info2019-02-20T09:55:50-06:00February 20th, 2019|
Another round of winter weather will make its way across the state Tuesday, bringing with it a lot of snow. For smaller towns like Maize, they don't have the same amount of plow trucks, or salt and sand, to put down. But the city's public works director, Ronald Smothers, says they're ready for anything that comes their way. The department spent the day Monday, preparing for potential messy roads on Tuesday. Read more: KSN
info2019-02-20T06:59:09-06:00February 19th, 2019|
For the second year in a row the Washington County Guest Tax Board will be awarding grants for 2019. The grants are available to non-profit organizations and require submission 60 days prior to the event. Nine entities received $4,515 worth of grants last year, and all communities in the county are encouraged to apply for this year’s grant money. People can apply for grants to help with advertising, signage or the cost of the event. Source: Washington County News.
info2019-02-19T12:20:49-06:00February 19th, 2019|
What appears to be a plan to harvest clean energy in the Wichita area has been shut down — at least for the next 6 months — while county commissioners gather more information. But a bill introduced in the Kansas House might make the delay a moot point. No one has applied for wind or solar farm permits in Sedgwick County, and most of the county is off-limits because of a buffer around airports. But several landowners on the outskirts of Wichita have leased their properties for the purpose of renewable energy development, especially at the border of Reno County, where [...]
info2019-02-19T12:19:27-06:00February 19th, 2019|
The development of a tiny home neighborhood in southeast Wichita is scheduled to move forward, but county leaders plan to discuss a change in future zoning decisions. Homeowners near 143rd Street and Pawnee are concerned about a development of tiny homes in a nearby field. Many of the homes in the neighborhood back up to the field. "We're concerned about our assets, our lives, our futures too," said home owner John Bockelman. He says one of his biggest concerns is seeing a decrease in property value. "The threat of these tiny homes is really affecting our lives and we're going to [...]
info2019-02-19T12:17:27-06:00February 19th, 2019|
More than 20 city and county officials expressed deep opposition Monday to a proposal requiring all government entities subject to the Kansas Open Meetings Act to make public audio recordings of meetings within 24 hours. Topeka Rep. John Alcala, a former member of the city council, said the state shouldn’t be dissuaded from opening government simply because change might be inconvenient or require new investment. “This bill moves Kansas a step forward to an all-in transparency state,” he said. “I will end with this quote: Transparency is for those who carry out public duties and exercise public power. Privacy is for [...]
info2019-02-19T12:14:24-06:00February 19th, 2019|
Residents of Nicodemus are trying to repopulate the historical African American community with the construction of tiny homes. JohnElla Holmes, a Nicodemus resident and township trustee, is spearheading the effort. Holmes’ ancestors lived in Nicodemus, and she moved back to the community in 2015 after her retirement. Nicodemus was founded in 1877 by African Americans moving west during the Reconstruction. It is the only remaining African American settlement west of the Mississippi and is registered as a National Historic Site. Holmes remembers as a child coming home to Nicodemus during the summer for festivals and seeing aunts, uncles and cousins. She [...]
info2019-02-19T12:12:10-06:00February 19th, 2019|
The city has two existing TIF districts. Those are: • The College Hill TIF District, located generally to the south of S.W. 17th and Washburn Avenue, which was formed in 2006 and hasn’t done as well as city officials had hoped it would. • The Wheatfield Village TIF District at the northwest corner of S.W. 29th and Fairlawn Road, which remains under construction. Kansas law allows government entities to create TIF districts at the request of developers to help offset development costs. Developers pay off costs over a period of up to 20 years using the increase in property tax and [...]
info2019-02-19T12:08:09-06:00February 19th, 2019|
Unveiling the city of Hays’ new redesigned website drew expressions of “wow” from Hays City Commissioners on Thursday. Chad Ruder, director of Information Technology for the city, gave a tour of the city’s redesigned site during the commission’s regularly scheduled meeting at City Hall. Haysusa.com has well over 200 pages. But Ruder said residents should find the new layout easier, so they can find what they want, and get things done. “I invite you to visit Haysusa.com, it went live on Monday,” Ruder told the commissioners. Residents will find forms, calendars, up-to-date city news, and be able to pay their bills [...]
info2019-02-19T12:04:05-06:00February 19th, 2019|
The Hutchinson City Council will take action on a market study contract during Tuesday’s meeting. The study would explore market needs for a new hotel and convention center. A task force with city and Chamber representation was recently assembled to identify options for the community when it comes to a new or renovated convention center or hotel project. The task force initially sent out a request for proposals to various hotel development groups. The task force received four letters of interest. Three development groups, one of which was the current owner of the Atrium, were then interviewed. The task force decided [...]
info2019-02-19T12:01:29-06:00February 19th, 2019|
Sheriff Jeff Richards believes Franklin County’s seizure last year of 55 horses suffering from inadequate food and water was the right decision. “They were in bad shape,” the sheriff said. “There was a lot of neglect.” Richards asked the Kansas House’s judiciary committee to amend state law to deal with legal and financial issues encountered after seizing the horse herd. In part, House Bill 2206 would clarify the role of state courts in assessing responsibility for the cost of caring for animals in cruelty cases. It also would streamline legal requirements when animals must be held in a county other than [...]
