As Lawrence works on land development code update, residents speak out about accessory dwellings, downtown, fear of change and more

21 Friday, July 21

As Lawrence works on land development code update, residents speak out about accessory dwellings, downtown, fear of change and more

info2023-07-21T11:23:05-05:00July 21st, 2023|

The steering committee working on new rules for where and how Lawrence should grow is getting plenty of feedback from members of the public — about topics as diverse as density, downtown development and the fear of change. Since last August, the city has been in the process of updating the Land Development Code, which dictates city growth along with changes that could affect the aesthetics and function of existing neighborhoods and commercial areas, for the first time since 2006. The Land Development Code Steering Committee has now passed the halfway point of a series of community input meetings taking place [...]

21 Friday, July 21

Fed Seen Hiking Final Time to a 22-Year Peak in Economist Survey

info2023-07-21T11:15:43-05:00July 21st, 2023|

Most economists expect the Federal Reserve to lift interest rates one more time next week as it ends a 16-month hiking cycle that has been the most aggressive fight against US inflation in 40 years. The Federal Open Market Committee will raise rates a quarter point at its July 25-26 meeting to a range of 5.25% to 5.5%, the highest since 2001, according to economists surveyed by Bloomberg. With price pressures diminishing last month, almost all economists expect no change to rates at the September meeting and just one-fifth of the group predicts another hike by the November meeting. Fed Chair [...]

21 Friday, July 21

New Kansas Panasonic plant may lead to rate hike for Evergy customers

info2023-07-21T11:14:14-05:00July 21st, 2023|

Evergy could ask for additional rate increases due to the massive Panasonic battery plant development in De Soto, Kansas. Evergy said rates for serving Panasonic are not yet set and must be approved by the Kansas Corporation Commission. At full production, the future Panasonic plant is expected to have the same power usage as a small city and require two new substations, upgrades to others and 31 miles of transmission lines. The infrastructure and energy needed to power the plant could mean rate hikes for Evergy customers in Kansas. The power company filed documents with the Kansas Corporation Commission saying it [...]

21 Friday, July 21

Parsons to vote on Public Safety Sales Tax renewal

info2023-07-21T11:13:30-05:00July 21st, 2023|

The time is near for voters in Parsons to head to the polls in a special election to decide whether or not to renew a public safety sales tax. The current half-cent sales tax isn't new, and has been in place for more than a decade. On August 1, the Public Safety Sales Tax will be the sole item on the ballot. Officials say it's imperative that the tax stays in place for the betterment of the city. "It's something that's essential in the city's budgeting process. It's also a sales tax, which we feel probably one of the most fair [...]

21 Friday, July 21

Wichita turns 153 years old today

info2023-07-21T11:13:00-05:00July 21st, 2023|

Wichita is turning 153 years old today. On July 21, 1870, The City of Wichita was officially born, just three months after the establishment of Sedgwick County, Kansas. 124 people signed the petition to Judge Reuben Riggs of Sedgwick County to incorporate the town of Wichita. Judge Riggs granted the petition, and the town of Wichita was born. This weekend, on Saturday, July 22, from 1 to 5 p.m., there will be a birthday celebration at the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum. Source: KSN-TV

21 Friday, July 21

Emporia commissioners take action on homelessness

info2023-07-21T10:39:00-05:00July 21st, 2023|

Emporia City Commissioners met Wednesday to discuss a new resolution to help the city confront homelessness. All five members of the Emporia City Commission voted in approval of Resolution No. 3700 during a meeting on Wednesday, July 19. This creates the Homelessness Advisory Board. A statement on the city's social media said the commission created the Emporia Task Force on Homelessness in response to the rising number of unhoused people in the city and the lack of adequate community resources that fit their needs. "This Task Force was entrusted with the responsibility of identifying the requirements of unhoused and at-risk individuals, suggesting [...]

21 Friday, July 21

More Johnson County cities offer low-income residents property tax rebates

info2023-07-21T11:07:52-05:00July 21st, 2023|

More cities in Johnson County are easing property taxes for low-income residents struggling to stay in their homes. As home appraisals skyrocket across the county, Prairie Village, Shawnee and Merriam approved tax rebate programs last year, following the lead of Mission several years ago and Roeland Park a few years ago. Now, the Johnson County Board of Commissioners is planning to launch a pilot program next year that would offer property tax assistance to residents over the age of 65 and disabled veterans who meet income requirements. And more cities — Lenexa, Olathe and Overland Park — are considering whether to [...]

21 Friday, July 21

Shawnee County park development gets the official thumbs up

info2023-07-21T10:35:27-05:00July 21st, 2023|

Families in Shawnee County will soon have a new park to play in. Thursday morning, Shawnee County Commissioners gave Shawnee County Parks and Rec the final approval to start negotiating contracts to build phase one of the family park plan. Family park, located at southwest 21st Street and Urish Road features open space between its aqua center and a golf course on the other side. A master plan for more development to the park came out back in 2021, and with this approval the park could break ground as soon as this fall. “We think this is another destination park that will [...]

21 Friday, July 21

Topeka Metro to offer free bus rides to area high school students

info2023-07-21T10:33:45-05:00July 21st, 2023|

Topeka area students won't need a ticket to ride city buses this school year. For the 11th year running, Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority announced it will offer high school students free rides on fixed bus routes. This comes after the Topeka Metro board of directors approved extending the program on Thursday. All high school students with a valid student ID can ride fixed bus routes for free. They only have to present their valid student ID for the upcoming school year. The Kids Ride FREE! promotion, which offers local youth free transportation within the city limits, remains in effect through Aug. 15. Source: [...]

21 Friday, July 21

Landfill that has caused conflict in rural Kansas town issued cease and desist order

info2023-07-21T10:32:23-05:00July 21st, 2023|

A landfill that has provoked friction among residents in Easton, Kansas, has been ordered to temporarily close. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued a cease and desist order Wednesday to the business running the landfill, Flat Land Excavating, saying it is out of compliance with its height and volume limits and must apply for a permit modification. The site, about 45 miles west of Kansas City, has been the source of animosity between the landfill’s owners Shawn and Christina Britz and nearby residents. Since the couple got a special use permit and took over the landfill in 2019, local [...]