Wichita looks to waive building permit fees to encourage more housing projects

15 Monday, August 15

Wichita looks to waive building permit fees to encourage more housing projects

info2022-08-16T07:26:50-05:00August 15th, 2022|

Wichita's City Council will consider adopting a new two-year pilot program on Tuesday that would provide incentives to encourage infill residential construction within the city's neglected central neighborhoods, according to an agenda report for the upcoming meeting. The city says the program's ultimate goal is to provide more affordable housing options to meet workforce needs, as well as reinvigorate declining neighborhoods. If adopted Tuesday, the program would waive building permit fees for all residential construction within designated "formative" areas of Wichita, particularly in areas north, west and south of the downtown core. Homeowners for DIY projects, as well as builders, contractors [...]

15 Monday, August 15

The Local Infrastructure Hub Opens Enrollment for Technical Assistance Program to Help Small, Mid-Sized Cities and Towns Access Federal Infrastructure Dollars

info2022-08-16T07:29:34-05:00August 15th, 2022|

Today, the Local Infrastructure Hub opened registration for small and mid-sized cities to participate in a new technical assistance program to help them access federal infrastructure funding. The specialized training bootcamps will let them access some of the first grant opportunities available as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. ... For smaller cities and towns, submitting strong applications for competitive federal infrastructure money can be particularly challenging. Local teams are stretched and rarely have in-house grant writing resources. ... Beginning today, the Local Infrastructure Hub is enrolling towns and cities with 150,000 residents or less in a technical [...]

15 Monday, August 15

Faster Internet Is Coming to America—as Soon as the Government Knows Where to Build It

info2022-08-16T07:30:48-05:00August 15th, 2022|

The government’s $42.5 billion plan to expand internet service to underserved communities is stuck in a holding pattern nearly nine months after approval, largely because authorities still don’t know where gaps need to be filled. The broadband plan, part of the $1 trillion infrastructure bill signed by President Biden last November, stipulates that money to improve service can’t be doled out until the Federal Communications Commission completes new maps showing where homes and businesses lack fast service. Source: WSJ.com

14 Sunday, August 14

Fed’s Barkin says rate increases need to continue until inflation holds at 2%

info2022-08-14T20:49:27-05:00August 14th, 2022|

Despite positive inflation data this week, Richmond Federal Reserve President Thomas Barkin said Friday that more interest rate increases will be needed to tamp down price pressures. Releases this week showing that consumer and wholesale price increases softened in July were "very welcome," Barkin told CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" in a live interview. "So we're happy to see inflation start to move down," he added. But he noted that, "I'd like to see a period of sustained inflation under control, and until we do that I think we're just going to have to continue to move rates into restrictive territory." [...]

14 Sunday, August 14

Gunshots damage Shawnee City Hall overnight Friday, nobody inside at time

info2022-08-15T06:55:50-05:00August 14th, 2022|

Shawnee Police are investigating after gunshots were fired in at least two places along Johnson Drive overnight Friday. At least two bullets appear to have struck Shawnee City Hall during the incidents, damaging a door and window on the front side of the building which faces Johnson Drive. Investigators say city hall was unoccupied at the time the shots were fired, and nobody was reported injured in either shooting incident. Source: Prairie Village Post

14 Sunday, August 14

Johnson County police handle more mental health calls. The nearest crisis center is in KCK

info2022-08-14T20:43:28-05:00August 14th, 2022|

In the past year, Overland Park police officer Justin Shepherd has responded to mental health calls including a homeless man experiencing hallucinations and another person who was having thoughts of self-harm. But Shepherd has few options for getting someone in distress the help they need. Only two options are available 24 hours a day for people without insurance: take them to a hospital emergency room or to the crisis center in Kansas City, Kansas. Source: KC Star Local News

14 Sunday, August 14

Mission Hills is installing cameras, license plate readers at 10 intersections

info2022-08-15T06:56:36-05:00August 14th, 2022|

Mission Hills hopes to have 10 intersections outfitted with cameras or license plate readers by the end of the summer. The city has been installing cameras and automatic license plate readers at key intersections to help police solve crime, said Capt. Ivan Washington with the Prairie Village Police Department, which contracts with Mission Hills for police services. “The purpose of the initiative is to help as an investigative tool to provide tips or leads to the investigation division to hopefully be able to bring criminal cases to a positive resolution,” Washington said. Source: KC Star Local News

14 Sunday, August 14

After years of planning, a new housing development is coming to Edgerton

info2022-08-15T06:57:01-05:00August 14th, 2022|

Leaders of a southwest Johnson County community that is starved for housing on Thursday approved its first new single-family housing development in almost two decades, according to a news release. In an unanimous vote, the Edgerton City Council approved a conceptual plan proposed by developer Rausch Coleman Homes to build about 275 homes on more than 80 acres at the southwest corner of Braun and Eighth streets, according to the news release from ElevateEdgerton!, a public-private economic development partnership with the city. The new housing development is much needed for the community that sees its population nearly triple each day as [...]

14 Sunday, August 14

City of Emporia encouraging citizen response to ongoing survey

info2022-08-14T20:36:52-05:00August 14th, 2022|

As the city of Emporia continues navigating new waters, a new citywide survey will help the administration identify the city’s strengths and weaknesses according to City Manager Trey Cocking. During a recent installment of the Talk of Emporia, Cocking discussed a recent survey that began arriving in residents’ mailboxes last weekend. According to Cocking, the survey through ETC is designed to give the city residents feedback on which areas the community thinks need improvement. Source: KVOE Emporia Radio

14 Sunday, August 14

Festival book celebrates 50 years of ‘Winfield’

info2022-08-14T20:36:11-05:00August 14th, 2022|

Winfield resident Seth Bate has penned book on the history of the Walnut Valley Festival as the 50th anniversary of the world-famous event approaches. The book recounts some of the untold history and hidden lore of the annual event. Winfield’s Walnut Valley Festival examines the early years and what distinguishes it from other music festivals. It also includes reflections from entertainers, staff, crew, campers and fans, according to a press release issued Friday. Bate moved to Kansas in 1989 to attend Southwestern College. He married Jenny (Muret) and made Winfield his home. He started working at the festival as an emcee [...]