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Author: Noble Dobkins

Suspect In Custody Following Tuesday Night Shooting Death of Riverton Man

Just before 9:00pm on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, emergency personnel were dispatched to a shooting in the 800 block of Columbus Street in Galena.


Cherokee County Emergency Medical Personnel attempted to revive the victim but were unsuccessful.


Levi Porter, age 27, of Riverton, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Cherokee County Deputy Coroner.


Billy Barker, 49, of Galena, was arrested at the scene and transported to the Cherokee County Jail on allegations of 2nd Degree Murder.

Formal charges have not yet been filed.


The investigation is ongoing and being conducted by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and Galena Police Department.

Billy Barker

Boil Water Advisory Rescinded for the City of Galena, Cherokee County

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded a boil water advisory
for the City of Galena public water supply system located in Cherokee County. The advisory was issued
because of a loss of pressure in the distribution system.  Failure to maintain adequate pressure may
result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination. 
Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a
system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil
water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.
Laboratory testing samples collected from the City of Galena indicate no evidence of bacteriological
contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by
KDHE officials to be resolved.  
For consumer questions, please contact the water system at 620-783-5265 or you may call KDHE at
785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:

2022-10-28-Galena-Rescind-BWADownload

You Drink. You Drive. You Lose- is Just Ahead

Drivers are advised that during the period of August 20 through Labor Day, September 7, The Galena Police Department will join other police agencies across Kansas in a crackdown aimed at removing impaired drivers from the roadways during You Drink. You Drive. You Lose.

It is illegal to drive while impaired, yet one person is killed in a drunk driving crash every 52 minutes in the United States. Just one drink before driving can put you and others in danger, because alcohol impairs thinking, reasoning and muscle coordination.

Driving after consuming alcohol or any other potentially impairing substance is a choice you make. According to Chief Charles, The You Drink. You Drive. You Lose enforcement campaign is intended to remind drivers to take a moment to consider how it would be to begin every day with the memory of your decision if it resulted in injury or death. If you are driving impaired, you are not only more likely to crash, but that crash is much more likely to cause serious injury or death. Think about your family, your friends, your coworkers, and neighbors.  Also always wear your seat belt, it’s your best defense against impaired drivers. Every trip, every time.

You can count on this agency to vigorously enforce impaired driving and other traffic laws, not just during this enforcement campaign but all through the year in order to save lives.

Independence Day (4th of July)

As the 4th of July approaches people are starting to ask about the city ordnance on fire works with in the City Limits.

Fireworks may be discharged between the hours of 9:00 am through 10:30 pm on July 1st, 2nd , and 3rd. On July 4th they can be discharged between the hours of 9:00 am and ending at midnight.

BOTTLE ROCKETS PROHIBITED. Bottle rockets and other similar self-propelled firework or fireworks devices consisting of a tube and attached guiding stock or rod shall not be sold or discharged in the city.

DISCHARGE ON STREETS AND PUBLIC PROPERTY PROHIBITED. It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge, ignite or fire any fireworks upon any public street, alley or avenue or in any park or public place within the city.

THROWING PROHIBITED. It shall be unlawful for any person to throw, cast or propel fireworks of any kind in the direction of or into the path of any animal, person or group of persons, or from, in the direction of or into any vehicle of any kind.

Residential Clean Up to Follow City Wide Yard Sales May 2-6th

Galena City Wide Yard Sales have been set for April 30th. Permits can be purchased at City Hall for $5.00. Residential Clean up will be the week following. May 2nd – May 6th. All items must be taken to Jordan Disposal located at 1040 E Front Street. You must bring a current City of Galena Utility Bill and proof of identity. Jordan Disposal will accept items Monday May 2 through Friday May 6th from 7am to 5pm.

PAWPRINTS ON THE HEARTLAND

NEWS RELEASE

Subject:  PAWPRINTS/GALENA

2/18/22

The Pawprints on the Heartland’s low-cost spay/neuter van will be operating in GALENA on TUESDAY, MARCH 8th.

The fee for the spay/neuter surgery for cats and small dogs is $40.00.  Assistance is available for low-income, disabled, and elderly.

All pets must be at least three months old and, on a leash, or in a carrier.  Appointments are necessary and can be made by calling 620-232-0907 on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday between 8:00 am and 1:00 pm.

Only 25 slots are open and will be filled on first call basis. 

To date, over approximately 90,000 pets have been spayed/neutered with this program preventing the birth of millions of homeless animals.

Pawprints is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping control the overpopulation of animals.  Each year thousands of pets in southeast Kansas must be put to death simply because there are not enough homes for them.  Pawprints’ motto is “PREVENTION, NOT DESTRUCTION”.

If you would like to sponsor a spay/neuter for a disadvantaged animal, send your $40.00 donation to PAWPRINTS, P.O. Box 644, Pittsburg, KS 66762

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR POOL MANAGER

Job details

Pay

$350 per week

Job type

  • Part-time
  • Temporary for the 2022 Summer Season

Number of openings for this position

  • 1

Schedule

  • Weekend availability
  • Monday to Friday
  • Day shift
  • Night shift
  • Other

Job description

  • Manage and supervise pool staff; run weekly in-service trainings.
  • Signup lifeguards for first aid, CPR and lifesaving skills classes by a licensed instructor.
  • Create and assist in implementation of new procedures to improve daily operations.
  • Supervise the pool lifeguards, ensuring and enforcing compliance with all establish safety rules and lifeguard certification requirements.
  • Certify in all required fields.
  • Interview, hire and train a full staff.
  • Provide proper first-aidcare for guests that struggle swimming or other first-aid interventions.
  • Maintain, stock, and run day to day concessions.
  • Lead first responder for any medical issues that occur.
  • Train and certify in basic lifeguarding skills, first-aid, and AR/CPR procedures.
  • Complete daily checklist (ensuring pumps, skimmers and drains are operating properly).
  • Obtain and maintain required certifications.
  • Obtain certifications to maintain position.
  • Recruit Lifeguards.
  • Be available for daily hours and parties planned.
  • Hire an assistant manager to help with the day to day operations when not available.

For more information please call the City Clerks office at 620-783-5265 ext. 1. Applications can be found online at www.galenaks.gov. All applications can be returned to the City Clerks office located at 211 W 7th, Galena, Kansas 66739.

COVID TESTING INFORMATION

Please Scan the above QR code with your smartphone or enter www.ivymedical.co/galena to pre-register for your free COVID 19 test. Our Galena, KS site is located at City Hall/Police Station in the Community Room. Drive through testing is available for pre-registered patients, the building is also open for those who wish to come inside. We ask that if you are experiencing any
flu-like symptoms that you stay in your car.

Once you have pre-registered, promptly go to your email and CONFIRM the link (blue lines). Please check your spam as the email is automatically sent after the registration page is complete. If you miss this step, you will not be notified of your results. Please keep track of the PASSWORD you create.

After testing, you will receive an email with results. CLICK THE LINK: Enter your email and password to retrieve results. Rapid test will be available within 2 hours or less and the PCR test will take 24-48 hours for notification.

Trouble with Results? Go to ivymedical.co

Locate the “Need Help w/Covid Results” link Click and Follow the prompts.

Still need help. Email: hello@ivymedical.co

Please know that Ivy Medical is a HIPPA compliant company and use of our software and email notification of test results is the best way to maintain compliance and the safety of your information.

Solid Waste Pickup Update

The Public Works Department will be picking up Thursday and Fridays routes today Friday, February 4, 2022. Please be patient with us as we try and catch up under these weather conditions.