The Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas discussed tax incentives during its Friday morning meeting. Tax abatements can be offered to incentivize businesses to come to Emporia and build here. RDA President Kent Heermann provided members information about some of what Emporia can offer prospective businesses. They discussed the wording of some of the information provided to these businesses, which they admitted was a bit one-size-fits-all and which was written roughly 20 years ago. (Read more: Emporia Gazette)

There is no better time than the present. For Grammy-nominated musician Mike Posner, there’s been something on his bucket list he’s been wanting to accomplish. Walk across America. That’s exactly what brought the famous musician to Emporia Tuesday. The singer of songs such as, “I Took A Pill In Ibiza,” “Cooler Than Me” and “Please Don’t Go” made his way through Emporia Tuesday on his way to his destination — Venice Beach, California. (Read more: Emporia Gazette)

The USD 253 Board of Education heard from CrossWinds Counseling and Wellness representatives at its Wednesday meeting. CrossWinds provides behavioral health services to Emporia’s school district as part of a partnership between the two organizations. During the meeting, members were briefed on several measures CrossWinds officials are taking in local schools, which board member Mallory Koci appreciated. (Read more: Emporia Gazette)

The Emporia Public Library is celebrating its 150th birthday in 2019. A century and a half is a long time to be alive and, as such, the library is steeped in history. It plays a major role in Emporia’s past, present and future. According to Lyon County History Center Curator Lisa Soller, though the library has changed over the years and its role is different than it was 150 years ago, it has always been an important community hub. “It was access to learning,” she said. (Read more: Emporia Gazette)

After a lifetime of preparation, K9 Gilo (pronounced with a hard “g”) is ready to get to work as the newest member of the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office. The 2-year-old Dutch Shepherd-Belgian Malinois mix dog and his handler, Deputy Mike Baumgardner, have completed obedience training and are actively patrolling the county. The name “Gilo” has a special meaning to Baumgardner. “My best friend in the Marine Corps was Carlos Gil Orozco, ‘Gilo’ for short,” he said. “He was killed in Iraq, and I named the dog in honor of him.” (Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Emporia Public Schools held its first in a series of town hall meetings Thursday on the subject of an upcoming bond election. The district has been promoting the idea of a $78 million bond in hopes the public will vote in its favor. Members of the public attended and participated in a discussion where they had a chance to ask questions of district officials. Emporia Marc Fusaro, who serves as Associate Dean of Emporia State University’s School of Business, wanted to learn more about the scope of the project. (Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Kansans are invited to attend the upcoming “Kansas Future of Farming & Food” Town Hall from 5:30 - 8 p.m. July 8, at the Bowyer Community Building at 2700 W. U.S. Highway 50. The town hall, hosted by the Kansas Rural Center, will feature a panel of experts on the food system and farming, climate and energy and rural/urban community needs and how we come together to address these. Following the panel comments, attendees will have time to respond, ask questions and share their experiences or opinions about the issues addressed to help identify what is needed to advance opportunities in [...]

After nearly four years of planning and construction, the new Emporia Wastewater Treatment Plant was unveiled during a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday morning. The plant has been converted to an Integrated Fixed Film Activated Sludge — or IFAS — system to allow the city to comply with new environmental regulations. The City of Emporia first became aware of the upcoming regulations — which are set to take effect in 2022 — in 2015. This is the first system of its kind in Kansas. (Read more: Emporia Gazette)

The Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas set in stone a new opportunity zone during its monthly meeting Friday at Trusler Business Center. RDA President Kent Heermann mentioned in his comments that Emporia had gained an opportunity zone. This is a concept that came up at a previous RDA meeting in Nov. 2018 when the parameters for the local opportunity zone were laid out. According to Heermann, the zone is located in census track five. He said it started at the corner of Neosho Street and Sixth Avenue and stretches southeast to the edge of Emporia and into Lyon County. [...]

The Emporia Public Library launched its summer reading program recently with a blast-off party. Because the theme this summer is “A Universe of Stories,” outer space was the star of the event. Multiple children attended with parents and guardians, where they played games, did crafts and learned about space. Young Adult Librarian Tiffany Fay was pleased so many children and families chose to attend the event in light of the weather — Emporia was, at the time, under a tornado watch. (Read more: Emporia Gazette)