Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Overland Park launches floating wetland to fix algae overload in South Lake

Harmful algae levels in South Lake prompted Overland Park to add a floating wetland that will balance the water body’s ecosystem.

Overland Park public works staff this week launched the floating wetland — a manmade island with native Kansas wetland plants growing on it — to prevent harmful algae from spreading. The island improves the water quality and works by filtering the water, which prevents harmful algae from forming. “We have decided we need to fix this problem — and the cheapest and probably the most efficient solution we have found — is to put some plants on a buoyant structure and float it out on the lake and soak up some nutrients,” Ian Fannin-Hughes, a water quality specialist with Overland Park public works said.

Police body camera policy to go to Lawrence City Commission for comment

Lawrence city commissioners will be reviewing the Lawrence Police Department’s policy for body cameras, but city officials advised that some aspects would be outside commissioners’ authority.

At the City Commission’s meeting Tuesday, Commissioner Leslie Soden again asked about the review of the body camera policy and what kind of input the commission wanted to have.
“It seems like I’m the one that’s pushing that we even talk about it, so I wanted to hear you all’s ideas,” Soden said.
Vice Mayor Lisa Larsen said her assumption had been that the policy would go back to the commission for review and that commissioners would be allowed to comment on it, but she asked City Manager Tom Markus whether that was indeed the case.

Air show produces huge crowds

The 2018 McConnell Air Force Base air show, Frontiers in Flight, wrapped up on Sunday with nearly 110,000 visitors making their way on base during the two-day event.

With a low ceiling and more inclement weather on Saturday the crowd was smaller with only 35,000 visitors. On Sunday the sun came out and so did the fans as the attendance more than doubled with 74,692 attendees.

Over the weekend spectators were able to see some of the power and history of the United States Air Force.

Pastors with ‘sand’ helped win the west, Kansas

Before the west was won, sometimes even preachers had to fight for what they believed.

They had to have what Kansas Wesleyan University Criminal Justice Professor John K. Burchill called “sand,” and what many modern people call “guts.”

He presented “Cowboys and Clerics” at the Emporia Public Library Saturday as part of Humanities Kansas and covered several famed historical pastors and how they handled the chaotic life of early Kansas towns.

(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Franchisee settles on a spot for a new Old Chicago restaurant in Goddard

Fresh off of news that it’s getting a new Dairy Queen later this year, Goddard now can celebrate that it’s also getting an Old Chicago.

Franchisee Amro Samy anticipates closing on a spot in front of the Goddard Walmart in January and having the restaurant open in late 2019, said his marketing director, Molly Basham. Talk of a Goddard Old Chicago has been swirling for awhile, but at one time, it was to be a part of a $60 million project that would include a water park, a Holiday Inn and the Old Chicago. In May, businessman Rodney Steven II announced he was taking over the development of the complex, which is on 90 acres in the 19800 block of West Kellogg and is part of a $30 million STAR bonds project.

“We had originally talked with the city about the STAR bond area, but that plan had fallen through,” Basham said. “But we loved the Goddard area and were looking forward to coming.” Samy, who owns Samys OC based in Garden City, also has Old Chicagos in Garden City, Liberal, Manhattan and Lawrence. He’s opening a new Old Chicago in Salina later this year.

(Read more: Dining With Denise Neil |)

Derby may get sports complex

If changes are authorized within the Derby STAR bond district, they could result in a new multifaceted sports complex.

The topic was set to be received by the Derby City Council at its Sept. 11 meeting as a first reading.

As proposed, the facility would include indoor and outdoor sport areas, outdoor sand courts and game areas. It also could have a restaurant. It has a tentative name of Derby’s Sports Zone.

Officials say it would provide a resource for training, team practice, games and events. It would deal with a variety of sports, such as badminton, paddleball, sand volleyball and others.

The facility would replace the position of a hotel at the parcel between the water tower and car wash.

That is east of Field Station: Dinosaurs and Rock Regional Hospital and west of Rock Road.

Officials scheduled to explain the change, among others in the district, were Marc Abbott, Chas Morales and Rick Worner, who represent Derby Destination Development LLC, the entity planning the district.

It receives a special state-approved tax status and is meant to spark economic development from local, area and regional consumer traffic.

Neighbor asks council for reprieve on silage pile

A neighbor to a large pile of silage on the west end of Main St. asked Marion city council members at Monday’s meeting to give the owner a reprieve on an order to remove the pile.

Lincolnville feedlot owner Mike Beneke, owner of the former Straub building at 601 W. Main, started piling the silage on the property in July. He was ordered two weeks ago by a municipal judge to remove the pile within 10 days. Municipal judge Randall Pankratz warned Beneke that if he failed to comply with the court’s order, he could be fined and ordered to serve up to 30 days in jail.

“I’m not trying to cause a stink,” Tina Steele told council members. “I know I had come and spoken about the trucks. Since then, he has come over and spoken with the neighborhood.” Steele said she’d studied silage and decided the pile will cause no damage. She also said disturbing the pile at this point in the fermentation process would damage the silage.

“I guess what I am asking is that, considering it’s halfway done and he only needs another seven weeks, let him have it,” Steele said.

(Read more: HILLSBORO Star-Journal)

Committee chairman voices frustrations on dirt roads

The state of county roads was a hotbed of discussion at Monday’s county commission meeting.

Chairman of the county road and bridge committee and Liberty township trustee, Lisa Peters, voiced her frustrations.

“I’m coming forward for every resident who lives in Liberty, Menno, and Lehigh,” she said. “It’s over, the roads are gone.”

The roads are full of pockmarks and the shoulders are overgrown, she said.

Part of the problem is that the area is understaffed, Peters said. The employee hired to maintain roads in Liberty Township recently resigned because of the workload.

“Part of the frustration is the roads are so bad,” she said. “He’s so overwhelmed and he can’t fix them anymore.”

Commission chairman Dianne Novak expressed agreement with Peters and other audience members.

“I can’t dispute anything you’ve said,” she said. “I’m almost thinking we should use private contracting.”

(Read more: HILLSBORO Star-Journal)

Will these new design standards protect Prairie Village’s charm? Commission votes

Prairie Village’s latest attempt to control the development of large homes within the city received unanimous support from the Prairie Village Planning Commission on Tuesday.

Commissioners voted to recommend approval for a slate of neighborhood design standards that is now headed for a City Council vote on Oct. 1.

But the vote came only after more than two dozen residents and business owners weighed in on the proposal, showing that the issue of tear-downs and rebuilds within Prairie Village continues to generate emotions on both sides of the debate.

Prairie Village, like other cities in northeast Johnson County, has seen a rapid increase in recent years of property owners tearing down the mid-century ranch and Cape Cod houses the city is known for and replacing them with much larger homes. In some cases, residents have complained that the new, larger buildings overshadow their neighbors, cause drainage problems. But one of the biggest complaints is that they are generally out of character with the rest of the neighborhood.

Supporters of the restrictions on Tuesday said the rule changes were necessary to protect the city’s charm.

“I am appalled by some of the sizes of the houses being built on these tiny little lots,” said Nancy Morgan. “If you want to live in a giant spacious house then there are plenty of other lots in the metropolitan area that you can build these giant houses, and I really hate to see our small little houses being overpowered. And it’s changing the landscape of Prairie Village.”

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Commissioners reach consensus on mosquito spraying program

When they met Tuesday, Leavenworth city commissioners reached a consensus to discontinue a program that sprays for mosquitoes in neighborhoods.

But the city manager will have the authority to authorize the use of the mosquito spraying equipment if he deems it necessary.

Last month, two entomologists visited with city commissioners about the city’s mosquito spraying program. They had been invited to meet with commissioners after some residents expressed concern about the program.

Jeff Whitworth, an entomologist with Kansas State University, told commissioners that the spraying may provide relief from mosquitoes for a couple of hours, but the program will not put a big dent in the city’s mosquito population.

In addition to mosquito spraying, the city of Leavenworth also uses larvicide to kill mosquitoes in the larval stage.

Whitworth told commissioners that larvicide programs will help control mosquito populations. Public Works Director Mike McDonald said the problem with the larvicide program is that city employees cannot go onto private property. He said the program is limited to properties under the control of the city.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

Leavenworth County Commissioners review five-district map

The county clerk has presented a map of how Leavenworth County Commission districts can be redrawn if the commission is expanded to five members.

“I think it’s a fair map,” County Clerk Janet Klasinski said.

She presented the map to commissioners during a meeting Tuesday.

In November, voters in the county will determine if the commission should be expanded from three members to five.

A group called Give Me Five successfully collected the necessary signatures to have a question regarding the expansion of the County Commission placed on the ballot for the general election.

Last week, Commission Chairman Louis Klemp said he wanted to study parameters regarding the possible expansion of the commission. “There are different ways to draw and split the districts,” Klasinski said Tuesday.

But Klasinski said she would recommend the map that was being presented.

She said it ultimately would be up to commissioners to approve the new district boundaries if voters give the OK to a five-member commission.

The map presented during Tuesday’s meeting has not officially been approved. But commissioners reached a consensus to have it published on the county government’s website, www.leavenworthcounty.org, to show voters what the tentative map looks like.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

Recount requested in bond election in Leavenworth County

When they met Tuesday, Leavenworth County commissioners certified the results from a recent Basehor-Linwood school bond election.

But someone who was connected to the bond issue is asking for a recount.

Commissioners certified the election results while acting as the Board of County Canvassers.

Mail ballots were used in the school bond election. Voters were required to return their ballots by noon Thursday.

The $57.1 million bond issue had been divided into two questions on the ballot. The first question proposed two new elementary schools and other facility improvements totaling $51.6 million.

This proposition was approved with 2,591 “yes” votes and 1,784 “no” votes, County Clerk Janet Klasinski said.

The second question proposed improvements for school athletic facilities totaling $5.5 million.

This question failed with 2,190 “no” votes and 2,187 “yes” votes.

“It was a three-vote difference,” Klasinski said.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

Erie addresses issue with grass in streets

The city of Erie may start cracking down on cut grass blown into streets.

During a Monday evening Erie City Council meeting, resident Chris Harris reported grass in the streets is a hazard to motorcyclists and bicyclists and also clogs the stormwater sewer system and the street sweeper.

In previous years, discussions and newspaper articles were used in an effort to educate Erie residents to make a few rounds around lawns blowing cut grass inward instead of out onto the streets. Harris said the problem seems to be getting worse.

The council discussed creating an ordinance against blowing grass onto city streets, with fines to be used for enforcement, but Mayor Darrell Bauer objected to such an ordinance.

Seth Jones, the city’s attorney, will research the existing “nuisance” section of the municipal code to determine if blowing grass onto the streets could fall under it.

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Florence City Council under fire

For the second time in three weeks, the Florence city council removed details from previous meeting minutes.

Councilman Matt Williams moved to condense a section of the Aug. 20 meeting minutes. The condensed section included a comment from resident Darla Spencer criticizing the council, saying she would “think hard next time she went to the polls.”

Williams motioned to change the description to say she and other community members expressed concerns about the Crystal Springs situation. The motion passed 3-1.

“I want to cut these pages down from six pages or 13 pages,” he said. “Just a couple would be great. We don’t need to hire a stenographer.”

Several audience members spoke out, protesting that the minutes were already written and it was important to keep them accurate.

“That’s like picking up the city’s trash and then you dump the truck and pick it up again,” Evan Slater said.

Spencer addressed the topic of censorship when she made her comment, city clerk Janet Robertson said.

“In defense of myself, Darla personally asked her comment be put in the minutes,” she said.

Councilman Trayce Warner opposed the censorship of meeting minutes Monday and at a previous meeting.

She spoke in support of the audience having a voice at council meetings.

“We are not kings and queens,” she said. “We are representatives of these people out here. They have a right to ask questions, they have a right to expect answers.”

(Read more: PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin)

At 91, the ‘personality of Sedgwick County’ retires, plans to help ‘them older folks’

Eula West, 91, retired Wednesday as the lobby receptionist at the Sedgwick County Courthouse, where she worked for 49 years. She tells a story of how she once had to cut a sheriff’s lieutenant’s hair at the front desk.
…
If you sit at the reception desk at the Sedgwick County Courthouse long enough, you might end up saving somebody’s job — or maybe somebody’s life.

And Eula West sat at that desk for a very long time — since 1969.

Do the math and that’s 49 years, but who’s counting?

At age 91, Eula West finally called it a career.

“I’ve been here longer than most everybody’s been born,” she said, as she sat at her reception desk one last time before her Wednesday afternoon retirement reception.

West was the first face you’d see when you walked into the courthouse and the last you’d see when you left.

And she nearly always had a smile, whether she was bantering with the county government poobahs, helping a lost felon find the right courtroom. or selling bootleg peanut brittle under the counter at Christmastime.

(Read more: Wichita Eagle)

Ark City PD plans bike registration rally

The Arkansas City Police Department is planning a new event to register community bicycles and raise awareness of the importance of serial numbers.

Beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, officers will conduct the first-ever “Bike Registration Rally” in Ark City.

The purpose of the event is to register as many bicycles with the police department as possible throughout the day. The goal is to register at least 100 bikes, but police would like to register even more.

Officers will be monitoring their Facebook and Twitter accounts for addresses beginning at 9 a.m.

They will make house calls anywhere within the city limits of Ark City to register bicycles and provide information on #SerialNumberSeptember, a new ACPD registration awareness initiative on social media.

To participate in the Bike Registration Rally, residents can “like” the Arkansas City Police Department’s Facebook page or follow the Arkansas City Police Department on Twitter.

Citizens should watch for social media posts on Saturday and provide police with an address where officers can meet with them and register their bicycles.

(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Sales tax approval to replace existing sales tax in Ark City

Voter approval of a permanent, one-cent sales tax to support South Central Kansas Medical Center means that both existing taxes with sunset clauses will be retired when the new tax takes affect, Arkansas City officials reiterated this week.

A half-cent tax was originally set to expire March 31 and a one-cent tax had an end date of Sept. 30, 2026. Both taxes were approved by voters.

With the passage of the permanent, one-cent tax by mail-in ballot last week, both existing taxes will be repealed Dec. 31.

Comments made by Commissioner Duane Oestmann reported in Friday’s CourierTraveler indicated the city could choose to let the half-cent tax run its full course.

But that is not accurate, city officials said. Both existing taxes must drop off when the new one is imposed.

(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

What former Johnson County Manager Hannes Zacharias learned from a 2,000 mile kayak trip

A 2,000 mile float trip down the Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers taught former Johnson County Manager Hannes Zacharias a few lessons.

People are nice, generous and kind, no matter where you go. The drought really has dried up many parts of the Arkansas as it cuts through the Midwest from the Rocky Mountains to the Mississippi. And dehydration is definitely a thing.

After being unexpectedly ousted from his position late last year, Zacharias decided it was time to fulfill a promise he made to himself more than 40 years ago: that he would one day kayak the entire length of the Arkansas River, and down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico.

The 64-year-old had taken a similar but partial trip in 1976 from his hometown of Dodge City, Kan., to New Orleans. This summer, the journey took a little more than three months, beginning May 26 at the Tennessee Pass near Leadville, Colo., and ending Sept. 3, where the Mississippi feeds into the Gulf of Mexico. People often asked him what was different about his two journeys on the same river, more than 40 years apart? The river is still beautiful, and the people are still nice, Zacharias said. But today, there is less water to enjoy. And, of course, everyone has a smartphone and is constantly connected.

Artists turn out to capture Tonganoxie

Though there were many activities happening during the Sunflower Stroll, one might have caught the eye most Labor Day Weekend.

Artists could be seen around town painting various buildings and scenes.

Whether it was Tonganoxie Water Park, the depot, the pocket park during the street dance or a festive truck outside Midwest Carpet Center, there were many Tonganoxie subjects captured and told through artists’ paintings.

Leigh Coffman, Lynette Hayes and Jesse Charles, Sr. organized the first art contest and other art activities for this year’s Sunflower Stroll, the second installment of the new Tonganoxie festival.

Coffman said it was a fun event, but that she had hoped more Tonganoxie residents would have been able to experience the work.

“Next year we will be better prepared and people will know what’s going on and want to be there,” she said.

(Read more: TonganoxieMirror.com stories)

Osawatomie residents voice opinions about trash service

A load of trash collection concerns were dumped at the feet of Osawatomie City Council members during a public hearing Sept. 5 at Memorial Hall, but a decision on who the city’s next service provider will be has yet to be made.

City leaders scheduled the public hearing to gather feedback from the community and to hear from representatives of the two companies bidding for the service.

The city’s contract with Waste Management is set to expire at year’s end, and Harrisonville-based WCA is vying to pick up the contract for Osawatomie’s solid waste and recycling collection program.

Waste Management was represented at the meeting by Bryce Smith, district manager, and John Blessing, public sector manager. WCA was represented by Carey Calabrese, district manager, and Tom Coffman, municipal representative.

Concerns about trash collection recently surfaced after Waste Management (formerly Louisburg-based L&K Services) took over billing from the city several months ago. Having the city take back control of the billing was a common sentiment expressed at the meeting. Council member Tamara Maichel said she’d like to see the trash service back on the city utility bills because the city could then shut off utilities if the bill is not paid. That should cut down on the current issue of residents not utilizing a trash service and instead illegally dumping trash in commercial dumpsters or neighboring trash containers, she said.

(Read more: The Miami County Republic)

Change would benefit possible micro breweries in Winfield

Microbreweries are one step closer to being allowed in downtown Winfield after the city planning commission recommended zoning changes to encourage their development Monday.

The commission recommended changing the required distance that a business receiving 30 percent or more of its annual gross revenue from alcohol sales (including liquor stores, drinking establishments, microbreweries and private clubs) must be from churches, schools, colleges, libraries, hospitals or residential zoning districts.

Previously, these businesses had to be at least 300 feet away from the above entities. Now, they have to be only 200 feet away. The planning commission also approved omitting residential districts from the 200-foot distance requirements and allowing microbreweries in the central business district with a conditional use permit. In some instances, a microbrewery or similar business is appropriate for a certain area and in others is not, said public improvements director Patrick Steward.

The amendments “seem like an appropriate balance of protecting the surrounding neighborhoods while also maximizing the potential uses of the central business district,” Steward said.

City officials have said that allowing microbreweries is a way to encourage downtown development.

(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Trekking for treasure: Republic County is epicenter for 400 mile US36 Treasure Hunt this weekend

It’s a big event with a secret mission.
Lure shoppers from across the state and nation to northern Kansas with the promise of antiques, collectibles, crafts, garage sale finds and other treasures.
But all along US36, communities band together the third weekend in September to introduce potential travelers to the idea that there’s plenty to see and do along a highway that’s easy to travel.
Vendors were already setting up in Belleville on Monday for the 12th edition of the US36 Treasure Hunt, which officially runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 14-16.
“We had more hits earlier this year on our website,” says Paul Kallman, Scandia, president of the US36 Highway Association. Organizers never know how many people will show up until the weekend.
The event features businesses, vendors and private individuals who set up not only on US36, but in the downtown areas of the communities along the route.

Planning commission resists lobbying effort by builders, recommends new design guidelines for Prairie Village homes

For more than an hour on Tuesday, an organized group of home building professionals approached the podium in the Prairie Village council chambers and railed against a set of proposed design standards for new homes in the city.

They would discourage people from investing in their homes and the community, the builders said. They would stifle regreening of aging neighborhoods. They would put an onerous burden on the businesses trying to meet demand for modern houses. Builders should have been more involved in the process.

It was a standing room only crowd in the council chambers for the hearing on Tuesday.
But in the end, the planning commissioners unanimously sided with the group of long-time residents who made clear it was time for the city to take more action to preserve the character of the neighborhoods where they’ve lived for decades.

(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post)

Grant reduces purchase of Ellis warning sirens by 50%

Thanks to a grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, the city of Ellis was able to replace its 40-year-old outdoor warning sirens with two new sirens at a 50 percent reduced cost.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Liberal City Commission hears of AirFair 2018 success

There was an air of positivity in the chambers during the most recent Liberal City Commission meeting Tuesday evening thanks to many of the happenings of the past couple weeks in the community.

One particular happening was Saturday’s AirFair, which was brought up near the beginning of the meeting by MAAM Foundation Board Member Nancy Parsons.

“I want to thank the City for everything you all did to help make this such a success,” Parsons said. “With the numbers we’ve come up with for both the day and night shows, we came up with approximately 11,750 who were in attendance at the museum. We also noted there were about 92 different zip codes represented and something like three or four different countries as well. We were so excited, we could not have been any happier with that and we couldn’t have done any of it without the City’s help.

(Read more: Liberal First)

City of Topeka raises starting police officer pay by 14 percent

Topeka next year will raise starting pay for police officers by 14 percent, from $19.44 to $22.08 per hour, under a contract the city’s governing body voted 10-0 to approve Tuesday evening.

The nine council members and Mayor Michelle De La Isla spent 40 minutes discussing the agreement behind closed doors in executive session before going back into public session and approving it.

Councilwoman Karen Hiller said they had “some serious discussion and some serious angst” as they discussed the contract.

“Without going into any details, this is a pretty robust contract,” she said.

Hiller asked police officers to help the city “keep the lid” on its budget.

The agreement previously was approved by the city’s rank-and-file officers — sergeants and below — who are represented in collective bargaining by the Fraternal Order of Police.

Mayor declines to make appointment for “private reasons”

City officials discussed whether Mayor Karl Ryan should decline to recommend appointments based on private reasons, before the Salina City Commission failed to confirm either of two remaining applicants to the Board of Zoning Appeals, which has two current openings. On Monday, Ryan recommended the appointment of Brian Bennett to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Ryan chose not to appoint the other applicant, Mike Trow, of Salina, who currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Board of Zoning Appeals.

“I think it’s my prerogative under the guidelines to appoint. I choose not to appoint,” Ryan said. “There is nothing personal, it’s just my private reasons. I’m going to hold that appointment until I see if we get some other expression of interest.”

Trow, who attended the meeting, told commissioners that if he wasn’t reappointed, he would like the mayor to publicly explain his reasoning. Trow said the public might otherwise wrongly assume he did something wrong.

“My concern is that it looks like I’ve done something that I shouldn’t have done and that I’m being kicked off the board,” Trow said in an interview after the meeting. “It looks like I’ve done something and I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong, at least nothing was ever said to me about it.”

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Fight over $22 million Stryker complex could doom Wichita’s biggest soccer league

A no-bid contract to privatize the city-owned Stryker Sports Complex was blocked at the goal line Tuesday, after officials of the city’s biggest youth soccer league said it could run them out of business.

The City Council decided to put off a vote and take another week to try to resolve conflict between the owners of the Wichita Sports Forum, the for-profit business proposed to take over Stryker, and the Sedgwick County Soccer Association, the city’s dominant youth league.

The controversy comes 11 months after the council voted to spend $22 million to upgrade the mammoth sports complex near K-96 and Greenwich. City staff has proposed turning the operation over to Sports Forum, which operates a private indoor multi-sport facility nearby. Construction is now underway at Stryker to replace 13 grass fields with 11 artificial-turf fields, one of which would be indoors. The main goal is to attract out-of-town teams and families for regional soccer and other field-sports tournaments to boost local tourism and the economy. Mark Ohm, the president of the county soccer league, said some of the teams in his league would like to be able to play on the new fields at Stryker, but Sports Forum is planning to start its own youth league.

Ohm said the only option to emerge from months of talks with the Sports Forum’s owner would be for the nonprofit league to fold and turn its 4,500 players and 393 teams over to the Sports Forum’s new for-profit league.

(Read more: Politics & Government News |)

Nightly fireworks in Andover spark complaints on social media about noise at bedtime

Fireworks are expected to explode in the sky of Andover’s Central Park every night this week, and some people are not excited.

“This is ridiculous. Some people have to work tomorrow,” Jeanette Kay Cole commented on a Monday night Facebook post by the City of Andover.

“Wish we had been told earlier and I think they should stop earlier it’s a school night,” Rose Mayginnes said in a comment. The fireworks are a part of the National Fireworks Association annual convention in Wichita and Andover this week. But convention attendees can shoot off fireworks from dusk until 10:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, the Andover Police Department said in a Facebook post. More than 900 members from around the world are attending the event, which includes nightly firework product demonstrations in Central Park.

“This is the time when vendors get to show off their new products and wholesalers/distributors can decide if they want to add them to their purchase orders,” police said in the post. “The products being demonstrated will range from the small fountains set on the ground, to the larger aerial fireworks.”

“It’s awful if you have little ones or anyone trying to sleep,” Holly Graves commented on the post. Nobody spoke against the nightly firework demonstrations when they were approved at a city council meeting about a month ago, Andover Mayor Ben Lawrence said in an email. He said the city used its monthly sewer bill mailing insert, cable channel 7, Twitter and Facebook to inform residents before the convention.

(Read more: Wichita Eagle)

With new community center coming, Merriam leaders talk future of Irene B. French facility

While Merriam is in the final stages of design for its new community center at Vavra Park, city leaders began talks on the future of the Irene B. French Community Center.

Mayor Ken Sissom and City Administrator Chris Engel asked councilmembers on Monday for input on how the city should proceed with formalizing plans for the historic building at 5701 Merriam Drive.

In light of some complaints from residents over the past several weeks on the process of designing and building the new community center, many councilmembers shared their hopes to avoid frustrations during the process of planning for the future of the French Center.

The city will form a committee to look at the issue, Engel said. That committee, perhaps an ad hoc group, could be comprised of representatives from residents, councilmembers, city staff and the Merriam Downtown Partnership.

Potential land deal between Ark City and school district resurrects building memories

A proposed land swap between the City of Arkansas City and the Arkansas City school district could give the city ownership of an old stone concession stand and bridge that has conjured up memories of the old Curry Field.

The city and the school district have only held informal discussions about the properties, but some residents are concerned what might happen to the structures and the tradition and history they represent. Ark City School Board member Evelyn Shoup also has fond memories. She said thousands of people had crossed the bridge and purchased tickets and concessions at the building located there.

“It has stood as a symbol of ACHS football for more than 80 years,” Shoup said “It’s a piece of history that shouldn’t be torn down. It needs to be preserved.” City Manager Nick Hernandez said in an email last week that while property containing the bridge and ticket building would be part of the trade, the city has no intention of removing those structures.

He said the building would be utilized as part of a future hike-bike trail extension.

“It will potentially be a shade structure with a picnic table inside,” he said. “Demolition is not an option we are entertaining.”

Rain slows ETA on Russell power transfer; human, mechanical burps cited in outage

A schematic of Russell’s electric power system is drawn in detail on the office whiteboard of Russell Utility Director Duane Banks.

Banks and engineers from area power providers are sorting out ways to tie-in Russell to an additional power transmission feed.

A second tie-in would prevent 16-hour blackouts like the one the city suffered a week ago Thursday, Banks said.

“An alternate feed would be an ideal solution, but it’s very costly,” Banks said. “I have engaged with an engineer to look at this very item …. and I’ve met with Sunflower Electric with conceptual ideas for an additional feed. These are things we’ve looked at to make a more reliable feed.”

But a solution like that won’t come cheap. The lowest cost option so far is $3.5 million, he said.

In the meantime, a portable transformer installed by Western Cooperative Electric, WaKeeney, and Sunflower Electric Power, Hays, replaces the one that failed. It has the city covered, Banks said.

“I don’t feel insecure about the mobile transformer at all,” he said. “And when they make the transfer to the permanent one it should be seamless. There shouldn’t be any outage.”

Banks said he expects Western Cooperative and Sunflower Electric to make the transfer any day. But rain delayed the process, he said.

(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)

Maple Leaf festival in Hiawatha to feature Children’s Discovery Center’s Mobile Museum

One of the highlights of this year’s Maple Leaf Festival on Saturday, Sept. 22 in Hiawatha is the addition of the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center’s Mobile Museum.

Hiawatha Chamber and Visitor’s Bureau board members are excited about the mobile museum, which will be featured at no cost to families in the community.

“Without the local sponsorships, this would not be possible,” said Ryan Meininger, chairman of the HCVB’s Maple Leaf committee. The Kansas Children’s Discovery Center is a hands-on children’s museum that since opening in 2011 became a special place where children can explore, create, discover and learn through play. Families from all over the world come to visit the Discovery Center.

The Discovery Center’s Mobile Museum puts miniature version of those same exhibits on the road, with designs based on their permanent KCDC exhibits such as the Art Pavilion, Bernoulli Table and Real-tool Build Workshop. These are great for school events and community events – such as the Maple Leaf Festival.

(Read more: Hiawatha World Online)

Extravagant ‘Disney-style’ fireworks show coming to Andover this weekend, and every night this week between 8 and 10pm

Fourth of July may have been months ago, but what’s likely to be the biggest fireworks show in Wichita this year is coming Friday.

All week long, the National Fireworks Association is hosting its annual trade show at the Hyatt Regency Wichita.

To cap off the week, the association is planning a grand public display in Andover’s Central Park on Friday night showcasing the latest and greatest in fireworks technology. The fireworks will start at 8 p.m. Friday.

The show is expected to be more than 20 minutes long.

Admission to the show is $5 in advance at Andover City Hall, 1609 E. Central in Andover, or cash-only at the gate.

“It’s a huge show — Disney-style fireworks,” said Katie Cork, event director for the City of Andover. “It’s all choreographed to music. It’s nothing like anyone here has seen on a normal Kansas fireworks show.” Every night this week from about 8 to 10 p.m., there will be firework demonstrations in Andover Central Park, though they won’t necessarily be choreographed shows.

“They’re geared more toward the vendors, but it’s still open to the public,” Cork said. “If you love fireworks, you love fireworks.”

The National Fireworks Association convention attracts fireworks dealers from across the country and overseas — it will likely draw more than 1,000 guests this year, said Nancy Blogin, its executive director.

(Read more: Wichita Eagle)

Wichita, you probably don’t want to be No. 1 on this ranking of U.S. cities

A new report said Wichita lost more workers than any other U.S. city in the past year, though government data suggests the area’s workforce grew in nearly the same time frame.

For every 10,000 LinkedIn members in Wichita, 280 left the city between August 2017 and August 2018, business networking site LinkedIn said in a report Tuesday. It based the report on members who changed the location of their profile during those 12 months.

A LinkedIn official would not say how many members the site has in Wichita; it has 150 million members in the United States. Jeremy Hill, director of Wichita State University’s Center for Economic Development and Business Research, said it’s true that not too long ago the Wichita area was shedding jobs — between July 2016 and April 2018.

“During this same period of time, the U.S. economy was adding jobs every month,” Hill said. “Since the relative labor market was not as strong here, there was a clear incentive for those unemployed to look for jobs in other markets.”

But he doesn’t think that’s the case any longer.

“Our tone has changed quite a bit from the past few years.”

(Read more: Local News |)

Life Expectancy Estimates Available by Neighborhood in Kansas Census Tract-Level Data: from 62.5 years in Wyandotte Co. to 89.7 years in Gray Co.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s (KDHE) Office of Vital Statistics, Bureau of Epidemiology and Public Health Informatics, has partnered with the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) to produce life expectancy estimates in each census tract in the United States. Six years of data was used, through 2015, for the calculations of this indicator. Kansas specific geographic health statistics.
“These census tract-level life expectancy estimates—based on state death records and population estimates from the U.S. Bureau of the Census—have previously been unavailable nationwide,” said Lou Saadi, Ph.D., State Registrar and Director of the KDHE Bureau of Epidemiology and Public Health Informatics. “Access to estimates like these helps public health experts quantify how people living just a few miles apart can have vastly different opportunities for a long life. With this kind of information, community leaders can examine the factors that may be influencing differences in longevity—such as access to health care, safe and affordable housing, educational opportunities and other factors that impact the health of community members—and target solutions more effectively.”
In Kansas, the dataset includes “life expectancy at birth” estimates for 723 Kansas Census Tracts. Life expectancy at birth ranges from 62.5 years in Census Tract 041800 (in Wyandotte County) to 89.7 years in Census Tract 962600 (in Gray County).

Wichita OKs $81 million for new stadium project, $2.2 million for Wingnuts to go

Wichita will spend as much as $81 million on building a new ballpark for the Triple-A baseball franchise that is planning to move to Wichita.

And the city will pay $2.2 million to the Wichita Wingnuts to break the independent baseball team’s lease at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, which will be torn down to make way for the new stadium. City officials hope to have the 84-year-old stadium demolished by the end of the year.

The new team, now known as the New Orleans Baby Cakes, will be responsible for maintaining the stadium and will keep all the revenue from tickets, parking, concessions and media. The new stadium itself will cost $75 million and must be competed by March 15, 2020. As part of the agreement, City Hall is also committing to build a $6 million pedestrian bridge across the Arkansas River.

The team will provide $5 million to $7.5 million for fixtures and equipment.

The team will pay the city a flat $350,000 a year to start as rent, with the amount to be adjusted for inflation every five years over the 20-year lease.

The ballpark will have 6,500 to 7,000 fixed seats and 15 to 18 luxury suites, plus a seating berm and party space for 3,000 to 3,500 people.

The team has agreed to make the stadium available for a week a year for National Baseball Congress World Series tournament games. The annual amateur tournament draws teams from across the country to Wichita.

(Read more: Politics & Government News |)

Governor Jeff Colyer orders flags to be flown at half-staff in recognition of Patriot Day

In accordance with Executive Order 10-12, Governor Jeff Colyer today ordered flags to be flown at half-staff until sunset today, 9/11/18, in observance of Patriot Day.

By a joint resolution approved Dec. 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), Congress designated Sept. 11 of each year as Patriot Day, and by Public Law 111-13, approved April 21, 2009, requested the observance of Sept. 11 as an annually recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance.

“Today is a day for us to come together as a nation and to honor the heroes of both our past and present,” said Governor Colyer. “We will never forget those we lost on 9/11, and will always try to live with the spirit of self-sacrifice given by so many patriots that day.”

Patriot Day is an annual observance to remember those who were injured or died during the terrorist attacks in the United States on Sept. 11, 2001.

Statistics can now reveal life expectancy for Hutchinson neighborhoods

We have had statistics that track the health of Reno County and even the city of Hutchinson alone. Now a special study from The National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information Systems has narrowed the life expectancy for residents to an area as small as an individual neighborhood.

It’s the first time ever that public health officials, community leaders, and others working to improve health in Kansas can access census tract-level data to measure and compare differences in life expectancy in each area of the county and the city of Hutchinson. The United States Small-Area Life Expectancy Estimates Project is a joint effort of the National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information Systems, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics Access. Estimates like these help public health experts quantify how people living just a few miles apart can have vastly different opportunities for a long life.

In Reno County, the longest life expectancy is in the western half of the county at 80.1 years. Residents in the central and east-central parts of the county have a life expectancy of 80 years. The shortest life expectancy in the county was in the Nickerson area at 76.4 years.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Stoecklein named Hutchinson’s interim police chief

A familiar face to law enforcement has been named by the City of Hutchinson to serve as the interim police chief.

City Manager John Deardoff announced Monday afternoon that Alan Stoecklein will serve in the interim position until the new chief is named and comes on board. That is expected to happen Nov. 1.

Stoecklein enjoyed a 40-year career in law enforcement, mostly with the Kansas Highway Patrol, where he retired as a lieutenant colonel.

Deardoff says he appreciates Stoecklein’s willingness to step in the role and oversee the department until the replacement for Chief Dick Heitschmidt arrives.

No announcement was made about Heitschmidt’s replacement. Two men have been interviewed for the position.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Manhattan firefighters save kitten trapped in car engine

A group of Manhattan firefighters happened to take a break at the right place and at the right time on Sunday.

The firefighters stopped at a local fast-food restaurant and saved a kitten trapped in the engine compartment of a car. They shared the photos on social media.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Derby Recreation Commission starts membership structure survey

The Derby Recreation Commission has identified its next item to pursue within its Recreational Facilities Master Plan.

They launched a survey on Sunday night that will identify any potential correlation between a membership that would allow members to use DRC facilities and take classes for the same fee. Currently, a membership doesn’t allow anyone to take an additional class at either recreational facility without a separate fee. “It’s something we’ve heard about from our clients for quite some time,” DRC superintendent Chris Drum said. “We’ve received some suggestions on things that our clients would like us to look at doing differently.”

Drum said no activity (art classes, softball, soccer etc.) that takes place outside of the Derby Recreation Center or Oaklawn Activity Center is currently being evaluated as an additional membership benefit. The survey, which will run for two weeks, is accessible through all Derby Recreation Commission, USD 260 and City of Derby social media platforms. It has also made hard copies available at its front desk during regular business hours.

(Read more: Derby News | derbyinformer.com)

Strategic Plan Outlines Efforts to Address Opioid Crisis — Kansas Prescription Drug and Opioid Advisory Committee releases four-year plan

In 2016, there were more than 300 drug-poisoning deaths in Kansas, and approximately
half of those involved a prescription or an illicit opioid. Although Kansas is below the national average
for fatal opioid overdoses, the opioid crisis is an emerging threat that remains a priority for the state to
address. The Kansas Prescription Drug and Opioid Advisory Committee has developed a four-year
plan to provide help to those affected and empower professionals with the strategies they need to
reduce prescription drug and opioid misuse, abuse and associated adverse health outcomes.
“Kansas has an opportunity to address the opioid crisis proactively through federal programs and
collaborative strategic planning with stakeholders. We convened the Kansas Prescription Drug and
Opioid Advisory Committee to carry out this critical project,” said Dr. Greg Lakin, Medical Director at
the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).
The role of the Kansas Prescription Drug and Opioid Advisory Committee is to develop and
implement a coordinated, multi-disciplinary statewide strategic plan to provide a comprehensive
approach to the opioid crisis in Kansas.

Westar apologizes for lack of communication on new poles in Wichita neighborhood

Leaders of Westar Energy are apologizing to northeast Wichita residents that are concerned about the new transmission poles. The City of Wichita and Westar held a meeting last week to talk to community members concerned about the electrical poles.

“We wanted to address the concerns in the community. Concerns included a loss of property value, improper compensation, decrease neighborhood esthetics, and more,” said Brandon Johnson, Wichita council member. “Westar listened to the concerns and are ready to address them. This is outside of the purview of what Westar is expected to do.”

Residents in Wichita’s District 1 raised concerns about the large, metal poles going up around Hillside, between Mossman and 17th streets. Sherman said Westar will consider smaller poles on a second transmission line that will be from Mossman to Wichita State University. He also had a message to homeowners and tenants.

“If you’re a homeowner that wants to stay in the house, there will be additional compensation. If you’re a homeowner that wants to move from the house, we will buy your house. If you’re a tenant that lives in that house, we want to talk to you. We want to talk about additional compensation for you living in a house with a big pole in front of it,” said Sherman.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Inside look at Union Station Renovations

Behind barricades and past dust-covered doors in Old Town, you see a massive restoration effort underway in Wichita’s Union Station.

As with any facelift of the kind, it’s delicate and can be complicated – trying to revive the 100+ year-old building into a business plaza.

The people in charge of the project keep a close eye on history, knowing intricate details about the facility.

“This is the ticket booth, this will be a break room and there will be a couple of offices inside” said Chad Stafford, President of Occidental Management, while giving a tour of the facility to KAKE News Reporter Greg Miller. “This is an iconic area and structure to the city and so the pressure is always, is it done right? Is it done with quality?” A call center and other businesses have already committed to moving into the station, bringing hundreds of jobs to the area when the construction project is done.

(Read more: KAKE – News)