Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Wichita police raising money for new Clydesdale horse for mounted unit

With the retirement of one Wichita police horse and the impending retirement of a second, the department wants to add a new horse to the mounted unit — a Clydesdale.

“This is a need that needs to be fulfilled now,” said Becca Boldra, executive director of the Wichita Police Foundation.

Boldra said the department doesn’t have money in its budget to buy a new horse, so the police foundation has organized a Horse for Heroes campaign to raise $20,000 for the Clydesdale and tack. The foundation has already found a horse that meets the department’s basic requirements, though it would go through additional police training. The horse, which is 4 years old, has the potential to serve on the department for 15 to 20 years if he stays healthy, Boldra said.

(Read more: Wichita Eagle)

Paola City Council modifies food truck ordinance after residents speak out

Paola City Council members recently approved an ordinance regulating food trucks, but not before modifying it after listening to multiple food truck operators voice their opinions.

It was a packed house during the May 14 council meeting at the Paola Justice Center, with many of those in attendance wanting to comment on a proposed ordinance regulating the operation of food trucks.

The ordinance offers the city’s Parking Lot No. 1 off the northwest corner of Park Square as a public location that food trucks could set up at on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. This would be in addition to private property, where they already are allowed to operate with the property owner’s permission. Food truck vendors also would be required to acquire a city license to operate at a cost of $25 per day or $250 per year. After listening to the people speak during the May 14 meeting, the council members agreed to modify the ordinance to add the Paola Farmers Market as another exception. Only one food truck will be allowed, though, each Saturday during the market, according to the modified ordinance, which was unanimously approved.

(Read more: The Miami County Republic)

No discussion in Hutchinson for quiet zones

A recent accident involving a train and pedestrian brought up the dangers of walking along the railroad right-of-way. It also brought up quiet zones for railroads and why Hutchinson doesn’t have such an ordinance. Many cities, especially those along very busy rail lines, do have quiet zones. The cities typically see between 60 and 100 trains per day. But Hutchinson is different in that three railroads run through the community. And with 60-grade crossings, it can seem like trains are constantly blowing their horns. Although it can seem like more, the area only averages 25 to 35 trains per day. With that little train traffic and that many crossings to renovate, the cost is simply too much according to City Manager John Deardoff.

Deardoff says the matter came up for discussion about 10 years ago when the old pickle factory at 2nd and Poplar was turned into a living complex. No plan was put in place at that time. Both BNSF and Union Pacific are both staunch opponents of quiet zones because of the extra danger to the public. Often the railroads would rather see the number of grade crossings reduced rather than implement a quiet zone.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Park damaged by floods could reopen soon in downtown Leavenworth

Landing Park could be open in time for Memorial Day weekend, a city official said.

The downtown Leavenworth park has been closed since it was flooded by the Missouri River in March. But city personnel have started to clean the park.

Steve Grant, director of the Leavenworth Parks and Recreation Department, was using a uniloader Thursday to pick up silt and sand from the park.

“Basically it’s just scraping it off,” he said of the work.

Grant estimated that 95 percent of the material left behind by the flood is sand.

He said the sand and silt are now being used to rebuild areas of the river bank that were washed out by the flooding.

The city of Leavenworth experienced its second worst flood on record earlier this year. The Missouri River rose to 31.3 feet in March. The river reaches its flood stage at a depth of 20 feet.

Grant said the Parks and Recreation Department has been short-staffed in recent weeks with grass mowing and other park activities. And this has delayed the reopening of Landing Park.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

Proposed Topeka TIF District would include downtown, NOTO

The Topeka City Council plans next week to discuss creating a tax-increment financing district that would include downtown Topeka and North Topeka’s NOTO area.

Downtown Topeka Inc. requests that the city establish the “Dynamic Core Redevelopment District,” which would be bounded by S.W. 17th on the south, NOTO on the north, S.W. Topeka Boulevard on the west and S.E. Adams on the east, according to a document in the agenda packet for Tuesday’s meeting. Kansas law allows government entities to create TIF districts to help offset development costs and to try to attract developers. Developers pay off costs over a period of up to 20 years using the increase in property tax and sales tax revenues. TIF districts may be established in blighted areas, aging or underperforming areas that aren’t blighted, and in some other locations.

Deputy city manager Doug Gerber said those other sites include “enterprise zones” established by cities to promote economic development before the law involved was repealed in 1992 and replaced with legislation that made the credits involved available statewide.

The area being considered for the Dynamic Core district is part of an enterprise zone the city of Topeka established in 1991.

Newton police chief retiring after 33 years

he City of Newton announced that, effective immediately, Police Chief Eric Murphy had retired from his position of police chief after 33 years with the department, five as police chief.

“We sincerely thank Chief Murphy for his honorable service and dedication to the law enforcement profession,” City Manager Bob Myers stated in a press release. “His integrity and commitment to our community are second to none, and we wish him all the best in the future.”

An attempt to contact Murphy was made Tuesday afternoon, but he was no longer at the police office though the front desk said a message would be forwarded to him.

Newton public information officer Erin McDaniel, would not comment specifically on Murphy’s departure as it was a personnel matter.

“The circumstances necessitated it be immediate,” she said of the resignation.

Deputy Chief Craig Dunlavy, who has served with the department 26 years will act as interim chief.

(Read more: Newton Now)

Allen County checks cost of adding Chanute to 911 service

The Iola Register reported that after crunching the numbers, Allen County 911 Communications Director Angela Murphy estimates it would cost about $167,000 annually to absorb the city of Chanute into its emergency system.

Murphy suggested three more employees would be needed, which would entail additional licensing fees. Chanute currently pays $180,000 for 911 services through Neosho County, but has been unhappy with the results, which have not improved despite 3-5 percent fee increases, Murphy said.

Bruce Symes said he was pleased with Chanute’s estimation of Allen County’s services, but was wary of venturing into a “hornet’s nest” between Chanute and Neosho County.

“If it was Chanute and Neosho County coming to us together that would be one thing, but being in the middle of it, there is a lot for us to think about.” Murphy recommended Chanute pay $200,000-$250,000 per year for the services.

(Read more: The Chanute Tribune)

Osage City receives grant in 2018 from KDHE

The City of Osage City received a grant in 2018 from KDHE’s Waste Tire Grant Program. This grant helped the City purchase 4 picnic tables and 4 park benches. The tables and benches were placed in Jones Park, the Aquatic Center, Lincoln Park, and Huffman Park. The tables and benches are made from 100% recycled plastic and rubber composition. The City has received this grant once before in 2015 in which picnic tables, park benches, and trail benches were purchased and placed in the same locations as in 2018.

(Read more: Osage City)

Commissioners learn recent law enforcement operation targeted central Topeka

Law enforcement officers made contact with hundreds of people last week while conducting an operation focusing on central Topeka, Shawnee County sheriff’s Maj. Jay Simecka told county commissioners Thursday morning.

Officers from four agencies made 38 arrests during that effort, Simecka told The Topeka Capital-Journal later Thursday.

“The primary objective was to dramatically increase law enforcement presence in areas where violent crimes had recently been reported and were being predicted to occur,” he said.

Those crimes included the shootings of Washburn University football player Dwane Simmons and former Washburn football player Corey Ballentine — apparently by a stranger — early April 28 just west of S.W. 13th and Lane.

🎥 Hays PD Bike Patrol: Bicyclists must obey motor traffic laws

Bicycles have the same rights – and responsibilities – as motor vehicles on Kansas streets and highways.

“Bicyclists must obey the same traffic safety measures as cars, whose drivers need to yield to bicycles appropriately as necessary,” says Stefan Gildemeister, Hays Master Police Officer. Gildemeister is also program coordinator and bike team leader for the Hays Police Department (HPD) Bicycle Patrol. Hays has seven designated bike routes and two concrete bike paths throughout town as part of Bike Hays.

There are also bike lanes outlined on many city streets.

“Those are specifically for bicyclists. They’re not meant for pedestrian traffic or runners.”

Nor are the bike lanes meant for drivers.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Bike to Work Day Friday morning in downtown Hutchinson

Although it will be a little breezy, Friday is “Bike to Work Day.” This is a chance to use an alternate way to get to work and get some exercise at the same time.

The ride will happen from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Participants can pedal their way to free breakfast from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at DCI Park at 2nd & Main, the Hutchinson Clinic trailhead near 23rd & Waldron, RCB Bank at 624 E. 30th and the South Hutchinson City Building at Main & Blanchard.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Lenexa’s annual food drive collects goods for local families

Every year, the city of Lenexa makes it a priority to host a food drive for the Johnson County Multi-Service Center and collect food and goods for people in Johnson County who need an extra hand.

“Every year, around this time, we have a food drive that benefits our local multi-services facilities which, in essence, is a place for those Johnson County residents that are having trouble making ends meet,” said Dana Stauch, senior accountant and member of the We Care Committee, which is coordinating the food drive.

The food drive began May 1 and runs through the end of the month. Stauch said May is a good time for the food drive because it helps families who need help providing meals for children during the summer break.

Westwood Hills city council adopts non-discrimination ordinance with protections for sexual orientation, gender identity

The city of Westwood Hills this week became the sixth city in the Shawnee Mission area to enact a non-discrimination ordinance with legal protections for LGBTQ+ residents and employees.

The city council on Monday approved an ordinance that makes it a violation to, “discriminate against individuals in employment, housing, and public accommodations based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, age, disability, marital status, familial status or military status,” according to a release from the city.

“The goal of the council is to contribute to the creation of a diverse, welcoming community that promotes harmony and mutual respect,” reads the release. “While the ordinance provides for civil penalties, it also allows the city to suspend or revoke city-issued business licenses, including rental property licenses, if a violation of employment or public accommodations or housing provisions of the ordinance is found.”

Shawnee collecting community feedback on improving 75th Street corridor

As Shawnee considers plans for re-imagining 75th Street, city staff are collecting feedback from residents, business owners and passersby on what they’d like to see happen to the stretch of road between Switzer and Quivira roads.

The city hosted an open house on Tuesday evening to gather feedback from the community. The city is conducting an online survey as well, in which the community can provide feedback. Paul Lindstrom, senior project engineer for Shawnee public works, said the 75th Street improvement project, roughly $2.3 million, is on the city’s list of capital improvement projects for the next 10 years. The city is also requesting funding from Johnson County’s County Assistance Road System program.

City staff will shape the planned 2020 project around those elements from the study, which is funded by a $60,000 grant from the Mid-America Regional Council. Malmborg said the community feedback will shape city staff’s recommendations for the corridor; those recommendations will be published this fall.

Commission reimburses hospital for nurse required on ambulance due to shortage

A shortage of paramedics has caused an issue with the hospital that commissioners agreed to compensate the hospital for on Monday.

With EMS Department personnel present, Clay County Medical Center CEO Austin Gillard joined the meeting to discuss the cost of having a registered nurse go on a transfer with EMS. Currently the EMS Department is short one paramedic to cover all shifts. CCMC sends a registered nurse on transfers if EMS is short a paramedic for the patient’s safety and if medically needed but this can cause a nursing shortage in the ER, OB, or medial surgical unit.

Clay County to replace more bridges with storage tanks

The county will be replacing more bridges with storage tanks, as commissioners directed Highway Department Administrator Ronnie Tremblay to purchase a tank and look into how many more bridge can be replace with tanks.

On Monday Tremblay reported to commissioners that Knox Welding contacted him and informed him that they have access to 10 storage tanks that are 36 feet long that can be used for replacement bridges. Knox has one currently available that he would sell to the County for $8,500 that could be used on 14th Rd. between Cherokee and Deer Trail Roads.

Ellinwood residents close to having a local pharmacy

The Ellinwood Hospital & Clinic completes a Community Health Needs Assessment every three years. Over the past 10 years, the community identified obtaining a pharmacy as the top priority. The logistics of bringing a pharmacy to Ellinwood started in mid-2016 and now is just weeks away from opening its doors.

The Red Haus Pharmacy is expected to open in early June at 19 North Humbolt Avenue, in the old Bank of the West building.

Pharmacist Ryan Stratmann says he will work with anyone looking to transfer prescriptions to The Red Haus. Stratmann is originally from Geneseo, attended Quivira Heights High School and currently resides in Great Bend with his family. He received his pharmacy degree from the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy and has been working locally since 2009.

The Ellinwood Hospital District was awarded $200,000 in tax credits and raised over $287,000 for the pharmacy and outreach clinic project over 18 months. Using the funds and a generous donation, the district purchased, renovated, and equipped the building at the corner of US 56 Highway.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Pittsburg ribbon-cutting marks remediation completion

The city will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5 p.m. today on North Walnut Street between 28th and 29th streets.

City officials say the purpose is to celebrate the completion of an environmental cleanup effort at the former Weir City Zinc Works site. The former smelting plant was previously identified as an “orphan site,” meaning that the entities responsible for pollution were unknown or unable to pay for its cleanup.

By collaborating with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and current property owners Bob and Sandra Boys, the city was able to complete the remediation of the land and break ground on an extension of North Walnut Street.

(Read more: www.joplinglobe.com)

Private entity to help fund new county health planner’s job

The Shawnee County Commission Thursday approved a contract arranging for a private entity to provide half the annual salary and benefits for a recently created community health planner’s job. The contract arranges for the Topeka Community Foundation to finance half the job’s salary and benefits.

Commissioners had voted in December to create the job, which will focus on the “big picture” of health in Shawnee County.

County health department director Linda Ochs told commissioners Thursday she had made a contingent job offer to a candidate, who is tentatively set to start May 28 at annual compensation in salary and benefits of $68,652.

“I am so excited about this project,” Ochs said. “This is pioneering work in a community, to see a county and a private entity come together to fund a position just to help community health outcomes.”

Firm provides recommendations for school boundaries

A consulting firm has provided a recommendation for future boundaries for the attendance areas of Leavenworth’s public elementary schools.

As the result of a 2018 bond issue, the Leavenworth school district will be transitioning from four elementary schools to one early childhood center and three elementary schools. This will require the boundary lines for elementary school attendance areas to be redrawn.

The Leavenworth Board of Education hired RSP & Associates to conduct an enrollment and boundary analysis. Representatives of the consulting firm shared their recommendations with board members earlier this week.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

Partnership allows Dodge City HS students to get early start in medical field

Dodge City High School is offering students the opportunity to get an early start in the medical field.
A partnership with Dodge City Community College and Dodge City High School allows the high-school students to become certified nurse assistants. When the program starts in the fall, two classrooms at Dodge City High School will be set up as labs and equipped with clinical equipment.
“There’s a great demand for certified nurses’ aides in our work area and so the demand in the work field has really prompted students to seek classes so they could become certified,” says Dodge City High School Associate Principal Mike Martinez. Dodge City Community College will provide equipment and instructors to come to the high school and teach the courses for the CNA program.
Students receive credit from the college and from the high school. They then take a test at the end of the course to become certified. This allows them to get their certificate and immediately go into the workforce.

So far, Dodge City High School says 47 students are signed up to enroll in the program.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Visioning workshop scheduled for Leavenworth county comprehensive plan

Leavenworth County residents who are interested in the future development of the county are invited to attend a public meeting next week at the Basehor Community Library.

The meeting is being conducted as part of a process that will result in a new comprehensive plan for Leavenworth County.

The comprehensive plan, which is sometimes referred to as a master plan, will provide a future land use plan, according to Jeff Joseph, director of the Leavenworth County Planning and Zoning Department.

Joseph said the comprehensive plan for the county was put together in 2008.

In February, Leavenworth County commissioners approved a contract with the company Olsson, Kansas City, Missouri. The company will produce a new comprehensive plan for the county at a cost of $288,800.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

Winfield meets Wall

Taggart Wall, who started his new job Monday, said he ‘couldn’t be in a better place with better people’ and praised city employees’ response to the flooding that affected the city this past week. Wall, a Winfield native, was most recently city manager of Sterling. He is a former Winfield city commissioner and a former management intern with the City of Arkansas City.

Ellis County Commissioners divided on countywide sales tax

Whether a half-cent or a quarter-cent, whether shared or not shared, Ellis County’s three commissioners at their regular meeting Monday evening admitted they don’t agree on the details of a proposed countywide sales tax.

Speaking at the end of the nearly hourlong discussion, commission chairman Dean Haselhorst said that will have to change.

“So for next week commissioners, we kind of have three different opinions,” Haselhorst said. “We’re going to have to come together as one, because if we’re going to go out and tell the public how we feel, we have to be unified or you don’t do it at all.”

(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)

Rural Mainstreet struggling, grain farmers hit particularly hard in Midwest

For the first time since November, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) fell below growth neutral. Trade tensions with China and Iran combined with the failure to finish up the USMCA are having a dragging effect on the Midwest economy.

“I think the real problem right now is what’s ahead,” said Creighton University economist Ernie Goss. “The uncertainty with hopefully new discussions going on with China. It’s really hitting the grain farmer particularly hard in this part of the country. Livestock is doing somewhat better, because livestock depends a great deal more heavily on the domestic economy.”
“Right now, they’re expecting farm loan defaults of over 10 percent,” said Goss. “That’s double what we recorded two years ago. All of this is spilling over into the farm sector, but, what happens on the farm doesn’t stay on the farm. It spills over to Topeka, spills over to Wichita and other communities across the region.”

(Read more: WIBW News Now)

Fallen law enforcement personnel remembered in Salina

Law enforcement personnel who died in the line of duty were remembered Wednesday morning during the annual Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony.

Appropriately, the ceremony was conducted in the park named after the last Salina officer to die in the line of duty, Salina’s Jerry Ivey Park.

“Your presence here speaks volumes for your support of law enforcement,” Salina Police Chief Brad Nelson told the more than 100 persons in attendance. “It means the world to my officers that you took the time out of your day to be here with us.”

(Read more: The Salina Post)

Prettier Cities Are Better at Attracting Jobs and New Residents

In a phenomenon economists call the beauty premium, better-looking people tend to earn more money and are more successful at their careers. But do cities also benefit from a beauty premium? According to a new study by two urban economists, it seems that they do. The study by Gerald A. Carlino of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and Albert Saiz of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, examines the connection between a city’s beauty and key growth indicators. A raft of previous studies have found a connection between economic and population growth and urban amenities (a broad category ranging from parks to restaurants, art galleries, and museums). But this study takes a much closer look at the effects of beauty itself.

(Read more: Route Fifty – All Content)

Neighborhood Block Party Grants Now Available in Merriam

Host a neighborhood block party and get reimbursed up to $200! You can use the Neighborhood Block Party Grant to help cover party-related expenses such as food, paper goods, party favors, and to hire entertainment/performers.

You’ll first need to fill out a Block Party Notification form with our city clerk at least five days before your party. Then to be eligible for the $200 reimbursement, you’ll have to fill out a grant application. Don’t forget to save your receipts!

(Read more: Merriam, KS news)

Main Street Kansas: Downs does storytelling the old-fashioned way

A Kansas festival is preserving the ancient art of storytelling. Once used to pass the history of one generation down to the next, storytellers are now helping people communicate without their phones. It might be a silly story, an old western or even a comical confession.

“She thought about that for a minute, and yelled, ‘Little ole boy!'” said Billy Harley, storyteller.

“Billy Earp always had, he was a wild, rich kid,” said Joe Herrington, storyteller.

But most all of the stories get a reaction. “We’ve always communicated that way, but we’re getting away from it, and so I feel the value of storytelling is to get people back in that human communication,” said Herrington.

No phones and no computers, just the spoken word, for two days during the annual storytelling festival in Downs. Organizers say it’s more than spinning a yarn. This was the 26th year for the storytelling festival. It started small, but now attracts visitors from all over the country.

(Read more: Top Stories | KSNW)

Newton Commission moves on Sunday booze

When the agenda item of Sunday alcohol sales by liquor stores and retail outlets appeared on the city commission agenda Tuesday, commissioner Glen Davis jumped into the conversation quickly — with some numbers.

“We are losing $229,500 a year in sales tax,” Davis said. “We could gain $229,500 if we allow alcohol sales on Sundays. I know some communities call it a sin tax. It goes to certain projects. I have not brought this up to my commissioners, but organizations like the chamber, Grand Central and other organizations that we try to fund … it would be nice to take some of this money and utilize it to fund these. That is just food for thought.”

(Read more: Newton Kansan)

Residents fight big development north of Wichita State’s Innovation Campus

Sedgwick County has joined City Hall in a plan that discourages, but still allows, commercial development across the street from Wichita State University’s Innovation Campus.

The commission took that action after hearing passionate pleas from residents who want to preserve the residential character of their neighborhood – and from a man who has tried twice to build businesses at the site of his late father’s home.

At issue were proposed changes to the Northeast Heights Neighborhood Plan that guides development in the one-square-mile area bounded by 21st on the south, 29th on the north, Hillside on the west and Oliver on the east.

Five new provisions were added to the plan by the county action Wednesday.

(Read more: Local News |)

Wichita plans to offer 500 city-owned parking spaces to developer of downtown complex

Wichita plans to commit 500 city-owned parking spaces downtown to a developer that wants to open a medical school, culinary arts school, student housing facility and hotel in the heart of the city.

The plans are included in a memorandum of understanding approved by the Wichita City Council on Tuesday. The agreement is between the city and Sudha Tokala’s Douglas Market Development LLC. It’s an unofficial agreement that outlines expected development and incentives and can be changed at any time. So far, it provides the most detailed sketch of the project that has been made public.

The four buildings that Tokala plans to renovate are vacant. Jason Gregory, executive vice president of Downtown Wichita, said the development will be “catalytic.”

“This substantial investment as well as the potential for significant job creation is a win-win for both downtown and our community,” Gregory said. “This is another key project that can further the implementation of Project Downtown.”

(Read more: Local News |)

Ellis Co., business owners at odds over roads in incorrectly platted addition

Businesses in the L. Kuhn Addition 4 want Ellis County to start maintaining its roads again.

However, County Public Works Director Bill Ring said the county stopped maintaining the road about two years ago when he learned the property was not properly platted.

This means the roads legally are on private property. According to state statute, the county can’t work on private property. It also risks liability if it sends workers or equipment to the site.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Topeka Fire Department shares plans to offer advanced life support

The Topeka Fire Department shared information Tuesday with the Topeka City Council about its plans to transition beginning next year from providing basic life support to providing advanced life support as firefighters respond to emergency medical calls.The department can start that transformation without going outside its existing budget, said Richard Sigle, its emergency medical services chief.

Sheriff’s office shows off new armored rescue and response vehicle

The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office’s acquisition of a new, heavily armored rescue and response vehicle will enable it to far more safely extract people from dangerous situations, such as school shootings, Sheriff Brian Hill said Wednesday.

“If you look in the rear of that, you could get a classroom of kids in there,” he said of the large, green vehicle, which has bulletproof windows.

Hill’s office on Thursday showed reporters the new Lenco Bearcat Rescue Vehicle, which it acquired in early April from Lenco Industries Inc. at a cost of $311,826. That was paid using $211,826 in federal forfeiture money seized from criminals and $100,000 in capital outlay funding approved by county commissioners.

Battle over wind farm proposal takes strange turn

Although a proposal to build a wind farm in the southern portion of the county has drawn strong opposition since August, not everyone stands against its construction.
Expedition Wind Farm, proposed by National Renewable Resources, would span from Florence to Aulne to north of Peabody. Opponents have contested its construction since August. The opponents, however, are not among the 41 landowners who have 81 contracts with NRS.

(Read more: Marion County RECORD)

Common noises louder than wind turbines

A frequent contention among opponents of a proposed wind farm in the southern portion of the county is that wind turbines are noisy.
The website consumer.healthday.com reports on a 2018 Canadian government study of wind turbine noise.
The study shows that living near a wind turbine can be annoying, but “doesn’t answer questions about how their noise might affect human health.”

(Read more: Marion County RECORD)

Allen County checks cost of adding Chanute to 911 service

…after crunching the numbers, Allen County 911 Communications Director Angela Murphy estimates it would cost about $167,000 annually to absorb the city of Chanute into its emergency system.

Murphy suggested three more employees would be needed, which would entail additional licensing fees. Chanute currently pays $180,000 for 911 services through Neosho County, but has been unhappy with the results, which have not improved despite 3-5 percent fee increases, Murphy said.

Bruce Symes said he was pleased with Chanute’s estimation of Allen County’s services, but was wary of venturing into a “hornet’s nest” between Chanute and Neosho County.

Firefighter dresses up scrapped hydrants in Chanute

Between working as a Chanute firefighter and part-time with the ambulance service, a Chanute man has found stress relief in painting fire hydrants.

Jeff Baum, a member of the Chanute Fire Department who also works for Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center EMS, said he has painted two fire hydrants over the past two years as a hobby, and plans to do a couple more.

The hydrants he paints are scrapped ones, and no longer in active use.

“I’ve always wanted one,” Baum said. The two he did are yard decorations at his house, and although he has a “live” hydrant nearby, he said he probably would not paint it.

In the 1970s, many cities made ordinary fire hydrants decorative with patriotic themes or characters. Then the National Fire Protection Act specified colors to indicate how much water would flow from a hydrant to fight a fire.

The colors are not mandatory here, but Chanute follows the system.

Manhattan eyes potential speed cameras

The Manhattan City Commission wants traffic data and state input before setting up speed cameras around the city.

At a work session Tuesday evening, Dennis Marstall, assistant city manager, discussed some of the details and legal issues. The commission had previously asked city administrators in March to examine the possibility of setting up speed cameras, particularly around school zones.

Marstall said these cameras would be different than red light cameras, which are set up specifically at intersections to look at movement after a light change. Speed cameras would look more closely at traffic flows.

(Read more: Atchison Globe Now)

Career winding down for longtime Derby fire chief

Derby Fire Chief Brad Smith’s career has been a satisfying endeavor, but the time has come to stop being on call for the latest alarm and make a change in his life’s direction.

With that in mind, Derby’s first full-time paid fire chief will be retiring July 5, the day after the city’s new Fire Station 81 opens.

Smith, 67, started in the profession in 1977 and came to Derby in 2004. He transitioned the department from all-volunteer to mainly paid.

“It’s been very fulfilling to watch the city grow like it did. There were just a lot of things going on,” he said.

There are probably few others who had the chance to do what he did, Smith said.

“It’s been amazing to see this department grow,” Smith said.

Emporia realtors discuss housing shortage

With the spring buying season underway, Emporia is already seeing a shortage of homes available on the market, leading to higher prices and quick sales.

Local realtors are keeping a close eye on this trend which, while good for sellers, is posing some challenges to the local market overall.

“Currently, we have a very low supply of homes for sale in Emporia and Lyon County,” Jamie Sauder, a realtor with Coldwell Banker Emporia Real Estate, said. “Historically, we average about 35 – 40 transactions per month market-wide, so that leaves about a 1.75-month supply of homes for sale. A healthy — or more common — market would have a five- to six-month supply of homes for sale.”

(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Pair riding 1,688-mile American Discovery Trail stops in Council Grove

“We’ve spent considerable time finding a place out of the rain.”

Obviously, that’s been an effort for many, let alone a pair of horseback trail riders Jerry Andrews and Penney Elpers.

Without any vehicle assistance, faithful in divine guidance, the Cheyenne, Oklahoma, pair are riding the American Discovery Trail.

With three horses, two for riding and one packing tent and personals, they’ve been on the trail since April 10.

May 9 was spent in Wilsey at the Gary Smith home, then traveling to Council Grove Friday.

(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Wichita Police Foundation kicks off campaign to support new WPD horse

We’re getting the first look at who Wichita Police are hoping to add to their Mounted Unit. But before the four-year-old Clydesdale can start, they need community support.

At Cowskin Creek Farms, you can find a special Clydesdale.

“We love talking about our horses, we’ll talk to you all day long about our horses,” said Officer Todd Clark, Wichita Police.

He has the qualities, officers want in a police horse.

The Mounted Unit looks for horses with a good temperament are a certain height, and have exposure to crowds.

(Read more: Top Stories | KSNW)

Why Kansas cops don’t want to legalize marijuana – medical or otherwise

When it comes to marijuana, Kansas is a red state in an increasingly green country.

Three of its neighbors — Colorado, Oklahoma and Missouri — have legalized some form of the drug in recent years. Yet Kansas remains one of four states in the country without a comprehensive medical or recreational marijuana program.

That’s not for lack of trying. This spring, the Legislature considered a bill allowing patients and caregivers to possess CBD — one chemical in marijuana — containing small amounts of THC, a psychoactive component of the plant. …

But law enforcement officers representing several of the state’s agencies and professional organizations testified against it. The bill never made it to a vote.

“I only ask that you give deference to the experience, to the opinions of the law enforcement community,” said Kirk Thompson, director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the top law enforcement agency in the state. “We’ve seen the negative side of this issue.”

The agency denied requests for an interview with Thompson and didn’t answer emailed questions about its marijuana enforcement strategy. But Thompson’s statement echoes the position of many of the state’s law enforcement agencies and organizations.

They argue that even legalization of medical marijuana would increase car accidents and violent crime and make it easier for foreign drug cartels to move weed onto the black market.

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