Voters chose to repeal the county’s requirement that businesses selling alcohol must also have 30 percent of their sales come from food. Last Tuesday, 67 percent of voters cast ballots in favor of making the change, which took effect immediately. Newton Community Development Coordinator Zach McHatton said the change has made his job easier. McHatton works to bring in businesses to Newton, and that’s included trying to get a brewery located in the city.
Source: Harvey County Now

After finding a grant that would match the costs of new playground equipment, the Halstead-Bentley School District is starting the process of buying new equipment. The grant will help reduce bond costs by nearly $100,000. Bentley Elementary’s principal, Adam Conard, found the grant and decided to go for it. Current equipment at the school is old and doesn’t all meet current safety regulations. Conard said some of the equipment had been grandfathered in. He said the only thing that could stay and be relocated was the rope structure, which was newer.
Source: Harvey County Now

Thanksgiving can be a time of traditions, and for Hesston, there might just be a foundation being built for a new H-town tradition. On Saturday, Nov. 23, Hesston Recreation is partnering with Hesston Community Foundation and various other sponsors to host Hesston’s first ever Community Thanksgiving. The free meal will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hesston Middle School.
Source: Harvey County Now

After a midweek retreat and work session, the Hesston City Council had a short but effective meeting on Nov. 11. The work session put together a new strategic plan, which covers 2025 to 2029. In the new living document, there are four goals. The first goal is economic development, the second goal is the parks improvement plan to prioritize each park and establish timelines for playground replacement, thirdly, the goal is to address two public facilities for improvements, and the fourth goal is to establish a civic leadership team. The motion to approve the strategic plan, with the addition of a small business owner on the civic leadership team, passed 4-0, with Council Member Clare Moore abstaining.
Source: Harvey County Now

Harvey County commissioners accepted Administrator Anthony Swarztendruber’s resignation at the end of the county commission meeting Tuesday. After returning from executive session, Commissioner Becky Reimer announced that Swartzendruber was retiring. “We wish him well, and I’ll entertain a motion for someone to accept this letter of resignation,” Reimer said. Swartzendruber will continue working with the county until Dec. 27, 2024.
Source: Harvey County Now