Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Kiowa County / Greensburg 5-27-08 to 6-1-08

KIOWA COUNTY/GREENSBURG
Public Information Update
Tuesday, May 27, 2008 – Sunday, June 1, 2008

KIOWA COUNTY CHAMBER BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GROUP
The Chamber Business Development group is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, May 27, however, after noting that is the day following a long holiday weekend, making it easier to forget and to allow time to contact more people, the meeting is changed to Tuesday, June 3, 5:00 p.m. at Brown Auction Center.

The focus of the meeting will be on:
*If we got it right,
*What will year two look like for the business sector of Kiowa County.
We want to stress the importance of county wide input in this meeting, so please tell your friends and bring them with you. YOUR INPUT IS VITAL TO THE REBUILDING OF GREENSBURG AND GROWTH OF KIOWA COUNTY.

USDA ENERGY MEETING
USDA will be offering an meeting of information for businesses interested in building with the green initiative. The meeting will start at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3 at the USDA Service Center in Greensburg. The meeting will be informal, answering questions and providing information. We know how busy everyone is and will be as concise as possible while being thorough. If you have questions, please contact Jeanette Siemens at jsiemens@sctelcom.net or 770 0233 or Brandon Prough with USDA, brandon.prough@ks.usda.gov.

FEIST YELLOW PAGES
The Feist Yellow Pages are trying to contact businesses that existed in Greensburg prior to the May 4, 2007 tornado. They have removed several names as they do not know the status of the business. If you are interested in a Feist Yellow Page ad, please contact Bob Goth at 620-255-1860.

HOUSING RESOURCE COORDIANTOR HIRED
Kiowa County and the City of Greensburg are pleased to announce that Laura Stoltenberg has been hired as the Housing Resource Coordinator. Laura is available to help anyone in Kiowa County needing assistance in finding housing opportunities and financing.

Laura’s Office is located in the County Meeting trailer located at 219 S. Oak St. Her office hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with evening appointments upon request. You can reach the Housing Office by calling 620-723-1097, by cell phone at 620-388-2695 or e-mailing Laura at kiowacountyhousing@gmail.com.

COMMUNITY PRAYER
The Kiowa County Ministerial Alliance invites everyone to community prayer each Wednesday morning at 7 a.m. at the Kiowa County Food Bank.

COMMUNITY GARDENS
A community gardens area has been established for residents of Greensburg who do not have space for a garden. There are garden plots (15’x15’) available on a first come basis. The plots are $10.00 each. Call the Extension Office for your garden plot at 620-723-2156.

HELP RECYCLE BAGS
The Care n’ Share and Kiowa County Food Bank are asking people to recycle their plastic and paper bags from Walmart and Dillons. Feel free to stop by the stores and drop off your bags. For more information, please call 620-723-2747.

Care n’ Share store hours are Monday 9 a.m. -5 p.m., Tuesday 3:30 – 7 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. The Kiowa County Food Bank hours are the 3rd Friday of each month from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.

CONTRACTOR/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.
· 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.

PHASES OF DISASTER RECOVERY
The KARE 1 Project will be at Volunteer Village (611 W Illinois) on May 28th at 7:30 pm for an educational group presentation. If you have questions please call the KARE office at 620-723-1088 or 785-313-6123.

KIOWA COUNTY GOVERNMENT
· County Offices are located on the square. Hours are Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
· Court Services and County Attorney are located in the beige trailers located to the north of the courthouse. Hours are Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
· County Commission meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Mondays and the last working day of the month at 9:00 a.m. in the Kiowa County Meeting trailer located at 219 S. Oak.
· South Landfill hours are Monday – Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The landfill is now charging $3.50 per cubic yard for debris.

KANSASWORKS JOB OPPORTUNITIES
The KansasWorks office is located at 218 N. Main St. Stop by to pick up an employment application or by calling Amber or Christina at 620-723-2030 or 620-388-4993. Hours are Monday –Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Health benefits are provided.

CHURCH SERVICES
· Lighthouse Worship Center is meeting in their temporary facility located at 804 W. Wisconsin. Sunday School starts at 9:30 a.m. Worship and Children’s Church starts at 10:45 a.m.
· First United Methodist Church is meeting in their temporary facility located at 600 W. Lincoln. Worship at 9:30 a.m. and Sunday School at 10:30 a.m. Contact Pastor Mayhew at 620-723-3338 with questions or concerns
· 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 ½ mile east, ½ mile north and ¼ mile east of Greensburg. Church begins at 10:50 a.m.
· Peace Lutheran Church is meeting in their temporary trailer at 321 S. Walnut at 11 a.m. For more information, call Pastor Merlyn Lohkre, 620-298-2762.
· First Christian Church is meeting at the SCKTRO Village at 10:30 a.m.
· Faith Tabernacle is meeting at the Greensburg Family Practice temporary facility each Sunday at 10 a.m.
· Greensburg Mennonite Church is meeting at the Mullinville High School Auditorium at 10 a.m.
· Bible Baptist Church is meeting at 605 S. Elm Dr. Sunday School begins at 10 a.m. and Church begins at 11 a.m. For more information call Wesley Carlton at 620-723-2834.

GREENSBURG CITY GOVERNMENT
· City Hall Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.
· City Hall Phone Number is 620-723-2751. The City website is www.greensburgks.org. Check out the website for city services, photos, news and the latest information.
· City Council meetings are held the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month. Council work sessions will be held on the Wednesday prior to Council meetings. The meetings and work sessions will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will be held in the Kiowa County Meeting trailer, located at 219 S. Oak.
· Greensburg Planning Commission meetings are held Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. in the Kiowa County Meeting trailer, located at 219 S. Oak.
· Greensburg Trash Routes are running. North/South streets are picked up on Mondays and East/West streets are picked up on Fridays. Trash must be out by 8 a.m. or it will not be picked up.
· Big Well Gift Shop hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The phone number for the gift shop is 620-723-4102.

DISASTER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
· USDA Rural Development – Greensburg office is located in the USDA Service Center, located at 122 E. Illinois. Office hours are 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday, night appointments upon request. For more information, please call 785-628-3081 ext. 4 or 1-800-338-5546 for more information.
· Salvation Army is located in the Barclay College Library. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday. Contact Deb Folkerts at 620-388-4684.
· Contact U.S. Representative Jerry Moran for assistance with the federal government at 620-665-6138.
· Kansas Housing Resources Corporation is offering several housing reconstruction assistance programs. Call 785-296-5865 or log on to www.kshousingcorp.org.
· Kansas Assisting Recovery Efforts (KARE) is a grant funded outreach project serving the counties of Kiowa, Edwards, Comanche, Pratt and Stafford. Call the Greensburg Office at 620-723-1088, Project cell phone at 785-313-6123 or toll free at 866.327.6578 or e-mail kare1@att.net with questions.
· 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 Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Come sign-up for volunteer assistance with clean-up and repair or reconstruction. For more information, call 620-862-5422.
· Hudson Oil Company, H.B. Hudson, founder will provide every family rebuilding or remodeling within the city limits of Greensburg $700. See Tom Corns at the Greensburg State Bank to pick up the application.
· Habitat for Humanity has a Greensburg office located in FEMA trailer B, located SW of the courthouse square. Appointments are available on Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Contact Marci Hawks at 316-269-0755 or 316-619-2227.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Kiowa County / Greensburg 5-19-08 to 5-26-08

KIOWA COUNTY/GREENSBURG
Public Information Update
Monday, May 19, 2008 – Monday, May 26, 2008

5.4.7. ARTS CENTER EVENT
Dan Rockhill, distinguished professor of Architecture at the University of Kansas, will give a presentation on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 7 p.m. This is open to the public to attend and view the newly completed 5.4.7 Arts Center. Please come to hear about Mr. Rockhill’s work and the work of his graduate student program Studio 804. For more information about the 5.4.7 Arts Center go to www.547artscenter.org.

GREENSBURG FACULTY RETIREMENT RECEPTION
Three long term employees will be honored with a retirement reception at Greensburg High School. The reception will be held from 3:15 to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20th. Please come help us honor David White, Sharon McDonald, and Sharon Sutton.

FEIST YELLOW PAGES
The Feist Yellow Pages are trying to contact businesses that existed in Greensburg prior to the May 4, 2007 tornado. They have removed several names as they do not know the status of the business. If you are interested in a Feist Yellow Page ad, please contact Bob Goth at 620-255-1860.

CHOW HOUND CONCESSIONS
Chow Hound Concessions trailer will be set up in Davis Park Thursday, May 22nd through Monday, May 26th. They will serve 11a.m. to 8 p.m.

Items for sale include grilled hamburgers, polish sausage, and rib eyed steak sandwiches, soft serve ice cream and drinks.

MEMORIAL DAY ACTIVITIES
Several activities are planned for the Memorial Day weekend. Some of the activities include:
Friday, May 23rd
Triangle Rodeo, Bar-B-Q, and Dance 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 24th
Triangle Rodeo Parade, Main Street, 10 a.m.
Picnic in Davis Park at 12 p.m.
Greensburg Alumni Banquet 6 p.m.
Triangle Rodeo and Dance 8 p.m.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND RODEO PARADE
The Triangle Rodeo Club will be sponsoring a parade on May 24, 2008. The theme for this year’s parade is “Spirit of America.” If you would like to sign-up for the parade, contact Laura Stoltenberg at (620) 338-4775 or stop by the Housing Resource Office or Extension Office to pick up an entry form. The deadline for submitting a entry form is May 20th.

HOUSING RESOURCE COORDIANTOR HIRED
Kiowa County and the City of Greensburg are pleased to announce that Laura Stoltenberg has been hired as the Housing Resource Coordinator. Laura is available to help anyone in Kiowa County needing assistance in finding housing opportunities and financing.

Laura’s Office is located in the County Meeting trailer located at 219 S. Oak St. Her office hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with evening appointments upon request. You can reach the Housing Office by calling 620-723-1097, by cell phone at 620-388-2695 or e-mailing Laura at kiowacountyhousing@gmail.com.

ALUMNI BANQUET
The Greensburg Alumni Banquet will be held on May 24th at 6 p.m. at the Greensburg School Gymnasium. Tickets for the banquet are $12.50 and can be purchased at the Greensburg State Bank. Deadline for registration is May 16th.

HELP RECYCLE BAGS
The Care n’ Share and Kiowa County Food Bank are asking people to recycle their plastic and paper bags from Walmart and Dillons. Feel free to stop by the stores and drop off your bags. For more information, please call 620-723-2747.

Care n’ Share store hours are Monday 9 a.m. -5 p.m., Tuesday 3:30 – 7 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. The Kiowa County Food Bank hours are the 3rd Friday of each month from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.

COMMUNITY GARDENS
A community gardens area has been established for residents of Greensburg who do not have space for a garden. There are 36 garden plots (15’x15’) available on a first come basis. The plots are $10.00 each. Call the Extension Office for your garden plot at 620-723-2156.

CELL PHONE DIRECTORY
The Community Recovery Action Team is asking the community to help us revise the Cell Phone Directory that was published last June. Please e-mail your information to kmcmurry@usd422 or kiowa.pio@gmail.com.

CONTRACTOR/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.
· 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.

PHASES OF DISASTER RECOVERY
The KARE 1 Project will be at Volunteer Village (611 W Illinois) on May 22nd, and 28th at 7:30 pm for an educational group presentation. If you have questions please call the KARE office at 620-723-1088 or 785-313-6123.

KIOWA COUNTY GOVERNMENT
· County Offices are located on the square. Hours are Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The County Offices will be closed on Monday, May 26th.
· Court Services and County Attorney are located in the beige trailers located to the north of the courthouse. Hours are Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The County Offices will be closed on Monday, May 26th.
· County Commission meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Mondays and the last working day of the month at 9:00 a.m. in the Kiowa County Meeting trailer located at 219 S. Oak.
· South Landfill hours are Monday – Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The landfill is now charging $3.50 per cubic yard for debris.

CHURCH SERVICES
· Lighthouse Worship Center is meeting in their temporary facility located at 804 W. Wisconsin. Sunday School starts at 9:30 a.m. Worship and Children’s Church starts at 10:45 a.m.
· First United Methodist Church is meeting in their temporary facility located at 600 W. Lincoln. Worship at 9:30 a.m. and Sunday School at 10:30 a.m. Contact Pastor Mayhew at 620-723-3338 with questions or concerns
· 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 ½ mile east, ½ mile north and ¼ mile east of Greensburg. Church begins at 10:50 a.m.
· Peace Lutheran Church is meeting in their temporary trailer at 321 S. Walnut at 11 a.m. For more information, call Pastor Merlyn Lohkre, 620-298-2762.
· First Christian Church is meeting at the SCKTRO Village at 10:30 a.m.
· Faith Tabernacle is meeting at the Greensburg Family Practice temporary facility each Sunday at 10 a.m.
· Greensburg Mennonite Church is meeting at the Mullinville High School Auditorium at 10 a.m.
· Bible Baptist Church is meeting at 605 S. Elm Dr. Sunday School begins at 10 a.m. and Church begins at 11 a.m. For more information call Wesley Carlton at 620-723-2834.

GREENSBURG CITY GOVERNMENT
· City Hall Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. City Hall will be closed on Monday, May 26th.
· City Hall Phone Number is 620-723-2751. The City website is www.greensburgks.org. Check out the website for city services, photos, news and the latest information.
· City Council meetings are held the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month. Council work sessions will be held on the Wednesday prior to Council meetings. The meetings and work sessions will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will be held in the Kiowa County Meeting trailer, located at 219 S. Oak.
· Greensburg Planning Commission meetings are held Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. in the Kiowa County Meeting trailer, located at 219 S. Oak.
· Greensburg Trash Routes are running. North/South streets are picked up on Mondays and East/West streets are picked up on Fridays. Trash must be out by 8 a.m. or it will not be picked up.
· Big Well Gift Shop hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The phone number for the gift shop is 620-723-4102.



DISASTER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
· USDA Rural Development – Greensburg office is located in the USDA Service Center, located at 122 E. Illinois. Office hours are 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday, night appointments upon request. For more information, please call 785-628-3081 ext. 4 or 1-800-338-5546 for more information.
· Salvation Army is located in the Barclay College Library. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday. Contact Deb Folkerts at 620-388-4684.
· Contact U.S. Representative Jerry Moran for assistance with the federal government at 620-665-6138.
· Kansas Housing Resources Corporation is offering several housing reconstruction assistance programs. Call 785-296-5865 or log on to www.kshousingcorp.org.
· Kansas Assisting Recovery Efforts (KARE) is a grant funded outreach project serving the counties of Kiowa, Edwards, Comanche, Pratt and Stafford. Call the Greensburg Office at 620-723-1088, Project cell phone at 785-313-6123 or toll free at 866.327.6578 or e-mail kare1@att.net with questions.
· 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 Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Come sign-up for volunteer assistance with clean-up and repair or reconstruction. For more information, call 620-862-5422.
· Hudson Oil Company, H.B. Hudson, founder will provide every family rebuilding or remodeling within the city limits of Greensburg $700. See Tom Corns at the Greensburg State Bank to pick up the application.
· Habitat for Humanity has a Greensburg office located in FEMA trailer B, located SW of the courthouse square. Appointments are available on Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Contact Marci Hawks at 316-269-0755 or 316-619-2227.

KANSASWORKS JOB OPPORTUNITIES
The KansasWorks office is located at 218 N. Main St. Stop by to pick up an employment application or by calling Amber or Christina at 620-723-2030 or 620-388-4993. Hours are Monday –Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Health benefits are provided.

COMMUNITY PRAYER
The Kiowa County Ministerial Alliance invites everyone to community prayer each Wednesday morning at 7 a.m. at the Kiowa County Food Bank.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Kiowa County / Greensburg 5-12-08 to 5-18-08

KIOWA COUNTY/GREENSBURG
Public Information Update
Monday, May 12, 2008 – Sunday, May 18, 2008

EXTREME HOME MAKE-OVER
ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is searching for HEROIC FAMILIES for their next season. We are in search of real heroes – people that have amazing strength and who have put their own needs aside to help someone else. In addition to heroics, the producers are looking for families whose homes are in dire need of help. We don’t want to tear down a nice looking house. We want to see houses that look like they might fall down on their own!

A family must own their own single family home and be able to show producers how a makeover will make a huge difference in their lives.

Interested families should e-mail a short description of their family story to extremefamilycasting@gmail.com. You can nominate a family, please include:
· The names and ages of each member of the household.
· A description of the major challenges within the home.
· Explanation of why this family is deserving, heroic, or a positive role model in their community.
· Photos of the family and a photo of the home.
· A contact phone number for the family.

DO NOT DELAY!!! NOMINATIONS NEED TO BE SUBMITTED BY MAY 16TH!

HELP RECYCLE BAGS
The Care n’ Share and Kiowa County Food Bank are asking people to recycle their plastic and paper bags from Walmart and Dillons. Feel free to stop by the stores and drop off your bags. For more information, please call 620-723-2747.

Care n’ Share store hours are Monday 9 a.m. -5 p.m., Tuesday 3:30 – 7 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. The Kiowa County Food Bank hours are the 3rd Friday of each month from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.

COMMUNITY PRAYER
The Kiowa County Ministerial Alliance invites everyone to community prayer each Wednesday morning at 7 a.m. at the Kiowa County Food Bank.

COMMUNITY GARDENS
A community gardens area has been established for residents of Greensburg who do not have space for a garden. There are 36 garden plots (15’x15’) available on a first come basis. The plots are $10.00 each. Call the Extension Office for your garden plot at 620-723-2156.

CELL PHONE DIRECTORY
The Community Recovery Action Team is asking the community to help us revise the Cell Phone Directory that was published last June. Please e-mail your information to kmcmurry@usd422 or kiowa.pio@gmail.com.

GREENSBURG STARS OF HOPE
A very special photo book was released on Friday, May 2nd to commemorate an extraordinary community art project carried out by the children of Greensburg, Kansas as way to bring a sense of color and hope back to their devastated community in the wake of last year’s EF-5 tornado which destroyed 95% of their town. The photo book called “Greensburg’s Stars of Hope” shows in brilliant color and inspiring words how the 220 children in Greensburg created and planted 220 individually designed wooden stars which can be seen on nearly every street corner of this South Central community.

But the real story behind “Greensburg’s Stars of Hope” is a story of survival and “Paying it Forward” as the children of Greensburg were helped in this project by the New York City firefighters who survived the 9/11 attacks and who serve at Ground Zero, and how they in turn were aided in this effort by a Texas family whose tornado-ravaged home was rebuilt by the FDNY firefighters on last year’s 9/11 Anniversary, and how they created the stars for the children in Kansas to pint and beautify their town as their way to “Pay It Forward.”

The “Stars of Hope” project was organized the by The New York Says Thank You Foundation, a unique disaster relief organization that helps to rebuild communities around the United States affected by disaster as a way of saying “Thank You” for all the love and support Americans gave to New Yorkers in the days following September 11th. The book was made possible by MyPublisher.com which is donating 50% of the proceeds of the book sales to help The New York Says Thank You Foundation in their upcoming 9/11 Anniversary 2008 rebuilding project in Greensburg. The Foundation hopes to rebuild the 14,000 square-foot 4-H Livestock Pavillion on the Kiowa County Fairgrounds. The book can be previewed online and ordered by going to www.NewYorkSaysThankYou.org.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND RODEO PARADE
The Triangle Rodeo Club will be sponsoring a parade on May 24, 2008. The theme for this year’s parade is “Spirit of America.” If you would like to sign-up for the parade, contact Laura Stoltenberg at (620) 338-4775 or stop by the Housing Resource Office or Extension Office to pick up an entry form. The deadline for submitting a entry form is May 20th.

PAPA JOHN’S PIZZA
Papa John’s Pizza will be in Greensburg on Monday, May 12th. The trailer will be parked on Main Street from 4 to 8 p.m.

CONTRACTOR/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.
· 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.

PHASES OF DISASTER RECOVERY
The KARE 1 Project will be at Volunteer Village (611 W Illinois) on May 15th, 22nd, and 28th at 7:30 pm for an educational group presentation. If you have questions please call the KARE office at 620-723-1088 or 785-313-6123.

KIOWA COUNTY GOVERNMENT
· County Offices are located on the square. Hours are Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
· Court Services and County Attorney are located in the beige trailers located to the north of the courthouse. Hours are Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
· County Commission meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Mondays and the last working day of the month at 9:00 a.m. in the Kiowa County Meeting trailer located at 219 S. Oak.
· South Landfill hours are Monday – Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The landfill is now charging $3.50 per cubic yard for debris.

ALUMNI BANQUET
The Greensburg Alumni Banquet will be held on May 24th at 6 p.m. at the Greensburg School Gymnasium. Tickets for the banquet are $12.50 and can be purchased at the Greensburg State Bank. Deadline for registration is May 16th.

CHURCH SERVICES
· Lighthouse Worship Center is meeting in their temporary facility located at 804 W. Wisconsin. Sunday School starts at 9:30 a.m. Worship and Children’s Church starts at 10:45 a.m.
· First United Methodist Church is meeting in their temporary facility located at 600 W. Lincoln. Worship at 9:30 a.m. and Sunday School at 10:30 a.m. Contact Pastor Mayhew at 620-723-3338 with questions or concerns
· 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 ½ mile east, ½ mile north and ¼ mile east of Greensburg. Church begins at 10:50 a.m.
· Peace Lutheran Church is meeting in their temporary trailer at 321 S. Walnut at 11 a.m. For more information, call Pastor Merlyn Lohkre, 620-298-2762.
· First Christian Church is meeting at the SCKTRO Village at 10:30 a.m.
· Faith Tabernacle is meeting at the Greensburg Family Practice temporary facility each Sunday at 10 a.m.
· Greensburg Mennonite Church is meeting at the Mullinville High School Auditorium at 10 a.m.
· Bible Baptist Church is meeting at 605 S. Elm Dr. Sunday School begins at 10 a.m. and Church begins at 11 a.m. For more information call Wesley Carlton at 620-723-2834.

KANSASWORKS JOB OPPORTUNITIES
The KansasWorks office is located at 218 N. Main St. Stop by to pick up an employment application or by calling Amber or Christina at 620-723-2030 or 620-388-4993. Hours are Monday –Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Health benefits are provided.

GREENSBURG CITY GOVERNMENT
· City Hall Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.
· City Hall Phone Number is 620-723-2751. The City website is www.greensburgks.org. Check out the website for city services, photos, news and the latest information.
· City Council meetings are held the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month. Council work sessions will be held on the Wednesday prior to Council meetings. The meetings and work sessions will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will be held in the Kiowa County Meeting trailer, located at 219 S. Oak.
· Greensburg Planning Commission meetings are held Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. in the Kiowa County Meeting trailer, located at 219 S. Oak.
· Greensburg Trash Routes are running. North/South streets are picked up on Mondays and East/West streets are picked up on Fridays. Trash must be out by 8 a.m. or it will not be picked up.
· Big Well Gift Shop hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The phone number for the gift shop is 620-723-4102.

DISASTER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
· USDA Rural Development – Greensburg office is located in the USDA Service Center, located at 122 E. Illinois. Office hours are 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday, night appointments upon request. For more information, please call 785-628-3081 ext. 4 or 1-800-338-5546 for more information.
· Salvation Army is located in the Barclay College Library. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday. Contact Deb Folkerts at 620-388-4684.
· Contact U.S. Representative Jerry Moran for assistance with the federal government at 620-665-6138.
· Kansas Housing Resources Corporation is offering several housing reconstruction assistance programs. Call 785-296-5865 or log on to www.kshousingcorp.org.
· Kansas Assisting Recovery Efforts (KARE) is a grant funded outreach project serving the counties of Kiowa, Edwards, Comanche, Pratt and Stafford. Call the Greensburg Office at 620-723-1088, Project cell phone at 785-313-6123 or toll free at 866.327.6578 or e-mail kare1@att.net with questions.
· 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 Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Come sign-up for volunteer assistance with clean-up and repair or reconstruction. For more information, call 620-862-5422.
· Hudson Oil Company, H.B. Hudson, founder will provide every family rebuilding or remodeling within the city limits of Greensburg $700. See Tom Corns at the Greensburg State Bank to pick up the application.
· Habitat for Humanity has a Greensburg office located in FEMA trailer B, located SW of the courthouse square. Appointments are available on Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Contact Marci Hawks at 316-269-0755 or 316-619-2227.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

KIOWA COUNTY/GREENSBURG
Public Information Update
Thursday, May 8, 2008 – Sunday, May 11, 2008

PUBLIC INFORMATION UPDATES
As of today, the Public Information Update newsletter will only be published on Mondays. Please have any information submitted by 8:15 a.m. on Monday mornings. Submit information notices by e-mail to kiowa.pio@gmail.com or drop off information in the Extension Office.

EXTREME HOME MAKE-OVER
ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is searching for HEROIC FAMILIES for their next season. We are in search of real heroes – people that have amazing strength and who have put their own needs aside to help someone else. In addition to heroics, the producers are looking for families whose homes are in dire need of help. We don’t want to tear down a nice looking house. We want to see houses that look like they might fall down on their own!

A family must own their own single family home and be able to show producers how a makeover will make a huge difference in their lives.

Interested families should e-mail a short description of their family story to extremefamilycasting@gmail.com. You can nominate a family, please include:
· The names and ages of each member of the household.
· A description of the major challenges within the home.
· Explanation of why this family is deserving, heroic, or a positive role model in their community.
· Photos of the family and a photo of the home.
· A contact phone number for the family.

DO NOT DELAY!!! NOMINATIONS NEED TO BE SUBMITTED BY MAY 16TH!

HELP RECYCLE BAGS
The Care n’ Share and Kiowa County Food Bank are asking people to recycle their plastic and paper bags from Walmart and Dillons. Feel free to stop by the stores and drop off your bags. For more information, please call 620-723-2747.

Care n’ Share store hours are Monday 9 a.m. -5 p.m., Tuesday 3:30 – 7 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. The Kiowa County Food Bank hours are the 3rd Friday of each month from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.

COMMUNITY PRAYER
The Kiowa County Ministerial Alliance invites everyone to community prayer each Wednesday morning at 7 a.m. at the Kiowa County Food Bank.

MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS AND CARDS
If you have forgotten to pick something up for Mother’s Day, stop by the Big Well Gift Shop. They have a selection of Mother’s Day cards and a variety of items for gifts.

GREENSBURG STARS OF HOPE
A very special photo book was released on Friday, May 2nd to commemorate an extraordinary community art project carried out by the children of Greensburg, Kansas as way to bring a sense of color and hope back to their devastated community in the wake of last year’s EF-5 tornado which destroyed 95% of their town. The photo book called “Greensburg’s Stars of Hope” shows in brilliant color and inspiring words how the 220 children in Greensburg created and planted 220 individually designed wooden stars which can be seen on nearly every street corner of this South Central community.

But the real story behind “Greensburg’s Stars of Hope” is a story of survival and “Paying it Forward” as the children of Greensburg were helped in this project by the New York City firefighters who survived the 9/11 attacks and who serve at Ground Zero, and how they in turn were aided in this effort by a Texas family whose tornado-ravaged home was rebuilt by the FDNY firefighters on last year’s 9/11 Anniversary, and how they created the stars for the children in Kansas to pint and beautify their town as their way to “Pay It Forward.”

The “Stars of Hope” project was organized the by The New York Says Thank You Foundation, a unique disaster relief organization that helps to rebuild communities around the United States affected by disaster as a way of saying “Thank You” for all the love and support Americans gave to New Yorkers in the days following September 11th. The book was made possible by MyPublisher.com which is donating 50% of the proceeds of the book sales to help The New York Says Thank You Foundation in their upcoming 9/11 Anniversary 2008 rebuilding project in Greensburg. The Foundation hopes to rebuild the 14,000 square-foot 4-H Livestock Pavillion on the Kiowa County Fairgrounds. The book can be previewed online and ordered by going to www.NewYorkSaysThankYou.org.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND RODEO PARADE
The Triangle Rodeo Club will be sponsoring a parade on May 24, 2008. The theme for this year’s parade is “Spirit of America.” If you would like to sign-up for the parade, contact Laura Stoltenberg at (620) 338-4775 or stop by the Housing Resource Office or Extension Office to pick up an entry form. The deadline for submitting a entry form is May 20th.

COMMUNITY GARDENS
A community gardens area has been established for residents of Greensburg who do not have space for a garden. There are 36 garden plots (15’x15’) available on a first come basis. The plots are $10.00 each. Call the Extension Office for your garden plot at 620-723-2156.

CELL PHONE DIRECTORY
The Community Recovery Action Team is asking the community to help us revise the Cell Phone Directory that was published last June. Please e-mail your information to kmcmurry@usd422 or kiowa.pio@gmail.com.

PAPA JOHN’S PIZZA
Papa John’s Pizza will be in Greensburg on Monday, May 12th. The trailer will be parked on Main Street from 4 to 8 p.m.

CONTRACTOR/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.
· 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.

PHASES OF DISASTER RECOVERY
The KARE 1 Project will be at Volunteer Village (611 W Illinois) on May 15th, 22nd, and 28th at 7:30 pm for an educational group presentation. If you have questions please call the KARE office at 620-723-1088 or 785-313-6123.

KIOWA COUNTY GOVERNMENT
· County Offices are located on the square. Hours are Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
· Court Services and County Attorney are located in the beige trailers located to the north of the courthouse. Hours are Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
· County Commission meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Mondays and the last working day of the month at 9:00 a.m. in the Kiowa County Meeting trailer located at 219 S. Oak.
· South Landfill hours are Monday – Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The landfill is now charging $3.50 per cubic yard for debris.

ALUMNI BANQUET
The Greensburg Alumni Banquet will be held on May 24th at 6 p.m. at the Greensburg School Gymnasium. Tickets for the banquet are $12.50 and can be purchased at the Greensburg State Bank. Deadline for registration is May 16th.

CHURCH SERVICES
· Lighthouse Worship Center is meeting in their temporary facility located at 804 W. Wisconsin. Sunday School starts at 9:30 a.m. Worship and Children’s Church starts at 10:45 a.m.
· First United Methodist Church is meeting in their temporary facility located at 600 W. Lincoln. Worship at 9:30 a.m. and Sunday School at 10:30 a.m. Contact Pastor Mayhew at 620-723-3338 with questions or concerns
· 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 ½ mile east, ½ mile north and ¼ mile east of Greensburg. Church begins at 10:50 a.m.
· Peace Lutheran Church is meeting in their temporary trailer at 321 S. Walnut at 11 a.m. For more information, call Pastor Merlyn Lohkre, 620-298-2762.
· First Christian Church is meeting at the SCKTRO Village at 10:30 a.m.
· Faith Tabernacle is meeting at the Greensburg Family Practice temporary facility each Sunday at 10 a.m.
· Greensburg Mennonite Church is meeting at the Mullinville High School Auditorium at 10 a.m.
· Bible Baptist Church is meeting at 605 S. Elm Dr. Sunday School begins at 10 a.m. and Church begins at 11 a.m. For more information call Wesley Carlton at 620-723-2834.



KANSASWORKS JOB OPPORTUNITIES
The KansasWorks office is located at 218 N. Main St. Stop by to pick up an employment application or by calling Amber or Christina at 620-723-2030 or 620-388-4993. Hours are Monday –Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Health benefits are provided.

GREENSBURG CITY GOVERNMENT
· City Hall Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.
· City Hall Phone Number is 620-723-2751. The City website is www.greensburgks.org. Check out the website for city services, photos, news and the latest information.
· City Council meetings are held the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month. Council work sessions will be held on the Wednesday prior to Council meetings. The meetings and work sessions will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will be held in the Kiowa County Meeting trailer, located at 219 S. Oak.
· Greensburg Planning Commission meetings are held Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. in the Kiowa County Meeting trailer, located at 219 S. Oak.
· Greensburg Trash Routes are running. North/South streets are picked up on Mondays and East/West streets are picked up on Fridays. Trash must be out by 8 a.m. or it will not be picked up.
· Big Well Gift Shop hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The phone number for the gift shop is 620-723-4102.

DISASTER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
· USDA Rural Development – Greensburg office is located in the USDA Service Center, located at 122 E. Illinois. Office hours are 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday, night appointments upon request. For more information, please call 785-628-3081 ext. 4 or 1-800-338-5546 for more information.
· Salvation Army is located in the Barclay College Library. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday. Contact Deb Folkerts at 620-388-4684.
· Contact U.S. Representative Jerry Moran for assistance with the federal government at 620-665-6138.
· Kansas Housing Resources Corporation is offering several housing reconstruction assistance programs. Call 785-296-5865 or log on to www.kshousingcorp.org.
· Kansas Assisting Recovery Efforts (KARE) is a grant funded outreach project serving the counties of Kiowa, Edwards, Comanche, Pratt and Stafford. Call the Greensburg Office at 620-723-1088, Project cell phone at 785-313-6123 or toll free at 866.327.6578 or e-mail kare1@att.net with questions.
· 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 Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Come sign-up for volunteer assistance with clean-up and repair or reconstruction. For more information, call 620-862-5422.
· Hudson Oil Company, H.B. Hudson, founder will provide every family rebuilding or remodeling within the city limits of Greensburg $700. See Tom Corns at the Greensburg State Bank to pick up the application.
· Habitat for Humanity has a Greensburg office located in FEMA trailer B, located SW of the courthouse square. Appointments are available on Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Contact Marci Hawks at 316-269-0755 or 316-619-2227.

Monday, May 5, 2008

Kiowa County / Greensburg 5-5-08 to 5-7-08

KIOWA COUNTY/GREENSBURG
Public Information Update
Monday, May 5, 2008 – Wednesday, May 7, 2008

EXTREME HOME MAKE-OVER
ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is searching for HEROIC FAMILIES for their next season. We are in search of real heroes – people that have amazing strength and who have put their own needs aside to help someone else. In addition to heroics, the producers are looking for families whose homes are in dire need of help. We don’t want to tear down a nice looking house. We want to see houses that look like they might fall down on their own!

A family must own their own single family home and be able to show producers how a makeover will make a huge difference in their lives. Families with speaking age children is a plus.

Interested families should e-mail a short description of their family story to extremefamilycasting@gmail.com. You can nominate a family, please include:
· The names and ages of each member of the household.
· A description of the major challenges within the home.
· Explanation of why this family is deserving, heroic, or a positive role model in their community.
· Photos of the family and a photo of the home.
· A contact phone number for the family.

DO NOT DELAY!!! NOMINATIONS NEED TO BE SUBMITTED BY MAY 16TH!

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND RODEO PARADE
The Triangle Rodeo Club will be sponsoring a parade on May 24, 2008. The theme for this year’s parade is “Spirit of America.” If you would like to sign-up for the parade, contact Laura Stoltenberg at (620) 338-4775 or stop by the Housing Resource Office or Extension Office to pick up an entry form. The deadline for submitting a entry form is May 20th.

CELL PHONE DIRECTORY
The Community Recovery Action Team is asking the community to help us revise the Cell Phone Directory that was published last June. We would like to make a Greensburg Phone Book including new addresses.

We are asking businesses to compile a list of employees with phone numbers and addresses. Over the Celebration Weekend there will be notepads placed around the community to add you information too. If you would like to e-mail this information, please send your name, phone number and address to kmcmurry@usd422 or kiowa.pio@gmail.com

COMMUNITY PRAYER
The Kiowa County Ministerial Alliance is sponsoring community prayer has been scheduled each Wednesday morning at 7 a.m. at the Kiowa County Food Bank. Everyone is invited to attend and pray with us. For more information, contact any KCMA member.

GREENSBURG STARS OF HOPE
A very special photo book was released on Friday, May 2nd to commemorate an extraordinary community art project carried out by the children of Greensburg, Kansas as way to bring a sense of color and hope back to their devastated community in the wake of last year’s EF-5 tornado which destroyed 95% of their town. The photo book called “Greensburg’s Stars of Hope” shows in brilliant color and inspiring words how the 220 children in Greensburg created and planted 220 individually designed wooden stars which can be seen on nearly every street corner of this South Central community.

But the real story behind “Greensburg’s Stars of Hope” is a story of survival and “Paying it Forward” as the children of Greensburg were helped in this project by the New York City firefighters who survived the 9/11 attacks and who serve at Ground Zero, and how they in turn were aided in this effort by a Texas family whose tornado-ravaged home was rebuilt by the FDNY firefighters on last year’s 9/11 Anniversary, and how they created the stars for the children in Kansas to pint and beautify their town as their way to “Pay It Forward.”

The “Stars of Hope” project was organized the by The New York Says Thank You Foundation, a unique disaster relief organization that helps to rebuild communities around the United States affected by disaster as a way of saying “Thank You” for all the love and support Americans gave to New Yorkers in the days following September 11th. The book was made possible by MyPublisher.com which is donating 50% of the proceeds of the book sales to help The New York Says Thank You Foundation in their upcoming 9/11 Anniversary 2008 rebuilding project in Greensburg. The Foundation hopes to rebuild the 14,000 square-foot 4-H Livestock Pavillion on the Kiowa County Fairgrounds.

HEALTH CONTRACT PROGRAM
The Kiowa County Extension Office and the Kiowa County Health Department are sponsoring a “Health Contract” Program to promote healthy lifestyles. The program will kick off on May 5th and end August 15th. If you would like to participate in the “Health Contract” program, please stop by the Extension Office and pick up a team packet.

COMMUNITY GARDENS
A community gardens area has been established for residents of Greensburg who do not have space for a garden. There are 36 garden plots (15’x15’) available on a first come basis. The plots are $10.00 each. The ground will be worked and ready for planting. Water will be provided at no cost. Call the Extension Office for your garden plot at 620-723-2156.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
· JOBS IN GREENSBURG: Greensburg residents are being considered for employment. Those interested can visit the KansasWorks office at 218 N. Main or by calling Amber or Christina at 620-723-2030 or 620-388-4993. Hours are Monday –Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Health benefits are provided.

CONTRACTOR/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.
· 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.

PHASES OF DISASTER RECOVERY
The KARE 1 Project will be at Volunteer Village (611 W Illinois) on May 6th, 15th, 22nd, and 28th at 7:30 pm for an educational group presentation. We will be discussing dealing with the Phases of Disaster Recovery, normal reactions to a disaster event, and self care tips for adults, children and teens. If you have questions please call the KARE office at 620-723-1088 or 785-313-6123.

KIOWA COUNTY GOVERNMENT
· County Offices are located on the square. Hours are Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
· Court Services and County Attorney are located in the beige trailers located to the north of the courthouse. Hours are Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
· County Commission meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Mondays and the last working day of the month at 9:00 a.m. in the Kiowa County Meeting trailer located at 219 S. Oak.
· South Landfill hours are Monday – Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The landfill is now charging $3.50 per cubic yard for debris.

ALUMNI BANQUET
The Greensburg Alumni Banquet will be held on May 24th at 6 p.m. at the Greensburg School Gymnasium. Tickets for the banquet are $12.50 and can be purchased at the Greensburg State Bank. Deadline for registration is May 16th.

GREENSBURG CITY GOVERNMENT
· City Hall Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.
· City Hall Phone Number is 620-723-2751. Please call if you have questions. City website is www.greensburgks.org check out the website for city services, photos, news and the latest information.
· City Council meetings are held the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month. Council work sessions will be held on the Wednesday prior to Council meetings. The meetings and work sessions will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will be held in the Kiowa County Meeting trailer, located at 219 S. Oak.
· Greensburg Planning Commission meetings are held Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. in the Kiowa County Meeting trailer, located at 219 S. Oak.
· Greensburg Trash Routes are running. North/South streets are picked up on Mondays and East/West streets are picked up on Fridays. Trash must be out by 8 a.m. or it will not be picked up.
· Big Well Gift Shop hours are Tuesday-Friday 11-4, Saturday 10-4, Sunday 1-4. The phone number for the gift shop is 620-723-4102.

DISASTER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
· USDA Rural Development – Greensburg office is located in the USDA Service Center, located at 122 E. Illinois. Office hours are 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday, night appointments upon request. For more information, please call 785-628-3081 ext. 4 or 1-800-338-5546 for more information.
· Salvation Army is located in the Barclay College Library. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday. Contact Deb Folkerts at 620-388-4684.
· Contact U.S. Representative Jerry Moran for assistance with the federal government at 620-665-6138.
· Kansas Housing Resources Corporation is offering several housing reconstruction assistance programs. Call 785-296-5865 or log on to www.kshousingcorp.org.
· Kansas Assisting Recovery Efforts (KARE) is a grant funded outreach project serving the counties of Kiowa, Edwards, Comanche, Pratt and Stafford. Call the Greensburg Office at 620-723-1088, Project cell phone at 785-313-6123 or toll free at 866.327.6578 or e-mail kare1@att.net with questions.
· 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 Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Come sign-up for volunteer assistance with clean-up and repair or reconstruction. For more information, call 620-862-5422.
· Hudson Oil Company, H.B. Hudson, founder will provide every family rebuilding or remodeling within the city limits of Greensburg $700. See Tom Corns at the Greensburg State Bank to pick up the application.
· Habitat for Humanity has a Greensburg office located in FEMA trailer B, located SW of the courthouse square. Appointments are available on Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Contact Marci Hawks at 316-269-0755 or 316-619-2227.

COMMUNITY GARDENS
A community gardens area has been established for residents of Greensburg who do not have space for a garden. There are 36 garden plots (15’x15’) available on a first come basis. The plots are $10.00 each. The ground will be worked and ready for planting. Water will be provided at no cost. Call the Extension Office for your garden plot at 620-723-2156.

CHURCH SERVICES
· Lighthouse Worship Center is meeting in their temporary facility located at 804 W. Wisconsin. Sunday School starts at 9:30 a.m. Worship and Children’s Church starts at 10:45 a.m.
· First United Methodist Church is meeting in their temporary facility located at 600 W. Lincoln. Worship at 9:30 a.m. and Sunday School at 10:30 a.m. Contact Pastor Mayhew at 620-723-3338 with questions or concerns
· 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 ½ mile east, ½ mile north and ¼ mile east of Greensburg. Church begins at 10:50 a.m.
· Peace Lutheran Church is meeting in their temporary trailer at 321 S. Walnut at 11 a.m. For more information, call Pastor Merlyn Lohkre, 620-298-2762.
· First Christian Church is meeting at the SCKTRO Village at 10:30 a.m.
· Faith Tabernacle is meeting at the Greensburg Family Practice temporary facility each Sunday at 10 a.m.
· Greensburg Mennonite Church is meeting at the Mullinville High School Auditorium at 10 a.m.
· Bible Baptist Church is meeting at 605 S. Elm Dr. Sunday School begins at 10 a.m. and Church begins at 11 a.m. For more information, Wesley Carlton at 620-723-2834.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Kiowa County / Greensburg 5-1-08 to 5-4-08

KIOWA COUNTY/GREENSBURG
Public Information Update
Thursday, May 1, 2008 – Sunday, May 4, 2008

BUSINESS INCUBATOR GROUNDBREAKING
The Business Incubator groundbreaking will be held at 6 am on Friday, May 2nd. The groundbreaking will be broadcast live on the CBS Early Show and the whole town is invited! There will be food and live entertainment from REO Speedwagon. It should be a great party, even though it’s early!

BIG WELL PARK
The CBS Early Show will be broadcasting live Monday-Friday from 6-8am from Big Well Park. Everyone is encouraged to be there during the broadcast times to help with the playground construction. This will be a big week for our town, and it would be wonderful if you can come out and help!

CELL PHONE DIRECTORY
The Community Recovery Action Team is asking the community to help us revise the Cell Phone Directory that was published last June. We would like to make a Greensburg Phone Book including new addresses.

We are asking businesses to compile a list of employees with phone numbers and addresses. Over the Celebration Weekend there will be notepads placed around the community to add you information too. If you would like to e-mail this information, please send your name, phone number and address to kmcmurry@usd422 or kiowa.pio@gmail.com

COMMUNITY PRAYER
The Kiowa County Ministerial Alliance is sponsoring community prayer has been scheduled each Wednesday morning at 7 a.m. at the Kiowa County Food Bank. Everyone is invited to attend and pray with us. For more information, contact any KCMA member.

HEALTH CONTRACT PROGRAM
The Kiowa County Extension Office and the Kiowa County Health Department are sponsoring a “Health Contract” Program to promote healthy lifestyles. The program will kick off on May 5th and end August 15th. If you would like to participate in the “Health Contract” program, please stop by the Extension Office and pick up a team packet.

COMMUNITY GARDENS
A community gardens area has been established for residents of Greensburg who do not have space for a garden. There are 36 garden plots (15’x15’) available on a first come basis. The plots are $10.00 each. The ground will be worked and ready for planting. Water will be provided at no cost. Call the Extension Office for your garden plot at 620-723-2156.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
· JOBS IN GREENSBURG: Greensburg residents are being considered for employment. Those interested can visit the KansasWorks office at 218 N. Main or by calling Amber or Christina at 620-723-2030 or 620-388-4993. Hours are Monday –Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Health benefits are provided.

USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
The USDA Rural Development Office has moved into the USDA Service Center located at 122 E. Illinois. Office hours are Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., night appointments upon request. For more information, please call 785-628-3081 ext. 4 or 1-800-338-5546.

PHASES OF DISASTER RECOVERY
The KARE 1 Project will be at Volunteer Village (611 W Illinois) on May 6th, 15th, 22nd, and 28th at 7:30 pm for an educational group presentation. We will be discussing dealing with the Phases of Disaster Recovery, normal reactions to a disaster event, and self care tips for adults, children and teens. If you have questions please call the KARE office at 620-723-1088 or 785-313-6123.

KIOWA COUNTY GOVERNMENT
· County Offices are located on the square. Hours are Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
· Court Services and County Attorney are located in the beige trailers located to the north of the courthouse. Hours are Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
· County Commission meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Mondays and the last working day of the month at 9:00 a.m. in the Kiowa County Meeting trailer located at 219 S. Oak.
· South Landfill hours are Monday – Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The landfill is now charging $3.50 per cubic yard for debris.

GREENSBURG CITY GOVERNMENT
· City Hall Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.
· City Hall Phone Number is 620-723-2751. Please call if you have questions. City website is www.greensburgks.org check out the website for city services, photos, news and the latest information.
· City Council meetings are held the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month. Council work sessions will be held on the Wednesday prior to Council meetings. The meetings and work sessions will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will be held in the Kiowa County Meeting trailer, located at 219 S. Oak.
· Greensburg Planning Commission meetings are held Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. in the Kiowa County Meeting trailer, located at 219 S. Oak.
· Greensburg Trash Routes are running. North/South streets are picked up on Mondays and East/West streets are picked up on Fridays. Trash must be out by 8 a.m. or it will not be picked up.
· Big Well Gift Shop hours are Tuesday-Friday 11-4, Saturday 10-4, Sunday 1-4. The phone number for the gift shop is 620-723-4102.

TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH - GREENSBURG RISING
A Celebration of Community, Progress, Friendship, and Life
May 2, 3, and 4th 2008

Friday, May 2nd
· Business Incubator Ground Breaking 6:00 a.m. Big Event!!! - 101 S. Main
· Sunset Acres Park Dedication - Ribbon Cutting/Dedication Stone 11:00 a.m.
· Picnic at Sunset Acres Park 11:30 - 12:30
· Greensburg Greentown Visitor/Green Information Center 204 W. Florida
Grand Opening 1:00 p.m., Open to the public 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
· Greensburg Cubed Projects Arrive 1:30 p.m. 204 W. Florida
· Big Well Gift Shop Open 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., View Big Well all day

Saturday, May 3rd
· Golf Tournament 8:00 a.m.
· Care and Share Grand Reopening 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 207 S. Main St.
· Going to Town (a recreation of Main Street) 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
· Greensburg Timeline Viewing at Volunteer Village Dining Hall
· National Weather Service Presentations of May 4, 2007 events 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Discussions available 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Kiowa County Meeting Trailer (see note below)
· National Weather Service display and discussion of May 4, 2007 3:00 p.m.
· Carriage House Community Bar-B-Q 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 723 S Elm
· Golf Tournament 1:00 p.m.
· Komotara Apartments Open House 1:30 - 3:30
· Water Tower Ribbon Cutting 2:00 p.m. 315 S. Sycamore
· KCMH Open House/photo share/ice cream social 3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. West Tent
· Greensburg Greentown/Kiowa County Chamber Dinner 6:30 p.m. Davis Park
· Rodeo Club Street Dance and Entertainment 8:30 p.m. Davis Park

Sunday, May 4th
· Community Worship Service Davis Park 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
· Sante Fe Trail Car Club Show Main Street 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
· Community Meal Davis Park 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
· Kiowa County Farm Bureau Association Ice Cream Social 1:00 Main Street
· Presentation and Dedication of Victims Memorial 322 S. Grove 1:30 p.m.
· High School Graduation 3:00 p.m.
· Grand Opening of 5-4-7 Art Center 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 204 W. Wisconsin
· Ground Breaking of First Baptist Church 6:00 p.m. 54 and Sycamore
· Candle Light Vigil 9:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Davis Park

Please note: The community meals, scheduled for the weekend, have been planned based on an estimated attendance. We would like to accommodate everyone, but have no way of determining the actual number of meals needed. Meals will be served on a first come first serve basis. There will be several vendors, located in town, during the weekend, for your convenience.
The National Weather Service will be on hand from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Saturday, May 3rd. We have scheduled two presentation times, but seating is limited. If you do not make the presentation, stop in and visit with Mike Umscheid and Larry Ruthi, during the day. Storm chaser Lance Fergeson will also be available to share his experience with the community. They will be located in the Kiowa County Meeting trailer located just west of the Courthouse (219 S. Oak).

Anyone wanting to bring the pictures for the photo share at the Kiowa County Memorial Hospital can contact Mary Sweet at 620-723-3342 or just drop pictures off at the hospital.