Newton Public Library turning the page on old building

22 Thursday, February 22

Newton Public Library turning the page on old building

info2024-02-22T11:11:59-06:00February 22nd, 2024|

There’s subtle Kansas-themed imagery going on at the new Newton Public Library building. That’s according to Library Director Cari Cusick, who said the carpet designs are a nod to wheat and train tracks, and the signage on the bookshelf end caps reflect train wheel shapes. The current library building will close Saturday, March 2, and the new one will open Monday, April 1, Cusick said, adding they need to move things from one building to the other, and they need to set up during that month, like installing technology. Some projects need to be done after they move. Professional movers are [...]

22 Thursday, February 22

USDA funding $22.4M in Kansas infrastructure improvements

info2024-02-22T10:59:56-06:00February 22nd, 2024|

The United States Department of Agriculture has announced $22.4 million in grants for various projects in rural communities in Kansas. The grants will fund projects for high-speed internet access, water, and sewer improvements. “High-speed internet and reliable infrastructure make it possible for rural Kansans to live and work in the communities they love,” says Kansas State Director for Rural Development Christy Davis. The grant details are: (1) A $997,000 grant to help promote the expansion of high-speed internet in Rawlins, Kiowa, Gove, Kearny, Wilson, and Linn counties. (...) (2) A $1,725,000 loan will help complete improvements to the sewer collection system for the [...]

22 Thursday, February 22

Starbucks to take the spot of closed Arkansas City bowling alley

info2024-02-22T10:40:10-06:00February 22nd, 2024|

Less than two months after a beloved bowling alley closed in Arkansas City, the city says a Starbucks will take its place. Hillcrest Lanes closed on December 30. Melissa Zimmerman and her family announced two weeks prior that the doors would be shut for good after six decades. Richard and Patricia Doffing owned the bowling alley for 30 years. The Cowley Post reports the city recently approved building permits for construction of a Starbucks. A spokesperson for the city said the developer is Brandon Haverty of ReCor Properties out of Mission, Kansas. Construction equipment arrived at the site last week. It's unclear when the [...]

22 Thursday, February 22

Restaurant files lawsuit against Salina over burger-esque mural

info2024-02-22T10:33:25-06:00February 22nd, 2024|

The Cozy Inn restaurant filed a lawsuit on Monday against the City of Salina over a mural on the side of its restaurant. The business is located at 108 N. 7th St. in Salina. Last year, the city told the restaurant that a mural on the side of the building violates the sign code policy. The mural features "burger-esque flying saucers piloted by aliens with blasts of ketchup and mustard." It forced the business to put the project on pause. The mural remains unfinished. In the filing, the restaurant's owner, Steve Howard, claims the code violates free speech under the First Amendment [...]

22 Thursday, February 22

Kansas bill would prohibit use of eminent domain to build solar farms

info2024-02-22T10:30:12-06:00February 22nd, 2024|

Utilities would be prohibited from taking private land using eminent domain to build solar farms under legislation Kansas lawmakers weighed Monday. Eminent domain authority allows governments or utility companies to take private property for public use, including to build roads, bridges and power lines. Property owners are still compensated at market value but can have their land taken if they don’t agree to sell. The practice has come under scrutiny, especially in Missouri, as developers prepare to build a high-voltage transmission line from Kansas to the Indiana border. But a bill the Kansas Senate Utilities Committee heard Monday would prohibit the use of eminent [...]

22 Thursday, February 22

Sedgwick County Commissioners hear cell tower proposals

info2024-02-22T10:12:45-06:00February 22nd, 2024|

Discussions on proposed new cell towers dominated the Sedgwick County Commission meeting Wednesday morning, and one tower was denied while another was approved. Commissioners voted unanimously to deny a project for a cell tower to be installed near Colwich. The tower was proposed for a site near 53rd Street North and 167th Street West. Several nearby residents told commissioners the 120-foot tower would have a negative visual impact on the area and it would affect property values. Commissioner Jim Howell said the tower was out of character for the neighborhood. The Colwich Planning Commission had recommended denial, while the Metropolitan Area Planning [...]

22 Thursday, February 22

County concerned city’s housing incentives could affect property taxes

info2024-02-22T10:03:55-06:00February 22nd, 2024|

Riley County commissioners on Thursday expressed concerns about how Manhattan’s potential housing incentive programs could affect county property tax income. The city’s proposal to use an estimated $8 million in sales-tax revenue to provide incentives for increasing workforce housing would decrease the county’s property tax collection for a set number of years — such as 7, 14 or 25 years — though the county would not be responsible for paying for any of the incentives. County commissioner John Ford said during an intergovernmental meeting the majority of the county’s budget comes from property taxes, and it can’t use sales taxes to [...]

22 Thursday, February 22

These ethanol plants want to bury CO2 in Kansas to cut their carbon footprints

info2024-02-22T10:01:25-06:00February 22nd, 2024|

Two companies seek to build the first sites in Kansas where carbon dioxide emissions get pumped deep underground to keep them out of the atmosphere, a practice that proponents argue will combat climate change but that many environmental groups oppose. The fledgling carbon sequestration industry is picking up pace globally, and geologists say rock formations beneath Kansas offer a bonanza of suitable locations for it. “Kansas has abundant geology that would be compatible with long-term permanent CO2 storage,” said Brendan Bream, a senior scientist at the Kansas Geological Survey. The Kansas Geological Survey envisions conducting a county-by-county study to identify suitable [...]

22 Thursday, February 22

Governor Kelly Announces Nearly $16.5M for Short Line Rail Projects to Improve Agricultural Supply Chain

info2024-02-22T09:59:41-06:00February 22nd, 2024|

Governor Laura Kelly announced today that nearly $16.5 million will go toward 17 short line rail expansion and rehabilitation projects. These investments, made through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Rail Service Improvement Program (RSIP), will improve the state’s agriculture supply chain. “These needed rail infrastructure improvements will lift up rural Kansas and, in doing so, will maximize the economic potential of the entire state,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “By strengthening agriculture supply chains, my administration is helping our farmers and ranchers connect to regional, national, and international markets.” RSIP recipients will use the funds for expansion and capacity improvements, major track rehabilitation, [...]

22 Thursday, February 22

Newton Schools announces updated plans for new playground

info2024-02-22T09:55:09-06:00February 22nd, 2024|

After receiving the majority of the necessary funds, Slate Creek Elementary announced to its students the plans to build a larger inclusive playground than originally expected. Slate Creek Elementary works with a number of students with disabilities throughout the county with the Harvey County Special Education Cooperative. Many of these students use wheelchairs and other mobility aids and communication devices. The current playground isn’t equipped to accommodate them. Tenae Alfaro, Slate Creek Elementary’s principal, gave an update to the students, announcing the plans for the playground. Students were selected to press a button and show the increases in funding the school had [...]