did you set your clocks back?

Remember to "fall back" tonight. or saturday night.

parade

Beautiful day for a parade. Arkalalah was great, well attended. Ill post more pictures later.

Arkalalah

Looks like a much nicer day today. I went out to the kids parade yesterday. It was cold, but there were a lot of people out.
The parade today is at 2 p.m..
Here is a link to the lineup.
http://arkalalah.com/parade_lineup.pdf

The street games are set to start at 11:15. I am going to that as well.
I will put up photos of both after the parade most likely.
Hope everyone has a safe and happy arkalalah today.

Police bust big underage drinking party

On 10-30-2009 Officers were dispatched to 4^th and Oak for a report of cars parked in the reporting parties yard.  Upon Officer’s arrival officers discovered a underage drinking party at 512 W. Oak.  Arkansas City Officer’s along with Deputies from the Cowley County Sheriff Department cited numerous person’s under the age of 21 for consuming alcohol. 

Those cited include John Mciver Jr. age 19 of Winfield, Zach Johnson age 19 of Oxford, Dennis Miller age 19 of Winfield, Crystal Unger age 19 of Maple City, Jacob Moore age 20 of Arkansas City, Season Miller age 20 of Rose Hill, Britany White age 18 of Wichita, Shane Helphingstine age 20 of Arkansas City, Shawn Nelson age 19 of Arkansas City, Vicky McMinn age 19 of Wichita, Tara Clark age 18 of Arkansas City, Brooke Cullum age 18 of Winfield, Jaryd Moore age 19 of Winfield, Anne Harmon age 18 of Wichita, Phillip Zimmerman age 18 of Wellington. 3 Juveniles under the age of 18 were also arrested.

Also arrested for Minor in Consumption of Alcohol and Hosting was Michael Porter age 19 of Arkansas City. He later posted bond from the Arkansas City Police Department.

  Chief Sean Wallace said ..

Parties such as this one broken up by the Arkansas City Police Department are very dangerous.  Over 50% of the reported rapes in Arkansas City occur at underage drinking parties, and recently in Augusta a 14 year old girl was shot and killed at such a gathering.  Drinking underage is not a right of passage.  It is illegal, dangerous, and will be enforced with a zero tolerance policy by the Arkansas City Police Department.

Curry's last game

I had to be out of town Thursday. I had really hoped to get back in time for the game. Things always take longer than you think they will.
So I didnt get back in time.
Winfield beat Ark City 12-0 from what I gather. I also heard there was some kind of incident.
Here is a place to talk about the game.
Ill be out and around getting pictures tomorrow and post them soon as I can.

Thursday

Good morning all.
Short parade last night. It was good, but it was very short. Not sure why that was.
Looked like there were lots of people out there. and at the carnival and the food booths.
What has been your favorite food so far?
What will you try new this year?

I took some pictures but they turned out awful.
I hope to have lots of pictures to post friday and Saturday, so be sure to check out the site.
The weather is supposed to clear off, so should be ok for the Bulldog game tonight.
Last game at Curry Field. I still say its a shame there has been no recognition of that fact. ..
Happy eating.

Cowley volleyball

Cowley Volleyball team beat Fort Scott in three games tongiht. That's 10 in a row I believe.
That also gives them the conference title and top seed in district playoffs.

Latest health care deal

AP reports that House Democrats have reached a deal on the health care reform bill.
I have the story posted on the site, on the health page .
which is here
http://arkcityrevived.com/Health/Health.html

Ive said before on here that I think health care reform is needed. But Im saying now, wait a minute.
They are reforming the insurance industry.
That is not what we started out with, so im not so sure I support it anymore.
Insurance may need some reform, but what we need is health care reform to make it more affordable.
Im not sure that making insurance more affordable will do that.
The story should hit the fan in the a.m., with the dems holding a press conference.
Just thought you all might like to read the story before the a.m. press conference.

Cowley volleyball second in nation

The Cowley College volleyball team is ranked second in the nation in the latest junior college poll released earlier today.
Cowley had been ranked sixth, and there was a major shakeup in the poll after last week.
This is the final regular season poll of the year, with playoffs starting soon.
The top team is Parklans College of Champaign, Illinois. Kansas teams, Johnson County is fifth and Highland College is 16th.
Here is a link to the latest poll.
 http://www.njcaa.org/sports_polls.cfm?sid=33&slid=17&category=polls

Ready to party

Final touches were being put on floats Tuesday night at the Agri Business Building. The parade of lights is Wednesday at 8 p.m. More about Arkalalah on the web site.

OSU's Bryant still ineligible

Oklahoma State's sports information office has just released a decision from the NCAA concerning receiver Dez Bryant.
here is the release
NCAA Announces Bryant Decision
STILLWATER – The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has informed Oklahoma State University that junior wide receiver Dez Bryant will remain suspended for one calendar year. He will be eligible to return to game action in September of 2010.
OSU is appealing the decision to the NCAA Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee and could learn that committee’s decision as early as next week.
OSU officials will have no further comment on the matter until the appeal process is complete.

what if bush had done that ?

Interesting column on Politico about the free pass Obama is getting from the Media. They did not treat BUsh this way.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1009/28764.html

updates

Good morning everyone.
NOt sure if I mentioned that my laptop computer is out of commission for a few days.
Im using an old desktop, which is rather creaky and hard to use.
SO its making things move more slowly.
Just like when I was at brand-x and had lousy equipment to work with.
Anyways, cop reports are updated.
ALso updated the sports pages. Cowley basketball preseason predictoins are in, as well as some BIg-12 notes
I have the material from each of our four big 12 schools ... OU< OSU, KU and KSU .. with stats, player quotes and other information.
If youre a hard core sports fan you will like it.
BUt I do need to know if people are reading that. Its pretty easy to get and post. If you like it ill keep doing it.
Theres also some arkalalah info there as well
Parade tomorrow night.

Cowley choir concert Tuesday

The Fall Vocal Concert, “Music For All Seasons”, featuring the Cowley Concert Choir and the Cowley College Singers, will take place Tuesday, October 27 at 7 p.m. inside the Robert Brown Theatre. There is no charge to attend the event.
The Concert Choir will perform first and will do a wide variety of music. The pieces they will be singing are:

health care

Looks like a new health care deal is coming, this one with a public option.
The states can opt out... hmmm is that states rights coming up again. :)
This has been debated a lot. Yall know what I think.

From AP
WASHINGTON – Majority Leader Harry Reid says health care legislation headed to the Senate floor will include an option for government-run insurance. Reid says states will have the prerogative of opting out of the program if they choose.

Reid noted that polls show widespread public support for giving the government a role in the overhauled health care system envisioned by President Barack Obama and his allies in Congress.

PrairieFest launches poster contest

PrairieFest Festival officials have announced the beginning of the PrairieFest 2010 Graphic Design Contest. The committee is seeking an original logo which will be used to market the event throughout a four-state area. The logo will be used on all PrairieFest posters, tee shirts, brochures and other promotional pieces. The most artful design that best represents PrairieFest will be chosen by a panel of judges, and its creator will be recognized and awarded $100 for the winning design.
The annual contest determines the logo for this long-standing, community arts festival.  This year’s theme is “Prairie Surfin’”.  The 2010 event is scheduled for June 3 through 6 in Paris Park.  Traditionally, PrairieFest takes place the first weekend of June and has been in existence for 46 years. This year’s festival features two and three dimensional art, fine crafts, performing artists, botanicals, culinary arts, an open student exhibit, and interactive children’s activities, and new this year The School of Rock. 
To enable scanning and printing, the colors used on the design must be in solid blocks with no tonal shifts, unless it is computer generated. The prairie coyote used in the official PrairieFest logo must be used somewhere in the design, at the artist’s discretion.  To obtain an image of the coyote, visit www.prairiefestks.org.
Entries must be submitted on a CD by November 6th to The Arkansas City Area Arts Council, 110 S Summit, Arkansas City. This year’s contest is sponsored by The Cowley College Admissions Office. For further information, call festival co-directors Teressa Swope-Hatfield or Carla Brake at 620-442

Good Monday Morning

Hello everyone.
I dont have the police notes yet, Soon as I get them, I will post them.
Its Arkalalah week.
What plans do you have for the week.
A lot of people are working on floats at the Agri-Business building, getting ready for the parades. First one is Wednesday night.
Is the food your favorite part of ARkalalah. What is your favorite part?

The flu crisis seems to have passed. Im sure its still around, and a lot of people are sick. I really think the swine flu things is being over-hyped. It is not worse than any other kind of flu. This time of year you need to be careful and protect yourself, swine flu or whatever kind of flu there is.

Wonder what hot topic will emerge this week?
Who makes the best funnel cakes?

Fall is in the air

 

Sunday

Im having a little computer trouble. Then it was hard to sign in to blogger.
So posts may be coming slowly for a bit here.
I have been getting some criticism and feedback from people in the real world about all the negativity and attacks on here. Strange thing is, I thought things had been a little quiet - even boring - lately.
BUt I do agree that people are too negative. Negativity just becomes a habit.
I know the negative nellies will say they are just being realistic, but that is a bunch of garbage.
Being realistic would be neutral.
The schools winning 37 awards - and all some people could do was still badmouth the schools.
ANyways, this rant has a purpose.
Someone challenge me to find from the blogs - five good (or just average) ideas, and two examples where people were actually doing something to make an idea happen.
That was the original purpose of blogs in my mind. To find good ideas and put them together with people of action, to make Ark City a better place.
Sooooooooooooooooo
How about if we see if we can do that.
Who is willing to take up a project?
YOu might fail. Someone might laugh at you, and no doubt, someone will criticize you. But you might also do well.
SO, can someone give me something to tell my friend who wanted some examples.

Ark City public schools win 37 testing awards

Arkansas City, Kan. – USD 470 students earned more awards after the 2009 State Assessments than ever before. The district earned 37 Standards of Excellence awards topping last year’s total of 32.
Standards of Excellence, The Kansas State Department of Education’s highest honor, is based on the percentage of students who score proficient or above on the state assessments in math and reading. That percentage varies by grade level and subject. That percentage also increases each year, making it harder to obtain the awards.
We are delighted to see these results and are proud of the successful efforts made by our staff, the students, and their families,” Dr. Jan Voss, Assoc. Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, said. “These results line up with our continued improvement since No Child Left Behind began.”
In 2005, the district earned 10 Standards and that number has continued to rise to the 37 earned in 2009. Voss said that is only one of many indicators of student success apparent in the district. There has been an overall increase in the graduation rate over several years. In 2002, the graduation rate was 75.4 percent, while in 2009 it was 91.1 percent. ACT exam scores, though fluctuating, are also higher than in the past. In 2002, the average ACT composite score was 18.8 and it was 20.9 after the 2009 test.
“We have also noted fewer disciplinary referrals, a decrease in special education referrals, and an increase in the number of students going on to post-secondary programs,” Voss said. “All of these indicators point to overall student achievement and that is something we can all be proud of.”

have yall seen this ?

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?cl=16228041

kacy today

I will be on KACY radio today at 5 p.m. with Kanyon Gingher and her radio show.
We will be debating whatever comes up.
Its real last minute, but we will see what happens.

Flu shots available for youth

Flu vaccine in limited quantities, has arrived in Cowley County. Here is a press release sent out by the health dept.

The City-Cowley County Health Department will hold a Special H1N1 Vaccination Clinic for children and youth 6 months to 18 years with high risk medical conditions, on Friday, October 23rd. This clinic will be held in the Arkansas City and Winfield Health Department offices from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. and 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm. The H1N1 vaccination is free, but limited quantities are available at and are being prioritized to this high risk group only.

For the rest of the press release, see the health page on the web site.

Good times roll at small town festivals

Good times roll at small town festivals

Posted using ShareThis

This is my latest post on my new travel blog with www.examiner.com.
Please stop by, and subscribe.
It is weird sending this to folks in Arkansas City, because it is for people in Wichita about Arkansas City. Oh my.
But its just puffery supporting Arkalalah.

flu update

The flu is still around and much of it may be the swine flu.
Local school officials say there are fewer out sick at the high school this week, but more are out sick at the middle school. Exact numbers are not yet available.
At Cowley College there are more students sick. Student affairs director Sue Saia said there are a few more turning up sick every day.
Officials at all schools want students to stay away if they are sick.
At Cowley, students in dormitories who live close enough, are told to go home when they get sick.
Students from other countries, or far away places in the states, are put in "quarantine" rooms while they are sick.

Doctors are not testing for swine flu any more. There is some cost involved in the test. But Doctors are telling people to assume it is the swine flu. They are also telling people to not even come in to visit unless they are really sick.
The swine flu is pandemic, but, with this attitude, we will never know just how pandemic it is.
From what I have read, the swine flu is not any worse than any other flu. People die from all kinds of flu. But , this one does travel faster and is more easily transmitted.
I thought about that last night when I was at the big box store picking up a pack of cough drops for my wife. I went home and washed my hands as fast as I could and made sure I did not touch my face.

So there is a lot of flu out there. There are things you can do to at least lower your chances of getting it.
Wash your hands often.
If you cough, use that new fangled method of putting your face into your elbow, to block it.
If you are sick, think of your neighbors, and stay home.
Be careful in public places.

developing the ponds, morning update

Police notes are updated.
City commission update:
Arkansas City resident Gary Hale wants to develop the city's ponds as recreational and tourism areas. He gave a presentation to the city Tuesday night, and asked for some help. Commissioners encouraged him to form a committee, and said the city might help along the way.
The city also held hearings on several properties that are abandoned and - or dilapidated. This is a step toward tearing them down.
You may read the full story on the web site

Getting ready for city commission

Ill be heading out to the city commission meeting in awhile. It is at 7 p.m. at city hall. You are invited. It is open to the public.
Not a lot on there, but there are some issue floating around City Hall that I hope to get to real soon.
I put a story up about the Ark City cops from Newscow. We both had that before Brand-X. Actually I think I get a lot of stuff before Brand X does. A lot of stuff they have first. When I have something first, Im gonna tweak them, when they do, im gonna say it doesn't matter. :)
I have also updated the sports page. There is some good stuff there from Big 12 football, but I am not sure if anyone is reading it. If you like it let me know.

Another case involving using names has come up.
A 49 year old Arkansas City man has been charged with raping a juvenile female. Of course we don't use the female's name, but the question is, should we use the man's name?
The way the courts are, it could be a year or more before it is resolved, and if he were to be acquitted, we might never know. Same if he is guilty, but we are more likely to hear about a sentencing than a not guilty verdict.
So what to do?
Ive not decided yet. Brand-X is going to have this first. They have already used the man's name. Am i being overly cautious here?

Ok, thats enough rambling for now. Ill try to get my story done tonight.

Police drop drug charges against woman

Rookie officer's errors lead to dropped charge

By Shane Farley
Newscow

    Errors made by an Arkansas City police officer have led police chief Sean Wallace to ask that a drug charge be dropped against a woman arrested in connection with an incident this summer, police and court officials acknowledged Tuesday.
    Police would not identify the 50-year-old woman by name but said she was arrested last Wednesday on a possession of cocaine warrant. A person claiming to be a family member of the woman, brought the issue to the attention of reporters during NewsCow's Friday Live

See the rest of the story on the Web site

           

Welfare cheaters and deadbeats

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/19/AR2009101903546.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/19/AR2009101903546.html


Ive discovered that I can post things on here from other news sites. This could be dangerous.
But its still a local blog, so im not going to clutter it up too much with national stuff.

Monday night soccer

The Cowley women's soccer team lost a close match with Neosho Monday evening,1-0, on a penalty kick with less than two minutes left.

snopes.com: White House Ban on Religious Christmas Ornaments

snopes.com: White House Ban on Religious Christmas Ornaments

Posted using ShareThis

low poltics

Here is something, a new low in politics. A restaurant owner in Georgia puts a racist word on his sign in an attempt to put down Obama's health care reform plans.

Here is a link to the article 

http://www.nydailynews.com/real_estate/2009/10/10/2009-10-10_billboard_outside_georgia_restaurant_uses_nword_to_deride_obama_health_care_poli.html

Monday

Good Monday morning. Hope everyone had a great weekend. Turned out really nice weather yesterday. We went exploring a little, but nothing all that interesting.
Im going to try to follow up on the flu story a bit. This is the time for health officials to step up and give us some good information. Hopefully they will.
Ill have to wait a bit on the police notes, but Ill get them up there at some point today.
I hope to start a military page real soon. I would just like to have information about local soldiers, especially those overseas. I have some already. But send me information, as well as photos.
Should be up by midweek.
I also have this new blog on examiner.com. It involves local travel. I would appreciate it if you all would visit there, and subscribe.
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-26717-Wichita-Day-Trips-Examiner~y2009m10d18-What-is-your-quest
Thank you for your support.

counter culture idea

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4

updates

There are a few updates on the web site. I have a photo gallery from Cowley's volleyball game yesterday. The pictures did not come out all that great. Sometimes you have a great day shooting, some days you don't. I guess yesterday was just one of those days.
The Cowley volleyball team was "on" their game though, beating a good Highland team in three.
There is also an updated health page, with Dean Hall's latest column. It addresses obesity.

Also, I am getting ready to start a new page. Still messing with what to call it, but it will be a local military page. I hope to have pictures and information about as many local people in the military as possible.
So send me info about your loved ones that are in the military. Primarily I am thinking of those in the war areas, but any military person would be fine.
It will have pictures, addresses and just general information. Ask them to send you pictures from where they are.
I hope to have that page up in a few days.

I am not going to be able to do the live blog with ralph today. I am out of town.

Cowley volleyball wins

Cowley volleyball team beat Highland 3-0 today (25-18, 25-19, 25-18).

High school football scores,

Here are area scores from last night. Could not find the Oxford score.

Kapaun Mt. Carmel 71, Ark City 14
Newton 17, Winfield 14
South Haven 72, Dexter 34
Udall 49, Chetopa 8
Caldwell 70, Cedar Vale 36
Burden Central 60, Rosalia Flinthills 19

Newkirk 21, Alva 14

Cowley sports

Good morning
Some good sports events going on today. Cowley volleyball has a big conference showdown at home at 11 a.m. Thats when the OU-Texas game is as well.
The Cowley women need your support though, so, keep that in mind.
Ill have results and pictures as soon as the volleyball is over.
There is also Cowley soccer this afternoon. Im not sure if I will get out to that, but we will see.
I am going to be updating the site some today. I ran into some other work to do yesterday and did not do much updating.
I need to get a job so i can get things done. :)

Kansas Team Color Primetime T-Shirt

more flu

Here are official numbers being released by the Ark City Schools. This is for Thursday.

Middle School: 64 were out sick (not necessarily the flu). The total enrollment there is approx. 620.

High School: 113 were out sick (not necessarily the flu). The total enrollment there is approx. 790.

High school is still a bit above the normal, which would be 60-70. Note that middle school is not really all that high. Maybe a little more than the normal 6-7 percent.
According to the state stats, most people who get the swine flu are under 25, which is kind of interesting.

My wife is the school nurse at South Haven. She said they are not having much of a problem at all with it. They have around 250 students and are missing like 4-5 kids a day.

A lot of people are sick though, and I dont feel all that great myself. (I really think its allergies in my case.)
There are people who are saying its being downplayed. Could be to some extent, but im not sure what they want public officials to do.
Would you feel better if public officials ran up and down Summit Street screaming "Were all gonna die !!! "

It is a bit early for flu season, but we are having cooler weather earlier than normal. There probably is more swine flu going around, and the weather is making it worse.
This flu is not necessarily worse than other flu. People die from regular flu as well. Its just that this one spreads so much easier and faster.
Im not so sure it matters what kind of flu you have. If you have the flu, you will be really miserable and it could kill you if you dont take care of yourself.

But the bottom line is. Do what you can to take care of yourself and others.
Wash your hands. Nurse Joyce says that is the most important thing you can do. Wash your hands often. We dont realize how often we touch our face. Its easy to touch a germ and then touch your face and give yourself a virus.
If you are sick, stay home. If your kids are sick, dont send them to school.
Nurse Joyce said to write that one down twice. Dont send a sick kid to school.
If you do sneeze in public, cover it with your elbow.

Lots of people are getting sick. There are things you can do to protect yourself.

New travel blog ive started

Ive just started a new blog, its about local travel - day trips. Its on a new web site.
Please stop by and give it a read. You may also subscribe to it and get posts in your email.
It will just be about local travel.
Wichita area day trips

city commission

I have not forgotten the city commission work session today at 5:30 p.m.
They will be discussing the hospital plans. They will also be discussing water bill collection procedures. Bad debt collections.
Those are not agenda items.
On the agenda is :
Recognizing the efforts of pastor Mark Frye.
Receiving a presentation from Gary Hale on recreational use of city ponds.
Seven dangerous structure hearings
Replacing a bus
Regular meeting is 7 p.m. tuesday

From the state health dept

Here is more info from the state health dept.
They are no longer accepting specimens, or not testing, people for swine flu just because they have the flu. If you are not hospitallized, you wont be tested for it.

KDHE is no longer accepting specimens from everyone who sees a doctor with symptoms.  In non-hospitalized cases, confirmatory testing does not affect treatment and advice given to patients by health care providers.  Unreported cases of H1N1 are occurring across Kansas and throughout the U.S.  Although the presence of H1N1 has been confirmed in certain geographic areas through analysis by the state laboratory, this should not be taken to mean that the virus is not present elsewhere. 

KDHE will continue collecting specimens from hospitalized patients, as well as a limited number of specimens from a network of clinics and hospitals across the state that are submitting weekly information on the number of patients they are seeing with flu-like symptoms. Those sites will also submit a random sample of specimens from patients, for testing that will allow KDHE to monitor the spread of disease in the state.

"H1N1 was declared a pandemic virus by the World Health Organization earlier this year," stated Dr. Jason Eberhart-Phillips, State Health Officer and Director of Health for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. "This means we can expect to find H1N1 in virtually every part of Kansas. Testing everyone with flu-like symptoms for H1N1 is no longer needed. What is needed is for people who are experiencing flu-like symptoms to stay home, rest and drink plenty of fluids so that they can recover without spreading the virus to others."

As with any influenza virus, we encourage you and those in your care to take the following steps to reduce spread:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to get rid of most germs and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading illness to co-workers and friends.
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue and properly dispose of used tissues.

Q: What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu? A: The CDC recommends that you Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 15 to 20 seconds. Sing "Happy Birthday!" or "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" twice through to time it. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. View more FAQs

• Stay healthy by eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and getting adequate rest and exercise.
• If you have recommended or required health and safety practices related to your facility or business, continue to adhere to them such as cleaning/disinfecting toys, surfaces, equipment, and furnishings that children touch in educational and care settings.

You are also encouraged to be vigilant to the symptoms of H1N1 flu virus. The symptoms of H1N1 flu virus in humans are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include:

• Fever greater than 100 degrees
• Body aches
• Coughing
• Sore throat
• Respiratory congestion
• In some cases, diarrhea and vomiting

more flu update

I have some more exact  numbers now.
There were 137 students out sick at the high school yesterday and 148 today. There are 750 students at the school. These are numbers from the high school principle.
They average between 48-70 out sick on a normal day.
I guess thats "around" 200.
Principle Dave Zumwalt said "we are not at a panic level yet."
He said they are keeping an eye on the situation. No plans to shut anything down at this point.

Newscow reports Northern Contours closing

By Shane Farley
Newscow

Northern Contours – a producer of cabinetry and other home fixtures – will close its plant in Arkansas City at the end of the month, interim manager Bronze Hill said Thursday.
The plant, located at 102 Goff Industrial Park Rd., employs six civilians and 23 inmates from the Winfield Correctional Facility. Company officials have notified the correctional facility of the closing.
Hill said the decision was due to a “lack of business.” The local plant produces a variety of veneer cabinet panels.
Northern Contours operates plants in Kentucky and Minnesota in addition to the facility in Ark City. The company is headquartered in Mendota Heights, Minn.
The official closing date for the local plant – which opened in 2006 – is Oct. 30.
Hill is managing the facility through the closure process. He succeeds a manager who left the company in a departure unrelated to the closing.

flu update

Ark City school public relations officer Alisha Call just told me that there is about a 15-percent increase in absences yesterday and today, district wide. There may be more at the high school, but she wasnt sure about individual schools.
The schools report absences for illness to the state health department.
"We are monitoring the situation," she said.
Nothing has been canceled at this point. They are not planning on closing any schools. Call said to close a school would have to be approved by the health department.
She said a school would not be closed until the district was directed to by the health department.
The local district could cancel games and other activities. Call said there are no plans to cancel any event at this point.
School officials do recommend students and teachers stay home of they are sick with flu-like conditions.
At present it is not known if the swine flu is involved.

flu

Apparently it is true that there are a lot of kids out with the flu at the high school.
A student told me "about 200" were out today. That student is staying home sick today.
The secretary at the high school didnt have any numbers, but she said there seemed to be a lot out today.
The school nurse was real busy dealing with sick kids.
More details coming.
There are about 750 kids total at the school, so that many out would be a lot.

volleyball pictures

Here is a link to a gallery from last night's volleyball game

cowley volleyball

Cowley women beat Neosho tonight in three games, 25-19, 25-15, 25-19.They have an important match at home with Highland at 11 a.m. Saturday. I will have a gallery up by morning.

Wednesday updates

Cop notes are posted. Ironically enough, there were only a few, and most were ones where i dont use names, such as victims of domestic violence.
Also updated the web site this morning. Sort of got caught up. There is a new church page, new food page, new hunting and fishing page, new health page.
Hope to update sports.
Cowley volleyball is tonight, so ill be going to that and updating it.

audacity of $1.4 million

What will Obama do with his $1.4 million Nobel prize>?
here is a good story about that. its not from either side's point of view.
and has some good history about what others have done with their money and prizes.

http://www.slate.com/id/2231922/http://www.slate.com/id/2231922/

it aint over till its over

This video is from a high school football game. A field goal was blocked in the final seconds. The ball did not cross the line of scrimmage, and therefore is still a live ball. One of the players realized that, picked the ball up, and scored.

Tuesday - open reporting

Cop notes are posted.
I noticed someone - maybe two - was upset about posting of names in the cop notes.
We had a discussion about this awhile back, and a poll showed overwhelming support of using names.
In some ways i can see not using them, but to be fair, if you are going to use any, then you have to use them all. (crime victims are an exception)
It is just like having open government. Reporting should also be open.
We - as news people - should not "censor" the news. It is what it is.
For the most part, I dont really believe it hurts people all that much. When I worked at brand-x people would come in and say it would make them lose their job if their DUI (for example) got in the paper. Do we really think their employer would not find out otherwise? Or it is as if it doesnt get in the paper, it didnt really happen.
It is almost as if keeping it out of the paper keeps anyone from knowing. That is the same mentality some public officials use as en excuse to not give out public information.
In reality, putting it out there can be a good thing. It can stop the rumor mill in its tracks because you can see on the record what the actual situation was.
My third argument would be that people are just too uptight. People are too consumed with image.
Yesterday we had a name on there that some of you recognized as a relative of a person who is pretty well known around here. This morning he (the relative) posted a comment. Yes it was a trial for this person, but having it mentioned publicly did not make it any worse. It may have even kept the rumor mill from making it worse than it was.
His reputation - and character - are not based on what people think or what happens around him.
He knows who he is, and events are not going to shake that.
That is something we all should aspire to.
Protecting one's image at all costs is just not the same thing as actually having a solid character.
I dont get any joy out of posting the cop notes. If people didnt read it, i wouldnt do it.
But it is a part of the public record.
It is a part of being open.
Being open is good.
We expect that of our public officials, and we should expect it of ourselves as well.
(If anyone wants to dredge up what happened with me at Brand-X, i would refer you to posts at the beginning of this blog when it started. I have talked about it. I have said what happened. I even apologized. I am at peace with it, so it doesnt bother me if people want to talk about it or criticize. Keeping it under wraps is not good for anyone, and I practice what i preach in that area.)

monday

Good morning everyone.
cop notes are posted. More updates coming later today .. this morning I hope.

Insurance feeling heat?

Here is a story in the Washington Post, about a study the insurance industry is releasing today. It tries scare tactics to try to discredit the latest health care proposal.
What if there were no insurance industry?
Maybe we would be better off if there were no middle man making tremendous profits as health care costs go up. Insurance is just an added level of the cash cow that the medical industry is for many people.
Nothing wrong with profit, but when it gets out of hand ...
anyways, here is the story in the post.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/11/AR2009101102207.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/11/AR2009101102207.html

y2k all over again

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091011/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_mexico_apocalypse2012http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091011/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_mexico_apocalypse2012http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091011/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_mexico_apocalypse2012

live blog

Friday night scores

Homecoming king and queen were crowned at halftime of Arkansas City's game Friday.
Here are area scores.
Arkansas City 24, Augusta 0
winfield 39, Haysville campus 0
Rose Hill 21, Wellington 15
Cedar Vale 56, Dexter 6
South Haven 64, Argonia 30

Here is a gallery to the Ark City game 

live blog sunday

Live blog this coming Sunday, 1 p.m.
I will be living blogging during the Music for the Messiah radio program with Ralph McDonald.
The show is broadcast on KACY FM, 102.5
It is a normal live blog. I will be talking with Ralph and listening to the show.

Big chill coming

Record low temperatures are expected this weekend. Could get below 30 on Saturday night.
Here is a link to a NWS announcement. Ive still got tomatoes on the vine.
http://www.weather.com/weather/alerts/localalerts/67005?phenomena=TSL&significance=S&areaid=KSZ093&office=KICT&etn=13715ddd19544c094dca4879a7bd4e0afedf59ab

Obama should decline Nobel Peace Prize

I heard about Obama getting a Nobel Peace Prize this morning while at breakfast with some friends. I didn't believe them. Apparently it is true. The AP story says even the White House (the adminstration) was shocked by the move.
Here is a link to the story.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/eu_nobel_peace

I think the best thing Obama could do today, would be to graciously decline the award.
The prize has become a political gift. An award to play political games with, and that is all this is.
Obama may do great things in his presidency, but his first term has just started. (I dont see the pubs beating him in his run for a second.)
Still, this certainly lowers the prize's prestige.
He just hasnt done anything yet. He hasnt even delivered on health care yet, and he has not got us out of iraq and afghanistan yet. Doesnt sound like peace prize material to me.
Its just using the prize to score political points. Even in giving the award, the committee acknowledged that his plans have not come to fruition yet concerning foreign policy. About the only thing he has done - and it wasn't him - was that the U.S. image abroad improved when it got elected.
Anyone can call for a reduction in nuclear arms. Hey everybody, lets reduce our nuclear arms. See, I just did it. :)
He should reject the prize because he has not earned it.
Of course, he could do so in a gracious way. If he did that, I would call him a great president and my respect for him and the office would grow a lot.
Doubt it will happen, but ... we shall see.

Just a picture

Raindrops on a spider web. Today the sun was out very briefly, and the light was really cool on this so I grabbed a few shots.
You may see my other photos at www.arkcityrevived.printroom.com

FREEBIE Fridays. We guarantee something FREE every Friday. It could be FREE Shipping, a FREE print book or a coupon for a free eBook!

Cowley Volleyball

The Cowley College Lady Tiger volleyball team beat Johnson County last night, at Johnson County. Besides being rivals, both are nationally ranked in the top 10 and are in a heated battle for the conference title.
Read about it here :
http://www.arkcityrevived.com/SPORTS_PAGE/Sports.html

They have more big games coming up, so lets get out and support them.

Health care: What would Jesus do?

Here is a really good article that Byte Daily posted.
http://bytedaily.net/?p=737

The story of the good samaritan is a good example of what Jesus might say about health care.
Both sides want to make the bible fit their cause though.
They both have it backwards.
Instead of making the bible fit their cause, both sides should be trying to fit the bible.
Im so tired of the conservative versus liberal debate. Neither ideology is a biblical concept. Both ideologies are interpretations, or spins, on reality.
I may write more about this later.

Cop notes will be up soon.

you cant fix stupid

i just could not resist posting this video.

http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=100000156762637&k=Z6E3Y5V5SYXEYACJPB63QTRWQSJDYU3NUWEUJEUFPQ&oid=1242421429214

New football stadium

I recently got an opinion piece from a reader, concerning the new football stadium.
He would like it to be named for all veterans, something like Veterans Stadium.
His letter is here:
www.arkcityrevived.com
www.arkcityrevived.com


I dont know if there is any plan at this point, or how a name will be picked. I would assume the school district would do the honors.

I will run some opinion pieces that are submitted. I dont think I will run any anonymously though.

OSU's Bryant ruled ineligible

Here is a piece of sports breaking news. The Oklahoma State Sports Information office just released the news that receiver Dez Bryant has been ruled ineligible to play for the Cowboys.

(STILLWATER, Okla., Oct. 7, 2009) -- Dez Bryant has been ruled ineligible for a violation of NCAA bylaw 10.1(d).
Oklahoma State University has already begun the process of applying to the NCAA on his behalf for reinstatement.
This incident does not involve anyone associated with the OSU football or athletic department staffs, any employee of the university, alumni, donors, or any third-party affiliated with OSU.
OSU is taking this step because Bryant failed to openly disclose to the NCAA the full details of his interaction with a former NFL player not affiliated with OSU.
The University issued the following statement from Bryant: “I made a mistake by not being entirely truthful when meeting with the NCAA. I sincerely regret my mistake and apologize to my teammates, coaches, OSU fans and the NCAA.”
OSU coach Mike Gundy said: “We are certainly disappointed, but we are moving forward as we would with any challenge during the season.”
Due to the ongoing investigation of this matter, OSU has no additional comment at this time.

city commission

The city commission story is finally done. Here is the link.

http://www.arkcityrevived.com/city/10-6-09-city-meeting.html


Commissioners approved two road construction projects, one of which involves the half-cent sales tax passed last November.
They also approved fines and charges to people for mowing and cleaning up property. There is a complete list with the story, of the 53 property owners cited.

I didnt mention it in the story, but regulation of sexually oriented businesses came up again. There are not any now, but commissioner Dotty Smith feels it would be a good pre-emptive move. She said it would be harder to get rid of one if it were to open here. Other commissioners showed little interest.
But Mell Kuhn asked about a quote in Brand-X, where Tamara Niles is quoted as saying "it is not for the faint of heart."
Turns out the quote was from a brief she wrote over a year ago, and she was just repeating what the Kansas League of Municipalities had said. So it was a little misleading.
She was saying that it is a long involved process and will cost a lot in legal fees, and even if passed, there is the big chance that it will have to be defended in court - which would result in even more legal fees.
There are no "adult" businesses in Arkansas City now.
The question is, is it worth the effort to stop something that is not here?

separation of church and state

The Supreme Court is hearing a case about a cross in a remote area of a remote park in California. It was erected 80 years ago to honor WW1 vets, but now there are objections and suits.
Two observations.
The Obama administration is supporting the symbol. Will this make the rounds of conservatives who love to rip obama as anti christian etc., ?
and second ... separation of church and state does not mean separations FROM religion. There are people who just want to remove any public symbol of religion from public view. They would probably like to take them off your private property as well.
here is the link

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091007/ap_on_go_su_co/us_supreme_court_mojave_cross

hospital

The size of the new hospital has been reduced somewhat, about 4,500 square foot, from the original plan of 66,000 square feet.
City officials say the project is moving along well and they are getting what they wanted. The cost may also be a little less than originally anticipated.
City manager Steve Archer said once the engineers started the design phase, they met with doctors and others, and found that they could get by with less space. That is why the size was cut down some.
Archer said the original plan was a rough idea and now they are getting down to specifics.
"We had never locked in a square footage," he said.
He added that you cannot really know exactly the size until you start designing the actual hospital.
The contractors and engineers are not preparing plans and working on a guaranteed price, which is how a design-build project works.
The building will be in two parts.
One part will be the normal hospital, which requires high standards as far as fire codes go. The other part will be offices, adminsitrative areas and the cafeteria, where codes are not as stringent.
In those less strict areas, the cost of construction is significantly lower, Archer said.
A MOB, or Medical Office Building, is also in the works. It will start later, but could open at the same time the hospital does.
Ark City Industries may become involved in that, he said.
ACI works on economic development for the city.
The could finance the building of the office building and lease it back to the city or to the hospital. Archer said that is not a done deal, but it is what is being considered at the moment.
City officials are not planning any action for tonight's meeting concerning the hospital.

Tuesday morning

Cop notes are posted.
I dont have much info, but a teen girl who was missing has been found.
Ill try to get more on that today.
Tonight at 7 is the city commission meeting.
Nothing too much exciting on the agenda. The worksessions are usually more interesting.
Some updates have been done on the web site, and more are coming.
What's on your mind today?

best countries to live in

here is something that might get you going.
some group has ranked the best countries in the world, to live in.
the usa is no. 13.
i have my doubts, norway is no. 1 and iceland is no. 3 ....
niger and afghanistan were vying for the bottom spot.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091005/ts_afp/undevelopmentpoverty_20091005115324

Monday morning

Cop notes are posted.
I have also updated the site, the outdoors page and the health page.
More updates are coming this morning, Sports being one of them.
Cooler weather is here. I hate to see that. I am more of a hot weather person. Cooler weather is depressing because it means winter is not that far away.
Its interesting how weather affects people. My wife and I are opposites on this. While I am feeling like hibernating, she is suddenly filled with energy and is ready to take on the world - and a bajillion other household projects that will need my input and labor.
When summer comes, its just the opposite. I wake up and am ready to roll, while she wants out of the heat.
Its just an observation of human nature. I dont think you can do much to change natural ebbs and flows of energy. At least, if you recognize it, you can adjust accordingly.

live sunday

last minute thing

Ralph McDonald has a christian rock music radio show on KACY at 1 p.m. Sunday.
He and I have been talking about doing a live blog at that time.
I will try it tomorrow. It will just be a test to see how it works, but show up if you can or want to.
1 p.m. Sunday

ADD and ADHD string

I decided to make this its own thread. Its about ADD.

CC said...

I do agree that parents can sometimes be too quick to put their kids on medicine to solve problems. A responsible parent will carefully weigh the decision on whether to decide to use medicine or not, explore other reasons that may be causing problems first, try some behavioral therapy first. The child could be having any thing from allergies to problems in their home life to a simple learning disability. I started noticing some red flags when my daughter was in preschool, then barely made it through kindergarten and couldn't even read a simple beginning reader book or do simple math by the end of first grade because she couldn't focus or sit still. Needless to say she had to repeat first grade and thats when I made the decision to try the medicine. What a difference!!!! I've even got a thankyou from my daughter a few years back that I cared enough to do what I did. The point I want to make here is that it is not a phantom illness, I just think its overdiagnosed.

@October 2, 2009 3:33 PM .. I'm no expert either other then experience with my child, but If one knows their research about ADD and ADHD, brain scans show in research that it is not too much activity in the brain, it is a lack of activity in certain areas of the brain. One day, I hope science can really find a way to prove if a child is trully add or adhd. I know their is always going to be disbelievers, but maybe the disbeliever have trully never experienced or has never had a child struggle with trying to focus and cant more then a few minutes.
October 3, 2009 8:59 AM
James Jordan said...

When we lived in S.C., my wife worked in a childrens clinic. She became te clinic's ADD guru, meaning she screened all the kids and decided whether to recommend further examination and medication etc.. There were instances when parents got mad at her for refusing to say a kid had it, though some did have it.
It is a real "illness" .
but there is the possibility that it is just a different way of looking at the world. What if it is just a different way of thinking and being?
Ive said before that i have ADD. There really are some good things about it.
Like when I was at the paper. I relished the morning deadline time. 50 things going on at once, 20 people trying to talk to me at once, phone ringing, im trying to write a story, layout pages and meet deadline ... and i could easily stop all that and talk to you on the phone about your latest conspiracy ... and go right back to the chaos.
Lots of people think that is a stressful situation.
I thought it was fun.
(what was stressfull was dealing with JR lol.)
More research needs to be done into whether ADD is even an illness or a bad thing.
Maybe it is just "different."
October 3, 2009 9:13 AM
CC said...

Your right JJ, I don't believe it is really a mental illness, could be a simple glitch in brain chemistry, or maybe a different type of personality, that has to be cultivated the right way to ensure successful adults, as I believe we have discussed before. My daughter is 18 and I still love the hyper spurts of energy she still has and yeah she still has to work hard at focusing. I just get really aggravated when people do not think add and adhd exist at all.
October 3, 2009 11:09 AM

update

Cop notes are posted.
Been having some technical issues there. Part of it was the fax machine, and part of it was windows.
Have I mentioned that I hate Windows Vista? If i haven't, I just want to make it clear that I really do hate it with a passion that grows daily.
What I hate worse is the updates Windows tries to force on your computer.
Ive got it to where my computer can work with vista with no updates, but to get there i have to wipe my hard drive clean and start over with a new installation. That loses all my settings, bookmarks and all that, so its pretty aggravating.
Once the updates start though, my computer goes crazy.
After just a few updates the mouse keys on the laptop are completely disfunctional.
They should just leave bad enough alone eh? I have the windows auto update turned off, but it still manages to get some in there. But that also turns off my auto anti virus updater, so thats not so good.
Ive always been a PC person, but ... if we are going to be treated like this, Im going to seriously look at a Mac next time.

ouch bulldogs

Bulldogs lost at McPherson 66-0 tonight.
Thats one of the best teams in the state. They can be thankfull there's no one else like that on their schedule.

Dexter lost to Norwich 46-0
Burden Central beat Buffalo-Altoona Midway 70-6
Udall beat Oxford 60-14
South Haven beat Cedar Vale 52-24

Sunday night sky

This was forwarded to me in an email, Thought you all might like to see this.

If you look to the eastern horizon as the sun sets this Sunday, you will witness the rising of the 2009 Harvest Moon. The Harvest Moon is defined as the full moon that occurs closest to the Autumnal Equinox, or the first day of fall. The Autumnal Equinox occurred this year on September 22. Many believe the Harvest Moon is always the full moon of October, but that is not always the case. The past two years the Harvest moon has actually occurred in September. Clear nights and low humidity allow the full moons of fall and winter to appear very bright and crisp. Enjoy the view.

Happy Skies!!
Todd Shepherd
Instructor/Chair, Social Science Department
Cowley College
"Sometimes you have to believe it to see it."

First weekend in October - the music

It is depressing - weird even - to think that this is the first weekend of October and I'm NOT up to my ears in the River of Life Music Festival.
There won't be one this year.
Maybe this winter. Maybe next year. I dont think its dead entirely. Just have to wait and see.
Lots of things came together to make me not do it this year.
Part of the reason - and the final reason - was spiritual. My comrade in arms the first year - Telisa Rohr - always talked about following the spirit, and feeling led by the spirit, to do this or that. I don't go on feelings as much as that, but it is still important to have that spiritual certainty.
The first two years I felt that spiritual energy that gives you the faith and strength to do all things by the power of the Lord. I did not really feel that this year. It just was not there. There could be many reasons for that, but, bottom line, without that, it just couldn't happen.
Also the first couple of years, with that spiritual wind behind us, we knew that things would fall into place when they needed to. Things would just appear when needed.
This year, seemed the reverse was happening. There is a critical time, when things need to happen. About the first of August the wheels need to be set in motion. The wheels were just spinning at that time and there seemed to be no traction at all.
Once you get into mid-august, late august, its just too late to make it happen. Once we got into September, there was still no traction, so ... there was no option other than just letting it go.
We tried the monthly concerts, and they were not well attended. I think that sapped some of our energy as well. All these things happened in August, during that critical time, and that is what happened.
I was trying to find a new location. And was hoping to get the Cowley track, where we would still be close to the river and have electricity.
It seemed like it was going well and we were headed in that direction. But when it came down to it, we could not get it. I'm not casting dispersions here, but Cowley officials at first were favorable, but they were concerned about what we might do to the soccer field there. They had a match coming right up a few days later, and were worried that we might mess up the field, so they did not approve it at the end of negotiations.
Wilson Park was still available, and that was a great possibility.
But then, I sent out emails and feelers to see who would be helping me this year. Again, I don't mean to cast stones at anyone, but there just seemed no one was going to be available to help. There were two exceptions, but by and large, there were just not many people at all willing to commit to be there with me. I just needed to know that there would be people available to help out here and there.
I did not have the energy to do it all myself, so that was a huge obstacle.
There was a church that talked about taking it over for this year, but at the end, they decided not to.
The final blow I guess, was when I contacted Remedy Drive. They were our main band the previous two years. They wanted to come, but could not come in October. They are doing
That should not have been such a big deal perhaps. There are other bands.
But, it just seemed to take the final breath out of my sails.
So here we are. First of October. Theres no music.
Im a bit bummed today. But you never know what tomorrow will bring. So we shall see.

ArKansas versus ArkanSAW

People not familiar with Arkansas City, often pronounce the name ArkanSAW City. Locals say ArkanSAS City.

The issue came up during the recent funeral services for Sgt. Tyler Juden.

An Arkansas City woman last week sent the city a possible solution to the problem, which is changing how the name is spelled. City commissioners discussed the idea at their worksession  Thursday evening.

The idea is to change the spelling to ArKansas City, which would make the pronunciation more clear.

“It is a cool idea,” said commissioner Dotty Smith. “It would be a simple way to take care of it.”

 City Attorney Tamara Niles is going to look into the legalities involved and report to the commission at a later date.

Mayor Jay Warren said the people of the city could perhaps vote on such an issue at the next election.

 While commissioners were seeing humor in the issue, they are interested in talking more seriously about it once they find out the legal requirements.

See the full story here

http://arkcityrevived.com/city.html

city commission agenda

Here is what is on the city commission agenda. Worksession today at 5:30 p.m., Regular meeting next Tuesday at 7 p.m.
1. Present Beautification Advisory Board’s Good Neighbor Award to Steve Williams, Wade
Magnus, and Tony Tapia for framing the new Nelson Sensation Award sign and the New
Yard of the Week sign.
2. Present Beautification Advisory Board’s Good Neighbor Award to Melinda Shepherd and
Ronda Frank for the upkeep of the flowers and plants downtown.
3. Review bids and consider resolution awarding contract for Madison Avenue KLINK milling
and overlay project.
4. Review bids and consider resolution awarding contract for Kansas Avenue milling-overlay
and reconstruction project.
5. Consider resolution authorizing the abatement of two vehicles at 420 South C Street.
6. Consider resolution authorizing the transfer of title of real estate located at Third Street
and Oak Street, at the site of the storm sewer line replacement project.
7. Consider ordinances levying various special assessments for code enforcement activities
including weed mowing, debris removal, property maintenance violations, and demolitions.
8. Consider Mayor’s appointments to City Boards.

bypass, circle is open

The bypass is finally open. The traffic circle is in operation. About 11 this morning it seemed to be operating smoothly enough. Im just glad Kansas Ave . is finally open. Ill check on the circle later and see how it is doing. I think once people get used to it they will like it.

Road adventure

In rural northeast Kansas. Its almost 7 p.m., you have a quarter tank of gas. The GPS says its only 9 miles down this dirt road to another road that will take you to a town, that may or may not have a gas station.
what do you do?
My sweet wife hits the gas and off we go.
I shrug and take another look at the paper map and change lenses on my camera.
This is adventure.
The road got pretty rough a couple times, but we made it to the little town just fine. By then it was nearly 8 and time to start looking for a hotel room.
The GPS says there isnt one for 20 miles. But we found one. Ran by some nice Indians. Middle of nowhere but had one of the best WiFi signals ive seen in a long time.
GPS is a great invention, but it is not always right, and it does not always know road conditions. But this road worked out pretty good.