Ruined beauty of Kansas: Ghost towns and buildings splinter under weight of time

26 Sunday, March 26

Ruined beauty of Kansas: Ghost towns and buildings splinter under weight of time

info2023-03-27T07:01:20-05:00March 26th, 2023|

We first stopped by the unincorporated community of Miller, in Lyon County. Its post office had closed 65 years ago. On the main drag, a new fire department building sat on one side of the road, while an abandoned and overgrown former fire department building sat on the other side, a block away. My son and I, of course, looked over the abandoned one. On this March day, the gray undergrowth and blue sky lent the brick structure an austere kind of beauty. To the side of the building, you could glimpse this decayed sign, which suggested better times in the [...]

26 Sunday, March 26

How small rural towns can access Inflation Reduction Act funding

info2023-03-26T23:45:57-05:00March 26th, 2023|

Rural towns and utilities could get funding for all kinds of projects through the federal Inflation Reduction Act — but experts say it will take dedicated community members stepping up to help make that happen. The act, passed in August, has money for rural development and energy infrastructure, as well as electric vehicle infrastructure and incentives. There are incentives for homeowners to make energy efficient improvements to their houses. Communities with coal plants or natural gas plants can repurpose those into cleaner energy sources. Source: KCUR News

26 Sunday, March 26

Contentious Olathe apartment plan on Lenexa city line wins key approval

info2023-03-26T23:44:59-05:00March 26th, 2023|

The Woodland Forest apartment project near K-10 and Woodland Road near Olathe’s border with Lenexa is one step closer to reality. Earlier this week, a divided Olathe City Council voted 4-3 to approve a preliminary site development plan and attached rezoning request that will bring multifamily housing to the last leg of the Woodland Corridor area in that city. That area of Olathe, annexed in the late 1990s, was identified for conventional single-family neighborhoods and green space development in line with the Woodland Corridor Plan. Source: Prairie Village Post

26 Sunday, March 26

Wichita Housing Authority Landlord Incentive Program provides bonuses to landlords

info2023-03-26T23:43:36-05:00March 26th, 2023|

The City of Wichita is working to get more people off the streets. That's why it launched the Landlord Incentive Program at the beginning of 2023. Sally Stang is the director of housing and community services for the City of Wichita. She says the problem isn't necessarily a lack of housing assistance vouchers but a lack of housing for people to use those vouchers. "Much of that was driven by the market," Stang said. "Rents have increased significantly, there was increased demand, landlords were choosing to take a market price tenant over an assisted tenant, less paperwork, etc." Source: KSN-TV

26 Sunday, March 26

NLC Expands Support for Solar Energy Transition to 500 New Local Governments

info2023-03-26T23:41:50-05:00March 26th, 2023|

The National League of Cities (NLC) is expanding its support for solar energy transition at the local level through its partnership with SolSmart, a solar energy designation and no-cost technical assistance program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. Since the program launched in 2016, SolSmart has helped hundreds of local governments and their residents save time and money by reducing the soft costs of going solar, which are the non-hardware costs that drive up the expense of installations. Source: NLC

26 Sunday, March 26

March Madness in Kansas City means a boost in business for local vendors

info2023-03-26T23:40:36-05:00March 26th, 2023|

Thousands of people traveled to Kansas City this weekend to cheer on their teams in the NCAA tournament at the T-Mobile Center. For local businesses, all of those fans meant a boost in business and a busy last few days. The Kansas City Sports Commission estimated a $14.5 million economic impact for the city. The T-Mobile Center hosted three games, two on Friday night and another Sunday to send a team to the Final Four. Source: KMBC.com

25 Saturday, March 25

Salina firefighter takes part in national strongman competition

info2023-03-26T13:50:35-05:00March 25th, 2023|

While the Salina Fire Department is known for its swift response to fires, rescues and medical emergencies, it can now be known for a new accomplishment, employer of one of the world’s strongest firefighters. At the beginning of March, SFD firefighter Chris Rios traveled to Columbus, Ohio for the Arnold Sports Festival, where he competed in the World’s Strongest Firefighter Contest, placing 29th overall. “There were over 100 from all over the world that competed,” Rios said. “(Besides the U.S.,) we had people from Canada, Europe (and other places).” Source: Salina Journal

24 Friday, March 24

Great Bend HR Director trying to create good culture in declining workforce

info2023-03-24T11:10:54-05:00March 24th, 2023|

Great Bend Human Resources Director Randy Keasling is working with city staff to make employment with the city as a destination career. Over the past three years, city administration has concentrated on improving workforce culture to make sure the city is a place people want to work. Keasling noted getting people to apply can still be a struggle, especially the last three years since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The baby boomers, people born in the 1940s to 1960s, are starting to leave a large dent in the workforce with retirements. Source: GB Post

24 Friday, March 24

Chapman, Herington mural projects highlight history

info2023-03-24T11:09:44-05:00March 24th, 2023|

Public art projects have swept across Dickinson County in the past few years and more are in progress. Herington and Chapman can both expect new murals in the coming months to add to those already adorning otherwise blank, boring walls. “The murals are great because they have so many old buildings in our county that needs some sprucing up,” said Corkie Dunlap, of Herington. Over in Chapman, Tana Churan-Davis, owner of Prairie Horizon Art Studio and Gallery, said she sees the murals as a way to bring people to town. “People will come into a community just to see the murals,” [...]

24 Friday, March 24

Wichita firefighter training for amateur boxing charity event

info2023-03-24T11:48:18-05:00March 24th, 2023|

Firefighting by night…sticking and moving by day is Carlye Anderson’s current daily routine. The Wichita firefighter is training for the Smoke and Guns charity event where firefighters amateur box the police department. Anderson has been with the fire department for two years and said her first year, she knew she wanted to be a part of the charity boxing event. “I’ve always wanted to try boxing for a different workout after I retired from gymnastics but getting into that charity event with them through the department and being able to work out with firemen every day was something that I really [...]