A new logo is in the works for the city of Emporia, and commissioners are moving forward with two options to source a design. Beginning Aug. 1, local professionals can submit their designs for consideration on www.designcrowd.com. According to a written release, crowdsourcing through agencies such as Design Crowd, allows professional graphic designers from around the world, as well as local professionals to submit their design for consideration. "The crowdsourcing project allows the city to give details about aspects represented through a new logo design," said city of Emporia communications manager Christine Johnson. "The city logo committee is then able to review, [...]

Saturday was not Kirk VanDegrift’s first fire rescue. But it was the first time he encountered real people. “I didn’t think. I just did it... It’s just what you do,” VanDegrift said Sunday about his actions before dawn Saturday in Cottonwood Falls. Even though one woman died, he potentially saved others. VanDegrift was sleeping when the fire developed in an apartment building at 801 Eighth Street around 4:16 a.m. “The smell of smoke woke me up,” VanDegrift said. “I thought it might be coming from my apartment, and maybe it was up in the ceiling.” When VanDegrift went outside, he instead [...]

The Lyon County Emergency Communications Center announced the launch of Prepared Live — a software that enables Video-to-911 capabilities — in the communications center. According to a written release, Prepared is a software that enables LCECC’s 9-1-1 communications center to “livestream, receive multimedia, and receive location from mobile callers in real-time.” LCECC director Roxanne Van Gundy said the technology will “significantly improve” the center’s “ability to effectively and efficiently respond to emergencies in the community.” “Kansas has always been a nationwide leader in NG 911 services. With advanced location abilities, Text to and Text from 911, translation services and now Video-to-911, [...]

Simmons Pet Food announced the addition of a fourth high-speed production line in Emporia as part of a $115 million investment on two Kansas facilities Monday afternoon. The investment includes a new pet food distribution center in Edgerton, and the start of operations at a second production line in Dubuque, Iowa. Simmons president Scott Salmon said the announcement comes as part of Simmons Pet Food’s $500 million strategic growth plan. “I would say the range is actually $115 - $150 million, because to do this, we’re not only making investments in Emporia, we have some investments in Edgerton as well,” Salmon [...]

Although he’s not new to the building, there is officially a new man in charge as Jeff Williams made a motion to approve Stephen Jowers as Superintendent. He was hired during Monday's annual reorganizational meeting of USD 386. Jowers is not new to the role — he was superintendent-in-waiting while he obtained certification that was needed to officially serve in that capacity. He has worked closely under interim-superintendent Michael Argabright over the last year. Now that he is certified, he will be acting on his own for the 2022-23 school year. Source: Emporia Gazette

The most explosive season of the year in Lyon County officially fizzles out Tuesday night. Legal fireworks discharges in Emporia and rural Lyon County ends at 10 p.m. As usual, that's far too late for some people. “We have had 64 complaints,” Emporia Police Capt. Lisa Hayes said at mid-afternoon Tuesday. That was the total throughout Lyon County since July 1. And it's up from 50 complaints at the same point in 2021. Hayes said police filed one criminal complaint Sunday night, after a person claimed to be struck by fireworks. But officers normally don't go around town to lock up [...]

Planning for Chase County Courthouse's sesquicentennial celebrations has been officially greenlighted by the county commission, following a Thursday morning meeting at the courthouse. Chase County Historical Society director Dawn Sisson, CCHS board members Sharon and Delwin Burton, and Chase County Chamber of Commerce director Toni Schneider presented preliminary research and ideas related to the courthouse's 150th birthday. Sisson said she's been collecting history since before COVID-19 and has found a number of useful items. That includes a centennial book that was published in 1972 that included basic community information. She also found newspaper collections, scrapbooks and cookbooks. Source: Emporia Gazette

Some of your fire insurance payments have returned to Lyon County to help local fire departments. Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt announced Wednesday that $162,447.57 has been distributed to seven Firefighter Relief Associations across the county. The allocation occurs each year under state law. The funds come for a two percent tax paid by insurance companies on “fire and lightning insurance premiums written in Kansas,” a statement from Schmidt's office said. FRAs can use the money to pay firefighters' health and life insurance costs. They also can purchase new fire trucks and gear, while improving fire stations. Source: Emporia Gazette

The Emporia Municipal Band invites the community to travel the world with music this week. The band hits the stage at Fremont Park at 8 p.m. Thursday. The theme is “Travel Around the World with EMB.” The musical offerings include “The Star Spangled Banner,” written by Francis Scott Key and arranged by John Philip Sousa; the “Orpheus Overture,” “Russian Sailors’ Dance,” “Festivo,” “At the Dixieland Jazz Funeral” and much more. The Emporia Municipal Band is currently in its 80th season. All concerts are free and open to the public. Source: Emporia Gazette

Emporia Main Street has once again earned accreditation through Main Street America for meeting "rigorous performance standards," it announced last week. Main Street America, a program of the National Main Street Center, works to revitalize older and historic commercial districts to build vibrant neighborhoods and thriving economies. Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of Accredited programs to recognize their exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization. Source: Emporia Gazette