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Four fire departments receiving safety grants

info2022-12-14T07:51:23-06:00December 14th, 2022|

Several area volunteer fire departments are receiving state grants to improve the protection of personnel. The Office of the State Fire Marshal awarded 2023 grant money to Chase County Fire District No. 1, Eureka Volunteer Fire Department, Lyon County Fire District No. 5 and Olpe Fire District No. 1. They will share in $1.3 million in funds, provided largely through the American Rescue Plan Act. A statement from the Fire Marshal’s office does not specify how much each department will receive. The equipment includes “bunker or wildland gear (coat, pants, helmet, gloves, hood and boots) and new masks for Self-Contained Breathing [...]

The Fed has to portray itself as tough on inflation even as it pushes through a smaller rate hike

info2022-12-13T23:59:11-06:00December 13th, 2022|

The Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates by a smaller half percentage point Wednesday yet signal that its battle with inflation is still far from over. The central bank is also slated to release new forecasts for interest rates and the economy when it winds down its two-day meeting Wednesday afternoon. Fed officials have indicated they would reduce the size of rate hikes, after four straight three-quarter percentage point hikes in a row. Fed officials may take some comfort in the latest data on inflation, but they likely won't show it. November's consumer price index, released Tuesday, showed signs [...]

Cleanup from Keystone oil spill in Washington County likely to take several weeks

info2022-12-13T23:58:05-06:00December 13th, 2022|

Nearly a week after a massive oil spill from the Keystone pipeline in rural Washington County, officials still don’t know what caused the failure, resulting in over 14,000 barrels of crude oil to flow into Mill Creek, near the Kansas-Nebraska border. Clean up activities continue, with the Environmental Protection Agency saying it had recovered nearly 2,600 barrels of liquid from the scene, most of it an oil-water mixture. Just 435 barrels of oil have been recovered directly from the ruptured pipeline. Source: 1350 KMAN

Pottawatomie County bridge among 33 selected for state program targeting $40 million in upgrades

info2022-12-13T23:55:46-06:00December 13th, 2022|

Gov. Laura Kelly was in Westmoreland Tuesday to announce more than $40 million will support 33 local and off-system bridge projects across the state in fiscal year 2024, including one in rural Pottawatomie County. Joined by Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz and Pottawatomie County Commission Chair Pat Weixelman, Gov. Kelly highlighted the local project along Armstrong Road over Vermillion Creek, just northeast of Havensville. It’s one of just two in the area that crosses the creek. Source: 1350 KMAN

Derby police chief announces retirement

info2022-12-13T23:54:35-06:00December 13th, 2022|

Derby Police Chief Robert Lee's 42-year-long law enforcement career will come to an end on July 4, 2023. Chief Lee has served the city of Derby since March 2009. “Derby has been an amazing place to work in the second part of my career,” said Robert Lee. “I feel like I have accomplished everything I set out to do, and now it’s time to step down and allow others to lead the department.” “The leadership that Chief Lee has provided during his career in Derby is invaluable,” said Kiel Mangus, City Manager. “He is a dedicated public servant who put a [...]

Wichita to put more artificial grass in city park

info2022-12-13T23:52:09-06:00December 13th, 2022|

A Wichita park that was once synonymous with homelessness, drunkenness and drug use is celebrating a new reality — popularity due to its new design and community events. Now, that popularity is forcing a change from natural grass to artificial turf. Naftzger Park, 601 E. Douglas, was remodeled and reopened in 2021 as an outdoor gathering space for residents and visitors and a place to relax between stops at nearby businesses. It has a stage, dog run, water feature, lots of natural grass and some artificial grass. Source: KSN-TV

Oswego police make arrest in Santa heist

info2022-12-13T23:50:59-06:00December 13th, 2022|

A rural Parsons man made his way onto not only Santa’s naughty list but law enforcement’s after stealing a $3,000 Santa from Riverside Park in Oswego and selling it. Oswego Police Chief George Elliott on Monday said Kyle Neal Kirk, 32, of 4066 Trinity Road, was arrested for the theft Saturday in Oswego when he left his home to pick up Christmas presents for his children from an Angel Tree Project at the First Christian Church in Oswego. The Oswego Police Department took the theft of the Santa on Nov. 27 seriously, devoting extensive man hours to searching for it, Elliott [...]

Labette County employees to receive pay raises

info2022-12-14T07:53:32-06:00December 13th, 2022|

Labette County hourly employees will get a 17% raise and salaried employees will get a 25% bump effective the first pay period in January. Labette County commissioners decided on the wage increases after a discussion Monday prompted by a motion by Commissioner Lonie Addis for pay increases. Addis motioned for all hourly employees to get a pay increase equal to three ranges on the county pay scale. In each department, up to 33% of these employees could be considered by the department head for a four-range increase. All salaried employees would receive a 25% increase under Addis’ motion. The motion excluded [...]

Shawnee Mission boosts sub teacher pay — again

info2022-12-14T07:54:22-06:00December 13th, 2022|

Shawnee Mission substitute teachers are getting another pay increase. The district says it is still struggling to fill daily teacher absences, and the amended substitute agreement approved by the school board Monday night aims to get more subs to fill in for full-time teachers. All daily substitutes will receive an extra $20 on Fridays, a move expected to cost the district up to $140,000, according to board documents. In addition, special education substitute pay will increase to $155 daily, which comes with an expected price tag of up to a $92,000. Source: Prairie Village Post

Humboldt girl asks city to allow poultry in city limits

info2022-12-14T07:56:09-06:00December 13th, 2022|

If charm were the deciding factor, then there’s little doubt 8-year-old Tessa Lou Francis would have convinced Humboldt council members that she should be allowed to raise chickens at her home at 620 Sycamore. With a bow in her hair and a demeanor as sweet as candy, Miss Francis, the daughter of Tim and Kelly Francis, pleaded her case. “One benefit of chickens is that they provide healthy food, and with food being so expensive, this can save money,” Tessa Lou said. “When you go to Walmart, eggs cost $5 a dozen. But if you have chickens, you’re lucky, because you get [...]

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