State health officials continue to warn you away from a lake in Atchison County, Kansas because of a blue-green algae bloom.

Six lakes are listed in the warning, including Atchison County Park Lake.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) samples publicly accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.

Lakes under a Warning are not closed. Marinas, lakeside businesses and park camping facilities are open for business. If swim beaches are closed, it will be specifically noted. Drinking water and showers at parks are safe and not affected by algae blooms. Boating and fishing are safe on lakes under a Warning, but contact with the water should be avoided. It is safe to eat fish caught during a harmful blue-green algae outbreak, as long as the fish is rinsed with clean water; only the fillet portion is consumed and all other parts are discarded. Hands should also be washed with clean water after handling fish taken from an affected lake. Zoned lakes may have portions fully open for all recreation even if other portions are under a Warning.

In a news release, KDHE says Kansans should be aware that blooms are unpredictable. They can develop rapidly and may float around the lake, requiring visitors to exercise their best judgment. If there is scum, a paint-like surface or the water is bright green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.

Public Health Warning: High levels of toxic blue-green algae have been detected. A Public Health Warning indicates that activities like boating and fishing may be safe; however, direct contact with water (i.e., wading, skiing and swimming) is strongly discouraged for people, pets and livestock.

Kansas public waters currently under a Warning status:
ATCHISON COUNTY PARK LAKE, Atchison County
CENTRAL PARK LAKE, Shawnee County
LAKE AFTON, Sedgwick County
MILFORD RESERVOIR (Zones A and C), Clay, Dickinson and Geary Counties
OVERBROOK CITY LAKE, Osage County
SOUTH LAKE (Overland Park), Johnson County

A dozen Missouri prosecutors have filed a legal action to prevent the issue of marijuana legalization from going on the November ballot. The prosecutors contend it would be unconstitutional to place it on the ballot because federal law currently makes marijuana an illegal controlled substance.

Possession, manufacturing or distribution of it are a crime under federal law. They assert that Missouri law cannot usurp federal law.

“Missouri’s prosecutors are sworn to uphold the Constitution of Missouri and the Constitution of the United States,” Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Dan White said in a news release. “The Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution, and the Missouri Constitution itself, are clear: Missouri law cannot contradict Federal law.”

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said Missouri prosecutors have great empathy for those who suffer serious pain or discomfort and seek therapeutic relief. But the FDA has authority to approve the components of marijuana for prescription use.

The news release also notes that just last week, the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency rejected calls to re-classify marijuana itself, and maintained it as a Schedule I controlled substance, meaning that marijuana has a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. The DEA has announced that it will expand opportunities for legitimate scientific research, which will help determine whether safe components of marijuana are effective for treatment and can be separated from marijuana’s dangerous components.

“Nationwide, a well-financed movement of those who seek to peddle this dangerous drug has increased pressure to decriminalize and legalize marijuana,” said Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd. “Marijuana proponents paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to professional signature gatherers in Missouri to try to put this issue on the ballot. They fell short and now they are hoping a court will bail them out.”

Zahnd noted that Missouri has rejected attempts to make marijuana freely available three times in the past year—twice in the legislature and now through the petition process.

“No amount of money can get around the rule of law and circumvent constitutional principles,” Zahnd said. “We are confident the courts will end this misguided effort and uphold the Missouri Constitution.”

Other prosecutors in the suit include:
Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney Dwight Scroggins; Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Chris Limbaugh; Christian County Prosecuting Attorney Amy Fite; Greene County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Patterson; Pulaski County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Hillman; St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney Timothy A. Lohmar; St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch; St. Louis City Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce; and Stone County Prosecuting Attorney Matt A. Selby.

A 38-year-old Rock Port man waived his preliminary hearing Thursday on attempted murder and other charges.

Steven Jones was charged in July after a fight at a home in Tarkio. Investigators say the victim, Jake McRaven, was able to subdue Jones twice before Jones allegedly grabbed a knife and attacked again. In court documents, officials say the fight continues, and that Jones allegedly kicked in the door of McRaven’s house and continued to threaten the victim.

Jones is charged Attempted 2nd-Degree Murder, Assault, Burglary, Armed Criminal Action and a misdemeanor count of Property Damage in the 2nd Degree.

On Thursday Jones waived his right to a preliminary hearing, and was bound over for Circuit Court arraignment September 6.

He remains in custody unable to post $500,000 bail.

Loud booming sounds resounded through downtown St. Joe Thursday, signalling the end of one era and the beginning of another.

Demolition got underway at the City parking garage at 8th and Felix Thursday. Inside the fenced enclosure, crews punched holes through the top floor of the facility, leaving piles of shattered concrete inside the garage below. That concrete, along with some fixtures and other remnants, will have to be hauled away.

Officials at Mosaic Life Care announced earlier that the garage will be replaced by a three-story parking facility with 300 parking spaces, including 150 available to the public. It will also include retail space and a grocery store on the first floor.

A member of the crew said the demolition is expected to take a couple of weeks.

The 2016 Media Day blood drive in St. Joseph raised enough units of blood Wednesday to help hundreds of people.

According to Betty Tinker with the Community Blood Center, 194 donors were registered and 177 units of blood were collected at the blood drive held at the East Hills Shopping Center.  She said that’s enough to help up to 531 people.

“This is an increase of 96 units over last year,” Tinker said.

For more information on how to donate blood CLICK HERE.