The economic influence of Labette Community College on Southeast Kansas

1 Friday, March 1

The economic influence of Labette Community College on Southeast Kansas

info2024-03-01T13:38:01-06:00March 1st, 2024|

Over the last 100 years, a Southeast Kansas school has had a tremendous impact on the region. Administrators at Labette Community College say not only do they provide an education, but they also bring jobs and money to Southeast Kansas. "From an economic development standpoint, you've heard me say over and over one of the largest challenges is workforce development. Without a community college, we would be two steps behind where we're at," said Jim Zaleski, City of Parsons Economic Development Director. According to an analysis done by Lightcast, during the fiscal year 2021-2022 LCC generated 11.5 million dollars in income for the region [...]

1 Friday, March 1

Dodge City initiates Highway Corridor Study

info2024-03-01T13:23:25-06:00March 1st, 2024|

The City of Dodge City announces the launch of a study focusing on three key corridors along the city’s eastern boundary. This study will examine Highways US-283, US-400, and US-56, along with adjacent city and county roads, which are crucial for access to the city’s industrial, commercial, and residential zones and provide important regional links. With traffic volumes increasing over the past decade, the city recognizes the need for a thorough review of these corridors to address existing safety and congestion issues and to prepare for future demands. The study will cover the area from east of Airport Road along US-56/US-283 to the [...]

1 Friday, March 1

Large grass fire prompts evacuations in Saline County

info2024-03-01T13:21:06-06:00March 1st, 2024|

A large grass fire in north-central Kansas caused an evacuation order to be issued on Thursday. Saline County said on Facebook that the notice affects residents within two miles of Hohneck and Watkins roads. A fire that started on the south side of I-70 between Muir and Headville Road crossed the interstate and was burning north toward Culver, prompting the evacuation. "If you are in this area LEAVE NOW and AVOID THE AREA," the county said. The evacuation order was rescinded around 3:30 p.m. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, fires are moving north of Interstate 70 west of U.S. 81. [...]

1 Friday, March 1

City and County join forces to track overdose deaths within Wichita

info2024-03-01T13:19:18-06:00March 1st, 2024|

An increase in overdose deaths has resulted in the Sedgwick County Health Department working with the City of Wichita on wastewater surveillance. Everything you can imagine comes through this Wichita wastewater plant but the city and county are hoping to identify five high-risk drugs. "From here on in, we'll be able to begin analyzing that data to show where there might be where there are spikes in the community," said Sedgwick County Health Director Adrienne Byrne. Through wastewater surveillance, the city hopes to track cocaine, methamphetamines, nicotine, fentanyl and xylazine. Byrne said these samples from the wastewater are sent to the [...]

1 Friday, March 1

Wichita will now pay residents up to $100 to buy electric lawn equipment

info2024-03-01T13:17:43-06:00March 1st, 2024|

For the third year, the City of Wichita has allocated funds to provide rebates for the replacement of lawn care devices for new, non-combustion equipment. In a news release on Thursday, the city said up to $100 rebates are available for residents of Wichita and surrounding counties who purchase new non-combustion lawn equipment and recycle their old combustion equipment. Up to a $30 rebate is available for mulch blades, no recycling required. "Clean air is an important part of staying healthy," the city said in a release. "Gas- and diesel-powered lawn equipment produces emissions that impact our air quality. A typical [...]

1 Friday, March 1

City of Pittsburg breaks ground on new mini golf course

info2024-03-01T13:16:24-06:00March 1st, 2024|

On Tuesday, February 27, 2024, the City of Pittsburg held a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate breaking ground on a new mini golf facility at the Four Oaks Golf Course, 910 Memorial Drive, Pittsburg. City officials, key stakeholders, and donors attended the ceremony and shared details about the future of the grounds. According to the City of Pittsburg, the brand-new mini golf facility is made possible through private donations and grant funding from the Skubitz Foundation, Pritchett Trust, and the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks Land and Water Conservation Fund. The new mini golf facility is expected to open by summer [...]

1 Friday, March 1

Wichita residents, housing experts discuss city housing issues

info2024-03-01T13:15:03-06:00March 1st, 2024|

Wichita residents and housing experts spoke about housing issues in the city Monday night. The Wichita Journalism Collaborative, which KSN is part of, hosted the event. A panel took questions from the audience and discussed the need for more homes in the community. The panel consisted of: Danielle Johnson, Executive Director of Wichita Habitat for Humanity, Dr. Stanley Longhofer, Professor and Director of Wichita State University Center for Real Estate, Pete Najera, President and CEO of United Way of the Plains, and Sally Stang, Director of Housing and Community Services for the city of Wichita. The housing inventory in Wichita dominated the discussion at the community listening session. [...]

1 Friday, March 1

Haysville to vote May 7 on sales tax renewal

info2024-03-01T13:12:30-06:00March 1st, 2024|

A special election will be happening in Haysville. A renewal of the 1% city sales tax will be voted on. The money would be used to improve streets as well as parks and recreational amenities in the city. Residents voted down a similar measure in November. The mayor says the key difference is that this one would return 10% of the sales tax to residents as a "property tax reduction." Voting will take place on May 7. "Without a sales tax continuation, street repairs and upgrades will take longer, and we won't be able to make all the enhancements to parks and recreational facilities that [...]

1 Friday, March 1

Financing options reviewed for potential courthouse repairs

info2024-03-01T13:11:20-06:00March 1st, 2024|

Miami County commissioners are reviewing funding options, including financing, to pay for needed repairs to the Miami County Courthouse. Last fall, voters chose not to support a proposed quarter-cent sales tax to renovate and expand the Miami County Courthouse. Proposed plans involved renovating the existing courthouse and constructing an extension where the old sheriff’s office is located next door. The extension would have provided sufficient space for two additional courtrooms and secured parking, and the estimated cost of the project was between $21 million and $25 million, according to county documents. Commissioners are now focused on just making needed repairs to [...]

1 Friday, March 1

Commerce renews effort to win incentives for electric, hydrogen vehicle assembly plant

info2024-03-01T12:49:30-06:00March 1st, 2024|

The Commerce Department is making another run at a major piece of economic development legislation that would help the state attract an electric vehicle or hydrogen-powered vehicle manufacturing plant. Bob North, legal counsel for the department, appeared before the House Commerce Committee on Thursday to pitch the legislation that's intended to build on the tax incentives provided to Panasonic two years ago. The bill also could be used to bring a national headquarters for an electric battery plant as well as a manufacturer of electric or hydrogen-powered motor vehicles. Source: Sunflower State Journal