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Riley County no longer requiring licenses for pets in unincorporated areas.

Most pets are no longer required to be licensed in unincorporated Riley County. Riley County commissioners on Monday adopted an animal control resolution that included changes to the licensing policy. “We removed the licensing requirement for just general pets,” deputy county counselor Shelley Woodard said. “There’s still a licensing requirement for potentially dangerous animals — dogs and things that are just more rare.” Another change relates to animals that are kept tied or chained up. “One of the issues with tethering is making sure they had access to food and water,” Woodard said. That’s required under the new rules. Negotiations also continue with Prairie Paws for its contracted shelter services at the T. Russel Reitz Animal Shelter, she said. The goal is to provide services for residents in rural parts of the county. Prairie Paws initially asked for $90,000 from Riley County, but county commissioners are set on a figure closer to $60,000 or less. “We’re hoping to have that back soon,” Woodard said.
Source: themercury.com

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

Newman, Garden City CC expand collaboration to battle Kansas education desert

One of Wichita’s universities is expanding its resources in southwest Kansas. The aim is to alleviate southwest Kansas’ higher-education desert while also keeping them near home to enter the professional workforce. That’s what is behind a collaboration between Garden City Community College, a 2-year school, and four-year Newman University based in Wichita. The schools are working beyond their two-decade startup effort to offer elementary education degrees to Garden City students and expanding to degree programs in business, agribusiness and nursing. The city and business community benefit by having a better chance of keeping young adults in the area, said Jessica Bird, Newman’s dean of the School of Education and Social Work. “They are ecstatic, excited, and I think they see this as a way to strengthen the community and retain talent,” said Bird, who lives in Garden City. “Brain drain is a real thing and anytime a student leaves here, there’s a really good chance they are not coming back.” Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) spoke at Garden City last month about the expansion of the program. “I’m grateful to the leadership at both entities for their pursuit of filling the higher education gaps in our state and offering young Kansans the opportunity to achieve their dreams,” Moran said.
Source: Wichita Business Journal

info2024-04-17T12:04:29-05:00April 17, 2024|News|

City approves resolution revising how incentives will be funded for housing projects

The Manhattan City Commission on Tuesday revised a recent decision to provide incentives for low-income housing projects, seeking state tax credits. Commissioners debated three options, ultimately selecting a resolution that involves covering the project’s building permit and water/sewer connection fees without specifying the exact funding source. Commissioners had previously opted to utilize workforce housing funds for most of it and cover the remainder with economic development funds. Commissioner Peter Oppelt supported not specifying where the money comes from, noting it’s not that important. The incentives are aimed at helping the Sunflower Flats and Cypress Ridge projects have better standing for its applications for state low-income housing tax credits. The Hunter Drive Apartments project is no longer under consideration after city officials told KMAN Tuesday the developer had also asked for the city to provide funding for a road. Commissioner John Matta supported the first and second options presented, ultimately favoring approval of the projects as soon as possible. Commissioner Karen McCulloh also noted that the city has done incentives for other projects in the past. Mayor Wynn Butler suggested a recommendation for future commissions spelled out in policy.
Source: 1350 KMAN

info2024-04-17T12:03:09-05:00April 17, 2024|News|

Derby is getting a 160 million dollar beach, ziplining, BMX and more

When you think of Derby, Kansas you may not necessarily think of a vacation destination, but that may soon change. “We’re very excited about what this means for Derby, we’re excited for what this might mean for the future,” said Derby City Manager Kiel Mangus. Derby Shores is the latest and greatest development project hoping to add plenty to do, not just for Derby residents, but for tourists from all over. Developers include the owners of Genesis Health Clubs. “It’s like a small ocean experience you know you’re looking way across, you have beach all the way around. It’s massive,” said Jake McCabe, Genesis VP of Marketing. Derby Shores is a 4.5-acre lagoon with white sandy beaches and plenty of other amenities. It’s estimated to bring in millions of dollars into the community. “Derby Shore is just one piece, so there’s a senior housing component, an apartment component, there’s ziplining, BMX, climbing facility and then Derby Shores which is a lagoon hotel and indoor waterpark piece,” said Mangus. The senior housing and additional apartments will take over another 15 acres in Derby. This development uses STAR bond and private funding, making it Derby’s 3rd STAR bond project. It’s the largest entertainment and tourism destination investment in South Central Kansas history. About 160 million dollars to be exact. STAR bonds come from a state program that utilizes tax dollars to add tourist attractions to Kansas.
Source: KAKE – News

info2024-04-17T12:01:15-05:00April 17, 2024|News|

Neighbors bring trucks and tractors to help area tornado victims in Overbrook

Ethan Steenback said he was away in the greater Kansas City area when the tornado hit the farm where he lives with Ashley Steenback and their 7-year-old daughter, Paisley. … He expressed amazement at how many area residents came afterward to check on their family and see how they might be able to help. “There were people I didn’t even know,” he said. Overbrook resident Rae Colson said it brought tears to her eyes to see how much support she and her husband got from their community.
Source: CJonline

info2024-04-17T11:15:06-05:00April 17, 2024|News|

Largest Belt Buckle a successful tourist attraction in its first year

“It surpassed my wildest imagination,” said Julie Roller Weeks, Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau director. Towering beside the rodeo stadium at 19 feet 10 1/2 inches wide and 13 feet 11 1/4 inches tall (even taller since it rests on a frame) is the World’s Largest Belt Buckle. While the buckle outsizes the previous record by several feet, the buckle also was the center of one Kansas’ greatest social media campaigns in 2023. The campaign, run by the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau, won Midwest Travel Network’s 2024 best social media campaign.
Source: Abilene RC

info2024-04-17T09:33:07-05:00April 17, 2024|News|

‘Gunsmoke Trail’ encourages trips to western Kansas towns

Images of cowboys and gunslingers still resonate with the public, long after the Old West came to an end. Tourism professionals for Wichita, Dodge City, Abilene and Hays announced an effort last week seeking to capitalize on that. They said they were launching the “Gunsmoke Trail” to encourage tourists to take a road trip through those four cities, each of which was mentioned on the long-running, Emmy Award-winning TV western series “‘Gunsmoke.”
Source: Hutch News

info2024-04-17T08:13:40-05:00April 17, 2024|News|

Investors weighed the path ahead for interest rates

Investors weighed the path ahead for interest rates as they considered the latest economic data and comments from Federal Reserve officials. Retail sales figures for March, which were published Monday, came in far higher than expected at 0.7%… Meanwhile, San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank President Mary Daly said there was “no urgency” for the Fed to cut interest rates.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

info2024-04-16T09:17:15-05:00April 16, 2024|News|

Meet the two finalists for Topeka City Manager

On Thursday, the City of Topeka announced it had narrowed down the applicants for city manager. The City of Topeka has narrowed down the field of candidates to Alan Howze and Robert Perez. The search started with 42 candidates.
Source: KSNT 27 News

info2024-04-16T09:12:53-05:00April 16, 2024|News|

Kelly vetoes plastic bag bill second time in three years

For the second time in three years, Gov. Laura Kelly has vetoed a bill barring local governments from regulating plastic grocery bags and other material. “I believe in local control and that local officials should be held accountable by their constituents, stakeholders, and businesses,” Kelly said in a statement. “This bill lacks sufficient protection to ensure local units of government are able to play a meaningful role in decision making on issues impacting their communities,” she said.
Source: Sunflower State Journal

info2024-04-16T09:12:18-05:00April 16, 2024|News|

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Riley County no longer requiring licenses for pets in unincorporated areas.

Newman, Garden City CC expand collaboration to battle Kansas education desert

City approves resolution revising how incentives will be funded for housing projects

Derby is getting a 160 million dollar beach, ziplining, BMX and more

Neighbors bring trucks and tractors to help area tornado victims in Overbrook

Largest Belt Buckle a successful tourist attraction in its first year

‘Gunsmoke Trail’ encourages trips to western Kansas towns

Investors weighed the path ahead for interest rates

Meet the two finalists for Topeka City Manager

Kelly vetoes plastic bag bill second time in three years

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