KOFO Local News

Today is anniversary of Great Ice Storm of 2002

kofonews — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:28:21 +0000

OTTAWA — Today is the 10th anniversary of the great ice storm of 2002. The storm pelted the central plains with up to three inches of ice on the night of Jan. 30. As the ice accumulated and winds picked up, power lines were yanked down and tree limbs and branches began bowing and breaking. After Jan. 31, nearly 650,000 residents in Kansas and Oklahoma lost electrical power. In some cases, residents waited two weeks to get power back. According to one estimate about a half-million trees were damaged or killed in the Kansas City area alone by the ice.
Monday, Jan. 30, 2 p.m.

Area seniors win top Wichita State scholarships

kofonews — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:27:46 +0000

WICHITA — Two area seniors will receive one of the top scholarships awarded by Wichita State University. Wichita State will award a Harry Gore Memorial Scholarship each to Whitney Wilson of Santa Fe Trail and Caleb Smith of Wellsville. A Gore scholarship is $12,000 a year for four years and given to students with proven leadership and academic skills. Wilson plans to study dental hygiene . She is president of Santa Fe Trail’s National Honor Society chapter and is involved in student council, band and in Osage Ccounty 4-H. She is a state qualifier in cross country and track and field. Smith plans to major in aerospace engineering. He is the lead design engineer for Wwellsville’s national Real World Design Challenge Team. He is involved in Wellsville’s student council, National Honor Society and Scholars Bowl team. He’s also on the Eagles’ basketball, cross country and track squads.
Monday, Jan. 30, 2 p.m.

Harper business owner pleads guilty to environmental violation

kofonews — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:27:12 +0000

HARPER — A Harper businessman has pleaded guilty to violating federal environmental law when he demolished a building for the city of Harper about four years ago.
U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said Hugh Barker, owner of Barker Sand and Gravel pleaded guilty to failing to notify the Environmental Protection Aagency that he was demolishing the Buckeye Building in Harper although he knew it contained asbestos, a proven health hazard for humans. Sentencing is April 9. It’s not the first time Barker has ignored the EPA. Barker served two years’ probation after pleading guilty to discharging a pollutant into the East Sand Creek in Harper County in 2006, Grissom said.
Monday, Jan. 30, 2 p.m.

Herington spill cleanup in final stages

kofonews — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:26:33 +0000

HERINGTON — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment says workers continue to clean up a sulfuric acid spill from Union Pacific Railroad’s rail yard in Herington. The sulfuric acid came from a leaking tank car and got into Lime Creek at Herington Jan. 8. Ph levels in Lime Creek have returned to normal ranges, KDHE’s Jennifer Nichols said. However, limestone filter dams used to contain the tainted water are still in place and won’t be removed until later, she said.
Monday, Jan. 30, 2 p.m.

Bonner Springs basketball coach resigns to be Ottawa schools IT director

kofonews — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:49:19 +0000

OTTAWA — Bonner Springs boys basketball coach Andy Price has resigned to become the IT director for Ottawa schools. The Basehor Sentinel reported that the Bonner Springs school board had to approve the early resignation for Price so he could leave for Ottawa March 30. Price is the second-winningest coach in Bonner Springs history. He has also served as assistant IT director for Bonner Springs schools.
Monday, Jan. 30, 9:30 a.m.

Osawatomie seeks volunteers for city boards

kofonews — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:48:08 +0000

OSAWATOMIE — The city of Osawatomie is looking for nine volunteers to sit on four city boards. The Osawatomie Journal reported there are two vacancies on the city planning commission, two on the new parks and recreation commission, three on the tourism committee and two on the economic development council. Applications are due by Thursday. Applications may be dropped off at city hall, mailed to P.O. Box 37, or by e-mail to cityclerk@osawatomieks.org.
Monday, Jan. 30, 9:30 a.m.

Garnett teen treated for injuries following three-vehicle crash south of Ottawa Saturday

kofonews — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:46:10 +0000

OTTAWA — A Garnett teenager was taken to Ransom Memorial Hospital Saturday morning following a three-vehicle crash on U.S. 59 about five miles south of Ottawa. Kirkland Smith, 59, Ottawa was pulling a farm trailer with his car north on U.S. 59 at a slow speed, the Kansas Highway Patrol said. Virginia Nelson, 63, Richmond; came up behind Smith but didn’t pass because of heavy southbound traffic and put on her warning flashers. Destiny Bowen, 18, Garnett; didn’t slow down in time and rear-ended Nelson’s car, which then rear-ended Smith’s trailer, the highway patrol said. Bowen was taken to RMH. Nelson may have been injured but refused an ambulance, the highway patrol said. Smith wasn’t injured.
Monday, Jan. 30, 9:30 a.m.

Open valve results in ammonia leak in north Ottawa

kofonews — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:45:12 +0000

OTTAWA — Ottawa firefighters were summoned to a small leak from a small Ottawa Co-op anhydrous ammonia tank Sunday evening. The fire department received a report of an ammonia leak in the area, and Fire Chief Jeff Carner said the leak came from an open valve on a small nurse tank. Co-op personnel were summoned and closed the tank valve without further incident. The ammonia leak appeared to be minmal, Carner said.
Monday, Jan. 30, 9 :30 a.m.

Crash blocks part of Main Street in northern Ottawa this morning

kofonews — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:40:43 +0000

OTTAWA – Motorists report an accident has blocked part of Main Street near Wilson Street in northern Ottawa this morning.
Monday, Jan. 30, 9:30- a.m.

Update: Wellsville woman booked into jail for attempted murder

kofonews — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:26:57 +0000

OTTAWA — A 36-year-old Wellsville woman has been booked into the Franklin County jail on a charge of attempted first-degree murder. Cathy Lynn Hendry, 3270 Thomas Rd., is being held on a $150,000 bond. Hendry is being held in connection with a domestic dispute occurring Thursday at her home at near LeLoup, Sheriff Jeff Curry said. The dispute included Joseph Soppe, who formerly lived at her home, Curry said. A gun was involved in the incident, he said.
Monday, Jan. 30, 8 a.m.; updated 9:30 a.m.