Kansas is sending $2M to Topeka entities to make up for a ‘bureaucratic snafu’

1 Thursday, June 1

Kansas is sending $2M to Topeka entities to make up for a ‘bureaucratic snafu’

info2023-06-01T11:34:56-05:00June 1st, 2023|

Kansas taxpayers will be reimbursing Shawnee County taxpayers for a "bureaucratic snafu" that meant three months worth of a dedicated sales tax went uncollected. The $2 million will go to the Gage Park Improvement District after the Kansas Department of Revenue failed to implement on time a voter-approved sales tax increase. "Once it comes in, the authority wants to talk about how to allocate it and to make sure we make a difference with it, because the community, I think, passing the sales tax wants to see something fairly soon that's making a positive change in Gage Park," said Rep. Fred [...]

1 Thursday, June 1

Council gives OK to bid on Hotel Topeka during next week’s auction

info2023-06-01T11:33:34-05:00June 1st, 2023|

The city of Topeka will attempt to purchase a well-known local hotel. The city's mayor and council voted 7-2 Tuesday afternoon to authorize the city to take part next week in an auction in which it will have a chance to acquire The Hotel Topeka at City Center, 1717 S.W. Topeka Blvd. ... 'Today, the city of Topeka has stepped up and ensured that our future as a convention destination isn't left to chance,' said Sean Dixon, president of Visit Topeka. The hotel, built in 1997, will be up for auction next week. Source: CJonline

1 Thursday, June 1

Kansas Launches Broadband Speed Test and Comprehensive Expansion Plan

info2023-06-01T10:39:15-05:00June 1st, 2023|

The Kansas Office of Broadband Development is developing a comprehensive strategic plan to expand broadband infrastructure statewide and ensure every Kansan has access to reliable high-speed internet. To assist in this and provide accurate data for the plan, the department is calling on residents to participate in an important online speed test and survey. The data collected ultimately will help guide the allocation of state and federal resources to areas in need. “Accurate, comprehensive data is critical to our state’s efforts to bridge the digital divide across Kansas,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. Source: Kansas Department of [...]

1 Thursday, June 1

Thousands drawn to Florence

info2023-06-01T11:17:57-05:00June 1st, 2023|

The population of Florence swelled more than tenfold this weekend as motorcycle riders and race enthusiasts — not to mention friends and supporters — crowded into town for the Flint Hills Bent Rims’ 2023 Florence Grand Prix. The 501 registered racers came from Kansas, Colorado, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas, Vermont, Arkansas, and other states to compete. Bud Lee, who placed third in 1972 and now lives in Wichita, was one of this year’s official starters, firing a shotgun to signal the beginning of each heat. Source: PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

1 Thursday, June 1

Half of Wichita’s splash pads are closed just as the season begins

info2023-06-01T11:18:11-05:00June 1st, 2023|

From major road improvements to park upgrades, Shawnee’s next 10-year infrastructure plan, or capital improvement program list, lays out nearly $260 million in projects across the city over the next decade. Dozens of separate projects are on the list, and they will eventually be paid for from a variety of funding sources, including property tax and sales tax revenues, county funds and potentially support from the Kansas Department of Transportation. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

1 Thursday, June 1

Overland Park hosting town halls about sales tax vote

info2023-06-01T11:18:24-05:00June 1st, 2023|

The June 22 mail-in election seeks voter approval to raise the city’s dedicated sales tax from one-eighths cent to three-eighths cent. The extra tax revenue would go toward the city’s aging infrastructure. Most notably, city officials say funds raised by the tax would allow the city to reduce its reliance on chip seal, the controversial road resurfacing method. Source: Prairie Village Post

1 Thursday, June 1

REDLINED: Cities, Suburbs and Segregation – what’s next?

info2023-06-01T11:18:47-05:00June 1st, 2023|

In 2022, the Johnson County Museum’s special exhibit “REDLINED: Cities, Suburbs and Segregation” took visitors on a deep dive into the history of redlining and how it both shaped and was shaped by Johnson County and the region. Visitors learned the history of systematic disinvestment of some neighborhoods and populations in favor of others, most often on the basis of race, and how the legacies of redlining policy continue to impact Kansas City and communities around the nation today. Source: Shawnee Mission Post

1 Thursday, June 1

Chingawassa Days to celebrate 25 years

info2023-06-01T10:21:46-05:00June 1st, 2023|

Chingawassa Days is a 25-year, time-honored tradition in Marion and it is happening the first week of June. “Chinga started back in ’97 and was just an idea that someone wanted to do something for our community to bring the community together in a big way. And it just started, you know. I think they started with just like a picnic on Friday and they had a little local band and it’s kind of just a community gathering,” said committee chairman Clayton Garnica. He went on to say “Over the years, you add different community members on and it just sparked [...]

1 Thursday, June 1

Reno County may sell gas generated from landfill

info2023-06-01T10:18:43-05:00June 1st, 2023|

Reno County is asking for proposals from companies to utilize the landfill gas that is generated from the Reno County Landfill. County commissioners approved the plan on Tuesday, the Hutchinson news reported. The county hopes this will be a win-win situation, with the landfill complying with state and federal requirements, an end-user benefiting from the landfill gas and the county benefiting from the revenue in sales. A request for proposals is due Sept. 1. Source: The Iola Register

1 Thursday, June 1

Perry Lake staff ready for 840,000 summer visitors

info2023-06-01T11:19:29-05:00June 1st, 2023|

If there is such a thing as a normal year, Perry Lake Project Manager R.J. Harms believes this might be one as the Corps of Engineers prepares for 840,000 visitors at the lake this summer. “We had the high water in 2019 and that caused so much destruction. . . We are just now getting that behind us,” he said. “We had an extra 30 feet of water that year and it stayed with us a long time,” he said. The high-water year was followed by the pandemic and a whole lot of damage to repair and structures to replace. Needless [...]