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Municipal News & Jobs

Municipal News & Jobs2026-08-07T10:07:18-05:00

Kansas Municipal News

‘Our hearts are heavy’ — Prairie Village sends thoughts to sister city Dolyna, Ukraine amid Russian invasion

The ongoing invasion of Ukraine isn’t a distant concern for some Johnson Countians. Prairie Village’s sister city is Dolyna, located in the Ivano-Frankivsk oblast, or district, in the western part of the country, which has been under attack over the past 24 hours, according to news reports. Prairie Village Mayor Eric Mikkelson tweeted Thursday that the city’s thoughts and prayers are with their sister city and other residents of Ukraine. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Prairie Village’s friends and family in the Ukraine, including democratically-elected Ukrainian local officials in this delegation we hosted a few years ago, and all residents of our sister city in Dolyna, Ukraine,” Mikkelson wrote.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Despite pandemic setbacks, Lenexa enjoys high development growth, community gatherings, high satisfaction ratings

Lenexa in 2021 saw high resident satisfaction, a return of some popular local events and continued growth and development at some much-watched sites, including the Lenexa Public Market and City Center. These were some of the key takeaways in a virtual State of the City video released Wednesday by the city. Mayor Mike Boehm had been set to give an in-person address earlier this month during a Lenexa Chamber of Commerce luncheon, but that event was canceled due to rising COVID-19 cases at the time. Here are a few takeaways from the State of the City…
Source: Prairie Village Post

Olathe hopes new apartments help kick-start downtown revitalization

Olathe hopes a new apartment complex will kick off a downtown revitalization. Earlier this month, Indianapolis-based Milhaus opened its $37 million, 228-unit Arrello Apartments at the site of the former Olathe Public Library’s downtown branch, at the southeast corner of Park and Chestnut streets. It’s the downtown’s first residential development in more 30 years and the catalyst for revitalization efforts in the core, city spokesman Cody Kennedy said. “With new residents coming to the downtown area, we hope to see more small businesses coming in, not only for residents of downtown, but for other travelers as well,” said Kennedy, the city’s chief communications and marketing officer.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal

Roeland Park to keep its indoor mask mandate

Despite new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on indoor masking, Roeland Park says it will keep its indoor mask mandate until at least March 16. Almost 7,000 people live in Roeland Park, and a lot more drive through it. When those people stop at a Roeland Park business, they must wear a mask. Masks are required in any business or facility – the exceptions are private residences, schools, and places of worship. This has been in place since January.
Source: KMBC.com

10-year U.S. Treasury yield inches higher with focus on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

U.S. Treasury yields inched up Friday, as investors monitored the latest developments around the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note rose by 3.5 basis points to 2.009% by around 8:10 a.m. ET. The yield on the 30-year Treasury bond moved 1.5 basis points up to 2.308%. Yields move inversely to prices and 1 basis point is equal to 0.01%. The 2-year note yield, meanwhile, ticked 7.6 basis points higher to about 1.622%. Friday’s moves come after a volatile session Thursday across assets, including bonds. The 10-year traded as low as 1.85% on Thursday — pushing prices higher — as traders tried to protect their portfolios by loading up on traditional safe havens such as Treasurys.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

Survey Results Reveal How Cities Are Investing in Young People During the Pandemic

The National League of Cities (NLC) is releasing the results of a new National Municipal Afterschool and Summer Learning survey which reveals the evolution of municipal investments in afterschool and summer learning programs throughout the pandemic. Afterschool and summer learning opportunities are vital for student success and have played a particularly supportive role in the lives of children and families throughout the pandemic. These programs often serve as a lifeline for young people to access essential enrichment and recreational activities, nutritious snacks and meals, academic support, and career exposure, while also assuring working families that their children are safe and engaged. Municipal budgets were severely impacted during the peak of the pandemic, forcing many city-funded afterschool and summer learning programs to temporarily shut their doors or reduce capacity. Despite this setback, a new survey by the National League of Cities reveals how local governments have stepped up and redoubled their efforts to support afterschool and summer learning during this critical time. Findings signal good news for the future of these programs as well.
Source: NLC

Answers sought in price gouging investigation

The Kansas state treasurer, a legislator and a former school board member Wednesday called on Attorney General Derek Schmidt to advance a slow-moving investigation of potential price gouging tied to spikes in natural gas prices during Winter Storm Uri one year ago. Last February, Schmidt launched an investigation into the natural gas prices, which left Kansas with more than $1 billion in economic fallout. Gas prices rose by nearly 200 times, and experts expect Kansas utility payers will be feeling the aftereffects for a decade. Seven months after the storm, as utilities were negotiating plans to pass higher rates onto costumes, Schmidt said the high prices “appear to violate Kansas law” and noted he was seeking outside counsel to aid in the investigation.
Source: The Arkansas City Traveler

Lenexa’s annual State of the City address

Lenexa in 2021 saw high resident satisfaction, a return of some popular local events and continued growth and development at some much-watched sites, including the Lenexa Public Market and City Center. These were some of the key takeaways in a virtual State of the City video released Wednesday by the city. Mayor Mike Boehm had been set to give an in-person address earlier this month during a Lenexa Chamber of Commerce luncheon, but that event was canceled due to rising COVID-19 cases at the time. Here are a few takeaways from the State of the City video: Once again, Lenexa has enjoyed high ratings in its annual citizen satisfaction survey, with 97% of Lenexans saying they’re pleased with the city as a good place to live.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post

Senate passes bill limiting regulations of plastic bags

A bill barring local governments from regulating plastic grocery bags and other material easily cleared the Senate on Wednesday. The Senate passed the bill 27-13, answer calls for the Legislature to bring consistency to state regulations for so-called “auxiliary containers,” which include bags, cup, packages, containers and bottles. The bill now goes to the House. Supporters of the legislation said that when cities try to limit or ban certain types of containers it leads to a “hodgepodge” of regulations that vary from one jurisdiction to the next and cause confusion for businesses. “This does not prohibit anyone from choosing to use or not to use a plastic bag or any kind of auxiliary container,” said Republican state Sen. Renee Erickson of Wichita. “Businesses can choose if it fits in their business model and many do choose not to have plastic bags because it does not fit with their values as a company,” Erickson said.
Source: Sunflower State Journal

Appraisal shock: tax valuations rise for nine out of 10 Sedgwick County homeowners

When you get your property tax appraisal notice in the mail early next month, prepare to see a higher number than you’re used to. As a result of an overheated housing market, the median sale price of homes in Sedgwick County topped $200,000 for the first time. Consequently, tax appraisals are up this year for 88% of residential property owners, appraiser Mark Clark reported to the County Commission on Wednesday. Only 3% of homes declined in value. The median increase is 7%, largest for homes in the coveted $175,000-$225,000 band where the market is hottest, Clark said.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Rural entrepreneurship highlighted during 2nd Rural Revitalization Conference

The Riley County Extension held its second ever Rural Revitalization Conference Wednesday in Riley. The event is an opportunity for those interested in rural economies and starting their own business. Extension Director Gary Fike says the most important aspect is hearing from local entrepreneurs . One of the speakers Wednesday was Trish Purdon, who is the Director of the Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity. She says the most fundamental aspect of supporting a rural community is to be a community of the future. Ron Wilson, owner of the Lazy T Ranch and is the director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at K-State encouraged folks in rural communities to think strategically about their future.
Source: 1350 KMAN

Johnson County Charter Commission delivers final report to BOCC

Johnson County Charter Commission Chair Greg Musil presented the 2021 Charter Commission’s final report to the Board of County Commissioners today, Feb. 24. The presentation during the regular BOCC meeting included a summary of the Charter Commission’s activities. The Johnson County Charter Commission is required to convene every 10 years to review Johnson County Government operations and can propose amendments and/or recommendations to the BOCC. Any proposed amendments must then be placed on the ballot at the next general election for Johnson County voters to accept or reject. “Everybody took it very seriously and worked very hard through a year-long process,” Chair Musil said. “It’s important to note there was an appointment process, so the membership was diverse – geographically, politically, ideologically, urban and rural.”
Source: Johnson County Kansas |

Sedgwick County Commissioners and Wichita City Council discuss mental health changes

A new report says that higher pay, more resources, and new facilities are just a few things that would help mental health services in Wichita and Sedgwick County. The 55-page report from the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Coalition came out in late February. It lays out solutions for what some are calling a “mental health crisis” in the Wichita community. On Thursday, February 24, Leaders in Sedgwick County and the City of Wichita took a closer look. “We can make an impact, I think we can make a real positive impact and the leadership I have a lot of faith in,” said Sedgwick County commissioner Pete Meitzner. “The need is greater than what we can serve – that one to me is very telling that our staff and associates realize that the need in our community is overwhelming and I’m not making a difference that is what that says to me,” said Robyn Chadwick, Ascension Via Christi.
Source: KSN-TV

Prairie Village sends prayers to sister city Dolyna, Ukraine

The city of Prairie Village, Kansas has sent thoughts and prayers to their sister city Dolyna, Ukraine as the country deals with military action from Russia. The city said staff are actively reaching out to their contacts in Dolyna and Global Ties KC to look for ways to help. Late Wednesday night (Thursday in Ukraine), Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine and warned other nations not to interfere or it would lead to “consequences they have never seen.” In a televised address, Putin accused the U.S. and its allies of ignoring Russia’s demand to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and offer Moscow security guarantees. He said Russia’s goal was not to occupy Ukraine.
Source: KSN-TV

Pittsburg PD gets new equipment through City’s sales tax

New equipment will soon be coming to the Pittsburg Police Department. The City Commission voted to approve the $33,000 purchase, using funds through the City’s “Public Safety Sales Tax.” This will include 24 sets of ballistic armor vests, 24 covert vest carriers, 24 ballistic trauma plates, and 39 over-the-shirt carriers. The department expects to receive the equipment within six to eight weeks, depending on availability.
Source: KSNF/KODE

What’s a frost quake? Listen to one in Kansas

A couple in Kansas said they recently witnessed a winter weather phenomenon known by several names: cryoseism, frost quake or ice quake. Melody Gillan, who recently moved to Concordia with her husband, explained what she discovered. “I was outside one day and kept hearing these ‘pops’ that sounded like firecrackers going off underground, right by where I was standing,” Gillan said. “My husband thought I was crazy. He said it was someone shooting a gun off in the distance.”
Source: KSNT News

Scott County GMD is finally nearing LEMA adoption to take effect in ‘23

A LEMA that will reduce the amount of water used for irrigation by an estimated 10.5% is close to being adopted by Groundwater Management District No. 1. A general outline of the proposal was presented during the GMD’s annual meeting in Scott City on Wednesday. Since Wichita County has already established its own LEMA, the latest proposal will target the four other counties within the district – Scott, Lane, Greeley and Wallace. The last time the GMD proposed a district-wide LEMA in 2014 it was narrowly defeated. That plan would have implemented a 20% reduction in irrigation pumping.
Source: Scott County Record

Scott City considers ‘minimum housing’ guidelines

Tenants of rental housing who feel that basic health or safety conditions aren’t being met by their landlord may eventually be able to seek assistance from City Hall. The Scott City Council is weighing the prospect of establishing minimum housing standards which would primarily target rental property, though the guidelines would apply to all housing, according to City Administrator Brad Pendergast. We’re not looking at anything that should be considered out of the ordinary for a home anyone would consider liveable,” says Pendergast. This would include basic needs such as a working toilet, the absence of mold from water leaks and having a home that can maintain a reasonable temperature during “average cold weather.”
Source: Scott County Record

Nickerson Mayor Peggy Ruebke begins her next term with downtown development in mind

After handling COVID-19 responses and action in her first term, Nickerson Mayor Peggy Ruebke plans to begin revitalizing and putting into motion new ideas for business developments on Nickerson Street downtown for her second term. The city council recently began meeting about new ideas to revitalize downtown. They asked the community to approach the city government with suggestions. Ruebke said she and the council enjoy it when residents visit city council meetings and encourage questions to help better put plans in motion or create new projects. “I don’t think I’m the typical mayor. I like more of a hands-on approach, and I like to know what’s going on,” Reubke said.
Source: Hutch News

South Hutchinson City Council discusses development efforts, need for changes

The South Hutchinson City Council’s commitment Monday of $500,000 to the chamber for a grant application is just the first step of a new economic development effort by the city, according to the city administrator. Joseph Turner advised the council he also submitted applications for state SPARK funds to use toward housing development incentives and broadband expansion in the city…. “I want to get some traction in Prairie Ridge,” Turner said, referring to a housing development on the city’s west side that has stalled for several years.
Source: Hutch News

Interest rates fall as investors run for safety during Russia-Ukraine invasion

U.S. Treasury yields saw steeper falls on Thursday morning, after Russia invaded Ukraine. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note dropped more than 12 basis points to 1.855% at around 7:45 a.m. ET. The yield on the 30-year Treasury bond fell 11 basis points to 2.166%. … Treasury yields dropped as investors flocked to the safe haven asset of government bonds, while gold jumped to its highest level in more than a year. Global markets fell sharply following the news of Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

The market has adjusted its views of how the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates

The Federal Reserve is expected to start raising interest rates next month and not slow down until well into 2023, though the slope of the increases might be a bit gentler. Events over the past week, including statements from multiple Fed officials and, to a lesser extent, geopolitical turmoil, have convinced markets that the first rate move will be just a quarter percentage point. That change came after traders had been pricing a move double that size at the March 15-16 Federal Open Market Committee meeting. Central bankers have been dousing the idea of needing to go up 50 basis points at the meeting, with New York Fed President John Williams saying last week that there is “no compelling argument” for the move.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

Has the Prairie Village YMCA outlived its usefulness? The debate is on for JoCo spot

After shelving the matter during the COVID-19 pandemic, Prairie Village officials are again discussing a new community center. But the deliberations are wrapped up with other pending decisions about the city’s government/pool complex, as well as troubles facing the nearby Paul Henson YMCA at 79th and Delmar streets. John Mikos, president and chief executive officer of the YMCA of Greater Kansas City, told the City Council in mid-February that the Paul Henson Y — built more than 55 years ago — “has gone way beyond its useful life,” and is increasingly difficult to maintain. It’s been operating in the red for 18 months.
Source: Joco 913 News

Douglas County voters will decide in November whether to expand 3-member commission to 5

Three affirmative votes Wednesday evening meant that thousands of Douglas County voters will soon decide whether the county commission should expand to five members. If all goes as planned, the commission will consider ballot language to put the question before voters for the Tuesday, Nov. 8 general election. The timeline is not terribly tight for the language of the question to be decided — commissioners must vote on the question before Sept. 1. After the election, however, if voters do determine that there should be two additional seats on the dais, the commission must adopt maps of new districts by Jan. 1, 2023.
Source: The Lawrence Times

Newton holds first party, approves second bigger one

A large crowd of people gathered Tuesday evening to celebrate the city’s long-awaited Sesquicentennial. “May we never lose sight of what comes ahead,” Mayor Clint McBroom told the crowd as he addressed the city’s history. “Let’s remember to keep looking to what’s ahead.” Newton formed as a rail stop and cow town 11 years after Kansas became a state, only to grow into a location with a wild and rowdy reputation complete with saloons, bars, salacious entertainment establishments, and even a shoot-out that prompted the short-lived sobriquet of Bloody Newton. The city over the years has civilized but city leaders passed a proclamation at a city commission meeting held Tuesday to make 2022 a year to celebrate the city’s heritage. “Everyone is free to party and celebrate this entire year,” McBroom joked. The evening event had dancers, a symphony performance and other entertainment, which was the first course in planned celebrations.
Source: Harvey County Now

Kansas House moves to make counties keep electing sheriffs

The Kansas House has approved a measure aimed at ensuring that counties don’t stop electing their sheriffs. The vote Wednesday was 97-24 on a proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution declaring that sheriffs are elected to four-year terms. The constitution now says only that lawmakers will create county offices “as may be necessary.” The measure had far more than the two-thirds majority necessary for passage in the House. If the measure passes the Senate, it will go on the ballot in November for voters’ possible approval. Backers said electing sheriffs makes them more accountable to voters. Opponents said counties should be allowed to decide how to manage law enforcement. Under the proposed language, legislators could no longer change how sheriffs are selected by law. Counties have been electing sheriffs since 1857, four years before Kansas was admitted to the Union.
Source: Andover American

Sedgwick County to lease downtown Wichita building for administrative offices

Sedgwick County commissioners have voted to approve a lease agreement for a building in downtown Wichita for a three-year-period.   The Ruffin Building at Douglas and Broadway will be used for the commission offices, the County Manager, the Clerk, the Treasurer, the Register of Deeds, the County Counselor, and the communications department. The move will free space in the courthouse for an expansion of courthouse space and the creation of more space for the District Attorney.  The expansion project is expected to begin later this year and would be finished in the spring of 2023.   It will allow the District Court to address a backlog of cases and provide space for a veterans’ court, a mental health court, and the addition of two judges and a magistrate judge.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

WSU litter study finds room for improvement

A study on litter from Wichita State’s Environment Finance Center suggests there is room for improvement. The study was put together after people in the community voiced concern about the number of plastic bags seen floating around. People involved in this study looked at 12 city parks across Wichita, which came out to two parks per city council district. Study leaders say their findings were close to what was expected. “Wichita is a unique place, but our litter certainly is not unique,” said Michelle DeHaven, program manager at the EFC. “When we compare it to other litter studies, our study showed that Wichita’s litter is similar to what communities are experiencing across the country.” Of all the trash collected during pickup events, 47% was single-use plastics. “The majority of the plastic that we found was food and beverage containers — water bottles, Gatorade-type drinks, soda bottles, alcohol bottles, chip bags and wrappers that come off convenience foods at gas stations,” DeHaven said. “A second runner up was cigarette butts. We found cigarette butts all over the place.”
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Amendment on sheriff elections proposed for KS Constitution

Many Kansas legislators want to make sure that counties don’t change the longstanding tradition of electing sheriffs by enshrining the policy in the state constitution. The Republican-controlled state House gave first-round approval Tuesday to a proposal to add language to the Kansas Constitution’s short article on county government to ensure that sheriffs are elected to four-year terms. A final vote was expected Wednesday. Only Riley County out of the state’s 105 counties doesn’t elect a sheriff. However, a commission in the state’s most populous county of Johnson County reviewed a proposal to appoint their sheriff, but ultimately decided against the change.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Some Kansas jails now allowing medical care for opioid addiction

A recent decision to let people continue treatment for drug addiction while in the Sedgwick County Jail in Wichita reflects a significant shift in thinking at Kansas sheriffs’ offices that is gaining momentum. Sedgwick officials no longer take people off of their prescriptions for medications such as buprenorphine when booked into jail. No one keeps a tally of how many Kansas jails allow incarcerated people with opioid or alcohol addictions to receive the combination of medication and counseling that can help them.
Source: Derby Informer | News

Hesston hears of vision for 40,000 square foot municipal complex

Brad Heppner, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors for The Beneficient Company, unveiled his vision for Hesston during a called meeting Wednesday morning of Hesston City Council. A schematic he showed council members depicted a 40,000-square foot building for city hall, police and fire services on one end of a downtown square and a non-denominational chapel anchoring the other end. Hesston Village Park, the name Heppner gave to the vision, would include a plot of green space that is 20 percent larger than Heritage Park. He said the complex would include a 12,500-square-foot grocery store and possibly an upscale hotel modeled after the Rapp House. He said the city would need to get rid of portions of Old Highway 81 to create more density and a feeling of community.
Source: Harvey County Now

Critics say the Kansas criminal justice system’s fees and fines trap people in a cycle of poverty

After Tyler Williams spent much of his teenage years locked up in the juvenile jail system, he found himself at 19 owing more than $1,000 to the state of Kansas — including an $840 fee for hauling him from Oklahoma to face charges in Junction City. Working a minimum wage job, it took Williams two years of his young adulthood to wipe out all the fees and fines from his crimes as a kid. “It was a sigh of relief,” he said. “Having that burden gone definitely helped me get into a better mindset and take control of my life.” Fines and fees are commonly used to punish offenders and fund the court system, but critics argue they mostly make it harder for people to get their lives on track. That’s fueled a push to make the courts less reliant on ringing up revenue from people convicted of crimes. Advocates for tossing aside many of those fees and fines say lawmakers should consider dumping them if they want people to escape from cycles of poverty and crime that tend to land people back in jail.
Source: KAKE – News

Wichita police using social media to connect with families and spread awareness

Wichita police are now using social media to reach teens– before it’s too late. TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat are just a few places that investigators say kids are setting up drug deals that have ended in shootings. “We have something important to discuss,” said Officer Alex Avendano with the Wichita Police Department in a TikTok video posted Tuesday. It might just seem like a simple video on your social media feed. But it’s a new way Wichita Police officers in the Juvenile Intervention Unit are trying to spread awareness. “So, in the video, you see a guy taking pictures of drugs, and then posting it to social media, and then go on and setting up a deal and the deal goes bad,” said D.L. Watson. Officers Watson and Avendano said they made this reenactment in hopes of stopping illegal drug deals through social media.
Source: KAKE – News

Kansas House overwhelmingly rejects proposal to ban no-knock warrants

Rep. Tim Johnson says he can count on one hand the number of times he executed a no-knock search warrant during his 31 years in law enforcement. The Bonner Springs Republican says he is certified in the use of special weapons and tactics and has written articles on the subject. There are times, he said during a debate Tuesday in the House, that officers need a no-knock warrant. “I still remember one particular night,” Johnson said. “We did not have a no-knock search warrant. I was the point man. And as we went in, things went south very rapidly. I never saw the man with the shotgun. I didn’t. “Not sure I remember hearing the blast. I do remember feeling pellets or projectile striking my leg. But I was engaged with another armed suspect. We should have had a no-knock search warrant. If we take that away from our law enforcement people, you’re taking away something that they need as a tool.”
Source: Kansas Reflector

Russia’s Ukraine incursion could complicate the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decisions

The outlook for Federal Reserve rate hikes after March may become less clear if Russia continues its incursion into Ukraine. That’s because the tensions have pushed up the price of oil and gasoline, a major purchase for many Americans, and it’s the U.S. consumer that drives about 70% of the U.S. economy. The prices of oil and other commodities have been rising on concerns that Russia’s troop movements into Ukraine and sanctions from the U.S. and allies could potentially lead to limited supplies. Russia is a major exporter of oil and natural gas. … Economists said it will be the price of oil that could ultimately drive Fed policy. The jump in oil prices is first a catalyst for inflation, and eventually it could become disinflationary if the price goes higher and endures, dampening economic growth. … “It makes things more complicated,” said Bruce Kasman, JPMorgan’s chief economist. … Kasman expects the Fed will proceed with a quarter-point increase in the fed funds rate in March, with the Ukraine situation weakening the argument for a half-point hike. His forecast is for six more rate hikes over the balance of the year. This is where the outlook becomes muddy for the central bank: On the one hand, a growth scare could slow the pace of hiking. On the other hand, economists say, the Fed may become even more aggressive if it sees a sharper pickup in inflation.
Source: CNBC

Critics say the Kansas criminal justice system’s fees and fines trap people in a cycle of poverty

After Tyler Williams spent much of his teenage years locked up in the juvenile jail system, he found himself at 19 owing more than $1,000 to the state of Kansas — including an $840 fee for hauling him from Oklahoma to face charges in Junction City. Working a minimum wage job, it took Williams two years of his young adulthood to wipe out all the fees and fines from his crimes as a kid. “It was a sigh of relief,” he said. “Having that burden gone definitely helped me get into a better mindset and take control of my life.” Fines and fees are commonly used to punish offenders and fund the court system, but critics argue they mostly make it harder for people to get their lives on track. That’s fueled a push to make the courts less reliant on ringing up revenue from people convicted of crimes. Advocates for tossing aside many of those fees and fines say lawmakers should consider dumping them if they want people to escape from cycles of poverty and crime that tend to land people back in jail.
Source: KCUR News

‘The Lowrider Teacher’: How a mechanic became a top Johnson County school leader

Erazo has worked his way up from serving as a school security officer to becoming one of the top administrators in the Olathe school district. Through his perspective, Erazo has created programs — like his lowrider bike club — that have transformed the lives of dozens of students, while helping to reshape the community they live in. … Despite being the executive director of diversity and engagement, Erazo doesn’t spend his time sitting in the district’s administrative offices. He works out of the alternative high school, to be near the kids he’s hoping to reach, or at the auto tech center, where he teaches students how to build lowrider bikes from scratch.
Source: KC Star

Great Plains Manufacturing is expanding in Salina. What does that mean for central Kansas?

One of the largest employers in Saline County is adding positions. Great Plains Manufacturing is expanding its footprint in the community. Even though Great Plains is now a part of the larger corporation of Kubota, it has roots extending back to the 1970s in Salina. David Disberger, executive vice president for Great Plains Manufacturing, said when Great Plains became part of Kubota in 2016, it was with an understanding that Great Plains knew the strategies that worked best in the industry for this part of the world. “(Kubota said) we’re not here to change you, but to learn from you,” Disberger said.
Source: Salina Journal

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