Authorities in northwest Kansas urged people to be ready to escape what could have been a “devastating” wildfire Friday, but disaster was averted. About 3 p.m., Trego County Emergency Management said on social media that a wildfire north of WaKeeney was spreading toward the town. The agency asked people who live on the north side of WaKeeney to turn on their sprinklers and get their garden hoses ready. They were also told to prepare for possible evacuations. The Trego County Sheriff’s Office said those in the path of the fire should gather their essentials — like clothing, medications and important documents [...]

A western Kansas town is on the brink of losing its only grocery store. The owner of Ellis Hometown Foods told KSN that he is planning to close the store by the end of April, unless he finds a buyer. Jeff Geschwentner said he is getting ready to retire, but so far, no one has stepped forward to keep the store running. Geschwentner will keep stocking perishables, meat, dairy, fresh produce and frozen items until the first part of April. Other items will not be restocked. The store will close once everything is sold. Read more: KSN-TV

A Route 66 mom-and-pop shop celebrates more than a century of service to its community. “Their sandwiches,” said 8-year-old Haylan McCorkle. Nelson’s Old Riverton Store returnees tell us it’s those sandwiches and other key elements that’s helped shape its history, including history made on Route 66. “The drinks, sandwiches and the snacks,” said 7-year-old Rayner McCorkle. The store first opened its doors March 20, 1925, a year before Route 66 was created. Since then, it’s served countless people—including regular Micah McCorkle. Read more: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com

The City of Galena is asking for the public’s help finding a missing piece of equipment. Between 7:00 p.m. Wednesday and 1:00 p.m. Thursday, a Drager 8000 monitor was stolen from the area of 3rd Street and Main. The city was renting the device to keep track of local air quality. Read more: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com

Regional planners are expecting a boom in demands for short-term rentals when thousands of soccer fans descend on the Kansas City metro for the World Cup this summer. To prepare, city staff are looking at ways to register and ensure safety at short-term rentals in town. At a meeting Monday, city commissioners will consider a temporary resolution to create a registration system for short-term rentals, like those from Airbnb and Vrbo. Eudora doesn’t currently have any regulations on short-term rentals. The registration system would ask rental owners to fill out a form with contact and property information and submit it to [...]

Potentially hundreds of Topeka city staff didn't receive their paycheck on time. On March 20, city staff were notified of an issue with their paychecks and that they wouldn't be paid on time. "Due to an approval error, staff did not receive paychecks this morning, however, city staff immediately worked to remedy this situation, and staff should receive pay by 1:30 PM, today," city communications director Daniel Garrett said in a written comment. "Depending on their banks, their accounts may not reflect the deposit until Monday. Staff was notified of this issue at 8:00 AM and updated at noon." The city's media team didn't respond to [...]

“Data centers threaten public health with their excessive air, water, light and noise pollution.” “Major construction projects bring a significant increase in heavy truck traffic.” “If Kansas is in fact the rarest of jewels for these trillion-dollar tech companies, why are we the ones bending over backwards to accommodate them?” Those were a few of the comments made by more than 60 concerned speakers at a packed Sedgwick County town hall this month with mounting questions over the evolving data center industry that has made its way to Wichita. The Kansas Legislature rolled out the red carpet last year to attract [...]

On Saturday, March 21st, Lindsborg, Kansas will celebrate its annual tradition, Lindsborg Våffeldagen. This translates to “waffle day” in English. Various forms of waffle tasting will be available. Visitors can have their photo taken with Lindsborg Waffle People. Read more: KCLY Radio

The Kanopolis Drive-In theater, one of the few remaining outdoor movie theaters in the state, is testing out its brand-new equipment this weekend. Read more: KSN-TV

The National Horseshoe Pitchers Association (NHPA) will have its 2026 U.S. Nationals Horseshoe Pitching Tournament at Rice Park in Hutchinson from May 29 to 31. Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune