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The so-called “dark store” controversy over big-box property values may have seemed settled with a Kansas Supreme Court ruling in Johnson County’s favor three years ago. But in Johnson County, haggling over big box property valuations has returned in a big way over the site of one of Olathe’s most highly visible stores — the Bass Pro shop at 12051 South Renner Blvd. Phoenix-based Arciterra BP LLP, the owner of three parcels of land where the outdoor retailer is located just off Interstate 35, is delinquent on property taxes for every tax year since 2018, according to county records. Source: Johnson [...]

Supporters of Prairie Village’s new city hall project came out in force at Monday’s city council meeting, this time urging the city to pay for “green” sustainable features that critics say is driving the cost up. Those same critics also mobilized at the meeting to outright oppose the entire $30 million project altogether, arguing that it’s a waste of taxpayer dollars and that Prairie Village voters should get a say in whether the plan should move forward. Source: Johnson County Post

Kansas health officials reported seven new measles cases in the past week, bringing the total to 71 statewide. Most of the cases, 69, are linked to an ongoing outbreak in southwest Kansas. Three people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have occurred. The outbreak now includes Pawnee County, making it the ninth affected county. Source: KCLY Radio

Abilene is continuing to monitor low aquifer levels as water supplies remain stagnant despite recent rainfall. Although eastern Kansas isn’t facing the same aquifer depletion seen in the west, Abilene’s underground sources—the Sand Springs Aquifer and Smoky Hill River Alluvium—are not at healthy levels. Source: KCLY Radio

The State of Kansas ended May 2025 with total tax collections of $657.7 million, exceeding estimates by $158.3 million, or 31.7%. However, this total marks a slight 0.2% decrease compared to May 2024. Individual income tax collections totaled $314.7 million—85.1% above the estimate and 3.1% higher than last year. Corporate income tax collections reached $29.2 million, falling 2.8% below expectations and down 26.8% from May 2024. Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts came in at $282.1 million, 4.1% above the estimate and unchanged from the previous year. Source: KCLY Radio

The annual birthday celebration of the city happens every year the first weekend of June. It’s an annual fundraiser for the Galena Volunteer Fire Dept. Source: www.koamnewsnow.com - RSS Results in news/local-news of type article

The history of settlement in Pawnee County predates the county’s official organization in 1873, as the eighth of 65 counties organized in that year. As an official township, Ash Valley was organized in 1881, with a community of the same name first opening a post office in 1877. Source: Homepage

The Great Bend City Band had its first concert of 2025 Thursday evening, performing in the Clayton L. Moses Memorial band shell on the courthouse square. It was the final concert for conductor Grant Mathews, who is leaving for other opportunities. The concert was dedicated to the late Joe Boley, who passed way Sept. 4, 2024. Source: Homepage

Iola Public Library’s new assistant director has a deep passion for service, a love of books, and a knack for community building. Laura Force stepped into her new role on April 14, bringing with her a unique blend of nonprofit leadership, outdoor education, and artistic creativity. “I really love living here,” said Force, 41, who moved to Iola in 2021 with her husband and their eight children after years working in summer camp operations. “We found a great place to live here and we wanted to stay in Kansas.” Source: The Iola Register

A new three-level parking garage to be built on the surface lot behind Olathe City Hall is being considered by county and city officials as a way to ease a parking shortage and improve handicap accessibility for the courthouse. Johnson County commissioners on Thursday voted to enter into a 50/50 agreement with Olathe to build the garage, which would provide parking for the public and city and county employees and is intended to address the ongoing lack of parking space on the north side of Olathe’s downtown. Source: Johnson County Post