for next year.
Tonight’s meeting of the Nickerson USD 309 School Board begins at 7 p.m. in the school district offices at 4501 W. 4th Ave.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County Emergency Management has posted a website that residents can use to place an assessment of the damage they received from flooding. The agency wants residents to use the site so that an application can be made for possible government assistance.
The application that will be filed is similar to one filed by government agencies to obtain federal disaster funds for infrastructure damage. The county and state have already filed those applications, which were approved by President Trump.
Residents can find the report to fill out on the county website.
The Red Cross is expected to be in Nickerson Saturday and Sunday to provide assistance to those who need it. The service will be available at the ambulance station Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. The disaster forms from the county will also be available.
OMAHA BEACH, France (AP) — With silent remembrance and respect, nations honored the fallen and the singular bravery of all Allied troops who sloshed through bloodied water to the beaches of Normandy 75 years ago on D-Day, the assault that portended the fall of Hitler’s Third Reich.
French President Emmanuel Macron and President Donald Trump during Thursday’s ceremony -image courtesy White House
French President Emmanuel Macron and President Donald Trump praised the soldiers, sailors and airmen, the survivors and those who lost their lives, in powerful speeches Thursday that credited the June 6, 1944, surprise air and sea operation that brought tens of thousands of men to Normandy, each not knowing whether he would survive the day.
“You are the pride of our nation, you are the glory of our republic, and we thank you from the bottom of our heart,” Trump said, of the warriors engaged in the ultimate fight of good against evil in World War II.
Macron praised their courage, generosity and strength of spirit that made them press on “to help men and women they didn’t know, to liberate a land most hadn’t seen before, for no other cause but freedom, democracy.”
He expressed France’s debt to the United States for freeing his country from the reign of the Nazis. Macron awarded five American veterans with the Chevalier of Legion of Honor, France’s highest award.
White House image
“We know what we owe to you, veterans, our freedom,” he said, switching from French to English. “On behalf of my nation, I just want to say ‘thank you.'”
D-Day was history’s largest air and sea invasion, involving around 160,000 troops on that day itself and many more in the ensuing Battle of Normandy. Of those 73,000 were from the United States, while 83,000 were from Britain and Canada. Troops started landing overnight from the air, they were joined by a massive force by sea on the beaches code-named Omaha, Utah, Juno, Sword and Gold, carried by 7,000 boats.
The second day of ceremonies moved to France after spirited commemorations a day earlier in Portsmouth, England, the main embarkation point for the transport boats.
Leaders, veterans, their families and the grateful from France, Europe and elsewhere were present for the solemn day that began under a radiant sun.
At dawn, hundreds of people, civilians and military alike, hailing from around the world, gathered at the water’s edge to remember the troops who stormed the fortified Normandy beaches to help turn the tide of the war and give birth to a new Europe.
Dick Jansen, 60, from the Netherlands, drank Canadian whisky from an enamel cup on the water’s edge. Others scattered carnations into the waves. Randall Atanay, the son of a medic who tended to the dying and wounded, waded barefoot into the water near Omaha Beach, where the waters ran red on D-Day.
Up to 12,000 people gathered hours later at the ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery, where Macron and Trump spoke. U.S. veterans, their numbers fast diminishing as years pass, were the guests of honor.
A 21-gun salute thundered into the waters below the cemetery, on a bluff overlooking Omaha Beach, and across the rows of white crosses and Stars of David. The final resting places of more than 9,380 of the fallen stretched out before the guests.
A group of five Americans parachuted into Normandy on Wednesday as part of a commemorative jump and showed up on the beach Thursday morning still wearing their jumpsuits, all World War II-era uniforms, and carrying an American flag. The group included Clapp, and all five expressed concern the feats and sacrifices of D-Day are being forgotten.
“If you forget history, it’s doomed to repeat itself,” Clapp said.
“I have all kinds of friends buried,” said 98-year-old William Tymchuk, who served with the 4th Canadian Armored Division during some of the deadliest fighting after the Normandy landings.
“They were young. They got killed. They couldn’t come home,” he added.
Then Tymchuk teared up.
“Sorry,” he said. “They couldn’t even know what life is all about.”
The D-Day invasion was a defining moment of military strategy confounded by unpredictable weather and human chaos in which soldiers from the U.S., Britain, Canada and other Allied nations applied relentless bravery to carve out a beachhead on ground that Nazi Germany had occupied for four years.
“The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to Victory,” Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower predicted in his order of the day.
The Battle of Normandy, codenamed Operation Overlord, hastened Germany’s defeat less than a year later.
Still, that single day cost the lives of 4,414 Allied troops, 2,501 of them Americans. More than 5,000 were injured. On the German side, several thousand were killed or wounded.
From there, Allied troops would advance their fight, take Paris in late summer and march in a race with the Soviet Red Army to control as much German territory as possible by the time Adolf Hitler died in his Berlin bunker and Germany surrendered in May 1945.
Below we remember those from Reno County who fought and paid the ultimate sacrifice in World War II:
SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Cargill company presented a check Wednesday to the fundraising efforts for the Reno County Veterans Memorial.
Cargill donated $5,000 to the panels fund for the Veterans Memorial. These panels will hold the names of those who served in various wars.
The project, designed to honor both living and deceased members of the U.S. Armed Forces, represents the commitment of all citizens of Reno County.
The donation was presented at the memorial on the south edge of South Hutchinson.
As of Wednesday, $52,777 has been raised for the panels. The goal is $150,000. Once they reach $100,000, they’ll be able to order the panels from a company in Concordia.
Danny Wilson with the Cargill salt plant in Hutchinson was on hand to present the check and says they had $80,000 in their budget locally for charity and have given donations to 30 organizations in Reno County. As a whole, the company donated $57.1 million in 54 countries for local projects.
STILLWATER, Okla. — A registered sex offender is jailed in Stillwater, Oklahoma, for the alleged murder of a former Hutchinson woman.
On June 3, the Payne County Oklahoma Sheriff’s Office requested that the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation assist with an investigation into a missing person case that evolved into a homicide investigation.
A former Hutchinson woman, Chelsey Chaffin, 29, last spoke to her mom by text during the evening hours of May 25. That was the last time she was heard from by friends or family.
On May 24, Chaffin had moved to a residence in Stillwater. The residence belonged to 54-year-old Earl Oswalt, who worked with Chaffin at a tile company in Stillwater.
The Payne County Sheriff’s Office and the OSBI followed up on dozens of leads in the missing person case that ultimately led to the arrest of Oswalt for murder.
Investigators say he killed Chaffin in the early hours of May 26. At approximately 1 a.m. on May 27, her body was dumped over a bridge into the Cimarron River.
Oswalt is a registered sex offender who spent 20 years in prison on a 60-year sentence for rape in the first degree. He was paroled in 2017.
The search continues in hopes of recovering Chaffin’s body. The investigation is ongoing.
NICKERSON, Kan. — The water is starting to go down, but flooding continues to be a major problem in Nickerson. According to City Clerk Robin Schmitt, there’s still plenty of water in town even though the Arkansas River is receding.
Schmitt wants to remind residents that, while water service is still available, they are asking people to conserve as much as possible so as not to tax the system any further. They wanted to stress that motorists not drive down flooded streets unless it is necessary. The wake from vehicles is causing more damage to homes.
The Salvation Army was in Nickerson over the weekend handing out sandwiches and water along with recovery kits.
Sand and sandbags are still available if anyone wants them. The Arkansas River is still running just above flood stage in Hutchinson at 8.4 feet. It is expected to fall below flood stage by tomorrow. In Haven, the river is still running more than a foot above flood stage and is expected to fall below that mark by Wednesday.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The flood water will go down eventually and with it, a number of issues will be left behind. That includes possible contamination to private water wells.
Most wells that are inundated with flood water will need to be cleaned to make sure no coliform bacteria which can leche 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 will need to be removed and the well flushed out with bleach. A mixture of water and bleach must be placed in the system and then allowed to sit for a period of time. Once that time has passed the mixture must be run through the entire system until the bleach is removed. The entire system must then shut down for up to 24 hours before it is safe to use.
Its also recommended that pumps motors and all electrical systems be checked for any possible damage. The KDH&E recommends that the well be tested again one week after the clean up is completed.
Until the water is deemed safe residents should use bottled water.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Proper cleaning and sanitation of your household after a flood is important to prevent the spread of
illnesses and diseases associated with flooding.
To disinfected items that have been in floodwaters, you should wipe down all surfaces with soap and
clean warm water to remove all of the dirt and debris. Next, sanitize the same surfaces with a
bleach/clean water mixture. The Bleach/Water ratio should be 1 cup of bleach to 5 gallons of clean
water. If you are cleaning up items that have mold growing on it, you should clean it with a Bleach/Water ratio of 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of clean water. Do not to mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners when cleaning.
It’s important to wear personal protective equipment such as rubber boots, rubber gloves, goggles to
protect your eyes, and a mask while doing clean up. For ventilation open windows and doors to
reduce the amount of fumes in your work area.
NICKERSON, Kan. — Residents in Nickerson continue to deal with record flooding with most of the city inundated by water.
According to the Nickerson city offices, water service is still on but residents are being asked to conserve as much as possible and not overload the storm or sanitary sewer system. K-14 is still open for residents only. Sand and sandbags are available.
The city also reports that the Salvation Army will be on site starting at 11 a.m. Saturday morning and running through at least the noon hour at City Hall. The Salvation Army will provide sandwiches and drink along with disaster recovery kits.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After only one person used the shelter Thursday night, the Red Cross announced it has placed the shelter at the Trinity United Methodist Church on standby.
Due to water service being shut off to several apartment complexes in South Hutchinson, the Red Cross expected a number of residents to use the shelter. With the continued flooding, the shelter will still be available if the need arises. If you feel you need the shelter, you can call Reno County Emergency Management at 620-694-2974 or call 911. You can also call the Red Cross at 1-844-334-7569.
Those coming to a shelter should bring essential items with them such as medications, food to meet special dietary needs, identification and other important personal documents that might be needed later, extra clothing, pillows, blankets and special items for elderly or disabled persons.
The role of the Red Cross in any disaster is to address the immediate needs of those affected. In this stage of the disaster, they are providing a safe place to stay in shelters, meals, comfort and support in response to the urgent needs of the communities affected.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster is activating its disaster program and can offer assistance to those not able to physically or financially recover from the flood.
Any resident who feels they would qualify for assistance needs to call 2-1-1 and let them know they live in Reno County and are requesting assistance from the floods. Applications will be taken through July 31.
The organization is also looking for volunteers to assist with the cleanup. If you or a group you represent are interested in volunteering, please contact The Volunteer Center at 620-665-4960 for more information.
Donations are also needed. Please mail donations to the Reno County VOAD Disaster Relief Fund in care of United Way of Reno County at P.O. Box 2230, Hutchinson, KS 67504, stop by the office at 924 N. Main in Hutchinson or call 2-1-1.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Health Department is strongly urging people to stay out of flood water.
With all of the sanitary and storm sewer issues that arise with flooding, water can become contaminated with raw sewage. Other contaminants could include runoff from farm fields and other chemicals. It could also include petroleum from ruptured or flooded fuel storage tanks. Exposure to flood water can cause skin rash, wound infections, gastrointestinal illnesses and tetanus.
Flooded areas can also bring some very unwanted guests such as snakes and rodents who may be fleeing from the high water. Flood water can also contain submerged objects that can injure or even trap you.
If contact with flood water is unavoidable, remember to wash with soap and water as soon as possible. If you have an open wound clean and bandage it as soon as possible or seek medical attention. All clothing exposed to flood water or sewage should be washed in hot water detergent before wearing them again.
If you must work in flood water, it is important to wear appropriate personal protective gear such as rubber boots, gloves and goggles. If you have not had a tetanus shot or can’t remember when you had your last one, it is highly advisable to get one.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — With all of the flooding and severe weather over the past three weeks, many outside companies are coming into the area looking for work.
In some cases, the contractors are being very aggressive in their sales pitch. Homeowners in the city of Hutchinson should give strong consideration before signing any contract with someone they don’t know. According to Connie Strawn with the Building Inspection and Code Enforcement of Hutchinson, anyone who is going to do work in the city must have a contractors license. If they don’t, do not sign any type of contract. Also if they plan to do any roof repairs or replacement, they must have a Kansas roofers license.
Strawn says the contractor’s license does not pertain to water damage removals, but if they are going to do any type of repair, then the license is needed. Strawn says if there is even the slightest doubt about anyone offering to do work, contact the Hutchinson City Offices. If they are being too persistent or you feel you may have been taken advantage of, contact the Better Business Bureau.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After sifting through more than 40 applications, the Board of Directors with the Hutchinson Fox Theatre has whittled down the number of finalists for the executive director job to three.
Current Executive Director Josh Davies says they have received a number of great applications. He also stressed that the board is not in a hurry to name his replacement.
Cargill donated $5,000 to the panels fund for the Veterans Memorial. These panels will hold the names of those who served in various wars.
