Wichita commits to municipal IDs in 2025, confirms homeless resource center will move forward

14 Tuesday, May 14

Wichita commits to municipal IDs in 2025, confirms homeless resource center will move forward

info2024-05-14T14:07:44-05:00May 14th, 2024|

Wichita city officials announced their commitment to implementing a county-wide, low-barrier municipal ID program in 2025 as well as an annual $600,000 operating budget for a one-stop-shop homeless resource center to roaring applause at the inaugural Nehemiah Assembly Thursday evening. ... The ID grants a valid form of identification within the city, giving them access to city services. The lack of ID can be a major obstacle for homeless people, who commonly lack proper paperwork or identification. This barrier prevents someone experiencing homelessness from getting into housing or the workforce. Source: KLC Journal

14 Tuesday, May 14

Cities that have dealt with cyber hacking share their experience

info2024-05-14T13:22:03-05:00May 14th, 2024|

Wichita is only one city on a long list that have faced a cyber attack in the last few years. It's a growing problem that has local governments across the country doing their best to make sure their networks are secure. "There's a lot of issues out there and you need to make sure you're prepared for that," said Kile Mangus who is the city manager for Derby. Derby is one of many places that faced a ransomware attack in the last few years. Mangus was working as the city manager when it happened in January 2023. He says it was [...]

14 Tuesday, May 14

Kansas counties offer $12,500 to help home buyers

info2024-05-14T13:19:14-05:00May 14th, 2024|

Two Kansas counties are offering first-time home buyers a big discount in a new pilot program. The North Central Regional Planning Commission (NCRPC) announced on its website that Clay and Marshall Counties will be taking part in a new home ownership pilot program. This is expected to launch on May 13, 2024. The program is available due to a partnership between the NCPRC and Four Rivers Housing Opportunities. The local community organization Grow Clay County said in a recent social media post that the program will offer home buyers up to $12,500 in down payment and closing cost assistance. Other incentives of the [...]

14 Tuesday, May 14

‘He was incredible for the people of Columbus’: City mourns loss of their police chief

info2024-05-14T13:15:11-05:00May 14th, 2024|

The City of Columbus is mourning the death of not just one of their own, but also their police chief for the last ten years. Jason Daniels passed away Wednesday (5/8) after a battle with colon cancer. He was 49. Today, Columbus City Administrator, Jake Letner spoke about his long-time friend and colleague. Letner recalled his friend's love for his wife and three children, and the town he grew up in. Letner commented on Daniels' career in law enforcement for the City of Columbus. “He Dedicated his professional life to keeping our community safe. He did a fantastic job of running [...]

14 Tuesday, May 14

Clay Center gets beautified with large mural

info2024-05-14T13:10:40-05:00May 14th, 2024|

One northeast Kansas community is honoring its town with a custom mural. On Wednesday, May 8 Clay Center celebrated getting a brand new mural, as well as it being the artists' 30th mural installation. According to a news release form C. Stanley Creative, Christian Stanley created the mural titled "Prairie Thunder". The mural spans 3,800 square feet of CVA grain bin at the corner of Fourth Street and Grant Avenue. "The completion of the 'Prairie Thunder' mural represents not just a beautiful addition to our town but also a testament to the transformative impact public art has had on Clay Center over the [...]

14 Tuesday, May 14

Wichita, county officials commit to municipal IDs in 2025, further action on homeless resource center

info2024-05-14T13:09:23-05:00May 14th, 2024|

Wichita city officials announced their commitment to implementing a county-wide, low-barrier municipal ID program in 2025 as well as an annual $600,000 operating budget for a one-stop homeless resource center to roaring applause at the inaugural Nehemiah Assembly on Thursday evening. The Assembly, hosted by Justice Together, a grassroots coalition of interfaith communities in Sedgwick County, was held to announce the organization’s intent to directly address policy issues in mental health and homelessness. They asked representatives of Wichita and the county to commit to a fully-funded photo ID program in 2025 and to agree to meeting with them and other services [...]

14 Tuesday, May 14

Bus rides in Wichita are free — for now — while city grapples with cyber attack

info2024-05-14T13:01:49-05:00May 14th, 2024|

Wichita bus rides are free “until further notice,” the city announced Thursday as it grapples with a cyber attack that forced government to shut down many of its payment systems. Wichita’s bus system had initially switched to a cash-only payment system after the city discovered the ransomware attack on Sunday. “Attention Riders,” Wichita Transit announced on its Facebook page. “All Wichita Transit and Paratransit services are fare-free until further notice. If you are looking to request Paratransit services please call 316-352-4824 or 316-352-4810.” Wichita Transit’s Paratransit Division provides accessible van service to people with physical or cognitive disabilities that prevent them [...]

14 Tuesday, May 14

Boot Hill Solar Project Announcement held in Dodge City

info2024-05-14T13:00:37-05:00May 14th, 2024|

Where there’s sunlight, there are boundless possibilities. Sunflower Electric Power Corp., Alluvial Power, National Renewables Cooperative Organization (NRCO), and The Victory Electric Cooperative hosted more than 100 elected officials, media, and other guests on April 17 in Dodge City, Kan., for the official announcement of the 150-megawatt Boot Hill Solar Project. Construction of the state’s largest solar facility by Sunflower’s partner, Alluvial Power, will begin later this year and is expected to be operational in 2026. Alluvial will design, own, and operate the facility, which will include approximately 300,000 solar panels on single-axis tracking. “The Sunflower board analyzed the costs, risks, and benefits, [...]

14 Tuesday, May 14

USD 383’s Food Service Program to keep local children fed in the summer

info2024-05-14T12:57:27-05:00May 14th, 2024|

The USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden Summer Food Service Program is keeping local children nourished while school is out by providing free meals and snacks. From May 28 to Aug. 2, several schools in the USD 383 district will offer free meals to children aged 1-18. Stephanie Smith, the director of child nutrition for USD 383, said the program fed more than 1,000 children last summer. When Smith began working for USD 383 16 years ago, she said there were five feeding sites. The program has since expanded to nine as of this year. Children don’t need to be USD 383 students to [...]

14 Tuesday, May 14

Traffic tickets in Kansas can cost low-income drivers their licenses. There’s a new law to help

info2024-05-14T12:15:59-05:00May 14th, 2024|

Frank Meade originally lost his driver’s license nearly 40 years ago. When he was young, Meade was fined for driving drunk. But he couldn’t afford the cost and the state suspended his license. That didn’t stop him from using his vehicle for the many years following, and he wound up racking up a load of debt from traffic violation fines and court fees. He would need to pay those if he ever hoped to have a legal driver’s license again. “I just continued driving and continued driving and they just stacked up,” Meade told the Kansas News Service. “I had more fines and fees [...]