Two long-standing county projects moved forward this week.
County crews helped set storm shelters in five communities on Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
Meanwhile, construction has begun on a communications tower near the landfill. The tower will improve radio communications throughout the county for law enforcement, first responders and public works employees.
Mitch Garner, public works director, gave county commissioners an update on the projects at Tuesday morning’s meeting.
The storm shelters have been discussed for several months, as county leaders wanted to offer protection for residents who don’t have access to such facilities.
Shelters were installed in Mildred, Petrolia, Carlyle, north Iola and two in Savonburg because it is divided by railroad tracks.
The county paid $254,300 for the six shelters. 
Commissioners asked Sheriff Bryan Murphy for advice on how to best secure the shelters. They didn’t want to lock them, as it might be difficult for residents to access the shelters during an emergency. But they also had concerns the shelters could be used inappropriately.
Murphy said he would add the shelters to deputy routes; they will regularly check the shelters.
SIGNS are ready or have already been installed on roads south of Humboldt, where traffic is expected to seek a detour when U.S. 169 is closed there for road construction this summer.
The highway is likely to be closed just south of Humboldt, but heavy truck traffic will need to access county roads to reach industries like B & W Trailer Hitches and Monarch Cement Company.
The speed limit on those roads will be reduced to 45 mph starting in May.
Commission Chairman Jerry Daniels said he’s already heard grumblings from motorists who aren’t happy about the reduction in speed.
“Bear with us,” he said.
The construction project is expected to take about six months.
Garner also gave an update on the U.S. 54 construction project at a railroad overpass. That project is now expected to be completed by mid-May.
IN OTHER news, commissioners:
• Agreed to allow the county to use the Humboldt Senior Center as a polling location in Humboldt. The county currently rents a church, but they own the senior center building and would not need to pay that rental fee. A special election is planned for May 24 for voters in USD 258 to decide a school bond issue.
