Emporia City Commissioners met Wednesday to discuss a new resolution to help the city confront homelessness. All five members of the Emporia City Commission voted in approval of Resolution No. 3700 during a meeting on Wednesday, July 19. This creates the Homelessness Advisory Board. A statement on the city’s social media said the commission created the Emporia Task Force on Homelessness in response to the rising number of unhoused people in the city and the lack of adequate community resources that fit their needs. “This Task Force was entrusted with the responsibility of identifying the requirements of unhoused and at-risk individuals, suggesting solutions to bridge service gaps, and devising strategies to provide both temporary and permanent housing options for those without homes.”
Source: KSNT 27 News

Families in Shawnee County will soon have a new park to play in. Thursday morning, Shawnee County Commissioners gave Shawnee County Parks and Rec the final approval to start negotiating contracts to build phase one of the family park plan. Family park, located at southwest 21st Street and Urish Road features open space between its aqua center and a golf course on the other side. A master plan for more development to the park came out back in 2021, and with this approval the park could break ground as soon as this fall. “We think this is another destination park that will attract families, and even business to Topeka,” Tim Laurent, Shawnee County parks and recreation director said.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Topeka area students won’t need a ticket to ride city buses this school year. For the 11th year running, Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority announced it will offer high school students free rides on fixed bus routes. This comes after the Topeka Metro board of directors approved extending the program on Thursday. All high school students with a valid student ID can ride fixed bus routes for free. They only have to present their valid student ID for the upcoming school year. The Kids Ride FREE! promotion, which offers local youth free transportation within the city limits, remains in effect through Aug. 15.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Manhattan city leaders want to hear from residents about their ideas and concerns about the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. Manhattan officials want to speak directly with residents about topics relating to parks and recreation. Manhattan Parks and Recreation Director Aaron Stewart announced in a press release the city will hold public discussions this summer and fall where citizens can talk to him directly. “Park and Rec It” are discussions open to the public for residents to chat with Stewart about recreational programs, parks, trails, facilities or any other related topics citizens are interested in or concerned about. “Manhattan has a strong passion for parks and recreation, and I would like the opportunity to engage directly with as many citizens as possible,” Stewart said.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Law enforcement warns the public about violence training taking place at a local school this weekend. The Wamego Police Department (WPD) posted on social media that it will be using the Wamego High School for active violence training Friday, July 21 and Saturday July 22. The WPD, along with the Fire Department, Emergency Medical Services and other law enforcement agencies, will take part in the training at and around the high school. “The Wamego Police Department is committed to the safety of our citizens and it is important for the community to know that we are doing what we can to prepare for the worst. This training is designed to bring area law enforcement and emergency service agencies together and improve officers’ response and recovery capabilities should our community face an active violence incident.”
Source: KSNT 27 News

Emporia City Manager Trey Cocking joined the KSNT 27 News Morning show to speak about the newest pay structure that was recently approved by commission. Cocking said that the change came about as a daunting realization hit the city. “Last August, especially in public safety with our police and fire department, we realized we had a real problem,” Cocking said. “We have 41 police officers authorized and we were down to 33 police officers in the department.” He said the situation with the fire department was not much different. “…53 firefighters authorized and I think we were hovering around 10 short there,” Cocking said.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Superintendent Reginald Eggleston with USD-475 joined the 27 News morning show to speak about exciting developments at USD-475. He confirmed they are moving into Morris Hill Elementary School and they will be having a ribbon cutting to celebrate the milestone on September 22. “We are very excited about it,” Dr. Eggleston said. “The move-in will be in two phases, we are actually going to start this year with about 250 students.” Eggleston said they are going to work on continuing the second phase of construction. “Then next year, we will add and be up to capacity which could be 590 students.” The intent, Dr. Eggleston said, is to have an equal amount of students in each school on post.
Source: KSNT 27 News