Photo album-inspired arch in Garden City reflects an artist’s gratitude and community’s history

9 Thursday, May 9

Photo album-inspired arch in Garden City reflects an artist’s gratitude and community’s history

info2024-05-09T12:49:07-05:00May 9th, 2024|

In Garden City — the rural heart of the high plains — stands “El Arco,” a 14-foot-tall sculpture erected in 2023. You can find the artwork on 8th Street, in Garden City’s historic downtown, across from Central Cup Coffee House. Clad in a yellow-orange ombre of ceramic tiles printed with a “photo album” of the city that helped mold the artist — Armando Minjárez Monárrez — the sculpture both reflects the life of the artist and our own lives and times. It suggests both the opportunities and restrictions of 2020s rural America, and most of all a very American tale of cobbling [...]

9 Thursday, May 9

KCK voters soundly reject district’s $420 million plan to improve, build new schools

info2024-05-09T12:47:54-05:00May 9th, 2024|

Voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly rejected a request to issue $420 million in bonds for capital projects in Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools, sending district officials back to the drawing board on a plan to address the challenges of dated school buildings. Roughly 8% of registered voters participated in the single-issue special election over the fate of the district’s proposal, according to unofficial results from the Wyandotte County Election Office. The measure received support from 42% of voters as 58% cast ballots against. There were 5,071 ballots cast, with 2,136 supporters and 2,935 opponents. The plan before voters called for three elementary and [...]

9 Thursday, May 9

It’s illegal to let these 19 ‘noxious weeds’ grow in your yard in Kansas and Missouri

info2024-05-09T12:46:46-05:00May 9th, 2024|

With summer on the way, many Kansas Citians are heading out to work the earth in yards, farms and community gardens around the metro. But as they contribute to the region’s strong agricultural tradition, some residents may find aggressive plants threatening to overtake the natural biodiversity of the local ecosystem. These plants, called “noxious weeds,” are at the center of an ongoing battle to maintain ecosystems in the Midwest. And local officials advise killing these plants on sight. “Noxious weeds are one of the greatest threats to the Kansas environment,” writes the Kansas Department of Agriculture. “They displace native plant species, [...]

9 Thursday, May 9

Several fire departments respond to fire near Cheney Reservoir

info2024-05-09T12:45:18-05:00May 9th, 2024|

Several fire departments responded to a fire southeast of Cheney Reservoir Tuesday evening. The report of a building fire came in at 5:25 p.m. near the intersection of West 21st Street North and North 391st Street West. Cheney Fire said the first units to respond found a building fully engulfed in flames. They pulled a water line when the roof started to collapse. There were issues with electrical on the back of the building, Cheney Fire said. Because there were no fire hydrants in the area, crews brought 1,000-gallon tankers to get as much water on the scene as they could. Responding fire [...]

9 Thursday, May 9

Douglas County Commission approves strategic plan to end homelessness, discusses supportive housing

info2024-05-09T12:43:57-05:00May 9th, 2024|

Douglas County commissioners on Wednesday voted to approve the joint city-county strategic plan to end homelessness and heard an update on supportive housing plans and projects. The strategic plan, “A Place for Everyone,” breaks the issues into five focus areas: Equity and Inclusion; Affordable Housing; Supportive Housing; Systems; and Emergency Shelter. Staff members first presented the draft plan to the county commission in March 2023. The commissions had a joint meeting in January to hear updates on the plan’s progress. The plan includes an estimate of about $267.77 million for the five-year plan — that breaks down into about $218.3 million for [...]

9 Thursday, May 9

Lawrence City Commission will no longer broadcast public comment, which will be near ends of meetings

info2024-05-09T12:42:26-05:00May 9th, 2024|

Lawrence city commissioners approved most proposed changes to public comment procedures, including no longer broadcasting general public comment live. Commissioners hear public comment on specific agenda items they’re considering, but people may also address the commission about any topics “germane” to city business that aren’t on the agenda during the general public comment period — which has been near the beginning of meetings for years. Commissioners voted to: (1) Move general public comment almost to the end of the meetings, but not the very end. Frequent commenter Chris Flowers told the commission that people often make points in general public comment that commissioners [...]

9 Thursday, May 9

Pottawatomie County officials provide update on Westmoreland tornado cleanup

info2024-05-09T12:38:05-05:00May 9th, 2024|

Pottawatomie County officials provided an update Wednesday on the recovery effort in Westmoreland following last week’s tornado. Public Information Officer Becky Ryan spoke about the county’s new landfill and recycling policy for those in Westmoreland. Ryan says residents can take their recycling to other nearby counties if needed, such as Nemaha and Riley County. Ryan also explains what residents can do with additional storm debris. The response from surrounding communities has been described as “overwhelming” by local officials. Ryan says that the county is pretty well set on items available for those in need and that the community center remains open for [...]

9 Thursday, May 9

Wichita to hold open house for Bicycle Plan update

info2024-05-09T12:36:37-05:00May 9th, 2024|

The city of Wichita will have an open house Tuesday to get more input on an update of the city’s Bicycle Plan. The city began the process of updating the plan last summer, and city spokesperson Megan Lovely said that input was used to set the goals for the plan. The city is now taking input to get more into the details. The plan is updated every ten years and it’s a roadmap that identifies projects to increase bicycling safety, comfort and convenience. The city has put together a draft of a long-term bicycle network and options for bicycle facilities. The open house will [...]

9 Thursday, May 9

Kansas Tourism Announces New Grant to Assist Restoration of Historic Barns for Agritourism Businesses

info2024-05-09T12:35:31-05:00May 9th, 2024|

Kansas Tourism today announced the Barn Adaptation and Restoration Needs (BARN) Grant Program is open for applications. This is the first grant program of its kind for Kansas Tourism. The grant has been created to support and expand agritourism businesses across Kansas through converting underutilized or vacant historic barns into new venues. “Transforming barns through the BARN program will preserve historical structures and repurpose them into vibrant hubs for agritourism activities, all while bringing new life and economic opportunities into Kansas communities,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “By revitalizing these iconic buildings, we are honoring our state’s agricultural [...]

9 Thursday, May 9

Kansas students can soon enroll in new districts. What are top options around Wichita?

info2024-05-09T12:34:30-05:00May 9th, 2024|

A new Kansas law will allow all students to enroll in districts other than the one they live in — as long as the district has availability. The state law was signed in 2022 and goes into effect this upcoming school year. Under the law, the only reason districts can reject students’ enrollment is if there is not a spot available. Nonresident enrollment will open June 1. If a district receives more enrollments than open spots, students will be randomly selected. Once enrolled, students will be allowed to stay in the non-district school through their graduation but are allowed to transfer [...]