Lenexa city leaders are now permitting beer and wine to be consumed during private events at four parks, in addition to the two already allowed in city code. Drinking beer and wine is now permitted at these four parks: Ad Astra Park, Buffalo Meadows Park, Matt Taylor Park and Electric Park. On these properties, alcoholic liquor is permitted at private events if event organizers obtain a city-issued alcoholic liquor permit and rent a shelter for private use. Steven Shrout with the city of Lenexa’s legal department, said the parks and recreation department has received more inquiries about drinking in public places, [...]

The streets in the West Vernon Place neighborhood of Merriam are slated to get sidewalks in the coming months — but some residents who live there are organizing to convince the city council to halt the project. More than a dozen neighbors voiced their opposition to the project at the city’s May 13 council meeting. Most who spoke against the city adding sidewalks to West Vernon Place said their neighborhood has always been quiet and safe for them to walk on the street. “It will just destroy the neighborhood, as far as I’m concerned,” said Mary Thomas, a resident of West [...]