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Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced the Kansas Department of Commerce has awarded $758,250 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to three Kansas communities: Burlingame, Lyon County and Overbrook. This year, the program allocated a total of $2.5 million in funding to support the revitalization of commercial properties throughout the state. Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

It hasn’t been all blue skies for Hillsboro’s and Marion’s proposed solar farms since the cities agreed to lease the land to Kansas Power Pool in late 2023. The solar farms have faced lengthy bureaucratic roadblocks, and the opening date for the farms is now June 2026, a year and a half later than planned. But the sun has been shining brighter recently. Source: Marion County RECORD

On Wednesday, April 23, the Holcomb Police Department conducted a proactive traffic safety initiative, titled Operation “Yellow Bus”, aimed at promoting school bus safety and protecting our community’s children. As part of the operation, Holcomb Police officers rode along on several school bus routes to monitor for motorists violating Kansas school bus stop sign laws and other related traffic safety regulations. The HPD reported that no violations were observed during the course of the operation. Source: Garden City Telegram

Johnson County’s two biggest water suppliers are holding the course on water fluoridation, with no plans to stop as anti-fluoridation views gain traction nationally. Both WaterOne, which provides water service for 17 Johnson County cities, as well as the city of Olathe, which operates its own water department, have taken note of an uptick of residents with concerns about fluoridation. Source: Johnson County Post

Prairie Village residents who want to will soon be able to drop off compost waste at two sites as part of a new pilot program. The Prairie Village City Council on Monday voted 8-4 to approve a roughly $6,000 contract with KC Can Compost for a six-month pilot that will offer free drop-off composting to residents. Councilmembers Terry O’Toole, Inga Selders, Lori Sharp and Nick Reddell cast the dissenting votes. Source: Johnson County Post

Prairie Village will donate nearly $23,000 $22,900 to its Ukrainian sister city for “medicine and other humanitarian goods.” On Monday, the Prairie Village City Council in an 8-4 vote approved the donation totaling $22,900 to its longtime sister city Dolyna, Ukraine — which is in the western part of the country in the Ivano-Frankivsk oblast, or district. Councilmembers Terry O’Toole, Lori Sharp, Tyler Agniel and Nick Reddell voted against sending the financial assistance to Dolyna. Source: Johnson County Post

When Greg Thompson’s home was being built, he stopped by the construction site so much that some began calling him “the superintendent.” Often, Thompson peppered the construction crew with questions. His palpable excitement stemmed from years spent doing construction work – and the fact that, in his 60s, this would be Thompson’s first time buying a home. The nonprofit HOPE Community Development Corporation built and sold the home to Thompson for $105,000, about $75,000 less than it cost to build. Source: KLC Journal

A new housing development in southwest Kansas is bringing more affordable housing to the area. The workforce is growing in Dodge City, and local leaders hope this new development will significantly reduce the need to house those workers. The Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) says rural Kansas needs more homes. To keep up with demand, 3,800 to 4,800 new housing units are needed each year. Source: KSN-TV

Wichita city leaders are saying that something has got to give to address the city's expected budget deficit. It's in the millions of dollars. Council members are debating whether a property tax or a sales tax could address the shortfall. At Tuesday's City Council workshop, council members debated the budget shortfall and possible solutions, including adding a 1% sales tax and/or raising the mill levy for property taxes. Source: KSN-TV

Police in Liberal are investigating a series of violent acts they say are carried out by a group of teens who may be organizing themselves as a gang. The incidents, which involve kidnapping, assaults, and other crimes, police say, are raising serious concerns within the community. In a public safety announcement published on social media, Liberal police say the group may meet the legal definition of a criminal street gang under Kansas law. Source: KSN-TV