Municipal News & Jobs

A focus group meeting was held for USD 379 on September 30th at Lincoln School, with about 32 people in attendance. The meeting was ran by HTK Architects, the firm that was hired to run the bond issue. Architects Maria Kutina, principal in charge, and Noah Mediavilla, project manager, started with a presentation about the bond issue process, which includes research, vision, program, collaboration, and resolution/voting.  Kutina also spoke on the current climate of public schools, which have come to require bonds in order to afford asset maintenance. 
Read more: KCLY Radio

The Kansas City Police Department has struggled to recruit new officers for years, especially after protests against misconduct and racism. But Chief Stacey Graves says a record number of new recruits graduated into the department in August, and next year’s class is similarly robust.
Read more: kcur.org

One detail was unspoken during the Wichita City Council’s recent debate over stronger enforcement of an ordinance against homeless encampments: Cleanups are far more frequent than they were prior to the updated ordinance, according to a Journal analysis of public records, and they have been occurring, on average, at least daily since stricter enforcement began in March. After the council voted to crack down on illegal camping in the city last December, formal encampment cleanups are up from an average of 14 a month to 38 a month – a 171% increase compared to last year. Despite the acceleration, some council members are dissatisfied. Mayor Lily Wu unexpectedly expressed her frustrations with visible homelessness at a recent City Council workshop.
Read more: KLC Journal

Freeman Health System has decided against building a new hospital in southeast Kansas following its feasibility study. According to Freeman, the original purpose of the hospital was to fill a gap in quality healthcare services in the region. Freeman says the study considered multiple factors, including the impact of pending legislation, including the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” and evolving challenges in rural healthcare. Both of those variables contributed to the final decision.
Read more: www.koamnewsnow.com

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is inviting Kansans to share their ideas and discuss transportation priorities during a series of local consultations scheduled throughout October.
Read more: www.koamnewsnow.com

A new museum dedicated to farm toys has opened at the Dickinson County Heritage Center in Abilene, celebrating the state’s agricultural roots and history. The Farm Toy Museum features nearly 2,000 miniature farm implements, including tractors, combines, and plows, with a significant portion of the collection donated by John Gruber and his wife, Kathy. “You know it’s very unique in the fact that as far as we know, other than Dyersville, Iowa, we are the only farm toy museum kind of in the Midwest area that we are aware of,” said Austin Anders, Director of the Dickinson County Heritage Center.
Read more: KSN-TV

Sedgwick County and city leaders met with the Kansas Department of Transportation on Wednesday to discuss transportation priorities, including the proposed Northwest Expressway. The Northwest Expressway project would connect Maize, Goddard, and southwest Wichita. “We’ve already invested over $20 million into buying the right of way for the Northwest Expressway. We want to make sure that the state realizes this is important to the people in Sedgwick County,” said Ryan Baty, Sedgwick County Commission Chair. Baty said another important discussion was on the aging infrastructure of Interstate 135, or Wichita’s Canal Route, “a six-mile stretch through the heart of Wichita.” KDOT is working on plans to repair and ensure the long-term durability of the route, which is made up of many flyovers, bridges, and overpasses.
Read more: KSN-TV

The first Buc-ee’s convenience store in Kansas is now set to break ground late next week. The project has experienced several delays since June. The $95 million project was expected to start last Wednesday, but the company wanted to work on an official groundbreaking ceremony. Construction on the 74,000 square foot store was originally scheduled to begin in late June. The groundbreaking for the new Kansas City, Kansas store will be next to Kansas Speedway at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16.
Read more: KSN-TV

A Kansas community is rallying to help save its local drive-in theater. A Kanopolis couple purchased the Kanopolis Drive-In theater last year. The drive-in opened for the season on May 23. The theater had been operating throughout the season, that is, until Thursday, Oct. 2. The Kanopolis Drive-In’s projector broke down, and the cost to replace it is steep. The theater will need to raise at least $100,000, on the low end.
Read more: KSN-TV

Newman Regional Health was awarded a $485,000 grant from the Patterson Family Foundation to expand health care access to rural communities. The grant will be used to launch Newman’s two-year Telehealth for Rural Health Equity: Expanding Specialty Access Through Infrastructure Innovation program, which aims to serve residents in seven counties across east-central Kansas.
Read more: KSN-TV

A small town in southeast Kansas is getting a big new resource. Members of the healthcare and education communities in Humboldt gathered together Wednesday, October 8, for the opening of a new life services facility, holding a ribbon cutting ceremony and walkthrough of the Cubs Community Care Center, which officials say showcased their new community spaces and virtual learning opportunities. The building is a collaboration among Humboldt Schools, Southeast Kansas Mental Health, Ashley Clinic, and Allen Community College.
Read more: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com

A small town fire station is teaching kids the importance of fire safety. Staff from the Columbus fire department gave Park Elementary school students fire prevention and response tips. The kids were taught how to escape simulated smoke-filled rooms, use fire hoses, and how to work a smoke alarm. Today’s class was one of many; the Columbus Unified School District plans to send it to the station for Fire Prevention Week. The school’s principal, Matthew Crain, whose daughter recently went through the demonstrations, says the information has kids excited and better equipped.
Read more: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com

The Lawrence Police Department (LKPD) shared that its beloved K9, Cheeseburger, had passed away. On Wednesday, Oct. 8, the LKPD shared that Cheeseburger had died in the morning, surrounded by his family. “Our family is forever grateful that the department and community of Lawrence trusted us to care for Cheeseburger in his retirement,” the LKPD wrote on social media. The LKPD said that Cheeseburger spent the last 2.5 years of his life to the fullest with toys, treats, car rides and love.
Read more: KSNT 27 News

Officials from Sunflower Wind faced stiff questioning from county commissioner Clarke Dirks Plant manager Jase Sherwood and project manager Danny Sears-Greer told commissioners about repairing and replacing the blades, but Dirks had extensive questions. He wanted to know how much the blade and debris weighed and debris removed from the site so he could determine how much of the blades original material had not been disposed of.
Read more: Marion County RECORD

Five Hillsboro Police officers will receive a lot more in retirement effective Jan. 1 because of Hillsboro City Council action Tuesday. Hillsboro police officers do not contribute to Social Security because they are in the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System. Under the change they will switch to the KPERS affiliated Kansas Police and Fire retirement.
Read more: Marion County RECORD

Marion’s new economic development director, Megan Jones, wants to develop a business plan for the city to follow. Jones, hired two weeks ago at an annual salary of $55,000, thinks her experience of working and owning Bill and Essie’s BBQ with her husband, Daryl, for a little more than one year will help in her new position. “I am assessing and planning,” she said. “I don’t want to jump off the diving board without knowing how deep the water is.”
Read more: Marion County RECORD

Zoning has been a hot topic for numerous years across northeast Kansas, and now, the Nemaha County Planning Commission has developed a zoning code titled, “Land Development Code of Nemaha County, Kansas.” This zoning code, which has been in the works for multiple months — or even years — is now scheduled for a public hearing on Monday, Oct. 27, in Seneca at the Nemaha County Community Center, located at 1500 Community Drive in Seneca.
Read more: The Sabetha Herald

While it appears there are more homeless visible around Hutchinson, it’s an issue not unique to Hutchinson or Reno County, local and state housing experts said, but a growing problem nationally and statewide. Based on signals in the economy, it could get worse. Local officials, agencies and churches haven’t been idle, working for decades to find solutions to age-old challenges. But the reasons for homelessness are myriad, and the solutions complex. The Tribune will take a deeper look at some of those issues and community responses in a series of articles beginning with this broader look.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is attempting to court a nuclear power plant into the Hutchinson area. Chamber President and CEO Debra Teufel was presenting to Hutchinson City Council about ways the chamber is attempting to bring in jobs and workers into the city when she mentioned a communication she’d had with City Manager Enrico Villegas. The communication she had with Villegas was about the nuclear energy company Terrapower, and a memorandum of understanding they signed with Evergy and the Kansas Department of Commerce to bring a new, modular nuclear energy site into Evergy’s territory.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

Reno County Director of Information Technology (I.T.) Tim McClatchey received a proclamation recognizing October 2025 as Cybersecurity Awareness Month in Reno County by the County Commission. “All of I.T. staff work very hard to keep us safe,” McClatchey told commissioners. “I just wanted to spread that awareness further, not just in the county but to the community.” Each October the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the National Cybersecurity Alliance lead national awareness campaigns emphasizing the importance of data protection, he said.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

Last October, the city of Partridge broke ground on what would become their new library and community center building. In the two weeks since they opened, they’ve welcomed over 100 guests and–this Tuesday–representatives from the Kansas Department of Commerce.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

The plot of land on the southeast corner of East Avenue F and South Elm Street will soon belong to Jim and Heidi Unruh. The Hutchinson Land Bank Board of Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday to give the Unruhs this property after the Unruhs submitted an application that included a site plan that accommodates the needs of their wheelchair-dependent daughter. Interfaith Housing and Community Services is working with the Unruhs to construct a new house on this property.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

A cycling and trails enthusiast passed through Iola this weekend as part of his “Ride 4 Resilience” to raise money for cancer research and a group dedicated to preserving and building upon the state’s recreational trails. Mike Scanlon wants people to know Iola has a pretty cool trail system. Scanlon, executive director of the newly-formed nonprofit Kansas Trails Inc., was in town last weekend riding the Lehigh Portland trails.
Read more: The Iola Register

Douglas County commissioners on Wednesday voted to expand a property tax rebate program with a goal of offering further assistance to seniors with low incomes and veterans who are disabled. A pilot program rolled out last year. About 81% of the 135 applicants were eligible. They received an average rebate of $281, with the maximum set at $300, and the county gave almost $31,000 total back to taxpayers, according to documents in the meeting agenda. County commissioners approved $500,000 in their budget to offset the cost of rebates, so the value of all rebates came to less than 1% of the funds set aside. For 2026, county staff members proposed increasing the maximum rebate to $400, or the county’s portion of the person’s property taxes if that amount is lower than $400.
Read more: The Lawrence Times

Marysville’s black squirrel ordinance, adopted in 1972, directs the mayor “at nut-gathering time” to proclaim an annual Black Squirrel Day. Through the decades the celebration has appeared under different names — Black Squirrel Day, Black Squirrel Fun Night and Black Squirrel Night. With a full slate of activities and a nod to traditions of years past, this year’s community celebration is Black Squirrel Fall Fest.
Read more: www.marysvilleonline.net

When the Colby City Council meets to discuss a new STAR bond project on Oct. 8, 2025, they will have to vote on the proposal without seeing the full feasibility study done by the Kansas Department of Commerce. This is because Commerce requires governing bodies to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) to receive the entire study. If they decline, they’re given a summary. Colby City Manager Ron Alexander told The Sentinel in a phone interview that he declined to do so because he was uncomfortable with the requirement.
Read more: The Sentinel

A new collaboration will give students in Dodge City and southwest Kansas expanded access to the transformative power of a bachelor’s degree — all from the comfort and support of their hometown region. Combining the breadth and depth of a traditional four-year university with the homegrown reach and accessibility of a two-year community college, Dodge City Community College and Kansas State University are teaming up to expand access to bachelor’s degree programs in agriculture and education.
Read more: themercury.com

News of layoffs at Iola’s Gates Corporation plant hit hard last week. After learning that 80 employees will soon lose their jobs, local leaders immediately went to work attempting to turn crisis into opportunity. Within hours, Thrive Allen County’s Camille Lavon was on the phone with company officials and state partners, mapping out a plan to keep the 80 soon-to-be-displaced employees working close to home. 
Read more: The Iola Register

While the incumbents gave various reasons for stepping down, the increasing polarization and hostility around issues in the city, in some ways mirroring national trends, are discouraging them from staying any longer.
Read more: KC Star

Derek Raines asked for a moratorium and a noise resolution regarding the bitcoin mining natural gas generators near his property… Raines said that the stress of having the constant noise is taking a toll on him and his family. Neighbor Kimberly Sparks lives 3/4 of a mile away and can hear the humming and feel the vibration constantly. “It’s very upsetting,” she said. Commissioner Milburn said she had contacted the administration of Jefferson County to get their information on how they handled this issue.
Read more: Fort Scott Biz

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

Kansas state law allows candidates for local office in large cities such as Wichita to accept $2,000 political contributions while the city of Wichita’s ordinance caps that amount at $500. Confusion over changes to Kansas campaign finance law has led to accusations of wrongdoing and a return of campaign donations in a Wichita City Council primary.
Read more: Wichita Eagle

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

The Kansas Public Employees Retirement System is undergoing a five-year, $74 million modernization project. The new system aims to be easier to use for members, employers and staff. The project, which is on schedule and on budget, is expected to be completed by November 2029.
Read more: CJonline

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

Carissa McMullen and Nathan Harrell of Landworks Studio presented the Parks Master Plan at the Sedgwick City Council Meeting on Wednesday evening. McMullen said that the purpose of the plan is to present the vision for the future. Since April, Landworks has attended local events, visited with residents about what they want to see happen with their parks, and conducted online surveys. They then used the feedback to develop the plan, according to McMullen.
Read more: Harvey County Now

Accessing long-term stable housing is a challenge for many, and one Kansas nonprofit is providing those homes to people working to get back on their feet. In February, the McPherson Housing Coalition opened up the first home in its Sutherland Estates project. Now there are seven houses there. The project offers long-term supportive housing. “They are based on income, and it really gives people or a person an opportunity to start over or for somebody who just got their first job and they can’t afford to live in our community,” explained Chris Goodson, Executive Director of the McPherson Housing Coalition. The homes vary from one bedroom to three, which offers a more permanent supportive housing solution to keep families together, which Goodson says is a first for Kansas.
Read more: KSN-TV

Given the unpredictability of the economy and the ongoing possibility of a recession, Kansas could see a cooling off in the labor market and in gross domestic product, according to the Center for Economic Development and Business Research’s annual economist forecast revealed Thursday morning at the organization’s annual conference. “It’s very much a story of a slowdown,” said Bekah Selby-Leach, the executive director for the CEDBR at Wichita State University. “Everybody, all the businesses, individuals, are starting to make choices which are more consistent with uncertainty.”
Read more: Wichita Business Journal

Arkansas City commissioners will consider action Tuesday that if approved, will give the county responsibility for the activation of warning sirens within the city limits. A previous memorandum designated the city as the primary activator with the county providing backup support. But the commission cut the Emergency Management Coordinator position from the city budget, starting next year. City officials said those duties would be filled in by Cowley County Emergency Management and other city departments.
Read more: www.ctnewsonline.com

When Hesston High School came calling, for John Waltner, it was a no-brainer. Waltner saw a chance to give back with a hobby and his mobile “My Happy Place” was installed in the brand new . library on Oct. 2. Waltner has his work hanging at various places and enjoys making larger works of art for bigger spaces.
Read more: Harvey County Now

For 50 years, when someone in Johnson County has dialed 911, Med-Act has answered. Behind every call are neighbors — paramedics, EMTs and first responders — ready to bring calm, care, and skill in life’s most urgent moments. As part of the Johnson County Department of Emergency Services, Med-Act has become a cornerstone of the community, working alongside fire departments, hospitals, and law enforcement to keep residents safe. Partnering with eight fire departments and eight hospitals, Johnson County Med-Act ensures that anyone facing a medical crisis receives the best care possible. Over its half-century of service, the organization has earned national recognition, including the American Heart Association’s Mission Lifeline EMS Gold Achievement Award and the Kansas Association of EMS Services Community Award for its response to the Super Bowl Parade shootings.
Read more: Johnson County Post

In less than a year, Kansas City will host six games as part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. During the roughly monthlong event, an estimated 650,000 visitors will descend on the metro area looking for places to stay, grab a bite and enjoy local entertainment. Here’s a look at a handful of real estate projects in Johnson and Wyandotte Counties that are aiming to open in time for the international tournament.
Read more: Kansas City Business Journal

Step into the 1950s with Crest Theater as it celebrates the 75th anniversary of its grand opening. The 75th anniversary celebration will kick off with a ribbon-cutting on Nov. 6 at 10 a.m. at the Crest Theater. On November 9, the theater will present two showings of the 1960 film “Two Weeks With Love,” starring Jane Powell and Ricardo Montalban. Doors open at 1 p.m. with screenings beginning at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Admission is $1 for all ages, reminiscent of the original 1950 ticket cost of 65 cents for the show and 35 cents for popcorn.
Read more: KSN-TV

The state has announced grants for small towns to attract new residents. Kansas State Treasurer Steven Johnson announced $1.5 million in grants for the Home in the Heartland program, which was created by the Kansas Legislature in 2025 to encourage new residents and boost local economies. The state says that many Kansas towns are losing people, which limits their growth and economic stability. These grants give local leaders extra funds to create their own recruitment efforts, the state said in a news release.
Read more: KSN-TV

Arkansas City Fire/EMS Department is celebrating the arrival of its newest firetruck, Engine 53. To mark the milestone, the department is hosting a Push-In Ceremony on Oct. 7, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the fire station located at 115 S. D Street. This tradition dates back to the 1800s, when firefighters would push their horse-drawn wagons back into the firehouse after returning from a call.
Read more: KSN-TV