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Hays OKs hotel tax increase

info2018-06-18T06:22:27-05:00June 18th, 2018|

The Hays City Commission on Thursday unanimously approved a 2-percent hike in the city’s transient guest tax to pay for street improvements along the Vine Street corridor. The current plan is to construct three roundabouts there in efforts to improve traffic flow. The transient guest tax is currently at 5 percent. Commonly known as a hotel bed tax, the rate only is paid by those who stay overnight in any of the city’s hotels. The Vine Street project is eligible for those funds because the improvements would benefit travelers, City Manager Toby Dougherty said. “City staff made the suggestion that part [...]

Boy ‘hugged’ $132,000 sculpture at Overland Park community center; Mom says city’s insurance is seeking damages

info2018-06-15T08:36:47-05:00June 15th, 2018|

After a 5-year-old accidentally toppled a sculpture displayed at Overland Park’s Tomahawk Ridge Community Center, his mom was stunned to receive an insurance company letter seeking to recover damages to the $132,000 artwork. “It’s clear accidents happen and this was an accident,” Sarah Goodman said Thursday about the incident May 19 at the community center that involved her 5-year-old son. “I don’t want to diminish the value of their art. But I can’t pay for that.” The city responded that its insurance company is contractually obligated to reach out to the responsible party when public property is damaged. The artwork was [...]

Briefly noted: Prairie Village leaders discuss challenges of teardown-rebuild trend

info2018-06-15T07:28:48-05:00June 15th, 2018|

Prairie Village Mayor Laura Wassmer and councilmembers Serena Schermoly and Tucker Poling were guests on KCUR’s Up To Date on Wednesday to discuss the challenges of preserving the city’s original neighborhood aesthetics with the demand for newer, larger homes. [Prairie Village Home Teardowns Rankle Residents — KCUR] (Read more: Shawnee Mission Post – Community news and events for northeast Johnson County)

Hays city commission OKs ‘creative funding’ of roundabouts; Can be challenged by voters

info2018-06-15T07:28:01-05:00June 15th, 2018|

Hays city commissioners voted unanimously Thursday night to approve a charter ordinance which will increase the Transient Guest Tax (TGT) rate 2% to fund improvements to the north Vine Street traffic corridor, estimated at more than $7.6 million. “City staff suggested a significant part of the project could be funded with Transient Guest Tax dollars, due to the fact the improvements would make it better for visitors, pedestrians, people that are staying in the area, and not just for people that live here,” explained Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty. The Hays 5% TGT is lower than most of its peer cities [...]

Salina Community Economic Development Organization gets inside look at Great Plains

info2018-06-15T07:21:06-05:00June 15th, 2018|

Linda Salem, president of Great Plains Manufacturing, wants to figure out a way to sell Salina. The city has many good things to offer, she said, but no mountain and no seashore, which makes it more difficult to attract the employees Great Plains needs. Great Plains has about 1,500 employees, but like many manufacturers, it could use more skilled workers, she said, particularly machinists, draftsmen and engineers. Not enough students are graduating from Salina Area Technical College to fill the needs, she said Thursday, after an hour-and-a-half tour for the Salina Community Economic Development Organization board of directors and guests. Mitch [...]

Vote expected on all-way stops in Atchison

info2018-06-15T07:19:35-05:00June 15th, 2018|

Final action on stepped-up regulation of several downtown intersections is expected on Monday at the second Atchison governing body meeting. The stop signs have been a somewhat contentious issue, with a March 19 vote producing an uncommon split decision, 3-2, to reject an agenda item. Commissioner Shawn Rizza and Vice Mayor David Hausmann dissented from the majority's reluctance to establish permanent stop signs at that time. The city has thoroughly studied the feasibility and popularity of the stop sign issue, including an online public survey that demonstrated public approval for signs at every intersection considered, save N. 4th and Kansas. Assistant [...]

New Aquatic Park open in Horton

info2018-06-15T07:18:13-05:00June 15th, 2018|

he wait is over for Horton residence who have been waiting the past few summers for a new swimming pool, as the Horton Aquatic Park opened to rave reviews on Memorial Day weekend. The pool project was completed with the help of a 20-year, 1 percent sales tax increase which was voted in on the ballot just under two years ago, and was a major topic in the same year’s mayoral election. (Read more: Hiawatha World Online)

Budgets cuts lead to closing of K-State research center in Haysville

info2018-06-15T07:17:26-05:00June 15th, 2018|

Kansas State University will close its 120-acre horticultural research center in Haysville, the university announced Thursday. Lower state funding for higher education and declining enrollment at K-State led university officials to cut $3.5 million from College of Agriculture and K-State Research and Extension's budget this year, which in turn led to the decision to close the John C. Pair Horticulture Center, according to a press release from the university. The university will also close its 80-acre stand of pecan trees in Chetopa. "Naturally, with budget reductions there are difficult decisions," College of Agriculture dean and K-State Research and Extension director John [...]

City arts commission recommends mural for Lawrence library wall

info2018-06-15T07:16:13-05:00June 15th, 2018|

A mural proposed for the exterior wall of the Lawrence Public Library has received a preliminary approval. At its meeting Wednesday evening, the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission voted unanimously to recommend the mural, which depicts stories of local women of color. The team leading the project, Womxn of Color, began gathering historical and present-day stories last year to incorporate into the mural design. Last month, the City Commission voted unanimously to receive the mural proposal, though some fundraising groups associated with the library indicated they opposed the project’s proposed location on the library itself. The artist team initially proposed that the [...]

Osage County EMS recognized for care of cardiac and stroke patients

info2018-06-15T07:11:34-05:00June 15th, 2018|

Osage County EMS has been recognized with the 2018 Bronze Plus Mission: Lifeline award by the American Heart Association. This is the third consecutive year that OCEMS has received the award, which recognizes the company for its care of patients suffering heart attack or coronary conditions. OCEMS service director Donna Connell noted, “A dedicated staff of EMTs and paramedics, progressive protocols, EKG transmission capabilities, and aggressive education have benefited their patients. This award recognizes that system of care for cardiac and stroke patients.” (Read more: Osage County Online | Osage County News | News for Osage County, Kansas, Burlingame, Carbondale, Lyndon, [...]

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