As a part of its severe weather awareness activities, Johnson County's Emergency Management Communication's Department is available to assist residents in programming their weather radios. As the strong storms rolled through the county earlier this week, it's a good reminder to take extra precaution this time of year. Weather radios are especially important since the weather sirens are meant for outdoor notification only. Feel free to take your weather radio to the EMC office on the lower level of the county's Administration Building (111 S. Cherry Street, Olathe) during regular business hours. For more information on ways to become better prepared, check out joco72.org. 

In January 2016, Johnson County District Court held the first Veterans Treatment Court in the state of Kansas. It’s mission — to identify veterans in the criminal justice system and, when eligible, to place them into treatment and court supervision as an alternative to incarceration. Today Johnson County Veterans Treatment Court honored its first graduate from the program. District Court Judge Timothy P. McCarthy, who spearheaded the effort to bring VTC to the county, will presided over the graduation ceremony Feb. 15 at the Johnson County Courthouse.

VTC offers two alternatives to jail time: a diversion track through the Johnson County District Attorney’s office and a probation track through Johnson County Court Services. Both programs allow eligible veterans to voluntarily participate in a 12- to 18-month program composed of court appearances, drug and alcohol testing, treatment, recovery support meetings and a mentorship program.

VTC aims to help veterans who may be suffering from traumatic brain injuries, depression, substance abuse or post-traumatic stress disorder because of their military service. Any eligible veteran can apply to the VTC program. To be eligible, you must be a Kansas resident and eligible for Veterans Affairs benefits or a resident of the county (for Mental Health Center services). Veterans charged with low-level felony or misdemeanor offenses such as DUIs, drug-related charges or domestic violence charges will be considered for the program.

VTC is a collaboration between Johnson County’s Sheriff’s Office, Mental Health Center, District Court, Veterans Administration and the county’s Justice Information Management System.

In 2008, Judge Robert Russell in Buffalo, New York, began the first docket dedicated to veterans after he saw an increase in the number of veterans appearing on his drug and mental health court dockets. Today, more than 250 treatment courts in 40 states offer services to military veterans. VTC programs in Missouri are available in Jackson and Clay counties and the city of Kansas City.

Johnson County Emergency Management and Communications, together with National Weather Service, will present the 2017 Johnson County Storm Spotter Training Monday, Jan. 30 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Mid-America Nazarene University's Bell Cultural Events Center. This training is open to the public, intended for all ages and there is no cost to attend. Meteorologists from the National Weather Service in Kansas City will discuss severe storms and their hazards, how they form and how you can prepare and stay safe this severe weather season!

If you have questions about this training, please contact Trent Pittman at 913-782.-3038.

The year 2016 was an exciting one in Johnson County Government, and there are many more great things to come in 2017. Here's a small sampling of some of the top stories from the year.

1. Kansas' first Veterans Treatment Court launched in Johnson County in January.
2. Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center (JCAHC) construction began Jan. 14.
3. The remodeled Central Resource Library opened Jan. 22 after 280 days of construction.
4. In February, Text to 9-1-1 became available in JoCo & throughout KC region.
5. The county launched its inaugural Citizens Academy program in February.
6. Johnson County Museum's 1950s All-Electric House relocated to JCAHC on April 13.
7. BOCC approved Tomahawk Creek facility upgrades and expansion on May 5.
8. Expanded bus service began in Johnson County routes in July.
9. In July, Johnson County Mental Health Center's co-responder program expanded.
10. Voters approved funding for new county courthouse and coroner facility.