Commission grapples with social media policies for city personnel, officials

4 Friday, October 4

Commission grapples with social media policies for city personnel, officials

info2024-10-04T09:25:53-05:00October 4th, 2024|

Emporia City Commissioners discussed social media policies for city officials and staff Wednesday afternoon. City Attorney Christina Montgomery said the policy is aimed at navigating the complex legal landscape surrounding government use of social media platforms. Montgomery emphasized the importance of distinguishing between personal and official use of social media. “There can be a fine line between your private usage of social media platforms to communicate with people and your public position as a state commissioner,” she explained. “Your personal social media platforms can be considered government use accounts.” The proposed policy stems from recent Supreme Court case law addressing social [...]

4 Friday, October 4

Goal of redeveloped activity center is to create ‘stronger, more connected community’

info2024-10-04T09:24:20-05:00October 4th, 2024|

Old Town Lenexa has a new look. Sections of the wanted and needed redevelopment project of the city’s Old Town Activity Center at 13420 Oak St. are beginning to unfold. “This project originated from the parks and recreation master plan and New Look at Old Town Study in which residents indicated a desire to reinvest in the community center and senior center,” said Logan Wagler, Lenexa Parks & Recreation director. “Additionally, the recreational programming and facility usage has grown significantly and the improvements will better serve the users, the neighborhood and the community.” Source: Joco 913 News

4 Friday, October 4

‘Missing middle’ housing project in northeast Olathe moves ahead

info2024-10-04T09:22:51-05:00October 4th, 2024|

A mixed residential rental project planned in Olathe aimed at filling a “missing middle” housing gap easily cleared a major hurdle this week. The Olathe City Council unanimously approved a rezoning request and preliminary site development plan for the prospective Olathe Commons housing development on Tuesday. The development — which features both single-family homes and townhomes — sits on a 23-acre piece of farmland southwest of 119th and Greenwood streets near the Olathe Pointe Shopping Center. Though all councilmembers ultimately supported the project, there were a few who voiced their desire to see more projects like this that feature dwelling units [...]

4 Friday, October 4

Lenexa City Center could add 200-plus apartments near its entrance

info2024-10-04T09:21:42-05:00October 4th, 2024|

More than 200 apartments are slated to fill vacant space across the street from Lenexa City Center's entryway. At the northeast corner of 87th Street Parkway and Renner Boulevard, Price Development Group plans to construct 215 apartments in a pair of four-story buildings. After winning approval from city planners on Monday, the Lenexa City Council is scheduled to review Price’s preliminary plan on Oct. 15. The 7-acre site is bound by Interstate 435 to the east and 87th Street to the south. The AdventHealth Life Campus is west on the opposite side of Renner, and the WaterCrest at City Center apartment [...]

4 Friday, October 4

A home costs more than ever in Kansas. The 2008 housing crisis is part of the reason

info2024-10-04T09:20:52-05:00October 4th, 2024|

Demand for homes in Kansas is high, but construction of new homes has been slow for more than a decade. Kansas saw a significant drop in home construction after the Great Recession, contributing to a housing shortage today that drives up prices. That shortage of supply is pushing up the costs of homes on the market, making it even more difficult for buyers to purchase an affordable or middle-market home. The trickle-down effect of the tight market is believed to be contributing to a lack of affordable housing and rising homelessness in the state. Source: KCUR News

4 Friday, October 4

Girard sidewalks to be repaired for community safety and accessibility

info2024-10-04T09:19:35-05:00October 4th, 2024|

The City of Girard will begin repairs on several sidewalks, including near the Girard Public Library on West Prairie Street. Librarian Sophia Stapleton is looking forward to the project, acknowledging the importance for the safety of children and teens who frequently walk to the library. “A lot of kids and teens walk in this town, so, them being able to do that safely,” said Stapleton. She highlighted that the improvements would also help individuals with disabilities, making navigation easier for everyone. Source: KOAM News

4 Friday, October 4

$1.5M loan approved from City to Coffeyville Regional Medical Center

info2024-10-04T09:18:25-05:00October 4th, 2024|

In response to ongoing financial challenges, Coffeyville Regional Medical Center (CRMC) has received approval for a $1.5 million loan from the City of Coffeyville to support critical infrastructure improvements and staffing enhancements. City commissioners voted on Wednesday to approve the loan, which will be funded through the city's economic development fund. City Manager Ben Brubaker emphasized the vital role CRMC plays in providing critical-care medical services to Coffeyville, as well as surrounding areas in southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma. However, like many rural hospitals, CRMC face substantial financial challenges, including rising operational costs, infrastructure upgrades, and the need for effective staffing. [...]

4 Friday, October 4

Clearwater Fall Festival kicks off 39th year

info2024-10-04T09:17:31-05:00October 4th, 2024|

The Clearwater Fall Festival begins Friday, Oct. 4, and runs through Sunday. Find the schedule here. It began in 1985 and features a carnival, parade, fishing tournament, talent show, beer garden, mechanical bull and food. Mayor Burt Ussery says this brings the community together. “It’s a great opportunity for us to show off our city,” he said. “We’ll have a tremendous amount of turnout from within, but we also bring in a lot of people from outside. It’s just a chance for people to come down and see what Clearwater is and who we are.” Clearwater Fall Festival buttons cost $5. [...]

4 Friday, October 4

Hutchinson firefighters back from aiding in Colorado Pearl Fire

info2024-10-04T09:16:24-05:00October 4th, 2024|

Three members of the Hutchinson Fire Department, who were deployed to Colorado to help with the Pearl Fire, are now home. They went as part of the National Geographic Area Coordination Center (GACC), which the department joined in 2019 and is made up of federal and state resources. Members of Hutch Fire have also helped in Oregon, Idaho, and several other deployments in California. “They got ready to go, drove up, they have a day of travel, they got there, got on the fire, they worked a couple [of] days doing some mop up,” said HFD Battalion Chief Justin Holzrichter. Holzrichter [...]

4 Friday, October 4

New Wichita water facility complete but not ready to use

info2024-10-04T09:15:16-05:00October 4th, 2024|

Wichita’s new Northwest Water Facility, in the works since 2018, is now complete. The half-billion-dollar facility will eventually replace Wichita’s 80-year-old water treatment plant in the Riverside area, but it won’t be fully up and running for some time. Although the facility looks ready to go, it won’t be fully operational until April, and the City of Wichita says it’s not planning on closing the old Riverside facility and fully relying on this plant until summer 2025. Source: KSN-TV