News

According to the Ark Valley news, in response to a new state law — and on the advice of its attorney — the Valley Center school board recently took action to stop livestreaming its meetings on YouTube and delete all previous recordings. Per the new law, if a school board fails to stream the entirety of a meeting (except for executive sessions), it could be subject to a Kansas Open Meetings Act violation. A board member misspeaking or failing to be heard clearly could also constitute a violation. Given the gray areas and to avoid potential risks, the school board followed [...]

The Fort Scott City Commission on Tuesday debated proposed changes to an ordinance that would require food trucks to obtain a license. Commissioners agreed to have the city manager and city attorney draft an addendum to the city's solicitors, canvassers and peddler's ordinance to address food trucks, then discuss the issue again in October. Read more: Fort Scott Tribune Headlines

After its meeting on Wednesday evening, the Sedgwick city council held a workshop to discuss creating a quiet zone in the City to remove train horns. City administrative assistant Izaiah Chapman said that in years past, the topic had been discussed but never brought to a conclusion. In short, a quiet zone means trains coming through town could no longer blow their horns. The project would require the city to put medians at the two intersections in town to alert motorists of the train crossing, which will cost between $21,878.64 and $97,252.73, depending on whether they use plastic or concrete. The [...]

Just about where a visitor first sets foot inside the Chase County Courthouse a letter was found in 1950, when workmen were replacing the hardwood floor in the main hallway. The message was slipped into a crack between the boards the last time the floor was replaced, in 1924. “This beautiful bright February day Mr. Levi Chandler, the county treasurer, and the janitor, Harry Hudson, are laying a hardwood floor in the courthouse hall,” the letter began. “Mr. Chandler is doing the work for nothing if the commissioners will let the county pay for the material.” The letter was written by [...]

The Weir City Council has approved a new ordinance setting regulations for mobile homes, manufactured homes, modular homes, tiny houses, and other “live-in” dwellings within city limits. Ordinance No. 1670, adopted September 8, establishes requirements for the placement, utility connections, foundations, and spacing of these structures, which city officials say are needed to promote safety, orderly development, and good civic design. Under the new rules, all dwellings must have a minimum of 320 square feet of living area and be situated on a permanent concrete foundation or piers. Skirting approved by the mayor and council is required for trailers, tiny houses, [...]

Ellis County Communications is launching an alert program for at-risk residents. The Creating Awareness, Responding Effectively (CARE) alert program is a voluntary initiative that allows families, caregivers, and individuals with special care needs to share essential details with emergency services. The program is available to individuals with unique communication needs, medical conditions, or disabilities affecting their development, intellect, or physical abilities. Read more: KSN-TV

A longtime postal substation inside Leeker’s Family Foods will stay open after the store and the U.S. Postal Service reached a last-minute deal. The Park City grocery store has operated a contract postal unit since 1985, but this summer, owner Chris Steindler said he received a 120-day notice that the location would be shut down. That sparked frustration among residents and concern from local leaders, since Park City has no brick-and-mortar post office of its own. Read more: KSN-TV

First responders from across Southeast Kansas spent the day preparing for the next disaster. That training involved this scene, staged to re-create what they might find in the event of a tornado. Firefighters from St. Paul, Girard, Baker Township and Kansas Task Force 4 in Chanute used the scene to practice rescues, using only the tools they carry in their trucks. The training showed them how to rescue someone from inside a home through the roof, getting them on the ground safely, and how to build a foundation from wood and nails to hold the house up from the inside. Read [...]

It has a number of murals and more are in the works, or at least, will be soon. "This is for artists and it's also for businesses in the downtown district that may want to beautify a wall on their exterior," said Sarah Runyon, Pittsburg Community Development Specialist. A grant that gives residents of Pittsburg the chance to showcase their art for all in the city to see, is back this year. Applicants can receive up to fifteen hundred dollars with clearance from the city, to create a mural promoting their business, or expressing themselves. Read more: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com

The City Commission will consider a proposal Monday that could eventually make the city’s own website the official newspaper. The Lawrence Journal-World has been the designated newspaper for public notices since 2010. If the proposal is approved, most public notices would only need to be posted on the city’s website and not in an independent newspaper. The site cityofeudoraks.gov would be designated to act as Eudora’s official newspaper for publishing city business. City staff argue the move would save money. Within the first eight months of 2025, the city has incurred over $7,900 in publication costs, according to the meeting agenda. Read [...]