Kiowa County/Greensburg Update Weekend Addition

KIOWA COUNTY/GREENSBURG
Public Information Update
WEEKEND EDITION
Friday, July 13, - Sunday, July 15, 2007

DEBRIS REMOVAL
The period of free debris removal provided by the National Guard, Kansas Department of Transportation and various County Road and Bridge Departments has ended. Debris removal is now the responsibility of the homeowner or debris removal contractor.

WEST NILE VIRUS
With the first confirmed case of West Nile Virus found in Kansas, residents and volunteers are reminded to wear long sleeves during periods when mosquitoes are active, use a DEET containing insect repellent, and remove potential mosquito breeding sites such as tires, buckets, or any other object that can hold water.

COUNSELING AVAILABLE
The Lighthouse Worship Center will be hosting counseling for residents effected by the May 4th tornado. Support groups will be available on Saturday. Individual appointments are available for Sunday afternoon. Contact Christa Zapfe at 620-770-9736 to schedule an appointment.

HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD
Kids With A Cause is bringing members, AJ Holyfield, Hannah Montana; Chris Holyfield, Drake and Josh; and Shauney Sherice Recke, former drummer for Hillary Duff; are looking forward to bringing the" fun & glamour" of Hollywood to Greensburg. The young celebrities will be in Davis Park on Sunday, July 15th from 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. From "Lights, Camera...Action" to "It’s a Wrap", there will be something for everyone! The free event will be open to all ages and is sponsored by KAHBH, Kansas State University, and Kansas Rural Family Helpline. For more information, call 1-866-327-6578 or 785-532-6251.

GREENSBURG PET CLAIM
Residents from Greensburg have until July 15th to retrieve their pets at the former Countryside Vet Clinic, 261 NE Hwy 61, Pratt.

Any unclaimed animals will be put up for adoption on July 16th – 17th to Greensburg residents only. Animals will be available to all Kansas residents July 18th through the 22nd. Adoption hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the vet clinic.

For more information, call (620) 388-1033 or (620) 770-0309 or view the animals at www.petfinder.com/shelters/KS32html.

KIOWA COUNTY FAIR
The Kiowa County 4-H Horse show will be held Saturday, July 14th at the Triangle Rodeo Grounds. A BBQ will be served from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Barnyard Olympics will begin at 7:00 p.m. and a dance will from 8:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m.

The Kiowa County Fair will be held July 16-17 at the Triangle Rodeo Grounds. Contact the Extension Office at 620-723-2156 for more information.

REBUILDING GREENSBURG
A Three-day Housing Resource Fair is scheduled for July 19th – 21st to educate homeowners, businesses and builders on the benefits of building green. The fair will be held in the Barclay College Student Center, Haviland. Come learn how to make Greensburg a healthy, energy efficient, affordable town. For more information, please call 785-296-0081 or 816-589-9150.

HAVILAND RECREATION COMMISSION
The Haviland Recreation Commission will be traveling to the Crown Uptown Theatre on Saturday, July 14th to watch Beauty and the Beast. The trip will leave at 9 a.m. and return at 4 p.m. Free to all Kiowa County Children. Adults over 19 years of age pay $5. Evening meal is provided.

Sponsors for the events will be needed. Children under the age of 10 must have an adult at least 19 years of age to accompany them. To RSVP, please call June, Ronda or Mr. Waters at 620-862-5256, 620-546-4611 or 620-862-5851.

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
The American Red Cross will be sponsoring a blood drive honoring Greensburg tornado and Kansas disaster victims. The drive for life will be held on Friday, July 13th from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Bethel Mennonite Church, located 3 miles south and 1 mile west of the Highway 54 and 183 junction. A free Red Cross Commemorative t-shirt will be given to everyone who donates blood.

CAMP NOAH
The Kiowa County Ministerial Alliance will be hosting a vacation bible school program called “CAMP NOAH” August 6th – 10th. 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.

MEALS FOR SALE
· Cannonball Catering and WB’s Bulk Food is selling lunches just east of Davis Park.
· Kansan Restaurant is selling meals at the original restaurant location. Lunch is served Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Kansan is closed on Sundays.

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.

DEBRIS REMOVAL
The City is reviewing properties that have not been cleared of debris to determine “Immediate Hazards” and may begin taking action on such properties. Property owners willing to release the City and allow crews to enter properties for debris removal need to visit City Hall and sign a “Right of Entry” form. Property owners who sign the form will not have costs assessed to their properties.

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.

KIOWA COUNTY GOVERNMENT
· County Offices are located on the square. Hours will be 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.
· C&D Landfill hours are Monday – Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The C&D landfill will be closing to all debris except concrete July 15th.
· South Landfill Tuesday – Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The South Landfill is closed Mondays.

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.
· Planning Commission meetings are held Wednesdays at 5:00 p.m. in the yellow and white tent on the square.

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 will be offered as of July 1.
· FEMA positions remain open to residents living 50 miles or less from the city 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.

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 620-388-4684.

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.

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.

FEMA TRAILERS
Residents can view and inspect a FEMA travel trailer and manufactured home between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the west entrance to Davis Park. A FEMA specialist will be on hand to answer questions during regular hours.