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A new ordinance allowing the city of Wichita to fine landlords who retaliate against tenants has yet to be put to use. Landlord retaliation can include an eviction or rent increase within six months of a tenant’s complaint to the city’s inspections department about the quality of their housing, according to the ordinance. It was passed in January 2024 by the City Council after several council members said they heard complaints from tenants about retaliation. But between January 2024 and January 2025, the city received just nine complete complaints from tenants alleging retaliation, said city attorney Jennifer Magaña. Source: KLC Journal

Local voters will soon weigh in on another school bond, this time in the Goddard School District. USD 265 is asking voters to approve a $196 million bond. Over the summer, the district commissioned a study to predict future population growth. The study by Davis Demographics suggests Goddard Public Schools will see a 30% increase over the next decade. That potential increase in students is prompting the bond vote. If approved, the district would build two new elementary schools, renovate Oak Street Elementary into a learning center to provide pre-K options, and make improvements to the fine arts and athletic facilities. [...]

The McPherson County Commission has imposed a countywide burn ban due to dry and dangerous conditions. The action came during Monday’s regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, with the passage of a resolution declaring a state of local disaster emergency due to the elevated risk of wildfires. Officials say the combination of dry grasslands, cropland, and high winds has created hazardous fire conditions that threaten property and public safety. Source: KSN-TV

Questions and concerns from city leaders about plans to increase parking rates downtown arise after the city council meeting on Tuesday, April 15. 27 News spoke to District 5 councilman Brett Kell and he said he doesn’t want to “over charge” just to bring in more money. Source: KSNT 27 News

Topeka city leaders have approved of another funding request for a local hotel to keep it running this year. Topeka's governing body gathered on Tuesday, April 15 to vote on a proposal to grant an additional $168,000 in funding for the Hotel Topeka at City Center. The money will come from the city's General Fund and will go towards the continued operation and maintenance of the building. The funding request was approved by the governing body 7-3, with District 2 councilwoman Christina Valdivia-Alcala, District 3 councilwoman Sylvia Ortiz and District 4 councilman David Banks opposed. Source: KSNT 27 News

Ahead of an unofficial holiday Kansas law enforcement is ramping up patrols for potheads. April 20, otherwise known as 420 is this upcoming Sunday. The day is popular for those that partake of marijuana consumption. Increased enforcement will be seen across the Sunflower State starting Friday April 18, including sobriety checkpoints, concentrated patrols, drug sniffing canines and more. The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) has a new method to catch marijuana users. Eight months ago, the agency began using an oral fluid instrument to conduct test roadside instead of having to wait for a blood test. Source: KSNT 27 News

A bill approved by the Kansas Legislature and recently signed by the governor has ensured that Strother Field Airport and Industrial Park will retain its tax exempt status. Without the legislative fix, officials said, the cities of Winfield and Arkansas City faced a growing risk of needing to impose a property tax levy to support Strother operations — a tax burden that hasn’t existed for residents and businesses since 1952. The two cities jointly own and operate the industrial park and airfield located along U.S. 77. The passage and signing of Senate Bill 117, clarifies and reaffirms the property tax-exempt status [...]

Roughly 150 chickens perished in a fire Tuesday at a residence south of Valley Center. Authorities were originally called at 3:25 p.m. to a barn fire at a home in the 1300 block of South Meridian. Fire crews arrived at a residence and found a 20-by-40 foot chicken coop on fire behind the house, Valley Center fire chief Lonnie Tormey said in a phone call. Firefighters quickly put out the fire, with only one building near the coop getting heat damage. Source: Wichita Kansas Local News, Crime & More |

The city of Wichita will seek help from a consultant to find its next city manager in a nationwide search. Longtime City Manager Robert Layton announced his retirement earlier this month, sparking conversations on whether the mayor should have a stronger role in the city’s day-to-day operations. Even so, the council is moving ahead with a search for another manager. The city council will vote on issuing a request for proposals from search consultant firms at next week’s meeting. Source: Wichita Kansas Local News, Crime & More |

Carl Slaugh, who served for five years as Iola’s city administrator and another five years as a city councilman, died last week at the age of 77. Funeral services are Friday. The Utah native embarked on a 20-year military service, a stint that put him in Germany when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989. He retired from the Air Force in 1993, and eventually began a career in city administration. He served four years as city administrator in Hiawatha and three more in Basehor, before coming to Iola in 2011. Source: The Iola Register