News

The leaders of the state’s new Water Program Task Force say they are committed to finding elusive solutions to the state’s long-simmering water crisis. Sen. Kenny Titus, a Republican attorney from Wamego, and Rep. Jim Minnix, a Republican farmer from Scott City who chairs the House Water Committee, appeared alongside Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly at a ceremony in Hays to outline their vision for the task force. The two lawmakers will co-chair a bipartisan group that includes business leaders and conservationists. Their mission: Evaluate risks to water quality and quantity, build a management system that addresses those risks, and secure a dedicated revenue [...]

The Lawrence Police Department has rolled out a new program asking residents and businesses to register their security cameras on a list or integrate them for realtime access by police. Some community members worry the system could infringe on privacy.  Voluntary participants in the program can register their security cameras and contact information with the police department, allowing police to see where cameras are located and request footage if a crime occurs nearby. Read more: The Lawrence Times

A meeting date has been set for Park City to vote on the project agreement for the $500 million Champtown mixed-use entertainment destination, making way for the development to receive key incentives from the state. During its meeting on Tuesday, Park City City Council set a public hearing for Aug. 26 to present and vote on the agreement. It has to receive two-thirds of the vote to pass. Read more: Wichita Business Journal - Local Wichita News

The Kansas Court of Appeals ruled this month that Riley County District Court judge’s decision to affirm the approval of an amended planned unit development application for Liquid Art winery by county commissioners was valid. While the court saw the merit of Prairiewood Holding’s appeal, their final opinion upholds Judge Grant Bannister’s decision. Read more: News Radio KMAN

Uncertain of the legality of products found in Carlsons’ Grocery in Marion, police seized 160 cans and bottles of THC beverages Saturday. Bearing names such as “Nowadays,” “Drink Easy,” “Drinking Buds,” and “Happi,” some come in flavors such as raspberry honeysuckle. The containers say that the minimum age to buy the product is 21 and that it contains no alcohol. Read more: Marion County RECORD

Improvements are coming to Rural Water District No. 1. The district was in hot water earlier this month after Tampa and Ramona residents reported dark-brown water coming from their taps. Last week, water board chairman Donald Mueller and operator Autumn Chisholm were joined by staff members from the Kansas Rural Water Association to induce flushing of large pipelines in hope of removing discolored water from the system. Read more: Marion County RECORD

Lawrence Municipal Court for the next month will allow people to pay off $50 in fines with $15 worth of school supplies as part of an annual initiative. The supply drive began Wednesday and runs through Saturday, Aug. 23. It’s “designed to help individuals with outstanding fines while supporting local school children and families,” according to a city news release. The program only applies to existing traffic and parking fines, not future fines, and downtown meter citations issued after Jan. 1, 2025 are excluded, according to the release. Donating toward another person’s fines is an option. Read more: The Lawrence Times

Area residents make their way around the Garden City Farmers Market July 19, browsing and buying items from vendors. Foot traffic at the event is picking up as vendors with produce have began participating. Read more: Garden City Telegram

Dennis Alexander rode a lawn mower up and down St. Mary’s Cemetery rows on a recent summer day. Alexander is one of the volunteers at the cemetery who keep it running, make sure the grass is cut and perform other kinds of maintenance. Alexander will take over the cemetery sexton role when the current sexton, Carrol Langenhorst, steps down. Langenhorst is in charge of the cemetery and its maintenance. He said he recently got Alexander to start taking care of his responsibilities. “I don’t believe in throwing in the keys and walking away,” Langenhorst said. “It’s totally unfair to dump the [...]

The City of Newton held a 15-minute work session to discuss updates to the city’s building codes. The city has been working in recent months on new versions of the international building code and international existing building codes it plans to soon adopt. The local codes also include numerous revisions and amendments made by city staff. The work session was meant to give developers and property owners a chance to speak on the proposed changes. Read more: Harvey County Now