Kansas Municipal News
Hospital subsidy pitched here
Although “the sky isn’t falling,” as Holton Community Hospital CEO Carrie Lutz told members of the Holton City Commission and Jackson County Commission at their meetings on Monday, the hospital is facing some financial issues with Medicare reimbursement and pandemic-related problems that have hospital leaders asking city and county officials to consider a subsidy, possibly in the form of a sales tax. “You are elected officials, and our county, state and federal officials need to know that decisions you make can impact us,” Lutz told county commissioners. Lutz met with county commissioners on Monday afternoon and with city commissioners that evening to discuss the hospital’s challenges and successes in the past few years, noting that while the hospital’s recent expansion allows extra services to be offered and annual revenue has doubled from $22 million to $44 million between 2013 and 2013, there’s still a need for financial assistance.
Source: Holton Recorder
COVID-19 wastewater data spiked in JoCo. Here’s why local officials aren’t worried.
Despite a short-lived spike in wastewater data for northeast Johnson County last month, the overall trend of COVID-19 infections in the county and statewide has been on the decline, according to data from the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment. As the next cold and flu season approaches, the county’s website shows that while sewage monitoring systems show Kansas with “very high” levels of COVID virus, the overall trend is likely downward. Activity for flu and respiratory syncytial virus in wastewater also is minimal statewide, according to the site. Source: Johnson County Post
Overland Park to cut down lanes on stretch of Santa Fe Drive, add room for bikes
Overland Park intends to try out a road diet on a chunk of Santa Fe Drive next year. On Wednesday, the Overland Park City Council Public Works Committee unanimously recommended approval of the infrastructure maintenance program plan for 2025. That plan identifies Santa Fe for street preservation work, and when that’s complete, the city will repaint the pavement markers to match the new traffic pattern. Director of Public Works Lorraine Basalo said the road diet would narrow Santa Fe Drive from four lanes to two lanes between Antioch Road and Robinson Street, about where the road already narrows as it moves into downtown Overland Park. The eliminated lanes will then be converted into “buffered bike lanes,” she said, though no new walls or barriers are planned at this time.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Redlining helped spur disinvestment in Wichita’s urban core. How much is an in-fill plan changing that legacy?
Just over half of all demolitions in Wichita and Sedgwick County in the last decade were of single-family homes. Of those, nearly a quarter occurred in ZIP code 67214. The area had the most single-family demolitions of any other ZIP code over the last decade. The population there is majority Black and majority Hispanic. Parts of all six ZIP codes in Wichita’s urban core, including much of 67214, touch areas that were formerly redlined. “Redlining” refers to a practice adopted by the Homeowners Loan Corp., a government-sponsored corporation born out of the Great Depression. Almost a century ago, the practice was used to categorize neighborhoods according to how secure the area was for mortgaging. Those areas graded as the least-desirable were shaded in red on the maps, leading to use of the term “redlined.” “HOLC did not invent redlining, as life insurance companies previously discriminated in this way, nor did HOLC circulate its maps beyond a small group of government officials,” according to On The Line, a book by Trinity College professor Jack Dougherty, who works with students and community partners to analyze the relationship between schooling and housing in the city and suburbs of Hartford, Connecticut. Though the corporation’s maps did not cause redlining, they reflect the racist and elitist perspectives of the federal officials who created them, the book says, and the vestiges of the maps and the perspectives they reflect remain today.
In 1937, 64% of the city of Wichita was redlined by those maps. That made it the third-most redlined city in the country. Redlining contributed to generational wealth gaps that still plague Black Americans. Even today, in areas that were previously redlined, it can be a struggle for residents to secure loans, including for refinance or renovation.
Source: KLC Journal
EPA awards Iola School District $690k for clean buses
The U.S. Environment Protection Agency is set to present a $690,000 ceremonial check to the Iola Unified School District. The check is part of the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program. The program funds electric buses, which produce zero-tailpipe emissions, as well as propane and compressed natural gas buses, which produce lower tailpipe emissions compared to existing school buses. According to the EPA, the school district will use the funds to purchase two electric school buses and install charging infrastructure. The presentation is set for Thursday, September 26 at 11 a.m. at the Iola Elementary School.
Source: KOAM News
Watch: Local firefighters receive training on how to put out natural gas fires
Black Hills Energy partnered with around 50 firefighters on Thursday night to train them how to respond to natural gas fires. The training was held at Colwich Memorial Park. In addition to pipeline safety presentations, Black Hills Energy helped conduct live-fire, hands-on training exercises to allow firefighters to practice containing and extinguishing natural gas fires under controlled circumstances. Black Hills Energy said the Colwich training is one of a series of fire safety seminars the company is offering to fire departments in Kansas. The company also educates firefighters about the various characteristics of natural gas so they can safely and effectively manage natural gas incidents.
Source: KSN-TV
School building consolidations being considered across Kansas this year
School building consolidations are being considered across Kansas this year. The Wichita and Garden City school districts are considering merging and closing some school buildings. One much smaller community, Healy, plans to dissolve its district altogether. The Garden City Public Schools Board of Education met Thursday night to consider whether to approve a plan to close three elementary school buildings. Following our 6 p.m. broadcast, Garden City Public Schools announced that the board rejected the recommendation in a 4-3 vote. They are not the only ones who have thought of building consolidation this year. Across Kansas, Wichita Public School’s Board of Education voted to move forward with its facilities master plan, which would close four elementary schools. Experts at the Kansas State Department of Education say this year is comparable with past years. They say school districts consider closing buildings for many reasons, including population shifts across cities, declining school enrollment due to a lack of children in the area, and aging buildings that are no longer sustainable. Some districts are also shifting to move students from multiple smaller buildings to one big building for staffing efficiency.
Source: KSN-TV
Fluoride in drinking water poses enough risk to merit new EPA action, judge says
A federal judge has ordered the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to further regulate fluoride in drinking water because high levels could pose a risk to the intellectual development of children. U.S. District Judge Edward Chen cautioned that it’s not certain that the amount of fluoride typically added to water is causing lower IQ in kids, but he concluded that mounting research points to an unreasonable risk that it could be. He ordered the EPA to take steps to lower that risk, but didn’t say what those measures should be. It’s the first time a federal judge has made a determination about the neurodevelopmental risks to children of the recommended U.S. water fluoride level, said Ashley Malin, a University of Florida researcher who has studied the effect of higher fluoride levels in pregnant women.
Source: KSN-TV
Kansas seeks public input to improve state water resources
With the help of Kansans’ feedback, Kansas departments are looking for ways to improve water resources across the state. A local water consult meeting was held at Memorial Auditorium in Pittsburg. Its goal is to implement a plan for the 2022 Kansas Water Plan by getting feedback on how much money should be spent, how it should be spent, and what projects should be created. Participants split up into discussion groups to talk about what they value and want to see out of the water system. For some residents, their focus was on the economic and environmental impacts.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Topeka leaders to vote on homeless camp crackdown
Capital city leaders are set to vote on changes to the city’s camping ordinance that would expand restrictions on where camping is permitted. A proposal brought by councilmembers Christina Valdivia-Alcala and Neil Dobler would prohibit camps within 500 feet of any public infrastructure. The current limit is 300 feet. The suggested changes also include expanding the definition of “public infrastructure” to include government buildings and facilities related to public utilities, among other areas.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Are common consumption areas coming to Manhattan?
Manhattan city leaders are considering common consumption in areas of the Little Apple. The Manhattan Commission hosted a work session meeting Tuesday, Sept. 25 where the discussion of common consumption areas (CCA) took place. CCA’s would differ from special events, which are what Manhattan currently allows, where streets get closed off and it’s limited to specific days and times, as well as specific areas, like Aggieville and City Park. In April 2023, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed a bill allowing cities to create their own common consumption areas.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Commissioners get update on solar project
Labette County commissioners on Monday heard an update on a 400-megawatt solar energy project that is proposed for North and Neosho townships in northeast Labette County. Mark Randall of AES Clean Energy discussed the project with commissioners. He’d talked to commissioners earlier this year about the project. The solar energy project has acres leased at this time and will not need more. There are about 10 landowners who are leasing to AES, Randall said. The energy produced by the solar panels will be sent to an AES substation to be built north of U.S. 400 in the area of Victory Road. From there, a transmission line will carry that energy southeast to Evergy’s Neosho Substation. AES has been completing studies and finishing land work. Randall said with zoning regulations in place, AES is working toward seeking a conditional use permit from the county planning commission and zoning administrator to allow the solar collection sites, which also include a battery storage component, the substation and the transmission line to Neosho.
Source: Parsons Sun
Municipal Bond Trends for September 26, 2024
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.
Suits against Topeka fire department advance
Discrimination lawsuits by two retired Topeka Fire Department captains are moving toward trial in the wake of Topeka’s city government’s having been found last week to have discriminated against two female police administrators.
Source: CJonline
Visit Lindsborg wants people chatting up Little Sweden
A city in the middle of Kansas, with a population of less than 4,000 people will soon be known to people across parts of the United States, and even into Canada. This comes after the Lindsborg Convention and Visitors Bureau is taking a risk and spending money to reach new audiences with advertising.
Source: Salina Journal
Municipal Bond Trends for September 25, 2024
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.
Municipal Bond Trends for September 24, 2024
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.
Governor Kelly Announces 14 Grant Recipients for Rural Champions Program
Governor Laura Kelly announced today the 14 grant recipients of the Rural Champions program’s second cohort. The selected Rural Champions will join a growing statewide network of grassroots individuals tackling critical projects in their respective rural communities. “Since day one, my administration has been focused on the needs of our rural communities and the quality of life in every region of the state,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Creating the Office of Rural Prosperity was only the beginning of our support for rural Kansans and their needs. By developing the Rural Champions program, we are assisting communities to find local solutions to specific local challenges.” Inspired by a Kansas Sampler Foundation report, the Office of Rural Prosperity, in collaboration with the Patterson Family Foundation, created the Rural Champions program as a way for rural communities to move the needle in areas where a lack of capital or other resources hinders necessary progress. The Rural Champions program provides a one-year wage stipend of $20,800 to each community, along with training and resources. Communities also will receive up to $25,000 at the end of the year to move into the implementation phase of their projects.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Library looks to expand tax area
The Arkansas City Public Library is hoping to generate more income by expanding its taxing boundaries from the city limits to the borders of the entire USD 470 District. Library Director Mendy Pfannenstiel said those outside of the city limits are able to make used of the library but don’t pay taxes to support it. While Ark City residents most recently paid 6 mills, those in rural areas currently pay 1.229 mills to the South-Central Kansas Library System in Hutchinson. The expanded boundaries would bring in an estimated $700,000 compared to the current $450,000 for library operations. That’s if voters approve it. A question on the ballot this Nov. 5 for voters in the USD 470 District will ask whether they agree to expand the library taxing boundaries. Most voters — those living in the city limits — would see a small reduction in their property tax levied by the library. The reduction to 5 mills would equal $57, about $12 less, on a $100,000 property. But those outside the city limits and within the school district boundaries would pay about $40 more on that same $100,000. “In other words, all patrons of USD 470 would pay the same to support the Arkansas City Library,” Pfannenstiel said. The extra $250,000 would be unused to improve services and extend the library’s outreach to disadvantaged and rural areas. They could provide programs such as the bookmobile, along with early childhood literacy and family support to those areas. Rural citizens would also be able to make use of services such as the Libby digital book service, which allows them to check out electronic books at no charge. The additional funds would also put the library in a better position to update the local facility and its outdated furnishings and technology, she added.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
Cyberattack on Ark City water treatment facility under investigation
The FBI and Homeland Security officials are in Arkansas City to investigate a cyberattack at the city’s water treatment facility that occurred Sunday morning. The city put out a statement Sunday assuring residents that the water supply remained safe and that service was not disrupted. The treatment facility has switched to manual operations while the situation is being resolved. “Residents can rest assured that their drinking water is safe, and the City is operating under full control during this period,” City Manager Randy Frazer said. On Monday Frazer provided more details. The cyberattack took out the water treatment’s control systems and included a ransom request. With the controls down, however, the attackers could not manipulate the system and no sensitive city or customer information was compromised. The identity of the attackers isn’t known, he added, and no ransom is being paid. The city might have to replace some computer equipment, though, to make sure it is free of any malware of virus. Frazer said the federal government has been warning cities for several years of the possibility of cyberattacks on water supplies, because of the potential for great harm to a vital utility. The press release states that enhanced security measures are in place to protect the water supply, and no changes to water quality or service are expected for residents.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
Travel writers tour towns
A group of travel writers touring Southeast Kansas saw small-town revitalization in action Friday during stops in Iola and Humboldt. “The story of Humboldt has inspired a lot of other towns,” said Colby Sharples-Terry, who led the tour on behalf of Kansas Tourism through TravelKS.com. “It’s been revitalized in a very distinct way. Everything even down to the doorknobs has style and grace. It’s done very elegantly. A lot of times when people think ‘small-town American,’ they think rustic. Humboldt shows you can combine the rural aspect and also new age and industrial. “And Iola is just a fabulous community. Their trail system and the businesses and, you know, the big old square.” TravelKS offers organized “familiarization trips” through six regions of the state. This trip attracted three travel bloggers: Craig Silva of Oakville, Ontario, Canada; Cynthia Fogard of Minneapolis, Minn.; and Tonya Denmark of Clearmont, Fla. The three of them came to Kansas from very different places and for different reasons, but all wanted to explore part of the country traditionally seen as “flyover country.”
Source: The Iola Register
ICYMI: Panasonic Plant Could Revolutionize Region’s Economy
“For Gov. Kelly, the impact of the Panasonic project is huge and ongoing. “It already has changed Kansas’s perception of itself – the fact that we were able to attract a business like Panasonic,” Kelly said. “People out in Hays are fully aware this is happening. They have a sense of pride and anticipate what else is to come,” the governor said. Laura Kelly of Kansas believes the opening of the $4 billion electric car battery manufacturing plant in DeSoto early next year will revolutionize the region’s economy, lifestyle and self-image. “The overall impact of this is just truly transformational,” Kelly said of the massive 4.7 million square foot Panasonic plant nearing completion. “The northeast quadrant of our state will look very different and feel very different,” the governor said. The good news is undeniable. Allan Swan, president of Panasonic Energy of North America, in June said the DeSoto plant, “will be the largest battery manufacturing plant in the world.” For Kelly, Panasonic’s arrival is the capstone of [nearly] $20 billion in new capital investment in the state made on her watch as governor coming from 1,300 economic development wins. The jobs Panasonic is creating will lead to further significant job growth. “We expect suppliers to set up shop. We expect another 4,000 jobs,” Kelly said.
Source: Governor of the State of Kansas
Wichita continues drought response
The City of Wichita is continuing Stage 2 of its drought response plan, which restricts outdoor watering to one day a week. All water customers are being urged to continue to find ways to cut back on water usage. Even though the outdoor irrigation season is coming to a close, there are still ways to save water by changing some daily habits. The city said 302 warning letters have been issued to water customers who were reported to be watering outside of their allocated day, and water use in the community is starting to increase. Before stage 2 restrictions, weekly highest water use was around 74 million gallons a day (MGD). The first week of restrictions, weekly highest water use was just over 55 MGD. Last week, the highest water usage was 64 MGD. During the last two months, efforts on education were prioritized over issuing fines. Going forward, staff plans to increase enforcement, including issuance of fines if warranted, while still continuing educational efforts on ways to cut back on water use. Stage 3 of the drought response will be discussed by city officials if water levels within Cheney’s conservation pool reach a 12-month average of below 50%. In stage 3, all outdoor watering for non-exempt customers is prohibited. This would include lawn and non-vegetable garden watering, private pool use and more. Source: 101.3 KFDI
Leon brings back local police department
The City of Leon has reintroduced their local Police Department after putting a pause on the agency two years ago. After stopping the Leon Police Department in September 2022, the city has decided to bring it back due to local needs. The City of Leon contracted with the Butler County Sheriff’s Office to keep a deputy on patrol in Leon a certain number of days during the day. As the contract progressed, city leaders and citizens realized they needed more evening and weekend coverage in addition to the daytime coverage they were receiving.
Source: Andover American
Sedgwick Council adopts strategic plan
After months of work from the Wichita State Public Policy and Management Center, the City of Sedgwick was presented with a strategic plan during the Sept. 18 meeting. The project began with interviews, four focus groups and a survey running between April and July 2024. Participants in the focus groups included local business owners, local organization board members, USD-439 students and community leaders. “It’s a great day to live in Sedgwick,” City Administrator Kyle Nordick said. “We have a lot of great things going on.” Nordick explained the PPMC was contracted to develop Sedgwick’s first ever strategic plan. Kate Young was the project associate for the plan, along with Kathy Sexton, senior management associate, Kian Williams, student assistant, and Amiee Kozushko, graduate assistant. “I was really excited because I lived in Sedgwick about eight years ago,” Young said. “It was a really fun project to get back into this community that I loved and lived in.” Young explained the project mission and vision along with the five goals for the strategic plan. She also mentioned the execution and evaluation for the city. The five goals are increasing collaboration for the best use of resources, meet the housing needs of the current and future residents to maintain vitality and manageable growth, provide quality parks and public spaces for youth recreation and community activities, promote business retention and development and continue to meet infrastructure and emergency management needs. With each goal was a list of strategies and the corresponding job title or champion. The council unanimously approved the plan 5-0.
Source: Harvey County Now
Olathe commission deals blow to ‘workforce housing’ proposal out south
A mixed-use and “workforce housing” development proposed in southern Olathe has hit a snag. On Monday, the Olathe Planning Commission unanimously recommended the denial of the HōM Flats rezoning and preliminary site development plan application. The proposal features just over 200 apartment units and several thousand square feet of planned commercial space on a 14-acre property west of 161st Street and Mur-Len Road. That’s near some single-family homes, a neighborhood center with retail, some lower-density multifamily and a fire station. Currently, the property is zoned mostly with rural and low-density designations from before Olathe annexed it from Johnson County, plus a little bit of city office zoning. Michigan-based developer Magnus Capital Partners LLC is seeking to convert it into “community center” (C-2) and low-density multifamily residential categories to make way for the mixed-use and apartment elements.
Source: Johnson County Post
This Johnson County city is the next to explore allowing accessory dwelling units
Another northeast Johnson County city is exploring new housing options to allow under its city code. The Merriam City Council on Monday unanimously voted to direct the city’s planning commission to draft an ordinance that explicitly allows accessory dwelling units, sometimes referred to as granny flats or mother-in-law suites. Over the past couple of years, accessory dwelling units proved a major sticking point in Prairie Village’s heated housing debate, with some residents expressing concerns that allowing for ADUs could lead to increased traffic, strained infrastructure and crowded schools. Prairie Village’s code allows for what are called accessory living quarters, which require tenants to be related to the primary property owner. Meanwhile, in Merriam, Billy Croan, the only resident who shared public comment on Monday, urged the city council to support accessory dwelling units in the name of property owner rights. Croan said he believes “government should not stand in the way” of people using their properties. City staff is going to work with the Merriam Planning Commission to draft an ordinance, which will eventually return to the city council for final consideration.
Source: Johnson County Post
Prairie Village will address speeding on neighborhood street after residents’ petition
Speed tables are coming to a connecting street near Meadowbrook Park. The Prairie Village City Council last week unanimously approved the installation of two speed tables along 90th Street between Somerset Drive and Roe Avenue, just north of Meadowbrook Park. This comes after residents along the street banded together to petition for a traffic calming measure along the street.> Source: Johnson County Post
Yes, it’s possible to build too much housing. But Junction City has been recovering.
The story of how the city built entire neighborhoods for a population that never materialized is, in some ways, a story of bad timing and unforeseeable events – a fluke. But the experience also illustrates the risks many smaller communities can take in pursuit of economic development, and of the catastrophic fallout that can result if the gamble doesn’t pay off. In Junction City, the recovery process has not been without obstacles, and there are open questions as to the social costs of its charted path. The population has been in decline, with Junction City losing 408 people from 2022 to 2023 and 4.7% of its population since 2020. But the city has, in other ways, made a remarkable comeback, in large part due to high levels of transparency, introspection, and trial and error on the part of the city’s political leaders. Source: KLC Journal
Phillips County prepares for mock disaster drill
A community-wide mock disaster drill will take place in Phillips County Wednesday. The exercise will involve the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office, EMS, the Phillipsburg Fire Department, Phillips County Rural District #1 Fire Department, Phillips County Health Systems, Amber Wave, and Phillipsburg High School. The drill will simulate a major real-life disaster to help local agencies learn how to coordinate and respond should a real disaster hit the region, which is required every four years under federal law. “We are grateful for the chance to work with our local first responders and healthcare providers to improve our readiness for potential disaster situations,” says Tara Overmiller, CEO of Phillips County Health Systems, in a news release. “This drill will allow us to assess our current systems and ensure we can work together effectively to respond to emergencies.” On Wednesday, residents of Phillips County may see a large number of emergency vehicles and personnel, but there is no need for concern.
Source: KSN-TV
Why you will see more Kansas police officers at railroad crossings
You may see more officers pulling drivers over near railroad crossings this week. It is part of “Operation Clear Track.” From now through Sept. 29, state, federal and railroad law enforcement departments will enforce railroad grade crossing and trespassing laws nationwide. The project’s goal is to reduce pedestrian and driver injuries and fatalities around railroad tracks. Law enforcement will be stationed at targeted railroad grade crossings, handing out railroad safety cards to motorists and pedestrians and issuing warnings and citations to violators. Federal statistics show that a train hits a person or vehicle every three hours in the United States. “Operation Clear Track” is an effort by Operation Lifesaver Inc.
Source: KSN-TV
City of Topeka offers free computers to local residents
City officials are giving away free computers to local residents in and around Topeka as part of a digital equity initiative. Taylor Bugg with the City of Topeka said in a press release that qualifying Topeka and Shawnee County residents between the ages of 18 and 59 can sign up for TSC – Get Digital, to get a free computer. People applying for this must receive SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans Pension Benefit Program or have a household income less than 200% of federal poverty guidelines. Applicants must live in the following urban areas: Topeka, Auburn, Dover, Rossville, Silver Lake, Tecumseh, Wakarusa. Bugg said the computers are on a first-come, first-serve basis. People interested in getting a computer must pre-qualify by calling 785-368-3098 by Sept. 27.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Municipal Bond Trends for September 23, 2024
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.
Lawrence in middle of peak of infestation from emerald ash borers, removing about 150 ash trees per year
Arborists in Lawrence managing the infestation from an invasive beetle called emerald ash borers that are affecting ash trees say the period of damage is at a peak, with the city needing to remove about 150 of those trees per year.
Source: LJWorld
Salina is using new technology to extend the life of its streets
“For instance, we’re currently testing that pressure pave (technique),” [Jim Teutsch, director of public works for the City of Salina] said. … He said road departments hope to get seven to eight years out of typical surface treatments, but this pressure pave system has claimed to get at least 10 years of use before retreatment, something that helps as the department wants to cause the least amount of headache to drivers.
Source: Salina Journal
Arkansas City responds to cybersecurity incident
Arkansas City encountered a cybersecurity issue early Sunday morning involving its Water Treatment Facility. Authorities were promptly notified and precautionary measures were taken to ensure plant operations remained secure, the City said in a release Sunday afternoon.
Source: KAKE
City to consider ordinance to let people walk around with alcoholic beverages during events
Manhattan city commissioners at Tuesday’s meeting will discuss possible approaches to adopting a common consumption area (CCA) ordinance. A CCA allows a person to consume and possess an alcoholic beverage within the area and can include city property, sidewalks and streets.
Source: 1350 KMAN
Southeast Kansas school board fined for improper meetings
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach’s office fined a rural, seven-member school board for repeatedly violating the Kansas Open Meetings Act. The Chautauqua County school district board, a 380-student district in southeast Kansas, inappropriately used executive sessions, made improper motions for executive sessions and failed “to comply with nearly every statutory requirement for such motions,” the attorney general’s office said in a news release Thursday. The board’s meeting minutes also did not accurately reflect the board’s verbal motions during its meetings. As a result, each board member must pay a $100 fine and attend further Kansas Open Meetings Act training. No evidence suggests the seven-member board intentionally violated the meetings act, said Amber Smith, an assistant attorney general, in the news release.
Source: Derby Informer | News
Dept. of Commerce visits Dodge City, delivers Gunsmoke Trail grant
Boot Hill was one highlight along a statewide pilgrimage for the Kansas Department of Commerce this week as members presented historic attractions with funds to keep Dodge City on the lips of locals and visitors alike. Leaders from Boot Hill Museum, Inc., and Boot Hill Distillery were present Sept. 17 to accept the checks. “They do such a great job selling Dodge City,” Department of Commerce Tourism Director Bridgette Jobe said of Dodge City Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (CVB) Director Megan Welsh and Boot Hill Museum Director Lyne Johnson. “It’s great to see Dodge City blossom and work with surrounding areas. The importance of telling these stories to our children is to help them understand the Dodge City of today.” The Gunsmoke Trail Pass allows fans of Emmy award-winning Western classic to earn points and prizes just by visiting locations along the Gunsmoke Trail. The trail launched in May 2023 as a collaboration between the CVB and peer organizations in Abilene, Hays and Wichita. The Gunsmoke Trail is a road trip adventure through four Kansas communities featured on the show.
Source: Dodge City Daily Globe
Chalk Fest revival brings color to downtown Emporia
After more than a decade, the Emporia Arts Center brought back its popular Chalk Fest event Saturday, to the delight of local artists and community members alike. The event transformed the 800 block of Commercial Street into a vibrant canvas for artists of all skill levels, with people young and old joining in the celebration. Sarah Barrett, Gallery and Art Store Coordinator at the Emporia Arts Center, said the decision to revive the event after almost a 15-year hiatus was almost serendipitous. “We just really wanted to be out in the community doing this kind of creative thing,” Barrett said. “We were cleaning out the basement one day and found a box labeled ‘Chalk Fest.’ When we opened it, we found all these pictures, and it brought back memories for a lot of people who were kids the last time we did this.”
Source: Emporia Gazette
Solar moratorium sent back to county planners
A proposed moratorium on both commercial wind and commercial solar projects for two years by the county planning commission was struck down by Jackson County Commissioners at their meeting on Monday morning. Members of the planning commission met last Thursday evening, Sept. 5, to discuss several topics, including a two-year moratorium on commercial wind projects. After some discussion, the planning commission approved both a commercial wind and commercial solar moratorium for two years on a 3-2 vote, it was reported. Steven Willett, Delbert Boling and Ben Pruett voted in favor of the revised moratorium and Jonathan Wimer and Chris Abernathy voted against it.
Source: Holton Recorder
JH board continues to talk building addition options
The Jackson Heights USD 335 Board of Education on Monday evening continued to discuss a plan to build a new classroom addition that would link the district’s elementary and high school buildings, but tabled action on setting that plan into motion after some board members expressed concerns that a proposed $5 million bond issue for that construction may not get the approval of district voters. Draft plans for the addition, as board members noted in August, would cover about 17,000 square feet and include a common “library” space, new classrooms allowing fifth and sixth-grade classes to move out of the existing elementary building — allowing kindergarten through fourth grades to have three classrooms per grade — and new art and music spaces, as well as a possible remodel of elementary classroom space for a new office near the building’s main entrance.
Source: Holton Recorder
Shawnee Police descend on home after ‘false’ 911 call
Shawnee Police are investigating following an apparent swatting call at a home near Johnson and Greenwood drives on Sunday afternoon. That intersection is immediately east of Broken Arrow Elementary. Swatting is when someone calls emergency services and falsely reports an emergency, which is meant to result in a significant response from police and other first responders. In an emailed response to questions, Shawnee Public Safety Information Officer Emily Rittman told the Post that police, firefighters and Johnson County Med-Act were called to a falsely reported shooting in the 5900 block of Greenwood Drive at about 2:20 p.m. According to recorded radio traffic, firefighters and paramedics were told to stage away from the address until police could confirm the scene was safe for them to enter. “When officers and first responders arrived, they discovered no one was injured,” Rittman said in her email. The fire and Med-Act units were told they could cancel their response just after 2:45 p.m. The emergency response caused a temporary closure of Johnson Drive between Alden Street and Mullen Road. “False reporting is a dangerous and illegal act that puts lives at risk,” Rittman said. “We want to remind our community that these actions have serious consequences, both legally and personally.” Police continue to investigate and have not said if they’ve been able to identify the person who made the false 911 call. No other details were immediately available.
Source: Johnson County Post
Prairie Village to host city’s first-ever Hispanic Heritage event
The city of Prairie Village’s first-ever Hispanic Heritage Month celebration promises food, dancing and community. Under the guidance of resident Lilian Valdez, the city’s diversity committee is hoping to bring the community together to highlight Prairie Village’s Hispanic community. Valdez —who moved to Prairie Village in 2017 from Los Angeles — acknowledges the city’s history and reputation as an overwhelmingly white community. Still, she hopes this inaugural event can foster a sense of community among the city’s Hispanic population. Valdez noted that 2020 U.S. Census data shows more than 1,000 Hispanic people in the Prairie Village community of nearly 23,000. “I’m hoping this brings a little bit of joy, a little bit of hometown feel from where they came from or maybe family feel from how you grew up, and just trying to foster that in Prairie Village,” Valdez said. The first-ever Prairie Village Hispanic Heritage Month event is from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 21 at Harmon Park.
Source: Johnson County Post
Johnson County’s homeless shelter plan is officially dead
It’s back to the drawing board for Johnson County and its plans to build a shelter in Lenexa for the county’s growing homeless population. How did the project — a major priority of Johnson County Commission Chair Mike Kelly, and the product of more than a year of planning and organizing — fall apart? Johnson County officials had approved a plan to use $6 million of federal funding to purchase a La Quinta Inn hotel in Lenexa and convert it into a homeless services shelter. Except last week, the Lenexa City Council rejected the permit, in spite of overwhelming support from community members. To find out what happened, Up To Date’s Steve Kraske spoke with Andrew Gaug, who has been covering this story for the Johnson County Post, and Stephanie Boyer, the CEO of reStart, the organization that had been planning to operate this new shelter.
Source: KCUR News