Greensburg

From rubble to reconstruction. Monday marks two years since an EF5 tornado ripped through the town of Greensburg, leveling nearly everything in its path. Since that night, the community has mourned the loss of friends, feared the changes it would have to make and celebrated the town's new beginnings. All under the leadership of three different mayors. A lot can change in two years, from what Greensburg looked like on the night of May 4, 2007, to who the community's looking at to lead them 731 days later.

Monday marks two years since a devastating tornado hit the Kiowa County town of Greensburg. The 200 mile an hour winds took out homes, businesses, and for a while, hope the town would ever bounce back. But 24 months later, the community has gone from caution tape to construction zones.   As one of the only buildings to make it through the tornado, what's being done to the Kiowa County Courthouse is more than just aesthetic. Whether they realize it, construction crews are repairing people's confidence at the same time.

(GREENSBURG, Kan.) It's been one of the more talked about buildings in Greensburg. An incubator giving small businesses a place to set up shop while their more permanent location is under construction. The building was officially dedicated Friday by city leaders. Three businesses have already moved in, two that are brand new to Greensburg. Greensburg city officials say getting businesses back up and running has to be one of the top priorities in the rebuilding process.

by Jennifer Searle (GREENSBURG, Kan.) The small Kansas town leveled by a tornado takes another step in rebuilding green. Today the city of Greensburg, Kansas Power Pool and John Deere Renewables announced plans for a Greensburg Wind Farm. Ten windmills are planned.  Those behind the project say it will be able to supply the whole town with energy. Groundbreaking on the farm could happen this summer.  Operation could begin next year

by Robert Marin (GREENSBURG, Kan.) There is another sign of recovery in the town of Greensburg. The South Central Kansas Tornado Recovery Ogranization is ending its operations in the tornado-ravaged city and turning over its efforts to the local ministerial alliance. SCKTRO was a temporary organization formed after the May 2007 tornado to help coordinate efforts from volunteers and charity groups. As the city moves forward with rebuilding, those efforts will now be handled by an already existing alliance of Kiowa County churches.

by Cindy Klose   (WICHITA, Kan) The Mayor of Greensburg is back in Kansas after a visit to the nation's capital. Mayor Bob Dixson says he was proud to represent Greensburg and Kiowa County at the President's address to Congress Tuesday night. President Obama mentioned Dixson and Greensburg's efforts to rebuild the town in environmentally friendly ways after the May 2007 tornado. Dixson was invited to the speech by the White House and sat with first lady Michelle Obama.

It's not everyday the Governor, the Homeland Security Secretary and people, packed shoulder to shoulder, show up for the opening of a grocery store. Govenor Kathleen Sebelius told the crowd, "The Greensburg model will be built across this country and you should feel very proud of that...that's a good thing. " Dillons officially dedicated their new "green" grocery store in Greensburg on Wednesday. But for people in the community, the building is more than bricks and mortar, it's a sign of how far they've come.

GREENSBURG, Kan. (AP) - Greensburg City Administrator Steve Hewitt has been named American City and County Magazine's 2008 Municipal Leader of the Year. Hewitt became well-known for his work helping Greensburg recover from a May 2007 tornado that all but flattened the town. The magazine says the award is for "someone who has vision beyond their leadership and courage beyond the officialness of their title. " Every year, the magazine invites its 80,000 national subscribers to nominate individuals for the award.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) - Community leaders are hoping that Greensburg's recovery efforts continue remain largely unscathed by the economic crisis. Greensburg City Administrator Steve Hewitt tells The Hutchinson News that anything could tip the city in any direction as it tries to recover from the May 2007 tornado that nearly destroyed the town. Hewitt said that through conversations with local bankers he has learned that, generally, people with good credit are still able to get loans to build new houses.

By Megan Strader (GREENSBURG, Kan.) Hammers make the sound filling the air on the corner of Grant and Sycamore in Greensburg. A spot Habitat for Humanity will call home for the next month. It's all part of the process to give people like Ray Quinoes a place he can call home. "This is my first home ever. I didn't get to have a house before. " Like most everyone in Greensburg, the home he rented was destroyed by the May '07 tornado. But in less than a month, hundreds of volunteers will help turn nails and boards into a brand new home for him and his daughter.