Steve Hirsch serves as county attorney in four counties and as city attorney in 20 communities in western Kansas … and he has even more jobs. The 64-year-old also files income tax returns, helps handle affairs after someone dies and has been a member of nearly every civic organization that will have him. Walk down the street with him, and it feels like everybody knows Hirsch and he knows the communities he serves. He knows the community like the back of his hand, but the question Kansas lawmakers and attorneys across the state have to answer is: What happens when legal [...]

As public pools prepare to open for the summer, a familiar problem is forcing them to make changes. Augusta announced Thursday that due to a shortage of lifeguards, the pool will have reduced hours. The city said it is short 12 lifeguards. It is going to continue recruitment efforts in hopes that more people will join the team before the pool opens on May 23, because it could return to the full schedule if there are more lifeguards. Another city scrambling to get more people is Oakley. The city put out a call earlier this week saying that if it doesn’t [...]

Jump Start cut the ribbon Thursday on a new blending facility in Butler County. The biofuel facility in Potwin converts soybean oil into biodiesel and biogas. The group behind the facility said it will serve as the region’s fuel distribution terminal, filling anywhere from 25 to 100 loads daily. Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas said it will create yet another market for Kansas farmers. Read more: KSN-TV

Plans for a downtown pavilion are a step closer to reality for the community of Russell. Russell Development Inc. announced Thursday that it is moving forward with plans for the Russell Market Square. It will serve as a covered, open-air pavilion in the heart of Russell’s downtown at West Seventh and North Maple Streets. The pavilion will be used to host farmers markets, food truck nights, live music, festivals, holiday events, private rentals and other events throughout the year. Read more: KSN-TV

Starting Friday, you will want to make sure you leave the toilet seat down, and no, it’s not because your wife asked you to. The City of Hays said a contractor will begin sewer line cleaning and inspections in the northeast area of the city. The project will begin at the north, with crews working their way south over the next two months. Door hangers providing information will be placed on homes and businesses prior to cleaning. During cleaning, you may hear a rumbling sound, and water may bubble up from sinks, bathtub drains and toilets. Read more: KSN-TV

Parts of the state are expecting cold temperatures Wednesday night, with western Kansas dipping into a freeze warning. It could be the final nail in the coffin for some already struggling wheat crops. With wheat crops nearly two weeks ahead of schedule, Ron Suppes with the Kansas Wheat Commission said a freeze now, after months of drought, could be devastating. Read more: KSN-TV

Sedgwick County commissioners are pushing for a law school to be established in Wichita. During their meeting on Wednesday, commissioners said having a law school in Wichita would address the lack of attorneys in central and western Kansas. Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett has been advocating for a law school, commissioners said. There are only two law schools in the state: one at the University of Kansas in Lawrence and the other at Washburn University in Topeka. Baty said he has had discussions with both institutions. Leadership has expressed interest in opening a law school in Wichita, but nothing has [...]

For over a century and half, it has been serving up mouth-watering fried chicken and biscuits to travelers from across Kansas and the globe. But on Wednesday, the restaurant once known as the Brookville Hotel announced that it is closing its doors. A specific reason was not provided. Read more: KSN-TV

Sedgwick County commissioners unanimously decided on Wednesday to extend the county’s pause on data center development until Sept. 11. The moratorium was set to expire on June 11, and this is the second time the commission has voted to extend it. The purpose is to continue to allow county staff to come up with zoning regulations for data centers. Read more: KSN-TV

Since 1997, Chingawassa Days has been a yearly highlight for the city of Marion. Arguably, the biggest attraction is the more than 70 concrete rhino statues around the town that serve as mascots for this annual festival. So, what made this small town adopt dozens of these rhino statues? Read more: KSN-TV