Chippeaux exemplifies volunteerism as new Bentley resident

4 Thursday, August 4

Chippeaux exemplifies volunteerism as new Bentley resident

info2022-08-04T09:14:58-05:00August 4th, 2022|

In the eyes of Bentley Mayor Tracy Pribbenow, Chris Chippeaux is the epitome of a new resident to a small community. “To me, it’s just awesome that he dives into a community with both feet,” Pribbenow said. “I wish so many new residents would consider how to really be involved and integrated into a new place.” Chippeaux and his family moved to Bentley in December of 2020, and he wasted no time joining the volunteer fire department. He also just completed his first year on the city council. “It’s not exactly what I was expecting, but I’m learning a lot [...]

4 Thursday, August 4

Local Mennonites Reflect On Newton Impact

info2022-08-04T09:15:17-05:00August 4th, 2022|

Mennonites from the Newton and North Newton area gathered around the Carriage Factory Art Gallery for a detailed look at how Mennonites have shaped Newton to the present. Glen Ediger presented, “The Mennonite Impact on the Newton Area,” at Carriage Factory on Thursday, July 28. This was part of a two-part presentation about the history of Mennonites in Kansas. Ediger previously presented “Mennonites Come to Kansas” in June. Much of the research done by Ediger was accomplished through Bethel College’s archives and the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online (GAMEO). Source: Harvey County Now

4 Thursday, August 4

Peabody dog violation put bite on owner

info2022-08-04T09:16:51-05:00August 4th, 2022|

Thirteen separate dog offenses have resulted in $1,760 in fines for a dog owner who has since left Peabody. Eric J. Williams, 34, was fined in municipal court for five counts of having a dog at large, having an unvaccinated dog, being a habitual dog ordinance violator, harboring a vicious animal, having no dog tag, and having no water service in his residence. The most recent of the offenses was April 22. He was convicted last week. Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal

4 Thursday, August 4

Short-staffed ambulances to charge hospitals

info2022-08-04T09:16:36-05:00August 4th, 2022|

Medical facilities that summon county ambulance crews to transfer patients or perform medical procedures soon will be charged. In the past, patients have been billed for transfers, at a much higher charge than what interim ambulance director Chuck Kenney suggested to county commissioners Friday. Under federal regulations, a hospital is responsible for the cost of transferring a patient to another facility, but ambulance services routinely bill the patients instead. Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal

4 Thursday, August 4

Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office receives raise to $23.50/hr

info2022-08-04T00:42:09-05:00August 4th, 2022|

Amid staffing concerns that arose after a plotted riot at the Sedgwick County Jail in July, Sedgwick County Commissioners on Wednesday approved a pay raise for the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office. Sedgwick County Commissioners unanimously approved a pay raise for commissioned deputies and detention deputies to $23.50 per hour, which according to Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter, would put the agency just above the Maize Police Department and below the Bel Aire Police Department. Easter told commissioners Wednesday staffing shortages have been a major cause for concern. Two more people resigned over the weekend, making a bad situation worse. Source: [...]

4 Thursday, August 4

Some skunks remain, but Newton track reopens

info2022-08-04T00:39:32-05:00August 4th, 2022|

The skunk traps are working in Newton. About 10 days after Newton Schools closed the high school track because of skunks, the track reopened. Many people in the community use the track, but the school district warned them to stay away because of a lot of skunks, especially under the high jump mats. One skunk charged at a person using the track. Cody Abney, a master tracker and trapper, got to work on the problem. On Wednesday, the district announced on Facebook that five of the 11 skunks have been caught. Source: KSN-TV

4 Thursday, August 4

New ‘Welcome’ banners to be installed in downtown Topeka

info2022-08-04T00:37:38-05:00August 4th, 2022|

Look up on Kansas Avenue in downtown Topeka and you will see new banners welcoming international visitors to the Capitol City. Bob Ross, with the Greater Topeka Partnership, announced Wednesday afternoon eight new banners will be installed across Kansas Avenue in Downtown Topeka. The new banners say "Welcome" in eight different languages. The languages include Spanish, English, Arabic, Mandarin, Ukrainian, Hindi, Potawatomi, and German. “Downtown Topeka is proud to be the front door for the Capitol City of Kansas,” said Rhiannon Friedman, president of Downtown Topeka Inc. “Each year people from around the world visit our city for business, family, [...]

4 Thursday, August 4

Spring Hill district debuts new solar project aimed to help cut energy costs

info2022-08-04T00:32:10-05:00August 4th, 2022|

One local school district is harnessing the power of the sun to power up its classrooms. Wednesday morning, the Spring Hill School District unveiled its newly constructed solar array. The school district partnered with Evergy and EnergyLink to install a solar array directly behind Spring Hill High School. The ground-mount solar field stretches across roughly 4 acres of land behind the school. Jeff Martin, vice president of customer operations for Evergy, said the high school's land availability and proximity to the grid made it a perfect fit for the project. Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 - WDAF

4 Thursday, August 4

Olathe approves incentives supporting Garmin’s massive expansion

info2022-08-04T09:18:30-05:00August 4th, 2022|

Garmin Ltd. won two tranches of incentives from Olathe for its $240 million-plus headquarters expansion's second phase, which will add 1,500 new jobs. On Tuesday evening, the City Council unanimously approved the tech manufacturer's request for a 10-year, 75% property tax abatement, along with the issuance of $145.9 million in industrial revenue bonds for a component of its second-phase expansion. The company will remodel and repurpose a 580,580-square-foot facility at 1200 E. 151st St. for office and research uses in the northwest corner of 151st Street and Ridgeview Road. Source: Kansas City Business Journal

4 Thursday, August 4

Political signs must come down, City of Topeka says

info2022-08-04T00:29:28-05:00August 4th, 2022|

With the end of the Kansas Primary Election all political signs be taken down, according to the City of Topeka. Two days after an election ends, all political signs must be removed from the public right of way. A temporary sign ordinance will be enforced starting Friday, Aug. 5. Those who violate the ordinance may have to pay a $50 penalty. Each day that the violation repeats will be treated as a separate and distinct offense. The fines go into effect following the third day after Election Day. Removal of each sign is $30. Source: KSNT 27 News [...]