Hillsboro fire chief Ben Steketee will retire Monday after what he candidly describes as a 25 year second chance career. In 2021, after three years as a star volunteer firefighter, he was elevated by then-Mayor Dolores Dahlke to take the paid helm of the department. But he felt obligated to unload a troubling fact on her: “There’s probably something about me you don’t know — I’m a convicted felon,” Steketee told her. “It’s not for arson, is it?” asked the mayor, as incredulous as anyone would be who knew the cheerful, reliable first responder. Read more: Marion County RECORD

A new proposal for an arts and entertainment complex in Gardner is pushing big plans for a 335-acre space on the north side of I-35 at 175th Street. Velocity Arts is a mixed-use plan comprised of many pieces, including a 15,000-seat indoor concert venue, a school focused on media production, apartments, a shopping area with restaurants and a grocery store and a hotel with a spa. Also in the plan is a performing arts center containing a mainstage theater as well as a black box theater for community use. The busy interchange at I-35 has been on the Kansas Department of [...]

With their backs against the wall, Humboldt Council members voted Monday evening to pursue costly renovations to their wastewater treatment plant.  “We’ve kicked the can down the road for 10 years. I wish we had 10 more, but we don’t,” said Cole Herder, city administrator, adding a decision must be made before the end of the month as to how to proceed in order to make the deadline for the next cycle of federal and state funding.  The least expensive options were in the $3 million to $4 million range. Constructing a new plant within the facility’s current footprint would be [...]

The Allen County Sheriff’s Department announced it will no longer subscribe to get information from automated license plate reader cameras set up major highways throughout the county. While Maness recognizes arguments about civil liberties, his primary reason for ending the subscription was the cost involved. Mounted along major highways entering and leaving the county, the small automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras blend into utility poles and roadside infrastructure. Many are operated by Flock Safety, an Atlanta-based company that provides automated license plate reader systems to law enforcement agencies nationwide. The cameras photograph license plates and vehicle characteristics, creating a searchable database [...]

Following some concerning findings in the latest audit, new Lawrence City Manager Majed Al-Ghafry said he wants each city department to take a close look at processes, and there will be tough choices to make. “When you create a system of of order, you get you get an outcome of order,” he said. Al-Ghafry, who just attended his first commission meeting last week, is still getting his bearings. But in previous work as a project manager, he said he knew every detail of projects — budgets, expenditures, where the project manager is, and so forth. He said it’s imperative to do [...]

To handle higher effluent flow from the new Hilmar Cheese plant—totaling 1.5 million gallons daily—the South Wastewater Recycling Facility plans to expand its irrigation system and supply additional water to Nicholson Ventures for crops. Read more: Dodge City Daily Globe

A proposed 500‑megawatt solar farm called Jeffrey Solar is dividing Jackson County residents, with some landowners embracing the financial stability of leasing acreage while others fear environmental damage and loss of rural character. The debate reflects a broader tension between economic development and preserving the county’s agricultural identity. Read more: CJonline

After nearly 30 years of service to the Lenexa community, City Manager Beccy Yocham has announced her intent to retire. She will continue serving as city manager until her successor is selected and begins work. Read more: City of Lenexa