Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

KC-area city lands on ‘Great Places in America’ list

The Kansas City metro is on a roll when it comes to some of the best places to live.

Earlier this month, Money named two local cities — Shawnee and Blue Springs — to its list of the best places to live in the U.S. And now downtown Lee’s Summit has landed on the annual “Great Places in America” list, which is compiled by the American Planning Association (APA).

Lee’s Summit was named as one of four “great neighborhoods” on the Great Places list, which highlights streets, neighborhoods and public spaces that display “exceptional character, quality and planning.” They also are “unique and exemplary in their success stories of revitalization, cultural identity, and strong community connection,” according to a release.

Canton library to host ground breaking

In a Kansas township of 900 citizens sits the last built Carnegie Library that is on both the state and federal historic registries. That library will be added on to this year, after the community celebrates breaking ground.

There will be a groundbreaking ceremony at 5 p.m. Sept. 27 for the Canton Township Carnegie Library, 203 N. Main, Canton.

“Now it can become a facility that can provide learning and enjoyment for all ages,” said Sandra Dresher, President of the Canton Township Carnegie Library Board

Piece of Dodge City’s past returns home

On Tuesday, the Boot Hill Museum received a donation of the Rev. O.W. Wright’s personal desk by his great-granddaughter Claire Laird and her children.

According to Boot Hill Museum, Ormond Worthington Wright was born in Acworth, N.H., in 1850, arriving in Dodge City in early 1877 at the age of 26. He remained in Dodge City as a minister to all people, regardless of their background or occupation, until 1882.

“Soon after he arrived in Dodge City,” the museum said in a news release, “he joined efforts to build the Union Church.

McPherson Hospital debuts new Rehabilitation Department

The community got an inside look at the recently relocated Rehabilitation Services Department at McPherson Hospital during a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house, Wednesday.

The Rehabilitation Services Department has relocated to a spacious and easily accessible facility in the former Family Practice Associates building, located on the hospital grounds at 1000 Hospital Dr. Building 4.

A ribbon-cutting was held at the rehabilitation department at McPherson Hospital, last week. Present are Dr. Brandon Lebertew, Rick Larmore with RehabVisions, Terri Gehring, CEO and President of McPherson Hospital, Tom Brown, McPherson mayor, Alex Graber, Chamber President and Eric Duerkson, chamber ambassador.

(Read more: McPherson Weekly News » Feed)

Sedgwick County offers mental heath first aid classes

Communities across Kansas are recognizing the importance of mental health education. Comcare in Sedgwick County holds mental health first aid classes. Comcare says it’s similar to a physical first aid class. As people learn how to perform CPR, they should also learn how to help someone in crisis.

“They show up one day and they’re just not the same person. They seem a little bit sadder or they don’t really care about things. That may not be a big sign, but it’s an indicator to say ‘something’s different about you,'” says Sarena Clubb with Comcare.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Local authorities cite drivers in ‘Officer on a Train’ event

Local authorities joined Kansas Operation Lifesaver during Rail Safety Week to watch for unsafe and illegal activities at rail crossings.

The Wichita Police Department, Sedgwick County Sheriff, Kansas Highway Patrol and BNSF police were patrolling rail crossings across Wichita on Tuesday, Sept. 24.

Officers were stationed along the rail crossings and on trains to monitor the area. They cited any driver or pedestrian who attempted to weave through the grade crossings or speed through them.

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Derby woman takes over as Andover’s new city administrator

When Jennifer (Gluszek) McCausland, newly announced city administrator for Andover, was attending Derby High School she never thought someday she would be leading one of the fastest-growing communities in Kansas.

After the longtime Derby resident and 1998 Derby High School graduate attended Wichita State University, the idea of what her career path would be became clear.

“You could look back and say I’ve been preparing to do this my whole life,” McCausland said.

Tour will spotlight historic local landmarks

New residents may not realize it, but Derby has a lot of history – 150 years of it, in fact.

To get the city’s heritage out to all – local citizens and visitors alike – city officials have put together several history-oriented endeavors from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 9.

The activities will be centered at the Derby Historical Museum, 710 E. Market St. They include a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the debut of the city’s new historical landmark signs and a narrated tour of Derby’s other six signs. There also will be a chance to see the new time capsule inside of the museum. That capsule will be opened in 50 years.

Spring Hill exploring quiet zones

Quieter neighborhoods could soon be a possibility for Spring Hill residents.

Earlier this year, the Governing Body approved a contract and funding with Bartlett and West, a Kansas City engineering firm, to explore railroad quiet zones at three crossings in the City limits: 207th Street, Nichols Street and Hale Street.

The results of this work determined the 207th Street crossing would be the most feasible with plans for raised curb medians and additional signage.

(Read more: City of Spring Hill news)

Overland Park council signals early support for idea of ‘road diet’ on College Blvd.

A lane reduction appears in the cards for a one-mile section of College Boulevard as part of a plan to make the Overland Park corridor a more attractive destination for convention center visitors and nearby office workers.

The city council Monday night gave a favorable nod toward a road diet that would turn the road’s six lanes between Metcalf and Nall Avenues into four and reduce the speed limit to 40 miles per hour from 45.

Board proposes minimum salary in search for new county administrator

A Reno County Commissioner suggested Tuesday that the salary listed in a “recruitment profile” that a consultant plans to disseminate in the search for a replacement Reno County administrator be $120,000.

The salary would be negotiable, Sellers noted, but that amount would be a starting point.

The suggestion was among several Sellers made for the profile, proposing the removal of some and language amended on others before the county posts the document.

Lenexa police host ‘use of force’ workshop for local law enforcement officers

Law enforcement officers across the county recently participated in a workshop to help them gain a better understanding of the science behind the use of police force.

The class, which took place Sept. 18-20, informs law enforcement officers of the physiological effects that use of force can have on them in tense circumstances.

More than 15 agencies participated in the class hosted by the Lenexa Police Department, including roughly seven from Johnson County, and representatives from the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office and Johnson County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Mission calls public hearing on deannexation process along shared border with Roeland Park

The city of Mission is moving forward with next steps to de-annex a small portion of land and allow Roeland Park to annex it in the near future.

The two cities have been in negotiations since December 2018 concerning annexation of seven-tenths of an acre on the northeast corner of Johnson Drive and Roe Boulevard. The subject property is the future site of a medical facility under development; currently, the developer is working with both cities to move forward on the project.

After beating his stage 4 cancer in less than a year, he’s named as Merriam new police chief

He was told he had terminal cancer.

But now less than a year after his diagnosis, Darren McLaughlin is not only back to the police force, he’s Merriam’s new police chief.

McLaughlin was diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodgkins lymphoma in January. Doctors told him it was terminal.

But McLaughlin beat the odds and is now cancer free.

(Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF)

Great Bend trying to figure out priorities for future street repairs

Professional Engineering Consultants (PEC) was assigned by the City of Great Bend to create a digital map of street conditions. The $50,000 project outlines service line locations underneath the streets and also what repairs are needed in the future.

Judging the city streets as a whole, PEC engineer Ben Mabry told the Great Bend City Council that the rating is in the middle of the pack.

While the conditions for every street in town were rated, the assessment was made upon a surface evaluation.

“You are not going to find everything, there may be some potholes,” said Mabry. “To get a 100% accurate representation of the pavement, you would have to go core every street. We did not have the budget to do that for every street.”

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Transfer station payment still topic for county commission

Delinquent taxes, a lease-purchase idea to pay for transfer station renovations, and buying furniture were the focus of the Sept. 23 commission meeting.

In an effort not to deplete the county’s cash reserves in renovating the transfer station, Commissioner Randy Dallke said he wants clarification on the sales tax from the state legislature.

Commissioner Dianne Novak said her mission between now and the next time the county reviews its annual budget, is to know how to read and comprehend what it all means.

“It’s a complex budget,” she said. “But regarding the transfer station, there is about $500,000 in his capital outlay and in the risk management line item there is another $500,000.”

(Read more: Hillsboro Free Press)

Reno County Sheriff Randy Henderson to retire Dec. 27

In an email to staff and others, Reno County Sheriff Randy Henderson announced Wednesday his plans to retire on Dec. 27.

“After over 43 years in law enforcement, I feel it is time for me to give more time to my family,” Sheriff Henderson wrote. “I have had a blessed career, being mentored by some outstanding officers. I have been fortunate to have the greatest staff around me, that have supported me and made my life and job pretty easy.”

He also talked about his blood family that has stood behind him and supported him in good times and bad. “It is now time for me to give back to them,” Henderson said. “My 98-year-old mother needs more of my time, I have much work to do around our house, make momma happy, and I never want to miss my grandkids sporting or school events again.” He says that makes him happy.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

County Commission will honor longtime employees

The Geary County Commission recognize employees for service milestones attained during 2019 at a ceremony on Sept. 30 beginning at 3 p.m.

Among the many employees that will be honored are Dale Evans, Public Works, 35 years; Diane Briestensky-Leonard, Register of Deeds, Wendy Easley, Attorney and Dennis Lilly, Public Works all for 25 years.

A total of 18 county employees will be honored during the ceremony.

(Read more: Junction City Post)

Kansas ranked among best states for teachers

A new study put Kansas among the top 15 best states for teachers.

Wallethub ranked states based on average teacher starting pay, average teacher pension and average growth potential. They also looked at opportunity, competition and academic and work environment.

Academic and work environment included student to teacher ratio, overall quality of the state school system, and even average commute time.

Kansas was ranked 13 beating out all of its neighboring states.

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Some Lawrence still interested in raising age to buy tobacco products; others say it’s the wrong approach

Though the Lawrence City Commission has declined to consider a proposal to ban the sale of tobacco and vaping products to people under 21, that doesn’t necessarily mean the idea won’t get its day at City Hall.

A court ruling this summer indicated that local governments have the authority to ban tobacco sales to those under 21, but because of a lack of support among Lawrence city commissioners, the commission has not joined Douglas County in passing such a ban. However, with an election coming up, Mayor Lisa Larsen said she planned to bring the topic up again.

KDA to Participate in Multistate ASF Exercise

The Kansas Department of Agriculture will be one of 15 states participating in a functional exercise the week of Sept. 23-26 focused on the states’ plans for African swine fever (ASF) response and mitigation. The functional exercise, led by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will test participants’ abilities to respond to a simulated animal disease event….
This four-day functional exercise, which will be based out of KDA headquarters in Manhattan, will enable KDA and its partners in other state agencies, federal and local government, industry, university and 14 other states to practice this response plan.

(Read more: Rural Messenger)

Gardner postpones water plant annexation

The Gardner City Council Sept. 16 asked Ryan Denk, city attorney, and staff to contact Miami County Board of commissioners about the city’s plans to annex the Hillsdale water treatment plant.
The council during its last meeting Sept 3 authorized the mayor to execute a “consent to annex” the plant.

The plant is located in unincorporated Miami County, and city staff said it would save money on permitting fees paid to Miami County for construction projects at the plant. Fees were estimated at $150,000.

(Read more: Gardner News)

USD 308 School Board seeks approval of amendment for facilities use.

The Hutchinson USD 308 School Board will seek approval of several amendments to the shared facilities agreement with Hutchinson Community College during Monday’s agenda session. The agreement includes the use of Gowans Stadium and the USD 308 Complex.

The amended agreement now includes information related to the use and care costs of the game soccer field located at the soccer complex at 23rd and Severance. Hutchinson Community College will pay for 30% of the maintenance costs of the game field which at this time is $15,000. We have also amended the agreement to indicate that HCC staff will be responsible for the custodial services and the grounds clean up after all USD 308 events at Gowans Stadium.

The associated cost to USD 308 would be $7,740. The district feels the change will keep them from bringing in off duty staff and paying overtime to staff for the cleanup of the Gowans’ after home events.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Sedgwick Co. Rural Water District 4 under boil advisory

A boil water advisory has been issued for residents in Sedgwick County Rural Water District 4. The advisory is for all services south of Kellogg Avenue.

On its website, the water district said its water line was hit at 23rd South and 167th West. Some customers could be without water service for 8 hours. When service returns, customers should boil water for one minute prior to drinking or preparing food, or using bottled water.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Little Jerusalem Badlands state park to open October 12 in Logan County

The wait is finally over. The Nature Conservancy and Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks & Tourism (KDWPT) announce the much-anticipated Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park will open on Saturday, October 12. Located in southern Logan County, Little Jerusalem is easily accessed from Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 83. A grand opening celebration with speeches and a ribbon cutting will take place at 10 a.m. The two permanent trails will open after the ceremony and close at sundown, approximately 7 p.m. Free snacks and water will be available.

Grand opening activities include free, guided tours departing from the parking lot on Saturday at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. Space for the guided tours is limited and advance registration at nature.org/littlejerusalem is required. All visitors may hike the two permanent trails at Little Jerusalem at their own pace. The Overlook Trail extends one-quarter mile along a crushed rock surface to a scenic viewpoint.

(Read more: Kiowa County Signal)

Bethel College capital campaign launches with seven-figure gift

As Bethel College moves full steam ahead with its Engage the Future capital campaign, a significant gift from two Baldwin City alumni has boosted the effort.

The Dick Living Trust has made a commitment of $1.5 million toward the campaign, which is focused on student wellness (physical, spiritual and emotional), information technology upgrades, academic program initiatives and annual giving.

Brad Kohlman, Bethel vice president for institutional advancement, said, “This is the type of commitment that is transformational to our institution’s present and its future.”

(Read more: Newton Kansan)

Lenexa, KDOT planning to improve I-435 interchange at West 87th Street Parkway

Lenexa is planning to work with the Kansas Department of Transportation to make improvements to the busy highway interchange near City Center.

The project calls for construction of interchange improvements at West 87th Street Parkway and I-435. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $6.68 million. Lenexa has been awarded $3.2 million in funding from the federal Surface Transportation Program to help cover expenses for the project. Meanwhile, the city will cover the remainder of the project costs as part of its 2019-23 capital improvement program.

Pratt County approves loader purchase; flu shots available today

Pratt County commissioners approved the reconditioning of a loader at the Pratt County Landfill during their regular Monday meeting business. Jason Winkel, landfill manager, said the loader was about four years old and had 4,500 hours. Some parts of the loader were showing from 80 percent to 90 percent wear and needed to be replaced. The final drive seals are starting to show a little leakage and don’t need to be replaced right now but Winkel said it would be smart to do it at the same time to save transport expenses at a later date.

Commissioners approved $39,700 for Foley Cat to do the reconditioning. Foley is also completing reconditioning on another landfill loader and will swap out loaders when the first project is complete.

Work on a temporary land fill scale house is almost done. Some electrical work needs to be done. So far, Winkel has only received one response for bids for concrete work for the new scale house. He is expecting responses from two other contractors.

(Read more: Pratt, KS – Pratt Tribune)

USDA offers disaster assistance for Kansas farmers hurt by 2018, 2019 disasters

Agricultural producers affected by natural disasters in 2018 and 2019 can apply through the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+). Sign-up for this U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program began Sept. 11.

“There is no doubt that extreme weather has greatly impacted Kansas’ agricultural producers over the last several years, and 2019 is no exception,” said David Schemm, State Executive Director for Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Kansas. “With record amounts of crops prevented from planting nationwide and other devastation, more than $3 billion is available through this disaster relief package passed by Congress and signed by President Trump in early June.”

(Read more: Sabetha Herald)

Muni-Bond Sales Surging as Yields Tumble to Lowest Since 1960s

U.S. state and local governments are selling bonds at the fastest pace since the record-setting flood in December 2017, seizing on a slide in interest rates that has pushed their borrowing costs to the lowest in more than half a century.
The volume of new debt sales in September is poised to rival or exceed the $38 billion that was issued in August, which was the busiest month since governments rushed to the market before President Donald Trump’s tax law pulled the subsidies from a key refinancing tactic. Governments have sold about $28 billion of long-term debt in September, a 33% increase from the same period a year ago, and more than $10 billion is already scheduled to be offered over the next week, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Finance Director Cindy Ehart Retires After 15 Years with City

Ehart started working as a part-time accountant for Merriam in 2004 and became the City’s finance director in 2007. She’s responsible for managing the City’s budget and financial reporting. Her department also oversees investments, accounts payable, and accounts receivable.

Ehart said Merriam is a location that “can’t be beaten” and said she’s been fortunate to serve the City while doing work she really enjoys.

“Merriam is a great place to live, work, and play,” Ehart said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to have served the community.”

(Read more: Merriam, KS news)

Motorist who was shot during altercation with Lawrence police officer files lawsuit alleging excessive force

A motorist who was shot by police after a traffic stop turned violent has filed a lawsuit claiming that police used excessive force against him and that the city failed to properly train its officers.

Akira S. Lewis filed the lawsuit in Douglas County District Court against the City of Lawrence, the Lawrence Police Department, the police chief and the two officers involved in the traffic stop. The lawsuit, filed Friday, alleges that the officer who shot Lewis used excessive force and that both officers involved in the stop battered him and inflicted emotional distress through negligence, among other claims.

Cyberattacks vandalized Kansas county websites in August, exposing security weaknesses

Cyberattacks crippled the websites of about a dozen Kansas counties in early August — replacing their homepages with cryptic messages and an image of Mecca.

One county, which was conducting an election during the assault, decided against posting results online. The attacks did not affect vote counting but meant citizens didn’t have access to normal government information, such as contacts for local agencies, for several hours.

The hacks defaced websites, but did not affect other systems. It does not appear the hacker or hackers took data hostage, as has happened elsewhere in the country. State officials don’t think the hacking was connected to the August primary election.

(Read more: Politics & Government News |)

A Kansas town and Google roll toward the future with Wi-Fi on school buses

What do you do when you’re stuck for an hour or more on a school bus?

In one Kansas school district, you log onto the internet and you do your homework.

On Friday, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission and other dignitaries came to Council Grove, population 2,079, to celebrate a budding program to equip rural school transportation with Wi-Fi service.

(Read more: Local News |)

Commissioner Bob Archer prepares to leave office amid whirlwind of activity

Bob Archer entered politics here 10 years ago by winning the closest election in Topeka City Council history.

Now he’s preparing to leave the Shawnee County Commission amid a whirlwind of political activity.

Republican precinct committee members from the district Archer represents are preparing to choose his replacement Friday from between announced candidates Neil Dobler and Aaron Mays, and anyone else who might step forward.

School board presented first look at Manhattan High expansions

The Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 board of education got their first look at the designs for the Manhattan High School West campus expansions.

The hardest challenge for the Manhattan High School West Campus renovations is fitting all the staff and students from the East Campus. This is according to Adam Sterns with Gould Evans as he presented the options. Stern gave somewhat detailed options they have been looking at based on the master plan.

“There’s about 70 thousand square feet of additions in both the auxiliary gym and classroom additions, 100 additional parking spots for the incoming students and faculty. So that was kind of how the master plan was drawn up,” says Stern “The good news is we’re about the same square footage.”

Sterns says they looked at classrooms in high schools from around the state to get an idea on the rooms they would like. They decided on 800 square feet for each room from teacher input. They then surveyed teachers and students on what they want out of a classroom, with the students saying they wanted larger classrooms.

(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Tyson plant resumes some operations, provides update on reconstruction

Tyson representatives posted an update on the reconstruction of the Holcomb meatpacking plant Friday morning, saying the plant is still months away from reopening entirely but has been able to resume limited ground beef and value-added production.

Tyson Fresh Meats President Steve Stouffer said in the update that the company appreciates the support from Finney County residents following a fire that heavily took to the harvest floor of the plant on Aug. 9 and 10, caused by a “flash” following welding work near the slaughter area. The plant has since closed temporarily for reconstruction.

(Read more: Dodge City Daily Globe)

Edgerton approves condemnation plan

The Edgerton City Council approved a resolution to acquire through condemnation several private properties along state Highway 56 during a meeting Sept. 12.

The properties lie along the proposed route of a multi-use path along the highway which will provide pedestrian and bicycle access from neighborhood residences to the Dollar General store, the elementary school and other future development.

Dan Merkh, public works director, told the council that city staff had spoken with all the property owners along the corridor and negotiations for easements are ongoing.

(Read more: Gardner News)

Cost to repair, replace spillway balloons to $766,000

Cost of repairing the Gardner Lake dam has grown to more than $766,000, according to Michael Kramer, public works director. The cost includes the design, permitting and construction of the alternate.

In January, 2017, the Gardner City council approved dredging the lake and repairing the dam for a cost of $780,000. Michael Kramer, public works director, said the State Division of Conservation (DOC) had responded to a June 2016 city request for funding and would contribute $280,000 in 2017 to fund the dredging project. Kramer had also said DOC was hopeful that another $200,000 would be available in 2018, in which case more dredging would be done.

The DOC grant did not become available.

(Read more: Gardner News)

Jobless rate in Kansas lowest in 20-plus years

Kansas is reporting that unemployment in the state dropped to 3.2% in August and was at its lowest rate in more than 20 years.

The state Department of Labor said Friday that the state gained private-sector jobs during the month and over the past year. Labor economist Emilie Doerksen said the state has seen broad economic growth, and Gov. Laura Kelly hailed the report as good news for Kansas.

The department said the unemployment rate declined from 3.3% in July. It was also 3.3% in August 2018.

It was the lowest unemployment rate since May 1999. The rate has been below 4% since January 2017.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Seismologists urge Kansans to have a disaster plan for earthquakes

A couple of earthquakes shook south central Kansas early Saturday morning, one in Oklahoma and one in Kansas. They’re the latest earthquakes to shake the region.

The Cosmosphere in Hutchinson held a free public presentation on Saturday morning. Hoping to give some answers to locals about why this is happening.

“From a scientific perspective, what we’re seeing in Kansas is really quite interesting. I think that there are a lot of interesting things that we’re still learning,” says Dr. Justin Rubinstein.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

KPERS explores idea of cutting 7.75% investment return forecast, adding to liability

Trustees of the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System discussed Friday the possibility of following a national trend by lowering assumptions on long-term investment returns, signaling the state’s taxpayers could be asked to contribute more to a system serving 315,000 people.

Nothing is likely to be decided about modifying the current 7.75% return on investment standard for KPERS until completion in January of a lengthy study of economic and demographic trends.

“This is obviously one of the most important decisions the board makes,” said Kelly Arnold, the board’s chairman. “We need to make sure we’re making the right decision for the members.”

Kansas’ unemployment rate slips to 3.2% for first time in two decades

The unemployment rate in Kansas declined to 3.2% in August and the state recorded expansion of 17,800 jobs in the private sector during the past year, officials said Friday.

Gov. Laura Kelly seized upon the latest monthly report as evidence of an economy capable of job growth and lowering of the jobless rate. It has been about 20 years since the Kansas unemployment figure moved under 3.3%.

“This is good news for Kansas,” she said. “My administration is focused on creating quality jobs throughout Kansas.”

Library project moves forward

Following a special meeting of the Newton City Commission and the library visiioning team, a firm was selected for a project to renovate or replace the Newton Public Library.

Commissioner Barth Hague moved, and Mayor Kathy Valentine seconded, to accept a contract with HBM Architects subject to City Attorney review. The motion carried 4-1 with commissioner Glen Davis voting against.

According to the meeting minutes, due to HBM Architects’ extensive experience with library projects and their detailed ranking process for site-selection, the committee was interested in hiring them. The fund-raising sub-consultant of Swanson House that WDM Architects teamed up with “was impressive and the committee asked if these two consultants could work together on the project.”

(Read more: Newton Kansan)

Little Jerusalem State Park opens Oct. 12

The wait is finally over.

The Nature Conservancy and Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) have announced that the Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park will open on Sat., October 12.

(Read more: Scott County Record RSS)