Kansas Municipal News
Physician returns to his hometown to practice medicine
Dr. Eyan Roth’s career has come full circle. Roth recently started work as a general practitioner at NMC Health Family Medicine-Hesston, returning to his hometown and even a place where he used to work as a teen. The 2012 Hesston High School graduate used to work in housekeeping at Schowalter Villa in Hesston when he was in high school, and when he was in housekeeping, it was all women and three high school boys employed in that department. In college, Roth was a CNA there. When he worked there, Roth remembers seeing the doctors do their rounds. “Looked forward to the day I would do something like that,” he said. Last week, which was his first week at the Hesston clinic, Roth did rounds at Schowalter with Karla Hostetler, APRN. “I’m excited,” he said. “It was fun to be back in the building. It’s also kind of weird because I still picture myself as the housekeeper/CNA. It’s fun to have this new role.” At the clinic, he’ll see patients throughout the week, will do rounds at Schowalter and colonoscopes at NMC Health in Newton. Roth also grew up going to a pediatrician in the same building at which he’s now working when it was Mid Kansas Family Practice. Roth moved back to Hesston a couple of months ago. He has a wife, Hannah, and a 2.5-year-old daughter and one on the way. Hannah is a physician’s assistant in Wichita.
Source: Harvey County Now
Here’s what the new president of De Soto Chamber says about changes coming to city
The newly named president and CEO of the De Soto Chamber of Commerce comes to the job amid a big transformation for the city. Panasonic Energy’s electric vehicle battery facility is scheduled to open in 2025 — and it’s one of the largest economic development projects in the history of Kansas. Tim Holverson had been vice president of Economic Development and Entrepreneurship with the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce. He also has worked as the executive vice president of the Leavenworth-Lansing area Chamber of Commerce. Holverson started his career in government affairs, serving for the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce and the Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors. Holverson has a master’s degree in public administration from East Carolina University and a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Northern Iowa. He also graduated from the Institute for Organization Management with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Institute through the University of Oklahoma.
Source: Joco 913 News
This JoCo city may be the first in state to change trash collection under new law
Merriam may be the first city in Kansas to change its trash collection services under the Organized Collection Service Act. Assistant City Administrator Caitlin Gard told the Merriam City Council last week that it is the first city that is using the process outlined in the Organized Collection Service Act to potentially contract with one waste hauler for residential services. The act outlines standards for service transitions in solid waste and recyclable collections in a city, according to a 2011 summary of the legislation. This includes transitions from multiple solid waste haulers to a single solid waste hauler, which Merriam is currently exploring. Others in Johnson County, like the city of Prairie Village, have had single waste haulers for decades. Gard said the city of Lawrence used the Organized Collection Act to contract with a single recycling hauler, not a waste hauler. Gard said the details about a single waste hauler in Merriam are unclear, but those details will be developed as the city follows the Organized Collection Service Act steps. This is a lengthy process with several off-ramps along the way, Gard said. In October, the city council is slated to consider a resolution to craft a plan for a single waste hauler.
Source: Johnson County Post
Developer wants to remake historic De Soto ‘village’ near new Panasonic plant
Developers have rolled out a $55 million plan to rehab a historic pocket of homes in De Soto with the aim of turning the area into a site for affordable housing near the new Panasonic EV battery plant. Gardner-based Wheatland Investment Group made its first public presentation of the plan at the De Soto City Council meeting on Aug. 15. The proposal includes an application to create a Kansas Reinvestment Housing Incentive District at the site of the Clearview Village complex at 36000 W. 103rd St. Clearview Village, also commonly referred to as Clearview City, is located across the street from the $4 billion, 4.7-million-square-foot future Panasonic plant, which sits on a small portion of the one-time Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant. Clearview Village currently houses about 600 residents, roughly 9% of De Soto’s population. The proposed housing district, sometimes called an RHID, would allow the city to reimburse the developers with revenue generated by property taxes in the new development that could then be used to pay for some eligible improvements, including replacing water lines, repairing sewers and resurfacing streets in the area. Speaking to the city council earlier this month, David Rhodes, co-founder of Wheatland Investments Group, explained their estimated $55 million plan to rehab the village, including renovating its 242 existing structures and adding 99 new units. Other changes include: Installing new fire hydrants, Repairing and/or replacing storm and sanitary sewers, Replacing water lines,
Adding a water connection point on Sunflower Road, and Resurfacing and repairing streets. The group would work on the changes to the pipes and sewers first before working on the buildings, Rhodes said. Though they’re maintaining the 85-year-old pipes, sewer and water lines, Rhodes said approval of the housing incentive district would help pay for expenses to improve them. “We feel like we need to improve the infrastructure under the ground before we do all this improvement above ground,” he said.
Source: Johnson County Post
Olathe warehouse project spurs bigger question: What are incentives for?
In Olathe, philosophical discussions about the city’s use of economic development tools have continued as some city councilmembers express discomfort in giving incentives to projects that don’t offer high wages or have fallen short in their eyes in other ways. Last week, the Olathe City Council voted 5-2 to approve a resolution of intent to issue $23 million in industrial revenue bonds on a project in the Lone Elm Commerce Center. The resolution also outlines a proposed 10-year partial property tax abatement. Councilmembers Matt Schoonover and Dean Vakas cast the no votes, echoing past conversations on the matter. During the discussion last Tuesday, city staff once again pointed out that the application for the bonds is in line with the city’s existing standards. Those standards include a minimum private investment threshold of $10 million, as well as cost-benefit ratio requirements largely focused on how much property tax a development will ultimately generate. Still, Councilmember Schoonover questioned whether the proposed average starting wages of $38,000 per year for jobs at the Lone Elm project would be something people could live on in Olathe. He also questioned whether that projected average wage was even accurate. He raised concerns that some jobs at the facility could pay much lower than that as well. “Are these companies bringing jobs to the city that, quite frankly, will actually be a benefit to the city?” Schoonover said, noting that he’s been “struggling” with the issue. He also wondered what factors contributed to the cost-benefit ratio the city uses in determining if a project is worthy of incentives. John Page, Olathe’s financial strategy manager, said the chief consideration city staff uses in that calculation is property taxes. Currently, Olathe collects $55 in property taxes from the property where the speculative industrial building is being proposed. After the abatement rolls off, the city could collect around $76,000 a year in property tax revenues.
Source: Johnson County Post
Shawnee woman says neighbors’ dogs attacked her. Can the city do anything?
A Shawnee woman suing her neighbors for injuries sustained after she says their dogs attacked her is now hoping for broader changes at the city level. In early August, Elena Asher filed a civil lawsuit in Johnson County District Court against her neighbors after their two dogs — a bull mastiff and a pitbull mix — allegedly attacked her while she was jogging near her house in the Crimson Ridge subdivision in March. Asher was taken to Overland Park Regional Medical Center, where she was treated and told she would have permanent scarring on her arm and leg. She still has tingling and numbness in her left arm, her civil complaint says. Since then, she has spoken openly about her injuries during public comment portions of two Shawnee City Council meetings, asking city councilmembers to change municipal ordinances to address animals that attack people. So far, she says, they are not listening. “It’s just been a struggle to get any real action with it,” she said. “Because in Shawnee — and I didn’t know anything about our dog laws either — but come to find out, if you have an animal that attacks and tries to hurt someone else, there are no laws that require even an impound process.” While Asher spoke about her attack to city council and her councilmembers, she feels she’s gained no momentum with a push for broader changes in city code. The city says it was “saddened” by the attack but feels no ordinances could have prevented it, Doug Donahoo, Shawnee’s communication director, said in an email. “We have been in contact with Ms. Asher and have carefully considered her suggestions,” he stated. “While we appreciate her input, we believe that changes such as restrictions on specific dog breeds and rescue animals would not have prevented this incident.” The city does have codes to address dangerous animals, including Chapter 6.14 of the city’s Code of Ordinances, which addresses the ownership of dangerous animals, including how they are kept and confined. “We understand and have listened to her concerns,” he stated. “While no set of regulations can guarantee complete safety, the city maintains robust codes to ensure the well-being of both residents and pets.” When it comes to bigger dogs, like a bull mastiff or pit bull, in the past decade, the city loosened its control on dog ownership. In April 2016, the Shawnee City Council repealed its breed-specific ordinance that prohibited residents from owning pit bulls in the city, one of a number of Johnson County cities that have rolled back rules against pit bulls in recent years. It was a move that at the time was celebrated by local animal organizations like KC Pet Project. “Our priority remains the safety of our community,” he stated. “A dramatic increase in animal control regulations would have a detrimental impact on the vast majority of responsible animal owners in the community.”
Source: Johnson County Post
Debate over homeless shelter at Lenexa hotel has echoes of past dispute
The current debate raging over a proposed county homeless shelter at a repurposed Lenexa hotel has echoes of a legal battle the city had over a previous homeless shelter. On Monday night, a Lenexa Planning Commission meeting centered around a Special Use Permit to turn the site of a La Quinta Inn and former Denny’s into a county homeless shelter featured frequent references to a previous controversy over Project 1020, the only other homeless shelter in the city serving single adults. “I love our city and county, but I think we’ve turned a blind eye to our homeless for way too long,” Greg Hack, a Lenexa resident and board member of Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church, which houses Project 1020, said during the meeting. “I’m sure you all remember it required a lawsuit by one small, brave church to get the city to even allow Project 1020 (to happen).” The federal lawsuit, filed by the church in 2019 against the city, kept Project 1020 in operation and ultimately led to the city instituting new zoning rules for homeless shelters. The shelter still operates out of the church on Pflumm Road in Old Town Lenexa during the winter months. Monday’s much-watched meeting about the new shelter resulted in the commission unanimously voting 9-0 to recommend the denial of the special use permit. That recommendation was based on several reasons articulated by city staff, including worries that the shelter did not fit the character of the surrounding area, would negatively impact nearby residences and businesses and potentially be a drain on city resources.
Source: Johnson County Post
Overland Park names its new police chief, the first woman to lead the department
Overland Park has named Doreen Jokerst, leader of the University of Colorado Boulder Police Department, as its next police chief. She will be the first woman to run the department. Jokerst, who has served for six years as the assistant vice chancellor for public safety and chief of police overseeing the Boulder campus, will replace former Overland Park police chief Frank Donchez, who resigned last year. The city spent several months conducting a national search for a new leader for the department, which included hearing from community organizations and neighborhood groups. “Doreen brings vast experience to our team, with service and expertise in a variety of policing roles. She is a lifelong learner and leader in modern, progressive community policing practices,” City Manager Lori Curtis Luther said. “I am confident her leadership and focus on inclusivity will improve our department, and our community, in the future.” Jokerst and her family will live in Overland Park, according to a city news release. Her first day will be in October. Under Jokerst’s leadership, the CU Boulder Police Department became the first local police department in Boulder County to gain national accreditation. Jokerst was named chief of the department in 2018. “Overland Park is an outstanding city with a premier police department, and I’m excited to work collaboratively with the community and all members of the organization,” Jokerst said in the release. “I am eager to begin working with our officers and the community, and to call Overland Park home.” Prior to serving at the university, Jokerst spent nearly 20 years at the Parker Police Department in Colorado, where she rose to the rank of commander, according to the release. She holds a Doctor of Education degree in Leadership for Educational Equity, Higher Education, a master’s degree in psychology and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Source: KC Star Local News
Northwest Kansas needs housing. New funding could spur growth.
A lack of housing is a barrier to growth in northwest Kansas, where about half of the housing stock was built prior to the 1950s. With the region in need of new homes, a fresh funding initiative aims to address regional gaps. The Kansas Legislature passed a budget for fiscal year 2025, which began in July, that includes a provision to transfer $7.3 million from special revenue funds to the Northwest Kansas Housing Economic Development Fund. That money will be spread across a few construction projects: The City of Atwood will receive $750,000 for residential infrastructure improvements along South 7th Street. The community of Russell will get $1.5 million for residential infrastructure development at Main and Maple streets. $1 million will go to the community of Sharon Springs for housing infrastructure work along 6th Street. An additional $4 million provided by the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, based in Logan County, will be paired with local matching funds, also totaling $4 million, to tackle gaps in housing construction across the foundation’s 26-county service area in northwest and north-central Kansas. Northwest Kansas Innovation Center regional housing specialist Randy Speaker says this funding will help close the housing gap in northwest Kansas by providing the infrastructure to build new affordable housing options, restore old housing stock to livable standards, and provide low-maintenance homes for senior residents.
Source: KLC Journal
Arma City Library plans to upgrade building
The Arma City Library is trying to upgrade its building. Its more than a place to borrow books, the library allows for internet access, obtaining food from their pantry, and provides a meeting place for local residents. “It became a rather expensive adventure for the city itself,” said Bette Lessen, City Clerk. The library building was a bowling alley in the past and Brenda Banks, the library director, says the building is approximately 100 years old. The building has experienced mold problems in the past and the removal of the mold has led to having to repair the walls and sheet rock. The library received a grant to upgrading the building, but the funds were not enough to cover the repairs as the estimate of the repairs were incorrect. The city also considered purchasing a new building but the cost was more than the city budget. “Had it been before Covid it might have happened, but prices soared with Covid, so the city could not afford,” said Lessen. The Arma City Library has made some upgrades, including the installation of new LED lighting. Future plans include upgrades like making the library’s doorways accessible for wheelchairs. The Arma City Council meeting on September 3rd will address the walls and sheetrock.
Source: KOAM News
Ellis County opening winter shelter in Hays
Ellis County is opening its first winter shelter this year at Hays First Baptist Church. The Ellis County Ministerial Alliance will operate the shelter, which will open when the temperature drops to 20 degrees or lower and when there is a need, including for stranded travelers. The Ellis County Ministerial Alliance is recruiting volunteers to run the shelter. The first meeting is Sept. 10 at the Hays First Baptist Church.
Source: KSN-TV
Great Bend schools get $15,000 grant to help homeless students
USD 428 in Great Bend has secured a $15,000 grant that will help homeless students in the school district. The money comes from the McKinney-Vento Homeless grant, which Director of Teaching and Learning JoAnn Blevins helped secure for the school district. The McKinney-Vento grant comes from the U.S. Department of Education. Its purpose is to remove barriers from unhoused children and youth so everyone has equal access to free and public education “We applied for the max amount that we could apply for, which was $15,000, and so that’s what I applied for, and that’s what we were lucky enough to receive,” Blevins told KSN. “Those funds will be used to help further establish our McKinney-Vento program. In Great Bend, the number of kids we have living in poverty is to the extent that we should be identifying more kids that are eligible for McKinney-Vento support.” Blevins said the money will be used in part to develop an educational campaign that will help the community know more about support from the McKinney-Vento program. Eligible students and families will have support like paying for school fees for high schoolers working on college classes or supply fees for welding or art classes. They’re also eligible for free breakfast and lunch, clothing and medical, dental and vision needs, which Blevins said are all barriers to learning.
Source: KSN-TV
Dodge City facility addresses mental and addiction together
The recovery community has built a sturdy foundation throughout the state, and a western Kansas mental health facility is seeing that addressing both mental health and addiction simultaneously in young people can help prevent future battles. Compass Behavioral Health in Dodge City is utilizing its employees to help people start their journey. “There was an opening for a peer support specialist, so I was like, you know, I’m going to get into that field and give back to people,” Seth McGinnes, a peer support specialist, said. The facility provides support for mental health and addiction and aims to give young people a jump start on knowing their minds and body. “If I could get people to realize the signs of kids that are struggling in the earlier ages, they would not go to hospitals, and they would not get in trouble with the law, and they would not have addiction problems if we could get them in early,” Richard Falcon, program manager at Compass, said. Compass Behavorial Health also has transitional housing, which connects people with local providers or therapists before they need to be fully admitted to a hospital. Officials say that, typically, people stay between 24 and 72 hours, but every case is different.
Source: KSN-TV
Why flags will be at half-staff on Wednesday
Governor Laura Kelly has directed flags to be flown at half-staff throughout Kansas on Wednesday, Sept. 4, in honor of Arkansas City Firefighter Trevor Rusk. Rusk died while off-duty on Aug. 24. However, since it was less than 24 hours since his last shift, it is considered a line-of-duty death. Rusk served the Arkansas City Fire Department since June 5, 2023. The ACFD said a visitation service will be held tonight, Tuesday, Sept. 3, from 5 to 7 p.m. at First Assembly of God, 3125 N. Summit St., Arkansas City. The memorial service will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 10 a.m. at Wellington Free Will Baptist Church, 802 E. 16th St. in Wellington. You can virtually join the service through the Wellington Free Will Baptist Church Facebook page. Flags are to be flown at half-staff from sunup to sundown on Wednesday. “Trevor Rusk’s selflessness and courage will be remembered by his colleagues, friends, and family,” the governor said in a statement. “Kansas owes him a debt of gratitude for his service and sacrifice. My condolences go out to his loved ones and the Arkansas City community during this difficult time.”
Source: KSN-TV
‘Goat on the lam’: Lawrence police wrangle goat causing traffic problems
A local goat who’s been “on the lam” for the last few days, frightening Lawrence drivers and bystanders, was detained by the Lawrence Kansas Police Department (LKPD). On Thursday, the LKPD shared body camera footage of the tussle. The footage shows a goat pinned in an alleyway between two houses. A Lawrence police officer lassos and tackles the goat before returning it to its rightful owner. “It turns out when it comes to lasso skills, we have a GOAT of our own here at LKPD — and not the kind that eats hay,” the LKPD wrote on YouTube. You can watch the goat detainment above.
Source: KSN-TV
Backhoe operators from all over Kansas compete in Wichita
On Wednesday, 700 backhoe operators were in Wichita, showing off the skills necessary to do the job. The Backhoe Rodeo tests the skills of equipment operators, and it’s timed and judged on performance. “It just gives the operators a chance to come out and demonstrate their skill or get on a new piece of equipment that might be different from what they’re used to operating at home,” said Dan Defore, the water superintendent for the City of Winfield. This battle is part of a conference for people working in water and wastewater management. “There is education on drought preparedness, and there’s education on the regulations that the state comes up with for drinking water and the discharge of wastewater,” said Defore. People who competed say it’s important to know how to handle the machinery and controls on the job. “A person really needs to respect the equipment and what it can do, you know, ’cause it can be a dangerous thing just like a car going down the highway,” said Dallas Merritt, a utility operator for the City of Lawrence. Events like this go toward continuing education for operators for their professional certification. Competitors and people attending the conference are from all over the state. The Backhoe Rodeo awarded prizes for the best operator in first, second, and third place.
Source: KSN-TV
Little Balkans Days Festival concludes with polka dancing, chicken feed, and more
Little Balkans Days wrapped up today with a bevy of events for people to enjoy. Meadowbrook Mall in Pittsburg was the home for a polka dance and chicken feed. Guests had an opportunity to enjoy a chicken lunch, a choice of three sides of spaghetti, German slaw, German potato salad, and onion rings. A number of Southeast Kansas local restaurants provided the food. Live music was also provided by the Johnny Zibert Polka Band – giving everyone a chance to do some polka dancing. All proceeds from today go back to next year’s Little Balkans Days Festival. “Oh yeah, we look forward to this every year. We’ve been doing this for, I can’t even count how many years. I started doing it years ago with my dad – and it’s just a tradition and we keep carrying on,” said Johnny Zibert, The Johnny Zibert Polka Band member. A fishing derby, along with a concert by the “Retro Rockerz” and Conway Jackson also helped wrap up this year’s festival. Source: KSNF/KODE
Peabody interim city clerk confirmed dead after Harvey County wreck; investigation continues into public fund management
A joint investigation has confirmed the man killed in a Harvey County crash this past weekend was former Peabody interim city clerk Jonathan Clayton. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation had joined the multi-agency investigation into Clayton’s disappearance and the management of public funds in Peabody shortly before Clayton’s truck was found in a Harvey County field with a body inside Sunday afternoon. The KBI issued a statement Thursday night saying Clayton was the man found dead inside the pickup. There is no evidence of foul play, but the investigation continues. The wreck investigation, which also involved the Kansas Highway Patrol and Harvey County Sheriff’s Office, dovetailed into the original investigation into the use of a $1.5 million grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce to Peabody’s Main Street for downtown revitalization. Commerce paid about half of the grant amount and has said Peabody needs to refund that amount because the Main Street group had not offered outstanding financial or project reports. It also referred the matter to the FBI and US Treasury Department. There were also concerns about business dealings in Clayton’s hometown of Mullinville, including the alleged theft of $120,000 from the Mullinville Community Foundation and $70,000 from the Mullinville Cemetery Board. Commerce is also demanding the return of over $425,000 awarded two years ago as part of a recreation equipment repair grant in Mullinville. Clayton pleaded guilty in 2018 to counts of forgery, theft and conspiracy to commit theft in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He worked briefly for Commerce afterward, and even before Clayton’s death was publicly confirmed, Commerce issued a statement saying it could not perform “national level” criminal background checks for the position he held due to current state law. Commerce vetted Clayton through online searches, social media reviews and reference checks. Commerce says Clayton would not have been hired if it had known about the Pennsylvania convictions and has hired an independent third-party contractor to review all American Rescue Plan grants as a precautionary step. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly says he and David Toland, the state’s lieutenant governor and Commerce Department director, will seek changes to background check laws as part of the 2025 legislative session. She also says the state will provide the support it can to the communities affected by Clayton’s financial decisions.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
Dodge City named one of the most vibrant towns in Kansas
Dodge City, the legendary frontier town of the Old West, has earned recognition as one of the most vibrant towns in Kansas by World Atlas, a leading global publisher of travel and tourism content serving more than 165 million annual readers. While once notorious for its saloons, gambling halls, and gunfights, Dodge City has evolved into a peaceful, hospitable community that now captivates visitors with its rich history and vibrant spirit. Nestled atop the high plains in southwestern Kansas, Dodge City invites travelers to immerse themselves in the legacy of the Old West. Essential stops for any visitor include the Boot Hill Museum, the Santa Fe Trail Rut Site, and the Home of Stone Museum. The historic downtown district captivates with its charming shops and restaurants lining streets that parallel the Trail of Fame. Throughout the year, Dodge City draws visitors from across the country with annual events such as Dodge City Days, an Old-Fashioned 4th of July celebration, the Ford County Fair, and Christmas in Dodge City festivities. “Dodge City blends our rich cowboy heritage with Midwestern warmth,” said Megan Welsh, director of Dodge City Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Dodge City has nurtured a vibrant culture that celebrates our frontier spirit and welcomes visitors to experience our unique blend of Western and modern culture that inspires the imagination.” For more information about planning a trip or relocating to Dodge City, go to www.visitdodgecity.org. Discover why Dodge City earned a place on the list of the 8 Most Vibrant Towns in Kansas.
Source: Dodge City Daily Globe
Planners make no change in zoning regulations for living in RVs in Parsons
After discussion last week, the Parsons Planning Commission voted to recommend keeping zoning regulations the same relating to people living in recreational vehicles on property in Parsons. City commissioners had discussions on both sides of the issue. A couple commissioners wanted to see a special use permit option for these situations; others also wanted a safety checklist in place to alleviate fire and carbon monoxide issues. Another option was to have the trailer moved to a park set up for trailers, either a temporary RV park or a more permanent mobile home park. Parsons Fire Chief Brad Boss said before and said again last week at the planning commission meeting that he wasn’t comfortable with someone living permanently in a structure meant for only temporary occupation. Appliances, water and electrical systems are made for short term living, and long-term living could create a safety risk. Another concern is there is generally only one way in and out of an RV, unless you consider a window a second exit. “My world is prevention,” Boss said. City planners were to consider language in city zoning regulations that would allow living in recreational vehicles as long as a permit is provided by the city. The regulation reads now that RVs stored on property cannot be used for living purposes.
Source: Parsons Sun