info

Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday approved a change to temporarily remove the limit on how many short-term rental units — such as AirBnBs — property owners may hold.  The change, which city staff members said will help ensure there are enough accommodations for thousands of visitors anticipated to come to town for the World Cup, will go into effect May 25. Commissioners asked staff to start the process to add to city codes that the change will sunset July 26 and to increase penalties for violations.  Read more: The Lawrence Times

Anderson County commissioners have established new regulations governing the placement of solar farms. The regulations were approved after a two-year moratorium on all industrial solar projects, the Anderson County Review reported. Under the new regulations, commercial solar projects of up to 160 acres are allowed only through a special use permit in agricultural and industrial zoning districts, the newspaper reported. Utility scale projects exceeding 160 acres are restricted to industrial zoning districts and also require a special use permit. Read more: The Iola Register

It looks like the Royals won’t be joining the Chiefs in moving to the Kansas side of the metro, at least not with the help of special state incentives designed to entice the professional sports teams to the state. Earlier this week, Topeka-based news stations KSNT and WIBW both reported Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins affirmed that the opportunity for the Royals to use the special stadium incentive package offered in Kansas had passed. Hawkins chairs the Legislative Coordinating Council, the bipartisan group of Kansas legislative leaders from both chambers tasked with approving state stadium incentives. Though the stadium incentive law [...]

Garden City’s newest mayor is just 22 years old, and he says his appointment shows the confidence the community has in its young people. The city commission appoints one of its elected commissioners to the role each year, and this week, members selected Tom Nguyen. Despite his age, Nguyen is no stranger to local politics. He was elected to the commission in 2023 and says he is honored that Garden City residents value his ideas more than his age. Read more: KSN-TV

Derby’s Rock Regional Hospital is permanently closed. The hospital on social media posted that there is “NO emergency care available at this location.” The post went on to add that “if you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.” Court records show that a bankruptcy judge lifted a stay that had delayed the hospital from being evicted. According to documents, the landlord gave the hospital notice back on Nov. 5 that it would enforce the eviction no later than Dec. 10. Read more: KSN-TV

People in Hays will need to keep an eye on their plumbing over the next month. This week, a city contractor is starting to inspect and clean sewer lines in the southern part of the city. The Water Resources Department said work will begin on the north side of the area and continue south. It should be finished within a month, depending on the weather. Read more: KSN-TV

Galena City Council discussed proposals for dealing with the city's growing landfill issue, including constructing a new cell with a gas burn-off system, and has adjusted its approach to focus on air monitoring and data collection. Read more: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com

Marion residents wanting to own pit bulls or a Rottweiler may soon be able to. Current policy states that dogs are not allowed in the city if they have 51% of one of the breeds. Such dogs running at large cannot be returned to the owner. Read more: Marion County RECORD

The $574 million project was originally scheduled to be complete in September 2024. The Wichita Water Works plant, near the Sedgwick County Zoo, doesn’t work because of a design flaw related to the water treatment facility’s clarifiers, Gary Janzen, director of public works and utilities, told the council. Multiple contractors have been hired to identify the root cause, he said, and the city’s waiting for their findings to provide further details on the new plant. Read more: Wichita Eagle

The city — taking its cue from state law — has a policy that allows any city employee to legally carry a concealed weapon while on duty for the city, as long as the employee follows a host of regulations. Such employees would be carrying a weapon in their individual capacity, and not as part of their city job duties. Read more: LJWorld