Chalk Fest revival brings color to downtown Emporia

23 Monday, September 23

Chalk Fest revival brings color to downtown Emporia

info2024-09-23T10:03:15-05:00September 23rd, 2024|

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 [...]

23 Monday, September 23

Solar moratorium sent back to county planners

info2024-09-23T10:01:43-05:00September 23rd, 2024|

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 [...]

23 Monday, September 23

JH board continues to talk building addition options

info2024-09-23T10:00:35-05:00September 23rd, 2024|

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 [...]

23 Monday, September 23

Shawnee Police descend on home after ‘false’ 911 call

info2024-09-23T09:59:04-05:00September 23rd, 2024|

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 [...]

23 Monday, September 23

Prairie Village to host city’s first-ever Hispanic Heritage event

info2024-09-23T09:57:28-05:00September 23rd, 2024|

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 [...]

23 Monday, September 23

Johnson County’s homeless shelter plan is officially dead

info2024-09-23T09:56:34-05:00September 23rd, 2024|

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 [...]

23 Monday, September 23

Soybean processing plant brings more jobs to Cherryvale area

info2024-09-23T09:55:33-05:00September 23rd, 2024|

A new industry is coming to Cherryvale, Kansas as a grand opening takes place for the Bartlett Soybean Processing Plant. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly is just one state official to attend the opening of the facility. She was joined by the likes of Sen. Roger Marshall and Lt. Gov. David Toland. The soybean plant is expected to process up to 49 million bushels of soybeans annually, creating products for foods, animal feed and renewable energy. The plant has already created more than 60 new jobs within the facility alone. Source: KOAM News

23 Monday, September 23

Fort Scott approves demolition of rundown homes for community beautification

info2024-09-23T09:54:30-05:00September 23rd, 2024|

The Fort Scott City Commission has approved the demolition of several rundown homes that have been a concern for the community. Earlier this month, they reviewed six homes that are either abandoned or need many repairs. “Honestly, some of these houses are places I wouldn’t want to see anyone living in, especially kids,” he said. He explained that these dilapidated homes hurt the property values in the area, making it harder for everyone" said Leroy Kruger, codes technician. If a house is found to be in bad shape and the city is considering demolition, the the city will send a letter [...]

23 Monday, September 23

New City Administrator appointed in Fredonia, Kansas

info2024-09-23T09:53:05-05:00September 23rd, 2024|

The city of Fredonia, Kansas announces a new City Administrator during its commission meeting. According to the city's Facebook page, the new City Administrator is Evan Bolt. “Evan meets all of our preferred qualifications. He will arrive with a successful track record of managing infrastructure projects in municipalities in Colorado and Utah.” said Mayor Miller. “And Fredonia will also benefit from the practical research he conducted for the Environmental Finance Center at Wichita State University while working on his graduate degree." According to Mayor Miller, after extensive resume screening, candidate and reference interviews, department head consultation, and background checks, he and [...]

23 Monday, September 23

Wichita Public Library now offering birdwatching kits

info2024-09-23T09:51:48-05:00September 23rd, 2024|

The Wichita Public Library continues to expand its unique offerings that can be checked out for free with a membership card. The latest is perfect for anyone interested in birds. The library has announced a new partnership with the Audubon of Kansas to offer birdwatching kits. The kits are packed with pamphlets and guides to birdwatching, other information, and maps of excellent viewing areas across Sedgwick County. They also include one pair of adult binoculars and two child binoculars. The kits can be checked out for 14 days, with two renewals available. Click here for more information or to reserve one [...]