Plan to run towering power poles along scenic trail in northeast Wichita faces pushback

19 Monday, June 19

Plan to run towering power poles along scenic trail in northeast Wichita faces pushback

info2023-06-19T08:07:45-05:00June 19th, 2023|

Northeast Wichita is preparing for another round of towering power poles that some residents worry will disfigure a scenic bike trail and lower their property values when they are installed in 2025. The 60-year-old transmission line between Evergy’s Wichita State and Mossman substations needs to be replaced, but the plan for running new poles along the Redbud Trail between Maple Grove Cemetery and MacDonald Golf Course has stirred controversy. The other option Evergy presented was replacing existing power poles on a 2-mile route along Volutsia and 16th Street with significantly larger poles. City staff working with the company ultimately settled on [...]

19 Monday, June 19

Neighbors voice concerns about JoCo-backed housing project

info2023-06-19T07:58:19-05:00June 19th, 2023|

Confusion over the recent approval of federal money for an affordable housing project in Olathe brought a crowd of commenters to the county commission Thursday, many of them complaining about a lack of transparency and conflicting information. The comments prompted commissioners to briefly reconsider their approval from last week of the Habitat Olathe Pathway proposal, which calls for a neighborhood of affordably priced homes at 159th Street and Blackbob Road built by Habitat for Humanity. Source: Prairie Village Post

16 Friday, June 16

Kansas Wins Nearly $43M to Build Key Infrastructure for High-Speed Internet

info2023-06-16T12:08:33-05:00June 16th, 2023|

Governor Laura Kelly announced today that the National Telecommunications Information and Administration (NTIA) has awarded the Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD) nearly $43 million to develop infrastructure key to expanding affordable high-speed internet to remote and underserved communities. The open-access “middle mile” infrastructure will connect local Internet networks, primarily in rural areas, to major, high-capacity national and regional networks. ... The grant will fund a 682-mile fiber optic network to connect Liberal to Garden City, Pratt to Wichita, Kismet to Minneola, Wichita to Pittsburg, and Pittsburg to Overland Park.... More information about the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program is available [...]

16 Friday, June 16

New acting Topeka city manager has spent 43 years overseeing Kansas municipal governments

info2023-06-16T12:05:50-05:00June 16th, 2023|

Richard Nienstedt had enjoyed not having to work since he retired March 31 as city manager of Ottawa. He and his wife, Rita, visited Hot Springs, Arkansas, and took a trip along the former Route 66 highway from Galena in southeast Kansas to Shamrock in north Texas. Still, Nienstedt — who has 43 years experience as a city manager in Kansas — said he feels honored and pleased to have been hired last week to serve as Topeka's acting city manager. "When this opportunity presented itself, I thought, 'Who wouldn't want to go to their state's capital city and have some [...]

16 Friday, June 16

Reno County Health Department hosting child care provider orientation classes

info2023-06-16T11:03:12-05:00June 16th, 2023|

The Reno County Health Department (RCHD) is hosting child care provider orientation classes, as child care providers are needed in the area. "Child care providers play an important role in nurturing the growth and development of our youngest and most vulnerable residents," Reno County says. Reno County says the class is a great opportunity to meet the surveyor, learn Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) regulations and ask questions about providing child care. Source: KSN-TV

16 Friday, June 16

Ellinwood City Administrator discusses 40+ years of service to the city

info2023-06-16T10:43:02-05:00June 16th, 2023|

Ellinwood City Administrator Chris Komarek has always had a thing for lights and sirens. Both his grandfather and his father served as fire chief; Komarek finished up a 40-year stint with 26 years as chief himself in September 2021. But, as with many small towns, Ellinwood’s fire department is voluntary, so there are plenty of other hats to wear in the community. As administrator for the past seven years, Komarek has worn his share of various headwear over going on four-and-a-half decades of city service. “I like to think I have the city’s interest at heart,” he said. “This city has [...]

16 Friday, June 16

New Superintendent hired after busy month for South Brown County School District

info2023-06-16T09:51:59-05:00June 16th, 2023|

The South Brown County School Board met seven times over the course of the month of May after the resignation of Superintendent Jason Cline. The district has hired Dr. Rebecca Kramer as the district’s new superintendent starting July 1st, 2023. A 28-year educator, Kramer most recently served as the Executive Director of Teaching and Learning at the Seaman Public School District in Topeka. Dr. Kramer, who graduated from Jefferson West High School, received her Bachelor’s degree in Education and Masters in Educational Leadership from Washburn University, moving on to earn her Educational Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Kansas. [...]

16 Friday, June 16

Kansas Office of Broadband seeking help with online speed test

info2023-06-16T10:54:05-05:00June 16th, 2023|

Kansas Office of Broadband needs your help to identify gaps in internet coverage across the state. They need to know where you have connection, as well as what speeds you’re experiencing. Let’s make sure our communities have the resources they need to thrive in the 21st century. Head over to broadbandks.com to take a quick speed test and survey to help figure out where we need upgrades. It only takes a few minutes and it’s a big help. Join in helping the Kansas Office of Broadband bridge the digital divide and ensure reliable broadband internet for everyone. Take a few minutes [...]

16 Friday, June 16

Small Kansas airports fighting to get SkyWest Charter

info2023-06-16T09:41:26-05:00June 16th, 2023|

SkyWest submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) almost a year ago requesting commuter authority. “We are pleading with the DOT to take action and allow SWC to serve the airports in our region,” Corey Keller, the director of public works for Dodge City. The Department of Transportation has not approved that application yet. Small Kansas airports such as Dodge City, Salina, Hays and Liberal say getting this application approved is crucial to their airports and communities. Keller says without SkyWest Charter (SWC), the next steps are unclear. “If SkyWest charter is not approved, there’s the possibility of, [...]

16 Friday, June 16

Ozawkie celebrates its unusual heritage

info2023-06-16T10:46:04-05:00June 16th, 2023|

Ozawkie, Kansas, celebrated its heritage this weekend. The small town put on its third annual festival that recognizes the original town of Ozawkie. The town was moved to its current spot after Kansas decided to make the Perry Lake dam in 1965. The festival included food vendors, face painting, games, old memorabilia from the original town and a special performance by Topeka High School’s marching band. The festival also gave local businesses a chance to sell their products. Source: KSNT 27 News