City of Lawrence to close camp behind Amtrak Station

19 Monday, August 19

City of Lawrence to close camp behind Amtrak Station

info2024-08-19T09:27:08-05:00August 19th, 2024|

The City of Lawrence announced Friday that it is closing the camp where people are living behind the Amtrak Station in East Lawrence. “The City’s Homeless Response Team began working with individuals staying at the camp several weeks ago and informed them today that the camp must be vacated by Tuesday, Oct. 15,” according to a news release from the city. The city in fall of 2022 opened its sanctioned camp behind Johnny’s Tavern in North Lawrence. That camp was also the first major camp the city closed, effective in April. Some people have been living in the woods near the [...]

19 Monday, August 19

Humboldt to celebrate new school buildings

info2024-08-19T09:25:05-05:00August 19th, 2024|

USD 258 will have a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday for its new elementary school classroom wing and technology building. The district also laid out its budget for next year. School officials will cut ribbons Wednesday to mark essential completion of a new classroom wing and technology building within Humboldt USD 258. The ribbon cutting ceremonies will be at 6 p.m. at Humboldt Elementary School, which is getting the new classroom wing, bus lane and parking lot. The ribbon cutting for the new technology building will be at the high school at 6:30, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Amber Wheeler said. An open [...]

19 Monday, August 19

New law gives county more power to go after nuisances

info2024-08-19T09:23:16-05:00August 19th, 2024|

The Riley County government will now have more power to go after local nuisances in unincorporated areas, something that has been a long time coming, local officials said. Senate Bill 384, which Gov. Laura Kelly signed in April, sets up procedures for the removal and abatement of nuisances in the unincorporated areas of the county. Riley County deputy county counselor Bryant Parker said Thursday the bill will give the government more authority to stop nuisances from going unaddressed. Source: 1350 KMAN

19 Monday, August 19

JC commission weighs making its own website the ‘city newspaper’ to save money

info2024-08-19T09:14:05-05:00August 19th, 2024|

The Junction City Commission this week considered establishing the city government’s own website as the “city newspaper” to avoid paying for the publication of legal notices. Three commissioners — Pat Landes, Jeff Underhill and Ronna Larson — expressed support for the idea and asked city attorney Britain Stites to provide more information on website visits and how much the city government would save by doing it. Currently, The Junction City Union is the official city newspaper. “What has happened, in the last 20 years, the internet and online publications have affected the paper press,” Stites said. “Not saying it’s good, not [...]

19 Monday, August 19

Microchip requirement among new animal regulations in Wichita

info2024-08-19T09:08:56-05:00August 19th, 2024|

Pet owners in Wichita will have to have their dogs and cats microchipped under new animal regulations that are going into effect in Wichita. The requirement is one of several recommendations made by the city’s Animal Services Advisory Board, and the recommendations have been approved by the City Council. Jan Jarman with the city’s legal department said the requirement will be hard to enforce, but it’s important to have pets microchipped because that helps in returning lost pets to their owners. She said the city will be doing outreach activities to make people aware of the requirement. The Wichita Police Department [...]

19 Monday, August 19

Belle Plaine arboretum gets mural grant

info2024-08-19T09:06:37-05:00August 19th, 2024|

Through the Kansas Department of Commerce and Kansas Arts Commission, Belle Plaine’s Bartlett Arboretum was recently awarded a Public Arts and Murals grant to install a new mural at the front gate. Highlighting natural floral and fauna, the mural is intended to hint at what’s within the arboretum, with Wichita artist Elisabeth Owens transforming the entrance into a display of arboreal delight. Owens has completed murals along Wichita’s Douglas Avenue, been exhibited at the Wichita Art Museum and participated in Art at the Arb. Plans are to debut the mural during TreeFest on Nov. 10. Source: Derby Informer | Area

19 Monday, August 19

Mulvane set for Old Settlers festival

info2024-08-19T09:04:58-05:00August 19th, 2024|

An end-of-summer tradition, Mulvane is getting set to host its Old Settlers Days festival from Aug. 22-25. The theme for this year’s 151st iteration is “Party by the Pix.” Starting out as a community picnic, the annual festival has grown to include a number of events focused on “preserving the past and building for the future.” Festivities planned for this year include the traditional parade, rodeo, talent show, carnival, a pair of street dances and more. Source: Derby Informer | Area

19 Monday, August 19

Preserving historic cemeteries around Kansas

info2024-08-19T09:03:26-05:00August 19th, 2024|

Director of the Riley County Historical Museum Katharine Hensler joins the 27 News Morning crew with a look into the museum's cemetery preservation program. Source: KSNT 27 News

19 Monday, August 19

Commission agrees to grant $2,500 to 22 day cares

info2024-08-19T09:02:18-05:00August 19th, 2024|

Labette County commissioners agreed to fund some improvements for 22 day cares in the county on Monday. The money came from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, a COVID-19 economic stimulus package. Jim Zaleski, Parsons’ economic development director, and Laura Moore, the city’s community development director, oversee the ARPA program for the county. The county had $40,000 left in the fund designated for day cares so Zaleski and Moore asked for requests from day care operators. The 25 requests totaled $218,014 and included projects from play equipment and fencing to expanding day care space. Zaleski and Moore suggested eliminating the three [...]

18 Sunday, August 18

WyCo, KCK officials warn of impacts to public services after sweeping budget cuts

info2024-08-18T11:49:08-05:00August 18th, 2024|

Less than two months after a decision to cap property tax revenue, Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, commissioners passed budgets Thursday with significant cuts to city and county services that will take shape next year. Over the past two weeks, local government leaders identified roughly $15.4 million in spending to carve out. Reductions were necessary, according to top staffers, as costs will naturally rise to meet contractual obligations, employee cost-of-living raises and inflation. No public employees will be laid off or furloughed, according to county administration. Dollars were saved in large part through the reductions of unfilled [...]