News

Hansen hopes to bring stability to Sedgwick EMS

2025-10-09T09:54:39-05:00October 9th, 2025|

When Sedgwick’s EMS director position came open last summer, Zane Hansen, the city’s fire chief since 2019, stepped up to fill the role. “Great to see somebody with hometown pride take over,” City Administrator Kyle Nordick said about Hansen’s willingness to take the position. “It seemed like he would be the right fit instead of putting the city through the process of trying to go out and find somebody. We already had somebody in-house that the team was familiar with, and so there’s that level of comfortability, as well.” Hansen, who’s lived in Sedgwick his entire life, not only brings familiarity [...]

De Soto embraces ‘generation worth of improvements’ as Panasonic ramps up production

2025-10-09T09:51:46-05:00October 9th, 2025|

This small town is moving forward with plans for major developments even though Panasonic may delay full production at its new electric vehicle battery plant. The newest developments include plans for hundreds of housing options with apartments, homes and a hotel, in addition to the opening of a data center and an expansion to Merck Animal Health’s facility. De Soto is a town of about 6,500 people, so the planned hiring of 4,000 people at Panasonic, in addition to new housing and other businesses coming to town, means at least an additional 60% of people spending time at local businesses and [...]

Panel of Lawrence public officials wrestle with free speech in government forums

2025-10-09T09:50:54-05:00October 9th, 2025|

Lawrence elected officials and civic professionals speaking during a panel Monday identified trends they say disrupt the public discourse necessary to make progress. Amber Sellers, Lawrence city commissioner; Kelly Jones, Lawrence school board member as well as candidate running for reelection in November; Patrick Kelly, Douglas County Commission chair; and Rich Lockhart, chief of the Lawrence Police Department shared reflections on their roles as public officials. Kyle Velte, University of Kansas School of Law faculty member, added legal perspectives and knowledge. The League of Women Voters of Lawrence-Douglas County hosted the panel event, “Bringing Civility Back to Civic Discourse.” Co-Vice President [...]

Kansas corn boom faces long-term sustainability questions

2025-10-09T09:49:42-05:00October 9th, 2025|

Kansas farmers are harvesting millions of acres of corn that power the state’s economy — but as the Ogallala Aquifer shrinks, its future looks uncertain. It’s harvest time in Kansas. Across the state, combines have begun shaving down and chopping up over 6 million acres of corn. Isaac Yara is a truck driver, so he sees almost nothing but those corn fields hauling grain across the high plains. This season is a busy one for him. Why are those signature corn fields so ubiquitous in rural America, including western Kansas where the crop relies on the shrinking Ogallala Aquifer to thrive? [...]

City to increase testing for lead in water

2025-10-09T09:47:37-05:00October 9th, 2025|

Iola officials were notified last week that the city must conduct more tests among its residents whose homes may have lead water lines or fixtures. Iola will test its water more frequently for lead over the next year as part of an edict handed down from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Toby Ross, water plant superintendent, and Mitch Phillips, the city’s water distribution superintendent, spoke about a recent KDHE notification, directing the city to ramp up its testing after three homes tested above the EPA threshold of lead in their drinking water over the summer. The threshold, mind you, [...]

McPherson County to Commission Official County Seal, Approve Final Design by Nov. 15

2025-10-09T09:44:53-05:00October 9th, 2025|

McPherson County is commissioning the design of an official county seal that will be displayed at the McPherson County Building at Maple and Marlin when it opens early next year. The County Commission Monday approved a scope of work agreement with BowerComm, carrying a $3,500 budget. The seal is envisioned as an art piece that conveys the county’s identity and values while avoiding the pitfalls of being overly cluttered, cartoonish or confused with a logo. This seal could at some future time become widely adopted across county communications. Concept sketches are expected to be available within three weeks with the final [...]

County now on siren duty in Ark City

2025-10-09T09:43:55-05:00October 9th, 2025|

Activation of warning sirens within the Arkansas City limits is now the responsibility of Cowley County Emergency Management after Ark City commissioners unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding Tuesday transferring that authority to the county. That responsibility had been carried out by the city’s Emergency Management Coordinator, a position cut from the budget next year to save costs. “We’re still responsible for the sirens, the maintenance, all the costs of that,” City Manager Randy Frazer said. “It just the operation of when they are set off is on the county.” Read more: www.ctnewsonline.com - RSS Results

Because You Asked: What is the Emporia Police Department’s Drone Team?

2025-10-09T09:42:50-05:00October 9th, 2025|

Over the last several years, the Emporia Police Department has adopted the targeted usage of drones in emergency and non-emergency situations. The drones were most recently used during a narcotics investigation on State street, to arrest Christopher Diaz on counts of ​​Distribution of a Controlled Substance and No Drug Tax Stamp. Read more: www.emporiagazette.com/*

A Carnegie library opened in 1914 remains a lifeline for this rural Kansas town. With no popups.

2025-10-09T09:41:40-05:00October 9th, 2025|

Sunshine from the front bay windows of the Peabody Township Public Library brushes the desks and chairs and books inside with a natural warmth no electric light can match. This scene, or something near to it, has repeated itself every afternoon since the library opened in 1914. The bay windows, set beneath patterned stained glass transoms, are on either side of the front door. The wooden chairs are the same chairs the first patrons used all those years ago, although they have since been refinished. Over the circulation desk is a black-and-white photo of Emma Christ, the librarian in charge at [...]

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