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Firefighters traded their gear for purrs and whiskers Monday as they teamed up with Pawsprints of the Heartland to help promote cat adoptions. Instead of responding to a fire call, members of the fire department posed with adult cats in need of homes. Read more: www.koamnewsnow.com - RSS Results in news/local-news of type article

Finney County has hired Derek Ramos as its next county administrator after a nationwide search. Ramos is currently the assistant city manager in Garden City and has more than 17 years of experience in government, education, construction management, and financial advising. He also served nearly a decade as dean of facilities management at Garden City Community College. Read more: KSN-TV

Wichita Park & Recreation is finding creative ways to conserve water during ongoing drought conditions. This week, the department announced that its Aquatics, Park Maintenance, and Golf divisions are teaming up to reuse water from Aley and McAfee Pools. Instead of sending the water down the drain, the Park Maintenance team is pumping it out and transporting it to ponds at MacDonald Golf Course. Read more: KSN-TV

Voters will decide this fall whether to approve nearly $28 million in school improvements that would bring all Oakley students under one roof. The $27,995,000 proposal would expand the high school into a single PreK–12 campus and demolish the district’s elementary and middle schools. Julie Crum, USD 274 Superintendent, said the work is badly needed. Read more: KSN-TV

An opening date has been set for the new gambling and entertainment center that will occupy the former Wichita Greyhound Park. The property, initially known as the Golden Circle historic horse racing facility, is now being called Gilley's and is scheduled to open on Dec. 15. Developed by Wichita businessman Phil Ruffin, the facility will feature approximately 1,000 historic horse racing machines. Read more: KSN-TV

Construction begins on a key Pittsburg waste treatment facility set to bring the old building up to code. Experts say these kinds of facilities take sewage from homes and businesses and remove the harmful chemicals found in them like nitrogen and phosphorus and then pump the water back out into the environment, strengthening local ecosystems and making the water consumable for the citizens of the community. Read more: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com

Ashland and Bucklin nearly missed the kickoff for the 2025 football season, if not for a few last-minute changes. The schools realized, after declaring themselves as eight-man teams to the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) two years ago, that they didn't have the athletes to fill their rosters. The Friday night lights for these towns will look different this year, since the solution to their problem incurred some penalties. Read more: KSN-TV

A new study is shedding light on the challenges that rural counties face when managing clean energy projects like wind farms. The Kansas Health Institute is a non-profit organization that provides research for policy makers here in Kansas. They've concluded that when it comes to managing wind energy projects, rural county governments in Kansas could benefit from more information and resources from the state. Read more: KSNT 27 News

As you have already heard, unemployment continues to rise for both Emporia and Lyon County as a whole and local leaders and experts have the answers as to what is causing the increase; however, when it comes to what will halt it, that’s a bit trickier to say. As KVOE News reported recently, Emporia’s unemployment rate remains the highest in the state for the second consecutive month, going from 5.8 to 6.5 percent between July and June. Meanwhile, the county’s unemployment rate is currently tied for third third-highest in the state at an even 6 percent — nearing levels last seen [...]

With a population of only 52, the town of Elsmore may be small, but its residents are determined to keep their community thriving. Thrive Allen County hosted a Community Conversation Tuesday evening, where locals reflected on what makes their town special and where improvements could be made. The discussion centered on three questions: What gives you pride in your community? What opportunities are missing? And where are the barriers or needs for growth? Read more: The Iola Register