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Galena News

City of Galena announces Police Chief’s Retirement

The City of Galena would like to announce the retirement of Galena Police Chief Billy Joe Charles. Chief Charles will be closing out 26 years in law enforcement/corrections career of distinguished service on September 1, 2024. Chief Charles retired from the military after serving 11 years in the Army then another 12 years in the Missouri National Guard.  Chief Charles has held positions as an Inventory Controller for Lozier Corporation, Platoon Sergeant with Labette Woman’s Correctional Camp, and a Jail Administrator of the Cherokee County Jail before becoming the Police Chief for the City of Galena in February of 2016.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Chief Charles for his dedication and years of service to not only his fellow officers, but the city as a whole.

“Chief Charles has dedicated a huge part of his life to public service and in my opinion, that is the most commendable attribute any person can carry. It’s been an honor to work alongside Chief, as he is a man of integrity, a team player, and a visionary. Thank you, Chief, for pouring your time and energy into bettering our community.” Mayor Ashley Groves.

“Working for the City of Galena has been an honor. When I was young, my grandfather was a Police Officer here. Seeing him in uniform and hearing stories of how he helped those in the community encouraged me to establish a goal to follow in his footsteps. I appreciate the Mayor, Council, co-workers, and community for their support while serving the city, allowing me to achieve this goal, and be able to retire as chief.” Chief Billy Joe Charles. The city wants to acknowledge Chief Charles’ leadership, celebrate his career, and wish him a well-deserved and fulfilling retirement. In the coming weeks, the city will share details regarding the search process for the next Police Chief. Visit our website and/or Facebook page for more details and updates.

Click It or Ticket May 19 – June 2, 2024

Every day we make hundreds of choices. The easiest one should be wearing your seat belt. While it is a fact that seat belts save lives, many still make the choice to not buckle up. In the Click It or Ticket campaign, while all Kansas traffic laws will be enforced, the primary focus will be on the adult seat belt and child safety laws.

During Click It or Ticket, drivers will be met with extra enforcement by our agency.  We will be on the lookout for the unrestrained drivers, passengers, and children traveling our roads. Your seat belt could be what saves you and those riding with you. Insist that everyone in the vehicle is retrained on every trip.

We also want people to know that in the interest of saving lives, The Galena Police Department is committed to ticketing and educating the violators of adult seat belt and child safety laws, as well as other traffic infractions because we want you to be as safe as possible on your travels.

Have you filled out your water line survey?

Dear Water Customer:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently issued regulations requiring all public water supply (PWS) systems to develop a Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) of both water system owned and your privately owned service lines. Your PWS system must submit this inventory to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) by October 16, 2024.

While these contaminants are not in the source water, they can enter tap water through the corrosion of service line piping and older household plumbing materials. Your water system is sending this survey to all customers asking that you complete and return the form below. We thank you for your cooperation in helping us with this to continue to serve clean and safe drinking water to our customers. Please take a few minutes to complete this questionnaire to the best of your ability and return to the address at the end of the questionnaire.

Additional information on the Lead and Copper Rule and identifying lead pipes and plumbing can be found on the KDHE website at: kdhe.ks.gov/547 or at the EPA Website at: epa.gov/dwreginfo/lead-and-copper-rule

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name
Do you have active water service at the address listed above?
If you are unsure on the year your home was built you can visit Cherokee County Appraisers website at https://cherokeecountyks.gov/main/departments/appraiser.
Materials List (Check all the apply)

Plumbing Pipe Material Examples

Poly/Pex

Copper/Lead

Galvanized Steel

PVC

This may be the year the structure was built.

Plumbing Pipe Material Examples

Poly/Pex

Copper/Lead

Galvanized Steel

PVC

Plumbing Pipe Material Examples

Poly/Pex

Copper/Lead

Galvanized Steel

PVC

How old are the pipes inside your house?
During testing, a Water Supply Employee would bring an empty bottle to your house, provide you with documentation and instructions on collecting the sample, and return the next day for pick up.

Fire Hydrant Testing

The fire department will start testing fire hydrants for approximately the next 2 weeks. Starting in Empire tomorrow 4/16/24 and will work their way to the south throughout town.

Cemetery Bid Proposal

The City of Galena, Kansas is requesting bids for cemetery maintenance for Galena Cemetery, Oak Hill Cemetery, and Hillcrest Cemetery. Bid packets may be picked up at Galena City Hall at 211 W 7th Street, Galena, KS 66739 or printed and returned in a sealed envelope.  Bids must be completed, sealed and returned to city hall by 12:00PM on Friday, March 1st, 2024.

You may direct all questions to City Superintendent Josh Reed at 620-783-1991 ext. 2 or email him at j.reed@galenaks.gov

Click to access 2024-Cemetery-Bid-Proposal-1.pdf

Trash Service Delay 1/22/2024

Due to road conditions at this time trash pick up services will be delayed. We will start services as soon as the road conditions improve. Thank you for your patience at this time. For city utility emergencies please call 620-783-5065.