Fully realizing Overland Park’s ambitious, long-range parks and recreation master plan is going to require more revenue streams. City leaders are already floating the possibility of a new parks-focused sales tax. That’s because the draft plan, dubbed Playbook OP, envisions dozens of new parks, recreation and aquatic projects as well as park revitalization efforts around the city over the next decade, that would cost an estimated $385 million, possibly more. It’s with that price tag in mind that the most recent draft of Playbook OP suggests either taking a 1/8-cent parks-specific sales tax measure to a public vote, as other Johnson [...]

A tornado tore through southern Ottawa, Kansas, on Monday night, toppling power lines, damaging buildings and leaving much of the city without electricity. Despite significant structural damage across several blocks, city officials said no deaths or major injuries were reported. Read more: Kansas City Star

Olathe is requesting a handful of projects to be included in a Johnson County program that provides funding assistance for road work over the next five years. The County Assistance Road System (CARS) works by providing funds to Johnson County cities to maintain major roads. Each year, cities submit a five-year road improvement plan to the county. Then, using a scoring system the county selects projects and allocates funds. Johnson County pays 50% of the project’s construction and inspection costs, while the city is responsible for design, right-of-way and utility relocation costs, according to the county website. Read more: Kansas City [...]

Governor Laura Kelly, in accordance with Executive Order #20-30, today directed flags throughout the State of Kansas be flown at half-staff from sunup to sundown on Friday, April 17, 2026, in honor of Greeley County firefighter and former deputy sheriff Carl “Levi” Evans, who died in the line of duty last week. “From his time serving in the sheriff’s office to his commitment as a volunteer firefighter, Levi Evans was dedicated to protecting his community,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The loss of a first responder is always a tragedy. My thoughts go out to Levi’s family, friends, and colleagues during this [...]

Nearly 100 people gathered Thursday, April 9 at Hangar 600 in Salina to mark a major aviation milestone with the opening of a new aircraft maintenance facility at Salina Regional Airport and Industrial Center. The facility, operated by SkyWest Airlines, is the first in Kansas designed for overnight aircraft maintenance. Company leaders joined local and state officials to cut the ribbon and mark new investment in the area’s aviation industry. Read more: KCLY Radio

Wichita’s City Hall and Sedgwick County’s offices have been separated by a single street for decades, but they might as well have been in different area codes for as often as the two governing bodies worked together. “This was something I’ve noticed as a private citizen and business owner: The city of Wichita and the county, in particular, really didn’t seem to have a whole lot of a working relationship — particularly publicly,” says Ryan Baty, the immediate past chairman of the County Commission. When he was first elected to the commission three years ago, Baty made it a priority to [...]

Shawnee County leaders have approved new regulations for solar energy projects in unincorporated areas during a commission meeting Monday, following years of research and public input from county residents. The decision creates a formal framework for how large-scale solar developments will be reviewed and approved in the county moving forward. Read more: KSNT 27 News

Miami County leaders have declared a state of emergency after severe storms brought destructive hail across the area Wednesday afternoon. The Miami County Sheriff’s Office said officials in the City of Paola, the City of Osawatomie and Miami County all made "verbal emergency declarations" following the storm, citing damage to structures and vehicles. National Weather Service storm reports show just how intense the hail was. In Paola, hail was measured at up to 2.5 inches, with some estimates reaching as large as 4 inches in diameter. Nearby areas also saw significant impacts, including baseball-sized hail north of Osawatomie and ping pong [...]

Mayor Nicholas Cheney wants residents to weigh in on the future of bump-outs located on the town square corners, as the city grapples with increasing maintenance costs and safety concerns. The bump-outs were installed several years ago, but according to the mayor, they have become harder and more expensive to maintain. Now, the city is presenting three options to residents: cement all of the bump-outs, only cement the outer bump-outs, or leave them as they are. Business owners along the square have mixed feelings about the proposed changes, though many agree that visibility at intersections has become a primary concern.. Read [...]

Progress continues as the Americus City Council gets ready to end the city’s police department operations. Mayor Dustin Wright tells KVOE News the inventory process is complete, thanks to the work of former police chief Jody Meyers. Evidence processing is next, and Wright says the goal is to have that work done by the next City Council meeting in May. Once the evidence processing is handled, Wright says the final steps towards disbanding the police department are an inventory and equipment sale and an evidence transfer to the Lyon County Attorney’s Office. Wright believes the process could be done within the [...]