Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Barton County Emergency Manager wants to see more wildfire education

A legislative audit says Kansas’ wildfire suppression system is underfunded and understaffed and operates with a fragmented leadership.

Barton County Emergency Risk Manager Amy Miller read through the audit and felt that most of the audit’s issues came from the State of Kansas’ response to emergencies with the Kansas Department of Emergency Management, Office of the State Fire Marshal, and the Kansas Forest Service. Auditors recommended the legislature choose one agency to lead the state’s wildfire response and appropriate the money to ensure enough resources are deployed to fight fires. Miller would like to see more public education distributed to keep residents informed and safe in case of a severe wildfire. She reminds property owners in rural areas to avoid planting or having red cedar trees, referring to the vegetation as “fire bombs.”

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Neosho County reorganizes 911, emergency management

Neosho County Commissioners considered resolutions Friday to reorganize 911 dispatching and emergency management.

With the retirement of Emergency Management Director Byron Shultz, Emergency Management and 911 dispatching become separate departments no longer under the Sheriff’s Department.

The commission approved four resolutions to establish the two functions as departments and to appoint Lori Nally as 911 Director and Melanie Kent-Culp as Emergency Management Director. The resolutions also established a five-member 911 advisory board.

The board will consist of the Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center EMS Director, Chanute Fire Chief, police chiefs of Chanute and Erie, and the Neosho County Sheriff. County Counselor Seth Jones said the board is modeled after one in Allen County.

Water transfer plan meets challenge from local irrigators

Hays’ long-anticipated bid to transfer water from a city-owned ranch in Edwards County for municipal use hit an unexpected obstacle, as a local organization dedicated to protecting farmers’ water rights presented its case last Thursday afternoon.
In a scheduled meeting of the Kansas Division of Water Resources at the Twilight Theater in Greensburg, KWR Chief Engineer David Barfield, along with representatives from Hays and Russell as stakeholders, presented the draft proposal outlining both the conversion of the R-9 Ranch’s agricultural water rights to municipal use and approval under the state’s Water Transfer Act.
The draft summary was presented as the public phase of the process allowing for statements in support or in opposition, including written statements directed to the KWR by July 12 as part of the public comment phase.
In an hour-long presentation that included supportive statements from representatives from Hays and Russell as well as Brian Meyer, representing the firm providing impact study information utilized in the transfer application, Barfield led the audience of about 100 farmers through the draft proposal, with contingent changes made since its filing on Jan 7, 2016.

(Read more: Pratt, KS – Pratt Tribune)

Douglas county no longer using schools as polling places

The Douglas County Clerk’s Office sent letters this week to the more than 10,000 affected voters who will now be assigned to different polling places than they’ve used in the past, the Lawrence Journal-World reported .

County Clerk Jamie Shew said Wednesday he made the change after Lawrence school district officials expressed concerns over allowing people easy access in and out of school buildings while classes were in session.

“Now that we have put secure entrances in all of our buildings, we are finding it very difficult to provide an adequate level of security at the elementary buildings during polling,” said Ron May, the district’s operations director, in a December 2016 email to Shew. “We also find it difficult to provide appropriate spaces that (weren’t) causing a disruption to the school day.”

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

Dog park design named, approved by Spring Hill Parks Advisory Board

The dog park at the new Veterans Park has received a name: Melvin Murry Dog Park.

At their May meeting, the Parks Advisory Board approved the design of the new dog park and its name. The dog park is planned to feature fire-themed items to honor the former, longtime Spring Hill fire chief, who died in 2014. The Murry family was present at the meeting in support of renaming the park.

Currently, a different City park is named after Murry — Melvin Murry Park located in the Woodland Ridge subdivision. The Parks Advisory Board agreed to move the name to the new dog park because of its more prominent and well-traveled location. The board plans to discuss renaming the ponds in the Woodland Ridge subdivision, formerly known as Melvin Murry Park.

(Read more: City of Spring Hill news)

Sales tax decrease in Abilene starting Sunday

According to a release from the Abilene Area Chamber of Commerce, effective Sunday, the Abilene tax rate on retail sales will drop to 8.75%. The decrease is due to the expiration of the .35% special tax that was implemented in 2008 to pay for renovations to the Abilene Public Library and City Pool.

The Abilene sales tax will drop again in 2023 with the sunset of a 0.25 tax implemented for Abilene city streets.

(Read more: The Salina Post)

Hays approves new aquatic park play area

The Hays Aquatic Park will include a new play area when it opens next year, but the Hays City Commission’s 3-1 approval Thursday night didn’t come without some discussion.

The $185,000 structure with 14 play features including two slides and a large bucket drop will replace a starburst water sprayer in the zero-depth entry pool. Parks director Jeff Boyle said construction of the feature will begin Aug. 21 after the pool closes, with a completion date of Dec. 21, although the vendor, RJR Enterprises, would like to finish sooner.

A new feature was proposed in January, when city officials and Hays Recreation Commission staff met to discuss how to draw more visitors to the aquatic park.

The money for the structure will come from a reserve fund of $321,558 of the original sales tax initiated to construct and maintain Hays Aquatic Park.

That concerned Vice Mayor Henry Schwaller IV, who cast the lone vote against the improvement. The 18-year-old park will at some point need more expensive maintenance, he said.

(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)

Shawnee, Johnson County renew plans to fund low-income housing rehab

Shawnee has renewed its commitment with Johnson County to direct funds toward low-income housing. This year’s commitment brings about $100,000 in total to homes that needs rehabilitating, according to a June 25 memo from the city.

The Shawnee council approved in a 6-0 vote Monday, June 25, a three-year memorandum of understanding with Johnson County that supports Shawnee residents who own low-income housing.

Through this arrangement with Johnson County for 2019 through 2021, Shawnee residents can participate in the Johnson County HOME Consortium program, which allocates funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for rehabilitating low-income housing. This year marks the seventh time Shawnee has made this kind of arrangement with the county.

Hannes Zacharias Traveling Kansas via the Ark River

At 22 years old in 1976, Hannes Zacharias took a Bicentennial message from the mayor of Dodge City to the mayor of New Orleans.

He traveled by kayak.

“I’d never been down South before, never been by myself that long before, never been on the river that long before, and those six weeks were like a life-changing experience for me,” he said.

Zacharias reached New Orleans – surviving an incident in Oklahoma where the kayak was stolen but later recovered in pieces – and received the key to the city of New Orleans.

He promised himself if he had the opportunity, he would do it again but make it a complete journey, following a drop of water from the Continental Divide to the Gulf of Mexico.

Tonganoxie residents still concerned over poultry plant issue

The $300 million Tyson project planned for the outskirts of Tonganoxie was canceled after residents of the town protested the pollution and the strains on local infrastructure they expected the facility would bring.

Republican Rep. Jim Karleskint of Tonganoxie, who drafted a bill that would have given locals more say about proposed poultry operations, said residents are still anxious about the issue.

“A lot of people are talking about it. It’s an anxious issue that people don’t want Tyson in the area,” Karleskint said. “I think there’s a fear that they may attempt to come back. I personally don’t think it’s an issue any longer.”

Karleskint is running for re-election in the 42nd District and said he isn’t expecting the plant to be an issue for him since he opposed it.

Democrat Stuart Sweeney said the plant is one of the reasons he decide to challenge Republican Rep. Willie Dove for his 38th District seat.

(Read more: Junction City Post)

Amtrak exploring ending Southwest Chief through service

During a meeting last week between Amtrak’s CEO and a small congressional delegation that included Kansas’ two senators, it was revealed that the train operator is exploring ending passenger train service between Dodge City and Albuquerque, and implementing a bus connection on the route instead.

The communities that would lose rail service if the bus service began at Dodge City would include Garden City; Lamar, La Junta and Trinidad, Colo.; Raton, Las Vegas and Lamy, N.M.

The proposal did not go over well with any of the lawmakers at the meeting, who had called the meeting to ask Amtrak to stand behind agreements it had previously made to upgrade and maintain its route through the south-central U.S..

(Read more: The Miami County Republic)

GCPD, Sheriff, County Attorney will partner in Project Safe Neighborhood

Local law enforcement agencies will be teaming up with federal prosecutors and state and federal law organizations that will target violent crime in Garden City and Wichita.

That announcement came Thursday morning by U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister in a press conference held in Wichita for a program titled Project Safe Neighborhoods.

William Votypka, Deputy Finney County Attorney, attended the press conference on behalf of the office, which will be involved in the new program.

“It’s a great, great opportunity for collaboration with state and federal authorities,” Votypka said in a telephone interview. “It’s a greater financial mechanism with other agencies and gives us more avenues to deal with violent crime in our area.”

The Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative will prioritize federal prosecutions of repeat offenders and convicted criminals who carry firearms in the two cities, where violent crime rates are higher than average for Kansas.

“Violent crime rates are on the rise in both cities,” McAllister said. “By working together, we can size up the problems and concentrate our resources where we get the best results. Our goal is to make both communities safer.”

Newton debating ‘blowback’ of tax increase

When it came to possible tax increases for the city budget, Commissioner Glen Davis said the city commission should at least earn the blowback if it raises next year’s taxes.

“We’re going to get the same blowback for two mills or six mills,” Davis said. “If I’m going to get blowback, I’d as soon get it at a higher amount.”

Such was a budget session where the commission weighed what exactly the public would do following another tax increase.

City Manager Bob Myers had suggested the commission increase taxes by 5.8 mills to cover increasing bonded debt, as well as a cost of living pay raise for employees for the first time in three years, as well as additional police positions.

Davis hoped that a larger tax increase would get the city on better financial ground.

(Read more: Newton Now)

Hutch will push against proposed Amtrak service cuts

After providing nearly $40,000 in matching funds on three TIGER grantsconnected to Amtrak’s Southwest Chief, City Manager John Deardoff expressed disappointment in Amtrak’s plans to curtail service along the route. Amtrak and BNSF threatened cities along the route that they would discontinue service if major upgrades were not made. Three major grants and a lot of track improvements were done at Amtrak’s request. The grants were matched with funds from cities and the state, including three $12,500 allocations from the city of Hutchinson.

Now under new leadership, Amtrak is wanting to step away from the efforts to keep the route in place. BNSF maintains the line, but Amtrak is the only train that runs on it from La Junta to Albuquerque.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Poultry plant controversy signaled Tonganoxie’s demographic transformation

Last September, the ground shifted under the small town of Tonganoxie, Kansas, about 35 miles due west of Kansas City.

When word got out that Tyson Foods, Inc. was ready to announce it would soon break ground just outside town on a $320 million poultry complex — a processing plant, hatchery and feed mill — opponents organized immediately.

Allies multiplied exponentially as social media amplified their concerns. Within a stunning two weeks, Tyson had announced it was putting its plan “on hold.” But nine months later, residents are still grappling with some of questions the explosive controversy revealed. Freelance writer Anne Brockhoff had heard that Tyson officials were talking about how the new plant would make Tonganoxie the center of the Tyson universe.

“(That) statement says ‘We’re rebranding your community,’” she said.

Our makeshift circle of couches and chairs included a part-time farmer, a construction project manager, a nurse, an academic coach and a florist.

The notion of Tonganoxie’s “brand” came up a lot; that question of what Tonganoxie is, and what it wants to be.

(Read more: Welcome to Wyandotte Daily!)

Hoisington Council gives nod to dog park grant

A suggestion made nearly three years ago to open a dog park in the city of Hoisington hasn’t been forgotten. Monday night, the Hoisington City Council took a significant step toward making the dream a reality when it approved allowing the city to apply for a $25,000 grant to be applied toward fencing and amenities for a dog park similar to those in neighboring cities. In 2015, Sarah Hinman, Hoisington, asked the city to consider installing a dog park. The council was supportive of her proposed efforts but no city dollars were committed. Then, in July, 2017, the Dr. Lindsey Mitchell, who operates Hoisington Veterinary Hospital, began looking into what it would take to install a dog park at her facility south of Hoisington. While the city council was receptive of that idea and it appeared grant money could be applied for to cover the costs of the installation, it was soon discovered that the cost of routine maintenance would be prohibitive.
City Manager Jonathan Mitchell, Dr. Mitchell’s husband, addressed the issue with council members that night.
The additional cost of mowing and cleaning the dog park was estimated to be an additional $100 per mowing, which would add up to several thousand dollars each year. The couple quickly abandoned the idea of requesting the city assist with the mowing because of the perception the public might adopt considering the close ties between the city and the Mitchell family.
Instead, Mitchell proposed two sites at existing parks within the city limits, and a possible funding source to build the park, noting that the dog park would then be part of the city’s already existing maintenance schedule.

Leavenworth County approves EMS agreement

County commissioners have approved an agreement regarding Leavenworth County EMS’ continued use of a fire station in Basehor.

EMS has been operating an ambulance unit out of the Fairmount Township Fire Department station since 2016. But the document approved by commissioners Tuesday marks the first time the arrangement has been addressed in a written agreement between the County Commission and Fairmount Township Board, according to County Administrator Mark Loughry.

Loughry said the agreement outlines some of the responsibilities of the parties.

Commissioners approved the occupancy agreement by a vote of 2-1. Chairman Louis Klemp voted against the agreement. But he signed the document as the commission chairman.

Under the agreement, the Fairmount Township Board provides space at the fire station, located at 2624 155th St. in Basehor, for Leavenworth County EMS employees and an ambulance. EMS is not charged rent for the use of the space.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

Water transfer plan for City of Hays meets challenge from local irrigators

Hays’ long-anticipated bid to transfer water from a city-owned ranch in Edwards County for municipal use hit an unexpected obstacle, as a local organization dedicated to protecting farmers’ water rights presented its case last Thursday afternoon.
In a scheduled meeting of the Kansas Division of Water Resources at the Twilight Theater in Greensburg, KWR Chief Engineer David Barfield, along with representatives from Hays and Russell as stakeholders, presented the draft proposal outlining both the conversion of the R-9 Ranch’s agricultural water rights to municipal use and approval under the state’s Water Transfer Act.

(Read more: Pratt, KS – Pratt Tribune)

Marysville continues to discuss site for disc golf

Marysville City Council planned Monday to have its ad hoc committee on disc golf set specifications and find a course designer to visit Marysville, determine a good place for a disc golf course and draw up a plan.

Council members also discussed locations, and one council member said the city should move ahead with at least a test course in City Park. The city has been considering a plan by local resident Kyle Goracke, who had an experienced course designer, Dennis Vasholtz of Herington, draw up a course in Marysville City Park.

Since then, Grund and some council members have protested, saying the park’s not safe because it’s a multi-use area.

Several local residents and experienced disc golf players spoke at last council meeting in favor of the City Park location, saying it has all the amenities for a small 9-hole pocket disc golf course.

(Read more: The Marysville Advocate)

Plans for dog park moving forward in Lindsborg

Good things come to those who wait.

That is the hope of the Lindsborg Dog Park Committee, whose members are pushing to raise funds for the construction of a dog park for the city’s residents and visitors to use.

A dog rodeo will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. July 22 at the dog park site, next to the Lindsborg Recycling Center at the intersection of East McPherson and South Kansas streets.

The event, which is open to the public and dogs on leashes, will feature dog agility demonstrations, a hot dog supper and the opportunity to buy dog-related items in support of the planned park.

Lindsborg donated the land on which the dog park will be built. After soliciting suggestions for possible names for the new dog park from the public, “Scentral Bark” was the winner.

Lindsborg Mayor Becky Anderson, who is a member of the Lindsborg Dog Park Committee, praised the efforts of her fellow volunteers.

“This is a great group of people,” Anderson said.

Bidding over, waiting on paperwork for Great Bend Airport repairs

Much of the talk surrounding the Great Bend Municipal Airport now is centered on Great Bend Airfest which will bring over 30 historic aircrafts to town September 28 – 30.

Airport Manager Martin Miller realizes another large project will take place following the show that will affect the longevity of the runway. Miller says the bidding process for the repaving project on Runway 17/35 is over and now the City of Great Bend is waiting on approval from the Federal Aviation Administration. The total project will cost over $11 million. The FAA agreed to pay 90 percent of the reconstruction for 5,500 feet.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Hospital Board discusses five-year plan with Lyon County Commissioners

The Newman Regional Health Board of Trustees welcomed Lyon County Commissioners to its meeting Wednesday afternoon for a discussion about the facility’s ongoing initiatives.

CEO Robert Wright told commissioners the board had come up with strategic plans for meeting its service and financial goals through 2022 during a May meeting. Wright said the hospital would have to operate under a “strict diet” with its funds, saving around 40 percent of its total cash flow,to reach the mark. Beside general finances, Wright said the facility’s second area of focus would be in recruiting and retaining quality staff.

(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Clay County Commissioners buy tasers for $14K

Sheriff Chuck Dunn reported that the quote that was reviewed last week concerning the purchase of tasers covers all of the cartridges, batteries and warranty coverage for five years.

The total cost for seven tasers with five years of warranty coverage is $14,013.00. This cost will be paid over a five-year period of five payments. The first initial payment for the first year will be $2,953 with the remaining four years being $2,765 each.

Commissioner Thurlow made the motion to purchase the seven tasers with the five-year warranty to be paid for over a five-year period.

Future of Marion county recycling unclear

Whether the county will continue to recycle is in doubt now that commissioners have learned the county is no longer being paid for goods recycled.

Refuse director Bud Druse told commissioners that Waste Connections, the South Hutchinson company that accepts paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum and steel cans, and plastic items recycled by county residents has notified him it won’t be paying for such items. Druse said the county made a profit on its recycling program, clearing $11,000 to $12,000 annually a year ago. At that time, Waste Connections paid an average of $64 per ton for recyclable goods.

Tipping fees at the landfill used by the county have risen from $36 per ton to $40 per ton during that time.

(Read more: PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin)

Lawsuit over fatal beanbag shooting by officer can go forward in Barber County case

A federal judge has decided to allow a wrongful death lawsuit to continue against Barber County Undersheriff Virgil Brewer, who fired a so-called “less lethal” beanbag round at close range into the chest of 42-year-old Steven Myers.

Although the judge dismissed Barber County Sheriff Lonnie Small as a defendant in the federal lawsuit, the judge ruled that the sheriff could be sued in state court, according to a court order filed Wednesday.

An attorney for Myers’ family, Michael Kuckelman, said Thursday that the family plans to file suit against Sheriff Small in Barber County District Court next week. The planned lawsuit in state court against the sheriff will contend that Small was negligent in supervising Brewer and is responsible for Brewer’s actions, while the federal lawsuit will continue to argue that Brewer violated Myers’ constitutional rights, Kuckelman said.

(Read more: Wichita Eagle)

Deal to bring license office to Winfield advances

Cowley County commissioners on Tuesday approved a contract with the Kansas Department of Revenue that would bring a drivers’ license office to Winfield.

The contract would need to be approved by the state, which approached the county about wanting to find a new facility for the DMV office, according to county administrator Lucas Goff. They do not want to own a facility but to lease it, he said.

The county has space in the Albertson Annex, across from the courthouse on Ninth Street, which was formerly used by Juvenile Corrections and needs a new tenant. At the June 19 county meeting, commissioners gave Goff permission to begin negotiations with the Department of Revenue for leasing the west suite in the Albertson Annex.

Goff worked with Kevin Fulton of the Department of Revenue to develop a lease agreement that would go into effect on Dec. 1 if it is approved by the state.

Goff said improvements needed in the space, including HVAC and bathrooms, would cost the county about $100,000.

Rent would be $6,063.75 per quarter for 10 years. The area contains 2,310 square feet for office use at $10.50 per square foot per year. With those figures, Goff said the county could begin to see a return on its investment in seven years.

(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Drone video of tornado damage in Eureka, Kansas

A tornado caused widespread damage in the town of Eureka, Kansas on Tuesday night. A few injuries were reported from the storm. Drone footage the next day shows the damage from the air.

(Read more: Wichita Eagle)

Dancing WPD officer goes viral…community policing at its best

Wichita Police Officer Timothy Baird has served with the department for nearly ten years. He was blocking traffic for a parade last weekend, when he met the First Phaze Dance Team.

What happened next has gone viral.

“I thought, ‘Hey that looks like a blast. I’ve been standing around here, getting warm. Maybe I’ll move around some,’” Baird said.

So he jumped out to join them, and it was received pretty well – though Baird says his skills weren’t quite up to par.

“I was trying to do what they were doing,” Baird said. “Didn’t go really well like they were doing.”

Hundreds of people shared the video, courtesy of Teambsr.

People online called it a great moment for him and the kids, others called it community policing at its best. And it’s not the first Officer Baird has been caught on camera. WPD posted another video three years ago of him showing off some moves to the community.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Volunteers flock to Eureka to help after EF-3 tornado

Residents of a Kansas town where a tornado injured eight people and damaged dozens of homes are starting to clean up the mess. The state Adjutant General’s Department says in a news release that more volunteers are needed in Eureka after more than 300 people showed up on Thursday to help. The twister that hit the town of about 2,400 residents Tuesday night has been classified as an EF-3 with winds of at least 136 mph. Nearly 80 homes were damaged and at least 10 were destroyed. The high school also was damaged.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Overland Park looks into suing drug companies to recover costs of responding to opioid-related emergencies

Overland Park has become the first among Johnson County’s largest cities to take steps toward recovering costs associated with the overuse of opioid painkillers.

The city council recently gave the go-ahead to find a lawyer to investigate suing opioid manufacturers. The suit would seek to recoup money the city spends on, for example, police and paramedic calls to handle drug overdoses. The idea is an emerging trend among local and state governments as the abuse of the pain killers increases. Opioid overdoses killed 42,000 nationwide in 2016, with 40 percent of that involving a prescription opioid, according to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.

Attorneys general in 41 states, including Kansas, are investigating marketing practices of pharmaceuticals, and Missouri has filed a lawsuit against three makers of the drugs. But until this month, none of the larger cities in the county had made any moves to pursue the issue on a legal front.

WaterOne and KC Water blame bad weather, old pipes for high water main break numbers

Crews hadn’t even finished repairing her driveway after a water main break two weeks ago, when the same main broke again Thursday.

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“It sounds like a boom,” DeYoung said. “The guy comes to my door and he says ‘I’m sorry. It blew again.’”

Every year, there are hundreds of water main breaks on both sides of the state line.

“Water comes out of the ground,” Jerry Koukol, a spokesperson for WaterOne in Johnson County, said. “It creates a bit of a mess.”

Summer is the peak season when homes and businesses can lose water for hours when they need it most.

“The ground is like a big sponge,” Koukol said. “When it gets wet, it expands. When it gets hot, it contracts.”

“No news is good news in our business,” Aaron Balliet, a utility repair manager for KC Water, said.

The national average is about 15 breaks for 100 miles of pipe for water utilites with more than 1,000 miles of pipe. A wide-ranging study from Utah State said outside of construction issues, the number is around 14 breaks per 100 miles of pipe, although smaller utility companies can have much higher rates.

(Read more: KMBC.com)

Holcomb City Council still at odds with FCEDC funding

The Holcomb City Council on Wednesday received its quarterly report from the Finney County Economic Development Corporation, which transitioned into discussion that gave the council a better understanding what what the FCEDC does for the county and the cities of Holcomb and Garden City.

There also was discussion indicating there needed to be better communication between the two entities.

Lona DuVall, president of the FCEDC, along with chairman Tom Walker were on hand during Wednesday’s meeting to discuss the quarterly report.

During past meetings, Mayor Brian Rupp disputed Holcomb’s $25,000 membership contribution to the FCEDC for its 2017 dues, which was a $10,000 increase from the previous year. Rupp has said on multiple occasions that he believes Holcomb’s contribution should be more per capita-based.

After disputing the payment late last year, FCEDC officials visited with Holcomb officials in February, who ultimately approved the $25,000 payment for 2017 earlier this year.

Rupp raising questions about the $25,000 contribution led other council members — Jerry Quint and Nicole Faulconer — to inquire with DuVall and other FCEDC officials to learn more about what the organization does for not just Holcomb, but the county.

“All of our owners are public entities — the City of Garden City, Finney County, City of Holcomb and Garden City Community College — you guys own the corporation… We are the arm that connects you guys to the private sector, and that’s the role of our agency to connect to the private sector, to advocate for your community and for your businesses in the legislature, but also at the state and federal levels…” DuVall said during Wednesday’s meeting. “I don’t think you guys really understood that before…”

Collectors collaborate on new store in historic building in Peabody

What better location for a new antique store than in a building with a story fit for a big screen?

Steve Blackwell, owner, has been diligently spending his time, energy, and money restoring a building on Peabody’s 1880’s Main Street, along with the help of business partners Christine Flaming and Morgan Marler.

The trio’s new shop, Fannie Sterling 1884, opened Saturday and will have its formal grand opening this Saturday along with Peabody Market. “There were 100 years worth of well-intentioned repairs done and a lot of structural issues,” Marler said. “So now, the building will last another 100 years.”

The building is one of five on the west side of Walnut St. owned by Baker Lofts, LLC.

All needed new roofs several years ago. A grant from Kansas State Historical Society helped pay for new roofing. Terms of the grant forbid Baker Lofts LLC to sell or profit from the buildings until Jan. 1, 2021.

Blackwell is responsible for taxes, insurance, and bringing the building up to code.

(Read more: Marion County RECORD)

Recycling’s future in doubt: Marion County will retain costs but lose payoff

Whether the county will continue to recycle is in doubt now that commissioners have learned the county is no longer being paid for goods recycled.

Refuse director Bud Druse told commissioners that Waste Connections, the South Hutchinson company that accepts paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum and steel cans, and plastic items recycled by county residents has notified him it won’t be paying for such items.

“They have stopped reimbursement for everybody,” Druse said. “I have looked into it and talked to the guy, and he said as soon as prices go back up, they’ll start reimbursing again.”

Druse said he would rather continue recycling than pay $40 per ton to dump the items in a landfill at El Dorado.

(Read more: Marion County RECORD)

Oread Hotel developer, bookkeeper indicted; allegedly defrauded City of Lawrence

A federal indictment accuses a Lawrence hotel developer and his bookkeeper of a scheme to collect more than $400,000 in fraudulent tax refunds from the city.

The U.S. attorney’s office for Kansas on Wednesday announced the indictments of 52-year-old Thomas Fritzel and 46-year-old Keela Lam. Both face charges of conspiracy to defraud the city and interstate transportation of stolen funds.

Fritzel developed the seven-story Oread Hotel in Lawrence. The city established a Tax Increment Financing district and agreed to reimburse Fritzel for development costs.

The indictment alleges that Fritzel and Lam defrauded the city by seeking reimbursements of hundreds of transactions that were not generated within the redevelopment district.

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

Buhler City Council delays decision on franchise fee

The Buhler City Council tabled any action on the proposal to implement franchise fees during Tuesday’s agenda session.

According to City Clerk Merrill Peterson, Mayor Daniel Friesen was not able to attend the meeting. The matter will be taken up next month. Friesen brought the proposal to the council last month as a way to help fund capital improvement projects.

Under the proposal, a 2.5 percent fee would be placed on the city utility bill, which includes water, sewer and trash.

With the city generating about $500,000 a year on utilities, the fee would mean about $15,000 a year for capital improvement projects.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Great Bend Administrator candidates offer insights

It is a time for the three finalists for the Great Bend city administrator job to meet city officials, leaders and residents. It is also a time for city officials, leaders and residents to meet the candidates. The finalists 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 city administrator in Lakin; and Scott Hildebrand, who currently serves as the city administrator for Valley Center. All three sat down with local media Wednesday afternoon. Below are the results of these interviews.

Clean-up begins in Eureka after devastating EF-3 tornado

Greenwood County Sheriff Matt Samuels said eight people were injured and 10 homes were destroyed. A task force assessed about 330 homes by Wednesday afternoon.

“There’s more damage this go around then there was the first time, but we haven’t been around town,” said volunteer Zack Marshall

But around town it wasn’t much different. One business looked more like an alley after its roof was ripped off, nothing but rubble lying on the ground.

Marian Drake’s streetfront store doesn’t have a window anymore. Most of what was inside the storm knocked to the floor.

“It’s minimal damage compared to what others have lost and so we’ll just get it packed up and see what happens next,” Drake said And that “first time” Marshall spoke of was about a tornado that hit Eureka in July of 2016. More on that story here.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Louisburg seeks resident input on two issues

Two surveys are currently being conducted by the city of Louisburg and are included in the June utility statement.

In the first survey, residents are being asked to provide feedback about stormwater issues either on their property or somewhere in the community they see as a troublesome area. This coincides with the city’s efforts to create a master stormwater plan. In the second survey, city officials are seeking input for any desired improvements to the Louisburg Aquatic Center. This survey is also included with the utility bill and is available on the city’s website.

(Read more: The Miami County Republic)

Roeland Park police say they won’t need city budget support for K-9 program next year

Roeland Park’s new K9 Police Officer Rango has finished his third week of training with the K9 training division of the Lenexa Police Department and is progressing ahead of schedule, according to Police Chief John Morris. The first part of Rango’s training should be complete by the end of July.

Roeland Park police have raised more than $20,600 through fundraising efforts to date, about a quarter of its total goal for the program. However, the department does not expect to need any city support for the K9 program in the 2019 budget, the city council learned during last week’s governing body workshop.

Merriam’s Brown Park gets new pickleball court, updated basketball court

Brown Memorial Park just got a pickleball court.

Jenna Gant, communications and public engagement manager, said pickleball has been gaining popularity in the area.

“The Irene B. French Community Center offers drop-in games on Monday evenings and Saturday mornings, and this now offers an opportunity for our residents to play outside,” Gant said. “It’s the only place in the city for outdoor pickleball games.”

Merriam also replaced the old half basketball court at Brown Memorial Park with fresh asphalt. Gant said the old asphalt was “cracked and in bad shape.”

Gant said total construction costs were $18,000.

Residents caught between law and trash hauler in Harvey County

Some Harvey County residents are left in a pickle. County law requires them to recycle, but a trash hauler recently discontinued service.

Cecil Fanning, a rural Newton resident, found himself searching for other options following the cut off from Waste Connections, his trash hauler.

“Now they just sent us a letter saying they don’t do recycling any more,” he said.

Fanning spoke to county commissioners at their Monday meeting. He presented them with information as well as his trash bills. He noted that his trash bill was $90 before the change by Waste Management and had dropped down to $60 following the company dropping recycling service in Harvey County.

County Administrator Anthony Swartzendruber gave commissioners a brief summary of county resolutions regarding recycling. Currently, county residents are required to remove recyclables from their trash going to the county dump. He said that Waste Connections should be part of that process.

“We’re going to continue to emphasize that they have to provide recycling services in the county,” he said. “But it’s on the residents, the way the resolution was passed. It’s up to the residents to recycle.”

(Read more: Newton Now)

Lake Quivira breaks ground on new community center

Big changes are in store for Lake Quivira.

The city recently broke ground on its new community center, plus it has several more projects on the horizon.

The $8 million improvements also include a golf practice facility to open in the fall, a community barn to be constructed soon, future equestrian changes and a beach pavilion, which opened earlier this year.

“It’s an exciting time for Lake Quivira,” said Steve Sestak, Lake Quivira Country Club board president. “A lot of planning has gone into both making an investment in our future and preserving our heritage. It’s good to see progress without losing what makes us unique.”

(Read more: The Dispatch stories)

Bourbon County plans to set its sights on low water crossings

As the county wraps up its asphalt projects for the year, the Bourbon County Commissioners agreed Tuesday it will soon be time to focus on low water crossings. Public Works Director Jim Harris asked the commissioners to have a discussion in the next few weeks about low water crossings. He said he expects to receive the county’s bridge inspection report, compiled by Schwab Eaton, by the end of this week. Commissioners agreed to wait until they have the report in hand before scheduling a work session to discuss low water crossings.

Harris said there are currently three low water crossings that have been closed and Oharah said there are five crossings that have “some very big problems.”

(Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)

Sedgwick County program aims to keep released inmates from returning to jail

The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is trying to keep people from returning to jail.

The sheriff’s office started a new program that helps inmates before they set foot out of jail. Sedgwick County Offender Re-Entry, or S.C.O.R.E., is a first-of-it’s kind program here meant to connect inmates with resources before they leave jail so they don’t come back. “Sixty percent of people come back in two years with new offences, so something has to be done to break that and the sheriff has looked at other jails and other larger cities with smaller jail populations and what they’re doing is programs,” said Captain Jared Schechter with Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.

Many organizations are partnering with the sheriff to help, so there is no direct cost to taxpayers.

(Read more: KWCH News)