Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Hundreds turn out for fourth annual Clean Slate Day sponsored by city of Topeka

Long before the crack of dawn on Friday morning, folks started lining up in front of the Topeka Performing Arts Center for a chance to clear their criminal records during the fourth annual Clean Slate Day, sponsored by the city. For some, it meant setting a court date on an outstanding case, thereby dropping a warrant that had been issued for their arrest. For others, it was a chance to renew a driver’s license that had been suspended.

Pretty Prairie district gains students

Pretty Prairie USD 311 added students and staff this year. All-day preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds has made Pretty Prairie attractive for young families, said superintendent Randy Hendrickson. Friday was the day Kansas schools counted students, and Pretty Prairie school district’s number for K-12 was 287, up from 272 students a year ago. "We’re very excited," Hendrickson said. There’s a lot of growth in the elementary grades, Hendrickson said.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Scott City adopts new policy on property tax payments

Following the county’s lead, the Scott City Council has adopted a resolution that will aid the county in the collection of back taxes.
The city is joining with the county in forcing property owners who are delinquent in their tax payments to either pay their taxes in full or face the prospect of a tax sale in the near future.
…
A common practice has been to make “partial” payments. In other words, paying only for those years which will keep property out of a sale, but still being delinquent for the most recent two years.
Under the charter ordinance, payments made by an individual will apply to the most recent tax year.
The individual can’t designate that payments be made to earlier years in order to avoid a foreclosure sale.

‘There’s so much love at this theater.’ Chestnut, an Olathe gem, shines after 21 years

It took joy, creativity and a whole lot of support from family to make Chestnut Fine Arts Center the success it has become over the past 21 years.

The 102-seat performing arts center in the heart of Olathe has presented 20 seasons of musicals, musical reviews and plays to more than 16,000 audience members each season. Founder and director Brad Zimmerman believes the Chestnut’s success is the result of years of hard work and hands-on family commitment.

“After 10 years of teaching music and freelancing as a musical director in Kansas City theaters, I decided to look for a place where I could live and produce theater,” he said. “I found that place where I’ve been doing both for 20 years.”

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Douglas County Commission hears proposal to change county’s rules for dividing rural land

Douglas County leaders discussed a slate of proposed changes to the county’s zoning regulations on Wednesday, including a measure that would allow for more public feedback before rural land could be divided into residential lots.

Zoning Director Tonya Voigt and Planner Mary Miller presented a broad overview of the proposed regulations to the County Commission during a work session. They explained that the regulations would create several new zoning districts that would set guidelines for agricultural, industrial, business and residential land use in the county.

Mulvane library to host Astro Family Night

The Mulvane Public Library will host a free community event called “Astro Night” in October.

The family-friendly event will feature live music from Reach for the Sky, a space presentation and telescope viewing with the Kansas Astronomical Observers, crafts, yard games and s’mores.

The space-themed night is set from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 at the library, 408 N. 2nd. Ave., Mulvane.

Kansas State Fair attendance up from 2018

The Kansas State Fair announced that they saw an increase in attendance for this year’s event from last year. Officials say the great weather, along with new programming helped boost Kansas State Fair attendance by about 3 percent in 2019. according to a media release.

More than 337,400 people came to the state’s largest gathering, which ended Sunday. Those figures don’t include visitors who came in free before 11 a.m. on the Fair’s kickoff day — Friday, Sept. 6. Fair officials estimate another 6,000 to 10,000 people strolled through the gates on that first morning. About 328,000 people attended the 2018 Kansas State Fair.

“This year’s Fair took an already wonderful Kansas event to new heights, bringing residents from all across the state together to celebrate everything that makes Kansas so special,” General Manager Robin Jennison said. “We had beautiful weather, and we also made some positive improvements.”

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Ambulance service covers all of the county

Junction City provides ambulance service including EMT’s and paramedics for all of Geary County. Junction City Fire Chief Terry Johnson said they average about 3,000 calls per year for EMS so they reach about 10% of the community every year. “We run two ambulances fully staffed and one is semi-staffed. We have an aerial truck that we have to staff as well. That crew can either operate the aerial.”

They also provide transfer of patients from Geary Community Hospital to hospitals in other cities across Kansas. There are approximately 400 to 500 transfers per year. “The care that a patient can get can range from jut basic life-support care to a full life-support care depending on what their needs are.”

(Read more: Junction City Post)

Wichita baseball stadium a month away from installing grass

Every day gets Wichita a step closer to professional baseball returning to the city. With the home schedule released Wednesday, the new stadium continues to make progress towards completion.

A team of 200 construction workers busy playing the sport they know to get the stadium ready for opening day.

“The noisier it gets, the busier it gets the happier we are,” said Lou Schwechheimer, managing general partner and owner of Wichita Baseball 2020.

All the heavy lifting is done Schwechheimer says and now it’s a race to bring all the pieces together to make the stadium ready for opening day on April 14.

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Community spirit brings big benefits to tiny town

Getting to a doctor or even buying groceries can be tough in rural Kansas, especially if you’re elderly.

But this tiny town of 800 has made it handy, with almost everything you need in one spot.

Just past Minneola’s friendly sign, you won’t see a mall or even a traffic light, but something more important.

“It’s a grocery store, but it’s much more than that,” said Trish Jaeger, mother of three. “It’s like a lifeline for our community.”

Hometown Market and the drug store next door provide what some small towns can’t– convenience.

(Read more: KSN-TV)

A new twist: Moundridge student’s invention wins national competition

Logan Wulf is a typical, active fifth grader who recently earned national recognition with his science fair project.

Science is one of Logan’s favorite subjects at school.

“I like doing STEM and building things,” Logan said.

After class, he plays football. He also enjoys other activities like riding his four-wheeler around the pasture at his grandmother’s house.

When issued the challenge of inventing something for the National Museum of Education’s Student Ideas for a Better America competition, an idea came to his mind.

El Dorado Seaman laid to rest 78 years after Pearl Harbor attacks

El Dorado welcomed home one of her native sons more than 77 years after his death.

Seaman Second Class Wilbur Clayton Barrett was among the 429 Sailors aboard the USS Oklahoma in Pearl Harbor when it was struck on December 7, 1941.

He remained among the unidentified and was listed as one of the unknowns from the USS Oklahoma that have been buried in mass graves at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

Cowley College student designs a city flag proposal, brings it to council meeting

Chandra Pourner, a graphic design student at Cowley College, presented a flag she had designed for the city. It was a class assignment to design a flag for a city, and she chose Wellington.

It is a simple design of wheat stalks and stars on a blue field.

Mayor Shelley Hansel said she liked the flag a lot.

“I am blown away,” she said. “You did everything right. Simple colors, memorable and tells a story.”

(Read more: Sumner NewsCow)

Mulvane will have second citywide garage sale

This October, Mulvane residents will be able to take part in a citywide garage sale, the second in the city this year.

City Administrator Kent Hixson says he believes residents held the first fall citywide sale last year. He said high interest among residents led to the second annual sale.

The City of Mulvane does not endorse, host or sponsor the citywide garage sales.

“They just happen. Very organic,” Hixson said.

(Read more: Area | derbyinformer.com)

Neil Armstrong’s brother (a long-time resident of Marion and Peabody!) to lead Old Settlers Day parade

Longtime Marion resident Dean Armstrong, brother of astronaut Neil Armstrong, his wife, Kate, children, and grandchildren will lead the Old Settlers Day parade in a float designed as a space shuttle. Their grandchildren and great-grandchildren will ride on a trailer behind the float dressed as astronauts.

Armstrong has lived at the county lake since 2006 and lived in Florence for 15 years before moving to Marion.

His brother, Neil, was the first man to set foot on the moon 50 years ago as part of the Apollo 11 mission.

(Read more: PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin)

Group fighting to protect Century II calls it the ’most iconic structure in Wichita’

A group of people fighting to protect Century II from what they fear is an effort to tear down the iconic building in downtown Wichita met there Tuesday to advocate for remodeling the structure instead.

One of the organizers of the meeting, which was attended by about 100 people, said he believes an international consulting group plans to demolish the 50-year-old convention and performing arts center along the Arkansas River.

(Read more: Local News |)

Lenexa continues study of Ad Astra Pool, considers options to renovate or replace on site

Preliminary data from a geotechnical analysis of Ad Astra Pool in Lenexa has found no conclusive evidence for the reason behind the pool’s perpetual maintenance issues.

In a report shared Tuesday night with the city council, city staff said they plan to continue studying the issue, complete the geotechnical analysis and begin a public engagement process in the coming weeks on next steps for the site.

No action was taken Tuesday, as city leaders are waiting on the geotechnical analysis to be complete.

Prairie Village looking at highest level of LEED certification for new public works facility

The Prairie Village city council this week gave preliminary direction to city staff to begin detailed planning for the replacement of the aging public works facility off Somerset Drive east of Corinth Square with new facilities that could meet the highest level of energy efficiency certification.

Earlier this year, the department conducted an analysis of the condition of the existing public works buildings, finding that four of the six structures on site were in either fair or poor condition and that the facilities would need major renovations to be brought into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Sedgwick County rejects controversial home for foster youths

After a fourth lengthy debate, a proposal for a care home for foster children near Haysville has been finally rejected by the Sedgwick County Commission.

Although Wednesday’s debate lasted more than two hours, the outcome was never really in doubt. The vote was exactly the same as the first time it came before the commission in July.

Two commissioners, Lacey Cruse and Jim Howell, favored allowing the youth care facility. Three — David Dennis, Michael O’Donnell and Pete Meitzner — were against it.

(Read more: Local News |)

Olathe earns four awards at Kansas Water Environment Association annual conference

The City of Olathe is proud to announce that city facilities and staff earned four awards at the recent Kansas Water Environment Association annual conference.

The Harold Street Wastewater Treatment Facility was named a top Class 5 plant in the state (facilities treating more than three million gallons per day). The Compost Facility on Hedge Lane was honored with the top biosolids management program in Kansas for 2019. Both awards are a result of the passion of the operators, plant maintenance, and laboratory staff who are on-call 24/7 to protect the environment and health of Olathe citizens.

(Read more: Gardner News)

KWA learns of northwest Kansas water conservation efforts

Recently the Kansas Water Authority (KWA) met in Goodland under the new direction of Constance (Connie) Crittenden Owen who was appointed Chair this past summer by Governor Kelly to lead the KWA.

“My experience as a licensed attorney practicing Kansas water law for more than 25 years has exposed me to real-life water issues that affect individuals and families, as well as businesses and municipalities,” said Owen. “As Chair I welcome the opportunity to apply the knowledge and expertise of the board members, professionals in our state agencies and stakeholders throughout Kansas to protect our water resources for current and future generations.”

(Read more: Hays Post)

A divided Federal Reserve cuts key rate for 2nd time this year

A sharply divided Federal Reserve cut its key benchmark interest rate for a second time this year while saying it’s prepared to continue doing what it deems necessary to sustain the U.S. economic expansion.

The Fed’s move will reduce its benchmark rate by an additional quarter-point to a range of 1.75% to 2%. The Fed’s key rate influences many consumer and business loans.

The action was approved on a 7-3 vote, with two officials wanting to keep rates unchanged and one arguing for a bigger half-point cut. It was the largest number of Fed dissents in three years.

(Read more: Augusta Gazette)

County will take care of poor farm cemetery

An old, neglected cemetery on Old Mill Rd., once part of the county poor farm, will be mowed and maintained now that county officials have discussed the land is the county’s responsibility.

County clerk Tina Spencer told commissioners Monday she researched the cemetery’s ownership after a question arose during public comments at the Sept. 9 meeting.

The cemetery is at the corner of nine to 10 acres of land the county has owned since the poor farm was in operation.

(Read more: HILLSBORO Star-Journal)

Newton makes commitment to future library project

Newton has hired a design and fundraising firm for what will likely be a new library project.

The commission approved accepting a contract with HBM Architects at a special meeting Wednesday night at 5 p.m. concerning the upcoming project. The costs for the design and fundraising process are estimated at $1.45 million, however it will be split up in phases, allowing the city and library to opt out should they choose to not move forward. Costs could also change depending on the size of the project.

“You’re committed to the project and going through the phases,” City Engineer Suzanne Loomis said of the commission’s decision. “If we trigger it to go to the next phase, it goes.”

(Read more: Newton Now)

County uses rail cars for bridges

Work began Tuesday on unloading and placing two of four railroad flat car panels that will form the base of two bridges being replaced northwest of Edna.

The bridges are on 6000 Road west of K-101, the highway that goes to Edna and connects to U.S. 166. The first bridge is about 8/10ths of a mile west of K-101 and was built in 1925 and had a 60.5 sufficiency rating in 2017. The second bridge is on 6000 Road near the intersection with Irving Road, about a quarter of a mile west of the first bridge. It was built in 1920 and had a sufficiency rating of 49.5 in 2017.

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Thomas County voters approve sales tax to complete criminal justice center

Voters in Thomas County Tuesday night approved a one-quarter-cent sales tax increase.

The additional money will go to complete the criminal justice center in Colby …

Unofficial results show the sales-tax increase passing by a margin of 700 to 412.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Pottawatomie County Commission approves disaster emergency proclamation; will submit application for Kansas Department of Transportation grant

The Pottawatomie County Commission approved a proclamation of a State of Local Disaster Emergency during their meeting Monday Morning.

This is in response to sinkholes that recently formed along Hayes Drive due to flooding a couple weeks ago.

The commission also unanimously voted to submit an application for a grant from a new Kansas Department of Transportation cost-share program. Public Works director Peter Clark describes the project for which the grant would be used.

Peter Clark 1

This project would cost between $1 million and $1.5 million to complete. K-DOT would look for the party receiving the grant to provide at least 15 percent of the cost to the project.

(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

USD 250 bond project is complete

Walking through the entryway, Pittsburg High School is nearly unrecognizable in comparison to years ago.

What was once low ceilings and closed-in space is now a tall, brightly lit area which welcomes students, staff and guests into the building.

PHS was one of the largest projects from the USD 250′s $31 million bond issue which voters approved in March 2017. With only a few “button” items to do, the district has announced the completion of the project which was led by Crossland Construction.

(Read more: Education – Morning Sun)

Four Olathe middle school students collecting goods for kids at school with special needs

Four metro girls are spending some of their lunch hour collecting supplies for a special needs class at Mission Trail Middle School in Olathe.

“The whole reason why we’re doing this project is because we’re reading ‘Flower for Algernon.’ The lead character has a disability. It made me feel like I wanted to help and do something,” Kolby Brown said.

This may have started out as a class project. Now, it’s turned into something even bigger.

Right now, Kolby and her friends, Laci Lister, Lydia Fink and Emmy Harkrader are collecting everything from laundry detergent to board games.

“We asked her (special needs teacher) her specific needs. What do you not have enough of? What do you need new?” Lister said.

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

Series of earthquakes continues to rattle Kansas

After four earthquakes over the past two days, the U.S. Geological Survey reported a 3.4 magnitude quake approximately 8 miles southeast of Caldwell in Sumner County Tuesday morning.

Just before 9p.m. Monday, the USGS reported a 3.2 magnitude quake approximately 8 miles east of Marion, Kansas. Just before 10a.m. Monday, a magnitude 3.6 quake shook the same area.

The quake follow a 3.9 magnitude quake at 2:37 a.m. Monday approximately 10 miles west of Cottonwood Falls in Chase County and a magnitude 2.8 quake at 10:30 a.m. Sunday in Reno County.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Ellis Co. Conservation District photo contest opens

Local photographers are encouraged to participate in the Ellis County Conservation District plat book cover photo contest. Entry forms may be picked up the ECCD office, 2715 Canterbury Drive, Hays.

The rules are:

ELIGIBILITY: The Ellis County Conservation District Photo Contest is open to amateur photographers who are residents of Ellis County, KS. (An amateur photographer is one whose majority of income does not come from photography.) Persons of any age may compete in this contest. Ellis County Conservation District board of supervisors and employees and family members and employees working in the Hays Field Office are not eligible to enter.

SUBJECT MATTER: Photos should be taken within Ellis County. Photos can be of community events, friends, family, scenic, historical structures, or conservation practices** within the county. Do not use or show any copyrighted material in the photo.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Former Kansas officer fights brain cancer, hopes to wear uniform again

A former Rose Hill police officer is in a fight for his life.

Steve Frahm, 30, always dreamed of becoming a police officer.

“There are so many things police officers can do to impact people’s lives,” said Steve Frahm.

Steve was the victim of a robbery when he was a teenager.

“I got to see how, when police officers arrived, they kind of took that bad feeling away, made you feel safe and from that point, that’s what I wanted to do,” he said.

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Greater Salina Community Foundation announces grant awards

The Greater Salina Community Foundation announced $41,000 in grants were awarded to projects and organizations in Saline County.

The 11 organizations receiving funds were:

The Domestic Violence Association of Central Kansas received $5,000 to purchase playground equipment for children who access services a the new DVACK facility.

The Heartland Early Education received $5,000 for food to send home with children from birth to age five with food insecurities.

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Museum opens exhibit on GCCC’s 100-year history

The latest exhibit in the Finney County Historical Museum’s Front Door Gallery opened Monday, marking the 100th anniversary of Garden City Community College.

Entitled “Institution with a Distinctive Heritage,” the display draws its name from a 1960s era sign that marked both the former and previous campuses of the college. The exhibit includes nearly 20 early photographs, six historic documents and a few artifacts representing GCCC’s 100 years of service to the community and to southwest Kansas.

Among the oldest items are a 1918-1919 advertisement promoting the then-upcoming opening of the school and the first Manual of Studies for students, published in 1919 by Ernest F. Monroe, the college’s first dean. The artifacts also include the shovel used to break ground on the present campus in September of 1967, and scenes from each location where the college has been housed over 10 decades.

Study planned to create citywide housing market strategy

Topeka’s city government is teaming up with a private consulting firm to carry out a study aimed at creating a citywide housing market strategy.

The city is paying $95,000 to Development Strategies, the St. Louis-based urban planning and real estate consulting firm carrying out the study, Topeka City Council members learned at their Tuesday evening meeting.

Development Strategies was selected through a competitive request for proposals process, said Molly Hadfield, the city’s media relations director.

GCCC Boasts #1 Practical Nursing Program in Kansas

Garden City Community College boasts the number one practical nursing program in the state, according a national group dedicated to championing the growth and professional advancement of nurses nationwide.

The study from Practicalnursing.org, which ranked 17 Kansas schools overall, put GCCC at the top of the list, based on student scores from the National Council Licensure Examination, a standardized test students take after graduating from an accredited program to receive their license.

According to the group’s 2019 rankings, more practical nursing students from GCCC have passed this national exam on a first-time basis than any other Kansas institution, based on data available from 2014 to 2018, according to the organization.

(Read more: Western Kansas News)

Quixotic at OP Arboretum; Gardner Edgerton High to pilot mental health course

The Johnson County Mental Health Center and the Gardner Edgerton School District have been chosen as one of only 35 entities nationwide to pilot a program called teen Mental Health First Aid, which will be offered to all 10th graders at Gardner Edgerton High School.

The training, which originated in Australia, is the first of its kind developed for U.S. high school students, officials said.

“We are thrilled to introduce teen Mental Health First Aid to our community,” Gardner Edgerton Superintendent Pam Stranathan said in a news release. “The program will teach high school students to recognize and respond when their friends are experiencing the early stages of a mental health or addiction concern.”

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Air Ambulances Woo Rural Kansans With Memberships That May Leave Them Hanging

On a hot June day, as the Good Ol’ Days Festival was in full swing, 7-year-old Kaidence Anderson sat in the shade with her family waiting for a medevac helicopter to land.

A crowd had gathered to see the display pre-arranged by staff at the town’s historic fort.

“It’s going to show us how it’s going to help other people because we don’t have the hospital anymore,” the redheaded girl explained.

Mercy Hospital Fort Scott closed at the end of 2018, leaving this rural community about 90 miles south of Kansas City without a traditional hospital. The community has outpatient clinics run by a regional nonprofit health center and — at least temporarily — an emergency department operated as a satellite of a hospital in the next town over.

(Read more: Rural Messenger)

Economic border war between Kansas, Missouri isn’t quite over yet

There may be a cease-fire, but the economic “border war” involving the use of incentives to lure jobs across the state line in the Kansas City area isn’t exactly over.

Missouri officials plan to award more than $62 million in incentives to financial firm Waddell & Reed, based in Overland Park, Kansas, the Kansas City Star reported Monday. Holly Koofer-Thompson of the Missouri Department of Economic Development said the incentives come from the Missouri Works program, which offers payroll tax withholdings or tax credits in exchange for growing or retaining jobs.

The company said it will invest about $90 million in its new Missouri headquarters and employ more than 1,000 workers at an average salary of $157,138. The specific location has not been announced.

City services uninterrupted by basement flooding

All City of Independence services are fully operational this morning after a weekend water line break caused basement flooding at temporary city hall, 811 W. Laurel. Some repair work is underway in the basement today, so citizens needing to access the Independence Police Department or Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office should go to the second floor of the building and use the courtesy phone to contact these departments.

David Cowan, director of Safety and Code Enforcement for the city, explained the break in an 8-inch water line on the west side of the building occurred approximately 2:40 p.m. on Saturday, causing flooding to an elevator shaft and eventually some basement flooding as incoming water overtook the sump pump and shorted out electrical wiring. Cowan said staff on duty Saturday afternoon reacted quickly to contain the water and minimize damage by removing computers and electronic equipment in the water’s path. Both police and sheriff dispatch services are located in the basement, but there was no disruption of 911 service, Cowan said. Network services that were temporarily lost were restored by 5 p.m. Saturday, and the water line repair was completed by 8 p.m., he noted.

Boot Hill’s first advertiser

One might argue Dodge City Boot Hill Museum got its impetus on Sept. 14, 1935 when Morris Cannon erected his billboard.

Three years before, dentist O.H. Simpson had placed boots and faces at Boot Hill Cemetery as a joke for visiting Rotarians.

The joke caught on and the Cemetery became a tourist destination. Cannon capitalized on the new attraction by advertising the cemetery site and setting up a curio wagon.

KCK outfits 30 officers with body cameras as police department evaluates vendors

About 30 police officers in Kansas City, Kansas, will be outfitted with body-worn cameras from different companies for the next month, the department said Monday.

The officers will receive training from each company and report their experiences with the cameras as part of a multi-vendor evaluation.

Police officials then expect to pick a company to buy from, the department said in a statement.

(Read more: KC Star Local News)

Canton festival aims to draw crowd

Canton is gearing up for its fourth annual Canton Heritage Days, which will be held Sept. 28 and 29.

“it’s a good time,” said organizer Terry Gribble. “The proceeds from different events … we put back into the city.”

This year, the event’s registration fees will go towards constructing new bathrooms in Canton’s city park.

Canton Heritage Days will start with a 5K run/walk. Registration starts at 7 a.m. Sept. 28 and the races begin at 8 a.m. in the city park. Adults are $20; children ages 12 and under are $10.

County OKs ‘floating playground” at lake despite protest vote from Archer

A divided Shawnee County Commission voted to budget more than $200,000 Monday to provide a “floating playground” for Lake Shawnee’s Adventure Cove.

Commissioner Bob Archer cast the dissenting vote, describing it as “a protest vote against the inequality and unfairness of parks and recreation programs and opportunities in southwest Shawnee County.”

Commissioners Bill Riphahn and Kevin Cook were in the majority as commissioners voted 2-1 to approve a project budget of $208,725 to acquire the floating playground, which will include necessary concrete anchors.

Former Garden Plain water operator pleads guilty to making false report

The former operator of the water system in the Sedgwick County town of Garden Plain pleaded guilty Monday in federal court in Wichita of falsifying a report on the quality of the city’s drinking water, authorities said.

Arthur Wolfe, 64, of Norwich, pleaded guilty to one count of a making a false statement in a report to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Stephen McAllister, U.S. Attorney for Kansas, said the report is required by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Wolfe certified a bacteriological report in falsely represented water samples taken at the water treatment plant as samples taken at other locations, McAllister said.