Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Mayor in talks with at least three groups to move to former downtown Wichita library

Plans for Wichita’s longtime downtown library are far from finalized, but Mayor Jeff Longwell has been in talks with several organizations about possibly relocating there.

“We’re excited about the possibility,” said KPTS, Channel 8, president and CEO Victor Hogstrom. “It’s a beautiful building.”

Longwell also has talked with the Kansas African American Museum and the Museum of World Treasures about locating there. The library closed last year when the new Advanced Learning Library — a $38 million downtown branch at Second and McLean Boulevard — opened in June.

Andover Police Department introduces new K9

The Andover Police Department Thursday introduced the newest member of its department, a German shepherd named Roko.

During Thursday’s ceremony, Andover police officially welcomed its newest K9 and Roko’s handler, Deshaun Smith. The department says the pair will help with missions like drug deterrence and search and rescue efforts.

Roko isn’t just a member of the Andover Police Department; he’s a constant companion for his handler.

“When you’re at work your’e with him, when you’re at home, you’re with him,” Smith says. “You take care of him. You take him to vet visits, you bathe him, you brush him. I’m with him more than my own family.”

(Read more: KWCH News)

Amtrak announces matching funds for Southwest Chief

Amtrak has informed federal, state and local officials along the daily Southwest Chief route that, with the enactment of the recent full-year funding bill by Congress, it will provide matching funds to enable a federal grant for safety and reliability upgrades on the train’s route in Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico.

Earlier this year, Congress passed and the president signed into law the fiscal year 2019 Appropriations Act, which included critical funding for Amtrak and intercity passenger rail service. The legislation set aside at least $50 million of its National Network grant for improvements to the Southwest Chief route that passes through Hutchinson.

Amtrak is using $3 million of these funds to match a $16 million grant successfully sought by these states, counties and cities. The grant and matching funds from the partners will result in an investment of more than $26 million.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Shawnee County restarts process to choose company to clean, repair courthouse

Shawnee County commissioners directed a county committee Thursday to restart its process of choosing a company to carry out exterior cleaning and repairs at the county courthouse, 200 S.E. 7th.

The county’s professional services selection committee had recommended the county enter into contract negotiations with Western Specialty Contractors.

But Commissioners Bob Archer, Bill Riphahn and Kevin Cook voted 3-0 Thursday to approve Archer’s motion calling for the committee to start over.

Archer said he had received additional information the committee didn’t have, though he didn’t share any further details. He said he saw no harm in having the committee begin again, considering the work doesn’t need to be done right away.

Cook asked that the committee also look at issues the county experienced during its last courthouse cleaning and repair project in 2007 to “make sure we don’t have a repeat.”

The county had to bring in companies later to fix leaks after that work was done, Cook said.

Zoning approved for assisted living center in Derby

An assisted living center developer wants to build in Derby.

NAK Development Wichita LLC, which has a facility in Andover, wants to build a similar facility at the northeast corner of Woodlawn and Meadowlark, just west of the Family Video store. As planned, it would have 25 to 40 studio-type apartments and perhaps some independent living.

The company got the lead on building a presence in Derby from its Andover workers. “A lot of our staff is familiar with Derby as they either worked or lived here,” said Chase Thornock, managing director. “We thought it was a beautiful location and it seemed to be a good fit.”

The company has a contract on the land, and the wheels are in motion to make the project happen.

Company officials asked for and received a zoning change from the Derby Planning Commission, which approved the request at its Feb. 21 meeting.

City Planner Justin Givens said the city received only two comments on the proposal from neighbors. One comment was positive, saying that “it would be a great fit” and the other individual asked questions about the rezoning and proposed use but did not state an objection to or support for the project.

Locals in Marion county voice concerns over county wind farm

Almost 30 people attended Tuesday’s Marion County Commission meeting to voice concerns about the setbacks associated with wind turbines in the area and across Kansas. Clarifying an earlier report, no wind turbines are planned in the area south of U.S. Highway 50 and east of U.S. Highway 77 in the tallgrass prairie preservation area. In addition, Pat Pelstring, representing Expedition Wind Project, based in Wayzata, Minn., is urging the commission to avoid a moratorium, noting that many people in that area have already signed agreements. The group, he said, wants to get started by fall if at all possible. For Jeremy Loewen, the idea of preserving farms and farming practices for the next generation of farmers was important to him, as it was for others, including Randy Eitzen.

As a farmer in the southeast part of Marion County, Eitzen said he doesn’t normally speak out in this type of setting.

“But we need to take a good strong look at what people before me said. I really think you as commissioners really need to take a look at a majority of the people who signed up [for these wind turbine agreements] so far,” Eitzen said.

One of the problems Eitzen said he sees is that a majority of the people signing up are getting ready to retire or they are absentee landowners.

(Read more: Hillsboro Free Press)

Abilene pauses study on city building

The Abilene City Commission wasn’t ready to decide the fate of the Abilene City Hall and Auditorium at its regular meeting Monday.
City Engineer Mark Bachamp with Olsson Associates started a study of a renovation of the municipal court and Abilene Police Department. But he wasn’t sure if he should continue spending all of the $34,000 allocated….
They agreed to place the question on the City’s Roundtable at www.opentownhall.com/portals/299/Issue_7256 to solicit comments from the public.
City Manager Austin Gilley said in the Roundtable introduction that the city hall building was designed for a 1925 operation and has outgrown its ability to meet the needs of a 2025 operation. Over the years, the building has come to house city hall, municipal court, the fire station and the police department, and the public use side of the building has been closed.

Lawrence receives $480,000 grant to help complete 2 sections of citywide trail system

The city has received a grant to help complete two sections in the trail system that will someday encircle Lawrence.

Once complete, the Lawrence Loop will provide a continuous 22-mile concrete path around Lawrence, with connector trails linking it to neighborhoods. The city recently received a state transportation grant of nearly half a million dollars to help complete two sections of the trail in eastern Lawrence, but it will need to set aside additional funding as part of its upcoming budget process.

The $480,000 Kansas Department of Transportation grant is for 2020 and requires a 20 percent match and other funding from the city, most of which the city has included in tentative budget plans.

City of Marysville considers selling land to Kramer Oil

Marysville City Council spoke favorably Monday of an economic development opportunity posed by selling city-owned land for a local business expansion.

Kramer Oil is looking to expand its operations by purchasing 3.6 acres from the city. The property is directly south of CJ Express East at 11th Road and U.S. Highway 36. The potential sale was discussed during the council’s regular meeting.

Mayor Carla Grund said she would like to see Kramer Oil submit a cost-benefit analysis to the city with information about the expansion such as jobs added and property tax benefits. Grund said if owner Chad Kramer was willing to show the council how beneficial the expansion could be to the community, she would be willing to “make it easy for him to expand.”

“I’m glad his business is growing,” she said.

(Read more: The Marysville Advocate)

Project Wichita hopes young leaders will help propel regional growth

Project Wichita continues to take its findings and potential action plans to the community, this week with an intentional focus on engaging young community leaders in the process.

A panel of Project Wichita leaders spoke to the Wichita Business Journal’s Emerging Leaders on Wednesday morning at the Kansas Leadership Center, following a Tuesday evening with members of Young Professionals of Wichita, Connecting ICT, Urban Professionals, Young Latino Professionals and the United Way’s Young Leaders United program.

Evan Rosell, among the presenters at the WBJ event, said it is imperative that young leaders be involved in any initiative moving the city and region forward — especially one that is looking a decade down the road like Project Wichita.

(Read more: Wichita Business Journal)

Newton City Commissioner proposes forum following utility rate feedback

In response to complaints about utility rates from Newton residents, Commissioner Barth Hague said he instructed city management to put together a community forum to hear from residents about the issue.

Recently, residents have vented on social media about the high prices of utility rates, prompted by a graph released by the City of El Dorado showing Newton to have the highest rates in the area, as well as plans that would increase utility rates to pay for things like bulky item pick up or tree trimming.

“It’s quite possible, based on what transpired on Facebook, no one will come to the event,” Hague said at Tuesday night’s commission meeting. “But, I think it behooves us to have some discussion with the public about their ideas and the perception of why their rates are so high.”

Mayor Kathy Valentine said she didn’t have any problem with Hague’s idea, but also thought information explaining what utility rates are used to fund should go out with water bills.
For 2019, according to city numbers, the city budgeted transferring $3.55 million or 24 percent of projected utility revenues to its general fund.

Myers explained in a response from the city for why transfers are necessary that they offset property tax increases and make sure non-profit entities pay their fair share for services.

Valentine said, then, residents would be in charge for reading it for themselves and couldn’t say the city wasn’t informing its citizens.

(Read more: Newton Now)

After three decades, longtime Liberal solid waste director calls it a career

The Liberal City Commission began its most recent meeting Tuesday evening rather bittersweet as the commission said good-bye to a longtime employee.
Solid Waste Department Director Frank Holman will be retiring from his post at the end of the month and received his retirement plaque from the commission.
“Frank Holman will be retiring from the City of Liberal March 1, 2019 after 30 years of successful service,” Vice Mayor Taylor Harden said. “Frank has been a dedicated employee for many years and his hard work and dedication toward the betterment of the community is greatly appreciated. We at the City of Liberal would like to express our gratitude to Frank for his considerable contribution toward the community and the City of Liberal throughout the years. Congratulations on your retirement and we wish you the best of luck with your future endeavors.”

Lawyer for Hillsboro Community Hospital group quits

The latest casualty on the list of people and companies owed money by the owners of Hillsboro Community Hospital appears to be the lawyer hired to defend them in Marion County District Court.
Wichita lawyer Thomas Gilman filed motions Tuesday asking the court’s permission to withdraw from representing hospital owner CAH Acquisition Co. 5 and a related company, Health Acquisition Co., because they have not paid him as agreed.
In the case of HAC, for which Gilman last week filed a motion seeking to intervene in a Bank of Hays’ mortgage foreclosure lawsuit against CAH and 11 other defendants, his motion to withdraw states that not only has HAC not paid as agreed, they have failed to fill out and return an agreement for him to represent them.
[MORE]

(Read more: PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin)

Harvey County reserve funds continue to grow; will pay cash for it’s portion of Law Enforcement Center project

The Board of Harvey County Commissioners learned Monday that the county’s ending fund balance increased by about $500,000 in 2018.

Finance Director Dan Bronson gave a comprehensive look at each budget line item, and the county ended the year with a fund balance of $4.9 million. He said the county would be able to pay for its share of the Law Enforcement Center remodeling project with cash instead of bonds.

“That’s a big deal,” Bronson said.

Currently, the county estimates that it will spend approximately $825,000 on a joint Law Enforcement Center remodel project with the city.

For context, should the county have bonded that amount out over 20 years at a 4 percent rate on a fixed rate loan, it would have paid $374,840 in interest. It skips the interest paying cash.

The costs of the remodel have also been cheaper than estimated.

(Read more: Newton Now)

Washington County Commissioners discuss snow day policy

The Board of County Commissioners has spent a couple hours over the past two weeks discussing a snow day policy for county employees. By the end of this week’s meeting commissioner David Willbrant said he would write a draft for a snow day policy based on the board’s discussion this week. Board members Raleigh Ordoyne and Scott Zabokrtsky said they don’t want to see the county close for snow or ice in the future unless the weather is significantly bad, and all three board members agreed on the “fairest and simplest” way to pay employees if county offices are closed for inclement weather in the future: If employees work, they get paid. If they don’t work, they will have to use earned time or go without pay.
The county currently has no policy in place for office closures due to inclement weather, which forced commissioners to make a spur-of-the-moment decision on employee compensation in January when all non-essential county employees were told to stay home due to weather.

(Read more: www.backroadsnews.com/rss.xml)

Shawnee, Lenexa revise liquor code to allow grocery stores to sell 6 percent alcohol by volume; pubs get longer hours to serve liquor

After the Kansas Legislature slightly relaxed the state’s liquor laws, Shawnee and Lenexa have updated their city codes to reflect the statewide changes.

The new Kansas laws, effective April 1 of this year, permit cereal malt beverage licensees — such as grocery stores and gas stations — to sell beer with up to 6 percent alcohol by volume. Under the old law, these vendors could only sell beer with up to 3.2 percent alcohol by volume.

Additionally, the new state laws will permit drinking establishments to serve alcoholic liquor between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m. Previously, liquor could only be served between 9 a.m. and 2 a.m.

The Shawnee council on Monday adjusted its city code to mirror the new state laws. Shawnee also adjusted its city code to permit a retailer of alcoholic liquor to sell cereal malt beverages; all references to alcoholic liquor in the code now include cereal malt beverages. The Shawnee council had no discussion before unanimously approving the city’s new liquor code.

Bourbon County Commissioners ask for input prior to setting asphalt project plan

Nearly 20 Bourbon County residents packed into the Bourbon County Commission meeting room Tuesday for the first meeting planned to hash out this year’s hard surface road plan.

During the meeting, members of the public were invited to list five roads they consider high priority on a survey handed out prior to a presentation by Second District Commissioner Jeff Fischer. The commissioners would then consider those lists as they prioritize roads for asphalt or chip and seal, Fischer said.

(Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)

Andover annexing new residents and enforcing pit bull ban

You can already see signs of change near Highway 54 and Andover Road. Gerry and Diana McCann’s neighborhood could soon become part of the city of Andover, meaning they’ll also have to follow the city’s rules.

“We didn’t ask to be in the city,” says Diana McCann.

The McCann’s dog, Bailey, is a pit bull mix, but in Andover, it’s against the law to own a pit bull.

“I cried all morning. She’s our pet, she’s our baby. She’s our family. It’s just not right,” says McCann.

The city is offering options for people being annexed who own pit bulls, including putting up warning signs in their front yard.

“So, you want me to put up a sign saying that my dog is dangerous. Well, that’s a lie. So, you have to lie to live in Andover,” says McCann.

The mayor says city council is working with residents in the areas being annexed, but the ban isn’t going anywhere.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

New Manhattan city sales tax could be on November ballot

Bernie Hayen, the city’s finance director, said Manhattan residents could vote on a potential sales tax dedicated to city operations as soon as November.
Hayen told the Manhattan City Commission Tuesday that a new permanent sales tax would help the city generate more revenue, which would help reduce the reliance on other taxes to support the city budget.
“This reliance on transfers from utilities funds and the reliance on property taxes is obviously something we have to come to grips with at some point,” he said.

Former Marion county eco devo director gets jail, probation

Former county economic development director Teresa Huffman was sentenced Feb. 20 to time in jail and house arrest as well as probation for misuse of public funds.
Huffman pleaded guilty in December to draining $46,870.89 from bank accounts of two charitable groups she oversaw while economic development director, and later depositing the money into her personal bank account. She later used part of the money to purchase a mobile home at the county lake.
The charge is a level 7 felony. State sentencing guidelines suggest a sentence ranging from 24 months’ probation to 30 months in prison, depending on any previous convictions.
[MORE]

(Read more: PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin)

Lt. Governor and Secretary of Commerce Attending Rural Opportunities Conference, Registration Open

Registration is open for this year’s Kansas Rural Opportunities Conference in Dodge City.
The Kansas Department of Commerce hosts this conference annually to provide useful information about rural Kansas living, as well as to engage in a dialogue with rural Kansans to determine how the Department can bolster its efforts to improve the well-being of rural communities in the state.
The Conference will take place at the Boot Hill Casino & Conference Center in Dodge City on April 2-3.
New Commerce Secretary David Toland will be kicking off the conference and Lt. Governor Lynn Rogers will discuss the Office of Rural Prosperity. Lt. Governor Rogers and Secretary Toland will provide insight to community development efforts.
“The Kelly Administration is committed to ensuring that all Kansans have a high quality of life, regardless of their zip code,” said David Toland, Acting Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce. “The Rural Opportunities Conference is a forum for learning about programs that can support and enhance rural communities, as well as an opportunity for residents to tell us their vision for the new Office of Rural Prosperity, which will be headed by Lieutenant Governor Rogers. Whether a business owner, local official, or just an everyday resident concerned about their community, the Rural Opportunities Conference is the place to be in April.”

Signup for the conference can be done here: https://www.kansas.gov/ssrv-kanpayxpr/services/KDOC/KFROCREG96/additionalInformation.html

Harvey County sheriff partners with notification network

The Harvey County Sheriff’s Office announced its Detention Center has partnered with a victim notification network.

VINE, Victim Information Notification Everyday, provides victims and concerned citizens with valuable information.

The free service notifies users via phone, text or email when an offender’s status has been updated. Users can be notified when an offender makes a court appearance, is released or transferred. The online portal provides the most reliable information for custody status changes and criminal case information.

Sheriff’s officials hope this resource offers some peace of mind to victims and the community.

Learn more about VINELink or register at www.vinelink.com

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Kiowa County EMS uses flash mob and costumes to teach crowd CPR in Greensburg

Using Flintstones characters, Kiowa County Emergency Medical Services utilized a flash mob at a high school basketball game halftime to teach the importance of hands-only CPR to all who were present. With February being National Heart month it seemed a perfect opportunity for Kiowa County Emergency Medical Services to promote heart disease awareness, and they did it in a very memorable way. Fans at the Kiowa County vs Minneola basketball game on February 12 got to see more than just a game. During the halftime show, Kiowa County EMS held a prehistoric-focused flash mob to remind fans about chest compression, hands only CPR.
“The most important thing is to remember if someone collapses in front of you do chest compressions,” said local EMT Sdirector Rosa Spainhour. ” I got the idea back in December when I saw a tee-shirt that said ‘T-Rexs Hate CPR,” because of there short arms. Then I remembered that Scott and Jill Eller had the inflatable dinosaurs and it all just came together from there.”

(Read more: Kiowa County Signal)

Parks and recreation: Hutchinson master plan starts to take shape

Hutchinson officials heard a brief review of the hundreds of pages of data and survey information collected by Colorado-based Greenplay last fall to help the city shape its parks and recreation master plan.

Even in its condensed form, Tuesday’s presentation at city hall still took 90 minutes.

Greenplay Founder and CEO Dr. Teresa Penbrooke told the 15 or so city and elected officials the plan was to show them a chunk of the findings before whittling it down even more for a tentative April 23 public meeting.

Greenplay will have a parks and recreation master plan for the city to adopt by May.

Penbrooke said final recommendations would include possible uses for the mostly shuttered Memorial Hall and adequately maintaining current facilities. “We found low support for increased property or sales taxes,” Penbrooke said, adding she’s found communities where, despite what city officials believe, residents are willing to pay more for the parks and activities around them.

She said the final report would include collaborative opportunities and other funding streams to finance future projects.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Reno County appraisal notices – going out this week – will have new look

Taxpayers can expect a new look to their 2019 property valuation notices this year.

The Reno County Appraiser’s office will mail over 35,000 value notices to taxpayers on March 1.

The new notices are meant to provide more information and be easier to read, said Reno County Appraiser Brad Wright. The appraised values will now read left to right, with the prior year value listed on the left and the current value on the right. At the bottom of the front page, there will be a table with the assessment percentages for the different property types, as well as the PVD website with a guide to the appeals process.

The back will still contain the informal appeal form, but the parcel number, property address, quick reference number and the owner’s name will all be pre-filled for the convenience of both the taxpayer and the Appraiser’s Office staff. The back of the form will also contain some rules for the informal appeal process.

(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

Sabetha City Commission hears Wellness Center progress report

Sabetha Health and Wellness Center Director Greta Heiman presented an update to the commissioners.

Heiman said construction is progressing, despite the poor weather. They are currently working on completing the gymnasium ceiling, she said.

She has been told that they are on schedule to finish in the beginning of June. She noted that she has a progress meeting on Thursday, Feb. 28, at which she will receive an updated progress report and timeline.

Heiman talked with commissioners about the layout, proposed hours, proposed membership prices, proposed workout class schedule and Kids Zone.

Heiman showed commissioners an interior layout, which includes a gymnasium with walking track, endless pool area, two fitness class rooms, and a weightlifting and cardio area. She told commissioners that the facility will be utilizing True brand cardio and weight equipment, which will all have a three year warranty that covers regular maintenance and repairs. The facility will include two endless pools, which are 13 feet by 14 feet — large enough for two people to do lap swimming at the same time. One of the pools will have a treadmill in it for resistance walking, she said.

(Read more: Sabetha Herald)

Committee recommends building new, state of the art performing arts center in Wichita

The Century II Citizens Committee presented findings Tuesday at a Wichita City Council workshop.

The future of the facility has been up in the air for years, and the committee has spent the past year figuring out what to do with the building.

During a presentation, Chairwoman Mary Beth Jarvis talked about the issues Century II faces for performing arts. They include lighting, technology, back stage and truck loading limitations.

“We believe the right answer to performing arts for our community’s future is build a new distinctive, customized performing arts center. We believe it belongs on the riverfront regional core,” said Jarvis. “We are not recommending that we have to take down Century II. There was tremendous amount of energy and good ideas to where Century II could be utilized.”

(Read more: Top Stories | KSNW)

KDOT points new signage in Atchison county’s direction

Markers along the county roadways might soon become much clearer, thanks to some federal funding coming this way. Atchison County is one of 16 Kansas counties to receive federal funding for road safety improvement projects for a total of $4.5 million as part of the Kansas Department of Transportation’s High Risk Rural Roads program. KDOT announced the awards Feb. 21.Superintendent Seth Howard, of the Atchison County Road and Bridge Department, said the HRRR funding will cover 100 percent of the costs associated with the project that he expects will be let sometime in 2021.

Atchison County was awarded $238,000 for the systemic purpose to upgrade signage along 30 miles of major collectors, internal county thoroughfares, in compliance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

“Major collectors area a focus for the state to getting signs upgraded, which initiated funding through HRRR,” Howard communicated in an email to Atchison Globe. “Good signing helps reduce risk and hazards on all roadways.”

(Read more: Atchison Globe Now)

Shawnee moving to use eminent domain to build parks and rec operations facility on 20 acres of private property

Shawnee is taking first steps to claim eminent domain over 20 acres of private property in order to build a parks and recreation operations base facility.

The private property in question is located at 18750 Johnson Drive just west of I-435 and includes a 30,000-square-foot warehouse. Wayne Developer LLC bought the property in August 2018 for $3.5 million and has “expressed no interest” in selling the property to the city at a similar price, according to a city memo.

The Shawnee council last night unanimously agreed to acquire the property by claiming eminent domain. There was no council discussion.

Melissa Hoag Sherman, an attorney with Spencer Fane LLP who represents Republic Services and Wayne Development, the owner of the property, had urged the council to vote against claiming eminent domain or at least table the discussion pending further review.“From the start of Wayne Development’s meetings with the city, the message from the city was ‘We don’t want you here,’” Sherman said. “I think there was some concern about Republic being in the trash business and the area being identified as ‘the trash corridor.’”

No paychecks: Horton hospital may close

Horton Community Hospital employees haven’t been paid since Feb. 15, and at least one employee indicated the hospital will close Friday if employees aren’t paid.

Ty Compton, CEO of the Horton hospital, confirmed that employees didn’t receive their paychecks on the previous payday. He was told by hospital ownership, Miami-based iHealthcare, that “they’re working on it.”

“I am doing the best I can and I believe all the employees and staff are doing the best they can do as well,” Compton said. “Obviously, everyone has to be paid.” Asked whether the hospital would close on Friday if employees weren’t paid, Compton said: “I’m not aware of that. There’s all kinds of speculation. There is nothing set in stone.”

Wichita Public Schools make request to raise property taxes

The Wichita School Board is asking for the ability to raise your property taxes — if they need too.

School officials say they don’t plan to raise taxes right now, but they want the option to do it in the future. The local option budget gives the district the option of raising taxes if the state decides to give school less money.

“There’s just a lot of uncertainty related to the budget still occurring in Topeka so we wanted to be sure that we were covering all our bases,” says Susan Willis, the chief financial officer for Wichita Public Schools. “It’s a little bit like getting preapproved for a loan. That should we need it will have it, but hopefully, we won’t need to go there.” Currently, the mill levy in Wichita is set at 30 percent which brings in $115 million. Wichita schools are asking the state to raise that to 33 percent which means $11 million more for the district.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Leash law explained by Pratt officials

A recent report of a pit bull attack on a family pet and the pet’s owner at Lemon Park has raised issues among some local pet owners about the enforcement of a city leash law.
Pratt Police Chief Nate Humble said the leash law ordinance, 6.04.140 Running at Large, makes it unlawful for any person to willfully allow any animal or fowl under his or her control to run at large within the city. The ordinance does not specify the penalty for violation.
“A dog’s got to be under control,” said Pratt Animal Control Officer Kris Dover. “People have got to keep their dogs under control, no matter what.“ According to information shared at the recent Pratt City Commission meeting about the attack at Lemon Park, the aggressive dog, which was riding in the front of a vehicle, jumped out a window to attack Troy McEachern and his small dog who were walking by. It remains to be seen if the report of the incident resulted in a fine or not.
Since the breed of the aggressive dog involved with the Lemon Park attack was identified by several sources as a pit bull, there have been unsubstantiated reports that pit bull attacks have been on the rise since city officials lifted a breed ban and changed wording to ban “dangerous animals” from city limits.
Pratt Area Humane Society Manager April Hemphill said she did not have data immediately at hand that might document the number of pit bulls that have been brought to the shelter since last May.
“I feel we’ve had fewer pit bulls in as strays and we haven’t had any confiscated,” Hemphill said. “We haven’t had any we’ve had to quarantine for bite cases.“
Police Chief Nate Humble said he is following through with research on the pit bull matter as he was requested to do at the last city commission meeting and will have a report available to present at the March 18 city commission meeting.

Lawrence explains odd shape of Queens Road taxing districts; judge to decide in coming weeks whether to halt project for lawsuit

Whether the multimillion-dollar reconstruction of Queens Road will be postponed so a lawsuit against the city can go forward is now in the hands of a judge.

At a hearing in Douglas County District Court on Monday, both sides laid out their case as to whether the controversial taxing districts, which go toward funding the $5.3 million road project, should be delayed so the lawsuit can be heard. In January, homeowner Kurt Schaake filed a lawsuit claiming that the taxing districts, under which property owners near Queens Road would pay most of the cost of the improvements, are out of line with state law.

Schaake’s attorney, Richard Hird, requested Monday that Judge Amy Hanley order a preliminary injunction until the lawsuit was resolved. Hanley said in order for her to do so, Hird must show that the case is likely to be successful or has a “substantial likelihood of prevailing on its merits.”

When Hanley asked Hird what would allow the case to prevail, he listed four major elements. He said that the city didn’t determine what special benefit accrued to properties within the districts; that the city improperly excluded properties; and that the properties within the districts were not benefited in equal relation to the financial burden imposed. He said the city’s districts were therefore arbitrary and capricious and out of line with state law.

KDHE’s KIC Website Offers New Data from Emergency Departments Tool makes diagnoses and other statistics available online for first time

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has added a new dataset to its
online health data query tool, Kansas Information for Communities (KIC). Emergency department data
from the state’s general hospitals is now available on the KIC page.
“Using KIC, individuals and policy makers will be able to see the diagnoses that bring almost 900,000
residents to emergency departments at Kansas hospitals,” said KDHE Acting Secretary and State Health
Officer Lee A. Norman, M.D. “This information can provide an insight into the injuries and illnesses
affecting Kansans, many of which are preventable.” Using the KIC emergency department data, individuals will be able to produce statistics on the number of
ED visits by county, race, ethnicity, sex and various diagnosis categories. KIC can produce counts, rates and age-adjusted hospital ED or inpatient rates. Other datasets contained
in KIC include hospital discharge procedures, births, deaths, pregnancies, cancer and population.

FlightSafety International chooses Wichita for drone training location

FlightSafety International has chosen Wichita and Las Vegas as the locations of new training centers for unmanned aircraft systems.

A company spokesperson says that the Wichita location will be based at FlightSafety’s Wichita East Learning Center, 9721 E. Central.

The Wichita location is expected to be operational in the coming months, though a specific opening date is still being finalized.

The company also announced in a press release that it has chosen one of its local leaders, Clinton Strong, to head both drone training locations. The centers will offer practical flight training for unmanned aircraft systems in conjunction with Praxis Aerospace Concepts Inc.

(Read more: Wichita Business Journal)

‘This is big’: KC renames The Paseo “MLK Blvd.”

On an otherwise quiet and cold Monday morning, the voices of elated Kansas Citians singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” echoed off of the homes near 34th Street and The Paseo, where crews installed the first signs for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

The group’s rendition of the song, commonly known as the Black National Anthem, came as community leaders celebrated victory in a hard-fought battle to rename The Paseo in honor of the late civil rights leader. City Council members voted 8-4 last month in favor of the change. The Council’s approval last month came after a months-long push by religious leaders along The Paseo and the SCLC, an organization King helped found. After initial rejection by the Board of Parks and Recreation, which has jurisdiction over the city’s boulevards, the group attempted to gather enough signatures to put the renaming to a vote.

Finally, despite opposition by some council members who didn’t believe residents who live on The Paseo were properly consulted, the group found the support to get it passed.

Over the next months, the city will replace the remaining signs on The Paseo and advise residents who live on the boulevard on changing their addresses and other important documents to reflect the new name.

Clark County’s St. Jacob’s well

It is 84-feet wide, but at 58-feet deep it is not bottomless and there are no blind fish swimming in its depths.

It is reported while St. Jacob of Nisibis Mesopotamia was on a pilgrimage to find Noah’s Ark, he rested near the top of Mt. Qardu. In his sleep an angel placed a piece of the Ark close to him and woke him. At the spot where he rested, a sacred spring with healing powers emerged.

It is fitting that St. Jacob’s Well in Clark County 15 miles south of Minneola is named for him. It sits in the Little Basin which is in the 1,818-acre Big Basin Prairie Preserve managed by Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, which is located in prairie land within the Red Hills region. The State acquired the land in 1974 from The Nature Conservancy and the U.S. government designated the Big Basin a National Landmark in December 1978. Mrs. C.G. (Janie) Stein had formed the Big Basin Foundation in 1972.

Mrs. Stein’s desire was to allocate this land for the conservation of American Bison (buffalo) and pronghorn antelope.

The Big Basin, Little Basin and St. Jacob’s Well can be reached easily from the east side of US Highway 283/160 south of Minneola and west of Ashland. There are often buffalo at the site.

Bel Aire expanding Woodlawn, asking for public input

A big construction project is in the works for Woodlawn north of Wichita.

The city of Bel Aire is looking to expand Woodlawn between 37th to 45th streets. It knows what it plans to do for the first stretch from 37th to the railroad tracks, but it’s looking for public comment about the next stretch up to 45th Street. “We typically go out on this furthest North drive,” said Julie Breault, Heartland Animal Hospital manager.

For the past 18 years, Breault said she’s watched the traffic outgrow this stretch of Woodlawn in front of her practice.

“As you can see, the traffic is building up, and at that 5 o’clock time when all of our clients are coming to pick up their pets after work, 5-5:30 to get out of here to go left is nearly impossible,” Breault said. Tristin Terhune is Director of Communications for Bel Aire.

“Here from 37th to the railroad tracks that will be a five lane no mater what,” Terhune said. “From the railroad tracks to 45th Street is where the public’s input on those four options will really be discussed on Tuesday.”

(Read more: Top Stories | KSNW)

City of Topeka adopts Housing First approach to homelessness

More than a dozen people Monday received vouchers for housing after the city of Topeka changed course and began embracing the Housing First model.

The approach, first conceived around 1990, connects those experiencing homelessness to housing without preconditions.

Along with several people, most of whom have been living outside, Nichole Deal filled out paperwork for the Shelter Plus Care program on Monday.

“What do we put for address?” she asked.

Deal has been living unsheltered for three years.

“I left a domestic violence relationship,” she said, “and lost everything. I didn’t have a support team.”

The Topekan said living outside was miserable.

“I’m trying not to cry,” she said of the prospect of gaining permanent housing.

Mental health practitioner Russell Burton proposed the Housing First model to Corrie Wright, the city’s director of housing services.

“This should hopefully have an impact on these people’s lives for the rest of their lives,” Burton said. “We are housing people first and then dealing with their underlying issues,” Wright said. “That’s a little different than how we’ve done it in the past so that’s kind of exciting.”

Great Bend Chamber gives Legacy Award to Great Bend Recreation Commission

Children and families are the cornerstone of any growing community, and no organization has worked harder at improving Great Bend’s quality of life than the Great Bend Recreation Commission. It is for that reason that the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development awarded The Great Bend Rec with the 2018 Legacy Award during their Annual Meeting & Banquet on February 23, 2019. In 2018, the Great Bend Recreation Commission enrolled more than 6,969 residents in recreation programs plus another 645 non-residents for a total of 7,614 people participating throughout the year. When you count all the individual programs they participated in such as fitness, sports, after school programming, art, cooking, adaptive learning, adult programs, etc the total number for individual enrollments climbs over 159,000. The Rec also employs nine full time staff members as well as 180 seasonal and part time positions.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Finney, Scott counties to receive rural roads funding

Projects in 16 Kansas counties, including Finney and Scott counties, will receive a combined approximately $4.5 million in funding to improve safety on rural roads as part of the Kansas Department of Transportation’s High Risk Rural Roads program. Finney county is receiving a $362,000 for systemic work to include upgrading signage on all 65 mph, off-system roads in the county. Scott County is receiving $134,000 for systemic work that will include upgrading signage on all major collectors in the southwest quarter of the county.

Counties sent in applications for the program, with projects selected earlier this month. The funds are for federal fiscal year 2021.

Regulator: Return tax savings to Kansas gas customers

Kansas regulators have ordered Kansas Gas Service to return more than $17.9 million in tax savings to its customers.

The Kansas Corporation Commission said in a news release Monday that its order will mean a one-time bill credit of $22.78 for residential customers.

The agency says the savings are the result of a federal law that reduced the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent in January of last year. The Commission had required utilities to track and keep separate savings from the tax cut pending its review.

Kansas Gas Service had asked to keep the savings to offset its service costs, but the Commission determined that was not in the public interest.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Ford County spends more than $100,000 litigating voting access case

Ford County spent more than $100,000 fighting a three-month long voting access lawsuit.

The county paid the Hinkle Law Firm $100,936 in legal fees and services, according to a document obtained through an open records request.

Ford County Clerk Debbie Cox was sued in October after relocating Dodge City’s sole polling site outside city limits ahead of the November midterm election. The cost to open a new site varies depending on factors like equipment and setup. Harvey County estimated expenses around $5,000 while Saline County reported costs at nearly $22,000.

County officials investigating factors behind uptick in number of women booked in Johnson County jail

No one can fully explain the reasons yet, but there’s a troubling trend afoot at the Johnson County jail. For the first time in recent memory, women are being booked into detention in increasing numbers, causing a disproportionate spike in the female population.

They are staying longer, too, according to statistics kept by the county department of corrections. “It’s one of those things I wish I could explain but I can’t,” said Sheriff Calvin Hayden. But in the coming weeks, county officials are going to dive into those statistics and look for an answer.

Johnson County home appraisal values rise again; see how much today

The one time of year has come when Johnson Countians don’t want to see their home values go up — county appraisal time.

The county will send out appraisal notices on Monday to 198,000 property owners, The Kansas City Star reports. Homeowners also can see their 2019 appraisals online on Monday.

The new appraised value will be higher for more than 90 percent of homes in Johnson County, according to The Star, but the increase won’t be as large as the double-digit-percentage jumps experienced last year. Attribute it to a residential real estate market that remains robust, but that has cooled off from a year ago.

A map compiled by The Star shows increases of more than 10 percent for two pockets of Prairie Village, increases of less than 5 percent in most of western and southern Johnson County and in the 5 percent to 8 percent range for the bulk of the county.