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Planning Commission discusses possible zoning tweaks, potential return of metropolitan area planning concept

Zoning tweaks and a possible revival of a longstanding planning area were part of the Emporia-Lyon County Metropolitan Area Planning Commission’s monthly meeting Tuesday. Board members discussed the potential revival of metropolitan area zoning, or a zone outside the Emporia city limits where the city has some say in zoning matters. The metropolitan area disappeared when the city and Lyon County separately changed their zoning procedures several years ago, and Planning Commission Board Chair Ray Rogers says that model should be at least revisited. Also, board members looked at possibly adding conditional use permit options in several different residential zoning categories as well as potential adjustments to flex use zoning. Rogers says the current zoning regulations were approved with the understanding some adjustments would be needed to “make them more useful to the community.” No action was taken. Separately, board members had a brief overview of Kansas Open Meetings Act and Kansas Open Records Act highlights.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio

info2024-04-19T11:06:37-05:00April 19, 2024|News|

Wichita KS city worker finds loaded gun while doing maintenance in storm drain

A Wichita city worker found a loaded handgun while doing maintenance on a storm water drain in west Wichita, according to a report and police. The black, Taurus Spectrum .380 was found in the drain in front of a home in the 3300 block of West St. Louis, which is close to Sheridan and Central. The gun was found around 9:41 a.m. Wednesday. “The gun will be processed as evidence to determine if it has been involved in any crimes,” Wichita police Lt. Aaron Moses said, adding he didn’t know how long that would take. The gun has not been reported stolen, according to a police report. When asked how many rounds were in the gun, Moses said multiple.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

info2024-04-19T11:05:48-05:00April 19, 2024|News|

‘A huge year’: Sedgwick County Zoo could welcome a U.S. record number of baby elephants

The Sedgwick County Zoo now expects to welcome five baby African elephants in 2025. “You may be aware that our elephant herd at the zoo has four pregnancies right now. And we are so excited to tell you today that our fifth and final female is also pregnant, which means our entire breeding herd is now expecting,” zoo CEO Scott Newland told the County Commission on Wednesday morning. If all five pregnancies are a success, Sedgwick County would become the first accredited zoo in the U.S. to have five elephant births in a year,” Newland said. Elephant pregnancies last 22 to 24 months. “They’re essentially pregnant for two years. We will start having potential births at the end of next spring all through next summer,” Newland said. “That’s going to be a huge year for our team, for our zoo, for our community.” The five pregnant females are Simunye, Talia, Xolani, Arusi, and Zuberi. Only Simunye has given birth before, according to a zoo release.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

info2024-04-19T11:05:01-05:00April 19, 2024|News|

Symphony to perform in Peabody

“Peter and the Wolf” and “Appalachian Spring” will be performed Sunday in the final installment of Sunflower Theatre’s 2023-2024 concert series. The Wichita Symphony performance will be 3 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 213 E Division Ave., Peabody.
“Peter and the Wolf” is a musical story for orchestra and narrator that introduces individual instruments in the orchestra while the narrator tells the story. The symphony also will perform “Appalachian Spring,” an American ballet by choreographer Martha Graham and composer Aaron Copland. Collaborating for the concert are Sunflower Theatre, Wichita State University, and Barlett Arboretum. Light refreshments will be served after the concert. Admission is free, but donations to help pay for Sunflower Theatre programming and renovation will be accepted.
Source: Marion County RECORD

info2024-04-19T11:03:25-05:00April 19, 2024|News|

Beloit USD 273 Bond Issue Questions Defeated In Election

After much discussion, various meetings, and much consternation, the Beloit USD 273 School Bond issue and vote came to a conclusion yesterday (Thursday, April 18th). Question 1 on the ballot included for voters to consider was a New Ag Center, a Renovation of Expansion of Woods/Construction Tech, HVAC Replacement at Elementary & Jr.-Sr. High Schools, and a New Stadium Pressbox and Restrooms at an estimated cost of $16.2 million dollars which would be funded by a 13.5 mill levy increase over 25 years. Unofficial Results from the Mitchell County Clerk’s office are Yes: 823 (37%), No: 1,425 (63%). Question 2 on the ballot could only pass if Question 1 passed. Question 2 on the ballot included for voters to consider was a Jr.-Sr. High School Lockerroom Renovation, Football Field Turf, Track Resurface, and Tennis Court Resurface at an estimated cost of $3.8 million dollars which would be funded by a 3 mill levy increase over 25 years. Unofficial Results from the Mitchell County Clerk’s office are Yes: 644 (29%), No: 1,597 (71%).
Source: Sunflower State Radio Network

info2024-04-19T10:52:39-05:00April 19, 2024|News|

KS Supreme Court: “Driving” vs. Attempting to Drive

Under Darrow, Jarmer’s unsuccessful effort to drive her car out of a muddy ditch fails to satisfy K.S.A. 8-1002(a)(2)(A)’s requirement that she was “operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or both.” Because the evidence presented establishes only that she attempted to operate her vehicle, the KDR could not suspend her driver’s license under K.S.A. 8-1002(a)(2)(A) following her failed breath test. We thus reverse the suspension of Jarmer’s driver’s license and remand the matter to the KDR for further proceedings.
Read the opinion: Jarmer vs. KDOR

info2024-04-19T10:00:18-05:00April 19, 2024|News|

Wall Street pushes out rate-cut expectations, sees risk they don’t start until March 2025

If there was any doubt before, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has pretty much cemented the likelihood that there won’t be interest rate reductions anytime soon. Now, Wall Street is wondering if the central bank will cut at all this year. That’s because Powell on Tuesday said there’s been “a lack of further progress” on lowering inflation back to the Fed’s 2% target, meaning “it’s likely to take longer than expected” to get enough confidence to start easing back on policy.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

info2024-04-18T06:25:12-05:00April 18, 2024|News|

Stafford County joins in on building boom

There’s a building boom in the Golden Belt, and Stafford County Economic Development isn’t going to be left behind. “We are building nine houses, with five in St. John and four in Stafford,” noted Ryan Russell, SCEDC executive director. The 18-month building project is through the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation, through its Middle Income Housing offering.
Source: Great Bend Tribune

info2024-04-18T06:15:08-05:00April 18, 2024|News|

Power outage prompts rush hour traffic jam on Metcalf in Overland Park

The gusty winds are believed to be responsible for a power outage that turned off the traffic signals at 75th Street and Metcalf Avenue late Tuesday afternoon in Overland Park, prompting a mile-long traffic jam on one of the city’s most-used roadways. Evergy’s online outage map showed that approximately 774 customers were without power in the area of the busy intersection at around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. Several businesses in the area were forced to close because they didn’t have power for their computers to work. As of 5:30 p.m., northbound traffic on Metcalf was at a crawl, backed up to 83rd Street, while southbound traffic was backed up to 71st Street. Eastbound traffic on 75th Street was stacked back to Robinson Street, and westbound was back to nearly Lamar Avenue. Evergy’s website shows that the outage was first reported at about 4:20 p.m. and that repairs are a “work in progress.” The estimated restoration time is 6 p.m. Update: Around 6 p.m., the traffic lights at Metcalf and 75th began working again, and Evergy’s outage map online showed most outages in the area around the intersection had been addressed.
Source: Johnson County Post

info2024-04-17T12:27:56-05:00April 17, 2024|News|

Mayor Butler proclaims Thursday as “Ron Fehr Day” in Manhattan

At Tuesday’s Manhattan City Commission, Manhattan mayor Wynn Butler proclaimed this Thursday Apr. 18 to be “Ron Fehr Day” in Manhattan to honor City Manager Ron Behr’s commitment to public service in the city and Fehr’s retirement after 24 years as the city manager. “This honor is in recognition of [Ron’s] many achievements,” said Butler. “And on behalf of the City Commission, the City employees, and the citizens of Manhattan in expressing our gratitude and appreciation for many years of loyal and exemplary service to the community.” Fehr has worked for the local city government since 1982 when he was appointed to the newly formed Parks and Recreation Department as Forestry and Parks Supervisor. Fehr was appointed assistant City Manager in 1992 and was acting City Manager for a brief period in 1995 and in late-1999 and early-2000 until becoming the full-time city manager in Apr. 2000. “Ron has worked with 31 commissioners and 27 mayors since 1992,” said Butler. “He has attended 730 commission legislative sessions, 730 work sessions, 31 commission retreats, 305 intergovernmental luncheons, 122 joint city and county meetings and numerous other meetings.” Fehr will be officially honored by the city at a ceremony at City Hall on Apr. 18.
Source: 1350 KMAN

info2024-04-17T12:21:13-05:00April 17, 2024|News|

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Planning Commission discusses possible zoning tweaks, potential return of metropolitan area planning concept

Wichita KS city worker finds loaded gun while doing maintenance in storm drain

‘A huge year’: Sedgwick County Zoo could welcome a U.S. record number of baby elephants

Symphony to perform in Peabody

Beloit USD 273 Bond Issue Questions Defeated In Election

KS Supreme Court: “Driving” vs. Attempting to Drive

Wall Street pushes out rate-cut expectations, sees risk they don’t start until March 2025

Stafford County joins in on building boom

Power outage prompts rush hour traffic jam on Metcalf in Overland Park

Mayor Butler proclaims Thursday as “Ron Fehr Day” in Manhattan

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