A new data center coming to southeast Kansas will generate sales tax and franchise fees in exchange for the big energy it will take to operate. Wildcat Data Infrastructure, a Texas company, is building the first data storage facility in the Industrial park near the Pittsburg Airport The idea was proposed to the City Commission back in late January. Now, the company and the city are working with Evergy to expand the electrical infrastructure at the site on 10 acres of land.
Source: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com

Emporia residents will notice a slight increase in their monthly water bills starting next year following action by Emporia City Commissioners during their regular action meeting Wednesday. The specific action taken by commissioners was a 4-1 approval of a new Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) structure, a fee that will be added to residents’ water bills to create a dedicated revenue stream for stormwater improvements across the community. During an interview with KVOE News on Thursday, Deputy City Manager Mark Detter noted that previously, there has not been such a revenue stream with the city traditionally using sales and property tax dollars to cover those costs. He noted that while nobody likes additional fees, the ERU will mean less impact on property taxes.
Source: d2430

Members of the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Monday will hear a presentation on the city’s proposal to implement membership fees to use rec centers. The city has not yet shared specific numbers for how much memberships would cost, and no details about the proposal were included in the meeting agenda as of Sunday afternoon. The Parks, Recreation and Culture department is proposing charging fees as a way to offset its $1.8 million portion of the city’s projected budget shortfall of more than $6 million.
Source: The Lawrence Times

From digital literacy training in a Topeka neighborhood to enhancing the use of artificial intelligence and other technology by farmers, a Kansas government program is investing in digital skills training and workforce readiness across the state.
Source: CJonline

Floodwaters across Chase County have left roads submerged, residents displaced, and emergency crews working around the clock. Among the rescues was an elderly Strong City man saved after his life alert triggered a welfare check, prompting a specialized task force to bring him to safety. Chase County Emergency Manager Scott Wiltse said road closures have been widespread, though a full count isn’t yet available.
Source: KSN-TV

Mini bikes may be small, but the concern around them is growing. The Liberal Police Department says they’ve seen a growing number of young people riding mini bikes and pocket bikes on city streets, sidewalks, and trails — and it’s becoming a problem.  The pint-sized vehicles may look like toys, but under Kansas law, they’re considered motor vehicles. That means they need all the bells and whistles of a real motorcycle — lights, mirrors, brakes, turn signals, insurance, registration, and a licensed operator — none of which mini bikes typically have. Police say they’ve had several close calls lately involving children darting into traffic or ignoring stop signs. While no injuries have been reported, officers say it’s only a matter of time if the trend continues.
Source: KSN-TV

The City of Russell is scaling back part of its recycling program, announcing it will no longer accept plastics at community recycling trailers starting Aug. 1. The city’s recycling vendor announced it could no longer find buyers for plastic, making collection unsustainable. The City Council approved the decision on June 3 after staff outlined several options and current market impacts.
Source: KSN-TV

El Dorado Lake rapidly rose on Tuesday after heavy rain in the area. The US Army Corps of Engineers reported that the level was 1,344 feet on Wednesday. For comparison, at midnight on June 3, the lake was 1,339, a 5-foot increase. On Tuesday, the inflow to the lake reached 50,000 cubic feet per second or 22 million gallons per minute.
Source: KSN-TV

A local park in Emporia is set to get a makeover in the near future with the addition of new equipment to make visiting the space more exciting. 27 News spoke with Deon Morrow, Lyon County Healthy Pathways coordinator with the United Way of the Flint Hills (UWFH), on Thursday, June 5. The UWFH recently made it to the top three for Evergy’s People’s Choice Energizing our Environment Hometown Grants program, taking in $10,000 to go towards environmental and sustainable initiatives.
Source: KSNT 27 News

MakeMyMove, an online marketplace for relocation programs, on Monday proposed a conditional contract with Riley County to encourage people to move into rural communities like Ogden and Leonardville. “We think that this is a great opportunity for the area and region,” said Ben Ledo, vice president of enterprise sales from MakeMyMove, at the commission meeting.
The MakeMyMove website offers a list of communities that offer incentives to attract new residents. Ledo said about half of the people interested in relocating are bringing a job with them, and the rest are seeking jobs.
Source: themercury.com – RSS Results in news of type article