Audit reveals two-thirds of broadband aid allocated to southern Kansas

22 Thursday, September 22

Audit reveals two-thirds of broadband aid allocated to southern Kansas

info2022-09-22T07:32:32-05:00September 22nd, 2022|

Nearly two-thirds of $48.5 million in COVID-19 funding earmarked for expansion of broadband services to Kansas homes and businesses was invested in upgrading internet connectivity in the southern half of the state, according to an audit report released Sept. 14. The Kansas Legislature’s auditing arm told a joint House and Senate committee the three southern regions of the state absorbed 35 of 66 grants, or $30.4 million approved by Gov. Laura Kelly and legislators on the State Finance Council. The four northern regions took on the balance of the projects, budgeted at $18.1 million. Source: Derby Informer

22 Thursday, September 22

Locals and visitors continue to use Harvey County parks in record numbers

info2022-09-22T07:13:04-05:00September 22nd, 2022|

Usage at Harvey County’s three parks remains as high as ever as people continue to opt for outdoor entertainment during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Probably the last three years since COVID started have kind of been record years for us,” Parks Director Kass Miller said. Miller said the parks remained full on the weekends, with East Park being the busiest, but the volume of people at West Park has increased, too. He said a majority of patrons were from out of the county. East Park attracts most of its visitors from Sedgwick County, and West Park pulls in a lot of folks [...]

22 Thursday, September 22

Wind Energy rep says proposed regulations would kill project

info2022-09-22T01:39:35-05:00September 22nd, 2022|

After more than 40 people got their say, the Harvey County Planning Commission approved 18 pages of regulations governing wind turbines and other alternative forms of renewable energy during a Sept. 14 meeting at the Meridian Center. More than 200 people attended the meeting, and a majority of those who spoke asked for more stringent requirements than those that were approved. A handful of others expressed support for NextEra Energy’s proposal to develop a wind farm in the county, but that project appears dead on arrival based on the 1,500-foot setbacks that were approved. NextEra Energy representative Fiona Bagwell after planning [...]

22 Thursday, September 22

Thousands throng to Hillsboro

info2022-09-22T07:49:18-05:00September 22nd, 2022|

The streets of downtown Hillsboro had the biggest traffic jam of the year Saturday with 180 arts and crafts vendor booths lining four blocks of Main St. and two blocks of Grand Ave. So many people crowded onto the streets that it was difficult to find a place to walk. Parking spots weren’t easy to find. Lots charged $3 to $10 for use. Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal

22 Thursday, September 22

Construction gets rolling on Lenexa Justice Center that will house police, court facilities

info2022-09-22T07:49:34-05:00September 22nd, 2022|

Construction on the $73 million Lenexa Justice Center has started on schedule at the southwest corner of Prairie Star Parkway and Britton Street. The facility is set to open in the spring of 2024. The Justice Center will house the city's police department, municipal court, information technology server room and communications unit. It also will have space for training and vehicle storage, as well as a firing range. The 117,785-square-foot facility will be located on 36 acres just south of Lenexa City Center. Lenexa chose the site because of its central, accessible location. The area also offers undeveloped land that could be [...]

22 Thursday, September 22

Downtown Hiawatha comes to life with annual Maple Leaf Festival

info2022-09-22T07:49:55-05:00September 22nd, 2022|

Downtown Hiawatha is the place to be on Saturday for the annual Maple Leaf Festival. Sponsored by the Hiawatha Chamber and Visitors Bureau, the Maple Leaf Festival promises more than 60 craft and food vendors, inflatables and other children’s activities, the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center, live music, a car show and much more. Events kick off at 10 a.m. and continue until 5 p.m. around the courthouse square. Streets will be blocked off around the square for the occasion. The Brown County Historical Society trolley will be picking up festival-goers on the Southwest side of the courthouse square for free rides [...]

22 Thursday, September 22

Hearing set to update Paola’s building and fire codes

info2022-09-22T07:50:48-05:00September 22nd, 2022|

The city of Paola plans to transition to the 2018 International Building and Fire Codes, mirroring adoptions that have already been made by the cities of Louisburg and Osawatomie, as well as Miami County. Paola City Council members agreed, during their Sept. 13 meeting, to schedule a public hearing for 6 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Paola Justice Center to receive feedback on the proposed 2018 Building and Fire Code updated draft. Paola has been using the 2006 International Building Codes and the 2006 International Fire Code. City officials discussed updating the codes during a work session earlier this month and [...]

22 Thursday, September 22

The Fed forecasts hiking rates as high as 4.6% before ending inflation fight

info2022-09-22T07:14:34-05:00September 22nd, 2022|

The Federal Reserve will raise interest rates to up to 4.6% in 2023 before the central bank stops its fight against soaring inflation, according to its median forecast released on Wednesday. The central bank on Wednesday raised benchmark interest rates by another three-quarters of a percentage point to a range of 3%-3.25%, the highest since early 2008. The so-called dot-plot, which the Fed uses to signal its outlook for the path of interest rates, showed six of the 19 "dots" would take rates even higher to a 4.75%-5% range next year. Source: CNBC

21 Wednesday, September 21

Winfield city clerk Brenda Peters retires

info2022-09-21T21:52:09-05:00September 21st, 2022|

Winfield city clerk Brenda Peters is retiring Monday after 27 years of working with the City of Winfield. Peters was hired as deputy city clerk in October 1995, working with previous clerk Diane Rosecrans. She was hired as the city clerk in 2009. Before coming to Winfield, Peters was the clerk for two cities in Wyoming. Peters said she has most enjoyed the people she works with, calling the City of Winfield, “The best place I’ve ever worked.” She also said she enjoys providing services to the community and helping people find what they need. Source: The Arkansas City Traveler

21 Wednesday, September 21

City of Olpe sees positive response during community meet and greet to introduce new community fitness park

info2022-09-21T21:50:42-05:00September 21st, 2022|

The City of Olpe was able to gain valuable feedback and input from local residents on a planned multi-million dollar community improvement project currently in the works. The city hosted an alumni and community meet and greet inside of the Olpe Knights of Columbus Hall Saturday afternoon for that exact purpose. Along with a spaghetti dinner and bingo, the afternoon also featured a presentation on the city’s planned fitness facility project. USD 252 Southern Lyon County Superintendent Mike Argabright led the presentation saying the community’s response was overwhelmingly positive towards the prospect. Source: KVOE Emporia Radio