News

After weeks of waiting for answers, the City of Newton received a summary of test results for the mystery gas emissions at the Fox Ridge Development. In August, Kansas Gas Service detected a flammable gas in the soil while conducting testing at the new development situated on top of the former Fox Ridge Golf Course. The detection of the gas prompted county and state emergency declarations, evacuations, as well as gas service being shut off to 30 households. KDHE contracted a service to test the gas, and after weeks, the city has an answer as to what it is: methane. “They [...]

Flock cameras have returned to Harvey County. Halstead, Bentley and Sedgwick all tried and moved on from flock cameras. Now the Harvey County Sheriff’s Department has picked up the mantle and installed four units of what Sheriff Chad Gay calls an “awesome” crime-fighting tool. Flock cameras are stationary units that take pictures of the back license plate of passing vehicles. They store vehicle information, along with location, date and time, in a nationwide database that law enforcement agencies can search to assist investigations. Read more: Harvey County Now

Sedgwick City Administrator Kyle Nordick proposed using a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID) for new housing on South Commercial to the USD-440 Board of Education members Monday evening. Nordick said that an RHID is used to stimulate the construction or rehabilitation of housing in communities where there is a lack of quality housing options. He said it can make it more financially viable for developers to build new houses in areas where cost burdens may present a barrier to entry. In short, what an RHID would do is allow the property taxes from new housing to be used to pay for [...]

After years of deliberations, work sessions, presentations and indecision, Leawood city councilmembers finally arrived at a consensus on what a future park should look like on the grounds of its original city hall and fire station. Their decision: The fire station will stay, but the old city hall will be demolished, despite some citizen-led efforts to save it. Their vision supports renovation of the fire station with an eye toward creating a future meeting and gathering space. A green space on the site would include play areas and perhaps a demonstration garden. Read more: Johnson County Post

Overland Park officially opened its 84th city park this week, nodding to the city’s longtime connection to its sister city, Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany. On Monday, Overland Park, joined by officials from Bietigheim-Bissingen, dedicated the park, formally opening it for the community. They also sealed a time capsule filled with items representing the connection between the two cities, which is scheduled to be reopened in 25 years. Dozens of people attended the ceremony, and several children took advantage of the brand new playground throughout the festivities. Read more: Johnson County Post

Shawnee’s governing body is looking into new safety regulations for motorized scooters in the city. On Sept. 22, the Shawnee Council Committee updating the city’s Municipal Code to include regulations for motorized scooters within the city limits, including new helmet requirements and providing more education for younger riders. The discussion comes as other cities in Johnson County, like Prairie Village and Fairway, discussed restrictions on motorized bikes and scooters, as well as shopping centers in Prairie Village and other parts of Johnson County cracking down on them. Read more: Johnson County Post

Two of Kansas' top law enforcement officials talked about recent marijuana raids across the state. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach and Kansas Bureau of Investigation Director Tony Mattivi held a press conference Wednesday, Oct. 1 on recent KBI investigations into illegal THC and marijuana products. Kobach said that KBI agents, alongside local law enforcement agencies, conducted 10 raids across the state at businesses, like CBD dispensaries and vape shops, that were allegedly selling illegal THC or marijuana products on Oct. 1. Read more: KSN-TV

Dodge City police say they are adding a new tool to help fight crime in the community. The department has announced the installation of Flock camera systems. The cameras are capable of reading license plates and recording the make, model, and color of a vehicle. That data is then compared against law enforcement databases to identify stolen vehicles, wanted persons, Amber Alerts, and missing persons. According to the company, Flock license plate camera systems are in use by over 4,800 law enforcement agencies in 49 states. Read more: KSN-TV

People in Emporia will soon be able to enjoy the benefits of having a local ice rink in the city. A new holiday attraction is set to open in downtown Emporia later this year in time for the winter season. The ice rink, named the ESB Financial Holiday Plaza, comes courtesy of the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce and Visit Emporia. Read more: KSNT 27 News

Arkansas City Public Schools says its new phone policy is already paying off, with administrators, teachers and students reporting calmer classrooms, stronger connections and more focused learning. The “Disconnect to Reconnect” initiative, launched in August, requires students to secure their phones in Yondr pouches during the school day. High school principal Ryan Taylor said the change has created “livelier” classrooms and boosted morale among staff. Read more: Local Archives - Cowley Post