Area pools set closing dates for the summer
Time is running out for patrons of most area swimming pools to get in that last splash for the summer. The following are the season-ending dates for area pools: (Read more: The Miami County Republic)
Stuff the Bus event helps USD250 students
Throughout the day on Saturday, school supplies were brought on to school buses in support of USD 250 students who need supplies. USD 250-P3, Walmart and the Pittsburg Salvation Army partnered for a donation event for school supplies called ‘Stuff the Bus’. USD250-P3 is a volunteer group which identifies needs of students within the Pittsburg Community Schools District. The organization connects students with items such as school supplies through partnerships in the community. USD 250-P3 Co-Chair Dawn McNay said the event turned out great. (Read more: Pittsburg Morning Sun)
Marler excited to take on Paola City Clerk role
Stephanie Marler never envisioned herself in a leadership position when she first was hired by the city of Paola in 2008 to be an administrative assistant for the public works department. But thanks to her strong work ethic, willingness to learn and knowledge of the community, she quickly rose through the ranks. On her five-year anniversary with the city, she was promoted to utility billing clerk and moved her office to Paola City Hall. (Read more: The Miami County Republic)
Moundridge schools getting update
Standing the hallway of Moundridge Elementary School amid uncovered floors, lights hanging from a ceiling missing most of its tiles, Moundridge superintendent George Leary exudes confidence and excitement. “We will have our building back,” Leary said. “We get this back Aug. 16. ... There is no doubt, we will be ready. We are on schedule and ahead of schedule.” On any given day, there are dozens of workers in the building installing new flooring, lighting, ceilings and whatever else needs to be done. (Read more: Newton Kansan)
City commission to consider amendments to residential and electrical codes
The Hays city commission knew there would need to be some tweaking of the residential and electrical code updates adopted by the city in July 2017. Three concerns in relation to upgrades and remodels of existing homes requiring a city permit were brought to their attention during the commission work session last week. “Almost all rooms except bathrooms and garages now require AFCIs (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter),” explained Jesse Rohr, public works director. An AFCI protects against electrical- related arcs from an electrical circuit or a device, which commonly lead to fires. If an arc is detected, the AFCI is [...]
Salina USD 305, NEA-Salina reach agreement
Salina USD 305 and NEA-Salina have come to an agreement on teacher contracts, according to a news release from Salina USD 305. The two sides came to an agreement on an average salary increase of 3.2 percent after completing a successful mediation session. The teams had already agreed to other changes in the contract such as: Increased plan time for elementary classroom teachers and high school teachers Expanded the opportunity to use paid time off The next step is for USD 305 teachers to vote in order to ratify the 2019-2020 teacher contract. (Read more: The Salina Post)
Kansas schools: Help wanted
Public school districts across Kansas are scrambling to hire employees ahead of the new school year. “I predict a lot of school districts will start without all their teachers hired,” said Haven USD 312 Superintendent Clark Wedel recently. “It’s a challenge, probably more than it ever has been in my career,” Wedel said on July 29, when the Haven school board conducted a special meeting and hired a fourth-grade teacher. Hutchinson USD 308′s McCandless Elementary School will welcome students Aug. 15 with a long-term substitute teaching a kindergarten class. (Read more: News - Salina Journal)
$29.5 million building permit approved for Delano apartment project
A $29.5 million building permit was pulled this week by Crossland Construction to begin work in the Delano District on a five-story apartment building with mixed use and parking garage on the lower levels. The construction is part of the $40 million Delano catalyst project, which has been slow-moving since conversations with the city began in 2016. Kansas City-based EPC Real Estate LLC is the developer behind the tax-incentivized construction project designed to bring more vibrancy and amenities along the Arkansas River. The plans were expected to include the apartment complex with 204 units, a minimum 90-room hotel and public green space [...]
YMCA Dome facility opens to Garden City public
After years of fundraising, construction delays and pending litigation, the Garden City Family YMCA’s Dome facility opened in late July with prayers, applause and pencils put to membership cards. The space is now officially open to the public, operating under a temporary certificate of occupancy until a permanent license can go before the Garden City Commission, said YMCA CEO Chad Knight. “This has been a long journey, let me tell you,” Knight told community members at the opening under the long-awaited dome. Memberships were available for a discount in honor of the event. (Read more: News - PrattTribune - Pratt, KS)
Kansas State gets $2.8 million grant for cyberattack research
Kansas State researchers have received a three-year, $2.8 million federal grant for a project to enhance utility operators’ awareness of and resilience to cyberattacks. The award from the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office was announced Thursday. The Manhattan Mercury reports that as more solar and other distributed energy resources are added to the electrical grid, utility operators need new tools to provide stronger protection against physical and cyber risks. (Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 - WDAF)