Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Former resident eyes youth home to save town

Jim Turner, of Wichita, was back at the Mullinville City Council meeting recently to discuss a lease-option for part of a city-owned building.

In months prior, Turner’s idea to turn the town’s former elementary school into a home for troubled youths had been met with lukewarm anticipation. City leaders were not sure if expenses could be met and who would assume leadership and management of such an endeavor.

Turner, a Mullinville native, told council members at their September meeting that he will pay all building remodel costs that will ultimately house 14 boys. He offered $12,000 a year as well as payment of all utilities for the building and insurance. Two rooms presently used by the city will remain at their disposal.

(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

7 projects, programs apply for funding from Lawrence’s new affordable housing sales tax

Affordable housing projects requesting money from the city include a mixed-income townhome community, apartments for seniors and the city’s first building project to utilize a new density bonus.

Seven projects and programs recently submitted funding applications to the city’s Affordable Housing Advisory Board, and the board will provide its funding recommendation to the Lawrence City Commission following an upcoming evaluation.

Lawrence voters approved a sales tax in 2017 that will provide about $1 million annually to the city’s affordable housing fund for the next 10 years, and the city began receiving proceeds from the sales tax in July.

Read more: LJWorld.com.

Center for Adult Education improves lives for students; open house scheduled

All it takes is for people to make that first move toward changing their lives and Barton’s Center for Adult Education (CAE) will take care of the rest. The CAE will show people how to get started on the path to a better life at an open house from 3-7 p.m., Nov. 7 at 1025 Main St. in Great Bend. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with students, graduates, staff and partner agencies. Refreshments will be served. The open house is for both potential students and the general public.

Enrollment and Career Advisor Susanne Yarmer wants to help people learn about all the services the center offers in addition to the High School Degree completion program via the General Equivalency Degree (GED) exams.

“Ultimately, our goal is to help people not only find jobs, but to find a career that can support them and their families for years to come. We have programs where students can obtain other credentials such as welding or as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) career paths while simultaneously working on their diploma. We also assist students with digital literacy skills, facilitate partner agencies to conduct workshops for career readiness and help find job shadowing opportunities.”

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Kansas voters could end unusual census adjustment for redistricting

Kansas could soon end an unusual policy of using its own numbers in addition to federal census data to redraw the boundaries of state legislative districts, a longstanding practice that has cost university communities political clout.

Voters statewide will decide Nov. 5 whether to approve a proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution to eliminate a requirement for the state to adjust federal census figures when the Legislature redistricts itself. The adjustment counts college students and military personnel not where they’re living but in a “permanent” home elsewhere — outside Kansas for thousands of them.

Kansas is among only a few states that adjust federal census figures for redistricting, and before it started doing it in the 1990s, it did its own population counts for more than a century. Critics see the adjustment as archaic and expensive, and the proposed amendment had overwhelming bipartisan support as it slipped quietly through the Republican-controlled Legislature earlier this year.

(Read more: Hays Post)

This Johnson County race is usually overlooked. So why is it now hotly contested?

It was the disasters in Flint and Newark — where low-income communities were poisoned by lead-contaminated drinking water —that inspired Olathe retiree Ullyses Wright to become a first-time candidate.

“It seems to me that a public entity, serving the public, needs to be representative of the public,” said Wright, one of three contenders for an open seat on the WaterOne board, which oversees Johnson County’s water supply.

“People need to speak up for people of color and people with different socioeconomic backgrounds, especially thinking about what happened in Flint and now Newark.”

(Read more: KC Star Local News)

Riley County Fire District One needs volunteers

Over the past several years there has been a decline in volunteers for Riley County Fire District #1.

Riley County Fire Chief Pat Collins said Monday was the first time in the history of the Fire District that he had to go to the Riley County Commission ( Fire Board of District #1 ) and tell them know there were not enough members left to keep the Peach Grove Fire Station open.

That station is closed to the center of the county and just two miles from the Marshall County line. It provides the first response for fires in an approximate 25 square mile area in northern Riley County. Collins said having the station there, with it current apparatus, when properly staffed has made it possible for the District to obtain a current ISO insurance rating of 5-5Y and reduced insurance rates for 20-30% for years. If that station is closed the people in that area will not only lose basic fire protection from a close station but they could see a sharp increase in insurance rates. The next closest stations are the Swede Creek and in May Day.

(Read more: Little Apple Post)

Lawrence Human Relations Commission to consider sanctuary city proposal

The city’s Human Relations Commission will soon hold a special meeting to discuss a proposal from a local group to make Lawrence a sanctuary city.

The Sanctuary Alliance is proposing that the city create policies that restrict the Lawrence Police Department from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in noncriminal circumstances and help ensure immigrants are not discriminated against. The Sanctuary Alliance’s full proposal is available on the city’s website.

Read more: LJWorld.com.

Group delivers final cost estimate for Wichita water-treatment facility

The group contracted to design and build a new water treatment plant for the City of Wichita releases its final cost estimate for the project, coming in at a shade below $500 million.

Wichita Water Partners estimates its final, fixed-price budget at $494.2 million for the new facility planned for construction in northwest Wichita.

“The proposed project will replace Wichita’s 80-year-old water treatment facility. The not-to-exceed cost estimate was developed based on extensive input from city staff resulting in important refinements that will benefit both the project and the rate payers of Wichita,” Wichita Water Partners explains. “If approved, those chases will eliminate the city’s exposure to future construction cost inflation and save the city millions of dollars in capital construction costs.”

(Read more: KWCH News)

Firefighters warn of toxic substances in McPherson landfill fire

Firefighters are warning McPherson residents of toxic substances after another fire sparked at the landfill Sunday.

A neighbor noticed smoke and flames coming from the landfill around 10 a.m. This is the second fire in one week for the McPherson landfill and it’s all hands on deck to get a handle on the situation.

The McPherson Fire Department, employees, contractors, and even some volunteers worked around the clock to get a handle on the fire.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Lawrence wins state award for best-tasting tap water

Those filling their glass with water from the tap in Lawrence can now say they are drinking award-winning water.

The City of Lawrence recently won an award for best-tasting tap water. A sample of tap water from the city’s Kaw River Water Treatment Plant competed against about 10 other Kansas communities from across the state in the taste test, according to a memo to the City Commission. The competition was part of the annual joint conference of the Kansas Water Environment Association and the Kansas Section American Water Works Association.

Read more: LJWorld.com.

Dighton vote to reveal views on pit bulls

Dighton residents and dog owners Becca and Mike Warta asked for a change in a Dighton city ordinance banning pit bull dogs and dogs with those characteristics and the city council voted to seek public opinion by putting a question on the ballot, according to Dighton city clerk Chelle Anderson.

The Nov. 5 election question is:

Should the City of Dighton’s Ordinance prohibiting the possession of the Pit Bull Dog; Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breed; the American Pit Bull Terrier Breed or the American Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breed of dog or any combination thereof be abolished?

After the election, the Dighton City Council will return to the issue. It isn’t mandated to change or retain the ordinance, based on the election outcome, Anderson said.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

KDOT meetings planned to discuss transportation priorities

A second series of Local Consult meetings hosted by the Kansas Department of Transportation will give citizens a chance to discuss regional transportation priorities and continue shaping FORWARD, the State’s next 10-year transportation program.

“Kansans are ready for the next transportation program to improve safety and grow our economy,” Secretary of Transportation, Julie Lorenz said. “We heard from more than 1,100 Kansans across the State who talked about the importance of completing T-WORKS projects, improving highways and making transit, aviation and rail work better. Now, as promised, we are coming back out for a second round of meetings to discuss specific transportation priorities in each region.”

All meetings will include an opening presentation and use facilitated breakout groups to:

Discuss transportation assets and needs at a regional level and gather feedback on priorities among KDOT’s various programs;

Share draft engineering and economic scores for highway modernization and expansion projects and gather feedback on those scores;

Discuss which highway modernization and expansion projects are regional priorities.

The meetings all will have a similar format, but the content will be specific to the region. KDOT encourages people to attend the meeting within the KDOT district where their community is located.

The Local Consult meetings are scheduled to take place in October and November in Pittsburg, Junction City, Topeka, Kansas City, Wichita, Great Bend, Liberal and Colby. A list of the dates, times and locations are below.

If possible, please contact Mike Moriarty, KDOT Chief of Transportation Planning, at 785-296-8864 or Michael.Moriarty@ks.gov to let us know which meeting you plan to attend.

Southeast Region – Pittsburg
Tuesday, Oct. 29
1:30-4:30 p.m.
Pittsburg State University
Overman Student Center
302 E. Cleveland
Pittsburg, KS 66762

North Central Region – Junction City
Wednesday, Oct. 30
1:30-4:30 p.m.
Geary County Convention Center
at the Courtyard Marriott
310 Hammons Dr.
Junction City, KS 66441

Northeast Region – Topeka
Tuesday, Nov. 5
1:30-4:30 p.m.
Capital Plaza Hotel
Maner Conference Center
1717 SW Topeka Blvd.
Topeka, KS 66612

Kansas City Metro Region – Kansas City
Wednesday, Nov. 6
9 a.m.-noon
The Reardon Convention Center
at the Hilton Garden Inn
520 Minnesota Ave.
Kansas City, KS 66101

Wichita Metro Area – Wichita
Friday, Nov. 15
9 a.m.-noon
Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center
225 West Douglas
Wichita, KS 67202

South Central Region – Great Bend
Monday, Nov. 18
1:30-4:30 p.m.
Great Bend Events Center
3111 10th St.
Great Bend, KS 67530

Southwest Region – Liberal
Tuesday, Nov. 19
1:30-4:30 p.m.
Seward County Community College
Student Wellness Building
1801 North Kansas Ave.
Liberal, KS 67901

Northwest Region – Colby
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019
1:30-4:30 p.m.
City Limits Convention Center
2227 South Range Ave.
Colby, KS 67701

(Source: Great Bend Post)

New Prairie Village Park, at site of old church, opens to an enthusiastic crowd

To the delight of a large crowd of residents, Prairie Village’s newest public space, Wassmer Park, opened Saturday at the site of the former Faith Lutheran Church at 67th Street and Roe Avenue in Prairie Village.

“I’m just so happy we were able to do this,” said former Prairie Village Mayor Laura Wassmer, for whom the park is named.

“It was really a culmination of a lot of talented people, primarily a very hard-working staff that pulled all of this together,” she said. “Public works employees were incredible and they really did the majority of the work on this, so the thanks goes to them.”

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Shawnee considering new guidelines for mixed-use development downtown

As new projects for commercial and residential purposes begin cropping up in downtown Shawnee, city leaders and staff are creating a new land use category in its design guidelines for future downtown development.

The new category, “Townsquare Mixed-Use,” would reflect the city’s goals to build on existing development patterns while maintaining the downtown’s established historic, civic, commercial and residential core. The Shawnee planning commission on Monday discussed the new category with city staff.

“It’s long overdue to look at this downtown area and adjust some of the land uses we’ve called on here,” said Stephanie Malmborg, deputy community development director for Shawnee, citing a number of developments already underway downtown. “The land use guide doesn’t really reflect what the city’s looking for on some of those properties.”

Mission launches new Adopt a Park program with Girl Scout Troop #942

The City of Mission recently launched a new program for volunteer groups to help keep the city’s parks clean and safe. Director of Parks and Recreation Penn Almoney said the goal of the program is to offer “exposure to one of Mission’s greatest resources: its outdoor parks.”

“Anytime you see more people at a park, it kind of gives you that sense of safety and connection within the community,” Almoney said. “Our ultimate goal is to foster community through this program and try to connect people.”

Volunteer groups, such as youth groups or local non-profits, can reach out to the parks and recreation department about which park the group would like to adopt and the process moves forward from there, Almoney said. Then beautification projects are discussed and outlined, and the groups commit to completing projects at least six times within one year.

Holcomb shelves plans to research, build indoor pool

After several months of preliminary research, the Holcomb USD 363 Board of Education voted unanimously last week to not move forward with early plans to potentially build an indoor swimming facility near district schools.

USD 363 superintendent Scott Myers updated board members on the project last Monday, reviewing a public forum the district held about the project in September and some additional findings about the project.

Myers was interested in “next steps,” he said in a memo in the board’s meeting packet, and suggested members opt to hold another community meeting, decide on a funding mechanism for the project or decide to halt further progress. After a discussion, the board chose to set aside the project for the time being.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

City approves 3.75 million in bonds

Gardner City Council approved $3.75 million in bonds to finance several projects in the city during a meeting Oct. 22.
The bonds, which include $1,140,000 in tax exempt general obligation temporary notes, $2,350,000 in taxable general obligation temporary notes and $2,600,000 in general obligation bonds, will be put up for sale on Nov. 18.

The bonds will fund infrastructure improvements at the 188th street special benefit district known as the Plaza South Development project. “The notes for this project are anticipated to be tax exempt,” said Mathew Wolff, finance director.

The funds will also be used to fund infrastructure development for the Waverly Plaza public road and waterline special benefit district. The project includes the acquisition of right of way and other improvements that will serve the upcoming Waverly Plaza development project. Wolff said the notes for the project are anticipated to be taxable.

(Read more: Gardner News)

Salina economy gets boost from new business landing near airport

A new business is expected to bring dozens of jobs to Salina in the short term, but officials say 1 Vision Aviation could eventually bring hundreds of jobs to the region. The business from Iowa cut the ribbon at a new maintenance facility Friday.

1 Vision set up its new facility in an old military hangar near the Salina Airport. The company will perform maintenance on aircraft ranging from regional jets up to Boeing 737s, and Delta Airlines is their first customer. US Senator Jerry Moran said he expects it to be a boost to the regional economy.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Farmers in central Kansas will not lose water in 2020

“Augmentation’s the only way to solve this problem,” says Farmer, Darrell Wood.

Wood is talking about the water problem in central Kansas. For years, he says a fight over water rights between farmers and the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge has wreaked havoc.

“The demands for that water are significant and there’s always more demand than there is water,” says U.S. Senator Jerry Moran.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Derby community celebrates 150 years of history

Dozens of people gathered at Madison Avenue Central Park Thursday night to celebrate as the city turned 150 years old.

“I’ve seen this town grow, I worked for the police department here, and now I run the chamber, so I’ve seen a lot of growth in our community,” said Chamber of Commerce President Mark Staats.

The celebration featured food from local restaurants, silent and live auctions, and birthday themed performances throughout the night.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Sunshine plays a role in powering up Olathe West High School

Dighton residents and dog owners Becca and Mike Warta asked for a change in a Dighton city ordinance banning pit bull dogs and dogs with those characteristics and the city council voted to seek public opinion by putting a question on the ballot, according to Dighton city clerk Chelle Anderson.

The Nov. 5 election question is:

Should the City of Dighton’s Ordinance prohibiting the possession of the Pit Bull Dog; Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breed; the American Pit Bull Terrier Breed or the American Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breed of dog or any combination thereof be abolished?

After the election, the Dighton City Council will return to the issue. It isn’t mandated to change or retain the ordinance, based on the election outcome, Anderson said.

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Kansas sees growing need for sports officials

There is a growing need for sports officials across the state of Kansas and the Kansas State High School Activities Association is urging people to consider signing up.

Players and coaches put in a lot of time preparing for their games but a lack of officials in Kansas has led to instances when games have had to be canceled or rescheduled because they can’t find an official.

“We see some creative scheduling and maybe playing at times that are not the prime time…because there’s simply not enough officials on a given night,” explained Bill Faflick, Executive Director of the KSHSAA.

(Read more: KSN-TV)

In light of racist graffiti, Douglas County to explore adding murals to underpasses in southern Lawrence

When Lawrence resident Cheryl Lester recently walked on a pathway to the Baker Wetlands Trail in southern Lawrence, she noticed graffiti markings on an underpass that were racist and anti-Semitic.

In response, Lester asked Douglas County to not only remove the markings, but consider adding some sort of public art over them to “turn that ugliness into something beautiful,” County Commissioner Nancy Thellman said.

The county might do just that. During their meeting on Wednesday, county commissioners directed staff to research the feasibility of installing murals on three pedestrian underpasses that had been affected by graffiti.

Read more: LJWorld.com.

Kansas secretary of commerce: ‘We need to crow loudly about why Kansas is a great place to live’

Secretary of Commerce David Toland, speaking at the University of Kansas, following a lecture some called “a funeral of rural Kansas,” touted Lawrence as a model community for the state.

Kansas State University professor Matthew Sanderson began Thursday’s Kansas Economic Policy Conference with the lecture titled “Kansas Population Trends: Where Are We Going?,” in which he highlighted rural population loss and the aging population in Kansas.

But Toland, who just started his term in April, is hopeful that the Department of Commerce’s developing strategic plan, as well as its efforts to brand the state in a way that will attract businesses, families and workers, will bolster Kansas’ economy in both the urban and rural sectors. And in an interview after his lecture, Toland said Lawrence was a model community for the state.

Read more: LJWorld.com.

City of Lawrence to update climate protection plan; mayor wants city to aim for 100% renewable energy

The City of Lawrence is preparing to update its climate protection plan, and the mayor wants the city to aim high when it comes to renewable energy.

The city allocated $75,000 as part of its 2020 budget to update its climate protection plan, and the process is expected to get underway early next year. The city’s Sustainability Advisory Board has recommended some environmental goals for the city, including that the city adopt a policy as soon as possible to achieve 100% use of renewable energy in all city functions by 2025.

Read more: LJWorld.com.

Cost of new Wichita water treatment plant will soon reflect in your bill

The Wichita Water Partners soon will deliver a final budget presentation for the city’s new water treatment plan.

It’s a large project that will increase water rates. The estimated cost for the needed construction project is in the neighborhood of $500 million.

In late November, the City of Wichita expects to sort out details on just how much your water rates will increase.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Shawnee County Courthouse to get new $325,000 security camera system

A new security camera system is coming to the Shawnee County Courthouse. At their meeting on Thursday morning, Shawnee County commissioners approved the purchase of the new system from American Digital Security. The system is scheduled to be installed by March 1, 2020, at the courthouse, 200 S.E. 7th. The cost isn’t to exceed $325,796.16.

Reno County annual county tax sale produces $108,000

Reno County conducted its 35th annual tax sale on Wednesday, selling to the highest bidder real estate in the county on which at least three years of property taxes were overdue. The sale, which drew between 65 and 70 bidders, brought in $108,000 from the 47 parcels sold, said County Counselor Joe O’Sullivan. That included some 30 vacant properties or empty lots and 17 parcels that had structures on them.

(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

Wolf named Manhattan City Clerk

The City of Manhattan has announced the promotion of Brenda Wolf to the position of City Clerk.

Wolf has served as Deputy City Clerk since 2016. She’ll be responsible for internal and external communications to the city commission, management of the city’s Record Retention and Disposition Program, maintaining records of all city commission meetings and established advisory boards, just to name a few.

Wolf has worked for the City of Manhattan since 1992, when she began as an Account Clerk in the finance department and City Clerk’s office. She was promoted to Assistant City Clerk in 2008, and Deputy City Clerk in 2016.

(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Wichita City Council member buys cafe that owner had to sell after scooter accident

Back in August, No Bake Cafe owner Saxon Young seriously injured himself in a scooter accident in Dallas and immediately realized he’d no longer be able to run his business.

Ever since, he’s been looking for a buyer for the edible cookie dough shop, which operates out of the little hut at Clifton Square, 3700 E. Douglas.

Now Young has decided to move back to his native Seattle to continue his physical therapy and to recover from his next surgery, which will repair his rotator cuff.

(Read more: Dining With Denise Neil |)

Utility rate increase lower than expected in 2020

The utility rate increase for City of Emporia residents will be less than expected following a study session of the Emporia City Commission Wednesday morning.

Residents will see a 5 percent increase in water service, 10 percent increase for sewer and 0 percent increase for polycart trash service in 2020. Overall, this amounts to about a 6 percent increase — or about $12 more per year.

Commissioners had approved what amounted to an overall 8 percent increase in city utilities — water, sewer and trash — that would amount to roughly an extra $6 on a bill for a household using 5,000 gallons of water each month earlier this year.

(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Low pay biggest concern among Kansas state employees

A survey of the state of Kansas’ 8,000 executive branch employees shows that the biggest concern for most of them is low pay and poor benefits.

While 65% of respondents from 14 Cabinet agencies are satisfied with their jobs, three in five cite low pay and benefits as their most significant workplace concern.

The Kansas Department of Administration released findings Wednesday of the anonymous, voluntary survey. It was conducted in June at the urging of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Stanton honored by Kansas County and District Attorneys Association

Deputy Reno County District Attorney Thomas R. Stanton has been awarded the Kansas County and District Attorneys Association (KCDAA) 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was presented to him at a recent KCDAA conference in Wichita.

Stanton is a 1988 graduate of the University of Kansas, obtaining his law degree in 1990. Before attending law school, Stanton worked as a police officer in Farmington, New Mexico, and at the University of Kansas. Prior to joining the Reno County District Attorney’s Office in 2001, he served ten years with the Saline County Attorney’s Office, serving five of those years as First Assistant County Attorney.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Kansas awards $66M in STAR bonds to Overland Park hockey arena. What about Olathe’s?

Kansas has awarded Overland Park more than $66 million in STAR bonds to build a supersized hockey arena and sports complex, jeopardizing prospects for a nearly identical project proposed 10 miles away in Olathe.

The decision, announced Thursday, came a few days after Overland Park submitted a study to the state showing if the dueling Johnson County hockey arenas were to be built, they would “cannibalize each other.” Developers of both projects have been seeking Kansas sales tax revenue, or STAR bonds — a major incentive program crucial to the financing of the ventures.

Now with Overland Park winning first approval from the Kansas Department of Commerce, Olathe’s project faces an uncertain future.

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Sedgwick County Zoo has a brand new identity

The Sedgwick County Zoo has announced a new brand identity as part of the ongoing implementation of the Zoo’s Strategic Master Plan.

The new logo was created by branding firm Gardner Design.

“Sedgwick County Zoo is such an amazing asset to the region. We are so excited to be their strategic branding partner as they get ready to evolve even further, as a local attraction and a conservation organization,” said Bill Gardner, owner and president of Gardner Design. “This new visual brand identity conveys all of the energy, positivity, and dedication they currently possess and will grow with them as they accomplish big things in the years to come.”

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Historic Preservation Commission casualty of budget says City Manager

Under a draft agreement between the city and the state, the Newton Historical Preservation Commission will likely dissolve in an official capacity.

With its previous agreement expiring and the city moving to not fund a position responsible for overseeing local historic preservation, as well as city planning, the city and state had to draft a new agreement regarding historic preservation.

The Newton City Commission reviewed that agreement draft at its meeting Tuesday night. The agreement delegates local administrative review of projects done on historical buildings or buildings in the city’s historical district to the Newton City Manager, who then can delegate the review to staff.

(Read more: Newton Now)

Lenexa to keep Ad Astra Pool open next year while city staff collect public input on next steps for site

Lenexa city leaders have agreed to keep Ad Astra Pool open for one more year while they decide what to do with the site in the future.

The pool at 83rd Street and Maurer Road was scheduled to permanently close at the end of this past summer. However, after residents raised objections — and some organized a coalition in opposition to the closure — city staff and leaders embarked on a public engagement process to determine next steps.

The Lenexa city council on Oct. 15 voted to reallocate funds from the city’s capital improvement plan for 2020 (originally budgeted at $3.9 million) to open and operate the pool in 2020. The council also directed staff to hire Lenexa-based Waters Edge Aquatic Design in the public input process regarding future aquatics plans in the city.

Wichita Water Treatment Plant proposal to be final, public soon

Wichita officials consider ways to grow the areas workforce at the proposed water treatment plant Thursday afternoon.

Currently the city is working alongside eleven companies on the project and the leader of the “Wichita Water Partners” group believes that number will continue to grow.

Final proposal with the expected price for the project will be presented to the city on Monday.

(Read more: KSN-TV)

3.4 magnitude earthquake near Hutchinson is Reno County’s third quake of the day

A 3.4 magnitude earthquake centered near Hutchinson was the third quake of the day to shake the ground in Reno County, geologists say.

The 3.4 magnitude quake struck at around 4:39 p.m. Wednesday just southwest of Hutchinson, according to Kansas Geological Survey reports. Two earthquakes struck the same area overnight.

The first was a 2.0 magnitude at around 1:14 a.m., and the second was a 2.4 magnitude at around 2:04 a.m.

(Read more: Local News |)

Renewable energy prospects to blow through county

An energy expert came to town Tuesday, to introduce herself to county leaders in hopes to get their blessings concerning the possibility of a new energy line passing through.

Brittany Bruce, associate project manager, representing NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, a Juno Beach, Florida-based company, presented packets and some maps before she advised commissioners about the Soldier Creek Project that entails a proposed energizing route from a wind farm in Nemaha County through Jackson and Jefferson counties, via a western portion of Atchison County through Kapioma, Benton and Center townships, linking it through to Leavenworth County along the way to its destination point.

(Read more: Atchison Globe Now)

New Indian Creek Library welcomes public with bright spaces, kid-pleasing features

Hundreds of people turned out on a drizzly morning Oct. 19 for the long-awaited opening of the new Indian Creek Library at 16100 W. 135th St. The $19 million library, designed by Gould Evans, is packed with some of the latest technology and features.

It’s been 3 1/2 years since the Indian Creek Library building at 127th Street and Black Bob Road flooded. In the interim, the library inhabited a small strip mall space at 13511 S. Mur-Len Road. The 47,000-square-foot building, the former site of a Hy-Vee, is about half a mile northeast of that temporary space.

“We are just excited to have our library back,” said Olathe resident Maggie Chang, who came to Saturday’s opening event with her 9-year-old son Jonah.

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

As recycling costs climb, officials weigh options

One Butler County community has already stopped its recycling program. Another is weighing its options.

Less than two months after El Dorado end- ed its recycling program citing rising market costs, Augusta officials are deep in discus- sion about what to do with their current automated curbside program. The Augusta city council hosted a work session Monday to deliberate the issue.

Augusta launched single-stream recycling in 2015, making it so citizens did not have to sort recycling, according to Monday’s meet- ing packet. The city contracted with Waste Connections in Wichita to accept and process its recycling. That contract is set to expire August 31, 2020, according to the original agreement documents attached to the pack- et. City officials have already reached out to renew the contract, but Waste Connections declined.

(Read more: Augusta Gazette)

FSCC looks to save money with refinancing certificates

Fort Scott Community College officials are looking to save money through refinancing of debt service.

The FSCC Board of Trustees and college administrators on Monday discussed the benefits of refinancing certificates of participation used to fund the building of the Boileau dorm on the college campus.

(Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)

Geary County Fish & Game Association will explore interest in forming a school trap shooting team in Junction City

The Geary County Fish & Game Association has scheduled a meeting for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24 to explore the level of interest in forming a school trap shooting team in Junction City. The meeting will be held at Sportsman’s Acres, the Geary County Fish & Game range facility on K-244 Spur near Milford Lake.

According to Association Board Member Larry George the initial meeting is informal and will simply start the discussion to see if there is sufficient support for the effort to move forward in approaching the local schools about the possibility.

The Fish & Game Association has hosted the Chapman High School Clays Trap Team for the last two years, and provides coaches and the shooting facility. Now they are interested in expanding the opportunity to other area schools. Active parent and community support would be needed to expand the program.

(Read more: Junction City Post)

County honors two Deputies for their life saving efforts

Geary County officials have honored two Deputies, James Garcia and Cayla Da Giau, for their life saving efforts at Milford Lake in the early morning hours of June 8th.

The Sheriff’s Department said the Deputies were dispatched to Auld Road and Brinkley Road for a man and woman who had driven their car into the water. The man and woman were standing on top of their vehicle as it was sinking into flood waters.

Garcia stated the two subjects were hanging onto some trees when the officers arrived on the scene. “We advised them to stand by, we had a boat enroute to pick them up. But they ignored our request and started swimming towards us. While swimming towards us they started sinking.

(Read more: Junction City Post)