Kansas Municipal News
Johnson County city relents: Church that sued can now shelter the homeless
After a months-long search and a lawsuit, a Johnson County nonprofit has a place to shelter the homeless — now and for the next three winter seasons.
Lenexa has reached an agreement with Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church, which sued the city after it wasn’t allowed to operate a homeless shelter this winter. As of Friday, the nonprofit Project 1020 could begin operating the shelter inside the church building, a former elementary school at 9400 Pflumm Road.
“The city of Lenexa wants to be part of a comprehensive solution to the homeless issue in Johnson County. This agreement will enable the homeless population to be served temporarily while we work toward a comprehensive solution that serves the entire community,” Lenexa City Manager Beccy Yocham said in a statement Friday.
(Read more: Kansas City Government & Politics News |)
Franklin County approves zoning for renewable energy companies
Franklin County’s next frontier may lie with renewable energy. As of now, there are no renewable energy companies doing business in the county, but officials believe it is only a matter of time.
County planning director Larry Walrod and the county planning commission developed building codes and zoning guidelines for companies wanting to come into the county. Walrod began reviewing other county policies months ago.
“It has been a lengthy process,” Walrod said. “We have reviewed it pretty thoroughly. I had information from at least 14 counties. We have had input in at least one solar development.”
(Read more: News – The Ottawa Herald)
Registration fees rising on electric and hybrid cars
Vehicle registration costs in Kansas will go up in January for hybrid and electric vehicles.
During the 2019 legislative session, lawmakers passed a bill, originally introduced by the Joint Legislative Transportation Vision Task Force, approving the increases.
Registration fees for electric-hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles will go to $50 from the current $30 or $40, which was dependent on gross vehicle weight.
(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)
Salina Public Library getting more renovations
While libraries are typically quiet, Salina’s has had a little noise the past few months as it has undergone some small renovation projects.
The Salina Public Library is currently working on an area in its basement that will be dedicated to children who are newborn to about age 5.
“We’re improving the area so it works well for parents and kids. That way, they can use the area easily and have some education aspects involved in the area,” said library director Melanie Hedgespeth.
(Read more: News – Salina Journal)
“Choose Topeka”: You could earn up to $15,000 just by moving to Kansas state capital
Topeka, the state capital, is offering potential new residents up to $15,000 to move there.
A pilot program called “Choose Topeka” will match employer funds put up for people who move to Topeka and live and work there for a year, city and Shawnee County economic development groups announced Thursday. The program will pay up to $10,000 to people who rent and $15,000 to those who purchase or rehabilitate a home, according to the news release from the Greater Topeka Partnership.
“Choose Topeka was created with the intention of investing in employees to live and work in Topeka & Shawnee County, so that we may foster an ‘intentional community,’ one of community support builders,” said Barbara Stapleton, vice president of Business Retention and Talent Initiatives for GO Topeka, an organization of the Greater Topeka Partnership. GO Topeka and the Joint Economic Development Organization are partnering on the effort.
(Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF)
Wichita, Jewish community team up for rare addition to Century II’s holiday light display
The city’s annual holiday display of jolly lighted Christmas characters in front of Century II has always been reliably unchanged: a happy waving snowman, a smiling dragon donning a Santa hat, a rigid saluting soldier.
This week, though, the display on Kennedy Plaza got an addition, the first one in years. On Wednesday, city workers put up three new lighted structures — a giant menorah accompanied by two dreidels. The structures, which represent the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, face Douglas on the west side of Century II, sitting just in front of A. Price Woodard Park and just to the east of the Douglas Avenue Bridge.
The addition of the decorations was the result of a three-year campaign by a local mother of five — Maggie Pichinte — who also is a member of the the Hebrew Congregation of Wichita. It all started back in December 2016, on Sara’s fifth birthday, she said.
(Read more: Local News |)
After nearly a decade, Prairie Village’s ‘Shop with a Cop’ continues to brighten holidays for group of youngsters
Board games, fuzzy socks and Legos filled shopping carts as Prairie Village police officers spread out through the aisles at Target in Mission to bring the holiday spirit to 10 elementary children on Thursday afternoon.
The Prairie Village Police Department held its ninth annual “Shop with a Cop” event, which provides children the chance to pick out presents for themselves and their loved ones. This year, each child had a shopping budget of $250. Funds for the event were secured through partnerships across the city, said Prairie Village Police Chief Tim Schwartzkopf.
“It gives us an opportunity to give back a little bit to the community,” Schwartzkopf said. “In partnership with the Prairie Village Municipal Foundation, local businesses and other donors, we’re able to provide a fun shopping experience to some kids from Prairie Village.”
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Leawood police help subsidize Ring security camera purchases for 300 residents
As police departments across Johnson County — and the rest of the country — are increasingly turning to footage from private cameras to aid in crime investigations, the city of Leawood recently partnered with Ring, producers of a variety of security products, to make the devices cheaper for a limited number of residents.
On Wednesday, Leawood police hosted an event kicking off a program that provided a $100 discount to 300 residents on the purchase of a selection of Ring products, from video doorbells to spotlight cameras to security kits. Leawood residents were lined up at the Lodge at Ironwoods Park to get their discount codes and then purchase products from Ring staff on site.
Leawood is the first city in the area to participate in Ring’s subsidy match program. Through the program, a city provides $50 toward the purchase of a device and the company provides another $50 for a total discount of $100. Capt. Kirt Yoder of the Leawood Police Department said the funds for the city’s portion of the subsidies, which totaled $15,000, came from the public safety budget.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
JoCo looks at expanding microtransit to lower income neighborhoods, cutting back on bus routes
Service area for Johnson County’s micro transit pilot program will likely be expanded in coming months to include more low-income neighborhoods. But some of the regular bus routes are still on the chopping block, as the county commission continues to try to figure out how to make the transit system more popular and less expensive.
County commissioners, who met for the second time in two months on the subject, agreed that the year-old hail-a-minibus service should include more areas where residents struggle with poverty and don’t have transportation to jobs and medical appointments.
But they couldn’t settle on what the balance should be between the relatively new micro transit and traditional fixed route buses.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Kansas public schools must snuff out vaping with bans for students — and adults, too
A minute ago, vaping was seen as a great way to quit smoking. But now we know that almost a third of teenagers who use e-cigarettes are smoking cigarettes six months later.
And now that we know more, too, about how unhealthy and risky vaping itself is, we agree with the Kansas State Board of Education’s unanimous vote this week to encourage school districts in the state to ban e-cigarettes and all tobacco products.
The kind of ban they’re suggesting would apply, just as it should, on all school grounds, in all school vehicles and at all school activities. It would apply not only to students but adults — guests, volunteers and employees — as well.
(Read more: Kansas City Breaking News, Crime & Sports |)
Study: marjority of farms remain family-owned
U.S. farming, according to a just-released study, remains predominantly family-owned.
According to “America’s Diverse Family Farms: 2019 edition,” a report from the USDA’s Economic Research Service that was released Wednesday, family farms as a group represent 98% of U.S. farms and 88% of production in 2018.
Approximately 90% of U.S. farms are considered small farms. In 2018, these farms, bringing in less than $350,000 in gross revenue, accounted for 48% of farm acres. Although the majority of farmers reside on small farms and have a large amount of land, their production holds at 21.
(Read more: News – Butler County Times Gazette)
Marion community comes out for firefighter-made food
In addition to the opportunity to ride on Marion Fire Department trucks on Saturday, community members got the chance to sample a variety or food made by the firefighters or their loved ones.
“We have all kinds of food. Deer chili, spicy chili, regular chili, chicken noodle soup, ham and potato soup, brownies, cinnamon rolls and more,” said Fire Chief Preston Williams.
Donations for the meal will go to purchasing gear for the firefighters.
(Read more: Hillsboro Free Press)
New Aquatic Center in Lenexa impresses swimmers
This weekend, Larry and Libby and kids enjoyed the brand new Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center, located in the heart of the growing Lenexa City Center neighborhood!
This $28 million, 55,000-square-foot aquatic center sits across the street from the Lenexa Rec Center at 87th Street Parkway and Winchester Street. It is a partnership between the Shawnee Mission School District and Johnson County Parks & Recreation District, which operates the facility. The City of Lenexa donated the land to the school district.
Across the street is a convenient hotel, a SpringHill Suites, which made the snow storm much more tolerable. For the record, son Jackson qualified for the Sunday afternoon finals in two events, but they were canceled due to the weather.
$200 million development coming to Gardner, with homes, retail, hotels
A $200 million development — containing three hotels, 367 single-family homes and 424 units of multi-family housing — is coming to the east side of Gardner. Stores, restaurants and offices also are part of the project.
The city has approved an agreement with Grata Development to develop the 262-acre site on the southeast corner of 175th Street and Interstate 35. The city annexed the property in September.
“This is a true example of a public-private partnership,” Mayor Steve Shute said in the city’s most recent newsletter. “We’ve firmly planted our flag on the east side of I-35, and we expect this project to be a catalyst for innumerable future wins for our residents’ quality of life and the entire region.”
(Read more: Joco 913 News)
City of Lawrence denies excessive-force claims, states motorist’s conduct led to his being shot by police
The City of Lawrence has denied claims that its police department used excessive force against a motorist who was shot by police and instead claims that the motorist’s conduct led to the incident.
Akira S. Lewis was shot by police after a traffic stop turned violent and in September filed a lawsuit claiming that police used excessive force against him and that the city failed to properly train its officers. Lewis filed the lawsuit against the City of Lawrence, the Lawrence Police Department, the police chief and the two officers involved in the traffic stop: former officer Brindley Blood and Officer Ian McCann.
In city survey, about half of respondents support a ban on disposable plastic bags in Lawrence
Just over half of respondents to a city survey about potential ordinances regarding disposable plastic and paper bags indicated they favored banning plastic bags, a city advisory panel learned Wednesday.
Lawrence-Douglas County Sustainability Director Jasmin Moore presented results from the survey to the Sustainability Advisory Board as part of its regular meeting. Moore said more than 600 people completed the survey and that the results, along with some demographic data provided by respondents, would be forwarded to the Lawrence City Commission.
Read more: LJWorld.com.
Exterior Home Improvement Grants Coming Back in 2020
The City of Merriam is again investing $50,000 in grants to help fund homeowners’ repairs and renovations for exterior home improvements. In 2020, residents only need to invest in $2,500 to receive a 20% reimbursement from the City. Eligible improvements include new paint, siding, a fence, deck, roof, driveway, and more projects.
The Community Development Department will start accepting applications in person at City Hall on Jan. 2 starting at 8 a.m. Grant money – up to $2,500 per property – will be available until all funds are allocated.
(Read more: Merriam, KS news)
‘Convenience fee’ catches some Wichita taxpayers off guard
Property taxes are due in Sedgwick County next Friday, December 20. A “Convenience Fee” in paying those taxes could cost more than a hundred dollars more than you’re already paying for taxes.
“We have a few people that, when they find out what the fees are going to be, they’ll ask if there’s another method they could pay with,” said Sedgwick County Treasurer Linda Kizzire. She said you have a few ways to avoid charges you may not be prepared for.
“As you go through each screen, it does tell you about the convenience fee,” said realtor Stephanie McCurdy, who recently filed taxes on several properties. McCurdy said the website doesn’t list the specific amount until the end of the process, since it’s based on a percentage of your total taxes.
The county treasurer said the convenience fee covers the credit card service fee Sedgwick County paid in the past.
(Read more: KAKE – News)
Wichita Transit unveils first battery-electric zero-emission buses in Kansas
Wichita Transit on Thursday unveiled the first battery-electric zero-emission buses in Kansas at a press conference. The four new buses will begin operating on routes early next year and will replace several diesel buses.
The city scored a nearly $2 million federal grant to purchase the buses from ProTerra. Wichita Transit estimates each electric bus will last 12 years and save the city $462,000 in that time compared to its diesel counterparts. The buses will charge overnight and should have enough power to run 150 miles by morning. Officials hope the buses will attract new riders.
“As you can see it is quiet, no emissions, no sound. We can carry on conversations. These are things no one ever thought of 10 or 15 years ago in public transportation,” said Mike Tann, Wichita Transit Director.
Mokhtee Ahmad, one of two members of the Federal Transit Administration on hand at the dedication, said the advantage of taking a bus is that you can text and ride instead of driving.
(Read more: KSN-TV)
Local law enforcement pack food boxes for needy families this holiday
On Wednesday, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s deputies, fire, EMS, 911 dispatch and Wichita police packed boxes for their annual food basket drive at the Dillons warehouse.
The sheriff’s office says it will enhance the holiday season for 500 Sedgwick County residents who are in need of assistance. They will receive two boxes filled with various food products. Names of families are submitted by citizens and first responders in Sedgwick County. The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office says they have been doing the event for 26 years.
In Harvey County, it is their third year for the event. The food boxes packed will benefit 200 families.
(Read more: KSN-TV)
Wamego Superintendent says proposed traffic signal long overdue; school board considering joining Juul lawsuit
A new traffic signal is coming soon to Wamego’s west side after the city and Pottawatomie County recently entered into an agreement.
It will be installed at the intersection of US-24 and Columbian Road using a Kansas Department of Transportation grant to fund construction. The remaining costs will be split between the two entities. USD 320 Wamego Superintendent Tim Winter says students use that intersection frequently as it’s near the sporting complex
US 24 and Columbian Road intersection in west Wamego, where a new traffic signal will be constructed. (Google Maps street view photo)
Construction is estimated to cost around $300,000 with an additional 60 to 80,000 for engineering design and inspection.
(Read more: 1350 KMAN)
Reno County DA to retire, run for district judge seat
Reno County District Attorney Keith Schroeder announced Wednesday that he is retiring to run for a district judge seat.
Schroeder served as the elected DA for the 27th Judicial District, Hutchinson, Reno County, Kansas for years. He is set to retire June 1, 2020.
“My decision was made with great pause and reflection,” Schroeder said in a statement. “I am thankful for the opportunity to serve my community in the District Attorney’s Office for more than thirty years, including nearly five terms as the District Attorney.”
Schroeder plans to run for the position of Reno County District Court Judge, Division II.
(Read more: KWCH News)
Wichita transit rolls out fleet of electric buses
Wichitans will get to see the state’s first fleet of electric buses Thursday.
Wichita transit rolls out its first ever zero-emission battery-electric transit buses at 10:30 a.m. There will also be a demonstration of the ProTerra buses.
The buses will charge overnight and should have enough power to run 150 miles by morning. Wichita Transit estimates each electric bus will last 12 years and save the city $462,000 in that time compared to its diesel counterparts.
(Read more: KWCH News)
City insurance to increase by 20%
The cost of a commercial insurance package for the city of Leavenworth is going up next year by more than 20%. And officials are blaming the increase largely on the settlement of a wrongful death and civil rights lawsuit that stemmed from an officer-involved shooting in the city.
Relatives of Antonio Garcia Jr. reached a $1 million settlement with the city of Leavenworth and former Leavenworth police Officer Matthew Harrington earlier this year.
Garcia was fatally shot by Harrington on July 11, 2017, in Leavenworth. The shooting occurred while Harrington was a member of the Leavenworth Police Department.
(Read more: Leavenworth Times)
Newton moves to voluntary recycling
Mandatory recycling in the city of Newton is nearly dead as the city commission chose Tuesday to explore creating a voluntary program in response to changes in recycling rules and fees at the county level.
The city commission did not set new rates or decide how the program’s rates will be set.
The commission could choose to only charge those residents who use the service or charge a flat fee to all sanitation customers. Voluntary recycling would mean changing the number of trucks on the road as well — with three trash trucks operated four days a week and one recycling truck four days a week.
(Read more: News – Butler County Times Gazette)
Lenexa acquiring property along Quivira Road for street improvements
Lenexa is acquiring right-of-way access for construction improvements along Quivira Road.
City leaders on Dec. 3 agreed to move forward with acquisition of lands by condemnation of property abutting Quivira Road between 75th Street and 87th Street Parkway. The city requires easements and rights-of-way for construction improvements.
The approved ordinance authorizes the City’s property acquisition counsel to file a condemnation petition with the district court to acquire the easements and rights-of-way necessary for the project. The project requires property from four tracts, but only three will be included in the condemnation proceedings because the city acquired one tract before filing for condemnation, according to city documents.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post – Neighborhood news and events for Prairie Village, Fairway, Mission Hills)
AT&T Invests More Than $110 Million Over 3-Year Period to Boost Local Networks in Topeka
At AT&T, we’ve invested more than $110 million in our Topeka wireless and wired networks during 2016-2018. These investments boost reliability, coverage, speed and overall performance for residents and businesses. We’ve also improved critical services that support Public Safety and first responders using the FirstNet communications platform.
AT&T’s wireless network covers more than 99% of all Americans and has become the fastest wireless network in the nation, according to the third quarter 2019 results from tests taken with Speedtest® and analyzed by Ookla®.2
In 2018, AT&T made 12 wireless network upgrades in the Topeka area.
(Read more: The Chanute Tribune)
Growth or commercialization? Overland Park Arboretum expansion approved over concerns
A $12.4 million expansion of the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens won final approval this week. But plans could stall if a group of angry neighbors decides to protest the decision, sending the issue to the City Council.
The Overland Park Planning Commission on Monday approved the project, which has been in the works for years. The plan includes adding a new visitors center, outdoor amphitheater and event spaces, plus more parking at the venue, off U.S. 69 and 179th Street.
While dozens of neighbors say they support the expansion, they argue the project would “commercialize” the gardens and draw noisy events and concerts. Many said the city hasn’t done enough to plan for added traffic on the already congested highway and 179th Street.
(Read more: Joco 913 News)
The new Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center has opened in Lenexa
The new Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center has opened at 17251 W. 87th Street Parkway in Lenexa’s rapidly developing City Center area.
A dedication ceremony for the $28 million facility was scheduled for Dec. 5, just before the first swim meet on Dec. 7.
The building, financed with bond money approved by school district voters in 2015, includes two pools, a diving well and bleacher seating for up to 1,000 spectators, with additional seating for viewers on the mezzanine. The 50-meter pool is the largest in Johnson County, the city said, and part of the smaller pool has a movable floor with depths ranging from zero to 7 feet.
(Read more: Joco 913 News)
Safety concerns mean changes for Wall Park
Following action by the McPherson City Commission on Monday, changes are coming to Wall Park.
The biggest change comes at the behest of the city insurance company — Travellers Insurance.
Playground equipment installed in 1988 will be removed.
“The equipment contains a number of deficiencies including head/torso entrapment hazards within the equipment,” Travellers wrote in a report to the commission. “Replacing this play structure with a new piece of equipment that meets current playground safety standards would be a sound risk management decision.”
(Read more: Newton Kansan)
‘Major win’: Walmart to invest $200 million, bring 300 jobs to Topeka
Walmart has picked Topeka to become the site of its biggest distribution center in Kansas.
The retail giant unveiled plans Wednesday evening to invest $200 million and create 300 full-time jobs at competitive salaries over the next five years while developing that center in south Topeka’s Kanza Fire Commerce Park.
“This is a great day in our community — 300 new jobs!” said Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla.
“It is thrilling to know that Topeka has captured the attention of the world’s largest retailer,” said Matt Pivarnik, CEO of the Greater Topeka Partnership. “It’s major wins like this that really accelerate the capital city’s already powerful momentum.”
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Wichita establishes Community Improvement District for portion of Tokola’s redevelopment projects
The City Council approved the creation of the Community Improvement District with a unanimous vote Tuesday.
The financing method isn’t new to the project; the Council approved a development agreement with Sudha Tokala’s Douglas Market Development back in November. The group is redeveloping a five-building, $75-million complex that includes the under-construction Kansas Health Science Center on Douglas Avenue.
(Read more: Wichita Business Journal)
USD246 receives Commissioner’s Award
Arma School District was recently recognized for its postsecondary success.
The district received the Commissioner’s Award from Dr. Randy Watson, Commissioner of Education for Kansas, for being above the standard deviation in postsecondary success.
According to Arma School Counselor Beth Gabern, the state used to award schools based on state assessments. Now they are focusing on goals. The Commissioner’s Award is based on the district’s postsecondary effectiveness rate by looking at how many of the district’s students are going to college, completed college or other certifications two years after they graduate high school, Gabern said.
(Read more: Community – Morning Sun)
Kansas ag department offers website for stressed farmers
Kansas farmers and ranchers who are stressed over finances or emotional issues have a new place to turn for help.
The Kansas Department of Agriculture, along with several other partners, is now providing a website that offers farmers, ranchers and their families resources and support. The department announced the website, kansasagstress.org, on Tuesday.
The site offers several topics, including the Kansas Suicide Prevention Line and the Crisis Text Line. The site comes during a time when the suicide rate for farmers and ranches is climbing across the nation.
(Read more: 1350 KMAN)
Abilene mulls what to do with videos
The Abilene City Commission was split on how to manage videos of the meetings once the equipment is installed.
Assistant to the City Manager Kara Titus updated the commission on broadcasting options last week.
Recently the city invested in updating the city commission meeting room with new technology to make meetings more accessible to the public.
Read more: Abilene Reflector-Chronicle
Lawrence City Commission interested in discussing changes to city union rules
City leaders are interested in discussing potential changes to the local resolution governing city employee unions.
As part of its study session Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission received a report from the area union Teamsters Local 696 regarding Resolution No. 6817, which the commission can amend at its discretion.
Matt Hall, secretary-treasurer and business agent for Teamsters Local 696, told the commission that there is a group of city employees interested in unionizing, but that the city’s resolution creates barriers to unionization and needs to be reformed.
Read more: LJWorld.com.
Food for Fines in Valley Center
Food for Fines (FFF) is a project that will not only benefit the community, but have a positive impact on the clients of the Valley Center Municipal Court. FFF is designed to emphasize the compassionate side of our judicial system and encourage charity within the community. The court has the potential to reduce the debt owed on active cases that meet the court’s criteria for eligibility at a time of year when the general population is struggling to make ends meet.
(Read more: City of Valley Center news)
Reno County OKs temporary repair to earthquake damage in courthouse dome
The Reno County Commission on Tuesday approved a $24,300 contract with a Wichita company to make temporary repairs to damages in the dome of the historic county courthouse which officials blame on a pair of magnitude 4.2 earthquakes that occurred in August. The permanent repairs, which will likely be awarded in spring, are expected to cost several hundred thousand dollars. The county will seek insurance reimbursement for part of the cost, but it has a rather high deductible.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)
Overland Park planning commission unanimously approves controversial arboretum expansion
The Overland Park city planning commission unanimously approved a controversial plan to significantly expand the city’s arboretum.
The commission welcomed a packed house to Monday’s meeting. Those supporting the arboretum’s expansion plans see the proposal as critical to growing what’s considered a jewel of Johnson County.
“Think about the future to think about all the people that come to the arboretum and what they take away about the city of Overland Park because of it,” one woman supporting the plan said.
Although it’s a popular attraction, many who live near the arboretum do have frustrations, especially with its large-scale events.
(Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF)
Goddard bans vaping products for minors
The Goddard City Council voted last week to pass a city ordinance prohibiting possession and sale of vaping products to anyone under 18.
(Read more: Area | derbyinformer.com)
Derby grad takes over as DRC program coordinator
Ashlynn Godown’s career pursuits have officially come full circle.
Having graduated from Derby High School in May 2015, Godown and the Derby Recreation Commission recently reached an agreement for her to take over as program coordinator.
Having served as an intern in the department since the spring, Godown had firsthand perspective of what the position needed. When Katie Dawes resigned in September, she felt it would be a good fit for her first full-time job.
(Read more: DerbyInformer.com – news,news/)
Dreaming of a retro ‘aluminum tree’ holiday? Head to the Johnson County Museum
It was the space age: Sputnik had launched, the United States was trying to catch up, and the country was interested in futuristic decorations. That’s when aluminum Christmas trees took center stage at the holidays.
Sixty years later, a display at the Johnson County Museum’s 1950s all-electric house is bringing back those memories.
“Dreaming of a Retro Christmas” features 20 aluminum trees from the collection of Steve and Mary Pruitt of Overland Park. All are vintage items from the late ’50s and early to mid-’60s, but they showcase a variety of colors, sizes and other features.
(Read more: Joco 913 News)
Garden City Regional Airport expects increase in number of passengers this month, during a record-breaking year for TSA
Garden City Regional Airport officials expect to see 100-300 more outbound passengers this month than they do on average.
According to Rachelle Powell, director of aviation for the Garden City airport, the month of December — and specifically the week leading up to Christmas — is the airport’s peak travel period. During that time, flight capacities hit mid-90%. Outside of the peak period, flight capacities average about 80%.
“Typically in December, we range anywhere from 2,300 people departing to our peak, which was 2,500 people flying out of Garden City,” Powell said.
(Read more: News – The Garden City Telegram)
Fate of Century II lies with final decision on Wichita Riverfront plan
What will Wichita look like along the Arkansas River downtown? After weeks of public feedback, a committee is looking over all the input and soon will make a final recommendation on a design for the development.
Five plans range from about $970 million to $1.5 billion. With the overall plan, some worry about a tax increase as each idea varies in design and price.
(Read more: KWCH News)
Topeka seeks federal funding for viaduct, weir projects
Finding federal funding to help replace Topeka’s Polk-Quincy Viaduct and construct a downstream Kansas River weir was the focus of conversations Mayor Michelle De La Isla and city manager Brent Trout had last week with members of the Kansas congressional delegation in Washington, D.C., they said Tuesday.
Trout and De La Isla met with U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, U.S. Rep. Steve Watkins and staff members for U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran during a visit to the nation’s capital, which took place Dec. 4 and 5, Trout said at the monthly news conference he and De La Isla hold at City Hall.
“It was a worthwhile trip,” De La Isla said.
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)