Kiowa County/Greensburg Update 7-23-07 to 7-25-07

KIOWA COUNTY/GREENSBURG
Public Information Update
Monday, July 23 – Wednesday, July 25, 2007

CARRIAGE HOUSE CELEBRATION
To celebrate the commitment of the Carriage House rebuilding, the Kansas Health Care Association and KCAL will be sponsoring a free barbecue on Wednesday, July 25th. The barbecue will begin at 5 p.m. and will include free entertainment.

COUNSELING AVAILABLE
The Lighthouse Worship Center is sponsoring counseling on Saturday, July 28th and Sunday July 29th. The professional counselor specializes in helping children and families. Contact Christa Zapfe at 620-770-9736 to schedule an appointment.

HAVILAND RECREATION COMMISSION
The Haviland Recreation Commission will sponsor a trip to the White Water Bay water park in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, July 25th. Participants will leave at 7 a.m. and will return at 11:30 p.m., spending 6 hours at the park. The trip is free to all Kiowa County children. Adults over 19 years of age will pay $10. The evening meal is provided. Sponsors are needed for the trip. Children under 10 years of age must be accompanied by an adult at least 19 years of age. Please call June, Ronda, or Mr. Waters by July 23rd at 620-862-5256 or 620-546-4611 or 620-862-5851.

CAMP NOAH
The Kiowa County Ministerial Alliance will be hosting a vacation bible school program called “CAMP NOAH” August 6th – 10th for children, kindergarten through 6th grade, who survived the tornado. There will be lots of games and toys, disaster related counselors, arts and crafts, therapeutic dogs, and much more at the program.

The bible school program will be held at Barclay College from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Currently there is no transportation to the VBS. Contact Julie Hillshaffer at 620-388-3760 to register by August 4th.

Volunteers are needed to help with the program. Contact Julie Hillshaffer at 620-388-3760 to sign up to be a volunteer. More details about the VBS will follow.

CHURCH MEETINGS
· Lighthouse Worship Center is meeting in their temporary facility located at 804 W. Wisconsin. Church starts at 10 a.m.
· First United Methodist Church of Greensburg is meeting at the temporary Catholic Church facility at 9 a.m. on Sunday, July 29th.
· Catholic Church is meeting in their temporary facility located at 215 W. Morton at 10:45 a.m.
· First Baptist Church is meeting in their temporary facility located at Kyle’s farm just east and north of Greensburg. Church begins at 10:50 a.m.
RESEARCHERS SEEKING GREENSBURG FAMILIES
Researchers at the University of California – Santa Barbara are interested in the interactions that took place between parents and their children before, during and after the tornado of May 4th.

Participation will involve a 60-90 minute phone interview with one parent and their child (ages 12-18), separately. In return for your participation, you family will receive compensation. Interviews will be scheduled for your convenience. Confidentiality is guaranteed.

If you are interested or have questions, contact Dr. Walid Afifi at 805-893-7105 or by e-mail at w-afifi@comm.ucsb.edu.

BUSINESS RESTORATION PROGRAM AND PROJECT SALES TAX EXEMPTION
Applications are available at Brown Auction and BTI-Greensburg. If you have questions call (785) 296-3070 or www.ksrevenue.org. Applications are due to the Kansas Department of Revenue (KDOR) by July 30.

GREENSBURG CITY HALL
· City Hall Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.
· Lost and Found Station has been set up at City Hall. New items are arriving daily.
· City Council meetings are held Mondays at 5:00 p.m. in the yellow and white tent on the square.
· Greensburg Planning Commission meetings are held Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. in the yellow and white tent on the square.

KIOWA COUNTY GOVERNMENT
· County Offices are located on the square. Hours are Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
· County Commission meetings are held on Mondays at 9:00 a.m. in the gray trailers directly west of the courthouse.
· South Landfill hours are Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The landfill will begin charging for debris September 1st. The cost for debris will be $3.50 per cubic yard.

CONCTRACTOR/RECONSTRUCTION INFO
· All contractors must register at City Hall between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. Contract work is prohibited without registration and/or license. Contractors are responsible for hauling jobsite debris and must plug any sewer lines.
· Asbestos abatement contractors must be KDHE licensed. Call Scott at 785-296-1689 with questions.
· A structural engineer inspection is required before obtaining a building permit to rebuild a home or business. Call the Building and Codes Office at 620-723-4109 with questions.
· Building Permit Applications are available at the Building and Codes office on the square. Hours are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday. Call 620-723-4109 for information about required documentation and information.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
· JOBS IN GREENSBURG: Greensburg residents are being considered for employment such as administrative assistance, general labor, and other positions. Those interested can visit the KansasWorks Mobile Center on the square, or by calling Kandy or Christine at 620-723-2030 or 620-388-4993. Hours are Monday –Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9a.m. to 1 p.m. Health benefits are provided.
· FEMA positions remain open to residents living within 50 miles of Greensburg and within 50 miles of Wichita. Specialty positions for planning and geographical information systems (GIS) are needed. More information about the open positions, call 620-723-4423 or 601-818-7515 or www.kansasjoblink.com .
· Looking for Work? Needing employees? Log onto www.kansasjoblink.com . All types of positions are currently available. We can also post your job listing. Stop by the KansasWorks Mobile Unit, located on the square, or call Vicky at 620-723-2030 or 620-255-3705. Hours are Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

SAFETY UPDATE:
· Curfew Hours remain in effect from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m.
· Treat ALL power lines as if they are live. Call 911 if you observe an arcing power line.
· Leave room for emergency and military vehicles when parking.
· Take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water. Seek immediate medical attention if you feel dizzy, nauseated or experience vomiting.
· Never enter any building that appears unsafe.
· Never handle damaged or leaking containers that might be hazardous. Call KDHE at 785-296-2679 or call 911.
· Respiratory protection is recommended for all workers. Dust masks and safety glasses are available at the Health Department on the square.
· Burning is prohibited in the Greensburg city limits. In rural areas, follow county ordinances. Burning is strongly discouraged in high winds.
· Protect yourself with gloves, hard-soled shoes or boots. If you have a cut or scratch that does not heal normally, seek necessary medical attention.
· Businesses needing to dispose of hazardous materials must call KDHE at 785-296-2679.

SALVATION ARMY
The Salvation Army continues to provide assistance to those affected by the tornado at two locations.
· Pratt Warehouse: The warehouse is located at 201 S. Jackson St. Hours are Tuesday – Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Stop by to pick up food, household items, cleaning supplies and other house wares.
· Barclay College, Haviland: Hours are Tuesday – Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Vouchers are available for gas, food, clothing, household supplies, furniture, appliances and building supplies. If you have not enrolled please come by. Grief counseling is available.
For more information, contact Billie Taylor at 620-388-4685.

DISASTER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
· Greensburg Disaster Recovery Center is located on the square. FEMA and SBA hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. FEMA can be reached at 1-800-621-FEMA or www.fema.gov. Registration deadline is August 4th.
· Contact U.S. Representative Jerry Moran for assistance with the federal government at 620-665-6138.
· Kansas Housing Resources Corporation is offering a housing reconstruction assistance program. Call 785-296-5865 or log on to www.kshousingcorp.org.
· Kansas All Hazards Behavioral Health is offering crisis counseling, please call 1-800-575-2038 to schedule an appointment.
· USDA Rural Development has grants, low interest loans, and renewable energy assistance available for rebuilding. Office hours are 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday, night appointments upon request. Please call 785-628-3081 ext. 4 or 1-800-338-5546 for more information. The office location is on the square.
· South Central Kansas Tornado Recovery Organization is providing repair and rebuilding assistance, volunteer labor, donated goods and spiritual and psychological referrals for individuals and families. For more information, call 620-862-5882 or stop by at 201 N. Main St., Haviland.
· United Methodist Recovery Center is located at 322 N. Main in Haviland. Hours are Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Come sign up for volunteer assistance with clean-up, repair, or reconstruction. Items such as food, clothing, and bedding are also available.

MEALS FOR SALE
· Cannonball Catering and WB’s Bulk Food is selling lunches just east of Davis Park Monday through Friday.
· Kansan Restaurant is serving lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

FRAUD TASK FORCE
The Greensburg Fraud Task Force will investigate and prosecute any thefts of federal disaster relief funds. Call
1-800-KS-CRIME with tips.