Hutchinson Regional cites lasting pandemic effects, cost increases as causes for layoffs

14 Tuesday, February 14

Hutchinson Regional cites lasting pandemic effects, cost increases as causes for layoffs

info2023-02-14T00:15:25-06:00February 14th, 2023|

Hutchinson Regional Medical Center has announced that it will be laying off 85 employees due to the healthcare landscape being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing supply costs, lower health insurance reimbursement rates and decreased patient volumes compared to pre-pandemic days. Interim CEO of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System Jeff Egbert said that the reduction is necessary as they continue to navigate the substantial and lasting financial impacts of the global pandemic. “These challenges aren’t unique to Hutchinson,” Egbert said. “Many hospitals and healthcare systems across our nation are facing similar challenges, including many in the Midwest. We are confident that this [...]

14 Tuesday, February 14

Revamped Lenexa skate park’s new name has history behind it

info2023-02-14T00:13:59-06:00February 14th, 2023|

The skate park in Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park in Lenexa will bear a name with some local historic significance — Rolling Magic. Last week, the Lenexa City Council unanimously supported the previously unnamed skate park’s new moniker. It’s the first step of what’s expected to be a complete revamp of the aging facility. The name Rolling Magic alludes to a 1970s-era privately run skate park that’s long since closed. It was located near 95th Street and I-35 and is now the site of a vacant lot. Source: Prairie Village Post

14 Tuesday, February 14

Lawrence City Commission to vote on proposed ordinance change aimed at helping people find housing

info2023-02-14T00:11:16-06:00February 14th, 2023|

Lawrence city commissioners are set to vote Tuesday on proposed changes to city ordinances that advocates say could help people secure housing. Commissioners — for the third time in recent months — will discuss the proposed change, which creates a protected class based on source of income. That means that landlords could not discriminatorily deny someone housing just because their rent money will come from a housing voucher, settlement, benefit, subsidy, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing voucher and more. The ordinance also provides protection for tenants regardless of their status as a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking or stalking. [...]

14 Tuesday, February 14

Sedgwick County home sale prices dip as volume continues year-over-year drop trend

info2023-02-14T00:09:31-06:00February 14th, 2023|

That Sedgwick County monthly home sales experienced a year-over-year volume drop in January is not a new development, as a once-hot housing market has cooled in recent months. The median sale price decreasing compared to the previous year is. That's what the latest South Central Kansas MLS data shows, with the median sale price moving down 2.6% year over year to $190,000. The county's 388 homes sold came in 24.7% fewer than January 2022. While Sedgwick County didn't see a single year-over-year median price drop in 2022, Stan Longhofer, Wichita State University Center for Real Estate director, said a one-month move like this [...]

14 Tuesday, February 14

Riley County proposes new fees regarding land use regulations

info2023-02-14T00:07:34-06:00February 14th, 2023|

Riley County planning director Amanda Webb proposed two new land use fees as part of an ongoing review of the department’s fee structure at Monday’s Riley County Commission meeting. The proposed fees would be $100 for administrative adjustments and exceptions. Both of these categories were part of the new land development regulations that took effect in January 2022. Webb said the administrative adjustment fee applies to the process of bringing existing structures in the county into compliance with the land development regulations. She said these adjustments are done in house by the planning department and are similar to property boundary line [...]

14 Tuesday, February 14

USD 413 looks to overhaul summer school program

info2023-02-14T07:05:18-06:00February 14th, 2023|

Potential changes to the USD 413 summer school program could soon become a reality. During the Feb. 6 Board of Education meeting, Assistant Superintendent Matt Koester said that he and Taryn Sigler, After School program coordinator, have explored ideas that offer greater flexibility to students and staff participating in the program. “Our whole discussion was about carrying our after school program to the summer time and redesigning our summer learning program to be more week-by-week based,” he said. Source: Atchison Globe Now

14 Tuesday, February 14

Park City and developers consider potential STAR bonds district

info2023-02-14T07:12:36-06:00February 14th, 2023|

The group already has been working on plans for an almost $500 million tourist destination for more than a year and a half. [Developer Matt] Baty said they’ve “put together a model that we think is going to be a regional and national draw.” The central piece of the district is a potential aquarium. “We’re in conversations with several operators about their potential interest,” Baty said. There likely would be other entertainment venues, including a museum, and two multipurpose facilities as well. Residential is a possibility as well along with hotels, restaurants and retail. Park City administrator Sean Fox called it [...]

14 Tuesday, February 14

Old library in downtown Wichita vandalized

info2023-02-14T00:02:50-06:00February 14th, 2023|

It's where thousands in Sedgwick County went to get their COVID shots. But, now it's become a target for vandalism. Damage was done to several windows at the downtown library over the weekend. The damage looks like a rock or something was thrown through one window. The others are boarded up. But, the city says it's going to take steps to protect this site. And that it's looking further down the road for what will go here next. “Looks like a lot of damage,” said Halle Brittain, a Valley Center resident. Five windows at the Old Library have been replaced with [...]

14 Tuesday, February 14

City says cases handled by Louisburg judge without law license are still valid

info2023-02-14T00:01:18-06:00February 14th, 2023|

All acts of former municipal judge David Ruder while he was in office are valid and enforceable despite the fact that he was serving without a valid law license for 20 years, according to the city of Louisburg. Ruder recently resigned after reportedly allowing his law license to lapse but continuing to serve as a municipal judge for the city of Louisburg. The city of Louisburg made the initial announcement in a social media post Monday, Jan. 23, stating that Ruder began serving as the Louisburg Municipal Court judge in 2008. Source: Local News | republic-online.com

13 Monday, February 13

KDHE issues stream advisory for Marais des Cygnes River near Osawatomie

info2023-02-13T23:59:45-06:00February 13th, 2023|

Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a stream advisory for the Marais des Cygnes River near Osawatomie, Kan. The stream advisory is a result of an ongoing inflow and infiltration issue near the city of Osawatomie’s wastewater treatment plant. The advisory has been issued because potential elevated bacteria and contaminants may be present in the Marais des Cygnes River near the city. Anyone who lives or has activities near this stream is advised to not enter the water or allow children or pets to enter. Source: Osage County News