Fire departments in Lyon County receive state tax help

29 Wednesday, June 29

Fire departments in Lyon County receive state tax help

info2022-06-30T08:11:26-05:00June 29th, 2022|

Some of your fire insurance payments have returned to Lyon County to help local fire departments. Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt announced Wednesday that $162,447.57 has been distributed to seven Firefighter Relief Associations across the county. The allocation occurs each year under state law. The funds come for a two percent tax paid by insurance companies on “fire and lightning insurance premiums written in Kansas,” a statement from Schmidt's office said. FRAs can use the money to pay firefighters' health and life insurance costs. They also can purchase new fire trucks and gear, while improving fire stations. Source: Emporia Gazette

29 Wednesday, June 29

Kansas small town recognized by national travel website

info2022-06-29T23:21:30-05:00June 29th, 2022|

A small town with deep historical connections has been recognized by a national travel website. Abilene was doubly recognized by TravelAwaits during their "Best of Travel Awards" for 2022. Abilene was recognized along with other scenic towns and cities from around the world. Abilene claimed two awards this year from TravelAwaits: Favorite U.S. Small Town and Friendliest U.S. Small Town. This is the second year in a row that Abilene was recognized as the Favorite U.S. Small Town by TravelAwaits due to its strong ties to the Wild West and cattle trade. Source: KSNT 27 News

29 Wednesday, June 29

Flag retirement just got easier for one Kansas county

info2022-06-29T23:19:27-05:00June 29th, 2022|

Anytime a U.S. flag becomes tattered or worn to the point it's no longer a fitting symbol, it requires a proper retirement in a dignified manner. This week, one local county is making that retirement process a little easier. In the heart of downtown Manhattan, there is now a depository box for those flags that need to be retired. Installed on Monday in the lobby of 110 Courthouse Plaza, flags damaged or worn down over time will be accepted, and sent off to the local American Legion for a proper disposal. For one county worker, having that option available for people [...]

29 Wednesday, June 29

Golden petitioners drop their appeal

info2022-06-29T23:18:06-05:00June 29th, 2022|

Petitioners have dropped their appeal of the County Commission’s decision not to approve incorporation of a proposed city of Golden in northwest Miami County. District Judge Steven Montgomery granted the petitioners’ dismissal without prejudice Thursday, June 23. During a hearing in Miami County District Court conducted via Zoom on Monday, June 6, Judge Montgomery set bond in the Golden appeal at $3,500 and scheduled an in-person bench trial for October 2023. In October 2021, the County Commission voted 3-1 against incorporation of a proposed city of Golden. Jennifer Williams, who filed the initial petition to incorporate about 9 square miles north [...]

29 Wednesday, June 29

McPherson residents to vote on sales tax

info2022-06-29T23:16:39-05:00June 29th, 2022|

On Tuesday, Aug. 2, citizens of McPherson will vote in the primary election. Among items on the ballot, voters will consider a renewal of the city’s second half-cent sales tax. The city has scheduled eight public meetings during the next few weeks for citizens to get more information about the proposed renewal as well as have the opportunity to speak with city officials about the purpose of the sales tax. The meetings will consist of a 20-minute presentation, followed by a question-and-answer session with various representatives from the different city departments. This is not an additional tax; it is a renewal [...]

29 Wednesday, June 29

Panel makes recommendations for addressing housing affordability in Prairie Village

info2022-06-30T08:12:45-05:00June 29th, 2022|

The Prairie Village City Council on Tuesday unanimously directed city staff to begin work on implementation of attainable housing strategies as recommended by a city committee. These recommendations were borne out of the ad hoc housing committee, which Mayor Eric Mikkelson charged with focusing on how to diversify the city’s housing stock and preserve its currently available attainable housing options. Source: Prairie Village Post

29 Wednesday, June 29

Lawrence’s Sustainability Advisory Board to consider plastic bag ban

info2022-06-30T08:13:15-05:00June 29th, 2022|

The city’s Sustainability Advisory Board on Thursday will hold a special meeting to discuss a draft ordinance that would prohibit establishments from providing or selling single-use disposable plastic bags. The city has been discussing similar measures for a few years now. A previous draft of the ordinance would have required establishments to charge customers 15 cents per single-use disposable bag for any purchase. Produce bags and reusable bags are not included in the proposed ban. Single-use disposable paper bags would still be allowed. Source: The Lawrence Times

29 Wednesday, June 29

Pott County discusses potential reuse plan for old courthouse

info2022-06-29T23:11:24-05:00June 29th, 2022|

Jessica Stuck, an architect with Landmarks SGA, LLC, met virtually Monday with the county commissioners and suggested a reuse plan for the historic Pottawatomie Courthouse. Stuck specializes in adaptive reuse and historic preservation. She met previously in April with the commissioners and stakeholders to tour the building and obtain input regarding the potential future of the building. “There are thick 16-to-18-inch masonry walls which could pose problems with future reuses,” Stuck explained. Other restrictions on reuse Stuck mentioned included environmental factors such as asbestos and lead paint, proximity to the justice center, the age of the mechanical systems, and the fact [...]

29 Wednesday, June 29

Giant mural will start to be painted in downtown Osawatomie

info2022-06-30T08:14:46-05:00June 29th, 2022|

A giant mural will soon take shape in downtown Osawatomie. Samantha Moon, the city’s public information officer, said the muralist team should be on site around July 8 to begin the color application of a 40-foot by 40-foot mural on the building at the northwest corner of Fifth and Main streets. The city of Osawatomie received a $15,000 grant through the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Rural Prosperity and the “Rural Mural” program — a pilot program designed to bring public art into rural communities. The award included all expenses for labor, equipment, supplies and other costs. Source: Local News [...]

29 Wednesday, June 29

New $340,000 public art piece installed at Lawrence police headquarters

info2022-06-29T16:28:34-05:00June 29th, 2022|

A $340,000 art installation for the city’s police headquarters was recently installed. The artwork, “Through Other Eyes,” was paid for by the city’s longstanding Percent for Art program. The program allows city leaders to set aside up to 2% of a capital project’s budget for public art. The funding was approved as part of project budget for the $19.9 million police headquarters, 5100 Overland Drive. The piece consists of a metal pavilion with panels of colorful glass representations of eyes and light projections. The light sculpture at the center of the pavilion, the sphere toward the top of the design, includes [...]