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Municipal News & Jobs

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

Kansas Municipal News

Johnson County students met with stress and technology problems on first day of school

At 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, thousands of Olathe students sat at their computers, ready to start the first day of school and meet their new teachers via a Zoom video chat. But within a few minutes, many realized they had been blocked from doing so. “At first I thought that maybe the internet wasn’t working in our whole neighborhood, since everyone was trying to get online. But then we figured out that (the district system) must have crashed,” said Cassie Collar, who has a middle schooler and high schooler in the Olathe district.
Source: Joco 913 News

In tough times, Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens ‘beneficial to the soul’

Karen Kerkhoff’s job is situated within one of the largest plots of natural splendor in Overland Park. Yet now, working within a pandemic, it is the beauty of those who visit the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens that often catches her attention. “The most fun for me is when I see a family has come in; the kids may find a good stick walking the trail, and life is good,” says Kerkhoff, who been with the arboretum since 2004. “And when they are leaving, they are sweaty but they seem to be very happy.
Source: Joco 913 News

Kansas City malls were struggling before the pandemic. Now dozens of stores are closed

Just two years ago, the Country Club Plaza seemed poised for a bright future under new owners. Kansas City’s iconic outdoor shopping center enticed Nordstrom to leave rival Oak Park Mall and open a new store anchoring the Plaza’s west side in 2021. They also signed New York-based cult favorite Shake Shack for a prominent corner. But the COVID-19 crisis has upended the retail landscape.
Source: KC Star Local News

New outdoor dining platforms in Downtown MHK

On August 18, the City Commission authorized City Administration to move forward with the design and construction of dining platforms for seven food establishments in Downtown Manhattan: MHK Brewing Co., Tap House, Bourbon & Baker, El Patron, V, The Chef, and Finn’s Pub. The platforms will be constructed on City parking stalls along Poyntz Avenue and 4th Street. In an effort to aid businesses impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, this project will provide food establishments an additional seating area while allowing for social distancing requirements. The City Commission awarded a maximum budget of $250,000 for design and construction. The platforms will be constructed of decking material and include a combination of planters, benches, fencing, and protective barriers. All platforms will meet ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards.
Source: Manhattan – News Flash

Manhattan City Mask Ordinance extended to December 31

Manhattan City Commissioners voted 3 to 2 to extend the ordinance requiring masks or other face coverings in city limits at their meeting on Tuesday, September 2. The mask ordinance will remain in effect until December 31. Ordinance No. 7488 is posted on the City of Manhattan website at  https://cityofmhk.com/DocumentCenter/View/59247/7488-Require-Face-Covering-070720 Please see the full text of the ordinance to see when masks are required and when people are exempt from mask requirements.
Source: Manhattan – News Flash

Kansas schools under most stress he’s ever seen, education commissioner says

It’s a school’s football coaching staff in quarantine in one Kansas school district. In another, the entire kindergarten staff is in quarantine. In other schools, it’s just one or two students or staff members who test positive for COVID-19, but suddenly, the entire school has to quarantine. Those are just some of the situations Randy Watson, state commissioner of education, saw when he toured western Kansas schools last week, and they’re the challenges that each district, big and small, will eventually face, he told the Kansas State Board of Education Wednesday. Most rural Kansas schools opened before Labor Day, Watson said, and have been in school for a few weeks. In that short time, they’ve been tested already by the strains of keeping schools open during the pandemic, especially as cases begin to pop up among students and staff.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal

Mask mandate extended for Wichita after 7-hour public hearing, protest at Century II

After a marathon of comments from residents opposed to Wichita’s mask mandate, the City Council voted to extend it by as much as another six weeks. The council voted 5-2 to extend the mask mandate until Oct. 21 or until the COVID threat drops below the green threshold and the countywide positive test rate drops below 5 percent, whichever comes first. Council members James Clendenin and Jeff Blubaugh dissented.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

City of Lawrence to resume parking enforcement downtown, continue ambassador program in limited capacity

The City of Lawrence will soon resume parking enforcement downtown after its temporary suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission voted unanimously to resume all downtown parking enforcement beginning on Sept. 14, including parking meters, parking garages and overstays in the two-hour parking lots. Enforcement was suspended in March because of reduced activity downtown amid the pandemic, but Parking Supervisor Brad Harrell told the commission that demand had been steadily increasing and enforcement was needed again. “The most recent occupancy data suggest that there’s a need for metering and enforcement services to be reinstated,” Harrell said. “Monitoring parking is necessary to create the turnover and accessibility of available parking stalls for downtown visitors.”
Source: LJWorld.com.

Wichita’s Temporary Downtown Pop-Up Park Closes After Five Years

After five years, the pop-up park in downtown Wichita has closed for good. The park near Douglas and Market, funded in part by a Knight Foundation grant, was always meant to be temporary. Still, when news filtered out last month that it was closing, “it did catch us off guard,” said Adam Bussey, vice president of the Wichita Food Truck Coalition and the owner of Hot 2 Trot Gourmet Hot Dogs. The park’s closure means Bussey and other food truck operators will have to find new places to set up shop.
Source: KMUW

Drug dog makes a big difference in St. John

Just seven months on the job and the statistics for criminal activity stopped by St. John’s K-9 officer Glenn, a Belgian Malinois dog certified in narcotics, suspect apprehension, tracking, evidence recovery and patrol work, are worth noting. In the small, rural town of St. John, Glenn, assisted by his handler Police Chief Allen Adams and fellow St. John officers, conducted another car stop in August, bringing the SJPD’s total number of 2020 narcotics cases to 11, which includes three distribution cases. “Glenn’s made a real difference in the seven months since he joined the force,” Adams said. “He’s good little partner to have.”
Source: News – Wellington Daily News – Wellington, KS

Topeka school board allows football practices to continue — for now

Football teams at Topeka, Topeka West and Highland Park may continue to practice for the next two weeks, but questions about the season at-large remain after the Topeka Board of Education punted on a decision for allowing the district’s teams to play games against other districts’ schools. The board voted 5-2 Thursday evening to allow football teams to practice through the board’s next meeting on Sept. 17, when the board will make a decision on future competition against other teams.
Source: News – The Topeka Capital-Journal

Dodge City looks for artists for Eisenhower Park

Get the paint brushes ready. After being awarded a grant from the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission, Strategic Investment Program for New & Expanded Works, the city of Dodge City is looking to commission a mural at Eisenhower Park.Once completed, the mural would be the final renovation project at the park. "The Request for Proposals was recently published to begin the process of finding the artist that will bring the mural to life,"…
Source: News – Dodge City Daily Globe – Dodge City, KS

Facing protests and lawsuits, Blue Valley, Olathe districts will allow fall sports

Facing lawsuits and ongoing protests, both the Blue Valley and Olathe school districts will now allow fall sports. Despite rising cases of coronavirus in Johnson County, the Olathe school board voted Thursday to allow high school sports and activities to resume, and the Blue Valley superintendent announced the same Friday morning. During a four-hour meeting, the Olathe school board voted 5-2 to follow the county health department’s criteria for opening schools — which puts the county in the “red” zone — except for sports.
Source: Joco 913 News

Shawnee Mission golfers denied in first round of suit demanding district let them play

A Johnson County judge has denied five high school golfers’ request to allow them to immediately begin their season despite COVID-19 restrictions. The golfers, all girls, and their parents are suing both the Shawnee Mission and Blue Valley school districts because officials temporarily banned all fall sports and activities. Blue Valley officials on Friday, though, announced the district would resume high school sports this weekend. Attorney John Duggan, who is representing the families, was not immediately available to comment on how Blue Valley’s decision will affect the lawsuit.
Source: Joco 913 News

Johnson County Board of Commissioners addresses concerns over stray bullets hitting homes in southern JoCo

Danger from target shooters’ stray bullets near homes in Stilwell and Spring Hill has been such a persistent problem this year that Johnson County commissioners were willing to touch the “third rail” of politics Thursday. The commission, after hearing a second round of horror stories from residents about bullets hitting their homes, approved a resolution to place a higher priority on stray bullet complaints as they come into the sheriff’s department and the district attorney’s office.
Source: Prairie Village Post

DA’s office investigates Wichita City Hall over inaccuracies in Century II reports

Prosecutors have opened an investigation of the city of Wichita’s handling of records after a complaint by one of the founders of a group seeking to save the Century II Convention and Performing Arts Center from potential demolition as part of a proposed redevelopment project. Celeste Racette, leader of Save Century II, says she’s gotten what she believes to be incorrect and/or incomplete information in response to requests she’s filed in her campaign. A city official admitted there are errors in the documents that were provided to Racette, but said they were inadvertent clerical mistakes in descriptions caused by errant cutting and pasting. The money actually went where it was supposed to go, City Treasurer Mark Manning said.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

No big problems so far with Winfield mask order

Other than some confrontations between people, few problems have been reported to authorities so far regarding compliance with the City of Winfield’s face mask ordinance. … Winfield City Manager Taggart Wall said there have been a handful of incidents at local businesses involving customers who refused to wear masks, but these have been resolved without any further issues.
Source: The Arkansas City Traveler

Grant to aid in Winfield trail conditions

The City of Winfield has applied for a Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism grant that would help to pave some of its city-owned trails, making them more durable for all-weather use and improving ADA access. City officials are tackling trail improvements after receiving feedback from the community. “Recreational trails were one of the highest priorities received in the community survey last fall,” said Winfield city manager Taggart Wall, referring to a survey release last year to help with comprehensive planning.
Source: The Arkansas City Traveler

Four Kansas cities seeking HQ of U.S. Space Command

Gov. Laura Kelly said Friday she is pushing for President Donald Trump’s space force to be in Kansas. Four cities, including Leavenworth, have submitted proposals seeking to land the headquarters of the U.S. Space Command, which would be in charge of military operations in space. The other cities are Derby, Kansas City and Wichita, who have also provided information on potential development sites to the federal government, the governor’s office said. “Our strong teams of state and local economic development professionals have the tools available for the attraction, growth, and retention of the U.S. Space Command headquarters,” said the governor in a news release.
Source: News – The Topeka Capital-Journal

New Junction City High School more than half finished, expected to open before next school year

Geary County Schools U.S.D. 475 is currently more than halfway done with the construction of a brand new Junction City High School. Construction on the massive project began 18 months ago and is expected to be finished in June 2021. Chief Operations Officer David Wild said the school has been split in to three zones. Zone three, which includes the athletics department, is still mostly concrete and steel. On the other end of the project, crews have completed the roof on zone one and are putting up drywall.
Source: KSNT News

Garden City approves second bid package for Big Pool project

The guaranteed maximum price for Bid Package 2 for the Garden Rapids at The Big Pool project was approved by the Garden City Commission at its regular meeting Tuesday. … Bid Package 2 is a total of $3.9 million, bringing the total project cost to $12.3 million. In addition to the base bid package, the commission approved a buy-up option for a breezeway between the old bathhouse and the new admission/concession building.
Source: News – The Garden City Telegram

Risk Creeps Into Municipal Bond Market, Yet Rates Stay Low

Add the municipal market to the long list of American institutions reshaped by Covid-19. The pandemic is threatening the creditworthiness of many municipal securities long seen as safe investments—bonds for higher education, health care, tourism and travel. … Municipal bond defaults have reached their highest rate since 2011, the aftermath of the last recession, according to Municipal Market Analytics data. Still, Americans continue to pour money into municipal bond mutual funds, which are clocking 17 straight weeks of inflows since mid-May.
Source: Wall Street Journal.

USDA Invests Over $265,000 in Community Infrastructure in Lucas, Kansas

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen today announced that USDA is investing $265,300 to renovate a community center in the city of Lucas. “Modern, safe community infrastructure is essential for rural communities to thrive,” Hinrichsen said. “Whether it’s a safe and accessible library or facilities for public and civic meetings, rural communities rely on modern infrastructure to invigorate and serve their town and public. Under the leadership of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand, USDA is dedicated to rural communities like Lucas and their long-term commitments to economic prosperity; because when rural America prospers, all of America prospers.”

The city of Lucas will use a $222,300 loan and a $43,000 grant to purchase and renovate an existing vacant building to house a community center, public library, municipal offices, wellness equipment, and recreation room for public meetings and events. The library is currently housed in a building constructed in 1920 with deteriorating floors, limited space for children’s activities and patron privacy, and is not accommodating to individuals with disabilities. The existing municipal space is experiencing similar issues. The new facility will provide infrastructure for disabled individuals, larger spaces for privacy and security and a communal space for the nearly 400 residents of Lucas.

Today’s investment is in coordination with the recent announcement by Deputy Under Secretary Brand that USDA is funding 44 projects in the following states: Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, North Carolina, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin.

Federal cleanup funding proposed for southeast Kansas smelter sites

The Environmental Protection Agency has added a site in Caney in Montgomery County to its Superfund List of hazardous waste sites eligible for federally funded long-term remedial cleanup and has proposed adding another site in Weir in Cherokee County to the list, the Kansas Department of Health Environment announced this week. As a result of historic smelting operations at the two sites, both contain lead, which can pose serious health risks…
Source: Newton Kansan

New mask order from Sedgwick County health officer extends mask requirement to Oct. 21

A new emergency order from Sedgwick County’s health officer extends the face mask requirement for more than a month while changing the definition of a mask. The order issued Thursday by Dr. Garold Minns extends the mask requirement to Oct. 21. It had been set to expire Sept. 8. The order also removes masks with a one-way valve or vent through which air can be exhaled. Face shields are still allowed.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Shawnee leaders stress need for multifamily housing to spur economic growth but admit buy-in from neighboring residents will be needed

Several Shawnee city leaders last month touted the need for multifamily housing — and buy-in from neighboring single-family homeowners — to spark sustainable economic growth in the community. In a virtual discussion hosted Aug. 20 by the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee, Mayor Michelle Distler and most members of the Shawnee City Council discussed the merits of multifamily housing, particularly because of the city’s location along major arterials and highways, and quick access to downtown Kansas City, Missouri and the Kansas City International Airport. Shawnee lacks the type of multifamily housing — even luxury-priced units — for residents who prefer those options, particularly empty-nesters wanting to downsize or younger professionals and families just starting out. But several residential projects — many of which are multifamily — are underway.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Destination Kansas: Discover the hidden gems of Hutchinson with Cosmosphere and Strataca

Hutchinson has been home to salt mines since 1887 and has earned the nickname “Salt City” offering visitors the opportunity to go back nearly 280 million years to explore what’s beneath the surface. “It’s a great way to get away from daily life,” said Tonya Gehring, Strataca operations manager. “When we take you underground, it’s 650-feet underground where it’s 68 degrees, and while we do have WiFi, phones stop ringing. We don’t pipe in music. It’s very quiet, very calm and we take you back through geological timeframes.” The salt mine is like a time capsule, which lets you see the salt beds that were left behind from a time when Kansas was underwater.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF

City updates sidewalk enhancement policy

City of Emporia commissioners approved amendments to the city’s existing sidewalk enhancement policy during a brief action session Wednesday afternoon. Originally drafted in 2012, the document provides guidance to area businesses on the temporary placing and permanent affixing of “enhancements” — such as displays, signs, tables, benches, bike racks and more — on sidewalks, right-of-ways, streets, and private/public parking spaces so as “not to impede traffic or pedestrian movements. “[The amendments] are proposed in order to offer additional options and flexibility for local businesses …
Source: Emporia Gazette

Heritage groups unite to preserve history of Haviland

The Haviland Heritage Foundation and the Southwest Kansas Antique Engine and Thresher Association announced the merger of the two groups … HHF President Jean Jones and SWKAET Association president Andy Kimble signed a merger agreement to make it official. “This merger will unite the two groups to carry on the history of Haviland, and provide the community and the county a beautiful place to gather and hold events,” Jones said.
Source: Leavenworth Times

Public art installed and Goddess of Justice in place. New JoCo Courthouse nearly open

After two years of construction, the new Johnson County Courthouse is substantially complete and on track to open to the public on Jan. 4 in downtown Olathe. The certificate of substantial completion was dated Aug. 21 for the seven-story courthouse in downtown Olathe, which contains 28 courtrooms. Public art has been installed, and the Goddess of Justice statue has been relocated to the lobby. This is the third courthouse to house that statue, according to a county news release.
Source: Joco 913 News

‘Game-changer’: Johnson County schools to get thousands of saliva COVID-19 tests

Johnson County is purchasing thousands of COVID-19 saliva tests for schools to use as many students return to classrooms next week, said Sanmi Areola, county public health director. During a virtual town hall meeting hosted by the Shawnee Mission school district on Wednesday, Areola announced the plan and said within the next couple of weeks, students, teachers and staff could start getting tested. Areola said that increasing testing is critical to mitigating the spread of coronavirus and keeping schools open. He said districts can test students and staff in elementary schools — many of which open next week — along with those participating in sports and activities, for example.
Source: Joco 913 News

Council members say ‘there was no greater cheerleader for Olathe’ than Mayor Mike

The first 30 minutes of Tuesday night’s Olathe City Council meeting were devoted to two pieces of business: remembering the late Mayor Michael Copeland and swearing in new leadership. Copeland died Aug. 19 at age 58. He was Olathe’s longest-serving mayor, serving for 19 years. “This isn’t an easy day for Olathe. It’s the first city council meeting in 27 years without Mike Copeland as a part of this council,” said John Bacon, former City Council member and the new mayor of Olathe. “I felt fortunate and proud to live in a city with Mike as my mayor and count it a privilege to have been able to work alongside him on this council for so many years.”
Source: Joco 913 News

All Haysville students to receive free meals

The pandemic has meant tough times for area families. USD 261 is working to make sure every one of their students still receive meals during the school year. “As a school district we’re really excited to be able to provide this resource for them at least through the rest of this year because it alleviates a lot of pressure off parents. During this time and we know that it’s been a lot for our students as well as our staff,” commented Adia Ludwig, communications director for Haysville Public Schools. The free meals begin September 10th on the first day of school. It is made possible through a special grant from the USDA.
Source: KAKE – News

Wichita police create 150th-anniversary duty badge to commemorate the department’s founding

The Wichita Police Department has created a 150th-anniversary duty badge to commemorate the founding of the department. Officers now have the option to wear 150th-anniversary commemorative badges instead of the current badges issued. The badges can be worn until the end of 2021. The department was established on April 13, 1871, and the commemorative badge honors one of the first badges issued to WPD marshals, who were the first law enforcement officers in the city.
Source: KSN-TV

Skilled Kansas manufacturers attract ground-breaking tech upstart

After years of research, including one-on-one conversations with farmers, a businessperson from Kansas invented a new type of fertilizer toolbar. Although he grew up in diverse pockets of the world, Daniel Rauchholz, president of the newly formed Farmada, married a woman from Kansas and decided to make the Sunflower State home. Rauchholz previously traveled the world as an export manager for a top agricultural equipment company. Then, last year, he took the step to branch out on his own. Unfortunately, COVID-19 hit, but Rauchholz plowed ahead and opened his Assaria-based company, just south of Salina, this spring.
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News

Keeping schools safe means keeping them clean. These USD 437 custodians are stepping up to that challenge

For head custodian Julie Simpson to clean the classrooms at Wanamaker Elementary, it takes a bit of thinking like a kindergartner would. Every night, the school’s custodians go through each of the building’s classrooms, wiping down all of the potential surfaces — places like desks, pencil sharpeners and light switches — that the students might touch during the course of the school day. The custodians also use misting and fogging machines to coat classrooms with disinfecting spray. They only spray up to 6 feet high on the classroom walls, since it’s pretty unlikely that a kindergartner would be able to reach that high, Simpson joked. “It’s a pretty extensive process, but it’s a team effort, and we get it all done to keep the staff and kids safe,” Simpson said. As students return and get used to in-person classes, school custodians like Simpson and her crew of Gina Hunsperger and Rita Torres have always been essential workers for their buildings, but their role in keeping students safe has perhaps become a more prominent role.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal

Future of 1,000 Spirit AeroSystems jobs unclear after ventilator contract ends

A contract partnership at Spirit AeroSystems to help increase the production of ventilators during the COVID-19 pandemic has ended early, leaving the future of around 1,000 aviation jobs at the company uncertain. Spirit had partnered with Vyaire Medical to help increase ventilator production, but the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services canceled its contract for the machines early, Spirit confirmed. Spirit and Vyaire have now shifted focus from supplying the national stockpile to international markets served by the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Lenexa updates city code to make ‘intentional or reckless’ firing of weapons unlawful in the city

The Lenexa City Council on Tuesday voted 7-0 to approve an amendment to the city code that defines unlawful discharge of a firearm. … The amendment makes clear that intentional or reckless discharging of a firearm within the city limits is unlawful. In a presentation to the city council, Deputy City Attorney MacKenzie Harvison said the current section of city code is “silent” on the issue of intent, particularly when an unintentional discharge or firing of a firearm has occurred. This has created uncertainty on whether Lenexa can charge someone in municipal court for such an incident.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Blue Valley mother wants schools open, files complaint with Kansas attorney general

A Blue Valley mother has filed a complaint with the Kansas Attorney General’s Office, saying the district violated open meetings law when it decided how to start the school year — with older students learning online only. Laura Rozell, who has been pushing for schools to open and sports to resume during the COVID-19 pandemic, retained an attorney who served the district with a demand letter last week. The letter argues that the school board should schedule a meeting to vote on whether to approve the district’s plan.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

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