Topeka hopes to lure migrants with work authorization to fill some of its thousands of open jobs

5 Monday, February 5

Topeka hopes to lure migrants with work authorization to fill some of its thousands of open jobs

info2024-02-05T07:55:24-06:00February 5th, 2024|

While many American cities are struggling with large numbers of newly arrived migrants, Topeka is inviting anyone and everyone with permission to work in the U.S. to come its way. Like a lot of smaller cities, the Kansas capital is grappling with near-stagnant population growth and an unemployment rate well below the national average, according to city and economic-development officials. Finding people to fill its roughly 6,600 open jobs has been a struggle, they say. The Greater Topeka Partnership, an economic-development group, has been trying to sell people on the city with its “Choose Topeka” marketing campaign, which it started in [...]

2 Friday, February 2

Landlord Incentive Pilot Program begins second round of operation on Feb. 1

info2024-02-02T12:55:37-06:00February 2nd, 2024|

The second round of Johnson County’s Landlord Incentive Pilot Program began Feb. 1, 2024 following its approval by the Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 18, 2024. The program will be available until funds are exhausted. The pilot program provides landlords with financial incentives to rent their units to low-income tenants using federally funded housing subsidy vouchers. The Board approved $200,000 in federal funds to continue the program. The first round of funding was available from July 1-Nov. 15, 2023, before the federal grant funds were successfully expended. In the first round, the county recruited 23 new landlords to participate in the Housing Choice Voucher program [...]

2 Friday, February 2

Johnson County releases 2024 market study analysis

info2024-02-02T12:54:16-06:00February 2nd, 2024|

Johnson County has released its Market Study Analysis for the Assessment Year 2024, examining the real estate market in the county – including both the residential and commercial markets. The analysis is completed by the county’s Appraiser’s Office, using data from its annual valuation process. During the process, the office reviewed the sale of more than 19,000 residential properties, completing a sales comparison analysis to developed market values. The study found that nearly 90% of residential properties increased in value for 2024. The median single-family residential sale price rose 7-8% from 2022 to 2023, leading to an average increase in residential [...]

2 Friday, February 2

Questions posed on Fort Scott Community College’s finances, future

info2024-02-02T12:52:42-06:00February 2nd, 2024|

Fort Scott Community College President Jason Kegler fielded questions on topics ranging from the college’s recent financial struggles to moving the college into the future during a Community Conversation Jan. 24 at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center. In an introduction to the forum, Kegler said he is an “open book” and he would answer all questions he is able to answer. He said there were two topics that he would not address during the forum; personnel matters, and individual grievances. He said he would be willing to meet with anyone individually to discuss those topics. Source: Fort Scott [...]

2 Friday, February 2

Towns could turn on to solar

info2024-02-02T12:51:11-06:00February 2nd, 2024|

Both Marion and Hillsboro are candidates for a Kansas Power Pool project to build arrays of solar panels to generate electricity in nine Kansas cities. In November, Hillsboro approved leasing land to KPP for the solar array. Marion approved leasing land Jan. 22. Hillsboro city administrator Matt Stiles said KPP started eyeing building solar panel arrays 11 months ago. "They directly engaged with us in June, and we approved participation in November," Stiles said. To build the panels, KPP applied for a forgivable loan from Rural Utilities Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Powering Affordable Clean Energy program. "Right now [...]

2 Friday, February 2

Pratt Fire Chief retires after nearly half a century of service

info2024-02-02T12:42:51-06:00February 2nd, 2024|

"Thank you for your fearless service and dedication to serving our community for 48 years," a Pratt dispatcher said over the radio. This was part of Pratt Fire Chief David Kramer's final call Wednesday night as dispatch thanked him for nearly half a century of sacrifice for the town. Kramer hangs up his hat leaving behind a legacy that the community will never forget. "He is probably more, or just as a father figure as my own father. He is probably all these guys' father figure as well," said firefighter Justin Garrett. Garrett is taking over the department, but he says [...]

2 Friday, February 2

Events bring in visitors and their dollars

info2024-02-02T12:38:37-06:00February 2nd, 2024|

In a couple of weeks, USD 250 will host the Kansas 5A Regional Wrestling tournament. More than 200 wrestlers from 18 different 5A schools from across the East side of the State. The tournament begins on Friday, February 16, and will continue through the weekend. “It is a huge honor to be hosting this tournament in Pittsburg,” PHS Activities Director, Jeff Staley said. “It really is a reflection on the City of Pittsburg, our community and our school district that we were chosen to host here, it means other schools enjoy coming to our town and facilities.” Staley also pointed out that [...]

2 Friday, February 2

Endowment could help fund future courthouse repairs

info2024-02-02T12:36:07-06:00February 2nd, 2024|

When Miami County voters last fall chose not to support a proposed quarter-cent sales tax to renovate and expand the Miami County Courthouse, Paola attorney Sandy Hartley started thinking about another way to preserve the historic building. The courthouse, which was built in 1898 and designed by renowned architect George Washburn, has special significance to Hartley. Thanks to her senior law school project 50 years ago, the courthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. Hartley also knows how well an endowment can work in a community that supports it. The courthouse, which was built in 1898 [...]

2 Friday, February 2

Chetopa City Council seeks new home for city library

info2024-02-02T12:32:52-06:00February 2nd, 2024|

The Chetopa City Council in January closed the city’s library at 312 Maple because of the deteriorating condition of the building and the repairs that are needed. The city is also looking for alternative locations for the library until a permanent home can be found. Angela Forquer, the city librarian, posted on Facebook that the building was built in 1942 and was converted into the library in the early 1970s. She enumerated the problems with the building: Estimates to fix the plumbing, electrical and HVAC were over $150,000, but attempts to get contractors to travel to Chetopa to bid on it [...]

2 Friday, February 2

KDOT grants funding Active Transportation alternatives

info2024-02-02T12:30:53-06:00February 2nd, 2024|

The Kansas agency best known for its highways, the Kansas Department of Transportation, is trying to help communities across the state improve other ways to get around. KDOT is starting the application process for its Transportation Alternatives Projects, which funds projects focused on pedestrian, bicycle, and other non-car modes of transportation, as well as Safe Routes to School projects. "You have these small communities, and they don't have a big budget, but they've made it a priority. The community has told the leaders that they want their kids to be able to walk and bike to school," KDOT Active Transportation Manager Jenny [...]