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Downtown Olathe Jail Facility Closed for Remodeling The Johnson County Jail located in Olathe, Kansas is closed effective immediately. All inmates and staff have been transferred to the Johnson County jail located in New Century, Kansas. The consolidation of both jails into the New Century facility is expected to produce $4.5 million dollars in savings through deferred hiring and a reduction in farming inmates out to other counties. The closure of the Olathe facility will last approximately two years while the jail is remodeled into an Intake and Reception Center. The remodeled Olathe jail will be where all agencies in the county will bring arrestees to be booked, processed and held for up to 72 hours before being either released or housed at the New Century jail. The Olathe Jail has been operating 24 hours per day for almost 22 years since opening in August, 1988. This is the largest renovation to the facility since its opening. With the 554 bed addition to the Phase II facility in New Century, the Sheriff’s Office is able to move all inmates from the Olathe facility and bring back farmout inmates being housed in county jails around the State of Kansas. This closure is in part possible due to the current numbers of inmates that are in custody. In the last week of 2009, the inmate population averaged 771 and the current available bed space at the New Century Jail totals 818. The cost of the remodel will be approximately $25,000,000 and will include technology upgrades, infrastructure upgrades, exterior upgrades and enlarging of the booking, intake and classifications areas to accommodate the over 17,000 inmates booked annually into the Johnson County Jails. Health Department offers cold weather safety tips With freezing temperatures forecasted, it is important to prepare your environment and your body to reduce the risk of weather-related problems. The Johnson County Health Department and the Johnson County Library System encourages all citizens who need a place to stay warm to visit one of thirteen library branches in the county. The hours of different branches vary by location. Citizens can call (913) 495-2400 or go to www.jocolibary.org to check hours of operation for their nearest library. Conserve Heat - Keep as much heat as possible inside your home. Avoid unnecessary opening of doors or windows and close off unneeded rooms. Stuff towels or rags in cracks under doors and cover windows at night. Monitor Body Temperature - Older adults often make less body heat because of a slower metabolism and less physical activity. Those more than 65 should check the temperature in their home often. Infants less than one year old should never sleep in a cold room. They lose body heat easily and can’t make enough body heat by shivering. Infants should have warm clothing and be kept indoors in warm, consistent temperatures. Eat and Drink Wisely - Well-balanced meals help you stay warmer. Alcoholic or caffeinated beverage causes your body to lose heat more rapidly. Drink warm, sweet beverages or broth to help maintain your body temperature. If you have any dietary restrictions, ask your doctor. Outdoor Safety – Stay indoors in the heat as much as possible. Make any trips outside as brief as possible, dress warmly and stay dry. Adults and children should wear a hat, scarf or knit mask to cover the face and mouth, sleeves that are snug at the wrist, mittens, a water-resistant coat and boots and several layers of loose-fitting clothing. Wet clothing chills the body rapidly. Avoid excess perspiration by removing extra layers of clothing whenever you feel too warm. Do not ignore shivering – it’s an important first sign that the body is losing heat. Persistent shivering is a signal to return indoors. Public Works prepares to clear roads with arrival of another winter storm
The New Year has started with another round of snow on the way for Johnson County. On Wednesday, Jan. 6, Johnson County was in the bull’s eye of a new winter storm advisory issued by the National Weather Service with a forecast of up to 6 inches of new snowfall along with strong winds that will cause much of it to drift. That meant another busy day and night for the crews of the Johnson County Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. The crews worked 12-hour shifts during the snow storms on both the Christmas and New Year weekends. “During this period, the county plowed almost a million tons of snow and placed 1,600 tons of salt on roadways. The Public Works Department has expended just under $200,000 since the first snow storm in December on labor, equipment, and material on what the news media reports as a snow accumulation of about 18 inches,” Mac Andrew, director of the department, said. “The JoCo ‘snow team’ missed time with their families on Christmas and New Year’s providing public service to our citizens. They are prepared to deal with the upcoming cold and snow expected over the next week." On Wednesday, the department’s snow-clearing crews were getting their trucks and equipment ready at the department’s complex in west Olathe. They also were preparing for the upcoming storm by plowing back the snow adjacent to the roads to make more room for the upcoming snow. The crews start early, when the snow begins to accumulate and drift, and end late, working around the clock during inclement weather to make the roadways as safe and passable as possible. Chris Butler, director of operations, said the department can dispatch up to 14 trucks for use in clearing the county’s 273 miles of paved roadways. When dispatched, the county employees will treat the road surfaces with a mixture of salt to treat the ice/snow and sand to improve traction of vehicles traveling on county roadways. Johnson County still has 3,000 tons of salt on hand to treat slick roadways and keep the icy surfaces from refreezing. The department stores its salt supplies in two large domes at its complex. The department anticipates the receipt of additional salt in the next two weeks. “We’re still in pretty good shape,” Butler said. “We’ll be watching the weather forecast like everyone else, but we are well prepared and are ready to go.” Andrew agreed. “Our Public Works Department is trained and prepared to handle whatever Mother Nature has in store for us,” he said. “The department is always on standby when a winter storm approaches. Our employees will respond to the storm to ensure that our roadways are safe.” The Public Works Department’s initial snow-plowing, road-treating activities generally focus on the county’s arterial or main roadways and hilly sections of rural neighborhoods to provide safer driving conditions for Johnson County motorists. Once the main roads have been plowed, county crews then begin clearing the paved secondary roadways. The 239 miles of gravel roads in Johnson County are usually only plowed if the snow accumulation is more than 3 inches or blocked by drifting snow. The department has a “snow emergency” telephone number for requests to clear a roadway after the office is closed for regular business or for additional information about the county’s snow-plowing policy. That number is (913) 782-1307. Johnson County residents living in cities should contact their local city public works departments regarding the plowing and clearing of roads and streets in their communities. Johnson County Board of Commissioners January 7 Meeting Canceled Due to severe winter weather forecasted to affect the metropolitan area through tomorrow evening, the regular meeting of the Johnson County Board of Commissioners scheduled for Thursday, January 7, 2010, has been canceled. Johnson County Government offices are expected to be open on Thursday, January 7. The Board of County Commissioners will meet next week on Thursday, January 14, beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the Board’s hearing room located on the third floor of the County Administration Building in downtown Olathe, Kan. Johnson County Warming Centers The Johnson County Health Department encourages all citizens to understand the health risks of this cold weather and stay warm and sheltered in the below freezing temperatures. Johnson County Libraries are closed today due to the weather, but all other Johnson County Government buildings are open (normal business hours) for people who may need to warm up. Serious health problems can result from prolonged exposure to the cold. The most common cold-related problems are hypothermia and frostbite. When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your body’s stored energy and result in hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. Warnings signs of hypothermia are shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness. Seek medical attention quickly. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas. It most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and severe cases can lead to amputation. The risk of frostbite is increased in people with reduced blood circulation and among people who are not dressed properly for extremely cold temperatures. At the first signs of redness or pain in any skin area, get out of the cold or protect any exposed skin—frostbite may be beginning. A victim is often unaware of frostbite until someone else points it out because the frozen tissues are numb. If you detect symptoms of frostbite, seek medical care.
For more information go to the Center for Disease Control’s website: http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/ . Johnson County offers Legislative Hotline Johnson County Government again is offering a toll-free hotline to the Kansas Legislature during the upcoming 2010 session that began Monday, January 11, in Topeka. By dialing the county’s main switchboard at (913) 715-5000, callers can be connected to the Kansas Governor’s staff and to the offices of members of Johnson County’s legislative delegation in both the State House of Representatives and the Senate. The hotline only operates during the legislative session ¬ from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Another toll-free hotline is offered by the Legislative Reference Section of the Kansas State Library, providing access to state legislative activity, messages to legislators, the status of bills, voting records, and other important documents and information. That number is 1-800-432-3924. Seasonal Flu Vaccine Available Flu season has not yet peaked in Kansas, so it’s not too late to get your seasonal flu shot. The Johnson County Health Department has vaccine available for $25 for those six months and older, while supplies last. Flu vaccine is available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday. No appointment is necessary. Both clinic sites have the vaccine: 11875 S. Sunset 6000 Lamar “The peak months for flu are January through March, so it’s not too late to get the vaccine. We want to protect as many people as possible,” Lougene Marsh, Johnson County Health Department Director, said. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) an estimated 114,000 people are hospitalized as a result of influenza-associated infections each year and 36,000 Americans die each year from influenza. The flu is typically spread from one person to another from coughing and sneezing. Washing your hands, covering your cough, and staying home when you are sick will help decrease the spread of flu and other illnesses. For updated information on the vaccine, go to www.jocoflu.org. Christmas Tree recycling deadline extended until Jan. 31 at three The deadline for post-holiday contributions of discarded natural Christmas trees at three Johnson County Park & Recreation District locations has been extended until Jan. 31. The original deadline was Jan. 18. Collection sites are:
Trees will be collected at all three sites during regular park winter hours, 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Some of the trees will be mulched for use on trails and in landscaping while others will be used to improve fish habitat in Shawnee Mission Park. No yard waste will be accepted - only Christmas trees. Wrappers should be removed from the discarded trees as well as any remaining decorations; particularly "icicles" and decorations made from mylar, shiny plastic, or aluminum. There is no charge for the disposal of trees. This program is funded in part by the proceeds from a JCPRD employee recycling program. For additional information, call District Forester Kevin Smith at (913) 441-8669. County rezones land for new park Johnson County has rezoned approximately 55 acres for a new park in the southeast corner of the county. On Thursday, January 14, the Johnson County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a request from the county’s Park and Recreation District to rezone the undeveloped acreage for the proposed Stilwell Community Park. The action rezoned the site from Planned Research, Development, and Light Industrial Park District, authorized in 1984, to Rural District. The triangular park site, located north of 207th Street at Walmer Street, is southeast of the Missouri Pacific Railroad tracks. Walmer Street is approximately a half mile west of Nall Avenue. The Park and Recreation District, which purchased the acreage in 1999, will own the park. The district will coordinate with the Stilwell Community Organization (SCO), a nonprofit group, to develop the new public park. In partnership with the district, a subcommittee of the organization, the SCO Park Development Committee, will oversee the maintenance, marketing, and management of the park though a future lease agreement with the district and the Board of County Commissioners. Plans include multipurpose fields, a gravel parking lot, a trail path on the east side of the Camp Branch Creek of the Blue River, a playground, park entrance monument sign and gate, covered shelter, temporary restrooms, landscaping, and lighting. Funding for development of the park, which is planned in phases, has not been authorized by the Board of County Commissioners. Limited work on the first phase of the project, however, is anticipated to start by mid-2010. Proposed funding for the trail path has been included in the county’s Capital Improvement Program for 2013. County Commissioners names Jim Allen as 2010 vice chairman The Johnson County Board of Commissioners elected Second District Commissioner Jim Allen on Thursday, January 14, as its new vice chairman for 2010. He succeeds Ed Peterson, Fairway, commissioner from the First District, who served as the 2009 vice chairman. The vice chairman assumes and performs the duties of Chairman Annabeth Surbaugh whenever she is unavailable and because of temporary absence or disability. The election of Allen as the 2010 vice chairman occurred Thursday during the Board’s weekly business session. He was the only Board member nominated for the position. The nomination was approved by unanimous vote with Allen abstaining. “It’s an honor and privilege to be selected as vice chairman by my colleagues,” Allen said. “I am proud to serve the Board in that role in the year ahead and will do so with the best interest of the public and county at heart.” It marks the first time Allen has served as the Board’s vice chairman since assuming his duties as Second District commissioner in January 2009. He is a Second District native – born, reared, and educated in Shawnee where he continues to work and live. Allen has been a State Farm Insurance agent for 30 years, served as mayor of Shawnee from 1993-2004, and represented Ward 1 on the Shawnee City Council from 1989-1993 and Ward 4 from 1983-1987. llen and Julie, his wife of 35 years, have four sons – Zack, Josh, Nick, and Justin, and one granddaughter, Abby. County Offers Public Severe Weather Awareness Training Johnson County Emergency Management & Homeland Security is offering a free public severe weather awareness training presentation on February 1, 2010, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Pioneer Trail Junior High School at 15100 W. 127th Street, Olathe, Kansas. Anyone from the public is welcomed and encouraged to attend to learn more about severe weather events. The presentation will by approximately two (2) hours long and is provided by a highly trained meteorologist from the National Weather Service. The presenter will discuss various aspects of severe weather including physical characteristics, storm spotting, and personal safety. “This type of training is vital to continue to prepare Johnson County for all hazards and emergencies,” stated Nick Crossley, Director of Johnson County Emergency Management & Homeland Security. “Providing these types of educational opportunities for our citizens is a priority preparedness activity.” If local citizens are interested in the training but are unable to physically attend the event, they may watch it live at www.jocoem.org/cit/live.shtml. For more information about Johnson County Emergency Management & Homeland Security, visit www.jocoem.org. To follow Johnson County Emergency Preparedness via social media, visit www.jocoem.org/links.shtml. Black History Month programs At Johnson County Library In celebration of Black History Month, the Johnson County Library will host several special events in February: Tuesday, February 2, 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 10, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday February 10, 4:00 p.m. Thursday, February 11, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, February 20, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m For information about Black History and African-American authors beyond these programs, contact Johnson County Library staff who can recommend books and other resources, or visit the Library’s Web site, www.jocolibrary.org. Johnson County Library programs are open to the public and free of charge. Interpretive services and other accommodations for those with special needs are available. Please request from library staff 48 hours or more in advance of scheduled event. For additional information on library programs visit www.jocolibrary.org or call (913) 495-2400. Johnson County Library offers Free computer and genealogy classes Xploring Genealogy, Part I – Monday, February 1, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Xploring Genealogy, Part II – Monday, February 15, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Basic PC (Personal Computers) – Thursdays, February 11 & 25, 2:00 p.m. Introduction to Microsoft Excel 2007 –Tuesdays, February 2 & 16, 6:30 p.m. Introduction to Microsoft Word 2007 – Thursday, February 18 and Tuesday, February 23, 6:30 p.m. Introduction to Microsoft Powerpoint 2007 – Thursday, February 4, 6:30 p.m. Find Travel Information on the Internet – Thursday, February 25, 7:00 p.m. For more information call (913) 495-2400. Interpretive services and other accommodations for those with special needs are available by contacting Library staff at least 48 hours in advance of the program. Johnson County Health Department to offer H1N1 Clinic The Johnson County Health Department is offering a public H1N1 vaccination clinic on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The clinic will be at the Central Resource Library’s Carmack Community Room, 9875 W. 87th Street, Overland Park, KS 66212. Vaccine is free of charge. Vaccine will be administered on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be plenty available for those interested in getting vaccinated. Save some time in line! Consent forms as well as vaccine information sheets will be provided before the clinic at www.jocoflu.org. It is encouraged to have the form printed and filled out when you arrive at the site. For additional information, go to www.jocoflu.org, or call the flu information line at (913) 826-1263 from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Constituent Services offers help The Constituent Services Bureau, located in the office of the Johnson County Board of Commissioners, is the place for Johnson County citizens to contact when they have a problem and do not know where to go to solve it. Constituent Services works with all Johnson County departments and agencies as well as city, state, and federal government officials to address complaints, solve problems, and answer questions of local residents. “Determining which government agency is responsible for what and who you should call can be a daunting and often frustrating experience,” Constituent Services Manager Josie Stramberg said. “We hope that we can be a ‘one-stop shop’ to provide citizens and the community at-large with timely, accurate, and conveniently-accessible information about County Government and its services and programs.” The primary mission of the Board of County Commissioners’ Constituent Services Bureau is to allow government to be accessible and responsive in addressing citizens’needs. Constituent Services serves as a conduit for the people of Johnson County to communicate their concerns and opinions to their elected officials. The services are free and confidential, and they are always provided in a non-adversarial, neutral manner. “Many times, I’ve said my personal goal is to bring the county government to the people, and the people to County Government,” Chairman Annabeth Surbaugh said. Citizens can become a fan of the Johnson County Constituents Services Facebook page to keep up with County activities, or if they need information or assistance and are not sure where to go first, they can try the new Constituent Services Bureau website at http://service.jocogov.org. The staff also can be reached by calling (913) 715-0450 during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 The Constituent Services Bureau is located in the office of the Board of County Commissioners in the Johnson County Administration Building, Suite 3300, 111 S. Cherry Street, in downtown Olathe.
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Johnson County Snow Removal Video