The Hays Daily News

Hays Wind LLC joins lawsuit -9/25/2008, 10:47 AM

County files response to wind lawsuit -9/12/2008, 10:06 AM

Wind opponents file lawsuit -8/26/2008, 9:31 AM

Wind could blow into court -7/28/2008, 8:51 AM

Commissioners approve development plan -7/28/2008, 8:51 AM

Vote: Let 'er blow -7/28/2008, 4:03 PM

Commission says 'yes' -6/25/2008, 7:26 AM

Commissioners waive moratorium -6/2/2008, 11:43 AM

Wind farm company requests waiver -4/16/2008, 12:01 PM

Meridian Way Wind Farm to border U.S. Highway 81 -4/11/2008, 5:21 AM

Wind developer eyes two new locations -2/18/2008, 3:22 AM

Protest draws out wind talk -12/29/2007, 2:06 AM

Denial of permit sparks wind debate -11/23/2007, 2:06 AM

Supporters: No coal, lines means doom -11/12/2007, 2:06 AM

Iberdrola plans more towers -11/7/2007, 11:41 PM

Missouri wind farm is windfall for rural community -10/30/2007, 11:27 PM

Kansas has wind potential, if it is willing to act on it -10/23/2007, 11:26 PM

Wind talk becomes heated -10/2/2007, 11:26 PM

Wind farm company considers paying neighbors -9/13/2007, 11:26 PM

Reaction mixed on wind decision -9/6/2007, 11:26 PM

Hammond: Wind will blow -9/5/2007, 11:16 PM

Gone with the wind -9/4/2007, 11:16 PM

Wind farm decision towering -8/31/2007, 10:41 AM

Wind farm decision Sept. 4 -8/28/2007, 2:48 PM

CPV rep won't be at meeting -8/23/2007, 11:51 AM

Wind decision later this month ... maybe -8/15/2007, 4:18 PM

Springview wind turbines to be retired -7/17/2007, 10:35 AM

Commissioners: Wind farm's fate will wait -7/16/2007, 3:01 PM

Legislature studies effects of wind farms on health -7/15/2007, 4:05 PM

Protest petitions to be discussed -7/15/2007, 4:06 PM

Landowners may get offer from wind company -7/13/2007, 3:01 PM

Vandals deface wind signs -7/2/2007, 3:01 PM

Another wind farm petition reaches county clerk's desk -6/28/2007, 3:06 PM

Protest petition being verified -6/25/2007, 3:06 PM

Advocate of wind says make effort -6/21/2007, 3:06 PM

Supporters file own petition for wind farm -6/20/2007, 3:01 PM

Opponents file protest petition -6/20/2007, 3:01 PM

Opponents gain legal assistance -6/18/2007, 3:06 PM

Officials expect petition -6/18/2007, 3:06 PM

Commission addresses wind protest petition -6/11/2007, 3:06 PM

Wind farm gets nod -6/6/2007, 3:06 PM

Wind farm concerns brought before commission -6/5/2007, 3:06 PM

Wind farm decision looming -6/4/2007, 3:01 PM

-6/3/2007, 3:06 PM

Wind talk brings many voices -5/23/2007, 3:06 PM

Wind power bills just hot air, environmentalists say -5/23/2007, 3:01 PM

Attorney discusses wind farm with commissioners -5/21/2007, 3:01 PM

Wind meeting resumes Wednesday at Ellis County Fairgrounds -5/21/2007, 3:01 PM

Wind farm, zoning cause concerns -5/18/2007, 3:06 PM

Wind farm zoning timeline -5/17/2007, 3:01 PM

Concerns fly about birds -5/15/2007, 3:06 PM

Where the wind blows -5/10/2007, 3:06 PM

CPV says turbines will be pulled back -5/8/2007, 3:01 PM

How other counties in Kansas are benefiting from wind farms -5/8/2007, 3:01 PM

Wind farm gets economical endorsement -5/8/2007, 3:01 PM

Neighbors voice opposition to wind farm -5/3/2007, 3:06 PM

Wind farms can generate more power, but may be deadly to bats and birds -5/3/2007, 4:03 PM

Opponents air wind concerns -5/2/2007, 3:06 PM

Location selection due to wind surveys -4/30/2007, 3:06 PM

Tests to determine wind farm's effect on power grid -4/28/2007, 4:13 PM

Wind farm talk gaining more speed -4/24/2007, 4:12 PM

New counsel for wind farm issues -4/17/2007, 4:14 PM

CPV Wind sold to new company -4/11/2007, 4:14 PM

Jeter resigns from wind farm counsel -4/9/2007, 4:21 PM

Commissioners hear wind farm feedback -4/2/2007, 4:16 PM

Weather forces wind meeting's end -3/28/2007, 4:22 PM

Wind farm debate blows into Hays -3/28/2007, 4:10 PM

Commission to discuss wind farm -3/26/2007, 4:22 PM

Developers ready to file for permit -2/28/2007, 4:23 PM

Wind farm application filed -1/6/2007, 4:20 PM

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Missouri wind farm is windfall for rural community

Published on -10/30/2007, 11:27 PM

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KING CITY, Mo. (AP) -- In operation for less than a year, the Bluegrass Ridge Farm with its giant turbines has become the face of this struggling northwest Missouri community. Missouri's first commercial wind farm has literally been a windfall for this town of about 1,000 residents 80 miles north of Kansas City. Local officials are planning a new $250,000 visitors' center, the county is looking at some much-needed road and infrastructure work, and the school district is thinking about unfreezing teacher salaries and adding computer labs. "We here in this small community are just hanging on," said Dexall Swan, a lifelong King City resident. "Any little bit helps." The wind farm has 27 massive turbines -- which peak at 262 feet and can be seen from miles away -- spread across 6,000 acres of farmland. At times it can be a surreal sight as the giant blades spin steadily in the wind. Since the first turbines started turning in March, tourists have been flocking to the community from St. Joseph, Kansas City and even Iowa to see them. "It sure is a novelty, seeing those big ol' windmills out there turning," Mayor Jim Gillespie said. "We've embraced it." Also embraced is the injection of revenue the wind farm has brought to the county. Next year, more than $300,000 in new property tax money will go into the Gentry County coffers. The school district, which suffered 9 percent budget and personnel cuts a few years ago, is expected to bring about $200,000 more. "This will keep us from having to go back to the taxpayers in the next two to five years," said school district Superintendent Kendall Ebersold. "And it will allow us to become competitive in trying to find the best teachers in the area and retaining the ones we have." Tom Carnahan of St. Louis is the son of late Gov. Mel Carnahan and president of Wind Capital Group, which developed the King City wind farm. He said construction could begin next year on another wind farm just south of town that would be at least twice as big as the first one. "Wind energy is by far the most efficient and cost-effective renewable energy out there," Carnahan said. "Because of that, I think we can expect it to continue to grow." Decisions like one made Kansas' top regulator to reject two coal-powered electricity plants because of concerns about potential carbon emissions seem to support that contention. Kansas has three wind farms up and running, and there could be 10 or more by the end of 2008. At King City, farmers are paid $3,000 a year for each turbine on their property. That means more money will be circulating through town to go along with the influx of money from curious onlookers who come from other areas to see the gigantic turbines. Still, for some residents there is a downside. Charlie Porter, who doesn't have any turbines on his property but several near his home, said the turbines have ruined the lives of his family. "If you don't live underneath one of them and you drive down the highway, they look kind of neat," said Porter, who owns 20 acres in King City. "But for us, it's been a nightmare. They've ruined the equity in our home. The noise keeps us up at night. The shadows invade our home."