News

After a joint meeting between the Hesston School District, recreation commission and city failed to finalize plans for the middle school, the district began to explore new options for the building. At the joint meeting Tim Sweigart, CEO of Kansas Electric, asked about a private entity taking over the building. After the meeting, Board President Layne Frick and Superintendent Kevin Logan met with Sweigart to find out more. Frick said Sweigart was serious about his interest in buying the building and liked Sweigart’s vision. Source: Harvey County Now

Olathe is taking steps to determine the future of its mostly unused charitable community fund. Earlier this month, the Olathe City Council voted 7-0 to move ahead with a feasibility study for the Olathe Community Fund. The study — which will piggyback on an ongoing study with BPS Philanthropic Advisors on whether to set up a charitable fund to support the Olathe Animal Shelter — will cost $12,500 and be paid for with dollars in the community fund. Source: Johnson County Post

A $32.5 million bond to finance capital improvements in Piper Unified School District failed among northwest Wyandotte County voters on Tuesday. The move would have pushed forward a two-phase plan for overhaul renovations in the growing rural school district. An overwhelming 1,489 voters denied the measure expected to raise the school district’s mill rate, or the amount of taxable dollars per every $1,000 of properties’ assessed value, by $2.41. Piper USD’s proposed, roughly $69 per $1,000 property valuation rate would have accounted for 38% of district residents’ property tax bills and would have taken effect July 1. Source: Local Kansas City [...]

A new ordinance allowing the city of Wichita to fine landlords who retaliate against tenants has yet to be put to use. Landlord retaliation can include an eviction or rent increase within six months of a tenant’s complaint to the city’s inspections department about the quality of their housing, according to the ordinance. It was passed in January 2024 by the City Council after several council members said they heard complaints from tenants about retaliation. But between January 2024 and January 2025, the city received just nine complete complaints from tenants alleging retaliation, said city attorney Jennifer Magaña. Source: KLC Journal

Local voters will soon weigh in on another school bond, this time in the Goddard School District. USD 265 is asking voters to approve a $196 million bond. Over the summer, the district commissioned a study to predict future population growth. The study by Davis Demographics suggests Goddard Public Schools will see a 30% increase over the next decade. That potential increase in students is prompting the bond vote. If approved, the district would build two new elementary schools, renovate Oak Street Elementary into a learning center to provide pre-K options, and make improvements to the fine arts and athletic facilities. [...]

The McPherson County Commission has imposed a countywide burn ban due to dry and dangerous conditions. The action came during Monday’s regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, with the passage of a resolution declaring a state of local disaster emergency due to the elevated risk of wildfires. Officials say the combination of dry grasslands, cropland, and high winds has created hazardous fire conditions that threaten property and public safety. Source: KSN-TV

Questions and concerns from city leaders about plans to increase parking rates downtown arise after the city council meeting on Tuesday, April 15. 27 News spoke to District 5 councilman Brett Kell and he said he doesn’t want to “over charge” just to bring in more money. Source: KSNT 27 News

Topeka city leaders have approved of another funding request for a local hotel to keep it running this year. Topeka's governing body gathered on Tuesday, April 15 to vote on a proposal to grant an additional $168,000 in funding for the Hotel Topeka at City Center. The money will come from the city's General Fund and will go towards the continued operation and maintenance of the building. The funding request was approved by the governing body 7-3, with District 2 councilwoman Christina Valdivia-Alcala, District 3 councilwoman Sylvia Ortiz and District 4 councilman David Banks opposed. Source: KSNT 27 News

Ahead of an unofficial holiday Kansas law enforcement is ramping up patrols for potheads. April 20, otherwise known as 420 is this upcoming Sunday. The day is popular for those that partake of marijuana consumption. Increased enforcement will be seen across the Sunflower State starting Friday April 18, including sobriety checkpoints, concentrated patrols, drug sniffing canines and more. The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) has a new method to catch marijuana users. Eight months ago, the agency began using an oral fluid instrument to conduct test roadside instead of having to wait for a blood test. Source: KSNT 27 News

A bill approved by the Kansas Legislature and recently signed by the governor has ensured that Strother Field Airport and Industrial Park will retain its tax exempt status. Without the legislative fix, officials said, the cities of Winfield and Arkansas City faced a growing risk of needing to impose a property tax levy to support Strother operations — a tax burden that hasn’t existed for residents and businesses since 1952. The two cities jointly own and operate the industrial park and airfield located along U.S. 77. The passage and signing of Senate Bill 117, clarifies and reaffirms the property tax-exempt status [...]