info2019-05-21T09:09:25-05:00May 21st, 2019|
As Saline County faces the potential for record flooding along Mulberry Creek near Salina and the Smoky Hill River near New Cambria, Bob Vidricksen, Saline County Commission chair, has signed a disaster declaration in anticipation of the flooding. Cresting of the river at 27.8 feet is expected to occur Tuesday around noon. (Read more: The Salina Post)
info2019-05-21T09:06:39-05:00May 21st, 2019|
The Wichita Fire Department took their newest boat on its maiden voyage Friday afternoon. The new zodiac boat will help the technical rescue team with water rescues. "During these kinds of times, we worry about people thinking they can walk across the Big Ditch or they want to get in the river. We've had kayakers lost," fire marshal Stu Bevis said. Recent rain and flooding caused the Arkansas River to rise. Wind gusts move the currents quickly downstream. "People underestimate the power of what water can do and that's when they usually get in trouble. Because they think, 'Oh I can [...]
info2019-05-21T09:01:51-05:00May 21st, 2019|
Saying artwork will create new interest in its downtown, the Overland Park City Council unanimously voted to allow colorful painted murals on four buildings. Approval came over the objection of opponents, some of whom took issue with the way the multicultural message of the art was depicted. Others described them as garish, gaudy and more apropos of a run-down urban core than the historic suburban town center of Overland Park. Since the murals are all on private property, the city role was limited to code questions about whether the painted surfaces were appropriate and would stand up to weather. Council members [...]
info2019-05-21T08:57:31-05:00May 21st, 2019|
The residents of Waterworks Road made it loud and clear during the Tuesday, May 14, Paola City Council meeting that they don’t want a tire recycling plant in their neighborhood. And it’s now clear their voices were heard. Paola City Manager Jay Wieland confirmed Thursday, May 16, that the proposed project has been dropped and is no longer being considered at the site of the city’s former water plant at the end of Waterworks Road near Bull Creek. The old brick water plant has been vacant for the past decade ever since Paola joined with Louisburg to build a joint water [...]
info2019-05-21T10:30:03-05:00May 21st, 2019|
It’s getting warmer out and for many, there’s nothing better to do than jumping into the pool. Frontenac Municipal Pool will be open 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, for a free public swim event to celebrate the first day of regular seasonal operations. The new certified pool operator, Jenny Letner, and her staff are bringing several changes to the pool. “We are very excited about the new changes being instituted by new manager Jenny Letner and her staff,” Frontenac City Administrator Brad Reams said. “I look forward to seeing the class offerings fill up and the continuance of popular annual [...]
info2019-05-21T10:29:35-05:00May 21st, 2019|
City leaders will soon consider requiring certain bar and restaurant staff to undergo sexual violence intervention training in order to get their local liquor licenses. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will consider adopting an ordinance requiring the training for on-site managers as a condition of drinking establishment licenses. In February, commissioners asked city staff to draft the ordinance following discussion with staff and owners of several local drinking establishments, which includes bars, restaurants and other businesses that serve alcohol. The city issues a local drinking establishment license, which is required in addition to the state liquor [...]
info2019-05-20T10:17:20-05:00May 20th, 2019|
When Finney County commissioners gave the go-ahead last week to have a pair of storage rooms at the county administrative building remodeled into lactation rooms, not only was the timing right, but County Human Resources Director Darlene Lucas says it was just the right thing to do. Commissioners on May 6 unanimously approved a work change order that added $26,429 for the development of the lactation rooms to what is now expected to be a $245,727 overall remodel of the administrative building, 311 N. Ninth St. The plan is to convert a pair of first-floor storage rooms into lactation rooms that [...]
info2019-05-20T10:15:31-05:00May 20th, 2019|
The Hutchinson City Council will hear the final report from GreenPlay regarding the parks and rec study that was performed over the past several months. Officials with GreenPlay will present their findings that are part of a 180-page report. The study was conducted after Hutch Rec received a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas to pay for the work. The study is part of an overall master plan for Hutch Rec and city facilities. During the initial report presented in April, GreenPlay addressed some issues it feels the city needs to do a better job addressing. GreenPlay suggested more [...]
info2019-05-20T10:14:30-05:00May 20th, 2019|
Professional sports teams play an integral role in our region’s economy. Thousands of local sports fans from both Kansas and Missouri cheer on the Chiefs and the Royals at the Truman Sports Complex each year, and the economic benefits from the two stadiums ripple across the metro area. But when the bill comes due for the upkeep of Arrowhead and Kauffman stadiums, only Missourians are chipping in. Last week, Missouri lawmakers approved House Bill 677 requiring the state to shell out $3 million per year for the next decade for maintenance at the Truman Sports Complex. Jackson County pays $3.5 million [...]
info2019-05-20T10:11:42-05:00May 20th, 2019|
AdventHealth is set to build an 85-bed hospital in a wealthy area of south Overland Park that already has four full-service hospitals within 10 miles. Last month it announced plans to build yet another one: a 200-bed hospital in Lenexa, just west of the Interstate 435 loop, also a well-to-do area. AdventHealth leaders said they were responding to demand from a growing part of the metro. But there’s another reason to build on the far edge of the area’s wealthiest county. “By putting your hospitals beyond the outside of the ongoing growth or sprawl within a metro area, you have eliminated [...]
