Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Wellington Council approves project connecting new Dollar Tree to city utilities

By unanimous decision, the Wellington City Council approved Cornejo and Sons LLC of Wichita to head the Boundary Road Improvement Project that will connect the new Dollar Tree to city utilities. The project will cost the city $281,235.

The project extends water and sewer north to the Dollar Tree lot north of McDonald’s. Cornejo’s will also pave Boundary Street 430 feet to the north where it will connect with a future east-west street called 17th Street to be built by the developers.

Proposed look of Dollar Tree.

The hook up will then be available for any future development to the east or west on the north side of U.S. 160 out to the railroad underpass. The infrastructure will include a sewer extension, a water line, a sewer manhole that will feed into the Beaver Creek line that serves current businesses down the U.S. 160 East Corridor.

This marks the second developmental agreement passed by a Wellington Council in less than a year. A similar agreement for the Cowley College Sumner Campus was approved last fall.

(Read more: Sumner NewsCow)

Salina drive-thru recycling center to open Wednesday morning

The new Salina Drive-thru Recycling Center (SDRC) will open, Wednesday, July 11, 2018, at 8 a.m. with a public ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by the City Manager and City Commissioners. The SDRC will open for business to the public immediately following the ceremony. The SDRC is located at 125 W. North Street (on the corner of Santa Fe Avenue and North Street). Normal business hours will be Wednesday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. The SDRC is open to all Salina and Saline County residents.

(Read more: The Salina Post)

Johnson County election officials busy preparing for primary, looking for poll volunteers

New voting machines are ready to go in Johnson County, just in time for the August Primary election.

County election officials are testing more than 1,000 new machines that will be used for the first time next month. The new technology allows for a more accurate count by allowing voters to print out a ballot to double check their vote is correct before submitting it.

“We have significant improvement in the technology available to us. They’re also different in their design in that they have a voter-verifiable paper trail, which means we will be able to go back and recreate and recount every vote,” said Ronnie Metsker, Johnson County election commissioner.

Each machine has a built-in tabulation device, which means election officials will have better access to real time results and updates. They replace voting machines that have been in use since 2002.

“That’s our goal, is to give regular and frequent output of the standards of how is our voting going as we tabulate throughout the evening we intend to give more results,” Metsker said.

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

Historic downtown Ark City survey continued

The primary motivation for the resurvey was to provide as many building owners as possible the opportunity to access financial incentives that are available through the Kansas State Historical Society for properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Spencer said.

One of the two main financial resources available to owners with listed properties is a state tax credit program offered through the Kansas Historical Society.

The Kansas State Tax Credit is equal to 25 percent of expenses for capital improvements of more than $5,000 to historic buildings owned by for-profit businesses. Before the work starts, the building owner must complete an application that is reviewed by the State Historic Preservation Office. Once the application is approved, the project must be completed before the owner is reimbursed with tax credits equaling 25 percent of the costs.

Spencer said that owners of Ark City’s downtown properties already listed on the national register have not taken full advantage of the tax incentive program.

“Only six tax credit programs have been done since 1983,” she said.

Humboldt to host vintage baseball

Walter Johnson Stadium in Humboldt will host its annual vintage baseball game at 1 pm Saturday.

The Topeka Westerns will play the Branson Boomers, and festivities begin at 11 am with players warm-up and a display of antique cars at Humboldt City Square Park.

Players will ride in the cars at noon to the stadium for a hot dog feed. The National Anthem will play and the game will start at 1 pm Saturday.

B&W Trailer Hitches will sponsor the Branson Boomers and Monarch Cement Co. will sponsor the Topeka Westerns.

Monarch office manager Tessa Morris said the stadium has hosted vintage games for several years, and Monarch is involved through the Monarch Academic Achievement Scholarship. Admission to the game is free, but donations will be accepted to benefit the stadium and proceeds will go to the scholarship.

The game will follow 1860 rules for baseball. For example, if a batter hits to the field, he is still out if the ball bounces before it is caught.

Morris said programs given out at the game will display the vintage rules.

Winfield-Ark City rivalry gets bloody

Arkansas City and Winfield law enforcement and fire personnel will be working together to help ensure blood is available during medical emergencies by partnering with the American Red Cross for the Arkansas City vs. Winfield Battle of the Badges Blood Drives.

The rivalry between Arkansas City and Winfield will be used as a force for good, as the first responders in each city will team up to see who can recruit the most blood donors.

The Winfield fire and police departments will have their opportunity to help save lives and recruit the most blood donors during their drive from noon to 6 p.m. July 12 at First United Methodist Church, 1000 Millington St.

Support the Arkansas City Fire Department and the Arkansas City Police Department by donating blood from noon to 6 p.m. July 13 at Central Christian Church, 206 W Central Ave.

The number of blood donors at each drive will determine who wins this year’s bragging rights.

“Thank you to first responders for not only keeping the community safe, but also helping with blood collection this summer,” said Tammy Hunnell, Central Plains Blood Services Region account manager. “These Battle of the Badges blood drives offer a way for residents of both cities to support their local heroes and help save lives by giving blood.”

Overland Park police seek suspects after fireworks cause $20,000 in damage at city park

Police in Overland Park are investigating an arson after fireworks were used to destroy parts of a city park on Wednesday.

The damage occurred at about 10:53 p.m. at Sapling Grove Park.

Restrooms and a structure at the park were damaged.

Witnesses say they saw five men running east from a shelter at the time of the fire.

Authorities say the fires were sparked by fireworks and estimate the damage to be nearly $20,000.

Municipal court fees increase in South Hutchinson

The South Hutchinson City Council gave approval to the lone item on the agenda during Monday’s meeting.

The council approved raising municipal court fees by $10. The amendment to the ordinance means that court fees have increased from $75 to $85.

It is the first fee increase for the municipal court since 2010.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Roeland Park councilmembers concerned proposed policy could put barrier between council and the press

Roeland Park’s governing body debated a proposed policy Monday that would guide how city officials respond to media inquiries — a proposal that had some members of the council worried about issues raised when the mayor of Prairie Village asked councilmembers to refrain from talking to the media last year.

The proposed Roeland Park language was crafted by city staff and would direct media requests related to city policy to city administrator Keith Moody and requests related to the city council to Mayor Mike Kelly. Moody and Kelly could then either respond to the request themselves or refer the media member on to the most appropriate city official.

Staff said the policy would protect accuracy of information while supporting timeliness of press responses.

Councilmembers Becky Fast, Tom Madigan and Erin Thompson voiced concerns the guidelines would place a barrier between councilmembers and the press.

“I do not understand how the mayor can be the spokesperson for the governing body,” said Madigan while pointing out that the mayor only gets to vote on issues in two particular instances: to break a tie or when a 2/3 majority is required.

El Dorado City Manager explains tornado sirens

El Dorado City Manager David Dillner explained how the tornado sirens in El Dorado work at Monday’s City Commission meeting.

A successful test of city-owned tornado sirens was administered Monday at noon. The sirens are tested the first Monday of every month at noon.

The city-owned tornado sirens were all operational. Two state-owned tornado at El Dorado Lake were not working properly.

Dillner explained that the El Dorado sirens do not have an all clear siren. When there is a imminent threat the sirens will alarm for three minutes, then rest for five minutes before alarming again for three minutes. If the sirens are silent for more than five minutes, the threat is gone.

The sirens are intended for people that are outside to take cover. They are not made to warn people that are already inside. If you are in a home or building tune to a weather radio, television or cell phone for weather updates.

The City of El Dorado dispatched crews and equipment to Eureka to help in the cleanup from the June 28 tornado. Assisting were the El Dorado Police Deparment, the El Dorado Fire Department and Public Works. Public Works sent over a street sweeper as well.

(Read more: Augusta Gazette)

Manhattan implements hiring freeze amid budget shortfall

The city of Manhattan has implemented a hiring and travel freeze amid budget shortfalls it blames on sluggish tax revenues.

KSNT-TV reports that says Kansas State University is seeing declines in enrollment as well as fewer solders at Fort Riley.

Manhattan City Manager Ron Fehr says this results in fewer shoppers in Manhattan and could be part of the reason for the stagnant tax revenues.

The city had $250,000 less revenue than expected in 2017.

That trend is continuing this year with the city revenues more than $80,000 dollars down in May.

Fehr says they are going to be more conservative when estimating revenues in the future.

(Read more: KOAM – Local News)

Lansing City administrator comments about fire district decision

Lansing’s city administrator argues a city-operated fire department in the place of an existing fire district will increase accountability and reduce bureaucracy.

The Lansing City Council has announced plans to withdraw from Leavenworth County Fire District No. 1 at the end of 2019.

City officials plan to replace the fire district with a new Lansing Fire Department.

“We view it more as reorganizing the leadership structure of the department,” City Administrator Tim Vandall said.

Leavenworth County Fire District No. 1 currently provides fire protection services to the city of Lansing and Delaware and High Prairie townships. The fire district utilizes full-time employees as well as volunteer firefighters.

Vandall said city officials plan to maintain employees and volunteers from the fire district.

He said the city of Lansing will offer to provide fire protection services to the two townships through the new Lansing Fire Department.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

Lenexa QuickTrip proposal revised after neighbors’ concerns

A proposal for a new QuikTrip in Lenexa has been slowed down again and will return to the Lenexa Planning Commission Aug. 6.

The Lenexa City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night meeting to send a revised proposal for the new QuikTrip, at the northeast corner of 95th Street and Noland Road, back to the planning commission, which had recommended denial at its June 4 meeting amid concerns expressed by some surrounding property owners about light and noise the new store would produce.

The matter was returned to the council at its June 19 meeting but continued to Tuesday’s meeting.

Community Development Director Beccy Yocham addressed the council Tuesday and said that the applicant had significantly revised its plan and that city staff wanted to keep nearby residents apprised of the project application’s status. A proposal for a new QuikTrip in Lenexa has been slowed down again and will return to the Lenexa Planning Commission Aug. 6.

The Lenexa City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night meeting to send a revised proposal for the new QuikTrip, at the northeast corner of 95th Street and Noland Road, back to the planning commission, which had recommended denial at its June 4 meeting amid concerns expressed by some surrounding property owners about light and noise the new store would produce.

The matter was returned to the council at its June 19 meeting but continued to Tuesday’s meeting.

Community Development Director Beccy Yocham addressed the council Tuesday and said that the applicant had significantly revised its plan and that city staff wanted to keep nearby residents apprised of the project application’s status.

Roeland Park Aquatic Center Open House

The City of Roeland Park and Johnson County Parks and Recreation Department have had a long-standing joint-funding agreement in regards to the operation of the Roeland Park Aquatic Center. The interlocal agreement expires in May of 2019, and in preparation, the City of Roeland Park has begun an operational study to determine the long-term needs and options for the Roeland Park Aquatic Center.

The study consists of evaluation of the physical condition, operability of its systems and structures, market, participation and program analysis, options for long term operations and community input.

Hearing from the community of Roeland Park and users of swimming facilities is a crucial and important element of the study. Understanding the swimming needs and priorities of the Roeland Park community is how we will best be able to continue to offer the services most valued.

The Roeland Park Aquatic Center survey was designed to understand your household and its swimming needs, what you look for in aquatic facilities, how you use them and what your feedback is on the existing Roeland Park Aquatic Center. Your feedback will be used in the operational study and long-term pool planning.

(Read more: City of Roeland Park)

Sedgwick County deputies join the officer lip syncing trend

What is your problem free philosophy, @kcpolice @lawrenceKS_PD @JOCOSHERIFF @Kshighwaypatrol @Topeka_Police ?

#lipsyncbattle #lionking #Hakunamatata #SCSO

*We don't own the rights to this music. @DisneyStudios does 🙂 pic.twitter.com/3Q7Gb0Ugdt

— SG County Sheriff (@SGCountySheriff) July 3, 2018

Several Kansas law enforcement agencies are starting a so-called lip sync battle after a Wichita-area agency posted a video of deputies mouthing the words to a Disney song.

Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office deputies lip sync to The Lion King’s “Hakuna Matata” in a video posted to Twitter on Tuesday.

The sheriff’s office also tags the Twitter accounts for police in Lawrence, Topeka, Kansas City, Mo., and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the Kansas Highway Patrol. It asked, “What is your problem free philosophy.”

(Read more: Wichita Eagle)

Hays wades into water change approval

When the City of Hays purchased the R9 Ranch in Edwards County in 1995, the sitting mayor, Robert Albers, said turning the ranch into a municipal water source would be “a long period of transition.”

He was right. The cities of Hays and Russell have spent the 20-some years since working to end irrigated agriculture on the ranch and gather information to change the water rights located on the ranch for municipal use. In May, the cities took another step closer.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Water Resources released a draft master order approving a change-order application that would convert water use on the city-owned property from agricultural to municipal in May. The news came after a three-year wait. The cities sent in the change application in June 2015. Representatives from the cities of Hays and Russell presented the change application, which outlines the consolidation of 58 points of diversion on the R9 ranch — places where water is diverted to the surface — into 14 wells for municipal water use.

Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty stated the original change application would shift a maximum of 7,625 acre feet of water for consumptive use per year, which according to data collected on the R9, would be lower than the historic irrigation diversion of around 8,000 ac/ft.

The current application decreases the maximum allowed, per-year diversion to 6,756 ac/ft., and the cities have agreed to meet a 10-year rolling average of 4,800 ac/ft. per year — meaning the cities can divert up to the maximum amount of water in one year, but must divert less in other years to meet the rolling average.

(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

Wichita Fire comes to agreement over service cuts

The city and the fire departments union have reached a compromise.

After weeks of taking between 2 to 5 fire trucks off the streets, now they’ll park just two at any one time.

“We started taking squads, two people units, off track, out of use, during those shifts when we had too many people off,” Wichita Fire Marshal, Stu Bevis said.

In other words, they had more equipment than firefighters. Bevis said a lot of it has to do with more firefighters taking off for unexpected reasons, like injury or illness. “The underlying issue is the fact that due to the leaves and where we are on our budget, that we were going to overspend our budget and bust our budget come the end of the year,” Bevis said.

But some were concerned that in cutting these services, the department may take longer to respond to emergencies.

Previously the city and the fire union agreed to a goal of having 117 firefighters on the clock at all times, to make sure there are enough for any and all emergencies that the city may have. The new agreement puts 115 firefighters on the clock.

“There’s been some concern,” Bevis said.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Senior Services department provides meals, opportunities for seniors in Saline County

During an update before the Saline County Commission Tuesday morning, Senior Services Director Rosie Walter said her department is expanding the number of meals it provides and is offering seniors a variety of opportunities to stay active and involved.

Walter said the Saline County Department of Senior Services has increased the total number of meals provided through sales at the Salina Senior Center, Meals on Wheels and Sunflower Adult Day Services. In January, the department provided an average of 295 meals a day. In May, that increased to 338 meals a day.

The Meals on Wheels program provides food to Salina residents who are home-bound and limited in their ability to prepare their own meals. Walter said a woman who had fallen and couldn’t get up was discovered last week after she didn’t answer the door for someone delivering Meals on Wheels.

“They know these people and they know when something isn’t right,” Walter said.

Walter encouraged more people to volunteer for Meals on Wheels.

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Battle of bids in Saline County

Saline County commissioners accepted a bid Tuesday for a truck from Midway Motors, in McPherson, after a higher bid from Salina’s Long McArthur Ford failed to qualify for the county’s local preference policy.

The Saline County Road and Bridge Department accepted bids for a truck to replace one used to pick up parts and supplies, transport employees to and from job sites and transport mail. Road and bridge Administrator Darren Fishel said the current truck is in need of repairs that would cost more than the vehicle is worth.

Midway Motors submitted the lowest bid, $23,221. Long McArthur Ford bid $23,596.36. Two other companies submitted higher bids.

Local preference

Two weeks ago, commissioners approved a policy that states a local bid will be accepted if it is within 1 percent of the low bid; the local bidder agrees to match the low bid by filing a written agreement within 72 hours of notification; and the quality, suitability and usability of the materials or goods are equal.

Commissioners began considering giving preference to local bidders a few months ago after accepting a bid for a vehicle from Midway Motors that was about $60 lower than a bid from Long McArthur Ford. A week later, Long McArthur’s general manager, Derek Lee, expressed his disapproval, saying that his company pays property and sales taxes in Saline County and donated a vehicle for the Saline County Sheriff’s Office Drug Abuse Resistance Education program.

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Beyond closing Clapp, Wichita considers blackouts and furloughs for all golf courses

Wichita’s golf system is in such dire straits that even if the city closes Clapp Golf Course as expected, there still might be winter blackouts and employee furloughs at the other four courses, the city’s parks director said Tuesday.

The Park Board has called a special meeting on Friday to act on a recommendation to close Clapp and sell off part of the site for commercial and residential development. The course, at 4611 E. Harry, has frontages that can be developed on Harry, Oliver and Mount Vernon.

Golf finances are so shaky that even beyond the closure of Clapp, officials are considering rolling closures of the other four courses during the winter months when only the hardiest golfers venture out onto the links. The plan is to close one or two courses at a time for two weeks at a time, starting in December and continuing into January, said Hillman and Park and Recreation Director Troy Houtman.

“Instead of having four or five courses open with 20 rounds a day, (the idea is to) funnel them all to one golf course that would be operating at 80 to 100 rounds,” Houtman said.

Staff would be furloughed when their course was closed for the rolling blackout, Houtman said.

“That’s what would save us some money,” Houtman said. “That would be a hardship on staff.”

(Read more: Wichita Eagle)

Bourbon County looks to change its juvenile detention agreement

In response to changes in state law regarding juvenile detention, Bourbon County Commissioners are looking for a change with its 26-year old contract with the Southeast Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Crawford County.

Following five consecutive executive sessions June 28, commissioners signed a letter addressed to the facility stating “Bourbon County Commissioners will have no obligation under this interlocal cooperative agreement after Jan. 1, 2020 if changes are not made to the billing system, which include the daily rate and monthly rate to counties in and out of this interlocal program.”

Currently, Bourbon County houses only a handful of juveniles each year at the center, but pays $10,029 per month under the contract. The number of juveniles to be detained in the future will decrease because of changes in state law that strengthens the requirement for detaining a juvenile.

Commissioners said the monthly rate charged by the facility is expected to decrease to the $9,000-range, but no exact figure has been presented to them yet. Commissioners said they also expect the county’s need to house juveniles at the facility to decrease.

Commissioners said the decision to end their participation in the agreement did not come easily.

(Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)

Proposed Reno County wind farm renamed

The company developing a 220-megawatt wind farm in eastern Reno County is renaming the development Pretty Prairie Wind Farm, Reno County Commissioner Dan Deming advised Tuesday.

Deming and Commissioner Bob Bush both had individual private meetings with officials of NextEra Energy last week to get an update on the proposed project, which the company initially dubbed Silver Lake Wind, after the name of a road running through the project.

Pretty Prairie being near the center of the proposed 84- to 88-turbine farm, and the familiarity the public has with the town when compared to Silver Lake Road likely led to the change, Deming said.

The company advised its goal is to sell all the energy generated in the county to Kansas utilities.

The company is about halfway “from where it needs to be” on signing land contracts for the project to go forward, Deming said he was told.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Historic downtown Ark City resurveyed

Arkansas City’s historic downtown is a diamond in the rough.

It could be developed into a great marketing tool, a consultant who recently completed a resurvey of the district said.

Downtown property owners have not been taking full advantage of the financial resources available for maintaining the historical quality of their buildings, said Brenda Spencer, of Spencer Preservation, based in Wamego.

Her resurvey of Ark City’s historic downtown district and adjacent areas follows up on a survey conducted 35 years ago. It resulted in the downtown being listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

The resurvey was conducted after the City of Arkansas City approved a resolution authorizing it last October. A state historic preservation grant of $13,000 was awarded for the cost of the project.

The city’s cost share consisted of in-kind volunteer time and staff time. All matching funds are reimbursable through the Historic Preservation Fund Grant, administered by the National Park Service.

“If you take a look at the buildings downtown, you have a pretty impressive collection of buildings for a community this size,” Spencer said.

Hutch City Council eases parking and zoning regulations

It was expected to draw a lot of discussion and it certainly did.

The Hutchinson City Council chewed over a list of planning issues during Tuesday’s agenda session. The changes were put in place after the council and others felt certain guidelines and restrictions were hampering redevelopment in the city.

The one that has always seemed to gather the most attention is parking. There have been times when the city had to turn away a business owner because the property owner did not follow parking guidelines, most notably when it comes to paving.

The current code requires paved parking for all businesses. Under the new code, any existing building that will be redeveloped will not need paved parking except for ADA areas and driveway approaches. The issue was met with a lot of discussion by the board and outgoing Planning Director Janna McCarron.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

City of Derby to host transit feasibility town hall

The City of Derby is hosting a Regional Transit Feasibility Town Hall to gather feedback and ideas from Derby residents. The town hall is part of a broader study called Connecting Communities on the support and demand for transit services in Derby, Haysville, Andover, and Maize. The study is sponsored by Wichita Transit and funded by the Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. Findings from the study will result in a strategic plan for transit services in each city.

‘The Rocks’ Roeland Park concept shows adventure course, hotel

CBC Real Estate Group is still looking for the “right fit” for developer opportunities at Roeland Park’s old pool site, now known as The Rocks.

Roeland Park has been looking into avenues to develop the site, which the city owns, since 2015. In early 2017, the city signed a letter of intent with a developer hoping to bring a project to The Rocks. Also in 2017, Roeland Park approved the creation of a new hotel tax in anticipation of a hotel being part of the development.

At a worksession Monday, CBC’s Jason Glasrud told the city council he’s been working to attract a hotel, full-service restaurant and bar, and extreme sports venue.

Glasrud said the site vision leverages the “unique natural environment of the limestone quarry” featuring rock as a major design element. Glasrud said the Quarry Park Adventures site in Rocklin, Calif., was an example of what The Rocks could look like after it was fully developed.

Coffee with the Lansing city administrator part of Facebook Live broadcast

Lansing City Administrator Tim Vandall and other City officials will participate in an informal discussion during “Coffee with the City Administrator” at 8 a.m. on Sat., July 7 at City Hall, 800 1st Terr. The event will be part of a “Facebook Live” broadcast as well, so those who cannot attend in person can join via social media.

Now, more than ever, it is important to get information directly from the source. All topics and issues are on the table for discussion. Refreshments will be provided.

(Read more: Lansing – News Flash)

Spring Hill appoints city administrator

At the June 28 city Council meeting, the Governing Body approved Mayor Steven Ellis’ appointment of Jim Hendershot to city administrator, a position left vacant in 2017 with Jonathan Roberts’ resignation. Hendershot was selected from a pool of more than 50 applicants and nine top candidates, who were ultimately refined to four finalists. Other finalists included Darrin Tangeman, Kiel Mangus and Fred Sherman.
Eager to get to work, Hendershot already has a first project in mind, he said.
“I’d like to set up individual meetings with every staff person so that I can get to know them better,” he said. “I have a pretty good understanding of what everybody does now but I just want a little better understanding of what they do and what they feel their role is and how that ties in with the rest of staff.”
With high expectations and a high excitement level, Hendershot has goals of engaging both residents and businesses, he said.
“I want to get very involved with the business community. I want to find out how the City can help in promoting business in the city and attracting new business. We all know what we want but also what do we need? That could be either retail or industrial. I, along with the Mayor, will be meeting with business owners in an one-on-one or a group setting.

(Read more: Gardner News)

Haysville settles employment discrimination lawsuit

On Friday, June 15, the city of Haysville and former Haysville police officer Robert Crites reached an agreement to settle Crites’ employee discrimination lawsuit, which began more than a year ago. In the lawsuit, Crites argued that the city of Haysville discriminated against him because he suffered from a disability, post-traumatic stress disorder. According to the Haysville Sun-Times, Mayor Bruce Armstrong said that “the city paid no money,” implying that any payment to Crites was fully covered under the city’s liability insurance policy.

No information has been shared about the terms of the settlement, but more information could be released once the agreement is finalized.

(Read more: Area | derbyinformer.com)

Leavenworth County Commission expansion question to appear on ballot

A ballot question that could increase the number of Leavenworth County commissioners will be put before voters in the fall.

The County Clerk’s Office has determined that enough valid signatures have been collected to place the question on the ballot for the Nov. 6 general election, according to County Clerk Janet Klasinski.

The question will ask voters if they approve of increasing the number of Leavenworth County commissioners from three to five.

The signatures were collected by a group known as Give Me Five, which supports the expansion of the County Commission.

On Friday, the group submitted petition forms with 3,010 signatures to the county clerk. By late Monday morning, the Clerk’s Office had verified that at least 2,153 of the signatures belong to registered voters in Leavenworth County.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

Salina OKs three school resource officers

The Salina City Commission agreed the Salina Police Department should again provide three uniformed officers to work in Salina public schools during the next school year.

Officers will be stationed at Salina Central High School and Salina South High School, and a third will work at Lakewood and South middle schools.

The school district will pay the salaries of the officers during the school year, with the city paying their salaries over the summer.

Commissioner Melissa Rose Hodges asked about providing a fourth. She said she would like each middle school to have a full-time officer.

There had been four in the past, Police Chief Brad Nelson said, but his department no longer has enough officers to provide four.

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Harvey County getting recycling back for Waste Connection Customers

Recycling should soon return to county Waste Connection customers.

County Administrator Anthony Swartzendruber said he met with Ryan Gatewood, a Vice President with Waste Connections and was told they will again offer recycling services. Previously, they informed customers in Harvey County that they would drop their recycling service, causing an issue since the county requires residents to recycle.

Swartzendruber asked them to keep up the service.

“They are back on board with what we’ve asked they provide in the past,” he said.

(Read more: Newton Now)

Derby Rec Commission working through initial stages of master plan

What do you do when 173 pages of community surveys end up on your desk?

While it’s plenty to consume, it represents the opening of a new chapter for the Derby Recreation Commission.

Pieces of the Strategic Master Plan survey have already fallen in place with adjustments made to facility hours as well as upgrades and repairs for the Hubbard Center. However, it’s just the tip of the iceberg.

The DRC board along with Superintendent Chris Drum and his staff have begun to tackle the pages, knowing it sets a straighter path for its future.

“What’s important for us is to determine the scale of these suggestions and recommendations,” Drum said. “Is it a community-wide thought or way of thinking? The first step for us in a lot of these things in our master plan is to survey our community in a more detailed version.”

How each recommendation will be processed remains to be seen, but the statistics represent a truth that Drum said they won’t ignore.

“There is nothing in here that we’re just going to throw away and say absolutely not,” he said. “It’s a plan that was put together specifically for our organization. We would be remiss if we didn’t at least consider everything.”

(Read more: Derby News | derbyinformer.com)

Family sells flowers in Little Sweden

If you were driving by Kaps gas station in Lindsborg yesterday (Monday), you may have seen two little ones, Oliver and Twyla Giesen, out with a red wagon with flowers in vases inside and a “Flowers for Sale” sign. Oliver, 3, and Twyla, 7, have received their mother and father’s green thumbs as they are now selling flowers for the second year in a row from their own garden, and a few from their grandmothers as well.

“Last year we just had a surplus of flowers and Twyla started making signs so we said, ’Sure, if you want to sell them go outside,” Zimmerling said. The children even had a special visit from the Lindsborg Police Department yesterday.

“They came out and even gave Oliver some baseball cards, he was so excited,” Zimmerling said.

Many Lindsborg residents spread the word all over social media saying how grateful they were for the cheerful flowers.

“We’ve had a lot of people out here today, it’s been great for them,” Zimmerling said.

The vases are from Tackle Thrift Store in Lindsborg and are often given back to the store as a way to recycle them.

“We just buy the vases from them every year and it’s just a great way to use them,” Zimmerling said.

(Read more: McPherson Sentinel)

“Growing pains” arising throughout Great Bend’s waterline replacement

As the water line replacement project in the City of Great Bend moves full speed ahead, Interim City Administrator George Kolb says there have been a few “growing pains.”

The estimated $6 million project is replacing water mains that are old, copper, cast iron, and too thin. As the new plastic pipes are installed it is causing more pressure and leaks are beginning to pop up throughout other parts of town as a result.

Kolb noted the City is finding out about some of the obvious leaks, but encourages residents to notify the City if they spot a leak or are having water issues. Kolb says water will always find a hole and repairing one pipe that had a leak only pushes the potential problem further down.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Community hub dedicated in Valley Center

They needed multiple ribbon cuttings in Valley Center on the 4th of July, as the community came out to dedicate a new “community hub.”

The hub includes a new community center, library and dog park. The entire process taking about three years and costing a little more than two-million dollars.

“What we did is pretty astounding in the fact that in three years the people in this room and many more people that aren’t here today did something that we had worked 20 maybe 30 years, I’ve heard, to accomplish,” said Valley Center Mayor Laurie Dove.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

City of Derby wants delay in K-State research center closure

The city is on record asking Kansas State University officials to rethink their decision to close a horticultural center just southwest of Derby.The city is on record asking Kansas State University officials to rethink their decision to close a horticultural center just southwest of Derby.

At issue is the recently announced intent by the university to shut the John C. Pair Horticulture Center at 1901 E. 95th St. South due to budget shortfalls.

The Derby City Council passed a resolution at its June 26 meeting stating “that the the K-State president, provost and deans are encouraged to re-evaluate the long-term value of the John Pair Center to the economy and the prairie environment, delay for one year any decision to close the center, and support an effort by the faculty and stakeholders to develop a long-term plan for financial sustainability.”

Positive feedback from interview format for Great Bend City Administrator finalists

The Great Bend City Council spent 45 minutes in executive session at Monday night’s meeting to review the three candidates for the Great Bend City Administrator position, but no decision was announced following the executive session.

Great Bend Chamber of Commerce CEO Jan Peters commended the City Council for the interview format last week with the finalists meeting the public through a pair of meet-and-greets. Candidates include Larry Collins who served as Fire Chief and Interim City Administrator in Ann Arbor, Michigan; Kendal Francis who served as City Manager in Coffeyville; and Scott Hildebrand who currently serves as City Administrator for Valley Center.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Former city manager Hannes Zacharias: R9 Ranch was opportunity not to be passed

More than 20 years ago, in the midst of drought and a long-standing need for long-term water supply, the City of Hays, later joined by the City of Russell, purchased a 7,000-acre Edwards County ranch originally known as the Circle K, now called the R9 Ranch, giving the city the potential for more than 7,000 acre-feet of water.

The city manager at the time, Hannes Zacharias, was one of several city officials involved in the purchase and planning to bring water from the Arkansas River Basin to Hays, a process that involves unprecedented regulatory moves that are just now getting underway. The Dodge City native saw the sudden change as a chance to follow a dream. In 1976, at the age of 21, Zacharias made a solo kayak trip on the Arkansas River from his hometown to New Orleans. Today, Zacharias is following the entire length of the river from its Rocky Mountain headwaters to the Gulf of Mexico — traveling by foot, ATV and even horseback where necessary where there is no river flow in western Kansas.

On Sunday, Zacharias reached Edwards County and spent some time on the R9 Ranch. I talked with him Monday by phone about his impressions of the ranch and the journey of Hays and Russell to obtain a long-term source of water.

(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)

Marion County extends relocation incentive for new graduates

Marion County is extending for five years its participation in a program that can repay up to $15,000 in student loans for non-resident college graduates willing to relocate here.

The Rural Opportunity Zone program costs the county considerably less than the $15,000 total might suggest.

The county sponsors only two students at a time, pays only half of the loan forgiveness, and spreads those payments over five years, making the county’s total contribution $6,000 annually.

The rest of the money comes from the state, which also forgives state income taxes for relocated graduates in the program.

The county already has a lengthy waiting list of relocated new graduates wanting to participate.

(Read more: PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin)

Fountains finally flowing at park in Marion

A torrent of fountain problems in Central Park seemed to subside Friday when the large fountain on the west side of the park began flowing again after a lengthy period of being dry.

Workers installed a new motor and pump and changed a fuse that feeds electricity to the pump.

Parks and recreation director Margo Yates said the deluge of fountain woes began before Chingawassa Days.

“First it was a pump, then it was a motor, now it’s a pump,” Yates said.

The larger fountain has had the most issues, Yates said.

A pump made in 1970 was the root of them, she said.

(Read more: HILLSBORO Star-Journal)

What was that huge explosion in Clay Center some 50 years ago? The teenager responsible finally comes clean

No one knew what it was or how it got there, but 50 years ago, something gouged a hole in the Clay Center, Kan., high school roof.

One newspaper called it a “mysterious piece of metal” that had fallen from the sky. Authorities sent it to the nearby Air Force base in Topeka for analysis. No one could explain it.

Well, some mischievous teenagers could have, but they kept their mouths shut for decades. Now, with the golden anniversary of their adventure on July 4, 1968, they are finally coming clean.

“I’ll have to suffer any consequences now as an old man for my youthful indiscretions,” said Richard Klocke, now 65 and living in Lawrence.

Arkansas City firefighters retrieve a retriever

The Arkansas City Fire Department is making us Kansas proud.

Firefighters responded to a call of a dog that was stuck in the mud Sunday night. The call came in from the 900 block of South 1st Street.

Several neighbors tried to rescue the Labrador retriever that had fallen into a canal but had no luck.

Firefighters responded with a ladder and quickly freed the pup from the mud and delivered it to safety.

(Read more: KWCH News)

More than 100 first responders called in to control El Dorado prison uprising

The uprising at El Dorado Correction Facility Sunday warranted a larger response than past incidents, according to emergency responders.

The Kansas Department of Corrections says about 100 inmates refused to come in from the yard and started several small fires. Everything was resolved within a few hours without any injuries. We know up to 125 emergency responders were called in to help get the situation under control.

This is the second straight year flare ups have caused concern at the prison. But first resopnders say Sunday’s situation was different and called for a much larger response.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Growing population brings changes to Garden City hospital

A growing population means changes for Garden City’s hospital as, for the first time in years, its emergency room is getting a makeover.

More than 18,000 visitors come through the doors at St. Catherine Hospital each year and the hospital says it was time for a change.

“We have to grow with the population,” St. Catherine COO Joben Rieth says. “So one of the things that we were seeing is our ER volumes were growing about 3 to 4 percent in every year. So we knew we needed to make changes in processes, our flow and also, just update the department itself.”

The last time St. Catherine’s emergency department saw any renovations was in the late 1980s. Hospital administration say changes to the emergency room have patients feeling more welcomed. The remodeling comes with a new computer system to help the ER run more efficiently.

(Read more: KWCH News)