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A long-vacant lot in Valley Center's downtown is being eyed for a new development opportunity. The half-acre property sits along the city's Main Street and has been envisioned to turn into a new mixed-use commercial development with uses like apartments and retail. Valley Center's City Council approved a memorandum of understanding, a non-binding agreement, at its March 18 meeting with the property owner for the city to buy the lot. Source: Wichita Business News - Local Wichita News | The Wichita Business Journal

Chickens, ducks and quail will be allowed to live in Marysville as a result of a 5-3 vote at Monday night’s council meeting. An ordinance and a policy resolution that sets licensing fees were approved after almost three months of discussion, committee review and citizen comment. Source: www.marysvilleonline.net

Perhaps the biggest news to come from the annual joint meeting between the Hesston City Council, USD 460 and Hesston Recreation and Community Education on March 27 was the announcement from Hesston City Administrator Gary Emry of his impending retirement and the movement of Jason Thrasher from City Clerk to City Administrator. The transition came during a time of succession within the City government including the hiring of Anthony Swartzendruber as Director of Finance. Source: Harvey County Now

Changes could be coming to EMS response in rural parts of the state. A house bill headed to the governor's desk would change the number of trained medical providers required to be in ambulances. One key part of House Bill 2280 affects counties with a population of less than 30,000 people. They'd be required to have one person trained as an EMT or paramedic, with the ambulance driver only required to be trained in CPR. This is being done to make EMS staffing more flexible for smaller communities, but some say it raises concerns about the quality of patient care in [...]

Abilene will be teeming with treasure hunters this weekend as hundreds of geocachers from across the country descend on the city for MOGA 2025 — the Midwest Open Geocaching Adventure — hosted by the Flint Hills Geocachers. Geocaching is an outdoor treasure-hunting game where participants use GPS-enabled devices to locate hidden containers, known as geocaches, which typically include a logbook and occasionally small trinkets. Source: KSN-TV

As a legal battle continues over water rights in central Kansas, two communities involved are celebrating a $15.8 million grant that could help them. Hays and Russell are getting the Build Kansas Grant to help pipe water 70 miles from a ranch in Edwards County. The two towns bought the R9 Ranch in the 1990s. The ranch includes billions of gallons of irrigation water rights that could supply Hays and Russell for up to 75 years. In 2016, the towns applied for the right to transfer the water. However, Edwards County and the Water Protection Association of Central Kansas (Water PACK), [...]

With the severe weather early this morning, many in Baxter Springs spent today cleaning up damage. The west side of Baxter Springs saw downed power lines, fallen trees, and damaged homes. One Baxter Springs resident's mobile home was blown nearly two feet off its foundation. The man was thankfully unharmed, and was able to reach out to his family for support. They told us how the Baxter Springs community has come together in the storm's aftermath. Source: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com

Pittsburg city leaders are working with the school district to promote safety and health. "This would provide us a safer opportunity for our students," said Tom Stegman, Pittsburg USD 250 chief operations officer. Twentieth and Rouse streets. one of the busiest intersections in the city of Pittsburg. is just up the road from Meadowlark Elementary School. Currently, there are no sidewalks in the area. Source: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com

Topeka is offering to pay half of the cost to fix your sidewalks. While some people tell 27 News they think the city should be in charge of the cost of sidewalks, it's actually the property owners' responsibility. The 50-50 Sidewalk Repair Program was re-introduced this year to help people with the cost of repairs. Some neighborhoods went a step further and applied for the Topeka Dreams grant. This grant allows people to receive even more money from the city to make repairs. Source: KSNT 27 News