Electric Distribution Systems Recognized By APPA For Reliability Efforts

19 Wednesday, April 19

Electric Distribution Systems Recognized By APPA For Reliability Efforts

info2023-04-19T14:09:06-05:00April 19th, 2023|

The American Public Power Association has honored 219 public power utilities with a Certificate of Excellence in Reliability for reliable performance in 2022. In Kansas, Garden City Electric Utilities, Gardner Energy, McPherson Board of Public Utilities and Russell Electric Distribution System were honored. Utilities that are subscribers to APPA's eReliability Tracker service are eligible to earn these certificates. To earn a certificate, a utility's 2022 System Average Interruption Duration Index must fall in the top quartile of all utilities' SAIDI numbers averaged from the past five years based on Energy Information Administration Form 861 survey data. The certificates recognize utilities that have provided exceptionally reliable service and [...]

19 Wednesday, April 19

‘City trees’ enemy of native ones: Evergy, Kansas Forest Service trying to eradicate Bradford pears

info2023-04-19T12:42:41-05:00April 19th, 2023|

For decades, the stately looking, white-flowered Bradford pear tree had a good reputation. One Topeka-area service organization celebrated Arbor Day in 2011 by planting a Bradford pear. But things have since changed so much that Evergy, the Kansas Forest Service and Shawnee County Parks and Recreation now all support eradicating this area's Callery pear trees, of which Bradford pears are a part. Organizers say the invasive, fast-spreading Callery pears wreak havoc upon the environment by killing native trees, plants and grasses that provide food for birds, butterflies and other wildlife. Source: CJonline

19 Wednesday, April 19

Fed’s Bostic sees one more quarter-point rate hike, then a hold ‘for quite some time’

info2023-04-19T12:35:22-05:00April 19th, 2023|

Atlanta Federal Reserve President Raphael Bostic said Tuesday he envisions the central bank approving one more interest rate increase before pausing to see how policy tightening is impacting the economy. "One more move should be enough for us to then take a step back and see how our policy is flowing through the economy, to understand the extent to which inflation is returning back to our target," Bostic said during a live interview on CNBC's "Squawk on the Street." That 0.25 percentage point increase likely will come at the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee's May 2-3 meeting. If a majority of [...]

19 Wednesday, April 19

Gov. Kelly visits Garden City High School

info2023-04-19T12:34:51-05:00April 19th, 2023|

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly visited Garden City High School on April 12 to have a conversation with employees about Garden City USD 457’s Teacher Apprenticeship program. The program was started in 2019 and works as a joint partnership between Kansas WorkforceONE (a local workforce development board in Western Kansas) and the Kansas Office of Apprenticeship under the Department of Commerce. The program’s goal is to recruit and train local community members to be teachers in an area where there are dozens of open teacher positions. Source: Greater Garden City

19 Wednesday, April 19

Council approves $6.15 million pickleball complex in south Wichita

info2023-04-19T12:34:14-05:00April 19th, 2023|

The Wichita City Council has allocated $6.15 million for a state-of-the-art pickleball complex at South Lakes Park, paving the way for completion by February 2024. The 24-court facility, which will cost more than twice what was initially approved in 2021, was approved 7-0 after Bryan Frye’s motion to delay a vote until June failed. “USA Pickleball is hugely excited about this,” Parks Director Troy Houtman said. “They really want to use this site as a showcase.” ... The higher price point is due in part to increased materials and construction costs. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

19 Wednesday, April 19

New motel owners: Iola ‘feels like home’

info2023-04-19T12:33:00-05:00April 19th, 2023|

As newcomers to Iola, Manish Sahdev and wife Karisma have already felt welcomed into the community. Now, the new owners of Iola’s Regency Inn are intent on extending that same hospitality to their customers. The Sahdevs acquired Regency Inn about two months ago, and have immediately made efforts to ensure their motel is the preferred destination for anyone staying in Iola on a short- or long-term basis. ... On top of their overnight business, they’ve also instituted long-term room rentals, starting at $650 a month. “It’s about helping people in the community,” Manish said, including senior citizens, workers needing housing for [...]

19 Wednesday, April 19

Hesston schools garnering more interest after Walton decision

info2023-04-19T10:23:42-05:00April 19th, 2023|

Hesston has been getting a spillover effect since USD 373 announced its plans to close Walton Rural Life Center. Hesston Elementary School Principal Alisa Krehbiel told the USD 460 Board of Education last week that a lot of parents had been asking about enrolling their students in Hesston since the Newton district made its decision March 27. She said she had been encouraging parents to bring their children to the kindergarten roundup, which was held this past Monday. She said she would have to look at balancing classroom sizes to see what the district could do. Source: Harvey County Now

19 Wednesday, April 19

Chanute, Evergy to build solar plant

info2023-04-19T10:19:36-05:00April 19th, 2023|

Chanute is adding a 6-megawatt solar plant to its energy portfolio. Chanute City Commissioners agreed at their April 10 meeting to proceed with the plan. Evergy energy company will build and operate the solar farm on 47 acres of land, the Chanute Tribune reported. The city will purchase the electricity from the solar farm at a fixed rate, and has an option to buy the facility after six years. Commissioners noted, however, Chanute likely will not be in a position to buy the solar farm then, the Tribune reported, because of anticipated water treatment and sewer projects. Source: The Iola Register

19 Wednesday, April 19

Mulvane to add use of county alert system

info2023-04-19T10:18:35-05:00April 19th, 2023|

The Mulvane City Council recently approved the use of a new mass notification platform through Sedgwick County that will now be available to all residents, as of the council’s April 3 meeting. In August 2022, the county alerted the city of Mulvane to its system – available to all cities in the county at no cost, with residents able to opt-in. The system is primarily email based, but also offers the ability to send text messages for urgent matters. Source: Derby Informer | Area

19 Wednesday, April 19

Derby discusses expansion of golf cart usage

info2023-04-19T12:36:03-05:00April 19th, 2023|

After updates made in 2021, Derby is once again looking at expanding golf cart usage in city limits. Following its addition to the priority list, an update to the municipal ordinance regarding golf cart usage was brought before the Derby City Council at its April 11 meeting for a first reading. The proposal would change the ordinance from allowing golf carts on public streets in The Oaks residential neighborhood to allowing golf carts on all city streets – with certain restrictions. Source: Derby Informer | News