info2023-04-24T07:09:51-05:00April 22nd, 2023|
Kansas economists predict modest growth and healthy tax revenues, with new estimates released Thursday adding $238 million over the next two years to state coffers. The revenue forecasts come ahead of legislators and Gov. Laura Kelly finalizing budgets and tax cuts during the coming week. Politicians have a projected $1.9 billion budget surplus to work with for the current fiscal year, and a $2.5 billion surplus for next year. Source: Hutch News
info2023-04-24T07:12:38-05:00April 22nd, 2023|
A powerful supercell thunderstorm produced eight tornadoes that touched down between 8:13 and 8:55 p.m. Wednesday in Chase County, injuring two people, one when a car was picked up, the National Weather Service said. No one was killed. Cottonwood Falls, the county seat of Chase County in east-central Kansas, is located about 65 miles southwest of Topeka. One of Wednesday evening's injuries resulted from a "semi that was rolled" and the other from a "car that was picked up with glass breaking," said information shared by the Wichita office of the National Weather Service. Source: CJonline
info2023-04-21T15:09:21-05:00April 21st, 2023|
The Small-Town Water and Sewer Infrastructure Assistance and Grant Program is now accepting pre-applications for funding. This program is funded from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State Fiscal Recovery Funds as recommended by the SPARK Executive Committee and approved by the State Finance Council in December 2022. This funding opportunity will provide up to $10,000,000 in short term sewer and drinking water grant funding to local governments. Eligible funding recipients would include cities, counties and other identified political subdivisions who have populations less than 1,000 people and are experiencing a health or regulatory compliance issue that an infrastructure project would [...]
info2023-04-21T10:49:00-05:00April 21st, 2023|
Electric vehicle owners can now conveniently charge their cars while working out, attending a meeting or enjoying a meal on the Lenexa civic campus. The City of Lenexa recently installed four electric vehicle chargers in the Lenexa civic campus parking garage. They’re located just south of the garage’s Winchester Street entrance. To use the chargers, download the EV Connect app and follow the instructions to charge your vehicle. Rates are set at 20 cents a kilowatt hour. The four parking spots equipped with chargers are reserved for charging electric vehicles only. Cars left plugged in for excessive periods will be charged [...]
info2023-04-21T10:48:04-05:00April 21st, 2023|
Governor Laura Kelly signs House Bill 2039 today, establishing a new state park in Allen County: Lehigh Portland Trails. According to Thrive Allen County, Iola Industries gifted the land valued at around $2 million for the park. It includes nearly 360 acres, a lake, a cave and more than 14 miles of existing trails. Plans for the park include a visitor's center, RV hookups, floating cabins and primitive campsites. Two full-time positions will be added, and the entire cost could potentially be covered through a SPARK grant. Source: KOAM News
info2023-04-21T10:47:38-05:00April 21st, 2023|
Over the next 18 years, the state of Kansas will receive $190 million as part of a nationwide opioid settlement. The City of Wichita is currently using some of the funds it received to support the Safe Streets Coalition. However, some local leaders say they hope to use even more of that money to fund a juvenile medical detox center. Wichita Vice Mayor Mike Hoheisel says the city council is pushing for an RFP (Request For Proposal) with Sedgwick County on the best way to spend their combined opioid settlement money. "We're looking to consolidate as many of the interested parties [...]
info2023-04-21T10:36:38-05:00April 21st, 2023|
Park City residents could vote on a citywide 1 percent retail sales tax as early as Aug. 1. The tax could help fund a range of community projects without a property tax increase. The city council on April 11 voted 5-2 in favor of a 1 percent sales tax referendum. The city has a June 1 deadline to submit the paperwork to get on the Aug. 1 ballot. If an election were held on that date, the sales tax would take effect in January 2024. "The sales tax could go for anything that we already pay with mill levy support dollars," [...]
info2023-04-21T10:35:22-05:00April 21st, 2023|
In a job that can be stressful and challenging, Valley Center bus driver Gail Johnson made it look easy for 45 years. That's because she's enjoyed nearly every minute of it. "I have enjoyed driving," Johnson said. "I've always enjoyed driving… I've been doing it a long time, just getting out and going and keeping busy. For the most part, I've had a good bunch of kids and I've really enjoyed it." This school year marks her 45th with the Valley Center school district. She started in 1978. Source: Ark Valley News
info2023-04-21T10:32:16-05:00April 21st, 2023|
With 2023 marking 125 years since the construction of the Smoky Valley Roller Mills in 1898, this year’s annual Millfest on May 6 is looking to be the best it’s ever been. Held the first Saturday every May, Millfest is the one time every year that the Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum turns on the antique machinery across the four floors of the mill and opens it up for guided tours. Lenora Lynam, the museum Executive Director, said it’s a rare sight, especially since the Old Mill is the only working mill using 19th century roller mill technology in [...]
info2023-04-21T10:29:39-05:00April 21st, 2023|
hose who work in the fire service face hazards every day while on the job, but one hazard they might not think about is cancer. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through its National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), announced the launch of the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer online enrollment system for firefighters across the nation. ... While participation is voluntary, all U.S. firefighters, with or without cancer, are encouraged to join the NFR for Cancer; these include: active and retired firefighters; career, paid-on-call, and volunteer firefighters; structural firefighters; wildland firefighters; instructors; fire investigators; and [...]
