News

After multiple years of work to pull it together, Overland Park has officially launched its Portfolio Homes pilot program. This pilot offers a collection of pre-selected, nearly pre-approved designs to encourage the development of diverse housing choices and reduce costly pre-development costs. The idea, city staff have said, is to increase the housing supply in the middle of the housing spectrum, which is sometimes referred to as “missing middle” housing — that is, more mid-sized and moderately priced housing options that are largely absent from Johnson County’s increasingly expensive market. Read more: Johnson County Post

Kansas officials, Evergy and a Washington-based nuclear energy company want to bring another, though smaller and safer, nuclear reactor to the state, and De Soto is in the running as a possible location for it. De Soto city officials on Thursday night expressed interest in the potential facility, though they stopped short of fully endorsing it. For now, that only means the city is looking to learn more, not that it’s approved a nuclear energy project within city limits. The city council voted 4-0 to send a letter of interest to the Kansas Department of Commerce. Councilmember Danny Lane was absent. [...]

When a majority on the Johnson County Commission decided last spring to ask voters to continue the quarter-cent public safety sales tax beyond 2027, their hope was that revenue would reduce the reliance on property taxes for increasing ambulance, law enforcement and mental health costs in tough economic times. Now the question is: Did the commission overstep its authority? Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach thinks so. Commissioners disagree. On Wednesday, they faced off in a Topeka courtroom and handed the decision over to Kansas Third District Judge Jay Befort. Read more: Johnson County Post

The Marysville school district’s new Farm to Plate program is in its first-year exploration phase, aiming to create a sustainable, educational approach to feeding students and staff. At the Nov. 12 board meeting, Superintendent Darren Schroeder and Food Services Director Danielle Bargman outlined goals, early progress, and kitchen needs. Board members sampled potential menu items, including a new “Bulldog burger,” as Bargman continues taste tests to build meals that students and staff enjoy while meeting nutrition regulations. The district is forming partnerships with 12 local producers and exploring hydroponic and tower-garden systems with Better Produce in Summerfield to supply vegetables. Staff [...]

Wichita’s three finalists for city manager offered different visions for city government Tuesday night at a press conference followed by a public forum. The City Council will ultimately decide who gets the job. But the public and reporters got to ask the questions on Tuesday night. Donte Martin, a 53-year-old assistant city manager for Wichita, had the home field advantage. He has worked for the city for 25 years in multiple leadership roles, including as the court administrator. He’s familiar with most of the city’s departments and department heads. Mark Freitag, 59, began working in local government after a lengthy military [...]

In March 2010, he took the position of City Clerk with the City of Wellington. In August 2016, he was appointed City Manager, serving until his retirement in August 2022. Shane’s public service included 17 years in law enforcement and 25 years in city/county administration. All in all, a public service career of over 44 years. Read more: Sumner NewsCow

The Crawford County Commission has voted against the approval of an annexation of land that includes multiple plots designated for a multi-million dollar solar energy project. Read more: www.koamnewsnow.com

Since 2023, outlines and uncolored shapes have graced the outer wall of Salina’s Cozy Inn restaurant. In 2024, the owner of the historic hamburger joint filed a lawsuit against the city over his unfinished mural. A judge ruled Wednesday that the City of Salina violated the First Amendment rights of The Cozy Inn. City officials had determined that the display would advertise for the restaurant and therefore was not a mural, but a sign. That meant it would be subject to the city’s sign code, which requires businesses to obtain a permit for a sign and imposes size limits. And the [...]

Here in Kansas, property taxes continue to be a major issue. However, in some nearby states, data shows the problem isn't nearly as bad. The Kansas Committee on Taxation met at the statehouse once again to discuss property taxes in the Sunflower State on Tuesday, Nov. 18. Kansas lawmakers spent time evaluating policies in other states such as Oklahoma. Currently, rural homeowners in Kansas are paying three times more in annual property taxes than homeowners in Oklahoma. Read more: KSNT 27 News

Marion residents may have to change where they park their recreational vehicles, and trash trucks may have to change how they get to the county transfer station. Those were among items discussed but not acted upon at Monday’s Marion City Council meeting. Having just spent more than $11,000 to repair damage to Vine St. on Marion’s far west side, council members are hoping to divert heavy trash trucks away from the street, which leads to the north side of the county transfer station. Read more: Marion County RECORD