Cash mob to support downtown merchants in Salina

2018-10-01T20:32:17-05:00October 1st, 2018|

The master developer for downtown Salina’s revitalization and the downtown merchants’ association have joined forces to organize a cash mob designed to benefit downtown Salina merchants during construction. The cash mob will take place during merchants’ regular business hours on Oct. 13. Shoppers are encouraged to patronize downtown Salina stores, restaurants and bars during a time of year that is typically slow for retailers. Some downtown Salina retailers have seen disruption in store-front accessibility since construction began on the Santa Fe corridor, as the street is being narrowed to improve walkability and increase outside seating. “We are so excited for the [...]

Finney County commission changes rehiring policy

2018-10-01T20:30:19-05:00October 1st, 2018|

The Finney County Commission on Monday unanimously approved a personnel policy change that will make it possible for the county to rehire former employees that left their positions without submitting two weeks notice, an action that until the change had marked employees as non-rehireable. Kelly Munyan, the county payroll clerk, presented the request for the policy revision to the commission. Human Resources Director Darlene Lucas was slated to present the request, but had a conflict, she said. Munyan told the commission that under the existing policy, if an employee voluntarily separated from the county and submitted a written notice of their [...]

Wichita City Council set to move forward on IRBs for innovation campus YMCA at WSU

2018-10-01T19:42:40-05:00October 1st, 2018|

Wichita's City Council on Tuesday is scheduled close the public hearing period on a measure that would issue $25 million worth of industrial revenue bonds for a new Greater Wichita YMCA location at WSU. The City Council in May approved a letter of intent to issue the bonds for a new YMCA facility on the Wichita State University Innovation Campus. A portion of the $25 million would be used for improvements and an addition at the YMCA's east Wichita location (9333 E. Douglas). According to city documents, about $17.5 million would go toward the construction of the new YMCA facility at [...]

More than 77 tons recycled at Salina Drive-Thru Recycle Center since July

2018-10-01T19:37:31-05:00October 1st, 2018|

More than 5,700 customers have recycled more than 77 tons of material at the Salina Drive-thru Recycling Center (SDRC) since it opened on July 11. According to an administrative brief by Jim Teutsch of the Salina Public Works Department, “after eight weeks of operation, the facility has serviced 5,727 customers who recycled 77.1 tons of material. SDRC drivers have made a total of 11 trips to the Material Recovery Facility or ‘MRF’ in South Hutchinson, where the recyclables are processed.” Teutsch wrote that both residential and commercial customers are using the facility. He wrote that, “overall feedback has been extremely positive. [...]

City of Topeka Municipal Court taking Food for Fines in October

2018-10-01T19:27:04-05:00October 1st, 2018|

The City of Topeka Municipal Court will start a Food for Fines program during the month of October. Any person with a payment due to the Municipal Court between October 1st and October 31st will receive a $25 credit towards their fine with a donation of ten cans of non-perishable canned goods. All the non-perishable food items that are collected will be donated to Project Topeka. “I’m pleased that the Topeka Municipal Court is able to help people pay off their fines and help those in need at the same time,” said Municipal Court Judge Lori Dougherty-Bichsel. “We are excited to [...]

Shawnee County commission sets final vote on land use plan for Oct. 15

2018-10-01T19:24:35-05:00October 1st, 2018|

The debate over a proposed Shawnee County comprehensive land use plan, which has lasted two years, will continue two more weeks. County Commissioners Kevin Cook, Shelly Buhler and Jim Crowl approved 17 housekeeping-related revisions to the plan Monday before voting 3-0 to consider it for final action Oct. 15. County counselor Jim Crowl suggested commissioners set the vote for Oct. 8, saying he could have the plan ready by then. But commissioners agreed to a request by two-time commission candidate Carol Marple that they allow an additional week for public deliberation. Commissioners heard members of the public express a mixture of [...]

Inaugural Topeka Landlord Expo to be held October 27

2018-10-02T08:51:52-05:00October 1st, 2018|

The first Topeka Landlord Expo will feature more than 80 exhibitors and training sessions throughout the day, designed to educate landlords about doing business in the capital city. “The city of Topeka wants to provide landlords with the advice, tools and knowledge that they need to be successful in our community,” said neighborhood relations director Sasha Haehn. “The expo is perfect for all landlords, whether you are a first-time landlord, established landlord, agent, property investor or thinking about entering the private rental market.” The city partnered with the Shawnee County Landlord’s Association and Housing and Credit Counseling Inc. to organize the [...]

Citizens Academy an opportunity to understand police decision-making

2018-10-01T08:46:52-05:00October 1st, 2018|

Twice a year, local law enforcement invites members of the community to participate in the city of Topeka’s Citizens Police Academy. The group meets on Thursday nights for 14 weeks, as well as on two Saturdays, to learn about what it takes to work in law enforcement. “The officers are very passionate about educating the public,” said Meg Gammage, a volunteer in police service. Over the course of the program, participants cover such topics as recruiting and training officers, criminal investigations, the bomb disposal unit and organized crime. Each bureau of the department is highlighted, and citizens are invited to participate [...]

Shawnee County Commission to be asked to give land use plan discussion one more week

2018-10-01T07:04:04-05:00October 1st, 2018|

The debate over a proposed comprehensive Shawnee County land use, which has lasted two years, may continue for one more week. Commission chairman Kevin Cook had suggested Sept. 10 that commissioners would act on the plan for the county’s unincorporated areas when they meet Monday. But Cook said Friday that county counselor Jim Crowl plans that day to share a series of recommendations for the commission to vote on, then ask commissioners to wait one more week before taking a final vote. The proposed 197-page 2038 Shawnee County Comprehensive Plan would guide decision-making about the physical development of the county’s unincorporated [...]

Hutch City Council to take action on builder permit fees

2018-10-01T06:59:58-05:00October 1st, 2018|

During the 2019 budget process, the Hutchinson City Council was in consensus to raise building permit fees for next year. During Tuesday’s agenda session, the council will address the proposed 10 percent fee hike. It will be the first increase in permit fees in 10 years. Those fees go directly into the general fund. Fees for work being done with a cost of less than $500 would be $21.80. The fees would increase as project costs increase, climbing to $893 for construction totaling more than $100,000. Fees for various permits for things such as sidewalks, moving structures and demolition would also [...]

Go to Top