The City of Topeka is welcoming two new faces in top leadership positions Friday. The City of Topeka announced on March 27 that Jason Tryon and Patricia Biggs will be taking up two major leadership roles within the city’s staff. Tryon will serve as the new director of Public Works, while Biggs will take up the position as chief information officer. Tryon and Biggs replace prior Chief Information Officer Randi Stahl and Public Works Director Steven Groen. The City of Topeka announced their departures from the city’s staff in November last year. Biggs and Tryon were selected as interim fill-ins following the departures of Groen and Stahl.
Read more: KSNT 27 News

Those who are going to Colwich for the first time in a while will now be greeted by a limestone monument to the town. On March 19, the City of Colwich unveiled its new sign east of Memorial Park. According to the City of Colwich, this is an idea that’s been four years in the making, with the biggest push coming over the last three years.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

Douglas County-area law enforcement and first responders have joined a Blue Envelope program to help them better serve people who may respond to emergencies differently from the way officers are expecting. “Not everyone responds the same in dealing with emergent and often stressful circumstances,” according to a Wednesday news from the Lawrence Police Department. “A variety of medical and mental health conditions can also cause people to act in ways that concern first responders and increase tension.” Blue envelopes hold important documentation such as a driver’s license, proof of insurance and registration in one place, but they also explain medical conditions for the community member and the officer. “The envelope gives officers notice that the person might need a little more time, might avoid eye contact, act in ways that appear strange, or could be overwhelmed by lights and noise,” according to the release. Bailey Salsbury, a school resource officer with LPD, learned about the program and worked to coordinate the effort, according to the release. LPD, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical, and the KU, Baldwin City and Eudora police departments are all participating.
Read more: The Lawrence Times

Along Andover Road, the Andover Historical Museum holds a treasure trove of history. “I don’t think there’s a lot of people that even know how deep our roots are,” said Tricia Lee, president of the museum. “I’ve been finding lots of stuff in the 1800s, like boxing was a big thing here.” The museum has been around for decades, and the new board wants to start a new chapter. “Rebuild it and make this an official museum with real exhibits in it,” Lee said. Over the last year, volunteers have gone through each piece inside.
Read more: KSN-TV

There’s a clean energy ordinance that could change soon. There’s the city’s strategic plan, which will soon get an update. There are two new city commissioners, a sustainability department with just a $4,000 operating budget for this year, and multiple other departments doing their own environmental work.
Read more: LJWorld

Prices are up for rural grocers, margins are thin, staff are hard to find and transportation costs are higher for small-town stores. Communities across Kansas have been attempting new ways to fill in the grocery gaps. But some of those solutions are coming up short.
Read more: Wichita Eagle