City utility bills have increased significantly in recent years, and the proposed budget for 2023 includes another increase. As the water/sewer, storm water and solid waste rates that make up residents’ utility bills went up over the years, commissioners more than once suggested expanding the city’s very limited utility assistance program. Some changes eventually occurred last year, when the city created an additional utility assistance program. However, that program, rather than using city funds, is funded by donations from other utility customers, and has provided assistance to only eight people so far. Exactly how the existing programs might expand is yet [...]

The Kansas Court of Appeals sided Friday with Shawnee County and the city of Topeka in upholding the dismissal of a lawsuit filed against them by William Dean Blue, who was incorrectly identified in a news release as a crime suspect. Blue in August 2019 sued the city and county governments over a situation in which a man arrested after a robbery and chase falsely identified himself as Blue to police, who shared that information with news media before the suspect's true identity came to light. Blue said he wasn't involved with the incident and had never met the suspect. The [...]

With the closing of the only grocery store in La Crosse, all of Rush County is without a place to get fresh meat and produce. For now, locals have to find a new place to shop for food. Some Rush County residents will have to drive 30-plus minutes for groceries, depending on where they live in the county. In La Crosse, that means going to Hays or Great Bend. Elsie Harmon is a lifelong Rush County resident. She’s depended on the nearby grocery store, but now will have to set aside a day just to shop for food. “Going to have [...]

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced that the Department is accepting applications for funding to help create jobs and economic growth in rural communities. USDA is making loans and grants available under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program. Through this program, USDA provides zero-interest loans and grants to current and former Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Electric Program and Telecommunications Program borrowers and utilities that are eligible to receive assistance from the RUS Electric or Telecommunication Programs. Applicants will use the funds to help local businesses finance projects that will [...]

In a continuing effort to evaluate short-term rentals like Airbnbs and VRBOs, the Overland Park City Council has asked the staff to draft a nuisance party ordinance, which will help authorities hold the property owners responsible if large parties or gatherings violate city code. The staff also has been asked to investigate the potential licensing of short-term rentals, to keep identifying those that are operating in the city and to make residents more aware of how to report problems associated with short-term rentals. Source: KC Star