Lawrence Public Library bans smoking, verbal harassment and more from its campus under new code of conduct

13 Monday, November 13

Lawrence Public Library bans smoking, verbal harassment and more from its campus under new code of conduct

info2023-11-13T10:43:58-06:00November 13th, 2023|

The Lawrence Public Library has rolled out new rules for its campus and lawn — including banning smoking, vaping and verbal harassment — and prescribed consequences for breaking them. Repeated instances of such behavior could now get a patron suspended for a period of a week to six months, under the library’s new code of conduct. Violent or threatening behavior may result in longer or indefinite suspensions. The library has received numerous complaints from patrons about safety issues in and around the library. Library administrators pledged to improve public safety in the library, but the lawn and parking garage are owned [...]

13 Monday, November 13

Johnson County cuts bus routes to Overland Park, Olathe, Gardner

info2023-11-13T10:40:39-06:00November 13th, 2023|

Riders of three Johnson County bus routes serving Olathe, Gardner and Overland Park will have seven weeks to make other arrangements, as Johnson County commissioners look for ways to cut costs in the transit system. Commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to suspend service indefinitely on three unpopular bus routes – the 482 Overland Park Flex, the 519 Olathe Express and the 595 Gardner-OP Express. Service on the three routes will be curtailed at 8 p.m. Dec. 31, following a public notification period. The routes were culled because of low ridership, with all three averaging less than four passengers per hour. Suspending them is expected [...]

13 Monday, November 13

Olathe to change school start times to ease bus driver shortage. Some parents are worried

info2023-11-13T10:39:03-06:00November 13th, 2023|

After a year of contentious debate, the Olathe school board is finally poised to vote on changing school start times so that bus drivers can take on more routes amid ongoing labor shortages. But some parents, especially with elementary aged children, worry the proposed later bell times would put them in a bind, concerned they will struggle to find morning childcare and make it to work on time. Since last year, the district has been studying changing school times to address the bus driver shortage. Stakeholder groups have considered 20 possible bell schedules, with several parents raising concerns along the way. [...]

13 Monday, November 13

Crews respond to partial building collapse in downtown Lyons

info2023-11-13T10:37:19-06:00November 13th, 2023|

Emergency crews responded to the report of a structural collapse in downtown Lyons on Sunday morning. At around 10 a.m. Sunday, crews were dispatched to the 100 block of West Main Street in the downtown business district where a partially collapsed two-story building was located. Responders were able to contact the business owners and determined there were no injuries in the vacant buildings, the City of Lyons said in a press release Sunday evening. Emergency crews remained on scene for the remainder of the day and placed barricades to provide public safety. The City's response will most likely last for several [...]

13 Monday, November 13

Lawrence school board to consider tax breaks for affordable housing project

info2023-11-13T10:36:03-06:00November 13th, 2023|

Lawrence school board members will meet Monday for a brief agenda that includes considering the district’s portion of tax breaks to help fund construction of a downtown affordable housing project for people ages 55 and up. The board’s agenda as of Sunday afternoon listed only reports from board members and the superintendent and consent agenda items, or a list of items that are generally considered routine and are approved with one motion unless a board member or the superintendent asks to pull something for further discussion. A report about the crossing guard and Safe Routes to School programs was postponed because [...]

13 Monday, November 13

Topeka City Councilwoman addresses plan for homeless ordinance, election results

info2023-11-13T10:34:54-06:00November 13th, 2023|

Karen Hiller, the Topeka City Councilwoman for District 1, joined the 27 News Morning show to talk about moving forward with a new council, after Tuesday's general election. "I'm pleased to see our two incumbents coming back," Hiller said. "And I think our two new council people are going to fit in really well. I think we are going to have a really good council." She emphasized that every person on the council has a different skill set that will be advantageous in moving the city forward in a better direction. As far as when those new members will be sworn in, Hiller [...]

13 Monday, November 13

Open enrollment could create issues for Kansas school districts

info2023-11-13T10:33:51-06:00November 13th, 2023|

Starting next fall, students in kindergarten through 12th grade can go to any school in Kansas, even if they do not live in the district. Wichita School Board Member Stan Reeser believes the change opens doors for students across Kansas. "I think most families today still say what is the best school district, what is the best program, where my child can succeed," said Reeser. He believes Wichita will be a coveted school district for its programs, including college credit, "IB," and AP classes. They also offer special education programs not seen in other districts. Reeser says the challenge is making sure they have [...]

13 Monday, November 13

USD 410 makes plans to educate patrons about bond

info2023-11-13T10:31:57-06:00November 13th, 2023|

As USD 410 Durham-Hillsboro-Lehigh awaits official approval from the Kansas State School board to hold a special election for a school bond on Jan. 23, the district is making plans to educate patrons about the projects that would be included in the proposal. The district’s efforts to inform patrons about the bond will begin on Nov. 9 following approval for the election from the state school board. Patrons can expect to find information in the local newspaper, on district Facebook and website and on handouts at school events and display boards around the community. A direct mailing to registered voters will be sent [...]

13 Monday, November 13

Lawrence business owners share frustration with surging downtown homelessness population

info2023-11-13T10:29:52-06:00November 13th, 2023|

Bowersock Mills and Power Company owner Sarah Hill-Nelson manages hydroelectric power plant facilities on both sides of the Kansas River in downtown Lawrence where homeless people struggling with mental illness and addiction tend to congregate. Some that she encountered arrived from other cities — specifically Hiawatha, Melvern, Leavenworth and Topeka, she said — after told Lawrence was a haven for unhoused people. Hill-Nelson said others were apparently given bus tickets to Lawrence by officials in communities eager to rid themselves of troublesome residents. The result has been a public safety crisis in Lawrence that surpassed the city’s ability to deliver housing, [...]

13 Monday, November 13

City sells transformer to city of Osawatomie

info2023-11-13T10:28:06-06:00November 13th, 2023|

The Garden City Commission approved the sale of a Substation Class transformer to the of Osawatomie at their regular meeting Tuesday. Mike Muirhead, Garden City Public Utilities Director, said the cause for reason for the sale is because on Oct. 25, Osawatomie experienced a catastrophic failure of their main substation transformer, which lead to large portions of their city being without power. So, representatives of Osawatomie contacted Garden City representatives including city staff, the mayor, City Manager Matt Allen, and Public Utilities staff, inquiring whether or not the city had a Substation Class transformer that matched the voltages and size they needed, Muirhead [...]