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A new way of training is in the works for one southeast Kansas fire department. "With this, we can recreate the safe environment, but also a more dangerous environment that we can handle and control ourselves," said Lt. Korey Lucian, Columbus Fire Department Lieutenant Paramedic. Sitting behind the Columbus Fire Department is this new facility -- which will soon be part of a more realistic fire training center. This new training facility -- which costs between $15,000 to $20,000 -- was made possible through community fundraising and it puts burn simulations in their own backyard. Source: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com

On April 10, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed Senate Bill 199 into law, allowing the year-round sale of fireworks. The City of El Dorado discussed on Wednesday evening during a work session that they have no intention of expanding their city laws to include this.The El Dorado City Commission discussed this item and all agreed that there was no need to expand firework sales in El Dorado. The El Dorado Fire Chief Joe Haag was present to recommend the city take no change in the city ordinance. Source: Butler County Times-Gazette

As drought conditions continue to impact counties across Kansas, the Wichita area is being particularly impacted, with Sedgwick and two neighboring counties placed into emergency status within the governor’s updated drought declaration. Source: KWCH

The Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening on a 3-2 vote approved a motion to remove the ban on pit bulls and rottweilers in the city, and move forward with a stricter vicious dog ordinance. Source: MSC News

Voters in USD 265 Goddard have rejected a proposed $196 million bond that would have funded major upgrades and new construction across the district. According to unofficial results from the Sedgwick County Election Office, 2,541 voters cast ballots against the bond, while 2,053 voted in favor. A total of 4,594 votes were cast in Tuesday’s special election. The bond would have financed the construction of two new elementary schools, renovations to convert Oak Street Elementary into a pre-K learning center, and upgrades to fine arts, athletics, safety, security, and infrastructure throughout the district. Source: KSN-TV

Families will fill downtown Dodge City on Saturday, June 7, as the 14th Annual Main Street Festival kicks off with food, games, live entertainment, and a whole lot of quacking. The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. along historic Front Street. Organizers say the annual festival is designed to bring the community together while highlighting local businesses. Source: KSN-TV

The Hutchinson Fire Department battled a fire at the landfill early Tuesday. It started around 2:30 a.m. The fire involved an area 200 feet by 300 feet. The fire department said multiple bulldozers and front loaders were utilized to scrape off the burning material in the pit so it could be smothered and extinguished. The cause hasn't been determined, but the fire department said landfill personnel assumed that a lithium-ion battery was the culprit. Source: KSN-TV

Wichita firefighters and Sedgwick County EMS were awarded Code Blue Save challenge coins for responding to a call in March about an infant boy not breathing and resuscitating him. Source: Wichita Kansas Local News, Crime & More |

The Kansas Legislature’s auditors reported Monday the state Department of Commerce didn’t consistently adhere to internal evaluation processes and maintain transparency in selecting recipients of $99 million in federal infrastructure and economic development funding. Kristen Rottinghaus, deputy auditor of the Kansas Division of Post Audit, said the review raised questions about the commerce department’s compliance in early 2022 with its method of scoring the 250 qualifying applications and the authority wielded by Secretary David Toland to include his personal analysis of applications in wake of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible applications were to be scored by two state agency staff members, [...]

Municipal market participants Monday cheered the survival of their prized tax exemption in the first draft of a sweeping House tax bill but weren't quite ready to pop the Champagne. The release of the Ways and Means Committee tax bill Monday kicks off complex and high-stakes negotiations during which the muni market could find itself again in the crosshairs. Source: The Latest