City of Wichita launches landlord incentive program to help with housing voucher backlog

7 Wednesday, December 7

City of Wichita launches landlord incentive program to help with housing voucher backlog

info2022-12-07T01:20:39-06:00December 7th, 2022|

On Tuesday the Wichita city council passed a new incentive program to try to address the issue. Stang says the program will pay out "$1,000 in a one-time payment to any new landlord who's never participated in the program before, a $500 incentive for a landlord that participated in the past, but hasn't in the last six months and comes back, those are available with our first lease up and then it's a $250 bonus signing bonus for each tenancy.“ Source: KAKE - News

7 Wednesday, December 7

‘Every second counted’: Leawood honors rescuers who pulled woman from burning car

info2022-12-07T01:19:32-06:00December 7th, 2022|

Three weeks ago, 51-year-old Caroline Kill was pulled from a fiery crash in Leawood by first responders, a dramatic rescue that was caught on a police officers body camera. At a City Council meeting on Monday, Leawood leaders honored her rescuers for their bravery and saving Kill’s life. “They are heroes,” said Martha Gage Elton, Kill’s mother. The crash occurred just after 2 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Tomahawk Creek trailhead parking lot at 117th Street and Tomahawk Creek Parkway, near the Leawood Police Department. Source: KC Star Local News

7 Wednesday, December 7

Prairie Village is getting heated over a plan to expand affordable housing

info2022-12-07T01:15:22-06:00December 7th, 2022|

An ad hoc committee appointed by the mayor of Prairie Village has submitted recommendations meant to diversify the city's housing stock and affordability. The plan, among other things, would change zoning rules to allow more multi-unit buildings in zones designated for multi-family housing. Dan Schoepf, a member of Prairie Village United — a group organized in opposition to the recommendations — questioned the city's ability to mandate diversity and rent costs. And he raised concerns about expanding the use of accessory dwelling units. Source: KCUR

7 Wednesday, December 7

Prairie Village may expand home improvement funds

info2022-12-07T07:15:26-06:00December 7th, 2022|

More Prairie Village residents could become eligible for two city grant programs aimed at helping homeowners make exterior improvements to their homes. City staff recommended city council approve several changes to the city’s exterior grant and sustainability grant programs. Both programs reimburse qualifying residents for portions of either exterior or sustainability-related improvements to their homes. Source: Prairie Village Post

7 Wednesday, December 7

Merriam approves $1M fund to help revive hotels

info2022-12-07T07:15:55-06:00December 7th, 2022|

The Merriam City Council has approved a $1 million fund to help revive its four hotels, a key part of the city’s tax base. The fund, approved by an unanimous vote at the council’s Nov. 28 meeting, is an attempt to help the city’s hotels, all of which are located along Interstate 35, refurbish their properties and increase their revenues. City staff told the city council the goal is to decrease blight and increase the average daily room rates at the four hotels, which include the Extended Stay America, Hampton Inn Suites, Hotel Lotus and Quality Inn clustered around I-35 and Shawnee Mission Parkway. Source: [...]

7 Wednesday, December 7

Panel at Lawrence library to address housing problems and solutions

info2022-12-07T00:59:55-06:00December 7th, 2022|

Local housing experts will discuss rental problems and the shortage of affordable housing options during a panel Thursday at the Lawrence Public Library. Panelists will “share their expertise about feasible policy solutions including inclusive screening practices, banning housing discrimination based on source of income, and tenants’ rights to counsel,” according to a news release from the library. “In 2020, our community identified affordable housing as one of our top three issues,” Marc Veloz, community resources specialist at LPL, said in the release. “It hasn’t gone away and folks are eager to find a solution to this crisis.” Source: The Lawrence Times

7 Wednesday, December 7

Kansas to receive part of $981M federal investment in rural communities

info2022-12-07T00:56:01-06:00December 7th, 2022|

More than $980 million has been sent to numerous states and two territories to help create new and better market opportunities. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on Tuesday that a total of $981 million would be sent to 47 states along with Guam and the Virgin Islands. Part of this cash disbursement will also be sent to the state of Kansas. “Rural people provide the everyday essentials our country depends on,” Vilsack said. “Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, USDA is dedicated to helping people through job creation and expansion of entrepreneurial [...]

7 Wednesday, December 7

Flags are to fly at half-staff Wednesday and Thursday

info2022-12-07T00:53:39-06:00December 7th, 2022|

Flags will be flying at half-staff Wednesday through Thursday. Wednesday is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. It was 81 years ago when a sneak attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy struck America's naval base of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The attack killed over 2,400 American service members and civilians and wounded over 1,000. In addition, the bombing raid destroyed nearly 20 American naval vessels and over 300 aircraft. It was the final catalyst that brought the United States into World War II. The following day, Dec. 8, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Imperial Japan. Source: KSN-TV

7 Wednesday, December 7

Drought forces more coyotes into Kansas towns

info2022-12-07T00:50:26-06:00December 7th, 2022|

Kansas Game Wardens are warning residents of the Sunflower State to keep an eye out for increasing numbers of coyotes in residential areas. Coyotes are being found more often in towns this year in Kansas, according to game wardens. This is due to extreme drought conditions as the coyotes search for food and water. Game wardens say that you should stay calm if you spot a coyote in your neighborhood. Many coyotes avoid people and seeing one during the day and seeing them is not a cause for alarm as they are mostly looking for a place to rest. Coyotes are [...]

7 Wednesday, December 7

USD 383 board to vote on superintendent succession Wednesday

info2022-12-07T00:48:56-06:00December 7th, 2022|

The Manhattan-Ogden school board will vote to make USD 383 assistant superintendent Eric Reid the next district superintendent at its meeting Wednesday. The regular meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at Robinson Education Center. The final business item listed in the meeting’s agenda is the superintendent succession plan that calls for Reid to succeed superintendent Marvin Wade upon Wade’s retirement in June. If approved, Reid will replace Wade, who will leave June 30 after the board accepted his retirement last month. Reid previously served as superintendent at USD 327 Ellsworth-Kanopolis-Geneseo for four years before joining USD 383 in 2015. Reid replaced Robert [...]