News Releases
Friday, March 9, 2012 News from the City of Lawrence
(Sent: 2012-03-09 07:01:54)NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Friday, March 9, 2012 News from the City of Lawrence
1) Reminder to “change your clock, change your batteries” this weekend
2) Lifeguard training class approaching
3) City infrastructure improvement projects for the week of March 12
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Contact: Eve Tolefree, division chief, Lawrence Douglas County Fire Medical, (785) 830-7009
(Lawrence, Kan.) - The Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical Department is urging consumers to replace the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms this weekend for Daylight Saving Time. This year, Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 11. Fresh batteries allow smoke and CO alarms to do their jobs saving lives by alerting families of a fire or a buildup of deadly carbon monoxide in their homes.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates a yearly average of 386,300 residential fires resulting in nearly 2,400 deaths between 2006 and 2008. Two-thirds of fire deaths occur in homes where there are no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. That is why it is important to replace batteries at least once every year and to test your alarms every month to make sure they work. CPSC recommends consumers have smoke alarms on every level of their home, outside bedrooms and inside each bedroom.
CPSC estimates there was an annual average of 183 unintentional non-fire carbon monoxide poisoning deaths associated with consumer products between 2006 and 2008. Carbon monoxide is called the "invisible killer," because it is a colorless, odorless and poisonous gas. Because of this, people may not know they are being poisoned. Carbon monoxide is produced by the incomplete burning of fuel in various products, including furnaces, portable generators, fireplaces, cars and charcoal grills. This is why it is important to have working carbon monoxide alarms in the home, on each level and outside each sleeping area.
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Prepared by: Roger Steinbrock, (785) 832-3458
(Lawrence, Kan.) – Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department’s Aquatic Division is offering classes for individuals to become certified lifeguards and instructors.
Waterpark Lifeguard Training follows the American Red Cross standards teaching participants how to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies both in a pool and at a waterpark environment. Activities in the course prepare participants to recognize and respond quickly and effectively to emergencies and prevent drowning and injuries.
The class is open to those 15 years-old and older and participants must also be able to show they know swimming strokes through a pre-course skill test, which includes being able to swim 300 yards non-stop using a combination of front crawl and breaststroke.
This course satisfies many employers’ requirements for lifeguard positions, including Lawrence Parks and Recreation. Participation in class doesn’t guarantee employment. The class runs 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Friday-Monday, March 16-19. Cost of the program is $190.
Water Safety Instructor also follows the American Red Cross standards on how to instruct infants, children and adults in water safety and swimming lessons. Upon completion of a pre-course skills test, including swimming strokes, on the first day, participants will be admitted into the class. The course is open to those 16 years-old and older.
The class runs 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, March 22-25. Cost of the program is $190.
Fees for both classes include all materials, including books and certifications upond successful completion of the required course components. Both classes will be held at the Indoor Aquatic Center, 4706 Overland Drive.
To register, individuals can enroll online at www.lprd.org or they can visit a Lawrence Parks and Recreation facility, including: the Community Building, 115 West 11th St.; East Lawrence Recreation Center, 1245 East 15th St.; Holcom Park Recreation Center, 2700 West 27th St.; Lawrence Indoor Aquatic Center; Prairie Park Nature Center, 2730 Harper St. or the Administrative Offices, 947 New Hampshire St.
For more information regarding swim lessons, contact the Aquatic Division at (785) 832-7946.
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Contact: Megan Gilliland, communications manager, (785) 832-3406
(Lawrence, Kan.) - Infrastructure improvement projects for the week of March 12
Project: North 3rd Street at the KTA Entrance/Exit
Traffic Impact: The City of Lawrence Street Maintenance crews and Parks and Recreation Department will begin an island repair and beautification project on Monday, March 12, weather permitting, on North 3rd Street at the KTA entrance/ exit. Crews will work during daytime business hours and northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane on North 3rd while crews are working. The entrance/exit to KTA may be affected with narrower lanes but will remain open to thru traffic.
Project: Kasold Street patching
Traffic Impact: City of Lawrence street maintenance crews will begin work on Tuesday, March 6 on Kasold Street, from Bob Billings Parkway to 8th Street, to perform milling and patching of stressed areas. The project is expected to last approximately one month, depending on conditions found during milling. One lane will be closed in the area crews are working. Crews will work Tuesday-Friday on this project only.
Project: 17th and Massachusetts sanitary sewer
Traffic Impact: Private contractors are installing a sanitary sewer as part of the Dillons grocery store reconstruction on Massachusetts between 17th and 19th Street. Crews have been replacing the sanitary sewer in the intersection of 17th and Massachusetts and will continue the project southward on Massachusetts. Approximately 800-feet of sewer will be replaced with the project. The eastern-most lane of Massachusetts Street, from 17th to the entry of the Dillons property, will be affected throughout the replacement and the lane will be opened as construction work moves south from the intersection.
Project: Kaw Water Plant construction
Traffic Impact: The Lawrence Utilities Department began construction on March 5 on transmission piping and valves coming from the Kaw Water Treatment Plant. The project is expected to last through the end of March. This construction will require that the plant be shut down through this time period. Street closures with this project include 3rd Street from Indiana to Mississippi and Indiana Street from 3rd Street to the Burcham Park entrance. The park entrance will remain open and accessible via 2nd Street. Traffic impact scheduled to last through April 6, 2012.
Project: Minnesota Street waterline replacement
Traffic Impact: On March 5, city crews began this project which involves the replacement of a waterline on Minnesota St. from W. 5th to W. 6th Street. The project should be completed April 13 and will be completed during the weekday working hours of 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Work will be completed primarily within the city’s street right-of-way. Temporary No Parking zones will be established in the work site area, in addition to other parking restrictions on an as-needed basis. Cars parked in No Parking zones will be towed. Local traffic access will be maintained at all times. Temporary street closings may occur at intersections while work is in process in the area.
Project: 6th Street turn-lane
Traffic Impact: Private contractors are in the process of extending the roadway on 6th Street, west of George Williams Way. One lane of westbound 6th Street, west of George Williams Way will be closed intermittently during construction, which is expected to last until the end of May.
Project: Levee trail detour for power plant expansion
Traffic Impact: A portion of the Kansas River levee trail has been closed for the construction of the Bowersock Mills & Power Co.’s new plant on the north bank of the Kansas River. A detour on the trail will take users from the trail to city streets crossing at the controlled intersection of 2nd and Locust Streets. Signage will be clearly posted marking the detour route to direct users throughout the detour. The city urges drivers and trail users to use caution when travelling through the intersection. The detour will run for the duration of the project, which is projected to last 20 months (starting April 2011). For more information, contact the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Administrative Office, at (785) 832-3450.
Project: Lawrence Municipal Airport sanitary sewer improvements
Traffic Impact: No impacts at this time, construction activities are currently on hold.
Project: 23rd Street Bridge utilities relocation
Traffic Impact: The Utility Department will relocate the water lines along 23rd Street from Approximately Barker Avenue to just east of the Douglas County Maintenance yard at 711 E. 23rd Street and reconstruct sanitary sewer piping along the Burroughs Creek alignment north and south of E. 23rd Street. The project began in December of 2011 and will continue to June 2012. No traffic impacts to E. 23rd Street are anticipated as part of this project. North Perimeter Road and E. 23rd Street Frontage Road will be closed to through traffic during construction. Access to E. Perimeter Road, Douglas County Maintenance Yard, and businesses along E. 23rd Frontage Road will be maintained at all times during construction.
BUS REROUTES
There will be a transit reroute on Saturday, March 17 for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Specific rerouting information will be available next week and posted to www.lawrencetransit.org. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins at 1:00 p.m.
The parade begins at 1 p.m. Staging will begin as early as 10 a.m. The floats will be staged on Massachusetts, from 17th Street northward.
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