McKee retires after 26-year career with Holton

11 Thursday, May 11

McKee retires after 26-year career with Holton

info2023-05-11T11:29:33-05:00May 11th, 2023|

“I wanted to leave the community in better shape than I found it.” That’s what Kerwin McKee, who retired effective Monday from the City of Holton after 26 years of service — first as codes enforcement officer and finishing as city manager — listed as his ultimate goal for his years in city government. McKee, who has served as Holton’s city manager since August of 2016, believes he has played a role in doing just that, certainly in terms of the city’s economic growth. “When I started, the corridor on U.S. Highway 75 didn’t have the 7-Eleven, it didn’t have the [...]

11 Thursday, May 11

Property company sues city of Shawnee over ‘co-living’ ban that restricts roommates

info2023-05-11T10:11:05-05:00May 11th, 2023|

A Johnson County homeowner and a property management company are suing the city of Shawnee over its controversial co-living ban, which limits how many unrelated people can live together. The lawsuit filed in federal court on Tuesday looks to overturn the city ordinance approved last year, arguing it violates residents’ rights in a “discriminatory and arbitrary manner that bears no relation to any legitimate government interest.” “As Americans, who we choose to live with is none of the government’s business,” David Deerson, attorney at Pacific Legal Foundation, said in a news release. “There is a serious housing affordability crisis and Shawnee [...]

11 Thursday, May 11

Sedgwick County expands email, phone alert program

info2023-05-11T11:30:14-05:00May 11th, 2023|

Sedgwick County Emergency Management has expanded its new email and phone alert system to cover the entire county. Civic Ready Alert began in January for Wichita and Mt. Hope, but now it’s available to all other cities in the county, with the exception of Derby. Residents of Derby are encouraged to sign up with that city’s own program, called Notify Me, which has its own web page. People can sign up for Civic Ready Alert on the Sedgwick County web page, through the Emergency Management department. Operations Officer Cody Charvat said people are encouraged to fill in all the information, to make [...]

11 Thursday, May 11

Mulvane council supports new casino

info2023-05-11T10:05:52-05:00May 11th, 2023|

At its last meeting in April, the Mulvane City Council city was approached with a resolution of support for Boyd Gaming’s efforts to operate a new Diamond Joe Historic Horse Racing Casino in Park City. The council approved the resolution unanimously. Representatives from Boyd Gaming said that the proposal would uniquely benefit the region and Mulvane through continued partnership (i.e., cross-marketing at the casinos). Source: Derby Informer | Area

11 Thursday, May 11

The ‘Wizard of Oz’ still shapes the world’s view of Kansas for better and worse

info2023-05-11T11:31:34-05:00May 11th, 2023|

The Wizard of Oz’s enduring fame has given Kansas something very few other states have: A global brand. But generations after the film’s release, that brand might not be all bluebirds and lemon drops anymore. “The movie didn’t work too hard to sell us with how black-and-white everything is. And the dust,” Dowell said, “But the message of the movie is still, ‘there’s no place like home.’” So is the state’s connection to Oz a gift? Or is it a curse that boxes Kansas into an outdated, inaccurate image? Perhaps nowhere is that contradiction on display more than right here in [...]

11 Thursday, May 11

Why are several Kansas school districts holding special bond elections?

info2023-05-11T13:09:40-05:00May 11th, 2023|

Yes or no? A question determining the future of several Kansas school districts as districts ask voters to pass multi-million dollar bond projects. On Tuesday, four districts, including Pratt, McPherson, Marion-Florence, and Caldwell, had a vote. According to the Kansas State Department of Education, there are 20 happening this school year. Aside from the pandemic year, it isn't far off from a typical year. So far, nine of 15 bond votes have passed this 22-23 year. "We're just happy that they voted for this, and we can start moving forward," said Alan Jamison, Caldwell USD 360 Superintendent. Source: KSN-TV

11 Thursday, May 11

Wichita ordinance change will help toy store and other secondhand shops

info2023-05-11T09:59:01-05:00May 11th, 2023|

The owner of a toy shop in Wichita has succeeded in getting the City of Wichita to rewrite its requirements for secondhand stores. Derek Sorrells owns Let's Go Build, 2684 N. Greenwich, a store that buys, sells and trades Lego bricks. As he was starting the business, he learned that the City ordinances for secondhand shops required him to fingerprint people who brought in used Legos. So, he took his concern to City Hall. Troy Anderson, assistant city manager, has been working with City staff to find a solution. He said the fingerprint requirement started to combat the resale of stolen [...]

11 Thursday, May 11

Cowtown Days held in Baxter Springs

info2023-05-11T09:57:07-05:00May 11th, 2023|

A tradition that started over 50 years ago continues on this weekend in Baxter Springs. — Cowtown Days, which began in 1969. This year's fun kicked off Friday evening and this morning started off with the annual parade. Over 150 vendors and food trucks gathered around the library grounds for families to browse. On top of that, there was live music, bounce houses, a car show — and much more. Source: KSNF/KODE

11 Thursday, May 11

Topeka biz expansion could bring $51.5 million economic impact

info2023-05-11T09:55:31-05:00May 11th, 2023|

A Topeka company is preparing to expand, thanks to a new incentive agreement. On Wednesday, Topeka and Shawnee County's Joint Economic Development Organization (JEDO) board approved an incentive agreement with Global Grain. Global Grain announced plans to open in Shawnee County in 2018 with help from JEDO incentives. The company helps connect farmers in the region with opportunities to market and export their agricultural products. The Greater Topeka Partnership projects the expansion will bring an economic impact of more than $51 million to the area over the next 10 years. The expansion is expected to result in six new positions. Source: [...]

11 Thursday, May 11

New sales tax in Shawnee County to fund projects at Gage Park and Topeka Zoo

info2023-05-11T09:54:18-05:00May 11th, 2023|

Residents of Gage Park and visitors to the Topeka Zoo can expect changes following the implementation of a new sales tax. The tax, which went into effect last month, is expected to generate about $8 million per year, with 20 cents of every $100 spent in Shawnee County going to Gage Park. A breakdown of the allocation of funds shows that 58% of the tax revenue will go towards the Topeka Zoo, 15% to the Kansas Children's Discovery Center, 22% to the county for commissioners to decide on park improvements, and the last 5% to the Gage Park Improvement Authority. Source: [...]