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Picture three-and-a-half football fields with earth piled onto them — piled as tall as the Empire State Building. That’s how much sediment flows into Tuttle Creek Lake each year. After decades of this, mud has eaten up so much space that about half of the lake near Manhattan has disappeared. Put another way, about half of its volume for storing water is gone. That’s why the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Kansas Water Office will start a first-of-its-kind pilot test this week to try to clear out some mud. They’ll use an underwater dredging technique that they hope will [...]

In general, Colwich residents are quite satisfied with life there, but there are areas for improvement, they say. That was the main takeaway from a presentation at Monday evening’s City Council meeting by the Wichita firm of PEC, which surveyed local residents as part of its work on Colwich’s comprehensive plan. Lance Onstott, a planner with PEC and who made the presentation, said he was pleased with the survey’s response, in which 203 people took part, a 12.5% rate.As for the city’s upsides, most respondents cited Colwich’s “small-town lifestyle,” and said they live there because it’s where their family and friends [...]

The city of Maize wants in on the region's growth. Historically, the bedroom community has struggled to compete for retailers and commercial development against the neighboring city of Wichita and the NewMarket Square shopping center. "One of the biggest complaints we hear from residents in Maize is the lack of options for food," said Joe Dessenberger, the deputy city manager for Maize. But the city has grown over the past few years with new housing and is projected to reach more than 10,000 residents by 2030. To support its population and the visitors that come to Maize for school and sporting [...]

Way back in 1963, as he tells it, Steve Hirsch’s father traveled farm to farm in the rural areas surrounding Simpson, Kansas, to gather signatures in support of a rural fire district. He got the support of all but one of his neighbors, and the fire service was born. Hirsch was just 1 year old. Today he’s an attorney by trade, but his passion is firefighting. He’s the training officer for Sheridan County Fire District No. 1 – an all-volunteer fire department – as well as treasurer for the Kansas State Firefighters Association and chair of the National Volunteer Fire Council. There are [...]

The Columbus Police Department launches an investigation after local high schools partake in an "unsettling" TikTok trend. According to the city, a TikTok user posted footage of themselves allegedly urinating on playground equipment at the city park. Columbus officials ask that anyone who has any tips or information regarding the identity of the user to contact the police department. Read more: www.koamnewsnow.com

Rose Hill residents will soon follow Wichita’s permanent outdoor watering rules as part of the city’s water contract. Starting Sept. 18, homes will be limited to set watering days based on address: odd numbers on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday; even numbers on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. No watering will be allowed on Mondays. Watering is only permitted before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Well users are exempt, and hand watering is allowed any day within the same time limits. Residents planning to reseed or lay sod can request a variance from the city. Read more: KSN-TV

Many people may not know, but Caldwell is the Ornate Box Turtle Capital of the World. The city is celebrating 40 years of the title by creating 12 unique pieces of art. "I think every aspect of town is kind of leaned in to the turtles," explained local artist, Brooke Cink. "It's like instead of necessarily the blue jays or the outlaws, we are now also like turtle town." "In April of 1986, the governor actually came to Caldwell and signed the bill, making the ornate box turtle the state reptile," added Caldwell City Administrator Leah Sommerhoff. To honor this unlikely [...]

Garden City leaders have approved nearly $50 million in STAR bonds to move forward with the second phase of the Sports of the World project. The new phase will add four competition softball fields, four baseball fields, and space for future restaurants, hotels, and retail near U.S. Highway 83 and East Mary Street. The bonds, totaling up to $49.7 million, will be paid back using sales tax revenue generated within the project area. City officials note this means the bonds will not raise property taxes. Read more: KSN-TV

A dog blood bank is not coming to southern Kansas. The Harper County Commission rejected a zoning change that would have placed the bank in the small town of Danville. The potential blood bank has been in the works for a while. The decision to change zoning laws on the property owner's land was presented to the county commission last week for a vote, but was pushed back. Despite the zoning committee recommending that they pass the change, it was denied on Monday. The blood bank would have housed dozens of dogs, which would have had their blood taken periodically and [...]

Starting today, permanent watering restrictions begin in Wichita. Under the rules, water will be allowed every other day but not between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Addresses ending in odd numbers can water on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Even numbers can water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Watering is not allowed on Monday. Those who use wells will not be affected by the changes. Read more: KSN-TV