Blue-Green Algae Hits 7 More Kansas Lakes
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued blue-green algae warnings for three lakes. KDHE says wading, swimming, and water-skiing should be prohibited in South Park Lake in Johnson County, Marion Lake in Marion County, and Memorial Park Lake in Barton County. The agency also issued advisories for four lakes, including Mildford Lake in Clay, Geary, and Dickinson counties, Old Herington Lake in Dickinson County, and Lake Warnock in Atchison County. An advisory means direct contact with untreated lake water is strongly discouraged for humans and animals.
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Ogallala Aquifer Proposal Rejected by Voters
SCOTT CITY, Kan. (AP) A proposal to reduce irrigation pumping from the Ogallala Aquifer has been rejected by voters in western Kansas. The proposed creation of a Local Enhanced Management Area was defeated 173-158 in a recent vote by water rights holders and property owners in a five-county district. A 2012 Kansas law provides for creation of such management areas specifically to extend the life of the aquifer. The board of Groundwater Management District Number 1 asked voters to approve a six-year plan to reduce pumping for irrigation by 20 percent. The proposal won in Lane, Scott, and Wichita counties, but lost in Greeley and Wallace counties.
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2 Teens Killed in Crash
HARPER, Kan. (AP) Two southern Kansas teenagers are dead and three others are hospitalized after a two-vehicle crash southeast of Harper. The Kansas Highway Patrol says 17-year-old Ayron David Maurer of Harper and 18-year-old Samuel Michael Cook of Anthony were killed in the crash Friday afternoon. One passenger was listed in critical condition; two other passengers are listed in serious condition.