Municipal News & Jobs

For anyone in Wichita or beyond who has been disappointed in the public-private partnership known as the WaterWalk development downtown and the almost $44 million the community has poured into it, Tuesday’s City Council meeting was for you. There were two shockers during a lengthy discussion on the development as a whole and the proposed affordable apartments that an Indiana company wanted to build there, which were denied in what several council members described as a tough vote.
Read more: Homepage

A widely followed measure of inflation accelerated slightly less than expected in July on an annual basis as President Donald Trump’s tariffs showed mostly modest impacts and investors grew more confidence about interest rate cuts ahead. The consumer price index increased a seasonally adjusted 0.2% for the month and 2.7% on a 12-month basis, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Tuesday. That compared with the respective Dow Jones estimates for 0.2% and 2.8%.Read more: Economy

The Federal Reserve’s top regulator believes the central bank should shift its focus to protecting the job market, stressing that cutting interest rates in the near term should be considered to support employment and consumer spending. In a speech Saturday, Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman said concerns around inflation, specifically how tariffs might impact price stability, will have minimal impact on the economy, but that there are emerging “signs of fragility in the labor market,” that requires the Fed’s attention.
Read more: The Latest

The City of Coffeyville is proud to launch its first-ever “Coffeyville Proud” Beautification Initiative on Friday, August 15, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This new initiative reflects the City’s commitment to community pride and service, bringing together City employees and volunteers to make visible, impactful improvements across Coffeyville.
Read more: Coffeyville, KS – News Flash

Even after its previous workshop, the Sedgwick City Council couldn’t agree on an ordinance that would establish a common consumption area (CCA) in the city’s downtown corridor. The purpose of the CCA, according to Administrative Assistant Izaiah Chapman, is to allow the city to have alcohol in the area during special events, such as the Moonlight Market and Fall Festival, without having to get a special event permit. The resistance from council members came because the proposed ordinance did much more than that and because the area would be hard to control.
Read more: Harvey County Now

As part of its effort to review and evaluate its regulations, the Harvey County Planning and Zoning Department will launch an online survey by the end of the week, according to Karen Roth, P&Z director. The first survey will address accessory dwelling units, which are typically those small homes for kids or aging parents. The surveys allow Harvey County residents to provide feedback, and as such, the department will ask for addresses and other information, such as whether you own land. Rothe said the information will allow her to confirm survey takers’ own land in Harvey County. It will also help the planning commission to create a demographic.
Read more: Harvey County Now

Without any fanfare or adieu, Hesston City Administrator Gary Emry slowly slipped away very quietly. Emry alluded to his retirement during the annual joint meeting with the city council, USD-460 BOE and Hesston Recreation on March 28. Emry made it clear then-City Clerk Jason Thrasher was poised to take over as city administrator, and during the Aug. 11 city council meeting, Thrasher was formally appointed by Mayor David Kauffman.
Read more: Harvey County Now

Drones will soon be first on the scene of Olathe emergencies — carrying AEDs, spotting heat signatures in a fire, or providing a bird’s eye view of a crime scene. The Olathe City Council on Aug. 5 voted 5-0 to approve a three-year contract with BRINC Drones for the Olathe Police Department to start its own “Drones as First Responder” program. Mayor John Bacon and Councilmember Robyn Essex were absent. Olathe joins Lenexa and Prairie Village as communities with DFR programs.
Read more: Johnson County Post

The city of Prairie Village is stepping up its noise ordinance enforcement as the community grows fatigued with construction noise from teardown-rebuilds. Now, the Prairie Village City Council may require construction hour signage with a phone number to report violations at construction sites such as teardown-rebuilds in single-family neighborhoods — the source of noise complaint frustration among some residents.
Read more: Johnson County Post

Ernie Lujano addressed the Newton City Commission with a request: fix the Washington Park bathrooms so he would not have to keep plunging the toilets. Lujano spoke on behalf of the Newton Mexican-American Athletic Club, which uses the park as part of its annual softball tournament. He said between 200 and 300 people attend the park for the tournament. The bathrooms opened at 8 a.m. By 9 a.m., he was stuck having to plunge the toilets. Lujano said many of the event visitors are from out of town, and the bathroom situation results in a bad image for the city.
Read more: Harvey County Now

Ernie Lujano addressed the Newton City Commission with a request: fix the Washington Park bathrooms so he would not have to keep plunging the toilets. Lujano spoke on behalf of the Newton Mexican-American Athletic Club, which uses the park as part of its annual softball tournament. He said between 200 and 300 people attend the park for the tournament. The bathrooms opened at 8 a.m. By 9 a.m., he was stuck having to plunge the toilets. Lujano said many of the event visitors are from out of town, and the bathroom situation results in a bad image for the city.
Read more: Harvey County Now

Despite almost $18 million of dollars in taxpayer investment over the past ten years, the Sun Fresh grocery store in the Linwood Shopping center closed its doors Tuesday. “Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, we are no longer, at this time, able to serve the residents of this important community,” the sign on the front door said. It was the only grocery store for miles.
Read more: News

In November 2024, Rose Hill voters passed a $20 million school bond. The district’s superintendent says it was to fund much-needed improvements to the decades-old infrastructure. A year later, the improvements are coming to fruition, and school staff are counting the days to the first morning bell of the semester.
Read more: KSN-TV

Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company is celebrating the opening of its new $80 million manufacturing facility in Maize on Monday. The 134,000-square-foot plant, located on the 5801 block of 119th Street West produces polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes for plumbing and irrigation. Sen. Roger Marshall, Wichita Mayor Lily Wu and other officials were in attendance.
Read more: KSN-TV

Pitt State Gorillas are restoring a Pittsburg landmark and creating a new one. Pittsburg State University Gorillas and alumni are combining forces with Crossland Construction to complete the Gorilla Rising Project. 2024 Construction Management graduate, and now Crossland Field Engineer Dylan Halterman is transforming the Besse Hotel into student housing. He says it’s been an honor to work on the city landmark that’s stood for almost 100 years.
Read more: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com

Plans for a cold storage facility on the southern fringe of Olathe faced a major setback Monday night. The Olathe Planning Commission denied recommendation for a cold storage facility at 175th Street and Lone Elm Road. The commission’s recommendation concluded a meeting that drew a packed house, including 30 residents who spoke against the measure, and ended just before midnight. A motion to recommend approval of the rezoning and preliminary site development plan failed 5-2, with commissioners citing safety and infrastructure concerns as reasons why they voted against the measure. Commissioners Taylor Breen and Ken Chapman cast the yes votes.
Read more: Johnson County Post

City commissioners heard a request Monday night to improve accessibility at the Rec Center. Senior Foundation of Eudora board member Annie Bryant spoke during public comment asking the commission to consider installing ADA compliant doors at the north doors of the Rec Center. Bryant said updates to these doors would allow more people to come to the center, and also more seniors to come to foundation events. She asked that the bathroom stall doors also be updated to be ADA compliant. 
Read more: The Eudora Times

Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday approved a package of tax incentives of up to $94.6 million for KU to develop its Gateway District. The Gateway Project’s first phase included renovating much of the KU football stadium and construction of a conference center. That’s on track to be completed this month and cost about $448 million. Phase 2 of the Gateway Project is proposed to finish the south and east sides of the football stadium, plus develop a large mixed-use district next to the stadium, including an outdoor plaza, hotel, student housing, parking, retail space and more. 
Read more: The Lawrence Times

Frankfort has filled the Chitty Subdivision, a housing development where free lots were offered beginning about a decade ago.
Read more: www.marysvilleonline.net – RSS Results in news,news/* of type article

The township of Ogden’s former treasurer will serve four years of probation after pleading guilty previously to misappropriation of public funds and submitting false expenses. Jimmy Bond, 71, was sentenced to 31 months with the Kansas Department of Corrections for the misuse of between $25,000 and $100,000 public funds and 13 months with the Kansas Department of Corrections for official misconduct by submitting false expenses over $25,000.
Read more: themercury.com – RSS Results in news of type article