Thousands drawn to Florence

1 Thursday, June 1

Thousands drawn to Florence

info2023-06-01T11:17:57-05:00June 1st, 2023|

The population of Florence swelled more than tenfold this weekend as motorcycle riders and race enthusiasts — not to mention friends and supporters — crowded into town for the Flint Hills Bent Rims’ 2023 Florence Grand Prix. The 501 registered racers came from Kansas, Colorado, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas, Vermont, Arkansas, and other states to compete. Bud Lee, who placed third in 1972 and now lives in Wichita, was one of this year’s official starters, firing a shotgun to signal the beginning of each heat. Source: PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

1 Thursday, June 1

Half of Wichita’s splash pads are closed just as the season begins

info2023-06-01T11:18:11-05:00June 1st, 2023|

From major road improvements to park upgrades, Shawnee’s next 10-year infrastructure plan, or capital improvement program list, lays out nearly $260 million in projects across the city over the next decade. Dozens of separate projects are on the list, and they will eventually be paid for from a variety of funding sources, including property tax and sales tax revenues, county funds and potentially support from the Kansas Department of Transportation. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

1 Thursday, June 1

Overland Park hosting town halls about sales tax vote

info2023-06-01T11:18:24-05:00June 1st, 2023|

The June 22 mail-in election seeks voter approval to raise the city’s dedicated sales tax from one-eighths cent to three-eighths cent. The extra tax revenue would go toward the city’s aging infrastructure. Most notably, city officials say funds raised by the tax would allow the city to reduce its reliance on chip seal, the controversial road resurfacing method. Source: Prairie Village Post

1 Thursday, June 1

REDLINED: Cities, Suburbs and Segregation – what’s next?

info2023-06-01T11:18:47-05:00June 1st, 2023|

In 2022, the Johnson County Museum’s special exhibit “REDLINED: Cities, Suburbs and Segregation” took visitors on a deep dive into the history of redlining and how it both shaped and was shaped by Johnson County and the region. Visitors learned the history of systematic disinvestment of some neighborhoods and populations in favor of others, most often on the basis of race, and how the legacies of redlining policy continue to impact Kansas City and communities around the nation today. Source: Shawnee Mission Post

1 Thursday, June 1

Chingawassa Days to celebrate 25 years

info2023-06-01T10:21:46-05:00June 1st, 2023|

Chingawassa Days is a 25-year, time-honored tradition in Marion and it is happening the first week of June. “Chinga started back in ’97 and was just an idea that someone wanted to do something for our community to bring the community together in a big way. And it just started, you know. I think they started with just like a picnic on Friday and they had a little local band and it’s kind of just a community gathering,” said committee chairman Clayton Garnica. He went on to say “Over the years, you add different community members on and it just sparked [...]

1 Thursday, June 1

Reno County may sell gas generated from landfill

info2023-06-01T10:18:43-05:00June 1st, 2023|

Reno County is asking for proposals from companies to utilize the landfill gas that is generated from the Reno County Landfill. County commissioners approved the plan on Tuesday, the Hutchinson news reported. The county hopes this will be a win-win situation, with the landfill complying with state and federal requirements, an end-user benefiting from the landfill gas and the county benefiting from the revenue in sales. A request for proposals is due Sept. 1. Source: The Iola Register

1 Thursday, June 1

Perry Lake staff ready for 840,000 summer visitors

info2023-06-01T11:19:29-05:00June 1st, 2023|

If there is such a thing as a normal year, Perry Lake Project Manager R.J. Harms believes this might be one as the Corps of Engineers prepares for 840,000 visitors at the lake this summer. “We had the high water in 2019 and that caused so much destruction. . . We are just now getting that behind us,” he said. “We had an extra 30 feet of water that year and it stayed with us a long time,” he said. The high-water year was followed by the pandemic and a whole lot of damage to repair and structures to replace. Needless [...]

1 Thursday, June 1

First plan of attack on Wichita park with thick brush and poison ivy: Goats

info2023-06-01T10:15:33-05:00June 1st, 2023|

The city of Wichita plans to unleash up to 130 goats on a city park for two weeks to test whether they’re a long-term, eco-friendly way to clear thick brush and poison ivy without using heavy equipment or chemical spray. The goats are part of a multi-phase project aimed at cleaning up an area of Sim Park that connects the new city-backed River Trail Village patio home development to the city’s attractions along the river — Botanica, Old Cowtown, the Wichita Art Museum, the Mid-America All Indian Museum and the Keeper of the Plains. “We’re looking over at Riverside, right next [...]

1 Thursday, June 1

Rides, music, ‘most unusual’ fun: This Johnson County event means summer’s starting

info2023-06-01T10:12:04-05:00June 1st, 2023|

Old Shawnee Days is often considered one of the area’s unofficial starts of summer. But it’s really so much more. “How can you not be excited about Old Shawnee Days? It is a great family-friendly event with a little something for everyone,” said Kate Kinkaid, media and publicity chairperson for the event. Old Shawnee Days will be held from Thursday through Sunday at Shawnee Town 1929, 11501 W. 57th St. The free event includes everything from a carnival to live music and food vendors to a parade. Source: KC Star Local News

1 Thursday, June 1

Lawrence releases wastewater into Kansas River following pump failure; stream advisory issued

info2023-06-01T11:20:04-05:00June 1st, 2023|

The city released wastewater into the Kansas River Wednesday morning after heavy rain led to a pump failure in a wastewater pump station near Bowersock Dam, according to a social media post from the city. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a stream advisory for the Kansas River near Lawrence as a result, according to the post. “Early this morning, we advised KDHE about the need to directly send wastewater into the Kansas River due to a pump failure after a hard night of rain,” according to the post. “The pump failure resulted in wastewater that contains [...]