Derby set to decide sales tax future in general election

15 Tuesday, August 15

Derby set to decide sales tax future in general election

info2023-08-16T08:39:23-05:00August 15th, 2023|

Following efforts that started back in fall 2022, the city is nearing a tipping point on an important question: Do Derby citizens want to pay a 1% (one cent) sales tax to help fund the city’s budget? It’s a question that will be answered in the Nov. 7 general election. After discussion with focus groups, a community survey was put out at the start of 2023 to help shape the future of sales tax utilization in Derby. From input received, top priorities identified by local residents were public safety, parks maintenance and street maintenance – with all three outlined as areas [...]

15 Tuesday, August 15

Loose dogs a big concern for many residents after vicious attacks

info2023-08-15T23:19:22-05:00August 15th, 2023|

Halstead’s city council was met Monday night by a room full of residents with one thing on their mind: dog attacks. In total, 13 people voiced their concerns about dangerous dogs roaming free and the threat to everyone’s safety that those dogs impose. Bud Bryant started by saying that he was attacked by two pit bulls recently, and they drew blood. He said for several towns it’s a one-time deal and then the dog is euthanized. He said he was told that a one-time attack means the dogs can’t be in the city. Source: Harvey County Now

15 Tuesday, August 15

A new dog park is coming to west Wichita

info2023-08-15T23:17:50-05:00August 15th, 2023|

The Wichita City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to create a new dog park on the city's west side. The 7-0 vote approves the design and construction of the dog park at Country Acres Park northwest of Central and Ridge Road. The 2023-2032 Capital Improvement Program contains $750,000 for design and construction and $50,000 for public art. The council proposal said the city has received many requests for a dog park on that side of town. The only other one on the west side is K-9 Rooster Dog Park at 21st Street North and Meridian. Source: KAKE - News

15 Tuesday, August 15

New pickleball complex could be a noisy addition to southside Wichita

info2023-08-15T23:16:06-05:00August 15th, 2023|

The Wichita City Council approved a sound study Tuesday to determine how loud the planned South Lakes Pickleball Complex will be and whether measures need to be taken to reduce noise. Neighbors and pickleball players seem excited about the building, which would be the biggest city-built pickleball complex in Wichita. Sound studies are standard procedure before breaking ground on big projects, according to the City. The sound of the plastic ball connecting with paddles is a welcome rhythm for lovers of the sport. Source: KSN-TV

15 Tuesday, August 15

One Kansas school bans popular app over privacy concerns

info2023-08-15T23:15:21-05:00August 15th, 2023|

Where do you draw the line with privacy? The Buhler school district has banned one app over privacy concerns for the new year. "As a district, we have blocked this app from all of our devices from our network," said Buhler USD 313 superintendent Cindy Couchman. "And that is due to the privacy concerns that we noticed right away, and our technology director pointed out." Concerns arose after the tech director for the school noticed some apps were sharing a lot of information and making it public. The latest app to get scrutiny is called Saturn - Time Together. Source: KSN-TV

15 Tuesday, August 15

Argonia moves to four day school week, creating challenges for parents

info2023-08-15T23:13:42-05:00August 15th, 2023|

As of Tuesday, there are no classes on Mondays for Argonia Public Schools. Many kids are happy about an extra day off, but some parents now need to find child care. The district's superintendent believes they have taken steps to help with that issue. "One thing we did do, is we have day care available on Mondays for parents that have to work five days a week," said Argonia Superintendent Rustin Clark. The cost of the daycare is $25 for the day, and they will provide a lunch for the children who are attending. Source: KSN-TV

15 Tuesday, August 15

Hays Police Department says not to worry if you see these birds on the ground

info2023-08-15T23:12:29-05:00August 15th, 2023|

The Hays Police Department says not to worry if you see a Mississippi kite on the ground. According to the HPD, many of their CSOs have been responding to multiple calls for young Mississippi kites on the ground. "Reporting parties believe the kites to be injured because they spread their wings to make themselves look bigger to anything that may harm them," the HPD said. The HPD says while they appreciate people caring enough to call, it is the time of year when the youngsters are learning to fly. Source: KSN-TV

15 Tuesday, August 15

Interim chief picked to permanently lead Hutchinson PD

info2023-08-15T23:11:36-05:00August 15th, 2023|

The City of Hutchinson has named a familiar face to lead the police department. Interim Police Chief Brice Burlie has been chosen to permanently serve as chief of the department. Burlie had been serving in the role since June, taking over for a previous interim chief who had been serving in the role since the March firing of former chief Jeff Hooper. Burlie has been with the Hutchinson Police Department for 24 years, where he reached the level of Operations Captain before moving into the interim chief role. He is a graduate of Kansas State with a bachelor's degree in criminology [...]

15 Tuesday, August 15

Johnson County adopts new policy after man sends hundreds of harassing phone calls

info2023-08-15T23:06:06-05:00August 15th, 2023|

Incessant and often angry, harassing calls and emails from one Overland Park resident to Johnson County and Overland Park employees have so overwhelmed law enforcement that it has slowed their ability to answer 911 calls, interfered with their focus and eaten up untold staff time deciphering lengthy emails, county officials said. The alleged author of those emails and calls — Leonid Khayet, a man who last year gained some local recognition for raising $200,000 to help Ukrainians flee war — was booked into the county Central Booking Facility on Tuesday, Aug. 8, and released on bond, charged with violating a protection order in [...]

15 Tuesday, August 15

Lawrence becomes first city in Kansas to pass CROWN Act ordinance banning race-based hair discrimination

info2023-08-15T23:02:48-05:00August 15th, 2023|

The Lawrence City Commission on Tuesday soundly adopted a local ordinance protecting people from racial discrimination based on hair, making Lawrence the first city in Kansas to do so. “This is huge for our community,” Commissioner Amber Sellers said. “This is huge for our state. This is huge for individuals who live here who are trying to thrive and survive here — that they can balance and feel that they can take their nurtured self and bring it out into the community, unapologetically.” The CROWN Act, which stands for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” combats race-based hair [...]