Kansas Municipal News
Junction City Will Keep Ban on Pit Bulls
The Junction City Commission providing their response to the request to lift the ban on pit bull dogs.
By a consensus decision the Junction City Commission has decided to leave a ban on pit bull dogs in the city in place. That followed a second consecutive meeting where supporters of lifting the ban urged the governing body to take that action.
Commissioner Tim Brown cited examples where people had been killed by pit bulls. He stated that he loved dogs, “but there are bad owners and bad dogs, and there’s just nothing you can do about it.” He said he could not support changing the pit bull ordinance, and noted that it’s the responsibility of the city commission to protect the citizens of the community by whatever means necessary, no matter how unpopular that decision.
(Read more: Junction City Post)
County Commission hears discussion on planned building demolition at Fort Dodge
At Monday’s Ford County Commission meeting, the commission heard discussion about the planned demolition of the old officers’ barracks at Fort Dodge.
The building is currently under the authority of the Kansas Soldiers’ Home at Fort Dodge, which is under the authority of the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs.
Kent Stehlik, president of the Ford County Historical Society, asked for the Ford County Commission to write a letter supporting the society’s effort to prevent the building’s demolition.
“We have a real concern (with the planned demolition) because Fort Dodge was here before there was a Ford County, before there was a Dodge City,” Stehlik said. “It’s a tourist attraction, it’s a one-of-a-kind institution and we wanted to make you aware of that situation.”
Read more: Dodge Globe.
City courts in Johnson County offering ‘amnesty days’
For those who have forgotten their court dates and left fines unpaid, most municipal courts in Johnson County are scheduling “amnesty days” this month when defendants can take care of outstanding warrants without fear of being arrested.
People with a warrant may appear in their designated court at the appropriate time to have the warrants canceled and the warrant fee waived. They will not be arrested on warrants from other participating courts before that court’s amnesty event. Prosecutors can assist with the resolution of cases.
(Read more: Joco 913 News)
City councilman: Don’t expect Towne West Square to close
On the heels of a foreclosure petition filed last week, a Wichita City Councilman says he doesn’t expect the Towne West Square mall to close.
“I don’t think you will see the mall closing, but I do see a needed change coming as it has pretty much remained the same as when it was built almost 40 years ago,” District 4 Councilman Jeff Blubaugh tells the WBJ. “As we see the retail landscape shift across the country, the widespread closure of malls opens up previously built infrastructure to redevelopment and new opportunities.”
“We look forward to see what’s in store for this area of the city.”
Washington Prime Group is a real estate investment trust based in Ohio that manages the mall. The trust is a spinoff of the Simon Property Group, which incorporated Towne West Square LLC in 2001, according to Kansas Secretary of State records.
Wells Fargo, which is representing the trust that holds the title to the property, is seeking nearly $47 million for the principal of the loan and accrued interest in the amount of more than $220,000.
(Read more: Wichita Business Journal)
National website: Wichita a top city for ‘big home bargains’
According to a post Monday on the national website Realtor.com, Wichita is actually one of the most affordable places in the country to own a dream home.
In a piece written by Lance Lambert, the site ranked Wichita as the fifth-best city in the U.S. for “big home” bargains.
Nationwide, according to the piece, the typical home over 3,000 square feet costs $589,700, or about $147 per square foot. For homes featuring more than 3,000 square feet of space in Wichita, the median price per square foot drops to about $102.
The city with the cheapest big homes was Scranton, Pa., (fans of the hit TV show “The Office” might recognize this city) with McAllen, Texas, coming in second. Indianapolis was fourth and was followed by Youngstown, Ohio. Tulsa, Okla., and Little Rock, Ark., also made the top 10.
(Read more: Wichita Business Journal)
Garden City, Finney County discuss Jennie Barker Road project
Both the City and County Commissions during a joint meeting on Monday discussed the Jennie Barker Road project — which will be funded by a .3-cent sales tax increase approved by the public in November — which indicated that the project will be three-lanes, and will prepare the area for future expansions, if needed.
The City has already entered a task agreement with Wilson and Company to begin design work for the project, according to Sam Curran, the City’s Public Works Director.
“We need to have the design done by the end of 2019, for the construction in 2020,” Curran said.
According to Tyler Glissman, an engineer with Wilson and Co., his company is looking at designing at three-lane roadway section for the project, which will include urbanized improvements such as road improvements as well as sidewalks, walking trails, a storm sewer, and traffic signals at the intersection of Mary Street and Kansas Highway 156.
(Read more: News – The Garden City Telegram)
Waste not, want more; city of Pratt faces potential water issues
Pratt city officials face a water dilemma. In the past, a conservative approach to water usage has been prudent because saving the resource which comes from an ever-shrinking water table has been a necessary part of conserving resources. Now, the city finds itself in a challenging position due to a new plan by Kansas Water Resources set to decrease future water allocation based on past usage.
“With a recent extension until 2023, Pratt has some time to increase water usage but we can do so only in what is called beneficial and non-wasteful manner,” said city manager Roy Eckert. “That definition is open to interpretation based on water availability, quality, irrigation use, manufacturing opportunities (current and/or future opportunities) and population needs which varies from city to city, to name only a few of the numerous variables.”
The common sense approach of conserving water has served Pratt well in the past, yet that practice may end up in decreasing future water allocations, Eckert said.
Pratt City Water Superintendent Kelvin Clay, who has 32 years of water experience in addition to a Class IV Water Management and Treatment Certification, has a conservation plan, water emergency plan and drought plan in place for Pratt. He and city staff have been working directly with the District Water Resources Office in Stafford to plan for future water needs.
“With their assistance and advice, we are anticipating increasing usage of our water allocations in the near future,” Clay said.
(Read more: News – PrattTribune – Pratt, KS)
Barton County closer to 800 megahertz communications system
Barton County 911 is in the final stages of making the switch to an 800 megahertz communications system. According to Barton County 911 Director Dena Popp, the new system is a blend of traditional two-way radio technology and computer-controlled transmitters. The system’s main advantage is that radio transmitters can be shared among various departments with the aid of computer programming. Popp requested the purchase of seven 800 megahertz radios, a combiner system and 12 recording licenses. There is also work that needs to be done to the antennae apparatus on the top of the 911 building. With a total replacement cost of just over $96,000, Commissioner Jennifer Schartz wanted to make sure that the county wasn’t buying equipment that would be replaced by a newer system in just a few years.
(Read more: Great Bend Post)
Shawnee leaders get first look at concepts for proposed $35 million community, indoor aquatics center
Shawnee city leaders got a first look Friday at concepts for the city’s proposed community center, including feasibility, site design and public input of residents’ wants and concerns.
The new community center, if approved by Shawnee voters, would be located somewhere on the 26 acres of land at 61st and Woodland, which the city purchased in 2005 for the center. The 2007 recession temporarily halted progress on a new community center, so Mayor Michelle Distler said she wants to make sure it is “100 percent funded” when it’s placed on the ballot, and that the mill levy increase put before voters can cover costs.
“It’s not if we have another recession; it’s when,” she said, adding that she hopes the user fees for the new community center will drop so that members don’t have to pick between paying utility bills and continuing their membership.
Nonetheless, Distler said she is “more optimistic than I’ve been in 12 years.”
(Read more: Prairie Village Post – Neighborhood news and events for Prairie Village, Fairway, Mission Hills)
Leavenworth city leaders take stage in lip sync contest
Community leaders and local business owners will showcase their on-stage talents next weekend to help raise funds for education.
The women’s division of the Leavenworth-Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Lip Sync Battle Aug. 11 at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Lodge 55, 300 S. 20th St.
“It’s going to be a great event,” said Mary Mack, organizer of the event.
Lansing Mayor Mike Smith, Leavenworth City Commissioner Nancy Bauder and Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson are among the 17 contestants who will be performing a wide variety of songs. Money raised at the event goes to the women’s division’s scholarship fund. Each year, the division awards scholarships to high school seniors and non-traditional students, women and people furthering their education.
(Read more: Leavenworth Times)
Volunteer Rural Firefighter Honored at County Commission Meeting
A Geary County rural firefighter, Billy Crable, was presented with a plaque Monday at the county commission meeting recognizing him for his heroic actions on July 18th.
Crable saved the life of a motorist involved in a car accident and fire on U.S. 77 Highway south of Junction City on July 18th. Crable drove up on the scene after the accident and helped pull Micky Black, 23, Lost Springs, out of a burning vehicle.
(Read more: Junction City Post)
MFA awards grant to Americus Fire Department
The MFA Oil Foundation has awarded a grant to the Americus Fire Department to assist with purchasing an ATV, water tank, sprayer and trailer. The MFA Oil Foundation provides support to nonprofit organizations that are working to improve communities where MFA Oil has a significant concentration of members and employees. Since it was established in 1998, the MFA Oil Foundation has awarded more than one million dollars in grants.
(Read more: Emporia Gazette)
Bourbon County Commissioners compare public works with other counties
Using data provided by the Kansas Department of Transportation, Bourbon County Commissioners on Tuesday determined the road and bridge department is working at the level it should based on population, valuation and county budget.
Second District Jeff Fischer led a presentation on the county’s ranking based on the 2016 Summary of County Engineer’s Annual Reports.
Public Works Director Jim Harris said he “briefly” looked at the presentation prior to Tuesday’s meeting and found it was not comparing “apples to apples.” He said Bourbon County includes noxious weed and landfill staff in the road and bridge budget. Some of the other counties used in the comparison do not.
Another difference, according to Harris, is the total miles of roads Bourbon County maintains. The report states Bourbon County maintains a total of 1,000 miles of roads. Harris said the actual number is closer to 1,040: 140 miles of hard surface roads and 36 miles of dirt roads, plus gravel roads.
After Fischer said the state used information provided by each county, Harris said he would make sure the correct information is in the future.
“But it’s a good report,” Harris said.
(Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)
For downtown core in Topeka, big dreams mean big investments needed
Pat Doran would like to see downtown Topeka become the site of an organic grocery store, so people who live there wouldn’t have to go elsewhere for food.
But no one will open such a store there unless they’re convinced it will be profitable, he said.
That’s one reason a work group co-chaired by Doran and Frank Henderson has been working to create a marketing study for downtown Topeka, the Kansas riverfront and North Topeka’s NOTO district, while planning to later develop a master plan for that area.
“What we’re finding is that developers want a certain amount of information before they’ll invest, so the research is really important,” Michelle Cuevas-Stubblefield said.
Doran, Henderson and Cuevas-Stubblefield are among 27 members of the Downtown/NOTO Work Group for Momentum 2022, a five-year campaign begun last year to address a range of factors that influence this community’s competitiveness.
The group is discussing strategies to develop and energize a dynamic “Downtown Regional Core” consisting of downtown Topeka, North Topeka’s NOTO district and the riverfront.
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
What’s next? City manager Brent Trout talks economic development
Brent Trout, Topeka’s city manager, sat down with The Capital-Journal to talk about economic development from the city’s perspective.
(Read more: News – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
No game plan yet for needed courthouse repairs in Barton County
Have you ever faced a home improvement project that had to be done but because of its scope and cost you didn’t really know where to begin? In many ways that describes the Barton County Commission who face costly repairs to the 100-year old courthouse but have yet to reveal a plan to make those repairs. WDM Architects completed a structural analysis of the courthouse back in May that revealed the four outside corners of the structure are separating from the center of the building on the 4th floor. Commissioners have yet to provide a timeline for those repairs although County Administrator Phil Hathcock said last week that the board recently met with WDM to discuss options. No money has been allocated for any of the repairs in the 2019 budget, something that Hathcock says would be very difficult to do since they don’t know what the exact cost will be yet. He anticipated that money to make the repairs would come out of the capital improvement fund.
In May, Hathcock estimated the repair costs to be anywhere from $500,000 to $1 million dollars, but that estimate did not include a new roof.
(Read more: Great Bend Post)
New Kansas law mandates safe driving around garbage trucks
Kansas has joined 18 other states in adopting a law requiring motorists to use caution around garbage trucks by making driver carelessness a fineable offense.
A ticket for what is now known as “unlawful passing of a waste collection vehicle” will cost an offender $45 starting July 1, 2019. Until then, police will hand out warnings.
The Kansas law took effect this month. Motorists are required to treat stopped garbage trucks with “due caution,” meaning they must slow down when nearing the truck and give it space when passing.
Exactly what constitutes “due caution” will depend on the given circumstances and the judgment of the enforcing police officer. The same standards are in place for emergency vehicles.
(Read more: Hays Post)
Break It Down: More than a Paperweight, Using an Emergency Management Plan
Most people begin the new year with hope and wishes. In 2015, however, senior staff at the City of Raymore, Missouri, started the year with an intense session focused on doom and gloom. Our resolution for the year was to get prepared for an emergency. Not just say we would do it, or deal with it “later,” but to actually pull the emergency response plan off the shelf and spend some time getting up close and personal with it.
(Read more: ELGL)
‘The power of convening’: Topeka mayor absorbs Harvard, Bloomberg leadership opportunity
Mayor Michelle De La Isla recently spent three days in New York City exploring the dynamics of leadership, tough challenges facing local governments, best-practices being utilized in other communities and creating a network of support that she believes will change the way she leads Topeka.
De La Isla was selected as one of 40 mayors from around the world to participate in the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative. A one-year program, the opportunity launched with three days in New York City that she could only assess as being “stupid, ridiculously amazing.”
The program, De La Isla said, was founded by New York City billionaire businessman Michael Bloomberg who, after being elected mayor of New York City realized “there was no mayors’ school.”
In an opening address to the 40 mayors gathered two weeks ago, Bloomberg told the group he thought it was important to start building competencies in community mayors, she said.
“Because at this point in time, there is this big belief that what’s happening at the federal and at the state level is so toxic in the eyes of our constituency, that we really are depending on mayors being that one place you can see, hey, your government is at work for you, and you have access to us and we’re here,” De La Isla said.
(Read more: News – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Deal resolves water use dispute between Kansas, Colorado
Colorado has agreed to pay Kansas $2 million in a settlement resolving claims regarding Colorado’s past use of water under the Republican River Compact.
Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer said in a news release Friday that the settlement is an investment in the basin to ensure a better future for Kansas water users.
The Republican River Compact allocates the waters of the basins between the states of Colorado, Nebraska and Kansas.
Under the provisions of the settlement , Kansas agreed to pursue “a good faith effort” to spend the money Colorado paid for the benefit of the South Fork of the Republican River Basin within Kansas.
Colorado also agreed to pursue an effort to spend an additional $2 million by 2027 in the basin within Colorado.
(Read more: Hutch Post)
City of Wichita looking for ice rink fix
The floors are still dry at the Wichita Ice Center, which leaves many people wondering what the plan is for the facility.
“The ice was actually literally melting under our skates, said hockey player James Carpenter. “We were playing the last game before they shut things down. We were dropping the puck in puddles of water wondering what the heck is going on.”
Last week, the chiller that keeps the ice frozen had an ammonia leak, causing the ice to melt. Even though no on was ever in any danger from the gas, Public Works Director Alan King says that after the damage was evaluated, they realized it was going to be much more than a quick repair.
“In the meantime, we’re trying to secure a trailer mounted chiller, like on a semi trailer, that we can use temporarily to get the sheets of ice back in place…refrozen again…to buy us some time to figure out what we want to do ultimately,” King said.
They’re now waiting for final bid for the temporary chiller. But if the city decides to go this route, they could have the ice back within a couple of weeks.
(Read more: KAKE – News)
Wind farm reps update Neosho County on project
Representatives of a wind farm planned for southwest Neosho County met with county commissioners Thursday evening to update them on the project.
Senior Development Manager Jade Scheele and Julianna Pianelle of Apex Clean Energy met with Neosho County commissioners and discussed agreements for road use and other aspects of the Neosho Ridge wind project.
“We’re excited that the community has been so welcoming,” Scheele said.
The project is planned for 40,000 acres between Thayer and Erie. She said the Charlottesville, Va.-based company has leased 35,000.
They are still determining the turbine design, which could determine the number needed to generate 300 megawatts, but it could have up to 130.
Scheele said the project has created a lot of interest, which has accelerated the timeline a little bit. Construction could begin in either the fall of 2019 or spring of 2020 and take nine months.
Bryan Coover, a resident south of Galesburg, raised concerns about the noise the turbines would create.
He also is a board member of Twin Valley Electric and is with the Kansas Power Electric Cooperative.
Coover said he is pro-quiet, and just wants to hear the birds in his yard again. He urged commissioners to talk to people who live near wind projects.
(Read more: The Chanute Tribune)
City to look at updating ordinances, including school bus fines
Changes in traffic ordinances for Kansas cities will introduce stiffer fines for passing a stopped school bus.
“This is a huge problem across the state and in our community,” said Hays Chief of Police Don Scheibler in comments to the Hays city commissioners during their work session Thursday evening. “We tend to have people drive around school buses with the stop sign extended.”
Scheibler briefed the commissioners on the 2018 changes to traffic ordinances by the Kansas Legislature for Kansas cities. He and city staff recommend the commissioners at their next regular meeting Aug. 9 adopt the new ordinances. They cover a variety of offenses, from littering and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, to passing a stationary trash truck.
Overtaking and passing a school bus is not a new ordinance, Scheibler said, but the change in the ordinance increases the fine.
“They’ve increased that fine,” he said. “It’s $375 for the first one, which is the same, but $750 for the next one, and $1,000 for the third. The unique thing about this, is that’s over a five-year period that you can get the increased fine.”
(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)
Next steps underway to bring Edwards County water to Hays and Russell
Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty expects to see more progress the end of August in the city’s decades-long effort to ease its water shortage by drawing groundwater from its R9 ranch in Edwards County.
That’s when the Kansas Division of Water Resources is expected to make official the city’s application to use the water for municipal purposes instead of its current use for crop irrigation.
The move is one tiny, but critical, baby step in the lengthy process for Hays and the city of Russell to win state approval to use the water from land Hays purchased in 1994 for the water rights. Once the application is official, it goes before a three-person panel to hold public hearings and decide whether to approve the change. How long that process takes is anybody’s guess since Hays and Russell are the first to apply under the state’s Water Transfer Act.
“We don’t know,” Dougherty said. “It’s never been tested. …but we’ve estimated maybe 14 to 24 months.”
The act is a series of statutes that kick in to regulate the transfer of water when it involves more than 2,000 acre feet over more than 35 miles. The Hays-Russell application covers 4,800-acre feet of water over 67 miles.
(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)
Software in Sedgwick County’s new voting machines confusing
software design issue with Sedgwick County’s new voting machines is confusing some early voters.
The Wichita Eagle reports that not all the candidates’ names appear on the first screen of the gubernatorial race.
To see all the names, a voter has to touch “more” at the bottom of the screen to open another page with the rest of the candidates.
The main reason is there are so many candidates running for governor. State law also requires each ballot line to include the names of the candidate and running mate and the cities where they live. The machine can only handle four candidates per page.
Whose names a voter sees on the opening page depends on where they live because the order is changed at random from precinct to precinct.
(Read more: Politics & Government News |)
Butler County considers shutdown of business with acres of junk: ‘It’s just going to get worse’
Butler County officials are moving toward shutting down a plastics recycling business they say has become such an eyesore that other industrial companies don’t want to be around it.
The commission may take the rare step of revoking the business permit of Integrated Plastics Solutions, a company that recycles plastic and other industrial waste.
Without that permit, the company can’t legally continue to operate and would have to shut down, officials said.
“IPS has ignored the county and allowed the condition of the property to continue to be an eyesore,” said a staff report on the situation.
(Read more: Wichita Eagle)
Wichita Police Department takes part in viral lip sync challenge
The Wichita Police Department is joining in on social media’s latest craze.
The department filmed the last part of a lip sync video in Old Town Thursday night.
You’ve seen the clips on social media: police departments lip syncing to popular songs.
The Salina Police Department made its own last week, challenging the Wichita Police Department to create one.
WPD chose the song Seven Nation Army, by the White Stripes, with its Wichita mention.
All of the officers were there on their own time.
“There’s a term in law enforcement called ‘humanizing the badge,’ and that’s something we’re really trying to focus on,” said Officer Anthony Villegas.
On Thursday night, the community was invited to participate.
(Read more: KAKE – News)
Dog situation in Chanute affects mail delivery to neighborhood
A Chanute family, asked to relocate its mailbox to the curb because of a dangerous dog, has questioned why the city has not picked up the dog.
“Why isn’t it the person with the dog that is being dealt with?” homeowner Connie Vance said.
Vance’s daughter, Marsha Stipp, said the post office requested residents of Vance’s neighborhood place curbside mailboxes. Stipp said she is concerned about her parents, who are in their upper 60s and her father is in poor health, going for the mail when the weather is icy.
“I just don’t understand,” Stipp said, adding that many of the residents are being inconvenienced because of the dog owner. “Animal Control Officer Penner is aware of the situation,” Chief Hale said. “He has talked with the postmaster along with the mail carrier. He is working the case and has tried several times to make contact with the individuals believed to be the owners of the dog in question and handle it accordingly with the city ordinance. At this time he has been unsuccessful making contact with them.”
The investigation is still ongoing at this time, Hale said.
(Read more: The Chanute Tribune – news,news/)
Ford County facing noise complaints due to concert venue
Ford County resident Greg Winkler’s property sits on the edge of Dodge City.
Pointing to a large metal overhang in the distance, Winkler says “that’s where the concerts are held.” It’s called the Palomino Ranch, and during the summer it holds large music concerts. “You’ll get constant thumping that will rattle the windows and the floor,” said Winkler.
Despite dozens of calls to the Ford County Sheriff’s Department the concerts have been allowed to go forward. Ford County Sheriff Bill Carr said his deputies couldn’t shut down the concerts based solely on a violation of a county ordinance.
According to the Palomino’s 2006 conditional use permit, outdoor events should end by 10 pm during the summer months. It also states they should install noise suppression, such as a bandshell to prevent the music from traveling.
(Read more: KAKE – News)
Thanks to feedback from residents, Lenexa has vibrant vision for its future
They take a hands-on approach in Lenexa.
Called Vision 2040, dozens of volunteers are canvassing neighborhoods, going to parades and other events, asking citizens what they want Lenexa to look like 20 years from now.
“We need some more microbreweries, restaurant-type things to draw more crowds here maybe for the evening hours,” Lenexa resident Beverly Silvers said.
“Schools for the new subdivisions that are moving out west,” Tom VanCompernolle suggested.
“Local shops that are locally owned. I`d love to see that out in Lenexa,” Mackenzie Kautzi said.
The ultimate goal is to turn this into a plan, a long-range vision. Lenexa was one of the first cities in the metro to undergo a visioning process with its citizens. Back in the late 1990s, they created Project 2020 and asked citizens to imagine what Lenexa might look like in the future.
(Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF)
Topeka Police reveal results of community climate survey
Homicides, gang activity and drug crimes topped the list of concerns from just over 800 community members who filled out a Topeka Police Department survey.
The survey, which the police department labled “non-scientific” in a press release put out Thursday evening, was an effort by police to get community feedback.
The community climate survey was put out in May.
Questions on the survey varied, from whether people felt safe in their neighborhoods — 64 percent said yes, 21 percent said no, and 15 percent were unsure — to what community members believe the focus of the police department is.
On that last question, 20 percent said working for the community, 43 percent said perception and politics and 37 percent said both.
(Read more: News – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Haysville police sergeant buys hotel room for family in need
A routine check at a Haysville gas station resulted in a good deed by one police sergeant.
Sgt. Randy Nowak says he noticed some people sleeping in a car in the parking lot near 71st and Broadway just before midnight Wednesday. He soon learned it was a family of four traveling from Texas to Iowa.
“We checked to make sure they were okay, nothing was wrong. Making sure everyone is safe that’s the main reason we’re out here,” said Sgt. Nowak.
Sgt. Nowak says the family ran into some car trouble in Texas before stumbling upon an accident in the same area.
“A lady was trapped and he ran over there and assisted with her to get her out of the car,” said Sgt. Nowak.
The family was going to get a bit of rest in the car before continuing on to Iowa. But Sgt. Nowak decided to take them to the hotel next door and bought them a room for the night with his own money.
“They were pretty excited. It would be nice to lay down in a bed after the long day that they had driving and get their little ones stretched out in a bed instead of the back seat of a car,” said Sgt. Nowak.
(Read more: KWCH News)
Shawnee County commissioners speak positively of planned Expocentre look
Shawnee County Commissioners Shelly Buhler and Bob Archer both used the word “professional” Thursday to describe the planned new look of the front of the building that houses the Kansas Expocentre’s Landon Arena and Exhibition Hall.
Commission Chairman Kevin Cook described the design put forth by Topeka-based HTK Architects PA as being “clean and comfortable.”
“Overall, it’s a good start,” Cook said. “Keep moving forward.”
Commissioners heard a presentation Thursday morning from Chuck Smith, a partner in HTK, which is the county’s architect for a high-dollar project to renovate the Expocentre. Commissioners spoke positively of that design, though they took no action regarding it.
The commission voted 3-0 soon afterward to approve an amendment finalizing the county’s contract with HTK to carry out the Expocentre project’s schematic design.
The agreement’s revised version calls for the county to pay HTK $3,098,000, compared to a cost of $2,932,900 outlined in the initial agreement commissioners approved in February.
(Read more: News – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
City of Pittsburg to host training seminar for first responders and spouses
On August 23, 2018, the City of Pittsburg Police Department will host The Pain Behind the Badge – Winning the Battle, a powerful training seminar designed to help first responders combat personal and professional stress. This one-day seminar takes place 8:00 am – 3:30 pm Thursday, August 23, at the Memorial Auditorium.
Taught by Sergeant Clarke Paris (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, retd.) and his wife Tracie Paris, RN, BSN, this seminar helps police personnel, fire personnel, hospital personnel, civilian employees and their families cope with tragedies, often referred to as “critical incidents.” These incidents can include terrorist attacks, mass-casualty incidents, active killer incidents, teen violence, school violence, violent acts that create a victim or violent situation, and personal and professional stress. Designed with first responders and their spouses in mind, this motivational event offers training and resources to combat stressors, which can result in career-ending actions. The seminar will address depression, PTSD, cumulative stress, progression of stress, perception protection, spousal and family involvement, suicide prevention and more.
(Read more: City of Pittsburg)
After complaints about lines, state to open driver’s license office in Overland Park
Responding to complaints about long lines and wait times at the two driver’s license offices in Johnson County, the Kansas Department of Revenue announced Thursday that it will open a third location, in Overland Park.
The new location will be at 7600 W. 119th St. Suite A, in the Rosana Square Shopping Center. The space will be adjacent to a taxpayer assistance center that the Revenue Department opened July 1.
The date for the opening is not yet available. Department spokeswoman Rachel Whitten said it should be sometime this fall, depending on the construction schedule to get the office ready.
(Read more: KC Breaking News, Sports & Crime |)
City of Wichita addresses plan to tackle street-maintenance projects using proceeds from Hyatt sale
The City of Wichita is taking action to repair more than 40 percent of its poorest-condition residential asphalt streets.
Thursday, the city says it is receiving about $1 million more than it did last year for street maintenance. The city is also using $10 million in proceeds from its 2016 sale of the Hyatt Hotel for the work on Wichita streets. The money will go toward fixing nearly 207 lane miles of neighborhood roads, the city says.
The city says there will be a two-step approach,starting with workers going out to asphalt roads in poor shape, cutting out chunks and fixing cracks. It says workers will then put another coat over the top of the repaired surface.
You can view a map showing streets that will be repaired with money from the Hyatt sale here: PLANNED street MAINTENANCE IN WICHITA
(Read more: KWCH News)
Galena police offer medication disposal site
The Galena Police Department now has a medication disposal safe for Cherokee County residents who wish to dispose of any expired or unwanted medication.
The safe is located in the lobby of the Municipal Building and can be accessed during normal business hours. The unit was provided by DCCCA Inc. through a federal grant.
DCCCA works to identify and provide resources to communities identified as high-risk by starting medication disposal programs. The grant was awarded to the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
(Read more: www.joplinglobe.com)
Hospital request for sales tax vote fails again in Marshall County
Time is running out for a sales tax to benefit Community Memorial Healthcare to be put on the November ballot.
The deadline for the decision is Sept. 1 and on Monday a motion by Marshall County Board of Commissioners Chairman Dave Baier for a five-year, half-cent sales tax ballot question failed without a second.
Commissioner Bob Connell said his constituents were not in favor of the ballot question.
“I had a lot of phone calls yesterday, and none of them was in favor of letting it go to a vote,” Connell said.
Commissioner Lynn Feldhausen said he was in the same boat as Connell.
“I had people call me clear up to 9:30 last night, and they said no,” Feldhausen said. “I have to go with my constituents. I have to vote with how my people contacted me and what I’m feeling out there.” After the meeting a press release was issued by CMH to announce that the sales tax ballot question had failed.
The press release said this is the third year CMH has approached the Marshall County commissioners for their permission “to take this issue of economic sustainability to the people for a vote, and the third time that permission has been denied.”
According to the press release, CMH remains one of few critical access hospitals in the state that does not receive any kind of public tax support, and also one of few that has been nationally recognized for being fiscally efficient.
(Read more: The Marysville Advocate)
Judge to hear arguments in case against Kansas commissioner
A federal judge plans to hear oral arguments on whether the federal government has needlessly interjected itself in matters traditionally reserved for states when it charged a Sedgwick County commissioner Michael O’Donnell.
U.S. District Judge Eric Melgren set on Wednesday a hearing for Aug. 17 on two pending defense motions seeking to dismiss all or part of the indictment.
O’Donnell is accused of misspending more than $10,000 in campaign funds and then covering it up. He has pleaded not guilty to a 12-count indictment alleging wire fraud and money laundering.
The defense argued “over zealous prosecution” sometimes occurs when prosecutors throw a wide net. It contends O’Donnell came to law enforcement’s attention during an investigation of others.
Prosecutors countered the indictment alleges federal crimes properly brought before federal courts.
(Read more: KOAM – Local News)
Emporia discusses several grants at monthly meeting
The Emporia City Commission held a public hearing Wednesday at its weekly meeting concerning a potential project to help owners of low-to-moderate income homes on the southwest side of the city to improve their homes.
Housing Specialist Jeff Lynch attended the meeting to talk about the project and get approval from the commission to apply for a community development block grant for the project. The grant totals $300,000. Commissioners accepted a 2018 Emergency Solutions grant totaling $67,758. Of this, $65,000 goes to emergency housing, $975 for reporting fees and $1,783 in administrative funds. This money will benefit SOS.
The Commission discussed a KDOT project on Road F from U.S. Highway 50 to Road 180 for access management. The city applied for $1.4 million in access management funds from KDOT for this project. Commissioners agreed to sign off on an agreement with KDOT, which will allow them to receive these funds.
(Read more: Emporia Gazette)
Beautiful new murals were just painted in north Wichita
Wichita’s North End was known for its murals way before they were en vogue.
The neighborhood, which is heavily populated by people of Latino and Southeast Asian descent, has for years been home to some of Wichita’s most impressive murals.
Count nine more among them.
Last week, artists with the Horizontes project painted nine new murals in north Wichita — including two near the historic Dunbar Theatre at 9th and Cleveland.
(Read more: Wichita Eagle)
In Sedgwick County, early-voter turnout is nearly double what it was in 2014
Early voter turnout in Sedgwick County is nearly double what it was in the 2014 primary election.
As of Wednesday, 1,478 Sedgwick County residents have voted early at the county courthouse.
By this date in the 2014 primary election, 739 people had voted early. The 2014 primary election saw a 19.2 percent turnout of eligible voters in Sedgwick County; there was a 25.7 percent turnout in 2010.
“I would expect to see it closer to 2010 (turnout),” Lehman wrote in an e-mailed statement. Her prediction for this year is based on early-voter turnout.
The 2010 primary election drew 905 early voters in Sedgwick County by Aug. 1, though nearly double the early mail-in votes — 6,527 ballots in 2010 compared to 3,360 this year.
The number of vote-by-mail ballots so far this year is slightly higher than the figure from 2014 — 3,360 votes this year vs. 3,097 in 2014.
Primary elections are Aug. 7.
(Read more: Politics & Government News |)
Harvey County wages growing, still behind
Low wages may be keeping area employers from recruiting highly-skilled workers, according to the Wichita State University Center for Economic Development and Business Research.
Wages in Harvey County are lower than other area counties, as well as the state average.
A worker in Harvey County made $36,918 on average in 2017, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is 18 percent lower than the state average of $45,117.
In Sedgwick County, the wages are even higher. In 2017, the average annual wage for a worker in Sedgwick County was $46,392 — 26 percent higher than Harvey County.
Jeremy Hill, Director of the Wichita State University Center for Economic Development and Business Research, said it poses a problem for Harvey County because it draws mostly from the same labor pool as Sedgwick County.
Hill’s numbers show that the problem is most magnified in the manufacturing industry, which is Harvey County’s largest private industry by a wide margin. The average manufacturing worker in Harvey County made $48,579 in 2017. While that is higher than the averages among other industries, it is still much lower than Sedgwick County.
Sedgwick County manufacturing workers made an average of $69,905 per year – or some 44 percent more than in Harvey County.
That may not be the case for much longer, however.
Over the last decade, wages in Harvey County have grown more than twice as fast as Sedgwick County.
(Read more: Newton Now)
Amtrak amendment sails through Senate
Although a vote wasn’t expected until Thursday, the amendment to maintain Amtrak train services along the established, long-distance passenger rail route of the Southwest Chief was included today in the 2018 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. The bill passed the Senate on an overwhelming 92-6 vote.
Amtrak’s SW Chief makes a stop in Newton July 27.
The amendment was introduced by Kansas Senator Jerry Moran and Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico. Moran commented on the passage of the bill. In addition, this amendment would effectively reverse Amtrak’s decision to substitute rail service with bus service over large segments of the route through fiscal year 2019.
(Read more: Hutch Post)
Unusual quakes jolt Marion
What police initially thought were two explosions Monday night turned out to a pair of mild earthquakes, unusual in that they were close enough to the surface to be heard as well as felt.
The larger of the two measured 2.4 on the Richter scale and was centered three miles beneath the surface, east of US-77 between 170th and 180th Rds. on Victory Rd.
“We’ve been watching this area for some time,” senior scientist Rick Miller of the Kansas Geological Survey said Tuesday. “We’ve had a couple of dozen, maybe 15 events over the last couple of years in that general area.”
The quakes are nothing to worry about, Miller reassures. Most fall below the threshold the U.S. Geological Survey uses in reporting quakes, and many go unnoticed, even by people who live near them, because they produce very little ground motion. The sound Monday night made them more noticeable, Miller said.
The second one was the only one detected by automatic monitoring equipment. Only after seismologists went back and double-checked data did they discover the first quake, of slightly lesser magnitude, less than a mile east of the first quake.
The location is on the west edge of what’s known as the Nemaha uplift, which skirts along the eastern portion of the county from near Peabody to near Burdick and continues beyond the depth of the state.
(Read more: Marion County RECORD)