Minneapolis Messenger

Information may not be reliable

County issue burn ban
Due to dry weather and vegetation conditions, the Ottawa County Commissioners have issued a burn ban for Ottawa County as of November 1, 2010 until further notice.
The burn ban prohibits any outdoor burning without a written permit that can only be issued by the fire chief or assistant fire chief of the burn site jurisdiction. A permit can also be issued by the Ottawa County sheriff or undersheriff.
Criminal prosecution for any person violating the burn ban may be implemented and is punishable by a fine of up to $2500 and one year in jail.

Pat Baccus keeps a smile on her face as health department nurse Trisha Smith gives her a flu shot during the clinic held Wednesday in downtown Minneapolis. A total of 177 residents received the flu vaccine during the three-hour event.

Carver selected for 8 Wonders of Kansas People
The Kansas Sampler Foundation has announced that George Washington Carver, a former resident of Minneapolis, is one of the winners in the 8 Wonders of Kansas People contest.
Carver was an agri-scientist, botanist, educator humanitarian and inventor who was best known for discovering hundreds of uses for peanuts, soybeans, sweet potatoes and pecans, and for developing crop-rotation methods. Carver was a resident of Minneapolis from 1880 to 1884. A large exhibit honoring him is on display at the Ottawa County Historical Museum….

USD 239 Board holds short meeting
Due to illness and travel, one USD 239 board member took part in the October board meeting via the telephone so that the board would reach a quorum. Because of the lack of attendance, a very short meeting was held.
MJSHS Principal Jay Macy reported a low turnout for parent-teacher conferences, with approximately 49 percent of junior high parents and 55 percent of high school parents attending the sessions.
Principal Pat Anderson said 360 parents participated in the parent-teacher conferences at MGS, with close to 95 percent of the students being represented by their parents. She also reported that the annual trash bag sales by MGS students resulted in the school receiving nearly $11,000….

USD 240 Board approves TV channel for district
During the October meeting of the USD 240 Board of Education, the board approved the development of a TV channel for Twin Valley schools through Twin Valley Communications.
The board also approved the purchase of My Learning Plan software for use in professional development record keeping, and the purchase of a Mimio technology system for classroom use.
John Adam was appointed as the delegate to the Kansas Association of School Board's convention in December with remaining board members designated as alternates.
Jane Small was hired as Tescott Jr. High assistant girls' basketball coach.
Time changes this weekend
Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. this Sunday, November 7. Most people will choose to set their clocks back one hour when they go to bed on Saturday night.
Since the Energy Policy Act of 2005 the starting of daylight saving time begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.
This change in time is also used as a reminder to change the batteries in smoke and fire detectors and in carbon monoxide detectors.