Town of Sedgwick prepares for flooding
Residents of Sedgwick were sandbagging homes on Tuesday as Sand Creek started to flood the town. Ridge Road through Sedgwick was also closed due to high water. (Read more: Wichita Eagle)
Great Bend’s newly-designed disc golf course grand opening Oct. 23
Everyone is invited to the grand opening of the newly-redesigned disc golf course on October 23 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Grand Opening Celebration will include a Putting and Long Drive Challenges, a Disc Golf Tournament, and Eric McCabe, Professional Disc Golf World Champion will be on hand to conduct a “How to Clinic” for the novice or local disc golf enthusiasts. A disc golf tournament will follow the ribbon cutting ceremony with local disc golf enthusiasts on hand to assist anyone who signs up for the Disc Golf Tournament. The Disc Golf Course was originally designed in 2005 [...]
Businesses to address domestic violence through partnership with Topeka mayor’s task force
Local businesses and the YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment are partnering with the Mayor’s Task Force Against Domestic Violence to reach more survivors in the workplace. The task force’s corporate engagement subcommittee will support businesses in reaching survivors through education, outreach and services. Sixteen years ago, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas established Shield Against Violent Environments, or SAVE, said Marlou Wegener, manager of community relations. “We recognize the impact that domestic violence has on the workplace and that while at work, that may be the only time the survivor feels safe or has the opportunity to take action,” [...]
Chanute stalls on offer to purchase building
Chanute city commissioners failed to approve a deal Monday evening for the sale of an industrial building after negotiating with a buyer last week. The proposed deal to sell the building at 615 W. Cherry to Bridgewood Custom Cabinets failed 2-2 Monday evening. Potential buyer Jim Caldwell of Hi-Lo Industries and Bridgewood increased his offer on the building to $500,000 and negotiated with commissioners to cap credits for equipment and job creation. Caldwell previously offered $350,000 for the building, and sought an equal match of credit for the cost of equipment he planned to purchase this week, setting a date [...]
In contingency move, Salina saves money on downtown overhead structures
In a contingency move for the Downtown Streetscape Project, the Salina City Commission voted 4-1 on Monday to approve a change order that will save $122,464 in crosswalk overhead structure costs. Mike Schrage, interim city manager, said a portion of the change order, which allows the city to make changes to the base contract, changes the supporting columns for the overhead structures, which were suppose to be steel poles with architectural pre-cast colored panels to solid concrete columns. The change from a solid concrete column from a steel column will resemble the original design. The second part of the change [...]
Cheers Finney County: Proponents tout ballot initiative’s benefits
During Tuesday’s Noon Lion’s Club meeting, former Garden City Commissioner Chris Law talked about his support for a ballot measure that will change liquor by the drink rules in Finney County to get rid of a percentage-based food requirement for establishments that serve alcohol. Law and other community members are promoting the “Cheers Finney County – Vote Yes Campaign” ballot initiative. On Nov. 6, Finney County voters will get to decide whether to eliminate a food sales requirement on businesses that offer liquor by the drink. Currently, businesses that sell liquor by the drink are mandated to have 30 percent [...]
Mark Hall Named City Manager in Coffeyville
Mark Hall has been selected City Manager for the City of Coffeyville. In a unanimous vote the Board of Commissioners approved an employment agreement with Hall at their October 9 Commission meeting. Hall most recently was employed as City Manager for the City of Liberal. “The commission spent considerable time reviewing resumes and conducting interviews the past few weeks,” said Mayor Paul Bauer. “Mark Hall has been involved in city government for 18 years, and we believe he has the experience necessary to hit the ground running and move our community forward.” (Read more: Coffeyville, KS - News Flash) [...]
Great Bend tennis court improvements in store for Veterans Memorial Park
The Great Bend Recreation Commission is coordinating a united effort with the City of Great Bend, USD 428 school district, and Barton Community College in moving forward with tennis court improvements of resurfacing and repairing eight courts located at Veteran’s Memorial Park. USD 428 Superintendent Khris Thexton says the current surface needs repairs to ensure a safe playing environment, and the collection of entities will financially come together. The Rec Commission Board approved a bid from Mid-American Courtworks from Wichita to resurface the eight tennis courts at Vet’s Park. The $48,668 will also reinforce the expansion joints on the courts. [...]
Lawrence City Commission to discuss reducing penalties for marijuana possession
Lawrence city commissioners will soon consider whether the city should decrease its penalties for marijuana possession, which can include up to a $1,000 fine and mandatory drug counseling for first-time offenders. As part of its work session Tuesday, the commission will review the city’s current ordinance regarding marijuana possession and receive a proposal to make the penalties less severe. Read more: LJworld.com.
Amtrak vows to keep the Southwest Chief rolling through Colorado, Kansas and New Mexico — at least for another year
Amtrak is vowing to keep its historic Southwest Chief train route rolling — as-is — through Colorado, Kansas and New Mexico for at least another year following pressure from Congress. The national rail carrier was considering suspending rail service between Dodge City, Kan., and Albuquerque, and replacing it with charter buses as early as the start of 2019. That proposition stemmed from what Amtrak says are millions of dollars in needed repairs to a 219-mile section of track between Trinidad and Santa Fe that it can’t afford. Advocates of the line said busing would put the nail in the Southwest Chief’s [...]