Kansas Municipal News
Pressure builds in Kansas for new vaping and tobacco laws
A national outbreak of a vaping-related lung illness is increasing pressure in Kansas to consider new regulations for vaping and tobacco products.
One of the suggestions getting attention is raising the age for purchasing nicotine products from 18 to 21, in part because federal officials say 40 percent of vaping illnesses across the country have be reported in people under 21, The Kansas City Star reported .
The push to reconsider nicotine regulations is fueled by an increase in vaping-related illnesses reported nationwide. On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control reported 1,080 confirmed and probable cases have been reported in 48 states and one U.S. territory. Eighteen deaths have been recorded in 15 states.
(Read more: www.ctnewsonline.com – RSS Results)
Wichita council members can take unlimited gifts. It’s not like that everywhere
Tulsa’s elected officials aren’t allowed to take gifts that could be used to influence them.
Colorado Springs sets its dollar limit at $59. Oklahoma City requires disclosure of gifts over $300.
But Wichita’s mayor and city council members are free to take unlimited gifts.
A Wichita Eagle review of cities across the region found ethics codes that prohibit specific behavior by elected officials that would leave them open to improper influence. Some states even require local officials to receive ethics training.
(Read more: Politics & Government News |)
Design companies present findings on Big Pool
Garden City commissioners heard an update on the facility set to replace the Big Pool this week, reviewing the problems with the current pool, what attractions the community has shown interest in and what is coming next. Commissioners and city staff sat in on a meeting Tuesday morning with representatives from facility designers…
(Read more: News – Wellington Daily News – Wellington, KS)
Ark City police wrap up successful Popsicle Patrol season
The Arkansas City Police Department recently wrapped up its annual Popsicle Patrol program, with a major increase in the popsicles distributed this summer.
A total of 1,749 popsicles were shared with the community, up nearly 355 percent from last year’s total of 505 popsicles, according to ACPD Capt. Eric Burr, who said the Popsicle Patrol program is a centerpiece for the department’s improved community outreach approach to policing.
ACPD identified increased positive interaction with the Arkansas City community as one of its primary goals in a strategic plan that was first rolled out in 2014.
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)
Topekans return from Montgomery, Ala., with ‘great ideas’ after annual intercity visit
Topeka and Montgomery, Ala., might seem quite different on the surface. But the two cities have more in common than meets the eye. They are both capital cities. They have comparable costs of living and similar average household incomes. And they are both in the midst of multi-year economic development plans meant to improve quality of life. Montgomery was the site of this year’s intercity visit — an annual trip by city and county officials…
(Read more: News – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Creekstone expansion triggers water supply concerns for Ark City
Expansion of the city’s beef processing plant is causing concern about whether Arkansas City will have enough water.
Creekstone Farms could increase its water usage by as much as 50 percent within the next six months, city officials told commissioners this week.
Commissioners discussed the growing water needs Tuesday and passed a resolution authorizing the Burns and McDonnell Engineering Company to provide services for a water evaluation …
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)
Power line sale to fund local Winfield upgrades
The City of Winfield stands to benefit financially from a new partnership with independent electric transmission provider GridLiance, with money from the sale of transmission lines expected to directly fund upgrades for the city-owned electric transmission system, said Winfield City Manager Taggart Wall.
The city will receive $1.1 million up front from GridLiance for the purchase, plus another $900,000 spread out over 15 years, said Wall.
The first projects will be improvements to the Rainbow Substation west of Winfield and rebuilding an electric transmission line southeast of town, he said.
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)
New Neosho County clerk named
Neosho County Republicans nominated southern county resident Heather Elsworth, rural Erie, Thursday evening as the replacement for County Clerk.
A caucus of Republican precinct officers selected Elsworth on the first ballot from four applicants proposed for the County Clerk position to replace Randal Neely.
Neely, who resigned effective Thursday, would have finished his term next year. Elsworth’s nomination now goes to Gov. Laura Kelly for appointment. Kelly has up to 10 days to finalize the nomination, although the previous appointment of Gail Klaassen as County Commissioner was completed in two days.
(Read more: The Chanute Tribune)
Is Johnson County getting greener? Uber-like transit system, bike lanes flourishing
An experimental, Uber-like microtransit system in Johnson County is in such high demand, it is poised to become a permanent fixture — signaling a desire for alternative modes of transportation in the suburbs.
In his 11 years on the county board of commissioners, James Allen said he’s heard stories of residents struggling to make it around Johnson County without a set of car keys. Bus stops are often not within walking distance, and ridership on the public transportation system has been historically low, officials said.
But over the past nine months, the county and RideKC have been testing a project aimed at changing that. Johnson County is paying $500,000 to pilot the microtransit program, which allows users to summon a cheap ride in a small van via a smartphone app. At just $1.50 per ride, the program has been called a cheaper alternative to Uber or Lyft.
(Read more: Joco 913 News)
Finney County seeing significant retail, job growth
Finney County’s recent economic growth has been significant, says a presentation from the Finney County Economic Development Corp., highlighting an expanding retail market and rare spot of booming job growth in western Kansas.Shannon Dick, FCEDC strategic analyst, broke down the details of Garden City’s job and retail growth before the organization’s board last week, explaining what has helped the city and county stand out in the region and state.
(Read more: News – The Garden City Telegram)
147 years of Hutch Police memorabilia on display at Reno County Museum
Today, a Hutchinson police officer may be called when a bar fight breaks out, but in the 1920s, a Hutchinson police matron dropped in at dance halls to assess whether girls were dressed appropriately.
If Police Matron Marie Baldwin deemed some girls needed more clothing, she tapped them on the shoulder and sent them home.
“I am not a granny about these things,” Baldwin was quoted in the newspaper. “But there are some things that go too far or not far enough as the case may be.”
An exhibit highlighting the history — sometimes humorous, sometimes tragic — of the Hutchinson Police Department opens at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the Reno County Museum, 100 S. Walnut St.
(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)
Whimmydiddle continues to be a tradition for shoppers, vendors
Whimmydiddle is more than just a craft show for Shelly Peterson.
It’s become sort of a family tradition for the Burlington, Colo., resident who has been attending the huge Scott City show for about 10 years.
“It started out with my mother-in-law and myself and then my older granddaughter and myself came for three or four years together,” says Peterson.
(Read more: Scott County Record)
Little Jerusalem opening is Oct. 12
Grand opening of the Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park will take place on Sat., Oct. 12, with the gates opening at 9:00 a.m. and the opening ceremony at 10:00 a.m.
The trails will open at 11:00 a.m. The park will close at about 7:00 p.m.
Gov. Laura Kelly is scheduled to speak, along with Rob Manes, Kansas Director of the Nature Conservancy, and Brad Loveless, KDWPT Secretary. Area legislators and local officials have also been invited to attend.
(Read more: Scott County Record)
Returning home was always part of the plan
There was never much doubt that Clay and Emily Mulligan would return to Scott City.
“We both loved growing up in Scott City,” says the former Emily Buxton. “After living in Kansas City, we realized this is where we wanted to raise a family.”
After graduating from the University of Kansas Medical Center as a doctor of physical therapy, Clay joined the Scott County Hospital on June 1 as a codirector of the physical therapy department.
(Read more: Scott County Record)
Planning Commission could make decision on dollar type stores Tuesday
The Hutchinson Planning Commission could make a decision on whether to send amendments regulating small box or dollar-type stores on to the City Council.
More study and a possible decision could come during the commission meeting on Tuesday. The purpose is to give those who shop at the dollar-type stores better choices for food items. The amendments would call for small-box stores to dedicate 10% of their retail space to such food items.
The changes which are already in place in other cities are starting to have an effect on Dollar General stores. The largest small-box chain is beginning to add fresh food options to their stores; staff wants to ensure that the residents of the city are getting at a minimum these options form the stores.
(Read more: Hutch Post)
Gove Co. represents ‘The Aging Farmland’ in national study of rural America
In March, a reporters from the Wall Street Journal and George Washington University, along with a film/photo crew from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation visited Gove County. As part of their national study entitled “A New Portrait of Rural America,” Gove County represented “The Aging Farmland.”
This group traveled all spring throughout the United States, compiling data and stories about rural America. They presented their findings in their entirety on September 26 in Washington DC. Select community leaders from across rural America were asked to participate in a panel discussion as part of the event releasing the study.
Ericka Nicholson, Gove County economic development director, was invited and attended, expanding on the story of Gove County through a panel discussion and Q&A session following the study’s release.
(Read more: Hays Post)
Riley’s Community Center opens for business
The grand opening for Riley’s Community Center was held on Post this week. The building that was formerly Riley’s Conference Center, has undergone renovation.
Junction City Commissioner Phyllis Fitzgerald attended the grand opening. “It still can be used for a lot of the same things, meetings and events. They’ve got a nice computer room, they’ve got a family room, got a fitness room with child activity space and a recreation room.”
The hours of operation for the center will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday.
(Read more: Junction City Post)
Urban growth springing up in Newton
Downtown Newton is getting some newly renovated green space, as the Hutchinson Community College satellite campus continues work on a project to turn part of its property (at the corner of Broadway and Oak streets) into a pollinator garden.
“We needed to redo the landscaping of that front area and decided to do something with native Kansan plants,” said HCC Newton counselor Bev Wiebe. “When people use plants that are native to the area, they use less water — you need less resources that way — and they also provide habitat and food for native insects, which non-native plants don’t do.”
(Read more: Leavenworth Times)
New museum exhibit honors area law enforcement
The Reno County Museum is following up on its Hutchinson Heroes theme with a new exhibit honoring the Hutchinson Police Department.
A reception was held Thursday evening to open the exhibit. It’s the second installment in a series of exhibits that honors Hutchinson’s first responders and emergency personnel. Hutchinson Police Chief Jeff Hooper says it is great the museum is taking time to honor those who serve the area.
“I think it’s a great exhibit the museum has set up,” Hooper said. “I came and enjoyed the one for the fire department. Just the fact that the local museum is honoring the heroes of our community.”
The displays take people back to the 1800s and into present day with artifacts that came from both the museum archives and officers who donated to the cause. Museum Director Mike Ables says you will find just about everything.
(Read more: Hutch Post)
USD 309 gets $25,000 grant for STEM program
Nickerson-South Hutchinson USD 309 is receiving a $25,000 grant to expand its robotics and STEM programs to include underwater robotics.
America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education program is sponsored by the Bayer Fund. Across the country, local farmers nominated schools for a piece of the Bayer-funded grants.
Local farmers who nominated USD 309 for the grant will be invited to attend the ceremony. Brent Werth and Alan Shive, with Central Prairie Co-op, will make the check presentation during a halftime ceremony at the Nickerson High School homecoming football game Friday at Nickerson High School. The presentation is expected to occur between 7:30 and 8 p.m. on the football field.
(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)
Merriam hosting second annual Merriam Drive Live this weekend
The city of Merriam is hosting its second annual Merriam Drive Live event this weekend.
Merriam Drive Live turns the Merriam Marketplace into a “huge lawn party” with live music on two stages. The event takes place rain or shine from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 at Merriam Marketplace, 5740 Merriam Drive. Merriam Drive Live is free and open to the public.
“It’s just a way to bring Merriam residents and the surrounding community downtown to Merriam,” said Jenna Gant, communications and public engagement manager for Merriam. “We just really hope to bring people to Merriam, not just our residents but also outside communities, to see what Merriam is about. We have a lot of pride in our community and we just hope a lot of families come down and enjoy themselves for Merriam Drive Live.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post – Neighborhood news and events for Prairie Village, Fairway, Mission Hills)
Wichita Area, Kansas Expected to Add Jobs Next Year
An employment forecast released Thursday projects continued economic growth for both the Wichita area and Kansas next year. Wichita State University’s Center for Economic Development and Business Research (CEDBR) conducts industry-level employment surveys each year to help formulate its forecasts. CEDBR Director Jeremy Hill says the Wichita area is expected to grow about 0.5% in 2020, adding about 1,600 new jobs.
The workforce expanded by 1.3% this year. He says the slow job growth pattern is a turnaround from 2017 when the region lost jobs. “We’re getting a lot of our legs back underneath us,” Hill says, “so as we go into that momentum, we also head in with a lot of this uncertainty on the global and national economy that gets a little concerning.” Hill says a national or global recession could affect Wichita’s export-oriented manufacturing industries. After a robust 3.4% growth in 2018, the production sector’s growth is expected to slow to 0.6% in 2020.
(Read more: RSS Feed)
Louisburg planning commission recommends approval of treatment facility
A businessman who would like to put a 24-hour treatment facility in Louisburg to help people with alcohol and chemical addictions has passed the first phase of the application process.
The Louisburg Planning Commission voted 8-0 to recommend approval of a special-use permit (SUP) for the Gold Bridge Treatment Center LLC, to be located at 105 E. Amity St. (Kansas Highway 68) in the former Omnivillage building. The matter now goes to the Louisburg City Council which have final approval. The council is scheduled to consider the SUP at its Oct. 21 meeting, according to city documents.
Gold Bridge Executive Director Joseph Hammer said he would provide in-patient treatment for up to 16 clients who are dealing with issues related to alcoholism and chemical dependency. The facility also would offer some outpatient services to help individuals remain clean and sober.
(Read more: The Miami County Republic)
Harvesting hope at Paola Community Garden
For some, it’s a peaceful respite from the hectic world around them.
For others, it’s a place to safely and naturally grow delicious produce.
For a few, it’s a memorial to those who are no longer with us.
Shaw and her fellow volunteers have been busy this year revitalizing the garden, which is located on city-owned land along Industrial Park Drive.
(Read more: The Miami County Republic)
Renting a scooter in Wichita is easy, and apparently so is tossing one in the river
When it comes to electric scooters, it seems that people either love them, or want to see them all thrown into a river — literally.
On Monday, Dusty Lehman of Wichita posted a video to Facebook showing he discovered seven scooters in the Arkansas River. In the same Facebook post, Lehman wrote that he found at least 14 scooters on that particular bike ride.
(Read more: Hutch Post)
Retired city clerk admits to stealing taxpayer money, must pay back $150,000
The retired clerk of a southeast Kansas town has admitted to stealing from taxpayers.
Carole Sue Coker, 70, of Oronogo, Missouri, pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of mail fraud, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said in a news release. Coker admitted in her plea that she took money from payments made to the city.
As part of her plea deal, Coker agreed to pay more than $150,000 in restitution. Sentencing is schedule for Dec. 19, and Coker faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
(Read more: Local News |)
U.S. Attorney General hails Kansas, Wichita law enforcement
…U.S. Attorney General William Barr hailed Kansas and Wichita-area law enforcement on Wednesday…
Barr, who heads the U.S. Justice Department, said Kansas and local law enforcement are significant partners in keeping pressure on gun crime, drugs and gangs.
“I wanted to come here to Kansas because this is one of the most successful federal, state and local law enforcement partnerships we have in the country,” Barr said during brief remarks to local media.
(Read more: Local News |)
Lawrence City Commission approves new comprehensive plan that includes controversial growth policy
Lawrence city commissioners approved the city’s new comprehensive plan on Tuesday without making substantial changes, despite the fact that several members had voiced support for loosening the plan’s requirements for annexing new land into the city.
At its meeting, the commission voted 4-1, with Commissioner Matthew Herbert opposing, to approve Plan 2040, which covers Lawrence and the unincorporated areas of Douglas County. The plan has a new growth policy that prioritizes infill development and adds requirements for developers who want to expand the city’s boundaries. One requirement is that developers must provide some kind of community benefit if they want to annex land to expand the city. That idea has been controversial with some members of the local business community, who say it will increase the cost of housing.
Read more: LJWorld.com.
Douglas County leaders, staff discuss responsibility for ‘abandoned’ cemeteries
In the rural part of Douglas County, between Lecompton and Lawrence, a cemetery sitting on private land is an important piece of the county’s African American history.
But staff told county leaders Wednesday that if the county wants to preserve that history, it will need to work through an issue that has arisen in several “abandoned” cemeteries in unincorporated areas: a lack of clear documentation of the property’s ownership.
Read more: LJWorld.com.
Hutch council votes 4-1 for rental licensing
By a 4-1 vote, the council directed that an ordinance be drafted to establish a Rental License and Inspection Program and fee structure. It would be the successor to the rental registration program. The drafted language is expected to come before the council Oct. 15 for approval….
Dechant is a landlord, and he was one of only two landlords in a packed council chamber who raised his hand when the question was how many landlords would participate in the proposed voluntary city inspection of the interior of rental units to potentially qualify for the best-practice rental unit designation. Under the proposed licensing program, the city would list best-practice rental units online. Also, landlords could obtain a 25 percent reduction in the annual rental unit license fee for a best-practice designation, which would be good for three years.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)
GCCC Celebrates 100 Years
This past weekend, Garden City Community College celebrated its 100th birthday with a day of activities. Garden City Community College is the oldest community college in the state of Kansas, with its formal inception date on April 1, 1919.
The weekend activities were kicked off on Friday evening with the Endowment Association Centennial Gala. Tickets were sold out and the event was a huge success. Saturday morning started off with “100 Years of Community” parade through the campus and then moved into the ‘quad’ area on campus for a family friendly scavenger hunt, activity booths, food and entertainment.
(Read more: Greater Garden City » Feed)
Millions in Kansas economic development fund used for other purposes, audit finds
Millions of dollars intended for economic development in Kansas have been spent on other purposes with no tracking of whether it was used effectively.
Lawmakers said they were appalled and called for an overhaul of the Economic Development Initiatives Fund on Wednesday after state auditors revealed a lack of accountability in management of the fund.
The Legislature created the fund in 1986. It’s replenished each year with lottery and gaming revenue.
(Read more: Government & Politics News |)
HPD puts cops on buses for “stop” enforcement
The kids on a few Hutchinson school buses were probably on their best behavior Tuesday.A couple of motorists were not.Hutchinson police, responding to complaints about vehicles disobeying stop signs on loading and unloading school buses, placed officers on a pair of buses on their afternoon routes. Another officer in marked patrol unit cruised out-of-site nearby, and when the officer — or students — on the bus spotted a “stop” violation…
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)
A look inside Wichita’s water treatment plant
The future of a new water plant for Wichita, and who will build it, has dominated local news this week. And the question, can the current water treatment plant meet our short term needs? Today KAKE news got a look inside the plant. It’s 80 years old and on its last leg. There are plans in the works for a new plant. But in the meantime, for the next couple of years, the challenge is to maintain quality drinking water…
(Read more: KAKE – News)
Hesston firefighter retiring after nearly 40 years as a volunteer
Chago Mendez is a rarity in today’s world — not only has he worked for the same company for more than 40 years, he has been a volunteer nearly as long. That volunteerism has led to 38 years with Hesston Fire/EMS."They don’t come around very often that they are willing to dedicate that much time and effort to staying involved in something that doesn’t buy their groceries," said Hesston Fire Chief Russ Buller.
(Read more: Newton Kansan)
County, wind farm still dispute responsibility for road repair
No progress is being made toward ending a dispute over repairing the county’s roads between county officials and Enel Green Power, the company developing Diamond Vista wind farm in the northern section of the county.
County engineer Brice Goebel told commissioners Monday that Enel continues to deny it’s their job to repair road damage caused by flooding.
“They kind of left it up to the local guy,” Goebel said. “One road has a steel plate over it and they don’t plan to do anything more. I really see no uptick on this.”
(Read more: Marion County RECORD)
Fort Scott hires new finance director
The city’s new finance director was announced during Tuesday’s meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission, and she is no stranger to working with the city.
City leaders announced that Susan Bancroft (Peery) will replace outgoing director of finance Rhonda Dunn, who last month announced her plans to resign to pursue another job opportunity.
(Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)
Douglas County Commission to discuss responsibility over cemeteries in unincorporated areas
The Douglas County Commission at its next meeting will discuss the county’s responsibility for cemeteries in its unincorporated areas.
During its work session on Wednesday, the commission is expected to receive a report from county staff regarding the active and abandoned cemeteries in the county. The report is also expected to discuss the statutory responsibility of the county regarding those cemeteries.
Read more: LJWorld.com.
Douglas County mail-in ballots now include prepaid postage
Residents in Douglas County who wish to cast election ballots through the mail will no longer need to pay postage to do so.
Advance ballot envelopes will now be marked with postage already paid, the Douglas County Clerk’s Office announced in a Monday news release. Previously, voters who cast their advance ballots through the mail needed to provide a first-class postage stamp.
Read more: LJWorld.com.
Longwell responds: ‘Public-private partnership is an ideal model for city development’
In response to a weekend investigative article from The Wichita Eagle that asserted he violated a City Council ethics policy, Mayor Jeff Longwell says building and maintaining positive relationships in Wichita’s business community is “an essential part of my job.”
On Sunday, Longwell shared on social media a two-page statement in response to the Eagle article published over the weekend that he says “misinterpreted” his influence.
(Read more: Wichita Business Journal)
Howell will host community meetings as part of county strategic plan
As the Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) prepares the county’s next strategic plan, 5th District Commissioner Jim Howell will host meetings with his constituents.
Howell has scheduled two town hall meetings in the district to “engage the community.”
(Read more: Area | derbyinformer.com)
Project seeks to bring drainage relief
Residents in a west Derby community can expect to see fewer problems from heavy rains.
At its Sept. 24 meeting, the City Council approved a $241,489 contract for drainage improvements in the Woodland Valley Addition. That’s an area west of K-15 and south of Meadowlark Blvd., on the boundary line of the city.
The action is pleasing area residents.
(Read more: DerbyInformer.com – news,news/)
September tax collections in Kansas $43M ahead of estimates
The state’s total tax collections for September showed the continued trend upward at $744.1 million; 6.2% or $43.2 million above the estimate, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Revenue. These collections are $48.2 million more than September of Fiscal Year 2019.
Retail sales tax collections are $200.5 million; $2.5 million or 1.3% more than the estimate. Those collections are $3.4 million more than the same month in Fiscal Year 2019. Compensating use tax collections are $36.9 million; $1.9 million or 5.5% more than the estimate. That’s $1.4 million more than September of Fiscal Year 2019.
(Read more: Great Bend Post)
Thomas County site of two new wind projects
Residents, business leaders, and government officials joined ENGIE North America September 26 to mark the grand opening of the Solomon Forks Wind Project, as well as to celebrate the East Fork Wind Project scheduled to become operational in the spring of 2020.
Both projects are located in Thomas County, near the city of Colby, in northwest Kansas and together represent $650 million of investment.
ENGIE is proud to serve T-Mobile US, Inc., Target Corp., Brown-Forman, and Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty through these projects.
(Read more: Hays Post)
Reno County seeking funds to help with 43rd Street bridge
The Reno County Commission agreed to seek funds to help with the cost of repairing the 43rd Street bridge near old K-61.
The Kansas Department of Transportation announced a new cost sharing program with cities and counties across the state.
Reno County Public Works Director Dave McComb talked about the objective of this program from KDOT.
(Read more: Hutch Post)