Wichita preps ‘more aggressive’ anti-camping ordinances aimed at homeless encampments

The city of Wichita is drafting two new anti-camping ordinances in response to a U.S. Supreme Court decision that held local governments can impose civil and criminal penalties on homeless people for camping on public land — even if the city doesn’t have enough shelter space to house those people. City Manager Robert Layton said last week that the City Council has called for changes so Wichita can be “more aggressive” at policing homeless camps on public property. While the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development considers Wichita one of the most affordable metro areas in the nation, the number of unsheltered homeless people in Wichita is increasing, with a 25% increase in the past year alone, amid rising rents, an affordable housing shortage and historically high housing and utility costs.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

info2024-09-27T10:37:37-05:00September 27, 2024|News|

Commission fields more homeless questions

Pittsburg resident Roger Lomshek approached the commissioners on Tuesday during public input to see if any had read the federal guidelines he passed out at the previous session. According to Lomshek, federal law allows any organization issuing housing vouchers from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to set up local preferences prioritizing distribution of vouchers based on residency or employment. “Federal law explicitly allows a restriction to prevent somebody from just coming here after being issued a HUD voucher,” Lomshek said. In the past, Lomshek has provided the commissioners with a number of policy changes for the Pittsburg Housing Authority that include the federal guidelines to implement residency requirements. Lomshek also included what he calls “good neighbor resolutions” for local charities and organizations to follow in the interest of public safety. He said it could prevent significant numbers of criminals from migrating to Pittsburg with the purpose of finding assistance and committing more crimes.
Source: Morning Sun

info2024-09-27T10:36:06-05:00September 27, 2024|News|

Lenexa council rejects Johnson County homeless shelter plan, putting project in limbo

Despite a looming legal threat, the Lenexa City Council rejected a crucial permit for Johnson County to finally establish a permanent homeless shelter, effectively killing the project as it stands now. After 1 a.m. Wednesday, in a packed, six-hour-long meeting, the council voted 5-2 to deny the request for a special use permit to operate a year-round homeless shelter at the La Quinta Inn and Suites and a nearby shuttered restaurant off of Interstate 35 and 95th Street. It is a major loss for Johnson County officials, who have spent the past year evaluating the site and preparing to close on the purchase of the property — the closest the county has gotten to starting a shelter for single adults experiencing homelessness.
Source: Joco 913 News

info2024-09-27T10:33:20-05:00September 27, 2024|News|

Fairfax fallout: GM’s shift to electric vehicles prompts wave of layoffs across KC metro

As General Motors assembly lines in Fairfax prepare for a nap next year, paving the way for a $390 million investment in electric vehicle production, the auto manufacturing giant and a handful of its Kansas City area suppliers have signaled they’ll cut some jobs for good. Beginning in November, production will slow at the commercial hub in Kansas City, Kansas, the effects of which will cascade across the Missouri River and into the Northland. Five metro area companies that do business with General Motors recently notified workers of plans to either suspend operations or shut down entirely.
Source: KC Star Local News

info2024-09-27T10:32:36-05:00September 27, 2024|News|

Downtown Pittsburg is bringing back a Halloween tradition

For many years, merchants in Downtown Pittsburg offered their store window as a blank canvas for young artists to paint during Halloween. This annual fall tradition of window painting fell by the wayside for more than a decade but is now being revived with the help of local businesses and organizations. Thanks to Ryan Insurance, the Downtown Advisory Board, The Morning Sun and ArtForms Gallery, Downtown businesses can again have their windows painted by school-aged children for Halloween. The Halloween Window Painting Contest will take place this October and encourages kids ages 5-12 to compete and show off their artistic talents. Downtown merchants can register along with their own artists (kids, grandkids, customers, and friends) or request to be assigned to an artist who will paint their window. All painting materials will be provided FREE to artists thanks to Ryan Insurance. Window painting will be completed by Friday, Oct. 19, just in time for the PSU Homecoming Parade. All participating businesses and artists will be highlighted in the Morning Sun as part of a special newspaper insert, which will be published the week of Oct. 21.
Source: City of Pittsburg

info2024-09-27T10:31:15-05:00September 27, 2024|News|

Community invited to help paint new mural at Barton County Health Department

The Barton Arts Movement (BAM) invites the public to a special Community Paint Party as part of their latest mural project at the Barton County Health Department. This unique opportunity will allow community members to make their mark on Barton County’s newest mural, celebrating health-care heroes and wellness initiatives, sponsors said. The event runs from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Health Department, 1300 Kansas Ave. Local artists Jessica Kerr and Taylor Carr, the talented duo behind the mural’s design, will be on-site to guide volunteers through the painting process. No artistic experience is needed – “just bring your enthusiasm and creativity,” said Andrea Bauer, BAM chair. Children under 16 are welcome to participate but must be accompanied by an adult.
Source: Great Bend Tribune

info2024-09-27T10:30:10-05:00September 27, 2024|News|

Wichita plans overnight closings of park, streets to reduce crime

Wichita officials have announced plans to close a park and adjacent streets in the city’s Museum District, starting in October, in an effort to reduce crime and unsafe activity in the area. City Council member Brandon Johnson announced the closings during the weekly City Hall news conference on Thursday. He said starting October 1st, Sim Park and the adjacent streets will be closed from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Johnson said there have been concerns about street racing, vandalism and property crimes in the area. He said the closings are intended to safeguard the park and the museums and discourage illegal activity. Signs will be posted along Amidon and Museum Boulevard, near the entrances to the park area and near the west entrance to Botanica. The streets will not be closed when there are special events, such as Illuminations at Botanica.
Source: 101.3 KFDI

info2024-09-27T10:29:01-05:00September 27, 2024|News|

City split on allowing alcohol outside licensed areas during special events

Manhattan city commissioners on Tuesday split over the possible adoption of a common consumption area ordinance, which would allow a person to possess and consume an alcoholic beverage within a specified area not licensed to serve alcohol at a specified time. That potentially could include city property, sidewalks and streets.
Source: 1350 KMAN

info2024-09-27T10:27:07-05:00September 27, 2024|News|

Valley Center tackles cemetery fee issues

According to the Ark Valley News, the Valley Center City Council requested more information and research from city staff regarding a cemetery fee policy that came under scrutiny recently. Hearing from Steve Hipps, the council learned he was charged an additional $800 to bury his father (a non-resident) in the city though his cemetery plot was purchased in 2011 – 11 years before Valley Center passed an ordinance requiring additional burial fees for non-city residents. A full refund was requested by Hipps, while council directed staff to look into the policy and get answers to potentially remediate the situation.
Source: Derby Informer | Area

info2024-09-27T10:26:10-05:00September 27, 2024|News|

Haysville district hosts bond discussions

In anticipation of a potential bond vote next spring, the Haysville school district is currently hosting a series of community meetings to gain input. The last such meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 8 at Campus High School. No official action has been taken, but a decision is anticipated in December. District staff noted the bond would not look to add any new school buildings, but construction of a career and tech center could be a potential bond item. Primarily, the bond would look to address upkeep and maintenance at district facilities (HVAC, roof repairs, athletic turf replacement, etc.)
Source: Derby Informer | Area

info2024-09-27T10:25:14-05:00September 27, 2024|News|