The wooden gavel may be best known as a symbol of the legal profession and a prop for reality show judges. But in these unruly times, the gavel has become an emblem of civic disorder. Footage from local government meetings shows vexed city, county and school board officials bashing their gavels, sometimes so hard they splinter, to enforce silence, parliamentary procedure and civil debate. Officials wielding the gavel call it a primitive but useful tool to gain control of the room when Robert’s Rules fly out the window. Those on the receiving end bristle at all the banging. Source: Wall Street [...]

District courts in 34 counties, including Reno County, will transition to the new Kansas eCourt centralized case management system starting next week. After the transition, the public will be able to look up court cases online, including getting access to view some documents, without fees or having to visit county courthouses. The system will allow visitors to search records of any court statewide that is on the system, which, after next week’s transition, will include about 95% of the courts in the state, officials said. Source: Hutch News

Lawrence’s new fire chief has come a long way — from a region full of mountains to a Midwestern city known for one “mount” — and he’s excited for his next chapter. Rich Llewellyn was sworn in as Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical’s chief on Aug. 26, though he arrived two weeks prior after two 15-hour days of driving in a pickup truck with his wife and six dogs from Washington State. He is the permanent replacement for Chief Shaun Coffey, who retired in November. “It was quite the adventure getting out here,” Llewellyn said. “We got to town on a Tuesday. [...]

Lawrence city leaders heard various perspectives about a plan to create a temporary city-run campsite for those experiencing homelessness and to relocate people to that area. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission received an update on the city’s strategic plan goal of “strong, welcoming neighborhoods,” which included updates on various efforts to address homelessness. Among them was the city’s plan to create a temporary campsite on a city-owned parcel of land in North Lawrence, located between the Johnny’s Tavern back parking lot and the levee trail, as well as future plans for a longer-term campsite. Source: LJWorld

After months of debate and meetings, on Tuesday, the residents of Pretty Prairie decided against the $10.4 million bond, with 277 voting no and 212 voting yes. The bond was to fix the roofs and exterior brick in all three school buildings, the elementary, middle and high school. With the funds, tall three schools would get new, energy efficient windows. Pretty Prairie Middle School would have also had their gymnasium renovated and some ceilings fixed. Source: Hutch News

Topeka's mayor and city council have identified their top choice to be Topeka's next city manager, but they're not saying who it is. The mayor and council about 10:40 p.m. Tuesday voted 9-0, with Councilman Mike Lesser having just left the room, to direct Paul Bossert, of Kansas Personnel Services Inc., to begin contract negotiations with that finalist, whose name they didn't reveal. Any vote to hire Topeka's next city manager would need to take place during a public meeting. The mayor and council are scheduled to next meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13, in their chambers at 214 S.E. [...]

On Tuesday evening, the City of Valley Center gave final approval for a 3D-printed community of homes. This will be the first in the State of Kansas and one of only a handful in the United States. Also announced at the meeting was the name of the community development - Sunflower Valley. According to CC3D, the development company, the name was chosen to honor Kansas and the City of Valley Center for being the first in the state and leading the way in the nation. ... “We are excited to be moving forward with the City of Valley Center to bring [...]