News

At a pre-meeting on July 15, the Garden City Commission heard a presentation on welcoming signs, city limit signs and wayfinding signs. Tyler Patterson, Public Works Operations Manager, said one of the City Commission Goals for 2025-26 is welcoming signs. There are three Welcome to Garden City signs, not including one at the Garden City Regional Airport and Flight Desk Restaurant, in Garden City, Patterson said. Read more: Garden City Telegram

Newton City Commissioners gave an initial go-ahead for staff to begin formalizing an incentive package aimed at drawing in another hotel. In recent years, the City of Newton has seen a decrease in bed tax revenue, as well as guest space at some local hotels. Bed tax revenue funds city programs such as the convention and visitors bureau. During large events like last year’s adaptive golf open, many attendees found themselves staying in Wichita or other locations. Read more: Harvey County Now

A federal judge drastically limited a developer's lawsuit over an Edwardsville ordinance that would ban heavy truck traffic on a street abutting a $100 million logistics center. Scannell Properties spent millions preparing and planning to build more than 2.1 million square feet of light industrial as part of its Compass 70 Logistics facility. It remains under construction and sits in Bonner Springs, along the border with Edwardsville, just south of Interstate 70. Read more: Kansas City Business Journal - Local Kansas City News

Natalie and Alex Beauchamp have moved five times in the past four years.  They’ve fit their lives into apartments across Missouri and the Kansas City area. It’s only recently, when Alex Beauchamp’s promotion required a move to Wichita, that the 20-somethings thought to try their luck at buying a home. City leaders talk a lot about attracting people like the Beauchamps to Wichita: young professionals ready to establish roots. But planting here is harder now than 20 years ago. Especially for first-time buyers.  The Beauchamps did just about everything right, according to their real estate agent, Jayna Reece. They arranged their [...]

It was a night of celebration in Andover as the city officially opened its newest park and welcomed back a beloved community space. Fire Station 2 Park, located just south of Kellogg and Andover Road, sits next to the newly opened Fire Station 2, which inspired the park’s name. The park was funded by the Family Future Forward sales tax, approved by voters in November 2021. Read more: KSN-TV

In the shadow of the world's largest hand-painted Czech egg stands the Wilson Czech opera house, a more than 120-year-old building that has been a member of the Wilson community since the town's beginning. It was built by hand by some of the original residents of this small Kansas community back in 1902. Ford and Kenny Beneba, the Opera House Corporation's president, says it was built by 26 men and eight mules. However, in 2009, a fire engulfed the century-old structure, leaving its future looking bleak. But like a phoenix from the ashes, the opera house has new life after the [...]

Early voting is underway for the primary election in Sedgwick County. Along with candidates, voters in Maize have a special question. The city is asking its residents to approve a 1% sales tax. Maize City Manager Nick Gregory says this sales tax will help reduce future property tax increases while still investing in much-needed infrastructure improvements. Read more: KSN-TV

Police are notifying Topeka pet owners of some changes the Topeka City Council made recently for cruelty to animals and dangerous dog ordinances.  The Topeka City Council voted on July 8 to amend Section 6.05.100 of the Topeka Municipal Code and repeal the original section. The council's decision means local pet owners are required to provide animals with water at all times and changes violations of animal cruelty ordinances to a Class A nonperson misdemeanor. The Topeka Police Department said pet owners who have regained ownership of a dangerous dog can also petition the court for an extension of time to [...]

The leaders of the state’s new Water Program Task Force say they are committed to finding elusive solutions to the state’s long-simmering water crisis. Sen. Kenny Titus, a Republican attorney from Wamego, and Rep. Jim Minnix, a Republican farmer from Scott City who chairs the House Water Committee, appeared alongside Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly at a ceremony in Hays to outline their vision for the task force. The two lawmakers will co-chair a bipartisan group that includes business leaders and conservationists. Their mission: Evaluate risks to water quality and quantity, build a management system that addresses those risks, and secure a dedicated revenue [...]

The Lawrence Police Department has rolled out a new program asking residents and businesses to register their security cameras on a list or integrate them for realtime access by police. Some community members worry the system could infringe on privacy.  Voluntary participants in the program can register their security cameras and contact information with the police department, allowing police to see where cameras are located and request footage if a crime occurs nearby. Read more: The Lawrence Times